Chapter 11

Shot opens.

Eve's hand is extended towards Selah. Selah takes in the disgusted and untrustworthy glares that are focused on the young woman and she does what comes naturally. She uppercuts Eve. Eve, her lip bloodied, turns her face back to Selah.

Eve (eyes Angel): Devilish, isn't she?

Angel (disdain): What do you want, Eve?

Eve slinks towards the window, taking in the chaos. She turns to face the group. Selah is leaning up against Wesley's desk, rubbing her knuckles, with a satisfied look on her face. She never takes her eye off Eve.

Eve: Seems like the entire world is thrown into cataclysmic turmoil, doesn't it kids?

Gunn: So you know what's going on?

Eve: Only what I'm told, counselor. I was "alerted" of the situation.

Angel: Which is?

Eve: It's a harbinger.

Fred: Harbinger?

Eve: Upshot is, we got trouble with a capital "T," which rhymes with "P" as in "prophecy." Shashu, ring a bell?

Angel: Oh, God.

Selah: That again?

Eve (eyes Selah): Sorry to disappoint, honey, but this has to do with tall, dark, and fangy, over there.

Selah takes a menancing step forward. Eve takes two steps back. Spike laughs.

Eve: You too, Billy-boy.

Spike: Let's have it, then, poppet.

Eve: The prophecy talks about a champion. A vampire with a soul, who'll play a pivotal role in the apocalypse.

Eve sits provactively on the arm of one of the chairs. Crossing her legs, she continues.

Eve: For good or evil…that's anyone's guess. Still a bit hazy on the logistics.

Fred: Wait a second…I thought it had to do with Angel becoming human…

Eve: That's just the epilogue, princess. For starters, they never mention Angel by name.

Gunn: Hold on---you're saying because Spike's back, you think he's…

Eve: I don't think anything…

Selah (os): That's obvious.

Eve: All I can tell you is that his very existence is disrupting the order of things.

Angel: When hasn't it?

Gunn: Before Spike fried, there were already two souled vamps in the universe…why now?

Eve: Champion, gorgeous. Spike gave his life to save the world. That gives him, what you like to call, "street cred". However, he had to go and die. Ghost world and all that. Now he's back and all bets are off.

Eve: There's only supposed to be one candidate vying for the position. Now that Spike's in the picture, the wheel of destiny starts to spin on its axis. That's why everything and everyone is going mad.

She raises an eyebrow while she points to the chaos on the streets and the pandemonium in the hallways. A woman slams up against the glass door and she's pounding on the door. Her fists are bloodied and her eyes are dripping blood. A security guard takes her down with a taser. Eve continues as if nothing happened.

Eve: The world may not be big enough for the both of you.

Spike: Hold on a tic, you're blaming this on us?

Angel: No, she's blaming it on you.

Spike (scoffs): Well, screw this town, then. Screw the devil's funhouse, Angel.

Spike points a finger at Angel.

Spike: And screw you for good measure.

Spike then turns and looks Selah up and down and smirks. For a moment he has forgotten he is angry.

Spike: I'd say screw you in the literal if you wanted to give it a go.

Selah (shakes head and points at Eve): I say, screw her.From what I've heard, this has dirty, little, tramp written all over it.

Eve (chuckles): I take offense to the dirty, but this tramp, for once, has nothing to do with it.

Angel (takes Selah's elbow): You're probably right, but until we figure it out, we're on a permanent lockdown.

Angel picks up Wesley's phone.

Angel: Code black. No one comes in, no one leaves. That understood?

Voice over a walkie-talkie in the hallway can be heard.

Voice: Code black. We are closing Pandora's Box.

Gunn walks towards the door. Angel stops him.

Angel: Where are you going?

Gunn (exits): To check on something.

Angel (sternly): Fred, find out whether this is mystical, electronic, or what. Keep me posted.

Fred: Will do.

Spike: Where do you want me, boss man?

Angel: Stay close.

Spike (grumbles): My arse.

Angel (not pleased): I mean it, Spike. I don't like this anymore than you do, but until we figure out why this came on all of a sudden, I want you close.

Angel looks at Selah who has her arms crossed. He looks at Spike. Angel takes a deep breath, knowing he is about to regret his next move.

Angel: Selah, you mind making sure Spike doesn't leave the building?

Spike (scoffs): Who's to say, I can't take her?

Angel (incredulous): Spike.

Spike: Right. Slayer who fancies a bit o'snacking here and there. That's awfully hot, in the erotic, I want do nasty things…

Angel (takes a step toward Spike): Things?

Spike (dodges Angel's advances and turns to Selah): How about a drink, then?

Selah: Whatever shuts you up and keeps you out of trouble.

Spike (winks): I can think of a few things…

Selah: In your dreams, Spike.

Spike (os): If you only knew…

Eve stands and feigns an exit. She stops and turns around.

Eve: You know, it's too bad there isn't a way to find out what the prophecy is really about.

Angel: I just read it…there's nothing in it about---

Eve: You read it? Mr. I don't believe in that sort of thing?

Spike: It's rubbish, he says…but as hard as it is for me to stand by Captain Forehead, he's right.

Selah: Got any other bright ideas?

Eve (ignores Selah and turns to Angel): Actually…Sirk can help us out.

Angel (defiant): Sirk? What good will he be? I already told you, I read it.

Fade out