Episode 2 - Faces
ACT THREE
EXT. SUNNYDALE STREET - NIGHT
Picking up from where we left off. Two vampires
silently approaching Buffy from behind.
XANDER (O.S.)
(yelling)
Vampire! Buffy, look out behind you!
Buffy turns around to look at Xander.
ANGLE : XANDER
as he, Anya and Willow are running towards Buffy.
ANGLE : BUFFY
as she turns to confront the two vampires who were
sneaking up behind her. Suddenly, the vamp who was on
the ground kicks Buffy and knocks her to the ground.
Buffy flips herself back up and fights with Jogger #1
and #2.
Jogger#3 sees Xander approaching with a stake. Xander
lunges with his stake but Jogger#3 blocks it, picks up
Xander and flings him away. Xander falls hard to the
ground.
ANYA
Xander!
Anya rushes towards Xander. Xander is a little groggy.
Buffy is still fighting Jogger#1 and #2. She knocks
Jogger#2 away. Jogger#1 rushes at her but Buffy
manages to avoid him and stake him.. dust.
Meanwhile, Jogger#3 is approaching Anya and a still-
dazed Xander. Willow approaces with a stake but the
vamp notices her coming and flings her to the ground,
knocking her on her butt, her stake flying towards
Anya. Willow looks back towards Anya as the vamp
approaches her.
WILLOW
(to Anya)
Anya, the stake.
ANYA
Oh.
Anya gets up and picks up the stake. Willow holds her
hand up ready to catch it. Anya throws the stake
towards Willow, over Willow and straight into the
hands of the approaching vamp. Willow gives a
disbelieving look to Anya. Anya gives Willow a 'oops'
look.
ANGLE : JOGGER VAMP#3
as he smiles, lifting the stake, approaching Willow.
Suddenly, a grimace of pain appears on his face. He
turns into dust, to reveal Buffy, who has just staked
him, catching the stake from the vampire's hand and
throwing it to Willow.
Xander, having recovered, notices Jogger#2 approaching
Buffy from behind. He rushes towards Buffy.
XANDER
Buffy, behind you!
Buffy flips around and stakes the vamp in time. She
then turns back around to face Xander, who is rushing
in, her stake still raised.
XANDER
(hands in the air,
panicked)
Ewok! Ewok!
Buffy rolls her eyes and walks away. The rest of the
gang follows.
ANGLE : SKEET
who has been hiding around the corner, having watched
all the action. A smile spreads across his face.
INT. THE MAGIC BOX - DAY (DAY 4)
The Magic Shop is open. A few customers are milling
about. Anya is behind the counter. Willow, Xander,
Buffy and Tara are at the table. Giles is wandering
between the counter and the table.
XANDER
All in all, I'd say things worked
out pretty darn well.
WILLOW
Yeah, vamps are dusty and as an
extra bonus, I got to go home with a
purple badge of courage.
XANDER
(to Willow)
I was hurt way more than you. That
vamp threw me away like I was a
doll. Didn't you guys see me fly?
WILLOW
Heck, I was flying too and I've got
the bruise to prove it.
TARA
It's true. She showed it to me last
night. There's a huge purply bruise
on her bu.. um.. back.
BUFFY
Okay, before any of you guys start
talking about the U.S.S.
Indianiapolis, I gotta tell you that
last night wasn't the main event.
GILES
It wasn't?
BUFFY
It was too easy. Just three vamps,
in a quiet deserted street? I figure
last night was just a dress
rehearsal. Spike Lite was probably
watching us, figuring out our
weaknesses.
ANGLE : ANYA
overhearing this and reacting a little to the last
sentence.
XANDER
So, we go again tonight. We'll be
ready.
BUFFY
Well, we'll be extra ready this
time. I'm gonna pack myself some
holy water and a mirror for myself,
just in case.
Willow looks a little sheepish.
WILLOW
Well, you know, things could be a
lot easier but ever since Glory, you
guys won't let me touch anything
darker than, oh let's say, daylight.
GILES
Willow, we've been through this.
Dark magic is nothing to be trifled
with.
WILLOW
Yeah, yeah. Evil magic.. blah,
blah.. poisons the soul.
Willow suddenly notices Tara's concerned look.
WILLOW
(to Tara)
It's okay. I wasn't being serious
gal. I'm not gonna be chasing
Dorothy any time soon with my army
of flying monkeys.
XANDER
Good. Because that weird thing you
do with your eyes?.. too freaky.
Buffy gets up to go to the training room to pick up
some supplies. Tara goes to follow her.
INT. THE MAGIC BOX/TRAINING ROOM - DAY
Buffy is in a corner, gathering some supplies. Tara
nervously walks up to her.
TARA
Buffy?
BUFFY
Hey Tara. What?
TARA
So, I should stay with Dawn again,
tonight?
BUFFY
Yeah.
(then)
Oh, I'm sorry. If you don't want to,
I'm sure I can get Anya or Giles..
TARA
No. it's not that. I love being
around Dawnie.
BUFFY
(relieved)
Good. Because the Anya - Dawn
combination.. too scary to even
contemplate
TARA
I was thinking that, maybe, you
should drop by sometime today, you
know, have a talk with Dawn. She
hasn't seen you for so long.
BUFFY
Tara, I can't. Not until after the
spell wears off. Besides, I really
don't think she's missing me lately.
Giles told me that you and her were
really hitting it off.
TARA
But I'm not her sister and of
course, she misses you. Right now,
after all that she's been through, I
think she really needs to feel like
she belongs. Family's important
Buffy. You showed me that.
A beat as Buffy takes it in.
BUFFY
Maybe I'll stop by, you know, if I
get a chance.
TARA
(letting it go)
Okay.
Tara walks away.
BUFFY
Tara?
Tara turns around.
BUFFY
I'm glad it's you.
Tara gives a little smile and exits. Buffy is lost in
her thoughts.
INT. ABANDONED WAREHOUSE - DAY
We see Skeet, sitting in a chair, lost in his
thoughts. Vincent comes up to him.
VINCENT
We're starting to run low on men
Boss. I mean, three last night plus
the three we lost the night before.
Maybe we should quit while we still
have a gang.
SKEET
Quit? No bloody chance. I've got her
exactly where I want her. Besides,
this is Sunnydale. Round these
parts, there's a vamp, well, hiding
under every stone. We can always
recruit some more.
VINCENT
But, they're not going to join our
gang, not while the slayer's around.
SKEET
But you see, my incompetent friend,
the slayer's not going to be around
no more. At least, not after
tonight.
VINCENT
So, what's the plan? Another
surprise attack?
SKEET
No. Tonight, we throw the slayer
into the mix. Really mess her up.
But first, we need to get rid of her
eyes and ears. We can't have her
little friends telling on us now can
we? That would just ruin the
surprise.
Skeet begins laughing a big villainous laugh. Vincent
stands there impassively. Skeet, noticing his silence,
stops and glares at Vincent. Vincent gets it, and
begins to laugh. Skeet resumes his laughter.
INT. BUFFY'S LIVING ROOM - DAY
Willow and Tara are sitting in the living room,
catching up on some homework. Buffy enters through the
front door.
WILLOW
(sees Buffy)
Buffy.
BUFFY
Hi.
TARA
She's in her room.
Buffy acknowledges Tara and heads up the stairs,
slowly.
INT. DAWN'S BEDROOM - DAY
Where we see Dawn lying on the bed, reading a book.
Buffy enters the room behind her.
BUFFY
Dawn?
Dawn turns around to face Buffy.
ANGLE : BUFFY
as we see her shocked reaction to seeing a vamped Dawn
(though we never get to see Dawn vamped). She is
clearly shaken but recovers.
DAWN
So, you still remember the way home,
huh?
BUFFY
I'm really sorry, okay. Things have
been really.. weird.
Buffy can't look at Dawn anymore. She starts looking
around, focusing on other things. She notices Dawn's
necklace.
BUFFY
(re the necklace)
That's pretty.
Dawn doesn't answer. Buffy goes over to sit on the
opposite side of the bed, facing away from Dawn. Dawn,
in turn, sits on the edge of her bed, her back to
Buffy.
