[The woods]
(Jules wakes up. She's naked. She gets up, walks and finds bodies mutilated. She dresses up with some of the camper's clothes and puts the limbs together so she can make a fire. She's starting the fire when a policeman arrives. He gets out of his car and come towards her. She pretends to be crying)
Policeman: good morning. Is everything alright here?
Jules: It was an animal. Fragment (consider revising) He came at us at the night
Policeman: Are you okay?
Jules: Yes but my friends! They're all dead
Policeman: I'm calling item
(He goes towards his car but Jules hits him really hard with a wooden stick two times. She kills him)
[Salvatore's house]
(Elena enters Stefan's bedroom)
Elena: Stefan? Stefan? You're standing right behind me, aren't you?
Stefan: Yep
(She turns herself and kisses him)
Stefan: Good morning
Elena: I don't want us to be apart anymore. Never
Stefan: Me neither, but...
Elena: Don't ruin the moment
(They kiss again but Stefan stops)
Elena: You're about to ruin the moment, aren't you?
Stefan: I'm totally ruining the moment. Look, I can't just pretend like everything is okay
Elena: Katherine's locked away in the tomb
Stefan: I know but we've still this pressing little issue of you being Klaus' human sacrifice
(She opens one of Stefan's drawer and takes a foil with vervain and opens it)
Elena: Yeah but Elijah promised to keep me and everyone else safe as long as we'd play by his rules
Stefan: Right. As long as you'll play by his rules
(She puts the vervain in a glass)
Elena: Please don't go after Isobel
Stefan: Katherine said Isobel could have some answers and I just have a couple questions, that's all
(She pours water in the glass with the vervain in it. She drinks)
Elena: Stefan, I made a deal with Elijah
Stefan: Right, you made a deal with him. I didn't make one. You should keep your deal
Elena: Stefan, I don't want anyone else to get hurt
Stefan: When have I ever wanted somebody to get hurt?
(She shows him the glass)
Elena: Vervain. I made it late but are you sure? Just because Katherine build up a tolerance...
Stefan: Yes, bottoms up
(He takes the glass and drinks but he coughs)
Elena: Are you okay?
Stefan: Yeah
Elena: How can Elijah compel another vampire?
Stefan: He's an original. I don't really know what that means. I don't think anybody really knows what that means. Well, except maybe Isobel. I'll maybe we should ask her
(He kisses her and leaves)
(Rose is in the library, she seems sick. Damon rejoins her)
Rose: I was born in 1450, that makes me 560 years old
Damon: Well, if you were a bottle of wine...
Rose: So I can die. I've lived long enough
Damon: You know, if you're gonna be morn, I'm just gonna kill you myself just to put me out of your misery.
(He pours blood in a glass)
Damon: Come on, it's just a little werewolf bite
Rose: Just a lethal, fatal to a vampire werewolf bite
Damon: Well, according to a legend which is notoriously unreliable source. Drink out
(He gives her the glass of blood)
Damon: Blood heals
(She drinks)
Rose: Yeah, it does feel like it's working
Damon: Let's have a look, come on. Let me see
(he looks at the wounds but it's kind of infected and worse)
Rose: How is it?
Damon: Definitely better. Right, Elena?
(Elena is in the room and seems chocked by Rose's wounds. Rose looks at her)
Elena: Uh, it's not bad.
Damon: Where's Stefan?
Elena: He left. I need you to talk to him. He's convinced that he has to find Isobel but I think that's gonna upset Elijah
Damon: No, can't do. I'm with Stefan on this one but if you could play nurse for a little while...
Rose: It's not necessary
Damon: It is necessary. Elena is a do-gooder. It's in her nature, she just can't resist
(He leaves the room. Elena looks at Rose and rejoins him)
Elena: Damon. Is she gonna die?
Damon: Probably. The wolf bite caused some kind of infection and it's getting worse
Elena: Like poison?
Damon: I don't know, Elena. I'm not an expert in the field
Elena: I'm sorry
Damon: Death happens. We come, we go. Sooner she dies will better. It's gloomy as hell in here
[Mystic Falls' high school]
(Everyone is preparing the booster club barbecue. Caroline rejoins Tyler)
Caroline: How are you feeling?
Tyler: I'm okay. I'm sore, every muscle hakes
Caroline: You did it. You know, you... your first full moon and you didn't hurt anyone. It'll get easier. You'll get better at it, you'll learn how to control it and it won't hurt so much
Tyler: Well, we don't know any of that for sure
Caroline: No but small victories, Tyler. Last night was a victory. You know, let's take it
Tyler: Look, I really want to thank you. I don't know what I would have done if you hadn't been there
(She smiles)
Caroline: Yeah, anyway, uh... next month we should probably reinforce the wall because you almost got me that one time and it just would have been, uh...
Tyler: What?
Caroline: Never mind, it's...
Tyler: Hey, no, hey. What is it?
Caroline: Well, it's not a big thing, it's just that one bites and it's... you know, curtains for me
Tyler: What are you talking about?
Caroline: The legend says that a bite from a werewolf can kill a vampire
Tyler: How do you know that?
Caroline: I... read it somewhere...
(Matt rejoins them)
Matt: Caroline, you got a second?
Tyler: Hey, Matt
Caroline: Yeah, sure
Tyler: I'll see you guys later
(He leaves so they can be alone)
Caroline: That was nothing, okay? There is nothing going on between Tyler and I, we were just talking...
Matt: I believe you. Look, Caroline, you're a lot a things but you're not a liar. You've always been strait with me, I believe you
Caroline: Well, good
Matt: And that's why I want to be strait with you because I... I think we have some wires crossed here
Caroline: Oh, okay
Matt: And you know how tauter I get and I don't like this. Whatever this is that's going on between us and I... I just want to...
(He kisses her )
Caroline: Hey, you can't
Matt: Why?
Caroline: That's just...
Matt: But Carrie...
Caroline: No Matt, okay?
(She leaves)
[Mystic Grill]
(Jules rejoins Sheriff Forbes at the bar)
Jules: Sheriff Forbes, hi. I'm Mason Lockwood's friend from Florida
Sheriff: Jules, right?
Jules: Is there any news?
Sheriff: No one's heard from him. I've opened an investigation. As soon as I hear anything I let you know
(Alaric is looking at them. He calls Damon)
Alaric: Hey, Damon. The wolf is at the grill
(She sits down at a table. Stefan rejoins him)
Stefan: Is it the....?
Alaric: Yeah, yeah. I just left Damon a message
Stefan: So you're doing his dirty work for him now
Alaric: She could have a cure for Rose. I couldn't find anything in Isobel's research except that it's fatal
Stefan: Do you still have a way to get in touch wit Isobel?
Alaric: Even if I did, she isn't gonna help
Stefan: Katherine said that Isobel knew of Klaus
Alaric: So this isn't about Rose, it's about Elena. I have an old number, probably out of service
Stefan: No harm in giving it to me then?
Alaric: You know you can't trust Isobel, even when it comes to Elena
Stefan: I know that
Alaric: Alright. I'm gonna see if I can find the number. If I do, I'll text it to you
(He leaves)
[Salvatore's house]
(Rose and Elena are in Damon's bedroom. Elena puts her in the bed)
Rose: I hate this. I'm a vampire, I've never had a cold in five centuries
Elena: Just get in the bed
Rose: We don't get sick. When we die, it's fast and sudden and it's certainly not drawn out in illness
Elena: You're not gonna die
Rose: It's such a human thing to say
(Elena looks around her)
Rose: You've never been in Damon's room before, have you?
(She takes a book and looks at it. Its ''Gone with the wind'')
Rose: Not what you expected?
Elena: It's just a room with a bed. Maybe I expected them to be silk sheets
(They smile)
Rose: You're lucky, you know. No one's ever love me the way you're loved
Elena: I doubt that
Rose: Trevor was my best friend. Nothing more. I spent all this years on the run from Elijah. I just never thought it was a good idea to set up roots. The whole idea of family is not exactly compatible with being a vampire. Why are you so eager to give up?
Elena: I'm not giving up on anything
(She gives her a glass of blood)
Rose: What do you call this all deal with Elijah?
Elena: I call it my best option
Rose: It's the easiest option
Elena: That's not fair
Rose: Do you really think that your witch friend destroyed the moonstone?
Elena: I spoke with Bonnie. I know that she had the help of another witch; unless you mean it's Elijah's witch so no, I don't
Rose: You really are determined to die, aren't you? At least I ran, you're not even trying
(She closes her eyes)
Rose: I'm so tired
(Elena is leaving but Rose is talking in her sleep)
Rose: No, stop, wait. Tell them to prepare the horses
Elena: It's okay Rose. Just get some sleep. You'll feel better when you'll wake up
Rose: Trevor, don't be so stupid. You'll never going to make it there before the sun
(Suddenly she sits down. She's in pain)
Rose: Elena, Elena, I need more blood
Elena: Yeah, of course, here
(she gives her the glass of blood. Rose drinks but threw everything up)
Elena: It's okay, everything's gonna be alright
(She rushes to the bathroom. When Elena comes back, Rose's not here anymore. When she turns herself, Rose is here and pushes her hardly against the wall)
Rose: Everything's your fault, Katerina. You Katerina, you did this
Elena: No Rose, I'm Elena
Rose: You betrayed us!
Elena: I'm not Katherine!
(Rose releases her)
Rose: Elena?
Elena: It's me, it's Elena
Rose: Oh my god Elena. I'm so sorry. I don't know what's happening to me. I'm sorry
Elena: You're gonna be alright
Rose: My mind, I'm...
Elena: It was just for a second
Rose: I'm sorry, don't be scared of me
Elena: I'm not. I'm not but you need to rest
(Rose lays on the bed)
Rose: I'm scared
Elena: You're not alone. I'm right here
Rose: Here, where's here?
Elena: Damon's bedroom, you're in Damon's bedroom
Rose: I want to go home
Elena: Tell me about it
Rose: St.Austell, 30 kilometers of the south of London. With fields and trees and horses
Elena: Sounds beautiful
Rose: When you live long enough, everything disappears. So much time wasted, I just wish I wouldn't have been so afraid
[Mystic grill]
(Jules is eating. Stefan's looking at her. He looks at his phone, Alaric's texted him the number. He calls but no one answers. He leaves a message.)
Stefan: Isobel, it's Stefan Salvatore. I need to speak with you, it's about Elena. Please know that it's important
(He hangs up and sees Damon. He sees Jules and goes toward her but Stefan stops him)
Damon: What are you doing here?
Stefan: I was waiting for you. Listen, there's a lot of people here
Damon: Oh, damn. My plan was to rip her spleen through her back
Stefan: Hey, listen, I know you're upset about Rose
Damon: Why does everyone think that I'm upset about Rose? I'm fine. I don't know if you know this but sometimes, vampires die. I'm gonna have a friendly chat with lady wolf, brother. Ease up
(He rejoins Jules. The number Stefan's called is calling. He answers and leaves)
Jules: Well, if he doesn't the one I meant to kill...I'll have to get that right next time
Damon: You won't leave to see another full moon unless... unless you tell me how to cure a wolf bite and then I won't kill you
Jules: Promise?
Damon: Yes
Jules: Bite me
(She gets up but Damon catches her arm)
Jules: I'm not afraid of you
Damon: Then you are very, very stupid
Jules: How's your friend? Rose, is that her name? have the chills started? The unbearable pain?
