6x08
Script created with Final Draft by Final Draft, Inc.
[
bottom
]
TEASER
SLOW FADE IN:
1 EXT. LONDON – TWILIGHT 1
TITLE OVER – London, 1846
It's just another day in ol' London. Two drunks are expelled
from The Winchester, a rowdy-looking pub, passing two cooing
Prostitutes, who fall quiet as a pair of Policemen stroll by.
As the police leave the scene, ANGELUS strolls into frame, a
wry smile on his face. He has a nasty cut above his right
eye, and wears some smart clothes suitable for the era. He
stares at something off screen.
A wealthy-looking DUKE steps up and into the Winchester,
flanked by two burly bodyguards.
Angelus smirks, and follows the men inside.
2 INT. THE WINCHESTER. NIGHT. 2
The Pub is thriving, but not merry. Sporadic fights litter
the floor, the odd thrown bottle or broken chair smashing all
around us.
The Duke strolls past the bar, nodding his head once to the
Bartender, who returns the nod and goes back to waving his
shotgun at the rowdy punters.
Angelus takes in the carnage for a moment with a smile. He'd
love to get involved, especially when he sees a pretty young
thing slumped in the corner, gently rocking back and forth as
she cries her little heart out.
He makes to step forward, but an EASTEND THUG gets in his
way. Brandishing a knife, he displays serious cajones.
EASTEND THUG
Where'd ya think you're going, Guv?
ANGELUS
Oh, I have an appointment with The
Duke.
EASTEND THUG
I don't think you do, somehow. I
think you've got a more pressing
appointment with my blade in your
belly! Hand over your cash, fancy
pants.
Angelus sighs.
Then he lashes out - one PUNCH sends the thug reeling against
the wall. He drops the knife.
Angelus scoops it up and drives it into the thug's chest. The
thug HOWLS as Angelus digs the knife in deeper.
The thug pales, then stiffens, and Angelus pushes his dead
body to the floor with an off screen THUD. Angelus still
holds the knife, and takes a moment to check no-one is
watching…
… and then he licks the knife clean of blood.
3 INT. THE WINCHESTER – PRIVATE ROOM. NIGHT. 3
In the centre of this small room is a table where the Duke is
laying out playing cards. He doesn't look up as Angelus
enters, the bodyguards sizing him up.
DUKE
Good evening, friend. If you've
made it this far then you must be
here for only one thing.
ANGELUS
That I am, sir.
DUKE
So I take it you play Blackjack?
ANGELUS
I have been known to split a deck
or two.
DUKE
Indeed.
Angelus takes a seat as the Duke's practiced hands split the
deck and flip a hand of cards to each man.
DUKE
I'll be bank.
ANGELUS
What rules do ye play by?
DUKE
Three games. First to win two games
wins.
ANGELUS
What's the bounty?
DUKE
Services rendered. I have many
favours that require men of a
certain character to accomplish
them… and you look like the sort
who I could find useful.
Angelus smiles and checks his cards.
DUKE
Are you in?
ANGELUS
Surely you don't have to ask, sir!
DUKE
Very well. You start.
Angelus lifts up his cards. He studies them for a moment. He
has a five of diamonds and an ace of clubs.
ANGELUS
Twist me.
The Duke passes Angelus a card. He eyes it.
ANGELUS
Twist.
Another card.
ANGELUS
Twist.
Another card. A grin creeps across Angelus' face.
ANGELUS
Isn't that a kick?
He shows the Duke his cards.
ANGELUS
Best believe that is a five-card
trick.
The Duke scowls, snatches the cards and puts them back into
the deck, then proceeds to shuffle them.
DUKE
Well played, my friend. Now, you
are the banker.
ANGELUS
Been called worse in my time.
The Duke studies his cards and maintains his stoic expression
as Angelus eyes his cards. King of Hearts and Jack of Hearts.
He smiles.
ANGELUS
Mighty fine hand. Stick!
