TEASER
FADE IN:
EXT. FIELD - 1865 - DAY
The sun shines down upon the field, and the children that
run through it. A boy, YOUNG WILLIAM, and a girl, YOUNG GRACE.
Both are about ten years old. Playing and having a good time.
SUBTITLE: ENGLAND, 1865
Grace drops onto the ground, and sits in the grass. William
drops next to her.
YOUNG GRACE
I win.
YOUNG WILLIAM
Win what?
YOUNG GRACE
The race.
YOUNG WILLIAM
We weren't racing. I never race.
YOUNG GRACE
You only say that when you lose.
YOUNG WILLIAM
You lie. I don't race because it
doesn't suit me. There's not other
reason.
YOUNG GRACE
Say it all you want, but that won't
make it true. You lost and you don't
want to admit it.
YOUNG WILLIAM
If that's what you want to believe,
then believe it. It's of no concern
to me either way.
YOUNG GRACE
Fine. Then I will believe it, and
I'll tell everyone I know that I
beat you.
YOUNG WILLIAM
You will not.
YOUNG GRACE
I thought you didn't care.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2.
YOUNG WILLIAM
I don't care if you win a silly race,
but that's no need to go around
telling everyone about it.
YOUNG GRACE
Why not?
William pauses.
YOUNG WILLIAM
Because.
(then)
Because it's not becoming of a lady.
YOUNG GRACE
Well, then I suppose it's a good
thing I'm just a girl and not a lady.
(beat)
I won't tell. But only if you'll do
something for me.
He looks at her. Wondering what she could possibly want.
YOUNG WILLIAM
What?
YOUNG GRACE
You know quite well what I want. Do
it and I won't tell.
YOUNG WILLIAM
Now?
YOUNG GRACE
Right now. It doesn't have to be
anything too fancy. I just like the
way to make it sound.
William looks around. Not just to see if anyone else is
around, but to take in his surroundings. Then he begins.
YOUNG WILLIAM
The hills around are rolling. The
trees around are blowing. And over
head, high above, the sun is simply...
Before he finishes, a VOICE comes from the distance. A young
girl.
VOICE (O.S.)
(calling)
Grace!
Grace and William look up. At the same time, they see another
girl, YOUNG CECILY walking toward them.
William is immediately drawn to her.
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3.
YOUNG WILLIAM
(finishing)
...glowing.
Grace isn't paying him any attention right now. She stands
and runs to Cecily. William follows.
When they reach Cecily, Grace smiles.
YOUNG GRACE
Cousin, you're here.
YOUNG CECILY
(with a smile)
We arrived only an hour ago. Your
mother sent me to bring you home.
Grace nods.
YOUNG GRACE
Oh, before we leave, I want you to
meet my friend.
She looks back at William.
YOUNG GRACE (CONT'D)
This is William.
(to William)
William, this is my cousin, Cecily.
William smiles.
YOUNG WILLIAM
A pleasure.
He's smitten.
FADE TO BLACK:
END OF TEASER
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4.
ACT ONE
FADE IN:
INT. GRACE'S HOUSE - GRACE'S ROOM - NIGHT
Young Grace and Cecily are talking as they get ready for
dinner. They wear nice dresses and are brushing their hair.
YOUNG GRACE
We have this game. At any moment, I
tell him to make up a poem, and he
must. Any time I choose. It doesn't
have to be great, but the words that
come into his mind are so beautiful,
Cecily.
YOUNG CECILY
I don't understand.
YOUNG GRACE
You read poetry.
YOUNG CECILY
Yes, of course. But the boy obviously
wasn't from our class. What causes
you to have such interest in him?
YOUNG GRACE
I just like him. What's wrong with
that?
YOUNG CECILY
What's wrong is that you shouldn't
be cavorting with such riffraff.
Grace stands up and looks Cecily right in the eyes.
YOUNG GRACE
You witch! You take that back this
instant, or I'll--
YOUNG CECILY
You'll what? Tell your father? You
know he'd just agree with me.
YOUNG GRACE
He would not.
YOUNG CECILY
Shall we see then? I'll go ask him
right now.
Cecily moves to stand up. Grace pushes her back down to her
seat.
YOUNG GRACE
No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5.
Cecily smiles.
YOUNG CECILY
See? You know I'm right.
Grace doesn't want to admit it. But in her heart, she knows
that her father would agree with Cecily.
Grace sits back in her chair, not feeling very happy. Cecily
stands and walks behind her. She begins to brush her hair
for her.
YOUNG CECILY (CONT'D)
I know you don't like what I am
telling you now, cousin. But keep my
words in your heart. As you grow,
you'll come to see the truth in them.
You must know your place in this
world. Your one chance at real
happiness can only be found by looking
within your own station. Love can
only be found in an equal.
As Cecily speaks to her, Grace just stares into the mirror.
INT. BALLROOM - 1877 - NIGHT
Many PEOPLE, dressed in only the best clothes of the time
fill the grand ballroom. MUSIC is being played. People are
dancing. Mingling. Laughing.
SUBTITLE: FRANCE, 1877
Among the partiers is CECILY ADDAMS. The girl who would one
day become Halfrek, but now just a normal girl. She is young,
beautiful and at home among the fancy people. (I'll call her
Halfrek, just to keep it easy)
She is on the arm of ROBERT HALFRED III. A man ten years her
senior, but the man she loves. They walk almost as one entity,
in perfect pace with each other.
Finally, they reach DONALD BENGIER and his wife, MARGRET.
They are an older couple and if their looks tell anything
about them, it's that they are snobs.
ROBERT
Donald. It's good to see you again.
Donald smiles and they shake hands.
DONALD
And you, my friend.
Donald looks at Cecily.
DONALD (CONT'D)
And who might this young flower be?
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6.
ROBERT
I'd like you to meet my bride-to-be,
Cecily Addams.
Halfrek extends a hand. Donald kisses it politely.
DONALD
An honor to meet you, dear.
(gesturing to the
missus)
My wife, Margret.
Margret smiles and nods. Halfrek returns the gesture.
DONALD (CONT'D)
You couldn't be the daughter of Daniel
Addams?
HALFREK
I am, sir.
DONALD
My! A small world it is, indeed. I
knew your father when he was just a
young man starting out. A fine man.
HALFREK
Thank you, sir. I'll tell him I met
you.
DONALD
Do send him my best when you see
him.
(to Robert)
So, when is the big day?
ROBERT
We've decided on March 14. It's the
anniversary of the day we first met.
DONALD
A romantic.
ROBERT
It was Cecily's idea, really.
DONALD
I see. And how was it that you met?
ROBERT
At a party, not unlike this one. Her
father introduced us.
DONALD
You're a wise man, Robert. To have
the blessings of the father before
you get involved.
(MORE)
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7.
DONALD (CONT'D)
I tell you, it would have done me
good to do the same. Why, after we
wed, Margret didn't speak with her
father until fifteen years later.
Nearly a week before the old man
died.
HALFREK
Oh, that's awful.
Margret is about to say something. But Donald cuts her off.
DONALD
Indeed! I take joy in knowing that
you won't suffer in the same way as
my dear wife.
A WALTZ BEGINS TO PLAY. Donald perks up.
DONALD (CONT'D)
Excuse us. My darling loves a waltz.
With nods all around, the older couple walks off.
ROBERT
Shall we?
Halfrek smiles at him. They walk out to the dance floor and
begin to dance. We watch them dance for a long while. Happy.
HALFREK
Isn't this perfect, Robert?
ROBERT
What's that, dear?
HALFREK
Everything. The people, the music,
us.
She looks into Robert's eyes. He smiles at her, and kisses
her. She takes in the moment.
