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The Dark Age October 2, 1997 (Green) Written by: Dean Batali & Rob DesHotel |
| Teaser |
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EXT. SUNNYDALE HIGH - NIGHT Deserted. A MAN (PHILIP HENRY, 40-ish) walks towards us, grows into a TIGHT, C.U. He's desperate, sheen of sweat on his face. Startled by:
Can I help you? Philip turns, sees the CUSTODIAN about to empty some trash in a dumpster, eyeing him suspiciously. Philip has a BRITISH ACCENT.
Rupert Giles. I need to see him...
Mr. Giles, he's our librarian. Next building over, first door on your left. Philip moves off, picking up the pace, disappearing around a corner.
You're welcome. EXT. NEXT BUILDING OVER - NIGHT - CONTINUOUS Philip rounds the corner. Sees, several yards away, the door marked CLASSROOM BUILDING/LIBRARY. He hears a NOISE and turns, his heart pounding. Peers into the darkness. Nothing. He moves towards the door. We HEAR a sticky, sickening sound, something definitely moving now in the darkness. Philip looks again. And this time IT MOVES out of the shadows: a SILHOUETTE with GLOWING EYES.
Oh God... Philip steps back, nearly trips on the steps outside the building (or something else conveniently placed in his path.) The figure moves unrelentingly closer. It's a living, walking CORPSE. A woman. Skin long dead and a sickly shade of blue. She was forty when she died. And Philip's knees nearly buckle as he recognizes:
...Deirdre? Deirdre smiles. It's not a pleasant smile, full of BLACK, ROTTED TEETH and all. The woman advances. Philip finds his legs and runs. Gets to the door.
God, no! Help! He fumbles with door -- is it locked? -- no, he gets it open, but not very far when DEIRDRE'S grisly hand slams it shut.
Help me...! INT. LIBRARY - NIGHT - SAME TIME Loud, thumping DANCE MUSIC BLARES from a portable stereo, drowning out the outside world, as BUFFY goes through an intense STEP-AEROBICS routine. Nearby, GILES attempts to read a book-- both hands plastered over his ears. He brings one hand down to take a sip of tea.
(shouts above music) Must we have such noise during your calisthenics?
It's not noise, it's music.
I know music. Music has notes. This is noise.
I'm aerobicizing. I must have the beat.
Wonderful. You work on your muscle tone while my brains dribble out my ears. EXT. SUNNYDALE HIGH - NIGHT - SAME TIME
Somebody, please! Corpse Woman glides her arm around Philip's neck from behind: almost a lover's caress -- until it tightens around his neck, squeezing the life out of him. Her eyes GLOW brighter -- Philip's final scream is cut short -- we hear the unmistakable CRACK of Philip's neck being BROKEN. INT. LIBRARY - NIGHT - SAME TIME The song ends, Buffy finishing her exercise routine.
Ah. Very good. The rest is silence. CUT TO: EXT. SUNNYDALE HIGH - NIGHT - SAME TIME Philip lies there, dead. His eyes stare blankly. PULL BACK to see Corpse Woman towering over him. Her eyes stop glowing. Her body wavers for a moment, then her knees give out as she FALLS TO THE GROUND... ...and her body DISINTEGRATES, incredibly, into a pool of liquid ooze. And the liquid rolls downhill, a little of it washing the fingers of Philip's dead hand. BLACK OUT.
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| Act One |
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INT. GROOVY 70'S PAD - NIGHT FLAMES FILL THE SCREEN and deafening seventies PUNK MUSIC plays as various IMAGES overlap in a STYLIZED way: JERKY CAMERA MOVEMENTS, QUICK ZOOMS and RAPID CUTS. (PRODUCTION NOTE: We should do all these in one location if possible. Since it's a dream I see no reason not to do it against blacks hung in, say, the Bronze.) 1) CLOSE-UP of a NEEDLE administering an ominous, SYMBOLIC-LOOKING TATTOO on someone's arm. We'll see this tattoo again. 2) A CREEPY CULT GUY -- sort of a cross between Jim Morrison and Charles Manson -- dressed in seventies' style clothes with reflecting sunglasses on, smiles at us.
(English accent) Time to go to sleep. 3) The flames BURN BRIGHTER. 4) Six hands join in the center of a circle. Painted on the floor is the same mark as the tattoo. 5) Creepy Cult Guy again, only now he is POSSESSED. His face thrashes back and forth, and through the BLUR we catch glimpses of a DEMON: blue skin, rotted and pocked flesh, ridges on his forehead. INT. GILES' APARTMENT - MORNING Giles bolts awake, out of his dream. He's sweating, breathing hard. He wipes his hand across his face, looks at his clock: 6:05 AM. He THROWS the covers off and they FILL THE SCREEN. When they fall, we have: CUT TO: EXT. SUNNYDALE HIGH - THAT MORNING Only a few STUDENTS are there as BUFFY sits with WILLOW.
I'm on a beach. Not an American beach -- one of those island beaches where the water is way too blue. It's just before sunset, I'm lying on a towel and Gavin Rossdale is massaging my feet.
That's good. Uh, i'm in Florence, Italy. I've rented a scooter which is parked outside. I'm in a little restaurant having ziti and there's no more tables so they have to seat this guy with me and it's John Cusack.
Very impressive. An eye for detail.
(excited) 'Cause, with the ziti. XANDER joins them.
What are you guys up to?
Just having a quick game of "Anywhere But Here."
Amy Yip at the waterslide park.
You never come up with anything new. They start towards the door.
I'm not fickle like you two, okay? I'm constant in my affections. Amy Yip at the waterslide park. They see Giles lecturing a student by the door.
You think Giles ever played "Anywhere But Here" in school?
Giles lived for school. He's still bitter there were only twelve grades.
He probably sat in math class thinking, "There should be more math! This could be mathier."
You don't think he ever got restless when he was little?
Are you kidding? His diapers were tweed. They reach Giles, who falls in step with Buffy.
Ah. There you are.
Morning. Say, is that tweed?
What? Oh. Well, yes. Now, tonight is a very important --
(still looking at his outfit) You know, Giles, I realize the Henry Higgins bit may have been the mod look for your generation, but a lot has happened since then. Like the 20th Century, for example.
