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Pangs (October 13, 1999) Written by: Jane Espenson |
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| Teaser | ||||
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EXT. WOODS - NIGHT A young, sweet-faced student-type, JAMIE, takes a short-cut through the woods. He looks behind him, sees nothing, and he keeps going. He looks back again, nothing again, and this time when he turns back to keep going, he's face to face with BUFFY, her arm up, stake in hand. Looking for me? Jamie jumps and yelps. Holy-- What do you want? I've got money-- Buffy BACKHANDS him with her stake hand. His head is thrown back... Hey! Buffy flinches... what if she was wrong? But when his head whips back to face her, he's in VAMPFACE. (We don't see the morph.) Look who's home. Jamie's innocent demeanor is gone. He SNARLS at her. Slayer. She plunges the stake at him, but he parries it. She KICKS, sweeping his legs from under him. He goes down, but surprises her by popping back up again fast and throwing a punch which she ducks and returns with brutal speed. Why don't you just go back where you came from? Things were great before you came. We ruled this campus. You've ruined everything. She punches him again, he absorbs the blow. He punches at her. She ducks it, grabs his shoulder, spins him...
And they say one person can't make a difference. She stakes him from the back and he DUSTS. Job done, but Buffy seems unsatisfied. She looks around, as if sensing something else, turning curiously in place. ANGLE: LONGER SHOT OF BUFFY As she turns, uncertain. ANGLE: DEEP IN THE SHADOWS Something lurks. It moves, and moonlight falls across a face. It's ANGEL, watching Buffy. BUFFY Can't identify what she's feeling. She walks off slowly, unresolved. BLACK OUT.
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| Act One | ||||
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EXT. CAMPUS - DAY Buffy, WILLOW and ANYA stand among a small crowd of college students.
Of all the duties of a dean, one of the most pleasant is to see a colleague realize a dream... ANGLE ON: THE CEREMONY The Dean is speaking from a dais set up in a cleared building site. Other campus officials flank him. A banner across the front of the dais says "U.C. SUNNYDALE CULTURAL PARTNERSHIP CENTER". Off to one side, XANDER, dressed in work clothes and a hard-hat and leaning on a shovel, stands with other construction-type guys, listening idly to the speaker.
Ladies, gentlemen, students, I present to you, Professor Gerhardt of the Anthropology department. Some polite applause as the Dean steps aside next to his WIFE and the CURATOR, Professor Gerhardt, takes her place.
When I first realized we were outgrowing the current Cultural Center, I was concerned. Then I realized it was like seeing one's child grow up, and move on to better things. In this case, a spacious new facility to be built on this site...
Look at him. Have you ever seen anything so masculine?
You mean Dean Guerrero, or his wife?
I think she means... She indicates Xander.
Oh. Right. Very manly. Not at all Village People.
So much sexier than the outfit from his last job.
I miss the free hot dogs on sticks.
I'm imagining having sex with him right now. As Buffy and Willow look at Anya, the speech continues:
. . . it's appropriate that the ground-breaking for the U.C. Sunnydale Cultural Partnership Center is taking place so soon before Thanksgiving. Because that's what the Melting Pot is about, contributions from all cultures making our culture stronger. Buffy applauds along with the crowd, but...
What a load of horse hooey!
We have a counter point?
Thanksgiving isn't about blending cultures, it's about one culture wiping out another. Then they make animated specials about the parts with the maize and the big big belt buckles. They don't show you the next scene where all the bison die and Squanto takes a musket ball in the stomach.
Okay, for some of that you were channeling your mom, right?
Well, sort of. That's why she doesn't do Thanksgiving, or Columbus Day. You know, destruction of the indigenous peoples. Which sounds, I know, a little overwrought, but really she's right.
Yeah, I guess so. I never thought about it that way. With Mom at Aunt Pauline's this year, I'm not getting a Thanksgiving. Maybe it's just as well.
Well I think that's a shame. I love a ritual sacrifice.
It's not really a one of those.
To commemorate a past event you kill and eat an animal. It's a ritual sacrifice. With pie. ANGLE: CURATOR As she steps out from behind the dais, and takes up a small shiny shovel.
And thus... a symbolic beginning! She turns over the ritual spadeful of dirt.
What's she doing? Xander said he was going to dig! I want to see Xander dig!
This part's just ceremonial.
Well it bites. She's not rippling at all. The ritual done, the crowd begins to disperse. Xander and TWO OTHER CONSTRUCTION GUYS step forward and start to dig in earnest.
There he is.
Ooh. Look at him.
Very... diggy.
Soon he'll be sweating. I'm imagining having sex with him again.
Imaginary Xander is quite the machine. XANDER Plunges his shovel into the dirt and looks up at his little audience... he smiles and waves... then his smile drops, and he goes with it... BOOM... a six-foot chunk of earth collapses in on itself. Xander falls and finds himself thrown into... INT. OLD MISSION CHAMBER - DAY A dark buried chamber. Adobe walls, a large crucifix on one of them... it's an old Spanish mission. Xander, dirty and shaken, picks himself up and looks around.
Ow. (then, calling up) I'm okay! I'm... okay... He stares at his surroundings. The CAMERA PUSHES INTO the darkness at the edges of the chamber, as if something lies just beyond our senses. EXT. CAMPUS BY BUFFY'S DORM - NIGHT The CAMERA PULLS OUT on our woodsy campus setting. Angel walks through, alone in the dark. He stops and looks up at something... Buffy's lighted dorm room window. INT. DORM HALLWAY/BUFFY AND WILLOW'S DORM ROOM - NIGHT Willow is talking, but Buffy is distracted. She keeps glancing at the window.
While they were pulling Xander out, I heard some of the Anthro profs talking about it -- man, were they excited. It's the old Sunnydale Mission, which everyone thought was lost.
Uh-huh. Buffy's looking at the window.
Is there something out there?
