11 INT. HYPERION - LOBBY - CONTINUOUS 11
Angel takes a look around the lobby as everyone is gathered
around, waiting for orders.
ANGEL
(to Stanley)
Should I?
STANLEY
(arrogantly)
By all means.
ANGEL
Here's the plan. We're going to go
see a guy about a soul. We're going
to need all the muscle that we can
get, but that looks to be the least
of our problems. Taylor, Spike,
Connor, Illyria, the slayers, and I
are going to find a shaman.
(beat)
Nina...
Nina blinks, looking almost shocked that Angel is including
her in a plan.
ANGEL (cont'd)
... I need you to take Skye and
Sonia. There are a few items that
we're going to need before we can
start.
SKYE
(offended)
So you're sending us to the grocery
store?!
ANGEL
(beat)
Not exactly.
Skye raises an eyebrow, and we cut to:
12 EXT. WOODED AREA 12
The girls are treading through a dense wooded area, stepping
lightly through the mud and cautiously watching their
surroundings.
SKYE
I can't believe this!
SONIA
I know.
(mocking Angel)
'I'm going to take everyone in
Southern California on this
mission... except you three, of
course.'
(beat)
What the hell is he thinking?
NINA
It isn't that bad.
SKYE
Nina, here's your boyfriend and
you're loyal. We get it, but right
now, the boyfriends... not number
one the list of people that we're
liking.
NINA
No, it's just-
(beat)
God, you guys are right! Why
couldn't he have sent some of their
new 'friends' into the only vast
wooded area within a thousand
miles?
SONIA
I'll tell you why... because
they're having fun playing hero!
They've found someone who is easily
impressed by petty things like
saving the world.
(beat)
Twelve 'someones' to be exact.
SKYE
Seriously, who here hasn't saved
the world on at least one occasion?
NINA
(raises hand)
I haven't.
SONIA
Nope.
SKYE
Yeah, me neither.
(beat)
That's hardly the point, though.
SONIA
I know!
The girls carry on walking as we cut away to:
13 INT. SHAMAN'S HOME 13
In the center of an extremely large, circular room, a man is
knelt down, meditating. He wears a concealing cloak, almost
identical to the shaman from 'Long Day's Journey'.
For several moments, he sits in silence until the door FLIES
open, SLAMMING hard against the wall.
Angel walks valiantly through the door, followed only by
Spike as he stays knelt down, unaffected by the disturbance.
ANGEL
We didn't catch you at a bad time,
did we?
The shaman finally looks up from his meditating.
SHAMAN
(calm)
Not at all. I've been expecting
you.
ANGEL
Good. Then you know why we're here.
SHAMAN
I do.
ANGEL
See, I told you he wasn't a
crackerjack sorcerer.
SPIKE
(sarcastic)
Yeah. I'm very impressed.
SHAMAN
What you ask, however, is
impossible.
ANGEL
See, that's where we differ. I'm a
glass half full kind of guy.
Anything's possible if you put your
mind to it.
SPIKE
Or if we put our foot to your arse!
(beat; off look)
Was that uncalled for?
SHAMAN
(arrogantly)
Your violence will get you nowhere
here.
(beat)
Even if I wanted to offer my help,
which I don't, your friend's soul
is lost in an alternate dimension.
ANGEL
He didn't lose his soul there. He
lost it after we brought him back.
SPIKE
Where's your omnipotence now, you
ponce?
SHAMAN
(ignoring Spike)
It is of no consequence. The feeble
machine you chose only acted as a
catalyst for the physical process.
His soul was long gone before you
ever launched your rescue mission
into Paradyse.
ANGEL
(beat; to Spike)
You said something about violence?
With that, the others file into the room, leaving almost
twenty people staring on at the shaman.
SHAMAN
I was wondering how long you would
wait to play that card.
ANGEL
What can I say? I like to make a
dramatic entrance.
SHAMAN
As do I.
The shaman purposefully closes his eyes for a moment and when
he opens them, an ARMY of demons are standing behind him.
Angel hesitates.
ANGEL
I really should have seen that
coming...
As the two small armies stare each other down, we cut to:
14 EXT. WOODED AREA 14
The girls are huddled around a spot of land, staring at
something on the ground.
SKYE
You think that's one of them?
NINA
It's got to be.
SONIA
(adamantly)
I am not touching that.
(beat; whining)
How did they get one last time?
NINA
I think Wesley got it.
SKYE
It's his soul! He should be the one
out here digging through that!
NINA
Look, we've got to get it one way
or another. It's either crucial to
the spell, or they're playing one
hell of a tasteless joke on us.
Either way, it's got to happen.
SONIA
Well, I'm not touching it.
SKYE
Yeah, you said that already.
SONIA
Excuse me if sticking my hand in
feces isn't how I had planned on
spending my Friday night!
On the ground is a pile of cow crap with a group of colored
mushroom sticking out through the top of it.
SONIA (cont'd)
This has got to be a joke! Why
would they need a crap covered
mushroom?!
NINA
It's supposed to be part of the
hallucinogenic process to get the
mind racing or... I don't know. A
different shaman did the same thing
for Angel, but it was way before my
time.
