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Band Candy (September 16, 1998) Written by: Jane Espenson |
| Teaser |
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EXT. CEMETERY - NIGHT BUFFY kneels, elbows resting on a platform-style headstone, chin propped on her hands. GILES PACES and reads from a large book. It appears he is making with the vampire lore.
". . . and on that tragic day, an era came to its inevitable end." That's all there is. Are you ready?
Hit me.
Which of the following best expresses the theme of the passage? A: "violence breeds violence." B: "all things must end." Buffy picks up a standardized test answer sheet from the headstone. Some filled-in bubbles. Some smudgy erasures.
C --
I'm putting "B". There hasn't been a "B" in forever.
This is the S.A.T.s, Buffy, not "connect-the-dots". Please pay attention. A low score could seriously harm your chances of getting into college.
Oh, that takes the pressure right off.
This isn't supposed to be easy, you know. It's a rite of passage.
Is it too late to join a tribe where they just pierce something, or cut something off?
Buffy, please. Concentrate. Buffy suddenly jumps up, and RUNS at Giles. He stares at her, confused.
Roll! Giles DROPS, ROLLS. Buffy GOES HIGH, sailing through the air where Giles had just been -- and where a VAMPIRE now menaces. She catches it with a KICK, and it staggers back. Buffy dives after it, and using her pencil, SHE STAKES. The vampire turns to DUST. ANGLE: GILES He picks up his book, adjusts his glasses.
Broke my number two pencil. Sorry. We'll have to do this again some-- Giles hands her a new pencil.
C: "all systems tend toward chaos". Buffy trudges to pick up her answer sheet off the ground.
I just know us and the undead are the only people in Sunnydale working at this hour. EXT. CITY HALL - NIGHT - TO ESTABLISH Imposing, dark. One set of office lights glow in the night.
I appreciate your coming. I realize it is early . . . INT. MAYOR'S OFFICE - NIGHT The mayor is with Mr. Trick.
. . . for you . . . but I think you'll agree this matter is urgent. Also delicate.
Well, I'm a very delicate person.
So you feel you can handle this?
It's a little out of my element, but I can get you what you need. I know a beast who knows a guy.
Are you sure subcontracting is the way to go here?
I believe this guy's worked in your town before. If he lives up to his rep, the place'll be in flames.
I've made certain deals to get where I am today. This demon requires his tribute. You see, that's what separates me from other politicians, Mr. Trick . . . He opens his cabinet to reveal a hideous shrine of evil: blood markings, goats heads, talisman, you name it.
. . . I keep my campaign promises. He picks up a jug made of a shrunken head, sniffs it. It's not what he wants.
Now, where did I put the scotch? BLACK OUT. |
| Act One |
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EXT. SCHOOL QUAD - THE NEXT DAY Buffy, Willow and Oz walk in the quad.
And then I was getting chased by an improperly filled-in answer bubble yelling "none of the above"!
Wow. I hope that wasn't one of your prophecy dreams. (then) Probably not.
You know, Willow and I both took it last year. We could help you get ready. There's this whole trick to antonyms but . . . (looking around, whispering) this isn't the place.
Oz is the highest scoring person ever to fail to graduate.
(to Oz) Isn't she cute when she's proud?
She's always cute. XANDER and CORDELIA join them.
We could work on it tonight.
Work on what tonight?
Oh god, are we killing something again?
Only my carefree spirit.
Buffy S.A.T.-prep.
Oz is helping. He's the highest scoring person--
We know. We did the impressed thing already.
I hate they make us take that thing. It's totally fascist, and personally, I think it discriminates against the uninformed.
Actually, I'm looking forward to it. I do well on standardized tests. (off their looks) What? I can't have layers? INT. HALLWAY/CAFETERIA - CONTINUOUS - DAY They enter near the caf, head there.
So Buffy, study, tonight?
Um . . . yes on the study, no on tonight. Putting in Mom-time. She's been like, drastic ever since I got back. And Giles is even worse. Between the two of them I'm supervised twenty-four seven. It's like living in the Real World house, only real. They reach the door and run into PRINCIPAL SNYDER, who is handing out cardboard boxes. Startled, they each take one. Willow looks inside.
(pleased) Chocolate bars. Lots of 'em!
Principal Snyder, thank you! You weren't visited by the ghost of Christmas past by any chance?
It's band candy.
Let's hear it for the band, huh? Very generous.
You will sell it. To raise money for the marching band. They need new uniforms.
Those tall fuzzy hats ain't cheap, huh?
But they go with everything.
Um, as much as I'm sure we all love the idea of going all Willy Loman . . . we're not in the band.
And if I had just handed you a trombone, that would be a problem, Summers. It's candy. Sell it. Snyder stalkes off. They are left looking at their boxes of chocolate merchandise. INT. BUFFY'S KITCHEN - AFTER SCHOOL (DAY) JOYCE and Buffy eat take-out chinese food.
You're not in the band.
And yet.
Buffy, what would I do with forty chocolate bars?
You could give them out at the gallery. Buy something Pre- Columbian, get a free cavity.
Twenty.
You're a good mom.
I'm the best.
(playful) Oh, I'm pretty sure the best moms let their daughters drive.
And yet.
Come on --
Oh, let's not have this conversation.
I took the class. And I watched all the filmstrips with the blood and the death and the corpses -- I'm prepped!
Honey, you failed the written test. They wouldn't even let you take the road test.
That was a year ago. And I don't test well. She said, two days before the S.A.T.s.
I spend enough time not knowing where you are. I don't want to add the possibility that you're on the highway to Chicago.
I can't believe you. I'm not going to take off again. And if I was, I could just get on a bus--
Stop. Don't. I just . . . don't want you driving, okay? I want you here.
Okay, I'm here. See me being here. Buffy eats her last bite of pizza.
Gotta go. Buffy gets up.
What? You're going out?
Giles. Slay-study double feature. Could be late.
