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Episode Summary
Buffy’s nightmare about Drusilla killing Angel gives her a major wiggins. She tells Angel about it, afraid that Drusilla might still be alive, but he thinks there’s nothing to worry about.
They kiss a lot. That morning at school, Buffy is all swoony about Angel, and Willow encourages her to move their relationship to the next level.
Willow works up the nerve to talk to Oz, the guitar-playing cybernerd who’s been mooning over her, and he asks her out for the following night — where he’ll be her date for Buffy’s surprise 17th birthday bash.
When Buffy tells Giles and Jenny Calendar about her dream, Giles says it’s possible that Drusilla is alive, and to be on alert. Sure enough, we see Spike and Dru at the factory.
Spike is scarred and in a wheelchair but as evil as ever. Dru is planning a party, too, but it’s a safe bet there’ll be no chips and dip at this one.
A strange man approaches Jenny in class — it is her uncle, and we discover she is actually a gypsy whose entire family was killed by Angel when he was the superevil Angelus.
The uncle says it’s not fair for Angel to have any happiness, so it’s Jenny’s duty to keep Buffy away from him. Jenny offers to take Buffy to meet Giles off campus, and they discover some vamps making trouble — one of whom is the transcriber who once worked for Spike.
As Buffy and one of the vamps scuffle, they go flying through the window of the Bronze where the surprise party awaits.
Newcomer Oz is startled to see Buffy slay one of them, and now he’s officially part of the gang. They open the box the vamps were carrying, and it contains an arm which reaches out and chokes Buffy.
Angel explains there was a creature called The Judge who destroyed everyone who was righteous.
He was finally dismembered by an army, but his parts still exist, and reassembling him would bring on armaggedon. Angel says he must take that arm to the other side of the world, and must leave by boat immediately.
Buffy joins him at the dock to say goodbye, and he gives her a claddagh ring as a token of his love.
As they say goodbye, the vamps are back and the arm is stolen. Dru’s party is in full swing, and The Judge is the main attraction. His first conquest is the transcriber, who he ignites with just a touch.
When Buffy and Angel go to the factory to see if they can find any more parts, they see it’s too late, and The Judge spots them.
They escape to Angel’s pad, where he finally tells her he loves her. They make love and go to sleep. An undressed Angel awakens with a start and runs outside, suddenly fully dressed in black, and collapses. He calls Buffy’s name but she stays asleep.
Shooting Scripts
Teaser
INT. BUFFY’S BEDROOM – NIGHT
It’s late. All is dark and peaceful. BUFFY stirs in her sleep, wakes. Reaches for a glass of water on her
night stand, finds it empty. A beat. She climbs out of bed-
INT. HALLWAY – NIGHT
Still half-asleep, Buffy pads down the hallway. From the shadows behind her emerges DRUSILLA,
ripe, carnivorous blood staining her mouth. A truly horrifying sight.
Dru stalks Buffy – is a heartbeat away from grabbing her when Buffy senses something and turns.
There is nothing there. Buffy shrugs it off, moves to the bathroom door. She opens it and enters-
INT. THE BRONZE – NIGHT
Buffy wanders in, still in her pajamas. The MUSIC is haunting, otherworldly-
WILLOW is at a table, having coffee with a MONKEY – who wears a little hat and a vest. She turns
and waves. Buffy, puzzled, waves back.
Buffy turns and sees JOYCE, who is drinking coffee out of a large cup and saucer. Joyce looks
concerned – addresses Buffy.
JOYCE
Do you really think you’re ready, Buffy?
BUFFY
What?
CLOSE ON JOYCE’S HANDS
As the saucer slips from her grasp. The plate falls to the ground and shatters.
ON BUFFY
Who looks from the broken plate tack to her mother – but
JOYCE IS GONE.
Buffy turns again, wanders to the dance floor – which is alive with sexual energy. Couples writhe
sensuously to the music – totally entwined, into each other – oblivious to her.
The crowd parts and Buffy sees ANGEL on the other side of the dance floor. They meet eyes – smile.
Through all the oddness – it is a moment of true connection, love. They move toward each other.
Just as Buffy is about to reach Angel, DRUSILLA appears again behind him. Dru STAKES ANGEL in
the back – so swiftly and suddenly that Buffy can’t act in time to save him.
BUFFY
Angel!
Buffy reaches for him.
CLOSE ON THEIR HANDS
Buffy’s hand touches Angel’s – AND IT CRUMBLES TO ASH.
ON BUFFY AND ANGEL
She looks up at ANGEL – makes a moment of desperate eye contact before he EXPLODES INTO DUST.
Now DRUSILLA is fully revealed behind him – leering. She addresses Buffy, relishing every moment of
her suffering.
DRUSILLA
Happy Birthday, Buffy.
SMASH CUT TO:
INT. BUFFY’S BEDROOM – NIGHT
Buffy BOLTS up from her bed, waking in horror from her DREAM. She’s panicked, sweating…
BLACKOUT.
END OF TEASER
Act One
INT. HALLWAY OUTSIDE ANGEL’S APARTMENT – DAY
Buffy knocks at Angel’s door. A little tentative.
BUFFY
Angel?
A beat – then, muffled-
ANGEL (O.C.)
Hold on..
He opens the door. Just out of bed. Nicely rumpled.
ANGEL
Hey… Everything okay?
They move inside.
INT. ANGEL’S APARTMENT – DAY
The shades are drawn. It’s dark as a tomb. Good thing, too.
BUFFY
That’s what I was going to ask you.
You’re okay, right?
ANGEL
Sure. I’m fine. What’s up?
Buffy moves into his arms, relieved. Angel’s happy to hold her, if a bit confused.
BUFFY
I had this dream. Drusilla was alive.
It was awful-
ANGEL
What happened?
BUFFY
She killed you. Right in front of me.
I saw the whole thing.
Angel strokes her, trying to soothe.
ANGEL
It was just a dream. It wasn’t real.
BUFFY
But it felt so real.
ANGEL
It wasn’t. Here I am.
Buffy moves away from him now, her anxiety mounting.
BUFFY
This happened before, Angel.
That dream I had about
the Master… It came true.
ANGEL
Still, not every dream you have comes true.
I mean, what else did you dream last night?
Can you remember?
Buffy thinks, then
BUFFY
That… Giles and I opened an office
supply warehouse in Las Vegas.
ANGEL
You see my point.
BUFFY
Yeah. But, I mean, what if Drusilla is alive?
We never saw her body.
ANGEL
She’s not. But even if she was – we’d deal.
He moves to her. Draws her back into his arms.
BUFFY
But, what if-
Angel silences her with a kiss. Tense at first, Buffy relaxes into it. The intensity grows fast. Finally-
ANGEL
What if what?
BUFFY
Sorry. Were we talking?
They kiss some more. The bed in the corner entices. They both feel it – glance there – but don’t go
there.
BUFFY
I… have to get to school.
ANGEL
I know.
And they kiss some more.
BUFFY
God. You feel-
ANGEL
You have to go to school…
Still kissing, Angel picks her up and moves her to the front door. Now they kiss against the door.
Finally pull back.
BUFFY
Alright. This is me.
Buffy opens the door, but pauses for one last kiss. Then-
ANGEL
You still haven’t told me what
you want for your birthday.
BUFFY
Surprise me.
ANGEL
Okay. I will…
They smile. Neither one wants to end the moment.
BUFFY
This was nice. I like you first thing in the morning-
ANGEL
It’s bed time for me.
BUFFY
Then I like you at bed time.
She realizes how that sounds. Stammers
BUFFY
I mean… You – know what I mean…
ANGEL
I think so.
(then)
What do you mean?
BUFFY
That I… I like seeing you.
And the part at the end of the
night when we say goodbye,
it’s.., getting harder.
Buffy waits for an agonizing beat before he responds. Then-
ANGEL
Yeah. It is.
They just look at each other. Afraid to say any more.
PRELAP:
WILLOW (V.O.)
“I like you at bed time?” You actually said that?
EXT. SUNNYDALE HIGH – DAY
Buffy and Willow are walking toward school together.
BUFFY
I know. I know.
WILLOW
Man. That’s – I don’t know,
that’s moxie or something!
BUFFY
Totally unplanned. It just came out.
WILLOW
And he was into it? He wants
to see you at bed time, too?
Buffy stops walking. Suddenly feeling the weight of this.
BUFFY
Yeah. I think he does.
I mean, he’s cool about it-
WILLOW
Of course he is. Cause’ he’s cool.
He would never, you know
BUFFY
Push.
WILLOW
Right. He’s not the type.
BUFFY
Willow. What am I going to do?
WILLOW
What do you want to do?
BUFFY
Well… WANT isn’t always the right thing…
To do, I mean. To act on want can be wrong.
WILLOW
True.
BUFFY
But, to not act on want. You could
watch your whole life pass you by-
WILLOW
Carpe diem. You told me that once.
BUFFY
Seize the fish?
WILLOW
Not carp. Carpe. It means seize the day.
BUFFY
Oh. Right.
(a long beat)
I think we’re going to… seize it, Will.
Sooner or later. Once you get to a
certain point – seizing is sort of inevitable.
This sinks in. They start to walk again – slowly.
WILLOW
Wow.
BUFFY
Yeah.
WILLOW
Wow…
Buffy notices OZ, guitar in hand, walking ahead.
BUFFY
Ooh, speaking of wow potential, there’s Oz.
What are we thinking? Any sparkage there?
WILLOW
(glowing a bit)
He’s nice. I like his hands.
BUFFY
Ooh, fixation on insignificant detail.
Definite crush sign.
WILLOW
I don’t know, though. I mean, he is a senior…
BUFFY
You think he’s too old cuz he’s a senior?
Please. My boyfriend had a bicentennial.
WILLOW
That’s true, I guess… I just…
BUFFY
You can’t spend the rest of your life
waiting for Xander to wake up
and smell the hottie. Make a move.
Do the talking thing.
WILLOW
What if the talking thing becomes
the awkward silence thing?
BUFFY
You won’t know unless you try.
Come on, Will – seize the fish!
Buffy smiles, moves on ahead. Leaving Willow to her task.
ON BUFFY
As she passes an OLD, DARK-SKINNED MAN who lurks near the school. His dress has a slightly
ETNIC flair. He watches her enter the building, then moves off – unnoticed.
ON WILLOW AND OZ
Will gathers her courage as she catches up with OZ. He’s pleased to see her. In his Oz-ian way.
WILLOW
Hey.
OZ
Hey.
WILLOW
(re: guitar case)
Do you have a… a gig tonight?
OZ
Practice. The band’s kind of moving towards this
new sound where we suck. So, practice.
WILLOW
I think you guys sound good.
(shyly)
I bet you’ve got a lot of groupies.
OZ
It happens. But I’m living groupie-free
nowadays. I’m clean.
WILLOW
Oh.
OZ
I’m gonna ask you if you wanna
go out tomorrow night. I’m actually
kind of nervous about it. It’s interesting.
WILLOW
Oh. Well, if it helps at all, I’m gonna say yes.
OZ
It helps. It adds a comfort zone.
You wanna go out tomorrow night?
WILLOW
(remembers)
I can’t !
OZ
I like that you’re unpredictable.
WILLOW
It’s Buffy’s birthday and we’re
throwing her a surprise party.
OZ
That’s okay.
WILLOW
But, you could come. If you wanted.
OZ
Don’t wanna crash…
WILLOW
No, that’s fine. You could be my… date.
OZ
All right. I’m in.
He takes off, Willow standing in place, a little shocked.
WILLOW
I said date…
INT. SCHOOL HALLWAY – DAY
CORDELIA’S at her locker. XANDER hangs around, trying to look like he’s not hanging around.
XANDER.
So, Buffy’s party. Manana.
CORDELIA
Right. Just because she’s “miss save the world”
we have to make a big deal. I have to cook
and everything.
XANDER
You’re cooking?
CORDELIA
I’m chips, and dips girl.
XANDER
Horrors. All that opening and stirring.
CORDELIA
And shopping and carrying.
XANDER
You should have a person
who does such things for you.
CORDELIA
That’s what I’ve been saying
to my father. But does he listen?
Xander leans in. They talk in hushed tones.
XANDER
So, you’re going. I’m going.
Should we – you know – go?
A long beat.
CORDELIA
Why?
XANDER
I don’t know… This thing. With us?
Despite our better judgement –
it keeps happening. Maybe we should
just admit that we’re dating.
CORDELIA
Groping in a broom closet is not dating.
You don’t call it a date until the guy spends money.
XANDER
Fine. I’ll spend – then we’ll grope.
Whatever. It’s just some kind of
whacked that we feel we have to
hide from all our friends.
CORDELIA
Well, of course you want to tell everybody.
You have nothing to be ashamed of. I, on the
other hand, have everything to be ashamed of-
XANDER
Know what? ‘Nuff said. Forget it.
Must have been my multiple personality
guy talking. I call him Idiot Jed, Glutton for Punishment-
He moves off. Cordelia closes her locker, catches up to him.
CORDELIA
Let me… Think about it. Can I pick out your clothes?
