buffy8x17
Script created with Final Draft by Final Draft, Inc.
[
bottom
]
TEASER
FADE IN:
1 INT. NO MAN'S LAND - NIGHT 1
The place is packed. Wavelength are on stage, performing
"Beast." The music is just starting up as we see a figure
move to the middle of the dance floor. The crowds of people
seem to separate only for her. She turns --
FAITH dances there, her long brunette hair swinging round,
showing off her best assets. He moves to the beat, placing
her hands on a nearby GUY. She pulls him closer, her face
painted with desire.
The guy is very willing to dance with her, pressing his groin
closer to her hips. A smile curves on her lips but before
long she's bored with him.
She turns to see GUY #2. She grabs hold of his shirt, almost
yanking him away from his GIRL. She wraps her arms around his
neck and gets real close to him.
GIRL
Hey! Get away from my boyfriend!
Faith SHOOTS her the coldest look and the girl soon finds
herself backing down. Guy #2's hands move down to Faith's
lower back. She turns around to be faced by the girl again,
this time VAMPED OUT.
GIRL (cont'd)
I said, get away, bitch.
She throws a punch at Faith but she blocks it, grabbing her
arm and twisting it behind her back, then thrusting her into
the first guy, who is also vamped.
Faith is grabbed from behind. Another grin before she back
kicks Guy #2 in the groin. She spins around, still moving to
the beat, and punches him full whack on the jaw.
He is sent flying onto the stage, crashing into the drum set.
The music cuts off as people run from the chaos.
Faith grabs the vampire girl and PUMMELS her. The girl drops
to the ground but Faith carries on. Not stopping. Not caring.
BUFFY
Faith!
BUFFY appears from the crowd but is intercepted by Guy #1.
She doesn't waste any time. Knocking him to the ground,
staking him.
FAITH
B, about time. Wanna piece of the
action?
Buffy comes right up to her and PUSHES her away. She reaches
down to the girl and DUSTS her.
She looks back up to see everyone has scampered. Faith dusts
herself off, looking a little confused, a lot angry.
BUFFY
What the hell was that?
FAITH
I was creating a distraction.
BUFFY
That wasn't a distraction. That was
brutal-tion thing.
FAITH
It was the plan, right? Keep them
busy while you, lets face it, take
your time to get here.
BUFFY
And what part about keeping it as
low key as possible did you not
understand?
FAITH
I think it was the part where I was
surrounded by vampires.
BUFFY
Thought you liked being put in the
hornets nest?
FAITH
And I thought you liked actually
slaying the bad guys.
BUFFY
There's a difference between
slaying and kicking the crap out of
them.
FAITH
Whatever, B. It's over. We won.
Lets forget it over a round of
drinks.
They both look around to see that absolutely nobody is in the
club.
FAITH (cont'd)
Back at your house.
CUT TO:
2 INT. WILLOW & KENNEDY'S APARTMENT - BEDROOM 2
KENNEDY is sitting up in bed, her arms wrapped around WILLOW,
as they lie peacefully together.
KENNEDY
I think it's funny.
WILLOW
What?
KENNEDY
How dogs just have unconditional
love. It's something everyone
wants.
(beat)
We should get a puppy.
WILLOW
Really? But lets not leave it in
town when the place is being
demolished cos that's not good.
KENNEDY
I think we should.
(beat)
Not leave it to die, I mean. Just,
you know, get a puppy.
WILLOW
We could call him Rex or... Dopey.
KENNEDY
I like Doodles.
WILLOW
Yeah... and when we could take him
for walks and, but, not let him
"go" on private property cos then
we'd have to scoop it up and I'm
not good with that.
KENNEDY
No private property. Check.
WILLOW
Can we get one tomorrow?
KENNEDY
Will, we've got the rest of our
lives to get one.
Willow turns to her, with those sad eyes.
KENNEDY (cont'd)
Okay. Tomorrow. We'll go to the
store and pick up our very own
Doodles.
WILLOW
It'll be like our own little
family.
Kennedy smiles and lowers herself down, snuggling up to
Willow, pulling the quilt up to cover them both. Willow
cuddles up to her.
WILLOW (cont'd)
This is how every day should end.
A beat.
KENNEDY
We'd have a house full of puppies
if it did.
Willow chuckles, resting her head on Kennedy. The camera
pulls back until we...
BLACK OUT.
END OF TEASER
ACT ONE
FADE IN:
3 INT. CHARLESTON & SMITHE - BUFFY'S OFFICE - DAY 3
Buffy moves through her office, picking up some files and
feeding them through the fax machine. She looks at one, then
goes to the phone. She presses a button on it.
