Dirty Girls Transcript
Buffy Episode 7x18 (#140)
"Dirty Girls" Transcript
Written by Drew Goddard
Original U.S. Air Date: April 15, 2003
RECAP:
GILES (V.O.)
Previously on Buffy the Vampire Slayer:
1 EXT. WAREHOUSE - NIGHT
A dark-haired teenage girl is fighting off vampires outside a warehouse at night. She's strong and holding her own against them.
FAITH
I'm Faith.
Cut to:
2 INT. STORE - NIGHT
With a sadistic smile on her face, Faith is inspecting a weapon she's holding.
GILES (V.O.)
We have a rogue slayer on our hands. I can't think of anything more dangerous.
Cut to:
3 EXT. WAREHOUSE - NIGHT
Faith stakes a man while Buffy stands there beside her.
BUFFY
Faith, no!
Cut to:
4 INT. MOTEL - DAY
Buffy and Faith talk in Faith's room at a motel.
BUFFY
You killed a man.
FAITH
I don't care.
Cut to:
5 INT. LIBRARY - DAY
Giles and Buffy talk in the Sunnydale High Library.
GILES
She's unstable, Buffy.
Cut to:
6 EXT. FAITH'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
Faith and Buffy are engaged in a vicious fight atop Faith's apartment building. Buffy stabs Faith in the stomach, Faith punches Buffy to the ground, and Faith walks to the edge and deliberately falls backward off of the roof, landing on a garbage truck.
Cut to:
7 INT. CAVE - NIGHT
In the form of Jenny Calendar, the First confronts Buffy.
JENNY/FIRST
I'm not a demon, little girl. I am something that you can't even conceive. The First Evil.
The First transforms into an apparition of a nasty, huge demon that nearly fills the entire room.
Cut to:
8 INT. LIVING ROOM AT BUFFY'S HOUSE - NIGHT
Anya's talking to the gang.
ANYA
Look, I'm not saying it's a happy scenario, but we're dealing with a Big Bad that can be any dead person it wants.
Cut to:
9 EXT. SUNNYDALE STREET - NIGHT
Andrew, looking tough and menacing, is talking to Warren/First.
WARREN/FIRST
You know the rules. I can't take corporeal form. (nods) Mm-hmm.
Andrew sticks his hand through Warren's chest.
Cut to:
10 INT. BUFFY'S HOUSE - DAY
Buffy opens the front door to leave but sees Giles standing there on her front porch when she opens it. Buffy goes to hug Giles but is cut off when three girls she's never met walk right into her house.
Cut to:
11 INT. LIVING ROOM AT BUFFY'S HOUSE - DAY
Dawn's standing in front of the three girls Giles brought with him. The three girls are lined up against the wall, and Dawn's inspecting them, arms crossed in front of her.
DAWN
They're all slayers?
GILES
Potential slayers.
Cut to:
12 EXT. BACKYARD AT BUFFY'S HOUSE - DAY
The potential slayers are training in the backyard, being led by Kennedy.
GILES (V.O.)
There were many more like them all over the world, but, um, now there's just a handful, and they're all on their way to Sunnydale.
Cut to:
13 INT. LIVING ROOM AT BUFFY'S HOUSE - DAY
Buffy is sitting in a chair, stunned by the news she's hearing from Giles.
BUFFY
That's what it wants.
Cut to:
13a EXT. CITY STREET IN ISTANBUL, TURKEY - NIGHT
A dark-haired girl is running through the arched hallway, looking over her shoulder and panting from the exertion of running so fast. She's being chased. Two people in hooded cloaks are chasing her.
Cut to:
13b INT. PARKING GARAGE IN FRANKFURT, GERMANY - NIGHT
A girl with hot pink hair with black bangs on her forehead, a nose ring, and a metal collar is trying to escape her pursuers. Finally, she thinks she's safe when she goes through a doorway to the outside near a crowd of club patrons, but she is pushed back inside. Robed men close the door behind them and start to fight with her. She is knocked to the ground, lying on her back. Finally, one of the robed people pulls out a Jambaya (curved silver dagger) and stabs her.
Cut to:
GILES (V.O.)
To erase all the slayers in training and their watchers, along with their methods.
BUFFY
And then Faith, and then me. It's the end. No more slayer.
Cut to:
14 INT. UNDERGROUND CAVE - NIGHT
Buffy approaches Spike slowly and cuts him loose of his tethers. When he touches her and realizes she's real, he smiles and squints, searching her face intently. She looks into his eyes, tapping an emotional connection between them.
BUFFY (V.O.)
Spike has a soul now. That's what's gonna stop him from hurting people.
Cut to:
15 INT. BUFFY'S ROOM AT BUFFY'S HOUSE - DAY
Giles comes into Buffy's room to talk to her.
GILES
Buffy...
BUFFY
He can be a good man, Giles. I feel it.
Cut to:
16 INT. LIVING ROOM AT BUFFY'S HOUSE - DAY
Andrew's just answered the phone.
ANDREW
Uh, Willow...call for you from L.A. Somebody named Fred.
Cut to:
17 INT. BASEMENT AT BUFFY'S HOUSE - DAY
Willow walks down the stairs to the basement to talk to Buffy.
WILLOW
I'm gonna have to take off for a while. Maybe a day or two?
Cut to:
18 EXT. CEMETERY - NIGHT
Giles and Buffy are walking through the cemetery, talking.
GILES
We're on the verge of war. You need to be able to make difficult decisions regardless of cost.
Cut to:
19 EXT. CEMETERY - NIGHT
Buffy is still fighting the vampire as Giles watches. Buffy stops fighting and turns to Giles.
BUFFY
(stakes the vampire) You're stalling me.
Cut to:
20 INT. WORKSHOP AT ROBIN'S PLACE - NIGHT
Robin and Spike are inside the shed now, but it's completely dark. Robin takes off his shirt and reaches into a drawer near the computer to strap on fighting paraphernalia to his arms.
ROBIN WOOD
I've been searching for you for a very, very long time. (looks at Spike) Ever since you killed my mother.
Spike tries to stifle his reaction, but the monster overtakes him. He goes into vampire visage and growls menacingly at Robin. Spike throws Robin against the wall.
Cut to:
21 INT. WORKSHOP AT ROBIN'S PLACE - NIGHT
Buffy walks up to Robin, who's trying to stand. She looks around the room, then walks up to Robin again.
BUFFY
You try anything again, he'll kill you. (Robin laughs) More importantly, I'll let him. (Robin looks at Buffy)
Cut to:
22 INT. UPSTAIRS AT BUFFY'S HOUSE - NIGHT
Giles walks up to Buffy as she goes into her doorway.
BUFFY
(looks at Giles) I think you've taught me everything I need to know. (shuts her door)
Fade to black.
End Recap.
The Start Of Episode
PROLOGUE:
23 EXT. WOODS - NIGHT
A teenage girl is running through the woods at night, running for her life. Bringers are chasing her. She sees an old pick-up truck driving down a dirt road through the woods, and she runs in front of it, waving it down emphatically with both arms.
GIRL
Stop! Stop! Stop, please! (the driver slows and stops the truck; the girl goes to the passenger door and speaks to him through the open window)
MAN
(wearing a black shirt with a priest's collar, speaking in a southern drawl) What's goin' on?
GIRL
Please get me out of here! (opens the passenger door and climbs in)
MAN
Was someone hurt? What is it?
GIRL
(shuts door) Drive.
Cut to:
24 INT. TRUCK - NIGHT
The young girl is panting, catching her breath. She's sitting in the passenger's seat in an old truck beside a man dressed as a preacher or priest.
MAN
Well, that was, uh... Are you all right?
GIRL
(panting) Thank you. Thank God you were there.
MAN
Well, let's not give him credit for everything. (smiles) No, I'm funning you. I don't believe it was a coincidence. I also don't believe young girls should be out in the woods late at night—should be tucked in bed.
GIRL
(softly) Wish I was.
MAN
I expect you do at that. Look, I don't mean to pry, but those boys... they looked like— Well, you didn't happen to fall in with devil worshipers, did you? (the girl doesn't answer, just stares out the window) Na, I'm—I'm sorry. You, uh, you look like you've been traveling a while. I didn't think that— Is there someplace you'd like me to drop you? You heading someplace?
GIRL
Sunnydale.
MAN
I'm going there myself. I ain't never been, but I expect we could find a police station or a—
GIRL
I just need to get to Revello Drive. (the man nods) Um, thanks, Father...
MAN / CALEB
Call me Caleb. Never was nobody's daddy.
GIRL / SHANNON
I'm Shannon.
CALEB
Well, Shannon, you feel like telling me why those Freaky Joe's were after you?
SHANNON
I'm not sure.
CALEB
Well, do you ever think that maybe they were chasing you because you're a whore?
SHANNON
(looks at Caleb, scoffs) What?
CALEB
Now, I know what you're thinking. Crazy preacher man spoutin' off at the mouth about the whore of Babylon or some-such. That ain't me. I'm not here to lecture you. I mean, what's the point? (presses in his dashboard cigarette lighter) My words just curdle in your ears. Wouldn't take in a thing. (Shannon looks around nervously and looks out the window) Head's filled with so much filth that ain't no room for words of truth. Well, you know what you are, Shannon? Dirty.
SHANNON
(offended) What? I'm not! What're—
CALEB
Now, now, now. There's no blame here. You were born dirty, born without a soul. Born with that gaping maw wants to open up, suck out a man's marrow. Makes me puke to think too hard on it. (Shannon touches the passenger side door, trying to open it, but there's no handle) Yeah, that there door's problematical. I don't know as I could recommend steppin' out at this speed anyway. You're like as not to tumble some. But, of course, there's my boys back there—Ooh, they hate to miss a mark.
SHANNON
(shocked) Your boys?
CALEB
Well, they ain't exactly my "blue-eyed boys" but they're hard workers. And they don't truck with Satan—that was just me having fun. (looks at Shannon) Satan is a little man. (Shannon reaches for the steering wheel, but he pushes her away, pinning her against the seat, then shakes his finger at her) I don't like back-seat drivers.
Caleb reaches to the dashboard and grabs the cigarette lighter. He places the heated coil of the lighter on a ring he's wearing on the middle finger of his right hand and presses it for a moment.
SHANNON
(sees what Caleb's doing, and cowers) Please...don't hurt me.
CALEB
Well, now, is this the part where you offer to do anything? Because I tried to make it clear—you got nothin' I want to explore.
Caleb puts the lighter back in the dashboard and presses his heated ring into Shannon's neck, making a sizzling sound. Shannon screams.
CALEB
Oh yeah. That's it! That's a cleansing fire. Hallelujah! Now, if I'm not mistaken, there's a car a little ways behind us, and I do believe there's some folk in it goin' the same place you are. Now, I want you to deliver a message for me, but it's not for them. It's for the other one—the one and only, the original, accept-no-substitutes slayer. Would you tell her something for me?
SHANNON
(frightened) Yes.
CALEB
Thank you, Shannon. (takes a knife and stabs Shannon in the stomach, then whispers something in her ear) Now, let's see what we can't do about that door.
Caleb kicks the door open and pushes Shannon out.
Cut to:
25 EXT. RURAL HIGHWAY - NIGHT
Shannon falls out of the pick-up truck and rolls across the pavement. A car driving toward her slams on its brakes. The driver, Willow, steps out and runs to the girl's side. The passenger steps out of the car and saunters toward Shannon.
WILLOW
(to Shannon) Are you OK? Can you hear me? (rolls Shannon over) Can you talk? (to her passenger) This girl's bleeding badly. We have to get her to the hospital.
As Willow's passenger walks forward into the light, show it's Faith standing there.
FAITH
(unfazed) Yep. Guess I'm back in Sunnydale.
Cut to:
Opening Credits.
ACT I:
26 INT. XANDER'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
Xander's floor is covered with sleeping bags and potentials. In his bedroom, he's under the blanket in his bed, and one of the potentials is sitting on his bed in skimpy pajamas, chatting.
XANDER
I know it's hard.
POTENTIAL
I haven't been able to sleep the last few nights.
XANDER
Hey, listen. It's gonna be OK. Buffy knows what she's doing. She's not gonna send you into battle until she's sure you're ready for action. (nods)
POTENTIAL
That's just it, though. How will I know I'm ready...for action?
XANDER
You have to trust us.
POTENTIAL
I'm so scared, Xander. I'm so young. (looks into Xander's eyes)
XANDER
Well, believe it or not, I was younger than you when I started all this.