XANDER
For the party?
CORDELIA
For pretty much… every day.
She walks off. Xander watches her, chagrined, then sees GILES in the-
INT. SCHOOL LOUNGE
Xander moves to him.
GILES
Good morning. I trust that everything
is in order for the party.
XANDER
Absolutely. Ready to get down,
you funky party weasel?
Giles sees BUFFY and MS. CALENDAR approaching.
GILES
Ah. Here comes Buffy. Remember –
discretion is the better part of valor…
XANDER
You could have just gone – “shhhh.”
Are all you Brits such drama queens?
Giles would respond, but Buffy and Ms. Calendar have now joined them. Xander turns to Buffy
XANDER
Buffy! I feel a pre-birthday spanking coming on.
Buffy gives Xander a look that would melt steel.
JENNY
I’d – curb that impulse, Xander.
XANDER
Check. Cancel spanking.
GILES
What’s the matter, Buffy? You look fatigued.
BUFFY
Rough night. I had a dream that
Drusilla was alive – and she killed
Angel. It really spun me. I even
went by Angel’s on the way to
school to make sure he was okay.
XANDER
There’s a line I haven’t tried.
“I just dropped by to see if you’re
dead.” It says caring. Concerned.
Smootchies guaranteed.
BUFFY
Please. I didn’t go over there for smootchies –
(then)
Well. When I found out he was okay
I was relieved, and so, naturally…
(then)
Someone stop me.
JENNY
(obliging)
So, Angel’s alright?
BUFFY
Yeah, but… I’ve just got this bad feeling.
This wasn’t a normal dream.
GILES
You feel it was more of a portent?
BUFFY
I don’t know. I don’t want to start
a big freak-out over nothing.
GILES
Still. We should be on alert. If Drusilla
is alive then we may be facing
a cataclysmic state of affairs-
XANDER
(to Giles)
Again. So many words.
Can’t you just say we’d be in trouble?
GILES
Go to class, Xander.
XANDER
Gone.
He starts to move away. Stops.
XANDER
Notice the economy of phrasing.
“Gone.” It’s simple. Direct.
And he’s off.
BUFFY
I guess I should get gone, too.
GILES
Don’t worry yourself unduly, Buffy.
This could be nothing.
BUFFY
I know. I should keep my Slayer cool
and all, but, it’s Angel. Which automatically
equals maxi-wig.
And she heads to class. Calendar and Giles watch her go -then move down the hall toward the
library. Giles’ expression now betrays the fact that he is more concerned than he let on.
JENNY
What? You really think Buffy’s
having premonitions?
GILES
It’s possible-
INT. LIBRARY – DAY
Calendar and Giles enter – continuing their talk.
JENNY
I guess it makes sense. I mean,
all of Buffy’s senses are heightened.
Why should her intuition be different?
GILES
Precisely. It’s not unheard of for the
Slayer to start having prophetic dreams
and visions as she approaches adulthood-
JENNY
Adulthood? Buffy’s seventeen tomorrow,
Giles. Don’t rush her.
GILES
I’m not the one rushing her. While
I’m loathe to say it, the fact is –
the Slayer rarely lives into her
mid-twenties. It follows that she’d
exhibit signs of maturity early on.
Her whole life-cycle is accelerated.
JENNY
Still, you should be careful about
treating her like a grown-up. Like –
this thing with Angel. Have you
even talked to her about it?
GILES
I – I suppose I try not to pry.
JENNY
Maybe you should, a little. The
way she talks – it’s clear she has
intense feelings for him
GILES
Well, yes. They’re friends-
JENNY
They’re more than friends and you know it.
A beat as this sinks in.
GILES
I’m not her father, Jenny.
JENNY
She looks up to you. She’ll never
actually say that, but she does.
And I just think, at her age, it’s
easy to get in. over your head.
She could make some bad choices
here. Trust me on this one.
GILES
I’ll keep an eye to it. Right now
I’m worried enough trying to
think of the right birthday present.
INT. FACTORY – NIGHT
CLOSE ON: A LARGE AND ORNATE CAST IRON BOX.
DALTON, the vampire transcriber, arrives at the door under the balcony laden down with the box. It is
rectangle shaped, but has an odd peg and groove device at one end – as though it is meant to fit
with another piece.
DALTON
I have your package.
A voice emerges from the shadows.
SPIKE (O.C.)
Just put it on the table. Near the other gifts.
Dalton moves away as SPIKE ROLLS out of a dark corner of the factory. He’s IN A WHEELCHAIR,
disabled from the accident at the church – deathly pale and scarred from buns.
SPIKE
Are you dead set on this, pet?
Wouldn’t you rather have
your party in Vienna?
Now we REVEAL DRUSILLA, brimming with vitality, who pushes Spike into the main room of the
factory for a PARTY. It is being decorated by two VAMPS. Creepy Drusilla style, natch. Two boxes
similar in look but different sizes are on the table. Dalton adds his to the pile.
DRUSILLA
(pouty)
But – the invitations are sent.
Spike knows this is true – although he doesn’t like it.
SPIKE
It’s just, I’ve had it with this place.
Nothing goes off the way its supposed to.
DRUSILLA
-until my celebration. My gatherings are
always perfect. Remember Spain? The bulls?
SPIKE
I remember, sweet. But Sunnydale is
friggin’ cursed for us. Angel and the
Slayer see to that.
DRUSILLA
Shhhh. I have good games for everyone. You’ll see.
She sees some flowers woven about two of the chairs. Stops, suddenly shaking.
DRUSILLA
These flowers are wrong.
They’re all wrong – I can’t abide them!
She screams with genuine horror and tears them off the chairs – then stops, as suddenly as she
begun. Spike looks wearily at the two vamps.
SPIKE
Let’s try something different with the flowers, then.
DRUSILLA
(suddenly excited)
Can I open one? Can I? Can I?
SPIKE
Just a peek, love. They’re for the party.
She goes to the boxes.
POV FROM BOX
We see Dru open it, look inside with rapturous glee.
SPIKE
You like it, baby?
DRUSILLA
Oh, it reaks of death. This will
be the best party ever.
SPIKE
Why’s that?
DRUSILLA
Because it will be the last.
She SLAMS the box closed.
BLACK OUT.
END OF ACT ONE
Act Two
INT. BUFFY’S HOUSE – KITCHEN – DAY
It’s morning and Joyce is clearing plates from the breakfast table while Buffy gets ready to leave for
school. There is an open birthday card near Buffy’s place.
JOYCE
Mall trip for your birthday
on Saturday. Don’t forget.
BUFFY
Space on a mom-sponsored
shopping opportunity? Not likely.
JOYCE
So, does seventeen feel any different than sixteen?
BUFFY
Funny you should ask – I actually woke
up feeling more mature, responsible and level-headed.
JOYCE
(suspicious)
Really? That’s uncanny.
BUFFY
And yet, true. I now possess the qualities
one looks for in a licensed driver.
JOYCE
Buffy.
BUFFY
You said we could talk about it again
when I was seventeen.
JOYCE
You’ve been seventeen for forty-eight minutes.
BUFFY
And –
JOYCE
First of all – you promised you’d
stay out of trouble in school.
BUFFY
I try. You know I do. But
Principal Snyder has it in for me-
JOYCE
I know. But… You behind the wheel,
it worries me.
BUFFY
It worries all moms. It’s biological
imperative. But I’m going to drive
sooner or later, so we might as well
deal sooner – right?
Joyce turns to her – a plate in her hand. The same exact pose and expression she had in BUFFY’S
DREAM.
JOYCE
Do you really think you’re ready, Buffy?
CLOSE ON JOYCE’S HANDS
As the plate slips from her grasp – shatters on the floor.
ON BUFFY & JOYCE
Joyce reacts to breaking the plate.
JOYCE
Oh, damn it.
She stoops to pick up the pieces. Buffy just stands there, power-freaked by the dream deja-vu.
CLOSE ON JOYCE
JOYCE
Grab the broom, would you Buffy?
Nothing. Joyce looks up. Buffy’s gone. The back door SLAMS. Joyce looks after her skittish daughter,
baffled.
INT. MS. CALENDAR’S CLASSROOM – DAY
Calendar enters, Loaded down with her bag, books, cup of coffee, etc. She sets some stuff down near
a terminal. Turns the computer on-
GYPSY MAN (O.C.)
Jenny. Jenny Calendar…
Calendar spins – sees THE OLD MAN we saw earlier outside the school. He’s standing at her desk,
reading her nameplate -speaks with a DISTINCT YUGOSLAVIAN ACCENT.
A beat as Jenny comprehends his presence in her classroom.
JENNY
You startled me.
GYPSY MAN
You look well. Comfortable.
Jenny becomes increasingly uncomfortable.
JENNY
Yes. I’m fine. I – I know I haven’t written
as much lately. I’ve been busy-
GYPSY MAN
I cannot imagine what is so important that
you ignore your responsibility to your people.
JENNY
I’ve been working. And… distracted. I’m sorry.
GYPSY MAN
The elder woman has been reading signs.
Something is different.
JENNY
Nothing’s changed. The curse still holds.
He’s still tortured by all that he’s done-
GYPSY MAN
No. The elder woman is never wrong.
She says his pain is lessening. She feels it.
JENNY
There is…
GYPSY MAN
There is – what?
JENNY
(with difficulty)
A girl.
The old man’s eyes fill with fire. He cannot believe what he is hearing.
GYPSY MAN
What? How could you let this happen?
JENNY
I promise you. Angel still suffers. And he
makes amends for his evil. He even saved my life.
GYPSY MAN
So you just forget? That he destroyed
the most beloved daughter of your
tribe? That he killed every man,
woman and child who touched her life?
(then)
Vengeance demands that his pain be
eternal, as ours is. If this – this girl –
brings him even one minute of happiness.
That is one minute too many.
JENNY
I’m sorry. I thought-
GYPSY MAN
What? That you are Jenny Calendar now?
You are still Janna, of the Kalderash people.
A gypsy.
JENNY
I know, Uncle. I know…
GYPSY MAN
Then prove it. Your time for watching
is past. The girl and him – it ends now.
No matter what you must do, take her from him.
JENNY
I – I will see to it.
GYPSY MAN
Good.
He moves off, exits. Leaving Calendar a total mess.
INT. SCHOOL HALLWAY – DAY
Cordy and HARMONY stroll to class. See XANDER and WILLOW hanging in the LOUNGE in the BG.
CORDELIA
(too casual)
Hello. I’m having, like, a totally
random thought…
(then)
Xander Harris. Is it just me, or
does his shirt almost match his pants?
Harmony looks. Shrugs.
HARMONY
Almost. Why do I care?
CORDELIA
Well. If you look at him a certain way –
is he vaguely.., cute?
THEIR POV
As XANDER does some spazzy dance for Willow’s amusement.
RESUME
HARMONY
Oh yeah. I’m hot for spaz boy.
Are you tripping, Cordelia?
A beat. Cordelia laughs a little too loud.
CORDELIA
You thought I was serious? Please.
I was just testing you! Ha.
(sighs)
I’m hot for spaz boy. Good one.
INT. SCHOOL LOUNGE – DAY
Xander and Willow are at the snack machine.
WILLOW
So we’re all set. I’ve got all the decorations.
And I think Cordelia’s bringing snacks and stuff.
XANDER
Yeah. She said she was. Which was
thoughtful. Don’t you think?
(takes the leap)
Hey. Cordelia: not as horrible a person
as we once thought? I mean, she’s
obviously trying to be helpful.
WILLOW
True.
(considers)
Maybe…
XANDER
But, you wouldn’t ever, like, be able
to be friends with her or something.
WILLOW
You mean, like hang out and
take Cosmo tests together?
XANDER
I mean – actually elect to be in her presence.
WILLOW
I don’t know. She’s better –
but she’s still Cordelia.
(nods to the hall)
Just… look.
THEIR POV
CORDELIA and HARMONY are joined by a few other Cordettes. They all SQUEAL in greeting. Jump up
and down.
ON WILLOW AND XANDER
WILLOW
Example: what is the shrieking thing?
They just saw each other yesterday…
And now, watch – Cordelia’s going to
model her new outfit-
ON CORDELIA, ET AL
Sure enough – Cordelia spins around, showing off her mini-dress. More shrieks.
ON WILLOW AND XANDER
WILLOW
Note the reaction –
like Cordelia invented clothes.
(then)
They’re not bad people, Xander.
It’s just – we are of two worlds.
(can’t help herself)
And theirs is bad.
Xander lets this sinks in.
XANDER
Right. Of course you’re right.
What was I thinking?
Now OZ approaches. Willow immediately gets shy, happy.
OZ
Hey.
WILLOW
Hey. So – tonight?
OZ
I’m there. Feeling surprise-y.
(then)
Can I pick you up?
Xander’s watching them, unsure what to make of all this.
WILLOW
Yeah. That would be… Here-
She writes it on her pad – tears it off and gives it to Oz.
OZ
(pleased)
I have your address.
WILLOW
You do.
OZ
Excellent.
He moves off. Xander looks at Willow – a little shocked.
