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All the Way (September 17, 2001) Written by: Steven S. DeKnight Directed by: David Solomon | ||
| Teaser | ||
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INT. MAGIC BOX - DAY (DAY 1)
A banner tacked to the front counter reads "Halloween Bonanza!'! The
magic box is packed with customers (some in costume) clamoring for goodies
and decorations. Giles, Dawn, Willow, Tara, and Xander are helping Anya
with the crush. Anya, adorned in short shorts, a tee, excessively
feathered hair and roller skates, zips around like General Retail on
wheels.
(to customer) Everything on this table's half off! Including the table! (to another customer) Buy one eyeball, get the second one free! ON XANDER in full pirate regalia, including an eye patch. Xander's currently explaining a jar of fire to a group of kids.
(pirate voice) Arhhh! Careful, me mateys! These be fire flies spat from a volcano off the coast of Katmandu. Arhhh! CHUNKY KID XANDER Xander thrusts his hand up at the kids. Sure enough, he's wearing a fake pirate's hook. The kids squeal, including Chunky.
Hello! Ahab! A little help? XANDER Xander moves over to assist Giles at the swamped register. Giles is decked out in his opening day wizard robe from Season 5, sans hat. Xander, Giles, and Anya are the only one of our Gang in costume. Anya skates past with Dawn following alongside.
So what are you supposed to be? ANYA DAWN ANYA DAWN ANYA TARA DAWN ANYA TARA ON WILLOW arguing with a woman dressed as a classic ugly witch. Willow punctuates her words with a Remedial Witchcraft book.
All I'm saying is you might want to rethink the stereotype before someone turns you into a toad. Witch Woman snatches the book out of her hand and huffs off.
While you're at it, try pulling that broomstick out of your -- Dawn! DAWN WILLOW A LITTLE GIRL walks up in a witchy-poo outfit, wearing a mask adorned with hairy moles and a grin crammed with rotten teeth.
Do you have candy corn? Willow instantly bursts into a huge smile.
Aw, look at you! Aren't you just the cutest little thing! DAWN WILLOW Willow leads her off. Dawn watches her in disbelief -- until a gold coin with a serpent crest catches her eye on a table next to her. She glances around and furtively slips it into her pocket. She shifts into extra innocent as Anya zips past.
Buffy, we're running low on Mandrake root. Check the basement! Buffy is just coming out of the back room carrying a box brimming with Magic Box oddities. She frowns sourly at the basement door.
Okay, but don't blame me if we have this same conversation over and... INT. MAGIC BOX - BASEMENT - NIGHT Buffy comes down the stairs.
... over and over and -- She hits the landing, turns -- and nearly runs into Spike. She gasps, glares.
Bell. Neck. Look into it. Buffy moves over to the shelves. Spike follows her.
Come with a nice leather collar, does it? BUFFY SPIKE BUFFY Spike holds up a handful of vile looking weeds.
Came through the tunnels. Running low on Burba weed. Stir it in with the blood, makes it all hot and spicy. Buffy stares at him, a mixture of disgust and disinterest.
What, I was gonna pay for it. I mean, no, I was gonna nick it. 'Cause that's what I do. I go where I please and take what I want and what's your excuse anyway? Thought you had it to the brim with customer disservice. BUFFY Spike takes a bottle of misshapen, almost human looking mandrake root from a top shelf, hands it to her. They're close to each other, the air suddenly charged between them.
Three to a jar. They tend to go a bit wonky if you cram 'em too close. BUFFY SPIKE BUFFY SPIKE BUFFY SPIKE BUFFY SPIKE Off he goes. Buffy sighs as she heads up the stairs.
So much easier to talk to when he just wanted to kill me. INT. MAGIC BOX - CONTINUOUS - DAY The noise of the crowd assaults Buffy as she reenters. She grimaces, overwhelmed. Anya skates past, snatching the bottle of Mandrake root from her.
Go help Giles! Giles is hip deep in customers at the cash register.
What happened to Xander? GILES BUFFY GILES BUFFY GILES BUFFY She snaps open a bag and wades into the job. EXT. STREET/KALTENBACH'S HOUSE - DAY 4 The sun is sinking. Children in costume are already out making their candy rounds. KALTENBACH, a crusty old man in a crusty old suit, ambles down the sidewalk with a grocery bag, softly humming "Pop Goes the Weasel." He reaches his dilapidated house, the kind of spooky, rundown two-story faux Victorian job that every town has. He ambles up to the rickety front porch, passing signs that warn Keep Off Lawn and No Soliciting! INT. KALTENBACH'S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - DAY The inside of his house is a cavernous, shadowy affair filled with creepy taxidermy and musty old toys from the 5Os. Santa Claus via Norman Bates. Kaltenbach ambles into the kitchen, still humming "Pop Goes the Weasel." INT. KALTENBACH'S HOUSE - KITCHEN - DAY Kaltenbach is cooking. A huge pot boils on the stove. CHILDREN SCREAM from outside. He peeks out the window, eyeing a group of kids in costume running down the street, laughing and screaming. He chuckles, softly singing his own version of "Pop Goes the Weasel" as he returns to his cooking.