POTENTIAL
There's just so much I haven't done, so much I need to do. It's like... I never had a real boyfriend, you know?
XANDER
Yeah?
POTENTIAL
(coyly) I've never been with a man. I could die tomorrow, and I've never been with a man.
XANDER
Well, uh—
Another girl appears sitting on the bed beside the first potential.
POTENTIAL 2
I've never been with a man before either.
XANDER
(smiles) Colleen.
POTENTIAL 2 / COLLEEN
I've never been with her in front of a man before.
POTENTIAL
I've never been with her in front of a man, either.
XANDER
Um...
POTENTIAL
(both girls crawl toward Xander seductively) Xander...
XANDER
We can't.
COLLEEN
We're so scared. (the first potential nods)
XANDER
The others might hear us.
COLLEEN
(shakes head) No, they won't.
POTENTIAL
(shakes head) They're OK.
The door to Xander's room opens to reveal a living room full of girls pillow-fighting in their skimpy pajamas. The air is filled with feathers.
RONA (O.S.)
Xander!
Cut to:
27 INT. XANDER'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
Xander is startled awake in his bedroom by Rona's insistent calls. There are three other girls standing in the doorway wearing decent (not skimpy) pajamas, glaring at Xander with their arms crossed.
RONA
Xander!
XANDER
Wha—?
RONA
(sighs) God damn it!
XANDER
What's going on? I was sleeping.
RONA
(irritated) Dominique has the stomach flu, and the toilet bowl is backed up.
XANDER
(smiles nervously) I'll be right out. (takes one of his hands out from under the covers) Got, uh, a leg cramp.
Rona nods and walks out, shutting the door behind her. Xander leans his head back on the pillow and rolls his eyes.
Cut to:
28 INT. SUNNYDALE HOSPITAL - NIGHT
Looking through a wall of windows, Willow and Faith are watching surgeons operate on someone.
FAITH
You sure she's one of us? She don't look like much now. Not a potential slayer, I mean.
WILLOW
Don't know. Seems to fit, though. We'll know more when she regains consciousness.
FAITH
(scoffs) If she regains consciousness. Girl's been gutted like a catfish.
WILLOW
Yeah.
FAITH
(looks at Willow) Something's killing girls all over the world, trying to end the slayer line. Thing like that, figure I might get a heads up.
WILLOW
(drops her hands to her side, shakes her head) Faith...
FAITH
(throws up her hands) Guess it doesn't really matter as long as you got the true slayer intact.
WILLOW
You were in prison. Figured you were safe there.
FAITH
(scoffs) Yeah, that's prison. Safe as a kitten.
WILLOW
Sorry, I... don't know much about the big house. Was it— (Faith looks away) I mean, did something happen in there?
FAITH
(looks at Willow) Someone came at me with a nasty-looking knife. Didn't really know why 'til now.
WILLOW
Oh, Faith, we didn't—
FAITH
Forget it. It's cool. I get by. (gestures to the patient being operated on) What're we gonna do about her?
WILLOW
Uh, I guess we should find Buffy, tell her what's going on. I-I tried calling home. Dawn says she's out patrolling.
FAITH
Let's go look for her. (walks away) Cemetery's more fun anyway.
WILLOW
Wait, somebody should wait here in case she wakes up.
FAITH
(stops walking) Fine, sit tight. I'll be back. (walks away)
WILLOW
W-w-wait. Uh, maybe you meeting Buffy alone isn't the best idea.
FAITH
(turns around) You told her the sitch, right? She knows I'm coming. Probably been up all night hanging streamers. (grins sarcastically)
WILLOW
Yeah, but it's not like you're study buddies, exactly. Maybe it'd be better if I...eased her into the whole thing.
FAITH
I can't stay here, Willow. Spent way too much time in hospitals. We don't click. Don't worry. (grins) I'm sure we'll all get along just fine. (turns, walks away)
Cut to:
29 EXT. CEMETERY IN SUNNYDALE - NIGHT
A blonde young woman is running at top speed through the cemetery. Someone's pursuing her. She stops running and looks for a place to hide. Someone punches her, knocking her down to the ground. Her pursuer kneels down to grab the young woman, but someone picks him up and throws him into a nearby tombstone. It was Spike who was pursuing the young woman, and Faith who pulled him off of her.
FAITH
Whatcha wanna do to her, vamp? (circles Spike) Huh? Somthin' like this? (punches Spike)
SPIKE
(stands) Nice punch you got there. Lemme guess. Leather pants, nice right cross, doe eyes, holier-than-thou glower...you must be Faith.
FAITH
(shrugs and grins) Oh, goodie. I'm famous.
SPIKE
Told you were coming. Bit of a misunderstanding here. I'm—
FAITH
Spike. (nods) Yeah, we've met before.
SPIKE
We have? I don't think we— (Faith kicks Spike in the torso) Bloody hell! What're you doing? I'm on your side.
FAITH
Yeah? Maybe you haven't heard. I've reformed. (punches Spike)
SPIKE
So have I. (punches Faith) I reformed way before you did. (Faith punches Spike) Stop... (punches Faith) hitting... (punches Faith again) me! We're on the same side.
FAITH
Please. You think I'm stupid?
SPIKE
Well, yeah. (grins)
FAITH
You were attacking that girl. (punches Spike)
Someone punches Faith in the face, knocking her down. Pan over to show it's Buffy.
BUFFY
(innocently) Sorry, Faith. I didn't realize that was you.
FAITH
It's all right, B. Luckily, you still punch like you used to.
BUFFY
(glares at Faith a moment, then turns to Spike) You OK?
SPIKE
Yeah. Terrific.
FAITH
(shocked) Are you protecting vampires? Are you the bad slayer now? Am I the good slayer now?
BUFFY
He's with me. He has a soul.
FAITH
Oh, he's like Angel?
SPIKE
No.
BUFFY
Sort of.
SPIKE
I am nothing like Angel.
BUFFY
He fights on my side. (shrugs, looks at Faith) Which is more than I can say for some of us.
FAITH
Yeah, well if he's so good, what's he doing chasing down defenseless—
The young woman that Spike was chasing stands up, growls, and attacks Faith, knocking her down.
BUFFY
(points to the young woman) That's one of the bad guys.
FAITH
You should make 'em wear a sign. (the young woman is a vampire; Faith fights the vamp woman and reaches around to Buffy's pocket full of stakes) May I? (takes a stake) Thanks.
Faith continues fighting the vamp woman, then stakes her.
SPIKE
Angel's dull as a table lamp. And we have very different coloring.
FAITH
OK, catching up. Anything else I gotta know?
BUFFY
Nice to have you back.
Cut to:
30 INT. BUFFY'S HOUSE - NIGHT
Buffy, Faith, and Spike walk into Buffy's house through the front door. Dawn and Giles are at the dining room table.
FAITH
Whoa. Memory Lane. Same old house.
BUFFY
Yeah, well, every piece of furniture's been destroyed and replaced since you left, so, actually, new house.
DAWN
(stands and walks toward them with her arms crossed) Buffy? (looks disapprovingly at Faith)
BUFFY
We have a new house guest.
FAITH
Hey, got a spare bed for a wanted fugitive?
GILES
(stands, nods) Hello, Faith.
FAITH
Well, I guess "wanted" wasn't really accurate.
DAWN
Does she have to stay here? Because there's some nice hotels that welcome tried-to-kill-your-sister types.
FAITH
(smiles) Check it out. Brat's all woman-sized.
BUFFY
Look, I need to get to the hospital. Some girl was attacked on her way into town. We think she might be a—
DAWN
We know. Willow's been calling.
GILES
She's still there. She's gonna call if the girl wakes up.
BUFFY
(glares at Giles) Fine. (walks out of the room)
GILES
Well, Faith, we better, um, see if we can find someplace to squeeze you in for the night. (Giles and Dawn walk away)
SPIKE
Not all that tension was about you. Giles was a part of a plan to kill me...for Buffy's own good.
FAITH
Well, that makes me feel better about me, worse about Giles...kinda shaky about you.
Cut to:
31 INT. CELLAR - NIGHT
Caleb pours wine into a glass directly from a barrel.
CALEB
"Drink of this, for it is my blood." (drinks) You know, I always loved the story of the Last Supper. (looks at his glass, turns, paces) The body and blood of Christ becoming rich, red wine. I recall, as a boy, though, I couldn't help but think: what would happen if you were at the Last Supper, and you ordered the white? A nice oaky Chardonnay or White Zin... I mean, would he make that out of his lymph or some-all? (shrugs) Never did bring it up. Suppose there was a reason why I never spent too long in one parish. Just looking for answers. Just looking for the Lord in the wrong damn places. (gestures to someone in the room with him) Then you showed me the light.
BUFFY/FIRST (O.S.)
Do you think I'm God? (walks out from the shadows toward Caleb)
CALEB
I certainly do not. I am beyond concepts like that.
BUFFY/FIRST
But you still wear the outfit.
CALEB
Man can't turn his back on what he come from. Besides, black is slimming. (looks at his outfit) Everyone knows that.
BUFFY/FIRST
How do you like what I'm wearing?
CALEB
Just another dirty girl. And, since you only dress up in dead folk, I'm guessing, one who's already been paid her wage.
BUFFY/FIRST
Look hard. What do you see?
CALEB
(checks out the First's form) Strength. And the loneliness that comes with real strength.
BUFFY/FIRST
Nothing about my pert and bouncy hairdo?
CALEB
You're her.
BUFFY/FIRST
The slayer.
CALEB
(reaches toward her) At long last. (tries to touch her face, but his hand goes through her head) All this time. All the work I've done for you... Blowing up the Council, organizing the Ray Charles Brigade, and stickin' all them splits—you never showed me.
BUFFY/FIRST
Well, you've earned it. And you'll be meeting her soon. Am I right?
CALEB
Oh, yeah. Yeah, she'll get the message.
BUFFY/FIRST
And what makes you so sure she'll come?
CALEB
(points, nods) Curiosity. Woman's first sin. I offer her an apple. What can she do but take it? (grins, gestures "cheers" with his glass) I'll see you soon.
Fade to black.
ACT II:
32 VARIOUS
ANDREW (V.O.)
Faith. Her name alone invokes awe.
While Andrew talks, show various glamour shots of Faith from shows past:
Faith holding a stake in a cave.
Faith sitting on her bed in her motel room.
Faith pointing a shotgun.
Faith smiling in the Mayor's office.
ANDREW (V.O.)
Faith. A set of principles or beliefs on which you are willing to devote your life.
Faith dancing at the Bronze.
Faith working out.
Faith holding out her arms in the Mayor's office.
ANDREW (V.O.)
The dark slayer.
Faith fighting a vampire.
Faith fighting Angel.
ANDREW (V.O.)
A lethal combination of beauty, power, and death.
Faith stabbing a demon with a sword.
Faith punching a vampire.
ANDREW (V.O.)
For years and years—or to be more accurate—months, Faith fought on the side of good, terrorizing the evil community.
Faith leaning in through a school window, gesturing out, and smiling.
Faith and Buffy fighting side-by-side.
Faith punching a vampire
Faith punching a demon.
Faith and Buffy fighting side-by-side.
ANDREW (V.O.)
But like so many tragic heroes, Faith was seduced by the lure of the dark side.
Faith deciding between Buffy and someone else.
Faith sitting in the Mayor's chair, admiring the knife the Mayor gave her.
Faith throwing a flower arrangement across the room.
ANDREW (V.O.)
She wrapped evil around her like a large, evil Mexican serape.
Faith stealing a gun.
Faith putting on a black jacket and smiling.
ANDREW (V.O.)
She became a cold-blooded killer.
Faith staking the Mayor's assistant.
Faith killing a demon.
ANDREW (V.O.)
Nobody was immune to her trail of destruction.
Faith watching Buffy and Angel talk.
Faith intimidating Buffy with a stab/near miss.
ANDREW (V.O.)
Not friends, not family...
Faith holding a knife to Willow's neck.
Faith holding a knife to Buffy's neck.
ANDREW (V.O.)
Not even the most pacifist and logical of races.
Faith fighting a Vulcan (from Star Trek fame) in a cave. The Vulcan reaches to Faith's neck to do a Vulcan death grip, but Faith turns on him and pins his arm behind him as she points her knife at his chest.
