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Episode Summary
During a typical night of patrolling and slaying vampires, Buffy and Faith encounter a not-so-typical vampire wielding a pair of swords. They successfully reduce the vamp to dust, but Buffy and Faith soon realize that the two swords are nowhere to be seen.
The swords have, in fact, been brought to Mayor Wilkins’ office by Mr. Trick. After looking them over, Mayor reminds Mr. Trick and his deputy mayor, Allan Finch, of the upcoming dedication and the hundred days which will ultimately lead to the ascension.
The next morning, in the school lounge, Willow proudly shows her early admittance packets from several big-name universities to her friends. After hanging around for a bit, Buffy goes to the library, where she meets her new Watcher, Wesley Wyndam-Pryce.
When asked about the previous night’s patrol, Buffy describes the vampire packing the two swords. Wesley scans through his books and quickly locates some information on a fifteenth-century duelist cult called El Eliminati.
They once worked for Balthazar, an ancient demon, before he was apparently killed. In order to explain their current presence in Sunnydale, Wesley theorizes that they may be looking for an amulet that has been hidden in the Gleaves family crypt.
Just then, Faith arrives, meets Wesley, then immediately turns and leaves. After Buffy catches up with her, Faith tells her that they don’t have to follow their new Watcher’s orders. Later that night, Buffy searches through the tombs inside the Gleaves crypt.
Just as she locates the amulet, she hears several voices approaching from outside. As Buffy hides in one of the other tombs, the Eliminati vampires enter the crypt and take the amulet. After they leave, Buffy gets out of the tomb and is shocked by Faith’s unexpected arrival.
They go after the vampires, following them underground. In the course of the battle, one of the vampires attempts to drown Buffy in a pool of water.
Thinking he has succeeded, he releases his grip, giving Buffy all the opportunity she needs to spring back to her feet and take the amulet back from the vampires. The next day in the library, Wesley inspects the amulet while Buffy heads to her chemistry class to take a test.
The chem teacher, Mrs. Taggert, leaves her students alone in the classroom, expecting them to follow the honor system. Faith appears outside one of the windows and draws a heart with a stake piercing it, signaling Buffy’s early departure.
Willow and Xander try to keep their friend from leaving, but Buffy is gone in no time. Faith leads Buffy to a vampire nest, where they give the sleeping demons a rather rude wake-up call. Spirits high, Buffy and Faith head to the Bronze afterwards and tear up the dance floor.
Angel arrives and pulls Buffy aside to warn her that Balthazar is still alive. When Wesley appears on the scene, Buffy takes the amulet from him and gives it to Angel for safe keeping.
Later, at an abandoned warehouse, the Eliminati vampires listen to their master, Balthazar, who is a horrendously bloated demon sitting in a pool of water. Upset with one of his minions, Balthazar uses telekinesis to draw the vampire’s helpless body closer.
Balthazar then crushes the vampire’s skull with his own two hands. Balthazar gives orders to his head minion, Vincent. Outside, Buffy and Faith spy on the gathering. In need of weaponry, Faith spots a hunting equipment shop that’s closed for the night.
Buffy follows as Faith breaks into the shop and proceeds to destroy some display cases containing weapons. Taking Faith’s lead, Buffy obtains a dagger for herself. However, their shoplifting spree is cut short by a pair of cops with guns drawn.
During the drive back to the police station, Faith talks Buffy into helping her kick the cage into the driver and his partner, causing the car to crash and enable their escape. The next morning, Buffy checks the newspaper to see if her run-in with the law is mentioned anywhere.
Meanwhile, Mayor Wilkins is attacked by Vincent in his own office. After Mr. Trick knocks the vampire out cold, Mayor Wilkins wonders how the vampire slipped past security. Instead of having the vampire killed, Mayor Wilkins orders Mr. Trick to lock him up.
Later, Willow is disappointed to learn that Buffy’s schedule doesn’t include her. Faith arrives shortly to pick up Buffy, leaving Willow alone. At Giles’ office, Wesley criticizes the former Watcher for his job performance with Buffy.
Their argument doesn’t go very far before Giles notices the sudden presence of several vampires outside the office. Elsewhere, Buffy and Faith head to the warehouse to take out Balthazar and his minions. On the way, they encounter several vampires and dust them, one by one.
When a hand reaches out and grabs Buffy, Faith throws the guy against a dumpster and drives her stake towards his heart. Buffy realizes that this is no vampire, but it’s too late as Faith’s stake plunges into the heart of Deputy Mayor Allan Finch.
Within seconds, Finch is dead. Deciding to flee from the scene, Faith and Buffy split up. Buffy runs into Angel, who notices the blood on her hands. They head towards the warehouse, where Giles and Wesley have been brought before the demon Balthazar.
Wesley attempts to save his own neck by offering the man who has the amulet to Balthazar. Before any more information can be spilled, Angel and Buffy arrive and battle the vampires. Frustrated, Balthazar uses his telekinesis to bring Angel into his own hands.
Thinking quick, Buffy spots a lamp hovering above the pool. She sends it falling into the water, electrocuting the obese demon. With his last breath, Balthazar warns Buffy that a greater enemy’s ascension is at hand.
While Buffy and the others puzzle over the meaning of Balthazar’s dying words, Mayor Wilkins performs the dedication ritual in his office. After completing it, he orders Mr. Trick to release Vincent from his cage.
Once freed, Vincent takes the sword and cleaves the mayor’s head into two halves. Vincent then watches in shock as Mayor Wilkins’ head reforms itself. Mr. Trick takes his cue and drives a stake into Vincent’s heart.
Mayor Wilkins is now invincible, and he will remain so for the hundred days leading to his ascension. Buffy visits Faith’s motel room the next morning to discuss their crime.
Disturbed by Faith’s apparent lack of guilt, Buffy tries to convince her that the victim’s body will be found eventually. Faith tells Buffy that she returned to the scene of the crime and dumped the body.
Shooting Scripts
Teaser
EXT. CEMETERY – NIGHT
We see a shot of the ground. It’s grassy. Peaceful. Quiet. Then all of a sudden – WHAM! Two slayers
(Buffy and Faith) get slammed down into it, hard. Vampires clutch their necks, baring down. Faith
makes conversation.
FAITH
So, what, you’re telling me never?
BUFFY
Faith, really. Now is not the time.
FAITH
I’m curious. Never ever?
Buffy and Faith each FLIP their attackers off them, start kicking ass. Only Faith won’t shut up.
FAITH
Come on, really? All this time and not
even once?
BUFFY
How many times can I say it? I have
never…
Buffy PUNCHES the vamp…
BUFFY
Done it…
KICKS the vamp…
BUFFY
With Xander!
And STAKES the vamp. DUST. (CGI)
BUFFY
He’s just a friend.
FAITH
So?
Faith STAKES her vamp too. More dust. (off camera, no CGI)
FAITH
What are friends for? I’m sorry.
It’s just, all that sweating nightly,
side-by-side action, and you never
put in for a little after hours…
(grunts)
BUFFY
Thanks for the poetry, and no. I
love Xander, I just don’t… love
Xander. Besides, I think it ruins
friendships to do stuff like that.
FAITH
You think too much.
Buffy stops cold. Faith stops, too.
BUFFY
There’s one left.
FAITH
How do you know?
BUFFY
I think too much.
Buffy is looking at the ground (she stands on dirty road, not grass). There is a cacophony of tracks
and footprints in the dirt. She mentally adds them up, one set leading her gaze to a tomb nearby.
A shadow moves subtly behind it.
Someone’s hiding. The slayers go silent. Buffy points. Faith goes right. Buffy goes left.
BUFFY
(quietly)
On three…
Buffy silently counts off on her fingers: One, Two… but that’s as far as she gets. Faith LEAPS straight
over the top of the tomb, stakes in hand.
BUFFY
(to herself)
Three.
FAITH
Yaaahhh!!!
Impossibly fast, a third VAMPIRE flashes up from behind the headstone, grabs Faith, and using her
momentum SLAMS her into the ground face-first.
The vamp turns to Buffy. Unsheathes a jewel-encrusted SWORD and DAGGER. Holds them in dueling
position.
Buffy pulls a stake. FLASH! In one fast swipe, the vamp slices her stake clean in half. Buffy drops the
useless wooden nub and kicks the vamp in the nuts. He howls in rage as Buffy kicks away both sword
and dagger. He rushes Buffy, and SLAMS her up against a headstone. They struggle. His fangs
approach her neck when suddenly – POOF! He’s dusted. Dust clears, revealing Faith behind him. Faith
grins, twirling her stake like a gunfighter.
FAITH
Nicely diverted, B.!
She holds up her hand for a high-five. Buffy just looks at her like she’s crazy.
BUFFY
That wasn’t diverting! That was
fighting for my life, Miss Attention
Span.
Buffy storms away, pissed. Faith follows.
FAITH
Hey, this isn’t a Tupperware party,
it’s a little harder to plan.
BUFFY
“The count of three” is not a plan.
It’s Sesame Street.
FAITH
Hey, they’re toast and we’re here so
it couldn’t have been too bad. Who
were those guys, anyway?
BUFFY
No idea. They sure didn’t look local.
Grab the weapons, would you?
Maybe Giles can…
But the sword and dagger are gone. Buffy and Faith look to each other…
INT. MAYOR’S OFFICE – NIGHT
BAM! The sword and the dagger slam down onto the Mayor’s desk so hard, pens and pencils jump.
Mr. Trick did the slamming.
The Mayor sits behind the desk, reading the paper. Allan, the Deputy Mayor, stands nervously to one
side.
MR. TRICK
Check these out.
The Mayor laughs quietly as he folds the paper.
MAYOR
I just love the Family Circus. That
P.J.’s getting to be quite a handful.
He looks at the blades as he wipes the newsprint off his fingers with a moist towelette.
MAYOR
Well. Haven’t seen anything like
this in… well, in a good long while.
Where is the owner of these fine
implements?
MR. TRICK
The common term is “slain”. But
I’ve been seeing this breed around.
We expecting any trouble?
The Mayor stares at Trick, thinking.
MAYOR
Do you like Family Circus?
MR. TRICK
(dead serious)
I like Marmaduke.
MAYOR
(shudders)
Oh! He’s always on the furniture.
Unsanitary.
MR. TRICK
Nobody’s tellin’ Marmaduke what
to do. My kind of dog.
DEPUTY MAYOR
I like to read “Cathy”.
The other two look at him like he is a bug. He stammers:
DEPUTY MAYOR
So, what about these swords?
What should we do about that?
MAYOR
Let’s just keep an eye out. We’ve
got the dedication coming up in a
few days – we certainly can’t have
anything interfering with that.
DEPUTY MAYOR
Well, maybe we should postpone
the… dedication…
The Mayor loses all expression.
MR. TRICK
I’m thinking the honorable Mayor
hates that idea.
MAYOR
The dedication is the final step before
my ascension. I have waited longer
than you can imagine for this. After
the hundred days, I’ll be on a higher
plane. And I’ll have no more need for…
He doesn’t say what, but he is staring right at Allan.
MAYOR
… Well, let’s just say I won’t be
concerned with the little things.
Mr. Trick, watch these people.
Anything you find out about them…
well, let’s try to see that that
information reaches the slayers.
He picks up the short sword, looks at it.
MAYOR
With any luck, they’ll kill each other.
And then everyone’s a winner.
Everyone, of course, being me.
BLACK OUT
END OF TEASER
Act One
INT. LOUNGE – DAY
Buffy, Willow, Xander and Oz, lounging in the school lounge. All look on as Willow looks through an
endless pile of thick manila envelopes. College catalogues. Xander reads over her shoulder.
XANDER
Harvard, Yale, Wesleyan…
BUFFY
Wow, Willow. Looks like early
admission came early this year.
OZ
Hence the name.
XANDER
M.I.T., Barnard, some German
Polytechnical Institute whose name
I can’t pronounce… Is anyone else
intimidated? Because I’m just
expecting paper-thin slips with the
words “no way” written on them in
crayon.
OZ
They’re typing those now.
WILLOW
I’m so overwhelmed. I got in! To
colleges. Real live colleges! And
now they’re wooing me. They’re
pitching woo!
BUFFY
The wooing stage is always fun.
WILLOW
But weird, too. Rejection I can handle
from my long years of training in the
field. But this…
XANDER
I feel your pain, Will. Like, right
now? I’m torn between the fast-
growing industries of appliance
repair and motel management.
Of course, I’m still waiting to hear
from The Corndog Emporium, so…
He crosses his fingers: “Here’s hoping.”
BUFFY
Embrace it, Will. This is a great time.
There’s nothing standing between you
and a whole new world.
OZ
Except – if I could suggest? Graduate.
Getting left back? Not the thrill ride
you’d expect.
A HAND folds back the folder Xander is reading. He looks up. The hand belongs to Cordelia.
CORDELIA
That’s so cute, planning life as a loser.
Most people just turn out that way,
but you’re really taking charge.
XANDER
The comedy stylings of Miss Cordelia
Chase, everybody. Who incidentally
won’t be needing a higher education
when she can just market her own
very successful line of Hooker Wear.
CORDELIA
Well Xander, I could dress more like
you but, oh. My father has a job.
XANDER
I won’t waste the perfect comeback
on you now, but don’t think I don’t
have it. Oh yes, its time will come.
Cordelia’s gone. Xander turns back to the group.
XANDER
So. Life beyond high school. Anyone.
For the love of God, please, chime in.
BUFFY
I hear it’s nice. And, a place I’ll never
go if I don’t pass Mrs. Taggart’s chem.
test tomorrow.
WILLOW
I can help. Chemistry’s easy. It’s
just like witchcraft, only there’s not
as much newt. What do you say?
Study jam at my house? Tonight?
BUFFY
I’m there.
The BELL RINGS. They all get up to leave.
BUFFY
I gotta check in with Giles, report on
last night’s patrol.
WILLOW
Oh, that’s right. He said he needed
to talk to you.
BUFFY
What about? Is he all right?
WILLOW
Well, he’s looked better…
INT. LIBRARY – DAY
Giles HAS looked better – he’s uncomfortable, bored and a teeny bit hostile. He is, however, trying to
be polite about it.
The reason for his attitude is speaking to him. Incessantly. He is WESLEY WYNDAM-PRYCE, watcher.
Young, not bad looking but a bit full of himself. Thinks he’s Sean Connery when he’s pretty much
George Lazenby.
WESLEY
Of course, training procedures have
been updated quite a bit since your
day. Much greater emphasis on field
work.
GILES
Really.
WESLEY
Oh yes. It’s not all books and theory
nowadays. I have in fact faced two
vampires – under controlled
circumstances, of course.
GILES
Well, you’re in no danger of finding
any here.
WESLEY
Vampires?
GILES
Controlled circumstances. Hello,
Buffy.
She has entered, looks over the new watcher with suspicion. He brightens to see her, shaking her
hand.
WESLEY
Well, hello!
BUFFY
New watcher.
GILES
New watcher.
WESLEY
Wesley Wyndam-Pryce. It’s very
nice to meet you.
BUFFY
(to Giles)
Is he evil?
WESLEY
Evil?
BUFFY
The last one was evil.
WESLEY
Oh, yes, Gwendolyn Post, we all
heard. A sad example of the
seductive power of dark knowledge.
