ACT TWO
FADE IN:
11 EXT. SUMMERS RESIDENCE - FRONT GARDEN - DAY 11
It's calm and peaceful, not a soul in sight.
XANDER (V.O.)
That's impossible.
ANDREW (V.O.)
Now who's been naive?
CUT TO:
12 INT. SUMMERS RESIDENCE - LOUNGE 12
The room is set up like a Mini-Watcher's Council. DAWN is
reading through Demonic volumes. ANDREW is on the Internet,
using the hints Jackson suggested to try and search through
the police records for Intel about Susan, and Xander is
standing around, looking thoroughly baffled.
XANDER
It makes no sense.
(to Dawn)
How can there be a secret, secret I
tell you, Star Trek club?
ANDREW
The Vulcans -- of which I am a paid
member -- are the pure Star Trek
club. We get all the news two years
before everyone else.
XANDER
It makes no sense.
ANDREW
I saw Nemesis in 2001.
XANDER
What?
ANDREW
I knew its faults two years before
the lower level Trekkies.
Xander is stunned to silence.
XANDER
I think I'm going to go before I
lose my mind.
We TRACK ALONGSIDE Xander as he walks to the lounge door -- --
and STICK with him as he stops.
ANYA (O.S)
(quietly)
I thought you already knew that.
Xander turns around and comes face to face with everyone's
favorite Casper wannabe.
XANDER
(grins)
Anya. Just the person I wanted to
see.
ANYA
Did you go for the job interview?
Cause, if you did, you should've
got my advice about the suit. Makes
you look like a chubby Mr. White.
XANDER
I didn't take your advice, but I
went for the job interview anyway
and...
(his phone rings)
Excuse me one sec.
He pulls out his CELL PHONE and brings it up to his head,
beginning to speak into it.
XANDER (cont'd)
Hello.
(beat)
Thank you.
(puts phone down)
That was the Smokey and The Bandit
construction company.
Andrew and Dawn look up with renewed interest.
XANDER (cont'd)
I got the job.
Anya's face beams with pride, and she turns giddy. She goes
to hug Xander, and naturally falls straight through him.
Despite the frustration on Anya's face, Xander has to smile.
XANDER (cont'd)
That's my girl.
CUT TO:
13 EXT. CLEVELAND STREET - DAY 13
Kennedy is walking back from her Slayerage duties, looking
much the worse for wear and in desperate need of a shower.
Xander walks towards her, they share a smile.
XANDER
Hi.
KENNEDY
What are you doing here?
XANDER
Just on my way to see Willow. Going
to tell her about my new job.
KENNEDY
You got the job. That's great.
XANDER
What are you doing here?
KENNEDY
Willow's doing a spell to try and
solidify Anya. I thought I'd go for
a walk, and, you know... Slay
things.
XANDER
Sounds like a barrel of fun.
KENNEDY
I did find something interesting
out. It turns out that a Glundark
Demon can sense the truth.
(off his look)
Okay, maybe not that interesting --
XANDER
How does it... what?
KENNEDY
It knew things I didn't want it to
know.
Xander looks at her quizzically.
KENNEDY (cont'd)
Anyway, I better tell the others.
I'll see you later okay.
XANDER
Sure.
They go their separate ways.
CUT TO:
14 INT. SHAW RESIDENCE - KITCHEN 14
Buffy speaks on the phone to Dawn.
BUFFY
(into phone)
Are you sure?
DAWN (V.O)
Kennedy's description of the Demon
was the same as your one.
BUFFY
I haven't heard about Demon's with
these kind of abilities. Angel
mentioned something about a fortune
telling Demon... The Host, or
something equally bizarre.
DAWN (V.O)
Don't you find it strange that it
could read the truth?
BUFFY
No. I find it strange that it
chased Susan.
DAWN (V.O)
Are you thinking what I'm thinking?
BUFFY
We could use the demon to see if
Giles meant to send Andrew here in
hopes of annoying us?
DAWN (V.O)
Buffy, move on.
BUFFY
Okay, over it. I think we're on the
same wavelength, Dawn, but we have
to know the facts. Get Andrew to
call me when he finds out her
background. How is it going by the
way?
DAWN (V.O)
I have the Demon information
cracked. Apparently it's Dimension
is code for it's property.
BUFFY
Which is?
