|
Who Are You (February 2, 2000) Written by: Joss Whedon
|
| Teaser |
|
EXT. BUFFY'S HOUSE - NIGHT There is a small crowd outside the house: cops, paramedics, and a few neighbors. Two cop cars are on the street, and an ambulance is backed up right on the lawn. Joyce stands on the lawn with Faith at her side, talking to the DETECTIVE from last episode.
It's good you called. We've been looking for this girl since she broke out of the hospital.
What's going to happen to her?
We'll take her to the hospital under heavy guard, get her checked out. If she's in stable condition, she goes to jail pending trial.
For murder.
And assault… She's got a lot to answer for. As he says it, the paramedics bring out a gurney with an unconscious Buffy on it. She is just beginning to stir, half opens her eyes to see: ANGLE: BUFFY'S POV: Herself. Or rather Faith, in her body, standing by her mother. Faith sees that Buffy is semi-conscious. Smiling, she puts her arm around Joyce as Joyce talks:
I just hope she can get some kind of help.
First thing is to keep her from hurting anybody else. Buffy tries to say something, but she drifts back into unconsciousness. As the scene continues she is loaded into the ambulance (along with a uniformed cop) and driven off.
Well, you guys'll be safe now. We may have some questions in the morning.
Of course.
(starting to go) Thank you both. I'm glad we finally got the kid.
She's not a kid. (off his look) I just mean, she's strong.
Yeah. This Faith chick: definitely dangerous. He turns and goes.
She truly is. Faith watches the ambulance pull away. Then she turns and heads inside with Joyce, the door closing behind them. BLACK OUT.
|
| Act One |
|
INT. BUFFY'S FOYER/LIVING ROOM - NIGHT Faith wanders into the living room. She cracks her knuckles, rubs her face in her hands a moment. New body. Still feels weird. Joyce enters from the foyer, stands behind her.
Faith. Faith spins, busted. Cold violence in her eyes.
Why do you think she's like that? Oh. Relief.
Oh. You know, she's a nut job.
I just don't understand what could drive a person to that kind of behavior.
How do you know she got drove? Maybe she just likes being that way.
I'll never believe that. I think she's horribly unhappy.
Well, could be things are looking up. I mean, little stint in the pokey, show her the error and all that. I'm sure there's some big ol' Bertha just waiting to shower her ripe little self with affection.
Buffy! Faith crosses to her, suddenly earnest.
I'm sorry, Mom, I just… When I think about how she mighta hurt you, I… I can't stand it. Joyce grabs Faith in a powerful hug. Faith is at first uncomfortable, then annoyed. She gently shrugs Joyce off.
I'm sorry…
Nah, I'm just… I'm sore from the fight.
I've missed you.
Cuz I haven't visited you, right? I knew it!
I know how it is… you have so much in your life now.
Yeah, I'm a busy little beaver. College and all.
Of course. But maybe we could spend a little time together soon. Some night when I'm not being held hostage by a raving psychotic. Faith stares. It's possible she didn't love that phrase. A beat.
Count on it. Joyce smiles.
I'm gonna take a bath. INT. BATHROOM - NIGHT Faith is in the bath. Her head breaks surface suddenly with all attendant splashing, her hair slicked back and pure enjoyment on her face. She settles, slinging one leg over the side of the tub. Rubs the water out of her eyes, then looks at her hand, flexing it. Feeling the fit. She looks down at her new body. Runs a hand up her leg, under the water. She leans back, eyes shut -- then bursts out laughing. INT. BATHROOM - LATER (NIGHT) ANGLE: FROM INSIDE THE BATHROOM MIRROR Now she faces us, towel wrapped around her, hair still wet. She is checking her teeth, baring them at the mirror and tilting her head as if checking out her new gift horse. Sticks her tongue out. Makes a few faces, stretching the skin. She looks contentedly at her new face. Smiles innocently.
Why yes, I would be Buffy, may I help you? (beat) Buffy buffy buffy buffy buffy buffy. Suddenly intense:
You can't do that. That would be wrong. Hey. I'm Buffy Summers, I'll kick your ass with my righteous fiery Slayerness. (tries again) You can't do that. Because it's naughty. (again) Because it's wrong. From the same angle, a jarring TIME CUT: Faith is now dancing around in the middle of the room, throwing punches, being a gleefully out of control dork.
You can't do that, it's wrong. I'll kick your ass, you're evil… INT. HOSPITAL - NIGHT Chaos. Buffy is on a table, freaking out. Doctors and nurses and cops are running around, holding her down.
Let go! Let me go!
Get me a sedative NOW!
Hold her --
I have to get home! She's with my mother! NO! This last as they inject a sedative into her.
Just lie still.
You don't understand… She struggles again, but clearly the sedative is taking effect.
Keep holding her.
She took away my… my body… She is starting to cry, but weakly, as she drifts off. A moment, and Detective Clark and the Doctor step back.
She's coming to the station.
Are you nuts? She's been severely beaten, she was in a COMA, for God's sake.
She's healthy as a deeply psychotic horse. How long will that sedative work?
