TEASER
FADE IN.
CLOSE ON: CLOCK
Clearly displays: 20:00. We stay on the image for a while as
we hear talking --
PULL BACK TO
REVEAL:
1 INT. SUMMERS RESIDENCE - LOUNGE - NIGHT 1
The room looks like a parade. Balloons fill the room and a
big banner stretches from wall to wall. The writing says:
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY."
WILLOW and XANDER enter, crossing passed the CLOCK. They are
setting down various snacks.
XANDER
You know, didn't figure me for the
cheese and chive but it's working
its charm.
WILLOW
You think Buffy'll like?
XANDER
As long as there's no arms then I
think she will.
(beat)
Didn't get her an arm, did ya?
WILLOW
(shakes her head)
Better. I was thinking and was
like, whoa, what do I get the girl
who has seen and virtually done
everything?
Long beat.
XANDER
And?
WILLOW
Well I couldn't find anything
really original so I chickened out
and got a necklace.
XANDER
A necklace, huh?
WILLOW
It's a cross. You know, cos you
can't have too many of those.
(beat)
What did you get her?
Xander lowers her eyes to the small wrapped gift in his
hands. He looks back up to Willow -- she gets it.
WILLOW (cont'd)
Xander, you got her a necklace too?
XANDER
Well they were all sold out of
normal and happy lives at the
store.
WILLOW
God, this is terrible.
She SLUMPS on the sofa, taking a big handful of snacks.
Xander puts his present on the MANTEL PIECE, turning to her.
XANDER
Can't you just conjure something
up?
WILLOW
I can't use magic like that... I
won't.
(beat)
But I think the store's still open.
I could get something else... a
ring maybe. Or... I don't know.
She STANDS, grabbing her coat.
XANDER
Pick me up some chips?
WILLOW
Sure.
She heads out as ANYA enters. Her eyes are on Xander, who has
taken to resting on the armchair.
XANDER
Hey. Where you been?
ANYA
Out. I went... out.
XANDER
Anywhere exciting?
She shakes her head. Turns away from him.
XANDER (cont'd)
Okay, so the bad aura thing is for
what?
A beat.
ANYA
This isn't going to work, Xander.
XANDER
Anya, we've been through this. You
can't leave Cleveland... like,
really.
ANYA
I know but I can't stay like this
forever. I need to be mortal again.
XANDER
But we can't find a spell to do
that.
She slowly turns back to face him, a GLINT in her eye. She
knows something and it's way obvious.
ANYA
I know a way.
CUT TO:
2 INT. CHARLESTON & SMITHE - BUFFY'S OFFICE 2
BUFFY's sitting at her desk, going over a lot of paperwork.
She SIGHS, taking a deep breath, soothing her aching muscles.
Looks to the window, the FULL MOON gleaming back at her.
There's a KNOCK at the door.
BUFFY
Yeah?
It opens, revealing JOSH. He offers her a polite smile and
she returns it. He THROWS his jacket over his shoulder.
JOSH
I'm heading home now, Miss Summers.
Unless you need anything else?
BUFFY
No. You go. Any plans for tonight?
JOSH
I'm gonna catch a movie with a
possible girlfriend.
BUFFY
Which one?
JOSH
I only have the one possible
girlfriend. I'm not a player, Miss
Summers.
BUFFY
I meant which movie.
JOSH
Oh... we're not sure. I'm hoping we
won't even get there, you know?
BUFFY
Wish I didn't.
JOSH
Right. No sharing. Okay, I'll see
you tomorrow?
BUFFY
Bright an early.
JOSH
Great.
(beat)
Oh, and have a great birthday.
BUFFY
(smiles)
Thanks.
He EXITS, the door closing behind him. Buffy looks at her
watch and leans back in her chair -- relaxing. Her eyes close
for a moment. Then -- she STANDS. She grabs her jacket,
pulling it on, and heads to the door. She is about to flick
the LIGHTS off when --
RING!
Her head spins to the phone. Hesitation, then she moves to
it, picking up the receiver.
BUFFY (cont'd)
Buffy Summers speaking.
