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Showtime November 15, 2002 (FULL YELLOW) Written by: David Fury |
| Teaser |
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EXT. BUS STATION - NIGHT
LOW ANGLE, CLOSE ON the doors of a commercial bus as they WHOOSH open.
We see the feet and legs of TWO PASSENGERS disembarking and moving off.
After a moment, a third appears descending the steps. TILT UP on the
sandaled feet and slim legs belonging to
RONA, 16, black, ratty blue jeans and denim jacket, a knapsack slung
over her shoulder. She looks around a bit apprehensively before taking
that last step onto the curb. She reacts with a start as the doors WHOOSH
closed behind her and the bus pulls away.
WIDEN as she walks. The ticket window is gated up and padlocked as are
the restrooms in the deserted, unkempt outside waiting area. Then, Rona
sees:
HER POV - A PUBLIC TELEPHONE mounted on the wall. A Sunnydale white
pages phonebook dangling underneath.
Rona rushes to the phone, grabs the phonebook and starts flipping
through it, urgently.
TIGHT ON BOOK as she turns pages, having opened to the "S's." She stops
when she finds the jagged edges of a page that's been torn out. The
headings on either side read "Soter- Sullivan" then "Tadler-Tashman." The
missing page evidently the one containing what she was looking for:
"Summers."
ON RONA, frowning, concerned as a SHADOW suddenly falls across the
book. Her head snaps over to see
A BRINGER standing over her.
Rona drops the book and it falls back, slamming against the wall with a
loud noise, echoing throughout the station. She turns to flee only to find
TWO MORE BRINGERS blocking her way. She's surrounded. Terrified, she
backs away as THE BRINGERS each produce their ceremonial daggers and
converge on her.
ON RONA, fear welling up inside her, along with tears. This is it.
Pressing her back against the wall, sinking down, she squeezes her eyes
closed.
REVERSE ON THE ADVANCING BRINGERS, as they raise their daggers high,
ready to plunge them into her. Then...
Suddenly, TWO of the Bringers go FLYING BACKWARDS, grunting. The THIRD
BRINGER snaps his head to see
BUFFY, in serious fight mode, wailing on BRINGERS #1 and #2.
RONA tentatively opens her eyes, squinting up at
BUFFY as she grabs one of the Bringer's arms, breaks it, then stabs #2
with the blade in #1's broken arm, killing him.
BRINGER #3 looks back at Rona, considering whether to continue his
attack on her when he hears:
Hey! Bringer #3 looks back as BUFFY snaps #1's neck. She glares up at Bringer #3.
Try picking on somebody my own size. BRINGER #3 hesitates, then turns and runs. BUFFY grabs the dagger out of Bringer #1's hand and throws it. ON #3 as the dagger hits him square in the back. He falls dead. ON RONA, still staring off at #3's dead body when a SHADOW falls over her again. She looks up at
(offering her hand) Rona, right? She helps her to her feet.
Just got word you were arriving. RONA BUFFY Rona looks at the dead Bringers.
I thought... They told me I'd be safe here. BUFFY On their backs as Buffy leads her off...
Next time you're attacked-- RONA Buffy looks at Rona.
Welcome to the Hellmouth.
BLACK OUT.
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| Act One |
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INT. SUMMERS' HOME - WILLOW'S ROOM - NIGHT
CLOSE ON WILLOW, inside a sleeping bag on the floor, rolling around
fitfully, struggling to get comfortable. After a moment...
You don't have to do this... Willow looks over to see KENNEDY lying on her side at the edge of the bed, her head propped up in her hand, peering down on Willow.
Flooring it. In the bag. 'Cause nice, big, comfy bed right here. I mean, you oughta know. Your bed. WILLOW KENNEDY Willow looks at her on that.
It's... I'm just a little uneasy with Buffy being out. KENNEDY WILLOW KENNEDY Willow eyes her, then grins in agreement.
It's starting to get crowded around here. Can't remember the last time I had a bathroom to myself. KENNEDY WILLOW KENNEDY Willow pauses, reacting to that.
Wing? Your house... had wings? KENNEDY WILLOW KENNEDY WILLOW KENNEDY WILLOW KENNEDY Willow looks at her a moment, getting uncomfortable.
Yeah, listen, Kennedy... it's almost morning. We really need to get some sleep. KENNEDY INT. SUMMERS' HOME - LIVING ROOM - NIGHT PANNING OFF a sleeping XANDER on the couch...
(whispering) ...Annabelle was all "control your fear... control your fear..." ON THE POTENTIALS - MOLLY, eating from a bag of chips, and three new girls (CHLOE, 14, VI, 17; and EVE, also 17) wide awake, their sleeping bags huddled in the middle of the room. They speak in hushed whispers.
Meanwhile, she's the one that goes scampering off. Right into that Turok-Han vampire. Poor Annie. EVE MOLLY CHLOE VI EVE ON GIRLS, considering this.