Cut to:
33 INT. KITCHEN AT BUFFY'S HOUSE - DAY
Andrew is holding a knife to Rona in the same position that Faith was holding the knife at the Vulcan. He appears to be doing a demonstration for a group of potentials.
AMANDA
What the hell are you talking about? I thought Faith killed a volcanologist.
ANDREW
(laughs, lets Rona go, puts down the knife) Silly, silly...Amanda. Why would Faith kill a person who studies Vulcans?
AMANDA
He studied volcanoes. He was a professor.
ANDREW
Ah, yes. Well, regardless...
MOLLY
I thought you weren't supposed to be doing this anymore—making up stories.
ANDREW
I'm not. This is true. Except for that...possible...word misunderstanding. (sighs) They're the things you need to know about. (looks out the window at Faith working out in the backyard) Faith...has a history not to be taken lightly. (turns to face the girls) She's a killer. Never forget that. You must stay on guard around Faith at all times. Your very lives may depend on it.
CHAO-AHN
(speaking Chinese)
SUBTITLE: There is a girl in the backyard doing gymnastics.
Andrew nods knowingly.
Cut to:
34 INT. PRINCIPAL'S OFFICE AT SUNNYDALE HIGH - DAY
The school bell rings. Principal Wood is sitting at his desk working. Buffy walks up to his office and leans on the doorjamb.
BUFFY
You look better.
ROBIN WOOD
(without looking up) No, I don't.
BUFFY
(smiles) No, you don't.
ROBIN WOOD
But I'll be OK. Unless, of course, you start beating up on me now.
BUFFY
I won't. (shrugs) Well, I thought about it. I made some doodles. As far as I'm concerned, we're on even ground. I meant what I said. I don't have time for your vendetta, but I need you in this fight. I want you on my side.
ROBIN WOOD
Thanks. That means a lot.
BUFFY
So, we're good?
ROBIN WOOD
(looks at Buffy) Absolutely. (Buffy sighs) You're fired.
BUFFY
(shocked) What?
ROBIN WOOD
Effective immediately.
BUFFY
You're firing me? (walks into his office and stands in front of his desk) I just refrained from kicking your ass.
ROBIN WOOD
Buffy, there's nothing here for you. I mean, people are leaving town, half the kids don't even bother showing up anymore. You've got things to deal with that are much worse than anything here. Look at the big picture.
BUFFY
Right. (sits) The big picture. The one with the big war and the dead little girls.
ROBIN WOOD
Not dead. Not dead. Not if you get them ready.
BUFFY
I don't want to lead them into war. It can't be the right thing.
ROBIN WOOD
Most wars aren't, you know.
BUFFY
Some of these girl haven't even been tested in battle.
ROBIN WOOD
Then, I guess, maybe you should test them.
BUFFY
(suddenly chipper) Couldn't I just come to work part-time? I could make flyers for encounter groups and post them up all over school.
ROBIN WOOD
And you're fired again. (looks down) Remember, Buffy, the mission's what matters. (looks at Buffy)
Cut to:
35 INT. BASEMENT AT BUFFY'S HOUSE - DAY
Faith walks into the basement and sits down on the stairs. The sounds of girls chattering can be heard through the basement door she left open. Faith sighs, takes out a cigarette, and lights up.
SPIKE
(sitting on his cot with his shirt off) You craving a moment alone in the dank, or can I bum one?
FAITH
(smiles, stands) Well, I guess you can smoke all you want—the big C not really an issue. (hands her cigarette to Spike)
SPIKE
Teeth get yellow after an eternity. Gotta watch that.
FAITH
(takes out another cigarette for herself) Huh. (looks at the chains and shackles on the wall behind Spike's cot)
SPIKE
(looks over at the chains) Right. Not what it looks like.
FAITH
Hey, to each his own, man. This one guy I ran with, he liked me to dress up like a school girl and take this friggin' bull-whip, (gestures like she's using a whip) and I'd be like—
SPIKE
I got dangerous...for a while.
FAITH
This before the soul, or after?
SPIKE
After, but I got over it—in case you're feeling all dust-happy again after your long incarceration.
FAITH
(smiles) Not if you're all repent-y. Takes the fun out of it. (the girls upstairs are making noise) No more Starbucks for the wannabe's man. They've been spazzing for, like, hours.
SPIKE
Yeah, does get a bit much up there.
FAITH
They're good girls. Just green is all.
SPIKE
So, why aren't you up there...imparting?
FAITH
That's Buffy's thing. Anyway, I just spent a good stretch of time locked away with a mess of female-types. Kinda had my fill.
SPIKE
Hm. But you waited until Angel needed your help to bust out of jail.
FAITH
Three squares, nice weight room, movie every third Sunday. Could've been worse.
SPIKE
What movie?
FAITH
Last one was Glitter. (Spike raises an eyebrow at her) I guess it couldn't have been worse.
SPIKE
You had the power to walk away anytime. Nothing to stop you.
FAITH
I stopped me. I got dangerous for a while. (takes off her jacket)
SPIKE
You over it?
FAITH
(stretches her arms) More or less. I pull for the good guys now.
SPIKE
What's the less?
FAITH
(grins coyly) The usual stuff...
SPIKE
Such as?
FAITH
(grins) I was thinking about looking up the guy with the bullwhip. Long incarceration.
SPIKE
(chuckles) You could do better. Schoolgirl thing's old hat.
FAITH
It's all old hat, man. (shrugs) Every guy's got some whack fantasy. Scratch the surface of any granola-type dude—naughty nurses and horny cheerleaders. (shrugs) I figure, if you can't beat 'em—
SPIKE
Join 'em.
FAITH
Just don't forget who's on top.
SPIKE
That, I suspect, would be you.
FAITH
(grins) You got that right. (walks over to Spike's cot and sits beside him) I've met you before, you know.
SPIKE
Yeah, you made a great impression on my chin.
FAITH
Not in the graveyard. Before that. I was kinda wearing a different body.
SPIKE
Pity.
FAITH
You seemed OK with it.
SPIKE
The body swap. (nods) With Buffy.
FAITH
She fill you in on that whole deal?
SPIKE
She told me it went down. Failed to mention who was driving her skin around.
FAITH
I may have said a few things...
SPIKE
(looks into Faith's eyes) Like you could ride me at a gallop 'til my knees buckle, squeeze me 'til I pop like warm champagne. That's not the kind of thing a man forgets.
FAITH
Should've known it wasn't blondie behind the wheel. She'd never throw down like that.
SPIKE
Oh, you have been away. (Spike chuckles)
FAITH
Don't even tell me little Miss Tightly-Wound's been getting her naughty on?
SPIKE
Not of late.
FAITH
Wow. Everybody's just full of surprises. (Buffy walks down the steps into the basement and stares at Spike and Faith) Hey, B.
BUFFY
(crosses her arms) Well, it's nice to see you two getting along so well.
FAITH
Yeah. Uh, you just know all the cool vampires. (sits forward)
BUFFY
Yeah.
SPIKE
Hey, aren't you usually at work 'bout now?
BUFFY
I kind of decided to cut back on my hours.
DAWN (O.S.)
Buffy? Is that you?
BUFFY
(yells back to Dawn) Down here. (to Spike) Figured I'd be better off focusing on what's going on around here.
DAWN
(standing at the top of the stairs) Buffy, Willow just called from the hospital. The girl's awake.
Cut to:
36 INT. SUNNYDALE HOSPITAL - NIGHT
Shannon is bruised badly all over her body. She lies in bed, still, covered with bandages.
SHANNON
He was a minister or something... At least, he dressed like one. I thought he was trying to save me...at first.
Pan over to show Buffy and Willow standing beside her bed.
BUFFY
He—he picked you up on the side of the road?
SHANNON
Bringers were chasing me. He said they were his boys...right before he burned me.
Shannon removes the bandage over the burn on her neck. Willow takes a digital camera out of her purse and snaps a picture of the burn.
SHANNON
He wanted to tell you something. Before he...cut me...he told me to give the slayer a message.
BUFFY
What is it?
SHANNON
He said, "I have something of yours."
Cut to:
37 INT. LIVING ROOM AT BUFFY'S HOUSE - NIGHT
Buffy addresses a room full of potentials and the rest of the Scooby gang.
BUFFY
We've got a new player in town. Dresses like a preacher. Calls himself Caleb. Looks like he's working for the First. He's taunting us, calling us out. Says he's got something of mine. Could be another girl, could be something else. Don't know, don't care. I'm tired of talking. I'm tired of training. He's got something of mine? Fine. I'm getting it back, and you guys are coming with me.
Fade to black.
ACT III:
38 INT. WINE CELLAR - NIGHT
A young blonde girl wearing a sleeveless white dress walks around in the cellar.
CALEB
(from the shadows) You're searching for something, girl. What would that be now?
HELPLESS GIRL
Oh. (smiles sweetly) You. I was looking for you.
CALEB
Is that right?
HELPLESS GIRL
I heard you speakin' tonight. Preachin'. I felt your words go straight to me.
CALEB
Well, the truth is like a sword, isn't it, girl? Cuts deep.
HELPLESS GIRL
(smiles) Yeah.
CALEB
The words I use got a power to them. (paces) A power, now. They're not just words—they're truth.
HELPLESS GIRL
(leans back against a wine barrel) They brought me here.
CALEB
They called you. You know why? Because you're human. (walks around her) You got your urges. A woman's got hers. A man's got his. Our whole race can be do damnably weak... (walks back toward the shadow) That's why we seek the strength, the power.
HELPLESS GIRL
It's not wrong to be drawn to the power, is it, preacher? (follows him into the shadow)
CALEB
Oh, no, child. It's not wrong... (the girl gasps and falls to the ground, revealing a bloody stomach wound) Just human.
The girl's body transforms into Buffy's form.
BUFFY/FIRST
(stands) Most people don't like visits from their dead, you know.
CALEB
Heathens. No appreciations for life's pleasures. Do it again.
BUFFY/FIRST
I take requests. (crosses arms) One of those potentials you killed, perhaps?
CALEB
No, save them for later. I'm in more of an old-memory-lane kind of mood. Back before I met you, there was this choir girl in Knoxville I used to give singing lessons to...why, she even screamed on key. Show me her.
BUFFY/FIRST
(shakes her head) All these girls...they followed you willingly. You tricked them.
CALEB
I only told them the truth. As for following, well, that seems to be what they do best.
Cut to:
39 INT. LIVING ROOM AT BUFFY'S HOUSE - NIGHT
Buffy has gathered the core of her team in the living room.
BUFFY
We need to start arming the girls. I wanna be ready to move when we find him.
WILLOW
We don't even know where we're going.
BUFFY
'S why I figured we'd do a little recon first. (to Faith) You up for it?
FAITH
Point me where you want me.
GILES
And you're certain this is the best course of action? You don't even know what this man has of yours—if he, in fact, has anything.
BUFFY
It could be a girl, a potential trying to get to us.
GILES
Could be a stapler.
BUFFY
Going in anyway.
GILES
With the girls? Most of whom have yet to be in the field, let alone in a life-or-death situation.
BUFFY
Then it's time we test them. Look, I'll just take the ones that have been here the longest. The rest can stay behind.
SPIKE
Could be that's just what he wants you to do—the old bait-and-switch.
WILLOW
Yeah, he lures us away and then kills the girls we leave behind.
BUFFY
I know. That's why I need you to stay here with them. You're my most powerful weapon, Will. I know you can keep them safe if anything happens.
XANDER
An unknown man breezes into town, says he has something of yours. Buffy, this thing's got "trap" written all over it.
BUFFY
He won't be expecting a full attack—not this soon, (emphatically) that's why we have to move.
GILES
We know nothing about this man. We cannot go into battle unprepared. We have to have more time.
BUFFY
Giles, we don't have time. And you're not going into battle. (Giles sighs) I need you to stay behind with the others. Help the girls who still need a teacher.
Cut to:
40 EXT. FOREST - NIGHT
Buffy and Faith are following a Bringer, chatting as they go.
FAITH
No eyes, but look at him go. He got SONAR or something?
BUFFY
Or something, I guess. Pretty good when they attack.
FAITH
Do they just roam free around town?
BUFFY
Well, normally, they show up out of nowhere, and then either stab or get stabbed, and then they run off. Looks like this guy wants to be found.
FAITH
Lends weight to the whole "it's a trap" theory.
BUFFY
(snappily) I'm through waiting around for people to attack us.
FAITH
Hey, I'm with you. Drop me in the hornet's nest, what the hell? You got a rough sitch here, trying to turn a bunch of little girls into an army...
