|
Bargaining - Part 2 July 18, 2001 (White) Written by: David Fury |
| Teaser |
|
EXT. BUFFY'S GRAVESITE - NIGHT As we left off ... THE BUFFYBOT, though damaged, gamely tries to fight off a couple of the DEMON BIKERS, as they circle, striking at her from behind.
I'm dangerously close-- (struck) Uhh! --to system failure. I have to to disengage from-- (struck again) Uhh! --combat until Willow can service me. ON RAZOR, coming at the Buffybot, swinging a thick chain.
I'll service you, toygirl. The chain wraps around the Buffybot and yanks her off her feet. As the other Bikers move in... EXT. IN THE WOODS - MEANWHILE - NIGHT XANDER is about to pick up WILLOW, who's fallen unconscious again, when he hears something coming at him from behind. He whips around, ready to fight, when he sees it's TARA, and ANYA, emerging from the brush. He exhales, relieved. A pained Tara moves to her girlfriend.
Willow?
I'm pretty sure she's okay. (then) Or as okay as anyone who just had snakes coming out of their mouth and what the hell was up with that, Tara?! Tara looks up at him but doesn't answer.
Less talk, more running away.
The woods should give us some cover. Their motorcycles can't follow us in here. With that, motorcycle headlights sweep across their faces as we hear a couple of motorbikes approaching.
Somebody should tell them that. Xander crosses to Willow. Tara helps him lift her.
New plan: We split up.
No! Bad plan!
I'll take Willow--
No. I can carry her. (off her look, reassuring) I'll keep her safe, Tara.
(nods) We should meet up somewhere.
The Magic Box. And whoever gets there first should call Dawn and Spike. Tara nods and moves off. Anya hesitates.
But ... (a thought) The Buffybot ... Xander's turn to hesitate.
(regretfully) We can't. She's-- (then) It's lost. He glances over his shoulder as he hears the cycles setting closer.
Go! Reluctantly, Anya hurries off. Xander lifts Willow over his shoulder and, carrying her, stumbles off in another direction. EXT. BUFFY'S GRAVESITE - MEANWHILE - NIGHT Amid all the whooping and hollering of the Demon Bikers as they gun their engines, beating on the Buffybot ... PAN OVER and TILT DOWN to Buffy's grave ... INT. BUFFY'S COFFIN - NIGHT ON BUFFY, wild-eyed, panicking, realizing she's entombed, buried alive. She begins to thrash around. Holding the sides of the casket as if they're closing in on her, her mouth widens to emit a scream, but the only sound that escapes is a horrid DRY RASP which takes us into... BLACK OUT.
|
| Act One |
|
INT. BUFFY'S COFFIN - NIGHT TIGHT ON BUFFY pushing and kicking at the side of the Coffin gasping for what little stale air might be trapped inside here with her. BUFFY'S POV - HANDHELD (as are all her POVs in this episode; FILTERED in a hazy, dreamlike fashion, with SOUND appearing to come from far off) - She frantically claws and pounds at the coffin lid, tearing at the lining. EXT. DEEP INTO THE WOODS - NIGHT We hear motorcycle engines roaring in the distance, as well as excited YELPS and HOLLERING... XANDER, breathing hard, enters frame, still carrying Willow. As they reach a small clearing, Willow stirs ...
X-Xander... Where--?
Shhh. We're using our quiet voice, Wil. Xander lowers her to sit, kneels down beside her.
Why... Why are-- Where's Tara?
Off and running. Like we need to be. We gotta keep moving.
Moving. (starting to remember) Oh. Right. Demons. On bikes.
Yep. We got trouble. Right here in Hellmouth City. And our very own Robo-Buffy led them right to us.
(remembering) Buffy! The ritual! We have to go back!
Wil, I told you--
We need to try again.
We can't--
We have to, Xander! She's ... She's waiting, counting on us. On me. (her grief mounting) I can't leave her there anymore. I won't. We have to finish-- A MOTORCYCLE engine is revved nearby, with the accompanying HOWL of its rider. Xander gently, but firmly, puts his hand to Willow's lips to quiet her, calm her down. They wait like that for a few moments, as the sound of the engine moves off.
The Urn of Cirrhosis ...
Osiris.
Yeah. It got ... kinda... Willow's face goes ashen as she remembers.
Broken. It's broken. I remember. Xander tries to ease the blow.
So, we'll find another one. Better made. Ahn and I'll jump back into the web and--
(numbly) There is no other one.
'Kay. Then we'll fix this one. A little tape, dab o' Krazy Glue ...
(despairing) No. It's no good. The urn's defiled. It's gone. Nothing. The words catch in her throat as the pain of the reality sinks in.
All for nothing. SLOW PUSH IN on her, as tears come.
Buffy's gone. She's ... she's really gone. INT. BUFFY'S COFFIN - NIGHT BAM! BUFFY, her knuckles and fingernails now raw and bloody, manages to smash through the coffin lid. Pulling her fist out, dirt begins to stream in. BUFFY's POV - HANDHELD - FILTERED with all her might, GRUNTING, she pulls down on the splintered wood around the hole she's made, and the dirt stream becomes torrential. NEW ANGLE as she spits and coughs, then, holding her breath, pulls herself up through the opening and starts to dig her way out. EXT. ANOTHER PART OF THE FOREST - NIGHT ANYA, looking around, evidently lost, when she hears a sharp WHISTLE and:
Over here! Anya, unnerved, backs away from the direction of the voice when suddenly she's grabbed from behind and lets out a small YELP, as she's yanked into some thick bushes. NEW ANGLE as Anya turns to find it's TARA that grabbed her.
Was that necessary? A simple "psst" would've been-- Tara clamps a hand over Anya's mouth as ANGLE ON MAG and another Hellion, KLYED, converging on foot, stopping next to the girls' hiding place.
...just sayin, it's rank!