Da da da da da-da-da-da, happy Hallowe-en, Give you something special this year, da da da-da da! He pulls a gleaming BUTCHER KNIFE from a creaky old drawer. It catches the light and gleams. The schmuck be baited.
BLACK OUT.
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| Act One | ||
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INT. MAGIC BOX - NIGHT
Dawn ushers the last customer out.
(brightly) Come again... She flips the CLOSED sign and sags against the door.
in a zillion years. The store looks like the aftermath of a battle. The gang's sprawled on chairs and draped over counters.
Store go boom. (weak pirate voice) Arh. ANYA Xander frowns at her. The most incredible?
(to Xander) Except for that. (to gang) What you all did for me tonight, the astounding heaps of money you helped me - - Giles clears his throat.
You helped us acquire. All I can say is... I hope we make as much tomorrow! BUFFY ANYA The gang groans. Giles wearily rises.
Brooms all around, then? WILLOW GILES He hands her a broom and dust pan, moves off. Willow grumbles.
Think I'm a little more adept than a cartoon mouse. TARA Buffy is wearily straightening up the war table with Xander.
You know if you had a real peg leg, you wouldn't just have a lame costume. You'd actually be lame, which is a whole other-- She turns to Xander, but his attention's focused on Anya. She's behind the cash register with wads of cash in each hand, doing the shimmy and shake with Dawn.
(dancing, giggling) You do this every night? ANYA Xander raises his eye patch so he can take Anya in with two good peepers. He's totally, completely smitten.
(soft - to himself) I'm gonna marry that girl. BUFFY XANDER ANYA XANDER DAWN TARA WILLOW Xander takes Anya in, mesmerized.
Big wow. ANYA XANDER He sweeps her into his arms and plants a serious Clark Gable on her. It takes her breath away.
(swooning, to Dawn) Here, have some money. She hands Dawn the cash in her hand, then goes back to the deep kissing. Buffy whispers to Giles.
Did you know about this? GILES Giles takes off his glasses, cleans them.
Is that why you're always cleaning your glasses? So you don't have to see what we're doing? GILES Buffy stares in disbelief at the lip-locked couple.
Giles, this is -- We have to do something... INT. BUFFY'S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - NIGHT Music blares. An impromptu engagement party is in full swing. Anya and Xander are still in their costumes.
...and he said he couldn't imagine the rest of his life without me and then he gave me this! Anya proudly displays her engagement ring on her finger.
Which I'll be paying for the rest of my life with her. DAWN ANYA Buffy and Giles appear from the kitchen with drinks.
Where I come from this sort of thing requires much in the way of libation. XANDER BUFFY ANYA TARA WILLOW
Willow waves her hand. The house is suddenly decorated with Japanese ribbons and paper lanterns. Anya beams.
This is so much better than the way it usually looks. Thank you! She hugs Willow. Tara catches Giles' look of concern. Was that bit of conjuring really necessary? INT. BUFFY'S HOUSE - KITCHEN - NIGHT Tara is helping Willow refill the chip bowl.
(tentatively) The grocery store's still open. We could have bought decorations. WILLOW TARA Willow laughs Tara's concern off.
You can also fight monsters "naturally" with sticks and stones. Don't really recommend it, though. TARA WILLOW TARA WILLOW TARA WILLOW TARA WILLOW TARA Tara spots Dawn standing in the doorway, stops. She's obviously heard what they're arguing about.
Sorry. Just checking on the chips. WILLOW Willow takes the chip bowl and exits with Dawn. Tara sags. Yep, that went well. INT. BUFFY'S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - NIGHT Buffy has Xander in a big Slayer-powered hug.
You're getting married. You. XANDER BUFFY XANDER Mixed emotions swirl across Buffy's face.
I'm out of commission for three months and you... How many other things have changed since I've been away? Dawn and Willow enter. Dawn munches from the chip bowl.
I got a tattoo. BUFFY WILLOW DAWN BUFFY DAWN She kisses Xander on the cheek.
