buffy8x12 Script created with Final Draft by Final Draft, Inc.
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10 EXT. MONROE CEMETERY 10
The doors either side of the car swing open and out step
Buffy and Jackson. They head to the cemetery gates, Jackson
motioning for her to go first.
JACKSON
I only meant... you've had the
great love, you've had the college
romance, and you've had the...
darker relationship.
(beat)
What am I?
They stop walking. Buffy turns to meet his gaze and takes his
hands in hers.
BUFFY
Jackson. You're a --
(beat)
Duck.
JACKSON
I'm a duck?
Buffy's hands grab his shoulders and PUSH him out of the way
as a wandering VAMPIRE lunges towards them. Buffy pushes out
her arm to block the attack and swings her leg round,
CLASHING with the back of the female vamp's legs -- knocking
her down.
Jackson lifts his head from the ground to see Buffy grabbing
the back of VALDA'S neck, (that's what we're calling the
vamp), and THROWING her into a tombstone. He reaches down,
grabbing a stake implanted in his belt.
JACKSON (cont'd)
Buffy!
She turns to him as he throws the stake at her. She catches
it and smiles.
BUFFY
Prepared, much?
JACKSON
First lesson of combat.
BUFFY
(smiles)
Thanks.
Valda pushes herself up and CHARGES Buffy, both of them sent
flying through the air. Buffy lands hard but ROLLS away from
the vamp, back-flipping and landing on her feet. She advances
and grabs Valda's long brown hair, lifting her head up.
BUFFY (cont'd)
You know anything about this bomb?
VALDA
(hisses)
You will die.
BUFFY
Guess not.
Buffy raises the stake but is too late. Valda headbutts her
in the gut and kicks her back, a malign grin forming.
VALDA
You think you know power. You think
you know how to wield it.
(beat)
You're just a child.
She kicks Buffy in the ribs, GROANS escape the Slayer's lips.
Valda picks up the stake and eyes it.
VALDA (cont'd)
This will not help you when they
return and believe me, they will
return. The world was once theirs
and they shall --
Valda stops, her eyes widening. She peers down to see a
wooden stake through her chest.
VALDA (cont'd)
Damnit!
Buffy looks up to see the vampire explode in a fury of dust.
Behind stands Jackson, holding a stake. He offers his hand
out to her and she takes it, regaining her feet.
JACKSON
Always prepared.
BUFFY
Two stakes? It's a wonder you can
fit anything else in those pants.
JACKSON
It's a tight fit.
CUT TO:
11 INT. SUMMERS RESIDENCE - BASEMENT 11
The light flickers in the dusky space. Anya and Xander stand
among training equipment, and a rectangle drawn on the brick
wall in chalk. Xander dusts his hands off and looks over to
her, dropping the chalk and admiring his artwork.
XANDER
Pretty nifty, huh?
ANYA
It's a rectangle, Xander, not a
Mona Lisa.
XANDER
Right.
(beat)
What now?
Anya's eyes move to a book lying on one of the shelves,
already laid out on the right page. Xander cautiously moves
to it, looking it over.
ANYA
It doesn't bite.
XANDER
I know. It's just... this magic
stuff is... after what happened to
Willow, it makes me nervous.
ANYA
You're not gonna go evil. Willow
was a fool and got addicted.
(beat)
She looked hot though.
Xander stares at her.
XANDER
I can't even begin to tell you how
wrong that is.
ANYA
Good, because we've got work to do.
The spell is easy, you just have to
read the words.
XANDER
That's it?
ANYA
You read the words, the door
shimmers, you go through, I get
solid. Simple.
XANDER
Just out of curiosity... what is
this warlock like?
ANYA
Evil.
(off his look)
But I was evil and look at me.
XANDER
You killed a lot of men.
ANYA
Everybody's got faults.
She moves her hands to her hips and motions to the book.
Xander gets it and begins to read the page.
XANDER
Keeper of the walls I plead to you.
Undo this gateway on the night of
the moon and let the door be
opened.
(beat)
Let the lines be solid, let the air
be converged. Let the rules be
broken, let the walls be diverged.
There's a long beat.
XANDER (cont'd)
Please?
SMASH! A blinding light BURSTS out of the wall, making a
sound like every piece of glass in the house has been broken.
Xander and Anya both cover their eyes.
The light dies down and withdraws back into the wall, keeping
a GLOW on the drawn on door. Xander turns to Anya.
XANDER (cont'd)
Do I go through now?
She NODS. He pauses for a while, looking himself over. A deep
breath and then he enters, the light consuming him until
there's nothing left.
