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Episode Summary
Buffy has a nightmare in which she tries to escape the murky water while the murdered Finch pulls her down by the ankle. Finally reaching the surface, Buffy sees Faith, who immediately pushes her fellow Slayer back underwater.
After waking up, Buffy wanders down to the family room, where her mother is watching a news report about the discovery of Finch’s body. At the library, Wesley orders Buffy and Faith to investigate Finch’s murder.
During their discussion, Cordelia enters the library to check out some books for an assignment. She takes an immediate interest in Wesley, who doesn’t realize how old she really is until Giles and the others fill him in.
After heading out, Buffy tries to convince Faith into coming clean and confessing their crime. Faith reminds Buffy that they were both involved, so if she goes down, she’s taking Buffy with her. Buffy then spots Willow and tries to talk to her.
However, Willow is still stung by Buffy’s recent behavior. Meanwhile, Mayor Wilkins shreds all of Finch’s files that contain anything related to their dirty work. Mr. Trick listens as Mayor Wilkins wonders if Allan Finch was conspiring against him somehow.
Later that night, Buffy and Faith sneak into Finch’s office at City Hall to see if they can find any info that might explain why he was in the alley that night. They notice that almost all of his files are gone, which leads Buffy to believe that a cover-up may be in the works.
Just as they’re heading out, Mayor Wilkins and Mr. Trick enter the building on the opposite end of the hallway. Seeing them together, Buffy and Faith duck back into Finch’s office, waiting for the Mayor and Mr. Trick to pass by before running for the exit.
Outside, Buffy expresses her concern over Faith’s apparently guilt-free conscience. She doesn’t believe that Faith is perfectly okay with murdering a man, but Faith says otherwise. Faith believes that their nightly deeds as Slayers should put them above the law.
When Buffy returns home, she is greeted by her mother and Detective Stein, who has come to ask her a few questions about the night of the murder. Buffy lies and pleads ignorance to everything related to the murder.
Detective Stein leaves and visits Faith at her motel room, where he gets a similar story. Meanwhile, Buffy tells Willow the truth about everything that happened. Willow advises Buffy to go to Giles.
When Buffy arrives at the library, she finds out that Faith has gotten there first and pinned the murder on Buffy. Buffy tries to convince Giles otherwise, but he sends her to his office to deal with her later. After Faith goes home, Giles assures Buffy that he’s aware of Faith’s lies.
While Giles tells Buffy that he has no intentions of involving the Watcher’s Council in this matter, Wesley overhears the whole conversation from outside the office. Soon afterwards, he calls the Council in Britain to alert them of the crime.
The next morning, Buffy talks with Xander, Willow, and Giles about what they should do with Faith. Feeling he has a special connection with Faith ever since the night they slept together, Xander volunteers to talk to her.
In no time, Buffy, Willow, and Giles figure out what happened between the two of them. While Xander heads towards Faith’s motel room, Willow cries over the revelation that her first love has had sex with another girl.
At the motel room, Xander tries to help Faith see that what she did was wrong. With no intentions of hearing any more of this, Faith shoves Xander onto the bed and jumps on top of him. Unlike last time, however, Faith’s desires are much deadlier.
She wraps her hands around Xander’s neck and tries to squeeze the life out of him. Before she can kill him, Faith is distracted by a sound at her doorway. She turns her head just in time to see Angel swing a bat right into her face.
Later, Faith regains consciousness in the mansion. Noticing that she’s all chained up, Faith tries to come on to Angel. He leaves her there alone momentarily while he goes to talk with Buffy in another room.
Angel believes that Faith is more dangerous than ever, now that she’s experienced murder by her own hands. After Buffy leaves to patrol, Angel returns to the main chamber to talk to Faith. He tells her how he can relate to her sinful desires.
Unfortunately, Faith has no interest in his attempts to help her. Suddenly, Wesley and several other men crash into the mansion. The men subdue Angel while Wesley unlocks Faith’s chains.
Immediately after unlocking the last chain, Wesley restrains Faith with his own cuffs, informing the Slayer that she will be brought to Britain to face the Council. In the truck, Faith tricks one of the men into getting closer.
She then beats him to the ground and threatens to snap his neck unless Wesley frees her from the restraints. Wesley follows her orders. As soon as she’s freed, Faith knocks Wesley to the floor and jumps out the back of the truck.
Buffy returns to the mansion to find Faith gone and Angel immobilized on the floor. Shortly, Giles, Xander, and Willow arrive at the mansion.
When they try to formulate a plan to save Faith, Willow interrupts with her own objection to the idea of saving a guilty murderer who has just tried to kill Xander. At that moment, a bruised Wesley arrives at the mansion and tells them that Faith has escaped.
Having an idea of where she might be, Buffy goes to the docks. Sure enough, Faith is on one of the boats, ready to flee the country. Buffy tries one last time to turn Faith around and get help. They argue again, but this debate is cut short by a surprise ambush.
Mr. Trick and several of his vampire cohorts knock Buffy to the ground with a large crate. With Buffy down for the moment, Faith attempts to fight the vampires by herself. As Buffy recovers, Mr. Trick takes advantage of her weakened state to try and kill her once and for all.
After dusting the last of the vampire henchmen, Faith sees Mr. Trick about to bite into Buffy’s neck. Quickly, Faith rushes over and stakes Mr. Trick’s heart from behind, bringing him to a dusty end. At the library, Buffy talks to Giles about Faith’s heroic act.
They believe that there may still be hope for Faith. Little do they know that Faith plans on exploring her newly expanded horizons. Mayor Wilkins gets a visit from Faith at his office.
With Mr. Trick out of the picture, Faith wants the available job. Intrigued, Mayor Wilkins lets her into the office, shutting the door behind her.
Shooting Scripts
Teaser
EXT. RIVER – DAY
FADE UP
To find that we are UNDER WATER. Shafts of sunlight slice flowing blue currents … It is tranquil,
peaceful… Until a PANIC-STRICKEN BUFFY thrashes into view and we see that someone is GRIPPING
HER ANKLE, pulling her down to a watery grave.
Now we see that her attacker is the DEPUTY MAYOR. He is wearing a SUIT, just as he was the night
he died. Buffy manages to fight him off, kick him back into the murky depths. She swims frantically,
tries to surface – but can’t. Something is holding her down. She struggles.
For a moment, she manages to break the surface – sees that FAITH is holding her under. Her
expression inscrutable, FAITH SHOVES BUFFY UNDER AGAIN.
CLOSE ON BUFFY
Desperate, drowning…
INT. BUFFY’S ROOM – NIGHT
Buffy wakes from her dream with a start, badly shaken.
INT. HALLWAY – NIGHT
Buffy moves down the hall to the bathroom. Overhears her mother watching the NEWS on her
bedroom TV. Stops as:
TV NEWS REPORTER (O.C.)
…fishermen discovered the body
today, the victim of a brutal stabbing…
Buffy moves so she can see both the TV and her mother. Joyce doesn’t notice her.
INT. JOYCE’S BEDROOM – NIGHT
CLOSE ON TV
Where a REPORTER STANDS ON THE DOCKS, addressing the camera.
TV NEWS REPORTER
….Authorities and citizens alike
were shocked when the slain man was
identified as Deputy Mayor, Allan
Finch. Still reeling from the news,
Mayor Wilkins had this to say:
Now THE MAYOR appears on the TV, STANDING AT A PODIUM IN THE ROTUNDA. Looking
appropriately distraught.
MAYOR
Mr. Finch was not only my longtime
aide and associate, he was a close
personal friend… I promise you –
I will not rest until whoever did
this is found and brought to justice.
ON JOYCE
Who notices Buffy standing there.
JOYCE
Oh, honey. You’re up…
Now Joyce looks back to the TV. Shakes her head sympathetically.
JOYCE
It’s just terrible – isn’t it?
INT. HALLWAY – NIGHT
ON BUFFY
Who just nods, horrified. Feeling like the walls are closing in on her.
BLACK OUT.
END OF TEASER
Act One
INT. LIBRARY – DAY
ON WESLEY
Who paces, amped.
WESLEY
I want you to look into this. Find
out everything you can about the
murder of the Deputy Mayor.
REVEAL that he’s talking to an extremely anxious BUFFY
BUFFY
But, I mean – it’s not really our…
jurisdiction – is it?
Now we see FAITH, who seems pretty cool. She glances at Buffy, sending the message – chill out.
FAITH
It’s no big, B. We can get into it
if he wants-
She’d go on – but now GILES steps forward, irritated.
GILES
No. Buffy’s right. The Deputy
Mayor’s murder was the result of
human malice. There’s nothing
supernatural about it.
WESLEY
We don’t know that for certain. I
say it merits investigation.
GILES
Which I’m sure the police are doing.
However, if you ask me, there are far
better uses of the slayers time-
WESLEY
(pointed)
Ah, but, I don’t believe I did. Ask you.
GILES
(fuming)
Well, considering the success of your
last venture you might do well to-
Giles STOPS SHORT as CORDELIA ENTERS.
CORDELIA
Don’t let me interrupt. Wait. Let
me interrupt. I’m in a hurry.
GILES
What did you need?
CORDELIA
(turning back)
Psych class. Freud and Jung. Book me.
GILES
Happily.
Giles moves into the stacks. Now Cordelia turns to the others, really noticing WESLEY for the first
time.
CORDELIA
Check out Giles, the next generation.
What’s your deal?
Wesley is clearly taken with/flustered by Cordy. He manages this debonair reply:
WESLEY
Uh, I, uh – well –
FAITH
New watcher.
CORDELIA
Oh.
WESLEY
Does everyone know about-
BUFFY
She’s a friend.
CORDELIA
Let’s not exaggerate.
Cordy looks him over, likes what she sees. Decides to have a little fun.
CORDELIA
(flirtatious)
So you’re the new watcher.
WESLEY
(proffered hand)
Wesley Wyndam-Pryce.
She takes his hand, doesn’t let go.
CORDELIA
I like a man with two last names.
I’m Cordelia.
WESLEY
And you teach psychology?
CORDELIA
I take psychology.
GILES
(returning)
She’s a student.
Wesley snatches his hand back. Giles stamps Cordy’s books.
WESLEY
(trying to be official)
Well then, yes. In fact I am. Here
to watch. Girls. I mean Buffy and
Faith, in specific.
Cordelia is enjoying her effect on Wesley. Moves closer, really turning on the gas. Wesley squirms.
CORDELIA
Well, it’s about time we got some
fresh blood.
WESLEY
Ha! Well. Fresh. Yes.
Giles stamps emphatically. Hands the books to Cordy.
GILES
Here you go.
CORDELIA
Thanks.
Cordy turns back to Wesley. Hits him with a killer smile.
CORDELIA
Welcome to Sunnydale.
And she bails. Wesley takes a minute to recover.
WESLEY
My. She’s… cheeky. Isn’t she?
FAITH
First word, “jail,” second word, “bait.”
WESLEY
Well. Where were we?
Anxious to get out of there, Buffy stands. A little too urgent.
BUFFY
Done.
(to Faith/trying for
calmer)
We were done. Weren’t we?
FAITH
Yep. Off to patrol. See ya.
Faith gets up and they start for the door. But Wesley catches them. Gives Giles a “back off” look.
WESLEY
One moment, girls. I am your
commander now and on the matter of
this murder, I am resolved. “Natural”
or “super” – I want to know.
ON BUFFY AND FAITH
Who both look like the proverbial deer caught in the headlights. Finally, Faith smiles.
FAITH
Fine by me. Always ready to kick a
little bad guy butt.
INT. CLASSROOM – DAY
An agitated Faith and Buffy move into an empty classroom. They close the door – make sure they’re
alone. Then-
FAITH
You gonna rat me out? Is that it?
BUFFY
We have to tell, Faith. I can’t
pretend to investigate, can’t pretend
that I don’t know…
FAITH
Oh. I see. You can “pretend” that
Angel’s still dead when you need to
protect him-
BUFFY
I am trying to protect you, Faith.
If we don’t do the right thing, it’ll
only make things worse for you.
FAITH
Worse than jail for the rest of my
young life? No way.
BUFFY
Faith, what we did-
FAITH
Yeah. We. You were right there
beside me when this thing went down.
Anything I have to answer for – you
do too. You’re part of this, B. All
the way.
With that, Faith TAKES OFF – leaving Buffy breathless.
INT. SCHOOL LOUNGE – DAY
Dazed, Buffy moves from the hall to the lounge area. Sees WILLOW there, reading. Goes to her –
needing a connection.
