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Help September 3, 2002 (WHITE) Written by: Rebecca Rand Kirshner Directed by: Rick Rosenthal |
| Teaser |
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TIGHT on a WOMAN'S FEET clad in black pumps. Her toes point to the
ceiling. The CAMERA PANS up her body. Over this, we hear MORTICIAN #1 and
MORTICIAN #2.
She looks so peaceful. The CAMERA reaches the woman's neck, which is covered with thick make-up. And then her face: She is a sweet older woman with a faint smile on her lips. PULL BACK to REVEAL she's in a plush coffin.
She does, doesn't she? So the family gets here at ten in the morning. MORTICIAN #1 (O.S.) PULLING BACK reveals more of the room: Comfortable decorations, nice wallpaper, etc. In the corner, two full- size coffins and one child's coffin. The LIGHTS ARE TURNED OFF before the morticians are in our scope. It's dark.
Can you make mine a Chai latte? We HEAR the door close and lock. Everything is still. Dark. Suddenly, one of the coffins CREAKS OPEN. The lid falls back and a SHADOWY FIGURE steps stealthily out of the coffin. And then a second CREAK! Another coffin opens. Another OBSCURE FIGURE emerges and flicks on a FLASHLIGHT, shines it right at: XANDER. Who covers his eyes. He's irritable.
Hey! BUFFY, holding the flashlight, moves the beam.
Sorry. A KNOCKING. Buffy's beam finds the noise: coming from the child's coffin. Xander lifts the lid, revealing a squashed DAWN, who climbs out, looking crabby.
I think that thing had a child-lock. (stretching) I'm all cricky. You know, I'm not the shortest one here. I don't know why I was in the kid coffin for-- XANDER BUFFY XANDER BUFFY DAWN Surreptitiously, she checks the bottom of her sneakers.
There's Willow, there's the looming humongo bad, and.. it's a school night. I should be home in bed, cuddling up to my insomnia and worrying how I'm going to mess up tomorrow. As they make their way towards the open casket:
You'll do fine. You'll be a great counselor. BUFFY XANDER BUFFY As all three look at the Dead Woman in her coffin.
Dead body. XANDER BUFFY Buffy looks closer at the dead neck. Reaches out and tentatively touches the TINY STITCHES on the body's neck.
Maybe she cut herself shaving. And then died, naturally, of embarrassment. BUFFY'S POV: The Dead Woman's face. So placid.
She looks -- BUFFY (O.S.) A beat. And suddenly, the woman's EYES POP OPEN! The VAMPIRE WOMAN grabs Buffy's hands in hers, pulls her close. Her pale eyes intense.
I. Am. Not. Peaceful. Buffy struggles, eager to get the stake from her belt. But the Vamp Woman clings no her desperately. In the struggle, the flashlight drops. Xander grabs the flashlight from the floor and CLOCKS THE VAMP OVER THE HEAD. The Vamp releases her grasp. Buffy snags the stake and, in one swift motion, stakes her.
That I can help with. DUST! The coffin is empty. Buffy holsters her stake and lowers the coffin lid.
I always thought closed caskets were more tasteful anyway.
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| Act One |
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INT. BUFFY'S OPFICE - DAY
Buffy sits at her desk. [She's in outfit #1 of this montage] She
checks the coffee can of freshly sharpened pencils. She straightens the
papers on her desk. Looks up. No kids yet. Checks the pencils again. She's
ready. Nervous, but ready.
Then AMANDA, a shy girl, pokes her head into Buffy's cubicle.
Hello? BUFFY Buffy stands; then sits; smiles real big. Amanda just looks at Buffy, wary of her enthusiasm.
Hi! Tentatively, Amanda makes her way to the chair and sits down. She looks up at Buffy, her eyes as pitiful as a hound dog's.
Mr. Miller sent me here. BUFFY AMANDA Off BUFFY'S sympathetic expression: INT. BUFFY'S OFFICE - DAY A new kid, MATTHEW, cute but grim, sits facing BUFFY. He plays with the baseball hat in his hands.
I don't want to say I was popular or whatever, but you know, people liked me. It sucks being new. ANGLE on Buffy [Outfit #2]
But this is a new school. Everyone here is new. MATTHEW BUFFY She smiles at him, confident. He stares at her blankly.
So, what you're saying is, it doesn't get any better? Her face drops. She's going to have to try another tack. INT. BUFFY'S OFFICE - DAY A jaded-looking hispanic boy, TOMAS, wearing a hooded sweatshirt. His hood is pulled tight to conceal as much of his face as possible. He looks at Buffy and shrugs.
(tough) I don't want to talk to you, okay? Buffy looks back at him. [Outfit #3]
Okay. That's fine. They sit in silence.
I'm serious! I'm not talking to you! BUFFY Off Buffy, cut to: OMITTED INT. BUFFY'S OFFICE - DAY - BACK TO. Amanda, hunched up in her chair.
