f1x11 Script created with Final Draft by Final Draft, Inc.
[bottom] TEASER
FADE IN:
1 EXT. NY CITY STREET. EARLY EVENING 1
Passing over and through a cross-section of the city centre,
taking in the long lines of traffic and pedestrians, milling
around happily in the last few rays of sunshine, we pick up
NOA, walking down the street.
Noa has a dark look on her face, far from the content grin
she's usually sporting. Her hair is pulled back, and she's
dressed in muted, plain colours.
Her mood is obvious as she stops at a coffee house, pushing
the swing doors open and stepping inside.
2 INT. COFFEE HOUSE. CONTINUOUS. 2
Noa heads for the counter, paying for a plain mocha from
behind the counter, and making her way over to a booth in one
corner, keeping herself isolated.
She sips her drink, then closes her eyes and leans forward,
her head resting on her hands, a lot on her mind.
She doesn't notice a shadow fall across her as someone stands
at the side of the booth, looking in on her.
QUINN
I'd have asked if this seat was
taken, but I figured the answer'd
be something like 'Back off! I have
mace!'
Noa looks up and sees QUINN, his hair a mess and his clothes
rumpled, like he hasn't had a good night's sleep either.
She blinks - then remembers something and GROANS.
NOA
I was supposed to meet you, wasn't
I... Oh, Jon, I'm sorry.
QUINN
It's cool.
Quinn slides into the booth opposite, looking her up and down
and picking up on the bad vibes radiating from her.
QUINN (cont'd)
Is everything okay? How's Pryor
doing?
Noa SIGHS loudly, looking away for a moment.
NOA
As well as can be expected. He's
still too doped up to say anything,
and most of the lower half of his
face is bandaged up anyway. All I'd
probably get would be a few grunts.
Quinn smiles, but Noa isn't in the mood to laugh along. He
reaches across the table and takes her hands, giving them a
comforting squeeze.
QUINN
Just do what I do. Think to
yourself, 'at least he's not dead.'
Noa looks up, and manages a smile, nodding back at Quinn.
QUINN (cont'd)
We fought off those things, Faith's
okay - well, paler from all the
blood loss, but otherwise okay -
and Pryor's still in one piece.
More or less.
Noa takes another sip of her drink.
QUINN (cont'd)
Bad things happen in threes, right?
And I think that's three bad things
right there, so, in theory, nothing
bad should happen for a little
while.
NOA
('as if')
In theory.
QUINN
(grins)
That's what I said.
Noa stares at Quinn for a moment, then sits up, leans across
the table and KISSES him, taking her time over it.
Quinn looks a little surprised as she leans back. Happy, but
still surprised.
QUINN (cont'd)
What was that for?
NOA
Just being you.
QUINN
Guess I'd better carry on doing
that, then, huh?
NOA
It's helping. I've had a hell of a
day so far - heck, I've had a
pretty crappy few weeks, so right
now, I just want to concentrate on
sitting down, taking five minutes,
a cup of coffee, and my man.
QUINN
'My man'? Well, aren't we the
forward one?
NOA
(playful)
Oh, stop it. You wouldn't return my
calls if you weren't interested,
right?
Quinn smiles back at her.
QUINN
And there she is. That's the Noa I
like, right there.
Noa manages a small laugh at last, as we pan across to the
right, taking in the view of the human traffic outside
through the coffe house windows.
We pick up a WOMAN, standing outside the coffee house,
staring in, looking directly at Noa. She's tall and slim,
with long blonde hair and high cheekbones.
She watches Noa and Quinn for a few beats, before turning and
starting to walk with the crowds.
3 EXT. NY CITY STREET. CONTINUOUS. 3
Staying with the woman, she turns into a quieter street,
bathed in shadows cast by the tall buildings overhead, before
stepping into a small convenience store.
We stay on the door for a beat - and then two MEN step into
frame, all wannabe white boy gangster with their expensive
sportswear and gaudy jewelry.
Checking up and down the street, they nod to each other and
step into the store.
We start to pull away from the entrance.
After a few beats, we can hear RAISED VOICES shouting at one
another - then a woman SCREAMS.
There are two GUNSHOTS.
Silence for a beat.
