Episode 17 - Timeless
ACT FOUR
EXT. BUFFY'S HOUSE - NIGHT
to establish.
INT. BUFFY'S HOUSE/BUFFY'S ROOM - NIGHT
Where we see Tara in bed asleep. She wakes up. Her
hand slowly touches her lips.. as if still feeling
Willow's kiss. She suddenly straightens in bed and
looks around the room. Willow nowhere to be seen.
INT. BUFFY'S HOUSE/LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
where Buffy, Giles, Xander and Dawn are gathered..
going through the books. Tara comes bounding in..
flustered.
TARA
She's gone.
BUFFY
What?
TARA
She's gone. She's not in the room.
Everyone stands.
DAWN
She didn't come down here. We would
have heard.
BUFFY
Oh God. We lost her?
TARA
No, she went out. I'm sure of it.
XANDER
Why would she leave? I mean, she
knows we're working on a solution.
TARA
She said something before about
looking at the positives of her
situation.. something about easy
vampire slayings. Buffy.. the weapons
chest was open.
Buffy thinks for a moment.. then, a realisation.
BUFFY
(to Giles)
The warehouse.
Giles looks at Buffy for a beat, then..
GILES
We'll take my car.
Buffy sprints out towards the front door. Everyone
else begin to follow her.
GILES
(turning to the rest)
The rest of you stay here. We still
have a spell to prepare for.
Dawn, Xander, Anya and Tara stop at the edge of the
living room.. just helplessly watching as Giles exits.
INT. WAREHOUSE - NIGHT
where we see Flix, Trix and Sasha surrounded by six or
seven of the big, beefy leather-claded bodyguards. The
dealer vamp, resplendent with his fur coat draped
around his shoulder, comes up to the trio with an air
of menace. Flix and Trix stand side by side, slightly
in front of Sasha.
Surrounding this inner circle, we see the remaining
Sunnydale vamps nervously watching Flix, Trix and
Sasha with great unease. Some are beginnning to back
away.
DEALER VAMP
(appraising the twins)
Well, look at what we got here.
(to his bodyguards)
Deal me in boys, cause I'm sitting
here on a pair of tens.
General laughter from his lackeys. The dealer vamp
turns his attention back to the twins.
DEALER VAMP
I don't normally like them young, but
for you two, I think I can make an
exception.
The twins smile in unison. With this, the town vamps
scatter.. running for their lives.
DEALER VAMP
(noticing; yelling at the
scattering vamps)
Hey! Where do you think you're going?
We still have business to conduct.
The town vamps dissapear out a door into the night.
DEALER VAMP
Idiots.
The dealer vamp turns back to the twins and comes
closer.
DEALER VAMP
Well, I guess we can still make the
most of this trip. No reason this has
to be a complete bust. Now.. who to
start with?
The twins snuggle closer, smiling at the dealer vamp..
ever so subtly posing for him. The dealer vamp takes a
close look at Trix, then moves over to Flix.
DEALER VAMP
(to Flix)
Yes.. yes.. I think you win my sweet
birdy. You look like you'll enjoy it
more.
Flix turns to look at Trix and smiles triumphantly.
Trix shoots her sister a dirty look.. second again.
The dealer vamp grabs Flix's arm and jerks her
violently forward towards him, making her face him. He
takes out a large curved knife and lightly runs it
across her cheek. Flix smiles, tingling with delight
as the blade runs across her skin. She closes her eyes
to savour the moment. The dealer vamp takes the blade
away but keeps it up in a striking position.
FLIX
(opening her eyes;
seductively)
More please.
SASHA
(to the dealer vamp)
You're making a mistake.
DEALER VAMP
Don't worry grandma. Plenty of me to
go around. In the meantime, I'm sure
the boys here need some kind of
distraction.
A few grins and salacious looks towards Sasha by the
bodyguards. Sasha is not at all flustered, just
silently watching.
The dealer vamp turns back to Flix, getting right
close to her.
DEALER VAMP
Now, my little bird..
He smells her.. touches her on her shoulders, her
hips.
DEALER VAMP
What do you have to say to Daddy?
Mmm?
Flix slowly looks up at him, all doe-eyed and
innocent, ever-smiling.
FLIX
I like your coat.
EXT. SUNNYDALE STREET - NIGHT
where we see a determined looking Willow marching down
a street.. the world is currently unfrozen but she
pays no notice to anyone or anything. Absolutely
focused.
She turns a corner and sees something off in the
distance. She looks up at it and takes a deep breath.
She takes out a stake from her pocket and takes a look
at it.. then heads off off-screen.
INT. WAREHOUSE - NIGHT
as we see the large warehouse door roll up to reveal..
a bunch of the General's vamps.. patiently waiting
outside. Sasha enters the frame to address them.
SASHA
Get the blood off the trucks and take
it back to the General.
The vamps dutifully obey.
ANGLE : FLIX
dancing slowly around in her brand new fur coat, arms
held wide and slowly spinning around. Trix watches in
the background.
FLIX
You know what I like about killing
vampires? No mess. They turn to dust
and you just..
(kicks away some dust on
the ground)
sweep them away.
TRIX
(re the coat)
That's mine.
FLIX
Is not. I called it.
TRIX
You can't call it until you kill the
person wearing it.
FLIX
Yeah? Well, I dusted that slob.. so
this?
(tugs the coat)
..is mine.
TRIX
So, If I dust you, that would mean
the coat will belong to me.
Flix cocks her head and smiles at her sister.
FLIX
You think you can take me.. shrimp?
TRIX
Shut up.
FLIX
Shrimp.. shrimp.. shrimp.
Trix growls angrily and takes a step towards Flix.
SASHA
Grow up you two.
FLIX
She started it.
(to Trix)
You're just jealous because he picked
me.
TRIX
No, he didn't. The General loves me
just as much.
FLIX
Don't you remember? He chose to turn
me before he turned you.
TRIX
Only by a minute.
FLIX
Which technically makes me older than
you.
TRIX
Only by a minute.