Damon: If there's a cure, tell me or start watching your back
Jules: Did I mention the dementia? It'll eat away her brain. Soon she'll be rabid. You want a cure? I'll tell you the only cure that exists: take a stake and drive it through her heart
(She leaves)
[Salvatore's house]
(Elena enters Damon's bedroom with new sheets)
Elena: I brought some clean sheets
(Rose is not here. Elena leaves the room to see where she is. She enters the library and calls Damon)
Elena: It's Elena, I'm worried about Rose. I think you should come home
(She hears a noise and go towards it. She finds Rose drinking blood from a bag. There's a lot of empty blood bags around her)
Elena: Oh my god
Rose: Katerina
Elena: No
(Rose goes after her. Elena runs)
Elena: Rose, stop, stop, it's Elena. I'm not Katherine
(Rose stops)
Elena: You're hallucinating. I'm not Katherine
(Rose catches her and pushes her on the floor. Elena opens the curtain. Rose is hurt by the sun so Elena runs. She tries to gets out of the house but Rose stops her and tries to bites her but Elena catches her wounds. Rose screams and Elena runs. She goes in Stefan's bedroom, locks the door and puts a furniture behind it. She opens the window so the sun can enter the room and breaks a wooden chair to make a stake. Rose tries to open the door)
Rose: Elena? I know that's you and not Katerina. Elena, please, I need your help
[Mystic Falls' high school]
(Caroline is in a corridor. Matt rejoins her)
Matt: Caroline. Why?
Caroline: Why what?
Matt: I kissed you
Caroline: I know, I was there
Matt: So why did you run away?
Caroline: You got me off guard
Matt: Yeah?
Caroline: What did you except me to do?
Matt: Not that
Caroline: Well, I'm sorry
Matt: And...?
Caroline: And what? What do you want me to say, Matt?
Matt: Something, anything. How did you feel? Anything in the roam of truth right now would be nice
Caroline: Okay, I feel... like I.... I love you
Matt: I love you then what's the problem? What are you keeping from me, Carrie? Look, if you love, you'll tell me so what is it?
(She doesn't say anything. A cheerleader arrives)
Dana: Hey Matt, we need more burgers
Matt: Yeah, not now Dana
(When he turns himself to talk to Caroline, she's not here)
[SCENE_BREAK]
[Salvatore's house]
(It's night. Elena doesn't hear anything so she leaves the room and goes downstairs. The main door is opened. She turns herself and sees Damon. She still have the stake in her hand.)
Damon: Are you okay? Where's Rose?
Elena: I don't know
[Mystic Falls' high school]
(Rose is here, in the parking lot. A man is here and sees her)
Man: Excuse me, are you okay?
(He comes closer. She bites him and drinks her blood. He falls on the floor, he's dead.)
(Damon rejoins the sheriff. The police's found the body)
Damon: Hey
Sheriff: Thanks for coming so quickly
Damon: No, I was close by Liz, what happened?
Sheriff: A vampire. Luckily one of my deputies discovered the body before anyone else saw him
Damon: You have to secure the area then
Sheriff: I take the east side of the school, you go west?
Damon: Sure, okay
(Elena Is here too. She leaves a message to Stefan)
Elena: Hey, Stefan, it's me. I don't know where you are but please call me. It's important
(Damon rejoins her)
Elena: Hey. Have you heard from him? Do you know what he's up to?
Damon: My baby brother is not exactly my priority right now. Take this
(He gives her a stake)
Damon: Come on, let's go
(They leave)
(Two students are going to their car)
Boy: Hey, what was going on back there with the police?
Girl: Some maintenance man had a hard attack. He was drop dead
(she goes into the car and waits for her boyfriend but he doesn't arrive)
Girl: Eddie?
(His body falls on the car. The girl screams. She goes out of the car but Rose is here and bites her. Damon arrives)
Damon: Rose, stop!
(She rushes toward him but he catches her and puts her on the floor)
Damon: Rose, Rose! It's me, it's Damon
(her face is normal again. She looks at The girl's body)
Rose: Did I do this? I never meant to heart anyone. I never wanted to hurt anyone
Damon: I know
(She looks at Elena)
Rose: I'm sorry, I'm so sorry
Damon: Come on, let's get you home
Rose: no, I don't have a home, I didn't had a home in so long
(She cries)
Rose: Oh make it stop, please make it stop!
(He takes her in his arms and they leave)
[Salvatore's house]
(Rose and Damon are in his bedroom. She's in the bed)
Damon: Hi there
Rose: I'm sorry
Damon: You went on a murder drop age. It happens
(Elena enters the room)
Rose: I'm sorry, Elena. I don't like taking human lives, I never have
Damon: You shouldn't be here
Rose: It's the worst part about it: the hunt, the need to kill, the thirst, the pleasure it brings you afterwards. I wasn't meant to be evil. It hurts
Damon: Stop talking about it
Rose: Damon's a lot like me. He wants to care but when he does he runs away from it. I'm sorry for what I've done today
Elena: I know
Rose: And you need to fight. I know you're scared but you have to do it anyway
(She coughs. Elena comes closer and puts her arm under her neck)
Rose: Why are you so nice to me?
Elena: Us humans
Rose: You can't never forget it, what it's like to be human. It haunts me. It's the only thing that keeps me going. It doesn't hurt much anymore
(Suddenly she's hurt and screams)
Elena: What do we do?
Damon: Go
Elena: Damon...
Damon: Just go, I got this
(She leaves. Damon goes in the bed with Rose and takes her in hi arms)
Rose: Oh god! Make it stop, make it stop! I can't take it anymore, make it stop!
[Caroline's house]
(Tyler is waiting for Caroline. She arrives)
Tyler: Hey. Where have you been?
Caroline: At school. What's up? What's going on?
Tyler: We need to talk
Caroline: Why? What's wrong with you?
Tyler: I just don't understand one thing
Caroline: What?
Tyler: Why would you risk it? If a werewolf bite kills a vampire... why would you risk it?
Caroline: Because you needed help
Tyler: I could have killed you
Caroline: But you didn't
Tyler: I don't understand you, Caroline
Caroline: Why is it so hard for you to let someone else help you?
Tyler: That's not it
Caroline: Yes it is, Tyler. It's like you don't want anyone to care about you and I'm sorry I cared. I care Tyler so forgive me if I overstepped my boundaries by actually giving in
(He kisses her)
Caroline: You can't do that
Tyler: I'm sorry, it's...
Caroline: Everyone just need to stop kissing me!
(She goes inside and shot the door)
[Salvatore's house]
(Damon is still with Rose)
Rose: Who would have thought you'd be nice?
Damon: I'm not nice. I'm mean. I like it
Rose: You're lying
Damon: Shut, shut, just sleep. Just sleep
[Rose's dream]
(Rose is in a dress, her hair are long. There are horses. She runs and sits down next to Damon)
Rose: This was my favorite place to comes ago. How did you know?
Damon: Word gets around. You told Elena
Rose: Am I dreaming?
(She closes are eyes and breath)
Rose: The sun is so warm. I miss this. I miss being human
Damon: Humanity is not all cranked off to be
Rose: I had friends, I had a family, I mattered
Damon: You still do
Rose: no but you do. You built a life whether you want to admit it or not. I spent 500 years just existing
Damon: You didn't have a choice, you were running from Klaus
Rose: There's always a choice
Damon: You know, you're ruining our perfect day with your strange philosophical babbling
(She embraces him)
Rose: I'd like to enjoy the fresh air. Would you enjoy it with me?
Damon: For a while
Rose: Thank you
Damon: For what?
Rose: The pain's gone
Damon: I'm glad
Rose: Will I see them again? My family?
Damon: I think you'll see whoever you want to see
Rose: That would be nice. Maybe I'll see Trevor too. I'm not afraid anymore
(She gets up)
Rose: I'll race you to the trees
Damon: Well, you'll lose
Rose: I'm older and faster
Damon: Oh, you think?
(He gets up)
Damon: Well, I'm compelling this dream. Maybe I'll cheat
Rose: On the count of three. One, two, three
[Salvatore's house]
(Damon takes a stake and drive it through her heart. He cries. Rose's dead)
[Middle of nowhere]
(Sheriff Forbes rejoins Damon. He opens his trunk)
Damon: Here's your vampire
(Rose is in the trunk. The sheriff is surprised)
Sheriff: How did you find her?
Damon: It doesn't matter. What matters is that it's over
Sheriff: Thank you Damon. Once again, you've help keep this town safe
Damon: I'll take care of burying the body
(He closes the trunk)
[Mystic Grill]
(Tyler rejoins Jules)
Jules: Thank you for coming
Tyler: So what do you want from me?
Jules: Just to be your friend. Mason would have wanted that. I know about Mason and you
Tyler: You know what?
Jules: I know you're a werewolf and I know your little friend Caroline is a vampire
Tyler: How do you know about Caroline?
Jules: You can't sniff them out?
(He doesn't answer)
Jules: Oh my god. You're brand new. How many times have you turned?
(he doesn't answer)
Jules: Hey, I can help you
Tyler: Do you know where Mason is?
Jules: He's dead, Tyler. He was murdered
Tyler: No
Jules: You want to know who murdered him?
Tyler: Just stop
Jules: Your little blond vampire did
Tyler: No, Caroline would never do this
Jules: She and her little vampires friends were behind it, Tyler
Tyler: Caroline is the only vampire in town
Jules: Is that what she told you? She lied, this town is crawling with vampires but don't worry, we'll get them
Tyler: Who are you?
Jules: I'm your friend. There are others like us and they're on their way
[Salvatore's house]
(Damon arrives. Elena's here)
Damon: You were supposed to leave
Elena: I did but then I came back to make sure that you're okay
(She gives him a glass of scotch)
Damon: I appreciate the gesture. I'm just glad it's over
(He drinks)
Elena: You know I don't believe that
Damon: Go home, Elena. Get some rest. It's a whole new day tomorrow
Elena: Damon, I'm you're friend
Damon: I'm well aware of that
Elena: And a friend usually knows when her friend is hurting
Damon: What do you want to hear? That I cared about Rose? That I'm upset? Well I didn't and I'm not
Elena: There you go, pretending to turn it off, pretending not to feel. Damon, you're so close, don't give up
Damon: I feel Elena, okay? And it sucks! What sucks even more is that it was supposed to be me. Jules was coming after me
Elena: You feel guilty
Damon: That would be human of me, wouldn't Elena? And I'm not human. You want to talk about giving up? All you've done is give up! Go home. It's been enough doom, gloom and personnel growth for one night
Elena: Okay, I will
(She embraces him)
Elena: Good night Damon
(She leaves)
[Gilbert's house]
(Elena arrives. Stefan's here)
Elena: Stefan, you're home
Stefan: Rose? I... I called Isobel
Elena: I know
Stefan: I'm sorry, I had to
Elena: It's okay. Did you find her
Uncle John: Not exactly. Hello Elena
Elena: Uncle John
[The road]
(A girl is driving but she stops because a man is laying on the road. She gets out and rushes over him. It's Damon)
Jessica: Sir, are you okay? What happened?
Damon: I'm... lost
Jessica: And you're laying in the middle of the road?
Damon: Not that kind of lost
(He sits down)
Damon: Metaphorically, existentially
Jessica: Do you need help?
Damon: Well, yes I do. Can you help me?
(He takes a bottle from his pocket and drinks)
Jessica: You're drunk
Damon: No. Well, yes a little maybe
(She starts to leave)
Damon: No please don't leave. I really do need help
(He rushes over her and compels her)
Damon: Don't move
Jessica: I don't want ant trouble
Damon: Neither do I but it's al I got: trouble
Jessica: Why can't I move?
Damon: What's your name?
Jessica: Jessica
Damon: Hi Jessica. I have a secret, I have a big one but I never said it out load. I mean, what's the point? It's not gonna change anything, it's not gonna make me good, made me an adopted puppy. I can't be what other people want me to be, what she wants me to be. This is who I am, Jessica.
