buffy9x11 Script created with Final Draft by Final Draft, Inc.
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17 INT. PEACHY'S CAFE. DAY. 17
Andrew sits in one of the booths, tapping a straw nervously
on the table top as he watches people mill around the
restaurant. He checks his watch, and doesn't notice somebody
come to stand just outside his booth.
VOICE
Don't tell me I'm late, I could've
sworn I got a new watch last week?
Andrew jumps, startled, and looks up - and there's JODY,
smiling down at him. Jody slides into the booth opposite
Andrew. Andrew suddenly looks intensely nervous.
ANDREW
Um, hi, thanks for, you know,
coming out.
(beat)
To meet me! I mean, thanks for
coming out to, uh, meet me. Here.
Where I work.
(beat; rubs eyes)
Can we start this over?
JODY
Boy, you haven't changed much, huh?
Andrew manages a smile as a waitress steps over. Jody orders
a soda, but Andrew just waves her away.
JODY (cont'd)
So what's up? I mean, I know we
haven't spoken in a long time, and
I do feel kinda responsible for
that, but it was really great to
hear from you again.
ANDREW
I just, uh, you know, wanted to,
uh, speak to you. Seems like, uh,
everyone's been, you know, mending
bridges and things lately, kind of
like how Sydney and Vaughn have to
come to terms with things in
'Alias' after she gets kidnapped
and brainwashed by the Covenant,
and...
Andrew trails off as he sees Jody grinning at him. Andrew
manages a brief laugh.
ANDREW (cont'd)
I'm still babbling, aren't I?
JODY
You bet. You sound like Threepio
when he bumps into those
stormtroopers on Cloud City!
Andrew grins at the Star Wars reference.
JODY (cont'd)
I mean, not the best example, I
know, but I can see you're pretty
uneasy so I'm just trying to create
some familiar territory for you.
ANDREW
Thanks.
JODY
How is everybody? Buffy okay?
ANDREW
Um, yeah, she's trying to sort out
things between her and Jackson, you
know, after...
Andrew trails off again and Jody lowers his head. They both
remember what happened. The waitress arrives with Jody's
soda, helping to break the awkward moment.
JODY
So, guess I'd better fill you in on
what's been going on with me, huh?
Well, I dropped out of college.
ANDREW
You did?
JODY
Yeah, things just felt weird after
Dawn... You know. Just 'after
Dawn.' It's kind hard to look at
the world around you the same way
when you know the things we know
about it.
ANDREW
(nods)
I sure know how that feels.
JODY
Currently, I'm doing a few part
time jobs, trying to figure out
where I'm supposed to fit back into
things now. I mean, I don't think
I'm cut out to do what you do every
day.
ANDREW
(puzzled)
What do you mean?
JODY
You know, fight evil, save the
world, all that business! The hero
stuff. It's not my world.
ANDREW
I wouldn't say 'hero,' more like
'sidekick,' maybe, or even-
JODY
Andrew, you have to stop putting
yourself down! Looks like you
really haven't changed at all, huh?
Jody smiles and sips his drink, and Andrew manages a nervous
smile back.
JODY (cont'd)
I know you don't think all that
much of what you do, like you're
just the annoying kid who hangs
around with the big guns, or
whatever, but the way I've always
seen it, you're still a part of the
team. You still help the big
picture.
Jody reaches across the table and pats Andrew's hand.
JODY (cont'd)
You're still my hero, Andrew.
Andrew smiles and relaxes a little.
JODY (cont'd)
So! What else is new? Uh, I started
writing, you know, I figured maybe
I could tell a few stories about
what I saw, 'cause I reckon it'd
make great TV, and...
We pull away from the scene as Jody continues talking, with
Andrew just content to sit and listen, happy to have Jody
around.
18 INT. GILES' APARTMENT. DAY. 18
Giles is getting ready to head over to Buffy's, stuffing the
spell books Max pointed out into a large satchel, when
there's a KNOCK at the door.