Willow sees her coming. Glances up from her book. Looks back. She’s still a little hurt by what she
feels is Buffy’s rejection. Buffy sits next to her. Tries to smile.
BUFFY
Hey.
WILLOW
Hey… Where’s Faith? I saw her
around. Figured you guys were off to
kill more nasty stuff.
BUFFY
Not right now. She bailed, I guess.
An awkward moment. Then they both talk at once.
BUFFY
Will – I thought maybe we could-
WILLOW
Actually, I should get-
They stop.
BUFFY
Sorry… You go.
WILLOW
I’m – late.
Willow stands, gathers her things. Continues, a little apologetically.
WILLOW
I’m meeting Michael, the warlock guy?
We’re still trying to “de-rat” Amy.
BUFFY
Oh.
WILLOW
So. See you.
BUFFY
See you.
And she takes off, leaving BUFFY feeling more alone and lost then ever.
EXT. ALLEY – NIGHT
Two police cars are parked at the entrance to the alley, lights flashing. A few policemen and
detectives move about, collecting evidence.
DETECTIVE PAUL STEIN, the policeman who investigated Buffy in “Ted”, is there – talking to a
neighborhood woman.
STEIN
So you heard the man scream about
what time last night?
WOMAN
I’m not sure. Seven? Maybe eight.
STEIN
Can you be more specific? Say,
between seven and seven thirty?
ANOTHER ANGLE
Where we see ANGEL, moving in the shadows near the entrance of the alley. He stops – watches a
medical examiner scraping BLOOD from the wall.
CLOSE ON ANGEL
As he remembers…
FLASH TO:
EXT. ANOTHER ALLEY – FLASHBACK TO EPI. 14 – NIGHT
As BUFFY runs into Angel, distraught.
BUFFY
Angel!
ANGEL
Buffy. I’ve been looking for you.
(sees her hand)
Your hand!
He takes it. She looks down to see it is covered in blood. She pulls it away.
EXT. ALLEY – REAL TIME – NIGHT
BACK TO ANGEL
As he moves away, clearly worried.
INT. MAYOR’S OFFICE – NIGHT
CLOSE ON
A paper shredder as it GOBBLES UP some documents – makes spaghetti of them.
WIDEN TO INCLUDE
The MAYOR, who feeds the shredder. Looking glum.
Now TRICK enters – a file folder in hand. The Mayor barely looks up from his task.
MAYOR
It’s not working.
TRICK
It’s supposed to do something
Besides shred?
MAYOR
It’s supposed to cheer me up!
Usually, using the shredder gives me
a lift. It’s fun.
TRICK
And today you’re not getting the ya yas.
MAYOR
No. Guess it’ll take more than this
to turn my frown upside down. I just
don’t understand why Allan would
leave such a paper trail about our
dealings. Do you think he was going
to betray me? That’s a horrible
thought. And now he’s dead and I’ll
never have the chance to scold him.
TRICK
Maybe this will change your mood.
Now Trick drops a file folder on the Mayor’s desk.
MAYOR
What is it?
TRICK
Bombshell.
The Mayor picks up the file. Reads. Then looks up, his expression in agreement with Trick’s
assessment.
TRICK
The Deputy Mayor had wooden splinters
in his wound. Struck right through
the heart with a sharp, pointed
object. Now word is someone was
fighting vampires not a block away
from the scene.
(then)
Smart money says – it’s a slayer did
this job.
MAYOR
You think he talked? To them?
TRICK
If he did, I’m thinking he said the
wrong thing.
MAYOR
(smiles)
Well, this is exciting. A slayer up
for Murder One. That’s sunshine and
roses to me. It really is.
OFF THE MAYOR
Clearly feeling a tad peppier.
BLACK OUT.
END OF ACT ONE
Act Two
EXT. SUNNYDALE TOWN HALL – NIGHT
Establishing.
INT. DEPUTY MAYOR’S OFFICE – NIGHT
BLACK
Then a door opens and light from the outside hail spills in, illuminating BUFFY AND FAITH as they
enter.
Buffy closes the door and Faith flicks on a light. The office is absolutely generic. A few unremarkable
personal items. A rubber plant. Buffy and Faith move about, taking all this in as they talk in hushed
tones.
FAITH
I’m telling you. We did the world a
favor. This guy was about as
interesting as watching paint dry.
Buffy stops, shocked at her callousness.
BUFFY
Faith-
FAITH
Joking. Geez, lighten up, B…
But now Faith comes across a framed photo. Picks it up.
CLOSE ON PHOTO
It’s a shot of the Deputy Mayor with the Mayor at an official function of some kind. The Deputy Mayor
is smiling, proud.
FAITH
He came out of nowhere.
BUFFY
(sympathetically)
I know.
At this Faith’s eyes go cold and she returns to the search.
FAITH
Whatever. I’m not looking to hug and
cry and learn and grow. I’m just
saying it went down quick, is all.
Buffy, a little stung, decides to let it go – also looks around some more. But now Faith is restless,
irritated.
FAITH
Let’s just blow. I mean, who cares
what this guy was about? It’s kind
of moot now – don’t you think?
BUFFY
I don’t think he was in that alley by
chance. I think he was looking for
us. Like to know why.
FAITH
(scoffing)
So, what, you think there’s some big
conspiracy-
Buffy opens the file cabinet drawers. They’re empty. Buffy looks to Faith. Touché.
BUFFY
You were saying?
FAITH
So his papers are gone. That doesn’t
prove anything.
BUFFY
Except that somebody doesn’t want us
to prove anything.
OFF BUFFY
Troubled.
INT. HALLWAY OUTSIDE DEPUTY MAYOR’S OFFICE – NIGHT
Buffy and Faith poke their heads out of the Deputy Mayor’s office – checking to see if the coast is
clear. They are about to move into the hall when another door opens and THE MAYOR AND TRICK
walk out of the Mayor’s office.
Buffy sees them – then quickly and quietly shuts the door before she and Faith are noticed.
INT. DEPUTY MAYOR’S OFFICE – NIGHT
Buffy and Faith lean against the door. Hear the muffled voices of the MAYOR AND TRICK as they
pass.
MAYOR (O.C.)
…get as many men on it as we can.
TRICK (O.C.)
Yeah. We’ll be wanting to turn up
the heat.
Faith and Buffy look at each other.
EXT. STREET – NIGHT
Buffy and Faith walk quickly. Buffy is reeling, freaked by what she just saw. Faith, on the other hand,
seems pumped.
FAITH
(wry)
So the mayor of Sunnydale is a black
hat. Shocker, huh?
BUFFY
Actually – yeah. I didn’t get the
bad guy vibe off him.
Faith shakes her head. Scoffs.
FAITH
When you gonna learn, B? It doesn’t
matter what kind of “vibe” a person
gives off. Nine times outta ten
the face they’re showing you? It
isn’t the real one.
Buffy takes this in.
BUFFY
I guess you know a lot about that.
FAITH
What’s that supposed to mean?
BUFFY
Look at you, Faith. Less than twenty
four hours ago you killed a guy.
And now you’re laughing and
scratching and zipidee doo dah.
That’s not your real face, and I know
it. I know what you’re feeling
because I feel it too.
FAITH
(dubious)
Do you? So, fill me in. I’d like to
hear this.
BUFFY
Dirty. Like something sick creeped
inside you and you can’t get it out.
And you keep hoping what happened was
just some nightmare…
(hard)
But it wasn’t, Faith. And we have to-
FAITH
(cutting her off/unmoved)
Is there gonna be an intermission in this?
BUFFY
Let’s just talk to Giles. I swear-
FAITH
No way. We’re not bringing anybody
else into this. You gotta keep your
head, B. This is all going to blow
over in a few days.
BUFFY
What if it doesn’t?
FAITH
If it doesn’t… They got a
freighter leaving the docks at least
twice a day. It’s not fancy – but it
gets you gone.
BUFFY
And then what? You just live with
it? See this dead guy in your head
for the rest of your life?
FAITH
Buffy. I’m not going to “see”
anything… I missed the mark last
night. And I’m sorry about the guy,
really. But it happens.
(then)
Anyway – how many people do you think
we’ve saved by now? Thousands? And
didn’t you stop the world from
ending? In my book, that puts you
and me firmly in the plus column.
BUFFY
we help people. That doesn’t mean we
can do whatever we want-
FAITH
Why not? This guy I offed was no
Ghandi. We just saw – he was mixed
up in dirty dealing.
BUFFY
Maybe. But what if he was coming to
us for help?
FAITH
What if he was? You’re still not
looking at the big picture, B.
Something made us different. We’re
warriors. We were built to kill-
BUFFY
(cutting her off)
To kill demons. But we don’t get to
pass judgement on people, like we’re
better than everybody else-
FAITH
We are better.
(this stop Buffy)
That’s right. Better. People need
us to survive. In the balance?
Nobody’s gonna cry over some random
bystander who got caught in the crossfire.
Buffy looks stricken. Finally-
BUFFY
I am.
Faith just looks at her. Shakes her head.
FAITH
Your loss.
With that, Faith walks on. Leaving Buffy behind, appalled.
EXT. BUFFY’S HOUSE – NIGHT
Buffy comes up the walk to her house, distraught. Before she even gets to the front door, JOYCE
opens it – freaked.
JOYCE
Buffy…
She steps aside, revealing DETECTIVE STEIN.
OFF BUFFY
Stunned, cold with fear.
INT. BUFFY’S HOUSE – LIVING ROOM – NIGHT
Buffy and Detective Stein sit across from each other as he questions her. Joyce is also there. Buffy is
doing her best to remain calm in the face of his intense scrutiny.
STEIN
Tell me again. You got home at what
time last night?
BUFFY
Late. A little past one, I guess.
STEIN
Maybe you can explain to me what a
girl your age is doing out all night.
INTERCUT WITH:
INT. FAITH’S MOTEL – NIGHT
As STEIN interrogates FAITH. He’s just asked her the same question. Faith, naturally, throws
attitude.
FAITH
Just hanging.
STEIN
Hanging? By yourself?
FAITH
No. I was with my friend Buffy.
INT. BUFFY’S HOUSE – LIVING ROOM – NIGHT
BUFFY
We were at Faith’s. Watching TV.
STEIN
What did you watch?
INT. FAITH’S MOTEL – NIGHT
FAITH
Some old movie.
INT. BUFFY’S HOUSE – LIVING ROOM – NIGHT
BUFFY
Infomercial.
STEIN
That’s funny. ‘Cause I’ve got a couple
witnesses who put you near the alley.
INT. FAITH’S MOTEL – NIGHT
FAITH
Witnesses?
STEIN
(nods)
Somebody stabbed this guy through the
heart. Strange thing is, the weapon?
It was made outta wood.
(then)
Any of this mean anything to you?
FAITH
Yeah. Whoever did it wasn’t hip to
the bronze age.
!NT. BUFFY’S HOUSE – LIVING ROOM – NIGHT
Buffy looks like she can barely contain her rising panic.
BUFFY
Is that it? I’m – I’m kind of beat.
Stein stands to go – fixes her with a knowing look.
STEIN
I have enough for now.
(then)
Buffy. If you know something. If
you’re protecting someone…
INT. FAITH’S MOTEL – NIGHT
As Stein gives the same rap to Faith.
STEIN
…I promise you it’ll be better for
everyone if you come clean.
BUFFY’S HOUSE – LIVING ROOM – NIGHT
Buffy looks as though she could be wavering. But she just shakes her head “no.”
BUFFY
I wish I could help you.
INT. FAITH’S MOTEL – NIGHT
FAITH
You mean, am I covering for someone?
Hardly. I’m not the “throw myself on
the sword” type.
She smiles. Stein nods, but he’s not buying it. He heads for the door. Hands her his card.
STEIN
Well. Call me if you “remember” anything.
And he’s gone. Faith leans against the door, letting down. She fights to catch her breath.
EXT. FAITH’S MOTEL – NIGHT
We see Stein exit the hotel. He gets in his car, drives off.
REVEAL
ANGEL. Standing alongside the motel, watching. His expression betraying both thoughtfulness and
concern.
INT. WILLOW’S BEDROOM – NIGHT
Willow is working on her computer when a TAPPING on her FRENCH DOOR WINDOWS draws her
attention. Is surprised to see BUFFY standing there. She goes to the doors – opens them.
BUFFY
Hey.
WILLOW
Hey…
They move into the room. Stand there awkwardly. Then-
BUFFY
I really need to talk to you.