Jessica: Are you gonna hurt me?
Damon: I'm not sure because you are my existential crisis. Do I kill you or do I not kill you?
Jessica: Please don't
Damon: But I have to, Jessica because I'm not human and I miss it. I miss it more than anything in the world! That is m secret but there is only so much hurt a man can take
Jessica: Please, don't
(He cries)
Damon: You're free to go
(She runs to her car but Damon rushes over her and bites her. She's dead)


•I do not own the characters or situations of BTVS, and I claim no credit for the content of this episode. I have merely transcribed what appeared on my screen, with help from the closed captions. •I prefer that you link to this transcript on the Psyche site rather than post it on your site, but you can post it on your site if you want, as long as you keep my name and email address on it. Please also keep my disclaimers intact. •You can use my transcripts in your fanfiction stories; you don't have to ask my permission. (However, if you use large portions of episode dialogue in your fanfic, I recommend you give credit to the person who wrote the episode.) •I apologize in advance for my lame transcription of the fight scenes. I don't know the names of different punches and kicks. Use your imagination.
[SCENE_BREAK]
GILES VOICEOVER: Previously on Buffy the Vampire Slayer...
Dawn stealing a coin from the magic shop. Buffy and Dawn in Dawn's bedroom.
DAWN: You're never here. You can't even stand to be around me.
BUFFY: That is not true.
DAWN: You didn't want to come back. I know that. You want to go away again. The demon poker game.
SPIKE: I'm in.
LOOSE-SKINNED DEMON: Ante up. Kittens mewing.
BUFFY: You're gonna play cards?! Halfrek appearing in the living room.
HALFREK: I have been called, and vengeance shall I wreak. Anya gasping.
HALFREK: Hello.
ANYA: Halfrek!
HALFREK: Anyanka? Anya and Halfrek squealing and hugging.
ANYA: How are you?
XANDER: You two, you know each other?
ANYA: Funny, Halfrek, I didn't summon you to kill Xander, I called to invite you to our wedding. Willow and Tara outside the magic shop.
WILLOW: Tara. What are you doing here? Uh, it's okay for you to be here if you have things that ... you have to be here for. I'm doing better. No spells for 32 days. Tara and Buffy in the living room.
TARA: Buffy, I promise, there's nothing wrong with you.
BUFFY: There has to be. Why do I feel like this? Why do I let Spike do those things to me? Buffy and Spike kissing.
TARA: Oh!
BUFFY: Don't tell anyone, please.
TARA: I won't.
[SCENE_BREAK]
Teaser
[SCENE_BREAK]
Open on a small table with several stakes and daggers on it. Reveal Buffy who begins putting the weapons into a bag. We're in the Summers living room. Dawn stands behind Buffy.
BUFFY: (sighs) I'm sorry.
DAWN: It's okay.
BUFFY: No, we're gonna sit down and have a real dinner. Someday. I hate having to run out in the middle, it's just, you know, there's this thing out there. Definitely non-vampire.
DAWN: (smiling) I understand. Buffy picks up the bag, goes toward the door.
DAWN: Well, maybe when you get back we can set up for your party tomorrow.
BUFFY: Yeah. Uh, this could take a while though, I-I wouldn't wait up. (putting on her coat) Besides, Willow promised to be on birthday patrol, so there's nothing left for us to do. (smiling)
DAWN: Right.
BUFFY: Okay, so, finish dinner, homework, and don't stay up too late, all right?
DAWN: Okay.
BUFFY: Okay. Buffy turns to go. Dawn watches with a smile. As soon as the door closes behind Buffy, Dawn stops smiling. Stands there, alone, looking unhappy.
Cut to graveyard, night. Buffy walks along holding a large axe with a metal handle. Suddenly a large demon with red skin and a spiny crest on its head leaps out behind her. Buffy whirls around. The demon swings a large sword at her. She ducks, then blocks with her axe. The demon's sword bends the axe handle, then pulls it out of Buffy's hand. It flies off and lands in the ground. The demon swings at Buffy again and she gets hold of his sword arm, twists it around behind his back. Suddenly the demon shimmers and disappears. Buffy looks around in confusion. The demon reappears behind her. She kicks him in the face, punches him, kicks again. He falls back. His sword goes flying up into the air. Buffy catches the sword on its way down. The demon charges her. She stabs him right in the stomach. Blue light flashes out in a circle from the wound. The demon roars and grabs his stomach. Buffy pulls the sword out and falls back onto the ground. The sword lands point-down in the ground. The demon falls to his knees, still roaring. He shimmers and turns into a bolt of silver light that shoots over to the sword and into it. We can see his face reflected in the sword's blade. Buffy is still on the ground, facing the other way.
BUFFY: Run off, huh? Afraid to face a true warrior? She gets up and sees the sword.
BUFFY: Ooh, shiny. She smiles, pulls the sword out of the ground and twirls it around. Walks off, holding it. Wolf howl, opening credits. Guest starring Kali Rocha, Ryan Browning, and Amber Benson as Tara. Written by Drew Z. Greenberg, directed by Michael Gershman.
[SCENE_BREAK]
Act I
[SCENE_BREAK]
Open in the magic shop. Anya stands by the shelves dusting statues.
ANYA: Do you think we should set up lots of candles for Buffy's party tomorrow? Pan over to reveal Xander and Willow sitting at a small round table doing paperwork.
XANDER: Not if they're that horrible slug kind you keep trying to unload.
ANYA: (walking past) I don't know why people get so turned off by slug.
XANDER: Honey, slugs get turned off by slug. (to Willow) Oh, actually, I wanted to talk to you about that.
WILLOW: Slugs?
XANDER: No, the party. Or, Tara ... at the party.
WILLOW: Oh.
XANDER: It's just ... Buffy really wants her there. It seems important to her, so I told her I'd ask you.
WILLOW: (smiling) Oh ... yeah, of course, she should totally be there. It'll be great. Dawn enters. She wears a red t-shirt with a beige sweater over it, and has a red coat over her arm.
DAWN: (smiling) Hey!
WILLOW: Hey, Dawnie. Buffy, uh, out patrolling already? (Dawn nods)
XANDER: So, uh, anything new about Warren and the Nerd Herd?
DAWN: No, just a big monster hunt.
XANDER: Man, a nerd goes into hiding, he really goes into hiding.
DAWN: Does anybody want to come to the mall with me for birthday presents?
WILLOW: Oh, I would, honey, but ... I've got my group. You know, the whole Spellcasters Anonymous thing? We're still looking for a better name.
DAWN: Oh. Well, yeah, uh, no, that-that's good. You should ... do that. (beat) So what about you guys?
ANYA: Stuck in doing-the-books-ville.
XANDER: Aw, I'd love to go with you, but I gotta finish this new shift schedule for the crew by tomorrow morning. Dawn looks disappointed.
WILLOW: Sorry, it just looks like one of those nights. You know?
DAWN: Yeah.
WILLOW: You okay going on your own?
DAWN: Yeah. Somehow I'll, uh, manage to pull it off. Willow gives her a little smile. Dawn grimaces, turns to leave.
Cut to: overhead shot of Sunnydale, night.
Cut to: exterior shot of the Summers house.
Cut to inside. Dawn enters the front door, cautiously, looking around. She is wearing the red coat. Pan across the foyer into the empty dining room.
DAWN: Buffy? Dawn starts up the stairs.
Cut to Dawn's bedroom. Overhead shot of Dawn as she enters, closes the door behind her, turns on the light. She puts her purse on the bed and reaches into her coat pockets.
Cut to a closer shot as she pulls a handful of jewelry from the pockets, still with the price tags attached. She looks at the handful for a moment, puts it on the bed, takes out another handful of jewelry and puts that on the bed too. She takes off her red coat, revealing a tight shiny leather jacket that she wears over the red t-shirt. She goes over to the closet, opens the door revealing a full-length mirror. She checks out the jacket in the mirror. We can see the price tag still hanging from the sleeve. She pulls the jacket tightly around her.
Cut to: high school classroom, next day. Pan across bored students.
TEACHER: ...if we can come up with things Jim lost during his years in Shanghai, and things he gained. (Shot of Dawn doodling)
STUDENT: Excuse me.
TEACHER: Who wants to- A student comes in and gives the teacher a piece of paper.
TEACHER: Dawn. Dawn looks up, alarmed.
TEACHER: They need you in the guidance office. Dawn continues looking alarmed as she gathers up her stuff.
Cut to: long shot of Dawn walking down an empty hall lined with lockers.
GUIDANCE COUNSELOR VOICEOVER: I'm sorry, I didn't mean to scare you.
Cut to the outside of the office. Through opened venetian blinds we can see Dawn sitting across the desk from the guidance counselor woman.
GUIDANCE COUNSELOR: Just a follow-up after your ... your loss. And since I'm new here, I thought it would give us a chance to know each other.
Cut to inside the office. The guidance counselor is a fairly young woman wearing a small blue pendant around her neck.
DAWN: Great.
GUIDANCE COUNSELOR: So, I've been looking through your file (shuffling papers on her desk) and, um ... your grades have slipped a little.
DAWN: I have really hard classes this quarter.
GUIDANCE COUNSELOR: Yeah, still. Teachers say that you seem a little distracted lately.
DAWN: I'm not. I-I'm fine.
GUIDANCE COUNSELOR: Okay. It's just, you know, I know it must seem weird, (small laugh) talking to a stranger about stuff, but, um ... I want you to know that if something's going on, something's up, my job ... the most important part of my job ... is looking out for you. She smiles. Dawn looks surprised, returns a very small smile of her own.
DAWN: I'm really okay. The counselor nods slowly, sits back.
GUIDANCE COUNSELOR: I know there's been ... a lot of loss. Dawn looks down.
DAWN: (quietly) Yeah. Kinda. (looks up) I-I mean, yes. People keep ... people have a tendency to go away ... and, I miss them. And sometimes ... I wish I could just make them stop. Going away. The counselor smiles. Dawn pauses, waves her hands dismissively.
DAWN: But seriously, it's, it's no big deal. I'm fine.
Cut to: close shot on a table laden with several trays of hors d'oeuvres.
XANDER: (OS) We're feeding an army!
BUFFY: (OS) No, they couldn't make it. Pan out to reveal that it's the island in Buffy's kitchen. Anya is preparing the food while Buffy sits opposite. Xander stands beside Anya.
XANDER: So, who's coming, you invite anyone else?
BUFFY: Just you guys. Willow, Tara. The gang. Oh, and Sophie from work. Xander and Anya look at her, exchange a look.
BUFFY: What? Like I'm one of those losers who can't make friends outside her tight little circle? No. I'm friendly. We bonded instantly. Peas in a pod. Bonded peas.
ANYA: Really? Um, what's Sophie's last name? Buffy thinks for a moment, frowns.
BUFFY: (pouting) Okay, shut up.
XANDER: Don't worry about it, we're all over the new friend thing. (Anya smiling)
BUFFY: What ... new friend thing?
ANYA: (smiling) Well, well ... we invited someone for you. Buffy looks horrified.
ANYA: (whispers) A guy.
DAWN: (entering) For Buffy? Really? (smiling)
XANDER: Ahh, don't worry, it's not a setup.
ANYA: (grinning) Right. No. Just an attractive single man, with whom we hope you find much in common. (Buffy looking annoyed) And if you happen to form-
XANDER: Ahn-
ANYA: -a romantic relationship leading to babies-
XANDER: Ahn-
ANYA: -and many double dates with us so we have someone else to talk to, yay! Xander looks uncomfortable.
