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EXT. LOS ANGELES STREETS - CONTINUOUS
Alex isn't too far away as the woman exits the bar. She sees
him and follows, making sure to be as quiet as possible. Her
skulking is actually quite impressive.
Up ahead, Alex turns towards an alleyway. His stalker picks
up the pace, heading towards where he turned only for a
hand to GRAB HER and pull her in!
EXT. ALLEYWAY - CONTINUOUS
Alex grabs her by the collar and forces her up against the
wall. He stares into her eyes and she suddenly looks very
intimidated.
ALEX
I'm not thick, I know when I'm
being followed. What do you want?
Her fear gets the better of her and she freezes up. With a
roll of his eyes, Alex lets go and his stalker gets her
breath back.
ALEX (CONT'D)
Better?
Still a little shaken, she just nods her head.
ALEX (CONT'D)
Good. Now, your name is?
KERRI
It's Kerri, and please don't hurt
me.
Sensing the genuine fear in her voice, he tries his best at
sounding kind, caring.
ALEX
I won't, just be careful who you
follow in these streets, lot of
bad people out here.
She nods enthusiastically.
KERRI
And the demons.
Beat. Okay, he wasn't quite expecting that.
ALEX
Why are you following me?
KERRI
I've been waiting, heard one of
you went to that place every so
often, thought I'd catch you
eventually.
ALEX
Okay, but why were you - Wait,
one of who?
She looks side to side, all of a sudden not too sure if
she's got the right person.
KERRI
I'd heard rumors, people in the
city, helping the helpless. Isn't
that you?
Alex grits his teeth, he's not in the mood for this any
more.
ALEX
(frustrated)
Did we put up a bloody billboard
or something?
KERRI
(cuts him off)
It's my son.
His expression quickly changes into one of concern as she
finally tells him what's going on.
KERRI (CONT'D)
We've been hearing things.
ALEX
There's something wrong with your
son?
Beat. She scrunches up her face.
KERRI
What? No! He's fine. Look, we've
been hearing about children going
missing. We've seen people
outside the house, watching.
We're worried.
Alex's concern drops completely, now he's really not in the
mood.
ALEX
Oh for crying out...
(wound up)
We're not the sodding...
(calms)
Look. This isn't what I... what
we do. Call the police.
KERRI
But...
He waves his hand dismissively, he's done, whether she
likes it or not.
KERRI (CONT'D)
What happens if...
ALEX
(shouting back)
Call the police!
He's gone. Defeated, she slumps against the wall, tears
starting to trickle down her face.
INT. WHISTLER'S HOUSE - LATER
Ben, Maria and Gwen are still sat in their chairs. There's
an uncomfortable silence which eventually, someone is going
to have to break. With a HUFF, Gwen decides it's her.
GWEN
Look, I have things to do, and
I'm guessing you two have a lot
to catch up on, so how about I
leave you be?
Maria smiles, it's a little hollow, but in her haste to
escape Gwen doesn't notice.
The second she does, both slayer and watcher are one their
feet, staring each other down.
MARIA
Why are you here Ben? Oh, and
don't give me the crap about
missing kids.
He chuckles, unfazed and unafraid by the fiery look in her
eyes.
BEN
I don't remember you being so
aggressive.
MARIA
What can I say, stabbing me in
the back tends to get me a little
tetchy.
BEN
Stabbed you in the back?
Interesting choice of words,
considering.
Maria looks as if he's just knocked the wind out of her.
Her rage takes over as she delivers an UPPERCUT to his chin
and he sails across the room landing unceremoniously on the
other side.
MARIA
(firm)
Get out.
Still on the floor, Ben rubs his chin. He SPITS out a
little blood, the girl sure can hit.
BEN
Do you still get the headaches?
The rage vanishes from Maria's features and she turns away
from him, and us, hiding her expression completely.
MARIA
No.
Curious, Ben stands, walking towards her.
BEN
How did you...