He said all sorts of things. Stuff about how my clothes are all cheap and I look like a blue-light special. BUFFY AMANDA BUFFY AMANDA Buffy shrugs, that is what she was about to say.
Yeah, everyone says that. Amanda shakes her head. Tears welling.
You know, I'm really tired of everyone being so insecure. INT. BUFFY'S OFFICE - DAY - BACK TO: Tomas faces BUFFY. Silence. He glares at her. She waits. OMITTED INT. BUFFY'S OFFICE DAY - BACK TO: Matthew facing BUFFY.
So what am I supposed to do, stick a sign on my back that says, "Befriend me?" Buffy smiles. Matthew doesn't.
Nothing so drastic. Just tomorrow at lunch, you look for someone who's sitting alone. And you sit down next to them. MATTHEW BUFFY He rewards her with a small smile. Then pauses, thinking.
So, maybe? MATTHEW Buffy smiles, encouraged. INT. BUFFY'S OFFICE - DAY - BACK TO: Amanda facing BUFFY. Buffy talks confidently.
You've got to stick up for yourself. Let this bully know that you won't take any sh--guff, from him. Any guff. AMANDA BUFFY AMANDA Buffy is stunned. This little hound-dog girl heat the guy up?
You, what? AMANDA Off Buffy's frozen, wide-eyed smile. EXT. FIELD NEAR GRAVEYARD - DAY WILLOW and Xander walk together through a pretty field. (We can't see any gravestones in the distance.) We join mid- conversation:
I bet she's giving them great advice. WILLOW XANDER She nods. He shudders.
(grim) It's not the friendliest jingle, is it? It's no "I like Ike" or "Milk: it does a body good." WILLOW XANDER WILLOW XANDER She looks at him, dubious.
Hear me out. You're hammering, right? Xander demonstrates with a pantomime hammer in the air.
If you hold the hammer at the end, you have power, but not control. It could take two strokes to hit in the nail. Or you could hit your thumb. WILLOW XANDER WILLOW XANDER WILLOW XANDER He indicates the area ahead with a nod of his head.
Are you sure you're ready for this? She nods. He touches her arm. And lets her go on alone. He walks back. She walks forward and we MOVE WITH HER, revealing for the first time that she's walking amid GRAVESTONES. If we want to CRANE UP at this point we'll see we're in the CEMETERY... OMITTED NEW SHOT, level with Willow. The CAMERA tracks with Willow as she finds the gravestone she is looking for. Willow kneels. The CAMERA moves CLOSER still. Until we're close on the marker itself. Tara's name and dates. Slowly, Willow's pale finger traces Tara's name in the stone. And then the dates. As she reaches the year of Tara's death, the hand begins to tremble. ANGLE ON Willow as she brings her trembling hand to her lips. She slumps; sits between her bent knees, like a child. She begins to quietly cry. After a moment, she forces herself to smile through her tears as if not wanting to upset Tara. Reaches out and touches the stone again, holding her hand there, like she's touching Tara.
Hey. Then she takes some pebbles from the ground and puts them atop the gravestone. (This is Jewish tradition.)
It's me. Then silence, as we hold on Willow with Tara's gravestone. INT. BUFFY'S OFFICE - DAY - BACK TO: BUFFY, looking sympathetic. Facing her is Tomas. Silence. A long beat. Then Tomas looks at BUFFY, his expression stoic.
I'm scared. Tears well in Tomas' eyes. He blinks them away.
I don't want to be left all alone. Off Buffy's empathetic expression: INT. BUFFY'S OFFICE - DAY A new kid, PETER NICHOLS, good-looking, rich, confident.
I hate to miss Bio., but I thought it was best that I come talk to you. [BUFFY in Outfit #1]
So, what's on your mind? PETER NICHOLS He looks at her blankly.
(leading) Are you worried about school, friends, girls, your parents-- PETER NICHOLS BUFFY PETER NICHOLS BUFFY PETER NICHOLS Buffy just looks at him.
Okay, I'm just bored. (off her look) I guess I should get back to Bio. BUFFY INT. BUFFY'S OFFICE - DAY - BACK TO: Tomas talking with BUFFY.
My brother's joining up with the Marines. He begins to tear a little. Wipes at his face angrily.
If he knew I was making a fool of myself like this, he'd smack me in the head. I'm being stupid. BUFFY TOMAS BUFFY Tomas looks up. Nods begrudgingly.
Yeah. I mean, what if he... doesn't come back? What if he gets blown up? I can't sleep 'cause of this. BUFFY Tomas shakes his head.