Anya stares ahead, a hopeful expression painted on her face,
looking to the clock, clearly displaying:
12 "20:21." 12
BLACK OUT.
END OF ACT ONE
ACT TWO
FADE IN:
CLOSE ON: XANDER
His eyes open as he adjusts to the light. The camera pulls
back, revealing --
13 INT. FARMHOUSE - KITCHEN - DAY 13
He is sitting at a long wooden table in a very old style
room. The flowery print on the wallpaper, the dark wood
everywhere. His eyes look up to see the black support beams
arching up to the ceiling.
XANDER
What the hell?
He stands and finally we see his normal clothes have been
changed. He is dressed in a red and black checked shit, with
light blue dungarees.
XANDER (cont'd)
Okay. Now this is creepy.
WENDY (O.S.)
Oh now, hush.
Xander turns to see the little old lady walk in, carrying a
tray of backed chocolate cookies. She sets them down on the
table in front of him, then broadens a warm smile.
WENDY (cont'd)
You look tired, dear. Long day?
XANDER
Huh? What? Who are you?
WENDY
Poor boy. Asking all the wrong
questions. Happens all the time
though. No one ever understands
this place.
Xander's eyes are shifting all over the place. He's
definitely wigged.
XANDER
Are you... a... some kind of...
(sees)
Are those choc chip?
He hovers over the cookies as Wendy moves to him, her mitts
on.
WENDY
Homemade. Especially for you.
XANDER
Why? What is this? Am I dreaming?
WENDY
No. This isn't a dream. I like to
call it, home. Not your home
though. You're very far away from
there now.
(beat)
He wants to know why you're here
though.
XANDER
Who?
WENDY
Come on now, take a seat. A growing
boy like you shouldn't go hungry.
She ushers him into the chair and hangs a serviette from the
top button of his shirt.
WENDY (cont'd)
Can't have you dropping all those
crumbs everywhere.
XANDER
Lady... I respect my elders but for
the love of gravy, what the hell is
going on here?
Wendy doesn't look best pleased. She sighs and moves to the
opposite end of the table, taking a seat.
WENDY
People come here all the time.
They're always looking for answers
or a wish fulfillment. He's good at
that, you see, very in tune with
the Earth.
(beat)
They all come through here first
but nobody ever stays. They never
come back either. Just like
cookies. First you see them, then
you eat them, then they're gone.
XANDER
Is this warlock gonna eat me?
WENDY
(chuckles)
Oh my, no. He will kill you though,
if you don't pass the tests.
XANDER
Tests?
WENDY
He likes to see if your are worthy
of his time. But they're not easy.
Decades of solidarity can take its
toll on a man's mind. The tests you
will endure are not to be taken
lightly.
(beat)
Like a cookie, when you bake them --
XANDER
Stop with the cookies!
(beat)
What's the first test?
WENDY
This is, Mr Harris. This is your
test.
XANDER
This?
Beat. He looks around, disappointed.
XANDER (cont'd)
What do I have to do?
WENDY
Eat a cookie.
XANDER
Eat a cookie? That's lame.
He picks one up and is about to take a bite when he suddenly
realizes something.
XANDER (cont'd)
Wait a minute. How do I know this
isn't poisoned?
WENDY
You don't. That's the test. It's
all about choices. Will you chose
to eat the cookie, or will you
chose to set it back down and walk
through that door? Free will is a
wonderful thing but at times it can
be exhausting and punishing.
(beat)
You do things to help others but
sometimes you're the one who
becomes in danger.
She takes off her oven mitts and places them on the table in
a neat pile.
WENDY (cont'd)
Are you really willing to die for
this girl?
Xander, still examining the cookie, looks up to her. He nods,
no doubts.
XANDER
She's my girl.
WENDY
But she has made so many wrong
choices. She has killed. She is
impure. But you, your heart is like
a rainbow. I see it and I feel it.
Such warmth, so much love.
(beat)
There are great things in store for
you, Mr Harris. But her life is
over. Will you reconsider?
XANDER
You know what's in store for me?
WENDY
I see it all.
(beat)
She will hold you back. You deserve
better.
A moment. Xander shakes his head, standing. His eyes dart to
her with a presence of anger.
XANDER
You know? I've had just about
enough of people telling me I
deserve better. Anya's not perfect,
okay, I get it, but she is the
woman I love. I left her once and I
will not do that again.
(beat)
I know her choices haven't been
great but no one has the power to
stop those mistakes. We can only
learn from them and hopefully
become a better person.
WENDY
She is dead!
XANDER
Not to me!
