VoyForums

[ VoyUser Login optional ] [ Main index ] [ Post a new message ] [ Search | Check update time | Archives: 1, 2, 3, [4] ]

[ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ]

Date Posted: 03:16:31 06/18/02 Tue
Author: Jeanny
Subject: Act IV
In reply to: Jeanny 's message, "Act III" on 03:10:46 06/18/02 Tue

ACT IV

Scene XXX: Vamp Cult Lair, Late Morning
The MINION we saw earlier walks in, and is immediately grabbed by one of his fellows, a scary-looking TOUGH VAMP.

TOUGH VAMP
You. Where have you been?

MINION
(nervous)
P-patrol?

TOUGH VAMP
All patrols were back before sunrise. Where is your
unit?

MINION
(weakly)
W-we kind of g-got separated...didn't they come
back?

TOUGH VAMP
Separated!
(shoving the MINION AWAY)
I should stake you for your gross incompetence...but I
think the Mother should be allowed to deal with you as
she sees fit.

TOUGH VAMP signals and two other vamps, one MALE and one FEMALE, come and grab the MINION by the arms.

MINION
W-wait! What did I do? P-please, don't-

SPIKE
(o.s., sing-song)
Uh-oh...somebody's in trouble...

All vamps whirl and see SPIKE leaning nonchalantly against the wall, smoking a cigarette.

SPIKE
(looking around)
This the secret lair? Frankly, I've seen better. Mom
might bake a mean mince pie but she's not much of
a decorator.

TOUGH VAMP
The location of this sanctuary is unknown to all but the
chosen...how did you...?

TOUGH VAMP pauses to give the cowering MINION another murderous look

MINION
(shaking head vigorously)
I didn't!

SPIKE
Yeah, actually you did. Hate to break it to ya, but he's
right. You are incompetent.

TOUGH VAMP
He has defiled the sanctuary! Destroy him!

SPIKE
Thank God, I thought we'd never get to the violence...

The two VAMPS that were holding the MINION release him and charge SPIKE. He blocks the blow from the FEMALE, twists the head off the MALE, dusting him, then kicks the FEMALE back into the lair. The MINION charges SPIKE with a pathetic cry, and SPIKE grabs him by the scruff of the neck, he grabs hold of the gas pipe hanging from the ceiling with the other..

SPIKE
The thing is, a friend of mine is laid up in hospital,
thanks to you lot, so I only came here to speak my
piece, deliver my message, you know, 'stay away
from me and mine,' but then I realized...

SPIKE rips the pipe loose from the ceiling and moves the MINION into a headlock in the crook of his elbow. He lights a match with his now free hand and holds it to the pipe. An explosion of blue flame pops out and dusts everyone except SPIKE and his screaming captive, who duck quickly out of the chamber and away from the explosion.

SPIKE
(conversationally, as if nothing had happened)
...I only really need one of you to spread the word. And
you'll do that, won't you, sonny-boy? Let everyone know
that if anyone so much as thinks of having a taste of the
Little Bit, they'll have to answer to me. Got it? Cause if
you don't I'll just hafta-

MINION
(squealing)
I got it. I so got it. Except...

SPIKE
What?

MINION
What's a 'little bit'?

SPIKE
(exaggerated patience)
Dawn. Summers.

MINION
Dawn Summers. Got it.

SPIKE
For that matter, any girl with the last name Summers.

MINION
Any girl, last name Summers...mo touchy no bitey. I'm
on it. I'm spreading the word...they'll have to answer to
you, the big bad...

SPIKE
(smug)
That's right.

MINION
Big, and tough, and...I'm sorry, your name is...?

From SPIKE's incredulous reaction we cut to:

Scene XXXI: Outside Devon's On-Campus Room, Late Morning
XANDER pounds on the door, the expression on his face telling us he's been doing this for a while. BUFFY has her arms crossed impatiently.

BUFFY
I'm telling you, I can have us in in half a minute.

XANDER
(sarcastically)
And after we kick in his door, Devon will make us all tea
and tell us everything we want to know.

BUFFY rolls her eyes grudgingly as we hear muffled thumps inside.

DEVON
(o.s., muffled from inside)
I'm coming! Keep your shirt on...Unless it's Melanie, in
which case get your luscious...

DEVON jerks the door open, and looks disappointed. He glares at them sleepily.

DEVON
Oh. It's you. What do you want?

BUFFY and XANDER are speechless, for DEVON is buck-naked except for a half-heartedly held pillow covering his crotch.

WOMAN
(o.s.)
Who is it, baby?

