Episode 19 - Take Two
ACT TWO
EXT. BUFFY'S HOUSE - NIGHT
to establish.
EXT. BUFFY'S BACKYARD - NIGHT
where we see Sasha tied up securely to a chair placed
in the middle of the backyard. Surrounding her we see
Buffy, Giles and Willow. In the background, we can
also see Tara and Dawn standing just inside the back
door doorway of the house.
As Sasha looks down at the ground, not talking or
moving, we see Buffy pace in front of her, a stake in
her hand.. as if considering what to do next.
We hear a sound coming from the back gate. Buffy and
Giles looks up towards the sound. Xander and Anya
enter.
XANDER
It's only us.
We can see Anya forlornly carrying a single vase in
her hands. She looks stricken.
WILLOW
Bad news at the store?
BUFFY
(to Anya; re the vase)
Did they break that?
ANYA
No.
BUFFY
Oh.. good.
ANYA
This was the only thing they didn't
break.
WILLOW
Ouch.
XANDER
I guess they grabbed the Toth stick,
then thrashed everything else.
Anya sits down at the steps to the porch, looking very
glum and cradling her vase close to her.
BUFFY
Why the heck did we hang on that
stupid stick anyway? I mean, it's
not like it brings back any happy,
fun memories. I know the plan didn't
exactly work the first time we tried
to play 'zap the Buffy' with Toth
but there wasn't any real need to
hang on to the thing so that it
could run again in syndication.
GILES
(shooting a glance towards
Xander)
I thought it was bad enough the
first time round.
XANDER
(catching the meaning)
Hey!.. and the other me says 'hey!'
too.
WILLOW
Well, what do we do now?
(indicating Sasha)
I mean, with her?
Buffy turns to take a second look at Sasha, who still
refuses to look up.
BUFFY
I say we dust her. I mean, why take
the risk right?
GILES
We can't. Not if she's human.
TARA
She's human?
Giles takes a long look at Sasha, who hides from his
gaze.
GILES
I believe so.
XANDER
Whoa. How is that possible? I
thought the Toth stick could only
separate a person into their strong
and weak halves.
GILES
Precisely. So, when Sasha got hit,
she was separated into her vampire
and human identities. Strong and
weak.
BUFFY
She isn't human. It's Sasha. I can't
imagine her ever being human.. not
after what she's done.
GILES
I saw her reflection in my rear-view
mirror when we drove over here.
BUFFY
(with increasing venom)
Oh yeah? Well, that's great for you
Giles. But this is the vamp who
tried to turn me into a shish kebab.
Who works for the General who killed
Chris.
The same General who wants to raise
an unstoppable army which will end
humanity as we know it. So, I know
you won't mind if I just see for
myself whether she's a vampire.
Buffy stares angrily at Giles, a fiery defiance in her
eyes. Giles decides it best not to challenge Buffy at
the moment.
BUFFY
(without turning to Dawn)
Dawn? Find me a mirror.
DAWN
Buffy. Just look at her. She's not..
BUFFY
(more insistent)
Dawn. Just get me a mirror.
DAWN
(snittily)
Fine.
Tara puts a consoling hand on Dawn's shoulder as she
stomps off deeper into the house in search of a
mirror.
Buffy turns to Sasha and gets up close to her..
staring her down.
BUFFY
And what's with you? After all this,
suddenly you've got nothing to say?
Sasha turns her face away from Buffy. Buffy simply
shakes her head. Giles comes over and gently leads her
away.
GILES
Buffy, if she is human..
BUFFY
She's not.
GILES
If she is human, she's got to be
scared right now and what you're
doing isn't helping her. Don't you
realise she can help us..
Buffy and Giles' conversation fades out as we switch
to..
ANGLE : SASHA
slowly looking up ever so slightly with her eyes.
She's taking a peek at Buffy and Giles who are too
distracted by their conversation to notice her
looking.
We see Sasha's eyes focus on something in particular.
REVERSE ANGLE : A BLOODY GASH ON BUFFY'S ARM
sustained from the fight. A deep red drop of blood
drips from her wound, landing on the green grass
below. Sasha's eyes follow the drop to the grass. Her
eyes fixated on the blood.
DAWN (O.S.)
Here's your stupid mirror!
Sasha breaks out of her trance.. looks over and sees
Dawn starting to come over to Buffy with the mirror.
BUFFY
Stop! Stay in the house!
DAWN
What?
BUFFY
You heard me. Give the mirror to
Willow and get back in the house.
DAWN
I can't believe you.
Buffy doesn't back down. Dawn gives the mirror to
Willow who is standing besides her, turns and stomps
back into the house.. obviously annoyed. Tara follows.
Willow watches all this for a beat, then heads over to
Buffy with the mirror.
Buffy takes the mirror and looks at it for a beat,
then looks up at Sasha. She takes a deep breath, then
points the mirror towards Sasha. She sees Sasha's
reflection in the mirror.
GILES
Okay?
BUFFY
So.. so what?
GILES
Buffy.
BUFFY
No. Vamp or not, she's evil.
GILES
Buffy, we can't..
BUFFY
Oh yes we can. Yes to every single,
terrible thing you think I could do
to her because, honestly, I've
already considered them all.
(turning to Sasha)
In fact, I'm looking forward to it.
Buffy starts walking over to Sasha.
BUFFY
(to Sasha)
And you know why I can do this?
Because I know you. I know nothing
good could have survived anything so
evil.
Buffy shoves the mirror under Sasha's face, trying to
force her to look. Sasha shuts her eyes tight.
BUFFY
Open your eyes!
(yelling)
Open them!
Sasha finally does. She catches her reflection in the
small hand mirror.
BUFFY
Because this is what evil looks
like.. isn't it?
Sasha stares at her reflection for a beat.. then..
begins to cry. A very raw, uncontrolled sobbing that
surprises everyone. Buffy takes a step back.
We see reaction shots from most of the Scoobs.. all
unsure what to make of this.. all beginning to feel
more and more uncomfortable at the raw emotion on
display. For a long beat, we hear nothing but Sasha's
crying.
Sasha, remembering where she is, looks up at the
people watching her, her face an absolute wreck. She
quickly turns her face away and slowly brings her
emotions back under control. All is suddenly quiet
again.
Buffy stands and stares at Sasha. She shakes her head
and simply drops the stake she's carrying to the
ground.. completely lost as to what to do now.
GILES
(to Buffy)
It's late. We'll discuss this in the
morning.
BUFFY
She's not staying here.
GILES
No. I have a place for her.
Buffy levels Giles a somewhat hurt/betrayed look. Like
why are you showing so much compassion to this thing
which tried to kill me?
BUFFY
(whatever)
Fine.
Buffy turns and walks back into her house, closing the
door behind her. Xander, Anya and Willow just quietly
watch.
Giles comes up to Sasha, kneels down and begins to
slowly untie her. A quick glance is exchanged between
the two. No words are spoken.
INT. GILES' APARTMENT - NIGHT
All is dark for a beat as we hear someone opening a
door. We see two silhouetted figures enter the
apartment. Giles flicks on the lights. Sasha
noticeably flinches from the bright lights in the room
for a second. Giles closes the front door behind her.
Sasha looks around cautiously as Giles walks across
the room towards a door on the other side of the room.
GILES
Over here.
Sasha turns to Giles, then slowly and hesitantly walks
to him.
INT. GILES' APARTMENT/BEDROOM - NIGHT
Giles turns on the lights in the small but neat
guestroom. A bed lies in the middle. Sasha warily
enters.
GILES
You can sleep here tonight.
Sasha just looks blankly around.
GILES
Do you need anything? Another
pillow? An extra bedcover?
Sasha just looks at Giles.. not answering. She then
turns away from him.
GILES
Well.. I'll be just outside.
Giles turns to leave. He is halfway out the door
when..
SASHA
(without facing Giles)
Natasha.
Giles stops and looks at Sasha. Sasha turns to face
him.
SASHA
My name is Natasha.
Giles stares at her for a beat, then nods. He exits,
closing the door behind him.
INT. GILES' APARTMENT - NIGHT
as we see Giles closing the door. Facing the door, he
looks down at something and thinks for a beat. We TILT
DOWN to see him silently locking the door of the room.
Click.
He then walks over to the lounge room and drags a
chair over to face the door. He wearily sits himself
down on the chair. He reaches into his coat and pulls
out a stake which he places on the armrest of the
chair.. somewhere within easy reach. We see him deep
in thought.
INT. GILES' APARTMENT/BEDROOM - NIGHT
as we see Natasha take another cursory look around the
room.. looking scared and out of place. She walks over
to the light switch and switches off the light.
The room is now only illuminated by the moonlight
streaming in through the window. Sasha gets on the bed
and lies down. She curls up into a foetal position and
hugs her knees. Slowly, she closes her eyes.
EXT. OUTSIDE A BAR - NIGHT
from someone's POV. We hear an excited, feral
breathing as someone/thing watches two burly guys and
their girlfriends exit the bar and slowly walk over to
their truck. Much laughter and drunken merriment.
We begin to move with the camera as we hunt the four
oblivious bar-goers. We speed up as we close in on the
kill.
One of the guys is having trouble opening the door to
the truck, fumbling with the keys. The other three
laugh at his ineptitude.
We speed up, then launch into the guy holding the
keys. Laughter is replaced by screams.
Very shaky camera POV.. lots of distorted close-ups.
Quick glimpses of blood. More screams.
INT. GILES' APARTMENT/BEDROOM - DAY (DAY TWO)
ANGLE : NATASHA
as she wakes up with a start. Like awakening from a
bad dream. She sits on the edge of her bed for a beat,
breathing hard.
She slowly regains her composure, then takes a moment
to regather her bearings.. as if figuring out where
she is and what happened last night.
She stands up and takes a look at herself in her vampy
Sasha battle clothes.. looking like she isn't
comfortable in them. She then notices a pile of
clothes neatly laid out on a chair near the door.
Natasha takes a long look at them. CUT TO..
ANGLE : A PAIR OF FEET
off a reflection in a full-length mirror. We slowly
TILT UP to reveal someone in a pair of jeans and a
long, blue top. We see Natasha, now dressed in regular
clothes, staring at her reflection in the mirror. She
picks away at her new clothes, seemingly just as
uncomfortable in them as she was in her old wardrobe.
She turns and looks at her old clothes now lying on
the bed. A knock at the door. Natasha freezes.
GILES (O.S.)
Natasha?
NATASHA
(hesitantly)
Yes?
GILES
I have some breakfast ready if you
want.
NATASHA
Okay.
We hear Giles' footsteps walking away from the door.
Natasha takes one last look at herself in the mirror,
studying her face.
INT. GILES' APARTMENT - DAY
ANGLE : GILES
as he sits at the counter, drinking some tea and
reading the paper. Some pieces of toast and biscuits
can also be seen on the counter.
Giles looks up when he hears a door open.
ANGLE : NATASHA
coming out of her room. She looks quite different from
Sasha. Softer, warmer and less pale.
Giles stares at her for a beat, surprised at the
transformation. Natasha, uncomfortable at the
attention, looks away and begins to fidget with her
clothes. Giles realises he's staring.
GILES
Would you care for some breakfast? I
have tea.. Biscuits? I'm afraid
they're American.
Natasha shakes her head, her face expressionless.
A silent beat as neither person knows what to do or
say next. Giles finally gets up.
GILES
I suppose we should get going.
They're waiting for us at the store.
NATASHA
(with trepidation)
They?
GILES
Buffy, Willow, Tara.. Everyone.
(noticing Natasha's look)
They're there to help.
Natasha nods, still looking a little suspicious.
Giles drops the plates and cups into the sink, and
then heads over towards the front door, grabbing his
coat and keys. Natasha stands rooted at the other end
of the room, simply watching.
GILES
Shall we?
Natasha slowly walks over towards Giles, her posture
very defensive. Giles begins to open the door as
Natasha reaches him.
NATASHA
Thank you.
Giles looks at Natasha quizzically.
NATASHA
For the clothes.
GILES
(with a smile)
Well, yes. I suspected you might
want to wear something less, shall
we say, practical? I borrowed some
clothes from some of the girls.
(taking a quick look)
I'm glad they fit.
Natasha kinda shrugs unconvincingly.
Giles opens the front door. Sunlight comes streaming
into the room. Natasha flinches when she sees the
sunlight cutting patterns towards her feet. Giles
steps outside.
After a beat, Natasha takes a few, wary steps towards
the sunlight, exiting Giles' apartment.
EXT. OUTSIDE GILES' APARTMENT
as Giles closes the door behind them. He starts to
walk off towards the car as Natasha takes her first
full step into the direct sunlight.
CLOSE ON : NATASHA'S FACE
as she looks at the world around her.. bathed in
light. She looks up towards the sun and closes her
eyes.. absorbing the light, absorbing the heat. A
smile crosses her face.
ANGLE : GILES
watching Natasha.
Natasha opens her eyes, and looks at Giles. She
immediately stops smiling, then walks past Giles
towards the car. Giles follows.
EXT. MAGIC BOX - DAY
to establish.
INT. MAGIC BOX/TRAINING ROOM - DAY
ANGLE : NATASHA
sitting calmly on a bench, her legs tucked under her
chin by her arms. She simply stares out a nearby
window, her eyes focused on the light outside.
INT. MAGIC BOX - DAY
ANGLE : DAWN
as she stands near the doorway leading to the training
room, silently watching Natasha.
She walks away from the door and towards Xander and
Anya who are busily cleaning up the store. We see many
things broken and debris everywhere.
DAWN
So, she's a little quiet.
XANDER
She's a lot quiet. And not the good
kind of quiet either.
(takes a look at Natasha
through the open doorway)
It's like weird quiet. No.. she's
homicidally quiet. I mean, look at
her. It's like she's quietly
figuring out a way to fit all our
body parts into the boot of a car.
Xander has a look of utter conviction in his face. A
beat.
DAWN
(edging slowly away from
Xander)
Umm.. I'm gonna go over here now.
Dawn exits off-screen.
ANYA
Well, I'm with you sweetie.
XANDER
Thank you.
ANYA
It's completely obvious she's evil.
XANDER
Right.
ANYA
I mean, after all, she is an ex-
demon.
XANDER
Precisel..
Xander stops, new thoughts forming in his head.
ANYA
(carrying on oblivious)
Sure, she may look like a harmless,
fluffy, pink human now, but you just
don't forget all those years you've
spent being an all-powerful
vanquisher of all who dared to stand
in your way.
Xander looking uneasily at Anya now.
ANYA
(like fondly reminiscing)
It stays with you in your head, you
know? All that time you spent
roaming the land with wanton
abandon.. all those eviscerations.
XANDER
(nervously)
An? Vampires don't eviscerate.
Without missing a beat, Anya turns to Xander, smiles
and kisses him on his forehead.
ANYA
Of course they don't honey.
Anya walks off happily to tidy another part of the
store. Xander looks quietly terrified, watching her
go. He sits down by the table.
Willow and Tara come over to the table, both plopping
down a whole stack of books. Tara looks out of breath.
WILLOW
(to Tara)
You okay sweetie?
TARA
(catching her breath)
I'm fine. {wheez} Just give me
{wheez} a moment to.. {wheez} make
an obscene phone call.
Anya walks over and notices the stack of books in the
middle of the table.
ANYA
(with a strained smile)
Oh books!.. They didn't destroy the
books.. How nice.
Anya departs once more.. obviously peeved. Xander
takes another furtive glance at Anya. Willow and Tara
sit down next to Xander, beginning to go through the
books.
XANDER
Say, you guys? Have you noticed
anything strange going on with Anya
recently?
TARA
Strange?
WILLOW
Kind of a loaded question there.
XANDER
I mean, like whether she's been
distracted, or preoccupied or.. you
know, wanton abandon-y?
WILLOW
Huh?
XANDER
Forget it.
Buffy and Giles enter the store. The doorbell rings
once, then promptly breaks off the door and falls to
the ground with an undignified thud.
ANYA
(stricken)
Oh.. tinkerbell!
BUFFY
(looking down at the
doorbell at her feet)
Guess we didn't clap hard enough.
Buffy and Giles step over the doorbell and walk over
to Willow, Tara and Xander at the table. Giles takes a
look at Natasha through the doorway.
GILES
How is she?
ANYA
Oh, you know.. the same. Psychotic..
in a really calm way.
GILES
Yes, thank you Anya.
ANYA
(as if genuinely pleased)
You're welcome.
XANDER
(to Giles)
So? What's the word on the streets?
Did they give up anything about ol'
Toth and his little magic stick?
BUFFY
Big nada. Seems our friend Toth
wasn't exactly big with the whole
sharing concept.
XANDER
Boy, that must have been one crappy
childhood. Evil, ugly and no fun on
playdates.
GILES
Well, we'll keep asking around.
Though, it may seem somewhat futile
with so many demons leaving town.
TARA
They are?
GILES
It seems word of the General's plans
have spread around and with the day
of the ritual so near, many have
decided it wiser to head east..
despite the well-known fact that we
have the amulet in our possession.
BUFFY
Which is something, you know, I
choose to take personally.
WILLOW
Where exactly do demons go when they
have to leave town?
XANDER
I don't know.. but they'll be
driving Volvos.
TARA
(nodding towards Natasha)
So, is she human?
GILES
Well, she's certainly not a vampire.
I think, for now, we should assume
that she is one of us. We have to
give Natasha every chance..
BUFFY
Whoa! Back up there. Natasha?
GILES
She told me that's her name.
Buffy lets out a derisive chuckle.
BUFFY
(shaking her head)
Natasha. That's smart. You know, you
gotta give it to the girl. She knows
how to work a room.
GILES
It could also be true.
BUFFY
Whatever. She can call herself
whatever she wants but if she even
flinches.. I'm gonna be right there
holding sharp implements.
Buffy stares challengingly at Giles. A tense beat as
the room becomes silent.
ANYA
(trying to defuse)
I used to have a pet hamster called
Adolf.
INT. MAGIC BOX/TRAINING ROOM - DAY
ANGLE : NATASHA
as she continues to sit and stare out the window. Her
eyes transfixed. Everything seems calm.
We slowly PUSH IN on her eyes. As we do so, we begin
to hear an ugly sound.. a harsh screeching of violins,
growing louder and louder. As we get very close to her
eyes, the sound becomes almost intolerable and we
begin to hear the faint sounds of screams. Just as
everything reaches a crescendo..
DAWN (O.S.)
Natasha?
The eyes blink. The sounds dissapear. All is calm once
more.
Natasha turns to see Dawn standing close to her, a
glass of water in her hands. Natasha looks far more
composed than she did last night.
DAWN
Are you okay?
Natasha doesn't answer. After a beat, she nods.
DAWN
I thought you might be thirsty.
Natasha stares at Dawn blankly for a beat, then slowly
reaches out and takes the glass. She sets it down
besides her. Dawn lingers for a beat. Silence.
DAWN
Well, if you need anything else..
Dawn half-smiles and turns to go.
NATASHA
Are they talking about me?
Dawn turns back to face Natasha.. surprised.
DAWN
Well, you are kinda the main
conversation starter these days.
Natasha smiles and turns away to look out the window
again.
NATASHA
Am I now? I remember a time when
that used to be my goal in life. But
then again, what else was there to
do when you're the pampered daughter
of aristocrats?
DAWN
You used to live in Russia?
Natasha turns to look at Dawn.. how did you know?
DAWN
(off her questioning look)
Giles mentioned it.
Natasha smiles again.
NATASHA
St. Petersburg. A jewel built on a
swamp.
Natasha closes her eyes again, travelling back into a
distant memory.
NATASHA
So long ago.
(a beat as she struggles
to remember)
I remember it being cold.. and
white. But also.. music, dancers..
and artists.
(opens her eyes and looks
at Dawn)
I think you would have liked it
there. In a city ruled by women,
this was a place for a young woman
like yourself to flourish.
Dawn smiles.. now seemingly more at ease around
Natasha.
NATASHA
(with a hint of
melancholy)
But so long ago. One could even say,
two lifetimes ago.
Natasha's eyes glazes over, losing herself in her
thoughts. After a beat, she refocuses on Dawn.
NATASHA
How old are you?
DAWN
Fifteen.
NATASHA
I had a sister about your age.
DAWN
You did?
Natasha nods. Her eyes remain on Dawn but she is
obviously trying to remember something. After a beat..
NATASHA
(with a warm smile)
Nadia. I remember she had a
beautiful voice. The glowing star of
St Petersburg. She would have grown
into a good person I think. Better
than me.
DAWN
What happened to her?
A beat as Natasha's smile fades slightly.
NATASHA
She never grew up.
INT. MAGIC BOX - DAY
where we see Giles, Buffy, Willow, Tara and Xander
congregated around the table. They are in the middle
of a conversation.
BUFFY
So we already know a few things
about the side-effects of the Toth
stick right? With what happened to
Xander?
WILLOW
Yeah. I mean if we kill one, we kill
the doppleganger as well right?
XANDER
(defensive)
Okay, in what context did you guys
discuss that about me?
Dawn arrives from the training room.
DAWN
So wait.. if we kill Sasha, we kill
Natasha as well?
GILES
Precisely.
XANDER
I guess Sasha's safe until the next
Tribal Council. I hate it when the
evil ones win immunity.
WILLOW
Not to be Miss Cold and Heartless
but.. has anyone considered the
vice-versa?
A beat as the thought runs through the group.
DAWN
(earnestly)
No.
GILES
Let's just put that option out of
our minds, shall we?
TARA
Yeah. I mean, we can't kill a human,
an innocent person, even if it
serves a higher purpose.
(looks all around)
Can we?
ANGLE : GILES
quietly considering this question, though not
revealing much with his face.
Tara turns to face Giles.
TARA
Giles?
Giles breaks from his reverie.
GILES
(quietly; mainly to
himself)
No. Never again.
Buffy gives Giles a quizzical look. Giles doesn't
notice. He carries on; back into Giles mode.
GILES
Our only focus, for the moment, is
to find a way to unlink Natasha and
Sasha. It's the only right thing to
do.
WILLOW
If we do that, won't that mean we're
gonna be left with a bigger problem?
I mean, if we thought Sasha was bad,
how are we gonna handle super Sasha-
concentrate?
XANDER
Yeah. A hundred per cent pure vamp?
Not my idea of a fun night out.
GILES
We'll deal with it.
XANDER
Sure, but..
GILES
(a little more sternly)
Xander, I said we'll deal with it.
Xander shuts up, noting the tension in Giles' voice.
XANDER
(apologetic)
Okay. No talky now.
GILES
(to Willow and Tara; re
the books on the table)
Any luck with those?
DAWN
Yeah. You guys Sherlock a solution
yet?
WILLOW
Not so much. I mean, sure, putting
them back together is easy, but
keeping them apart?
TARA
That's a whole different story..
WILLOW
(closing another book;
frustrated)
..and one apparently not found in
any of these books.
GILES
Keep looking. There has to be
something.
NATASHA (O.S.)
Don't bother Rupert.
All eyes turn to Natasha, standing at the doorway to
the training room. She looks a little tired but lucid.
NATASHA
I want to go back.
GILES
I beg your pardon?
NATASHA
(indicating her body; her
new clothes)
This isn't me. I don't belong in
your world. I think the best thing
for all of us is if everything
simply returned to the way things
were. To the way things should be.
DAWN
(disbelieving)
You want to return to being a
vampire?
NATASHA
All this? It's just an aberration. A
simple but temporary mistake. We all
know it. Just let me leave and you
won't have to fret over me anymore.
I'll find my own way home.
GILES
(dismissively)
You're tired and emotional. Why
don't you go back inside and have a
rest.
Natasha gives Giles a cold, hard look.
NATASHA
I won't be talked to like that. I
won't simply be dismissed like a
child.
GILES
(not even looking at
Natasha)
You may join us again when you feel
you have something sensible to
offer.
Natasha glowers at Giles.. lost for words.
NATASHA
They're going to come for me, you
know?
GILES
I know.
Natasha levels one last angry stare at Giles, then
turns and exits into the training room, slamming the
door behind her. A beat of tension-filled silence.
XANDER
So.. are we sure we got the good
one?
BUFFY
(to Giles)
Maybe we should think about what
Sasha said.
(off Giles' look)
I'm sorry.. 'Natasha'. Whatever her
name is today.
XANDER
Yeah. I mean, if the girl wants to
get gone.. Like, we don't even know
if she's on our side.
DAWN
She is. She's just a little weirded
out by the whole thing. I mean, we
were just talking before and she was
like starting to remember stuff
about her past.
BUFFY
(to Dawn)
Okay, what did I tell you about
bonding with the recently evil
undead?
GILES
(to the group; insistent)
We're going to do everything we can
to try to set Natasha free. I
thought we just discussed this.
BUFFY
(pointedly)
No Giles, a discussion usually
involves more than one speaker
unlike, say, a proclamation.
Another quick, slightly tense standoff between Buffy
and Giles, before Buffy turns her back on her watcher
and heads over to a bookshelf, ostensibly to grab a
book.
ANGLE : TARA
sitting at the table, her head down, fervently going
through a large book.
TARA
Found something!
Everybody's interest is piqued. Buffy turns to see
while Giles wanders slowly over.
GILES
Something in our books?
TARA
Yes. I mean no, not the magic books.
In the Register.
Anya walks back in from off-screen. Tara turns the
large, open book around to face Giles. Giles takes a
look. Buffy wanders over to look over his shoulder.
XANDER
(to Willow and Tara)
We have a what?
WILLOW
The Register. It only came in a
couple of weeks ago.
TARA
The Council keeps a record of all
known demons living in the country
and publishes it all in that book.
WILLOW
It's so cool. They've got eveything
listed.. like their last known
locations, any special abilities,
danger levels, email addresses.. and
so forth.
TARA
I guess it's kinda like the demony
yellow pages.
XANDER
Yeah. Let your blood-stained claws
do the walking.
DAWN
So they have Sunnydale demons listed
in there?
WILLOW
Please. It's like a whole pull-out
section.
TARA
And that's where we found..
GILES
(looking up from the book)
Fnat-chu.
ANYA
Gesundheit.
Giles gives Anya a quick look then turns his attention
back on the book.
GILES
(reading)
Fnat-chu. A Vossling demon which
survives on bacterium, usually of
the type commonly found in human
waste and refuse.
BUFFY
Okay. So far? Not exactly soul-mate
material.
GILES
(continues to read)
Also a powerful shaman of the
netherworld, able to resist or
negate the magic of other underworld
beings.
XANDER
Sounds like our guy. Or.. you know..
carrier.
BUFFY
Local?
WILLOW
They're always local.
DAWN
(excitedly)
Good. Okay. So we get a hold of this
demony guy, get him to do his little
mojo thing and set Natasha free,
then Buffy dusts Sasha and
everything totally works out!
XANDER
Yay.
BUFFY
(to Dawn)
Okay, where was this enthusiasm when
I asked you to clean your room?
ANYA
So.. what do we do now?
BUFFY
Me, Will and Tara will go pay demony
magic man a visit. The rest of you
guys sit on our gal here and make
sure she doesn't go anywhere.
Giles stands in the background, just quietly watching
Buffy take charge.
BUFFY
Oh and Dawn?
Dawn looks up at Buffy expectantly.
BUFFY
Stay away from her.
Dawn gives Buffy a weary look.
BUFFY
(to Willow and Tara)
So where's our guy?
TARA
At the other side of town. But, I
have to warn you, it might be a
little.. umm.. unpleasant.
EXT. ALLEY - DAY
CLOSE ON : A FLY
as it sits on some garbage. We WIDEN as it flies away
to reveal a deserted alleyway between buildings,
filled with numerous large, open dumpsters containing
various hideous-looking unmentionables. There are
flies buzzing around everywhere.
ANGLE : BUFFY, WILLOW AND TARA
standing side by side at the top of the alleyway,
looking fairly disgusted.
BUFFY
(staring dead ahead)
A little?
(turning to Tara)
Okay, next Christmas? I'm so getting
you a dictionary.
Tara smiles. The three start warily walking down the
alley.
WILLOW
(a nervous sigh)
Another day, another dark, creepy
alley.
TARA
I've heard that, in some towns,
alleys actually lead to places that
are, you know, non-demony.
WILLOW
(swatting away flies)
Could there be any more flies?
TARA
What's with demons and hygiene
issues?
WILLOW
Yeah. I mean, they all bitch about
this stereotype we've lumped them
all into, but, you know,.. Hello!
Take a bath and break the mould
first, then we'll talk!
BUFFY
Just once, I'd like to meet a demon
who lives in the lap of luxury.. or,
you know, just in the same zip code.
WILLOW
Like with Glory. Sure.. crazy, evil
God intent on destroying the world
but, hey, pretty curtains.
TARA
Sshhh. Listen.
Everyone stays quiet. In the distance, we hear a lone,
male voice singing an Italian aria with great gusto.
WILLOW
Where is it coming from?
BUFFY
This way.
Buffy leads Willow and Tara deeper down the alleyway.
They make a few turns, then end up in a dead end,
facing a moldy, brick wall.
TARA
(points up)
Look.
Buffy and Willow look up.
REVERSE ANGLE : FLIES
magically flying in and out of the wall; piercing
through it as if it were thin air.
Willow takes out a small white globe from a bag slung
around her shoulders. She holds it up towards the
wall. The globe slowly levitates from her hands and,
after a beat, flies into the wall. The wall dissapears
in a flash to reveal it is hiding a long, dark
alleyway. Along with the singing, we also hear a loud,
collective buzzing noise coming from within. The three
girls nervously step in.
Immediately, the stench of the place hits them. They
all immediately cover their mouths.
WILLOW
(leaning on Tara)
I think I'm gonna be sick.
Buffy takes a look around her. The walls along the
alleyway are covered with flies.
Tara looks down at her feet.
REVERSE ANGLE : TARA'S FEET
as she walks down the alley, we see the floor covered
with flies. Tara gingerly steps through the moving
black mass at her feet.
Meanwhile, the aria gets louder and louder. Buffy
stops when she sees what's at the end of the alleyway.
ANGLE : DUMPSTER
A large, open dumpster sitting at the end of the
alleyway, up against a wall. In it sits Fnat-chu, a
grossly overweight blob of a demon, singing his heart
out. He has a pair of tiny little hands. Flies circle
merrily around him.
BUFFY
This is like the grossest thing I've
ever seen.
Suddenly, Fnat-chu, in mid-aria, begins to cough and
splutter violently. Several flies come flying out of
his open mouth and buzzes away.
BUFFY
And wow did I speak too soon.
Fnat-chu recovers from his coughing fit and sees
Buffy, Willow and Tara standing before him.
FNAT-CHU
Ah! Visitors. Wayward travellers
drawn to my siren songs. You are
welcomed here.
As he speaks, flies land on his face and climb into
his nostrils, ears and mouth. He seems not to take any
notice.
ANGLE : WILLOW AND TARA
sharing a grossed out look.
FNAT-CHU
What would you like to hear? I'm
open for requests.
Buffy, Willow and Tara do not respond, still a little
shocked by the sight before their eyes.
FNAT-CHU
No?
(indicating the flies
around him)
Perhaps a wee ode to my little
flying friends then.
Fnat-chu clears his throat and begins to sing.. a
passable Dean Martin impersonation as he warbles out a
tune.
FNAT-CHU
(singing)
Fly me to the moon, and let me play
among the stars..
Fnat-chu bops along with the song, his body wobbling
jelly-like in tune with the melody.
FNAT-CHU
(singing)
..Let me see what spring is like on
Jupiter and Mars. In other words,
hold my hand. In other words, darl..
Fnat-chu breaks out into yet another violent, coughing
fit. He spits more flies out of his mouth which then
fly off into the distance.
Willow and Tara take one more step back together,
completely grossed out now.
BUFFY
As tempted as I am to see what you
do for an encore, we're actually
more interested in your magical
abilities.
FNAT-CHU
Magic? Oh no, no. I don't do that
anymore. Not since I discovered
life's true enchantment.
WILLOW
Wading in other people's trash?
FNAT-CHU
Music. It is my life now. It is the
only thing that matters.
A couple of flies enters his mouth as he speaks.
BUFFY
Okay, let's take a second and break
from our scheduled programming for a
public health announcement. You do
realise you're a living motel for
flies don't you?
FNAT-CHU
They're feeding me.
Fnat-chu holds out an open hand and a fly lands on it.
FNAT-CHU
(admiring the fly)
Aren't they pretty? I don't think
I've seen anything quite so
beautiful. My beautiful children.
The fly takes off and lands on Fnat-chu's face, just
under his wide nostrils. He snorts up the fly into his
nose.
TARA
Well, there goes breakfast, lunch
and dinner for the next few weeks.
WILLOW
(looking very queasy)
Watch out.. because here comes
breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Willow bends over a little, holding her hand to her
mouth and struggling not to throw up. Tara rubs her
back soothingly.
BUFFY
(to Fnat-Chu)
Look, we really need your help.
FNAT-CHU
You may leave now. You obviously
have no appreciation for the..
{burp}.. arts.
BUFFY
We came all the way here. The least
you can do is..
Fnat-chu closes his eyes dismissively and begins
humming to himself; tuning Buffy out. Buffy looks on
frustrated.
TARA
(pointedly)
Forget it Buffy. He's not
interested. Not that he could have
helped us anyway. The spell would be
far too complicated for him to
perform.
Fnat-chu's eyes fly open.
FNAT-CHU
(indignant)
No spell is too complicated for
Fnat-chu! And no child-witch is
going to stand in my presence and
play her little mind games with me.
Willow and Tara share a look.
FNAT-CHU
Yes, I know all about you two.
Playing with spells you can't
control. Creating all kinds of
disturbances in the magical
alignments.
(dismissively)
Amateurs.
(levelling a look at
Willow)
Never trust a witch with red hair.
WILLOW
Hey buddy! I'll have you know we're
a pretty powerful pair of witches so
I'd watch my ugly, fly-infested
mouth if I were you.. and.. and my
mom said red suits me.
FNAT-CHU
If you're so powerful, why do you
need me to free your vampire?
(off their looks)
Yes, I know about her too. Isn't she
the reason why you're here? You wish
to break the bond between the two.
Save the one and kill the other?
BUFFY
Can you do it?
A silent beat as Fnat-chu silently considers.
BUFFY
We'll pay.
WILLOW
(quietly)
Yeah, and then maybe you can get
some singing lessons.
BUFFY
(turning to Willow)
Will, right now? Not the time to
bring on the snark.
Willow zips up but glares angrily at Fnat-chu.
FNAT-CHU
Oh why not? If only to show how
simple it is when magic is placed in
the right hands.
Willow looks about to explode. Tara places a calming
hand on Willow's arm.
FNAT-CHU
(to Buffy)
I will contact you tommorow to tell
you when and where we will perform
the spell. Bring your vampire and
leave your witches. We'll have no
need for them.
Willow starts to take a few steps towards Fnat-chu
before Tara and Buffy grab her and spin her around to
face the other way.
BUFFY
(turning her head around
to Fnat-chu)
We'll be there.
The three begin to walk back out the alleyway.
FNAT-CHU
Oh and slayer?
Buffy turns to look.
FNAT-CHU
You should know.. your friend may no
longer be a vampire in the physical
sense, but she may well still be one
in her head.
BUFFY
(matter-of-factly)
She's not my friend.
Buffy turns and leaves with Willow and Tara.
INT. XANDER'S CAR - LATE AFTERNOON (NEAR SUNSET)
ANGLE : NATASHA
looking out the car window; watching the sun starting
to dissapear into the horizon.
She turns from the car window and down at her hands on
her lap.
REVERSE ANGLE : NATASHA'S HANDS
bound tightly together with some rope.
ANGLE : XANDER, ANYA, DAWN AND NATASHA
from the front of the car. We see Xander and Dawn up
front with Xander driving and Anya next to Natasha at
the back. Anya looks frustrated and pouty. The car is
stuck in an enormous traffic jam.
ANYA
(to Xander; with crossed
arms and pouty)
I told you to take the other way
home. Now we're not moving. And I'm
stuck here with you, a fifteen year
old teenager and a moody ex-vampire.
Forgive my bluntness but it's not
exactly a PBS forum.
DAWN
You watch PBS?
ANYA
It's the monkey channel.
XANDER
(honking the horn;
frustrated)
What's going on up there?
Dawn turns fully around and looks out the back window
of the car.
DAWN
I think we lost Giles.
ANYA
We lost Giles?
(turning to look herself)
How do we lose a Giles?
DAWN
He was right behind us a second ago,
but now..
XANDER
Okay. Don't everybody panic. No big.
It's not like we need him to find
our way home or.. or.. the sun has
set or anything.
DAWN
(looking out the window)
The sun just set.
XANDER
(just quietly)
Damn.
ANYA
Great, now we're vampy appetizers in
a can.. which is not moving.
XANDER
(a little snappy)
An? You know you could have taken a
ride in Giles' car.
ANYA
But then I'd be driving around town
with Giles.
ANGLE : XANDER
looking out the car window over the steering wheel,
looking very frustrated. He spots something.
REVERSE ANGLE : A COUPLE OF WORKMEN
dressed in helmets and fluoro jackets, removing a
barrier which was previously blocking off a side
street off the main road.
XANDER
Okay, fine.. shortcut.
He drives the car past the workmen and into the side
street. The car dissapears from our view.
ANGLE : THE WORKMEN
replacing the barrier to block off the street. No
other cars follow Xander to the side street.
We PUSH IN on one of the workmen. He turns to face the
camera. It is Philosopher Surfer vamp; ponytail
dangling out from under his helmet and an evil grin on
his face.
EXT. STREET - NIGHT
where we see Xander's car slowly driving through a
very secluded, dark and completely unpopulated part of
town.
INT. XANDER'S CAR - NIGHT
ANGLE : ANYA
looking nervously around.
ANYA
Okay, you know the part in the
movies when the guy does something
really stupid and impulsive which
gets everyone else killed?
DAWN
Um.. Where are we?
XANDER
What's with the worry? I'm sure
we'll find a main road soon.
Xander turns to see the worried faces, then looks back
out the front window again, scanning the surroundings.
XANDER
So. it's a little quiet.. and
desolate..
ANGLE : OUT THE FRONT WINDOW OF THE CAR
We suddenly see a couple of vamps step out in front of
the car.
Anya and Natasha look behind them to see another two
vamps behind the car.
XANDER
.. and filled with vampires.
Xander stops the car.
EXT. STREET - NIGHT
ANGLE : THE TWO VAMPIRES IN FRONT OF THE CAR
vamped out and looking fairly menacing. Suddenly, from
behind them, an imposing black figure in silhouette
steps out.
INT. XANDER'S CAR - NIGHT
ANGLE : XANDER
seeing the figure.
XANDER
Sasha.
Natasha, in the back seat, leans forward to take a
look at Sasha. She looks overwhelmed.
A beat as Xander, Dawn, Anya and Natasha just sit and
stare at the vamps around the car.. looking mortified
and unsure of what to do next.
ANYA
Okay, you know in the movies when
the guy who screwed up does the
heroic thing and throws himself out
of the car so the hungry vampires
can feed on him while the innocent
bystanders run away?
Xander turns and gives a disbelieving look to Anya.
ANYA
(noticing)
Just an idle thought honey. It's
gone now.
Xander turns back to face the vampires out the front
window. A look of determination crosses his face.
XANDER
Hang on.
Xander puts the car into gear and accelerates towards
the vamps.
ANYA
(panicking)
Hang on? Hang on to what?
EXT. STREET - NIGHT
Xander's car speeds towards the first two vamps. They
duck out of the way as the car speeds by them.
INT. XANDER'S CAR - NIGHT
ANGLE : XANDER
looking ahead with grim determination; hands clenched
on the steering wheel.
REVERSE ANGLE : SASHA
through the front windshield.. just standing and
waiting. Her body still dark and silhouetted by some
street lights.
As the car comes close to her, Sasha leaps into the
air, seemingly as light as a feather, and lands gently
behind the car. Xander, Dawn, Anya and Natasha look
back through the rear window at Sasha.
Dawn is the first to turn and look back out the front
of the car.
DAWN
Xander! Look out!
Xander sees the wall fast approaching. He yanks on the
steering wheel hard.
EXT. STREET - NIGHT
as we see the car spin around hard but too late. It
slams into the wall side-on and stops dead.
INT. XANDER'S CAR - NIGHT
with smoke rising from the front of the car, we see
Xander, Dawn, Anya and Natasha groggily recovering
from the impact.
XANDER
(looking all around)
Everyone okay?
Nods all around. Dawn notices Natasha staring wide-
eyed out the side of the window. She follows her gaze.
REVERSE ANGLE : SASHA
still in silhouette, slowly and menacingly approaching
the car.
DAWN
Xander?
Xander is already trying to frantically start the car,
but the engine refuses to come to life.
Dawn begins to squirm away from the approaching
vampire and towards Xander. Natasha continues to stare
at the dark figure approaching her.
REVERSE ANGLE : SASHA
pointing a finger towards Natasha, then slowly going
down into a crouch, then leaping up and out of sight.
A second later, we hear a loud thump on the car as
something lands on top of it. Xander, Dawn, Anya and
Natasha all look up at the roof with dread.
XANDER
Okay, Plan B.
ANYA
What's that?
XANDER
Run really fast from the big, scary
thing.
ANYA
That's your plan?
Suddenly, something strikes the rear window, smashing
it into pieces. Natasha and Anya cover themselves from
the flying glass.
ANYA
(looking back up at
Xander)
Good plan.
The four scamper quickly out of the car and start
sprinting down the street. We see Xander carrying a
crossbow with him. After a while, Natasha slows down,
then stops as she turns her head back to the car to
see..
REVERSE ANGLE : SASHA
hopping lithely off the top of the car and simply
walking slowly towards them.. with the confidence of a
hunter who knows her prey has no chance of escape.
Dawn notices Natasha has stopped. She stops her run.
DAWN
Natasha!
Natasha turns her head slowly back towards Dawn.
DAWN
(urgently)
Come on!
Natasha takes one last look at Sasha before running
back towards Dawn. They run off together; now
separated from Xander and Anya.
ANGLE : ANYA AND XANDER
still running. They arrive at a crossroad. Xander, a
little out of breath, finally slows down and turns
around to look behind him.
XANDER
Where's Dawn?
(yelling)
Dawn?
DAWN (O.S.)
(softly; from far away)
We're coming!
Suddenly, Anya spots a blue van with tinted windows
driving towards her from her left. Anya steps out to
the middle of the road and starts waving her arms.
ANYA
Help! Over here!
The van slows down as it approaches Xander and Anya.
Anya steps out of the way of the van as it comes near
her. The van almost comes to a stop besides Anya but
suddenly accelerates again.
ANYA
Hey!
The van speeds away to reveal two vamps standing
across the road from Anya. One of them is philosopher
surfer vamp. They snarl menacingly.
ANYA
(quickly pointing to her
left)
They went that away!
The two vamps turn to their right, slightly confused.
Anya ducks quickly out of the way as we hear something
whistling through the air.
The bolt smashes into the chest of vamp#1. Dust.
ANGLE : XANDER
quickly trying to reload the crossbow.
Philosopher surfer vamp growls, runs and leaps into
Xander.
ANGLE : DAWN
in another part of the street. She is running and
looking back towards Natasha who is a little way
behind her.
DAWN
Quick. I think they're over h..
Something grabs Dawn and hurls her into a small dead-
end alleyway. We see a smiling Idiot Surfer Vamp
slowly closing on Dawn who has nowhere to go.
Dawn reaches into her coat pocket and takes out a
stake. She lunges at the vamp with the stake but he
easily catches her wrist, then tightens hard. Dawn, in
obvious pain, releases the stake which the vamp
catches in his free hand.
IDIOT SURFER VAMP
Don't you know little girls
shouldn't run around with sharp
objects?
A pair of bound hands strike the vamp hard in his
face, knocking him back and causing him to drop the
stake. Natasha catches the stake with her bound hands.
The stake is pointing upwards.
NATASHA
What about big girls?
Idiot surfer vamp smiles, wipes his mouth, then starts
to come towards Natasha and Dawn again.
NATASHA
Dawn, stay behind me.
Dawn does so. The vamp feigns left, then right.
Natasha counters, blocking the vamp from Dawn..
pointing the stake at him with her still bound hands.
Natasha lunges at Idiot surfer vamp with the stake and
misses. The vamp counters. Natasha holds up her arms
confidently to block the blow. The vamp strikes her
arms hard. Natasha grimaces in pain.. seemingly
surprised by just how much that hurt. The vamp strikes
Natasha in the face, knocking her backwards.
Natasha staggers a little, pain shooting through her
arms and across her face. She looks up and shoots the
vamp an angry glare.
She charges at him again with the stake. The vamp
easily knocks the incoming stake aside, then slashes
at her left arm, ripping into the skin. Natasha howls
out in pain and staggers backwards. Blood flowing from
her wound. Idiot Surfer vamp smiles.
ANGLE : XANDER AND PHILOSOPHER SURFER VAMP
rolling around on the ground, both grappling with each
other. The vamp gets an upper hand, rolling on top of
Xander and pinning him down.
PHILOSOPHER SURFER VAMP
(in his mellow voice; his
fangs showing)
Dude, just take it like a man.
XANDER
I'd rather not take it at all,
thanks.
Philosopher surfer vamp opens his mouth wide and is
about to bite into Xander's neck when Anya jumps on
top of him and starts pulling on his ponytail.
ANYA
Let him go you gigantic, undead
hippie!
Anya continues to yank the vamp's ponytail.. his head
jolting backwards with each tug.
PHILOSOPHER SURFER VAMP
(with each tug)
Ow.. ow.. ow..
He finally twists around and flings Anya from his
back. Anya flies through the air and lands in a heap a
few metres away. Still sitting on Xander, Philosopher
surfer vamp turns to face Anya.
ANGLE : PHILOSOPHER SURFER VAMP
from about chest-up, as he addresses Anya.
PHILOSOPHER SURFER VAMP
(again in a calm, mellow
voice)
Dude.. not cool. Never touch the
ponytail.
A hand suddenly jumps into frame, hitting the vamp
flush on the chin and knocking him out of frame.
Xander pulls himself up from the ground, walks past
the unconscious vamp and helps Anya up from the
ground.
XANDER
Let's get out of here.
ANGLE : NATASHA AND IDIOT SURFER VAMP
still facing off, with Natasha looking a little worse
for wear. In contrast, the vamp is all confidence;
strutting around Natasha like someone who knows he's
going to win the fight. Dawn stands terrified in a
corner.
Natasha's face is all concentration, thinking things
through in her head. She suddenly straightens up
slowly and lowers her arms.. all the tension suddenly
dissapearing from her body. As if inviting the vamp to
come get her.
Idiot surfer vamp doesn't hesitate. He leaps at
Natasha.
DAWN
Natasha!
Natasha sways easily out of the way of the vamp and
steps aside. The vamp swings around furiously.. wildly
attacking. Natasha, showing great balance and nerve,
calmly avoids each attempted blow.. never attacking
herself. She waits until Idiot surfer vamp finally
overbalances after another wild swing. She then trips
him up and jumps into him, using her body weight to
topple him over.
Natasha quickly straddles on top of the vamp, and
raises her stake. Seeing the stake pointing in the
wrong direction, she expertly flips the stake up in
the air. Both she and Idiot surfer vamp watch the
stake cartwheel through the air, then land back in
Natasha's bound hands, this time facing down.
IDIOT SURFER VAMP
(in awe)
Narly.
With a murderous rage in her eyes, Natasha jams the
stake deep down into the vamp's chest. The vamp turns
to dust.
Natasha takes a long beat as she slowly calms herself
down. She gets up and walks slowly over to Dawn in a
corner of the dead-end alley.
She offers the stake to Dawn who slowly takes it from
her hands. Dawn looks up at Natasha.
NATASHA
Come.
ANGLE : ANYA AND XANDER
running down a dark street. We see they are in a
mainly industrial area.. large warehouses and storage
buildings aplenty.
They run into Natasha and Dawn, coming from the
opposite direction. They all stop in front of a large
storage building with giant garage doors. All looking
a little out of breath.
XANDER
(relieved to see Dawn)
Hey.
DAWN
(fondly)
Hey.
Anya notices the exchange and turns to Natasha.
ANYA
(brightly)
Hey!
Natasha stares at Anya, then turns away from her. Anya
looks glum.
DAWN
(handing the stake over to
Xander)
Here. You better take this.
XANDER
(taking the stake)
Yeah, cause I so wanna be a bigger
target for the vamps.
Anya looks around, frustrated.
ANYA
Doesn't this place have a freaking
exit? I think there should be a
rule, that if you're being chased by
the homicidal undead, they should at
least give you an exit.. otherwise,
why bother running?
Dawn spots something.
DAWN
Look! Over there.
Dawn points towards an opening between two buildings,
blocked by a very high fence, where they can see
traffic off in the distance.
XANDER
It's the main road.
DAWN
But, how do we get there?
NATASHA
(stepping up; assessing
the high fence)
Maybe we can climb it.
ANYA
(disbelievingly)
Climb it? You climb it. I'm setting
up base camp right here. Seriously
people, I can't take one more step.
Suddenly, we see a long shadow cast down the empty
street. Xander, Anya, Dawn and Natasha turn to see..
REVERSE ANGLE : SASHA
a lonely silhouette at the far end of the street, just
standing and watching them. She starts walking towards
them.
ANYA
(nervously)
Well, okay.. maybe a couple more.
The four of them begin to run before Natasha pulls
them up, noticing something at the foot of the
building next to them.
NATASHA
Wait. Over here!
Natasha points to a small basement window near her
feet. She bends down and forces the window open.
NATASHA
Hurry!
Xander, Anya and Dawn look to each other for a beat,
then Dawn scurries over to Natasha and squirms through
the window. Natasha follows.
ANGLE : SASHA
going from a walk to a run. She runs in a half-crouch;
running like a wild animal.
Anya begins to go through the tiny window.
ANGLE : XANDER
as he turns to face Sasha, holding the stake in his
hand.
CUE : Stirring music
He takes a step towards her, readying himself for a
fight. His game face on.
ANGLE : XANDER
now from Sasha's POV. We run with her, bouncing
towards Xander at enormous speed. We hear feral grunts
and snarls as she accelerates.
ANGLE : XANDER
as we see his confidence dissolve quickly as Sasha
approaches. Hie eyes begin to bug out. He takes a look
at the incoming Sasha, then to his puny stake, then
back up to Sasha.
End stirring music
as Xander turns and throws himself at the window. He
gets stuck half-way through.
ANGLE : XANDER
from Sasha's POV, as we run towards Xander's dangling
legs sticking out the window.. struggling to free
himself.
INT. BASEMENT/WAREHOUSE - NIGHT
where we see Anya, Dawn and Natasha desperately trying
to pull Xander loose from the window.
EXT. STREET - NIGHT
ANGLE : XANDER
from Sasha's POV. Still running, still with the grunts
and snarls. We fast approach Xander's legs,
accelerating at a great speed.. almost there..
INT. WAREHOUSE / BASEMENT - NIGHT
as the three girls finally pull Xander free from the
window. All four of them collapse heavily onto the
floor in a heap.. Xander lying on top of them.
No movement or sounds for a beat from the tangled heap
of bodies, then..
XANDER
Ouch.
A beat passes.
ANYA
Ouch-er.
Natasha is the first to rise from the heap.
NATASHA
Shh..
Natasha is looking up at the window, watching for
Sasha. The others join in.. fearing the worst.
ANGLE ON : THE WINDOW
No sound. No movement. No sign of Sasha.
Xander helps the others slowly up to their feet, all
the while keeping a wary eye on the window.
XANDER
(softly)
Come on. Let's get out of here.
The four of them start walking away from the window
and down along the musty, dark basement. Suddenly, we
hear the sound of a window crashing upstairs, followed
by a loud thud. The four of them look up at the low,
wooden ceiling, then to each other with dread.
XANDER
Go!
They start running away from the unseen pursuer
upstairs, occasionally looking up at the ceiling as
they do so. We can hear heavy, loud, bounding steps
coming from above, each step rattling the ceiling and
causing dust to fall from it as Sasha chases the four
below.
We can see the dust trails from the ceiling coming
closer and closer to the group as Sasha begins to
catch up. Suddenly, an arm breaks through the ceiling
just above Xander, causing splintering wood to fly
everywhere. Xander just manages to avoid Sasha's grasp
as the group sprints off desperately away from Sasha.
They run hard for a beat, then they all suddenly pull
up en masse. They have hit the end of the basement,
with nowhere left to go but a rickety wooden staircase
heading upstairs. Anya sees Xander considering his
options.
ANYA
(to Xander)
Oh no, no, no. I can't begin to tell
you just how many reasons there are
why we shouldn't go up there. Well,
okay, it's just the one, but it's a
big freaking one!
XANDER
There's nowhere else to go.
Xander scans the faces before him.. all not
particularly wild on the idea of heading upstairs. He
listens for a beat. No sound from upstairs.
XANDER
I don't hear her. Come on. We have
to get out of here.
Xander and the rest of the group slowly sneak up the
stairs, trying to make as little sound as possible.
INT. WAREHOUSE / CORRIDOR - NIGHT
CLOSE ON : A DOOR
as slowly squeaks open, with Xander poking his head
out.. checking both ways to see if the coast is clear.
It is dark. The corridor stretches out in both
directions.
He silently motions for the rest of the group to
follow him as they slowly walk out into the open. Dawn
takes a looks to her left, then right.. trying to
figure out where to go next.
DAWN
Which way?
Xander takes a look both directions and considers for
a beat.
XANDER
You guys stay here. I'll go and have
a look.
Xander walks away to his right, leaving Anya, Dawn and
Natasha behind. He stays close to the corridor wall,
walking slowly and silently.
He comes up to a corner, then, taking a deep breath,
slowly pokes his head out and takes a look.
REVERSE ANGLE : SASHA
a dark, menacing,, crouching figure off in the
distance.. skulking around in the dark in search of
her prey. She turns to her right and looks straight at
Xander. Her face is hidden in dark.
ANGLE : XANDER
eyes bugging out. He turns and starts to run away.
ANGLE : SASHA
breaking out in a full run, chasing Xander.
Xander runs frantically back towards the group. The
group sees him and looks anxious.
ANYA
What?
XANDER
(waving his arms
deliriously)
Other way! Other way!
The girls take their cue and begin to sprint down the
corridor, Xander in close pursuit.
Dawn, Anya and Natasha run through a doorway at the
end of the corridor.
INT. WAREHOUSE/ROOM - NIGHT
as they bundle in to find a large room containing lots
of stacked up boxes. The girls spread out, looking for
an exit.
DAWN
Where's the exit?
Xander rushes into the room.
ANYA
(to Xander)
There's no way out!
As the girls start to head back towards the doorway,
Xander turns to go back out but sees a dark figure
running towards him from down the corridor.
Xander instinctively slams the wooden door to the room
shut and looks back at the girls with a 'what do I do
know?" look. The girls are lost for ideas.
Xander turns back to look at the door and sees one of
those cheap, small metal hook and eye locks. Lost as
to what to do, Xander simply reaches over and slides
the pathetic looking little hook into the eye and
stands back, hoping for the best.
A moment later, Sasha, a big black blur, smashes
through the door at full speed.. smashing it into
bits. The momentum carries Sasha right past the group
and into a large pile of boxes. The four quickly run
through the now open doorway and out the room.
INT. WAREHOUSE / CORRIDOR - NIGHT
More frantic running from Xander, Anya, Dawn and
Natasha. They turn into a larger open doorway and
enter..
INT. WAREHOUSE / MANNEQUIN ROOM - NIGHT
as Xander and Natasha close the two, large doors to
the room, then locking it. They turn to see Anya and
Dawn just staring at the sight before them.