Mr. Giles has checked my credentials
rather thoroughly and phoned the
council but I’m glad to see you’re on
the ball as well, a good slayer is a
cautious slayer.
He smiles at her.
BUFFY
(to Giles)
Is he evil?
GILES
Not in the strictest sense.
WESLEY
(a hint of peeve)
Well, I’m glad that’s cleared up.
And as I’m sure none of us is anxious
to waste time on pleasantries, why
don’t you tell me everything about
last night’s patrol.
BUFFY
Vampires.
WESLEY
Yes?
BUFFY
Killed ’em.
WESLEY
Anything else you can tell me?
A gently remonstrative look from Giles makes Buffy grudgingly continue.
BUFFY
One of them had swords. I don’t think
he was with the other two.
WESLEY
Swords? One long, one short?
BUFFY
(nodding)
Both pointy. With jewels and stuff.
GILES
That sounds familiar.
WESLEY
It should.
He is rifling through some of his own books. Hands one open to Giles.
GILES
El Eliminati. Fift –
WESLEY
Fifteenth century duelist cult. Deadly
in their day, their numbers dwindled
in later centuries, due to an increase
in antivampire activity and a lot of
pointless dueling. They eventually
became the acolytes of a demon
called Balthazar, who brought them
to the new world. Specifically, here.
GILES
You seem to know them well.
WESLEY
I didn’t get this job because of my looks.
BUFFY
I really really believe that.
WESLEY
I’ve researched this town’s history.
Extensively.
GILES
So why haven’t we seen them before
this?
WESLEY
They were driven out a hundred years
ago. Balthazar was, happily, killed.
I’m not sure by whom.
BUFFY
And they’re back ’cause…
WESLEY
Balthazar had an amulet, purported to
give him strength. When he was killed,
it was taken by a wealthy landowner –
I don’t want to bore you with the details…
BUFFY
Little bit late…
WESLEY
…Named Gleaves. It’s buried with
him and I believe the few remaining
Eliminati are probably looking for it.
For sentimental value.
GILES
So you don’t think the amulet poses
a threat of some kind?
WESLEY
Not at all. None the less, we may as
well keep it from them. Buffy, you
will go to the Gleaves family crypt
tonight and fetch the amulet.
BUFFY
I will?
WESLEY
Are you not used to being given
orders?
BUFFY
Giles always says please when he
sends me on a mission. And
afterwards, he gives me a cookie.
WESLEY
I don’t feel like we’re getting off
on quite the right foot –
Faith enters as he speaks. Assesses the situation.
WESLEY
Ah! This is perhaps Faith?
Faith looks at him.
FAITH
New watcher.
GILES/BUFFY
New watcher.
FAITH
Screw that.
She turns on her heel and exits.
BUFFY
Now, why didn’t I say that?
GILES
Buffy, do you think you could –
BUFFY
I’ll see if I can get her back.
(to Wesley)
Don’t say anything incredibly
interesting while I’m gone.
She exits. Wesley watches, trying not to be thrown.
WESLEY
They’ll get used to me.
Giles sighs very quietly, takes off his glasses to clean them. Notices Wesley has taken his off and is
cleaning them. Giles slips his back on.
EXT. FOUNTAIN QUAD – DAY
Buffy catches up with Faith, who’s storming off campus.
BUFFY
Faith, wait.
Buffy catches up to her.
BUFFY
I know this new guy’s a dork, but…
(long pause)
…I have nothing to follow that, he’s
just a dork.
FAITH
You actually gonna take orders from him?
Buffy shrugs.
BUFFY
That’s the job. What else can we do?
FAITH
Whatever we want! We’re slayers,
girlfriend. The Chosen Two. Why
should we let him take all the fun
out of it?
BUFFY
That’d be tragic, taking the fun out
of slaying and stabbing and
beheading…
FAITH
Oh, like you don’t dig it.
BUFFY
I don’t.
FAITH
Liar. I’ve seen you. Tell me staking
a vamp doesn’t get you a little bit juiced.
Say it.
Faith stops, faces Buffy, folds her arms and waits. Buffy smiles, hesitates, looks away…
FAITH
Aah! Can’t fool me. The look in your
eyes right after a kill? Just get hungry
for more.
BUFFY
You are way off base.
FAITH
Tell me that if you don’t get in a good
slaying, after a while you start itching
for some vamp to show up so you can
give him a good…
She makes a stabbing motion and grunts.
BUFFY
Again with the grunting. I’m not
comfortable with that.
FAITH
Hey, slaying’s what we were built
for. If you’re not enjoying it, you’re
doing something wrong.
She starts to go.
BUFFY
Uh, what about our assignment?
FAITH
Tell you what. You do the
homework, and I’ll copy yours.
And she goes, leaving a pensive Buffy.
Faith saunters off campus, free. Buffy looks back at the school. Then back at Faith. On her face, we
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. CRYPT – NIGHT
Establishing. Buffy enters the Gleaves Family Crypt.
INT. CRYPT – NIGHT
Buffy enters, flashlight in hand, moving forward. She finds a grave. With some effort, she shoves the
heavy stone covering aside, looks inside. NASTY CORPSE. No amulet.
BUFFY
Strike one…
She turns to the second grave. Shoves the cover aside. Inside, she sees the rotting corpse of a DEAD
MONK. Wearing an ancient, ornate AMULET.
BUFFY
Game over.
She reaches into the tomb to remove the amulet. And suddenly the tomb is filled with light. Buffy
turns to see:
A torch comes into the crypt. Held by a vampire. Followed by another. Then another. Then another.
They keep coming. Six torches in all. The vampires swagger in as a pack.
Buffy flips herself over the casket, stuffs herself into the first tomb, next to the ROTTING CORPSE.
She waits, trying to be silent.
The vamps enter. The head vamp, VINCENT, pulls the amulet off the corpse. They exit as a group.
Buffy listens. Nothing. She exhales a sigh of relief. Stands up, and the second she does – CLAP! – a
hand GRABS her shoulder.
BUFFY
Aah!
It’s Faith.
BUFFY
Faith!
FAITH
What are you doing, hiding in there?
BUFFY
Looking for an amulet. Wasn’t really
counting on the special guest stars.
Six against one – hence the hiding.
FAITH
Six against two now. Come on.
Faith runs out of the crypt. Buffy follows.
EXT. CRYPT – NIGHT
The vamps are getting away. We just see the last of them rabbiting down a manhole. Gone. Faith
charges after them. Buffy pulls her back.
BUFFY
Wait. Stop. Think.
FAITH
No. No. No.
BUFFY
It’s a manhole. Tight space, no
escape – and six against two – not
unlike three against one.
FAITH
And there might be more. Come on.
BUFFY
You’re just going in? That’s your
plan?
Faith stops, turns, looks at Buffy like she’s crazy.
FAITH
Who said I had a plan? I don’t know
how many’s down there but I wanna
find out and I’ll know when I land
and if you don’t come in after me…
Faith LEAPS, finishing with a big smile:
FAITH
I might die!!
Gone. Buffy hesitates…
Shit. She can’t believe this. No choice. Buffy runs, jumps, and DISAPPEARS down the hole, engulfed
in TOTAL BLACKNESS.
BLACK OUT
END OF ACT ONE
Act Two
INT. LIBRARY – NIGHT
Giles paces as Wesley goes over the watcher diaries, flipping pages.
WESLEY
These are all the diaries, then?
Yours included?
GILES
That’s everything. Knock yourself
out… please…
WESLEY
(looking)
Ah yes. Here’s your first entry.
(reads)
“Slayer is willful and insolent.” That
would be our girl, wouldn’t it?
GILES
You have to get to know her.
WESLEY
(reading further)
“… her abuse of the English
Language is such that I understand
only every other sentence…”
This is going to make fascinating
reading.
GILES
(looking at his watch)
Where is she?
WESLEY
Not to fret. My mission scenario
has her back in a minute or so.
Shouldn’t be any trouble.
He pops a licorice in his mouth as we CUT TO:
INT. SEWER – NIGHT
CRACK! Buffy comes staggering back into frame, having just been good and punched there by an
unseen vampire. She turns to face TWO OTHERS. Lightning-fast, she backhands the first, one-tows
the other and backs up right into…
Faith. Surrounded by vampires, fighting for her life – and grinning.
The two of them are right in the middle of one big mother of a FIGHT. Six vamps. Two slayers. And
the only exit is a small round opening, twelve feet overhead.
BUFFY
We’re surrounded!
FAITH
(laughing)
You noticed that too?
The vamps ATTACK at once. WAR CRIES echo sharply through the tunnels. Buffy and Faith go total
video game on them. Kicking. Punching. Staking. Anything but stopping.
One slams Faith against the slimy sewer wall. Buffy HURLS a stake. It flips end over end, catches him
in the back, and we hear him get DUSTED.
But now Buffy’s empty handed. Tow vamps rush her, one left, one right, and grab her arms. Their
leader, VINCENT, a tall one, unsheathes a sword and dagger. He has the amulet tucked into his belt.
He takes a fighting stance.
VINCENT
Let’s settle this honorably.
Buffy KICKS the sword out of his hand. Brings the two thugs holding her CRASHING together. Vincent
LUNGES with the dagger. Buffy holds the dagger off, but it takes both hands. Vincent takes his free
hand, grabs Buffy by the back of the head.
VINCENT
Well, then, we’ll just settle it.
Splash! Vincent shoves Buffy’s head under the brackish water, face first.
FAITH
Buffy! Son of a bitch, I’ll…
But Faith can’t even finish her sentence. She gets socked in the stomach by a big brute of a vamp.
Another jumps her from behind. She fights them, two-against-one, watching as Buffy stays down.
Vincent smiles, holding Buffy’s head under water. She struggles. Then weakens. Then stops.
FAITH
BUFFY!!!
Vincent holds her down just a little bit longer, just to make sure. The remaining vamps surround
Faith. She’s next. Vincent relaxes his grip, stands, is about to turn when…
Buffy WHIPS HER HEAD UP. Alive. Newly baptized. Eyes blazing a glint we’ve never seen before
lighting her eyes. She’s crazy. Grins.
She uppercuts Vincent, catching him clean under the jaw and lifting him a good two feet off the
ground.
BUFFY
I hate it when they drown me.
Buffy grabs his sword from under the water. Lunges.
Faith grins at Buffy’s transformation. She uses the distraction to kneecap one of the vamps holding
her with a crisp sidekick. He goes down. She flips one who rushes her from behind. Clears an
entrance. Palm-thrusts an onrushing vamp, sending nose cartilage straight into his brain.
Buffy’s Errol Flynn. She fences Vincent, kills and oncoming vamp without breaking stride, keeps
thrusting forward…
Faith checks that the entrance is clear.
FAITH
B. – gotta go!
BUFFY
We came for the amulet…
She SWIPES her blade in a long, swinging arc – slicing the amulet’s chain from around Vincent’s belt.
It drops to the ground. She scoops it up the second it lands.
BUFFY
…We’re not leaving without it.
She clocks a vamp who’s sneaking up behind her (without looking) with the blade handle. He’s out.
Vincent and what’s left of his men – RUN. A ragged, defeated gang, splashing away in defeat. Buffy,
breathless, turns to Faith.
FAITH
Tell me you don’t get off on this.
Buffy stands tall, pockets the amulet, too cool.
BUFFY
Didn’t suck.
INT. LIBRARY- DAY
Wesley, tut-tutting to himself quietly, cleans a small bit of muck off the amulet as he examines it up
close.
WESLEY
Well. Looks authentic enough.
Of course, there are tests to be
made before actual verification…
BUFFY
How about verifying that your “nearly
extinct” cult was out in magnum
force last night? Faith and I got into
a serious party situation.
GILES
Are you all right?
BUFFY
I had to lather, rinse, and repeat about
five million times to get the sewer
out of my hair, but otherwise, I’m
of the good.
WESLEY
Perhaps there were a few more of
them than we’d anticipated, but
I’d expect you to be ready for
anything. Remember the three
key words for any slayer:
Taps his book for emphasis.
WESLEY
Preparation. Preparation.
Preparation.
BUFFY
That’s one word three times.
The bell RINGS.
BUFFY
Oh my God. I have a chem. test. It’s
so sad that I’m happy about that.
Giles. We gotta talk.
WESLEY
Buffy, I must ask you to remember
that I am your watcher. From now
on, anything you have to say about
slaying, you say to me. The only
thing you need to discuss with Mr.
Giles is… overdue book fees.
Understood?
Buffy turns to Giles.
BUFFY
We’ll talk.
GILES
Of course.
BUFFY
About the overdue book fees.
GILES
Should have returned them on time.
She goes. Wesley frowns at Giles.
WESLEY
You’re not helping.
GILES
I know. I feel just sick about it.
INT. CLASSROOM – DAY
MRS. TAGGART, chemistry teacher, hands out test booklets. Buffy talks with Xander and Willow.
BUFFY
It was intense. It was like I just let
go, you know, and I became this force.
I just didn’t care any more.
WILLOW
Yeah, I know what that’s like –
BUFFY
I don’t think you can. It’s kind of a
slayer thing; I don’t even think I’m
explaining it well.
XANDER
You’re explaining it a lot, though…
MRS. TAGGART
All right. You have one period to fill
out your test booklets, periodic charts
are included in the back, and you’re
on the honor system, so remember…
no talking.
Angle on: Buffy, sitting between Willow and Xander, talking a mile a minute.
BUFFY
Well, the thing was, Faith knew I
didn’t want to go down there –
MRS. TAGGART
Ahem. Ms. Summers?
Buffy sits straight, makes a contrite “zip” across her lips.
MRS. TAGGART
You have one hour.
Mrs. Taggart hands out the last of the tests. Leaves. And the second the door closes, Buffy launches
right back in:
BUFFY
Okay, so the best part –
WILLOW
Buffy? Test. You know, the one you
didn’t come over to study for?
BUFFY
Right. Got it. Sorry.
(to Xander)
…so, we’re in the sewers, right, and
Faith has three of them on her…
XANDER
Hey. Whoa, can we resume Buffy’s
ode to Faith later? Like when I’m not
actively multiple-choicing?
BUFFY
How come your eye always twitches
when I talk about Faith?
XANDER
What? No it doesn’t.
BUFFY
“Faith.”
Xander covers his eye.
XANDER
Cut it out, we got a test to take, I’m
highly caffeinated and trying
to concentrate.
(unconvincing)
Some of us care about school, you
know.
Xander goes back to his test. Willow’s immersed. Everyone in class sits hunched over their test
booklets, except Buffy. Way bored. Then, tap tap tap! Buffy sees Faith – her nose pressed up against
the glass of the classroom window.
FAITH
Hey girlfriend. Bad time?
She holds up her test booklet. Faith nods, breathes steam onto the window. Finger-draws a heart.
Then a stake through it. Looks at Buffy, wiggles her eyebrows…
WILLOW
She can’t.
(to Buffy)
You can’t. Can you?
Buffy climbs out the classroom window. Kids laugh and point, but go back to their tests.
WILLOW
Buffy! This is fifteen percent
of the final grade, and that’s…
Buffy’s gone. Willow turns to Xander.
WILLOW
…apparently meaningless.
EXT. PALM COURT – DAY
Faith and Buffy stride off campus.
BUFFY
What’s up.
FAITH
Vampires.
BUFFY
Uh, Faith? Unless there’s a total
eclipse in the next five minutes – it’s
daylight.