A couple of hours, but there's no way I'm releasing her to --
I'm taking her. She's gonna wake up somewhere she can't walk out of. INT. TARA'S DORM ROOM - NIGHT We see Willow's head on a pillow. She is lying on Tara's bed, visible concern on her face. Widen to see Tara sitting crosslegged near the foot of the bed, flipping absently through some tarot cards.
I wonder where she is.
Who? Faith?
Yeah. I wish she'd make a move. She's making my stomach all acidy.
But you think Buffy can handle her. Willow sits up.
I think so, but… that doesn't mean Faith won't hurt someone else.
Well you should be safe. Nobody knows you're here. I mean, they don't even know I exist, right? Willow senses an undercurrent in Tara's tone.
I know all about them, but… Willow reaches out, gently squeezes Tara's head.
Hey…
I mean that's totally fine. It's good. It's better.
Tara, I never… I mean, it's not like I don't want my friends to know you, it's just… She thinks it through.
Buffy's like my best friend, and she's really special, plus, you know, Slayer, that's a deal, and there's the whole bunch of us, and we have this group thing that kind of revolves around the slaying and I really want you to meet them and meet Buffy but I just sort of like having something that's just, you know, mine. I don't usually use that many words to say stuff that little. But do you get it at all?
I do.
I should check in with Giles, get a situation update. Willow rises, crossing to the phone on Tara's desk. Tara doesn't look around as she adds quietly:
I am, you know.
What. Tara turns to her.
Yours. Willow looks at her with extraordinary warmth. INT. BUFFY'S BEDROOM - NIGHT Faith is checking out her outfit -- stuff from Buffy's closet, the Faithiest stuff Buffy has. Pulls at the neckline a little, working the outfit.
Okay… not too bad… She digs in Buffy's drawer for accessories, and stops. Pulls out something much more interesting. ANGLE: Buffy's PASSPORT. Faith opens it to a picture of Buffy.
Score. INT. JOYCE'S BEDROOM - MOMENTS LATER ANGLE: JOYCE'S PURSE Its contents spilled out on the bed. Faith is on the phone, talking quietly lest she be detected. She gives the last four numbers of the credit card she is holding.
Six four four seven. Yeah. Expiration, five oh two. Okay. She holds a bit, rifling through Joyce's wallet. She finds three twenties, stuffs them in her pocket.
Yeah. Ten A.M. is the earliest flight, huh? Okay. She hangs up, is scooping things into the purse when Joyce comes in behind her, entering from the bathroom.
What are you doing? ANGLE: OVER JOYCE We see Faith's back, the purse hidden from view. Faith turns around and is holding the group of letters she had scattered on the bed in the last episode.
Just gettin' my mail.
Oh. That was Giles on the other line. He wanted you to meet your friends there, said he had news. A moment, then Faith smiles at the thought.
Yeah. I got some time to kill. I'll go see the gang. All my friends. She shoots off the bed, crosses to the dresser and grabbing a lipstick.
You don't mind if I steal this, right? She's already near the door but Joyce asks:
Is that the "Harlot"? Faith stops, looks at it.
Yeah. Harlot.
That's the same one Faith picked. Faith's eyes go dead. She stares at Joyce a moment, then tosses her the lipstick.
Burn it. INT. POLICE CAR - NIGHT Buffy is in the back, still groggy, cuffed. ANGLE: BUFFY'S POV She sees the cop driving, and Detective Clark in the passenger seat. Narrow street passing by. Everything is blurry. Buffy moans, and Detective Clark looks back.
She's coming to. Man, I want this kid's constitution.
Faith…
Let's move it. I want to get her in before she's a hundred percent. EXT. STREET - CONTINUING - NIGHT No sooner has the detective spoken then a VAN pulls right in front of the car. The van has a thick metal grating welded to its side; it's been rigged to take this impact. The squadcar hits it full on. INT./EXT. POLICE CAR - CONTINUING - NIGHT The two cops are bounced painfully off the dash. Buffy goes flying forward as well. She rears back with blood running down her forehead, still unable to focus. (NOTE: Some of the following may be played in Buffy's blurry POV.) The back of the van flies open and two of the council's men, COLLINS and WEATHERBY, come out silently and efficiently. Collins trains a gun (with silencer) on the cops (both of whom are unconscious or near it) while Weatherby swings a SLEDGEHAMMER into Buffy's window. He drops the hammer and roughly pulls the dazed girl out, walks her to the van, saying:
By order of the Watcher's Council, you are being taken into custody until such time --
Skip the speech. Let's go. They toss her into the van and climb in after. The door slams shut and the van takes off. BLACK OUT.
|
| Act Two |
|
INT. GILES' APARTMENT - NIGHT Faith enters to find Giles there with Willow, Xander and Anya.
Buffy. Good.
Wow, Scooby gang's all here. Willow, Xander, and… -- realizing she has no idea who Anya is --
…everyone. (to Giles) What's up?
It's about Faith, not surprisingly. Faith sits on Giles' desk, legs apart, feet swinging.
Didn't Joyce tell you? I already kicked that ass.
I feel a high five coming on…
Where is she?
Going to the big house. Cops took her off my hands about an hour ago. Poetic justice.
How's that?
Well, she did all those crimes, and now she's being arrested… I guess that's just regular justice. Anyway, it's cool.