DISTORTED VOICE (V.O.)
There is a bomb. Mystical variety.
You don't stop it, the world will
be destroyed.
On her WIDENED EYES we...
BLACK OUT.
END OF TEASER
ACT ONE
FADE IN.
3 INT. CHARLESTON & SMITHE - BUFFY'S OFFICE - NIGHT 3
As before, only a minute later. Buffy is hanging on the
phone, listening to every detail.
BUFFY
Why?
CLICK! The line goes dead. Buffy lingers, then puts the
receiver down. Her eyes stay on it for a while, thoughts
obviously crossing through her mind. Then she STRIDES to the
door and crosses through it -- determined.
CUT TO:
4 INT. SUMMERS RESIDENCE - LOUNGE 4
Xander and Anya are both standing, not too far from each
other, but not too close together either.
XANDER
So that's where you've been all
day?
ANYA
Someone had to do something.
XANDER
We were doing all we could.
ANYA
All you could. I, on the other
hand, have more connections.
Luckily there's still a few demons
in the fold that actually like me.
XANDER
Okay. So, explain?
ANYA
I already told you, Xander.
XANDER
No, you didn't. You said you had a
way and it was a dangerous.
ANYA
Well I wasn't really able to get a
word in what with you talking all
the time.
Xander takes a step back, retreating.
XANDER
Fine. Talk away.
ANYA
I sought out an old buddy of mine.
We were involved a few hundred
years ago before I cursed his
Father... and brother...
(off his look)
Anyway, he knew this immortal who
went by the name Jerekov. He
wielded the power of sorcery but
his power was his own undoing.
Because of his threatening acts of
violence a coven of powerful
wiccans lured him into another
realm, devoid of all life, and
trapped him there... sealing his
power and fate.
XANDER
The end?
ANYA
(continuing)
I've heard stories about Jerekov,
that he is trapped for eternity,
but the dimension can be crossed.
It would require a ritual but
nothing too dangerous.
XANDER
Wait. You wanna open up another
dimension?
ANYA
No. There is no portal. The line
just needs to be crossed.
XANDER
And I'm guessing mojo like this
would require an Uber Sabrina?
ANYA
Willow can't do it.
Beat.
XANDER
Then how --
ANYA
It has to be you.
Xander shoots her a QUESTIONING look. Steps closer to her --
unsure.
XANDER
Why me?
ANYA
It has to be a pure heart. Willow's
killed before. She's tainted.
XANDER
I can't... I mean --
ANYA
Jerekov won't make me mortal
without asking for something in
return. There will be a trade.
XANDER
What of?
ANYA
I don't know.
(beat)
But I know that the dimensional
walls around him are weakened when
the moon is whole. It's something
to do with the original spell, I'm
not too clear on that.
XANDER
There's a lot you're not too clear
on here, Anya. We should wait for
the rest of the gang before --
ANYA
(interrupting)
We don't have time. The ritual
could take hours for all we know.
(beat)
Don't you love me?
XANDER
With all my heart.
ANYA
Then prove it.
He thinks it over -- confused. Her eyes remain on him as he
lifts his gaze to meet hers.
CUT TO:
5 EXT. CLEVELAND - STREETS 5
Dusk has pretty much settled in the downtown area. The camera
follows Buffy as she SWIFTLY makes her way down the sidewalk.
Her eyes are FRANTIC, darting everywhere. The strain showing.
JACKSON (O.S.)
Buffy.
She stops. Spins around to see a car pull up beside her. She
goes to it and sees Jackson in the drivers seat.
BUFFY
Oh, thank God.
JACKSON
You okay?
BUFFY
Not so much.
JACKSON
Okay, get in.
She nods before looking around at the civilians. OPENS the
door and gets in.
6 INT. JACKSON'S CAR 6
As Buffy straps on her seat belt, Jackson maneuvers the
vehicle, pulling away from the sidewalk and continuing on the
drive. He turns to her.
JACKSON
Where are we heading?
BUFFY
Monroe Cemetery, you know it?
JACKSON
Yeah. My Grandfather's buried
there.
