Going Under, Part 2
Going Under
Part 2
(May 24, 2009)
Written by: Masquerade
Act Three
INT. HOBOS - EARLY EVENING
Faith is wiping down the bar and making casual conversation with a sixty-something patron when the soft squeal of the front door makes her glance up. Instantly, her expression melts into a scowl. Standing there is TRAVIS from the Guardians of Light, dressed in his rumpled trench coat, Hawaiian shirt, khaki pants, and Vans tennis shoes. Faith tosses down her rag and walks around the bar. He holds out his palm to her, branded with the SUNRAY PATTERN of his order.
TRAVIS
I'll get right to the point.
You have a Tammy Pitts in your custody.
Faith stares him down with defiance, crossing her arms.
FAITH
Who told you that?
TRAVIS
The three seers.
FAITH
(a shrug)
What about it?
TRAVIS
I've come to give you fair warning.
(he steps closer and bends his lips near her ear)
We're going to kill her.
Faith backs off, balking.
FAITH
What the fuck for?
Patrons peer around from their stools.
TRAVIS
(intently)
The Senior Partners aren't going to give up on her,
she's one of only a few beings that can give them
what they want--
direct communication with Earth,
so they can seize back the control they've lost.
FAITH
Which is exactly why she's "in my custody"!
Travis rolls his eyes, then notices the bar patrons, looking on. Quickly, he turns and marches out of the bar. Faith hesitates a beat, then charges after him.
EXT. HOBO'S
The door flies open, spewing out Travis, then flies open again for Faith. It bangs off wall under the strength of her anger. Hollywood Boulevard is alive with pedestrians and traffic. Travis whirls back on her.
TRAVIS
You can't guard her forever!
FAITH
(throwing up her hands)
And so you're just gonna kill her?
What'd she ever do to anybody?
Travis stabs a finger at the ground.
TRAVIS
This isn't about what's fair!
It's the only way to be sure she won't be used that way!
He crosses his arms and offers her a cool stare.
TRAVIS
You know I'm right.
You just don't have the guts to do it yourself.
FAITH
(flabbergasted)
Oh, is that what I need? "Guts"?
(she shakes her head)
I don't kill people anymore. Period.
TRAVIS
(coolly)
And that's why you'll fail.
He gives her a lingering look, then turns and starts up the sidewalk. Faith takes a step to follow, then cringes back at the bar.
FAITH
Shit.
She bolts inside.
INT. HOBO'S
TIGHT SHOT of the SIXTY-SOMETHING MAN, sipping from a glass of ale. His head turns. Faith is there.
FAITH
You ever tend bar?
REGULAR
(taken aback)
In college.
FAITH
You're hired.
She grabs the wet rag off the bar and throws it at him, then pivots and heads back out.
CUT TO - INT. FAITH'S IMPALA - MOMENTS LATER
A retail area passes by out the passenger-side window. Faith has her cell phone to her ear.
FAITH
(panicked)
What do you mean she's not there!?
She brings down the phone briefly, eyes wandering, then -
FAITH
What about Connor? It's his shift!
(a worried pause)
Well have you seen him tonight?
Another pause. Faith compresses her lips. Thinking. She inhales deep.
FAITH
Okay, uh, Sister...Mother....Whatever,
do you know where Tammy lived before?
TIME CUT TO a moment later. Faith is off the phone and livid.
FAITH
Damn it, Connor, where the hell are you!?
EXT. SHOT - She FLOORS IT.
EXT. BUNGALOW-STYLE APARTMENT COMPLEX - EVENING
The same bungalow seen earlier in the day, only in shadows now under the washed-out glow from the overhead street lamps.
INT. BEDROOM
The only illumination is the street-lamp light from outside. Tammy rushes about, trading out things from her closet and her suitcase, which is open on the bed.
CUT TO - EXT. BUNGALOW - A MOMENT LATER
She exits, bag in hand, and anxiously scans the street. Quickly, she steps down onto the walkway, then with a frown, halts and lowers her suitcase.
REVERSE ANGLE - A cab lolls by, its call light off.
Tammy paces, glancing at her watch. Then a long, slim hand with lacquered nails CLAMPS over her mouth and tugs her back. Her eyes bulge. WIDE SHOT - Drusilla drags a struggling Tammy back around the DARKENED PATH running beside the house to the right. Without hesitation, she vamps out and SINKS HER FANGS into Tammy's neck.
SLOW 180-DEGREE PAN - The complex and street are quiet. Suddenly, HEADLIGHTS cut the dimness. Faith's Impala screeches to a perpendicular stop at the curb. She leaps from the car and bolts towards the house, then slows as she sees the suitcase on the walkway, unattended. She looks around, then continues to the porch and tries the doorknob. It's locked. She bangs on the door.
FAITH
Tammy!?
Faith waits, but there is no answer. Quickly, she crosses the porch to the right and starts around the building. And stops.
Drusilla's demon-eyes rise with a start, feral and ridge-browed. Tammy is swooning, lids at half mast. We hear the squeal of brakes nearby. Faith yanks out a STAKE.
FAITH
Let her go.
She steps towards them. LOW SHOT - Drusilla has an arm wrapped around Tammy's torso, holding her in place. She flexes her claw-like fingers.
MAN'S VOICE (O.S)
(distant)
Go around back!
Drusilla shoves Tammy at Faith, who catches her reflexively, leaving her vulnerable as Drusilla lunges at her, FINGERNAILS LASHING OUT. Before they reach their target, however, Drusilla is thrown stiffly upright. She stumbles on her feet, eyes wide. MEDIUM SHOT - An arrow has pierced her torso just below the heart.
CUT TO the HUMMER which has pulled up beside Faith's Impala. Three WOLFRAM AND HART BLACK OPS are already out. Two have rifles, the third has a crossbow. A robed sorcerer exits next, and finally the dapper-suited Jason Guelph.