WILLOW
Good. ‘Cause I’ve been letting
things fester. And I don’t like it.
I want to be fester-free.
BUFFY
Yeah. Me too-
WILLOW
(anxious/interrupting)
I mean, don’t get me wrong. I
understand why you and Faith have
been doing the bonding thing. You
work together – you should get along.
BUFFY
It’s more complicated than that.
WILLOW
But, see? It’s that exact thing
that’s ticking me off. This whole
“slayer’s only” attitude. Since when
wouldn’t I understand? You talk to
me about everything! It’s like – all
of the sudden I’m not cool enough for
you because I can’t kill things with
my bare hands!
BUFFY takes this in. A beat. Then she BURSTS INTO TEARS. Willow reacts.
WILLOW
Oh! Oh, Buffy. Don’t cry. I’m
sorry. I was too hard on you.
Sometimes I unleash… and I don’t
know my own strength. It’s bad.
(off Buffy’s continued tears)
I’m bad. I’m a bad, bad person.
Finally, Buffy finds her voice. Barely meeting Willow’s eye, she manages-
BUFFY
Will. I’m in trouble.
TIME CUT TO:
INT. WILLOW’S BEDROOM – NIGHT
As BUFFY finishes her story.
BUFFY
…And Faith just acts like she
doesn’t care. The way she talks, she
doesn’t even think she made a mistake.
Willow takes it all in. Overwhelmed.
WILLOW
You think she’s like, in shock?
BUFFY
I don’t know. But this police guy
knows more than he’s saying. I think
he knew I was lying.
A long beat as Willow considers Buffy’s options. Then-
WILLOW
You have to go to Giles, Buffy.
He’ll know what to do.
Buffy finally nods. Takes Willow’s hand. And they both just sit there, scared.
INT. LIBRARY – NIGHT
BUFFY enters. The lights are on – but the library appears empty.
BUFFY
Giles?
A beat. Then he enters from his office. He immediately reads her expression. Knows something is
terribly amiss.
GILES
Buffy-
Buffy steels herself. Moves to him.
BUFFY
Giles, I don’t know how to say this
so I’m just going to say it. I know
I’ve kept things from you before but-
She stops as she sees FAITH standing in the doorway to Giles’ office. It’s clear from her expression
that she’s heard every word Buffy said. Buffy immediately starts to back down.
BUFFY
But… I’ve been sort of blowing off
my classes- you know, in the sense of
not attending…
But Faith stops her.
FAITH
It’s okay, Buffy. I told him.
Now Faith looks away – unable to meet Buffy’s eye.
BUFFY
(surprised)
You told?
FAITH
Had to. He had to know what you did.
BUFFY
What I did?
A beat as this sinks in. Then Buffy turns to Giles, desperate.
BUFFY
No. Giles. That’s not- That’s not
what happened-
But Giles shuts her down, furious.
GILES
I don’t want to hear it, Buffy.
You’ve been lying again. To me,
to everybody.
BUFFY
What? No!
(to Faith/aghast)
You can’t be serious.
You’re setting me up?
Faith, guilty, ignores her. Turns away.
GILES
Buffy. Go to my office.
(almost as sternly)
Faith, I’ll speak to you in the morning.
BUFFY
Giles-
GILES
Now.
Buffy, stunned, does as she’s told. Faith moves to Giles, anxious. Ready to bail.
FAITH
I’m… sorry.
Giles just nods. Faith leaves.
INT. GILES’ OFFICE – NIGHT
Giles enters. Silent. Buffy immediately launches into her explanation.
BUFFY
Giles. I didn’t do this. I swear.
I messed up bad, I admit it. But the
murder. It was-
GILES
Faith. I know.
(off Buffy’s surprise)
She has many talents, Buffy.
Fortunately, lying isn’t one of them.
Buffy takes this in. Tremendously relieved.
BUFFY
Oh. Oh God. I thought-
GILES
I’m sorry. I needed to see how far
she’d take the charade.
BUFFY
Try – far. Like all the way.
GILES
You should have come to me right off.
BUFFY
I know. I wanted to…
GILES
But Faith wouldn’t hear of it.
BUFFY
It’s not all her fault, Giles. We
both thought it was a vamp. I only
realized a second before-
GILES
Buffy, this is not the first time
something like this has happened.
BUFFY
It’s not?
GILES
A slayer is on the front lines of a
nightly war, Buffy. It’s tragic –
but accidents have happened.
BUFFY
What do you do?
GILES
The council investigates, meters out
punishment if punishment is due…
I’ve no plan to involve them,
however. That’s the last thing Faith
needs right now. She’s unstable,
Buffy. She seems utterly unable to
accept responsibility. Shows no remorse.
BUFFY
Well, she’s freaking, right? I mean,
we’ll just have to help her deal.
GILES
There is no help for her unless she
can admit what happened.
BUFFY
I can talk to her…
GILES
Perhaps…
BUFFY
Or maybe I’m too close-
one of the guys could…
GILES
We should meet. They may be seeing
a different side of her.
BUFFY
Okay.
GILES
But nobody else is to hear,
understood?
INT. LIBRARY – CONT. (NIGHT)
Where we see WESLEY, who entered a few moments before. He’s overheard the whole thing.
BUFFY (O.C.)
Absolutely.
GILES (O.C.)
This is a very delicate stage. If we
scare her off now we could lose her forever.
OFF WESLEY
His expression inscrutable.
BLACK OUT.
END OF ACT TWO
Act Three
INT. CAFETERIA – DAY
It’s late in the day and the cafeteria is totally empty. Buffy, Willow, Xander and Giles are in the midst
of a “family meeting.” Topic – what to do about Faith and the murder.
WILLOW
Maybe we should all talk
to Faith together.
BUFFY
Like the intervention thing you guys
did on me? As I recall, Xander and
I nearly came to blows.
XANDER
You nearly came to blows, Buffy. I
nearly came to loss of limbs.
GILES
No – Faith’s too defensive to be
confronted in that manner. I think
the “one on one” approach is more
likely to reach her-
XANDER
I could be the one. On her one.
(quickly)
Let’s rephrase. I mean, I think she
might listen to me. We kind of have
a “connection.”
BUFFY
(dubious)
A connection. Like when you say “hi”
and she says “hi” and then she blows you off?
XANDER
Something like that. It’s just worth
a shot, that’s all I’m saying.
GILES
I don’t see it, Xander. Of all of
us, you’re arguably the person Faith
has had the least contact with.
XANDER
Yeah – but we hung out a little.
Recently. And she seemed, uh, responsive.
BUFFY
When did you hang out?
XANDER
She was fighting one of those
apocalypse demon things and I helped
her. Gave her a ride home.
BUFFY
And you guys talked?
XANDER
Not extensively.
BUFFY
Well then why do you- Oh.
GILES
Ohh.
A beat of surprise. Then they all look to Willow for her reaction. Amazingly, she appears quite calm.
WILLOW
I don’t need to say “oh.” I got it
before. They slept together.
GILES
(uncomfortable)
Fine then, moving on-
BUFFY
Xander – I know you mean well. But
I don’t see Faith opening up to you.
She doesn’t take the guys she… “has
a connection with” very seriously.
They’re kind of a big joke with her.
No offense.
XANDER
(offended)
Oh, no. Why would I find that offensive?
GILES
Buffy’s right, Xander. In this instance,
it would be best if you let Faith be.
(then)
However, if you want to be of
assistance, I could use some research
help. We have this business of the
Mayor and Mr. Trick to attend to.
BUFFY
Yeah. They were looking pretty cozy
the other night.
GILES
(to Willow)
Willow – can you access the Mayor’s records?
WILLOW
What? Oh. Sure. I can try.
GILES
Good. It’s clearly time we took a
harder look at him. He’s up to something.
BUFFY
What about Faith?
GILES
I don’t know. Give me a little time-
BUFFY
She needs help. Now.
(almost to herself)
I owe her that, at least.
INT. GIRL’S BATHROOM – DAY
We move past the stalls. Find a pair of feet behind one door.
INSIDE STALL
Where we see WILLOW, books on her lap, sitting on the closed lid of the toilet – crying uncontrollably.
FADE TO:
INT. HOTEL ROOM – DAY
Wesley dials the phone in his comfortable but modest hotel room. Waits. Then-
WESLEY
Yes, hello. I need Mr. Travers,
Quentin Travers… Wesley Wyndam
Pryce calling. The code word?
Monkey… M-O-N-K-
(losing patience)
Just put him on, would you? This is
an emergency.
INT. FAITH’S MOTEL ROOM – NIGHT
Faith is watching TV, her face a complete blank – until a knock at the door rouses her from her
trance-like state. She goes to the door. Opens it. Sees Xander.
FAITH
What?
XANDER
Hey.
She just looks at him, impassive.
XANDER
I just wanted to see how you are, actually.
FAITH
Sick of people asking me that,
for one thing.
Another awkward beat. Then-
XANDER
Can I come in? Just to talk. Promise.
FAITH
Like you could make something happen
if I didn’t want it to.
XANDER
Hey, yeah. You got me there. Pretty
much, not gonna try to “take you”
under any circumstances.
(makes a muscle)
See? Feel that. Must be like a wet
noodle to you.
Finally, Faith steps aside to let him in.
FAITH
Five minutes.
XANDER
That’s all I need.
(quickly)
For talking. In conversation – I can
be quick like a bunny.
Xander enters – looks around. Realizes he has no idea what he’s going to say.
FAITH
Clock is running.
XANDER
I just – I heard about what happened,
and I thought maybe you needed a friend.
FAITH
So talk to Buffy. She’s the one who
killed a guy.
Xander takes this in.
XANDER
Yeah. I heard that version-
FAITH
(hard)
Version?
XANDER
Either way, sounds to me like it was
an accident. That’s the important part.
FAITH
No. The important part is – Buffy’s
the “accidental” murderer.
XANDER
Faith, you may not think so, but I
sort of know you. I’ve seen you post-
battle. And I know, first hand,
you’re… like a wild thing. You
don’t know what you’re doing half the time.
FAITH
You’re living proof of that, huh?
XANDER
See – you can try to hurt me, but you
need somebody on your side right now.
What happened? It’s not your fault.
And I’m willing to testify to that.
In court, if you need me to.
FAITH
You’d dig that, wouldn’t you? To get
up in front of all your geek pals and
go on record about how I made you my
boy toy for a night-
XANDER
No. No, that’s not it-
Now Faith’s attitude shifts. Becomes sexual, predatory.
FAITH
That’s what this is all about, isn’t
it? You just came here because you
want another taste.
XANDER
No… I mean, it was nice, it was
great, well, it was kind of a blur,
but, okay, someday, sure, yay… But
not now, not like this.
FAITH
Then like how? Lights on or off?
Kinks or vanilla?
XANDER
(sincere)
Come on,Faith. I just wanted to
help. I thought we had a connection.
Faith laughs. Then SLAMS XANDER hard in the chest, shoving him down onto the bed.
XANDER
Ow! Faith-
Faith STRADDLES him. Hands go roughly under his clothes.
FAITH
You want to feel our connection?
She’s touching him. Arousing him despite himself.
FAITH
It’s just skin.
Now she kisses him – wet and deep. Breaks away.
FAITH
I see. I want. I take.
(then/hard)
I forget.
XANDER
No. We- It’s more than that-
Faith is grinding on him (thank God for Levis) – making him crazy.
FAITH
I could do anything to you right now.
And you want me to.
He moans, helpless in more ways than one.
CLOSE ON FAITH AND XANDER
As she nibbles – then BITES.
XANDER
Ahhh!
FAITH
I could make you scream.
WHOMP!
And her hands are around his neck. Squeezing. Xander grabs her arms, but can’t break her grasp.
Faith still licks and kisses, clearly even more aroused than before. Xander’s eyes are WILD and
DARTING. He struggles for breath.
FAITH
I could make you die.
She TIGHTENS HER GRIP, not kissing anymore. Xander is turning colors, passing out. She’s taking
this all the way. His arms claw at her, then drop.
Then there’s a noise – a floor board creaks – and a HUMAN SHADOW falls over the bed. Faith SPINS,
shocked.
FAITH’S POV
As she sees ANGEL SWING A BASEBALL BAT right into her FACE.
WHOMP!
BLACK
INT. MANSION – NIGHT
CLOSE ON A SET OF CHAINS BOLTED INTO THE WALL
We follow the chains down until we see FAITH in shackles. She’s just regaining consciousness after
the BLOW ANGEL dealt her. She looks across the room, sees-
ANGEL
Who sits, waiting for her to awaken.
