Episode 10 - Valentine
VALENTINE TEASER OVER BLACK: TARA (O.S.) His grandfather told him that many princes had tried to penetrate the hedge,.. INT. WILLOW AND TARA'S ROOM - NIGHT (NIGHT ONE) ANGLE ON : PICTURES OF WILLOW AND TARA ON A DESK Static shot as we continue to hear Tara's voice. TARA (O.S.) but they had gotten stuck in the thorns and had been pricked to death. "I'm not afraid of that," said the prince. "I shall penetrate the hedge and free the beautiful Briar-Rose." ANGLE ON : A STACK OF MAGIC BOOKS ON A SHELF Another static shot as Tara continues. TARA (O.S.) He went forth, but when he came to the thorn hedge, it turned into flowers. They separated, and he walked through, but after he passed, they turned back into thorns. He went into the castle. ANGLE ON : AMY THE RAT Static shot of Amy in her cage. TARA (O.S.) All the attendants were asleep; and still further, the king and the queen, it was so quiet that he could hear his own breath. We begin to slowly PAN to the left from Amy to the.. WILLOW (O.S.) Wait. The PAN abruptly stops, we quickly PAN back to the right to Amy. Static shot on Amy. TARA (O.S.) What? WILLOW (O.S.) You're skipping. You left out some stuff. TARA (O.S.) Oh the stuff about the cook, the maids and the pigeons? So not interesting. I'm giving you the special edited version, you know, um.. keeping the story flow going? WILLOW (O.S.) But it's not the same.. TARA (O.S.) Do you want me to continue or not? WILLOW (O.S.) (quieter, apologetic) Sorry. Keep going. We begin to PAN to the left again as Tara continues.. TARA (O.S.) Finally he came to the old tower where Briar-Rose was lying asleep. PAN finally ends at the bed and a shot of Miss Kitty in someone's lap. Miss Kitty stares intently at Amy as we see a hand gently stroking the cat. TARA (O.S.) The prince was so amazed at her beauty that he bent over and kissed her. We PAN up from Miss Kitty and WIDEN to reveal Tara and Willow in bed together. Tara is reading from a book while Willow is leaning sleepily on her shoulder, reading along as Tara speaks and lazily playing with Miss Kitty. TARA At that moment she awoke, and with her the king and the queen, and all the attendants. Then the prince and Briar-Rose got married, and they lived happily until they died. WILLOW You see? Why couldn't they leave it at 'happily ever after'? I expect 'happily ever afters' in my fairytales. Give me the Disney ending anyday. TARA I guess if you love someone to the end, you know, whatever that is, it is kinda ever after. It's forever. At least, I know that's how it'll be with me and you. Willow smiles. She then yawns sleepily. TARA I'm glad you're so entranced by my story-telling abilities. WILLOW Oh No. I mean, involuntary yawn!. Don't mind me, I'm just a sleepy- head. As hard as I've tried, I've never been able to stay awake till late. I guess it's my body telling me to get to sleep cause, you know, if I don't get my full eight hours, I'm like Ms Cranky-in-the-morning. And believe me, that's an unplesant side of me that I wouldn't wish upon anyone. TARA (smiling) Honey. I love all your sides. Willow smiles. She takes the book from Tara and takes a look at it. WILLOW Sleeping Beauty. I don't know. It's like, she's so passive. I mean, all she does in the story is sleep. TARA Hence the title. WILLOW I'm just saying, I'd rather be the Prince, you know, be the one that steps through the thorn hedge, slay the mighty dragon.. TARA Um.. Disney. WILLOW Oh.. right. Willow hands the book back to Tara. TARA (looking at the cover) I just kinda have a soft spot for it. It used to be my favourite thing in the world, you know, when I was little. I remember when my mom would read it to me before I went to bed. Such a cliche, I know. (slightly wistful) But it was like the best time, you know, when I could just close my eyes and listen to the sound of her voice. Tara smiles, perking back up. TARA (indicating the book) Besides, the story's about someone who's willing to risk everything, their life even, to be with another person. I think that's like the ultimate declaration of love. WILLOW (yawning, sleepily) You're such a romantic. Maybe I should read it to you sometime. Willow shooshes Miss Kitty off the bed and Tara puts the book away. Both getting ready for bed. TARA No need. I mean, this thing was my favourite thing in the world when I was a child, but you're my favourite thing in the world now. They exchange loving smiles. Tara switches off the light and both slumber down on the bed. Willow resting her head on Tara's shoulder. We see them in semi- darkness. WILLOW (sleepily) Better than magic? TARA Better than magic. WILLOW (more sleepily) Better than horsies? TARA Much. As we slowly FADE TO BLACK. WILLOW (even more sleepily) Better than chocolate? TARA (after a slight pause) Um.. it's a tie. From black, we FADE UP to reveal.. INT. GENERAL'S MANSION/SOLOMON'S ROOM - NIGHT We see Solomon getting up from his bed, slowly walking and exiting his room into.. INT. GENERAL'S MANSION/HALLWAY - NIGHT where he sees a mirror on a wall. He sees his own reflection in the mirror. He touches his face, inspecting the reflection, as if seeing it for the first time. He continues to walk to.. INT. GENERAL'S MANSION/THRONE ROOM - NIGHT Where he sees the General sitting on his throne, surrounded by Flix, Trix, Tarwin and Sasha. Solomon stands a few metres apart from the group. All seem to ignore him except Sasha who slowly turns to him. SASHA Where are you going? Solomon ignores Sasha and heads for the grand staircase leading up to the second level. INT. GENERAL'S MANSION/SECOND LEVEL HALLWAY - NIGHT After reaching the top of the stairs, Solomon continues to slowly walk down a hallway which overlooks the throne room. He takes a last look down at the throne room before walking by it. It is a long hallway. After walking for a beat, he finds himself now overlooking the training room, but he is more interested in the stairs ahead of him which leads upstairs. He climbs the stairs which lead to.. INT. CAT LADY' HOUSE - NIGHT as Solomon continues to slowly walk, heading for the front door. He reaches for the knob and slowly opens the door to reveal.. a bright sunny day, sunlight streaming in. ANGLE : SOLOMON as the sunlight gradually covers his face as he opens the door. He looks up at the sun, smiling. He walks out.. EXT. OUTSIDE CAT LADY'S HOUSE - DAY as Solomon walks down the path leading to the street. Suddenly we DISSOLVE to.. EXT. OUTSIDE A LARGE CHURCH - DAY as Solomon walks up the steps to the church entrance. He stops for a moment, looking at the church door. He slowly reaches out and opens it. He enters. INT. A LARGE CHURCH - DAY We see a large, empty church. ANGLE : FROM BEHIND SOLOMON as he slowly walks down the middle aisle, surrounded by empty pews. Off in the distance, at the front of the church, we see a lone female figure standing in front of a baptismal font. Solomon slowly approaches the figure. He stands right behind her when she turns around to face him. ANGLE : TARA slightly smiling to Solomon. TARA I choose you. Tara cups her hands and reaches into the font. She brings up some water in her hands, holds it to her mouth and takes a gentle sip. She then holds the water out towards Solomon. Solomon looks at Tara with longing. Solomon cups his hands below Tara's. Tara gently opens her hands. In SLO-MO we see the water fall down onto Solomon's cupped hands. It begins to burn him horribly. Solomon lets out an anguished cry as his hands begin to burn and smoke. INT. GENERAL'S MANSION/SOLOMON'S ROOM - NIGHT as Solomon wakes up with a start from his bed, breathing hard. He vamps out, a look of pure rage on his face. BLACKOUT END OF TEASER CONTINUE TO ACT ONE