CUT TO : CRANE SHOT
as we PULL UP and away from the four gawkers to reveal
a gigantic room filled with row after row of
mannequins hanging off the floor from hundreds of
racks, all lined up in nice straight lines and bunched
very close together.
A crashing sound behind them. The four take off,
running into the field of mannequins, pushing the
bodies aside as they barrel through them. The swinging
mannequins make a distinctive squeaking noise as each
one is pushed aside and swing to and fro on its rack.
ANGLE ON : WIDE DOORS
as they explode apart, as if a bomb has gone off by
it.
Xander, Dawn, Anya and Natasha stop and turn around,
reacting to the loud bang.
NATASHA
She's inside.
The four turn back around and begin to run again,
pushing their way through the mannequins and swinging
them aside.. squeak.. squeak.
While running, Dawn hears something to her left. She
bends over a little to try to look under the
mannequins as she runs.
REVERSE ANGLE : A MOVING SHADOW ON THE FLOOR
seen under rows of mannequins, far to the left at the
other side of the room but moving alongside the group.
Dawn trips and falls to the floor heavily. Everyone
immediately stop and help her back on her feet.
XANDER
You okay?
DAWN
(brushing herself off)
I'm good.
We hear the distinctive squeaking sound of mannequins
swinging on their racks. Xander looks nervously
around. He spots two mannequins swinging directly in
front of him which he had previously nudged. He
reaches out and stops both of them from swinging.
The squeaking noise closest to Xander stops but a
fainter squeaking sound can be heard, a little way off
in the distance to the left but fast becoming louder.
Xander realises with dread.
XANDER
Run!
The four take off again, ploughing through the
mannequins.
CUT TO : WIDE SHOT OF THE ROOM
..looking down from way up above. We can't see the
group at all but we do see the trail they leave behind
via the swinging mannequins as they slice through the
perfectly ordered rows. We can see they are running in
a straight line from left to right. We also see a
second trail, cutting in fast from the top of the
screen and threatening to cut the group off from
reaching the other side of the room.
ANGLE : XANDER
leading the group, he runs breathlessly.. frantically
pushing the mannequins aside.
ANGLE ON : MANNEQUINS
from Xander's POV. A frantic, confusing scene as we
barrel through the mannequins. Their blank, perfect
plastic faces in closeup being pushed aside.. one
after another.. never being able to see more than a
few feet in front.. not expecting what to see next.
ANGLE : XANDER
as he runs, he quickly looks back to make sure
everyone is still behind him, then turns back forward,
continually pushing aside the mannequins.
XANDER
I think we're almost there!
ANGLE ON : MANNEQUINS
again from Xander's POV. We push aside several more
mannequins out of the way and then suddenly.. the
blank mannequin faces part to reveal..
ANGLE : GILES
in close-up.
XANDER
(shocked)
Aargh!
Xander pulls up just before running into Giles. Anya,
Dawn and Natasha, who are still runnning at full tilt,
slams into the back of Xander and all four come
falling down at the feet of Giles. We can see they
have now cleared the mannequins and are at the other
side of the room where Giles stands close to a doorway
leading outside. The four of them look up meekly at
Giles.
GILES
(shaking his head
slightly)
Come. This way.
The group quickly get up and follow Giles out the
doorway..
EXT. OUTSIDE THE WAREHOUSE - NIGHT
where everyone quickly exits the building and jumps
into Giles' car parked just outside.
ANGLE : NATASHA
as she settles into her seat, she turns back to look
at the warehouse.
REVERSE ANGLE : THE OPEN DOORWAY
dark and empty.. no sign of Sasha anywhere.
ANGLE : NATASHA
as she continues to stare hard into the darkness.. as
if expecting Sasha to jump out of there any second.
The car starts up and pulls away quickly. Natasha
cranes her neck and looks behind her, back at the fast
dissapearing warehouse.. still looking for Sasha. She
gradually turns her head back forwards and takes a
breath.
EXT. BUFFY'S HOUSE - NIGHT
to establish.
INT. BUFFY'S HOUSE / LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
where we see the Scoobs all assembled.. everyone
seated except for Buffy and Giles.
WILLOW
Oh my God! Sasha was after you?
ANYA
Yes, and let me tell you, if Giles
hadn't followed us, she'd still be
sitting in some room, feeding on
Xander as we speak.. you know,
presuming she started with Dawn.
DAWN
Huh?
ANYA
(turning to Dawn)
Oh, you see, vampires like to feed
on their younger victims first. It
helps cleanse the palette.. or so
I've heard.
(suddenly looking at her
watch)
Though, now that I think about it,
it's really only been half an hour,
so maybe she'd still be working on
Dawn.
Anya thinks for a beat, doing some math in her head,
then..
ANYA
(to Dawn)
How many litres would you say you
have in you?
DAWN
(thrown)
Umm...
TARA
Well, the important thing is that
everyone's safe.
GILES
Yes, we were lucky tonight.
BUFFY
Well, I'm glad you guys got out
okay, but.. did you really have to
bring her here?
GILES
Natasha?
BUFFY
Yeah, or the artist formerly known
as a blood-sucking, soulless freak.
GILES
Well, it's obvious that Sasha wants
Natasha back.. so that they can be
rejoined. I would hazard to guess
that was the objective of tonight's
attack. We have to keep her in a
place where they can't reach us.
BUFFY
But here?
DAWN
It was dark..
XANDER
..and this was the closest place.
BUFFY
No, I get that. But I just wish you
guys had run it by me first.
DAWN
(matter of factly)
Buffy. She saved my life.
Buffy has no response.. just staring at Dawn.
GILES
Any luck with Fnat-chu? Did he
mention if he could do the spell?
WILLOW
Well, he claims its do-able, but who
can trust a demon these days?
TARA
I think he can do it. He just needs
to be.. um..
(sneaking a peek at
Willow)
handled.
WILLOW
Hey, I was at my Willow-y best.
BUFFY
Anyway, we're all gonna meet up
tommorow and I guess, we'll see what
we'll see.
WILLOW
We also met up with Harmony and she
said she'll keep an eye on things..
try to give us a heads up on any
further vampy surprises.
BUFFY
Good. Either way, the sooner this is
over, the better.
Buffy departs into the kitchen. The remaining Scoobs
sit silently for a beat, sensing the tension in Buffy.
GILES
(quietly to Tara)
Where is she now?
TARA
She's upstairs.. having a shower.
We TRACK AWAY from the living room, out to the foyer
and up the stairs where we see Natasha, obviously
having listened in on the entire conversation.
DAWN (O.S.)
Do you think the spell will work?
GILES (O.S.)
It has to.
Natasha looks stunned. A lot going through her mind.
We DISSOLVE to..
INT. BUFFY'S HOUSE/BATHROOM - NIGHT
ANGLE ON : A FOGGED UP BATHROOM MIRROR
In the blurry reflection of the mirror, we see a
blurry figure walk up and face it. A hand reaches out
and wipes the condensation off the mirror to reveal
Natasha.. wet and freshly out of the shower, wearing a
towel.
She takes a look at her reflection, then at the
bright, red wound on her arm. She touches the wound
gingerly.. her finger recoiling from the pain. She
looks at the wound strangely.. curiously. She reaches
out with her finger and touches it again. She slowly
breaks out into a smile, as if cherishing the pain..
cherishing the feeling of vulnerability.
She looks back up at her reflection in the mirror. She
reaches out with her hand and touches the mirror,
slowly tracing the curves and contours of her face in
the reflection of the mirror. Her face is warm and
open.
She stares at her reflection for a long beat, but with
every passing second, her face grows sterner. We again
hear the harsh screeching of violins, growing louder
and louder. Natasha's face contorts slowly into a
hard, menacing and ultimately scary face as she stares
fervently at her reflection.
A sudden rap at the window. Natasha breaks out of her
trance and turns towards the source of the sound. She
walks slowly towards a window covered by a window
blind. She slowly reaches out and pulls up the blind.
ANGLE : SASHA
a fully-vamped Sasha outside the window, looking in at
Natasha. Her ultra-vamped face, which has nothing
discernably human left about it, practically drips
with evil. She smiles.
BLACKOUT
END OF ACT TWO
CONTINUE TO ACT THREE