Buffy The Vampire Slayer
Summer Script Challenge
Team 2
Episode #5: A Place So Far Away
By DigiJoss Whedon (Digitalis) and SWSteve DeKnight (SWS)
Rough Outline by Marti Noggston (Noggins)
GILES (V.O)
Previously on Buffy the Vampire Slayer
From On Edge:
The last vampire from the big fight laughs despite being beaten.
VAMPIRE
(Proudly)
You think you've won? You cannot
win! Our Grandmother approaches.
You cannot stop her.
From Waiting For The Sun:
Angel looks over the ring that he just removed from the vampire's severed hand.
ANGEL
The Mark of Lillith.
…
Rumoured to be the oldest
living vampire on the planet.
From Bloom:
QUENTIN
What is it?
LILLITH
I want to die.
CUT TO:
Quentin gestures for Lillith to take a chair.
QUENTIN
Please, sit, we might
be able to help each other.
From Kindling:
TRAVERS
I assume each of you have
Received a more detailed explanation
As to what our strategy is. You have
Been contacted simply because you
Have the skills we need to carry out
Our plans.
TEASER
EXTERIOR: GRAVEYARD - night
The camera is stationary as we see both Buffy and Pike criss cross the screen fighting a vampire each.
ANGLE ON: Pike as he spins away from and stakes the vampire he had been fighting without looking.
ANGLE ON: Buffy as she rises from her knees, dusting off her long black leather coat.
Pike raises a hand in the air and Buffy slaps him "five"
PIKE
(softly)
Just like old times.
Pike pulls Buffy's arm and draws her into a hug.
BUFFY
(smiling)
Old times.
They lean in to kiss and Pike draws away.
BUFFY
What's wrong?
Beat as they look at each other, doubtless remembering what they once were.
PIKE
Buffy. I have to go back to LA.
BUFFY
(surprised, then no emotion)
Oh. Well. Ok.
Buffy backs away, turns, and leaves quickly and quietly. Pike chases after her.
PIKE
Hey! Wait a minute!
ANGLE ON: Pike spins Buffy around so that they are looking at each other. The camera pulls out so that we see each of them in profile.
BUFFY
You're leaving,
so I'm going back to Giles'.
Have a good trip.
Buffy turns again, and again Pike turns her so that they can talk. Buffy shakes his hand roughly off her shoulder.
PIKE
(confused, but
determined)
Buffy!
I don't know where
This is coming from,
But it's not me, and you
Know it.
BUFFY
(sags)
I know.
(beat)
Its just…Long story.
I thought that we
had something back then.
I thought maybe after
Everything we could
Have something again.
PIKE
We did. And we could.
But not right now.
As much as I want to
spend more time with you,
I've got to get back to LA.
I left some things hanging...
The camera pulls out into a wide angle and it pulls back so that we see Buffy and Pike in the distance and Spike from behind in the foreground.
We see (still from behind Spike) Buffy and Pike stand a little closer. Buffy stares up at Pike and Pike pushes some of Buffy's hair behind her ear.
We see (still from the wide angle) Buffy and Pike kiss. Before the kiss is done, Spike tosses his cigarette angrily and exits the frame.
The kiss ends and Buffy and Pike leave the spot they were standing in, in opposite directions.
INTERIOR: WATCHER'S COUNCIL CHAMBERMEMBER OFFICE - night
We see Quentin Travers sitting at his desk, leafing through papers, sipping his tea, and basically having a peaceful stodgy evening.
ANGLE ON: The door as Lillith bursts in. Literally. We've got splintering door hinges.
LILLITH
What is the delay, Quentin?
QUENTIN
(not even looking up)
You are in breach of our
Agreement again, Lillith.
LILLITH
Pft. There's noting in the
agreement that says
I have to stay out.
Remember, we're not talking about
that ancient piece of
parchment any more,
we're talking about you
getting the Slayer
to kill me.
QUENTIN
(pft yourself!)
If you had bothered to
read the fine print,
this 'new' agreement ratified
the 'old' agreement
until such time as your demise.
LILLITH
(first thing we do,
let's hang all the lawyers)
Whatever. Now what are YOU doing to
hasten along that demise?
QUENTIN
Are you so sure
That you'll get what
You want?
How do you know
This slayer can beat you?
LILLITH
She's not like your
Other Slayers.
I have heard of her from
My countless offspring
Around the world.
This Slayer can.
QUENTIN
And she will, I assure you.
LILLITH
When will I face her?
QUENTIN
(ushering-her-out-the-doors tone)
Soon. Until then, you look tense.
Why don't you go out?
Wreak a little havoc?
BLACKOUT
CREDITS
ACT ONE
EXTERIOR: MAGIC BOX BACK DOOR - late afternoon
ANGLE ON: The Scoobies are gathered around Pike's motorcycle to see him off, with Buffy noticeably absent. They're a bit TOO happy to see him off, if you get my drift. He's checking his saddlebags and tightening their straps and generally being rather fussy.
ANYA
(brightly)
Are you sure you have everything? All your
clothes, and sharpened objects?
PIKE
(distracted)
If I've left anything important, you
can always ship it to me.
WILLOW
(really bright)
Yeah, we'll just translocate it to you.
TARA and GILES
Willow---
WILLOW
(hey!)
But I'm sure I can do it
right this time! Without the
nose bleeding and
agonizing migraine....
Pike finishes up and gestures Dawn over. She's been standing kind of off to the side. She runs to him and hugs him tightly, sniffing but not quite crying. He crouches so that he is on eye level with her.
