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- Back - Episode 151: "Enimies Closer " - Season 8, Episode 7 #Disclaimer# We do not own the characters in this story, nor do we own any rights to the television show "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and "Angel the Series". They were created by Joss Whedon and belong to him, Mutant Enemy, Sandollar Television, Kuzui Enterprises, 20th Century Fox Television, WB and UPN Television Networks. ~~~~~~~~~~ Prologue ~~~~~~~~~~ GILES VOICEOVER: Previously on Buffy the Vampire Slayer... CUT TO: INT. Ohio Farm House. RILEY: There's been a spate of disappearances in the Central Park Area. SAM: We’d like to move you all there and set you up RILEY: And a school . . . To train the new slayers CUT TO: EXT. Ohio Farm House. FAITH and WOOD stand in the driveway waving good-bye. FAITH: Alone at last. CUT TO: INT. Jazz Club: CLAUDIA: [leaning over to talk in Buffy’s ear] I must say, this isn’t exactly how I pictured life as a slayer. BUFFY: Giles gave you the “sacred responsibility, certain death” pep talk huh? CLAUDIA: Something along those lines. CUT TO: INT, Scooby Central apartment. OZ picks up the phone. MUFFLED ENGLISH MALE VOICE: I didn’t think you sent that text message. Now-- what about the box? CLAUDIA’S VOICE: I'll send a full report. CUT TO: EXT. TOWER FROM THE GIFT CLAUDIA is standing in front of DAWN. CLAUDIA: People do what they HAVE to do, we feel our way, we, we don't always tell the truth, we try to fight for something, to protect -- innocents, to help -- people whose lives we . . . lives we become responsible for -- CUT TO: EXT, Sidewalk, New York City. BUFFY turns over a WOMAN in a black jacket onto her back. CUT TO a CLOSE-UP on the WOMAN, her face heavily scarred and bruised, her jacket and top torn, fists a mass of blood as we recognize…FAITH! TEASER: FADE IN, INT. SCOOBY CENTRAL APPARTMENT CLOSE-UP on ANDREW -- KENNEDY's face behind his shoulder ANDREW: [urgently] Come on . . . come ON! Dammit -- this HAS to work!!! KENNEDY: [calmly, her hand on his shoulder] Stay frosty, Andrew. ANDREW: This is very, very delicate -- even a small error -- KENNEDY: Delicate? CAMERA pulls back. ANDREW is kneeling and KENNEDY crouching beside him in front of the TV and VCR. KENNEDY: It's a VCR Andrew, not a nuclear pile. ANDREW: Fine. Here. If you think you can do better -- ANDREW hands KENNEDY the remote. She accepts it and pushes a sequence of buttons, and hands it to ANDREW. KENNEDY: Working now. ANDREW: [thrown] Oh. [brightening] It’s good to have lesbians on the team. KENNEDY doesn’t rise to this. ANDREW: Now we don't have to miss the . . . Mexican wrestling. KENNEDY: [raised eyebrow] Which is listed in the TV guide as The Waltons. ANDREW: I watch it ironically. KENNEDY: You know, I really find it hard to think you were once a kickass demon-summoner. ANDREW: The Dark Arts require arcane study of the cosmic abysses. It's non-linear. (Beat: then angrily) We're on the front lines in the struggle against unholy powers, which would destroy us all! Why can't we have Tivo? KENNEDY: Fill out a requisition for Giles. ANDREW: [strokes his chin] Hmmm . . . I could file it under general technical upgrades -- What about your family's place on Long Island? There's probably stuff there that wouldn't be missed -- KENNEDY: You haven’t met Maria. ANDREW: Your mom? KENNEDY: [shakes head emphatically] No. Not sure mom even notices I’m missing. Maria’s the housekeeper. ANDREW’s eyes widen and he whistles. ANDREW: Mama mia! The DOOR to the apartment flies open with a slam, BUFFY rushes in with FAITH in her arms. KENNEDY whirls round in battle stance. ANDREW: [real shock this time] Mama mia! BUFFY hurries to the couch. BUFFY: Andrew -- get the first aid kit! ANDREW: Omigod . . . that's -- BUFFY: YES, it IS, get the kit! ANDREW rushes out, DAWN rushes to another room. KENNEDY: Holy crap --! Will? WILLOW goes to KENNEDY, embraces her desperately while keeping her eyes on BUFFY and FAITH. WILLOW: [in shock] Dawn found -- we found her just down the block -- who could DO that to -- Buffy, is she still -- BUFFY: Barely -- Andrew! Get me something to clean up these… ANDREW rushes back in ANDREW: Shouldn't she be in the hospital?? Not here? BUFFY: What attacked her could be out there waiting for seconds -- we won't -- FAITH's eyes suddenly open. She grabs BUFFY's forearms and throws her off and BOLTS upright. FAITH: You bitches won't get --!! FAITH slumps back onto the couch BUFFY: Faith -- FAITH: [faintly] B - - ? how'd I . . .get . . . Where are they? BUFFY: Faith, you’re safe -- your pulse -- FAITH: [confused, to herself] They took -- they have him . . . [looks up at BUFFY eyes full of anger and fear] B -- Robin -- captured -- BUFFY: [quiet, urgent] Faith -- lie still -- DAWN hands BUFFY a cup, BUFFY raises it to FAITH's mouth FAITH: Can't. Robin -- BUFFY: Someone has Robin? Who? FAITH: Buffy . . .[baffled, anguished] Slayers. Wolf Howl, Buffy's theme plays. Staring: Special Guest Stars:
Very Special Guest Stars: COMMERCIAL BREAK Enter myfic challenge: So I said to myself, "self," I said.... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11-13-2004, 08:17 AM #2 Join Date: Mar 2003 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ACT I FADE IN, CLOSE-UP on a MAN's HAND holding a CEREMONIAL KNIFE with many nasty-looking twisty symbols on it, heating it on the flame of a tall red candle by the two-face image of JANOS. CANDELIGHT ONLY -- golden-red -- tosses shadows along the altar on which JANOS' image and two chalices sit. ETHAN V.O.: It's the ancient way. "One girl, in all the world, chosen to stand against the forces of darkness." The way has been split, and it takes courage to take on this burden . . . now of all times . . . when the unworthy use their power for darkness. CLOSE-UP on an outstretched palm of a young woman, the edge of a red sleeve above her wrist, as ETHAN moves the blade above her palm. ETHAN V.O.: The moment I saw you, I was sure you were the one. ETHAN DRAWS TWO SHARP SLASHES, one vertical, the other horizontal, along her palm. A SMALL GASP is heard. ETHAN's hand guides the woman's hand above one chalice, and blood drips into it. CLOSE-UP on ETHAN, red-robed with his hood thrown back. ETHAN: Accept, Janos, wise guardian and defender of truth, this sacrificial gift from a warrior in your cause. CLOSE-UP on the shadowed face of the YOUNG WOMAN, the hood drawn over her face. ETHAN places the blade in her right hand and stretches out his left palm. ETHAN: Accept, Janos, guardian of innocence, defender of truth, this offering from thy penitent son. I have departed my errors, great Janos, and now give my unworthy blood to blend with this pure woman's in the cause of truth and of unity. The HOODED WOMAN draws two slashes diagonally across ETHAN's palm. She guides his hand over the other chalice, and also lets the blood flow. ETHAN hands his chalice to the HOODED WOMAN and she hands hers to him. ETHAN: Strengthen us in this fight against the deceivers and usurpers and let the warrior of the people know herself and release to her her true birthright and unstained power. ETHAN and the HOODED WOMAN drink. ETHAN takes the chalice from the HOODED WOMAN's hands, and dips his two middle fingers in and reaches out towards her forehead. CAMERA STAYS ON HIS FACE. ETHAN: May the way of the Slayer be cleared of confusion, may the line of the Slayer be restored to its purity and balance, great Janos. Make this woman whole. ETHAN places the cup on the altar. ETHAN [unceremonial voice]: I know how melodramatic these old rituals sound, but they do work. HOODED WOMAN [in shy voice]: Isn't . . . there a closing . . . prayer or . . .? ETHAN: No, that's all there is. And you mustn't tell any of the others about our little ritual. It would be awful if any of them felt excluded or slighted in any way, but how can I tell them that they only enjoy PART of the true destiny and power of the Slayer? HOODED WOMAN: But -- they've trained longer . . . than I have. ETHAN: It isn't the training. It's the state of readiness. The state of humility that conceals the greater depths. Surely you know that you've concealed your other face . . . the darker part . . . in which the light is rooted? Oh, and you can wipe off the blood as well. The HOODED WOMAN pushes back her hood. It's JANIE, the mousey slayer from the previous episode. JANIE: Thank you, Mr. Rayne. It's sticky. ETHAN hands her a cloth, and JANIE wipes the blood from her forehead. ETHAN: Janie, please. Call me Ethan. How do you feel? JANIE's eyes flutter and close for a moment, and then when she opens them, they've turned golden. JANIE's mouth widens in an eager, predatory, hungry smile. JANIE [voice still shy, but echoing as if from a well]: Renewed.
