TEASER
FADE IN:
EXT. WOODS/PLAYGROUND -- NIGHT
We're in the woods. It's dark. Quiet.
The peace is broken as a MAN (20's, in good shape) races
through the shot, running as fast as he can.
He stops next to a tree, hiding behind it. Very scared. He
looks back in the direction he came. Nothing for a few
seconds. Then we hear TREES RUSTLING. The man darts, again
running as fast as he can.
He runs out of the woods, into the playground. After he passes
a jungle gym, he stops again. He looks back once more to see
if he's being followed.
MAN'S POV:
A FIGURE jumps from one treetop to another.
BACK TO SHOT
Still looking back, the man starts moving. As he does, he
trips over the corner of a sandbox, and falls to the ground.
Off-screen, we hear the SOUND OF CLAWS ON METAL (the creature
now on top of the jungle gym).
The man's eyes widen with fear. He gets up and starts running
as fast as he can again. We PAN OVER to the jungle gym where
we now see the figure crouching on top of it. It dives, head
first, off of the jungle gym, toward the man. Mid-air, it
SPREADS WINGS. It swoops down, and grabs the man with it's
talons and then it swoops back up into a tree. We PAN DOWN
to the base of the tree as we hear sounds of FLESH RIPPING.
The MAN SCREAMING IN PAIN. Some GUSHY, SPLATTERY SOUNDS.
Then silence.
A moment later, the limp body of the man falls to the ground
where we can see it. His chest has been spread open, and his
insides are missing. We stay on him for a few seconds. And
then he TURNS TO DUST. He was a vampire.
FADE TO BLACK:
END OF TEASER
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2.
ACT ONE
INT. KITCHEN -- DAY
BUFFY is sitting at the counter, eating a muffin. DAWN walks
in.
DAWN
G'mornin'.
Dawn goes and gets herself some juice.
BUFFY
Hi.
DAWN
Big slayage last night? You didn't
come in until, like, I don't know.
Really late?
BUFFY
Yeah. Late. Very, very late. One
might even say early.
DAWN
It wasn't Jonathan and those geeky
guys again, was it? Did they turn
you all puddle of goo-y with another
one of their B-movie ray guns?
BUFFY
No. It wasn't them. Just your run of
the mill creature of the night.
DAWN
Vampire?
BUFFY
Nope.
DAWN
Did Spike help? I haven't seen him
around much.
Buffy looks at her watch.
BUFFY
No, I haven't seen Spike in a while
either. Dawn, you're gonna be late.
DAWN
No worries. I'm heading over to
Janice's before school. Her mom's
driving me today. She has a meeting
with the principal. Hey, you wouldn't
happen to know any other giant snake
guys, would you?
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3.
BUFFY
Sorry.
DAWN
It's okay. In this town, something's
bound to happen to her sooner or
later.
BUFFY
Is it really a good thing when you're
wishing death on a person?
DAWN
Oh, I wasn't talking death. Maybe
just like a demon attack that leaves
her unable to scold or scowl.
BUFFY
It'd be one of those crazy demons
that only attacks a person's S-C-O
functions.
DAWN
Whatever it takes.
(beat)
Okay, I've given it time and I still
don't get it. S-C-O?
BUFFY
Yeah. Y'know. Scolding. Scowling.
Both start with S-C-O. Trust me,
it's funny when you're in my head.
DAWN
Gotcha.
Dawn finishes her juice.
DAWN (CONT'D)
I'm gone. See you later.
BUFFY
Bye.
Dawn walks out. Buffy continues eating her muffin. We hear a
THUD and then THE FRONT DOOR CLOSING.
Buffy finishes the muffin and walks out of the kitchen.
INT. FOYER -- CONTINUOUS -- DAY
Buffy walks into the foyer. She notices Dawn's backpack on
the floor.
BUFFY
Crap.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4.
She picks it up, and opens the door.
BUFFY (CONT'D)
Dawn!
No reply. Buffy sighs and puts the bag next to the door.
BUFFY (CONT'D)
Don't blame me if you fail and end
up flipping burgers for a living.
(beat)
It could be like a family tradition.
WILLOW comes down the stairs.
WILLOW
Hey.
BUFFY
Hi.
WILLOW
Dawn off to school?
BUFFY
Sans backpack.
WILLOW
Oh. I'm sure she'll be okay for a
day.
BUFFY
Yeah.
Willow walks past her, toward the kitchen. In an avoid-y
kind of way. Buffy stops her.
BUFFY (CONT'D)
Will.
Willow looks back, trying to not be weird.
BUFFY (CONT'D)
You wanna do something today? Maybe
come patrol with me like the good
old days? We haven't hung out for a
while.
WILLOW
I don't know.
BUFFY
It's been kinda vamp easy. Maybe we
could play a game of checkers or
something.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5.
WILLOW
Maybe. I mean, I kinda have stuff to
do today. I have lunch to go to.
BUFFY
Oh, We can go together. It'll be
fun. It's kinda early still, so maybe
we can window shop for a while first.
WILLOW
No. I mean... I have to go alone. I
have things.
Buffy's disappointed.
BUFFY
Oh. Maybe tomorrow?
WILLOW
We'll see.
There's a KNOCK at the door. Buffy moves to answer it.
BUFFY
Probably Dawn coming back for her
backpack.
(beat)
Though it makes no sense at all for
her to be knocking at her own house.
Buffy opens the door. A POSTMAN is standing there, holding a
clipboard and an envelope.
POSTMAN
I have a letter here for...
(checks name)
Willow Rosenberg.
Willow moves before Buffy can sign for it.
WILLOW
That's me.
Willow signs for it. He hands her the envelope.
POSTMAN
Thanks.
Willow smiles at him as he walks away. As Buffy's about to
close the door, she sees a flower pot on the porch tipped
over. She goes outside and picks it up.
BUFFY
I pay a billion dollars for a stamp
and he can't even pick up the flower
pot he tips over?
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6.
After she picks it back up, she goes inside and closes the
door again. She goes to Willow.
BUFFY (CONT'D)
So, fancy letter. All signed for and
stuff.
(beat)
Open it.
WILLOW
I know what it is. I'll open it later.
BUFFY
But how often is it that you get a
certified letter? It's like a present
or something. Rules say that you
must open all certified letter and
boxes right away. Also, rules say
that bills can conveniently be lost
in the trash until final notice comes,
but that doesn't apply here.
WILLOW
It's private, Buffy.
BUFFY
Fine.
(beat)
So we gonna do something tomorrow?
WILLOW
I don't know. I have to go.
Willow, letter in hand, goes back upstairs. Buffy is left
alone.
BUFFY
I need a dog. Dogs don't abandon.
(beat)
Except Oz. He ran away from home.
INT. THE MAGIC BOX -- DAY
XANDER is sitting at the table, reading through a magazine.
ANYA is helping a CUSTOMER at the register. She gives him
his change and his bag and he walks out.
ANYA
Thank you. Please come again.