PIKE
Hey, kid, buck up.
I'll be back to see you soon.
DAWN
Promise?
PIKE
I'll do my best.
CLOSE ON: Dawn lets go and moves back with the other Scoobies. Willow puts her arm around her. Pike gets on the motorcycle, buckles on his helmet (safety first!) and camera shifts to Scoobies POV as he motors off.
ALL
Bye! Bye now! Take care! Drive safely!
The sound of the motorcycle has faded, they're all standing there looking after him with smiles fading into grimaces.
XANDER
Y'all come back now, y'hear?
Everyone looks at him.
XANDER
Well, I thought it was appropriate--- aw, never mind.
He goes back into the shop and the rest of them follow.
CONTINUOUS SHOT to the interior, where Buffy is standing behind the counter talking on the phone. She's standing rather stiffly.
GILES
Buffy, who is--
She silences him with a gesture. They all sit down at various places in the store and listen in shamelessly on her conversation.
BUFFY
Uh huh. (beat) A vampire? Uh huh.
(three beat)
So what you're telling me
is that you want me
to fly to England and
kill this vamp?
WILLOW
(sudden realization)
I think she's talking to
the Watcher's Council.
Nods all around, Willow has once again beaten them to the conclusion they were about to make. Everyone listens attentively to Buffy's end of the conversation.
BUFFY
Well...Well thank you! Yes. Yes.
(rolls eyes)
Right.
Buffy hangs up the phone and glances around at the gang who has gathered around.
BUFFY
(to Giles)
We're going to England.
GILES
(shakes head
Disbelievingly)
What? Why?
BUFFY
(dunno)
They said there was
Some big time old vamp
Hanging around there,
Wreaking havoc.
They thought they'd
Fly the big guns in.
(beat)
They're being polite.
Why are they being polite?
XANDER
Because there are safer
hobbies than pissing off a
Slayer. Like Chainsaw Licking.
Buffy rolls her eyes as Anya smiles at Xander sweetly and even Willow gives a small grin.
WILLOW
(ironic much?)
No rest for the wicked, eh?
BUFFY
Or the dead…
INTERIOR: SPIKE'S CRYPT - evening
The camera focus' on the corner of Spike's crypt as we see a piece of clothing flying into it.
The camera angle switches to a reverse POV with Spike in the frame.
He is furiously packing.
SPIKE
(gaaah)
PIKE! Bloody wanker…
(beat)
What kind of name is
That anyway?
(beat)
Being all gooey with
The Slayer.
Off Screen we hear a motorcycle pulling up, but Spike doesn't notice and continues ranting.
SPIKE
(still grumbling)
Thinks he can
Waltz right in here.
PIKE
(O.S.)
Who can walk
Right in here?
The camera switches to Spike's POV as Pike walks into the crypt, looking around as he does.
SPIKE
(startled)
GAAAH!
(sees who it is, rolls eyes)
Oh. Great. It's you.
PIKE
(pour on the sarcasm!)
Nice place you have here.
SPIKE
(mock Martha Stewart)
It did for a while.
(pissed)
What do you *want*?
PIKE
(not oblivious,
just ignoring)
Just wanted to
Thank you for looking
After Buffy.
SPIKE
I was just a bleeding
Knight in shining armor
Wasn't I?
PIKE
(confused)
Whatever.
Thanks again man.
The camera follows Spike's POV as Pike turns to leave and does just that. We hear the roar of his motorcycle off screen.
Spike hefts his bag over his shoulder.
SPIKE
Rub it in why don't you?
You can have her.
Spike exits his crypt and slams the door shut behind him.
INTERIOR: MAGIC BOX - night
The camera pans around the table. Everyone is looking at something off screen.
ANGLE ON: Buffy from the Scooby POV. She is grinning from ear to ear.
BUFFY
So? Who wants to
Help me spend as
Much Council moolah as
Possible?
They told me to
Bring whoever would
Usually "accompany" me
On a mission like this.
Vacations for everyone!
WILLOW
(a ha!)
I'll come!
TARA
(looks at Willow)
Me t-too.
GILES
(really excited, not)
I suppose they want
Me to come along as well.
BUFFY
(duh)
Well you are only my
Watcher after all.
GILES
That means someone
Has to look after the shop
Anya begins excitedly waving her arm.
ANYA
I can do it!
Willow won't be here to
Summon a troll to
Destroy the place,
So it should be in
One piece when you
Come back this time.
CLOSE ON: Willow giving her a Look. Tara touches Willow's shoulder and gives her an emphatic look. Willow turns to her and her expression softens.
ANGLE ON: Giles as he removes his glasses and wipes his forehead with the back of his hand.
GILES
I couldn't very
Well close the shop.
CLOSE ON: Anya who is about to protest.
GILES
But I suppose
You can look after the
Shop Anya.
We shouldn't be away long.
BUFFY
(to Xander)
That just leaves you Xan.
What do you say?
CLOSE ON: Dawn as she scowls.
XANDER
(unhappily with
a bit of edge)
I don't think I can
Get off from work
With such short notice.
BUFFY
(downs slightly)
Oh. Work.
Forgot about that.
WILLOW
(upbeat)
We can bring you
Back a paperweight.
The camera focus' on Buffy as she glances around the room and the camera follows her POV. Willow, Tara and Anya show varying degrees of excitement. Giles looks uncertain, whereas there is still much scowling in the Dawn department. Xander seems to have picked up a bit of the sullen too.
BUFFY
They've reserved a section
In first class on every flight
Leaving Sunnydale International
To Heathrow from now
until tomorrow morning.
