TEASER
FADE IN:
1 INT. SUMMERS RESIDENCE - LOUNGE - DAY 1
BUFFY sits on the sofa, watching the TV, flicking the remote
control. She sighs.
BUFFY
Over nine hundred channels and
still nothing good to watch.
VOICE (O.S)
Ain't that the truth.
Buffy turns to see DAWN. But she's not disturbed this, it
seems normal to her.
BUFFY
Wondered when you'd be showing up.
DAWN
I'm earlier than expected.
BUFFY
I guess.
(beat)
How's Mom?
DAWN
She's great. She has these tennis
matches with Marilyn, it's good to
see her so happy.
BUFFY
Yeah. Wish I could see it too.
DAWN
One day.
(beat)
Aren't you late for something?
BUFFY
I think so... I'm not sure. I'm all
over the place lately.
DAWN
Well, if there's any better time to
get it together, now's it. Things
are coming, Buffy, and it's gonna
take everything you've got to beat
them back.
BUFFY
The darkness.
(off her look)
Willow's been... places. She said
something was coming. Something
bad.
DAWN
She wasn't lying. In the end,
things are always going to be
coming, but this is different.
(beat)
Work it right and you'll be happy.
(beat)
Buffy?
BUFFY
Yeah?
She turns to look at Dawn but she's gone. She looks to the
doorway and sees XANDER.
XANDER
You okay?
BUFFY
Yeah. Must have spaced out or
something.
XANDER
You're, um, gonna be late for that
meeting. You know, with Charleston
and Smithe.
BUFFY
Right. Yeah. I... knew that. I am
so... not ready!
She rushes around, trying to get everything together. Xander
stops her, both hands on her shoulders.
XANDER
Buffy, you've gotta calm down. All
you've gotta do is go back in there
and prove you've still got what it
takes to be a counselor.
(beat)
It's child's play.
2 INT. SEWERS 2
Chanting is all we hear as the camera pans to see three DEMON
CHILDREN. They're surrounding a fire, burning a bright red.
The bigger child, RAVIS, slams his fist down.
RAVIS
More fire!
KEELA, the youngest of the three, reaches for something. She
pulls it out of frame as her brother, DAEO, burns a stick in
the flames.
Finally we look below the fire... ... and see an assortment
of limbs.
AN ARM.
A FOOT.
AN EYEBALL.
AN EAR.
On the burning flesh we...
BLACK OUT.
END OF TEASER
ACT ONE
FADE IN:
3 INT. CHARLESTON & SMITHE - LOBBY - DAY 3
Buffy walks through the large doors, briefcase in one hand.
She's dressed in one of her now famous suits, more Ally
McBeal than serious counselor, but it works.
She heads to the front desk, where the SECRETARY is answering
calls.
BUFFY
Hi. I'm supposed to be having a
meeting with --
The secretary holds up a hand, stopping Buffy.
SECRETARY
(into phone)
Hold one moment please, I'll put
you straight through.
(listens)
Of course. A happy patient is a...
um, a happy patient!
(to Buffy)
Meeting with Mr. Kane?
BUFFY
Mr. Kane?
SECRETARY
I've got it on the screen. Third
floor, fifth door to your left.
BUFFY
Um...
But before she can ask anything, the secretary is back
talking on the phone. Buffy takes a breather before
continuing through the lobby area of the building, passing
several of her colleagues... but she still looks completely
lost.
4 INT. CHARLESTON & SMITHE - KANE'S OFFICE 4
IRWIN KANE, an older distinguishable man, sits at his desk,
looking over some papers. There's a couple of knocks at the
door.
KANE
Come in.
It opens and Buffy walks in, closing it behind her. She
hesitantly approaches.
KANE (cont'd)
Buffy Summers? My, you're a vision,
aren't you?
BUFFY
Um... thanks. Are you filling in
for Mr. Hanson?
KANE
No, Ms. Summers. I'm the new boss
here.
BUFFY
Oh... you are?
KANE
Yes. Please, do take a seat. She
does.
KANE (cont'd)
Unfortunately Mr. Hanson had a
problem that he couldn't come to
terms with and had to leave the
company. We'll miss his efforts.
But now I'm in charge.
BUFFY
Oh, right. Okay. I didn't know that
cos --
KANE
You've been abroad, getting over a
death in the family. I know
everything, Ms. Summers. Don't ever
forget that.
BUFFY
Okay --?
KANE
As for your job, I've been looking
over how you performed last year,
and I must say, there were a lot of
sick days.
BUFFY
Yeah, there was this whole thing
where... well, my sister was sick.
KANE
No need to explain yourself. I
understand. I was unsure of whether
you would be able to work your way
back into the company but you do
have quite a following.
BUFFY
Following?
KANE
Yes. A Mrs. Gladys Combs. She was
practically protesting outside my
office, refused to leave until you
returned to work.
BUFFY
She did that? I didn't even think
she noticed me in our sessions.
KANE
You've made quite an impact on a
lot of lives, Ms. Summers. All I've
heard is good reports.
(smiles)
So welcome back.
BUFFY
Welcome back? I get the job...
again?
