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"Dirty Girls" Written by: Drew Goddard February 19, 2003 (WHITE) | ||
| Teaser | ||
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EXT. OUTSIDE OF TOWN - NIGHT
A Girl, SHANNON, is running for her life. Behind her, cloaks billowing
in the dim blue of night, are three BRINGERS, one with knife in hand.
She weaves and dodges, fast but out of breath, as they try to surround
and grab her. Finally she breaks away, sprinting out into the middle of a
road.
There is a pair of headlights coming, and she stands in the way, waving
the vehicle down.
Help! Stop, please! Please... The vehicle swerves, stops. It's a battered old pickup, being driven by a young preacher, CALEB. He is good-looking, working-class, wears black jeans, workboots that have actually seen work, and a black shirt with cleric's collar. He looks around with concern as she pulls the passenger door open. They overlap:
What's going on? SHANNON CALEB ANGLE: THE BRINGERS Burst out of the woods, heading for the girl. She throws herself in the cab, yelling:
DRIVE! Which Caleb does, flooring it even before she gets the door shut, leaving the black-robed creatures behind. INT. CALEB'S TRUCK - CONTINUING For a while, Shannon just catches her breath, Caleb looking at her, at the rear-view mirror...
Well that was... are you all right? SHANON CALEB SHANNON CALEB She looks out the window, her hard history washing over her face.
I'm sorry. It looks like you've been traveling a while. (realizes) And I didn't think... is there somewhere you want me to drop you? Are you headed somewhere? SHANNON CALEB SHANON CALEB SHANNON CALEB SHANNON CALEB SHANNON CALEB SHANNON CALEB She tries to open the door on her side -- no handle. He pushes the car lighter in.
Yeah, that door there's problematical. Don't know as I can recommend stepping out at this speed, either. Like as not to tumble some. Then there's my boys back there, they hate to miss a mark. SHANNON CALEB She tries to grab the wheel -- he slams her back with one arm, and almost no effort.
I don't like back seat drivers. The lighter pops out. He takes it, and, driving with one knee, puts it to a ring on his finger, heating it up.
Please... don't hurt me... CALEB He pulls the lighter off and the arcane symbol on his ring glows with heat. He drives his fist into the side of her neck, smoke sizzling from the impression of the ring as she cries out in pain and fear.
That's right! That's a cleansing fire! Hallelujah! He laughs well and heartily as he releases her, hands on the wheel again. She is pushed as far from him as she can be, tears streaming down her face.
If I'm not mistaken there should be a car a little ways behind us. And I believe there's some folk in it heading to the same place you are. Now I got a message for you to deliver, but it's not for them. It's for the other one. The one and only, original, accept-no-substitutes- Slayer. Can you tell her something for me? SHANNON CALEB He whips a bowie knife from the other side of his seat and plunges it into her belly. Her eyes go wide, her agony soundless as he comes very close to her, lips to her ears, and whispers something we don't hear. He pulls the knife out and steers with it still bloody in his hand.
Now let's see if we can't do something about that door. He swings a leg around and KICKS her, the door swinging open and the girl tumbling out: EXT. ROAD - CONTINUING Spinning and flailing and finally coming to rest in the middle of the road. Dazed, bloodied, and swimming in pain, Shannon lifts her head to see the truck receding in the distance. She doesn't see the headlights coming right at her from behind. This car swerves at the last second, screeching to a stop. The driver jumps out, runs to the girl. It's WILLOW. The passenger gets out more slowly, and we don't see her face at first.
Goddess... can you hear me... can you talk? But Shannon is beyond speech. She glazes over into unconsciousness.
She's bleeding badly. We need to get her to a hospital. Willow starts pulling off her over-shirt to staunch the bleeding. The other girl steps up to her, and we arm at her low angle, to reveal: FAITH. She looks out at the horizon, weary, wary.
Yep. Guess I'm back in Sunnydale.
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| Act One | ||
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INT. XANDER'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
It's late, dark. POTENTIAL SLAYERS (12 total) are asleep, scattered
throughout Xander's apartment -- some on couches, some on the floor in
sleeping bags
INT. XANDER'S APARTMENT - BEDROOM - CONTINUING
XANDER is in bed. Sitting on the side of the bed next to him is KELLY,
another potential (who happens to be pretty hot.) She's dressed for bed in
a tight little t-shirt and boxer shorts.
The two talk in hushed tones, careful not to wake the others.
I know it's hard... KELLY XANDER KELLY XANDER KELLY XANDER KELLY XANDER She traces the bedsheet with her finger.
I've never been with a man... I could die tomorrow... She looks up at him -- vulnerable, seductive.
And I've never been with a man... Xander looks at her -- apprehensive, aroused.
Well... uh... Another girl (COLLEEN) stands up from where she was sleeping on the floor next to them. She's wearing a nightie, and is similarly hot.
I've never been with a man before either... XANDER COLLEEN KELLY XANDER Both girls turn and look at him. Colleen crawls on the bed toward him.
Xander... XANDER COLLEEN XANDER Both girls shake their heads.