Again? Honey, don't you think Mr. Giles is monopolizing an awful lot of your time?
And does he ever say he's sorry? INT. LIBRARY - LATER (NIGHT) Giles is tying a blindfold over Buffy's eyes. He accidentally pulls her hair.
Ow!
Sorry.
Why do I put up with this?
Because it is your destiny and because I just bought twenty "cocorific" candy bars. Giles puts a ball into Buffy's hands. It's the inflated rubber kind used to play dodge ball.
Okay, now you're just doing this to take funny pictures of me.
I'm testing your awareness of an opponent's location during a fight in total darkness. You're to wait five seconds, then throw me the ball. As Buffy talks, Giles circles around behind her. Buffy continues to talk to where he was.
You ran out of training ideas about a week ago, didn't you? Okay. Five, four, three-two-one. She TURNS AWAY FROM GILES, and throws the ball -- it clearly will miss Giles by a mile.
Not so simple, is-- As Giles speaks, the ball RICOCHETS off a wall and HITS GILES IN THE HEAD.
Ow. Ah. Well done. Buffy takes off the blindfold.
Thanks. Buffy heads for the door.
Wait, you're not going? We have to patrol.
Can't. I told you, Mom's in hyperdrive. She wants me home tonight.
Oh. But-- Buffy picks up her box of candy and hands it to Giles.
I know. She's out of control. Enjoy the candy! And she's out. Resigned, Giles takes a candy bar out of the box and starts to unwrap it. INT. MANSION - NIGHT Buffy, holding a grocery bag, lets herself in. She looks around. No Angel. She heads toward the courtyard. EXT. MANSION GARDEN - CONTINUOUS - NIGHT Buffy enters to find Angel shirtless, glistening with perspiration, and doing Tai Chi. She starts to speak, but then just watches. Finally, he turns, gracefully, part of the routine, and sees her.
Buffy.
I didn't know you could do that. He walks toward her.
I'm doing better . . . He stumbles.
Angel! She grabs him and steadies him. She puts her arms around him and helps him back into the mansion. INT. MANSION - NIGHT Still with an arm around him, she helps Angel to a chair. Suddenly, they are both aware of the contact. He moves away from her. Angel looks at everything in the room except her.
It's late. How did you get away?
Easy. Started a fire in the prison laundry, rode out in the garbage truck.
Oh.
Joking. No garbage. Smell me. Now he's too close. He looks at her a moment, then:
How is . . . Scott?
Oh, Scott, Boyfriend Scott, actually he's not -- He's fine. Buffy hands him the grocery bag.
I brought more . . . for you. From the butcher's. He takes the bag, removes a take-out soup container. Through the lid, the liquid inside is visibly red.
Thank you. He sets it aside awkwardly. Finally, he looks at her, really meeting her eyes.
You're being careful, right?
With Scott?
The slaying.
Oh, of course. Yeah, sure I am. I'm full of carefulness.
I worry about you.
Likewise.
I'm getting stronger.
Yeah. Soon you won't need me.
That'll be better.
(no it won't) Yeah. INT. BUFFY'S HOUSE - FOYER - LATER - NIGHT Buffy comes in through the front door to find Joyce standing in the foyer. Joyce is unwrapping a band candy bar.
Hi. Sorry I'm late, but you know Giles. All slay, all the time.
Hello, Buffy.
Hi. Um . . . you guys want to watch TV? I hear Nightline's very insightful.
You lied to us, Buffy. And you made us into your alibis. That's playing us against each other and that's not fair.
I called Willow. You lied to her about your whereabouts also. We were all concerned. Joyce holds out her candy bar toward Giles, offering. He breaks off a piece.
(to Joyce) Thank you. They both nibble throughout the following.
I'm sorry. It's just, I had to go-- Buffy walks into the -- INT. BUFFY'S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - CONTINUOUS - NIGHT No escape, they both follow her.
Were you at the Bronze? What was happening there that was so important?
Oh. Um . . . Bronze things. Things of Bronze.
You're acting really immature, Buffy.
I know I'm not your parent, but I do have to look after you. Your mom's right.
Okay, so I'm acting like a child. Maybe that's 'cause you're both treating me like a child.
Buffy!
No. Listen. You're both scheduling me twenty-four hours a day, and between the two of you, that's . . . forty-eight hours, and I just want to make some decisions on my own.
The last time you made a decision on your own you split.
And I took care of myself just fine. I don't need quite this much "active parenting", thank you very much.
You can't really be trying to use this summer as a reason you should be trusted!
Mom, you gotta back off some! I don't need to be baby-sat.
All right, come on. Let's not freak out.
Let's not what?
I think you should go to bed. We're all tired. Buffy hesitates, considering continuing the engagement. She senses the futility, and turns on her heel . . . off to bed. After she's gone:
(to Giles) She drives me crazy. I just want to protect her.
All parents want that.
Yeah, but at least most parents know what to protect their children from.
Yeah, you and I have to be especially careful. Giles pulls another band candy bar out of his jacket pocket. He offers a piece to Joyce. They enjoy it silently. CLOSE ON: A BAND CANDY BAR Sitting with many others of its kind in a box. WIDEN TO SHOW INT. WAREHOUSE - NIGHT A MAN, in factory coveralls, who seals the filled box and reaches for the next box. He glances around, reaches in, removes a bar. He peels back the wrapper, and is ready to chomp when . . . A HAND LOCKS AROUND HIS WRIST . . . WE FOLLOW THE ARM UP TO REVEAL: ETHAN RAYNE.
Trust me. You don't want to eat that. BLACK OUT.
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| Act Two |
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INT. SCIENCE CLASSROOM - THE NEXT DAY A science classroom, with two-person tables. The STUDENTS wait for the teacher. Buffy and Cordelia share a table. Xander and Willow have the table behind them.
I heard there's this secret rule if a teacher is over ten minutes late, everyone can leave.