ROBERT
When you're my wife, you'll be able
to throw hundreds of parties just
like this. Or better.
(then)
I didn't want to say anything, but
the punch was a little sour.
HALFREK
You drank three cups.
ROBERT
I had to.
(MORE)
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8.
ROBERT (CONT'D)
Jacob and Matilda were standing right
there. She kept handing them to me.
Halfrek smiles.
HALFREK
You poor dear. If it helps any, you
put on quite a good show. I couldn't
tell you didn't like it, and I know
you better than anyone.
He once again smiles at her.
INT. BALLROOM - LATER
The room is starting to empty out. Halfrek is putting on her
coat and getting ready to leave. A older woman, MILLICENT,
walks up to her.
MILLICENT
It was wonderful to see you again,
Cecily. And Robert too.
Millicent looks around.
MILLICENT (CONT'D)
Though he seems to have run off,
hasn't he?
HALFREK
He's here somewhere. You know how
all men are. Once they start talking
about the workings of the world,
they have a way of vanishing on you.
I suppose he's around here somewhere,
talking to the other men and smoking.
MILLICENT
Yes, of course. Well, you just let
him know that I was thrilled that
you both could make it. You make
such a wonderful couple.
HALFREK
Thank you. I'll do that.
Millicent smiles and walks away. As she walks, she hides a
giggle from Halfrek.
Robert quickly walks up to Halfrek, pulling on his coat and
straightening his tie.
HALFREK (CONT'D)
Robert, where were you? Everyone's
been asking.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
9.
ROBERT
You know how it gets, dear. I was
pulled into a corner and I just
couldn't get away.
HALFREK
I thought I'd have to leave without
you.
ROBERT
Nonsense. I'd never allow such a
thing to happen.
He puts a hand on her face.
ROBERT (CONT'D)
I could never allow you to walk these
streets by yourself. It might allow
another man to sweep you off your
feet.
He kisses her and then holds an arm out for her to take.
ROBERT (CONT'D)
Shall we?
She takes the arm and they walk out.
EXT. PARIS STREET - NIGHT
Halfrek walks, alone, down the street carrying a bag. She
pulls a scarf tight around her, to keep warm. It's Christmas
time, so there are some decorations around. She passes an
OLD MAN on the street and smiles to him.
HALFREK
Joyeux Noel.
He nods and smiles as he passes.
She finds her way to a house and walks in.
INT. PARIS HOUSE - CONTINUOUS - NIGHT
Halfrek walks into the house and takes her scarf off. There
is a fire burning in the fireplace. She holds her hands out
to warm them up.
In a chair sits MR. ADDAMS. Her father.
HALFREK
Hello, father.
MR. ADDAMS
Cecily, you're late.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10.
HALFREK
I'm sorry. I was caught up in the
bakery. It's mad in there. Christmas
and all.
MR. ADDAMS
Did you manage to get our breads?
She pulls two loaves of bread from her bag. Mr. Addams smiles.
MR. ADDAMS (CONT'D)
Then I suppose there's no harm. Dinner
will be served soon. Perhaps you
should wash up.
She takes off her coat.
HALFREK
Yes, of course.
(then)
Has Robert arrived yet?
MR. ADDAMS
No. I thought he'd be with you.
HALFREK
I haven't seen him all day.
MR. ADDAMS
I'm sure he'll be here soon. Go wash
and meet you me and your mother in
the dining room.
Halfrek nods and walks off.
INT. PARIS HOUSE - HALFREK'S ROOM - NIGHT
Halfrek walks into her room and looks in the mirror. She
straightens up her hair.
Curious, she walks to the window, just to check for Robert.
She looks outside and sees nothing. She starts to turn away
when something catches her eye.
HALFREK'S P.O.V.
In the alley across the street, Robert stands. He's looking
into the shadows where we can't see.
Finally, we see what he's doing. A WOMAN walks out of the
shadows. A beautiful blond girl, wearing the clothes of a
poor person. Robert pulls her near and kisses her.
Halfrek pulls away from the window, shocked.
INT. PARIS HOUSE - HALFREK'S ROOM - NIGHT
Not too much time has passed. Halfrek sits on her bed, crying.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
11.
There's a KNOCK on the door. Robert walks in.
ROBERT
Cecily, your father sent me to...
He sees her face.
ROBERT (CONT'D)
You're crying.
HALFREK
Why shouldn't I be?
ROBERT
What's happened?
HALFREK
What's happened? You don't know?
ROBERT
Cecily, I...
HALFREK
I saw you.
ROBERT
When? What are you talking about?
HALFREK
Outside. Not twenty minutes ago. I
saw you kissing that other girl. A
poor girl.
ROBERT
Oh.
He walks to her and sits next to her.
ROBERT (CONT'D)
Is that a problem?
She looks at him, wondering what he could possibly be
thinking.
HALFREK
I thought you loved me.
ROBERT
I do. You and I are meant to be
married. We make the perfect couple.
That won't ever change. But she offers
me more than that.
(beat)
You and I... we're of the same class.
We have images to keep.
HALFREK
So I was convenient?
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
12.
ROBERT
Don't put it like that. What we have
is special. We compliment each other.
HALFREK
Then why do you need her?
ROBERT
(beat)
She gives me what you can't.
HALFREK
I don't understand.
ROBERT
Do you really want me to explain?
HALFREK
Yes.
Robert pauses. Trying to find the right words.
EXT. PARIS STREET - NIGHT
Robert walks out of the house and makes his way down the
street.
INT. PARIS HOUSE - HALFREK'S ROOM - NIGHT
Halfrek sits on her bed, crying harder than before. The truth
had been told and it hurts.
After a moment of crying, she looks up. The tears stop. She
walks to a trunk that sits at the end of her bed. She opens
it and digs through it. Finally she pulls out a book. Written
on the cover is the title, "SPELLS AND CHANTS : A GUIDE TO
WITCHCRAFT". On it is a note
"To my cousin, Cecily. When I saw this, I thought of you.
You always were a witch. Love always, Grace"
Halfrek flips through the book and finally comes across the
spell she's looking for.
INT. CAFE - DAY
The cafe is filled with CUSTOMERS, all of whom are whispering
about a strange event that has taken place. The room is
buzzing with the news.
Halfrek is just walking out. A WOMAN stops her. She speaks
with a thick French accent.
WOMAN
I was so sorry to hear.
Halfrek gives a polite but somber smile.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
13.
HALFREK
Thank you.
As Halfrek walks away from the woman, her face goes blank.
She's filled with so many thoughts, it's impossible for a
single emotion to shot itself on her face.
EXT. PARIS STREET - DAY
Halfrek leaves the cafe and walks down the street. PEOPLE
are all talking about the event out there too. She ignores
it and walks away.
A male voice from behind her stops her.
MALE VOICE (O.S.)
It was quite entertaining, wasn't
it?
His voice seems to stand out over all the others. It catches
her attention. She turns and is shocked when she sees what
stands in front of her.
REVEAL D'HOFFRYN, standing now in front of her.
D'HOFFRYN
And impressive.
Halfrek looks around, but nobody else seems to see him.
HALFREK
What are you?
D'HOFFRYN
I am your future.
HALFREK
I rather doubt it. I haven't got any
horns.
D'HOFFRYN
None that show. But it's what's inside
that counts.
HALFREK
What do you want from me?
D'HOFFRYN
I simply want to make to an offer.
HALFREK
What kind of offer?
D'HOFFRYN
Immortality.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
14.
Halfrek is intrigued.
FADE TO BLACK:
END OF ACT ONE
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
15.
ACT TWO
FADE IN:
EXT. PARIS STREET - DAY
Halfrek and D'Hoffryn are still standing there.
