TEASER
FADE IN:
INT. ANGEL'S HOTEL - LOBBY - NIGHT
It's the night of the spell. The candles are out, but are
still on the floor. The room is a mess.
CORDELIA is stilling on the steps in front of the doors. The
long hair from before remains as it was, and will until a
change is mentioned. Her legs are pulled up to her chest.
Her face blank. Thinking. Hurting.
LILAH is sitting in one of the chairs. Her exterior cool,
but inside, she's not much better than Cordelia. Her hair
has been fixed up.
There is hardly a sound in the room until FRED and GUNN walk
down the stairs. His head is as bald as ever, and her hair
is nice and neat.
GUNN
Not that the 'fro doesn't work on
some guys, but damn I'm glad to have
that hair gone.
He and Fred notice Cordelia sitting on the steps. Their
expressions change to sad mode. Realizing that it's not joke
time.
They walk to Cordelia and sit down next to her.
FRED
How are you?
CORDELIA
Horrified. You?
FRED
Things are pretty messed up.
CORDELIA
You could say that.
Cordelia stands up and starts pacing.
CORDELIA (CONT'D)
All of it. What we did. It was all
lies.
GUNN
Not all of it. We know we did good.
CORDELIA
But how much bad did we do?
(beat)
Because of me.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2.
FRED
It wasn't your fault.
CORDELIA
I'm the one with the visions. I'm
the machine that those demons left
their messages on. If it wasn't for
me...
GUNN
Then it would have been someone else.
Cordelia takes a pause, trying to make sense of everything
in her head.
CORDELIA
God. I can't believe this is
happening. es cn't believe that this
entire time that we thought we were
doing some real good for the world,
we were the ones that should have
been stopped. All of those good guys
that we killed.
Gunn looks away. He did way more of that killing than Cordelia
did.
LILAH
(blankly)
Must suck to be you.
Cordelia looks at Lilah, not believing that she has the nerve
to speak right now.
CORDELIA
What, in your mind, caused you to
think that now is a good time to be
pissing me off?
LILAH
Right. I forgot. You're all evil.
You might kill me or something.
(beat)
Or do you only kill the good guys?
Cordelia wants to walk over to Lilah and beat her face until
it makes a sloshy sound, but she holds back.
CORDELIA
And what were you again? Distraction?
Wow, that kinda means that you weren't
even worth using in their real plans,
doesn't it?
Lilah looks down. The one thing in her life that meant
something to her was a lie. In her own way, just as betrayed
as Cordelia.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3.
FRED
Stop it.
The situation finally hits Fred. Crowding her mind. Causing
it to hurt. Tears form in her eyes.
FRED (CONT'D)
Please, just stop.
Gunn puts his arm around her.
GUNN
We didn't know. How can this be our
fault if we didn't even know?
CORDELIA
It's our fault because we were stupid.
We wanted so much to believe that we
were doing something good that we
never even asked questions. We never
asked who the Powers were, or why
they were gave us the visions. We
just wanted our lives to mean
something. So we just closed our
eyes and followed them blindly.
FRED
This can't be happening. We are the
good guys. We fight evil.
CORDELIA
We are the evil, Fred.
Those words even shock Cordelia herself.
CORDELIA (CONT'D)
I mean, think about it. When was the
last time we killed something really,
really, bad? Darla? No, she killed
herself. Wolfram and Hart? We couldn't
stop them no matter what we did. We
never even stopped Holtz, he did
himself in. Where I come from, heroes
save the world. All we do is wander
aimlessly, killing a demon every so
often, moping about the latest pain
in our ass until they fade out of
the picture.
Fred doesn't like hearing this. None of them do.
FRED
What about the others? The ones that
the Powers didn't tell us about?
They were bad, right?
Cordelia doesn't answer. She doesn't know. She doesn't know
anything anymore.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4.
CORDELIA
(quietly)
We never did the research.
Cordelia can't stand this anymore. She can't stand being in
this room. In this hotel. In this life.
CORDELIA (CONT'D)
I can't...
And with that half of a sentence, she walk out of the hotel.
Trying to hold in the tears.
Gunn, Fred and Lilah are left in the hotel. Nothing more is
said.
INT. WESLEY'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
WESLEY is reading his book on the Biru, and trying to see if
he can translate the papers that Lilah left with him. Several
other old books are open around him. He's tired. This is not
going well.
He gets up. Stretches. He bends down and grabs a tea cup off
of the table. Takes a sip. It's cold. He starts to walk toward
the kitchen to make new tea.
As he is about to leave the room, his front door CRASHES
OPEN. Wesley jumps at the sudden violence. He looks at the
doorway.
ANGEL stands where the door once was. He's pissed.
ANGEL
Where are the papers on Connor?
FADE TO BLACK:
END OF TEASER
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5.
ACT ONE
FADE IN:
INT. WESLEY'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
Wesley recovers from the shock of seeing Angel standing there.
Angel walks into the apartment.
WESLEY
By all means, do come in.
ANGEL
Where are they?
WESLEY
They're on the table.
Angel goes to the table and grabs them.
WESLEY (CONT'D)
How did you know they would be here?
ANGEL
Lucky guess.
(beat)
You working with Lilah now?
WESLEY
Hardly. I'm just the only person
left for her to bring them to. I'm
sure she told you about Wolfram and
Hart.
ANGEL
It figures that you'd help her.
Angel starts to walk out.
WESLEY
I wasn't helping Lilah. I was helping
you.
Angel turns around.
ANGEL
By keeping these from me?
WESLEY
By keeping them from her. Do you
want her to know whatever it is that
those papers say about Connor?
Angel doesn't answer.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6.
WESLEY (CONT'D)
The firm may be gone, but Lilah was
always a threat on her own.
ANGEL
And you think I trust you any more
than I trust her?
WESLEY
I don't think you have a choice.
(beat)
You know as well as I do that those
papers are about the Biru. And
whatever they say about them, it
probably doesn't finish off with the
words "happily ever after".
ANGEL
So what do you suggest we do? Let
you translate the papers on your
own? See if you can't find a new
reason to take Connor out of the
picture?
WESLEY
I'll work on translating them until
we can perform the translation spell
without Lilah around.
Angel thinks for a moment. He looks at the pile of books on
the table. Then pushes the papers back into Wesley's chest
forcefully. Wesley takes them.
ANGEL
If you do anything to mess this up
for me, I will kill you.
Angel walks out. Wesley watches him leave.
WESLEY
Don't worry about the door. Really.
INT. ANGEL'S HOTEL - LOBBY - NIGHT
Angel walks into the hotel. Looks around. Sees Fred picking
up the candles. Sees Gunn sitting in one of the chairs.
Lilah is gone.
ANGEL
Where's Cordelia?
Fred turns and sees Angel. She's somber.
FRED
She left.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7.
ANGEL
What? What happened?
Fred puts the candles down on the counter.
FRED
You might wanna sit down.
Angel starts to get worried.
ANGEL
What's wrong?
Fred looks to Gunn, trying to find a way to tell Angel.
INT. ANGEL'S HOTEL - LOBBY - LATER
Angel, Gunn and Fred are all sitting in the lobby. They told
Angel the whole story about the Biru. He's letting it soak
in.
ANGEL
They... I've heard of them.
(beat)
Are you sure about this?
Fred nods.
GUNN
We saw enough flashbacks to make us
believe.
Angel doesn't want to believe it, but he doesn't see much
choice.
ANGEL
So everything I've been working for.
Redemption. It's all been a lie.
I've been doing everything that I've
been trying to fight.
