TEASER
FADE IN:
1 INT. SUMMERS RESIDENCE - XANDER'S ROOM - NIGHT 1
The camera focuses on the window, with the night creeping
through the frames.
Close shot of the moon, burning with midnight rage, full and
glow-y as ever.
XANDER (O.S.)
Are you done yet?
WILLOW (O.S.)
Xander!
PULL BACK to reveal Willow and Xander sitting on his double
bed, legs crossed, with a spheric glowing ball in Willow's
open palm. She takes her attention away from it and looks at
him.
WILLOW (cont'd)
You're gonna break my
concentration.
XANDER
Sorry, it's just... I'm getting
impatient.
WILLOW
Xander, replacing an eye could take
weeks, or months... if I can do it
at all. I'm not even sure I can.
XANDER
You can. I've felt your power,
Will. If anyone can do it, you can.
WILLOW
It's not about that. It might not
be possible.
(beat)
Are you feeling anything?
XANDER
I got an itch on the top of my leg.
WILLOW
I mean spiritually.
XANDER
Oh. In that case, no, not a thing.
WILLOW
See. It might not-
XANDER
Will. Please.
She sighs and nods, returning her gaze on the glowing sphere,
mumbling some foreign words. SUDDENLY Xander shouts and jumps
up.
WILLOW
What? Did it work?
XANDER
No. I'm getting a cramp!
WILLOW
Xander!
He hops around for a moment and she too gets up, realising
this isn't going to work.
WILLOW (cont'd)
Look, we'll try again tomorrow.
When you're less fidgety.
XANDER
I'm not fidgety.
WILLOW
Oh, cos the hopping around thing is
really being still.
XANDER
Gee, Will, getting good at the
sarcasm thing there.
WILLOW
Seven years of being around you and
Buffy, I can hold my own.
They exchange brief smiles.
XANDER
Speaking of. Where is our favorite
wanna-slay champion?
WILLOW
Patrolling. We got news there's a
vampire nest nearby.
XANDER
And she went alone?
WILLOW
Not exactly.
CUT TO:
2 EXT. 21ST SOUTH AVENUE - GRAVEYARD 2
Buffy is pacing through the cemetery as Andrew lags behind.
He is carrying a big and pointy stake with him.
ANDREW
So good to be breathing some fresh
air and taking in the scenery. I
didn't know Cleveland was so
beautiful until I-
BUFFY
(interrupting)
Andrew, less noise, more stealthy.
ANDREW
Sorry.
(whispers)
It's really nice out here, don't
you think? The trees, the sky, the-
He stops dead in his tracks.
ANDREW (cont'd)
Vampire right over there!
Andrew sees a vampire coming towards them in a hasty fashion.
He grabs his stake firmly but Buffy is already making her way
to the demon.
BUFFY
Bout time I got some action. I was
beginning to think this Hellmouth
beneath us was all a myth. Been
weeks since I saw a good ole vamp
to dust.
The vampire, or GLINT as we will come to know him, sniggers
at her. Obviously this guy doesn't know who she is,
otherwise, he'd probably be scampering right about now.
BUFFY (cont'd)
You know, I've had demons to fight
but the last time I came up against
a vamp was-
Glint takes a swipe at her, punching her in the face. He
tries again but she catches his arm and twists it round his
back, cracking some bones as she does so.
She pushes him forward and launches her feet onto his
shoulders, knocking him to the ground, and flipping herself
over and landing firmly on her feet.
BUFFY (cont'd)
As I was saying. Last time I fought
a real vampire was in the Hellmouth
of Sunnydale.
Glint reacts to this. Realising.
BUFFY (cont'd)
That's right. I'm the one who
destroyed it. The Hellmouth tried
to swallow me and it choked on me.
It spat me back out with its last
dying breath and-
He charges her again, knocking her against the tree. She
struggles for a moment as he tries to the pry the stake from
her hand.
She quickly knees him in the groin and elbows his face,
kicking him back.
BUFFY (cont'd)
Would you stop interrupting?
GLINT
I've had enough of Slayer speeches.
You have angered the Paragon
Faction. Their vengeance will be
exacted.
BUFFY
Huh? Who of the who?
GLINT
By their hands, your blood will
drain and your life will slip. They
will maim and-
ANDREW
(interrupting)
Buffy, can we kill him?