FAITH
Finally decided to tie me up, huh?
Always knew you weren’t really a one
slayer guy.
ANGEL
I’m sorry about the chains. It’s not
that I don’t trust you-
(then)
Actually. It is that I don’t trust you.
FAITH
That thing with Xander? I know what
it looked like, but we were just playing-
ANGEL
And he forgot the safety word? That it?
FAITH
Safety words are for wusses.
Now Angel crouches near her. Looks at her hard.
ANGEL
I bet you’re not big on trust games,
are you, Faith?
FAITH
(scoffing)
You gonna shrink me now, that it?
ANGEL
I just want to talk to you.
FAITH
That’s what they all say. Then
it’s – “just let me stay the night.
I won’t try anything.”
ANGEL
You wanna go the long way ’round, I
can do that.
He stands.
ANGEL
I’m not getting any older.
And he walks off. WE FOLLOW ANGEL AS HE MOVES INTO THE-
EXT. MANSION GARDEN – NIGHT
WHERE WE SEE BUFFY waiting, like a worried parent. Angel moves to her.
BUFFY
How’s she doing?
ANGEL
Like talking to a wall. Only you get
more from a wall.
BUFFY
But you’ll keep trying, right?
ANGEL
Sure. We’re just getting started.
BUFFY
So what do I do?
ANGEL
(gently)
Right now there’s nothing you can do.
Again Buffy can’t hear it. Brightens at an idea.
BUFFY
This could go on for a while, right?
So I’ll go to Faith’s place and get
her some of her clothes and stuff.
That way she’ll see we’re on her
side – that we want her to be comfortable.
ANGEL
It’s not a bad idea.
BUFFY
Great. I’ll be back.
ANGEL
I just… Don’t get your hopes up,
Buffy. She may not want our help.
BUFFY
She does. I know it. She doesn’t
know how to say it.
ANGEL
She killed a man. That changes
everything for her.
BUFFY
Giles said with counseling, she might
not have to be locked up, or at least-
ANGEL
That’s not what I mean. She’s taken
a life.
BUFFY
I know.
ANGEL
She’s got a taste for it, now.
Off Buffy’s reaction…
INT. MAYOR’S OFFICE – NIGHT
CLOSE ON A TV SCREEN
Where we see a SECURITY TAPE playing. The image, although grainy, clearly shows BUFFY AND
FAITH sneaking into the Deputy Mayor’s office.
ON THE MAYOR AND TRICK
Who watch. The Mayor is as upset as we have ever seen him.
MAYOR
Not one slayer, but two. Right here
in the building…
TRICK
(blustering)
There was supposed to be a guard-
MAYOR
(cutting him off)
Shhhh. Here comes my favorite
part – where the slayers see us in
the hall together, thick as thieves.
(burning)
Oh, wait – we are thieves. And
worse. And now they know it.
TRICK
They’re not gonna be much of
a threat in jail-
MAYOR
We don’t have near enough evidence to
put them away. No, you’re going to
have to think of a more efficient
solution. And Mr. Trick… You’d
better think of it soon.
Trick gets the message.
INT. MANSION – NIGHT
CLOSE ON FAITH
Who wears a studied look of disinterest as we see ANGEL’S LEGS PASS IN FRONT OF HER.
ANGEL (O.C.)
I know what’s going on with you.
FAITH
Join the club. Everybody seems to
have a theory.
WIDEN TO INCLUDE
ANGEL, who stares her down. Intense.
ANGEL
But I know. What it’s like, to take
a life. To feel a future, a world of
possibility – snuffed out by your own
hand. I know the power in it. The
exhilaration. It was like a drug for me.
FAITH
Yeah? Sounds like you need some
help. A professional, maybe.
ANGEL
A professional couldn’t have helped
me. It stopped when I got my soul
back. My human heart.
FAITH
Goody for you.
(then)
If we’re going to party, let’s get on
with it. otherwise, could you let me
out of these things?
ANGEL
Faith. You have a choice. You’ve
tasted something few ever do. To
kill without remorse is to feel like a God-
Faith doesn’t want to hear it. Starts to struggle.
FAITH
Right now – all I feel is a cramp in
my wrist. Let me go!
ANGEL
(ignoring)
But you’re not a God. You’re not
much more than a child. And this
path will ruin you. You can’t
imagine the price for true evil.
A flicker. Like something he said hit the mark. But-
FAITH
Yeah? I hope evil takes Mastercard.
And she smiles. But Angel isn’t biting (so to speak).
ANGEL
You and me, Faith, we’re a lot alike.
FAITH
Well, you’re kind of dead…
ANGEL
Like I said. A lot alike.
FAITH
Sorry, buddy. I’m alive and kicking.
In fact, I’ve got a bodily function
that needs attending to pretty quick here.
ANGEL
You’re not alive. You’re just
running. Afraid to feel. Afraid to
be touched…
Some part of her reacts to this truth. But she averts her eyes.
FAITH
Save it for Hallmark. I have to pee.
ANGEL
Time was, I thought humans existed
just to hurt each other.
Faith looks back to him now. Silent. But he’s struck a cord.
ANGEL
But then I came here. And I found
out that there were other kinds of
people. People who genuinely wanted
to do right. They still make
mistakes. They fall down. But they
keep trying. Keep caring.
A long beat. Faith takes this in, clearly wanting to believe. Angel sees this. Moves to her – speaks
from the heart.
ANGEL
If you can trust us, Faith, it can
all change. You don’t have to
disappear into the darkness.
She looks genuinely moved, confused. But the moment is lost as-
BOOM!
WESLEY bursts in through the main doors with a couple of henchmen. Wesley and one henchman
hold Angel off with crosses – then the other THROWS A NET OVER HIM. Angel struggles, but he’s
completely tangled in the webbing.
ANGEL
No!
One of the henchman grabs the KEYS to the shackles from a peg on the wall. Tosses them to Wesley.
He moves to Faith. Angel sees this – cries out, infuriated.
ANGEL
Leave her! You can’t help her!
ON FAITH AND WESLEY
As, ignoring Angel, Wesley takes one of her hands from the shackles and slaps a handcuff on it.
WESLEY
By the order of the Watcher’s Council
of Britain…
He cuffs her other hand. Stands her up roughly, starts to walk her out.
CLOSE ON FAITH
WESLEY (O.C.)
I am exercising my authority and
removing you to England, where you
will accept the judgement of the
disciplinary committee.
As her EYES GO COMPLETELY DEAD. This is the last straw.
BLACK OUT.
END OF ACT THREE
Act Four
INT. WESLEY’S VAN – NIGHT
CLOSE ON FAITH
Who rides in the back of a van. Her hands are CUFFED in front of her – and the cuffs are chained to a
METAL BRACKET embedded in the low wooden bench she sits on. She looks totally shut down.
Impassive.
Across from her sit WESLEY and one of his HENCHMAN. The driver and passenger compartments are
separated, but one can assume the other henchman is piloting the van.
WESLEY
I’m sorry for the extreme measures.
Unfortunately, this is a rather
extreme circumstance.
FAITH
Whatever.
WESLEY
(sincere)
Despite the… violence of your
apprehension, please believe – nobody
‘s rushing to judgement. The first
priority of both myself and the
council is to help you-
Now he notices that Faith has been subtly PULLING ON HER CHAINS – and the metal bracket is
loosening.
WESLEY
Ah, now. None of that.
(to Henchman)
Tighten her restraints.
(to Faith)
Faith. There’s no point in fighting
this, you know…
Faith, frustrated, looks away as the henchman moves near her with a WRENCH. He goes to tighten
the bolt in the bench and, in a flash, Faith KICKS his legs out from under him. Then she positions
HER FOOT ON THE HENCHMAN’S HEAD, which lies against the hard floor of the van – ready to CRUSH
IT. It all happens so fast – a stunned Wesley barely has time to react.
FAITH
(to Wesley)
Have to disagree with you on that one.
The henchman groans, struggles. But Faith presses down more firmly an his temple.
FAITH
Now unlock me, or I’ll pop this guy’s
head like a grape.
Wesley hesitates. Eyes the WRENCH ON THE GROUND.
FAITH
Don’t even think about it.
Wesley knows he’s beat. Moves to her and uncuffs her. She massages her bruised wrists, glares at
him.
WESLEY
You can’t keep running, you know.
BOOM! She SLAMS him in the face. Wesley reels – but grabs the wrench from the floor. He moves to
HIT Faith with it but SHE CATCHES HIS WRIST, bends it back until Wesley is wincing in pain and the
wrench clatters back to the ground.
FAITH
Wrong again, Wes.
And she roughly head-butts him into unconsciousness. Bails out the back doors of the speeding van.
EXT. STREET – NIGHT
As we see Faith TUMBLE out of the moving van and onto the street. A beat as the van barrels off into
the night. Then Faith gets to her feet, limps off.
INT. MANSION – NIGHT
Buffy returns with a small bag full of Faith’s stuff. Sees the doors left standing open. She wanders in
- sees that ANGEL has been left tied up in the net and Faith is gone. She rushes to him, starts to free
him.
BUFFY
Angel. Are you all right?
ANGEL
I’m fine. They took Faith-
BUFFY
Who took Faith?
INT. LIBRARY – NIGHT
ANGEL
Now addresses Buffy, Giles, Willow and Xander. Xander is quiet and looking pretty shell-shocked – his
neck covered in NASTY BRUISES.
ANGEL
The new watcher. He had a couple of
guys helping him.
WILLOW
Then he figured it out. The murder-
GILES
Which means that Faith will soon be
on her way to England to face the
Watcher’s Council.
BUFFY
And then what?
GILES
Most likely? They’ll lock her up for
a good long while.
Buffy takes this in, worried.
BUFFY
So – we head them off at the airport.
Stop them.
Willow, looking tentative, pipes up again.
WILLOW
Can I- I’m just wondering. Why?
Everyone looks to her. She’s definitely got their attention.
WILLOW
I’m not the most objective, I know.
I kinda have an issue with Faith
sharing my … people.
(then)
But – she murdered someone and
accused Buffy. Then she hurt Xander.
I hate to say it, but maybe she
belongs behind bars.
Now Xander tries to add something – but his voice is completely shot. He falls silent, embarrassed
and frustrated. Buffy is sympathetic, but resolute.
BUFFY
She’s out of control, I know. But
Angel was getting somewhere with her.
She was opening up. If we can just
stop Wesley-
A VOICE STOPS HER.
WESLEY (O.C.)
That’s no longer an issue.
They all turn to see WESLEY, who has come through the library doors, unnoticed. His face is black
and blue – he looks terrible.
BUFFY
You let her get away?
WESLEY
“Let” wouldn’t be the way I’d phrase
it, but – yes. She escaped.
ANGEL
Good work. First you terrorize her,
then you put her back on the streets-
WESLEY
That was hardly my plan. I was
trying to save the girl-
BUFFY
(hard)
Well, you didn’t. You probably
destroyed her-
GILES
Buffy. That’s enough.
Buffy backs off. Turns to the others.
BUFFY
We’d better find her before she does
any more damage.
Everybody rallies – with Buffy in command.
BUFFY
We should split up. I’ll take the
docks – chances are, she’s there.
Giles – you go to her place. Will –
you and Xander check her haunts.
(firmly)
Take weapons.
ANGEL
I’ll try the airport.
WESLEY
What can I do? I want to help.
Buffy shoots him a withering glare.
BUFFY
Still got your plane ticket back to
the mother country?
And they head out, leaving Wesley to stew.
EXT. DOCK’S – NIGHT
Buffy walks along the docks, sees a cargo boat ahead – loading up. She approaches, looking for any
sign of Faith. Then a voice startles her-
FAITH (O.C.)
You don’t give up, do you?
Buffy turns. There’s Faith, looking a little worse for the wear. She’s dressed for a journey – carries a
small bag.
BUFFY
Not on my friends.
Faith takes this in. Scoffs.
FAITH
Yeah. ‘Cause you and me are such
solid buds.
BUFFY
Could be. It’s not too late.
FAITH
For me to change and be like you, You
mean? Little miss goody two shoes?
Ain’t gonna happen, B.
BUFFY
Faith. Nobody’s asking you to be
like me. But what you’re doing – you
can’t keep going like this.
FAITH
It scares you, doesn’t it?
BUFFY
Yeah, it scares me. You’re hurting
people. You’re hurting yourself-
Faith takes this in. Smiles knowingly.
