Episode 9 - Wishes and Surprises
ACT TWO
EXT. WOODS - NIGHT
From where we left off. DeGarrin vamps out and attacks
Buffy who is on the ground. Buffy kicks her legs up,
launching DeGarrin over her head. DeGarrin somersaults
out of the bushes into the clearing.
HARMONY
(seeing DeGarrin)
Honey!
Buffy flips herself back up and somersaults herself
into the clearing.
HARMONY
Buffy!
BUFFY
Harm! New playmate?
DeGarrin gets back up and attacks again. Buffy avoids
the attack and flings him away.
BUFFY
(to Harmony)
Gotta say. Not an improvement. You
should have left town before -- What
in God's name are you wearing?
HARMONY
(looking down at her
outfit; sparkly fashion
disaster)
What?
DeGarrin knocks Buffy down while she is distracted.
The two roll on the ground for a while before Buffy
frees herself from him by kicking him away. DeGarrin
and Buffy gets back up, now in a face-off.
DEGARRIN
I shall rip open your throat and
drink you dry.
DeGarrin attacks again. Buffy blocks his attempted
blows, then gets four blows in herself, with two
punches, then two kicks.
BUFFY
Not.. (blow) on..(blow) my.. (blow)
birthday! (blow).
Buffy knocks DeGarrin to the ground with the final
kick.
HARMONY
It's your birthday?
(then hurt)
And you didn't invite me to your
party?
Buffy looks at Harmony incredulously. What planet are
you from? DeGarrin gets in a sucker punch.
HARMONY
(to DeGarrin)
Oh! Good shot honey!
DEGARRIN
Will you shut up!
It's now Buffy's turn to hit DeGarrin while he's
distracted by Harmony. Buffy gets many punches in,
forcing DeGarrin to reel backwards. A spinning kick
finally knocks DeGarrin to the ground. DeGarrin
remains down, looking a little dazed.
With Buffy's back turned, Harmony vamps out and starts
to rush towards Buffy. Christopher appears out of
nowhere, tackling Harmony to the ground. Christopher
holds Harmony to the ground.
We see DeGarrin turn towards Buffy, slowly getting up.
BUFFY
Had enough?
We hear a click as two stakes suddenly appear from
under DeGarrin's coat sleeves, one protuding from
under each hand.
BUFFY
(seeing the stakes)
Whoa.
DeGarrin attacks with the stakes, swinging and lunging
wildly. Buffy carefully avoids the stakes. She grabs
one of DeGarrin's arms and twists it behind his back.
DeGarrin tries to attack with his free hand but with
Buffy now behind him, the stake comes nowhere near.
Buffy trips DeGarrin with her feet. DeGarrin falls
face down onto the ground with Buffy kneeling on top
of him. Buffy raises her stake.
BUFFY
End game. Check and mat..
DEGARRIN
Wait! Wait! If you kill me, I won't
be able to kill the General.
BUFFY
Kill?
ANGLE : HARMONY
looking up from the ground, with Christopher holding
her down.
HARMONY
Kill?
Buffy and Christopher share a look, taking in this new
development.
EXT. THE MAGIC BOX - NIGHT
to establish.
INT. THE MAGIC BOX/TRAINING ROOM - NIGHT.
CLOSE ON : DEGARRIN
DEGARRIN
Now, is this really necessary?
WIDEN:
to reveal DeGarrin tied to a chair. We also see
Harmony tied to a chair, her back against DeGarrin.
Her mouth is taped. She looks particularly unhappy. We
see Buffy, Christopher and Giles in a circle around
the two vampires.
BUFFY
Let's see, you.. bloodthirsty, evil
vampire, me.. slayer. Do the math.
DEGARRIN
Normally I'd love to stay and chat
but time is pressing. Can't be doing
any dusting with me tied up to this
chair.
GILES
Before we even consider letting you
out of that chair, you need to
answer a few questions.
BUFFY
I think I can guess the one that's
on top of all our lists.
(walking around to stand
in front of DeGarrin)
The General. Who is he?
DEGARRIN
The General. You humans always miss
the point. Yes, he's an old and
powerful vampire, but his true
power, his only real power, lay in
his army.
GILES
Lay? He once had an army?
DEGARRIN
A strong one at that. Hundreds of
vampires all serving under him. It
has been said that his army had been
blessed by the purest evil, making
each of them stronger and faster
than any normal vampire.
CHRISTOPHER
If this army was so powerful, why
don't we know about them? Why is
there nothing in the books?
DEGARRIN
Because my sorry friend, this army
has only ever fought its own kind,
vampires and demons.
BUFFY
What? Wait a minute. Fighting its
own?
DEGARRIN
A long time ago, in a time before
any of you were alive, the General
and his army emerged with swords
drawn, ready to wage a war. Their
aim? To rule over and control all
vampires, all demons. They quashed
all opposition, quelled dissenting
voices. Eventually, a large group of
vampires and other demons formed an
army in opposition, to take on the
General but they were no match.
GILES
How do you know all this?
DEGARRIN
Because I was there, in the fight.
You've never seen anything like it.
An army of powerful and ruthless
vampires, well-trained, wearing
battle armour to protect their
chests and neck, using weapons
forged by man, utilising battle
tactics.
We see Harmony's eyes bulge, a little terrified.
Didn't tell me about all this!
DEGARRIN
We didn't have a chance. I saw it
early, I saw we couldn't win..
CHRISTOPHER
So, you ran away.
DEGARRIN
Yeah, I ran away. I've spent the
past hundred years hidden away,
trying to make myself as small as
possible, spending each day waiting
for the end that never came.
BUFFY
What happened to the General and his
army?
DEGARRIN
Who knows? Over time, I came to
believe that they'd somehow been
wiped out.
But eventually, you heard stories of
a small, marauding band of ruthless
vampires who wore a strange armour,
hiring themselves out as
mercenaries. I knew then that at
least some part of the General's
army still existed.
GILES
And now?
DEGARRIN
When I heard they were back at the
Hellmouth, back where it all
started, I knew the General was
planning to raise an army.
BUFFY
But why now, after so long? Why not
before?
DEGARRIN
That I do not know. All that matters
is that he's doing it now.
GILES
What about the other vampires? Sasha
and Solomon.
DEGARRIN
Those two. They're the second-in-
command, the two closest vampires to
the General. Nasty pieces of work
they are. Beauty meets the beast.
Smarts versus strength. They make
quite the team, but they're not the
two you should be worried about.
Anyway, I only care about the
General. You cut off the head, and
the body dies with it.
GILES
Why should we believe any of this?
Why should we believe that you will
kill the General?
DEGARRIN
Not all vamps want to be ruled by
one supreme ruler. We may have
piddly little lives but it's our
lives and we like it just the way it
is.
(a beat)
Besides, do you know what it is to
run away? It is to lose your
dignity, your self-respect. If I can
do this one thing.. I can find
peace.
A silence hangs over the room. Buffy and Christopher
share a look. DeGarrin, noticing, begins to smile.
GILES
Why are you smiling?
DEGARRIN
Because I know you're going to let
me go.
GILES
If you think we're going to let you
loose..
DEGARRIN
I know you will, because we both
want the same thing. Who do you
think is going to kill the General?
(indicating Buffy)
This little one?
GILES
She managed to handle you easily
enough.
DEGARRIN
Well, I'm not the General. You know
why the General will die tonight? It
won't be because his killer will be
someone stronger and more powerful.
It'll be because he won't be able to
see him coming. Let's face it, I'm
your best chance, your only chance,
of ending all this here and now.
Looks between Christopher, Giles and Buffy.
DEGARRIN
You better decide quickly. We're
meeting our inside man soon and if I
miss this, I may never get another
chance to get in.
ANGLE : BUFFY
deep in thought, considering her options.
INT. THE GENERAL'S MANSION - NIGHT
We see a whole procession of vamps coming in and out
of a room, carrying backpacks. One by one, the vamps
go to a table in the middle of the room where a vamp
is sitting. They unload the empty vials from their
backpacks onto the table where it is collected by the
vamp at the table.
Sasha stands watching the procession. Todd enters. He
spots Sasha and heads towards her.
TODD
(eager to please)
I have finished with my task.
(opening his backpack for
Sasha to see)
All done see! I poured the potions
into the places you've marked on the
map. I even double-checked and..
SASHA
(go away, you are beneath
me)
Very good.
Todd notices three figures walking across the room.
Tarwin accompanied by a tall figure in a black hooded
robe and a slighter figure in a simple brown cloak.
TODD
Who's that?
SASHA
That is a friend. That is all you
need to know.
TODD
Of course, I'm so sorry. Sometimes,
my curiosity gets the better of me.
Sasha begins to look very impatient with Todd. Todd
notices.
TODD
(nervous)
If I may have a further moment of
your time, I have a very small
request. Another vampire has asked
to be recruited into the General's
glorious army.
SASHA
You know of this vampire?
TODD
Yes, she's a local. Actually, I know
her from..
SASHA
Very well. We'll have a look at her.
TODD
(bowing)
Oh Thank you, thank you.
Sasha notices Solomon entering. She follows after him,
bumping into a still-bowing Todd on the way, knocking
him ungainly off-balance.
TODD
(awkwardly regaining his
balance, still bowing)
Sorry, sorry, my mistake.
Todd waits until Sasha has left the room before
standing himself back upright, smiling and rushing off
excitedly.
INT. THE GENERAL'S MANSION/OUTSIDE SOLOMON'S ROOM -
NIGHT
We see Solomon approaching his closed room door. He is
holding on to a pink crystal in his hand. Sasha
approaches from behind.
SASHA
You were supposed to join us in
greeting our new ally. That was part
of the plan.
(seeing the crystal)
And I'm sure that little trinket in
your hands isn't part of any plan,
at least not any of ours. Is it for
her?
Solomon turns back and glares at Sasha. Back off.
Sasha holds his glare, not backing down. Solomon turns
towards his door.
ANGLE : SOLOMON
from the side. Solomon on the left side of the frame,
the door and the wall on the right.
Solomon opens his door and enters. We PAN right as he
enters his room, trying to follow him in but we end up
panning into..
INT. WILLOW AND TARA'S ROOM - NIGHT
and as we continue to PAN right to the center of the
room, where we see Willow sitting on the bed browsing
through a spellbook and Tara at the desk, browsing
through a textbook. The room is a little quiet. Both
girls look a little tense, though they are hiding it
well.
Tara takes a look up at the shelves, noticing
something.
TARA
Your CD player.
WILLOW
What?
TARA
It's gone.
WILLOW
(a little babbly nervous)
Oh that. I sold it. I just figured
that since you already had a stereo,
we didn't really need to double up.
I mean, it doesn't really make sense
for both of us to have a CD player
when, you know, just one would kinda
do. This way, we have some extra
cash handy for emergencies and
stuff.
TARA
I think that's smart.
Tara turns back to her book. Willow takes a second
look at Tara. A 'Did she buy that?' look.
WILLOW
So, hope Giles didn't overwork you
at the store?
TARA
(turning back to Willow)
It was fine.
WILLOW
So, nothing eventful?
TARA
(smiling)
No. Just inventory. Fake newt eyes,
magical talismans, you know, your
usual inventory stuff.
WILLOW
I actually thought Anya and Giles
finished inventory last month. Guess
they had more stuff stashed away in
the back somewhere.
TARA
I guess.
Tara considers for a moment, then..
TARA
Actually, we had a talk, Mr Giles
and I.
WILLOW
Really? What about?
Tara's about to answer but something stops her. She
takes a look at Willow, sitting on the bed with a
spellbook in her lap.
TARA
Nothing.. Just, you know, about
Buffy?
WILLOW
Buffy?
TARA
I just think she's under a lot of
stress today, you know, more than
she's showing.
WILLOW
Not really surprising I guess, this
being her first birthday without her
Mom. I'm sure tonight's party will
cheer her up. Besides, she has Giles
to lean on for support if she needs
it.
INT. THE MAGIC BOX - NIGHT
We see Giles and Buffy by themselves, having an
animated conversation.
BUFFY
Giles, I really don't need this from
you right now.
GILES
We can't let him go. He's a vampire.
No matter what happens tonight, we
would be releasing him out there to
feed and to kill again. How can we
possibly let him go?
BUFFY
How can we not?
GILES
Buffy, we'll find another way to
defeat the General.
BUFFY
There isn't any other way. Have you
seen me fight the General and his
gang? I've hardly made a dent.
They're strong, they're fast and
they always fight in numbers. And
now that they've had so many other
vamps join them.. Giles, he's a way
out.
GILES
He could be lying to save his own
skin.
BUFFY
I'll take that risk.
GILES
It isn't your risk to take. If you
let him go, others will suffer.
BUFFY
(pleading)
Giles, please. I need you to back me
up on this one.
GILES
I'm sorry. I can't.
Buffy stares at Giles, dissapointed, angry.
BUFFY
It's my call. I don't need your
stamp of approval.
GILES
Yes, you bloody well do. I'm still
your watcher and I say we don't do
this.
(calming down)
Buffy, we'll find another way.
Another beat as the two eye each other down.
CHRISTOPHER (O.S.)
I say we let him go.
Buffy and Giles turn to Christopher who is standing at
the doorway to the training room.
CHRISTOPHER
It's worth the risk.
Buffy turns back to Giles, a cold look.
BUFFY
There's my stamp of approval.
Buffy and Christopher head towards the training room,
leaving Giles looking on. A hurt expression on his face.
INT. THE MAGIC BOX/TRAINING ROOM - NIGHT.
We see Buffy and Chris enter. DeGarrin and Harmony are
still tied to the chairs.
DEGARRIN
Finally!
Giles enters with a crossbow in his hand, aiming it at
DeGarrin, keeping guard. Buffy and DeGarrin stare each
other down. Buffy nods to Christopher who starts
untying DeGarrin.
DeGarrin sneers at Buffy as Christopher unties him.
Buffy has her game face on, staring coldly back.
CHRISTOPHER
(to DeGarrin)
We'll follow you. They'll take you
to their headquarters.
DEGARRIN
No. If I know the General, he'll
have spies and guards posted nearby.
You won't get close and I won't be
able to get in.
HARMONY
(through tape)
Mmmff.
DEGARRIN
Oh yes, I'll need her. She's my
ticket in. They won't just let any
vampire from out of town waltz into
their lair.
Buffy nods to Christopher, who begins to untie
Harmony.
HARMONY
(more animated)
Mmmfff.
Christopher rips the tape off Harmony's mouth.
HARMONY
Oww..
(then pleasantly)
Thank you.
DEGARRIN
(to Buffy)
Relax. Go and enjoy the night. When
the sun rises tommorow, all your
problems will be over.
Buffy takes a few threatening steps towards DeGarrin.
BUFFY
(meaning it)
Whatever happens tonight, the next
time I see you, you're dust.
Buffy exits. Giles takes a look at Buffy as she
leaves, looking a little concerned.
HARMONY
(after a beat)
That's so rude.
EXT. BUFFY'S HOUSE - NIGHT
to establish.
INT. BUFFY'S ROOM - NIGHT
CLOSE ON : BUFFY
as she carefully puts on some lipstick, slow and
deliberate strokes. She finishes and stares straight
ahead for a beat.
WIDEN:
to reveal we have been looking at her reflection in
the mirror. As an emotionless Buffy looks at her own
reflection, we also reveal in the reflection of the
mirror, Dawn at Buffy's door, looking at her.
BUFFY
(noticing Dawn's
reflection in the mirror)
Hover much?
Dawn enters the room, sitting down in a chair next to
Buffy, who is also seated.
DAWN
(inspecting Buffy from
close-up)
Whoa! Check you out. Like actual
make-up and stuff.
BUFFY
What? Too much?
DAWN
No.
(indicating the various
make-up items on the
table)
I was just wondering if you were
ever gonna use any of this stuff
again.
BUFFY
Well, things just haven't been the
same ever since they took out the
slaying competition from the Miss
Sunnydale paegant. These days, all
they care about are swimsuits and
evening gowns.
DAWN
Those things are totally over-rated.
Buffy smiles, appreciating the sentiment. She turns
back to the mirror. Dawn looks at Buffy for a beat.
DAWN
You know, I wish..
BUFFY
What?
DAWN
(after considering whether
to continue)
I wish I was more like you, you
know? You're like so strong and, you
know, you don't look half-bad.. in
the right light.
Buffy smiles fondly at Dawn, then..
BUFFY
Trust me Dawn, you don't want my
life. I'd give it away in a
heartbeat.
DAWN
You don't mean that.
BUFFY
(turning to her reflection
in the mirror)
It's getting to be a little weird
sometimes, when I look in the
mirror. It's like, that's my nose,
and my eyes.. but sometimes, I don't
recognise that person staring back
at me. I wonder if there's even a
girl left in there.
DAWN
I'm sorry I'm not Mom.
Buffy turns to Dawn.
DAWN
Because, this is like a Mom moment.
She'd know what to say to you.
BUFFY
(smiling)
I'll be okay.
DAWN
Is it strange?
BUFFY
What?
DAWN
Spending this day without her?
BUFFY
(considering for a moment)
Not strange, exactly. Just a little
sad. Some days you miss her more
than others.
DAWN
I know.
BUFFY
(perking up)
But hey! I know I've got you guys to
cheer me up tonight. Plus, of
course, lots and lots of prezzies!
Buffy and Dawn smile, the mood lifting a little. Buffy
playfully dabs Dawn with her lipstick.
DAWN
Hey!
(giggles for a beat, then)
So, are we heading off now? Xander
and Anya's waiting downstairs.
BUFFY
Xander's going to take you over
first. I'll catch up later. There's
somewhere I have to go first.
EXT. OUTSIDE A HOUSE - NIGHT
ANGLE : A CLOSED DOOR
The door opens. We see a pleasant old lady, holding on
to a cat.
CAT LADY
Oh, new friends! How wonderful! Come
in now.
We see Todd, Harmony and DeGarrin enter the house.
INT. CAT LADY'S HOUSE - NIGHT
Cat lady is leading the three into the house.
TODD
(to Harmony, re DeGarrin)
I'm not comfortable with bringing in
this guy. Who is he?
HARMONY
He's a very good friend. Like you're
being a very good friend to me.
DEGARRIN
(to Todd)
Just lead the way friend..
(then sneering)
My very good friend.
Todd growls at DeGarrin. He walks further in front of
Harmony and DeGarrin.
HARMONY
(whispering to DeGarrin)
I'm not sure I want to do this.
Maybe you should go on without me.
DEGARRIN
Listen. I need you. You said you
wanted to see something through for
once in your life. This is that time
Harm.
(pushing Harmony in front
of her, not gently)
Now let's go.
We see the cat lady opening a green door set in a
wall. She gestures for the three to enter. Todd walks
to the door, then turns around.
TODD
Well come on. It's down here.
Todd descends down some stairs. Harmony looks
apprehensively at DeGarrin. DeGarrin simply looks
straight ahead with a steely resolve. Again, he pushes
Harmony forward, towards the stairs.
Harmony reaches the open doorway. She looks down to
see stairs leading a long way down. It is dark and
dank, surrounded by stone walls. The stairs are
lighted by a few burning torches, attached to the
walls.
Harmony takes another look at DeGarrin before she
nervously starts descending the stairs, followed by
DeGarrin.
ANGLE : BEHIND DEGARRIN AND HARMONY
as they descend the stairs. The Cat lady closes the
door behind them, blocking them from our view.
BLACKOUT
END OF ACT TWO
CONTINUE TO ACT THREE