SONIA
There's got to be a diplomatic way
to solve this.
SKYE
There is... Nina can pick.
SONIA
(surprised)
What?
SKYE
She has seniority. She's been with
Angel since before Wolfram and Hart
did the whole 'hell on earth'
ordeal and that's gotta count for
something, right? Plus, she's older
than us.
(to Nina)
No offense.
SONIA
Fine.
(to Nina)
But don't you dare pick me. I never
even picked up the crap after the
family poodle, and I'll be damned
if I'm digging through the
excrement of what is probably the
only cow in California!
With a brief hesitation and a sigh, Nina kneels down to the
ground and sticks her hand into the pile, getting an
elongated 'eww' from the girls.
Nina holds the group of mushrooms out to her side.
NINA
(grossed out)
I'm going to kill him for this...
Off of Nina's sickened expression, we cut to:
15 INT. SHAMAN'S HOME 15
An incandescent light shines brilliantly across the room as
we fade back into what is left of the battle. Demon bodies
lie scattered across the floor as our large group of heroes
stand valiantly in the center of the room.
Taylor, who has been standing perfectly still, eyes closed,
finally comes back to life, opening his eyes and smiling at
the fruit of his labor.
ANGEL
Impressive.
TAYLOR
Thank you.
SPIKE
Don't let it go to your head,
Sally. I could have taken on a
dozen or so more if you hadn't
worked your last minute mojo. This
was supposed to be a fight, not a
light show!
TAYLOR
(smiling)
And people say that you're
unappreciative.
ANGEL
(to shaman)
Now, about that soul.
SHAMAN
(to Taylor)
Your powers are impressive, indeed,
but they're not enough.
(laughing)
You just don't understand the world
of metaphysics, do you? This curse-
The Shaman SCREAMS in pain as a dagger flies into his
shoulder.
Angel glares at Spike with disdain.
SPIKE
(apathetically)
You would have gotten around to it
eventually. I'm just saving us some
time.
The Shaman pulls the knife from his shoulder with a GASP.
SHAMAN
(laughing uneasily)
Your efforts are futile. I am
unbreakable.
Spike's eyes brighten up as the Shaman makes his
proclamation. He quickly looks to Angel, begging for a chance
with his look.
ANGEL
(sighing)
Fine.
Spike smiles sadistically as we cut to:
16 INT. WOLFRAM & HART - KEEPER'S OFFICE 16
The newly transferred office is still greatly void of
furniture. The desk that had been SHATTERED has since been
replaced, but lies empty.
For several seconds, the room stands empty until THE KEEPER
walks into view from the corner of the room, pacing back and
forth. His rapid pacing continues until HOLLAND MANNERS
appears before him.
MANNERS
You called?
THE KEEPER
The time draws near.
MANNERS
It does, indeed.
(smiling)
We mustn't let our impatience get
the best of us, however. All things
come to those who wait... or so
I've been told.
THE KEEPER
My borrowed powers are already
fading.
MANNERS
Yes. It's an unfortunate, but not
unexpected side effect of the
subject.
(beat)
Things should start looking up
shortly, however. The plan is
moving into its final phases and
you'll get what you need to reign
victorious.
(beat)
Once we get our hands on a fully...
evolved slayer, that little problem
should clear right up.
(beat)
Have faith in the senior partners'
plans. This issue is well within
the vast sphere of their control.
Off of Manners' smile, we:
BLACK OUT:
END OF ACT TWO
ACT THREE
FADE IN:
17 INT. SHAMAN'S HOME - HALLWAY - NIGHT 17
We slowly sweep across the hallway as we peek into the
shaman's room to see everyone standing in the back, talking
as Spike works on convincing the shaman.
On the other side of the door, Wes and his father are
standing alone in the hallway as we hear SCREAMS filter in
from the other room.
ROGER
You made quite the scene back at
the hotel, boy.
WESLEY
It was thirty-four years coming. If
I would have known you were going
to show, I would have made some
notes to adhere to.
ROGER
And just who the hell are you to
criticize my life, Wesley?
WESLEY
Your son.
(beat)
In some cultures that is deemed
acceptable. And then again, in some
cultures, it isn't necessary.
ROGER
What would you have had me done?!
Dig ditches for a living just to
appease you?
WESLEY
No, Father. I would have simply had
you have faith in me for at least
one venture in my lifetime.
ROGER
Funny you should mention Faith.
WESLEY
That was hardly my fault and you
well know it. She was every bit as
volatile as Dana Owens. She only
wore a mask to conceal it.
ROGER
It's a little late now for you to
be back stepping your way out of
the situation, Wesley.
WESLEY
What advice would you have given me
in dealing with Faith? Let's hear
your divine pearl of wisdom.
ROGER
Follow protocol, for one thing!
WESLEY
My whole life has been protocol!
One day after another, following in
Father's footsteps - attend the
Academy, get assigned to a Slayer,
but nothing was ever good enough
for you.