FAITH
Good for us. Bad for them. I found
a nest.
BUFFY
(grinning)
That has potential…
They walk off together, picking up momentum.
INT. ABANDONED BUILDING – DAY
Dark. We see the silhouettes of several sleeping figures on the grounds. Pan across some half-
constructed catacombs, made of mattresses and garbage. The windows are blacked out with spray
paint.
It’s almost peaceful. But…
CRASH! Two figures come smashing through the window. Buffy and Faith. They land, roll, and come
up on their feet. Sunlight POURS in through the broken window behind them.
Vampires scream. Scramble out of the sunlight’s path before bits and pieces of them burst into
flame. Big chaos. Buffy and Faith each pull stakes.
FAITH
Rise and shine, people.
BUFFY
This is your wake up call.
We DOLLY IN on the two girls, smiling in the moment before all hell breaks loose, but before it does
we
SMASH CUT TO:
INT. BRONZE – NIGHT
Continuous – Buffy and Faith DANCE wildly. Strobe lights flare. Both slayers look a little beat-up. It
only makes them sexier. They gyrate with abandon.
They own the Bronze.
Their dancing picks up a beat as two hunky CUTE GUYS join in. And these guys are good.
They can almost keep up with the slayers.
Buffy and Faith heat it up for their dance partners, the luckiest boys in Sunnydale.
Angle on: ANGEL. In the crowd, watching. Bummed. He turns to leave, but stops when he hears:
BUFFY
Angel!
And WHOMP! Buffy comes flying into frame, jumping on Angel and wrapping herself around him.
BUFFY
Not leaving, are you?
ANGEL
Saw you making friends.
BUFFY
Them? Boys. I like you.
He lets her down. She stands. Very close.
BUFFY
What’s the matter?
(playing)
You’re not afraid of little me, are you?
ANGEL
We better sit down.
He leads her to a table. They sit. Buffy tries to match his seriousness, but she can’t help the playful
smile that floats about her lips. He’s just so CUTE!
BUFFY
Okay. I can sense this is a business
trip. What’s the what?
ANGEL
Balthazar.
BUFFY
Dead demon.
ANGEL
Not as dead as you’d think. Word on
the street puts him in the packing
warehouse on Devereau. He’s looking
for –
BUFFY
— his amulet. Yeah. It’s supposed
to restore his strength.
ANGEL
From what I’m hearing, that’s not
something we’d like to see happen.
BUFFY
Well, we’ve got the amulet.
ANGEL
I know, I spoke to Giles. But he said
you gave it to –
WESLEY
There you are!
He bustles to them.
BUFFY
Wow, speak of the really annoying
person.
WESLEY
Well, you’re certainly giving me a
run for my money.
(pulling her aside)
I think we should establish that when
you go out slaying, you leave me a
number where I can –
ANGEL
Where’s the amulet?
WESLEY
Who are you?
BUFFY
He’s a friend. Do you have it?
WESLEY
It’s somewhere very safe.
Buffy reaches into his inside pocket and pulls it out.
WESLEY
How did you –
BUFFY
It pooches your jacket.
She hands it to Angel.
WESLEY
Now hold on a minute.
ANGEL
Walking around with this thing
is like wearing a target.
BUFFY
(to Angel)
You’ll put it somewhere safe that’s
actually safe?
ANGEL
(rising)
I’ll do it now.
BUFFY
(also rising)
I’m gonna do a little recon on
Balthazar.
WESLEY
Okay, people? Balthazar is dead.
Am I the only one who remembers
that?
Buffy kisses Angel a hard goodbye.
ANGEL
Be careful.
BUFFY
You know me…
ANGEL
I mean it.
They split up. He goes out the front, Buffy heads for the dance floor. Wesley looks about, hapless.
WESLEY
What’s going on…?
Angle on: The dance floor. Faith is dancing with the two cute guys simultaneously. No one’s
complaining. Buffy passes by, pulling Faith out towards the back with her.
FAITH
(to boys)
Call me!
EXT. WAREHOUSE – NIGHT
Establishing. A warehouse in the commercial district. We hear a horrible, low, burbling VOICE:
BALTHAZAR
Let me tell you what I see.
INT. WAREHOUSE – NIGHT
We see a TANK. And inside the tank sits BALTHAZAR, a horrible, five hundred pound DEMON. Pale,
pasty-white skin. Scales. A vampire ladles water onto his enormous expanse of a back, keeping him
wet.
BALTHAZAR
I see fear. And remorse. And the
pitiful look of faces which cry out
for mercy. What I don’t see is
what I want to see and THAT’S
MY AMULET!
The room shakes. A vampire steps forward.
VAMPIRE
Lord Balthazar. We found it. We
had it. But, the slayers…
BALTHAZAR
Already I’m bored.
Balthazar reaches out a big meaty hand and the vampire is sucked toward it by a mystical force, the
hand closes around his head and crushes it. The body falls, a lifeless heap, on the ground.
BALTHAZAR
Vincent. Come here.
Vincent, the vampire from the tunnels, steps forward.
BALTHAZAR
Closer. Closer.
Balthazar rests a heavy hand on Vincent’s head. Whispers.
BALTHAZAR
Let me tell you what I want to see.
EXT. WAREHOUSE – NIGHT
Buffy and Faith spy through a broken window, watching Balthazar and his minions, lit by the ring of
torches.
BUFFY
Okay. We got ten, maybe twelve
bad guys and one big demon in
desperate need of a stairmaster.
FAITH
I say we take ’em all, hard and
fast, now.
BUFFY
Okay. But – we need a little more
firepower than…
(hands empty)
…none. We should get to the library.
FAITH
Well, I guess Jacuzzi boy isn’t
going anywhere, I just wish we –
She is scanning the neighborhood. Stops.
FAITH
Oh. That’s too good.
Buffy follows her gaze to:
A SPORTING GOODS STORE across the street. Buffy smiles and…
EXT. SPORTING GOODS STORE – NIGHT
CRASH! Faith kicks the door in.
INT. SPORTING GOODS STORE – NIGHT
Strides in through the broken frame. Buffy comes in after, looks around. They pass rows of soccer
balls and camping equiptment. Go straight to the knives, bows and arrows, clubs.
FAITH
Score.
Faith smashes a glass case, pulls out a bow, notches an arrow.
BUFFY
Think they’re insured?
FAITH
Strangely – not my priority.
Buffy tries prying open a locked case filled with KNIVES. Faith comes over to her.
FAITH
B. When are you gonna get this?
A slayer’s life is simple. Want?
She SMASHES the case.
FAITH
Take.
Reaches in, hands Buffy a knife from inside.
FAITH
Have.
Buffy sees another case, containing a pneumatic CROSSBOW. Tentatively SMASHES the case. Takes.
A weird little smile on her face.
BUFFY
Want, take, have. I’m getting it.
Faith is going for more stuff – she’s building up a head of steam TRASHING the place, when we hear –
BANG! – a GUNSHOT. Both girls turn to see a tough-looking COP. Pointing a gun right at them. His
(silent) partner behind, gun also drawn.
COP (O.S.)
Drop your weapons and get down on
the ground! NOW!
Busted.
BLACK OUT
END OF ACT TWO
Act Three
INT. SPORTING GOODS STORE – NIGHT
Right where we left off – on a GUN. Pointing at the slayers.
COP
I said drop the weapons or I fire.
Buffy drops her crossbow. Faith hesitates a moment, sizing up the situation, then lays her bow on the
ground.
COP
Now spread ’em!
FAITH
You wish.
COP
Hands in the air where I can see
’em. Slow. Good.
(to the other cop)
Cuff ’em.
The other cop begins cuffing the girls.
FAITH
I like him.
She gives him a big, sexy wink.
FAITH
He’s butch.
INT. POLICE CAR – NIGHT
Buffy and Faith sit cuffed in the backseat of the police car. Buffy looks miserable.
COP
That’s some artillery you two are
putting together. You with one of
them girl gangs?
FAITH
Yeah, we’re the Slayers.
(to Buffy)
You wanna get out of here?
We see Buffy and Faith in the cop’s rearview mirror, hands behind their backs. Buffy nods.
Faith slides down, brings her legs up against the seat in front of her. She looks at Buffy, who
hesitates.
FAITH
Can’t save the world in jail.
Buffy slides down as well. Together they KICK. Hard. Both feet. The mesh metal barrier comes
crashing up against the back of the cops’ heads.
EXT. STREET – NIGHT
The police car swerves wildly, back and forth, accelerates, and CAREENS – SMASH! into a parked car.
ANGLE ON: HANDS
As the girls, back to back, unlock each other’s cuffs. They are standing by the wrecked car. Their
cuffs fall away. Buffy turns to the cops, looking concerned.
BUFFY
We should call an ambulance.
FAITH
Five people already have, the racket
we made. And they’re fine.
The cop moans.
COP
Unnggh…
FAITH
Let’s get out of here.
Faith starts to run. Buffy stares horrified at the wounded cop, who stirs back to consciousness.
Buffy and Faith run off into the night.
INT. BUFFY’S KITCHEN – DAY
The next morning. Too bright, and way too sunny. Buffy comes in the back door with the morning
paper. She dumps it on the breakfast table, ripping through the paper, searching…
JOYCE
Admit it.
Buffy flinches, startled, double-checking headlines.
JOYCE
Some days you just want to wake
up and say, to hell with the diet.
You wanna make waffles? Big
Saturday brunch?
BUFFY
I’m not really that hungry.
JOYCE
What did you and Faith do last night?
BUFFY
Nothing. I mean, it’s not important.
JOYCE
Don’t worry, I won’t meddle in your
slaying. Just so long as you’re being
careful…
BUFFY
I am.
She closes the paper. Nothing.
JOYCE
You sure about those waffles?
BUFFY
No thanks, but I could help make
them if you want them…
JOYCE
No, they only don’t have calories
if I make them for you.
(off her look)
Mom logic. Are you done with the
paper?
Buffy hands it over. Joyce opens it as Buffy looks on, still uncomfortable.
JOYCE
Let’s see what’s happening in
Sunnydale.
INT. MAYOR’S OFFICE – DAY
FLASH! The Mayor stands out in a group of BOY SCOUTS, having their picture taken for the local
paper. He thanks the boys and the photographer, the Deputy Mayor ushering them out as he speaks.
MAYOR
Thank you, fellas. Thanks a heap.
Have fun on the camping trip.
Don’t forget to roast a wiener for
me, now! Bye bye!
The door closes. The Mayor smiles at Allan. He draws the curtains, plunging the room into utter
darkness.
MAYOR
You can come out now.
Mr. Trick emerges from the darkness.
MAYOR
Backbone of America, those little
guys. Seeing the hope and courage
on their bright little faces – I swear,
I could just eat ’em up.
He heads for the cabinet.
MAYOR
So, any news about the Eliminati?
He opens the cabinet double-doors – and Vincent LUNGES OUT.
VINCENT
Yaaaahhhh!!!!
Vincent grabs the Mayor by the throat. Together they go crashing across the room and SMASH into
the Mayor’s desk set, knocking over a lamp and two chairs. Without hesitation, Vincent draws his
sword. Prepares to thrust.
VINCENT
In the name of Lord Balthazar, die!
And a fist comes out of nowhere and PUNCHES Vincent square in the face. One shot. Knocks him out
cold. Trick stands there, rubbing his knuckles. Grabs the sword. Spins it with a flourish and brings the
blade tip right under Vincent’s jawline. The Mayor stands, straightens his tie.
MAYOR
Thank you, Mr. Trick. That was
very thoughtful of you.
MR. TRICK
Why do they always got to be
sword fighting? It’s called an uzi,
ya chump. Woulda saved your
ass right about now.
MAYOR
Curious how he could have gotten
all the way into my liquor cabinet.
Allan, don’t we have security guards
working in this building?
DEPUTY MAYOR
Sir… I… I had no idea…
MAYOR
No need to swoon, Allan, but let’s
try to keep things secure.
(re: Vincent)
Lock him up.
MR. TRICK
He wakes up, he’s just gonna try
and kill you again.
MAYOR
Yes. Yes, I expect he will.
And off Trick’s confused expression, we CUT TO:
INT. WAREHOUSE – DAY
Balthazar speaks to his cowed minions.
BALTHAZAR
Vincent made a noble effort. Man
to man, as befits a true warrior.
He had courage. He had honor.
And I have JACK TO SHOW FOR
IT!
He tries to calm himself, but he is seething.
BALTHAZAR
It has been a hundred years since my
enemy crippled me. Now ultimate
power is within his grasp and I will
not see it happen. This town is MINE
to destroy. My amulet will give me
strength, strength to kill him, to kill
all my enemies, to burn this world to
a cinder! Forget about honor! Forget
about everything but getting my amulet!
Bring the watchers to me. Find the
Slayers and kill them. Kill everything
that gets in your way! GO!!!
INT. BUFFY’S BEDROOM – DUSK
Buffy, in her room, enjoys the scent of a small black bag of herbs which Willow dangles before her.
BUFFY
Mmm…
WILLOW
You like it?
BUFFY
Smells nice. What is it?
WILLOW
Just a little something we witches
like to call a “protection spell.”
BUFFY
Good deal. Protection.
(sniffs again)
I’m surprised, spell stuff is usually
a lot more…
WILLOW
Stinky? That’s why I added the aloe.
Give me time, and I could be the first
Wicca to do all my conjuring in a pine-
fresh scent. So what’s the plan?
Blank stare from Buffy.
WILLOW
For tonight’s slayage. We’re going,
aren’t we?
BUFFY
Uh… yeah.
WILLOW
Great!
BUFFY
But, there’s a “but” here, and it’s…
but you shouldn’t. Come. Tonight.
Is that cool?
A beat. Willow thinks this out.
WILLOW
Sure. Makes sense. You’ll be facing
big, hairy danger…
BUFFY
Biggest. And, yes, hairy. Think
danger with a beard.
WILLOW
You’re risking your life.
BUFFY
Right, and why risk yours?
WILLOW
Because I’m your friend.
BUFFY
I know, Will, and that’s exactly
why I don’t want you coming.
It’s too dangerous.
WILLOW
But, I’ve done this sort of thing
before. Like a million times. I
can totally handle myself and
besides…
(holds up bag)
Minty fresh protection. So?
Willow looks hopeful. Buffy’s looking for what to say.
Faith enters without knocking.
FAITH
Ready? Gotta motor. Hey Willow.
WILLOW
Hi.
BUFFY
Uh, look, I really should… but
later, we’ll hang. Okay?
WILLOW
Okay. You go ahead, I’ll just get
my stuff.
Buffy wants to stay and say more, but Faith’s jumpy. Willow gestures, “go.” They go. The door
closes. Willow looks at her little magic bag.
WILLOW
Stupid.
EXT. ALLEY – NIGHT
Buffy and Faith walk, loaded for bear.
FAITH
You’re quiet tonight.
BUFFY
I just wanna get this done.
FAITH
Yeah, I’m dying to test out the long
bow. I think it’s gonna be my new
thing.
BUFFY
I can’t believe you went back for
that stuff.
FAITH
Hey, how do you feel about getting
some ribs? You know, after we’re
done?
Buffy turns to Faith – and a vampire drops down on her.
INT. LIBRARY – NIGHT
Wesley and Giles are getting along splendidly.