The Duke puts his cards on the table. He has a Queen of
Spades and an Ace of Diamonds.
DUKE
Blackjack.
Angelus stares at the table for a moment. All of a sudden, he
starts laughing. Its an un-nerving laugh, and behind his cool
facade, the Duke becomes seriously creeped out.
DUKE
What, pray tell, is so funny?
ANGELUS
Not much. Just that the game was
best two out of three… and there
happens to be three of you. What
are the odds?
The Bodyguard nearest Angelus senses trouble brewing a lays a
heavy hand on Angelus' shoulder – but the vampire snaps his
elbow into the man's gut, who doubles over.
The Second Bodyguard swings his sword at Angelus, but he
shifts the first man round to soak up the blade, grabbing the
other sword and driving it into the bodyguard's chest. He
sinks to his knees with a groan.
Angelus, flushed, smoothes his hair back down and turns to
the Duke, who is backing away, terrified.
Angelus grins - and then throws the second sword through the
air.
It IMPALES the Duke, who slumps to the floor, looking with
shock from the blade in his stomach, to Angelus, and back.
Angelus pauses long enough to scoop up some stray cash
sitting on the card table, then with a mock salute to the
fallen Duke, he exits the room and shuts the door.
BLACK OUT:
END OF TEASER
ACT ONE
FADE IN:
4 INT. SPIKE'S OFFICE. DAY. 4
SPIKE strolls into the office, absently reading through a
newspaper as he sips from a plain black mug. SKYE is also in
the office, but she's sitting at Spike's desk and playing a
game on a Playstation console hooked up to an old TV set.
Spike double takes as he sees the set up and steps back to
examine it as Skye, concentrating on the game, mutters a few
curses as she struggles with the controls.
SPIKE
Skye?
SKYE
Ssh! Not now…
SPIKE
Right.
(beat)
Hang on!
Spike reaches over and flicks the TV off. Skye blinks, slowly
lowers the controller and fixes Spike with a murderous stare.
SKYE
You have no idea what you just did…
SPIKE
Er, sorry to burst your little
bubble of comfort, pet, but this is
my office, and you're sitting at my
desk, playing on a games console I
didn't buy! Where did all that come
from?
Skye looks at the TV and console, then back at Spike, trying
to look innocent.
SKYE
Um… I bought it?
SPIKE
With what money? Thought you didn't
have enough to pay any rent, that's
why you've been here for nothing
for the past few weeks?
SKYE
(beat; thinks)
I found some?
Spike sighs and shakes his head as he throws the paper onto
the desk and motions with his thumb for Skye to move. She
gets up and perches on the other, bare desk in the office as
Spike puts his feet up, shoving the TV and console out of the
way.
SPIKE
Look, just don't tell me you nicked
it, or I'll-
SKYE
Alright, I'm sorry. You remember
that couple we helped out a few
days back? Attacked by the vampire
pack just past that new Starbucks'
place?
SPIKE
Hard not to, you shoved me out of
the way so you could kill 'em all
first…
SKYE
Well… the husband kind of gave me
some cash to say thanks, and…
SPIKE
And don't tell me. You pocketed it
instead of spreading the wealth.
Skye nods sheepishly. Spike stares at her for a moment, then
starts to laugh.
SPIKE
Oh, your face is a real picture!
Forget about it, Skye. I'd have
done the same.
SKYE
(brightens up)
You would?
SPIKE
Yeah. Difference is, I wouldn't
have told anyone.
Spike sips from his mug and holds one outstretched palm
towards Skye.
SPIKE
So hand over the rest. Consider it
your first rent payment.
Skye pulls a face but fishes out her wallet, taking out a
bundle of green dollars and handing them to Spike, who shoves
them in his jeans pocket.
ILLYRIA stalks into the room, not looking at either vampire
as she heads for the window. Skye watches her, but Spike
doesn't look up.
SKYE
How come she doesn't have to pay
rent?
SPIKE
Would you like to ask her?