DAWN (V.O)
The truth. Those demonic suction
pump things you described, which,
by the way: "Ew! Graphic, much?",
are basically truth-extractors.
They feed off, of the truth of
others.
BUFFY
Have you tried calling Giles? Maybe
he knows about this kind of Demon.
DAWN (V.O)
Giles wasn't there. His secretary
was real snobby --
BUFFY
What about Wesley? He was a poor
Watcher, but last time I talked to
Angel he had nothing but praise for
him. And you know, with the
resources those guys have!
DAWN (V.O)
Tried that too. Ended up talking to
Harmony for like, ever, and when I
woke up she'd hung up on me... the
bitch. What about Suzie?
BUFFY
Susan? I think she has a little
nugget of truth she doesn't want us
to know.
DAWN (V.O)
Yeah.
(beat)
Oh. Xander got the job.
BUFFY
(grins)
That's Xander for you. Always
surprising you.
DAWN (V.O)
Yeah. Anyway, got to go. Jody's
coming over later on.
Buffy puts the receiver down as Jackson walks into the
kitchen, looking straight to her.
JACKSON
Any news?
BUFFY
Yeah. Something about the demon
that attacked Susan, it has to do
with truth and... I think Susan is
hiding something. I'm just not sure
what.
They stare at each other again. We could cut the sexual
tension between them with a Butcher Knife.
CUT TO:
15 INT. SHAW RESIDENCE - LOUNGE 15
While Buffy and Jackson steam up the kitchen, Susan sits on
the couch. She is watching television as the Six o'clock news
Logo appears.
NEWS READER
Today it was announced that the
cause of death for local Cleveland
resident Jeff Atkins was poisoning.
But so far the police have not
ruled out the possibility of
suicide.
Susan sighs -- somber.
On the TV, a picture of Jeff appears in the top right corner
(pre-death of course). He strikes one as a well adjusted,
decent looking twenty-three year old.
Susan's eyes turn away from the screen.
CUT TO:
16 INT. WILLOW & KENNEDY'S APARTMENT - LOUNGE 16
Willow gets off the floor, dazed and confused.
WILLOW
What happened?
(feels throat)
Why am I talking like this?
She walks over to the mirror.
WILLOW (cont'd)
Let's just see this...
(looks at reflection)
Holy crap!
Willow falls backwards, landing out of sight of the frame.
She reappears a moment later, bemused. She frantically tries
to regain her composure.
WILLOW (cont'd)
What is happening?
Willow looks at her hands.
The color of the scenery has changed, it's toned down, as if
all the colors have blended into the dull category. A beat.
WILLOW (cont'd)
I was dead.
On the coffee table, a newspaper lies face down. On the front
page is a written copy of the news report from earlier on.
Willow's hands yank it out of frame, and scan through the
report. When she's finished reading it, she drops the report
to the floor.
WILLOW (cont'd)
How did this happen?
(Cheshire Grin)
I came back from the dead.
Close on the newspaper, we're zooming in on Jeff's
photograph. A beat. Then --
CUT TO:
17 INT. ATKINS RESIDENCE - DINING ROOM 17
JEFF ATKINS lies on the floor, drool coming out of his mouth,
eyes wide open, dead to the world. Above him stand police
officers. They snap pictures of him, and take fingerprints.
COP #1
Poor guy.
CUT TO:
18 INT. WILLOW & KENNEDY'S APARTMENT - LOUNGE 18
Willow looks forward. Since that little flashback she has
gotten a completely different facial expression. Her face is
coiled up in anger.
WILLOW
That bitch killed me.
She boils over in anger, and clenches her hands together as
hard as she possibly can.
WILLOW (cont'd)
(angry)
Bitch is gonna pay!
The room starts to shake, much to Willow's surprise. It stops
soon after, and Willow stands there, slack-jawed.
WILLOW (cont'd)
I'm a... witch?
She returns to the mirror, checking herself out.
WILLOW (CONT'D) (cont'd)
A female... red haired... kinda
sexy... witch.
(beat)
I really don't get this
resurrection thing.
She paces back and forth.
WILLOW
I came back for a reason. I just
need to figure out what it is.
(beat)
Like I care. It's vengeance time.
CUT TO:
19 EXT. WILLOW & KENNEDY'S APARTMENT 19
Xander walks along the floor. As he does so, he hums the tune
of 'Can't Stop' by the Red Hot Chilli Peppers. He reaches
Willow's door and knocks on it twice.
