buffy9x20 Script created with Final Draft by Final Draft, Inc.
[previous | bottom] ACT TWO
FADE IN:
9 EXT. CLEVELAND - CITY STREET. NIGHT. 9
Straight back with Sofia, sword raised as the Keeper takes
one calm step towards her. She stands her ground, although
it's obvious she's pretty nervous.
KEEPER
I said, where is Buffy?
SOFIA
No chance. I'm not telling you a
thing.
KEEPER
Don't make me kill you, little
girl. Just tell me where to find
the Slayer and I'll spare you.
SOFIA
(scoffs)
Like I believe that for a second!
The Keeper stares back at her for a beat - then suddenly
LUNGES forward, fists raised.
Sofia is ready, neatly sidestepping the attack and kicking
out, but the Keeper ducks her leg, PUNCHING back at her and
hitting her square in the gut.
Sofia is knocked off her feet, dropping the sword and rolling
across the ground. She quickly recovers and flips back up to
her feet as the Keeper charges over.
He throws a series of wide punches at her, which she weaves
and dodges around, looking for an opening.
Seeing her chance, she kicks out, and as the Keeper blocks
she twists round, pushing herself away from him and combat
rolling across the street, scooping up her sword.
As she gets back to her feet, sword raised again, she lets a
little smile creep across her lips.
SOFIA (cont'd)
Sorry, am I not lying down and
dying like a good little girl?
The Keeper folds his arms, standing a few feet away.
KEEPER
One last time. Where is Buffy?
SOFIA
Sorry, must have slipped my mind.
The Keeper waits another beat - then RUSHES forward again. He
and Sofia get into the fight, her sword striking his arms as
he blocks her blows, but bouncing off them - the Keeper
appears to have some kind of armour on!
He connects with a heavy RIGHT HOOK, and Sofia staggers back,
dazed. The Keeper kicks her sword out of her hand and knocks
her to the floor with one powerful PUNCH.
He stands over her, Sofia too stunned to recover in time, and
raises his fist to deliver a final blow - when suddenly, he
freezes and spins round.
The Keeper has about half a second to register the car
headlights screaming towards him, before a black Mustang
SLAMS into him at full speed.
The Keeper sails through the air, rolling several times when
he hits the floor and ending up in a heap some distance away.
Groggy, Sofia tries to stand, raising one hand against the
glare of the car headlights, as we hear two doors open.
Angel rushes into frame, picking up Sofia as Spike keeps a
wary eye on the downed Keeper.
SPIKE
Good one! Must've been at least
twenty feet. Is that a new record?
ANGEL
(urgent)
Just get back in the car!
Angel carries Sofia back to the Mustang, opening one of the
passenger doors and sliding her onto the back seat, before he
and Spike jump back into the car.
With a SCREECH of tire rubber, the Mustang rockets out of
frame, swerving round the Keeper as he slowly gets back to
his feet.
The Keeper turns, watching the departing Mustang as it takes
a sharp turn and swerve into traffic on the main street,
before he turns on the spot and marches out of frame.
We cut from the now empty street to:
10 INT. BLACK MUSTANG. NIGHT. 10
Spike looks over into the back seat as Sofia shakes her head,
coming to her senses.
SOFIA
(confused)
Who are you?
SPIKE
Name's Spike, pet. Just saved your
neck!
SOFIA
Spike?
(realises)
Oh, Spike.
ANGEL
(suspicious)
'Oh, Spike'? What does that mean?
Why the 'oh'?
SPIKE
(grins)
Reputation, mate. You ought to try
having one some day.
ANGEL
(to Sofia)
Are you hurt?
SOFIA
(winces)
I'm not in the mood to go jogging,
if that's what you mean... so if
you're Spike, does that mean you're
Angel?
ANGEL
(glances over)
We're here to help. That man you
just faced was called-
SOFIA
The Keeper, yes, we were told
earlier. That's why I was out,
Buffy, Shanna and I were looking
for him.
SPIKE
Who's Shanna?
ANGEL
Never mind that, where's Buffy?
SOFIA
Oh, here.
She hands her cell phone to Spike.