WESLEY
I didn’t say you had emotional
problems! I said you had AN
emotional problem. It’s very
different.
GILES
My attachment to the Slayer is not a
problem. In point of fact it’s very
useful –
WESLEY
The way you’ve handled this
assignment is something of an
embarrassment to the council –
GILES
If you want to criticize my methods,
fine. But you can keep your snide
remarks to yourself and while you’re
at it, stop criticizing my methods!
Wesley stands, speaking softly.
WESLEY
The fact is, you are no longer qualified
to act as watcher. It’s not your fault,
you’ve done well, but it’s time for
somebody else to take the field.
Giles is looking beyond Wesley.
GILES
Well… no time like the present…
Wesley turns to see what Giles is looking at. And sees it’s four vampires. All holding swords and
daggers, ready to kill.
EXT. ALLEY – NIGHT
THWOCK! Buffy’s fighting two vamps at once while Faith struggles to notch an arrow.
FAITH
Screw it.
She drops the bow and simply jams the arrow into the chest of the nearest vampire. DUST.
Buffy dusts hers as well.
FAITH
I think we got more coming…
The two girls move quickly down the alley, turn a corner –
A stray vamp LUNGES from the corner. Faith spins him, Buffy stakes him. Dusted. (CGI).
BUFFY
We may never even make it to the
warehouse.
FAITH
They keep coming one at a time, we
got a shot.
BUFFY
Keep moving.
They walk down the alley – and a hand reaches out and grasps Buffy’s shoulder. She grabs her
assailant and throws him against the wall by Faith.
BUFFY
That was too easy…
She stops. Eyes wide.
BUFFY
Faith, WAIT!
Too late. Faith STAKES the guy, right in the chest. She steps aside. Light from a street lamp
illuminates the assailant’s face. It’s NOT A VAMPIRE.
It’s the Deputy Mayor.
Bleeding. He looks in terror at the girls. Blood runs over his hand, out the corner of his mouth.
Buffy rushes to him as he starts to collapse – she holds him and lowers him gently down –
BUFFY
Don’t move –
FAITH
I didn’t know… I didn’t know…
The stake drops from Faith’s hand.
BUFFY
We have to call 911.
(to him)
Don’t move, it’s okay.
She puts her hand over the wound, trying to stem the blood.
BUFFY
I need a rag… something to…
But Faith hasn’t moved. In the distance, police sirens can be heard approaching.
The Deputy Mayor grabs Buffy’s arm. His breathing becomes a rattle.
He dies.
Buffy reaches down, checks the guy’s pulse. Pulls her hand back slowly. Looks at Faith, fear in her
eyes. Long pause. Faith says nothing and the sound of sirens keeps growing louder…
BLACK OUT
END OF ACT THREE
Act Four
EXT. ALLEY – NIGHT
Exactly where we left off. Two freaked slayers, one dead body, police sirens growing louder.
Buffy and Faith look at each other. Then, without a word, Faith GRABS Buffy’s hand. Pulls her up and
into a dead run.
EXT. ANOTHER ALLEY – NIGHT
Buffy runs alongside Faith. They reach a T – one side fenced, one partially blocked by garbage. They
look – which way? Faith opts for the fence.
FAITH
Come on!
BUFFY
Wait, we should go back –
But Faith is over the fence and running like hell. Buffy hears a car screeching by at the end of the
alley they came in – and she moves as well, frantically heading for the more garbagy route. She gets
past the pile of cans and bags – and someone is on her.
BUFFY
Angel!
ANGEL
Buffy. I’ve been looking for you.
She is breathing hard – looks at him pleadingly, but can’t speak.
ANGEL
Your hand!
He takes it. She looks down to see it is covered in blood. She pulls it away.
BUFFY
I’m okay…
ANGEL
I’ve just been to the warehouse, I was
waiting for you. They’ve got Giles.
She stares at him, the horror growing.
EXT. ALLEY – NIGHT
A cop car passes by. Beat. We see Faith slink back into the alley. Alone. Slowly, she approaches the
body. Stands over it, looking down. Reaches out to touch it, but can’t. She pulls her hand back.
FAITH
God.
INT. WAREHOUSE – NIGHT
Giles and Wesley stand together near the tank. Both men have their hands tied behind their backs.
The four vampires are close by.
Wesley is in deep and reverent terror. Giles is merely assessing the situation.
WESLEY
Oh god, Oh God…
GILES
Doesn’t look too promising, does it?
WESLEY
(freaking)
Stay calm, Mr Giles, we have to stay
calm.
GILES
Well, thank God you’re here. I was
planning to panic.
WESLEY
What is that thing?
GILES
That would be your demon. You
know, the dead one.
WESLEY
There’s no need to get snippy.
BALTHAZAR
Bring them closer.
The two men are shoved up by the tank.
BALTHAZAR
You know what I want.
GILES
If it’s someone to scrub those hard to
reach areas, I’d like to request that
you kill me.
A vampire slugs him across the face. Giles takes it, smiles at the fellow.
GILES
You don’t want to be doing that again.
WESLEY
Are you out of your mind? This is
hardly the time for games!
GILES
Why not? We’re about to be tortured
to death.
BALTHAZAR
He’s not wrong about that.
WESLEY
Now hold on! We can deal with this
rationally. We have something you
want. You have something we want.
BALTHAZAR
Ah, a trade… intriguing. No. Wait.
Boring. Pull off his kneecaps.
WESLEY
NOO!! The slayer gave it to
someone! A tall man! A friend of
hers! I’ll tell you everything!
GILES
Shut your gob, you ninny! You’ll
get us both killed!
WESLEY
But… I like to have… my kneecaps…
BALTHAZAR
You will tell us everything.
WESLEY
Yes… sir…
BALTHAZAR
What is this friend’s name?
WESLEY
(terrified realization)
Ooh. Didn’t actually catch it.
GILES
(to Balthazar)
Tell you what. Let Captain
Courageous go and I’ll tell you
what you want to know. How’s
that deal?
BALTHAZAR
There is one deal! You will die
slowly or you will die quickly!
The man who has my amulet –
what is his name?
ANGEL
His name is Angel.
And before the vamps know what’s happening, Angel LEAPS at them, vamp face on.
The vamp next to Giles draws his sword, brings it whistling down in a deadly arc. Wesley shrieks out
a big ol’ girly scream.
WESLEY
Aaaahhh!!!
Buffy kicks the vamp out of the picture, his sword dropping to the ground. Buffy grabs it and Giles
spins cooperatively, she slices him free of his bonds and hands him the blade. She turns and takes on
the very next vamp, hand to hand.
BALTHAZAR
Unacceptable! Unacceptable!
Not that anyone is listening. Giles frees Wesley, pushing him into a more or less secluded corner of
the warehouse (so we can separate his action from the rest).
One vamp engages Giles, sword to sword. The Watcher holds his own – he doesn’t score a kill, but he
pushes the vamp back and out of his arena.
A vamp grabs Wesley from behind, holding his neck in a vise-grip.
WESLEY
Uh… Mr. Giles?
Giles doesn’t hesitate. He swings the sword in a straight arc, aiming right for Wesley’s head. Wesley’s
eyes go wide. Giles yells:
GILES
DOWN!
Wesley tucks his head down just before the sword makes contact, revealing the vamp’s head, behind
him, in its place.
Giles CUTS THE VAMP’S HEAD OFF. DUST. Wesley, covered head and shoulders in dust, trembles.
Looks up at Giles like he’s some kind of madman.
Giles smiles grimly and hands him a sword.
GILES
Welcome to the field.
ANGLE: BUFFY fights like a trapped animal, literally in a corner. Angel gets backed up fighting the two
vamps. Balthazar sticks his hand out and Angel is sucked back into his grasp. Balthazar GRABS HIS
HEAD. He’s about to crush it.
Buffy roundhouse kicks her vamp and LEAPS.
Balthazar applies pressure. Angel grimaces as he braces himself against the tank’s edge, head
turning.
Buffy grabs onto a rickety overhead light fixture. SNAP! Her weight brings the electric lights crashing
down. She rolls out of the way as the fixture comes down, right into Balthazar’s tank,
ELECTROCUTING HIM.
BALTHAZAR
Yaarrrgghhh!!!
With a hideous ROAR, Balthazar dies. Electric sparks shoot out of the tank. He flails. Splashes. It’s
horrible. Buffy can barely watch.
The two vamps left alive bolt.
The light show is over. Buffy, Angel, Giles and Wesley approach the demon’s tank. A big white hand
flops over the side, lifeless.
GILES
You killed him.
BUFFY
(quiet)
Yeah. Hooray for me.
Buffy turns to go when the puffy white hand SHOOTS OUT and GRABS HER. Buffy pulls herself from
the demon’s grip, way beyond wigged.
BALTHAZAR
Slayer…
The demon is not quite dead. But almost. He speaks in a ragged whisper, the life almost out of him.
BALTHAZAR
You think you’ve won?
Smoke pours from his mouth as he speaks.
BALTHAZAR
When he rises… you’ll wish I had
killed you all.
Balthazar dies, a mysterious smile on his hideous face. Buffy stares at him, turmoil ragin inside her.
And we hear a low, moaning CHANT start up in Latin, CUT TO:
INT. CITY HALL ROTUNDA – NIGHT
The rotunda. Candles everywhere. A pentagle is arranged on the floor in sand. The Mayor sits in the
center. He chants in Latin.
MAYOR
(Latin)
Potestatem matris nostrae in
tenebris invoco… maledictum
filium tuum ab omni periculo
custodias nunc et in saecula!
MAYOR
(English)
I call upon the forces of our mother
in darkness, protect your unholy son
from harm… now… and forever!
And a small EARTHQUAKE shakes the building to its very foundation. Trick eyes the ceiling to see if
it’s going to cave in. But just as quickly as it started, it is past. Calm.
The Mayor stands like nothing happened.
MAYOR
I don’t understand why Allan
would miss this. He’s usually so
punctual.
MR. TRICK
So? Did it work?
MAYOR
Let’s find out. Open the cage.
Angle on: A CAGE. Sitting in the rotunda entrance, looking totally out of place. Inside, looking hungry
and feral, Vincent crouches. Hasn’t been fed in days. Trick puts his hand on the handle.
MR. TRICK
You sure?
MAYOR
Hold on.
He hands Vincent his sword.
MAYOR
Okay! Now we’re ready.
The Mayor gestures. He stands before the cage, straight up, defenseless. Trick opens the cage.
Vincent doesn’t hesitate. He comes roaring out and RIPS his sword STRAIGHT THROUGH THE
MAYOR.
Beat. Trick watches in amazement as the Mayor HEALS INSTANTLY. The split down his center comes
together. Becomes a thin red line. Then the line, too, disappears. Good as new.
The Mayor smiles. Nods, “not bad.” Mr. Trick stakes Vincent from behind. Vincent dusts (CGI).
MAYOR
Well…
He reaches into his coat pocket, takes out a pad and pencil. A “To Do” list.
Angle on: The List. Among “Greet Scouts” “Plumber Union reschedule” “Call Temp Agency” the Mayor
checks the box next to “become invincible.”
MAYOR
This officially commences the hundred
days. Nothing can harm me until the
ascension. Gosh, I’m feeling chipper.
Who’s for a root beer?
He smiles and walks out of the rotunda, a new man.
INT. FAITH’S MOTEL ROOM – DAY
Faith washes her clothes in the sink. The water’s still a little red. She pours in more detergent.
There’s a knock on the door.
Faith freezes. Freaked until she hears:
BUFFY (O.S.)
Faith, it’s me.
Wiping her hands, Faith opens the door. Barely looking Buffy in the eye, she goes back to the
scrubbing.
BUFFY
Hey.
FAITH
Hey.
BUFFY
Are you… how are you doing?
It’s clear Buffy isn’t doing great. Faith looks at her, giving away nothing.
FAITH
Five by five. You know me.
BUFFY
Yeah. I know you think you can
handle this. And you’re used to
being on your own. You got your
tough loner act down pretty well.
FAITH
Thanks.
She yanks the sink plug and turns the faucets on full.
BUFFY
And maybe its not an act. But right
now, we need each other. We need
to talk about what we’re going to do.
FAITH
I was doing my job.
BUFFY
Being a slayer is not the same as
being a killer.
Faith says nothing. Wrings out her shirt.
BUFFY
You can’t shut me out on this, Faith.
Sooner or later, we both have to deal.
FAITH
Wrong.
BUFFY
I can help you.
FAITH
I don’t need it.
BUFFY
Yeah? Who’s wrong now?
You can shut off all the
emotions you want, but there’s
still the fact that sooner or
later, they have to find a body.
That gets Faith’s attention. She faces Buffy.
FAITH
Okay. This is the last time we’re
having this conversation, and we’re
not even having it now, you
understand me? There is no body.
I took it, weighted it, and dumped it
in a river. The body does not exist.
Buffy absorbs this.
BUFFY
But getting rid of the evidence isn’t
making the problem go away.
FAITH
It is to me.
BUFFY
Faith. You don’t get it. You killed a
man.
FAITH
No. You don’t get it.
(in her face)
I. Don’t. Care.
We hold on Buffy’s face a long time as the reality fully sinks in. Faith doesn’t care.
BLACK OUT
THE END
Transcripts
Prologue
A Sunnydale cemetery. Faith and Buffy both fall backwards onto the mound
of a fresh grave, fighting a pair of leather-uniformed vampires. But
this doesn’t stop Faith from wanting to continue her conversation with
Buffy.
Faith: (to Buffy, struggling) So, what, you’re telling me never?!
Buffy: (also struggling) Faith! Really, now is not the time!
Faith: I’m curious! Never ever?!
The two Slayers both kick up with their legs and send the vampires
rolling over and off of them, and then do back rolls up to a standing
position.
Faith: (to Buffy) Come on, really. All this time, and not even once?
She blocks a high punch from her assailant, grabs onto his shoulder and
flips him forward. He lands hard on his back.
Buffy: How many times do I have to say it?
She ducks a swing.
Buffy: I have never…
She does a backhand punch at her attacker.
Buffy: …done it…
The vampire staggers backward into a lamppost from the force of her
punch. Buffy does a full spin toward him.
Buffy: …with Xander!
She jams her stake home, and the demon bursts into ashes. Buffy looks
over at Faith, still fighting.
Buffy: He’s just a friend.
Faith leaps at her assailant, does a log roll in midair and comes down
hard on him with her knee digging into his back, shoving him into the
ground. She raises her stake and plunges it into his back, dusting him
instantly. She gets up and steps over to meet up with Buffy.
Faith: So? What are friends for? I mean, I’m sorry, (smiles sexily)
it’s just, all this sweating-nightly, side-by-side action, and you never
put in for a little after-hours (thrusts her pelvis forward and grunts)?
Buffy: (raises her eyebrows) Thanks for the poetry. And, no. I love
Xander. I just don’t… love Xander. (looks at the ground) Besides, I
think it ruins friendship to do that stuff.
She takes a closer look at the boot prints on the muddy ground.
Faith: You think too much. (starts to leave)
Buffy: (grabs Faith’s arm, looking down) Hey. There’s one more.
Faith: How do you know?
Buffy: I think too much.
The two of them start to walk, following the extra set of prints, which
lead behind a gravestone.