(beat)
I guess there is no redemption, is
there?
FRED
You can't let yourself believe that.
ANGEL
Why? Just because I opened the door
and invited the Biru to come in and
destroy this dimension?
FRED
There was no way you could have known.
ANGEL
I could have asked questions.
(MORE)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8.
ANGEL (CONT'D)
(beat)
When the Powers contacted me, I was
happy to be given the chance to redeem
myself. To finally be able to pay
the world back for the evil that
I've done. And because I was so eager,
and because I listened to them so
easily, I've made it that much easier
for these things to come in and
destroy it all.
(beat)
All of the warriors that have died
because of me. I keep calling myself
a champion. But, in reality, I've
killed the champions.
Gunn begins to stir in his seat. Anger setting in.
GUNN
And we're what? Gonna let this go
down like the Powers planned? Gonna
back away and shut ourselves off
from the world?
(beat)
No. We fight.
ANGEL
So we can mess things up more than
we already have?
GUNN
So we can set things straight. If we
can stop the Biru or whatever the
hell they're called, we can make
sure that the cause that those good
guys had doesn't end.
FRED
He's right. We're not evil. We were
tricked. The Powers wanted you because
you're powerful, Angel. Because you
could take down anything. Because
they didn't want you against them.
(beat)
They're scared of you.
She stands up, determined.
FRED (CONT'D)
So, I say we fight them. Are you
with me, Angel?
She looks at Angel, waiting for a response. Expecting him to
jump up and cheer on their new cause.
But Angel doesn't respond. Instead, he stands up. Looks at
her apologetically, and walks up the stairs to his room.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
9.
Fred looks at Gunn. She's worried.
GUNN
Just give him some time.
INT. CORDELIA'S APARTMENT - DAY
Cordelia walks into the apartment. She's been out walking
all night. And things still aren't any better. She's
depressed. Used. As low as she could possibly be.
She closes the door behind her, and walks into her living
room.
On the table, next to her couch, there's a picture. She picks
it up and looks at it.
ANGLE: THE PICTURE
It's a picture of her, years before. Dressed in her
cheerleader uniform. Smiling. Happy.
Cordy puts her hand on the picture, wishing that she could
somehow reclaim that moment in her life.
Her HAND BEGINS TO GLOW.
She tries to stop it, but she can't. She can't control it.
And as her hand continues to glow, the picture in her hand
MELTS. It's gone forever.
THE GLOWING ENDS. Cordelia looks at the melted mess in her
hands. Another punch in the gut.
Her eyes begin to tear up. She's sad and angry at the same
time. She throws the melted picture on the ground.
Just as she's about to totally let it all out, there's a
KNOCK on her door.
She gathers herself. Walks to the door. Opens it. Wesley is
standing there. He's not doing much better than she is.
WESLEY
I just heard.
She stands for a moment, just looking at him. And then she
breaks down. Falls into his arms, sobbing. He puts his arms
around her, trying to comfort her. Trying to let her comfort
him.
EXT. SUBURBAN HOUSE - FRONT YARD/BACKYARD DAY
The place is nice. Friendly looking. Perfectly mowed grass.
Perfectly kept flower beds. Perfect everything.
CONNOR walks tentatively across the yard. His dirty clothes,
and messed up hair make him stick out like a sore thumb.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10.
He's looking for something.
There's a SCREAM from the backyard. Connor runs back there
as fast as he can. When he gets there, he sees a girl, ASHLEY
(blond, beautiful, about his age) being attacked by a WATER
DEMON (blue, wet).
ASHLEY
Please! Help me!
Connor looks at the demon for a moment. It's exactly as he
knew it would look, and yet he doesn't understand how this
could be.
But the question can be answered later. He knows he has to
kill it, so he rushes toward it. It sees him coming, and
quickly prepares for his attack.
With a wave of it's arm, the faucet on the side of the house
BURSTS, shooting water at Connor. This stuns Connor long
enough for the demon to hit him hard.
Ashley screams as Connor hits the ground. The water demon
walks to Connor and picks him up like an action figure.
Connor's regaining his composure.
He kicks the water demon in the chest, and back flips out of
the demon's grip. He lands on his feet and looks around the
yard for something to stop the demon with.
Around the yard, there are toys of all kinds for young kids.
A sandbox. One of those plastic kiddie pools. Some toy trucks
and stuff like that.
Connor turns his attention back to the sandbox. Then to the
demon. He kicks the demon again, causing it to stumble
backwards. He kicks him again, and again, until the demon
falls into the sandbox.
Connor jumps on him, wrestling him. The water demon is wet,
so the sand covers him. He begins to move slower than before.
Dragged down. This allows Connor to grab him around the head
and snap his neck. The demon dies, and TURNS INTO A PUDDLE.
Ashley rushes to Connor and helps him up.
ASHLEY (CONT'D)
Thank you. You saved my life.
Connor looks at her. He's a little shy. Not used to talking
to people.
CONNOR
Yeah.
And he starts to walk away.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
11.
ASHLEY
Wait!
He turns around.
ASHLEY (CONT'D)
You're just gonna leave?
CONNOR
I... Yes.
ASHLEY
Well, don't. Please? I'm still a
little freaked out by what happened.
(beat)
What was that thing?
CONNOR
I'm not sure what it was.
ASHLEY
(smiles)
You're not a man of many words, are
you...? You never told me your name.
CONNOR
Steven.
(then)
Connor.
He honestly doesn't know which.
ASHLEY
Well, Steven Connor, are you hungry?
Connor doesn't speak. He just nods his head.
ASHLEY (CONT'D)
Well, okay then. Come with me.
She leads him into the house.
INT. ASHLEY'S HOUSE - KITCHEN - DAY
Ashley is fishing through the fridge. Connor is sitting at
the table. He's still a little dazed. He doesn't know what
to think about what's happened.
ASHLEY
Do you like sandwiches? We have a
ton of lunch meats.
CONNOR
I don't know.
(beat)
I've never had... sandwiches.
She turns around, a little shocked.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
12.
ASHLEY
Did you grow up on another plain of
existence or something?
CONNOR
Something like that.
ASHLEY
Well, then allow me to be the first
to introduce you to salami.
She pulls out some meat, cheese, mustard and lettuce and
closes the door. She proceeds to make a couple sandwiches as
they talk.
ASHLEY (CONT'D)
My name's Ashley, by the way. Ashley
Rube.
(beat)
If you don't mind me asking, how did
you happen to come here right as I
was being attacked.
CONNOR
I saw it happening.
ASHLEY
You did?
CONNOR
Last night.
ASHLEY
Okay, you lost me at that last turn.
Wanna back up and let me back in the
car?
CONNOR
What?
ASHLEY
Explain.
CONNOR
Oh. I don't know.
(beat)
I saw it happening. Like a dream. It
was painful.
ASHLEY
Are you telling my that you're
psychic?
CONNOR
Psychics are an abomination.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
13.
ASHLEY
But you just said that you saw it
happen before it happened. Sounds
like a psychic vision to me.
Connor thinks about it. She has a point.
ASHLEY (CONT'D)
I think it's cool. What are you gonna
do if it happens again?
CONNOR
I don't know. I haven't really thought
about it.
ASHLEY
Well, I think you should pay
attention. 'Cause you saved my life,
y'know. And if you can do that for
more people, you could have a whole
super hero gig going on.
(beat)
And can I just add that those fighter
skills of yours are just cool beyond
cool?
CONNOR
Thank you.
ASHLEY
You like pickles?