Wendy accepts this and looks to the cookie in his hand, then
to the door.
WENDY
So what will it be?
Xander thinks about it. His eyes following hers all the way
to the large door, then to the snack in his hand. Eat it?
Don't eat it?
A moment's hesitation before he takes a bite. Wendy nods with
a smile, getting up from the chair and waddling towards him.
WENDY (cont'd)
You're quite a man.
XANDER
Thanks.
(re: cookie)
And this is amazing. You've got
some cooking skills, lady!
WENDY
And you'll need some skills where
you're going.
XANDER
And that would be where now?
WENDY
To the next test.
She motions to an opening door, which reveals a very modern
elevator. Xander finishes off the cookie and heads towards
it, stepping inside.
There is only one button to press. He taps it and shoots a
weary smile at Wendy, who's waving back. The door closes.
Wendy looks on and sighs.
WENDY
Such a nice boy.
(beat)
Too bad.
She continues to the sink and turns the faucets, pulling a
plate under the running water.
CUT TO:
14 EXT. MONROE CEMETERY - NIGHT 14
Jackson nears a crypt and looks around it with caution. His
hand moves up to reach the door and pushes it but it's
locked.
JACKSON
Damn.
Buffy appears on screen as he checks the padlock.
BUFFY
What?
JACKSON
It's locked. I could pick the
padlock --
CRASH! Buffy KICKS the door down, an echo sounding throughout
the cemetery. Jackson nods.
JACKSON (cont'd)
Or you could do that.
BUFFY
We don't have time to play by the
rules.
JACKSON
Hey, right there with you.
She moves into the darkened archway. Jackson waits a few
moments, then follows her in.
15 INT. MONROE CEMETERY - CRYPT 15
A few lanterns hanging on the walls light the dark and gloomy
crypt. Footsteps are heard as Buffy and Jackson come down the
short height of steps, surveying the area around them.
BUFFY
This is useless. There's nothing
here.
JACKSON
How long have we got left?
Buffy looks down at her watch.
BUFFY
It's eight-thirty-one. We've wasted
too much time already.
(frustrated)
How am I supposed to stop this
thing if I can't even find it?
She starts towards the opening but as she nears it she stops.
Her eyes looks down to the ground beneath her.
There's a metal ring handle, and four cracks in the ground. A
trapdoor!
BUFFY (cont'd)
Oh, I'm good.
JACKSON
What is it?
BUFFY
It's probably down here.
She pulls the trapdoor up and looks down at the pitch black
space. She screws up her face.
BUFFY (cont'd)
Great.
She swings her legs round and plants them inside the hole.
Her hands feel around for a moment but then grabs something.
She spins around and GRIPS the ladder tightly. Jackson steps
closer to her as she looks up at him.
BUFFY (cont'd)
Stand guard. It could be a trap.
JACKSON
Okay.
(beat)
Oh, wait!
He rushes to the wall and pulls off one of the lanterns,
passing it to her.
BUFFY
Check you out, brains and good
looks.
JACKSON
I'm like the perfect man.
BUFFY
Don't get too cocky.
An exchange of brief smiles before Buffy disappears into the
darkness. Jackson sighs, peering in. He turns and scans the
crypt, on guard.
A wisp of golden hair crosses the shadows. Jackson pulls up
his stake, ready to fight. He waits, his eyes looking from
corner to corner, searching every inch of the crypt.
He steps closer to where he saw the image, only looking back
to make sure no one has entered through the trap door. His
footsteps are silent as he comes closer to a large pit
darkness.
BANG!
Jackson spins on his heels at the sound and raises the stake,
positioned in his fighting stance.
He's looking at the closed trapdoor where a blonde girl
stands. She is MARY, a twelve year old girl, dressed in a
dirtied white gown.
MARY
Hello.
JACKSON
Um... hi.
MARY
What are you doing?
JACKSON
(cautious)
I'm waiting.
MARY
What are you waiting for?
He doesn't respond. Instead, he takes a step closer to her,
clutching the stake.
MARY (cont'd)
Are you lost?
JACKSON
No.
(beat)
Why are you here? Shouldn't girls
your age be at home by now?
MARY
(giggles)
This is my home, silly.
JACKSON
Right. Okay. And I'm guessing you
don't go out during the day much.
MARY
No. The sun can hurt.
JACKSON
Yeah. There's a lot of that going
around.
Mary watches him, her eyes moving to the stake.
MARY
Are you going to kill me?
JACKSON
You're already dead.
MARY
(hurt)
Don't say that.
JACKSON
I'm sorry.