MARIA
It's not important. What is
important is that you found me,
how?
BEN
The council isn't quite what it
was ten years ago Maria, but a
lot's changed since you left. We
can find people if we have to.
They've been following you since
Amsterdam, caught up with you
here.
She bites her lip. This isn't good news to her, at all.
MARIA
They know where I am?
BEN
No. They pinpointed you here in
Los Angeles, I said I'd take this
the rest of the way. I'm supposed
to check in when I find you.
MARIA
And then what? You take me back?
Slightly regretful, Ben nods. Maria looks away, things
clearly getting worse and worse for her.
BEN
Those are my orders.
MARIA
(defiant)
I won't go.
BEN
You have to, there's really no
choice in the matter.
MARIA
Then we're going to have a
problem.
They both fall silent, acknowledging the difficult position
they're both in. They avoid eye contact, they have nothing
left to say to each other and don't want to prompt
conversation.
From their silence, we:
CUT TO:
INT. KERRI'S HOUSE
To say the place was a little run down would be an
understatement. The walls are damp and cracked, the
floorboards exposed with large gaps where there are some
missing.
The front door creaks open, and Kerri walks in, avoiding
all the possible pitfalls in the floor like a pro.
She takes a look around, sighing at the state of her home,
and partially because of her earlier failure.
After a moment taking it all in, she approaches the
stairway, looking up at the next floor.
KERRI
(shouting)
Michael?
There's no response. She looks a little worried.
KERRI (CONT'D)
(concerned)
Michael?
Still nothing. Now looking very concerned indeed, she
starts to walk up the steps, most of them protesting with a
creak as she does.
KERRI (CONT'D)
Elliot? Where's daddy?
She looks around for any sign of life. There doesn't appear
to be anything.
INT. KERRI'S HOUSE - FIRST FLOOR - CONTINUOUS
As she reaches the top floor she spots an open doorway with
a shadow coming from it. She approaches with caution,
looking inside and GASPS at what she sees.
INT. KERRI'S HOUSE - ELLIOT'S ROOM - CONTINUOUS
Her husband MICHAEL is propped up against a bloodied bed
with a gaping wound across his chest. He's not moving and
he looks worryingly pale.
To the side of him there appear to be scorch marks on the
carpeted floor, and next to them a bloodied battle axe, a
stark contrast to the bright blue walls and child's toys
lying all around.
She races towards him and starts to shake him, trying to
get him awake, with no luck. Panicking, she checks his
pulse, but thankfully there is one.
A quick glance up to the nearby window confirms her fears,
her child is gone!
Realising that she needs to take care of her husband first,
she goes back to him, putting pressure on the wound before
taking out her (quite old looking) cell phone.
As she dials, we PULL AWAY, moving towards the ceiling
until we're looking down at the scene until finally we:
BLACK OUT.
- END OF ACT ONE
- ACT TWO -
FADE IN:
INT. THE ACADEMY - GYM - FLASHBACK
We're back in 2005 and Maria, now dressed in full gym gear
is holding a wooden katana, concentrating hard. She holds
her sword high at a horizontal angle as if blocking.
She steps forward, DRIVING the blade forwards in a
horizontal position before stepping back, swinging the
blade low in an arc.
Before she can move into the next step, she becomes
distracted by the sound of footsteps nearby.
She turns to see the outcast slayer from before steps up to
Maria's mat. Maria rolls her eyes.
MARIA
Let me guess, you want to get
some practice in so could I
please move.
(shakes her head)
Not a chance.
OUTCAST SLAYER
Actually, I was going to join
you.
Beat. Maria's surprised.
MARIA
Um. Okay?
The slayer grins.
OUTCAST SLAYER
Good.
She walks to where there's a selection of more wooden
samurai swords, each with its own subtle unique feature. A
moment of indecision later, she picks up one with a
slightly longer blade, swinging around to test it out.
All the while, Maria watches this other girl, trying to sum
her up.
