All commentary will be red text inside of a light gray box... kinda like this one.
I shouldn't have to say this, but... Beware of spoilers for all
of the Season 8 scripts!
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TEASER
FADE IN:
INT. BUFFY'S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - DAY
BUFFY is pacing back and forth, in front of the front door.
WILLOW and XANDER are watching her.
Buffy checks her watch.
BUFFY
He's not coming.
WILLOW
He's coming, Buffy.
BUFFY
No, he's not. He's not coming. He's
doing exactly what he always does.
XANDER
Maybe you should give the guy a break.
I mean, by my calculations, he'd be
a good twenty minutes early if he
showed up right now.
WILLOW
And if he mapped his way here online,
the timing would be pretty much on
the spot.
BUFFY
I just have this gut feeling in my
gut.
WILLOW
Which is usually where those tend to
hang out.
BUFFY
(ignoring Willow)
It's telling me that he's not coming.
XANDER
That gut feeling is probably living
right next door to your past
experience. I'm sure that the two
just got together for a barbeque and
got to the Hank gossip.
WILLOW
What he said.
(beat)
Which, I'm not exactly sure what he
said, but it sounded like something
I'd agree with.
2.
XANDER
Thank you.
BUFFY
That makes sense. I'm probably just
overreacting. I tend to do that
sometimes. Right?
WILLOW
Right.
Buffy looks at her watch again.
BUFFY
He's not coming.
WILLOW
Shouldn't Dawn be ready by now?
BUFFY
Maybe she's not coming either. Maybe
they got together and planned this.
They could have planned to not come
together.
XANDER
Yes. It's a big Buffy birthday
conspiracy. Make the plans, but don't
show up for the plans. Dawn's probably
doing her evil laugh as we speak.
WILLOW
I'll go check on her.
Willow starts to move toward the stairs, but Buffy stops
her.
BUFFY
No. I'll go. It'll give me something
to take my mind off of the fact that
Dad's not coming.
WILLOW
Okay.
Willow goes back to Xander. Buffy goes up the stairs.
WILLOW (CONT'D)
You know, I think she might have
some issues.
XANDER
You think?
INT. BUFFY'S HOUSE - BUFFY'S ROOM - DAY
DAWN is putting on a necklace when Buffy walks into the room.
3.
DAWN
I'm almost ready.
BUFFY
I was worried you weren't coming.
DAWN
Why wouldn't I come?
BUFFY
I don't know. I think it might have
something to do with the fact that I
stole your future away from you.
People tend to get upset about things
like that.
DAWN
Right. I almost forgot about that.
Thanks for reminding me.
BUFFY
No problem.
DAWN
We should be back by eight, right?
BUFFY
I think so, why?
DAWN
Work. I'm supposed to help out for a
while at the store.
BUFFY
I think we'll be back.
Buffy sits on the bed.
BUFFY (CONT'D)
So, will Ryan be there?
DAWN
I guess so.
BUFFY
And do we still like Ryan?
DAWN
He hasn't tried to kill me yet, so I
don't see any reason not to.
BUFFY
And have we given him many kisses
lately?
4.
DAWN
No. Our date was called on account
of blizzard, remember?
BUFFY
Umm, hello? Weeks ago. You're telling
me that you haven't made up for it
yet?
DAWN
We haven't gotten around to it.
BUFFY
Meaning, he hasn't gotten around to
asking you yet.
DAWN
It's not a big deal.
BUFFY
It's way a big deal. No guy in his
right mind would keep you hanging
like this.
Dawn doesn't know how to respond. She looks at her watch.
DAWN
We should get downstairs.
Dawn walks out of the room. Buffy stands to follow her. As
she walks out of the room, Buffy repeats her motto of the
day.
BUFFY
He's not coming.
INT. BUFFY'S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - DAY
Dawn comes down the stairs, and stops as she sees Willow at
the front door, accepting a vase full of flowers from a
DELIVERY MAN.
WILLOW
Thanks.
DELIVERY MAN
Have a nice day.
Willow takes the flowers and closes the door, just as Buffy
comes down the stairs. She stops short when she sees the
flowers. Even though she's been joking about it all morning,
there's a new sadness when she repeats the motto.
BUFFY
He's not coming.
Willow looks up at her, feeling bad.
5.
WILLOW
You should read the card.
BUFFY
Why? I know what it says. "Dear Buffy,
Sorry I can't make it. Maybe next
year. Dad."
WILLOW
You don't know.
Willow puts the vase down and takes the card. She goes to
Buffy and holds it out. Buffy doesn't take it.
BUFFY
You read it.
WILLOW
Okay.
Willow opens the card and looks at it. A smile forms.
WILLOW (CONT'D)
See? I told you, overreaction girl.
It's not from your father. The flowers
are from Giles.
(reading)
Happy Birthday, Buffy. Wish I were
there to celebrate with you. Giles.
|
Giles sending the flowers isn't supposed to come across as Giles turning into the Hank-like absentee father figure. I just realized that that's how it might read.
|
Buffy takes the card from Willow and looks at it. She's a
little relieved.
BUFFY
This still doesn't mean that Dad's
coming.
DAWN
Why are you so paranoid?
BUFFY
I don't know. Birthdays don't tend
to go well for me. Last year was the
best one I've had in a while, and
that's only because I called it off
due to an apocalyptic situation.
WILLOW
Relax. That was the old way of things.
The Sunnydale way. This is a new
place, with new traditions. We're
not even on a Hellmouth anymore.
BUFFY
And all of that means?
6.
XANDER
It means, relax. Nothing is gonna go
wrong today. You go and spend it
with your family, and then come back
here for a late night birthday bash
with the buds.
BUFFY
If you say so.
WILLOW
Buffy, trust your friends. Nothing's
gonna happen.
INT. ABANDONED HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - DAY
The house is boarded up and dark. A fire in the fireplace
provides some light to the room, which allows us to see the
floor.
On the floor is a circle, drawn with white sand. In the circle
are several other sand-drawn designs, a few animal bones, a
large candle, and a wooden stake.
From O.S. we hear a man's voice.
MAN (O.S.)
(whispered)
Spirit of Canus, I summon you. Endow
me. Fill me with your power, and
grant me the ability to perform my
task. Smite the power of the Slayer.
Make her my instrument.
The candle's FLAME TURNS BLUE, and then GOES OUT.
MAN (O.S.) (CONT'D)
It is done.
FADE TO BLACK:
END OF TEASER
7.
ACT ONE
FADE IN:
INT. HANK'S CAR - DAY
HANK is driving the car. Buffy is in the passenger seat,
with Dawn in the back.
BUFFY
You were late.
HANK
Was I?
BUFFY
Two minutes.
HANK
There was traffic. I guess I should
have factored that into the mapping
online. You weren't worried, were
you?
BUFFY
You mean, that you might not show
up, and then we'd never hear from
you for three years? Why would I be
worried?
DAWN
Buffy.
BUFFY
I know. I'm sorry.
There's an awkward silence. Finally, Buffy decides to move
on.
HANK
I bought you something. It's under
the seat.
BUFFY
Okay, now I feel bad for bringing up
the whole three years thing.
She leans down and picks up a small wrapped box.
BUFFY (CONT'D)
The whole present thing makes it
hard to stay broody.
