Episode 18 - The Grand Illusion
ACT TWO
EXT. BUFFY'S HOUSE - DAY
to establish.
INT. BUFFY'S HOUSE/KITCHEN - DAY
ANGLE ON : A CUP
as water is being poured into it.
We TILT up to reveal Giles pouring the water from a jug.
He returns to the fridge, opens it and places the jug
back inside. The fridge light goes off. Giles taps on it
a couple of times. It flickers back on. He closes the
fridge door, grabs the cup of water and exits to..
INT. BUFFY'S HOUSE/LIVING ROOM - DAY
ANGLE : ROSALIND
looking shaken and nervous.. sitting on a chair.
ROSALIND
(speaking quietly)
Everything's different. I mean, I've
lived here all my life. So.. when did
things get so different?
Few confused looks between some of the Scoobs gathered
around her.
ROSALIND
People I know..
Giles places the cup of water down on the table in front
of her. Rosalind looks up at Giles.
ROSALIND
Thank you.
Giles nods. Rosalind grabs the cup and takes a healthy
swig.. thirstily gulping the water down. Buffy waits for
her to finish, then..
BUFFY
People you know?
ROSALIND
They're not where they used to be. Not
where they should be.
More confused looks.
WILLOW
Well, people move around. Maybe they
just went off somewhere without telling
you.
ROSALIND
(loudly)
No. I always know where they are.
(quieter.. more unsure)
At least I used to.
XANDER
So.. what? You think they've
dissapeared?
BUFFY
(turning to Giles)
You think someone could be taking
people from town? Have you heard
anything?
Giles shakes his head slowly.
ROSALIND
No. It's more than that. It's like..
they've left me behind. Left me in this
dead world.
(urgently to the group)
Don't you see? Everything's stopped.
GILES
Where do you live? Is there anyone we
can call?
ROSALIND
I don't remember. I don't remember
anything before the play. I know after,
I wandered around town.. not really
knowing what to do or where to go.
BUFFY
But you ended up at the circus.
ROSALIND
(thinking it over in her
mind)
Yes. I guess I did. And then I heard
him speak.
GILES
You mean the ringmaster?
Rosalind nods.
BUFFY
What did he say?
Rosalind stares hard at Buffy, her eyes tearing up. She
turns away from her, too distressed to continue. Buffy
looks up to Giles.. concerned. She turns back to
Rosalind.
BUFFY
You said before the world was dying.
What did you mean? What's going to
happen?
Rosalind slowly turns back to look at Buffy.
ROSALIND
(quietly)
It's already happening.
The Scoobs look very concerned.
EXT. BUFFY'S HOUSE/BACKYARD - DAY
ANGLE ON : THE KITCHEN DOOR
as it opens with Giles stepping out of the house and into
the garden.
We TRACK him as he joins the gang in the backyard. We see
the girls seated in garden chairs. Giles joins a standing
Xander nearby.
BUFFY
So? How's she doing?
GILES
She's resting, which I suspect at this
moment is perhaps the best thing for
her.
TARA
Poor thing.
ANYA
Poor, crazy, deluded, borderline
psychopathic..
(off Scoobs' looks)
..thing.
TARA
Oh Anya, I really don't think..
ANYA
Of course she is. Don't let Ms Chicken
Little up there fool you with all that
'Gee Whiz, help and protect me' doe-
eyed innocence of hers.
XANDER
Kinda have to agree with An here. I
mean, pretty girls can be crazy too.
DAWN
You think she's crazy?
ANYA
(icy cold glare)
You think she's pretty?
XANDER
(flustered.. to Dawn)
Yes..
(to Anya)
I mean NO! And may God strike me down
if I'm lying.
A beat. Xander sneaks a peek at the sky, then takes a
step to his right to seek a little more shelter under a
tree.
GILES
Well, I'm certainly not discounting the
possibility that all this could simply
be in her head. But given our current
place of habitat..
WILLOW
(nodding)
Hotel Hellmouth. Where there's always a
fun-filled wacky, evil activity for you
to enjoy.
BUFFY
I agree. I can't put my finger on it
but, from the moment I saw her at the
circus, I got the feelin' that there's
something more going on here.
ANYA
(dismissively)
Oh, you always think there's something
more going on.
BUFFY
(pouty)
Well.. there always is.
ANYA
This morning, you thought the
cockroaches had banded together and
formed a faction with the ultimate
objective of crapping in your slippers
every day.
BUFFY
I was joking.
