TEASER
FADE IN:
BUFFY (V.O)
Choices. Decisions. We make them
every day and they shape our
future, the outcome of it all.
Sometimes we choose the wrong paths
and get lost along the way.
Sometimes we choose the right ones
but the consequences can be too
consuming for us to deal with. So
we hide and we pray we'll never
have to face them.
1 EXT. SUMMERS RESIDENCE - DAY 1
The camera swoops in from the skyline, hot on the tail of a
beautiful bird in flight. As the creature soars through the
sky, we leave its form, and fall down onto a figure --
BUFFY, sitting on a bench in the front yard. She's completely
lost in thought, staring ahead. Only when a shadow falls over
her does she look up to see JACKSON.
JACKSON
You okay?
BUFFY
(smiles)
Yeah, I am.
(beat)
Xander fixed that pipe yet?
JACKSON
I think he gave up. Plumbing... not
his thing.
BUFFY
I remember.
Jackson lowers himself onto the bench as Buffy interlocks her
hand with his.
There's a diamond ring on her engagement finger.
JACKSON
Something's up with you, I can feel
it. Is it the wedding?
BUFFY
No, Jackson. Not even.
(beat)
I'm peachy.
JACKSON
Good, cos you know, you're gonna
have to meet my family soon and
that's never a good thing.
BUFFY
Looking forward to it.
JACKSON
Don't be. Can't you just meet them
at the church? I mean, seriously,
they all need to be chained and
gagged.
BUFFY
They can't be that bad.
JACKSON
Oh, you don't know the half of it.
BUFFY
(smiles)
Well, soon I'll be Mrs. Buffy Shaw
and we'll have the rest of our
lives to find things out about each
other.
JACKSON
Bring it on.
2 INT. SUMMERS RESIDENCE - LOUNGE 2
The camera pans to see ANDREW sitting at the table, fiddling
with the laptop. XANDER enters, grubby and tired, clutching a
wrench.
XANDER
No more plumbing! I mean it, I'm
finished with the household odd
jobs.
ANDREW
(grins)
Couldn't fix it?
XANDER
It's impossible!
(beat)
You know, I don't get it. Buffy's a
big earning counselor now, all
businesswoman-like, but yet she
still refuses to call a qualified
plumber.
ANDREW
Well, I guess she'd rather see you
getting all sweaty.
(smiles)
Which isn't so bad.
XANDER
(rolls eyes)
She's gonna be a married woman
soon, and I'm gonna be a father.
(beat)
Speaking of, I should really get
back to my pregnant bride to be.
ANDREW
I sense issues.
XANDER
Lets just say the pregnancy has
brought out the demon in her.
3 INT. HARRIS RESIDENCE - KITCHEN 3
ANYA is rushing around the kitchen, cooking with various pots
and pans. WILLOW looks on, a little amused, a little scared.
ANYA
All I'm saying is, he could at
least help me cook. It's not a
crime, is it?
(beat)
Though, if it was a crime I would
have him castrated. Or...
eviscerated.
WILLOW
Anya, I think it's pretty fair to
say your hormones are getting the
better of you.
ANYA
(confused)
What?
WILLOW
Uh... I just mean... there have
been times when...
(quickly)
Xander!
She almost leaps into his arms as he walks through the door.
Anya turns to him, arms on hips.
ANYA
Where have you been? Willow has
been irritating me.
WILLOW
What?
XANDER
I've just been fixing a few...
Anya, what are you doing?
ANYA
We have your parents coming for
dinner tonight and I want to make
sure everything's perfect.
XANDER
(gulps)
My parents?
ANYA
Yes. I told you this.
XANDER
Tonight?
ANYA
See, you never listen to me!
WILLOW
Xander, don't anger it!
Anya shoots an icy look at Willow.
WILLOW (cont'd)
Heh, I just meant... I have to
go... away... now...
She quickly grabs her jacket and rushes out of the house.
Xander softly grabs Anya by the hips.
XANDER
An, you've gotta calm down. All
this stress can't be good for
little Xander.
ANYA
I know, it's just --
(then)
Little Xander?
Xander pulls a worried look as we cut to:
4 INT. SUMMERS RESIDENCE - LOUNGE 4
Buffy enters, seeing Andrew at the table.
ANDREW
Jackson gone?
BUFFY
Yep. No rest for the wicked. I'm
just gonna take a shower.
ANDREW
Okay.
She exits as we finally see the computer screen. Andrew's
playing a flight simulator game which CRASHES AND BURNS.