(in no mood) Get off it, Klyed.
Razor and the others take off for town, leave us here to hunt strays. It's bush-- Mag grabs him by the throat.
Hey! You got a bug up your crack, take it up with Razor. Until then, you do what he says and shut your hole. Before I rip you a new one. He releases Klyed, surveys the area again, takes a whiff as if searching for a scent. Then...
Screw this. Let's get outta here. The Demon Bikers move off, back where they came from. ANGLE ON Anya and Tara in their hiding position as they listen to them leave.
Doesn't sound like they found Willow and Xander...
(distracted) Did he say "stores?" "Hitting stores?" Does he mean looting? Tara rises and checks the coast. Anya rises with her ...
I think the woods let out over this way. We should keep off the streets, take alleys if we can...
They can't loot the magic shop. Not now. I just got it.
Let's go. Tara starts off. Anya follows.
You don't think they'll cause a lot of damage, do you? EXT. BUFFY'S HOUSE - NIGHT CLOSE ON MAILBOX at the curb. A small sign attached atop reads: "Summers." A MOTOR ROARS and SMASH! The mailbox is knocked off its post by a Hellion wielding a baseball bat, riding on the back of a motorbike. He HOWLS his delight. WIDER ANGLE The DEMONS roar past the Summers house, bashing garbage cans, smashing the windshield on a parked car. As they pass, we pick up ... CLOSE ON DEMON HAND igniting a LIGHTER. WIDEN as the Lighter moves to light the fuse on a MOLOTOV COCKTAIL in the demon's other hand. REVERSE ANGLE as the Hellion flings the bottle at the front door of a house. ANGLE ON BUFFY'S HOUSE - We HEAR the explosion. PUSH IN on the front window as fire reflects off the glass and we see DAWN, peering out, watching, with terrified fascination. INT. BUFFY'S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - NIGHT SPIKE is rummaging through the weapons trunk, though only producing a wooden stake or two. He mumbles to himself as he reaches in.
Nothing. Coupla stakes. Right big help. Holy water, one cross-- (sizzling noise) Yahh!! (shaking his head at himself) Oh, brilliant. He waves the pain off his singed hand, then glances up and notices DAWN at the window.
Here! Want me to bloody thump you? I told you to stay away from the windows! He crosses, pulls her away, then peers out himself.
Who are they?
Hellions ... HIS POV, THROUGH WINDOW: ONE OF THE DEMONS rides his bike up the front lawn of the house across the street, hops off and kicks in the door.
Road pirates. They raid towns. Use 'em up, burn 'em down. Usually backwaters. Any place... ON SPIKE, coming to a realization.
Any place they think is vulnerable. ON DAWN, arriving at the same thought.
They know... Spike glances back at her.
The Slayer's gone. They share a look for a beat until a SCREAM emanates from the house across the street. SPIKE looks out the window again then moves away from it.
We can't stay here.
Well, I'm not going out there.
Got no choice, Bit. Can't protect you here. He takes Dawn's arm and moves toward the kitchen.
We can lock the doors, turn out the lights ...
And hide under the bed linens? Not really my style.
But ... We need to wait for the others. Buffy... Spike looks at her as she corrects herself.
--Bot. You know. The Buffybot. And the others. We should wait to see if they--
(sharply) Look-- He pauses, seeing the fear in her eyes, and softens.
Dawn. I get that you're scared. But I'm your sitter. So mind me ... (a pledge) I'm not gonna let any o' those buggers lay so much as a warty digit on you. Dawn studies him for a moment.
Right?
(after a beat) Right.
(with a nod) Right, then. Can't wait around to see if the others pop in. We're on our own... He takes her arm again and pulls her toward the kitchen.
No one's coming to our rescue. EXT. BUFFY'S GRAVESITE - NIGHT Quiet. SLOW PUSH IN on grave ... A FIST punches through, feverishly claws at the ground, then another hand appears, then BUFFY pulls herself up out of her grave, wild-eyed, wheezily gasping for breath. BLACK OUT.
|
| Act Two |
|
EXT. BUFFY'S GRAVESITE - NIGHT Moments later... BUFFY gets to her feet -- Dirty, bleeding, thoroughly freaked. Something catches her eye. She slowly looks over at it and freezes ... ARC around her as she steps toward the gravestone. Her gravestone. ON BUFFY, squinting at it with abject horror. EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD STREET - A LITTLE LATER - NIGHT The streets are seemingly deserted, though we hear SHOUTING, CAR ALARMS, SIRENS, etc., somewhere in the distance. CRANE DOWN to find BUFFY numbly wandering down the middle of the street, looking around. HER POV HANDHELD - FILTERED - Everything looking ugly and alien. ON BUFFY - A flickering glow appears on her face, getting brighter as she moves closer to it. A Sunnydale police car BURNS at the side of the road, its tires slashed, windows and taillights broken. Buffy stares, incredulously, at the blazing fire for a beat, almost hypnotized by it, when... RRROOOAR! Seemingly from nowhere, a HELLION, gunning his motorcycle, roars up behind her. Buffy spins around and flinches as he goes by, smashing his beer bottle on the ground at her feet, spraying her with glass and beer, CACKLING. OVER BUFFY'S SHOULDER as she watches the Demon Biker make a SCREECHING turn at the corner, disappearing, the sound of his engine fading away. ON BUFFY as she continues on, silhouetted by the raging fire behind her. INT. MAGIC BOX - NIGHT TARA and ANYA scramble inside from the back alley side entrance and slam the door shut behind them.
(calling out, hopefully) Willow? Xander? Anya steps toward the front of the shop, looking around, as Tara moves toward the back area.
(concerned) They're not here.
Thank God... Tara shoots her a look. Anya realizes.
(explaining) My store hasn't been looted. They hear a CRASH outside.
