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The Harsh Light of Day August 13, 1999 (Pink) Written by: Jane Espenson |
| Teaser |
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INT. BRONZE - NIGHT (NIGHT 1) OZ, and DEVON are finishing a song on stage. BUFFY and WILLOW sit at a table and talk as another band plays.
You know what else I love about college? How when the professor comes in, the class gets all quiet.
Oh I hate that. I'm always like, what? Did something scary come in? Do I have to kill it? Something catches Willow's eye.
Hey look, Parker's here. PARKER is by the pool table, behind Buffy. She doesn't look.
(disinterested) Yeah?
You're not looking? He's really cute in green.
Blue. (caught) He's, uh, reflected in that mirror.
That's nice. You know, when you spend all week with a boy, you are allowed to look at him directly.
Not all week. We've hung out. Moderately incessantly. But we're not here together, and I don't want to crowd him. Buffy's been looking at Parker the whole time. Oz joins them.
You guys ready to load up and go?
Almost. Buffy's looking at Parker. Who, it turns out, has a reflection, so, big plus there. Willow points him out for Oz.
Good looking guy. Works out. (off their looks) I have eyes.
Buffy's having lusty wrong feelings.
No I'm not.
Wait. No you're not.
I'm not? Oh, I so am.
No, they're not wrong feelings. 'Cause there's no wrong. You're free. You're both grown-ups... You are free, right?
Well, sure. (realizing) Yeah. I really feel like I am, like I'm over... everything else. High school stuff. A hand lands lightly on Buffy's shoulder. She follows it up to a smiling Parker.
Hi. He gives Willow and Oz quick nods, but he's all about Buffy.
I just wanted to say, I'm heading out. And it's not real safe around here, so, if you need a walk back to your dorm...
Guess I was kinda silly, not planning ahead...
Don't worry about it. So... you ready to go?
Absolutely. Buffy and Parker head through the crowd toward the door and Buffy flashes a hopeful smile back at Willow. EXT. BRONZE LOADING DOCK - MINUTES LATER (NIGHT) Willow, Oz and Devon load the band's stuff into Oz' van.
That was, like, the best set ever. We'll do great in L.A. We'll have 'em glued to their seats.
Um... Devon? Aren't they supposed to dance?
We could glue them to the dance floor. Oz and Devon head into the Bronze for another load of stuff.
(to Oz, as they exit) I didn't mean with real glue. You got that, right? Willow is alone now, stuffing Oz' guitar case into the van.
Willow? Willow turns, startled. HARMONY is there.
Harmony! I haven't seen you since...
Since graduation. Big snake, huh?
Yeah. So how was your summer?
I was going to go to France. But I didn't. I was dying to see the stores.
Ooh. And museums.
Museums?
I heard they have 'em. Little rumors you pick up on the street.
You're always so funny, Willow. You haven't changed a bit.
No, you either.
Oh, maybe a little. Suddenly Harmony MORPHS into VAMP FACE and grabs Willow, about to plunge her fangs into Willow's tender neck. BLACK OUT.
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| Act One |
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EXT. BRONZE LOADING DOCK - CONTINUOUS (NIGHT) Willow is helpless in Harmony's grasp. A fang nicks Willow's throat and a thin trickle of blood spills out. Harmony GROWLS in pleasure. Then something metal SLAMS down between her and Willow. Oz is back, using a mic stand to catch Harmony by the throat and pull her off Willow. Harmony WHIRLS, turning on Oz. But Willow steps between them, pulling a cross from her pack.
Back off, Harmony. Oz takes the cross from Willow, holds it out to protect both of them. Harmony SNARLS at the cross and backs away.
Okay, fine. Hide behind your boyfriend. Well, guess what? I've got a boyfriend too, and he's gonna be mad you were mean to me. Harmony runs away. Devon comes out, arms full of stuff, just in time to see her disappear around the corner.
Man, that looked like Harmony. Weird. I saw her get bit at graduation. (off their looks) I didn't tell you? EXT. SUNNYDALE STREET - NIGHT Parker and Buffy walk and talk.
Hobbies?
Yeah, hobbies. Interests. I feel like there's so much I still don't know about you. What do you like to do?
Well, mostly I... you know, hang out and do stuff.
Yeah, I was into that for a while. He's looking at her, notices the scar on her neck.
What's that?
What's what?
You have a scar. He touches her neck, rubs over Angel's bite scar with his thumb. Buffy shivers at the intimacy.
Oh. Right. Angry puppy. Parker smiles, and finally, reluctantly, takes his hand away.
So do I get to see any of your scars?
Oh, mine are all psychological.
Please, they're the best kind.
Well, my father died last year.
Oh, Parker. God, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to bring up something like that. Bad, bad Buffy.
No, no, I'm okay to talk about it now. And I'm not doing the deep "get sympathy" routine. Don't you hate guys that are all "I'm dark and brooding so give me love"? BUFFY I... I've never met that type.
I just wanted to say that the thing that made it so sad was that there was a lot of stuff he didn't get to finish. Like, he thought there'd always be this future out there, and then there wasn't. It's made me think about, you know, living for now.
I think about that sometimes. A lot, actually. How fast it could end? See, I sort of, drowned once, a couple of years ago. And I came back. Obviously.
Wow. I mean, you hear about stuff like that...
Yeah, well, pool safety, important. Anyway, I don't put things off anymore. Like you were saying.
That's great. Everyone says they get it: "oh, man, me too, live for today," but what they really want is an excuse to goof off and not study for finals.
Also a valid life choice.
It's cool to find someone else who understands.