BUFFY is cleaning FAITH’s swollen face with a washcloth and a bowl of soapy water while Giles is tending to some cuts on her arm. FAITH gasps in pain as BUFFY brushes her arm over one of her ribs. She’s feverish and pale under the mess of bruises. BUFFY: Sorry. [half smile] At least they didn’t put you in a coma.
FAITH winces again under BUFFY's dabbings. BUFFY: I suck at nightingaling. GILES: You’re sure they were Slayers? FAITH: [Softly] Girl scouts don’t usually hit like that. And.. there was -–they had a watcher. GILES and BUFFY both tense, exchanging glances. BUFFY: Watcher? FAITH: [vague] He wanted me to join them. Said that you needed to be stopped, before you did any more harm. I said that was a crock but…[looks up at GILES] he said he knew you, Rupert. GILES: Oh [thin-lipped] What was his name? FAITH: [far away] I’m not sure if it’s his first name or…you Brits, your last names all sound like… GILES: [firm] What was it? FAITH: Rayne. I think. I don’t know, I… GILES and BUFFY flinch at the name, GILES breathes a deep-chest breath in, and his eyes go harder. GILES: Ethan. BUFFY: But he’s…How…? She moves impatiently and shrugs off her own question. BUFFY: How can wait. What else, Faith? FAITH’s eyes screw up. She’s gathering strength but some of it’s in hectic energy. FAITH: [mind wandering] Those girls, they had this…he had them so fired up. GILES rubs his face, thinking. FAITH: [looking at Buffy, more focussed now] I…I saw Ethan and some girl drag Robin away. Then he sic’ed his brat pack on me. There were…I don’t know, ten of them. GILES: But they didn’t kill you. FAITH: They thought they had…must’ve dumped me where you found me. GILES: I doubt Ethan really believed you were dead. Despite vast evidence to the contrary, he isn’t entirely stupid. He must know how fast slayers heal. BUFFY: If he’s actually running this. Ethan’s usually lackey guy. [brushes hair out of her face] But, theories also later. Rescuing now. Any idea where he might have gone? FAITH: No. But we gotta...We need to go after him… BUFFY: You need to rest. FAITH: [trying to sit up] I’m not gonna lie here while that rat-faced son-of-a-bit ch has Robin! BUFFY gently pushes her back down BUFFY: [to Faith] We’ll deal and you heal…and that was bad rhyming. But it’s going to be ok. It’s still just Ethan. Master of the ancient arts of running away and begging for his life. BUFFY glances to GILES. There’s a flicker of uncertainty in his eyes.
CLAUDIA is standing on the edge of the roof on her cell phone, jigging a leg nervously. CLAUDIA: Pick up the phone…Pick up the bloody phone! DR EXETER’S VOICE FROM PHONE: This is Dr Giles Exeter. Please leave your name and number and I’ll return your call as soon as humanly possible. SFX: BEEP CLAUDIA: Giles, it’s Claudia. [beat] Again. [more urgent] Where are you? [angrier] And why aren’t you answering my calls? [her tone switches from anger to something more lonely] Please-- I don’t know what to do. CLAUDIA clicks her cell off and stares out over the city for a moment. Then her phone buzzes. She snatches it up. CLAUDIA: Giles?! [her face sinks when she hears the voice. Not Giles] Oh…Yes sir. [she glances nervously to the door back into the building] Now? But I don’t know where it is yet…Ok. I’ll try. But! The phone cuts off and she’s left with a dead receiver. CLAUDIA sits down on the parapet and pulls out a cigarette. She exhales as the lighter flicks open. Her hand’s shaky as she lights up.
FAITH is sleeping on BUFFY’s BED. All the lights are out. The door opens a crack, and the light falls on FAITH. She moans softly but doesn’t wake up. CLAUDIA’s face appears at the door. She stands there a moment.
The camera follows CLAUDIA as she treads softly along the corridor. Her hands play with the sleeves of her shirt as she approaches the door of the SCOOBY CENTRAL APPARTMENT.
BUFFY and XANDER are leaning against the table, DAWN and ANDREW are sitting at it drinking hot drinks. KENNEDY’s rifling through a weapons chest. CLAUDIA enters as KENNEDY selects a crossbow. KENNEDY: (to CLAUDIA) I’m going back out there. See if I can find anything. Claudia, you want to come? CLAUDIA: Certainly. She selects another crossbow. Her eyes are anywhere but BUFFY. KENNEDY nods at BUFFY and they leave. BUFFY leans against the table. BUFFY: Xander, get Oz on the phone, tell him to get the girls who board out of bed. Lock the school down - that may be Ethan’s next move. Tomorrow, we want to keep things as normal as we can. If we stop lessons every time there’s trouble in town…well, there’d never be any lessons. XANDER: You've not been inhaling from any bottles marked “essence of Snyder” have you? BUFFY:[narrows her eyes dangerously] More phoning, less courting of an early death. XANDER: (holds up his hands in truce) Xander’s NOT a courtin’. BUFFY: [mutters] Snyder! [beat] I’m not THAT short. Then she throws the phone to XANDER, underarm. He catches one handed. XANDER: You know, it’s weird. I can actually catch better without the 3-D vision. BUFFY: Maybe you’re turning into a vampire bat [beat] Sorry, don’t know where that came from. DAWN: Shouldn’t Willow do a healing spell? Though maybe she’s got her mojo full with the location. Faith looked like she’d gone ten rounds with, well, you. BUFFY: She’s doing fine. She just…I think she’s mostly
freaked. But soon as Willow’s done locating, we can help Robin for
her. Slayers in shining armour segueing quickly to Ethan in a DAWN: [Moves towards the door] Then, I’m going to see if Willow needs someone on candle-holding duty. BUFFY: Okely dokely. DAWN: [at the door] Maybe you should be looking into cutting down to two episodes of the Simpsons a day? BUFFY: [as DAWN shuts the door] You want to be mom from now on? [beat] Ok…I’ve totally lost my train of slay. [to ANDREW] You know, it was so much easier in Sunnydale. Demons were never more than two blocks away. But Ethan could be anywhere. ANDREW isn’t listening. He’s nodding to himself, in a slightly different conversation universe. ANDREW: Hmm, yes. Willow shouldn’t heal Faith for…the (air quotes) new Willow (air quotes) does NOT wave her wand lightly lest she unleash… BUFFY: Re-leash it, Andrew ANDREW: But, like I said dal principio, why not hospital? BUFFY takes a moment to catch up, re-tracing ANDREW’s wacky train of thought with her finger. BUFFY: Oh, Faith? We can’t protect her at a hospital. She’s safest here. ANDREW: But— BUFFY: She stays here. Willow locates Bad slayers. I take good slayers, we rescue Robin. Finito ANDREW: Are you going generalissimo Buffy again? Because, that only leads to carnage and moral blindness. BUFFY shoots him a look of death but takes it. BUFFY: No generalissimo. I just want everyone to be safe. ANDREW: [cautious] Um, then,…When Faith said slayers….are we talking evil slayers? Or are we talking crazy? BUFFY: (good humoured) You ever talk any other way? ANDREW: (pouts) Because, if it’s crazy slayers, maybe I should go? I’ve faced a troubled slayer before, I’ve got the experience… BUFFY: You and your experience can stay right here. This is a slayer-only fight. ANDREW: You said no generalissimo! [huff] Spoilsport! BUFFY: [calm] Andrew. Leaving you out of a fight with an army of evil and/or crazy slayers, led by a man with a heinous anti-scooby grudge and possibly magic powers...these are not the actions of a spoilsport. (beat) But you can help Giles with his research. XANDER re-enters with the phone having finished his call. XANDER: What research? The multipack of slayers sitch is still pretty new, there can’t be any research yet… BUFFY: I meant… ANDREW: Actually, there are a bunch of online academic journals that mention it – the every girl who can be will be thing…But they’re mostly about Marxism and penises. I could print them off if you think it’ll help. XANDER: I think we can safely say Ethan is not holding Robin hostage with a Marxist penis. Unless he’s really changed his methods. BUFFY: Andrew. [trying to keep hold of her sanity by speaking slow] Giles is making phone calls about Ethan. I want to find out where he’s been, how many girls he has, whatever. Before we go after him, while we’re waiting for Willow to find where he is. Help Giles? ANDREW gets up and nods. ANDREW: I shall, oh captain my captain. ANDREW bows slightly and leaves. XANDER looks after him, stroking his chin. XANDER: You know I’d like to make up a list of all Andrew’s movie references if I ever have the time…and no life. BUFFY smiles but the smile fades quickly. BUFFY: [thoughtful] This thing--Ethan having his own slayers. It feels, I don’t know. Like someone walking over your grave. Which, literally speaking, a total old wives’ tale. People must'a walked over my grave a bunch of times, and I never felt a thing. [shakes head] It feels…dirty. XANDER: Dirty’s Ethan all over (beat) not that I’ve seen…all over…[grimaces] But, these are all things we’ve dealt with before. [gesturing with his hands, indicating different items] Ethan. [another item] Rogue slayers. [another item] Kidnapping. Pretty much slay-ja-vu. BUFFY: But the thing that I don’t get…Why ARE these slayers following him? Why would anyone follow Ethan? Apart from maybe people who want to mug him. XANDER: [shrugs] Some girls just can’t get enough of evil older men? BUFFY: Oh, I’ve had an extreme enough. CUT TO: A CORRIDOR ETHAN is standing with JANIE and a group of SLAYERS. His hand is on the handle of a door. ETHAN: Our enemies may be on their way as we speak. (beat) Janie, I want you to take the others to patrol the perimeters. They have powerful magicks at their control. Be careful. Contact me if you so much as hear a twig snap outside the wall. JANIE nods, a little shy pleasure at the compliment. She stands up straighter. One of the slayers, a round-faced blonde girl of about 18, looks reluctant. SLAYER 1: But, Mr Rayne why did we put so much effort to capture him? Why didn’t we just kill him? ETHAN takes his hand away from the door knob and looks at all the girls in turn, then looks at her, intently. ETHAN: Maryanne. We all have to be together on this. You have to trust me. What you’ve done already is impressive. But, my dears, we can’t lose focus now. Not when we have the upper hand. Wobbling now will only play into their hands. MARYANNE: I’m sorry. You’re right. ETHAN: (grins) I’m rarely wrong. MARYANNE smiles and the other girls giggle at their leader being jolly with them. JANIE stays serious. ETHAN: Now, off with you. ETHAN shoos the girls away, but as they walk he gestures to JANIE to stay. JANIE: (to the girls) I’ll meet you at the front gate (to ETHAN) Sir? ETHAN: Remember, the others mustn’t know of your mission. There might be…jealousy. And perhaps…they don’t have your faith. JANIE: I understand. (she glances, nervously, at the door) Will you be safe in there, with…that? ETHAN: Of course. I’ve handled demons before. [puts a hand lightly on her shoulder] It only saddens me that Buffy went down this road. She had such potential. [melancholy smile] But once you start consorting with demons….you’re lost. JANIE: Did she really….[lowers her eyes, then looks up] With those vampires? And with…[her eyes flick to the door]. Why? ETHAN: Evil is very seductive, Janie. [beat] But I know you’re stronger than that. ETHAN takes his hand away and smiles, turning his mood to something brighter and brisker. ETHAN: You go and take the girls through their paces. And soon…there is another ritual we must perform. Not here. ETHAN pats her on the arm. JANIE smiles and follows the girls down the hallway. ETHAN: Take care Janie. [emphatic] Slayer. ETHAN turns the handle of the door.