As an educator, it behooves me to set myself apart from you students by my mode of dress and demeanor.
Is it stuffy in here, or is it just you?
Laugh all you want, but the problem with this culture is its disregard for decorum, which I believe has led to the current pursuit of feel-good nihilism.
What have I been saying for years?
That you'll die a virgin? Oh. The nihilism thing. Sorry. Missed the funny there. They enter the building. INT. SCHOOL HALL - DAY
So, what's on tap tonight that's so important? Uprising? Prophesied ritual? Preordained death-fest?
Ah, the old standards.
A transport vehicle is delivering a supply of blood to the hospital.
Aha. Vampire meals-on-wheels.
Well, hopefully not. We should meet in front of the hospital at 8:30 sharp. I'll bring the weaponry.
And I'll bring the party mix.
(stern look) Just don't be late.
Giles, have I ever let you down?
Do you want me to answer that, or shall I just glare? MS. CALENDAR approaches. Giles brightens when he sees her.
(smiling) Morning, England.
Hello, Ms... Jenny.
(aside, to Xander) Feel the passion.
Willow--
(coughs) Coughing, not speaking.
--we're still on for tomorrow? Willow nods.
What's tomorrow?
I'm reviewing some computer basics with a couple of students who have fallen behind. Willow's helping for extra credit.
Hah! Those poor schlubs. Having to give up their Saturday--
Nine a.m. okay with you, Xander? Xander's face falls.
(to Xander) You've got a bit of schlub on your shoe, there.
Cordelia is going to meet us.
Hey, gang, did you hear that? A bonus day of class, plus Cordelia! A little rectal surgery and it would be the best day ever!
(to Giles) Walk me to class?
Pleasure.
Nice coat.
(for Buffy's benefit) Tweed, you know. A BELL RINGS. Calendar and Giles head down the hall which begins to empty as students enter classrooms. Buffy smiles after them.
Look at them.
A twosome of cuteness.
Can't you just imagine them getting together? The three WATCH THEM FONDLY for a beat. Then, as the image sinks in: they SHUDDER. INT. HALLWAY - A MOMENT LATER - DAY The hallway is nearly empty as Giles and Calendar walk.
Oh! Thank you so much for loaning me the Forrester book. It's wonderful.
I'm glad you enjoyed it.
it was so romantic, so evocative.
That edition was my father's. I must have read it 20 times.
You know how you have to dog-ear your favorite pages so you can go back to them?
(alarmed) You have to what?
Well, I practically folded back every page. So I underlined the passages I really wanted to discuss.
(queasy) Underlined?
But then I spilled coffee on it and I couldn't even read it.
Coffee. On the first edition.
(smiles) I'm lying, Rupert. The book's fine. I just love to see you squirm.
Oh. Well, I trust I gave good squirm.
Did anyone ever tell you you're kind of a fuddy duddy?
Nobody ever seems to tell me anything else. She moves closer to him.
Did anyone ever tell you you're kind of a sexy fuddy duddy?
That part usually gets left out. I can't imagine why.
This weekend --
Would you like to go out?
I think I'd like to stay in. The implications of this are not lost on Giles. They lean in for a kiss -- their lips meet -- they get off about a second's worth before a door opens and kids are charging through them. They separate, her smiling ruefully, him nervously trying to maintain decorum.
This Saturday night, then?
Saturday night. I'll see if I can make you squirm.
Oh! Yes. I'm... yes. Put me down for squirminess. (beat) A suave person would have just shut up and walked away right then, wouldn't he?
(smiles) Possibly.
Well, why don't I try now. With a nod, he goes. She watches him affectionately. Heads in the other direction. INT. LIBRARY - CONTINUOUS - DAY Giles comes in and stops short. Two UNIFORMED COPS and A POLICE WOMAN stand there. Looking very official and a little menacing.
Rupert Giles?
Yes?
(flashes her badge) Detective Winslow. You're going to have to come with me.
Why?
There was a homicide on campus last night. The victim had no identification. But he was carrying this slip of paper with your name and address on it. Winslow shows Giles the slip of paper (in a tagged evidence baggy.) Giles peers at it through the plastic. CORDELIA bursts through the library door.
My name?
Well, evil just compounds evil, doesn't it. First I'm sentenced to a computer tutorial on Saturday, now I have to read some computer book. They have books about computers? Isn't that the point of computers, to replace books?
Cordelia, I'm a little busy just now... He indicates the cops. She sees them as if for the first time, says to one of the uniforms:
Oh, great. Can you help me with a ticket? it's totally bogus, a one way street, I was going one way --
Cordelia!
What? why does everybody always yell my name? I'm not deaf. And I can take a hint. Long beat.
What's the hint?
To come back later.
Yeah, when you've visited decaf-land. She leaves. Giles turns back to the Police Woman.
Where is it you want me to go? SMASH CUT: INT. MORGUE - LATER THAT DAY - A SHEETED BODY Rolls out in a drawer. A MORGUE ATTENDANT eyes Giles. Detective Winslow stands nearby.
Have you had breakfast?
No.
That was probably a good idea. The Morgue Attendant pulls the sheet off of the body, revealing Philip, the man killed in the Teaser. A look of RECOGNITION crosses Giles' face and he reacts, visibly upset.
Do you know him? Giles stares hard, then:
Yes. I mean, I did. His name is Philip Henry. He was a friend of mine in London. I haven't spoken to him in twenty years.
Can you think of any reason he might have wanted to contact you? Giles pauses for a bit, fixated on something.
No... REVEAL Giles is staring at a TATTOO on Philip's forearm (the same tattoo Giles saw in his dream).
Do you know what that is? The tattoo? Giles looks at the tattoo, at the police woman.
No. No, I don't. DISSOLVE TO: EXT. HOSPITAL LOADING DOCK - NIGHT Buffy waits. Checks her watch. INSERT WATCH: it reads 9:03. Buffy looks around, concerned: no Giles.
"Don't be late." Sheesh. Moves to a pay phone, drops in a quarter, dials. Gets a busy signal.
Giles, why is your phone busy when you're supposed to be here? She punches 0.
Operator, can you check a line for me... Then headlights wash across her face.