BUFFY
They're potential slayers, just like we were.
FAITH
Right. Maybe they'll do as good as us.
BUFFY
They're getting better.
FAITH
I'll work with 'em. Some of 'em seem real eager. Fashion disasters, yeah, but they're ready to fight.
BUFFY
(stops walking) Why did you come back?
FAITH
Willow said you needed me. Didn't give it a lot of thought. Do you—Am I getting you want me to be not here?
BUFFY
(sighs) No, that's not what I meant. I'm...glad that you're here. It's good. Thank you. (walks)
FAITH
No problem. You know me. All about the good deeds.
BUFFY
Willow said you helped out Angel.
FAITH
Yeah. He says "Hi."
BUFFY
Really.
FAITH
Sure.
BUFFY
How is he?
FAITH
Better. Had to do this whole magical mind-walk with him.
BUFFY
You were in Angel's mind?
FAITH
Buffy... (stops, looks at the barn-like building that the Bringer walked up to) What is this place?
BUFFY
Look, there's more of them.
FAITH
I think we just found our hornet's nest.
BUFFY
Let's get the cavalry.
Cut to:
41 INT. LIVING ROOM AT BUFFY'S HOUSE - NIGHT
Xander is holding a spiked baseball bat and talking to the potentials.
XANDER
Now remember, we're looking for killing blows only, people. (hands bat to Rona) So, chest and throat if it's a vampire. Stomach, chest, and face if it's a Bringer.
RONA
What if it's something else?
XANDER
Could happen. Something other-worldly. And here's a handy rule: don't go for the flashy tentacles just because they're waving 'em about trying to get attention. Go for the center— (points to each) brains, heart, eyes. Everything's got eyes.
DAWN
Except the Bringers.
XANDER
Except the Bringers.
MOLLY
I don't want there to be tentacles. I'm not good with squishy.
KENNEDY
I don't care if it's Godzilla. (raises a huge sword) I want to get in this thing.
ANDREW
Godzilla's mostly Tokyo-based, so he's probably a no-show.
AMANDA
Besides, if Matthew Broderick can kill Godzilla, how tough is he?
ANDREW
(whines) Xander... (crosses his arms petulantly)
XANDER
Matthew Broderick did not kill Godzilla. He killed a big, dumb lizard. That was not the real Godzilla.
RONA
You people are even crazier than her.
XANDER
Than who?
RONA
Buffy, man. I mean, taking us right into the bad guy's lair.
XANDER
Well, that's where, generally speaking, you'd go to find the bad guy. And I don't think you came here to fight plaque.
RONA
No, I came here for protection.
XANDER
Well, you signed on to fight with—
RONA
Look, I know, but... (sighs) this plan is trouble. OK, Buffy doesn't care how many of us she puts in danger—
XANDER
Let me tell you something about Buffy. In fact, you should all listen to this.
KENNEDY
Uh, we kinda were.
XANDER
I've been through more battles with Buffy than you all can ever imagine. She's stopped everything that's ever come up against her. (Buffy and Faith walk through the front door and overhear Xander's speech) She's laid down her life—literally—to protect the people around her. This girl has died two times, and she's still standing. You're scared? That's smart. You got questions? You should. But you doubt her motives, you think Buffy's all about the kill, then you take the little bus to battle. (Buffy tears up) I've seen her heart, and this time—not literally. And I'm telling you, right now, she cares more about your lives than you will ever know. You gotta trust her. She's earned it.
Andrew and Dawn are crying.
FAITH
Damn. I never knew you were that cool. (everyone turns to look at Buffy and Faith)
BUFFY
Well, you always were a little slow.
FAITH
I get that now.
BUFFY
All right, let's saddle up.
Cut to:
42 EXT. SH. VALLEY VINEYARDS - NIGHT
Buffy's brought a small gang with her to the vineyard—Faith, Spike, Xander, Kennedy, Rona, Molly, Chao-Ahn, Amanda, and another potential. They walk up to the front door, then Buffy pauses to address the team.
BUFFY
OK. Set up a perimeter. Guard the door. I don't want anything getting in behind us. My team goes in first; we check the place out. You guys are our safety net. If this place is a trap, we give the signal, you guys come in, guns a-blazing.
XANDER
So, what's the signal?
BUFFY
I'm thinking lots and lots of yelling.
XANDER
Got it.
BUFFY
Shall we?
Buffy leads a subset of the team inside.
Cut to:
43 INT. WINE CELLAR AT THE SHADOW VALLEY VINEYARDS - NIGHT
Buffy walks down the steps into the wine cellar, followed by Molly, Kennedy, Rona, and Chao-Ahn.
MOLLY
(looking around) What is this place?
BUFFY
Looks like an old vineyard.
KENNEDY
An evil vineyard, huh?
SPIKE
Like Falcon Crest.
BUFFY
(looking in the shadows) Stay alert, you guys. Bringers are here somewhere. Just need to find out where.
SPIKE
Shouldn't be too hard.
Bringers come out of the shadows, from behind the barrels of wine, and attack Buffy and the gang. The fight is fairly even. Suddenly, the Bringers stop fighting and walk back into the shadows. Caleb walks out into the light.
CALEB
Well, now, you girls are just burning with righteousness, aren't you? Problem is, you think you're blazing like suns, when really you're burning like matchsticks in the face of the darkness. You having fun? Now, I hope my boys haven't worn you out too much—I need you fit for when I purify you.
BUFFY
Save the sermon, padre. I heard you have something of mine.
CALEB
(chuckles) Well, I do now. You liked my little message, did you? You know, I ruined a perfectly good knife on that girl. Got her soiled blood all over the place. I may have to get a new truck. (Buffy looks taken aback) So, you're the slayer. The slayer. The strongest, the fastest, the most aflame with that most precious invention of all mankind—the notion of goodness. The slayer must indeed be powerful. (with one powerful punch, he sends Buffy flying across the room) So, what else you got? (looks around smugly)
Fade to black.
ACT IV:
44 INT. WINE CELLAR AT THE SHADOW VALLEY VINEYARDS - NIGHT
Resume. Caleb has knocked Buffy across the room.
Spike vamps out and attacks Caleb. Caleb pushes him down with ease. Spike tries to get up, but Caleb head-butts him, then throws him across the room into a huge wine storage tank that busts when Spike hits it. Wine pours out of the tank and washes Spike across the floor. Kennedy and the other potentials get into gear and join the fight.
KENNEDY
Let's go!
The Bringers come back out of the shadows to fight the potentials as well. Kennedy storms Caleb but has to engage a Bringer instead. Caleb punches Kennedy, knocking her into a stack of wine barrels.
RONA
(worried) Kennedy!
Rona runs toward Kennedy, but Caleb cuts her off. She swings the spiked baseball bat at Caleb, but he catches it and looks her in the eyes.
CALEB
(to Rona) Miss, I do believe you have your own problems you should be worrying about.
Caleb breaks Rona's arm with ease, sending her reeling back in agony. Caleb chuckles and bends to pick up a knife from the floor. He tosses the knife to a nearby Bringer, who swings it back ready to plunge it into Rona's body. An arrow pierces the Bringer's forearm as he rears back. They turn to look and see Xander standing there with a bow. Faith's there beside him. The Bringer leaves Rona and fights with Xander.
CALEB
Oh, good. There's more of you.
Faith charges at Caleb. Xander sees Buffy lying unconscious against the wall where she fell when Caleb threw her.
XANDER
Buffy!
Xander runs to Buffy, fighting off Bringers on his way to her side. Holding a knife in each hand, Faith engages Caleb in a fight, but she's not seeming to faze him.
CALEB
(looks Faith up and down) Well, you're the other one, aren't you? Your Cain to her Abel. (Faith throws a knife at Caleb) No offense meant to Cain, of course.
Faith attacks Caleb with her other knife, but he grabs her arm, twists it, and crosses it with her other arm in a fashion such that she can't move, but is looking right at him. He squeezes her hands until she's forced to drop the knife. Faith grunts at him and knees him in the crotch, causing Caleb to let go of her just enough that she can escape his grasp. She backhands him across the face.
FAITH
(through gritted teeth) Never was much for the good book.
Caleb grabs Faith's arm and twists it painfully behind her back, causing her to double over. She falls to her knees as he twists and pulls her arm and walks around to the front of her.
CALEB
Oh, it has its moments. Paul had some good stuff, for instance. But overall I find it a tad complicated (slaps Faith). I like to keep things simple. (kicks Faith across the room into a stack of wine barrels) Good folk, bad folk, (a potential with long black hair swings at Caleb, but he grabs her sword, then her face) clean folk, dirty folk...
Caleb snaps the potential's neck and drops her to the ground.
MOLLY
(seeing Caleb kill the potential) No...!
CALEB
Yes. (walks toward Molly)
Xander is at Buffy's side as she recovers and gets back into the game.
BUFFY
(weakly trying to sit up) Xander, get them out of here. We have to retreat. Do it.
Xander leaves. Caleb walks menacingly toward Molly, who backs up slowly, frozen with fear. She raises her arm back to stab him, but he grabs her wrist, then her neck. Another potential fights a Bringer. A Bringer throws Amanda against a wall and attacks her. Buffy stands just as Caleb squeezes Molly's neck, lifting her off the floor. Buffy tries to go to her, but Bringers keep attacking her, slowing her down.
CALEB
(to Molly) What can I say? I work in mysterious ways. (stabs Molly, lets go of her neck, dropping her to the ground) Also some fairly straightforward ones.
Enraged at seeing what he did to Molly, Buffy rushes Caleb. She fights him more evenly this time, avoiding his punches, and landing a few of her own. She punches him so hard, Caleb is sent flying across the room.
SPIKE
(grabs Buffy's arm) We're all leaving.
Spike pulls Buffy away from the fight. Xander goes to Kennedy's side.
XANDER
(to Kennedy) Are you OK? (Kennedy nods) Let's go. Come on.
Xander helps Kennedy to her feet. Spike escorts Rona out of the building.
XANDER
(waving to the others) Let's go! Come on!
Caleb grabs Xander and turns him around so he's facing Caleb.
CALEB
You're the one who sees everything, aren't you? (rears his hand back in front of Xander's face) Well, let's see what we can't do about that.
Caleb plunges his thumb into Xander's left eye, gouging it out. Xander screams in agony. Spike charges Caleb, knocking Xander away from Caleb. Xander, bleeding from his eye, stumbles back, falling to the ground in front of wine barrels.
BUFFY
(goes to Xander's side) Xander! Come on.
Buffy and Spike lift Xander to his feet and carry him out, one supporting each of his arms. Caleb sits up but doesn't pursue them as they walk out. He stands and smiles while watching them leave.
Cut to:
45 INT. SUNNYDALE HOSPITAL - NIGHT
Buffy walks through the hospital, past the beds of her friends who were hurt tonight. Past Rona and the other potentials, to Xander's bed where Willow sits at his side, holding his hand.
CALEB (V.O.)
Now, it's a simple story. Stop me if you've heard it. I have found and truly believe that there is nothing so bad it cannot be made better with a story.
Buffy just stares at Xander, his head and his eye bandaged.
CALEB (V.O.)
And this one's got a happy ending.
Cut to:
46 INT. LIVING ROOM AT BUFFY'S HOUSE - NIGHT
Buffy walks through the living room at her house where a room full of potentials attends to their wounded, including Kennedy. Buffy looks away. Dawn watches Buffy walk out of the room.
CALEB (V.O.)
There once was a woman, and she was foul, like all women, for Adam's rib was dirty—just like Adam himself—for what was he, but human.
Cut to:
48 INT. STREET IN SUNNYDALE - NIGHT
Walking alone, her arms crossed, Buffy walks down a desolate street at night looking forlorn and troubled.
CALEB (V.O.)
But this woman, she was filled with darkness, despair, and why? Because she did not know. She could not see.
Cut to:
49 INT. WINE CELLAR AT THE SHADOW VALLEY VINEYARDS - NIGHT
Caleb is talking to Buffy/First in the cellar.
CALEB
She didn't know the good news, the glory that was coming. That'd be you. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and forever. You show up, they'll get in line.
Cut to:
50 INT. STREET IN SUNNYDALE - NIGHT
Walking alone, her arms crossed, Buffy walks down a desolate street at night looking forlorn and troubled.
CALEB (V.O.)
'Cause they followed her. And all they have to do is take one more step, and I'll kill them all. See? I told you it had a happy ending.