So, when you go to bed tonight, what are you going to regret not doing today?
I'm going to regret being too nervous to ask you to the party at Wolf House tomorrow night. Do you want to go to the party at Wolf --
Yes. He slips his hand into Buffy's hand.
Buffy? When you... drowned, whoever brought you back? they're getting a big kiss from me.
Xander will be so happy. INT. GILES' APARTMENT - NIGHT XANDER is shelving books in Giles' living room.
I'm not enjoying this.
Well, shelve them correctly and we can finish. GILES pulls a book out of Xander's hand, shelves it in a different place.
I don't get your crazy system.
My system? It's the alphabet. Xander looks at the shelved books.
Huh. Would you look at that. There's a knock at the door. Giles goes to answer it. Before he reaches it, ANYA enters.
You should lock your door.
Believe me, I am kicking myself.
Anya? Hey, last time I saw you, fleeing in terror. How'd that work out for you?
(to Giles) I need to talk to Xander. Go away. Giles just stares at Anya. She meets his gaze squarely. But:
Xander, come with me. Giles won the staring contest. Anya and Xander exit into the courtyard. EXT. GILES' COURTYARD - NIGHT Anya and Xander talk.
Your mother said you were working here.
Yeah. Needed some money and--
Where is our relationship going?
Our what? Our who?
Relationship. What kind do we have and what is it progressing toward?
I-- I-- we have a relationship?
We went to the prom.
Yes. On our one and only date. Second date called on account of snake, remember? And, there's the whole you-used-to-be-a- man-killing-demon thing, which, to be fair, is as much my issue as it is yours...
I can't stop thinking about you. In my dreams sometimes you're all naked. Xander can't help but be charmed.
Really? You know, if I'm in the check-out line at Wal-Mart I've had that same one. Anya smiles.
So can I assume a standing Friday night date and mutual recognition of prom night as our dating anniversary?
Anya, slow down. In fact, come to a screeching halt. This is just, I'd say it's out of nowhere, but that doesn't really capture the amount of nowhere which it's out of. See, these things kind of have to develop on their own.
All right. How?
I don't know. It just... happens. INT. BUFFY'S DORM HALLWAY - NIGHT Parker and Buffy linger at the door to Buffy's room.
This is it. My door. It's wood. Maybe some kind of wood veneer.
Nice. Parker leans in for what is sure to be a very sweet kiss, when Willow and Oz run up. Willow's hand is at her neck, covering the small wound. Parker pulls back.
Hey. Remember Harmony?
She's back from her summer vacation and she's different.
(frustrated) Different?
Paler.
Is your neck okay? Buffy finally puts it together...
Neck! Paler. Puppy! The angry puppy!
(what a lame cover) Yeah. We came to warn you. About the puppy.
(to Parker) I should take care of this.
I'll pick you up tomorrow for the party...
(really meaning it) I can't wait. Reluctantly, Parker moves off.
Band-aid now. INT. BUFFY AND WILLOW'S DORM ROOM - MINUTES LATER (NIGHT) Oz puts a Band-id on Willow's neck nick.
Harmony's a vampire? She must be dying without a reflection.
I felt she was adjusting. You know, when the fang went in.
Oh, Willow, I'm sorry. It's not funny. That must have been terrible.
She just made me so mad. "My boyfriend's gonna beat you up!"
Boyfriend?
Well, if you believe her. I mean, she always lied about stuff like that. "Oh, he goes to another school, you wouldn't know him."
Devon dated her for a while, but she was too flaky for him. Which, stop and marvel at the concept.
Guy dating Harmony -- dead? Must be like the most tolerant guy in the world. INT. VAMPIRE LAIR/TUNNEL - NIGHT
HARMONY Hi Baby. I'm back. The man stops working and removes his mask. It's SPIKE. BLACK OUT.
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| Act Two |
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EXT. PARK - DAY (DAY 2) Nothing evil could happen beneath this grassy idyllic surface. The camera angles down at the ground, closes in... DISSOLVE TO: INT. VAMPIRE LAIR - DAY Directly under the park, Spike and a Vampire-Engineer, BRIAN, are looking at a print-out.
And it's definitely the crypt, right? I'm not keen on tunneling into someone's septic tank. Brian points things out on the print-out.
It's the crypt. The radar soundings are clear. The walls are thinnest here, at the bottom. You have to tunnel from underneath. More work, but I'm sure -- Lightning fast, Spike clamps his hand around Brian's throat. Brian's eyes water with fear and pain.
Better be more than sure, mate, cuz I'd hate to have to hurt you. No. Wait. Hate's too strong a world.
(terrified) I... swear... I... Harmony comes up behind Spike, linking her arms around his stomach, hooking her chin over his shoulder. Completely destroying his aura of menace.
How's my little blondy-bear?
SPIKE Harm? does this look like a good time to talk?
Are you gonna kill Willow today? 'Cause I want you to say "this is for messing with my sweet girl," then you know... Harmony finishes the thought with a mimed bite against Spike's neck and a graphic SLURPING NOISE. Spike finally releases Brian, who falls back, gasping. Spike detaches himself from Harm's embrace.
Nobody knows I'm here. Now I'm not killing the Slayer's best friend, as that would tend to announce my presence. And we're too bloody close...
You almost killed her last year, suddenly it's a big deal...
Sod off, eat something. I've got work to do. Spike goes back to consulting with a still-recovering Brian. Harmony wanders to the edge of the lair, where a young man, barely conscious, is chained to the wall. He bears the marks of previous feedings.
This one tastes funny. Take me out to eat!