HANK
That's what I was going for. Open
it.
8.
Buffy starts to open it neatly. Dawn rolls her eyes.
DAWN
What, is this like the first gift
you've ever opened or something? The
paper's there to be torn.
|
I think this scene seems like one of the Buffy/Dawn scenes from season 5, with Dawn being a little more annoying. It's fun though.
|
BUFFY
Fine.
She rips the paper off now. It's a necklace box. She opens
it to reveal a beautiful locket.
DAWN
What is it?
BUFFY
It's a locket.
HANK
It's been in the Summers family for
three generations. Open it.
Buffy opens the locket and looks inside. In it, there's a
picture of a very young Buffy holding a baby Dawn, on the
day that Dawn was brought home from the hospital.
HANK (CONT'D)
I would have put in a picture of the
whole family, but I didn't want to
push the reunion thing too quickly.
BUFFY
It's beautiful.
(beat)
I have a picture of you and Mom
that'll go in the other side.
From the back seat, Dawn struggles to see the locket.
DAWN
Let me see it.
BUFFY
Hold on, I'm looking.
DAWN
I wanna see.
BUFFY
When I'm done.
Dawn waits a few seconds.
DAWN
C'mon, how long does it take you to
look at something?
9.
Buffy gives in and hands the locket back to Dawn. She looks
at Hank.
BUFFY
Thank you. I love it.
(beat)
So, where are we going, anyway?
HANK
Seattle.
BUFFY
I figured that much. I mean, more
specific.
HANK
I was gonna keep it a surprise, but...
Hank reaches into his coat pocket and pulls out an envelope.
He hands it to Buffy.
HANK (CONT'D)
Here.
DAWN
While you're at it, here.
Dawn hands the locket back to Buffy at the same time.
DAWN (CONT'D)
Notice how fast I looked?
BUFFY
(to Dawn)
Shouldn't you be buckled in?
Dawn sits back and buckles up. Buffy puts the locket aside
and opens the envelope. She pulls out three tickets and looks
at them. A puzzled look comes over her face.
BUFFY (CONT'D)
Hockey? We're going to hockey?
HANK
I know it's not really a Buffy thing.
I tried to find tickets to an ice
show, but this was the only thing I
could get.
Buffy appreciates the gesture.
BUFFY
Thank you.
HANK
I thought we might grab a bite after
the game.
10.
DAWN
As long as we're home by eight.
HANK
I know, you have work. You told me
last night.
BUFFY
Last night?
HANK
On the phone.
BUFFY
Oh.
(beat)
I didn't know you called.
DAWN
You were out.
HANK
Is there a problem?
BUFFY
No. I'd just like to know from now
on. Y'know, so I don't think...
Nevermind.
HANK
So you don't think that I ran off
again, when I don't call.
BUFFY
Do I know how to kill the mood, or
what?
HANK
I get that things aren't back to how
they were with us. I don't expect
you to trust me.
The car falls into another awkward silence.
INT. ARENA - DAY
The seats are packed, but the game hasn't started yet. Buffy
and Dawn find their way to their seats. Buffy's leading the
way. When she gets to the seats, she double checks the
tickets.
BUFFY
I think this is them.
They sit down.
11.
BUFFY (CONT'D)
Do you want anything? Soda?
DAWN
Dad's getting it.
BUFFY
Right.
(then)
Cotton candy? You can't watch...
hockey without cotton candy.
DAWN
Dad's getting the food. Buffy, what's
up?
BUFFY
Up?
DAWN
You're being way too nice to me right
now.
(beat)
This is about the whole Key thing
isn't it?
|
I swear, if I wrote the word "Thing" one more time, I will rip off my own fingers and beat myself to death with them.
|
Buffy gives a guilty look.
DAWN (CONT'D)
I told you that we're okay. Move on.
BUFFY
I don't want to move on. I want you
to make me pay. It'll make me feel
better if I'm suffering.
DAWN
Sorry. I'm not mad.
There's a pause, and then Buffy points a finger at Dawn.
BUFFY
Ah-ha.
DAWN
What?
BUFFY
You're making me pay by acting like
you don't care.
DAWN
I'm not making you pay. Also, I never
said I didn't care.
12.
BUFFY
You're handling this too well. I
demand that you scream at me.
DAWN
Or, I could freak out on you, like
you did with Dad in the car.
BUFFY
I said I was sorry about that.
DAWN
It's rude.
BUFFY
I can't help it. I'm not in a trusting
place with him yet.
DAWN
I have my doubts too, but you don't
have to bring it up every five
seconds. Especially when he's doing
birthday stuff for you.
BUFFY
I'll try harder.
DAWN
Good.
Hank walks up, holding food and drinks. He hands them out,
giving Dawn nachos.
DAWN (CONT'D)
Ooh, nachos. Almost enough to make
me actually care about the hockey
game.
Hank takes a seat next to Buffy, handing her a drink. When
he sits, the two of them look at each other. Buffy smiles.
WILLOW
(prelap)
Was it weird?
INT. BUFFY'S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - DAY
Buffy and Willow are sitting on the couch, talking.
BUFFY
A little. I couldn't help it. No
matter how hard I tried to put the
past behind us, it just kept hitting
the nitro button and taking the lead.
13.
WILLOW
I'm sorry. But on the up side, you're
working on it, right?
BUFFY
Yeah. We knew it wouldn't be easy. I
was just kinda hoping that he'd be
the one making it difficult and I'd
be the innocent party.
WILLOW
(smiles)
Speaking of party, it's almost time
for your surprise party. We have all
kinda of junk food and enough movies
to last us until the sun comes up.
BUFFY
I think we missed something with the
whole "surprise" part.
WILLOW
Well, it's not like we could get rid
of you until Dawn got home. But it's
still a surprise. You have no clue
what movies we got.
BUFFY
Very true.
(beat)
Is there cake?
WILLOW
Chocolate, with gobs of icing. And
we have ice cream.
BUFFY
Neat. I will enter the next year of
my life with thirty extra pounds,
and an increased risk of heart attack.
WILLOW
As any self respecting partier would.
Dawn walks through the front door.
DAWN
I'm back. Sorry I'm late.
BUFFY
It's okay. The party didn't start
without you.
DAWN
Where's Xander.
14.
Xander walks in from the kitchen, holding a birthday cake
with lighted candles.
XANDER
Right here, waiting for my grand
entrance.
Buffy sees the cake and smiles big. She and Willow stand up
and face Xander.
BUFFY
Yummy.
WILLOW
Make a wish, Buffy.
Buffy looks around at her friends.
BUFFY
I can't think of anything that I
don't already have.
XANDER
Then blow out the candles and wish
for an I-Owe-You.
DAWN
Way to ruin the sentemental moment,
Xander.
XANDER
Sorry.
Buffy closes her eyes and blows out the candles.
WILLOW
I'll get the plates.
Willow walks out of the room, toward the kitchen. Xander
sets the cake down on the coffee table.
XANDER
Happy birthday, Buff.
Buffy hugs him.
BUFFY
Thank you.
Buffy pulls Dawn onto the couch.
BUFFY (CONT'D)
So?
DAWN
So, what?
15.
BUFFY
Was Ryan at the store?
Dawn looks down.
DAWN
No. It was just me and Kirsty. She
said he was busy, but I think he's
avoiding me.