FLIX
So, as the older sister, I get to do
what I want, say what I want and keep
what I want.
SASHA
Enough! The both of you! You two need
to focus.
TRIX
(contrite)
We're just playing.
SASHA
Play on your own time. We are here to
serve the General.
(turns away from the twins)
Honestly, I don't know why someone
thought it was funny to make two of
you.
She looks up and notices something..
REVERSE ANGLE : A SILHOUETTED FIGURE
standing at the entrance to the warehouse, backlit by
some light from the outside.
SASHA
You! Don't just stand there. The
General needs the blood back at the
mansion by tonight.
ANGLE : SILHOUETTED FIGURE
as it steps into the light, walking slowly and
steadily towards Sasha and the twins. It is Buffy.
BUFFY
Sorry.. I don't speak evil.
Flix and Trix immediately focus on the slayer,
instinctively spreading out into an attack formation.
Flix discards the fur coat.
BUFFY
Well, maybe on Monday mornings but
that's like.. cranky evil.
ANGLE : FLIX, TRIX AND SASHA
with Sasha in the centre and Flix and Trix spread out
on either side of her. The warehouse is now
practically empty save for the four combatants.
SASHA
Buffy.. I've heard you've been
unwell. Nothing serious I hope.
She smiles, ignoring Sasha's comments. Buffy continues
to walk slowly towards the trio, never wavering.
BUFFY
You know what girls? Maybe we should
start thinking about updating our
wardrobes.
(to Flix and Trix)
I mean, you two.. the full-body
spandex? Not making a come-back.
(to Sasha)
And you.. mid-eighties leather S&M ensembles are just struggling to cut
it these days.
Sasha raises an eyebrow and takes a quick look at her
outfit.
SASHA
You don't like it? Maybe you should
try one on before you pass judgment.
BUFFY
Slutty isn't my colour.
SASHA
Enough talk?
BUFFY
Enough talk.
Buffy stops and takes out her stake, facing off
against the three vamps. Flix and Trix vamp out.
ANGLE : BUFFY AND THE VAMPS
from above, somewhere on a gantry near the ceiling
looking down on the four.
Flix and Trix begin to close in.
SASHA
Wait.
The twins stop and look back at Sasha.
SASHA
I have a better idea.
She turns slowly around to look back towards one of
the trucks. The twins turn to see and then smile.
SASHA
Go back to the General. We'll take
care of the slayer.
The twins give Buffy one last evil smile, then turn to
leave. Trix reaches out for the fur coat on the floor
but Flix grabs it before she can do so. An angry snarl
between the sisters.. they depart.
Sasha backtracks calmly towards the truck, all the
while looking at Buffy. Buffy warily starts to step
towards Sasha.
Sasha's foot kicks into a chain.. a metal leash. She
picks it up and tugs on it. We PAN the length of the
chain as it leads into the back of the truck. Inside
we hear the sounds of something feeding.
ANGLE : BUFFY
stopping and looking concerned.
ANGLE : SASHA
smiling, looking straight at Buffy as she gives the
chain another tug.
This time, we hear a loud, inhuman growl come from
within.
BUFFY
What, you're gonna let me play with
your doggie?
We hear loud footsteps as the creature exits the
truck.. The large, soldier vamp turns around the
corner to greet Buffy.. its eyes burning red.
BUFFY
That's not a doggie.
Sasha casually lets go of the chain.. the soldier vamp
growls and leaps at Buffy.
Cue : fighty music
Buffy drops to her back and kicks up with her feet at
the leaping soldier vamp. She kicks him away,
catapulting him over her head. The soldier vamp slams
into a wall but recovers almost immediately.. as if
feeling no pain.
It rushes at Buffy again, like a wild animal. Buffy
dodges and ducks as the vamp swings at her - fast,
powerful swings. Buffy raises her stake to stake him
but the vamp knocks the stake away in the blink of an
eye.. the stake flying clear across the warehouse.
He knocks Buffy away.. flinging her into some crates
in the corner. It rushes at her again. Buffy pops up
and grabs a metal pipe by her side. She slams it into
the soldier's vamp head.. hard. The soldier vamp just
stands in front of Buffy, sneering at her. Buffy
swings again, and again.. hitting the vamp on its head
harder each time. Finally, after a beat.. the soldier
vamp falls over and down to the floor.
Buffy looks down at the figure at her feet.. then
holds the metal pipe up to look at it. It is now very
bent. She stares at it in bewilderment for a beat,
then throws it away. She looks quickly around.. then
smashes a cupboard shelf to fashion a makeshift stake.
She turns around to stake the vamp only to find a
large hand grabbing her arm as she raises the stake.
We see the soldier vamp, with a hold on Buffy's right
arm, slowly getting to his feet. As he does so, he
begins to lift Buffy up in the air by her arm. Buffy
winces in pain. We see blood starting to seep through
her top on the right side, just above her waist.. her
old wound reopening.
ANGLE : SASHA
noticing.. smiling.
With her free hand, Buffy hits the vamp's face with
all her might. The vamp releases Buffy, emitting a
grunt and clutching at his face. Buffy falls in a heap
to the floor. She clutces at her wound, grimacing in
pain.
SASHA
Oh Soldier Boy..
The soldier vamp turns around to look at Sasha. Sasha
makes a motion with her fist, hitting the right side
of her body. The soldier vamp turns back to look at
Buffy.
Buffy gets to her feet and charges the vamp, knocking
him slowly back with a flurry of punches and kicks.
The vamp lashes out and strikes Buffy at her right
side, causing her to yell out in pain and double over.
He picks her up and throws her across the room, into a
wall.
Buffy, very much favouring her side now, winces in
pain and looks up angrily at Sasha, who now stands by
the soldier vamp's side.
SASHA
It's the gift that keeps on giving.
Suddenly, we hear a whistling through the air. Sasha
spins around and catches a crossbow bolt as it speeds
towards the back of the soldier vamp. Sasha looks up..
REVERSE ANGLE : GILES
up on the gantry near the ceiling, a crossbow held
aloft.