Never mind. Sorry. She hangs up, moves back into the shadows, watching: BUFFY'S POV - A STATION WAGON OR VAN "Medical Transport" stencilled on the side. Pulls to a stop at the loading dock. BUFFY WATCHES As the DRIVER gets out, moves to a couple of INTERNS (two guys in hospital scrubs, hospital tags on the shirt pockets, one has a stethoscope around his neck). One of the INTERNS signs a clipboard the Driver holds for him, the other hefts a large ice chest out of the van. The Driver gets in his car and drives away. Buffy watches the YOUNG INTERNS head for the hospital back door.
All's well that ends with cute E.R. doctors I always say. She turns and starts away. Then stops.
Since when do doctors take deliveries? Buffy sees the interns move past the back door and pick up their pace, heading down the side of the building. She moves into action, vaulting off the wall or over something interesting in the set and closing the gap. ANGLE - SIDE OF BUILDING One of the "Interns" rips off his stethoscope and pulls a blood bag out of the ice chest the other one carries. They're heading towards a MUSCLE CAR parked nearby. The driver of that car steps out. He is a vampire.
Hey, no sampling the product. The "intern" (let's call him vamp 1 from now on since now he's a vamp) ignores the driver, bites into the bag. The other intern, (call him vamp 2) growls at him. Then a shadowy figure leaps on vamp 1 from behind. And now Buffy runs, pulling out a stake, leaping into the air, coming down on the shadowy figure's back, about to sink the stake, when he turns and she recognizes:
Angel! She holds up with the stake just in time.
Buffy! Look out! Vamp-driver RAMS shoulder-first into Buffy, taking her to the ground. He turns on Angel who hits him real darn hard. Vamp 1 dives for Buffy, gets a stake. Vamp 2 comes at Angel who uses Vamp 2's velocity to whip him around and send him towards Buffy.
Incoming! Buffy stakes him, too. A ROARING ENGINE causes them to look over at the muscle car as vamp-driver roars away.
How did you know about this?
It's delivery day. Everybody knows about this. (re: ice chest of blood bags) They only ruined one bag.
Can you make sure the hospital gets the rest? (he nods) I'm worried about Giles. He was supposed to meet me here.
Maybe he's late.
Giles? Who counts tardiness as the eighth deadly sin?
Right. Go. She does. CUT TO: EXT. GILES' APARTMENT - NIGHT - STOCK Establishing. INT. HALL OUTSIDE GILES' APARTMENT - NIGHT Buffy, fresh from the fight, moves down the hall, listens at the door for a moment. Hears Giles' muffled voice.
Are you certain she didn't leave a forwarding number? I've been on the phone for hours, this is a matter of life and -- Buffy knocks. A couple of beats, then Giles opens the door a CRACK, stares out at Buffy. He's unshaven, in shirtsleeves, looking a good deal more rumpled than we've ever seen him.
Buffy. It's late, are you all right?
I was going to ask you the same thing.
Yes, fine. I'm afraid I'm rather busy. I'll see you Monday at school -- He tries to shut the door. She stops it.
Giles, did you forget about the hospital? Vampires? Bags of blood in handy carry out packets?
Oh. Are you all right? Were you hurt?
No. I mean, my feelings a little. What's wrong?
Nothing. Nothing's wrong, I'm in the middle of an extremely important matter and I'm sorry but I'm just going to have to say good night now. And he forces the door closed. She hears him LOCK it from inside. Then footsteps. Then his MUFFLED VOICE again on the phone.
Are you still there? Yes, any number, a relative, anything... Buffy stares at the door for a beat. Then turns and goes. Hold the door. INT. GILES' APARTMENT - NIGHT The lights are dimmed, the shades drawn. Giles is tense, finishes dialing a number on the phone. He HEARS a ring and then an answer.
(into phone) I'm sorry to disturb you, I realize it's five in the morning there but I'm trying to reach Deirdre Page. My name is Rupert Giles, she knows me, it's very important... Giles listens for a beat, his face falling.
I'm terribly sorry, I didn't know.. when did she pass away? Oh dear, that recently. We were friends when we were young... my condolences. Giles hangs up. Worst fears realized. He slumps down in a chair. There's a bottle and a glass. He drinks something strong from the glass, then turns his attention to: A LIST - with a few names on it. The first two are CROSSED OUT: Thomas Sutcliffe, Philip Henry. Giles crosses a line through the third: Deirdre Page. Then he looks lower on the list and we see the two names left: Ethan Rayne and Rupert Giles. Giles, distraught, moves to a mirror with a pitcher of water and a bowl in front of it. He rolls up his sleeves. That's when we see: THE TATTOO on his arm, identical to the one on Philip's arm. Giles fills his hands with cold water and splashes it on his face. He stares at himself in the mirror.
So... you're back. CUT TO: EXT. MORGUE - NIGHT - STOCK Establishing. Quiet. Dark. DISSOLVE TO: INT. MORGUE - SAME TIME - NIGHT It's late at night, no one is around. The CAMERA MOVES towards the drawers on the wall and centers on one. DISSOLVE TO: INSIDE THE DRAWER Looking down on Philip, who lies there. Still dead. Then a hand pulls the sheet back, a hand that can only belong to Philip. His eyes open. And begin to GLOW. BLACK OUT.
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| Act Two |
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INT. MORGUE - NIGHT The morgue attendant carries a clipboard as he heads to the wall of drawers. He OPENS a drawer, looks at a temperature gauge, jots something on the clipboard, and closes the drawer. He goes to another drawer and does the same. He moves to a third drawer, opens it, and REACTS, startled. TILT DOWN to REVEAL the drawer is empty. TILT BACK UP and REVEAL PHILIP, standing behind the attendant in a very un-dead way. Philip is shirtless and, presumably, corpse-naked. He looks like shit, being dead and all. Philip THROWS A SHEET over the attendant's head and LIFTS him into the air. As the attendant STRUGGLES beneath the sheet, Philip stuffs him into the drawer and closes it. It CLICKS SHUT, locking the attendant in. Philip SHAMBLES OUT. We hear the MUFFLED SCREAMS of the attendant as he helplessly POUNDS on the inside of the drawer. DISSOLVE TO: EXT. SUNNYDALE HIGH - DAY - STOCK The high school should be completely empty. Hoping we have this in stock.