(off Dawn's look)
Okay, half-joking. But.. hey, it could
have been a cunning plot to take over
the world.
DAWN
(sarcastic)
Fortunately, the threat was averted
thanks to a mighty slayer and the
sudden and rather distressing use of
chemical warfare.
BUFFY
Hey, if you'd prefer.. next time, they
can go squish.
DAWN
(backing off)
No.. chemicals are good.
Giles clears his throat pointedly. Buffy turns to look
and him, then getting it..
BUFFY
Oh, yes.. Where were we?
TARA
Um.. There's something more going on?
BUFFY
Right. See? Tara agrees with me.
GILES
Well, let's assume for the moment that
she's telling the truth.. or at least,
she believes she's telling the truth.
BUFFY
I got my eye on the ringmaster. There's
something way creepy going on with that
guy.
Some unconvinced looks from the gang.
DAWN
Is this because I made you go to the
circus?
BUFFY
No.. no. Think about it. Things were
quiet before.. then suddenly, wham!
Circus pops out of nowhere, freaky
show, girl loses her mind.. ergo, much
evil afooting.
WILLOW
He did make a big show with that whole
song and dance about illusions. That
could be what's happening here.. I
mean, with that girl.. making her
believe things that aren't there?
TARA
Not exactly a curly moustache and an
evil laugh but it certainly suggests
evilness.
BUFFY
Plus, he turned me into an elephant.
(off looks)
What? It's a factor.
(off more looks)
It's a factor for me, okay?
GILES
Right. Xander? You and Anya go back to
town and see if you can't find the
other actors in that play. Someone must
know who she is.
Xander and Anya nods.
GILES
I'll go and check with the police
department.. and with the psychiatric
hospitals.. see if anybody's missing.
Buffy, return to the circus and see if
you can have a little chat with this
ringmaster of yours. And be careful. We
don't know who or what we're dealing
with here.
WILLOW
What about us?
GILES
You, Tara and Dawn better stay here and
keep an eye on our guest. Perhaps her
mind will become clearer when she
wakes.
Willow, Tara and Dawn share a few looks.
GILES
Everything clear?
Nods all around. Everyone gets up and begin to walk away.
ANGLE : ANYA
TRACKING her as she walks next to Xander.
ANYA
Say what you like, I still don't think
the sky is falling.
We let Anya and Xander walk off-screen, then tilt up to
look at the horizon. Off in the distance, we see what
look likes dark, black clouds rolling in.
EXT. CIRCUS - DAY
where we see Buffy entering the deserted circus grounds.
No one around. Everything dead and silent. Buffy
carefully walks further in.
She thinks she hears something. She spins around.
REVERSE ANGLE : VARIOUS CIRCUS BOOTHS
unmanned. We see something like shadows darting around
here and there.. then nothing.
Buffy turns back and slowly approaches the big tent,
under "The Grand Illusion" sign. She enters.
INT. THE CIRCUS TENT - DAY
as Buffy walks into the deserted circus tent. She stops
near the entrance, taking a look around. She sees an
empty circus ring and empty seats all around it. The
lights have been left on within the circus tent.
Buffy notices something a little strange about the
lighting. She looks up towards the lights.
REVERSE ANGLE : THE LIGHTS
at the top of the circus tent. One of them seems to be
blinking oddly.
With an eye on the lights, Buffy reaches for the light
switch next to the entrance. She pulls down the lever.
The lights go off, all but the blinking light.
Buffy looks at the single blinking light suspiciously.
She walks slowly to the centre of the ring, looking
straight up at the light.
BUFFY
I know you.
We see the light start to move, glowing a little brighter
with all the other lights off. It circles lazily for a
beat, then descends towards Buffy, stopping just on top
of her.. just out of reach.
BUFFY
(to the light)
Where's your friend?
RINGMASTER (O.S.)
You're early.
Buffy turns towards the voice. The lights come back on
under the tent. We see the ringmaster sitting high up in
one of the audience seats. Little friend flies slowly
back up to the top of the tent, resuming its position.
The ringmaster stretches out and casually regards Buffy
at the centre of the circus ring.
BUFFY
Early for what?
RINGMASTER
You'll see.
BUFFY
What's going on here? What are you
doing to the people in town?
RINGMASTER
Aah.. the town. It's a charming little
world you have for yourself here.
BUFFY
Quit with the niceties Chuckles. I know
you've done something to this town.
Cast some evil mojo which is messin'
with people's minds? Which, by the way,
is probably not the best way to show
your appreciation to your hosts.