(beat)
I remembered that this morning.
She turns to him -- somber.
BUFFY
It's all coming back to you?
JACKSON
Every bit of it. Last night I
remembered how much crap Shana put
me through, the men knocking on the
door for the money she borrowed so
she could feed her drug addiction.
BUFFY
Shana?
JACKSON
My sister... I just wish some
things would stay lost.
(beat)
Wait. Why are we heading to the
cemetery? Are you patrolling?
BUFFY
No. I just... there was a phone
call, at work. We need to get there
real quick so if you could maybe
step on it a bit then that'd be
real good.
JACKSON
But what about your party? Buffy,
it's your birthday.
BUFFY
Yeah, go figure.
(beat)
Why is it these things always
happen on my birthday? If demons,
vampires, and ghosts weren't
enough, I've now gotta stop a
ticking time bomb in an hour.
JACKSON
There's a bomb?
BUFFY
Yeah, but it's okay. It's a
mystical one.
(beat)
That will destroy the world unless
I stop it so... not really okay.
JACKSON
A mystical bomb. And you have to
stop it in an hour.
(beat)
God, what is it with this place?
BUFFY
Hellmouth. We've been over it.
(beat)
The guy... or gal, I don't know,
the voice was all... fuzzy. They
said I had to go to Monroe Cemetery
if I wanted to stop the bomb.
JACKSON
Do you know how to disable a bomb?
BUFFY
I don't think it's the normal type.
Hence the mystical.
Her eyes look over to him, his are on her.
BUFFY (cont'd)
But if it is then I've got you. You
used to be a cop, right? You know
how to disarm a bomb?
JACKSON
Yeah. Not through being a cop, just
the many things I learnt back in my
wild days.
She GLANCES over to him, a SMILE curving.
BUFFY
Wild days?
JACKSON
Yeah, I call them the stupid days.
I went all Goth and believed in
vampires and stuff... which I
guess, wasn't that stupid.
BUFFY
Well I'm sure it was stupid to
everyone else.
JACKSON
Not really comforting.
BUFFY
Wasn't supposed to be.
Jackson's hand turns the steering wheel as the car drives
around a corner.
BUFFY (cont'd)
I should call home, let them know
what's going on.
She digs in her pocket and pulls out her CELL PHONE. Dials
the number and puts it to her ear.
CUT TO:
7 INT. SUMMERS RESIDENCE - DINING ROOM 7
Xander runs his fingers through his hair, almost tearing it
out. Anya lingers nearby.
ANYA
Make a choice, Xander.
The phone RINGS. They both look to it, both ignore it. Xander
moves closer to her.
XANDER
You know I'd do anything for you --
ANYA
But not this. Not the one thing I
need more than anything. Is that
what you're saying?
XANDER
No. It's not. But I'm not good with
the magic, I don't know it as well
as Willow or even Dawn.
ANYA
Dawn is useless. And the only
reason she can do that stuff is
because she's linked to the
mystical.
XANDER
Huh?
ANYA
She used to be a ball of green
energy!
(beat)
But we're moving off topic here.
Xander, I'm asking you. God,
please. Do this one thing and I'll
never ask for anything again.
Xander shakes his head. The RINGING finally stops.
XANDER
I don't know, An. We have to wait
for the others, they'll know what
to do.
ANYA
We can't wait, I told you. I know
how to do this, I can help you. But
it has to be you.
(beat)
Just be a man and risk your life
for me!
XANDER
Okay.
ANYA
No, it has to be --
(realizing)
What?
XANDER
Okay. I'll do it.
Anya smiles cautiously.
ANYA
You mean it?
Xander nods and goes to put his hand on her arm but stops,
realizing.
XANDER
I can't bear not touching you. Not
feeling you. I thought with you
dead, I'd finally get over you
but... those three months without
you were horrible. I got through
it, just, but it was eating me up
inside.
(beat)
Then when you came back it was
like, whoa. I couldn't explain the
feelings. I didn't know how to form
the words but if I could have then
they would spell out "I love you."
(beat)
I know that I have to have it all
or nothing. And I don't want
nothing again.
