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Shadow (October 6, 2000) Written by: David Fury |
| Teaser |
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FADE IN: INT. CATSCAN ROOM - EARLY MORNING (DAY 1) We hear a HUM and come up CLOSE ON JOYCE, lying on her back -- her hair pulled back, her eyes filled with apprehension and dread -- and we realize she's MOVING. WIDEN to find her in a lonely and sterile room, attired in a white hospital gown and lying on an X-ray table as it mechanically slides her into the "donut" opening of the scanner. FROM ABOVE - ANGLE ON JOYCE, her head in the center of the circular opening, as the table comes to a halt and the HUM STOPS. Quiet now, save for Joyce drawing deep calming breaths. Nothing happens for a few moments. Then... A SHARP, LOUD AND DEEP ELECTRICAL BUZZ blares as the scanner takes the first of several pictures. Joyce cringes, squeezing her eyes shut, trying to stave off the DEAFENING NOISE that ECHOES around her head and into... INT. HOSPITAL HALLWAY - MEANWHILE (EARLY MORNING) DAWN sits alone on a bench, nervously fidgeting, lost in thought as... A HAND, holding a can of soda, moves into frame and nudges her. Dawn looks up, takes the soda. BUFFY sits down next to her. They both pop their tops and drink in silence for a moment or two, staring outward.
What is a CATscan, exactly?
(shrugging) I'm not sure. An X-ray, I guess. Beat.
But where'd they get CATscan from? Buffy doesn't answer. She obviously doesn't feel like talking. Dawn continues, undeterred.
I mean, did they test it on cats? Or does the machine sort of look like a cat?
(turns to her) Dawn... She looks at Dawn and hesitates as she's immediately struck by the scared and vulnerable look in her eyes. Talking, Buffy realizes, is Dawn's way of coping. Without another word, Buffy drapes her arm around her sister. They sit and drink their sodas. INT. THE MAGIC BOX - MORNING CLOSE ON YELLOW PAGES AD: "THE MAGIC BOX" is printed across an artist's rendering of the shop's storefront. Explosion balloons scattered about the ad read: "Crystals!" "Potions!" "Death Charms!" "Lollipops for the kids!" And below, it reads: "Your One-Stop Spot To Shop for Lots of New Age and Occult Items," a line read aloud by:
(reading) Your One-Stop Spot to Shop for Lots of New-Age and Occult Items." ANGLE ON TARA and GILES standing at the counter, looking at the open phone book. Tara looks up at him.
Catchy.
Think so?
Uh huh. In a... hard to say sorta way. But, I think it's great. Giles eyes the ad with concern. ANGLE ON WILLOW, XANDER and ANYA entering the store (devoid of customers as it's before business hours).
Just saying I think it's rude.
Wouldn't call it "rude..."
Rude-ish. Rude-esque? Whatever you want to call it, when a person makes a "Destroy All Vampires" date, it's simple courtesy to wait for your co-destroyers. Am I right, Giles? ON GILES, still scrutinizing his ad.
I'm almost certain you're not. Though, to be fair, I haven't been listening.
The new phone book's in with Mr. Giles' ad. Willow and Anya move to take a look. Xander doesn't care as he's mid-ranty.
Ooh. Nice.
Yay. Am I mentioned?
Not as such. Xander sidles up to Giles.
Okay, we were supposed to meet up with Riley this morning to take on a nest o'vamps holed up in tomb. So we get there and guess what? Tell him, Will.
Tomb go boom.
Yep, Captain America blowed it up real good. All by his lone wolf lonesome.
Hmm. Rather reckless of him.
I'd say very rather.
All that aside, I should think you'd be pleased to avoid the confrontation.
That's what I've been saying. I mean, I, for one, wasn't looking forward to starting my day with a slaughter. (thoughtfully, pleased with herself) Which, really, just goes to show how much I've grown.
In any event, since you're all here, Tara and I could use some help researching Buffy's mystery woman. The others sit down and pull books toward them.
(sarcastic) Oh, yeah, this has been fruitful. Trying to look up something you never saw and don't know the name of.
Just do what I do - Flip through pages and look busy.
It'd just be nice if we knew where she was - where she's hiding out.
No doubt lurking around some sewer, condemned church or rat- infested warehouse. You know, the usual haunts.... INT. GLORY'S BEDROOM - MEANWHILE (MORNING) PAN ACROSS a luxurious bedroom, gold-framed paintings, exquisite crown molding, an expensive antique vanity, as we hear:
Most beauteous and supremely Magnificent One... COME TO STOP ON a SHORT, COWLED DEMON, kneeling on the floor. This is DREG. Though his head is slightly bowed, we can make out his yellowed molting leprous skin. He holds up a rolled sheet of crumbling PAPYRUS.
This dark spell I hold in my worthless and scabby hand is our gift to you, most wonderful and tingly Glorificus, most--
Please... PULL OUT to see GLORY stretched out on her plush double king-size bed. Near the foot, a dozen or so shoeboxes piled atop one another. (Throughout the scene, she takes a single shoe out of a box, tries it on, discards it, then tries on another.)
Call me "Glory." (tosses away a shoe) And get up, looking at you's hurting my neck. DREG stands, horrified at that piece of news.
(desperate) Forgive me, Most Shiny Special One. I beg of you to rip out my inadequate tongue and--
Gimme. Dreg obediently crosses to her, sticks out his tongue, and closes his eyes in anticipation of it being torn out. Instead, Glory snatches the papyrus from his hand, unscrolls and reads. Dreg, pleased and grateful, backs away.
You should know, Your Elaborate Marvelousness, that this Dark Incantation was lost for eons and great dangers were faced to--
Uh huh. Does this pump make my ankle look bony? Dreg hesitates, taken aback. Glory looks at him, pointedly.
