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Bad Eggs (November 10, 1997) Written by: Marti Noxon |
| Teaser |
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INT. SUNNYDALE MALL - NIGHT BUFFY and JOYCE walk along. They have a couple of bags. Buffy is in wheedle mode, but it's not working.
Come on, Mom, please?
I'm sorry, honey.
But... don't you understand? This is so important!
It's an outfit. An outfit that you may never buy.
But... I looked good in it!
You looked like a streetwalker.
But a thin streetwalker! (beat) That's probably not gonna be the winning argument, is it?
You're just too young to wear that.
I'm gonna be too young to wear that till I'm too old to wear that.
That's the plan... (looking at her watch) Oh. Stores are gonna close and I still need to order the flyers for the opening. Joyce makes a decision. Looks through her purse and finds a receipt.
Okay, I'll go to the printers and then get our food. You go pick up my outfit from the tailors at Everyday Woman. Here's the receipt--
"Everyday Woman?" Why didn't you go straight to "Muumuus R Us"? Joyce points Buffy in the right direction.
Do now. Make fun of your mother later. Buffy heads off on her mission. Joyce also moves off. Buffy walks toward "Everyday woman", a totally "L7" clothing store. She can't help but notice a YOUNG, STUDLY GUY in western-style clothes, who's clearly hitting on a CUTE GIRL. The girl sits on a bench outside the store. He stands by her, one foot on the bench. He talks, she laughs shyly. Buffy turns to head into the store, then stops. ANGLE: MIRROR ALONG THE ESCALATOR shows the reflection of the girl. Alone. She gets up. Buffy turns, all business, as the (vampire) cowboy heads the girl toward a hallway. Buffy looks around, then slowly heads after them. INT. HALLWAY OUTSIDE ARCADE - CONTINUOUS - NIGHT Buffy comes to an arcade, stops. The place is closed, but the security gate has been jimmied open. She listens, then starts forward. INT. ARCADE Cowboy (LYLE GORCH) and girl are already up against a video game, kissing playfully. He has his hat off, his face buried in her neck.
You know... you got about the prettiest neck I've ever seen.
Wow, you guys really don't ever come up with new lines, do you? He turns to face Buffy, standing some fifteen feet away. He is in VAMP FACE, growling. The girl, not noticing the change, turns to Buffy also.
Do you mind? We were talkin' here.
(to the vamp) But you promised you'd never cheat on me again, honey...
(uncomfortable) Uh, I better go... Lyle turns on her, growls.
I ain't done yet. She starts back in horror, then takes off at a good clip. Lyle steps up toward Buffy.
All right then, sugarlips. I'm all yours. He lunges for her and she sends him reeling with a series of blows. He falls back, coming back up in vamp face.
You're a rough one, ain't ya? I like that. In a FLASH he comes at her. They trade blows but he gets in close. He gets a hold of her, lifts her HIGH off the ground and SLAMS her into the WALL.
(leering) A pretty little tidbit like you with so much kick... Have to be the slayer I've been hearing so much about- Lyle Gorch. Pleased to meet you. In answer, BuffY viciously KNEES him in the FACE. He drops her and she SWEEP KICKS his legs out from under him.
Pleasure's mine. She STRADDLES him, producing a STAKE from her jacket. She RAISES the STAKE. But Lyle manages to ROLL OUT FROM UNDER HER and get to his feet. They are both breathing hard, and the humor is gone from his gaze.
This ain't over, girl. And he's gone. Buffy, winded, does not give chase.
Oh, sure... they say they'll call... INT. FOOD COURT - NIGHT Buffy's mom in now sitting at the table with dinner. Buffy comes to the table, looking a little worse for the wear. She sits.
Oh, bliss. Mall food. She starts to eat. Joyce just looks at her.
Buffy.
Mom.
Where's my dress.
Your--? (realizing) Oh. Oh my God.
Buffy, what were you -- no, let me guess. You were distracted by a boy.
Technically.
Buffy...
Well, I'll get it --
They're closed. I'll have to fit it in tomorrow. Buffy sits, contrite.
Sorry.
A little responsibility, Buffy, that's all I ask. Honestly, don't you ever think about anything besides boys and clothes?
Saving the world from vampires. Joyce stares at her.
I swear, sometimes I have no idea what goes on in your head. Off Buffy's look... BLACK OUT.
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| Act One |
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INT. BROOM CLOSET - DAY BLACK Out of the darkness we hear the sound of SMOOTCHIES.
Ummmmmm.
Ohhhhhh. Then two familiar voices-
Xander?
Shhhhh.
I'm just worried that we're going to miss class- A beat. An overhead light comes on. In the light, XANDER and CORDELIA back away from each other.
You know. It's really better for me if you don't talk.
Well. It's really better for me with the lights off. She reaches for the STRING that turns the light off. BLACK Sound of SMOOTCHIES AGAIN. For a beat. Then another CLICK- The lights are BACK ON. Now Xander holds the string.
Are you saying you can't look at me when we... whatever we do?
It's not that I can't. It's more that I... don't want to.
That's great. That's just dandy. We're repulsed by each other. We hide from our friends--
(horrified) I should hope. Please.
All and all. This thing is not what I'd call a self-esteem booster.
Tell me about it. I mean, look at you. Where did you get those shoes?
Okay. You know what? I don't need this. He reaches for the door. Cordelia follows suit.
Ditto. Like a hole in the head. Their hands touch. That's all it takes. They're all over each other - wild with... inexplicable... passion. As they LOWER OUT OF FRAME, Cordelia grabs the string to the light. BLACK PRELAP:
Sex!! FADE UP ON: INT. MR. WHITMORE'S CLASSROOM - DAY WILLOW, Xander and Cordelia (both looking a bit mussed) are in TEEN HEALTH CLASS, which is taught by a slight, somewhat nebbishy guy, MR. WHITMORE. There are posters an the wall about vegetables, teen pregnancy, that sort of stuff. Mr. Whitmore is pacing while the assembled class looks on.
