~~~~~~~~~~ Prologue ~~~~~~~~~~
A Sunnydale cemetery. Faith and Buffy both fall backwards onto the mound
of a fresh grave, fighting a pair of leather-uniformed vampires. But
this doesn't stop Faith from wanting to continue her conversation with
Buffy.
Faith: (to Buffy, struggling) So, what, you're telling me never?!
Buffy: (also struggling) Faith! Really, now is not the time!
Faith: I'm curious! Never ever?!
The two Slayers both kick up with their legs and send the vampires
rolling over and off of them, and then do back rolls up to a standing
position.
Faith: (to Buffy) Come on, really. All this time, and not even once?
She blocks a high punch from her assailant, grabs onto his shoulder and
flips him forward. He lands hard on his back.
Buffy: How many times do I have to say it?
She ducks a swing.
Buffy: I have never...
She does a backhand punch at her attacker.
Buffy: ...done it...
The vampire staggers backward into a lamppost from the force of her
punch. Buffy does a full spin toward him.
Buffy: ...with Xander!
She jams her stake home, and the demon bursts into ashes. Buffy looks
over at Faith, still fighting.
Buffy: He's just a friend.
Faith leaps at her assailant, does a log roll in midair and comes down
hard on him with her knee digging into his back, shoving him into the
ground. She raises her stake and plunges it into his back, dusting him
instantly. She gets up and steps over to meet up with Buffy.
Faith: So? What are friends for? I mean, I'm sorry, (smiles sexily)
it's just, all this sweating-nightly, side-by-side action, and you never
put in for a little after-hours (thrusts her pelvis forward and grunts)?
Buffy: (raises her eyebrows) Thanks for the poetry. And, no. I love
Xander. I just don't... *love* Xander. (looks at the ground) Besides, I
think it ruins friendship to do that stuff.
She takes a closer look at the boot prints on the muddy ground.
Faith: You think too much. (starts to leave)
Buffy: (grabs Faith's arm, looking down) Hey. There's one more.
Faith: How do you know?
Buffy: I think too much.
The two of them start to walk, following the extra set of prints, which
lead behind a gravestone.
Buffy: (quietly) Okay. Count of three. One...
Faith jumps ahead and shoulder-rolls over the gravestone. The vampire
isn't there, but he comes running at her. He is also dressed in the
leather uniform. Buffy disapprovingly watches the fight start.
Buffy: Three.
Faith tries to do a roundhouse kick at the vampire, but he catches her
leg right before it connects with his head. He grabs her shoulder, spins
halfway around and throws her against a tall gravestone. She hits the
ground hard and immediately starts to get back up. Buffy runs around
them to catch the demon from behind as he looks down at Faith and pulls
out two swords, one with a long blade, the other short. He hears Buffy
coming, though, and spins his head around to see her. She stops in her
tracks, holding her stake up in her hand. The vampire swings his long
sword in a wide arc and slices off the tip of the stake. Buffy jumps in
surprise, but quickly drops what's left of the stake as the vampire
swings his sword down on her. She high blocks the attack with her left
arm, grabs his left arm with her right hand, grabs his right arm with
her left hand and brings both of his arms down hard, forcing him to drop
the swords. She high punches him in the head and tries to follow up with
a double roundhouse kick with alternating legs. The vampire knife-hand
blocks both kicks. He gains the upper hand, grabbing Buffy by the
shoulders and tries to get in closer for a bite. She struggles to keep
him at bay. Finally Faith runs up behind him and thrusts her stake into
his back. He screams and throws up his hands, then crumbles to ashes
between the two girls, leaving Faith smiling at Buffy, and Buffy leaning
against a gravestone catching her breath. Faith takes a step toward her,
raising her hand for a high five.
Faith: Nicely diverted, B!
She stops mid-step when Buffy doesn't return the gesture.
Buffy: (panting) Diverted? That was me fighting for my life, Miss
Attention Span.
Faith: (sighs and turns to go) This isn't a Tupperware Party. It's a
little hard to plan.
Buffy: (follows) The count of three isn't a plan. It's Sesame Street.
Faith: (stops and faces Buffy) Hey, they're toast and we're here, so it
couldn't have been too bad, right? (checks her arm) Who were those guys,
anyways?
Buffy: I don't know. (sniffs) They didn't seem local. (looks where the
swords were) Look, why don't we grab the weapons. Maybe Giles...
The swords aren't there anymore. Buffy gives Faith a confused look.
Cut to the Mayor's office. Mr. Trick drops the two swords on his desk.
Trick: Check these out.
The Mayor is busy reading the funnies, and ignores him while he finishes
reading his favorite strip.
Mayor Wilkins: (chuckles and shakes his head) I, I just love the Family
Circus! That P.J., he's getting to be quite a handful.
He drops the paper on his desk. Allan gives him an acknowledging nod and
weak smile. The Mayor now looks at the swords lying on his desk.
Mayor Wilkins: Well... I haven't seen anything like this in, uh...
(looks up at Allan) Well, a good long while. (to Trick) Where's the
owner of these fine implements?
Trick: The common term is 'slain'. But I've been seeing this breed
around. Are we expecting any trouble?
Mayor Wilkins: (smiles up at Trick) Do you like Family Circus?
Trick: (seriously) I like Marmaduke.
Mayor Wilkins: (disgusted) Oh! (shivers) Eww! He's always on the
furniture. Unsanitary.
Trick: Nobody can tell Marmaduke what to do. (grins) That's my kinda
dog.
Allan: (smiling eagerly) I like to read Cathy.
Mr. Trick and the Mayor both give him a look. Allan swallows nervously.
Allan: So, uh, what ab-bout these swords? W-what should we do about
that?
Mayor Wilkins: (inspects them) Well, let's just keep an eye out. We've
got the dedication coming up in a few days. We certainly can't have
anything interfering with that.
Allan: (fidgeting) Well, maybe we should postpone the... the-the
dedication.
The Mayor gives him an incredulous look. Trick looks at him intensely.
Trick: I believe the Honorable Mayor *hates* that idea.
Mayor Wilkins: (stands up) The dedication... (walks toward the liquor
cabinet) is the final step before my Ascension. (Allan jumps out of his
way) I have waited longer than you can imagine for this. (opens the
cabinet, opens a box of moist towelettes) After the Hundred Days, (pulls
out a towelette) I'll be on a higher plane. (steps back to Allan, wiping
his hands) And I'll have no more need for... (folds up the used
towelette) Well, let's just say I won't be concerned... with the little
things. (holds it up to Allan, who takes it, and goes back to his desk.)
Mr. Trick, watch these people. Anything you find out about them, well,
let's just see that that information reaches the Slayers. (takes the
short sword from Trick, looks it over) Who knows? With any luck, they'll
kill each other. Then everyone's a winner. (looks at Allan) Everyone, of
course, meaning me. (chuckles)
Opening credits roll. Buffy's theme plays.
~~~~~~~~~~ Part 1 ~~~~~~~~~~
Sunnydale High School.
Xander: Willow, what are these?
Willow: They're early admission packets.
Cut to the student lounge. Xander and Oz are sitting on one of the
couches across from Willow and Buffy on the other. The table between
them is piled up with college acceptance letters and application forms.
Xander goes through a stack of them, reading off the university names.
Xander: Harvard... Yale... Wesleyan... Some German Polytechnical
Institute whose name I, uh... (tries to read it) I can't pronounce.
(drops the packets, leans back) Is anyone else intimidated? (looks at
Oz) 'Cause I'm just expecting thin slips of paper with the words 'No
Way' written in crayon.
Oz: They're typing those now.
Xander: (nods) Hmm.
Willow and Buffy are paging through some of the brochures.
Willow: (smiling) I'm so overwhelmed! I-I got in! To actual colleges!
And, a-and they're wooing me! They're pitching woo!
Buffy: (smiles) The wooing stage is always fun.
Willow: (sighs) But it's weird. Now, rejection I can handle 'cause of
the years of training, but this...
Xander: I feel your pain, Will. Like right now, I'm torn between the
fast-growing fields of appliance repair and motel management. Of course,
I'm still waiting to hear back from the, uh, Corndog Emporium, so...
He crosses his fingers and then holds his hands together in a sarcastic
gesture of prayer. Buffy gives him a giggle.
Buffy: Well, I think it's great. Early admission. (to Willow) Now
there's nothing standing between you and a brilliant future.
Oz: Well, if I may suggest, graduate. Gettin' left back: not the thrill
ride you'd expect.
Cordelia approaches from behind the boys.
Cordelia: That's so cute! Planning life as a loser? (Xander glances up
at her) Most people just turn out that way, but you're really taking
charge.
Xander: The comedy stylings of Miss Cordelia Chase, everyone. (looks up
at her) Who, uh, incidentally, won't be needing a higher education when
she markets her own very successful line of hooker wear.
He checks out her outfit, which is typically revealing.
Cordelia: Well, Xander, I could dress more like you, but, (in mock
sympathy) oh, my father has a job.
She immediately leaves. Xander watches her go, once again having nothing
to say.
Xander: I'm not gonna waste the perfect comeback on you now. (points at
her) But don't think I don't have it. (miffed) Oh, yes! Its time will
come!
He turns back to the group and pretends Cordelia doesn't exist.
Xander: So, life beyond high school. (fishes for sympathy) Anyone,
please... chime in.
Buffy: I hear it's nice. And a place I'll never go if I don't pass Mrs.
Taggart's chemistry test tomorrow. (looks at Willow)
Willow: Oh! I can help. Chemistry's easy. It's a lot like witchcraft,
only less newt. So whadaya say? Study jam, my house, tonight?
Buffy: I'm there.
The bell rings, and they all get ready to go to class.
Buffy: Oh. I have to go see Giles, report on last night's patrol.
Willow: Oh, yeah. He said he wanted to talk to you.
Buffy: What about? Is he okay?
Willow: (slightly concerned) He's looked better.
Cut to the library. Giles is sitting on the study table facing the doors
with his arms crossed and looking very bored while a somewhat foppish,
well tailored young man goes through some books in a box on the table.
Wesley: Of course, training procedures have been updated quite a bit
since your day. Much greater emphasis on field work.
Giles: (very bored) Really?
Wesley: Oh, yes. (walks around to another box) Not all books and theory
nowadays. (reaches in for some books) I have, in fact, faced two
vampires myself. Under controlled circumstances, of course.
Giles: (uncrosses his arms) Well, no danger of finding those here.
Wesley: (looks up) Vampires?
Giles: Controlled circumstances. (sees Buffy enter) Hello, Buffy.
Wesley overhears, looks at her and smiles condescendingly.
Wesley: Well... (steps to the head of the table) Hello. (smiles smugly)
Buffy gives him a quick look up and down.
Buffy: (to Giles) New Watcher?
Giles: New Watcher.
Wesley takes a step toward her and holds out his hand in greeting.
Wesley: Wesley Wyndam-Pryce.
Buffy makes no move to return the gesture, but continues to eye him
critically. A moment later he steps back again.
Wesley: It's very nice to meet you.
Buffy steps over to Giles, never removing her eyes from Wesley.
Buffy: Is he evil?
Wesley: (perplexed) Evil?
Buffy: The last one was evil.
Wesley: (thoughtfully) Oh, yes. Gwendolyn Post. We all heard. No. Mr.
Giles has checked my credentials rather thoroughly and phoned the
Council, but I'm glad to see you're on the ball as well. (takes a
secretive step toward her) A good Slayer is a cautious Slayer. (steps
back)
Buffy: (to Giles) Is he evil?
Giles: Not in the strictest sense.
Wesley: Well, I'm glad that's cleared up. (walks around the table) As
I'm sure none of us is anxious to waste any time on pleasantries, (picks
up his Watcher diary) why don't you tell me everything about last
night's patrol. (flips to a blank page)
Buffy: Vampires.
Wesley: (inquiringly) Yes?
Buffy: Killed 'em.
Wesley: (fishing for details) Anything else you can tell me?
Buffy glances at Giles. He nods that she should cooperate.
Buffy: Uh... (thinks) One of them had swords. I don't think he was with
the other two.
Wesley: (something clicks) Swords?
He sets down his diary, goes back to his box of books and begins to
rifle through them.
Wesley: Swords...
He finds the book he wants and begins to leaf through it.
Wesley: One long, one short?
Buffy: Mmm. Both pointy. (to Giles) With, like, jewels and things.
Giles: Sounds familiar.
Wesley: (comes back with the book) It should.
He holds it out in front of Giles, who takes it and reads.
Giles: El Eliminati. Fifteenth Century...
Wesley: (interrupts) Fifteenth Century duelist cult, deadly in their
day. Their numbers dwindled in later centuries due to an increase in
anti-vampire activity and a lot of pointless dueling.
Buffy and Giles both look up at him, surprised by his rudeness.
Wesley: They eventually became the acolytes of a demon called
Balthazar, who brought them to the New World, specifically here.
Giles: (closes the book, hands it back) You seem to know a lot about
them.
Wesley: I didn't get this job because of my looks. (goes back to his
box)
Buffy: I really, really believe that. (nods)
Wesley: (looks at her snidely) I've researched this town's history
extensively.
Giles: So why have we not seen them before this?
Wesley: (comes back) They were driven out a hundred years ago. Happily,
Balthazar was killed. I don't know by whom.
Buffy: And they're back 'cause...?
Wesley: Balthazar had an amulet purported to give him strength. When he
was killed, it was taken by a wealthy landowner named... (sees their
looks) I don't want to bore you with the details.
Buffy: A little bit late.
Wesley: ...named Gleaves. It was buried with him, and I believe the few
remaining Eliminati are probably looking for it. For sentimental value.
Giles: A-and you don't think that this, uh, amulet poses any threat?
Wesley: (steps back to his box) Oh, no, not at all. Nonetheless, we may
as well keep it from them. Buffy, you will go to the Gleaves family
crypt tonight and fetch the amulet. (reaches in)
Buffy: I will?
Wesley: (pauses) Are you not used to being given orders?
Buffy: Whenever Giles sends me on a mission, he always says 'please'.
And afterwards I get a cookie.
She grins at Giles, who smiles back modestly.
Wesley: (comes back) I don't feel we're getting off on quite the right
foot.
Just then they hear footsteps, and look up to see Faith walk in.
Wesley: Ah. This is perhaps Faith.
Faith stops and critically looks Wesley up and down.
Faith: New Watcher?
Buffy and Giles: New Watcher.
Faith: (snickers) Screw that.
She turns right around and walks out. Wesley feels put off.
Buffy: (to Giles) Now, why didn't *I* just say that?
Giles: (gently) Uh, Buffy, would you...
Buffy: I'll see if I can get her back. (slips off of the table and
walks out) Don't say anything terribly interesting while I'm gone.
Wesley watches her go. He and Giles both reach into their pockets for
handkerchiefs, take off their glasses and begin to clean them.
Wesley: They'll get used to me.
Giles notices their tandem actions, immediately stops cleaning and puts
his glasses back on before Wesley has a chance to turn around. When he
does, Giles just smiles up at him, covering his handkerchief with his
hands.
Cut to the quad. Buffy catches up with Faith as they come walking around
a corner.
Buffy: Faith, wait. Look, I know this new guy's a dork, but... (pauses)
Well, I have nothing to follow that. He's pretty much just a dork.
Faith: You're actually gonna take orders from him?
Buffy: That's the job. What else can we do?
Faith: Whatever we want. We're Slayers, girlfriend, the Chosen Two. Why
should we let *him* take all the fun out of it?
Buffy: Oh, that would be tragic, taking the fun out of slaying,
stabbing, beheading.
Faith: Oh, like you don't dig it.
Buffy: (shrugs) I don't.
Faith: You're a liar. I've *seen* you. Tell me staking a vamp doesn't
get you a little bit juiced. Come on, say it.
She stops and folds her arms, waiting for Buffy's answer. Buffy can't
help but smile, and looks down to hide it.
Faith: (laughs) You can't fool me. The look in your eyes right after a
kill? You just get hungry for more.
Buffy: (shakes her head) You're way off base.
Faith: Tell me that if you don't get in a good slaying, after a while,
you just start itching for some vamp to show up so you can give him a
good (grunts and punches)!
Buffy: Again with the grunting. You realize I'm not comfortable with
this.
Faith: Hey, slaying's what we were built for. If you're not enjoying
it, you're doing something wrong. (starts to leave)
Buffy: (sighs) What about the assignment?
Faith: (looks back) Tell you what: (points) you do the homework, and
I'll copy yours. (grins and goes)
Cut to the Gleaves Family Crypt that night. Buffy slowly walks up to it
and turns on her Maglite. She steps up to the door and opens it. Cut
inside. The large room is dark and dusty. In the center are two stone
coffins. There are several drawers on one wall and a few urns on
shelves. Buffy takes the steps down into the room and goes to the first
coffin. She pushes the heavy lid aside and looks into it with the
flashlight. All that's left of the body is the skeleton and a pile of
hair and fibers.
Buffy: Strike one. No amulet there.
She goes to the next coffin and pushes its lid aside. The body in this
one has dried out and looks mummified. The clothes are still more or
less intact, and around its neck hangs the amulet.
Buffy: Game over.
She reaches in for it, but jerks back up when she hears noises coming
from outside. Through the door she sees torches coming closer and hears
voices. She quickly jumps up onto the first coffin, rolls into it and
twists off her Maglite just as Vincent, the leader of the Eliminati,
pushes the door open. He looks around, but doesn't notice when Buffy
pulls the lid of the coffin back into place. Vincent walks down the
stairs and goes over to the open coffin. His troops follow him. Inside
her coffin, Buffy looks over at the skull beside her, but remains quiet.
Vincent looks into the open coffin, sees the amulet and yanks it from
the body's neck. He takes a good look at it and smiles at his troops,
indicating success for their mission. In the other coffin Buffy remains
absolutely still. The Eliminati start to make their way out. When Buffy
hears the door close she pushes the lid back open and climbs out, only
to be startled by Faith's hand on her shoulder.
Buffy: Faith!
Faith: What are you doing, hiding in there?
Buffy: Looking for the amulet. Wasn't counting on the Special Guest
Stars. Six against one. (gestures at the coffin) Hence the hiding.
Faith: Well, it's six against two now, so come on.
She rushes out of the crypt. Buffy climbs out of the coffin and follows
her out. Cut outside. They come out in time to see the last two
Eliminati jump down through a manhole into the sewers below. Faith makes
tracks for it.
Buffy: Wait. Stop. Think!
Faith: (stops, defiantly) No, no, no! (starts again)
Buffy: (chases her) It's a manhole. Tight space, no escape, six against
two, not unlike three against one.
Faith: And there might be more, (grabs Buffy's arm) so come on. (lets
go)
Buffy: You're just gonna go down there. That's your plan.
Faith: Who said I had a plan? I don't know how many's down there, but I
wanna find out. And I'll know when I land. If you don't come in after
me, (shrugs and smiles) I might die!
Without any further hesitation she jumps in. Buffy can't believe it, but
realizes she can't let her do it alone, and jumps in after her.
~~~~~~~~~~ Part 2 ~~~~~~~~~~
The library. Wesley is at the study table going through a mass of books.
Giles paces nervously.
Wesley: These are all the diaries, then? Yours included?
Giles: (in a worried tone) That's everything. Knock yourself out.
Please?
Wesley: (flips through Giles' diary) Oh, yes! Here's your first entry.
'Slayer is willful and insolent.' (smirks) That would be our girl,
wouldn't it?
Giles: (continues pacing, takes off his glasses) Well, you have to get
to know her.
Wesley: Mm. (reads) 'Her abuse of the English language is such that I
understand only every other sentence.' (looks up) Oh, this is going to
make fascinating reading.
Giles: (checks his watch) She should be back by now.
Wesley: (checks his watch) Not to fret. (reaches for a mint) My mission
scenario has her back in one minute. (pops the mint) Shouldn't be any
trouble.
Cut to the sewers. Buffy and Faith have their hands full fighting the
Eliminati. Buffy does a low front snap kick to one of them on the
ground. Faith backhand punches another, and his head snaps hard to the
side. Buffy grabs yet another and shoves him aside.
Buffy: We're surrounded!
Faith: You noticed that, too?!
Faith backhand punches another Eliminatus. Buffy ducks a vampire's swing
and does a roundhouse kick to the back of his knee, making him collapse
to the floor. Faith sidesteps her attacker, grabs his arm, swings him
around and throws him toward a wall. Buffy does a full spinning hook
kick to an incoming vampire and follows up with a roundhouse kick to his
head. Another one comes at her from the side and tries to bring his
sword down on her from above, but she steps back in time, and it just
clangs on the floor.
Faith throws her vampire up against a wall, and he collapses to the
floor. She does a half-spinning hook kick to another Eliminatus behind
her, and he falls dazed onto a raised area. Another vampire jumps up
onto it and leaps at Faith. She sidesteps him and pulls him down over
the other one.
Buffy does a back elbow jab at a vampire's face, causing him to step
backwards and trip over a fallen vampire. Another one jumps into the
fray and tries to punch her, but she middle blocks him, grabs onto his
arm and throws him up against the rock wall. He tries to come at her
again, but she side kicks him soundly in the gut, forcing him back up
against the wall. The Eliminatus who was down is up again, and she front
snap kicks him, knocking him hard onto his back.
Faith turns around just in time to get punched in the face by Vincent.
He tries to punch her again, but she ducks it and rises back up to
roundhouse kick him in the side of the head.
Buffy blocks two punches from the vampire against the wall and punches
him in the face and again in the gut. He goes down.
Faith does a half spinning, jumping out-to-in crescent kick to the head
of one of them. Then she high blocks a punch from one behind her.
Buffy gets a roundhouse kick in the head and falls to the ground by a
pool of water. Her attacker advances on her, and she roundhouse kicks
him in the back of the knee, making him lose his balance.
Faith punches one in the head, but he comes back with a punch to Faith's
gut and grabs her.
Faith: Lemme go!
He shoves her hard against a concrete wall. Buffy sees her predicament
and throws her stake into the vampire's back as she gets up from the
floor. He bursts into ashes. Faith gives Buffy a smile. However, with
her attention on Faith, Buffy doesn't notice the one behind her, and he
grabs her and holds her still for Vincent. He holds out his long sword,
pointing it at her chest.
Vincent: Let's settle this honorably.
Buffy jumps up against the one holding her and does an out-to-in low
crescent kick, knocking the sword out of Vincent's hand. It goes flying
into the pool of water. Then she shrugs off the one holding her, and he
falls to the floor. Vincent grabs hold of her, though, and tries to
thrust at her with his short sword. She jerks out of the way in time and
grabs hold of his arm, but he uses this to his advantage and grabs her
around the back with his other arm, pinning her against the edge of the
pool.
Vincent: Well, then, let's just settle it.
He dunks her head into the water. She struggles to get back up, but
can't get a good grip on anything in the filthy water. In the meantime,
another vampire gets Faith in a full Nelson hold. She sees Buffy
struggling in the water.
Faith: Buffy! (struggles with her assailant) You son of a bitch!
Vincent keeps holding Buffy's head under water. She struggles valiantly
to get up, but just can't. It isn't much longer before she starts to get
weak from lack of oxygen and stops struggling, apparently passing out.
Vincent holds her under for another few seconds, then lets go and turns
his attention to Faith. Buffy remains motionless in the water. Vincent
grins widely at Faith, who keeps struggling, but to no avail.
Suddenly Buffy leaps up, Vincent's long sword in hand, and swings it
around at his head. He's too quick, though, and ducks it, but is left
off balance in a crouch.
Buffy: I hate it when they drown me.
She swings at him again, but he reacts instantly, somersaulting out of
the way and back to his feet. He faces her wielding his short sword. She
makes quick work of it, knocking it out of his hand with her first
swing. She swings at him again widely, but he manages to dodge her.
Faith breaks out of the Nelson hold, spins around and punches the
vampire in the face. He staggers against the wall. She grabs him and
pulls him around, and he flies up and over the small raised area.
Faith: B! Gotta go!
Buffy misses another swing, but has a determined look on her face.
Buffy: We came for the amulet.
She jabs the sword straight at Vincent, getting the tip right between
the chain holding the amulet at his waist. She lifts the sword, drawing
the chain out from under his belt, and it slides down the length of the
blade to the hilt. Vincent is freaked by her accuracy and hightails it
out of there. Buffy pulls the amulet from the sword and holds it in her
hand. Faith comes up next to her.
Faith: (breathing heavily) Tell me you don't get off on this!
Buffy: (smiles at the amulet) It didn't suck.
Cut to the library. Wesley has the amulet in hand and inspects it under
a magnifying glass. Giles stands in his office doorway.
Wesley: Well... Looks authentic enough. (looks up) Of course, there are
tests to be made before actual verification.
Buffy: How about verifying that your 'nearly extinct' cult was out in
magnum force last night? Faith and I got into a serious party situation.
Giles: Are you alright?
Buffy: I had to lather, rinse, and repeat about five million times to
get the sewer out of my hair, but otherwise, I'm of the good. Thank you
for asking.
She gives Wesley a look, making it very clear he should have asked as
well.
Wesley: Perhaps there were a few more than we'd anticipated, but I'd
expect you to be ready for anything. (looks her in the eye) Remember the
three key words for any Slayer: preparation... preparation...
preparation.
Buffy: That's one word three times.
The school bell rings. Buffy gets up.
Buffy: I have a chem test. So sad that I'm actually happy about that.
(starts out) Giles, we need to talk.
Wesley: (stands up pompously) Buffy... (she stops, but doesn't face
him) I must ask you to remember that I am your Watcher. (she faces him)
From now on, anything you have to say about slaying you will say to me.
The only thing you need discuss with Mr. Giles is overdue book fees.
Understood?
Buffy: (turns to Giles) We'll talk.
Giles: Of course.
Buffy leaves for her test.
Wesley: (to Giles) You're not helping.
Giles: (dripping with sarcasm) No. I feel just sick about it.
He takes off his glasses and goes into his office. Wesley is incensed.
Cut to chemistry class. Mrs. Taggart passes out the exam booklets. Buffy
is at the second to last table by the windows. She is twisted around in
her seat, talking quietly to Willow and Xander, who are sitting at the
last table.
Buffy: It was intense. It was like I just... let go and became this
force. I just didn't care anymore.
Willow: Yeah, I know what that's like.
Buffy: I don't think you can! It's kind of a Slayer thing. I don't even
think I'm explaining it well.
Xander: You're explaining it a lot, though.
Mrs. Taggart hands Xander and Willow their tests. Buffy turns around.
Mrs. Taggart: Alright. You have one period to fill out your test
booklets. Periodic charts are located on the back. (walks toward the
front) You're on the honor system, so remember, no talking.
Buffy turns back to Willow and Xander.
Buffy: You see, the thing was, Faith knew I didn't even wanna go down
there...
Mrs. Taggart: (interrupts) Ahem. Ms. Summers?
Buffy faces the front and gestures that she's buttoning her lips now.
Mrs. Taggart: (to the class) You have one hour.
She gives Buffy another look and then leaves the room. Buffy immediately
turns back to Willow and Xander.
Buffy: Okay, so the best part...
Willow: (interrupts, concerned) Buffy. Test? You know. Remember? The
thing you didn't come over to study for?
Buffy: (seems to get it) Right. Got it.
She turns back to her test, but can't resist, and turns around again.
Buffy: (smiles) Sorry. Okay, so we're down there, in the sewers, and
Faith (Xander's eye twitches) got three of them on her at once...
Xander: Hey! Whoa! Can we resume Buffy's 'Ode to Faith' later, like
when I'm not actively multiple-choicing?
Buffy: (realizes) How come your eye twitches every time I say Faith's
name?
Xander: (twitches his eye) (defensively) What? (chuckles) No, it
doesn't.
Buffy leans in closer to him, her eyes intently watching his face.
Buffy: Faith.
His eye twitches, and he slaps his hand over it.
Xander: Cut it out! We got a test to take, okay? And I'm highly
caffeinated, and I'm trying to concentrate. Some of us actually care
about school. You know.
Buffy looks to Willow, but she's concentrating on her test. Buffy
finally realizes that she's not going to be allowed to continue her
story, and settles down to take her test. She opens the booklet, but is
interrupted, along with the rest of the class, by Faith rapping on the
window pane trying to get Buffy's attention. Faith lifts the sash and
leans in.
Faith: (smiles) Hey, girlfriend. (looks around) Bad time?
She leans over to the next window, wipes the dust from it with her
sleeve, exhales to fog it and uses her index fingers to draw a heart
with a stake through it. She looks at Buffy, smiles and bounces her
eyebrows. Buffy considers for only a moment before deciding to blow off
the test. She slides down from her lab stool and heads for the window.
Willow and Xander are shocked.
Willow: No, sh-she can't!
Faith smiles and leans back in to wait for her partner.
Willow: Y-you can't! Can you?
Buffy ignores her and climbs out of the window. Faith lowers the sash
after Buffy has climbed out. Willow can't believe what just happened.
Cut outside. The Slayers walk away from the building.
Buffy: What's up?
Faith: Vampires.
Buffy: Uh, Faith, unless there's a total eclipse in the next five
minutes, it's daylight.
Faith: Good for us, bad for them. Found a nest.
Buffy: (smiles, suddenly comprehending) Has potential.
Cut to the vampire nest. It's gloomy. Only a few rays of sunlight are
getting in. There are vampires lying all over the floor waiting out the
day. Buffy and Faith kick in the door. Bright sunlight washes in and
onto one of them, who quickly bursts into flames. The lot of them
scramble to their feet and begin to run. The Slayers smile into the
nest.
Faith: Rise and shine, people.
Buffy: It's your wake-up call.
They both pull out stakes and run in for a good fight.
Cut to the Bronze that evening. Faith and Buffy are on the dance floor
gyrating to the hard techno sound of "Chinese Burn", performed by Curve.
Three boys come over to them and dance around them. The camera shows a
brief view from above of the two girls surrounded by the boys. They
pretty much ignore the guys and just hump the air around them. Angel
walks under the stairs to the edge of the dance floor and stops to
watch, a look of deep concern on his face. The camera shows another
brief shot of them from above. Eventually Buffy notices Angel standing
at the side. When he sees her notice he makes a move to go. Buffy
squeezes out from the crowd to go to him. Faith doesn't miss a beat and
starts to paw at the boys, keeping them well entertained.
Lyrics: She burns friends like a piece of wood
When Buffy reaches Angel she jumps up on him and wraps her arms around
his neck and her legs around his hips. Angel supports her at the waist.
Buffy: Hey! You're not leaving, are you?
Lyrics: And she's jealous of me because she never could
Angel: (glances over at Faith and the boys) I saw you making friends.
Buffy: (glances dismissingly) Them?
Lyrics: Hold herself up without a spine
Buffy: (faces him, smiling) Boys! I like you.
Lyrics: And she'll look me up when she's doing fine
Angel reacts in his usual somber way. Buffy hops down off of him.
Buffy: (coyly teasing) What's the matter? You're not afraid of little
me, are ya?
Angel: (seriously) We better sit down. Come on.
He leads her away to a small alcove behind the stairs.
Buffy: I can sense this is a business trip.
Angel sits. Buffy plops down next to him.
Buffy: (flippantly) What's the what?
Angel: Balthazar.
Buffy: (snuggles close to him) Dead demon.
Angel: Not as dead as you think.
He gets up and sits across from her, putting some distance between them.
Angel: Word on the street puts him in the packing warehouse on
Devereau. He's looking for...
Buffy: His amulet. It's supposed to restore his strength.
Angel: From what I'm hearing, that's not something we'd like to see
happen.
Buffy: No problem. We got the amulet.
Angel: I know. I spoke to Giles, but he said you gave it to someone.
Wesley pokes his head around the stairs and finds them.
Wesley: (points accusingly) Ah. There you are.
Buffy: (mockingly) Ah. Speak of the really annoying person.
Wesley: (looks around) You're certainly giving me a run for my money.
(sits next to her, whispers) I think we ought to establish that if
you're going to go out slaying, you leave me a number where I can
contact you.
Angel: Where's the amulet?
Wesley snaps his head around and looks at Angel in surprise.
Wesley: Who are you?
Angel: A friend. Do you have it?
Wesley: (smugly) It's somewhere safe.
Buffy looks at his jacket, reaches in and pulls out the amulet.
Wesley: How did you know?
Buffy: It pooches your jacket.
She tosses it to Angel.
Wesley: (protests) Now, hang on a minute...
Angel: (holds it up) Walking around with this thing is like wearing a
target.
Buffy: You're gonna put it somewhere safe (to Wesley) that's actually
safe?
Angel: (stands up) Yeah. I'll do it now.
Buffy: (stands also) I'll do some recon on Balthazar.
Wesley: (joins them in standing) (incredulously) If I may... Balthazar
is dead. Am I the only one that remembers that?
They ignore him. Angel leans over and gives Buffy a kiss.
Angel: Be careful.
Buffy: You know me.
Angel: (sternly) I mean it.
They both go in opposite directions, leaving Wesley behind and very
confused.
Wesley: What's going on?
Buffy walks onto the dance floor and grabs Faith. She pulls her out of
the crowd and toward the door. Faith lets herself be led away, but
points back at the boys.
Faith: Call me!
The guys are bummed to see her go.
Cut to the packing warehouse.
Balthazar: Let me tell you what I see.
Cut inside. Balthazar is enormously obese with very pale, pasty, slimy
skin. He sits suspended in a tank of filthy water, while one of the
Eliminati pours ladle after ladle of it over him in an effort to keep
his skin moist.
Balthazar: I see fear... and remorse... and the pitiful look of faces
that cry out for mercy! But what I *don't* see is what I *want* to see,
AND THAT'S... MY... AMULET!
Vampire: Lord Balthazar, we found it! We had it! But the Slayers...
Balthazar: Already I'm bored.
He holds out his hands, and the air between him and the vampires is
suddenly disturbed. The vampire floats involuntarily over to Balthazar,
who grabs his throat and squeezes until his neck breaks and he slumps
lifelessly to the floor. Vincent watches, extremely worried that he may
be next.
Balthazar: Vincent... Come here.
He wheezes hard as Vincent slowly approaches.
Balthazar: Closer.
Vincent leans toward him.
Balthazar: Closer.
Vincent leans close enough to be spat upon. Balthazar puts his hands on
Vincent's shoulders.
Balthazar: Let me tell you... what I want to see.
Cut outside. Faith and Buffy look for the packing warehouse and find it.
They look in through a crack in the door and see Balthazar surrounded by
the Eliminati.
Buffy: Okay, we got ten, maybe twelve bad guys and one big demon in
desperate need of a Stairmaster.
Faith: I say we take 'em all, hard and fast and now.
Buffy: We need a little more firepower than none. We should head back
to the library.
Faith: Well, I guess Jacuzzi Boy isn't going anywhere. (looks around) I
just... wish we had...
Across the street at the end of the alley she sees Meyer's Sport and
Tackle shop. She points Buffy in that direction.
Faith: Ah. That is too good.
They head for the store.
Cut to the store. Faith kicks in the front door. Cut inside. They walk
through quickly. looking for anything useful to them. Faith finds the
Archery counter.
Faith: Ah. Score.
She spies a small crossbow, complete with 4x optical sights, on display
beneath the glass countertop. She breaks the glass with her elbow,
reaches in and pulls it out.
Buffy: Think they're insured?
Faith: Strangely, not my priority. (checks the trigger mechanism) When
are ya gonna get this, B? Life for a Slayer is very simple: (walks to a
vertical case) want... (breaks it) take... (reaches in for a set of nun-
chucks) have. (stuffs them into her pants)
Buffy seems a bit unsure, but changes her mind when she spies a case of
hunting knives.
Buffy: Want... (walks to the case) take... (stops in front of it) have.
She punches the glass with her fist, and it breaks, disturbing a dagger,
which she catches as it falls. She pulls her hand out and turns the
blade over in her hand, smiling.
Buffy: I'm gettin' it.
Faith smiles, too, seeing that Buffy is finally coming around to her way
of thinking. She turns around and sees a compound hunting bow under the
glass of another display case, and kicks it in. Buffy just gives her a
brief glance. Faith pulls the bow out and looks it over, then smiles at
her partner in slayage. But before they can get any further, they are
surprised by a gunshot. They spin around to see they've been caught by
two police officers. They both have their service revolvers aimed at
them.
Officer: Drop the weapons and get down on the ground! Now!
~~~~~~~~~~ Part 3 ~~~~~~~~~~
Inside Meyer's Sport and Tackle. The police officer takes a step closer,
eyeing the two girls.
Officer: I said drop the weapons, or I fire.
Buffy slowly reaches her hand out and sets the dagger on a counter. The
officer is satisfied, and turns his attention to Faith. She gives in,
but isn't as gentle with the hunting bow as Buffy was with the knife,
simply extending her arm and tossing it aside. The two officers visibly
relax a bit, but keep their guns up and ready.
Officer: Now spread 'em.
Faith: (haughtily) You wish.
Buffy's eyes go wide with concern for what Faith might do. The officers
tense up again.
Officer: Hands in the air where I can see 'em. Slow!
Faith smiles at him, but does as she's told and raises her arms over her
head. Buffy raises hers as well, but just level to her shoulders.
Officer: Good. (to his partner) Now cuff 'em.
His partner holsters his gun and reaches into his belt for his cuffs.
Faith checks out the one still holding the gun.
Faith: (to Buffy, smiling sexily) I like him. He's butch.
Cut inside the police car. Buffy and Faith are in the back seat with
their hands cuffed behind their backs. A heavy steel mesh separates them
from the officers in the front seat.
Officer: That's some artillery you two were puttin' together. You with
one of them girl gangs?
Faith: (sarcastically) Yeah. We're the Slayers.
The officer laughs. Faith doesn't think it's funny.
Faith: (quietly to Buffy) You wanna get outta here?
She slouches down in the seat. Buffy realizes what she intends, and
isn't at all sure it's a good idea.
Faith: (impatiently) We can't save the world in jail.
Buffy sees the truth in that, and slowly slouches down also. Faith
raises her legs, and Buffy follows her lead.
Faith: (quietly) One, two...
They both push-kick hard into the steel mesh, making it buckle and tear
at the edges and hit the officers in the backs of their heads. The
driver loses control of the car, and it swerves screechingly to the left
and smashes into a parked car. The damage isn't terribly serious, but
the police car's radiator has burst, and the steam rises thickly,
obscuring the view. Both officers are unconscious. Buffy climbs out of
the front passenger-side door. A moment later Faith comes out as well
with one of the officer's keys. They turn back-to-back and fumble with
the keys, trying to unlock the cuffs.
Buffy: (looking at the officers) We should call an ambulance.
Faith: Five people already have, the racket we made, and they're fine.
She's right. One of them is already regaining consciousness. She gets
the cuffs unlocked.
Faith: Come on. Let's get outta here.
She starts to run, but looks back when Buffy doesn't immediately follow.
Faith: COME ON!
Buffy sees the other officer start to come to as well. She looks around
quickly a last time and runs after Faith.
Cut to Buffy's house the next morning. Cut to the kitchen. Buffy enters
through the back door, bringing the paper in with her. She is engrossed
in an article, perhaps about the break-in and police car accident. Joyce
walks in from the dining room.
Joyce: Admit it.
Buffy looks up surprised. Her mother leans on the island.
Joyce: Some days don't you wanna just wake up and say to Hell with the
diet? Wanna make waffles? Big Saturday brunch?
Buffy: No, thanks. I'm not really that hungry. (turns the page)
Joyce sighs and goes to the dish cabinet.
Joyce: So, what did you and Faith do last night?
Buffy: Nothing. Uh... (smiles thinly) Nothing really important.
Joyce: (gets a coffee mug) Don't worry. (grabs the coffee pot) I'm not
gonna meddle in your slaying. (pours a cup) Just as long as you're
careful.
Buffy: (engrossed in reading) I am.
Joyce sees how she's concentrating and steps over to the island.
Joyce: You sure about those waffles?
Buffy looks up and closes the paper.
Buffy: Yeah. But if you want them, I can help you make them.
Joyce: No. (sighs) They only don't have calories if I make them for
you. (Buffy doesn't get it) Mom logic. You, uh, done with the paper?
Buffy: (gets up) Yeah. (leaves the kitchen)
Joyce: (opens the paper) Let's see what's happening in Sunnydale.
Cut to the Mayor's office. He poses with a troop of young Boy Scouts.
They all have huge smiles on their faces. The photographer snaps the
picture.
Mayor Wilkins: There we go.
The Scouts all file out of the office.
Mayor Wilkins: Thanks a lot, fellas. Thanks a heap.
He goes to the window, where the blinds are open, letting in plenty of
light.
Mayor Wilkins: Hey, have fun on that camping trip, now. Don't forget to
roast a wiener for me.
Allan shoos the last of the Scouts out and closes the door securely.
The Mayor chuckles as he closes the blinds, then walks to the other
window and closes them there, too.
Mayor Wilkins: Here we go. Alright, you can come out now.
The door to his private bathroom opens, and Mr. Trick comes back into
the office.
Mayor Wilkins: (shakes his finger at the office door, smiling) Backbone
of America, those little guys. Seeing the hope and courage on their
bright little faces, I swear I could just, I... I could just eat 'em up.
(chuckles, heads for his liquor cabinet) So, any news about the
Eliminati?
He opens the cabinet, and out jumps Vincent. He grabs him by the neck,
pushes him back and down over his desk and holds up his sword to attack.
Vincent: In the name of Lord Balthazar, DIE!
Before he can do anything else, Mr. Trick punches him in the forehead.
Vincent falls backward onto the floor, unconscious. The Mayor coughs as
he sits up on the edge of the desk and straightens his tie.
Mayor Wilkins: Thank you, Mr. Trick. That was very thoughtful of you.
Trick: Why do they always gotta be using swords? (picks it up, tosses
it to Allan) It's called an Uzi, ya chump! Could have saved your ass
right about now.
Allan would rather not have the sword, and looks down at Vincent aghast.
Mayor Wilkins: (to Allan, arms crossed) You know, it's curious how he
could've gotten all the way into my liquor cabinet. (Allan looks up at
him) Allan, don't we have, don't we have security working in this
building?
Allan: (scared and nervous) Sir, I... I had no idea. I-I...
Mayor Wilkins: There's no need to swoon, Allan. But try to keep things
secure. (looks down at Vincent) Lock him up. (goes to his chair)
Trick: He wakes up, he's just gonna try and kill you again.
Mayor Wilkins: (sits) (smugly) Yes. Yes, I expect he will.
Cut to the packing warehouse. One of the Eliminati lifts the ladle and
pours the water over Balthazar. The camera shifts focus onto the new
leader of the Eliminati.
Balthazar: Vincent made a noble effort. Man to man, as befits a true
warrior. (wheezes) He had courage... He had honor... AND I HAVE *JACK*
TO SHOW FOR IT! (calms a bit) It's been a hundred years since my enemy
crippled me. Now ultimate power is within his grasp. And I shall *not*
let it be! Forget about honor! Forget about everything! But getting my
amulet! Bring the Watchers to me! Find the Slayers and kill them! Kill
everything that gets in your way! GOOOOO! GOOOOO!
Cut to Buffy's house.
Buffy: Mmm.
Willow: You like it?
Cut to Buffy's room. She and Willow are sitting on her bed. Buffy is
sniffing a small black felt pouch that Willow gave to her.
Buffy: It smells good. What is it?
Willow: (smiling proudly) Just a little something we witches like to
call a protection spell.
Buffy: Good deal, protection. (sniffs) I'm surprised, though, 'cause
usually spell stuff's more...
Willow: Stinky. Yeah. That's why I added lavender. Give me time, and I
may be the first wicca to do all my conjuring in pine fresh scent. So
what's the plan?
Buffy gives her an inquiring look.
Willow: For tonight's slayage. We're going, aren't we?
Buffy: (wanting to avoid the subject) Yeah.
Willow: (knowing there's more) Great!
Buffy: (realizes she can't hide it) But... there's a 'but'. And that's
'but you shouldn't come... tonight.' Is that cool?
Willow: (slightly hurt) Well, sure. Makes sense. You know... You'll be
facing big, hairy danger.
Buffy: (tries to justify it) Uh, b-biggest and very hairy.
Willow: (fishes for more information) You'll be risking your life.