A blonde head appears over DEVON's shoulder, as his girlfriend LORI looks out at them curiously. From the reactions of BUFFY and XANDER, she is also clearly naked.

DEVON
Nobody, babe. Just some people I used to...

Another person appears: this time it's CHRIS, the drummer from the Dingoes, also naked though through strategic camera angling we see nothing that will get us in trouble. BUFFY looks ready to faint.

CHRIS
Hey man, we outta Mallomars?

DEVON
No dude, there's like a whole other bag...Lori'll show
ya, woncha babe? I won't be long here.

DEVON nuzzles LORI playfully as XANDER looks at BUFFY.

XANDER
So I'm thinking maybe I have the right charms after all.

BUFFY elbows him as LORI and CHRIS disappear and they have DEVON's full attention again.

DEVON
So, you guys know that Oz's not here, right?

BUFFY
Yes, we do...but we need to find him. Right away...
ummm, where is he?

DEVON
Not really sure...I think he's still out in L.A....

XANDER
L.A.! That's not far...

BUFFY
Where exactly in L.A.? You have a phone number, an
address?

DEVON
Nah, he moves a lot, man, I don't keep track...you know
who knows? His old girlfriend...you know, the
redhead? Your friend?

XANDER
Willow? We know she knows...

BUFFY
We can't exactly ask her right now. Which is why
we're asking you. You must keep in touch.

DEVON's expression gets obviously evasive; he's keeping something from them.

DEVON
Nah, we don't really talk much since he quit the
Dingoes. He's into something else now, like Indian
chants or something...sorry, can't help you...

XANDER
(to BUFFY)
Time to turn on the charm?

BUFFY
(smiling sweetly at DEVON)
Let me explain this to you. We know you have a way of
contacting Oz, and we're not going to leave until we get
it...now this can be easy, maybe even fun, or it can be
hard and really...the opposite of fun...your choice...

DEVON
(trying to be charming back)
Look, Buffy, you know, I'm all in favor of things being
all easy and fun...but I just don't have what you want.

BUFFY
(pointedly looking down, then back into his eyes coyly)
You're absolutely positively sure about that?

DEVON
(flirtatiously)
Well, maybe I've got something for ya...

XANDER
(annoyed)
It better be a way to contact Oz.

DEVON
Man, I told you. I don't know.

BUFFY
(sadly, with a sigh)
Okay. The hard way it is.

Scene XXXII: Inside Devon's On-Campus Room, Late Morning

BUFFY knees DEVON in the, er, pillow, causing him to fall back into the room. BUFFY steps in and over his painfully sprawled body, a sympathetically wincing XANDER following behind. We see a wide-eyed CHRIS standing and gaping at them, holding a strategically placed bag of Mallomars.

CHRIS
Dude, that's not right.

DEVON
(choking)
Bitch!

BUFFY
(dragging her foot suggestively, as if lining it up)
I'll take that information anytime, unless you want to
keep playing pillow talk...

DEVON
(screaming)
Lori! Get on my computer and look up Oz's email?

LORI
(o.s.)
Right now?

BUFFY smiles down at him sweetly.

DEVON
Yeah, babe. Now is the time.

From BUFFY and XANDER's exchange of looks we cut to:

Scene XXXIII: Street in Los Angeles, Afternoon

WILLOW is still walking aimlessly when she passes The Pump and Grind, the coffee bar she remembers Oz plays at. She starts to enter through the front, but hears music coming from nearby and instead walks along the side of the building. As she gets closer she begins to make out the words...(Note from Jeanny: I actually wrote this song, but I'm pretending for the purposes of this script it's Oz's song. It is, however, copywritten work, so don't use without my permission. If I ever get around to recording it, I'll put an MP3 up so you can hear it.)

CLIFF
(o.s., singing)
So unlike the nursery song
Steel and concrete don't tumble down
As I ply the icy waters
Please forgive me if I drown...

WILLOW reaches the back and sees a door open a crack. She tentatively opens it and walks in...

Scene XXXIV: Pump and Grind Back Room, Afternoon

CLIFF and OZ are rehearsing, and both have their eyes closed, totally wrapped up in the song. WILLOW takes a careful seat on a broken stool near the door and listens.

CLIFF
(singing)
Guess you never get used to it
The push and pull, the grind and bop
The churning of the mad river
When all you want to do is stop

But there's no way to stop in time
And there's no forward there's no back
Those are only cold reminders
Of the memories that you lack

I call out the names of loved ones
Past and future
Do they know I tried?
Please if God could keep them with me
But they went out with the tide

My fondest wish is now your grace
That's my great surprise
For you were the risk not taken
And I was the bed of lies

And upon that bed the bridge was built
That killed all those who crossed
In the end you find what you miss the most
Is what you never lost

So unlike the nursery song
Steel and concrete don't tumble down
As I ply the icy waters
Please forgive me if I drown...