WOOD is chained with his hands above his head, chains leading to the ceiling. His shirt is open and his black pants are tattered, showing red gashes in his thighs and knees. ETHAN enters and comes up close to WOOD. On a table, we see a selection of sharp objects laid out. ETHAN: Hello old chap. ETHAN steps back a pace, contemplating WOOD like a painting. ETHAN: You know, it’s a shame I couldn’t persuade Faith to join the team. I’ve got so much I could teach her. ETHAN makes a vaguely obscene gesture with his hands. WOOD curls his lip in disgust, causing him to wince at the cuts on his face. ETHAN tuts. ETHAN: She does have a thing for authoritative older men, doesn’t she? WOOD: (closing his eyes) What did…what did they do to her? ETHAN: Beat her black and blue like the naughty criminal she is. They were VERY angry when I told them that Faith is a murderer who helped Buffy destroy a sleepy Californian town. Naturally, I missed out the part where they saved the world and the town was evil. That wouldn’t reflect well on me. WOOD: [swallows] Is she…[looks ETHAN in the eye, angry fear in his breathing] Did they kill her? ETHAN: Shh! It’s ok. She lived to tell the tale. My slayers don’t kill humans, you see. [beat]They’re good girls. WOOD: [quietly] I’m not sure I trust your definition of good. ETHAN: Oh, that’s the funny thing. They are good. Even by your rather narrow-minded standards. They want to save the world just as much as any of your lot. It’s very sweet. WOOD: And how…does kidnapping and… torture fit into that? ETHAN: Come now, you’re an educator. You know what teenagers are like. [gestures theatrically with his hands] Mention the greater good and sacrifice and the noble fight and they’re eating out of your hand. And telling them you’re a demon didn’t hurt. ETHAN suddenly punches WOOD viciously in the stomach, then steps back as WOOD slumps, groaning. ETHAN turns his back and walks slowly over to the table of implements, poring over them like a fruit display in a supermarket. ETHAN: I’ve been doing a lot of thinking in prison. Meditating on my sins. Thinking about good and evil. All that rot. But it’s given me some valuable insights into why you good sorts do the things you do. Because, you see, if you understand your enemy, you know much better where to...hurt them, don’t you? ETHAN turns to face Wood, now holding a thin knife. He feels its blade and winces, gleefully. ETHAN: Ooh! Sharp! WOOD: You think I’m going to tell you anything? ETHAN: Not particularly. I’ve got spells for that. ETHAN traces the blade lightly accross WOOD’s trembling torso. It cuts a thin line in his flesh. WOOD gasps in a breath but doesn’t scream. ETHAN: I like to think of this as “Me time”. ETHAN looks at the blade for a moment, holding it reverentially in both hands. Then he looks back up at WOOD and puts the point of the knife to WOOD’s ribs. His face has a delighted manic tinge to it. ETHAN: You don’t know how much I’ve missed this.
Enter myfic challenge: So I said to myself, "self," I said.... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11-13-2004, 08:31 AM #3 Join Date: Mar 2003 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Act II BUFFY and WILLOW are looking at a map with a small hole burnt into it. WILLOW is looking exhausted. WILLOW: [puzzled] I still can’t get a fix on who else is there. Ethan must be using a pretty sophisticated spell to keep himself – and whoever- hidden. But, I’m guessing they haven’t left Robin home alone. XANDER’s looking through the drawers in the dresser. XANDER: If Andrew’s been using the batteries from the tazers for his Gameboy Advance again, I’m gonna…[thinks for a moment] No, I’m all out of threats for Andrew. Anyone got any double AAs? BUFFY: Top drawer. [to WILLOW] Shouldn’t take more than forty five minutes to get there. XANDER: [looks in drawer] Aha! XANDER pulls out some batteries and goes over to the sofa, where there’s a pile of stun guns. XANDER: Still no word from Riley? BUFFY shakes her head. GILES comes out of BUFFY’s bedroom and closes the door slowly. GILES: I gave Faith a little shot of something. She’ll only tire herself out fretting otherwise. BUFFY: Check out slightly-disturbing nurse Giles. WILLOW: (to Giles) Took all night, but we’ve found Robin. He’s alive. GILES: Thank God. [his relief turns to a frown] Ethan must want something. He’s keeping Robin as a bargaining chip. BUFFY: Can we not have one moment of yay he’s alive before we move on to doom the next? [shrugs] Guess not. Any joy from the underworld telethon? GILES: No one I’ve spoken to even knew he was free. It seems learned a little discretion in prison. WILLOW folds up the map and puts it on the table. WILLOW: (musing) You know, I would’ve thought he’d be somewhere…more Guantanamo, less open prison. XANDER shrugs XANDER: The Initiative’s security record? Not the hottest. I mean, Spike skedaddled outta there – and this is the man who couldn’t bust out of prisoner cell block bathtub. There’s a ring at the doorbell. XANDER goes to the entryphone and looks at the video screen. XANDER: They’re here. XANDER buzzes the entryphone then goes out into the hallway. BUFFY: (to Giles) Is the school secure? Ethan might send visiting students. GILES: I believe Hugo and Oz are rigging up something terribly complicated with security cameras and the library computers. BUFFY: [surprised] I thought Hugo was musty parchment I love the 18th century guy? GILES: We do have the internet in England you know. The world-wide moniker is something of a giveaway. And Hugo says he’s a dab hand at…I believe it has something to do with the major scale. WILLOW: C# programming? BUFFY: Can we have a rule where we speak only English during emergencies? The door opens XANDER pokes his head round. XANDER: I come bearing slayers. (beat) Not bearing, cause, not strong enough… VI, CHAO-AHN, CARIDAD, COLLEEN and SHANNON enter. SHANNON gives him a look. XANDER: Not that I’m calling you fat. You’re very…[gestures woman-shape with his hands] SHANNON’s look gets darker. XANDER makes a narrower woman-shaped gesture then gives up and smiles sheepishly. The SLAYERS are wearing crumpled clothes and are laden with bags. BUFFY hugs VI and smiles to the others. General hubbub of “heys” and “hi’s”. VI: So, did we make it back in time for another apocalypse? BUFFY: Uh uh. Working on averages? You’re a few months early. But, don’t get comfy. We’re leaving. Now.