Congratulations. (to Anya) You're so lucky, finding a guy like him. XANDER Xander gives Anya a soft kiss. Buffy can't help but feel a little envious of their happiness. Dawn grabs her sweater.
See you guys tomorrow. BUFFY DAWN BUFFY DAWN BUFFY XANDER ANYA BUFFY GILES DAWN EXT. MAIN STREET - NIGHT Filled with Trick or Treaters and partiers in costume. Dawn roams the street, all satisfied smiles. She slips down an alley, taking a shortcut. EXT. ALLEY - NIGHT Dawn traipses merrily down the alley, but her smile drops as she hears a disembodied MOAN further down. She peers into the gloom. Spooky spooky schmuck bait.
Hello? She inches forward. The MOAN sounds again. It's coming from behind some stacked barrels concealed in the shadows. Dawn picks up a scrap of wood to use as a club. She inches up around the barrels -- and gasps. Two costumed teens are necking heavy.
Hey! GIRL DAWN WHAM! Something grabs Dawn from behind. She yelps, whirls around. It's JANICE. Fifteen, long dark hair like Dawn, and the perpetual twinkle of impending mischief in her eyes.
Hey, Summers. Get an eyeful of the grope-fest? Maybe you are a perv. DAWN GIRL JANICE DAWN JANICE DAWN JANICE EXT. PARK - NIGHT THRASH MUSIC blares from a boom box. ZACK, 17, is standing on a swing, hooting as he arcs higher and higher.
Hoo hoo hoo! To infinity and -- WHACK! An empty soda can bonks him in the head.
Ow! ANGLE ON JUSTIN, also 17, all American cute with a killer smile. Definite air of James Dean, down to the black work boots, jeans, and leather jacket -- which is pretty much standard issue for him and his rowdy friends MARLA, CHRISTY, and GLENN.
Oops. JANICE Zack spots Janice and Dawn walking up. He leaps off the swing and grabs Janice into a big hug.
Hey, baby! What took ya? JANICE She kisses the spot where the soda can hit his forehead.
Zack, this is my friend Dawn I was telling you about. Zack gives Dawn the roving eye. Yowza!
Hell-o! Janice slugs him in the shoulder.
Ow! Justin sidles up.
(to Dawn) Hey. Justin. He shakes her hand with a shy grin.
(nervous) I know. I've seen you around at a couple of parties. He takes Dawn in with a warm, shy smile.
I've seen you too. Dawn practically blushes to death. Justin and Zack's friends yell over as they move off.
Hey, catch you guys later! ZACK JANICE Justin and Zack look at each other, break out into huge grins. They know just the thing... EXT. RESIDENTIAL STREET - NIGHT Smash! An egg splatters the face of a witch cutout adorning a front porch. Zack is hucking eggs at the house. Janice stands next to him, looking bored.
Yeah! Three-points! Whoo! ON JUSTIN letting the air out of the tires of an SUV parked out front. Dawn stands nervously keeping lookout.
Witches don't really look like that. JUSTIN DAWN Zack zips past.
New target! Come on! Justin takes off after Zack. Janice and Dawn follow.
So? DAWN JANICE DAWN They burst out into giggles. ON JUSTIN AND ZACK walking up ahead. Zack kicks over a mailbox as they go.
So what's the verdict, cap'n? (exaggerated) Is wittle Justin in love? Justin gives Zack a playful shove
I don't know. She's cute. ZACK Janice and Dawn come up behind them. Zack instantly switches gears.
(extra innocent) -- that the moon and the stars look lovely tonight? JANICE Zack stops, his eyes focusing off screen. He grins deviously.
Just one more. Dawn and Janice look over. It's Kaltenbach's rundown house, which looks a thousands times more forboding at night. A twisted Jack-o'-lantern sits on the front stoop, a candle inside giving it flickering life. Schmuck bait, anyone? INT. BUFFY'S HOUSE - DINING ROOM - NIGHT Giles is refreshing Xander's drink.
Anya's a wonderful former vengeance demon. I'm sure you'll enjoy many years of non-hell dimensional bliss. Giles hands him his drink.
So, is she moving in with you? XANDER GILES XANDER Xander is starting to feel the pressure.
No rush. I'm sure you have enough to think about, what with the wedding arrangements and such. You have the rest of your lives to plan the rest of your lives. XANDER GILES Giles clasps Xander's shoulder warmly, clinks glasses, moves off. Xander quickly downs the rest of his drink, the pressure reaching critical. EXT. KALTENBACH'S HOUSE - SIDEWALK - NIGHT Dawn, Janice, Zack and Justin stand on the sidewalk outside Kaltenbach's house.