(recovering) No! No, Terrifically Smooth One. It is the epitome of ankles. To touch such an ankle would be the most... but I am not touching. I am backing away. She kicks off the shoe. It HITS Dreg square in the face.
Owww! Thank you. Glory gets up and crosses to him.
Dreg, is it?
Yes! Dreg! Your Creamy Coolness has honored me by speaking my name. Your voice is like a thousand sweet songbirds--
(cutting him off) Yeah, I never tire of hearing that. (crossing away) Look, just so we're clear, this spell's going to work, right? I mean, nothing worse than a gift that doesn't work. Then I have to get all mad and kill you. It's a whole big thing.
It will work, Your Extremeness. Provided you have the other items you need.
(menacingly) Oh, don't worry. I'll have them all right... She arrives at her vanity and looks down. GLORY'S POV - PUSH IN on a phone book resting on the vanity, opened to (wait for it... yes...) the ad for "The Magic Box." She rips the page violently out of the book.
I'll have it all. BLACK OUT.
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| Act One |
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EXT. BUFFY'S FRONT PORCH - MORNING RILEY arrives at the front door and is about to ring the bell when he notices... RILEY'S POV - The door is partially ajar. RILEY pushes the door open a bit more and knocks.
(calling) Hello? Buffy? He waits for an answer. Getting none, he enters. INT. BUFFY'S FOYER - CONTINUOUS - MORNING RILEY looks around for a moment, then spots something on the floor and squints. He reaches down and brings up... An old, stained, slightly singed WOOL BLANKET. Just as he registers its meaning, he hears the CREAKING OF FLOORBOARDS. Someone's upstairs. Riley drops the blanket and moves quickly, but stealthily up the stairs. INT. BUFFY'S BEDROOM - MORNING CLOSE ON BUFFY'S PINK SWEATER, hunched up and pressed into someone's face, obscuring it for a moment, the someone raises his head, drawing in the scent. It's SPIKE. He is standing in front of Buffy's dresser, its drawers all pulled out and tumbled. Eyes closed, he allows himself a soft, low...
Mmmm... Now we see RILEY standing behind him in the doorway.
What are you doing in here? ON SPIKE - caught.
What, me?-- I was, uh... (stashing the sweater behind him) Uh... He looks at Riley, glaring at him. Tries the offensive...
What are you doing in here? Riley crosses to him, fists clenched.
Looking for the girl who's going to rip your arms off when she finds out you were in her room.
Oh, yeah? Well... me, too.
Were you... Were you just smelling her sweater?
(scoffing) Noo... Riley looks at the sweater behind Spike's back. Spike realizes he's caught and brings the sweater out in the open. Tries a little bare-faced bravado:
Yeah, alright. I did. It's a predator thing. Nothing wrong with it. Know your enemy's scent. Whet the appetite for the hunt... He smells the sweater again in a more aggressive feral way than before, GROWLING as he does.
Yeah, that's the stuff. Slayer musk. Bitter and, and aggravating... Rrrr. ON RILEY, his eyes narrow. He's seen and heard enough.
Out. He grabs Spike by the collar and hauls him out of the room. As Spike is pulled past, he grabs something very small and lacy from Buffy's top dresser drawer and stuffs it into his pocket. INT. BUFFY'S FOYER - A MOMENT LATER - MORNING Riley has hold of the back of Spike's coat, push/walking Spike all the way down the stairs.
Watch it! Easy! You're bruising the leather. Spike breaks free at the bottom of the stairs and turns to confront Riley.
I know for a bleeding fact the Slayer wouldn't mind me being here.
(sarcastic) Right. What's a little sweater sniffing between sworn enemies?
Your girl in the habit of buying her enemies drinks? 'Cause she spent the better part of last night with me - doing just that.
(not buying it) 'Cause you two are such tight pals. Tell me another.
'Kay. How 'bout this one? Twice in recent memory, she's had the loverwiccas do a de-invite on the house, keep out specific vamps. Ever ask yourself why she's never taken my name off the guest list? Riley hesitates, that one surprised him.
Because you're harmless.
Yeah. Right. Takes one to know, I s'pose. Least I still got the attitude. What've you got? A piercing glance? Face it, white bread, Buffy's got a type and you're not it. She likes us dangerous, rough, occasionally bumpy in the forehead region... ON RILEY, absorbing Spike's words. Not liking them.
Not that she doesn't like you, but, sorry, Charlie -- You're just not dark enough. Riley suddenly and violently grabs Spike, LIFTS him by the collar and holds him outside the door. Spike twists in the dappled sunlight, trying to avoid the direct light.
Hey! Hey!
Am I dark enough for you now?
Here! Bloody pull me back in, you sod. I'm starting to sizzle. Smoke does indeed start to rise from Spike.
You don't know anything about Buffy. Never did. I'm the only one that knows what she needs.
Oh, yeah? That why you're with her at the hospital right now. Giving her what she needs. Riley pulls Spike back inside, spins him around and grabs his lapels.
What are you talking about?
Don't you know? Didn't she call you? Riley gets in Spike's face.
Tell me!
Mum is sickly. Buffy took her to the hospital for a little prod and probe. Bite-sized one went too. (then, enjoying himself) Funny her not calling you about it. I've known since last night. Riley throws Spike out the door.
Whoa, whoa! Blanket! Riley snatches up the blanket, throws it in Spike's face. Spike leisurely pulls his blanket on over his head. He also pulls the lacy-something from his pocket and fingers it as he strolls out. INT. HOSPITAL HALLWAY - LATER (MORNING) Buffy is standing outside an Exam Room. Looks as if she's trying to marshall some courage before entering. She's just about to go inside when a hand falls on her shoulder. She turns to find Riley. He looks a little uncertain, not sure she wants him there.
Riley.
Hey. I heard and I thought maybe you'd need... Buffy moves into his arms - scared and grateful for his presence.
I do. I'm glad. I just - I didn't want to... until we know what it is...