Maybe-- XANDER (O.S.) They look at Xander who addresses them with his eyes closed.
Potential Slayers can function without sleep. Me, I'm no good without my usual ninety minutes. ANDREW (O.S.) ANGLE TO REVEAL ANDREW, still tied up in his chair, facing the far corner of the room.
Keep the chatter down. (then) Or... speak up so I can hear you. (sadly) I'm bored. Episode One bored. They all turn when they hear the front door. Xander pops up. Buffy enters with Rona, still looking a bit wary.
Oh. You're all still up. XANDER ANGLE ON GILES and ANYA emerging from the kitchen. (Note again: Giles can not touch anyone or anything.)
Everybody, this is Rona. Greetings are ad-libbed by all, ending with:
Hey, Rona. RONA XANDER GILES MOLLY. RONA ANYA RONA Rona and Molly disappear into the kitchen.
(to Buffy) Everything all right? BUFFY XANDER GILES BUFFY GILES ANYA XANDER ANYA BUFFY XANDER BUFFY Without an answer, Giles can only shrug, something that doesn't go unnoticed by the Potentials.
Giles, with that thing guarding the entrance to The First's crib, I can't get to Spike. EVE Buffy glances over at her.
It's not... You don't know-- It's more complicated than that, Chloe. CHLOE EVE BUFFY Giles interjects, pulling Buffy away from the girls.
There is one avenue we haven't tried yet... Beljoxa's Eye. ANYA XANDER ANYA BUFFY GILES ANYA BUFFY ANYA GILES ANYA GILES ANYA BUFFY As Anya takes in Buffy's plea... INT. UNDERGROUND CAVERN - DAY CLOSE ON SPIKE, still baring the bloody marks of his savage beating, seemingly broken, his eyes pained and haunted. WIDEN to find him strung up by his arms on the cavern wall. TWO BRINGERS move before him, engaged in some ritual by a small fire -- One carries one of the ubiquitous daggers and moves toward Spike. The Bringer is about to cut Spike across his belly, when... Spike suddenly comes alive, bringing his legs up to wrap around the Bringer's neck, snapping it. As the dead Bringer collapses to the ground. CLOSE ON SPIKE'S BOUND WRISTS -- he rips free of them. And just in time, as THE SECOND BRINGER grabs a burning torch from the fire and comes at him, swinging. Despite his injuries, Spike deftly dodges the attack and manages to deck the Bringer with a roundhouse kick to the jaw. Now, he hurries from this place... INT. CAVE TUNNEL - CONTINUOUS ON SPIKE, coming around the bend. He freezes when he sees: BUFFY, her back turned for a moment. Then, she looks back and sees him. A look of relief on her face. And something more. Maybe even love. ON SPIKE, full of emotion. He takes a step towards her, then... INT. UNDERGROUND CAVERN - DAY CLOSE ON SPIKE, again, jerking slightly in his restraints. As before, broken and, strung up, his eyes just as pained and haunted. ARC AROUND to a profile as BUFFY, or rather THE FIRST AS BUFFY leans in close and under him. Her dress and appearance distinctly different from the Buffy he just imagined.
Dreaming of me, again, aren't you? (tsk) Poor Spike. You really still think I believe in you? Be realistic. I don't even believe in myself. Least not enough to risk my skin to save your ass. (looking at something) Not enough to face that. She/It points off. WHIP OVER to see the UBERVAMP, breathing hard in taut feral rage, anxious to do more damage. ON BUFFY/FIRST as her tone changes to one of emotional resignation. A breakup.
I'm sorry, Spike. But... You need to accept this. You knew it would never have worked out. Time to let it go so we can both move on. I promise, soon, it'll all-- She stops when she notices SPIKE muttering something. She moves in, turning her head to put her ear closer to his lips. CLOSE ON SPIKE'S MOUTH.
Sh-she'll come... for... me. Buffy/First turns to him, eyeing him with seemingly sincere empathy as her hand makes a move to caress his face, though never actually touching him.
(intimate whisper) No. I won't. EXT. BACK ALLEY - BEHIND DEMON BAR - DAY ON ANYA and GILES as she addresses an APRONED GUY dumping bags of garbage into a dumpster.
Why not? CLOSE ON APRONED GUY, his back to us.
You got the nerve to ask me that? ANYA TORG turns around. Demon, of course. (Orange eyes, serrated ears, nose split down the middle... Sump'm simple.)
Three. But who's counting? You broke my heart, Anyanka. ANYA TORG ANYA TORG ANYA GILES ANYA shoots him a look as TORG turns to go.
Right. Carry on. ANYA This stops TORG. He turns to her for a beat, then grimaces.
Uch, please. You're human. The way you look now... Wouldn't touch you for all the kittens in Korea. ANYA reacts, stung and hurt.