No way! You know who lives here? JUSTIN ZACK DAWN ZACK JANICE ZACK JUSTIN DAWN They stare at Dawn. She forces up a shaky smile for Justin, wanting to impress him.
Go, Dawn! JUSTIN DAWN She eyes the house, swallows hard. She creeps up the shadowy walk, all nerves but trying hard not to show it. She carefully climbs the first step to the porch. Second step... Third step -- CREAK! The step groans loudly. She freezes for a beat, relaxes. No signs of life from inside the house. She continues up onto the porch. Janice, Zack and Justin watch tensely from the sidewalk. Justin is particularly mesmerized by Dawn's audacity. Dawn creeps silently over to the Jack-o'-lantern near the front door. She reaches down, picks it up, hoists it over her head. She turns to the group with a triumphant smile as she prepares to give it the big smash. Justin gives her a thousand-watt grin -- then suddenly his eyes go wide. WHAM! A hand suddenly latches onto Dawn's wrist. Kaltenbach's appeared in the doorway behind her. Dawn yelps, pulls away. The Jack-o'-lantern tumbles to the ground, smashes. Dawn stumbles, falls. Kaltenbach looms over her.
Shouldn't oughta mess with those. Sometimes they bite. Janice, Zack, and Justin race up.
Get away from her! ZACK Zack throws up his hands in a substandard Bruce Lee. Kaltenbach stares for a beat, then breaks into a toothy grin.
Come on in, kids. Got something special for you. Kaltenbach ambles back inside his house, leaving the door open. They stare at each other in disbelief. Zack chuckles merrily, sensing an opportunity for some creepy guy laughs.
Cool! JANICE Dawn looks to Justin. Justin grins, a mischievous twinkle in his eye. Dawn returns it. For this guy, anything. INT. KALTENBACH'S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - NIGHT Dawn, Janice, Zack, and Justin are seated in Kaltenbach's extra creepy living room. Kaltenbach stands motionless, half in the shadows. Everyone's on edge -- except Zack, who's loving every creepy second. He eyes Kaltenbach's collection of dusty toys, picks up an old robot monster action figure.
Dude, where'd you get the cool toys? KALTENBACH Kaltenbach takes the robot monster from Zack.
Until that thing happened. One little mistake, and they took it all away from me. They... they took my toys. (brightening) Time for the treats! Who wants to help daddy in the kitchen? (to Dawn) How 'bout you, Sally? Dawn tenses. Justin springs up.
Uh -- Sally's not much for the cookin'. Why don't I give you a hand? KALTENBACH Kaltenbach ambles into the kitchen. Justin grins at Dawn, gives her a reassuring wink as he follows.
Okay, can we get the funk out of here before Satan Claus stuffs us down a chimney? Zack picks up a dusty old Jack-in-the-box, absently cranks the handle. The box croaks out "Pop Goes the Weasel" over the following.
What, and miss the big treat? That'd break the old guy's wittle heart. Assuming it's still beating. DAWN ZACK POP! Jack shoots out of his box -- minus his head, which has been viciously hacked off. Dawn eyes it apprehensively.
Hey. Where's its head? INT. KALTENBACH'S HOUSE - KITCHEN - NIGHT Kaltenbach is humming "Pop Goes the Weasel" under his breath as he putters around the kitchen. Justin is across the room, getting plates. Kaltenbach picks up his huge butcher knife, grins, turns and -- Justin is now standing right behind him, his face full on VAMP. Justin grins, his fangs glinting.
Boo.
BLACK OUT.
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| Act Two | ||
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INT. KALTENBACH'S HOUSE - KITCHEN - NIGHT
Justin clamps his hand over Kaltenbach's mouth and sinks his fangs into
his neck. Kaltenbach spasms, knocking a big tray covered in tinfoil to the
floor. It's a huge Halloween-decorated Rice Crispie Treat. Kaltenbach was
going to use the knife to cut it up. That was the "something special" he
was planning for the kids this Halloween.
INT. KALTENBACH'S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
Dawn and Janice jump at the sound of the tray hitting the floor in the
kitchen. Zack is all cool.
What the hell was that? Dawn gets up, creeps over to the kitchen door.
(loud whisper) Justin? (beat) Justin -- She reaches a hand out to swing the door open. BAM! Justin comes barreling out, his face normal.
Let's go! DAWN Justin holds up a tattered old wallet.
I swiped his wallet when he wasn't looking! Come on! EXT. STREET - NIGHT Janice and Dawn are bolting down the street, laughing, their hearts pounding.
Oh my god oh my god oh my god... ON JUSTIN AND ZACK bringing up the rear, hanging back. Justin grimaces at the taste in his mouth.