HALFREK
Immortality?
D'HOFFRYN
Immortality, stable employment, and
a rather impressive necklace.
HALFREK
Go on.
D'HOFFRYN
I lead an order of beings, not unlike
yourself. Those who didn't respond
well to people hurting them. Those
who refuse to let it happen to others.
HALFREK
Justice seekers?
D'HOFFRYN
Exactly. We were all very impressed
with what you did. Especially for a
beginner. You have talent.
HALFREK
I do?
D'HOFFRYN
Come with me, and you'll be able to
realize that potential. You can be
one of my vengeance demons. You can
fulfill your destiny.
(beat)
Your name will be Halfrek. A name
that binds you to the source of your
power. You shall walk this realm
with that power for all eternity.
Halfrek is freaked out. She is looking into the eyes of a
demon, which goes against everything she's ever been taught.
HALFREK
Demons?
D'HOFFRYN
Looking back, I realize that I
probably could have found a better
way of phrasing that part.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
16.
INT. GRACE'S APARTMENT - 1880 - DAY
The place is nice, but not the most expensive home in all
the land. GRACE, now in her 20's and looking beautiful and
classy, is sitting nervously in a chair.
SANDRA, her roommate (about the same age) walks into the
room from the bedroom. She sees Grace and sighs.
SANDRA
Grace, you're going to drive yourself
mad.
SUBTITLE: LONDON, 1880
Grace looks at Sandra, trying to calm herself.
GRACE
I've tried calming down, but I can't.
SANDRA
I thought you told me he was an old
friend of yours.
GRACE
He is.
SANDRA
Then why are you behaving as though
you were waiting for your executioner?
Grace stands up and begins to pace.
GRACE
It's just that...
(beat)
William is different. He's the one
person in all the world that I've
never been uncomfortable with. Not
even for a moment. And his mind is
unlike any I've known before. The
images he can create with nothing
more than a few simple words.
SANDRA
You love him.
GRACE
What?
Sandra laughs.
SANDRA
You love him. Don't pretend you don't
know it.
Grace hesitates.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
17.
SANDRA (CONT'D)
Just say it.
GRACE
I can't.
SANDRA
Why not?
GRACE
Because. Because I've never said it.
SANDRA
So, why not start now?
GRACE
I couldn't. I can't love William.
Grace is deeply conflicted. Pain fills her face.
GRACE (CONT'D)
He's not from our class. My father
would never stand for it.
SANDRA
Grace, I don't know if you've realized
this or not, but your father isn't
here right now.
GRACE
My father is always here. He pays
for my life here. If he ever found
out, I'd lose it all.
SANDRA
Your father never had to know.
GRACE
But if we were to marry...
Sandra giggles.
SANDRA
Marry? Grace, you're getting ahead
of yourself. You and William can
enjoy the simple comforts of each
other without getting married.
Grace looks at Sandra, perplexed.
GRACE
Thank you, but I prefer to not damn
my immortal soul to an eternity of
hellfire.
SANDRA
Silly girl. You have so much to learn.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
18.
EXT. LONDON RESTAURANT - NIGHT
The restaurant is filled with people eating their dinners.
It's not a very high class place, but it is far from low
class.
At one of the tables sits Grace. A WAITOR walks up to her.
WAITOR
Your order?
Grace is still nervous. Her voice is shaky.
GRACE
May I have a few more moments? I'm
waiting for someone.
WAITOR
Of course.
The waitor walks away. Grace's eyes turn toward the door.
There she sits as moments pass, just watching and waiting.
And then it happens. What she's been waiting years for.
WILLIAM (Spike in his doorkier days) walks in. Grace sighs
as she sees her old friend. Immediately in love once again.
Spike walks through the restaurant, looking for Grace. He
can't seem to pick her out of the crowd. Grace puts a hand
in the air and waves to him.
GRACE
(calling to him)
William. Over here.
He looks her way. When he sees her, a smile forms on his
face. He begins to walk toward her. As he walks, he trips on
his own leg and begins to fall. He puts his arms out and
catches himself on a table, stopping himself from crashing
to the floor. In theory.
The table flips as he puts his weight on it. Everything on
it, including Spike, fall to the ground.
He looks around, embarrassed. Grace just smiles.
EXT. LONDON STREET - NIGHT
Spike and Grace walk down the street. Just catching up.
SPIKE
I didn't mean to embarrass you in
the restaurant. It seems I'm always
falling over myself.
GRACE
You always were rather uncoordinated.
I never minded.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
19.
Spike tried to think of somewhere else to take the
conversation. He's not one for talking to people.
SPIKE
So-- Um-- When was it that you arrived
in London?
GRACE
Just last week.
He nods. Not knowing what to say.
GRACE (CONT'D)
Have you been working on your poetry
still?
SPIKE
Yes. Yes, I've written several this
very week, as a matter of fact. I'd
been suffering through a bout of
writers block for a month or so before
that.
GRACE
I see.
(beat)
I'd love to read some of your poems
sometime. I always did love them so.
SPIKE
Oh. I don't know. See, I tend to
keep them rather to myself.
GRACE
But you always showed them to me.
Spike doesn't respond.
GRACE (CONT'D)
You haven't grown out of our
friendship, have you, William?
SPIKE
No. I could never do such a thing.
You were always the closest of my
friends. The only, if truth be told.
(beat)
It's just... People tend to criticize
my work when they read it. I'm afraid
I've grown rather shy about it.
GRACE
Criticize how? What could they
possibly say that would drive a
beautiful mind such as your own into
shyness?
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
20.
Spike hesitates. He doesn't want to ruin the image of himself
in his only friend's eyes.
GRACE (CONT'D)
Please tell.
SPIKE
They always laugh. They've even taken
to calling me names.
GRACE
That's terrible. If you ask me, they
don't sound very adult.
SPIKE
My work isn't all that good, I
suppose.
GRACE
Oh, you're wrong. I've never known
anyone that could stun my mind as
you do with your words. It's what
made me--
She stops herself short of saying the rest. Spike stops
walking. He looks at her as she takes a few more steps.
SPIKE
Made you what?
She stops. Her back now turned to him. She looks at the
ground.
GRACE
It's nothing. It's silly.
SPIKE
What is it? Tell me. Perhaps we might
share in a good laugh together if
you find it so amusing.
She doesn't want to, but she decides to anyway.
GRACE
Alright. I was just going to say
that I... I was in love with you.
She turns back around to see his reaction. He has none,
really. For a moment he just looks at her as her heart drops.
Finally, he does react. First with a gentle smile. She begins
to soften her look. Maybe it wasn't so funny. Maybe he feels
the same way.
But then his smile grows into a chuckle. Her face loses all
expression.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
21.
SPIKE
That is rather funny. When was it
that this fancy struck you?
She pauses. Then looks at him.
GRACE
From the time we were children, I've
loved you, William. I've never loved
anyone else.
He doesn't get that she means she still loves him. He's slow
like that.
SPIKE
How incredibly amusing this is to
learn. I never had the slightest
idea.
GRACE
Did you never feel the same way toward
me?
He now sees the look in his dear friend's eyes. That she is
serious and not joking about any of this. His smile fades.
SPIKE
I-- I never thought... You see, Grace,
you've always been like family to
me. A sister.
GRACE
Could you never love me as something
else?
SPIKE
I don't think that I could. You see,
my heart belongs to another. I've
been in love for a long while now.
(beat)
I love you very much, Grace. You are
the one person in the entire world
that I've ever been able to talk to.
But my love for you extends only as
far as friendship.
Her heart is broken. She tries to hold back tears. Spike
tries to lighten the spirits in his own incredibly clumsy
way. With a smile.