I understand. Beat. Then...
How's she doing? Buffy shakes her head.
They did a CATscan. I was just going in to find out... (breaks from him) Can you stay with Dawn for a minute while I talk to mom? She's in the waiting room.
You got it. Buffy nods, grimly. Riley tries to give her a reassuring smile - but she's already moving away. INT. EXAMINATION ROOM - LATER (MORNING) CLOSE ON the door opening as Buffy enters the darkened room.
Um, hi... REVERSE ANGLE to see Joyce, back in her clothes, and DR. ISAACS, 50ish, her physician, turning to look at Buffy. They're standing (and are illuminated) by an X-ray LIGHT BOARD on which three CRANIAL CATscans hang.
Okay if I...?
Of course, baby, come in... Where's--?
She's with Riley. Watching TV in the waiting room. Dr. Isaacs moves to leave.
Excuse me, I'll just go check on the status of the OR. He crosses by Buffy, who eyes him with concern, and exits. Buffy turns to Joyce.
OR?
Dr. Isaacs says I'm lucky there's one available on such short notice. Some people have to wait days. Sometimes weeks.
Mom...
(distracted, bemused) Lucky, he said. Buffy puts a hand on her mother's arm.
Mom, what did they find? Joyce looks at her a moment, then shrugs.
A shadow. She points to the X-RAYS on the light board.
I've got a shadow. There. (squinting) Or there. He showed me, but-- They have to do a biopsy to find out exactly what it is. Buffy grabs her mother and holds her tightly.
The doctor says it's too soon to be concerned.
Right. No concern.
Right. It's just a shadow. Still holding her, Buffy glances up at BUFFY'S POV - The front-view cranial X-ray.
I just wish we knew what we're dealing with... INT. THE MAGIC BOX - MEANWHILE (MORNING) Xander, Willow and Tara are at the table, perusing the reference books. Giles is at the cash register. Anya tends to a CUSTOMER in the B.G., and a couple of OTHER CUSTOMERS mill about.
It feels like we're going around in circles.
Our circles are going around in circles. We got dizzy circles here, Giles. A customer approaches Giles with a small statue. Giles rings it up.
(to customer) Ahh. Weeping Buddha... Deeply mystical. And it makes a lovely paperweight.
Maybe... She isn't in the books. The others look at her.
What do you mean?
I mean, what if she's not a demon. Or sorceress or spirit or whatever these books cover... What if she's something else altogether. Giles is handing the customer his change.
(to customer) Thank you, come again. (to Tara) Something new, you mean. The customer exits.
Something old. So old it predates the written word.
Giles. The Dagon's Sphere. You said it was created to repel...
(finishes the thought) "That which cannot be named."
'Cause, I'm thinking, maybe she...
Predates language itself.
(slamming a tome shut) Hey, if it means I don't have to read any more, woo and, might I add, a big hoo. Giles has turned away from the cash register to talk to the others...
If Tara's right, then we're blind. There's no way for us to determine her moves, her habits. (he turns back, thinking) Where she'll turn up nex-- Giles finds himself face to face with GLORY. Who stands waiting at the register.
Oh. I beg your--
Yuh-huh. I want these. She holds up two items: an ANCIENT STONE FRAGMENT with a few indecipherable MARKINGS on it, and a garish, OVERSIZED GREEN JEWELED CHARM (Khul's Amulet) from a broken necklace. Giles looks at the items, starts ringing them up.
(to Glory) Of course. Did you find everything alright?
No problemo.
Good. Your change... your copy of the receipt... and thank you. Giles watches Glory exit with her purchase for a brief moment. Then, turning back to the others...
She could be anywhere. But if she's as powerful as Buffy says, I imagine it won't be long before she makes her presence known... INT. HOSPITAL WAITING AREA - LATER (AFTERNOON) ON DAWN, dozing on a chair as a windbreaker is laid over her, like a blanket. WIDEN to see it was done by RILEY, who stands over her for a moment. The room is sparsely populated and quiet, except for the occasional PAGES over the P.A. and a television mounted high in the corner. ANGLE ON BUFFY, sitting nearby, watching and appreciating him. Riley comes over and sits next to her. She leans into him and he puts his arm around her. They stay like that for a moment until Buffy sees BUFFY'S POV - DR. ISAACS, enter through a door at the far side of the room, scanning the room. Buffy gets up. Riley rises, too, but Buffy gestures for him to wait. She crosses to Dr. Isaacs, he sees her.
Everything went fine. They're moving her to recovery now.
Do you have the results yet? Dr. Isaacs pauses for a moment.
Why don't we sit down over--
No. Excuse me, no, Doctor. Not to be rude, but I don't wanna sit down. I've been doing nothing but sitting down for hours. Just tell me...
Your mother has... The term is "low- grade glioma." It's a brain tumor... ON BUFFY, reacting. PUSH IN on her as the doctor continues talking. Buffy's eyes become glazed over and the doctor's voice fades away.
The clinical name's Oligo... dendro... glioma. It's in the left hemisphere of the cerebrum. In your mother's case, the tumor seems to have started there. In other words, it hasn't spread there from another part of the body... which, in a way, is good news... We're still on Buffy as we... BLACK OUT.
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| Act Two |
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INT. THE MAGIC BOX - AFTERNOON ANGLE ON ANYA, at the cash register. She suddenly notices a sales receipt. Immediately, panic sets in as she stares at the receipt, disbelieving.
Hey... Hey!! HEY HEY!!! WIDEN as the Scoobies come over.
Anya, your "heys" are startling the customers.
And pretty much the state.
(to Giles) You sold someone Khul's amulet AND a Sobekian Blood Stone.
Yes, I believe I did.
Are you stupid or something? Giles reacts.
Allow me to answer that question with a firing.
(to Giles) She's kidding. Ahn, we talked about the employee to employer vocabulary no-nos... That was number five.