They turn and look toward the bedroom door. It starts to swing open all by itself... We PUSH THROUGH to reveal a BIG SLOW-MOTION PILLOW FIGHT. All the girls from earlier are hitting each other with pillows. They're all scantily clad -- bras, panties, nighties, boxers, tight t-shirts. They're having a great time -- lots of smiles, laughs and shrieks. Some pillows break open, feathers fly. Shrieks, laughs, nighties, feathers -- INT. XANDER'S APARTMENT - BEDROOM NIGHT The door to Xander's room OPENS suddenly. Xander's abruptly jerked out of his fantasy. He's in bed, alone, disoriented. RONA, who's been knocking, sticks her head in the door.
Xander! Goddamn it. XANDER RONA Behind her we see some of the girls sleeping or standing around, grumpy, wearing unflattering full-body pajamas (and one girl has orthodontic headgear on).
It actually backed up while she was on the toilet. And she has the stomach flu. (beat) You should probably visualize that before you go in there, it'll make it easier to deal with. XANDER Rona shuts the door. Leaving Xander alone. Exhale. INT. HOSPITAL - NIGHT We're in the Emergency Room Several ER DOCTORS work on an unconscious Shannon.
You sure she's one of us? We PULL BACK to find Willow and Faith removed from the action, looking on intently.
She don't look like much now. Not a potential Slayer, I mean. WILLOW FAITH Willow looks back toward Shannon. Somber.
Yeah... FAITH Willow looks at her, unsure how to explain.
Faith... FAITH WILLOW FAITH WILLOW FAITH Willow clearly feels bad about all this.
Faith... we didn't think -- FAITH She nods towards Shannon, changing the subject.
What do we do about her? WILLOW Faith moves to leave.
Let's go look for her. Cemetery's more fun anyway. WILLOW FAITH WILLOW FAITH WILLOW FAITH She turns to walk out the door.
I'm sure we'll all get along fine. EXT. GRAVEYARD - NIGHT SCREAMS. BLOOD-PIERCING SCREAMS. A HELPLESS GIRL runs terrified through the graveyard. We catch glimpses of something chasing her -- a black shape, moving quickly. The Girl stops, scared -- which way do I run? -- and in that hesitation she's tackled from behind. We hear the GROWL of a vampire, see the black figure on her. She struggles, the vamp backhands her and she goes flying HARD into a tombstone. VAMP POV -- Girl unconscious on the ground. Growl. Move in for the kill... CLOSE ON a hand grabbing the back of the vampire's coat. A BLUR as the vamp is thrown across the graveyard, crashing into a tomb wall. The Vamp hits the ground. We get our first good look at it -- turns out it's SPIKE (in VAMPFACE.) He looks up to face his attacker. Sees -- FAITH walking towards him. Full of swagger.
What'cha wanna do to her, vamp? Somethin' like this? Faith charges. With a growl Spike lunges at her, attacking. She easily blocks his punches and then WHACK hits him with a right cross that sends him flying back. He hits the ground. When he rights himself he's no longer in vamp face. He comes up holding his jaw, a little dazed.
Nice punch you got there. He backs away, sizing her up.
Let me guess... Leather pants, hard right cross, doe-eyes, holier-than- thou glower... (beat) You must be Faith. FAITH SPIKE FAITH He tries to remember her. Shakes his head.
We have? I don't think-- CRACK! Faith kicks him right in the face.
Bloody hell! What are you doing -- I'm on your side! FAITH She attacks, hitting him again.
Maybe you haven't heard. I'm reformed. SPIKE He blocks her attack and CRACK hits her square in the face.
I reformed way before you did. She attacks again. They trade blows.
Stop... hitting... me. We're on the same side. FAITH SPIKE FAITH WHACK -- she gets in a good one. And WHAM, a punch flies out of nowhere, drops Faith to the ground. REVEAL BUFFY, standing over her (we may or may not notice she has a stake tucked in her belt).
Oops. Sorry, Faith. Didn't realize that was you. Faith stands up, tries not to show how much that just hurt.
'S all right, B. Luckily you still punch like you used to. Buffy walks over, helps Spike to his feet.
You okay? SPIKE FAITH BUFFY FAITH SPIKE BUFFY SPIKE BUFFY FAITH ROAR! The Helpless Girl, now in full VAMPFACE, tackles Faith from behind. They struggle on the ground. Buffy and Spike make no move to help.
That's one of the bad guys. Faith struggles with the crazed vampire.
You should make 'em wear signs... She flips the Vamp off of her. Rolls to her feet. Turns, gets right in Buffy's face. Without breaking eye-contact, she pulls the stake out of Buffy's belt.
(to Buffy, re: stake) May I? Thanks. She whips around, leaps on top of the Vamp. Plunges the stake down -- we hear it DUST just off-screen.
(it's been bugging him) Angel's dull as a table lamp. And we have very different coloring. Faith gets to her feet, a little winded, annoyed.
Okay. Catching up. Anything else I gotta know? Buffy and Spike share a look. Then:
(insincere) Nice to have you back. INT. SUMMERS' HOUSE - ENTRYWAY - NIGHT Buffy comes walking through the front door with Faith and Spike in tow. Faith looks around her...