Unless I'm mistaken, Faith is no longer in police custody. Faith comes off the desk, suddenly less amused.
What are you talking about?
The Watcher's Council.
Those geeks?
Yes, those "geeks" have sent a retrieval team to capture Faith.
Yeah, 'cause that worked so well when Wesley tried it.
They sent an operations team. They handle the council's trickier jobs. Smuggling, interrogation, wetworks.
What's wetworks?
Scuba type stuff.
I thought it was murder.
Well, yeah, but, there could be, underwater… murder… with the snorkles…
So the Watcher's Council has assassins on payroll? Sweet buncha guys.
They've never had a contract on a human that I know of, but in the world of international sorcery, things get… complicated. It's not all pointy hats and purple cloaks, as I'm sure you well know.
And they're taking her to England?
It'll be a long long time before she returns -- if she ever does at all. Faith can't help it. She starts laughing.
I'm sorry… it's just, I'm happy… Faith is so evil, and evil is… wrong. I'm glad she's going. To England.
Yeah. I hope they throw the book at her.
I'm not sure there IS a book for something like this.
They could throw other things.
I forgot how much you don't like Faith.
After what she's done to you? I just wish those council guys would give me an hour alone in the room with her… If I was larger and had grenades.
I bet I know what Faith would say to that. She whips a big knife from Giles' desk and sinks it into Willow's heart. Willow's eyes and mouth pop wide as she staggers back, Faith coming at her and stabbing again -- ANGLE: FAITH hasn't moved. T'was but a dream. Anya is speaking as Faith comes out of her fantasy, actually a little startled.
So what you're saying is that everything's fine.
Yes.
Well I'm glad that you called us all here because that information could never be conveyed by telephone.
I thought it would be best for us to convene, just in case there were any loose ends or problems we haven't thought of yet. But if I'm keeping you… As he is replying, Willow sees Faith staring at her. Asks her:
What's up?
I would never let her hurt you. It's hard to tell if she is mock-earnest or genuinely so. Willow smiles.
I know. That's all over Giles, who finishes:
…please, by all means, go.
We kind of have a romantic evening planned.
We're going to light a bunch of candles and have sex near them. Xander gives a look: what can you do?
Well we certainly don't want to cut into THAT seven minutes.
Hey!
I believe that's my "hey".
Lighten up. We're out of danger, everything's good.
We still have Adam to worry about.
Yeah, Adam… (no clue) …what's up with him?
I wish we knew.
Yeah… Well, don't sweat it. I'll patrol tonight, as long as it takes. You guys have your fun. I'll be out there, doing my job. INT. BRONZE - NIGHT Faith is dancing like a maniac. LOUD ROCK blasts through the club. Faith is sweating it up, dancing with everyone, male and female, around her. The dance floor is crowded and lively -- the whole club is. The song ends. Faith crosses to get a drink, smiling, completely in her element. She bumps into someone, spills his drink a bit. The someone turns out to be SPIKE. They recognize each other. Except Faith has never seen this guy before.
Oh, you.
(searching) And you…
What are you, keeping tabs on me? You gonna give me a hard time now?
(nonchalantly cool) Um, do I… usually give you a hard time?
Very funny. Well you don't have to worry about me drinking. Unless you're here to protect innocent beers.
You're a vampire.
Yeah, and as soon as I get this chip out of my head I'll be a vampire again but until then I'm as helpless as a kitten up a tree so why don't you sod off and let me enjoy the lack of ambience? Beat.
Okay. She turns to go. This only infuriates him more.
Oh, fine! Throw it in my face! 'Spike's not a threat anymore, I'll just turn my back, he can't hurt me…'
Spike… (sizes him up) Spike. William the Bloody, with a chip in his head. I kind of love this town.
Gah! You know why I really hate you, Summers?
I'm a stuck up tight-ass with no sense of fun? He's sort of stopped by that one…
Wuh-yeah, that… covers a lot of it…
'Cause I could do anything I want and instead I just pout and whine and feel the burden of slayerness? I mean, I could be rich, I could be famous, I could have anything. Anyone. (her tone becomes intimate, hypnotic) Even you, Spike. I could ride you at a gallop till your legs buckled and your eyes rolled up, I've got muscles you've never even dreamed of, I could squeeze you till you popped like warm champagne and you'd beg me to hurt you just a little bit more and you know why I don't? Spike, as aroused as he is confused, takes a moment. Before he can answer:
(mock serious) Because it's wrong. She laughs. He takes a step back, not amused.
I get this chip out, you and me are gonna have a confrontation.
Count on it. He smashes his beer bottle against the wall. Stalks out of the club. Faith watches him go, not quite as amused as before, and heads for the bar. INT. VAMPIRE LAIR - NIGHT It's your typical dark sewery type lair. BOONE, a wired, headstrong young vampthug, arrives with his three cronies. This is home to them.
It was too crowded. We gotta hold out a few hours, pick up a straggler, some drunk. Can't be calling attention to… ourselves… They stop, confronted with the figure that has been waiting in the shadows. It is ADAM, who stays in the dark as he speaks.
I've been thinking. About vampires.
