buffy8x17
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                                       ACT TWO

                                                               FADE IN:

        12     INT. SUMMERS RESIDENCE - DINING ROOM - NIGHT            12

               Everyone, excluding Faith, is at the table. The plates are
               empty, everything has been eaten, and there's a lot of
               bloated people here.

                                   ANDREW
                         I'm never gonna eat again.

                                   WILLOW
                         I second that.

                                   XANDER
                         Right there with you. 

               Xander's head FALLS to the table. Anya pats him on the back
               but doesn't look too great herself.

                                   KENNEDY
                         I don't think I can get off this
                         chair.

                                   BUFFY
                         We'd just better hope and pray no
                         demons storm the house tonight cos
                         in this condition, we'd all die.

                                   JACKSON
                         I don't know. I could go for some
                         desert right about now.

                                   ANYA
                         My God, you're like a bottomless
                         pit.

                                   JACKSON
                         It's how I was raised.

                                   ANYA
                         To eat everything?

                                   JACKSON
                         Actually, I wasn't really raised so
                         we had to fend for ourselves. 

               A beat.

                                   XANDER
                         And on that happy note. 

               He grabs his plate and heads to the kitchen, with Anya on his
               tail.

                                   JODY
                         No one ever tell my Mom I can cook.
                         She'll have me in the kitchen all
                         day everyday.

                                   ANDREW
                         Your secret's safe with us.

                                   KENNEDY
                         Seriously guys, I'm like really
                         stuck on this chair. 

               Willow goes to her and lifts her up.

                                   KENNEDY (cont'd)
                         That's actually... not better.

                                   DAWN
                         Yeah, I'm gonna try and drag myself
                         upstairs.

                                   BUFFY
                         More research?

                                   DAWN
                         It's gotta be done.

                                   BUFFY
                         You didn't get the memo?

                                   DAWN
                         Huh?

                                   ANDREW
                         We're all heading down to No Man's
                         Land tonight... if we can actually
                         get there, that is.

                                   DAWN
                         I've got school tomorrow.

                                   BUFFY
                             (smiles)
                         When did you turn into Miss
                         Scholar?

                                   DAWN
                         You know, I have no idea. 

               She turns and exits. Buffy almost FALLS on Jackson. He lifts
               his hand and strokes her hair.

        13     INT. SUMMERS RESIDENCE - KITCHEN                        13

               Xander and Anya are standing by the heap of washing up on the
               kitchen surface -- ignoring it.

                                   XANDER
                         You feeling any better?

                                   ANYA
                         Worse.

                                   XANDER
                         You are?

                                   ANYA
                         Oh, you mean about the whole "not
                         feeling" thing.
                             (beat)
                         It's getting easier. Like when you
                         ride a bike for the first time. At
                         first you're like: "whoa, what's
                         this" and then... actually, I've
                         never been shown how to ride a
                         bike.
                             (beat)
                         I should learn that one day.

                                   XANDER
                         But it's better?

                                   ANYA
                         Only with you here. I don't know
                         what I would do if something ever
                         happened to you... if you were to
                         be...

                                   XANDER
                         Lets not think about that, okay?

                                   ANYA
                         Sometimes it's all I think about. I
                         would crumble. I'd be like Dark
                         Willow, looking for vengeance.

                                   XANDER
                         Whoa. No creepy veiny evil Anya.
                             (beat)
                         I'll never leave you. You know
                         that.

                                   ANYA
                         I do. Now. I do now. It took a
                         while but I'm over the whole, "you
                         leaving me at the altar."

                                   XANDER
                         And you've just been dying to get
                         that in, right?

                                   ANYA
                         It shows I've grown.

                                   KENNEDY (O.S.)
                         Oh God!

               Xander and Anya turn to see Kennedy rushing through, covering
               her mouth. Willow's in quick pursuit. Kennedy runs through
               the back door and we hear a lot of vomiting.

                                   WILLOW
                         Too much food.

                                   XANDER
                         And hopefully not food poisoning.

                                   ANYA
                         Oh my God, have you killed us all?

                                   XANDER
                         No!

                                   WILLOW
                         Her eyes are bigger than her belly.
                         Remember the Christmas meal?

                                   ANYA
                         When Xander got so drunk he did
                         that sexy dance?

                                   WILLOW
                         Um... the Snoopy Dance?

                                   ANYA
                         Yeah, that too.

                                   KENNEDY (O.S.)
                             (calls)
                         The dog's eating my vomit!

                                   WILLOW
                             (disgusted)
                         Oh God.

                                   ANYA
                         That's horrible. 

               Willow goes outside as Xander and Anya watch from the window
               with some amusement, some disgust.

