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The Harvest (October 22, 1996) Written by: Joss Whedon |
| Teaser |
| NOTE: THIS EPISODE WILL OPEN WITH A RECAP OF THE LAST,
ENDING WITH LUKE PINNING BUFFY IN THE TOMB.
FADE IN: INT. MAUSOLEUM - NIGHT LUKE bears down on BUFFY, fangs bared. She struggles, but he's got her pinned. He rips open her shirt a bit to get at her throat. Grabs her - and SCREAMS. He jumps back, SMOKE curling out of his hand. ANGLE: BUFFY'S NECK The cross Angel gave her has slipped out of an inside pocket. Buffy takes the moment and KICKS with both legs, sends Luke flying back out of the tomb. She jumps up herself and before he can recover, she RUNS out of there. CUT TO:
EXT. GRAVEYARD - CONTINUOUS As fast as she can -- stumbling a bit and breathing hard from the beating she took -- Buffy books through the graveyard. As she reaches the trees on the edge of it, she looks back at the Mausoleum. Nobody's coming. She hears WILLOW SCREAM.
No! Nooo! Get -- off -- Buffy runs to the sound of the voice -- comes to find: ANGLE: WILLOW on the ground, struggling with a vampire. The vampire has Willow pinned, is going in for the neck -- then he looks up, hearing something. Buffy's foot whips into his face, sending him flying way back. He lands hard on his back and scrambles away, holding his nose. Buffy is all business now, looking around her in quiet fury. Her senses alert. She hears a CRACK, some SCUFFING on the ground. Takes off, leaving Willow wide-eyed and freaked. After a moment, she rises and follows. ANGLE: XANDER is unconscious, being dragged away by two other vampires. They hear something behind them, turn slowly around. It's Willow, stumbling out from behind a tree. She looks extremely unthreatening. They turn back and Buffy is right in front of them. She takes them both out with one punch. They fly back, then scramble to their feet. Buffy grabs a branch, snaps it off the tree. She comes at them with this makeshift stake -- nails one in the chest. The other flees. Willow runs up to XANDER, cradles his head. He is just coming to. Xander, are you okay? XANDER Buffy is still looking around, unsatisfied. Where's Jesse? WILLOW XANDER BUFFY XANDER Buffy looks into the night. The camera CIRCLES her as she looks around. There is nothing to see.
(quietly) Jesse... BLACK OUT.
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| Act One |
| INT. THE LIBRARY - MORNING
We open on a Globe. As we hear GILES begin to SPEAK, we PAN over to Xander and Willow, sitting in the middle of the library. Neither of them appears to have slept since last night.
This world is older than any of you know, and contrary to popular mythology, it did not begin as a paradise. For untold eons, Demons walked the earth; made it their home... their Hell. Still we PAN, to find Giles on the upper level, standing at the railing. His expression is as grave as theirs. In time they lost their purchase on this reality, and the way was made for the mortal animals. For Man. What remains of the Old Ones are vestiges: Certain magicks, certain creatures... BUFFY She emerges from Giles' office, wrapping a bandage around her forearm. Xander rises, agitated. Okay, this is where I have a problem, see, because we're now talking about vampires. We're having a talk with vampires in it. WILLOW BUFFY WILLOW XANDER GILES CUT TO:
INT. A TUNNEL - MORNING Not that you could see whether it was morning or night in this place -- it remains as dark and humid as the earth that swallowed it. JESSE is being dragged through the tunnel by Luke, DARLA, by his side. Jesse is still staggering into consciousness, and the more he awakens, the less he likes it. He looks about in fear at the two inhuman faces, at the end of the tunnel they are dragging him through. It seems to be an old cracked pipe, and it ends at: INT. THE CHURCH - CONTINUOUS Coming out of the pipe, the threesome makes its way down a pile of rocks to the floor of the wrecked church. Jesse looks about, wonder tingeing the edges of his fear. He is stood before the altar, before the pool of blood. From the darkness, something moves. Emerges. THE MASTER regards his servants, his total authority obvious to all. He looks at Jesse. Is this for me? LUKE DARLA THE MASTER Darla starts back a step, afraid. (smiling) I'm your faithful dog. You bring me scraps. DARLA THE MASTER I've waited. For three score years I have waited. DARLA LUKE The Master turns to him.