Max opens it to reveal MARIE. They smile at each other as she
steps past him, heading for Giles. Giles grins back at her,
then glances at Max, who gets the message and steps into his
room, out of sight.
MARIE
Hello, Rupert! I was hoping I could
catch you before you left for
Buffy's.
GILES
Max told me about your idea, I'm
just going to go and suggest it.
MARIE
Oh, the 'trap, not kill' plan? Do
you think it'll work?
GILES
(smiles)
I think it's marvellous.
MARIE
I'm sorry I didn't discuss it with
you first, I just knew the risk of
getting Willow involved with a
spell that powerful, so I just
thought I'd ask for a second
opinion before I told you, and...
Marie realises she's rambling, and she and Giles share a
brief chuckle.
GILES
It's quite alright. How was, ah,
dinner?
Marie squirms a little, not sure how much detail to go into.
MARIE
Fine, fine. It was just a quiet
bite to eat, nothing particularly
spectacular.
GILES
Glad to hear it. I'm not about to
tell you not to fraternise with Max
while he's still in our custody,
but I'm sure I don't need to stress-
MARIE
I'm not going to get a case of
Stockholm Syndrome with him, if
that's what you're worried about!
He's a very charming man...
(beat; smiles)
Very charming, but it's not exactly
appropriate at the moment, is it?
Giles smiles, nods and closes his bag up. A thought then hits
him, and he looks up at Marie again.
GILES
'At the moment'?
MARIE
(covering)
Oh, ah, did I say that? Well, I,
er, just meant that, well...
MAX (O.S.)
Right then, Marie! Ready to get
back to work?
Max steps out of his room, and Marie looks almost relieved.
Giles, however, purses his lips and throws his satchel over
his shoulder.
MAX(cont'd)
Let us know if you need anything,
Rupert. We'll be here most of the
night, I expect.
Giles looks at them both, then with a curt nod heads for the
door. Marie watches him go, a troubled look on her face,
before Giles shuts the door.
Marie turns to see Max has already broken out the wine, and
he pours her a glass with a smile.
19 INT. SUMMERS RESIDENCE - LIVING ROOM. EVENING. 19
The sun is setting, visible through the living room windows,
as Willow sits in the centre of her circle, candles
flickering. Her eyes are closed and she's in an almost yogic
pose, breathing slowly and deeply.
Buffy watches, pacing up and down on the other side of the
room for a few beats before Willow opens one eye to look at
her.
WILLOW
Um, Buffy?
BUFFY
Yeah?
WILLOW
Could you, uh, not do that pacing
thing, please? It's kinda throwing
me off.
Buffy nods and sits on the sofa.
BUFFY
Sorry.
WILLOW
(closes eyes again)
It's cool. I'm about ready to
start.
BUFFY
So... What's going to happen?
WILLOW
I'll send out some feelers into the
area, like little blankets of
psychic energy. If any of them get
the scent, then parts of the circle
here'll light up, kinda the same
way I almost found him up in the
Circle.
Willow takes a deep breath, and starts to speak an
incantation out loud.
WILLOW (cont'd)
Scoperta il custode, luce il
sentiero a lui.
A slight BREEZE starts to flow across the room, causing all
the candle flames to flicker and brushing at Willow's hair.
As the circle of powder around her starts to GLOW a faint
yellow, we cut to:
20 EXT. OUTSIDE LIBRARY. EVENING. 20
Looking across at the run down library we last saw in the
Teaser, the Caretaker steps into frame, cocking his head to
the side as he looks the building up and down.
21 INT. DISUSED LIBRARY. EVENING. 21
With a CRASH, the Caretaker yanks the entrance door open,
stepping into the dark and still library.
He looks all around the space, surveying the lay of the land,
then nods slowly, making his decision.