He's perfectly fresh.
I think I was in a math class with him last year and I didn't like him much then either.
Harm...
I wanna go to a party! Spike's had enough. He comes over to Harmony, grabs her and shoves her up against the side of the tunnel. He doesn't vamp-face, but he SNARLS. Harmony giggles.
Ooh. Right here, baby? In front of Brian?
You'd like that, wouldn't you?
(sexy) Maybe I would... after a party. Spike hesitates. Life with Harmony has its kinky up-side.
Tonight. I'll take you somewhere nice. INT. PARTY HOUSE - NIGHT Buffy and Parker enter the party. It's crowded, dark, smoky and loud. One guy is doing a funnel. A couple is propped up next to the door, making out vigorously. Buffy tries not to stare. Parker puts a protective arm around Buffy, guiding her through the crowd.
Watch out. You can take pictures, but stay in the safari truck at all times. Parker leads her through the living room, past groups of students laughing and talking. Buffy takes it all in. A guy is showing off for his friends by drunkenly juggling beer bottles. A passed-out girl slumps on one of the sofas.
(shouted over music) Some party, huh? The last days of Rome.
(shouted back) Better. No old Romans.
(shouted) You wanna dance?
(shouted) Let's have a meaningful talk instead. Parker laughs, leads Buffy past the keg, where people are lined up to get beer. Behind them, the sound of beer bottles crashing to the floor: that was a bad juggler. Buffy and Parker end up by the dance floor. A live band plays and couples dance wildly. Parker leads Buffy onto the floor. As they head onto the floor, they collide with a couple supporting a drunken friend between them. Buffy looks closer. It's Harmony and Spike, and the "drunken friend" is a stunned and lacerated victim. Spike and Buffy freeze, look at each other and their dates, sizing up the sitch. The song ends, making conversation possible.
Spike. Harmony.
Buffy. Hi. What a cute outfit, last year.
Well, this is interesting. Sort of a double date.
I think you two should go.
But the fun's just starting: old friends, lots to drink... Spike jiggles the victim as he says "lots to drink."
Looks like your friend there started the party a little early, huh? Spike looks at Parker, but talks to Buffy.
Say, let's have a look at the new boy. Hmm. I like him. He's got, what's the word, vulnerability. Parker is confused, but trying to go along:
Hi, I'm Parker... Parker holds out his hand, Spike ignores it.
And you, with Harmony. Lose a bet?
Hey!
Actually, how we met, funny story, really-- Trying for surprise, he dumps the victim onto Parker and runs into the crowd. Buffy dives after him.
(to Parker) I'll be right back! But the music has started again and it's hard to hear her. EXT. PARTY HOUSE - NIGHT Buffy bursts out the door onto the front porch of the party house. It's a little quieter here. Students cluster around, smoking and talking. She steps off the porch, warily. She pulls out a stake and walks around to the side of the house. It's dark and deserted here. She passes a dark shadow along the side of the house, then she WHIRLS and PUNCHES into the shadow. Spike punches back, steps out into the dim light. Harmony runs up, out of breath.
Dru dump you again? Buffy punches.
Maybe I dumped her -- Spike punches back.
She left him for a Fungus Demon. It's all he talks about some days...
Harm. We're going. (ominously, to Buffy) It isn't time yet.
(to Buffy) Yeah, but as soon as we have the Gem of Amarra you're gonna be sooo sorry - Ow! Spike grabs Harmony to shut her up, drags her off by the arm. Buffy starts after them, but they're back around the front of the house, pushing through a group of party arrivals. Buffy gets tangled in the crowd. Spike and Harmony get away. INT. XANDER'S BASEMENT HOME - NIGHT Xander is decorating his basement "apartment." It came with wood paneling, a washer and drying and his dad's old work bench. Xander has added posters and a mini-fridge, and he is balanced on a ladder, trying to attach a disco ball to the unfinished ceiling. There is a KNOCK at the outside door.
Come in! Anya enters.
Anya. Hi again. How'd you find me here?
Your mother sent me around from the front of the house. She also said to ask you to add fabric softener when the timer goes off. Can we talk some more? Xander climbs down.
Yeah, I s'pose. So... you're my first guest at Casa del Xander -- not the final name, still working on it. You want something? I've got Cranapple.
All right. He turns to his mini-fridge and grabs a juice box. He puts the straw in and turns back to her.
You know, it's customary to call before you show up, not that -- Her dress is pooled around her feet. She stands naked. His hand convulses and Cranapple shoots out his straw. EXT. CAMPUS/INT. GILES' APARTMENT - NIGHT Music from the nearby party house is faintly audible. Buffy is in the middle of a call from a campus phone booth.
Yeah, Spike. With Harmony, if you can believe it. I mean, I thought Spike and Dru were a forever kind of deal, didn't you? Where's the commitment? INTERCUT WITH: INT. GILESS' APARTMENT - SAME TIME (NIGHT) Giles is holding his fencing foil. Buffy's call caught him during practice.
(get on with it) I'm disillusioned. I shall never love again.
So anyway, I couldn't figure out why he ran away, but Harmony said something. What they're here for. The Gem of something... Amarra. He's waiting 'til he gets it--
The Gem of Amarra? Are you sure?
Yeah. What's up?
It's just, it's not real. It's like, like a vampire version of the Holy Grail. A source of some kind of enormous power, always conveniently vague... He's juggling the phone receiver now, reaching a reference book off a shelf, flipping through it.
Yes, here it is. There was a great deal of vampyric interest in locating the gem during, oh, the 10th century. Questing vampires combed the earth, but no one found it. It was concluded that it never existed.
