TEASER
FADE IN:
1 EXT. DOWNTOWN STREETS - NIGHT 1
We follow a falling leaf as it spins in the air, rolling as
if it were being twirled. It finally falls to the ground,
where the camera pans, to reveal a HAND.
Pull back to reveal a CRIME SCENE, sectioned off by the black
and yellow tape with the words "DO NOT CROSS" clearly
visible. Along the ground we see two figures lying motionless
- dead. A woman, MARY, and her son, of just eight years old,
MICKEY. Their bodies are being outlined with white chalk, the
usual process.
A familiar face comes on the scene. JACKSON. He scans the
area until he comes to LIEUTENANT NAOMI RYLE, waiting for
him.
JACKSON
Lieutenant.
NAOMI
Sir, glad you could make an
appearance.
JACKSON
Yeah. Got nothing better to do
these days.
(beat)
What have we got here?
NAOMI
A hit and run, I'm afraid. Two
killed, mother and son.
JACKSON
Hit and run?
NAOMI
Forensics are dusting, some paint
could have been scraped off in the
collision. Dan's with the husband.
He's pretty shaken up.
JACKSON
No doubt.
Jackson walks over to the husband and father, BILL HUGHES.
He's more than shaken, he's devastated. Sweat and tears
pouring off him like buckets of water. Jackson nods to
DETECTIVE DANIEL RADCLIFFE, who takes the hint and leaves.
JACKSON (cont'd)
Mr. Hughes?
BILL
Yeah.
JACKSON
I'm afraid you'll have to come with
us for now.
BILL
I can't... I don't think I can
stand up.
JACKSON
It's okay. Take as long as you
want.
BILL
(incoherent)
I have to change this. It has to be
altered.
JACKSON
Sir --?
BILL
I did this before. It's the same.
But it's different. No matter what
I do... it always ends like this.
JACKSON
Maybe we should get you checked
out, if you'd like to-
Bill suddenly GRABS Jackson by the scruff of the neck,
violently shaking him.
BILL
(shouts)
They must be brought back! I will
change this!
On his GLOWING RED eyes we...
BLACK OUT.
END OF TEASER
ACT ONE
FADE IN:
2 INT. SUMMERS RESIDENCE - LOUNGE - NIGHT 2
We pan the room to see three anxious faces. First XANDER, who
looks in confusement. Then WILLOW, who's a little shocked.
Then Anya... who is snacking on a pickled gherkin.
XANDER
Um... it's...
WILLOW
It's... yeah... I, um...
ANYA
(muffled)
Fantastic!
ANDREW (O.S)
Really? You think?
Pull out to reveal the lounge, covered in balloons and a
banner saying: "WELCOME HOME." There are snacks on the table,
including a cake.
WILLOW
Yeah. But I'm not sure it's that
kind of a homecoming, you know?
XANDER
It's more of a... I don't know,
a...
WILLOW
Buffy's been through a lot... I
don't think she's gonna want to
party.
ANYA
No. See...
(points)
Cake! Everybody loves cake.
(to Andrew)
Is there mustard?
Andrew nods, smiling from ear to ear, offering her the
mustard. She takes it, smothering it on a biscuit, before
taking a huge bite. Willow CRINGES.
XANDER
We just mean, you know, she may be
coming home but... she still lost
Dawn and we're not so sure she'd
wanna celebrate so soon.
ANYA
Oh, it's been months since then.
She should get over it.
BUFFY (O.S)
I keep hearing that.
Everyone turns to see BUFFY standing in the doorway with her
suitcases. None of them know quite what to say.
Except, of course, Xander. Who immediately HUGS her.
XANDER
Welcome home.
BUFFY
Thanks.
He backs off, letting Willow get a hug in.
WILLOW
We've missed you.
Buffy smiles, as Willow joins Xander. Next up is Anya, who
grabs her tightly.
ANYA
I'm glad you didn't die in your
coma.
BUFFY
Um... okay.
Anya beams a smile, in between snacking on her mustard
biscuit. Buffy turns to Andrew.
BUFFY (cont'd)
We don't hug do --
She's cut off by Andrew WRAPPING his arms around her, holding
her so tight not even she could break loose.