Cut to:
Closing credits.
"Dirty Girls" Transcript
Written by Drew Goddard
Original U.S. Air Date: April 15, 2003
RECAP:
GILES (V.O.)
Previously on Buffy the Vampire Slayer:
1 EXT. WAREHOUSE - NIGHT
A dark-haired teenage girl is fighting off vampires outside a warehouse at night. She's strong and holding her own against them.
FAITH
I'm Faith.
Cut to:
2 INT. STORE - NIGHT
With a sadistic smile on her face, Faith is inspecting a weapon she's holding.
GILES (V.O.)
We have a rogue slayer on our hands. I can't think of anything more dangerous.
Cut to:
3 EXT. WAREHOUSE - NIGHT
Faith stakes a man while Buffy stands there beside her.
BUFFY
Faith, no!
Cut to:
4 INT. MOTEL - DAY
Buffy and Faith talk in Faith's room at a motel.
BUFFY
You killed a man.
FAITH
I don't care.
Cut to:
5 INT. LIBRARY - DAY
Giles and Buffy talk in the Sunnydale High Library.
GILES
She's unstable, Buffy.
Cut to:
6 EXT. FAITH'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
Faith and Buffy are engaged in a vicious fight atop Faith's apartment building. Buffy stabs Faith in the stomach, Faith punches Buffy to the ground, and Faith walks to the edge and deliberately falls backward off of the roof, landing on a garbage truck.
Cut to:
7 INT. CAVE - NIGHT
In the form of Jenny Calendar, the First confronts Buffy.
JENNY/FIRST
I'm not a demon, little girl. I am something that you can't even conceive. The First Evil.
The First transforms into an apparition of a nasty, huge demon that nearly fills the entire room.
Cut to:
8 INT. LIVING ROOM AT BUFFY'S HOUSE - NIGHT
Anya's talking to the gang.
ANYA
Look, I'm not saying it's a happy scenario, but we're dealing with a Big Bad that can be any dead person it wants.
Cut to:
9 EXT. SUNNYDALE STREET - NIGHT
Andrew, looking tough and menacing, is talking to Warren/First.
WARREN/FIRST
You know the rules. I can't take corporeal form. (nods) Mm-hmm.
Andrew sticks his hand through Warren's chest.
Cut to:
10 INT. BUFFY'S HOUSE - DAY
Buffy opens the front door to leave but sees Giles standing there on her front porch when she opens it. Buffy goes to hug Giles but is cut off when three girls she's never met walk right into her house.
Cut to:
11 INT. LIVING ROOM AT BUFFY'S HOUSE - DAY
Dawn's standing in front of the three girls Giles brought with him. The three girls are lined up against the wall, and Dawn's inspecting them, arms crossed in front of her.
DAWN
They're all slayers?
GILES
Potential slayers.
Cut to:
12 EXT. BACKYARD AT BUFFY'S HOUSE - DAY
The potential slayers are training in the backyard, being led by Kennedy.
GILES (V.O.)
There were many more like them all over the world, but, um, now there's just a handful, and they're all on their way to Sunnydale.
Cut to:
13 INT. LIVING ROOM AT BUFFY'S HOUSE - DAY
Buffy is sitting in a chair, stunned by the news she's hearing from Giles.
BUFFY
That's what it wants.
Cut to:
13a EXT. CITY STREET IN ISTANBUL, TURKEY - NIGHT
A dark-haired girl is running through the arched hallway, looking over her shoulder and panting from the exertion of running so fast. She's being chased. Two people in hooded cloaks are chasing her.
Cut to:
13b INT. PARKING GARAGE IN FRANKFURT, GERMANY - NIGHT
A girl with hot pink hair with black bangs on her forehead, a nose ring, and a metal collar is trying to escape her pursuers. Finally, she thinks she's safe when she goes through a doorway to the outside near a crowd of club patrons, but she is pushed back inside. Robed men close the door behind them and start to fight with her. She is knocked to the ground, lying on her back. Finally, one of the robed people pulls out a Jambaya (curved silver dagger) and stabs her.
Cut to:
GILES (V.O.)
To erase all the slayers in training and their watchers, along with their methods.
BUFFY
And then Faith, and then me. It's the end. No more slayer.
Cut to:
14 INT. UNDERGROUND CAVE - NIGHT
Buffy approaches Spike slowly and cuts him loose of his tethers. When he touches her and realizes she's real, he smiles and squints, searching her face intently. She looks into his eyes, tapping an emotional connection between them.
BUFFY (V.O.)
Spike has a soul now. That's what's gonna stop him from hurting people.
Cut to:
15 INT. BUFFY'S ROOM AT BUFFY'S HOUSE - DAY
Giles comes into Buffy's room to talk to her.
GILES
Buffy...
BUFFY
He can be a good man, Giles. I feel it.
Cut to:
16 INT. LIVING ROOM AT BUFFY'S HOUSE - DAY
Andrew's just answered the phone.
ANDREW
Uh, Willow...call for you from L.A. Somebody named Fred.
Cut to:
17 INT. BASEMENT AT BUFFY'S HOUSE - DAY
Willow walks down the stairs to the basement to talk to Buffy.
WILLOW
I'm gonna have to take off for a while. Maybe a day or two?
Cut to:
18 EXT. CEMETERY - NIGHT
Giles and Buffy are walking through the cemetery, talking.
GILES
We're on the verge of war. You need to be able to make difficult decisions regardless of cost.
Cut to:
19 EXT. CEMETERY - NIGHT
Buffy is still fighting the vampire as Giles watches. Buffy stops fighting and turns to Giles.
BUFFY
(stakes the vampire) You're stalling me.
Cut to:
20 INT. WORKSHOP AT ROBIN'S PLACE - NIGHT
Robin and Spike are inside the shed now, but it's completely dark. Robin takes off his shirt and reaches into a drawer near the computer to strap on fighting paraphernalia to his arms.
ROBIN WOOD
I've been searching for you for a very, very long time. (looks at Spike) Ever since you killed my mother.
Spike tries to stifle his reaction, but the monster overtakes him. He goes into vampire visage and growls menacingly at Robin. Spike throws Robin against the wall.
Cut to:
21 INT. WORKSHOP AT ROBIN'S PLACE - NIGHT
Buffy walks up to Robin, who's trying to stand. She looks around the room, then walks up to Robin again.
BUFFY
You try anything again, he'll kill you. (Robin laughs) More importantly, I'll let him. (Robin looks at Buffy)
Cut to:
22 INT. UPSTAIRS AT BUFFY'S HOUSE - NIGHT
Giles walks up to Buffy as she goes into her doorway.
BUFFY
(looks at Giles) I think you've taught me everything I need to know. (shuts her door)
Fade to black.
End Recap.
The Start Of Episode
PROLOGUE:
23 EXT. WOODS - NIGHT
A teenage girl is running through the woods at night, running for her life. Bringers are chasing her. She sees an old pick-up truck driving down a dirt road through the woods, and she runs in front of it, waving it down emphatically with both arms.
GIRL
Stop! Stop! Stop, please! (the driver slows and stops the truck; the girl goes to the passenger door and speaks to him through the open window)
MAN
(wearing a black shirt with a priest's collar, speaking in a southern drawl) What's goin' on?
GIRL
Please get me out of here! (opens the passenger door and climbs in)
MAN
Was someone hurt? What is it?
GIRL
(shuts door) Drive.
Cut to:
24 INT. TRUCK - NIGHT
The young girl is panting, catching her breath. She's sitting in the passenger's seat in an old truck beside a man dressed as a preacher or priest.
MAN
Well, that was, uh... Are you all right?
GIRL
(panting) Thank you. Thank God you were there.
MAN
Well, let's not give him credit for everything. (smiles) No, I'm funning you. I don't believe it was a coincidence. I also don't believe young girls should be out in the woods late at night—should be tucked in bed.
GIRL
(softly) Wish I was.
MAN
I expect you do at that. Look, I don't mean to pry, but those boys... they looked like— Well, you didn't happen to fall in with devil worshipers, did you? (the girl doesn't answer, just stares out the window) Na, I'm—I'm sorry. You, uh, you look like you've been traveling a while. I didn't think that— Is there someplace you'd like me to drop you? You heading someplace?
GIRL
Sunnydale.
MAN
I'm going there myself. I ain't never been, but I expect we could find a police station or a—
GIRL
I just need to get to Revello Drive. (the man nods) Um, thanks, Father...
MAN / CALEB
Call me Caleb. Never was nobody's daddy.
GIRL / SHANNON
I'm Shannon.
CALEB
Well, Shannon, you feel like telling me why those Freaky Joe's were after you?
SHANNON
I'm not sure.
CALEB
Well, do you ever think that maybe they were chasing you because you're a whore?
SHANNON
(looks at Caleb, scoffs) What?
CALEB
Now, I know what you're thinking. Crazy preacher man spoutin' off at the mouth about the whore of Babylon or some-such. That ain't me. I'm not here to lecture you. I mean, what's the point? (presses in his dashboard cigarette lighter) My words just curdle in your ears. Wouldn't take in a thing. (Shannon looks around nervously and looks out the window) Head's filled with so much filth that ain't no room for words of truth. Well, you know what you are, Shannon? Dirty.
SHANNON
(offended) What? I'm not! What're—
CALEB
Now, now, now. There's no blame here. You were born dirty, born without a soul. Born with that gaping maw wants to open up, suck out a man's marrow. Makes me puke to think too hard on it. (Shannon touches the passenger side door, trying to open it, but there's no handle) Yeah, that there door's problematical. I don't know as I could recommend steppin' out at this speed anyway. You're like as not to tumble some. But, of course, there's my boys back there—Ooh, they hate to miss a mark.
SHANNON
(shocked) Your boys?
CALEB
Well, they ain't exactly my "blue-eyed boys" but they're hard workers. And they don't truck with Satan—that was just me having fun. (looks at Shannon) Satan is a little man. (Shannon reaches for the steering wheel, but he pushes her away, pinning her against the seat, then shakes his finger at her) I don't like back-seat drivers.
Caleb reaches to the dashboard and grabs the cigarette lighter. He places the heated coil of the lighter on a ring he's wearing on the middle finger of his right hand and presses it for a moment.
SHANNON
(sees what Caleb's doing, and cowers) Please...don't hurt me.
CALEB
Well, now, is this the part where you offer to do anything? Because I tried to make it clear—you got nothin' I want to explore.
Caleb puts the lighter back in the dashboard and presses his heated ring into Shannon's neck, making a sizzling sound. Shannon screams.
CALEB
Oh yeah. That's it! That's a cleansing fire. Hallelujah! Now, if I'm not mistaken, there's a car a little ways behind us, and I do believe there's some folk in it goin' the same place you are. Now, I want you to deliver a message for me, but it's not for them. It's for the other one—the one and only, the original, accept-no-substitutes slayer. Would you tell her something for me?
SHANNON
(frightened) Yes.
CALEB
Thank you, Shannon. (takes a knife and stabs Shannon in the stomach, then whispers something in her ear) Now, let's see what we can't do about that door.
Caleb kicks the door open and pushes Shannon out.
Cut to:
25 EXT. RURAL HIGHWAY - NIGHT
Shannon falls out of the pick-up truck and rolls across the pavement. A car driving toward her slams on its brakes. The driver, Willow, steps out and runs to the girl's side. The passenger steps out of the car and saunters toward Shannon.
WILLOW
(to Shannon) Are you OK? Can you hear me? (rolls Shannon over) Can you talk? (to her passenger) This girl's bleeding badly. We have to get her to the hospital.
As Willow's passenger walks forward into the light, show it's Faith standing there.
FAITH
(unfazed) Yep. Guess I'm back in Sunnydale.
Cut to:
Opening Credits.
ACT I:
26 INT. XANDER'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
Xander's floor is covered with sleeping bags and potentials. In his bedroom, he's under the blanket in his bed, and one of the potentials is sitting on his bed in skimpy pajamas, chatting.
XANDER
I know it's hard.
POTENTIAL
I haven't been able to sleep the last few nights.
XANDER
Hey, listen. It's gonna be OK. Buffy knows what she's doing. She's not gonna send you into battle until she's sure you're ready for action. (nods)
POTENTIAL
That's just it, though. How will I know I'm ready...for action?
XANDER
You have to trust us.
POTENTIAL
I'm so scared, Xander. I'm so young. (looks into Xander's eyes)
XANDER
Well, believe it or not, I was younger than you when I started all this.