Nah. I don't want to. I don't want to talk to him, okay? BUFFY TOMAS Off Buffy: INT. BUFFY'S OFFICE - DAY JOSH, a wild-eyed geeky kid, faces Buffy. He smiles at her. [She's in outfit #2]
So, Josh, what's on your mind? JOSH BUFFY JOSH He raises his eyebrows at her, looks at her like, "Am I selling this?" Her sympathetic expression drops. Hold on Buffy as she massages her temples. She's worn out. (This shot carries over to the next scene.) INT. BUFFY'S OFFICE - DAY - CONTINUING She looks up, talking to a new kid. [Still in Outfit #2]
It sounds like it's difficult for you. Like maybe your sister makes it hard for you to establish your own identity. You said she's controlling, and that she doesn't let you make your own decisions-- REVEAL Dawn, who sits opposite Buffy - fidgeting with Buffy's nameplate as she talks...
Yeah, and she borrows my clothes without asking. BUFFY INT. ESPRESSO PUMP - DAY Anya is mid-conversation with a sad woman, 30, LULU.
It is hard. I know, it is. But, honestly? I bet you'll feel better if you talk about it. A lot better. Lulu looks like she's about to talk, then shakes her head.
You don't mind? Anya waves off this notion.
Talk to me. LULU ANYA Lulu shakes her head:
Nothing. And all day long, I kept thinking he was about to surprise me... And I guess he did 'cause - Surprise! - He forgot. ANYA LULU ANYA LULU ANYA LULU ANYA LULU Anya checks out Lulu's despondent expression. Thinks.
Did he know this? That you're freaked about being-- LULU ANYA LULU ANYA LULU ANYA LULU ANYA LULU ANYA Lulu smiles and then gathers her stuff, heads for the door.
Thanks, you've been a big help. She exits. Anya smiles. Until she realizes that she didn't wreak any vengeance, she looks up, but Lulu is gone.
Wait... We hold on Anya, totally confused and pissed at herself. INT. BUFFY'S OFFICE - DAY Buffy sits at her messy desk. [Outfit #3] She is facing a blonde girl with haunted eyes, CASSIE. Cassie wears a t- shirt for the White Stripes (or some cool band the kids are listening to), jeans and old, paint-splattered Pumas. A beat- up composition book is on her lap.
So you're not doing your homework. CASSIE BUFFY CASSIE Cassie absent-mindedly braids part of her hair.
Okay, so no French Foreign Legion. I get that. I mean, all the changing your name and being indentured for years and occupying Algeria. CASSIE BUFFY Cassie looks around the room. Then back at Buffy.
I like that shirt. Where did you-- BUFFY CASSIE Off Buffy's reaction.
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| Act Two |
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INT. BUFFY'S OFFICE - CONTINUING
Buffy looks at Cassie. Alert now, her voice held steady.
What? Cassie averts her eyes. Undoes a braid of hair.
Can we talk, about something else? BUFFY CASSIE BUFFY CASSIE BUFFY Cassie looks up, alert.
I'm not going to commit suicide, if that's what you're saying. No way. BUFFY A frustrated shrug.
Look, I don't mean to be a pain, you seem really nice, and I know you just want to help, but I'm just wasting your time. BUFFY Cassie looks at Buffy, shrugs.
I don't think it; I know it. I just, know. BUFFY CASSIE Buffy is mystified. Cassie looks off in the distance.
Coins? CASSIE BUFFY Cassie looks at Buffy.
And I know you'll try to help. BUFFY The BELL RINGS ending the class period.
But you can't, okay? Cassie stands. Holds her composition book to her chest. BUFFY stands too, not wanting her to go.
(apologetically) I gotta go. Trig. I don't want Mr. Corrigan sending me to Principal Wood again. (then) Look, about what I said? Try not to worry. BUFFY CASSIE BUFFY CASSIE INT. PRINCIPAL WOOD'S OFFICE - DAY Principal Wood sits on the edge of his desk. Buffy stands facing him, distressed, urgent.
What am I supposed to do? PRINCIPAL WOOD BUFFY PRINCIPAL WOOD He lets out a big breath, rubs the bridge of his nose.
It's hard. Kids this age, they're hurting, they're pissed. And they say things. Sometimes they say awful things. As he talks, Principal Wood goes to pour two cups of coffee.
When I was in school I got into a thing with this guy. Real bully. told everyone he'd better "sleep with one eye open 'cause I was gonna bust his ass." He hands Buffy a cup of coffee.
I got suspended. Talk like that is taken pretty seriously where I come from- BUFFY PRINCIPAL WOOD BUFFY PRINCIPAL WOOD BUFFY PRINCIPAL WOOD He walks back around his desk. Sitting down.
Inform teachers, search lockers. But we can't know what's going to happen, and we can't search their brains. We just do what we can. Buffy shakes her head; frustrated. Walks towards his desk.
It's not enough. I want to, I don't know what. I need to do something. I need to make this better. Buffy bumps against the edge of the desk, jerks her cup of coffee, spilling it on her shirt.
Ow! Shoot! I need to... She stares at the stain as it spreads on her clean shirt. INT. HALLWAY - DAY A few kids amble down the hall, passing between classes. We PICK UP ON DAWN and follow her to her locker. She opens it. Tosses in the textbooks she's carrying and grabs a new one. Slams the locker shut and REVEALS BUFFY - who looks serious.