As an ALARM BELL starts to ring inside the store, the two
wannabe gangsters burst out of the store, hastily tucking
away a handgun each as they sprint away, down the street.
The woman inside the shop continues to SCREAM, sounding
hysterical, and as a POLICE SIREN starts to wail, we:
BLACK OUT:
END OF TEASER
ACT ONE
FADE IN:
4 INT. GENERAL HOSPITAL. DAY. 4
TITLE OVER - Two hours earlier.
Noa is walking down a hospital corridor, a small backpack
slung over one shoulder, checking the numbered doors she
passes, finally stopping at one that's labelled 'Zanardi
Ward.'
She pushes the door open, and steps into:
5 INT. HOSPITAL - WARD. CONTINUOUS. 5
Scanning the beds, she spots FAITH sitting up on one of the
beds, and with a grin heads over.
Faith is fidgeting, flicking disinterestedly through the TV
channels on display via the tiny set mounted on the wall, and
she breathes a sigh of relief as she sees Noa.
FAITH
Thank God, thought i was gonna have
to kill somebody to get out of
here! Did you bring my stuff?
Noa swings her backpack round onto the bed and unzips it.
NOA
Clean clothes, clean underwear, a
few essential feminine hygiene
products, the works. Another great
service from the DeRubria Family.
Faith picks up the bag and starts mooching through it.
FAITH
Thanks.
She glances at Noa and double takes.
FAITH (cont'd)
Hey, is that my shirt?
Noa looks down - she's wearing an olive coloured t-shirt
bearing the Linkin Park band logo, graffiti style. She smiles
innocently.
NOA
Uh, yeah, sorry. Just kinda jumped
out and went 'Hey, Noa! Wear me!'
when I was getting your stuff.
(bites lip)
Is that okay?
FAITH
(grins)
It's cool. First time anybody
bummed clothes off me, that's all.
Usually has to be the other way
round.
Noa takes a seat as Faith starts laying out her outfit. Noa
eyes the bandage on Faith's arm, covering her wounds from the
recent encounter with the Chattering Assassins.
NOA
(off bandage)
How is it?
FAITH
Good as new. Well, sorta. Slayer
healing takes care of the skin and
bone, it's just the pain that
sticks around afterwards.
(beat)
How's Pryor?
Noa falls quiet, and after a beat, she glances round the ward
to make sure no-one's listening in, before leaning closer and
talking quietly.
NOA
He's still in Intensive Care, the
nurse said it'll be a few days
still before he can have visitors.
I managed to get a bit of info out
of her, but not much.
FAITH
How is he overall, though? You
know, with the...
She mimes the wounds Pryor made to his cheeks, and Noa SIGHS,
taking a beat.
NOA
The nurse told me he's had some
initial reconstructive surgery, and
there's more scheduled for later
this week. Sounds like he literally
cut his cheeks open, and then
smashed out a bunch of his own
teeth.
(saddened)
Why would he do that, Faith? I just
don't understand!
FAITH
Me either. I'm figuring the fact
that those demon things we fought
got taken out when I did a little
emergency dental work, and Pryor's
own attempt to become a private
dentist have a lot in common.
NOA
Do you think he knew what was going
on?
FAITH
(shrugs)
Noa, I really don't know. When he
gets a new set of dentures, we'll
have to ask him.
Faith hops off the bed, clutching her change of clothes as
Noa scowls at her.
NOA
Don't you think you're being kinda
flippant about all this?
FAITH
Hey, don't get me wrong, I like
Pryor. He's a nice guy. Misguided,
but nice. But I think it's clear
know he's been keeping secrets from
us, and that's kind of a problem
for me. When he can explain
himself, I'll be all ears.
Faith heads for the restrooms - but as she moves away from
Noa, the dark look that crosses her face tells us what she's
thinking. She has secrets of her own that she hasn't shared
with Noa yet.
As she pushes open the restroom door, we cut to:
6 EXT. STREET/OUTSIDE HOSPITAL. DAY. 6
Noa and the newly-dressed Faith head out onto the sunny
street, Faith adjusting a pair of shades.
FAITH
So what's the plan now? Is there
anything back at the Lab worth
doing, or-
NOA
God, no! You think I'm going
anywhere near that place until
Pryor's out of hospital?