INT. CORDELIA'S APARTMENT - DAY
Cordelia and Wesley are sitting in down, talking. Still upset.
TWO DRINKS FLOAT IN. Dennis being polite. Cordy and Wes take
them.
CORDELIA
Thanks, Dennis.
WESLEY
Thank you.
Wesley turns his attention back to Cordelia.
WESLEY (CONT'D)
Will you be okay with this?
CORDELIA
I don't think so. I can't process
the information just yet.
WESLEY
I know the feeling.
(MORE)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
14.
WESLEY (CONT'D)
(beat)
And yet, somehow looking back, it's
much clearer.
CORDELIA
Y'mean, all the stupid moves we made?
WESLEY
Yes.
Cordelia can't help but smile at the stupidity.
CORDELIA
We thought we were defenders of good.
Savers of the world.
(beat)
I guess that's what we wanted to be.
After seeing everything that other
people we knew were doing, we wanted
to have that kind of meaning. But we
were stupid.
WESLEY
We were misguided.
CORDELIA
Big fancy way of saying "stupid"
there, Wes.
WESLEY
I suppose...
CORDELIA
I want it over. I want them out of
me.
WESLEY
What?
CORDELIA
What they did to me. I want it undone.
I want them out of my head. And I
want to be a normal human being again.
Not a demon.
WESLEY
Are you sure?
CORDELIA
Wesley, I'm a friggin' demon. I mean,
in school, I was called all sorts of
things. Demon was usually not
something to aspire to.
WESLEY
You could put the power to good.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
15.
CORDELIA
They tricked me. They turned me into
one of the things that I hate. And
worse than that, they got me to beg
for it. I don't want that anymore.
WESLEY
That's perfectly understandable.
CORDELIA
Damn straight, it is.
(beat)
Can you do it? Can you get this thing
out of me?
Wesley thinks for a moment. Then he looks at her.
WESLEY
Yes. I can.
CORDELIA
Then let's do it.
(beat)
Humanize me, already.
FADE TO BLACK:
END OF ACT ONE
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
16.
ACT TWO
FADE IN:
INT. ASHLEY'S HOUSE - KITCHEN - DAY
Connor and Ashley are sitting at the table. Connor takes his
first bite of his sandwich. He stops for a moment to taste
it.
ASHLEY
So?
Connor chews and swallows. He was raised with manners.
CONNOR
So, what?
ASHLEY
Do you like it?
CONNOR
It's good.
ASHLEY
It's just about the only thing that
I actually know how to make. That
and chocolate milk. I make a mean
chocolate milk.
CONNOR
Chocolate milk?
ASHLEY
I'll make you some later.
Connor smiles.
ASHLEY (CONT'D)
So, where do you live?
Connor tries to think of an answer, but can't.
CONNOR
Right now?
ASHLEY
Yeah, now. Where do you sleep at
night?
CONNOR
The park.
ASHLEY
Oh.
She doesn't exactly know how to react.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
17.
ASHLEY (CONT'D)
So, you don't have a home?
CONNOR
I just moved here. I haven't found a
place to stay yet.
ASHLEY
Oh. I guess that kinda makes sense.
Where are your parents?
A loaded question. Connor pulls back a little. Thinks about
how to respond.
CONNOR
Dead.
ASHLEY
I'm sorry. I didn't mean to bring up
anything touchy.
CONNOR
It's okay. I don't mind.
ASHLEY
Mine are on a trip. Florida. Visiting
family, actually. They took my sister.
CONNOR
You're here alone?
ASHLEY
Yeah.
(beat)
I don't usually invite strangers
into my house, but since you saved
my life, I figured I owed you some
snack food.
CONNOR
Thank you. It's very good.
ASHLEY
You're very polite.
CONNOR
I was raised to be polite. My... My
father taught me that one should
always treat others with respect.
ASHLEY
That's rare. Especially around here.
(beat)
Okay, this is going to sound awkward,
but I figure I should ask.
(beat)
Do you wanna take a shower?
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
18.
CONNOR
Excuse me?
ASHLEY
By yourself, of course. I'm not my
mom or anything. I just mean, you
look like you could use a shower and
some clean clothes.
Connor looks at his clothes. What's wrong with them? Then he
looks back at her.
CONNOR
Thank you. I'd like that.
INT. ANGEL'S HOTEL - ANGEL'S ROOM - NIGHT
Angel sits in his room. Still. Quiet. Deep in thought.
There's a KNOCK on the door and Fred enters. She walks softly.
FRED
Angel?
Angel looks up.
ANGEL
Hmm?
FRED
You've been up here for a while. I'm
starting to get worried.
ANGEL
I'm fine. I just wanna be alone for
a while.
FRED
Are you sure?
ANGEL
I'm sure.
FRED
Because if you wanted someone to
talk to...
ANGEL
I'm sure.
Fred is a little let down. Worried about Angel.
FRED
Let me know if you change your mind.
ANGEL
Thanks.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
19.
Fred turns around and walks out. Angel goes back to his
sitting silently.
INT. ANGEL'S HOTEL - LOBBY - NIGHT
Fred walks down the stairs and to Gunn who is still resting
on the sofa.
GUNN
No luck?
FRED
He's all depressed.
GUNN
Yeah, he can get that way sometimes.
FRED
I'm worried. About him and Cordelia.
They shouldn't be alone, should they?
GUNN
I'd probably do the same thing if I
could stand up without falling back
over.
FRED
Are you feeling any better?
GUNN
A little, I guess. I don't know if
it's the concussion that's making me
dizzy, or everything else that's
happening.
FRED
Everything is so strange now. I mean,
I know that I can't really get how
the rest of you are feeling. I haven't
done the most killing out of all of
us.
Gunn looks away when she says that. She realizes that she
could have phrased that a little better. But she continues.
FRED (CONT'D)
But is this how it's gonna be now?
Is it all over for us?
GUNN
I honestly don't know.
(beat)
I guess that, after the smoke clears,
maybe we can think about getting
back in the game. But right now, I
don't think any of us are in the
mood for killing.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
20.
FRED
I just want things to go back to how
they were before all of this.
GUNN
We all want it to be like it was
before.
INT. CORDELIA'S APARTMENT - BEDROOM - NIGHT
Cordelia is laying on her bed, over the covers. A few
decorative candles are lit around the room.
Wesley is standing over her. A dagger in one hand, over her
chest. A book in the other, which he is reading from.
WESLEY
(calling out)
Vis vires abscedo! Reddo, Cordelia!
Extremitas moestitia!
(beat)
By the power of Resturia, guardian
of the innocent, I command you to
leave this women. Demon of darkness,
be gone. Restore her to her glory.
Cordelia BEGINS TO GLOW as she sometimes does. Her EYES TURN
RED. She SPEAKS WITH A DEMON VOICE.
CORDELIA
(in demon voice)
You command no army. You wield no
power.
WESLEY
I hold in me the power of good. The
army of the righteous.
CORDELIA
(demon voice)
You are weak. Pathetic.
WESLEY
Demon, leave this woman.
Cordelia laughs a DEMONIC LAUGH.
CORDELIA
(demon voice)
Or what?
WESLEY
Or you'll suffer a great deal, I
promise you.
CORDELIA
(demon voice)
You will not harm this body.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
21.
WESLEY
I won't need to.
Wesley looks back at the book. Then back to Cordelia.
WESLEY (CONT'D)
(softly)
Abscido.
Cordelia begins to shake violently. She SCREAMS. The GLOW
RISES OUT OF HER, leaving Cordelia asleep on the bed.