This is not right. INT. SUNNYDALE HIGH (HALL) - DAY Calendar, Willow, Xander and Cordelia move down the hall.
School on a Saturday? That throws off my internal clock.
When are we going to have to use computers in real life, anyway?
Let's see, there's home, school, work, games--
Computers are on the way out. I think paper is about to make a big comeback.
And the abacus.
Yeah. You don't see enough abaci. Jenny unlocks the classroom door (the room across from the library in fact) and they enter. Set up as a computer lab. INT. COMPUTER LAB - CONTINUOUS - DAY
All right, the first thing we want to do is... (sees) ...Buffy.
Huh? Did I fall asleep already? He turns, sees Buffy in the door.
Ahhh. You miss your friends.
Sit here, Buffs. De-militarize the zone between me and Cordelia.
And de-lice him while you're at it.
(to Jenny) Actually I wanted to talk to you for a second.
Is something wrong?
Is it some crisis that requires instant action -- very far from here?
I'm not sure...
Think, dammit! Buffy, don't make me beg.
Well, it's Giles.
A loved one, good...
He's all right, isn't he?
I don't know. He didn't show up last night when he was supposed to, and then I went by his place and he was acting... well, very Anti-Giles.
You went by his place? He has a place? (off their looks) Of course he has a... I just never think of him living anywhere outside the library. So there was weirdness?
He wouldn't let me in. He looked terrible. And I think he might have been... uh, I think he was drinking.
He was home alone drinking?
But... tea, right?
It wasn't tea, will.
Yup. I knew this would happen. Nobody can be wound as straight and narrow as Giles without a dark side erupting. My Uncle Roary was the stodgiest taxidermist you ever met -- by day -- by night it was booze and whores and fur flying... were there any whores?
Xander.
He was alone.
Give it time.
None of you have noticed anything different about him lately?
No.
Not really.
Haven't seen anything weird?
No.
He was perfectly normal yesterday when I saw him talking to the police. They all look at her.
And you waited until now to tell us because...?
I didn't think it was important.
We understand. It wasn't about you.
What were the police talking to him about?
Don't tell me, I know this one... something about a... homicide.
I'm calling him right now. Buffy exits. INT. SCHOOL HALL - DAY We TRACK with her across the hall and into: INT. LIBRARY - AND GILES' OFFICE - DAY She heads for GILES' OFFICE, is half inside (where we see the phone on his desk) when she hears a NOISE. She looks up. ANOTHER NOISE, coming from the stacks. She heads up the stairs and into: INT. LIBRARY - THE STACKS - DAY Dark and eerie in here. Buffy MOVES in and out of the shadows and peers down one row. Something moves behind her, she turns, nothing there. She pins herself against a bookcase, MOVES to the end of the shelves, and checks another row. Again, nothing. She turns and looks through a rack. BUFFY'S POV: SOMEONE STARES BACK AT HER from the other side. Buffy jumps back, startled, then realizes the bookcase is COMING DOWN on her. She ROLLS out of the way before it CRASHES DOWN and sees the suspect SCRAMBLE away. Buffy LEAPS over the downed bookcase and grabs him, spins him around. It's ETHAN RAYNE. Buffy doesn't immediately recognize him. Then --
I know you, you ran that costume shop.
I'm pleased you remember.
You sold me that dress for Halloween and nearly got us all killed.
But you looked great. Buffy sends a RIGHT HOOK into his jaw. Ethan works his mouth back and forth.
So now we're even?
I'll let you know when we're even. (then) I'm going to ask you once again and then I'm pretty much going straight to the pummeling: what are you doing here?
Snooping around.
Honesty. Nice touch.
It's one of my virtues. (then) Not really.
I got a great idea... Buffy grabs him.
...why don't I just call the police and have you arrested for breaking and entering and get back to my fun Saturday.
Yes, the police. They'll have so many questions -- they'll really need Rupert to answer them all.
You know Giles?
We go back. Way back. You wouldn't happen to know where he is, would you? Off Ethan's look. CUT TO: MORE MONTAGE - INT. BRONZE - NIGHTISH (PRODUCTION NOTE: NUMBERS 3 and 4 ARE SHOT ON THEIR RESPECTIVE LOCATIONS) Rapid, choppy images again, with the same LOUD MUSIC. 1) FLAMES, as in the first dream. 2) The possessed CREEPY CULT GUY, his demon visage engulfed in the flames, screaming in agony.
You're marked. I'll kill you for this! I'll kill you all! 3) CORPSE WOMAN (from the Teaser) stepping out of the shadows. 4) PHILIP's corpse in the drawer. His eyes open and GLOW. 5) A pane of glass as it SHATTERS, revealing a PHONE which is, incongruously, RINGING. INT. GILES' APARTMENT - DAY Giles BOLTS AWAKE as the phone continues to RING. Dressed in last night's clothes, he was slumped at the table, the bottle pretty well empty now. He looks like shit.
Hello? INTERCUT: BUFFY - INT. LIBRARY - DAY Buffy has the phone in one hand, Ethan's collar in the other. Ethan's shirt sleeve is rolled up, revealing the tattoo we've been seeing.
Giles, it's me.
Buffy. Unless this is an emergency, I'll see you in school on Monday --
What's the Mark of Eyghon? Giles turns ashen on the other end.
Giles?
Cat got his tongue?
I'm in your office with someone who claims to be an old friend of yours: Ethan Rayne.
He's there with you? Giles glances down at his list and ETHAN'S NAME on it.
Buffy, listen to me. You're in great danger with Ethan there. I want you to put down the phone and get out of the library as quickly as possible.
I'm not going anywhere until you start giving me some answers -- Philip CRASHES through a window in Giles' office. He is dressed in the clothes in which he was killed. Glass SHATTERS and FLIES. Philip comes for him. Ethan puts Buffy between himself and Philip. INT. GILES' APARTMENT - SAME TIME - DAY Giles yells into the phone:
Buffy! He listens for half a beat to the sounds of destruction, then drops the phone and runs out of frame. INT. LIBRARY - DAY Buffy roundhouse kicks (or punches) Philip. It doesn't have much effect on him. He turns his wrath on her. INT. LIBRARY - DAY Buffy fights Philip. She "lets" Philip back her towards the book cage -- actually setting him up. Ethan jumps the front desk, makes a run for the library doors as Xander, Cordelia, Willow and Jenny enter.