22 INT. SUMMERS RESIDENCE - LIVING ROOM. EVENING. 22
The glowing powder starts to focus on one quarter of the
circle, that section glowing more intensely. Buffy sits up,
taking notice.
WILLOW
I'm getting a scent, I think I can
narrow it down as long as he's
stopped moving now.
There's a knock at the door, and Buffy heads over, keeping
one eye on Willow. She checks who's waiting outside, then
opens the door to Jackson, who smiles at her.
JACKSON
Here's what I'm thinking. If Buffy
can't come to dinner, then
dinner...
(holds up takeaway bag)
... should come to Buffy!
Buffy smiles, but glances over her shoulder, where although
Willow is out of sight, the yellow glow can still be seen.
BUFFY
Uh, great as that is, and it is
really great, I mean, thoughtful,
and-
(sniffs)
Is that lemon chicken?
JACKSON
(holds up bag)
Crispy duck spring rolls, too. You
said you wanted me to surprise you!
Jackson grins - then notices the glow coming from the living
room. He raises an eyebrow at Buffy.
JACKSON (cont'd)
Bad timing?
Buffy looks from Jackson to the living room and back, then
with a sigh steps back, holding the door open.
BUFFY
You'd better come on in.
Jackson steps inside. He and Buffy head over to Willow, who
is still narrowing down her search - a much shorter section
of the circle is now glowing, and Willow's brow is creased,
deep in concentration and focus.
JACKSON
What's she doing?
BUFFY
The Caretaker came back. Willow
reckons she can find it, and the
plan was to-
There is a sudden GOUT OF FLAME from the circle, and Willow
GASPS and scrambles to her feet.
Jackson is there in a flash, grabbing an old blanket from the
sofa and using it to smother the flames.
He glances down at the blanket, which now has a large scorch
mark on it, and looks sheepishly up at Buffy.
JACKSON
Uh, sorry - was this expensive?
BUFFY
(sighs)
No, it was Andrew's. Kept him warm
on his all-night movie marathons.
Jackson lays the blanket back down as Buffy goes to Willow's
side.
WILLOW
(groggy)
I found him...
Buffy glances at Jackson, then back at Willow, as Willow
shakes her head to regain her composure.
WILLOW (cont'd)
(darkly)
I know where he is.
Off her suddenly fierce look, we:
BLACK OUT:
END OF ACT TWO
ACT THREE
FADE IN:
23 INT. SUMMERS RESIDENCE - LIVING ROOM. NIGHT. 23
Straight back where we left off, as Willow starts gathering
up her spell books.
BUFFY
Okay, good work, Will, now we just
need to get everyone round here,
and we can-
WILLOW
There's no time, Buffy! We have to
go now, if we lose him again, we
may never get another shot at
catching him!
BUFFY
Somehow, I kinda doubt that. He's
striking me as the repeat villain
kind of guy.
Willow doesn't look like she's listening as she starts
blowing out the various candles. Buffy glances at Jackson.
BUFFY (cont'd)
We can't just the three of us go
marching over there, what about my
plan?
WILLOW
Buffy, I'm all for plans, but plans
take time. If we go now, we can
find him, and I can stop him.
Tonight.
BUFFY
How?
GILES (O.S.)
I'm afraid I'd have to ask the same
thing...
The trio turn round - Giles has just entered the house.
GILES (cont'd)
... but if you'd like to wait a few
moments...
(raises satchel)
... I think I know what to do.
Buffy blinks, before we dissolve to:
24 INT. SUMMERS RESIDENCE - LIVING ROOM. LATER. 24
Everyone is sat down, with Giles passing a spell book each to
Buffy, Jackson and Willow.
GILES
It's an idea Marie had, that Max
managed to research and find these
three examples thereof.
BUFFY
What are we looking at? Are we
gonna attack him with a giant
whirlwind?
WILLOW
(reads)
A dimensional vortex...