Drusilla continues to stumble back, the arrow protruding out of her. Faith risks turning her back on her to pivot around towards the street.
Faith's POV - The Ops soldier with the crossbow reloads his weapon and RAISES IT AGAIN. He is about to shoot when a truck roars up, braking within inches of him. The soldier winces against its headlights. There is a flurry of shouts. Travis Brent leaps out of the bed of the truck, along with several other men and women dressed in the street clothes of the West, East Asia, and the Middle East. They are armed with SWORDS, CROSSBOWS, and GUNS. Two Black Ops soldiers grab at the sorcerer and Guelph and drag them behind the Hummer.
Tammy moans and opens her eyes. Behind her and Faith, Drusilla reaches for the arrow in her chest. Just then, SPIKE emerges from the shadows behind the house, grabs her from behind, and drags her off.
A RIFLE SHOT rings out. The Guardians of Light hit the asphalt and retreat on their bellies to the safety of their truck. All except for a lone woman, who rolls under the Hummer.
Faith looks behind herself to see that Drusilla is GONE.
CUT TO - EXT. THE LEFT SIDE OF THE HOUSE
The THIRD BLACK OPS SOLDIER skulks towards the rear of the building, a rifle in his hands. He comes to abrupt halt and flattens himself against the side of the house. Spike appears at a distance, hurrying off carrying Drusilla in his arms. The soldier waits another beat, then continues around back.
EXT. RIGHT SIDE OF THE HOUSE
Faith hefts Tammy up into her arms and carries her over to the cover of the porch, where she crouches, cradling her and pressing a hand to her neck wound. When she finally looks up, she balks with incredulity.
Her POV, through bushes - On the far side of the Hummer, the sorcerer has the GREEN STONE extended out in his hand. It is EMITTING A CONE OF LIGHT that is WARPING THE NIGHT AIR ten feet from him.
CUT TO - The Guardian under the Hummer crawls out just then, RAISES a hand gun and POINTS it at him. The soldier with the crossbow sees her at the last second and KICKS THE GUN AWAY. He draws a bolt from his quiver and STABS HER IN THE NECK. She falls dead.
TAMMY
...What's...happ'ning...?
Faith glances down. Then A FLASH OF LIGHT from the street draws her attention back up.
Her POV - A PORTAL. Within its wavering edges, we see an almost featureless, PURE WHITE ROOM.
FAITH
(murmuring)
The White Room.
TAMMY
...No, no....
FAITH
(eyes ahead)
I won't let it happen, Tammy.
MEDIUM SHOT - The third Ops soldier appears behind Faith, rifle raised butt-down. He CLUBS FAITH OVER THE HEAD with it. She slumps forward. He reaches down, flips her over and away, then holsters his rifle to his back. Tammy lies limp on the porch, staring up at him wide-eyed.
TAMMY
No...!
Pot-shot gunfire breaks out between the Guardians and the remaining Ops soldiers, who are starting across the grass towards the third soldier and Tammy, both now armed with rifles. The Guardians scramble to take cover, but several are left sprawled over the street and lawn. The third soldier fishes a piece of paper out of his pocket. He frowns down at it and purses his lips.
THIRD SOLDIER
Krv...drpglr...pwlz...chkwrt...strplmt...
...dwghzn...prqlrzn...lvrtr....
As he struggles through the consonantal gobbly-gook, TWO GLOWING SPOTS APPEAR on Tammy Pitt's forehead and throat. She gasps for air. The soldier lowers the slip of paper.
THIRD SOLDIER
You're the one.
Tammy's head lolls to one side, eyes open. Her POV, through the bushes - the SHIMMERING PORTAL. Her eyes widen.
Her captor gestures the other soldiers towards him, then ducks over Tammy as - PING! A bullet is aimed his way. He grunts.
TAMMY
(muffled)
Just...kill...me.
THIRD SOLDIER
(gritting his teeth)
Ain't...gonna happen.
The other soldiers race to him, weapons raised and firing.
THIRD SOLDIER
(to his colleagues, gasping)
I'm hit!
(a grunt)
You'll have to...carry her.
Tammy inhales a shuddering breath.
TAMMY
(weakly, gasping)
Kill me...!
THIRD SOLDIER
And make it...fast.
Quickly, one soldier holsters his rifle and reaches for Tammy as the other provides cover. They start back across the lawn. The third soldier lurches to his feet, unholsters his own rifle, and staggers after them.
TAMMY
(raising her voice)
Kill...me!
Tammy struggles in the soldier's arms and manages to slip sideways, feet first.
TAMMY
(shrieking)
You have to...do it! Now!
CUT TO the porch. With a wince, Faith forces herself up to sitting. Her eyes settle with devastation on the lawn.
Her POV - The soldier grips Tammy in an arm-lock. She gasps. He starts DRAGGING HER TOWARDS THE HUMMER.
Faith sucks in a quivering breath, and in a determined burst, leans forward and - LOW SHOT - retrieves the knife she keeps strapped to her ankle. She sits back up and CHUCKS IT.
REVERSE ANGLE - It PIERCES TAMMY PITTS squarely through the heart. The girl slumps motionless. The soldier carrying her stops, fumbles for her pulse, then gapes at the porch. With a scowl, he dumps Tammy and reaches for his rifle. The third soldier throws up a hand.
SOLDIER
No! Leave it alone! That's our orders!
A distant SIREN WAIL cuts the air, drawing them around. The remaining Guardians scramble to gather up their dead and injured and load them into the truck. The Black Ops soldiers lead their wounded colleague to the Hummer. The sorcerer closes the portal and races around to the passenger side of the vehicle while Guelph throws open the driver's side door.
And Faith stares at Tammy where she's crumpled. She pulls herself up to her feet and walks over to her, then kneels down and rolls her over. CLOSE-UP on Tammy's face, eyes wide and mouth agape in death. Faith closes Tammy's eyes, then TUGS her knife free. She starts to rise when she catches -
LONG SHOT - Travis' smug look as he gets into the truck.