The sex drive in the human animal is intense-- Willow squirms uncomfortably as DAVE, an ENORMOUS, DUMB JOCK looks over at her, smiles.
How many of us have lost countless productive hours plagued by unwanted sexual thoughts and feelings -- ? Xander's hand shoots up.
That was a rhetorical question, Mr. Harris. Not a poll.
Oh. Hand goes down.
Of course, for teenagers such an yourselves these feelings are even more overwhelming. With all sorts of hormones surging through your bodies, compelling you to action - it's often difficult to remember that there are negative consequences to having sex. would anyone care to offer one such consequence? Cordelia's hand shoots up.
That depends. Are you talking about sex in a car or out of a car? Because one time - a friend of mine, not me - kicked the gear shift in a Miata that was parked at the top of this hill and--
(interrupting her) I was thinking of something a little more... commonplace, Ms. Chase. Xander, jealous despite himself, shoots Cordelia a look and puts his hand up--
You want to talk negative consequence? How about the heartbreak of halitosis? I mean, a girl may seem spiffy, but if she ignores her flossing, the bloom is definitely off the rose-- And now Cordelia's hand is up again.
Like that compares to kissing a guy who thinks the Hoover technique is a big turn on--
Okay. Anyone--
What about having to feign interest in her vapid, little chit-chat just to get some touch? Boot cut jeans, pro or con? Can you say - get a life!? ON CLASS Who are all intently watching them. Xander and Cordy suddenly realize they are in the spotlight. Oops.
Now? Another consequence of sexual activity? Anyone? Cordelia is about to speak --
-- else?
How about pregnancy? That would be a major one - right?
Thank you, Ms. Rosenberg. Among teens unwanted pregnancy would be the number one negative consequence of sexual activity. This is partly because Some teens think of a baby as a toy, or as a companion who will give them love. The truth, of course, is that a child is a relentless, needy tyrant. So, as discussed last week, I've devised an exercise that may give you some idea of what an enormous burden having your own tiny charge can be-- Whitmore moves to his desk - uncovers a FULL CRATE OF EGGS he has hidden there.
Ladies and gentlemen. I present you with your offspring. Your assignment is as follows. You will split into parenting teams. You and your partner will share equally in the daily task of "raising" your egg. He holds up a small composition notebook.
Every aspect of your child's care will be recorded in this daily log. If your egg breaks - you have killed your child. Naturally, this will affect your grade. Now, please, choose a partner and pick up your children. There is general hubbub in the room as people scramble to pair up. ON XANDER AND CORDELIA Who glare at each other. Then Cordelia turns and grabs a BUFF BABE. Xander follows suit, sidling up to a CUTE LITTLE MUFFIN, who has already been assigned an egg.
(to Muffin) I know we just met, but isn't that Xander Jr. you're holding? The girl giggles. Cordelia sees this, turns away - annoyed. ON WILLOW Who sees DAVE barrelling toward her. She looks desperately around for another partner. But everyone is already attached. Off Willow's despair-- INT. LIBRARY - DAY Willow and Xander enter. Willow carries a small EGG CARTON with her. Buffy is there, looking through some books.
Buffy. How come you weren't in class?
Vampire issues. Did Mister Whitmore notice that I was tardy?
I think the word you're searching for is 'absent'.
(agreeing) Tardy people show.
Oh. Right.
And, yes, he noticed. So he wanted me to give you this. Willow hands BUFFY an EGG. Buffy takes it, puzzled.
As punishments go, this is fairly abstract.
No, it's your baby.
Okay, I get it even less.
You know, it's the whole "sex leads to responsibility" thing, which I really don't get. You gotta take care of the egg, it's a baby, gotta keep it safe and teach it Christian values.
My egg is Jewish.
Then teach it that dreidel song.
God, I can't do this... I can't take care of stuff! I killed my gigapet. Literally! I sat on it and it broke. She puts her egg on the counter.
You'll do fine.
The only thing that stresses me is, when do we tell them they're adopted?
I'll just lay it all off on my partner. Who'd I get?
Well. There was an uneven number of kids - and you didn't show, so...
I'm a single mother?
No man of her own...
At least you're not paired with Gordon the pig boy.
What does this say about me? That I'm doomed to live my mother's life? How deeply scary is that?
How about this - it says nothing. It means nothing. This whole egg experiment is completely pointless-- GILES emerges from the stacks - dusty volume in hand, natch.
Success at last. Your new playmate is a fellow of some repute, it seems. He puts the book down -- almost on Buffy's egg. She snatches it to safety at the last second, looks at the book. CLOSE ON An old photograph of LYLE, the cowboy vamp, and another guy in western garb. The other fellow is a big, lumbering sort.
Lyle Gorch. The other one is his brother Tector. They're from Abeline. Made their reputation massacring a Mexican village in 1886.
Friendly little demons...
No, that was before they became vampires. (off their looks) The good news is, they're not among the great thinkers of our time. I doubt they're up to much; They were probably just drawn here by the hellmouth's energy.
Enough said. I propose that Buffy slays them. All in favor?
(raises her hand) Aye.
Great. Now I have to worry about Butch and Sundance while I'm taking care of junior here.
You might need some help with those two, they are pretty -- (stops, puzzled) Why do you all have eggs?
(delighted) Hey. Maybe Angel could help you find the Gorches.
Good idea. You really ought to strengthen your numbers when you go up against these two.