Well Spike seems to think it exists. And he's looking in Sunnydale.
I don't see how something that valuable, if it were real, could remain hidden on a Hellmouth, with all its demonic activity. I could probably even track the development of the myth...
And I'm with you. Myth tracking. I mean, I don't really need a full eight hours, right? A little shaky, but that's okay...
Very subtle, but I was going to do it myself anyway. You've done all you can for tonight. Go to bed.
Uh-huh. Sleepy. Yawn. Bye. She hangs up and heads back toward the party house. INT. VAMPIRE LAIR - BEDROOM - NIGHT Part of the lair has been done up as Spike and Harmony's bedroom. Walls and bed are draped in red velvet. Harmony lounges on the bed in a nightie, reading a TABLOID NEWSPAPER. Spike is at a desk, calculating tunnel specifications.
(off paper) Is Antonio Banderas a vampire?
No.
Oh. Can I make him a vampire?
No. Wait, on second thought, yeah, go do that. Take your time, do Melanie and the kids as well. Harmony's gotten distracted trying to take her pulse.
Hey, I don't have a pulse. Cool. Can we eat a doctor and get a stethoscope so I can hear my heart not beating? He turns and looks at her for the first time.
Harm, I've been wondering, just for my own curiosity, what's it take to get you to shut the hell up? She giggles and stretches on the bed seductively. He comes over, sits on the bed with her.
And if my heart's not beating, what are all these veins for? I'm simply covered in these blue veins. See? Coquettishly, she traces a vein on her chest to where it disappears under her nightie. Spike looks at it hungrily, then traces it with his tongue. Harmony giggles. Spike rolls on top of her and pins her arms against the mattress. He licks along another vein. When he comes up for air:
We've got an extra set of chains.
Eww. Just because Dorcas went in for that kind of stuff... He grabs Harmony's hair, pulls her head back viciously.
Drusilla.
Whatever. They're both getting excited.
Say her name.
Dorcas.
Bite your tongue.
Do it for me. He crushes her mouth with his. Snogging and SNARLING. INT. XANDER'S BASEMENT HOME - NIGHT Xander, facing the naked Anya, has not moved. He stands exactly as we saw him last, hand clenched on his juice box.
...At which point the matter is brought to a conclusion with both parties satisfied and able to move on with their separate lives and interests. To sum up, I think it's a workable plan.
So-- So-- So-- the crux of this plan is...
Sexual intercourse. I've said it like a dozen times.
Uh-huh. Just working through a little hysterical deafness here.
It's the secret to getting you out of my mind. Putting you behind me. Behind me, figuratively. I'm thinking face-to-face for the event itself.
Ah, right. But, see, we hardly know each other. I mean, I like you. More than other ex-demons. And you have a certain... directness that I admire...
I amuse you. I can tell. Sometimes you laugh.
I do. I show my teeth and make repeated 'ha' noises. But sexual inter- what you're talking about, well -- and I am actually turning into a woman as I say this - but it's about expressing something, and accepting consequences...
I have condoms. Some are black. XANDER That's-- that's very considerate.
I like you. You're funny and you're nicely shaped. And, frankly, it's ludicrous to have these interlocking bodies and not interlock. She steps over to him, presses against him. His resistance is gone.
Please remove your clothing now.
And the amazing thing? Still more romantic than Faith. She kisses him, surprisingly tenderly. The kiss deepens. SFX: WASHING MACHINE TIMER SOUNDS.
Fabric softener. INT. PARTY HOUSE - NIGHT Buffy is back at the party now, making her way through the crowd, looking around her. Finally she sees Parker, still at the edge of the dance floor, watching other couples. The music is less overwhelmingly loud now.
Parker. I wasn't sure I'd find you.
I was getting a little worried.
I am so sorry. I-- the English guy, he's an old... friend. And the thing is, he's, he's not supposed to drink. And I saw him here, you know, land of the beer...
Buffy, it's okay. You did a good thing for your friend. (then) Did, uh, did you and he used to, like, go out, or...? Buffy laughs so suddenly so suddenly that it's a SNORT. She recovers.
No. No, we didn't.
Good. Buffy smiles, pleased to think she could inspire jealousy. A nice, slow song starts.
Now, we have time to make up for. You think I could get a dance with the prettiest girl at the party?
And what do I do? Stand here and watch? He laughs and pulls her out onto the floor and they start to dance. CLOSE ON THE BAND Strumming away... DISSOLVE TO: INT. PARTY HOUSE - LATER (NIGHT) Buffy and Parker still dance to the same song but it's a bit later. Buffy leans her head against Parker's chest and closes her eyes as they dance.
Buffy. She opens her eyes, looks up at him, but he gently puts her head back where it was.
Nothing. Just saying your name. DISSOLVE TO: INT. PARTY HOUSE - LATER (NIGHT) The living room area. Couples are making out nearby. Buffy and Parker sit on a couch and talk.
Well, I declared pre-med but I hated it. I switched to History. Buffy makes a face which makes Parker laugh.
History. Compelling places. Fascinating dates.
People think it's dull. But there's something amazing about these huge events, that when you dig down into them, they're all about people. Regular people, just trying to make choices.
I never thought of it like that. history always seemed like just, stuff that happened.
That's 'cause when you look back, it seems like things only could have happened that one way. Like people were swept up in events they couldn't control. But I don't believe that. You always have a choice. With everything you do.
It doesn't feel like it. To me, a lot of the time, it feels like stuff's just coming at me, you know, and I'm reacting as fast as I can, just trying to keep going. Just-- just trying to be on my feet before the next thing hits.
That sounds exhausting.
It really is. He turns her face toward him and he kisses her, very gently.
I just had to. Is this okay?
Mmm.
(teasing now) Because I could stop, if you wanted. Your choice. Buffy shifts around for a better angle. She holds his head in place, surprising him with her strength.
(enjoying it) What are you doing?
Making a choice. She kisses him. DISSOLVE TO: INT. PARKER'S DORM ROOM - LATER (NIGHT) A single room. Buffy and Parker sit on his bed and kiss. He starts to unbutton his shirt. She stops him. She unbuttons his shirt for him. He smiles and reaches for her. INT. GILES' APARTMENT - NIGHT Giles, alone in the apartment, is trying to find a book on his shelves and getting frustrated.
The alphabet. It's fairly well known. He finds his book and brings it to his coffee table, which is already layered with open volumes. He flips through the book, finds something.
Oh dear lord. He reaches for the phone, dials. Faintly, we can hear Buffy's machine picking up.
Buffy, are you there? Call me. I need to talk to you right away. INT. PARKER'S DORM ROOM - NIGHT Buffy and Parker lie in the bed. We see both of their bare shoulders as they kiss, holding each other. It seems to be a union of hearts, not just bodies. BLACK OUT.
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| Act Three |
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INT. PARKER'S DORM ROOM - MORNING (DAY 3) Buffy wakes up with a start and looks around. Tries to remember where she is. Parker's room. And she's alone in it, naked in the gritty morning light.
Parker? She notices things she didn't see last night: dirty clothes piled in the corner, beer cans on the window sill next to a very dead plant -- a guy's dorm room full of unfamiliar things. It's a "what have I done" moment. She looks around the bed for her clothes, piles them on the bed. She finds most of them.
Pants. Everybody needs pants. She's looking around a little wildly now. She wraps a sheet around herself and gets off the bed. She opens a door: a closet. She opens a door: a closet. She opens the other door, sticks her head out.
(to unseen guy in hall) Oh. Hi. She closes the door. Hobbled by the sheet, she stumbles back across the room. Then the door opens and Parker enters carrying take-out coffee and a paper bag.
Hey, you're up! Buffy exhales in relief.
You're here.
I live here.
I didn't know where you were.
It seemed like you were gonna be out for a while, so I went for coffee and doughnuts. Better than whatever I've got around here, warm soda and breath mints.
Yeah, but, breath mints, I wouldn't be turning 'em down. He chuckles and sits on the bed. She sits next to him.
You look cute.
Well, if you think this is attractive, wait 'till you see me with the stomach flu. He kisses her bare shoulder and hands her a doughnut and coffee. She taste the coffee, makes a face, tries to turn it into a grateful smile.
You have plans for today, or...?
Actually, the thing is, my mom's coming to visit...
Oh, gosh. I didn't know. Look, I'll just clear out of here. But maybe later, we could, you know, talk and stuff?
I'll call you, if that's okay?
That's great. And, before I go...
A kiss?
I was thinking pants. But a kiss is good too. INT. XANDER'S BASEMENT HOME - MORNING (DAY) Xander and Anya, backs to each other, get dressed in awkward silence. Anya tests the waters:
So... I'm over you now. Xander isn't sure he wants that anymore. But it's what she wants, so:
Um... okay. Anya jumps on that. She'd rather feel anger than deal with more confusing new emotions.
Okay?!
Yeah? Anya pushes past Xander. Confused, he doesn't stop her. She exits. He's left wondering what just happened. INT. VAMPIRE LAIR - BEDROOM - MORNING (DAY) Spike wakes up, sensing something going on.
Harm? What are you doing?
I'm writing "Spike loves Harmony" on your back. Spike refrains from ripping her throat out.
Why?
It's fun. I'm bored. You can write on me. She offers him a red lipstick.
I've got to get back to work. He gets up, starts pulling on his clothes. Harmony pouts..
You love that tunnel more than me.
(under his breath) I love syphilis more than you. INT. BUFFY'S DORM HALLWAY - LATER (DAY) Buffy, in her rumpled last-night clothes, heads for her room. INT. BUFFY AND WILLOW'S DORM ROOM - CONTINUOUS (DAY) Buffy enters. Not paying attention, she starts pulling her shirt off over her head. Thank goodness only her tummy is showing when:
Good morning. GILES AND WILLOW sit at Willow's desk, in front of the book from the end of Act Two. They're looking at Buffy, who covers her tummy.
Giles! Hi! I... I didn't know you were here.
(no kidding) Oh? Really? Willow is behind Giles, out of his line of sight. She's mouthing "Parker" and making big "OK" signs and thumbs ups, excited about Buffy's obviously successful date last night.
(to Giles) I was. Studying. At the library. All night. (realizing the flaw) All Saturday night. Okay, you know what? I'm an adult. It's none of your business where I was.
I'm sincerely relieved to hear it. Now, may we talk about the impending disaster?
Giles found something.
A text. It refers to the Gem of Amarra residing in the "valley of the sun."
Demon fancy-talk for Sunnydale.
It seems Spike may know what he's about. The gem may exist after all, in Sunnydale, in a sealed underground crypt.
You guys find that crypt. I'll track down Spike, stop him before he gets there. Giles heads for the door.
I'll get started.
(to Giles) I'll call Xander and Oz, meet you at your place. Giles exits. Willow turns to Buffy.
It happened. Right? Did it happen? With Parker?
Yeah, it happened.
And? Details? I mean, not details, don't need a diagram, but maybe, like, a blurry water-color?