It's Giles' turn to lead study hall. He'll be here. He's allergic to late.
The man is wrapped a little tight. I had this philosophy book out from the library for like a year and he made me pay the fine even though it was huge. I eventually had to return it, which was sad because it was perfect for starting conversations with college boys. Of course, that was B.X.
B.X.? Oh, Before Xander. Clever. ANGLE: THE TABLE BEHIND THEM Xander, eating a band candy bar, sits next to Willow.
I like chocolate. There's no bad here.
You still have some left? I went to like four houses and they were gone. It was like trick-or-treating in reverse.
I know, they're selling like hot cakes. Which is ironic, 'cause the hot cakes really aren't moving. ANGLE: THEIR KNEES Under the table. They both slowly move their legs together until their knees are touching.
(distracted) We're raising a lot of money for the band.
(also distracted) Yeah. They're great. They march.
(not listening to herself) Like an army. With music instead of bullets and usually no one dies. Xander inches his foot over to nudge Willow's. She crosses her foot over his . . . twining ankles. Ankle sex.
I can't believe this! Willow and Xander jump apart, SLAMMING their knees into the table legs. Xander whimpers. Willow bites her lip.
Where is Giles already? I'm bored and he's not here to give me credit for it. ANGLE: PRINCIPAL SNYDER And an older teacher, MS. BARTON, are engaged in a whispered conversation in the classroom doorway. Snyder is eating a band candy bar.
Look, the big pinhead librarian didn't show up and I don't want to do it. You do it.
All right. Fine. I'll do it. She moves to the front of the room, and Snyder heads out.
(to himself) Everyone expects me to do everything around here 'cause I'm the principal and it's not fair . . . Snyder exits. The students continue to chatter.
(very tough) Hey, hey! The students look up, startled.
Look, we're all stuck here, okay? So let's just sit quietly . . . (lowering her voice) And pretend to read or something until we're sure Commandant Snyder is gone, and then we're all out of here. The students look at each other, happy and surprised.
Anyone else want to marry Ms. Barton?
Get in line. Ms. Barton sets down her purse. ANGLE: THE PURSE No one notices the BAND CANDY BAR sticking out of it.
I guess Giles isn't coming.
(concerned) I guess not. EXT. GILES' PLACE - LATER THAT AFTERNOON (DAY) Buffy is at Giles' door. It's slightly ajar. Immediately on the alert, she pushes her way in silently -- INT. GILES' PLACE - CONTINUOUS - DAY -- and enters, crouching and tense, to find Giles going through a cabinet and Joyce on the couch.
Buffy!
Oh! Buffy relaxes.
Sorry. I was worried, Giles. You were a big not-there in study hall and after your lecture on me not ducking out and what is my mother doing here?
We had an opportunity for a, you might say, a summit meeting. It took priority over study hall. I called in.
Oh.
We decided you made a good point. earlier, honey.
I did. Yes. And that was . . . ?
About us over-scheduling you.
Pulling you in two directions, as it were . . . your home life and your duties as a slayer.
Oh. That was a good point.
We're working out a coordinated schedule for you.
It will be tight, but I think we can fit in all your responsibilities.
(less enthused) Sounds nice 'n' structured. Joyce comes over to Buffy.
We've got more work to do here, honey. Why don't you give us a little more time? Take the car. Mr. Giles can drive me home. Sure enough, Joyce is holding out CAR KEYS.
What? Excuse me, I meant: what?
Keys. Take them.
Hey, you don't have to tell me twice. Well, you did. But . . . bye. Buffy grabs the keys and heads for the door fast, before Joyce can change her mind.
Bye, honey. Drive careful. Buffy waves and EXITS. Joyce turns to Giles.
You think she noticed anything?
No way. Joyce bounces on her knees on the couch and reaches behind it for a Kahlua bottle. Giles lights a cigarette. INT. JOYCE'S CAR - EARLY EVENING (NIGHT) Buffy drives happily. Willow's in the passenger seat.
Tell me again how it happened.
I told her I wanted to be treated more like a grown-up, and voila! Driviness. EXT. JOYCE'S CAR - CONTINUOUS - NIGHT Buffy takes a curve with enthusiasm and speed. INT. JOYCE'S CAR - CONTINUOUS - NIGHT Willow braces herself with both hands.
Ooh.
Also, I think Mom might've wanted me, you know, otherwhere. Giles and her are planning my future and I guess it's easier to live my life if I'm not actually there.
You know you've got the parking brake on?
Uh-huh. Buffy releases it.
Are you sure about the Bronze? The S.A.T.s are tomorrow.
I can study at the Bronze. A little dancing, a little cross-multiplying. Hey, you know what we need? Buffy starts hitting radio buttons: rock, rap, country . . .
(terrified) Eyes on the road! Eyes on the road! EXT. JOYCE'S CAR - NIGHT The CAR RADIO BLARES as they WEAVE down the street. The music changes one more time . . . INT. GILES' PLACE - LATER (NIGHT) CREAM PLAYS. Giles' button-down is open, revealing a white t-shirt-style undershirt. He lies on his back by his record player amid scattered albums. Joyce is mixing a Kahlua and Pepsi. Cigarettes smolder in an ashtray on the floor.
You've got good albums.
Yeah, they're all right. Giles' accent is more working class than we are used to.
Do you like Seals and Croft? (off his look) Me neither. He lights another cig, hands it to her. She smokes it awkwardly . . . a new smoker.
How come they call you Ripper?
Wouldn't you like to know. He stops, listening.
Hey, listen to this bit. It rocks. Giles turns the volume up.
It's good.
Man. I gotta get a band together.
So, you wanna watch TV, Ripper? I know how to order pay-per-view.
Let's go out. Have some fun. Tear things up.
Okay. We could go to the Bronze.