FAITH
So I guess we're officially on paid
leave for now, huh?
Faith grins, but Noa isn't in a laughing mood. The girls
start to head down the street.
FAITH (cont'd)
Changing the subject, looks like
you and that Quinn guy are getting
kinda cosy.
NOA
Yeah, that's something, I guess. He
saved my ass when those things
attacked us, but he's been really
cool about it since.
FAITH
What were you expecting?
NOA
I dunno, maybe that he'd feel like
I owed him something, but no, he's
just taken it in his stride.
(beat)
Oh, yeah, and how come you never
told me you two knew each other?
FAITH
Uh, we don't, really. Helped each
other out with that freaky tooth
fairy demon a few months back,
that's all. Didn't feel like
sharing too much with him at the
time.
NOA
Oh. Well, he just asks a lot of
questions about you, that's all.
FAITH
(suspicious)
What kind of questions?
NOA
Oh, the usual, where you're from,
how you know about...
(looks round; whispers)
... demons and vampires...
(back to normal)
... and all stuff like that. Don't
worry, I haven't told him you're a
Slayer or anything.
FAITH
Good. I like to keep that low key
if I can help it.
They reach a street crossing, ready to part ways.
FAITH (cont'd)
Okay, I'm gonna head home. I need a
shower and an actual bed to sleep
in, not that stainless steel
mattress I got at the hospital.
NOA
I'm just gonna walk for a while. I
need to clear my head, you know?
FAITH
Yeah, it's cool.
Noa starts to walk away, but Faith calls out to her.
FAITH (cont'd)
Hey, uh, Noa?
NOA
(turns)
Yeah?
FAITH
If you wanted to, you know, maybe
swing by later, go out, get a beer,
whatever... that'd be cool.
NOA
(smiles)
Okay, yeah. I'll call you in a few
hours?
FAITH
Sweet. Later.
Faith turns and walks off, and a surprised Noa watches her go
for a beat before heading off her own way.
Noa strolls down the busy sidewalk, not paying much attention
to anything, when she frowns, slowing to a halt.
She looks round, as though sensing something, and stops as
she spots someone across the street.
Standing outside a cafe is the tall blonde Woman we saw
earlier, looking directly at Noa.
Noa squints, trying to make out who it is - then her eyes
widen as she recognises her.
NOA
(quietly)
Mom?
We cut from Noa's startled expression to:
7 INT. CAFE. NEXT. 7
We pan across the almost deserted, small cafe, picking up Noa
sitting at a table opposite the Woman - her mother, BARBARA.
Barbara looks tired, heavy bags under her eyes as she
concentrates on stirring the coffee before her.
Noa watches her for a few beats, before reaching out and
laying a hand on her mom's, stopping the stirring.
NOA
Mom, I think whatever needed to be
stirred in that thing is well and
truly done by now.
Barbara laughs nervously and puts the spoon to one side, her
hands fidgeting nervously. She isn't looking directly at Noa,
who watches her with a frown.
NOA (cont'd)
What's the matter?
BARBARA
I'm sorry, honey. I know you must
hate it when I just swing by
without any warning...
NOA
(cold)
Hey, why would I mind? I mean, it's
not like you tried to have me
sacrificed last time I saw you or
anything. Oh, and don't forget the
part where you 'forgot' to tell me
I had a little brother!
Barbara SIGHS, wringing her hands before finally looking up
at Noa. Her eyes are filled with sadness, and her pleading
look manages to soften Noa a little.
NOA (cont'd)
What's wrong?
BARBARA
Wrong? Nothing's wrong. Why would
anything be wrong? Can't a mother
swing by to see her daughter?
Noa throws the classic 'don't give me that crap!' look.
BARBARA (cont'd)
(beat)
It's the Giantellis.
NOA
(rolls eyes)
Oh, man...
BARBARA
I started going to their parties,
you know, the ones they hold at the
casino every few weeks?
NOA
Yeah, I remember, the ones Paulo
uses to rip off everybody who owes
money to him by fixing the roulette
wheel and using crooked blackjack
dealers! Mom, I moved away to get
as far away from those creeps as I
could, why the hell were you going
back there?