BUFFY: I assume this was an act of kindness? (Xander looking embarrassed) That'll help with the not throttling. Buffy gives Xander a meaningful look. He gives a fake laugh.
XANDER: Hey, I'm just gonna get this stuff out there, people should be here soon. He picks up some of the food.
Cut to the foyer, later. Buffy opens the door to reveal Tara, holding a small gift box.
BUFFY: Hey! You made it! They smile and hug.
TARA: Of course, sweetie. (pulls back) So, how're you doing?
BUFFY: Oh, you know. Better. Mostly. (Tara looking sympathetic) Sometimes.
TARA: So, is, um... (looks around) Spike coming?
BUFFY: No. He may be a chip-head, but ... he still doesn't play too well with others. Tara smiles, turns to put down the gift and hang up her coat.
BUFFY: Besides, I'm definitely not ready to, to...
TARA: (turns back) Come out.
BUFFY: (smiles) Yeah. I'm all ... stay-inny. Tara smiles and nods.
Cut to upstairs. Willow is standing in front of a mirror, very nervously adjusting her clothing. Cut back to downstairs.
BUFFY: How are you doing?
TARA: (anxious) The word "gulp" comes to mind.
BUFFY: (sympathetic) Just remember, we're all here...to... Willow appears at the top of the stairs, coming down. Tara looks nervous.
BUFFY: ...I have to, with the thing that I, uh... Coming! Buffy exits ungracefully. Tara and Willow face each other nervously.
WILLOW: Hey.
TARA: Hey.
WILLOW: Hey. (pause) How are you?
TARA: Fine, thanks, I'm ... I'm fine. I, how are you?
WILLOW: (smiling) Great! I mean... (stops smiling) Fine. I'm, I'm ... finey McFine. Fine.
TARA: Y-you look...
WILLOW: (smiles) Thanks. (stops smiling, looks embarrassed)
TARA: I mean ... great.
WILLOW: (embarrassed) Thanks. You do too. Is that a new-
TARA: Oh, yeah. (glancing nervously at her dress)
WILLOW: It's nice.
TARA: Thanks. Very awkward silence.
TARA: I-I'm gonna get something to drink.
WILLOW: Oh, yeah, great. You should. Tara exits toward the kitchen.
WILLOW: (muttering to herself) You don't wanna get thirsty.
Cut to the kitchen. Buffy is filling paper cups from a large pitcher. Tara enters.
BUFFY: Hey, how did it-
TARA: Yes please. Tara takes a cup from Buffy's hand and drinks. Buffy looks surprised. Knocking at the back door. Buffy stands up. Spike enters, holding a 6-pack of beer under one arm. Someone else enters behind him but we can't see who it is.
BUFFY: (surprised) Spike.
SPIKE: Yeah. Willow mentioned the shindig ... figured we're all part of the team. We see that Spike still has a large bruise over one eye from being beaten by Buffy in "Dead Things." Buffy gives Tara a nervous look.
SPIKE: Thought I'd, uh, swing by. Reveal the other person behind Spike. It's the loose-skinned demon from the poker game in "Life Serial." Buffy frowns.
BUFFY: Wait, what kind of team is this?
DEMON: Hi. We met once before.
BUFFY: Yes, yes we did.
SPIKE: You know, more, merrier, that whole thing.
DEMON: (to Tara) Hi, I'm Clement. Clem.
TARA: Tara. Xander enters with a young hunky blond man wearing a red shirt (Star Trek fans, take note).
XANDER: Buffy, Richard.
BUFFY: (smiling) Hey.
XANDER: He was wondering where the best place was to park his car.
BUFFY: Oh, that's easy, just-(pointing)
XANDER: Buffy will show ya. Xander shoves Richard toward Buffy. They look at each other nervously.
BUFFY: Okay, uh... (to Tara) I'll be right back. Over Richard's shoulder, Buffy looks at Spike. He raises one eyebrow. Buffy takes Richard's arm and leads him toward the front. Richard pauses in the doorway.
RICHARD: (whispers) Uh ... the guy with the...
BUFFY: Skin condition. He doesn't like to talk about it. Buffy leads Richard away.
SPIKE: Stupid git! (closing the back door)
TARA: I don't know. He seemed ... cute. W-was he cute? I mean, I'm not a very good judge, but... Spike scowls.
TARA: (grinning) I think he seemed cute.
CLEM: (agreeably) I think he seemed cute, yeah. Spike gives them both a look of outrage.
Cut to the living room. Xander sits on the sofa; Dawn and Anya stand nearby.
DAWN: If we get Buffy, can, can she start on opening the presents? It's been enough time, hasn't it?
ANYA: Not yet, sweetie.
XANDER: I think Buffy's busy right now.
ANYA: (as if talking to a small child) Buffy's making a new friend. A grown-up friend.
DAWN: What, you mean the guy you invited to set her up with?
ANYA: Nothing.
DAWN: It's not like I don't understand why you invited him. I was there, remember? I can hear you when I'm in the room, you know? (Anya just nodding) I do understand these things.
ANYA: (patronizing) Yes you do! (patting Dawn on the head)
DAWN: You know I'm in high school, right?
ANYA: Yes you are! Dawn stares at Anya in disbelief.
Cut to Buffy coming down from upstairs. Spike intercepts her in the foyer and backs her into a corner.
SPIKE: You wanna slip away for a minute, luv?
BUFFY: What?
SPIKE: I'll let you blow out my candles.
BUFFY: Here. Now? I don't think so.
SPIKE: Oh, what, you worried about Richard? You don't wanna make your new boyfriend jealous, huh?
BUFFY: (grinning) Shut up. He's ... sweet.
SPIKE: (teasing) "Oh, shut up, he's sweet."
BUFFY: Maybe he's not the jealous one. Spike looks surprised. Buffy moves past him and away.
SPIKE: You think he'll take you out on his ten-speed, pet? (to himself) Maybe he'll let you ride in that little basket in the front. (scoffs) Jealous my ass. He sighs, looks around in frustration.
Cut to later. Buffy sits on the sofa, looking skeptically at a device with a large head with two round knobs on it.
BUFFY: Uh... We see Willow sitting on Buffy's right. Dawn sits on Buffy's left, fidgeting very obviously.
WILLOW: See? i-it's a battery-operated back massager. And it's portable so you can take it with you on patrol.
BUFFY: (dubious) Wow.
WILLOW: (smiling) It's like, instant gratification for all your little acheys. Buffy looks over at Spike leaning in the doorway. Spike raises his eyebrow and gives his best suggestive smirk.
BUFFY: (quickly) Great! Thanks! (puts the massager aside) Uh, what's next?
DAWN: (excited) Here, do mine. Dawn turns to pick up a large flat box behind her, gives it to Buffy. Buffy begins unwrapping it. Shot of Spike watching, glancing over at Clem. Shot of Clem and Tara watching. Buffy removes the paper to reveal a plain white box. She opens it and looks inside.
BUFFY: (surprised) Dawn. Close shot on the box, containing the black leather jacket that Dawn was wearing earlier.
DAWN: (smiling) Do you like it?
BUFFY: (lifting it out of the box) It's ... gorgeous.
DAWN: I was so nervous. I was afraid you wouldn't like it. Buffy looks at the jacket, frowns. Close shot on the sleeve which has the security tag attached.
BUFFY: I-it still has the security tag on it. Dawn looks alarmed, covers quickly.
DAWN: Huh. That's so weird. I can't believe they didn't take that off. Buffy stares at her.
XANDER: (OS) Happy birthday, Buffy! Everyone turns to see Xander and Anya wheeling in a large wooden chest.
BUFFY: Oh my god! Xander and Anya place the chest in the middle of the room and gesture proudly.
BUFFY: Did you guys make that? Buffy gets up, thrusting the box with the jacket into Dawn's lap. Dawn looks dismayed.
ANYA: Uh, well, uh, Xander did the building. (Dawn still looking upset) I offered helpful suggestions while observing from a safe distance. Buffy kneels down to open the chest. Xander holds the lid open and leans over to speak softly so Richard won't hear.
XANDER: Holds basic weapons, (Buffy smiling) plus a few non-basic ones too. (loudly) Plus, there's a handsome CD holder. Shot of Dawn looking disgusted, folding the jacket back into the box.
ANYA: (OS) We wanted you to have something no one else would have.
BUFFY: (OS) A Xander Harris original. Sound of the doorbell ringing.
BUFFY: I love it. Thanks, you guys! Buffy leans across the chest to kiss Xander on the cheek. In background we see Tara opening the front door.
TARA: Buffy? Buffy hugs Anya, turns around.
BUFFY: Oh! Sophie! We see a nervous-looking young woman standing in the doorway.
BUFFY: Welcome! (Sophie exchanging smiles with Tara) Uh, we're somewhere between, uh, presents and cake. (to Anya) There is gonna be cake eventually, right? (Anya nodding)
SOPHIE: (walking into the living room) Hey. Uh, my mom told me to say thank you right away, 'cause, otherwise I usually forget. So, thank you. Buffy and Anya listen to this politely. We see Spike in the background watching.
SOPHIE: And, also, um, I can't have any, any chocolate, or, or peanuts or egg yolks.
ANYA: (whispers to Buffy) Is this the friend you brought from work?
BUFFY: Yes.
SOPHIE: A-and sometimes dairy.
BUFFY: No problem. Sophie looks around at the others. Clem gives her a friendly smile and wave. Tara smiles too.
ANYA: (whispers to Buffy) Our friend is better. Dawn gets up and moves toward the foyer as Sophie moves farther inside. Spike remains leaning against the door frame.
BUFFY: (OS) Uh, we can do official introductions now that everyone's officially here. Dawnie, you mind getting the door? Dawn goes past Spike and Tara to the open door.
BUFFY: (OS) Sophie, this is Anya ... and Willow... Shot from on the porch looking in. Dawn stands in the doorway, looks unhappily back at the party, then outside. Slowly, she closes the door. Pan across the outside of the door to the porch. Dawn's guidance counselor walks out of the shadows, on the porch. She walks over to the front door, smiling slightly. She stops walking and her face morphs into demon-face -- she is Halfrek. She speaks in her deep resonant demon voice (see episode "Doublemeat Palace").
HALFREK: Wish granted. Blackout.
[SCENE_BREAK]
Act II
[SCENE_BREAK]
Open on the party. Loud rock music is playing. Pan across Sophie and Clem dancing together. Pan across Willow sitting in a chair with Xander sitting on its arm, both talking and moving to the beat. Pan to the sofa where Anya sits waving her hand to the beat. Dawn sits beside her, looking bored. Zoom in on Dawn. She looks like she's trying to pretend she's enjoying herself. She experiments with a couple of different smiles.
Cut to the foyer. Buffy comes out of the dining room and encounters Richard in the hall.
RICHARD: Hey.
BUFFY: Hi.
RICHARD: Great party. Everyone's havin' fun.
BUFFY: (smiling) I hope so.
RICHARD: I mean, look what time it is and no one's even thinking about leaving. I, uh ... can't tear myself away.
BUFFY: (smiling uncertainly) Yeah?
RICHARD: Yeah. Can I get you a drink? Behind Richard we see Spike appear in the living-room doorway, observing.
BUFFY: Uh ... I'm good, thank you.
RICARD: Okay.
BUFFY: (awkward) I think I'll just ... head back in.
RICHARD: Well ... I'll look for you.
BUFFY: (smiling) Okay. Richard smiles, goes past her and into the dining room.
SPIKE: Ooh, Buffy. (Buffy rolling her eyes) Can I get you a soda pop? I think I'm in looove. Spike walks up to her, smirking. He tries to take her hands but she pulls them away. But she is smiling too.