RINGMASTER
Are you very certain that's what's
going on?
BUFFY
C'mon. That whole number you did today
about illusions? That was as subtle as
an anvil.
RINGMASTER
I think you'll find there are many
kinds of illusions. In any case, I am
not the one responsible for whatever's
going on in your town.
BUFFY
Who is?
The ringmaster is about to reply but stops. A smile
crosses his face.
RINGMASTER
(as if thinking to himself)
No, no. It's too early for that. Our
scene is yet to come.
BUFFY
Our? Wait, what's all this got to do
with me?
RINGMASTER
Something is about to happen, and it's
coming fast. You will come again.. just
before the end. You will come again and
I will be waiting for you. Then, you
will know. Only then, will you be
ready.
BUFFY
Ready? Ready for what?
RINGMASTER
Why.. to die of course.
Buffy is taken a little aback by this, then stiffens up
and walks threateningly toward the ringmaster.
BUFFY
(in a very girly voice)
But Officer, he threatened my life. I
just had to stab him repeatedly with my
sharp, wooden stick.
A sly smile from the ringmaster.
RINGMASTER
Time to go. Remember Buffy, even the
biggest worlds are smaller than you
think.
The ringmaster dissapears.
BUFFY
Great. Another last word guy.
The lights in the tent click off, leaving Buffy in
darkness.
EXT. OUTSIDE BUFFY'S HOUSE/SIDEWALK - DAY
Buffy walking on the sidewalk, deep in thought. She
glances up at the sky.
REVERSE ANGLE : THE SKY
Deep, black clouds off in the horizon. Seemingly coming
closer.
Buffy stares hard at the clouds for a beat, then turns
and heads towards her house.
INT. BUFFY'S HOUSE/FOYER - DAY
as Buffy enters the house. She heads towards..
INT. BUFFY'S HOUSE/LIVING ROOM - DAY
where we see everyone gathered back in the living room.
Willow and Tara next to each other on the couch. Xander,
Anya and Dawn in the other couch. Giles stands. They all
look a tad anxious.
BUFFY
Hey.
DAWN
Hey. What's up?
XANDER
Yeah. How did the meeting go with the
ol' clown wrangler?
BUFFY
Evily cryptic. Or is that cryptically
evil? Either way, there are no straight
answers coming out from that guy. It's
all, you know, bendy and curvy.
GILES
He didn't mention anything about what
might be going on in town?
BUFFY
Not specifically, but he did claim he
had nothing to do with it.
WILLOW
Yeah. I guess we should just rule him
out as a suspect then.
(a beat, then looking
around)
Your sarcasm detectors did pick that up
right?
TARA
(smiling, reaching out to
hold her hand)
Off the chart sweetie.
BUFFY
Did you guys find out anything?
GILES
No one matching our guest's description
has been reported missing at the police
station or, indeed, at the hospital.
ANYA
And our little Sunnydale Shakesperian
Snooze-fest?.. try saying that quickly
three times..
Anya stops. Everyone waits for Anya to continue.
ANYA
Well? I'm waiting.
XANDER
(jumping in)
They've dissapeared.
BUFFY
Dissapeared?
XANDER
Well, I don't necessarily use the term
in the 'Look at my pretty hair while I
magically vapourize this tiger' David
Copperfield kinda way, more, you know,
in your regular 'Where has my career
gone?'.. David Copperfield kinda way.
BUFFY
They're gone?
XANDER
Everyone and everything. Actors, stage,
sets. It's like they were never here.
DAWN
That's not good.
XANDER
There's more. Me and An wandered around
town, you know, trying to see if anyone
knew where the troupe went? It was
like, almost deserted. I've seen more
people at a Wesley Crusher Convention.
BUFFY
Okay, I'm not exactly sure what's going
on, but the creeped-out factor just
trebled.
WILLOW
Already there Buffy. Nice of you to
join us up here.
XANDER
Did I mention how much I hate heights?
BUFFY
(remembering something)
The ringmaster. He said something..
something was coming.
XANDER
(nervous)
Coming? What's coming? I mean, are we
talking Santa Claus or In-Laws?
BUFFY
Didn't say. But judging from his tone,
it didn't sound like a happy fun time.
XANDER
I tell you I'm afraid of heights and
you plonk me on top of Mt Everest?
BUFFY
Sorry. But we have to be ready for
anything. Will? Tara? Why don't you
guys get working on some kind of
protection spell for our guest up
there. Whatever's coming is obviously
affecting her and in a not positive
way.
WILLOW
On it.