Not bloody likely. That place is dead. INT. THE BRONZE - EVENING (NIGHT) The joint is jumping: packed and very loud. Buffy enters. Willow follows, still shaky from the ride. DINGOES ATE MY BABIES PLAYS and looks out at an unusually old audience. Oz waves at Willow and gives a little shrug. Everywhere they look, the patrons are ADULTS: at the bar, on the dance floor. The teenagers in the place are reacting pretty much the same as Buffy and Willow -- staring in confusion.
Whoa. Let's do the time warp again.
Maybe there's some kind of reunion in town or a Billy Joel tour or something. A WOMAN pushes past them. Buffy recognizes her:
Ms. Barton? It is her. She blinks owlishly at Buffy, trying to focus.
Buffy? Whoa.
You okay, Ms. Barton?
I'm cool, Willow. Willow. That's a tree. You're a tree. Do they have nachos here, little tree? Ms. Barton starts to laugh, a little out of control.
I think maybe you need some fresh air.
Okay. She amiably drifts off toward the door. Buffy and Willow watch her go.
Okay, this is not normal. (off Buffy's look) Maybe that goes without saying.
Hey, gang! Buffy and Willow turn, probably expecting to see Xander. Instead:
(continuing) This place is fun city, huh?
Principal Snyder?
Call me Snyder. Just a last name. Like Barbarino. Whoo! I'm stoked! Did you see Ms. Barton? I think she's wasted. I'm gonna put that on her next performance review because I'm the principal. The MUSIC FALTERS for a second. They turn and look. ANGLE: THE STAGE A SHIRTLESS PUDGY ADULT DIVES OFF THE STAGE, hooting and hollering. He is almost caught, but the out-of-shape men beneath him aren't up to it. He ends up on the floor, and gets to his feet slowly. A lot of the men are red-faced, sweaty, panting. ANGLE: WILLOW AND BUFFY
I don't like this. They could have heart attacks.
Maybe there's a doctor here.
Actually, that is my doctor. He's usually less . . . topless.
I got a commendation. For being principal. From the mayor. He shook my hand twice. A clique of THREE OR FOUR MIDDLE-AGED WOMEN scurry past, laughing and shrieking.
Ooh. There's some foxy ladies here tonight!
(to Buffy) Buffy, what's happening?
I don't know, but it's happening to a whole lotta grownups.
They're acting like a bunch of . . .
They're acting like a bunch of us. A beat, as the two girls look worriedly around them.
I don't act like this . . . INT. BAND CANDY WAREHOUSE - NIGHT The production line again. Mr. Trick stands with Ethan, watching the packing, the sealing, the shipping of the candy.
Demand's high.
I thought it might be.
That's why I love this country. You make a good product, and the people will come to you. Of course, a lot of them are gonna die, but, well, that's the other reason I love this country. ANGLE: WORKERS A WORKMAN (not the same guy from before) speaks softly to the man next to him. Mr. Trick approaches.
Hey. No sampling the product.
(terrified) I didn't -- Mr. Trick TAKES THE MAN BY THE NECK AND BREAKS IT SWIFTLY. THE MAN SLUMPS, DEAD, TO THE FLOOR. The other workers stare, horrified. Mr. Trick turns back to Ethan.
(shaken) Okay. Um . . . how did you know he'd taken some.
I don't. But I know no one else will. (looks at his watch) We're getting close. Keep it flowing. Time for me to get the goods. He heads out. INT. THE BRONZE - NIGHT Things are even wilder than they were a minute ago. The band has given up entirely. Oz stands with Buffy and Willow.
Something's changing them.
A spell?
They're teenagers. Sobering mirror to look into, huh?
(to Oz) You've got great hair. THE STAGE A group of OLD GUYS (shirtless doctor and his buddies) cling to microphones and belt out LOUIE LOUIE. On the floor several adult couples are dirty dancing. Once couple has given up on the dancing and stands on the dance floor, making out.
It just gets more upsetting.
No vampire has ever been that scary. ANGLE: THE BAR Adults are doing that thing where you lie back on the bar and the bartender mixes the drink right in your mouth. One adult accidentally jostles another adult and a MINOR SCUFFLE breaks out.
Fight! Fight! Buffy and Oz and Willow move away from the scuffle. The party is heading toward chaos. They have to talk over the noise.
We've gotta go find out what's going on. This has Hellmouth fingerprints all over it. Or, mouthprints . . . Buffy leads the way toward the door. Oz and Willow follow. Snyder loses interest in the fight as it dies down. He tags along.
Where are we going? They ignore him. At the door, Buffy passes an adult eating a BAND CANDY BAR. WE SEE HER TAKE NOTICE OF THIS. Buffy, Willow and Oz duck out the door. A second later . . .
You guys aren't trying to ditch me, are you? Snyder scurries out after them. INT. JOYCE'S CAR - NIGHT Buffy, Willow, Oz are in the car, Willow in the front seat next to Buffy. Buffy closes her door. She hasn't started the car yet.
We should go find Giles, right? He'll figure out what's going on.
Sure, except for all we know he's sweet sixteen again. Buffy and Willow share a look - realizing what that could mean.
(to Buffy) He's with your mom at his place. Buffy starts the car. And Snyder opens the door and climbs in next to Oz.
Hey, I said "wait up"!
Um . . . Snyder . . .
No time. He's coming with us. She pulls out. The TIRES SQUEAL.
Whoa, Summers, you drive like a spaz. EXT. STREET - NIGHT A sedan sits at a stoplight. Next to the Sedan, a VOLVO STATION WAGON revs its engine. It has a bumper sticker: "My child hearts Sunnydale preschool". INT. SEDAN - NIGHT A BUSINESS MAN clutches the wheel, REVS his engine. INT. STATION WAGON - NIGHT A DOMESTICATED FATHER in a cardigan REVS his engine. EXT. STREET - NIGHT The stoplight turns green. Tires SQUEAL as the cars take off. INT. JOYCE'S CAR - NIGHT Buffy slams on the brakes as the two cars pass (off screen if necessary) in front of her. She and the others watch them recede in the distance. Snyder hoots, enjoying the competition.