Barbara doesn't answer, and Noa groans as she puts the pieces
together. She leans her head on one hand.
NOA (cont'd)
(weary)
How much do you owe him...
BARBARA
Eleven thousand dollars.
NOA
(splutters)
What?!?
Barbara looks around nervously - nobody in the cafe is
listening in, but she still shushes Noa.
NOA (cont'd)
Mom, what the hell?
BARBARA
I'm sorry! I'm sorry, I don't know
how it got out of control like
that, but...
(beat; sighs)
I'm in trouble, Noa.
NOA
So you thought you'd see if your
estranged daughter could find it in
her heart to save you, right?
Barbara goes back to anxiously stirring her coffee.
NOA (cont'd)
Mom, I've had a really bad few
weeks, I don't need something else
going wrong just now, okay?
Barbara stares at her for a beat, then reaches out for her
purse, starting to stand.
BARBARA
I'm sorry. This was a mistake, I
shouldn't have come.
She's halfway up when Noa reaches out and grabs her arm.
NOA
Mom...
(beat)
Mom, sit down. Come on.
Barbara slowly re-seats herself as Noa glares at her.
NOA (cont'd)
Did you come here to ask me to lend
you the money or something?
BARBARA
No! No, not at all!
(beat)
Not all of it, anyway...
NOA
Look, now's not a great time for me
financially. My boss just got put
in hospital, so I'm not a hundred
per cent sure when my next
paycheck's gonna arrive, if ever. I
don't exactly have eleven grand
lying around, you know?
Barbara nods, keeping her eyes down. Noa stares at her for a
few beats, then looks away. She closes her eyes, scarcely
believing what she's about to say, but:
NOA (cont'd)
Alright, I'll do what I can.
BARBARA
(hopeful)
You will?
NOA
I've still got most of my college
fund left, you know, because we
both know what a disaster that plan
turned out to be, and...
I dunno, maybe I can scrape
together a few bucks here and
there. But there's no way I can
make the whole eleven grand.
BARBARA
(thankful)
No, honey, it's okay, I can make
some of the money myself, I just-
NOA
You just needed good old Noa to
make up the difference, huh?
Noa stands, taking a few dollars out of her wallet and
leaving them on the table.
NOA (cont'd)
Guess it won't be the first time
I've picked up the tab for you,
huh?
Noa thinks, then grabs a napkin, find a pen in her purse and
scribbles a number down.
NOA (cont'd)
That's my cell. Call me later on,
I'll need a few hours to get all
the cash together.
BARBARA
Thank you, sweetheart, thank you.
If there's anything I can ever do-
NOA
Yeah, there's one thing.
(icily)
Don't come and see me ever again.
Noa turns on her heel and strides out of the cafe, her
mother's crestfallen expression burning a hole in her back as
she exits.
8 EXT. NEW YORK SKYLINE - DAY/EARLY EVENING. 8
A time lapse shot of the towers and high rises of New York as
the sun tracks across the sky, the city lights starting to
build up as we get back to the time we started at.
9 EXT. CITY STREET/CONVENIENCE STORE. EARLY EVENING. 9
We're back outside the general store, as Barbara walks up to
the door and heads inside.
There are two GUNSHOTS.
Silence for a beat.
As an ALARM BELL starts to ring inside the store, the two
wannabe gangsters burst out of the store, hastily tucking
away a handgun each as they sprint away, down the street.
As the woman inside continues to SCREAM hysterically, we cut
over to:
10 INT. NOA'S APARTMENT - BEDROOM. EARLY EVENING. 10
Noa is humming along to something on the radio, checking her
hair in a mirror on the wall.
Her cell phone RINGS, and she scoops it up from the bed to
answer.
NOA
Hello?
(listens; smiles)
Oh, hey Jon, what's up?
(listens; pales)
What? Where?
Noa's hand goes to her mouth as the conversation continues.
NOA (cont'd)
Oh, my God! Oh, God, no, I'll be
right over!
She cuts off the call and dashes for the door, sprinting out
of her apartment, as we cut to:
11 EXT. CONVENIENCE STORE. NIGHT. 11
There are two squad cars parked outside the store now, a line
of yellow police tape across the entrance.