Dude, that guy was rank! ZACK Zack grins, his eyes sparkling. INT. BUFFY'S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - NIGHT Anya is laying out her future with Xander to the gang.
... I thought maybe a June wedding, but then I remembered they always prompted the largest percentage of calls for vengeance, so now I'm leaning towards as soon as damn possible. Mortal life being so short, we gotta cram in as much marital bliss as we can before we wither and die. There's just so much to consider. The wedding, new cars, a house, and babies! You have to plan for babies or they'll just run roughshod over your entire existence. Xander tries desperately not to hyperventilate.
Yeah, gotta decide what to call 'em before they hit college. GILES ANYA BUFFY Anya takes Xander's hand, totally in love.
I know. I'm the luckiest ex-demon in the world. To be able to find the one person in all dimensions that I was meant to be with... and have everything work out just the way I dreamed. How often does the universe allow that to happen? She hugs Xander close, not seeing how her words have hit Buffy right in the Angel parallel. Buffy and Xander eye each other, both feeling the need to escape. EXT. BUFFY'S HOUSE - NIGHT Xander and Buffy slip out onto the front stoop. Xander sucks in a huge lungful of air.
Air! Sweet mother oxygen! BUFFY XANDER He sits on the porch railing, freaking.
I just didn't think it'd be so... much. BUFFY She musters up a weak smile. Everything she just described is exactly what her life isn't.
Right. Deep pools of ooey delight. I'm wallowing. Not drowning. BUFFY Xander takes a deep breath, rises.
Okay. Once more into the breach? BUFFY EXT. STREET - NIGHT Dawn and Justin are walking by themselves. Justin rummages through Kaltenbach's wallet. Dawn is flush with excitement.
So, you're like what, a sophomore? DAWN JUSTIN DAWN JUSTIN Justin takes the cash out of the wallet, offers Dawn half.
Here. Spoils of war. You earned it. DAWN JUSTIN He smiles shyly. If this kid weren't a vamp, we'd be rooting for these two to hook up. Dawn returns the smile, takes the cash.
And so begins her life of crime. DAWN JUSTIN DAWN JUSTIN DAWN JUSTIN He stops, takes off his leather jacket, drapes it around her shoulders. She loves the feel of it -- and the fact it's his.
Thanks. Justin gently moves a stray strand of hair from her face.
My pleasure, Miss Summers. It's a perfect moment -- broken by Janice popping up sipping a Slurpy.
Hey. Where's Zack? JUSTIN DAWN EXT. ANOTHER STREET - NIGHT A WOMAN is shoved out of her car. She lands hard, unconscious, her neck bleeding. The driver's side door slams shut and the car peels out. Yep. Zack's got a car. EXT. STREET - NIGHT Buffy watches the Trick or Treaters and costumed partiers as she drifts down the street. So much laughter, so many happy faces. She spots a COUPLE sharing a kiss. Time slows and the sound of the crowd fades as she eyes them with longing. She absently steps out into the street and WHAM! A speeding ambulance almost clips her, siren blaring. Buf fy watches it go, her eyes narrowing. EXT. STREET - NIGHT Buffy comes up on a small crowd. Paramedics are loading the woman Zack bit onto a gurney.
I'm losing her pulse! PARAMEDIC #2 Buffy spots the puncture wounds on her neck as they lift the gurney into the ambulance. Her face darkens. Vamps! INT. BUFFY'S HOUSE - KITCHEN - NIGHT The phone in the kitchen is ringing. Music blares in the background. Giles picks up the phone, all celebratory smiles.
Summers' residence. Oh, yes, Mrs. Penshaw, how -- (tensing) No, Dawn told us she was spending the night at your house. Yes. Yes, I realize that now, but I don't believe you called to check either. All right -- yes, let's just -- If I hear anything, I'll let you know. He hangs up, fuming. INT. BUFFY'S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - NIGHT Xander, Anya and Willow are doing the bump and grind. Tara watches from the couch, still feeling the sting of her earlier disagreement with Willow. Giles enters, turns off the music.
Hey, we were just gettin' our funk on. GILES XANDER GILES XANDER GILES Giles exits. Tara and Willow grab their coats.
(worried) Deja Dawn. WILLOW EXT. ZACK'S CAR - NIGHT The car Zack boosted is parked in a clearing near the woods over looking the cemetery. The back door pops open and Zack and Janice tumble out, kissing and laughing.
(calling inside) Don't do nothin' I would, dude. Janice kisses him hard.
You're it. Janice giggles, dashes off. Zack watches her go, his eyes twinkling.