No. Sorry. A lost Mission? I mean, a hairbrush, I can understand, and by the way I will find that and give it back, but how do you lose a Mission?
Huge earthquake in 1812. Everyone assumed the Mission was leveled but instead they just build over it. It's like what happened in the thirties with that church the Master was in. Doesn't it make you wonder what else is there, right under our feet?
Mostly? I've found sewers full of demons.
Oh, right. They're interrupted by WHOOPING and CLATTERING from the hallway. Willow opens the door in time to see a clump of students run by, exuberant, many of them with stuffed carry-on bags.
Whoa. It's crazy out there.
Post-midterm frenzy. Willow closes the door.
And the holiday -- everyone's going home. Looks like lots of lucky Moms are gonna be getting nice brimming bags of dirty laundry.
It's not fair. They all get a family holiday just 'cause they can be with their families.
It's a turvy-topsy world.
You know what I should do? I should have my own Thanksgiving. Invite all you guys, cook the whole meal just like Mom always does. It'll be great!
Buffy, earlier you agreed with me about Thanksgiving. It's a sham! It's all about death!
It's a sham, but it's a sham with yams. A yam sham.
You're not going to jokey-rhyme your way out of this one.
I know. It's just, I want it. It's like Professor Walsh was saying about sense memory. I smell a roasting turkey and I'm eight again. I liked having that to look forward to. Buffy goes to the window and looks out into the darkness.
Everything's all different now. Willow can't help but respond to Buffy's tone.
(softening) Well, I suppose there could be slight yams. I mean, we definitely could use a little comfort food.
I bet Giles doesn't have any plans... And Xander usually flees most of his family gatherings...
(excited) We could not invite Anya!
I don't know... She and Xander seem pretty tight lately.
Grumble grumble.
Anyway, Pilgrims aside, isn't that the point of Thanksgiving? I mean, you know: Everyone's got a place to go? EXT. WOODS - NIGHT SPIKE trudges through the woods, wrapped in a tattered blanket, shivering and wretched. He hears something behind him and he stumbles into a panicked run out of frame. After a beat, three uniformed COMMANDOS pass through. Their faces are smeared with camouflaging greasepaint, but they are unmasked and they are RILEY, FORREST and GRAHAM.
Man, I'm beat.
We'll do one more sweep and cash it in.
I gotta pack tonight. (to Riley) Did you get a flight?
Wednesday night. Professor Walsh wants me here for the debriefing.
Pretty short Thanksgiving.
Hey, with the hostile on the loose we're lucky to be going home at all.
He's neutered! The implant's working great; he can't hurt a single living thing.
As long as he knows about the Initiative he's a threat. We do this the professor's way.
(coughing the words into his fist) Mama's boy.
That's a nasty cough. You might need to spend the weekend in Quarantine.
Uh, no, I'm done coughing.
Just don't want anyone getting sick. INT. XANDER'S BASEMENT - MORNING Xander sits on the edge of his bed, trying weakly to pull on a pair of socks. Anya enters.
Xander! What are you doing? You're supposed to be digging. I went to watch you digging and you weren't there doing it.
I'm going now. Just, kind of, tough getting going today. Anya takes a good look at him... he's pale and sweaty and shaky. She touches his face.
Your head is moist. (getting it) You're sick!
Is the floor all swirly? She looks carefully at the floor.
It's not.
Then, yeah. I might have something.
You can't go to work. She starts pulling his socks off, tipping him back onto the bed.
Anya!
You're pasty and wet and disgusting. They can dig without you.
I don't really feel that bad. With him flat on his back on the bed, she pulls at his shirt.
I inflicted a lot of putrefying diseases on men when I was an avenging demon, and you look like you're getting all of them.
(muffled) Okay, I'll stay. But you should go. You could catch it. She pulls the shirt off him like a magician completing a trick and starts unbuckling his belt.
Then we'll die together! It's romantic. Help me get your trousers off.
You're a strange girlfriend. She freezes and looks at him.
I'm a girlfriend?
Um... there's a chance I'm delirious.
Ah, yes. She goes back to undressing him.
Well, whatever it is that's making you sick, so far I like it. INT. OLD MISSION CHAMBER - DAY The room Xander fell into, now covered by wood planks. It's dark down here until an eerie glowing (CGI) vaporous miasma forms. It swirls, threatening to take some form, then seeps up through the gaps between the planks, leaving the chamber dark again. INT. OLD CULTURAL CENTER - DAY The Curator, alone in a dim back room filled with native Californian artifacts. She's trimming a display card with a pair of scissors as she talks on her cell phone.
(into phone) . . . it's a very exciting opportunity. Can't wait to go down there myself. It just... well it means we have to start looking for a new location... it's really up to the dean. I just hope it doesn't cost us another year... Yeah... Okay, I'll talk to you soon. She hangs up and goes back to work. She sets her scissors down on one of the cases, replaces the display card. She doesn't notice when the glowing (CGI) vapor swirls into the room. The vapor touches an item on display -- it's labeled "CHUMASH STONE KNIFE" -- a brutal instrument for close combat. A HAND FORMS around it. It belongs to HUS, a Chumash warrior. The Curator turns, sees him, eyes going wide. The knife stabs the Curator through the neck. BLACK OUT.
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| Act Two | ||||
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INT. OLD CULTURAL CENTER - NIGHT Buffy and Willow make their way into the crime scene, now abandoned by the police. The lights are out and Willow carries a flashlight. Buffy starts searching the room, seeing the clean scissors, the floor still stained with blood.
Never get used to this. One day she's at the Friendship Ceremony, the next day she's on the news.
The coroner's office said she was missing an ear. So, I'm thinking maybe we're looking for a witch. There are some great spells that work much better with an ear in the mix.
That's one fun little hobby you've got there. Buffy moves on to looking in the display cases.
Or... or maybe an ear-harvesting demon. Like, it's building some kind of other demon completely out of ears... Buffy pictures that, makes a face.