XANDER
Is this a date?
WILLOW
(distracted)
Hmmm…?
(then)
Yeah. It’s a date.
XANDER
Shouldn’t you meet him or something?
Are you sure you should be giving
some stranger your address?
WILLOW
He’s not just some stranger, Xander.
He’s a friend. He took a bullet for me.
XANDER
So? I would’ve taken a bullet for you.
Nobody offered me one.
Off Willow – enjoying Xander’s discomfort.
INT. LIBRARY – DAY
Buffy and Giles are in mid-conversation. Very intense.
BUFFY
-and then my mom broke the plate.
It was exactly like I saw it in my
dream, Giles. Every gesture. Every
word. Beyond creepy.
GILES
Yes. I’d imagine-
Now Willow and Xander enter the library. See Buffy.
XANDER
Hey! The woman of the hour.
WILLOW
It’s happy birthday Buffy!
They move to her to give her a hug – but sense her mood.
WILLOW
Not – happy birthday Buffy?
GILES
It’s just… A piece of the nightmare
Buffy had the other night
actually came to pass.
XANDER
Something happen to Angel?
BUFFY
He’s fine. For now. But if part of what
I had a dream about came true-
WILLOW
Then all of it may come true.
BUFFY
And Drusilla might be alive.
(then/to Giles)
In the dream, I couldn’t stop her.
She blind-sided me, Giles. Angel
was dead before I knew what happened
GILES
Even if she is alive, we can still protect
Angel. Dreams are not prophecies, Buffy.
You dreamt the Master had risen, but you
stopped it from happening.
XANDER
You ground his bones to make your bread.
BUFFY
That’s true, except for the bread part.
I guess we’re one step ahead. But Giles,
I’d like to stay that way.
GILES
Absolutely. Let me read up on Drusilla,
see if she has any particular patterns.
Why don’t you meet me here at 7:00?
Map out a strategy.
BUFFY
Okay. What do I do till then?
GILES
Go to class.., do your homework…
Have supper…
BUFFY
Oh, right. Be that Buffy.
She grabs her book bag, heads out. The others watch her go.
XANDER
That is not a perky birthday puppy.
WILLOW
So much for our surprise party.
XANDER
Man. This Slayer gig is 24/7. Can’t even
stop for a little pinata-bashing.
Bummed, Willow starts to get up, collect her things.
WILLOW
I bought little hats and everything.
Oh well, I’ll tell Cordelia.
GILES
No, you won’t. We’re having a party tonight.
XANDER
It looks like Mr. Caution Man talking,
but the sound he makes is funny.
GILES
Buffy’s surprise party is going
to go exactly as we’ve planned.
(to Willow)
Except I won’t be wearing the little hat.
XANDER
He has dignity.
WILLOW
But Buffy and Angel –
GILES
-May well be in danger. As they have
been before, and, I imagine, will be again.
One thing I have learned in my tenure here
on the Hellmouth is that there is never a
good time to relax. But Buffy is only
turning 17 this once. She deserves a party.
XANDER
You’re a great man of our time.
WILLOW
And anyway, Angel’s coming . So she’ll be
able to protect him and have cake.
GILES
Precisely.
INT. SCHOOL HALL OUTSIDE LIBRARY – NIGHT
Buffy arrives for her appointment with Giles, heads toward the door but IS STARTLED BY CALENDAR
- who steps from the shadows.
JENNY
Buffy.
BUFFY
God. I didn’t see you there.
JENNY
Sorry… Giles wanted me to tell you that
there’s been a change of plans. He wants
to meet you someplace near his house.
I guess he had to run home and get a
book or something.
BUFFY
Yeah, ’cause heaven knows there aren’t
enough books in the library-
JENNY
He’s – very thorough.
BUFFY
Which is not to bag. It’s kinda manly in
an obsessive/compulsive sorta way,
don’t you think?
JENNY
I have my car. I can drive, if you want…
BUFFY
Okay…
They move off.
INT./EXT. – CALENDAR’S CAR – NIGHT
Calendar drives, appears anxious. Buffy looks out the window.
BUFFY
So – where are we headed, anyway?
Calendar doesn’t reply.
EXT. ALLEY BEHIND THE BRONZE – NIGHT
The car pulls into the dark alley. Slows.
INT. CALENDAR’S CAR – NIGHT
Buffy checks out their surroundings – confused.
BUFFY
We’re going to the Bronze?
JENNY
I’m not sure. Giles gave me an address.
I’m just following his directions –
Buffy sees something out the window. Grows alert.
BUFFY
Uh oh.
JENNY
What?
WHAT BUFFY SEES
EXT. LOADING DOCK – NIGHT
Where three suspicious-looking guys are checking around furtively as they MOVE ANOTHER
RECTANGLE-SHAPED CAST IRON BOX from the loading dock to a waiting truck
INT. CALENDAR’S CAR – NIGHT
BUFFY
This looks funky. Stop for a sec.
Calendar slows the car.
JENNY
Buffy – maybe you shouldn’t.
BUFFY
Sorry. Sacred duty, yadda, yadda, yadda
She opens the car door. Steps out. Calendar watches.
JENNY
(to herself)
What is this…?
Off Calendar’s worried expression.
EXT. LOADING DOCK – NIGHT
Buffy sneaks toward the possible crooks. One turns – IT’S DALTON – in full Vamp face. Buffy
recognizes him.
BUFFY
Every time I see you you’re stealing
something. You should talk to
somebody about this klepto issue.
WHUMP! Buffy is attacked by A HULKING VAMP – she fights him off, but is distracted when she
HEARS THE TRUCK START. She looks and sees that DALTON is now in the back of the truck with the
box, struggling to close the cargo gate.
Buffy leaves the hulking vamp and LEAPS for the driver’s side of the truck – gets the door open and
STAKES the vamp behind the wheel before he can get the truck in gear.
Now Buffy moves to the back of the truck to intercept Dalton and the box. Dalton knows he’s no
match for her and RUNS OFF, leaving the BOX behind.
A beat as Buffy catches her breath. Then the HULKING VAMP is on her. FITE! (and if we can afford it)
FITE! FITE!!
INT. THE BRONZE – NIGHT
Giles, Willow, Oz, Xander, Cordelia and Angel all huddle in the dark. The Bronze is decorated for
Buffy’s birthday and the place is empty except for the gang. Angel looks anxiously at the clock on the
wall.
ANGEL
Where is she?
They hear the sound of some kind of disturbance on the other side of the back wall of the Bronze.
WILLOW
Shhh! I think I hear her coming-
EXT. LOADING DOCK – CONTINUOUS – NIGHT
Buffy and the hulking vamp continue to battle. She knocks him back – but he’s up again in an
instant, BODY SLAMMING HER-
INT. THE BRONZE – CONTINUOUS – NIGHT
Another beat of quiet as everybody lies in wait. Until-
BUFFY AND THE HULKING VAMP come CRASHING THROUGH THE WINDOW BEHIND THE STAGE AT
THE BRONZE! Glass flies everywhere. They LAND ON THE STAGE, struggle briefly but BUFFY has the
upper hand. She STAKES him. Dusto-rama.
A long, stunned beat. Everyone stares. Then Cordelia POPS from behind a couch.
CORDELIA
Surprise!
OZ
That pretty much sums it up.
ON BUFFY, ANGEL AND GILES
As they move together.
ANGEL
Buffy, are you okay?
GILES
Yes – what happened?
BUFFY
There were these vamps in the alley.
And one of Dru’s guys was-
(stops – notices)
What’s going on?
GILES
(a bit lamely)
Surprise party.
CORDELIA
Yeah, happy birthday.
BUFFY
You guys did all this for me?
You are so sweet!
ANGEL
You’re sure you’re okay?
BUFFY
I’m fine.
ANGLE: OZ
is still staring at the spot where the vampire turned to dust. Willow approaches him.
WILLOW
Are you okay?
OZ
Yeah. Did everybody else see
a guy turn into dust?
WILLOW
Uh, sort of…
XANDER
Yep. Vampires are real,
lot of ’em live in Sunnydale,
Willow’ll fill you in.
WILLOW
I know it’s hard to accept at first…
OZ
No, actually, it explains a lot.
MISS CALENDAR comes in the door with the IRON BOX that the vamps left. She’s struggling under its
weight.
JENNY
Can somebody give me a hand here?
Angel and Giles move to help her. They put the box down on a table.
JENNY
Those creeps left this behind.
BUFFY
What is it?
GILES
I have no idea. Can it be opened?
Buffy moves to the box, runs her hands under the lid.
BUFFY
It feels like it has some kind
of release… There.
Buffy slowly lifts the lid. Everyone peers into the box. A beat as their faces register shock and
amazement.
ANGLE: IN THE BOX
is a powerful, heavily armored ARM.
Then the ARM shoots from the box – GRABS BUFFY BY THE NECK.
BLACK OUT.
END OF ACT TWO
Act Three
INT. THE BRONZE – NIGHT
That live human-looking arm? Very bad. Very much gripping Buffy’s neck.
Angel grabs her, takes hold of the arm. Finally manages to pry the thing’s fingers from Buffy’s neck,
one by one, and wrestle it back in the box. He slams the lid shut, locks it.
ANOTHER stunned beat of silence as Buffy gasps for breath.. Then-
XANDER
Clearly – the Hellmouth’s answer to
“what do you get the Slayer who has everything?”
GILES
Good heavens, Buffy, are you alright?
Angel is helping Buffy to a chair. She sits.
BUFFY
Man. That thing had major grip-
WILLOW
What – what was that?
OZ
(matter of fact)
Looked like an arm.
Angel, troubled, gets up and moves to the box. Checks it over more carefully.
ANGEL
It can’t be- She wouldn’t…
XANDER
What? The vamp version of “snakes in a can?”
Or do you care to share?
Buffy reads Angel’s expression. Moves to him.
BUFFY
Angel?
ANGEL
It’s a legend. Way before my time.
Of a demon brought forth to rid
the earth of the plague of humanity.
To separate the righteous from
the wicked… And burn the righteous
down. They called him the Judge.
This obviously registers with Giles.
GILES
The Judge… This is he?
ANGEL
Well, not all of him…
BUFFY
Uh, still needing backstory here…
GILES
He couldn’t be killed.
He looks to Angel for confirmation, and continues as Angel nods:
GILES
An army was sent against him.
Most of them died, but they were
finally able to dismember him.
But not kill him.
ANGEL
The pieces were scattered –
buried in every corner of the earth.
XANDER
You think they left his heart in San Francisco?
Scattered glares.
OZ
(aside to Xander)
I had that thought too.
JENNY
So all these parts are being brought here.
BUFFY
By Drusilla. The vamps outside were Spike’s men.
ANGEL
She’s just crazy enough to do it.
WILLOW
Do what? Reassemble the Judge?
ANGEL
And bring forth Armageddon.
CORDELIA
Is anyone else gonna have cake?
No takers. She moves to the cake.
GILES
We have to get this out of town.
JENNY
Angel.
BUFFY
What?
JENNY
You’ve got to do it. You’re the only one
who can protect this thing.
BUFFY
What about me?
JENNY
You’re just gonna skip town for a few months?
BUFFY
Months?
ANGEL
She’s right. I have to take this to
the remotest region possible.
BUFFY
But that’s not months.
ANGEL
I can catch a cargo ship to Asia,
maybe trek to Nepal…
BUFFY
(to Angel)
You know – those wacky, newfangled
flying machines are much safer than
they used to be…
ANGEL
I can’t fly. There’s no sure way to
guard against the daylight.
(then)
I don’t like this any more than you do,
Buffy. But there’s no other way.
BUFFY
When?
ANGEL
Tonight. As soon as possible.
BUFFY
(pathetic)
But – it’s my birthday.
Calendar moves to Buffy – puts a hand on her shoulder.
JENNY
I’ll drive you to the docks.
Buffy and Angel meet eyes. Buffy knows he has to go – but she’s desperate for him not to.
Everyone stands silently amid the festive decorations. This was not the way it was supposed to
happen.
INT. FACTORY – NIGHT
The vampire DALTON stands QUAKING with fear before Drusilla, who is seriously unhappy. Spike is in
his chair nearby.
DRUSILLA
You lost it? You lost my present?
DALTON
I know… I’m sorry-
SPIKE
Bad turn, man. She can’t have
her fun without the box.
DALTON
The Slayer, she came out of nowhere.
I – I didn’t even see her.
Drusilla moves to DALTON – snakes one hand around his neck. With the other, she lifts Dalton’s
glasses from his face and drops them to the floor. Steps on them.
DRUSILLA
(sweetly)
Make a wish.
DALTON
What?
She points HER RAZOR SHARP FINGER NAILS at his EYES. Pulls back, about to strike. Dalton cowers.
DRUSILLA
I’m going to blow out the candles
SPIKE
(casually)
Dru, sweet. You might give him
a chance to find your lost treasure.
He’s a wanker, but he’s the only
one we’ve got with half a brain.
If he fails – you can eat his eyes
out of the sockets for all I care.
Dru hesitates.