BUFFY
Haven't you seen him in school?
DAWN
Yeah, but someone else is always
around there. He never talks about
our date.
(beat)
I'm new to this whole dating thing.
What's this mean?
BUFFY
That he's a big jerk.
XANDER
Or possibly that it took him a long
time to muster up the nerve to ask
you out the first time, so going
through that all over again might
get him back to the wiggin zone.
DAWN
But I said yes.
XANDER
After thinking about it.
BUFFY
You thought about it?
DAWN
Is that bad?
BUFFY
Well, no wonder the guy's creeped
out. You practically turned him down
the first time.
DAWN
I didn't turn him down.
BUFFY
No, but he probably thought you gave
him a "what the hay" answer.
DAWN
So, should I say something?
16.
BUFFY
I would.
Willow comes back with plates, forks and a knife. She sets
them on the table.
WILLOW
What are we talking about?
DAWN
Boy problems.
WILLOW
Anything that I can help with?
(awkward beat)
Not that I've had boy issues lately.
'Cause I haven't.
XANDER
Right.
Buffy and Dawn give them a weird look.
DAWN
I think I've got it. Thanks anyway.
WILLOW
Then shall we cut the cake and par-
tay?
BUFFY
We shall.
Willow hands Buffy the knife.
WILLOW
Birthday girl cuts the cake.
BUFFY
Knife? Can't we just dig in with our
hands?
WILLOW
Umm... no.
BUFFY
No fun grown-up rules.
Buffy takes the knife. Just as she's about to cut the cake,
a WOMAN CRASHES through the back window, and slams to the
ground.
The gang jumps to their feet and rushes to see if she is
okay.
17.
ANGLE ON : THE WOMAN
Her face is down, so we can't see her clearly. What we can
see is that she is covered in blood.
Buffy gets to her quickly.
BUFFY (CONT'D)
She's hurt bad.
She turns the woman over, revealing KENNEDY. Barely conscious,
and bloody.
Everyone's shocked.
BUFFY (CONT'D)
Kennedy?
XANDER
Oh, God.
BUFFY
Xander, help me get her to the couch.
Buffy and Xander pick Kennedy up and bring her to the couch.
Dawn heads off.
DAWN
I'll get the first aid kit.
XANDER
I'll call for help.
WILLOW
Anyone else feel like cake?
FADE TO BLACK:
END OF ACT ONE
18.
ACT TWO
FADE IN:
INT. BUFFY'S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
Where we left off.
Willow walks away from the whole scene.
Dawn comes back with the first aid kit and hands it to Buffy.
Buffy starts to work on Kennedy. Xander picks up the phone.
KENNEDY
(faint whisper)
No.
BUFFY
What?
Kennedy struggles to speak again.
KENNEDY
Don't. Call.
BUFFY
Why? Kennedy, what's happening?
Kennedy passes out. Xander looks to Buffy.
XANDER
What should I do?
Buffy thinks it over.
BUFFY
Don't call. We'll take care of her
here for now. There has to be a reason
for her not wanting us to call for
help.
DAWN
We should move her upstairs, right?
To a bed?
BUFFY
Yeah.
Buffy looks to Willow, and then back to Dawn.
BUFFY (CONT'D)
We'll put her in mine. Xander, help
me.
19.
INT. BUFFY'S HOUSE - BUFFY'S ROOM - NIGHT
Kennedy is in Buffy's bed now. Buffy is cleaning her up some
more. Dawn and Willow are sitting on Dawn's bed.
DAWN
What do you think did this?
BUFFY
I don't know, but it's strong. To do
this to a Slayer... And one who's
had training.
Buffy turns to Willow.
BUFFY (CONT'D)
I know you have Kennedy issues, but
we need to figure this out. Whatever
this is, it's our problem too now.
WILLOW
I'll see what I can find in the
database, but I'm not really sure
what I'm looking for. "Strong demon"
isn't really a narrow search.
BUFFY
For now, just look for something
that goes for Slayers.
DAWN
Buffy, every demon on the planet is
going after Slayers.
BUFFY
I don't know what else to do. Until
she wakes up and explains some of
this, we have to try to figure this
out on our own.
(to Willow)
Do it.
(to Dawn)
Call Giles. Tell him what's happening.
Maybe he's heard something.
Dawn nods and leaves the room. Willow follows. Before she
leaves the room, Willow looks back to Buffy and Kennedy. She
is about to say something, but stops herself. She turns and
leaves.
Buffy sits on the bed, next to Kennedy. She inspects Kennedy's
wounds as a mother would. Surprisingly, Kennedy doesn't have
a lot of bruises. Just a lot of cuts.
Moments later, Xander walks into the room.
20.
XANDER
Window's covered up as well as it
can be until tomorrow.
Buffy doesn't respond.
XANDER (CONT'D)
How's she doing?
BUFFY
She hasn't woken up yet. We have no
idea what did this to her.
XANDER
We'll figure it out. That's what we
do, right?
Buffy is still inspecting Kennedy's wounds.
BUFFY
Look at this.
Xander looks at the wounds.
XANDER
I'm looking.
(beat)
What am I looking at?
BUFFY
These cuts. They're all from coming
through the glass or hitting the
floor. There aren't any claw marks
or any signs of being hit.
XANDER
What does this mean?
BUFFY
I'm not sure.
Kennedy starts to wake up. Buffy stops looking at the cuts,
and starts looking her in the eyes, which slowly open.
BUFFY (CONT'D)
Kennedy?
KENNEDY
(groggily)
Where am I?
BUFFY
Your in my house.
KENNEDY
Buffy?
21.
BUFFY
Yeah. Yeah, it's Buffy.
(beat)
Kennedy, do you know how you got
here?
Kennedy thinks for a moment. She weakly shakes her head and
clears her throat.
KENNEDY
Water?
XANDER
I'll get it.
Xander leaves the room.
BUFFY
You have to help me figure this out.
INT. BUFFY'S HOUSE - DINING ROOM - NIGHT
Willow is sitting at her computer. Xander walks into the
dining room, on his way to the kitchen. Willow stops him.
WILLOW
How is she?
XANDER
She's awake.
WILLOW
Did she say anything?
XANDER
Not yet. She needs water.
Xander walks into the kitchen, leaving Willow alone. She
stares at her computer, not paying attention to what's on
the screen.
Moments later, Xander returns with a glass of water in his
hands. As he walks through the room, he sees Willow. He stops.
XANDER (CONT'D)
You okay?
WILLOW
Yeah. Fine. Why?
XANDER
Because your ex-girlfriend is laying
in a bed upstairs, looking like she
just got out of the Freddy Kreuger
massage parlor.
Willow doesn't respond. Xander sits next to her.
22.
XANDER (CONT'D)
Will?
Willow starts to tear up.
WILLOW
After what she did to me, you'd think
I'd be happy to see her like this.
XANDER
You're not that kind of person. You
care about people. As much as you
hate to admit it, you still have a
history with her.
WILLOW
When she left, I spent weeks wishing
for something like this.
XANDER
You didn't mean for it to actually
happen though.
WILLOW
It's just... Why do I feel this way?
She treated me like garbage.
XANDER
Which is why I'm willing to make her
wait for the water.
(beat)
You have issues with her. You never
really had closure, and now things
are all emotional.