Ooh. Thought. We're assuming that someone else cut off the ear. What if it was self inflicted, like Van Gogh?
So... she viciously stabbed herself to death, dumped the knife, then she cut off her own ear.
(don't be ridiculous) No. She cut off her ear, then she killed herself, then she dumped the... I'm really off my game, aren't I?
It's okay. Hey, look. Something's missing from this case. Buffy has noted the missing item from the display.
(reading) Early eighteen-hundreds. Chumash knife. There's a picture. Buffy picks up a drawing of the missing knife and looks at it.
What's it look like?
Pretty darn scary... INT. GILES' APARTMENT - DAY Giles watches as Buffy unloads groceries in his kitchen.
...I mean, it was more like a riot than a Ralph's. I though I was going to have to put some Slayer moves on this one lady who was completely hoarding the pumpkin pie filling.
And, at some point you're going to tell me about the murder.
Oh. Well, the knife was some kind of Indian artifact. Chumash. That's all we've got.
The Chumash Indians? They were the original inhabitants of this whole area. Interesting. Of course, maybe the murder weapon was simply a convenient choice-- Buffy is rummaging around in Giles' cupboards now.
Guy had a big ol' scissors right there. The knife was picked out for a reason. Don't you even own a turkey pan?
Tell me again why we're not doing this at your house.
Giles, if you want to get by in American society you have to learn our traditions. You're the patriarch. You have to host the festivities or it's all meaningless.
And this is in no way an elaborate scheme to stick me with the clean up.
How 'bout that ceremonial knife, huh? Pretty juicy piece of clueage, don't you think?
Yes, all right. (gives up) I'll look into the Chumash connection. See if there's some ritual significance to the ear removal.
Thanks. I got a few more things to pick up. I'll check in. And keep your hands off the food. She heads out.
(called after) I will try to restrain myself from eating uncooked potatoes and cranberries. The door shuts. Giles remains facing it as he says:
So what do you think? We see who he's talking to as Angel steps out of the darkened hallway next to the kitchen.
She sounds good. Kind of intense about this Thanksgiving thing...
I think she's a little lonely. But I meant about the murder. Angel takes a beat, forces a professional demeanor.
Whatever killed the woman in the museum, that's probably the danger.
This "danger"... Your friend has an ominous vision about Buffy, it's terribly vague. There are other things happening on this campus--
Maybe I'm wrong... but, I have to try something. I can't just keep watching.
Angel, I'm... I'm glad you're looking out for her. But I feel I have to remind you, she's not helpless and it's not your job to keep her safe.
It's not yours anymore either. Are you going to walk away? Giles looks at Angel, recognizing that they will both always feel responsible for Buffy.
All right. But I think we should tell her. I don't like keeping this secret.
If she knew I was here, I-- It would distract her. It could get her hurt. I don't want to, to get in the way. Giles thinks about it, then...
I'm assuming there's a connection to the Old Mission. Something is angry that it was disturbed.
Or maybe it was trapped there and now it's released...
Something with a fondness for ancient weapons.
Do you know Father Gabriel? He knows the history of this place pretty well -- family dates back to mission times. He might fill in some blanks.
I'll see about contacting him. Angel heads for the door.
Where are you going?
To watch her.
It's not fair. You know that's what she'd say. You can see her and she can't see you.
Believe me, I'm not getting the good half of the deal. To be outside, looking in at what I can't... I'd forgotten how bad it feels. EXT. ALLEY - NIGHT Spike peers through a dusty window into a dilapidated building. Inside, in a pool of golden lamp-light, a small nest of vampires is settling down with a dazed human victim. An older vampire is about to bite. Then he pauses and holds the whimpering victim out to a younger vampire. A heart-warming domestic scene. Spike watches, his breath frosting the window, a picture of misery and longing. EXT. SUNNYDALE STREET - NIGHT Buffy and Willow walk near the Espresso Pump.
But you have whipped cream. I saw it in Giles' fridge.
That was the whipped cream in the canister. You know... (imitates aerosol whipped cream sound) It's only right if you whip it yourself.
Yay. And then we can churn our own butter and make sweaters out of sheep! Buffy looks at her, recognizes the teasing.
I swear, this'll be the last thing. Anyway, I have an appointment to go see this priest Giles called me about. He thinks he might have some information--
Buffy? Hey! Buffy! They looks up to see Riley trotting across the street.
Hi. I didn't see you at all. Where'd you come from?
Oh, just across the street, and... and a couple blocks down. Hey, Willow.
Hi. You know, I think I'll just let you two... Hey, look, they're selling coffee in the... coffee shop. Yum. Willow, eager to give Buffy and Riley some time alone, ducks into the Espresso Pump... INT. ESPRESSO PUMP - CONTINUOUS Willow ducks around the corner into the shop, and SLAMS into someone standing and looking out at the street.
Ow. Willow steps back, sees who she hit.
Ang-- He presses his hand over her mouth.
(muffled by his hand) Evil. You're all evil again. He lets her go.
I'm not evil. I'm here to help Buffy.
What's going on?
My friend had a vision. Buffy's in danger. Alarmed, Willow glances back at Buffy, who is happily chatting with Riley -- no obvious danger there.
So tell her. Help her.
If she sees me it'll be worse.
See, I don't get that. All this "leaving for her own good" garbage. Because that's what it is. You can't just give up on something because there's obstacles. What kind of--
Willow?
Sorry. My stuff.
You know how I feel about her. If there was any way...
Sorry. Yeah. I know.
It's just, everything's different now.
So I've heard. Hey, is Cordelia really working for you? That's gotta be... a special experience. Of all the people you could've hired--
Will. I'm here to protect Buffy. I don't have a whole lotta time for personal stuff.
Right. How can I help?
Well, if you can just tell me... (totally jealous) Who's that guy? EXT. SUNNYDALE STREET - CONTINUOUS Buffy and Riley continue to talk.
