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        16     INT. UNDERGROUND CAR PARK - NIGHT                       16

               PAN ACROSS the grimy maintenance area of the car park, past
               wire fences and HUMMING generators, to find Evelyn pacing.

               She looks up as a hatch RATTLES open - and it's Huang who
               approaches her. Evelyn relaxes.

                                   EVELYN
                         I was wondering where you'd gotten
                         to.

                                   HUANG
                         Had to be sure I wasn't followed.
                         Celeste may be a lot of things, but
                         oblivious isn't one of them. Plus -
                         headache. Bad.

               The two women look around, as though expecting somebody else.

                                   EVELYN
                         She's late too.

                                   HUANG
                         So I see.
                             (beat)
                         What do you make of this scheme to
                         raid the Wicca Convention?

                                   EVELYN
                         I think it's an excellent idea - if
                         the aim is for every one of us to
                         get killed. Celeste's going to be
                         biting off a lot more than she can
                         chew if she thinks that idea's
                         going to stick.

                                   VOICE (O.S.)
                         That won't be your problem.

               The women rise, turning - as an attractive, dark-haired WOMAN
               enters the area.

                                   EVELYN
                         Nina. It's about time.

               NINA smiles - she's dressed casually, an air of quiet
               confidence about her.

                                   NINA
                             (Spanish lilt)
                         Sorry. Taki kept me on the phone
                         longer than I was planning. He's
                         not exactly keen on this whole
                         'deep cover' business.

                                   HUANG
                             (sharp)
                         We're not here to listen to your
                         relationship problems, Kagemura.
                         We're here to talk about putting a
                         stop to Celeste Rourke before any
                         more blood ends up on our hands.

                                   NINA
                             (raises eyebrow)
                         You know Mizoguchi and Eto have
                         been working with the Watchers
                         Council on this, and we have every
                         intention of bringing Rourke to
                         justice, but we have to wait for
                         her to put one foot over the
                         threshold before we can snatch her.

                                   HUANG
                         Do you think it's easy, to know
                         what I know? If you'd seen the
                         things I'd seen...
                             (darkly)
                         ... you wouldn't let her take
                         another step.

                                   EVELYN
                             (to Nina; off Huang)
                         Never mind her. Ever since her last
                         vision she's been like this. Won't
                         tell any of us what she saw, just
                         that it was a long, long way from
                         anything good.

               Nina looks to Huang - who keeps quiet. Nina brings up the
               BRIEFCASE she was carrying, rests it on a surface and pops it
               open.

               She hands out a folder to Evelyn and Huang - each contains
               files, reports and glossy surveillance photos.

                                   NINA
                         Based on the information you gave
                         us, we've been keeping track of
                         Rodgers, Pouvoir, Deschamps and
                         Marquez.

               Evelyn glances through the photos as Nina speaks - it shows
               the aforementioned Coven members meeting.

                                   NINA (cont'd)
                         And you were right - they've been
                         meeting up in secret for several
                         weeks now. Rodgers seems to be the
                         ringleader of whatever they're
                         planning.

                                   HUANG
                         It's a coup.
                             (off looks)
                         Come on. We all know what Becky's
                         like. She'd love nothing more than
                         to see Celeste cold in the ground
                         and herself at the head of the
                         table instead.

                                   EVELYN
                         Our table's round, Harry. It
                         doesn't have a 'head.'

               She grins, but the attempt at levity washes over Huang.

                                   NINA
                         Whatever her motivations, we're
                         going to move on them. Soon. If
                         they're going to try anything to
                         depose Rourke, then this raid on
                         the convention is where they'll do
                         it. We need to move before that.
                         Shinema and I have a variety of
                         strategies to cover every
                         eventuality.

                                   HUANG
                         No plan can cover every
                         eventuality.

                                   NINA
                         Then we'll make sure we cover as
                         many as we can. Will that do?

               Huang turns away haughtily. Nina rolls her eyes as Evelyn
               approaches her.

                                   NINA (cont'd)
                         How about you? How are you holding
                         up?

                                   EVELYN
                         I'm fine. I've been doing this for
                         four years now - lying through my
                         teeth every day's become second
                         nature to me.

                                   NINA
                         This is the final stretch, Evey.
                         Once Rourke is in custody and the
                         rest of the Coven rounded up, you
                         can walk away. Back home.
                             (beat)
                         Back to Greg.

               Evelyn looks away, a pang hitting her at the mention of his
               name. Nina regrets pushing that button, biting her lip.