ANDREW is pulling weapons out of the chest and checking them over very carefully – probably unnecessary care - in a corner of the room while KENNEDY stands with her arms folded staring at a package on the kitchen table. She has her jacket on ready to go. XANDER and WILLOW enter. XANDER is carrying a box for the weapons, with a few initiative-style stun guns inside. WILLOW: Buffy says the slay-ride leaves in ten. [beat] If you're not ready then, she’s driving, and you’ll be responsible for the road deaths of many. Camera focus is on KENNEDY and WILLOW KENNEDY: [not taking her eyes off the package] I’m ready. In the background XANDER puts down the box and starts packing the weapons ANDREW’s laid out into a box and stopping him from polishing them. WILLOW puts her chin on KENNEDY’s shoulder and follows her gaze to the package. WILLOW: Early Christmas present? Or mysterious evil package? KENNEDY: Possibly both. Vi sent it on from Brazil. It’s a present from my Grandma. WILLOW: Vi sent it? KENNEDY: Grandma's not a fan of manual labour. Like licking stamps. She says it’s bad for the skin. WILLOW: The skin…on her tongue? KENNEDY: Grandma logic. Or possibly something to do with the pool boy that I never want to know. WILLOW: Aren’t cha going to open it? KENNEDY: (shakes her head slightly, frowns) It’s time to go. Has Buffy got the keys to the van? WILLOW: [Nods] Hey, maybe it’ll be underwear? Change of underwear, always useful on dangerous missions. Vi and the others are still getting geared up. KENNEDY shrugs and begins to open the package but stops when she spots XANDER & ANDREW looking on, nosily. She gestures threateningly, and they quickly go back to work checking the weapons. KENNEDY looks in the box and sighs. KENNEDY: Told you. She pulls out a beautiful pink dress with lots of ruffles and bows, very old fashioned. WILLOW starts to smile as KENNEDY holds it in up against herself, awkwardly. WILLOW: [with a southern accent] Now that’s a mighty fine dress there Miss Scarlett. KENNEDY shoots WILLOW a look and starts to put the dress back in the box. KENNEDY: God, she doesn't get I haven't worn dresses since I was twelve. WILLOW: Doesn't she know you're.... KENNEDY: Stylish? WILLOW: I was gonna say gay. But, hey, synonym. KENNEDY: She just wants to see me suffer. WILLOW: It's just a dress. KENNEDY: Nothing’s "just a something" with Gran. She's probably sending a suitor in the next mail. Someone with his own ranch and a moustache WILLOW: Sorry I can't give you either of those things KENNEDY: That's sorry in the sense of "thank God"? WILLOW smiles and touches KENNEDY’s fingers, their hands interlace. WILLOW: Even in that dress, lady, you’ve got more cojones than Ethan. KENNEDY picks up an armful of weapons. KENNEDY: Anything I need to know before I fight this guy? WILLOW: He’s a big yellow sissy who couldn’t fight his way out of a wet paper bag. WILLOW picks up a smaller armful of weapons. KENNEDY: I’ll pack a paper bag then. KENNEDY kisses WILLOW and gives her a cheeky look as they leave the room. Camera moves round to ANDREW and XANDER, who’ve finished the weapons check. ANDREW: [to XANDER, deadpan] They’re hot together, aren’t they? XANDER narrows his good eye and raises a finger, then lowers it, both arms to his sides. He’s looking worn and deflated. XANDER: Coming from anyone else, I’d answer with a protective “hey”. ANDREW smiles uncertainly. ANDREW: So, are we going to, like, stay and guard Faith? XANDER sits and runs a hand through his hair. It’s starting to get long. XANDER: Yeah. Or, stay until Buffy tells us what else to do. ANDREW: That’s not proactive! ANDREW crosses his arms, angrily. XANDER doesn’t look at him. XANDER: It’s been a tiring coupla days.
Close-up of OZ’s face. His eyes are closed OZ: Relax. All is surface. Nothing in this world remains. Let go. The camera pans back to reveal he’s sitting cross-legged on a mat, in front of four rows of teenagers, all also sitting on mats, facing him. DAWN, BETHY and SARAH are sitting together in the middle row. SAMANTHA FROST is in the back. The class look on edge, though they’re trying to get into the meditation. Apart from SAMANTHA, who isn’t trying at all. She puts up her hand. SAMANTHA: Mr Osbourne? Why are we doing this? It’s stupid! OZ opens one eye, then shuts it again. SAMANTHA: [angry] Mr Osbourne! There’s, what, an army of rogue slayers out there, we should be preparing in case they… OZ: We are preparing. OZ gets up, going in one graceful movement from cross legged to standing. OZ: It’s not enough, being ready to fight just with your body. You’ve got mystical powers, not superpowers. Remember that and look into yourself. Close your eyes. His voice is soothing. SAMANTHA shuts her eyes – and her mouth – as he speaks. OZ: Look into yourself. Look into the void. He walks lightly along the front of the class OZ: The world is an appearance. Let go. SFX: school bell OZ: Ok, now you really can go. OZ heads for the door amongst the whispering chattering pupils and opens it, holding it open as they file out. OZ: Make sure you’ve called your parents to let them know you’re staying here tonight. As DAWN passes him she stops. DAWN: Is the surveillance up and running in the library? OZ nods DAWN: Then I might go and Jack Bauer my way through my free period. Ok? OZ: You don’t need my permission. DAWN: [excitable] You know, sometimes even I forget how grown up I am. DAWN skips off out the room, followed by OZ.
KENNEDY’s driving, with BUFFY in the passenger seat. VI and CHAO-AHN are behind them with SHANNON, COLLEEN and CARIDAD in the very back, with the box of weapons. VI’s leaning round to chat to BUFFY. VI: Brazil was fun and everything…with the fiestas and stuff…but I’m glad to be back. I’m not good with languages. CHAO-AHN: Now I practice English. (beaming) I learn new word from Vi. BUFFY: Oh? CHAO-AHN: Motherf- VI: (hurriedly) Yes, mother is a very useful word isn't it? Anyway, we could have used a little R&R before going right back into the thick of things. BUFFY: Mmm. It seems like the thick just keeps on getting thicker. KENNEDY: How are we going to play this? They’ll have guns, right? BUFFY: Yeah. Guns. How do I not love those, let me count the ways. VI: [encouragingly] Well, at least they don’t have an army of UberVamps. BUFFY: Oy! No tempting of fate. Fate’s not big on willlpower. It's very temptable. SHANNON: But…do we kill them? I thought we didn’t… BUFFY: Big no. VI: And if they try to kill us? Which I’m putting money on is part of the plan. [beat] If I had money. BUFFFY: [firmly] Then you Zap them. Understand? That’s why we brought Riley’s Electro gun thingies. KENNEDY: That their technical name? BUFFY shoots her a look. BUFFY: And don’t get gung ho just because you’ve got non-pointy weapons. This is a rescue mission. Not a war.
Late afternoon autumn sun is dappling through a small barred window, lighting WOOD, who’s hanging from his shackles; he no longer has the strength to stand. His face and chest are smudged with blood from where he has been cut – shallow cuts to his chest and a couple of burns. A circle is painted on the floor round him. ETHAN is washing his hands at a sink in the corner ETHAN: Why use violence to achieve your aims when a truth spell will do perfectly, I always say? He shakes the water from his hands and dries them on a towel before walking back towards WOOD. ETHAN: The violence should always be an end in itself. WOOD: You're just full of [cough] deep soul treasures. ETHAN bobs his head, as if humouring WOOD and pours himself a drink from a bottle on the table holding the torture implements. Possibly medical alcohol. He holds up the bottle and waggles it. ETHAN: Prison life gives you an appreciation for even life’s basic comforts. He pulls up a chair and sits, facing WOOD. ETHAN: So. (exhales) Goodness, Buffy and pals have been busy. [balances his drink between his knees and counts on his fingers] So…you have a werewolf who can control his powers ? Buffy’s killed one of the most notorious vampires of the past five centuries…and you and your little white trash girlfriend have all but emptied the Cleveland Hellmouth….my congratulations. If that’s not inappropriate. WOOD: [coughing] Do you actually have a plan…or you just kidnap people because you’re lonely? ETHAN: Lonely? I’ve got my girls, haven’t I? And...[shakes his head] No, I've actually learned my lesson where gloating's concerned. ETHAN puts his drink on the floor and pulls out a pack of cigarettes and lights one up. ETHAN: Oh, churlish of me, want one? WOOD glares as an answer, then half-groans half coughs at a wave of pain. ETHAN: No need to be sanctimonious. ETHAN flicks ash on the floor and smokes, thoughtfully, looking up to the ceiling. ETHAN: Speaking of sanctity…I spent a few years in a seminary. Not many people know that. A little while before I met Giles. I had such faith! Father Roberts used to tell me I’d make a wonderful priest. [inhales and exhales, slowly] I still do I suppose. Just, Chaos is my spiritual tipple now. In fact, Chaos is actually the one thing you really can count on in life. Funny old world. ETHAN glances down to WOOD to find he’s passed out. Ethan stands. ETHAN: How rude! The camera follows ETHAN out into the corridor. He picks up a walkie-talkie as he leaves the room then looks at his watch. ETHAN: Hmmm…witch like her, standard location spell….the guests should be arriving very shortly. [flips on the walkie talkie] Janie. Get the girls ready for battle, and come in here. It’s time.
