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Date Posted: 05:31:32 08/09/02 Fri
Author: Jeanny
Subject: Act I
In reply to: Jeanny 's message, "Angel #7: Sticks and Stones - desperately in need of edit, Prev Scenes/Teaser" on 05:30:15 08/09/02 Fri

ACT I

Scene VI: Int. Lilah‘s Office, Day

LILAH is smiling smugly at a case on her desk. She takes out a pocket mirror and checks herself over, smoothing her hair, then after a moments hesitation unbuttons one more button on her blouse. She puts the mirror away seconds before CONSTANTINE enters without knocking.

CONSTANTINE
Lilah?

LILAH stands and moves to the other side of the desk to meet him.

LILAH
Jason...so good to see you.

CONSTANTINE
Likewise...
(admiring her cleavage)
It’s always a pleasure to see more of you.

LILAH
I’m a bit surprised I didn’t see you after I phoned
yesterday. I know how anxious you’ve been.

CONSTANTINE
I’ve been a lot of things, Miss Morgan, but anxious
has yet to be one of them.
(a beat, then)
But now that I’m here...

LILAH
Yes, of course.

LILAH opens the case and removes the scrolls gently. CONSTANTINE ‘s hands tremble as they reach for them, and LILAH smiles.

LILAH
Here. Allow me.

LILAH moves around the desk and carefully unscrolls the first scroll on the desk for CONSTANTINE’S inspection. Both lean over facing each other, but while CONSTANTINE is eagerly reading, LILAH is watching him.

CONSTANTINE
They’re incredible. Everything I hoped.

LILAH
I know what you mean.

CONSTANTINE runs his fingers lightly down the text, the looks up wonderingly.

CONSTANTINE
They practically hum with power. Can you feel it?

LILAH
Mmmm. Humming. Power.

CONSTANTINE
You don’t sound impressed.

LILAH
I’ll be impressed when I see them work. When we’re
able to channel their power, to use it.

CONSTANTINE
(frowning)
I see.

LILAH
I’m sorry if I lack enthusiasm, Jason.
(seductively)
I’m just very results-oriented.

CONSTANTINE
It’s a good quality.

He stands, moving away as she rerolls the scroll. She moves slowly, with exaggerated care, but very sexily. CONSTANTINE can’t take his eyes off her.

LILAH
(smiling coyly)
I’m glad you approve.

CONSTANTINE
What’s our timetable?

LILAH
The scrolls need to be translated, naturally. Wesley’s
made amazing progress on your book. I wouldn’t be
surprised to see him finish translating the scrolls in a
few days.

CONSTANTINE
(cautiously)
You think that’s wise?

LILAH
I’m sorry?

CONSTANTINE
Letting one person translate both the scrolls and the
text that shows how to use them...

LILAH
(innocently)
You’re not suggesting...you really think Wesley would
use the scrolls? Summon the spirits himself?

CONSTANTINE
You don’t think he’s capable?

LILAH
Oh, he’s more than capable...I just don’t think he
would.

LILAH smiles knowingly, and CONSTANTINE’s face clouds over with jealousy.

CONSTANTINE
Why, because he loves you?

WESLEY
(o.s.)
You’ve got company, I see.

LILAH and CONSTANTINE turn as we angle on WESLEY standing in the doorway. We - and they - can’t be sure how long he’s been there.

LILAH
Wesley? We were just talking about you. Your ears
burning?

WESLEY
(smirking)
No, not my ears...darling, I do beg you to use the
ointment the doctor prescribed. The itching is driving
me batty...

LILAH reddens as CONSTANTINE seems amused.

LILAH
(through clenched teeth)
We’ll talk later.

WESLEY
(cheerfully)
Righto. Just came to tell you that I’ve nearly finished
with your book, Mr. Constantine. It’s really quite
fascinating...I’m uncertain what it all means, but I have
a good bit of it ready for study.

CONSTANTINE
(noncommittal)
Pleased to hear it. Your timing is...quite remarkable.

WESLEY
Oh, yes, indeed.
(to LILAH)
I’ll expect you later than, shall I?