This is my place.
Your place. Yes. The sewers. You hide from them, crawl about in their filth, scavenging like rats. What do you fear?
Kill this guy already. One of the vamps moves swiftly to Adam -- and Adam steps partially out of shadows, grabbing him by the throat with a paralysing grip.
You fear the cross. The sun. Fire. He puts his hand on the vamp's shoulder.
And, oh yes. He pulls the vamp's head off. We don't see much, but there's a wet ripping sound we'll take to our grave, and the look on Boone's face speaks worlds as well. The body drops to the ground, dusts.
I believe decapitation is a problem as well. Beat.
You can have this place, I mean we don't have to stay here anymore…
You fear death. Being immortal, you fear it more than those to whom it comes naturally. He starts to circle them, lost in thought.
Vampires are a paradox.
Okay, we're a paradox, that's cool…
Demon in a human body. You're a hybrid. Natural and unnatural. You walk in both worlds, and belong to neither. He comes right up to Boone, looks down at him.
I can relate. He puts a hand on Boone's shoulder, gestures toward the dark of the cave.
Come. We've got a lot to talk about. INT. VAN/WAREHOUSE - NIGHT Buffy wakes suddenly, tries to get her bearings. She's in the back of the van, shackled. The chain between her cuffs runs to the floor of the van. Weatherby is just finishing shackling her. The door to the van is open behind her.
Well, it's awake.
Who are you?
Council. We're taking you back to the mother country. Seems you've been a naughty girl. His words are flippant, but there is real hate in his eyes.
Listen to me. You've made a mistake.
Threats, is it?
I'm not threatening you. Listen. I am not Faith. Collins steps into view behind the open door of the van.
Well. Our mistake then.
I'm Buffy Summers. Faith performed some kind of spell to switch our bodies.
Congratulations. No one's ever actually tried that one on me before.
You have to find Faith. Call Giles! Get him here.
Giles doesn't work for the Council anymore. For that matter, neither does Buffy Summers. What you are, miss, is the package. I deliver the package. I don't much care what's inside. (to Weatherby) Come on. He moves out of sight. Weatherby turns to her.
He may not care, but I do. The Watcher's Council used to mean something. You perverted it. You trash. We should have killed you while you were asleep. He spits in her face, then goes. She is too shocked to move as he slams shut the gate and then the doors behind. INT. BRONZE - NIGHT Willow and Tara enter the Bronze together.
I can't believe you've never been here. The Bronze is the coolest place in Sunnydale. Course, not a lot of competition there… I think the vending machine at Burgin's came in second.
You used to come here a lot?
Lived here. Me, Xander and… Buffy… She is looking off at… ANGLE: FAITH (who looks just a whole lot like Buffy.) She is with a group of people, is watching a guy try to chug his whole beer.
Chug! Chug! He can't get it all down, spills a lot. People laugh, clap.
You failed! You get no love. ANGLE: WILLOW is a little surprised to see her.
Wow, I didn't think she'd be here… Deciding, she takes Tara's hand, pulls her along.
Come on. I want you to meet her. Faith is leaving the group --
Back off. You're nothing but a disappointment. -- when she meets up with Willow and Tara.
Hey, Buff!
Willow. And…
Buffy, this is Tara.
Hi.
So we've never met. (Tara shakes her head) Okay. Cool. I'm having a thing with names.
Tara was in my wicca group.
Uh huh?
So what's going on? Patrol no go? Faith sits at a table. The other girls do as well.
I got tired. The whole Faith thing… I wanted to let off some steam.
Good for you. You can't work yourself too hard.
That's my philosophy.
Anybody wanna soda? Faith shrugs her head.
Water? Willow goes to get. Tara watches her, Faith watches Tara. Sees the affection there.
You guys have been hanging out a lot, huh?
Yeah. She's really cool.
So Willow not driving stick anymore. Who woulda thought? Guess you never know a person till you've been inside their skin. Tara's a little flustered.
And Oz is out of the picture? I never did see two people so much in love. She just couldn't get enough of old Oz.
She, uh, said he www…
He www? You gonna get that sentence out sometime tonight? Tara is stricken. Willow comes back, sans drinks, and missing Tara's plight in her urgency.
Buff. Guy in the corner. Faith looks over at: ANGLE: A GUY leading his DATE out toward the bathroom. He is sleaze and menace, she is innocence.
Oh yeah. Good call.
What?
Vampire.
He's wicked obvious. A beat. Willow looks at her expectantly.
So I better slay him them.
You want help?
I got it. She gets up, snags a pool cue leaning against a pillar, heads into the bathroom area. INT. BRONZE BATHROOM AREA - CONTINUOUS - NIGHT The guy is already in vampface, holding the date from behind, hand clamped over her mouth and teeth in her neck. She struggles, wide-eyed in terror. Faith enters behind them. Breaks the pool cue, holds the short end.
Picking on poor defenseless women, well that really gets my dander up. He continues feeding.
Hey! She hits him on the back of the head with the cue end. He stops, spins as the date sinks to the floor, not seeing what follows. He comes at Faith, who blocks his lunge and brings her heel down on his knee so hard it cracks. His eyes go wide.