A Slayer? SMASH CUT TO:
INT. THE LIBRARY - CONTINUOUS And that would be a what? GILES BUFFY GILES XANDER BUFFY XANDER BUFFY XANDER WILLOW BUFFY WILLOW BUFFY WILLOW GILES WILLOW BUFFY GILES BUFFY XANDER BUFFY XANDER WILLOW GILES BUFFY XANDER GILES BUFFY WILLOW CUT TO:
INT. THE CHURCH - CONTINUOUS A Slayer... Have you any proof? LUKE THE MASTER LUKE THE MASTER LUKE THE MASTER Luke goes up to Jesse, smiling.
I thought you nothing more than a meal, boy. Congratulations. You've just been upgraded to "bait". CUT TO:
INT. THE LIBRARY - CONTINUOUS ANGLE: A MAP OF THE ELECTRICAL TUNNELS On a computer screen.
There it is. WIDE ANGLE: Willow sits at the computer, everyone else gathered around her. This runs under the graveyard. XANDER GILES WILLOW XANDER BUFFY GILES BUFFY She stops. Pauses. What? BUFFY GILES BUFFY XANDER BUFFY XANDER BUFFY XANDER WILLOW GILES BUFFY GILES WILLOW BUFFY GILES Buffy looks at him a moment. Then she's out. CUT TO:
INT. SCHOOL GROUNDS - DAY Buffy heads toward a gate that stands open. She is about to go through it when FLUTIE appears right behind her. And where do we think we're going? BUFFY MR. FLUTIE We're not leaving school grounds, are we? BUFFY MR. FLUTIE BUFFY MR. FLUTIE BUFFY MR. FLUTIE BUFFY Mr. Flutie shuts and locks the gate, saying: Well, maybe that's how they do things in Britain, they've got that royal family and all kinds of problems. But here at Sunnydale nobody leaves campus while school's in session. Are we clear? BUFFY MR. FLUTIE He smiles, leaves. ANGLE: BUFFY'S FEET Standing before the fence. After a bit they jump up, leave the frame. A moment later we see her land on the other side, take off running. CUT TO:
INT. MAUSOLEUM - CONTINUOUS But for the light from the doorway, it's just as dark in here as it was last night. Buffy makes her way cautiously, looking about her. She senses a lurking presence, but the shadows give up nothing. She reaches the iron door on the other side. Tires it. It's locked. She stops, letting out a long breath.
(not looking around) I don't suppose you've got a key on you? ANGEL steps from the shadows, a smile in his eyes. They really don't like me dropping in. BUFFY ANGEL BUFFY ANGEL BUFFY ANGEL BUFFY ANGEL BUFFY ANGEL BUFFY ANGEL The unashamed openness of the statement catches her a bit off guard. She looks at him a moment. She KICKS the door open. They'll be expecting you. BUFFY He doesn't answer. BUFFY ANGEL BUFFY He says nothing. She looks at him a moment more, then heads into the darkness. He stands there, not moving. Quiet concern on his face.
(softly) Good luck. BLACK OUT.
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| Act Two |
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INT. TUNNELS - DAY They are dark, forbidding, and they run in all directions. Buffy climbs down a ladder, drops into them. She looks about her, taking it in. ANGLE: A RAT Scurries by her foot. Buffy doesn't flinch. She starts down a tunnel, moving slowly. The dark enveloping her. She turns a corner, slowly. Nothing. Starts down it. She hears something and spins, sneaks up and looks down another tunnel. ANGLE: DOWN THE OTHER TUNNEL Shadows. Noise. Nothing solid. She pulls her head back and he's right behind her! Did you see anything? BUFFY XANDER BUFFY XANDER A beat, as she accepts this.
Besides, it's this or Chem class. They make their way through the dark. CUT TO:
INT. THE LIBRARY - DAY Giles has his arcane volumes out, is consulting them. After some digging, he finds something interesting. He looks closely at one passage, translating to himself from the Latin.
"For they will gather, and be gathered. All that is theirs shall be his... From the Vessel pours life." Pours life... ANGLE: AN ENGRAVING A bestial fellow holds his hand out, commanding a throng of villagers, all of whom are bleeding. Below, in what might be Hell, a demon glows with power. Upon the bestial one's forehead, a crude symbol has been drawn, a star with three points. He looks over at another passage.
