Episode 3 - Fathers and Daughters
ACT THREE
INT. THE BRONZE - NIGHT
Music track to be overlayed over next series of
images.
ANGLE ON : A LARGE BIRTHDAY CAKE
upon which is written 'Happy Birthday Tara'.
WIDEN :
to reveal the candles burning on the cake. The whole
gang and some other guests are standing around the
cake, all smiles. They are singing Happy Birthday
(which we do not hear). They finish and Tara, Willow
and Dawn happily blow out the candles. Tara hugs
Willow, then Dawn.
ANGLE :
Michael the Magician performing on stage. Willow and a
nervous Anya are on stage as well, standing next to
him. Michael reaches into a hat and pulls out.. a cat.
Applause from the crowd. He hands the cat over to Anya
who takes it awkwardly,forces a smile and immediately
hands it to Willow.
ANGLE :
Birthday presents being unwrapped. Giles' turn. Tara
unwraps it to reveal.. a crystal ball. Tara looks a
little befuddled but then smiles and thanks Giles.
Xander and Buffy both look at Giles with an accusing
glare. Giles looks sheepish and shrugs his shoulders.
ANGLE:
Willow and Tara dancing (it's a fast song). Xander
grabs Anya and heads to the dance floor to join.
Seeing this, Buffy tries to persuade Giles to dance
with her but he politely resists. Buffy is
dissapointed but Dawn comes along and she and Dawn
dance together on the floor.
ANGLE:
We see Christopher walk into the Bronze. He hangs
around at the entrance watching the happy scene before
him. Giles and Buffy talking and laughing, the whole
gang having a great time. He stares impassively for a
moment before turning around and leaving.
End music overlay.
ANGLE : TARA
standing by herself in a corner, a little lost in her
thoughts. Willow comes up to her.
WILLOW
Hey you. Whatcha doing over here by
yourself?
TARA
Oh. I was just taking a little
break. Honey, it's a wonderful
party.
(she hugs Willow)
How can I ever thank you?
WILLOW
I'm sure you can think of something.
Tara breaks from the hug.
TARA
My God, you're like a rabbit.
They smile affectionately.
WILLOW
So, are you really okay?
TARA
I think so. I wish we didn't leave
things off like that, but, I guess
that's the way it's always been.
WILLOW
I'm sorry. I really wished that you
guys could've reconnected in some
way. I wanted that to be your
birthday gift.
TARA
Don't be sorry. These things are
never perfect. Who knows? Maybe, one
day..
(putting her arms around
Willow)
Besides, you're my gift. You're my
perfectly wrapped present with
tinsels and ribbons. Only, I'm never
dissapointed when I look inside.
The two slow dance in the corner, while others are
dancing to an up-tempo track on the dance floor.
EXT. OUTSIDE WILLOW AND TARA'S DORM - NIGHT
We see Giles' car pull up. Out steps Giles, Buffy,
Willow and Tara. Willow picks up a few presents and
heads into the dorm while Buffy, Giles and Tara stand
at the kerbside, talking and waiting.
ANGLE : WILLOW
as we track her going into the dorm by herself.
ANGLE : THE OLD WOMAN
as she smiles watching Willow.
INT. WILLOW AND TARA'S ROOM - NIGHT
Willow enters the room and wearily puts the presents
she is carrying on the bed. She sits on the bed and
picks up Miss Kitty.
WILLOW
(to Miss Kitty)
Hey there. Miss me? I hope you left
poor Amy alone.
We hear a knock on the door.
WILLOW
Tara?
There is no answer. Willow gets off the bed and walks
to the door.
WILLOW
Did Xander get here already? I mean
with the way Giles drives..
She opens the door. It is Mr Maclay.
WILLOW
(a little shocked)
Mr Maclay. We-We thought you'd left.
MR. MACLAY
Tommorow. I just wanted to say
goodbye to Tara.
(looking into the room)
Is she in?
WILLOW
(nervous)
Um.. She's um.. downstairs, waiting
for Xander to arrive with the rest
of the presents.
MR. MACLAY
May I come in?
WILLOW
(very nervous)
Okay.
Mr Maclay walks in and starts pacing around the room,
looking at the crystals and posters. Willow nervously
sits down on the bed. An awkward beat.
WILLOW
I think it's good that you came, I
mean, to say goodbye. I think Tara
really needs..
MR. MACLAY
It's a little late for a social
visit isn't it? Where's your room?
You don't want to be walking alone
outside in the dark.
WILLOW
um..