POTENTIAL
There's just so much I haven't done, so much I need to do. It's like... I never had a real boyfriend, you know?
XANDER
Yeah?
POTENTIAL
(coyly) I've never been with a man. I could die tomorrow, and I've never been with a man.
XANDER
Well, uh—
Another girl appears sitting on the bed beside the first potential.
POTENTIAL 2
I've never been with a man before either.
XANDER
(smiles) Colleen.
POTENTIAL 2 / COLLEEN
I've never been with her in front of a man before.
POTENTIAL
I've never been with her in front of a man, either.
XANDER
Um...
POTENTIAL
(both girls crawl toward Xander seductively) Xander...
XANDER
We can't.
COLLEEN
We're so scared. (the first potential nods)
XANDER
The others might hear us.
COLLEEN
(shakes head) No, they won't.
POTENTIAL
(shakes head) They're OK.
The door to Xander's room opens to reveal a living room full of girls pillow-fighting in their skimpy pajamas. The air is filled with feathers.
RONA (O.S.)
Xander!
Cut to:
27 INT. XANDER'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
Xander is startled awake in his bedroom by Rona's insistent calls. There are three other girls standing in the doorway wearing decent (not skimpy) pajamas, glaring at Xander with their arms crossed.
RONA
Xander!
XANDER
Wha—?
RONA
(sighs) God damn it!
XANDER
What's going on? I was sleeping.
RONA
(irritated) Dominique has the stomach flu, and the toilet bowl is backed up.
XANDER
(smiles nervously) I'll be right out. (takes one of his hands out from under the covers) Got, uh, a leg cramp.
Rona nods and walks out, shutting the door behind her. Xander leans his head back on the pillow and rolls his eyes.
Cut to:
28 INT. SUNNYDALE HOSPITAL - NIGHT
Looking through a wall of windows, Willow and Faith are watching surgeons operate on someone.
FAITH
You sure she's one of us? She don't look like much now. Not a potential slayer, I mean.
WILLOW
Don't know. Seems to fit, though. We'll know more when she regains consciousness.
FAITH
(scoffs) If she regains consciousness. Girl's been gutted like a catfish.
WILLOW
Yeah.
FAITH
(looks at Willow) Something's killing girls all over the world, trying to end the slayer line. Thing like that, figure I might get a heads up.
WILLOW
(drops her hands to her side, shakes her head) Faith...
FAITH
(throws up her hands) Guess it doesn't really matter as long as you got the true slayer intact.
WILLOW
You were in prison. Figured you were safe there.
FAITH
(scoffs) Yeah, that's prison. Safe as a kitten.
WILLOW
Sorry, I... don't know much about the big house. Was it— (Faith looks away) I mean, did something happen in there?
FAITH
(looks at Willow) Someone came at me with a nasty-looking knife. Didn't really know why 'til now.
WILLOW
Oh, Faith, we didn't—
FAITH
Forget it. It's cool. I get by. (gestures to the patient being operated on) What're we gonna do about her?
WILLOW
Uh, I guess we should find Buffy, tell her what's going on. I-I tried calling home. Dawn says she's out patrolling.
FAITH
Let's go look for her. (walks away) Cemetery's more fun anyway.
WILLOW
Wait, somebody should wait here in case she wakes up.
FAITH
(stops walking) Fine, sit tight. I'll be back. (walks away)
WILLOW
W-w-wait. Uh, maybe you meeting Buffy alone isn't the best idea.
FAITH
(turns around) You told her the sitch, right? She knows I'm coming. Probably been up all night hanging streamers. (grins sarcastically)
WILLOW
Yeah, but it's not like you're study buddies, exactly. Maybe it'd be better if I...eased her into the whole thing.
FAITH
I can't stay here, Willow. Spent way too much time in hospitals. We don't click. Don't worry. (grins) I'm sure we'll all get along just fine. (turns, walks away)
Cut to:
29 EXT. CEMETERY IN SUNNYDALE - NIGHT
A blonde young woman is running at top speed through the cemetery. Someone's pursuing her. She stops running and looks for a place to hide. Someone punches her, knocking her down to the ground. Her pursuer kneels down to grab the young woman, but someone picks him up and throws him into a nearby tombstone. It was Spike who was pursuing the young woman, and Faith who pulled him off of her.
FAITH
Whatcha wanna do to her, vamp? (circles Spike) Huh? Somthin' like this? (punches Spike)
SPIKE
(stands) Nice punch you got there. Lemme guess. Leather pants, nice right cross, doe eyes, holier-than-thou glower...you must be Faith.
FAITH
(shrugs and grins) Oh, goodie. I'm famous.
SPIKE
Told you were coming. Bit of a misunderstanding here. I'm—
FAITH
Spike. (nods) Yeah, we've met before.
SPIKE
We have? I don't think we— (Faith kicks Spike in the torso) Bloody hell! What're you doing? I'm on your side.
FAITH
Yeah? Maybe you haven't heard. I've reformed. (punches Spike)
SPIKE
So have I. (punches Faith) I reformed way before you did. (Faith punches Spike) Stop... (punches Faith) hitting... (punches Faith again) me! We're on the same side.
FAITH
Please. You think I'm stupid?
SPIKE
Well, yeah. (grins)
FAITH
You were attacking that girl. (punches Spike)
Someone punches Faith in the face, knocking her down. Pan over to show it's Buffy.
BUFFY
(innocently) Sorry, Faith. I didn't realize that was you.
FAITH
It's all right, B. Luckily, you still punch like you used to.
BUFFY
(glares at Faith a moment, then turns to Spike) You OK?
SPIKE
Yeah. Terrific.
FAITH
(shocked) Are you protecting vampires? Are you the bad slayer now? Am I the good slayer now?
BUFFY
He's with me. He has a soul.
FAITH
Oh, he's like Angel?
SPIKE
No.
BUFFY
Sort of.
SPIKE
I am nothing like Angel.
BUFFY
He fights on my side. (shrugs, looks at Faith) Which is more than I can say for some of us.
FAITH
Yeah, well if he's so good, what's he doing chasing down defenseless—
The young woman that Spike was chasing stands up, growls, and attacks Faith, knocking her down.
BUFFY
(points to the young woman) That's one of the bad guys.
FAITH
You should make 'em wear a sign. (the young woman is a vampire; Faith fights the vamp woman and reaches around to Buffy's pocket full of stakes) May I? (takes a stake) Thanks.
Faith continues fighting the vamp woman, then stakes her.
SPIKE
Angel's dull as a table lamp. And we have very different coloring.
FAITH
OK, catching up. Anything else I gotta know?
BUFFY
Nice to have you back.
Cut to:
30 INT. BUFFY'S HOUSE - NIGHT
Buffy, Faith, and Spike walk into Buffy's house through the front door. Dawn and Giles are at the dining room table.
FAITH
Whoa. Memory Lane. Same old house.
BUFFY
Yeah, well, every piece of furniture's been destroyed and replaced since you left, so, actually, new house.
DAWN
(stands and walks toward them with her arms crossed) Buffy? (looks disapprovingly at Faith)
BUFFY
We have a new house guest.
FAITH
Hey, got a spare bed for a wanted fugitive?
GILES
(stands, nods) Hello, Faith.
FAITH
Well, I guess "wanted" wasn't really accurate.
DAWN
Does she have to stay here? Because there's some nice hotels that welcome tried-to-kill-your-sister types.
FAITH
(smiles) Check it out. Brat's all woman-sized.
BUFFY
Look, I need to get to the hospital. Some girl was attacked on her way into town. We think she might be a—
DAWN
We know. Willow's been calling.
GILES
She's still there. She's gonna call if the girl wakes up.
BUFFY
(glares at Giles) Fine. (walks out of the room)
GILES
Well, Faith, we better, um, see if we can find someplace to squeeze you in for the night. (Giles and Dawn walk away)
SPIKE
Not all that tension was about you. Giles was a part of a plan to kill me...for Buffy's own good.
FAITH
Well, that makes me feel better about me, worse about Giles...kinda shaky about you.
Cut to:
31 INT. CELLAR - NIGHT
Caleb pours wine into a glass directly from a barrel.
CALEB
"Drink of this, for it is my blood." (drinks) You know, I always loved the story of the Last Supper. (looks at his glass, turns, paces) The body and blood of Christ becoming rich, red wine. I recall, as a boy, though, I couldn't help but think: what would happen if you were at the Last Supper, and you ordered the white? A nice oaky Chardonnay or White Zin... I mean, would he make that out of his lymph or some-all? (shrugs) Never did bring it up. Suppose there was a reason why I never spent too long in one parish. Just looking for answers. Just looking for the Lord in the wrong damn places. (gestures to someone in the room with him) Then you showed me the light.
BUFFY/FIRST (O.S.)
Do you think I'm God? (walks out from the shadows toward Caleb)
CALEB
I certainly do not. I am beyond concepts like that.
BUFFY/FIRST
But you still wear the outfit.
CALEB
Man can't turn his back on what he come from. Besides, black is slimming. (looks at his outfit) Everyone knows that.
BUFFY/FIRST
How do you like what I'm wearing?
CALEB
Just another dirty girl. And, since you only dress up in dead folk, I'm guessing, one who's already been paid her wage.
BUFFY/FIRST
Look hard. What do you see?
CALEB
(checks out the First's form) Strength. And the loneliness that comes with real strength.
BUFFY/FIRST
Nothing about my pert and bouncy hairdo?
CALEB
You're her.
BUFFY/FIRST
The slayer.
CALEB
(reaches toward her) At long last. (tries to touch her face, but his hand goes through her head) All this time. All the work I've done for you... Blowing up the Council, organizing the Ray Charles Brigade, and stickin' all them splits—you never showed me.
BUFFY/FIRST
Well, you've earned it. And you'll be meeting her soon. Am I right?
CALEB
Oh, yeah. Yeah, she'll get the message.
BUFFY/FIRST
And what makes you so sure she'll come?
CALEB
(points, nods) Curiosity. Woman's first sin. I offer her an apple. What can she do but take it? (grins, gestures "cheers" with his glass) I'll see you soon.
Fade to black.
ACT II:
32 VARIOUS
ANDREW (V.O.)
Faith. Her name alone invokes awe.
While Andrew talks, show various glamour shots of Faith from shows past:
Faith holding a stake in a cave.
Faith sitting on her bed in her motel room.
Faith pointing a shotgun.
Faith smiling in the Mayor's office.
ANDREW (V.O.)
Faith. A set of principles or beliefs on which you are willing to devote your life.
Faith dancing at the Bronze.
Faith working out.
Faith holding out her arms in the Mayor's office.
ANDREW (V.O.)
The dark slayer.
Faith fighting a vampire.
Faith fighting Angel.
ANDREW (V.O.)
A lethal combination of beauty, power, and death.
Faith stabbing a demon with a sword.
Faith punching a vampire.
ANDREW (V.O.)
For years and years—or to be more accurate—months, Faith fought on the side of good, terrorizing the evil community.
Faith leaning in through a school window, gesturing out, and smiling.
Faith and Buffy fighting side-by-side.
Faith punching a vampire
Faith punching a demon.
Faith and Buffy fighting side-by-side.
ANDREW (V.O.)
But like so many tragic heroes, Faith was seduced by the lure of the dark side.
Faith deciding between Buffy and someone else.
Faith sitting in the Mayor's chair, admiring the knife the Mayor gave her.
Faith throwing a flower arrangement across the room.
ANDREW (V.O.)
She wrapped evil around her like a large, evil Mexican serape.
Faith stealing a gun.
Faith putting on a black jacket and smiling.
ANDREW (V.O.)
She became a cold-blooded killer.
Faith staking the Mayor's assistant.
Faith killing a demon.
ANDREW (V.O.)
Nobody was immune to her trail of destruction.
Faith watching Buffy and Angel talk.
Faith intimidating Buffy with a stab/near miss.
ANDREW (V.O.)
Not friends, not family...
Faith holding a knife to Willow's neck.
Faith holding a knife to Buffy's neck.
ANDREW (V.O.)
Not even the most pacifist and logical of races.
Faith fighting a Vulcan (from Star Trek fame) in a cave. The Vulcan reaches to Faith's neck to do a Vulcan death grip, but Faith turns on him and pins his arm behind him as she points her knife at his chest.
Cut to:
33 INT. KITCHEN AT BUFFY'S HOUSE - DAY
Andrew is holding a knife to Rona in the same position that Faith was holding the knife at the Vulcan. He appears to be doing a demonstration for a group of potentials.