You never sell those things together! It's bad news. Don't you know about the Sobekites?
Ooh. I do. It was an ancient Egyptian cult heavy into Dark Magic.
And the Khul's amulet... Wasn't that a transmogrification conduit?
Damn straight.
Be that as it may, I still don't see any reason for concern. Sobekian transmogrification spells have been lost for thousands of years. And the young woman I sold them to would have to be someone of enormous pow-- He stops dead cold as the realization hits him and the others.
Young woman?
Oh, Dear God... Well, not all the others:
(a half-step behind) What? INT. HOSPITAL WAITING AREA - MEANWHILE (AFTERNOON) Dr. Isaacs sits across from Buffy, who's clearly rattled, nearly lost in shock. The doctor's got a pen and clipboard.
I know this is very difficult. And, unfortunately, because of the nature of your mother's illness, things could progress very quickly.
Things? What things?
Symptoms. There are a fair variety that might present. Loss of vision or appetite, lack of muscle control, mood swings, personality changes-
(cutting him off) But what can we do?
Not much until we determine if the tumor's operable. Which we're working on.
Well, I... is there something I should be doing? Can I... help?
Well, there's some literature you might want to look at. If we aren't able to go in surgically, there are a number of new treatments which are very promising. Your mother's prognosis is a lot better today than it would have been only a year ago. Even if the tumor's not operable, she has a real chance.
What's "a real chance?" Dr. Isaacs hesitates. Then-
Nearly one in three patients with this condition does just fine. This hits Buffy hard. She knows what happens to the other two.
Now. Let me ask - does your mother's insurance company require copies of MRI and pathology reports?
(thrown) I'm not... sure...
Just let me know as soon as possible. And I could use some information regarding your mom's lifestyle and home environment. For instance, does she use a cell phone? Buffy's growing more and more overwhelmed. She's foundering.
I think. She uses one of those... She had an ear thing, but...
Okay... Is your house near any power lines? Chemical plants? Waste disposal facilities?
I don't think so... Maybe.
Well, the more we know...
I'm sorry... A hand touches Dr. Isaacs shoulder. He turns to look up as does Buffy. It's BEN, wearing a coat over his scrubs, having just entered.
Excuse me, doc, but they told me you're needed in ICU.
I didn't get a page.
Why page when they can send me for the personal touch?
(to Buffy) I'm sorry, Miss Summers-- Buffy isn't even sure what he's sorry about.
It's... It's okay. The Doctor exits and Ben sits down next to Buffy.
Thought you looked like you needed a break. Guy's great, but he doesn't have that bone in his head, tells him when to back off.
You-- They didn't send for him?
I'm sure someone did somewhere. They always do. He really is a good doctor. Your mom's in good hands.
Thank you. Ben, right?
Right.
He was telling me there's nothing I can do.
And I'm gonna say the same thing. Give yourself a break. Listen, your mom's gonna be unconscious for at least another six, seven hours... Buffy looks at him.
A break?
I just mean, go out. Get some air. Come back later this evening, talk to the doc then if you want. Buffy hesitates. Ben throws up his hands, good-naturedly.
My unsolicited advice of the day. He waves and moves off. As he heads off, a NURSE stops him and consults with him over a chart.
Buffy... Buffy turns to see RILEY'S come over. She goes and puts her arms around him.
It's bad, Riley.
I know.
I've got to do something.
Do something?
Maybe there's some magic or something -- a healing spell.
Healing spell? Buffy... People get sick. I don't think magic can help-- Buffy looks at him sharply.
That attitude's not helping. I have to try.
Okay.
I need to talk to Giles. Can you drop Dawn off at school for me? Tell her I'll meet her at the magic shop when she gets out.
Whatever you need me to do. Buffy kisses him and starts off.
Buffy... Buffy turns back.
What do you want me to tell Dawn? About your mom.
Tell her... Tell her they don't know anything yet. Riley nods and she turns and goes. Ben looks up from where he's been talking to the nurse. The nurse moves away and Ben heads down a hallway... INT. HOSPITAL HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS (AFTERNOON) BEN comes down the hall and arrives at a door. A sign on it reads: "Pharmaceuticals. Authorized Medical Personnel Only." He discreetly checks the coast, pulls out an ID-card and slides it through the key-card-reader. The ID-card has Dr. Isaac's photo and name on it. INT. - PHARMACEUTICAL CLOSET - CONTINUOUS (AFTERNOON) HIGH ANGLE as BEN shuts the door behind him and switches on the lights. NEW ANGLE as he moves to one of many locked glass cabinets lining the closet. He unlocks it, scans the various bottles of medications, and finding what he's looking for, shoves two or three of them into his coat pocket. EXT. PARK CAROUSEL - AFTERNOON ON THE CAROUSEL going round as PIPE ORGAN MUSIC PLAYS. PAN OVER to find RILEY and DAWN sitting on a bench. Dawn has a cup of vanilla resting next to her on the bench. She occasionally stirs it with the spoon in her hand, but doesn't eat. After a moment, Riley glances over at her cup.
You're melting.
Guess I'm not hungry. Beat.
Maybe I'm not making this any better. Riley looks down... this was the worst idea ever. Dawn sees this, softens.
No. This is better. I just - I like ice cream soup. (then) I had my tenth birthday party here.
Really.
(nods) We'd just moved to Sunnydale and my mom rented the carousel for a whole hour for just me and my friends. Except I hadn't made any friends yet, so it was just me and Buffy and Mom riding this carousel by ourselves. Over and over and over again. For an entire hour. Just so's my mom felt like we'd gotten our money's worth. Riley smiles. Dawn tries, but it's half-hearted. Then-
She's never going to get better, is she?
Absolutely, she will. Summers women are tough. They share another look.
I'm glad you're around.
Well... Thanks.
Buffy's glad about it too. Riley's clearly touched. He needed to hear that. Then-
She sure cries a lot less with you then she did with Angel. Riley takes note, feeling that's a good thing.