                                   WILLOW (O.S.)
                         Oh, now you lick me?!

        14     INT. SUMMERS RESIDENCE - BASEMENT                       14

               Faith is sitting on the bench, staring into space. Buffy
               comes down the steps.

                                   BUFFY
                         Hey. We're all heading out to -- 

               She stops herself, seeing Faith's morbid expression. She
               edges closer.

                                   BUFFY (cont'd)
                         What's up?

                                   FAITH
                         Nothing. I'm good.

                                   BUFFY
                         Okay.

                                   FAITH
                         You said you were heading
                         somewhere?

                                   BUFFY
                         Yeah. No Man's Land, again. It's
                         becoming quite the second home.

                                   FAITH
                         Sounds like a blast, but I've got
                         plans.

                                   BUFFY
                         You have plans?

                                   FAITH
                         What, you think I can't have plans
                         in a city where I don't know anyone
                         but you guys?
                             (beat)
                         I'm patrolling.

                                   BUFFY
                         Oh. You want some backup?

                                   FAITH
                         I've done okay the past few months,
                         wouldn't need it now.

               Buffy nods, unsure if Faith's out for another round of boxing
               or just venting some frustration.

                                   BUFFY
                         Well, if you get bored, you know
                         where we are.

               Faith doesn't reply, just gives her a nod of the head. Buffy
               knows something's up but doesn't push it. She goes back up
               the stairs. 

               Faith turns to see the Robin sitting right beside her.

                                   ROBIN
                         So, you don't want to hang out with
                         your buds? Good move. They're only
                         inviting you cos they'd feel bad if
                         they didn't.

                                   FAITH
                         What do you want from me?

                                   ROBIN
                         I thought we'd made that quite
                         clear. 

               He changes into the DEPUTY MAYOR, the first man Faith had
               ever killed.

                                   DEPUTY MAYOR
                         Justice.

        15     INT. SUMMERS RESIDENCE - LOUNGE                         15

               Kennedy is lying on the sofa, a quilt covering her, with the
               puppy on top, now asleep. Willow is sitting in the armchair
               as Xander and Anya enter.

                                   ANYA
                         Stopped vomiting yet?

                                   KENNEDY
                         I don't know. Why don't you come
                         over and we'll see.

                                   WILLOW
                             (to Xander)
                         You might wanna buy some more
                         cloths. And by the way, I wouldn't
                         recommend scrubbing hard on your
                         skin cos then it really hurts. 

               Buffy enters, with Andrew and Jody behind.

                                   ANDREW
                         Lets go homies.

               Everyone looks at him very strangely. He doesn't follow that
               up with anything.

                                   WILLOW
                         I'm gonna stay here with Kennedy
                         cos she's not feeling too good.

                                   KENNEDY
                         No, you go.

                                   WILLOW
                         But I don't wanna leave you when
                         you're sick.

                                   KENNEDY
                         Trust me, that's when you should
                         leave me. You saw the mess.

                                   ANYA
                         Yes. We all did. Thank you for
                         that.

                                   WILLOW
                             (to Kennedy)
                         Are you sure?

                                   KENNEDY
                         Out partying... staying here with a
                         gross me?

                                   WILLOW
                         Partying it is!

                                   ANYA
                         Okay, lets get this freak show on
                         the road.

               As they head out the door:

                                   BUFFY
                         Are we all gonna fit in Jackson's
                         car?

                                   ANYA
                         Andrew can fit in the trunk. He's
                         very flexible.
                             (beat)
                         Jody told me.

                                   ANDREW
                         Hey!

               Kennedy sighs and switches on the TV with the remote, the
               cartoons still playing.

        16     INT. SUMMERS RESIDENCE - BASEMENT                       16

               Faith is still sitting on the bench while the Deputy Mayor
               paces, looking at her in repulsion.

                                   DEPUTY MAYOR
                         Well, it's not right is it? An
                         honest man like me gets killed and
                         you get to walk around freely?

                                   FAITH
                         Honest? You were working for a guy
                         that tried to eat the town.

                                   DEPUTY MAYOR
                         I was on my way to tell you. Both
                         of you. But no, Miss Quick-Off-The-
                         Mark was too caught up in the
                         moment.
                             (beat)
                         When you drove that stake through
                         my heart, I could actually feel my
                         life slipping away. It's like,
                         everything, your soul, your
                         memories, just bleed from you...
                         and then there's nothing.
                             (beat)
                         Well, there was heaven for me.
                         Where do you think you'll be going?

                                   FAITH
                         Hadn't given it much thought.

                                   DEPUTY MAYOR
                         Add liar to the list. It's all you
                         think about. Hell's really got you
                         in a bother. And it should... 