Buffy turns back to see Andrew peeking over the top of a
tombstone.
GLINT
Wait. Your name's Buffy?
BUFFY
Uh huh.
GLINT
Oh, I'm sorry. Wrong Slayer. It's
just, with there being so many
these days...
BUFFY
That's understandable.
GLINT
Say, are you the Slayer that's
defied all the rules of the mortal
coil? Died twice and still living?
BUFFY
I guess. It was a thing. I'm over
it now. No more dying.
GLINT
Ah, that's good to hear.
(beat)
Nice meeting you.
He extends his hand and Buffy shakes it, a little bemused, a
little not.
BUFFY
Yeah. It was fun being rushed.
GLINT
It was. And that flip you did, nice
moves.
BUFFY
Thanks.
He turns to go but she doesn't let go of his hand. He looks
back at her.
BUFFY (cont'd)
You know I can't let you go, right?
GLINT
But you're not the one I want. I
apologised and everything.
BUFFY
But the thing is, you're after a
Slayer, whether it's me or not, and
I can't let you leave this
graveyard alive.
GLINT
Well, I'm currently dead-
BUFFY
I'll take it easy on you if you
tell me who the Paragon Faction is.
GLINT
Oh, right. Okay.
(then)
No!
He backhands her, throwing her down to the ground. He grabs
her by the throat and moves in to her neck, vamp face and
fangs galore.
Buffy struggles as she sees his teeth less than an inch away
from her flesh.
Suddenly, he EXPLODES into dust and all she sees is Andrew
hovering above her with a stake. She pushes herself up.
BUFFY
You...
ANDREW
I staked him. Me. I staked him!
BUFFY
You really, really did.
ANDREW
That was my first!
Buffy moves on, wiping herself off from the dust. She looks
back to Andrew, who is clearly amazed at himself.
BUFFY
Well it probably won't be your
last. This graveyard is probably
crawling with vamps like him.
Always remember, you have to be on
guard all the time-
THUMP!
Buffy's lying on the floor, looking up at the tombstone she
just fell over. Andrew comes into view.
BUFFY (cont'd)
Say something and I'll kill you!
BLACK OUT
END OF TEASER
ACT ONE
FADE IN:
3 INT. SUMMERS RESIDENCE - KITCHEN - NIGHT 3
Dawn is cooking pancakes on the stove as Willow enters. Dawn
turns to see her and smiles.
DAWN
How's the eye growing going? Ooh, I
rhymed.
WILLOW
It's not. Normally I'm all for not
giving up and keep your head high,
try every option but... I don't
think Xander's gonna be able to
take that patch off any time soon.
DAWN
There's no way?
WILLOW
There's nothing. I've tried sharing
my strength through meditation and
a conjuring spell for the blind but
zilch. Nothing. The only spells we
haven't tried are the ones rooted
in dark magicks.
DAWN
And you can't use them.
WILLOW
A big no. Black hair and yucky
veins all over me isn't really a
good look.
KENNEDY
You'd turn me on no matter what you
looked like.
Willow and Dawn turn to see Kennedy enter through the hallway
door.
WILLOW
Hey. You're back.
KENNEDY
I am. Paycheck and everything.
WILLOW
You got paid? We have money?
KENNEDY
All three-hundred-and-forty-three
dollars of it.
(beat)
Not even close to getting a deposit
on a place.
WILLOW
Still no word from your parents?
Kennedy shakes her head.
WILLOW (cont'd)
I'm sure they'll call soon. You did
say your father doted on you.
KENNEDY
Doted. Past tense. Haven't seen him
for months. He's probably forgotten
all about me.
Willow kisses her on the cheek.
WILLOW
There's no way that could happen.
Dawn serves up her pancakes as Buffy and Andrew enter.
Everyone notices the dirt all over Buffy's clothes.
WILLOW (cont'd)
(to Buffy)
Rough night?
BUFFY
(eyes Andrew)
Tackled a vamp.
ANDREW
I dusted it.
KENNEDY
You cleaned it with a duster?
ANDREW
No. With a stake. I slayed the
vampire.
All three girls look to Buffy for confirmation. She nods,
surprising even herself. She goes to Dawn.
BUFFY
What are you making?
DAWN
Peanut butter and ice cream
pancakes. You want some?