SKYE
(beat)
Point taken.
Skye hops off the desk and walks over to Illyria, who is
leaning with one arm against the window frame, looking
outside with a faraway expression.
SKYE
What's up, Blue? You missed your
usual insult at us when you came
down. You feeling alright? 'Cause,
you know, if you were looking a
little pale, it'd be kind of hard
to tell…
ILLYRIA
I feel…
(shakes head)
It does not concern you. You would
not understand.
SKYE
You wanna go out and kill things?
ILLYRIA
I have no interest in that today.
Skye raises an eyebrow and glances at Spike, who shrugs.
SKYE
Now that doesn't sound like you at
all! Something on your mind?
Illyria turns to face Skye, looking like she's searching for
the words for a moment, then looking down and shaking her
head again.
ILLYRIA
Perhaps we will talk about it
later.
Skye picks up on what isn't said – something's getting to
Illyria, but she doesn't know how to express it.
She reaches out and lays a hand gently on Illyria's arm – and
Illyria doesn't swat it away, as you'd expect. Even Spike
notices this, but sits up and clears his throat to break the
moment.
SPIKE
Sorry to interrupt that touching
Kodak moment you two ladies were
having, but…
(holds up paper)
We've got a job.
As Spike tosses the paper towards Skye, we cut to:
5 INT. HYPERION – LOBBY. DAY. 5
ANGEL catches the paper from the air and starts to read
through it as CONNOR walks into frame.
CONNOR
Spotted it on the way over, thought
you might wanna go take a look.
ANGEL
(reads)
'Orthodox Jew Indoor Badminton
Tournament'?
CONNOR
(flips paper over)
Not that, this. 'Wild animal
attacks on the increase in town
outside Pasadena.' I wouldn't
normally have spotted it, but
something about it just suggested
'demon.'
ANGEL
It did? What part?
CONNOR
Uh, right there, when the guy they
interviewed says-
(bad yokel accent)
'An' I swear, I dun saw the monster
right there afore me, like a gorram
demon or sumpin'!'
Angel raises an eyebrow at Connor's bad impression, and
Connor just rolls his eyes and heads for Angel's office.
6 INT. HYPERION – ANGEL'S OFFICE. DAY. 6
Angel follows Connor in, still reading the paper.
ANGEL
It says there've been several
attacks over the past few months,
but this last week or two they've
been on the rise, with people going
missing from the town, and in some
instances bodies showing up, with
bite marks and signs of some kind
of wild animal attack.
CONNOR
Yeah, I know. Pretty cool, huh?
ANGEL
I wouldn't say, 'cool,' but I would
say-
The office phone RINGS. Angel sits down and answers.
ANGEL
Hello?
7 INT. SPIKE'S OFFICE. DAY. 7
Spike is at his desk, feet up as he talks to Angel.
SPIKE
Alright, traitor, how's tricks?
ANGEL
(filtered; through phone)
Spike? What do you want?
SPIKE
You've probably seen that piece in
the paper about the wild animal
attacks in Pasadena. Well, I
spotted it too, and I'm just
calling you to tell you not to
bother lugging that gargantuan
cranium of yours down there to
check it out – my fearless team is
on the case.
ANGEL
(bemused)
So what, are you warning me off?
SPIKE
Bloody right, I am! It's a
cutthroat world out there, mate,
gotta stay one step ahead.
ANGEL
Spike, don't you think calling me
and telling me what you're going to
do next kind of takes away the
element of surprise?
SPIKE
(beat)
Naff off.
Spike SLAMS the phone down, not looking too happy.
SPIKE
(mutters)
Git…
Skye enters the office, a greasy fast food restaurant bag in
her hands. She shoves fries into her mouth as she heads over.
SKYE
So what'd he say?
SPIKE
Doesn't matter. Important thing is,
it's our job now, so let's get
moving.
SKYE
(glances at window)
But it's still light out, hadn't we
better wait till later?