BUFFY
Josh. Here. Now.
She turns and waits a moment. Josh pushes the door open with
an unimpressed expression.
JOSH
I just love it when you treat me
like your pet.
BUFFY
(smiles)
Could you get this to Hesky? It got
mixed in with my inbox for some
reason.
She hands him the file.
JOSH
It's the postman. He's foreign.
BUFFY
Uh huh. Blame it on the foreigner.
JOSH
I'll get it to him a.s.a.p.
BUFFY
Sooner please.
Josh is about to leave but stops and turns back to face her,
sizing her up.
JOSH
You know, you were so nice when you
started here. Are you trying to
work me to the bone cos I'm
leaving?
BUFFY
Yep. So, you're calling me an old
hag?
JOSH
You said it.
He braves a cocky smile, closing the door behind him. Buffy
rolls her eyes and returns to her desk, taking a seat.
She turns her attention to the computer, tapping away at the
computer.
Suddenly, the door opens and ANYA comes through. She's all
dressed up like a smart, ambitious, businesswoman. She's even
carrying a briefcase.
BUFFY
Anya... check you out.
ANYA
Yes. It's a new look.
BUFFY
Okay.
(beat)
What are you doing here? I have an
appointment with a new
receptionist...
(realizing)
And oh my God, you're Ms. Jenkins.
ANYA
(smiles)
I had to use my lame ass made up
maiden name.
BUFFY
Oh, this could go real wrong, real
quick.
Anya shakes her head before taking a seat opposite Buffy. She
pulls out her briefcase and hands her some papers.
ANYA
No, see. I have references.
Buffy looks them over, then raises her gaze to a very
enthused Anya.
BUFFY
Anya. Apart from the Magic Box,
these are all made up.
ANYA
Oh and your references were so
real?
(beat)
And they're not made up. I really
was the manageress of that bank in
Japan.
(beat)
Although, it was apart of the
vengeance gig and I summoned a
Gharon Demon to sever the limbs of
all the staff because --
BUFFY
One I'm sure would not be required
here. Anya, why didn't you tell me?
ANYA
It was a surprise.
(beat)
Surprise!
Buffy runs her fingers through her hair, pushing the papers
back to Anya.
BUFFY
I can't accept these.
ANYA
But you didn't look them over.
(beat)
See, most of these people are still
alive.
BUFFY
Anya... I don't think you're really
looking at the big picture here.
Being a receptionist is a demanding
job and it... well it's tough...
and I don't think --
ANYA
You don't think I'm cut out for it?
I could sell a monkey's toe to an
old French woman!
BUFFY
(beat)
And that's not what we do here.
Look, this job is hard and... hard.
Josh opens the door and comes through.
JOSH
Well, my work's done. Turns out the
computer did most of the work for
me. So, I guess I'm done for the
day and I never have to come back
to this crazed place again.
(smiles)
See you around, Buffy. See, I can
call you that now I don't work for
you.
He turns around and heads to the door, with a spring in his
step. Buffy turns back to Anya, who looks less than
impressed.
BUFFY
When can you start?
CUT TO:
4 EXT. DOWNTOWN - PET STORE 4
The street is full of civilians. Willow and Kennedy walk hand
in hand towards the shop.
5 INT. PET STORE 5
The door opens and our two girls walk in. The store is big,
full of pets. Parrots, cats, fish... which Willow looks at,
somberly. Kennedy pulls her towards the dog section. They
browse for a while. A CASHIER comes rushing towards them.
CASHIER
Hey there happy shoppers. Need any
help selecting a brand new member
of the family?
Willow can't help but return the infectious smile from the
cashier but Kennedy just turns away.
WILLOW
We're just looking for a puppy. An
ordinary puppy.
CASHIER
Ah. Well how about this little
scamp?
She picks up a tiny Border Collie from the pack and hands it
to Willow, who quickly cuddles it.
CASHIER (cont'd)
He's already well trained and is
available right away.
KENNEDY
What about this one?
Returning the puppy to the cashier, she looks down into the
pen and sees the one Kennedy has pointed out. It's cute, yes,
but it doesn't look the cutest or best groomed one out of the
lot. It's just sitting quietly in the corner while the other
puppies bark.
CASHIER
Oh. He's, um... to go off record,
he was abandoned on a street corner
and we took him in. He won't cost
you anything but really, if I were
you I'd go for a better, happier
puppy.
Kennedy shoots the cashier a look.
KENNEDY
Maybe he'd be happier if he was
treated better.
WILLOW
(interrupting)
Okay... um, so...
(to Kennedy)
You sure that's the one you want?
He's a little... rough.