You-- You're rejecting my offer of sexual bribery?! (then, pissed) Not that I wanted to sleep with you, but what am I, a leper in this town?! I can't even give it away! TORG TORG turns to leave, only to find GILES standing in his way.
Perhaps this might persuade you... Help us and the Slayer won't kill all your clientele and burn your establishment to the ground. Torg looks at him, defiantly, for a moment. Then, without a word, he raises a scaly fist, with NEEDLE SHARP KNUCKLES, in what, one might perceive, a threatening manner. Giles doesn't flinch. Torg brings up his other hand, open, and scrapes his knuckles across the palm, slicing deep gashes into it. GILES continues to eye Torg as blood begins to seep out between his fingers, dripping down. Then, the demon flings the blood pooling in his hand toward the center of the alley.
Ek'vola mok't Beljoxa do'kar. Giles turns as a NOISE begins to grow. ANGLE ON ALLEY as a SHIMMERING GATEWAY FORMS.
There's your stinkin' gateway, Anyanka. ANYA looks at Torg as he exits into the building.
Don't let it hit you on the way out. ANYA GILES As they move to the gateway, Anya turns to Giles.
(bracing herself) Buckle up. There's a FLARE as they step through and into... INT. VORTEX - CONTINUOUS Blackness all around, except for a small pool of light. Giles and Anya find themselves in a violent windstorm. They shout above the roar.
God! I hate this place! GILES A DEEP VOICE, calm and forceful, is heard from the darkness.
Here. From out of the darkness, floats the BELJOXA'S EYE. A large CYCLOPTIC CREATURE (with many cool, creepy, cheap features Rob Hall will design.) ON ANYA, with forced casualness.
Oh, hi! INT. SUMMERS' HOME - KITCHEN - AFTERNOON CLOSE ON THE PHONE ringing. WIDEN as Willow answers it.
(into phone) Hello?... No, Giles isn't here right-- Yeah, this is Willow... (big grin) Althenea, hi! How's the coven? I miss you guys. Still working out that Pleiadian spirit conjuring-- (pause, sobering) What? Oh... Okay... When? INT. SUMMERS' HOME - LIVING ROOM - MEANWHILE CLOSE ON ANDREW as Xander roughly finishes untying him.
Ow! Watch it. That's my joystick hand. XANDER As Andrew rubs his wrists... WIDEN to see BUFFY as she leans into him.
Okay, listen up, Andrew. I don't exactly know what to do with you just yet. Except that we don't have time to babysit a hostage. XANDER Buffy suddenly aware of that fact, leans back again.
But I'm here to tell you... If you try anything or try to run, I'll... (an idea) Did you see the movie "Misery?" ANDREW He stops as he sees her staring at him intently. He swallows.
I'll be good. WILLOW (O.S.) Buffy turns to see Willow, having entered.
Word from the underground. Another Potential arrived in town the day before yesterday. She's at the Sunspot Motel, near the highway. XANDER WILLOW BUFFY She starts off.
(following her) I'll go with you. ANDREW Xander and Buffy turn and give him a look.
Or... I could go wash up. He exits toward the upstairs. ON WILLOW as DAWN enters behind her, seeing Xander and Buffy exit through the front door.
Where they going? WILLOW DAWN WILLOW DAWN WILLOW DAWN As Willow looks at her... OMITTED INT. SUMMERS' HOME - BASEMENT - LATE AFTERNOON ON THE POTENTIALS moving through the space now decked out into a make-shift training room: KENNEDY holds a large punching bag hanging down from the rafters for CHLOE to practice her kicks, as RONA and EVE stand by. VI lifts hand weights. MOLLY stands near an old archery target mounted on a wall, handling two wooden stakes, twirling one in her hand... and dropping it, repeatedly.
What are we'all doing here? KENNEDY RONA EVE ON MOLLY, twirling a stake.
Got to train. Keep our reflexes-- (drops the stake) sharp. KENNEDY CHLOE EVE The others look around at each other.
I've seen one. (off their looks) Well... My Watcher once showed me a photograph of one. (then) A blurry photograph. EVE KENNEDY Eve looks at her, doubtfully.
Excuse the newness of me, but, just so I understand... If Buffy dies... EVE RONA EVE MOLLY EVE CHLOE KENNEDY EVE PUSH IN ON HER as she adds:
Kinda creepy, huh? All we do is wait around for each other to die. The girls eye each other, consumed by that morbid thought. EXT. MOTEL ROOM - LATER Buffy and Xander arrive at a door.
We sure this is it? BUFFY XANDER Buffy knocks on the door. No answer.
(calling) Hello...? Xander saunters over to the large window next to the door and peers in, through the blinds. Buffy knocks again.
(calling) It's okay. We're friendly. (beat) And... have eyes-- XANDER (O.S.) Buffy looks over to see Xander looking at her, gravely.