Buffy: (quietly) Okay. Count of three. One…
Faith jumps ahead and shoulder-rolls over the gravestone. The vampire
isn’t there, but he comes running at her. He is also dressed in the
leather uniform. Buffy disapprovingly watches the fight start.
Buffy: Three.
Faith tries to do a roundhouse kick at the vampire, but he catches her
leg right before it connects with his head. He grabs her shoulder, spins
halfway around and throws her against a tall gravestone. She hits the
ground hard and immediately starts to get back up. Buffy runs around
them to catch the demon from behind as he looks down at Faith and pulls
out two swords, one with a long blade, the other short. He hears Buffy
coming, though, and spins his head around to see her. She stops in her
tracks, holding her stake up in her hand. The vampire swings his long
sword in a wide arc and slices off the tip of the stake. Buffy jumps in
surprise, but quickly drops what’s left of the stake as the vampire
swings his sword down on her. She high blocks the attack with her left
arm, grabs his left arm with her right hand, grabs his right arm with
her left hand and brings both of his arms down hard, forcing him to drop
the swords. She high punches him in the head and tries to follow up with
a double roundhouse kick with alternating legs. The vampire knife-hand
blocks both kicks. He gains the upper hand, grabbing Buffy by the
shoulders and tries to get in closer for a bite. She struggles to keep
him at bay. Finally Faith runs up behind him and thrusts her stake into
his back. He screams and throws up his hands, then crumbles to ashes
between the two girls, leaving Faith smiling at Buffy, and Buffy leaning
against a gravestone catching her breath. Faith takes a step toward her,
raising her hand for a high five.
Faith: Nicely diverted, B!
She stops mid-step when Buffy doesn’t return the gesture.
Buffy: (panting) Diverted? That was me fighting for my life, Miss
Attention Span.
Faith: (sighs and turns to go) This isn’t a Tupperware Party. It’s a
little hard to plan.
Buffy: (follows) The count of three isn’t a plan. It’s Sesame Street.
Faith: (stops and faces Buffy) Hey, they’re toast and we’re here, so it
couldn’t have been too bad, right? (checks her arm) Who were those guys,
anyways?
Buffy: I don’t know. (sniffs) They didn’t seem local. (looks where the
swords were) Look, why don’t we grab the weapons. Maybe Giles…
The swords aren’t there anymore. Buffy gives Faith a confused look.
Cut to the Mayor’s office. Mr. Trick drops the two swords on his desk.
Trick: Check these out.
The Mayor is busy reading the funnies, and ignores him while he finishes
reading his favorite strip.
Mayor Wilkins: (chuckles and shakes his head) I, I just love the Family
Circus! That P.J., he’s getting to be quite a handful.
He drops the paper on his desk. Allan gives him an acknowledging nod and
weak smile. The Mayor now looks at the swords lying on his desk.
Mayor Wilkins: Well… I haven’t seen anything like this in, uh…
(looks up at Allan) Well, a good long while. (to Trick) Where’s the
owner of these fine implements?
Trick: The common term is ‘slain’. But I’ve been seeing this breed
around. Are we expecting any trouble?
Mayor Wilkins: (smiles up at Trick) Do you like Family Circus?
Trick: (seriously) I like Marmaduke.
Mayor Wilkins: (disgusted) Oh! (shivers) Eww! He’s always on the
furniture. Unsanitary.
Trick: Nobody can tell Marmaduke what to do. (grins) That’s my kinda
dog.
Allan: (smiling eagerly) I like to read Cathy.
Mr. Trick and the Mayor both give him a look. Allan swallows nervously.
Allan: So, uh, what ab-bout these swords? W-what should we do about
that?
Mayor Wilkins: (inspects them) Well, let’s just keep an eye out. We’ve
got the dedication coming up in a few days. We certainly can’t have
anything interfering with that.
Allan: (fidgeting) Well, maybe we should postpone the… the-the
dedication.
The Mayor gives him an incredulous look. Trick looks at him intensely.
Trick: I believe the Honorable Mayor hates that idea.
Mayor Wilkins: (stands up) The dedication… (walks toward the liquor
cabinet) is the final step before my Ascension. (Allan jumps out of his
way) I have waited longer than you can imagine for this. (opens the
cabinet, opens a box of moist towelettes) After the Hundred Days, (pulls
out a towelette) I’ll be on a higher plane. (steps back to Allan, wiping
his hands) And I’ll have no more need for… (folds up the used
towelette) Well, let’s just say I won’t be concerned… with the little
things. (holds it up to Allan, who takes it, and goes back to his desk.)
Mr. Trick, watch these people. Anything you find out about them, well,
let’s just see that that information reaches the Slayers. (takes the
short sword from Trick, looks it over) Who knows? With any luck, they’ll
kill each other. Then everyone’s a winner. (looks at Allan) Everyone, of
course, meaning me. (chuckles)
Opening credits roll. Buffy’s theme plays.~~ Part 1 ~~
Sunnydale High School.
Xander: Willow, what are these?
Willow: They’re early admission packets.
Cut to the student lounge. Xander and Oz are sitting on one of the
couches across from Willow and Buffy on the other. The table between
them is piled up with college acceptance letters and application forms.
Xander goes through a stack of them, reading off the university names.
Xander: Harvard… Yale… Wesleyan… Some German Polytechnical
Institute whose name I, uh… (tries to read it) I can’t pronounce.
(drops the packets, leans back) Is anyone else intimidated? (looks at
Oz) ‘Cause I’m just expecting thin slips of paper with the words ‘No
Way’ written in crayon.
Oz: They’re typing those now.
Xander: (nods) Hmm.
Willow and Buffy are paging through some of the brochures.
Willow: (smiling) I’m so overwhelmed! I-I got in! To actual colleges!
And, a-and they’re wooing me! They’re pitching woo!
Buffy: (smiles) The wooing stage is always fun.
Willow: (sighs) But it’s weird. Now, rejection I can handle ’cause of
the years of training, but this…
Xander: I feel your pain, Will. Like right now, I’m torn between the
fast-growing fields of appliance repair and motel management. Of course,
I’m still waiting to hear back from the, uh, Corndog Emporium, so…
He crosses his fingers and then holds his hands together in a sarcastic
gesture of prayer. Buffy gives him a giggle.
Buffy: Well, I think it’s great. Early admission. (to Willow) Now
there’s nothing standing between you and a brilliant future.
Oz: Well, if I may suggest, graduate. Gettin’ left back: not the thrill
ride you’d expect.
Cordelia approaches from behind the boys.
Cordelia: That’s so cute! Planning life as a loser? (Xander glances up
at her) Most people just turn out that way, but you’re really taking
charge.
Xander: The comedy stylings of Miss Cordelia Chase, everyone. (looks up
at her) Who, uh, incidentally, won’t be needing a higher education when
she markets her own very successful line of hooker wear.
He checks out her outfit, which is typically revealing.
Cordelia: Well, Xander, I could dress more like you, but, (in mock
sympathy) oh, my father has a job.
She immediately leaves. Xander watches her go, once again having nothing
to say.
Xander: I’m not gonna waste the perfect comeback on you now. (points at
her) But don’t think I don’t have it. (miffed) Oh, yes! Its time will
come!
He turns back to the group and pretends Cordelia doesn’t exist.
Xander: So, life beyond high school. (fishes for sympathy) Anyone,
please… chime in.
Buffy: I hear it’s nice. And a place I’ll never go if I don’t pass Mrs.
Taggart’s chemistry test tomorrow. (looks at Willow)
Willow: Oh! I can help. Chemistry’s easy. It’s a lot like witchcraft,
only less newt. So whadaya say? Study jam, my house, tonight?
Buffy: I’m there.
The bell rings, and they all get ready to go to class.
Buffy: Oh. I have to go see Giles, report on last night’s patrol.
Willow: Oh, yeah. He said he wanted to talk to you.
Buffy: What about? Is he okay?
Willow: (slightly concerned) He’s looked better.
Cut to the library. Giles is sitting on the study table facing the doors
with his arms crossed and looking very bored while a somewhat foppish,
well tailored young man goes through some books in a box on the table.
Wesley: Of course, training procedures have been updated quite a bit
since your day. Much greater emphasis on field work.
Giles: (very bored) Really?
Wesley: Oh, yes. (walks around to another box) Not all books and theory
nowadays. (reaches in for some books) I have, in fact, faced two
vampires myself. Under controlled circumstances, of course.
Giles: (uncrosses his arms) Well, no danger of finding those here.
Wesley: (looks up) Vampires?
Giles: Controlled circumstances. (sees Buffy enter) Hello, Buffy.
Wesley overhears, looks at her and smiles condescendingly.
Wesley: Well… (steps to the head of the table) Hello. (smiles smugly)
Buffy gives him a quick look up and down.
Buffy: (to Giles) New Watcher?
Giles: New Watcher.
Wesley takes a step toward her and holds out his hand in greeting.
Wesley: Wesley Wyndam-Pryce.
Buffy makes no move to return the gesture, but continues to eye him
critically. A moment later he steps back again.
Wesley: It’s very nice to meet you.
Buffy steps over to Giles, never removing her eyes from Wesley.
Buffy: Is he evil?
Wesley: (perplexed) Evil?
Buffy: The last one was evil.
Wesley: (thoughtfully) Oh, yes. Gwendolyn Post. We all heard. No. Mr.
Giles has checked my credentials rather thoroughly and phoned the
Council, but I’m glad to see you’re on the ball as well. (takes a
secretive step toward her) A good Slayer is a cautious Slayer. (steps
back)
Buffy: (to Giles) Is he evil?
Giles: Not in the strictest sense.
Wesley: Well, I’m glad that’s cleared up. (walks around the table) As
I’m sure none of us is anxious to waste any time on pleasantries, (picks
up his Watcher diary) why don’t you tell me everything about last
night’s patrol. (flips to a blank page)
Buffy: Vampires.
Wesley: (inquiringly) Yes?
Buffy: Killed ’em.
Wesley: (fishing for details) Anything else you can tell me?
Buffy glances at Giles. He nods that she should cooperate.
Buffy: Uh… (thinks) One of them had swords. I don’t think he was with
the other two.
Wesley: (something clicks) Swords?
He sets down his diary, goes back to his box of books and begins to
rifle through them.
Wesley: Swords…
He finds the book he wants and begins to leaf through it.
Wesley: One long, one short?
Buffy: Mmm. Both pointy. (to Giles) With, like, jewels and things.
Giles: Sounds familiar.
Wesley: (comes back with the book) It should.
He holds it out in front of Giles, who takes it and reads.
Giles: El Eliminati. Fifteenth Century…
Wesley: (interrupts) Fifteenth Century duelist cult, deadly in their
day. Their numbers dwindled in later centuries due to an increase in
anti-vampire activity and a lot of pointless dueling.
Buffy and Giles both look up at him, surprised by his rudeness.
Wesley: They eventually became the acolytes of a demon called
Balthazar, who brought them to the New World, specifically here.
Giles: (closes the book, hands it back) You seem to know a lot about
them.
Wesley: I didn’t get this job because of my looks. (goes back to his
box)
Buffy: I really, really believe that. (nods)
Wesley: (looks at her snidely) I’ve researched this town’s history
extensively.
Giles: So why have we not seen them before this?
Wesley: (comes back) They were driven out a hundred years ago. Happily,
Balthazar was killed. I don’t know by whom.
Buffy: And they’re back ’cause…?
Wesley: Balthazar had an amulet purported to give him strength. When he
was killed, it was taken by a wealthy landowner named… (sees their
looks) I don’t want to bore you with the details.
Buffy: A little bit late.
Wesley: …named Gleaves. It was buried with him, and I believe the few
remaining Eliminati are probably looking for it. For sentimental value.
Giles: A-and you don’t think that this, uh, amulet poses any threat?
Wesley: (steps back to his box) Oh, no, not at all. Nonetheless, we may
as well keep it from them. Buffy, you will go to the Gleaves family
crypt tonight and fetch the amulet. (reaches in)
Buffy: I will?
Wesley: (pauses) Are you not used to being given orders?
Buffy: Whenever Giles sends me on a mission, he always says ‘please’.
And afterwards I get a cookie.
She grins at Giles, who smiles back modestly.
Wesley: (comes back) I don’t feel we’re getting off on quite the right
foot.
Just then they hear footsteps, and look up to see Faith walk in.
Wesley: Ah. This is perhaps Faith.
Faith stops and critically looks Wesley up and down.
Faith: New Watcher?
Buffy and Giles: New Watcher.
Faith: (snickers) Screw that.
She turns right around and walks out. Wesley feels put off.
Buffy: (to Giles) Now, why didn’t I just say that?
Giles: (gently) Uh, Buffy, would you…
Buffy: I’ll see if I can get her back. (slips off of the table and
walks out) Don’t say anything terribly interesting while I’m gone.
Wesley watches her go. He and Giles both reach into their pockets for
handkerchiefs, take off their glasses and begin to clean them.
Wesley: They’ll get used to me.
Giles notices their tandem actions, immediately stops cleaning and puts
his glasses back on before Wesley has a chance to turn around. When he
does, Giles just smiles up at him, covering his handkerchief with his
hands.
Cut to the quad. Buffy catches up with Faith as they come walking around
a corner.
Buffy: Faith, wait. Look, I know this new guy’s a dork, but… (pauses)
Well, I have nothing to follow that. He’s pretty much just a dork.
Faith: You’re actually gonna take orders from him?
Buffy: That’s the job. What else can we do?
Faith: Whatever we want. We’re Slayers, girlfriend, the Chosen Two. Why
should we let him take all the fun out of it?
Buffy: Oh, that would be tragic, taking the fun out of slaying,
stabbing, beheading.
Faith: Oh, like you don’t dig it.
Buffy: (shrugs) I don’t.
Faith: You’re a liar. I’ve seen you. Tell me staking a vamp doesn’t
get you a little bit juiced. Come on, say it.
She stops and folds her arms, waiting for Buffy’s answer. Buffy can’t
help but smile, and looks down to hide it.
Faith: (laughs) You can’t fool me. The look in your eyes right after a
kill? You just get hungry for more.
Buffy: (shakes her head) You’re way off base.
Faith: Tell me that if you don’t get in a good slaying, after a while,
you just start itching for some vamp to show up so you can give him a
good (grunts and punches)!
Buffy: Again with the grunting. You realize I’m not comfortable with
this.
Faith: Hey, slaying’s what we were built for. If you’re not enjoying
it, you’re doing something wrong. (starts to leave)
Buffy: (sighs) What about the assignment?
Faith: (looks back) Tell you what: (points) you do the homework, and
I’ll copy yours. (grins and goes)
Cut to the Gleaves Family Crypt that night. Buffy slowly walks up to it
and turns on her Maglite. She steps up to the door and opens it. Cut
inside. The large room is dark and dusty. In the center are two stone
coffins. There are several drawers on one wall and a few urns on
shelves. Buffy takes the steps down into the room and goes to the first
coffin. She pushes the heavy lid aside and looks into it with the
flashlight. All that’s left of the body is the skeleton and a pile of
hair and fibers.
Buffy: Strike one. No amulet there.
She goes to the next coffin and pushes its lid aside. The body in this
one has dried out and looks mummified. The clothes are still more or
less intact, and around its neck hangs the amulet.
Buffy: Game over.