BUFFY: Stop it. Someone's gonna see. She walks toward the kitchen. Spike follows, stops her at the doorway, putting one hand on the wall beside her head to block her way.
SPIKE: Mm-hmm. He puts his other hand on her shoulder, runs it down her arm, takes her hand and pulls it onto his thigh. Someone appears at the other end of the hall. Buffy quickly pulls her hand back as both she and Spike look over. It's Tara, looking a bit taken aback. Buffy glances at Spike, pushes past him and exits toward the kitchen. Spike looks at Tara with a slightly nervous smile. Tara looks innocent.
SPIKE: I had ... a ... muscle cramp. Buffy was, uh, helping.
TARA: (small grin) A muscle cramp? In your ... (looks down at him, then away) pants?
SPIKE: What, it's a thing.
TARA: (grinning) Right. She walks off. Spike looks disgruntled.
ANYA VOICEOVER: No, you go.
Cut to the dining room. Xander sits in a chair with Anya on his lap, both nuzzling each other in disgusting coupley fashion. Sophie and Willow sit opposite.
XANDER: (teasing, nuzzling) No, you go.
ANYA: (teasing, nuzzling) No, you go.
WILLOW: Okay! Xander and Anya stop, look over at Willow.
WILLOW: It's just a beer run, I'll go.
SOPHIE: Oh, well, I can't really drink beer, 'cause you know, barley. But I'll go with you to get some.
WILLOW: Perfect. Here we go. The beer-gettin'. They all continue to sit there, not moving. After a moment Willow leans over and puts her head on the table. Xander and Anya resume nuzzling.
Cut to the living room. Dawn, Buffy, Richard, and Anya are playing Monopoly on the coffee-table.
BUFFY: This sucks. I'm out. (giving money to Anya)
RICHARD: No way. I think you're doing fine. Pan over to the other table where Clem, Xander, Spike, and Tara are playing cards.
XANDER: (to Buffy) You wanna try poker?
CLEM: Still say it's weird without the kittens.
BUFFY: No kittens. (Richard giving her a funny look) He's quirky.
RICHARD: Look, we've already been playing for like three hours, it's, you know, it's like two-something in the morning. You can't bail now.
ANYA: Yeah, come on, Buffy, stay. I wanna bankrupt somebody. (Buffy giving her a sour look)
DAWN: Oh! We should totally have a slumber party.
BUFFY: (uncertain) Oh, I don't know... (looking around) I guess, as long as everyone's staying up anyway.
SPIKE: Must be some late-night activities to keep us busy till morning. (giving Buffy a suggestive look) (Buffy glaring at him)
TARA: How's that cramp, Spike? Still bothering you?
SPIKE: What? Oh. Yeah.
TARA: Maybe you, uh, wanna put some ice on it. Tara gives an innocent little smile. Spike looks confused, frowns, looks at his cards. Shot of the foursome playing Monopoly. Close shot of Dawn looking around and smiling hugely.
Cut to later. Sunlight coming in the windows. Willow and Sophie are asleep on the sofa. Xander, Dawn, and Clem sit on the floor watching cartoons on TV. The Monopoly game, food, beverages, presents, etc. are scattered everywhere. Pan across the room to Buffy and Spike sitting on the floor beside the new weapons chest. Buffy is shuffling the deck of cards. Richard enters from the kitchen.
RICHARD: Hey Xander, we gotta be at work in a few minutes. Close shot of the three watching TV.
XANDER: (staring at TV) Okay. Shot of the cartoons playing on the TV.
RICHARD: I can't be late today.
SPIKE: You should definitely go. Let's find your coat and get you on your merry way.
BUFFY: Spike.
RICHARD: (confused) I don't know why I'm not leaving.
SPIKE: Me either. Besides, Richie, you can't skip breakfast. Growing boy like you. (Buffy glaring at him) Me, I used to love breakfast. In the old days, I probably would have eaten by now. (looks menacingly at Richard)
BUFFY: Of course, with that new diet of yours, you wanna be careful what you try puttin' in your mouth now, Spikey. (giving him a meaningful look)
SPIKE: Yeah? I don't know. Tummy's making all kinds of gurglies. Maybe I oughta just feed on whatever's around... (Buffy looking at Richard. Richard looking bemused) even if it doesn't go down well. (to Richard) You, uh, work out?
BUFFY: Okey-dokey. Buffy quickly gets up, grabs Spike by his sleeve, hauls him to his feet and toward the door.
BUFFY: (to Richard) 'Scuse us. Buffy hauls Spike into the foyer.
BUFFY: Hey, Mister Passive-Aggressive Guy. Seriously, you wanna take it down a notch or two in there?
SPIKE: What, poor dainty Richard can't take a joke?
BUFFY: (firmly) We do not joke about eating people in this house!
SPIKE: (angrily) What are you gonna do, beat me up again?
BUFFY: I should have thrown you out the second you got here. (Spike rolling his eyes) I was insane to ever think you could just hang out with my friends.
SPIKE: And *I* was insane to think... (pauses) No, wait. You were right. *You're* insane.
Cut to the kitchen. Tara is pouring milk into a bowl of cereal.
WILLOW: (OS) Oh, hi.
TARA: (looks up) Hey. Willow walks over, stands by the island across from Tara.
TARA: Breakfast. Didn't really plan for a sleep-over.
WILLOW: I know, me either. It's weird, I ... I have class, and I know I should go, but...(sits)
TARA: I know, i-it's like, I wanna leave, but I don't want to.
WILLOW: (smiles) Exactly. Tara smiles back. Cut back to the foyer. Buffy and Spike continue arguing.
BUFFY: (angrily) I think it's time for you to go.
SPIKE: Yeah, well, can't. (gesturing) Daylight.
BUFFY: Okay. I'll go.
SPIKE: I'll get the door.
BUFFY: Fine!
SPIKE: Fine!
BUFFY: I'm actually trying to move right now.
SPIKE: (quieter) Me too. They both stand there, not moving. Buffy sighs, frowns.
BUFFY: Well ... this can't be good. Spike shakes his head, agreeing.
Cut to the living room. The entire party is gathered. They all sit or stand around, staring at each other.
BUFFY: There's something keeping us in this house.
XANDER: Or someone.
TARA: Has everyone tried to get out?
WILLOW: What if we just, like, as a group, got up and, and threw ourselves at the door?
XANDER: All right. Count of three. (everyone preparing) One ... two ... three! No one moves.
XANDER: Here we go! Still nothing. Buffy looks around. Shot of Dawn sitting off to the side, looking sullen.
BUFFY: Hence the problem.
RICHARD: I really need to go. I mean, I have a job to get to.
ANYA: I have to open the Magic Box.
SOPHIE: I have a shift at the DoubleMeat. (thinks) Actually, I'm okay here.
CLEM: Yeah, I'm, I'm fine.
XANDER: Willow and Tara have class, I gotta be at the site.
BUFFY: I know, I know, we all have places that we'd rather be. Shot of Dawn looking up at that, looking upset.
SPIKE: (softly) Things we'd rather be doing.
BUFFY: I think the first priority has to be to find a way out.
DAWN: Sure. Of course you all wanna leave. (Buffy looking at her) 'Cause being stuck in here with me, that would really suck, right? Buffy frowns slightly.
WILLOW: No, Dawnie! It's just, we have more important things to do.
DAWN: (disgusted) Yeah, I know. Important. (gets up) Whatever that means, right? Dawn storms past them and up the stairs. They all watch her go. Everyone looks at Buffy.
Cut to Dawn's bedroom. Dawn runs in, flops down on her stomach on the bed. Buffy enters, followed by Tara, Willow, Xander, and Spike.
BUFFY: Dawn?
DAWN: What?
BUFFY: Did you do something?
DAWN: (exasperated) Me?
TARA: Do you know something? 'Cause we want you to feel like you can tell us. Dawn sits up, turns to face them.
DAWN: (angrily) What would I know?
WILLOW: Look, we're not accusing you of anything, it's just ... you were kind of taking it personal down there.
DAWN: Oh. Okay. So you've all just decided that somehow I'm responsible. (sourly) Great. Here's me baskin' in the love.
XANDER: No, it's just, you know, you're upset 'cause we all wanna leave. And now we can't leave. Only thing missing is a cornfield. There ... there isn't a cornfield, is there?
BUFFY: Dawnie, it's okay. You know, we're not gonna be mad.
DAWN: Yeah, only I didn't do anything!
WILLOW: You sure?
DAWN: You want me to ask my other self?
BUFFY: Dawn, we're just trying to figure out what's going on.
DAWN: (angrily) Figure it out yourself. I'm done being talked to like a kid.
XANDER: Well, 'cause you know, sometimes we do something that seems like a good idea at the time, like, say, invoke the power of a musical amulet? And it turns out, you know, not so much.
DAWN: God! I didn't do anything! I wish I had. (Buffy frowning) I'm glad you're trapped. (very angrily) How else can I get anybody to spend any time with me?
BUFFY: Dawn. If you want us to spend time with you-
DAWN: I don't. Get out. Buffy stares at her.
DAWN: (shrieking) Get out, get out, get out! The others exit, leaving only Buffy and Dawn. Dawn turns away angrily, lies down on her stomach on the bed again. Buffy stares at her for a moment, then leaves.
ANYA VOICEOVER: I think she's possessed.
Cut to downstairs. Anya and Xander sit side-by-side on the sofa.
XANDER: She's a teenager. We see Buffy, Willow, and Spike sitting around too. Tara comes in from the dining room.
TARA: Phones are all out, we're totally cut off. They all sigh and groan.
BUFFY: (quietly) She's just so angry.
TARA: It happens. We all went through it.
BUFFY: I know. I just can't figure out why she didn't come to me.
XANDER: Well, you have been a little busy lately. Xander and Anya look at Buffy. She looks grim.
SPIKE: Hey, I don't wanna keep you all from the touchy-feelies, but maybe the encounter group can meet later. Say, when we're not trapped in a house.
TARA: Even if Dawn does know something, she's obviously not gonna help us right now. We need another way.
BUFFY: I think magic's gonna be our best bet. (Willow looking alarmed) Something general, you know? Cast a wide net. (Tara nodding)
XANDER: But ... Willow. (gesturing toward Willow with his head)
TARA: No, I'll do it. (Willow fidgeting nervously) It's just, o-obviously I didn't bring any supplies. Willow looks guilty.
BUFFY: (OS) Well, we don't have any in the house. We got rid of everything.
WILLOW: Actually ... not everything. (guilty) I, uh... might have ... kept one or, or two things. Sort of. Tara and Buffy look shocked.
WILLOW: ...just in case.
XANDER: That's great! Beat. Anya, Tara, and Buffy look somber.
XANDER: ...in a very bad way. (shaking finger at Willow) Tara sighs, stands up.
TARA: (to Willow) Just ... bring me what you have. (firmly) But I'm doing this alone. You need to stay away from it. Tara exits, leaving the others to sit around looking grim.
Cut to: exterior shot of the house, day.
Cut to the kitchen. Buffy and Xander watch as Tara mixes ingredients, using kitchen implements and bowls. She scoops a damp mixture of herbs from one bowl into another and mashes it down.
Cut to the foyer. Willow, Spike, and Anya stand in a row in front of the front door.
ANYA: So we're supposed to just wait?
WILLOW: It won't take long. Sophie, Richard, and Clem appear in the dining-room doorway.