As I leave the icy waters
Please forgive me if I drown...

The song ends, and OZ sees WILLOW. he half-smiles, setting his guitar in the case and nodding to CLIFF. She stands up as he comes over, suddenly embarrassed.

WILLOW
Guess I'm probably not supposed to be back here...

OZ
It's cool. Owners let us use it as rehearsal space...
Zalie comes to listen sometimes.
(a beat, then)
I'm really happy to see you.

WILLOW
(tearfully)
I'm really happy to be seen.

OZ pulls her into a long hug...

Scene XXXV: Pump and Grind, Afternoon
Montage of shots of WIILOW and OZ in the front of the store, drinking coffee and talking, some laughing shots, some more tearful. Eventually we wind up at:

Scene XXXVI: Bus Station, Afternoon
WILLOW and OZ watch as people climb on board the bus to Sunnydale. OZ hands WILLOW her backpack. She smiles at him a bit sadly.

WILLOW
Guess its time to go back.

OZ
Looks like.

OZ brushes her hair out of her face tenderly.

OZ
You'll be okay.

WILLOW
I know. I'm ready. I c-can be brave. And strong.
Strong like...
(she falters)
Just strong.

OZ nods, keeping his own thoughts. He smiles at her.

OZ
I'm glad you came.

Fastball's Out of My Head begins to play.

WILLOW
Yeah...
(wincing)
I'm sorry about the door...Let me know how much-

OZ
It doesn't matter. Just a door.
(He leans in and kisses her forehead.)
It's always open for you.

SONG
Sometimes I feel
Like I am drunk behind the wheel
The wheel of possibility
However it may roll

WILLOW grabs him in a fierce tearful hug and then runs for the bus.

SONG
Give it a spin
See if you can somehow factor in

She stops on the step and turns, smiling and waving. OZ smiles and waves back.

SONG
You know there's always more than one way
To say exactly what you mean to say

As the song plays, we see her take her seat, and OZ watch the bus pull away, his hand slowly falling as she disappears from sight.

SONG
Was I out of my head? Was I out of my mind?
How could I have ever been so blind?
I was waiting for an indication
It was hard to find
Don't matter what I say
Only what I do
I never mean to do bad things to you
So quiet but I finally woke up
If you're sad then it's time you spoke up too

The song fades as we dissolve to:


Scene XXXVII: Summers House, Afternoon

BUFFY is bending over WILLOW's laptop, clicking the mouse. She then sits back with a satisfied sigh. She's wearing fresh clothes and seems a bit calmer. XANDER walks in and hands her a soda. He looks at WILLOW's laptop and frowns.

XANDER
How often do you suppose Oz checks his email?

BUFFY
No idea. I just hope we're right and Will's gotten in
touch with him.
(opening her soda)
Xander?

XANDER
Yeah?

BUFFY
(serious)
Thank you.

XANDER
It's your soda, I just carried it-

BUFFY
Not for the soda. For being here. For always being
where I need you. For saving Dawn.

XANDER
Buffy? Can you do something for me?

BUFFY
What?

XANDER
Just...tell me we're gonna be okay.

BUFFY searches his eyes, uncertain what he's asking for. Finally she just slips her hand into his and gives it a reassuring squeeze. XANDER nods as we cut to:


Scene XXXVIII: Inside DAWN's Hospital Room, Early Evening

DAWN is sleeping and ANYA is watching her. SPIKE enters quietly, and ANYA hurries over, taking him by the sleeve and dragging him to the farthest corner away from DAWN.

SPIKE
Is Dawn alright?

ANYA
She's sleeping. She's been worried sick about you.
Where did you disappear to?

SPIKE
(distant, eyes on DAWN)
Went out for a smoke.

ANYA
Fine, well, can you stay with her for a few minutes? I'd
like to stretch my legs.

SPIKE
Yeah.

ANYA
Great. And don't go anywhere till I get back. We can't
leave her alone.

SPIKE
I won't be going anywhere.
ANYA steps out the door and SPIKE approaches the bed.

SPIKE
Won't be leaving you again, pet.

He sits and takes DAWN's hand.

SPIKE
Know I upset you with that...you and I, we'd been
through a lot, over that summer when your sis was...
was gone...I guess I didn't really think about you
much, Dawn. I know how that sounds...but, there was
a lot going on, you know. My unlife was bloody falling
apart...and I am the big bad, you know. Not supposed
to care about...to care what happens.