Break the door down. ON BUFFY, understanding. INT. MOTEL ROOM - CONTINUOUS CLOSE ON DOOR as it's kicked in. Buffy and Xander enter and move directly to A GIRL'S BODY, lying face down on the floor, in a pool of blood. Multiple stab wounds in her back. BUFFY feels her neck for a pulse.
She's cold. Been dead for days. She starts to turn the body over.
Poor kid. Made it all the way to Sunnydale. Just to get herself killed. If only we'd-- He notices Buffy frozen, staring at the girl's face, comprehending something.
Buffy? ON BUFFY, shock and dread on her face. HER POV - PUSH IN on the dead girl's face. It's EVE. INT. SUMMERS' HOME - BASEMENT - MEANWHILE CIRCLING, CLOSE ON the dejected-looking Potentials huddled on the floor now. We come around to face the girl we thought was EVE, looking down at the floor, seemingly working up the nerve to say:
Just my personal opinion, but... PUSH IN, as she looks up at the others.
I don't think the Slayer can protect us from The First.
BLACK OUT.
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| Act Two |
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INT. SUMMERS' HOME - FOYER/LIVING ROOM -
LATE AFTERNOON
From the foyer, we see Willow helping Dawn with her homework at the
dining room table, plates with dinner remnants next to them, as
BUFFY, panicked, bursts in through the front door.
Buffy!? Buffy looks at them, searching the room with her eyes, then moves toward the living room.
What is it--? Buffy glances over to see Andrew, laying on the living room couch. Seeing her, he bolts upright and casually sweeps the couch, where his feet were, with his hand. She continues to move on as Willow, Dawn, then Andrew follow her... INT. SUMMERS' HOME - BASEMENT - CONTINUOUS EVE/FIRST and the other girls sitting on the floor in a group, in mid-conversation, when they hear:
Get away from them. The girls look over to see BUFFY, on the stairs, staring intently at Eve. The girls look at each other, confused.
Who... get away from who? ON EVE/FIRST, looking back at Buffy, getting that the jig's up. Her lips curl into a smirk.
What's the problem, officer? ON BUFFY, reaching floor level now. Willow, Dawn and Andrew watch from the stairs.
I said, get away from them. Now! XANDER arrives, coming up behind them Willow and Dawn.
Buffy, what did Eve do? XANDER BUFFY As this registers with the other girls, they look with horror at Eve/First -- some scamper away, others remain confused.
I... I don't understand... EVE/FIRST slowly rises to her feet.
Oops. One more down. Oh, well. Can't save 'em all, can ya, Buffy? (to Potentials) Thanks for the slumber party, girls. It's been real fun these past coupla nights. Learned a whole-- BUFFY EVE/FIRST shoots a look at Buffy.
Or you'll do what? ON BUFFY, stymied. Nothing she can do. Something else that doesn't go unnoticed by the frightened Potentials. EVE/FIRST looks at Chloe, who backs away to the wall, terrified.
And Chloe, honey... You don't have to worry about getting called to be the Slayer before you're ready. You'll be dead long before that happens. (to other Potentials) All o'you. She looks over at Andrew, Willow, Dawn and Xander.
Even you. (to Buffy) I'm sending a guest over to visit y'all tonight. After the sun goes down, 'course. Try to make him feel welcome. Before he rips ya'll to pieces. (lets that sink in) Bye. With that Eve/First VANISHES, winking out like the image on an old monitor that's been turned off. The shaken Junior Slayers gasp. Everybody stands around, stunned and freaked for a moment. Then...
I... need to go wash up again. He turns and shakily heads up the stairs as THE GIRLS, terrified and whimpering, look to Buffy. The SOUND of a rushing wind fades up as we hear:
It cannot be fought... INT. VORTEX - MEANWHILE ON ANYA and GILES in the Vortex, staring up at
It cannot be killed... ON THE BELJOXA'S EYE, hovering before them. With no mouth, it's deep, echoing voice emanates from within.
The First Evil has been and always will be... Since before the universe was born... Long after there is nothing else... It will go on. ON GILES, shaking his head, shouting above the din.
I refuse to believe that! There has to be some way to destroy it! BELJOXA'S EYE (V.O.) ANYA Giles ignoring her, continuing to address the eye.
You're saying The First will succeed in wiping out the line of Slayers! BELJOXA'S EYE (V.O.) ANYA Giles gives her a "this isn't helping" look, then turns back to the Eye.
If The First has been around for all time... why hasn't it attempted something like this before?! Why now?! BELJOXA'S EYE (V.O.) GILES BELJOXA'S EYE (V.O.) ANYA BELJOXA'S EYE (V.O.) GILES ON THE BELJOXA'S EYE, taking a moment before answering.