The GLOW MOVES to the end of the bed, where it BECOMES A
GLOWING DEMON. Wesley looks at the demon.
DEMON
No!
WESLEY
What'd I tell you?
He looks back at the book.
WESLEY (CONT'D)
(reading)
By the power of the protector, I
bind you, demon. By the might of the
dagger, I bind you. By the light of
the sun, and the depth of the ocean,
I command you bound.
The GLOWING STOPS. The demon is just a demon now. Without
power. It looks at Wesley, fuming.
DEMON
You die now.
WESLEY
I rather think that's my line.
The demon attacks Wesley. They fight. Punches thrown. All of
that good, exciting stuff. But in the end, Wesley wins. Stabs
the demon, killing it.
He takes a moment to catch his breath, then looks back at
Cordelia. He walks to her side. She's sound asleep.
He looks back at the demon who is dead on the ground.
WESLEY (CONT'D)
Dennis, would you mind helping me
carry this thing?
INT. CORDELIA'S APARTMENT - BEDROOM - DAY
Cordelia is where we last saw her. Wesley is sitting in a
chair at her side, asleep.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
22.
She stirs. Slowly, she wakes up. She looks around the room.
Sees Wes in the chair.
CORDELIA
(groggy)
Hey.
Wesley wakes up. Rubs his stiff neck.
WESLEY
Hello.
CORDELIA
Did you do it?
WESLEY
Consider yourself human.
She smiles.
CORDELIA
Thank you.
She sits up and sees her room. The mess made by the fight
with the demon.
CORDELIA (CONT'D)
What the hell happened here?
WESLEY
Demon.
CORDELIA
Huh?
WESLEY
When I got the demon out of you, I
simply removed those aspects of you,
and put them into their own being.
CORDELIA
Cordy demon concentrate.
WESLEY
Exactly.
CORDELIA
It took the visions with it, right?
WESLEY
I think so, yes.
She stands up and looks in the mirror.
CORDELIA
I feel different.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
23.
WESLEY
Better?
CORDELIA
Human. I feel alive.
WESLEY
That's good.
CORDELIA
Yeah. I haven't felt like this in a
while. No visions to expect. No glowy
demon powers.
WESLEY
Just you.
Cordelia never thought of it like that. She looks at herself,
not seeing much.
CORDELIA
(flatly)
Just me.
INT. ASHLEY'S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - DAY
Connor is asleep on the couch. He's dressed in clean clothes
(which are obviously from the closet of a much older man)
and he is all showered up.
Ashley creeps into the room. Walking softly so as to not
disturb her guest. She walks around the couch, looking for
something on the floor. But she can't find it.
She gets down on her knees and looks under the couch. Still
no luck
As she starts to get up, she looks back at Connor. His eyes
are open. He's looking right at her. She GASPS, not expecting
him to be awake. Then she smiles.
ASHLEY
You scared me.
CONNOR
I'm sorry. I didn't mean to.
ASHLEY
I bet you're wondering what I'm doing
here like this, huh?
(beat)
I lost a shoe.
CONNOR
You lost one of your shoes?
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
24.
ASHLEY
Yeah. Haven't you ever forgotten
where you put a shoe?
CONNOR
No. I usually keep both of them
together.
(beat)
On my feet.
ASHLEY
Together. See, but that would make
too much sense for me.
(beat)
You really wear your shoes all the
time?
She looks at his feet. His shoes are on.
ASHLEY (CONT'D)
Hey, look at that. You do.
CONNOR
Where I'm from, it's not a good idea
to take them off.
ASHLEY
Oh. Did they get stolen or something?
CONNOR
Something.
ASHLEY
I can see why you left.
She stands up and looks at him cheerfully.
ASHLEY (CONT'D)
Okay, guest of mine. What do you
feel like doing today?
CONNOR
Doing?
ASHLEY
Yeah. Y'know, plans and stuff. What
do you feel like doing. I mean,
besides your amazing robot
impersonation.
CONNOR
I should go.
ASHLEY
No way. You saved my life. Least I
could do is run up my dad's credit
card bill for you.
(MORE)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
25.
ASHLEY (CONT'D)
We could go to the mall. Get you
some new clothes. Oh, and then we
could go to the movies. I've been
dying to see the new J. Lo.
CONNOR
I don't know.
ASHLEY
C'mon. Who doesn't like a good movie
every now and then? And it's just
weird seeing you dressed in my dad's
clothes. I keep having the strange
feeling, like I'm in an 80's Disney
movie or something. Y'know, where
the dad becomes a teenager and learns
how to have fun again.
(beat)
But you're not a pain in my ass, so
I'm sure you're not my dad.
CONNOR
Do you always talk so fast?
ASHLEY
Sorry. I had coffee a while ago. I'm
all buzzed up. So what do you say?
Are we good for go on the money-fest?
Connor sits up.
CONNOR
Yeah.
INT. ANGEL'S HOTEL - DAY
Angel walks down the stairs, slowly. Still disconnected.
Fred is sitting next to Gunn on the sofa. She sees Angel and
stands up.
FRED
(happy)
Angel.
GUNN
I didn't think we'd see you for a
while. You usually get into the
brooding thing pretty hard.
ANGEL
We have work to do.
FRED
That's the spirit. Get back in the
game.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
26.
GUNN
I don't know...
ANGEL
We have to figure out what the rest
of those papers said about Connor.
FRED
Oh...
(beat)
Do we even know where they are?
ANGEL
I do.
GUNN
Where?
Angel takes a moment. He hates even thinking about what he
has to say. The name "Wesley" is still a hard one for him to
handle.
ANGEL
Wesley has them.
Gunn and Fred are confused.
FRED
Wesley?
GUNN
How'd he get his hands on them?
FRED
Lilah went to him to translate them?
He's the one who gave us the spell.
ANGEL
He held onto the parts about Connor.
GUNN
Why?
ANGEL
He said he didn't want Lilah to have
the information on them. But she's
gone now. We can do the translation
spell.
FRED
It's too soon. I'm still worn out
from the last spell.
ANGEL
Well, rest up. We do this tonight.
I'm going to get Wesley and the
papers. You get Cordelia over here.
Now.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
27.
INT. COFFEE SHOP - DAY
Cordelia walks into the coffee shop. The same one that she
met Wes in, in the last episode. She's dressed plainly. Not
feeling very dressy today. Her hair is in a ponytail, still
two colors. She looks tired.
She walks to the counter. The same COFFEE GUY from the last
time is there, still in his red and gold pinstriped uniform.
He's refilling a napkin holder.
CORDELIA
Excuse me.
The coffee guy turns to her.
COFFEE GUY
Hmm?
CORDELIA
I'd like to get some coffee.
COFFEE GUY
Just a minute.
CORDELIA
Okay.
Cordelia waits there. Looks around. A good amount of time
passes. Still, the coffee guy isn't coming to help her yet.
She turns back to him.
CORDELIA (CONT'D)
Excuse me, but I'm kinda in a hurry.
COFFEE GUY
I just need to put these napkins in
the holder. Hold on.
CORDELIA
But I did ho... Y'know what? Forget
it. Forget the whole damn thing.
She turns and walks out of the shop.
EXT. COFFEE SHOP - CONTINUOUS - DAY
She walks out and starts to walk away.
FEMALE VOICE (O.S.)
(happily)
Cordelia? Cordelia Chase?
Cordy stops and turns around. Sitting at a table outside the
shop, drinking some coffee is AURA. Cordelia's old high
school friend. She's dressed in stylish clothes, with the
hippest hair and makeup. She is a star in the making. Cordelia
forces a smile.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
28.