SPIKE (CONT'D)
I suppose we'll laugh at this someday.
Laugh? Laugh?! Grace cannot understand how any of this could
ever be funny.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
22.
INT. HALFREK'S ROOM - NIGHT
A very fancy room. Where it's located, we'll never know. But
it is decorated with many trinkets from all over the world.
She is as high class as you can get.
Halfrek sits at a table, drinking tea with a friend of her's.
ANYANKA (demon ANYA) is that friend. Dressed as nicely as,
if not nicer than, Halfrek.
HALFREK
Just think, Anyanka, four years ago,
I was nothing more than one of these
humans. Made to suffer by the hands
of men. And now I am a dealer of
justice.
ANYA
A dealer in training, anyway. You
still have some learning to do before
D'Hoffryn will allow you to work
alone.
HALFREK
I've come so far.
ANYA
With just a little bit farther to
go.
Halfrek wants to feel special. She tries to talk herself up.
HALFREK
Yes, but I've already become to much
more than I was.
Anya won't have any of it. Halfrek is but a child.
ANYA
True. But you have the slightest bit
more to become.
Halfrek decides to settle and let it go.
HALFREK
Fine. I've still got a ways to go.
ANYA
See? That's all I was trying to say.
Vengeance isn't something you just
fall into. It's an art. You must
train for years before you're finally
ready to work alone.
Anya closes her eyes.
ANYA (CONT'D)
Do you feel that?
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
23.
Halfrek does the same.
ANYA (CONT'D)
The cries of thousands of women,
being scorned by thousands of men.
Cries to us, Halfrek.
HALFREK
I feel it.
ANYA
That's good. But the tricky part is
to listen to them all. To choose
which one of all those cries is worthy
enough to be given a chance by you.
They listen for a moment. We hear nothing, but they hear
nothing but cries.
ANYA (CONT'D)
Pick one. Choose a voice and focus
on it.
Halfrek focuses. Finally she perks up.
HALFREK
I hear one. In Italy. The anger is
strong in this one.
ANYA
Try finding another one. Don't focus
on the anger. Focus on the pain.
Pain is much more conductive to
vengeance than anger. Anger is a
flash and then it's gone. Pain is
deep. It causes one to contemplate
their ill wishes.
Another moment passes. Both focusing.
ANYA (CONT'D)
There's a strong voice in London. A
cry that cuts through space. Do you
hear it?
HALFREK
(beat)
Yes. I hear it.
Halfrek opens her eyes. Surprised.
HALFREK (CONT'D)
I know that voice.
ANYA
The sweet sound of vengeance seeking.
We all know that voice.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
24.
HALFREK
No. I mean, I actually know that
voice. It's my cousin, Grace.
ANYA
Oh.
HALFREK
Can I go to her?
ANYA
You shouldn't interact with your
mortal life. It's frowned upon.
HALFREK
But I must. This is my family,
Anyanka.
ANYA
To your family, you are dead.
HALFREK
But I can help her.
ANYA
Another vengeance demon can help
her. Mordran, perhaps.
HALFREK
But what other knows her? How to get
to her? How to bring her the justice
she truly deserves. My cousin won't
just open up to anyone. I know her.
ANYA
Connecting with your past can lead
to a lot of pain, Halfrek. You'd
becoming the person you were before
in order to get her to trust you.
That can be dangerous.
HALFREK
I have no bond with my former life.
I have no man to love, and my father
is dead. If it were not for Grace, I
wouldn't be here today.
Anya thinks about it. She doesn't like the idea.
ANYA
Very well. But remember that I warned
you. Don't come chanting to me if
you wind up with a smashed power
center and an aging body.
Halfrek smiles.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
25.
HALFREK
Thank you, Anyanka. You won't regret
this.
ANYA
I'd better not. D'Hoffryn would have
my skin if he knew I let you avenge
by yourself and you mucked it up.
Halfrek takes a quick sip of her tea and then stands up.
HALFREK
I have a lot to do.
EXT. LONDON STREET/GRACE'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
Halfrek walks down the street. No longer dressed in her very
fancy clothes, but in more simple- yet still classy-
clothing. In this world, she does not have unlimited wealth.
In this world, she is Cecily.
She walks up to Grace's apartment building. She looks at it,
getting a feel for it before finally walking in.
INT. GRACE'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
Grace is sitting in a chair. Her eyes are red and puffy.
She's been crying, but not she just sits quietly.
There's a KNOCK on the door. Grace gets up and wipes her
eyes. She walks to the door.
GRACE
(calling out)
Who is it?
There's no reply. Finally, Grace reaches the door. She opens
it. When she sees who is there, she smiles.
GRACE (CONT'D)
Cecily!
HALFREK
Hello, cousin.
Grace hugs Halfrek.
GRACE
Please, come in.
Halfrek walks in. Grace closes the door behind her.
GRACE (CONT'D)
Nobody's heard from you in so long.
We'd assumed the worst.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
26.
HALFREK
The rumors of my demise have been
slightly exaggerated, dear.
GRACE
Well, I can see that. How have you
been?
HALFREK
Better than I've ever been, actually.
GRACE
That's wonderful.
HALFREK
Yes. Once I found out that Robert
was having an affair and I was nothing
more than a trophy to him, I simply
couldn't stand being in Paris anymore.
GRACE
A trophy? That's what happened? How
awful.
HALFREK
Yes. I couldn't believe that it
happened. I was so in love with him,
I only assumed he'd love me too.
Halfrek is still feeling the pain from the whole thing. She
tries to move on and set her demon work in motion.
HALFREK (CONT'D)
That's how men are, I suppose. You
love them, but somehow they always
manage to hurt you.
Grace looks at the ground.
GRACE
Yes.
HALFREK
Are you alright, dear? You look upset.
GRACE
It's nothing.
HALFREK
I know when you're not telling me
the truth. You never could lie.
They sit. Grace is trying not to cry again.
GRACE
You remember William?
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
27.
HALFREK
William?
(then)
Oh. That boy you played with as a
child. He was poor, right?
GRACE
Yes.
Halfrek realizes that William is the man Grace is upset about.
HALFREK
It wasn't him that you're so upset
about?
Grace nods.
GRACE
I've always loved him, Cecily. You
knew that.
HALFREK
Yes, but I thought it was a simple
infatuation.
GRACE
Oh, no. He's got the most
extraordinary mind. But...
HALFREK
But what?
Grace tries to figure out where to begin.
GRACE
I hadn't seen him in so long. We'd
written letters every so often, but
as time passed, we sent fewer and
fewer. Finally, I came to London.
He'd lived here for years already. I
was so excited at the thought of
seeing him. After all these years, I
still loved him.
Grace stands and begins to pace.
GRACE (CONT'D)
We met for dinner three nights ago.
When I saw him, it was like we were
children again. How we could talk
with one another. I thought that
after seeing him, my feelings might
change, but they didn't. Quite the
opposite, actually.
Halfrek is listening. She'd normally chime in with a comment
about William, but she doesn't want to ruin the flow of pain
in Grace. Instead, she rolls her eyes.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
28.
GRACE (CONT'D)
I'd finally worked up the nerve to
tell him how I felt. I told him that
I loved him.
Grace stops. She is trying to process the next part, still
not truly believing it. It hurts her.
GRACE (CONT'D)
And he laughed. All of these years
that I've loved him, reduced to a
joke. He said that he loved someone
else.
HALFREK
That's awful.
Grace sits next to Halfrek.
GRACE
I couldn't believe it. My heart felt
like it was about to explode. I wanted
to run away and never show my face
again.
(beat)
So, you see that I understand why
you vanished for so long. It's so
odd that you've shown up just now.
