Episode 9 - Wishes and Surprises
ACT THREE
INT. A HALLWAY - NIGHT
We see Buffy, in a long brown coat, walking along the
hallway, looking at each door number she passes,
looking for one in particular. She finds it. She stops
in front of it for a beat, taking a deep breath. She
looks as if she's about to knock when suddenly, she
changes her mind, putting her hand back down. She
remains standing outside the door, unsure.
INT. CHRISTOPHER'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
We see Christopher lying on his bed, looking up at the
ceiling. He is very casually dressed, in a singlet and
pants, a stark contrast to the way he usually dresses.
We hear a knock on the door.
Christopher looks a little wary, stiffening up
immediately. He grabs a stake and approaches the door.
ANGLE ON : THE DOOR
as Christopher carefully opens it, just halfway. We
see Buffy, smiling.
BUFFY
Hey.
CHRISTOPHER
(surprised)
Buffy. What are you doing here?
BUFFY
You gonna invite me in?
(noticing Christopher's
stake)
I swear I don't bite.
Christopher considers for a beat, then opens the door
all the way to let Buffy in. She enters.
CHRISTOPHER
I'm sorry about the stake.
BUFFY
Stake mistake? Hey, no problem.
(pulling out her stake
from her coat pocket)
It's like 'American Express'. Never
leave home without it.
Buffy takes a look around Christopher's apartment.
Very empty, desolate, lonely.
BUFFY
Wow. I guess this thing didn't come
furnished huh? Not that it's a bad
thing. I mean, I hear spartan is in
this Spring.
Christopher ignores Buffy's attempts at conversation.
He goes behind his desk, putting some papers away.
Buffy looks at Christopher, then, nervously removes
her coat. We see that she is dressed up, an elegant
red dress. Quite a sight. With her coat off, Buffy
starts to fidget, looking and feeling very vulnerable.
Christopher sees Buffy in her dress. Immediately,
almost unconsciously, he grabs his shirt from a chair
and starts to put it on.
BUFFY
(noticing)
You don't need to dress all formal
just because I'm here. I mean, it's
not like I haven't pictured you..
(eyes bulging, whoops)
seen you with your shirt off. I
meant seen.
A stunned expression on her face, just realising what
she said. Christopher gives Buffy a strange look, then
exits to the bathroom, closing the bathroom door
behind him.
BUFFY
(mouthing to herself)
Shut up.
Buffy spots the desk drawer, remembering what Giles
said. She wanders over towards it.
CHRISTOPHER (O.S.)
What can I do for you Buffy?
Buffy is now standing in front of the drawer, looking
down at it.
BUFFY
It's no big. It's not like I need a
kidney or anything.
INT. CHRISTOPHER'S APARTMENT/BATHROOM - NIGHT
We hear the faucet running. Chrisopther is looking at
himself in the mirror.
BUFFY (O.S.)
I want you to come to my birthday
party. That is, I'm asking you to
come.
Christopher looks as if he's just been told the worst
news possible. He shakes his head, bends over and runs
some water over his face.
INT. CHRISTOPHER'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
BUFFY
(still looking at the
drawer)
I mean, I know you don't really know
the gang there but, it'd be great if
you came.
ANGLE : BUFFY'S HAND
as it reaches for the handle of the drawer, lightly
touching it.
We hear the bathroom door unlocking. Buffy quickly
withdraws her hand and turns around, facing the
bathroom. Christopher re-enters the room, re-composed,
shirt buttoned up and tucked in, looking much more
like the Christopher we are used to seeing.
BUFFY
I mean, I'd like it if you came.
Buffy waits expectantly for an answer, hopeful.
CHRISTOPHER
You musn't have heard me the first
time. I said no.. and it's still no.
Buffy's face falls, a little taken aback.
BUFFY
Oh.
Buffy slowly picks up her coat to go, the world
spinning a little too fast for her. She starts heading
towards the door, not really knowing what she's doing.
She stops.
BUFFY
No.
CHRISTOPHER
No?
Buffy turns around and throws her coat back onto a
chair.
BUFFY
No. I'm not just going to walk away.
I know it's difficult, doing what we
do while trying to hang on to
something that makes us normal, that
make us human. I know.
CHRISTOPHER
What do you know?