WILLOW
So, what do I do?
XANDER
Talk to her.
(beat)
Y'know, once she's capable of talking
again.
WILLOW
I guess until then, I'll just sit
here, pretending to look stuff up.
XANDER
Good plan.
Xander stands up. He holds Kennedy's water out to Willow.
XANDER (CONT'D)
Wanna spit in it?
23.
WILLOW
I think I'm a little more mature
than that, Xander.
XANDER
Okay.
He starts to walk away, but then stops and turns back.
XANDER (CONT'D)
Want me to?
WILLOW
Okay.
INT. BUFFY'S HOUSE - BUFFY'S ROOM - NIGHT
Buffy is still talking with Kennedy. Xander enters the room
with the water.
BUFFY
(to Kennedy)
You have to help me understand this.
Kennedy looks to Xander. Buffy takes the water from him and
helps Kennedy drink it. Once Kennedy's had her drink, she
clears her throat.
BUFFY (CONT'D)
What did this to you?
KENNEDY
(weakly)
I don't know. I couldn't see.
XANDER
You couldn't see it?
KENNEDY
It was like it was everywhere. All
around me.
BUFFY
Did it say anything?
Kennedy shakes her head.
BUFFY (CONT'D)
Tell me how this all happened. I
need to figure this out.
Kennedy thinks.
KENNEDY
I was in Chicago, about a month ago.
I was on my way back home, but stopped
off to sight see.
24.
She pauses, dealing with a little pain.
KENNEDY (CONT'D)
I was walking back to my hotel one
night, and I thought I heard something
in an alley. So I went to see what
it was.
(beat)
When I got there, I saw a homeless
guy on the ground, dead. He'd been
beaten to death, but nobody else was
around.
As Kennedy tells the story, her voice begins to get raspy.
Buffy gives her another sip of water. Once she drinks, Kennedy
goes on.
KENNEDY (CONT'D)
After I found the guy, whatever this
thing is attached itself to me.
XANDER
You mean, like a parasite?
KENNEDY
Not literally attached. It started
following me. Stalking me. I'd be
walking down streets, and people
around me would be thrown into walls.
I couldn't stop it. I tried to figure
out a way to kill it, but I didn't
know what it was. I finally tried a
basic protection spell that Willow
taught me last year. That's when it
turned on me. After that, I got here
as fast as I could.
BUFFY
We're going to help you.
Buffy looks back to Xander with a "go" expression. He nods
to her and walks out of the room.
INT. BUFFY'S HOUSE - DINING ROOM - NIGHT
Xander walks back into the dining room. By now, Dawn is
sitting with Willow.
DAWN
Do we know anything?
XANDER
We're looking for something invisible,
but strong. Doesn't like the
protection spells.
25.
WILLOW
Protection spell?
Willow already knows where Kennedy got that from. Xander
looks to her, getting it.
XANDER
Yeah.
DAWN
So what happened? What's the story?
XANDER
Pretty much, she was attacked by an
invisible demon who doesn't like
protection spells.
(beat)
Oh, but she was in Chicago.
DAWN
I've always wanted to go there.
WILLOW
Home of the Oprah book club.
(beat)
And the Oprah.
Willow starts working on the computer. Dawn turns to her.
DAWN
This has to be awkward.
WILLOW
I've researched before.
DAWN
I mean... The other part.
WILLOW
You mean, seeing Kennedy here, all
beaten and bloody? Actually, it's
kinda neat.
(beat)
You know, in a non-evil way.
Xander looks at Willow, watching her say the exact opposite
of what she said before.
DAWN
You never really told me what
happened.
XANDER
Dawn.
Dawn stops herself.
26.
DAWN
Sorry.
(beat)
But if you ever wanna talk about it,
I'm here.
WILLOW
Thanks. I think I just wanna figure
this out and stop whatever's doing
it.
INT. ABANDONED HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - DAY
The same setup we saw before. Still, there is an unseen man,
chanting.
MAN (O.S.)
(whispered)
Tempestas, master of the winds, come
to me.
A number of small stones are thrown into the circle, near
the candle.
MAN (CONT'D)
I call you to this corner of the
earth, and beg you to hear my plea.
Tempestas, mother of the rain, and
father of the ice, bring forth your
power. Make yourself known.
There is a LOUD THUNDER.
INT. BUFFY'S HOUSE - BUFFY'S ROOM - NIGHT
The thunder shakes the room. Buffy looks to Kennedy.
BUFFY
What's happening?
Kennedy is getting nervous.
KENNEDY
It's coming.
The wind starts to pick up outside, causing the shutters to
knock against the window.
KENNEDY (CONT'D)
It's coming. You have to stop it.
BUFFY
We will.
Buffy starts to walk toward the door.
27.
KENNEDY
Don't leave.
BUFFY
I'm not.
Buffy stops at the doorway, and is just about to yell for
the others when they rush up the hall. They almost knock
into her, not expecting her to be in the doorway.
DAWN
What's happening?
BUFFY
I'm not sure. That's what I wanted
to ask you.
KENNEDY (O.S.)
Help me!
Kennedy, still in the bed, pulls her legs close to her chest.
Buffy turns back to her.
BUFFY
What happened?
KENNEDY
It's coming. I can feel it. You have
to stop it.
BUFFY
We will.
(beat)
If we can figure out how.
There's ANOTHER CLASH OF THUNDER.
INT. ABANDONED HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - DAY
The spells continue.
MAN (O.S.)
Canus, we are one. Feel my grasp and
let it guide you.
He reaches his hand into the circle, and tightly closes it,
as though grabbing onto something.
INT. BUFFY'S HOUSE - BUFFY'S ROOM - NIGHT
Everyone is waiting for the attack.
BUFFY
Will, are there any spells we could
do?
28.
WILLOW
I'm not sure. I'd have to know what
we were up against.
BUFFY
How about a standard protection spell?
KENNEDY
No! No spells. Please. They make him
stronger.
XANDER
Him? Aren't we jumping to conclusions
there?
BUFFY
Xander, not now.
XANDER
I'm just saying.
The window starts to rattle. Dawn notices it first.
DAWN
Buffy, the window.
BUFFY
I see it.
KENNEDY
It's here.
Everyone stares at the window. For the longest time, nothing
happens. Finally, the window slowly opens.
Buffy assumes a defensive stance.
BUFFY
Whatever you are, we know you're
here.
There's a SCRATCHING sound along the wall, as though something
is dragging a knife along it. It gets closer and closer to
Kennedy.
Buffy quickly moves to block it's path.
BUFFY (CONT'D)
You're gonna have to go through me
first.
Silence. Nothing happens. Nobody moves.
XANDER
Are we sure that was the smartest
thing to say?
29.
As soon as he says that, Buffy flies across the room, slamming
into the wall.
DAWN
Buffy!
Dawn rushes to Buffy's side.
BUFFY
Help Kennedy.
XANDER
How?
Willow looks to the ground.
WILLOW
Enemies, fly and fall. Circling arms,
raise a wall.
She looks up. If history has taught us anything, it's that
her eyes should be black, but they're not. Confused, she
presses on.
WILLOW (CONT'D)
Hear my plea, circling arms protecting
me!
Nothing happens. She turns to Xander.
WILLOW (CONT'D)
It's not working. It's too powerful.