HALFREK
Yes. Perhaps I was sent to help you.
To make you feel better.
GRACE
Perhaps.
HALFREK
Here.
Halfrek removes her necklace and puts it on Grace.
HALFREK (CONT'D)
This is my good luck charm. It makes
me feel better when I'm upset.
Grace looks at it.
GRACE
It's beautiful. What's it made of?
HALFREK
I'm not sure, exactly. It was a gift.
GRACE
It's so black. Almost eerily so.
Halfrek doesn't want to reply to the eerie nature of her
necklace. Luckily, Grace looks up at her and speaks again.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
29.
GRACE (CONT'D)
You know what?
HALFREK
What?
GRACE
William should know what it feels
like to hurt like this. That would
stop him from laughing. He should
know what it feels like to live
forever, feeling so much love, only
to have it ripped from him at every
turn. I wish it were possible.
Halfrek hugs Grace. As she pats her cousin's head, she smiles.
HALFREK
If that's your wish, then consider
it granted.
On Halfrek's smile, we--
FADE TO BLACK:
END OF ACT TWO
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
30.
ACT THREE
FADE IN:
INT. GRACE'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
Halfrek and Grace are sitting, drinking tea. It's the same
night as the last scene.
GRACE
If only it were that simple.
HALFREK
What's that, dear?
GRACE
Making William know how it feels. I
just don't think he understands.
HALFREK
He is a man, isn't he?
(then)
He'll understand soon enough.
GRACE
If you were to ask most other women,
they probably wouldn't agree that he
was a man. They'd probably call him
a rodent or an insect of some kind.
HALFREK
I can see why.
GRACE
But he's not what they'd expect.
He's just... reserved. He really
does have an amazing mind. And he's
not as scrawny as he looks.
HALFREK
If I didn't know better, I might
think you still loved him.
Grace hesitates for a moment.
HALFREK (CONT'D)
You don't, do you?
GRACE
Of course not. I've moved on.
HALFREK
(with a smile)
Good. This will be a lot more fun
without you pining over him.
GRACE
More fun?
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
31.
Halfrek pauses. She doesn't quite know how to explain that
comment.
HALFREK
You know. Us girls like to say bad
things about men who hurt us. If you
still loved him, we wouldn't be able
to do that.
GRACE
Oh. Of course.
INT. HALFREK'S ROOM - NIGHT
Anya and Halfrek are sitting at the table again. Halfrek is
still without a necklace.
HALFREK
I didn't even have to trick her into
making a wish. It was almost as though
she knew where I was headed with the
whole act.
ANYA
But she didn't, right?
HALFREK
I don't know how she could. I
certainly didn't tell her.
ANYA
Good. It's one thing to put on a
nice show when you're altering reality
in some way, but when they'll remember
it, it really doesn't go over well.
(beat)
Now that that's over with, shall we
have tea?
HALFREK
Over with?
ANYA
You granted her wish, right?
HALFREK
(beat)
I'm in the process of granting it.
ANYA
In the process?
HALFREK
I haven't actually granted it yet,
but the plan is in motion.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
32.
ANYA
What plan? The plan is to get her to
make a wish. After that, it's really
very simple.
HALFREK
I know. But I wanted my first time
to be... special. I want to handle
the pain myself.
ANYA
You sound as though you're going to
court
ANYA (CONT'D)
the boy. Torture him and cut him
loose.
Halfrek smiles.
HALFREK
That's the plan.
EXT. PARK - DAY
Spike is sitting on a bench, writing. He looks up and takes
in the world around him. It's a bright, sunny day. A gentle
breeze blows past. He is inspired.
He puts his head down to scribble on his paper once again.
As he writes, a shadow comes over the paper.
SPIKE
(not looking up)
Pardon me, but you seem to be standing
directly in the path of my light.
He finally looks up. He sees Halfrek standing over him.
HALFREK
I'm sorry. Would you like me to move?
He looks at her, captivated by her beauty. Trying to place
the face. She looks so familiar. Finally, he realizes who it
is.
SPIKE
(a slight whisper)
Cecily?
HALFREK
Do I know you?
He tries to get to his feet, struggling with his paper as he
does.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
33.
SPIKE
William. I'm-- um-- I know your
cousin, Grace.
HALFREK
Oh yes. I remember you. You're that
poor boy that she used to romp with
in her misguided youth.
Spike smiles, not knowing exactly how to reply to that.
HALFREK (CONT'D)
How silly she was.
Now Spike looks down.
SPIKE
I... suppose.
(then)
Would you like to sit? It's a lovely
day. The sun is shining down
beautifully, as though God Himself
is rewarding me for some unknown
good deed.
Halfrek has no clue what to say to that comment. She just
tries to go with it.
HALFREK
I suppose I could sit for a few
moments. My legs are tired. I've
been walking for minutes.
He gestures to the bench for her to sit. She looks at it,
noticing a pencil in her spot. Spike sees it and quickly
grabs it, as though he were a servant trying to please his
master.
They both sit.
HALFREK (CONT'D)
It is a lovely day.
SPIKE
Yes.
There's a moment of silence. An awkward pause.
SPIKE (CONT'D)
So, do you-- I mean, are you-- Do
you have a husband?
HALFREK
No.
SPIKE
Oh. I thought I'd heard...
(MORE)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
34.
SPIKE (CONT'D)
(then)
I guess I was mistaken.
HALFREK
I was engaged to be married once,
for a short period.
SPIKE
Oh?
HALFREK
It didn't work out. It seems I was
nothing more to him than a banner to
be hung at parties. To sparkle and
smile and mingle with his associates
while he snuck off to have a romp
with the local common girls.
Obviously it still hurts her, but she's trying to act above
it. Spike is confused. He tries to find the right words.
Suddenly, they come out of him in full force.
SPIKE
Then might I say, he's a fool.
She looks at him, puzzled.
SPIKE (CONT'D)
To think that he needed anything
more when he'd already had a taste
of the purest water.
Both of them are a little surprised by his words.
HALFREK
Is that what you really think?
Spike pauses. Not sure of himself.
SPIKE
I didn't mean to...
HALFREK
Of course.
The breeze suddenly catches one of his papers and blows it
out of his hand. He hands the rest of his papers to Halfrek.
SPIKE
Would you hold these while I chase
that paper down?
She doesn't have time to reply before he's gone. She looks
around, uncomfortable. She looks up at him, softening for
the slightest of moments before composing herself.
She looks down at his papers. His poems.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
35.
ANGLE : THE PAPERS
The one on top is titled "The Purest Water".
ANGLE : SPIKE
He finally catches the paper. He turns around to get back to
Halfrek, but all he sees is an empty bench, and papers
scattered around.
INT. HALFREK'S ROOM - NIGHT
Halfrek is holding the poem in her hand. Reading it as she
paces.
HALFREK
"Though I have had but a glimpse, I
dream of the purest water I have
seen. Vast oceans gathered in a
gleam."
ANYA (O.S.)
Please don't tell me that's the
popular poetry around London these
days.
Halfrek looks up. Anya is standing in the doorway. She walks
in.
ANYA (CONT'D)
Have you finished this game of yours
yet?
HALFREK
No. But it's all in place. William
will fall in love, and when he does,
he will know the pain that he's caused
Grace. For eternity, he will know
the agony of losing the one he loves.
ANYA
Sounds boring if you ask me. I much
prefer the blinding torture.
Halfrek looks away from Anya. Something is on her mind. Anya
picks up on it.
ANYA (CONT'D)
Is something the matter?
HALFREK
No.
(then)
Except...
ANYA
Yes?
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
36.
