Episode 2 - Faces
ACT ONE
INT. WILLOW AND TARA'S ROOM - DAY (DAY 2)
Willow is on a desk, typing on her laptop. Tara is on
the bed, reading through a book and taking notes. The
two are doing some homework.
WILLOW
Darn it!
TARA
(looking up)
What's the matter?
WILLOW
Nothing. It's just, I don't think my
laptop's working. The program's all
screwy.
TARA
How's that?
WILLOW
Well, I've got to hand in this
assignment tommorow, only it has to
be five thousand words. So, I
thought, five thousand words, easy.
right? I can do five thousand words.
So, I've been working on this all
day and just when I thought I had
five thousand words, the word count
has me at less than five thousand
words, only I'm sure I have five
thousand words.
Tara smiles, gets off the bed and walks over to
Willow. She stands over her, looking at the computer
screen. She begins rubbing Willow's shoulders and
neck.
TARA
Poor baby.
WILLOW
I just wanna finish this off so I
can get back to my Scooby project,
you know, cataloging and cross-
indexing the Web sites on demons
with the stuff Giles and I scanned
into the computer last year.
TARA
I think Giles and Buffy would really
appreciate that.
WILLOW
Yeah. It should make scoobying more
efficient, plus no more having to
rely on musty old books.
TARA
Are you nearly finished, I mean,
with the Web thing?
WILLOW
(enthusiastically)
I thought I was, but last night,
while I was surfing, I clicked on
this one link which opened up this
whole pool of information that I
didn't even know existed. It was
like.. discovering Tutankhamen's
hidden tomb, only without, you know,
the off-putting curse.
TARA
So, you'll be on the computer again
tonight?
WILLOW
(a little defensive)
No. I mean, I don't have to be. I
mean, it's not like I'm a total
geek-girl or anything.
Willow switches off her laptop.
WILLOW
See? No withdrawal symptoms. No
insatiable cravings. No..
Willow stops, her eyes bulging.
TARA
What?
WILLOW
(aghast)
Five thousand words.
TARA
You forgot to save?
Willow's head drops down to her arms on the table.
Tara smiles, leans over and kisses Willow on the back
of her head. She hugs her consolingly. Willow looks
back up.
WILLOW
I'm such a spaz.
TARA
(affectionately)
Yes, but you're my spaz.
They both smile. Willow sighs and switches her laptop
back on.
TARA
And before, I just meant, if you
were getting online, you could
maybe.. teach me about the Net, you
know, surfing and stuff.
Tara clasps her arms around Willow and gently leans
her face next to hers.
TARA
I want to know.
The two share a warm embrace before Tara gets back up
and wanders towards the bookshelves.
TARA
In the meantime, be a good little
witch and finish up your homework.
WILLOW
Where are you going?
TARA
Oh, I thought I'd pick out some
witchcraft books to show Buffy, you
know, show her the type of harmless
little spells we could teach Dawn.
Tara runs her fingers over the books, reading them off
as she goes.
TARA
No.. No.. Mmm, Witchcraft for
Beginners.
She takes 'Witchcraft for Beginners' and continues
scanning the titles.
ANGLE ON: THE BOOKS
as we pan and follow Tara's finger as she touches each
book along the line.
TARA
(softly to herself)
no.. no.. no..
We see her finger stop briefly on 'History of
Witchcraft'.
TARA
(pointedly)
No.
Her fingers continue to wander over the books until
she reaches an unfamiliar book.
ANGLE : TARA
with a concerned furrow of the brow. She pulls the
purple book out. She looks down at the cover.
TARA
(reading out the cover)
Advanced Transmogrification and
Temporal Spells and Incantations.
WILLOW
(turning to look at Tara)
What?
TARA
(showing the book to
Willow)
This book. I haven't seen it before.
WILLOW
Oh. That's because it's Amy's.
Willow turns back to her laptop.
WILLOW
I found it at my house years ago.
She must have left it there when we
used to do spells together.
A subtle raise of the eyebrows from Tara and a little
look at Amy in her cage.
WILLOW
(missing Tara's reaction)
I've been holding on to it for her
ever since. I figured she'd probably
want it back if she ever gets de-
ratted, you know, work out that
little kink in her spell.
Tara accepts the explanation and puts the book back.
The tension gone in her face. She hops back onto the
bed and starts to lightly browse through the book she
took from the shelf.
It is peaceful and quiet in the room. Tara looks
around the room, taking in the reality of her
situation, living with the person she loves. She looks
up at Willow and stares at her for a beat, smiling.
TARA
Willow?
WILLOW
(turning around in her
chair)
What?
TARA
Are you happy?
WILLOW
(smiling)
Always.
INT. ABANDONED WAREHOUSE - DAY
CLOSE ON : SKEET
SKEET
(furious)
One bloody thing. One simple bloody
thing you had to do and you bollocks
it up.
WIDEN :
to reveal the angry Skeet wailing away at Teddy (with
his head bowed). Vincent, a skinny vampire, stands on
the other side of Skeet. A few other vampires are
hanging back, against the walls.