(reads) "On the night of the crescent moon, the first past the solstice, it will come." Of course. (he looks up) Tonight. CUT TO:
INT. COMPUTER CLASS - DAY Everyone is working, alone and in groups, devising programs. CORDELIA and HARMONY struggle mightily with theirs. No! It's suppose to find the syntax and match it. Or, wait... HARMONY CORDELIA Harmony looks at her inquisitively. Of course we're going to the Bronze! Friday night, no cover. But you should have been there last night. HARMONY CORDELIA Harmony cranes over to look at: ANGLE: WILLOW Sitting next to them, but in her own world. She is bringing things up on the Net, typing intently, scrolling, searching...
Uh, she's doing something else. CUT TO: INT. TUNNELS - LATER Buffy and Xander turn a corner, ready for anything. Nothing. They keep walking, alert. Xander picks up the conversation they were in: Okay, so: crosses, garlic, stake through the heart. BUFFY XANDER BUFFY XANDER He produces a flashlight, turns it on. Turn that off! XANDER BUFFY XANDER ? XANDER BUFFY XANDER CUT TO:
INT. COMPUTER CLASS - DAY Willow is busily bringing up relevant data from the Net, her brow furrowed in concentration. At the next terminal, Cordelia is struggling with a program while holding court. Okay, and then "Pattern Run" right? Or "Go To End". That's it. HARMONY CORDELIA GUY CORDELIA HARMONY GUY CORDELIA HARMONY CORDELIA GUY CORDELIA WILLOW Silence, as Cordelia registers the concept that Willow just contradicted her. What? WILLOW CORDELIA Willow looks down, hurt. She stands and takes some pages that have come up on the printer. The girls turn back to their project. There. I think the program's done. CORDELIA WILLOW CORDELIA ANGLE: A KEY Marked "DEL". Cordelia hits it. Long pause, the two girls staring at the screen, their smiles about to melt into perplexity as we CUT TO:
INT. TUNNELS - LATER Buffy and Xander are still making their way through the dark. The banter quotient has plummeted -- they're both fairly tense. Buffy looks around, brow furrowed. They're close XANDER BUFFY Xander doesn't love that information, but he says nothing. Still they progress, until:
Over there. What's that? He indicates a small, dark side-chamber. Nothing can be seen past the first few inches. They come up to it. Xander pulls out his flashlight, shines it. ANGLE: IN THE CHAMBER A beam of light finds a body, lying face down. It looks like Jesse! BUFFY She starts forward, Xander keeping the light on her. Goes over to the body, reaches out -- and Jesse JUMPS UP, brandishing a pipe. He's about to slam her with it when Xander calls out: Jesse! JESSE He drops the pipe and the two friends hug. Xander pulls away, looking him over. Jesse, man, are you okay? JESSE He indicates his leg -- he's been chained to the wall.
It's cool! Buffy's a superhero! The superhero frowns at the chain, feels it.
(to Jesse) Hold on. She takes the pipe he dropped and SMASHES the look on his shackles. It's not a quiet operation.
You think anybody heard that? ANGLE: A TUNNEL - CONTINUOUS A few black shapes move in the shadows, hearing it. ANGLE: BUFFY AND THE OTHERS They start out. They knew you were gonna come. They said that I - I was the bait... XANDER JESSE The look in his eyes describes their leader in detail. Buffy leads the two boys back through the tunnel. She stops. Shadows move at the other end. Oops. JESSE BUFFY JESSE XANDER They truck out the other way. CUT TO:
INT. A JUNCTION OF TUNNELS - A SECOND LATER They come into this one, moving at a good clip. Try one avenue -- Eyes gleam in the dark. Whispered LAUGHS drift at us. They turn back, pause at a fork.
Wait, wait. They brought me through here! There's a way up. I hope. They take off. CUT TO:
INT. A SUBTERRANEAN ROOM - MOMENTS LATER They run in, vampires approaching slowly behind them. Look around, horror growing on their faces. There is no door. There is no exit. Buffy and Xander look about them, frantically.
I don't think this is the way out. She goes back to the doorway they came in, listens for the approaching vampires. We can't fight our way back through those things... what do we do? JESSE And the CAMERA PANS over to Jesse standing right behind Xander. His visage grotesque, his smile icy. He's a vampire.
