buffy9x12
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TEASER
FADE IN:
1 INT. CHARLESTON & SMITHE - OFFICES. NIGHT. 1
It's a quiet evening in Buffy's workplace, and as we take a
stroll across the admin department, taking in the various
office workers filing and clattering away at their keyboards,
we pick up a bored-looking temp, ELLEN, eighteen with long
blonde hair, and a world-weary look already permanently fixed
on her face.
She stands, gazing around disinterestedly, holding out her
arms as another suit, ALAN, piles a series of folders up in
them.
ALAN
And this one needs to go to
Accounts... And this one is for Mr.
Kane's secretary... And then these
last few have to go down to the
records archive.
ELLEN
Uh... Where is that?
ALAN
(frowns)
You should know by now, Ellen! It's
in the basement, you'll need a key.
Once you've done all that, you can
get out of here at last.
Alan drops a key on top of the high stack of folders in
Ellen's arms, and stands before her expectantly.
ELLEN
(blinks)
So... You want me to go now? Is
that everything?
ALAN
(sighs)
Yes, Ellen, that's everything.
Ellen turns and saunters off screen. Alan watches her go,
shaking his head.
ALAN
(mutters)
Temps...
As he heads back over to his desk, we cut to:
2 INT. CHARLESTON & SMITHE - BASEMENT ARCHIVE. NIGHT. 2
We're down in the plainly-painted walls of the basement,
looking up at a door at the top of a small flight of stairs
as Ellen nudges it open and walks through. The pile of
folders is smaller now, but she's still got a lot of filing
ahead of her.
Snapping her gum, she strolls along a short corridor before
she reaches a long, long line of bland filing cabinets. Ellen
checks the topmost folder on the pile, then with a
disgruntled look starts to wander along the cabinets, looking
for the right one.
She opens a drawer and stuffs the folder awkwardly inside,
but it jams when she tries to close it again.
After a few attempts to shove it closed, she gives up with a
sigh and drops the folders onto the floor.
Reaching into her blazer, she fishes out a crumpled packet of
cigarettes and a lighter, and takes a grateful drag,
breathing out the smoke into the air.
She's about to grab the folders again when she hers a faint
CRUNCHING sound from somewhere behind her. Ellen slowly turns
round, frowning.
ELLEN
Hello?
The sound continues, and Ellen, curious, starts to head
towards it.
She turns a corner and finds herself in a darker part of the
basement, a storage area filled with heaps of old, musty
cardboard boxes.
Ellen scans the area for a few beats before she catches one
of the boxes MOVING slightly. She takes a step closer.
ELLEN (cont'd)
Is there someone down here? 'Cause,
you know, if there is, you oughta
stop hiding 'cause you're kinda
freaking me out a little...
The movement suddenly STOPS, and Ellen blinks. She waits a
beat, but her curiosity gets the better o her, and she starts
to pace forward again.
Ellen crouches down at the base of one of the towers of old
boxes, and notices a strange, dark substance is smeared
across it, spread across the wall and off into the darkness
beyond.
She reaches out a hand to it - then grimaces, bringing her
hand back and finding it coated in some kind of GREEN GOO.
ELLEN (cont'd)
Oh, gross!
Ellen quickly wipes her hand clean on one of the boxes. She
hears a faint CHITTERING noise and jumps to her feet. Her
eyes flick round as she tries to locate the source.
ELLEN (cont'd)
(calling out)
Okay, there'd better not be any
rats down here!
(beat; rolls eyes)
Yeah, because that'll scare them
off...
She takes a step backwards - then hears the chittering sound
again, this time coming from directly overhead, somewhere in
the heating pipes criss-crossing the ceiling.
She freezes, and slowly turns to look above her...
And we're looking down on her, as whatever she sees makes her
SHRIEK in alarm!
Ellen starts to run, but whatever's looking at her is too
fast, dropping down from the ceiling and landing on her head,
and as she SCREAMS again, we:
BLACK OUT:
END OF TEASER
ACT ONE
FADE IN:
3 INT. HOSPITAL - ENTRANCE. NIGHT. 3
BAM! The main entrance doors to the hospital's reception are
kicked open, and in charges BUFFY, holding the still
unconscious and bleeding ANDREW in her arms.
Rushing in after her is XANDER, followed by KANE. BUFFY races
up to the main desk as the nurse behind it looks up and hops
to her feet.
BUFFY
You have to help me, he's hurt his
head and we can't wake him up!
NURSE
Alright, alright, I'll get the
doctors over, don't panic.
The nurse grabs her phone and puts a call out for some
doctors, and in a moment a DOCTOR comes running over - tall,
male, dark hair.