KENNEDY
He's got potential.
(beat)
He deserves to be given a better
life. It's what everyone deserves.
Willow gets what she's talking about, an undertone of what
happened to Kennedy in her past. Willow nods with a smile.
WILLOW
That's Doodles then.
Kennedy carefully picks up the quiet and reserved puppy,
wrapping her arms around him.
KENNEDY
(to cashier)
You just gonna stand there all day?
The cashier goes off about her business. Willow turns to
Kennedy with an "eek" expression.
WILLOW
You were so mean.
KENNEDY
Well, nobody talks that way about
our Doodles.
WILLOW
Didn't know you had the maternal
instincts.
KENNEDY
There's a lot you don't know yet.
WILLOW
Well, I'll just have to find it all
out then, won't I?
They continue to stroke the puppy, together.
6 INT. SUMMERS RESIDENCE - DINING ROOM - LATER 6
DAWN is sitting at the table, looking through stacks of
books. Buffy comes through and takes one without her
noticing, reading the cover.
BUFFY
"Summoning The Beasts Time Forgot."
Well, that's gotta be a fun read.
Dawn looks up, surprised to see her.
DAWN
Uh, yeah. It is.
BUFFY
So, research girl again?
DAWN
Aren't I always?
BUFFY
You'd better watch out, Giles'll be
recruiting you for the Council
next.
Dawn manages a smile but goes back to her reading. Buffy
shrugs it off and continues through the next door.
7 INT. SUMMERS RESIDENCE - KITCHEN 7
Buffy enters and stops at the image of JODY cooking, but not
wearing oven mitts. She waits a beat, then --
BUFFY
Do you, like, live here now?
Jody almost DROPS a pan at the sound of her voice. He turns
to face her.
JODY
You scared the crap outta me!
BUFFY
It's a theme in this house.
JODY
I'm getting that.
He sets the pan down.
BUFFY
So, Andrew's home?
He shakes his head.
JODY
Not yet. I'm making a dinner for
you all, you know, big gesture.
XANDER (O.S.)
With a little help from the
Xandman.
XANDER enters through the other door, shooting a smile at
Buffy, who GLARES at his oven mitts, trying not to crack a
smile.
BUFFY
Nice mitts.
XANDER
Don't mock the mitts. They come in
handy with hot stuff.
JODY
Like yourself.
XANDER
Stop that.
JODY
I just love freaking you out, Xand.
Buffy shakes her head at them and moves towards the lounge.
8 INT. SUMMERS RESIDENCE - LOUNGE 8
Anya and JACKSON are staring at the TV, watching "BUGS
BUNNY". Anya reaches into her bag of popcorn and scoffs a
load.
JACKSON
I get what you're saying, Anya, but
Elmer Fudd isn't misunderstood. He
carries around a shotgun, hunting
rabbits.
(cutting her off)
And I know that's not really evil,
but it doesn't really save the
world.
ANYA
(muffled)
Bunnies are evil!
Buffy can't hold that laugh in any longer. Both Jackson and
Anya turn to her.
JACKSON
Hey, you're home.
BUFFY
Yep. And found everyone living
here.
JACKSON
It is getting cramped.
ANYA
Want me to call a health inspector?
BUFFY
I think we'll give that a miss for
now.
ANYA
Okay...
(beat)
Boss.
Anya heads out the door but quickly rushes back in, grabbing
the bag of popcorn. Buffy watches her leave and is then
hugged by Jackson.
BUFFY
This is new.
JACKSON
The hugging?
BUFFY
The happiness. It's like everyone's
been possessed by Care Bears.
JACKSON
It is different. A good kinda
different though. Been a long time
since I've seen you radiate with
glowiness.
BUFFY
Hm. Things are starting to pick up
at work. We've run into no nasty
creatures so far this week and I
hope to God I'm not jinxing just by
saying that...
(beat)
I think the Hellmouth's taking a
time out. Which, by the way, is so
not a bad thing.
JACKSON
And best of all? We get a free meal
out of Xander and Jody.
BUFFY
Not hating it.
(beat)
But we should really be --
Jackson brings a hand up to gently cover her mouth.
JACKSON
Don't say the "R-Word." For the
past few weeks we've done nothing
else with our spare time.
(beat)
Lets take a break, okay?
BUFFY
(smiles)
Okay. No researching. But somebody
should probably let Dawn in on that
cos her head's been in those books
all day and personally, I'm getting
worried.
JACKSON
Forget about Dawn for now.
BUFFY
Been there, done that, ended up
getting myself and everyone else
locked inside my house.
(beat)
Fun times.
JACKSON
That's one of those stories pre-
Cleveland, right?