The Slayer. OFF GILES' and ANYA'S reaction... INT. SUMMERS' HOME - DINING ROOM - NEAR DUSK ON BUFFY, standing amid a din of frightened, demoralized Potentials, talking over each other, along with Dawn, Willow, Xander and Andrew. Big pow-wow spilling out into the foyer.
We should run-- KENNEDY DAWN BUFFY MOLLY CHLOE XANDER VI WILLOW RONA The discussion devolves into ad-libbed arguments, until:
Hey! They quiet down and look at her.
Look, I know you're all scared. Me, too. But Giles and Anya should be back soon. Hopefully, with the info we need to stop The First. In the meantime, we have to stick together. We're stronger that way. We can't afford to come apart now. ANDREW Buffy glares at him.
Don't help me. Andrew shrinks away.
Buff... Sun goes down, Ubervamp's on its way. So, plan'd be nice about now. Buffy turns to Willow.
Will... Sorry, but I gotta ask... WILLOW BUFFY WILLOW RONA KENNEDY XANDER BUFFY CHLOE BUFFY The girls look around at each other, with mounting uncertainty.
Deal? Fight, you mean... How we supposed to do that? VI KENNEDY Before Buffy can answer...
Buffy... You fought the Turok-Han. And it almost killed you-- CHLOE RONA ON BUFFY, taking in the cloud of defeat hanging over them. She looks over at Willow. ON WILLOW, looking back.
Honestly. You staked that thing and it didn't die. DAWN VI DAWN RONA Buffy picks up Dawn's dirty plate and moves toward the kitchen, past Willow, seemingly lost in thoughts of failure.
Hey, it's a good word. I like that word. Means not giving up. XANDER KENNEDY XANDER He looks over at Willow as she rises, picks up her plate and follows Buffy into... INT. SUMMERS' HOME - KITCHEN - CONTINUOUS Buffy enters and moves to the sink as conversation continues in the next room.
Give up. Can we do that? Surrender, I mean. So it won't kill us-- DAWN (O.S.) Willow enters, hands Buffy the plate and she rinses it off.
C'mon... We're all Potential Slayers. You know how to fight even if you don't know you know it. Xander wanders in, leans up against the wall, with his arms folded, seemingly listening to the ongoing argument.
Fighting's one thing. Winning's another. CHLOE (O.S.) Buffy turns and looks at Xander and Willow. We stay on their shared look for a moment. EXT. HORIZON - STOCK SHOT The sun slipping below the hills of Sunnydale, bringing night.
The time has come... INT. UNDERGROUND CAVERN - NIGHT ON EVE/FIRST, sensing nightfall.
...For all good children to say, "good night." She looks over at THE UBERVAMP, waiting for the word.
Take 'em all. Except for her. Have fun. With a snarl, the Ubervamp lurches out of frame. ON EVE/FIRST, watching it go.
Well, alone again... She starts to turn... REVERSE to see she's now BUFFY/FIRST, she crosses in to SPIKE, still strung up, barely conscious.
I just love having you all to myself. INT. SUMMERS' HOME - LIVING ROOM/FOYER - NIGHT ON DAWN, peering out the boarded-up window, along with Molly.
There's more of them now. EXT. SUMMERS' HOME - NIGHT DAWN'S POV - THROUGH CRACKS IN THE BOARDS - THREE BRINGERS standing on the front lawn. INT. SUMMERS' HOME - LIVING ROOM/FOYER - CONTINUOUS CUT OUT to see Xander, entering from the kitchen, carrying an axe.
And two others out back. MOLLY ON BUFFY, at the trunk, passing out weapons to the Potentials.
They don't want in. They're here to make sure we don't get out. ON WILLOW discreetly picking up a small glass votive and crossing out of the room. BACK ON BUFFY as she hands Rona a sword.
Like this'll do any good. I mean, what's the point? Kennedy looks at Rona, grabs her hand gripping the weapon and indicates the tip on the sword.
It's this end, right here. Stick that in the bad guys. Any more questions? Rona moves off, as Kennedy reaches into the trunk and pulls out a crossbow.
This'll do me. BUFFY Kennedy deftly cocks the unloaded weapon and fires.
Since I was eight. Buffy hands her a quiver of arrows and she moves off as ANDREW approaches Buffy.
Can I have something? Buffy looks at him.
(whiney) C'mon. The Turok-Han's coming for me, too, y'know. I have a right to defend myself. (then) If... you say so. Buffy sighs, reaches into the trunk and hands him a bottle. As she moves off, Andrew stares at it. HIS POV - The bottle's labeled "Holy Water." ON ANDREW, registering disappointment. He's about to toss the bottle back in the trunk, then reconsiders, looks around, and cradles his only defense, possessively. ANGLE ON WILLOW, standing in the downstairs hallway, off the foyer -- the small glass votive in her hand. She's working herself up.