SOFIA (cont'd)
Just call her. She'll probably be
glad to hear from you, if that was
the Keeper then we're going to need
a fair bit of manpower to take care
of him!
Spike takes the phone and starts to call Buffy, looking up as
he realises Angel keeps glancing at him.
SPIKE
What?
(penny drops)
You wanted to be the first to speak
to her, didn't you!
ANGEL
(evasive)
No, I just-
SPIKE
Alright, alright. Pull over, you
can speak to her. For once, I'm
feeling charitable, and besides, if
you throw that poor little orphan
boy look my way one more time, I
think I'm going to burst into tears
myself!
Sofia eyes the two of them, already picking up on the
simmering rivalry between the two vampires.
SOFIA
Do you two boys need a minute
alone?
ANGEL
(evasive)
What? No. It's fine.
Angel pulls the car to a stop over by the sidewalk, reaching
a hand out for the phone.
With a smirk, Spike hands it over and Angel dials in Buffy's
number.
He raps his fingers nervously on the dashboard as he waits
for her to pick up, and Spike grins back at Sofia.
SPIKE
(off Angel)
Ex-boyfriend.
SOFIA
Oh, don't worry, I know all about
that little affair.
Angel glances back at Sofia, suspicious, before Buffy answers
at last.
BUFFY
(filtered; through phone)
Sofia?
Angel pauses for a long beat, suddenly at a loss.
BUFFY (cont'd)
Sofia, are you there? Is everything
okay?
ANGEL
Buffy, it's... it's me. Angel.
BUFFY
Angel? What are you doing here?
ANGEL
Heard you might be having some
trouble with a bad guy called the
Keeper, so Spike and I drove out to
lend a hand.
BUFFY
You're here... with Spike?
ANGEL
(beat)
Yeah.
BUFFY
(beat)
Oh.
There's another pause, before Spike rolls his eyes and
snatches the phone away.
SPIKE
Look, we've got a mildly battered
Slayer in the back of our car here,
got 'Property of Buffy Summers'
stamped on her backside.
SOFIA
Hey!!
SPIKE
Tell us somewhere we can meet you
and we'll be right there.
BUFFY
Okay, okay, uh... I know somewhere.
Spike listens, nodding, before we cut to:
11 INT. CHARLESTON & SMITHE - KANE'S OFFICE. NIGHT. 11
Kane is on the phone, not looking best pleased.
KANE
And he's been in the city how long?
(beat; listens)
I see. Thank you.
He hangs up and turns to Jerekov, who is staring out across
the city through the office windows.
KANE (cont'd)
It seems we have a new player in
town. A character from Wolfram and
Hart in Los Angeles, goes by the
name of 'The Keeper.'
JEREKOV
Not someone I am familiar with.
KANE
No, nobody seems to know much about
him, except that he showed up a few
months ago and seems to be busy
making that Angel guy's life a
misery over there.
(sighs)
Would it be too much to ask for
people to co-ordinate their efforts
once in a while? Here I am, busy
trying to get our plans in motion,
then this cowboy rides into town
and starts throwing Slayers around!
Then there's that thing over in New
York, who knows when that's going
to switch itself back on.
(sighs)
You know, sometimes I'm almost glad
that the Sunnydale Hellmouth fell
back into the ground. It's one less
thing to worry about!
Kane turns and steps back towards his desk, lifting his
phone's receiver and dialling a number.
KANE (cont'd)
I think it's time I set phase two
in motion.
As Kane waits for the other person to pick up, we cut to:
12 EXT. CLEVELAND - PIER. NIGHT. 12
We're at the edge of a long, wooden pier, overlooking a large
lake, surrounded by the city on all sides.
Sailboats and dinghys moored along the pier tell us that this
is something of a sanctuary for the city dwellers.
Buffy and Shanna are already waiting, staring out across the
lake as Angel's car rolls to a stop in the car park a few
feet away.
Buffy turns and looks over as Angel, Spike and Sofia step
out. She manages a warm smile as her two ex-lovers walk over.
Both vampires look particularly awkward - Spike's usual
swagger is gone, and Angel is looking at the floor.
BUFFY
Hello, Spike. It's good to see you
again.