RICHARD: All right, somebody wanna tell me what's, what's going on here? We're trapped in a house by ... by what, some unseen force or something. (gesturing at the door) Who knows what she's doing in there. (pointing to the kitchen) And I have to tell you... (looks back at Clem scratching his head with clawed fingers) I don't think that's a skin condition. Cut back to the kitchen. Tara uses a match to set her mixture on fire, then blows out the match. Red smoke billows up out of the bowl. Shot of the smoke curling in a wavy line through the door toward the living room.
TARA: Release. The smoke curls over to where the demon sword is sitting, leaning against a china cabinet. The smoke swirls around the sword.
TARA: (calls) Try the door! Spike steels himself. Close shot of his hand curling into a fist. Close shot of his feet trying to move. Shot of the sword as the last of the magic swirls into it and a silvery puddle begins to swirl out of it onto the floor. Close shot on Spike's face as he grits his teeth and concentrates on the door. Close shot on the closed door. Willow and Anya both look at Spike. Close shot on Spike's fist uncurling.
SPIKE: (annoyed) No. Can't. They all look disappointed. Richard, Sophie, and Clem walk out into the foyer to join the other three. They all stare at the door. Spike rubs his forehead. Close shot on the still-closed door. Cut back to the living room. The fully re-formed demon picks up his sword. He growls. Sunlight glints off the sword blade. Blackout.
[SCENE_BREAK]
Act III
[SCENE_BREAK]
Open on the foyer. Clem, Sophie, Willow, Spike, Anya, and Richard stand staring at the closed door. The demon attacks them from the living room, growling. Everyone scatters, some of them screaming. The demon enters the foyer and swings his sword, slashing Richard across the stomach. On the back-swing, his sword arm hits Spike, who grabs the arm and struggles with the demon. Buffy, Xander, and Tara enter from the kitchen. Buffy tackles the demon, both landing on the living-room floor. Spike follows them in. The demon melts into the floor and disappears. Buffy sits up, frowning, then stands up. She and Spike exchange a confused look. Xander, Tara, and Anya bend over the injured Richard. The demon reappears behind Buffy, lifting his sword in both hands. Buffy grabs his hands. He shoves her back. She flies into Spike, and both of them go down. The demon disappears again. Buffy gets to her feet again.
SPIKE: What the bloody hell was that?
BUFFY: That's the demon I killed two nights ago.
SPIKE: The demon you thought you killed.
XANDER: It looks pretty bad. Buffy looks over in horror at Richard.
ANYA: Oh god. Oh, god. They roll Richard over onto his back, revealing a bloody gash that goes all the way across his stomach.
TARA: Let's get him upstairs. (to Buffy) We need to get him to a doctor soon.
BUFFY: (addressing everyone) Hey, i-it's gonna be okay. Spike looks annoyed, gets up off the floor.
BUFFY: Just trust me, I promise we'll be out of here soon.
Cut to: exterior shot of the house, night.
Cut to inside. Sophie stands holding a curtain aside, looking out at the darkness.
SOPHIE: Oh god. Oh god. Pull back to reveal the living room. Spike stands a little ways behind Sophie, arms folded. Buffy walks into the shot between them.
BUFFY: Okay, so maybe 'soon' was a bit of an overstatement.
SPIKE: So, you ever think about *not* celebrating a birthday? Just to try it, I mean.
BUFFY: I'm gonna go check upstairs. Keep an eye on things down here? Spike nods. Buffy turns to go.
BUFFY: You stay here, okay? We see that Buffy was addressing Dawn, who sits on the sofa looking sullen. Close shot on Dawn as Buffy exits. Weird creaking noises. Dawn looks around in alarm. Spike looks around too.
DAWN: What's that noise? It's in the walls, isn't it? Spike leans close to the wall, listening. Creaking noises continue. Spike moves slowly along the wall, listening.
Cut to Willow's bedroom. Richard lies on the bed trembling and breathing shallowly. Tara sits beside him, tending to his wound. Willow stands nearby. Creaking noises continue. Willow and Tara look around nervously. Tara resumes cleaning Richard's wound with a piece of gauze and a bottle of antiseptic. Richard looks around nervously. The noises continue.
Cut to the hallway. Buffy walks along slowly, holding a dagger, looking around. Looking the other way, she comes upon Clem and they both gasp in alarm.
CLEM: (nervously) Sorry. Buffy sighs.
Cut to another part of the house. Anya and Xander sit on the floor. Anya is panting and fiddling with the lapels of her white blouse, which is partly unbuttoned. She wears a black tank-top underneath it.
ANYA: Why is it so hot in here?
XANDER: You're just a little freaked out, that's all. It'll pass.
ANYA: He's gonna die. He's gonna die, and we're gonna watch.
XANDER: Ahn...
ANYA: And we're just sitting here. Why are we just sitting here? Why aren't we doing something?
XANDER: We are. We will. We've been through worse.
ANYA: (panting, rubbing her chest) Not like this. Not trapped like animals. Seriously, did someone turn on the heat? (unbuttoning her blouse) I can't breathe, I just ... oh, I just can't breathe ... I can't breathe...
XANDER: (grabbing her hands) Ahn, stop. Stop, Ahn, stop! He manages to stop her, and she turns to look at him.
XANDER: Listen to me. You're just freaking out, okay? It's normal. You're just ... you're just scared. We all are. We'll come up with a plan ... and we'll get through it, all right? (Anya nodding, creaking noises continue) We'll do something.
ANYA: What?
XANDER: I don't know. (brushing hair out of her face) Lemme get you some water, okay? (Anya nodding) It'll cool you down. I'll be back in a second, okay? Stay here, don't move. He gets up and leaves. Anya sits there panting.
Cut to the foyer. Xander comes down the stairs. Creaking noises continue. He looks around nervously. He reaches the bottom, turns toward the kitchen. Suddenly the demon emerges from the wall behind Xander and grabs him from behind. Shot of Anya sitting in the dark by herself as we hear Xander scream. Shot of Xander being held around the middle, arms pinned to his sides, with the sword at his throat. Shot of Spike hearing, running toward the noise.
ANYA: Xander? Xander struggles with the demon. Spike rushes in, grabs the demon's sword arm and tries to pull it away. But he can't, so instead he knuckle-punches the demon in the ribs. The demon growls and hits Spike with his elbow. Spike goes down. The demon throws Xander aside. He hits the wall and crouches there. Buffy rushes in, still holding the dagger. The demon turns to attack her. She ducks a sword-thrust. The demon kicks her dagger hand, and the dagger goes flying. The demon whirls around with the sword, slicing Xander's arm. Then turns back to Buffy.
BUFFY: Grab the sword! She kicks the demon and ducks another swing as Spike gets up and grabs the demon's sleeve, punches it in the face. The demon flings Spike back and he goes down yet again. Buffy grabs the demon's arms and kicks him in the stomach. He reels back and melts into the wall again. Spike gets up on his elbows and both he and Buffy watch the demon disappear.
BUFFY: Are you hurt? Shot of Xander on the floor, groaning in pain.
BUFFY: Here, let me see. Buffy takes a step forward but doesn't actually go to either of the men.
ANYA: (OS) Xander. Xander looks up. Anya stands at the foot of the stairs staring at him. Xander gets painfully to his feet and goes to Anya.
XANDER: It's okay. I'm okay, see? Shh. He strokes her face gently and leans his forehead against hers.
XANDER: (whispers) It's all right. I'm okay. Shot of Buffy watching this wistfully.
Fade to later. Buffy comes around a corner from the dining room to the foyer, and finds Dawn standing against a wall. Creaking noises continue.
BUFFY: It's getting kinda scary. You okay?
DAWN: (sullen, not looking at Buffy) Do you care?
BUFFY: (exasperated) Fine. Stay with Spike. Buffy walks off.
Cut to upstairs. Buffy walks into her bedroom. Dawn comes in behind her.
DAWN: It's not like I meant for this to happen.
BUFFY: I never said that you did.
DAWN: I didn't want this. Buffy turns to face her.
BUFFY: What did you want?
DAWN: (softly) Nothing.
BUFFY: Dawn, come on.
DAWN: No. You don't know! You have this thing you do. You have all these friends. (softly) You have no idea what it's like.
BUFFY: What are you talking about? I don't know what, what-
DAWN: Being alone!
BUFFY: You're not alone!
DAWN: Then why do I feel like this?
Cut to the dining room. Tara and Spike standing next to each other.
TARA: I just think we haven't thought of the right way out yet, that's all. Reveal Xander and Willow standing nearby, and Anya sitting at the dining-room table.
SPIKE: Well, we can't just stay put like cattle, waiting for that thing to pop out every time it gets peckish.
TARA: I'd say we do another spell, but I, I think we've tried everything.
ANYA: Well ... that's not completely true, is it? (Tara frowning) I mean, not everything. (looks at Willow) Not exactly. (Willow looking nervous) We're sitting here with an incredibly powerful witch ... much more powerful than you, Tara, I'm sorry ... only no one seems willing to say it.
WILLOW: I can't.
ANYA: No, see, that's not exactly true either. (angrily) Not can't, won't.
WILLOW: You don't know how much I hate this. I don't know if there's even ... anything I could do.
ANYA: Yes ... and a good way to find out is to sit around and try nothing. That was sarcasm, by the way.
SPIKE: Look-
WILLOW: It's dangerous.
ANYA: And so is all of us dying!
XANDER: Will ... look, I don't wanna gang up on you ... but Anya kinda has a point. (Willow looking anxious) We brought you back from it once. We're all here, it's just one little spell, (Spike shaking his head) whatever happens, we can bring you back again.
WILLOW: (firmly) No. I can't. (to Anya) If I start, I ... I might not be able to stop.
ANYA: And whose fault is that? (stands up, walks toward Willow) You know, if you hadn't gotten so much of this in your system in the first place-
TARA: Hey! You're gonna back off! Tara gets in between Willow and Anya, faces Anya down.
TARA: She said no, and that's it. You're not gonna make her do something that she doesn't want to. And if you try... (folds arms across her chest) You're gonna have to go through me first. Understood? Anya glares at her.
ANYA: Fine. If you all aren't willing to get us out of this, then I will do it myself. Anya walks past the witches and goes up the stairs. Shot of Sophie and Clem sitting on the sofa, watching Anya. Then exchanging a look.
Cut to Buffy's bedroom. Buffy and Dawn sit on the bed side-by-side.
BUFFY: I wish you would have told me.
DAWN: You haven't really been...
BUFFY: What? I haven't been what?
DAWN: Around.
BUFFY: Dawn ... the most important job that I have ... is looking out for you.
DAWN: (small smile) You sound like my guidance counselor. She give you a handbook or something? 'Talkin' to the Troubled Teen'?
BUFFY: (frowning) Counselor?
DAWN: It wasn't my idea. I didn't even know we had guidance counselors. She called me out of class like I was a total J.D.
BUFFY: And you'd ... never met her before?
DAWN: No, not until yesterday.
BUFFY: And ... she got you to start talking about things that bothered you at home?
DAWN: (uncertain) Uh ... yeah?
BUFFY: You didn't, by any chance, happen to ... express like a, a wish, or-or something, to her?
DAWN: (nervous) Um ... maybe just a little. Sound of thumping and crashing. Dawn and Buffy look up, both jump up.
Cut to Dawn's room. Anya is pulling books and stuff off the shelves.
XANDER: Honey, come on, this isn't the way, calm down.
ANYA: (still searching) She knows something. She knows something, we have to find out what it is. Anya begins looking through the drawers of Dawn's desk. Dawn and Buffy enter.
DAWN: Hey!
XANDER: Ahn, just stop for a second.
ANYA: There's gotta be a clue in here somewhere.
DAWN: Stop it! Dawn starts forward, but Buffy stops her.