Does that hurt? She shoves the cue into his heart.
How about now? He dusts. Faith goes over to the girl, looks at her wound.
You'll live.
(near tears) He attacked me… he was so strong…
Well he's gone now. Put some… medicine on that. The girl grabs Faith's hand.
Thank you. Thank you. A moment as Faith takes in the girl's sincere gratitude. She becomes uncomfortable, tries to pull her hand away.
Yeah, it's cool. She exits back into: INT. BRONZE - CONTINUOUS - NIGHT -- and meets Willow near the dance floor.
Everything poofed?
All's well in the world.
Tara's not feeling great, I'm gonna walk her home.
(amused, mock sincerity) Yeah. You give her whatever she needs.
Are you gonna be in later, or are you going over to Riley's? A beat. Faith begins to smile. INT. VAN/WAREHOUSE - NIGHT Smith moves angrily toward the van, holding a hypo. The reason for his ire is very possibly the incessant banging that comes from the van. Inside, Buffy is kicking repeatedly at the door. Smith swings it open and comes in --
This'll bloody keep you quiet -- And Buffy kicks him, gets him in a choke hold.
How about this? I'll be quiet, and you can scream. She twists his neck and scream he does, bringing Collins and Weatherby running. They stop, seeing the sitch.
Now you unchain me, very slowly and politely, or I kill this guy.
We go on a job we always put our affairs in order first. In case of accident.
Collins…
Sorry, Smithy. He and Weatherby walk off. Buffy waits, becoming increasingly frustrated. ANGLE: COLLINS AND WEATHERBY Standing a ways off.
She's starting to bother me.
Getting her across the border is gonna be a lot more trouble than it's worth.
I'll call the Council. I think it's time for a contingency plan. In the background, Smith goes flying out the back of the van, gets painfully up. INT. RILEY'S ROOM - NIGHT It's pretty dark in here, except for Riley's desk lamp. Riley sits at his desk, finishing some homework. He turns his chair to see: ANGLE: FAITH Framed in the doorway. Looking at him with a kitten grin.
Hi baby. BLACK OUT.
|
| Act Three |
|
INT. TARA'S DORM ROOM - NIGHT Tara and Willow enter.
I'm sorry you're feeling blechy. But we'll get together with Buffy another time, some time soon. I really think you'll like her --
She's not your friend.
I may have overestimated the "you liking her" factor. But I wish you'd give her a chance; she's very important to me.
No, I mean… I don't think she's… her.
You lost me.
A person's energy has a flow, a unity. Buffy's was fragmented; it grated, like something forced in where it doesn't belong. Plus she was kinda mean.
You think Buffy's not herself? Like she's possessed or something?
I'm not sure…
You didn't sense a hyena energy at all did you? Hyena possession is just unpleasant.
Do you have anything of hers?
Of Buffy's? Uh, uh, Ooh! Ah! (fingering them) Earrings! Tara crosses to her desk, pulls a book out of her drawer.
There's a way we can… (flips through book) … The passage to the nether-realm, there's a ritual, if you find her there you should be able to see… She reads a moment. Willow comes up behind her, looks over her shoulder.
If it'll help Buffy… Tara turns to her, concerned.
What?
The nether-realm exists beyond the physical world. Accessing it is, it's kind of like astral projection, it's very intense. I'd have to be your anchor, keep you on this plane.
I trust you.
It's not like anything we've ever --
I trust you. INT. RILEY'S ROOM - NIGHT Faith slinks in, leaving the door open.
You miss me?
I did, actually. Everything's okay?
Everything's great.
What about Faith?
Faith has won a fabulous trip to England, and I got the consolation prize. Which is you. She lowers herself onto his lap. Runs her hands along his arms.
Well aren't you just a big ol' block of man.
So I don't have to worry about Faith showing up? I have to admit, I was kind of curious to meet her. (aroused) Or I was until about thirty seconds ago… The term *lapdance* is perhaps too strong for what's happening here -- suffice to say Riley's powers of concentration are on the wane.
Oh, you wouldn't have liked Faith. She's not proper and joyless like a girl should be. She has a tendency to give in to her animal instincts. She runs her tongue along his lower lip.
Uh, the door's open.
So?
So, my fantasies don't tend to include a bunch of Marines looking in on me.
They might learn something. He firmly moves her off and stands, wincing briefly.
You're hurt. He shuts the door.
I'm not that bad. I guess those drugs the professor was feeding me really did make me stronger. I'm healing pretty quick.
Well why don't we give you a test drive.
Wouldn't say no. She crawls onto the bed, back to him as she says:
How do you want me? She turns and sits, waiting for him to follow.
How do I -- He sits close to her. She comes in close:
What do you want to do with this body? What nasty little desire have you been itching to try out? Am I a bad girl? Do you wanna hurt me? He sits back a bit. Eyes her, not entirely happy.
What are we playing at here?
I'm Buffy.
Okay, then I'll be Riley.