AMANDA
What the hell are you talking about? I thought Faith killed a volcanologist.
ANDREW
(laughs, lets Rona go, puts down the knife) Silly, silly...Amanda. Why would Faith kill a person who studies Vulcans?
AMANDA
He studied volcanoes. He was a professor.
ANDREW
Ah, yes. Well, regardless...
MOLLY
I thought you weren't supposed to be doing this anymore—making up stories.
ANDREW
I'm not. This is true. Except for that...possible...word misunderstanding. (sighs) They're the things you need to know about. (looks out the window at Faith working out in the backyard) Faith...has a history not to be taken lightly. (turns to face the girls) She's a killer. Never forget that. You must stay on guard around Faith at all times. Your very lives may depend on it.
CHAO-AHN
(speaking Chinese)
SUBTITLE: There is a girl in the backyard doing gymnastics.
Andrew nods knowingly.
Cut to:
34 INT. PRINCIPAL'S OFFICE AT SUNNYDALE HIGH - DAY
The school bell rings. Principal Wood is sitting at his desk working. Buffy walks up to his office and leans on the doorjamb.
BUFFY
You look better.
ROBIN WOOD
(without looking up) No, I don't.
BUFFY
(smiles) No, you don't.
ROBIN WOOD
But I'll be OK. Unless, of course, you start beating up on me now.
BUFFY
I won't. (shrugs) Well, I thought about it. I made some doodles. As far as I'm concerned, we're on even ground. I meant what I said. I don't have time for your vendetta, but I need you in this fight. I want you on my side.
ROBIN WOOD
Thanks. That means a lot.
BUFFY
So, we're good?
ROBIN WOOD
(looks at Buffy) Absolutely. (Buffy sighs) You're fired.
BUFFY
(shocked) What?
ROBIN WOOD
Effective immediately.
BUFFY
You're firing me? (walks into his office and stands in front of his desk) I just refrained from kicking your ass.
ROBIN WOOD
Buffy, there's nothing here for you. I mean, people are leaving town, half the kids don't even bother showing up anymore. You've got things to deal with that are much worse than anything here. Look at the big picture.
BUFFY
Right. (sits) The big picture. The one with the big war and the dead little girls.
ROBIN WOOD
Not dead. Not dead. Not if you get them ready.
BUFFY
I don't want to lead them into war. It can't be the right thing.
ROBIN WOOD
Most wars aren't, you know.
BUFFY
Some of these girl haven't even been tested in battle.
ROBIN WOOD
Then, I guess, maybe you should test them.
BUFFY
(suddenly chipper) Couldn't I just come to work part-time? I could make flyers for encounter groups and post them up all over school.
ROBIN WOOD
And you're fired again. (looks down) Remember, Buffy, the mission's what matters. (looks at Buffy)
Cut to:
35 INT. BASEMENT AT BUFFY'S HOUSE - DAY
Faith walks into the basement and sits down on the stairs. The sounds of girls chattering can be heard through the basement door she left open. Faith sighs, takes out a cigarette, and lights up.
SPIKE
(sitting on his cot with his shirt off) You craving a moment alone in the dank, or can I bum one?
FAITH
(smiles, stands) Well, I guess you can smoke all you want—the big C not really an issue. (hands her cigarette to Spike)
SPIKE
Teeth get yellow after an eternity. Gotta watch that.
FAITH
(takes out another cigarette for herself) Huh. (looks at the chains and shackles on the wall behind Spike's cot)
SPIKE
(looks over at the chains) Right. Not what it looks like.
FAITH
Hey, to each his own, man. This one guy I ran with, he liked me to dress up like a school girl and take this friggin' bull-whip, (gestures like she's using a whip) and I'd be like—
SPIKE
I got dangerous...for a while.
FAITH
This before the soul, or after?
SPIKE
After, but I got over it—in case you're feeling all dust-happy again after your long incarceration.
FAITH
(smiles) Not if you're all repent-y. Takes the fun out of it. (the girls upstairs are making noise) No more Starbucks for the wannabe's man. They've been spazzing for, like, hours.
SPIKE
Yeah, does get a bit much up there.
FAITH
They're good girls. Just green is all.
SPIKE
So, why aren't you up there...imparting?
FAITH
That's Buffy's thing. Anyway, I just spent a good stretch of time locked away with a mess of female-types. Kinda had my fill.
SPIKE
Hm. But you waited until Angel needed your help to bust out of jail.
FAITH
Three squares, nice weight room, movie every third Sunday. Could've been worse.
SPIKE
What movie?
FAITH
Last one was Glitter. (Spike raises an eyebrow at her) I guess it couldn't have been worse.
SPIKE
You had the power to walk away anytime. Nothing to stop you.
FAITH
I stopped me. I got dangerous for a while. (takes off her jacket)
SPIKE
You over it?
FAITH
(stretches her arms) More or less. I pull for the good guys now.
SPIKE
What's the less?
FAITH
(grins coyly) The usual stuff...
SPIKE
Such as?
FAITH
(grins) I was thinking about looking up the guy with the bullwhip. Long incarceration.
SPIKE
(chuckles) You could do better. Schoolgirl thing's old hat.
FAITH
It's all old hat, man. (shrugs) Every guy's got some whack fantasy. Scratch the surface of any granola-type dude—naughty nurses and horny cheerleaders. (shrugs) I figure, if you can't beat 'em—
SPIKE
Join 'em.
FAITH
Just don't forget who's on top.
SPIKE
That, I suspect, would be you.
FAITH
(grins) You got that right. (walks over to Spike's cot and sits beside him) I've met you before, you know.
SPIKE
Yeah, you made a great impression on my chin.
FAITH
Not in the graveyard. Before that. I was kinda wearing a different body.
SPIKE
Pity.
FAITH
You seemed OK with it.
SPIKE
The body swap. (nods) With Buffy.
FAITH
She fill you in on that whole deal?
SPIKE
She told me it went down. Failed to mention who was driving her skin around.
FAITH
I may have said a few things...
SPIKE
(looks into Faith's eyes) Like you could ride me at a gallop 'til my knees buckle, squeeze me 'til I pop like warm champagne. That's not the kind of thing a man forgets.
FAITH
Should've known it wasn't blondie behind the wheel. She'd never throw down like that.
SPIKE
Oh, you have been away. (Spike chuckles)
FAITH
Don't even tell me little Miss Tightly-Wound's been getting her naughty on?
SPIKE
Not of late.
FAITH
Wow. Everybody's just full of surprises. (Buffy walks down the steps into the basement and stares at Spike and Faith) Hey, B.
BUFFY
(crosses her arms) Well, it's nice to see you two getting along so well.
FAITH
Yeah. Uh, you just know all the cool vampires. (sits forward)
BUFFY
Yeah.
SPIKE
Hey, aren't you usually at work 'bout now?
BUFFY
I kind of decided to cut back on my hours.
DAWN (O.S.)
Buffy? Is that you?
BUFFY
(yells back to Dawn) Down here. (to Spike) Figured I'd be better off focusing on what's going on around here.
DAWN
(standing at the top of the stairs) Buffy, Willow just called from the hospital. The girl's awake.
Cut to:
36 INT. SUNNYDALE HOSPITAL - NIGHT
Shannon is bruised badly all over her body. She lies in bed, still, covered with bandages.
SHANNON
He was a minister or something... At least, he dressed like one. I thought he was trying to save me...at first.
Pan over to show Buffy and Willow standing beside her bed.
BUFFY
He—he picked you up on the side of the road?
SHANNON
Bringers were chasing me. He said they were his boys...right before he burned me.
Shannon removes the bandage over the burn on her neck. Willow takes a digital camera out of her purse and snaps a picture of the burn.
SHANNON
He wanted to tell you something. Before he...cut me...he told me to give the slayer a message.
BUFFY
What is it?
SHANNON
He said, "I have something of yours."
Cut to:
37 INT. LIVING ROOM AT BUFFY'S HOUSE - NIGHT
Buffy addresses a room full of potentials and the rest of the Scooby gang.
BUFFY
We've got a new player in town. Dresses like a preacher. Calls himself Caleb. Looks like he's working for the First. He's taunting us, calling us out. Says he's got something of mine. Could be another girl, could be something else. Don't know, don't care. I'm tired of talking. I'm tired of training. He's got something of mine? Fine. I'm getting it back, and you guys are coming with me.
Fade to black.
ACT III:
38 INT. WINE CELLAR - NIGHT
A young blonde girl wearing a sleeveless white dress walks around in the cellar.
CALEB
(from the shadows) You're searching for something, girl. What would that be now?
HELPLESS GIRL
Oh. (smiles sweetly) You. I was looking for you.
CALEB
Is that right?
HELPLESS GIRL
I heard you speakin' tonight. Preachin'. I felt your words go straight to me.
CALEB
Well, the truth is like a sword, isn't it, girl? Cuts deep.
HELPLESS GIRL
(smiles) Yeah.
CALEB
The words I use got a power to them. (paces) A power, now. They're not just words—they're truth.
HELPLESS GIRL
(leans back against a wine barrel) They brought me here.
CALEB
They called you. You know why? Because you're human. (walks around her) You got your urges. A woman's got hers. A man's got his. Our whole race can be do damnably weak... (walks back toward the shadow) That's why we seek the strength, the power.
HELPLESS GIRL
It's not wrong to be drawn to the power, is it, preacher? (follows him into the shadow)
CALEB
Oh, no, child. It's not wrong... (the girl gasps and falls to the ground, revealing a bloody stomach wound) Just human.
The girl's body transforms into Buffy's form.
BUFFY/FIRST
(stands) Most people don't like visits from their dead, you know.
CALEB
Heathens. No appreciations for life's pleasures. Do it again.
BUFFY/FIRST
I take requests. (crosses arms) One of those potentials you killed, perhaps?
CALEB
No, save them for later. I'm in more of an old-memory-lane kind of mood. Back before I met you, there was this choir girl in Knoxville I used to give singing lessons to...why, she even screamed on key. Show me her.
BUFFY/FIRST
(shakes her head) All these girls...they followed you willingly. You tricked them.
CALEB
I only told them the truth. As for following, well, that seems to be what they do best.
Cut to:
39 INT. LIVING ROOM AT BUFFY'S HOUSE - NIGHT
Buffy has gathered the core of her team in the living room.
BUFFY
We need to start arming the girls. I wanna be ready to move when we find him.
WILLOW
We don't even know where we're going.
BUFFY
'S why I figured we'd do a little recon first. (to Faith) You up for it?
FAITH
Point me where you want me.
GILES
And you're certain this is the best course of action? You don't even know what this man has of yours—if he, in fact, has anything.
BUFFY
It could be a girl, a potential trying to get to us.
GILES
Could be a stapler.
BUFFY
Going in anyway.
GILES
With the girls? Most of whom have yet to be in the field, let alone in a life-or-death situation.
BUFFY
Then it's time we test them. Look, I'll just take the ones that have been here the longest. The rest can stay behind.
SPIKE
Could be that's just what he wants you to do—the old bait-and-switch.
WILLOW
Yeah, he lures us away and then kills the girls we leave behind.
BUFFY
I know. That's why I need you to stay here with them. You're my most powerful weapon, Will. I know you can keep them safe if anything happens.
XANDER
An unknown man breezes into town, says he has something of yours. Buffy, this thing's got "trap" written all over it.
BUFFY
He won't be expecting a full attack—not this soon, (emphatically) that's why we have to move.
GILES
We know nothing about this man. We cannot go into battle unprepared. We have to have more time.
BUFFY
Giles, we don't have time. And you're not going into battle. (Giles sighs) I need you to stay behind with the others. Help the girls who still need a teacher.
Cut to:
40 EXT. FOREST - NIGHT
Buffy and Faith are following a Bringer, chatting as they go.
FAITH
No eyes, but look at him go. He got SONAR or something?
BUFFY
Or something, I guess. Pretty good when they attack.
FAITH
Do they just roam free around town?
BUFFY
Well, normally, they show up out of nowhere, and then either stab or get stabbed, and then they run off. Looks like this guy wants to be found.
FAITH
Lends weight to the whole "it's a trap" theory.
BUFFY
(snappily) I'm through waiting around for people to attack us.
FAITH
Hey, I'm with you. Drop me in the hornet's nest, what the hell? You got a rough sitch here, trying to turn a bunch of little girls into an army...