FAITH
But that’s not it. That’s not what
bothers you so much. What bugs you
is – you know I’m right. You know in
your gut. We don’t need the law. We
are the law-
BUFFY
No.
Faith moves in closer. Sees that she’s getting to her.
FAITH
Yes. You know exactly what I’m
about. Because you have it in you, too.
BUFFY
No. You’re sick, Faith-
FAITH
I’ve seen it, B. You’ve got the
lust. And I’m not just talking about
screwing vampires-
BUFFY
(warning)
Don’t bring him into this-
FAITH
It was good, wasn’t it? The sex?
The danger? Bet a part of you even
dug him when he went psycho-
BUFFY
No-
FAITH
See – you need me to tow the line
because you’re afraid you’ll go over
it, aren’t you, B? You can’t handle
watching me living my own way and
having a blast – because it tempts
you. You know it could be you-
That’s it. Something snaps in Buffy. She rears back and POPS Faith a good one. Faith falls back, but
she’s smiling as she puts a hand to her bleeding mouth.
FAITH
(taunting)
There’s my girl…
Buffy struggles to regain her composure. Puts her hands down.
BUFFY
No. I’m not going to do this.
FAITH
Why not? It feels good. Blood rising-
She’d go on but is stopped as an OVERHEAD CARGO CRATE LURCHES AND STARTS TO FALL FROM A
CRANE. It’s about to drop right on FAITH.
Acting on pure instinct, Buffy LUNGES for Faith – knocking Faith to safety and causing the crate to fall
on her instead.
CLOSE ON BUFFY
Pinned under the crate and injured. She tries vainly to free herself.
ON FAITH
Who spins – sees that she and Buffy are SURROUNDED by TRICK and THREE MASSIVE BAD ASS
vamps.
Trick and the three vamps ATTACK FAITH.
ON BUFFY
Who finally pulls herself out from under the crate. She’s clearly hurt – but struggles to get to her
feet.
ON FAITH
Who manages to get hold of VAMP #1 and VAMP #2 – and SLAM THEIR HEADS TOGETHER. They fall
back, stunned, as VAMP #3 lunges for her.
ON BUFFY
As VAMP #2, still reeling from Faith’s blow, practically FALLS INTO HER. Thinking quickly – Buffy
grabs a pointed shard of wood from the shattered CARGO CRATE and DUSTS HIM.
Now Buffy turns – only to be confronted by TRICK.
ON FAITH
Who battles VAMP #3. He gets her in a headlock – moves in, teeth bared. But Faith manages to FLIP
HIM off her. He goes OVER THE SIDE OF THE DOCK AND INTO THE WATER.
Faith recovers, only to encounter VAMP #1 again. They square off, start trading blows.
ON BUFFY AND TRICK
Who go at it. With Buffy hurt, Trick clearly has the upper hand. Buffy’s getting pummeled.
Trick manages to DROP BUFFY with a brutal blow that leaves her dazed. Then he goes to the ground
- lifts her into his arms and holds her against the crates.
ON FAITH
Who has just DUSTED VAMP #1. She turns and SEES Buffy about to meet her maker at the hands of
Trick. Now Faith looks around – clearly has a chance for escape. She hesitates.
ON BUFFY AND TRICK
As Trick leans in to bite her.
TRICK
(licking his lips)
I hear once you’ve tasted a slayer?
You never wanna go back.
Buffy struggles, but is clearly lost. Trick’s FANGS GRAZE HER NECK… But he suddenly STOPS. Eyes
wide. A look of indignation crossing his features.
TRICK
Oh. No. No, this is no good at all-
And HE GOES TO DUST, revealing FAITH, who stands behind him – stake still hoisted in the air.
A long beat. Faith and Buffy just stare at each other – breathing hard. Then Faith silently extends a
hand, helps Buffy off the crates.
FADE TO:
INT. LIBRARY – NIGHT
It’s late. Buffy and Giles are doing a recap of the night’s events.
GILES
Faith saved you?
BUFFY
(nods)
She could have left me there to die,
Giles. But she didn’t.
Giles considers this – slightly encouraged.
GILES
And the fact that she opted to come
back to town with you bodes well.
BUFFY
I really thought we were gonna lose her.
GILES
She still has a lot to face before
she can put this behind her. But
yes, she has a real chance. Because
you didn’t give up on her.
OFF BUFFY
Her expression lightened a tiny bit.
INT. MAYOR’S OFFICE – NIGHT
The Mayor is gathering his coat and briefcase, getting ready to leave for the day.
He opens his office door to find FAITH standing there. Being mister invincible – he’s more surprised
than concerned.
FAITH
You sent your boy to kill me.
MAYOR
That’s right. I did.
FAITH
He’s dust.
MAYOR
I thought he might be. What with you
standing here and all.
Now Faith moves a little closer – getting in the Mayor’s personal space.
FAITH
Guess that means you have a job opening.
And she smiles. A beat as the Mayor gets her drift. Then he smiles… Steps out of the doorway,
inviting her in.
Faith moves into the room. Takes a seat. And the MAYOR CLOSES THE DOOR – BLOCKING OUR VIEW
OF THE SCENE.
BLACK OUT.
THE END
Transcripts
Prologue
Underwater. Copious amounts of bubbles rise through it, some larger,
some smaller, as though someone below is doing their best to hold their
breath, but can’t continue for much longer. The camera pans down, and
there is Buffy frantically trying to get to the surface. Below her Allan
grabs her ankle and pulls her down. She kicks her legs and flails her
arms, desperately trying to shake loose. Eventually she manages to break
free of his grip and swim to the surface. She breaks through and draws a
deep breath. There, kneeling on the dock above, she sees Faith, who
reaches down and shoves her back underwater.
Cut to Buffy’s room. She wakes with a start from the nightmare, and
draws several deep breaths to calm herself as she realizes it was all
just a dream. She sits up in bed and looks around her room. She pushes
the blankets back, gets up and walks out into the hall, where she can
hear the news on the TV in her mother’s room.
News Anchor: We go now live to our field reporter, who is standing by
at the waterfront with this breaking news about the murder that has
shocked the Mayor and residents of Sunnydale.
Buffy can see the TV from the hall. It is showing footage of the boat
retrieving Allan’s body.
Field Reporter: Fishermen discovered the body today, the victim of a
brutal stabbing. Authorities and citizens alike were shocked when the
slain man was identified as Deputy Mayor Allan Finch.
Buffy can’t believe that they not only found the body, but that he was
also a public figure.
Field Reporter: Still reeling from the news, Mayor Wilkins had this to
say.
The news cuts to the Mayor at a press conference.
Mayor Wilkins: Mr. Finch was not only my longtime aide and associate,
he was a close personal friend. I promise you I will not rest until
whoever did this is found and brought to justice. Thank you very much.
Joyce notices Buffy standing behind her.
Joyce: Oh, honey, you’re up. (turns back to the TV) Oh, it’s just
terrible, isn’t it?
Buffy doesn’t know what to say or how to react.
Opening credits roll. Buffy’s theme plays.~~ Part 1 ~~
The Sunnydale High School library. Buffy is sitting on the study table
and Faith is sitting in a chair at the table. Wesley paces. Giles is
sitting at the far end.
Wesley: I want you to look into this. Find out everything you can about
the murder of the Deputy Mayor.
Buffy: (nervous and confused) But that’s… I-I mean, that’s… That’s
not really our jurisdiction, is it?
Faith: (eerily calm) It’s no big, B. We’ll get into it if he wants.
Giles: No, Buffy’s right. The Deputy Mayor’s murder was the result of
human malice. There’s nothing supernatural about it.
Wesley: We don’t know that for certain. (brightly) I say it merits
investigation.
Giles: (gets up, walks around the table) Which I’m sure the police are
doing. Meantime, if you ask me, there are better uses for the Slayers’
time.
Wesley: (snootily) Ah. But I don’t believe I did. (holds the daily
paper out to him) Ask you.
Giles: (yanks the paper away) Considering the success of your previous
adventure…
Cordelia walks into the library. Giles looks over at her.
Cordelia: Don’t let me interrupt. Wait. Let me interrupt. I’m in a
hurry. (raises her eyebrows)
Giles: What did you need?
Wesley turns to see who has spoken, and is immediately taken by her
beauty. He stares at her with his mouth agape, looking her up and down.
Cordelia: Uh, psych class. Freud and Jung. Book me?
Giles: Happily.
Cordelia: (notices Wesley, smiles) Check out Giles: The Next
Generation. What’s your deal?
Wesley: (stammering nervously) Uh, I, uh… Well… (swallows) I’m a…
Faith is quite amused. She leans forward on the table.
Faith: New Watcher.
Cordelia: Oh.
Wesley: (turns to Buffy, irritated) Does everybody know about you?
Buffy: She’s a friend.
Cordelia: Let’s not exaggerate. So… (steps closer) You’re the new
Watcher.
Wesley: (summons his poise, holds out his hand) Wesley Wyndam-Pryce.
Cordelia: (takes it) I like a man with two last names. I’m Cordelia.
Wesley: (smiles) And you teach psychology.
Cordelia: I take psychology.
Giles walks behind Wesley with Cordelia’s books.
Giles: She’s a student.
Wesley immediately drops Cordelia’s hand.
Wesley: Oh, well. I, uh… (swallows) Yes. (squares his shoulders) In
fact, I am… here to watch… girls. Uh, uh, Buffy and Faith, to be
specific.
Cordelia: (steps closer, smiling brightly) Well, it’s about time we got
some fresh blood around here.
Wesley: (laughs nervously) Well. Fresh. Yes.
At the checkout counter Giles stamps the due date into the books.
Giles: Here we go.
Cordelia: (to Giles) Thanks. (to Wesley) So, welcome to Sunnydale.
She gives him a bright smile and goes to retrieve her books. On her way
out she makes sure to put just the right amount of swing in her hips.
Wesley: (watching her back admiringly) My. She is cheeky, isn’t she?
Faith: (still amused) Uh, first word: jail; second word: bait.
Wesley: Ahem. (pulls out his handkerchief) Well, uh… (dabs his mouth)
Where were we?
Buffy: (slips off the table) Done. I mean, we were done, right?
Faith: (stands up) Uh, yep. Off to patrol. So we’ll see ya.
Wesley: (draws himself up) One moment, girls. I’m your commander now,
and on the matter of this murder, I am resolved. Natural or super, I
want to know.
Faith: Fine by me. Always ready to kick a little bad guy butt.
She touches her hand to Buffy’s shoulder, and the two of them walk out.
Wesley smiles beatifically after them.
Cut to an empty classroom. The Slayers walk in. Buffy pulls the door
closed behind her. Faith checks the other door to make sure it’s closed,
which it is. They meet in the center of the room.
Faith: (challengingly) So, you gonna rat me out? Is that it?
Buffy: (imploringly) Faith, we have to tell. I can’t pretend to
investigate this. I can’t pretend that I don’t know.
Faith: (snidely) Oh, I see. But you can pretend that Angel’s still dead
when you need to protect him.
Buffy: I am trying to protect you. Look, if-if we don’t do the right
thing, it’s only gonna make things worse for you.
Faith: Worse than jail for the rest of my young life? No way!
Buffy: Faith, what we did was…
Faith: (ominously) Yeah. We. You were right there beside me when this
whole thing went down. Anything I have to answer for, you do, too.
You’re a part of this, B. All the way.
Faith walks out of the classroom, leaving a shocked Buffy behind.
Cut to the hall. Buffy comes out of the classroom and walks toward the
student lounge. There she sees Willow sitting alone on a couch, and goes
to her. Willow notices her coming, glances up for an instant and takes a
deep breath as she pretends to go back to her reading, apprehensive
about them meeting.
Buffy: Hey.
Willow: Hey. (Buffy sits) Where’s Faith? I-I saw her around. Figured
you two were gonna go kill some more nasty stuff.
Buffy: Not right now. I-I, um, I think she bailed.
They both begin to talk again simultaneously.
Buffy: Willow, I was won…
Willow: Actually, I’m…
They both stop. Buffy lets out a deep breath.
Buffy: Um… You go ahead.
Willow: (puts her book away) I’m late. I-I’m meeting Michael. The
warlock guy? We’re still trying to de-rat Amy.
Buffy: (smiles thinly) Okay.
Neither of them says anything for a long moment.
Willow: (evasively) So see ya. (gets up and goes)
Buffy: (to herself) See you.