BUFFY
I know what you're going through. I
know how tough it is to be strong
when you feel so weak. I know about
loss. I just think we can help each
other.
Buffy waits for Christopher to throw her a lifeline.
Nothing.
BUFFY
I know you've put up this wall,
which I totally respect, but I'm
saying that you can let me in, that
you can trust me.
CHRISTOPHER
There's no wall Buffy. This is it.
BUFFY
(taken aback)
There isn't? No, I don't buy that.
No one can live like that, without
emotions?.. I mean.. I can't..
CHRISTOPHER
What makes you think you know so
much about me?
BUFFY
It's just that we're so alike.
CHRISTOPHER
We're nothing alike Buffy. Just
because we both fight demons,
doesn't automatically make us
equals. Just because we've suffered
loss, doesn't mean we're soulmates.
Christopher takes a few steps towards Buffy. Buffy
looks very vulnerable, bracing herself for an attack.
CHRISTOPHER
Buffy, you're nothing more to me
than a slayer. If you've somehow
misconceived our relationship, then
I am truly sorry. You're a weapon of
the Council. As a watcher, I am
charged with the responsibility of
taking care of the weapon. I keep
the weapon sharp, I keep it
polished, ready for the next time it
is to be used. That is all.
Buffy looks stunned; crestfallen. She looks to be in a
daze. There is beat as she tries to take this all in.
BUFFY
(dispirited, empty,
quietly)
My mistake.
Buffy turns slowly and walks out the room. Christopher
picks up the coat Buffy has left behind, taking a
solemn look at it.
INT. THE GENERAL'S MANSION/THRONE ROOM - NIGHT
There is a large gathering in the throne room. The
General is seated in his throne. By his sides are
Solomon and Sasha. We also see two hell-dogs next to
the throne, sitting down contently at the General's
feet.
Standing in front of the General are two figures. One
tall figure in a black hooded robe, and a smaller
figure in a brown robe.
Standing off to the side, amongst other vampires in
the room, are Harmony and DeGarrin. Todd stands a few
feet in front of them.
DEGARRIN
(recognising the demon in
the black robe, quietly)
Musfata!
HARMONY
What?
DeGarrin does not answer, eyes firmly on the
proceedings in front of him.
ANGLE : THE GENERAL AND THE TWO VISITORS.
We cannot see much of Musfata's face as it is covered
in darkness from the hood, but we do see two gleaming
silver eyes shining through. Musfata's aide is a bald,
pudgy, green-skinned demon with many dark streaks on
his face.
AIDE
Musfata wishes to know when he will
be paid.
THE GENERAL
(to Mustafa)
You will be recompensed after the
ritual is done and not a second
earlier.
Mustafa leans a little towards his aide but doesn't
make a sound. The aide nods as if listening
telepathically.
AIDE
Mustafa wishes to tell you that he
is unhappy with this arrangement.
Mustafa wishes to be paid now.
THE GENERAL
(to Mustafa)
It would be wise to know your place.
You may be a powerful warlock but
you are still mortal. One knife in
your back and you will become as
common as the dirt under your feet.
Perhaps a demonstration is in order.
The General scans the room.
ANGLE : TODD
TODD
(silently to himself, eyes
closed)
Pick me, pick me, pick me..
The General points to Todd.
THE GENERAL
You.
TODD
Oh thank you my General.
Todd scurries over to the throne, head slightly bowed.
The General takes another look towards DeGarrin and
Harmony.
We see Harmony looking very anxious and DeGarrin ever
so slightly take a step behind Harmony, hiding behind
her.
THE GENERAL
(pointing to Harmony)
And you.. the girl.
HARMONY
(distraught)
Me?
THE GENERAL
Yes, come here!
HARMONY
(looking at the General
but whispering to
DeGarrin)
I don't want to go. Please don't
make me go.
DEGARRIN
(whispering back)
Don't worry. Remember? I'll keep you
safe.
Harmony takes very slow nervous steps towards the
General, finally standing besides Todd. Sasha stands
behind them. A vamp tosses Sasha a stake.
We see DeGarrin inch his way towards the back of the
room, behind the General, while all eyes are set upon
the main show.
THE GENERAL
(to Musfata)
Choose.
Harmony's eyes open wide with terror. In contrast..
TODD
(eyes closed, chanting
quietly)
Choose me.. choose me..
Musfata's bony hand reaches out and touches Todd on
the shoulder.
TODD
Oh thank you, thank you, th..
Todd turns to dust mid-sentence, Sasha having staked
him in the back. Harmony is beyond terrified.
THE GENERAL
Do you see the power I possess? The
power to choose between life and
death?
DeGarrin is now a few metres behind the General. We
hear a click as the stake extends from his coat
sleeve. Solomon, however, is standing in his way. No
clear shot.
Musfata leans over to his aide.
AIDE
Musfata wishes to inform you that
payment after the ritual will be
acceptable.
The General smiles, then takes a look at Harmony,
shivering with fear.
THE GENERAL
Kill her too.
HARMONY
What?
(desperate)
Please, I don't want to die.
She looks at DeGarrin behind the General, pleading
with her eyes. DeGarrin simply looks at Harmony,
just standing there, giving her a 'tough break'
shrug.
A mortified Harmony takes a few seconds to compose
herself, giving up. She closes her eyes, waiting for
the end to come. Breathing hard.
Sasha stands behind Harmony. She pulls the stake
back..
HARMONY
(eyes back open)
Stop! Stop!
(pointing to DeGarrin)
Kill him! I saw him talking to the
slayer!
A shocked DeGarrin vamps out and snarls at Harmony. He
takes a lunge towards the General but one of the hell-
dogs rushes into him, knocking him off-balance.
Solomon takes this opportunity to leap on DeGarrin.
The two struggle for a while, the fight ending up in
front of Harmony, who just stands there watching in
shock.
DeGarrin struggles valiantly but is no match for the
bigger and stronger Solomon. Solomon flings him to the
floor, kneels on top of him and then grabs one of his
arms and points DeGarrin's own stake towards his
chest. DeGarrin struggles to keep the stake away.
SOLOMON
(recognising, smiling)
DeGarrin! Tell me, you must be the
very last of that army. How does it
feel to know that your kind is about
to become extinct.
Solomon pushes the stake into his chest and DeGarrin
is dusted. Solomon stands back up. Harmony still
watches in shock.
THE GENERAL
(re Harmony)
Bring her forward.
Sasha brings Harmony forward to the General. The
General sticks his face right up against Harmony's,
taking a very close look. Nothing but fear on her
face. A tense moment, then..
THE GENERAL
The slayer sent him?
Harmony nods.
THE GENERAL
Well, aren't you my little gift from
the angels.
(to one of the vamps)
Take her away and treat her well.
(to Harmony)
From now on, you'll be my lucky
charm.
A vamp comes forward and takes a stunned Harmony away.
THE GENERAL
(to Sasha)
It seems you were right. Perhaps we
should pay a little more attention
to our little human friend..
starting tonight.
SASHA
What are you going to do?
THE GENERAL
Well, she was kind enough to send me
a little gift. It's only polite that
I send a little surprise of my own
in return. Time to extinguish that
pesky flame.
INT. XANDER'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
CLOSE ON : A BIRTHDAY CAKE WITH CANDLES
which reads Happy 21st Buffy!
We hear a whooshing sounds as we WIDEN to reveal Buffy
blowing out the candles on her cake. We see the Gang
loosely assembled around Buffy, clapping and cheering.
Buffy forces a strained smile, accepting a few hugs.
We also see that Buffy has changed outfits into
something far more casual, a black top, leather pants
and has taken off her make-up.
ANGLE : WILLOW, TARA, XANDER AND ANYA
at the food table. Tara picks up a bar of some sort
from a bowl.
TARA
(to Willow)
What's this?
Willow takes a closer look at the bar.
WILLOW
It's a boost bar!
(to Xander)
You still have these?
XANDER
Boxes and boxes. Thought I'd make
use of them.
WILLOW
But aren't they like expired?
XANDER
Strangely enough, they don't seem to
have an expiry date on them.
DAWN (O.S.)
Presents!
We see Willow shake her head at Tara, indicating that
the boost bar is a bad idea. Tara puts the bar down.
ANYA
Ooh. It's present time.
(to Xander)
Quick, go get my present from the
kitchen. I'm going to get my camera.
TARA
Camera?
ANYA
Yes, I want to capture Buffy's
moment of pure happiness when she
opens my present!
Anya and Xander scurry off. Willow gives Tara a look
as they head over to the lounge room.