So we better get packing.
The group leaves the shop leaving Buffy, Giles and Dawn.
Giles gets up and walks over to the counter.
GILES
I'll just be a minute girls.
Just have to count up
l before we go home.
He opens up the register and begins picking up and dropping coins as he counts.
ANGLE ON: Dawn and Buffy.
We still hear the change dropping off screen, but it is slightly muted now.
DAWN
(petulant)
What about me Buffy?
BUFFY
You can stay with
Xander and Anya.
I'm sure they won't mind.
Dawn looks at her with an "Are you kidding?" look
DAWN
Buffy! That's not fair!
I want to go to England!
BUFFY
No. You're staying right here.
I can't stand the idea
Of those Watchers coming
Anywhere near you.
DAWN
Fine. Leave me.
I've barely seen you
Since we got you back.
But hey. Have fun in
England without me.
GILES
(O.S.)
Wales, actually.
DAWN
Whatever.
CLOSE ON: Buffy's POV as Dawn leans back in her chair and crosses her arms over her chest.
ANGLE ON: Buffy as she grapples with the decision on the inside. Finally she grabs Dawn and folds her into a hug.
BUFFY
Oh, Dawnie.
I know this has
Been rough on you.
ANGLE ON: Buffy and Dawn in profile as the hug ends. Buffy leaves her hands on Dawn's shoulders.
BUFFY
(cont'd)
Of course you can
Come with us.
CLOSE ON: Dawn as her face lights up
DAWN
(excited)
Really?
BUFFY
Yes.
DAWN
Really, really?
BUFFY
(patience)
Yes, really.
The camera pulls out and we see Giles coming back from around the counter.
GILES
Are you girls ready?
The girls nod and get up. Giles exits the shop and holds the door open for them as they exit as well.
DAWN
Can we go to Buckingham Palace
and meet the Queen?
INTERIOR/EXTERIOR: GILES' CAR - early morning.
The camera is directly on Giles' hood as he drives with the top down. Buffy is in the passenger seat and Dawn is asleep in the back seat.
BUFFY
(less chipper
more concerned)
What do you think
They really want?
GILES
I don't know.
BUFFY
You don't think
Its another one of
Their stupid tests?
CLOSE ON: As Giles raises his eyebrows while keeping his eyes on the road.
GILES
Hardly. They're not
Complete idiots.
BUFFY
What if they want
To know about how I
Was brought back?
Or about Dawn?
GILES
We can assume that
If they called the shop
Looking for you, that they
Knew somehow already.
(pause)
As for Dawn, they
Found out shortly
After your death.
Buffy gives Giles a sharp look, but is quiet as she contemplates this. She looks up as Giles makes a turn down another street.
BUFFY
There they are.
The camera pulls out as Giles pulls up to a curb. Willow and Tara are waiting there, each holding a large suitcase.
(end of Act 1)
ACT TWO
EXTERIOR: ABANDONED MONASTERY - day
Establishment shot of the grounds which are very well kept, the massive, sprawling stone structure of the monastery.
CLOSE ON: A Sign near the entrance which reads:
"Therein lies what man's eyes were not meant to see."
INTERIOR: LIBRARY: WATCHER'S UNIVERSITY - day
Lillith is sitting in a chair with her legs curled under her, reading a magazine.
There are clusters of Watchers in Training around the library, some are studying or looking through the stacks.
There is one young Watcher in Training nearby. His name is ELIAS. We recognize him from "Bloom" as the young man arriving late to the meeting that Lillith crashed.
ANGLE ON: Lillith and Elias. They are sitting about 20 feet apart, across from each other.
ANGLE ON: ELIAS
He watches Lillith.
ELIAS' POV:
Lillith looks up.
LILLITH'S POV
Elias looks down suddenly at his book.
ANGLE ON: Lillith as she looks back down at her magazine.
ANGLE ON: Elias as he looks up again. From his POV we see Lillith still sitting there.
Elias looks up again to see that she is gone, and her magazine is laying on the seat of the chair.
The camera follows his POV as he looks around. He glances in several nearby areas and doesn't see her.
CLOSE ON: Elias as he looks behind himself.
LILLITH (O.S.)
Psst...
Elias turns around, and the camera pulls out to show us that Lillith's got his shirtfront in her hand.
She's giving him a shame gaze, like if your kindergarten teacher caught you eating the paste.
She lifts him out of his chair and half-strangles Elias.
LILLITH
(mocking)
Didn't your mother teach
you that it isn't polite to stare?
ELIAS
(gurgles)
S-Sorry
LILLITH
If you have a question,
just spit it out.
Elias looks at her in outright shock. A crowd of Watchers in Training gathers curiously. Although far enough out of Lillith's reach.
ELIAS
W-with your (gurgle gasp)
age (gulp gark)
w-w-why are (gurgling gag)
you not deformed (gulp gurgle)…
LILLITH
You mean like Kakistos?
You're comparing me to that sick bastard?
She throws him back into his chair, and his face goes from purple back to normal pasty Watcher white.
LILLITH
(cont'd)
Of course I don't have his
deformities, my hobbies were infinitely
more wholesome than his.
She turns and addresses the entire library.
LILLITH
Any more questions from the floor?
(two beat)
Come on, children, this is supposed
to be an educational
institution. How else are
you going to learn if
you don't ask questions?
Tsk tsk! You there!
Come on, ask me a question.
She points to a little Watcher girl, who shrinks and shakes her head.
An older watcher guy, fat, balding, big red nose of an alcoholic, comes tearing over. His name is BARTHOLEMEW, and he's the kind of guy no one has ever dared to call Bart.