SKEET
I mean, there I was, trying to make
an impression on these wankers and
what do you give me?
He holds up the troll doll in his hand. He angrily
squeezes it.
SKEET
A Bloody troll doll!
With that, he throws the doll at the wall, hitting one
of the vamps congregated there. The vamp reacts with a
slight grunt.
SKEET
I mean you're supposed to be my
right-hand man, my second
lieutanant. By God man, you've got
the size for it but..
TEDDY
Sorry Boss. I'll leave the dolls
here next time.
SKEET
(calmer, addressing his
gang)
I mean, this is the big time fellas.
We're finally going to make a name
for ourselves. Let's not stuff it
up.
VINCENT
But why do we have to make a name
for ourselves here? On the slayer's
home turf.. in a place called Sunny-
dale.
SKEET
Because Vincent, I'm not waiting in
no bloody queue. If we take out the
slayer, we'll be famous. Other
vampires and demons will quiver at
the mere mention of my name.
Skeet dramtically spells out his name in the air.
SKEET
Sk-e-e-t.
Teddy and Vincent exchange a look.
VINCENT
I have another question.
SKEET
Yes, What?
VINCENT
Why are you dressed up and acting
like Spike?
SKEET
(deep sigh)
Do I have to go through all this
again?
Silence all around.
SKEET
Oh all right. Spike has been the one
vampire that the slayer has not been
able to kill. I figure that if I
come to town, dressed up like her
worst bloody nightmare, we'd have
her at a disadvantage, see?.
Besides, I get to continue the
famous legacy of a fellow Brit.
TEDDY
But Boss, you're from North Dakota.
SKEET
(furious, dropping into
his natural American
accent)
I told you NEVER to mention that
again. If I hear any of you..
Skeet collects himself, calms himself down.
SKEET
(back in his British
accent)
It's all a state of mind. I bloody
feel, I bloody act, therefore I
bloody well am. Anyway, don't you
know? We make the best bleedin'
villains.
INT. THE MAGIC BOX - DAY
CLOSE ON : GILES
GILES
(all charm and smiles)
Well, Yes. I've been practising the
guitar for years now. The singing is
really just a little hobby of mine.
WIDEN :
to reveal Giles talking to an attractive middle-aged
female customer. Anya is behind the counter while
Buffy, Willow and Tara are sitting at the table.
CUSTOMER
Really? I'd love to hear you play
sometime.
Anya notices the interplay between the two and decides
to be helpful.
ANYA
(to the customer)
He's quite good you know. They all
say he has a sexy voice.
CUSTOMER
They?
Anya points to the three girls sitting at the table.
ANYA
Those three. They're always going on
about, oh, how wonderful he is, and
how he should sing more.
CUSTOMER
Always?
(to Giles)
Are they your daughters?
Giles is about to answer when..
ANYA
Oh No. They just like hanging around
him. You know, they worship the
ground he walks on, hang off his
every word. And yet, he's like a
father to all of them.
GILES
Anya, I beg you to stop.
ANYA
You see the blonde one over there?
They're especially close. They have
a special room at the back of this
shop where they spend hours and
hours together, you know, just
bonding.
CUSTOMER
I, I think I should be going.
ANYA
Oh! Don't go. It's so rare that he
gets a chance to meet women of his
own age.
GILES
(to customer)
Please don't listen..
CUSTOMER
(backing away, false
smiles)
No. My friend's waiting for me
outside.. Shouldn't keep her
waiting. And I'm sure your girls
don't want me hogging your time.
The customer leaves the shop. She immediately accosts
her friend outside and starts pointing at Giles.
GILES
Oh Dear Lord.
CUT TO : BUFFY, WILLOW AND TARA AT THE TABLE
where they are having their own private conversation.
Willow and Tara are sitting on either side of Buffy.
Buffy is leafing through the book Tara has brought.
BUFFY
(to Willow)
Spells? You wanna teach Dawn to do
spells, I mean, for real this time?
WILLOW
Oh not.. we don't mean nasty, let's
turn that stuck-up skank into a frog
spells..
TARA
just some basic level spells. Teeny
spells like.. a light spell, or..
WILLOW
a levitation spell... but nothing
heavier than a pencil, I promise.
Buffy watches amazed at the two witches finishing each
other's sentences. Constantly turning her head to face
the person talking.
TARA
We know that you're worried about
her being safe. If we teach her some
of these spells..
WILLOW
she could, you know, use them to
protect herself, get herself out of
trouble..
TARA
and you won't have to worry so much
about her. She'll be able to look
after herself.
WILLOW
Plus, I think a hobby would be good
for Dawn.
TARA
She's been a little quiet lately, a
little withdrawn?
WILLOW
So, how do you feel about all this?
BUFFY
Well, mainly, I feel a neck cramp..
but, I hear what you guys are
saying. And I know she's interested,
I mean, she has dropped enough
hints. I'm still not sure though.
The idea of Dawn going all Tabatha
around the house..