...it'll be just like it was when I was a kid. Only without me building a fort out of my mashed potatoes.
Sounds like fun.
Hey, you know what? If you're around, you know, and you don't have anywhere to go... Well, you should come. I'm a great cook. In theory. I mean, I've eaten a lot.
That sounds so great. But I'm out of here tonight, caught a last- minute flight back to Iowa.
(disappointed) Iowa. That's one of the ones in the middle. Riley laughs.
My folks are there. We always do Thanksgiving at my grandparents farm. Little place just outside Huxley. Corn and pigs.
That sounds wonderful.
It is. After dinner, we all go for a walk down by the river with the dogs. And there's... trees, and I know what you're thinking, it's like I grew up in a Grant Wood painting.
Exactly. If I knew who that was.
Just a guy who painted stuff that looked like what I grew up in.
Ah. Well, have fun at the homestead.
Always do. What's the line -- "Home's the place that, when you have to go there --"
"-- they have to take you in." That's what they say. INT. HARMONY'S LAIR - NIGHT Spike leans weakly against the wall. Harmony blocks Spike from coming farther into the room.
Get out.
But, baby... This is where I belong.
Out! I mean it. I've done a lot of reading, and, and I'm in control of my own power now. So we're through. Spike grabs her, holds her close. He roughly pulls at her shirt, baring her shoulder. He kisses it.
You don't mean that.
Yes I do. I do. (completely turned on) I mean it a lot... He sweeps her up and carries her to the bed. He drops her onto it and then plops down next to her.
See? I knew you'd end up welcoming me with open... (he caresses her legs) ...arms.
No! I'm powerful and I'm beautiful and I don't need you to make me complete and you're mean! She pushes him away roughly, and pulls a stake from under the pillow. He recoils and falls off the bed.
You had that in our bed?! Do you know how dangerous that is?
Let's find out. Still on the floor, Spike scrambles toward the door. Harmony advances on him.
You wouldn't do it.
You did it to me, remember? She lunges at him... he stumbles aside, clearly weakened. She grabs him by the collar, heads him for the door.
All right! I'll go, just... She stops.
What.
Can I have someone to eat? She tosses him out, stands strong and proud. INT. CHURCH - NIGHT Buffy walks through an empty church. Carved images, stained-glass images of angels look down at her as she walks.
Hello? Father Gabriel? She sees an open side door. She exits into... EXT. CHURCH COURTYARD - NIGHT Buffy enters this dark courtyard, full of arches and vines.
Father? Are you out here? She rounds a corner to see the priest, dead, hanged, dangling from an archway. Hus stands beside the body. He reaches up, knife glinting...
God... He severs the ear from the man with a brutal stroke of his knife. He tucks the ear into a pouch tied at his waist. Buffy delivers a spinning kick that throws him away from the body. He brings up the knife.
(quiet menace) You can't stop me.
You're very wrong about that. She throws a punch, but he blocks it with his free hand. Throws her and they tumble, come up facing each other again.
I am vengeance. I am my people's cry. They call for (pointing to himself) Hus, for the avenging spirit, to carve out justice.
(calm but truly pissed) They tell you start an ear collection? Furious, he lunges. They spar, end up on the ground. Buffy gets the upper hand, taking Hus' knife as they grip each other, Hus just holding the knife away. He looks at it with concealed fear.
You slaughtered my people. Now you kill their spirit. This is a great day for you. Buffy hesitates, weakens, and Hus breaks free, wrenching his knife from her and rolling away. He comes up, stands before her silhouetted -- -- and turns into a FLOCK OF BIRDS, which fly off into the sky. Buffy looks up after them, startled. She stands alone and empty-handed. BLACK OUT.
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| Act Three | ||||
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INT. GILES' KITCHEN - DAY Buffy is putting the turkey into the oven while Giles peels potatoes. She's clearly a bit enervated by the day's labors: constantly checking cookbooks, busying herself. Giles is calmer.
We're clearly dealing with a spirit of some kind. It's very common for Indian spirits to change to animal form.
Well it's plenty uncommon for me to freeze up during a fight. I had the guy, I was ready for the takedown and I stopped! And "Native American".
Sorry?
We don't say Indian. She puts four yams in the oven as well.
Yes! Right. Always behind on the terms. Still trying not to refer to you lot as 'bloody colonials'.
The thing is, I like my evil like my men: evil. You know, straight up, black hat, tie you to the railroad tracks, soon my electro ray will destroy metropolis BAD. Not all mixed up with guilt and the destruction of an indigenous culture.
This spirit warrior -- Hus, you called him? -- has killed innocent people.
(re: potatoes) We need to boil those and then put them through a ricer.
I don't think I have a ricer.
You don't have a ricer? What do you mean? How could somebody not have a ricer?
(helpfully) Do you have one at home?
I don't know. What's a ricer?
We'll mash them with forks, much like the pilgrims must have. Did you hear the part about the innocent people?
Yes. And I want to stop this guy. I just wish there was a non slayee way to do it. Pounding on the door. Buffy crosses into: INT. GILES' APARTMENT - CONTINUOUS - DAY And opens the door. She sees Willow laden down with books (more historical than supernatural - even a couple of textbooks). On top of the books are two packages of frozen peas. On top of the peas is a determined scowl. (The scowl is on Willow's face. That's clear, right?)
Hey.
Hey! Peas?
(indicating with her head) Peas. Buffy takes them as Willow dumps books onto Giles' desk.
These are frozen.
(re: books) What's all that?
Atrocities! I got the full poop on the Chumash Indians and our fabulous buried Mission.
You said you were gonna get fresh ones.
Atrocities?
Peas. You know, in the little pods... you were gonna shell them.
I didn't have time. I was busy reading about the Chumash war.
The Chumash were peaceful.
Oh, they were peaceful, all right. They were fluffy indigenous kittens! 'Til we came along.
They're gonna be mushy.
They won't be mushy.