(to Xander, re: Ethan) Don't let him get away! Xander grabs Ethan and a small wrestling match ensues. Philip lunges at Buffy, she ducks under his big arms and boots him into the cage, slamming and locking the cage door on him. Ethan breaks free of Xander, makes a bee-line for the exit, and is stopped by Cordelia, who kicks him in the knee and sends him to the floor.
That'll teach you to mess with me when I've got a... girl. DISSOLVE TO: INT. LIBRARY - A LITTLE LATER - DAY Philip paces in the cage, looking very dead and scary. Willow watches him from a safe distance. As do Xander, Cordelia, Jenny and Ethan.
I'm not getting close enough to feel his pulse, but I've gotta say he looks pretty dead.
Except for the walking around and attacking Buffy part.
He's dead. (to Phil) Sorry, Philip. Really I am.
You know him?
Knew him.
Hey, you don't speak until we tell you to speak.
Uh, Cordelia, I did tell him to speak. Giles RUSHES in.
Is everyone all right?
Super. I kicked a guy.
We're okay.
Dead guy there interrupted our tutorial. (to Philip) Been meaning to thank you for that. Philip makes a terrible sound in his throat. Xander takes a GIANT step back. Giles studies Philip.
It... can't be.
Oh yes it can. Hello, Ripper.
I thought I told you to leave town.
You did. I didn't. Shop's lease is paid through the end of the month. Cordelia turns to Xander.
Why'd he call him Ripper? Giles grabs Ethan. Pretty roughly. The gang's never seen him like this before.
You should have left when I told you!
Oh.
You've put these people in danger. These are people I care about. Again Cordelia turns to Xander.
Wow, even me? Xander gives a quick shake of his head: "no".
If you care so much about them why didn't you leave town. I know you've been having the dreams, I have, we both know what's coming. Giles glares at Ethan, then lets him go. Buffy moves next to him.
What dreams, what's going on? A beat.
I...
Tell her, Ripper. Buffy looks from Ethan to Giles.
Giles? SUDDENLY: Philip KICKS open the cage door. Hurls Calendar into the wall. She hits her head and FALLS to the ground, unconscious.
Jenny! Ethan looks truly frightened of Philip and runs for the door.
Nooo! Willow and Cordelia scramble out of the way as Buffy punches and kicks Philip. Xander slides a book cart behind Philip. Buffy stomps Philip into it. He goes over the book cart and lands on the floor. He starts to get up. Buffy moves in for further carnage, but Philip's body begins to shake. Philip collapses on the floor and (C.G.I. EFFECT) liquefies. They react.
That's something you don't see every day.
Oh my god! I'll be in therapy till I'm thirty! The liquid moves across the floor. Eerie. Giles has knelt down, the unconscious Jenny cradled in his arms. TIGHTER ANGLE - No one notices Jenny's hand on the floor as a tiny trickle of the liquid touches it. Her hand TWITCHES. Calendar starts to come to.
Jenny?
(holding her head) Ow...
Careful, careful. Can you stand?
I think so. Giles helps her to her feet.
(sotto; to Xander) This is what happens when you have school on Saturday. Calendar gets her balance.
Here, lean on me. And she does. Her arms go around him. He holds her for a beat.
It'll be all right...
Promise?
I promise. Over his shoulder, we see her face. She seems to relax a little at his words.
I believe you. Then we (and only we) see her eyes. AS THEY begin to GLOW. BLACK OUT.
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| Act Three |
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INT. LIBRARY - A MOMENT LATER - DAY Calendar (who looks and acts very
Calendar-like for the moment) leans on the table, wash cloth to her head.
Giles is
How's your head?
Throbbing. Buffy moves near Giles. He looks at her, uncomfortable, tense.
Giles, what's going on?
It's... complicated, Buffy, and frankly it's private.
I don't care from private, I care from dead guys attacking us, I care from you Lost Weekending in your apartment.
I wasn't... I just had to work out a solution.
Solution is good. Why don't we share? What's the mark of Eyghon? Jenny moans a little, rubs her head with the washcloth.
This is not your battle, and as your watcher, I'm telling you in no uncertain terms: stay out of it. I've got to get Jenny home.
Home. That sounds so good right now. Giles takes her arm and walks her to the door. They head out, Buffy staring hard after them. Buffy takes control, handing out orders:
We have work to do. Willow, I want you to find out anything and everything you can about the mark of Eyghon.
So what Giles just said about staying out of it --
Thrill, as I ignore it completely. He needs our help and he's going to get it.
I can try the net, but the mark of Eyghon sounds like a Giles and his books kind of deal.
So we hit the books. Buffy follows Willow, as she heads for the books.
Xander, how do you feel about rifling through Giles' personal files, see if you can shed some light.
I feel pretty good about it. Does that make me a sociopath? Buffy hits the books herself. Cordelia moves next to her, impatient. Buffy finally notices her.
What?
What about me? I care about Giles.
Work with Xander.
Well, when I say "care", I mean --
Cordelia.
Okay, okay. CUT TO: INT. GILES' APARTMENT - DUSK (OKAY, NIGHT) Jenny and Giles.
Thanks for bringing me here. I'm not quite ready to be home alone just yet. Giles nods, hands her a glass. She drinks, makes a face.
It's strong. (drinks some more) It's helping.
You need it after what you've been through. She nods innocently.
Jenny, I'm so sorry about this. I never meant for you to get involved in any of this.
So I got involved. That's what happens when two people... get involved. She moves closer. It looks for a moment like he might kiss her, then:
I will have to get you home, soon. It's not -- I'm not a safe person to be around right now.
Nothing's safe in this world, Rupert. Don't you know that by now? She looks up at him. And for the first time he seems to relax a little, Jenny's made him feel comfortable. CUT TO: INT. LIBRARY - NIGHT Willow plows through an UNBELIEVABLE STACK of Giles' books on the long table. She suddenly hits one of the books rather hard.
Ah! Aha! It's not Egyptian it's Etruscan, mistaken for Egyptian by the design pattern but any fool can see it pre-dates their iconology... Willow shows Buffy a DRAWING IN THE BOOK, THE MARK OF EYGHON. The demon as we've seen it in the tattoos.
Look at this: the Mark Of Eyghon, worn by his initiates. (reads) "Eyghon, also called the Sleepwalker, can only exist in this reality by possessing an unconscious host. Temporary possession imbues the host with a euphoric feeling of power."
What about not temporary?
"Unless the proper rituals are observed, the possession is permanent, and Eyghon will be born from within the host."
I'm guessing, "Eew."
Hey, listen. "Once called, Eyghon can also take possession of the dead, but its demonic energy soon disintegrates the host and it must jump to the nearest dead or unconscious person to continue living."
I still don't understand what this has to do with Giles.
(has been skimming) Well, I don't know about Giles, but ancient sects used to induce possession for bacchanals and orgies.
Okay, "Giles" and "orgies" in the same sentence. Coulda lived without that.
Wait a minute. The dead guy. He's all puddly now.
So the demon is gone. There was no one dead to jump into. I mean, we're all not dead, right?
No one dead... She looks at Xander, who picks up her train of thought.
But someone unconscious. CUT TO: INT. GILES' APARTMENT - NIGHT CLOSE ON: a phone jack as a HAND rips the jack out of the wall. Jenny drops the wire (which we see leads to the now useless phone) to the floor as Giles enters from the kitchen with two cups of tea.
What was that?
What was what?
I thought I heard something.
I didn't. (takes tea) Thanks.
Drink it and then I'll take you home.
You could take me home... (sets tea down) ...or you could take advantage of me in my weakened state. Off Giles, CUT TO: INT. GILES' OFFICE - NIGHT The desk and files are a mess. Xander is pouring through them. Willow and Cordelia watch Buffy on the phone.
Thank you, operator. Buffy slams the phone down.
No answer at Ms. Calendar's and Giles' line is out of order. I'm getting over there. CUT TO: INT. GILES' APARTMENT - NIGHT Giles and Jenny, as before.
Jenny, I am attracted to you...
Good.
But this isn't the right time.
There's never been a better time. She puts her arms around him. They kiss. He gives in for a beat, then pulls back.
No, it's not right, I'd be taking advantage. Jenny smiles. Not a particularly pleasant smile.
God, you don't change, do you.
Uh...?
"It's not right, wouldn't be proper..." And then her voice changes -- merges actually, with a DEEP MAN'S VOICE. A scary voice. That of a demon.
(demon voice) "... people might get hurt." Giles tries to take a step back, alarmed. But Calendar's hand holds his arm like iron.
What's...?
(demon-voiced) "You're like a woman, Ripper, you cry at every funeral. You never had the strength for me, you don't deserve me. But guess what, you've got me -- UNDER YOUR SKIN! She PULLS him close. He tries to resist but she's suddenly very strong. She kisses him hard on the mouth. And now we see the patches of her skin where the DEMON EYGHON has begun to break through. Putrid flesh, sores, devil's skin. Ridges on her forehead. Not a pretty girl.
Was it good for you? She grabs him and RAMS HIS HEAD into a wall. She holds him up to her face.
You never had the stomach. But that's okay, I'm about to rip it out. She hurls him into a wall. The front door is KNOCKED OPEN, lock splintering. Buffy comes flying in. Demon Jenny turns and hisses. Buffy takes a moment to absorb the hideousness of what she's seeing, then sends Demon Jenny sprawling backwards with a KICK to the midsection. Buffy stands in front of Giles, blocking Demon Jenny's way to him.
Back off. Just stay back. Demon Calendar looks at Buffy, then at Giles.
(laughs) Three down, two to go! Be seeing you. She DIVES through a window. EXT. GILES APARTMENT - NIGHT (PRODUCTION NOTE: This is actually a SMALL facade with a second story window on stage -- until the budget kills it -- which Demon Jenny comes flying out of and drops from sight.) INT. GILES APARTMENT - NIGHT Buffy kneels down to Giles, who is badly injured. Blood runs down his forehead, and his arm is useless.
Are you all right?
Jenny... Oh, God...
Giles, how do we stop this thing?
God, what have I done?
Talk to me! Giles, you're scaring me. There is real helpless fear in his surrogate daughter's voice. He comes to, stares at her -- but can do no more. Finally:
I'm sorry...
(hurt anger) Don't be sorry! Be Giles! Come on, we fight monsters. They show up, they scare us, I beat them up, and they leave. This isn't any different.
It is different.
Because you don't know how to stop it.
Because I created it. CUT TO: INT. LIBRARY - NIGHT Xander enters from Giles' office.
Did you find anything?
The most meticulous banking and phone records you've ever seen, and this. He pulls out a PHOTO and shows it to the others.
Apparently Giles wasn't always Giles.
That's Giles?
Wow, was he like in a band?
Once upon a time boys and girls, Giles was us. On the PHOTO: GILES as a young PUNK TEENAGER. Circa 70's.
I was twenty-one... CUT TO: INT. GILES APARTMENT - NIGHT Buffy has gotten Giles to the couch where he sits in the darkened apartment, telling her his story. She's bandaging his arm.
Studying history at Oxford and of course the occult by night. I hated it. The boring grind of school, the pressure of my "destiny". So I dropped out. I went to London, fell in with the worst crowd that would have me. We practiced magicks. Small stuff, for pleasure or gain. And then Ethan and I discovered something a little bigger.
Eyghon.
Yes. We put one of us into a deep sleep and the others would summon him. It was an extraordinary high. God, we were fools.
You couldn't control it.
One of us, Randall, he lost control. Eyghon took him whole. We tried to exorcise the demon from Randall, but it killed him. We killed him.
God...
We thought we were free of the demon after that. But it's back. And one by one it will kill us all.
Three down, two to go. Giles nods.
Then it's going after Ethan. I better beat it there.
We better.
You're barely mobile and speed is of the serious essence.
Buffy, I don't know how to stop it without... without killing Jenny.
I got the guys working on it. I'll try to contain her till we can figure something. She starts out.
Buffy! She stops.
I'm sorry.
I know. She goes. CUT TO: EXT. SUNNYDALE STREET - NIGHT A LITTLE DOG trots down the sidewalk, HAPPY and CAREFREE. REVEAL the dog is being walked by its owner, a MAN equally happy and carefree. The dog starts SNARLING at something.