CUT TO:
20 INT. WILLOW & KENNEDY'S APARTMENT - LOUNGE 20
WILLOW
Revenge...
Willow spins round, and looks at the door. She composes
herself, and opens it, revealing Xander.
XANDER
Willow.
Xander hugs Willow tightly. Willow shoots him a side-glance,
and gently pats his back. She pulls away.
WILLOW
Hey... you...
(beat)
What are you doing here?
XANDER
I came to tell you the good news.
WILLOW
Yeah?
XANDER
I got the job.
WILLOW
The job...?
XANDER
The construction job.
WILLOW
(smiles)
Good for you. Kudos.
She lightly socks Xander in the arm.
XANDER
Yeah. Do you mind if I stay for a
bit? I was thinking major boozin'
it up session.
Xander notices the room is atypically messy.
WILLOW
No... I mean, yes. I'm busy, doing
something involving my... magic.
XANDER
Yeah, the Anya thing. How's it
going?
WILLOW
Anya? And she is...
She turns back to the mirror, looking at the reflection once
again.
WILLOW (cont'd)
(realizing)
I'm a lesbian.
XANDER
Um, yeah. We're over that.
Willow looks around at all the witchcraft items and finally
twigs. She smiles -- happy with herself.
WILLOW
(quickly)
Oh... the spell.
Xander nods.
WILLOW (cont'd)
Something happened. I'm just not
sure what.
XANDER
Are you okay?
WILLOW
What?
XANDER
You seem a little different.
WILLOW
Yeah. I'm fine. It's the spell.
It's made me feel a little
different but it's something I
could get used to.
XANDER
Well take it easy. We don't want
Dark Willow back. I don't think I
have enough stories to talk you
down with again.
WILLOW
I will.
(smiles)
Congratulations about the job..
Xander returns her smile.
XANDER
Thanks.
He leaves. Willow breathes a sigh of relief.
WILLOW
Hard to believe I once had feelings
for him.
(quickly)
Okay... that was strange.
She looks around, disturbed.
WILLOW (cont'd)
I guess Ice Queen is still inside
this body... don't worry, Little
Red, once I'm done with the
revenge, you can have your life
back.
CUT TO:
21 INT. SUMMERS RESIDENCE - HALLWAY 21
Dawn opens the front door to reveal Jody, looking as young
and handsome as ever.
DAWN
Hi.
JODY
Hey. Can I come in?
DAWN
You're not a vampire, Jody. You're
my buddy. You don't need an invite.
Jody smiles and enters.
CUT TO:
22 INT. SUMMERS RESIDENCE - LOUNGE 22
Andrew pops his head through the doors, and watches as Dawn
and Jody walk up the stairs. Anya walks over to him.
ANYA
Stop drooling Andrew.
ANDREW
Okay, that is getting annoying.
ANYA
Hey. I died for you. A little
respect isn't uncommon during that
circumstance.
(beat)
Now hack into that database and
bring that Demon summoning hussy to
orbit.
ANDREW
(off-computer)
Why do you think she summoned the
Demon?
ANYA
Hello. Girl-next-door running
through a graveyard at night,
clothes tattered and body covered
in scars is code for 'I'm-A-Big-
Slut-Who-Wanted-Some-Demon-Love-
But-Couldn't-Handle-It.'
ANDREW
Buffy saved her.
ANYA
From her own urges?
Andrew shakes his head.
ANYA
That's what I never quite
understood about humanity. You
mostly keep your urges in check.
Everyone does it, but no-one talks
about it.
ANDREW
Stuff like that is private.
ANYA
I know... but is anyone really
doing anything that their friends
don't do?
Anya doesn't catch Andrew sheepishly smirk.
CUT TO:
23 INT. SUMMERS RESIDENCE - DAWN'S ROOM 23
Dawn clicks play on the stereo. 'Complicated' by Avril
Lavigne plays. Jody flicks through A Little Book Of Dumb
Questions.
DAWN
You know what would be funny right
now? If we both got up and danced.
Jody smiles at her, but politely shakes his head.
DAWN (cont'd)
Ah, come on.
JODY
I can't dance to this music.
DAWN
It's Avril Lavigne. It's perky, and
bubbly - just like me. Besides,
she's cute: and people say I bear a
resemblance to her.
Jody smirks.
JODY
She's not really my type.