This is great! Let's go do doughnuts on the football field.
(convincing herself) It'll be okay when we get to Giles'.
Of course. I mean, even if he's sixteen, he's still Giles. Probably a pretty together guy.
Yeah, well.
What?
Giles at sixteen. Less "together guy", more "bad magic, hates the world, ticking time-bomb guy".
Oh. Well then, I guess your mom is in a lot of trouble. EXT. STOREFRONT - NIGHT Giles and Joyce walk down the street. Giles has his cigarette pack rolled up in his t-shirt sleeve. His arm is around Joyce's shoulders, a cigarette in his hand. She clings to his other hand and chews gum.
It must be exciting, being from England.
It's all right. Hey, you're not cold or anything?
Nuh-uh. I feel . . . special. Like I'm just waking up, kind of.
How's that?
You know, like having a kid and getting married and everything was a dream and now things are back like they're supposed to be.
Yeah. Joyce stops, looks at a coat in a store window.
That's cool. Kind of Juice Newton.
You fancy it?
But the store's not open. Giles hoists a heavy trash can, and THROWS it. It hits the store window with a CRASH. The window SHATTERS, sending glass everywhere. Giles ducks through the window frame, pulls the coat from its mannequin. He steps back out, and hands the coat to Joyce.
Here.
Oh, Ripper, wow. That was so brave. She's putting on the coat, when . . .
Hold it! ANGLE: A POLICEMAN approaches, GUN DRAWN. INT. JOYCE'S CAR - NIGHT Buffy heads into an intersection. EXT. STREET - NIGHT A speeding car goes right through the red light at the intersection. It's heading right for Buffy. INT. JOYCE'S CAR - NIGHT
Oh my god! Look out! Snyder YELPS. EXT. STREET - NIGHT CRASH -- The speeding car hits the driver's side of Joyce's car, which is rocked by the impact -- dented and thrown back. No motion is visible inside. BLACK OUT.
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| Act Three |
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EXT. STOREFRONT - CONTINUOUS - NIGHT Giles and Joyce face the armed policeman.
Oh, copper's got a gun. You'll never use it.
Will so. ANGLE: A BAND CANDY BAR It sticks out of the cop's uniform pocket.
Ripper, be careful! The cop's eyes flick toward Joyce, the quickest of glances. It's enough. Giles POUNDS him with A SERIES OF BRUTAL PUNCHES, then grabs the guy's head and WHIPS IT DOWN to IMPACT WITH GILES' RAISED KNEE. The guy goes down, unconscious. The GUN is still clutched in the cop's hand. Giles takes it, tucks it into his waistband.
Told him he'd never use it.
You are so cool. You're like Burt Reynolds. Joyce sidles closer, looks up into Giles' eyes. Giles grabs her, hard. She gasps. He goes in for the kiss, their eyes locked on each other. She reaches up and takes the gum out of her mouth. He starts kissing her, and they sink onto the hood of the squad car, slowly going out of frame. EXT. STREET - NIGHT Slowly, Buffy, Willow, Oz and Snyder get out of the car. The doors on the damaged side of the car SHRIEK in protest when they open them. Oz gingerly flexes a bruised elbow. Buffy has a cut on her forehead. They look at the damaged car.
Is anyone else all creeped out and trembly? Oz puts his arm around Willow protectively.
Buffy, your mom's gonna kill you. Buffy looks around at the street.
(thoughtful) Something's weird.
Something's not? A GANG of aging greasers loiters at the corner. A woman/girl walks by. They whistle and catcall. She giggles.
No grown ups. No one's protecting their houses, people out wandering around--
(getting it) Defenseless. And OLD MAN strolls by. He STRIPS THE CANDY BAR OUT OF SNYDER'S HAND and takes off running.
Hey! Give it! BACK ON BUFFY
So where are all the vampires? Soup's on, but no one's grabbing a spoon.
Something's happening somewhere that's else.
I'm guessing something pretty big.
That guy took my candy! It's starting to add up. Buffy goes to Snyder.
What's with the candy? A curse?
(scared) A curse? I've got a curse?
Oh my god. Using candy for evil.
My parents ate a ton. Buffy backs Snyder up against the car. She's in his face.
Who's behind the candy?
I don't know. It came to me through the school board, and if you knew that crowd . . . He shudders.
Where is it? Where would you go for more? Do you know? He nods miserably. Buffy turns to Willow and Oz.
You two, get Xander and Cordelia, go to the library. Look it up.
Candy, curses . . .
Disturbing second childhood. Got it.
Ratboy and I are going to the source. She pushes Snyder toward the dented car. EXT. WAREHOUSE LOADING DOCK - LATER - NIGHT CLOSE ON: A BOX OF BAND CANDY BARS A man's hand reaches in, grabs a handful, THROWS THEM to a WAITING CROWD of adults. They jump and dive for the candy. WIDEN TO REVEAL the scene: Two MEN in factory coveralls are standing on the warehouse loading platform, throwing candy to the crowd like rice at a wedding. JOYCE'S CAR As Buffy and Snyder get out of it. Snyder immediately goes over to get more candy. Buffy walks by a COUPLE IN A CLINCH, making out. She stops, looks back at them:
Giles? Mom?!
Go 'way. We're busy. They keep kissing. Buffy grabs them each by an arm and pulls them away from the crowd.
Hey!
Mom-- (notices) Where'd you get that coat? Never mind, listen to me-- Giles pulls roughly out of Buffy's grasp. He balls up his fists.
Okay, Giles. Think. You really want to fight me? Or you want to let me talk to my mother? Giles backs down, but in the coolest possible way. He wanders a few steps away and lights a cigarette as if he were too cool to care. Buffy looks at Joyce searchingly.
Mom, look at me. Do you know who I am?