ANDREW
We've been so lost without you,
Buffy!
BUFFY
Andrew... I need to breathe.
ANDREW
Oh, sorry!
He quickly lets go, taking a step back. Buffy looks at them,
one by one. A little uneasy.
BUFFY
So... what's been going on with you
guys?
3 INT. SUMMERS RESIDENCE - KITCHEN 3
Willow leans on the breakfast bar, dipping into some of the
snacks. The door opens and Buffy ENTERS. With the door open,
we can hear the faint sound of talking and some music.
BUFFY
Hey.
WILLOW
Oh. Hey. Are you okay?
BUFFY
Yeah. I'm good. You?
WILLOW
Yeah... same.
They share brief smiles but there's an atmosphere between the
two. Something anyone could pick up on.
BUFFY
Will --
WILLOW
(quickly)
Want some snacks?
BUFFY
No. Thanks.
(beat)
Are we okay?
WILLOW
Huh? Buffy, we're fine. Why
wouldn't we be? I mean, no reason
at all. Right? Okay. So how about
we mosey on into the party?
BUFFY
Are you sure? Cos, I'm sensing
something here.
WILLOW
Sensing? No...
(beat)
It's just... I guess it's just been
so long. It takes a while to
digest... that you're back. We
didn't think you'd ever come back.
(beat)
I kept going to the Council, to use
everything I could to bring you
back but... you just didn't wanna
wake up.
BUFFY
Will --
WILLOW
No. Buffy, it's all good. Really,
it is. You're back. I couldn't be
happier.
BUFFY
It wasn't you.
WILLOW
Huh?
BUFFY
You're upset because it wasn't you
who woke me up, right?
WILLOW
(ashamed)
It's selfish, I know.
BUFFY
It's not, Will. It wasn't because I
didn't wanna see you or... I wasn't
ready to wake up. The world I was
living in was where I needed to be
right then... it's where I wanted
to be.
WILLOW
But Giles said you were going to
leave.
BUFFY
But I didn't. I'm here and I'm here
to stay. I've done the running away
before. I've already cliched that.
WILLOW
(smiles)
Good. Cos, I don't think I could
take it if you were to leave again.
(beat)
I thought you blamed me.
BUFFY
For what?
WILLOW
I went after Dawn... I tried to
kill Ulithios...
I wasn't even thinking about you at
the time. I let that vengeance take
me over again.
BUFFY
Will, you did what you thought was
for the best. I could never blame
you for that. What is is meant to
be, right?
WILLOW
So, you're okay?
BUFFY
(beat)
I'm better. I'm not suicidal or
anything.
WILLOW
Always a plus.
BUFFY
Time to start looking on the bright
side of life.
WILLOW
Which is?
BUFFY
(smiles)
We've got cake.
Willow lets a laugh escape her lips. She nods and heads into
the lounge. Buffy hangs back, alone. That smile soon wears
away, turning to a troubled expression.
ANYA (O.S)
Andrew! It's pin the tail on the
donkey, not pin the tail on the
pregnant lady!
Buffy takes a deep breath before making her way into the
lounge, turning on that smile.
4 INT. SUMMERS RESIDENCE - BUFFY'S ROOM - LATER 4
Buffy is sitting on the bed, holding a photo frame. The
camera pans to reveal it, a PHOTO OF HER, JOYCE, AND DAWN.
Buffy stares hard at it, a sadness overcoming her.
KNOCK! KNOCK!
She quickly puts the frame back on the desk.
BUFFY
Come in.
Xander peers his head around the door. He sees that she's
decent, then ENTERS.
XANDER
Just thought I'd get you alone
before we went home.
BUFFY
Xander, you're an engaged man.
XANDER
Good to see you haven't lost your
sense of humor.
BUFFY
Yeah.
(beat)
So, you and Anya, got a house, got
a baby on the way... are you gonna
marry her this time?
XANDER
I figured I should, don't like to
be monotonous, you know?
(beat)
It's good to see you smiling, Buff.
BUFFY
It's good to smile. Feels like the
last time I did... I can't remember
the last time I did.
XANDER
Don't try. Focus on the now.