She walks over to Xander after the customer is gone.
ANYA (CONT'D)
Of course, he'll have no choice in
the matter. He'll have to come back.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7.
XANDER
Why do you say that?
ANYA
Because. He's doing a spell that
requires many ingrediants, including
dehydrated dragon flies. He only
bought the many ingrediants and not
the dragon flies. So unless he makes
his own at home, he'll have to come
back.
XANDER
Shouldn't you have told him that,
An?
ANYA
No.
XANDER
Why not? Don't we still like selling
things to the customers?
ANYA
Of course. Which is why I didn't
tell him. See, I intend to get him
to purchase items impulsivly by making
him return to the store and pay for
things at the counter where I have
placed several small objects that
will tempt him to spend more money.
See?
Anya moves over a little to let Xander see the counter. On
it, there is a jar of chicken feet, and a box of key-chain
mini daggers.
ANYA (CONT'D)
(with a smile)
The dagger key-chains are for the
blood letting.
XANDER
You are... smart.
(beat)
Yes, very smart. I'm gonna stick
with that option because I find that
any other option leads to vengence
demons disliking me. It's never good
to be disliked by someone who can
melt me down to a teaspoon of
concentrated Xander juice.
ANYA
Thank you.
Buffy walks in.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8.
BUFFY
Hello.
Instant awkwardness. More from Xander than from Anya. Buffy
and Anya both sit at the table.
ANYA
Good morning.
BUFFY
What's up?
ANYA
Not much. Xander's just trying to
not be boiled down by vengence demons
that I know.
BUFFY
Sounds like a plan.
Buffy notices Xander squirming.
BUFFY (CONT'D)
Xander, are you okay?
XANDER
Me? Fine.
BUFFY
You seem a little awkward.
XANDER
Fine. I'm fine. Still.
(beat)
Lay any demons last night? Slay!
Slay any...demons?
Anya leans in to Xander.
ANYA
Very smooth, sweetie. I don't think
she noticed at all.
Buffy chooses to ignore.
BUFFY
No. Actually, I was wondering if you
guys wanted to go patrolling tonight?
Y'know. Donuts. Coffee. Maybe patrol
down memory lane for a while.
She doesn't want to seem as needie as she feels, so she tries
to cover.
BUFFY (CONT'D)
I mean. It's been slow. I get bored.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
9.
Anya picks up on Buffy's neediness.
ANYA
That might be fun. We could talk
about the time that I tried to get
my power source back by killing you
all.
(looks down)
Though that's probably not something
I should bring up too often.
XANDER
Sorry, Buff. We can't make it tonight.
Maybe another time.
Anya wants to be there for Buffy.
ANYA
I think we can. I mean, if Buffy
doesn't want to be alone tonight, we
should be there. It's comforting to
have friends around.
Buffy doesn't want to seem weak.
BUFFY
No. I'm fine with being alone. I
just thought it might be fun, is
all.
ANYA
Oh. Are you sure?
XANDER
She's sure. She's the slayer. She
can handle whatever fate happens to
put in her lap.
(beat)
So to speak.
Buffy looks at the table sensing that everything is not well.
BUFFY
Yeah.
The shop door opens again. Everyone turns to see who is coming
in to break the awkwardness. But it's just Willow, so there's
no hope of that happening.
Willow's dressed in business type clothes. The others take
this in.
BUFFY (CONT'D)
Willow, it's good to know you've
seen the softer side of...
She remembers hearing that line before.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10.
BUFFY (CONT'D)
Nevermind.
Willow walks in, still weird being around Buffy.
ANYA
You're dressed all strangely. Is it
laundry day?
WILLOW
No. I just... have stuff to do. Do I
look stupid?
ANYA
Oh, no. You look very smart. Like
one of those smart people that you
see on tv that have broken glasses
that are all taped up, and have
plastic lining in their shirt pockets
to prevent leaking ink from their
pens from leaving stains.
XANDER
You look fine, Will.
WILLOW
Thanks.
BUFFY
You seem a little nervous.
WILLOW
I'm fine.
BUFFY
You sure?
WILLOW
I'm fine.
There's an awkward silence.
BUFFY
I'd better go work out.
XANDER
Right. See ya.
BUFFY
Bye.
Buffy leaves. When she's gone, the awkwardness ends.
WILLOW
You supposed to work today, Xander?
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
11.
XANDER
Tomorrow.
EXT. SUNNYDALE -- EVENING
The sun is setting over the town.
EXT. CEMETERY -- NIGHT
Buffy walks slowly through the cemetery. Alone. Miserable.
No vamps in sight.
EXT. RESIDENTIAL STREET -- NIGHT
Buffy walks down the street. She watches THREE KIDS (two
girls and a boy about ten years old) playing in a front yard.
That's not something she sees very often at night in
Sunnydale.
She keeps walking, passing by TWO TEEN GIRLS who are chatting
and laughing. She looks back at them as they pass her. Then
she continues on her path.
EXT. ALLEY -- NIGHT
Buffy walks through the alley. She hears a RUSTLE. She
cautiously walks forward. Finally, she passes some garbage
cans and looks to see what made the noise. It's a HOMELESS
MAN. On the ground, eating a banana.
She walks off.
EXT. BRONZE -- NIGHT
Buffy isn't walking. She's sitting on a dumpster, in the
shadows, watching the entrance to the Bronze.
TEENS walk in and out of the Bronze. Laughing and having
fun. A COUPLE makes out against a wall. Buffy just watches.
BUFFY
(to self)
What's wrong with this picture?
A beat, then.
SPIKE (O.S.)
No vampires.
Buffy looks to her side and sees SPIKE standing next to her.
BUFFY
What are you doing here?
SPIKE
Same as you, I wager. Looking for a
good kill before bed.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
12.
BUFFY
As long as that's all you're looking
for.
SPIKE
I reckon you'll be coming to me soon
enough, slayer.
There's not a drop of temptation in Buffy.
BUFFY
I won't. It's over.
SPIKE
It's never over, love. Just because
your friends found out, doesn't mean
anything's changed. You still need
me.
BUFFY
I never needed you, Spike. And it
does change things.
SPIKE
So you do need me then.
BUFFY
That's not what I meant.
Buffy spots something on Spike's shirt. A drop of blood.
BUFFY (CONT'D)
What's that? Were you in a fight?
Spike looks down and sees the blood.
SPIKE
This? Just a drop of pig's blood.
Got me a live one to feed on.
(beat)
Why, you worried?
BUFFY
No. It just seems like something is
up with the vampires in this town
lately. Thought you might know what
was going on. Then again, I guess
you're not a real vampire anymore so
I shouldn't have bothered asking.
SPIKE
Hey! I am so a real vampire.
BUFFY
Right. Feeding on pigs.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
13.
SPIKE
Puts up as good a struggle as anything
else I've killed.
BUFFY
Whatever.
Buffy gets up and starts walking away.
SPIKE
You'll be back.
Buffy stops and turns around.
BUFFY
Spike.
(beat)
Be careful.
She turns back around and keeps walking.
EXT. CEMETERY -- NIGHT
Buffy is patrolling once again. Her stake pulled. Eyes peeled.
She passes by a crypt which has a big gargoyle on top of it.
She sees it, but keeps walking. A moment passes, then she
stops. She gets a "wait a second" look on her face.
She turns around and looks back. The gargoyle is gone. Off
of her dumbfounded out reaction, we...
FADE TO BLACK:
END OF ACT ONE
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
14.
ACT TWO
FADE IN:
EXT. CEMETERY -- NIGHT
Where we left off. Buffy looks around the cemetery to see if
the gargoyle is around. She does a full turn around, and
even looks up, but sees nothing.
She runs.
EXT. THE MAGIC BOX -- NIGHT
Buffy runs up the street to the shop. She tries to open the
door, but can't. Confused, she looks around. She sees that
all of the lights are off. Finally, she sees a sign that
reads : "SORRY, WE'RE CLOSED"
This is a first for her. She turns around and takes off again.
INT. WILLOW'S ROOM -- NIGHT
Willow is asleep in her bed. Everything is peaceful. Silent.
Then the door bursts open. Buffy rushes in.
BUFFY
Willow.
Willow is still asleep. Buffy shakes her.
BUFFY (CONT'D)
Willow, get up.
Willow wakes up, but is still groggy.
WILLOW
Buffy? What time is it?
BUFFY
I don't know. Listen, I need your
help.
WILLOW
I'm sleeping.
BUFFY
Willow, c'mon. I need you.
WILLOW
Need me tomorrow.
Willow rolls over.
BUFFY
Willow, get up. Now.
(MORE)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
15.
BUFFY (CONT'D)
I saw the demon thing. It was huge,
and on top of a crypt. It looked
like a...
WILLOW
I need sleep.
BUFFY
Since when?
WILLOW
I have to be somewhere tomorrow. Let
me sleep.
BUFFY
We're talking about a demon here.
Life and death. You wanna cut because
you have a brunch date? Get up.
Willow rolls back over and looks Buffy in the eyes.
WILLOW
Why don't you go ask Spike for help?
Buffy is taken back. At first she's shocked, but that melts
away. She stands up and turns on the lights. Willow covers
her eyes while they adjust.
BUFFY
What the hell does that mean?
WILLOW
You know just fine what it means.
BUFFY
I haven't... Spike's not... It's
been a long time. I'm not doing that
anymore. Why can't you, of all people,
accept that?
WILLOW
He's a killer, Buffy. You know that.
BUFFY
Yes. I do.
Buffy takes a breath.
BUFFY (CONT'D)
Look. I've had it. You can act weird
around me all you want. I don't care.
But you've been slacking off around
here. Living for free while I have
to worry about the bills, and putting
food on the table.
(MORE)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
16.
BUFFY (CONT'D)
And I've accepted that. But now you're
not even helping with the slaying
when I need you?
(beat)
I don't accept that. If you want to
live under my roof, you will earn
your keep. Otherwise, you can get
the hell out of my house.
Willow doesn't respond.
BUFFY (CONT'D)
I'm going to call Xander and Anya.
Be ready to go in ten minutes.
Buffy walks out. Willow stays there for a moment. Finally,
she throws off the covers and gets out of bed.
INT. THE MAGIC BOX -- NIGHT
Buffy and Willow walk in through the back door. Xander and
Anya are there already, sitting at the table. Buffy and Willow
join them.
ANYA
So what's up?
XANDER
Yeah, I have work in the morning.
Anya looks at Buffy.
ANYA
He says that as though he was asleep
when you called. He wasn't asleep.
BUFFY
I saw what we're looking for.
(beat)
I think.
XANDER
You called us down here for an "I
think"?
BUFFY
Shut up and listen. We're looking
for a gargoyle type of demon. I didn't
get a really good look, but that's
what I saw. And I think he can fly.
ANYA
Did you see him fly? Was it a wing
flapping type, or more of a gliding?
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
17.
BUFFY
I don't know. He was just gone when
I turned back around.
XANDER
Right. So we're looking for a demon
that possibly has wings, and might
fly.
ANYA
Was it made of stone? Gargoyles are
usually made of stone.
BUFFY
I don't know.
XANDER
Great.
BUFFY
Xander, not now. Let's just get to
the books and see what we can find.
Look for anything that looks like a
gargoyle with wings.
They get to work.
INT. THE MAGIC BOX -- DAY
It's very early in the morning. There's only a little
sunlight.
Xander, Willow and Anya are at the table, each flipping
through books. More books scattered all around them. Buffy
sits on a stool at the counter, going through her own books.
They're all tired.
ANYA
I'm surprised there aren't more winged
demons. I never really thought about
the winged demon situation too much,
but now that I'm researching it, I'm
very surprised that there aren't
more. You'd think there'd be more.
BUFFY
I for one am happy that there aren't
more. I can't even stand those little
gnatty fruit fly things. Can you
imagine one of those a hundred times
bigger?
Willow straightens up.
WILLOW
Wait. I think I found something in
this old Watcher diary.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
18.
BUFFY
I thought Giles took those when he
left.
WILLOW
Listen.
(beat)
"June 12, 1743. My research into the
creature that Elenore saw while
hunting three nights ago has led me
to some rather fascinating
information, related to those crypic
myths in the Geronshor scrolls. It
would seem that people began putting
gargoyles on their buildings as a
means of protection, meant to ward
off vampires. They are made to look
like this winged creature which hunts
the vampires. It is animal-like in
nature, functioning on only the most
basic level."
(beat)
He goes on and on about how
interesting the creature is and all
that stuff.
BUFFY
Anything else?
WILLOW
That's all that's in here. But I
think I've seen these scrolls he
mentions. I'll go look for them.
BUFFY
I think Giles stashed some more books
in the training room. I'll go check
them out. See if there's anything
else in them.
Buffy leaves to go look for books. Willow goes to the second
level and looks for the scrolls. Xander puts his head on the
table and closes his eyes, trying to get some rest. Anya
puts her head down and stares at him.
WILLOW
I got it.
Xander opens his eyes and isn't expecting to see Anya right
there. He jumps back.
XANDER
Gnah! What are you doing?
ANYA
I'm watching you sleep.
(MORE)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
19.
ANYA (CONT'D)
I hear that when you love someone,
it's a custom to watch them sleep. I
don't quite understand the practice.
It's very boring.
XANDER
Do you do this a lot?
Willow puts the scrolls down on the table and they all take
a look. There is a picture, and a lot of unidentifiable
writing.
XANDER (CONT'D)
Okay, so I understand the picture
part. What's the rest mean?
Willow and Anya both look at it.
WILLOW
It means... I have no clue. I've
never seen that language before.
ANYA
I've been around for quite a while
now and even I have no clue what
that language is.
XANDER
Maybe it's a special language that
you need a secret Watcher decoder
ring to read.
WILLOW
So much for the more information
part. It'd be nice if we at least
had a name for it.
(beat)
I guess we should give it a name
ourselves.
Willow starts to think hard about the name.
WILLOW (CONT'D)
I mean, this is a big thing. Think
about it. We get to name a demon. We
have to think of just the right name.
We don't want to name it some really
dumb name and then have someone
reading it in a hundred years thinking
"Man, that's a bad name. Who would
have named it that?
XANDER
Oh! Was it hot? 'Cause if so, we
could call it Demona.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
20.
Neither one of the girls gets the joke.
XANDER (CONT'D)
If you watched more cartoons, you'd
get that.
WILLOW
(with passion and
gesturing)
Venator Inferi.
Xander and Anya both duck and look around, then back to
Willow.
XANDER
W--Was that a spell? Did you do a
spell?
ANYA
She's fallen off the wagon. We should
tie her up at once and force her to
admit that she has a problem and
that there is a higher power.
(beat)
I don't know what the other steps
are, but I've heard they've come out
with twelve.
WILLOW
Guys, it wasn't a spell. I'm not
falling off the wagon. I'm firmly in
the wagon with my seatbelt fastened.
I was just naming the demon. Venator
Inferi. It means, like, "hunter of
the dead". I think.
XANDER
Oh. Well, in that case...
ANYA
I like it. It rolls off of the tongue.
Buffy walks back into the room with a few books in hand.
BUFFY
I found the books, but I don't think
they'll help.
She puts the books on the table. She sees the scroll.
BUFFY (CONT'D)
Any new info?
ANYA
We can't figure out what language
that scroll is written in, so we
(MORE)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
21.
ANYA (CONT'D)
decided to name the demon ourselves.
Venator Infury.
WILLOW
Inferi. Venator Inferi.
BUFFY
Nice name. I think I would have
gone with something like Bob, or
maybe George. I'm not in a creative
mood.
She looks at the picture.
BUFFY (CONT'D)
But that's our beast. Looks pretty
serious too. His claws look sharp.
(beat)
I say we suit up and hunt it down.
XANDER
I don't want to sound all demon lover
here, but it seems like the town's a
lot safer since this thing started
hunting the vamps. I mean, I haven't
seen a vampire in weeks with the
exception of... Anyway, I think it's
a good thing that something's managing
to get the fanged population down
around here.
ANYA
Which is fine with me because I am
fully human. Not a demon bone in my
body.
BUFFY
(over Anya, to Xander)
That's what the Slayer is for.
XANDER
Really? I thought the Slayer duties
underwent a change. No more slaying,
much more laying.
ANYA
Xander.
WILLOW
He's right. Buffy just wants to kill
this thing to protect Spike. I don't
care what you and Spike do, Buffy,
that's wrong.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
22.
BUFFY
What is it with you people? I'm not
seeing Spike anymore. This thing is
a demon. So the vampire population
is down. Does that Watcher mention
this thing not attacking any humans?
It's dangerous.
WILLOW
If it had attacked humans, we'd have
heard about it by now.
BUFFY
So now we wait to see how every demon
behaves before we kill it? Maybe
next time the Hellmouth opens we can
wait and see if Mr. Tentacles has
reformed. Maybe he wants to be good.
XANDER
I don't have time for this. I have
to get to work.
Xander stands up to leave.
XANDER (CONT'D)
Not that it'll be safe for me to
work with power tools, which actually
have warning labels for my current
situation of having not slept and
thus being drowsy.
ANYA
You never complain when I keep you
up.
Xander doesn't laugh. He grabs his coat. Willow stands up
too.
WILLOW
I have places to be too.
BUFFY
Where do you have to be that's so
important? It's not like you even go
to school anymore.
WILLOW
No, that's right. I don't. But I do
have to go to work. Real work too.
Not some smelly fast food restaurant.
As Willow says that, even she knows that was an incredibly
stupid thing to say.
BUFFY
You have a job?
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
23.
WILLOW
Yeah.
BUFFY
Fine. Great.
Buffy turns to Anya.
BUFFY (CONT'D)
And what about you?
ANYA
I already have a job.
BUFFY
I mean, can you help me with this
thing, or am I in it alone?
XANDER
No. I don't want you to get into
this, Anya. We don't know...
ANYA
I'm over a thousand years old, Xander.
I think I'm capable of deciding
whether or not I am allowed to go on
patrol with Buffy.
Anya looks at Buffy.
ANYA (CONT'D)
I will.
XANDER
Anya, we have dinner at my boss'
tonight, remember?
ANYA
Oh.
Anya doesn't know what to do.
ANYA (CONT'D)
I guess...
(beat)
I really shouldn't miss it. It's
very important to the future of
Xander's income.
BUFFY
Fine. Whatever. I'll just go by
myself.
Buffy walks out of the shop. Xander and Willow fall silent.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
24.
ANYA
I feel horrible. Someone should go
with her.
XANDER
While she kills a good guy?
ANYA
We don't know for sure that he's a
good guy. Maybe he feeds on vampires,
and plays racket ball with the heads
of humans. Y'know, using them as the
balls, not the rackets.
WILLOW
I can hardly stand looking at her
anymore though. I don't think I could
go, even if I didn't have to work.
XANDER
I can't believe she had sex with
Spike.
ANYA
What's not to believe? Spike does
have a very appealing body.
Xander and Willow both shoot Anya disgusted looks.
ANYA (CONT'D)
C'mon, Willow. You glare at me as
though you never thought it yourself.
WILLOW
Are you even capable of remembering
that I'm gay?
Anya gives her a look of her own.
WILLOW (CONT'D)
Fine. I have. But it's still sick,
and I would never act on it. It's
hard to be attracted to someone when
they've almost driven a broken bottle
through your face. Kinda kills the
mood.
XANDER
He's evil. An evil demon.
ANYA
We all have a little demon in us.
WILLOW
Easy for you to say. You who was
actually a demon for a thousand years.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
25.
ANYA
Right. And you never drove a little
girl into a pole at sixty miles per
hour because you were too high on
magic to see straight. And you,
Xander. The one who called forth an
evil singing demon who made two people
dance themselves to death.
XANDER
It was a mistake.
(beat)
You're wrong. I don't have any demon
in me. I'm a good guy. A very sane,
non-vampire humping sane person.
WILLOW
Me too. I was sick.
ANYA
Sick? Yeah, maybe in your brain.
It's a desire. Plain and simple.
WILLOW
No. You don't have any idea what
you're saying. What would you know
about being human?
ANYA
Obviously more than you two.
Willow and Xander leave. As they walk out, Anya calls after
them.
ANYA (CONT'D)
It's in us all.
They're gone. The door closes. Anya says the next part in a
normal voice.
ANYA (CONT'D)
You just have to open your eyes.
EXT. ALLEY -- DAY
It's sunset by now. Buffy is patrolling down this alley,
which is around some warehouses. She's alone and feeling
every bit of it.
She looks around, and up. She smells something bad. Very
bad. She tries to find where it's coming from. This leads
her to the slightly open door of one of the warehouses. She
opens the door all the way and steps inside.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
26.
INT. WAREHOUSE -- CONTINUOUS -- DAY
She takes a few steps in. Rays of orange sunlight shine
through the door behind her like she's standing in front of
a spotlight.
She sees blood on the ground. A trail of it, which leads to
a pile of dead and rotting animals. Alley cats and rodents
mostly. Flies buzz around.
BUFFY
And to think I smelled like that at
one point.
She takes another step, looking around the place. She sees a
WOMAN huddled in the corner, shaking and dirty looking. Scared
like hell.
The woman looks relieved when she sees Buffy.
WOMAN
(calling out)
It's just the slayer.
Buffy's confused. A door opens and a GROUP OF VAMPIRES walks
out, all in vamp face. Buffy looks back to the girl, who is
now in vamp face too.
BUFFY
What, I don't even scare skinny little
girl vampires anymore? That's really
really sad.
Buffy pulls out a stake.
BUFFY (CONT'D)
You guys mind if I ask you a few
questions before I kill you? Just
some things I should know so I can
improve my public image.
(beat)
Like, do you think I'd be scarrier
to you if I had a nose-ring?
The vampires all suddenly get scared and take steps back.
Buffy smiles.
BUFFY (CONT'D)
See, I still got the touch. Now if
you'd all just line up, single file...
Suddenly, the light shining through the door goes out. Slowly,
she turns around to see what's behind her.
In the doorway, the huge Venator Inferi stands all tall and
scary looking.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
27.
Buffy's eyes widen as she takes in the beast fully for the
first time.
FADE TO BLACK:
END OF ACT TWO
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
28.
ACT THREE
FADE IN:
INT. WILLOW'S OFFICE -- DAY
Your typical hip dot-com company office. Very trendy. Desks
set up with fancy computers on them. Willow is sitting at
one. She's working on her computer.
A man, CASEY (early 20's, hip, but nerdy at the same time)
walks up to her desk.
CASEY
How's the first day comin'?
Willow finishes typing what she was typing, then looks up at
him.
WILLOW
Not too bad. I'm a little confused
though.
CASEY
Really? What with?
Willow smiles and gets cocky.
WILLOW
The fact that nobody was able to fix
this before me.
CASEY
Oh, looks like we've got ourselves a
bragger here.
WILLOW
I only brag when there's cause.
CASEY
We all start off as braggers. But in
the end, we all end up being the
bragged... at.
WILLOW
We'll see.
CASEY
So you gonna be here much longer?
WILLOW
I have a lot to sort through. Don't
have any other plans for the night,
so I could be here late.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
29.
CASEY
You'll have to get used to the all-
nighters. Usually it's boring, but
sometimes we play hacker tag and
that's kinda cool.
WILLOW
I'm used to being up all night.
CASEY
Really? I didn't see you as the
wild type.
WILLOW
Wild leads to pain. I'm more of the
research gal.
CASEY
Sounds boring. What do you research?
WILLOW
Stuff, mostly.
Casey smiles.
CASEY
I think I took a course in that back
in college. Very interesting that
stuff is. I had a little trouble
grasping all the layers, but once
you figure it out, it just changes
your life.
WILLOW
Which is why I find it so interesting.
CASEY
You drink coffee? I'm sure you can
tell by my rambling that I do.
WILLOW
My all-nighters aren't powered by
pep, y'know.
CASEY
There's a Starbucks cart in the
lounge. You should check it out.
WILLOW
A cart? Since when do they deliver?
CASEY
You'd be amazed at some of the perks
around here.
WILLOW
Was that a pun?
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
30.
CASEY
Pun?
(finally sees it)
Oh! Not on purpose.
(beat)
So, you wanna get some?
WILLOW
That sounds good. I haven't had any
in a while.
(beat)
I have a little more work to do and
I really wanna get it done first.
Five minutes?
CASEY
Deal. I'll introduce you to the wild
bunch of people who hang out around
the cart all day.
(beat)
I'm not sure what they do here at
the office, really. But they're loads
of fun to talk to when you're drinking
coffee. They're always there.
WILLOW
Neat.
CASEY
See you in five then.
(beat)
Minutes, I mean. Five minutes.
WILLOW
Yeah, I got that.
CASEY
Right.
Willow smiles politely and motions toward her computer screen
with her eyes in an "I have work to do" kind of way. Casey
takes the hint and leaves.
Willow goes back to work, still smiling.
INT. WAREHOUSE -- DAY
Where we left off with her before. The vampires scurry to
get back through the door that they just came out of as the
Venator Inferi steps further into the warehouse, letting the
sunlight back in. It's very animal like. Not smart.
BUFFY
You must be In-Vitro Ferrari.
(beat)
Or whatever Willow called you.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
31.
Buffy steps closer to it.
BUFFY (CONT'D)
Ever consider a career in modeling?
She punches it. It hardly flinches. It spreads it's long
wings and ROARS.
BUFFY (CONT'D)
I know. It really was a bad line.
Sorry.
It swats Buffy. She goes flying back. She hits the ground
hard.
BUFFY (CONT'D)
What? You think you could have done
better on the spot? And... ow.
Buffy flips up to her feet and goes back to the beast.
BUFFY (CONT'D)
Okay, try this instead.
Buffy kicks it. It flies across the room, but spreads it's
wings and catches itself before it hits the ground.
BUFFY (CONT'D)
Now that's handy.
Then it soars back, crashing into her. They tumble and hit
the ground. Venator Inferi GROWLS. They continue fighting.
INT. XANDER'S APARTMENT -- NIGHT
Xander is dressed in nice clothes. He's sitting in a chair,
putting on his shoes. Talking to Anya who is in the bedroom.
XANDER
So let's go through this one more
time.
ANYA (O.S.)
But we've been through it three times
already. I know what I'm supposed to
do and what not to do.
XANDER
Humor me. Please.
ANYA (O.S.)
Fine.
XANDER
Thank you. Now, what do you do if
someone mentions demons?
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
32.
ANYA (O.S.)
I laugh, and say that they're very
silly people for believing in such
things.
XANDER
You could make it sound nice though.
ANYA (O.S.)
I suppose I shouldn't entertain them
with my many stories of vengence.
XANDER
Maybe next time. What else?
ANYA (O.S.)
I should try to sound like people
usually sound, and not make comments
that, while true, might be mistaken
for insults.
Anya switches modes and sounds like a normal person at a
party.
ANYA (O.S.) (CONT'D)
It's good to be here. Thank you so
much for inviting Xander and I. You're
house is just adorable.
(gasps)
Are those real pearls? They're lovely!
Then she fakes a laugh.
XANDER
Not bad.
ANYA (O.S.)
For a thousand years, I pretended to
be a normal person when I would go
on a vengence job. I'm really very
good at undercover.
XANDER
I'll keep that in mind.
When he's done with his shoes, Xander starts pacing.
XANDER (CONT'D)
I just really want this to go good.
It's my first real adult party. It's
a serious event.
ANYA (O.S.)
Everything will be fine.
(MORE)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
33.
ANYA (O.S.) (CONT'D)
Just remember to say "please" than
"thank you" and to compliment them
on their ugly furniture.
(beat)
And whatever you do, don't tell them
that their children are oddly
constructed. That never goes over
well.
XANDER
It'll be good to get away from
everything. A night without vampires
and Hellmouths. Like a normal person.
ANYA (O.S.)
Normal people tend to get bitten and
drained of all their blood. Maybe I
should bring a stake in my purse.
Just incase.
XANDER
No. I don't want there to be any
chance of them asking questions.
Anya walks out of the bedroom, dressed up all nice and pretty.
ANYA
Zip me.
She walks to Xander. He zips up her dress. She turns around.
ANYA (CONT'D)
How do I look? Will I pass for a
normal human girl?
XANDER
You look amazing.
She smiles.
XANDER (CONT'D)
What do you say if they ask you where
you grew up?
ANYA
I grew up in south-eastern Indiana
where my father raised sheep for a
living.
XANDER
Good. And your parents' names?
ANYA
I never thought about that. I don't
suppose that D'Hoffryn and Halfrek
would be acceptable names?
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
34.
XANDER
No.
(beat)
How about Clark and Mary-Jane?
ANYA
Great. As long as your boss doesn't
read comic books, we should be fine.
Do people raise sheep in south-eastern
Indiana?
XANDER
I have no clue? I'm sure someone
does.
ANYA
Maybe I'll just say "Indiana", and
then steer them away from any details.
Like if they say something I can't
answer, I'll make a gesture of some
sort and you can get me out of it,
like in those situation comedies on
television.
XANDER
Just scratch your ear, or something.
Nothing too big.
ANYA
Of course not. Then they'd ask
questions about my odd behavior, and
I wouldn't want to actually reveal
any real information about myself to
these people. I have to be the
perfectly normal girl who dresses in
fancy clothes that are very
uncomfortable, and who talks like
everyone else, and who was raised
just like everyone else. I don't
know why I'm even going to this dinner
when it's obvious that I'll never be
able to really fit in with these
people.
XANDER
Anya, you're a great person. And I
love you the way you really are, and
I'd like nothing better than to go
in there, telling them that we met
when you summoned the evil alernate
reality version of my best friend
and tried to turn the world into a
hell-fest. But somehow, I don't think
they could deal with that.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
35.
ANYA
Yes, and telling them that we met at
a Star Trek convention makes us more
normal.
Xander is too busy looking for his keys to pay any attention
to her. He finds them and picks them up.
XANDER
Huh?
(beat)
Okay, I think we're ready.
He takes a look around to make sure he hasn't forgotten
anything, then they walk out.
INT. WAREHOUSE -- NIGHT
Buffy and Venator Inferi are still fighting it out. It makes
a few swings at her, managing to get in one good hit. She
grabs it with both hands around it's neck and slams it against
the wall, holding it there, face to face.
BUFFY
Y'know, for something that eats dead
people, you have amazingly fresh
breath.
She throws it back down to the ground, but it quickly
recovers, ready for more fighting.
Venator Inferi flies at Buffy. She jumps in the air and grabs
him, causing them to fall back to the ground. While it's
stunned, she punches it a few times, causing it to seriously
slow down - close to passing out, but not quite there. She
pulls out her stake and raises it. Just as she's about to
drive the stake through it's heart, she looks into it's eyes.
She stops.
After a moment of just looking at it, realizing that she is
killing the thing that kills vampires, she can't bring herself
to kill it. She gets off of it, trying to figure out how
she got to this place. What has she become? Killing the
good guy.
The door that the vampires ran through opens a little and
the woman vampire peeks out.
WOMAN
It's down! We can get it!
The vampires rush out, about to charge Venator Inferi. They
stop with Buffy between them and the beast. They look at
Buffy, who is still holding the stake, realizing that they
might have to fight her too. Buffy looks at them. Then back
at Venator. She's confused.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
36.
A moment passes. Then she drops her stake and walks out of
the warehouse.
As she walks out, we STAY ON HER and HEAR A FIGHT break out
behind her, O.S.
EXT. BUFFY'S HOUSE -- NIGHT
Buffy walks up to the dark house, still thinking deeply about
what's happened in her life.
INT. BUFFY'S ROOM -- NIGHT
She walks into the room, turns on the light and sits down on
her bed. She sighs.
She grabs Mr. Gordo and starts talking with him.
BUFFY
Things were much easier before I
died that second time.
(beat)
I guess you can't please everyone,
right? And so what if they don't
like him? It's my choice and they'll
just have to live with it. Spike
isn't the same vampire he was. He
helps me. He's saved Dawn a lot.
(beat)
Yeah, he sometimes tries to kill
people. But so did Angel. It's not
like I've ever had the highest of
standards, right?
(beat)
I like Spike. So what if they don't
like him? I mean, you might want to
hide, Gordo, old man. He tends to
eat your kind. But other than that,
I see no problems with him being in
my life.
Buffy gets up and puts Mr. Gordo in a drawer.
BUFFY (CONT'D)
You'll be safe in there.
She closes the drawer and walks out of the room.
INT. SPIKE'S CRYPT -- LOWER LEVEL -- NIGHT
SPIKE is sitting on his bed, reading a book. Buffy comes in.
Spike sees her and puts the book down.
SPIKE
What are you doing here?
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
37.
BUFFY
I needed to get out.
SPIKE
What about your big speech? "Never
coming back" and all that? You set
my bloody chair on fire.
BUFFY
Things change.
She walks to Spike.
SPIKE
What if I don't feel like it?
BUFFY
Yeah. That's gonna happen.
SPIKE
(half heartedly)
It is happening, sweetie. I'm tired
of your little mind games. The shop's
closed. You want your engine tuned
up, you're gonna have to find yourself
another tool.
She kisses him. He pushes her away. She kisses him again.
Gently. Sweetly. He melts. They keep kissing.
BUFFY
You still want me to go?
She grabs him and kisses him again. He kisses back.
SPIKE
Slayer.
(beat)
Buffy.
Buffy moves away from him. Back to the bed. She motions for
him to join her. Slowly, he walks to her. She touches his
face, then kisses him.
And just when you think we might see another sex scene we...
FADE TO BLACK:
END OF ACT THREE
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
38.
ACT FOUR
FADE IN:
INT. SPIKE'S CRYPT -- LOWER LEVEL -- NIGHT
Buffy and Spike are now just laying there, covered only by
sheets.
BUFFY
I've been thinking. About us.
SPIKE
Yeah, and what's your conclusion?
BUFFY
My conclusion is that you make me
happy.
(beat)
I've been thinking about offering
you a drawer at my place. Y'know,
for you to keep your extra t-shirts
in. Assuming you have any. Or maybe
just a hook for you to hang your
coat on. Y'know, a special "Spike
Only" hook.