Faith scowls and rises. The GROWING WAIL of the siren turns her towards the house. She bolts away into the night.
EXT. K'SHAN'S BOOKSTORE - EVENING - ESTABLISHING
INT. MAIN FLOOR
K'shan paces the length of the retail counter, shooting periodic glances towards the door.
K'SHAN
(scowling)
She was supposed to be here an hour ago.
His assistant T'hauk is seated behind the counter, tracking him like a fan at a tennis match.
T'HAUK
If you meant that...vampire,
I've no doubt she just got distracted.
K'shan turns, startling him. He grips the edge of the counter.
K'SHAN
I ordered several members of the Gathering
to go after our enemies today.
For the ones that went after humans,
that was tantamount to a death sentence.
T'hauk raises his chin coolly.
T'HAUK
You sent the ones that doubt Illyria.
They deserved to die.
With a frown, K'shan pushes himself tall. He starts to pace again.
K'SHAN
The Slayers have to be neutralized,
and before they attempt to stop what Lord Illyria has planned.
(he circles around to glare at the door again)
But it's not going to be by...foot soldiers.
T'hauk eyes him with skepticism.
T'HAUK
And what if the vampire can't bring you the Slayer's blood?
K'SHAN
Then I'll need a different plan.
T'HAUK
Do you have one?
CLOSE-UP on K'shan's anxious expression.
K'SHAN
I'll think of something.
EXT. TEN-STORY APARTMENT BUILDING - EVENING
INT. A DARK, CLUTTERED BASEMENT
Dust and cobwebs lace cast-off furniture, an old television, boxes, wicker baskets, and teetering piles of books. It is the basement where Spike briefly lived with Drusilla and Darla in season one. Spike heaves an UNCONSCIOUS DRUSILLA down in an armchair. He tugs on the overhead bulb, then looks around and grabs for a huge roll of twine. Propping Drusilla up in the chair, he starts binding her wrists. After the twine is thick enough to stop even a vampire, he kneels and starts in on her ankles.
Drusilla's lashes flutter open.
Her POV - Her bound wrists, and Spike at her feet. She tries to yank her hands apart, but can't. She gives Spike a lascivious smile.
DRUSILLA
Just like old times.
Spike glances up at her, then finishes off her ankles.
SPIKE
I'm not here to play.
He rises and scans the room.
SPIKE
You've been avoiding me.
Drusilla's dark eyes track Spike as he searches for something. She pouts.
DRUSILLA
My Spike is working for them.
Spike pushes aside furniture and peers in boxes.
SPIKE
And yet I'm still alive. Imagine that.
(a shrug)
Undead, anyway.
DRUSILLA
I could feel you before...
lurking in the darkness. Hunting me.
SPIKE
Figured.
DRUSILLA
The ones who attacked you are wind-up toys.
Spike scans the bookshelves, which are mostly empty.
SPIKE
Fought like it, that's for certain.
Then his brows knit. He turns to Drusilla.
SPIKE
So what are you saying,
they were bewitched or something?
Drusilla nods slowly.
DRUSILLA
Humans have their keys.
Spike sets his hands on his hips and steps towards her.
SPIKE
Which humans?
DRUSILLA
They sit in their ivory tower. Plot in the shadows.
"Death to all demons."
Spike considers this.
SPIKE
Starting with the ones who don't pose a threat, eh?
(he turns back to the room)
Seems a bit cowardly.
Drusilla struggles against her bonds again.
DRUSILLA
I don't want your disease.
Spike is emptying out another box.
SPIKE
Yeah, well, I'm not inclined to hear
what you want right now, Dru.
He grins and reaches for something.
SPIKE
Tell you what.
(he rises)
I'll ask you again after you've had a few months
to howl in the basement.
He is holding a COILED BICYCLE LOCK CABLE. A thick lock dangles open at the end of it. He gives the room another once-over and frowns.
SPIKE
Although probably not this basement.
He starts towards Drusilla, unwinding the cable. She tenses.
SPIKE
In the meantime, you're staying here.
So you can't hurt anybody, and anybody...
can't hurt you.
He stretches the cable across her chest and arms and circles around the chair. Drusilla's eyes rise up to one side.
DRUSILLA
Baby brother will find me if he wants to.
Spike twists the leftover cable in a taught knot and clicks the lock shut.
SPIKE
I'll take care of Junior.
He tugs on it, then looks behind himself and grabs a scarf off a Styrofoam wig head in the corner. He brings it over the chair and around Drusilla's mouth. She startles as he ties the ends behind her head.
INT. TRACY'S KITCHEN - EVENING
Tracy stands at the counter, adding black beans, avocado, and shredded lettuce to a plate of whole wheat tortillas. She spoons in some tomato-corn salsa next, then picks up the plate and walks it into -
INT. THE LIVING ROOM
Connor is stretched out on the sofa, eyelids at half-mast. His eyes follow Tracy as she sets the plate down on the coffee table, pivots, and disappears into the kitchen again. Slowly, Connor opens his eyes and sits up. He brings his legs around to the floor. He is peering at the tacos when Tracy returns with a wad of napkins and two Hansen's Vanilla Colas.
CONNOR
(with wry skepticism)
Vegan tacos?
Tracy gives him a frown.
TRACY
Try 'em. They're good.
Connor picks one up, tilts it sideways and takes a tentative bite. Tracy sits down beside him.
TRACY
You were conked out for a while.
She hands him a napkin.
CONNOR
(chewing, his mouth full)
You...try sleep'n...at a nigh club.
Then he notices her shrewd, enigmatic smile. He swallows.
CONNOR
What?
He takes another bite.
TRACY
So who's the brunette?
He gives her a blank stare over the taco, chewing.
TRACY
In the other sketches?
The ones you left in the portfolio?