DAWN
Even for you?
|
Willow's unable to perform the shield spell. She actually mentioned not being able to perform a spell back in "Cold Front" as well, so we're seeing the early signs of what is to come for her.
|
Xander jumps into action, rushing to Kennedy's side. He tries
to help her stand and move away from the bed, but he is thrown
aside. He hits the dresser, and is knocked out. Kennedy falls
onto Dawn's bed.
Willow goes to Xander.
By this time, Buffy is getting back to her feet.
BUFFY
Kennedy, move!
KENNEDY
I can't!
Buffy tries to grab Kennedy, but she is hit in the face by
an unseen force. She stumbles.
Kennedy tries to pull herself across Dawn's bed, but she
can't. Something grabs her shirt and pulls her back.
30.
KENNEDY (CONT'D)
Help me!
Before anyone can do anything, Kennedy is PULLED INTO THE
AIR.
Buffy looks up at her, as she floats above Buffy's bed.
Kennedy screams in pain.
BUFFY
Oh, God.
FADE TO BLACK:
END OF ACT TWO
31.
ACT THREE
FADE IN:
INT. BUFFY'S HOUSE - BUFFY'S ROOM - NIGHT
Kennedy is still floating, and screaming.
The WINDOWS SHATTER, and wind fills the room.
DAWN
We have to do something!
BUFFY
I'm trying!
Buffy goes to Kennedy, but is stopped before she can grab
onto her.
BUFFY (CONT'D)
I can't move.
Dawn tries to jump onto the bed and grab onto Kennedy, but
she is stopped mid-air. She floats there.
BUFFY (CONT'D)
Dawn!
After a few seconds, Dawn drops to the ground.
DAWN
Ow!
Kennedy screams again. She is punched in the face by an unseen
force. Her lip begins to bleed. Her arms spread wide, and
she is hit in the stomach.
Buffy looks up at her, not knowing what to do next.
Kennedy continues to get beaten as she floats in mid-air.
There's nothing Buffy can do to stop it. She is forced to
watch, unable to get close to Kennedy.
Xander starts to wake up. He opens his eyes and looks at
Willow, and then to Kennedy.
XANDER
Please tell me that I'm still
dreaming.
WILLOW
I wish I could.
Finally, the wind dies down. Kennedy falls to the bed, limp.
Buffy is once again able to get close to her. She rushes to
Kennedy. Dawn soon follows, as do Xander and Willow.
32.
Buffy checks Kennedy's pulse. It's not good.
BUFFY
She doesn't have a pulse.
|
Kennedy's first death. One of three this season. You'd think I didn't like her or something tee-hee
|
Buffy straightens Kennedy out. She starts performing CPR as
the other watch.
BUFFY (CONT'D)
Don't die.
After a few moments, Buffy checks for a heartbeat again.
Still nothing.
BUFFY (CONT'D)
C'mon!
DAWN
Buffy.
BUFFY
No.
DAWN
It's not working.
BUFFY
I'm not giving up. She's not dying.
DAWN
She's already dead.
Buffy checks for a pulse again. She smiles.
DAWN (CONT'D)
Or not.
WILLOW
You have a pulse?
BUFFY
Yeah. She's alive.
XANDER
Great. Now all we have to do is figure
out what the hell that thing was
before it comes back.
WILLOW
Whatever it was, it was strong. I
couldn't even dent it with magic.
BUFFY
At least we have a little more to
work with now, right? We've seen
this thing in action.
33.
WILLOW
I guess I can try to run some more
searches.
BUFFY
Good. Go. All of you.
XANDER
What about you?
BUFFY
I'm staying with Kennedy, in case
this thing comes back.
XANDER
Alone? No offense, Buff, but the
thing was throwing you around like a
Frisbee.
BUFFY
I'll be fine. The sooner we figure
this out, the better.
XANDER
I still don't like this.
BUFFY
Go. Maybe Giles can find something.
XANDER
Worth a shot. At least he has some
books to look through.
(beat)
Be careful.
BUFFY
I will.
Willow, Xander and Dawn walk out of the room, leaving Buffy
and Kennedy alone once again.
Buffy looks down at Kennedy.
BUFFY (CONT'D)
We will figure this out.
INT. BUFFY'S HOUSE - DINING ROOM - NIGHT
Willow and Dawn walk into the dining room and sit by the
computer. Willow starts typing in keywords that might help a
search.
DAWN
What do you think we're looking at
here?
34.
WILLOW
Not sure. Invisible demon, maybe.
DAWN
Or a poltergeist.
WILLOW
Don't ghosts usually haunt a place?
DAWN
Sometimes. Sometimes a poltergeist
will latch onto a person and follow
them around though.
WILLOW
Right. I forgot about the sequels.
DAWN
You're using a movie as your ghost
guide?
WILLOW
Well, we haven't had a ghost problem
in a really long time.
DAWN
The thing is, it's rare that a ghost
will turn that violent, much less
homicidal. Especially when they're
not reliving specific events in a
specific location.
WILLOW
So we're back to invisible demon?
DAWN
One who can't talk. I didn't even
hear a grunt.
Xander walks into the room, phone to his ear.
XANDER
Since when did Giles start putting
people on hold and forcing them to
listen to elevator music?
DAWN
Annoying, isn't it?
Willow sighs.
WILLOW
There's about six billion hits for
invisible entities that could cause
this kind of mess.
35.
DAWN
We have to start narrowing it down.
XANDER
I'll make some coffee.
Xander walks into the kitchen.
MUSIC BEGINS TO PLAY.
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. BUFFY'S HOUSE - DINING ROOM - NIGHT
Xander walks back into the dining room, with coffee. The
phone still to his ear.
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. BUFFY'S HOUSE - DINING ROOM - NIGHT
Xander's talking to Giles at this point.
Willow rubs her tired eyes.
Dawn picks up the empty coffee pot and walks into the kitchen.
INT. BUFFY'S HOUSE - BUFFY'S ROOM - NIGHT
Kennedy sleeps. Buffy is sitting on the other bed, watching
her.
INT. BUFFY'S HOUSE - DINING ROOM - NIGHT
Dawn is at the computer. Willow's head is down on the table.
Xander is pacing back and forth.
The coffee pot is once again empty, and bags of snack foods
are scattered around the table.
END MUSIC
INT. BUFFY'S HOUSE - BUFFY'S ROOM - NIGHT
Buffy is still watching Kennedy sleep. There's a knock on
the door.
Buffy turns and sees Willow standing in the doorway.
WILLOW
Hey.
BUFFY
Find anything?
36.
WILLOW
Not really. Lots of invisible things
with lots of quirks that we're not
seeing here.
BUFFY
Keep on it.
WILLOW
We are.
(then)
They are. You've been up here for a
long time. You could use a break.
BUFFY
I'm fine. Just find me this demon.
WILLOW
We will, but there's no point in
fighting something if you fall asleep
right in the middle of the battle.
(beat)
There's a piece of cake downstairs
with your name on it. Literally.
BUFFY
I can't leave her alone.
WILLOW
I'll watch her for a while. Go.
Buffy starts to give in.
BUFFY
How do I know you won't smother her?
WILLOW
And taint a perfectly good pillow?
Now, go.
BUFFY
Okay.
Buffy stands and walks to the doorway.
