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Date Posted: 05:34:40 08/09/02 Fri
Author: Jeanny
Subject: Act III
In reply to: Jeanny 's message, "Act II" on 05:33:14 08/09/02 Fri

ACT III

Scene XXIII: Int. Hamilton's Living Room, Night
PAN from ANGEL lying face down on the floor to ARCHIE triumphantly tossing aside the broken chair.

CORDELIA HOLLI
Angel! Daddy!

ARCHIE
I got the vampire, Mr. Zeph!

CORDELIA moves quickly to kneel next to ANGEL’s prone form and turns him over. HOLLI stares at her father in shock.

HOLLI
What are you doing?

DEIRDRE
What he has to do, Holli. Just be quiet now.

HOLLI
I don’t understand-

ARCHIE
That’s right, girl. You don’t understand, so just keep
your mouth shut.
(loudly, to ZEPH)
We can make a deal here, right? My daughter knows
she made a mistake here. And we don’t want to have
trouble. We’ve been good with the tribute, right, never
late with a payment?

ZEPH
(o.s.)
True. What are you suggesting, Mr. Hamilton?

ARCHIE
You take the girl detective and the vampire, and we
just forget this ever happened.

HOLLI
Daddy no!

ARCHIE
Holli, so help me...

DEIRDRE
Come here, Holli. Now we have to do this. It’s us or
them, understand? We won’t let you get hurt like your
brother. We’ve got to stick together as a family.
(locking eyes with CORDELIA)
I’m sorry, but we owe them nothing.

ZEPH
(o.s.)
It’s an intriguing offer. Let me in and we’ll see.

ARCHIE goes to let ZEPH and his two HENCHMEN in. HOLLI looks helplessly at CORDELIA.

HOLLI
I’m sorry.

CORDELIA
(glaring at DEIRDRE)
Not your fault.


Scene XXIV: Int. Hamilton‘s Kitchen, Night
ARCHIE opens the door for the three DEMONS. ZEPH looks down at him disdainfully.

ARCHIE
(desperately)
They’re in the living room. I knocked the vampire out.
(a beat, then)
So we’re all good, right Mr. Zeph?


Scene XXV: Int. Hamilton‘s Living Room, Night
CORDELIA is bent over ANGEL who shows no sign of coming to.

CORDELIA
Come on, Angel. No more naptime, wakey-wakey!

CORDELIA slaps ANGEL lightly on the face once, twice, and the third time there’s a little demon mojo in it. ANGEL’s eyes pop open, glowing for a moment. He grabs her hand, looking up at CORDELIA with mock annoyance.


Scene XXVI: Int. Hamilton‘s Kitchen, Night
ZEPH is pawing through a bowl of fruit on the table walking slowly around the table while ARCHIE sollows him, begging.

ARCHIE
My girl won’t cause more trouble. I swear it.

ZEPH takes an apple from the bowl and polishes it on his jacket, considering.

ZEPH
I’m willing to let this unpleasantness go, Mr.
Hamilton...

ARCHIE
Thank-

ZEPH
...but I’m afraid the amount of tribute we’ll be expecting
from you just doubled.

He bites into the apple. Off ARCHIE’s scocked dismay we CUT TO:

Scene XXVII: Int. Hamilton‘s Living Room, Night
CORDELIA helps ANGEL to his feet. DEIRDRE takes a breath to call out a warning and HOLLI puts her hand over her mouth.

HOLLI
I can’t let you do that, Mom.

ANGEL nods at HOLLI then raises an eyebrow at CORDELIA

ANGEL
You hit me!

CORDELIA
Yup.

ANGEL
You’ve been wanting to do that for a while, haven’t
you?

CORDELIA
Yup.

ANGEL
Got it out of your system?

CORDELIA looks at him and shrugs.


Scene XXVIII: Int. Hamilton‘s Kitchen, Night

ARCHIE
Doubled? Mr. Zeph, please, I can’t-

ZEPH
Complaints? Complaints, Mr. Hamilton? Surely my
ears are deceiving me.

HENCHMAN #1
He don’t appreciate us, Mr. Zeph.