Cut to the scene where Allan was killed. The red and blue flashing
lights of police car light bars illuminate the area. A forensic expert
takes blood and fiber samples from the dumpster as another police
officer holds a Maglite up to it. Detective Stein is also there,
interviewing a potential witness.
Det. Stein: So, uh… You heard the man scream about what time last
night?
Woman: (worriedly) Oh, I’m not sure. 7:00, maybe 8:00.
Det. Stein: Can you be more specific, say between 7:30 and 8:00?
The camera moves through the scene and finds Angel, watching from a
distance. He sees the blood on the dumpster and watches as the samples
are taken. He flashes back to the previous night when he saw the blood
on Buffy’s hand.
Angel: Your hand.
Buffy: Oh. It’s okay.
He’s back in the present, and continues to watch all the activity.
Cut to City Hall. Cut to the Mayor’s office. He puts a sheet of paper
into the shredder and listens to it whir through. He follows it with
another. The camera pans up to his face. He’s not a happy Mayor.
Mayor Wilkins: It’s not working.
Trick: It’s supposed to do something besides shred?
Mayor Wilkins: It’s supposed to cheer me up. Usually using the
shredder gives me a lift. It’s fun.
Trick: And today you’re not getting the ya-yas.
Mayor Wilkins: (morosely) No.
He shreds another sheet.
Mayor Wilkins: Guess it’ll take more than this to turn my frown upside
down. I just don’t understand why Allan would leave such a paper trail
about our dealings. (considers) Do you think he was gonna betray me? Oh,
now, that’s a horrible thought. And now he’s dead, I’ll never have the
chance to scold him.
Trick: Maybe this will change your mood.
He drops a copy of the coroner’s report on the desk. The Mayor picks it
up and opens it.
Mayor Wilkins: What is it?
Trick: Bombshell. The Deputy Mayor had wooden splinters in his wound.
Struck right through the heart with a sharp, pointed object. Now, word
is, someone was fighting vampires not a block away from the scene. Any
smart money says it was a Slayer who did this job.
Mayor Wilkins: Why? Do you think he talked? To them?
Trick: If he did, I’m thinking he said the wrong thing.
Mayor Wilkins: (closes the report) Well, this is exciting. A Slayer
up for Murder One. That’s sunshine and roses to me. It really is.
He laughs as he taps the end of the report on his desk and sets it down.~~ Part 2 ~~
City Hall at night. Cut to Allan’s office. Faith and Buffy break in.
Buffy closes the door behind them, checking to make sure they weren’t
seen. She turns on the light. They both look around the office.
Faith: (darkly) I’m telling you, we did the world a favor. (goes to his
chair) This guy was about as interesting as watching paint dry.
Buffy: (uneasily) Faith…
Faith: I’m joking. Jeez, lighten up a little, B.
She looks across his desk and notices a picture of him with the Mayor.
Buffy goes through the papers in his inbox. Faith picks up the picture
and stares at it, cradling it gently.
Faith: He came out of nowhere.
Buffy: (sympathetically) I know.
Faith: (annoyed) Whatever. (puts down the picture) I’m not lookin’ to
hug and cry and learn and grow. I’m just saying it happened quick, you
know?
She pulls open his drawer. Everything inside is neat and in place. Buffy
starts to go through some papers lying on top of his filing cabinets.
Faith loses her patience.
Faith: You know what? Let’s just blow. Who cares what this guy was
about? It’s kind of moot now, don’t you think?
Buffy: I don’t think he was in that alley by chance. I think he was
looking for us. I’d like to know why.
She opens a file drawer. It’s empty.
Faith: So, what, you think there’s some big conspiracy?
Buffy closes the drawer and opens another. All the folders in it are
also empty.
Buffy: You were saying?
Faith: So his papers are gone. That doesn’t prove anything.
Buffy: Except that somebody didn’t want us to prove anything.
Faith begins to get it.
Cut to the hall. Buffy opens the door and peeks out. The hall is clear,
so she steps out into it. Just then the Mayor’s door opens further down
the hall, and Mr. Trick steps out. The Mayor is right behind him. Buffy
looks back at Faith, and they both scramble back into Allan’s office and
close the door quietly. They can still hear them talking out in the
hall.
Mayor Wilkins: Get as many men on it as you can.
Trick: Yeah. We’ll be wanting to turn up the heat.
Cut to the streets. Buffy and Faith step off the sidewalk and into the
street.
Faith: So the Mayor of Sunnydale is a Black Hat. That’s a shocker, huh?
Buffy: Actually, yeah. I didn’t get the bad guy vibe off of him.
Faith: (exasperated) When are you gonna learn, B? It doesn’t matter
what kind of vibe you get off a person. ‘Cause nine times out of ten,
the face they’re showing you is not the real one.
They step up onto the opposite sidewalk.
Buffy: (evenly) I guess you know a lot about that.
Faith: (stops and faces Buffy) What is that supposed to mean?
Buffy: It’s just, look at you, Faith. Less than twenty-four hours ago,
you killed a man. A-and now it’s all zip-a-dee-doo-dah? It’s not your
real face, and I know it. Look, I know what you’re feeling because I’m
feeling it, too.
Faith: (insolently) Do you? So fill me in ’cause I’d like to hear this.
Buffy: Dirty. Like something sick creeped inside you and you can’t get
it out. And you keep hoping that it was just some nightmare, but it
wasn’t. And we are gonna have to figure out…
Faith: (interrupts) Is there gonna be an intermission in this?
Buffy: Just let me talk to Giles, okay? I swear…
Faith: No! We’re not bringing anybody else into this. You gotta keep
your head, B. This is all gonna blow over in a few days.
Buffy: And if it doesn’t?
Faith: If it doesn’t, (shrugs) they got a freighter leaving the docks
at least twice a day. It ain’t fancy, but it gets you gone.
Buffy: (in disbelief) And that’s it? You just live with it? You see the
dead guy in your head every day for the rest of your life?
Faith: (steps closer) Buffy, I’m not gonna see anything. I missed the
mark last night and I’m sorry about the guy. I really am! But it
happens! Anyway, how many people do you think we’ve saved by now,
thousands? And didn’t you stop the world from ending? Because in my
book, that puts you and me in the plus column.
Buffy: We help people! It doesn’t mean we can do whatever we want.
Faith: Why not? The guy I offed was no Gandhi. I mean, we just saw he
was mixed up in dirty dealings.
Buffy: Maybe, but what if he was coming to us for help?
Faith: What if he was? You’re still not seeing the big picture, B.
Something made us different. We’re warriors. We’re built to kill.
Buffy: To kill demons! But it does not mean that we get to pass
judgment on people like we’re better than everybody else!
Faith: We are better!
Buffy is taken aback.
Faith: (exhilarated) That’s right, better. People need us to survive.
In the balance, nobody’s gonna cry over some random bystander who got
caught in the crossfire.
Buffy: (sadly) I am.
Faith: (disdainfully) Well, that’s your loss.
She turns her back on Buffy and walks away.
Cut to Buffy’s house. Her mother sees her coming and meets her at the
door. When she opens it, Buffy can see Detective Stein standing behind
her.
Joyce: Buffy.
Buffy looks at him, eyes widening, remembering him from before.
Cut to the living room. Joyce sits in an armchair with her feet together
and her hands folded in her lap, listening to the detective question her
daughter. Buffy sits on the couch across from her.
Det. Stein: Tell me again. You got home at what time last night?
Buffy: Late. Um, a-a little past 1:00, I guess.
The camera pans around Detective Stein as he asks his next question, and
when it moves away from his back he’s talking with Faith in her room.
Det. Stein: Maybe you can explain to me what a girl your age is doing
out all night.
Faith: (playing dumb) Just hanging.
Det. Stein: Hanging. By yourself?
Faith: No. I was with my friend Buffy.
Cut to Buffy.
Buffy: We were at Faith’s watching TV.
Joyce listens anxiously to them.
Det. Stein: What did you watch?
Cut to Faith.
Faith: Some old movie.
Cut to Buffy.
Buffy: Infomercial.
Cut to Faith.
Det. Stein: Hmm. (nods) That’s funny ’cause I got a couple of witnesses
who put you near the alley.
Faith: (innocently) Witnesses?
He walks around her, eyeing her suspiciously.
Det. Stein: Somebody stabbed this guy through the heart.
Cut to Buffy.
Det. Stein: Strange thing is, the weapon, it was made out of wood.
Cut to Faith.
Det: Stein: Any of this mean anything to you?
Faith: (flippantly) Yeah. That whoever did it wasn’t hip to the Bronze
Age.
Detective Stein inhales deeply and sighs. Cut to Buffy.
Buffy: Is that it? I’m kinda beat.
Det. Stein: Yeah, I have enough for now. Buffy, if you know something,
if you’re protecting someone, I promise you it’ll be better for everyone
if you just come clean.
Cut to Faith.
Faith: You mean am I covering for someone? Hardly. I’m not the throw-
myself-on-the-sword type.
Cut to Buffy.
Buffy: (politely) I wish I could help you.
Det. Stein: Well, call me if you remember anything.
Cut to Faith. Detective Stein hands her his card. Cut outside her hotel
room. He pulls the door closed, takes out his keys and walks to his car.
He opens the door, gets in and starts the engine. In the shadows beyond
Angel watches him. Detective Stein puts the car in gear and drives off.
Cut to Willow’s room. She’s at her laptop doing research. She hears a
tapping at her French doors, and goes to open them. There she sees Buffy
looking in sadly.
Buffy: Hey.
Willow: Hey.
Buffy: I need to talk to you.
Willow: Good. (Buffy comes in, closes the door) ‘Cause I’ve been
letting things fester. (goes to her bed) And I don’t like it. (sits) I
wanna be fester-free.
Buffy: (smiles weakly) Yeah. Me, too.
Willow: (stands up) I mean, don’t get me wrong. I-I completely
understand why you and Faith have been doing the bonding thing. You guys
work together. You… You should get along.
Buffy: It’s more complicated than that.
Willow: But, see, it’s that exact thing that-that’s just ticking me
off! It’s this whole ‘Slayers only’ attitude. I mean, since when
wouldn’t I understand? You, you talk to me about everything. I-it’s
like all of a sudden I-I’m not cool enough for you because I can’t kill
things with my bare hands.
Buffy suddenly bursts into tears. Willow is aghast at this result.
Willow: (regretfully) Oh! Oh, Buffy! Don’t cry. (hugs her close) I’m
sorry. I-I was too hard on you. (lets go) Sometimes I unleash. I-I don’t
know my own strength. I-i-it’s bad. I-I-I’m bad. I’m a bad, bad, bad
person. (looks for forgiveness)
Buffy: (tearfully) Will, I’m in trouble.
Cut to later, after they’ve calmed down and Buffy’s explained. They sit
on Willow’s bed.
Buffy: And Faith acts like she doesn’t even care. The way she talks,
it’s like she didn’t even make a mistake.
Willow: (takes it all in) Do you think she’s, like, i-in shock?
Buffy: (sighs) I don’t know. And I think that detective knows more than
he’s saying. I think he knew that I was lying.
Willow: (decisively) You have to go to Giles, Buffy. He’ll know what to
do.
Buffy lets out a deep breath, knowing that her friend is right.
Cut to the library. Buffy comes in quietly and walks past the counter.
Buffy: (troubled) Giles?
She stops when she sees him come out of his office.
Giles: Buffy.
Buffy: Uh… (exhales) I don’t really know how to say this, so I’m-
I’m… I’m just gonna say it. I know I’ve kept things from you before,
but…
Giles turns his head slightly as Faith comes out of his office, too.
Faith gives her a steely look, like she expects Buffy to keep things
quiet.
Buffy: (fumbling) But, um, but I-I’ve been blowing off my classes. You
know, in-in the sense of not attending. And, uh…
Faith: It’s okay, Buffy. I told him.
Buffy: (surprised) You told him?
Faith: I had to. He had to know what you did.
Buffy: (confused) What I did?
She realizes that Faith has told Giles a bold-faced lie.
Buffy: Giles, no. Tha-That’s just not what happened.
Giles: (upset) I don’t want to hear it, Buffy.
Buffy: (shocked) No! It…
Giles: I don’t want to hear any more lies.
Buffy: (frantically to Faith) You can’t be serious! You’re setting me
up?
Giles: Get in my office, now. Faith, I’ll talk to you in the morning.
Buffy: (imploringly) Giles, please, you have to…
Giles: (sternly) Now!