               He changes into Mayor Wilkins.

                                   MAYOR WILKINS
                         Well, I should know, right?
                             (chuckles)
                         Look, I don't want to scare you
                         like the others, Faith. But you
                         have done a lot of things that
                         can't be forgiven. You think
                         Robin's mad at you? Think about the
                         Powers That Be. And trust me, you
                         don't wanna make them angry. They
                         can be as troublesome as a kangaroo
                         in heat.

                                   FAITH
                         So what, you want me to kill
                         myself? Would that make it right?
                             (beat)
                         It's not gonna work. This little
                         show you've put on is a waste of
                         time.

                                   MAYOR WILKINS
                         We don't want you to die, Faith.

                                   FAITH
                         Then what? What do you want from
                         me?

                                   MAYOR WILKINS
                         You started on a road and it hasn't
                         all been taken yet.
                             (beat)
                         Come on, you remember how easy it
                         was. To be guilt free, to only
                         think about yourself. Those were
                         the times right?
                             (beat)
                         Remember the miniature golf saga?
                         When that attendant wouldn't let
                         you take your prize so you socked
                         him one?

                                   FAITH
                             (faintly smiles)
                         Well he deserved it. I won it fair
                         and square.

                                   MAYOR WILKINS
                         Or when I ran over that dog and you
                         beat the woman up so she couldn't
                         take down the license plate number?

                                   FAITH
                         It... was only a dog.

                                   MAYOR WILKINS
                         Do you remember when you gutted the
                         nutty professor so Buffy and her
                         little super friends wouldn't find
                         out about the ascension? 

               Faith turns to see him right in her face.

                                   MAYOR WILKINS (cont'd)
                         That's the Faith I knew. That's the
                         girl I want back.

                                   FAITH
                         I can't... it's not me anymore. I'm
                         reformed.

                                   MAYOR WILKINS
                         Into what? You spend almost every
                         day in this basement, just wearing
                         yourself out. You shut yourself in
                         this darkness and you know why? Cos
                         it's where you belong. And they
                         don't care. It's a relief for them.
                         You're out of the way, not causing
                         them any trouble. 

               He shakes his head in disappointment.

                                   MAYOR WILKINS (cont'd)
                         They used to fear you and now they
                         pity you.

                                   FAITH
                         You won't break me.

                                   MAYOR WILKINS
                             (frustrated)
                         I'll be here talking to you, every
                         day, every minute, every second.
                         You won't be able to breathe
                         without me saying something about
                         it. Is that really how you want
                         your life to be, Firecracker?

               She stands, moving herself towards the punch bag, almost as
               if she's hiding from him.

                                   MAYOR WILKINS (cont'd)
                         There's no running or escaping.
                         I'll be with you everywhere you go.
                         I always was, it's just, this
                         time...

               A moment's blink and he's gone. She sighs with relief but as
               she turns around, Robin is right behind her. 

               His flesh is TORN, blood dripping from his face, oozing from
               his darkened eyes.

                                   ROBIN
                         ... you can't get rid of us.

        17     INT. NO MAN'S LAND - LATER                              17

               The club, as usual, is packed with young people. Wavelength's
               "Now I Know" bounces from wall to wall as they perform, yet
               again, on stage. 

               The camera pans across the crowd on the dance floor and we
               come up to -- Willow, Xander, and Andrew sitting at a table,
               watching ahead. Each of them have a glass of alcohol.

                                   WILLOW
                         I feel guilty.

                                   XANDER
                         Well, yeah, I mean... he was locked
                         in that trunk for a long time.

                                   WILLOW
                         No. I mean about leaving Kennedy. I
                         think I should go back.

                                   XANDER
                         What? No. She's fine. Just a case
                         of Jody's cooking.

                                   ANDREW
                         Hey! There were two pairs of hands
                         in that kitchen. Jody's a great
                         cook. And his mom does the cutest
                         little chocolate cookies --

                                   XANDER
                         Cookies are evil. They were in my
                         wacky quest.

                                   WILLOW
                         Look like they're having fun
                         anyway.

               We see Buffy, Anya, and Jody dancing together by the stage.
               Laughing and moving.

                                   XANDER
                         Jody's quite the mover.

                                   ANDREW
                             (gazing)
                         That he is, Xander.
                             (beat)
                         That he is.

                                   WILLOW
                         I should go.

                                   JACKSON (O.S.)
                         No way!

               The camera turns to see Jackson grab Willow by the hips and
               move her around to face him.

                                   JACKSON (cont'd)
                         I've known you for over four months
                         now but I haven't got to see your
                         moves.
                             (beat)
                         Lets go.

                                   WILLOW
                         Oh I don't know...

