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Older and Far Away Written by: Drew Z. Greenberg Directed by: Michael E. Gershman
December 11, 2001 (WHITE)
December 12, 2001 (BLUE) January 28, 2002 (PINK) | ||
| Teaser | ||
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INT. BUFFY'S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
Buffy gathers weapons in a duffel bag. On a mission. Dawn stands
awkwardly in the corner of the room watching.
I'm really sorry. DAWN BUFFY DAWN BUFFY DAWN BUFFY DAWN BUFFY DAWN BUFFY EXT. CEMETERY - NIGHT Buffy, at the ready, axe in hand. Large, lumbering MONSTER rushes her, waving a long, elegant sword. She blocks the blow with the axe, the axe gets bent out of shape and goes flying.
Hey, I was using that! She twists the monster's arm behind its back, but it disappears, then pops up behind her. She kicks, it disappears again. It reappears, leaps, she kicks it mid-air. Monster go crash. Sword goes flying, Buffy snatches it out of the air.
Man, now I gotta go smelt another axe, do you know how long that takes? She runs the sword through its chest. It BELLOWS, shoots out a sort of supernatural wave, Buffy goes reeling to the ground. With Buffy's face turned away, the monster dissipates into a misty cloud, retreating into the sword on the ground. Silence. Buffy looks up, sees the monster's gone. As she walks off:
(suave, answering the imaginary interview) How do I do it? Well, Dan, brute strength is fine, but I rely on a calm head, a well-reasoned intellect,> an almost zen-like focus on what really-- She sees the sword on the ground.
Ooooh, shiny. She picks up the sword, content in her victory, and leaves.
BLACK OUT.
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| Act One | ||
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INT. MAGIC BOX - NIGHT
ANYA's behind the counter looking through boxes. XANDER and WILLOW sit
at the table.
Do you think we should set up lots of candles at Buffy's party tomorrow? XANDER ANYA XANDER WILLOW XANDER WILLOW XANDER WILLOW XANDER WILLOW Xander and Anya exchange a glance, a little dubious.
This isn't some weird definition of "fine" that means hiding in your room and crying? WILLOW ANYA WILLOW Dawn walks in.
Besides, I think we can handle a couple of hours in the same house. DAWN WILLOW XANDER DAWN XANDER DAWN WILLOW DAWN ANYA XANDER WILLOW DAWN She gets up and heads for the door.
You okay going on your own? DAWN She leaves.
TIME CUT TO:
OMITTED EXT. BUFFY'S HOUSE - NIGHT A couple hours later... INT. BUFFY'S HOUSE - ENTRYWAY - NIGHT Dawn enters quietly, shuts the door behind her. She listens to the hushed house, then:
Buffy? INT. BUFFY'S HOUSE - DAWN'S ROOM - NIGHT Dawn shuts the door behind her. The house is empty, lonely. She empties her pockets on the bed. Stolen stuff. She takes off her jacket and we see, underneath, she wears a STOLEN LEATHER JACKET. It's expensive. It's beautiful. Dawn stares at the jacket in the mirror. Silent. All alone. INT. DAWN'S SCHOOL - CLASSROOM - DAY (DAY 2) Dawn among the packed class, not the front row, not the back. And, attention-wise, she's barely there at all, doodling.
- if we can come up with things Jim lost during his years in Shanghai, and things he gained. Who wants to - - Dawn looks up to see an AIDE enter the room, hand the TEACHER a note, then walk Out. The teacher reads the note, then:
Dawn? Dawn imperceptibly jumps: not again. The teacher approaches.
(quietly, speaking just to Dawn) They need you in the guidance office. INT. DAWN'S SCHOOL - HALLWAY - DAY Dawn heads down the empty hall, confused. Scared. INT. DAWN'S SCHOOL - GUIDANCE COUNSELOR'S OFFICE - DAY Dawn sits in the chair across the desk from HALLIE, the guidance counselor. Hallie wears the pendant we'll see later.
I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to scare you. Dawn now looks mildly irritated at the whole thing.
Just a follow-up after your... loss. And since I'm new here, I thought it would give us a chance to get to know each other. DAWN HALLIE DAWN HALLIE DAWN HALLIE She leans in. Sympathetic. Totally supportive.