LILAH
(trying for businesslike)
We’ll meet to follow up this discussion.

WESLEY
Certainly, if that’s what you’re calling it these days. Be
a doll and bring the schoolgirl outfit, would you? You
know how much better I ‘follow up’ when you where
that...
(to CONSTANTINE)
Not to worry. None of that will be billable time.

WESLEY leaves, a satisfied expression on his face, as CONSTANTINE laughs. LILAH knows her spell of seduction has been broken and she struggles to hide her anger.

LILAH
He didn’t...really...

CONSTANTINE
Oh, but he did. And I stand corrected. That man really,
really hates you.

LILAH
(recovering)
That doesn’t matter. He’s the best.
(a beat, then)
And you came to Wolfram and Hart because we
could deliver the best.

CONSTANTINE considers her words for a moment, then nods grimly.

CONSTANTINE
I’m going to take your word on this, Miss Morgan.
Don’t make me live to regret that, because if I do -

LILAH
(confidently)
I won’t.

CONSTANTINE
(smiling unpleasantly)
Yes, exactly.

CUT TO:


Scene V: Int. Hyperion Lobby, Day.
FRED is sitting behind the counter, pretending to read a book, while GUNN stands near the weapons cabinet with a clipboard, taking inventory. They’re both trying hard to pretend they’re ignoring the presence of the other, but keep glancing over and at each other then way. After meeting FRED’s eyes twice, GUNN throws down the clipboard. She jumps at the sound.

GUNN
That’s it. Fred-

FRED
(interrupting)
You’re finished with the axes?

GUNN
No.

FRED
You’re out of paper?

GUNN
No, I just-

FRED
(interrupting)
Need an eraser?

GUNN
Fred-

FRED
(interrupting)
Pencil sharpener?

GUNN
Dammit Fred, No. I just wanna talk.

FRED
If it’s about work, go right ahead. If it’s about us...just...
don’t. It’s too soon. I need some time to sort things out.

GUNN
(bitterly)
The more you ‘sort things out’ the further you pull away
from me.

FRED
Charles...

GUNN
I mean, Wesley makes Angel go all psycho and you
forgive him right away. I get tricked by that bastard and
the sling for my ass is permanent?

FRED
That’s not what this is about!

GUNN
Then what? Talk to me!

FRED
(almost shouting)
You weren’t there for me!

GUNN
I...what?

FRED
In Pylea I knew slave owners with more loyalty to
their cows, I mean, they wouldn’t just trade their cow
in the second a prettier cow came along...

GUNN
She was not a prettier cow than you. There is no
prettier cow than you.
(a beat, then off her look)
Not that you’re a cow.

FRED
I’m sorry Charles. But I realized that you and I, we’re
not really connected by anything other than working
for Angel...and what we feel. Or, what I thought you...

GUNN
Fred, I do...

FRED
(lost)
I’m just not sure what we have anymore.

GUNN looks sadly after her as she walks away.

CUT TO:

Scene VI: Int. Angel’s Office, Day

ANGEL is sitting behind his desk, with CORDELIA perched on the corner. They’re feigning interest in their new client, the WOMAN from the teaser, who in this scene we learn is named MARTHA, but are preoccupied with their own discomfort being together in such close proximity.

CORDELIA
So...that was the last time you saw your husband?
Last night?

MARTHA
They took him away.

CORDELIA
(disgusted, reading from her notes)
They being the “big scaly demons with orange heads
that look like big toothpaste tubes with lots and lots of
teeth.”

MARTHA
Three of them. Just like they said. The Minders said...they said they would...eat
my Murray!

ANGEL
Minders?

MARTHA
(on a roll)
I told him that we couldn’t just miss a tribute and expect
we’d be okay, but my husband knew better...“Martha,
you’re just a big worrywart, I know what I’m doing.” You
see how he knows what he’s doing?
(suddenly crumbling)
Oh, my poor Murray!

CORDELIA
I’m sorry, Mrs. Hill, but you’re paying money to these...?

MARTHA
(surprised they don’t know)
To the Minders. For protection from the demons.
(sudden concern)
You know L.A. is full of demons, right?