                                   NINA (cont'd)
                         Sorry, I didn't mean to - 

                                   HUANG
                         We should go. We'll be missed if we
                         stay away any longer.

                                   EVELYN
                         And that's our cue.

               She HUGS Nina, plenty of warmth between them.

                                   EVELYN (cont'd)
                         Speak soon, Nina.

                                   NINA
                         Take care of yourselves. And I
                         meant what I said - we're almost
                         there now.

               Evelyn smiles, but Huang looks less convinced as she heads
               for the exit, Evelyn following before we DISSOLVE TO:

        17     EXT. HUANG'S CABIN - BACK PORCH - NIGHT                 17

               Back in the present, where Dade stands on the veranda at the
               rear of Huang's cabin, looking out across the hills.

                                   HUANG (O.S.)
                         Are you warm enough?

               He turns - Huang glides towards him, pulling a shawl around
               herself. Dade manages to suppress a SHIVER.

                                   DADE
                         'M fine.

               She nods, coming to stand beside him. Neither speaks for
               several moments, until:

                                   HUANG
                         You should come back inside. There
                         is much still to discuss.

                                   DADE
                         It's just you and Kira talking. At
                         great length. Nothing for me to do
                         but sit and - 

                                   HUANG
                         Listen? Exactly.
                             (beat)
                         Your path may seem far from clear
                         at this moment, Dade, but the fog
                         will lift with time.

                                   DADE
                             (beat)
                         I'm going to hear a lot of cryptic
                         stuff like that from now on, aren't
                         I?

                                   HUANG
                             (smiles)
                         If you stay close enough to hear
                         it.
                             (beat)
                         I will see you inside soon.

               She heads back into the cabin, leaving Dade to his thoughts
               for a beat.

                                   DADE
                             (exhales)
                         Damn it...

               Admitting defeat, he follows her back inside as we:

                                                             BLACK OUT:



                                   END OF ACT ONE
                                       ACT TWO

               FADE IN:

        18     INT. HUANG'S CABIN - FRONT ROOM - NIGHT                 18

               The atmosphere is a little cosier now - Greg and Delaney
               recline on heaps of pillows and cushions, though Dade remains
               on his feet, stiff and awkward.

               Huang enters the room bearing a tray of nibbles - dried
               fruit, crackers, things like that.

               She sets it down, Greg and Delaney greedily tearing into it.
               Kira is offered some, but shakes her head.

                                   KIRA
                         So are you going to play the gentle
                         host all night, or are we going to
                         talk about getting you to come home
                         with us?

                                   HUANG
                             (quirks eyebrow)
                         'Home'?

               Kira starts to respond, but Delaney interjects:

                                   DELANEY
                         Don't get her started.

                                   KIRA
                             (narrows eyes)
                         What my daughter is so eloquently
                         trying to say is that a lot has
                         changed since we last met, Harry.

                                   HUANG
                             (nods)
                         I have seen the ripples from many
                         events spread across the surface of
                         the world, Kira.
                             (to Dade)
                         As have you.

                                   DADE
                         Hey, I'm just an impartial
                         observer. I'm nothing to do with
                         this whole Coven thing you two've
                         got going on.

                                   KIRA
                         That's not strictly true. You're
                         very much a part of things.

                                   DADE
                         Well... maybe I don't want to be.

                                   HUANG
                         We rarely get to choose our own
                         destinies, Dade. They choose us.

                                   KIRA
                         But sometimes we can make our own.
                             (off Huang's look)
                         Sometimes, we can start all over
                         again.
                             (beat; meaningful)
                         Can't we?

               Huang holds her gaze as we DISSOLVE TO:

        19     INT. COFFEE SHOP - DAY                                  19

               A busy downtown franchise coffee store, busy with the hubbub
               from its customers and orders shouted by the staff.

               Madeleine and Ana sit at one booth, Madeleine nervously
               drumming her fingers on the table as Ana nonchalantly sips
               her drink.

                                   MADELEINE
                         I still think meeting in places
                         this public is the worst thing we
                         could do.

                                   ANA
                         Becky wouldn't suggest it if it
                         wasn't safe, Maddy.
                             (off drink; amused)
                         Milk and coffee. Who would have
                         thought?

                                   MADELEINE
                         Still, that doesn't make it - 

                                   REBECCA (O.S.)
                         Actually, it does.

               Madeleine looks up - Rebecca has arrived with Amelie in tow.
               Shades, revealing clothes, hair and makeup in place.

                                   MADELEINE
                             (off her outfit)
                         I thought this was a private
                         meeting, Becky...

                                   REBECCA
                         It is. Take a look around.

               Rebecca and Amelie slide into the booth as Madeleine looks
               round the room - and sees a dozen people dressed just like
               Rebecca.

                                   REBECCA (cont'd)
                         You need to watch MTV once in a
                         while. Nobody's given me more than
                         a glance since I hit the streets to
                         come over here.

               Ana looks up from her drink, a dollop of foam on her lip.

                                   REBECCA (cont'd)
                         Mustache.

                                   ANA
                             (blinks)
                         What?

                                   REBECCA
                         Never mind.
                             (beat)
                         Alright ladies... where are we at?

               Amelie starts to speak, but Madeleine gets in first:

                                   MADELEINE
                         First, tell me this location is
                         secure.

                                   REBECCA
                             (weary)
                         Relax, Maddy. None of Celeste's
                         little clockwork horrors are spying
                         on us.

               She lifts up her matching purse and takes out an AMULET.

                                   REBECCA (cont'd)
                         This'd be hooting like a howler
                         monkey if anything hostile was
                         within fifty feet of us.

               She replaces the amulet. Madeleine doesn't seem convinced,
               but is the first to speak:

                                   MADELEINE
                         I've been applying counterspells to
                         the enchantments Celeste's been
                         placing on her golems. They'll
                         switch over to our control when we
                         speak the command phrase aloud.

                                   ANA
                         Which is?

                                   MADELEINE
                         Which is a secret until it's time
                         for anyone but me to know it.

                                   REBECCA
                         Amelie?

                                   AMELIE
                         I 'ave leaked the details of the
                         attack on the convention to several
                         key members of its security staff.
                         They will know exactly where and
                         when she plans to strike.

               All eyes turn to Ana. She takes her time, finishing her
               coffee before replying:

                                   ANA
                         I am ready to do my part.

                                   REBECCA
                         A little more detail would be nice,
                         Ana. We're all friends here, after
                         all.

                                   ANA
                         I am not here to make 'friends.' I
                         am here to test the limits of what
                         power this world will allow a woman
                         to hold. Celeste is an obstacle to
                         that, and you are part of the
                         solution to remove that obstacle.
                         Don't kid yourself into thinking
                         it's anything more.

               Rebecca bristles at Ana's defiant words - but the quick looks
               the others exchange suggest her sentiment isn't exactly one
               they don't share themselves.

                                   REBECCA
                         Thanks for the vote of confidence.
                         And for the record, I know all
                         about yours and Maddy's little
                         'experiments' with that wretched
                         little Slayer girl you captured. So
                         don't think either of you are
                         keeping any secrets from me.

                                   MADELEINE
                         What about you?

                                   REBECCA
                         What about me?

                                   MADELEINE
                         Are you prepared to do what must be
                         done when the moment presents
                         itself? To strike down our leader
                         and take her place for your own?
                         We all know what she'd do to anyone
                         she believed was challenging her
                         authority.
                             (beat)
                         We remember what she did to Esme.

               The others fall quiet - but Rebecca just SMIRKS.

                                   REBECCA
                         If that bitch thinks I'm afraid of
                         her, she's got another thing
                         coming. Someday, the world will
                         know the name... Jilhandra de
                         Laurent.

               Ana SNORTS, trying to hold back her laughter. Amelie fights
               to keep a grin back herself. Rebecca scowls at them both.

                                   ANA
                         Sorry, sorry, just... you're really
                         going to use that stupid name for
                         yourself?

                                   REBECCA
                         Why shouldn't I?

                                   MADELEINE
                         It's a little... theatrical.

                                   REBECCA
                         That's the idea! It's supposed to
                         be striking, bold, and even - 

                                   AMELIE
                         I think it sounds ridiculous.
                             (glances at her watch)
                         And I am late for my facial.

               She rises, Rebecca's jaw hanging at her insolence.

                                   AMELIE (cont'd)
                             (air kisses)
                         A bientot, mes amis.

               She struts away from the booth, leaving Rebecca seething as
               we CUT TO:

        20     EXT. SUBURBS - DAY                                      20

               Out in the 'burbs, brightly-coloured middle class homes all
               round, roads curving to make sure everybody gets a good look
               at what everyone else has got.

               Celeste steps into frame, studying one house in particular
               for a long beat before taking a deep breath and approaching.

               She walks up to the door and KNOCKS. Waits. Hears a dog
               BARKING, then FOOTSTEPS as a slurred woman's voice shouts:

                                   VOICE (O.S.)
                         Shaddap, you worthless piece of
                         crap!
                             (mutters)
                         The hell is the god damn dog
                         barking 'about...