ANDREW (cont'd)
Balls!
5 INT. SUMMERS RESIDENCE - UPSTAIRS HALLWAY 5
Buffy walks up the stairs and through the hallway, stopping
outside an empty room. She looks in, standing on the
threshold, just staring into it as if looking for something
she can't find.
Suddenly there's a very brief FLASH of a GIRL LYING ON THE
BED. Buffy notices, but can't make it out.
TARA (V.O)
(distorted)
Be back before Dawn.
Buffy tilts her head, slowly reaching for the door knob. She
pulls the door shut and with a moments hesitation, continues
through the hallway and into the bathroom.
BLACK OUT.
END OF TEASER
ACT ONE
FADE IN:
6 EXT. CHARLESTON & SMITHE - DAY 6
An establishing shot. The building is large, probably too
large for counseling offices. Below on the sidewalk, people
go about their daily business, rushing to and fro.
7 INT. BUFFY'S OFFICE 7
Buffy is sitting at her desk, looking over some files, lost
in her work. The door opens and MATILDA HUNSLEY hesitantly
enters, (think Velma from Scooby Doo... the movies, not the
cartoons).
MATILDA
(sheepish)
Ms. Summers...
Buffy almost jumps out of her skin, too caught up in her work
to have noticed Matilda enter.
BUFFY
Holy crap!
(beat)
What is it?
MATILDA
I know I'm only the temp, while
your regular secretary is on leave
but... I can't find anything in the
files. Her system is... crazy.
BUFFY
Yeah... Anya. She's a... less than
ordinary gal.
(beat)
What are you looking for?
MATILDA
The Lobaque case. You have an
appointment with the son later on
today and I really need to get it
all prepped.
BUFFY
Okay.
(thinks)
Check under the... "A" section.
MATILDA
Why? I mean, that makes no sense.
BUFFY
Jeremy Lobaque comes here because
he is depressed about the way he
looks. He has acne. Hence his file
being under the "A" section.
MATILDA
(confused)
Is that... really how this should
be filed?
BUFFY
No, but you try telling Anya that
when she's looking for a little
vengeance after the morning
sickness.
MATILDA
Oh.
(smiles)
Your friend is lucky to be having a
baby. I've always wanted to be
pregnant. The house, the husband,
the happy, happy life.
BUFFY
(huh?)
Yeah, it's... great.
MATILDA
And you, getting married. I bet
you're real excited, right? I would
be. Do you know a date yet or are
you still on the high from the
engagement?
Buffy goes to speak but --
MATILDA (cont'd)
Are you having a church wedding?
Cos, every girl dreams of the white
wedding. Although, I always wanted
red roses, but then my Mom said it
could look a little gothic if I had
all white and then red roses. Which
is strange, cos normally when you
think of gothic you think of black
but that isn't the case. Is your
Mom excited?
BUFFY
My Mom --
MATILDA
(interrupting)
Oh, I bet she is. Do you have any
family going? Brothers? Sisters?
BUFFY
No. No brothers or sisters.
MATILDA
Oh, well I bet a woman like you has
enough friends to fill the seats.
You're so confident and always
comfortable with talking to people.
I'm so not like that, I never talk
to people I don't really know. But
then sometimes when I'm nervous I
talk too much. You don't think that
do you?
BUFFY
Um... Matilda... I don't think any
work is gonna get done if we're
chatting all day.
MATILDA
Of course not. I'm sorry. I just
feel like I could talk to you
forever.
(beat)
Ms. Summers?
BUFFY
Yeah?
MATILDA
You're very lucky.
BUFFY
(smiles)
Thank you.
Matilda smiles back at her and then exits, finally. Buffy
breathes a sigh of relief and leans back on her chair, her
hands resting on the back of her head.
MATILDA (O.S)
Ms. Summers?
Buffy YELPS with surprise, FALLING OFF HER CHAIR with a THUD!
Matilda peers through the gap in the door.
MATILDA (cont'd)
Jeremy Lobaque's here.
BUFFY
Okay!
The door closes again and Buffy pulls herself up, looking to
make sure she's gone.
BUFFY (cont'd)
I so have to fire her.
8 INT. SUMMERS RESIDENCE - ANDREW'S ROOM 8
JODY is laying on the bed, looking ahead at something, which
we can't see.
ANDREW (O.S)
And I believe that with the
information presented through many
media programs, we can separate the
fiction from fact and devise new
ideas. Creating and structuring
basis for theories we had
previously not conceived.