BUFFY
A world of no. I think I'm gonna go
take a shower. Try to wash away the
shame of having Andrew save my
life.
She sighs, walking up the stairs.
KENNEDY
We should get back to the hotel
before Mr Gomes lectures us about
staying out all night again. I
swear, next time, I'm just gonna
wrap that tie around his neck and-
DAWN
These aren't as nice as I remember!
She puts the pancakes aside.
WILLOW
Okay. I'll see you tomorrow,
Dawnie.
She and Kennedy exit. Andrew approaches the Kitchen worktop
and takes a piece of the pancake.
DAWN
So you really dusted a vamp?
ANDREW
True Blade style, just with the
exploding. It was amazing. Like, I
really did something. I helped.
(beat)
He was all like, "grr, I'm gonna
kill you," and Buffy was like, "I'm
not letting you leave this
graveyard." Then they fought and I
was behind a gravestone inspecting
the beautiful inscriptions when I
suddenly heard Buffy go down. I
quickly grabbed my stake and
gathered my might and BAM! Dust in
the wind.
He waits a moment, turning to see that Dawn is no longer in
the room.
ANDREW
(to himself)
I am Andrew... the vampire Slayer!
He smiles at his remark before taking a bite of the pancake.
He chews it over for a moment, then digs in.
CUT TO:
4 INT. SUMMERS RESIDENCE - LOUNGE - DAY 4
Buffy walks through the door, bed hair and pajamas. She looks
to see Xander going over the newspaper.
XANDER
You're awake.
BUFFY
Yeah. Unless I'm not.
(beat)
What are you doing?
XANDER
Looking for a job. It's not easy.
BUFFY
All the good building ones taken?
XANDER
No. It's something about a one eyed
construction worker and accidental
deaths... lets just say that I've
been forced to change career
directions.
BUFFY
So what are you-
She sees the advertisement.
BUFFY (cont'd)
Taxi driver?
XANDER
I may only have one eye but my
annual driving test should prove to
them that I can drive.
BUFFY
You really wanna be a taxi driver?
XANDER
It's less want than need. Bills are
gonna be piling up, rent,
shopping... and Giles is still
trying to sort through the
Council's accounts. Seems Quentin
Travers liked to tap into it a lot.
BUFFY
I'm sure he'll fix it soon. Then
we'll be getting some well deserved
money.
XANDER
If. There's an if. Obviously he's
gonna need most of the money to set
up the new Council.
(beat)
I can't really see Giles being head
of the Watchers Council.
BUFFY
Do you think he'll go back to
wearing those suits?
They both grimace.
XANDER
How about you?
BUFFY
Me and suits don't mesh. It's like
a whole big no, in a world full of
no, in a universe that only has no.
XANDER
I meant on the job seeking front.
You found anything that tickles
your excitement bone?
BUFFY
Eh. Only thing I'm qualified for is
flipping burgers.
XANDER
You were a counselor.
BUFFY
Briefly. And not even that
official. Principle Wood- I mean,
Robin never really wanted me there
to help the kids psychologically.
Which doesn't go well on the CV.
XANDER
Maybe you could go back to college.
Or, study a home course.
BUFFY
Maybe. Willow said there was
something she could do but she
didn't explain much.
Dawn rushes through the door, brushing her hair with one
hand, and carrying her bag with the other.
DAWN
I'm gonna be late!
XANDER
Huh? What?
DAWN
New school. First day. So gonna be
late.
She heads to the door.
DAWN (cont'd)
Gotta run!
BUFFY
Dawn-
DAWN
I know. Be good. Stay out of
danger. Love you too.
She exits. Buffy and Xander are quiet for a short time. Then
she sits next to him.
BUFFY
Sometimes I wish we were back at
school.
XANDER
Yeah cos the hyena spirits, the
zombies, demons, vampires, imminent
death... they were the good times.
BUFFY
Okay, so, not great times but...
XANDER
Less boring?
She nods as they both slouch on the sofa.
CUT TO:
5 EXT. CLEVELAND HIGH 5
Students are rushing to and fro. Dawn goes through the crowds
and heads to the main doors. She stops and takes a look back
at the grounds.
It's a big school. Bigger than Sunnydale High. Foliage
enhance the scenery and Dawn notices this. It seems very
natural. Not at all like the Hellmouth is beneath the city.