KANE
I wouldn't have it any other way.
She quickly shakes his hand.
BUFFY
Thank you. Thank you so much.
KANE
There is one thing though.
BUFFY
What is it?
KANE
Your receptionist, Anya Jenkins.
I'm afraid a few of the staff have
complained about her brashness. And
she instigated a fight between the
janitor and Bob on level six. She
even went so far as to make
tickets.
BUFFY
Yeah, that sounds like Anya. If it
makes you feel any better, she'll
be going on maternity leave soon.
KANE
(smiles)
A whole lot better.
Buffy can't help but smile along with him.
5 EXT. PEACHY'S CAFE/STREETS 5
People go about their daily business as ANDREW steps out of
the cafe, slipping on his jacket. He turns -- BUMPING INTO
ANYA. She drops a bag of groceries on the sidewalk.
ANYA
Andrew!
ANDREW
Anya... sorry, I didn't see you
there.
They begin to pick up the shopping.
ANDREW (cont'd)
What are you doing here anyway?
Shouldn't you be taking it easy?
ANYA
I would be but whenever someone
says that to me I tend to want to
do the opposite.
(beat)
I might go bungee jumping now.
Wanna come?
ANDREW
I don't know if --
(then)
Sure, why not?
And with that, they rise and continue down the street, only
stopping as they see JACKSON and DAN coming their way. Andrew
and Anya exchange glances, unsure of what to say or how to
act around him.
ANDREW (cont'd)
Jackson. It's you.
JACKSON
Yeah. Hey.
ANYA
Going to catch some killers?
JACKSON
We, um... there's some
disappearances...
ANDREW
Right...
(beat)
... must be fun being a cop.
You get to shoot people. He stops,
suddenly realizing what he's just
said.
JACKSON
It's not as fun as you'd think.
ANYA
Yes. Well, we must go and cheat
death now.
She loops her arm through Andrews and pulls him along.
Jackson turns to Dan as they head on.
DAN
You know them guys?
JACKSON
I did... old friends.
(beat)
So, this case --?
DAN
Five disappearances. Two girls,
three guys. Pretty random
selections, doesn't seem connected.
We're kinda clutching at straws
here.
JACKSON
In the dark, huh?
DAN
As per usual, buddy. That's why
we're playing detectives.
JACKSON
Yeah, well, it's time to get
serious cos we could be dealing
with a serial killer here.
DAN
No bodies, Jacks. At the moment
it's a serial kidnapper.
JACKSON
So let's go get the bad guys.
As they head on...
6 INT. SUMMERS RESIDENCE - KITCHEN 6
WILLOW is leaning on the breakfast bar, staring into space as
if she wasn't even there. Xander ENTERS.
XANDER
Hey, Will --
WILLOW
(distorted)
I have to go.
XANDER
Huh?
WILLOW
(distorted)
Tattles, get off my leg!
Suddenly she JERKS, looking a little disorientated. She turns
to Xander.
WILLOW (cont'd)
Hey. Sorry about that.
XANDER
Um... Tattles?
WILLOW
She's one of the Circle players...
it's complicated.
(beat)
You looking for Buffy?
XANDER
Actually I was looking for Andrew.
We were supposed to be... um, doing
something.
WILLOW
(curious)
Something?
XANDER
He was gonna help me set up
something on the internet.
WILLOW
Oh. Oh, Xander! I can do it. I'm
good at the computer. You know me,
computer nerd to the core.
XANDER
Yeah, it's just, you've been a
little busy with the... magic and
stuff.
WILLOW
Xander... you can still ask me
about this stuff. I'm never too
busy for you.
XANDER
I know, I know. But to tell you the
truth, it's kinda weird.
(beat)
I just mean... like then when I
walked in. Your voice was verging
on scary.
WILLOW
It's only because I was on a
different plane. The frequencies
can mess that kinda stuff up a
little.
(then)
Wait, does this scare you?
XANDER
What? No, of course --
(beat)
Actually, I guess it does.
WILLOW
I scare you?
XANDER
No. It's just... I'm not sure I
like the fact that you're getting
involved with this Circle thing.
You don't know anything about it,
or --
WILLOW
Xander, they're higher beings. It's
what I've been working for since I
got into magic. I see that now.
XANDER
I know. I just don't want to...
(beat)
I don't wanna stand by and watch
you go. You said it yourself, one
of these days you're going to be
called to a higher plane and leave
us... me.
WILLOW
Oh... I didn't know you... it's not
that I want to leave, Xander, it's
just... this is a chance to be more
than I am. To be better.
XANDER
You don't need to be any better.
You're perfect just the way you
are.
WILLOW
(smiles)
You say that but... I don't feel
it. I've had two loves taken away
from me so I think I must be...
there's something in me, a
darkness, and to ascend would make
me feel like it's over. The
constant battle I fight within
myself would just disappear. It'd
all just be over.
Xander edges closer, wrapping an arm around her shoulder.
XANDER
Just promise me, when you finally
do go up to the pearly white gates,
you'll watch over us.
WILLOW
Always.
7 EXT. CLEVELAND FAIR 7
We're looking down from the skies, to put the whole scene on
view. The fair spans a long distance, with adults and kids
alike rushing around, laughing, playing. There's a Ferris-
Wheel, some kind of spinning wheel, even a 'Vertical Drop'
ride that goes straight up for ages, as well as loads of
other rides.
Anya and Andrew walk through the crowds, both munching on
some candy floss.
ANYA
See, the trick is, you have to have
the right amount of bouncy rope...
otherwise your head will explode on
impact.
ANDREW
I see...
ANYA
There it is!
She GRABS his hand, dragging him into the queue for the
bunjee jump ride.
ANDREW
Anya, I really don't think this is
really safe for women who are --
Anya shoots him a look.
ANDREW (cont'd)
... with child.
ANYA
Don't be silly, Andrew. Everyone
can go on this ride. They can't
just exclude pregnant women!
One of the ATTENDANTS approaches.
ATTENDANT
Sorry, ma'am, did you say you were
pregnant?
ANYA
Yes.
ATTENDANT
I'm afraid you won't be able to go
on this ride, or mostly any of
them.
ANYA
Excuse me?
ATTENDANT
It's the fair policy, ma'am. It's
all right on the sign outside the
gates.
ANYA
Well that's penalization. Or...
something-ism. I'm not standing for
this.
ANDREW
Anya, c'mon let's just --
ANYA
No! I want to cheat death by
falling to my doom, only to be
sprung back up into the air by a
bouncy rope!
ATTENDANT
Sorry. It's not gonna happen.
Anya looks as if she's about to explode with rage. Andrew
hastily pulls her away before she does any damage.
ANYA
This isn't fair! They should ban
people like Xander from the fair!
After all, it was his guys in white
hats that did this to me!
ANDREW
Um... okay.
As they walk further up we stay on a coconut stand, where
Ravis watches them, like a hunter to its prey.
8 INT. SUMMERS RESIDENCE - LOUNGE 8
Buffy ENTERS, closing the door behind her. She continues
through to the lounge, taking a look around... nobody there.
She sighs, falling on the sofa.
WILLOW (O.S)
Hey!
Buffy snaps her head around to see Willow and Xander coming
through the kitchen.
BUFFY
Hey, guys. Didn't think anyone was
home.
XANDER
We were just... talking. You seen
Andrew?
BUFFY
Not today. I think he finished work
about an hour ago.
XANDER
Yeah, he was supposed to be helping
me... and I haven't seen Anya all
day either.
WILLOW
(teasing)
Isn't that a good thing?
BUFFY
Will, that's kinda --
(beat)
Really, true.
XANDER
I'm serious. Last time I saw her
was this morning when we woke up.
I've heard nothing since.
WILLOW
She's probably just out living it
up. Soon she's gonna be bigger than
she is now and maybe she just wants
to enjoy the freedom while it
lasts.
XANDER
But we had plans.
BUFFY
Uh oh, Xander's been stood up by
his own fiance. Not a good sign for
marriage.
XANDER
I'll call her.
He pulls out his CELL PHONE and dials a number, turning away
from them. Willow sinks into the seat next to Buffy.
WILLOW
How'd the meeting go?
BUFFY
I'm officially back at work. I
might have to sack Anya but...
that's possibly a good thing.
WILLOW
That's great, Buffy.
BUFFY
And the best thing? My new boss is
great.
XANDER
(into phone)
Anya? It's Xander. Where the heck
are you?
9 EXT. CLEVELAND FAIR 9
Anya and Andrew are walking away from the crowds. Anya's on
her CELL.
ANYA
Xander? Me and Andrew are at the
fair.
(listening)
We're on our way back now. We've
just go to --
She SCREAMS as their legs are HOOKED BY ROPES. They DROP to
the ground, the cell phone sent flying.
A moment as they share panicked expressions, before being
dragged along the grass and into a manhole by things we don't
see.
Then, the manhole cover is put back in place, as if the whole
thing didn't happen.
BLACK OUT.
END OF ACT ONE
ACT TWO
FADE IN:
10 INT. SUMMERS RESIDENCE - LOUNGE - DAY 10
Buffy and Xander are pulling weapons out of the chest while
Willow does a spell on the table.
WILLOW
I can't locate them. There's some
kind of barrier.
BUFFY
Anya said they were at the fair,
right? We'll start there.
WILLOW
Let me just get some things that
could help us.
BUFFY
Will --
WILLOW
Buffy, I'm going too.
BUFFY
I know. I was just gonna ask if you
could carry the crossbow.
WILLOW
Oh. Okay.
Xander tucks a stake in his inside pocket.
XANDER
We all set? We've gotta hurry, I
haven't heard Anya scream like that
since... ever.
BUFFY
Don't worry, nothing's gonna happen
to them.
XANDER
I know, cos we're gonna stop it.
They all check themselves over. Buffy takes her suit jacket
off.
BUFFY
I really can't get that dirty... it
costs loads to get cleaned.
XANDER
Let's go.
The three of them prepare themselves then EXIT the house, one
by one. First Buffy, then Xander, and finally Willow.