Anya's moved. A tear wells in her eye.
ANYA
Okay.
(beat)
Coulda done without the big speech
though. You're turning into Buffy.
CUT TO:
8 EXT. CLEVELAND STREETS 8
The camera moves from the ground and pulls out, revealing the
gigantic traffic jam. Horns BEEP and various drivers YELL in
anger at their predicament.
9 INT. JACKSON'S CAR 9
Buffy is mundo irritable. She looks down at her watch,
sighing as she reads the digital face: "20:13." Jackson
notices, finally taking his eyes of the road and his hands
off the wheel -- giving into the fate of standstill.
JACKSON
I guess this bomb is the tip of the
iceberg, eh?
She eyes him, unsure.
JACKSON (cont'd)
The past few weeks have been... not
my normal life.
BUFFY
Having second thoughts?
JACKSON
No. Not about you. Not about any of
it.
(beat)
It's just... there's always a
threat. Does it ever stop?
Buffy finally smiles, her eyes connecting with his. An
undertone of sexual heat mixed with unconditional caring.
BUFFY
It can stop. If you give in.
(beat)
You ever wish you hadn't met me?
That on that day you showed me
around the house, you'd skipped
work or something?
JACKSON
Sometimes.
She's taken aback.
JACKSON (cont'd)
I won't lie, Buffy. I lost my
memories and an ancient ring
brought them back and now I have
the status of Guardian... which, by
the way, would be very cool if a
few weeks ago there weren't big
ugly vampires out to kill the one
called that.
(beat)
It's hard.
BUFFY
Can you deal?
JACKSON
With you. Yeah.
His hand moves to hers, interlocking. A brief moment of
unison before the cars start up again. Jackson takes his
other hand and presses on the accelerator, driving forward.
BUFFY
God, we're never gonna make it in
time in this.
JACKSON
The cemetery's not far.
BUFFY
We need to get to it as soon as
possible. Before this guy gets bomb
crazy.
JACKSON
You think it might actually go off?
Buffy pauses, shrugging.
BUFFY
I think it could if we don't stop
it. If we know how to.
(beat)
What is it with people wanting to
destroy the world? Is it some new
thing I'm just not being let in on?
JACKSON
If it is, I don't want a piece of
the action.
BUFFY
Good guy to the core.
JACKSON
Coming from the pro, I'll take that
as a compliment.
BUFFY
Pro? No. I'm... there was a place I
went to a while back where I would
have loved for the world to end.
(off his look)
I had issues.
JACKSON
You over them?
BUFFY
Mostly.
Jackson curves an eyebrow. Intrigued. Buffy looks away,
watching the scenery go by.
JACKSON
I'm taking that as a "no" to the
explanation.
BUFFY
(hesitates)
When I crawled out of that grave,
it was like I was just this body
walking around. My friends, my
family... they didn't mean anything
to me because it still felt my soul
was left behind in... the place I
went to... wherever that was.
JACKSON
Heaven?
BUFFY
We don't know that. There's so many
dimensions I could have... but it's
over. I'm new and improved Buffy.
Wearing the black now.
They share a smile.
JACKSON
And... Pike? Is that his name?
BUFFY
Spike. He was the only...
She stops, choosing her words carefully.
BUFFY (cont'd)
He made me feel. It was bad and the
hurt was unbearable but when I was
with him I felt something.
(beat)
Then he had to go and get a soul
and ruin my "no loving the
vampires" new years resolution.
JACKSON
You loved him?
Buffy doesn't answer. She looks ahead and we see a
directional sign: "MONROE CEMETERY."
BUFFY
That's it.
JACKSON
Okay.
He swerves the car and heads down the street. His eyes switch
from the road and Buffy, almost sequentially.
JACKSON (cont'd)
It's okay if you did. It doesn't
bother me.
BUFFY
Liar.
JACKSON
Okay, so it's always in the back of
my mind. I've been told the stories
of your past and it seems... you've
had them all.
(off her look)
I didn't mean that to come out like
it did.
He steps on the brakes and pulls the car over, parking
alongside the sidewalk.