I have a job for you. INT. NEW HIGH SCHOOL LIBRARY - DAY Dawn walks amid the shelves of books. Pretending to look for a title, but really she's watching... DAWN'S POV: Cassie and a cute boy, MIKE WARBURTON, sit at a library table. Mike wears an army jacket, but he's pretty clean-cut. He's got a history text in front of him. Cassie's got a copy of "Franny and Zooey" by Salinger near her and is drawing in her composition book. Mike tries to look at her notebook:
What're you drawing? Cassie closes her notebook, marking the page with her hand. She smiles at him.
Don't you have a history test to study for? MIKE CASSIE MIKE CASSIE MIKE Cassie smiles at him.
You're so ridiculous. She goes back to her drawing. He looks back at his textbook and then, after a moment, looks up again.
So... I was kind of thinking maybe we should go to that dance after all. She doesn't look up.
What do you mean "after all"? I told you I don't want to go. MIKE She looks up, smiles at him.
It'd probably just be lame anyway. MIKE Dawn approaches. She stands by their table hesitantly. Mike and Cassie don't notice her at first.
We hang out all the time. MIKE DAWN They turn to look at her.
I'm in ceramics with you? Dawn Summers. Do you remember if we had an assignment last week? I spaced. CASSIE DAWN CASSIE Mike stands - gathers his stuff.
As scintillating as this pottery talk is, I'd better go and actually study. (to Dawn) I'm Mike, by the way. Cassie talks about your ashtrays all the time. DAWN MIKE CASSIE MIKE Cassie and Dawn are left alone. Dawn notes "Franny and Zooey"
Is that any good? CASSIE DAWN CASSIE Dawn sits.
That's so cool. I'd do that, but my sister would be down my neck in a second. CASSIE DAWN CASSIE DAWN Cassie's high spirits evaporate.
I'm sorry, It's none of my business. CASSIE An awkward moment. Dawn tries to change the subject:
So. Mike's a cutie. Are you guys going to that dance? CASSIE DAWN CASSIE DAWN CASSIE Off Dawn's look. INT. SUMMERS' LIVING ROOM - EVENING - TWO DAYS LATER The back part of the room: their new "HQ." Willow is working on her computer, anxious to be helpful. Xander and Buffy look over her shoulder. The table is piled with papers.
Cassie's records all show the same story - Good grades, good kid. Then suddenly, not so good grades, absenteeism, comments about apathy and depression. XANDER BUFFY WILLOW BUFFY XANDER WILLOW BUFFY Willow nods
Want me to check medical records? BUFFY Xander grabs a folder from her MD from the table.
(reading) Strep throat, ear infections, yeast infection, none of my business. No real info here. BUFFY WILLOW XANDER WILLOW Willow types a few things.
Let's see what Cassie Newton pulls up. WILLOW (cont'd) XANDER ANGLE from behind, allowing us to see the web site. There are a bunch of drawings, paintings, many of them self- portraits. A lot of them sad and dark. But mostly poems. Lots of them.
Wow. Lotta poems here. XANDER WILLOW ANGLE ON Willow, reading.
I rise into the moonlight white/ And watch the mirror stare/ ANGLE ON Xander, listening.
Pale fish looks back at me/ Pale fish that will never swim/ ANGLE ON Dawn as she enters the front door. She slows, realizing she shouldn't interrupt, quietly puts down her backpack. Listens.
My skin is milk for no man to drink/ my thighs unused, unclenched/ this body is not ready yet/ But dirt waits for no woman/ And coins will buy no time/ ANGLE ON Buffy. Listening, moved by the girl's words.
I hear the chatter of the bugs/ It's they alone will feast A beat. (ANGLE includes all of them.) Dawn approaches.
Okay... Death really is on her brain. DAWN XANDER WILLOW XANDER WILLOW XANDER WILLOW Dawn shakes her head.
(cocky) You guys are way off track. I got a hunch on this one. Willow is back on the main page.
I think we've seen most of this. Here's something, oh no, it's "Phillip Newton." BUFFY DAWN BUFFY DAWN WILLOW They all turn to look at the screen. A page titled "Sunnydale Police Records." "Phillip Newton" is highlighted. A list of charges follows: "Drunk and Disorderly;" "Disturbing the Peace;" "Disorderly conduct."
Drunk and Disorderly. Disturbing the Peace...a lot of charges here. BUFFY XANDER BUFFY Xander and Buffy rise and prepare to head out.
You guys! Listen up. I'm telling you, I'm liking Mike Warburton for the perp. Let's collar him before he lawyers up! But they're gone. EXT. MR. NEWTON'S HOUSE - NIGHT Buffy and Xander stand on the stoop of a small, sort of crummy house. The porch light FLICKERS. They KNOCK.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer would just kick down this door. XANDER BUFFY They KNOCK again. The door opens as far as the security chain will allow. A big man, PHILLIP NEWTON, looks out.
Mr. Newton? MR. NEWTON BUFFY Off Mr. Newton, looking less than thrilled at this. INT. MR. NEWTON'S HOUSE - CONTINUOUS We're inside Mr. Newton's place now. It's a mess. A table with a bottle of Scotch and a drinking glass is in plain view.
Is she screwing up her grades again? She's not the sharpest apple in the barrel. BUFFY MR. NEWTON BUFFY MR. NEWTON XANDER MR. NEWTON XANDER BUFFY MR. NEWTON Xander glances over at the bottle of booze:
Yeah, you look real busy-- BUFFY cuts him off. She's got to do this.
Frankly, we're worried that you might drink too much and hurt Cassie. Silence.
That's all. Mr. Newton smiles a slim smile. Nods repeatedly. But his eyes are lit with anger. As he talks, his temper rises:
Oh, I see. That's all, You come in here in the middle of the night, into my home, and start accusing me of beating on my daughter? That's all? BUFFY MR. NEWTON BUFFY MR. NEWTON BUFFY MR. NEWTON BUFFY MR. NEWTON BUFFY MR. NEWTON BUFFY She heads to the door. Xander follows. Buffy turns:
You know, I'm not going to let anything happen to Cassie. MR. NEWTON BUFFY Mr. Newton is taken aback; his indignant expression drops. Buffy and Xander quietly exit, closing the door behind them. EXT. MR. NEWTON'S HOUSE - CONTINUOUS Buffy and Xander exit onto the poorly-lit stoop. Suddenly, Cassie emerges from the shadows. Looking haunted as a specter. Startling them both.
It's not him. He's not the one who does it. (to Buffy) Thank you for trying. But I probably shouldn't have told you anything. You're making such a big deal and I want it all to just...go away. XANDER CASSIE BUFFY CASSIE BUFFY CASSIE She looks up for a minute, trying to keep back tears.
Believe me. I want to... be here, do things. I want to graduate from high school. I want go to the stupid Winter Formal. I have this friend, and it would be fun to go with him. Just to dance, hear lame music, to wear a silly dress and laugh and stuff. I'd like to go. There's a lot I'd like to do. She is crying a little now.
You know, I'd love to ice skate at Rockefeller Center. And I'd love to watch my cousins grow up, see who they become - cause they're really mean and I think they're gonna be fat. And I've never been to the Louvre. I'd love to see the Mona Lisa. Or meet Peter Falk. Or backpack across the country. Or, I don't know... fall in love. She shrugs; looks at them with clear, shining eyes.
But I won't. I just... never will. Buffy and Xander are both shaken.
Cassie, no. You will. You will. You just have to tell us what you know. Everything about this... Please, please, help us. CASSIE
CUT TO:
INT. NEW HIGH SCHOOL LIBRARY - NIGHT Ten RED ROPED FIGURES walk slowly in a circle. Hoods cover their faces. Each holds a BURNING CANDLE. They each point their candles towards the center of the circle. An OVERHRAD SHOT reveals what the robed figures are circling: STRANGE FOREIGN COINS are laid out in an intricate arrangement of concentric circles. At the very center of the arrangement is a paper shrine consisting of an enlarged YEARBOOK PHOTO OF CASSIE and some print-outs of her POEMS. The flames leap from their candles and the paper begins to burn. The photo of Cassie is devoured by flames.
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| Act Three |
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EXT. SUN RISING - DAWN
Establishing a new day dawning. The day of Cassie's predicted death.
INT. BUFFY'S OFFICE - DAY
Buffy at her computer. Principal Wood pokes his head in the door. Buffy
doesn't notice, still intent on the screen.
Hey, how we doing? Buffy starts
Oh! PRINCIPAL WOOD BUFFY PRINCIPAL WOQD Buffy nods.
Thank god it's Friday. (realizing) I can't believe I just said that. I'm such a principal. See you later. BUFFY nods, already looking back at her computer screen. ANGLE ON Buffy and the computer screen. She's on Cassie's web site. Reading her poetry. She reads quietly for a long moment. Starts to read out loud:
(softly) I sit alone at my window sill/ Trees Crackle/ sunshine blares... Cassie's VOICE takes over:
and children laugh like death/ As we show a brief MONTAGE of the past few days: EXT. PICNIC BENCH ON SCHOOL GROUNDS - DAY Cassie eats her lunch with Mike Warburton, Dawn and a couple other kids. Everyone is laughing. Cassie smiles too. Dawn watches Mike Warburton, closely. Suspicious.
Their sharp happiness is a knife to me/ One jealous snake on a window sill/ INT. SUMMERS' HOUSE - DINING ROOM - NIGHT A different day. Buffy, Dawn, Willow and Xander sit at the table. The food on their plates untouched. They're all absorbed in research material: a yearbook; a book on teenage violence; photos of Cassie; school papers she wrote.