ARCHIE
I do! I’ll pay! We’ll find a way-

Scene XXIX: Int. Hamilton‘s Living Room, Night
ANGEL attacks HENCHMAN #1 as ZEPH and his HENCHMEN enter. ZEPH sighs and looks back at ARCHIE.

ZEPH
(long-suffering)
Let me guess. You didn’t tie them up.

HENCHMAN #2 grabs CORDELIA who struggles in his grasp.

ZEPH
Stop now or he’ll pull her arms off.

ANGEL immediately holds up his hands in surrender. HENCHMAN #1 sneers at him then returns to his boss’ side.

ANGEL
I’m giving you one more chance to leave these people
alone.

ZEPH
(admiringly)
Well, now that’s chutzpah.
(coldly)
I don’t really like chutzpah.
(to HENCHMAN #2)
Bring her here.
(to ANGEL)
Beyond the fact that we’ve got you outnumbered,
you’re not too quick on the uptake. These people don’t
want me to leave them alone.

HENCHMAN #2 hands CORDELIA to ZEPH, then moves around to stand between ZEPH and ANGEL.

ANGEL
Because you’ve scared them so much they think they
need you.

ZEPH
They do need us. We protect them. They’re in good
hands and they know it.

ZEPH squeezes CORDELIA’s shoulder roughly and she winces.

ANGEL
Don’t do that. I’m warning you!

ZEPH laughs. CORDELIA’s eyes flash, and ZEPH is blasted back as if shocked by an electrical current, He lands on his back and looks up, amazed.

ANGEL
Warned you.

HENCHMAN #2 attacks ANGEL while HENCHMAN #1 helps ZEPH to his feet. ANGEL lands some quick blows and it’s clear that HENCHMAN #2 is losing the fight. ZEPH brushes himself off and goes to leave.

ARCHIE
You’re leaving?

ZEPH
(to ARCHIE)
Our deal is off.

ARCHIE
No!

ZEPH
Good day, Mr. Hamilton. I don’t expect I’ll be seeing
you again. It’s been real.

He and HENCHMAN #1 leave the room as ANGEL grabs HENCHMAN #2 and twists his head, breaking his neck. The demon’s body falls, and ANGEL watches it for a long moment. He looks up grinning.

ANGEL
Ha! This one’s dead, I’m positive.
(off everyone’s somber looks)
What?

CUT TO:


Scene XXX: Ext. Alley, Night.
ZEPH and HENCHMAN #1 walk quickly down the alley. ZEPH pulls out a cell phone and hits speed dial.

ZEPH
(into phone)
Boss? It’s Zeph...yeah, someone brought in Angelus...
the Hamiltons...yeah...
(looking at his watch)
Yeah, he killed Deke a minute ago. Me and Frog just
made it out. What do you want me to do?

CUT TO:

Scene XXXI: Int. Minders Lair Main Office, Night
A figure, the head of the MINDERS, sits behind the desk, but its too dark and shadowy to make out. He speaks in a low cultured voice.

BOSS
Don’t worry about Angelus, Zeph, I know exactly how
to handle him.

Scene XXXII: Int. Lilah‘s Office, Night
LILAH is finishing up some paperwork when CONSTANTINE busts in.

LILAH
Jason? What-

CONSTANTINE leans over the desk, getting into her face. He’s beyond furious.

CONSTANTINE
Do not Jason me! Did you think I wouldn’t find
out? I’m on to you, lady!

The faintest amount of nervousness flicks in LILAH’s eyes so briefly it might never have been there.

LILAH
Find out? I’m sorry, I’m not following.

CONSTANTINE raises his hand as if to strike her, but she doesn’t flinch, eyeing him calmly.

CONSTANTINE
(through gritted teeth)
My scrolls. I heard they’ve been destroyed.

LILAH
Ah.

LILAH stands and moves to her credenza. CONSTANTINE eyes her with consternation.

LILAH
(cont, her back to the camera)
I’m sorry about that, Jason. I’m afraid these things
happen sometimes.

SWITCH ANGLE to a smirking LILAH pulling something out of a drawer as CONSTANTINE moves behind her his hands raised as if to strangle her.

LILAH
(cont)
I’m afraid Wesley has proven himself not to be
Wolfram and Hart material after all. Such talent going
to waste. Sad...

She turns, holding the scrolls, still intact.