Of course. You're Buffy. They're giving away candy. Want some candy?
No. And you don't need any more either.
I'm fine. I can have more if I want.
You're not fine. Go home.
Screw you. I want candy. Buffy recoils as if slapped.
Mom!
Hey look, you want to slay stuff and I'm not allowed to do anything about it? Well, this is what I want to do. So get off my back.
(genuinely upset) Mom. Please.
For god's sake, let your mum have the bleedin' candy. Come on, Joyce. Giles and Joyce start to walk away. Buffy tries one last shot.
Wait. Look for one sec. Your car. The dent the size of New Brunswick? I did that. Joyce looks toward the car.
Oh my god. What was I thinking when I bought the geek machine? Giles laughs. Buffy takes the cigarette from his mouth and throws it on the ground.
Take her home.
Hey. I'm the watcher. You have to do what I say. So bugger off. Giles and Joyce defiantly head back to where the candy is being handed out. Buffy hesitates, then, her jaw set, she marches behind them . . . She passes them . . . and without slowing down, she marches to the base of the loading platform and looks up at the two men handing out the candy. She reaches up, grabs one by the ankle, and PULLS HIS FOOT OUT FROM UNDER HIM. He falls over the edge, at Buffy's feet. He CRUMPLES and Buffy mounts the steps to the platform. Buffy is now facing the other man.
Hey, what-- He drops his box of candy. She grabs him by the back of his coveralls, and tosses him over the edge of the loading platform, where he lands on the first guy, who CRUMPLES AGAIN. She throws the boxes of candy down on them, hard. Adults dive after the candy windfall. Buffy spots Joyce in the crowd. Buffy leans over, grabs Joyce's arm, HAULS her up the steps.
Hey!
What're you doing with her? As Giles leaps to follow, Buffy drags Joyce to the padlocked door leading into the warehouse. She KICKS it open. Snyder watches from the crowd.
Neat. Hey Brit-face, wait up. Snyder scrambles after Giles. INT. BAND CANDY WAREHOUSE - CONTINUOUS - NIGHT Buffy pulls Joyce into the warehouse, starts to close the door.
Hold it! Giles pushes in after them, in the process letting Snyder in.
It smells all chocolatey. As Buffy barricades the door from the inside with crates, the others look around. The production line is quiet. Open boxes of candy bars lie everywhere.
Say. This is all right. Buffy steps away from the rest of the group, scans the room. ANGLE: A WALL-MOUNTED PHONE on the other side of the warehouse. Ethan talks, facing the wall.
(into phone) I've been out there. The town's wide open. You guys are good to go any time . . . He looks up to see: BUFFY looking right at him.
Ethan Rayne.
(into phone) You may want to hurry. INT. LIBRARY - NIGHT Oz and Xander comb the bookcases, while Willow and Cordelia sit at the table, paging through books.
At first it was fun, you know. They seemed like they were in this really good mood. You know, not like parents. Then . . .
Badness?
Mom started borrowing all my clothes. There should be an age limit on Lycra pants, I'm telling you. And dad just locked himself in the bathroom with a bunch of old copies of Esquire. Xander brings a new stack of books over.
I don't get this. The candy's supposed to make you all immature and stuff, but I ate a ton and I don't feel any dif-- never mind.
I'll take that one. Xander hands her the book, their fingers momentarily touching. Willow doesn't look him in the eye. He moves over to where Oz is pulling more books from the shelves. Willow looks at the two guys.
Wanna swap? Willow jumps.
What, swap, huh?
Hello? Swap books with me? This one is thick, and I'm not sure it's in English. Willow breathes again and they exchange books. INT. BAND CANDY WAREHOUSE - NIGHT Giles, Joyce and Snyder join Buffy . . . look at what she's looking at:
Ethan? Ethan has a choice: fight like a man or run like a bunny. He drops the phone and bolts. Buffy takes off after him.
(to Giles) You know him? Who is he? Giles isn't there to answer. He's taken off after Ethan, too. Joyce looks at Snyder, who has gotten into the candy. His face is smeared with chocolate. ETHAN As he scampers. He zigzags through piles of boxes and wooden crates and tangles of machinery -- they form a sort of high-walled maze. Buffy is right on his tail. BUFFY'S POV Ethan rounds a corner ahead of her. BUFFY sails around it . . . but he's gone. After a moment, Giles thuds to a stop next to her, panting.
Where-- He has to stop to breathe.
That's what smoking'll do to you. Now be quiet.
Where'd the bastard go?
Shh. Buffy walks slowly forward, between piles of wooden crates. Suddenly she WHIRLS, and TEARS THE FRONT PANEL off one of the crates. Ethan is curled inside. He smiles at them sheepishly.
Look, a box full of farm-fresh chicken. INT. BAND CANDY WAREHOUSE - BACK BY THE DOOR - NIGHT Joyce and Snyder sit on boxes. Both nibble on candy bars. Joyce looks worried.
You s'pose they're okay?
Uh-huh. A beat. Snyder slides closer to Joyce.
So, are you two, like, going steady? Joyce stares at him and moves away. INT. BAND CANDY WAREHOUSE - BUFFY, GILES, ETHAN - NIGHT Buffy grabs Ethan by his collar, drags him out of the box, hauls him to his feet.
So, Ethan. What are we playing? (he says nothing) We're pretty much into a 'talk or bleed' situation. Your call.
I would like to point out that this wasn't my idea.
Meaning?
I'm subcontracting. It's Trick you want. I'm just helping him collect a tribute. For a demon.
He's lying. Hit him!
I don't think he is. And shut up.
You're my slayer. Knock those capped teeth down his throat! Buffy gets between Giles and Ethan.
Giles. (to Ethan) What demon?
I don't remember. Buffy HITS ETHAN.
'bout time.
Lurconis. Demon called Lurconis. They wanted a way they could get the tribute away from people.
So you're just diversion guy?