Whoa there, Spritzer. It's okay. The dog BARKS uncontrollably at someone in the SHADOWS.
(to dog) Come on, there's nothing to be afraid of. (then, to unseen person) Spritzer's a friendly little guy. He really likes people. The person steps out of the shadows: it's
DEMON CALENDAR, who looks even more Hellish than before. Her flesh hangs
loosely, the sores on her face have opened up, and the forehead ridges
protrude further out. She speaks in her
I really like dogs. The man becomes less happy and carefree. Demon Calendar SNATCHES the leash from his hand. The man slowly backs away.
Spritzer... The man's eyes go wide. He turns and BOLTS for his life. We WATCH HIM GO as we hear: The dog BARKING. Then YELPING. Then a more horrible sound: Then NOTHING. DISSOLVE TO: INT. ABANDONED COSTUME SHOP - LATER THAT NIGHT Buffy comes inside and looks around. The place is DARK, EMPTY, and spooky, dress mannequins break up the space, looking like so many dead people.
Ethan... Buffy cautiously moves further in. She hears a NOISE and SPINS around. Nothing. Or did something move behind one of the mannequins?
I'm not here to hurt you... I'm sorry to say. Giles told me everything. It's coming for you. We've got to stop it. Ethan APPEARS behind her.
And you came to protect me. I'm touched. Buffy spins around.
Don't worry, it's nothing personal: to protect Giles I have to protect you.
How does Ripper inspire such goodness?
Because he's Giles.
And I'm not. Still, lucky me.
Lucky you.
Well, we can't run. Eyghon will find us. This mark might as well be a homing beacon.
That's all right. I'm not big on running anyway.
Aren't we manly.
One of us is. You're gonna hide till it's over.
Excellent plan.
Is there a way in through the back?
There's a door, but it's locked. I think it's solid.
Well, we can set you up back there. Come on.
Oh, no... He gestures for her to go. Buffy moves towards the back. Ethan steps behind her. And now we see the board in his hands. Which he brings up sharply and cracks her on the head with. Hard. She falls to the ground. He stares down at her.
...ladies first. BLACK OUT.
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| Act Four |
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INT. ABANDONED COSTUME SHOP - LATER - NIGHT PUSH PAST the creepy mannequin shapes and ETHAN (whistling a jaunty tune as he works) to BUFFY, lying face down on a long, narrow table. Her ankles are TIED TOGETHER, and her arms are wrapped around the table with her wrists TIED TOGETHER underneath it. Ethan finishes tying her as she comes to.
Wakey, wakey. You don't want to miss the fun.
What fun?
Your initiation.
You know what? I'm not real interested in joining your club.
Too late. I already voted you in. I hope you appreciate this is nothing personal, Buffy. I actually kind of like you. It's just... He grabs a LARGE, ominous-looking NEEDLE off a tray and dips it in ink.
I like myself more. You know, if you look at it karmically, this is very big for your soul: you're taking my place with the demon, giving so that others may live.
I'm going to kill you. Will that blow the whole karma thing? He pulls Buffy's hair away, revealing the back of her neck.
Now, you might feel a slight sting at first. But that'll go away once the searing pain kicks in. He begins CARVING THE TATTOO into the back of Buffy's neck. ANGLE: BUFFY'S FACE as she grimaces and grits her teeth.
You can go ahead and scream. CUT TO: INT. LIBRARY - NIGHT Willow is still absorbed in books. As she reads, she brings a cup of tea into frame, sips. Cordelia and Xander scour the books.
We have to figure out how to kill this thing. And we have to do it fast.
(re: book) Hot lava.
That's for a heretic.
Oh, yeah. Okay, bury a potato. No, that's for warts. (looking at the cover) Who writes these things?
Duhh. I've got the solution, right here. (points to her book) To kill a demon, cut its head off.
Great work, Cor.
You could have done it -- not really.
Yeah, we'll just find Ms. Calendar and then we'll decapitate her. She can be the first headless computer teacher, think anyone'll notice?
You know what you need, Xander -- besides a year's supply of acne cream -- a brain.
That's it, twelve years of you, I'm snapping. I don't care you're a girl, I'm throwing down. (gets in a fight stance) Come on.
I've seen you fight, don't think I can't take you.
Give it your best shot! Willow has a huge book in her hands which she slams down on the table in front of them. It's loud and it gets their attention.
Heyyy! We don't have time for this. Our friends are in trouble. Now we have to put our heads together and get them out of it. And if you two aren't with me a hundred and ten percent then get the hell out of my library! She points at the door, dramatically. Xander and Cordelia hang their heads, chastened.
We're sorry.
We'll be good.
We've done the research, we've got to think how to use it.
Okay, what if we find another dead body for the demon to jump into?
(picking up on it) Yeah. At the cemetery.
That won't kill the demon; it'll just give it a change of scenery. Xander and Cordelia sag.
Oh! Oh! Oh! I've got it! She runs out the door. Xander and Cordelia start to follow.
She's good. CUT TO: INT. ABANDONED COSTUME SHOP - A BIT LATER - NIGHT Ethan wipes the back of Buffy's neck with a cloth and we see the completed TATTOO, the now familiar mark of Eyghon.
Perhaps I missed my calling as an artist.
Listen to me, Ethan. This is a BAD IDEA. You're dealing with something very dangerous.
But this'll throw Eyghon off my scent.
I'm not talking about Eyghon. Ethan reaches towards the tray and grabs a bottle of ACID. Buffy looks alarmed, struggles with her bonds.
Gosh, you are spunky. Relax, I'm done with you. It's my turn now... Ethan smiles at her, then pours acid on his own tattoo. Of course we cut tastefully away as he GRIMACES and MOANS as he works. ANGLE: BENEATH THE TABLE Buffy searches around with her fingers. She feels a NAIL protruding slightly from the inside edge. She begins to dig her fingernail into the wood, trying to jar the nail loose. CUT TO: INT. GILES APARTMENT - NIGHT Giles stumbles toward the door, putting his coat over his shoulder. He's very WOOZY from Demon Jenny's beating. He goes up a step or two, then stumbles, falls to the floor and we FLASH TO: ANOTHER SERIES OF VISIONS (production note: these are taken from scenes we'll be shooting) 1) The PHOTO of young Giles. 2) The TATTOO. 3) The possessed CREEPY CULT GUY, all demony, engulfed in the flames. 4) Deirdre (Corpse Woman) SCREAMING. 5) A SHATTERING WINDOW as DEAD PHILIP CRASHES through. 6) DEMON CALENDAR making her way through the DARK NIGHT. 7) Buffy, tied to the table. 8) The TATTOO on the back of her neck. Giles WAKES UP with a jolt.