LILAH
(cont)
...but not unanticipated.

CONSTANTINE smiles in admiration and relief.

CUT TO:

Scene XXXIII: Int. Hyperion Lobby, Night.
FRED and CONNOR are still sitting side by side on the stairs in dim light.

CONNOR
So they took the lady‘s cat?

FRED
Wrong. I mean you’re right, but it’s wrong. Tubei
Demons...they’re like big orange landsharks, only not
funny and a lot stupider...and I’m sorry, you have no
idea what I’m talking about, do you? It’s not important...
according to what I’ve read, they rarely stray out of their
dimension, which isn’t this one.

CONNOR
Someone brought them here.

FRED
Maybe. They’re easy to control, as long as they get fed.
I think someone told them to take that cat, I mean, it’s
just not the kind of thing they normally eat. They like
large animals so they can keep their prey alive as long
as possible and feed slowly, which is really gross but
good news for Mr. Hill. Not so good for Murray.

CONNOR
Maybe they just wanted a pet.

FRED suddenly starts.

FRED
Oh my goodness, it’s late. I didn’t realize...

CONNOR abruptly stands.

CONNOR
I should go. Everyone’ll be back soon.

FRED
All the more reason you should not go. You should
work this out with Angel.

GUNN comes in from the underground entrance. He can’t see FRED and CONNOR clearly in the dim light and they don’t see him at all. FRED pulls CONNOR’s head close to hers to look into his eyes.

FRED
(cont, whispering)
I know you want to, I can see it in your eyes.

CONNOR
(teasing whisper)
You can’t see my eyes.

GUNN flips on the lights and aims his crossbow at CONNOR unknowingly.

GUNN
Get your damn hands off my girl!

CONNOR and FRED stare at him in shock. CONNOR drops his hands, then raises them.

FRED
Charles!

GUNN
(confused)
Connor?

CONNOR glares at him for a moment, then turns and runs.

FRED
(calling after him)
Connor! Wait!
(to GUNN)
How could you?

GUNN
I didn’t know it was him. I thought it was...that maybe
some...

FRED
You think I’d let somebody...that I‘d just...oh...
(devastated)
oh...Charles...how could you think that?

GUNN
Fred, listen.

FRED
I’ve heard enough. I’ve seen enough. I...I’ve hurt
enough, Charles. Just...just go away.
(after a beat, screaming)
I said get away from me!

GUNN jumps. She runs from the lobby and he stands there for a moment, clearly overcome, before turning and walking out the front door.

DISSOLVE TO:


Scene XXXIV: Int. Hamilton‘s Living Room, Night
HOLLI is sitting on the sofa with her arms crossed, glaring at her father, who’s pacing. DEIRDRE is kneeling near the spot that the HENCHMAN’s body had fallen - it’s gone. CORDELIA is sitting in an arm chair facing HOLLI, also watching ARCHIE suspiciously.

DEIRDRE
(in shock)
I can’t believe this is happening. Someone was
murdered in my living room. There was a body...here...

ARCHIE
(bitterly)
Well, brace yourself Deirdre, cause thanks to your
daughter there’s gonna be three more bodies before
too long. Ours.

DEIRDRE
Archie!

HOLLI
No, Mom. Let him talk.
(to ARCHIE)
I’m not sorry for trying to get help, Daddy.

ARCHIE
We didn’t need any help.

HOLLI
Yes. We did. I’ve got eyes, Daddy. I could see how
hard you were working, how you struggled every month
to make that tribute. It was killing you both. And if you
want to hate me for not wanting that to happen...

ANGEL
(o.s.)
Listen to your daughter, Mr. Hamilton.

CORDELIA stands and approaches ANGEL as he enters the room.

CORDELIA
You took care of our dead friend?
(off his nod)
Any sign of the tubular Tang gang?

ANGEL
Not yet.
(to ARCHIE)
We’ve got to get going, It’s not safe for you here now.

ARCHIE
(sarcastically)
Tell me something I don’t already know.

ANGEL
(with feeling)
Okay, how about this? The only reason the Minders
have been able to get their hooks into you so deep is
your fear that something’s gonna hurt your family, and
now something is. And you think that it’s us, but it’s you.
Your fear. You’re destroying everything you’ve been
trying to save. Look at your family. They love you so
much. You need to stand up together and fight for each
other. You do that and nothing can break you apart.