BARTHOLEMEW
(full of self import)
I am going to have to
ask you to leave the
premises of the library immediately!
LILLITH
(You and what army, bub?)
I don't think so.
BARTHOLEMEW
Just because I'm stuck down
here in the library does
NOT mean I am unawares
of the happenings in the
Council chambers. I know
exactly who you are, and
what contractual obligations you are under.
(takes a breath)
Specifically, Paragraph five,
section H states that you
shall not in any way interfere
with the education of
Watchers, Slayers, Watchers in Training,
or Slayers in Training.
If you continue to cause
a ruckus in here, I shall be
forced to invoke Paragraph
twenty-seven, section c
subsection ii and have security
come in here and stake you.
LILLITH
(Completely enthralled with him)
You are positively charming! How would
you like to be turned?
BARTHOLEMEW
(Don't piss off a librarian)
Leave. Now.
INTERIOR: AIRPLANE - day
We see Buffy, Giles, Dawn, Willow and Tara all sitting across a row in the first class cabin of an airplane.
Dawn turns to Giles
DAWN
So are you excited?
About going back to
Watcher's U?
GILES
Not really. I wasn't
Exactly a star pupil there.
I'm surprised they even accepted me.
The group looks puzzled.
BUFFY
I thought you said
This was a family gig.
FLIGHT ATTENDANT
(O.S.)
Ladies and Gentlemen, we
Are coming in for a landing
At Heathrow International.
Please return your trays and
seats to their upright positions
And fasten you seatbelts.
GILES
It's going to be a bumpy ride.
EXTERIOR: WATCHER'S UNIVERSITY - day
Same establishment shot as before.
This time the camera pulls out to show a black car bumping along the one road that leads up to the university.
The car pulls up to the main gate and the driver exits, going around to open the door in the back.
Out piles Buffy, Dawn, Willow and Tara, as Giles opens the passenger side door to exit the vehicle.
The driver tips his hat at the group and gets back in the car.
ANGLE ON: The car as it drives away.
Off screen we hear a distinct creaking noise.
CLOSE ON: Tara as she looks majorly freaked. She gasps and turns to something off screen quickly.
The camera is from the group's POV as well as Tara's.
We see a woman standing just outside the gate. She has red hair which is pulled back severely into a bun. She wears the characteristic Watcher tweed. Her name is JOANN.
JOANN
Welcome. I trust you had
A good journey?
Mr. Giles. A pleasure.
Joann walks up to Giles and takes his hand in a forced handshake.
JOANN
(gushes)
I can't believe
That you're actually here.
I'm training to be a watcher
Too. I can only hope
To have as much success
As you.
GILES
Uh…Erm…
Joann recovers quickly.
JOANN
Right. Allow me to
Escort you in.
INTERIOR: LONG HALLWAY - day
The camera is focused on the group from in front of them as they make their way down the hallway.
The hallway is decorated in dark wood, and lush red carpet. We recognize the carpet at least, from "Bloom".
They are all gawking at the various pieces of artwork hanging from the walls and placed on the floor. Most of the paintings are of young women from many different time periods.
CLOSE ON: Dawn as she stares up at one painting in particular.
CLOSE ON: The painting as it stares back, almost in a non verbal challenge.
ANGLE ON: Dawn as she continues to stare.
BUFFY
(O.S.)
Dawn?
Dawn turns in the direction of her sister's voice quickly.
DAWN
Coming!
ANGLE ON: The painting as it continues to issue its silent dare.
The camera is now following the group as they continue down the hallway.
Dawn has now caught up.
INTERIOR: WATCHER'S UNIVERSITY - TRAVERS' OFFICE - day
In Travers' office Quentin is talking with another Watcher, Robert.
QUENTIN
The Slayers that are alive right
now have proved shoddy at best
when it came to protocol. One is
in prison, the other… she's been
killed twice… I'd like to think it's
because she hasn't obeyed us.
ROBERT
That's as maybe but are you sure
this plan is ethical.
QUENTIN
My good man, I…
A knock on the door interrupts him.
QUENTIN
Enter.
Buffy and Giles enter. Quentin indicates two seats. He glares at the other Watcher.
ROBERT
I'll take my leave.
QUENTIN
Good, good.
Quentin barely acknowledges his departure as he finally addresses Buffy and Giles.
QUENTIN
You know why I've asked you
to come here?
BUFFY
Well, I was thinking all expenses
paid vacation with a tiny bit of
slayage… some vamp called
Lillith, right?
QUENTIN
Not quite so tiny I'm afraid Miss
Summers. I take it you haven't
heard of Lillith?
BUFFY
Not as such…
GILES
She's here? I didn't even
know she still existed.
QUENTIN
Many people, even members of
the Council itself don't even think
she ever existed.
Quentin turns in his chair.
QUENTIN
(c'tnd)
Lillith is the oldest living vampire.
She was turned millennia ago
and, it seems, is still very much
alive. In fact we've heard she has
got herself quite a gathering in the
States… I believe your friends
encountered a group of hers several
weeks ago.
GILES
So Lillith is the Almighty Grandmother
they referred to?
BUFFY
(spinning around to face Giles)
You knew about this?
GILES
The others fought them in the
Bronze before you were resurrected.
They mentioned it but…
QUENTIN
(interrupting)
Back to the point, Mr. Giles… We
believe that she's planning to move
over to your side of the Atlantic
soon. If she makes it there all hell
could break loose.
BUFFY
So you want me to find her take
her out before she can get there?