I like mushy peas.
Yeah, well, you're why there had to be pilgrims in the first place. (to Will) What happened to the Chumash?
How about imprisonment? Forced labor? Herded like animals into a mission full of bad European diseases?
Boy, the Cultural Partnership center really didn't stress any of that stuff.
Not even a diorama. And it gets better. The few Chumash who tried to rebel were hanged, AND, when a group was accused of stealing cattle, they were killed, men women and children, and for proof to bring back to their accusers...
They cut off their ears.
So Hus wasn't kidding with that "rightful vengeance" routine. He's recreating all the wrongs that were done his people.
And he's not likely to stop. EXT. GILES' APARTMENT - LIVING ROOM WINDOW - DAY We see into the apartment through the living room window. The three of them continue their discussion.
So it's up to us to stop him.
Yeah but after dinner, right?
You sure we shouldn't be helping him? Cut back to see a COYOTE watching them balefully. After a little bit it slinks away. INT. GILES' APARTMENT - CONTINUOUS - DAY The discussion is getting a bit more heated. Buffy looks a little forlorn as it gains momentum.
No, I think perhaps we WON'T be helping the angry spirit with his rape and pillage and murder.
Well, okay, no, but we should be helping him redress his wrongs. Bringing the atrocities to light!
Well, if the history books are filled with them, I'd say they already are --
Giving his land back!
(meekly helpful) Well, maybe we could do that --
It's not exactly ours to give. ANGLE: BUFFY Looks unhappy as the conversation spirals:
I don't think you want to help. I think you just want to slay the demon and then go la la la.
You know --
And I think your sympathy for his plight has blinded you to certain rather urgent facts. We have to stop this thing.
Okay, unfeeling guy.
Willow, that's not --
I have to baste. She retreats into the kitchen. INT. GILES' KITCHEN - CONTINUOUS - DAY Buffy kneels down, opens the oven door. It is clear she just needs a respite from the tension. She stares at the turkey, baster in oven-mitted hand. After a moment she closes the oven door again, having basted nothing.
That's good. INT. GILES' LIVING ROOM - CONTINUOUS - DAY Giles pulls Willow aside, speaking so Buffy won't hear.
Willow, I have reason to believe Buffy herself may be in particular danger from this menace.
Oh. You mean (mouths it:) Angel. (speaks) I saw him too.
Not terribly stealthy of him.
I think he's lost his edge.
But Buffy doesn't know --
No no! Not a peep.
Well, good, but this is why we need to keep a level head about this menace.
And I happen to think mine is the level head and yours is the one that things would roll off of. Giles is about to reply when there is a knock at the door. Buffy pops up from squatting, looks at the others as Giles crosses and opens the door to reveal Xander and Anya. Xander looks weak and sweaty.
Happy Thanksgiving... The threesome face Xander, all looking concerned.
Xander!
You look like death.
Are you okay?
You didn't bring rolls? INT. OLD CULTURAL CENTER - DAY A STEADICAM shot, low, Coyote-eye view. The angle changes, rising to the height of a man. Hus steps into shot from behind the camera... as if just transformed from his previous coyote-form. He walks to the cases and picks up a Chumash bow... then another weapon... collecting them all until his arms are full. INT. GILES' APARTMENT - SEVERAL MINUTES LATER - DAY Xander is on the couch with a blanket. Willow pores through books, many of which are open on the coffee table. Buffy sits facing Xander, stirring pumpkin pie mix with a whisk. Anya sits beside him, tending his brow. Giles hovers.
The doctor couldn't figure out what was up with me. Said I had a lot of symptoms that didn't connect.
I think they connect.
What, to this Chumash spirit vengeance guy?
(to Willow) Didn't you say the Chumash got all diseased, holed up in the mission?
Yeah. (re: book) This has a better account of everything. Lists the various...
Various? As in...
Well, the important thing is not to panic.
Well, you just recited the mystical panic-causing incantation so little hope there. Tell me about the various.
Well, they did suffer from malaria, some smallpox.
I was gonna say smallpox --
Plus, you know, a little (hiding the word) Syphilis, basically standard sort of --
Syphilis?
But this is probably mystical, and it'll all go away as soon as --
As soon as what? We still don't know what we're gonna do.
Maybe I can find something. She flips through books. Anya takes the first book Willow was looking through.
Well let's give him some land, I'm sure that will clear everything right up.
Giles, the sarcasm accomplishes nothing.
Well, it was sort of an end in itself.
Can we come rocketing back to the part about me and my new syphilis?
Oh, that'll make you blind and insane, but it won't kill you. The smallpox will.
Sweetie... not helping.
There might be a wiccan spell that could cure it, something regular medicine doesn't know about. I think there was a potion... (pulls a book closer) Sage, salt, onion...
That's for the stuffing.
Oh God.
(off her book) You're going to get vesicles. Then pustules. They have pictures.
I hate this guy.
He's just doing what was done to him.
I didn't give him syphilis!
But you freed his spirit, and after a century of unrest he saw you as one of his oppressors.
So he rises up and infects the first guy he sees? That's not fair.
Like you've never woken up cranky.
(thinking) But why the others? Why them particularly?
So let's take this guy out! Buffy: It is for to be slaying sometime soon, yeah?
Well, that's sort of the question before the court.
Question?
There's two sides to it.
To slaying him? Well, the representative from syphilis votes "yea".
It's not that simple.
He's a vengeance demon! You don't talk to vengeance demons, you kill them!
(quietly) I didn't know you felt that way.
What? I didn't mean -- you're an EX-vengeance demon, it's totally different...
(very hurt) Sure. It's okay.
Anya...
Anyway, he's a spirit, not a demon.
Yes, we've never faced this exact sort of spirit. We really don't know what will kill it.
Again with the killing!
Yes, Willow, we all appreciate your perspective -- Now two conversations are going at once --
Buffy stands.
This is no good. Everyone stops.