DALTON
I’ll get it. Please. I swear.
Dru considers. Then slowly lowers her hand. She picks DALTON’S TWISTED, SHATTERED GLASSES off
the floor – places them on his nose. Potemkin style.
DRUSILLA
(sweet again)
Hurry back, then.
Off Dalton. He doesn’t like these reindeer games.
EXT. DOCS – NIGHT
Angel, who holds the IRON BOX, and Buffy move furtively down the docks toward a large CARGO
ship. They stop when they are still some distance away. Angel sets the box down.
ANGEL
I should go the rest of the way alone.
BUFFY
Okay…
Buffy tries to smile, be the brave little soldier. Can’t.
ANGEL
I’ll be back.
Buffy nods – unconvinced.
ANGEL
I will.
BUFFY
When? Six months? A year?
Who knows how long it will
take. Or if we’ll even-
ANGEL
If we’ll even – what?
BUFFY
Just, if you haven’t noticed, someone
pretty much always wants us dead.
ANGEL
Don’t say that. We’ll be fine.
BUFFY
But we don’t know.
ANGEL
We can’t know, Buffy. Nobody can.
That’s just the deal.
A pained beat. Then-
ANGEL
I… have something for you. For your
birthday. I was going to give it to
you earlier, but…
He pulls a small box from his coat. Hands it to her.
CLOSE ON THE BOX
As Buffy opens it. Inside is a SILVER RING WITH TWO HANDS HOLDING A HEART ENGRAVED ON IT.
ON BUFFY
BUFFY
It’s beautiful.
ANGEL
My people… Before I was changed,
they exchanged this as a sign of devotion.
(then)
It’s a Claddagh ring. The hands represent
friendship, the crown represents loyalty.
The heart, well, you know… Wear it with
the heart pointing toward you, it means you
belong to somebody.
Buffy just looks at him. He lifts his own hand. He is wearing a ring like the one he gave her. Heart
turned in.
ANGEL
Like this.
Buffy’s trying hard not to lose it.
BUFFY
Angel-
ANGEL
Put it on.
She does. Heart pointing in. Looks at it. Then at him.
BUFFY
I don’t want to do this.
ANGEL
Me either.
BUFFY
(small)
So – don’t go.
They both know he has to. He takes her into his arms and they kiss. The potentially last kiss kind of
kiss. Then-
ANGEL
Buffy… I-
BOOM!!
He never gets to finish because DALTON AND TWO OTHER VAMPIRES suddenly leap on them from a
CARGO NET THAT HANGS ABOVE THEIR HEADS.
Vamp #1 takes on ANGEL, while #2 knocks BUFFY to the ground. Dalton makes a bee-line for the
BOX.
BUFFY
(seeing Dalton)
Angel! The box!
Angel beats vamp #1 off him – at least for the moment – and TACKLES DALTON. The box falls from
Dalton’s hands.
While Dalton and Angel struggle, Buffy is engaged with Vamp #2. They fight fiercely, but Vamp #2
manages to knock Buffy into a THICK WOOD PYLON. Buffy hits her head hard, is momentarily
stunned. Vamp #2 then SIDEKICKS her legs out from under her, sending her sprawling OFF THE
EDGE OF THE DOCK and INTO THE WATER.
Angel hears the SPLASH just as VAMP #1 grabs the IRON BOX. Angel turns to look for Buffy
ANGEL
Buffy!?
She’s gone. In the soup. Angel sees Vamp #1 making off with the box – but he has no choice. He
drops Dalton and DIVES OFF THE DOCK TO BUFFY’S RESCUE. Dalton runs off.
EXT. WATER – CONTINUOUS – NIGHT
Angel fishes a dazed Buffy out of the water (we see this from the back at a good distance, if you
know what I mean).
INT. LIBRARY – NIGHT
Giles, Willow and Xander are gathered – waiting for Buffy and Calendar to return. There are a number
of books open on the table. Giles checks his watch.
GILES
They should be back by now…
WILLOW
Maybe Buffy needed a few minutes
to pull herself together.
(then)
Poor Buffy. On her birthday and everything.
XANDER
It’s sad. Granted. But let’s look at
the up-side for a moment. I mean,
what kind of future could she have
really had with him? Working two
jobs. Denny’s waitress by day, Slayer
by night. Angel’s always in front of
the tube, with a big ole’ blood belly…
And he’s dreaming of the glory days
when Buffy still thought the whole
creature of the night routine was a big turn-on…
WILLOW
You’ve thought way too much about this-
XANDER
That’s just the beginning. You want to
hear the part where I fly into town in my
private jet and take Buffy out for prime rib?
Xander does not see Buffy – who enters in a new outfit.
WILLOW
Xander –
XANDER
And she cries?
GILES
What happened?
BUFFY
Dru’s guys ambushed us. They got the box.
GILES
Where’s Jenny?
BUFFY
She took Angel to his apartment
to get clothes. I had some here.
XANDER
And we were needing clothes because.
BUFFY
We got wet. Giles, what do we know?
GILES
The more I study the Judge, the less
I like him. His touch can literally
burn the humanity out of you. A
true creature of evil can survive
the process. No human ever has.
XANDER
So what’s the problem? We send
Cordy to fight this guy and we
go for pizza.
BUFFY
Can he be stopped? Without an army?
GILES
(reads)
“No weapon forged can kill him.”
Not very encouraging. But if we
can keep them from assembling him…
BUFFY
We need to find his weak spots. And
we need to figure out where they’d be
keeping him.
GILES
This could take time.
WILLOW
We better do a round robin.
Xander, you go first.
BUFFY
Good call.
Xander moves to the phone.
GILES
Round robin?
WILLOW
Everybody calls everybody’s mom
and tells them they’re at everybody else’s house.
BUFFY
Thus freeing us up for world savage.
WILLOW
And all-night keggers.
(off looks)
What, only Xander gets to make dumb jokes?
ANGLE: XANDER
on the phone.
XANDER
Hey, mom. Listen, Willow and I are studying,
I’m gonna stay over here… uh huh…
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. LIBRARY – NIGHT – LATER
The clock reads 2:00 am. Willow and Xander are at the table, looking through books and research
material. Calendar is absorbed in work at the computer.
XANDER
(tired)
I think I read this already…
WILLOW
I can’t get over how cool Oz was about all this.
XANDER
Gee, I’m over it.
WILLOW
You’re just jealous cuz you didn’t
have a date for the party.
XANDER
No, I sure didn’t…
Giles moves with Angel from the stacks to his office – stops.
WHAT HE SEES
BUFFY, asleep at his desk.
ON GILES
Who looks at her kindly, backs away.
GILES
It seems Buffy needed some rest.
ANGEL
Yeah. She hasn’t been sleeping well.
You know, tossing and turning.
Willow, Xander and Calendar look at him, suspicious.
ANGEL
She told me. Because of her dreams.
INT. GILES’ OFFICE – CONTINUOUS – NIGHT
WE MOVE IN CLOSE ON BUFFY,
Who, indeed, sleeps fitfully.
INT. FACTORY – NIGHT – BUFFY’S DREAM
Buffy, dressed for a party in a SLEEK BLACK DRESS, moves through THE FACTORY, which especially
dark and spooky. Black and tattered party decorations hang down from the ceiling. Buffy has to push
them aside as she moves forward.
Ahead of her, a female figure darts among the streamers. Buffy follows her-
BUFFY
Hello? Who is that?
The figure turns. It’s MS. CALENDAR, who promptly ducks back into the shadows. Buffy reacts,
confused.
Now Buffy TURNS, sees ALL THE CAST IRON BOXES in a circle. She moves to them – reaches for one
- but is stopped by DRUSILLA’S VOICE.
DRUSILLA (O.C.)
Now, now. Hands off my presents.
Buffy looks up. Drusilla, wearing the SAME DRESS that Buffy has on, stands with ANGEL IN HER
GRIP, holding a GLEAMING KNIFE TO HIS THROAT. She starts to draw it across his neck.
CLOSE ON BUFFY
BUFFY
No!
Now Buffy looks around, terrified. Angel and Drusilla have suddenly vanished.
ANGEL (O.C.)
Buffy?
INT. GILES’ OFFICE – CONTINUOUS – NIGHT
Buffy’s EYES snap open. Angel is standing over her, gently shaking her shoulder.
BUFFY
No! Angel!-
ANGEL
It’s okay…
Buffy, not quite out of the dream world, moves into his arms, shaking and terrified.
ANGEL
I’m here. I’m right here.
CLOSE ON BUFFY
Wide-eyed and full of fear.
INT. FACTORY – NIGHT
CLOSE ON
Another pair of FEMALE EYES. Wide-eyed in a different way -with excitement.
WIDEN TO REVEAL
Drusilla, in the DRESS FROM BUFFY’S DREAM.
DRUSILLA
More music!
She claps her hands with delight as we continue to widen, until we see HER PARTY IN FULL SWING.
There are a number of VAMPS dressed to the nines – drinking, reveling. Spike rolls up to Drusilla – he
has a SMALL, HEAD-SHAPED CAST IRON BOX in his hands.
SPIKE
Look what I have for you, ducks.
DRUSILLA
Ah! The best is saved for last.
Drusilla takes the box from Spike.
WE FOLLOW DRUSILLA
As she moves around a corner. We see for the first time that the rest of the IRON BOXES have all
been assembled. They fit together perfectly – creating the form of a LARGE MAN.
Drusilla moves to a foot stool, PLACES THE LAST BOX. As soon as the box is attached – A SURGE OF
ENERGY SURROUNDS THE BOXES. It continues for a moment, then abates. Now the boxes ALL OPEN
AT ONCE, revealing THE JUDGE.
He’s enormous, dressed in black armor. His skin is sickly pale BLUE. There is something primordial
about him – not quite fully formed. His eyes open – revealing SOLID BLACK. No iris. No light. He is
horrible. Terrifying.
CLOSE ON
Drusilla – thrilled. She grabs Spike’s hand.
DRUSILLA
He’s perfect, my darling…
(darkly)
Just what I wanted.
BLACK OUT.
END OF ACT THREE
Act Four
INT. FACTORY – NIGHT
CLOSE ON THE JUDGE
As he takes his first, LUMBERING steps out of the BOX. His aura is that of deadly indifference. He is a
killing thing, not good or evil.
ON DRUSILLA AND SPIKE
Drusilla starts to move forward, but SPIKE holds her back.
SPIKE
I’d let our guest make the first move, precious.
Drusilla pauses. The JUDGE TURNS TO THEM.
THE JUDGE
You…
A beat. He takes another step. STARTS TO LIFT HIS HAND TO THEM. Spike immediately rolls forward
- getting in his face. Well, sort of…
SPIKE
Ho! Ho! What’s that, mate?
THE JUDGE
You two stink of humanity.
You share affection. Jealousy…
SPIKE
Yeah, what of it? Do I have to remind
you that we’re the ones that brought you here?
THE JUDGE
I have no alliances.
SPIKE
Right then. You want to go back in the little boxes?
A long beat as the Judge considers this. Then-
THE JUDGE
You may live. You will help me serve my purpose.
SPIKE
(grins)
Works for me.
Drusilla moves to the Judge, points to the assembled PARTY GUESTS, who have gathered to watch.
DRUSILLA
Would you like a party favor?
The judge nods. Scans the crowd. His eyes land on DALTON.
CLOSE ON DALTON
Getting the drift. Uh oh.
THE JUDGE
Points to Dalton.
THE JUDGE
This one – is full of feeling.
(disgusted)
He reads.
The Judge nods to a VAMP MINION.
THE JUDGE
Bring him to me.
SPIKE
What’s with the bringing, mate? I thought
you could just… zap people.
THE JUDGE
My full strength will return, in time.
Until then – I need contact.
Dalton is brought before him, pleading. But THE JUDGE raises his hand to his chest.
THE JUDGE
Silence…
Dalton begins to SHAKE AND SMOULDER. Then the JUDGE’S HAND GOES TO HIS CHEST. Dalton’s
flesh BLACKENS and CRUMBLES. Finally, FLAMES shoot from his eye sockets and he falls into a
burned-out heap.
A stunned beat as all gathered take in this hideous sight. Then Drusilla STARTS TO CLAP and jump
like a small child.
DRUSILLA
Do it again! Do it again!
INT. LIBRARY – NIGHT
Buffy comes out of the office, Angel on her heels. She starts gathering her weapons, etc. Giles,
Calendar, Willow and Xander react to her urgency.
GILES
Buffy? Are you alright?
ANGEL
She had another dream.
BUFFY
I think I know where Drusilla and Spike are-
GILES
Very good. However, you need a plan.
I know you’re concerned, Buffy, but
you can’t just go off half-cocked.
BUFFY
We have a plan. Angel and I go to the
factory to do recon. See how far they’ve
gotten assembling the Judge. You guys
fan out and check places the boxes may
be coming into town. Ship yards, the airport…
We have to stop them from getting all
the boxes in one place-
GILES
(nonplussed)
Yes, well… That’s quite a good plan, actually.
BUFFY
This thing is nasty and it’s real, Giles.