Oh right. I see a lot of "hunting" getting done in that scenario. Angel and Buffy. Alone. Late at night.
(to Xander) Please. Like Angel and I are just helpless slaves to passion. Grow up. EXT. CEMETERY - NIGHT Buffy and ANGEL are leaning against a tree. Kissing madly. It's pretty hot. Finally, Buffy breaks away.
We should--
I know-- They start to kiss again. Then--
Yeah, this really isn't "hunting" in the classical sense. We should get to work.
You're right. Okay. Angel tries to pull it together, as does Buffy. They move away from the tree, walk a bit.
You see anything?
No.
Okay. Enough hunting. She jumps him. They fall together again, laughing. ON GORCH BROTHERS Who are hidden behind a large tomb. Watching Buffy and Angel neck. As in the picture, Lyle's older brother, TECTOR, is a large, graceless guy. He's not the sharpest tool in the shed - but what he lacks in brains he makes up for in sheer, brutish power. Like Lyle, he speaks with a Texas drawl.
That's the Slayer?
Yep.
And ain't that Angelus with her?
Yep.
Well, then, how come she's not slaying and how come he's--
I don't know, Tector. How come you always have to ask so many damn questions?
(impressed) So that's Angelus. The Angelus. (then) You gonna take him, or you want me to, Lyle?
I say we leave it. Get her when she's alone.
Why? You scared?
'Course not. I could whip both of em' right now.
So why don't you?
(flaring) Listen. I got a plan. You leave the thinking to me, remember? Don't I always take care of you? Lyle starts to move off and Tector follows. As they disappear into the darkness--
I know, Lyle. You do the thinking. That's your department. (then) So tell me again why we can't kill am now? FADE TO: INT. BUFFY'S BEDROOM - NIGHT Buffy, dressed for sleep, enters with her egg in a makeshift "bed" - a little basket that in lined with dish towels. She sets him down on her windowsill - arranges his covers.
Alrighty then egg dude-- She checks her "egg log" - a written diary (in the small composition notebook) of the egg's daily schedule.
Feeding. Check. Burping. Check. Diapers. Check. (adjusts the towel around the egg) Sort of. In theory. (to egg) Okay, kid. Sweet dreams. She gives him a nice pat. Goes to her bed and climbs in. Lights out. DISSOLVE TO: EXT. BUFFY'S HOUSE - NIGHT We move toward the house. Ominously. Something wicked this way comes. INT. BUFFY'S BEDROOM - LATER - NIGHT Buffy is now sound asleep. We move across her still form to the WINDOW. Is there movement there, or is it just a shadow? Then, suddenly, a chip of shell spontaneously BREAKS from Buffy's egg. And a single, hairy TENDRIL emerges from the crack. The tendril silently snakes across the windowsill, clearly heading for BUFFY. BLACK OUT.
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| Act Two |
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INT. BUFFY'S BEDROOM - NIGHT Back to the tendril. Now it's made it's way over to Buffy's bed. It slides up the covers, over her legs and chest, winding it's way up to her FACE. When it arrives, the tendril FLATTENS AND WIDENS, covering her face like a black mask. Then it starts to PULSE, gently, persistently. Moving from the tendril to the egg - we see that the egg itself has started to GLOW, ever so faintly. CUT TO: INT. TUNNEL - EARLY MORNING CLOSE ON: A DEAD RAT as it is thrown to the floor.
I'm tired of rat. I want something good to eat. They are huddled against the wall. Early morning rays shine through a grate at the other end of the tunnel.
We'll get you the good stuff. Just gotta be patient.
Why can't we stay in a nice place? A motel or something, with an ice machine.
Gotta keep a low profile till we've taken care of this Slayer.
How come Angelus is gettin' all snuggly with her? Does the man have no code?
Are you gonna pester me with questions all the damn day?
I just don't like it here. I'm cold, and I'm bored and there ain't a decent whore in the whole city limits.
Well, this is the thanks I get. Don't I always look after you? Didn't I near raise you myself? Burden that you were, I shoulda left you on a doorstep when mama blew town.
Oh, don't say that...
Now, I'm taking care of this. We'll hit the Slayer when she's down, when she ain't looking. Then this town is ours.
Are you afraid of her?
Playing it safe, is all. We'll follow her some more. Find our time. This ain't over.
(schoolyard taunt) You're afraid of the Slayer...
You want me to sit your ass down in that sunlight?
Think you can?
Come on! They start rasslin', just like brothers.
Is that all you got? Is that all you got...? INT. BUFFY'S BEDROOM - LATER - DAY The sun now bathes the room in light, washing away all signs of ultra creepy weirdness. The egg looks COMPLETELY NORMAL again, except for the fact that it seems too big for its bowl today. Buffy's ALARM goes off and she wakes painfully, barely able to raise a weak arm to turn the thing off. She sits on the edge of her bed, feeling horrible.
Oh, God... She gets up and goes to the egg. Sees that it appears to be larger today, but shrugs it off. Picks it up in its little basket. INT. BUFFY'S KITCHEN - DAY Buffy comes into the kitchen, dragging. She's dressed for school and carries her egg in its little basket. Her mother is pouring herself coffee -- Buffy takes the cup and sips it, makes a face.
At least eat something if you're going to drink that.
Not that hungry.
How goes the parenting?
Fine.
You sure your egg is secure in there?
Did I ask for backseat mommying?
Sorry. Are we a little touchy this morning?
I just feel all funky. Joyce feels her forehead.
You don't have a temperature.
It's not that - I just didn't sleep well.
What's the matter - did your egg keep you up all night?
You're killing me. She picks up a muffin and her egg came as she heads out.
Parenting is a pain.