TARA
I think she'll be okay. We'll keep a
close eye on her, you know, keep a
lid on her powers.
WILLOW
And we..
BUFFY
Okay, Okay. Just stop with the
double act. I'm getting dizzy. If
you guys want to teach Dawn some
spells, go right ahead. I guess
it'll be good for her to have
something to do besides hanging
around an empty house. At least I
know she'll be safe with you two
when I'm not around.
(to Willow)
I just don't want to see any
lightning bolts flashing around me,
okay?
EXT. CEMETERY - NIGHT
ANGLE ON: THE NIGHT SKY AS A LIGHTNING BOLT LIGHTS UP
THE SKY.
It is pelting down with rain. We see Buffy, looking
miserable, patrolling with an umbrella.
BUFFY
(grumbling to herself)
miserable stinking weather.. neither
rain, nor hail, nor sh..
Buffy stops as she thinks she hears something up ahead
of her. She cautiously walks up to check, stake at the
ready.
SKEET (O.S.)
I spy with my little eye, something
beginning with.. B
Buffy turns around to face the voice. Skeet is there
with a gang of vampires, including both Vincent and
Teddy. They are being drenched with rain.
TEDDY
(to Skeet)
Buffy?
SKEET
Blood.
Buffy throws down her umbrella. Readies herself.
BUFFY
Been expecting you. Step on up and
we'll get this over with.
SKEET
I have been waiting for this day for
a long, long time slayer. You will
forgive me if I choose to savour the
moment. Let me start by telling you
what will happen, after we kill you.
We'll take over this bleedin' town
and feed on every worthless human
left in Sunnydale. We'll make
ourselves an army of vampires, real
big see, and we'll head out in every
direction, taking over every
single..
BUFFY
Spare me the grand plan, unless, of
course, you were planning to kill me
by making me stand out here in the
rain and hoping I contract
pneumonia. Because, seriously,
that's the only hope you have of
surviving the night.
Buffy enters serious slayer mode and starts walking up
to Skeet.
BUFFY
Go ahead and savor the moment,
because in less than a minute, all
of you will become dust. The rain
will wash you away and you will seep
back into the ground, where you'll
spend eternity in -- holy crap, are
you trying to be Spike?
Skeet loses his smile.
SKEET
No I'm not.
BUFFY
(smirking)
Look at you, the blonde hair.. the
jacket.
SKEET
Enough Slayer, or I shall..
BUFFY
(checks her watch)
Wait.. Wait.. I have to check the
date, I didn't realise Halloween
came early this year.
Skeet is getting agitated.
SKEET
I'm not Spike. I'm known as Skeet.
BUFFY
Skeet? Sk..
(trying hard to hold in a
laugh)
Skeet, your bleach job is running.
ANGLE ON : SKEET
where in fact, we do see the bleach from his wet hair
starting to run down his face. Skeet is very angry.
Teddy comes up to Skeet and takes a close look.
TEDDY
She's right boss, let me get you a
handkerchief.
Skeet angrily spins around and lays into Teddy.
SKEET
(again, into his American
accent)
Dammit, when we get back, I'm gonna'
grab all your stupid troll dolls and
set them on fire. Then, I'll..
Skeet catches himself. Buffy stops smirking, noticing
the accent.
BUFFY
Huh?
Skeet collects himself and slowly turns around back to
Buffy.
SKEET
(back into British accent)
I mean, what the bleedin' hell are
you talking about mate?. This here's
my bloody natural hair..
(gives up, back into
American accent)
Oh! just kill her.
Fight starts. The gang of vampires attack Buffy while
Skeet stands back, watching.
They are no match for the slayer, who ruthlessly dusts
two of the vamps in no time.
One of the vamps knock the stake out of Buffy's hands
and knocks her to the ground. Buffy improvises and
grabs the umbrella lying next to her and stakes him
with the pointy wooden end.
While Buffy's back is turned, Skeet goes into action.
He reaches inside his pocket and takes out the glowing
crystal ball. He throws it at Buffy, hitting her in
the back. A brief white glow temporarily envelops her.
Buffy reaches for her back and turns around. Skeet
runs off into the darkness, as does Vincent and Teddy.
Buffy looks perplexed for a moment, gingerly touching
her back, looking for some kind of wound but finding
none.
INT. GILES' APARTMENT - NIGHT
Buffy enters, still looking a little confused,
stretching out her back a little. She puts the
umbrella by the door.
WILLOW (O.S.)
Buffy, is that you? How was
patrolling?
BUFFY
Wet and weird. You wouldn't guess
what happened?
Buffy walks up to Willow, who is sitting at a table,
doing something with her laptop. She has her back to
Buffy.
ANGLE : WILLOW
from Buffy's POV. Willow turns around to look at Buffy
and we see a vamped out Willow.
WILLOW
What?
ANGLE : BUFFY
as she stares open-mouthed at what she is seeing.
BLACKOUT
END OF ACT ONE
CONTINUE TO ACT TWO