It was nice. Really nice. He's going to call.
I love this part. Don't you love this part? Where it's all new and everything's a discovery?
I don't know-- (smiling, admitting it) Yeah, I guess I do. INT. TUNNEL - DAY Spike digs up now, into the tunnel ceiling. His pick-ax knocks down clumps of earth. Finally, the CLANG of metal on stone. Spike can't believe it. He strikes again. CLANG.
(shouted) It's here! The crypt is here. I can't bloody believe it. Vampire henchmen, including Brian and Harmony, come running.
(relieved) I knew it was here.
We're close now. No one leaves the lair 'til we're in. I don't want the Slayer tracking anyone to the tunnel. And that means you, Harm. You're an indoor kitty now.
But, Spike, you said you'd take me places! You said we'd go to France and now I can't even leave the lair? Sensing a domestic fight, the other vamps clear out. Spike gets in Harmony's face. Soft and dangerous:
Listen to me, you stupid bint. This gem is everything. I came back to Sunnydale for it. A place which has witnessed some truly spectacular kickings of my arse. The very sound of the name burns along my nerve endings. Do you get it? I hate Sunnydale more than life itself. Now, when I have the Gem, they all die, don't worry, but until then, stay inside. And, by the way, I would be insanely happy if, from this point on, I heard bugger all about sodding France! He shoves her against the wall as he says it. She whimpers.
I don't know why I let you be so mean to me.
(bitterly) Love hurts, baby. MONTAGE: EXT. CAMPUS - DAY (DAY 3) Buffy is showing Harmony's yearbook picture. Students glance at it, shakes their heads no. INT. BUFFY AND WILLOW'S DORM ROOM - DAY (DAY 4) Buffy and Willow enter together. Willow shows Buffy a satellite map of Sunnydale. While Willow talks, Buffy hurries to check the answering machine. The phone machine flashes "00" -- no messages. Buffy casually picks up the phone receiver, listens for the dial tone. INT. TUNNEL/CRYPT - DAY (DAY 4) Spike has built himself a scaffold, so he can lie on his back and drill up through the stone. He wears his welder's mask, and chips of stone flake down onto him. Finally he lowers the drill and sees that he has pierced a small hole into the crypt. He raises his visor, unable to believe he's almost in. EXT. CEMETERY - NIGHT (NIGHT 4) Buffy is prowling among the crypts at the edge of the cemetery. She sees a phone booth just outside the cemetery. She enters it, quickly checks her messages.
You have... one... message. Buffy eagerly waits, then hears:
It's me. I'm at Giles'. Did Parker call yet? Buffy hangs up. INT. GILES' APARTMENT - NIGHT (NIGHT 4) Giles, Xander, Oz and Willow are scattered around Giles' living room, poring through books and maps. Xander is distracted, staring into space. Oz nudges him and Xander turns his attention back to the page. INT. BUFFY AND WILLOW'S DORM ROOM - MORNING (DAY 5) Buffy comes in from a long night of searching and rushes over to her answering machine. It still reads "00". No messages. She crawls onto her bed, lies there on her stomach, head propped up, frowning at the phone nose-to-nose, willing it to ring. Eventually she gives up, lays her head down on her arms, a picture of defeat. It's not gonna happen. END MONTAGE INT. CRYPT - DAY (DAY 5) A dark room that brightens as Spike pulls
himself up into it, carrying a kerosene lantern. He looks around in awe at
the splendor. There is a dead demon here, withered and decayed and brown
and crunchy, arrayed in finery on a carved wooden bier.
(awed) It's real. Spike puts down the lamp without taking his eyes off the jewel. It's a solemn and sacred moment as Spike reaches for his grail.
Ooooh. Pretty. Can I take stuff? Spike jumps, startled, and turns to see Harmony standing inside the crypt, looking around open-mouthed.
Nick whatever you want. I don't care. She kisses him on the cheek, and he endures it. Bracelets, necklaces, rings, Harmony tries them on one at a time. While she's doing that, Spike reaches for the huge emerald pendant. He strokes its surface reverently. He picks it up, very gently, lets his fingers close around it... and YANKS it off the dead demon. The desiccated body crumbles and the chain pulls through the neck like a knife through a Butterfinger bar, decapitating the demon.
Ew. Like you're too good to work a clasp. Spike drapes the chain around his neck, lets the gem rest on his chest, revels in the power of ownership.
You don't look any different, if you wondered. I thought you'd look taller or glow or something. Spike's looking concerned now. He reaches for an ornamental cross among the pile of loot. It SIZZLES on his hand and he stifles a curse.
You should put some butter on that. Harmony takes off a big tiara, puts on a small jeweled ring.
Maybe it's worth money anyway, 'cause that would be something. Then we could go to France. Without warning, Spike snaps a jagged shard off the demon's wooden bier and STAKES Harmony with it. Harmony looks down, stunned, at the wound the stake left. She bursts into... tears.
Ow! I can't believe you did that! AS THE STAKE-WOUND HEALS leaving no trace, she swats at him. Spike catches her hand, looks at the ring.
Hang on. He grabs the cross again, using the end of his sleeve to protect his hand. He presses the cross against Harmony. She's unsigned.
What are you doing, you big freak? He rips off his necklace and then grabs her hand, tugging at the ring.
That's my gem... She pulls away. Still crying, she pulls it off her own finger.
Fine! If that's all that matters to you, then take it. Take it and get out! Very dramatically, she throws it at him. He catches it and puts it on his own finger.