(a little sheepish) It needs more condensed milk. She crosses to the INT. GILES' KITCHEN - CONTINUOUS - DAY Giles keeping with her.
Buffy, Xander is in real danger. Are you sure the solution is pie?
Over bickering and confusion? I'll take pie.
We will find a solution --
And we will have a nice dinner. Okay? Both. End of story. I'm having a Thanksgiving. It's going to be perfect.
Hus won't stop. Vengeance is never sated, Buffy. Hatred is a cycle. All he will do is kill. She takes this in -- and a KNOCK on the door startles them both a bit. They look at each other quizzically, then head for the door. INT. GILES' LIVING ROOM - CONTINUOUS - DAY Buffy reaches the door and opens it. There is no one there. Buffy turns back to the others - and Spike lurches from the side, grabs her and spins her to him. He has his blanket covering his head. He looks like shit.
Help me... Buffy slams a palm to his chest, sends him flying back on his ass. He scrambles out of the direct sunlight, his blanket beginning to smoke.
What part of "help me" did you not understand?
The part where I help you.
Come on! I'm parboiling out here! Buffy sticks her hand out behind her without even looking. Giles, who has joined her at the door, slaps a stake into it like an assisting surgeon.
You want me to make it quicker?
Invite me in!
Fairly unlikely. Frustrated, Spike runs at the doorway. Buffy simply steps back and Spike is repelled mystically. But the doorway offers some shade, so he stays there.
Dammit! Look, I'm safe, I can't bite anyone! Willow! Tell them what I did.
You said you were gonna kill me and then kill Buffy.
Yes, bad, but let's skip that part and get to the part where I couldn't bite you!
It's true. He had trouble performing.
Yeah, well it looks like they've done me for good.
What are you saying?
I'm saying Spike had a little trip to the vet and now he doesn't chase the other puppies anymore. I can't bite anything. I can't even hit people.
So you haven't murdered anybody lately. Let's be best pals!
I got information. About those soldier boys you were fighting. I got the inside scoop. Giles and Buffy share a look.
Come on... what have you got to be afraid of? INT. OLD MISSION CHAMBER - DAY Hus is ready for war. His face and body are painted with red, black and white pigment. He wears an imposing headdress. He paces in a circle in the darkened chamber and chants:
First People, who dwell in Mishupashup, hear me and descend, walk with me upon Itiashup again... As he walks, he pauses and places a weapon on the earthen floor: a bow and arrow... a spear... a war club... a knife... Glowing (CGI) mist starts tracing his path now, trailing off his body. It falls on the weapons.
. . . Hear me also, Nunashush, spirits from below, creatures of the night, dwellers in Cayinashup, take human form, and join the battle... apoilis, untakas isana -- bring me my revenge! Each weapon is now at the center of its own glowing mist swirl. On the word "Revenge" the weapons all lift at once. CHUMASH WARRIORS form around the weapons. They wear simpler versions of Hus' costume, and their faces and bodies are painted. A ghost army ready for battle. BLACK OUT.
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| Act Four | ||||
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INT. GILES' APARTMENT - SEVERAL MINUTES LATER Spike is being tied to a chair. Buffy finishes the last knot as he complains:
Bloody hell, woman! You're cutting off my circulation.
You don't have any circulation.
Well it pinches.
Get used to it. I got more important things to worry about.
I came to you in friendship! Well, all right, seething hatred but I've got useful information and I feel I'm being mistreated.
So tell me everything you know.
I'm too hungry to remember everything.
Then sit. Anya is scooping baked sweet potato out of the shells and putting it in a pot.
How much butter goes in with these?
Uh, half a stick. And a quarter cup of brandy. (to Giles) You have brandy, right? Giles is in think mode, doesn't hear her right away.
What? Oh. Yes. In the cupboard.
I wouldn't say no to a brandy...
(to Giles) What's wrong?
It's the victims. Apart from Xander, Hus has targeted authority figures -- Father Gabriel, the curator of the Cultural Center... who fits this pattern?
Just a small brandy...
(thinking) The Dean. Dean Guerrero, he's the king of us -- and he was at the ceremony...
Likely candidate. We'll need to warn him. Buffy crosses to Willow at her books.
Will, isn't there anything in there about how to stop a Native American spirit guy? Some nice, non judgemental way to, you know, kill him?
I'm not helping you kill him! I'm not on board. She gathers up her books, holds them to her.
Will, what choice do we have? Will stands.
This isn't a Western, Buffy! We're not at Fort... Giles, with the cavalry coming to save us! It's one lonely and oppressed warrior guy who's just trying to --
-- kill a lot of people?
I didn't say he was right...
Will, you know how bad I feel. This is eating me up -- (to Anya, who holds up the bottle of brandy) -- a quarter cup, and let it simmer -- (to Willow, as Anya goes back) -- but even though it's hard, we have to end this. Yes, he's been wronged, and I personally would be ready to apologize...
Oh, someone put a stake in me!
You got a lot of volunteers in here...
I just can't take this mamby-pamby boo-hooing over the bloody Indians!
The preferred term is --
You won! All right? You came in and you killed them and you took their land. That's what conquering nations do! That's what Caesar did, he's not going around saying "I came, I conquered, I felt really bad about it"! The history of the world is not people making friends. You had better weapons, you massacred them, end of story!
Well, I think the Spaniards actually did a lot of... not that I don't like Spaniards...
Listen to you! How are you gonna fight anybody with that attitude?
We don't want to fight anybody.
I just want to have Thanksgiving.
Yeah, good luck.
If we could talk to him --
You exterminated his race. What could you possibly say that would make him feel better? It's kill or be killed here. Take your bloody pick. There is a beat, as this sinks in.
Maybe it's the syphilis talking, but some of that made sense.
(peevishly, almost to himself) I made several of those points earlier, but that's fine, no one listens...
All right. Whatever happens, someone should go warn the Dean.
(upset, confused) I'll go. I need the air.