               The screen door opens to reveal a blonde in her twenties with
               fading looks - dark bags under her eyes, dressing gown and
               sloppy PJs.

                                   CELESTE
                             (tight-lipped)
                         Hello, Lois.

               LOIS pouts, pulling her dressing gown tight before she opens
               the main door a fraction.

                                   LOIS
                         Adam's not home.

                                   CELESTE
                         I'm here to see you.

                                   LOIS
                         Well, I don't wanna see you.

               She starts to close the door, but Celeste puts a hand up to
               stop it.

                                   CELESTE
                         Lois.

               Lois holds her gaze - then relents, shuffling away from the
               door. Celeste is fighting down some bubbling emotions as she
               enters:

        21     INT. HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - NEXT                         21

               Inside, the house is as well to-do as the exterior suggests -
               colourful decor, plenty of modern home appliances (although
               'modern' here is strictly late Eighties).

               Hanging back in the kitchen doorway is a DOG, its hackles up
               as it BARKS angrily at Celeste.

               She shoots it a withering look - and the dog WHIMPERS,
               scampering away to safety.

                                   CELESTE
                         When is Adam home?

                                   LOIS
                         Any minute now. I guess.

                                   CELESTE
                         Then I suppose you'd better get
                         that junk out of your system,
                         hadn't you?

               Lois whirls to face her, accusing:

                                   LOIS
                         How dare you! I haven't even - 

               Celeste SNAPS her fingers - and a hazy MIST of energy rises
               from Lois like steam! Alarmed, she tries to swat it out.

                                   LOIS (cont'd)
                         Hey... hey! Cut it out!

               Celeste lowers her hand, the mist fading. Lois glares at her -
               then FLOPS down onto the couch, defeated.

                                   CELESTE
                         I could smell that basement-level
                         pixie dust on you from a mile away,
                         Lois. I thought you were better
                         than that.

                                   LOIS
                         Yeah, well... I'm not.

               Celeste strides over to her, looming above Lois.

                                   CELESTE
                         I didn't come all the way over to
                         this god-forsaken land to start a
                         family just so they could end up a
                         series of disappointments like you!
                         God forbid you should ever have
                         children of your own.

                                   LOIS
                             (petulant)
                         Sorry I'm such a failure, mom.
                         Maybe if you hadn't lost your first
                         kid, you wouldn't have - 

               SMACK! Celeste SLAPS Lois, losing control for a moment.
               Celeste fights the rage back down, but Lois slowly looks back
               up at her, voice dripping with venom:

                                   LOIS (cont'd)
                         And there's the mother I know.

                                   CELESTE
                         Now, you listen to me, and you
                         listen good.

               She stabs a reprimanding finger at the seated Lois.

                                   CELESTE (cont'd)
                         I'm going to come back in five
                         days, and I expect to find you
                         cleaned up. No more bargain-grade
                         mystical narcotics anywhere in your
                         system. Is that clear?

                                   LOIS
                         But what - 

                                   CELESTE
                             (over her)
                         Because if you're not straight, if
                         you're not a hundred per cent done
                         with this... this waste of an
                         existence you're putting yourself
                         and Adam through, then that's it.
                         I'm done.

                                   LOIS
                             (shrugs)
                         Big deal. Is that supposed to scare
                         me?

               Celeste straightens, crossing her arms.

                                   CELESTE
                         How about if I tell Adam why you're
                         really housebound at the moment?
                         That it's not some lingering
                         variant of the flu keeping you out
                         of sorts?

               Lois' gaze burns holes through Celeste, but she doesn't
               flinch.

                                   CELESTE (cont'd)
                         Exactly.
                             (beat)
                         Seven days, Lois.

               She turns on her heel, marching straight back out without
               another word. As Lois slumps back into her seat, CUT TO:

        22     EXT. SUBURBS - NEXT                                     22

               Where Celeste has to take a moment to stop her emotions
               getting the better of her.

               She bows her head, breaths short and sharp, trying not to let
               the tears come, when she hears:

                                   VOICE (O.S.)
                         Celeste?

               She looks up - as clean cut, All-American ADAM walks towards
               her, closing his car door. He's dressed for the office, power
               suit and tie.

                                   ADAM
                             (smiling)
                         Hey. Did you swing by to see Lois?
                         How's she doing?

                                   CELESTE
                             (fixing on a smile)
                         Oh, you know. Still under the
                         weather. I was hoping some of that
                         British stiff upper lip'd passed
                         through the DNA to her, but perhaps
                         not!

