TEASER
FADE IN:
1 EXT. CLEVELAND CITY - DAY 1
The sun shines brightly over the city, showing it off in all
its glory. A beautiful place.
CUT TO:
2 EXT. PARK 2
The park is quite big, with climbing frames and swings
scattering the area. Two familiar faces come into view.
DAWN
So. That's it?
BUFFY
I guess.
DAWN
Kinda... strange.
BUFFY
Kinda.
Dawn stops.
DAWN
Wait. Giles told you we had to come
to Cleveland because there's a
Hellmouth beneath it?
BUFFY
That's kinda what I meant when I
said Giles told me we had to come
to Cleveland because there's a
Hellmouth beneath it.
DAWN
I know. I get it. There needs to be
a Slayer here, a guardian.
(beat)
But, Buffy, I thought we'd seen the
last of the wars. I thought, maybe,
with the end of Sunnydale and loads
of new Slayers everywhere, we could
just have a... normal life.
BUFFY
(smiles)
A normal life? Us? C'mon, Dawn, you
seriously think we could go back to
just being civilians after all that
we've seen. All we've been through?
(beat)
I'm the most qualified Slayer for
the job. Most of the new Slayers
have no idea how to use their
power, where it came from. I do. If
there's another Hellmouth, then
that's where I've gotta be.
(beat)
Plus, we need to live somewhere and
Giles said if we moved here he
would help with the house buying.
DAWN
He bribed you?
She looks to Buffy as she nods. They continue.
DAWN (cont'd)
So... is this Hellmouth bigger?
BUFFY
God, I hope not!
DAWN
Can't we just get the Slayer line
back together and "Sunnydale" its
ass?
BUFFY
I don't think that's how it works.
(beat)
And that would just be monotonous.
DAWN
You know what I'm thinking?
BUFFY
Surprisingly, I don't.
DAWN
Shopping. I'm having a shoe
craving.
BUFFY
On our budget? The only way we
could get new shoes is if we
Crocodile Dundee'd it.
DAWN
Shaved with a knife?
BUFFY
No! Kill a crocodile, skin it, and
wear it on our feet. Beat.
DAWN
Did he do that?
CUT TO:
3 INT. PEACHY'S CAFE 3
The small run down cafe doesn't exactly live up to it's name.
It's less peachy, more solemn. At one of the tables sits
Willow Rosenberg. The red headed witch, tapping away at her
laptop, refusing to touch her stone cold coffee.
XANDER
I couldn't find the vending
machine.
There he is, the one eyed man of the moment. He has
customised his eye patch though. It now has a small "X" in
the right hand corner.
WILLOW
You mean we might actually have to
eat some of this food? Kill me now.
XANDER
Hey, it may not live up to Robot-
Ted's amazing cooking, but at least
it's food... I think.
WILLOW
I don't even think the chef is
human.
XANDER
We're sitting on the Hellmouth. It
wouldn't surprise me. He looks over
at her laptop.
XANDER(cont'd)
Whatcha doing?
WILLOW
Buffy asked me to pull up any info
on this city that I could find.
XANDER
She wanted to get a heads up?
WILLOW
I guess.
(beat)
There are a lot of unsolved cases
here. Like, the "torso killer," who
claimed thirteen lives and has
never been caught.
XANDER
A mutilating demon?
WILLOW
I don't think so. More like a
mutilating human.
XANDER
(grim)
I like it better when demons are
evil and humans are heroes.
WILLOW
And Lake Erie... no wonder it has
that name.
XANDER
Demons? C'mon, Will, share the
XFile with me.
WILLOW
Just "unnatural" occurrences in
that area. Nothing demon-y like.
Although, there was a sighting of
an oversized snake-like-thing.
(beat)
Oh, wait. That guy was mentally
unstable.
The doors to the cafØ open and in walk Buffy and Dawn. They
stride to where their friends are sitting and take their
seats.
BUFFY
(to Willow)
Hey. You got anything apocalypse
like?
WILLOW
Not as such. For a city on a
Hellmouth, Cleveland is pretty
tame.
XANDER
Yeah. Well, that's if you don't
count the insane serial killing
humans here.
DAWN
We have them?
XANDER
Mr Torso Man was never caught.
WILLOW
Xand, I think he'd be a little old
to be hacking away at bodies now.
XANDER
Don't underestimate old people,
they've got them shifty eyes.
DAWN
Like Ms Demolski next door- She
stops. Regains herself.
DAWN (cont'd)
Or at least, she was next door
until we destroyed Sunnydale.
XANDER
You know. All the things about
vampires and demons over the past
seven years, I've dealt and managed
to partially understand it all. But
what I don't get is how the
destruction of Sunnydale was put
down to "an epidemic."
BUFFY
It's true in a way. You know, the
Uber-Vamps were like a plague.
WILLOW
Yeah. If plagues were strong, big,
and terrifying minions of the First
Evil.
DAWN
I'm thirsty.
(calls out)
Is there any service in this place?
She looks around but can't see anyone.