(under her breath) Facing my fear... I'm facing my fear... Hear that, fear? I'm facing you... She holds out her hand, focusing on the votive. CLOSE ON THE VOTIVE as it levitates off her palm and hovers in the air. ANGLE ON KENNEDY, standing behind Willow, watching.
(casually) Wow... Willow's concentration broken, the votive plummets. Willow catches it in her hand and looks at Kennedy.
You really can float stuff. Willow puts the votive down on a shelf or table.
Just testing. KENNEDY Willow's head snaps to look at her.
No. You wouldn't. ON KENNEDY, sorry she touched a nerve.
Said "almost." WILLOW After a beat..
How's Evil taste? WILLOW They share a nod over that, when...
Guys...? CLOSE ON DAWN, at the window.
Something's happening... Buffy and the others go to the window and look out. EXT. SUMMERS' HOME - CONTINUOUS THE BRINGERS are moving aside, parting the way for... THE UBERVAMP, emerging from the darkness, moving with purpose, coming straight at them. INT. SUMMER'S HOME - LIVING ROOM/FOYER - CONTINUOUS ON RONA, along with others, peering out the window, seeing the Ubervamp for the first time.
Oh, my god. PUSH IN ON BUFFY...
Here it comes. EXT. SUMMERS' HOME - CONTINUOUS CLOSE AND LOW ON THE SNARLING UBERVAMP, TRACKING BACK with it, as it bears down on the house, picking up speed. It fills, then passes frame...
BLACK OUT.
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| Act Three |
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OMITTED
INT. SUMMERS' HOME - FOYER/LIVING ROOM - A MOMENT LATER
CLOSE ON THE FRONT DOOR as the growling Ubervamp, on the other side,
slams hard against it. The door cracks.
WIDEN to see Buffy and the others back away from the front door and
foyer, as
WILLOW, frantically, incants:
Caerimonia Minerva, saepio saepire saepsi... ANDREW BUFFY SMASH! Everyone cowers as the front door explodes off its hinges, splintering apart, revealing THE UBERVAMP standing in the ruined doorway, surveying its prey. He sees and is about to lunge at Willow, when WILLOW, with a forceful wave of her hand, finishes the incantation.
...Saepio impedimentum! OMITTED THE UBERVAMP suddenly SLAMS up against an invisible force field. Enraged, the monster begins to POUND violently on the barrier, the impact causing the shield to ripple. OMITTED CLOSE ON WILLOW, concentrating - Her eyes flash BLACK with every strike the Ubervamp makes, causing her discomfort.
(hopefully) It's working! VI Buffy looks over at Willow.
Will? ON WILLOW, continuing to focus.
It's-- (grunt, eyes flash black) It's... strong. ON THE OTHERS - Not liking the sound of that, drop back deeper into the house.
(re: Willow) It's hurting her. BUFFY WILLOW She grunts and her eyes flash black again. And again. The Ubervamp pounds at the barrier more feverishly. Willow's in agony.
She can't hold it. RONA Buffy looks at her, coming to a decision.
Run. (to others) Everybody! Run! Xander leads the way toward the back. The others follow. ON BUFFY - She grabs Willow and they make a run for the back as well. The Ubervamp takes a moment to register the barrier is gone before pursuing them. 29 THRU 34 OMITTED EXT. SUMMERS' HOME - BACKYARD - CONTINUOUS XANDER hits a Bringer across the mid-section with the axe, as KENNEDY puts an arrow in another's head and joins Willow and the others as they run off. A Bringer comes at Xander. They struggle over the axe for a few moments, then the Bringer freezes. And falls down dead. A stake in his back. Xander looks up to see Buffy and Willow, moving at him. She grabs him.
C'mon. As they flee, the enraged ROAR of the Ubervamp can be heard behind them. It carries over into... EXT. BACK ALLEY - BEHIND DEMON BAR - MEANWHILE Quiet for a moment. Then, with a FLARE... GILES and ANYA emerge from the SHIMMERING GATEWAY, which promptly vanishes. They're a little unbalanced at first, having been standing in a swirling vortex, and their clothes and hair are in some state of disarray. They look at each other, straightening themselves, then walk on, in silence. After a moment. Giles looks at Anya.
Are you all ri--? ANYA Giles stops and turns to her.
It's not her dying. The Beljoxa's Eye was clear... in its enigmatic way... It's because she lives. Again. (then) Buffy's not responsible for that. ANYA GILES ANYA OFF GILES' look, pondering that question. EXT. N.D. STREET - NIGHT ON WILLOW, running, leading Dawn, Andrew and the other girls into frame. She turns back to see BUFFY and XANDER bringing up the rear.
No Bringers following. Guess they're leaving us for old snaggletooth. WILLOW BUFFY MOLLY BUFFY XANDER DAWN BUFFY DAWN KENNEDY BUFFY They hear a FERAL GROWL and look back to see THEIR POV - The Ubervamp coming up the street behind them. Buffy looks at Andrew, and grabs the bottle of Holy Water out of his hand.