Yet. They move to the front window and peek out to see THEIR POV - THROUGH FRONT WINDOW - A DEMON BIKER smashes the display window of the bookstore across the street with a trash can, simply for the sheer pleasure of it. A few other HELLIONS, over by the Espresso
Pump, terrorize an unfortunate couple caught outside. One Demon holds the
GUY as another beats him up. The third paws the GIRL, despite ON ANYA, reminded of the danger out there, her concern growing.
Xander...
(calm certainty) They're all right.
Then where are they? Why aren't they here yet?
I don't-- Anya turns to Tara, panic setting in.
What if they're hurt? Xander could be lying somewhere. All broken and bleeding. Calling my name--
Anya--
Like that! Or -- oh -- Anya moves back into the room, holding her stomach. Tara follows.
Oh -- what if they're already dead?! Oh God!
They're not.
How do you-- Tara grabs Anya by the shoulders, trying to calm her.
He's with Willow. If something ... happened... I'd know. (beat) And so would you. Anya searches her feelings for a moment, then:
(wanting to believe) You think? Tara nods and pulls her into an embrace. A look of relief comes over Anya.
I'm sure of it ... ANGLE ON TARA'S FACE - Unseen by Anya, Tara's expression changes to reveal her intense worry and fear, belying her calm demeanor.
They're fine. They're both fine. They... As an idea occurs to her, she separates from Anya and moves to the table.
Maybe they just got lost. In the woods.
(a new concern) The woods? We're going back to the woods? I hate the woods. All those woodsy trees--
No. It's okay. Lost is good... Tara sweeps the table clear and climbs on top of it.
Willow and I always know now to find each other. She sits cross-legged on the table and closes her eyes.
With yoga?
(eyes still closed) Shh. (incanting) "Aradia... Hear my words ..." EXT. WOODS - NIGHT It's real quiet now and very creepy. Only the ambient noises of crickets and other earthly creatures of the night. CLOSE ON XANDER supporting a still shaky WILLOW as they move blindly forward in the dark.
Okay, this is really starting to grate my cheese. These woods aren't that big. And I know we-ve been going in a straight line, 'cause I've been following the North Star. He points up at it. Willow looks.
Um, Xander, that's not the North Star. It's an airplane.
(looking closer) No, it's not an airplane. It's definitely-- (his face falling) --a blimp. But I can see how one could make that airplane mistake. Willow moves to sit on a dead, fallen tree.
Xander... I can't walk anymore. I have to rest.
Can't be much further.
You said that an hour ago. I'm just ... (closes her eyes) The spell took a lot out of me. Xander studies her for a moment.
As for example, snakes. Why didn't you tell us how much-- She looks up at him.
Don't. Not now.
What were we into back there, Wil? After a few beats, Willow stands. Xander moves to help her. She waves him off.
Doesn't make any difference now...
Don't get avoidy on me.
I'm not avoidy. We've got bigger problems. Demons.
(dripping sarcasm) Demons! Huh. Well, there's something you don't see everyday. (then) Unless you're us!
And we're lost. So can we just- Willow spots something past Xander.
What's that?
There! See? Avoidy!
That light. Xander turns. WILLOW'S POV - A bright POINT OF LIGHT deep in the forest, weaving among the trees, getting closer.
Over there. ON XANDER, looking.
(seeing it, unnerved) You mean the one moving toward us ... HIS POV - the light converging on them very quickly.
Incredibly fast? ON WILLOW, taking a tentative step toward it.
(calling out) Hello? Xander eyes her, disbelieving.
"Hello?" We're being hunted and you're "helloing" strange fast moving lights in the dark? It could be anything. It-- (with dread) It's a motorcycle headlight.
No. Too small-- Xander picks up a large stick, and bravely gets ready to take on the invader.
Get behind me!
(squinting) Xander, I don't think-- Xander pulls her behind him and stands his ground.
Wil, stay down! I'll take care of-- The LIGHT suddenly and startlingly bursts through the flora and is upon them. It's a little ball of light, a firefly, a slightly larger version of the one Willow conjured in "Fear, Itself." It flies around their heads. Willow recognizes it.
Oh. It's just-- Xander cowers from the flitting thing, freaking.
Bug!! (swatting it away) Ahh! Big firefly bug thing!
Xander...
Get off! Get-- Do fireflies bite? Or... They probably burn, don't they? They-- Yee-uuuhh!
It's not a bug. Xander calms as he watches the ball of light flit around Willow's head, almost giddily, affectionately.
Uh, Willow. W-what--? A smile comes to Willow's lips.
It's Tara. As Xander gives her a look, the light moves off again.
C'mon. She follows it. Xander hesitates for a moment, uncertain, then joins her. On his back, as they disappear into the dense brush:
(more to himself) And how long have you known your girlfriend was Tinkerbell? EXT. DIFFERENT RESIDENTIAL STREET - NIGHT BUFFY is trudging along on the sidewalk. She looks around trying to get her bearings; then pauses to rest, leaning against a car at the end of a driveway. Suddenly... THE CAR ALARM is tripped and blares loudly. As Buffy backs away from the noise, a bright beam porch light comes on. Buffy snaps her eyes shut, trying to blink away the momentary blindness (as it's the first real light to hit her eyes in months). BUFFY'S POV.- HANDHELD - FILTERED - Amid the harsh glare of the porch light, a shapeless Form appears, pointing something at her, though we can't make out what it is.
What are you doing? Get away from there! CUTTING OUT, we see the Form is A HOMEOWNER, skittish and angry, leveling a shotgun at her.
I said, get off my property! Buffy hesitates, shaking her head as if to say she means no harm. Taking it as a refusal to his demand...
You hear me?! He swings the gun around and wields it like a club, intending to bash her brains in.
Leave us alone! Buffy staggers away, the Homeowner in the background.
GET OUT OF HERE!!! EXT. BUFFY'S STREET - NIGHT SPIKE and DAWN, lurking in the shadows, peer around the corner of a house, checking the coast.