Love it when they run. Zack grins, morphing into VAMP FACE. INT. ZACK'S CAR - NIGHT The back door slams shut. Dawn, none the wiser, is in the front seat with Justin, wearing his leather jacket. An awkward beat.
So. JUSTIN Justin smiles warmly. Dawn blushes, blows in her hands to warm them.
It's cold. You okay? (re: jacket) You want this back. JUSTIN DAWN JUSTIN He leans in for a kiss. Dawn chickens out at the last second.
Hey, does this work? She turns on the radio. Nothing.
You gotta turn the ignition. He turns the key in the ignition, activating the electrical system. The radio flares to life. Something achingly romantic plays, like Johnny and Santo's "Sleep Walk".
I love this one. JUSTIN Justin gently strokes her hair, traces his fingers down her neck. Dawn shivers at his touch.
You're shaking. DAWN JUSTIN DAWN JUSTIN He puts a finger to her lips, gently traces them.
I just... want to taste you... He leans in and kisses her softly. It's an electric moment. Dawn sighs, melting into him as the tender kiss goes on and on...
BLACK OUT.
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| Act Three | ||
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INT. ZACK'S CAR - NIGHT
Dawn draws back from the tender kiss, breathless.
(dazed) Shiver me timbers. JUSTIN DAWN JUSTIN DAWN JUSTIN DAWN Justin stares at her with a wry grin. Dawn cracks.
Okay, it was my first kiss, all right! I know, I suck! My lips are dry and my tongue's all horrible and sticky and I'm pretty sure I drooled so just tell me how awful it was and - Justin kisses her softly, cutting her off .
It was perfect. Dawn melts under his lips. Kissage, round two. INT. BRONZE - NIGHT The Bronze is decked out for Halloween and filled with costumed partiers. A ROCK BAND wails. Willow and Tara wade through the crowd, practically having to yell to be heard. Luke Skywalker and Princess Lea bump and grind nearby.
Do they know they're brother and sister? TARA WILLOW TARA Willow takes in the crowd, grins. It's a wild scene.
It's where I'd be if I were sixteen and on the lam. TARA Tara frowns at all the loud commotion. Totally not her scene.
Well, not me at sixteen, 'cause, hello -- spaz. TARA WILLOW TARA WILLOW Willow gives her a kiss. Tara's thrilled the tension from their earlier argument has subsided.
Come on. Let's try up here. Willow takes Tara's hand and leads her up the stairs to the upper level. They push their way through the crowd, end up on the catwalk overlooking the dance floor.
Do you see her? WILLOW TARA WILLOW Willow starts to chant, her eyes going black.
One among many, many fade to one. . . TARA Tara grabs Willow's arm, breaking her concentration. Her eyes return to normal.
I'm just going to clear the crowd. TARA WILLOW TARA WILLOW Willow turns back to her spell.
Will, no! You can't! WILLOW TARA WILLOW TARA Willow's face turns dark. Tara has just pushed a big red button. Willow barks at her noisy surroundings.
The music and noise suddenly fade around them so they can hear each other. The rest of the crowd continues laughing and dancing, oblivious.
So you're taking his side now? TARA WILLOW TARA WILLOW TARA WILLOW That hits Tara like a kick in the stomach. Willow instantly regrets it, but it's too late to take it back.
If I didn't love you so damn much, I would. Tara turns and heads back down.
Tara -- Willow sags, kicking herself. She stands there alone on the catwalk as the sound fades back up, engulfing her. INT. ZACK'S CAR - NIGHT Dawn and Justin are really making out heavy now. All teenage tongues and teeth. The genie has definitely left the bottle.
Mmm... you taste so good. . . He nibbles her lip a bit too hard.
Ow. JUSTIN DAWN Things quickly heat up again. Justin's hands begin to migrate toward second base. Dawn catches his hand, eases it back down. More kissing, more hand creepage.
Justin, can we just. . . JUSTIN Dawn is stunned -- and totally swept away. She kisses him softly, but quickly gives in to teen desire. Justin's breath comes in ragged gasps as the kissing and touching heats to volcanic levels. His face VAMPS. Dawn, her eyes closed as they continue kissing, doesn't notice. But as the make out session continues, her hand roams up to his face -- and freeze as it encounters that unmistakable bulge. Her eyes crash open in terror. INT. SPIKE'S CRYPT - NIGHT BOOM! Spike's door crashes open. Buffy strides in.
Get your gear together, we need to -- She stops, glances around. An old black and white horror movie is on the TV. There's a bowl of half eaten popcorn on Spike's chair, but no Spike. The television casts eerie, dancing shadows across the dim crypt.
Spike? Spike appears next to her.
Ahhh! SPIKE Spike frowns, ambles out.
You know in civilized cultures that's called trespassing. BUFFY SPIKE BUFFY SPIKE BUFFY SPIKE BUFFY SPIKE BUFFY Buffy strides over to Spike's weapons chest, kicks it open.
Don't think she's in there. Buffy roughly tosses him a pistol crossbow. EXT. EDGE OF CEMETERY - NIGHT Giles works a flashlight, poking about in the mist-shrouded, schmuck baity cemetery.
Mist. Cemetery. Halloween. This should end well. Giles disappears out of frame. He's stumbled over something. He dusts himself off.
Bloody brilliant. A MUFFLED SCREAM splits the air. Giles freezes. Another SCREAM, weaker this time, coming from the woods at the edge of the cemetery. EXT. WOODS NEAR CEMETERY - NIGHT Giles races through the woods. He reaches the edge of a clearing, freezes. A teen VAMP is kneeling on the ground, his teeth planted in the neck of a girl with long brown hair obscuring her face.
Dawn! The teen vamp snaps his head up and WHAM! Giles smashes his flashlight into his temple. The teen vamp howls. Giles kicks him, sending the vamp tumbling down a small embankment. Giles rushes to Dawn.
Dawn! Are you all right -- She looks up at him, dazed. It's not Dawn -- it's Janice.
He bit me! That jerk bit me! ZACK (O.S.) Zack appears at the top of the embankment. His head's bleeding from getting cracked with the flashlight. Not a happy vamp. Giles stands, ready to bring on the hurt.
I'm fairly certain she wasn't. ZACK WHAM! Zack attacks. Janice is knocked to the ground. This kid could definitely kill Giles if he's not careful. Giles takes a couple of strong hits -- then blocks a punch in mid air.
Quite a bit, actually. He unleashes a flurry of blows, surprising Zack Giles spins, kicks Zack in the chest. Zack flies back and slams into a sheared off tree branch. He stares at the end poking out of his chest.
Dude, that sucks. He explodes into dust. Giles helps Janice up.
(winded) Dawn. . . where's Dawn. . . EXT. WOODS - CLEARING NEAR CEMETERY - NIGHT The passenger door to Zack's car bursts open. Dawn struggles out, kicking at Justin as she tumbles to the ground.
Get off of me! She scampers to her feet, but Justin is right there next to her.
Dawn, wait! Wait! Justin grabs her.
I thought we could, you know, hang out or something. DAWN JUSTIN Dawn can't help but melt a little.
I just want to be close to you, that's all. He brushes a strand of hair from her face. She flinches.
Shh ... It's okay. He nuzzles in close, inhaling her scent.
It'll only hurt for a second. . . He bares his teeth for the bite.
Bet you say that to all the girls. Justin whips his head around. Giles is coming out of the woods, his eyes flashing angrily. Dawn snaps out of it.
Giles -- Justin growls, clamps his hand around her throat. Giles continues advancing, ready to introduce some serious pain.
I'll give you a choice, son. We can do this the easy way, or we can do it the - - Headlights click on. Giles freezes, blinded. Another set flare to life, quickly followed by half a dozen more. Eight other cars are parked further back in the clearing. Doors pop open. Half a dozen ADULT VAMPS get out, along with Christy, Marla, and Glenn, also vamped. Fresh blood drips from their mouths. It's Make Out Lane, vamp style. Giles is surrounded. Justin grins.
What were my choices again?
BLACK OUT.
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| Act Four | ||
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EXT. CLEARING NEAR CEMETERY - NIGHT
The vamps start to move in. Giles tenses, trying to keep an eye on all
of them at the same time. WHAM! A hand clamps down on his shoulder.
Fortunately, it's connected to Spike. The vamps freeze.
This a private game, or can anyone have a go? Buffy comes around Giles' other side.
Dawn! Are you -- She freezes, eyeing the jacket she's wearing, the boy she's with, and the car she's standing next to.
Were you parking? With a vamp?! Dawn shakes the confused Justin off.
I didn't know he was dead! JUSTIN DAWN BUFFY DAWN BUFFY JUSTIN BUFFY DAWN BUFFY DAWN CARL, the older vamp leader, meekly interjects.
Uh ... can we fight now? Buffy takes in the bloody vamps with disgust.
Didn't any of you come here just to make out? A YOUNG MAN standing with his GIRL raises a shaky hand. They're both human, and scared out of their wits.
Aw, now that's sweet. You, run. The couple takes off.
(to Adult Vamp #1) You, scream. Buffy explodes into action, connecting a vicious kick to Adult Vamp #1's face. He screams in pain. All kinds of Halloween hell breaks loose as Giles and Spike join in.
Die, Slayer! WHAM! Buffy stakes him. Dusty dust.
Been there, done that. Justin grabs Dawn, his eyes lighting up.
Your sister's the Slayer? I totally get that. I knew there was something special about you. BAM! She knees him in the crotch, takes off. ON GILES getting tag teamed by Christy and Marla.
Giles! Buffy tosses him a stake. WHAM WHAM! He dusts the two girls, then gets tackled by Glenn. They fly over a car hood and tumble out of view. ON BUFFY as she chases ADULT VAMP #2. They end up around a bend, separated from the rest of the fight. The vamp reaches his car, but Buffy catches up to him before he can leap in. They trade blows. He blocks a punch, scoops her up and body slams her on the hood of the car. He rears back and fires a fist at her head. She rolls out of the way at the last second. BAM! His fist punches a hole through the hood. Buffy rips his car antennae off, whips him into a bloody mess. He knocks the antennae away, sending Buffy slamming into the side of the car. He swings his fist, but Buffy throws open the car door, using it as a shield. His fist crashes through the window. He howls in pain. Buffy and the vamp trade blows around the car door. Much Jackie Chan-age. Buffy fires a vicious kick through the busted window. CRACK! The vamp goes down, his head smacking the inside of the car. Buffy whip-kicks the door closed, decapitating him. Dust. MAIN CLEARING - ON SPIKE trading blows with Carl.
What's your malfunction, man! SPIKE CARL SPIKE Spike kicks him hard. Carl slams back into a car.
Make that a dusty idiot. Spike whips out a crossbow pistol from under his coat, fires. THUNK! Carl explodes into dust. Spike loads another bolt.
Give the lot of us a bad name. WHAM! A vamp tackles him. The crossbow flies out of Spike's hand. ON DAWN at the far edge of the clearing, backing away into the woods as the rest of the vamps get polished off. Justin pops up behind her.
Trick or treat! Dawn screams, starts to run. He tackles her to the ground at the edge of the fighting. Spike's fallen crossbow lies nearby, barely visible. Justin straddles Dawn.
Give me something good to eat. She looks up at him, more hurt than scared.
I thought you really liked me. JUSTIN DAWN Justin smiles -- then suddenly stiffens and explodes into dust. Dawn is holding the bolt from Spike's fallen crossbow. She just dusted her first kiss. She lays there, frozen, tears welling up in her eyes. INT. BUFFY'S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - NIGHT Everyone's returned to Buffy Central, including Willow and Tara. Xander and Anya are on their way out.
Sorry about the party. XANDER ANYA XANDER ANYA They exit. Spike is close behind.
Guess I should bugger off. Something about Big Bad's not venturing far from their crypts on Halloween? BUFFY They bump their fists together as Spike exits.
So, big monster mashing. Sorry we missed it. TARA WILLOW TARA Tara heads up the stairs, her fight with Willow obviously unresolved. Willow smiles weakly at Buffy, follows Tara up the stairs.
Tara . . . Buffy turns her attention to Giles. He's got an ice pack pressed to his bruised check.
How's the face? GILES Buffy glances over into the dining room. Dawn is sitting in a chair, staring out the window. Justin's jacket is on her lap, her fingers absently feeling the leather. She really had fallen for the guy.
She's taking it pretty hard. GILES BUFFY Buffy turns and heads up the stairs, leaving Giles holding the bag. He watches her go, not happy with the big avoiding of responsibility. INT. BUFFY'S HOUSE - DINING ROOM - CONTINUOUS Giles enter.
We need to have a conversation. DAWN GILES INT. BUFFY'S HOUSE - WILLOW AND TARA'S ROOM - NIGHT Willow and Tara are getting ready for bed. Things are tense, the silence heavy. Willow is obviously hurting.
I'm sorry. Okay? TARA WILLOW Tara turns away.
Joke. Don't think I could really -- TARA WILLOW Tara slides into bed. Willow turns away, wounded. She picks out a small weed-like flower from an array of spell ingredient jars on the dresser.
Let's just forget about it.
The flower glows slightly for a moment. Willow closes it in her hand and gets into bed.
Ouhh, you're feet are cold. WILLOW She kisses Tara, tender and loving. Tara responds in kind.
Mmm. Now that's the way a day should always end. And start. And all the stuff in the middle. WILLOW TARA Tara cuddles in close, all sighs and smiles. Willow's spell has made her forget about their fight. Willow smiles. All's right with her world again.
BLACK OUT.
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