Wait till it starts dating. ANGLE: THE COUNTER Where the egg case was, there in a bit of blue goo. INT. LIBRARY - DAY Giles is re-shelving some books when Buffy, Xander and Willow enter.
Why are you three about? Don't you have class?
Teen health got canceled.
Mr. Whitmore's out today - couldn't get an egg-sitter or something. Both Willow and Buffy are obviously out of it. They sit heavily. Buffy lays her head on the table.
Well, then could you give me a hand?
No.
How did the hunt go last night, Buffy?
No go.
You didn't go, or you were unsuccessful?
No Gorches.
Apparently, Buffy has decided that the problem with the English language is all those pesky words. (to Buffy) You. Angel. Big. Smoochies?
Shut. Up.
It's true. You and Willow do appear to be awfully sluggish. Are you quite sure you're alright?
Maybe it was something we ate...
Or perhaps it's the burden of parenthood. Notice how seriously both of you have taken this egg thing - while I, in turn, chose a more balanced approach-- He produces his egg from a jacket pocket. Starts tossing it in the air and catching it as he talks. Willow is watching his egg - nervous.
Xander. Maybe you shouldn't--
See? That's just what I'm talking about. You can't stress over every little thing. A child picks up on that - which is a one-way ticket to neurotic city-- This time he misses the catch. Willow, Buffy and Giles GASP. CLOSE ON EGG SLO MO - as it falls to the carpet. But instead of breaking - it BOUNCES. Rolls to a stop. BACK ON GANG
It didn't break! (then) Why didn't it break? Xander scoops the egg up.
That's the other secret to conscientious egg-care. A pot of scalding water and about eight minutes.
You BOILED your young?
I know it sounds harsh. But sometimes you have to be harsh to be kind. You can bet little Xander here in thick-skinned now-- CLOSE ON SHELF AS GILES IS PUTTING A BOOK AWAY We see AN EGG hidden among the books. Giles doesn't notice it.
Technically, that would be called cheating, yes?
No! It's just like taking a shortcut, you know, if you're running a race.
That would also be cheating.
You should be ashamed.
I suppose there is a sort of machiavellian ingenuity to your transgression...
I resent that!... Or, possibly, thank you...
Bit of both would suit. Cordelia enters, walks up to the table.
Figures, you three are all hanging in the dungeon while something major is going on at Sunnydale High.
And what would that be, Cordelia? Barrette appreciation day?
Mr. Whitmore didn't show today.
That news is of the past.
He can't be reached. He's missing. And presumed dead.
Presumed by whom?
Well, me.
I think we might wait a few hours before we give up on him completely.
Well I think we should look around. Don't you, Xander? She gives him a pointed look, revealing her ulterior motive -- but not to him.
It can wait.
You're awfully gung-ho.
(to Xander) Well, his body could fall out of a closet somewhere. We should check every closet to see if he's in a closet. Xander gets it.
Of course. There could be a closet... Let's go. He heads down, the two of them heading out as he instructs the others:
You guys look for other clues. We'll meet back here.
(no intention of stirring) We'll get right on that.
(watches them leave) Are they getting weirder? Have you noticed the weirdness of them?
I don't know. Should we be having guilt about not looking for Mr. Whitmore?
I think you can hold off on that. I'd prefer you save your strength for hunting the Gorches.
Yeah, I'll be fine by tonight. Maybe sweep the cemetery.
Be careful. If you're still feeling sluggish --
No worries.
And you've got Angel helping you, right?
Yeah, he, uh... does what he can. EXT. GRAVEYARD - NIGHT Angel and Buffy are leaning against a tomb this time. Major league necking. Finally, they come up for air.
As much as I hate to say this - we should go kill bad guys.
It's late. You should get home.
What about the Gorches?
I'll hunt.
Really? You'd do that?
It's not like I have an early day tomorrow.
True. And I still have to go home and fill out my egg diary.
Your - what?
I told you. That faux parenting gig I'm doing in school. (then) Like I'm really planning to have kids any time soon. Someday, when I'm done having a life maybe. A kid would be too much to deal with now.
I wouldn't know. (then/carefully) I don't... Well, you know, I can't. This sinks in.
Oh. (then/re-grouping) Well, it's totally okay. I figured there are all kinds of things vampires can't do like, you know, work for the telephone company, volunteer for the red cross. Have little vampires...
(skeptical) So you don't think about the future.
No.
Never.
No.
How can you say that? You're not like me. You could have a normal life. (off her look) You know what I mean. Less not normal. You really don't care what happens a year from now? Five years from now -- ?
I - I can't care. (with difficulty) Angel. when I try to look into the future, all I can see... is you-- Angel shakes his head.
(pained) Buffy--
And I don't have a choice. Don't you know that? If I could do the logic thing, you think I would even be here? (then) All I can see is you... All I want is you. A beat. Finally - Angel node. Giving into it.