He pauses, squeezing her hand tighter, closing his eyes as tears threaten. We see BUFFY enter silently, but SPIKE doesn't notice her.

SPIKE
I care about you, pet. I care, and I'm so sorry...I
should've been there for you, pet. I promise you, no
vampires, no monsters are going to lay a tooth on that
pretty neck again. I won't let that happen, Dawn.

BUFFY
She knows.

SPIKE turns his head, quickly hiding his surprise at finding her there. He shakes his head as she approaches. BUFFY sits on the other side of DAWN, and the two stare at each other.

BUFFY
She missed you. But she knew you'd come back. She
trusts you, Spike.

SPIKE
Sure you've advised her otherwise. Given her good
cause not to.

BUFFY stares back at him, and just as SPIKE looks away she speaks, causing his head to whip back.

BUFFY
I trust you too.

SPIKE stares in disbelief as BUFFY smooths her sister's hair.

BUFFY
(looking at DAWN)
I trust you with Dawn. With her life. Without question.
(looking at him)
There aren't many people I can say that about.

SPIKE wisely says nothing, the two of them watch DAWN sleep in a silence that conveys a new understanding.


Scene XXXIX: Hospital Corridor near DAWN's Room, Early Evening
ANYA is wandering rather aimlessly when she sees the GUARD from earlier coming. She steps back and turns to head in the other direction, plowing into XANDER in the process.

XANDER
Whoa!

ANYA
Xander! Hi, sorry, I-
(sudden panic)
I didn't leave Dawn alone. Spike is-

XANDER
I know. Buffy went in, but I was looking for you.

ANYA
Oh. Well, you found me.
(hopeful)
You wanted me?

XANDER touches her elbow lightly, moving her more to the side of the corridor. ANYA leans in, and for a second it appears they might kiss. XANDER clears his throat and the moment is lost.

XANDER
I wanted to tell you...thank you. For everything you've
done since last night. Watching Dawn...just being
here. For all of us. Really above and beyond.

ANYA
Oh...well...gosh...you know that I love Dawn...and that
I...that there's nothing I wouldn't do for...for Willow...
Willow!

WILLOW has appeared behind XANDER, who's looking at ANYA in confusion. Her excited gestures make him turn around, and he immediately gathers her in his arms.

XANDER
(very emotional)
Will...thank God!

WILLOW
Xander...is everyone okay? Please tell me...

XANDER
We're fine. It's all gonna be fine.

ANYA
Dawn was attacked, but she's gonna be fine.

XANDER releases WILLOW and she immediately wraps her arms around ANYA, who returns the hug, surprised and pleased.

WILLOW
Thank you...

And as the song, John Mayer’s Not Myself, starts we dissolve to:


Scene XXXX: Inside DAWN's Hospital Room, Early Evening
BUFFY and SPIKE look up as WILLOW enters. BUFFY rises, overjoyed.

SONG
Suppose I said I am on my best behavior
And there are times I lose my worried mind

BUFFY and WILLOW hug, crying.

SONG
Would you want me when I'm not myself?
Wait it out while I am someone else?

SONG
Suppose I said
Colors change for no good reason

WILLOW approaches the bed and kisses the sleeping DAWN on the forehead. The group all stand around Dawn. There is unity again. Dissolve to:


Scene XXXXI: Oz’s Apartment, Night

OZ is staring out the window. We look over his shoulder at the full moon over the city.

SONG
And words will go
From poetry to prose
Would you want me when I'm not myself?

He moves away to pick up his guitar, and sees a hair clip on the floor - WILLOW’s - and he picks it up, closing his eyes.

SONG
Wait it out while I am someone else?

Scene XXXXII: Graveyard, Night
WILLOW is walking alone through the graveyard, a single red rose in her hand. She stops in front of TARA’s grave.

SONG
And I, in time
Will come around
I always do for you

WILLOW kneels, placing the rose gently in front of the grave.

WILLOW
Goodbye, baby. I love you. Keep watching me. I’m
gonna be strong...strong like Amazon...

She stands and turns around, and we see BUFFY and XANDER behind her, waiting. She walks between them and they each put an arm around her and start walking with her.

SONG
Suppose I said
You’re my saving grace?
My grace...

The three friends walk away from the camera together as the song fades out.

[ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ]

Replies:

Forum timezone: GMT+0
VF Version: 2.94, ConfDB:
Before posting please read our privacy policy.
VoyForums(tm) is a Free Service from Voyager Info-Systems.
Copyright © 1998-2008 Voyager Info-Systems. All Rights Reserved.