OUTCAST SLAYER (CONT'D)
Let me guess, none of the others
talk to you?
MARIA
You too huh?
The slayer steps onto the mat and BOWS, Maria follows suit,
and they both fall into stance.
OUTCAST SLAYER
Bunch of prima donnas acting like
they're the "chosen one". Half of
them have never ever seen a
vampire.
She moves in, striking high, but Maria blocks. She then
steps forward, pushing her opponent's blade away, and uses
the opportunity to swing for the neck.
The unnamed slayer ARCS her back, avoiding the sword by a
hair's width, then pivots before standing back up. No
sooner has she done so, Maria is on the attack again,
swinging down with a heavy blow.
The blow misses as the outcast takes a step back and puts
one foot on the blade, trapping it, whilst kicking Maria in
the chest. She grins, smug, and although Maria's winded,
she can't help but smile.
After a beat, they launch everything they have at each
other, a mad frenzy of blows, each blocked or dodged with
amazing speed and grace.
Finally, Maria strikes again, this one also blocked, but
the force drives the two slayers together.
Less than a few centimeters apart, the two girls stare into
each other's eyes. There's a feeling of immediate mutual
respect as their eyes blaze with the full fury of their
slayer powers.
OUTCAST SLAYER (CONT'D)
The name's Tess by the way.
MARIA
(smiles)
Maria.
They separate, twirling around until they face each other.
Breathing heavily, both ready for the next attack, and as
they charge in we:
SMASH CUT TO:
EXT. PARK - NIGHT
Tess' blade morphs into that of a DEMON SAMURAI as Maria
puts her skills to good use, blocking the demon's blow.
Not too far away, Ben is watching her go, deep in thought,
analysing every single move.
As she takes a step back to dodge a blow, he pipes up.
BEN
Don't let him gain the advantage.
Push forward, don't fall back.
MARIA
(unappreciative)
I'll keep that in mind.
She blocks an attack but the distraction of Ben is enough
to allow the demon a quick jab to her face which knocks her
off her feet.
Ben shakes his head, disappointed with her style, though we
don't see him doing much to help...
Gwen, thankfully, steps into frame and manages to stun the
demon with a minute blast of energy, giving her enough time
to swing an axe down to the middle of its forehead.
With a sickening CRUNCH, the axe goes through and the demon
collapses.
The group all relax, yet another demon dealt with, and no
real casualties. That is, of course, if you ignore Alex,
who's currently leaning against a tree clutching his head
and looking rather woozy.
Gwen gives the man a hand up, giving him a light shock as
he takes her hand to wake him up. He jumps back and gives
her a scolding look, but all she can do is try not to
smirk.
ALEX
That hurts you know?
GWEN
And yet, I don't care.
He goes to complain some more, but she hoists him up to his
feet, this time without a zapping, and walks away.
GWEN (CONT'D)
(mutters)
Baby.
He mutters something under his breath, not that she cares,
and follows behind, stopping to free his axe from the
demon's skull. He yanks it away, demon brains and all,
cringing.
ALEX
Well this'll take forever to
clean.
KERRI (O.S.)
(shouting)
Hey!
He turns and sees her, letting out a long sigh as he
prepares for her begging for help again.
ALEX
Look, love, I've had a long night
and I don't need the aggro
alright?
He's shocked as she full bawl SLAPS him round the face. He
looks around to see that the others are watching, Gwen now
biting her lip.
ALEX (CONT'D)
What the bloody hell's wrong with
you?
KERRI
(fuming)
They took him. My son, something
came to my house, attacked my
husband and it took my son!
Guilt washes over Alex, maybe he shouldn't have shrugged
her off after all.
KERRI (CONT'D)
My husband's barely alive and
when he wakes up...
She SOBS.
MARIA
Alex?
Alex thinks, choosing his words as carefully as he can,
even though he's well aware that he's never going to come
off in a good light here.
ALEX
She followed me, told me about
people hanging around her house.
I didn't think...
GWEN
Hold on...