BUFFY (CONT'D)
If anything happens--
WILLOW
I'll call you.
Buffy gives her a friendly smile and walks out of the room.
Willow goes to where Buffy was sitting and sits down. She
watches Kennedy with a blank expression.
37.
INT. BUFFY'S HOUSE - DINING ROOM - NIGHT
Buffy and Xander are sitting at the table, as Dawn works on
the computer. Buffy's eating a piece of cake.
BUFFY
Do we have anything at all?
DAWN
A hundred and twelve more matches to
click on.
BUFFY
Great. So we'll save Kennedy after
she dies of old age.
DAWN
Sorry.
BUFFY
(to Xander)
Did Giles have anything?
XANDER
Nada. Less than nada. Nada damn thing.
Buffy puts her cake down.
BUFFY
This is driving me crazy. There has
to be something we're missing.
Dawn looks away from the computer screen.
DAWN
You don't think I really scared him
off, do you?
XANDER
What?
DAWN
Ryan. You don't think I scared him
off with all of that suff about
waiting and thinking?
Dawn sees that Buffy and Xander are giving her odd looks.
She looks back to the computer screen.
DAWN (CONT'D)
Right. The "you're insane" looks.
It's wrong for me to be thinking
about this when there's demon stuff
happening.
38.
XANDER
Actually, my look was about you
thinking there was a chance you didn't
scare him off. If I were this kid,
I'd be running for the hills.
BUFFY
Me too. I agree with the hills thing.
DAWN
I am so lame it hurts.
INT. BUFFY'S HOUSE - BUFFY'S ROOM - NIGHT
Willow is now leaning her head on her hand, starting to drift
off.
Kennedy stirs and opens her eyes. She sees Willow.
KENNEDY
Hey.
Willow picks her head up, still with a blank face. She doesn't
respond.
KENNEDY (CONT'D)
You've been watching me?
WILLOW
Yeah.
Kennedy smiles.
KENNEDY
I used to watch you sleep too.
WILLOW
Really? 'Cause I thought you were
planning to stab me in the back and
run away.
KENNEDY
(beat)
I guess I should have seen that
coming.
WILLOW
Probably.
KENNEDY
Listen, I'm sorry about what happened.
WILLOW
Sorry that you used me to get what
you wanted and then skipped town
when you didn't need me anymore?
39.
KENNEDY
That's not how it was. Not exactly.
WILLOW
That's how it looked to me. You
became a Slayer and then you just
took off. What other reason was there?
KENNEDY
I don't have a good response to that.
WILLOW
You didn't even care about me, did
you? You just wanted a quick thrill.
KENNEDY
You didn't seem to mind it.
WILLOW
I'm not like that, Kennedy.
Relationships mean something to me.
Did you ever care, or was it all
meaningless?
Kennedy thinks for a moment and then is about to respond
when Willow cuts her off.
WILLOW (CONT'D)
You know what? Don't bother
responding. You're just gonna lie
anyway. Just go back to sleep. You're
more pleasant to be around that way.
Kennedy gets Willow's anger, and turns away from her. She
closes her eyes.
INT. BUFFY'S HOUSE - DINING ROOM - NIGHT
Buffy, Xander and Dawn are worn out. Dawn is sitting at the
computer tapping the same key over and over again, not knowing
what to type next.
XANDER
I think my brain is on strike.
DAWN
Mine too.
XANDER
Damn unions.
BUFFY
We must be doing something wrong.
XANDER
We've been doing this for seven years.
(MORE)
40.
XANDER (CONT'D)
You'd think we'd have it down by
now.
BUFFY
Researching isn't helping us at this
point. Reading demon bios isn't
working. We have to come at this
from another angle.
DAWN
Such as?
BUFFY
Motive. What's driving this thing to
stalk Kennedy?
DAWN
She's a Slayer?
BUFFY
Maybe. Cause it's not like I don't
have enough guilt. Then again, maybe
it's something else.
XANDER
Kennedy said that she just happened
to stumble across this thing. How
could it have something against her
for that?
BUFFY
I don't know.
Frustrated, Buffy stands up and starts to pace.
BUFFY (CONT'D)
None of this makes any sense.
INT. BUFFY'S HOUSE - BUFFY'S ROOM - NIGHT
Willow has fallen asleep.
ANGLE ON : KENNEDY
In bed, with her eyes closed. After a beat, they open. With
no expression on her face, she looks back to Willow.
Once she sees that Willow is asleep, she sits up in her bed.
She looks around, Slayer senses at work.
INT. BUFFY'S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
Buffy, Xander and Dawn can still be heard in the dining room,
but we can't see them.
41.
The living room is dark. There's a tarp covering the broken
window.
XANDER (O.S.)
Maybe we should try to put ourselves
in the demon's shoes. Y'know, like
what would we be if we were a demon
who couldn't be seen?
(beat)
That sentence made much more sense
in my mind.
DAWN (O.S.)
It's times like these when I miss
Giles' marker board. We should be
writing down everything we know, so
we can try to connect the dots.
XANDER (O.S.)
I have paper. Could we use paper?
DAWN (O.S.)
It's not the same.
ANGLE ON : THE FLOOR
Glass from the window is scattered around, as well as other
pieces of debris from Kennedy's entrance.
As we see this scene, a woman's foot enters the frame. Wearing
the same boots that we saw in the hospital room at the end
of episode 7. She silently makes her way over the glass,
toward the couch.
INT. BUFFY'S HOUSE - DINING ROOM - NIGHT
Dawn and Xander continue to chat, as Buffy stands silently
by the table, deep in thought.
XANDER
There might be a chalkboard in the
attic. Want me to get it?
DAWN
That should work. What do you think,
Buffy?
BUFFY
I think you both need sleep. Maybe
we should...
She trails off. Something isn't right.
DAWN
"We should..."? Finish sentence
please.
42.
INT. BUFFY'S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
Still seeing the floor view as the feet get closer to the
couch. Finally, when she reaches it, she stops. She bends
down and reaches under the couch.
From under it, she pulls out the Scythe.
Suddenly, the lights go on. The girl stands up, still holding
the Scythe.
ANGLE ON : BUFFY
At the light switch. Xander and Dawn behind her.
BUFFY
Well, well. Looks like we're feeling
better.
ANGLE ON : KENNEDY
Holding the Scythe. Looking at Buffy. Caught with her hand
in the cookie jar (so to speak).
FADE TO BLACK:
END OF ACT THREE
43.
ACT FOUR
FADE IN:
INT. BUFFY'S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
Kennedy looks at Buffy. A defiant look comes across her face.
Buffy takes a step closer to her.
BUFFY
This explains a lot. You show up
here, all bloody from coming through
the window, but now that I think of
it, you didn't have any other bruises
on you.
(beat)
So this is it? This is why you came
here? To take the Scythe?
KENNEDY
It's as much mine as it is yours.
BUFFY
Really? I seem to remember fighting
Caleb to get it while your team was
getting all blown up.
KENNEDY
It belongs to the Slayer.
BUFFY
What's the plan? Cut it into a couple
thousand equal-sized pieces and mail
a chunk to each one?
KENNEDY
No. The plan is pretty much, I take
it.
BUFFY
That's not gonna happen.
KENNEDY
And who's gonna stop me? You?
BUFFY
I was thinking I might give it a
try.