BUFFY
They're potential slayers, just like we were.
FAITH
Right. Maybe they'll do as good as us.
BUFFY
They're getting better.
FAITH
I'll work with 'em. Some of 'em seem real eager. Fashion disasters, yeah, but they're ready to fight.
BUFFY
(stops walking) Why did you come back?
FAITH
Willow said you needed me. Didn't give it a lot of thought. Do you—Am I getting you want me to be not here?
BUFFY
(sighs) No, that's not what I meant. I'm...glad that you're here. It's good. Thank you. (walks)
FAITH
No problem. You know me. All about the good deeds.
BUFFY
Willow said you helped out Angel.
FAITH
Yeah. He says "Hi."
BUFFY
Really.
FAITH
Sure.
BUFFY
How is he?
FAITH
Better. Had to do this whole magical mind-walk with him.
BUFFY
You were in Angel's mind?
FAITH
Buffy... (stops, looks at the barn-like building that the Bringer walked up to) What is this place?
BUFFY
Look, there's more of them.
FAITH
I think we just found our hornet's nest.
BUFFY
Let's get the cavalry.
Cut to:
41 INT. LIVING ROOM AT BUFFY'S HOUSE - NIGHT
Xander is holding a spiked baseball bat and talking to the potentials.
XANDER
Now remember, we're looking for killing blows only, people. (hands bat to Rona) So, chest and throat if it's a vampire. Stomach, chest, and face if it's a Bringer.
RONA
What if it's something else?
XANDER
Could happen. Something other-worldly. And here's a handy rule: don't go for the flashy tentacles just because they're waving 'em about trying to get attention. Go for the center— (points to each) brains, heart, eyes. Everything's got eyes.
DAWN
Except the Bringers.
XANDER
Except the Bringers.
MOLLY
I don't want there to be tentacles. I'm not good with squishy.
KENNEDY
I don't care if it's Godzilla. (raises a huge sword) I want to get in this thing.
ANDREW
Godzilla's mostly Tokyo-based, so he's probably a no-show.
AMANDA
Besides, if Matthew Broderick can kill Godzilla, how tough is he?
ANDREW
(whines) Xander... (crosses his arms petulantly)
XANDER
Matthew Broderick did not kill Godzilla. He killed a big, dumb lizard. That was not the real Godzilla.
RONA
You people are even crazier than her.
XANDER
Than who?
RONA
Buffy, man. I mean, taking us right into the bad guy's lair.
XANDER
Well, that's where, generally speaking, you'd go to find the bad guy. And I don't think you came here to fight plaque.
RONA
No, I came here for protection.
XANDER
Well, you signed on to fight with—
RONA
Look, I know, but... (sighs) this plan is trouble. OK, Buffy doesn't care how many of us she puts in danger—
XANDER
Let me tell you something about Buffy. In fact, you should all listen to this.
KENNEDY
Uh, we kinda were.
XANDER
I've been through more battles with Buffy than you all can ever imagine. She's stopped everything that's ever come up against her. (Buffy and Faith walk through the front door and overhear Xander's speech) She's laid down her life—literally—to protect the people around her. This girl has died two times, and she's still standing. You're scared? That's smart. You got questions? You should. But you doubt her motives, you think Buffy's all about the kill, then you take the little bus to battle. (Buffy tears up) I've seen her heart, and this time—not literally. And I'm telling you, right now, she cares more about your lives than you will ever know. You gotta trust her. She's earned it.
Andrew and Dawn are crying.
FAITH
Damn. I never knew you were that cool. (everyone turns to look at Buffy and Faith)
BUFFY
Well, you always were a little slow.
FAITH
I get that now.
BUFFY
All right, let's saddle up.
Cut to:
42 EXT. SH. VALLEY VINEYARDS - NIGHT
Buffy's brought a small gang with her to the vineyard—Faith, Spike, Xander, Kennedy, Rona, Molly, Chao-Ahn, Amanda, and another potential. They walk up to the front door, then Buffy pauses to address the team.
BUFFY
OK. Set up a perimeter. Guard the door. I don't want anything getting in behind us. My team goes in first; we check the place out. You guys are our safety net. If this place is a trap, we give the signal, you guys come in, guns a-blazing.
XANDER
So, what's the signal?
BUFFY
I'm thinking lots and lots of yelling.
XANDER
Got it.
BUFFY
Shall we?
Buffy leads a subset of the team inside.
Cut to:
43 INT. WINE CELLAR AT THE SHADOW VALLEY VINEYARDS - NIGHT
Buffy walks down the steps into the wine cellar, followed by Molly, Kennedy, Rona, and Chao-Ahn.
MOLLY
(looking around) What is this place?
BUFFY
Looks like an old vineyard.
KENNEDY
An evil vineyard, huh?
SPIKE
Like Falcon Crest.
BUFFY
(looking in the shadows) Stay alert, you guys. Bringers are here somewhere. Just need to find out where.
SPIKE
Shouldn't be too hard.
Bringers come out of the shadows, from behind the barrels of wine, and attack Buffy and the gang. The fight is fairly even. Suddenly, the Bringers stop fighting and walk back into the shadows. Caleb walks out into the light.
CALEB
Well, now, you girls are just burning with righteousness, aren't you? Problem is, you think you're blazing like suns, when really you're burning like matchsticks in the face of the darkness. You having fun? Now, I hope my boys haven't worn you out too much—I need you fit for when I purify you.
BUFFY
Save the sermon, padre. I heard you have something of mine.
CALEB
(chuckles) Well, I do now. You liked my little message, did you? You know, I ruined a perfectly good knife on that girl. Got her soiled blood all over the place. I may have to get a new truck. (Buffy looks taken aback) So, you're the slayer. The slayer. The strongest, the fastest, the most aflame with that most precious invention of all mankind—the notion of goodness. The slayer must indeed be powerful. (with one powerful punch, he sends Buffy flying across the room) So, what else you got? (looks around smugly)
Fade to black.
ACT IV:
44 INT. WINE CELLAR AT THE SHADOW VALLEY VINEYARDS - NIGHT
Resume. Caleb has knocked Buffy across the room.
Spike vamps out and attacks Caleb. Caleb pushes him down with ease. Spike tries to get up, but Caleb head-butts him, then throws him across the room into a huge wine storage tank that busts when Spike hits it. Wine pours out of the tank and washes Spike across the floor. Kennedy and the other potentials get into gear and join the fight.
KENNEDY
Let's go!
The Bringers come back out of the shadows to fight the potentials as well. Kennedy storms Caleb but has to engage a Bringer instead. Caleb punches Kennedy, knocking her into a stack of wine barrels.
RONA
(worried) Kennedy!
Rona runs toward Kennedy, but Caleb cuts her off. She swings the spiked baseball bat at Caleb, but he catches it and looks her in the eyes.
CALEB
(to Rona) Miss, I do believe you have your own problems you should be worrying about.
Caleb breaks Rona's arm with ease, sending her reeling back in agony. Caleb chuckles and bends to pick up a knife from the floor. He tosses the knife to a nearby Bringer, who swings it back ready to plunge it into Rona's body. An arrow pierces the Bringer's forearm as he rears back. They turn to look and see Xander standing there with a bow. Faith's there beside him. The Bringer leaves Rona and fights with Xander.
CALEB
Oh, good. There's more of you.
Faith charges at Caleb. Xander sees Buffy lying unconscious against the wall where she fell when Caleb threw her.
XANDER
Buffy!
Xander runs to Buffy, fighting off Bringers on his way to her side. Holding a knife in each hand, Faith engages Caleb in a fight, but she's not seeming to faze him.
CALEB
(looks Faith up and down) Well, you're the other one, aren't you? Your Cain to her Abel. (Faith throws a knife at Caleb) No offense meant to Cain, of course.
Faith attacks Caleb with her other knife, but he grabs her arm, twists it, and crosses it with her other arm in a fashion such that she can't move, but is looking right at him. He squeezes her hands until she's forced to drop the knife. Faith grunts at him and knees him in the crotch, causing Caleb to let go of her just enough that she can escape his grasp. She backhands him across the face.
FAITH
(through gritted teeth) Never was much for the good book.
Caleb grabs Faith's arm and twists it painfully behind her back, causing her to double over. She falls to her knees as he twists and pulls her arm and walks around to the front of her.
CALEB
Oh, it has its moments. Paul had some good stuff, for instance. But overall I find it a tad complicated (slaps Faith). I like to keep things simple. (kicks Faith across the room into a stack of wine barrels) Good folk, bad folk, (a potential with long black hair swings at Caleb, but he grabs her sword, then her face) clean folk, dirty folk...
Caleb snaps the potential's neck and drops her to the ground.
MOLLY
(seeing Caleb kill the potential) No...!
CALEB
Yes. (walks toward Molly)
Xander is at Buffy's side as she recovers and gets back into the game.
BUFFY
(weakly trying to sit up) Xander, get them out of here. We have to retreat. Do it.
Xander leaves. Caleb walks menacingly toward Molly, who backs up slowly, frozen with fear. She raises her arm back to stab him, but he grabs her wrist, then her neck. Another potential fights a Bringer. A Bringer throws Amanda against a wall and attacks her. Buffy stands just as Caleb squeezes Molly's neck, lifting her off the floor. Buffy tries to go to her, but Bringers keep attacking her, slowing her down.
CALEB
(to Molly) What can I say? I work in mysterious ways. (stabs Molly, lets go of her neck, dropping her to the ground) Also some fairly straightforward ones.
Enraged at seeing what he did to Molly, Buffy rushes Caleb. She fights him more evenly this time, avoiding his punches, and landing a few of her own. She punches him so hard, Caleb is sent flying across the room.
SPIKE
(grabs Buffy's arm) We're all leaving.
Spike pulls Buffy away from the fight. Xander goes to Kennedy's side.
XANDER
(to Kennedy) Are you OK? (Kennedy nods) Let's go. Come on.
Xander helps Kennedy to her feet. Spike escorts Rona out of the building.
XANDER
(waving to the others) Let's go! Come on!
Caleb grabs Xander and turns him around so he's facing Caleb.
CALEB
You're the one who sees everything, aren't you? (rears his hand back in front of Xander's face) Well, let's see what we can't do about that.
Caleb plunges his thumb into Xander's left eye, gouging it out. Xander screams in agony. Spike charges Caleb, knocking Xander away from Caleb. Xander, bleeding from his eye, stumbles back, falling to the ground in front of wine barrels.
BUFFY
(goes to Xander's side) Xander! Come on.
Buffy and Spike lift Xander to his feet and carry him out, one supporting each of his arms. Caleb sits up but doesn't pursue them as they walk out. He stands and smiles while watching them leave.
Cut to:
45 INT. SUNNYDALE HOSPITAL - NIGHT
Buffy walks through the hospital, past the beds of her friends who were hurt tonight. Past Rona and the other potentials, to Xander's bed where Willow sits at his side, holding his hand.
CALEB (V.O.)
Now, it's a simple story. Stop me if you've heard it. I have found and truly believe that there is nothing so bad it cannot be made better with a story.
Buffy just stares at Xander, his head and his eye bandaged.
CALEB (V.O.)
And this one's got a happy ending.
Cut to:
46 INT. LIVING ROOM AT BUFFY'S HOUSE - NIGHT
Buffy walks through the living room at her house where a room full of potentials attends to their wounded, including Kennedy. Buffy looks away. Dawn watches Buffy walk out of the room.
CALEB (V.O.)
There once was a woman, and she was foul, like all women, for Adam's rib was dirty—just like Adam himself—for what was he, but human.
Cut to:
48 INT. STREET IN SUNNYDALE - NIGHT
Walking alone, her arms crossed, Buffy walks down a desolate street at night looking forlorn and troubled.
CALEB (V.O.)
But this woman, she was filled with darkness, despair, and why? Because she did not know. She could not see.
Cut to:
49 INT. WINE CELLAR AT THE SHADOW VALLEY VINEYARDS - NIGHT
Caleb is talking to Buffy/First in the cellar.
CALEB
She didn't know the good news, the glory that was coming. That'd be you. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and forever. You show up, they'll get in line.
Cut to:
50 INT. STREET IN SUNNYDALE - NIGHT
Walking alone, her arms crossed, Buffy walks down a desolate street at night looking forlorn and troubled.
CALEB (V.O.)
'Cause they followed her. And all they have to do is take one more step, and I'll kill them all. See? I told you it had a happy ending.
Cut to:
Closing credits.