SASHA
(smiling)
Rupert.
Giles quickly tries to reload. Sasha picks up an oil
barrel and flings it towards Giles. The barrel misses
a ducking Giles but smashes hard into the metal
gantry.. knocking it loose from its supports. The
gantry collapses where Giles stands. Giles falls
through the hole but manages to catch hold of a piece
of the gantry.. hanging on for dear life.
Sasha looks up at Giles, smiling. She walks calmly
towards Giles.
SASHA
Oh baby..
Sasha nonchalantly pulls out a metal pole buried in
the concrete floor and continues to close in on Giles.
SASHA
Let me help you down.
ANGLE : BUFFY AND THE SOLDIER VAMP
The soldier vamp swinging away at Buffy who struggles
to avoid the blows.. still protecting her wound. As
the vamp swings, Buffy hears.. then notices the loose
end of the long chain attached to the vamp, scraping
along the floor.
Sasha closes in on Giles, who dangles helplessly
metres from the floor.
Buffy ducks under a blow, then rolls past the vamp and
grabs hold of the end of the chain. Staying low, she
rolls and somersaults to avoid the vamp's fists, all
the while circling him.. wrapping the chain around his
legs. Buffy tugs at the chain and the giant vamp falls
to the ground.
Sasha hears this and spins around to look. Buffy leaps
on top of the soldier vamp with stake in hand. Just as
she is about to stake the vamp, Sasha throws the metal
pole in her hand towards Buffy.
We TRACK the pole as it flies through the air and
strikes Buffy's back. Buffy is knocked off the soldier
vamp, falling forwards. Sasha rushes towards the
soldier vamp and unentangles it as Buffy groggily
recovers. She helps him up to his feet just as Buffy
begins to stagger to her feet. The vamp attempts to
lunge at Buffy but Sasha holds him in check.
SASHA
That's enough for now. The General is
expecting us.
(yelling to Giles)
Another time my sweet.
She blows him a kiss, then leads the soldier vamp away
by the chain.. sprinting off. Buffy thinks about
following her for a minute, then sees Giles struggling
to hold on to the gantry. She rushes over.
She pushes a large crate underneath Giles. Giles drops
down to the crate and then climbs back down to the
floor, standing next to Buffy. He brushes some dust
off his coat.
GILES
Well, obviously I had her precisely
where I wanted her.
BUFFY
Sure.
Buffy bends over a little and touches her wound
gingerly.
GILES
Are you alright?
BUFFY
(straightening)
I'm fine. What the hell was that?
GILES
I suspect that's a sneak preview of
what's to come.. if the General
raises his army.
BUFFY
Well, if that's the sneak preview, I
sure don't wanna catch the feature.
Giles and Buffy, both looking exhausted, share a small
laugh.. comrades in arms. Buffy then looks around the
warehouse.. a look of concern crossing her face.
BUFFY
Giles.. Where's Willow?
EXT. BUFFY'S HOUSE - NIGHT
to establish.
INT. BUFFY'S HOUSE/LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
where we see Tara sitting on the couch by herself,
looking very worried. She stands up, then starts to
head towards the kitchen. She accidentally kicks a
book lying on the floor. She sighs and picks it up..
It flips open to a page.
ANGLE ON : THE BOOK
on the open page, we see a partly-torn page..
underneath, a caption reads : 'Illustration : The
Amulet of Magas'.
ANGLE : TARA
looking horrified.
TARA
Willow.
EXT. SUNNYDALE STREET - NIGHT
ANGLE ON : THE CAT LADY'S HOUSE
all dark and quiet.
We PAN away from the house, across the street, to
Willow, waiting in the darkness. She looks up and off
to her side at something..
REVERSE ANGLE : SOME BRANCHES
of a tree, being blown by the wind. After a beat.. it
freezes, as does the rest of the world.
Willow takes a deep breath in, then walks forward..
heading towards the house.
INT. CAT LADY'S HOUSE - NIGHT
as Willow enters a dark house. She switches on a
flashlight in her hands. She shines the light to and
fro, searching in the darkness.
She stops outside one darkened room and shines her
light in. The beam reveals a neat, tidy room.. quiet
and still. The beam moves to the right and we see the
back of a chair. The chair faces a blank, empty wall.
On closer inspection, Willow notices someone in the
chair. She sees an old, withered hand on the armrest..
the cat lady's hand.
A creeped out Willow quickly shines the light away..
not wanting to stir the still body. She moves on.
She shines the light on a green door, set in a wall.
Willow slowly moves towards it.. then opens it. She
shines a light down; a dark and wide stone staircase
leading down. She nervously descends the staircase.
INT. GENERAL'S MANSION/STAIRCASE - NIGHT
as Willow shines the light on the steps.. slowly
making her way down. She spots a light at the end of
the staircase. She focuses on that point of light as
she continues to descend.
She bumps into something big at the side of the
staircase. She points her flashlight at it to reveal..
a vamped out face a mere few inches away from hers.
Willow, startled, trips and tumbles down the remaining
steps and out onto..
INT. GENERAL'S MANSION/UPSTAIRS BALCONY - NIGHT
at the bottom of the staircase. As she hits the floor,
her small bottle of holy water comes tumbling out of
her jacket and smashes onto the stone floor.. spilling
its contents.
Willow, still flat on the floor, quickly shines the
light on the vamp again. It stands frozen at the
staircase.
Willow sighs.. switches off the flashlight, then takes
a look at the broken bottle of holy water in front of
her. She crawls up towards it.
WILLOW
(to herself)
Sure, glass is traditional but
plastic? Way more sensible.
She then notices something beyond the broken shards of
glass. She slowly crawls further up, looking down at
something.
REVERSE ANGLE : BALCONY
from Willow's POV, we crawl up to the edge of the
balcony looking down to reveal.. the vast expanse of
the General's mansion underneath.. various large, open
areas, populated by many frozen vamps.
ANGLE : WILLOW
staring in amazement for a beat. She switches off her
flashlight.