Tara enters the room, laughing, carrying some
presents. Buffy and Xander are behind her in the
hallway carrying more presents. Tara's laughing stops
when she sees her Dad.
TARA
Dad.
MR. MACLAY
Tara. I thought we could have one
last talk before I go.
(looking at Willow)
Maybe you could ask your friends to
leave us alone.
Willow is unsure what to do. She gets up and begins to
leave.
TARA
(to Willow)
No, don't.
(to Mr Maclay)
Dad, this is Willow's room too. You
can't ask her to leave.
MR. MACLAY
But, this is your room. When did..
Mr Maclay begins to get it. He looks at Willow, he
looks at the single bed in the room. He looks around
the room at various items. He sees something and heads
to the desk.
He picks up a framed picture on the desk and looks at
it.
ANGLE ON : PICTURE
It is a picture of a very happy Willow and Tara with
Willow behind Tara, arms around her neck and faces
touching.
Mr Maclay puts down the picture. He looks angry. He
glares at Willow, then at Tara and then storms out of
the room.
TARA
Dad, wait. Don't just leave.
INT. HALLWAY/OUTSIDE WILLOW AND TARA'S ROOM - NIGHT
We see Mr Maclay storming out, bumping into Xander on
his way. Xander gives Buffy a look.
INT. WILLOW AND TARA'S ROOM - NIGHT
Willow is sitting on her bed looking a little forlorn.
TARA
(to Willow)
I'm so sorry. Are you okay?
WILLOW
I'm fine.
TARA
I have to talk to him..
Willow nods. Tara kisses Willow on the forehead and
heads out to chase after her father.
Buffy and Xander enters, putting the presents on the
floor. Buffy goes to sit next to Willow.
WILLOW
(with a sad smile)
Turns out, I'm one of the reasons
why Tara can't have what I most want
for her to have.
BUFFY
Will, you're not the bad guy here.
Don't ever forget that.
A beat. Willow then gets up and starts heading out the
door.
XANDER
Will, where are you going?
WILLOW
It's so dark out. I wanna make sure
Tara's safe. I have to go look for
her.
BUFFY
We'll come with.
All three exit.
EXT. OUTSIDE WILLOW AND TARA'S DORM - NIGHT
Giles, Anya and Dawn are standing by the cars. Willow,
Buffy and Xander emerge from the Dorm.
GILES
What's happening?
ANYA
Yeah. First we saw Mr Maclay storm
out, then Tara zipped by chasing
after him, and now you guys show up.
Are we chasing something? We're
chasing something aren't we?
DAWN
We tried to call her but she didn't
answer.
WILLOW
Which way did they go?
GILES
They heading back towards town.
WILLOW
(to Buffy)
I have to find her.
BUFFY
Giles, we're taking your car. Anya,
stay here with Dawn.
DAWN
But..
BUFFY
No buts. Just stay here.
Giles, Buffy, Xander and Willow get into Giles' car
and they drive off, leaving Anya and Dawn by
themselves.
EXT. SUNNYDALE STREET - NIGHT
We see Tara walking along in her coat, looking around.
The streets are empty and it is very dark.
TARA
(calling)
Dad? Where are you?
CUT TO:
another part of the street, where we see Mr Maclay
angrily walking, ignoring her daughter.
TARA (O.S.)
Dad? Please answer me.
Mr Maclay hears someone humming a lullaby from in
front of him, and a squeaking sound. From the darkness
emerges the old lady, pushing her shopping trolley.
She smiles at him as she passes him. Mr Maclay keeps
looking at her for a while before continuing to walk
down the street.
CUT TO :
Tara, still looking for her Dad. She hears a noise in
an alley off the street. She wanders in to look.
TARA
(softly)
Dad?
CUT TO :
Mr Maclay as he hears a loud crashing sound behind
him. He turns around, concerned, not hearing Tara
anymore.
MR. MACLAY
Tara?
He starts to walk quicker, back to where the sound
came from.
MR. MACLAY
(yelling)
Tara!
He is running now. He rounds the corner and runs into
an alleyway.
EXT. ALLEYWAY - NIGHT
He sees a short, black scaly creature with a long mane
of hair, on Tara's back. It has a hand over Tara's
mouth while trying to stab her with its sharp claws on
the other hand. Tara is trying to hold it off.
Mr Maclay starts to run towards Tara but is
immediately knocked down by something. He looks up to
see the second creature, grinning and coming towards
him.
BLACKOUT
END OF ACT THREE
CONTINUE TO ACT FOUR