BUFFY
I know I've been away a lot lately,
but you know it's not because I'm
avoiding you, right? I have to
train, I have to patrol. It's the
only way I know of keeping you safe.
DAWN
I can look after myself. I'm not a
weak little kid.
BUFFY
(looking at Dawn)
Of course not. But, there are things
out there that scare me, things that
I can't ever let touch you.
Buffy can't look at Dawn again. She looks away. Dawn
begins to fiddle with her necklace, gently caressing
the gemstone.
BUFFY
(a little emotional)
So, this is what I have to do. This
routine I've got going.. It gets me
through the day. And it doesn't mean
I don't love you because I do.
(turning to Dawn)
You're the most important person in
my life, the most cherished soul in
my heart.
Dawn sits there quietly, taking it all in. Not looking
at Buffy.
BUFFY
And even though I can't be with you
all the time, you're always with me,
you know? In here.
Buffy puts her hand on her chest.
BUFFY
Don't ever feel that you're not a
part of me. Do you understand?
Dawn sits silently. There is a silent beat.
BUFFY
I know you've been missing me..
DAWN
(snapping back, emotional)
I don't miss you! I don't care if
you stay out all night, or.. or get
killed fighting some stupid demon..
I don't..
Dawn can't continue. She turns away from Buffy.
DAWN
(regaining her composure)
I don't miss you.
Buffy gets up and walks around the bed to face Dawn.
She crouches down so that her face is level with
Dawn's. She gently lifts Dawn's chin to make Dawn look
at her.
BUFFY
(softly)
But, I miss you.
She kisses Dawn on the forehead, then gently cradles
Dawn's head against her shoulder. Dawn doesn't pull
away and softens a little, but her wall is still up.
We hold on this shot for a beat.
EXT. SUNNYDALE STREET - NIGHT
Buffy, Willow, Giles, Xander and Anya are patrolling.
Buffy and Willow are at the front of the group having
a talk while the rest are a little further back.
WILLOW
So, how did she handle it?
BUFFY
I'm not sure. She's angry, I guess.
But I think she's starting to
understand.
WILLOW
I think you just have to give her
time, to adjust. So long as she
knows you love her, everything will
work out.
BUFFY
I hope so. I mean, I can totally see
why she would feel left out, like
she doesn't belong, you know, with
the Scoobies. I keep pushing her
away when it comes to stuff like
patrolling. I think she might start
to feel like she's not wanted.
Willow gets a little worried.
WILLOW
(panicky)
But.. but she has to know that
you're only doing that because you
love her, right? I mean, the only
reason you keep her away from
patrolling is because you don't want
her to get hurt. Do you really think
she might feel like she's not
wanted?
Buffy shrugs. Willow looks distraught.
Suddenly, the gang hears a cry in the dark.
WOMAN (O.S.)
(yelling)
Help me! Please help me.
ANGLE ON : WOMAN
as she is being dragged away by a vampire. They turn a
corner and dissapear out of sight.
Buffy reacts instinctively and rushes off towards
them.
GILES
Buffy, wait for us!
Buffy has sped off into the distance while the
remaining Scoobs lag behind, unable to keep up.
Suddenly, two vampires step out from their hiding
places and stand in front of Giles, Anya, Willow and
Xander, blocking their way. They stop in their tracks.
ANGLE : BUFFY
as she continues to chase the vampire and the woman.
She loses them for a second but again, she hears the
woman cry out.
WOMAN (O.S.)
Help me! He's going to kill me.
REVERSE ANGLE
to show the vamp dragging the woman into an open
doorway.
Buffy follows and suddenly finds herself in..
INT. THE BRONZE - NIGHT
Loud music is blaring. Strobing lights are flashing
and, through Buffy's POV, we see a mass of young
vampires dancing away. It is utterly confusing for
Buffy. She gets pushed towards the middle of the dance
floor by the mass of people. Buffy takes out her stake
but looks absolutely lost, surrounded by vampires. She
keeps spinning around, trying to protect her back.
ANGLE : SKEET
as he casually locks the door from where Buffy came
in. He looks at Buffy and smiles.
BLACKOUT
END OF ACT THREE
CONTINUE TO ACT FOUR