INT. GENERAL'S MANSION/STAIRCASE - NIGHT
We see Willow descending one of the many staircases
leading from the second floor to the ground floor. She
reaches the bottom and begins to nervously wander
through this house of stone. Everywhere she looks, she
sees a frozen world filled with vamps. She passes a
couple along a hallway.. always keeping a watchful eye
on them.
WILLOW
(nervously to herself)
Big, scary place.. big, scary place.
Maybe this wasn't quite the plan I
thought it was.
More nervous glances as she passes more vamps.
WILLOW
Don't be such a baby. It's no big..
just get the amulet and go.
Willow takes a look around, looking a little lost.
WILLOW
Now, if I was an amulet, where would
I be?
(answering herself)
Well, for starters, in a big, scary
place filled with vamps.
Willow shakes her head, then enters..
INT. GENERAL'S MANSION/TRAINING ROOM - NIGHT
a wide, open area filled with training implements,
weapons and a few frozen vamps. Willow begins to cross
it.
Suddenly, we hear a loud, groaning noise. Willow
stops, a look of terror filling her face. She looks up
and all around. The noise comes from all around,
seeming to bounce off the walls of the large cavernous
mansion. She starts to see movement.. the world
beginning to unfreeze.
Willow starts to run towards the other end of the
training room. She realises she won't be able to make
it before time unfreezes. She spots a weapons table
and scoots underneath it, making herself as small as
possible. Time unfreezes.
From her perspective, she sees the legs of a vamp
walking towards the table. She inches away from the
intruder. The legs come right up to the table as the
vamp picks a weapon. A large axe swings into view,
right in front of Willow, her eyes bulging. The vamp
carries the axe away for more training. Willow
scampers away from under the table and quickly heads
towards the exit.
INT. GENERAL'S MANSION/HALLWAY - NIGHT
as Willow bolts into the hallway, she sees more vamps
heading towards her.. all heavily armed. She hides
behind a column and waits for them to pass. She hears
footsteps coming from the opposite direction. She
looks frantically for a place to hide. She scampers
quickly but silently into..
INT. GENERAL'S MANSION/A ROOM - NIGHT
as she hides behind the open door. She peeks through
the crack between the door and the wall.. spotting two
vamps as they pass. She breathes a sigh of relief,
then turns to face the room. Her expression changes
immediately.. her breathing stops. We hold on Willow's
face for a beat.
We slowly PAN around to Solomon, sitting at his desk,
his back to Willow. His head is down, buried in his
hands. He seems deep in contemplation.
ANGLE : WILLOW
We TILT down from her face, to her right hand which
slowly enters her coat pocket. She begins to take out
a stake from her pocket, then stops.. hesitating.
Solomon rises. Willow slowly puts the stake back into
her pocket, then ducks back behind the door, hiding in
the shadows. Solomon leaves the room. Willow creeps
out from behind the door, then follows him.
INT. GENERAL'S MANSION/HALLWAY - NIGHT
as Willow follows Solomon from a distance, keeping to
the shadows. She seems less wary of her surroundings
now, her eyes focused on Solomon. Solomon turns around
a corner and dissapears. Willow follows into..
INT. GENERAL'S MANSION/THRONE ROOM - NIGHT
as Willow hides behind a wall, peering into the throne
room. From behind, she can see Solomon standing next
to a large throne. The back of the throne hides the
occupant but she can see the white, spindly fingers of
the General, gesticulating to Solomon.
Willow hears footsteps coming towards her. With
nowhere else to go, she slips quietly into the throne
room, hiding behind a pillar which stands next to a
table carrying various glass ornaments, all standing
in a row. She takes another peek at Solomon and the
General.
ANGLE : SOLOMON AND THE GENERAL
still talking. Solomon suddenly looks over in Willow's
direction.
Willow darts back quickly behind the pillar,
accidentally bumping lightly into the table behind her
in the process.
ANGLE ON : AN ORNAMENTAL VASE
adorned with various fierce looking creatures,
standing at the end of the row of ornaments. The bump
causes it to shift to the right, teetering on the edge
of the table.. looking like it is about to fall. It
wobbles.
ANGLE : SOLOMON
not noticing any of this and turning back to the
General.
ANGLE ON : AN ORNAMENTAL VASE
wobbling on the edge.. then suddenly freezing.
ANGLE : WILLOW
staying still behind the pillar for a beat, then
slowly peeking her head out again to look.
REVERSE ANGLE : SOLOMON AND THE GENERAL
frozen.
Willow steps out from behind the pillar and cautiously
approaches the pair, her stake out at the ready. She
steps up to take a look at Solomon.. a glowering
intensity even in a frozen state. She turns towards
the General and her eyes widen.
REVERSE ANGLE : THE GENERAL
sitting still on his throne, a red amulet on a chain
around his neck.
Willow takes a deep breath in, her eyes focused on the
amulet. She puts the stake down onto the floor and
steps up to the General. She takes out a scrap of
paper from her pocket and examines the illustration of
the amulet she tore from the book. She compares it
with the amulet in front of her, then replaces the
paper in her pocket.
She stands in front of the General.
She carefully leans in and reaches around the
General's neck to lift the chain. Her face is now a
mere few inches away from his. Willow stares straight
into the General's eyes which regard her with a frozen
glare. She proceeds slowly, for fear of waking the
dead.
She tries to lift the chain off the General but it is
stuck, the chain clasped onto the General's vest. She
tugs again, harder, but the clasp does not give way.
She hears a loud, groaning noise around her.
WILLOW
No.
Willow keeps pulling on the chain but it doesn't come
loose. The General stares with his frozen eyes..
observing Willow. Willow looks around, the sound
getting louder.. vamps beginning to move. Willow
releases the chain and rushes behind the throne,
taking cover as time unfreezes.
Solomon notices the stake on the ground by his feet.
He starts to look around..
THE GENERAL
What is it?
Willow, still hiding behind the throne, spots some
vamps heading towards the throne room from one of the
side entrances.. leading directly to her. She peeks
around the corner of the throne.
