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Date Posted: 05:12:49 08/09/02 Fri
Author: Jeanny & Dawneen
Subject: Act II
In reply to: Jeanny & Dawneen 's message, "Act I" on 05:11:34 08/09/02 Fri

ACT II

Scene: Spike’s Crypt [Int.], Day
SPIKE is sitting facing the television, staring at it, when BUFFY enters without knocking. He ignores her.

BUFFY
Spike, I need information. What have you heard...you
realise that’s not on, right?
[no answer]
Ohh-kay. If you keep acting like a fruitcake, I think I
owe you a stake just for-

SPIKE
[faintly, still staring at the television]
Go away.

BUFFY
That’s better. But no. Not until you tell me what you
know about Saria.
[a beat, then]
I knew that wouldn’t work, Will.
[deep breath, then]
You know, the vamp chick that used to be a Slayer,
she’s really old and her hair is way outta style and
she’s from India and she used to be in love with
a...anyway, she was messing with Dawn a few
nights ago, which I know you remember, being that
you were playing Rescue Ranger at the time.
[she pauses - no reaction]
Look, Spike, I don’t wanna ask you for help right now
any more than you want to give it, but I gotta find this
girl. She’s definitely got an agenda, possibly a big bad
wannabe...and there’s some tie-in with our favorite
neighborhood tattooed snakey cult. The one’s that hurt
Dawn before. So I think you can understand that it’s
beyond important I know what she’s up to.
[a couple beats]
You must have heard something. You’ve always
heard something.
[several beats later, off his lack of response]
This is getting really old. I don’t get you. You’re
being so...petty. You’re mad at me so you’re gonna
let Dawn suffer for it.

SPIKE looks at her for the first time, the last words she spoke registering.

SPIKE
Something’s wrong with Dawn?

SPIKE gets to his feet, and BUFFY shakes her head at him.

BUFFY
[irritated]
What? Duh. Saria scared her...you saw. She’s okay,
she’s just freaked. The bitch really got to her...I’m
gonna make sure it never happens again.
[a beat, then]
But since we‘re near the subject...you’ve been getting
your freaky on a bit to much around her lately. She’s
really hurt, the way you brushed her off.

A brief flash of sorrow, then SPIKE’s lip curls angrily.

SPIKE
So you’d better keep her away from me then, ‘less
you want her to get hurt some more.

BUFFY throws up her hands angrily and begins pacing.

BUFFY
You don’t think I want that? It’s not what Dawn wants.
She’s not a little kid anymore, she’s making choices
on her own, whether I like it or not. And she wants
you to be a part of her life, which wouldn’t be my
choice, but at least I know you care about her. All I’m
saying is don’t hurt her.

SPIKE starts to laugh, just a snicker at first, then full-blown hysteria.

SPIKE
[still laughing]
That’s rich. ‘Don’t hurt her.’
[abruptly stops laughing]
Sod off.

He turns his back on her, moving away to a darker corner of the crypt. BUFFY stares at him, shocked.

BUFFY
That’s it? That’s all you’ve got?

SPIKE
Don’t come back here again. There’s nothing here for
you or yours. No help, no hints, no bleedin’ whatever
you think you come here for. Understand me?

BUFFY
The one thing I can say for sure I don’t is understand
you.

SPIKE turns back to her, his face still in shadows.

SPIKE
You don’t have to. Just let me be. You and the Bit,
just...don’t come here.

BUFFY
[angrily]
Fine. Have fun with the brooding.

She turns and heads for the door, but freezes and turns back when he speaks again.

SPIKE
[pained, through clenched teeth]
I will hurt her. Make her see that.

BUFFY
You know, if I thought for a second that you actually
might...could...hurt Dawn, there’s no place on this
earth you could hide that would keep me from staking
you. Soul or no soul.

SPIKE’s shoulders sink as she leaves, and…


Scene: Spike’s Crypt [Ext.], Day
…BUFFY bumps into CLEM right outside the crypt. The demon is carrying a bag of groceries that he nearly drops in surprise.

CLEM
Whoa!

BUFFY grabs hold and steadies the bag.

BUFFY
Here…here you go...

CLEM
Thanks…almost lost it there.

BUFFY
Is that…?

CLEM
Butcher’s blood and...
[shaking the bag]
...yummy goldfish crackers. I’m trying to get Spike to
eat something. Thought he might like biting their little
heads off.

BUFFY
[frowning]
Spike’s not eating?

CLEM
He’s been real moody. I mean, not that he’s ever
been what you would call cheerful...

BUFFY
[dryly]
I’ve noticed.

CLEM
But I’ve never seen him like this. I think he’s
depressed. He hasn’t left his crypt hardly at all...not
since he saved your sis. Frankly, I’ve been a little
worried. Spike’s not the hermit type.

BUFFY
Gotta say yeah there. So what’s up with him?

CLEM
[embarrassed]
I’m not sure I should be talking to you about this, I
mean, you have a history and I really like you, for a
Slayer I think you’re swell and I don’t want to offend-

BUFFY
Clem. Really. It’s okay.
[not surprised]
You think this new mood of his is about me?