She reaches in for it, but jerks back up when she hears noises coming
from outside. Through the door she sees torches coming closer and hears
voices. She quickly jumps up onto the first coffin, rolls into it and
twists off her Maglite just as Vincent, the leader of the Eliminati,
pushes the door open. He looks around, but doesn’t notice when Buffy
pulls the lid of the coffin back into place. Vincent walks down the
stairs and goes over to the open coffin. His troops follow him. Inside
her coffin, Buffy looks over at the skull beside her, but remains quiet.
Vincent looks into the open coffin, sees the amulet and yanks it from
the body’s neck. He takes a good look at it and smiles at his troops,
indicating success for their mission. In the other coffin Buffy remains
absolutely still. The Eliminati start to make their way out. When Buffy
hears the door close she pushes the lid back open and climbs out, only
to be startled by Faith’s hand on her shoulder.
Buffy: Faith!
Faith: What are you doing, hiding in there?
Buffy: Looking for the amulet. Wasn’t counting on the Special Guest
Stars. Six against one. (gestures at the coffin) Hence the hiding.
Faith: Well, it’s six against two now, so come on.
She rushes out of the crypt. Buffy climbs out of the coffin and follows
her out. Cut outside. They come out in time to see the last two
Eliminati jump down through a manhole into the sewers below. Faith makes
tracks for it.
Buffy: Wait. Stop. Think!
Faith: (stops, defiantly) No, no, no! (starts again)
Buffy: (chases her) It’s a manhole. Tight space, no escape, six against
two, not unlike three against one.
Faith: And there might be more, (grabs Buffy’s arm) so come on. (lets
go)
Buffy: You’re just gonna go down there. That’s your plan.
Faith: Who said I had a plan? I don’t know how many’s down there, but I
wanna find out. And I’ll know when I land. If you don’t come in after
me, (shrugs and smiles) I might die!
Without any further hesitation she jumps in. Buffy can’t believe it, but
realizes she can’t let her do it alone, and jumps in after her.~~ Part 2 ~~
The library. Wesley is at the study table going through a mass of books.
Giles paces nervously.
Wesley: These are all the diaries, then? Yours included?
Giles: (in a worried tone) That’s everything. Knock yourself out.
Please?
Wesley: (flips through Giles’ diary) Oh, yes! Here’s your first entry.
‘Slayer is willful and insolent.’ (smirks) That would be our girl,
wouldn’t it?
Giles: (continues pacing, takes off his glasses) Well, you have to get
to know her.
Wesley: Mm. (reads) ‘Her abuse of the English language is such that I
understand only every other sentence.’ (looks up) Oh, this is going to
make fascinating reading.
Giles: (checks his watch) She should be back by now.
Wesley: (checks his watch) Not to fret. (reaches for a mint) My mission
scenario has her back in one minute. (pops the mint) Shouldn’t be any
trouble.
Cut to the sewers. Buffy and Faith have their hands full fighting the
Eliminati. Buffy does a low front snap kick to one of them on the
ground. Faith backhand punches another, and his head snaps hard to the
side. Buffy grabs yet another and shoves him aside.
Buffy: We’re surrounded!
Faith: You noticed that, too?!
Faith backhand punches another Eliminatus. Buffy ducks a vampire’s swing
and does a roundhouse kick to the back of his knee, making him collapse
to the floor. Faith sidesteps her attacker, grabs his arm, swings him
around and throws him toward a wall. Buffy does a full spinning hook
kick to an incoming vampire and follows up with a roundhouse kick to his
head. Another one comes at her from the side and tries to bring his
sword down on her from above, but she steps back in time, and it just
clangs on the floor.
Faith throws her vampire up against a wall, and he collapses to the
floor. She does a half-spinning hook kick to another Eliminatus behind
her, and he falls dazed onto a raised area. Another vampire jumps up
onto it and leaps at Faith. She sidesteps him and pulls him down over
the other one.
Buffy does a back elbow jab at a vampire’s face, causing him to step
backwards and trip over a fallen vampire. Another one jumps into the
fray and tries to punch her, but she middle blocks him, grabs onto his
arm and throws him up against the rock wall. He tries to come at her
again, but she side kicks him soundly in the gut, forcing him back up
against the wall. The Eliminatus who was down is up again, and she front
snap kicks him, knocking him hard onto his back.
Faith turns around just in time to get punched in the face by Vincent.
He tries to punch her again, but she ducks it and rises back up to
roundhouse kick him in the side of the head.
Buffy blocks two punches from the vampire against the wall and punches
him in the face and again in the gut. He goes down.
Faith does a half spinning, jumping out-to-in crescent kick to the head
of one of them. Then she high blocks a punch from one behind her.
Buffy gets a roundhouse kick in the head and falls to the ground by a
pool of water. Her attacker advances on her, and she roundhouse kicks
him in the back of the knee, making him lose his balance.
Faith punches one in the head, but he comes back with a punch to Faith’s
gut and grabs her.
Faith: Lemme go!
He shoves her hard against a concrete wall. Buffy sees her predicament
and throws her stake into the vampire’s back as she gets up from the
floor. He bursts into ashes. Faith gives Buffy a smile. However, with
her attention on Faith, Buffy doesn’t notice the one behind her, and he
grabs her and holds her still for Vincent. He holds out his long sword,
pointing it at her chest.
Vincent: Let’s settle this honorably.
Buffy jumps up against the one holding her and does an out-to-in low
crescent kick, knocking the sword out of Vincent’s hand. It goes flying
into the pool of water. Then she shrugs off the one holding her, and he
falls to the floor. Vincent grabs hold of her, though, and tries to
thrust at her with his short sword. She jerks out of the way in time and
grabs hold of his arm, but he uses this to his advantage and grabs her
around the back with his other arm, pinning her against the edge of the
pool.
Vincent: Well, then, let’s just settle it.
He dunks her head into the water. She struggles to get back up, but
can’t get a good grip on anything in the filthy water. In the meantime,
another vampire gets Faith in a full Nelson hold. She sees Buffy
struggling in the water.
Faith: Buffy! (struggles with her assailant) You son of a bitch!
Vincent keeps holding Buffy’s head under water. She struggles valiantly
to get up, but just can’t. It isn’t much longer before she starts to get
weak from lack of oxygen and stops struggling, apparently passing out.
Vincent holds her under for another few seconds, then lets go and turns
his attention to Faith. Buffy remains motionless in the water. Vincent
grins widely at Faith, who keeps struggling, but to no avail.
Suddenly Buffy leaps up, Vincent’s long sword in hand, and swings it
around at his head. He’s too quick, though, and ducks it, but is left
off balance in a crouch.
Buffy: I hate it when they drown me.
She swings at him again, but he reacts instantly, somersaulting out of
the way and back to his feet. He faces her wielding his short sword. She
makes quick work of it, knocking it out of his hand with her first
swing. She swings at him again widely, but he manages to dodge her.
Faith breaks out of the Nelson hold, spins around and punches the
vampire in the face. He staggers against the wall. She grabs him and
pulls him around, and he flies up and over the small raised area.
Faith: B! Gotta go!
Buffy misses another swing, but has a determined look on her face.
Buffy: We came for the amulet.
She jabs the sword straight at Vincent, getting the tip right between
the chain holding the amulet at his waist. She lifts the sword, drawing
the chain out from under his belt, and it slides down the length of the
blade to the hilt. Vincent is freaked by her accuracy and hightails it
out of there. Buffy pulls the amulet from the sword and holds it in her
hand. Faith comes up next to her.
Faith: (breathing heavily) Tell me you don’t get off on this!
Buffy: (smiles at the amulet) It didn’t suck.
Cut to the library. Wesley has the amulet in hand and inspects it under
a magnifying glass. Giles stands in his office doorway.
Wesley: Well… Looks authentic enough. (looks up) Of course, there are
tests to be made before actual verification.
Buffy: How about verifying that your ‘nearly extinct’ cult was out in
magnum force last night? Faith and I got into a serious party situation.
Giles: Are you alright?
Buffy: I had to lather, rinse, and repeat about five million times to
get the sewer out of my hair, but otherwise, I’m of the good. Thank you
for asking.
She gives Wesley a look, making it very clear he should have asked as
well.
Wesley: Perhaps there were a few more than we’d anticipated, but I’d
expect you to be ready for anything. (looks her in the eye) Remember the
three key words for any Slayer: preparation… preparation…
preparation.
Buffy: That’s one word three times.
The school bell rings. Buffy gets up.
Buffy: I have a chem test. So sad that I’m actually happy about that.
(starts out) Giles, we need to talk.
Wesley: (stands up pompously) Buffy… (she stops, but doesn’t face
him) I must ask you to remember that I am your Watcher. (she faces him)
From now on, anything you have to say about slaying you will say to me.
The only thing you need discuss with Mr. Giles is overdue book fees.
Understood?
Buffy: (turns to Giles) We’ll talk.
Giles: Of course.
Buffy leaves for her test.
Wesley: (to Giles) You’re not helping.
Giles: (dripping with sarcasm) No. I feel just sick about it.
He takes off his glasses and goes into his office. Wesley is incensed.
Cut to chemistry class. Mrs. Taggart passes out the exam booklets. Buffy
is at the second to last table by the windows. She is twisted around in
her seat, talking quietly to Willow and Xander, who are sitting at the
last table.
Buffy: It was intense. It was like I just… let go and became this
force. I just didn’t care anymore.
Willow: Yeah, I know what that’s like.
Buffy: I don’t think you can! It’s kind of a Slayer thing. I don’t even
think I’m explaining it well.
Xander: You’re explaining it a lot, though.
Mrs. Taggart hands Xander and Willow their tests. Buffy turns around.
Mrs. Taggart: Alright. You have one period to fill out your test
booklets. Periodic charts are located on the back. (walks toward the
front) You’re on the honor system, so remember, no talking.
Buffy turns back to Willow and Xander.
Buffy: You see, the thing was, Faith knew I didn’t even wanna go down
there…
Mrs. Taggart: (interrupts) Ahem. Ms. Summers?
Buffy faces the front and gestures that she’s buttoning her lips now.
Mrs. Taggart: (to the class) You have one hour.
She gives Buffy another look and then leaves the room. Buffy immediately
turns back to Willow and Xander.
Buffy: Okay, so the best part…
Willow: (interrupts, concerned) Buffy. Test? You know. Remember? The
thing you didn’t come over to study for?
Buffy: (seems to get it) Right. Got it.
She turns back to her test, but can’t resist, and turns around again.
Buffy: (smiles) Sorry. Okay, so we’re down there, in the sewers, and
Faith (Xander’s eye twitches) got three of them on her at once…
Xander: Hey! Whoa! Can we resume Buffy’s ‘Ode to Faith’ later, like
when I’m not actively multiple-choicing?
Buffy: (realizes) How come your eye twitches every time I say Faith’s
name?
Xander: (twitches his eye) (defensively) What? (chuckles) No, it
doesn’t.
Buffy leans in closer to him, her eyes intently watching his face.
Buffy: Faith.
His eye twitches, and he slaps his hand over it.
Xander: Cut it out! We got a test to take, okay? And I’m highly
caffeinated, and I’m trying to concentrate. Some of us actually care
about school. You know.
Buffy looks to Willow, but she’s concentrating on her test. Buffy
finally realizes that she’s not going to be allowed to continue her
story, and settles down to take her test. She opens the booklet, but is
interrupted, along with the rest of the class, by Faith rapping on the
window pane trying to get Buffy’s attention. Faith lifts the sash and
leans in.
Faith: (smiles) Hey, girlfriend. (looks around) Bad time?
She leans over to the next window, wipes the dust from it with her
sleeve, exhales to fog it and uses her index fingers to draw a heart
with a stake through it. She looks at Buffy, smiles and bounces her
eyebrows. Buffy considers for only a moment before deciding to blow off
the test. She slides down from her lab stool and heads for the window.
Willow and Xander are shocked.
Willow: No, sh-she can’t!
Faith smiles and leans back in to wait for her partner.
Willow: Y-you can’t! Can you?
Buffy ignores her and climbs out of the window. Faith lowers the sash
after Buffy has climbed out. Willow can’t believe what just happened.
Cut outside. The Slayers walk away from the building.
Buffy: What’s up?
Faith: Vampires.
Buffy: Uh, Faith, unless there’s a total eclipse in the next five
minutes, it’s daylight.
Faith: Good for us, bad for them. Found a nest.
Buffy: (smiles, suddenly comprehending) Has potential.
Cut to the vampire nest. It’s gloomy. Only a few rays of sunlight are
getting in. There are vampires lying all over the floor waiting out the
day. Buffy and Faith kick in the door. Bright sunlight washes in and
onto one of them, who quickly bursts into flames. The lot of them
scramble to their feet and begin to run. The Slayers smile into the
nest.
Faith: Rise and shine, people.
Buffy: It’s your wake-up call.
They both pull out stakes and run in for a good fight.
Cut to the Bronze that evening. Faith and Buffy are on the dance floor
gyrating to the hard techno sound of “Chinese Burn”, performed by Curve.
Three boys come over to them and dance around them. The camera shows a
brief view from above of the two girls surrounded by the boys. They
pretty much ignore the guys and just hump the air around them. Angel
walks under the stairs to the edge of the dance floor and stops to
watch, a look of deep concern on his face. The camera shows another
brief shot of them from above. Eventually Buffy notices Angel standing
at the side. When he sees her notice he makes a move to go. Buffy
squeezes out from the crowd to go to him. Faith doesn’t miss a beat and
starts to paw at the boys, keeping them well entertained.
Lyrics: She burns friends like a piece of wood
When Buffy reaches Angel she jumps up on him and wraps her arms around
his neck and her legs around his hips. Angel supports her at the waist.
Buffy: Hey! You’re not leaving, are you?
Lyrics: And she’s jealous of me because she never could
Angel: (glances over at Faith and the boys) I saw you making friends.
Buffy: (glances dismissingly) Them?
Lyrics: Hold herself up without a spine
Buffy: (faces him, smiling) Boys! I like you.
Lyrics: And she’ll look me up when she’s doing fine
Angel reacts in his usual somber way. Buffy hops down off of him.
Buffy: (coyly teasing) What’s the matter? You’re not afraid of little
me, are ya?
Angel: (seriously) We better sit down. Come on.
He leads her away to a small alcove behind the stairs.
Buffy: I can sense this is a business trip.
Angel sits. Buffy plops down next to him.
Buffy: (flippantly) What’s the what?
Angel: Balthazar.
Buffy: (snuggles close to him) Dead demon.
Angel: Not as dead as you think.
He gets up and sits across from her, putting some distance between them.
Angel: Word on the street puts him in the packing warehouse on
Devereau. He’s looking for…
Buffy: His amulet. It’s supposed to restore his strength.
Angel: From what I’m hearing, that’s not something we’d like to see
happen.
Buffy: No problem. We got the amulet.
Angel: I know. I spoke to Giles, but he said you gave it to someone.
Wesley pokes his head around the stairs and finds them.
Wesley: (points accusingly) Ah. There you are.
Buffy: (mockingly) Ah. Speak of the really annoying person.
Wesley: (looks around) You’re certainly giving me a run for my money.
(sits next to her, whispers) I think we ought to establish that if
you’re going to go out slaying, you leave me a number where I can
contact you.
Angel: Where’s the amulet?
Wesley snaps his head around and looks at Angel in surprise.
Wesley: Who are you?
Angel: A friend. Do you have it?