(quietly) I know the feeling. He draws her back into his arms. They kiss tenderly, passionately. Tomorrow entirely forgotten. INT. HALLWAY AT SCHOOL - NIGHT The NIGHTWATCHMAN walks down the hall, checking doors. He finds the door to the BOILER ROOM ajar. Goes in. INT. BOILER ROOM - NIGHT He comes in, tries the light. It doesn't work. He goes slowly down the steps, shining his flash light around. There is a noise from the back of the room. He heads that way, still slow and careful. He reaches the corner and finds: ANGLE: A HOLE Dug in the wall. A pool of darkness that the guard moves slowly toward, brows furrowed. He moves closer. Sticks his head in. Mr. Whitmore steps up behind him and given him a violent SHOVE into the hole. We hear the guard tumble, screaming, then hit the ground hard. Whitmore is dirty, sweaty -- and completely expressionless. Picking up a pick axe, he steps into the hole. INT. BUFFY'S BEDROOM - NIGHT We see the egg in f.g. on Buffy's night table next to her bed. it moves slightly, accompanied by a tiny CLICKING sound, then stops. RACK TO F.G. as Buffy climbs in her window. Buffy moves towards us, perhaps a little dreamy still from her "hunt" with Angel. CLOSER - Buffy, hearing the CLICKING sound. She looks around, then she looks down. The egg is large in frame, moving slightly as Buffy leans in, curious, her face getting closer and closer to the egg. ANGLE - THE EGG Still. Then jiggling a little. Then still. BUFFY - moves even closer THE EGG (Buffy is not in this shot) - explodes! (Special effects.) BUFFY - leaps back, horrified. C.G.I. SHOT -- a horrible and slimy creature bursts out of the shells. And leaps at camera. BUFFY DUCKS -- the creature just misses her -- Buffy spins in time to see: ANGLE THE FLOOR -- (Puppeteer shot) The creature skitters across the floor going in front of the bed. From Buffy's POV it could very well have gone underneath it. BUFFY - Never taking her eyes off the bed, she backs to a shelf, picks up a large book to squash the creature with. Creeps back towards the bed, kneels down. Carefully picks up the dust ruffle. REVERSE ANGLE - The dust ruffle is pulled back, revealing Buffy's face. She looks past camera carefully, creepily. Nothing. BUFFY - slowly gets up, looks around. She turns slowly around. No creature... she keeps turning, eying every corner of the room. Still no creature... until it falls on her from above. Hitting her neck, trying to scuttle down the back of her blouse. Buffy drops the book, grabs the creature with both hands, struggling with it, flings if off her. ANGLE - FLOOR NEAR VANITY - (Puppeteer shot) - The creature skitters under the vanity. Buffy hears more skittering. Buffy's POV - moving from the vanity towards the bookshelves. Buffy hurls open a vanity drawer, grabs a SHARP LETTER OPENER, stalks towards the shelves. HEARS MORE SKITTERING. POV - WHIP PAN from the shelves to behind Buffy's bedside table where the cracked egg shells reside. Buffy moves closer and closer to the end table, letter opener ready to stab. ANGLE - BUFFY - Moving towards camera. Behind her on the wall, slightly out of focus (puppeteer shot) we see the creature moving up the wall. Buffy looks down at the end table as the creature moves just a little higher on the wall right behind her. The sound so soft only a Slayer might hear it. She cocks her head slightly, still looking towards us and -- without turning -- whips her hand back and nails the sucker right in the middle of its horrid body. Then she pulls letter opener and creature out of the wall and slams it on the ground, stabbing it again. Blue goo dribbles out of the creature and it lies still.
Yuck. Buffy, shook, stares down at the creature, then leans over and grabs the chord to her phone, pulling phone off night stand and onto the floor. She dials hurriedly.
Come on, pick up. INTERCUT WITH INT. WILLOW'S BEDROOM - NIGHT Willow, awake, answers her phone.
Hello?
Willow. Are you okay?
Why shouldn't I be?
Your egg. Is it doing anything?
Doing what?
Break it. Right now. Smash it with something heavy.
Buffy, what--
My egg just went postal on me. It hatched - some kind of crawly monster thing jumped on me-
Are you okay?
Yeah, but your egg--
It's totally normal. I put it in the fridge.
Okay...
Maybe it was a trap. Something the Gorch brothers planted for you.
Maybe... (pulls it together) Okay. I'm sorry to wake you. Get back to sleep.
You sure?
Yeah. I'm better. I'm fine. ON WILLOW
Okay. I'll see you tomorrow. Willow hangs up and we WIDEN to see her sitting at her desk, looking straight ahead. Strangely emotionless. Her EGG is right next to her. CONSPICUOUSLY HATCHED. BLACK OUT.
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| Act Three |
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INT. BUFFY'S BEDROOM - NIGHT CLOSE ON CLOCK It's 2:42 AM. ON BUFFY Who is hanging-up from her call with Willow.
(entering) Buffy, who are you talking to at this... Buffy hurriedly drapes a shirt over the creature as her mother stops, staring at her.
Why are you dressed? Where exactly do you think you're going at three o'clock in the morning?
Nowhere --
Who was that on the phone?
It was Willow... I just called 'cause she wasn't feeling well and I was worried.
You're gonna have to do better than that, young lady.
I... had a bad dream...
No, you're about to have a bad dream. A dream that you're grounded for the rest of your natural life -- Joyce's tirade carries into: INT. JOYCE'S CAR - DAY Buffy looks fried. She's in total lecture overload.
...which means no after-school socializing. No Bronze. No nothing, not until I give you the say so. Do you understand?
Yes. But--
Yes or no. That's all I want to hear from you. Joyce pull's up in front of school.
Now. School ends at 2:30. I want you to go to the library at 2:33 and study until I pick you up there at 5:30. Understood?
Yes.
Good. Have a nice day. Buffy climbs out of the car. Mom takes off. EXT. SUNNYDALE HIGH - FRONT ENTRANCE - DAY All the kids are arriving for the day. Buffy sees CORDELIA and moves to her. Cordy, going with the "sweet but naughty" schoolgirl look, carries an ADORABLE TEDDY BEAR BACKPACK.
Nice bear. Listen, is your --
I'll have you know my father brought this back for me from Gstaad years ago. Then all of a sudden these trendoids everywhere are sporting them. So I've been totally not wearing it. But then I was - "Hey! I started this whole nation-wide craze. What am I ashamed of?"
Okay, soliloquy girl... I just wanted to know about your egg.
My egg?