Really. Angel... made her cry a lot, huh?
Oh, god, yeah. Everything with him was all eeeee, you know?
All...
You know, all "my boyfriend's a vampire" crazy crazy... Every day was, like, the end of the world. She doesn't get all worked up like that over you. Riley reacts. Dawn's oblivious. Beat.
Uh-huh.
I think you've really been good for her. INT. THE MAGIC BOX - LATER (AFTERNOON) Buffy, her manner extremely intense, is sitting with Giles, Willow, Xander, Tara and Anya. She's told them about Joyce and they all look pretty blown away and worried.
(mid-sentence) ...so I figure there has to be some kind of mystical cure, right? A spell or - or a potion or something. I mean, we have to look.
We can look - I mean we will - but I've never seen anything.
(gently) The truth is, the mystical and the medical aren't meant to mix, Buffy. I'm sorry - but the human brain is very delicate. Too much can go wrong.
Yeah. I've heard stories about people trying healing spells... If we did something - it could make things a lot worse, Buffy.
And we've done just about enough making things worse for one day, haven't we?
Why? What do you mean?
(quickly) Nothing. Anya broke a... Bippidy Boppity Boo. A thing. Don't worry about it.
I did not! I-
Anya. Buffy doesn't need to hear about your clumsiness right now-
My clumsiness? That is so- Anya finally picks up on the drift. Don't worry Buffy. Oops.
-like me. Slippery, slippery butterfingers. But Buffy's onto them. Big time.
What happened?
Nothing to concern you. Now-
(hard) Giles.
That demon woman was here. The one who attacked you.
(too quickly) It's no biggy. Just got an amulet and a blood stone. (off Buffy's look) Okay. Biggy.
Oh my God. Are you guys okay? Did anyone get... She looks around for signs of damage. Sees none.
No, thankfully, there wasn't any violence to speak of.
Okay. That's... good. So how'd she get away with the bad mojo stuff? Everyone gets a little quiet as Buffy eyes them expectantly. After a beat...
Giles sold it to her. Giles does a take to Buffy as Buffy looks to him.
(defensive) Well, I didn't know it was her. I mean, how could I? (then) If it's any consolation, I may have overcharged her.
And - Anya figured out what the Demon Lady is up to.
A few thousand years ago there was this cult. The Temple of Sobek.
Sobek...
Reptile demon. Sobekites were reptile worshippers.
Just once I'd like to run into a cult of bunny worshippers.
(glaring at him) Great. Thank you very much for those nightmares.
Sorry.
Anyway, their high priest Khul had great, mystic powers. He forged an Amulet with transmogrifying crystal.
Transmogrifying is changing a living thing into a different kind of thing.
Khul and the Sobekites started to transmogrify a race of reptile creatures. Different "blood stones" were created for different species of reptiles.
We've managed to decipher the markings on the blood stone I sol-- (then) --she left with. "Cobra." She's going to transmogrify a cobra.
So - she's making a monster. What for? What does it do?
That's the part... We're working on it. Buffy's expression hardens. Then-
Okay. You keep working on it. I'll go kill it. Buffy heads with purpose to the exit.
Buffy-
I m going.
Buff, this chick creamed you last time.
I wasn't ready for her last time. I am now.
But you-
(cuts her off/too intense) But what? I can't just sit here, Willow. I have to do something. And she's gone. The others share a worried look. EXT. REPTILE HOUSE/ZOO - AFTERNOON To establish. INT. REPTILE HOUSE - AFTERNOON SMASH! A woman's fist punches through a pane of glass and reaches into the reptile habitat, in which we hear the agitated occupants...
"From the mud, from the rot, arise, holy serpent, and be bathed, cleansed in the shadow of Sobek..." Her hand comes out holding A COBRA, angry, hissing. She holds it up in front of her face. Dreg, standing nearby, recoils.
Sssssssss. Chill, worm. I'm gonna make you a star. She lowers the snake into a large CEREMONIAL
URN placed in the center of the floor, at Glory's feet. In the urn
with ANGLE ON GLORY as she rises. She holds the tattered piece of papyrus and produces Khul's Amulet (the green gem she bought from Giles) from her cleavage.
Chant. And immediately...
(in Ancient Arabic) "The form is vessel, rendered new... the will is given, in our domain... The crystal in the Amulet begins to GLOW BRIGHTLY. As Dreg continues in Arabic, Glory overlaps in English...
"Sobek, grant the power, that it may mold this wretched creature, that it may be reborn, that it may serve--" (then) Ugh. Dark Incantations. Always overwritten. Why can't they just cut to the-- WHAM! She's BODY-SLAMMED from behind and is propelled into a faux cave wall. ANGLE ON BUFFY.
Fight? She charges Glory and gets in two hard shots. Dreg flattens himself against a wall, keeping out of the way.
(perfunctorily) Ooh. Uh. No fair. Attacking - Ouch - when I wasn't - Aah - even looking. Oof! Help! Buffy steps up her assault, throwing punches and kicks - going at Glory feverishly.
(flatly) Oh! Oh! Oh, Help m-- (dropping the act) No, this is no good. I'm out of the moment. You're not giving me anything I can use. (to Dreg) Dreg!! I'm not hearing chanting! Dreg, tremulously, begins to chant again.
(in ancient Arabic) "The form is vessel, rendered new. The base is stone, bathed in blood. The gem is fire and elements rarefied..." He continues as Glory grabs Buffy's arm in a vice-like grip.
(to Buffy) Work with me here. Glory grabs Buffy's arm and swings her like a rag doll into a wall. Dreg jumps out of the way, avoiding being caught between wall and Slayer. WHAM! The faux stone crumbles from the impact.
There. That feels more real, don't ya think? Glory swings her back the other way. Buffy hits the opposite wall. Again, Dreg has to hurl himself out of the way.
