Episode 1 - Ripples
RIPPLES
TEASER
We start with darkness. We hold on this darkness for a
few seconds. Gradually, we hear a harsh grating
electronic beep, soft at first, but growing
increasingly louder and louder, striking through the
darkness.
INT. BUFFY'S ROOM - DAY (DAY 1)
ANGLE ON : A BEDSIDE CLOCK
The clock reads 7:15. The alarm continues to beep. A
hand wearily reaches over and shuts the alarm.Buffy
gets up from her bed, looking very tired. It is very
quiet. She sits on her bed for a second before getting
up.
INT. BUFFY'S BATHROOM - DAY
From the reflection in the mirror we see Buffy
brushing her teeth. There is no sound except for the
brushing and the water. Buffy is expressionless.
INT. BUFFY'S UPSTAIRS HALLWAY/OUTSIDE DAWN'S ROOM -
DAY
Buffy, now dressed, knocks on Dawn's door.
BUFFY
Dawn? Time to wake up. Dawn?
DAWN (O.S.)
(grumpily)
I'm coming, I'm coming.
Buffy walks away, stopping outside Joyce's room. She
looks at the closed door for a second before heading
downstairs
INT. BUFFY'S KITCHEN - DAY
Buffy takes a carton of milk from the fridge and sets
it on the table. She collects three bowls and sets
them next to the milk.
Dawn arrives and sits down at the table as Buffy pours
the cereal into the bowls. Dawn notices the three
bowls and quietly looks at Buffy.
Buffy is halfway through pouring the cereal into the
third bowl when she notices. A beat. She pours the
cereal from the bowl back into the box and puts the
bowl away.
Dawn pours the milk into the two remaining bowls. They
both start eating their breakfast. Dawn stops and
begins playing with her food.
BUFFY
Dawn. Hurry up and eat your
breakfast. Giles will be here any
minute to pick us up.
DAWN
I don't need to be driven to school
you know. I have, like, legs and a
surprisingly keen sense of
direction.
BUFFY
We're not going to have this
discussion again. Giles will pick us
up and drop you off at school and
Xander will come pick you up after..
DAWN
(sternly)
I got it.
Buffy gives Dawn a concerned look as Dawn avoids eye
contact and continues slowly eating her breakfast.
BUFFY
I'm going to be training with Giles
again at the magic shop tonight so I
may be a little late. There's some
leftovers in the fridge if..
DAWN
Xander's taking me to his place
tonight, remember? You know, video
night?
BUFFY
Was that tonight?
DAWN
Forgetful much? You do remember I'm
helping Willow move in to Tara's
place on Sunday?
BUFFY
Of course.
Dawn makes a face. More awkward silence.
DAWN
I took one of your CDs last night
from your room. But I sorta dropped
it on the floor and now its all
scratched and stuff. When I tried to
play it, it made this strange
squealy sound.
Dawn waits expectantly for a reaction
BUFFY
Just don't do it again.
Buffy finishes her breakfast and goes over to the sink
to wash the bowl. Dawn sits at the table sullenly.
DAWN
Don't you even wanna know which CD
it was? I mean..
BUFFY
Dawn, I don't care. Now, if you're
not going to finish your breakfast,
just dump it in the trash and wash
up. You're going to be late for
school and Giles and I are going to
be late for training.
Buffy finishes washing her bowl and heads upstairs.
Dawn comes over to the sink with her bowl.
DAWN
(to herself)
Giles and I are going to be late for
training. Ooh, that's so important.
Everyone should just get out of my
way cos I have to spend the whole
day punching and kicking a bag.
(shouting, to Buffy)
You know, its not like Sunnydale is
being overrun by vampires or
anything.
INT. BUFFY'S ROOM - DAY
Buffy is looking in her mirror, deep in thought.
DAWN (O.S.)
(yelling)
There's been nothing happening at
all. It has been so quiet it's
deafening.
Buffy looks down at a picture of Joyce, herself and
Dawn in her hand.
BUFFY
(softly to herself)
Quiet.
EXT. WOODS - DAY
CLOSE ON
A young female's face as she screams at the top of her
lungs.
WIDEN
to reveal the woman in a jogging outfit and a muscle-
bound male jogger with his arms wrapped around her
waist. He lifts her up playfully as her scream turns
into fits of laughter
FEMALE JOGGER
Brad! Stop it. We're going to wake
the dead.
MALE JOGGER
I told you I was going to catch you.
Let's face it, girls can't run. I
think its an evolutionary thing.
FEMALE JOGGER
(playfully)
Oh is it? Well, you know I have more
staying power. You're all about
short little sprints. I mean, a
quick spurt of energy and you're all
worn out. Look at you, all out of
breath. Tell me again what I'm doing
with you?
MALE JOGGER
(pulling her close)
You're saving me
They smile and kiss tenderly. She suddenly pulls away
and starts running off.
FEMALE JOGGER
Come on Superman. I'll race you to
the dorm.
The male jogger smiles, rests his hands on his knees
for a second while he catches his breath and then sets
off after her.
The female jogger giggles and laughs as she rushes
ahead of her boyfriend, loving being chased.
MALE JOGGER
(while running)
Faster than a speeding bullet, able
to leap tall buildings in a single
bound.
ANGLE : FEMALE JOGGER
FEMALE JOGGER
(running and laughing)
Is it a bird? Is it a plane?
MALE JOGGER (O.S.)
No its..
His speech is abruptly cut off. There is an audible
grunt and the sound of something heavy falling into
bushes. The female jogger slows down to a jog, and
then turns around, looking for him.
FEMALE JOGGER
Brad? Honey? Did you fall down
again?
She starts to jog back, scanning the bushes off the
track.
FEMALE JOGGER
Brad? I swear if this is a trick..
She stops suddenly when she sees one of his running
shoes lying just off the track.
FEMALE JOGGER
(concerned)
Brad?
Suddenly, she hears some rustling in the bushes near
where the shoe is. There is a low, menacing guttural
growl. She starts to back away, then turns around and
starts to sprint away from the sound.
CLOSE ON
the female jogger's panicked face as she runs as fast
as she can from whatever she thinks is chasing her.
She turns around occasionally to check if anything is
behind her but she sees nothing. She focuses on the
track ahead of her.
REVERSE ANGLE
to see her point of view as she nears the clearing of
the woods up ahead her. So close.
Suddenly, something resembling a giant, hairless white
dog jumps out of the bushes ahead of her and grabs her
in one fluid motion, pulling her into the bushes off
the track. There is a short scream and then silence.
We see the back end of the creature as it starts to
feed. It turns its head around to reveal a bald, white
human-like face. It snarls, revealing sharp fangs.
BLACK OUT
END OF TEASER
CONTINUE TO ACT ONE