SPIKE
And what do you think the rest of
the Scooby clan would have to say
about that development?
BUFFY
You know, I just don't care anymore.
I've given up living my life for
other people. It's me time.
(beat)
It'll be convenient too. Y'know.
Like, you could do housework and
stuff like that.
SPIKE
I don't cut grass.
BUFFY
Besides, it'll be easier for you to
watch Dawn when I'm out on slay duty.
SPIKE
I think it's pretty easy for me to
keep my eye on her with the current
arrangement.
Buffy gets excited with her new thought.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
39.
BUFFY
Ooh. You'd be all stay at home dad
guy. Drinking too much blood and
getting fat while Dawn causes all
sorts of trouble.
SPIKE
Is that what this is? Are you
searching for your long lost daddy?
BUFFY
Hey, my dad isn't as bad as he's
made out to be.
(beat)
I'm looking for more of a live-in
boyfriend figure. Isn't that what
you wanted?
SPIKE
Actually, all I really want is
something to eat.
Spike VAMPS OUT. He puts his lips close to Buffy's.
SPIKE (CONT'D)
Something young.
BUFFY
(playfully)
Great. Now I have to worry about you
chasing younger women?
SPIKE
Yeah. You should. As a matter of
fact, I've got the youngest Summers
locked away all good and tight as we
speak. That's a fine snack if I ever
had one.
He DEVAMPS.
BUFFY
Ha ha, Spike. Knock it off.
Spike gets out of bed and starts getting dressed. Buffy just
lays there.
SPIKE
Oh, you think I'm joking.
(beat)
I'm not, you know. I've got her full
of holes as we speak. And you can't
even tell because you're never around
enough to know where the hell she
is.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
40.
BUFFY
Spike, I said that's enough.
SPIKE
It's not enough, slayer. You're too
busy not dealing with your own sorry
excuse for a life that you've stopped
paying attention to the Little Bit.
BUFFY
Stop it.
SPIKE
You don't have to worry though.
Pretty soon, your little sis won't
have to worry about your neglect.
She won't have to worry about anything
but keeping up with the latest
fashions. She'll be young forever.
Buffy is sitting up by now, covering herself with the sheet.
Now very serious and angry.
BUFFY
I told you, that's not funny.
SPIKE
Oh, I'm not joking, pet.
BUFFY
Dawn is fine. She's safe at home.
SPIKE
Really?
Spike walks around the bed to Buffy and gets close to her.
He whispers into her ear.
SPIKE (CONT'D)
Dawn dropped her backpack as I nabbed
her. Squeeled like a baby pig as I
carried her off.
Buffy's face drops as the realization that Spike isn't kidding
sinks in. She can't breath. In that harsh moment, Spike
pulls a very long knife out from behind the bed, and stabs
it as far as it will go into Buffy's stomach, pushing her
back against the bed.
She lays there, in shock and Spike smiles at her and puts
his coat on.
SPIKE (CONT'D)
I'm feeling a bit peckish. Best go
pay the snack bar a visit. Get me
something sweet.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
41.
Spike dabs his finger in the blood from her wound and tastes
it.
SPIKE (CONT'D)
Mmm. Can really taste the family
resemblance.
With that, he leaves her there alone.
The room goes silent, except for the sound of her HEAVY
BREATHING.
We can hear her HEART POUNDING.
She tries to move, but the pain stops her. She's still in
shock over what just happened.
She takes a deep breath and tries to move again. She can't.
She claws at the bed with her arms, trying to pull herself
up, but can't.
She starts crying. Freaking out.
She tries to get out of the bed, frantically, but can't.
She doesn't know what to do. She keeps trying to stand up,
but can't. This struggle lasts a very long time.
She looks over and sees her clothes on the floor. She reaches
for them, but can't reach them. She leans as far as she can.
This results in her falling out of the bed.
She hits the ground, red only in the sheet. The bed is
covered in blood, as is the sheet she is covered
(strategically) in.
The knife that Spike stabbed her with is sticking out the
center of her lower back.
She looks back and sees all of the blood. She looks down at
the knife that runs through her and feels the back with her
hand.
She is stuck on the floor, not moving much else than I've
described here. Especially, her legs.
INT. OZ'S CRYPT -- NIGHT
This is the crypt that Oz used in season 4 for his wolf
nights. All is pretty much the same as back then, but we
don't see much of anything at first. It's very dark.
The door is whipped open just as a CLASH OF THUNDER rips
through the air. We don't see anything until a FLASH OF
LIGHTNING fills the room with blue light for a split second.
In that split second, we see Spike standing at the door.
His face in it's human form.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
42.
The room is once again dark and we see nothing.
ANOTHER FLASH. This time, when we see Spike's face, it's in
VAMP MODE. Darkness again. THUNDER ROARS.
ANOTHER FLASH. This time, we see the cage. The form of Dawn
laying on the floor. But we don't see her very well. Darkness.
DAWN
I need water.
ANOTHER FLASH. This time, we're inside the cage. And in that
quick flash, we see Dawn covered in vampire bites. Darkness
again.
A light comes on. Flickers. Spike is standing next to the
old bulb. We can see Dawn better now. Her bites red and
swollen, but not much blood dripped on her.
SPIKE
Don't worry, little bit. I've got
something for you to drink soon
enough.
DAWN
If you turn me, Buffy will just kill
us both.
SPIKE
I'm not much worried about your big
sis. I think she's got enough of a
challenge just getting her pants
back on. But I don't like to brag.
DAWN
What's happened to you?
SPIKE
I've opened the door to my cage. The
animal's out again.
Spike walks toward the cage. WE HEAR RAIN begin to fall
outside.
Dark MUSIC begins to play as we see the following shots...
INT. WILLOW'S OFFICE -- LOUNGE -- NIGHT
Willow is standing at the coffee cart, talking to COWORKERS
about some sort of computer stuff. She makes a joke. They
laugh. She smiles.
INT. OZ'S CRYPT -- NIGHT
Spike opens the cage door and looks down at Dawn.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
43.
INT. UNFAMILIAR DINING ROOM -- NIGHT
Xander and Anya are dressed up all nice, eating dinner with
FRIENDS. Both are acting very mature. Xander is in some sort
of deep, serious conversation with a couple of other guys.
Something political or something. We can't hear.
INT. OZ'S CRYPT -- NIGHT
Spike grabs Dawn by the hair and pulls her up. He takes a
bite of her neck. We can hear her SCREAM as it blends with
the music and another CLASH OF THUNDER. The echos of the
scream carry through to the next shot.
EXT. MAIN STREET -- NIGHT
Rain is pouring down. PEOPLE are going about their normal
lives. Some just walking down the street. Some laughing and
playing. Having a good, fun time. Totally unaware of the
pain and suffering going on not too far away.
EXT. SUNNYDALE -- NIGHT
We see the whole town now. Still raining. We hear LAUGHTER
blended with the music. THUNDER ROARS. ANOTHER SCREAM.