REVERSE ANGLE : SOLOMON
looking in the other direction, away from her.
Willow takes the opportunity to sneak towards the exit
behind the throne. She moves, half-crouching.
ANGLE ON : AN ORNAMENTAL VASE
Now unfrozen, we see it wobbling.. wobbling.. off the
table. It smashes to the ground in front of Willow
causing an almighty noise.
Willow, startled, stands up straight and spins around
in horror.
REVERSE ANGLE : SOLOMON
standing right in front of her, rage burning in his
eyes.
Willow tries to run but, in an instant, Solomon grabs
her wrist.. hard, the sharp nails burying into her
skin. Willow lets out a cry of pain, her entire body
seeming to collapse. She looks up at Solomon.
Solomon reaches with his other hand to his side and
unsheaths his sword. He swings it up into the air and,
in his moment of triumph, begins to swing it down at
Willow.
Willow closes her eyes and waits.. and waits. She
nervously opens her eyes again.
REVERSE ANGLE : SOLOMON
frozen in mid-swing. Time has stopped.
Willow stares at Solomon for a breathless moment, not
believing her eyes.. then jumps into action.
She tries with all her might to pull free from
Solomon's grasp but she cannot break loose. She pulls
and pulls. We see blood beginning to drip down from
her wrist as some of her skin peels away.
She stops, then tries to reach for Solomon's sword..
raised high above his head. She twists and turns,
trying to stretch for the sword but it is out of
reach.
She looks around the throne room.. nothing within
grasp. She spots a knife on a table some distance
away. She concentrates on the knife.
ANGLE ON : THE KNIFE
as nothing happens for a beat.. then starts to slide
across the table.
ANGLE : WILLOW
deep in concentration.
ANGLE ON : THE KNIFE
as it slides off the table and drops to the stone
floor with a clang. It then begins to slide along the
floor, heading towards Willow.
It reaches the three steps leading up to the General's
throne. It bumps into the first step, unable to go any
further.
ANGLE : WILLOW
looking frustrated.. trying again.
The knife begins to stand up shakily on one end. After
a valiant effort to levitate, it gives up and drops
back to the floor, lifeless.
Willow, all worn out, crouches over and rests her free
hand on her knee. She looks defeated.. unable to give
any more. She looks down at the floor, trying to think
of something.. anything. Trying to figure a way to..
A loud, groaning noise breaks her train of thought.
WILLOW
(looking up, shouting;
almost in tears)
No.. No.
ANGLE ON : HER WRIST
as she tries one last time to pull free, more blood
spilling to the floor. Suddenly, a hand strikes into
view, grabbing Willow's arm.
We TILT up to see Tara, looking hard at Willow.
WILLOW
Tara!
Tara looks quickly around, summing up the situation.
She looks at Willow, then at Solomon for a moment,
slightly unnerved by him. She shakes it off and goes
over and prises his sword loose from his grasp. She
positions the blade of the sword over the tiny
striking zone.. a small piece of exposed flesh at
Solomon's wrist, between Willow's hand and the part of
Solomon's arm protected by the body armour.
All around, the groaning noise becomes louder. We
begin to detect some movement. Time beginning to
unfreeze.
ANGLE : TARA
hesitating, staring at the tiny target.
WILLOW
Tara.. Do it!
Tara looks at Willow.
WILLOW
I trust you.
Tara nods and raises the sword high above her head
with both hands. Time unfreezes. Tara turns to look at
Solomon. Solomon looks at Tara.. shocked.. then
produces something almost like a warm smile.
Tara turns back to her target, and swings down hard..
chopping Solomon's hand clean off at the wrist. Willow
pulls her arm away with Solomon's clenched hand still
attached to her wrist. They both look at Solomon.
ANGLE : SOLOMON
still with that smile.. frozen again.
TARA
(dropping the sword)
Quick! We have to go!
The pair run away, exiting the throne room as we focus
on Solomon in the foreground.. still and silent. After
a beat, we hear a loud, groaning noise in the air.
Time slowly unfreezes. Solomon, still with a smile on
his face, now stares at blank air. He senses
something. He looks down at his hand, and we CUT away
just as he opens his mouth to..
INT. GENERAL'S MANSION/HALLWAY - NIGHT
A loud, inhuman scream echoes through the hallways and
chambers of the mansion. Willow and Tara race down the
hallway, searching for the exit. They reach a
crossroads.
WILLOW
(dragging Tara by the arm)
This way!
She leads Tara down another hallway, only to be
greeted by three vamps at the end of it. The vamps
take chase. Willow and Tara quickly duck into a side
room.
INT. GENERAL'S MANSION/A ROOM - NIGHT
as they slam the door shut behind them, locking it
with a slide-lock. The vamps begin to pound on the
door.
WILLOW
Okay, you lead.
Tara spots the door at the other end of the room.
TARA
Come on.
They rush off towards the door, open it and run off
into another hallway.
INT. GENERAL'S MANSION/THRONE ROOM - NIGHT
The General, standing next to his throne, addresses
Tarwin and some of his troops gathered below him.
THE GENERAL
(furious)
How did they get in?
TARWIN
We don't know. We have guards posted
at every entrance.
THE GENERAL
That is not good enough. I want the
two of them found NOW.
TARWIN
Yes Master.
THE GENERAL
There are children running loose in
my house Mr Tarwin. Take as many men
as you need and go fetch them.
Tarwin nods, then looks at something behind the
General.
TARWIN
What about him?
The General turns around to look. We see Solomon
crouched on a knee, head down, holding his arm which
is now missing a hand. He makes no sound.. just holds
that pose quietly.
THE GENERAL
(with disgust)
Let him bleed.
(turning back to Tarwin)
Round them up. I'll wait for them
upstairs.. if they happen to make it
that far.
Tarwin bows and leaves, taking the other vamps with
him. The General turns and walks by the hunched figure
of Solomon and exits.