QUENTIN
(smiles)
Precisely. We have tracked her
whereabouts to a certain small
town just over the border in
England. Several of our spies have
been planted to aid you.
BUFFY
(confidently)
I can do this. When do you
want me to go?
QUENTIN
You need a rest. You won't be
able to fight with the jetlag. I
suggest you find your room.
Buffy gets up and walks to the door. She turns around.
BUFFY
Anything else?
QUENTIN
Not quite yet, Miss Summers.
BUFFY
Cool! Tomorrow we'll have another
dead vamp then we can really
party.
She leaves. Quentin notices that Giles hasn't moved. He leans over the desk so that he's closer to Quentin.
GILES
This had better not be another
of your little tests…
Quentin says nothing. Buffy comes back in.
BUFFY
You coming Giles?
Giles gets to his feet and glares at Quentin before walking out.
INTERIOR: LIBRARY WATCHER'S U -- day
Willow, Tara, Dawn, and Joann walk into the Library. Joann keeps walking forward, but realises that she's lost her escortees. She turns around, and the three of them are standing and staring.
DAWN
Woah.
JOANN
Is there something wrong?
TARA
It's so... BIG!
Bartholemew walks over.
BARTHOLEMEW
How may I help you ladies?
JOANN
This is Bartholemew. He is our
head librarian. If you
have a specific book in mind,
just ask him. I must take my leave now,
I have to take care of some other duties,
Bartholemew, when they are ready to
leave, please have me paged in the Magic lab?
BARTHOLEMEW
Of course.
(to Willow, Tara, and Dawn)
Do you have a specific book in mind?
Or a specific subject perhaps?
Willow and Tara look at each other, then start talking at the same time.
WILLOW TARA
Do you have Grommond's I'd like to see Hecate's
Dictionary of Evil? Hexes and Curses please.
DAWN
How about something on Lillith?
WILLOW
(oops!)
Yes, we'd better read up on her before
we start recreational reading.
CUT TO: Later
Willow and Tara are full research mode. Dawn is bored. She's reading a Teen magazine. And then she throws it across the table.
DAWN
They had better magazines in the hospital.
WILLOW
(distracted)
That's nice Dawnie. Tara, look at this!
DAWN
I'm going to go set the west wing on fire.
TARA
Uh huh.
WILLOW
That's nice, Dawnie.
Dawn leaves, the two are oblivious.
INTERIOR: HALLWAY WATCHER'S U -- day
Dawn is looking at a painting of some typical 18th century dude. He's holding a book in one hand, and a stake in the other. A cute little blonde girl walks up behind her. It's NIA.
NIA
That's Lord Norville Arabasher.
He was the Watcher of Jenelle
d'Artois from 1743 to 1747,
for a total of four years, three
months, and nine days.
Until recently, the
longest that any Slayer had survived.
DAWN
Woah. I was just amused
by that thingie on his nose.
NIA
You're American? You
can't be the new Slayer
candidate then, she's from Brussels.
DAWN
Nopers. I'm Dawn Summers.
NIA
(eyes go wide)
You're the Slayer's Sister?
DAWN
Um, yeah.
NIA
Wow, that's so... wow!
(realizing her faux pas)
Oh, I'm sorry,
I didn't introduce myself, I'm Nia.
I'm a Slayer Candidate.
DAWN
Cool. You got any siblings?
NIA
I think I have an older brother.
My parents read the portents
when I was born and
sent me here when I was five.
DAWN
Gosh, that sucks. So,
um, you do slayer-y stuff?
NIA
Oh, yes. I'm training in
Advanced Occult Studies,
Marksmanship, Karate, Aikido,
Jujitsu, Escrima, and
of course mathematics, literature,
and Ancient Greek. They
feel I'm the most likely candidate
for Slayer when the next one dies.
(oops!)
Not that I am wishing your
sister would die or anything...
DAWN
(flippantly)
Oh, she did that a couple of
months ago. But it's cool now,
since she came back again.
NIA
(shocked)
The Slayer... died?
DAWN
Yeah, but since she died
once before, and then Kendra
was called, we figure she's used
up her Slayer-passing powers.
NIA
(Shaken)
I can't believe the Slayer died.
A guy in academic robes is walking by, and he hears this conversation. He motors on over. His name is MISTER STUFFY PANTS.
MISTER STUFFY PANTS
What's this?
What are you talking about?
NIA
(Meekly)
Nothing, sir.
DAWN
Just when Buffy died.
MISTER STUFFY PANTS
(gasps)
Who told you about that?
No one is supposed to
discuss the life of the living Slayer.
NIA
Sorry, sir, w-we won't do it again.
MISTER STUFFY PANTS
(uh huh.)
Get along to class now.
NIA
Yessir.
Nia grabs Dawn's hand and takes off down the hall. Camera follows the two of them to:
EXTERIOR: QUAD WATCHER'S U -- day
and they are running past people.
DAWN
Gosh, Mister Stuffy Pants,
what crawled up your butt and died?
(Nia giggles, Dawn takes that as encouragement)
I mean, I know it's not
my fault you dress that way,
so don't take it out on me. A-and
your hat looks like an elephant sat on it!
NIA
(through giggles)
It's called a velvet tam,
it means he's a doctor!
DAWN
Well, no wonder he's cranky!
I would be if someone made
me wear a stupid hat
with a stupid name like that!
NIA
(out of breath but still laughing)
Stop! Stop! I can't-- can't breathe.
(falls to the grass, laughing)
DAWN
(worried)
You okay?