Hey, if you don't wanna play -- She is starting to get up as she says this. He grabs her arm --
Right. I don't wanna play. He kisses her with tender passion. She responds in kind. INT. TARA'S DORM ROOM - NIGHT We see various ANGLES of the girls preparing for the ritual: WILLOW closing the curtains (shot from outside the window). TARA lighting a row of candles near the wall. WILLOW pouring oil from a small earthenware bottle into a shallow bowl (wood, stone, clay -- anyway it's old looking) while Tara reads instructions. TARA annointing Willow. She puts her thumb in the oil, then presses it briefly to Willow's forehead, lips, collarbone. WILLOW does the same to Tara. As we cut to a: LENNY ARM'S EYE VIEW: The girls sit crosslegged, not opposite each other but side by side, facing opposite directions. Each of them has one arm slightly out, is tracing an arc back and forth along the floor as through running their hand through sand. As they do this they whisper:
The Inward Eye, The Sightless Sea, Ayala flows through the River in Me… They continue to do this for a while, both looking straight ahead. It begins to affect them physically, sweat beading on their faces, breath coming slightly deeper, slightly shallower. ANGLE: WILLOW'S HAND traces along the carpet -- and suddenly leaves behind a CGI trail of light. From the high view we see both girls are doing it, and that the arcs of light are closing around them, forming a perfect circle. The girls stop chanting. They each take the hand closest to the other and hold them up, palm to palm. Breath still heavy, something clearly coursing through them as the hoop of light RISES, passes over them and dissipates, followed by another. And another. Willow looks over towards Tara, her eyes clouded with sensation. She takes a sudden, startled breath and keels backwards, a vision gripping her. CLOSE ON her eyes, as she sees: INT. RILEY'S ROOM - NIGHT Riley and Faith making love, intercut with: INT. VAN - NIGHT Buffy, alone, miserable. INT. RILEY'S ROOM - NIGHT The only light now is the moonlight pouring in through the window. Camera finds Riley and Faith just having made love. He is on top of her, they are both breathing heavily, slowing down. He is looking into her eyes, hands by her head, stroking her hair, her face, completely focused on her. She looks at him with equal focus…
(softly) I love you. A reaction swells within her -- surprise, confusion, almost panic as she suddenly is struggling, fighting to get out from under him, barely forming the words:
No… No… Get -- -- and scrambling out of bed, crossing the room to the window, standing there silhouetted, freaking out.
Buffy… what? What's wrong? He is sitting on the bed, uncomprehending.
Who are you? What do you want from her? She is anxious, almost muttering it.
Should I not have…
This is meaningless.
You're shaking. He comes to her, pulling the blanket with him, and wraps it around the both of them. A moment, and her shaking subsides.
What happened? She rests her head on his chest. Stares at nothing.
Nothing. He holds her, kissing the top of her head.
Nothing… INT. VAMPIRE LAIR - DAWN Boone sits across from Adam, rapt. The other vamps sit on the floor, equally so.
I have been blessed. I have a gift that no man has, no demon has ever had. I know why I'm here. I was created to kill. To extinguish life wherever I find it and I have accepted that responsibility. You have lived in fear and desperation because you didn't have that gift. But it's time to face your fear.
Tell us what to do…
You are here to be my first. To let them know I'm coming. I am the end of all life, of all magic. I'm the war between man and demon, the war that no one can win. You're a part of that now. You have to show me that you're ready.
We are. We're ready.
Then ask yourself: What is it? More than man, more than anything else… what is the thing that you fear? INT. RILEY'S ROOM - DAY Riley sleeps. Faith has put her clothes back on - all except her shirt. She has taken one of Riley's instead, is buttoning it up. She looks at the clock -- 8:30 am. Looks back at Riley. Heads out the door. INT. LOWELL HOUSE - CONTINUING - DAY She comes down the stairs, runs into Forrest. He can't resist a dig.
Hope you left him alive… She spins, unsure of his meaning.
What?
Boy's supposed to be on the mend. I don't see you letting him get much rest.
I think maybe you should stay out of other people's lives.
We've got a mission here. And back when Riley could still think for himself --
You've got a mission? I've been fighting demons since before you could shave.
Yeah, you're a killer.
I'm not a killer! I'm a slayer. You don't know the first thing about me.
You really care what I think?
No, I… I don't care. God. I don't care… She takes off, perplexed again. INT. BUFFY AND WILLOW'S DORM ROOM - MORNING Faith has packed and changed -- into the sweetest, most "Buffy in feminine comfort mode" outfit possible. She looks at herself in the mirror -- very different attitude from the time at her house. INT. VAN/WAREHOUSE - MORNING Smith hands Collins the cell phone. His voice is a whisper:
The council.
(into phone) It's Collins. Collins listens, hangs up. He pulls out his gun and screws the silencer.
They can't get us passage. They've ordered the kill.
Torch the place?
Get the gas. Collins moves efficiently to the van, Smith trailing.
She could've killed me, she didn't. Collins throws open the door, steps up.
Lucky you. He sticks his gun through the bars -- ANGLE: BUFFY Is stretched out on the floor. She brings her feet up and grabs the gunhand, pulls hard forward smashing Collins' face into the bars and knocking him unconscious. The gun clatters to the floor and Buffy grabs it, aims at the chain on the ground. Smith is backtracking, scared.
Weatherby… ANGLE: THE LOCK TO THE CAB DOOR It is shot off. Buffy scampers into the cab, gets into the driver's seat.