-- my job, the most important part of my job, is looking out for you. DAWN Hallie sits back, not really buying it.
I know there's been a lot of loss. DAWN She takes a quick breath, trying to be brave.
But, seriously, it's no big deal. I'm fine. INT. BUFFY'S HOUSE - KITCHEN - NIGHT Anya stands at the center island preparing trays of food, a cookbook open in front of her. Xander helps. Buffy enters, wrinkling her nose.
Is there a chemical leak in here? XANDER BUFFY ANYA BUFFY ANYA BUFFY XANDER BUFFY Anya and Xander just stare at her for a beat.
What, like I'm one of those losers who can't make friends outside her tight little circle, no, I'm very friendly, we bonded right away. Peas in a pod. Bonded peas. ANYA BUFFY Anya and Xander exchange a not-so-secret smile.
What? Dawn enters, starts poking around at the food.
Don't worry about it. We're all over the new friend thing. BUFFY ANYA Buffy turns to glare at Xander Not amused.
For Buffy? Really? XANDER ANYA Buffy is horrified.
Ahn. ANYA BUFFY XANDER BUFFY AS Buffy, Anya and Xander start collecting food trays:
Oh, when they get here, can we start with opening the presents maybe? XANDER BUFFY They move to the dining room. Dawn is left alone. INT. BUFFY'S HOUSE - WILLOW'S ROOM - CONTINUOUS - NIGHT Willow. Alone. In front of the mirror. Fidgety. Straightens her top, smooths her skirt. Behind her, countless outfits strewn about the bed, tried and discarded. Willow moves to the door, stops, looks back at the bed. Too messy. She runs back, grabs all the outfits in her arms in a big bundle, but then she's stuck with a bundle of clothes. She looks around the room, looks, looks... and then dumps the clothes in the bottom of the closet and heads out the door. OMITTED INT. BUFFY'S HOUSE - ENTRYWAY - CONTINUOUS - NIGHT Buffy comes in from the dining room just as TARA enters the front door. Buffy lights up, gives Tara a hug.
Hey, you came. TARA BUFFY TARA Buffy shakes her head no.
He may be a chip head but he still doesn't play well with others. And I'm definitely not ready to... TARA BUFFY TARA BUFFY They look up to see Willow coming down the stairs.
You know, there's a -- I need a -- (answering no one at all) Coming! She goes to the kitchen.
Hey. TARA WILLOW TARA WILLOW Silence. Willow would like a safe to fall on her head now.
You look -- WILLOW TARA WILLOW TARA WILLOW TARA God, this is awful.
I'm gonna get something to drink. WILLOW Tara heads to the kitchen. Willow shuts her eyes, mortified. She goes to the living room. INT. BUFFY'S HOUSE - KITCHEN - NIGHT Tara enters. Buffy's drinking a tall glass of something.
Hey, how did - - Tara simply holds up her hand and shakes her head. Buffy holds out her glass.
Yes, please. She drinks. A KNOCK at the back door, it pushes open, we see Spike holding a six-pack of beer in one hand.
(surprised) Spike? SPIKE He enters. CLEM, Episode 5's loose-skinned demon, follows.
Wait, what kind of team is this? CLEM BUFFY She looks at Spike, a little thrown. Tara looks on, bemused.
You know. More. Merrier. That whole thing. CLEM TARA Xander enters with RICHARD, 24, cute, boyish, nervous.
Buffy, Richard. BUFFY XANDER BUFFY XANDER Buffy looks at Xander. Spike looks at Buffy. Richard looks at Buffy. Tara's looking at all of them.
Okay. Be right back. As she walks out with Richard:
(re: Clem) Uh, that guy. With the...? BUFFY Xander, grinning, goes to the living room.
(re: Richard) Stupid git. Tara sees the chance to needle Spike a little:
I don't know. He seemed cute. Was he cute? I mean, I'm not a great judge, but I think he seemed cute. A beat, then:
I think he seemed cute. INT. BUFFY'S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - NIGHT Dawn stands impatiently with Xander and Anya
If we go get Buffy now, she can start on the presents. It's been enough time, hasn't it? ANYA XANDER ANYA Xander arches an eyebrow at Anya, and Dawn totally catches it.
What? You mean that guy you invited to set her up with? ANYA She and Xander smile at their private joke.
It's not like I don't understand why you invited him. I was there, remember? I hear you when I'm in the room, you know. I do understand these things. Anya absently ruffles the top of Dawn's head.
(humoring her) Yes you do. Dawn stares at Anya like she's from Mars.
You know I'm in high school, right? ANYA OMITTED INT. BUFFY'S HOUSE - ENTRYWAY - NIGHT Buffy comes from upstairs, Spike comes from the living room. He looks around, grabs her discreetly and pulls her aside.
Wanna slip away for a minute, love? I'll let you blow out my candles. BUFFY SPIKE BUFFY SPIKE Buffy heads back to the kitchen, mildly irked
Maybe he's not the jealous one. SPIKE Buffy doesn't turn back.
(calling after her) You think he'll take you out on his ten-speed, pet? Maybe he'll let you ride in the little basket in front! (to himself) Jealous my ass. INT BUFFY'S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - LATER (NIGHT) Buffy on the couch, surrounded by Willow, Tara, Dawn, Spike and Clem. She stares at the unwrapped gift in her lap.
Uh... WILLOW BUFFY WILLOW Buffy glances at Spike, who wiggles his eyebrows at her.
(quickly putting it down) Okay! Great, thanks, what's next? DAWN Buffy opens it, removes the leather jacket we saw earlier.
(stunned) Dawn... DAWN BUFFY DAWN BUFFY Dawn's smile fades.
Huh? That's so weird, I can't believe they left that on. Buffy looks at Dawn, unsure what to say. Suddenly:
Happy Birthday, Buff! We see Xander, Anya and Richard wheeling into the living room a lovingly hand-crafted, intricately-carved weapons cabinet.
Oh my God. She sets the leather jacket aside and jumps off the couch.
You guys made this? ANYA XANDER ANYA She hugs them.
A Xander Harris Original. It's beautiful, thank you. On the couch, Dawn folds the jacket, momentarily forgotten.
Buffy? Tara at the front door with SOPHIE, 17, shy, hesitant.
Sophie, hey, we're somewhere between presents and cake. (to Xander and Anya) There... is going to be cake eventually, right? SOPHIE Beat.
No problem. ANYA BUFFY ANYA As Sophie comes in:
Dawnie, you mind getting the door? We can do official introductions now that everyone's officially here. Annoyed, Dawn gets up and walks to the open front door... EXT. BUFFY'S HOUSE - FRONT PORCH - CONTINUOUS - NIGHT Dawn looks longingly out into the night, like she'd rather be anywhere but here. She shuts the door. Hallie steps out of the shadows, staring up at the house. Her face CHANGES: HALFREK, the vengeance demon from Episode 12.
Wish granted. She smiles to herself, a job well done.
BLACK OUT.
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| Act Two | ||
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INT. BUFFY'S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
It's getting late: there's food all over, empty cups and plates left
around, people starting to look a little disheveled (Willow, Xander, Anya,
Dawn, Sophie and Clem). But everyone is having a good time, there's music
and some dancing, and no one is leaving.
Dawn takes it in. She's confused, but pleased.
INT. BUFFY'S HOUSE - ENTRYWAY - NIGHT
Buffy coming out of the dining room; Richard going in.
Great party. Everyone's having fun. BUFFY RICHARD BUFFY RICHARD BUFFY RICHARD He goes into the dining room, and suddenly, Spike is on Buffy, pulling her into a corner.
(falsetto) Ohhh, Buffy, might I get you a soda pop? I think I'm in looooove! BUFFY He pulls her to him.
Mmmm-hmmm. He takes her hand, tries to push it onto his crotch, but Tara walks in. Buffy pulls away, glares at Spike, and walks off. Tara just stares.
I, uh, had a muscle cramp. Buffy was... helping. TARA SPIKE TARA Tara walks away, amused again. INT. BUFFY'S HOUSE - DINING ROOM - NIGHT Anya sits on Xander's lap, giggling.
No, you go. XANDER ANYA We see Willow and Sophie sitting across the table, staring at an oblivious Xander and Anya.
Okay, it's just a beer run. I'll go. SOPHIE WILLOW A beat, then Willow rests her head softly on the table. INT. BUFFY'S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - LATER (NIGHT) Buffy, Anya, Dawn and Richard sit on the floor playing Monopoly. Buffy hands a wad of cash to Anya:
This sucks. I'm out. RICHARD Across the room, Spike rolls his eyes at that. He sits at a card table with Xander, Clem and Tara playing poker.
Wanna try poker? CLEM BUFFY RICHARD ANYA DAWN BUFFY SPIKE Buffy glares death rays at Spike. Tara picks up on it, speaks to him quietly.
How's that cramp, Spike? Still bothering you? SPIKE TARA As the games go on, Dawn looks around the room, taking it all in, totally content. INT. BUFFY'S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - MORNING (DAY 3) The ravages of a party that won't end: open bags of chips everywhere, empty bottles all over, Willow asleep on the couch, Spike and Buffy lazily playing cards on the floor, Xander, Dawn and Clem watching cartoons on TV. Richard enters.
Xander, we have to be at work in a few minutes XANDER He doesn't move. Sophie and Willow begin to stir.
Wait, does everyone know who they are? (beat) Just figure it's a good idea to check. RICHARD SPIKE BUFFY RICHARD SPIKE BUFFY SPIKE BUFFY She grabs Spike, pulls him away. Willow goes to the kitchen. INT. BUFFY'S HOUSE - ENTRYWAY - CONTINUOUS (MORNING)
Hey! Passive Aggressive Guy! Seriously, wanna take it down a notch or two out there? SPIKE BUFFY SPIKE INT. BUFFY'S HOUSE - KITCHEN - MORNING Tara pours milk into a bowl of cereal. Willow enters, stops when she sees Tara.
Oh. Hi. TARA WILLOW TARA WILLOW A nice moment of bonding... then the uncomfortable realization that they're having a moment of bonding. Oops.
We should probably get back in there. WILLOW TARA They walk out, toward the living room, in silence INT. BUFFY'S HOUSE - ENTRYWAY - MORNING
I should have thrown you out the second you got here. I was insane to think you could ever just hang out with my friends. SPIKE BUFFY SPIKE BUFFY SPIKE BUFFY SPIKE Neither of them moves.
I'm actually trying to move now. SPIKE They continue just to stand there
Well. This can't be good. INT. BUFFY'S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - LATER (MORNING) Everyone is gathered in the living room. Dawn keeps herself separate from the group, growing increasingly frustrated.
There's something keeping us in this house. XANDER TARA WILLOW XANDER A beat as no one moves.
Here we go. More not moving.
And, hence, the dilemma. RICHARD ANYA SOPHIE CLEM XANDER BUFFY That doesn't sit too well with Dawn.
(sotto for Buffy) Things we'd rather be doing. Buffy's getting pissed at him. She ignores him and moves on.
So the first priority has to be finding a way out of here. DAWN WILLOW No, Dawnie, it's just, there are DAWN She turns and runs upstairs to her room. Everyone is stunned. INT. BUFFY'S HOUSE - DAWN'S ROOM - MORNING Dawn throws herself on her bed, all sulky. Buffy enters, followed by Spike, Xander, Willow and Tara. Lots of parents.
Dawn? DAWN BUFFY DAWN TARA DAWN WILLOW DAWN XANDER BUFFY DAWN WILLOW DAWN BUFFY DAWN She rolls over, her back to everyone.
'Cause you know, sometimes you do something that seems like a good idea at the time, like, say, invoke the power of a musical amulet. And then it turns out, you know. Not so much. Dawn sits up in a rage.
God! I didn't do anything, but I wish I had! Things need to change around here. Nobody's ever around. To hell with you guys - I'm glad you're trapped! How else can I get anyone to spend time with me? BUFFY DAWN INT. BUFFY'S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - MORNING
She's all confusing. Stay here. Go away... Buffy sits with Willow, Xander, Anya and Spike. They all speak in hushed tones.
I think she's possessed. BUFFY XANDER Tara enters, sits with them.
Phones are all out, we're totally cut off. BUFFY TARA BUFFY XANDER SPIKE TARA BUFFY XANDER TARA BUFFY WILLOW Everyone turns to look at her.
I may have kept one or two things. Sort of. Just in case. Tara is clearly hurt. Buffy's not thrilled, either.
That's great! (seeing Tara) In a very bad way. TARA Tara leaves the room without a second glance at Willow, who sits alone in silence, feeling terrible. INT. BUFFY'S HOUSE - KITCHEN - MORNING Tara at the cleared-off counter, book of spells open in front of her, spice bottles, a couple plastic baggies around her. She smooshes a paste in a mixing bowl with a large spoon. Buffy and Xander stand with her, watching. Ready. INT. BUFFY'S HOUSE - ENTRYWAY - CONTINUOUS - MORNING Willow, Spike and Anya stand at the front door.
So we're supposed to just wait. WILLOW Richard, Clem and Sophie enter from the dining room.
What is she doing in there, some kind of voodoo spell or something? SPIKE Richard starts to lose it.
You want to tell me what's going on here? We're trapped in a house by some, what, unseen force or something, who knows what they're doing in there, the blonde guy here - - SPIKE RICHARD SPIKE INT. BUFFY'S HOUSE - KITCHEN - CONTINUOUS - MORNING Tara removes a handful of paste, places it in a small dish. She lights a match, sets the edge of the paste aflame.
Release. She blows on the flame, and MAGIC SWIRLS arise and zip out of the room...
(calling to Spike) Try the door! INT. BUFFY'S HOUSE - ENTRYWAY - CONTINUOUS - MORNING Spike uses all his strength, straining, but just can't bring himself to grab the doorknob. Anya, Willow, Sophie and Clem watch him.
Nope. Can't. INT. BUFFY'S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - CONTINUOUS - MORNING The swirls from the kitchen float in and surround the monster sword, which leans against the wall in the corner. INT. BUFFY'S HOUSE - ENTRYWAY - CONTINUOUS - MORNING Anya, Willow, Sophie, Clem and Spike stand around the door, confused. Behind them, on the floor, we see the monster, newly-released from the sword. He gets to his feet, sword in hand, ready to attack.
BLACK OUT.
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| Act Three | ||
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INT. BUFFY'S HOUSE - ENTRYWAY - MORNING
The monster lunges at the group (Spike, Willow, Anya, Richard, Sophie
and Clem) - They SCREAM and scatter.
The sword connects with Richard's stomach He groans and falls, the
monster waves the now-bloody sword around.
Buffy, Tara and Xander rush in. Buffy throws herself at the monster,
shoving it into
INT. BUFFY'S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - CONTINUOUS - MORNING
They go down to the floor, but the monster disappears again. Spike
rushes in to help.
Dawn comes down the stairs to see what's going on.
The monster reappears next to Buffy, throwing her across the room and
into Spike
The monster seems to MELT into the living room wall.
Anya, Xander and Tara rush to Richard, slumped on the floor.
It looks pretty bad. ANYA TARA Xander rolls Richard on his back, and everyone sees his wet and bloody shirt.
Oh, God. Clem looks away. Sophie can't stop staring at the blood.
(whispering) Oh, no. Oh, no. As Xander, Tara and Anya carry Richard upstairs:
Hey. It's gonna be okay. You have to trust me, I promise you we'll be out of here soon, okay?
TIME CUT TO:
INT. BUFFY'S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - NIGHT ON SOPHIE terrified, rocking, staring out the window at the dark.
Oh God, oh God, oh God... BUFFY (O.S.) We see Spike and Buffy behind Sophie in the living room. Dawn sits on the couch.
So, you ever think about, maybe, not celebrating your birthday? Just to try it, I mean? BUFFY Spike nods, and Buffy looks at Dawn.
Stay here. Dawn barely acknowledges Buffy. Of course, she doesn't leave the couch, either. She holds her knees to her chest, silent. Buffy goes upstairs. In the center of the room, Spike cocks his head, listening. There's sound coming from the walls. Whispery, rhythmic. Like breathing. Spike moves toward the walls, trying to hear. Sophie leans against the window, oblivious to Spike. Spike gets to the wall. The noise is barely there, but it's there. He inches closer, just placing his ear to the wall... Sophie, frustrated, starts POUNDING on the window, SCREAMING. Spike and Dawn JUMP. EXT. BUFFY'S HOUSE - NIGHT From the outside, everything looks normal. No one's in the window, no one's pounding. No scared, trapped party guests. INT. BUFFY'S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - CONTINUOUS - NIGHT Sophie gives up, leans again against the window. Exhausted. Spike, without a word, goes back to listening to the walls... INT. BUFFY'S HOUSE - WILLOW'S ROOM - NIGHT Tara sits next to the bed, tending to a barely-there Richard. Across the room, alone, Willow watches. We still hear the noise in the walls, relentless, cold, haunting. It's everywhere. They stare around the room, trying to place the noise, watching, waiting... Willow tries to catch Tara's eye, but Tara won't even look at her. She turns back to Richard... INT. BUFFY'S HOUSE - UPSTAIRS HALLWAY - NIGHT Buffy, dagger in hand, walks slowly down the hall, her spider- senses tingling, she looks around at the walls, feeling the presence there, hearing the noise within them. Clem suddenly steps out of the bathroom. Buffy jumps, ready to attack, sees it's Clem and relaxes.
Sorry. Buffy keeps walking. INT. BUFFY'S HOUSE - BUFFY'S ROOM - NIGHT Anya and Xander Sitting on the floor, facing each other, a little too close to the wall. The noise is here, too. Anya's not doing well, sporting a serious case of claustrophobia.
(whispering) Why is it so warm in here? XANDER ANYA XANDER ANYA XANDER ANYA She starts unbuttoning her shirt, tugging, pulling it off.
Ahn. Ahn, stop, stop. He grabs her by the shoulders.
Stop. Listen to me. He starts pulling her shirt back on.
You're just freaking out, it's normal, you're just, you're just scared is all. We're all scared. We'll deal with it, okay? Anya nods.
We'll come up with a plan. we'll do something, we won't feel so helpless, all right? We'll do something. ANYA A beat.
I don't know. Lemme get you some water, we'll cool you down, it'll be a start, all right? Some cold water? Anya nods again.
Okay, good, one sec, I'll get it. Stay here. He gets up and leaves. INT. BUFFY'S HOUSE - DINING ROOM - CONTINUOUS - NIGHT Xander comes downstairs, enters. It's dark, creepy. Hushed whispery sounds from the walls surround him. Cautious, he moves toward the kitchen. Before he gets there: The monster, sword in hand, EMERGES from the wall behind Xander, grabs Xander around the chest. Xander SCREAMS. INT. BUFFY'S HOUSE - BUFFY'S ROOM - CONTINUOUS - NIGHT Anya hears Xander scream. INT. BUFFY'S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - CONTINUOUS - NIGHT Spike hears Xander scream, then hears a scuffle. OMITTED INT. BUFFY'S HOUSE - DINING ROOM - NIGHT Xander struggles. Spike pummels the monster from behind. Buffy enters, dagger in hand, runs to them, SOCKS the monster in the face. It knocks the dagger out of Buffy's hand. Xander falls to the floor. Buffy and Spike take turns wailing on the monster. It fights back, pushes Spike against a wall. Xander stands, the monster raises its sword... And SLICES into Xander's arm. Xander reels back, CRYING OUT in pain. Spike, from the floor, reaches to grab the sword. The monster pulls it back defensively. Buffy sees.
The sword. Grab the sword! As Buffy and Spike both move toward the monster's sword, the monster backs off, retreats again into the wall. A beat of pure, adrenaline-soaked silence. Then Buffy rushes to Xander, reaching for his bloody arm.
Are you... here, lemme see. But Xander's already moving across the room, to Anya, in the doorway. She's horrified, barely able to move.
Xander... Xander puts his forehead against hers, staring directly into her eyes. It's just the two of them right now, nothing else.
Shhh, it's okay, I'm okay. I'm right here, see? Shhh. Buffy and Spike can only watch. Helpless. INT. BUFFY'S HOUSE - ENTRYWAY - NIGHT Buffy comes from the dining room. Dawn stands in the entry, isolated, tense and very, very freaked.
It's getting kind of scary, I know. You okay? For a moment, a flicker of vulnerability. Then:
Do you care? Buffy, exasperated, shakes her head.
Fine. Stay with Spike. She walks upstairs toward her room. INT. BUFFY'S HOUSE - BUFFY'S ROOM - NIGHT Buffy enters, picks up an axe and turns to the door, ready to go back downstairs, but Dawn has followed her in.
It's not like I meant for this to happen. BUFFY DAWN BUFFY Dawn wants to speak, wants to pour out her heart. Instead:
Nothing. BUFFY DAWN BUFFY Dawn explodes.
Being alone! That stops Buffy cold.
You're not alone. DAWN INT. BUFFY'S HOUSE - DINING ROOM - NIGHT Willow, Tara, Spike and a bandaged Xander stand. Anya, distracted, sits at the table, alone, barely paying attention.
We just haven't thought of the right way out yet, that's all. SPIKE TARA ANYA Everyone turns to look at Anya
Not everything. Not exactly. We're sitting here with an incredibly powerful witch, much more powerful than you, Tara, I'm sorry, only no one seems willing to say it. WILLOW ANYA WILLOW ANYA SPIKE WILLOW ANYA XANDER Willow looks at Xander, stung.
We brought you back from it once, we're all here, it's just one little spell, whatever happens, we can bring you back again. WILLOW Anya stands, angry, heading for Willow.
And whose fault is that? If you hadn't gotten so much of it in your system in the first place - - Spike moves to intercede, but before he can get there.
Hey!! Tara's between Anya and Willow, staring Anya in the eyes.
(stone cold) You're gonna back off. Now. She said no, and that's it, you're not gonna make her do something she doesn't want to. (beat) And if you try, you'll have to go through me first. Understood? Standoff. Willow is clearly touched. Tara focuses on Anya. After a beat, Anya steps back.
Fine. If you all aren't willing to get us out of this, I'll do it myself. INT. BUFFY'S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - CONTINUOUS - NIGHT Sophie and Clem watch as Anya runs upstairs. INT. BUFFY'S HOUSE - BUFFY'S ROOM - NIGHT
I wish you had told me. Dawn shakes her head "no."
(embarrassed even to say it) You haven't really been... BUFFY DAWN BUFFY DAWN Buffy takes this in.
Counselor? DAWN BUFFY DAWN BUFFY DAWN BUFFY DAWN Buffy takes this in, the wheels turning. Then they hear crashing sounds from Dawn's room. INT. BUFFY'S HOUSE - DAWN'S ROOM - NIGHT Anya's ransacking the place, pulling out drawers, shoving things off of shelves. Xander stands behind her.
Honey, hey, honey, come on, this isn't the way, just calm down. ANYA Buffy and Dawn stand in the doorway.
Hey! Buffy has her hands on Dawn's shoulders, keeping her out.
Anh, if you just stop for a second ANYA DAWN BUFFY ANYA Anya gets to Dawn's jewelry box.
No... The jewelry box tips to the floor, and all the Magic Box items spill out, the tags still on them. Clearly stolen. Everyone stops silent. Anya stares at the floor, then stares at Dawn.
(wounded) How could you do this? Dawn breaks free from Buffy and runs to the stairs. Anya picks up a handful of stolen jewelry and follows her. INT. BUFFY'S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - CONTINUOUS - NIGHT Anya follows Dawn. Buffy and Xander are close behind. Tara, Clem, Sophie come from the kitchen. Spike and Willow from the dining room. Anya grabs Dawn's shoulder, spins her around, holding up her fistful of jewelry.
I work hard at that store, and I helped you, I took care of you, is this how you say thank you? Dawn backs up into the corner. Buffy steps toward them.
Anya. Hold on. (to Dawn) Just tell her you didn't do this. Tell her it's a mistake. Buffy sees the leather jacket, still on the couch.
No, Buffy, wait. BUFFY DAWN ANYA BUFFY ANYA DAWN ANYA DAWN ANYA She looks at the others.
It's Halfrek. A vengeance demon. You made a wish to a vengeance demon. DAWN ANYA Suddenly, Halfrek, in full Demon Face, is there.
You rang? The Sword Monster's SWORD comes tearing through Halfrek's chest.
(looking down) Oops. She slumps, and we see the Sword Monster behind her, bloody sword in hand, ready for battle.
BLACK OUT.
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| Act Four | ||
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INT. BUFFY'S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
The Sword Monster stands in the living room, ready to attack. Anya and
Buffy stand facing the monster. It lunges for them, and they start
throwing punches.
Behind them, Spike jumps over the railing, runs to help.
Anya lets loose with all her aggression, pounding the monster in the
chest.
(losing it) I. Hope. You. Die. You. Stupid. Jerkface! It tosses her aside, sending her sprawling toward the window.
Anya! Xander jumps up and runs behind the monster to Anya. Buffy and Spike continue to dodge the monster's blows and his thrusts with the sword. Spike cracks the monster against the side of the head. Buffy low-kicks, finally knocking the monster down. It disappears, pops up next to Spike. Spike grabs it. On the floor, the monster's weight is on top of Spike, but Spike has its arms -- it can't disappear.
The sword! Get the bloody sword! Buffy swoops in, snatches the sword from the monster and stands ready, trying to get a clean shot. Before she can, the monster breaks free of Spike and runs to the wall, disappearing into it. She plunges the sword in the wall, striking the monster. He screams. Within the wall, he dissipates into the sword. Buffy removes the bloody sword from the wall and CRACKS it over her knee. The monster's screams have stopped. Silence. The monster is dead. A beat as everyone catches their breath, then:
Her pendant! Get her pendant! Anya motions at Halfrek's lifeless body slumped on the living room floor. Anya and Buffy both take a step toward the body. Halfrek sits up suddenly, waving her hand, sending Buffy and Anya flying onto the couch.
There will be no touching of the pendant. Everyone stares in disbelief as Halfrek dusts herself off and stands. She looks around the room.
What? Oh, like I would be stopped by a sword in the chest. Flesh wound. (disapprovingly) Honestly, Anyanka, you used to know better. ANYA HALFREK ANYA HALFREK Spike squints at her.
Hey, wait a minute. BUFFY A beat, then:
I thought vengeance demons only punished men who wronged women. HALFREK ANYA HALFREK ANYA HALFREK Dawn looks at her feet, ashamed and embarrassed.
I could hear her crying out everywhere I went in this town, it was unbearable. And none of you knew. Halfrek looks around the silent room.
You people deserve to be cursed. Enjoy your time together. (big exit) From now on, time is all you have. Time... and each other. Good luck. She waves her arms above her head in a grand gesture, leaving. Only she doesn't leave.
Wait. She waves her arms again. Nothing.
It's, uh... it's the curse, Hallie. Halfrek looks at Anya, confused, then, as she gets it:
Oh, for crying out loud. (rolling her eyes) Fine, the curse is lifted, we can all leave now. Dammit. She snaps her fingers and DISAPPEARS. INT. BUFFY'S HOUSE - KITCHEN - NIGHT Tara gathers the remaining magic supplies left on the counter. Willow watches.
Thanks. For before. And for taking all this stuff with you. TARA WILLOW Tara just keeps packing stuff.
'Cause there was always this thing in the back of my head, you know, this voice, saying, like, what happens if things get bad, really bad, what if you can't do it? She moves closer to the center island.
And it made me panic, so that's why I kept a couple things. It was there, so I didn't have to think about it. So I could just focus on getting better. TARA WILLOW A beat as Tara studies her.
I get it. I really do. But it's time to work without a net, Will. She gathers the things she's packed.
You know, I don't know if you noticed, but it actually did get bad in there. Really bad. And you still said no. Tara offers a tiny smile and leaves. Willow's face looks about a thousand watts brighter. She follows her out to: INT. BUFFY'S HOUSE - ENTRYWAY - CONTINUOUS - NIGHT ... where they join Buffy, Dawn, Spike, Sophie and Clem. Anya and Xander carry a still-out-of-it Richard down the stairs.
(to Xander) You have weird friends. XANDER Anya turns to Dawn, who we see has been standing quietly in the living room. Alone.
Then we're gonna talk about payment. And Dawnie? Two words I want you to get used to: punitive damages. BUFFY SPIKE He reaches for the doorknob... and grabs it. He throws the door open, and everyone clamors to get out. As they go Dawn watches them leave, and, as they go, we hear:
(to Buffy) Good party! TARA XANDER ANYA As the crowd thins, Dawn is left alone. Again. She's resigned: getting out is good. But still. Here we go again. Through the open door, we see Spike look around. Someone's missing. Buffy. Dawn looks up, too, and realizes Buffy's still inside, standing at the stairs. Dawn looks a bit glum, waiting for Buffy to go as well. Buffy looks back at Dawn, then slowly shuts the door. We see the beginnings of a small, grateful smile on Dawn's face as the door shuts, closing them off from our view.
BLACK OUT.
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