Wesley: (smugly) It’s somewhere safe.
Buffy looks at his jacket, reaches in and pulls out the amulet.
Wesley: How did you know?
Buffy: It pooches your jacket.
She tosses it to Angel.
Wesley: (protests) Now, hang on a minute…
Angel: (holds it up) Walking around with this thing is like wearing a
target.
Buffy: You’re gonna put it somewhere safe (to Wesley) that’s actually
safe?
Angel: (stands up) Yeah. I’ll do it now.
Buffy: (stands also) I’ll do some recon on Balthazar.
Wesley: (joins them in standing) (incredulously) If I may… Balthazar
is dead. Am I the only one that remembers that?
They ignore him. Angel leans over and gives Buffy a kiss.
Angel: Be careful.
Buffy: You know me.
Angel: (sternly) I mean it.
They both go in opposite directions, leaving Wesley behind and very
confused.
Wesley: What’s going on?
Buffy walks onto the dance floor and grabs Faith. She pulls her out of
the crowd and toward the door. Faith lets herself be led away, but
points back at the boys.
Faith: Call me!
The guys are bummed to see her go.
Cut to the packing warehouse.
Balthazar: Let me tell you what I see.
Cut inside. Balthazar is enormously obese with very pale, pasty, slimy
skin. He sits suspended in a tank of filthy water, while one of the
Eliminati pours ladle after ladle of it over him in an effort to keep
his skin moist.
Balthazar: I see fear… and remorse… and the pitiful look of faces
that cry out for mercy! But what I don’t see is what I want to see,
AND THAT’S… MY… AMULET!
Vampire: Lord Balthazar, we found it! We had it! But the Slayers…
Balthazar: Already I’m bored.
He holds out his hands, and the air between him and the vampires is
suddenly disturbed. The vampire floats involuntarily over to Balthazar,
who grabs his throat and squeezes until his neck breaks and he slumps
lifelessly to the floor. Vincent watches, extremely worried that he may
be next.
Balthazar: Vincent… Come here.
He wheezes hard as Vincent slowly approaches.
Balthazar: Closer.
Vincent leans toward him.
Balthazar: Closer.
Vincent leans close enough to be spat upon. Balthazar puts his hands on
Vincent’s shoulders.
Balthazar: Let me tell you… what I want to see.
Cut outside. Faith and Buffy look for the packing warehouse and find it.
They look in through a crack in the door and see Balthazar surrounded by
the Eliminati.
Buffy: Okay, we got ten, maybe twelve bad guys and one big demon in
desperate need of a Stairmaster.
Faith: I say we take ’em all, hard and fast and now.
Buffy: We need a little more firepower than none. We should head back
to the library.
Faith: Well, I guess Jacuzzi Boy isn’t going anywhere. (looks around) I
just… wish we had…
Across the street at the end of the alley she sees Meyer’s Sport and
Tackle shop. She points Buffy in that direction.
Faith: Ah. That is too good.
They head for the store.
Cut to the store. Faith kicks in the front door. Cut inside. They walk
through quickly. looking for anything useful to them. Faith finds the
Archery counter.
Faith: Ah. Score.
She spies a small crossbow, complete with 4x optical sights, on display
beneath the glass countertop. She breaks the glass with her elbow,
reaches in and pulls it out.
Buffy: Think they’re insured?
Faith: Strangely, not my priority. (checks the trigger mechanism) When
are ya gonna get this, B? Life for a Slayer is very simple: (walks to a
vertical case) want… (breaks it) take… (reaches in for a set of nun-
chucks) have. (stuffs them into her pants)
Buffy seems a bit unsure, but changes her mind when she spies a case of
hunting knives.
Buffy: Want… (walks to the case) take… (stops in front of it) have.
She punches the glass with her fist, and it breaks, disturbing a dagger,
which she catches as it falls. She pulls her hand out and turns the
blade over in her hand, smiling.
Buffy: I’m gettin’ it.
Faith smiles, too, seeing that Buffy is finally coming around to her way
of thinking. She turns around and sees a compound hunting bow under the
glass of another display case, and kicks it in. Buffy just gives her a
brief glance. Faith pulls the bow out and looks it over, then smiles at
her partner in slayage. But before they can get any further, they are
surprised by a gunshot. They spin around to see they’ve been caught by
two police officers. They both have their service revolvers aimed at
them.
Officer: Drop the weapons and get down on the ground! Now!~~ Part 3 ~~
Inside Meyer’s Sport and Tackle. The police officer takes a step closer,
eyeing the two girls.
Officer: I said drop the weapons, or I fire.
Buffy slowly reaches her hand out and sets the dagger on a counter. The
officer is satisfied, and turns his attention to Faith. She gives in,
but isn’t as gentle with the hunting bow as Buffy was with the knife,
simply extending her arm and tossing it aside. The two officers visibly
relax a bit, but keep their guns up and ready.
Officer: Now spread ’em.
Faith: (haughtily) You wish.
Buffy’s eyes go wide with concern for what Faith might do. The officers
tense up again.
Officer: Hands in the air where I can see ’em. Slow!
Faith smiles at him, but does as she’s told and raises her arms over her
head. Buffy raises hers as well, but just level to her shoulders.
Officer: Good. (to his partner) Now cuff ’em.
His partner holsters his gun and reaches into his belt for his cuffs.
Faith checks out the one still holding the gun.
Faith: (to Buffy, smiling sexily) I like him. He’s butch.
Cut inside the police car. Buffy and Faith are in the back seat with
their hands cuffed behind their backs. A heavy steel mesh separates them
from the officers in the front seat.
Officer: That’s some artillery you two were puttin’ together. You with
one of them girl gangs?
Faith: (sarcastically) Yeah. We’re the Slayers.
The officer laughs. Faith doesn’t think it’s funny.
Faith: (quietly to Buffy) You wanna get outta here?
She slouches down in the seat. Buffy realizes what she intends, and
isn’t at all sure it’s a good idea.
Faith: (impatiently) We can’t save the world in jail.
Buffy sees the truth in that, and slowly slouches down also. Faith
raises her legs, and Buffy follows her lead.
Faith: (quietly) One, two…
They both push-kick hard into the steel mesh, making it buckle and tear
at the edges and hit the officers in the backs of their heads. The
driver loses control of the car, and it swerves screechingly to the left
and smashes into a parked car. The damage isn’t terribly serious, but
the police car’s radiator has burst, and the steam rises thickly,
obscuring the view. Both officers are unconscious. Buffy climbs out of
the front passenger-side door. A moment later Faith comes out as well
with one of the officer’s keys. They turn back-to-back and fumble with
the keys, trying to unlock the cuffs.
Buffy: (looking at the officers) We should call an ambulance.
Faith: Five people already have, the racket we made, and they’re fine.
She’s right. One of them is already regaining consciousness. She gets
the cuffs unlocked.
Faith: Come on. Let’s get outta here.
She starts to run, but looks back when Buffy doesn’t immediately follow.
Faith: COME ON!
Buffy sees the other officer start to come to as well. She looks around
quickly a last time and runs after Faith.
Cut to Buffy’s house the next morning. Cut to the kitchen. Buffy enters
through the back door, bringing the paper in with her. She is engrossed
in an article, perhaps about the break-in and police car accident. Joyce
walks in from the dining room.
Joyce: Admit it.
Buffy looks up surprised. Her mother leans on the island.
Joyce: Some days don’t you wanna just wake up and say to Hell with the
diet? Wanna make waffles? Big Saturday brunch?
Buffy: No, thanks. I’m not really that hungry. (turns the page)
Joyce sighs and goes to the dish cabinet.
Joyce: So, what did you and Faith do last night?
Buffy: Nothing. Uh… (smiles thinly) Nothing really important.
Joyce: (gets a coffee mug) Don’t worry. (grabs the coffee pot) I’m not
gonna meddle in your slaying. (pours a cup) Just as long as you’re
careful.
Buffy: (engrossed in reading) I am.
Joyce sees how she’s concentrating and steps over to the island.
Joyce: You sure about those waffles?
Buffy looks up and closes the paper.
Buffy: Yeah. But if you want them, I can help you make them.
Joyce: No. (sighs) They only don’t have calories if I make them for
you. (Buffy doesn’t get it) Mom logic. You, uh, done with the paper?
Buffy: (gets up) Yeah. (leaves the kitchen)
Joyce: (opens the paper) Let’s see what’s happening in Sunnydale.
Cut to the Mayor’s office. He poses with a troop of young Boy Scouts.
They all have huge smiles on their faces. The photographer snaps the
picture.
Mayor Wilkins: There we go.
The Scouts all file out of the office.
Mayor Wilkins: Thanks a lot, fellas. Thanks a heap.
He goes to the window, where the blinds are open, letting in plenty of
light.
Mayor Wilkins: Hey, have fun on that camping trip, now. Don’t forget to
roast a wiener for me.
Allan shoos the last of the Scouts out and closes the door securely.
The Mayor chuckles as he closes the blinds, then walks to the other
window and closes them there, too.
Mayor Wilkins: Here we go. Alright, you can come out now.
The door to his private bathroom opens, and Mr. Trick comes back into
the office.
Mayor Wilkins: (shakes his finger at the office door, smiling) Backbone
of America, those little guys. Seeing the hope and courage on their
bright little faces, I swear I could just, I… I could just eat ’em up.
(chuckles, heads for his liquor cabinet) So, any news about the
Eliminati?
He opens the cabinet, and out jumps Vincent. He grabs him by the neck,
pushes him back and down over his desk and holds up his sword to attack.
Vincent: In the name of Lord Balthazar, DIE!
Before he can do anything else, Mr. Trick punches him in the forehead.
Vincent falls backward onto the floor, unconscious. The Mayor coughs as
he sits up on the edge of the desk and straightens his tie.
Mayor Wilkins: Thank you, Mr. Trick. That was very thoughtful of you.
Trick: Why do they always gotta be using swords? (picks it up, tosses
it to Allan) It’s called an Uzi, ya chump! Could have saved your ass
right about now.
Allan would rather not have the sword, and looks down at Vincent aghast.
Mayor Wilkins: (to Allan, arms crossed) You know, it’s curious how he
could’ve gotten all the way into my liquor cabinet. (Allan looks up at
him) Allan, don’t we have, don’t we have security working in this
building?
Allan: (scared and nervous) Sir, I… I had no idea. I-I…
Mayor Wilkins: There’s no need to swoon, Allan. But try to keep things
secure. (looks down at Vincent) Lock him up. (goes to his chair)
Trick: He wakes up, he’s just gonna try and kill you again.
Mayor Wilkins: (sits) (smugly) Yes. Yes, I expect he will.
Cut to the packing warehouse. One of the Eliminati lifts the ladle and
pours the water over Balthazar. The camera shifts focus onto the new
leader of the Eliminati.
Balthazar: Vincent made a noble effort. Man to man, as befits a true
warrior. (wheezes) He had courage… He had honor… AND I HAVE JACK
TO SHOW FOR IT! (calms a bit) It’s been a hundred years since my enemy
crippled me. Now ultimate power is within his grasp. And I shall not
let it be! Forget about honor! Forget about everything! But getting my
amulet! Bring the Watchers to me! Find the Slayers and kill them! Kill
everything that gets in your way! GOOOOO! GOOOOO!
Cut to Buffy’s house.
Buffy: Mmm.
Willow: You like it?
Cut to Buffy’s room. She and Willow are sitting on her bed. Buffy is
sniffing a small black felt pouch that Willow gave to her.
Buffy: It smells good. What is it?
Willow: (smiling proudly) Just a little something we witches like to
call a protection spell.
Buffy: Good deal, protection. (sniffs) I’m surprised, though, ’cause
usually spell stuff’s more…
Willow: Stinky. Yeah. That’s why I added lavender. Give me time, and I
may be the first wicca to do all my conjuring in pine fresh scent. So
what’s the plan?
Buffy gives her an inquiring look.
Willow: For tonight’s slayage. We’re going, aren’t we?
Buffy: (wanting to avoid the subject) Yeah.
Willow: (knowing there’s more) Great!
Buffy: (realizes she can’t hide it) But… there’s a ‘but’. And that’s
‘but you shouldn’t come… tonight.’ Is that cool?
Willow: (slightly hurt) Well, sure. Makes sense. You know… You’ll be
facing big, hairy danger.
Buffy: (tries to justify it) Uh, b-biggest and very hairy.
Willow: (fishes for more information) You’ll be risking your life.
Buffy: Right. And why risk yours?
Willow: (glances down, then back up) Because I’m your friend?
Buffy: I know, Will, and that’s exactly why I don’t want you going.
It’s, it’s too dangerous.
Willow: (protests) But I-I’ve done this sort of thing before! Like, a
million times, and I can totally handle myself. Besides, (holds up her
own felt pouch) minty fresh protection. So?
There’s a knock at the door. Faith opens it and comes in.
Faith: Ready? Time to motor. Hey, Willow.
Willow: (unenthused) Hi. (faces Buffy) Uh…
Faith paces back toward the door.
Buffy: (stands up, apologetic) I really should… But we’ll hang out
later, right?
Willow: (trying to hide how hurt she is) Yeah. You, you go ahead. I’ll
just get my stuff.
Buffy wants to say something, but changes her mind and just looks at her
friend, giving her felt pouch a squeeze, and follows Faith out of the
room. Willow watches her go, then looks down at her own pouch.
Willow: Stupid…
She throws the pouch down on the bed.
Cut to an alley near the packing warehouse. Buffy and Faith come walking
around a corner. Faith has the compound hunting bow with her, and gets
an arrow ready.
Faith: You’re quiet tonight.
Buffy: I just wanna get this done.
Faith: Yeah. (smiling) I’m dying to test out the longbow. I think it
might be my new thing.
Buffy: I can’t believe you went back for that stuff.
Faith: Hey, how do you feel about getting some ribs? You know, after
we’re done?
They are surprised by an Eliminatus doing a front tuck from above and
landing in their way.
Cut to Giles’ office. Wesley checks out some of the pictures on the wall
while Giles sits at his desk fidgeting with his glasses.
Wesley: I didn’t say you had emotional problems. (turns to Giles) I
said you had an emotional problem. (condescendingly) It’s quite
different.
Giles: (enunciating clearly) My ‘attachment’ to the Slayer is not a
problem. In point of fact, it’s been a very…
Wesley: (interrupts) The way you’ve handled this assignment is
something of an embarrassment to the council.
Giles: (miffed) If you want to criticize my methods, fine. But you can
keep your snide remarks to yourself. And while you’re at it, don’t
criticize my methods. (puts on his glasses)
Wesley: The fact is, you’re no longer qualified to act as Watcher.
(paces behind Giles, condescendingly) It’s not your fault. You’ve done
well. It’s simply time for somebody else to take the field. (turns
around)
Giles looks at him, then past him through the window to the main area.
Giles: Now’s a good time to start.
Wesley turns to look as well, and there they see four Eliminati come to
take them to Balthazar.
Cut to the alley. The vampire roars and comes at Buffy. She sidesteps
him, grabs him and shoves him into the back of a truck. He comes at her
again and does a front snap kick at Buffy, which she blocks. She returns
with a roundhouse kick to his gut, knocking him to the pavement. Buffy
jumps on him, and they begin to struggle. Another vampire joins in as
Faith struggles with her bow, but they are in too close of quarters for
her to use it against him.