She steps forwards.
GWEN (CONT'D)
You knew the Watcher's Council
were interested in missing kids
and you didn't say anything?
He hangs his head in shame, knowing full well there's no
way to defend himself.
She shakes her head in disgust, walking towards the sobbing
Kerri, hugging her softly.
GWEN (CONT'D)
Come on. We'll check out the
house, see what we can do.
(beat, comforting)
We'll find your son.
Kerri appreciates the sentiment, though we're not sure if
she actually believes it. She walks off with Gwen, with
Maria and Ben close behind.
Alex goes to follow, but Maria turns around first.
MARIA
(cold)
Maybe you should stay out of this
one?
He stops dead in his tracks, the usually warm and friendly
Maria isn't someone he's about to mess with when she's like
this.
Ben turns back, walking towards Alex as Maria watches,
unsure of what to make of him.
The two Brits stare at each other for a beat before Ben
whispers something in Alex's ear. The younger man looks a
little confused, but he nods anyway, and Ben turns to
leave, catching up with Maria.
MARIA (CONT'D)
What was all that about?
BEN
Just some friendly advice.
He doesn't look at Maria, so he doesn't see the look of
distrust she's giving him.
While Alex watches them go, we:
FADE TO:
EXT. WILLY'S PLACE
Establishing shot.
INT. WILLY'S PLACE
The bar is more or less empty, a bad night for business if
you're WILLY, but it's perfect for our heroes.
BEN
Have you heard anything?
WILLY
(huh?)
You new?
Ben nods, he looks a little annoyed.
WILLY (CONT'D)
(to Gwen)
It's not easy you know, running
this place and ratting half my
clientele out to you, you know?
You keep bringing in new people
I'll lose the other half too.
Gwen and Maria look at each other, just to confirm that
neither of them actually care.
GWEN
So, you hear anything?
WILLY
Look, I really shouldn't.
Beat. Gwen reaches over the bar, grabs him by the head and
SLAMS him into the bar.
GWEN
So, you hear anything?
She raises her free hand, sparks flowing from her fingers
as a nearby light bulb BURSTS.
WILLY
(whimpers)
Okay, okay.
She lets up and he cracks his neck as he stands, rubbing it
tenderly.
WILLY (CONT'D)
There's been a whole lot of dark
magic circling, more than usual,
even for LA.
BEN
Where?
WILLY
Bad side of town.
They all blink, there's a good side to LA anymore? Sensing
their meaning, Willy pulls out a piece of paper and writes
an address out, handing it to Maria.
WILLY (CONT'D)
There.
Thankful, the trio walk towards the door, Gwen bringing up
the rear.
WILLY (CONT'D)
(shouting after her)
Hey!
(she looks)
You weren't going to do it, were
you?
She doesn't answer, he shrinks back until she leaves. As
soon as she's gone, he picks up a glass and pours a stiff
drink.
EXT. WILLY'S PLACE - SAME
Ben hangs back as Maria and Gwen laugh about Gwen's actions
in the bar. He senses that he's not particularly wanted here,
but he's not letting Maria out of his sight.
MARIA
You wouldn't have done it, right?
Gwen still doesn't answer the question, and both girls
burst into laughter. We CU on Maria laughing, and make a
smooth:
FADE TO:
INT. CLUB - FLASHBACK
Back in 2005 once more, Maria is laughing here as well,
Tess too as she downs a brightly colored drink. Both girls
appear to be completely sloshed.
Their friendship appears to have blossomed, as they're
talking at a maddening speed, even though the ghastly club
music makes it impossible to make out quite what they're
saying.
A couple of young men (we'll call them OLLIE and MATT)
approach, both dressed in their finest pulling outfits, and
by the cocky swagger in their steps, they expect this
meeting to go well.
Ollie is a cheeky chappy looking lad, clean shaven,
blindingly white teeth and hair gelled up in small spikes.