You know the egg that Mr. Whitmore gave to you?
I've got it in my bear. I'm going to ace this experiment. No sweat. You think keeping an egg intact for a week is effortful? Try not breaking a silk-wrapped nail.
And your egg isn't acting... odd or anything? Cordy looks at her like this is the dumbest thing she's ever heard.
It's not "acting" anything. It's an egg, Buffy. It doesn't emote. She scoffs. They continue walking toward school. ON XANDER Who sits on one of the benches at the top of the stairs. He pulls a cheesy-looking BREAKFAST BAR from his school bag and unwraps it. It looks dry, unappetizing. He takes a bite.
Ummmm. Card-boardy. He tosses it. Considers something. Then he reaches into his pack - pulls out his egg.
(to egg) Sorry, Junior. A man's gotta eat. He cracks the egg on the bench. Rolls it. ON WILLOW Who joins Buffy and Cordy. Cordy is yakking with one of the Cordettes - not paying Willow and Buffy any mind.
Sorry about calling you so late last night.
That's okay. I was awake.
What were you doing up?
Just couldn't sleep, I guess. (then) So, was there any more "hatchling" activity last night?
No.I think you may be right. My egg may have been some kind of booby trap the vamps laid for me. So far, it seems like everybody else's are normal.
You didn't bring the "thing" that attacked you, did you?
Yeah. I called Giles and he's in research mode. Wants to see it. They move toward the front steps of the school.
Well, take it to the science lab. I'll get Giles and we can analyze it.
Great. I always say - a day without an autopsy is like a day without sunshine... As they walk off we MOVE CLOSE to Willow's BACK and see an odd lump under her clothes, Two tentacles extend from under her shirt and FUSE into her body at the base of her spinal cord. ON XANDER who is about to bite into his hard-boiled egg. CLOSE ON EGG It's a HORRIBLE, DEFORMED hard-boiled MONSTER. One bloodshot EYE stares up at him. BACK ON XANDER As he takes in this gruesome sight. ON BUFFY, WILLOW AND CORDELIA Who all react to XANDER'S (O.C.) SCREAM. INT. SCIENCE ROOM - DAY CLOSE ON The "thing" that hatched in Buffy's room and the egg that Xander almost bit into. Both are laid out in dissection trays. ON BUFFY, XANDER, & CORDELIA Who stare down at the things with varying levels of disgust.
Can I just say-- (he shudders) Uhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.
I see your uhhhhhhhhhhh and raise You a gnyeh.
What is it?
We don't know what it is, Cordelia. That's why we're here. Capiche?
Capiche? Like you're Mr. World Traveler. Willow enters, joins them.
Where's Giles? I know he'd hate to miss this.
He said we should get started and he'd be by as soon as possible. Xander hands Buffy a small scalpel.
So. Okay. Get started Buffy. Dissect it or something.
Dissect it? Why me?
You're the Slayer.
I slayed! My work here in done. She hands the scalpel back to Xander.
Oh no. I almost ate one of these things. I've fulfilled my gross-out quota for the decade.
Guys? She takes the scalpel. Cuts. Some BLUE GOOP SPURTS. Buffy, Xander and Cordy all react.
Do we have any idea what to look for? I mean, how are we supposed to figure out what this thing is?
Turn it over. Maybe we missed its I.D. bracelet. CLOSE ON CORDELIA'S BACKPACK Unbeknownst to all, the BEAR undulates slightly. Little cub paws and legs writhing. CLOSER STILL ON BACKPACK One of the teddy bear's EYES starts to push out from its socket. It gives and POPS off. As does the other one. Two HAIRY TENDRILS EMERGE from the eyes and WORM DOWN CORDELIA'S BACK. ON BUFFY, ET AL
So now I guess we know what happened to Mr. Whitmore.
He saw one of these things and ran away?
Try - best case scenario.
It's possible that Mr. Whitmore wasn't harmed. Maybe the offspring simply used him to return to the mother Bezoar.
Yeah. Maybe he-- (then/to willow) What?
What's a Bezo-- But before Buffy can finish asking the question, CORDELIA BLIND SIDES her with a lead pipe.
Hey! She drops.
Cordy! What-- He turns just in time to see an expressionless WILLOW, about to bring a heavy microscope down on his head. INT. JANITOR'S CLOSET - DAY Buffy and Xander are dragged in by their friends, who leave and shut the door. INT. SCHOOL HALLWAY - DAY Willow and Cordelia lock the door. The both have the same distant stares. The same "zombie" body-language. Without a word, they start down the hall, joining other students and teachers who are similarly afflicted. CLOSE ON ONE OF THE STUDENTS We see the now familiar tentacles boring into his back at the base of his spine. EXT./INT. GROUNDSKEEPER'S SHED - DAY The door opens and Willow enters, grabs an axe. Cordy and others follow, grabbing picks, hoes -- any thing you can dig with. INT. HALL OUTSIDE BOILER ROOM - DAY They head for the door. INT. BOILER ROOM - DAY They go down the stairs and into the room. They file into the hole and disappear. Whitmore stands by the hole, even dirtier than before, watching them enter. EXT. SCHOOL - NIGHT To establish. INT. LIBRARY - NIGHT Joyce enters the library. It appears to be empty.
Buffy? Hello? Giles emerges from his office.
Hello.
Mr. Giles, hello. I was looking for Buffy. She was supposed to wait for me here.
She's not been in. I was waiting to talk to her about history texts.
Well, that is just the last straw.
I'm sure she didn't mean to --
She never means to, but somehow she always manages to anyway. Do you have children, Mr. Giles? (sudden cringe) Should I be whispering?
No, and no I haven't any children. Although sometimes I feel as though I do. Working here.