Spike stands and grabs his leather jacket from the back of a
chair.
SPIKE
We'll be alright. That car with the
tinted windows I borrowed from
Wolfram & Hart'll get us there in
one piece, then you can do some
recon till me and Blue can sneak in
and join you.
SKYE
And by 'borrowed,' you mean-
SPIKE
Stolen, yes.
(smirks)
It was one of Angel's favourites,
how could I resist? Do me a favour,
go and get Illyria, pet.
Skye nods and heads for the staircase.
8 INT. SPIKE'S OFFICES – UPPER FLOOR. DAY. 8
Skye walks up to Illyria's room, rapping her knuckles against
the door.
SKYE
Illyria? Get your stuff together,
we're moving out.
(beat)
Illyria? You in there?
9 INT. ILLYRIA'S ROOM. DAY. 9
We pan across the sparsely furnished room – and pick up a
tall mirror, all by itself in the middle of the room. With
Skye's knocking continuing from outside, there's a beat
before Illyria steps into frame – but she's assumed the form
of FRED, dressed in typical Fred-esque clothes.
Fred stares at herself in the mirror, turning from side to
side, examining herself carefully.
Skye knocks again, and Fred turns to the door.
FRED
Just a minute!
Illyria looks back at the mirror, wide-eyed, surprised by her
own response, then with a shake of her head MORPHS back into
her normal, blue-haired guise.
10 INT. SPIKE'S OFFICES – UPPER FLOOR. DAY. 10
Illyria yanks the door open as Skye is mid-knock. Skye blinks
at the stern-looking Illyria then steps back.
SKYE
Sorry, didn't mean to disturb you.
We've got to ship out quick, we
need to drive out to Pasadena.
ILLYRIA
What is the situation?
SKYE
I dunno, demons or something. Guess
we'll find out when we get there!
Skye walks off screen, and with a last, almost guilty look
over her shoulder at the mirror, Illyria closes the door and
follows Skye off screen.
11 EXT. LONDON – STREET. NIGHT. 11
Angelus steps out of The Winchester, a little disheveled from
his fight, but pauses to smooth his clothes and hair down
before walking back along the street.
The camera rises as he walks below us, off screen, back up to
the first floor of the pub and towards the window:
12 INT. THE WINCHESTER – PRIVATE ROOM. NIGHT. 12
And we're back inside the scene of the card game, the Duke
and his two bodyguards still very dead, sprawled across the
floor.
We push in closer on the Duke, sword embedded in his chest,
and when we're up close to his face – his eyes FLICK OPEN.
Pull back to take in the whole room as the Duke leaps to his
feet with a YELL, throwing his fists around as though still
fighting some imaginary opponent.
After a few moments, he calms down – and then realises the
sword is no longer in his chest. He pats himself down,
checking for injuries, then slowly turns round.
And there on the floor is the still dead body of the Duke,
eyes shut.
The Duke, or rather the Duke's Ghost, wilts a little, lost
for words.
DUKE'S GHOST
(long beat)
Oh…
13 INT. HYPERION – LOBBY. DAY. 13
Angel is heading back upstairs as Connor calls out to him
from the middle of the lobby.
CONNOR
So that's it? You're just gonna let
him go?
ANGEL
Spike's gone solo before, Connor,
there'll be no talking him down.
Best thing to do is just leave him
to it.
CONNOR
So what are we gonna do instead?
ANGEL
(beat; smiles)
Take a day off.
Connor grins back as Angel turns down one of the corridors.
14 INT. BASEMENT CAR PARK. DAY. 14
Spike, Skye and Illyria walk across a quiet sub-level car
park, Spike jangling the car keys in one hand.
SKYE
I still don't see why we have to
leave the car so far away…
SPIKE
(tetchy)
When we're making enough money to
rent our own parking spot, then
we'll see, alright? Besides, this
is the safest way to get to the car
when the sun's up.
Spike deactivates the alarm and nods towards the girls.