Buffy and the nurse help lay Andrew down on a gurney, which
the doctor starts pushing along, deeper into the hospital. He
grabs a small flashlight and lifts Andrew's eyelids, checking
his pupils.
DOCTOR
What happened?
BUFFY
We were, uh, just sitting at home,
and then this car crashed through
the side of our house!
The Doc glances at Buffy - she's still sporting her cuts and
bruises from the encounter with the Caretaker, which seems to
add to her story.
DOCTOR
Alright, we'll take care of him,
you should get back over to
reception and let the nurses take
care of those cuts.
BUFFY
Huh? Oh, no, I'm fine, I heal fast.
DOCTOR
What's his name?
BUFFY
Andrew, his name's Andrew. I'm
Buffy.
The Doc listens at Andrew's chest with his stethoscope, then
peers at the gash on the side of his head.
BUFFY (cont'd)
Part of the wall fell on him, when
the, uh, car hit us.
The Doctor glances at Buffy for a moment, then nods. They've
reached the swing doors that lead into the main exam room
area.
DOCTOR
Alright, Buffy, we've got it now.
I'll come out and see you when I
have some news.
Buffy stops following the Doc as he and the Nurse push
through the swing doors and disappear from view.
Xander catches up as a lost-looking Buffy watches Andrew's
gurney get wheeled off into an exam room.
XANDER
What did they say? Is he going to
be okay?
Buffy turns to Xander, tears starting to show in her eyes,
and Xander knows now's the time to reach out and just hold
her.
Buffy lets out a little sob, before she looks up and sees
Kane standing a few feet away. Rage takes over as Buffy
pushes away from Xander and marches up to Kane.
KANE
Now, Buffy, I know you're upset,
but I'm sure-
Buffy SHOVES Kane hard in the chest, and he stumbles
backwards. The various staff and patients around them stop
and watch, while one of the nurses grabs a phone to call for
security.
BUFFY
This is all your fault! Don't talk
to me about 'being upset,' you did
this!
KANE
I have medical facilities and some
of the best private doctors in the
country, you should have let me
take care of this!
BUFFY
No, forget it! I don't want
anything to do with you, and I
don't want you coming anywhere near
me!
(cold)
If anything happens to Andrew, I'm
coming after you.
Kane stares her down for a beat - then GRINS and starts to
chuckle. Buffy doesn't look too happy about this as Xander
steps over, trying to break things up.
XANDER
Alright, Buffy, come on. I think
we've seen enough mindless violence
for one night.
BUFFY
I'm not moving until he tells me
what he thinks is so damn funny!
KANE
How am I supposed to avoid you
every day, Buffy? Did you forget
that you work for me?
A beat. She had forgotten. Buffy tries to think up a suitable
comeback line.
BUFFY
Yeah, well... Just...
With a glare at Kane, she stomps past him and plants herself
on a seat in the reception area.
Xander leans in to talk to Kane as he spots two burly
security guards watching them from across the room.
XANDER
Little word of advice, from someone
who knows Buffy better than you
ever will - do not get on her bad
side.
Xander walks away and sits with Buffy, who sill looks ten
shades of furious, and Kane watches for a moment before
taking his phone out of his jacket, dialling a number.
KANE
It's Kane. Looks like the target
was neutralised, but...
(glances at Buffy)
Our operation's security may have
been compromised. I'll be in touch.
He hangs up, then with a last look at Buffy, walks off
screen.
4 INT. SUMMERS RESIDENCE - LIVING ROOM. NIGHT. 4
The door is unlocked and opened, and GILES steps in,
supporting JACKSON with his free arm.
JACKSON
Giles, I'm telling you, I'm fine,
it was just a scratch!
GILES
Scratch or not, you're not going
anywhere until I take a look at
that arm.
JACKSON
Don't tell me, basic medical
training part of the Watcher
package deal, right?
Giles helps Jackson down onto the sofa as ANYA and a dazed
looking WILLOW enter.
GILES
When you've spent a few years
helping to patch up wounded
Slayers, one does tend to pick up a
few tricks.
ANYA
Giles, what's going to happen to my
house? Are those men in the tank
just leaving that hole in my wall,
or are you going to go back over
there and fix it?
GILES
(exasperated)
I can't solve every problem by
myself, Anya! I need to make sure
Jackson and Willow are comfortable,
then check with Buffy at the
hospital about Andrew's condition.
Anya takes a seat on the sofa, looking grumpy as Giles
hurries into the kitchen.
ANYA
(calls after Giles)
Well, fine. But don't expect me to
do any running around, just because
monkey boy Andrew happened to save
my life!
Anya looks up to see Jackson throwing a bemused look at her.
She shrugs.
ANYA (cont'd)
I mean it!
Willow flops onto the last free space on the sofa, blinking
rapidly. Jackson leans over to her.