Hey! I need that! BUFFY She takes off toward the UBERVAMP
(to others) C'mon... They run off. Dawn pauses, continuing to look as BUFFY jumps and double kicks the Ubervamp high in the chest, bouncing off, barely affecting him. ON DAWN, as Xander grabs her...
Hafta go, Dawnie. He pulls her along, following the rest. ON BUFFY, landing on her back. As the Ubervamp lunges at her, Buffy smashes the bottle hard into the Ubervamp's face. ON THE UBERVAMP, stopping its attack momentarily, as its face sizzles and smokes, blistering. And not minding. Much. It grabs Buffy's wrist and flings her hard into the side of a parked car, setting off the ALARM. The Ubervamp advances on Buffy, seemingly winded by the impact. Buffy picks herself up and starts to stagger away. TRACKING WITH THE UBERVAMP, following Buffy, slowly at first, savoring the hunt. TRACKING WITH BUFFY - She looks behind her, sees the Ubervamp in pursuit and starts to pick up her pace. CLOSE ON THE UBERVAMP, as he moves faster now... Then, suddenly, stops, thoughts racing through its feral brain. He turns, looks back toward where the others ran... and exits frame. EXT. CONSTRUCTION SITE - NIGHT CRANE UP on Xander, Willow, Andrew, Dawn and the Potential Slayers as they enter AN EXCAVATION PIT, where the foundation of a large building will be erected. An unoccupied earth mover and cement mixer sit idly by. Piles of cinder blocks, spools of electrical cable and barbed wire, shovels and other tools rest near a large wheelbarrow. Mounds of dirt piled high around the edges. NEW ANGLE as they move through the dimly lit space, looking around.
Where are we? XANDER He crosses off, out of frame, as the others mill.
This what you call a safe location? VI WILLOW ANDREW WILLOW As others comply...
That's the plan?! Spread out?! DAWN RONA ON KENNEDY, seeing something.
Or it could just skip that part and come straight here. The others turn to see, to their terror... THE UBERVAMP standing at the other end of the pit.
BLACK OUT.
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| Act Four |
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EXT. CONSTRUCTION SITE - NIGHT DOLLY BACK,
CLOSE ON THE UBERVAMP as he starts to move in.
ON WILLOW, KENNEDY and DAWN standing their ground for the moment as the
others back away in terror, looking behind them, seeing no immediate
escape route. Chloe is frozen with fear.
Oh, god... Oh, no.. no no no... WIDEN as the UDERVAMP advances, easily tossing the tool laden wheelbarrow in its path aside. Everyone drops back as far as they can go. The Ubervamp is almost upon them when... A BANK OF FLOODLIGHTS suddenly SLAM on behind Willow and the others, shining right in the face of the Ubervamp, who stops, wincing momentarily from the harsh light. Then... ANOTHER BANK OF LIGHTS slams on. THE UBERVAMP turns toward this new light source. ANGLE ON A HAND throwing on another switch in a series of circuit breakers on a portable generator. WIDEN to see it's XANDER. YET ANOTHER BANK OF LIGHTS slam on, this time illuminating BUFFY, standing atop the pile of cinder blocks. Arms folded. In total hero mode. THE UBERVAMP turns to face her.
Buffy? MOLLY Kennedy starts to move in on the Ubervamp, his back to her. She raises the crossbow, until Willow puts a hand on her arm to stop her. Kennedy looks at Willow.
Just watch... She turns her gaze back to Buffy.
It's showtime. ON BUFFY, addressing the Ubervamp.
Think you've won, don't you? Got us trapped... Now you're all pumped up, ready for the slaughter. You and your boss, The First. She jumps down off the blocks, circling the Ubervamp.
Here's the joke, hellboy... You're the one who's trapped. With me. I don't know whether I can beat you or not, but whatever happens, we finish it here. And now. PUSH IN as she stops, taking up a fighting stance.
Welcome to Thunderdome. ON ANDREW, in heaven.
(muttering to himself) Two men enter, one man leaves. Willow and Xander grab Andrew away from his happy ringside seat and together, they usher the group (Dawn, Potentials, themselves) quickly to a construct of SCAFFOLDING. They begin to climb to (relative) safety. ON BUFFY and the UBERVAMP circling each other for a few beats, sizing each other up. Then, Buffy attacks. She's strong, in control. But the Ubervamp's still stronger. Knocks her around a bit. But Buffy keeps getting up and launching herself at the Ubervamp again. ON DAWN - She looks at Willow.
This... You planned this. Letting the barrier fail. Bringing us here. You and Buffy... Willow never takes her eyes off the fight, but nods briefly and we: FLASHBACK TO: 40 INT SUMMMERS' HOME - DINING ROOM - NEAR DUSK ON BUFFY, during the big pow-wow earlier. She looks over at Willow...