Even if I have to carry your performance. GLORY throws Buffy, who plummets backward, CRASHING through a pane of glass and into one of the display boxes.
Scene. ON BUFFY, struggling to pick herself up, realizes there are snakes all around her. She scrambles out of the case and falls to the ground. Although clearly hurt, she manages to get to her feet and charge Glory.
We're not done here, demon-bitch!
Please... Glory palms her in the chest and Buffy goes flying back, hitting a wall with a bone-crushing WHAM! ANGLE ON GLORY - raising the Amulet over the urn again.
Call me "Glory." ON BUFFY as she sinks back to the ground -- weak, bloodied and beaten. ON DREG, concluding the spell:
(in Ancient Arabic) Come into being and arise! The urn begins to shake...
Arise!! Then vibrate more violently...
ARISE!! ARISE!!! Then EXPLODE. The COBRA within bursts out, GROWING and MORPHING... BUFFY, on the ground, watching... BUFFY'S POV - LOW-ANGLE on the beast as ARMS with THREE-FINGERED CLAWS grow out of its torso. In the foreground of this shot, GLORY isn't really paying attention, as she seems to be concerned with checking her manicure. She heaves a sigh.
(reverently) He is arisen.
'Bout damn time. Behind her, THE HUGE, NEWLY-FORMED SNAKE MONSTER rears up into frame... BLACK OUT.
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| Act Three |
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INT. REPTILE HOUSE - CONTINUOUS (AFTERNOON) As before, a winded and badly beaten BUFFY is on the ground, propped up on one hand, as the newly metamorphosed SNAKE MONSTER, looms over her -- stretching and flexing its new form and emitting a throaty HISS. Dreg is cowering against a wall.
Spawn of Sobek... The Snake Monster turns to face Glory. She strokes its head. ON BUFFY -- she struggles to her feet, and - as Glory talks to the Snake - backs away, limping toward an exit. GLORY pays her no mind, focused completely on the Snake Monster.
The power is yours to see what is unseen. To find what is shrouded in shadow. Already you know what I seek. I have given you form. Now find for me The Key. The Snake HISSES.
Yes. Let your vision guide you to its hiding place. Then return to me... and tell me where it lies. She waits for a moment as the Snake just lolls up and down.
Now would be good!!! THE MONSTER rears up, then turns and zips out with lightning speed. Glory looks after it and smiles -- undiluted, childish glee.
Fun! INT. THE MAGIC BOX - LATER (AFTERNOON) Giles is at the counter, talking to a customer. In the BG we see Xander, still hard at research...
"Alister Crowley Sings?" No, sadly, I don't carry it... But I do have some lovely whale sounds- He's distracted as Riley enters.
Excuse me a moment. Giles moves to Riley. As does Xander.
Where's Buffy?
She left a little while ago.
What? Where?
That creepy demon woman is conjuring some kind of monster.
And you let Buffy go after her? Alone?
"Let" isn't really a factor when Buffy sets her mind to something - you know that. Giles moves back to his waiting customer.
(to Xander) She'll get herself killed. It's crazy.
Yeah, crazy. Going off alone, half-cocked, instead of waiting for much needed back up... Charging in with a big ole' hand grenade- (stops/pointed) Oh, wait.
This is different. Xander accepts this. Continues - not angry, just stating facts.
Yeah, it is. Buffy needs something she can fight, something she can solve. I don't know what kind of action you're looking for. (beat) Do you? Riley takes this in. Can't answer.
Hey, I'm not trying to get --
It's cool.
You okay?
Just a little crazed.
I hear you. Riley starts to go.
If she needs me... He doesn't finish. Just goes. Riley's barely out the door when the PHONE RINGS and Giles answers it.
Magic Box. Your one-stop spot to shop for all your--
(weakly) Giles... Xander reacts as Giles says:
Buffy? Are you all right? INT. HOSPITAL HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS Buffy is at the payphone in the bustling hallway. She grabs gauze and tape from a nearby supply cart and bandages her cut-up arms as she talks.
No. I'm really not. I... I couldn't stop her. I couldn't even slow her down.
Where are you?
Sunnydale Memorial. INT. THE MAGIC BOX - CONTINUOUS (AFTERNOON)
Are you badly hurt? I'm coming right over--
No... INT. HOSPITAL HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS (AFTERNOON)
I just want to warn you. The thing she conjured is loose. Big snake thing. Not Mayor big, but pretty lethal looking... INT. THE MAGIC BOX - CONTINUOUS (AFTERNOON) Giles is listening to Buffy.
All right. I'll tell the others. We'll get weapons and fan out for--
Wait... wait a minute. What time is it? Giles checks his watch. INT. HOSPITAL HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS (AFTERNOON)
Half past four. Why?
School's out. Dawn should be on the way over to you now. Giles-- INT. THE MAGIC BOX - CONTINUOUS (AFTERNOON)
Understood. We'll keep her safe here, until you arrive.
Thanks. (then) And Giles...
Yes? INT. HOSPITAL HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS (AFTERNOON) Buffy having difficulty, trying to hold it together.
Dawn. She's kinda fragile right now. About mom. INT. THE MAGIC BOX - CONTINUOUS (AFTERNOON)
She... she doesn't know how bad it is.