(beat)
I'm sorry they turned you.
MARY
My mommy didn't like me when she
saw I was like this. She said I was
the Devil's daughter.
(beat)
Do you think I'm the Devil's
daughter?
JACKSON
(shakes his head)
No. I don't think that.
He is slowly getting closer to her, not making any sudden
movements.
MARY
She wasn't nice to me.
Suddenly Jackson LUNGES at the girl with his stake but her
arms come up to block. She grabs his wrists and looks at him
with a sinister expression.
MARY (cont'd)
So I ate her!
Mary KICKS him back, sending him flying into the wall. He
SLUMPS down but lifts his head as she rapidly moves to him.
Before he can do anything, she's there, holding his head in
her hands.
MARY (cont'd)
And I'm gonna eat you too.
She moves in for the bite, her face still normal.
16 INT. MONROE CEMETERY - CRYPT - UNDERGROUND 16
A sound from above makes Buffy stop. She looks up, waiting
for something else before reacting, but the sounds stop.
She continues on her way through the large space, the lantern
is the only source of light.
BUFFY
I'm canceling all my birthdays from
now on. I'm gonna be twenty-three
years old for the rest of my life.
She stops, catching sight of something. She walks towards the
wall and brings the lantern up to see it.
There hangs a piece of paper, with the words: "KEEP GOING"
underlined by an arrow pointing ahead. Buffy sighs.
BUFFY (cont'd)
Oh, good. Directions are always
handy.
She continues through the darkness and now we see several of
the directions all pointing straight ahead. Buffy warily
walks that way.
CUT TO:
17 EXT. DESERT - DAY 17
The sun is shining bright above as Xander walks across the
golden sand. It's clear he's been walking for awhile from the
sweat begins to form on his face.
XANDER
Is my test to die of dehydration or
something?
He stops, resting on a rock. He rests his eyes for a moment,
taking everything in. He opens them to see --
TAMMAZEL
The female demon looks at him, her hands on her hips. Her
pale body covered in those menacing spikes. Xander JUMPS to
his feet. Then --
XANDER (cont'd)
Hey. I saw a picture of you. You're
Tommyzella.
TAMMAZEL
It's Tammazel.
(beat)
But you can call me Tammy. Most
people do. Or, not really because I
kill most people I see.
She shrugs.
XANDER
Am I supposed to fight you?
TAMMAZEL
(laughs)
Like you could!
(beat)
No. I am here as a representative.
Your stage two guide. I was pulled
out of your memories and this is
the form. See, I'm not really
Tammazel... but I know her mind.
So, in a sense, isn't that what
makes a person who they are?
XANDER
Wh... why chose this form? Why not
someone more... less scary?
TAMMAZEL
Poor boy, this whole thing is
scary. You are risking your life
for someone who doesn't deserve it.
XANDER
She does.
TAMMAZEL
Whatever.
(beat)
So, Mr. Construction, you ready?
XANDER
For the test?
TAMMAZEL
(nods)
It's time.
XANDER
Right. Okay. I'm ready. Bring it
on.
Tammazel smiles, then CLAPS her hands twice. She turns to see
the sand below them erupt.
A large REPTILE demon rises from the ground, brandishing a
large sword. It looks at Xander, SNARLING.
XANDER (cont'd)
Whoa. I've gotta fight that?
TAMMAZEL
Or you could die.
XANDER
But... can't I just eat a cookie?
TAMMAZEL
Sorry hero. Been there, done that.
Jerekov doesn't like to repeat
himself.
(beat)
But good luck.
XANDER
Wait. You're leaving me?
TAMMAZEL
Hell yeah. What do you think I am,
crazy?
She rolls her eyes and instantly vanishes in a cloud of mist.
Xander watches her disappear, then turns back to Reptile,
who's looking like it's lusting for the kill. A nervous smile
widens on Xander's expression.
XANDER
Hey, buddy. You're a nice demon,
right?
(beat)
I mean, we could work this out over
a peaceful game of chess. Or...
checkers. I'm getting pretty good
since Andrew's moved in.
Reptile ROARS.
XANDER (cont'd)
That'd be a no then?
He makes a quick dash for it as Reptile charges at him,
swinging the sword. Xander quickly dodges another swing and
PUNCHES the demon in the ribs but only hurts himself.
XANDER (cont'd)
Ow! What are you, made of steel?
SMACK! Reptile backhands him, sending him CRASHING to the
ground. The demon hovers over him, raising the swords high
above his head, ready to finish it.
BLACK OUT.
END OF ACT TWO
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Script created with Final Draft by Final Draft, Inc.