Good idea. I think I'll go play outside. He jumps down into the tunnel. Harmony stays, sobbing to herself. INT. GILES' APARTMENT - DAY Giles, Willow and Xander still study books and maps. They look tired. Oz goes through Giles' record collection.
Okay, I'm either borrowing all your albums or I'm moving in.
Oz, there are more important things than records right now.
More important than this one? Oz holds up the album "Loaded" by the Velvet Underground.
Yes, well, I suppose an argument could be made... Xander is moving stacks of books... and accidentally reveals a small TELEVISION SET tucked into a corner.
Whoa. Giles has a TV. Everybody look at this, Giles has a TV! He's shallow like us!
Gotta admit, a little disappointed.
I'm not-- It's not--
Maybe it doesn't work. It's like, art. Xander turns on the set. It works fine.
I-- Public television-- Look, everyone, we have vital work to do. Television isn't going to help us now. INSERT: TV A reporter narrates helicopter video of a muddy sinkhole with a roadway partially collapsed into it.
--around noon today in Brookside Park. Officials attributed the formation of the sinkhole to unexplained weakening of the topsoil support nearby. City work crews deny that any tunneling has been done in the area... Over the continuing report:
Tunneling.
Spike. Come on. Xander, find Buffy and meet us there. They all head for the door. EXT. CAMPUS - DAY Parker is talking to a GIRL. A few other students are around as well, but Parker is intent on the girl. Buffy moves into frame behind Parker.
(to the girl) I mean, it hit me hard, you know, my dad. And since then I just don't put stuff off anymore. It's about living for now.
Parker?
PARKER Buffy! Buffy Summers, this is Katie Loomis.
(hurt) Parker, what's going on?
Hey, Katie, you're gonna be late for class. I'll catch up, okay? Katie moves off.
She's a friend of yours?
Yeah. You'd like her a bunch. So, what's up?
Well, you, sort of, didn't call. I mean, I understand if you've been busy or sick or something.
It's only been a couple of days. You need to talk to me about something?
Well, is... is everything... okay?
Sure it is.
It is? He smiles, comforting, welcoming. Maybe it'll all be okay.
Sure.
Oh. So, do you maybe want to go do something?
We can do that. Absolutely. BUFFY Great. Tonight? She hesitates, then, slips her hand into his. He gives it a quick squeeze and lets it go.
Well, the thing is, I think I'm sort of getting together with some people later. And maybe it's not okay at all.
Parker? Did I... She trails off, leaving him waiting.
Sorry to rush you, just, late for class. She has to force herself to ask it:
Did I do something-- something wrong?
Something wrong? No, of course not. It was fun. Didn't you have fun? (joking) Watch out how you answer, my ego's fragile.
I-- You had fun. Is that all it was?
Okay, I'm a little confused now. I mean, I definitely got the idea you'd done it before. You were one who was all over me. It was fun. What else was it supposed to be? Buffy shrugs, too embarrassed to say that she thought he was falling in love with her.
(gentler) Really. Tell me. BUFFY It seemed like you... liked me?
I do. But I'm starting to feel like you thought that meant, what? Some kind of commitment? Is that really what you want right now?
I just thought, you know...
I'm sorry if you misunderstood something. I thought things were pretty clear.
I-- I didn't mean-- I'm sorry.
Look, I really have to go now. Parker's already walking away.
Parker, wait. I did this all wrong.
I'll give you a call sometime. Parker leaves. Buffy looks after him.
Well, that was pathetic. Buffy turns to see Spike, not in vamp face, standing next to her, smiling evilly. He is in full sunlight. BUFFY'S POV: Spike PUNCHES directly into the camera. BLACK OUT.
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| Act Four |
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EXT. CAMPUS - DAY - CONTINUOUS The punch sends Buffy to the ground, blood at the corner of her mouth. Dazed, confused and hurting, she feels around her, comes up with a stick to use as a stake. To her surprise, Spike is just watching her get ready and find her feet. He faces her, ready, casual, relaxed.
Innit a fantastic day? Birds singing, squirrels making lots of rotten little squirrels, sun beaming down in a nice, non-fatal way. It's very exciting, I can't wait to find out if I freckle. Buffy slams him, a powerhouse punch. He's back up like one of those pop-up clowns, and he gives her as good as he's got. Then he drops his guard, a little too readily, and Buffy manages to STAKE him, pulling it out and waiting for the inevitable. She is stunned when he does not dust.
Ooh. Do it again. It tickles. You know, in the good way.
The gem.
Oh yeah. The Gem of Amarra. He holds up his ring hand. Punches her with it. Hard.
Official sponsor of my killing you. He MORPHS and lunges at her. INT. CRYPT - DAY Giles and Oz finish pulling Willow into the crypt. They look around to find Harmony, sitting pathetically on the floor, sniffling. Giles, Oz and Willow exchange glances, trying to decide what to do. They all take out stakes. Harmony sees them and bursts into fresh tears.
(gently) Harmony...?
(gasping through tears) Being a vampire sucks. Willow can't help but feel bad. She takes a step forward, her stake at her side. Suddenly Harmony MORPHS into VAMP-FACE and lunges at Willow. Oz jumps to get between them, and he gets in a good punch, but Harmony is barely shaken. Oz hits her again. She SNARLS and THROWS Oz across the room. Giles tries to sweep Harmony's feet from under her, but she's fast. She knocks him across to where Oz is trying to get to his feet, sending both men down in a tangle. INT. BUFFY'S DORM HALLWAY - DAY Xander is pounding on Buffy and Willow's door.
Buffy! He gives up and turns to leave, when Anya approaches.