HALFREK
The poem. "The purest water." That's
how he referred to me in the park
today.
ANYA
So? I'm not sure I understand.
HALFREK
The way he was looking at me. I think
he-- I think he might have been
attracted.
ANYA
That's the plan, isn't it?
HALFREK
For him to fall in love, yes. But
not with me. And this poem, it was
written before I granted the wish.
ANYA
So you think the boy is in love with
you? My. We're not at all self
indulgent, are we?
HALFREK
I don't know what to think. Grace
said that William was in love with
another woman.
ANYA
And naturally, you assume it's with
a woman he hasn't seen in over a
decade.
Halfrek sits down, confused and upset. Anya sits next to
her.
ANYA (CONT'D)
You know what I think?
HALFREK
What?
ANYA
I think you want him to be in love
with you.
HALFREK
What? That's absurd. He's nothing
more than a lowly human. And a poor
one at that. Imagine what they'd say
at the Vyrenrell Ball this year.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
37.
ANYA
They might finally stop making jokes
about the vengeance demon who
teleported into a wall once, when
she was in training.
(beat)
You'd think that after a thousand
years, they'd let up a little.
HALFREK
I'd be a laughing stock.
ANYA
But you do want that poem to be about
you? Don't misunderstand, I find the
entire notion of being attracted to
a human man to be just shy of the
most disgusting thing I can imagine,
if it's true. Is it?
HALFREK
Of course not.
When she says that, she doesn't sound convincing at all.
HALFREK (CONT'D)
It's just that...
(beat)
When he spoke to me, it wasn't like
when Robert would speak to me. It
was like I was a person and not just
an object.
ANYA
So you do want the poem to be about
you?
Halfrek stands again.
HALFREK
No. He probably just had it on his
mind when we were talking.
(then)
Of course, that's it. It's as simple
as that.
Anya's starting to get bored. She doesn't say anything, she
just looks at Halfrek as Hallie rambles.
HALFREK (CONT'D)
The way he spoke though. It was
captivating. It made me wish that I
could see the world through his eyes.
ANYA
I might be able to arrange that. I
know this demon who...
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
38.
HALFREK
No. It was a figure of speech.
ANYA
Just when I thought this would get
interesting.
HALFREK
Do you ever think that perhaps we
grant wishes that we shouldn't?
ANYA
What do you mean?
HALFREK
Maybe he doesn't deserve to suffer.
ANYA
Of course he deserves it, Halfrek.
He hurt that girl.
(beat)
You're not really falling in love
with him, are you?
HALFREK
Of course not. It's just...
ANYA
You are. You have one short
conversation with the boy and now
you want to break every code we have.
You're falling in love with one of
your victims.
HALFREK
No-- I just...
(beat)
I don't know what's happening.
Halfrek is confused. Torn.
HALFREK (CONT'D)
Maybe I am falling in love.
FADE TO BLACK:
END OF ACT THREE
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
39.
ACT FOUR
FADE IN:
INT. HALFREK'S ROOM - NIGHT
Where we left off. Halfrek thinks she might be in love.
ANYA
Then that's that. I have to remove
you from this assignment.
HALFREK
No. I can do it.
ANYA
You haven't made a good case for
yourself.
HALFREK
I'm just confused, is all. It's
probably just the allure of being
back in my old world again. I'm sure
it'll pass.
ANYA
It had better pass. If D'Hoffryn
catches wind of what's happened,
he'll turn us into ashes.
HALFREK
That won't happen. I promise. The
curse will go through as planned.
William will suffer.
Anya thinks this through.
ANYA
Fine. You have one more chance at
this. If you fail to complete this
task by the end of the night, I'll
do it myself.
HALFREK
Tonight will be fine. There's a
gathering. It'll be the perfect setup.
INT. ENGLISH DRAWING ROOM - NIGHT
Halfrek walks into the room. There is a party going on. The
same we saw in "Fool For Love". It is that fateful night.
PARTIERS fill the room, as they did before.
As she walks into the room, a small cluster of dashing male
suitors rushes to her. She smiles at them.
SUITOR
Cecily. It's been ages.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
40.
HALFREK
Yes. I've been away.
SUITOR
You look stunning.
HALFREK
Thank you.
She looks up and catches a glimpse of Spike, sitting along,
writing a poem. She looks back toward the suitors.
HALFREK (CONT'D)
Excuse me.
She smiles politely and leaves the cluster of guys behind.
She walks across the room, taking another quick glance at
Spike while he's not looking. He's writing something in his
pad. Then he looks up.
Trying to act like she wasn't looking, Halfrek joins a group
of partiers as they chat.
FEMALE PARTYGOER
It's awful. I heard that there were
eight victims in one night.
MALE PARTYGOER
It's troubling, really.
Spike gets up and begins to walk closer.
FEMALE PARTYGOER
What kind of human could do such a
thing?
MALE PARTYGOER
Perhaps none.
(then)
I've heard on good authority they're
not human at all. Animals of some
sort. Escaped from a traveling
sideshow.
FEMALE PARTYGOER
But wild animals would leave a trace
of some kind. Tracks...
2ND MALE PARTYGOER
Mangled bodies...
FEMALE PARTYGOER
Charles! Don't be ghastly. I merely
point out that it's something of a
mystery, and the police should keep
an open mind.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
41.
Spike makes his way into the crowd. The Male Partygoer turns
to him.
MALE PARTYGOER
Ah, William. Favor us with your
opinion. What do you make of this
rash of disappearances sweeping our
town? Animals - or thieves?
All eyes turn to Spike.
SPIKE
I prefer not to think of such dark,
ugly business at all. That's what
the police are for.
He eyes Halfrek shyly. She averts her gaze. Flirting a little.
SPIKE (CONT'D)
I prefer placing my energies into
creating things of beauty.
MALE PARTYGOER
I see. Well. Don't withhold, William.
He snatches the paper from Spike's hand.
FEMALE PARTYGOER
Rescue us from a dreary topic.
SPIKE
Careful!
Spike almost stands up for himself. But one glare from the
large and imposing host, and Spike backs down.
SPIKE (CONT'D)
Ink's still wet. Please, it's not
finished...
MALE PARTYGOER
Don't be shy.
(reading)
"My heart expands 'tis grown a bulge
in't inspired by your beauty
effulgent." Effulgent?
Beat. Followed by the tittering of polite laughter. Spike's
face crumbles. He bears the pain of it, but sees Halfrek,
upset, pull away from the crowd. He follows. The voices
continue, low, behind him.
2ND MALE PARTYGOER
And that's actually one of his better
compositions.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
42.
FEMALE PARTYGOER
Have you heard, they call him "William
the Bloody" because of his bloody
awful poetry.
MALE PARTYGOER
It suits him. I'd rather have a
railroad spike through my head than
listen to that awful stuff...
Spike follows Halfrek, humiliated - but intent on not letting
this moment pass.
SPIKE
Cecily...
HALFREK
Leave me alone.
Halfrek's not having fun with this. This is work. As painful
as it may be.
SPIKE
They're vulgarians. Can't you see?
They're not like you and I.
HALFREK
You and I?
She turns to face him directly. Close. Intimate.
HALFREK (CONT'D)
I'm going to ask you a very personal
question, and I demand an honest
answer. Do you understand?
He nods. The big dope, he's still hoping.
HALFREK
Your poetry. It's, they're not written
about me... Are they?
She steals a quick look back to the group watching her.
SPIKE
They're about how I feel.
HALFREK
Yes, but are they about me?
Spike steels himself - makes a decision.
SPIKE
Every syllable.
This part really does hurt her.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
43.
HALFREK
Oh, God...