Connor swallows. He looks briefly chagrined. Then, shaking his head -
CONNOR
Doesn't matter.
Just some girl I was seeing.
(beat)
Sort of.
He rests what is left of his taco on a napkin. Tracy scrutinizes him, then raises a hesitant hand and slides the wayward bangs from his face. Connor grins shyly. He leans towards her and when she doesn't back away, plants a kiss on her lips. After a moment, they part.
CONNOR
(still smiling)
None of that matters anymore.
FADE TO - EXT. ROOFTOP ACROSS THE STREET
The wind licks Alix's hair as she stares holes through - her POV, LONG SHOT - A back-lit, curtained second-story window. She drops her gaze with a cool scowl and turns away, receding across the roof.
INT. HOTEL LOBBY - REALM OF THE ANUNNAKI
TREMORS SHAKE THE PATRONS' DIMENSION - Hotel guests stumble for cover; lamps, furniture, and pillars are strewn around in disarray; LARGE CRACKS have formed in the walls and ceiling. And then A SLICE OF BLINDING LIGHT CUTS THROUGH the room as ANOTHER TREMOR passes through and widens the crack in the far wall.
Willis and Da Silva are making their way down the broad, carpeted staircase, clutching the handrail to keep from tumbling. Da Silva is shielding his head from falling debris with one arm. He looks confused.
DA SILVA
What's happening?!
A lamp below where they are perched EXPLODES, sending a man and woman scurrying. Willis takes in the chaos with excitement.
WILLIS
Exhilarating, isn't it?!
QUICK-CUT TO the CRACK that is SPLITTING THE WALL.
WILLIS
The power of the Patrons is increasing exponentially!
Soon, the dimensional walls won't be able to contain it!
DA SILVA
Why? How's this happening?!
Willis sets a hand on his shoulder.
WILLIS
Free will, my friend.
A simple act of free will.
DA SILVA
(looking surprised)
The Patrons can destroy their prison now?
Willis grins.
WILLIS
That's not who I meant.
(his eyes pan the ceiling)
But yeah, that, too.
Finally.
EXT. WOLFRAM AND HART HIGH-RISE - LA JOLLA - EVENING
INT. JASON GUELPH'S OFFICE
The office is dark, save for the light spilling past someone silhouetted in the doorway. Guelph sits stiffly in his chair, hand wrapped around a glass of liquor. He is staring into space.
GUELPH
Someone's going to have to take the fall for this.
LILAH
Yeah, and I'm looking at him.
Guelph sips at his drink. Lilah enters, sauntering.
LILAH
Fortunately for you,
the Partners need everyone where they are,
at least for now.
You may just have a chance to dig yourself
out of this.
Guelph's grimace sours.
GUELPH
Another candidate will come along.
Lilah chuckles darkly. She seats herself in one of Guelph's visitor's chairs.
LILAH
Candidates for the Conduit that can be controlled
are few and far between.
GUELPH
The Partners aren't going anywhere.
LILAH
No, but there is a strong possibility that the entire Earth
might get overrun by their enemies in the next day or two.
Guelph clunks his drink down on the desk and looks at her.
GUELPH
That's why my men kept the Slayer alive.
She's supposed to stop that.
EXT. K'SHANS BOOKSTORE - EVENING
INT. BASEMENT
A WALL-TO-WALL ARC of high bookcases and scattered tables are filled with books, scrolls, magazine boxes, video tapes, and DVDs. K'shan descends a ladder from one upper shelf, a thick volume under his arm. He walks it to a table and shoves some other books aside. They tumble to the floor.
INSERT, the book - Commentaries on the Pergamon Codex.
He opens it, undistracted by the steady metallic clunking of someone descending the stairs. T'hauk approaches his master from the spiral staircase, proffering a piece of paper.
T'HAUK
I have a report from the sorcerers.
The Dagger of the Nyazians was in this plane, briefly.
They tracked its residual energy from Long Beach to West Hollywood,
where it was used in a ritual, then returned.
K'shan doesn't look up.
K'SHAN
Where in Long Beach?
T'HAUK
(consulting the page)
A nightclub called "Sekhmet."
A known hub of the Anunnaki.
This gets K'shan's attention.
K'SHAN
Lord Illyria's sworn enemies.
T'HAUK
(nodding)
Apparently, the demon-born human has spent time there.
K'shan returns to his book.
K'SHAN
So they have an interest in him.
(concerned beat)
Tell me about this "ritual."
T'hauk scans the report.
T'HAUK
Not much is known.
There was only lingering energy for them to examine,
at the home of a...Melanie Roth.
(glancing up)
She's a professor of theology at UCLA.
K'SHAN
And a witch, no doubt.
He turns a page, browsing.
K'SHAN
Since we're focused on the boy now,
I need to find out what spell she performed. Quickly.
And while you're at it, I need a magica essentia done on him.
T'HAUK
(taken aback)
An...essence spell?
(he balks)
A--any suggestions for getting close enough to
Connor Reilly to get a personal object of his?
Lord Illyria claims he has the fighting skills of a Slayer.
K'shan drags himself away from his reading and wanders over to a table of research materials. He retrieves something and walks it back to T'hauk. It is a small HAND-HELD VIDEO GAME. T'hauk takes it, puzzled.
K'SHAN
It's called a "Game Boy"--an electronic device used for amusement.
It belonged to the boy.
T'HAUK
Where'd you get it?
K'SHAN
I didn't. Lord Illyria did.
T'hauk examines it. Then his eyes sink to the book K'shan has returned to.
T'HAUK
What's that?
K'SHAN
"Commentaries on the Pergamon Codex."
A quaint tale passing as prophecy
concerning Slayers and the "last days"....
He flips another page, amused.
K'SHAN
The "final war" between the Slayers and demonkind on this planet,
in which, naturally, the humans win.
T'HAUK
(puzzled again)
If it's just a wishful fiction, why read it?
K'SHAN
It contains information on the Slayer line
that we'll need to destroy them.
BLACK OUT.
END OF ACT THREE
Act Four
EXT. SLAYER COUNCIL BUILDING - EVENING
INT. LIBRARY
TIGHT SHOT - Aiden curls a hand to his mouth and COUGHS VIOLENTLY, then wipes his palm on his shirt and resumes typing.
FAITH'S VOICE
(emerging from the threshold)
...After that, I'm going home.
I've had a shit day.
She enters the room and halts at the end of the table. She gives Aiden a careful once-over.
FAITH
Book guys were right, you look like crap.
A dismissive chuckle.
AIDEN
I think...
(cough)
...I'm just...coming down with something.
Faith starts around the table.
FAITH
Sounds like a good reason to go home.
AIDEN
I just....
Aiden runs his fingertips over his disarray of books and folders. Then he looks up at her earnestly.
AIDEN
I know what the Gathering wants.
His hands are poised on the books, quivering.
AIDEN
They're a cult movement devoted to
bringing the demons back from the hell dimensions.
Faith's brows knit impatiently as she listens.
AIDEN
Those symbols from all over the world
say the same thing--
"The gates of hell must be opened
and closed no more.
The human pestilence--"
FAITH
Yeah, we already knew this.
(she folds her arms)
And those weird vibes from their mansion--
AIDEN
They're trying to open the gate.
Faith shrugs.
FAITH
We've shut down portals before.
Aiden shakes his head.
AIDEN
This one isn't "Little Shop of Horrors"
in the high school library.
At the rate that energy is expanding,
the hole, when it opens,
is going to be the size of Los Angeles.
And it's just going to get bigger.
(ominous beat)
It's an anti-portal.
There won't be a need for portals after this.
Faith's worry deepens as takes this in.
FAITH
So we can't wait for it to open.
Aiden shakes his head. Faith absorbs this for another moment. Then she beckons Aiden with a hand.
FAITH
Well, we'll worry about it tomorrow.
C'mon, Nigel's giving you a ride home.
Aiden reaches for the mouse of his desktop computer, his intent expression going solemn.
AIDEN
There's one other thing I want you to see.
(eyes on the screen)
I've been scanning the internet for news stories
that could be linked to the Partners, the Gathering,
the Anunnaki, the Slayer Council....
(a few clicks)
...and this came up.
Faith leans in on one hand so she can see. ON SCREEN - An article from the online Toronto Star.
FAITH
(reading)
"Royal Ontario Museum curator confirmed dead."
She throws him a skeptical look. Aiden points anxiously at the screen.
AIDEN
Keep reading.
With uncertainty, Faith continues -
FAITH
"Sources in the Toronto police department
have confirmed that the remains found last week
at the Haley construction site
belong to Anton Ferrar, thirty-six,
an assistant curator of antiq....
antiqua...."
(she pauses, then peers at him)
Ferrar? Isn't he one of our scholar guys?
AIDEN
Was.
(he points)
Check out the estimated date of death.
FAITH
(reading)
"December 24th, 2005."
(puzzled beat)
Wait--
AIDEN
(insistent)
Right. Almost a month before he showed up at our door.
(knowing pause)
Or before somebody showed up.
Faith gives him an incredulous look.
FAITH
So this guy we've been calling Ferrar is a plant? From who?
AIDEN
(with a shrug)
Could be anyone.
But my bet is the group that wanted
access to our library that we turned down.
Faith has to think about that one for a second. Then the light dawns.
FAITH
The Enash Cabal.
She slams her hand against a chair, unsettling it violently. Then she turns a gape on Aiden.
FAITH
They killed one of our book-guys
so they could take his place?
Aiden nods.
SPIKE (O.S.)
Oi! Anyone here?!
Spike emerges through the whirlpool and eyes the disembodied library uneasily.
FAITH
(not at all happy)
Spike, where have you been?
He squares his shoulders.
SPIKE
Shaking down a few of the locals.
(he saunters up to the edge of the table)
Those demons who attacked Lorne and Clem
weren't acting on their own.
They were under a spell.
Faith nods.
FAITH
Yeah, we sort of figured that.
But since Lorne and Connor didn't see who was behind it,
we still gotta figure it's the Gathering.
Aiden clicks at his mouse and puts the desktop to sleep. He shuts the laptop.
SPIKE
(shaking his head)
Doesn't sit right.
They'd use better fighters if they wanted
your demon mates dead.
(he sets his fingertips on the table)
Word is, it was humans pulling their strings.
FAITH
Humans?
SPIKE
Humans that really don't like us demony-types.
Faith tosses her head back with frustration.
FAITH
Agh! The fucking Enash Cabal! Again!
She slams a palm against the bookcase. It trembles.
FAITH
They say they wanna help,
and the whole time they're kicking my legs out
from under me!
(she beckons Aiden again)
C'mon. Go home, Poind.
I'm having it out with those punks.
DISSOLVE TO - EXT. AERIAL SHOT - UP-SCALE WHITE HIGH-RISE - SANTA MONICA - EVENING
INT. HIGH-RISE ELEVATOR
A poker-faced Faith and Spike stand side-by-side as the elevator rises.
FAITH
They're not going to invite you in.
SPIKE
Not to worry.
I've got your back...from the door.
They trade glances. The elevator pings softly. The doors open. Faith exits, all business.
FAITH
Good. 'Cause I've got a feeling I'm gonna
be talking with my fists.
INT. PENTHOUSE HALLWAY
Spike is at her heels.
SPIKE
You might want to ask a few questions first.
I've got a notion they know more about
the Gathering than they're inclined...
(he slows, a dumfounded look on his face)
...to say....
The penthouse suite doors ARE HANGING OPEN. The BALD, SUITED MAN is lying half-in, half-out the doorway face-down in a POOL OF BLOOD. Faith kneels to check for a pulse at his neck. She draws her hand back.
FAITH
He's dead.
(she peers cautiously into the suite)
Yo! Is anyone here!?
Silence. Faith tugs her blade from her ankle and rises. She steps over the corpse and into the suite.
INT. PENTHOUSE
The large sitting room is dim-lit and eerily quiet. Faith's eyes settle on a tipped-over leather wing-back chair. She continues past it warily, and then halts. The SORCERER has been tossed face-first over a chair. His stringy black hair dangles down like a death veil. Faith turns towards the media center and grimaces.
Her POV - The woman with the florescent red hair lies on her side at the foot of the wet-bar, her THROAT SLASHED and her sunglasses askew.
Faith compresses her lips, then calls out again -
FAITH
It's Faith from the Slayer Council!
Can anybody hear me!?
SPIKE (O.S.)
Wouldn't lay odds on it.
Faith whirls at the sound of his voice. Her POV - Spike is in the foyer. Faith takes in the scene once more grimly, then in a burst, skirts around the armchairs towards him.
FAITH
(with panicked urgency)
We've got to get out of here.
Spike pivots and proceeds her out of the suite.
SPIKE
Not arguing.
They each exit in turn, stepping over the Bald Suited Man.
SPIKE
Wonder if the whole outfit's been hit.
DISSOLVE TO - EXT. AN ALLEYWAY - LOS ANGELES
A dented and crushed van sits CRUNCHED against a wall, engine steaming. PANNING - Among others, we can make out the bloody, broken bodies of Mark, the girl Marita, and the man masquerading as FERRAR.
EXT. HOME OF PROFESSOR ROTH - EVENING - ESTABLISHING
INT. LIVING ROOM
A relaxed Professor Roth sits curled in an armchair absorbed in a large, leather-bound book. She has a glass of wine in her hand. She takes a sip from it, then tenses visibly.
WILLIS (O.S.)
Well...
I didn't think you'd pull it off.
Willis enters from the foyer.
WILLIS
But it's starting to appear as if you have.
Melanie sets her glass on the side table.
MELANIE
He's made his choice, I know.
I've been monitoring him.
INSERT - Her book. Within its cloudy, liquid-like pages and under obscuring black glyphs, we can see TRACY sitting in her living room, laughing and talking to an otherwise empty couch.
MELANIE
(frowning)
Or as much as I can through a cloaking spell.
She closes the book and uncurls her legs.
MELANIE
His choice was the trigger.
So...I'm free.
WILLIS
Not yet.
Your spell is still working its way into place.
He's losing the battle,
but he's not over the edge. Soon.
Melanie chuckles. She sets her book aside, picks up her glass, and stands.
MELANIE
I suppose I'll know the Patrons have really
gotten under his skin when you trigger
the little "signs in the heavens"
you were so excited about.
(she waves him off)
Why don't you run along and do that.
Willis eyes her with irritation.
WILLIS
The sorcerers are handling it.
Melanie takes a sip of wine.
MELANIE
(shrewdly)
So much for feeling "god-like."
She turns her back on him and gives her attention to the large window behind her chair. Her POV - The rooftop of the house next door; city lights stretching out in the distance. Willis scrutinizes her.
WILLIS
You can still change your mind, you know.
You can still become a full-fledged disciple before
the Patrons return.
Melanie scoffs.
MELANIE
And spend the rest of eternity listening to your
arrogant twattle? I don't think so.
(a thoughtful beat)
Besides, who says I'll even be around then?
Once I'm off the hook with the Patrons,
I become mortal again.
She finally circles back around. Willis' stewing look of contempt unnerves her for a beat. Then her eyes narrow.
MELANIE
You just hate this, don't you?
(he stares back coolly)
You just hate that I've found a way out of the pact.
You go on and on about how it was your "choice"
to become a disciple,
but part of you wishes you were free.
You see me and you just seethe.
Now it's Willis' turn to scoff. His lips part to make a retort. Then he relaxes and offers a condescending smile instead.
WILLIS
You've done the Patrons a great service.
Enjoy what's left of the evening. You've earned it.
And with that, he turns and exits, disappearing into the thin air he came from. Melanie stares after him, chuckling.
MELANIE
"Great service." I gave one kid
who deserves more than "heroic sacrifice" and death
a little peace.
But as she continues to look on, a flicker of worry grows in her eye.
INT. GILES' STUDY - BATH, ENGLAND - THE WEE HOURS OF THE MORNING
The dining room table is an even greater chaos of open reference books, half-empty teacups, and crumb-littered china plates. Giles and Gunn are both in need of a shave. Giles peels off his glasses, revealing tired eyes.
GILES
It's obviously in direct contradiction to
the Syndicate translator's notes.
GUNN
(with a thoughtful frown)
But you're saying she got it wrong.
(expectant beat)
Which is a good thing, right? It means that Connor--
Giles raises a warning hand, slipping into dire mode -
GILES
We don't know what it means.
The implication here could be far, far worse.
GUNN
(aghast)
Meaning what? That the kid's going to join their side?
(a gesture at their open books)
Side up with these...Anunnaki demon guys?
(he shakes his head resolutely)
Uh-uh. Ain't gonna happen.
Giles' brow knits as he fetches a handkerchief.
GILES
The Anunnaki...are creatures of...seduction, of corruption.
That's what they do.
They don't kill an enemy if they can disarm him.
Because in every act of corruption, they gain power.
The more good works a person is capable of,
the more power they gain in disabling him.
He cleans his glasses, staring down thoughtfully.
GILES
And I have to imagine...
if the Nyazian Scrolls are right
and the "Son" has a crucial role to play in
the grand battle that will drive all demon life
from the Earth....
(heavy beat; he puts his glasses back on)
he would be a significant prize to them.
GUNN
Sure, but then why not just go after Buffy?
She's the one slated to lead that battle.
Giles hesitates a moment before answering.
GILES
Because corruption also depends on susceptibility,
on...desire.
(he looks Gunn in the eye soberly)
It's difficult to corrupt someone who has reached
a point in life where she has what she needs,
or, at least, has made peace with what she has.
Gunn frowns, taking this in.
GUNN
I just don't believe Connor would fall for a trap set by demons.
GILES
(matter-of-factly)
They'll do it in ways he'll never see coming.
EXT. FAITH'S APARTMENT COMPLEX - LATE EVENING
Faith steps down from the porch, a pack of cigarettes and a lighter in hand. She upturns her cigarette pack and tries to shake one loose. None will come. She shakes harder.
FAITH
(with frustration)
Ahhhgh!
QUICK-FLASHES -Faith's BLADE IMPALES Tammy Pitts in the heart. She slumps still.
Night, an alley. Faith PLUNGES a STAKE into the Deputy Mayor's heart.
BUFFY'S VOICE
(faintly)
Faith, no!
Faith stands frozen, staring unseeing at the cigarette pack still upside down in her hands. Two cigarettes have finally peeked out the opening. Her cell phone rings, startling her. She fumbles in her back pocket for the phone, peers at the display, and clicks it on.
FAITH
(sternly, bringing it up)
What are you doing up?
You should be in bed.
We hear soft coughing on the other end.
AIDEN'S VOICE
Just...had a few things I had to do.
(beat)
I called Caritas.
Connor isn't there. Hasn't been there all day.
Faith scowls.
FAITH
Well, when you track him down, let me know,
'cause I'm gonna rip him a new asshole.
AIDEN'S VOICE
(stunned)
What'd he do?
Faith seats herself down on the stoop.
FAITH
He didn't show up for his shift at the convent.
Tammy Pitts left.
AIDEN'S VOICE
Shit. Where is she?
Faith sets her pack of cigarettes on the step. She holds up her lighter and clicks it on. The flame sizzles.
QUICK-FLASH -Faith's BLADE IMPALES Tammy Pitts in the heart. She slumps still.
FAITH
She's dead.
(she releases the lever; the flame goes out)
I had to kill her.
AIDEN'S VOICE
...What?!
Faith clicks on the lighter again and stares at the softly bouncing flame. She releases it again.
FAITH
The Wolfram and Hart commandoes
were gonna take her. I--I couldn't let them.
(click)
I went there to keep Travis and his goons from killing her.
They got pinned down.
(release)
She begged me to do it.
And I didn't see any other way.
She sets the lighter aside, fishes a cigarette out of her pack, and sets it between her lips. She retrieves her lighter. Click. She holds the flame to the tip, takes a quick puff, and blows out smoke. She sets the lighter aside again.
AIDEN'S VOICE
I guess that explains why you're smoking.
FAITH
(mumbling around it)
Yeah, well, a lot of crap went down today.
She inhales again, then lets the smoke drift from her lips and nose. She slips the cigarette out between two fingers.
FAITH
The Enash Cabal are dead.
AIDEN'S VOICE
What?
(confused beat)
All of them?
FAITH
(tapping the cigarette)
I went to their penthouse. Found them torn to shreds.
Didn't stay to count the bodies.
She takes another drag.
FAITH
And now...I guess I'm sitting on the stoop,
waiting for the sirens.
AIDEN'S VOICE
The sirens?
FAITH
The cops, man.
You think those pricks at Wolfram and Hart
didn't call the cops on me about Pitts?
AIDEN'S VOICE
Actually, I'm kind of surprised they didn't
call the coroner on you.
FAITH
(flicking ashes)
Yeah, me too.
CUT TO - INT. AIDEN'S BEDROOM
Aiden is still dressed and has his wheelchair pulled up to his desk. His laptop is open. On the screen is a PHOTOGRAPH OF THE DAGGER OF THE NYAZIANS with the text "Nyazian dagger" below it. There is some illegible text below that. Aiden looks unhappily puzzled.
AIDEN
(into the phone)
Faith, those Wolfram and Hart guys are serious.
If they wanted you dead for what you did, you would be.
EXT. FAITH'S STOOP
Faith chuckles grimly.
FAITH
Yeah, you gotta poi....
Just then, the ground beneath her starts a QUIVERING RUMBLE. Faith looks around in confusion, then struggles up to her feet. The quake CONTINUES. She raises the phone to her ear. Her attention is snatched away by the growing WAIL of multiple sirens, and -
Her POV, LONG SHOT - a DISTANT GIANT CLOUD OF BLACK SMOKE billowing against the night sky.
INT. AIDEN'S BEDROOM
Aiden's brows tighten with concern.
AIDEN
Faith?!
His bedroom door FLIES OPEN. His roommate appears, out of breath with astonishment.
JOSH
You watching the news?
Aiden gapes at him, disoriented.
JOSH
C'mere!
AIDEN
(into the phone)
Faith?
FAITH'S VOICE
...I'm here.
AIDEN
Hang on. Something's on the news.
Aiden sets the phone in his lap and lurches his wheelchair out from the desk.
EXT. FAITH'S APARTMENT COMPLEX
Faith is now out in the center of the street, gaping around with a growing number of her neighbors. The sirens' wails are getting CLOSER. The flashing lights of a passing emergency vehicle draws her attention around.
FAITH
Crap.
(into the phone)
Gotta go.
She clicks off the phone, stuffs it into her back pocket, and races towards her apartment building.
INT. LIVING ROOM - AIDEN'S HOUSE
IN FRAME - THE TELEVISION NEWS. A woman with a microphone stands in front of a BURNING BUILDING. An inset view on the screen shows alternating shots of other fires.
REPORTER
...Fires erupting all over the Southland,
as far south as Ensenada, Mexico.
(she gestures widely)
And these broke out before the quake you just felt, Tom.
MALE NEWSCASTER (VOICE-OVER)
(cutting in)
Cindy, we've got breaking news
from the Weather Center....
Josh and Aiden watch intently, trading baffled looks with each other.
CUT TO - INT. AN EAST-FACING OFFICE - WOLFRAM AND HART - LA JOLLA
Lilah stands at the large tinted window, staring out at the growing cloud of dark smoke billowing over the high-rises in the distance. She chuckles darkly.
LILAH
I'd tell you the offices of Wolfram and Hart
are the safest place to be during an apocalypse,
but we both know that's bunk.
Jason Guelph enters from the doorway. The office is unlit and generic-looking in an upscale way, without any sign of personal mementos.
GUELPH
So it's confirmed?
(hesitant beat)
Are the Partners...?
Lilah circles around.
LILAH
Nothing's confirmed,
except that the Partners aren't behind it.
(she strolls over to the desk and sits down)
You said you had access to our library
over at Slayer Central.
What have you got?
Guelph looks nervous and sheepish. He drifts up to the desk, flicking a glance outside.
GUELPH
Nothing on that.
(to Lilah)
Mind-reading Aiden Walsh means
we only know what he knows,
and all he's been interested in is the Gathering
and Connor Reilly.
LILAH
If he's seeing what's going on out there,
he'll take an interest.
Let me know when you find out what he knows about it.
Guelph nods.
CUT TO - INT. TRACY'S LIVING ROOM
Connor stares at the smoke-blackened sky outside Tracy's window. Tracy picks up a fallen lamp from the floor and sets it back on her end table. Some of the pictures on the wall have fallen as well. She goes after them.
CONNOR
(musing)
Earthquake, fire...the only thing missing is the blood.
TRACY
Blood? What are you talking about?
Connor saunters over to the couch and sits down.
CONNOR
Nothing.
(a glance outside)
They're doing this to psyche me out.
He stretches out there. CLOSE-UP on his eerie calm.
CONNOR
But I won't let them.
CUT TO - EXT. ALLEY - CHINA TOWN
LONG CRANE SHOT - Zig-zagging fire escapes, stringed-up Chinese lanterns, and an advertisement in Chinese stenciled on brick. Alix enters the frame, walking briskly. Sirens wail nearby. TIGHT SHOT - Splat! Something wet hits her lip. She glances up and holds out a palm. Her tongue flickers over her lip. Then, with a stunned expression, she takes in - the dark SPLATTERS on her palm.
OVERHEAD CRANE SHOT - Eye closed and lips parted, Alix laps up the RAIN falling from the sky.
CUT TO - INT. BASEMENT LAIR
The ceiling is leaking raindrops. With an annoyed frown, Spike walks over to the bowl full of rain water he has propped on a short bookcase. He reaches for it. TIGHT OVERHEAD SHOT of the BOWL. A dark SPLOTCH hits the water and diffuses into it. Spike frowns. He looks up. His POV - The CRACK in the ceiling is growing DARK. DRIP. Spike jerks his head back reflexively and climbs up on a desk. He runs a finger over the crack and brings it up to his nose.
SPIKE
Bloody hell! It's blood!
(he takes a taste)
O-neg, if I'm not mistaken.
Drusilla is still tied to chair, although for the moment she is no longer gagged. She listens fearfully to the muted sirens.
DRUSILLA
(tensely)
His enemies are rising.
SPIKE
(still distracted by the leak)
Whose enemies would that be, Dru?
Her face is distraught and forlorn. She keens, high-pitched.
DRUSILLA
Uncle is sinking....
CUT TO - INT. PROFESSOR ROTH'S STUDY
Professor Roth is at her desk chair, intent on a small television set on the file cabinet. She looks incredulous at what she is seeing.
ON SCREEN - People are running through the streets, screaming, holding jackets, handbags, even newspapers over their heads. The surrounding buildings are in RUINS. Police cars, fire trucks, and ambulances are scattered amongst jagged slabs of upturned asphalt. Emergency workers huddle under make-shift tents, helping the injured.
MELANIE
(muttering to herself)
Kinda overkill, don't you think, Willis?
She continues watching, growing more and more unsettled. Finally, she rises, face etched in worry. She looks up.
MELANIE
I want anything available on the Nyazians Prophecies,
the Dagger of the Nyazians, or Connor Angel.
And I want it now.
EXT. CLUB SEKHMET - LONG BEACH - ESTABLISHING
Da Silva and Willis stand sheltered in the doorway of the club, surveying the night sky. Da Silva chuckles.
DA SILVA
You arranged all this?
It's quite impressive!
But Willis has a disturbed, worried frown.
WILLIS
Yeah. Impressive.
EXT. GATHERING MANSION - GRANADA HILLS
INT. VAULTED CHAMBER
The demons of Gathering FILL THE HALL, eyes on IMAGES being projected onto the STONE WALL. They are the same images seen on other television screens. The demons are CHEERING WILDLY.
DEMONS
Ch'un cha! Ch'un cha!
Ch'un cha! Ch'un cha!
Beyond them, Illyria paces the stage, bold and blue.
CUT TO - INT. BASEMENT - K'SHAN'S BOOKSTORE
Books are scattered across the floor; entire bookcases are toppled over. But K'shan is still intent on Commentaries on the Pergamon Codex. Something GRABS his attention. He lowers his finger to the page.
K'SHAN
Oh, this is interesting.
T'hauk lurks nearby.
T'HAUK
What's interesting?
K'SHAN
This Slayer we're after isn't the only one
whose death can disable the line.
BLACK OUT.
THE END
Executive Producer Joss Whedon Connor Vincent Kartheiser Faith Eliza Dushku Aiden Sean Maher Lilah Stephanie Romanov Drusilla Juliette Landau
Tracy Sarah Jannett Parish
Manny Rob LaBelle Alix Rachel Leigh Cook Guelph Alan Tudyk Illyria Amy Acker Lorne Andy Hallet Giles Anthony Stewart Head
Spike James Marsters