Xander. I've been looking for you. You weren't in your musty basement.
Have you seen Buffy.
No. (then, shyly) About what happened. See, when I said I was over you--
(didn't hear a word) Anya-- I don't have time. He runs off, leaving Anya hurt and confused. INT. CRYPT - DAY Giles, Willow and Oz stand, stakes in hand, forming a triangle surrounding vamp-faced Harmony. They close in.
Harmony? Where's Spike? Harmony is at the tunnel entrance, ready to escape.
(to Harmony) Does he have the gem? She nods.
He staked me and he took it. Tried to take it right off my finger. Like I wouldn't have just give it to him? I'd've given him anything he wanted. He was my platinum baby and I loved him.
Where did he go? But Harmony hops down into the tunnel and she's gone. EXT. CAMPUS - DAY The fight drags on. Buffy and Spike trade blows and kicks of equal force and skill. It's an unlovely fight -- muscle, not finesse. Buffy is bruised and bleeding.
Getting tired Slayer? Xander runs by, sees them.
I'm okay. How 'bout you? Sun in your eyes? But she is tired, dropping her fists, breathing hard.
A little. Awfully bright, disorienting... oh, no, I lied. I'm fine. Spike lands a punch that staggers her. She's slow rejoining the fight. Then she sees Xander. He's creeping up behind Spike. Xander raises a chair over Spike's head, ready to bring it down. Without warning, Spike spins completely around, pulling the chair from Xander's hand and using it to smash Xander in the ribs, sending him to the ground in a helpless heap, out of the fight. Spike continues the spin, ending up facing Buffy again. Things look bad for Buffy. Spike attacks.
So, you let Parker take a poke, eh? Didn't seem like you knew each other that well. What exactly did it take to pry apart the Slayer's dimpled knees?
You're a pig Spike. Buffy deflects another blow of Spike's.
Did he play the sensitive lad and get you to seduce him? Good trick if the girl's thick enough to buy it. She throws a kick but he stops it.
Wonder what you did wrong. Too strong? Did you bruise the boy? Spike manages to catch her with a crushing blow.
Whatever, guess you're not worth a second go. Come to think of it, seems like someone told me as much. And another...
Who was that? Oh, yeah. Angel. When he swings again, she parries the blow with force, throwing him off balance. And as her face rises into frame, transformed by determination, Spike knows he went a bridge too far. She KICKS the pipe out of his fist. The pipe goes flying, hitting Xander again, who moans. Buffy hits Spike with a dizzying flurry of punches and kicks, the last one sending him down. She JUMPS and lands on his sprawled body, pinning his arms down with her knees, pressing his head into the ground with one hand, twisting his neck. He bucks, but she's pulling at the ring.
Take it off me this way and we both burn!
Really? Let's see. Audibly breaking a finger in the process, she gets the ring! Spike ROARS in pain and bucks again, in panic, knocking her off. He scrambles up and away, starting to SMOKE AND SIZZLE in the sunlight. He drops into an OPEN MANHOLE and is gone. Buffy sinks to the ground, exhausted. But she holds the ring. INT. GILES' APARTMENT - NIGHT (STILL DAY 5) THE RING sits on Giles' coffee table. Buffy, Giles, Willow, Xander and Oz all look at it.
I like it.
It's small.
Quite tasteful. Really worth getting my ribs bashed in.
So the question now is, what do we do with it? It's obviously extremely dangerous and destroying it--
We don't destroy it.
But, Buffy, any vampire who gets this is essentially unkillable... Oh... Oz looks at Buffy. He knows what she wants to do with it.
I have that gig in L.A. I could swing by.
Thanks, Oz.
What's going on? What's in L.A.?
(aside to Xander) She's giving it to Angel. Don't make a fuss.
Buffy, are you sure?
He should have this. EXT. CAMPUS - LATER THAT NIGHT Buffy and Willow walk back toward the dorm.
So what I'm wondering is, does this always happen? Sleep with a guy and he goes all evil?
Well, from what I understand, pretty much. But it won't always be like that. You've just had some really bad luck.
I don't know, Will. Bad luck just happens. I made this happen.
Well, why shouldn't you, if it's what you want? I mean, as long as it's safe. Oh, Buffy, it was safe, wasn't it?
It was safe. It's not that. It's that the whole time, I kept thinking, hey, look at me with someone who isn't Angel. Look how much I'm not hung up on Angel anymore. Look how this is not all about Angel. God, how come I didn't see it?
Well, maybe you made a mistake, but that's okay. Next time-- (off Buffy's look) What?
(sentimental) Parker said it was okay to make mistakes. It was sweet.
No it wasn't. He said that so you'd take a chance and sleep with him. He's a poop-head.
I know. He's manipulative and shallow and why doesn't he want me? If there was something totally repulsive about me, you'd tell me, right?
I'm your friend. I'd call you repulsive in a second.
Maybe me and Parker could still work it out. Do you think we could still work it out?
You're missing something about the whole "poop-head" principle. They're at the dorm. Willow heads inside, Buffy hangs back.
You go on up. I'm gonna walk.
You sure? Buffy nods. Willow starts in.
How come it's never easy? Willow looks at her. Neither can answer. Buffy walks away, Willow watching her before she goes on. EXT. CAMPUS - LATER (NIGHT) BUFFY walks alone. Trying to think it all through. ANYA walks alone. Confused by her feelings. HARMONY walks alone. Sniffling. CAMPUS - AERIAL SHOT The three women. Their paths each form one side of a triangle. They don't see each other. They each make their way separately. BLACK OUT.
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