What chance do we have? And as the other conversation continues in the room, Buffy speaks to Willow, telepathically.
Willow, can you hear me? ON WILLOW, looking back.
Yeah. BUFFY (V.O.) Buffy picks up Dawn's dirty plate and moves toward the kitchen, past Willow...
Grab Xander. Willow looks at Xander.
Xander. XANDER KENNEDY XANDER He looks over at Willow... FLASH INTO: INT. SUMMERS' HOME - KITCHEN - FLASHBACK ON BUFFY, at the sink, turning to look at Xander and Willow as if they were in the kitchen.
... I have to slay the Neander-vamp if I'm going to get Spike out of that cave. But I need those girls to see me do it. ON WILLOW, looking at Buffy.
I get it. You wanna put on a show. ON XANDER, leaning up against the wall, arms folded.
I know the perfect place... FLASH FORWARD TO: EXT. CONSTRUCTION SITE - PRESENT ON THE RAGING BATTLE - The Ubervamp continues to have the advantage, swatting Buffy around like a ragdoll. At one point, he PUNCHES her so hard she rockets back away from him, and slams into the scaffold, causing it to shudder and shake. ON KENNEDY - Trying to steady herself, she DROPS the crossbow. ON BUFFY, noticing the weapon fall near her as UBERVAMP rushes her. BUFFY grabs the crossbow, turns and in one motion, FIRES - sending an arrow right above the Ubervamp's breastbone. The vamp barely notices as it continues for her... MORE COOL ASS FIGHTY STUFF as Buffy grabs a pickaxe and deals some blows, misses more. Eventually, on one of her assaults, the Ubervamp grabs Buffy by the throat and lifts her off her feet. Crushing the air out of her. Buffy struggles to little avail. ON RONA, her Slayer heart kicking in.
It's killing her. MOLLY WILLOW ON BUFFY - she reaches down to the arrow protruding from the Ubervamp's chest and turns it. The Ubervamp grunts from the pain she's inflicting and squeezes harder. Then... BUFFY snaps the arrow in half and plunges the broken shaft into the Ubervamp's eye, exploding it. The Ubervamp HOWLS in agony and releases its hold on Buffy. Buffy falls to the ground as the Ubervamp WAILS, pulling the shaft out of its eye socket, clutching its face. Buffy gets up, summons up all the Slayer strength she has left, and begins to pummel the wounded Ubervamp -- a severe, bone-crunching volley of punches and kicks. THE UBERVAMP, staggers back from the blows, trying to fend them off, having a hard time seeing out of its other eye with all the blood and puss flowing from the socket. Buffy continues her assault, driving the Ubervamp back, until... CLOSE ON SPOOL OF BARBED WIRE, as the Ubervamp stumbles over it onto the ground. In a flash, Buffy is there. She grabs the end of the barbed wire coil, gets behind the Ubervamp, who's gotten to his knees, and wraps the wire around his neck. THE UBERVAMP struggles as the barbed wire cuts into him. ON BUFFY, a burning determination in her eyes, as she pulls as hard as she can, until... CUT OUT as the Ubervamp's virtually decapitated head, explodes into DUST, followed a millisecond by its body. ANGLE ON THE POTENTIALS - staring in awe. ON BUFFY, bloody, bruised and winded. After a moment she looks up at them.
See... She pulls herself up to her shaky feet, holding out her hands, then shaking off the Ubervamp's dusted remains.
Dust. Like the rest of them. She crosses in to them.
I don't know what's coming next. But I do know... it's all gonna come down just like this. Hard. Painful... But in the end... It's gonna be us. If we all do our part... Believe it... We'll be the ones left standing. CUT OUT to the Potentials taking in Buffy's words for a few moments, before she starts to walk off... Everyone watches her go. Then, Kennedy starts to follow her, then
Molly, then Rona and the others. As they leave...
SOMEONE'S POV - watching the Potentials and others follow Buffy away.
SWING AROUND to reveal
EVE/FIRST, looking furious.
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. UNDERGROUND CAVERN - LATER THAT NIGHT
CLOSE ON SPIKE, hanging up on the wall, as his eyes flutter open to see
BUFFY, still exhibiting the wounds of her battle, standing before him,
holding a Bringer's dagger.
Spike begins to smirk, wryly.
He stops as she moves in and starts to cut his bindings. Spike looks in
her eyes. Full of pain and empathy. And in the moment, he knows. It's
Buffy. And he starts to weep.
Without a word, Buffy finishes cutting the bindings tying Spike's hands
to the wall. He starts to fall, but she catches him. Holding him up.
Spike stares at her. She offers him a small, comforting smile. And
then, slowly, letting him lean on her... they walk away together.
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