BUFFY
Sounds like something a
psychiatrist would say.
XANDER
And you should know, right?
Speaking of...
BUFFY
I don't know, Xand. Not sure if I'm
really ready to go back to work
yet.
XANDER
I know. I just meant, they know
about Dawn and they gave you leave,
for as long as you wanted. You've
still got a job if you want it.
BUFFY
How did --?
XANDER
I sorted it. Don't worry about it.
BUFFY
You always come through for me.
XANDER
It's what I'm here for.
(beat)
Giles told us you were... um, in a
constructed reality.
BUFFY
Yeah, it was... actually very, very
strange.
XANDER
Really?
BUFFY
The whole world was against me. And
I had these Tarantino moves going
on.
(beat)
And Spike was in it.
XANDER
Spike? What does that mean?
BUFFY
I got no clue. It was a crazy
place.
XANDER
Well, it makes sense.
BUFFY
What?
XANDER
It was in your mind, Buff, that's a
crazy mind to be in!
She playfully nudges him. After a beat, the tone turns a
little more serious.
XANDER (cont'd)
I'm always here for you.
BUFFY
I know. That's why I came back.
What would I be without my friends?
XANDER
(somber)
And...
I just wanted you to know we, um...
we had a ceremony for Dawn... we
took the body and...
(beat)
Well, we all said some words for
her.
BUFFY
(uneasy)
That's... great.
XANDER
I'm just saying, you know, that you
should maybe go out there and...
say goodbye.
BUFFY
No.
XANDER
Buffy --?
BUFFY
Xander. No, I can't. It's too soon.
(beat)
Still feels like yesterday, when
she was looking at me... all I
remember are those red eyes... I
don't wanna remember her like that.
I wanna think of her and think
about the way she was... before she
was violated by that thing. God, I
just --
She stops, her eyes welling. She quickly wipes a tear away,
shaking her head as if resisting the commanding urge to let
it all out.
BUFFY (cont'd)
Listen to me, I'm a bit jet lagged,
you know? Long flight.
XANDER
Of course, I'll... well you should
come see the house. Tomorrow?
BUFFY
Tomorrow sounds good.
XANDER
Good. Great, even. We'll see you
then. And, Willow'll be here if you
need anything.
BUFFY
Willow?
XANDER
Yeah... she kinda lives here now.
BUFFY
It's like musical houses.
XANDER
Yeah... you, um... try to get some
rest.
Buffy nods as he EXITS. She runs her fingers through her hair
before falling flat on her back on the bed, tired, mentally
and physically exhausted.
5 INT. SUMMERS RESIDENCE - LOUNGE 5
Anya is at the front door, ready to leave. Willow looks up to
see Xander coming down the stairs.
WILLOW
How is she?
XANDER
I think she's coping. It must be
hard... being in a coma for three
months after your sister was
killed.
ANYA
Especially as it was the man she
was having sex with that killed
Dawn.
(thinks)
And what is it with everyone and
comas?
WILLOW
Did she say anything about...
Jackson?
XANDER
Nothing. I don't think she's really
ready to acknowledge his existence
yet.
WILLOW
I feel kinda sorry for him, you
know? He... he was just saving us.
XANDER
But he destroyed all hope of ever
getting Dawn back.
ANYA
There was no hope. Dawn was dead.
Ulithios was steering the wheel.
XANDER
I don't think Buffy sees it like
that. I think it's best if Jackson
doesn't come around here anymore.
WILLOW
I don't think he plans to.
ANYA
Geez, the guy can't catch a break
can he? First he gets all amnesiay,
then starts going whacky with the
visions and various outbursts...
now the love of his life won't even
go to him.
They all take a moment to think about it.
ANYA (cont'd)
Well, I'm hungry. Come on, Xander,
I think there's still some pig guts
in the freezer.
Xander and Willow exchange grossed out looks as Anya drags
him away. Willow WAVES before closing the door.
She turns to look up the stairs, worry dancing across her
face.
6 INT. POLICE STATION - JACKSON'S OFFICE 6
Jackson ENTERS, almost SLAMMING the door behind him. Luckily
Dan is there to catch it.
DAN
What is up with you, Jacks?