Matt on the other hand has a little stubble, relying on the
best rugged look he can manage at eighteen, which is a lot
less impressive than he thinks.
Ollie steps up first, putting his hand on Maria's shoulder,
squeezing gently to get her attention. She looks up from
her drink, scrunching up her nose. She's not impressed.
OLLIE
Hi.
MARIA
(uninterested)
Hi.
She turns back to her drink, but ever persistent, Ollie
pulls up a chair facing her.
OLLIE
My friend and I...
He nods to Matt, who pulls up a chair also, this one facing
Tess, who's equally unimpressed by their obvious
intentions.
OLLIE (CONT'D)
We were wondering if we could buy
you a drink?
He flashes those pearly whites, hoping his boyish smile
will get him the answer he's after.
MARIA
You know I would, but I think I'm
okay.
He looks down at her glass, a small pool of clear green
liquid sitting in the bottom.
OLLIE
Come on, one drink.
Matt reaches over and tries to put his hand on Tess' arm,
but she quickly pulls back.
TESS
I don't think so.
MATT
One drink? Come on, we're only
looking for a quiet sit down.
The girls raise their eyebrows, the music is still blaring.
TESS
So you come here?
She stands up, Maria following suit, and the girls turn to
leave. Ollie reaches forward, grabbing Maria's arm in a
last ditch attempt to stop her leaving. Big mistake.
On instinct, the blonde slayer turns around and SMACKS him
right in the face with a powerful punch. He goes down hard,
taking the girls' table with him.
People take notice, shocked. Matt turns to Tess, who shakes
her head and floors him too. Maria looks shocked at her
friend.
MARIA
What did he do?
TESS
(shrugs)
He was annoying.
The girls laugh, but their fun is soon interrupted as the
club's BOUNCERS; men with tough expressions, massive arms
and very little in the way of hair, step forward.
Realising it's best to go quietly, the girls raise their
arms in surrender and walk towards the exits, still
snickering as the shocked clubbers stare at them.
CUT TO:
INT. ACADEMY - HALLS OF RESIDENCE - NIGHT
The girls sneak down the corridor as quietly as they can,
though with the amount of alcohol in their systems, that's
still pretty loud.
Tess stumbles into a wall, putting her hands out to stop
herself, GIGGLING all the while. Maria tries to HUSH her,
but it's too late.
BEN (O.S.)
What do you think you're doing?
Busted. The girls look around to see Ben standing not too
far away, and he's not happy.
BEN (CONT'D)
Where've you been?
MARIA
(defiant, drunk)
Out.
She tries to stand up straight, hands on hips, but wobbles
a little, detracting from the effect she's after.
BEN
What the hell were you thinking?
Sneaking out? This is hardly the
time, with everything that's
happening...
(frustrated)
Just get to bed.
TESS
Hey, calm down, we were just -
BEN
(cutting her off)
I don't care what you were doing.
You're both on warning.
With that, he turns away, and the girls smirk, biting their
lips.
They make their way towards one of the dorm room doors and
open it. Tess walks in first, JUMPING out of sight,
hopefully landing somewhere soft.
Maria meanwhile hangs back. She's holding on to the door
frame with one hand, clutching her head with the other. She
looks in a bad state.
Tess appears from the dorm, putting her hand on her
friend's shoulder.
TESS
Someone had too much to drink.
MARIA
(weakly)
Maybe...
Her legs fold under her and she drops to the floor, out
cold before she even hits.
Assuming it's the drink, Tess is slow to kneel down, half
laughing as she SHAKES Maria in an unsuccessful attempt to
wake her. She shakes harder, still nothing.
Beginning to panic, she shakes harder and harder but still
Maria doesn't wake up.
TESS
Help! Somebody?
She checks Maria's pulse, looking worried at the result and
continues to shake her.
A number of SLAYERS emerge from their dorms, unhappy at
being woken at such an ungodly hour, and see the panicking
Tess while we:
CUT TO:
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Script created with Final Draft by Final Draft, Inc.