JACKSON
Hey, are you okay?
WILLOW
(groggy)
I got him...
(giggles)
I got him! At least, I think I got
him... Did you see me get him?
JACKSON
The Caretaker? I saw you do
something to him, you made some
kind of portal that sucked him
away, but God knows where you sent
him! Don't you have any idea at
all?
Willow shakes her head, then lies on her side, curling up
into a little ball.
WILLOW
I'm sleepy now...
Willow's out like a light in a moment as Giles re-enters.
GILES
(re: Willow)
Is she...
Jackson looks down at the sleeping Willow.
JACKSON
Relax, she's just sleeping. I'm
guessing those spells she was
throwing at the Caretaker took a
lot out of her, huh?
Giles crouches by Willow, pressing a concerned hand to her
forehead. Faint traces of dark veins can just be seen on her
cheek.
GILES
It may have been more traumatic for
her than we realise... We'll just
have to see how she feels after
some rest.
Giles stands before Jackson, bandages in one hand.
GILES (cont'd)
Alright, let's get you taken care
of, then I can call Buffy.
Jackson nods and takes off his jacket, revealing a bloody
mark on his arm where he was clipped by a stray bullet.
He seems unaffected by the injury, but the surprised look on
Giles' face tells us by rights, Jackson should be in a lot
more pain right now.
5 INT. HOSPITAL - RECEPTION. NIGHT. 5
Buffy leans against Xander's shoulder for comfort as he
tenderly strokes the side of her head.
BUFFY
Xander?
XANDER
Yep?
BUFFY
What happened tonight? I kinda went
into auto pilot when we got to the
library, next thing I know,
Andrew's on the ground and the
Caretaker's gone...
XANDER
Well, looking at things from an
ESPN action replay perspective, we
fought the bad guy while Willow
tried to zap him, but her first two
spells didn't work.
Buffy sits up, realising something.
BUFFY
Willow! Is she okay?
XANDER
She's fine, she's with Giles, so
are Anya and Jackson.
BUFFY
(agitated)
Jackson! He was shot, he got hurt,
I'd better-
XANDER
You'd better stay right here till
that doctor comes back and tells us
that Andrew's gonna be okay!
Buffy hesitates - then nods, settling back down.
BUFFY
Willow got the Caretaker, didn't
she? I mean, we all saw him get
sucked away, right?
XANDER
Yes, although right now, I'm trying
not to think about that tank-sized
hole in my wall and the mess that
it made of my living room.
BUFFY
(cringes)
I'm sorry, Xander. At least Anya's
okay.
XANDER
Yeah, all things considered, better
to just have thousands of dollars
worth of damage to my new house,
then... Well, you know.
BUFFY
(nods)
Where's Kane?
XANDER
He took off, he's probably got a
few more houses to drive through
tonight so I don't think he wanted
to miss his quota.
Buffy manages a brief laugh, then glances back towards the
exam rooms and spots something. She sits up as the Doctor
appears, walking back towards them.
DOCTOR
Buffy, right?
BUFFY
(stands)
Yeah, that's me. Is Andrew okay?
DOCTOR
(beat)
I'm afraid I don't have good news
for you. Andrew's suffered a severe
blow to the head, which, while it
doesn't seem to have fractured his
skull or caused any real damage,
has left him in a comatose state.
XANDER
(stands)
Andrew's in a coma?
Buffy throws an agitated look back to Xander, before we cut
back to:
6 INT. SUMMERS RESIDENCE - LIVING ROOM. NIGHT. 6
Giles is in the background, on the phone in the kitchen, as
Jackson, his wound now bandaged up, watches Anya flicking
through the TV channels.
JACKSON
Takes a lot to bother you, doesn't
it?
ANYA
What do you mean?
JACKSON
Well, most people I know, if an
armoured car smashed through their
house, followed by a powerful demon
getting banished right in the
middle of their living room...
They'd be kinda upset.
ANYA
(matter-of-fact)
I've seen worse. Ooh, 'Survivor'!
Jackson grins, bemused, as Giles walks back into the living
room, frowning.
JACKSON
Did you speak to Buffy?
GILES
No, she must not be able to hear
her phone. I did get Marie,
however, she's coming round to keep
an eye on Willow for me.
Giles scoops up his jacket and steps towards the door.
JACKSON
Are you going back out?
GILES
I'm going to drive over to the
hospital, it'll be easier than
trying to call.
JACKSON
Okay, good, I'll sit tight.
Giles nods and opens the door, still looking at Jackson - and
fails to spot the TEENAGE GIRL standing on the doorstep, just
about to knock! She's about nineteen and black with long,
dark hair that looks like it needs a wash. Her clothes are
faded and dirty.