Kennedy holds up the Scythe, and looks it over. Feeling it's
power.
KENNEDY
I don't think it'll work. I've got
the weapon.
44.
BUFFY
Too bad you suck at weapons.
KENNEDY
I was swinging a sword while you
were still waving pom-poms.
BUFFY
And yet, there's still the sucking.
Willow comes down the stairs and sees what's happening.
WILLOW
What's going on?
DAWN
Kennedy's taking the Scythe.
KENNEDY
(to Buffy)
Okay, so are we done with the talking
part yet?
BUFFY
Yup.
XANDER
(to Dawn and Willow)
That whole "are we done with the
talking part" line is just a cliche
at this point, isn't it?
Buffy dives over the couch, toward Kennedy. Kennedy avoids
her and takes a defensive stance. As Buffy hits the ground,
she rolls right onto her feet. She throws a punch at Kennedy,
which is blocked by the Scythe.
Kennedy spins around, trying to slice Buffy with the Scythe
blade, but Buffy avoids it.
While Buffy is off balance, Kennedy kicks her, sending Buffy
backward, into the wall.
Kennedy raises the Scythe, to swing at Buffy. Willow sees
this.
WILLOW
Buffy, look out!
Willow picks up a nearby vase and throws it at Kennedy. It
doesn't really hurt Kennedy when she is hit, but it throws
her off just long enough for Buffy to get out of the way.
Buffy goes at Kennedy again. Kennedy takes another swing,
which Buffy avoids. Buffy sweeps Kennedy's feet out from
under her, sending Kennedy to the ground on her back.
45.
Buffy tries to grab the Scythe, but Kennedy holds onto it,
and uses the leverage to throw Buffy to the ground.
Before Buffy can get up, Kennedy gets back to her feet, and
jumps through the tarp that is covering the window. She
vanishes into the darkness of the night.
DAWN
She's getting away!
BUFFY
Thanks for the recap.
Buffy runs out the front door. The others look at each other.
DAWN
Should we follow her?
XANDER
Do you think we could keep up?
DAWN
That's a good point.
EXT. BUFFY'S STREET -- MORNING
The sun is just starting to rise. The streets are still empty.
Buffy runs down the street at full speed. Her face is filled
with determination.
She reaches the end of the street and turns.
EXT. WOODSY STREET - CONTINUOUS - MORNING
Buffy continues to run at full speed.
EXT. ALLEY - MORNING
Buffy turns down the alley, still at full speed. There's a
collection of garbage cans in the middle of the alley,
blocking her path.
Without skipping a beat, Buffy dives over them, landing with
a roll on the ground and quickly resuming her run.
EXT. MAIN STREET - CONTINUOUS - MORNING
Buffy exits the alley and throws her hand out, against a
light pole just in time to block Kennedy's path. Neither of
them are even out of breath. Buffy's cool about the whole
thing.
BUFFY
I guess it's called "Main Street"
for a reason.
46.
KENNEDY
You think you're gonna get it back?
BUFFY
I do.
(beat)
You know, this whole "bad Slayer"
thing's been done. And might I add,
it was done by someone a lot better
at it than you.
Kennedy tries to stab Buffy with the stake, but Buffy avoids
it.
KENNEDY
I took what was mine.
Buffy punches Kennedy in the face and grabs the Scythe.
Kennedy doesn't let go of it.
KENNEDY (CONT'D)
I deserve this a lot more than you
do.
BUFFY
What you deserve is a kick in the
gut for what you did to Willow...
Buffy kicks Kennedy in the gut.
BUFFY (CONT'D)
And a smack in the face for acting
like the spoiled little kid that you
are.
Buffy twists the Scythe and pulls it out of Kennedy's hands.
She uses the side of the blade to hit Kennedy in the face.
Kennedy stumbles back. Buffy holds onto the Scythe and looks
at Kennedy.
BUFFY (CONT'D)
You were willing to play games with
your life in order to get this thing.
That alone tells me that you're not
worthy of it, or the title of Slayer.
KENNEDY
You don't decide that.
BUFFY
Unfortunately, that's right. What I
do decide is that I won't let you
have it. I won't allow this weapon
to be taken by someone who isn't
mature enough to handle it.
47.
KENNEDY
One thing you should know about me,
Buffy. I always get what I want.
Kennedy charges at Buffy. Buffy spins around and kicks Kennedy
in the face, sending Kennedy flying to the ground.
Buffy looks down at her.
BUFFY
One thing you should know about me,
Kennedy.
Buffy turns and starts to calmly walk away.
BUFFY (CONT'D)
I don't give a monkey's ass what you
want.
Kennedy gets up and moves toward Buffy.
BUFFY (CONT'D)
Stop.
(beat)
Come at me again, and I promise you
a pain that you won't soon forget.
Kennedy takes a step toward Buffy, still angry and determined.
Suddenly stops, as though hitting a wall. She looks around
at her invisible barrier, getting more upset.
Finally, she looks to Buffy, knowing what the wall between
them is and deciding to deal with that issue later.
KENNEDY
This isn't over, Buffy.
BUFFY
It never is.
Buffy turns the corner, and heads home. Kennedy watches her
leave, not happy.
INT. BUFFY'S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - DAY
Dawn and Willow are picking up the glass from the floor.
There's a long silence. Finally, Dawn looks up to Willow.
DAWN
You okay?
WILLOW
Why wouldn't I be?
DAWN
Because you're ex tried to kill Buffy.
48.
WILLOW
You'd think I'd be more surprised.
I don't know if it's the fact that
we've done the "ex lover turns bad"
thing so many times by now, or just
the fact that I already thought she
was a bitch, but I'm somehow not all
that surprised by this.
DAWN
I guess. I just didn't expect her to
go this far.
WILLOW
The thing I learned about Kennedy
is, she's like Cordelia concentrate.
She always has to have everything
her way and she doesn't care who she
has to run over to get it.
DAWN
Somehow, this stuff always seems
weird to me. How do you guys handle
it?
WILLOW
I guess we've developed thick skins.
Being attacked just ain't what it
used to be.
DAWN
Not the attacks. The whole love life
thing. It's always so hard.
WILLOW
You'll get used to it.
(beat)
Of course, you should probably talk
to Ryan at some point.
DAWN
Yeah. If he'd stop avoiding me. How
do I get him to give me another
chance?
WILLOW
The word "grovel" comes to mind.
DAWN
You think it would work?
WILLOW
Worth a try. The next time you see
him, just do your best to make it
clear that you're still interested.
49.
DAWN
Yeah. I guess that makes sense. I'm
supposed to work tonight, after the
store closes. Help with inventory or
something. Maybe I'll try something
then.
EXT. VIDEO STORE - NIGHT
Dawn walks up to the video store and looks inside. Through
the window, we can see RYAN helping a CUSTOMER. The customer
smiles and thanks Ryan, and then walks out of the store.
Ryan looks out and sees Dawn. He looks down, a little thrown.
Dawn takes a deep breath and goes inside.
INT. VIDEO STORE - CONTINUOUS - NIGHT
Dawn walks into the video store and goes to Ryan, who is
standing in the middle of the store (as opposed to behind
the counter). There's an awkward silence.
DAWN
So.
RYAN
Yeah.
DAWN
I guess there's probably stuff for
us to work on.