Whoa! Memory lane. Same old house. BUFFY Buffy steps into the entryway, we find DAWN and GILES doing research at the table in the dining room.
Buffy -- BUFFY Faith steps around past Buffy into the living room. Giles and Dawn stand up. Neither looks pleased at the sight of her, but not surprised to see her either. Spike watches what follows with curiosity.
Hey. Got a spare bed for a wanted fugitive? GILES FAITH DAWN FAITH BUFFY DAWN GILES Buffy looks at him coldly. There's still unspoken tension between these two.
Fine. Uncomfortable beat as nobody's quite sure what to say.
Well, Faith. I guess we should try to find a place to squeeze you in tonight. Giles and Dawn exit. Spike looks at Faith.
Not all that tension was about you. Giles was part of a plan to kill me for Buffy's own good. FAITH Spike nods, accepting that. INT. VINEYARD CELLAR - NIGHT SLO MO CLOSE ON: red wine pouring from a spigot into a glass. It's a drinking glass, small one, not a wine glass. We WIDEN to see Caleb filling it from a small barrel. Widen more to see that this cellar contains dozens of barrels and a few huge casks. It's musty and monastic, with Bringers hovering (not literally) in the shadowy corners.
Drink of this, for it is my blood. He tastes it. Talks, conversationally, to someone. The Bringers?
(wandering about) You know, I loved the story of the last supper, the body, the blood of Christ becoming rich red wine... I recall as a boy though I couldn't help thinking, what if you're at the last supper and you ordered the white? Nice oakey chardonnay, or a white zin, was he gonna make that out of his lymph or some all? I never did bring it up, but... well I suppose there was reason I never could stay with the same parish for very long. Just looking for answers -- looking for the Lord -- in the wrong damn places. 'Til you showed me the light. The First, as Buffy, steps out of complete black shadow.
Do you think I'm God? CALEB BUFFY/FIRST CALEB BUFFY/FIRST CALEB BUFFY/FIRST He does, looking her up and down, not lasciviously, just calculating. Comes close and stares in her eyes.
What do you see? CALEB BUFFY/FIRST CALEB BUFFY/FIRST CALEB He puts his hand tentatively to touch her face, puts it through it, pulls it back slowly, all over the following:
All the work I done for you, blowing up the council, organizing the Ray Charles Brigade, and stickin' all those splits... you never showed me. BUFFY/FIRST CALEB BUFFY/FIRST CALEB The First smiles. Caleb raises his glass.
See you soon. He drains it.
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| Act Two | ||
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OPENING MONTAGE
Previously seen footage of Faith from episodes past.
Faith. Start off with a collage of beauty shots. Faith looking tough. Faith looking dangerous. Faith looking seductive. You get the idea.
Her name alone invokes awe. "Faith." A set of principles or beliefs... Let's make sure we get that shot of Faith putting her hands above her head from "Bad Girls" in here.
Upon which you're willing to devote your life. Shots of Faith fighting various demons. Kicking much ass. Over which:
The Dark Slayer. A lethal combination of beauty, power, and death. For years and years -- or to be more accurate, months -- Faith fought on the side of good... EXT. ALLEY - NIGHT NEW FOOTAGE TO BE SHOT: Faith is surrounded by NINJAS (five of them -- Asian, black pajamas, the whole deal), as Andrew's voice-over continues.
Terrorizing even the most silent and deadly members of the evil community. The ninjas attack at once. Faith leaps into the air and takes all five of them out with a gravity defying (wire-gag) flashy circling kick. She lands in a crouch amidst the fallen ninjas. Stands up into a HERO shot. Arching her back. Looking tough.
But, like so many tragic heroes, Faith was seduced by the lure of the dark side. RETURN TO MONTAGE Shots of Faith being bad -- Faith shooting a bow and arrow, Faith breaking-and-entering, Faith punching people, Faith jumping up and down on the bed, Faith holding a knife to Willow's throat.
She wrapped evil around her like a large, evil poncho. She became a cold-blooded killer. Shots of Faith killing the Mayor's assistant, shots of Faith battling Buffy.
Nobody was immune to her trail of destruction. Not friends, not family... EXT. CAVE - NIGHT NEW FOOTAGE TO BE SHOT: Faith locked in deadly battle with a Vulcan. Yes, a male Vulcan. Classic-Trek style Starfleet uniform of v-necked velour, black hair with bangs, pointed ears.
Not even the most pacifist and logical of races... They trade blows for a bit. Then the Vulcan goes for a Neck- Pinch. She catches his arm, twists it behind his back, and with her other hand holds up HER KNIFE, about to strike down and stab him in the stomach...
What the hell are you talking about?
MATCH CUT TO:
INT. SUMMERS' HOUSE - KITCHEN - EARLY MORNING ANDREW, holding VI in the exact same pose as Faith was holding the Vulcan, with a rolled-up newspaper held up, ready to strike. A Large Group of Potentials (Rona, MOLLY, AMANDA, CHAO-AHN + 5 ND girls) listens intently to his story.
I thought Faith killed a vulcanologist. Andrew releases Vi and shakes his head patiently.
Silly, silly Amanda... Why would Faith kill a person who studies Vulcans? The girls look at each other, a little confused.
He studied volcanos. He was a professor. ANDREW MOLLY ANDREW He turns and looks out the window. POV SHOT: Faith doing training exercises in the backyard.
Faith has a history that is not to be taken lightly. Back on the group.
She's a killer. Never forget that. You must stay on guard around Faith at all times. Your very lives may depend on it. The group takes this in. Somber. Maybe even a little scared. Then:
INT. SUNNYDALE HIGH SCHOOL - WOOD'S OFFICE - CONTINUOUS ROBIN WOOD is at his desk. He's still a little banged up from his encounter with Spike. Cuts, bruises, a bandage on his neck. He looks up when Buffy knocks on the door. She enters, a little wary.
You look better. WOOD BUFFY WOOD BUFFY WOOD BUFFY WOOD BUFFY WOOD BUFFY WOOD BUFFY WOOD Buffy sits down.
I don't want to lead them into a war, Robin. War can't be the right thing. WOOD BUFFY WOOD Buffy thinks about that.
Couldn't I just come to work part- time? I could make flyers for encounter groups and post them around the school. Kids could bring snacks-- WOOD Off Buffy's resigned look: INT. SUMMERS' HOUSE - BASEMENT - DAY We are looking up the stairs as the door from the kitchen opens and Faith slips in. We can hear the sound of girls laughing, training and banging around - which quiets as she shuts the door behind her. She moves down the stairs, sits on the bottom step. A beat as she takes in the silence. Then she reaches into her coat and pulls out a pack of smokes. Lights up.
You craving a moment alone in the dank - or can I bum one? Faith turns to see Spike on his cot in a corner. He's sitting up from sleep - shirtless and a little tousled. He's not chained up, but the chains are in evidence on the wall. Faith gets up and moves toward Spike with the pack extended.
Guess you can smoke all you want. The "big C" not really an issue. SPIKE FAITH Spike takes a smoke as Faith eyes the chains mounted over the bed. He notices.
Right. Not what it looks like- FAITH SPIKE FAITH SPIKE FAITH An awkward moment as they smoke. Contemplate each other. Upstairs, distant shrieking from the girls can be heard.
(re: noise) No more Starbucks for the wannabes, man. They've been spazzing for, like, hours. SPIKE FAITH SPIKE FAITH SPIKE FAITH SPIKE FAITH SPIKE FAITH They connect on this. Meet eyes.
You over it? FAITH SPIKE FAITH SPIKE FAITH Spike smiles a little. Likes this girl.
You could do better. School girl thing is old hat. FAITH SPIKE FAITH SPIKE FAITH Things are getting a little hot between them now. Faith plops on the end of Spike's cot, eyeing him.
I met you before, you know. SPIKE FAITH SPIKE FAITH SPIKE FAITH SPIKE FAITH SPIKE FAITH SPIKE Faith stops - catching his drift.
Don't tell me miss tightly wound is gettin' her naughty on. SPIKE FAITH Faith grins, the vibe intimate. But a noise turns them. Buffy - just hitting the last stair. Not liking the cozy look of shirtless Spike and Faith smoking together on his cot. But Faith plays it off. No big deal.
Hey B. BUFFY FAITH BUFFY SPIKE BUFFY DAWN (O.S.) BUFFY Dawn appears at the head of the stairs.
Buffy - Willow just called from the hospital. (then) The girl's awake. INT. HOSPITAL - DUSK PUSH IN on Shannon, sitting up in her hospital bed. She's alive, but barely. She's beat up pretty good -- cuts, bruises, bandages. Maybe a contact that makes one eye all bloody -- that's always creepy. She speaks in a raspy whisper.
He was a minister or something... at least he dressed like one. I thought he was trying to save me... at first. Buffy and Willow stand next to the bed, listening intently.
He picked you up on the side of the road? Shannon nods.
The Bringers were chasing me... She thinks of something.
He said they were "his boys..." (looks away) Right before he burned me. She turns, pulls back the bandage on her neck, revealing CALEB'S SYMBOL burned into her flesh. Buffy and Willow share a look, Buffy nods to Willow's purse. Willow pulls out a small digital camera and snaps a quick photo of the symbol.
He wanted to tell you something. Before he... cut me... he told me to give the slayer a message. Buffy's barely able to control her anger at the horror this girl's faced.
(softly) What was it? Shannon looks at Buffy. Cold. Hollow.
He said, "I have something of yours." INT. SUMMERS' HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - NIGHT Oh boy. Do we have a full house. Buffy addresses the group. So it is: Xander, Willow, Giles, Spike, Dawn, Kennedy, Rona, Amanda, Vi, Molly, Chao Ahn, ANYA and Andrew.
We've got a new player in town. Dresses like a preacher. Calls himself Caleb. Looks like he's working for The First. DAWN Buffy doesn't acknowledge this. She's cold -- her encounter with Shannon has left her shaken, angry.
He's taunting us. Calling us out. Says he has something of mine. Could be another girl. Could be something else. Don't know. Don't care. (pause) I'm tired of talking. I'm tired of training. He's got something of mine? Fine. I'm getting it back. She levels her gaze. Steeled.
And you guys are coming with me.
BLACKOUT.
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| Act Three | ||
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INT. (VINEYARD) - N.D. - NIGHT
A girl, BETTY, is looking for someone here, taking uncertain steps,
peering into the shadows. She's seventeen or so, curvy in a way a
rural-type sun dress can't hide -- you might call her voluptuous or even
over-ripe. She startles when Caleb steps out of the shadows.
You're searching for something, girl. What would that be now? BETTY CALEB BETTY CALEB BETTY She moves in closer to him [BUT NOT TOUCHING HIM]... trying some seduction, a little clumsy, but ready.
I got warm. The words made me feel that way. I got warm. It was your words made me feel that way. All that power you was talking about. The temple coming down, and the end of days. (beat, close:) Your words are strong, Preacher. CALEB She nods, still shy but confidence building.
Words I use got a power to 'em. Power, now. They're not just "words." They're Truth. BETTY CALEB She nods.
Felt like. CALEB BETTY Betty puts her hands on her own belly, breathes deep, taking in his words.
Because you're human. You got your urges. A woman's got hers, a Man's got his. Our whole race can be so damnably weak. It's why we seek the strength. That Power. BETTY CALEB She steps up against a wall, into the deepest shadows. He follows her in. We can't see either of them. Then HER BODY FALLS OUT, INTO THE LIGHT, LYING BLEEDING, GUTTED. He steps out into the light, looks down at the body. He regards the (clean) knife in his hand.
(matter-of-fact, conversational) Just human. The BODY MORPHS, becoming BUFFY/THE FIRST, uninjured. She sits up, looks at Caleb.
Most people don't like visits from their dead, you know. CALEB BUFFY/FIRST CALEB He tucks the knife back in his belt.
There'll be others. INT. SUMMERS' HOUSE - BUFFY'S ROOM - NIGHT Big power pow-wow: Buffy, Xander, Willow, Spike, Giles, Faith.
Start arming the girls. I want to be ready to move when we find him. WILLOW BUFFY FAITH GILES BUFFY GILES BUFFY GILES BUFFY SPIKE WILLOW BUFFY Willow gives her a look, not understanding.
You're my most powerful weapon, Will. You can keep these girls safe if something happens. XANDER BUFFY GILES BUFFY Giles tries not to let her coldness get to him. EXT. SUNNYDALE/VINEYARD - NIGHT A BRINGER walks briskly through the dark night. Seems to have a clear purpose -- he's headed somewhere in a hurry. We let him pass, DRIFT back, and find Buffy and Faith following him at a distance. As they walk, careful not to be discovered:
No eyes, but lookit him go. He got sonar or something? BUFFY FAITH BUFFY FAITH BUFFY FAITH Buffy nods, keeping her eyes on the Bringer she's tracking. Faith awkwardly takes the moment to try to connect.
You've got a rough sitch here. Trying to turn a bunch of little girls into an army. Buffy doesn't like that description.
They're potential Slayers. Just like we were. FAITH Buffy shoots a glance at Faith... was that sarcasm? She's not sure.
They're getting better. FAITH BUFFY FAITH Buffy is startled.
No. That's not what I meant. I'm... glad you're here. It's good. (making an effort) Thank you. FAITH BUFFY FAITH BUFFY FAITH Buffy nods, takes a moment, then:
How is he? FAITH BUFFY Faith picks up on Buffy's annoyance. And, despite herself, enjoys it a little
Yeah. Very weird. We got close. Saw all sorts of heavy stuff from his past. Tripped 'me out. BUFFY FAITH BUFFY Faith cuts her off.
Buffy. She nods towards the Bringer up ahead. POV SHOT: We see the Bringer walk out into a clearing. Heading towards an old VINEYARD. An old, monastic building -- stone, vine-covered. Almost a religious vibe to it. Dark wood abounds, lots of shadows. Quiet. Abandoned. But not empty. We watch as the Bringer heads for a heavy wooden door, opens it, goes inside, see him go downstairs... and the door slams shut. On Buffy and Faith, watching intently.
What is this place? BUFFY And we see there are, in fact, more Bringers. Let's say four more. Walking out of the woods from different directions, all headed towards the main vineyard door.
Looks like we found our hornet's nest. BUFFY INT. SUMMERS' HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - NIGHT Dawn and Xander are helping the girls prepare for battle, checking weapons, outfits -- girls are going over moves... there is nervousness in the air. Xander indicates Molly's chest and neck (ala Charles McGraw in Spartacus) as he talks:
Now remember, we're looking for killing blows only, people, so chest and throat if there's vampires, stomach, chest and face if it's a Bringer. RONA XANDER DAWN XANDER MOLLY KENNEDY ANDREW DAWN ANDREW XANDER DAWN ANDREW XANDER RONA XANDER RONA XANDER RONA XANDER RONA XANDER KENNEDY XANDER ANGLE: THE FOYER As Buffy and Faith enter quietly, and hover, unseen, listening.