They can be such a -- I don't want to say burden, but... actually, I kind of do want to say burden.
Feel free.
Burden. Thank you. They're just so irresponsible.
Sometimes... She notices a couple of books on the counter.
"Bristow's Demon Index"? "Hell's Offspring"?
Hobby of mine. But not having to do with Buffy in any way. He takes the book and goes back behind the counter, dropping them in a book cart. He appears perplexed, coming back to Joyce, the counter between them now.
Buffy told you she'd be here? All afternoon?
Well, yes... is something wrong?
I'm sure it's nothing... There is a BANG from the hallway -- a door slammed open, probably. Giles' fur is suddenly up.
What was that?
(turning to the door) Probably the janitor... Giles puts a creature on the back of her neck. She screams, falls as it scrambles down under her shirt. ON GILES Void of feeling. Watching the thing attack her. BLACK OUT.
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| Act Four |
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INT. HALL OUTSIDE LIBRARY - EVENING A couple of zombified students walk past the library. After a few beats the doors open and Giles and Joyce walk into the hall, heading down in the same direction. INT. JANITOR'S CLOSET - EVENING Buffy sits up, feeling her head where she was hit. She sees Xander lying beside her, touches his shoulder.
Xander? He stirs, groaning. Stays on his back, looking up in a slight daze.
Are you okay?
Man, the last time Cordy dragged me in here was a lot nicer...
What?
Uh, nothing. Crazy talk. Head trauma.
(feels her head) Yeah, I'm gonna have a bump...
(feeling his) I'm gonna have a peninsula here. What the hell is going on? Cordy, and Willow...
(rising) Something to do with our hatchlings, I'm sure of that. She tries the door. It's locked. Xander sits up, moving slowly.
What are they, possessed?
I don't know. They sure wanted us out of the way.
Why not kill us? Why drag us in here -- oh. As he says it looks to the side -- and the camera arms down to reveal two eggs sitting on a crate. As they come into view, one of them jiggles, making that clicking sound.
(small voice) Bad now. Buffy sees 'em too. Grabs a heavy tool chest and slams it down on top of them. BLUE GOO OOZES out from under the chest.
(schwarzeneggar) You're scrambled. He gets up as Buffy moves back to the door.
See, we make a great team. You kill, I pun. Buffy rears back and KICKS the door open. INT. LIBRARY - NIGHT Buffy and Xander enter at a decent clip.
Giles?
Giles! He must be out somewhere.
He picked a hell of a time to get a life.
What do we do?
We can't fight these things unless we know something about them.
Willow said something... a name... what was it?
A Bozo! Not a bozo.
Bezoar.
Yes! Great. Okay, so, we look it up.
In what?
A book? She crosses to the table, Xander following.
Giles said he was gonna try to find something. Buffy looks at a couple of books open on Giles' desk.
Okay, I'd say he found something. ANGLE: A BOOK is open to a picture of an egg creature. Xander steps up to look and we hear something crunch under his foot.
I'd say something found him. He points to: ANGLE: THE BROKEN EGG ON THE FLOOR Buffy looks at it grimly. INT. BOILER ROOM - NIGHT Joyce and Giles walk calmly into the boiler room, a couple of students a ways ahead. They proceed into the hole. INT. UNDERGROUND CAVE - CONTINUOUS - NIGHT They come down into a vast (TV-wise), dark tunnel junction. Tunnels go off in different directions, abandoned and partially caved in. The walls are brick and concrete. The floor is a rocky pit, in the process of being dug even deeper by the twenty or so people inside. They use picks, rakes, shovels -- everything they can find. Among the diggers are Willow and Mr. Whitmore. ANGLE: CORDELIA is with the security guard and a few others. They are pulling eggs out of a sort of gooey web in the corner of the pit, putting them in crates. INT. LIBRARY - NIGHT Buffy is reading, talking.
A pre-prehistoric parasite... the mother hibernates underground, laying eggs. Offspring attach themselves to a host, taking control of their motor functions through neural clamping.
Neural clamping? That sounds skippable.
So our people are taking orders from the mama Bezoar. Which begs the question --
What does mommy want? There is a SCREAM from outside.
Ahhh! Get it off me! Get it off! The two rush out into the hall, run to the nearby stairs. JOHNATHAN on the staircase. As Buffy and Xander approach, he gets up, suddenly calm.
Are you all right?
Yes, I'm fine. I slipped. He moves past them, smiling blandly. Walks down the hall.
I think I hear mommy calling... Xander nods. They follow, at a discreet distance. INT. BOILER ROOM - NIGHT They enter, still making with the calm. Johnathan disappears down the hole. They pause.
Do we really wanna go in there?
We really don't. They follow. INT. UNDERGROUND CAVE - CONTINUOUS - NIGHT They come out to see the digging. They stay in the tunnel entrance, in the shadows. They whisper:
What are they digging up? Buffy looks closely, seen: ANGLE: HOLE IN THE GROUND As two Zombies haul off a broken chunk of rock, widening the small hole the diggers have made. Just within the hole we can see a piece of the MOTHER BEZOAR, a slimy expanse of back that moves and breathes below the cave.
Oh, boy... Xander looks around further, nudges Buffy. Points. ANGLE: THEIR POV OF CORDELIA As she takes a crate load of eggs and heads down a dark tunnel.
We can't let them spread those things.
I know. I'll handle it. Can you hold the fort? Better yet -- can you kill the fort?
I'll try. Xander moves off after Cordy, becoming very calm and deliberate in his movements as he skirts past the others. He disappears into the tunnel. Buffy watches him go, takes another look at the dig.