GILES
(nods)
Precisely. Marie theorised that the
secret to attacking the Caretaker
lies not in trying to physically
harm him, but in magically sealing
him somewhere, containing him and
keeping him under lock and key for
good.
BUFFY
Great plan in theory, but where are
we gonna find something like that?
Willow doesn't think he's sticking
around, we're gonna have to move on
him tonight.
GILES
I'm aware of that, Buffy, which is
why I needed to ask-
WILLOW
You want to know if I'll do the
spell.
A beat. Willow looks at them all before focusing on Giles.
WILLOW (cont'd)
I mean, that's why you brought
these over, right? To ask me if I
can try these spells, hoping one of
them'll work and get rid of the
Caretaker?
GILES
(choosing words carefully)
I know it's a lot to ask of you,
Willow, these are colossally
powerful magics and I wouldn't want
you to feel any pressure from-
WILLOW
(interrupts)
I'll do it.
A beat. Willow snaps her book shut.
WILLOW (cont'd)
If it means we can take out the
Caretaker tonight, then I'm in.
I'll do it. Just point me at him,
and I'll do the rest.
Giles looks over at her, then nods and takes the book away
from her. He stands, as does Willow, but Buffy doesn't look
convinced.
BUFFY
Wait a minute, you can't be
serious? Willow can't cook up a
spell as big as you're making out
without even knowing if it'll work
or not, it could kill her! What if
it doesn't work? The Caretaker's
not exactly a standard demon,
Giles, he could finish us all off
if we give him an opening. I don't
want to risk it. My idea was all
about-
WILLOW
Buffy! It's okay, I can do this.
Willow is smiling at last. Buffy looks at her for a long
beat, then lowers her head and nods.
BUFFY
You're sure?
WILLOW
I'm sure. I mean, it's just a
spell, right? A big, nasty,
powerful spell that we're not even
sure is gonna work, but...
(beat; grins)
Anyway, I'll have you guys with me
to back me up. What could go wrong?
We cut from Buffy's still-unconvinced look to:
25 INT. WAREHOUSE. NIGHT. 25
We're inside a large, spacious warehouse as Kane and two more
men in suits stride inside. Floodlights overhead fill the
space with neon light, and as Kane marches on, we start to
pull back, taking in what's inside the warehouse.
There's a line of armoured cars and several squads of
SOLDIERS, men in flak jackets and what looks like riot gear,
all armed with large rifles.
The squads fall into line in front of the armoured cars,
saluting smartly as Kane walks past. There are further sounds
from past the row of cars, as larger trucks and technicians
load up with bulky equipment, including two smaller squads
sporting larger weapons like flame throwers and rocket
launchers.
Kane comes to a halt before the squads, a proud grin on his
face as he addresses them:
KANE
Alright, men! You know what's
expected of you tonight. The
creature known as 'The Caretaker'
is back in Cleveland, and we have a
fix on its location. Our mission
tonight is simple - deploy, engage
and destroy the hostile. You'll
roll out in five minutes, so good
luck!
The soldiers salute again, and with a nod, Kane turns and
strides away.
26 EXT. CLEVELAND - STREET. NIGHT. 26
Buffy, Willow, Jackson, Andrew and Giles march down the
street, Buffy leading, dressed in blacks and carrying the
scythe as we saw earlier.
WILLOW
It's just up ahead, take this left.
BUFFY
You're sure about this?
WILLOW
Absolutely, the spell I did pretty
much burned a map into my brain, so
trust me, I know where we're going.
The gang walk on for another moment, turning into the street
full of empty, abandoned buildings, before:
XANDER (O.S.)
Hey! Wait up!
Xander jogs into frame to catch up with them.
BUFFY
Hey.
XANDER
Sorry I'm late, Anya wanted to come
too so I had to spend a little
extra time convincing her it was
too dangerous.
JACKSON
Why would she want to come along?
Isn't she, like, five months
pregnant by now?