DAWN is sitting at the computer. The monitor is flicking steadily through different surveillance shots of the school. The perimeter fence, the school hall, the dojo, various classrooms. Behind her, HUGO is shelving books moodily. HUGO: Giles and Buffy seem serious about this business as usual lark, don’t they? Making us keep up with the day job and all that. Then again, Nolite te bastardes carborundorum. DAWN: [concentrating on the screen] Huh? What’s with the Atwood? HUGO smiles. HUGO: Keen eye for a reference. Want to take over my job? DAWN: Tempting but…[thinks] actually, not. [looks over her shoulder] No offense? HUGO: Plenty taken and resentment held forever. DAWN: Good. DAWN looks back at the screen. HUGO moves along the shelves, swaps two books that were the wrong way round, then pokes his head round the shelves. HUGO: We shouldn’t Ethan get to us. DAWN: [swivels round, interested] You’ve…met Ethan? HUGO, glad of any distraction from the shelving – not one of nature’s meticulous people – saunters over to DAWN and sits on the steps behind her. HUGO: Once, when I was a kid. It was in this mixed demon pub in Camden. You know, humans as guests sort of job. Anyway, Ethan was there chatting up a girl with tentacles growing out of her neck. DAWN: Ok, is there a stronger word than ewww? HUGO: Ewww’s not a word. [off Dawn’s reproach look] Sorry. Been spending too long with reference books. Must get out more. DAWN: So, was this in Ethan’s pre-evil days? HUGO: Hard to say. I was 12. (grins) I was more interested in the fact that he bought me my first pint [disgust creeping into his voice] Come to think of it, he did also ask me to sit on his lap. [pointing at the screen, sharply] Who’s that? DAWN: Oh, it’s just Claudia. [cat-who-got-the-gossip grin] Go on with the lap story. But DAWN’s eyes flick back to the image of CLAUDIA whose back is turned, and she looks closer at the screen. CLAUDIA is alone in a classroom on her cell. DAWN: No, wait…Can we get sound on this? HUGO: Yup. HUGO leans over the keyboard in front of DAWN, then straightens up. CLAUDIA’s voice comes over the speaker. V.O CLAUDIA: I’m sorry Giles. HUGO: [puzzled eyebrows] Giles? DAWN: Other Giles. Shh! HUGO holds his hands up in deference. On the screen, CLAUDIA is pacing. V.O CLAUDIA: I want to say this to your face, but I don’t know where you are. I can’t do this any more. Your answerphone’s probably almost full by now but… DAWN: (to HUGO, urgently) Tell Sara to bring Claudia in. Tell her to say Giles is calling a meeting or…whatever. HUGO: One credible lie coming up. HUGO exits, with a glance back at the screen. DAWN keeps watching, intently. She bites her lip. CLAUDIA:…this is all suddenly getting far too real. A girl was nearly killed…there’s evil out there, and I can’t do this…especially their latest task…
V.O CLAUDIA: I don’t want to betray you…and I don’t want to piss them off…but Giles… The camera pans through the sparsely-furnished room to the back of a chair that’s facing a desk. Someone’s sitting there, his hand next to the phone but not picking up. V.O CLAUDIA: I’m going to tell them the truth. About you, the college, all of it. (beat) Funny, if you hadn’t sent me on that mission, I wouldn’t have seen her jump and…well. I just hope we can have a laugh about this one day. Sorry. I’m…sorry. There’s a click as CLAUDIA hangs up. The camera pans further round the desk to reveal Dr EXETER sitting there. He’s dead, with a neat bullet wound in his forehead. CUT TO: COMMERCIAL BREAK Enter myfic challenge: So I said to myself, "self," I said.... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11-13-2004, 08:35 AM #4 Join Date: Mar 2003 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ACT III MARIE and MARYANNE are standing together inside the big cast-iron gates, each concealed behind a pillar. They’re carrying bulky guns. MARYANNE: How does he know someone’s coming? MARIE: He has his ways. At the side of the house, we see another couple of slayers, also with
guns. ETHAN: Marie? Do you read? MARIE: Yes, I read you. (beat) What are your orders? ETHAN: Remain in position. Are all the girls ready? MARIE: Yes. ETHAN: They will be here soon. Good luck. The walkie-talkie goes silent. MARYANNE and MARIE stand silent too for a moment. MARYANNE: I’m kinda scared. MARIE glances at her, disdainful for a moment, then softening. MARIE: Just think. We will soon be facing the people that stole our lives…used us, with their spells and their government pacts. MARYANNE: I…suppose. But….where’s Janie. MARIE: With Mr Rayne, of course. She is helping him with the…what? La surveillance. MARYANNE: Right. MARYANNE’s lip quivers as she stands. Everything is very quiet.
CLAUDIA enters to see DAWN looking at a computer monitor. CLAUDIA: Sara said there’s a meeting? DAWN: Yeah, we just got a major news flash over the web. Come see. CLAUDIA walks over to the computer as DAWN stands and pushes her chair back. CLAUDIA's face grows sour as she sees herself on the monitor leaving the message for Dr EXETER V.O CLAUDIA: I’m going to tell them the truth. About you, the college, all of it. CLAUDIA turns around face to face with DAWN who PUNCHES her hard, knocking her to the ground. CLAUDIA lands flat on her back and looks up at DAWN in shock that she could hit so hard and rubbing her jaw. OZ, SARA and HUGO walk up next to DAWN. DAWN: Oh, I’m sorry…did I HURT YOU? (she opens her fist to show a $5.00 roll of dimes in it.) Neat little trick Mick taught me. Now…(she sits and leans against the computer desk)… You wanted to tell us the truth? OZ picks up CLAUDIA’s purse and looks in it, his eyes widen. OZ: I think we may want to search her first. CUT TO: INT. SCOOBY VAN KENNEDY is driving BUFFY and the OTHER slayers down a quiet road. KENNEDY: Not far now, from Willow’s directions. BUFFY: Whaddya know. Secret hideout that’s convenient for Manhattan AND the Hamptons. KENNEDY: This Ethan, likes the high life? VI: Hey! [points] Truck coming up ahead. BUFFY: Military…Ken, stop! BUFFY’s phone rings as the van comes to a halt. So does the military van. BUFFY: Hello? RILEY’s VOICE FROM PHONE: Just called to say don’t shoot! BUFFY: What? [looks up] Oh! We see RILEY getting out of the military van ahead, wearing the black kit we saw in “As you Were”, followed by GRAHAM, dressed the same. BUFFY climbs out the Scooby van, turning off the phone with a snort. BUFFY: Guys! Always call when you’ve given up on them. [to KENNEDY] Wait here. Camera follows BUFFY into the road. RILEY approaches, phone in hand. Graham hangs back, looking about cautiously. RILEY: Buffy! I just got back from… GRAHAM clears his throat. RILEY: Ok, one day I’ll get the classified thing down. BUFFY: [cold] And the reason why you didn’t call is a good one, yes? RILEY: Ethan’s escape is new news to us. Guys at the prison say he had some glamour spell in place. They just called Graham a coupla hours ago. He had to wait for my order. BUFFY: God I love the military. But whatever. Glamour? RILEY: Shamans are saying he must have some new power source to work a spell that powerful. It had all the surveillance fooled. BUFFY: Great. Just….[shrugs it off] We can’t wait. [beat] Have you been to the house? I’m guessing you’ve got surveillance on it? At least, I’m hoping you’re better at spying than you are at running prisons. Is Robin… FEMALE VOICE: He’s fine. Chained up, but fine. BUFFY stiffens voice comes out of nowhere. BUFFY: [noise] Wh’fa? FEMALE VOICE: And there’s about twenty slayers guarding the building. RILEY: (to Buffy) Oh yeah. I forgot the two of you know each other. FEMALE VOICE: (shy) Hello Buffy. Remember me? BUFFY's face scrunches up in puzzlement -- then, eyes widening with memory. BUFFY: Marcie?? There’s a moment of silence while BUFFY squints at the empty air. MARCIE’s VOICE: I’m nodding. BUFFY nods too, sympathetic. BUFFY: Right with you there. Good to…hear you again. [beat] Let me guess, you're smiling shyly? MARCIE giggles. Quite a weird laugh. Clearly someone who hasn't had the most balanced and sociable of lives. BUFFY: Ok.... RILEY: Thank you agent. Back to base. MARCIE’S VOICE: Yes Sir. Bye Buffy. BUFFY gives RILEY a WTF look. BUFFY: Ok, that’s the last surprise, right? RILEY: Look, Buffy, this is a mess. And it’s…well, mostly our mess. BUFFY: Uh huh. RILEY: Will you let us help? We can help you bring this off while keeping Robin safe. BUFFY: So….what, send in the invisible clowns? RILEY: [quizzical] Um…no…clowns. Knock out gas. Keep the rogue slayers dazed while you go in and rescue Robin Wood. BUFFY nods BUFFY: Better make it strong then. Slayers, remember. But, there’s one condition. RILEY: Yeah? BUFFY: No guns. And I’m in charge. RILEY: Ok. But …that’s two. BUFFY: (cracks her first relaxed smile in hours) Stand down, soldier.