Faith: (to herself) Screw it!
She drops the bow, but holds on to the arrow. She ducks a roundhouse
kick from the demon, and the momentum of the kick without a hit makes
him keep spinning before he lands. Faith does a side-kick to his side,
and he staggers into the side of a truck. Faith comes at him with her
arrow and plunges it home as he turns around to attack again. He bursts
into ashes. Buffy gets up holding her stake, having just dusted hers as
well.
Faith: I think we’ve got more comin’!
They start quickly in the direction of the packing warehouse.
Buffy: We’re never gonna make it to the warehouse.
Faith: If they keep coming one at a time, we got a shot.
Suddenly another Eliminatus lands in front of them and thrusts at Faith
with his short sword. She reacts instantly, catching his arm and shoving
him into a crate, then pulling him off and swinging him backward onto a
pile of several chords of wood. Buffy steps right in and stakes him. He
crumbles to ash. The two Slayers continue along the alley at a brisk
pace.
At the end of the building an arm reaches out and grabs Buffy by the
shoulder. Instantly she grabs the man and throws him against a dumpster.
Faith jumps right in to stake him. He slumps down to the ground, hurt by
the impact against the heavy steel container. It’s Allan, but Faith is
too caught up in things and doesn’t realize he’s human.
Buffy: FAITH, NO!
Faith swings down with her stake and plunges it into Allan’s heart, then
pulls it out. Allan grabs his chest in pain and surprise. Blood pours
out freely, pumped out by his now punctured, beating heart. Faith backs
away as Buffy quickly gets down beside him to try to help him. Allan
pulls his hands away and looks down at them covered in his own blood,
shaking hard as he goes into shock. Buffy looks at the wound and sees
its severity.
Buffy: Don’t move!
Faith: (shocked) I didn’t… I didn’t know. I didn’t know.
Buffy: (to Faith behind her) We need to call 911, NOW!
Faith is paralyzed with fear. Allan shakes even harder as the blood loss
increases. He looks up at Buffy.
Buffy: (to Allan) Don’t move, i-it’s okay…
She tries to apply pressure to the wound, but the blood just keeps
coming.
Buffy: (to Faith) I-I need, I need something to stop the…
Allan begins to convulse. His eyes go wide with the fear of death as
blood begins to trickle from the corner of his mouth. He tries to say
something, but can’t get the words out. Buffy can only watch in despair,
unable to help. Allan looks down at his chest one last time, then
reaches up to Buffy, but his arm never makes it. It falls to his side,
and his body relaxes against the dumpster, finally dead. His eyes remain
wide open, staring up into nothing. Buffy stares back at him in open-
mouthed horror.
~~ Part 4 ~~
The alley. Allan lies dead against the dumpster. Faith begins to panic.
Faith: We gotta go!
She grabs Buffy and pulls her up.
Faith: Come on, we gotta go!
They run from the scene. The camera cuts to Allan’s face, still blankly
staring into space, and pans down to his blood-soaked shirt and jacket.
Cut to the Slayers running down an alley. Buffy stops to look back.
Faith grabs her arm to get her to follow.
Faith: Come on.
She climbs up on some crates and jumps over a wall. Buffy decides to
continue down the alley to a fence, and climbs over it instead.
Cut into another alley. Buffy waits for a car to pass on the street and
walks into the alley. There she is surprised by Angel coming out of the
shadows.
Buffy: Angel!
Angel: Buffy, I’ve been looking for you.
He notices that she’s stressed out, then sees the blood on her hands. He
takes one and holds it up to see. Buffy jerks it back.
Angel: Your hand.
Buffy: It’s okay.
Angel: I’ve just been to the warehouse. I was waiting for you. They got
Giles.
Buffy’s face instantly washes over with worry.
Cut to Allan’s body. Faith slowly steps up to it. In the distance a
police siren can be heard getting closer, then further away. Faith
kneels down beside Allan and reaches out for the wound. She touches it
and immediately yanks her hand back. She looks at him, her expression
full of guilt and horror at making the worst mistake she possibly could:
killing a human.
Cut to the packing warehouse. Wesley and Giles are being held before
Balthazar, but he’s ignoring them for the moment as he insistently
instructs the vampire with the ladle.
Balthazar: The front! The front! Moisten the front!
He groans as a ladle full of water is poured across his chest. Wesley
and Giles watch in disgust.
Wesley: (very nervous) Oh, God! (looks around desperately) Oh, God!
Giles: (calmly) It doesn’t seem too promising, does it?
Wesley: (trying not to panic) Stay calm, Mr. Giles. We have to stay
calm.
Giles: (brimming over with sarcasm) Well, thank God you’re here. I was
planning to panic.
Wesley: (looks at Balthazar) What is that thing?
Giles: That would be your demon. You know, the dead one?
Wesley: There’s no need to get snippy.
Balthazar finally turns his attention to the Watchers.
Balthazar: Bring them closer.
Two of the Eliminati grab them and shove them closer.
Balthazar: You know what I want.
Giles: If it’s for me to scrub those hard-to-reach areas, I’d like to
request you kill me now.
He is hit hard in the back for his insolence.
Giles: Ow.
Wesley: (beginning to panic) Are you out of your mind? This is hardly
the time for games!
Giles: Why not? They’re going to torture us to death anyway.
Balthazar: (snickers happily) You’re not wrong about that. (wheezes)
Wesley: Now, hold on. We-we-we can deal with this rationally. We have
something you want. You have something we want.
Balthazar: Hmm… A trade. Intriguing. (considers) No. Wait. Boring.
Pull off his kneecaps!
Two of the vampires grab him.
Wesley: (horrified) NOOO! No, no, no! (they let go, he caves) The
Slayer g-gave it to someone. A tall man, a friend… a friend of hers. I
can tell you everything.
Giles: (under his breath) Quiet, you twerp! They’ll kill us both.
Wesley: (panicked) But I’d like to have my kneecaps.
Balthazar: You will tell us everything!
Wesley: Yes! Sir.
Balthazar: What is this friend’s name?
Wesley: (at a loss) I didn’t actually catch it.
Giles: (tries to fake him out) Look, um, tell you what, let Captain
Courageous here go, and I’ll tell you what you need to know. How’s that
deal?
Balthazar: THERE IS ONE DEAL! YOU WILL DIE QUICKLY, OR YOU WILL DIE
SLOWLY! THE MAN WHO HAS MY AMULET! WHAT IS HIS NAAAME?!
Angel: His name is Angel.
He walks into their midst sporting his game face, and immediately grabs
the two Eliminati holding Giles and Wesley, pulling them away and
slamming one of them into a wall, the other into some metal shelves.
Another one moves to take their place holding the Watchers, but Giles
headbutts him, and he falls.
Buffy jumps in now, too, coming from the other direction, backhand
punches one vampire and punches another in the face. The first one
raises his sword and tries to attack, but she blocks him and grabs his
arm. She brings it down and knees him in the gut, making him drop his
sword. Giles sees Buffy catch it, and turns his tied hands toward her.
She swings the sword in a high arc and brings it down on the ropes
binding his wrists, slicing them cleanly. The pieces fall to the floor
as Giles grabs Wesley and pushes him out of harm’s way.
Buffy swings the sword back at the Eliminatus, but he catches her hand
and swings the sword down against the edge of Balthazar’s pool, forcing
her to drop it. He does a backhand swing at Buffy’s face, making her
trip forward, but she returns with a back kick at him, and then shoulder
rolls onto a large crate to avoid being sliced by another one’s sword.
Balthazar: (flailing his arms in a tantrum) Un… (sputters)
Unacceptable!
Angel ducks a swing from an Eliminatus and then does a right hook to his
face and punches him hard in the gut. He turns around and backhand
punches the one behind him, blocks a return swing and punches him again.
Balthazar: (very displeased) UNACCEPTABLE!
Out of the way of the fight, Giles unties Wesley’s hands. Behind him a
vampire roars, and he looks back in time to see and duck his sword. It
hits on a shelf, and Giles grabs the blade and back elbows the vamp in
the face, taking the sword from him. He swings it around and jams the
hilt of the sword into his face as well, then spins around in time to
take on another one.
The Eliminatus swings his sword at Giles, who parries it with his own.
The vampire swings again, and again Giles blocks it. The demon spins
around and swings down from above, but again Giles has his sword up in
time to block. He swings his arms around and down, forcing the
Eliminatus’ sword to the floor and making him bend down with it, and
then knees him in the face. The vampire jerks backward and falls to the
floor, dropping his sword.
In the meantime, the one whose sword was taken away by Giles grabs
Wesley from behind, pinning his arms behind his back.
Wesley: Giles!
Giles raises his sword and starts to swing it.
Giles: DOWN!
Wesley bends over fast, and the blade catches the vampire on the neck
and slices through. The beheaded Eliminatus bursts into ashes. Wesley
stands back up, shocked at what just happened.
Buffy gets to her feet on a raised area of the floor. An Eliminatus
comes at her with a sword, but she grabs his arm and pulls him past her
over a crate and into a barrel. Another one swings at her, and she
middle blocks him, punches him in the gut, ducks another swing and then
backhand punches him in the face. He falls to the floor. Buffy picks him
up and sends him spinning into a huge pile of rope. As he tries to come
at her again, she does a full spinning wheel kick to his face. He
quickly regains his balance and tries to punch her, but she redirects
his fist and holds onto it while she elbows him in the face. She swings
him around and throws him into a bunch of stacked oil barrels.
Angel delivers a side kick to his attacker. Another one tries to front
kick him, but he grabs his leg and throws him into a back layout.
Another one comes for Buffy. She just grabs him by the arms and throws
him from the raised floor to below. She blocks a roundhouse kick from
another and nearly gets punched in the face. She punches him in the gut,
and he doubles over, backing away a bit. This gives her room to fly into
a double spinning out-to-in jumping crescent kick. The vampire flies
upward spinning fast and lands hard on a crate, then rolls off onto the
floor below.
An Eliminatus gets Angel in the face with a jumping out-to-in crescent
kick, but he’s not fazed. Angel blocks a high punch from him, punches
him in the gut, grabs onto him and throws him through the air and into a
wall.
Balthazar has had enough and holds out his arms. The air between him and
Angel becomes disturbed, and Angel finds himself being sucked back
toward him. He lands on his back on the edge of the pool. Balthazar
seizes his head in both hands. Angel struggles to get away, but the grip
is extremely tight. Buffy sees what’s happening and looks for a way to
help. She spies an electrical cable hanging down from a lamp directly
above Balthazar. She grabs it and yanks hard, and the lamp falls from
the roof with sparks flying right into the pool. Balthazar immediately
lets go of Angel and writhes in agony as he is electrocuted. Giles and
Wesley stare in amazement. Soon Balthazar seems dead and the circuit
breakers shut off the power. Buffy rushes over to help Angel. He’s
shaken but fine. She looks at Balthazar and is startled when his eyes
whip open and he takes a sudden breath.
Balthazar: (weak and wheezing) Slayer! You think you’ve won. (chuckles
and wheezes) When he rises… you’ll wish I’d killed you all.
He lets out his last breath and dies. Buffy looks at Angel, wondering
what he meant.
Cut to a room at City Hall. Mayor Wilkins is kneeling in an inverted
pentagram with his hands out to his sides. Five candles are burning at
each point. He recites a spell.
Mayor Wilkins: Potestatem matris nostrae in tenebris invoco. Maledictum
filium tuum abomni periculo custodias nunc et in saecula!
Translation: Our mother of darkness, I summon thee. Curse now your
dangerous accursed son and protect him into the new age!
The building begins to shake. The Mayor remains still with his eyes
closed and moves with the quake. Mr. Trick looks around nervously, as
does Vincent who is locked in a cage. Soon it’s over, and the Mayor
opens his eyes and checks his watch.
Mayor Wilkins: I don’t understand why Allan would miss this. He’s
usually so punctual. (stands up)
Trick: (wide-eyed) Did it work?
Mayor Wilkins: Let’s find out. Open the gate.
Trick: You sure?
Mayor Wilkins: Oh! Hold on.
He trots over to Trick, takes Vincent’s sword from him, sets it tip-down
on the floor and lets it fall through the cage bars into Vincent’s
hands. The Mayor takes several steps back.
Mayor Wilkins: Okay. Now we’re ready.
Trick steps around to the front of the cage, unlocks the padlock and
removes the chains. The Mayor watches and waits calmly. Trick pulls open
the door, and Vincent rushes out, heading straight for the Mayor. He
raises his sword high and brings it down hard on the Mayor’s head,
slicing it in two. Amazingly, he does not bleed. The flesh inside just
shimmers as Vincent pulls back his sword. The two halves of the Mayor’s
head pull toward each other and seal themselves together. He stands
before Vincent as though he was completely untouched. Vincent can’t
believe his eyes and backs away. Mr. Trick waits behind him and stakes
him through the back. He explodes into ashes.
Mayor Wilkins: Well!
He reaches into his jacket, pulls out his daily planner and opens it to
today’s list. Some of the things included are:
Greet Scouts
Lumber Union Reschedule
Call Temp Agency
Become Invincible
Meeting With PTA
Haircut
He puts a check mark next to “Become Invincible” and puts the planner
away. Trick comes up to him.
Mayor Wilkins: This officially commences the Hundred Days. Nothing can
harm me until the Ascension. (smiles wide and laughs) Gosh, I’m feeling
chipper! (keeps laughing) Who’s for a root beer?!
He turns around and leaves the room. Trick can’t help but smile and
follow him.
Cut to Faith’s hotel. Cut to her bathroom. She is scrubbing at her shirt
in the sink when she hears a knock on the door and looks up.
Buffy: Faith, it’s me.
Faith leaves the shirt in the sink and goes to answer it. Buffy breaks a
long moment of silence.
Buffy: Hey.
Faith: Hey.
She walks back to the bathroom and continues scrubbing the shirt. Buffy
comes in, closes the door and follows Faith to the bathroom.
Buffy: So, I, uh… (sees Faith scrubbing) How are ya doin’?
Faith: (still scrubbing) I’m alright. You know me.
Buffy: Faith, we need to talk about what we’re gonna do.
Faith: (looks at Buffy) There’s nothing to talk about. I was doing my
job.
Buffy: Being a Slayer is not the same as being a killer.
Faith has nothing to say. She’s finished scrubbing.
Buffy: Faith, please don’t shut me out here. Look, sooner or later,
we’re both gonna have to deal.
Faith: (looks the shirt over) Wrong.
Buffy: We can help each other.
Faith: I don’t need it.
She pulls the plug from the sink, walks into the room and pulls open a
drawer on which to hang the shirt to dry.
Buffy: Yeah? Who’s wrong now? Faith, you can shut off all the emotions
that you want. But eventually, they’re gonna find a body.
Faith: (faces Buffy) Okay, this is the last time we’re gonna have this
conversation, and we’re not even having it now, you understand me? There
is no body. I took it, weighted it, and dumped it. The body doesn’t
exist. (turns away)
Buffy: (shocked) Getting rid of the evidence doesn’t make the problem
go away.
Faith: (faces Buffy) It does for me.
Buffy: (very concerned) Faith, you don’t get it. You killed a man.
Faith: No, you don’t get it. (smiles daringly) I don’t care!
She turns away again to tend to her things. Buffy is speechless with
disbelief.
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