XANDER
Yes, and it's precisely because of
that that she wanted to leave.
She's bored stupid, apparently.
BUFFY
So let's hope you can bring her
home a good story about tonight,
huh?
XANDER
Anything that leaves me with all my
limbs and organs intact is good
enough for me.
ANDREW
Don't worry, Xander, if things get
too, um, dramatic, we can try the
Harris Manuever.
WILLOW
(points)
In there.
The gang stop - they're across the street from the disused
library. As they watch, the purple messenger spirit orbs zip
out from inside the library.
Buffy nods and grips the scythe tightly.
BUFFY
Alright, everybody ready?
From Buffy, we cut to:
27 INT. DISUSED LIBRARY. NIGHT. 27
Buffy and the gang have entered the library, and Buffy steps
forward, staring the Caretaker down.
BUFFY
Sorry, I'm afraid the library's
closed for the night. We're gonna
have to ask you to leave.
The Caretaker stands, and the gang start to fan out, Buffy
staying where she is.
BUFFY (cont'd)
Willow, Giles, you know what to do.
Xander, Andrew, you're my backup.
XANDER
What are you gong to do?
BUFFY
Stick with my original plan.
A beat - then Buffy CHARGES forward, straight into the
attack.
As she and the Caretaker start trading blows, we cut from the
fight to:
28 INT. ARMOURED CAR. NIGHT. 28
Driving at high speed inside one of Kane's armoured cars, the
man himself sitting in front of a bank of video screens. A
technician next to him monitors them.
KANE
Do we still have a fix on its
location?
TECHNICIAN
Yes, sir, twelve miles and closing.
Kane nods and settles back down.
29 INT. DISUSED LIBRARY. NIGHT. 29
As Buffy and the Caretaker fight on, Buffy doing more dodging
than hitting as the Caretaker's powerful attacks begin
demolishing the library's bookshelves, Willow takes her
position.
She takes a deep breath and closes her eyes - then when she
opens them, they've turned JET BLACK.
She raises a hand towards the Caretaker and begins the first
spell, with Giles behind cover a few feet away.
WILLOW
(fierce)
Prendre ceci mal de mon vue!
A crackling ball of BLACK ENERGY forms in the air before
Willow, making her hair billow out behind her, before it
BLASTS towards the Caretaker with a loud SCREECH.
The energy hits him dead on - but is absorbed into his chest.
The Caretaker is unaffected, and turns his head towards
Willow - but Buffy is on the ball, and a KICK to his head
gets his attention back on her.
BUFFY
(shouts; to Willow)
Come on, Will! I hit, you cast! Try
another one!
Willow, panting for breath, nods and closes her eyes,
readying the next spell.
The Caretaker gets a solid hit in on Buffy, who staggers
back, but Jackson is there before the caretaker can attack
her again, SMASHING a wooden chair across its chest.
The Caretaker staggers back one step, enough time for Buffy
to be up and on the offensive again.
BUFFY (CONT'D) (cont'd)
(to Jackson)
Thanks!
JACKSON
No problem!
Willow is ready with spell number two, her eyes turning black
again - and dark veins starting to stand out on her skin as
she raises her hands.
WILLOW
Carregeu meu inimigo a outro lugar!
This time, a mini WHIRLWIND suddenly whips into life,
surrounding the Caretaker as Buffy leaps back out of the way.
She gulps for breath, exhausted already, as the Caretaker
struggles to fight its way out of the winds enveloping it.
BUFFY
That's it, Will! It's working! It's
working! It's...
Buffy stops as the Caretaker steps calmly out of the
whirlwind, which peters out harmlessly, the papers it had
thrown into the air floating gently back to the ground.
Buffy's heart sinks as the Caretaker looks across at her -
and GRINS.
BUFFY (cont'd)
(eyes still on Caretaker)
Willow?
WILLOW
Okay, hang on! Last one!