CORDELIA
We know, Mrs.-

MARTHA
Well of course you do. We didn’t. Not until the Minders
told us. We didn’t believe them of course, thought it was
a Halloween prank or a practical joke or something, until
one of those demons chased one our very best
customers for two whole blocks. took a big bite out of her
arm...well, she’s never been back, but as long as we paid
our tribute, the Minders made sure nothing happened to
any customer of ours, or to us. Like demon insurance.

ANGEL
The Minders are human?

WOMAN
Oh no. Humans couldn’t possibly protect us. The
Minders are demons.

CORDELIA
Very enterprising ones, apparently.

ANGEL
So you didn’t pay and they took your husband?

WOMAN
No, no. The Minders wouldn’t do that. But they won’t
protect us without the tribute. If only we’d paid...now
the demons will eat Murray!

ANGEL
Yes, well...that’s...do you know how to contact these
Minders?

MARTHA
No, no. They always came to us.
(scribbling a phone number down)
I’m staying with my sister in Palos Verdes. I can’t feel
safe here anymore.
(tearfully)
Murray is my life, Mr. Angel, Miss Chase. You’re my
last hope.

CORDELIA moves to the WOMAN and puts a comforting arm around her shoulder. Mrs. Hill sobs into her shoulder briefly.

CORDELIA
Mrs. Hill. You came to the right place. Angel
Investigations has experience with these kinds of...
situations, and we promise you, we will get your
husband back, alive and well and very not eaten.

The WOMAN pulls away from her, confused.

WOMAN
But what about Murray?

CORDELIA
I’m sorry...

ANGEL
Murray’s not your husband?

WOMAN
Of course not. Leonard’s my husband, and they can
eat the damn fool for all I care. Murray is my cat.

ANGEL and CORDELIA take that in, uncertain how to respond.

CORDELIA
Oh.

ANGEL
How ‘bout we save both of them?

WOMAN
(doubtfully)
Okay...will that cost more?

CUT TO:

Scene VII: Int. Wesley’s Office, Day

WESLEY is working on the book when LILAH comes angrily marching in, carrying the case holding the scrolls.

WESLEY
(feigned surprise)
Well hello! I didn’t expect you so-

LILAH
Save it. You’re skating on thin ice as it is. Don’t dig
yourself in deeper.

WESLEY
Mixing your metaphors, Lilah? I must have struck quite
a nerve.

LILAH
You know what’s struck a nerve? A certain young lady
originally from Texas who’s still alive and kicking,
probably saying ‘Yeehaw’ and other such quaint
sayings. I believe you were supposed to make sure
she wasn’t quite so perky. What gives?

WESLEY
(shrugging)
I did as I was instructed. Something must have gone
wrong.

LILAH
And what could that something possibly have been?
Or should I say someone?

WESLEY
I’m sure I don’t know what you’re implying.

LILAH
The hell you don’t. I can see you’re all broken up about
your failure. Well, you may not care, but the senior
partners don’t-

WESLEY
(exaggerated weariness)
Is this all you wanted to see me about? It might be
more efficient use of my time if you threatened me by
e-mail.

LILAH drops the case on the desk.

LILAH
New assignment. Pushes everything else to the back
burner.

WESLEY opens the case cautiously, then a look of understanding crosses his face.

WESLEY
Constantine’s scrolls.

LILAH
Translate them. Clock’s running. Anything goes wrong with this assignment, Wes, and there’ll be hell to pay.

She stalks out and Wesley looks troubled.


Scene VIII: Int. Hyperion Lobby, Day.
ANGEL is standing in the middle of the lobby, looking around the room, clearly frustrated.

ANGEL
(loudly)
This is not gonna work.

We PULL BACK to see FRED, CORDELIA and GUNN, all standing far apart from each other. FRED near the stairs, GUNN near the counter, CORDELIA way in the back. All of them are looking warily at ANGEL

FRED
What? I think it’s fine. We’re meeting, getting the info.
Helping out.

ANGEL
I know, Fred, it’s just I’m not feeling like we’re really...
together...here...