They will be here, trees and Sun/ and children with canes and pruney skin/ INT. CASSIE'S ROOM - NIGHT Cassie lies on her unmade bed, writing in her composition book. Posters (The Velvet Underground; Tom Waits) are taped to her walls, along with art postcards (Francis Bacon; Max Beckman) and photos of Cassie with Mike Warburton.
When I am but a memory/ A laugh in the trees of time. INT. SUMMERS' HOUSE - BUFFY'S ROOM - DAY Willow stands near the window, looking out, thinking of Tara. She touches the glass, rubbing her fingers along its smooth surface.
I sit alone and try to love them/ I sit alone, a snake/ INT. BUFFY'S OFFICE - CONTINUING Buffy stares ahead, thinking.
I sit alone and try to love them/ I sit alone and laugh. INT. SCHOOL BASEMENT - DAY Dark and dank. A pile of discarded crates. On one sits SPIKE. Spine straight, eyes staring forward. Still. From the darkness, Buffy approaches. He doesn't react. She's standing right in front of him. Waves her hand in front of his eyes. Nothing. Snaps her fingers. Nothing.
Spike! What are you doing? No response, then:
Nothing. If I don't move. If I don't think. If I don't listen to the voices. Then I won't hurt. Much. BUFFY SPIKE BUFFY He blinks several times, agitated.
Time is running out-- SPIKE BUFFY He blinks more. His neck strains. Trying not to listen. He nods.
Yes. He closes his eyes. Trying to block out the pain.
There's evil. Down here. Right here. I'm a bad man. William is a bad man. I hurt the girl. He starts to sob, soundlessly. Starts hitting his fists against his head. BUFFY grabs his wrists, stopping him.
Spike! Stop it! What did you do? He looks up at BUFFY.
I hurt you Buffy and I will pay. I am paying. Because I hurt the girl. BUFFY She releases his wrists.
A girl called Cassie Newton. Do you know anything specific? Spike shakes his head, "no" several times. She backs off.
Don't! Don't leave me! Stay here, and help me be quiet. BUFFY She walks away from him.
Don't let him hurt the girl! INT. SUNNYDALE HIGH SCHOOL - HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS Mike Warburton walking quickly down the hall. His face is dark. He carries a paper in his hand. In the BG, a JANITOR opens lockers, which Principal Wood and another TEACHER search.
Where's your hall pass? Mike looks up and sees Buffy in front of him, arms folded.
No hall pass. I got a free period. BUFFY MIKE Buffy stares at him, not relenting. Mike shows her the paper. It's a test with a big "B" circled in red pen.
A lousy B in Egyptian History. I knew this stuff cold. Pisses me off. BUFFY Mike smiles slowly; this seems ridiculous.
What? No-- BUFFY MIKE BUFFY MIKE BUFFY MIKE BUFFY MIKE Buffy is relieved. She smiles at him. Then her smile drops.
You're asking my sister to the prom? (then) And she's your second choice? A CLATTER OF METAL ON TILE makes BUFFY turn. ANGLE ON a mass of FOREIGN COINS as they clatter out of a searched locker on to the hallway floor.
(to Mike) I'll be keeping an eye on you. Mike shakes his head, smiling and continues down the hall. ANGLE ON Buffy as she joins Principal Wood, the Teacher and Janitor by the opened locker.
Looks like someone's got a coin collection. ANGLE ON the odd coins all over the floor. Buffy picks up a coin, turns it over in her hand. The Janitor and Teacher are scooping the coins up, putting them back in the locker. Buffy closes the locker door slightly, getting a look at the number: "174." She pockets the coin and heads down the hall. INT. BUFFY'S OFFICE - DAY BUFFY perches on the edge of her desk. A small kid, MARTIN WILDER, enters.
You wanted to see me? BUFFY MARTIN Buffy holds out the foreign coin.
I want you to tell me what this is, and what it has to do with a girl called Cassie Newton. MARTIN BUFFY EXT. SCHOOL STEPS - DAY Dawn and Cassie exit the school and walk down the steps. Students are everywhere, heading home, catching buses. At the bottom of the steps, Cassie stops, looks at Dawn.
Well, I guess this is good-bye. Dawn's eyes flash with panic.
No! (recovering) I mean, hey, I'll walk you home. CASSIE Cassie starts to walk again. Dawn keeps pace.
Far sounds good. CASSIE DAWN CASSIE DAWN CASSIE They reach the corner. Stop.
Maybe she can. She's... different than you think. She's got powers... of helping and she was worried. And now I'm worried. But I wasn't. Pretending. At all. I wanted to be your friend. A beat. And then Cassie gives her a smile.
You are my friend. DAWN CASSIE DAWN PETER NICHOLS (O.S.) CASSIE PETER NICHOLS Dawn, torn, moves away from Cassie. Leaves her standing at the corner alone. [Note: Because there's a building there, we can't see around the corner.]