Keys, keys… She spots them on the floor, grabs them. ANGLE: WEATHERBY Comes racing in past Smith.
Stop her, you ponce! He jumps to the driver's side door -- -- and Buffy opens it hard in his face. He's out.
Okay, I'm good at this… (finds) drive! She starts toward the door. Smith fumbles for his gun. He fires at her as the truck smashes through the door, into the sun and away. Smith looks out at the departing van, at his fallen friends. Defeated. BLACK OUT.
|
| Act Four |
|
INT. AIRPORT - DAY Faith politely takes her ticket from the lady at the counter, goes and waits for her plane. INT. GILES' APARTMENT - DAY Giles comes down from upstairs, crossing to the kitchen -- when the door BURSTS open and Buffy rushes in. Giles starts, takes a step back, seeing his enemy.
Giles!
God --
Don't move! He goes still. But as she speaks, he subtly begins to inch towards the hall.
Okay. Giles. Listen to me very carefully. I'm not Faith.
Really.
Really.
Because the resemblance is striking.
I know. Giles, you just have to -- stop inching! You were inching.
No I wasn't.
Just hear me out.
I know what you're going to say and --
I'm Buffy.
All right I didn't know what you were going to say but that doesn't make you less scary.
Faith switched. She had some device, she switched our bodies. He stares at her.
I swear, Giles, it's me.
(slowly) If you're Buffy, then, then you'll allow me to tie you up -- without killing me -- until we can be sure that you're telling the truth.
Giles, Faith has taken my body and for all I know she's taken it to Mexico by now. I don't have time for bondage fun. (idea) Ask me a question. Ask me anything!
(thinks, then:) Who is president!?!
We're checking for Buffy, not a concussion.
Yes. Right. Um…
(impatient) Oh, this is -- Giles, you turned into a DEMON and I knew it was you. Can't you just look in my eyes and be all intuitive?
(probing) How did I turn into a demon?
'Cause of Ethan Rayne. And, and, you have a girlfriend named Olivia and you haven't had a job since we blew up the school -- which, uh, is valid, lifestylewise, I mean you're not like a slacker, but, okay -- and (coup de grace) When I had psychic power I heard my Mom think you were like a stevedore during sex. Do you want me to keep going?
Actually, I beg you to stop.
What's a stevedore?
All right. Let's… I want you to explain everything.
And I will. AFTER we get Faith. Jesus, Giles, she's got my skin on.
Yes of course. Just give me a minute to -- The door flies open again -- Willow and Tara rushing in.
Giles!
Willow!
Oh my god.
Willow, wait. You don't understand.
You're Buffy. You and Faith switched bodies, probably through a Draconian Katra spell.
She understands it better than I do…
How did you…
Tara. Tara this is Buffy, only really this time.
Hi.
Tara's a really powerful witch --
Not really --
No really, and she knew right away that you weren't you so we connected with the nether realm and found out what had happened and then we conjured this. She pulls a box out of her purse, opens it to reveal a little ethereal glow sphere (CGI).
Does that --
(nodding) It's a Katra -- or, the home-conjured version. It should switch you back, if you can get hold of Faith.
Oh thank God. I was afraid I… you guys rule.
Yes. Of course I would have… had I known, I… The phone rings.
I'll get it. He picks it up…
Hello?
(to Willow) Do you know where Faith is? Willow shakes her head.
…Yes, Buffy's here with me. In fact, she -- Oh. Right. He hangs up, crosses to the TV.
That was Xander. (turns it on) He said there was a report -- He finds it right away -- a news report. Special bulletin. ANGLE: ON THE TV A REPORTER stands outside a church. Police cars and ambulances are parked in front of it. All attention is focussed inside (except for the reporter, who faces the camera).
… and barricaded themselves in the church with at least twenty parishioners. One of the few who escaped described the three men as frighteningly disfigured, almost inhuman. INT. AIRPORT - DAY Faith is watching the same report. Her flight is called, but something seems to be building in her. She takes off, away from the gate. EXT. CHURCH - DAY The reporter continues her report:
So far one escapee has since died of severe neck wounds. (more) There is no report of the condition of the parishioners still trapped inside, but their assailants have vowed to kill all of them if police attempt to storm the church. INT. CHURCH - DAY Some twenty or so parishioners sit in pews, hugging the outside -- staying away from the aisle. The priest keeps to one side of the altar, as scared as the rest. One vampire sits on the pulpit, legs hanging over it. The other is to the rear of the church, guarding the door. And Boone walks the aisle, talking away.
It's hard to believe. I've been avoiding this place for so many years, and it's nothing. It's nice, got the pretty windows, the pillars, lots of folks to eat… where's the thing I was so afraid of? You know, the lord? He's supposed to be here -- he gave us this address. Well, we'll just have to start killing off his people, and see if he shows up. EXT. CHURCH - DAY Cop cars are pulled up, uniformed officers behind them, waiting for an order. The uniformed SERGEANT is near the carriage entrance, talking to Riley. Riley is wearing a dark suit and tie, being calm but firm.
(knows the answer) What'd he say.
(defeated) He said I was to defer command to you.