                                   XANDER
                         Move it!

               Xander nudges her while Jackson takes her by the hand,
               leading her on the dance floor to join the others.

                                   ANDREW
                         I don't trust him.

                                   XANDER
                         Who now?

                                   ANDREW
                         Jackson. He's got this whole thing
                         about him. Like, for example, being
                         the Guardian. What is that? Not
                         even Giles can find anything and
                         he's like the center of knowledge.
                         And, first he lost his memory, then
                         that ancient ring brought it all
                         back... and then he hurt Dawn, and
                         then --

                                   XANDER
                             (interrupting)
                         Andrew, slow down. He's not evil.

                                   ANDREW
                         How do you know?

                                   XANDER
                         Because of that. 

               Andrew turns to see what Xander's looking at and the sight
               doesn't need any explaining.

               Jackson and Buffy have separated themselves from the rest of
               the group on the dance floor, and are dancing up real close
               on each other. They move in for a lingering kiss. We still
               focus on them as --

                                   ANDREW (O.S.)
                         But doesn't she always fall for the
                         evil ones?

                                   XANDER (O.S.)
                         People change.

        18     INT. SUMMERS RESIDENCE - LOUNGE                         18

               Kennedy is almost dozing off as Faith enters the room. She
               quickly lifts her eyes and sees the slayer holding a GUN.

                                   KENNEDY
                         Where are you going?

                                   FAITH
                         Out.

                                   KENNEDY
                         With a gun?

                                   FAITH
                         Comes in handy.

                                   KENNEDY
                         But --

                                   FAITH
                             (snaps)
                         I don't need to explain myself to
                         you, brat.

               Faith opens the front door and SLAMS it as she exits. Kennedy
               looks after her, a little curious. Dawn comes down the stairs
               and into the lounge.

                                   DAWN
                         Who was that?

                                   KENNEDY
                         Faith.

                                   DAWN
                         So, everyone's out?

                                   KENNEDY
                         Except me.

                                   DAWN
                         Except you. Right. She heads to the
                         door.

                                   KENNEDY
                         You wanna watch some TV?

                                   DAWN
                         Nah. I've got some things to do,
                         but thanks.

                                   KENNEDY
                         Sure.

               Dawn exits through the same door she came in. Kennedy turns
               her attention back to the TV, YAWNING.

        19     INT. NO MAN'S LAND                                      19

               We see Willow and Buffy kiss cheeks, then the wiccan comes
               back to the table, where Andrew and Jody are now sitting.

                                   ANDREW
                         Hey. You stopped dancing.

                                   WILLOW
                         I'm going home. I can't have fun
                         while Kennedy's sick.

                                   JODY
                         You serious? But... girl, you've
                         got some moves.

                                   WILLOW
                         Flattering? Yes. Makes me want to
                         stay? No. You're seventeen. And
                         gay.
                             (thinks)
                         And so am I.
                             (beat)
                         And now I'm going.

               She turns around, a little confused by her self, and
               continues towards the doors. Jody smiles, taking Andrew by
               the hand but Andrew shakes him off, his eyes darting around.

                                   JODY
                             (deflated)
                         Still not over the public coming
                         out? Come on, Andrew, your friends
                         all know.

                                   ANDREW
                         I know, but... it's just...

                                   JODY
                             (seducing)
                         Don't you want it?

                                   ANDREW
                         Jody... it'll just take time, okay? 

               A beat. Jody nods but looks hurt. Andrew looks him over,
               unsure of himself, and then, in a slow and discreet way,
               pushes his hand to Jody's. They interlock.

                                   ANDREW (cont'd)
                         A minute to be precise.

                                   JODY
                         Cute and quirky. I like it. 

               A smile forms on Andrew's face as we -- Turn to see the rest
               of the gang, dancing the night away. We focus on Buffy
               especially, who is still up on Jackson.

                                   BUFFY
                         This is probably the most fun I've
                         had in... years.

                                   JACKSON
                         No worries, right?

                                   BUFFY
                         Nope. My sister's turning into a
                         geek, you're becoming something we
                         can't understand, and, as usual, an
                         impending doom is hanging over us.
                             (beat)
                         No worries at all.

                                   JACKSON
                         That's my girl.

               Buffy smiles and rests her head on his shoulders, closing her
               eyes.

                                   FAITH (O.S.)
                         Buffy.

               Opens her eyes to see Faith, brandishing a gun -- pointing
               RIGHT AT HER. She doesn't have time to react.

                                   FAITH (cont'd)
                             (haunting)
                         Help me.

               She PULLS the trigger.

                                                             BLACK OUT.



                                   END OF ACT TWO
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Script created with Final Draft by Final Draft, Inc.