The camera pans to see Andrew dressed in a suit, looking very
much like a nerdy James Bond.
ANDREW (cont'd)
So... what do you think?
JODY
I think you'll have them licking
your boots.
ANDREW
Really? You don't think the
Cleveland Science and Technology
Division will laugh at me?
JODY
I won't lie to you, Andrew. There
could be laughing. But they'll soon
succumb to your charm.
(beat)
I did.
Andrew smiles as he takes his place on the bed next to Jody.
ANDREW
I really want this. I don't want to
be working at the cafe for the rest
of my life, being one of those
people who never do anything with
their lives.
JODY
Hey, you won't be. And you've done
more with your life than most
people will ever do.
ANDREW
Like what?
JODY
(thinks)
You helped destroy that Sunnydale
place. Which, okay, could be a bad
thing if there wasn't a Hellmouth
beneath it. Oh! And you came up
with that plan to kill the dragon.
ANDREW
(smiles)
It was a good plan.
JODY
Yeah, it was. And without it, that
Ulithios might have destroyed us
all.
ANDREW
You know, it's getting harder and
harder to remember what happened
that night.
JODY
Yeah, I know what you mean. It's
like it's one big blur.
ANDREW
I don't even remember what Ulithios
looked like.
JODY
(beat)
I think it was scaly... I can't
picture it right now.
Andrew's watch BEEPS! He looks down at it and JUMPS off the
bed.
ANDREW
Jumping Jimbob, it's time.
JODY
Good luck.
ANDREW
I'm gonna need it. I've gotta try
and convince a board of scientists
that my theories of warp propulsion
could be science fact instead of
science fiction.
Jody stands and straightens Andrew's tie.
JODY
You'll do fine, I know you can. If
anyone can make world renowned
scientists believe that Star Trek
is the way to go, you will.
(beat)
Now go out there and kick some
butt!
Andrew leans in and softly kisses Jody on the cheek. Pulling
back, he brings his hand up to touch his cheek.
ANDREW
Thanks for sticking by me.
JODY
You know me, I'm... sticky.
Andrew laughs before exiting, leaving Jody with a longing
look on his face.
9 INT. SUMMERS RESIDENCE - LOUNGE 9
The front door pushes open to reveal Buffy, carrying a
briefcase. She sets it down, seeing Andrew rushing down the
stairs.
BUFFY
Hey, is --
ANDREW
Can't talk! Interview!
He swiftly EXITS. Buffy shakes her head and closes the door
behind her.
She heads into the lounge and sees GILES and MARIE at the
table, looking over some books.
BUFFY
Oh, hey.
GILES
Buffy. You're home early.
BUFFY
Yeah, turns out the new secretary
is more hard work than Anya was.
MARIE
(smiles)
Is that even possible?
BUFFY
Hard to believe, I know. She hangs
up her jacket and takes a deep
breath.
GILES
You seem tired.
BUFFY
Me? No. If anything... I'm
restless.
MARIE
Ah, yes. The decrease in demonic
activity seems to be taking its
toll on everyone.
GILES
Quite. Seems we all actually have
to find lives now.
BUFFY
(smiles)
Us? You're kidding, right?
GILES
(beat)
Buffy...
(distorted)
Your sister is dead.
Buffy stops dead in her tracks, looking confused.
BUFFY
What did you just say?
GILES
I said, I've been thinking about
what you said.
BUFFY
(wigged)
Oh... right...
GILES
Are you feeling all right?
BUFFY
Yeah, I'm okay. Long day. What was
you saying?
GILES
Well, when you asked me to... give
you away at the wedding...
(beat)
Wouldn't your father be best
suited?
BUFFY
Giles, I'd be surprised if my
father actually gave a damn about
me getting married. You'd think
with him only ever having one
child, he might make an effort, but
no.
(beat)
You're the closest thing I've got
to... the closest thing I've ever
had to a real Dad. I know on some
level it might seem kinda wrong
but... I wouldn't want anyone else
in your place.
GILES
(emotional)
Yes, well... that's that then.
He takes off his glasses, giving them a wipe. Buffy smiles.
BUFFY
Is that a tear?
GILES
(scoffs)
A tear? No, no. Marie's had me
looking through dusty books all day
and I must have gotten some in my
eye.
BUFFY
And only just realized?
GILES
Yes.
(beat)
Let's do change the subject.
ANYA (O.S)
Penis!