Not alone.
I'll go.
Me too.
You sure you're up to it?
Oh leave that one. He looks like he's ready to drop any minute, and I think I can eat someone if they're already dead.
(heading out) I'm up to it.
We'll keep looking for a... solution.
His house is up past the gym. And guys... hurry. Dinner's in an hour. EXT. SUNNYDALE - SUNSET The sun sets, as it does at sunset. INT. GILES' APARTMENT - NIGHT Buffy is setting the table with probably more energy than she needs. Giles does research.
Hey, when do I get fed?
Later. (to Giles) I hope the others are okay...
Do you know what happens to a vampire that doesn't get to feed?
Actually, I've always wondered.
Giles, plates. He grabs them from the counter and helps.
Living skeletons, mate. Like famine pictures from those dusty countries, only not half as funny.
You can have gravy. Gravy has blood in it, right?
You know what else has blood in it? Blood! Buffy places a little corncob man as she talks.
You want me to gag you? 'Cause I'm not listening to you whine all the way through dinner. We're gonna have a nice, quiet, civilized... There is a WHINE of arrows overhead. Two of them embed in the wall beside the stairs, two more go deep into the sofa. One of them (fired by Hus) hits Spike.
Hey! Watch the heart! EXT. CAMPUS, OUTSIDE DEAN'S RESIDENCE - NIGHT Willow, Xander and Anya walk away from the Dean's Residence. Anya holds a paper plate with a piece of plastic-wrapped pumpkin pie on it. They stop near a bike rack.
Well, that was a waste of time.
I think he thought we were crazy.
Maybe Anya shouldn't have opened the conversation with "Everybody got both ears?"
I liked his wife. She gave me pie.
So what do we do now?
We could stay, and stand watch, but I don't know-- Angel steps out of the dark next to them.
Willow-- Xander and Willow jump.
Angel! Anya is not flustered.
(re: Angel) This is Angel. He's large and glowery, isn't he? Xander steps between Anya and Angel.
I'm not evil again! Why does everyone think that?
Angel's here to protect Buffy.
I haven't been evil for a long time.
She's not supposed to know he's here. Angel, you have something new?
Yeah. All the Chumash weapons are missing from the cultural center. Something's up. Where's Buffy?
(to Angel) Still at Giles'. She just sent us out to check on Dean Guerrero.
He's fine. Lots of ears.
Why the Dean?
We think he's going after someone in charge. A leader.
He's a warrior. To a warrior the leader means the strongest fighter.
Buffy.
He's formed a raiding party.
We've got to get back there!
I'll call her. You get back fast.
How can we -- Angel strides to the bike rack. He pulls a lock, snaps it. EXT. GILES' APARTMENT - LIVING ROOM WINDOW - NIGHT The same shot we had earlier with the coyote, looking into the apartment. Only now we're looking over the shoulder of a warrior, bow raised. As Buffy and Giles move behind the sofa we get glimpses of the tops of their heads... they look incredibly vulnerable. INT. GILES' LIVING ROOM - NIGHT Buffy and Giles are still pinned down behind the sofa. The phone rings. Giles reaches up and grabs it.
Hello... Yes... Yes we're well aware of that, we're under siege now. Thank you. He hangs up.
Who was that?
A... Someone. We need a plan. ANGLE: SPIKE Has three arrows in him.
Yes, let's talk about it some more...
Where's your weapons chest? Giles points. Buffy glances out. The chest is there, along the living room wall just past the archway next to the kitchen. Buffy makes a tentative lean toward it, extending one arm out... ARROWS sail again (from the living room windows). Spike HOPS himself, and his chair, just barely out of the way of one. Buffy makes another try. She snags the chest and is pulling it back behind the sofa when an arrow hits her. It lodges in her forearm, going deep.
Buffy! She dives back to cover. BUFFY Giles points out the small window behind them by the door. She pulls the arrow from her arm and Giles ties something around her wound.
Hey, remember that "never apologize" thing? Forget it. Apologize.
Shut up, Spike.
Fine. I'll do it. (called, to Hus) Hey! Sorry! Sorry about that, Chief!
(to Giles) How many?
There's the leader, upstairs, and another one with him. Two at the living room windows and another at the window by the door.
Five total. Too many.
We need help.
Aargh! Bloody hell! Spike's been hit in the leg by another arrow. EXT. CAMPUS - NIGHT Shot from a moving vantage point alongside -- Xander, Anya and Willow on bikes, riding as fast as they can. INT. GILES' APARTMENT - NIGHT Buffy has pulled the weapons chest the rest of the way behind the sofa now. Giles has piled up sofa cushions and pulled dining room chairs into position as best he can to shield them from weapons coming from the door side of the room. Buffy pulls two crossbows (loaded) from the chest. She and Giles stand up. She faces toward the door, he faces into the living room. She fires at Hus. The bolt barely misses him. Giles fires through one of the living room windows. EXT. GILES' COURTYARD - NIGHT Xander, Willow and Anya arrive, running into the courtyard. They see Hus and the other warrior up on the balcony, and the third warrior at the downstairs window. Xander moves instantly across the courtyard toward the warrior at the lower window. Along the way he picks up a heavy flowerpot. He brings it down, with a CRASH, on the warrior's head -- the warrior falls aside. Willow and Anya each grab garden tools, rushing to join Xander -- the warrior on the balcony (the one who's not Hus) dives off the balcony at them, knife in hand. They fight back, flailing at his head. INT. GILES' APARTMENT - NIGHT Hus, still at the window over the stairs, utters a war-cry and jumps into the room, CRASHING THROUGH the unopened upper half of the window. He ends up at the base of the stairs. Buffy grabs something from the weapons chest and jumps to meet him. They engage. Now we see she has an ornate curved metal knife versus his stone one. knives flash and clash. Giles grabs a knife as well and is about to come to her aid when the two warriors on the living room side of the apartment jump in through their windows. Giles grabs a heavy object off a table and clobbers one of them over the head. He falls aside. The remaining warrior charges Giles, they end up fighting near the archway by the kitchen. Hus' knife slashes Buffy's arm, making a cut. She strikes back. He is uncut.