WILLOW
(to Buffy)
You heard anything more from Giles?
BUFFY
Not much. He's still in England at
the new Watchers Council. I don't
think he really has time to... you
know.
WILLOW
But he's the one who said we had to
come out here. He sounded like
something big was gonna go down.
XANDER
Yeah, and he's just holding back on
us.
DAWN
Must be bad then.
BUFFY
No. No. He's just British and, you
know, dodge-y. I'm sure he'll tell
us everything there is to know when-
She stops, seeing a waiter approach them. None of them look
up at him.
DAWN
Finally some service.
ANDREW
Oh my God.
Everyone looks up to see Andrew Wells, last seen months ago
after the Sunnydale situation.
ANDREW (cont'd)
It's like a reunion!
BLACK OUT.
END OF TEASER
ACT ONE
FADE IN:
4 INT. PEACHY'S CAFE - DAY 4
As before. Andrew is hovering over the table, his note pad
still at the ready. The rest of the gang exchange looks.
XANDER
Andrew. You're here.
(beat)
Why are you here?
ANDREW
It's a long story. He takes a seat,
pushing Dawn aside.
ANDREW (cont'd)
After the Sunnydale thing, I
realised that my calling in life
was to do good, to redeem myself
from the evil things I did. And of
course, with no forwarding address
for you guys, I got in touch with
Giles and he pointed me in this
direction.
(beat)
I had to get a job to pay for my
rent. Didn't think you'd be so
slack in getting here.
BUFFY
Giles told you where we were?
(to Willow)
Add that to the list of things we
need to discuss.
DAWN
(to Andrew)
So, you're here for good? Like,
here, Cleveland?
ANDREW
I'm here to fulfill my destiny.
BUFFY
You have a destiny?
ANDREW
It's more of a self-proclaimed
prophecy. I've decided to stay on
the path of redemption and fight
the good fight.
Beat.
XANDER
Had nowhere else to go, huh?
ANDREW
You guys were my last resort. Buffy
stands.
BUFFY
Well, it was... interesting seeing
you again, Andrew. But I really
should be going to view some
houses.
DAWN
I need to go with! She jumps up.
BUFFY
(to Willow)
You'll keep looking?
WILLOW
Um, yeah. Sure.
Buffy nods as she and Dawn make a break for the exit. Andrew
smiles at Xander and Willow in the awkward silence.
ANDREW
So-
WILLOW
(interrupting)
I also need to go... away. She gets
up but Xander grabs her arm.
XANDER
No you don't.
WILLOW
I do. I have... things I need to do
and... Kennedy! She'll be wondering
where I am.
She breaks free of his grip and quickly rushes away. Andrew
turns to Xander. There's a real long silence.
ANDREW
So you've still only got one eye?
CUT TO:
5 INT. WILLOW'S HOTEL ROOM 5
Kennedy is sitting on the bed watching TV. She sees the door
open and Willow enter. Her face lights up instantly. She
grabs the remote and turns the TV off.
KENNEDY
Hey. Where you been?
WILLOW
Researching. And then had a slight
case of Andrew Wells.
KENNEDY
Huh?
WILLOW
Oh, he's apparently come to fight
the good fight... and also, works
in the cafØ downtown.
KENNEDY
Great. I thought the whole idea of
not giving him details of our move
were so he wouldn't follow.
WILLOW
Yeah, that was the plan. I don't
think anyone let Giles in on it
though.
Willow sets her laptop down and sits beside Kennedy.
KENNEDY
So... now I've got you all to
myself?
WILLOW
I don't see anyone else here.
KENNEDY
Good. Because there's something I
have been dying to show you.
WILLOW
(hopeful)
You have?
Kennedy nods and pulls out a real estate brochure. She hands
it to Willow.
WILLOW
What's this?
KENNEDY
I was thinking, if we're gonna be
living in Cleveland then it should
be a fresh start. You know, and
Buffy's new house won't have room
for us all. You remember how
cramped it was before?
WILLOW
Yeah but... that was with loads of
potentials. There's just us now. We
don't need to... I mean...
KENNEDY
Are you freaked?
WILLOW
What? No. It's just... whoa,
commitment.
KENNEDY
You're freaked. I knew you would
be. It's a stupid idea.
She grabs the brochure but Willow doesn't let go.
WILLOW
No. It is. Really.
(beat)
How could we afford a place? I'm
not working yet and you... you've
never worked because you're parents
are like gazillionaires and
suddenly realising that's where you
plan to get the money.
KENNEDY
I have a trust fund. Enough money
to set me up with a decent sized
house.
WILLOW
Kennedy, we can't-
KENNEDY
It's up to you, Red. Do you think
you could live with me permanently?
Willow hesitates for a moment but forms a big grin. She nods
as they roll back on the bed.
CUT TO:
6 EXT. NEW SUMMERS RESIDENCE - FRONT YARD 6
It's a big house. Well, about the same size as the old one in
Sunnydale. [Note the address: 251 Rockwell Avenue]. It's a
nice quiet neighborhood, with trees surrounding the area.