She turns away from him. Spike scoots around to face her,
making his desperate, impassioned plea:
SPIKE
I know... This is sudden. And - and,
please, if they're no good, they're
only words. But the feeling behind
them... I love you, Cecily.
HALFREK
Please stop.
SPIKE
I know I'm a bad poet. But I'm a
good man. All I ask is that you try
to see me...
He looks in her eyes, begging for a chance he feels he's
earned. She looks back, sincerely.
CECILY
I do see you.
He holds his breath. Hope!
She doesn't want to do this, but she must. She continues:
CECILY (CONT'D)
That's the problem. You're nothing
to me, William. You're beneath me.
Spike takes this in as she exits. He is quiet, trying to
contain his pain.
EXT. ENGLISH STREET - NIGHT
Halfrek walks out of the building, onto the street. She stops
and takes a deep breath. Trying to collect herself, but she
can't. Tears form in her eyes. She slowly begins to walk
away.
She rounds a corner and is gone. Moments later, Spike rushes
out of the building.
Without his hat and coat, William tears down the street. Hot
tears streak down his face. He rips up his poem as he stalks
out the building and down the street, blinded by rage and
humiliation.
He BUMPS into a GROUP of three people. A man and two women.
SPIKE
Bloody... watch where you're going!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
44.
He continues down the street, ripping up the paper into
smaller and smaller bits.
ANGLE: A dark section of the street beneath a gas lamp.
Spike's overcome with fatigue and humiliation. He rips the
paper into smaller and smaller bits until he can rip no more.
And slowly, all the rage drains out of him.
A soothing, understanding voice comes from nowhere:
VOICE
And here I wonder...
Embarrassed, Spike whirls to see who it is.
DRUSILLA. Dressed for the times. Looking at him with total
love and understanding.
DRUSILLA
What possible catastrophe came
crashing down from heaven and brought
this dashing stranger...
She reaches out, gingerly wipes the last remaining tear from
his face.
DRUSILLA (CONT'D)
...To tears?
SPIKE
Nothing. I wish to be alone.
DRUSILLA
You've been alone too long.
SPIKE
What could you possibly know of me?
DRUSILLA
I've seen you. A man surrounded by
fools who cannot see his strength.
His vision. His glory. That, and a
burning baby fish swimming all 'round
your head.
What? Spike eyes this crazy Victorian chick suspiciously as
she steps closer, curiously examining him like a cat eyeing
a new breed of mouse. Her lips part...
SPIKE
Th-that's quite close enough. I've
heard tales of London pickpockets.
You'll not get my purse, I tell you.
DRUSILLA
Don't need a purse. Your wealth lies
here.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
45.
(TOUCHING HIS HEART)
And here.
(touches his head)
In the spirit and imagination. You
walk in worlds the others can't begin
to imagine.
He's flabbergasted. Hypnotized. How could she know? She steps
closer. Her face near his. He's not used to this. He squirms,
but can't move.
SPIKE
Yes... I mean, no. I mean - Mother's
expecting me.
She leans closer, whispering in his ear.
DRUSILLA
I see what you want. Something
glowing, and glistening. Something
effulgent. Do you want it?
SPIKE
I - yes! God, yes!
She smiles. VAMP-FACES. And BITES deeps in his neck. Spike
rears his head back, new sensations coursing through him. He
closes his eyes, feeling ecstasy... then some pain.
SPIKE (CONT'D)
Ow. Ow! OW! Ow ow ow ow OW-WOO!
Drusilla keeps feeding, sucking on the young poet's neck,
pinning him upright against the post, lit by the single light
from above. Draining him, sucking him...
ANGLE: HALFREK
Standing not too far down the street. Watching as this
happens. Crying.
GRACE (V.O.)
(from before)
He should know what it feels like to
live forever, feeling so much love,
only to have it ripped from him at
every turn. I wish it were possible.
FLASH TO:
EXT. SOUTH AMERICA - 1998 - NIGHT
(from "Fool For Love")
DRUSILLA
I have to find my pleasures, Spike.
(MORE)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
46.
DRUSILLA (CONT'D)
You taste like ashes.
FLASH TO:
INT. DRUSILLA'S ROOM - NIGHT
(from "Lovers Walk")
SPIKE
Why'd you do it, baby? Why'd you
leave me? We were happy here...
FLASH TO:
INT. SPIKE'S CRYPT SUBCHAMBER - NIGHT
(from "Crush")
SPIKE
Look at me! I... LOVE... you. You're
all I bloody think about... Dream
about... You're in my guy, my
throat... I'm drowning in you,
Summers.
FLASH TO:
EXT. ALLEY - NIGHT
(from "Fool For Love")
BUFFY
It wouldn't be you, Spike. It would
never be you.
She tosses the wad of money at him. It scatters over him and
the ground. Her expression filled with contempt.
BUFFY (CONT'D)
You're beneath me.
FLASH TO:
INT. SPIKE'S CRYPT (LOWER) - DAY
(from "As You Were")
BUFFY
I'm sorry, William.
Buffy turns -- and walks out. We can see her strength in her
face. It's painful -- and fragile -- but strength all the
same.
Spike stands in the crypt, alone.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
47.
And we hold on his face as he takes in the truth of this.
It's over. It's final. And Spike, without moving, gets hit
fully and hard by the Thunderbolt...
BACK TO:
EXT. ENGLISH STREET - NIGHT
Halfrek is still watching Drusilla drain Spike. Silently
crying. Knowing that she's doomed the one man that really
did love her. The one man that she possibly also loved.
HALFREK (V.O.)
(from before)
If that's your wish, then consider
it granted.
INT. ANYA'S APARTMENT - 2002 - DAY
Halfrek is sitting on Anya's couch, looking distant. Anya
brings tea from the kitchen and puts it on the table.
SUBTITLE: SUNNYDALE, 2002
ANYA
It took a while for me to get used
to it all again, but I think I'm
finally catching up.
Halfrek's not paying attention.
ANYA (CONT'D)
Hallie?
Halfrek looks up.
HALFREK
Hmm? Oh, I'm sorry, dear. My mind
was wandering.
ANYA
I just said that I'm finally starting
to get back in the vengeance game.
I'm working tonight, actually. Local
job. A girl who was part of a cruel
fraternity prank.
Halfrek gets perky. Her usual self.
HALFREK
That's great. I can only imagine
what it's been like for you. After
so many years of being brainwashed
by those mortals. And the changes
we've made since you left. Y'know,
your situation really motivated
D'Hoffryn to rethink our whole system.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
48.
ANYA
I noticed. I have to say, it's a lot
easier without having to get the
girls to wear the necklace before
they wish.
HALFREK
You don't know the half of it. You've
always granted wishes for women only.
You should try getting a man to wear
that thing.
ANYA
Honestly, I don't know what I was
thinking all these years. Vengeance
is my gift. Why did I ever deny it?
HALFREK
It's those people. They managed to
get you to believe they were right
and we were wrong. And that man,
almost getting you to marry him.
Tricking you like that.
Anya grows uncomfortable at the mention of Xander. She's
still confused about that whole thing.
ANYA
Right.
(softly)
But I did love him.
She looks up at Hallie.
ANYA (CONT'D)
Do you remember what it was like to
be in love?
Halfrek suddenly grows distant.
HALFREK
Of course not.
ANYA
What about that boy, William? Didn't
you-
Halfrek looks down at her tea.
HALFREK
Do you have any honey?
Anya isn't stupid. She picks up on Halfrek's discomfort.
ANYA
Are you okay?
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
49.
HALFREK
I'm fine.
ANYA
I've known you for one and a quarter
centuries. If you don't think I can
tell when you're upset, you're very
much mistaken.