CLAUDIA is sitting in a chair with her head in her hands. DAWN is standing over her with OZ. SARA is at the door with another SLAYER, a coltish kohl-eyed girl in a miniskirt and sneakers. HUGO is watching the computer monitor. There’s a gun on the table in front of him. CLAUDIA looks up. DAWN: [deadpan] I should report you to the principal. Bringing guns into school is NOT cool. CLAUDIA: Aren’t you going to call me a traitorous bitch? There’s a silence. DAWN: I don’t know what to call you. I don’t know you. (beat) But I’m going to. CLAUDIA: Oh Dawn… DAWN: Don’t even. (beat) But you can break it down for me. Who are you? CUT TO: INT. BUFFY’s BEDROOM FAITH is asleep, but restless. She twitches and the camera zooms in on her face. Her eyelids are flickering. CUT TO: INT. CLEVELAND FARMHOUSE LIVING ROOM, NIGHT FAITH and WOOD are sitting by the fire, cuddled up on a sofa. WOOD is stroking FAITH’s hair. WOOD: So, how’s my little slayer on the prairie? FAITH: [sitting up, pointing a finger at Wood] Hey buster, you looking for punishment? WOOD: (grins) Not my style, remember? FAITH leans closer to Wood. She cups his face in her hands, and looks him in the eye. FAITH: [softly] Yeah. Vanilla through and through. And you know what? WOOD: What? FAITH leans in and kisses Wood, then leans back to look at him. FAITH: I’m beginning to like the taste. WOOD goes to kiss FAITH again, but she suddenly freezes and looks up. The camera pans up, following her gaze. The roof has disappeared and we see ETHAN’s face filling the screen, peering down at them. ETHAN: Playing dollies are you? Not very heroic. CUT TO ETHAN’S P.O.V We’re looking down at FAITH and WOOD sitting on doll’s house furniture. FAITH stares up at the camera as it swoops down towards her. CUT TO: INT. BUFFY’s BEDROOM FAITH gasps in her sleep. CUT TO: INT. WILLOW’S BEDROOM The door opens and XANDER enters. XANDER: Hey. Whatcha doing? WILLOW’s sitting on her bed with her laptop, tapping at the keyboard. Lenore is perched on the bed head, making little mewing sounds. She hops down onto the bedspread and looks up at Xander, curiously. WILLOW: Hey. I’ve been googling slayers…you know, those girls Althea and I sensed a while back that just blipped off the radar? I’m thinking…. XANDER: Ethan’s slayers? WILLOW: Yup. Faith said one of the girls who attacked her was French. And that’s where one of the disappearing slayers disappeared from. I think I found her. XANDER comes over and looks at the computer screen. WILLOW: Voila! Marie from Toulouse. XANDER: We to-losed her to Ethan. XANDER sits down on the bed. He’s fidgety. WILLOW: Is--something wrong? XANDER: There’s something… WILLOW: [worried] Oh God? What happened? Did Buffy call? XANDER: No, no, easy with the wiggins. Nothing’s wrong. I just wanted to ask you if you could do something for me. WILLOW: Oh...what? XANDER: [gets up to pace] I was wondering…now you’re fully operational witch-wise…Dawn was talking about healing spells earlier…and I wondered… WILLOW: …if I could fix your eye? XANDER looks at her, expectantly. WILLOW looks down. XANDER: (sits) You can’t, huh. WILLOW: It’s complicated. Technically? Yeah I probably could. But my magic doesn’t work the same way as it used to. It’s a totally different animal now. Well, less animal, more energy. But you know. XANDER nods, listening. WILLOW: Like, before, I had all this power that I could use wherever whenever… XANDER: Your breasts are small and humble? [off Willow’s look] Sorry. My subconscious is kind of chatty. WILLOW: See, you’re so good with the communication, even your Id is all people skillsy. XANDER: But, pulling you back here. WILLOW: Yeah, the magicks. Well, there weren’t repercussions before. Except, you know, with the evil and the addiction and the scary goth-over. XANDER: What’s changed? WILLOW: Now, I’m tapping into the whole flow of the world, I’m part of it. I can’t use the earth’s energy for free, because it’s my energy. I do a spell now, I have to pay. Like, a really confusing sort of capitalism. XANDER: So, with the headaches after that healing spell you did with Andrew? WILLOW: Yeah. The payback, it’s immediate. So...if I tried to re-grow your eyeball? I’d probably lose mine. Or some other kinda necessary body part... XANDER: Which is not what I want my favorite witch to wose. Lose. WILLOW: Your eye’s totally…gone. XANDER: Yup. This socket is guaranteed eye-free! WILLOW: I mean, it’s not like healing a cut, or bleeding. It would never heal normally. And for that kinda healing? Payback’s a bitch. Or, you know, a severe maim. XANDER nods slowly. XANDER: Thought it might be too good to be true. WILLOW reaches out, touches XANDER’S cheek. WILLOW: I’m sorry. XANDER cups his hand round hers as it rests against his cheek. Then he nods his head towards the screen again. XANDER: So, what about those slayers, huh? CUT TO: EXT. ETHAN’S HIDEOUT BUFFY’s SLAYERS are grouped together behind the wall of a shack. They’re wearing flak jackets. We can see the gates of ETHAN’s house in the distance, up the road. GRAHAM: (to the soliders) Remember, you’re following the slayer’s…Buffy’s…orders. BUFFY and RILEY are standing together. RILEY: Buffy, I’m sorry. This is… BUFFY: All your fault? Her face is softer than her words. RILEY: I’m sorry. BUFFY: Yeah. You and me both. Let’s go. CUT TO: Various angles of slayers and soldiers surrounding ETHAN’S HOUSE VI and a soldier take up position behind a tree CUT TO: Chao-Ahn and other soldier crouching behind a SUV parked in the street CUT TO: RILEY, in the bushes. He’s wearing a military headset. RILEY: (speaking into mic) Gas now! CUT TO: EXT. FRONT GATE OF ETHAN’S HOUSE Clouds of gas swirl. Out of them run MARYANNE and MARIE, coughing but guns at the ready. KENNEDY launches out of the mist at MARYANNE and they roll together. CUT TO: Soldiers dropping over the wall into ETHAN’S GARDEN CUT TO: INT. WOOD’S ROOM Light from a circle of candles around JANIE and ETHAN - standing in front of the shackled WOOD - cast flickering shadows. JANIE starts at a shout from outside. ETHAN: Steady. They can’t touch us in here. This is a sacred space. JANIE nods, shaky but focussed. They kneel together, at ETHAN’S SIGNAL, and begin to chant. CUT TO: BACK CORNER OF THE HOUSE, INSIDE THE WALL SFX: GUNFIRE Five of ETHAN’s Slayers have their backs to the wall, they’re firing as CHAO-AHN, VI, COLLEEN and SOLDIERS rush them. A bolt of electricity from CHAO-AHN’s stun-gun fells one of the girls. But a SOLDIER crumples, shot in the chest. CUT TO: INT. HALLWAY ETHAN’S HOUSE BUFFY is fighting hand-to hand with a SLAYER on a landing. Slient, no quipping. She folds the girl over with a knee to the stomach, the SLAYER slumps. BUFFY runs up some stairs, looking about, then freezes and turns. MARIE is standing at the bottom of the stairs pointing a gun at her. BUFFY trains her stun-gun on the slayer. MARIE looks co’cky-scared. BUFFY: So. You going to shoot me? MARIE doesn’t answer. Her finger’s on the trigger. BUFFY’s on her in a second, swipes the gun to the floor and grabs MARIE’s wrists. MARIE: Ai! BUFFY: Slowpoke. MARIE: You can kill me, but Ethan…he will… BUFFY: Save it for the fun interrogation later. In a single move, BUFFY whips handcuffs from under her flak jacket and snaps them on Marie, attaching them to the banister. BUFFY: Where’s Robin? MARIE: I…will not tell you. BUFFY looks up the narrow stairs to the top floor. BUFFY: Yeah, that would matter more if those stairs didn’t say “hostage this way”. CUT TO: INT. HALLWAY, outside the room where Robin’s being held. BUFFY tries the handle, then slams the door with her shoulder. She bursts through to find the room empty. There’s a circle of smoking candles on the floor, and empty shackles. She turns and runs downstairs. EXT. FRONT DOOR ETHAN’s HOUSE BUFFY stops a soldier as he runs out. BUFFY: Did you see anyone leave? A man… SOLDIER: No-one, Ma’am. BUFFY: Ok. There’s two girls upstairs, one cuffed. Take them to the van. SOLDIER nods and runs inside. CUT TO BUFFY P.O.V The garden is a chaos. Gunfire, smoke, blasts of electricity, casualties – VI is hurt, crouched against the wall clutching her arm. It looks like a suburban guerrilla war. But it’s dying down. ETHAN’s SLAYERS are outnumbered, some being bundled through the gates by the soldiers. CUT TO: Camera shot of BUFFY’S face, eyes wide CUT TO: MARYANNE raising a gun, pointing it at Riley. BUFFY: No! BUFFY raises her stun gun but there’s a movement and a flash of metal behind MARYANNE as KENNEDY thrusts with a sword – piercing MARYANNE’S body. FADE TO BLACK CUT TO:COMMERCIAL BREAK Enter myfic challenge: So I said to myself, "self," I said.... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11-13-2004, 08:46 AM #5 Join Date: Mar 2003 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ACT IV BUFFY runs forward as MARYANNE falls to the ground, dropping her gun. The sword slides out of her. KENNEDY is still clutching it for a moment--then lets it fall to the grass. CUT TO: Arial camera shot, circling round the house. We see GRAHAM running towards BUFFY, who’s taken MARYANNE’s head and shoulders in her lap. Sounds start to sound far away - shouting and general chaos. CUT TO: KENNEDY ABRUBT CUT TO: INT. SCOOBY VAN The Camera’s still on Kennedy, driving. She has a gash on her face. The camera pulls back, we see BUFFY is beside her, very still. KENNEDY glances sideways. KENNEDY: Riley’s keeping the prisoners for now? BUFFY: Yes. Until we find Robin. But he’s…Riley’s…coming over for a… de-briefing. KENNEDY: What about…did any of them get away. BUFFY shrugs and picks up her mobile. She dials and waits a second. BUFFY: Will? Ethan got away with Robin. Somehow. I want you to try another location… (beat) Ok. Thanks. She ends the call. KENNEDY: Buffy I….she was going to shoot. She was going to shoot Riley. BUFFY can’t meet her eyes. The phone beeps, BUFFY snatches it up. BUFFY: Yes? V.O ETHAN: Hello Buffy. CUT TO: BUFFY’S BEDROOM FAITH opens her eyes to find WILLOW and XANDER standing beside her. FAITH looks up groggily. FAITH: What happened. Did they find him? WILLOW: (shakes head) No. But he’s alive. FAITH: (sitting up) Then I’m going out there. LENORE comes trotting into the room, rubbing up against WILLOW’s legs. FAITH starts at the sight of the ghost cat FAITH: Jesus! XANDER: No. He went more for the robes and sandals look and less with the fur. This is Willow’s familiar. Lenore. FAITH: (nonplussed) Does it talk? (shakes her head) Can I borrow some pants? Mine got… LENORE leaps onto FAITH’s lap. FAITH flinches then relaxes. WILLOW: Listen, maybe if you joined…if you helped me with the location spell. FAITH: Me? Magic? WILLOW: You’re close to him. It helps (beat) And hey, If I can wear leather pants, you can do the magic. FAITH nods and WILLOW helps her up. FAITH steadies herself and walks out the bedroom. XANDER mouths “leather pants?” at WILLOW. WILLOW: I don’t tell you about all the clubs we go to. WILLOW’s mobile rings, she picks up. WILLOW: (beat) Hello Dawnie…[her brow crumples as she listens] What? [beat] Yeah. Bring her here. FAITH: What’s happening? Close up of FAITH’s face. There’s a tremble in her lips. CUT TO: INT. SCOOBY VAN BUFFY still clutching the phone. BUFFY: Ok, Ethan Gaines. What’s your offer? V.O ETHAN: My offer? I rather think it’s your offer that’s important. What with me holding all the aces. I want safe passage for me and my girls. Oh, and a couple of million wouldn’t hurt either. BUFFY: There I was thinking prison changes a man. ETHAN chuckles on the other end of the phone. BUFFY: And your side of the deal? V.O ETHAN: A…relatively…unscathed young educator of your very own. Faith’s very own. I gather you don’t have much luck holding onto boyfriends. BUFFY: Prove to me Robin’s alive. V.O ETHAN: [talking away from the phone] Oh, Robin, phone for you. I think it’s your mother. KENNEDY and the others are watching BUFFY anxiously. SHANNON whispers something to VI. BUFFY’s teeth grit as she waits. V.O ROBIN: (weak) Don’t do what he says! It’s a trap, don’t… SFX: Scuffling at ETHAN’s end of the phone V.O ETHAN: Rather melodramatic chap, isn’t he? BUFFY breathes relief for a second, glance exchanged with KENNEDY, who looks away. BUFFY: So… V.O ETHAN: Let me tell you your plans for the evening.
DAWN AND XANDER are sitting round the kitchen table. DAWN’s quiet, fiddling with a piece of scrap paper, ripping it into little squares. WILLOW’s pulling spell ingredients out of a cupboard. The door’s ajar. WILLOW: (calling) Faith! Are the candles set up? O.S FAITH: [uncertain, from the hallway] Well, they’re in a circle. WILLOW: Cool. I’ll be through in a sec. XANDER: Is anyone else feeling out of the loop? Secret organizations we never heard of before…and ok I get the tautology, but we’re on the secret organization scene! We should know this stuff! WILLOW: We’ve never really been big with the secret and the sneaky though. We’ve always been…just us. (beat) Have we got any oregano? XANDER: Bottom shelf. WILLOW finds the jar she wants. WILLOW: Aha! XANDER: We shoulda learned the lesson from the Watcher’s council. Don’t trust anyone British unless they’re Giles. Our Giles. WILLOW: Us and our evil trusting ways. (beat) I’ll be across the hall if anything Ethany happens. EXIT WILLOW with the spell paraphernalia.
CLAUDIA is handcuffed to a chair in the small bare room. GILES is standing in front of her. She’s looking up. GILES: [hard] You sitting comfortably? CLAUDIA: This isn’t necessary. I’m not going to run away. I want…I want to co-operate. GILES: Don’t be naïve. CLAUDIA: I understand. (beat) The College aren’t bad though, Giles…they mean well. GILES: Well? (suddenly crouches in front of her, face blazing) WELL!? They sent you as a spy! Set you to alter history! You think they mean BLOODY WELL! (stands, steps back, switching to calmer mode) You’re a twisted young woman. CLAUDIA: Please understand. I went into this…I didn’t know where it would lead. GILES: [wry] Of course. You’re only obeying orders. But, tell me, what were they trying to achieve? In the past, all the College seemed concerned with was fine wines and the occasional speaker meeting. CLAUDIA: You know about them? GILES: [icy] Yes, it’s not exactly your place to ask questions, right now, is it? [beat] Please, do go on. CLAUDIA: I really don’t know much…only, Giles…Dr Exeter…wanted the slayer spell reversed. He said young girls with so much power could be easily used as a weapon. Maniuplated… GILES: And we mock the Americans for having no sense of irony. What exactly do you think he’s been doing to you? CLAUDIA: (looks away, face screwed up) You’re right, of course, I. ..I made a stupid choice. But how could I know? (her throat is tight) How can you know who to trust on these things? GILES: As a general rule, secret societies run by old Etonians probably don’t have the best interests of young women at heart. CLAUDIA: But…it’s not just the College. There was a treaty… GILES: [hard] With…whom? A twisted smile passes over CLAUDIA’s face. CLAUDIA: [beat] With your sponsors.
The Scooby van pulls up in the street. RILEY is waiting for them dressed in civvies. KENNEDY, BUFFY and the other SLAYERS get out. RILEY: Is there any word from Robin? BUFFY: Yes. “It’s a trap”. RILEY: What? BUFFY: Ethan called me. Put Robin on the phone. And, whoopee, I’ve got a date for tonight.
CLAUDIA is now sitting, handcuffed, on a chair in the corner. GILES, XANDER and DAWN are standing. Shock on the faces of XANDER and DAWN. DAWN: Oh…this just keeps getting better and better. There’s the scratching of the key in the lock, and BUFFY enters with RILEY, KENNEDY and the others. VI is leaning on SHANNON. XANDER scowls. XANDER: And it’s the man himself! RILEY’s eyes shoot to CLAUDIA but he doesn’t move. BUFFY misses the vibe -- instead her eyes flick between GILES and CLAUDIA, in her handcuffs. BUFFY: Ok, either something of maximum strength ewww is happening here…again…or… XANDER: Claudia’s a spy. BUFFY starts BUFFY: Ok, that wasn’t my or. She looks furiously at CLAUDIA BUFFY: You’re what? CLAUDIA: Buffy, I… BUFFY: [snorting with disgust, turns to Giles] Who for…? Sudden horror passes over BUFFY's face. BUFFY: For the slayers? XANDER: Guess again. [beat] Ta da! He indicates RILEY with the sweep of a pointy-fingered arm, like someone delivering a punchline. XANDER: It was the old caretaker after all [steps closer to RILEY] Though, there’s no rubber mask to pull off. Just layers and layers of phoney. GILES walks round behind CLAUDIA and puts his hands on the back of the chair. GILES: Tell Buffy about the Scythe. CUT TO: INT. UNKNOWN MOTEL ROOM JANIE is sitting on the bed hugging her knees. She’s pale and wide-eyed – you can’t tell if it’s horror or wonder. ETHAN is drinking tea. When JANIE looks away for a moment, he puts a slug of something stronger in it. JANIE: That…that spell you used. I didn’t know that was possible. ETHAN: Teleportation. A mere parlor trick. But useful, yes. And you, Janie. You were...I’m proud of you. You’re a credit to the slayer line. There’s a knock at the door. O.S GIRL: It’s us Mr. Rayne. ETHAN: Come in Shameeka. Four SLAYERS enter, TASHA – Heavy set, about 6 foot, her dark hair is breaded with African beads - TORI – slim, red head with lots of freckles, about 5 foot 10 - SHAMEEKA – Indian, narrow-shoulders, about 5 foot 8 – and SARAH – blonde, shorter. SARAH: We locked our room…but…will they be coming for us? ETHAN: Shh! Don’t you worry. I’ve dealt with it. JANIE: Mr. Rayne and I sent them a message… Flash of anger from ETHAN for a moment at her forwardness, turning to soft smiles in an instant. ETHAN: That’s right. We’ve…made contact. To warn them that we’re not to be easily cowed. The girls watch him, uncertain. ETHAN: They killed Maryanne. They have Marie captive, and…[clearly has forgotten some of the girls names] many of your friends. If you ever needed proof that they’re a threat, you have it. (beat) Now, girls…I need to rest. The SLAYERS nod and leave, JANIE at the rear. She looks back to him before she shuts the door. He gives her a little salute and a moment of straight-faced eye contact. When ETHAN is alone in the room he pulls out his hip flask and takes a deep glug. He then lies back on the bed with his eyes closed and a smile from ear to ear. After a moment of silence, he opens his eyes again with a snap, and stares up at the ceiling. ETHAN: No idea if you can hear me. Can you? But I do your bidding, Lord. [beat] And I think your bidding's going...rather well. ETHAN smiles and closes his eyes once more.