We'll not say a word. INT. HOSPITAL HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS (AFTERNOON)
Thanks. Mom's going to wake up soon... So, you know - I have to be here. When the doctor... A pained beat. Then-
She's in good hands, Buffy. There's really nothing else you can do. Buffy nods and hangs up, then grabs her jacket draped over a chair and puts it on, hiding her injuries. MOVE with her as she crosses the hall (limping slightly) and... BEGIN SILENT MONTAGE -- INT. JOYCE'S HOSPITAL ROOM - AFTERNOON START on DR. ISAACS, talking m.o.s. (if we could hear him, he'd be saying all the same things he said to Buffy earlier.) CAMERA ARCS to find Joyce in the bed, Buffy sitting in a chair pulled up close next to her, holding her hand tightly. An IV drip is taped to Joyce's forearm and a portion of the top of her head is bandaged. A faint trace of tears mark Joyce's face. CAMERA PUSHES in as the two of them listen intently. SLOW DISSOLVE TO: INT. WILLY'S BAR - LATE AFTERNOON PUSH IN ON Riley sitting at the bar. Drink in front of him. He downs it. As it's being refilled he looks to one tide. SANDY, the pretty vampette from "Family" is there, one empty bar stool between them. She looks at him, not exactly smiling, and not trying to scare him... just evaluating him. He looks back at her the same way. Eye contact. The camera ARCS around them... (or something) INT. LOCAL MONASTERY - SANCTUARY - LATE AFTERNOON ARC OVER a table of LIT CANDLES. THE SNAKE MONSTER weaves among them. Its head swivels around, trying to pick up a scent. Coming up empty, the Snake turns suddenly and quickly slithers away... SLOW DISSOLVE TO: INT. THE MAGIC BOX - EVENING XANDER is at the book-laden table, sneaking a peek over at DAWN, seated nearby, trying, and failing to concentrate on her homework. Suddenly, peering over the lip of the table, between them... A SHRIVELED SHRUNKEN HEAD appears. It begins to dance. As it comes up above the table, we see it's being manipulated by Xander. Not unappreciative, Dawn offers a weak smile, but Xander can see she's not really in the mood. ' He shrugs, mildly self-conscious, and puts the head away as DAWN turns away and lays her head down on the table, resting it on folded arms. CAMERA ARCS around to find her melancholic face... SLOW DISSOLVE TO: EXT. ALLEY - NIGHT CAMERA ARCS into the alley, finding a couple there. It's Riley and Sandy. She looks up at him, brushes away a few stray strands of hair hanging into his EXPRESSIONLESS face. He moves closer and embraces her. Sandy nuzzles him for a beat, then lifts her head up and we see she's gone VAMPFACE. CLOSE ON RILEY, knowing what's to come, closes his eyes and SANDY sinks her teeth into his neck. RILEY flinches, ever so slightly, but makes no move to stop her. CLOSE ON SANDY as she feeds on him for a few seconds. Then her head, suddenly, SNAPS up, she INHALES SHARPLY and looks at him, STUNNED. He looks back at her, a measure of sorrow in his eyes, as she EXPLODES INTO DUST. WIDEN to see Riley holding the STAKE with which he just impaled her. He stands frozen for a moment, almost as if in a waking dream state, then he reaches up to the wound on his neck and touches it. CLOSER - He brings his hand up and rubs the blood between his fingers. SLOW DISSOLVE TO: EXT. PARK CAROUSEL - NIGHT CLOSE on the slithering SNAKE MONSTER. As we follow its tortuous path and PULL BACK, the CAROUSEL is REVEALED behind it. Now it's at the bench at which Riley and
Dawn were seated earlier. Suddenly, its head turns around, seemingly
looking SLOW DISSOLVE TO: EXT. THE MAGIC BOX - NIGHT ON BUFFY, walking up to the door, her limp gone now. She passes an exiting customer and goes inside. SONG AND SILENT MONTAGE ENDS. INT. THE MAGIC BOX - CONTINUOUS (NIGHT) TRAVEL WITH BUFFY as she crosses into the shop. Devoid of customers now. We can see the Scoobies at various stations in the store, though none notice her at first... ANGLE ON DAWN, sitting in a chair, absentmindedly fiddling with the shrunken head, when she looks up and sees Buffy. She silently gets up, runs to Buffy and puts her arms around her, surprising Buffy for a moment. The others notice and slowly converge on the scene.
Is she awake yet?
Yeah, she's waiting for us.
Can we take her home now?
(beat) We'll see. She looks up at Giles and the others.
Any monster reptile sightings?
None.
Tara and I did a mini-patrol earlier, but the big snakie was nowhere in-- SMASH! THE SNAKE MONSTER comes through the front window. BUFFY turns to face off with it as everyone else scatters. Instead of taking her on, the creature KNOCKS HER away into some shelves, and moves further into the shop. It looks around for a moment, then suddenly moves in on DAWN, terrified, pressed up against the counter. She SCREAMS.
Dawn! He moves to help her, when the Snake's head turns to him and HISSES. Xander freezes. As BUFFY gets to her feet, she suddenly realizes what the Snake's after... The monster swings around back to Dawn, puts its nose up to her. Suddenly, it rears back and, arms flailing, its mouth OPENS WIDE to emit an ear-splitting SHRIEK. Everyone's forced to cover their ears. Even Dawn, who continues to SCREAM. The shriek gets LOUDER and HIGHER as the Snake's JAW opens WIDER and WIDER, elongating into a grotesque open maw. The Snake Monster continues to SHRIEK at a cowering, petrified Dawn as the others stand back and watch, frozen. Buffy gets to her feet and is about to charge the creature when it suddenly stops screeching, WHIPS around -- its tail doing further damage to the shop -- and, in a flash, darts out through the shattered front window.
Why was the big snake afraid of Dawn?
Giles! Giles looks over at Buffy.
It knows. As Giles registers that... BLACK OUT.