Buffy can’t believe what’s happening. Faith walks around Giles. Buffy
goes into his office. Faith stops and faces him.
Faith: Um… Sorry.
She leaves at a brisk pace.
Giles looks down for a moment, then goes into his office. Inside Buffy
faces him.
Buffy: (desperately) Giles, I didn’t do this. I swear. Look, I know
that I messed up badly, but the murder, i-it… it was…
Giles: (interrupts) Faith. I know.
Stunned, Buffy realizes he was just playing Faith’s game.
Giles: She may have many talents, Buffy, but fortunately, lying is not
one of them.
Buffy: Oh. Oh, God. (sits) I thought…
Giles: I’m sorry. I needed her to think that I was on her side. I don’t
know how far she’ll take this charade.
Buffy: Try far. Like, all the way.
Giles: You should have come to me right off. (sits facing her)
Buffy: I know. Well, I, I wanted to.
Giles: But Faith wouldn’t hear of it?
Buffy: It’s not all her fault, Giles. We both thought it was a vampire.
I-I only realized it a second before.
Giles: Buffy, this is not the first time something like this has
happened.
Buffy: (confused) It’s not?
Giles: The Slayer is on the front line of a nightly war. Now, it’s,
it’s tragic, but accidents have happened.
Buffy: W-what do you do?
Giles: Well, the Council investigates, um, metes out punishment if
punishment is due. But I… I have no plans to involve them. I mean,
it’s the last thing Faith needs at the moment. She’s unstable, Buffy. I
mean, she’s utterly unable to accept responsibility.
Buffy: She’s freaking. So, so then we just have to help her deal,
right?
Giles: She’s in denial. There is no help for her until she admits
what happened.
Buffy: (uncertainly) I-I could talk to her.
Giles: (sighs) Perhaps.
Buffy: Or maybe I’m too close. Maybe, maybe one of the guys could.
Giles: We should meet. It-it may be that they’re seeing a different
side of her.
Buffy: Okay.
Cut to the main area looking into the office. The camera pans past the
window.
Giles: In the meantime, no one else is to know. Understood?
Buffy: Of course.
The camera keeps panning until it comes to rest on Wesley, who is
standing by the counter, arms crossed and listening grimly.
Giles: I mean, this is… extremely delicate. If we scare her off now,
we may lose her forever.~~ Part 3 ~~
Wesley’s apartment. He picks up the phone and dials an international
number.
Wesley: Yes, hello. Mr. Travers, please. Quentin Travers. (listens)
Wesley Wyndam-Pryce calling. (listens, confused) The code word? Monkey.
(listens, exasperated) M-o-n-k… Just put him on, will you? This is an
emergency.
Willow: Well, maybe we should all talk to Faith together.
Cut to the cafeteria. She, Buffy, Xander and Giles sit among the tables,
which have the chairs inverted on them for the night.
Buffy: You mean, like that intervention thing that you guys did on me?
As I recall, Xander and I nearly came to blows.
Xander: Uh, you nearly came to blows, Buffy. I nearly came to loss of
limbs.
Giles: No, Faith is too defensive for a confrontation like that. She’ll
respond better to a one-on-one approach.
Xander: Well, I can be the one… on her one. (gets confused looks)
Let’s rephrase. I think she might listen to me. We kind of have, um, a
connection.
Buffy: A connection? Why would you think that…
Xander: (interrupts) I’m just saying it’s worth a shot. That’s all.
Buffy and Willow exchange a look.
Giles: No, I don’t, I don’t see it, Xander. I mean, of, of all of us,
you’re the one person arguably that Faith has had the least contact
with.
Xander: Yeah, but we hung out a little… recently, and she seemed to
be, um… responsive.
Willow picks up on that, and figures it out. She looks sadly off into
space.
Buffy: When did you guys hang out?
Xander: Oh, she was fighting one of those, uh, apocalypse demon things,
and I helped her. Gave her a ride home.
Buffy: And you guys talked?
Xander: (shakes his head) Not extensively. No.
Buffy: Then why would you… (figures it out also, widens her eyes with
surprise) Oh.
Giles: (gets it, surprised) Oh!
He and Buffy both look at Willow, concerned. She notices and looks up.
Willow: I don’t need to say ‘oh’. I got it before. They slept together.
Buffy is genuinely sorry that she had to hear it like this. Willow looks
back off into space. A long silence follows. The tension in the air is
very thick. Giles finally breaks it.
Giles: Fine, fine, let’s, let’s, let’s move on.
Buffy: Alright. Look, I-I know that you mean well, Xander, but, um, I-I
just don’t see Faith opening up to you. (gently) She doesn’t take the
guys that she has a… ‘connection’ with very seriously. And they’re,
they’re kind of a big joke to her. No offense.
Xander: (guffaws, sarcastically) Oh, no! I mean, why would I be
offended by that?
Giles: However, i-if you still want to be of assistance, I, I, I need
some help with research. There’s still the business of the Mayor and Mr.
Trick to attend to.
Buffy: Yeah, they, they seemed pretty cozy the other night.
Giles: Yes. Uh, Willow, c-c-can you, um, access the Mayor’s files?
Willow: (comes back to Earth) What? Oh, uh, sure. I can try.
Giles: (stands up) Good, yes, because clearly we, uh, (picks up his
chair) we need to take a harder look at him. (turns it over) He’s, he’s,
um, he’s obviously up to something. (sets it on a table)
Buffy: What about Faith?
Giles: (sighs) I don’t know. I need time.
Buffy: She needs help now. (Giles looks at her) I owe her that.
Cut to the girls’ bathroom. The camera pulls in to a stall with its door
not quite closed. “Wish We Never Met”, by Kathleen Wilhoite, plays over
the scene.
Lyrics: Disappointment stops by from time to time
The sound of sobbing is coming from inside the stall. Cut inside. Willow
sits there crying her eyes out.
Lyrics: To see how I’m doing / And he came by last night right after
you left / My life in ruin
Cut to the library. Xander sits on the steps to the stack level, staring
off into space and tapping his fingers.
Lyrics: When I don’t get what I want
Cut to Faith’s room. She’s lying on her bed, idly watching TV.
Lyrics: The spoiled child inside breaks down
She hears a knock at her door. She rolls off her bed and goes to answer
it. It’s Xander.
Faith: (bored) What?
Xander: (awkwardly) I just, uh, came by to see how you are, actually.
Faith: (with hostility) I’m sick of people asking me that, for one
thing.
A long moment of silence ensues.
Xander: Can I come in? Just to talk. I promise.
Faith: (skeptical) Like you could make something happen if I didn’t
want it to?
Xander: Hey, yeah. Got me there. Pretty much not gonna try to… take
you under any circumstances. (holds out his arm) See, here, feel that.
(points to his biceps) Probably like a wet noodle to you, huh?
Faith: (steps aside) Five minutes.
Xander: That’s all I need. (comes in) For talking and conversation.
(Faith closes the door) I’m, um, quick as a bunny.
Faith: (turns off the TV) Clock is running.
Xander: It’s just, uh… I heard about what happened, and I thought you
might need a friend.
Faith: So then, go talk to Buffy. She’s the one who killed a guy.
Xander: Yeah. I heard that version.
Faith: (not amused) Version?
Xander: (sighs) Either way, i-it sounds like it was an accident, and
that’s the important part.
Faith: (angrily) No, the important part is that Buffy is the (makes
finger quotes) accidental murderer.
Xander: Faith, you may not think so, but I sort of know you. And I’ve
seen you post-battle. And I know firsthand that you’re, um… like a
wild thing. And half the time, you don’t know what you’re doing.
Faith: (snidely) And you’re living proof of that, aren’t you?
Xander: See, you’re trying to hurt me. But right now, you need someone
on your side. What happened wasn’t your fault. And I’m willing to
testify to that in court if you need me.
Faith: You’d dig that, wouldn’t you? (gives him a sexy look) To get up
in front of all your geek pals and go on record about how I made you my
boy toy for a night.
Xander: No. N-n-n-n-no, that’s not it.
Faith: I know what this is all about. (steps closer) You just came by
here (runs her fingertips all around his face) ’cause you want another
taste, don’t you?
Xander: No! I mean, it was nice. It was great. It was kind of a blur.
But, okay, some day, sure, yay, but not now. Not like this.
Faith: (grabs hold of his head) More like how then? Lights on or off?
Kinks or vanilla?
Xander: (jerks away) Faith, come on. I came here to help you. (looks
her in the eyes) I thought we had a connection.
Faith can’t help but think that’s funny and laughs at his gullibility.
She grabs him by his shirt front, shoves him onto the bed and jumps on
top of him.
Faith: (excitedly) You wanna feel a connection? It’s just skin. (opens
his shirt) I see… I want… I take. (kisses him hard) I forget.
She keeps moving above him and rubbing his chest and shoulders.
Xander: (nervously) No. No, wait. It was more than that.
Faith: I could do anything to you right now, and you want me to. I can
make you scream.
She licks her tongue over and around his face and returns to his lips,
and kisses him forcefully, seizing his lower lip between her teeth and
pulling at it.
Faith: (breathlessly) I could make you die.
She kisses him again and gets her hand around his neck. When she pulls
away from his lips, he’s choking. She kisses him once more, and then
rises above him, never letting up on her chokehold. Xander reaches up
with one hand to try to push her away and tries to pry her hand from his
neck with his other hand, but doesn’t have anywhere near the strength
necessary to do so. Faith has both hands tight around his neck now, and
squeezes hard. He begins to lose consciousness. A few moments more and
he’s passed out. Faith hears a noise behind her and looks over just in
time to be knocked unconscious by Angel.
Cut to Angel’s mansion. Faith is chained to the fireplace mantle. She
rubs her wrists.
Faith: Finally decided to tie me up, huh? I always knew you weren’t
really a one-Slayer guy.
Angel: (plays with a bat) I’m sorry about the chains. It’s not that I
don’t trust you… Actually, it is that I don’t trust you. (sets the
bat aside)
Faith: The thing with Xander; I know what it looked like, but we were
just playing.
Angel: (evenly) And he forgot the safety word. (gets up) Is that it?
(walks over to her)
Faith: Safety words are for wusses.
Angel: (crouches before her) I bet you’re not big on trust games, now,
are you, Faith?
Faith: You gonna shrink me now? Is that it?
Angel: No, I just wanna talk to you.
Faith: That’s what they all say. And then it’s just, ‘Lemme stay the
night. Won’t try anything.’
Angel: You wanna go the long way around, hey, I can do that. (stands
up) I’m not getting any older.
He turns his back on her and walks out into the atrium. Buffy waits
there, and stands up when she sees him.
Buffy: How’s she doing?
Angel: It’s like talking to a wall. Only you get more from a wall.
Buffy: But you’ll keep trying, right?
Angel: Sure. We’re just getting started.
Buffy: So, what do I do?
Angel: Look, right now, there’s nothing that you can do.
Buffy: Well, this could take awhile, right? (goes to the stairs) So,
I’ll just go to Faith’s and I’ll get some of her stuff. That way she’ll
see that we’re on her side.
Angel: That’s a good idea.
Buffy: Okay. (glances at Faith) I’ll be back.
Angel: Look, I… I don’t want you to get your hopes up, Buffy. She may
not want us to help her.
Buffy: She does. She just doesn’t know how to say it.
Angel: She killed a man. That changes everything for her.
Buffy: (shakes her head) Giles said with counseling, they might not
even need to lock her up.
Angel: That’s not what I mean. She’s taken a life.
Buffy: I know.
Angel: She’s got a taste for it now.
Cut to the Mayor’s office. He and Trick are reviewing a security camera
tape. On it they see Buffy and Faith enter Allan’s office.
Mayor Wilkins: Not one Slayer, but two. Right here in the building.
Trick: There was supposed to be a guard.
Mayor Wilkins: Sh. Here comes my favorite part. (they see them hide in
Allan’s office) Where the Slayers see us in the hall together, thick as
thieves. Oh, wait, we are thieves. And worse. And now they know it.
Trick: Well, they’re not gonna be much of a threat in jail.
Mayor Wilkins: Well, we don’t have near enough evidence to put ’em
away.
On the tape he and Trick walk out of the building.
Mayor Wilkins: No, you’re gonna have to come up with a more efficient
solution. And Mr. Trick, you better think of it soon.
They watch the tape where the two Slayers leave the office after they’ve
gone.
Cut to Angel’s mansion. He paces past Faith.
Angel: I know what’s goin’ on with you.