JACKSON
That guy... there's something not
right about him.
DAN
What, cos he grabbed you by the
neck? It's just a little
frustration. His wife and child
were just killed, I'd say that's a
fair share of pain for him. You're
lucky, I know this Kate Lockley
girl down in LA, and she had to
deal with way more heavier crap
than this --
JACKSON
His eyes... they glowed. I know it
sounds crazy but he's...
(off his look)
You think I'm going crazy.
DAN
No, of course --
(then)
Well, yeah, kinda. Look, you've
been back on the force five
minutes, it takes adjusting. Don't
worry, bud, you're a great
detective. You know, you're a pro
at the... detecting.
(beat)
The guy's just hurt.
JACKSON
I remember how that feels.
DAN
You mean cos your fiance died that
time?
(quickly)
I mean... sorry, that was too
blunt.
JACKSON
I lost Kelly to cancer. I lost
James. He was my partner, you know?
We were a team... I couldn't help
him. I keep asking myself why I
lived and he didn't? We were both
stabbed.
DAN
James was a... he died doing the
job he loved more than anything.
What happened that night isn't your
fault. You know that.
JACKSON
I guess.
(beat)
I wanna catch the murderer who
killed those people today.
DAN
We will. Matha's running a search
on the license we got from a
witness.
JACKSON
Right. You deal with that.
DAN
What are you gonna be doing?
JACKSON
Someone's gotta be keeping an eye
on Mr Hughes. I know you dismiss
the notion he could be dangerous
but I can't. I saw it in his eyes.
Something's up with him and I won't
be happy until I know what.
DAN
Jacks, this crusade you're on --
JACKSON
I don't wanna hear it, Dan. I just
wanna do my job.
DAN
Maybe you should see a counselor.
JACKSON
I was seeing one.
DAN
What happened?
JACKSON
(sullen)
We ended.
Dan nods, not completely understanding. He turns and EXITS
the office. Jackson STARES into his coffee mug, the steam
rising, covering his face.
7 INT. HUGHES RESIDENCE - ATTIC 7
The darkness only adds to this creepy atmosphere, where
various charms hang from the uneven ceiling. The camera pans
the attic to find Bill standing in the middle of a circle,
drawn on the floor with chalk.
BILL
Estu leia biruina veil, shan tu
letrio callarosso.
(commanding)
Callarosso!
A RED LIGHT cracks through the floors, where the chalk is,
and surrounds Bill. It gradually overcomes him and with a
gigantic pulse of light, he VANISHES into thin air.
BLACK OUT.
END OF ACT ONE
ACT TWO
FADE IN:
8 EXT. JUNGLE - DAY 8
All around us stand tall, bulky trees, much like the ones you
see in books but never see in real life. The snapping of some
twigs draws us to a figure walking confidently though the
muddy pathway.
It's Willow. Dressed in a neutral toned dress, which actually
looks as though a blanket has just been thrown over her.
She comes to a small HUT and looks inside. Nothing. She pulls
back, only to find TRINKETS standing beside her. The boy
holds a clock, with the hands encrusted with various jewels.
TRINKETS
For you, Teach.
WILLOW
A clock?
TRINKETS
I make so many and time is a
strange thing. Shame it can't be
preserved.
WILLOW
I think that'd be messing with the
system.
TRINKETS
So, why are you here?
WILLOW
I need some help.
TRINKETS
You came to the right place. This
world is yours for the taking.
He shoots her a devilish smile that only a boy of his age
could get away with.
Then, he rushes off into the thick of the woodland. Willow
shakes her head, used to these games.
WILLOW
(calls)
Trinkets! I don't have time to
play.
She waits but there's only silence. As she starts off again,
there is rumbling on the ground. The very earth begins to
SHAKE. Willow turns, only to be faced with --
A GIANT SNAKE DEMON!
It roars at her, the saliva in its mouth spitting at her.
Willow cocks her head, unimpressed.
WILLOW (CONT'D) (cont'd)
Quit it. I'm serious. Just go kill
the villagers again.
She SHOOS IT AWAY. The snake looks a little deflated,
retreating back into the forest as Willow continues on her
way.