ANGEL and CORDELIA exchange a meaningful look as ARCHIE looks at HOLLI with tears in his eyes.

ARCHIE
Holli, I...

HOLLI
I love you Daddy.

ARCHIE
I love you too baby.

They embrace, and DEIRDRE joins them.

ANGEL
Take them back to the hotel.

ANGEL walks out of the room. CORDELIA follows...


Scene XXXV: Int. Hamilton‘s Kitchen, Night
She grabs his arm at the back door just after he’s opened it.

CORDELIA
Where are you going? And why are you going alone?

ANGEL
Trust me. I can deal. Just take care of them.


Scene XXXVI: Ext. Alley, Night
TRACKING SHOT of ANGEL leaving CORDELIA and walking down the alley. ANGEL steps out of frame and HENCHMAN #1 steps into it, grinning.

HENCHMAN #1
Sure thing, buddy. You’ll deal alright.

DISSOLVE TO:


Scene XXXVII: Int. Hyperion Lobby, Night.
FRED is sitting on the lobby sofa, crying. A nearly empty box of tissues is on her lap; a large pile of wadded up used issues surrounds her. She’s holding a framed picture.

CLOSEUP of the picture shows it’s a smiling happy FRED and GUNN with their arms wrapped around each other.

FRED golds the picture up and begins talking to it.

FRED
I bet y-you think I’m crying about you. I’m n-not,
Charles. That’s not why I’m crying at all. I’m crying
because...because Connor left just when I thought he
would stay and Angel’s gonna be so disappointed and
I almost died not so long ago and there’s a whole in
the ozone layer and yesterday when I was doing
laundry I wound up with not a single pair of matching
socks so I think there’s a sock-eating demon in the
dryer and I have no one to tell that to who’ll make that
crinkly nose face you always make when I’m being
silly but you find it cute and I m-miss you so much...

FRED starts sobbing in earnest, then leaps up when she hears the front door open, sending tissue wads cascading onto the floor.

FRED
Charles?

CORDELIA walks in with ARCHIE, DEIRDRE and HOLLI. FRED tries unsuccessfully to hide her disappointment and smiles tearfully.

CORDELIA
Fred?

FRED
(breath hitching)
Cordy, h-hi.

CORDELIA
These are the Hamiltons. They’re gonna be staying
with us for a little while - it’s a long story and are you
alright?

FRED
I’m f-fine.
(to the Hamiltons with a crumbling smile)
H-hello, I’m Fred. Would you like some coffee, or...
or...I don’t know what else we have.

FRED starts sobbing again. CORDY looks apologetically at the Hamiltons.

CORDELIA
Could you excuse us for just a moment? Just...make
yourselves at home.

The Hamiltons nod and look around curiously at the lobby, especially the weapons case, as CORDELIA pulls FRED aside.

CORDELIA
(kindly)
Fred, what happened?

FRED
He’s gone, and it’s all my fault.

CORDELIA
He? He who?

FRED
Charles...he came back and he misunderstood and I
just blew up. I told him to go away...and he did.

CORDELIA
Misunderstood?

CLOSEUP on FRED and CORDELIA.

FRED
He thought I was with another man, but I wouldn’t do
that. I love Charles!

CORDELIA
I know you do, but why did Gunn think-

FRED
Because I was with another man. But I wasn’t with
another man. I was talking to Connor.

CORDELIA
Connor’s back?

FRED
He was...he left when Charles screamed at him. I’ve
messed up everything, Cordy. I don’t think they’re
coming back.

CORDELIA pulls FRED into a hug.

CORDELIA
No, no, sweetie. It’ll be okay. Trust me. That man loves
you so much.

FRED
You didn’t see his face. I’ve never seen him like that.
(starting to sob again)
It was like he had no hope left.

CORDELIA
Oh, Fred-

The oh so familiar sound of HOLLI screaming causes them both to look up in surprise. The CAMERA pulls back to show them surrounded by eight TUBE-HEAD demons, two MINDERS and ZEPH, who’s smiling at them.

ZEPH
Sorry, are we interrupting something, or is everyone
here ready to die?

FADE OUT

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