She's not in the mood for chit chat, but she doesn't want to
be rude.
CORDELIA
Aura, hi.
Aura stands up and goes to her. She kisses Cordy on the cheek
in a very "Hollywood" way.
AURA
I can't believe it's you.
CORDELIA
I know. You either.
Cordelia looks at Aura.
CORDELIA (CONT'D)
Wow, you look good.
Aura looks at Cordy, and forces a smile.
AURA
(lying through her
teeth)
You too.
Cordelia looks at herself, knowing that Aura is not telling
the truth.
AURA (CONT'D)
You have to sit down with me.
CORDELIA
Oh, really, I couldn't...
AURA
As if I would let you walk away
without catching up? Now, come on.
Sit. Whatever you had to do can wait
a little while longer.
Cordelia reluctantly agrees. They sit down. As they do, Aura
grabs a tv script off of the table, and puts it into her
bag.
AURA (CONT'D)
I was just reading through the latest
script for my show.
CORDELIA
Oh, right. I read about that.
Congratulations.
AURA
Thanks. It's the darndest thing,
really.
(MORE)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
29.
AURA (CONT'D)
A couple of years ago, I had no idea
what I wanted to do with my life and
then I had that talk with you on the
phone and you made this acting thing
sound like so much fun. I just had
to try it. Next thing you know, I'm
in a new series on the WB.
CORDELIA
That's... great.
AURA
Thanks. So how is you're career going?
CORDELIA
Acting?
(beat)
I gave up on that a while back.
AURA
Really? How come?
CORDELIA
Oh, you know how it is. I just found
another job that I... I guess, I
just didn't have the time anymore.
AURA
Oh, that's so sad. I was sure you'd
be a star. What is it that you're
doing now? Are you still at that
detective place?
CORDELIA
Now?
(beat)
I'm kinda in between jobs right now.
AURA
Didn't work out for you, huh? Hey,
maybe now you can get back into
acting.
CORDELIA
I don't know...
Aura smiles and shakes her head.
AURA
Y'know, I think you're an inspiration.
I mean, back in high school, you did
your own thing. And you didn't even
care that he wasn't popular and you
turned into the joke of the school.
(MORE)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
30.
AURA (CONT'D)
And then you decide to just drop
everything and come to LA in search
of fame and fortune. And now you
managed to just drop that goal all
together because you found a new
career that has real purpose.
(beat)
And look at you. You've totally moved
past what other people think of you.
You don't care about you're hair, or
your clothes. It must be so nice to
just wake up in the morning and run
your hands through your hair and be
done with it!
Cordy looks down at herself again, and feels her hair. She
takes in the view, and what Aura is saying.
CORDELIA
Yeah. You know me. Always doing my
own thing.
INT. CORDELIA'S APARTMENT - DAY
Cordelia walks into the apartment. She's not happy. She's
still taking in the conversation with Aura. Still taking in
the news about the Powers. Her life sucks a whole lot right
now. She hits the answering machine. A MALE VOICE is on it...
MALE VOICE (V.O.)
Cordelia, it's Will. You're agent.
Listen, I know you turned down the
audition, but the producers still
haven't found a girl for the part.
They need to find someone before
shooting starts next week. I think
your the girl, Cor. I really do.
Reconsider, and give me a call. You
have the number.
As she listens, she walks to a mirror and takes a look in
it. She sees the tired, worn out, badly dressed girl with
two hair colors looking back at her. She hates it. When the
message ends, she stands, looking at her reflection for a
moment. And then she reaches a decision.
She walks to a table where a purse of hers is resting. She
goes through it. She finds what she's looking for. A credit
card. She tosses it back into the purse, picks the purse up,
and walks back out the door.
EXT. WOODS - NIGHT
A group of SHADOWY FIGURES stand in a circle, in the middle
of a clearing. They're wearing hoods, so we can't see their
faces. They begin CHANTING together. Almost as though they
are one voice.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
31.
FIGURES
Being of darkness, enter our world.
Bring forth the vengeance. Keeper
of chaos, and of sorrow, come forth
onto this plain, and aid us in our
quest.
THUNDER CRASHES.
FIGURES (CONT'D)
Gravo. Dark power. Key to our success,
we beg of you. Find us worthy. Come
into this world. Bring forth your
power. Impeto Angelus.
MORE THUNDER. LIGHTNING STRIKES the center of the circle.
When it's gone, GRAVO stands in the place where it struck.
Gravo is a totally black demon. Almost reptilian in look,
but his coloring makes it hard to see him at all in the dark
of night. He has a slight shine to him that catches the
moonlight.
He looks around. His movements are animal-like. He isn't one
of those human-like demons. Once he takes in the surroundings,
he JUMPS into the air. And he is gone. We can HEAR HIM jumping
from tree to tree.
FADE TO BLACK:
END OF ACT TWO
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
32.
ACT THREE
FADE IN:
INT. ANGEL'S CAR - NIGHT
Angel drives down the street. Wesley is sitting next to him,
holding onto the Biru papers. They don't say a word to each
other.
EXT. STREET/BUILDINGS - NIGHT
We see Angel's car pass. Then we PAN UP to see one of the
buildings along the street. On the side of the building, the
shadowy figure of GRAVO CLIMBS. Once Angel has passed, Gravo
LEAPS to the next building side.
INT. ANGEL'S HOTEL - NIGHT
Fred is at the desk, on the phone. Gunn is waiting on one of
the chairs.
FRED
(into phone)
So give us a call, or come by if you
can. We really need you here. Bye.
She hangs up.
GUNN
Still no sign?
FRED
Nothing. I called Cordy's cell phone
three times, went to her apartment
twice, and just left her the sixth
message.
(beat)
I hope she's okay.
GUNN
I'm sure she's fine. She has a lot
to deal with, y'know? Finding out
that you caused the death of a few
hundred good guys isn't an easy thing
to handle.
Gunn is feeling the guilt too, obviously. Fred goes to him,
and takes his hand.
FRED
But you guys aren't to blame.
GUNN
That doesn't make them any less dead.
FRED
I know that.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
33.
She doesn't know what to say next. She looks at his bandaged
head.
FRED (CONT'D)
How are you feeling?
Gunn doesn't mind changing the topic at all.
GUNN
Better. The place looks a lot smaller
now that there's only one of it.
He looks at her sweetly.
GUNN (CONT'D)
I wouldn't mind seeing a few more of
you again though.
She smiles.
FRED
You're sweet, but that was really
corny.
GUNN
Yeah, I realized that just as I was
saying it. Sorry.
Angel and Wesley walk into the hotel. Wes is still holding
onto the papers. When they see the men enter, Fred and Gunn
stand. It's awkward. Nobody knows quite what to say. Hell,
nobody even knows what to think. The moment drags on.
WESLEY
And here I thought this would be
awkward.
Fred wants to say something, but she still doesn't know what.
She can't decide if she's happy to see him, or angry at him
still.
Gunn has a similar problem, but he forces himself to say
something.
GUNN
Hey.
Angel walks to the counter where the spell book that contains
the translation spell is sitting. He picks it up.
ANGEL
Where's Cordelia?
FRED
She hasn't called back. We can't
find her.
Wesley sits in one of the chairs, trying to be invisible.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
34.
ANGEL
We have to do this.
FRED
Angel, I don't know if I can. The
spell took a lot out of me the last
time. I've been feeling kinda numb
all day.
GUNN
We all have.
(beat)
Then again, that could be because of
what we heard the last time we did
the spell.
ANGEL
We don't have a choice.
Angel walks to the center of the room.
ANGEL (CONT'D)
We'll have to do it without Cordelia
then. Fred, go get the pig blood out
of the fridge.
Fred looks at Gunn, still not wanting to do this. But she
listens to Angel and starts to walk out of the room. Before
she can though, the sound of the hotel doors opening stops
her. She turns around. All of them turn to see who just came
in.
ANGLE: CORDELIA
She walks into the hotel and stops at the top of the stairs.
He hair is one color. Her natural brown. Still long, but
styled in a very trendy way. She's dressed in clothes that
look as though they must have come from a fine designer, and
cost a small mint. A long leather skirt. A red top. Picture
perfect makeup. She looks like a movie star.
Everyone in the room takes in the new look.
FRED
Cordelia?
CORDELIA
Why does everyone look so shocked?
It's like you've never gazed upon
the face of perfection before or
something.
ANGEL
You look...
GUNN
New?
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
35.
ANGEL
Old.
Cordelia looks at him. Offended. Angel stumbles to correct
the mistake.
ANGEL (CONT'D)
I mean, like your old self.
CORDELIA
Yeah. I just looked in the mirror
today and said, "My God. I look like
Willow."
(beat)
I mean, y'know, before she went all
crazy and tried to destroy the world
and stuff, cause from what I hear,
black just may be that girl's color.
WESLEY
Are you feeling alright?
CORDELIA
Y'know, for the first time in years,
I really do. I just don't do the
Florence Henderson act as well as
some people. I thought it was time
for a change. A new look.
She looks over at Angel.
CORDELIA (CONT'D)
Which I think might be a good idea
for more than just me. My motto is,
if you have the same hair style for
five years, it's time to move on.
(beat)
Okay, granted, I might not be the
authority on hair care these days,
but I'm getting back in the game.
Fred goes to Gunn and leans in to whisper to him.
FRED
Is it me, or is she talking about
herself more than she usually does?
WESLEY
Cordelia, perhaps you should sit
down.
Cordelia looks at her friends.
CORDELIA
Why?
(MORE)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
36.
CORDELIA (CONT'D)
(beat)
Guys, I'm not sick, or possessed, or
under any kind of spell. This is who
I am.
ANGEL
It's who you were.
CORDELIA
Look. I tried to change. I tried to
become all flowery nice and sugary
sweet, but you know what I got from
that? Evil visions, demonhood, and
the slaughter of hundreds of good
people... or whatever the hell they
were. The Powers That Be pegged me
as a target because I was looking
for something in my life. Direction,
or whatever. And that's true. I was.
I wanted to be something more than
the high school cheerleader who lost
her money.
(beat)
They made me feel powerful. In
control. Like I was someone. Someone
other than Cordelia Chase. But it
was a lie. You know why I felt like
someone else? Because I was. I mean,
demon being aside, I still wasn't
myself. I was living a lie, created
by evil beings who knew I was an
easy target because I didn't want to
be me anymore.
Her friends listen. For the first time, realizing the pain
that she has been through. What's she's been dealing with
for the past three years.
CORDELIA (CONT'D)
But you know what I've come to
realize? I am Cordelia Chase. This
is me. I'm not a meatball sandwich
eating fashion victim, like Fred.
I'm the homecoming queen.
Fred gives her clothes a quick once over, but doesn't let
the comment distract her.
ANGEL
You weren't...
CORDELIA
Shut up. This is my epiphany and
I'll remember my life however I want
to.
(MORE)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
37.
CORDELIA (CONT'D)
(beat)
What I mean to say is that I do care
about helping people. If I should
happen across a group of vampires,
sure, I'll do what I can to make
sure that they become instant coffee
as soon as possible. And I'm not
running out on you guys. You're my
friends. You always will be- Unless
I find cooler people to hang out
with.- But I can't do this. I'm not
a super hero, no matter how much I
try to be. Some people were put here
to be fighters. Others were put here
to be on the cover of People.
GUNN
What are you saying?
Cordy takes a deep breath.
CORDELIA
I'm saying... I quit. I love you
guys, but it's time for me to stop
running from who I am. I need to
find me, and spend some good quality
time with myself.
FRED
You're leaving?
CORDELIA
I'm officially leaving.
(beat)
Unofficially, I'm here when you need
me. I always will be.
Angel looks down at the spell book in his hands. This day
just keeps on getting worse for him. But he has to press on.
ANGEL
We could use your help with the
translation spell.
CORDELIA
Sorry. Can't. I have to be up early
tomorrow. I have an audition.
(beat)
But if you guys ever need me on a
night when I don't need a lot of
sleep, just call me and I'll be here
in a flash.
(beat)
And besides. What is it with you
guys? Spells, spells, spells. Would
it kill you to crack a book and learn
something the old fashioned way?
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
38.
Cordelia walks out. The others look at each other. A little
shocked. And a lot confused.
FRED
People told me about Angel reverting
to his former self and being all
mean and stuff. Actually, I kinda
expect that. But nobody ever warned
me about Cordelia.
EXT. ANGEL'S HOTEL - GARDEN - NIGHT
Cordelia away from the hotel. She stops. Takes a minute.
Looks down and closes her eyes. She takes a deep breath.
And smiles.
INT. ANGEL'S HOTEL - LOBBY - NIGHT
The group is still recovering from the Cordy visit. Still
where they were before, except for Wes, who is sitting again,
trying to keep out of the group conversation.
FRED
Do you think she'll be back?
GUNN
Maybe. After she deals with everything
that's happened.
FRED
She can't be serious about all of
the stuff. Not being a hero and all,
right?
There's a pause.
ANGEL
She deserves the chance to find out
who she is and what she's meant to
do without being pushed in one
direction.
FRED
But she is a hero. Right?
ANGEL
That's what she was told. That's
what we all were.
ANGLE: THE WALL
High above the group, climbing across the wall, perfectly
silent, is Gravo. Watching. Waiting to strike.
FRED
You are, Angel.
(MORE)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
39.
FRED (CONT'D)
Before the Powers even came into
your life, you were a hero. Cordelia
too. And after... You saved me. You
can't just turn your back on this
world. You aren't that kind of people.
ANGEL
What kind of people are we?
FRED
Maybe that's what you need to find
out.
Gravo looks down at Angel. It's time. He LEAPS off the wall,
onto the floor below.
Angel, Wesley, Gunn and Fred all jump back, shocked. Gravo
stands, looking at Angel. His prey. He shows his sharp, black
teeth.
FRED (CONT'D)
What is it?
GUNN
Soon to be dead.
FRED
Wait. What if he's a good guy?
Gravo jumps on top of Angel.
FRED (CONT'D)
Okay, kill it!
Gunn and Wesley rush to help Angel. They try to pull Gravo
off of him, but Gravo swats them away easily, sending them
both flying across the room. Fred SCREAMS.
FADE TO BLACK:
END OF ACT THREE
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
40.
ACT FOUR
FADE IN:
INT. ANGEL'S HOTEL - NIGHT
Angel pushes Gravo off of him with all of the strength that
he has. Gravo is strong, so he only stumbles back a little.
Angel gets to his feet. Gravo attacks again, but Angel is
ready this time. He lands a punch in Gravo's face, but Gravo
isn't hurt at all.
Wesley and Gunn recover. They rush to the weapon cabinet.
Gunn pulls out an ax for himself and a sword. Wesley pulls
out another sword.
GUNN
(to Angel)
Heads up!