NIA
(getting the giggles under control)
Yes, yes... I haven't laughed
like that in a long time.
DAWN
Girl, you have to get out more often.
INTERIOR: LIBRARY WATCHER'S U -- day
Willow is looking through a shelf. She trails her finger across the various tomes until she notices something interesting. She move closer to touch then pulls back.
WILLOW
(nervously)
So dark…
She suddenly grabs her head in pain kinda like Cordelia when she has a vision. She falls backwards, knocking a chair over. Tara notices and looks up.
TARA
Willow!
WILLOW'S POV: Tara runs towards Willow but everything suddenly goes pitch black. We see Lillith walking towards us. He hand reaches out towards the camera touching what would be Willow's cheek.
LILLITH
Such a pretty witch… but you're
nothing. Your magics are weak.
I've forgotten more than you'd
ever be able to imagine.
(beat)
Tell your Slayer I'm waiting.
The vision dissipates. We're still in Willow's POV as we look up into Tara's face.
ANGLE ON WILLOW AND TARA
Tara is holding Willow in her arms.
TARA
Willow, honey… are you okay?
WILLOW
(wide eyed, scared)
She's near. Sh… she's near…
We close in on Willow's face as she keeps repeating the same words over and over.
BLACK OUT
ACT THREE
INTERIOR: MEDICAL ROOM - WATCHER'S U - day
Willow is lying back on a bed being looked over by a doctor. Tara sits next to her stroking her hand.
DOCTOR
A mild form of trauma. It's been
known to happen to those who
are magically tuned in contact
with some artefacts. You'll be
fine.
WILLOW
I could have told you that. I'
going back to the library. Maybe
if I can find that book again I…
Willow tries to get up but Tara stops her.
TARA
You need to rest.
WILLOW
You heard to the doctor. I'm fine.
DOCTOR
I have to concur with your friend.
I suggest you get some sleep
before you think of spending any
more time around potent magic…
Buffy suddenly runs into the room.
BUFFY
Willow! I just heard! I…
WILLOW
I'm okay! But I have to tell you
something…
BUFFY
Yes?
WILLOW
When I touched the book in there…
I got a vision of Lillith. She told me
to give you a message.
BUFFY
(taken aback)
A message?
WILLOW
She's waiting for you.
BUFFY
That's a challenge if ever I've
heard one. Which book?
Willow thinks back. She rubs her head a little.
BUFFY
Are you okay?
WILLOW
Just a little headache. That
vision thing took it out of me…
(beat)
But that book… I think it was
in the Primitive Magics section.
BUFFY
What was the name?
WILLOW
Uh… the, um, Wintrus Book… I
think. I've heard of it before.
It's just a history book. Nothing
else… I just felt a dark presence
when I touched it.
BUFFY
(looks up)
Something it very wrong here. I
don't like it.
TARA
Where's Dawn?
WILLOW
Oh God! She was in the library
with us!
BUFFY
And she didn't notice you collapse?
WILLOW
It's a pretty big library… She must
still be there.
BUFFY
(nods)
That's okay then. I don't want
her on her own here. This place
creeps me out so much.
(to Tara)
Can you help me find this thing?
TARA
Of course.
(notices Willow getting up)
And you're going back to bed.
WILLOW
(Child-like voice)
Aw, do I hafta?
She smiles at Tara and nods although somewhat reluctantly.
EXTERIOR: QUAD WATCHER'S U -- day
Nia and Dawn are walking around now, having a deep conversation.
DAWN
So why wasn't Buffy sent
away from her family?
NIA
You can read a child's portents
at birth and get an idea of
what their future will be.
But chance and free will enter
the picture, and how a girl is
trained affects her chances
a lot. There are also spells
and incantations done that
increase a girl's chances.
They are rather... unpleasant.
DAWN
But Buffy didn't have any of that stuff.
NIA
The current theory is that
when a Slayer dies,
the new Slayer is chosen
by the Powers that Be as the
girl with the best potential
to defeat the current evil.
DAWN
Okay, so at least *someone*
thought Buffy had potential.
NIA
What's your sister like?
DAWN
Huh? Just normal, I guess.
Super stregnth, super speed,
managed to graduate from
high school so has some intelligence.
Bad in the dating department.
Can shop with the best of them
and has fairly good fashion
sense... and if you ever
tell her I said that I'll kill you.
NIA
Oh! I would never repeat a confidence!
(sheepishly)
I've never been given a confidence before.
DAWN
Well, there's usually a
sharing of confidences amongst
friends. So, spill,
got any deep dark secrets?
NIA
Are we... friends?
DAWN
Yeah, sure we are!
Nia smiles, her whole little face brightens. Obviously the Handbook still has friends as a no-no.
NIA
Well, I do know of a
part of the campus they
say is haunted. It's off limits, though.
DAWN
Another thing friends do is
break rules together. Lead on!
INTERIOR: SCARY BUILDING WATCHER'S U
Yup, it would be perfect for a haunted house. We've got cobwebs, we've got dust, we've got broken furniture and things scattered around. The rooms are small, and interconnected. The camera angle is from behind the two girls as they pick their way across the floor.
NIA
This used to be the
Senior Watcher's Dormitory. Supposedly
a demon got loose from one
of the Watcher classes and murdered
the entire class. Their ghosts are still
contacted from time to time by the Council.
DAWN
Yeah, this goes high on
the spook-o-meter.
And I'm from Sunnydale,
that's saying a lot.
NIA
This is fun!
DAWN
(grabs her arm)
Did you hear that?
NIA
What?
DAWN
Shh.