BUFFY: Anya, it wasn't her fault. Anya picks up a small red box from the desk.
DAWN: No! Anya opens the box and Dawn's stash of stolen jewelry falls out onto the floor. Anya stares in shock, bends down to look. Xander, Buffy, and Dawn stare in varying degrees of surprise and dismay.
ANYA: Half this stuff is from the Magic Box. Anya picks up a few things, then picks up the entire handful, straightens up and glares at Dawn.
ANYA: How could you do this? Buffy looks at Dawn, who looks upset and goes running out of the room. Anya follows, then Buffy and Xander.
Cut to downstairs. Dawn comes running down the stairs with the others in pursuit.
ANYA: I work hard at that store, and I helped you! (grabs Dawn's arm, turns her around) I took care of you. This is how you say 'thank you'? Buffy comes up beside Anya.
BUFFY: Anya, hold on, okay? (to Dawn) Tell her you didn't do this. Tell her it's a mistake. Suddenly Buffy spots something over by the sofa. She looks shocked, walks that way.
DAWN: (anguished) No! Buffy walks over, stares down at the box holding the black leather jacket that Dawn gave her.
BUFFY: Oh. (looking at Dawn)
DAWN: (upset) Buffy...
ANYA: How are we supposed to trust you, Dawn? I mean, you ... you say you didn't put us here, but look at this stuff! How are we supposed to believe you? Shot of all the others gathering around.
BUFFY: Look, I-I don't think she- I don't think it's all her fault, okay? She ... there was a guidance counselor, or someone pretending to be a guidance counselor, she, she made Dawn make a wish.
ANYA: Guidance counselor? You made a wish to someone you've never seen before?
DAWN: (nervous) Yeah?
ANYA: Did she wear a pendant with a, with a dark blue stone?
DAWN: And little red flecks?
ANYA: Uhh, for crying out loud. (yells) Halfrek! (to Dawn) It's Halfrek, a vengeance demon. You made a wish to a vengeance demon.
DAWN: I didn't know.
ANYA: Only a vengeance demon can break her own vengeance spell. Nothing else will work. She's the only one who can get us out of here. (yells) Hallie, get your ass down here! Halfrek materializes just behind Anya, in a puff of smoke.
HALFREK: (deep resonant voice) You rang? Anya turns toward her. Suddenly Halfrek gasps and looks down. Close shot of Halfrek's stomach with the end of a sword protruding out of it. Close on Halfrek's face as she collapses to the floor, revealing the demon standing behind her. Close on Buffy staring in horror. Blackout.
[SCENE_BREAK]
Act IV
[SCENE_BREAK]
Open on the same scene. The demon attacks Buffy who grabs his hands and then punches him. Anya punches him from behind as well, distracting him.
ANYA: (punching) I hope you die, you stupid jerkface! The last punch sends him reeling back. He swings his sword and Anya leaps on him from behind, struggling with his sword arm while Buffy kicks him in the stomach. Spike leaps into the fray too, grabbing the demon from behind. The demon flings Anya off, she lands on the sofa. He flings Spike off too and swings the sword around randomly. Buffy ducks, watching for an opening.
XANDER: Anya! Xander ducks under the sword swings and runs over to the sofa. The demon hits Buffy in the face and she reels back. Spike attacks again, distracting the demon so Buffy can kick him. The demon falls to the floor and melts into it, disappearing. The demon immediately reappears behind Spike, who grabs his sword arm. The demon drops the sword. Spike continues holding his arm and kicking him.
SPIKE: The sword! Buffy picks the sword up off the floor as Spike continues struggling with the demon. Spike gives him a kick in the stomach and he reels backward as Buffy attacks with the sword. The demon turns and runs into the wall, disappearing into it. Buffy thrusts the sword into the wall where he went. The same blue light appears, suffusing everything as the others watch. The demon roars angrily. Close on the sword as the blue light fades and the hole in the wall closes up, the demon once again trapped in the sword. Buffy pulls the sword out of the wall and breaks it in two over her knee, causing one last flare of blue light. She throws the two halves down. Buffy looks over at Halfrek, who lies on the floor not moving.
ANYA: Her pendant! Get her pendant! Anya and Buffy rush toward Halfrek. But before they reach her she sits up and puts out her hand toward Anya, who goes flying backward onto the sofa again. Buffy stares.
HALFREK: (normal voice) There will be no touching of the pendant. Halfrek gets to her feet and brushes herself off, as everyone stares at her in surprise.
HALFREK: What? (laughs) Did you think I'd be stopped by a sword in the chest? She looks down at her chest, pulls at her blouse so we can see the rip in it.
HALFREK: Flesh wound. (Anya getting up) Honestly, Anyanka, you used to know better.
ANYA: (coming closer) How could you? Why would you do this?
HALFREK: I told you I was going to take care of some business while I was here in town.
ANYA: Yeah, but cursing us? Some of them are in the wedding party.
HALFREK: I just go where I'm- Halfrek pauses, looking to her right as Spike walks up.
HALFREK: (shocked whisper) William?
SPIKE: (frowning) Hey, wait a minute.
BUFFY: You guys know each other? Shot of Willow, Clem, Sophie, and Tara getting up and approaching slowly. Halfrek still staring at Spike, but now she snaps out of it.
HALFREK: (quickly) Uh, no. (laughs) No. She fiddles with her hair nervously.
SPIKE: (still frowning) Not really. Shot of Buffy looking confused.
TARA: I thought vengeance demons only punished men who wronged women.
HALFREK: Oh, that was Anya's little raison d'être. Most of us try to be a little more well-rounded. And actually, we prefer 'justice demon.' Okay? FYI.
ANYA: Well-rounded, huh? Is that how you explain your thing for bad parents?
HALFREK: Oh, it's not a thing. The children need me.
ANYA: Hmm! (coughing)Daddy issues(coughing)
HALFREK: Sling all the little barbs at me that you want, Anyanka, it doesn't change the fact that this girl was in pain, (pointing at Dawn) and none of you could hear it. (Dawn looks down) I could hear her crying out everywhere I went in this town. (Anya looking guilty) It was unbearable. And none of you knew. Halfrek looks at Buffy, shaking her head. Buffy looks upset.
HALFREK: You people deserve to be cursed. (shot of the others listening) Enjoy your time together. From now on ... all you have is time. (to Anya) Time ... and each other. Good luck! Shot of Spike frowning. Shot of Buffy looking upset. Shot of the others watching. Dramatic music swells. Halfrek makes a dramatic motion with both arms, but does not disappear. She looks surprised.
HALFREK: Wait ... (nervous laugh) Wait. Shot of Buffy looking surprised. Shot of Spike raising his eyebrows.
HALFREK: (muttering to herself) Time, and each other. Dramatic music. Dramatic arm gesture. Halfrek again fails to disappear. She looks annoyed.
ANYA: (rolling her eyes) It's the curse, Hallie.
HALFREK: Oh, for crying out loud. Fine, the curse is lifted! We can all leave now! ... Damn it. She snaps her fingers and disappears. Everyone else looks relieved and excited. Spike looks over at Buffy, who just looks pensive.
Cut to the kitchen. Tara is packing remnants of herbs into plastic baggies while Willow watches.
WILLOW: Thanks ... for before. And, and for taking this stuff with you.
TARA: (nodding) No problem.
WILLOW: Just so you know, I-I was never ... gonna use it. I mean, not really, I ... I just kept it like a safety net. 'Cause ... there was always this ... thing in the back of my head. This, you know, voice, saying, like, 'what if things get bad, I mean really bad? And what if you can't handle it?' A-and it made me panic, so ... that's why I kept a couple of things. I ... kept them so I-I didn't have to think about it, so I could focus on ... on getting better.
TARA: I get it. I-I really do. But it's time to work without the net, Will. (Willow looking anxious) You know, I don't know if you noticed, but it actually did get bad in there. Really bad, and ... and you still said no. Tara smiles, goes back to her task. Willow slowly begins to smile too.
Cut to the foyer. Anya and Xander come down the stairs, supporting Richard between them. Richard grimaces in pain. The others all gather around.
RICHARD: You have some weird friends.
XANDER: News from the file marked 'duh.' (to Buffy) We're gonna get him to the E.R. (Buffy nodding)
ANYA: And then we're gonna talk about payment. And Dawnie, there are two words I want you to get used to... Shot of Dawn looking nervous.
ANYA: (OS) Punitive damages.
BUFFY: (to Spike) Think it's worn off?
SPIKE: Just one thing to do. Spike walks toward the door. Everyone watches him anxiously. He takes hold of the doorknob, looks around at the others, opens the door with a flourish. Xander smiles happily. He and Anya begin carrying/helping Richard out. Willow, Tara, Sophie, and Clem follow excitedly.
Cut to outside. Xander and Anya, with Richard supported between them, emerge onto the porch. The others are close behind.
ANYA: Okay, who's pushing? They all start down the stairs.
TARA: Wow, look at the stars!
CLEM: (turning back to give Buffy a thumbs-up) Good party! Buffy remains in the foyer, giving a wry smile at Clem's remark.
XANDER: (OS) I just wanna run barefoot on the grass so I can feel the dew-drops between my... God, look at the stars! Spike gives Buffy a similar wry smile, then turns and walks out as well. Shot from inside, pointing out the front door at the group as they walk down the path to the street. Shot from outside, pointing in the front door as only Dawn and Buffy are left. Buffy walks forward, goes over to the doorway. Dawn turns and follows, stands a little ways behind Buffy, watching her sadly. Buffy looks at Dawn. Shot from outside. Buffy takes hold of the door and closes it. Dawn's face slowly breaks into a smile as the closing door hides them from our view. Blackout.


THE BRAIN OF MORBIUS
BY: "ROBIN BLAND" (TERRANCE DICKS REWRITTEN BY ROBERT HOLMES)
Part One
Running time: 25:25
[SCENE_BREAK]
SOLON: You were quick, Condo. Were there no survivors?
CONDO: One, an oxygen breather.
SOLON: Humanoid? Excellent. Let me see.
SOLON: No, that won't do. Even if the ganglia could be. No, the cranium's too narrow, the cerebrum undeveloped. That is an insect! Even a half-witted cannibal like you can see it won't do!
CONDO: But the big head's not come, master. Not to Karn.
SOLON: It must, Condo. One day, a true humanoid species, warm blooded, with a central nervous system. One such specimen, just one, and I can complete my work here.
[SCENE_BREAK]
DOCTOR: Come out, meddlesome, interfering idiots. I know you're up there so come on out and show yourselves!
DOCTOR: Messing about with my TARDIS. Dragging us a thousand parsecs off course.
SARAH: Oi, have you gone potty? Who are you shouting at?
DOCTOR: The Time Lords, who else? Now, you see? You see? They haven't even got the common decency to come out and show their ears.
SARAH: They're probably afraid of getting them boxed, the way you're carrying on.
DOCTOR: It's intolerable. I won't stand for any more of it.
SARAH: Oh look, why can't it have just gone wrong again?
DOCTOR: What?
SARAH: The TARDIS.
DOCTOR: What? Do you think I don't know the difference between an internal fault and an external influence? Oh, no, no, no. There's something going on here, some dirty work they won't touch with their lily white hands. Well, I won't do it, do you hear!
SARAH: There's something ominous. Where are we, do you think?
DOCTOR: I don't know and I don't really care.
SARAH: Oh, come on. Come on, stop being so childish.
DOCTOR: I'm just going to sit here and do nothing.
SARAH: So there.
DOCTOR: Yes.
SARAH: Look, Doctor. Oh, come on, have a look at it. I mean, you don't know what you might be missing. Well, do you know what it is?