You can die. BLACK OUT.
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| Act Three |
| INT. A SUBTERRANEAN ROOM - TWO SECONDS LATER
Xander backs away from Jesse. Buffy looks from him to the entrance, not sure what to do. ANGLE: THE ENTRANCE We HEAR approaching vampires, see shadows begin to move, thrown on the outer wall by figures down the hall. Jesse... Man, I'm sorry... JESSE Buffy grabs the door, tries to close it. But it's tick metal, rusted open. I'm connected, man. To everything. I can hear the worms in the earth. XANDER JESSE BUFFY Xander holds it up -- and Jesse stops coming toward him. The smiles leaves his face. Buffy continues trying to shut the door -- it's beginning to budge. But coming down the hall are: ANGLE: THE VAMPIRES Making their way down the hall to the door. They most slowly, grinning -- sure of victory. Jesse. Man, we're buds. Can't you remember? JESSE Xander moves forward, cross in hand.
Then get out of my face. Jesse stumbles back, pissed. Xander backs him toward the door. Buffy continues to strain. The vampires approach. Jesse lashes out, knocks the cross from Xander's grasp. He grins -- and then Buffy grabs him from behind and HURLS him out of the room, knocking vampires over like bowling pins.
Help me! Xander snaps out of his shock and comes to the door with her. With both their backs to it, they slam it shut -- --an arm SHOOTS in, grasping for them. Buffy opens the door slightly and slams it again till the arm withdraws. She bolts the door, breathing heavily.
I can't believe it... we were too late. A resounding THUD shudders the door. The vampires are gonna break it down. We need to get out of here. XANDER Another THUD and the door begins to buckle on its hinges. Buffy looks around -- there is some junk lying around. She throws it out of the way to see if there is a doorway behind it. No joy. Xander also looks around. He spies: ANGLE: AN AIR VENT We can see just a hint of an air vent's grating behind a metal sheet. It's high up in the shadows.
What's that? Buffy sees it too. She throws a box down, steps on it to reach the vent. Pulls away the metal sheet, revealing the grate. It's big enough to climb through. She begins trying to pry the grate open with her bare hands. Another THUD. Xander looks from Buffy to the door. Buffy pulls, behind a corner. The door comes off its hinges enough for a vampire to put his fingers through, grip it. Buffy RIPS the grating loose, throws it aside.
Come on! And a vampire SHOOTS out of the air vent at her, grabbing her head. The door comes out enough for a vampire to get its face in. Buffy pulls the vampire all the way out of the vent, throws it to the floor. Jumps down on top of it.
(to Xander) Go! He runs by, climbs on the box as Buffy sinks a stake into the vampire's back. He sticks the flashlight in: ANGLE: IN THE AIR VENT Nothing. Clear. He crawls in, starts worming his way down it. ANGLE: THE DOOR Breaks down. Vampires pile in. Buffy jumps up and pulls herself into the air vent. CUT TO:
INT. AIR VENT - CONTINUOUS The two of them crawl along in the dark, the vampires at their heels. They come to a wider space, with a ladder going up. Sunlight can be seen through the grating at the very top. Up? BUFFY He starts climbing, Buffy right behind him. He gets to the top and opens the grating, climbs into: CUT TO:
EXT. STREET - AFTERNOON It's deserted as Xander rolls out, reaches in to help Buffy up. She is almost out when ANGLE: A HAND grabs her ankle, starts pulling her back down. She pulls up, bringing the hand up into the sunlight. It beings to SMOKE -- we hear a SHRIEK and it is withdrawn. Buffy rolls out, slams the grating shut. For a moment both of them just lie there, catching their breath. CUT TO:
INT. THE LIBRARY - DAY Giles is still pouring over his notes when Willow enters. He looks up, hoping to see Buffy? WILLOW GILES WILLOW GILES She sits, shows him copied articles as she talks. I think maybe. I looked through the old papers, around the time of that big earthquake back in '37. And for several months before it, there was a rash of murders. GILES WILLOW GILES CUT TO:
INT. THE CHURCH - CONTINUOUS We see a candle being lit, the last of a row. Darla steps back from it, the taper in her hand glowing softly. As she does, another vampire does the same on the opposite wall. They are at the back of the church, staring ahead. The rows of candles run up to the altar, where the Master stands waiting. CHANTING can be heard, a low, primal whisper. Luke steps forward, pulling off his shirt. He steps forward, kneels before the Master. The Master holds out his hand. Luke leans forward and kisses it. The Master turn him open palm up and Luke kisses that as well. Gently, Luke takes the Master's wrist in his hand, brings his lips to that as well. And bites it. The Master winces, shuts his eyes. Luke feeds for a few moments, the rears his head back with holy pain. My blood runs with yours. My soul is your province. LUKE The Master takes a drop of blood from his wrist, dabs it on Luke's forehead, painting the three-pointed star. He speaks to the assembled:
On this most hallowed night, we are as one. Luke is the Vessel. Every soul he takes shall feed me. Their souls will grant me the power to free myself. Tonight I will walk the Earth... and the stars themselves will hide. CUT TO:
INT. THE LIBRARY - CONTINUOUS Buffy and Xander enter, somewhat the worse for their adventure. Willow takes one look at their faces and doesn't have to ask. She does anyway. Did you find Jesse? XANDER WILLOW BUFFY She sits heavily. I'm sorry, Willow. We were too late. And they were waiting for us. WILLOW Xander kicks a trash bin in frustration. I don't like vampires. I'm gonna take a stand and say they're not good. BUFFY GILES BUFFY GILES BUFFY GILES BUFFY XANDER WILLOW GILES XANDER GILES He shows them a sketch of the three-pointed star. So, I dust anyone sporting this look, and no Harvest. GILES BUFFY GILES XANDER WILLOW XANDER GILES They head out toward the door. I gotta make a stop. Won't take long. GILES BUFFY CUT TO:
ANGLE: THE SUN Big and red, sinking low. INT. BUFFY'S BEDROOM - DUSK The last rays are streaming in as Buffy enters, starts going through her closet.
Buffy? Buffy's mom, JOYCE SUMMERS, enters. Buffy keeps going through her clothes, picking out a good slaying outfit. You're going out? BUFFY JOYCE BUFFY JOYCE Buffy stops, looks at her. I got a call from your new principal. Says you missed some classes today. BUFFY She pulls an old trunk out of her closet. She opens it, starts going through it. We haven't finished unpacking and I'm getting calls from your principal. BUFFY JOYCE BUFFY Buffy looks at the window, at the growing dark. The tapes all say I should get used to saying it. No. BUFFY JOYCE BUFFY JOYCE Joyce leaves, closing the door quietly but firmly behind her. After a moment, Buffy reaches into the truck. ANGLE: IN THE TRUNK Girl stuff, memorabilia, Teen Beat magazines. Buffy reaches in and lifts out the inside -- the trunk has a false bottom. Below it stakes, crosses, host, garlic, and a widemouthed jar of holy water. Buffy takes out a particularly deadly looking stake. It fits in her hand like it's part of it. She stuffs it into a bag, along with a few other items. She stands, goes to the door. Listens by it. She gets to the window, opens it. Starts crawling out. CUT TO:
ANGLE: THE HORIZON The sun is gone. The sky a deepening blue. CUT TO:
INT. THE BRONZE - NIGHT From the balcony, we look down on a pool game in progress. Tilt up to see Cordelia holding court at a table.
Senior boys are the only way to go. They're just a better class of person. The boys in our grade? Forget about it. They're children. Like Jesse -- did you see him last night? The way he follows me around... He's like a little puppy dog: you just want to put him to sleep. Senior boys have mystery, they have ... what's the word I'm searching for? Cars. A Cordette starts to speak. Cordelia interrupts.
I'm just not the type to settle. If I go into a clothing store, I always have to have the most expensive thing not because it's expensive, but because it costs more. A Cordette starts to speak.
Hello! Miss Motormouth -- can I get a sentence finished? Oh! I love this song! She gets up, friends in tow, and heads to the balcony. CUT TO:
INT. THE BRONZE - CONTINUOUS TILT UP on Cordelia, dancing away in the middle of the crowd. She looks great. ANGLE: AT THE DOOR Jesse walks in, a new man. A cool, subtle swagger in his step. His eyes go right to Cordelia. He smiles. CUT TO:
EXT. OUTSIDE THE BRONZE - CONTINUOUS There are a few peoples lounging around outside, but not much activity. Then, a ways off, we see them coming, walking slowly into the half-light. Eight vampires. Luke in the middle. None of them saying a word. BLACK OUT.
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| Act Four |
| INT. THE BRONZE - MOMENTS LATER
Cordelia is still dancing with her friends, having a good time. Jesse makes his way slowly through the crowd, not towards but around her, his eyes never leaving her. She sees him too -- and for the first time, doesn't look away in disgust. There's something different about him. A SLOW SONG starts playing, and Cordelia stops dancing, heads off the floor. He's suddenly standing in her way. Smiling that distant smile.
What do you want? It's the old attitude, but she's not fooling anyone. He takes her hand, starts leading her onto the floor.
Hey! Hello, caveman-brain! What do you think you're doing? He turns back to her, smiles winningly.
Shut up. Brings her to the middle of the floor and starts dancing with her. He holds her, hardly touching her, moving slowly.
Just this one dance... She moves closer to him. CUT TO:
EXT. THE BRONZE - CONTINUOUS ANGLE: THE DOOR The BOUNCER is suddenly confronted with the vampire group. Their faces are mostly in shadow.
I need ID. (as they start past him) Hey! Nobody goes inside until I see -- Luke stands over him. His face inches from the Bouncer's.
Get inside. The Bouncer complies instantly. CUT TO:
INT. THE BRONZE - A MOMENT LATER Once inside, the vampires spread out, each heading for an exit. Two of them stay behind and close off the front. Darla heads for the door by the stage that leads backstage. Goes in. One goes to the bar -- swings over it and stands in front of the door. One heads upstairs. And Luke climbs up on stage. CUT TO:
INT. BACKSTAGE - CONTINUOUS Darla checks that the exit door is secure. Then she goes over to the fuse box, flips a switch. CUT TO:
INT. THE BRONZE - CONTINUOUS The main lights and the music go off. There are GASPS, MURMURS. A voice from the stage calls out:
Ladies and gentlemen, there's no cause for alarm. On stage, a single spot continues to shine. Luke steps into the light. His face is rivetingly awful.
Actually, there is cause for alarm. It just won't do any good. Major GASPS and MURMURS at the sight of him. ANGLE: THE FRONT DOOR A couple tries to get out. The vampire standing guard -- his normal face gone -- shakes his head no. They shrink back from him. ANGLE: CORDELIA She stares at the stage, Jesse's hands still on her.
I thought there wasn't any band tonight. She looks at Jesse to see his face has changed as well. Starts to struggle but he holds her, pulls her back into the dark under the stairs. ANGLE: DARLA re-emerges from backstage. Looks up at Luke on stage.
This is a glorious night. It's also the last one any of you shall ever see. (beat) Bring me the first! One of the vampires pushes the Bouncer up on stage.
What do you guys want, you want money? Man, what's wrong with your faces? Luke grabs him by the scruff on the neck, squeezing any further conversation out of him.
Watch me, people! (to the Bouncer) Their fear is elixir. It's almost like blood. As he brings the Bouncer to him and bites his neck, sucking the life out of him in huge gulps. QUICK DISSOLVE TO:
INT. THE CHURCH - CONTINUOUS The Master stands, power coursing through him -- visibly. It lights him up. QUICK DISSOLVE TO:
INT. THE BRONZE - CONTINUOUS Luke continues feeding. After a bit he pulls his head back, throws the Bouncer's dead body from him.
Next! CUT TO:
EXT. OUTSIDE THE BRONZE - CONTINUOUS Buffy and the others run up to the front door. She tries it -- it's locked. It's locked. GILES BUFFY XANDER BUFFY GILES BUFFY They stop. Buffy hands them her bag of tricks. INT. THE BRONZE They are really scared now, seeing corpses (two now) lying before them. There is some screaming, some whimpering. ANGLE: CORNER UNDER THE STAIRS Darla is having a face off with Jesse, who holds Cordelia. This one's mine. DARLA JESSE ANGLE: UPSTAIRS WINDOW BY THE BALCONY The window opens slowly, an oblivious vampire before it. Buffy slips in. She looks down at the stage, at Luke.
I feel him rising! I need another! She sees the three-pointed star on his head.
(to herself) The Vessel... The vampire turns, hearing this. He grabs Buffy, dragging her up to he middle of the balcony to present her to Luke.
Tonight in his ascension. Tonight will be History at its end! Yours is a glorious sacrifice. Degradation most holy. (looking around) What, no volunteers? Darla emerges, holding Cordelia. Here's a pretty one. CORDELIA Darla drags her toward the stage, hands her over to Luke. ANGLE: BUFFY slips out of the vampire's grasp and THROWS him off the balcony. He lands WHAM on his back right in front of the stage. Silence. Oh, I'm sorry. Were you in the middle something. LUKE BUFFY LUKE CUT TO:
INT. BACKSTAGE - CONTINUOUS The exit door bursts open, a metal pipe-wielding Giles behind it. He starts in, the other two behind him. CUT TO:
INT. THE BRONZE - CONTINUOUS A vampire comes at Buffy from the side and she grabs him, THROWS him into the hookah pit. He scrambles back up and she FLIPS herself over backwards, goes through the hole and lands on top of the pool table. A cue is lying on the table -- she does a hand spring and lands on the floor holding on the cue. A vampire rushes her from the side -- ANGLE: BUFFY without looking, she JAMS the cue end into his heart. We don't see him -- we just hear the PLUNGE. And when Buffy lets go, the cue stays right where it is.
Okay, Vessel-boy. You want blood? She steps forward just as the cue rises like the arm of a guard gate and we hear the vampire's body THUD to the floor. I want yours. Only yours. BUFFY Cordelia, seeing her chance, tries to break free of Luke's grasp. He throws her to one side -- --and Buffy runs, LEAPS at him, slams her fist into his face. This one really hurts, and he stumbles back in pain. He comes back at her but she ducks, comes back up with a roundhouse kick to the face. Another score. She ships out her stake, comes at him -- but he blocks. Nails her in the face, and she skids into the corner, badly hurt. The stake falls at his feet. ANGLE: DOOR TO BACKSTAGE It bursts open, Xander nearly falling out. He looks about him -- no vampires in the immediate vicinity -- and beings herding people out.
Come on! CUT TO:
INT. BACKSTAGE - CONTINUOUS The people rush past Willow and Giles, who push them towards the exit. CUT TO:
INT. THE BRONZE - CONTINUOUS Buffy kicks Luke in the chest. He flies back, landing hard. She's about to go in for the kill when she sees. ANGLE: A VAMPIRE going for Xander, who's too busy shepherding people out to notice. Buffy turns to the drum kit and kicks the cymbal right off the stand. She catches it in mid air -- --the vampire reaches Xander, grabs him-- --Buffy hurls the cymbal, frisbee style-- --the vampire turns, eyes wide, and the cymbal flies straight at his neck-- As he hears the SLICE, his eyes follow the trajectory of the liberated head.
(softly) Heads up... ANGLE: BUFFY barely has time to turn before Luke GRABS her from behind, lifting her up in a crushing bear hug. ANGLE: XANDER He is going to help Buffy when he hears a SHRIEK, turns and sees: ANGLE: CORDELIA is being dragged off into the area below the stairs by Jesse. He throws her to the ground, kneeling above her. Pinning her.
Hold still! You're not helping. Xander appears behind Jesse, holding a stake. He could plunge it right through the back into the heart, but he hesitates.
Jesse, man... don't make me do it. Jesse looks around, grinning inhumanly.
Buddy... ANGLE: BUFFY Is failing to get out of Luke's grasp. He squeezes even harder and she beings to lose consciousness.
I've always wanted to kill a Slayer... CUT TO:
INT. BACKSTAGE - CONTINUOUS People are still rushing out.
Come on! We've got to open the front as well! He heads for the door to the main room and Darla JUMPS on him, digging for his throat. His stake is knocked out of his hand as he topples to the ground. CUT TO:
INT. THE BRONZE - CONTINUOUS Xander takes a step back as Jesse rises, faces him. Jesse, I know there's still a part of you in there. JESSE He grabs Xander and HURLS him against the wall. Xander falls in a heap to the cowering Cordelia.
See, the old Jesse would have reasoned with you. CUT TO:
INT. BACKSTAGE - CONTINUOUS Willow frantically digs through Buffy's bag, looking for a weapon. She pulls out the jar of holy water. Darla continues to struggle with Giles -- has him pinned on the ground.