We hear it now too, footsteps. The girls shriek and start running schmuck-bait through the building. They are rounding a corner when they run *SMACK!* into something tall, solid, and clad in tweed.
CUT TO: GIRLS' FACES as they scream!!!
CUT TO: NIGEL'S FACE. Yes, it's the watcher we all love to hate.
NIGEL
Nia! You know you are
not allowed in here!
This building is dangerous!
NIA
Yessir. Sorry sir.
NIGEL
If you leave now,
I won't tell your Watcher.
Nia looks at Dawn, obviously not wanting to leave her new friend, but scared of the wrath of the Cranky Watcher.
NIGEL
(con't)
You're the Slayer's sister, right?
She's probably wondering where
you are… come on, I'll take
you to her. Nia, leave now.
NIA
(Whispers)
Bye, Dawn
Nigel takes Dawn's arm and leads her away down a corridor, in the opposite direction of Nia.
INTERIOR: LIBRARAY WATCHER'S U -- day
Buffy and Tara are escorted by Joann to the library and try to look for the book Willow had - she left it on a table but now it's gone and not on any of the shelves. Bartholemew is having all his flunky librarians search for them, but Buffy is still majorly suspicious. Bartholemew goes off to check one more place. Giles arrives and shoos away some sycophantic Watchers who are following him.
BUFFY
How you coping?
GILES
It's dreadful, absolutely dreadful.
They follow me everywhere, ask
me endless questions…
BUFFY
You're loving it, aren't you?
GILES
(smiling)
They call me "sir". They
had me in a special lecture
with all the Advanced Studies
students, so I could offer
them my unique perspective
on Slayers. Travers
even lent me his academic robes.
BARTHOLEMEW (O.S.)
(yeah, he's REAL happy to see him)
Rupert Thelonius Giles the Third.
GILES
(he's ecastic too)
Bartholemew Maximillian Giles.
BUFFY
(to Bartholemew)
You're a Giles too?
I mean, you're related to him?
BARTHOLEMEW
I should have known.
I heard you were here.
I should have known you'd come
and gloat at the way
you've ruined my life.
GILES
(to Buffy)
Bartholemew is my second cousin...
BARTHOLEMEW
(he's really pissed)
TWICE removed. I'd thank
you to remember that next
time you want to do me
a favor. I thought, well, it
won't be so bad, it would
actually be a good curriculum
vitae boost to work in the
Watcher Council library, get me
into Advanced Studies, but then
you go and do a flit to America
and since *I* was your duly
appointed Deputy, *I* get stuck in
this hellhole! Twelve years later,
I'm still here, and you are
off teaching classes on the Slayer.
Every other staff member
is called by their last name,
EXCEPT myself.
GILES
I only appointed you Deputy
because your mother
asked me to! You had no
other prospects on campus,
you had to resort to nepotism!
BUFFY
(to Tara)
He's using the big words.
TARA
(to Buffy)
I've never seen him this mad.
BARTHOLEMEW
Oh, like you are one to talk
about nepotism! You were expelled
from Oxford, as I remember, and no
University here or on the Continent
would take you with that murder
charge, even though you managed to
get it cleared. So whose daddy was
it who let him into Watcher's U?
Whose daddy was the chancellor?
GILES
And WHO became the
Slayer's Watcher? The Council
must have thought I had some talent.
BARTHOLEMEW
You and I both know why you
became the Slayer's Watcher.
The council was certain she
wouldn't last another month, and
you just happened to be living
in the city her mother moved
her to. They wanted to save
the cost of a plane ticket.
LYDIA
(O.S)
Well, he obviously did
something correctly, Bartholemew,
as his Slayer has survived
longer than any other in our
nine hundred year history.
So maybe the Council's decision
in your promotion request
last year was also similarly wise.
Bartholemew turns, and sees her. His manner immediately changes. He's afraid of her for some reason.
BARTHOLEMEW
Yes, well...
LYDIA
I believe you have customers
waiting for your expert assistance...
BARTHOLEMEW
(dripping with sarcasm)
Yes, well... It was good
seeing you again Rupert.
Do stop by next
time you're in town.
(to the girls)
(drip, drip)
Pleasure meeting you,
I hope the young girl in
the infirmary has a speedy recovery.
Bartholemew leaves them, not quite running.
GILES
Thank you, uh... Lydia?
LYDIA
(smiling)
Yes. I'm so glad we could
renew our acquaintance
under more favorable circumstances.
BUFFY
You mean when you're not trying to
torment my family and friends?
LYDIA
Well, yes.
Buffy's taken aback by her sincerity.
LYDIA
(cont'd)
I'm rather sorry about that
situation last year, but since
then I've been promoted to
Assistant Head of Special Projects,
and I can assure you that
no further inquisitions will
be held against yourself,
or any other Slayer, as long as
I hold my position.
(to Buffy)
I also wanted to tell you, I hold you in
high esteem for the way
you handled Mr. Travers.
BUFFY
Um, well, thanks, I think.
TARA
Buffy-- I don't see Dawn.
BUFFY
What???
TARA
When Willow fainted,
I-- I kind of didn't pay attention to
where Dawn was. But
I'm fairly certain she was in here.
BUFFY
(looking around)
But she's not now. That's ok,
we won't panic yet, we'll just
start looking for her calmly.
LYDIA
I'll alert Security. They'll send
escorts to help you search.
GILES
Good idea. And I'll wait here,
in case she returns.
BUFFY
And if she hasn't
turned up in an hour,
that's when I begin to wig out.