I'm gonna need a weapon. I'm gonna need a big weapon. She heads back towards: INT. BOILER ROOM - CONTINUOUS - NIGHT She emerges from the tunnel and walks straight into the Gorches. They leer at her. She takes a step back.
Told you it wasn't over.
She's so cute and little. (turns to Lyle) Can we keep her?
Guys, this is not a great time.
It's gonna be. They both rush her -- which she expects. She parries, sends Tector flying back on his ass. Lyle hurls himself at her and they both go flying into the hole -- INT. UNDERGROUND CAVE - CONTINUOUS - NIGHT and into the cave, rolling right into the midst of the zombie throng. They land a bit apart. Lyle stands, bewildered.
What the hell is this? Buffy stands -- and finds herself face to face with her mother. Willow looks up from her digging --
Mom?
Kill them. Mom swings a pickaxe at Buffy -- who blocks it, backing off. Lyle fends off others, also backing up. He and Buffy end up back to back, fending off all and sundry.
What's going on?
Long story! She pushes away a teacher as Lyle knocks someone out. In a moment of brief respite they turn to each other -- and start trading blows. The more zombies attack and they get back to business. INT. TUNNEL - CONTINUOUS - NIGHT Cordy walks along, one other zombie trailing a bit behind. He stops, listening. Turns back. Xander grabs his head and SLAMS it into the brick wall of the tunnel. The guy is out. Cordy places her eggs on the floor and comes at Xander. He weaves away from a punch --
Cordelia, I don't want to hurt you... some of the time... He makes for the eggs and she gets in a glancing blow to the head. He doubles over in major pain.
Ow! That's my bump! He uppercuts her into unconsciousness -- remorse following hard on the swing.
Sorry... INT. UNDERGROUND CAVE - CONTINUOUS - NIGHT Tector emerges from the hole, furious.
Where is that sorry-ass girl? He stops, looking at the tableau of digging and fighting. Buffy and Lyle have reached high ground, at the entrance of a caved-in tunnel, and the zombies are just eyeing them, focussing on containment. Before he has time to register all this, someone comes up next to him. It's Giles. Giles hits him in the back of the head with the flat end of an axe. He goes flying, landing on his belly with his face right over the hole. The Bezoar moving right below his face.
What is that....? An eye opens right below him. A tentacle shoots out and wraps around his head. He is pulled into the hole before he has time to scream. ANGLE: BUFFY AND LYLE Stop to look -- horror on Lyle's face -- and listen, as somewhere down below, Tector finally finds the moment to scream.
Tector! TECTOR! The scream finally dies, replaced by chomping sounds. Lyle turns on Buffy.
This is all your fault!
How? But he grabs her and throws her down toward the hole. She lands hard. Tentacle comes up and wraps around her feet. She looks down at her feet -- then up at her mother, who swings the pickaxe down at her face! Buffy rolls as the axe is buried in the ground next to her head. She grabs hold of it -- and the tentacle yanks her toward the hole. Buffy strains to hold onto the axe - but it pulls free from the rock and Buffy falls into the hole holding it. For a moment we hear nothing. Then we hear a grunt of effort and the very definite SQUISH of an axe going into flesh. Then a SCREAM no human could make. ANGLE: LYLE listening to the fight-- the axe going in again and again. ANGLE: WILLOW AND THE OTHERS stand and listen as well. A final dying scream and we see: ANGLE: THE SMALL OF WILLOW'S BACK As the creature on it dies and slumps to the ground. Willow blinks, dazed, then sinks to ground in a dead faint. Lyle watches as everyone else does the same. For a sec nothing is moving in here. ANGLE: THE HOLE A hand -- another -- and Buffy pulls herself out of the hole. She is covered in blue gunk. And looks about as deadly pissed about that fact as a human can be. Lyle stares back at her for all of three seconds before he runs away, calling out behind him:
Okay, it's over now... And he's gone. EXT. SCHOOL - NIGHT Xander and Giles are helping people out of the building. Giles is still a little groggy.
Yes, it was a gas leak, just get some air and you'll all be fine... (to Xander) What really happened?
Go with Gas leak. I'll fill you in later. He crosses to Willow and Cordelia.
How're you guys doing?
Did I really hit you?
Knocked me out.
Did I hit you?.
Yes, everybody hit me.
Oh, good. I mean, not good that I hit you, but... I didn't want to be left out. Buffy walks by, freshly scrubbed and in gym clothes. Passing Xander, she asks:
Is she all right?
Fine. Little confused. It's going around. Buffy proceeds to the object of their discussion -- Joyce.
Hey, mom, are you doing okay?
Buffy! I was worried you might have gotten caught in the building. There was a gas leak.
I just heard. I was working out. In the gym.
I went looking for you in the library.
Oh, yeah, well, I was gonna be there but --
I thought I made it pretty clear you weren't to leave the library till I arrived.
True, but the other side of that is --
I'm not really interested in the other side right now. You have got to learn some responsibility, young lady. Once and for all.
I'm grounded?
You're already grounded.
Oh yeah.
Until further notice, you're confined to your room. You will not leave your room at any time except to go to school or the bathroom. Your meals will be brought to you -- and they will not be very good. Am I making myself clear?
You're clear. I'll stay in my room.
Damn right you will. EXT. BY A TREE - NIGHT ANGLE: BUFFY AND ANGEL CLOSE UP Buffy and Angel are in midsmootch, much heat between them. After a suitable time they stop, Angel saying:
You sure you're not gonna get in trouble?
Hey, I earned this. Besides, I'm not breaking any rules. She kisses him again, and we hear:
Buffy, are you going to bed? The CAMERA pulls back to reveal that BUFFY IS IN HER ROOM -- and Angel is on the roof outside her window, where they kiss.
In a minute, mom... They get back to it. BLACK OUT.
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