Dawn frowns.
DAWN
Oh. Who is?
Dawn sits on the bed next to him.
JODY
I like people who are funny. People
who don't try so hard to be
attractive. People who I genuinely
think are worth the time to get to
know.
Dawn shoots him a quizzical look.
DAWN
People? Can't you be a little more
specific?
Long beat.
JODY
I do like you Dawn.
DAWN
I like you too.
JODY
But it seems like we're getting our
wires crossed a little bit. I mean,
you're cool and everything. You
rock, in fact. Like, totally
awesome. But... it's just... some
people are born with their ideals
already in place, y'know?
DAWN
Yeah...
(then)
... no.
JODY
See, here's the thing... there are
guys out there who like the
cheerleaders. They're like
completely falling over themselves
to date one. Me? I was never like
that and I guess I never will be
cos while all eyes were on them, I
was checking out the footballers.
Dawn nods her head in understanding, thinking she's got it,
until she actually puts two and two together. Her face
switches from a smile into pure shock.
She stares at Jody, confused. She laughs a little, thinking
he's playing, but catches the straight-laced look on his
face. She looks down at the ground, trying to put the entire
situation into perspective. She smiles nervously.
DAWN
Wow.
(beat)
Um... okay.
Jody smiles.
JODY
Takes a while.
DAWN
To say the least.
Beat.
DAWN (cont'd)
How long have you known? Jody
thinks it over.
JODY
I guess I always have... sounds
lame, I know. That's what they all
say. I never chose it but it's
something I've accepted... it's who
I am.
DAWN
This is going to take some getting
used to.
Jody puts his hand on Dawn's shoulder as she lowers her head.
Then --
DAWN (cont'd)
Okay, I'm over it. So who was your
first crush? It was George Clooney,
right?
JODY
Dayum, girl. How did you know?
DAWN
It's always the G-Man.
Long beat.
JODY
So... we're cool? She puts her hand
on his.
DAWN
We're cool.
(grins)
This doesn't mean you're gonna go
all Just Jack, does it? Cos, he's
great and all, but in small doses --
JODY
I'm more of a Will.
DAWN
So... um...
JODY
You really like Avirl? I figured
you for more of a Britney freak.
DAWN
That "Oops I Did Him Again"
publicity bandwagon? I was so over
her in preschool.
JODY
(playfully)
Loser.
DAWN
Freak.
JODY
Avril wannabe.
He gently nudges Dawn on the shoulder, they both exchange a
smile. Like anything could break their friendship! Then --
Dawn WHACKS him with a pillow!
DAWN
Oh, too slow!
As they play fight on the bed we --
CUT TO:
24 EXT. WILLOW & KENNEDY'S APARTMENT 24
Kennedy walks along the floor, still the worse of wear. She
has a concerned look on her face as she approaches Willow's
door. She knocks on it twice.
KENNEDY
Willow?
CUT TO:
25 INT. WILLOW & KENNEDY'S APARTMENT - LOUNGE 25
Willow opens the door... ... and Kennedy rushes in, embracing
her.
KENNEDY
What caused the accident?
(beat)
Are you okay?
WILLOW
Uh... hey...
(it clicks)
Kennedy.
Kennedy looks at her strangely.
KENNEDY
What's wrong?
WILLOW
Nothing.
KENNEDY
There's something different about
you... your eyes...
Willow reaches for a still burning candle.
WILLOW
There isn't.
KENNEDY
Will... the accident. What
happened? We talked about this.
Magic shouldn't be obvious to the
residents. I just had Mrs. Main
tell me about a minor tremor they
had here. Someone could have gotten
hurt.
(beat)
You could have got hurt.
Kennedy is about to touch her shoulder, when Willow brings
down the candle quickly.
Kennedy catches it in her right hand, and looks up at her.
KENNEDY (cont'd)
I'm sorry. Willow isn't taking any
visitors today.
Kennedy pushes Willow back, and crushes the candle wax.
WILLOW
I need vengeance.
Kennedy walks over to Willow. She places her left foot on
Willow's neck, firmly holding her to the floor.
KENNEDY
No. You need to get the hell out of
my girlfriend.
(beat)
And believe me... you really don't
want disagree with me about this.
(beat)
Now who are you?
Willow stares at Kennedy, her eyes growing an intense RED. On
this we...
BLACK OUT.
END OF ACT TWO