More than a diversion. They said the tribute was big. So big that people would never let them take it. People had to be out of it, and later on, when the candy wears off, they would blame themselves.
Hence, Land of the Irresponsible. So where's Trick?
I don't know exactly. Delivering the tribute.
Which brings us to the bonus-round question and believe me when I say a wrong answer will cost you all your points . . . (in his face) what's the tribute? INT. HOSPITAL HALLWAY - NIGHT Four VAMPIRES tromp through the white halls. The place looks deserted. They pass by . . . INT. NURSES' STATION - NIGHT A NURSE sits at the station, watching "Dawson's Creek" on a small portable TV. She ignores the flashes and beeps of call buttons from the rooms. She doesn't notice the passing vampires. INT. HOSPITAL HALLWAY - NIGHT CLOSE ON: the vampires as they turn a corner. WE PULL BACK TO REVEAL they're in: INT. MATERNITY WARD - NIGHT Bassinets, row after row of them visible as the field widens. Each bassinet holds a BABY. They COO and FUSS. BLACK OUT.
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| Act Four |
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INT. BAND CANDY WAREHOUSE - NIGHT ANGLE: THE WAREHOUSE PHONE Buffy on the phone.
(into phone) Right. "Lurconis". INT. LIBRARY - CONTINUOUS - NIGHT Willow turns to the others.
(urgent) Lurconis. A demon. What's his deal?
See if there's anything about a ribute.
A tribute? Like what?
I don't know. My source is tapped out. INT. BAND CANDY WAREHOUSE - NIGHT At some distance from where Buffy talks on the phone, Ethan sits propped against a wall -- he looks very tapped out. Snyder grins down at him.
She whupped you good, huh? Pow-ka- pow. I can do that, too. I took Tae Kwon Do at the Y. Snyder does some bad fake Kung-Fu moves, in the course of which he turns away from Ethan. BUFFY is still on the phone.
(into the phone) No, definitely a demon. A big one. She is turned away from Ethan. No one, in fact, is looking at Ethan. ETHAN notices a LARGE PIECE OF METAL, lying on the warehouse floor. He grabs it. He moves past Giles, past Snyder. He raises it overhead, ready to clock Buffy when . . . Giles PULLS OUT THE GUN he took off the cop and levels it at Ethan.
I wouldn't. Buffy turns, sees Ethan towering over her. Almost casually, she HITS HIM, knocking him out on her way over to Giles.
(calmly) Giles. I need you to give me the gun. Reluctantly, Giles gives her the gun.
(to Buffy, holding the phone) Willow wants you. Real bad. Buffy takes the phone. INT. LIBRARY - NIGHT
(on phone) Oz just found it. The tribute to Lurconis is made every thirty years. It's a ritual feeding and this one's late, so it's probably, you know, a big meal. Oz brings a book to Willow, and points grimly at the text.
Oh, and . . . oh . . . Lurconis eats babies. INT. BAND CANDY WAREHOUSE - NIGHT Buffy drops the phone.
Come on. She is herding Joyce, Giles and Snyder toward the door when Ethan groans, semi-conscious.
(re: Ethan) What about that man? Buffy looks around.
Look for something to tie him up.
Um . . . Shyly, Joyce pulls the cop's handcuffs out of the pocket of her stolen coat. Buffy cuffs Ethan.
(to Joyce) Never tell me. INT. MATERNITY WARD - NIGHT CLOSE ON: A TINY HOSPITAL BRACELET in an empty bassinet. Buffy picks up the bracelet. It's not much bigger than her thumb. Giles is talking to the inattentive nurse, who is now very upset. Joyce and Snyder are with Buffy. They're all subdued by the idea of the missing babies.
Something's going to eat those babies? Joyce starts to cry softly.
(shaken) I think that's so wrong. Giles joins them.
She never even saw who took them. Lazy cow.
I know who took them.
So, let's go do something, right? Find the demon, slash and slay.
Is that what happens now?
Yeah, if we knew where to go. She looks at the tiny hospital bracelet she holds. Giles looks at her, then closes his eyes, remembering:
"Lurconis dwells beneath the city, filth to filth".
What?
I know this. I knew this. "Lurconis", it means "glutton", and . . . it'll be in the sewers.
The sewers?
(resigned) Okay. The sewers.
Good. You guys go there and do that thing with the demon. I'll stay here in case the babies, you know, find their way back.
The babies must be so scared. She starts crying harder.
You filthy ponce. Afraid of a little demon.
If you want to go splash around in poo, you're the filthy one. Snyder gives Giles a shove. Buffy steps between them. She has had it.
All right, everybody stop it! Listen to me. Mom, I need help. Okay? Giles? I need grown ups. These children are going to die and we have to think clearly and act now if we're gonna save them. There's no room for mistakes. Besides which, you guys are just wigging me out. Everyone looks chastised.
Sorry.
We'll behave. She slips her hand into Giles', the two of them resolved to help.
Good. Snyder, go home.
I can do that.
Giles, take us to the sewers. (re: holding hands) And don't do that. INT. SEWER - NIGHT A large conduit, near a T-junction. Exposed pipes run overhead. The center of the floor is under water, and a platform has been set up bridging it. Torches ring the platform. ROBED FIGURES kneel on the platform, which is draped in cloth and painted with arcane symbols. They chant.
(translated in English Lurconis come near. Lurconis be sated. Lurconis with the age of a thousand demons, kept young by the flesh of the young, kept strong by the devotions of the strong. Lurconis feast this day and treat us with mercy. Lurconis emerge to consume what we offer and make it of his flesh. Lurconis come near.)
Lucronis adventet. Lucronis satietur. Lucronis vetustate miliorum daemonum, novus alitus carne novorum, potens alitus precibus potentium. Lucronis hodie epuletur et clemens nobis utatur. Lucronis exsistat ut dona nostra edat illaque in carnem suam vertat. Lucronis adventet. The mayor stands at the edge of the scene, speaking with business-like efficiency into a phone.