CUT TO:
7 INT. SUMMERS RESIDENCE - LOUNGE 7
It's just called "Summers Residence" now, we all know the old
house was destroyed. The inside of the house is just as nice
as the outside. It's quite modern. Magnolia painted walls,
shelving units, cabinets, TV unit. A three-piece suite is
covered by sheets, as well as a few lamps and a rocking chair
by the window. There are traditional wooden floors, bringing
out the natural beauty of the room. And the window is HUGE!
The front door BURSTS open and in walks JACKSON SHAW, a
handsome Realtor. He moves into the lounge, followed by a
cautious Buffy, and a curious Dawn.
JACKSON
So. This is 251 Rockwell Avenue.
You'll notice that it's exactly how
it looked in the brochures.
DAWN
It's big. Like... big, big.
JACKSON
It has four bedrooms and a
basement.
DAWN
So, big then, huh?
JACKSON
Miss Summers?
BUFFY & DAWN
Yeah?
Buffy shoots Dawn a look.
JACKSON
The older Miss Summers.
(to Buffy)
What do you think?
BUFFY
About?
JACKSON
The house, of course.
BUFFY
It's... is it evil?
JACKSON
Excuse me?
BUFFY
Do things move on their own? Are
there any ghost stories? Were
torsos found here?
DAWN
Ha! She's kidding. It's what she
does. Buffy the joker.
JACKSON
I can assure you this house is in
perfect condition.
BUFFY
Didn't answer my question though.
DAWN
Buffy!
JACKSON
No, it's not evil.
(beat)
Although it is built on an Indian
burial ground.
Buffy and Dawn both look to the ground.
JACKSON (cont'd)
That's me being a joker.
DAWN
Oh. Yeah. Funny.
Dawn proceeds through to the other room, which leads to the
Kitchen. Buffy turns to Jackson.
BUFFY
It's a nice house.
JACKSON
It is. If I was looking for
somewhere I would snap this up
right away.
BUFFY
You get paid to say that, right?
JACKSON
I'm that transparent?
BUFFY
Cassie the blind dog can see
through you.
Beat. Buffy eyes him, checking him out.
JACKSON
I actually have a house like this
down the street.
BUFFY
You do? And you... live with a
partner?
JACKSON
No, no. Just Poppy.
BUFFY
And she is...
JACKSON
My dog. She's my dog. I built a
kennel for her to match the house
just the other week.
(beat)
Okay. Now I'm coming across as a
loser, right?
BUFFY
No. Not a loser. In fact, men who
treat their dogs well have always
been put in my good books... you
know... not that I have good books.
Or bad books.
BUFFY (cont'd)
(beat)
I mean, I have books. I read. I
love the reading... and...
(calls out)
Dawn?!
Dawn rushes back in.
DAWN
Oh my God. That Kitchen is frickin
amazing! It's twice the size of our
old one. Buffy, we have to have
this house.
BUFFY
Okay. Do I get to see the house
first?
DAWN
You'll love it. And the basement is
a great place to train-
(noticing Jackson)
Pigs!
JACKSON
You train pigs?
BUFFY
Not all pigs. Obviously. Just the
little ones. Let's take a tour!
CUT TO:
8 INT. SUMMERS RESIDENCE - KITCHEN 8
It's HUGE. Like, that doesn't even cover it. It's like a
museum. Just without the artifacts... and more like a
Kitchen. Buffy, Dawn, and then Jackson come through the door.
BUFFY
Holy crap.
DAWN
Told ya.
JACKSON
The Kitchen is impressive.
BUFFY
(in awe)
Holy... crap.
DAWN
And look.
She rushes over to the microwave.
DAWN (cont'd)
We don't need to buy a new one...
again.
BUFFY
This is... it's too big. What are
we gonna do with all this space?
DAWN
We could cook. And host parties. We
could host cooking parties!
BUFFY
Dawn, I-
JACKSON
I should tell you that this is the
best house on the market, Miss
Summers.
BUFFY
Buffy.
JACKSON
Sorry?
BUFFY
My name. It's Buffy.
JACKSON
That's a name?
(quickly)
I mean. It is. A very nice one.
Dawn opens the blinds to the real big window and reveals the
view to the massive garden.
DAWN
It's like... we're rich.
BUFFY
But we're not. And why is this
house so cheap?
JACKSON
For some reason it's been hard to
shift.
BUFFY
It really is evil, isn't it?
DAWN
It's not evil, Buffy. We have to
have it.
(to Jackson)
Where does she sign?
JACKSON
I'll just go get the papers.
They're in the car.
He exits the room. Dawn turns to Buffy with sheer glee.
DAWN
I can't believe we're gonna live
here. It's like a palace!
BUFFY
Sure... an evil palace.
(off her look)
Okay, it's not evil.
They both go out the door. It closes behind them. There's a
short silence before a cluster of whispering voices is heard.
A collectiveness of thoughts, if you will.
Suddenly a faint and shimmering figure crosses from wall to
wall in a hurry.
BLACK OUT.
END OF ACT ONE