We don’t have time to wait
for it to come get us.
She heads out the door. Angel follows her. A beat while everyone reacts to General Buffy.
INT. FACTORY – NIGHT
Buffy and Angel steal in through a dark doorway to the balcony. They keep out of sight, talk quietly.
BUFFY
Angel. Maybe I should go in alone.
I mean, if my dreams are so true-
ANGEL
(firmly)
I’m not letting you go by yourself.
Buffy knows she can’t fight him on this.
BUFFY
Okay – what do we do if the Judge
is already put together?
ANGEL
I’ll deal with it. You keep your distance.
Buffy looks at him. Blinks.
BUFFY
We’re going to have to get over this
virtuous thing or we’re dead meat.
ANGEL
(she’s right)
If he’s assembled, we retreat. Together.
Get the others and make a battle plan.
BUFFY
Deal.
They creep along the UPPER DECK AREA of the factory. Peer over the edge.
WHAT THEY SEE
The PARTY CONTINUES BELOW, more macabre than ever. Spike, Drusilla and the Judge aren’t in
sight.
ON BUFFY AND ANGEL
BUFFY
(whispering)
I saw this. The party…
Angel nods – then grows alarmed, seeing something downstairs. Buffy follows his gaze to
THE JUDGE-
Who strides across the room with Spike and Drusilla. He seems to SENSE something. Stops.
DRUSILLA
What? What is it?
The Judge doesn’t reply. Just starts scanning the room. Then looks UP.
ON ANGEL AND BUFFY
Angel grabs Buffy – speaks in an urgent, hushed tone.
ANGEL
We have to get out of here-
They move quickly toward the WINDOW THEY CAME IN, but find TWO VAMP MINIONS have come up
the back way. Another TWO BLOCK the only other escape route.
OFF BUFFY AND ANGEL, caught.
INT. FACTORY – MOMENTS LATER – NIGHT
Buffy and Angel are BROUGHT BEFORE THE JUDGE by the minions. Spike and Dru are digging it, big
time.
SPIKE
Well, well. Look what we have here – crashers.
BUFFY
I’m sure our invitations just got lost in the mail-
Drusilla moves to Buffy – examining her closely. Runs a finger along her cheek. Buffy holds her
ground, defiant.
DRUSILLA
It’s delicious. I only dreamed you’d come.
Angel tries to shake off the minions restraining him.
ANGEL
Leave her alone-
SPIKE
(to Angel/wry)
Yeah, that’ll work. Now say pretty please –
Now the JUDGE STEPS FORWARD. Sets his sights on BUFFY.
THE JUDGE
The girl.
DRUSILLA
Chilling, isn’t it? She’s so full of good intention.
The Judge starts to MOVE TOWARD HER. But ANGEL BREAKS FREE from his captives – moves in front
of her.
ANGEL
Take me. Take me instead of her.
The JUDGE is almost on top of him. Angel starts to shake -just like Dalton did.
SPIKE
You’re not clear on the concept, pal.
There is no “instead”. Just first and second
DRUSILLA
And if you go first – you don’t get
to watch the Slayer die.
She motions to the minions, who move in on ANGEL again, drag him away from the Judge.
Now THE JUDGE MOVES TO BUFFY, who struggles against the vamps holding her. She manages to
KICK the Judge.
ANGEL
No, Buffy – don’t touch him!
Sure enough – Buffy starts to TREMBLE UNCONTROLLABLY.
CLOSE ON ANGEL
Who sees THE CLUSTER OF TELEVISIONS HANGING OVER THE JUDGE and the CHAIN THAT HOLDS
IT UP.
ON BUFFY
Getting weaker. She’s moments away from the burn.
ON ANGEL
Who SUMMONS ALL HIS STRENGTH, knocks the vampires off him and dives for the chain that holds
the televisions.
Before the vamps can get to him, he YANKS THE CHAIN FROM THE GROUND-
ON THE JUDGE
As he reacts to the GROANING LOAD ABOVE HIS HEAD. He manages to JUMP CLEAR as the thing
FALLS, and CRASHES THROUGH THE FLOOR! The hole it opens reveals A SEWER TUNNEL that runs
under the FACTORY FLOOR.
Buffy takes advantage of the confusion that follows this spectacle, breaks free from the vamps and
runs to ANGEL.
BUFFY
This way-
She moves to HOLE in the floor and they LEAP IN. Drusilla sees them, calls to her minions.
DRUSILLA
Stop them!
INT. SEWER TUNNEL – NIGHT
Angel and Buffy run down a tunnel with a pair of minions not far behind. It’s RAINING, so the tunnels
are especially DAMP and hard to negotiate.
They turn a corner, duck into a dark alcove. The MINIONS RUN PAST – not seeing them in their hiding
place.
EXT. STREET NEAR ANGEL’S APARTMENT – NIGHT
The rain continues as Buffy and Angel cautiously emerge from the sewers.
BUFFY
I think we lost them-
Angel looks at Buffy – shaky, exhausted, soaking wet again. Her shirt is ripped in the back and she
has a bloody cut.
ANGEL
Come on. You need to get inside.
She nods. He leads her off.
EXT. SHIP YARD – NIGHT
Giles and Calendar return from A SHIPPING OFFICE, get in his car.
JENNY
Well that was a big zero.
No box, no, vamps.
INT. GILES’ CAR – CONTINUOUS – NIGHT
GILES
Perhaps you ought to go home and
get some sleep. I’ll continue from here.
JENNY
Like I could sleep, Giles.
GILES
Yes, I feel rather restless myself.
Buffy and Angel can handle
themselves, of course, but…
JENNY
I know. I’m worried too.
Giles nods. Calendar takes his hand, tries on a smile to cover her mounting guilt.
INT. ANGEL’S APARTMENT – NIGHT
Buffy and Angel enter his apartment. He turns on a few lights.
ANGEL
You’re shaking like a leaf.
BUFFY
Cold.
ANGEL
Let me get you something.
He goes to his wardrobe. She moves about a little aimlessly, the way a person does on somebody
else’s turf. He comes back with a SHIRT and some SWEATS, leads her to the bed.
ANGEL
Put these on and get under the covers.
Just to warm up.
She nods, waits. He gets it – turns his back to her.
ANGEL
Sorry.
Buffy starts to take off her shirt – winces with pain.
ANGEL
What?
BUFFY
I – I got cut or something on my back.
ANGEL
Can … Let me see.
BUFFY
Okay.
He turns back. Buffy’s holding her unbuttoned shirt around her. Angel moves to the bed. Sits on the
edge, gently moves her shirt off her shoulder so he can see her injury. He touches her back – looks at
the wound, which is small.
ANGEL
It’s already closed. You’re fine.
A beat. She’s still turned away from him. They are both obviously affected by being this close. This
vulnerable. She leans back into him. His arms go around her. He breathes her in…
BUFFY
You almost went away today-
ANGEL
We both did.
He holds her tighter. For an intoxicating beat.
BUFFY
Angel. I feel, like – If I lost you…
(then)
But you’re right. We can’t be sure.
About anything-
ANGEL
Shhhhh. I-
She turns. They are face to face.
BUFFY
You – what?
A long moment. Angel finally says exactly what’s been on his mind for some time.
ANGEL
I love you.
(pained)
I try not to, but I can’t stop-
BUFFY
Me too. I can’t either.
They kiss. A kiss that is the beginning of something much bigger and they both know it. Angel stops
- pulls away.
ANGEL
Buffy. Maybe we shouldn’t-
BUFFY
Don’t. Just… kiss me
And he does. They do. Tenderly – full of emotion. They lie gently back on the bed and OUT OF
FRAME.
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. ANGEL’S APARTMENT – NIGHT
A CRASH OF LIGHTENING wakes ANGEL. Buffy is sleeping next to him, the covers pulled up around
her naked shoulders.
Angel sits on the side of the bed – holds his head in his hands, clearly in terrible pain. He coughs,
looks anxiously to Buffy, afraid of waking her.
EXT. STREET NEAR ANGEL’ S APARTMENT – NIGHT
It’s still raining as Angel, dressed now, moves into the street. He holds his coat close to him,
staggers a few feet, then falls to his knees.
CLOSE ON ANGEL
ANGEL
Buffy..
He looks to the sky, racked with pain, desperate-
BLACK OUT.
END PART ONE
Continue on to Part 2 – Innocence
Transcripts
Prologue
In every generation there is a Chosen One. She alone will stand against
the vampires, the demons and the forces of darkness. She is the Slayer.
Buffy’s room at night. She sleeps fitfully. She wakes with a start and
puts her hand to her head. She reaches over to her lamp, turns it on and
lets out a sigh. She takes her glass from her nightstand for a drink,
but finds it nearly empty. She gets up to fill it.
Cut to the hall. Buffy comes out of her room holding the glass and walks
down the hall. Behind her Drusilla stalks her. Buffy opens the door to
the bathroom and suddenly finds herself at the Bronze. A slow ballad,
“Anything”, by Shawn Clement and Sean Murray, is playing. Buffy ventures
in.
Lyrics: Take me over, I’m lying down / I’m giving in to you
She finds Willow sitting at a table with a large cup of cappuccino and
an organ grinder’s monkey.
Willow: (to the monkey) L’hippo a pique’ ses pantalons.
Translation: The hippo stole his pants.
Lyrics: I’m a hurricane
The monkey on the table with her squeaks. Buffy walks up to the table
and looks at Willow curiously. Willow smiles at her and waves. Buffy
raises her hand back, but remains confused about the monkey.
Lyrics: I cannot describe this feeling
Buffy continues on and finds her mother holding a large cup and saucer.
Lyrics: Now that I’ve found this love
Her mother sees her coming, and she turns to face her daughter.
Joyce: Do you really think you’re ready, Buffy?
Buffy: What?
Joyce drops the saucer. Buffy watches it fall. It shatters on the floor.
Joyce just turns and slowly walks away.
Lyrics: I’ll do anything for you
Buffy watches her go, then looks around the room again.
Lyrics: Now that I’ve found this love
She walks past Willow again and through the crowd to the stage. It’s
empty, no band tonight. She turns around and smiles warmly.
Lyrics: I’m a fire, burning like a house aflame
Angel is standing at the pool table. He smiles and starts toward her.
Lyrics: I’m a hurricane
Buffy begins to walk toward him.
Lyrics: I cannot move or see you fly / Now that I’ve found…
Drusilla suddenly appears behind Angel. She is vamped out, and thrusts a
stake into his back and pulls it out. He arches backward in pain.
Buffy: ANGEL!
Lyrics: …this love
They reach out for each other. Before she can touch him his hand begins
to disintegrate. The rings on his fingers fall to the floor. His body
doesn’t explode like most vampires’, but just crumbles to dust. Drusilla
lowers the stake and takes the few steps over to Buffy.
Drusilla: Happy Birthday, Buffy.
Cut to Buffy’s room. She wakes from her nightmare and quickly sits up,
surprised and confused.
Opening credits roll. Buffy’s theme plays.~~ Part 1 ~~
Angel’s apartment. There’s a knock at the door.
Angel: Hold on.
He reaches for the knob and opens it. Buffy is standing there with a
worried look on her face.
Angel: Hey. Is everything okay?
Buffy: That’s what I was gonna ask you. You’re okay, right?
Angel: Sure. I-I’m fine. (gestures for her to come in) What’s up?
She comes in and puts her bag down. He swings the door partially closed
and walks over to grab a shirt.
Buffy: Um… I-I had this… dream that Drusilla was alive.
Angel: (pulls on the shirt) What happened?
Buffy: She killed you. Right in front of me.
Angel: It was just a dream. It wasn’t real.
Buffy: But it felt so real.
Angel: (puts his hand to her cheek) It wasn’t. I’m right here.
Buffy: Angel, th-this happened before. The dreams that I had about the
Master, they came true.
Angel: (reassuringly) Still, not every dream you have comes true. I
mean, what else did you dream last night? Can you remember?
Buffy: (looks down) I dreamt… I dreamt that Giles and I opened an
office supply warehouse in Vegas.
Angel: See my point?
Buffy: (exhales) Yeah, I-I do, but… what if Drusilla is alive? We
never saw her body.
Angel: (reassures) She’s not. But even if she was, we’d deal.
Buffy: W-w-what if she is…
He grabs and kisses her, and she responds. A couple of kisses later they
break off and look at each other.
Angel: What if what?
Buffy: (whispers) I’m sorry. Were we talking?
Angel leans over to kiss her again. They put their arms around each
other and hold each other closely as they kiss. Buffy suddenly breaks
off and looks down.
Buffy: I’m sorry. I, um… I-I have to go to school.
She turns and quickly heads for the door.
Angel: I know.
He follows her, takes her arm, turns her around and kisses her again
passionately. They take hold of each other again. They stop kissing a
moment later but keep touching foreheads.
Buffy: Oh, God, you feel…
Angel: You have to go to school. (guides her to the door)
Buffy: Right. I know. This is me. (backs into and shuts the door) I’m
going.
They begin kissing passionately again. After a while they stop and look
at each other.