(into phone) Carol, call Dave on the Public Works committee tomorrow about sewer maintenance and repair. I have some concerns re: exposed gas pipes, infrastructure, ventilation. And cancel my three o'clock. FOUR BABIES are lined up in black-draped baskets on a wheeled cart. One of the ROBED FIGURES dips his finger in water, traces a line on each baby's bald head. Mr. Trick watches.
(softly) Come on, big guy. They're not getting any fresher. Suddenly, Buffy DROPS into their midst through an open manhole.
Hi. Giles jumps down through the manhole after Buffy. And as he helps Joyce down, the MAYOR fades into the shadows and away unseen. ROBED GUY 1 runs at Buffy. His hood falls back, revealing vamp-face. He grabs hold of her, THROWS HER. She hits the baby-cart, making it roll. The baby baskets shake and teeter. ROBED GUY 2 attacks Giles. Giles KNEES HIM in the groin, follows it up with a HEAD BUTT. Buffy, on her back, KICKS ROBED GUY 1 with both feet, momentarily lifting him off the ground. She gets to her feet, KICKS him and then STAKES HIM. He turns to DUST. She then STAKES ROBED GUY 2, whom Giles has incapacitated. DUST. There is just one robed guy (ROBED GUY 3) and Mr. Trick left. Buffy grabs the ROBED GUY 3, THROWS HIM. He comes down near the T-junction. A RUMBLING SOUND ECHOES.
What the hell's that? It gets louder, and in an instant, almost too fast to be seen, a SLICK, DARK, NON-HUMAN HEAD, AS TALL AS A MAN, SNAPS OUT OF THE JOINING TUNNEL, AND DEVOURS ROBED GUY 3. Just as fast, it DISAPPEARS into the tunnel. The effect is like an eel, darting its head out of a coral cave to swallow something whole.
Good God.
Lurconis, I'm thinking. Mr. Trick steps forward.
Ordinarily, I like other people to do my fighting, but I just have to see what you got.
Just tell me when it hurts. Buffy steps forward to square off with Mr. Trick, but Giles rashly pushes past her.
Giles, no! Mr. Trick GRABS GILES. Giles gets in a good solid KICK, but Mr. Trick shakes it off. He grabs Giles. Then he THROWS him. Giles lands right at the T-junction . . . the entrance to the demon's tunnel. As Lurconis senses food on the dinner plate, THE RUMBLING BEGINS.
Giles! Get out of there! Giles tries, groggily, to stand. He staggers. JOYCE Scrambles to grab the cart of babies. She pulls it out of the way. ON BUFFY As the RUMBLING gets louder. She looks around, searching for inspiration. She looks up at . . . THE EXPOSED GAS PIPES She jumps up. Hangs on one. It breaks free, gas HISSES out. Buffy aims the gas at one of the torches.
I love that you guys love torches. The gas ignites, and Buffy has herself a flame-thrower. Giles DIVES to one side and she aims the flame into the sewer pipe just a Lurconis' slimy head darts out. The flame catches it full in the face. LURCONIS is on fire. It pulls back and we hear its DYING SCREAMS. Victorious, Buffy lets herself drop to the ground. She hears something overhead and looks up to see Mr. Trick, looking down at her through the open manhole cover.
You and me, girl. There's high times ahead. He goes.
They never just leave. They always gotta say something . . . Buffy turns around to see Joyce and the baby-cart standing to one side, out of danger. Giles heads for Joyce's side. Buffy hurries over and stands between them.
Can we go home now?
Yeah. Let's go home. I've got the S.A.T.s tomorrow.
Oh, blow them off. I'll write you a note. Buffy looks tempted for a second, then:
No. That's okay. FADE TO: INT. MAYOR'S OFFICE - NIGHT The Mayor and Mr. Trick sit together.
And your friend?
I paid him. Man did his job, no reason to burn that bridge.
This didn't turn out the way I had planned.
Where's the downside? You just got one less demon to pay tribute to. Way I see it, I just did you a favor.
(smiling) I guess you did. The smile fades.
In the future, I'd be very careful how many favors you do for me. Trick's smile fades, too. INT. SCHOOL HALLWAY - A FEW DAYS LATER Xander, Willow, Cordelia and Oz stand at Xander's open locker. Principal Snyder approaches them.
Hey, Snyder, heard you had some fun Friday night. You come down yet?
That's Principal Snyder.
And that's a big "yep".
You look like four young people with too much time on your hands.
Not really.
Busy like a bee, actually. Bee-like.
Good, because it seems we had some vandalism Friday, on school property, and I was just looking for some volunteers to help clean up. Snyder closes Xander's locker . . . REVEALING A ROW OF SPRAY-PAINTED LOCKERS. They read "KISS ROCKS".
Kiss rocks? Why would anyone want to kiss--? Oh, wait. I get it.
Let's get you some paint remover. EXT. SCHOOL - DAY Buffy walks with Giles in front of the school.
It was just too much to deal with. It's like nothing made sense anymore. The things I thought I understood were . . . gone. I felt so alone.
Was that the math or the verbal?
Mostly the math.
Well, if you didn't score well, you can take them again.
More S.A.T.s. Great. Is there really a point? I could die before I even apply to college.
And you very probably may not.
Well, let's keep hope alive . . . They reach Joyce, who stands in front of her car.
Hello. Dear me, it certainly looks like your car had an adventure, doesn't it?
Buffy assures me it happened while battling evil, so I'm letting her pay for it on the installment plan. As Buffy heads for the car:
Hey, the way things were going, be glad this is the worst thing that happened. At least I got to you two before you, you know, actually did anything. Buffy gets in, not paying attention to their response: ANGLE ON: JOYCE AND GILES She looks around. He finds something fascinating on his lapel.
Right.
Indeed.
Yes. A moment, then they exit either side of the frame. BLACK OUT.
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