Episode 6 - Reunion
ACT ONE
EXT. SUNNYDALE BUS DEPOT - DAY (DAY 2)
A bus pulls up at the depot. The doors open and people
begin to disembark.
CLOSE ON : THE STEPS ON THE BUS
as we see various feet as people disembark. We see
feet wearing a stylish pair of high heels and we TRACK
the person's feet as she walks off the bus and stands
at the kerbside.
PAN UP:
to reveal Cordelia Chase, dressed in clothing which
screams successful and wearing a fashionable pair of
sunglasses.
Cordelia looks around and takes a deep breath.
CORDELIA
God, I hate this town.
She goes over to retrieve her suitcase, picks it up
and starts dragging it along, heading into the centre
of town.
CORDELIA
(muttering to herself)
I just have to be strong. I am a
successful L.A. actress. I am a
successful L.A. actress. I was in
'the Matrix' with Keanu?.. No. Too
big. Keep it believable. Something
credible and respectable which no
one has seen.. think vanity pieces,
vanity pieces..
Cordelia suddenly stops mid-rant, a revelation washing
over her.
CORDELIA
Wait. What am I worried about? I may
be nothing but migraine girl in L.A.
but I'm still totally queen of
Sunnydale.
Cordelia continues walking. A car pulls along beside
her and a guy leans out the window.
GUY
Cordelia? Is that Cordy?
CORDELIA
(taking off glasses,
feigning recognition)
Oh my God! It's.. you!
Cordelia stops and puts down the suitcase.
GUY
Ben! Ben Pierson. I used to sit
behind you in English.
CORDELIA
(still has no clue, Big
L.A. smile)
Right. Ben. Of course! How are you?
GUY
I'm great. You here for the big
reunion too huh?
CORDELIA
(Big L.A. smile)
Yeah. I'm really looking forward to
catch up with all my.. friends.
GUY
Cordelia Chase. You know, all the
guys were so totally into you. You
totally ruled Sunnydale High.
Cordelia smiles brightly at all this, nostalgia
washing over her.
CORDELIA
Oh I'm sure..
GUY
No, really. You used to be so hot.
CORDELIA
(smile cracking, used?)
Used?
GUY
(oblivious)
I heard you moved out to L.A. to
become an actress. What happened? I
haven't seen you in any movies.
CORDELIA
Well, I'm starting out in TV for
now. I've been in a few things.
GUY
What?
CORDELIA
(thinking fast)
Well, you know that show with those
kids living by that creek?
GUY
Oh Yeah, yeah! I never miss an
episode of that! I've actually
created a fan website for it and am
one of the founding members..
CORDELIA
Well, I totally haven't been in
that.
GUY
Wow. I can't believe I'm actually
sitting here having an actual
conversation with Cordelia Chase.
You never even used to look at me. I
guess things change huh?
CORDELIA
Yeah.
(gesturing to the
suitcase, all charms)
You know, this thing's really heavy
and I was wondering, if you were
heading into town..
GUY
(not listening)
Queen C! Wait till I tell the guys.
Hey! I gotta run but I'll catch you
at the reunion. Great seeing you
again.
He drives off in his car, leaving Cordelia standing on
the pavement.
CORDELIA
(puts her sunglasses back
on)
God, I hate this town.
Cordelia wearily picks up the suitcase again and
starts lugging it into town.
INT. UC SUNNYDALE LECTURE ROOM - DAY
Willow is in a packed lecture hall. The Chem class is
just finishing up. There is a male professor in his
late 50s at the front of the class, looking a little
world-weary.
PROFESSOR
You can pick up your tests on your
way out. Please also remember that
representatives of several companies
and government corporations will be
holding seminars at the University
next week, scouting for promising
new graduates, so this may be the
time for you people to take that one
shower for the month.
Willow and the other students walk up to the
Professor's table to pick up their tests.
Willow picks hers up and smiles proudly at the high
marks she has received (again).
CHEM CLASSMATE
(noticing the mark)
Way to go Will!
WILLOW
Thanks.
Chem classmate finishes his cameo and leaves. Willow
senses something and turns to look at the door, where
students are exiting. She sees nothing out of the
ordinary.
PROFESSOR
(packing his briefcase)
Miss Rosenberg? Is something the
matter?
WILLOW
(quickly turning to face
the Professor)
No. Sometimes I just.. It's nothing.
PROFESSOR
Have you given any thoughts as to
your future?
WILLOW
My future?
PROFESSOR
Yes. You should attend those
seminars next week. With your
grades, those people will be
clambering over themselves to catch
your attention.
WILLOW
Next week? I'm not sure. I think I
might be busy with things, you know,
other. So I guess I may miss the
Twister free-for-all.
(off his reaction,
nervously)
Cause you know, you said
'clambering' and I got this mental
picture of this giant game of
Twister, only with suits and ties
and I guess that would make the game
kinda uncomfortable and..
PROFESSOR
Miss Rosenberg.
WILLOW
I'll be quiet.
PROFESSOR
You're one of the brightest students
I've ever come across. Your
potential is.. let's just say you
have the chance to become someone
who stands out from amongst her
peers. It is a feeling few of us
will ever experience.
The professor finishes packing his briefcase and walks
to the door. He stops and turns around.
PROFESSOR
(weary but kind smile)
I'd think twice before I gave that
up to do things.. you know, other.
The professor exits. Willow stands in the empty
classroom, deep in thought.
INT. THE MAGIC BOX/TRAINING ROOM - DAY
A break from training. Buffy and Giles are sitting on
the bench having a discussion while Christopher
listens in off to the side.
BUFFY
It's just that I don't think I'd be
welcomed. I mean, they've spent
years trying to repress those
memories from high school.
GILES
Nonsense.
BUFFY
No really. The trip down Buffy lane
is kinda filled with death,
destruction and really bad
renditions of plays which give a
whole new meaning to the term,
'Classical Tragedy'.
GILES
You forget Buffy that we're living
on top of the Hellmouth. These
things were already happening before
you arrived. The death and
destruction? None of that is because
of you. You were their saviour,
their class protector.
(Buffy smiles)
However, I have to agree. There's
really no excusing the play.
CHRISTOPHER
(coming over, to Giles)
I really don't think this is a good
idea.
GILES
(quietly)
What a surprise.
CHRISTOPHER
(to Giles)
Do you really think the slayer's
time is best served living in the
past? There isn't time for such
frivolous engagements. The slayer
needs to be ready.
Buffy reacts a little to this last sentence.
GILES
She has a name you know.
BUFFY
Giles, it's okay.
CHRISTOPHER
(to Buffy)
What's the point? The past is the
past and that's where you should
leave it. There's nothing you can do
to change it, however badly you may
want to. Let it go.
BUFFY
What if it's the only thing you have
left.. to hang on to?
The room becomes a little quiet.
GILES
(earnestly to Buffy)
You should go.
Buffy looks at Giles for a beat, then nods.
CHRISTOPHER
What if there's trouble somewhere
else? We still don't know terribly
much about our new visitors.
BUFFY
Don't worry. If there's something
I've learnt from experience, it's
that trouble follows me, not the
other way round. If anything bad is
gonna happen, it'll be at the
reunion. I bet there's someone out
there right now planning some extra
evil and working some bad mojo.
INT. QUENCH'S MAGIC SHOP - DAY
CLOSE ON : A MAGIC BOOK ENTITLED "THE DARK VORTEX"
A hand flips through the pages, inspecting the spells
within.
ANGLE : QUENCH
A frail old man with a wispy white beard. His eyelids
have been sewn shut, obviously blind. He is behind a
counter in a dark, musty shop. We see potions and
bottles containing preserved animals and parts of
animals behind him on a shelf. He senses the air as he
picks up something.
QUENCH
(re the book)
Aah. A fine choice. I see you are
well versed in the black arts.
We hear someone approaching Quench off-screen. We see
a pair of hands put a stack of books on the counter in
front of Quench.
QUENCH
(running his hands over
the books)
My, my quite the collection. Is
there someone you have in mind?
ANGLE : WILLOW
WILLOW
(emotionless)
Always.
We get a look at the shop behind Willow. It is filled
with stacks and stacks of books. It is very dark in
the shop, illuminated by a few gas-lamps. There are
windows but the curtains have been pulled shut.
Willow hears something. She leans over the counter and
looks at something at Quench's feet. A two-headed dog,
resting on the floor. One head, like Quench, has its
eyelids sewn shut. The other has its eyelids pinned
open. Willow glares angrily at Quench
QUENCH
(sensing the glare)
Do not judge so hastily. He is
perfectly comfortable.
Quench reaches for a small bottle of fluid behind the
counter. He drops a few drops of eye-fluid into the
open eyes of the dog.
WILLOW
But why?
QUENCH
It is simply a reminder.
(patting open-eyed head)
One head sees and feels everything,
the good and the bad. He enjoys the
ecstasy of both beauty and pain.
(touching the other head)
The other closes its eyes to the
world. He feels safe and protected
in his little shell but he can never
see true beauty nor be wary of the
danger just behind him.
WILLOW
Is that why your eyes..
QUENCH
(smiling)
No little one. I see everything.
Quench hands over the books as Willow pays Quench, a
little disturbed by him. Willow leaves without looking
back.
QUENCH
Come again.
INT. THE MAGIC BOX - DAY
It is around lunch time. The Magic Box is open and a
few customers are milling about. Anya and Xander are
behind the counter. Xander is eating his lunch.
Cordelia enters, dragging her suitcase, looking a
little hot and tired. Cordelia looks around the shop
and then looks at the scrap of paper in her hand.
CORDELIA
(to herself)
The Magic Box? I thought this was a
toy shop.
Cordelia tentatively walks forward into the shop.
CORDELIA
Giles? Buffy?
Xander stops mid-bite, a little shocked. He walks
around the counter and sees Cordelia.
XANDER
Cordelia?
Cordelia lets out a little squeal, goes over to Xander
and hugs him, then gives big fake L.A. kisses on the
cheek.
CORDELIA
(happily)
Xander. It's been so long.
Anya spins around to look at Xander and Cordelia. She
hurries over next to Xander.
XANDER
(noticing Anya, to
Cordelia)
You remember Anya don't you.
CORDELIA
Of course! How are..
ANYA
(to Xander, anxious)
Why is she here?
XANDER
An, remember? The reunion?
ANYA
Oh.. right.
(to Cordelia, smiling and
stilted)
It's good that you could come back
and share this happy day with all
your friends.
An awkward beat. Anya turns and walks away.
ANYA
(a mantra to herself)
I choose not to feel threatened.
Jealousy, insecurity and anxiety are
normal human traits.
Giles and Buffy enters. Cordelia sees them.
CORDELIA
Giles!
Cordelia goes over and hugs Giles. Buffy waits her
turn.
BUFFY
(with arms open, ready for
a hug)
Cordelia.
Cordelia is about to hug Buffy when she notices how
sweaty she is. She pulls back.
CORDELIA
Sorry. I don't do sweat.
They decide on a cordial handshake.
BUFFY
So, Cordelia. What are you doing
here?
CORDELIA
Hello! Is this one of those deals
where everyone loses their memory?
The reunion? I mean, I can
understand if Giles gets a little
forgetful. Because, seriously, all
those knocks to the head can't be
good for..
Giles looks unimpressed.
BUFFY
I meant, what are you doing here in
the shop? I wouldn't have thought
that we'd be high on your Sunnydale
to-do list.
CORDELIA
What are you talking about? We're
the Scooby Gang.
(dramatic)
Fighting the good fight, standing as
one against unspeakable evil.
XANDER
(to Buffy)
She needs a place to crash.
CORDELIA
I totally need a place to crash.
XANDER
What happened with the Cordettes?
CORDELIA
Can you believe those people? I go
away for a few years and they decide
to move on without me.
GILES
Unconscionable.
CORDELIA
(looking pleadingly at
Buffy, Giles and Xander)
So if one of you could put me up for
the night?
ANYA (O.S.)
Don't look at Xander. Stop looking
at Xander.
BUFFY
Cordelia, would you like to stay
with me at my house?
CORDELIA
Great. Love to.
BUFFY
Fine. I'll just go change and Xander
can drive us to the house.
Buffy exits to the back. Cordelia sidles up to Xander.
CORDELIA
(to Xander, quietly)
I know I've been gone for a while
and haven't been checking in and
everything but.. Is Buffy? I mean is
she?
XANDER
Cordy.. what?
CORDELIA
(whispering)
Has she gone the way of Willow?
XANDER
What? No. Your chastity is safe.
It's just gonna be you, Buffy, Dawn
and your rampaging ego. There'll
just be enough room to fit you all
in.
CORDELIA
Good. Good.
(a beat)
Who's Dawn?
INT. WILLOW AND TARA'S ROOM - NIGHT
Tara is in the room by herself. She is looking down at
a piece of paper in her hand. She looks concerned.
We hear someone opening the door. Tara hurriedly
stuffs the piece of paper back in the envelope and
places it with a stack of papers on the table.
Willow enters, carrying her class materials.
WILLOW
Hey you.
TARA
Hey.
Willow puts her stuff away and flops on the bed. She
plays with Miss Kitty.
WILLOW
Whatchya doing?
TARA
(placing a sheet of paper
over the envelope)
Oh.. you know, just finishing up my
assignment. Oh! How did your go in
your Chem test?
WILLOW
(proudly)
Totally Marie Curied it!
TARA
(smiling)
That's my girl. I told you there was
nothing to worry about.
WILLOW
Well, yeah. Now if we can just get
this reunion out of the way.
TARA
(slightly hesitant)
I'm thinking maybe I shouldn't go. I
don't really belong there. They're
your friends, your classmates. I'd
be kinda out of place.
WILLOW
(sitting up)
But you have to come. I don't think
I can survive the reunion if you're
not there.
TARA
Oh, but the rest of the Scoobs will
be, you know, the whole gang from
high..
(oops, too late)
school.
Willow lets that thought linger for a brief moment
before moving on.
WILLOW
The whole gang won't be there unless
you come too. Please?
TARA
(relenting, smiling)
Okay.
WILLOW
You're just a little nervous. It's
normal. I mean, when it's your turn
for your high school reunion, I'll
totally come and be the one that's,
you know, out of placey.
Willow gets off the bed and goes to the closet,
finding something to wear.
TARA
My reunion? I don't think I'd be.. I
mean, no one really knew me in high
school..
(quietly to herself)
or even now.
WILLOW
(missing the second part)
Oh sweetie, I'm sure everyone loved
you. And if they didn't, well, it's
their loss.
Tara shrugs.
WILLOW
(remembering something)
Oh! I have to warn you about
Cordelia. It may take a while to get
used to her. Words kinda take a
detour around her brain and just fly
straight out of her mouth.
TARA
(smiling)
Got it.
WILLOW
I guess she's kinda like Anya, but,
you know, with accessories.
TARA
So, are you wearing the purple?
WILLOW
I think so.
TARA
Okay. I'll find something to match.
I just have to hand in this
assignment first.
Tara picks up her assignment and the envelope.
WILLOW
(turning to Tara)
Be back soon.
TARA
I will.
WILLOW
Love you.
TARA
with an exclamation point.
Tara exits. Willow looks at the closed door for a
beat. She sits down on the bed and takes a deep
breath.
EXT. SUNNYDALE CAMPUS - NIGHT
Tara is walking along a path, heading across campus.
It is quiet.
She walks up to a bin. She takes out the envelope and
looks at the letter within.
ANGLE ON : THE LETTER
Just one word, written in red. 'Soon.'
Tara crumples up the letter and throws both the letter
and the envelope in the bin. Then, she senses
something and looks around, but sees nothing.
She begins to hurry off, taking quicker steps.
ANGLE : TARA
from someone's POV, walking behind her. Tara doesn't
dare look back and tries to duck into a building, only
to find the main entrance locked. As Tara fiddles with
the door, we approach Tara, getting closer and closer.
Tara turns around.
REVERSE ANGLE : OZ
OZ
Hey.
BLACKOUT
END OF ACT ONE
CONTINUE TO ACT TWO