INT. GENERAL'S MANSION/HALLWAY - NIGHT
ANGLE : TARA
hunched in the shadows.
TARA
We should be heading up. We have to
find a way upstairs.
We PULL OUT to reveal Willow hunched down next to
Tara, both hiding behind a boulder while vamps pass
by. Willow tries to pry Solomon's hand loose from her
wrist.
TARA
Can't you get it off?
WILLOW
Believe me. It's not like I want this
as a handy reminder of today's
events.
TARA
Come on. I think there's a staircase
just up here.
They head off down yet another hallway, doors set in
the walls on either side. As they pass one of them, it
flings open and a vamp jumps out at them. They both
duck. The vamp flies over them and smashes into the
opposite wall, knocking himself out.
A VAMP (O.S.)
There they are!
The girls turn back to see a group of vamps far behind
them, now giving chase. The pair start to run, wildly
and without any real direction.. completely lost in
the General's maze. Every turn they seem to run into
more vamps, chasing them down hallways.
They eventually seem to lose their pursuers and stop
to catch their breath.
WILLOW
(hands on knees, out of
breath)
We are so in the wrong place.
Tara looks up and sees something in front of her.
TARA
(tugging Willow's arm)
Look.
Willow looks up.
REVERSE ANGLE : A STAIRCASE LEADING UP
off in the distance within a room in front of them.
The two look at each other, smiles, then heads into..
INT. GENERAL'S MANSION/WEAPONS ROOM - NIGHT
A large open area with a staircase leading up at the
centre of the room. Weapons of all descriptions are
stored here, placed in racks or on tables. We also see
several full-body, strange and menacing-looking,
antique suits of armours on display.. all standing
erect with a weapon in hand, lined against the walls.
Willow and Tara begin to rush towards the staircase.
Suddenly, from in front of them, we see Tarwin and a
group of vamps emerge from the far entrance of the
room. They walk in menacingly, blocking access to the
staircase. Willow and Tara stop in their tracks. The
vamps slowly approach them
We see Willow reach out with her hand. Tara takes it
as they both concentrate on something.
ANGLE ON : A FEARSOME-LOOKING SUIT OF ARMOUR
carrying an axe. It comes to life, stepping out
clunkily towards the vamps, each metallic step echoing
loudly through the mansion. It raises its axe and
approaches the vamps.
ANGLE : WILLOW AND TARA
still focusing.. deep in concentration.
The vamps halt their advance, carefully regarding the
walking suit of armour.. unsure of what to do. One of
the vamps rushes it. The suit of armour swings its axe
and beheads the vamp.. dust. The remaining vamps inch
backwards.
ANGLE : WILLOW AND TARA
still concentrating on the suit of armour. We see
Willow make a tiny little gesture with her free hand.
ANGLE ON : A FEARSOME-LOOKING SUIT OF ARMOUR
as it starts spinning on one leg with its axe held out
with both hands.. like a mad hammer-thrower spinning
in his circle. It spins faster and faster, backing the
vamps away with its spinning axe.
Willow and Tara release their hands and speed off
towards the staircase, speeding by the spinning suit
of armour which is keeping the vamps at bay. They
sprint up the staircase.
ANGLE : TARWIN
watching the pair speed away. He growls menacingly at
the suit of armour, concentrating on it. He waits for
the right moment, then crouches low and swings his axe
at its legs. It strikes the metal with a loud clang.
The suit of armour immediately breaks apart with bits
and pieces of the armour flying in all directions.
The vamps cower for a beat, shielding themselves from
the flying debris. Tarwin straightens.
TARWIN
Get them!
The vamps sprint up the staircase. Tarwin follows.
INT. GENERAL'S MANSION/UPSTAIRS BALCONY - NIGHT
We TRACK Willow and Tara running at full pelt from
right to left. Tara looks behind her.
ANGLE : TARWIN AND VAMPS
as we TRACK them chasing Willow and Tara, again
running from right to left.
ANGLE : WILLOW AND TARA
still TRACKING them as they run and then turn a corner
and runs straight into.. the General. The force of the
two girls slams the General, who was caught by
surprise, onto his back, with both Willow and Tara
falling on top of him. The General hits his head on
the stone floor hard.
The General seems dazed. Tara gets up and starts to
pull Willow off the General. She seems to be a little
stuck, lingering a little longer on top of the General
than Tara.
TARA
Come on. What are you doing? Let's
go!
Tara pulls Willow off and they stumble down the
balcony. They spot the staircase up to the house ahead
of them. They rush up the stairs.
ANGLE : THE GENERAL
slowly sitting up. Tarwin and the rest of the vamps
arrive. They stop, checking on the General.
THE GENERAL
(angrily)
Go!
The vamps rush off.
INT. CAT LADY'S HOUSE - NIGHT
as we see Willow and Tara burst through the green
door, sprinting out towards the front door. We see
Tarwin and the vamps emerge close behind them, chasing
them through the house.
Willow and Tara reach the front door. Tara fiddles
with the lock for a second, trying to get the door
open. Precious moments wasted. Willow turns back
anxiously.
REVERSE ANGLE : TARWIN
charging down the hallway towards them with his axe
raised.
Tara fiddles with the door for a beat longer, then
finally gets the door open and the two rush out.
EXT. OUTSIDE THE CAT LADY'S HOUSE - DAY (DAWN) - DAY
THREE
as we see Willow and Tara speed down the walkway and
out into the street. It is the first open area we have
seen for a long time. It is dawn, with the sun just
rising. The two sprint down the road, not looking
back.
INT. CAT LADY'S HOUSE - DAY (DAWN)
ANGLE ON : TARWIN'S FEET
as they stand silently just at the open door. The
sunlight outside barring him from going any further.
We TILT up to see Tarwin's angry face, staring off
into the distance.
REVERSE ANGLE : WILLOW AND TARA
from Tarwin's POV, dissapearing out of view as they
turn off the street.
INT. GENERAL'S MANSION/THRONE ROOM - DAY
as we slowly TRACK IN on a lonely figure crouched on
the floor with his back to us. In one fluid motion we
TRACK IN, then PAN around to the front to see Solomon
with his head still bowed.. still cradling his injured
left arm. He slowly looks up and we CLOSE IN on his
face. It is the face of pure rage.
EXT. SUNNYDALE STREET - DAY
as Willow and Tara finally pull to a stop, both out of
breath.
TARA
I think.. I think we're okay.
They breathlessly look at each other for a beat.
Willow looks at Tara intently.
TARA
What is it?
Willow casts her eyes downwards, looking at something.
ANGLE : TARA
looking at Willow's face, then also looking down.
REVERSE ANGLE : WILLOW
from Tara's POV as we TILT down from Willow's face to
her clenched hand as she holds it out to Tara. She
slowly opens her hand to reveal.. the Amulet of
Magas.. ripped off the General's chain.
Tara looks shocked. The two exchange a knowing look,
both understanding the magnitude of this development.
EXT. XANDER AND ANYA'S APARTMENT - DAY
to establish.
INT. XANDER AND ANYA'S APARTMENT/LIVING ROOM - DAY
where we see the whole gang gathered around the table.
Giles is carefully prying Solomon's severed hand off
Willow's arm with a letter opener. Willow sits
patiently, her arm laid out on the table.
GILES
Now, just relax.
Giles pries the hand off. It flops onto the table.
Buffy and Dawn, sitting the closest, jerks back a
little in their chairs as the hand bounces around on
the table in front of them. We see Anya hurry off off-
screen.
Giles begins to clean Willow's wound and bandage it.
Tara watches on.. standing next to Willow.
Buffy grabs a pencil and pokes Solomon's hand
carefully.. checking for life. Anya returns with a jar
filled with formaldehyde. She sees Buffy.
ANYA
What are you doing?
Buffy stops her inspection.
BUFFY
Oh.. you know, just applying the
standard 'Let's make sure this thing
won't come alive and strangle you
while you sleep' test for severed
appendages..
(off looks)
Really, they're pictures and
everything.
ANYA
Well, I would appreciate if you'd
stop poking the merchandise.
Anya carefully picks up the hand and drops it into the
jar, then caps it.
XANDER
Wait.. merchandise?
DAWN
You think there's a big market for..
um.. used hands?
ANYA
You'll never know what people want
these days. You have to keep ahead of
market demand. That's how you succeed
in business.
Anya holds up the jar and takes a close look at the
specimen inside.
ANYA
Besides, I think it's interesting.
BUFFY
(slightly creeped out)
Okay, should we be checking your
freezer.
Anya ignores Buffy and leaves with her prized
possession.
XANDER
(to Anya)
Don't store that with the pickles.
ANGLE : WILLOW AND GILES
Giles carefully applying the bandage to Willow's arm.
GILES
(gently)
Hold still.
A silent tension in the air between the two. Willow,
too ashamed to look at Giles for any extended period
of time. Giles takes great care in applying the
bandage.. making sure everything is clean. He
finishes.
GILES
There.
Willow nods appreciatively to Giles. Giles takes the
first-aid kit and walks away to replace it. More
silence in the room.
BUFFY
(to Tara)
So... You guys headed back to your
dorm room to work that unfreeze
spell?
TARA
Yeah.. we figured that's where our
powers would be most effective..
that's where we're strongest.
Willow takes a quick look up to Tara.
XANDER
You guys want us to come along?
WILLOW
Best if we kept it small.
DAWN
But, what if..
TARA
Don't worry. I'm sure the spell will
work. We'll be okay.
WILLOW
(to Tara)
We should be going.
Tara nods. Willow gets ups from the chair. Buffy comes
up to her and hugs her. Willow hugs back. They break
from the hug. Willow smiles appreciatively at Buffy.
Giles and Anya return to stand next to Xander and
Dawn.
Willow and Tara head to the front door. As Tara opens
the door, Willow turns back one last time.
WILLOW
(to everyone)
Thank you.
REVERSE ANGLE : BUFFY, XANDER, DAWN AND ANYA
in a tight group.. being supportive.
ANGLE : WILLOW
looking over to Giles.
ANGLE : GILES
looking at Willow.. then nodding.
Willow smiles a little, then follows Tara out.
Xander picks up the Amulet of Magas from the table and
throws it around playfully in the palm of his hand.
XANDER
So, this little stone is what
everyone's been squabbling over?
Giles grabs the amulet in mid-air off Xander.
GILES
(a little look to Xander)
Yes. But don't let its size fool you.
It holds enormous power.
BUFFY
So, what now? We FedEx it somewhere
safe? Out of the General's reach?
GILES
Unfortunately, we can't take the risk
of sending this back to England. Who
knows how many allies the General
still has within the Council?
Besides, I doubt if the General would
ever let this amulet out of
Sunnydale. I'm sure he already has
his eyes and ears all over town..
just in case we try to leave with it.
ANYA
We can't leave with it? Where does
that leave us?
GILES
Since we cannot destroy it, I feel
the safest place for it is with us..
where we can protect it.
ANYA
Wait a minute.. They know we have
it..
GILES
Yes.
ANYA
And we know they want it back..
GILES
Yes.
Anya looks nervously around at the rest of the group.
DAWN
But.. if it's so important to them,
they'll try to get it back.
GILES
(portentiously)
Yes.. they will.
Giles holds up the amulet to the light to look at it.
We CLOSE IN on the amulet as it fills the screen.
MATCH CUT : THE AMULET
on a chain around the General's neck. The amulet fades
to reveal the empty space where the amulet used to be.
We PULL BACK to reveal we are in..
INT. GENERAL'S MANSION/THRONE ROOM - DAY
with an angry General ranting away, pacing to and fro.
THE GENERAL
(with fury)
If this is how they want to play it..
so be it. We will burn them to the
ground and recover the amulet from
their ashes.
We see Tarwin, Sasha, Flix, Trix and Solomon lined
up.. dutifully listening to the General.
THE GENERAL
Who do they think they are?..
Children. They don't know the meaning
of a war. But they will learn.. They
will learn.
The General stops and turns to look at someone.
THE GENERAL
Make them pay.
REVERSE ANGLE : SOLOMON
with a bandage on his left arm.. a calm but murderous
look on his face.
INT. WILLOW AND TARA'S ROOM - DAY
ANGLE ON : TWO PAIRS OF HANDS.. JOINED
in a darkened, frozen room. We WIDEN to reveal Willow
and Tara standing in an empty space in front of their
bed with their hands joined. On the floor between them
sits the Crystal of Kanis.. glowing green. Both girls'
eyes are closed as they chant something in Latin.
ANGLE ON : A SMALL ANALOG CLOCK
sitting on top of the bed's headboard.. near the
centre. The second hand is frozen.
Willow and Tara finish chanting. A bright green flash
emanates from the crystal, enveloping Willow and Tara
for a second.. then dissapears.
ANGLE : TARA
eyes opening, looking at Willow.
ANGLE : WILLOW
eyes opening, looking at Tara, then to the side.
ANGLE : TARA
following Willow's gaze to the side, both looking at
something.
REVERSE ANGLE : A SMALL ANALOG CLOCK
The second hand ticks away merrily, counting off the
seconds. Time unfrozen.
Willow smiles to Tara, then rushes off to the window.
She draws open the curtains to look outside.
Everything is alive and moving.
WILLOW
It worked!
Tara smiles for a beat, then stops.. as if remembering
something. She turns away from Willow and starts
packing away the stuff on the floor. Willow watches
Tara.. her joy subdued. She nervously navigates in the
spaces around Tara, trying to build up her courage.
WILLOW
(softly)
So..
Willow doesn't finish her thought. Tara turns to look
at Willow.
TARA
What?
Willow, standing by the bureau, fiddles nervously with
her hands.
WILLOW
Are you gonna stay?
Tara looks at Willow earnestly, then turns away from
her.. too pained to continue. From the back, we see
her head drop slightly.
TARA
Do you want me to?
Willow, on the verge of tears, stares dolefully at
Tara. She begins to shake her head slowly.. No. She
then stops.
WILLOW
(softly and pained; like a
guilty admission)
Yes.
Tara turns to look at Willow. She sees the pain in
Willow's face and comes up to her.. gently caressing
her face with her hand.. comforting her. She drops her
hand, then breaks away from Willow.
TARA
How can I? I mean, things haven't
changed here Will. Nothing's changed.
Willow drops her head.
TARA
You're still reckless with your
magic, and I'm still a big part of
the reason why. Don't you see? As
long as I'm here, I'm not going to
make things easier for you. I have to
leave. I have to.
Willow, looking down at the ground, nods.. sadly
agreeing.
TARA
But the thing is. I can't.
Willow looks up at Tara.
TARA
(struggling to hold it
together)
I can't leave you.. not again. I just
don't have the strength anymore.
(pained)
I've missed you Will. I don't want to
lose you again.
Willow rushes up to Tara and they kiss and hug. Both
very emotional.
WILLOW
(over Tara's shoulder.. in
a hug)
You'll never lose me.. never. If I
ever got lost? If I ever got into
trouble? I know you'll find me.
Always.
They break from the hug and look at each other.
TARA
I'll always find you.
WILLOW
You will.. And this magic thing, I
promise I'll slow down. I'll stop
even. Anything you want.
(takes a deep breath)
It's just that, with all this evil
around, I wanted to protect the
gang.. I wanted to protect you. I
need to be able do that.
Willow turns away from Tara to look out the window.
Bright, sunny day.
WILLOW
(as if seeing something
else)
It's just so dark out there.
Sometimes, I think you'd been better
off if we hadn't met.
TARA
What? Will..
WILLOW
I mean.. before, you were this nice,
normal person in this nice, normal
world. And now everything's changed.
There's all this new evil goodness
flying about, what with vampire
armies and evil stalker guy..
Tara grabs Willow by the arm and gently turns her
around to face her.
TARA
Listen.. There will always be things
in this world that are evil and
hurtful.. not just in Sunnydale.. not
just vampires and demons. It can't be
helped. It doesn't matter how
powerful a witch you become.. it's
nothing you can control. What gets me
through it is us. What we are.. what
we have. Will, because I met you,
I've found a place where I belong.
I've found a family. And I've found
you.
Willow smiles.
TARA
This world.. it's confusing
sometimes. I don't get everything
that happens. Why some things are the
way they are. It's all muddled, you
know? But Will.. you're the one clear
thing in my world.
(a little smile)
Do you get it at all?
WILLOW
(recognising the reference)
I do.
They come to each other and hug again.. for a long
beat. Two merging into one. They finally break and
look at each other with hands still held.. smiling.
Nothing breaking into their little world. Their bond
forever rekindl.. Willow yawns.
WILLOW
Oh God! I'm sorry.. I didn't mean to.
I mean, right after what you just
said..
TARA
(laughs)
That's okay. I'm sleepy too.
WILLOW
What time is it now? My whole cycle
has gone screwy. I don't know if I
should be waking up or going to
sleep.
TARA
I know. I think we should probably
just go to bed.. you know, catch up
with the rest of the world.
WILLOW
(smiles)
I'm with you there.
Willow goes over and draws the curtain.. darkening the
room a little. They stand on opposite sides of the
bed, clearing the books that are on it so that they
can get in.
WILLOW
It was so weird wasn't it. Time just
freezing like that.. like with
everyone and everything just
stopping, you know, except for you
and me.
TARA
Not really. It's nothing new. Nothing
I haven't felt before.
Willow gives Tara a quizzical look. Tara leans in
across the bed and kisses Willow. They kiss for a long
beat.. then slowly separate. They both smile, then
slowly turn to look at something to their right.
ANGLE ON : A SMALL ANALOG CLOCK
sitting on top of the bed's headboard, near the
centre. A beat as the second hand seems to be frozen..
then.. ticks over.
BLACKOUT
END OF SHOW
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