Get off him! Darla turns to face Willow and is DOUSED with holy water right in the face. SCREAMING, she brings her hands to her face, smoke pouring out from between her fingers. Giles pushes her off him, getting up to face her. But Darla is already stumbling out the exit in smoking agony. CUT TO:
INT. THE BRONZE - CONTINUOUS Buffy is limp in Luke's grasp. Head dangling forward.
Master, taste of this and be free. He opens wide, leans in -- and Buffy HEADBUTTS him with the back of her head, sends him staggering back.
How'd it taste? She is weak, despite her bravado. She grabs the cymbal stand, holds it as a weapon. Looks around her -- and sees: ANGLE: THE WINDOW at the back of the stage. It's painted black, one huge pane. Buffy looks at it, at Luke. ANGLE: XANDER Jesse picks him up again, fury etching his demon face.
I'm sick of you getting in the way, you know? Cordelia, she's gonna live forever. You're not. Xander holds the stake up to Jesse's chest, determined but scared.
Oh, right! Put me out of my misery! You don't have the g-- And a fleeing woman SLAMS into Jesse from behind, driving him onto the stake. He drags himself on a stunned Xander, dying. And then he's dust. Xander barely has time to react before two more vampires grab him. ANGLE: BUFFY She swings the cymbal stand at an approaching Luke. He smiles. You forget. Metal can't hurt me. BUFFY He hesitates, doubt clouding his face.
Sunrise. And she takes the stand and HURLS it right through the plate glass window at the back of the stage -- SHATTERING the entire thing. ANGLE: LUKE As the warm light STREAMS IN on him, he SCREAMS, raises his hands -- --and stops. Puzzled. Buffy DRIVES the stake in through his back. He arches forward, in real agony this time.
It's in about nine hours, moron. ANGLE: THE BROKEN WINDOW And Luke realizes the light from the window is merely a streetlight, shining in the darkness. Luke stumbles forward-- QUICK DISSOLVE TO:
INT. THE CHURCH - CONTINUOUS And the Master stumbles forward in the exact same position, the bright energy beginning to fade from him. He reaches out, nearly doubled over -- QUICK DISSOLVE TO:
INT. THE CHURCH - CONTINUOUS The last of the energy fades from the master.
(weakly) Nooooo.... He falls to his knees, reaches out blindly for support. What he touches is the wall, once again too strong for him to bend. Fury and despair cross hi face as he looks up at it. A scream wells up inside him, and right before it bellows out, we CUT TO:
INT. THE BRONZE - CONTINUOUS Xander struggles with the remaining vampires, who hold him, their attention on the stage. Buffy looks down at the spot where Luke's body was. After a moment, she turns her gaze slowly toward the vampires. They look at the expression on her face for about 1/8th of a second, then they drop Xander and bolt out of the front door. ANGLE: THE BACKSTAGE DOOR Giles and Willow come slowly out, meet Buffy and Xander in the middle of the dance floor. I take it it's over. WILLOW A moment, as they look about at the carnage that surrounds them. Most of the patrons have fled, though some remain, stunned and silent.
Well, we averted the apocalypse. You gotta give us points for that. ANGLE: CORDELIA Sitting right where Jesse left her. Not a word.
One thing's for sure. Nothing is ever gonna be the same. CUT TO:
EXT. FOUNTAIN QUAD - DAY Everything is exactly the same. We see kids milling about, talking, laughing in the bright sunshine. Pick up Cordelia, walking by with her friends. Well, I heard it was rival gangs. Anyway, Buffy totally knew these guys which is too weird. I can't remember anything too well, but I'm telling you, it was a freak show. GIRL And we leave them, picking up Buffy and the others nearby, crossing the other way. Xander has a look of disbelief on his face. Well, what exactly were you expecting? XANDER GILES BUFFY WILLOW GILES XANDER WILLOW GILES WILLOW GILES BUFFY GILES XANDER BUFFY She smiles at Giles and starts off, the other two keeping up with her. Hey, that's a plan. 'Cause a lot of schools aren't on Hellmouths. WILLOW BUFFY Giles watches them go, an uneasy smile plastered on his lips.
The earth is doomed. BLACK OUT.
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