SPIKE
Yeah, well, you know. Takes a
nation of millions to hold us back
and all that.
BUFFY
Angel? You good?
ANGEL
Yeah, I'm fine.
BUFFY
(to Sofia)
Are you okay?
SOFIA
(nods)
A bit sore, but I'll be alright.
These two gentlemen saved me, so I
have them to thank!
ANGEL
(shrugs)
It was nothing.
BUFFY
No, it was something. Thank you.
Angel manages a grin as Spike suddenly gets his nerve back,
striding boldly up to Buffy.
SPIKE
So! Hear things are pretty
different round here?
BUFFY
What makes you say that?
SPIKE
(motions to Sofia)
Pintsize over there gave us a
potted history of the past few
months on the way here.
BUFFY
Yeah, I guess things have been a
little... weird.
SHANNA
Buffy? Who are these guys?
BUFFY
Oh, sorry. Shanna, this is Angel
and Spike. Guys, this is Shanna.
Jackson's sister. She's a Slayer.
SPIKE
Ah, Jackson as in your new
boyfriend, Jackson?
Angel looks up, wanting to catch Buffy's reaction. She just
sighs and rolls her eyes.
BUFFY
Yes, that Jackson.
ANGEL
So... he is your boyfriend, then?
SOFIA
Listen, everyone, not wanting to
break up this lovely reunion, but
can we possibly save this until
later? We've got an armour-plated
madman roaming the streets!
BUFFY
Okay. Angel, Spike, tell us what
you know about this guy.
Specifically, how we kill him.
ANGEL
(searching)
Well...
SPIKE
You know he wears a mask, right?
Buffy blinks - is that all they've got?
BUFFY
You don't know a thing, do you...
SPIKE
Oi! We know a bit!
ANGEL
Wolfram and Hart brought him back,
they used enough power to black out
half of LA to do it. That means
there's a lot of power behind this
guy.
BUFFY
Great. Not helping.
ANGEL
He kidnapped this Slayer we know,
Skye. You remember her?
BUFFY
(thinks)
College student? Vampire and a
Slayer?
SPIKE
(grins)
That's her.
ANGEL
(sly)
Oh, and Spike's new girlfriend.
Spike whips his head round and glares at Angel, who folds his
arms and smiles smugly back - score one for Angel.
SPIKE
(covering)
We're just good mates, is all.
BUFFY
(smirks)
Right...
SPIKE
Anyway! He took Skye and copied
across some of her Slayer powers,
which explains the kung fu
masterclass he was busy giving
young Sofia when we arrived.
ANGEL
Best guess is, he's in town to get
hold of the powers of a more mature
Slayer.
BUFFY
You mean me.
SPIKE
'Fraid so, luv. So that's why
Captain Frown Line and me are here
to help you out!
Buffy grins, finding a crate standing by a pile of other
boxes nearby and sitting down on it.
BUFFY
Alright. If this Keeper wants me,
then let's give him what he wants.
But with interest. I'm betting he
won't be so tough against three
Slayers and two vampires!
KEEPER (O.S.)
Only one way to find out.
Everyone jumps to their feet and whips round - and there is
the Keeper, standing at the edge of the car park, calmly
looking across at the assembled heroes.
His two Flunkies are either side of him, cracking their
knuckles. The Keeper points a finger towards Buffy.
KEEPER (cont'd)
I'm only here for her. The rest of
you can go.
SPIKE
(laughs)
Pull the other one, it's got bells
on! Why don't you start by trying
to get to her, and if you get
within six feet, I'll get the first
round in.
Buffy lifts up her Scythe, facing off against the Keeper as
Shanna, Sofia, Angel and Spike fan out either side of her.
BUFFY
Five against three? Those aren't
really very good odds, are they?
KEEPER
It won't make any difference.
SOFIA
Confident, isn't he?
SPIKE
Come on, Shadowman, let's see how
hard you really are!
As the Keeper and his men step forward, ready to get into the
fight, we cut away to:
13 INT. GILES' APARTMENT. NIGHT. 13
We're inside Giles' small apartment as MAX speaks on the
phone to someone.