He tosses Angel the sword. Angel tries to use it to decapitate
Gravo, but the blade won't cut through his neck.
Gunn and Wesley try to help. They attack Gravo. But Gravo
isn't interested in them at all. He grabs their weapons, and
throws them across the room, easily.
Angel drives the sword into Gravo's stomach area and lets go
of it.
Gravo doesn't miss a beat. He pulls the sword out, and snaps
it in half like a dry twig. He tackles Angel. They hit the
ground hard.
Gravo uses one of it's claws to scratch at Angel's face.
Angel begins to bleed. Gravo puts his hand over the blood
and looks into Angel's eyes. As he does, both of their EYES
FLASH with a red light.
Angel is dazed by it. Gravo leaps off of him, to the top of
the stairs by the door. And then leaps through the doors,
out of the hotel.
Fred and Gunn rush to Angel's side and help him up.
FRED
Are you okay?
ANGEL
(still out of it)
I think so.
GUNN
What was that thing?
ANGLE: WESLEY
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
41.
He looks at Angel. Once he sees that Angel is okay, he looks
at the doors that Gravo just went through. He doesn't know
what Gravo was, but he's going to find out.
EXT. MOVIE THEATER/STREET - NIGHT
A CROWD of people begins to pour from the theater. The movie
just let out. Connor and Ashley are among them. They walk
out and begin walking down the street.
ASHLEY
So, what'd ya think?
CONNOR
I thought movies were supposed to
have more explosions and battles.
ASHLEY
Typical guy.
CONNOR
But it was good.
(beat)
I liked it.
ASHLEY
I'm glad you liked it. I liked it
too.
CONNOR
I didn't like the part where the boy
used the girl to win the bet with
his friends.
ASHLEY
Okay, never watch any teen movie
ever again if you didn't like that
part.
CONNOR
Why would someone behave like that?
ASHLEY
Because most of the people in this
world are selfish and uncaring.
She wraps her arm around his.
ASHLEY (CONT'D)
They're nothing like you.
He stops walking. Stopping her along with him. He looks into
her eyes.
CONNOR
I liked the part where she fell in
love with the other boy though.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
42.
ASHLEY
Yeah, that was good.
(beat)
And the kiss at the end.
The tension builds. Their lips are starting to get closer
and closer.
CONNOR
It was...
And they kiss. A nice, short, sweet kiss. And when it's over,
they stay close.
CONNOR (CONT'D)
...nice.
She smiles and moves in to kiss him again. But before she
can, he pulls back in pain. He puts his hands on his head. A
vision. He doesn't scream, but he wants to.
INSERT VISION
A VAMPIRE showing his fangs.
A WOMAN SCREAMING in horror.
Blood on the ground.
BACK TO SCENE
Connor is stumbling back, toward the street. Before he can
walk into traffic, Ashley pulls him back. He's still in pain.
Ashley looks at him, worried. She looks around to see if
anyone else is watching. Then back to him.
ASHLEY
Steven? Are you okay?
He's coming out of it. Breathing heavy.
CONNOR
I... I don't know.
ASHLEY
What's wrong?
CONNOR
I saw something again.
ASHLEY
One of your psychic acid trips?
CONNOR
Yeah. A woman being attacked by a
vampire. I have to help her.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
43.
ASHLEY
Okay. Where is she?
Connor looks in both directions of the street. Then starts
walking.
CONNOR
This way.
INT. ALLEY - NIGHT
Connor and Ashley walk down the alley. They finally see what
they're looking for. The vampire from before, backing the
woman up against a wall. She's crying.
WOMAN
Please! Somebody help me!
ASHLEY
(a little surprised)
It's real.
Connor stops Ashley in her steps.
CONNOR
Stay here.
And he goes on, toward the vampire and the woman.
CONNOR (CONT'D)
Hey!
The vampire stops. Looks back at him. Grins.
VAMPIRE
What do you want, little boy?
CONNOR
I want you to stop feeding off of
innocent people.
The vampire starts coming toward Connor.
VAMPIRE
But it's so fun. How about this? I
kill your puny ass, then kill the
lady and your girl. It'll be like
Thanksgiving or something.
CONNOR
You can try to kill me. I won't
promise you any luck.
The vampire attacks. Nothing fancy, just a punch at first.
Connor avoids it easily. He hits the vampire, making him
angry.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
44.
The vampire comes back with a few more punches, but Connor
kicks his ass pretty easily. Connor punches him a few times,
and finally stakes him using a discarded chop stick that
rests on the ground next to a pile of dumped Chinese food.
The vampire TURNS TO DUST.
The woman runs off. Ashley walks to Connor.
ASHLEY
Steve, that was amazing. Did you see
how he turned to dust like that?
(beat)
I guess you would have, huh? The
lady could have at least thanked you
for going all Jackie Chan for her.
CONNOR
It wasn't a big deal.
ASHLEY
Nah. I see guys stake vampires all
the time. Dude, give yourself some
credit.
(beat)
Okay, I'm pumped now. I need pizza.
She pulls Connor down the alley.
ASHLEY (CONT'D)
Let's go. I'm buying, of course.
EXT. COFFEE SHOP - DAY
Cordelia is looking stunning once again. A fresh day. She's
talking into her cell phone, happily.
CORDELIA
Well, I don't wanna make any promises
or anything, but I think it went
pretty good.
(beat)
What can I say? I'm back in the game.
She walks into the coffee shop.
INT. COFFEE SHOP - CONTINUOUS - DAY
The place is packed with angry CUSTOMERS, waiting to be
served. Cordelia rolls her eyes.
CORDELIA
(into phone)
I'll have to get back to you. Let me
know when you hear something.
She hangs up and makes her way to the front of the line.
People are upset with her. Screaming for her to get back in
her place. But she ignores them.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
45.
She gets to the counter where the same annoying coffee guy
from before is sitting on his stool, talking into the phone.
CORDELIA (CONT'D)
(upset)
Excuse me?
The coffee guy ignores her.
CORDELIA (CONT'D)
Hello?!
She looks around, trying to think of something to do. Then
she turns back to the coffee guy.
CORDELIA (CONT'D)
Hey! You! Coffee serving man.
He looks up at her finally, signaling for her to hold on a
sec.
CORDELIA (CONT'D)
Listen, I know your life is probably
busy beyond belief, what with the
pressures of coffee serving and going
bald and all. But you have customers
here. Y'know, the people who keep
this place open? So why don't you
hang up on your Jerry Springer
material of a girlfriend, get your
red and gold pinstriped ass off of
that stool, and SERVE US COFFEE!
(beat)
And make mine a half-fat. I'm on a
diet.
The coffee guy looks at her.
INT. ANGEL'S HOTEL - LOBBY - DAY
Angel, Gunn and Fred are sitting in the chairs, looking
through some old looking books. And when they're done with
those they're reading through, there's another pile for them
to go through on the counter.
Wesley is sitting on the steps with his own book. Away from
the others. Isolated. But still there to help them.
Gunn shuts his book and rubs his eyes. He puts his hand on
his head, which is still bandaged up.
GUNN
Call me crazy, but I kinda liked it
better when we had the visions to go
on. I never signed on for this book
club gig.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
46.
ANGEL
And look where the visions left us.
Gunn looks at the ground. So much for trying to lighten the
mood.
GUNN
Yeah.
FRED
I think it's kinda nice.
Angel and Gunn both look at Fred, questioningly.
FRED (CONT'D)
I just mean that everyone is usually
off doing their own thing. Cordy had
a vision, passed on the message, and
you two would go out and kill it.