She's laid down her life -- literally --- to protect the people around her. This girl had died, two times, and she's still standing. You're scared, that's smart. You got questions, you should. But you doubt her motives, you think Buffy is about the kill... then you take the little bus to battle. I've seen her heart -- this time not literally - and I'll tell you right now she cares more about your lives than you will ever know. You gotta trust her. She's earned it. A beat, as everyone takes this in. Andrew is trying not to cry. Dawn is quietly beaming at Xander ANGLE: Buffy and Faith. Buffy is quiet, Faith grinning.
Damn! I had no idea you were that cool. Everyone is startled to see them there.
Well, you were always a little slow. FAITH Buffy's eyes are on Xander, with unspoken gratitude. She steps into the room, putting her martial aspect back on.
All right, people. Let's saddle up. EXT. VINEYARD - NIGHT Quiet. Dark. We approach the doors of the Main Building. ANGLE ON our army: Buffy, Faith, Spike, Xander, Kennedy, Rona, Vi, Molly, Amanda, and 5 OTHER POTENTIALS. Armed, Focused. Ready for anything. Buffy stops the group at the door. She turns to Xander and Faith.
Set up a perimeter, guard the door -- I don't want anything getting in behind us. (nods to Spike) My group'll go in first, check the place out. (to Xander, Faith) You guys are our safety net. This thing's a trap, we give the signal and you come in guns blazing after us. XANDER BUFFY Xander and Faith nod.
Got it. Buffy gestures to Spike and a few of the girls.
Shall we? INT. VINEYARD - CELLAR - NIGHT Buffy, Spike, Rona, Kennedy, Molly and two of the girls walk downstairs into the VAST MAIN CELLAR of the vineyard. The group advances cautiously through the room, navigating the rows of wine barrels. They're sharp, ready. They move in formation, spreading out, guarding each other's back. This is a group of soldiers, not scared little girls.
What is this place? BUFFY KENNEDY SPIKE BUFFY SPIKE They glance up off Spike's look and see BRINGERS (eight total) step forward into the light from the dark archways around the room. They're armed -- knives, staffs. They have our group surrounded. OVERHEAD SHOT: Buffy and company circle in the middle of the room as the Bringers press forward, closing in on them.
Cover each other's backs... let them come to us... The Bringers ATTACK. The gang meets them head-on, and we've go ourselves one hell of a FIGHT. The key here is that the girls are now warriors -- they can hold their own against these Bringers. It's chaos. We see each member of our group fight skillfully against the onslaught: Buffy and Spike trade rapid fire blows with their Bringers. Molly catches an attacking Bringers' wrists and headbutts him. Rona kicks a Bringer in the face, Kennedy BLASTS one with an uppercut. The other two girls fight in some stunt-tastic ways. The Bringers get in their shots as well. A Bringer sweeps Kennedy's legs. She hits the ground hard. He leaps on her, knee raised for the kill, when Molly CATCHES his hand, spins him around, and CRACK elbows him in the face, dropping him. Buffy and Spike dispatch the Bringers they're fighting with some cool Medlen moves. They turn and rush to help the others. Spike CHARGES the Bringer Rona's fighting, taking him down hard. Crack! Crack! We see a few SHOTS of Molly, Kennedy, and our two stunt girls knocking the Bringers back. Buffy steps up and LEAPS off one of the barrels, jumpkicking a Bringer right in the face, sending him flying. He hits the ground, struggles to right himself... and starts backing away. In fact, all the Bringers do -- the ones that aren't knocked out, at least. Seemingly defeated, they creep back, some of them disappearing into the darkness. Buffy and company breathe hard, look each other over as they regroup and advance forward. From the darkness in front of them we hear the soft clicking of boots on concrete.
Well now... Caleb steps out of the darkness.
You girls are just burning with righteousness, aren't you? Problem is, you think they're blazing like suns, when really you're matchsticks in the face of the darkness. He walks towards Buffy. Calm as can be.
You having fun? Hope my boys haven't worn you out too much. Need you fit for when I... purify you. BUFFY Caleb smiles, holds his hands up, gesturing to the girls.
Well I do now. (pause) You like my little message, did you? You know, I ruined a perfectly good knife on that girl. Got her soiled blood all over the place. I may need to get a new truck. (then) So you're the Slayer. Caleb approaches Buffy.
The Slayer. The strongest and fastest and most aflame with that most precious invention of all mankind: the notion of goodness. The Slayer must indeed be powerful. WHAM! Out of nowhere he rockets his fist at Buffy's face and PUNCHES THE HOLY LIVING HELL OUT OF HER. He blasts her up into the air, sending her sailing over the wine barrels across the room. She slams into the back wall and hits the ground hard, knocked unconscious. Caleb looks at the shocked faces of Spike and the rest of the girls, who have just seen their leader taken out with one punch. He smiles.
