104 Script created with Final Draft by Final Draft, Inc.
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- TEASER -
FADE IN:
EXT. MANOR HOUSE - NIGHT
The moon shines onto a darkened manor built on the hilltop
overlooking a suburban street.
The lights indoors are off - although we can hear the CRIES
and ROARS of people inside, as well as the familiar noises
of HACKING and SQUELCHES.
An ELDERLY WOMAN and her ELDERLY HUSBAND slowly hobble
past. They stop in front of the house and look up in
confusion at the noises coming from the manor.
The woman begins to pull her husband away, he shuffles
forwards a few paces.
A second later, a FIGURE BURSTS through the panelled
windows before she bursts into DUST. A stake rolls to the
ground at the feet of the elderly couple.
ELDERLY WOMAN
Remember when the vampires here
kept things quiet?
Her husband mumbles a response and they amble off into the
night.
We, on the other hand, move in for a closer look at:
CUT TO:
INT. MANOR HOUSE - SAME
CRASH!
MARIA smashes against the wall and slumps to the ground -
but she swings her legs around, bringing her attacker down
with her.
She loosens a STAKE from her belt and DUSTS him, before
leaping to her feet a second later.
MARIA
(bites her lip)
Oh crap.
She looks around, surveying the situation - it's not good.
BEN is barely fighting off a female VAMPIRE with his sword,
and ALEX isn't faring much better as he's forced against a
wall, his sword slowly edging towards his neck.
Even GWEN seems to be struggling against her opponents. Her
gloves are off and she's SHOCKING them as they approach.
The vampires, unafraid of her, taunt her as they edge
nearer. She looks around, she's cut off entirely from the
others.
GWEN
Fine. You asked for it.
She holds her hands out in front of her, slowly clenches
them into fists, and watches as sparks shoot out all around
them.
Across the room; as his opponent SWINGS for him, Ben ducks
and THRUSTS up with his sword - and it goes right through
her throat!
She gurgles - he removes his sword and swings it around,
severing the head and dusting her. Another vampire attacks
and tackles him to the ground.
The vamp PINS Ben to the floor, flashing its razor sharp
TEETH as it sinks down towards him, about to bite -
- when an AXE embeds itself in the back of the vamp's head
and it DUSTS. Alex helps Ben to his feet.
BEN
Nicely done.
ALEX
Thank me later.
He moves off, skillfully twirling his axe as he faces off
against another vampire.
The tide of VAMPIRES never seems to end! Gwen's exhausted,
barely managing to keep the vampires off her as Maria HACKS
through to her friends rescue.
Alex swings his axe round, decapitating a VAMPIRE and
DUSTING it, until another VAMP jumps him from behind.
Alex goes down, hitting the floor hard. He blinks in
surprise, coughing up a mouthful of blood before looking up-
- to where DRAKE stands, wielding a nasty looking sword.
The vampire offers a grin as we:
CUT TO:
EXT. LOS ANGELES SKYLINE - NIGHT
The city at relative peace. The night is pierced by a
SCREAM!
SMASH CUT TO:
INT. WAREHOUSE - NIGHT
The man behind the scream is WHISTLER, bloodied and beaten
and currently the victim of a strange PURPLE LIGHT slowly
working up his chest.
He seems to be resisting it, trying to push it away despite
the cuffs chaining him to a chair.
- THREE DAYS EARLIER -
Above him stands Drake, and further behind is AMARRA.
The vampire God appears drained; his eyes look heavy and
his skin a grey instead of the white we've come to know.
Drake grits his teeth and he runs his hands through his
hair in frustration.
All eyes are fixed on Whistler, who writhes on the chair as
the charm takes effect.
DRAKE
(taunting)
Come on, we both know you can get
out.
Whistler glares at him, and Drake grins.
DRAKE (CONT'D)
Yeah. See, I did a little
homework on you.
Drake holds up that evil grin, circling Whistler's table.
DRAKE (CONT'D)
So come on. It's this, or the
Powers. Heck, maybe you can out
run 'em. Maybe -
AMARRA
You can stop now.
Drake turns to him, giving him a questioning look.
AMARRA (CONT'D)
He won't give into the charm's
effects, he's too strong of mind.
(beat)
And we're running out of time.
As Amarra steps forward Drake looks defiant.
AMARRA (CONT'D)
(stern)
Leave!
Not looking to argue, Drake walks towards the nearby door
and exits without a word, not even closing the door behind
him.
Amarra settles back into a chair.
JACK (O.S.)
If I may, my lord...
Amarra looks up as JACK, Drake's second in command, steps
out of the shadows.
JACK (CONT'D)
Maybe it's time for a little
change in tactics?
AMARRA
Oh?
JACK
Drake's taking us from cock-up to
cock-up. Perhaps it's time
someone takes over. Someone who
can lead us as we are meant to be
led, someone who can give you the
world that rightfully belongs to
you.
Amarra allows a small smile to form.
AMARRA
Tell me, do you have anyone in
mind?
Jack splits a wide smile, we PULL BACK - to reveal Drake is
standing behind the door. He frowns, then retreats into the
shadows.
FADE OUT.
- END OF TEASER -
Starring
Elisha Cuthbert
John Simm
Alexa Davalos
Max Perlich
With
Josh Holloway
James Nesbitt
And
Jeremy Irons as Amarra
Guest Starring
Christopher Eccleston as Jack
Created by
Daniel loach
Producer
Tom East
Story by
Daniel loach
Written By
Tom East & Daniel loach
Based on concepts and characters created by Joss Whedon
(c) Mutant Enemy, Inc. And FOX
- ACT ONE -
FADE IN:
INT. GYM - NIGHT
Despite the late hour the gym is filled with various MEN
and WOMEN as they work the various machines. All of them
have that movie star or fashion model look about them.
Maria steps up to a treadmill, a towel draped over her
shoulders, and starts the machine up.
She jogs, then works up the speed until she's running at a
maddening pace and what's more, she makes the whole thing
look effortless.
On the machine next to her is VINCE, late thirties,
nineties haircut, more muscle than brains, and he's
admiring the view.
VINCE
Impressive stuff.
He boosts the speed on his treadmill to match Maria's and
quickly adjusts, though by his pained expression he's
having to push himself.
Maria doesn't even glance at him, focussing on what she's
doing.
VINCE (CONT'D)
Listen, I'm getting out of here
in a little while, you want to
come out for a while? There's
this club down the street, very
exclusive but -
(smug)
My name might just get you in.
He flashes a truly idiotic grin, utterly convinced he's in
with a chance.
Maria stops her treadmill and walks away, Vince watches her
go, maintaining his grin and follows her.
VINCE (CONT'D)
So, that a yes?
MARIA
(cheery)
Nope.
She walks over to a punch bag and starts stretching.
VINCE
Come on, one drink?
MARIA
(snaps)
Listen, I'm not interested, okay?
She stretches some more and Vince, looking a little
stunned, backs off slightly.
VINCE
It wouldn't have to be a date or
anything... I'm just saying, one
drink.
She sighs, turns around, and gives him a cheeky smile.
MARIA
Okay, how about this; you and me
have a little sparring match. If
you win, I go out for a drink.
He's a little surprised by her proposition, having to think
about it for a moment.
VINCE
No tricks?
MARIA
No tricks.
(beat, flirtatious)
Come on, big boy like you against
little me?
He opens his mouth to answer and:
SLAM!
SMASH CUT TO:
Moments later, Vince hits the mat, hard. He looks dazed,
barely able to look over his shoulder to see Maria leaving
without a word.
ON MARIA
She wraps her towel around her shoulders looking rather
pleased with herself.
She glances to one side, out the window and into the
streets. She stops dead, noticing something in the
distance.
After a moment she turns away and walks towards the
changing rooms.
CUT TO:
EXT. GYM - LATER
Now dressed in a casual hooded top and carrying a gym bag,
Maria makes her way across the street to the building she
was looking at before.
She stands on the sidewalk looking into the shadows by the
wall.
MARIA
Care to explain why you've been
ignoring me?
From out of the shadows steps the BLACK COAT MAN, his face
permanently disguised by the darkness.
BLACK COAT MAN
I've been... busy.
Her gaze drops from him to the ground, she looks ashamed,
clearly she knows more than we do.
BLACK COAT MAN (CONT'D)
I have something for you.
MARIA
You do?
BLACK COAT MAN
I know what you're looking for.
More importantly, I know where he
is.
Maria's eyes immediately snap up towards him as we:
CUT TO:
INT. ALEX'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
Newspaper clippings line the walls of the apartment.
Alex lies asleep at his desk, in his hand a PHOTOGRAPH - of
him and SAM.
He stirs, opening his blood shot eyes and allows them to
drift towards a half emptied glass of scotch. With a sigh
he sits up, moving the glass away.