Buffy raises her scythe to attack again, but before she can,
BRIGHT LIGHT suddenly flares onto the scene, and everyone
shields their eyes against it.
The Caretaker looks up as we hear an engine somewhere
outside, growing in volume as it draws nearer, before with a
CRASH and a shower of dust, one of Kane's armoured cars
BURSTS through the library wall.
As the Scoobies - and even the Caretaker - step back, the
sounds of several pairs of running feet are followed by a
squad of the body armoured soldiers pouring into the library,
all training their guns on the Caretaker with a chorus of
CLICKS.
Buffy slowly backs away, squinting as a figure steps out in
front of the lights mounted on top of the armoured car. He
jaw drops as she sees who it is.
BUFFY
Mr. Kane?!?
KANE
Miss Summers! Well now, imagine my
surprise at seeing you here.
BUFFY
But- what- why-
KANE
(points at Caretaker)
There's your target, men, shoot to
kill!
Buffy's eyes boggle, and she DIVES for cover, pulling Xander
and Andrew to the ground as a hail of MACHINE GUN FIRE rips
across the library.
Willow and Giles take shelter as bullets tear the crumbling
bookshelves into fragments, and the Caretaker staggers back
as dozens of bullets thud into its body.
After a few moments of the intense fire, the men stop - the
Caretaker is flat on its back, motionless. Kane steps over to
where Buffy is hiding as the soldiers reload their weapons.
KANE (cont'd)
You see, Buffy? There's no problem
that a little excessive force can't
take care of.
Buffy looks up at Kane, her mind racing and confused as all
heck, as he offers a hand to help her stand up.
BUFFY
What... What are you doing here?
KANE
Plenty of time to explain that
later, Buffy. For now, let's head
outside while my men-
There is a CREAK from off screen, and as Buffy and Kane turn
to look, they both pale.
The Caretaker is slowly pushing itself to its feet, pausing
to brush dust from its thick black skin.
The soldiers throw glances back across to Kane, edging
backwards and not sure of what to do next.
KANE (cont'd)
Don't just stand there, you idiots,
open fire! Make sure it stays down
this time!
The soldiers OPEN FIRE once again, but this time the
Caretaker is on the move, weaving between the surviving
bookshelves, using them as cover as the soldiers track it.
Buffy races over to Willow and Giles, pulling them up and
back over to Xander and Andrew. She looks round, sudden
panicked.
BUFFY
Where's Jackson?
XANDER
I don't know, I didn't see where he
went after Delta Force decided to
show up!
ANDREW
(points)
There!
They look - Jackson is racing over to them, dangerously close
to the hail of bullets chasing after the Caretaker.
He's almost to safety when a bullet CLIPS his arm, and he
pinwheels and hits the deck.
Buffy SHOUTS in pain and grips her arm too, and Xander pulls
her to the floor as the Caretaker barrels into the soldiers.
With a series of punches, it floors the majority of the
soldiers, knocking some to the ground and sending others
flying through the air.
In moments, none are left standing, and the Caretaker turns
to look straight at Kane.
Kane grits his teeth and draws a large handgun from inside
his suit, but the Caretaker doesn't advance on him.
It takes a step back, surveys the shattered library, then
reaches out a hand and CUTS DOWN through the air behind it,
opening up another of its portals.
Willow jumps to her feet, fear playing across her face as she
sees the Caretaker about to escape again.
WILLOW
No!!
She breaks away from Buffy and the others and runs straight
at the demon. The Caretaker turns just as she gets close, but
as it swings an arm at her, she ducks underneath it and
BARGES straight into the demon.
The Caretaker staggers back - and both the demon and Willow
are sucked into the portal, which closes after them with a
FLASH of light.
Buffy leaps up and races over.
BUFFY
Willow! Willow!!
But Willow is gone. As Buffy looks desperately round the
thoroughly shredded library, we:
BLACK OUT:
END OF ACT THREE
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