MAX
Yes, sir. Everything's still going
according to the plan, as we
discussed. No, I understand
completely.
(beat; listens)
Absolute secrecy, yes, of course. I
won't let you down.
(beat; nods)
Of course. And, sir? Can I just
say... Thank you for this.
(beat; smiles)
Alright, speak to you soon.
He hangs up, carefully replacing the receiver and then
staring at it for several beats, deep in thought.
He doesn't hear GILES and MARIE enter the apartment until
Marie taps him on the shoulder, startling him.
MARIE
Are you alright, Max? You were
miles away then!
MAX
Yes, I was just... just thinking
about something. It doesn't matter.
Where have you two been?
GILES
Working. Not a concept you're
amazingly familiar with, I know.
Max grins back at Giles, getting used by now to his icy
comments towards him.
MAX
You know I'm always available to
help out, Giles. No matter what
your opinion may be of me, I'm
still a Watcher, and I still have
my uses!
GILES
(beat)
Quite.
MARIE
(to Max)
We were seeing what we could find
out about Irwin Kane, seeing as how
he's been in contact with large
numbers of local demon mercenaries
and other shady characters.
MAX
Any luck?
MARIE
If he is up to something, he's
being amazingly thorough about
covering his tracks! All the people
we spoke to were either too scared
to talk or just plain didn't know
anything.
GILES
He's definitely planning something.
I just know it.
MAX
Maybe it has something to do with
the Hellmouth?
GILES
Yes, we've considered that. Given
the forces at his disposal, it's
likely that he knows of a plot to
try and open it, so he's just
making sure he has the manpower to
hand if that happens.
MARIE
(prompts)
Or...
GILES
Or, we have to consider the
unpleasant possibility that Kane
himself wants to open the
Hellmouth.
MAX
That doesn't make any sense, why
would he do that?
GILES
That, Max, is the question.
Giles heads into his room, and Marie veers off towards the
kitchen.
Max goes back to staring at the phone, returning to his
thoughts about his earlier conversation. From his furrowed
brow and dark expression, we:
BLACK OUT:
END OF ACT TWO
ACT THREE
FADE IN:
14 EXT. CLEVELAND - PIER. NIGHT. 14
We're back into the action at the pier, as the five heroes
face off against the Keeper and his two Flunkies. Buffy,
Angel and Spike square off against the Keeper, with Shanna
and Sofia taking a Flunky each.
The Keeper is straight into the attack, swatting Angel and
Spike's blows aside and focusing on Buffy.
Shanna is quickly finding that her opponent is a skilled
fighter, as he dodges her punches and kicks and lands several
good ones of his own.
Sofia is having more luck - sweep kicking the Flunky to the
ground, she grabs him by the shirt lapels and throws him
across the pier, chasing after him as he clatters along.
Spike gets knocked back by a PUNCH from the Keeper, spotting
an old, dusty fire extinguisher leaning against a pile of old
supply boxes and grabbing it.
Angel and Buffy are toe to toe with the Keeper, who is
matching all of their moves, grabbing Angel's wrist and
wrenching his sword out of his hand.
Buffy blocks the sword with her Scythe, but gets a KICK to
the stomach for her efforts. The Keeper rounds on Angel, just
as Spike calls out.
SPIKE
Oi, Goldie!
The Keeper spins round - Spike is aiming the fire
extinguisher at him with a smirk.
SPIKE (cont'd)
Time for a foam party!
He hits the plunger - and nothing happens. He glances down at
the extinguisher, shaking it to try and get it working, as
the Keeper turns back to Angel.
Dodging the Keeper's sword swings and slices, Angel is driven
back step by step towards a large shack on the pier, finally
sent CRASHING through its side as the Keeper plants a firm
KICK to Angel's chest.
BUFFY
Angel!!
She dives in to attack once again, the Keeper showing that
he's a skilled swordsman as he fights off Buffy's Scythe.
Spike finally gives up with the extinguisher, raising it
above his head and charging at the Keeper, but before he can
slam it into the Keeper's unprotected back, a Flunky tackles
him, sending both men sprawling to the floor.
Spike fights back, glancing over to see Shanna lying
unconscious on the floor.