INT. XANDER'S APARTMENT/LOUNGE ROOM - NIGHT
Willow and Tara arrive. We see Buffy hugging Dawn
(both on the couch) after Buffy has just opened her
present. Giles stands watching behind the couch. Some
music is playing in the background.
BUFFY
(to Dawn)
Thank you. It's great.
Anya arrives carrying a camera in her hands, followed
by Xander carrying a large wrapped box. He has his
fingers in some holes on the side of the box to help
him carry it.
ANYA
(to Xander, re his
fingers)
What are you doing?
XANDER
What? You told me to bring your
present.
ANYA
But you're not supposed to stick
your fingers in those little holes.
The guy in the shop said so.
XANDER
Little holes?
ANYA
Air holes.
XANDER
What?
Xander quickly gets his fingers out of there but still
holds on to the box.
A dancy tune comes on in the background. Immediately,
the box begins to shake.
XANDER
An?
ANYA
Oh, just turn off the music.
Dawn does so. The box stops shaking. Xander decides it
would be better to put the box down. Xander, Willow
and Tara all take a step back from the box.
DAWN
(changing the mood)
Who's next?
Giles steps up towards Buffy and hands her a small
wrapped present.
GILES
It isn't much but..
Buffy accepts the gift with a hopeful smile. She
unwraps the present expectantly and holds up a small
canister that fits in her hand.
BUFFY
You bought me mace?
GILES
Well, no. It contains holy water.
It'll be useful if you ever find
yourself in a tight situation.
BUFFY
(dissapointed)
Oh.. Thanks.
Buffy puts Giles' present on the table, then sits
quietly. Everybody is unsure of what to do next.
ANYA
Should we go on..
Buffy gets up and hastily leaves, accidentally
knocking the stereo on her way out. Everyone watches
as Giles follows Buffy. Anya still holding on to her
camera.
ANYA
What happened to the moment of
happiness?
There is a silent beat in the room before the music
starts again. The box begins to shake on the floor.
The Gang look at the shaking present.
INT. HALLWAY OUTSIDE XANDER'S APARTMENT
Buffy rushing out, Giles following.
GILES
Buffy! Where are you going?
BUFFY
(not turning back)
Anywhere but here.
GILES
(gently grabbing Buffy's
arm)
Come back. It's your birthday.
BUFFY
(turning to face Giles)
My birthday? Do you know what I
wished for on my birthday, when I
blew out those candles? I wished
that my Mom could come back. I
wished that I didn't have to be a
parent to Dawn. I wished my life was
just normal, a life that has nothing
to do with slaying. But you know
what? None of those wishes came
true, and they never will.
GILES
Buffy, you have to know that you are
stronger than this..
BUFFY
Stop it! Just stop. I really can't
take another one of your speeches
right now. You just throw out these
words like strength, like
responsibility and sacrifice. You
throw them out like candy, like
they're nothing. You can do that
because, for you, they're just
words. I have to live it! Well, it's
my sacrifice Giles. Where's yours?
Buffy storms off, leaving a stunned Giles in the
hallway. After a beat, he sets off after her.
EXT. SUNNYDALE STREETS - NIGHT
Buffy storming off in a rage, all by herself.
Suddenly, she hears a sound, the sound of a little
girl sobbing. She immediately begins to track it down.
EXT. SUNNYDALE PLAYGROUND - NIGHT
She follows the sound to the playground but the crying
suddenly stops. She takes a look around, swings, sand-
pit, see-saws, jungle-gym. Nobody. She then hears a
giggling.
BUFFY
Hello?
Silence. Then, suddenly from off-screen..
THE GENERAL (O.S.)
(singing)
Happy Birthday to You, Happy
Birthday to you..
Buffy spins around, trying to find the voice. We see
the playground from her POV, frantically spinning from
one location to the next.. nobody.
THE GENERAL (O.S.)
(singing)
Happy Birthday Dear Slayer..
ANGLE ON : THE PLAYGROUND
from Buffy's POV, she looks towards the swings,
nobody. We do a quick PAN to another part of the
playground as Buffy turns. This time we see the
General standing in the middle of the frame, by
himself.
THE GENERAL
(finishing his song with a
smile)
Happy Birthday to you.
BLACKOUT
END OF ACT THREE
CONTINUE TO ACT FOUR