Faith: Join the club. Everybody seems to have a theory.
Angel: Hmm. (faces her) But I know what it’s like to take a life. To
feel a future, a world of possibilities, snuffed out by your own hand. I
know the power in it. The exhilaration. It was like a drug for me.
Faith: (looks up at him, sarcastically) Yeah? Sounds like you need some
help. A professional maybe.
Angel: Hmm. (goes to the coffee table) A professional couldn’t have
helped me. (sits on it) It stopped when I got my soul back. My human
heart.
Faith: Goody for you. If we’re gonna party, let’s get on with it.
(holds out her wrists) Otherwise, could you let me out of these things?
Angel: Faith, you have a choice. You’ve tasted something few ever do.
(stands up, paces) I mean, to kill without remorse is to feel like a
god.
Faith: (struggles angrily) Right now, all I feel is a cramp in my
wrist, (yanks at the chains impatiently) so let me go!
Angel: (crouches) But you’re not a god. You’re not much more than a
child. Going down this path will ruin you. You can’t imagine the price
for true evil.
Faith: Yeah? (sneering) I hope evil takes MasterCard.
Angel: (smiles) You and me, Faith, (straightens up) we’re a lot alike.
Time was, I thought humans existed just to hurt each other. (sits next
to her) But then I came here. And I found out that there are other types
of people. People who genuinely wanted to do right. (looks at her) And
they make mistakes. And they fall down. You know, but they keep caring.
Keep trying. If you can trust us, Faith, this can all change. You don’t
have to disappear into the darkness.
Suddenly there is a loud pounding on the door. It is broken in, and
Wesley strides straight toward them, holding a large cross and flanked
by three others. Angel rushes to head them off, but has to step back
from Wesley, who nervously holds the cross in his face. One of his
cronies blindsides Angel with a right hook, and he falls to the floor.
Another quickly throws a net over him, and the third starts to beat him
with a crowbar while the others tie Angel up. Wesley goes over to Faith
and removes the shackles from her wrists. While she rubs them and
watches Angel get whaled on, Wesley pulls out a set of heavy cuffs and
chains, and before she knows it her wrists are bound once again.
Faith: (confused) What?
Wesley: By the order of the Watcher’s Council of Britain… (lifts her
up) I am exercising my authority and removing you to England, (guides
her out) where you will accept the judgment of the disciplinary
committee.
One of the men helps hold Faith, and they all leave the mansion, leaving
Angel behind entangled in a mass of net and rope.~~ Part 4 ~~
The streets of Sunnydale. A stepvan drives down a boulevard. Cut inside.
Faith is chained to a bench on one side. Wesley and one of his men sit
on the bench opposite her.
Wesley: I’m sorry for the extreme measures. Unfortunately, this is a
rather extreme circumstance.
Faith: Whatever.
Wesley: Please believe nobody is rushing to judgment. The first
priority of both myself and the Council is to help you.
Faith pulls at the ring holding her to the bench.
Wesley: Ah, now, none of that. (to his crony) Tighten her restraints.
Faith, there’s no point in fighting this.
Faith kicks the man in the knee, and he falls to the floor. She presses
down on his face with her boot.
Faith: Have to disagree with you on that one. Now unlock these or I’ll
pop this guy’s head like a grape.
Wesley hesitates, then spies a wrench on the floor. Faith sees it, too.
Faith: Don’t even think about it.
She holds up her cuffed wrists for him to unlock. He gives in, stands
up, pulls the keys from his pocket and steps over to set her free.
Wesley: Faith, you can’t keep running.
She punches him hard in the jaw, and he falls onto the wrench. He grabs
it and tries to swing at her with it, but she grabs his wrist.
Faith: Wrong again, Wes.
She grabs his jacket with her other hand and headbutts him hard. He
falls down unconscious. She goes to the doors, kicks them open and jumps
out onto the street. She rolls a few times before coming to a stop and
watches the van drive away. She looks around to get her bearings and
makes her getaway.
Cut to Angel’s mansion. Buffy arrives with some of Faith’s things. Once
inside she notices that Faith is gone, and then sees Angel still
struggling to get out of the ropes. She rushes over to help him out.
Cut to the library. Giles, Willow and Xander are all there with Buffy
and Angel.
Angel: It was the new Watcher. He had a couple of guys helping him.
Willow: Then he figured it out?
Giles: Which means that Faith will be soon on her way back to England
to face the Watcher’s Council.
Buffy: And then what?
Giles: Most likely they’ll lock her away for a good long while.
Buffy: So we head them off at the airport and stop them.
Willow: Can I… I-I’m just wondering. Why? (gets a look from Buffy)
I’m not the most objective, I know. I kind of have an issue with Faith
sharing my people. (looks at Xander, who closes his eyes) But she
murdered someone and accused Buffy. Then she hurt Xander. I hate to say
it, but maybe she belongs behind bars.
Giles thinks about that.
Buffy: She’s out of control, I know. But Angel was getting somewhere
with her. She was opening up. If we could just stop Wesley.
Wesley walks into the library.
Wesley: That’s no longer an issue.
Giles: You let her get away?
Wesley: ‘Let’ wouldn’t be the way I’d phrase it, but… Yes, she
escaped.
Giles rolls his eyes and takes off his glasses.
Angel: That’s good work. (walks across the room) First, you terrorize
her, then you put her back in the streets. (sits on the table)
Wesley: That was hardly my plan. I was trying to save her.
Buffy: (accusingly) But you didn’t! You probably destroyed her.
Giles: (interrupts quietly) Buffy, that’s enough. (puts his glasses
back on)
Buffy: I better find her before she does any more damage. (stands up)
We’re gonna need to split up. I’ll check the docks. That’s probably
where she is. Giles, why don’t you go to her motel? Xander, Willow, her
haunts and be careful.
They all get up to leave.
Angel: I’ll try the airport. (goes)
Everyone walks past Wesley on their way out.
Wesley: What can I do? I want to help.
Buffy: (resentfully) You still got your ticket back to the mother
country?
She follows the others out, leaving him standing there alone.
Cut to the docks. The camera closes in on an old, rusty cargo ship and
across to the dock. Buffy walks along it watching for Faith. She passes
underneath the gangplank and stops when she hears Faith behind her.
Faith: You don’t give up, do you?
She’s on the ship at the top of the gangplank.
Buffy: Not on my friends, no.
Faith: Yeah, because you and me are such solid buds, right? (walks down
the gangplank)
Buffy: We could be. It’s not too late.
Faith: (disgusted) For me to change and be more like you, you mean?
Little Miss Goody-Two-Shoes? (stops halfway, leans on the railing) It
ain’t gonna happen, B.
Buffy: Faith, nobody is asking you to be like me, but you can’t go on
like this.
Faith: (grins evilly) Scares you, doesn’t it?
She climbs over the railing and hops down to the dock.
Buffy: Yeah, it scares me. Faith, you’re hurting people. You’re hurting
yourself.
Faith: (approaches Buffy) But that’s not it. That’s not what bothers
you so much. What bugs you is you know I’m right. You know in your gut
we don’t need the law. We are the law.
Buffy: No.
She turns her back and walks away. Faith follows right behind.
Faith: Yes. You know exactly what I’m about ’cause you have it in you,
too.
Buffy: No, Faith, you’re sick.
Faith: I’ve seen it, B. You’ve got the lust. And I’m not just talking
about screwing vampires.
Buffy stops in her tracks.
Buffy: Don’t you dare bring him into this.
Faith: (taunting her) It was good, wasn’t it? The sex? The danger? Bet
a part of you even dug him when he went psycho.
Buffy: No! (continues walking)
Faith: (follows) See, you need me to toe the line because you’re afraid
you’ll go over it, aren’t you, B? You can’t handle watching me living my
own way, having a blast, because it tempts you! You know it could be
you!
Buffy has had enough. She stops, faces her and backhand punches her in
the jaw. Faith comes up smiling wickedly.
Faith: There’s my girl.
Buffy: (tries to get away) No. I’m not gonna do this.
Faith: (doesn’t let her go) Why not? It feels good. Blood rising.
Buffy hears a noise above, looks up and notices a palette of crates
above them, falling directly at Faith. She shoves her out of the way,
but gets struck herself and goes down. She is dazed, but not out.
Faith gets up and goes to help Buffy, when Mr. Trick and three other
vampires suddenly attack. Faith spins around when she hears them roar,
but is soundly punched in the face by Trick, forcing her body to snap to
the side. He and another one grab her by her jacket and throw her to the
ground. As Faith tries to get to her feet, the second vampire roundhouse
kicks her in the face. She blocks it and drops a bit, but manages to get
up and block an uppercut from the third one by grabbing his hand. She
backhand punches him in the face, making him step back to keep his
balance, and turns to face the second vampire. She high blocks a wide
swing from him and punches him, making him fall, but the third one
behind her flat hands her in the back and she stumbles.
Buffy starts to come out of her daze.
Buffy: (whispers) Oh, God…
The third vampire holds Faith with her arms behind her back. She tries
to get free by snapping her heel backwards and striking his kneecap.
That has no effect, so she snaps her head back and butts him dead in the
nose, but the vamp still doesn’t let go of her. The second vampire
launches into a half spinning hook kick intended for Faith, but she
ducks it and the demon holding her takes the blow, lets go of her and
goes down. Faith flies into full spinning, jumping out-to-in crescent
kick, hitting the second vampire hard in the face and sending him
spinning to the ground. The first vampire runs at her, but she sidesteps
him and shoves him into the third, who was just getting up. He isn’t
knocked down, though, and comes at her. She grabs him and pulls him with
her toward the water, and throws him off the dock.
Buffy is out of her daze now, and with difficulty pulls her legs out
from under the pallet of crates that fell on her. She gets to her feet,
but is immediately punched by Mr. Trick. She falls spinning onto the
crates and rolls off onto the concrete. She gets to her feet as Trick
approaches and tries to backhand punch him, but he middle blocks it, so
she punches him in the gut instead. Her jab is weak, though, and has no
effect on him. Trick does a painful right hook to her face. Buffy
stumbles backward. Trick advances and swings again, this time snapping
her head back with a powerful uppercut, making her fall onto another
pile of crates.
Faith does a half-spinning hook kick, connecting with the second
vampire’s jaw. He falls onto an open barrel and struggles not to fall
in. The first one comes at her again, but she has her stake out now and
jams it home. He explodes into ashes. She looks over and sees Buffy
struggling with Mr. Trick. He wraps a cord around her neck and begins to
choke her. But Faith isn’t finished with her fight yet. The second
vampire throws off the barrel, only to become intimate with her stake
and burst into ashes.
Faith sees Trick yank at the cord around Buffy’s neck and pull her off
of the crates. He pulls her up and swings her around into a pallet
leaning against still more crates. She hits it hard and falls to the
pavement. Faith looks around, trying to decide what to do. She sees
Trick pick Buffy up again and slam her against the huge crates. Buffy
struggles to get loose, but the cord around her neck is too tight.
Trick: I hear once you’ve tasted a Slayer, you never wanna go back.
He opens his fang-filled mouth wide and moves in for the bite. Buffy
struggles to keep him away, but can’t. Suddenly Mr. Trick stops and
looks up in wide-eyed shock.
Trick: Oh, no. (shakes his head) No, this is no good at all.
He begins to fall and explodes into ashes as Faith pulls her stake back.
The two Slayers look at each other uncertainly for a long while. Faith
lowers her stake. Buffy massages her neck.
Cut to the library. Buffy sits at the table while Giles pours her some
coffee from his thermos.
Giles: So she saved you. (walks slowly around the table)
Buffy: She could have left me there to die, Giles, but she didn’t.
Giles: She opted to come back to town with you. That… That bodes
well. (sits) She still has a lot to face before she can put this behind
her.
Buffy: I’m not gonna give up on her.
Giles: (pours himself a cup) Then I think she stands a chance.
Cut to the Mayor’s office. He pulls on his overcoat, getting ready to
leave for the night. He looks down at his desk and adjusts the angle of
the penholder, gives a satisfied nod, picks up his briefcase and heads
for the door. When he opens it he is surprised to see Faith standing
there, arms crossed.
Faith: (accusingly) You sent your boy to kill me.
Mayor Wilkins: (unfazed) That’s right, I did.
Faith: He’s dust.
Mayor Wilkins: I thought he might be. What with you standing here and
all.
Faith: (steps brazenly into the doorway) I guess that means you have a
job opening.
The Mayor steps back to let her enter and closes the door.
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