Halfrek hesitates. Finally, she decides to tell Anya.
HALFREK
William. The man that I...
ANYA
The one you cursed to suffer
throughout eternity.
HALFREK
The one I loved.
(beat)
He's here.
ANYA
What?
HALFREK
My curse was for him to suffer
forever. For that to happen, he'd
have to be immortal. So I... There
was a group of vampires in town at
the time. Two women and a man. When
I granted the wish, one of the women
was different than the others.
Hallie gets up and starts to pace. Anya listens as she speaks.
HALFREK (CONT'D)
She fit the plan. In order for the
curse to work, he couldn't be a normal
vampire. He had to keep a piece of
his humanity. The ability to love.
This vampire could offer him that
love. She became the first to take
his heart.
(beat)
William became a vampire. It was the
only way for the plan to work.
Anya tries to process this information.
ANYA
So this William fella is a vampire?
(finally getting it)
William the friggin' bloody?
(beat)
My goodness that guy gets around.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
50.
HALFREK
I saw him at your friends' house and
suddenly it all came flooding back.
I didn't know what to say, so I just
didn't say anything. I've just been
avoiding the subject since then.
Anya's still a little distracted.
ANYA
You weren't kidding about him not
being scrawny.
HALFREK
What?
Anya now realizes that this isn't a great time for that story.
ANYA
Nothing.
(then)
So what are you gonna do? You can't
hide forever.
HALFREK
Now, are we sure about that?
ANYA
Hallie. You have to say something to
him, and there's no better time than
the present.
HALFREK
So I can finally get it off my chest?
ANYA
Actually, I was thinking more along
the lines of him being very very
crazy at the moment, so he might not
try to kill you.
HALFREK
Oh. I guess that'd be a plus.
(beat)
I don't know. What would I say.
ANYA
How about something like, "Gosh, I'm
sorry I smashed your heart into tiny
little pieces, and cursed you to an
eternity of suffering?" I know that's
what I'd like to hear.
Halfrek isn't sure what to do.
HALFREK
I just don't know if I can.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
51.
EXT. ENGLISH STREET - NIGHT
Halfrek is once again in the area where Spike was turned
into a vampire. It's changed quite a bit in the last hundred
and twenty-odd years.
She sits on a bench, thinking. Holding a piece of paper.
ANGLE: THE PAPER
It's the poem that William wrote. "The Purest Water"
She stares at it for the longest moment, then holds it to
her chest.
INT. SUNNYDALE HIGH - BASEMENT - NIGHT
Spike is sitting on the floor, looking at his feet. He says
nothing. He just stares.
Halfrek walks into view. She's dressed in different clothes
now. A day has passed. She sees him there, and it hurts her.
Slowly, she gets closer to him until, finally, she is standing
over him.
HALFREK
(a whisper)
William.
Spike looks up at her. His eyes soften.
SPIKE
Cecily?
Then he puts his focus back to his feet.
SPIKE (CONT'D)
No. You're not real. Riddles and
puzzles in my head. That's all you
are. Here to fool me into slipping.
HALFREK
William, it is me. I'm real.
SPIKE
Can't fool me. I'm too quick for
this one.
HALFREK
If you won't talk to me, then all
you have to do is listen. There's
something I've been meaning to tell
you.
She stops. Tries to figure out a way to say this.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
52.
HALFREK (CONT'D)
I wanted to say that I'm sorry. I
had to grant that wish, but you have
to realize that I didn't enjoy it.
(beat)
I guess you don't know what I'm
talking about.
She takes a breath.
HALFREK (CONT'D)
The night you said that you loved
me, I was already a demon. I had a
job to do, and the wish that I had
to grant was for you to suffer.
William, I hate that I did what I
did to you. Please, if you can, find
it in your heart to forgive me.
She looks back toward the exit, wanting to leave. But she
knows she can't. She turns back to him.
HALFREK (CONT'D)
There's something else. I don't know
how to say this.
She smiles for a moment, getting off track.
HALFREK (CONT'D)
I told Anyanka that I'd already done
this. Made it sound so simple. But
it's not.
She takes a breath and gets serious again.
HALFREK (CONT'D)
(beat)
William, I--
Before she can finish, she VANISHES in a PUFF OF SMOKE.
Spike looks up to where she was. Smiles.
SPIKE
See? I told you you weren't real.
INT. FRATERNITY - MAIN ROOM - NIGHT
BUFFY, XANDER, Anya, and D'HOFFRYN stand in the frat house,
in the middle of a very interesting situation that involves
a big bloody sword hole in Anya's shirt.
Hallie appears.
Confusion. Hallie looks around. Disoriented. But upbeat. For
some reason, this isn't unusual for her. So as dramatic as
she just was, she's able to switch gears and put on a happy
face. She sees her friend and lights up.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
53.
HALLIE
Anya!
Anya suddenly realizes what's happening. Her eyes go wide.
ANYA
Hallie --
CRACK! Mystical energy EXPLODES around Hallie. She SCREAMS.
LIGHT shines from her mouth and eyes. Anya rushes forward,
trying to get to her. Hallie IMMOLATES violently. Ash
explodes over Anya, knocking her back, She cries out.
D'Hoffryn, for the first time all episode, becomes the full
demon he is. He stands above Anya.
D'HOFFRYN
(hard, angry)
Who did you think you were dealing
with?! Did you think it would be
that easy to get away?!
She's in shock.
ANYA
Why...
D'HOFFRYN
(laughing)
Why? Because you wished it.
ANYA
But she was yours...
D'HOFFRYN
The way you were mine? Haven't I
taught you anything, Anya? Never go
for the kill when you can go for the
pain.
Xander tries to rush in between D'Hoffryn and Anya.
D'HOFFRYN (CONT'D)
Hold him back, Slayer. Wouldn't want
anyone to get hurt.
Buffy holds Xander. D'Hoffryn turns back to Anya.
D'HOFFRYN (CONT'D)
I've got plenty of girls. There will
always be Vengeance Demons. But now
you, Anya, you're out.
Congratulations. Your wish is granted.
ANYA
You should have killed me...
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
54.
D'HOFFRYN
(laughs)
Oh, I wouldn't worry about that,
"From beneath you it devours." Be
patient... all good things in time.
And with that, he TELEPORTS away. Leaving us with the
aftermath. Anya, numb, gets to her feet. She tries to look
around the room. She can't meet anyone's gaze. Dazed, she
walks out of the room through the front door. From the other
room, we hear groans of, "What happened?" from the waking
boys.
INT. SUNNYDALE HIGH - BASEMENT - NIGHT
Spike is still on the floor. No longer staring at his feet.
He's just sitting now.
Anya walks in. She's still in her bloody clothes, and has
been crying. She walks to Spike and sits next to him. For a
moment, she's silent. Then she begins to speak softly, in
pain.
ANYA
Hallie died tonight. She- um- She
wanted you to know some things, but
I guess she never got the chance to
tell you.
(beat)
I could tell she was lying to me
earlier, but I had other things on
my mind, so I didn't really care at
the time. But now...
(beat)
She was sorry, Spike. And she wanted
to tell you that she loved you. She
did. But she couldn't bring herself
to tell you because of how she cursed
you and all. But she did. She loved
you.
She looks at Spike. He's not even looking at her. She's crying
by now.
ANYA (CONT'D)
Maybe I should wait until you're
sane to tell you this, huh?
She pats him on the shoulder.
ANYA (CONT'D)
Well, you hang in there, okay? Don't
go getting more insane or anything.
She stands up and walks away, feeling the futility in talking
to Spike right now.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
55.
When she's gone, Spike looks up. A tear rolls down his cheek.
FADE TO BLACK:
END OF SHOW