(to Dawn) Keep back. He creeps a few steps forward to get a better look. SPIKE'S POV: He watches as another couple of Hellions ransack an abandoned house across the way. A chair comes CRASHING though the front window, coming to rest on the lawn. Dawn comes up behind Spike.
It looks like they're just ... wrecking stuff. No thought other than just... destructorama. She looks at him watching raptly, trying to read his thoughts.
What?
Eh? Oh. Nothing. Just, um... (wistfully) Looks like fun. Feeling her gaze, he glances at her.
I'm just saying. (then, considering) Thing is, if this kinda frolicking's going on all over town, we're not gonna get far without-- He stops when he hears a HIGH-PITCHED HOLLER and the roar of a motorcycle coming down the street. Spike looks over at HIS POV: Some sports equipment lying in a neighbor's yard: A bat, balls, shoulder pads ... Spike reaches down, presumably for the bat, but coming up with a football helmet instead. He tosses it to Dawn, who looks at it, not understanding. Spike signals for her to wait, then moves off. ANGLE ON HELLION zooming along on his hog. He glances up to see SPIKE (PUSH IN), standing in the middle of the road, waiting. THE BIKER gives his motorcycle more gas and bears down on him. Spike waits. As the motorcycle is upon him, Spike leaps up into the air and kicks the Demon hard in the chest and head, knocking him off his bike. The Demon hits the ground hard as his chopper skids to the pavement. SPIKE lands on his feet, looks toward Dawn and lets out a loud whistle.
(to Dawn) Let's fly, pidge! Understanding now, Dawn traps on the helmet as she hurries over to Spike, who retrieves the motorcycle. NEW ANGLE: TWO HELLIONS emerge from the house, having heard the commotion and see SPIKE and DAWN, OVER THE DEMONS' SHOULDERS, speeding away on the stolen motorcycle. INT. MAGIC BOX - NIGHT CLOSE ON the alley side door as it's POUNDED upon from outside. WIDEN as Anya approaches, apprehensively, talking through the door.
Already been looted! Sorry! Try the appliance store at the end of the block! They've got pretty... um, toasters-- A familiar voice interrupts her from the other side of the door.
Anya…
Xander! Tara crosses in as Anya excitedly unbolts the door, admitting Xander and Willow.
(to Xander) I knew you weren't dead! She throws her arms around him and they hold each other.
Well, then, what was I so worried about? Willow goes to Tara and falls into her arms. Tara holds her, strokes her hair, kisses her head. After a moment.
Are you--?
Not yet. (a weak smile) But I will be. She gently pulls away and sits down, aided by Tara.
Where's Dawn and Spike?
We've been calling the house, but... She shrugs and shakes her head.
Maybe they're on their way here. I mean, this place is NORAD when we're at DefCon One. The three girls turn and look at him blankly.
(grumbling) I so need male friends.
We have to go out and look for them.
Well, there's a guy at work I kinda hit it off with. Tito. I mean, he seems like a good-- (off her look) And you meant Dawn and Spike, of course.
Um. Question. You want us to go back out there?
(a little unsure) Well, yeah. Unless someone's got a better idea.
It's just ... Well, we're minus one Buffybot. And Spike is missing in action somewhere with Dawn. And Giles flew away. And you look a little magicked out ...
Ahn, honey, we're nearing your point, right?
Just ... How are we supposed to fight these guys? The others share a look. Good question.
I mean, we can handle a vampire or two, sure, but, we've got a cavalcade of demons here. This is... It takes... I mean, we need...
(finishing her thought) Buffy. Invoking her name causes Willow to react brusquely.
Buffy... (then, with painful resignation) ... is not coming back. We failed. A weighty silence falls among them.
So... We're it, gang. (standing) Xander, grab some weapons. We're going to find Dawn and Spike. A LOUD CRASH is heard outside, perhaps another front window being smashed, followed by howls of laughter.
If we're going, we should go now. They seem to be getting more and more worked up by the minute.
Well, they can't keep it up forever. I mean, maybe they'll party themselves out, tire of this place and move on. EXT. PARKING LOT/STREET - NIGHT CLOSE ON RAZOR, his face aglow from reflected flames.
Say hello to your new home, boys! WIDEN as, before him and amid CHEERING, a DEMON BIKER takes a swig of whiskey then brings a burning torch to his mouth and BLOWS FIRE high into the air and across the screen. CUT OUT to find they, and roughly twenty other HELLIONS, are in a convenience store parking lot, swigging beer and whiskey from bottles, whooping it up. They CHEER Razor's words and those on bikes GUN THEIR ENGINES. All around, FIRES burn in steel barrels lined about the area. It's all very pagan, savage, post-apocalyptic.
This here is a momentous occasion. The beginning of a new era. Now, no question the open backroads and highways have been good to us, but we got ourselves a juicy little burg just ripe for picking... ANGLE ON BUFFY, still walking numbly in the middle of the street, when she hears--
And I ain't in no hurry to leave. Are you? More CHEERS and ENGINES GUNNED. Buffy glances over at HER POV - HANDHELD - FILTERED - The biker crowd in the parking lot. ON BUFFY, as she moves toward it. BACK ON RAZOR
So I figured what better way to kick off our semi-settling down than with a little christening ... NEW ANGLE: MAG ties the end of a chain to the back of a motorcycle.
A symbolic act commemorating the new order around here... ANOTHER ANGLE: KLYED tying a chain to the back of a cycle facing the opposite direction.
And ridding ourselves of any not so pleasant reminders of the old... ON RAZOR, bringing up a 38-caliber REVOLVER into view. He loads a bullet as he speaks.
All in one, quick, really REALLY violent, fell swoop... He slaps the chamber closed. ON BUFFY, approaching from behind, unnoticed by anyone.