GILES
Not quite what I was hoping for.
They all turn to see Anya standing in the doorway, with a
cake SPLODGED on the floor by her feet.
ANYA
(stressed)
That thing took me an hour to bake.
One hour of my life wasted.
Well, I guess it doesn't compare to
the four years I've wasted helping
you lot take on the world of
demons, which actually lost me my
powers, made me fall in love with
Xander, caused me great heartache,
as well as various skin blemishes,
which all lead to this thing
growing inside of me!
(giddy)
But it was just one of six so I can
bring you another. What's going on
with you guys?
Giles, Marie, and Buffy exchange various glances.
BUFFY
You feeling okay there, Anya?
ANYA
Why does everyone keep asking me
that? It's not like I'm dying, you
know!
BUFFY
Okay...
(beat)
So, I'm gonna get gone now.
GILES
Anywhere exciting... or somewhere
we can also runaway to?
Anya shoots him an icy look.
BUFFY
Patrolling. I figured I'd get it in
before Jackson gets home.
ANYA
Yes. There's nothing like a bit of
sweaty action to get you in the
mood for some sweaty action.
BUFFY
And on that note...
She picks up her stake and EXITS, stepping over the cake and
past Anya.
MARIE
(motioning)
Rupert.
GILES
Yes, let's.
They quickly rush through the other door. Anya stands alone,
looking down at her cake.
ANYA
Hey! What am I, a danger zone?
She SHRUGS, lowering herself down to the floor, taking bites
out of the mess, formerly known as a cake.
ANYA (cont'd)
These cravings are killing me!
10 INT. CEMETERY - EVENING 10
Buffy walks alone through the darkened cemetery, her eyes
shifting, but we get the feeling she isn't really
concentrating. Suddenly --
VAMPIRE
Howdy.
The Slayer turns to see him.
BUFFY
Uh... hey.
VAMPIRE
Do you know where the cinema is?
I'm missing the new Halle Berry
flick.
BUFFY
It's downtown, on Edmund Street.
(then)
Wait, aren't we gonna fight?
VAMPIRE
Um, nah. I just filled up on cherry
cakes and I can't fight on a
growling stomach.
BUFFY
Oh, it's just... normally when I
see a vampire here, we fight to the
death.
VAMPIRE
Yeah, I never really got that. I
mean, if I were a vampire, which I
am, I wouldn't try and kill you.
Everyone knows it's pointless.
BUFFY
(smiles)
They do?
VAMPIRE
Sure. You're like, unbeatable.
After Ulithios, the demons and
vamps kinda realized that. I mean,
Ulithios was an Old One. With the
power and arrogance to boot. But
you stopped it.
(beat)
And you even let your sister die.
BUFFY
(shocked)
What?
VAMPIRE
Uh, I said 'and you didn't even
die.' This time. You know, cos
you've died so many times before.
BUFFY
Just the twice. It's no big.
VAMPIRE
Oh, well, good luck with the
slaying.
He goes to walk away but Buffy chases up to him.
BUFFY
Wait! I haven't had a big fight in
a long time. Can't you just hit me?
VAMPIRE
I'm sorry, but I'm really gonna
miss that movie.
BUFFY
Please! I won't hit back. A lot.
VAMPIRE
Slayer, you need to get yourself a
life.
He pushes past her and walks away. Buffy looks on at him, a
little disgruntled.
BUFFY
That's what I'm afraid of. She
steps back, turns, and --
There's Jackson! She almost screams, raising her stake, but
he catches it.
JACKSON
Whoa there cowgirl.
BUFFY
Jackson, what are you doing here?
JACKSON
I took the scenic route home,
figured you'd be here.
BUFFY
You almost gave me a heart attack.
JACKSON
And we wouldn't want that.
He leans in and KISSES her.
VOICE (O.S)
Buffy!
Buffy turns to see Jackson standing ten feet away from her,
holding a young brunette girl by her hair, which is bloodied.
In his other hand is a gun, which is pointed to her head. The
girl looks up, it's DAWN!
DAWN
(screams)
Help me!
Buffy's LUNGES forward to help the girl but when she lands,
there's nothing there. She looks around and sees Jackson
looking back at her, confusement painting his expression.
JACKSON
Buffy, what is it?
BUFFY
(breathless)
It was... Dawn...
JACKSON
Who is Dawn?
BUFFY
(thinks)
I don't know...
On her bewildered expression we...
BLACK OUT.
END OF ACT ONE