EXTERIOR: SMALL VILLAGE - night
A cloaked figure walks through the rain into the pub. We can see it's quite lively inside. Schmuck baity to the max.
INTERIOR: SMALL VILLAGE PUB - night
The cloaked figure enters and takes off her coat. It's Lillith. Everyone turns their eyes to her (face it, she's a stunner) as she goes to the bar. The bar tender looks up from the newspaper he's reading.
BAR TENDER
Is there anything I can get you?
To drink?
LILLITH
(looking at his neck)
Oh, I'd like to think so.
ACT FOUR
INTERIOR: WATCHER'S U - VARIOUS CORRIDORS - night
ANGLE - BUFFY
She is walking through the corridors closely flanked by a Watcher who's acting as a security guard.
BUFFY
Dawn? Dawn!
ANGLE - TARA
It's a little darker than the corridor that Buffy was in but she's doing the same. Another Watcher follows her with a torch.
TARA
Dawn? Dawnie…
ANGLE - BUFFY
Buffy walks up a much darker corridor now. She sees a light coming from an open door and runs towards it.
BUFFY
Dawn?
BUFFY'S POV: Dawn is sitting silently on a chair.
INTERIOR: WATCHER'S U - SMALL ROOM - night
Buffy walks in and hugs Dawn.
BUFFY
Where were you? We were
worried! Are you okay?
Dawn nods but doesn't say anything. Buffy hears a cough and turns around to see Nigel standing behind her.
BUFFY
Oh.
NIGEL
Slayer… Miss Summers… I didn't
expect to see you here.
BUFFY
(Why are you surprised???)
My sister's here…
NIGEL
Yes, yes. Of course. I found her
wandering around a private building
with another girl. She wasn't meant
to be there and I didn't know where
you were. I brought her here in the
hopes you would be out looking.
BUFFY
(WAY suspicious)
You said you didn't expect me…
NIGEL
(nervously, trying to stay cool)
Y-yes. Indeed. I just didn't think
you would be here so soon…
BUFFY
(Yeah, right)
Okay…
(to Dawn)
Are you ready to come back to
our room?
Dawn nods and gets slowly to her feet.
DAWN
Sure.
Buffy takes her hand and leads her to the door. She turns back to Nigel.
BUFFY
Thanks…
They leave.
ANGLE ON: Nigel as he breathes a sigh of relief and falls back onto the chair that Dawn was sitting on.
INTERIOR: WATCHER'S U - BUFFY'S ROOM - night
Willow and Tara are in Buffy's room. Willow is sitting down on the bed.
Buffy and Dawn walk in. Willow looks up a little brighter.
WILLOW
You found her.
BUFFY
Yeah. One of those Watchers who
came to Sunnydale last year found
her.
TARA
They're really popping up all over the
place…
(to Dawn)
Are you okay?
DAWN
Fine.
BUFFY
(a little apologetically)
She's been quiet since I found her.
(to Dawn)
What'd you see there?
DAWN
The girl said there were ghosts.
There weren't.
BUFFY
Ghosts… creepy Watchers… I'm
hating this place more and more.
I want to find this Lillith and kill
her so we can all go home again.
Buffy looks over to Willow and notices she's rubbing her forehead again.
BUFFY
You okay?
WILLOW
A lot better. A little woozy though.
DAWN
I know the feeling… maybe this
place is haunted after all.
(smiles a little)
The door behind them opens they all turn around quickly to see Giles enter with Quentin.
BUFFY
Is it Lillith?
GILES
(nods)
Yes…
QUENTIN
(interrupting)
We've tracked her down to a
small village approximately ten
miles over the border. I fear it
may be too late.
BUFFY
What's happened?
FADE OUT
EXTERIOR: HYPERIUM HOTEL - LA - evening
We fade in on Angel's hotel.
INTERIOR: HYPERIUM HOTEL - ANGEL'S OFFICE - night
Angel is alone reading, when he hears a pebble clatter on the patio. He grabs an axe and goes out.
INTERIOR: HYPERIUM HOTEL - MAIN FOYER - night
The door is open and it's dark outside. He looks around suspiciously. Suddenly, figure appears behind him, out of weapons reach. Angel spins around quickly but the figure is behind him again.
We see it's Spike. He's got a big grin on his face and is moving quietly, that is until he yells:
SPIKE
BOO!
Angel jumps about three feet in the air, spinning at the same time, lashing out with a kick and swinging the axe, but Spike's not within reach. He's just sitting there with that shit-eating grin of his and a big bag in his hand.
SPIKE
Hallo mate! Don't mind if I stay for a while?
EXTERIOR: SMALL VILLAGE - PUB - night
A car pulls up outside the small village pub. Hey, let's be cheeky and name it The Small Village Pub. It's raining (of course it's raining - not just because it's Britain but it adds to the shmuck baityness (hee hee)) and Buffy gets out.
BUFFY
I've really gotta see if they do
the company car thing when
we're back home…
She walks towards a pub and presses the button on the key to lock up the car.
EXTERIOR: SMALL VILLAGE PUB -- night
She walks into the pub and looks around. There are bodies lying all over the place. Her eyes look to the other side of the room where Lillith is sitting on a bar stool quietly picking her teeth. She sighs wearily and gets to her feet.
LILLITH
Guess we should get on with
this. Do you want to die quickly?
BUFFY
Honey, I've faced down gods, you're
my vacation.
ANGLE ON: Buffy holding a short handled axe.
BUFFY
(cont'd)
Let's dance.
BLACKOUT
TITLE CARD: TO BE CONTINUED