This is Sunnydale.
INT./EXT. SPIKE'S CRYPT -- LOWER LEVEL/UPPER LEVEL/OUTSIDE --
NIGHT
The music and all other sounds suddenly STOP. We see Buffy,
on the floor, at the bottom of the ladder that leads to the
upper level of the crypt. She's covered in the sheet still.
A trail of blood leading back to the bed. She's been trying
to escape, but has had no luck. Her legs are limp behind
her, having been dragged all the way.
Right now, she just sits here. A blank expression on her
face. She stays this way for an extended moment. Her breaths
are heavy.
Finally, she moves. She grabs the handle of the knife, and
rips it out of her gut. She doesn't wince, or grunt. She
can't feel it.
Gently, she puts the knife down on the ground next to her.
ANGLE : THE KNIFE
Her hand still rests on the long, bloody knife. Total silence.
After a moment, she takes her hand off of it. We FOLLOW HER
HAND as she slowly moves it up, and grabs onto the cross
that is around her neck.
In a soft, graceful, whisper of a voice, she says...
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44.
BUFFY
Please.
Sound begins to fill the room again. The RAIN CAN BE HEARD.
Reality sets back in for her.
In a louder, but broken voice she says it again.
BUFFY (CONT'D)
Please.
She begins to sob. The hardest she's ever cried in her life.
As she continues to cry, we PULL OUT in one smooth motion.
Through the upper level of the crypt. Her cries now blending
with the rain and THUNDER. And we continue to pull out of
the entire crypt until we can see the whole thing. Rain
pouring over it. Buffy's cries now faint, but still there.
INT. OZ'S CRYPT -- NIGHT
Spike is holding Dawn up still. She's weak now, and looks
like death run over twice. Totally limp.
He kisses her on the cheek, leaving lip marks in blood.
Spike bites into his left wrist and rips a chunk of his own
flesh away. He takes a moment to take in the pain.
He violently jerks Dawn, getting ready to force his blood on
her, and showing how little he cares about her.
Dawn, weakened, but awake, mumbles something so quietly that
we can't hear what she says. But for the record...
DAWN
Do you have diet?
Spike pauses.
SPIKE
I couldn't hear what you said, love,
but I'll assume it was a smart-ass
comment.
As Spike moves to put his wrist and Dawn's mouth together,
an arm reaches into the frame, grabbing his bleeding arm. We
PULL BACK to see that it's Buffy. Fully clothed, but still
bleeding.
There is no time for Spike to react before Buffy snaps his
arm back, breaking it a whole lot. He screams in pain.
Dawn drops to the ground like a rag doll.
Spike turns around to face Buffy, but before he can even
fully turn, Buffy grabs him and throws him as hard as she
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45.
can through the bars of the cage, breaking them. He hits the
wall on the other side of the crypt, leaving a huge dent
where his head hits it. He slumps to the ground, unconscious.
His white hair, now red with blood.
Buffy drops to her knees over Dawn. Dawn is unconscious too
by now. Buffy grabs Dawn's wrist and feels for a pulse. She
begins crying again as she bends down to listen for a
heartbeat.
Now sobbing, Buffy takes the limp Dawn in her arms. She wipes
Spike's kiss off of Dawn's face, and fixes her sister's hair.
She believes that Dawn is dead.
BUFFY
I'm so sorry, Dawn.
(beat)
You never deserved this life. I'm
sorry.
She kisses Dawn's forehead. She takes her cross off and puts
it around Dawn's neck. Instantly, Buffy slumps over once
again. Her shirt red. Her legs not moving.
EXT. CEMETERY -- MORNING
The sun rises over the place. The tombstones cast shadows on
the ground.
INT. OZ'S CRYPT -- MORNING
Soft, gentle MUSIC begins now.
The windows begin to glow as the morning light fills the
room. Rays of light shoot through the windows and the door.
Buffy and Dawn are still on the floor in the cage.
Spike is still out, on the floor, in the shadows. He begins
to wake up. Soon, he is awake again and feeling the night
before with a vengence. He looks around and sees Buffy and
Dawn in the cage. He feels his head, which is not in vamp
mode anymore, but is still very bloody. He looks at the blood
on his hand. As he remembers the night before, he begins to
get pissed off again.
He VAMPS OUT. His vampire face looks a little disfigured
where it got cozy with the wall. He's about to move toward
Buffy and Dawn when a SOFT LIGHT fills the room.
He BEGINS TO SMOKE. Still out of direct sunlight, he DEVAMPS
and looks around, wondering what's going on.
SPIKE
What the...? Bloody hell!
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46.
Burning up, he covers himself with his coat. But he won't
stop burning. He rushes out of the crypt.
In the cage, we see Buffy laying in a small pool of blood.
Her eyes are open and blin An. She's awake. But she isn't
moving anything at all.
Dawn is laying next to her. As we see Dawn, we can hear her
soft, struggling breathing. She is alive.
FADE TO WHITE:
FADE BACK FROM WHITE:
INT. HOSPITAL ROOM -- DAY
The room is empty except for Buffy. She is laying on her
hospital bed, in a similar position as the one she was in on
the floor of the crypt. She is looking out the window.
BUFFY (V.O.)
Through my life, I've had to deal
with many struggles. It's been hard,
and I haven't always done what's
right. But I've come to learn that I
am never alone in these times.
Everyone who has touched my life
will always be with me when I need
them. Even if it's only in spirit,
they will stand next to me in my
times of need.
(beat)
The darkness I've lived through has
changed me. This town is filled with
that darkness. It touches everyone.
Infects them like a disease. I was
infected, but my eyes are opened
now. I've seen this place for what
it is.
INT. HOSPITAL DESK AREA -- DAY
Willow, Xander and Anya are checking Dawn out. Dawn is covered
with many colorful band-aids where she was bit. As Willow
signs her out, Xander is joking around with Dawn. Making her
laugh. Willow turns and laughs too. Anya stands there,
disconnected from them. Watching them. Not laughing.
BUFFY (V.O.)
I now know that I can't push my
friends away. To do so would mean
letting the darkness in.
All signed out, Willow and Xander lead Dawn down the hallway,
toward the exit. Not looking back. Anya moves to follow, but
stops. She turns around and gives one last look back down
the other end of the hall. Toward where Buffy's room is.
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47.
Then she looks down at the ground and follows the others out
of the hospital.
INT. HOSPITAL ROOM -- DAY
We see Buffy again, still watching out her window. We PAN
AROUND her and see out the window. What she is watching.
Her friends get into Xander's car, and the car pulls away.
BUFFY (V.O.)
But I know that someday, I will have
to let them go. To find a place in
the world where the darkness won't
be able to creep into their souls. I
can only hope that they will be able
to find the peace that I've found.
To see the world around them. To
find their way out of the darkness.
We stay on the shot of the now empty parking space.
BUFFY (V.O.) (CONT'D)
I may never walk again. But the
strength that I've found will carry
me through life.
FADE TO BLACK:
THE END