SPIKE
Hop in. I'll drive.
15 INT. SPIKE'S CAR. DAY. 15
Skye and Illyria shuffle across the back seat – the interior
of the car is pretty luxurious, with soft leather seats and
plenty of gadgets and extras.
Spike gets in and starts the engine.
SPIKE
Right, simple plan. We drive out
there, then me and Illyria'll wait
outside the town limits while you
go in and scope the place out. When
it's safer for me to move around,
we'll head in and meet you.
ILLYRIA
(to Skye)
I still do not understand how you
can walk in the sunlight, yet your
body is that of a vampire.
SKYE
(shrugs)
Me either. Neat, huh?
Spike starts to leave the garage, the bright sunlight outside
safely filtered through the tinted glass.
SPIKE
We've got one pit stop to make
first, though.
(turns to Illyria)
We need to do something about your
look, your Highness!
Illyria throws a puzzled look at Spike, as we cut to:
16 INT. DISCOUNT CLOTHES STORE. DAY. 16
Illyria, a long, plain coat wrapped round her, stares at her
reflection. Her hair is pulled back in a long ponytail, and
she wears a pair of large, dark sunglasses, making her look
almost normal for a change.
ILLYRIA
I resemble a bad jester I ate once…
SPIKE
Stop complaining. We need to be
subtle here, and having you stroll
around like a Marilyn Manson
groupie won't help us get on the
good side of the locals!
SKYE
I think she looks kinda cool.
Understated, you know.
SPIKE
(not listening)
Yeah, anyway, so this is the deal.
If your majesty doesn't think she
can handle dressing like one of the
common people, then you're more
than welcome to stay home…
Illyria looks back at her reflection, then cocks her head to
one side – and SMILES very briefly.
ILLYRIA
This will suffice.
SPIKE
Oh, I'm so glad. Skye, pay the man,
would you?
SKYE
But… you took all my money!
SPIKE
(feigned innocence)
Did I?
Or did I just take all your illicit
prize money, which should still
have left you enough to buy Illyria
some new duds?
SKYE
(beat; scowls)
Buffy warned me about this.
SPIKE
(grins)
Hate to let a girl down!
As Skye heads towards the counter, we cut to:
17 EXT. HOSANNA TOWN LIMITS. DAY. 17
Hosanna is a quiet desert town, a settlement with more dirt
tracks than tarmac roads, and an assortment of buildings in
all shapes and sizes spread out across a few square miles of
the scorched landscape.
There's plenty of movement with cars and trucks rolling up
and down the roads, but our attention is drawn instead to a
set of caves tunneled into the mountain ridge overlooking the
town.
We push closer into the gloom of these red rocks until the
town is almost out of sight – and as we do, a pair of baleful
red EYES peer out of the gloom at us – and soon another pair
join them. And another.
And another.
And another still, as we:
BLACK OUT:
END OF ACT ONE
ACT TWO
FADE IN:
18 EXT. HOSANNA TOWN LIMITS. LATE AFTERNOON. 18
The sun is setting overhead but still enough to keep Spike in
the car as he rolls it to a stop just by the 'Welcome To
Hosanna' sign.
Skye gets out, shades on and squinting around at the town
spread out before her. She leaves the door open so Spike can
shout out to her.
SKYE
Is this it? What a dump! Place
looks like a fricken Amish
community gone bad…
SPIKE
You're not here to pass judgement,
luv, you're here to find out what
you can about those attacks! If you
get a location, we can go check
tonight and hopefully clean the
place out, then in the morning we
bring in the bodies and accept the
thanks and cash of the townsfolk.
SKYE
And that's the plan?
SPIKE
That's the plan. Scoot.
Spike starts the car and drives off, kicking up a cloud of
dust that Skye coughs through, before scanning the streets.
Her gaze settles on the nearest bar and she heads across the
quiet road to it.
[
top
| next
]
Script created with Final Draft by Final Draft, Inc.