DOCTOR: Yes. Ejection bubble.
SARAH: A what?
DOCTOR: A space parachute.
SARAH: Pardon?
SARAH: Hey, Doctor, quick. Come and look at this! There must be about a dozen wrecked spaceships out there. It's like the Sargasso Sea.
DOCTOR: Fancy.
SARAH: It's incredible. I mean, why should they all have crashed here?
DOCTOR: I've no idea.
SARAH: Well, I think you should take a look. Coming?
DOCTOR: No, thanks. I'm just going to sit here and practise my double loops.
SARAH: Well, please yourself. I'm going anyway. Are you sure?
DOCTOR: Yes.
SARAH: I suppose it was the crash?
DOCTOR: Not the crash. Afterwards.
SARAH: After? So it was deliberate?
DOCTOR: Looks as if he escaped in the ejection bubble, and while he was wandering around dazed someone or something attacked him. Poor Mutt.
SARAH: Mutt?
DOCTOR: Yes, a mutant insect species. Widely established in the Nebula of Cyclops. I thought I recognised the stars.
SARAH: You've been here before?
DOCTOR: I was born in these parts.
SARAH: Near here?
DOCTOR: Well, within a couple of billion miles, yes.
SARAH: Hey, look!
SARAH: Come on. At least it's civilisation.
SARAH: Oh god. Come on.
[SCENE_BREAK]
SOLON: Motor reflexes seven tenths.
SOLON: Condo! Condo, fetch some lamps.
SOLON: Condo!
[SCENE_BREAK]
MAREN: Two of them?
OHICA: A male and a female, Maren, in the valley below.
MAREN: Our senses reach beyond the five planets. They were not
OHICA: They are here.
MAREN: No ship can approach Karn without detection. Even the silent gas dirigibles of the Hoothi are felt in our bones while still a million miles distant.
OHICA: There was no ship, Maren. The last was the cruiser of the Mutts.
MAREN: Then how? How, Ohica?
OHICA: I do not know. I say only what my eyes have seen.
MAREN: Is it as I feared? For months now I have had a dream that the Elixir of Life would be taken from us.
OHICA: Taken?
MAREN: Next to myself, Ohica, you are the oldest of our sisterhood. Come, let me show you.
OHICA: The Flame of Life! Maren, what is wrong? Why is it so low?
MAREN: The Flame dies, Ohica. Every month, every day, it sinks lower.
OHICA: How can this be? At our ceremonies the Flame has burned brightly, higher than my shoulder.
MAREN: A deception. For many months past, before each ceremony, I have secretly fed the Flame with powdered Rine Weed.
OHICA: But if the Flame dies, there will be no more Elixir.
MAREN: It has been low now for over a year. The vessel remains empty.
OHICA: Then we are doomed. Our sisterhood will perish.
MAREN: We are only servants of the Flame. If the Flame dies, then so must we.
OHICA: Maren, should not the others know?
MAREN: Not until the end is certain. As you know, Ohica, the secret of the Life Elixir is known only to our sisterhood and the High Council of the Time Lords. Since the time of the stones we have shared the Elixir with them. Now there is none to share.
MAREN: The few phials that are left I have kept for ourselves. But for months I have felt the Time Lords would come to rob us of these last precious drops.
OHICA: You think the two I saw have been sent to steal the Elixir?
MAREN: If that is so, we must deal with them. Summon our sisters. We will form a circle.
[SCENE_BREAK]
SOLON: Where have you been?
CONDO: Master.
SOLON: I asked you, you stupid ox, where have you been?
CONDO: I go find food, master.
SOLON: You're lying. You can't deceive me, Condo. You've been looking for that arm again, haven't you. I've told you before. You get the arm back when our task here is finished. You serve me well and I'll put it back as neatly as I took it off. But if you fail me, you'll keep this for the rest of your life. Do you understand?
CONDO: Yes, master.
CONDO: The door. Somebody ring.
SOLON: Answer it, you fool.
DOCTOR: Can you spare a glass of water?
SARAH: Can we come in?
SOLON: Humans. At last. Humans!
SOLON: My dear sir. My dear, dear sir. You have no idea what a pleasure this is. It's so long since we've. Condo, take their clothes.
SARAH: Well, if we could just shelter for a while, that would be fine.
SOLON: Great heavens, you can't go walking on a night like this. I wouldn't dream of letting you proceed one step further. Condo, stir yourself. Our guests are cold and tired and wet and. Let me take your hat, sir. There. Oh. What a magnificent head.
SARAH: What?
SOLON: Superb head.
DOCTOR: Well, I'm glad you like it. I have had several. I used to have an old grey model before this. Some people liked it.
SARAH: I did.
SOLON: What?
DOCTOR: I said, some people liked it, but I prefer this model.
SOLON: Forgive me. What a surly host you must think me. Please, come in, come in. Make yourselves at home. Warm yourselves and sit down. Condo, pour the wine.
SARAH: Oh, it's very kind of you. Thank you.
SOLON: Not at all, not at all. It's an honour to offer you whatever comforts my humble abode can provide. As you see, the amenities here are rather antiquated.
SARAH: Oh, no, I think it's very
DOCTOR: Interesting.
SARAH: Oh, yes, yes.
SOLON: Well then, tell me, tell me about your adventures.
SOLON: It's so rare that anyone arrives here on Karn.
DOCTOR: Karn, is it? I should have known.
SOLON: You mean you arrived here without knowing?
SARAH: Oh well, we often go on a sort of mystery tour, don't we, Doctor? Doctor?
DOCTOR: You seem very keen on heads, Mister er.
SOLON: Solon.
DOCTOR: Mister Solon.
SOLON: Mehendri Solon.
DOCTOR: It's very good.
SOLON: Yes, I. Modelling is one of my hobbies, you know, but unfortunately this is not a very good example.
DOCTOR: Oh no, I thought I recognised the face.
SOLON: No.
DOCTOR: No?
SOLON: You made a mistake.
DOCTOR: Talking of heads, or their absence, we found a headless body lower down the mountain.
SOLON: How distressing.
DOCTOR: Yes, it was.
SOLON: It must have been from one of those crashed spacecraft, no doubt.
DOCTOR: Yes, that's another thing. How many did we count, Sarah?
SARAH: Fifteen.
DOCTOR: Fifteen. The wreckage of fifteen ships all in this one area.
SOLON: There's a belt of magnetic radiation.
DOCTOR: Magnetic radiation?
SOLON: Oh, I don't know anything about it, but I believe that is the theory. In fact, Karn has become quite notorious.
SOLON: Ah, here we are. Now, let's hope that Condo has brought something special. Thank you. Condo, how many times have I told you the wine must be opened and allowed to breathe.
DOCTOR: Oh, please, please.
SOLON: No, no, no. So would you please do as you've been instructed? Hurry.
SOLON: He's an excellent fellow, very devoted to me, but his intelligence is not the highest.
SARAH: What happened to his arm?
SOLON: Oh I, er, many years ago I dragged him from the wreck of a Dravidian starship and his arm? Well, amputation was the only way of saving his life.
[SCENE_BREAK]
SISTERS: Flame. Sacred fire. Sacred Flame. Sacred fire.
SISTERS: Sacred.
MAREN: I see it.
SISTERS: Flame.
MAREN: I see the machine of our enemy.
SISTERS: Sacred fire. Sacred Flame.
MAREN: Concentrate, sisters. More power!
SISTERS: Sacred fire.
MAREN: Bring the machine here.
SISTERS: Sacred Flame. Sacred fire. Sacred Flame. Sacred fire. Sacred Flame. Sacred fire. Sacred Flame. Sacred fire. Sacred
MAREN: Enough. Enough. It is done.
MAREN: I was right, Ohica. It is a time machine.
OHICA: Of the kind
MAREN: A TARDIS. Only the Time Lords know the secret of such machines.
OHICA: Then the one I saw is a Time Lord.
MAREN: Sent here to steal the Elixir.
OHICA: Maren, what can we do? Alone among all the races in our galaxy, the Time Lords are our equals in mind power.
MAREN: That is true, Ohica. Other races we can destroy from within. We can place death in the centre of their beings, send them mad with false visions. But with this one such powers would have no effect. He would close his mind to us.
OHICA: Then we are lost!
MAREN: There are other ways. But first we must find him. Form a circle, sisters.
SISTERS: Sacred fire. Sacred Flame.
[SCENE_BREAK]
SOLON: One never really overcomes the nostalgia for one's planet of origin. Sometimes at night I look up at the sky and I think, will I ever see Earth again?
SARAH: I know the feeling.
DOCTOR: What made you settle on Karn?
SOLON: Well, nobody lives here. Nobody bothers me. I can get on with my work.
SARAH: What kind of work is that?
DOCTOR: Microsurgical techniques into tissue transplant. It was the title of the book you published.
SOLON: You know something of my history, Doctor.
DOCTOR: One of the foremost neurosurgeons of your time. Considerably after your time, Sarah. Yes, your disappearance caused quite a stir. It was said by some you'd joined the followers of the cult of Morbius.
SOLON: Malice. Academic jealousy. I just had to get away.
[SCENE_BREAK]
SISTERS: Sacred fire. Sacred Flame. Sacred fire. Sacred Flame. Sacred fire. Sacred Flame. Sacred fire.
MAREN: So, our enemy thinks himself safe in Solon's castle.
SISTERS: Sacred fire. Sacred Flame.
[SCENE_BREAK]
SOLON: You know, I always knew that one day I'd have a guest with a head for such a fine vintage.
SARAH: What was that?
SOLON: Oh, just a freak squall.
DOCTOR: Or a telekinetic visit.
SOLON: What?
DOCTOR: From the Sisterhood of Karn.
SOLON: What do you know of the Sisterhood?
DOCTOR: I know who that reminds me of now. One of the Time Lords. Morbius.
SARAH: Doctor, are you all right?
DOCTOR: One of the most despicable criminally minded wretches that ever lived.
SARAH: Doctor!
SOLON: There are some of us who would not agree with that, Doctor.
SOLON: It worked, Condo. He is ours!
CONDO: We take head now?
SOLON: You put that away. This will be no crude butchery. A head such as this, a head that will soon command the universe, must be taken with care and skill. Every step must be planned. Every suture, every small incision has to be perfect. This will be my great triumph, Condo. A thousand years from now, people will remember Solon's last and greatest operation.
CONDO: Not last, master. Me last.
SOLON: What?
CONDO: Arm. You made promise.
SOLON: Any third rate hack can fix an arm, but a head, the centre of the nervous system, that takes more than just skill. That takes genius.
CONDO: Girl.
SOLON: What girl?
CONDO: Her.
SOLON: Kill her.
SOLON: Condo! I am anxious to get on. Now take him to the laboratory. I want to start my work.
SOLON: Mind his head.
[SCENE_BREAK]
SOLON: A secondary cardiovascular system. So he's a Time Lord. I thought as much. That's excellent, because we have no problem of tissue rejection.
CONDO: Time Lord dangerous.
SOLON: What?
CONDO: Much power, master.
SOLON: Rubbish! The Time Lords are spineless parasites. Morbius offered them greatness once but he was betrayed and rejected. They'll pay for that mistake, Condo. These pacifist degenerates will be the first to feel the power of his revenge.
SOLON: What's that for? Do you think I'm going to operate in this light? We need proper lighting and power for the instruments, so we have to repair the generators. Come.
[SCENE_BREAK]
SOLON: There is a lot to be done. I have to remove the Doctor's brain before I can start the operation. Hurry!
[SCENE_BREAK]
SARAH: (quietly) Doctor? Is that you?
SARAH: Oh, Doctor, wake up.