So, what else you got?
BLACKOUT.
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| Act Four | ||
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INT. VINEYARD - MAIN ROOM - NIGHT
Picking UP where we left off, and continuing our FIGHT. Our epic,
massive fight: Caleb stands laughing in the center of the room.
Spike MORPHS into VAMPFACE. With a ROAR he attacks, launching himself
at Caleb. Caleb meets his attack head-on, blocking Spike's attack with
glee (note: Caleb's moves should seem effortless, like he's toying with
these people.)
Caleb blocks Spike's punches and HEADBUTTS Spike, knocking him back,
dazed. Caleb steps forward and WHAM punches Spike right in the stomach,
launching him straight back across the room. Spike's body goes crashing
THROUGH ONE OF THE WINE BARRELS, sending a deluge of RED WINE gushing all
over the place. Spike lays motionless in the mess, seemingly out.
Caleb laughs, surveys the room.
Well c'mon boys, what are you waiting for? Let's show these ladies a proper time. The Bringers come CHARGING out of the darkness, attacking the girls with newfound vigor. The girls seem overwhelmed -- after what they've just seen, they're rattled. No longer the fine-tuned machine. Kennedy, Rona, Molly, and the two other girls trade blows with the Bringers, taking some nasty shots. Caleb gracefully walks through the melee, still calm as can be. Without looking he BACKHANDS Kennedy (who was fighting a Bringer) across the room, sending her smashing into a FULL WINERACK. BROKEN GLASS AND WINE go cascading everywhere. Kennedy's body is lost in the mess.
Kennedy! She starts to rush towards her. Caleb catches her as she's running by.
Miss, I do believe you have your own problems you should be worried about. He takes her arm and CRACK snaps it over his knee, breaking it horribly. She SCREAMS and SCREAMS in pain. He drops her on the ground. Walks over and picks up a knife off the ground. He tosses it to one of his Bringers, who catches it and leaps on Rona. Just as he's plunging the knife down -- FWACK! And arrow shoots straight through the Bringer's wrist, jerking him back. Caleb whips around. Sees Xander in the doorway, holding up a fancy bow-and-arrow. Faith, Amanda, Vi, and the other three potentials come charging forward from behind him. Caleb smiles.
Oh good. There's more of you. XANDER FAITH Faith CHARGES at Caleb, a knife in each of her hands. She slices and dices at him, but he dodges her flurry. The NEW GIRLS (Amanda, Vi, 3 potentials) rush into battle, going to the aid of their overwhelmed comrades. Rapid-fire exchanges with the Bringers. ON XANDER, as he assesses the scene -- Faith fighting Caleb, girls fighting Bringers, Spike down, Kennedy down, where's...
Buffy -- On the ground, out cold. He moves to her, just as a Bringer comes bearing down on them. Xander CRACKS him with his bow The two exchange blows, Xander pressing forward, protecting Buffy. ON FAITH AND CALEB, battling furiously. He blocks her attacks, knocks the knives from her hands.
You're the other one, aren't you? The Cain to her Abel. (beat) No offense meant to Cain, of course. She dodges his attack, CRACKS him in the face with a good punch.
Never was much for the good book. CALEB He catches her punch, spins her around, grabs her by the hair.
But overall it's a tad... complicated. I like to keep things simple. WHAM! He slams her FACE down into one of the wooden barrels. The barrel explodes in a TORRENT of red wine. Faith's body hits the ground amidst the wood splinters and wine. Caleb stands over her, palms up, smiling.
Good folk, bad folk... A Potential (let's call her DIANNE) steps up behind Caleb with a sword. She swings as hard as she can, going for his head. He ducks easily -- never takes his eyes off Faith and grabs Dianne by the throat. Pulls her close to him.
Clean folk, dirty folk... CRACK! He snaps her neck. Drops her to the ground. We see her hit the ground, neck at an awkward angle, eyes wide open. Dead as can be. ON MOLLY Who's just watched this in horror.
NOOOO! Caleb turns, smiles. Starts walking towards her.
Yes. MORE SHOTS OF BRINGERS OVERWHELMING POTENTIALS -- Vi getting kicked in the face, Amanda getting slammed against the wall, other girls going down in fancy Medlen ways. ON BUFFY As she comes to, shaking the cobwebs away. She tries to get to her feet. We see things from her SHAKY POV: Chaos. Girls getting beaten by Bringers; Spike and Faith, both down, struggling to get to their feet; Caleb, across the room, walking slowly towards Molly. Buffy sees Xander take out a Bringer with a hard ELBOW across the face.
Xander -- He turns sees her struggling to get to her feet. Rushes to help her.
Buffy -- BUFFY He looks at her. Are you sure?
Do it. He nods, rushes back into the fray. We see him grab a fallen girl, start helping her to her feet. ON MOLLY, holding her dagger, scared, backed into a corner. Caleb keeps walking towards her.
I wish there were an easier way to do this. To cleanse you. I do. But I don't make the rules. Molly girds herself for a last stand. She rushes towards him. Swinging her knife. He catches her wrist easily. SLAMS his other hand into her neck, grabbing her around the throat. He lifts her off the ground, into the air.