DAWN
So this is Hellmouth High? Not so
tough.
She turns back around the face the doors but is almost hit by
it swinging back in her face. She is caught by JODY ASHTON. A
strapping young lad, Dawn's age.
JODY
Hey. Sorry about that. Didn't see
you there.
DAWN
It's okay. Wouldn't have made a
difference with the amount of
concussions I've had.
JODY
I'm Jody Ashton.
DAWN
Summers. Dawn. And I didn't mean
that to come out in a "Bond, James
Bond," kinda way.
JODY
(smiles)
You're funny.
DAWN
Thanks. I think.
JODY
Are you new here cos you've got
that new look about you?
DAWN
Yeah. I transferred from Sunnydale
High.
JODY
Isn't that the place that had the
epidemic or something?
DAWN
Or something.
JODY
Cool.
(beat)
I gotta go but it was good almost
knocking you out.
DAWN
You too.
She watches him as he walks in the opposite direction to
everyone else.
DAWN (cont'd)
Wait. School's this way.
JODY
I know. You wanna tag?
She thinks about it but shakes her head, opting to start
school the right way. He shrugs and walks away.
DAWN
(to herself)
Well he was nice and... toned.
She is lost in her thoughts until the bell RINGS. She
continues into the school.
CUT TO:
6 INT. CLEVELAND HIGH - OFFICE 6
Dawn enters the office and takes a look around. She notices
someone sitting behind the desk.
This is PRINCIPLE MARIE KNIGHT.
DAWN
Hey. Uh, excuse me?
PRINCIPLE KNIGHT
Can I help you, Miss...?
DAWN
I'm Dawn Summers. I was told to
report here before going to any
classes.
PRINCIPLE KNIGHT
Ah. Miss Summers. It's good to
finally meet you. I've heard a lot
about you.
DAWN
You have?
PRINCIPLE KNIGHT
Sure. Mostly that you came from
Sunnydale, now known as the big
hole in the Earth. You must have a
lot of stories to tell about that
quiet little town.
DAWN
Not really. It was quiet... and
nothing strange ever happened
there... ever.
PRINCIPLE KNIGHT
I'm sure.
(beat)
I'm Principle Knight. Your...
principle, obviously.
DAWN
Right.
PRINCIPLE KNIGHT
I think we should get on with the
tour of the school. Have you had a
chance to see any of the great
sights here?
DAWN
I've seen one. Very nice.
She curves a smile, thinking about Jody.
CUT TO:
7 EXT. STREETS 7
Willow is walking through the crowds of people, gazing at the
buildings, taking in the new surroundings. She turns to see a
Cyber-Cafe and peers through the door window, seeing all the
computers and technology that make her feel so at home.
JACKSON
You have to push to go in.
She turns to be confronted by Jackson.
WILLOW
Huh? Hi. Huh?
JACKSON
The door. To go in there you have
to push it.
WILLOW
Oh, I didn't wanna... you're
Jackson, right?
JACKSON
Yeah. That's me.
WILLOW
I don't think we really had a
chance to introduce ourselves last
week. I'm Willow Rosenberg.
JACKSON
Yeah. Buffy told me.
There's a silence.
WILLOW
So...
JACKSON
Has Buffy mentioned me at all?
WILLOW
Um...
JACKSON
I mean, did she speak of coffee or
something?
WILLOW
I thought that there wasn't going
to be any coffee or something.
JACKSON
Well, we put it on hold because of
the... you know.
WILLOW
I know. Is the hold off?
JACKSON
Hold?
WILLOW
The coffee.
JACKSON
You want some coffee?
WILLOW
No. Are you gonna ask Buffy to get
some-
(quickly)
Are you gonna take Buffy on a date?
JACKSON
You think she would?
WILLOW
I think. But I don't think she
thinks you would after what you
thought about last week. This
conversation just gets stranger and
stranger.
JACKSON
I wasn't sure if I could deal with
the...
(whispers)
... otherworldly stuff.
WILLOW
And you can now?
JACKSON
I know that no matter what I do now
there's always gonna be that side
to this world so I might as well be
dating a hot chick-
(rephrases)
Dating a sophisticated and
independent woman like Buffy.
WILLOW
(shoots him a look)
Mhm. Just remember, Buffy's a
complicated gal. She's-
CUT TO: