Create a New Forum Owner Login Contribute & Create Your Member account VoyUser Login (see contribute) VoyForums Directory/Categories No-ads: Completely remove ads from your forum VoyForums Homepage VoyForums News Help Desk VoyForums Exchange FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions Search VoyForums

[ VoyUser Login optional ] [ Contact Forum Admin ] [ Main index ] [ Post a new message ] [ Search | Check update time | Archives: 1, [2], 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 ]

Subject: 5x08R: Many Happy Returns Author: by Rona [ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ] Date Posted: 02:59:55 01/30/04 Fri Author Host/IP: 62.252.0.6 In reply to: by Rona 's message, "5x08R: Many Happy Returns" on 02:58:52 01/30/04 Fri ACT TWO EXT. STREET – EARLY AFTERNOON: There are a fair amount of people on the street. The W&H Limo cruises by. Many stores are closed. Suddenly there is a tremor. Everything shakes. Some cars stop. People react to the movement then hurry on their way. INT. LIMO – EARLY AFTERNOON: Lilah rides in the back. She is on her mobile phone. LILAH (into phone) It’s about 2:00, now I’ve still got to return this coat, so pencil me in for about 3:30. Thanks, Trudy. (to the driver) It’s in the next block. EXT. STREET – EARLY AFTERNOON: The limo pulls up in front of the Fiorucci store front. Lilah hops out with the bag in hand and hurries into the store. INT. STORE – EARLY AFTERNOON: Lilah walks up toward the counter. The clerk is tied up on the floor behind the counter, then POV Lilah: The place is being ransacked by 4 or 5 green one-horned demons with vicious claws. Clothes are strewn all over the place. The demons all turn, look at her, begin snarling and approach ominously. Lilah reaches into her purse and pulls out a business card. LILAH (brandishing the card) Lilah Morgan, Wolfram & Hart … recently undead. The demons all look at each other, shrug their shoulders then go back to their pillaging. LILAH (holding up the coat) Has anyone seen this in dark purple, size 40 long? INT. LIMO - EARLY AFTERNOON: Lilah is on the phone. LILAH Fred, I got the coat! SPLIT SCREEN FRED in the AI Room at Wolfram & Hart: FRED What took you so long? It’s almost 3:00. LILAH Three?! I have an appointment at 3:30. Those damned Kortho demons kept trying to convince me to go with navy blue. FRED What?! LILAH Never mind. Look, I’m going to send the driver back with your coat. I've got another errand to run and with these tremors, the traffic's bad. FRED You’ll be back in time for the party, right? LILAH I may not be there at the beginning, but I plan to be there. Angel’s supposed to work late so he’ll be in his office at least ‘til 8. FRED There’s a lot of activity out there today Lilah. It's really bad. We're going to have to send in a team. LILAH So what's going on? FRED Willow is going to move the hellmouth. LILAH Where to? Here? Has she ever moved a hellmouth before? Does she have any idea what moving a hellmouth can do? FRED Everyone is pretty much aware. But Angel wants it done, now. LILAH Well, isn't he the impulsive one? Does he realize that we could all be swallowed up… just like Sunnydale? FRED It's the only way to stop it from opening up all over the world. Lilah, maybe you should head back. LILAH I will as soon as I make one more stop. Lilah hangs up her phone. (to the driver) I need you to head back in and I need you to drop off a few items for me. POV Lilah: The sky is turning kind of red. It looks ominous. INT. ANGEL’S OFFICE – LATE AFTERNOON: Lorne pops his head in the door. Angel is standing in the middle of the floor swinging a claymore broad sword [one of the many weapons hanging on his walls], repeating the same three moves over and over which include a spin, thrust and slice. LORNE Hey there sugar lips! Angel jumps mid slice, the sword goes flying smashing several knick-knacks on his credenza. OFF the mess. So, how ya’ doin’? ANGEL (looking at his wrecked pieces) I was doing just fine. LORNE I know this is a helluva time, but I’ve been having a few problems with some of the staff. Morale and all going from an evil law firm to a “not really evil” investigations firm. I wanted to know if you could make some time this evening to give a little peptalk. ANGEL Sure, no problem. Where're you meeting? In the Crystal room? The Lobby? LORNE Well actually hon, we’re having it in the boiler room. ANGEL The boiler room? You’re having my… I mean your meeting in the boiler room? LORNE Sure. That’s where the inciner- ators are. They just aren’t getting the same kind of action since the firm went all goody- goody. No tortures or inciner- ations to dispose of bodies… Their union is threatening a strike. ANGEL Yeah, yeah I get it. LORNE I’ll come up and get you. ANGEL No that’s okay. I’ll just meet you in your office and we’ll head down together. LORNE leaves happily, his plan shaping up. Angel looks around at the mess and yells, “Lilah!” No answer. He looks out into the outer office. Her chair is empty. He picks up the phone and starts to dial. EXT. JUST OFF DOWNTOWN STREET – LATE AFTERNOON: With shopping bag in hand, Lilah hops out of cab in front of a small prairie-style house with a green awning. “TRUDY’S” is spelled out in gold lettering. Lilah walks up and tries the door. It's locked. ON THE DOOR: A Sign lists hours of operation 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. She begins beating on the door yelling “Hello?" "Trudy!” After a moment, TRUDY a 30-ish black female answers the door. Her hair is graying but she has a childlike face. LILAH I thought I missed you. TRUDY (Unlocks the door and lets Lilah in.) You almost did. I have loads of stuff I have to take over to the party for Lorne. INT. – BAKERY – LATE AFTERNOON: Beautiful cakes, pies, candies etc. fill display cases which line the room. They emit fabulous jeweltoned FX. LILAH Do you have it? Trudy hands Lilah a small glistening box with strange writing on the outside. TRUDY It has a short shelf life, Lilah and as much as you spent on this I thought you’d be here earlier. LILAH I got caught in traffic. TRUDY What time do you plan to Use it? LILAH I don't know… about 10 o'clock. TRUDY Your time's really short. I don't know if it will hold that long, unless you incubate it. LILAH What? TRUDY You'll have to eat it, then transfer it. LILAH How do I do that? TRUDY Just follow the instructions. (beat) You need to be careful around here. I’ve even had to bring in extra security. Activity's been really high. Something big is on the horizon. (beat) Maybe you should wait and ride in with us. LILAH I’m fine. I’ve got a cab wait- ing. I’m heading back, now. Lilah drops the package into her shopping bag and hurries out the door. EXT. JUST OFF DOWNTOWN STREET – NIGHT: There are no cars, no cabs, nothing. Lilah’s cab is gone. Her mobile phone rings. She answers, it’s Angel. SPLIT SCREEN: Angel in his office ANGEL So, where are you. It’s FIVE o’clock? LILAH Still downtown. I sent the car back. I’ll be taking a cab in. ANGEL When? LILAH I don’t know. Traffic has been a real bitch. ANGEL Well at least you've been in good company. (beat) We have a team coming out there. Things are going to get nasty so I wish you'd hurry back. LILAH You don't have to be concerned for my safety, Boss. I'm already dead. ANGEL I'm not worried. It's just that my office is a mess and I thought you'd be back to take care of it, by now. LILAH (beat) Angel, I think you might be in over your head with this hellmouth maneuver. This is not the type of thing a novice should be attempting. ANGEL Willow's no novice. She's got it all figured out. LILAH You mean Willow… Willow Rosenberg. Oh yeah that's right… She's that pleasant little witch who almost brought about the destruction of the entire planet. Well golly, now I'm convinced… Everything's in good hands. ANGEL Look, you need to get back here, just in case things don't go as planned. LILAH Well if all I have to look forward to tomorrow is getting sucked into a hell dimension, I think I'd rather spend my last hours in this dimension, shopping. ANGEL Not a chance. We've got clients coming in tomorrow and you still have to clean my office. LILAH You're becoming very sarcastic in your old age. They hang up simultaneously. As Lilah shifts to put her phone away, BOOM she is hit hard and knocked for a loop. She is on the ground trying to gain her bearings when she sees a hulking figure running down the street with her purse and bag. She jumps up and starts running after the assailant, surprisingly quick on 3 inch Manolo Blahniks. EXT. WOLFRAM & HART TOP FLOOR PARKING GARAGE - LATE AFTERNOON: All the cars are gone. Willow, Fred and Wes are spreading white powder in a large circle on the ground. Willow draws strange characters at four points on the circle. WILLOW I think we'll need to get started pretty soon. FRED Shouldn't we wait for Angel? WILLOW If we wait until after the sun sets, it'll be too late. WES And we'll be dealing with little hellmouth franchises all over the globe. WILLOW I'll be ready to get started in An hour. So if you have any last minute things you'd like to do… No sooner said than done. Both Wes and Fred rush back into the building. INT. HALLWAY LOWER CORRIDOR [The floor below the penthouse where Lilah and the Angel Investigations Crew all have their apartments] - LATE AFTERNOON: Wes steps out of the elevator and heads to Lilah's apartment. The Limo Driver is walking down the hall toward the elevator. Wesley knocks on the door of Lilah's Apartment, waits for a second. LIMO DRIVER Ms. Morgan is not in. She had me deliver some items to her apartment. WES Do you know when she'll be back? LIMO DRIVER No. She said she'll be taking a cab. Wesley stops for a beat, disappointed. The elevator "dings" Wesley and the Driver step in. INT. LILAH'S APARTMENT - LATE AFTERNOON: ON THE COFFEE TABLE: There are two letters. One marked "Wesley" and the other marked "Angel." INT. ANGEL'S OFFICE - LATE AFTERNOON: He is pacing the floor. Gunn enters hurriedly. GUNN What is it? ANGEL It's Lilah. She's not answering her phone. GUNN You had me run all the way up here because Lilah's not answering her phone? ANGEL I know it sounds crazy, but she always answers her cellphone. It's a lawyer thing. GUNN So, you think something's happened to her? I mean, she is already dead. This is Lilah we're talking about… Evil attorney, Lilah. ANGEL I know, but I feel responsible for her. (beat - despondent) She's been gone all day and I haven't been able to get anything done, without her. GUNN She's probably on her way back now. Don't worry. But look, I've got to get back. We're getting ready to roll out. I'm sure she's okay. Angel nods in agreement. Gunn heads out to security. Angel, looks at the clock, and then the sky. Appearing resolute, he begins taking down weapons. INT. AI ROOM - LATE AFTERNOON: Angel is dressed to go out, with weapons in hand. He is flipping through the maps on the table. As he looks over them Wes enters. WES We're about ready to get started. ANGEL Has Willow figured out where she intends to open the hellmouth? WES She's going to focus the spell on the point that's been the most active near the sewers downtown. (beat) It looks like you're going somewhere. ANGEL I am. I'm going into the Hellmouth. WES As I recall, that wasn't the plan. ANGEL Well, change of plans. WES I know Lilah's not here and you want to go in and bring her back-- ANGEL --This isn’t about Lilah. It's about me. I've been cooped up here at this place for weeks, completely useless. WES Angel you've been making some really important changes in an organization that's been around for centuries. It takes time. ANGEL I can't remember the last time I actually went out on a case. (beat) It's so easy here. I wake up and see the sun, have my every need taken care of… and cater to the desires of those who can pay the outrageous fees Wolfram and Hart charges for things we used to do for our clients for free. WES At times it does feel like we're moving backwards, but that always happens right before we take a great leap forward. ANGEL We're supposed to be the heroes, champions. What kind of champion would let Gunn and the rest of that team walk into a deathtrap, alone? WES Angel, that's what they do. And we have figured out how to Disable the hellmouth. Willow's going to open the hellmouth briefly… for just enough time to send the mystical equivalent of a depth charge into the void which will hopefully have the Hellmouth collapse in on itself. ANGEL It doesn't have to be open long to cause serious damage. WES You don't have to be at danger's door all the time, anymore. You don't have to do it all. ANGEL But, I feel like I'm just a figure-head. I don't want to sit here and watch others die to protect me. Wes picks up a large bright blue bowl from a shelf. WES I guess my reasons are selfish. What you do here at Wolfram and Hart is important, and we need you. If anything happened to you, I think we'd all be lost. I know I would be. Wes takes the bowl and leaves Angel standing in the Middle of the room. END ACT TWO [ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ]

Replies:

[> [> Subject: 5x08R: Many Happy Returns Author: by Rona [Edit] Date Posted: 03:01:36 01/30/04 Fri Author Host/IP: 62.252.0.6 ACT THREE INT. WOLFRAM & HART SECURITY READY ROOM - LATE AFTERNOON: Fred makes her way through the security team toward Gunn's office. When she arrives at the door, she is stopped in her tracks by: INT. GUNN'S OFFICE: Gunn stands tall, and dressed for battle. He is kissing a tearful Lacey, deeply and intermittently. He speaks. She looks at him nodding her head, as if receiving instructions. He kisses her again, long and lingering. GUNN I wouldn't trust anyone else to do this. You're my girl. Make me proud. Lacey quickly heads out of the office. FRED passes her and enters. GUNN So, to what do I owe this visit? FRED Well, I just came by to wish you luck… GUNN I hate to say it, but I think we're gonna need it. FRED (beat) So, you two are really hitting it off. GUNN Yeah, it was a little lust at first sight thing, but she really is amazing. FRED I guess the supermodel looks don't hurt. GUNN Its not that. It's just that she's so tough. I mean when she's business, she's ALL business. She's fearless. There's no one she wouldn't take on. I never have to worry about her--. FRED --Like you had to with me… GUNN (wrapping his arm around her shoulder) That's not what I meant. It's just, even after all that, when she's with me she's shy and vulnerable like a little school girl. She lets me see a part of her that no one else sees. In that way what we have is kinda private and special. They look at each other and smile with a little sadness. Gunn looks at his watch. FRED I guess you've got to get going. Things aren't looking too good for the home team, huh? GUNN (with bravado) Hey, I wouldn't say that. After all, I am on the job. Just make sure you save a dance for me at the party. They smile and hug. Then kiss a kiss that looks a lot like "good-bye." Gunn then turns and enters the Ready Room to prepare for battle. EXT. JUST OFF DOWNTOWN STREET - LATE AFTERNOON: Lilah's Assailant runs down the street, then suddenly disappears. Lilah runs to the spot where the Assailant was last and finds AN OPEN MANHOLE. He has taken refuge in the sewers. LILAH And these are brand new shoes! Lilah, irritated, steps down into the manhole. INT. WOLFRAM & HART SECURITY TEAM READY ROOM - LATE AFTERNOON: Gunn dressed in modified SWAT gear, inspects the troops… 30 or so people dressed in SWAT team gear are all gathered together. A murmur rises over them as they discuss their deployment. (B.G.) Angel walks into the room. Someone yells "Ten-Hut!" They all go to attention. Angel looks uncomfortable for a second. He then understands and shouts, "At Ease" while walking over to confer with Gunn. The troops relax. ANGEL Are you ready? GUNN Ready as we'll ever be. ANGEL I still think I should be going in with you. GUNN And whose gonna protect the world if they get past us? ANGEL Battling a hellmouth, a lot of people might end up dead. GUNN If they get past us, then you can just about guarantee that we're all dead. (beat) We're ready to lay it all on the line. ANGEL Don't worry, we've got your back. The two guys look at each other, worry sits just underneath their smiles. They pat each other on the back reassuringly and Angel leaves. GUNN Alright everybody, Let's move out. The security team begins streaming out the door, ready to do battle at the hellmouth. INT. SEWER - LATE AFTERNOON: Lilah walks quickly through the dark sewer. ON HER SHOES: As she picks her way through assorted trash. She comes to a fork in the line. She looks right then left. There is a small flash of light on the left. She follows it. The line dead ends. And Lilah finds herself encircled by three of the Kortho demons she saw earlier at Fiorucci. LILAH You?! You give me back my bag. KORTHO #1 Oooo Ralph she said to give it back, so I guess you better give it to her. KORTHO #2 Whatever she’s got in here must be pretty valuable, to run in here after it. LILAH It’s got no value to you. It’s a special gift for a friend. KORTHO #1 Sure it’s got value to me, ‘cause it’s got value to you. So how much you willin’ to pay to get it back. LILAH I don’t have anything on me… KORTHO #3 Ms. Wolfram & Hart with nothing on her, I don’t believe it. KORTHO #2 Hey check out the shoes. Oh my, those are Manolo Blahnik – the new Line… Size 7? LILAH You are NOT getting my shoes. These haven’t even been released to the major distributors, yet. KORTHO #1 Well if you want your little bag, you’ll give up the shoes. Lilah is pissed but takes off the shoes. LILAH Can I have my bag, now? KORTHO #2 Wait! I haven't tried them on, yet. LILAH You've got to be kidding. KORTHO #2 …And you better hope they fit. The hulking, green, one-horned demon pulls off his shoes to reveal petite green lady-looking feet. He puts one shoe on. The other two demons are awed, "Oh, they're just perfect!" "I've just got to get me a pair." etc. LILAH Can I have my bag, now? The demons throw the bag at Lilah, who grabs it and retreats while they oooh and ahhh over the shoes. INT. SEWERS: - LATE AFTERNOON: The security team swarms into the sewers. There are about 8 inches of water flowing through the pipes. A strong tremor hits and sends the team flying. They regroup and head farther in. GUNN Even though the hellmouth Isn't opened, yet it acts like a magnet. So the closer we get, the more action we'll get. ON THE GROUND: A long scaly serpent-like creature winds its way between their feet, finds its mark then strikes. It grabs one of the team by his ankle and begins dragging him away swiftly. The others shoot, but its too late. He's gone. GUNN You gotta stay frosty guys. This is not dressed rehearsal INT. WOLFRAM & HART NINTH FLOOR - LATE AFTERNOON: Everyone runs around hurriedly pulling things together. Lorne stands in the middle of the floor and discusses last minute details with his organizers. LORNE Hurry up ladies. This is a dressed rehearsal. You should all have everything down by now. PORTLY WOMAN Everyone's been given copies of the song. So when he walks in, the band starts up and we all start singing. LORNE Good. ON THE DOOR: Aden Foley enters, taking in the scene. He gives a nod and grin and walks in Lorne's direction. ADEN Wow, so this is how you work it? I'm impressed. LORNE This little thing? Hon, I've thrown larger cocktail parties. They both smile, impishly. ADEN Will you need help with sound tonight? LORNE That's okay. I'm sure you're pretty busy. ADEN Well, I'll cancel whatever I've got going if you, you know… feel the need. LORNE Really? ADEN It's important to have one's needs met. LORNE I have no arguments against having met needs. There is a small tremor. Lorne is knocked a little off-balance. Aden reaches over, pulling Lorne close to steady him. ADEN So, would I be out of place if I asked if the earth moved for you, too? OFF the two, Lorne still in Aden's arms. Preston ENTERS. He hurries over to Lorne and Aden. PRESTON The seismic and demonic activity are really high tonight. Maybe we should reschedule. LORNE So, what was that you said? You're tired of working here and want to experience life on unemployment? PRESTON I didn't say a thing. LORNE Chop-chop ladies and gentlemen. The show must go on! EXT. CITY SKYLINE - DUSK The last few rays of light hit the top of the W&H building As the sun sets in the west. INT. ANGEL'S OFFICE - DUSK: Angel stands dressed for action, loaded with weapons as the last rays of sun disappear. EXT. PARKING GARAGE - DUSK WILLOW sits in the middle of the circle with a bright blue bowl and several ingredients in front of her. Fred and Wes stand pacing outside the circle holding an array of weapons. They are both armed to the teeth with guns, cross bows and stakes. Wes is further armed with a sword. Willow waves her hand over the bowl and a flames leaps from it. She has manuscript in Latin sitting in front of her. She lifts it and holds it to the flame. It begins to burn. WILLOW Behold, I connect myself to the Powers of the Universe. She and the ingredients begin to rise floating in the air. The earth begins to quake. EXT. STREET IN FRONT OF WOLFRAM AND HART - NIGHT The last rays of the sun have faded. A figure on a motorcycle flies down the empty and cracking street. ON THE ROOFTOPS ABOVE THE CITY - NIGHT: Angel runs jumping from building to building toward the Hellmouth. EXT. GARAGE - DUSK: WILLOW There is one power in the Universe, and I am a perfect manifestation of that power. Willow's eyes go White. WILLOW There is one power in the Universe, and I am a perfect manifestation of that power; and as such I will that even as this paper burns, so too shall this which I have written come to pass. A big ball of white light forms above her like a cloud. INT. WOLFRAM & HART NINTH FLOOR - DUSK: The employees, who are well-dressed and prepared for an evening of partying, are starting to arrive. There is a low rumble. The building starts to sway. Suddenly, a crowd of thuggish demons dressed in casual to ratty clothing, burst through the door, descend on the party-goers and begin to trash the place. The party-goers are shocked and begin to run through the room while being beset by the hoodlums. INT. SEWER - NIGHTFALL: GUNN and the security team are battling it out with a variety of demons who come at them from all angles. Gunn swings a battle axe fiercely clearing everything in his path. The team fights valiantly as: Another tremor hits and a huge crack tears through the ground at their feet. A huge many-headed dragon leaps from the breach and scatters the fighters. EXT. PARKING GARAGE - NIGHTFALL: The ground cracks. Tentacles rise and shoot toward the circle. Wes swings his sword and begins cutting at the tentacles. Little leathery spider creatures begin skittering into the area. Fred picks them off with the gun. When she runs out of ammo, she uses the crossbow firing at any that get close to the circle. WILLOW I will it. (she grabs rosemary from beside her and throws it on the fire) I draw it to me. (she grabs incense from beside her and throws it on the fire) I manifest it. (she rises higher) I accept it. (lightening strikes) I receive it. (the garage really begins to quake) By my will, so mote it be. EXT. DOWNTOWN STREET - NIGHT: Everywhere around her is moving from the strength of the quake. Lilah runs down the street trying to avoid falling debris and cracks forming below her. Her clothes are dirty. ON HER FEET: They are bare and bruised but she still holds on to her bag. Her watch starts to beep. LILAH Crap! Out of time. She hurries to the side of a building and takes the box from the bag and opens it. A beautiful bright butterfly made entirely from sparkling light emerges from box. After a moment of being transfixed by its beauty, she quickly eats the butterfly, then takes the wrapping, folds it and puts in her pocket. The ground near her begins to tremble and crack. She drops the bag and starts to run, but loses her footing in the ever widening hole. IN THE SEWER - NIGHT: The security team is inundated. Many lay dead or dying. Gunn and 10 to 20 others, continue to fight, but they are visibly tired. The onslaught of demons continues. Gunn fights a particularly vicious one with four arms and sharp steely claws. It strikes him in the side. Blood spurts. He goes down. The demon prepares for the death blow then SWOOSH, his body is hacked in two. POV GUNN: Angel strides through the morass of demons, swinging, methodically cutting them down with a claymore, thrusting, spinning and slicing. The team regroups around Angel and attacks with renewed vigor. EXT. DOWNTOWN STREET - NIGHT: Lilah tries to climb out of the chasm that she has fallen into. As she reaches up, she is grabbed by the arm and helped upward. She comes out of the hole face-to-face with Lacey. LILAH How did you find me? LACEY How did you do that?! ON THE TWO WOMEN: Lacey is in awe. Lilah looks at her arms and for the first time realizes that she is glowing like a firefly. INT. WOLFRAM & HART NINTH FLOOR - NIGHT: The employees are trying to clear up the mess caused by the quake and party-crashing demons. The women serving the drinks are hitting the crashers with trays. The guests are using the centerpieces as weapons hitting the party crashers with them, punching, hitting and biting them. Lorne stands on the stage created for the event, hiding behind the curtain and dodging flying debris from the free-for-all. The musicians duck behind tables. LORNE I swear if I survive this, I will never do this again. EXT. PARKING GARAGE - NIGHT: Willow continues to float. ON THE CGI floating cloud effect above her, something forms, in the midst. Willow reaches upward. ON THE CLOUD: The amulet worn by Spike to help Buffy defeat the UberVamps hangs in the air. Willow speaks into the void. WILLOW By my will, so mote it be! The amulet shoots toward her. She grabs it, then BOOM! A huge wave emanates from the Amulet sending ripples all over the City. Willow, Fred and Wes are thrown back to the farthest reaches of the garage. IN THE SEWER - NIGHT: The ripple hits laying waste to all the demons emerging from the rift. O.S. the sound of car alarms and sirens can be heard, but nothing else. The quakes have stopped. Angel and the team stand in the middle of the carnage, VICTORIOUS. Angel walks over to Gunn, who is still laying on the ground, and pokes him with the claymore. ANGEL No sleeping on the job. GUNN You were supposed to wait at the house. ANGEL What? And let You take all the credit for this… no way. Gunn, Angel and the team begin to gather their dead and wounded and head back to the building. END OF ACT THREE

[> [> [> Subject: 5x08R: Many Happy Returns Author: by Rona [Edit] Date Posted: 03:02:51 01/30/04 Fri Author Host/IP: 62.252.0.6 ACT FOUR INT. NINTH FLOOR - NIGHT: The scene is a mess. Most of the party crasher have been evicted. The decorations are destroyed. The food has been thrown all over the place. Lorne and Preston stand in the middle of the mess. LORNE (to Preston) If I ever say, "The show must go on" ever again… just kick me in the stomach. ON THE DOOR: Wes, Fred and Willow enter, excited. FRED We did it! We did it! WILLOW Well at least we think we did. WES Willow opened the hellmouth, but it only stayed open for a moment and then… WILLOW I saw the amulet, you know the one Angel brought to Buffy to fight the UberVamps. It was all floaty and shiny and when I grabbed it there was a huge surge of power, then nothing. FRED No residual hot spots… Nothing. FRED So where’s Angel? LACEY (O.S.) He's not here. I saw him heading toward the hellmouth as soon as the sun went down. They are all silent as Lacey joins them. LACEY Has anyone from the team checked in? Has Chuck? Before anyone can answer, the doors fling open wide. Angel, Gunn and the remainder of the victorious security team burst through the door. The band is caught off guard and begins to play raggedly. The hundred or so Wolfram & Hart employees all begin to sing off-key and uncertain. EMPLOYEES (music) Did you ever know that you're our hero? And everything We would like to be. We can fly highe0r than an eagle. For you are the wind beneath our wings… HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! Angel is so moved he can hardly speak. He is ushered up to the stage by the employees, where Lorne and Preston stand with the cake… [which has the numerical candles, btw]. PRESTON (into the microphone) Happy Birthday to the man who has ushered Wolfram & Hart into A new age. The employees cheer loudly. ANGEL (into the microphone) I would like to thank everyone for this great ummmm, outpouring and I just… you're all great… He is too emotional to continue. Lorne pats him on the back, and leads him off the stage. Preston takes the mike and announces: PRESTON Let the festivities begin! The band starts to play funky music and the employees start to dance and party. Angel joins Lorne, Wes, Fred and Willow offstage. ANGEL I'm going to head up and take a shower. LORNE Well you deserve it (he sniffs) And probably need it. Angel heads out to the penthouse. The gang surrounds Gunn who is being attended to by Lacey. GUNN So you found her? LACEY Just in time. She was almost swallowed up in a hole the size of a school bus. GUNN I can't believe you found her. LACEY Well it was really strange. I don't think I wold have except she was glowing like a neon light. WES Who was glowing? LACEY Lilah. I've never seen anything like it. She said it had to do with something for Angel. Gunn, Fred, Wes and Lorne all look at each other with uneasy expressions. GUNN Y'know, we haven't had the best luck with glowing girls. I think our record stands at 0 for 1. FRED What do you think that's all about? WES I don't know, but I think we better find out. INT. ANGEL'S PENTHOUSE - NIGHT He steps out of the shower in time to hear the doorbell. He answers it by remote. ANGEL Yeah? LILAH It's me. Angel buzzes her in and throws on some clothes as she makes her way to the bedroom. She is wearing long pants and a long-sleeved shirt, only a little glow can be seen at her wrists as the wind blows at the hem. She enters the room as Angel pulls a shirt on over his head. ANGEL So, did you know that all the employees at Wolfram & Hart got together and gave me a surprise party? LILAH Yeah, I'd heard about that. ANGEL And did you know that all the employees showed up… except one? LILAH Right, and if I showed up without a gift, like you'd ever let me live that one down… I mean if I was still alive, that is. ANGEL You're probably right, so Whad'ja get me? She sits on the bed. LILAH I have to give it to you quick. I went through a lot of trouble for this. ANGEL You only went through a lot of trouble to win the pool. LILAH (surprised) Who told you about the pool? ANGEL I'm the boss, I'm supposed to know everything. LILAH Well you should be happy. Its pretty high. (beat) Now, do you trust me? ANGEL Boy was that a jump. LILAH Angel c'mon, you have to trust me for it to work. ANGEL Okay. I trust you. LILAH Alright. Kiss me. ANGEL What?! LILAH You have to kiss me. ANGEL And next are you going to demand a car and money? LILAH Angel, you're wasting time and my winnings await. ANGEL Alright, alright! Angel leans forward and kisses her, at first a little peck, then a more involved kiss. When he does, the light in Lilah passes to Angel. He begins to glow, then the glow disappears. ANGEL What was that? LILAH That was your birthday present. Now, we get busy. INT. HALLWAY OUTSIDE OF ANGEL'S PENTHOUSE: A pizza delivery man is leaving as Gunn, Wes, and Fred arrive. PIZZA GUY Wow they're really goin' at it in there. They pass the pizza guy, bewildered and head into Angel's penthouse. INT. ANGEL'S PENTHOUSE - NIGHT: The penthouse is large and grand decorated in slick art deco. The three stand outside Angel's large bedroom door, listening. ANGEL (O.C.) (moaning with pleasure) MMMMmmmmm that's good. LILAH (O.S.) YEAH? You like that? I thought you would. ANGEL (O.S.) Oh yeah. The three look at each other incredulous. FRED No way! ANGEL (O.S.) Ahhhh, Ahhh, my God! GUNN Well, a man has got his needs… Right? I mean who are we to begrudge him… needs? FRED Can't something like this turn him evil? You know if she is dealing with certain parts of his anatomy? GUNN If what I'm hearing is any indication, I think it would be kinda hard… Fred gives him a look. He returns it. GUNN --hard to tell without knowing the extent of their relationship. LILAH (O.S.) Here comes the whipped cream! WES Alright, that's it! I'm going in. Wes flings the door to the bedroom open and finds: Lilah and Angel on the bedroom floor, fully dressed. PULL BACK TO REVEAL: The two are surrounded by all types of food and drink. There is steak, BBQ, shrimp cocktails, Chinese food, Mexican food, Szechwan, Italian food, chocolate, wine, champagne, pizza, ice cream - a whole smorgasbord. Angel is holding a banana split which Lilah is topping off with whipped cream. Wes and Fred look at each other and say in unison… as if they've just had an epiphany… "Of course… philotropus!" Gunn looks puzzled. ANGEL (to Lilah) I didn't know you invited the whole gang. This is great! C'mon in. LILAH (eyeing Wes) These guys? You know they like to make an entrance. I bet they sat outside that door waiting for just the right moment to pop in and surprise you. WES (a little embarrassed) Yeah, well, you know, it's something like-- FRED (hurriedly crossing over to the food) --Does that pizza have pineapples? Gunn, Fred and Wes all join Angel and Lilah on the floor and dig in. INT. LIVING ROOM - INTO THE WEE HOURS OF THE MORNING: Lacey and Willow have joined the party. A HUGE STACK OF GIFTS: some opened and others still unopened sits on the dining-room table and floor beyond. The crew all sit on the leather couches and the floor eating food and drinking from bottles of Dom Perignon which are being passed around as Lorne serenades using his karaoke machine as accompaniment LORNE Get on up here big guy. They all push Angel up to where Lorne has his make-shift stage. Lorne stands with his arm around Angel. This one's for you. (Lorne begins to sing very heartfelt - a reprise of "Wind Beneath My Wings") It must have been cold in my shadow, To never have sunlight on your face. You were content to let me shine --that's your way; You always walked a step behind. So I was the one with all the glory, While you were the one with all the strength; A beautiful face without a name, for so long-- A beautiful smile to hide the pain. The whole crew chimes in with the refrain… "Did you ever know that you're my hero… etc. Angel is so touched he starts to get teary. He and Lorne hug at the end of the tune. Gunn lights his lighter. They all cheer. LORNE Alright boys and girls That's the end of the first set. They begin to yell Encore! Encore! as Lorne and Angel step out on the balcony. Lorne with his martini and Angel with a bottle of Dom. INT LIVING ROOM - WEE HOURS OF THE MORNING: Fred, Gunn, Willow, Lilah and Wes sit passing the bottles of wine and champagne between them. WILLOW Wow Lilah, a Philotropus? That was a neat gift. FRED It's only temporary, but a really grand gesture. GUNN Wes, if you knew what that thing was... why didn't WE buy it. WES Who knew you could buy one in L.A? FRED Yeah Lilah how'd you know where to find one? LILAH (smiling confidently) Connections. GUNN So, what're you gonna do with all your winnings? LILAH (pulls out her calculator) First I have to pay off the gift, then replace my shoes, which will leave me with approximately… No, that can't be right. I'll only have netted $23.00 on this?! OFF the whole gang as they wince a little at her revelation. (realizing) Somebody hand me a bottle? A bottle of Dom is handed down to Lilah She chugs downs the remainder of it and leans back with her eyes closed. This place really is evil. EXT. BALCONY - WEE HOURS OF THE MORNING: They look out over the City, still brightly lit despite the night's chaos. Fire engines and police lights blink in the distance. LORNE Well, cupcake, you always said that things were running too smoothly around here and that the good guys never have things run smoothly. ANGEL I've been known to say that. LORNE And if you have any doubts that we're the good guys, tonight's fiasco should set you straight. Angel nods in agreement. The two raise their respective drinks and toast: ANGEL & LORNE To the good guys! They both sip their drinks looking out at the lights of the City. LORNE That's some trick Lilah pulled tonight. ANGEL What? LORNE That philotropus. It's one of the only things that'll give a vampire back his sense of taste. It's some serious mojo. It must have cost a fortune. ANGEL Yeah, it was really nice. 'Til now, I've never had anyone go out of their way for me the way you all do. LORNE (beat) I've got some news for you, Cupcakes, and you may not like it. ANGEL What's on your mind? LORNE I realized tonight at the party that I'm way in over my head in the hero business, and here at Wolfram & Hart. ANGEL You're joking. Right? LORNE I wish I was, pumpkin. You fight evil day after day and it seems you never get tired. But sweet cakes, I am not a hero. ANGEL Whadda y'mean you're no hero? You've yanked our fat out of the flame more times than I can count. LORNE I can also sing a complete Bobby Vinton retrospective, but just 'cause I can doesn't mean I'd want to do it everyday. This just isn't my gig. I know that, now. ANGEL We're just starting to get the family back together again. Can't you even wait and give it a chance? LORNE But I have been waiting, waiting for the mission, this thing with Wolfram & Hart to take me the way it's taken you... Wes, Gunn, even Fred. But it hasn't happened. ANGEL First Con... Cordelia. Now you. I don't understand you. I have to sacrifice things everyday but you all have even a little discomfort physical or moral, you just throw your hands up and quit. LORNE I'm not trying to abandon you. I'll still handle my duties. I'm just thinking I'll do them on the road. I've decided to join Cordelia. ANGEL (seething) Cordelia? Now doesn't that figure. LORNE Angel, you can make your dreams a reality here. I can't. Don't you see that? ANGEL All I see is another one of you turning your back on me. (beat) I'm going back to my party. Angel storms off. Leaving Lorne on the balcony, and returns to the party. INT. LIVINGROOM - WEE HOURS OF THE MORNING: Willow and the remainder of the crew are all mellowed out, siting in a sea of gifts, wrapping paper and opened boxes, all directing their attention to the amulet in her hand. ON THE AMULET: It looks very dull. The stone is blue and cracked. WILLOW It's funny, but I don't remember this crack. ANGEL (looking over her shoulder) And the stone was a different color, wasn't it? WES (entering the room behind them) What do you think it means? EXT. PARK - WEE HOURS OF THE MORNING: The City is a mess from the quake. In the park, benches have been upturned. Trees have been uprooted. FROM THE DARKNESS, a pale figure pulls itself out from under the exposed roots of a tree which look much like two legs pushing up from the ground. The long hair is not recognizable, but the face… startled and disoriented is that of Spike, thought to have met his death in the hellmouth, when Sunnydale was consumed by it. He stands nude, confused, and covered with dirt trying to make sense of his surroundings. SPIKE Nope. This is definitely not Kansas. FADE TO BLACK THE END. Guest Starring: James Marsters as SPIKE