Then hold your men until the reserves arrive. This is a military situation.
What, do they got bombs in there?
Your men are not prepared to deal with them. Just trust me. He moves from the Sergeant, to the carriage entrance to check the door. He is surprised by Faith, who has changed into fighting gear. He pulls her into shadow.
Buffy!
How many are in there?
We think there's three.
I can do three.
Not alone… Wait till the troops get here. They're still mobilizing.
How'd you respond so fast?
I didn't. I was just late for church.
The troops get here, you send 'em in, But I'm going.
I don't want you risking --
Don't tell me what to do! I'm Buffy, I… This is what I have to do. She seems a little scattered, a little desperate. Riley doesn't get it, replies:
Then I'm coming with. Faith squeezes his side. He cries out in pain, doubles over.
I can't use you. She moves to the door.
Someone comes out, you get 'em to safety. Unless they got fangs. She rears back to kick the door in. INT. CHURCH - CONTINUING (DAY) The door comes open. Boone and the others turn to see Faith enter. She moves to the aisle, faces him at the other end of it.
I told the cops they send anyone in, I start the whole massacre thing…
Well, I'm not the cops. I just come to pray.
(moving toward her) Now's a good time to start. Vamp 3 is holding in behind Faith. She takes a couple of steps Boone's way.
You're not gonna kill these people.
Why not?
Because it's wrong. The vampire behind her rushes her. She uses his momentum to spin him around and toss him back so he crashes into the back pew, tumbling to the floor in pain. Boone pauses. Vamp 2 jumps down from the pulpit.
You're the slayer.
The one and only. EXT. CHURCH - CONTINUING (DAY) The Scoobies pull up in the Council van, Giles driving. Buffy, Willow and Tara pile out, only to be confronted by the Sergeant.
You people get out of here.
But we have to get inside --
The police are handling this. Just back off right now. Buffy throws a look to Giles, who gets the message. Giles goes into severe overact mode.
Dammit man, we have to get inside! Our… families are in there! Our mothers and tiny babies, for the love of God man, we have to do something! What if it was your tiny baby, could you stand by and wait? No! As he continues, Buffy fades off to one side, looking for another way in. INT. CHURCH - CONTINUING (DAY)
Simple deal. You let everyone go, I let you walk. If I were you, I'd think about it. This offer is not available in stores.
You think we're afraid of you? We're not afraid of anything anymore.
Then let these people go, and you can all three take me on. They are close now, staring each other down.
I got a better idea. And he attacks, him and Faith going at it in the center aisle. Vamp 3 makes a play from behind but Faith knocks him on his ass again. As Boone and Vamp 2 converge on Faith, Vamp 3 gives up and grabbing his hooded cloak, runs out the door -- EXT. CHURCH - CONTINUING (DAY) -- and straight into Riley. They go tumbling back, Vamp 3 on top, Riley in pain as he fends the vamp off, finally planting his feet under it and launching it backwards into the sunlight sans cloak. It flails, burns up. Riley painfully stands -- and Buffy runs up to him.
Riley! She throws her arms around him. He pries her off politely.
It's all right, miss. You just get out of harm's way.
Riley, it's me, it's -- never mind. How many are in there?
Well… who are you? INT. CHURCH - CONTINUING (DAY) Faith stakes Vamp 2 with a broken shard of wood as Boone tackles her from behind. She hits the ground painfully and Boone rains punches on her. They are near the altar, Boone on top, not letting up.
I have strength you couldn't dream of! Adam has shown me the way and there is nothing that can -- gnnnnh -- He dusts. Standing directly behind him is Buffy. A moment, as Faith realizes who has saved her. Then she goes apeshit, launching herself into Buffy, knocking her into the altar. Buffy comes back at her but is thrown by the ferocity of Faith's attack.
You can't win this --
Shut up! You think I'm afraid of you? You're nothing! She has Buffy pinned, is pummeling her insanely, fists and hair flying.
You're disgusting! A useless, murderous bitch! She is crying now. Buffy is merely warding off blows, not even trying to return.
You're nothing! ANGLE: In Buffy's palm is the Katra. Buffy slaps her hand over Faith's. There is the same CGI ripple and both girls start back a bit. (Note: from this point on, Faith will be Eliza, Buffy is once again Sarah) A moment, and Faith pushes Buffy away, running out the back as the horror of what she is begins to overwhelm her. Buffy, exhausted, lets her go. INT. RILEY'S ROOM - DAY Buffy and Riley both sit -- him in chair, her on bed. She is on the phone, hanging it up.
She's gone. Not a trace. Giles says the Council guys have cleared out, too.
I don't understand. How could she have… how is it possible?
Magic.
I knew there was something… I should have picked up on it, I should have just --
You slept with her.
I slept with you. She looks at the bed, suddenly doesn't want to be sitting there anymore. Crosses to the window.
Man would I like to get my hands on her… but not in a sex way…
I don't think she's coming back.
I guess she had her fun.
(looking out the window) Yeah… Fun… INT. RAILWAY CAR - AFTERNOON Faith sits huddled in the corner of a slatted train car, the waning sun striping her. She stares into the distance, unmoving. BLACK OUT.
|