Giles! These guys! They don't die! Giles is on the ground, trying to keep his opponent's hands from his throat.
Bit busy over here... EXT./INT. GILES' APARTMENT - NIGHT In the courtyard, Xander is trying to help Willow and Anya. He has picked up a long-handled something of his own and is joining the fight...
Get away from them! ...when he realizes there's nothing at the end of his handle. He stares at it. A beat later, he is plucked out of the fight entirely, from behind.
Hey! It's the warrior whom he hit with the flowerpot, dirt still marking his face. He picks up Xander and THROWS him at Giles' front door. The hinges break and Xander lands on the living room floor. The warrior launches in after him and they struggle on the ground. In the courtyard, Angel arrives. He sees Willow and Anya, still fighting: garden implements vs. knife. Willow has gotten over her reluctance and is hitting the warrior hard in the head with her hoe.
(with each blow) Why. Won't. You. Die? Angel grabs the warrior and twists his neck. The warrior drops like Jenny Calendar, his knife clattering to the courtyard floor beside him. Willow and Anya look at Angel gratefully.
(to Willow, intrigued) What's he like when he is evil? IN THE APARTMENT the dazed warrior whom Giles hit with the object, gets up. He steps around the back of the sofa, closing in behind Buffy (who is still fighting Hus), knife drawn and raised... ANGEL'S POV Angel stands in the courtyard, just outside the door. Through the window next to the door he sees the warrior creeping up behind Buffy. Angel grabs the knife that the broken-necked warrior dropped and, almost too fast to see, he WHIPS it through the open door. THE KNIFE Sings through the air... and hits the warrior, impaling him and throwing him over the back of the sofa. Buffy never even sees him. IN THE COURTYARD The warrior who got his neck snapped by Angel suddenly grabs him from behind. Angel struggles with him and yells to Willow and Anya:
Help the others! Willow and Anya enter through the door, arriving at the Xander-vs.-warrior tussle. Together they try to pull the warrior off Xander, hold him. BUFFY AND HUS Continue their knife fight. In an exchange of kicks and blows, BOTH KNIVES are knocked out of their hands. They fall. Buffy and Hus pick them up. She slashes at him. She CUTS HIS ARM, leaving it BLOODIED. Confused she looks at her knife -- sees that it's his stone one -- they traded knives.
Your knife. It can kill you. He yells... an angry scream that deepens, and roughens and turns into an URSINE GROWL as, incredibly, he MORPHS into a GIANT REAL LIVE BEAR! THE BEAR TOWERS ON ITS HIND LEGS and ROARS, seeming to fill the apartment. It is facing away from the kitchen, and therefore, pretty much toward... SPIKE Who, now with three arrows protruding from his body, panics.
You made a bear!
I didn't mean to!
Undo it! Undo it! Buffy fights the bear! It slashes at her with its massive claws. Spike, trying to hop himself out of the way, TIPS OVER BACKWARDS onto the floor.
Oof. The bear roars and knocks Buffy across the room. XANDER Is helping Anya and Willow restrain their captive warrior. But, seeing Buffy's sitch, he waves and shouts from his place near the kitchen counter, trying to draw the bear's attention away from Buffy.
Hey! Gentle Ben! Over here! Not getting a reaction, Xander grabs a bag of raw, unpeeled potatoes. He starts lobbing them at the bear.
(to the bear) That's for giving me syphilis! Buffy moves in close, within range of the huge paws, and plunges the knife into the beast's heart. It roars and collapses to the floor. It turns briefly into the Indian man, and then into the mist, which dissipates... gone forever. The four other warriors (one still held by Anya and Willow, one that is fighting with Giles, one that is fighting with Angel and the one that was knocked onto the sofa by Angel) all wisp away too, although we only see (CGI) Angel's. Buffy, Willow, Anya, Xander and Giles move together, still looking at where Hus' body briefly lay. There is a beat of regret from our characters who have souls. EXT. GILES' COURTYARD - NIGHT Angel stands alone now... the warriors have disappeared. He looks in the window, sees BUFFY Through the window, as she looks around at her friends... she's all right. ANGEL hesitates for a second -- drawn to her. But he turns and walks away. BUFFY Glances toward the window -- was something there? No.
(from the floor) What happened? Did we win? INT. GILES' APARTMENT - LATER THAT NIGHT Buffy, Willow, Xander, Giles, Anya, and even Spike, all sit around what remains of the dining room table. The turkey, half-carved, is on the table, as well as the other food. Everyone eats and looks tired, and tends their wounds. A few arrows protrude from the table-top.
I feel lousy.
I thought the turkey came out rather splendidly. General assent.
It was yummy, I just... did you see me? Two seconds of conflict with an indigenous person and I turn into General Custer.
Violence does that. Instinct takes over.
Yeah, that's the fun!
Nobody asked you.
Oh, lay off. You've all had a fine meal, but me... an entire siege, you'd think one of you would bleed a little...
Well, good work, Buffy. On both fronts.
(a little sad) Thanks.
Come on, you should be very pleased.
It wasn't exactly a perfect Thanksgiving.
I don't know. It kinda seemed right to me. A bunch of anticipation, a big fight and now we're all sleepy.
And we did all survive.
Well. I guess that much is true. My first Thanksgiving on my own and we all got through it.
And you know what? (romantically, to Anya) I think my syphilis is clearing right up.
That's nice...
And they say romance is dead. Or maybe they just wish it.
And maybe we started a new tradition this year. (thinks about it) Maybe not. But anyway, we all worked together, that was like old times.
Yeah. Especially with Angel here and everything. The others react, forks half-way to mouths, guilty looks on faces.
Angel? BLACK OUT.
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