What is it, Peter? PETER NICHOLS DAWN She gives him a shy smile.
Oh yeah? Well, I was just doing a poll. See ya! He gives her a cocky smile. Sucker. He saunters off.
That guy is such an ass-- Cassie? Cassie! Dawn looks around frantically. Cassie is gone.
Cassie! INT. BUFFY'S OFFICE - DAY Buffy talking to Martin Wilder. He looks upset.
Believe me, I'd tell you it I knew anything. I just... don't. Buffy slides off the edge of her desk. Gets in Martin's face.
You know why I came back here to Sunnydale High? MARTIN BUFFY A beat as Martin takes this in. He's caving.
A girl could die. MARTIN One more glance at Buffy's face and he caves:
I guess I know who you're talking about. She's some weirdo suicidal poet girl. These guys I know want to mess with her. They've got this plan. INT. NEW HIGH SCHOOL LIBRARY - NIGHT The Red Robed figures hold lit candles and circle the arrangement of coins as before. Then one walks to the front of the room where there is a LARGE CEREMONIAL TORCH.
All present? As they kneel on either side of the coin arrangement:
All present. The Leader's hood falls back a bit: He is Peter Nichols.
Then we begin. With his candle, Peter lights the torch behind him. One of the cult members GIGGLES with excitement.
Mandel, shut up. RED ROBED FIGURE #1 PETER NICHOLS RED ROBED FIGURE #2 PETER NICHOLS He goes behind a bookshelf and drags out the heretofore unseen Cassie. She is bound in ropes, her mouth taped with duct tape, a blindfold over her eyes. She can barely move.
And no one's getting out. The cult boys audibly suck in their breath.
Du-ude... PETER NICHOLS He pulls off Cassie's blindfold. CASSIE'S POV: She looks at Peter, the robed figures before her. Her eyes stop on the arrangement of coins. ANGLE ON PETER as he picks up a big MEAT CLEAVER. He puts it to Cassie's throat. Looks her in the eye.
Extinguish. The cult boys wet their fingers and extinguish their candles. There's an audible SSSS.
(ceremonial) Almighty Avilas, please accept our sacrifice. Appear before us, oh mighty soldier of the dark. Appear and grant us infinite riches and we will pay with our sacrifice. We kneel before you with your gift of flesh. ANGLE on the cult members. One suddenly stands, throws back the robe's hood: It's BUFFY.
Okay, that is going on your permanent record. PETER NICHOLS RED ROBED FIGURE #1 The other cult boys JUMP Buffy. She fights them easily. A few PUNCHES knock them back on their asses. Buffy gets up to Peter who threatens her with the cleaver.
Back off! She doesn't.
Stupid bitch! Buffy turns back and then wheels, HITTING him smack in the face. He falls back against the wall. His nose starts to bleed. He staggers towards her, swinging the cleaver.
You're gonna die. BUFFY She kicks Peter in the nuts. He crumples, dropping the cleaver. Buffy steps on it.
Bored teenage boys trying to raise a demon. Sorry it was a no-show. You know, I bet it's 'cause you forgot the boom box blaring... some heavy metal thing like.. Blue Clam Cult! I think that's the key to the raising of lame demons-- From the ground, Peter points:
That lame demon? Buffy turns where he's pointing and sees: A huge, nasty, drooling AVILAS DEMON. [Details TBD) Not exactly lame.
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| Act Four |
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INT. NEW HIGH SCHOOL LIBRARY - CONTINUOUS
Where we left off. Buffy faces the Avilas Demon.
ANGLE ON Buffy, shocked, as she looks up at the Demon.
ANGLE ON the Demon, drooling, fixated on Cassie.
ANGLE ON Cassie, closing her eyes.
ANGLE ON the cult boys. A couple of faces of amazement.
Some of pure horror, fear.
Dude... help. Buffy grabs the meat cleaver and charges. HURLS it into the Demon's belly. Where it sticks. The Demon SNORTS, as if laughing. It SWATS at Buffy, hits her square across the face. She is KNOCKED ACROSS THE ROOM. Her head CRACKING against a bookshelf. The Demon rips the cleaver from its own flesh and HURLS it to the ground. Then charges towards prostrate Buffy ANGLE ON Peter Nichols, blood dripping from his nose as he scrambles for the cleaver. Picks it up and heads through the chaos toward Cassie. ANGLE ON Buffy lying on her back, her hand searches for a Weapon, any weapon. Nothing. The Demon leans down to her... and suddenly, she KICKS UP, pushing off her arms so that her feet hit the creature RIGHT IN THE FACE. It backs off a step. She scrambles to her feet. PUNCHES the creature in the gut. ANGLE ON Peter Nichols, who is almost upon Cassie now. He is breathing hard, his face distorted, determined to kill her. ANGLE ON Buffy as she sees Peter nearing Cassie.