Quinn is talking to one of the uniforms on the scene as Noa
dashes into frame.
An officer tries to hold her back, but Quinn sees her and
heads over, tapping the cop on the shoulder.
QUINN
It's okay, Bill, let her through.
Noa is frantic, tears streaming down her cheek as she throws
her arms round Quinn.
NOA
What happened? Where is she? Is she
okay?
QUINN
(trying to calm her)
There was a robbery, two punks
crashed the store and opened up
when the clerk wouldn't pay them.
NOA
And my mom, did she...
QUINN
She was injured in the crossfire.
The store clerk pulled a shotgun
and fired back, as far as we can
tell. I recognised your cell phone
number on a napkin we found in her
purse.
(beat)
Noa, I'm so sorry...
Noa's hands go to her mouth, shock and desperation running
across her face.
NOA
No, no, please, don't say it, don't
tell me she-
They glance over to the store entrance as two Paramedics step
out - and lying on the gurney they're carrying is a black
body bag. Zipped up.
NOA (cont'd)
No!!
Noa sinks to her knees, sobbing desperately, and Quinn waves
over another officer to help as he tries to console her.
We start to pull back from the scene, taking in the gut
wrenching sobs of Noa as she watches her mom's body get
loaded into the back of the waiting ambulance.
Watching the scene from across the street is a HOODED FIGURE,
staring out from the shadows.
Long, grey hair spills out from inside his hood, and we can
just make out his chin as he grins.
HOODED FIGURE
Don't worry, Noa... there's plenty
of ways to bring her back.
The Hooded Figure starts to CHUCKLE, and off that, we:
BLACK OUT:
END OF ACT ONE
ACT TWO
FADE IN:
12 INT. FAITH'S APARTMENT. NIGHT. 12
Faith is resting up on her couch, Goliath the cat asleep and
purring happily in her lap.
She glances at her watch, frowning, and Goliath stirs and
wake up, blinking up at Faith as she shifts position.
FAITH
I guess Noa didn't want to come
over after all, huh, cat?
Goliath's blank look says it all.
FAITH (cont'd)
Yeah, that's what I was thinking.
Bit of patrolling should take my
mind of how much my damn arm hurts!
GABRIEL (O.S.)
I wouldn't advise that.
Faith jumps to her feet, startled - to see GABRIEL, sitting
half-in, half-out of the open window over by the fire escape,
perched on the window ledge with a grin.
FAITH
(not amused)
Alright, you're about an inch away
from breaking and entering, and I
got my rights if you do that.
GABRIEL
You do?
FAITH
Yup. You stay out there, if I kick
your ass it's classed as 'assault.'
You lean a little further forward,
it gets bumped down to 'self
defence.'
(smirks)
Wanna test that theory out?
Gabriel laughs, swinging his legs round and stepping into the
apartment.
GABRIEL
No offence, Faith, but if you
wanted to hurt me you'd have done
it by now.
FAITH
Doesn't mean I haven't thought
about it.
GABRIEL
(feigns offence)
Am I that unpleasant to thine eyes?
FAITH
Well, no, but-
(catches herself)
Whatever. What brings you
trespassing on my patch tonight?
GABRIEL
(beat; serious)
Bad news.
FAITH
(wry)
There's another kind?
GABRIEL
Noa won't be over tonight.
FAITH
(frowns)
How did you know-
GABRIEL
You might want to get over to her
place.
FAITH
(beat)
That's kind of clear cut by your
standards - what's the occasion?
GABRIEL
I'm feeling charitable. Just make
sure you stay there a while.
Faith eyes him - but she knows to trust his advice by now,
and reaches for her jacket.
She winces as she stretches her injured arm, and Gabriel
steps closer to her.
GABRIEL (cont'd)
Better watch that arm. You're gonna
need it later.
FAITH
(mischievous)
That a promise?
Gabriel smirks and heads back over to the window.
GABRIEL
Oh, and, Faith?
FAITH
Yeah?
GABRIEL
Watch your step.
She blinks, confused - but Gabriel slips out through the
window without another word.
Faith heads over, peers outside - but there's no sign of
Gabe. As usual. She slides the window shut again, and as she
turns to leave, we cut to:
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Script created with Final Draft by Final Draft, Inc.