Okay, that's a bit of a lie. I do make the rules. ON BUFFY, staggering across the room. She sees Caleb and Molly from her SHAKY POV. A Bringer attacks her, she backhands him hard, sending him flying. She turns her attention back to: CALEB, holding Molly up. One hand around her throat. The other hand around her hand with the knife in it.
What can I say? I work in mysterious ways. And with that he PLUNGES her own knife into her, driving it deep into her chest. Molly's eyes go wide with shock. Caleb tosses her back by the throat. She hits the ground. Eyes wide. Dead.
Also fairly straight-forward ways. Buffy SCREAMS. Launches herself at Caleb -- she was just seconds too late. She hits him as hard as she can across the face. He drops to one knee, comes back up laughing.
That's it... show me your fire. She attacks, they trade vicious blows. ON XANDER, ushering girls up the stairs. He sees Faith, struggling to her feet.
Faith -- we gotta go! ON AMANDA as she helps another girl to her feet. They move toward the exit. ON BUFFY AND CALEB, pounding each other. He swings for her, she ducks it, and CRACK sends him flying across the room with a vicious uppercut. She moves to go after him when SPIKE grabs her by the arm, stopping her.
We're leaving. She looks at him, coming to her senses. Nods. They look around them, see Rona on the ground, move to help her up. ON XANDER, across the room, scanning the place as Faith hurries by him with a girl over her shoulder. He sees Kennedy struggling to pick herself up out of the mess of broken glass from the shattered wine rack. He rushes over to her, grabs her by the hand, pulls her.
You okay? She looks at him, dazed, cut up. She nods.
Let's go -- c'mon. He pushes her ahead of him. She runs toward the exit. He pauses for a moment, checking to see if anyone's left, when Caleb grabs him by the neck, laughing.
You're the one who sees everything, right? Xander struggles, but he can't break Caleb's grip.
Let's see what we can't do about that. Caleb takes his thumb and PLUNGES it deep into Xander's eye socket. Bloody and horrible. Xander SCREAMS AND SCREAMS. Buffy and Spike, who are helping Rona out, turn towards his screams.
XANDER! They rush toward Caleb and Xander. Caleb raises his bloody hand, about to dash out Xander's other eye, when Spike SLAMS into him, grabbing his arm, knocking him back. Buffy's there to catch Xander, holding him in her arms as he clutches his face in agony. Spike DRILLS Caleb with a nasty punch to the face. Caleb flies back, hits the ground ON BUFFY, holding Xander. Stunned look on her face. Spike turns, locks eyes with Buffy. He rushes to her, helps carry Xander. Drives them away toward the exit. Retreat. They get to the stairs. Buffy turns back, surveys the wreckage of the scene. Bodies, Bringers, destruction... and Caleb. Standing up. Across the room. Staring at her. Smiling. Buffy turns, rushing Xander up the stairs with Spike. And Caleb backs away, smiling, into the darkness. BEGIN MONTAGE INT. HOSPITAL - NIGHT TRACK through the Hospital Emergency Room. We see a few of the potentials from the fight (let's say Rona, Amanda, and two of the ND girls) in beds, bandaged, being tended to by a few DOCTORS and NURSES. ON BUFFY as she walks through the room. HER POV -- as she passes, the girls glance up at her, questioning looks in their eyes. Pain.
Now it's a simple story. Stop me if you've heard it. She reaches Xander's bed at the end of the row. He's unconscious, his eye and head heavily bandaged. Willow sits at his side, holding his hand. Willow glances up at Buffy. INT. SUMMERS' HOUSE - NIGHT SIMILAR TRACKING SHOT through the house. The troops after a loss. A Potential tending to Kennedy's cuts on the couch; Vi and the other two girls who were at the battle, looking hurt, dazed, quietly talking to four Potentials who did not go. ON BUFFY, walking through the house, surveying the damage.
I have found and truly believe there's nothing so bad it can't be made better with a story. And this one's got a happy ending. As Buffy walks through the house, the girls throw passing glances at her. We read their eyes -- shame. Anger. Blame. She can't meet their gazes. She walks out the front door. EXT. SUNNYDALE STREET - NIGHT Buffy. Walking alone in the night. Shellshocked.
There once was a woman. And she was foul, like all women. For Adam's rib was dirty, just like Adam himself, for what was he but human? But this woman, she was filled. With darkness, despair, and why? Because she did not know. She could not see. INT. VINEYARD - CELLAR - NIGHT Caleb talks to The First (as Buffy). [We can do this in a dark, ND part of the Cellar -- no need to see the wreckage from the fight.]
She didn't know the good news. The Glory that was coming. That'd be you. He glances up at The First, glee in his eyes.
The Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory are yours. Now and forever You show up - they'll get in line. EXT. SUNNYDALE STREET - NIGHT Closer on Buffy.
Because they followed her. And all they gotta do is take one more step ...and I'll kill 'em all. See? (pause) Told you it had a happy ending.
BLACKOUT
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