Wesley looks up as she uses the words "you two". Then he
looks back to the book. His invisible act must be working,
but that doesn't mean he has to enjoy it.
FRED (CONT'D)
Now we're all here together. Working
as a group.
(beat)
Except for Cordelia who went insane
and ran off.
ANGEL
She's not insane.
FRED
You know what I mean.
GUNN
Yeah, all of the murders we committed
are almost worth it now that we have
special bonding time.
Fred looks down. Feeling stupid for trying to see an up-side.
Gunn puts a hand on her shoulder.
GUNN (CONT'D)
I'm sorry. That was a stupid thing
to say.
FRED
I was just trying to...
She doesn't know what she was trying to. She was just trying.
GUNN
I know.
They share a moment. And then Gunn looks back at his book.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
47.
GUNN (CONT'D)
We should get back to the books.
Never know when Angel will spring a
pop-quiz on us.
Wesley still has his head in his book. He reads something
interesting.
WESLEY
I think I've found it.
The other look over to Wesley. Almost like they'd forgotten
he was there, but not really. Wesley notices the contempt in
Angel's eyes when he looks at Wes. Once again, Wes is unable
to forget that he is not part of this group anymore. Not
even for a moment.
He walks to Fred and hands her the book. She takes it,
wondering why he didn't just tell them himself. He returns
to the stairs and sits, not looking in the direction of the
group. He is small. Unwanted. Unforgiven. Unforgiving.
Fred feels a little sorry for him. But she doesn't have time
to dwell. She reads the book.
FRED
The demon's name is Gravo.
(beat)
Gravo is an oppressor. Summoned to
make one suffer, by making all suffer.
GUNN
Does that makes sense to anyone?
Fred reads on, trying to figure out what it means.
FRED
Okay, here it is.
(reading)
"Gravo is called down to this world
to stop those who would stop the
dark ones. His power lies in a bond
that he forms with his victim. During
a battle with his prey, Gravo will
look into the soul of his prey and a
connection is formed. Once the
connection is made, Gravo will find
a lair and settle there for three
days as it's energy builds. Once
this is complete, Gravo will once
again attack it's victim. If the
victim is killed, Gravo's power will
surge and all that is within a hundred
miles of the creature will cease to
exist."
GUNN
Okay, this doesn't sound good.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
48.
FRED
(still reading)
"The demon has the ability to hide
from it's victim, making the final
attack unexpected, catching the prey
off guard. This is achieved through
the power to alter it's appearance,
and blend into whatever surroundings
it is in."
She looks up, a little freaked out.
FRED (CONT'D)
It's a shape shifter.
(beat)
That means it could be anybody.
She can't help but look over at Wesley for a split second.
He catches her looking. And though no words are spoken, it
can't possibly have helped their situation. He looks away.
Fred looks at Angel.
FRED (CONT'D)
I guess you're his prey.
GUNN
How do we stop it?
Fred looks back at the book.
FRED
The book says that Gravo can only be
stopped by the person that it's
connected to. Angel.
(beat)
He has to be stabbed through the
heart, and then decapitated. If you
take off it's head before stabbing
it, you'll die too.
She looks up at Angel. Angel's face betrays no expression.
He is just looking straight ahead. There's a long silence as
the news sinks in with everyone.
Finally, Angel stands up. He puts his down.
ANGEL
I'll be upstairs.
And with that, he walks up the stairs. The others are left
alone.
Wesley gets up and walks out the door. Fred and Gunn are
alone. Again.
FRED
This isn't good.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
49.
INT. CORDELIA'S APARTMENT - DAY
Cordelia walks into the apartment. She's carrying a cup of
coffee. She walks to her answering machine and presses a
button. It BEEPS and the same male voice from before is on
it.
MALE VOICE (V.O.)
Cordy, it's Will again. I've been
trying your cell phone for the last
hour, but it doesn't seem to be
working.
(beat)
Anyway, I just got a call from the
studio. They sent your tape to the
network and I'm sorry to have to
tell you this, but...
(beat)
They loved it! They're on a tight
schedule, since filming starts next
week, but it looks like you're their
girl. Call me. We have a lot to work
out over the next week.
The message ends. Cordelia stands there, coffee in hand, in
shock.
She drops the coffee cup, but it is STOPPED MID-AIR.
CORDELIA
(blankly)
in Thanks, Dennis.
The COFFEE FLOATS up to the table and is put down there.
Cordelia's face slowly begins to come back to life. A smile
forms. She's about to jump and cheer, but she decides not
to. She's far too cool for that. She smiles and walks to her
couch and calmly sits down.
CORDELIA (CONT'D)
Go figure. A tv station with brains.
That's gotta be rare.
She looks around the room, almost as if to see if anyone is
watching her. When she's sure she's alone, her smile grows.
CORDELIA (CONT'D)
YES!
INT. ANGEL'S HOTEL - LOBBY - NIGHT
Angel walks down the stairs into the dark, empty lobby. He's
wearing his old, long black leather coat. He walks to the
counter and takes a look around the place. From the counter,
he picks up one of his business cards. He looks at it. It
saddens him. He slips it into his pocket and starts walking
toward the front door.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
50.
As he's about to leave the hotel, a voice stops him.
FRED (O.S.)
So that's it?
Angel stops and turns around. He sees Fred standing behind
him.
ANGEL
Fred. I didn't see you.
FRED
I know. I was hiding.
(beat)
Did you expect to just walk out of
here without saying anything?
Angel looks down.
ANGEL
There's no other choice.
FRED
Yes there is. Angel, since when do
you run?
ANGEL
Since this demon came to town that
could destroy the entire state if it
should happen to kill me. That can
blend in anywhere and be anyone. I
kinda figured it might be a bad idea
to hide in the big building that's
advertised all over the city as the
place to find me.
FRED
So you just walk out? It's all over,
just like that? No goodbye? Nothing
but an empty hotel? You'd just abandon
us like that?
ANGEL
I'm not abandoning you.
(beat)
I just can't be here anymore. I can't
put all of your lives on the line
like that. I'll be around.
FRED
Lurking in the shadows? Hiding?
ANGEL
It's where I'm meant to be.
FRED
But you've come so far. You've been
so happy, Angel.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
51.
Angel's been thinking long and hard about this. When she
says it, she's just saying what he's been saying to himself
all day. And he's quick to respond to her.
ANGEL
I'm not supposed to be happy. The
whole point of my being here is to
not be happy. That's the deal. That's
my curse. I lost sight of that. I
let myself be too happy.
FRED
What's so bad about that?
ANGEL
You've never seen me really happy,
have you? I tend to kill a lot of
people when that happens.
FRED
You won't let that happen. I know
you.
ANGEL
I almost did let that happen. When
Connor was born. When I was holding
him in my arms, rocking him to sleep.
You don't know how close I came.
FRED
But you held back. You didn't let it
happen.
ANGEL
But it could have. That's not
something I'm willing to gamble on.
He looks around the hotel.
ANGEL (CONT'D)
This life I've been living. It's
wrong. Setting up a comfy home for
myself. Pretending to be a normal
person. I don't belong here. I'm not
meant to be comfortable. I'm meant
to suffer.
He looks her in the eyes. She doesn't know how to respond.
There's a moment between them.
ANGEL (CONT'D)
I'll be around.
And with that, he walks out of the hotel. Fred is left there
alone. In the big, dark building.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
52.
She looks around and wraps her arms around herself, like
there was a chill in the air that she was trying to fight
off.
FADE TO BLACK:
END OF SHOW