Gentlemen, start your engines. ANGLE ON motorcycle with chain tied to the back as the rider kick starts it. ANGLE ON other motorcycle with chain being kick started. ANGLE ON another. ANGLE: And another. ON BUFFY, as she peers through a break in the crowd. She sees something and her eyes widen. BUFFY'S POV: THE BUFFYBOT, standing in the middle of the lot. It's scuffed, clothes are torn... It's been abused. From a few damaged points, errant wires stick out, and a spark or two sputters. It seems confused, though not scared, as each of its limbs is chained to the back of four different motorcycles. RAZOR holds up the revolver...
Bye-bye, Slayer. ... and fires into the air. ANGLES: The Bikers take off ... ON BUFFY, watching with mounting horror. At that moment, THE BUFFYBOT glances over and sees her. They lock eyes for a moment. The robot's expression is impassive. Buffy's eyes widen in anticipation of what's to come. THE BUFFYBOT opens its mouth to say something to Buffy when the chains go taut and the robot is suddenly and (as described) really REALLY violently, torn apart. Drawn and quartered. The crowd HOWLS its delight. ON BUFFY, her anguish and terror at seeing her own horrific death, wells up inside her and explodes into a SCREAM of:
Nooooooooo!! The crowd quiets and turns to look at her. ON RAZOR, scrutinizing her for a moment.
Another one for the fire, boys ... PUSH IN CLOSE as he adds.
Tear it up! THE BIKER MOB, crazed with bloodlust, rush at Buffy. PUSH IN ON BUFFY, staring back, wide-eyed with fear, and recoiling, as we BLACK OUT.
|
| Act Three |
|
EXT. STREET - NIGHT TRACKING WITH BUFFY, terrified, as she runs from the Hellions chasing her - most on foot, some on motorcycles. TWO BIKERS zoom past her, then swerve their bikes around, cutting off her escape. Buffy skids to a halt, than sprints off in another direction, the Hellions on wheels on her tail. NEW ANGLE: Another comes at her, dangling a chain. As it reaches her, the Demon swings the chain, Buffy ducks and the chain wraps around the throat of the Hellion chasing her. Both Bikers fall off their motorcycles. ON BUFFY, tearing off down another road... EXT. ALLEY - MEANWHILE - NIGHT TRACKING with Willow and Tara, followed by Xander and Anya, as they make their way down the alley. Willow's armed with a crossbow, Xander with a battle-ax. ON TARA watching Willow a beat as they walk.
It wasn't your fault. Willow doesn't look at her, just keeps walking.
We don't know that the spell would've worked even if those demons hadn't--
It would've worked. Beat.
Well maybe ...
What?
(a little afraid to say) Maybe it wasn't supposed to. I mean, those d-demons coming just at the exact wrong time ... M-maybe we really were in over our heads. Invoking forces that we have no right to... Maybe the fates sent all this destruction down on us to stop us. I mean --
You mean maybe it's my fault. Tara starts to protest, but Willow stops her by putting a hand on her arm, clearly not resentful, just mournful and guilty. Tara folds her into her arms. EXT. STREET - NIGHT ON BUFFY, as she's chased by KLYED and MAG, who gun their engines, converging on her. Buffy makes a dash for a dumpster by an industrial looking building. She leaps onto it, and flips over a fence ... EXT. ALLEY - NIGHT TRACKING, as before, with Willow and the others. This time favoring XANDER and ANYA, in (hushed) mid-conversation.
I'm not saying we announce it this second...
Anya...
I think it will please them to know we're engaged. And I think Willow, in particular, could use a morale booster right now.
Can we talk about this later?
It's just that... Well, all the excuses for not telling anyone we're engaged are gone now. I mean, apart from hell-bikers, there's nothing hanging over us anymore. This is it. No more surprises. Suddenly something shadowy jumps out, landing in front of them.
Watch it! He instinctively pushes Anya back, protectively. Willow raises up her crossbow, pointing it at the filthy thing in front of them as it rises up in the foreground and they see...
(unsure) It's ... the Buffybot.
Oh, peachy. No doubt here to lead the Wild Bunch right to us again. ON BUFFY - Just looking at them, eyes darting around, feral.
Wil, next time it's damaged, couldn't you program it to find the nearest Radio Shack or-- PUSH IN on WILLOW as she takes a step forward, the first to realize ...
Buffy? BUFFY focuses on her for a half beat, then suddenly turns and runs away from them. Stunned, the others share a look. Then tear after her. EXT. ANOTHER PART OF THE ALLEY - CONTINUOUS - NIGHT The gang runs down the alley, searching.
Where did--?
(indicating an offshoot) Here. They come around a corner to find Buffy at a dead end. She crouches like a caged animal, looking around her.
Buffy... Buffy, are you...? (new approach) It's Willow. Can you hear me? Buffy doesn't look or answer, only searches for some escape.
What's wrong with her?
(almost defensively) Nothing. She's ... she's in shock.
Her hands are bleeding. Her fingernails ... PUSH IN SLOWLY ON XANDER, as he begins to understand, to his horror.
And she's filthy.
Aw no...
What?
No!! How could we... Ugh! So stupid.
Xander?!
The spell. Our little resurrection spell worked like a magic charm. We brought you back to life, Buffy. (to the others) Right where we left her... (his expression hardens) In her coffin. Willow cups a hand over her mouth.
oh... God... They look back at BUFFY, huddled up in the corner of the alley.
(under her breath) She had to dig out of her own grave. Willow turns away, devastatingly affected by this revelation as Xander takes a step toward Buffy.
Buffy? Buffy, it's Xander. We're ... sorry. We didn't know... (no response) Buffy?
You're not reaching her. She's too traumatized. A beat of tense silence. They're stumped as to what to do. Then, Anya carefully moves toward Buffy.