No! She starts to run towards him. A couple of the cult boys, including RED ROBED FIGURE #2, get in her way, trying to stop her. Buffy shoves them aside. PUNCHES #2 in the stomach and sends him sprawling into Peter Nichols - who is temporarily thwarted in his effort to kill Cassie. Buffy moves toward Peter, but the Avilas GRABS HER and FLINGS her to the ground. ANGLE ON Red Robed Figure #1. His nose is running, his eyes tearing, definitely wigging out
Stop this! Somebody stop this! ANGLE ON Buffy. On the ground again. Kicking her legs up at the Demon. She's not in great shape here. The Demon STEPS ON Buffy. Its giant foot CRUSHING her chest. It leans in, jaw widening, ready to feed. When suddenly it SCREAMS, turns to snap at something, or someone, behind it: Spike, holding the torch, BURNING the Demon's flesh. Buffy gets to her feet.
Spike! SPIKE BUFFY She grabs the torch from Spike. Spike heads for Cassie. Buffy hits the Demon across the head with the burning torch It reels, flesh on its face SIZZLING.
...care of this. ANGLE ON Peter, who has made his way back to Cassie. He holds the cleaver back like a baseball bat; about to cut off Cassie's head... when Spike takes him to the ground. The cleaver drops. Spike begins to PUNCH him silly. Between blows:
Who... are... you? SPIKE HITTING HIM again and again. ANGLE ON BUFFY. Holding the torch against the Demon. Its flesh starts to BURN. It SCREAMS... in great pain. ANGLE ON Spike, Cassie and Peter. Peter is MOANING on the ground. Spike uses the cleaver to cut Cassie free from her bonds. Pulls the duct tape off her mouth. She gasps for air. Looks at Spike. Seems to recognize him.
She'll tell you. Someday she'll tell you. ANGLE ON BUFFY and the Demon. It's burning and SCREAMING and melting before her. It crumples to the ground. Seems dead. Buffy runs to Cassie.
Are you okay? Cassie nods shakily. Spike, stunned by what Cassie just told him, backs away. ANGLE ON Peter Nichols, dragging his bruised and bloody body towards the body of the Demon.
You can't be dead! Where's my infinite riches? And then with it's dying breath, the Demon SNAPS at Peter, biting his shoulder.
AAAAA! It bit me! And the Avilas Demon explodes in a BURST OF FLAME. Which then disappears. Leaving no trace of the monster. Except for the blood and mayhem in the library.
(to BUFFY) I'm bleeding! Help me! BUFFY Red Robed Figure #2 runs over to Peter, kneeling, staunching the wound on Peter's shoulder. ANGLE ON Buffy: her arm around Cassie. They walk towards the exit, passing the beat up, terrified cult boys. All of them are either unconscious or huddled on the ground. INT. NEW LIBRARY - EXIT - CONTINUOUS BUFFY AND CASSIE GET TO the exit door, which is in a private, alcove-like area of the library (You can't see the cult boys.)
(to Cassie, gentle) It's all okay now. They open the door and the booby-trap is sprung! A CROSS-BOW releases an arrow which SHOOTS RIGHT TOWARDS CASSIE! Buffy snaps out a hand and CATCHES IT! Millimeters away from Cassie's temple. A stunned beat. Everyone is frozen. Cassie's eyes shift from Buffy to the arrow and back again. Then, with one hand, Buffy snaps the arrow in two.
See? You can make a difference. Cassie looks at Buffy She blinks, smiles: seeing something.
And you will. And then Cassie touches her own heart. Her eyes go flat and she collapses, falling into Buffy's arms.
Cassie! Cassie! Cassie's eyes are still. Buffy cradles her in her lap, feels for her pulse. Nothing. She's dead.
Cassie! No! Cassie, please... INT. SUMMERS' HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - DAY The other side of the living room. The one we're used to seeing, with the couch, etc. Buffy, Dawn, Xander and Willow sit in silence. Dawn's eyes are red from crying. Buffy is stunned, full of self-loathing.
How was her mother? BUFFY WILLOW XANDER BUFFY WILLOW BUFFY Dawn buries her head in her lap, starts to sob.
She was my friend. BUFFY Dawn looks up, tears running down her face. Shakes her head.
Uh-uh. No. You didn't, 'cause you tried. You listened and you tried. She died 'cause of her heart, not 'cause of you She was my friend 'cause of you. I guess maybe sometimes you can't help. BUFFY A beat: as they all look at each other, unable to answer. INT. HALLWAY/BUFFY'S OFFICE - DAY Monday morning. A LONG SHOT. WE'RE IN THE HALLWAY LOOKING THROUGH THE WINDOW TO BUFFY AT HER DESK. Her desk is a mess. Slowly, she begins to straighten it. Organize her papers. Sharpen her pencils. Readying to begin again. The camera doesn't move.
BLACK OUT.
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