WILLOW and FAITH are sitting holding hands. Incense is burning, candles surround them. There’s a map in the center. Lenore is weaving in and out of them, occasionally passing through Willow. Willow is chanting, intently. After a moment she breaks off. WILLOW: I don’t get this. We should have found him by now. Cos, with the kitty power, and you Faith, and there being three of us. (pause) You know, with the foldiness. FAITH: Foldiness? WILLOW: Power of three. Threefold. FAITH still looks blank WILLOW: Not a Charmed fan, huh? FAITH shrugs. FAITH: We didn’t take much time to watch TV in Cleveland. Too busy...[beat] We gotta keep trying. There’s a knock on the door. XANDER opens it, clumsily. XANDER: Sorry to crash the mojo party, but Buffy wanted me to tell you… FAITH: What’s happened? Robin? XANDER: Alive and well and part of a hostage negotiation. Ethan’s going to give us Robin in return for letting him and his escape. She figured you’d…if you’re feeling… FAITH starts up. She looks down at the candles, then pulls herself up straight with an effort. Her face is a mess, and deep breaths still hurt her, but she seems to have recovered from the shock. FAITH: Yeah. I’m feeling. XANDER: Swop shop’s at midnight, multi-storey car park, not far. FAITH nods. FAITH: But, we can’t have the black ops boys getting in the way. XANDER: [glances to the door] That really won’t be a problem.
BUFFY is standing perfectly still. RILEY is standing in front of her with his arms by his side, looking like an overgrown schoolboy on detention. The space between them his charged with fury. BUFFY: So. A long pause follows BUFFY: Angel made a deal with Wolfram and Hart. And I made one with you. I’m starting to feel a parallel lives vibe. RILEY: (quietly) The government isn't evil Buffy. BUFFY: [still controlled] This isn’t… about… the government. It’s about you. RILEY looks up, away from her, then his eyes come down to meet her gaze. He holds it for a moment, then away again. RILEY: We had to keep an eye on your operation. We couldn’t let a group as powerful as yours operate unchecked. BUFFY: Operation? (folding her arms) What did you think? That I’d suddenly become dictator Buffy and use the new slayers to take over the world? Because I thought that was your job. RILEY: Willow lost control before. And now...don’t you understand how powerful you are? BUFFY: (dangerous) Oh. I understand (Buffy makes a despairing gesture) BUFFY: And the Scythe? What were you going to do with that? Part of your grim reaper Halloween costume? Cause I’m telling you now, if you were planning government-sponsored slayer farms, it wouldn’t work. Even with the…(disgust) You asked Claudia…you wanted her to collect TISSUE SAMPLES? RILEY remains silent. BUFFY: What’s happened to you Riley? Is this, what, a chip in your brain? Cause then, Sam could get you a blind obedience upgrade for your anniversary. Would that be romantic? RILEY flinches at the mention of SAM then gets back his official mode. RILEY: I agree with my orders, Buffy. BUFFY: And who’s giving these orders? RILEY: [shakes head, deflecting] After the incident with Ethan and the rogue slayers, we had to know if your girls were… BUFFY suddenly grabs RILEY by the shirt, and pushes her face up close to his, burning with fury. BUFFY: AFTER?? You let him break jail! You KNEW!? RILEY remains silent. BUFFY releases him and steps back. RILEY: No. I didn’t know. But I can’t discuss this any further. BUFFY: No? Because I’m enjoying this --SO much. RILEY takes a step towards her and she holds out her hands to fend him away. His face is softer, feelings breaking through the official mask. RILEY: I wish…things aren’t how they were in Sunnydale. It’s not just you and the Scoobies. Everything’s…bigger. I can’t just play the white hat cowboy any more. We’re not kids any more. You must see...when you change the rules like that, the rest of the world's affected too. BUFFY glares at RILEY, too furious to speak for a moment. Then she breathes out very slowly. BUFFY: Isn’t this a this a dream come true? Literally…I’m expecting Adam in a suit any moment. BUFFY’s eyes flash as a thought arrives. BUFFY: God, the government could be funding Ethan for all I know! RILEY: No. How could you think that? BUFFY: (clenching her fists) How could I…? BUFFY looks at RILEY with utter contempt, then turns her back. RILEY stands in the hallway for a moment before walking away. The camera focuses on his face as he walks. The door to SCOOBY HQ opens and FAITH sticks her head out. FAITH: Spymaster Finn gone? BUFFY nods BUFFY: For now. Get a weapon and let’s go. FAITH pulls out a sword from behind her. FAITH: Got one. This is a trap we’re walking into, right? BUFFY: Yup. But I think Ethan would be good as his word and…hurt Robin…if we brought company. FAITH nods. FAITH: But you and me, B, we’re the classic slayer team. We can take them, right? FAITH’s body sags for a moment. She looks at BUFFY. FAITH: You spoke to Robin. How’d he sound?
ANDREW and XANDER are sitting at the table. ANDREW’s drinking a scotch on the rocks. KENNEDY and WILLOW are sitting side by side on the sofa. DAWN is pacing. She opens the front door and looks down the corridor, then shuts it again. ANDREW: I still say we should’ve put Riley in chains. Or at least, you know, kept him here. You kept ME hostage! XANDER: Yes. Because you're special. ANDREW: If you mean as in bus, I'm gonna kick your ass [beat, serious] What if he IS working with Ethan? XANDER: It was Buffy’s call. ANDREW: Because her judgement is always perfect? [goes on before Xander can interrupt] There is molto wrong with this situation. How are we sure Claudia’s not going to escape? XANDER: She’s handcuffed to a radiator, the window’s tiny and Giles is in there with two slayers watching over her? As for example. ANDREW: How do we know they’re not spies too. Maybe she was working with other girls from the school? That Frost girl for example. I don’t like the cut of her jib. DAWN: Samantha's not even a Slayer. XANDER: Andrew you’re being...[thinks] Actually...[gets up] Maybe not so paranoid. XANDER scuttles over into CLAUDIA’s room. DAWN: Why aren’t they back? It’s, like, 1am. WILLOW reaches out to put a hand on KENNEDY’s knee, but KENNEDY flinches slightly. WILLOW puts her hand back on her own knee but looks searchingly KENNEDY: I’m going to look for them. KENNEDY gets up suddenly and heads for the door WILLOW: Sweetie? She gets up to follow. As they reach the door, BUFFY opens it. And walks in. KENNEDY: What happened? BUFFY: Stood up. FAITH remains in the doorway. FAITH: I need a smoke. She walks off down the corridor. BUFFY: Ethan didn’t show. WILLOW: No ambush? BUFFY: Nothing. I…I just can’t guess what he’s planning. You should all get some sleep. I’m going to go have a talk with Faith. [to KENNEDY] And we’re going to talk tomorrow. KENNEDY nods quietly. WILLOW shoots her a look. CUT TO: EXT. ROOF TOP, SCOOBY BUILDING FAITH is smoking and looking out over the city. The door to the building opens and BUFFY comes out. She stands by FAITH. FAITH: Where is he, B? Why didn’t Ethan show? BUFFY: I don’t know. But trust me…we will find… BUFFY stops as she sees FAITH tense and reach for a stake from her back pocket. BUFFY gets into fighting stance, looking to FAITH for guidance and mouthing “What?” FAITH: (quietly) Pigeon coop. The camera follows her gaze. Something big can be seen inside in silhouette, but it’s covered in shadows. A little smoke is curling through the air from the coop. We hear FAITH catch her breath and the sound of a stake clattering onto the concrete. CUT TO: FAITH, her eyes fixed and full of disbelief as she reaches back with her right hand and grabs the top of BUFFY’s shirt. The sound of her rapid, ragged breathing is all we can hear. BUFFY takes FAITH by the shoulders and turns her quickly, shielding her from the coop with her body. A loud gut-wrenched sob breaks from FAITH and the girls sag to their knees together, clutching at one another. The camera pans round to the coop, then moves forward through the bars and comes to rest with a brown hand just in shot. Blood is spreading out on the ground like a spilled glass of wine. CUT TO BLACK CLOSING CREDITS Grr Argh
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