               They laugh - Adam's is genuine, Celeste's more forced.

                                   ADAM
                         Are you stopping for dinner?

                                   CELESTE
                         No, no, lots to do.

                                   ADAM
                         The club, right? How's all that
                         working out?

                                   CELESTE
                         It's a good decade for people to go
                         out dancing, is all I need to say.

                                   ADAM
                         I guess it is.
                             (beat)
                         Well, I'd better not keep you.
                         Great to see you again.

               He steps forward for a quick HUG. Celeste's smile drops for a
               beat, but is back when he releases her.

                                   CELESTE
                         Adam...

                                   ADAM
                         Hmm?

                                   CELESTE
                         Just... just keep an eye on her for
                         me, will you?

                                   ADAM
                         You know I will.

               She nods, walking quickly past him and off down the street.
               Adam watches her go before heading into the house - missing
               Celeste wiping a TEAR away.

               However, after a few more steps, her phone RINGS. She reaches
               into her purse - it's a bulky, old school MOBILE PHONE.

                                   CELESTE
                             (into phone; distracted)
                         Hello?

                                   VOICE
                             (filtered; modified)
                         Your acolytes are plotting against
                         you.

               Celeste pulls up to a stop, suddenly alert.

                                   CELESTE
                         Who is this?

                                   VOICE
                         È pausa verso lotta fuoco con
                         fuoco. When we meet, then you will
                         know.

               CLICK. The line goes dead. Celeste's expression darkens as
               she lowers the phone, and we CUT TO:

        23     INT. ROOM - DAY                                         23

               CLOSE on a woman's mouth as they lower the phone handset, the
               features hidden in darkness as we DISSOLVE TO:

        24     INT. HUANG'S CABIN - FRONT ROOM - NIGHT                 24

               Dade is asleep on a mattress in one corner of the room.
               Delaney SNORES softly next to him, leaning against the wall.

               Greg approaches Kira and Huang, deep in their own
               conversation, as he sips a mug of tea.

                                   GREG
                         Ladies?

               They stop, looking up as he joins them.

                                   GREG (cont'd)
                         You've both been talking for hours.
                         I don't know if either of you had
                         noticed.

                                   KIRA
                         We haven't - 
                             (notices Delaney; frowns)
                         Has she always snored like that?

                                   GREG
                             (grins)
                         My point being, since you ushered
                         us three away out of earshot so you
                         could discuss whatever it is you're
                         discussing, that it's late and I'm
                         going to try and get some rest.

                                   HUANG
                         Of course. You may use my room if
                         you wish. I still have much to
                         speak to your mother about.

                                   KIRA
                         He doesn't like being reminded of
                         that.

               Greg throws Kira a look. She shrugs.

                                   KIRA (cont'd)
                         It's been almost a year and we
                         still haven't had that
                         conversation, Gregory. I rather
                         doubt we ever will.

                                   GREG
                             (beat)
                         Good night, both.

               He heads off into another room. Huang waits for the door to
               close, then turns to Kira.

                                   HUANG
                         There is the potential for great
                         love between you.

                                   KIRA
                         Potential's all it's going to be
                         for a while yet. Technically, I
                         killed his mother.

                                   HUANG
                             (grins)
                         Such tangled webs we lead.

                                   KIRA
                             (rubs eyes)
                         I have a hard time keeping track of
                         everything myself...

                                   HUANG
                         Do you wish to retire also?

                                   KIRA
                         No, no. I've come all this way, may
                         as well bash everything out now
                         while you're in the mood to listen.
                         Who knows when that'll happen
                         again.

                                   HUANG
                         You are not the only one to have
                         changed, Kira.

                                   KIRA
                         Says the woman who used to speak
                         like a DJ!

                                   HUANG
                             (shrugs)
                         Isolation has made me more...
                         careful with my words.

                                   KIRA
                         You didn't have to be isolated, you
                         know. After the Coven were first
                         split up, you could have - 

                                   HUANG
                             (suddenly serious)
                         It was my only choice. My actions
                         to that point had left me no other
                         path.
                             (beat)
                         As did yours.

               Kira shuts up, chewing her lip and trying not to bite back.

                                   KIRA
                         I think I need more tea.

               She rises, marching off into the kitchen. Huang looks across
               to where Dade sleeps and smiles, before we:

                                                             BLACK OUT:



                                   END OF ACT TWO
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Script created with Final Draft by Final Draft, Inc.