Angel: You still haven’t told me what you wanted for your birthday.
Buffy: (smiles) Surprise me.
Angel: (smiles) Okay. I will.
They kiss.
Buffy: (smiles) This is nice. I like seeing you first thing in the
morning.
Angel: It’s bedtime for me.
Buffy: Well, then I like seeing you at bedtime. Um… Um, heh… Y-you
know what I mean.
Angel: I think so. What do you mean?
Buffy: I like seeing you. The part at the end of the night where we say
good-bye… It’s getting harder.
Angel: Yeah. It is.
Willow: ‘I like you at bedtime?’
Cut to the lawn under the trees at Sunnydale High. Willow and Buffy are
walking.
Willow: You actually said that?
Buffy: I know, I know.
Willow: Man, that’s like… I-I dunno, that’s moxie or something.
Buffy: Totally unplanned. It just… came out.
Willow: (giggles) And he was into it? I mean, he wants to see you at
bedtime, too?
Buffy: Yeah, I, I, I think he does. Well, I, I mean he-he’s cool about
it.
Willow: Well, of course he is. ‘Cause he’s cool. I mean, he would
never… you know…
Buffy: Push.
Willow: Right. H-he’s not the type.
Buffy: Will, what am I gonna do?
Willow: What do you wanna do?
Buffy: I don’t know. I… I mean, (they sit on a bench) ‘want’ isn’t
always the right thing to do. To act on want can be wrong.
Willow: True.
Buffy: But… to not act on want… What if I never feel this way
again?
Willow: Carpe diem. You told me that once.
Buffy: ‘Fish of the day’?
Willow: Not carp. (smiles) Carpe. It means ‘seize the day.’
Buffy: Right. I… I think we’re going to. Seize it. Once you get to a
certain point, then seizing is sort of inevitable.
Willow: (wide-eyed) Wow…
Buffy: (smiles) Yeah.
Willow: Wow…
The school bell rings.
Buffy: Oh… (gets up and goes)
Willow: (gets up and follows) Wow!
Cut to them still walking. Willow stares at Buffy.
Willow: Wow.
Buffy: (smiles) Yeah.
She looks over to the side and sees Oz sitting at a bench with his
guitar.
Buffy: Hey, speaking of ‘wow’ potential, there’s Oz over there. What
are we thinking, any sparkage?
Willow: (smiles) He’s nice. Hey, I like his hands.
Buffy: Mm. A fixation on insignificant detail is a definite crush sign.
Willow: Oh, I don’t know, though. I mean, he is a senior.
Buffy: (stops) You think he’s too old ’cause he’s a senior? Please. My
boyfriend had a bicentennial.
Willow: That’s true. (unsure) Uh… I guess… I just…
Buffy: You can’t spend the rest of your life waiting for Xander to wake
up and smell the hottie. Make a move. Do the talking thing.
Willow: Well, what if the talking thing becomes the awkward-silence
thing?
Buffy: Well, you won’t know until you try.
She walks off leaving Willow to consider her next action. She looks at
Oz, at Buffy walking away and back at Oz.
Cut to Oz on the bench. He’s practicing with his guitar. Willow walks
around the bench and stands next to him.
Willow: Hey.
Oz: (looks up) Hey. (gives her his attention)
Willow: Do you guys, uh, have a gig tonight?
Oz: Oh, no. Practice. See, our band’s kinda moving towards this new
sound where… we suck, so… practice.
Willow: (smiles) I think you guys sound good.
Oz: Thanks.
Willow: I bet you have a lot of groupies.
Oz: (nods) It happens. Now, I’m living groupie-free nowadays. I’m
clean.
Willow: (smiles) Oh. (begins to feel awkward)
Oz: I’m gonna ask you to go out with me tomorrow night. And I’m kinda
nervous about it, actually. It’s interesting.
Willow: Oh. Well, if it helps at all, I’m gonna say yes.
Oz: Yeah, it helps. It-it creates a comfort zone. (Willow smiles) Do
you wanna go out with me tomorrow night?
Willow: (cringes and slaps her hand to her forehead) Oh! I can’t!
Oz: Well, see, I like that you’re unpredictable.
Willow: Oh, it’s just it’s Buffy’s birthday, and we’re throwing her a
surprise party.
Oz: It’s okay.
Willow: But you could come. If you want to.
Oz: Well, I don’t wanna crash.
Willow: No, it’s fine! Well, you could be m… my date.
Oz: (nods) All right. I’m in. (smiles)
Willow smiles back, and after a moment indicates she has to go. Oz nods
to give her leave. She starts away, smiling widely.
Willow: (to herself) I said ‘date’.
Cut to Cordelia’s locker. The camera is inside looking out. Cordelia
swings the door open. Xander is standing behind her.
Xander: So… Buffy’s party. Manana.
Cordelia: Well, just because she’s Miss Save-The-World and everything,
you have to make a big deal? I have to cook! And everything.
Xander: You’re cooking?
Cordelia: Well, I’m chips and dips girl.
Xander: (gasps) Horrors! All that opening and stirring.
Cordelia: And shopping and carrying.
Xander: Well, then you should have a person who does such things for
you.
Cordelia: Well, that’s what I’ve been saying to my father, but does he
listen?
Xander: Um, so, uh… You’re going, and, and, and I’m going. Should…
we maybe… go?
Cut outside the locker.
Cordelia: Why?
Xander: I dunno. This… thing with us, despite our better judgment, it
keeps happening. Maybe we should just admit that we’re dating.
Cordelia: Groping in a broom closet isn’t dating. You don’t call it a
date until the guy spends money.
Xander: Fine. I’ll spend, then we’ll grope. Whatever. I just think it’s
some kind of whacked that we feel we have to hide it from all our
friends.
Cordelia: Well, of course you wanna tell everybody. You have nothing
to be ashamed of. I, on the other hand, have everything to be ashamed
of.
Xander: You know what? ‘Nuff said. Forget it. It must’ve been my
multiple-personality guy talking. I call him Idiot Jed, glutton for
punishment.
He looks at her and exhales, then turns and walks off.
Cut further down the hall. Giles comes walking out of the lounge and
sees Xander.
Giles: Oh, good morning. (quietly) Is everything in order for the
party?
Xander: Absolutely. You ready to get down, you funky party weasel?
Giles looks at the stairs and sees Jenny and Buffy coming down.
Giles: Here comes Buffy. (to Xander) Now remember: discretion is the
better part of valor.
Xander: You coulda just said, ‘shh!’ God, are all you Brits such drama
queens? (to Buffy) Buffy, I feel a pre-birthday spanking coming on.
Jenny: I’d curb that impulse if I were you, Xander.
She and Buffy sit at a table in the lounge.
Xander: (into his shirt) Check, cancel spanking.
Giles: (sits also) You alright, Buffy? You seem a little fatigued.
Buffy: Rough night. I had a dream that Drusilla was alive and she
killed Angel. I-it just really freaked me out.
Giles: You fear it was more of a, a… a portent?
Buffy: See, I don’t know. I don’t wanna start a big freakout over
nothing.
Giles: Still, best to be, uh, on the alert. If Drusilla is alive, i-i-
it could be a fairly… cataclysmic state of affairs.
Xander: Again, so many words! Couldn’t you just say, ‘we’d be in
trouble’?
Giles: (gives Xander a look) Go to class, Xander.
Xander: Gone. (gets up and starts away, but stops) Notice the economy
of phrasing: ‘gone.’ Simple. Direct. (points at Giles and leaves)
Buffy: Maybe I should get ‘gone’, too. (stands up)
Giles: (stands up) Uh, don’t worry unduly, Buffy. I-I-I’m sure it’s
nothing.
Buffy: I know. I should keep my Slayer cool, but… it’s Angel, which
automatically equals maxi-wig.
Giles: Hmm.
He gives her a smile as she goes.
Cut to Spike’s warehouse. Dalton comes in carrying a large wooden box.
Dalton: I have your package.
Spike: Just put it on the table… near the other gifts.
Dalton walks past the camera to the table as Spike rolls into view in a
wheelchair. Drusilla follows him, guiding the chair.
Spike: Are you dead set on this, pet? Wouldn’t you rather have your
party in Vienna?
Drusilla: But the invitations are sent.
Spike: Yeah. It’s just I’ve had it with this place. Nothing ever comes
off like it’s supposed to.
Drusilla: (leans in and puts her hands on his chest) My gatherings are
always perfect. Remember Spain? (crouches next to him) Hey… The bulls?
(walks her fingers up his arm)
Spike: I remember, sweet. But Sunnydale’s cursed for us. Angel and the
Slayer see to that.
Drusilla: Shhh… (into his ear) I’ve got good games for everyone.
(licks his cheek) You’ll see.
She walks over to the table and inspects the roses and other red flowers
that have been woven into the high backs of the chairs. She steps up to
one.
Drusilla: These flowers… are wrong. (the decorators look worried)
They’re all… wrong! (moans) (Spike looks worried) I can’t abide them!
(screams and rips at them)
Spike: Let’s try something different with the flowers then.
She looks at him and calms down a bit. Then she eyes the boxes on the
table and slowly walks around to them.
Drusilla: Can I open one? Can I?
Spike smiles at her, and she smiles back.
Drusilla: Can I? Ooo…
Spike: Just a peek, love.
She excitedly reaches for the latch on one of them.
Spike: They’re for the party.
He wheels himself over to her. Cut inside the box. Drusilla lifts the
lid, inhales in wonder and smiles.
Spike: Do you like it, baby?
Drusilla: It reeks of death.
Cut outside the box. She sighs and kneels in front of Spike.
Drusilla: This will be the best party ever.
Spike: Why is that?
Drusilla: Because…
She stands back up and leans toward the box. Cut inside the box.
Drusilla: It will be the last.
She slams the lid shut.~~ Part 2 ~~
The kitchen at the Summers house. Joyce gets up from the far side of the
island and takes her plate over to the sink. Buffy is sitting on the
other side of the island.
Joyce: Mall trip for your birthday on Saturday. Don’t forget.
Buffy: Space on a mom-sponsored shopping opportunity? Not likely.
Joyce: Hmm. So, does, um, 17 feel any different than 16?
Buffy: It’s funny you should ask that. (gets Joyce’s attention) You
know, I woke up feeling more responsible, mature and levelheaded.
Joyce: Really? Tch. It’s uncanny.
Buffy: I now possess the qualities one looks for in a… licensed
driver. (looks at her mom hopefully)
Joyce: Buffy…
Buffy: You said we could talk about it again when I was 17.
Joyce: Do you really think you’re ready, Buffy?
She gives her mom a surprised look. Joyce drops her plate. Buffy watches
it fall and sees it shatter on the floor.
Cut to Ms. Calendar’s classroom. She walks to her desk with an arm full
of papers. She sets down her mug and a couple of other things and begins
to go through them. Behind her a man in a dark suit and hat approaches
her. He stops and looks at her.
Enyos: Jenny Calendar.
Jenny spins around, startled. She stares at him in surprise.
Jenny: You startled me.
Enyos: You look well. (steps up to her desk)
Jenny: Yes, I’m fine. (goes around her desk) I know I haven’t written
as much lately. I’ve been busy.
Enyos: I cannot imagine what is so important to make you ignore the
responsibility to your people.
Jenny: Well, I’ve been working and…
Enyos: (interrupts) The elder woman has been reading signs. Something
is different.
Jenny: Nothing has changed. The curse still holds.
Enyos: The elder woman is never wrong. She says his pain is lessening.
She can feel it.
Jenny: (looks down) There is…
Enyos: There is what?
Jenny: (looks up) A girl.
Enyos: (exhales in disgust) What? How could you let this happen?
Jenny: I promise you. Angel still suffers. And he makes amends for his
evil. He even saved my life.
Enyos: So you just forget that he destroyed the most beloved daughter
of your tribe?! That he killed every man, woman and child that touched
her life?! Vengeance demands that his pain be eternal as ours is! If
this, this girl gives him one minute of happiness, it is one minute
too much!
Jenny: I’m sorry. I thought…
Enyos: You thought what?! You thought you are Jenny Calendar now?! You
are still Janna, of the Kalderash people! A Gypsy.
Jenny: I know… Uncle. I know.
Enyos: Then prove it. Your time for watching is past. The girl and him,
it ends now! Do what you must to take her from him!
Jenny: I will see to it.
Cut to the library. Buffy is sitting at the table while Giles paces
behind her.
Buffy: …and then my mom broke the plate. It was just like my dream.
Every gesture, every word. (looks up at him) It was so creepy.
Giles: Yes, well, I-I-I’d imagine it would be… fairly unnerving.
He sits on the end of the table. Xander and Willow come bounding in.
Xander: Hey! It’s the woman of the hour.
Willow: It’s Happy Birthday Buffy!
She jumps over to the table, hugs Buffy’s shoulders and gives her a big
smile. She lets go and goes around to the other side of the table with
Xander. Buffy just looks down and pulls her hair behind her ear.
Willow: Not Happy Birthday Buffy?
Giles: I-it’s just that, um, part of the nightmare that Buffy had the
other night actually transpired.