(gently) Hey, Buffy, here's some good news that might perk you right up. Xander and I have an announcement--
(pulling her back) Anya!
What?! I'm trying to help. XANDER Buffy. It's going to be all right. We ... We brought you back. You're home now. Buffy seems to peer up at that.
(encouraged) Yes! That s right. You're home. Buffy's face goes hard as she's looking past Xander at:
Yeah... The others pivot around to see RAZOR standing behind them, along with six other Hellions. Most armed with chains, bats, pipes. The gang (formerly known as Scoobies) are cornered.
Welcome home, Slayer. Alive and kicking after all. ON BUFFY, peering at the demons through the matted hair hanging in her face. HER POV - HANDHELD - FILTERED - ON RAZOR, his voice sounding a million miles away.
Well, alive, anyway. Not looking too good though, is she? ON XANDER, putting up a brave front.
Don't see you winning any beauty contests, unless the Miss My-Face-Fell-off Pageant gets going... Razor turns to Xander, eyeing him threateningly.
Big axe you got there.
The better to cut you down to size, grandma. Razor makes a move toward Xander. Tara whispers:
Incendire --and a jet of flame erupts between them, starting Razor back. But it's gone as soon as it appeared, like a magician's trick. Razor is still superior, but more cautious now.
So you got a witch in the mix.
More than one.
I happen to be a very powerful Manwitch myself. Or... male... is it 'warlock'?
Plus we have a Slayer here (looking at feral Buffy) who might actually be looking to eat some brains so, I think a quiet moseying, no hard feelings and I'm sure your demon horde won't think any the less of you... During a lot of this we see Buffy, uncomprehending, and her distorted POV of the stand-off.
Now, my boys, see ... that's tricky. They came looking for a massacre. And I think you got exactly enough magic between you for a kiddies birthday party.
(stepping forward) You'd be wrong.
Whoah. I better back off or you might pull a rabbit out of a hat.
(to the girls, terrified) Don't do that! Why would you do that?
(to Razor) Look. We don't want trouble. And you don't want trouble.
Of course we want trouble. We're demons. We're really all about trouble.
Not this kind. Beat.
I get your point. He back hands her in the face. She goes flying back, lands in a clatter pile of trash cans. Xander moves forward but Razor clips him before he can even swing his axe. Tara and Anya both move to their mates, terrified. ANGLE: BUFFY Who, during the following, slowly rises.
Let me tell you something, children. We're not gonna fight you. We're just gonna hold you down, enjoy ourselves for a few hours. You might even live through it, 'cept that certain of my boys got some anatomical incompatibilities that, uh, tend to tear up little girls. Buffy is slowly moving toward him. Her face getting less confused, more focussed.
So, who wants to go first? He notices Buffy finally, who steps right in front of him.
I was really hoping it'd be you. He punches her in the face. She takes the blow hard but doesn't so much as rock back. Looks at him, feeling the bit of blood on her lip. ON BUFFY, her eyes narrow on Razor as long dormant instincts kick in. Razor takes another swing at Buffy. She blocks it, then cracks him across the jaw. And again. Then slams him in the face with her heel, snapping his head back. RAZOR hits the ground hard, out cold. Both gangs are stunned, taking in what just happened. our guys look at BUFFY, who stands over Razor's prone body, breathing hard. After several beats ...
Does this mean we win? Our guys look over at the demons, who share a look, then CHARGE! They engage. Willow fires the crossbow, Xander swings the ax. ON BUFFY, ferocity building as she leaps into the fray, taking on most of the Hellions single-handedly. AS THE BATTLE RAGES ... EXT. STREET/PARKING LOT - NIGHT SPIKE and DAWN zoom along on the motorcycle. Dawn spies something and points.
There! What's that? Spike steers the bike into the heavily littered, but no longer populated, convenience store parking lot. The barrels still burning. NEW ANGLE as they come to a stop, looking down at something, disturbing to both. Dawn numbly slips off the motorcycle and removes the football helmet, never taking her eyes off of HER POV - The head and torso of the BUFFYBOT, its expression frozen into some benign half-smile, eyes wide open. Dawn lets the helmet fall to the ground as she moves to the dismembered effigy of her dead sister. Spike stands behind her, clearly affected, but trying to hide it.
Just a machine, Dawn.
I know. As she tears up, kneeling by the robot. Spike looks off then crosses away. ON DAWN as she reaches to touch the robot's face, perhaps to close its eyes, when suddenly... THE BUFFYBOT unexpectedly turns its head to look at Dawn. Dawn GASPS and yanks her hand back.
Dawn. You're my sister Dawn. Where did I go?
What?
Where did I go? I was here. Here. But then I ran away.
I don't ...
(computing). No. Not me. The other Buffy. PUSH IN on Dawn as this sinks in-
Yes. The other Buffy.
(small) Buffy... ?
I don't-- I don't know where she went. Maybe-- SPARKS sputter from one of its "wound" and it falls into a dead, suspended state again. DAWN rises, contemplating the robot's words, then turns and runs off. NEW ANGLE: SPIKE rising up holding one of the Buffybot's mangled legs, untangling the chain still attached to It.
(genuinely mournful) Tsk. Look what those filthy buggers done to you. He calls off toward Dawn, still scrutinizing the leg.
Willow's slap and paste job's not gonna do the trick this time! Robot's done-- He looks up and notices for the first time that Dawn's not there.
Hey! He looks around, panic starting to set.
Lil' Bit? NEW ANGLE - DAWN, running down the street, with purpose. Ignoring or not hearing:
(calling) Dawn!!! As Spike's voice ECHOES ... EXT. ALLEY - NIGHT THE FIGHT CONTINUES. Most of the Hellions lay dead. As the rest of our gang finish off their opponents, Buffy batt1es the two remaining Hellions, one armed with a pipe, the other a knife. In mid-tussle, the pipe-wielding Hellion raises his weapon to strike, Buffy grabs the arm of the knife-wielder, SNAPPING IT, and manages to jab her attacker, killing him. Xander gets up in time to see Buffy finish off the other Hellion by breaking his neck. As the dust settles, everyone comes together near Buffy, surveying the carnage.