BUFFY
(thinks for a beat, then..)
While you're at it, why don't you throw
in a few for the rest of us as well.
Solemn nods from Willow and Tara.
DAWN
What are we going to do now?
BUFFY
Well, the first thing I need to do is
talk to sleeping beauty. See if I can't
get any answers from her. She up?
INT. BUFFY'S HOUSE/BUFFY'S ROOM - DAY
ANGLE : ROSALIND
staring at her reflection in the mirror. She has now
changed from her Shakesperian costume into a brown top
and jeans. She reaches up and slowly removes her blonde
wig to reveal short, brown hair underneath. She looks at
her new visage, then crinkles her nose and messes her
hair up with her hand. She notices Buffy at the doorway
in the reflection of the mirror. She spins around to face
her.
ROSALIND
Hey.
BUFFY
Hi.
Rosalind is now completely out of her Shakesperian
character. Looking and sounding different, she seems like
a completely different person.
Rosalind notices Buffy staring at her outfit. She looks
down at her clothes, then back up to Buffy.
ROSALIND
I hope you don't mind. Dawn said I
could borrow a few clothes.
BUFFY
Sure. I mean, my clothes have been
bugging me about wanting to step out in
a new body once in a while.
(quickly appraising Rosalind
in her outfit)
They fit you well. Just give it a few
minutes for them to settle in. I don't
think they're used to curves.
Rosalind smiles. Buffy walks over to the bed and takes a
look at Rosalind's costume now on the bed.
BUFFY
(re the clothes)
I'm sure you're glad to get out of
that.
ROSALIND
Oh, it has its advantages. You'd be
surprised how many guys get off on that
garb.
BUFFY
Really? Wow.. a cultured sub-culture. I
guess if you're gonna have a fetish,
you might as well pick one that's
Federally funded.
Buffy turns to Rosalind.
BUFFY
How are you feeling?
ROSALIND
Better.. well, calmer anyway. Less of
a, you know, shrieking mad freak-out
case.. to give it its techinal term.
BUFFY
Hey, we've all been there.
ROSALIND
I guess.
(sighs)
Xanax.. Not only a cute palindrome but
America's favourite chemical
dependency.
BUFFY
And don't forget, handy with a triple
word score.
Nervous smiles. A silent beat as the tension slowly
evaporates from the room.
BUFFY
Do you remember anything more.. I mean,
about today?
Rosalind shakes her head.
ROSALIND
It's been a weird day.
BUFFY
You said before that something was
happening. Something bad?
ROSALIND
(going to a place she
doesn't want to go)
I dunno. It's just this feeling I have,
deep down.. that.. that..
(shakes her head)
I'm sorry. I can't.
Buffy puts a consoling hand on Rosalind's arm.
BUFFY
Hey. It's okay.
ROSALIND
It's just that.. if I say it, it'll
become true. I don't want it to be
true. I mean, it can't be true.. can
it?
(off Buffy's confused look)
Sorry, I'm spazzing again. It's like my
one particular talent in life. Some
people can split the atom. I got lumped
with hysteria.
BUFFY
(softly)
You're scared. It's okay to be scared.
Rosalind looks at Buffy, then nods.. letting her inner
feelings break through for a moment.
BUFFY
I mean, I'd be scared too if I was in
your position.
ROSALIND
You believe me?
BUFFY
Of course. Something odd is definitely
happening around here.
(earnestly)
But whatever it is you think is gonna
happen? It's not. Okay? I'm not gonna
let it. You'll be safe with us.
ROSALIND
But.. how?
BUFFY
Let's just say that it's my particular
talent in life.
Rosalind nods and smiles, looking more reassured.
BUFFY
C'mon. Let's head downstairs and join
the rest of the gang. You up for that?
Rosalind looks around the room, like she's unwilling to
leave this safe place, but then turns back to Buffy..
takes a deep breath in and nods.
BUFFY
Great.
As Buffy turns to head out, Rosalind begins to follow.
She suddenly spies something out of the corner of her
eye.
ROSALIND
(just casually)
Gettin' dark.
Buffy turns and follows Rosalind's gaze out the window.
REVERSE ANGLE : THE SKY
outside the window.. dark clouds rolling in.
BUFFY
Yeah. It's weird that. I mean, I don't
know where those clouds came from but..
Buffy turns back to face an empty room. Rosalind has
dissapeared.
ANGLE : BUFFY
looking confused, then concerned.
BLACKOUT
END OF ACT TWO
CONTINUE TO ACT THREE