Buffy: Which means Drusilla might still be alive. Giles, in my dream, I
couldn’t stop her. She blindsided me. A-Angel was gone before I knew
what happened.
Giles: Even if she is alive, uh, we can still protect Angel. Dreams
aren’t prophecies, Buffy. Y-y-y-you dreamt that the Master had risen,
but you stopped it from happening.
Xander: You ground his bones to make your bread.
Buffy: That’s true. Except for the bread part. (to Giles) Okay, so,
fine. We’re one step ahead, but I wanna stay that way.
Giles: Absolutely. (stands up) Let me read up on Drusilla, uh, see if
she has any particular patterns. (starts toward his office) Why don’t
you meet me here at 7:00? We’ll map out a strategy.
Buffy: What am I supposed to do until then?
Giles: Go to classes, do your homework, have supper…
Buffy: Right. Be that Buffy.
She gets up from the table, grabs her bag and heads out of the library.
Xander: (pointing) Well, that’s not a perky birthday puppy.
Willow: So much for our surprise party. I bought little hats and
everything.
Xander: Mm-hm.
Willow: Oh, well. I guess I’ll tell Cordelia. (starts to go)
Giles: No, you won’t. (Willow and Xander stop) We’re having a party
tonight.
Xander: (stares at Giles) Looks like Mr. Caution Man, but the sound he
makes is funny.
Willow frowns and nods in agreement.
Giles: Buffy’s surprise party will go ahead as we planned. Except I
won’t be wearing the little hat.
Willow: But Buffy and Angel…
Giles: May well be in danger… as they have been before, and, I
imagine, will be again. One thing I’ve learned in my tenure here on the
Hellmouth is that there is no good time to relax. And Buffy’s turning 17
just this once, and she deserves a party.
Xander: You’re a great man of our time.
Willow: (smiles) And anyway, Angel’s coming. So she’ll be able to
protect him and have cake.
Giles: Precisely.
He goes into his office. Willow and Xander leave with a happy bounce in
their step.
Cut to the school that night. Cut to a hall. Buffy comes walking down.
Jenny sees her.
Jenny: Buffy.
Buffy: (startled) Oh, my God, I didn’t see you there.
Jenny: Sorry. Um, Giles wanted me to tell you that there’s been a
change of plans. Uh, he wants to meet you someplace near his house
’cause he had to run home and get a book or something.
Buffy: ‘Cause heaven knows there aren’t enough books in the library.
Jenny: Uh, he’s… very thorough.
Buffy: Oh, which is not to bag. It’s kind of manly in an obsessive-
compulsive kind of way, don’t you think?
Jenny: Mm-hm. Um, you know, my car’s here. Why don’t I drive you?
Buffy: Okay.
She starts out to the parking lot. Jenny watches her go a few steps and
then follows.
Cut to the alley outside the Bronze. Jenny’s Beetle rolls slowly along.
Buffy: Are we goin’ to the Bronze?
Jenny: I’m not sure. Giles gave me an address. I’m just following his
directions.
They round a corner, and Buffy sees something going on.
Buffy: This looks funky. Stop for a sec.
A truck is parked in an adjacent loading area. A man jumps off of the
truck bed while another walks across the loading dock.
Jenny: No, Buffy, maybe you shouldn’t.
Buffy: Sorry. Sacred duty, yada yada yada.
She gets out of the car and goes to investigate.
Jenny: (sighs) What is this? (leans her head on her hand)
Cut to the truck. Buffy walks up and stops by the cab. She sees Dalton
carrying a wooden box.
Buffy: Every time I see you, you’re stealing something. (Dalton growls)
You really should speak with someone about this klepto issue.
The truck’s engine starts. Buffy turns and reaches for the door handle.
Dalton makes a hasty escape. The truck door swings open before Buffy can
reach it, and a vampire kicks out at her, hitting her in the arm, but
not hard. She grabs for him and pulls him out of the cab and onto the
ground. Dalton lifts the box onto the back of the truck. The vampire
gets up from the pavement, and Buffy punches him, knocking him back down
again. She backs up toward the truck to get around him, but a third
vampire standing in the bed grabs her by the jacket and lifts her up. He
gets her in a full Nelson hold. She pushes him back into a large box. He
is stunned and lets go of his hold. She snaps her head back and butts
him hard. The other vampire has climbed onto the truck bed also and
comes at her. She punches him, turns and punches the one behind her,
turns and punches the other one again, then kicks him in the chest,
making him fall and roll over a crate. She blocks a swing from the one
behind her, grabs his arm and shoves his head into the crate.
Cut inside the Bronze. Angel peeks out from behind a pillar and looks
around.
Angel: Where is she?
The others peek out from behind the pool table and look up at him.
Willow: Shhh! I think I hear her coming.
Cut outside. Buffy punches one of the wooden bed retainers and breaks
off a piece. She jams it into one of the vampires’ chests, and he bursts
into ashes. The other grabs her from behind, lifts her up and carries
her onto the loading dock. He throws her at a door. She hits it and
rolls away.
Cut inside. The gang hears the fighting going on outside and looks
toward a window. Cut to the window. Buffy and the vampire come crashing
through and hit the floor. Everyone gets up to look. Buffy scrambles to
her feet and kicks the vampire as he comes for her. He stumbles back a
few steps. The others come closer to see. Buffy grabs a drumstick from a
drum set, spins around with it, thrusts it into the vampire’s chest and
pulls it back out. The vampire explodes into ashes. Oz watches in
astonishment. Cordelia jumps up from behind the pool table with her arms
raised high.
Cordelia: Surprise!
The others all look back at her.
Oz: That pretty much sums it up.
Xander shakes his head at Cordelia.
Xander: Tch.
Buffy hops down from the stage. Angel goes over to her. Cordelia lowers
her arms.
Angel: Buffy, are you okay?
Giles: Yes. W-what happened?
Buffy: (points behind her) Uh, there were these vamps outs… (looks
around) W-what’s going on?
Giles: Oh, um… A surprise party. (blows on a party favor)
Cordelia: Happy Birthday.
Buffy: (smiles) You guys did all this for me? (to Angel) That is so
sweet.
Angel: You sure you’re okay?
Buffy: Yes, I’m fine.
Willow: (to Oz) Are you okay?
Oz: Yeah. Hey, did everybody see that guy just turn to dust?
Willow: Uh, well, uh… sort of.
Xander: Yep. Vampires are real. A lot of them live in Sunnydale.
(gestures between Willow and Oz) Willow will fill you in. (walks off)
Willow: I know it’s hard to accept at first.
Oz: Actually, it explains a lot.
Jenny comes into the Bronze carrying Dalton’s box.
Jenny: Hey, can somebody give me a hand here?
Angel and Giles take it from her and set it on a table.
Jenny: Those creeps left this behind.
Buffy: What is it?
Giles: I have no idea. Can, can it be opened?
Buffy: Yeah. This looks like a release right here.
She works the latch and opens the box. Inside is an arm clad in armor.
Buffy looks over at Giles in disgust. Suddenly the arm raises up, grabs
Buffy by the throat and begins choking her.~~ Part 3 ~~
The Bronze. Buffy struggles with the arm. Angel tries to pull it off of
her. Between them they get it off, and Angel stuffs it back into the box
while Buffy steps back and tries to catch her breath. Giles slams the
lid shut. Buffy coughs as Angel helps her aside.
Xander: Well, clearly the Hellmouth’s answer to ‘what do you get the
Slayer who has everything?’
Giles: Good heavens. Buffy, are you all right?
Buffy: Man, that thing had major grip.
Willow: W-what was that?
Oz: It looked like an arm.
Angel: It can’t be. She wouldn’t.
Xander: What, uh, vamp’s version of ‘snakes in a can’, or do you care
to share?
Buffy: Angel?
Angel: It-it’s a legend… (Giles looks at the box) way before my
time… of a demon brought forth to rid the Earth of the plague of
humanity… separate the righteous from the wicked… and to burn the
righteous down. They call him the Judge.
Giles: The Judge? This is he?
Angel: Not all of him.
Buffy: (raising her hand) Um, still needing backstory here.
Giles: Um… He, he, he couldn’t be killed, yes? Um, a-an army was sent
against him. Most of them died… but, uh, finally they were able to
dismember him, but, uh… not kill him.
Angel: The pieces were scattered… buried in every corner of the
Earth.
Jenny: So all these parts are being brought here.
Buffy: By Drusilla. The vamps outside were Spike’s men.
Angel: She’s just crazy enough to do it.
Willow: Do what, reassemble the Judge?
Angel: And bring forth Armageddon.
Cordelia: Is anybody else gonna have cake? (goes to the pool table)
Giles: We need to get this out of town.
Jenny: Angel.
Buffy: What?
Jenny: (to Angel) You have to do it. You’re the only one that can
protect this thing.
Buffy: What about me?
Jenny: What, you’re just gonna skip town for a few months?
Buffy: ‘Months’?
Angel: She’s right. I gotta get this to the remotest region possible.
(goes to Buffy)
Buffy: But that’s not months.
Angel: (gestures grandly) I gotta catch a cargo ship to Asia, maybe
trek to Nepal…
Buffy: You know, those newfangled flying machines really are much safer
than they used to be.
Angel: I can’t fly. There’s no sure way to guard against the daylight.
I-I-I don’t like this any more than you do, Buffy. But there’s no other
choice.
Buffy: When?
Angel: Tonight. As soon as possible.
Buffy: But it’s my birthday.
Jenny: (comes over) I’ll drive you to the docks.
Cut to Spike’s warehouse. Drusilla is confronting Dalton. He has his
eyes lowered.
Drusilla: You lost it? You… lost my present.
Dalton: I know. I’m sorry.
Spike: It was a bad turn, man. She can’t have her fun without the box.
Dalton: The Slayer. She came out of nowhere. I didn’t even see her.
She…
Drusilla cuts him off by putting her finger to his lips. She stares into
his eyes. She lifts off his glasses and drops them to the floor. She
stomps on them and grinds them into the concrete. She lifts her head
with her eyes closed.
Drusilla: Make a wish.
Dalton: What?
She holds two fingers up to his eyes.
Drusilla: I’m going to blow out the candles.
Spike: You might give him a chance to find your lost treasure. He is a
wanker, but he’s the only one we’ve got with half a brain. If he fails,
you can eat his eyes out of the sockets for all I care.
Dalton: I’ll get it. Please. I swear.
Drusilla thrusts both hands at him and pulls them back at the last
instant and up into raised fists, and smiles at him evilly. She bends
down and picks up his glasses.
Drusilla: Okay.
She unfolds them and sets them back on his nose.
Drusilla: Hurry back then. (pats his head)
She steps over to Spike and sits in his lap. Dalton breathes a sigh of
relief and leaves to begin his task.
Cut to the docks. Buffy and Angel make their way to a ship. Angel has
the box on his shoulder. They walk arm in arm. Buffy leans into him, and
he kisses her on the head. When they reach the gangplank Angel sets the
box down. They take a few steps away from the box.
Angel: I should go the rest of the way alone.
Buffy: Okay.
Angel: But I’ll be back. I will.
Buffy: When? Six months, a year? You don’t know how long it’s gonna
take or if we’ll even… (looks down)
Angel: Hey… (raises her chin) If we’ll even what?
Buffy: (tears in her eyes) Well, if you haven’t noticed, someone pretty
much always wants us dead.
Angel: Don’t say that. We’ll be fine.
Buffy: We don’t know that.
Angel: We can’t know, Buffy. Nobody can. That’s just the deal. (reaches
into his pocket) I have something for you. For your birthday. I… I was
gonna give it to you earlier, but… (shows her a ring with an intricate
design)
Buffy: It’s beautiful.
Angel: My people — before I was changed — they exchanged this as a
sign of devotion. It’s a claddagh ring. The hands represent friendship,
the crown represents loyalty… and the heart… Well, you know… Wear
it with the heart pointing towards you. It means you belong to somebody.
Like this.
He shows her his own ring on his finger. She touches his hand, leans
over and kisses the ring.
Angel: Put it on.
He takes the ring from her and slips it onto her finger.
Buffy: (sobs) I don’t wanna do this.
Angel: Me either.
Buffy: So don’t go.
They kiss. She puts her arms around him. After several kisses they stop
and look at each other.
Angel: Buffy… I…
Two vampires suddenly jump at them from some cargo netting. One pulls
Buffy off of Angel and throws her back. The other begins to fight with
Angel. Buffy rolls to her feet. The vampire swings at her, but misses.
She grabs him and starts pummeling his gut. Angel flips the other one
over onto his back. He gets up, and Angel swings at him three times, but
he blocks all of them. Angel’s next punch lands on the vampire’s face.
Buffy ducks a swing, lifts herself up on the dock railing and kicks her
assailant in the chest with both feet, sending him staggering back into
the gangplank. She gives chase and grabs him by the back of the shirt
and hair. He growls. Dalton drops out of the cargo netting now, too,
runs over to the box, grabs it and starts to run.
Buffy: Angel! The box!