Ethan... Oh, no... With great effort, he rises, stumbles to the door, and STAGGERS OUT. CUT TO: INT. ABANDONED COSTUME SHOP - LATER - NIGHT Ethan has finished burning the tattoo off of his arm. ANGLE: BENEATH THE TABLE Buffy has the nail out and is using it to cut the rope that binds her wrists. ETHAN wraps a bandage around his arm.
I hate to mutilate and run but... He heads for the door, stops, seeing: ANGLE: THE DOOR An EERIE GREEN LIGHT spills from beneath it as the door starts to RUMBLE. Ethan backs away. Fast. The door SHOOTS OPEN, seemingly on its own. Demon Calendar stands there, bathed in light. Demon Calendar steps inside. The door SHUTS behind her as she moves towards Ethan.
It is your time. Ethan stands frozen. Demon Calendar gets nose-to-nose with him. Then JERKS her head and STARES right at Buffy. And leaps. ANGLE: BENEATH THE TABLE Buffy cuts through the rope. Buffy ROLLS off the table as Demon Calendar lands on it. Buffy rocks onto her back and UPENDS the table by KICKING IT with her still-bound feet. Demon Calendar falls away. Buffy RIPS the rope off her ankles and stands to face Demon Calendar, with the table between them. Demon Calendar picks up the table and uses it to push Buffy back, PINNING HER against the wall. Buffy strains to escape. She's trapped.
Eyghon! REVEAL Giles is there.
Take me. Demon Calendar HEAVES the table aside. It crashes and SPLINTERS near Ethan, who now crouches in a corner.
Buffy, get out of here! Demon Calendar goes for Giles.
No! Buffy tries to move between them. Demon Calendar raises her hand and TOUCHES HER FINGER to Buffy's face. A SURGE OF ENERGY rushes through the touch, and Buffy is THROWN across the room. Demon Calendar TOSSES Giles to the ground and STRADDLES him.
I've been waiting a long time to do this. Suddenly, Demon Calender is TACKLED off Giles -- by ANGEL. Willow, Xander, and Cordelia RUN in just in time to see Angel STRANGLING THE LIFE OUT of Demon Calendar. Giles starts toward her, but Willow stops him.
He's killing her.
Trust me. This is going to work... Demon Calendar claws at Angel's hands as she GASPS for breath. She looks up at Angel. Their eyes lock. Demon Calendar HOWLS out in pain as Angel is THROWN off her. She rolls away, COUGHING and we see: She's back to being JENNY.
Did we kill it? Angel CRIES OUT. His eyes GLOW.
It's in Angel!
(much less confidently) This is going to work. They watch as Angel's FACE MORPHS: The Demon. The Vampire. Regular Angel. Alternating between the three as an INTERNAL BATTLE takes place. Finally, the demon SCREAMS OUT and FADES AWAY. Angel falls to the ground. Buffy and Willow rush over to him. Ethan takes the opportunity to sneak out. Giles has recovered and struggles to his feet. He goes to Calendar and takes her in his arms.
Jenny...?
Rupert.
It's okay. I've got you. Buffy and Willow help Angel to his feet, Buffy putting it together:
You knew that if the demon was in danger it would jump into the nearest dead guy. Willow nods, even smiles.
I put it in danger.
And it jumped.
But I've had a demon inside me for a couple hundred years just waiting for a good fight.
Winner and still champion.
Uh, I think that Ethan guy disappeared.
Darn. I really wanted to hit him till he bled.
Well, at least it's over. Buffy looks at: ANGLE: GILES AND JENNY as he helps her to the door. It's not over for him. EXT. SUNNYDALE HIGH - DAY Xander, Buffy, and Willow walk along.
The worst thing is, I was saving up for some very important shoes. Now I gotta blow my allowance getting this stupid tattoo removed. I just hope mom doesn't see it first.
Putting the demon into Angel was pretty brill, Will.
I wasn't sure it would work.
But it did.
Like a charm.
Maybe you should consider a career as a Watcher.
Oh no, I don't think I could take the stress.
And the dental plan is crap.
I don't know how Giles does it.
I don't think he has a choice. She looks off at: ANGLE: GILES as he hurries to enter a school building. INT. HALL - DAY Jenny enters, Giles moves to Jenny.
Jenny. Jenny --
Rupert. Hi.
I tried to call you last night. See how you were.
Yeah, I left the phone off the hook. I seem to need a lot of sleep lately.
But you're alright? Is there something you need?
(shakes her head) I'm fine. I mean, I'm not "running around, wind in my hair, the hills are alive with the Sound of Music" fine, but I'm coping.
I would like to help.
I know.
Perhaps we could talk some time. Have dinner, or a drink -- when you're feeling stronger.
Sure. Some time. He moves to put his hand on her arm. She flinches, jerking subtly away. He puts his arm down.
Yeah, some time... I better get to class.
Of course. Buffy approaches him.
How is she?
The hills are not alive.
I'm sorry to hear that... I think...
I don't imagine she'll ever really forgive me. Maybe she shouldn't.
Maybe you should.
I never wanted you to see that side of me.
I'm not gonna lie. It was scary. I'm used to you being, you know, The Grown-up. And then I find out that you're a person.
Most grown-ups are.
Who would've thought?
Some of them are even very short- sighted, foolish people.
So after all this time it turns out we do have something in common. Which, apart from being a little weird... is kind of okay. He is quiet -- too grateful to say anything just yet.
I think we're supposed to be training, right?
Uh, yes. Need to concentrate on your flexibility.
(holds up CD) I got the perfect music. He eyes the CD.
Go on, you know you want to say it. A moment, then he dives in:
That isn't music, it's just meaningless sounds.
There. Feel better?
Yes, thank you. They head off.
The Bay City Rollers, now that's music.
(an "I don't know you" look) Oh, god... BLACK OUT.
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