GUNN
(pointedly)
We’re here. We’re together. What do you want from
us, man?

ANGEL
I...you...we...

The three stare at him, and ANGEL looks down guiltily.

ANGEL (cont’d)
Know what? I think we should split up.

Everyone seems relieved at that suggestion.

GUNN
Great. I’ll go check the word on the street, get the 4-1-1
on these Minders and their operation.

ANGEL
Good idea...Cordelia, you-

CORDELIA
Should interview the shopkeepers near the Hills’ store,
find out who else is been tributing.

ANGEL
That’s a good-

FRED
I’ll try to identify these demons in the database, and
look for anything on these Minders. Oh, and I’ll check
the newspaper archives, too. And I’ll be here in case
Con...in case anyone calls.

ANGEL
(truly grateful)
Thank you, Fred.

CLOSEUP on ANGEL. He’s both impressed and feeling a bit passed over.

ANGEL
(cont’d)
I’m gonna hit the sewers, check the area around the
shop for clues. I guess that’s...

CAMERA PULLS BACK to show the room is now empty.

ANGEL
(cont’d)
...everything.

ANGEL exits to head for the sewers, and FRED comes back down the stairs, almost bumping into GUNN, who’s crossing to exit.

GUNN
(with more emotion than the situation calls for)
Sorry.

FRED only looks sad, hurrying oast with her shoulders hunched. GUNN watches her enter the office and shut the door. He doesn’t see CORDELIA walk up behind him.

CORDELIA
That’s so not gonna work.

GUNN jumps.

GUNN
I hate when you...what’s not gonna work?

CORDELIA
The whole puppy dog eyes thing. Right now the last
thing you want to do is remind Fred that that’s what
you are.
(a beat, then)
That was a pointed reference to your being a dog.

GUNN
Yeah, I got that.

CORDELIA
Why don’t you just talk to her?

GUNN
I’ve tried. She thinks I wasn’t there for her once, that I
won’t be there for her when it counts...and I can’t say
that’s not what’s gonna be.

CORDELIA
What?

GUNN
Maybe she’s right. Maybe I don’t have what Fred
needs. I love her so much, but I’m gonna keep letting
her down...I want her to be happy, C. That’s the most
important thing...even if it means I have to walk away.

CORDELIA looks past GUNN out into the lobby. POV of CORDELIA - we see she’s having a vision of FRED standing in the lobby, smiling and gently rocking a baby. Return to a CLOSEUP of CORDELIA, grinning.

CORDELIA
No, I think you guys will be okay, Gunn. You’ve just
gotta hang in there.

GUNN
But I don’t-

CORDELIA
Trust me.


Scene IX: Int. Wesley’s Office, Day
WESLEY is looking over the scrolls, frowning in concentration. He scrawls some words on a steno pad then looks up.

WESLEY
It’s all here. Every step in the ritual to bring the spirits
across...like baking a bloody cake.
(he reads further)
“Those who were possessed by Fromainian brought
great destructive power and the evil would not be
bound, the Silde could not bind them, and thus to
preserve all that is and was and should be, with
magicks dark and powerful we removed them from
existence, both the good and the evil...their return will
signal the end of that which thusly was preserved...
their power is absolute, no vessel of man can...
destruction...final...”
(setting down his notes)
Oh dear.

WESLEY looks down at the scrolls and his notes for a long moment. He slowly removes, polishes and replaces his glasses. Then in a flurry of movement he tosses the scrolls and his notes into the case. He picks up the case and moves to the door, only to have LILAH block his path.

LILAH
Going somewhere, lover?

WESLEY
Home. I have some materials there which I believe
will help me through the last few hard-to-decipher bits.

LILAH
And you can’t bring those materials back here?

WESLEY
No.
(sighing)
I was given to understand there was some urgency
attached to this matter. If you’d like to continue to
hold me up, I’ll be more than happy to explain to the
senior partners that you felt harrassing me was more
vital than me doing my work.

LILAH holds up her hands in surrender and steps aside. She watches him go for a second, then turns back to the camera with an evil smile.

FADE OUT

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