CLEM
Sure, you. Your sis. Coming back to town. He’s had a lot
of adjusting to do, and he’s not doing all of it as well as
he...well, anyway, I’m taking him out to the Bronze
when the sun sets. Gonna try to cheer him up.
[hesitation, then with concern]
I hope you don’t mind me asking, but are you okay?
You look a little...tired.

BUFFY smiles at his concern. CLEM looks relieved that she‘s not uset with him.

BUFFY
I’m okay, but you’re right about the tired. In fact I think
I’m gonna go home and try to catch some quality
REM, as long as nothing‘s going on.

CLEM gives her a comforting pat on the shoulder.

CUT TO:


Scene: Summers’ House, Living Room [Int.], Day
WILLOW and XANDER are sitting together on the sofa, quiet and grave, while BUFFY looks down at them.

BUFFY
So what’s going on?

WILLOW and XANDER exchange guilty looks.

BUFFY
(continued)
Come on, spill. Tired, cranky, impatient Slayer,
remember?

WILLOW
We found something. More of Saria’s history. Her
whole family was slaughtered by vampires, and...

She hands BUFFY the book. BUFFY stares at the picture, not understanding at first.

BUFFY
That’s her? What is she doing with that- oh my God!

She looks back at her friends in shock. WILLOW and XANDER both nod.

XANDER
Looks like you and she might have something more in
common than just the union dues.

WILLOW
We don’t know a whole lot about her vamp, um, friend.

BUFFY
What we do know is...?

WILLOW
(continued)
His name was Amar, according to this account at least.
And he and Saria, they were definitely...you know.

XANDER
[pointed, a bit angry]
Oh, she knows.

WILLOW elbows him hard.

CLOSEUP of BUFFY’s reaction: she’s hurt, closed off.

WILLOW
Xander!

XANDER
Hey...oww!

BUFFY
It’s okay, Will.
[to XANDER, tightly]
Something you want to say?

XANDER holds up his hands in a placating gesture.

XANDER
[sincerely]
Sorry. I...sorry.

BUFFY nods at him, but her expression is still a bit hurt. He looks away, slumping on the couch.

BUFFY
[evenly, to WILLOW]
Did he destroy her family?

WILLOW
According to what I read, it doesn’t seem like it, but
it’s hard to be sure.

BUFFY hugs herself, obviously troubled.

BUFFY
Is he the vamp that turned her?

WILLOW
There just aren’t a lot of details...just that his name
was Amar, that he apparently fought at the Slayer’s
side and from all accounts...

BUFFY
Will, what?

WILLOW
He loved her.
[pointedly, to XANDER]
Which is why I say he didn’t slaughter her family.

XANDER
[looking at BUFFY]
Not necessarily, Will. To a vampire, slaughtering a
girl’s family’s regular hearts-and-flowers stuff. The
very best way to show you care.

WILLOW elbows him again, more gently, but he raises a defiant eyebrow at her before looking meaningfully at BUFFY. She eyes him sharply, then sighs.

BUFFY
Didn’t you say her lover was killed by The
Mother?

WILLOW
I did. That’s what we were able to turn up
originally, after Dawnie’s vision.

BUFFY
So which time did she kill him?

WILLOW
Huh?

BUFFY
Was it The Mother that vamped him, or did
she slay him?

WILLOW
I’m not sure…

BUFFY
Did he...have a soul?

WILLOW shrugs, looking frustrated.

WILLOW
I’m sorry I keep making with the noncommittal, but
there just isn’t more info here. We’ll keep looking.

BUFFY
Good. I want to get into this vamp’s head so I can
get her out of mine...and speaking of current
mysteries, any recent Dawn sightings?

XANDER
Nary the one.

WILLOW
I looked in on her a little while ago. She was napping.

BUFFY
Oh. Good. I mean, that’s good, right?

XANDER
Napping is always good. And she seemed like she
could use the rest earlier.

BUFFY
She’s not the only one. I’m gonna catch a few before
sunset, okay, guys?

WILLOW
Of course. We’ll take care of dinner, and...anything
else that comes up.

XANDER
Unless there’s an apocalypse, then we’re definitely
waking you.

BUFFY
[like she didn’t really hear him]
Okay. You’re the best, guys.

BUFFY heads up the stairs as WILLOW and XANDER exchange worried looks.

XANDER
Any complaints if I call for a pre-emptive wigging out
here?

WILLOW
No...well, yes. We can’t do that, Xander. Buffy needs
us to figure this thing out and help her stop this
Saria...thing...

Scene: Summers’ House, Dawn’s Bathroom [Int.], Day
DAWN is in the shower.

CLOSEUP of DAWN’s face - she’s crying.

WILLOW
[Voice-Over]
...before anyone else gets hurt.

DAWN angrily shuts the water off and wraps a towel around herself. She quickly changes into her bathrobe and wraps the towel around her head.