Well, they wanted a massacre. Xander stares at Buffy, who's looking off.
(comforted) She's Buffy. She's herself again. BUFFY's head snaps up to look at him.
You're back, Buf. You really are ... Buffy backs away.
... whoah, whoah... Buffy suddenly turns and runs down the alley.
Buffy!
Where's she going? CLOSE ON RAZOR as his eyes snap open.
Should we follow?
I don't know... I ... Unseen by anyone, RAZOR rises up behind them, looking around at his slain brethren.
(rationalizing) She just ... needs some time, is all. The important thing is she's back... She'll be fine ... Razor brings up his fist and the switchblade claws snap open.
Everything's gonna be fine. BLACK OUT.
|
| Act Four |
|
EXT. ALLEY - NIGHT Continuous. NEW ANGLE as ANYA catches sight of RAZOR about to strike.
Xander! Look out! Xander jumps out of the way, tripping, as Razor swipes at him, missing. RAZOR glares at Anya and the others who back away. Then he turns back to Xander and moves in on him. Xander scrambles and crawls out of reach...
Now what kind of a Slayer is it runs out on her buddies ... just when they need her most. As he closes in... EXT. STREET CORNER - NIGHT BUFFY runs into frame, breathing hard. She comes to a stop by a spiky WROUGHT IRON FENCE. Then, she hesitates, holding her breath. Something occurs to her or she senses something. She looks off as a thought seeps into her consciousness. As she straightens, about to act on this new idea ... A HELLION jumps out from the darkness and attacks her. BUFFY wails on him. She jams her foot into his kneecap, smashing it, then slams him down onto the spikes of the iron fence, impaling him. She takes off as the Hellion exhales his last breath and dies. EXT. SUNNYDALE MAIN STREET - NIGHT DAWN runs into frame. She hesitates for a moment as she takes in the scene around her. REVERSE ANGLE - The street looks like a war zone. Alarms blare. A broken fire hydrant sprays water into the air. A couple of power lines, dangle from poles emitting sparks. Littered about are the shattered remnants of windows, merchandise from looted stores, and many, many beer bottles. A FEW DRUNK HELLIONS (including KLYED) loiter, cleaning out the pockets of a couple of their victims lying dead in the streets, going through wallets, etc.. DAWN, as she continues to hurry through, trying not to be noticed. KLYED spots her. Says low and creepy:
Little Girl... wanna use the street ... gotta pay a toll. DAWN picks up her pace, running now. They chase her.
Get back here! Dawn looks back at the two Hell-ions chasing her and runs smack dab into ANOTHER HELLION. The Hellion grabs her by the jacket. She SCREAMS, pulls away.
Let go of me! The jacket tears and she manages to escape his clutches. As Klyed and his friend reach the other HELLION, they stop and watch. Klyed waves a dismissive hand at her fleeing form, having lost interest. EXT. ALLEY - MEANWHILE - NIGHT RAZOR swats at Xander catching him slightly across the shoulder. Xander stumbles back and falls. As Razor moves in, Xander spies HIS POV - A metal garbage pail lid. Xander picks it up and holds it in front of himself as a shield. Razor's claw slices through it like paper.
You're next. First you. Then those bitch friends of-- WHAM! Razor's hit in the head with a pipe. He snarls in pain and turns to see ANYA wielding the pipe. Willow and Tara standing next to her, holding a bat and chain. He starts to converge on the women, when, suddenly, and somewhat surprisingly, they charge him. They get in a few sharp blows before he manages to throw them off. ON WILLOW - She looks up, willing her strength to return. Her eyes go black.
Obfuscate! She tosses out her empty hand and a grayish glob of energy appears, turning solid and viscous, as it hits Razor in the face, sticking there like fly paper. ON RAZOR, blinded and enraged, trying to pull the energy glob off ... EXT. STREET CORNER - NIGHT ON DAWN, slowing her run as she comes upon the IMPALED HELLION Buffy had left there. She squints at it for a moment and starts to continue on when she hears MOANING... NEW ANGLE - A semi-conscious Demon Biker lies in the gutter down the road, his nose spurting blood. WIDEN as Dawn crosses by it then looks further down the road as she follows the trail of violence. EXT. CONSTRUCTION SITE - NIGHT LOW ANGLE - BUFFY steps into frame, staring up at something. So much pain and confusion creasing her brow. WIDEN and TILT UP to see she's standing at the foot of Glory's tower (from episode 11). The tower from which she fell to her death. NEW ANGLE ON BUFFY as she looks off, crosses to the stairs and starts to climb... EXT. ALLEY - MEANWHILE - NIGHT Anya pounds away at Razor with the pipe as he struggles to break free of the energy glob.
Wrap the chain around his legs. Maybe we can restrain-- Tara moves in to do just that, but Razor manages to break free of the energy blob and grab Tara. Xander rushes in to help her, but gets an elbow in the face and goes down, unconscious.
(moving to him) Xander! Razor brings up his claw to slice Tara open. ON WILLOW - Eyes black, hand outstretched.
Fragilis! Razor's switchblade fingers tear across Tara, but the blades shatter to pieces on contact. Enraged, Razor tosses Tara d side and moves in on Willow. Before she can get another word out... He grabs her by the throat and lifts her off her feet.
So. Witch. Got a little power after all. He starts to squeeze. Willow struggles, to no avail.
Let's see what tricks you can manage while I choke the life out of y-- SHUNK! He suddenly freezes, drops Willow, then falls forward, dead, Xander's battle-ax buried deeply in his back. ON WILLOW, coughing, catching her breath. She looks up to see TARA, standing over her. She offers Willow her hand and pulls her to her feet.