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| Act Four |
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EXT. THE MAGIC BOX/STREET - CONTINUOUS (NIGHT) Buffy leaps out through the display window and sprints down the street. GILES emerges from the front door. He watches her for a millisecond then runs off IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION. EXT. BACK ALLEY - NIGHT CLOSE ON SNAKE MONSTER, moving quickly. ON BUFFY, racing after it, when Giles' car (top down) pulls up beside her. Giles throws the passenger door open and Buffy gets in. We watch as the car peels off and away from us, down the alleyway where we catch a glimpse of the Snake's undulating TAIL as it disappears behind a building at the corner. EXT. ANOTHER BACK ALLEY STREET - CONTINUOUS (NIGHT) TRAVELLING with THE SNAKE MONSTER in the F.G., we see Giles' car come careening around the bend, in pursuit. The Monster catches sight of something to its left. CLOSE ON the SNAKE'S TAIL as it SWIPES a couple of dumpsters, sending them both tumbling into the middle of the street. INT. GILES' CAR - CONTINUOUS (NIGHT)
Watch the-- Giles turns the wheel... The car swerves around the fallen dumpsters, barely missing them, and CRASHES through a pile of cardboard boxes.
I've got to stop this monster before it gets back to Glory...
Glory?
That's what she called herself. Giles, she's going to know Dawn's the Key if we don't-
We will. They continue on. INT. GLORY'S BEDROOM - MEANWHILE (NIGHT) ON DREG, as he's pelted with a rain of shoeboxes.
Please... Mistress, Perturbed Yet Ultimately Merciful one... ON GLORY, swiping the remaining boxes off her bed at her cowering acolyte.
What is taking so LONG, Dreg? You told me snakey-wakey would find my Key! Why isn't he here with a beautiful message for me?
I grovel like a bug, most Silky and Effervescent Glorifi-- GLORY shoots him a glare.
(blanches, corrects himself) Glory! Glory, Your Most Fresh-And- Cleanness. It's only a matter of time--
Ugh, everything always takes time! What about my time? Does anyone appreciate I'm on a schedule here?! Tick tock, Dreg! Tick freakin' tock! EXT. PARKSIDE STREET - NIGHT The Monster comes around the corner followed by the car. As the car's almost upon it, the creature suddenly veers off, SMASHING through a fence into a PARK. Giles' car shoots past the spot and slams his foot on the brake. Before it comes to a stop... BUFFY is already out of her seat, running across the rear of the car and leaping to the pavement, THE CAR STILL MOVING. Buffy follows the Monster into the park. EXT. PARK - NIGHT CLOSE ON THE SNAKE MONSTER - racing through the mostly grassy area, weaving among trees. CLOSE ON BUFFY - running hard, picking up speed. CLOSE ON a sign dangling from a chain hanging between two metal posts. We just get the chance to read: "Bike Path" before the Snake bursts through, snapping the chain and continuing on. BUFFY gets to the site and scoops up the broken chain, without losing stride. THE SNAKE streaks down the path, passing a large rock outcropping. BUFFY, coming up quickly behind it, splits off toward the rocks, runs up them and vaults herself into the air and onto the Snake Monster's back, whipping the chain around the snake below its mouth. The monster rears up, SQUEALING as it tries to buck Buffy off. She hangs on as she pulls the chain taut around the monster's "throat." BUFFY rides the creature as it flails and twists; fangs bared, ready to strike at her when it gets the chance. BUFFY, summoning all her strength, yanks the chain harder. The snake begins to weaken. It's choking. The squeals now RASPY CROAKS as it tries to draw breaths. THE SNAKE's thrashing has slowed, and it begins to sink to the ground, losing consciousness. Then, with a sudden burst of energy, the creature rears up, shaking Buffy off its back. BUFFY hits the ground hard, then deftly rolls into a standing position. She rushes the weakened Monster and tackles it to the ground. The Snake HISSES as it threatens her with its fangs, but she pays it no mind. Her fist smashes into its head, instantly shattering its jaw. Then she hits it again and again -- each time punctuated by an angry, anguished CROAK from the dying creature. ON BUFFY -- angry and anguished herself -- continues to turn the now dead reptile into a cold-bloody pulp. When she pulls her hand back to deliver another deadly blow - we see that it's covered in gooey REPTILE BLOOD. FROM A BIRD'S EYE VIEW of the scene, CRANE UP and UP and PAN OVER, past trees... ...the pan continues to a nouveau riche mansion and then to a WINDOW. PUSH IN to see a figure standing at it, holding the drape open. GLORY, looking out, but seeing nothing. She hesitates for a moment, then heaves an indignant, pouty sigh, and moves back into the room, allowing the drape to fall closed. INT. JOYCE'S HOSPITAL ROOM - LATER (NIGHT) Buffy stands by Joyce's bed.
Do you want me to stay?
No - it's fine. I think I should talk to Dawn alone.
Okay.
Do I have bed hair? I don't look like scary mom - do I? Buffy smooths her mom's hair a bit. Stands back.
You look beautiful.
Okay... (then) Let's do this. But stay close.
Will do. Buffy goes to the door. Opens it. Dawn is there. She and Buffy exchange glances - then Dawn heads into the room as Buffy leaves. INT. HOSPITAL HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS (NIGHT) Buffy closes the door behind her. As she starts to move away she senses something and looks up to see... RILEY, now wearing a turtleneck shirt, coming down the hall toward her. BUFFY, her face a mask of dazed misery, moves to him. Riley registers her expression and understands.
You okay? You look pretty beat up.
Minimal damage of the fighting kind. It's all... the other kind. A moment as her composure fails her - revealing her true fear and vulnerability. She's fighting tears. Riley sees it - reaches for her, able to be strong for her at last.
Come here. She lets him pull her into his arms. She looks as though she's finally going to let down. Grateful for his touch.
It's okay... You need to let it out. I'm right here. But Buffy pauses. Wanting to let go - but not daring.
I can't. Not now. They need me, you know? She steps back, gently pushing him away.
If I start now, I won't be able to stop. They stand apart for a moment. Riley wanting to comfort. Wanting her to let him in. Then-
(calling) Buffy... Buffy looks at Riley. He nods his understanding. She takes his hand, squeezes it, then moves toward the door. REVERSE ANGLE as she takes a breath and enters, never looking back. Riley watches as the door closes behind her and he's left, standing there in the hallway, alone. BLACK OUT.
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