DAWN
I’m not going crazy. I’m not. I’m not having Slayer
dreams...because I’m not the Slayer, and only the
Slayer does that...and okay, talking to myself in the
bathroom, not the best sanity demo ever...
[sudden decision]
I can’t keep doing this...I’ve got to talk to somebody...
Buffy or Willow...

She makes her way to the door and suddenly staggers, grabbing her head as another vision hits her.

DAWN
Oh God!

The vision includes flashes of AMAR and SARIA making love, her slaughtered family, the snake symbol, the shrouded FEMALE VAMP and SARIA in the burned out vamp lair raising her arms.

SARIA
Slayer...I know you’re out there, Slayer. Buffy
Summers... you know she’s coming for you...come to
me. Come greet The Mother...


Scene: Summers’ House, Dawn’s Bedroom [Int.], Day
We see DAWN collapse on her bed, holding her head.

DAWN
Stop it stop it stop it...Buffy...Buffy make it stop,
please....


Scene: Summers’ House, Buffy’s Bedroom [Int.], Day
BUFFY sits up with a start.

BUFFY
That’s it! You want me this bad, bitch? You’ve got me!

BUFFY stands up and puts on her jacket, looking in the mirror. She looks totally furious, but more cold and detached than we’re used to seeing her. We hear SARIA laughing...
DISSOLVE TO:


Scene: Bronze [Ext.], Dusk
Quick establishing shot of the Bronze to show the sun going down. SARIA’s laughing dissolves into the sounds of the crowd at the Bronze.

CUT TO:


Scene: Bronze [Int.], Night
CLOSE-UP pool table, cue ball breaks. HOOBASTANKS ‘Running Away’ is playing in the background.

SONG
I don't want you to give it all up
And leave your own life collecting dust
And I don't want you to feel sorry for me
You never gave us a chance to be

SPIKE
[Voice-Over]
Should have stayed in tonight.

Camera pulls back. We see game has just begun. CLEM stands back up. SPIKE stares intensely at the table, smoking cigarette.

SONG
And I don't need you to be by my side
To tell me that everything's alright
I just wanted you to tell me the truth
You know I'd do that for you

CLEM
But this is fun. With all the people. You used to like
this.

SPIKE leans in, takes a shot - misses - curses under his breath. His eyes remained focused on the table.

SONG
Why are you running away?
Why are you running away?

SPIKE
I used to like a lot of things.
[a beat, then]
Besides, I don’t fancy seeing the Slayer or one of her
little pals again today.

CLEM leans in, goes for a shot - makes it. Goes to line up his next shot. SPIKE suddenly draws his attention to the back of the Bronze. A man is harassing a young woman.

SONG
Cause I did enough to show you that I
Was willing to give and sacrifice
And I was the one who was lifting you up
When you thought your life had had enough

CLEM
[not looking up]
I highly doubt that’ll happen.

SONG
And when I get close, you turn away
There's nothing that I can do or say
So now I need you to tell me the truth
You know I'd do that for you

CLEM shots again, misses. Looks up to see he’s alone at the table. Music fades.

SWITCH TO: A GIRL - young, maybe eighteen - dressed in jeans and a halter top. A VAMPBOY - mid-40 looking - in human face, is pressing her up against the back wall. They’re in the shadows, no one pays them any attention.

GIRL
So aren’t you gonna ask me how old I am?

VAMPBOY
Age is irrelevant.

They kiss.

GIRL
Hey, if you say so, I mean this is pretty kinky. You sure
it’s okay back here - no one’s gonna notice?

VAMPBOY
I’m hungry now, so this is where it’s gotta be.

GIRL
Hungry? The food here kinda sucks now. They used to
have this really good onion thing...

VAMPBOY morphs. GIRL opens mouth to scream, but VAMPBOY gets hand swifly over mouth and pins her to the wall.

VAMPBOY
Geez, heard you Sunnydale residents were a bit dense
but I had no idea - don’t you know not to follow
strangers into dark places?

SPIKE
[Voice-Over]
Not all of us, mate. Now let the girl go or you’ll be
regretting your words.

VAMPBOY chuckles, remains holding the GIRL.

VAMPBOY
Hey...I know you! You’re the vamp that works with the
Slayer...Look, babe, I’d like to introduce you to
Sunnydale’s one and only neutered vamp, Spike.

SPIKE
I said, let the girl go.

VAMPBOY
Why, you want her? Oh, oh, wait, you can’t...function.
That’s really so sad. Guess you could have the
leftovers, ‘mate.’

VAMPBOY leans in and bites her, but suddenly his head jerks back up and VAMPBOY has a stunned expression. Explodes into dusk. In the wake, we see SPIKE pulling back the stake.

SPIKE
Sorry, not much for second-hand jobs.

GIRL
[in shock]
Oh my…what just happened?

SPIKE
I saved…

LOUD thumping heartbeat fills the air. CLOSE UP: GIRL’s neck wound. SWITCH TO: SPIKE staring at it, licking his lips. SWITCH BACK: GIRL mouthing some words, but all we hear is the THUMPING.

SWITCH TO: SPIKE vamping out. SPIKE swoops down on the GIRL.

BLACK OUT

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