GILES
You should be able to contact me if
you need to, and Marie has a spare
set of keys so she can-
TEENAGE GIRL
Uh, hello?
Giles blinks and turns round, seeing the girl at last.
GILES
Oh! Ah, hello, may I help you?
TEENAGE GIRL
Yeah, I'm looking for Jackson Shaw?
I tried his house already but he
wasn't in, but his neighbour said
he spends a lot of time round here,
so...
Jackson stands, and as he sees the girl, his jaw drops.
JACKSON
Shanna?
The girl, SHANNA, nods at him.
SHANNA
Hey.
Giles looks from Shanna to Jackson, confused.
GILES
I'm sorry - who is this?
JACKSON
Giles, meet Shanna Shaw.
(beat)
My little sister.
Giles looks back at Shanna, who GRINS at him.
There's a beat as Anya stands up and peers across, taking in
Jackson's look of shock, before shaking her head.
ANYA
Nope, still not bothered.
BLACK OUT:
END OF ACT ONE
ACT TWO
FADE IN:
7 INT. SUMMERS RESIDENCE - LIVING ROOM. NIGHT. 7
Back on scene as Shanna strolls casually into the front room,
and a surprised Giles pushes the door closed again.
SHANNA
(looking round)
Nice place. This where your
girlfriend lives?
JACKSON
Shanna-
SHANNA
(sees Anya)
Is that her?
(blinks)
Holy crap, she's pregnant! You been
knocking girls up and not telling
me, Jackie?
ANYA
No, I've never had sex with him.
Buffy has, though, lots of times.
SHANNA
(raises eyebrow)
'Buffy'?
(to Jackson)
Sounds like a bad pornstar's name!
Is that who you've been getting
your rocks off with?
JACKSON
Shanna, listen-
But Shanna isn't listening, strolling round and flopping onto
the sofa, taking Jackson's place. She scoops up the TV remote
and flips the channel, much to Anya's annoyance.
ANYA
Hey! You just change that right
back, you annoying little girl,
before I get your brother to spank
you!
SHANNA
(chuckles)
Yeah, like he could!
Anya looks at Giles to do something, but Giles looks a little
lost by everything.
GILES
Uh, Shanna, this really isn't the
best time for you to visit, we're
in the middle of-
SHANNA
(interrupts)
So, Jacks, you gonna tell 'em where
I've been?
JACKSON
How can I? I don't even know where
you've been the last few years, you
ran out the day after they put mom
away!
Giles SIGHS and rubs his eyes - he can almost see the can
opening and the worms spilling everywhere.
GILES
Jackson, I have to leave, can I
trust you to deal with... things,
at least until Marie arrives?
Jackson hasn't taken his eyes off Shanna, who nudges the
sleeping Willow to make some more room on the sofa.
JACKSON
I've got it.
Giles nods and heads out through the door, as Anya calls
after him.
ANYA
Giles, wait! Don't just leave me
here with this girl, she looks like
a crack addict! What if she murders
us all? Giles!
But Giles is already gone. Anya scowls and stomps back over
to her seat, glaring at Shanna.
8 INT. HOSPITAL - RECEPTION. NIGHT. 8
Buffy and Xander look up from their seats as Giles dashes
into reception, heading straight for the desk.
GILES
Ah, hello, I'm looking for three
people who would have come in a
while back, a young man with a head
injury, and-
BUFFY
Giles!
Giles turns as Buffy rushes up to him and throws her arms
round him in a grateful hug. Giles coughs, Buffy's Slayer
strength squeezing the air out of him.
She releases him and steps back as Xander walks over.
GILES
Where's Andrew? Is he-
XANDER
He's through there, we left him
with the doctors, you know, it
seemed like the thing to do, this
being a hospital and all.
GILES
Is he alright?
Buffy shakes her head, tearful again, and Giles holds her as
Xander takes a deep breath.
XANDER
They said the blow to his head put
him in a coma.
GILES
(shocked)
My word... Are you two both
uninjured?
XANDER
I'm good.
BUFFY
Me too... My arm kinda stings, but
it's nothing.
Buffy steps back from Giles, wiping her eyes.
BUFFY (cont'd)
I never realised... Until I saw
them wheeling him away, I never
realised before, but if anything
happens to Andrew, I'll-
XANDER
It'll be okay. He's gonna get
looked after, and besides, Andrew's
tough.
(beat)
For a nerd, anyway.
BUFFY
Is Jackson okay?
Giles hesitates, not sure how to explain what just happened
back at Buffy's house.
GILES
Yes, about that... Jackson's fine,
but something rather unexpected
happened just as I was on my way
out.
Buffy blinks, not sure what he could mean, as we cut to:
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