He looks towards a JEWELRY BOX that sits neatly on the
desk. He picks it up, and tenderly opens it.
Besides a few trinkets belonging to his sister, including
the necklace we last saw in 1x01, the only object inside is
a LETTER.
It's sealed. He takes it out and places the box on the bed.
He's moves to open the sealed letter - KNOCK!
Quickly, he drops the letter back into the Jewelry Box and
places it roughly on the desk before darting for the door
and opening it.
Ben stands on the other side.
ALEX
(disinterested)
What is it?
Ben pushes past him, walking into the apartment much to
Alex's annoyance.
ALEX (CONT'D)
Please, come in.
BEN
At least you know I'm not a
vampire.
Alex goes to retort, but his disinterest in Ben's arrival
wins out.
ALEX
So, at the risk of sounding
repetitive, what is it?
BEN
Get your coat.
ALEX
(sighs)
Why?
BEN
We've got a lead. We may just
have found Whistler.
Doing as he's told, Alex grabs his jacket and quickly exits
the room without another question.
Ben takes a moment to look around the room, noting the
countless clippings and files pinned around the room, then,
looking worried, he follows Alex out the door.
CUT TO:
INT. WAREHOUSE - NIGHT
Drake stands before a small number of vampires, the
remnants of the Cult of Amarra. They don't appear to be
paying an awful lot of attention to him.
DRAKE
We have to be careful. There's
all but nothin' left of us -
JACK
And whose fault is that?
The vampires turn to see Jack, standing at the back of the
group staring straight at Drake.
DRAKE
Whoever falls, it's their own
fault.
JACK
Oh please. You led us into fight
after fight, you got arrogant,
mate. Beaten by a couple of rag
tag do-gooders.
(beat)
Twice.
DRAKE
As I remember it, the first time
we managed to summon our master
and take down two of their
fighters. I'd call that a win.
He motions to one side, we follow his arm and see a human
form Amarra sat not far away watching the confrontation, he
leans forward and sports a slight smile.
JACK
At what cost? There's what,
twenty of us? It's been months
and we haven't managed to get
back even close the numbers we
lost.
Drake grits his teeth but he's hardly able to quell his
anger when a murmur of agreement comes from the acolytes.
JACK (CONT'D)
(to Amarra)
Tell me, my lord, is this the
army you dreamed would meet you
on your glorious return, or an
insult?
(beat)
We stand in the shadows when we
should march against the living.
Amarra's smile grows and Drake sees it, finally flipping
his lid.
DRAKE
You don't think I heard you? All
that schemin' behind my back? You
want to do something either put
up or shut up.
The vampires grow restless, all except Jack and Drake who
ignore the rising excitement and merely stand glaring into
each other's eyes.
JACK
Done.
Drake's face falls slightly.
DRAKE
Done?
Once more Jack turns to Amarra and bows his head slightly.
JACK
With your permission, I wish to
pose challenge for the leadership
of your order.
Drake looks from Jack to Amarra and back again, all to sure
of what Amarra's response will be. With a wave of his hand
Amarra crushes Drake's spirit as he agrees.
AMARRA
Such a challenge would...
legitimise the position of a
leader in these dark times.
(to Drake)
Wouldn't you agree?
Albeit reluctantly, Drake nods and begins to walk towards
the small crowd of CHEERING vampires and Jack.
Jack shrugs off his long coat and adopts a fighting stance,
Drake stops just a few feet away and does the same. The
vampires form a circle around them and fall silent.
DRAKE
For the leadership it is.
JACK
(cocky)
May the best man win.
DRAKE
I will.
The lunge for each other and we -
SMASH CUT TO:
INT. WHISTLER'S HOUSE - LATER
Maria and Gwen are already seated in two comfy armchairs
when Ben and Alex enter. The girls stand.
Alex marches right over to the chair Maria was just
occupying and sits on the arm.
ALEX
You found something?
Impressed, Gwen turns to Ben.
GWEN
How did you get him to come?
BEN
He just... came.
Alex rolls his eyes.
ALEX
You know how this works. You find
a lead, we check it out, it falls
through, I go home. The less
arsing about the better as far as
I'm concerned. So, you found
something?
With a resigned sigh Gwen turns to Maria, who nods.
MARIA
One of my informants just got
back in contact, he said he'd
heard something about a do-gooder
demon being held in the city.