RYAN
Yeah.
Ryan goes to the door and locks it.
DAWN
Inventory? Kirsty was working on it
last night.
RYAN
Not exactly.
He goes behind the counter and turns off the lights.
DAWN
Look, we need to talk. I know things
are weird, and I want to make them
better. We should talk.
(beat)
I should talk. I should tell you
that I know I might have given you
the wrong impression, but I am
interested. I don't want things to
be weird. I want things to be--
50.
RYAN
Dawn?
DAWN
Hmm?
RYAN
I don't think we really need to talk
about this.
DAWN
But we should. I don't want it to
seem like I'm not interested in you,
'cause I am.
RYAN
That's reassuring.
DAWN
What?
RYAN
Close your eyes.
DAWN
Did I ever tell you that I have trust
issues?
RYAN
Do it.
ANGLE ON : DAWN
She is a little uncomfortable, but she closes her eyes.
DAWN
I mean, these things have a way of
turning out badly in my family. Very
badly.
The dark room around Dawn is suddenly filled with an odd
light. Reflections off of a mirrored ball.
SOFT MUSIC begins to play.
Dawn is confused.
DAWN (CONT'D)
Ryan?
RYAN
Okay, open them.
Dawn opens her eyes, and looks around. She sees the mirrored
ball, sitting on the counter. She also sees Ryan, now standing
in front of her. He's holding a corsage. He holds it up.
51.
RYAN (CONT'D)
Shelly told me that this wasn't a
lame idea, so if it is lame, blame
her.
Dawn takes a second.
DAWN
It's not lame.
Ryan smiles and puts the corsage on Dawn.
RYAN
I was really looking forward to our
date, and then things kinda got weird
after it was called off.
(beat)
I wanted to dance with you. I wanted
to see what you looked like by a
mirrored ball. I played the image in
my head over and over, and then it
was called off and I didn't know
what to do next. Then I thought of
this.
Dawn doesn't respond.
RYAN (CONT'D)
I know. It's not really the same.
The comedy section isn't the most
romantic place in the world, no matter
how much you like Pauly Shore. And
the carpet cleaner was just here, so
the place kinda smells a little funny,
and--
Suddenly, he is cut off. Not by words, but by Dawn kissing
him. He's surprised at first, but quickly warms up to it.
When it's over, Dawn looks him in the eyes and speaks softly.
DAWN
It's perfect.
He smiles at her, and she takes his hands and rests her head
on his shoulder. They stand like this, as the music continues
to play in the background.
INT. BUFFY'S HOUSE - ATTIC - NIGHT
Xander is moving some boxes around, trying to make more space.
Buffy is sitting in an old rocking chair, watching him.
52.
BUFFY
You know, I think this is the first
time I've stayed in the attic for
more than a couple of seconds.
(beat)
It's kinda nice. Big.
XANDER
You should try sleeping on the floor
sometime. It'll suck the niceness
right out of the place.
BUFFY
I can see where that would happen.
XANDER
Think she'll try again?
Buffy quickly changes modes, from "mindless banter" to
"serious thought".
BUFFY
Kennedy? Probably. She seemed pretty
determined when I was kicking her
ass.
(beat)
I gotta say though, if this is the
big evil that I'm facing these days,
I'm liking it. I've had my fill of
uber-vamps and evil hellgods trying
to end the world. Give me the rich
twit who's only interested in shiny
things any day.
XANDER
Still, we might want to consider
keeping the Scythe someplace other
than under the couch.
BUFFY
I guess.
(beat)
Somehow, I don't think this is going
to be as simple as it seems. Kennedy
put everything on the line for this.
Why would she do that? And we still
don't know how she did it. Those
were some pretty impressive tricks
for someone who wouldn't know an eye
of newt if it bit her in the face.
XANDER
Odd visual there.
(then)
So, you think someone's helping her
then?
53.
BUFFY
Maybe. The question is, who? Who is
that powerful, and would have
something to gain from it?
INT. ABANDONED HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
Kennedy walks through the door of the house, and into the
center of the room. She's healed by now.
|
Kennedy's already healed. This is because of her connection to Amy, which we'll learn about later.
|
She kicks the sand aside, fuming. She turns to the man, who
is off-camera.
KENNEDY
You stopped me. I could have had the
Scythe, but you stopped me. We're
supposed to have an arrangement.
The man finally steps into frame.
ANGLE ON : ETHAN RAYNE
ETHAN
All in due time, my dear. You'll get
your ax soon enough. Until then, I'd
prefer that you didn't die, as it
might tend to ruin our plans.
KENNEDY
I could have taken her.
ETHAN
Buffy Summers is a resourceful little
girl. If this Scythe is as powerful
as you say, she would have beaten
you in a second.
KENNEDY
That's my problem to deal with, not
yours.
He steps closer to her.
ETHAN
You listen to me, and listen
carefully. I intend to make these
people pay for sending me to that
prison. I won't have you running
around like a chicken with it's head
cut off, and ruining everything.
KENNEDY
Just don't forget our goal here.
This is bigger than your revenge.
54.
ETHAN
Don't worry about me. As little as
I actually care about your little
Slayer games, I wouldn't do anything
to miss the looks on their faces
when this all plays out.
INT. BUFFY'S HOUSE - ATTIC - NIGHT
Buffy and Xander are still talking.
XANDER
These boxes are like sand. You move
some out of the way, and there's
always more to fill in the hole.
BUFFY
Maybe we can get the city to take
more of them.
XANDER
Maybe. We should have Willow talk to
Mrs. Gimly.
The light bulb overhead flickers and dies. Xander looks at
it.
XANDER (CONT'D)
Great.
BUFFY
I think we have more in the closet
downstairs. I'll get it.
Buffy walks down the stairs, out of the attic.
INT. BUFFY'S HOUSE - UPSTAIRS HALLWAY - NIGHT
Buffy walks into the hallway, and goes to the closet. She
opens the door and grabs a bulb. As she starts to walk back
to the attic stairway, she stops, and looks at the wall right
by the doorway to the attic. A confused look fills her face.
She walks up the stairs.
INT. BUFFY'S HOUSE - ATTIC - NIGHT
Buffy walks into the attic, and looks around. She looks in
the direction of the wall downstairs, and sees that the attic
continues for about another twelve feet.
She walks back down the stairs.
INT. BUFFY'S HOUSE - UPSTAIRS HALLWAY - NIGHT
She walks out of the attic doorway, and looks at the wall
again. She turns and walks back up the stairs.
55.
INT. BUFFY'S HOUSE - ATTIC - NIGHT
She walks back into the attic. She's still confused.
XANDER
Forget something?
BUFFY
Xander?
XANDER
Yeah?
BUFFY
Did you ever notice something strange
about this place?
Xander looks around.
XANDER
Like what?
BUFFY
Like the fact that the attic goes on
past where the next floor ends?
Xander looks in that direction, catching on.
XANDER
I never thought about it.
BUFFY
The attic is a good ten feet bigger
than downstairs.
(beat)
Upstairs.
(beat)
Whatever.
XANDER
So, what are you thinking?
BUFFY
I think I'm thinking that ten feet
is about the size of another room.
Buffy and Xander remain there, looking around at the attic,
trying to figure this out.
FADE TO BLACK:
END OF SHOW
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