Angel ducks a roundhouse kick, grabs the vampire’s arm and flips him
over onto his back. He runs after Dalton and tackles him to the deck.
Buffy’s attacker shakes free of her and shoves her into a stack of
crates. He follows up with a roundhouse kick, but she ducks it and he
just hits the crates. She makes a grab for him, but he punches her in
the face. Angel gets ready to punch Dalton but gets distracted when the
vampire he was fighting before grabs the box and makes a run for it.
Buffy’s opponent grabs her by the jacket and roars as he swings her
around, over the railing and into the water. Angel sees her go flying.
Angel: Buffy!
He jumps over the railing and into the water after her.
Cut to the library. Giles is researching the Judge. He looks up from his
books.
Giles: They should be back by now.
Willow: Maybe Buffy needed a few minutes to pull herself together. Poor
Buffy, on her birthday and everything.
Xander: Hmm, it’s sad, granted. But let’s look at the upside for a
moment. (gets up) I mean, what kind of a future would she’ve really had
with him? (Willow looks sadly up at him) She’s got 2 jobs — Denny’s
waitress by day, (Giles looks up, too) Slayer by night — and Angel’s
always in front of the TV with a big blood belly, and he’s dreamin’ of
the glory days when Buffy still thought this whole creature of the night
routine was a big turnon.
Willow: You’ve thought way too much about this.
Xander: No, no. That’s just the beginning. Have I told you the part
where I fly into town in my private jet and take Buffy out for prime
rib?
Willow: (sees Buffy come in) Xander…
Xander: And she cries?
Giles: (stands up) What happened? (Xander sits)
Buffy: Dru’s guys ambushed us. They got the box.
Giles: Where’s Jenny?
Buffy: Uh, she took Angel to get clothing. I, I had some here.
Xander: And we needed clothes because…
Buffy: We got wet. Giles, what do we know?
Giles: The more I study the Judge, the less I like him. His touch can
literally burn the humanity out of you. A true creature of evil can
survive the process. No human ever has.
Xander: What’s the problem? We send Cordy to fight this guy, and we go
for pizza. (smiles)
Buffy: Can this guy be stopped? Without an army?
Giles: Um, (reads) ‘no weapon forged can kill him.’ Not very
encouraging. If we could only stop them from assembling him.
Buffy: We need to find his weak spots, and we need to figure out where
they’d be keeping him.
Giles: This could take time.
Willow: Better do a round robin. Xander, you go first.
Buffy: Good call.
Xander heads for the phone.
Giles: Round robin?
Willow: It’s when everybody calls everybody else’s mom and tells them
they’re staying at everyone’s house.
Buffy: Thus freeing us up for world saveage.
Willow: (smiles) And all-night keggers! (gets looks from Buffy and
Giles) What, only Xander gets to make dumb jokes?
Xander: (on the phone) Mom, hi. Xander. Yeah, uh, Willow and I are
gonna be studying all night long, so I’m not gonna be coming home.
Cut to later. The research is going hot and heavy. Xander walks over to
Willow at the counter with another open book.
Xander: Tsk. I think I read this already.
Willow: I can’t get over how cool Oz was about all this.
Xander: Gee, I’m over it.
Willow: (smugly) You’re just jealous ’cause you didn’t have a date for
the party.
Xander: No, I sure didn’t.
Giles: (comes out into the main room) Angel? Any luck?
Angel comes down out of the stacks. Giles sees Buffy asleep in his
office and holds up his hand to silence Angel. He follows Giles’ gaze
into the office.
Giles: Sh-sh-sh.
They see Buffy with her head down on the desk. He waves Angel to follow
him.
Giles: (whispers) Seems Buffy needed some rest.
Angel: Yeah. She hasn’t been sleeping well. Tossing and turning.
(everyone looks at him) She told me. Because of her dreams?
They all go back to their tasks. The camera closes in on Buffy and loses
its focus.
Cut to Spike’s warehouse. Buffy walks in, looking at the party
decorations. All around candles on tall sticks have burned way down. She
goes to the table and walks around it. On the other side she sees Jenny
walking the other way. She’s confused about that, but gets distracted by
several boxes sitting on the floor and goes over to them.
Drusilla: Now, now.
Buffy spins around to see her on the upper level holding Angel in front
of her.
Drusilla: Hands off my presents.
She puts a sharp blade to Angel’s neck.
Buffy: No!
Cut to Giles’ office. Buffy wakes from her nightmare with a start.
Buffy: Angel!
Angel: Buffy, it’s okay. (she turns to him) I’m here. (she hugs him
close) I’m right here.
Cut to Spike’s warehouse. Drusilla stands at the top of the spiral
staircase and claps her hands.
Drusilla: More music!
She bobs her head to the gothic beat as she descends the steps. The
party is going well. She makes her way to the head of the table and
begins to dance there. “Transylvanian Concubine”, performed by
Rasputina, plays.
Lyrics: If you want to know how / To fly high then go now / To the
place where all the concubines… / Meet and converse with them / Marvel
at their pale skin / Wonder how they chew on their pointy… / Teeth and
hair are beauty / They know it’s their duty / To be Countess in their
hearts and their…
Spike comes rolling in with a large box in his lap.
Spike: Look what I have for you, ducks.
Drusilla looks over at him.
Lyrics: Minds that have to whisper / See in them a sister / Look into
their eyes and you’ll become / Transylvanian Concubine
Drusilla smiles and steps over to him.
Drusilla: Ahh… The best is saved for last.
She takes the box from him and hands it to two vampires.
Lyrics: You know what flows there like wine / Sorrow is their master /
Cackling with laughter / Now he’s having just one piece of…
The two vampires take it over to where the other boxes have been
assembled into the shape of a body. They raise the box and set the head
in place.
Lyrics: Cakey is their make up / Catholics try to shake up…
Once in place, a bright light emanates through the cracks in the boxes.
Drusilla: (smiles) Hmm.
The front of the now unified boxes opens like a pair of twin gates to
allow the Judge to step out. His skin is blue, and he has small horns on
his forehead. He opens his eyes.
Drusilla: He’s perfect, my darling.
Spike looks up at her.
Drusilla: Just what I wanted.
She steps back to him and takes his hand.~~ Part 4 ~~
Spike’s warehouse. Drusilla looks up at the Judge.
Drusilla: Goll…
The Judge steps out of his box. He has difficulty keeping his balance.
He points at Drusilla.
Judge: You!
Spike: (rolls over to him in Dru’s defense) Ho, ho, ho. What’s that,
mate?
Judge: You two stink of humanity. You share affection and jealousy.
Spike: Yeah. What of it? (taps his armor) Do I have to remind you that
we’re the ones who brought you here?
Drusilla: (smiles) Would you like a party favor? (indicates her guests)
The Judge looks at the party guests. His gaze settles on Dalton.
Judge: This one is full of feeling. He reads. Bring him to me.
Another vampire grabs Dalton and keeps him from running away.
Spike: What’s with the bringing? I thought you could just zap people.
Judge: My full strength will return in time. Until then… I need
contact.
The Judge steps over to Dalton.
Dalton: No. No! NO!
The Judge puts his hand on Dalton’s chest, and he begins to smoke.
Drusilla watches excitedly. The Judge’s hand begins to burn into Dalton,
who quickly combusts, disappearing in a flash of flame and smoke.
Drusilla: (gasps) (gleefully) Do it again! Do it again!
She smiles down at Spike. The Judge smiles as he feels his power begin
to return.
Cut to the library. Buffy comes striding out of the cage. Angel follows
her out. Giles looks down at them from the stacks.
Giles: Buffy, what’s happening?
Angel: She had another dream.
Buffy: I think I know where Spike and Drusilla are.
Giles: (comes down the stairs) That’s very good, however, you, you do
need a plan. I-I know you’re concerned, Buffy, but you can’t just go off
half-cocked.
Buffy: I have a plan. Angel and I go to the factory and do recon,
figure out how far they’ve gotten assembling the Judge. You guys check
any places the boxes could be coming into town. Shipping yards,
airports, anything. We need to stop them from getting all the boxes in
one place.
Giles: Yes. Yes, well, um, actually, that’s quite a good plan.
Buffy: This thing is nasty, and it’s real, Giles. We can’t wait for it
to come get us.
Giles: Right.
Buffy grabs her bag, and she and Angel make tracks for the door.
Cut to outside Spike’s warehouse. The camera pans up to a second floor
window. Cut inside. Buffy and Angel sneak quietly along the upper level.
They look down at the party going on below. They walk to the railing.
Buffy: I saw this. (whispers) The party.
They see the Judge walk into view flanked by Spike with Drusilla
following. The Judge stops and senses something.
Spike: What? What is it?
The Judge looks around, then up at Buffy and Angel and growls.
Angel: We gotta get outta here.
They try to make a run for it, but there are vampires heading them off
on both sides. They are captured. Cut below. Buffy and Angel are brought
before Spike, Drusilla and the Judge.
Spike: Well, well. Look what we have here. Crashers.
Buffy: I’m sure our invitations just got lost in the mail.
Drusilla: It’s delicious. (licks her fingers) (to Angel) I only dreamed
you’d come. Rrrr.
Angel: (struggles) Leave her alone.
Spike: Yeah, that’ll work. Now say ‘pretty please’. (smiles)
Judge: The girl.
Drusilla: Chilling, isn’t it? She’s so full of good intention.
Angel gets himself between the Judge and Buffy.
Angel: Take me!
Buffy: No!
Angel: Take me instead of her!
Spike: (raises his hand) Uh, you’re not clear on the concept, pal.
There is no instead. Just first and second.
Drusilla: And if you go first, you don’t get to watch the Slayer die.
Angel’s captors pull him back. The Judge reaches for Buffy. Angel looks
up and around for a way out of this. Drusilla wraps her arms around
Spike and smiles. Angel sees the chains holding up Spike’s video
monitors. Then he sees Buffy getting ready to defend herself.
Angel: Don’t touch him!
Buffy kicks the Judge in the chest and knocks him back. Angel shakes off
his captors and lunges for the chains. The Judge comes to a stop beneath
the monitors, and Angel releases them. They crash to the floor on top of
the Judge, hard enough to knock a hole in the floor. Buffy struggles
free also, and runs to Angel. She sees the hole in the floor.
Buffy: This way!
They go to the hole, and Buffy jumps down into the sewers below. Cut to
the sewers. Buffy rolls away from the hole, and Angel drops down behind
her. They get to their feet and start down the tunnels. Cut inside the
warehouse. Drusilla gives the order to pursue.
Drusilla: Go!
Two vampires rush to give chase. Cut to the sewers. Buffy and Angel pull
a door closed behind them as their two pursuers drop through the hole
and start after them. They look around to see where they went, but don’t
see anyone. They start down the tunnel, checking the side tunnels as
they go, and continue past the door. When they’ve gone by Buffy opens
the door and checks if the coast is clear. Seeing no one she steps over
to a ladder and starts up. Cut to the surface. She lifts a manhole cover
up, pushes it aside and quickly climbs out into the pouring rain. Angel
follows right behind.
Angel: Come on. We need to get inside.
Cut to Angel’s apartment. He opens the door, and they come in. He turns
on the light. Buffy closes the door behind them. He takes off his heavy
coat and lays it aside. Buffy is soaked through to her skin without a
coat or jacket.
Angel: You’re shaking like a leaf.
Buffy: Cold.
Angel: Let me get you something.
He gets some things from his armoire and hands them to her.
Angel: Put these on. Get under the covers, just to warm up.
Buffy walks over to his bed and sits down. She looks up at him. He faces
away to give her privacy.
Angel: Sorry.
Buffy takes off her top shirt and winces and inhales in pain.
Angel: What?
Buffy: Oh, um… It’s okay. I just have a cut or something.
Angel: Can I… Lemme see.
Buffy clutches her shirt to her chest.
Buffy: (whispers) Okay.
Angel turns around and sits down on the bed behind her. He gently
touches her back and looks at the cut.
Angel: It’s already closed. You’re fine.
Buffy leans back into him and cuddles her face to his. He puts his arms
around her.
Buffy: You almost went away today.
Angel: We both did.
Buffy: (sobs) Angel… (sniffles) I feel like I lost you… (sniffles)
You’re right, though. We can’t be sure of anything.
Angel: Shhh. I…
She turns around to look at him.
Buffy: You what?
Angel: I love you. I try not to, but I can’t stop.
Buffy: Me, me, too. I can’t either.
They start to kiss. After a moment Angel breaks off.
Angel: Buffy, maybe we shouldn’t…
Buffy: (stops him) Don’t. Just kiss me.
Cut to later. They are both in bed asleep. Outside lightning strikes,
and Angel wakes with a start and gasps for air as he sits up.
Angel: Ahh!
He gets up from the bed and hurries off. Cut outside to an alley. Angel
has dressed and crashes through the door into the rain. He stumbles over
some trashcans and falls to the pavement. He cries out in pain and fear.
Angel: Buffy!
Cut to the apartment. Buffy stirs slightly but keeps sleeping.
Angel: Buffyyyyy!
To be continued…
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