BEN
Lucky for us there's not too many
of those around these days. Time
was -
ALEX
(cutting across)
You sure? Wouldn't be the first
hoax, probably won't be last.
She shakes her head, dismissing his skepticism.
MARIA
He's never given me bad info
before.
BEN
So he can be trusted?
Beat. Maria doesn't answer straight away.
MARIA
Like I say, never let me down.
Satisfied, Alex gets to his feet and looks just about ready
to head off.
ALEX
Right, okay. Who's got him?
Maria doesn't answer straight away, building herself up to
saying it.
MARIA
(finally)
Amarra.
Alex looks at her in disbelief, Gwen bows her head. She's
been quiet so far, this would be the reason.
ALEX
(to Gwen/Maria)
I have the distinct memory of
seeing you kill him.
GWEN
Whistler said he was immortal,
maybe he was right.
ALEX
(distant)
So much for counting our
chickens...
Ben raises a hand.
BEN
Amarra?
GWEN
He's a --
BEN
-- vampire God, I know. But even
so, Jesus.
(off looks)
Vampire God rises in Los Angeles,
the Council make it their
business to know about it. Truth
be told we were relieved when we
heard he'd gone down in his first
scuffle.
(beat)
You're sure about this?
MARIA
I'm positive.
Maria looks over at Alex, who has been silent for a while.
MARIA (CONT'D)
Alex, you okay?
Without saying a word, Alex turns and walks towards the
door. Gwen goes after him.
GWEN
Alex, wait!
She reaches him, but he pushes her back and quickly leaves,
closing the door softly behind him.
Gwen looks a bit stunned. Ben starts to go after Alex, as
Maria helps Gwen up.
MARIA
Were are you going?
BEN
To follow him.
Ben leaves, just as Gwen and Maria share a look - wondering
what good he can do with Alex in loner mode.
CUT TO:
INT. WAREHOUSE - NIGHT
THWACK!
Jack recoils, stepping backwards and clutching his chest.
Drake charges forward, delivering an uppercut that knocks
Jack to the floor.
Before Drake can get another move in, Jack flips to his
feet and spin-kicks him to the ground.
It's not long after we left them, but both vampires are
sporting some nasty looking cuts and lumps.
Drake's about to get up - but Jack kicks him. He's rolled
away by the power of the kick but uses the momentum to get
to his feet.
The two vamps circle each other.
DRAKE
Kick a man when he's down? Ain't
exactly sporting.
JACK
I was never one for sport. I'm
all for fun and games, but rules -
WHACK!
Jack lashes out and gets in a cheap blow to Drake's face,
causing him to moan in pain which gives Jack something to
smile about.
JACK (CONT'D)
Never did have time for them.
Drake runs at him again but Jack is waiting for it and
FLIPS Drake over his shoulder. Drake hits the deck, hard.
JACK (CONT'D)
Just give up Drake, you've lost
mate.
Drake struggles onto one knee.
DRAKE
Ain't gonna happen you limey son
of a -
WHACK! He's kicked square in the face - splitting his lip
and damn near breaking his neck.
Jack pins Drake to the ground by the neck, holding it
tightly enough to snap it at a moments notice. His other
hand is on his belt.
JACK
Say it.
DRAKE
(struggling)
Never.
JACK
(grins)
Fantastic. I've wanted to do this
for years.
Jack raises his right hand - in it is a STAKE! He raises
it, snarling as we:
BLACK OUT.
- END OF ACT ONE
- ACT TWO -
FADE IN:
EXT. BAYOU - DAY
We're looking at swamps that appear to be in the middle of
nowhere, there's little-to-no sign of civilization.
- New Orleans -
- 1866 -
Our light is limited due to the various trees hanging over
us.
CRACK
A twig breaks on the ground nearby and we trace the source
straight away to a pair of worn out boots walking along
what little solid ground there is.
We follow the leg of the mystery person, expensive trousers
with an all manner of items attached via a belt, stakes,
bottles sporting crucifixes, knives, the works.
From that an equally expensive black jacket with white
trim. We stop just short of our mystery man's face just as
he stops walking.
We move around behind him as he holds up a hand and a
familiar voice speaks.
DRAKE
Revelare.
Indeed, it's the man himself. Of course, we're distracted
as a TAVERN appears out of nowhere right in front of him.
DRAKE (CONT'D)
Now ain't that something special?
He straightens himself up and walks towards the tavern door
and -
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Script created with Final Draft by Final Draft, Inc.