BUFFY
Yeah. It's like a whole other life.
Jackson smiles as the door opens. Willow walks in, full of
GLEE. She greets them with a smile.
WILLOW
Hi!
BUFFY
(to Jackson)
Everyone's possessed.
JACKSON
Should we be worried?
BUFFY
Nah.
(almost somberly)
It never lasts.
WILLOW
We've got someone for you to meet.
Now you have to be careful cos he's
really shy and also pees a lot.
She looks down at herself, a wet patch on her jacket. She
looks back to the door to see Kennedy enter, holding the
puppy -- that is actually peeing as she moves.
KENNEDY
Can't stop! Can't stop! Someone
open the back door!
She quickly rushes through to the kitchen. Willow's smile
turns to a "please smile and forget our puppy peed on your
floor" kinda expression.
BUFFY
I'm never taking my shoes off ever
again.
WILLOW
Yeah, we're gonna have to get that
sorted.
(beat)
But... aw, puppy!
KENNEDY (O.S.)
(calls)
Willow... the puppy's humping my
leg!
WILLOW
Uh oh!
She quickly goes through the door. Buffy and Jackson share a
laugh.
9 EXT. SUMMERS RESIDENCE - BACK YARD 9
The puppy has in fact wrapped its legs around Kennedy's.
Faith, who has been training outside, is watching with
amusement. Willow comes rushing out and SCOOPS the dog up.
KENNEDY
Forget what I said. We're going
back for the Collie.
WILLOW
He just likes you.
FAITH
A little too much if you ask me.
Faith heads back inside. Willows moves the puppy's paws and
imitates his voice:
WILLOW
(to Kennedy)
"Look at me. I'm a floppy puppy!"
10 INT. SUMMERS RESIDENCE - KITCHEN 10
Xander and Jody are still master chefs. Faith enters and goes
to open the other door but Xander stops her.
XANDER
(Spanish accent)
You joining us for dinner,
senorita?
FAITH
Family gatherings? Not my thing.
And aren't the best chefs French
anyway?
XANDER
Yeah but I don't really know what
that in French.
JODY
Xander. Those carrots you wanted
fresh are turning more into sludge.
Xander quickly runs back to the stove. Faith rolls her eyes
and heads through the door.
11 INT. SUMMERS RESIDENCE - BASEMENT 11
Faith heads down into the dimly lit basement. The place is
decked out like gymnasium now. She does some exercising,
bending her arms, then her legs, then moves to the punch bag.
WHAM! She SMACKS it hard. By her expression, we get that it
surprises her how much she really hit it.
VOICE (O.S.)
Got some aggression?
Faith recognizes it straight away. Her eyes widen, turning
around to see --
MAYOR RICHARD WILKINS III, looking as alive as ever. She
looks him up and down, weary of his presence.
FAITH
You.
MAYOR WILKINS
Bet you thought you'd never see me
again, eh Firecracker?
FAITH
You're not the First.
MAYOR WILKINS
No, but I heard that little sack of
badness had been imitating me. It's
a violation I tell you.
FAITH
You're not him either.
MAYOR WILKINS
Oh, I am. I can prove it. Ask me
anything.
FAITH
I'm not playing this game again.
MAYOR WILKINS
But isn't that what you do best,
Faith? Play games. Your whole life
has been a game or haven't you
figured that out yet?
FAITH
Say what you want but --
MAYOR WILKINS
You think they care about? I'm the
only who did, I'm the only one who
will.
(beat)
Principal Wood can't help you. But
then, you know that, because you
let him die.
This hits Faith. Rage begins to boil inside her but as the
figure in front of her transforms into someone else, she
steps back, cautious.
It's ROBIN WOOD. His eyes set on her.
ROBIN
You could have saved me, Faith. But
you didn't. You didn't even try.
FAITH
Stop. Stop looking like him.
ROBIN
You're nothing but a waste of
space.
An abomination to this world and
all its causes. They should have
put you down a long time ago.
Faith backs away as Robin edges closer.
ROBIN (cont'd)
You're nothing to them. Nothing to
the higher powers. You're a
worthless piece of white trash.
(beat)
Just like your Mother.
Faith shakes her head, trying to block him out.
ROBIN (cont'd)
You let us die. Now it's time for
payback. And sweetie, it's a bitch.
He suddenly lunges at her with a KNIFE. She holds her hands
up to protect herself and then... nothing. Faith opens her
eyes to see he's gone. She's alone.
Breathless, she backs herself against the wall.
BLACK OUT.
END OF ACT ONE
[
top
| next
]
Script created with Final Draft by Final Draft, Inc.