Sofia, meanwhile, is hard at work with her opponent, who has
fought her back towards the others, rapid fire kicks and
punches lashing out at her as she tries to defend.
She takes a blow to her leg and crumples, then another SLAP
across her face, sending her to the ground.
The Flunky prepares to kick her while she's down, but GULPS
quietly as Angel appears in frame, neatly running the Flunky
through with a long fishing hook.
Angel pushes the Flunky off the barbed hook and pole, and he
SPLASHES into the black waters of the lake.
SOFIA
Thanks!
Angel offers his hand to Sofia, helping her up.
ANGEL
Thank me later, come on!
They dash back towards the fight.
The Keeper and Buffy are still sparring, but as Buffy takes
one overconfident swing with the Scythe, the Keeper gets his
opening, clamping a hand round her throat and shoving her
backwards.
As Spike knees the remaining Flunky in the groin, pushing him
off and PUNCHING him once more, knocking him out, Angel and
Sofia race into frame.
SPIKE
Where's...
(sees her)
Buffy!
The Keeper SLAMS Buffy onto the bonnet of the Mustang, and
she gasps for breath as she tries to prise his hand from her
throat.
He leans in close to her, whispering to her.
KEEPER
I can save him...
BUFFY
(beat)
What?
KEEPER
The Guardian. He will die if you do
nothing. But I can save him.
BUFFY
What... what do you mean?
The Keeper doesn't get chance to answer as Spike and Angel
YANK him away, Sofia helping a coughing Buffy stagger away as
the two vampires lay into the Keeper.
Spike holds the Keeper's arms back as Angel lands a series of
heavy punches to his chest.
SPIKE
Not so tough now, are you, you
bloody Hammer Horror reject!
ANGEL
(still punching)
Spike? Not now.
SPIKE
Oh, what, I'm not allowed to gloat
a little when we're-
CRUNCH! The Keeper's head snaps back, catching Spike on the
bridge of his nose. He releases the Keeper, staggering
backwards, and the Keeper is quick to react, landing two fast
punches across Angel's jaw that send the vampire reeling.
One last KICK to the stomach knocks Angel to the ground, and
the Keeper turns to face Buffy and Sofia.
Sofia looks up, setting her jaw and grabbing the Scythe from
the woozy Buffy's hands as the Keeper's shadow falls across
them. The Keeper stands still, staring down at the two
Slayers for a long beat.
KEEPER
Remember my offer, Slayer. Meet me
when I call for you, and I will
give you what you need.
Sofia blinks and looks at Buffy, who can't find any words to
respond.
The Keeper turns and strides away, leaving the battered
heroes behind.
SPIKE (O.S.)
That wanker!!
Sofia helps Buffy to her feet as Spike and Angel manage to
drag themselves back up. Spike clutches his bloody nose as
Angel wheezes, pressing a hand to his side.
SPIKE (cont'd)
(holding nose)
I think he broke it!
ANGEL
(winces)
I think he got me in the ribs...
SPIKE
(furious)
Where is he? I'll have that tosspot
this time!
BUFFY
He's gone.
They look round - and the Keeper has indeed disappeared.
SPIKE
Oh, that's bloody brilliant, that
is - the bugger can not only quite
easily slap us all silly, but he
can pull a Batman and vanish into
the night whenever he feels like it
as well!
ANGEL
(clearly in pain)
Save it, Spike...
Angel tries to walk but stumbles, and Buffy dashes to his
side to support him. Spike juts his jaw out, not liking what
he's seeing, but Sofia taps him on the arm to distract him -
she points at Shanna, who is just starting to come round.
SOFIA
You can pout later. Help me with
Shanna.
With a last glance towards Buffy and Angel, as Buffy helps
him towards his car, Spike follows Sofia.
SPIKE
(mutters)
Sly git's probably faking it,
anyway...
Spike and Sofia grab an arm each of the limp Shanna, as she
starts to mumble to herself.
SHANNA
Phone... He took... my phone...
Spike and Sofia exchange a curious glance, then carry on
towards Angel's car, as we cut to:
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Script created with Final Draft by Final Draft, Inc.