ROGER
You gave me little reason-
WESLEY
(furious)
I gave you every reason! I think
that you secretly hoped that I
would fail only to feel better
about yourself. You couldn't stand
to see me rise above the legacy
that you left behind. And that...
that is why I could never love you.
Roger goes uncharacteristically silent as Wes stares angrily
at him.
A moment later, the girls round the corner, Nina leading the
others.
NINA
(to Roger)
Are they ready to start?
Another SCREAM rings out, and Nina sighs.
NINA (cont'd)
Never mind...
We cut from the tense scene outside the shaman's home to:
18 INT. SHAMAN'S HOME - ROOM - CONTINUOUS 18
Nina, Skye, and Sonia walk into the populated room to find
Spike still busy at work. The shaman's cloaked face has been
revealed and is readily flowing blood as Spike PUNCHES him
again.
SKYE
Get the items so Spike could kill
the shaman and make our night
pointless...
I guess I didn't catch that part of
the plan back at the hotel.
SPIKE
Just killing time till you arrived,
luv. Got kind of bored without you.
SKYE
Yeah, right.
Spike smiles back at Skye before throwing another RIGHT HOOK
that gets another SCREAM.
ANGEL
Did you get it?
NINA
Yes.
(quickly)
And if you ever send me shifting
through crap again, me leaving you
will be the least of your problems.
ANGEL
Uh... sorry?
NINA
(tetchy)
Just do the damn spell and let's
get this over with!
ANGEL
We're trying.
(loudly)
Spike is just taking his sweet
time!
SPIKE (O.S)
Oi! I don't see you over here doing
any kind of leg work!
A moment later, Spike walks back into view.
SPIKE (cont'd)
It's useless. My knuckles are sore
and he's not getting any more
friendly.
ANGEL
Maybe he's got some kind of spell
protecting him.
SPIKE
Either way, till you think of
something better, we're screwed.
Angel's face goes cold, leaving Spike with a curious gaze.
ANGEL
Spike!
Spike instinctively ducks to the ground, revealing the shaman
running in his with a battle axe. Angel HURLS a dagger in his
direction, landing perfectly between his eyes.
Spike turns around as the shaman PLOPS back upon the ground.
SPIKE
Some sort of spell, you say?
Illyria rushes into view.
ILLYRIA
You destroyed the only man that
could help Wesley!
ANGEL
He was trying to kill Spike.
ILLYRIA
(staring at Spike)
It would have been an acceptable
loss.
SPIKE
(offended)
Hey!
(to Angel)
You find something else you want,
like averting an apocalypse or a
new pair of shoes, you have my
permission to trade her in!
TAYLOR
Guys?
Illyria and Spike both stop to look to Taylor.
TAYLOR (cont'd)
Unless you're both just hell bent
on killing each other, I may have a
solution to this.
SPIKE
What? Another light show?
TAYLOR
(beat)
Something like that.
We dissolve from Taylor's grin to:
19 INT. SHAMAN'S HOME - ROOM - LATER 19
The room stands quiet as everyone is gathered around Taylor.
ANGEL
(concerned)
You're sure you can do this?
TAYLOR
(beat)
No.
A collective sigh fills the room.
TAYLOR (cont'd)
But it looks like I'm the last
qualified person that's breathing.
ANGEL
Have you ever done anything like
this before?
TAYLOR
No. Re-ensouling people wasn't
something that The Council had a
big market for, but you guys know
the basics of the spell. I'm
powerful enough, I just have to
test it out.
ANGEL
(not enthused)
On Wesley.
TAYLOR
Unless you have another soulless
test pilot laying around?
NINA
(to Angel)
Honey, it's the only option that we
have.
ANGEL
We don't even know if something
like this is possible for him.
ROGER (O.S)
It's entirely possible, vampire.
Mr. Hammonds is utterly capable of
such a spell.
Everyone turns to watch Roger walk into the room and stand
alongside Taylor.
ROGER (cont'd)
He was, after all, considered one
of the best outside sources of
conjuring that The Council had at
its disposal.
TAYLOR
(surprised)
One of the best? Really?
SPIKE
(rolling his eyes)
Oh, Jesus.
ANGEL
So he can pull this off?
ROGER
If he isn't too rusty. The way the
story has been told to me, he went
soft for a number of years.
Taylor stares angrily at Roger for a moment.
ROGER (cont'd)
But if he feels confident, there's
no need for us all to stand around
a corpse laden room with no
purpose. We should begin.
TAYLOR
I'm not really that positive about
the spell...
ROGER
Not to worry. I'm fully aware of
the ritual.
(beat)
As is Wesley. He did the majority
of the work to take...
(motioning to Angel)
... this creature's soul, if I'm
not mistaken. Same process.
Roger looks to the door.
ROGER (cont'd)
Could someone-
SPIKE
(quickly)
On it!
Spike hurries from the room and moments later, we hear a
THWOP, followed by:
WESLEY (O.S)
(angrily)
Ow! Fine. I'm going, you cretin!
Wes enters the room, followed by Spike as he looks
apathetically at everyone in the room.
WESLEY (cont'd)
I detest you all.
SPIKE
(sincerely)
Should I hit him again?
Off of Spike's sincere expression, we cut to: