Episode 11 - Valentine: Part 2
ACT TWO
INT. WILLOW AND TARA'S ROOM - DAY
ANGLE : XANDER
asleep in a chair. He rouses and takes a look around.
He sees something.
XANDER
Will?
We PAN over to Willow, sitting within a circle marked
in the middle of the floor. Her eyes closed. She is
holding on to a crystal.
Xander gets up and slowly walks to Willow. He gently
touches her shoulder.
XANDER
(louder)
Will?
(then shaking harder)
Will.
WILLOW
(turning around, snapping
at Xander)
What?
XANDER
Sorry. I thought.. I wasn't sure.
WILLOW
(contrite, taking his arm)
No. I'm sorry. I'm just a little
frustrated.
XANDER
No luck?
WILLOW
(looking at the crystal in
her hand)
Maybe I'm doing this all wrong. I've
tried everything but nothing seems
to work.
Willow stands and starts looking for something else.
XANDER
(looking with concern)
Maybe you should get some shut eye.
I mean, you've been doing this all
night.
Willow shakes her head.
XANDER
What about some breakfast?
WILLOW
Breakfast? It's morning?
Xander nods towards an alarm clock. Willow turns to
look at it.
WILLOW
Oh.
Willow continues to search for something.
XANDER
Will.
WILLOW
Xander. Do you seriously think I can
sleep.. or eat? Let's just get this
done.
Xander nods. Willow continues to search for something
to use in the spell. Xander accidentally bumps into a
table behind him. A book falls to the floor. He picks
it up.
XANDER
(reading the cover)
Sleeping Beauty.
Willow looks over at Xander, then at the book.
WILLOW
Give it to me.
Xander looks a little confused but hands it over.
XANDER
Will, really think it's the time for
a bedtime story?
WILLOW
No, this is like one of her
favourite things in the world. This
could work for the spell.
Willow takes a second look down at the book. She feels
the cover with her hand.
WILLOW
Do you believe in fairytales?
XANDER
What. You mean like gingerbread
houses and singing dwarves?
(unsure, trick question?)
O..kay, I want to say no.
WILLOW
(still looking at the
book, cradling it)
I meant, more like happy endings and
forever ever afters. It's like, no
matter how horrible everything
becomes, you know everything's gonna
be okay by the end. Right now, I
need to believe that.
(a beat, then looking up
at Xander)
I could just kiss her and she'd wake
up. Why can't that happen here?
Xander walks over to Willow, puts his hands on her
arms.
XANDER
You know what? I know everything's
gonna turn out okay.
WILLOW
How do you know?
XANDER
If there's one thing I know about
you and Tara, it's that they can
break you two up into a million tiny
pieces but, you know, you guys will
always manage to put yourselves back
together again. Always.
Willow smiles a little. A beat as the two friends hug.
WILLOW
Okay. Let's do this.
Willow goes back to the circle and sits down. She
begins to prepare for the spell.
XANDER
Will. This spell, it isn't of the..
um.. I mean, we're not talking dark
forest cake here are we?
WILLOW
Don't worry. It's strictly vanilla
light. It's like I'm placing a phone
call to Tara. I guess the spell
sorta acts like directory
assistance. It locates her and
actually opens a channel between us.
Our minds would be connected. We
could actually talk if, you know..
XANDER
(trying to lighten the
mood)
It's like a Vulcan mind meld.
WILLOW
The thing is, the channel remains
open for a while. Once I've located
her, I can call up the spell in my
head at any time and know where she
is.
Willow looks like she's ready to start.
XANDER
You need me?
WILLOW
Yes.
(smiles)
But not for this spell.
Xander returns a slight smile.
WILLOW
Wish me luck?
XANDER
Live long and prosper.
Willow smiles, then closes her eyes and focuses. Her
hands placed on the book.
INT. MAGIC BOX - DAY
ANGLE : BUFFY, GILES, CHRISTOPHER AND MR SANDRING
in the training room, through a doorway. They are
gathered around in a loose circle, talking.
DAWN (O.S.)
Do you know what they're talking
about?
ANGLE : DAWN
sitting at the table with Anya, still going through
books. Dawn is looking over at the group in the
training room. Anya looks up and takes a look.
ANYA
Oh, yes. You see I've started to
learn how to read lips, you know, so
I can listen in on people when they
talk about me. I think I've become
really good at it. Here, I'll show
you.
Anya turns to the group. We see the conversation from
her POV. We don't hear any of it except for Anya's
rendition of it. We PAN to each person as they speak.
ANGLE : MR SANDRING
ANYA (O.S.)
So, you must be the slayer.
We PAN over to Buffy
ANYA (O.S.)
That I am.
Back to Mr Sandring.
ANYA (O.S.)
And you work here at the shop with
Mr Giles?
PAN to Giles (looking very solemn and serious)
ANYA (O.S.)
No. The girl outside, Anya, works
here. She's been fabulous. I'm
thinking about letting her take
over.
PAN to Buffy. Buffy talks to Giles.
ANYA (O.S.)
You really should. She's done
wonders with this place.
Buffy turns to Mr Sandring and addresses him.
ANYA (O.S.)
Honestly, we wouldn't know where
we'd be without her.
PAN to Christopher, arms folded, looking terribly
serious. Christopher talks for a lengthy period of
time.
ANYA (O.S.)
And she's quite attractive.
ANGLE : ANYA AND DAWN
Anya looking mighty chuffed about it all.
ANYA
Oh, they're all so sweet.
Little sideways glance from Dawn to Anya. Dawn turns
back to look inside the training room.
REVERSE ANGLE :
to show Giles, Christopher and Mr Sandring, clustered
together.
DAWN
Whoa. Like, check them out. It's
like the Rolling Stones have hit
town.
ANYA
(I don't get it)
The Rolling what?
DAWN
(patiently explaining)
You see, they're this English band
whose members are so old they should
be like carbon-dated.
(a beat)
Get it?
Anya muses on this for a bit, then..
ANYA
Oh! That was a joke! You're using
humour to alleviate the depressing
mood in this place.
DAWN
(a small smile, quietly)
Just a little one.
Dawn puts looks back down at her book. Anya looks at
Dawn, thinks for a moment, then starts laughing. A
really loud fake-sounding laugh. Dawn looks at Anya,
bewildered.
ANYA
(loudly)
Ha. Ha. Ha.. That was a good one.
Rolling Stones.. you know, because
they're all old and English. Ha. Ha.
Ha..
Dawn cringes at she notices Giles and Christopher
staring back into their room. Anya continues to laugh
exuberantly.
INT. MAGIC BOX/TRAINING ROOM - DAY
As Giles walks over and closes the door to the main
part of the shop.
ANYA (O.S.)
Ha. Ha. Ha.. Hey!
GILES
(to Mr Sandring)
She'll be fine after she takes her
pills. So, Mr Sandring, are you here
on Council business?
MR SANDRING
It's always business Mr Giles. The
Council feels it's time to get more
involved with what's happening here
in sunny Sunnydale. After all, it is
the Council's prerogative to control
the activities of its employees.
We see Buffy sitting on top of a desk, looking
impatient. She rolls her eyes. No time for this.
BUFFY
Where's Quentin? Cause I got this
whole look which I save up just for
him. Doesn't seem right to give it
to someone else.
MR SANDRING
Ah. They warned me you were
colourful.
(starting to walk around,
with authority)
You may not have heard. The
honourable Mr Travers is on his way
out. He served his time..
adequately, but there is no room in
this new Council for weak and tired
leadership.
Mr Sandring takes out his white handkerchief from his
coat pocket and wipes away beads of sweat from his
forehead.
MR SANDRING
Forgive me. I am unused to this
heat.
GILES
New Council?
MR SANDRING
Great things are happening at home
Mr Giles. Within a few months, Mr
Travers will be voted out and a new
establisment will be put in place.
The Council will become what it
should always have been.. strong,
efficient, pro-active.
GILES
If Quentin's leaving, who's taking
his place?
Mr Sandring smiles. Buffy notices.
BUFFY
(to Mr Sandring)
Oh God. Let me guess. Oh Captain, my
captain?
MR SANDRING
So you see, there is much for me to
do here. Now, Christopher's been
keeping me up to date with
proceedings here in Sunnydale..
GILES
Yes, I'm sure he's been very
thorough.
MR SANDRING
So he should.
(putting an arm around
Christopher)
We're all very proud of him. I've
taught him everything I know. He'll
make a fine watcher, when your time
is finally up.
Mr Sandring looks at Giles and Buffy for a beat,
slightly unnerving look. He then steps away from
Christopher and takes a casual walk around the
training room.
MR SANDRING
Now, I believe I shall start with a
tour of your operations?
GILES
Now may not be the best time for
this.
Mr Sandring gives Giles a quizzical look.
CHRISTOPHER
One of their friends is in need of
help.
MR SANDRING
Oh. Sorry to hear that. But I trust
you all haven't lost sight of your
true focus. The General cannot be
allowed to build his army.
Buffy has had enough. She hops off the table and walks
up to Mr Sandring.
BUFFY
Our true focus is what I say it is.
Right now, the General and his army
doesn't matter. And frankly, you
don't matter.
CHRISTOPHER
Buffy.
BUFFY
(ignoring Christopher, to
Mr Sandring)
I don't know why you're here, but
guess what? I don't care. I'm sure
you're very excited about your new
project but Mommy doesn't have time
for this right now. Your new order
will just have to wait.
Buffy turns to leave.
MR SANDRING
(sternly)
Ms Summers.
BUFFY
(spinning around)
You should really just let me leave
before I introduce you to some even
more colorful expressions. Now if
you'll excuse me, we actually have
something important to deal with.
(to Giles)
Mr Giles?
Giles takes a look at Mr Sandring and Christopher
before joining Buffy.
BUFFY
(goodbyes)
Mr Sandring, Mr.. um.. Christopher.
Buffy and Giles exits to the main shop. Mr Sandring
gives Christopher a stern look. Christopher looks
away.
EXT. WILLOW AND TARA'S DORM - DAY
to establish.
INT. WILLOW AND TARA'S ROOM - DAY
Where we see Willow still seated in the circle, eyes
closed, hands on the 'Sleeping Beauty' book.
We see Xander watching Willow with concern. He gets up
from his chair and starts to wander around the room,
behind Willow. He stops to look at some pictures on a
desk.
ANGLE ON : SOME PICTURES
Pictures of Willow and Tara together, pictures of the
Gang together.
WILLOW (O.S.)
Second one from the left.
Xander turns to look at Willow. Willow is still facing
away from him, eyes still closed.
XANDER
What?
WILLOW
That picture, where she's wearing
the red sweater and I'm in this
fuzzy green thing. That's my
favourite.
Xander finds the picture and looks at it for a beat.
XANDER
I thought you were out of it, you
know, all spelled out?
WILLOW
No. Not until I make contact. Right
now, I'm just waiting.
(disprited)
It seems like that's all I've been
doing.
Xander notices the sad tone in her voice. He tries to
perk her up.
XANDER
(looking at the pictures)
How do you guys do it? I mean, it's
like, everytime I see you two
together, it's sunshine in Happy-
ville.
WILLOW
(allowing herself a small
smile, eyes still closed)
Not always, but I guess we're
luckier than most couples. I just
think we're well matched. Every
little part of us just fit each
other perfectly.
Xander sits down on the floor next to Willow. Willow
is still smiling as she continues.
WILLOW
When I'm out with her and I see
everyone around us, there's a part
of me which feels sorry for them
all, because I know they can't have
with her what I have. I love the
fact that there are certain faces,
certain aspects of her that only I
get to see.
(Willow smiles broadly, in
a happier place, eyes
still closed)
But you know what? That's not even
the best part. I mean, what you see
of us in public? It's great and all
and.. we're happy. But, I can't wait
to be alone with her, because when
it's just the two of us, it's a
place where nobody can touch us.
It's the safest, most loving place I
know. No other experience comes
near.
(a beat)
That's the best part.
XANDER
(smiling)
I understand.
Willow smiles, then suddenly her entire body stiffens.
She concentrates hard on something.
XANDER
Will? What is it?
WILLOW
I think I got her. I've picked her
up.
(Willow furrows her brow
in concentration for a
beat, then a smile)
She's still somewhere in the woods.
Xander, it worked!
XANDER
Great! Now just get out of there and
we'll go tell Giles.
WILLOW
Wait! There's something else.
Something..
XANDER
What?
WILLOW
She's here. Xander, she's..
Suddenly, Willow's eyes open wide as the camera zooms
in quickly into her eyes
INT. DARK EMPTY SPACE - DAY
We end up with Willow standing by herself in darkness.
She looks around, searching.
WILLOW
Tara? Tara?
ANGLE : WILLOW
as she searches for Tara. From behind her, we see a
ghostly white apparation emerge from the darkness.
Willow spins around.
We see Tara. Eyes black, looking very pale with white
hair. She still wears her white Valentine dress. Her
arms straight by her side. Tara looks at Willow
curiously.
WILLOW
(a little shocked at
Tara's new look)
Tara. What happened to you?
Tara does not answer. She simply continues to stare at
Willow. Willow tentatively reaches out with her hand,
trying to reach Tara.
Tara suddenly lifts her palms up by her side. Willow
and Tara are suddenly surrounded by a wall of fire.
Willow withdraws her hand.
INT. WILLOW AND TARA'S ROOM - DAY
Back in Willow and Tara's room. We see Willow sitting
in the circle, eyes open in a trance-like state. We
see beads of sweat forming on her temple.
XANDER
(concerned)
Will! What's happening?
WILLOW
(eyes forward, not talking
to Xander)
Tara, listen to me..
INT. DARK EMPTY SPACE - DAY
MATCH CUT :
Willow.. continuing her speech.
WILLOW
You have to fight this. I know
you're still in there.
Tara continues to stare at Willow, looking as if she's
searching for something.
WILLOW
Look at me. Remember? Honey, please
try to remember. It's me.
ANGLE : TARA
a slight change in expression, a touch softer.
We see the flames recede around them to reveal..
Willow and Tara's room, or at least, a representation
of their room. Willow looks around and smiles.
WILLOW
(hopeful)
That's it. That's our room! This is
us. Keep trying.
Tara takes a slow look around the room. Foreign, yet
familiar. Willow slowly walks closer to Tara while she
isn't looking.
Willow raises her hand and touches Tara's hand. Tara
immediately pulls back, suddenly angry. The room
dissapears, replaced by darkness. We see one of her
nails suddenly grow and sharpen. In a flash, she
presses her nail slightly into Willow's neck, drawing
blood.
INT. WILLOW AND TARA'S ROOM - DAY
where we see blood suddenly forming on Willow's neck.
Xander now looks mighty concerned. She shakes Willow.
XANDER
Will! Wake up!
Willow doesn't respond.
INT. DARK EMPTY SPACE - DAY
Where Tara looks at Willow angrily. The nail still
poised at her neck.
Willow simply looks ahead at Tara.
WILLOW
I love you. Let me be your light.
Find me.
Tara digs her nail in a little, a little more blood
trickles out. Tara looks like she's about to slash her
nail across Willow's throat.
WILLOW
(softly)
I love you.
Tara cocks her head slightly and stares at Willow for
a beat.
TARA
(voice slightly different,
deeper and harsher)
Leave her. There is no part of that
girl left. She is gone.
Tara removes her nail from Willow's neck, pulls her
hand back and lifts her palms again and we CUT to:
INT. WILLOW AND TARA'S ROOM - DAY
CLOSE ON : WILLOW'S EYES
as we see Willow breaking from the trance as Tara cuts
her off. She blinks, then we WIDEN as she falls into
Xander's arms.
XANDER
Will! Are you okay?
WILLOW
(looking up at Xander)
Xander, she's still in there. We can
get her back.
EXT. MAGIC BOX - NIGHT
to establish
INT. MAGIC BOX - NIGHT
Where we see Buffy and Anya searching through the
shelves for something. Buffy grabs a bottle of red
liquid from the shelf.
BUFFY
Oh! Is this it?
Anya takes the bottle and has a look.
ANYA
Sure, if you want her to grow an
extra finger.
BUFFY
We sell potions for that?
ANYA
(frustrated)
Of course. We've got potions for
everything here, you know, except
for those trivial little items which
can actually save someone's life. I
mean, there's no point having those
handy around the shop. No, those we
have to special order.
Buffy places a hand on Anya's arm, calming her down.
ANYA
Buffy, what if we don't get her
back?
BUFFY
(calming, assured tone)
We will.
ANYA
Promise?
BUFFY
Promise.
Anya calms down. She puts the potion back and the two
continue searching. A thought occurs to Anya.
ANYA
So, I'm thinking I should learn the
crossbow.. again.
BUFFY
And I'm thinking 'No'.. again.
ANYA
Come on. You've seen me out there.
The only thing I can do with stakes
is sizzle them up at barbeques, and
even most of those turn out extra
crispy. I'm not helping anyone out
there. There's this tiny thing where
I'm terrified of vamps who want to
give me a hickey.
BUFFY
Well, you don't have to be field
gal.
ANYA
But I want to help. With a crossbow,
I'd be contributing, but you know,
from a distance. I'd be like US
Foreign Aid Policy.. sending out aid
from afar?
Buffy is about to answer when Giles arrives.
GILES
Any luck?
BUFFY
Big zilcho.
GILES
I've made a few calls to a few of my
contacts. They can get hold of the
potion but it'll take a few days to
send it here.
ANYA
But we don't have that long, do we?
A few worried looks between the three. We hear
doorbell ring off-screen.
Willow and Xander enter the Magic Box.
BUFFY
Willow!
WILLOW
I found her. I know where she is.
Have you guys found a way to bring
her back?
BUFFY
We have, but..
WILLOW
But? But what?
GILES
(picking up a book and
showing the relevant page
to Willow)
There's a potion which, in theory,
can dispel Musfata's dark magic from
Tara.
ANYA
Only, we don't stock it and neither
it seems the entire East Coast.
Willow looks up at Giles.
WILLOW
(ominously)
I know a place.
Giles and the others share a look.
EXT. SUNNYDALE SHOPS - NIGHT
to establish
INT. QUENCH'S MAGIC SHOP - NIGHT
We see Willow, Giles, Buffy, Dawn and Anya gathered in
the shop. As ever, the shop is dark, illuminated only
by candles. It seems empty.
XANDER
(to Willow, nervous)
Okay, when you said you knew a
place, I was hoping that Sears had
opened an occult section, you know,
right next to the DIY Craft Books.
ANYA
This place does has a certain evily
ambience but, you know, it has a
certain rustic charm. It's like one
of those little family-owned shops.
XANDER
Yeah, the Manson family.
From behind them, Quench's dog shuffles slowly into
frame from the darkness.
DAWN
(re the dog)
There's a dog.
XANDER
(looking harder)
Okay, two-headed dog.
As the dog slowly shuffles through the group, they
take a nervous step back away from it, parting to let
it pass.
ANYA
Okay, that's too freaky. The only
place where I want to see something
with two heads is on top of my
double cappuccino.
Giles takes a look at some of the books on the
shelves. He gives a look to Willow.
WILLOW
(to Giles)
Not now, okay?
Willow takes a few steps towards the counter.
WILLOW
(calling out)
Quench?
ANYA
(nervous)
Quench? His name is Quench? What
exactly is he quenching?
We see Quench emerge through a door behind the
counter. A frail old man with a wispy white beard, his
eyes sewn shut.
XANDER
Wait, I know this! He's like a
lizard-man with a long, strangly
tongue.
(off a few looks)
Hey! I'm not making this up. Ask
Spike!
QUENCH
(to Willow)
I see you brought some friends.
Always glad to get some new
business.
WILLOW
I need..
QUENCH
I know what you need. I know
everything that goes on around the
Hellmouth. It's about your friend?
She's lost to you.
WILLOW
Yes.
QUENCH
I'm surprised she's still alive. No
human has ever inherited the power
from a Turing demon.
Quench turns around and starts to scour through some
shelves behind him.
WILLOW
It should have been me. I was the
one performing the spell.
QUENCH
It shouldn't have been either of
you. Such magic does not pass to
humans. Only beings which can
contain such dark and powerful magic
can accept it.
We see Quench's finger running over several bottles,
feeling them out.
WILLOW
Then why? Why Tara?
QUENCH
You know why.
WILLOW
I don't. Tell me.
QUENCH
Tell me, did anything unusual happen
to your friend recently.
Willow looks confused. Then a realisation. She turns
to Giles.
WILLOW
(to Giles)
Glory.
(then to Quench)
She was brainsucked.
BUFFY
I don't get it. How does that make
Tara a receptacle for the demon's
power?
QUENCH
It doesn't.
WILLOW
(getting it, stunned)
It was when I brought her back.
GILES
Some part of Glory must have been
transferred to Tara when you
performed the spell to bring her
back.
QUENCH
Where the demon's power found a
happy home.
(turning to Willow,
smiling)
All magic has consequences.
Willow looks at Quench, feeling gutted. Quench turns
back to his shelves, continuing his search.
QUENCH
Still, she is human. Such power
cannot be contained in such an
imperfect vessel.
DAWN
What are you saying?
QUENCH
Her human body can only handle
spells of a certain level. If she
tries anything more powerful,
anything near what she is capable
of, it will be the end of her.
(then)
Aah.
Quench finds what he is looking for. A receptacle,
resembling a test-tube holder, which holds 5
cylindrical vials, each containing a red liquid. He
cradles the receptacle with both hands and gently
places it on the counter.
GILES
(taking a closer look)
This is it?
QUENCH
(with a flourish)
Salvation. Now, one small vial of
this should be sufficient.
BUFFY
We'll take them all.
QUENCH
I must warn you, salvation doesn't
come cheap.
BUFFY
(a dirty look to Quench)
Giles, pay him.
Giles does so as Buffy picks up the receptacle and
hands it to Willow. The Gang starts to head out.
QUENCH
(to Willow)
Sorry to lose your patronage. It's
been enjoyable.
Willow turns and looks at Quench, then heads out of
the shop with everyone else. The doorbell ringing as
the door opens and closes.
Quench slowly bends down to talk to his dog. He holds
out the wad of cash in front of the dog.
QUENCH
So, what do you think we should do
with this? Think this place needs a
renovation?
The dog whimpers, then suddenly, it looks towards the
entrance as we hear a doorbell ring off-screen.
ANGLE : THE SHOP
from someone's POV as we glide smoothly towards the
counter, towards Quench. Quench slowly rises, turns
towards the camera and smiles.
QUENCH
I knew you wouldn't be far behind.
REVERSE ANGLE :
Tara, eyes black, feet floating off the floor,
BLACKOUT
END OF ACT TWO
CONTINUE TO ACT THREE