(choking out) T-Tara?
Nobody messes with my girl. Xander comes over, propped up by Anya.
Tara. Nice axing.
My first. They share a look of prideful accomplishment, until they remember:
(looking off) Buffy. EXT. PLATFORM - MEANWHILE - NIGHT BUFFY stands at the edge of the platform of the tower, looking down. The sky is quiet and still. EXT. PLATFORM - FLASHBACK BUFFY atop the platform as the BALL OF ENERGY spews forth its apocalyptic CHAOS and NOISE. EXT. PLATFORM - NOW - NIGHT ON BUFFY, registering this flash of another life. The calmness of the night in stark contrast to the faint memory. It's actually the most peaceful of any place she's been this night. She closes her eyes. EXT. PLATFORM - FLASHBACK BUFFY, amid the din, turns to face ... DAWN, who looks at her sister, knowing without knowing.
Buffy... no ... EXT. PLATFORM - NOW - NIGHT CLOSE ON BUFFY, her eyes still closed. She mouths but doesn't speak the words we hear her say in voice-over.
Dawnie... I have to --
Buffy... ? Her eyes open. That was no memory. WIDEN to find DAWN standing at the other end of the platform, behind Buffy, staring disbelievingly at her.
Buffy? REVERSE ANGLE - As Buffy slowly turns around to look at Dawn. When she sees her, she doesn't appear to react, doesn't attempt to answer. Her eyes drift off her as if this is all some hallucination.
Buffy. How-- The words catch in her throat, as waves of mixed emotions flood her brain: fear, elation, confusion...
Is it you? I mean, really? (no response) What are you--? Buffy has turned back around again, to stare into the abyss off the platform.
No! Don't! Don't jump, Buffy! Don't move! Just ... walk to me. Please? Buffy still doesn't move -- she looks back and forth from Dawn to the edge.
I'm your sister. Dawn. We were up here together and then you went away... and you don't want to do that again. I don't know how you're back but you are and please, just stay still. As she inches herself closer, the platform suddenly GROANS and sways a little under her feet. Dawn looks down, grabs a rail to support herself.
Or move, but towards me. Because the tower was built by crazy people and I don't think it's holding up very well ... Buffy doesn't answer, just continues looking down.
(starting to lose it) Talk to me! Say something! I don't know what you're doing here. (tearing up) No! I-- I don't care what or why. I just need to know that you're--
(a small voice) Is this hell? Dawn stops.
What? ON BUFFY turning to face her. Her expression almost childlike in its desire to understand.
Is this hell?
No. Buffy, no. You're here. With me. Whatever happened to you... Whatever you've been through... It's-It's over now. You're-- She takes a step toward Buffy. The tower elicits another more pronounced GROAN.
We have to get off this tower.
(lost in thought) It was so clear here., On this spot. I remember how... shiny and clear everything was. But now, now it's ...
Buffy, please.. ON BUFFY, closing her eyes again.
Listen to me. You told me I had to be strong. And I've tried. (tears flow) It's been so hard without you, but I try to be brave. I'm sorry. I promise I'll do better. I will. If you're with me. Stay with me. Please. I need you to live. Live. For-- The SCREECH of grinding metal. Dawn looks up to see HER POV A STEEL GIRDER break away from the tower. She SCREAMS as it misses her by inches. A large section of the platform breaks away as the girder SLAMS into it on its descent. BUFFY turns to look back as the impact
causes the tower to SHUDDER violently, and the platform starts to separate
from it, banking to the side.
Buffy!
BUFFY (whispered) Dawn. (then) Dawn! She runs to Dawn, transversing the ever-tilting platform.
I'm coming!
(straining to reach the rail) I-- I can't-- BUFFY grabs Dawn as the platform lurches away further. She looks around and spies... A STEEL CABLE, dangling from a pulley, attached to the side of the tower. Buffy throws Dawn over her shoulder. The tower GROANS louder as Buffy pushes herself off, diving for the cable. Her hand grabs hold of the cable, and they start to descend. Rapidly. ON PULLEY, the friction of the cable being pulled through causing it to smoke. ON BUFFY AND DAWN -- the speed increasing, Buffy looks around for something to slow their descent. She glances down. FROM ABOVE -- we see the ground coming up to meet them. ON PULLEY--- very hot now, the smoke billowing from it. A bolt, attaching it to the tower. pops. Then another. ON THE TOWER, as the platform finally tears away from it. ON BUFFY AND DAWN, whooshing past the screen. ON PULLEY, as heat causes the cable to seize up. ON BUFFY AND DAWN -- the sudden stoppage jerking them off the line and they fall, twenty or so feet ... NEW ANGLE as-they hit the ground, hard -- Buffy taking most of the impact. ON BUFFY, winded and coughing. She looks straight up and her eyes go wide. BUFFY'S POV - the platform hurtling right at them. BUFFY rolls over, grabs a dazed Dawn and they scramble out of the way as the platform SLAMS to the ground. ON BUFFY, pulling Dawn away as she sees the tower collapsing. WIDE SHOT as they run outside of the fence encircling the construction site. Buffy shields Dawn as the tower comes CRASHING down, its metal and concrete SCREAMING, kicking up a thick cloud of dirt and debris. As it starts to clear, as everything appears to be safe... Buffy sits against the fence, exhausted, spent. She closes her eyes. DAWN, recovering, crawls to her, touches her face.
Buffy... Buffy's eyes open and go to her.
Buffy... She wraps her arms around Buffy, hugging her sister, fiercely.
You... You're really here. ANGLE ON DAWN, over Buffy's shoulder. Her eyes fill with tears.
You're alive and you're home ... ANGLE ON BUFFY in the clench, staring off, expressionless, as her sister weeps with relief and joy.
You're home. ON BUFFY'S impassive face ... BLACK OUT.
|