Episode 7 - Yes, Virginia..
YES, VIRGINIA..
TEASER
INT. BUFFY'S HOUSE/DINING ROOM - NIGHT (NIGHT ONE)
CLOSE ON : A FLYER
which reads in part 'Xmas Eve Babysitting - Reliable
Sitter at reasonable rates - Call Dawn Summers at..'
BUFFY (O.S.)
Bad, bad, bad idea.
ANGLE : BUFFY
An unimpressed Buffy holding on to the
flyer. Dawn is in the background, unpacking some
groceries.
DAWN
What? I can totally look after a
group of kids for one night.
(holding up soft drinks
and junk food)
Anya said I could just load them up
with sweets and junk food and then
distract them with games and a
movie. How hard could it be?
BUFFY
Anya?
DAWN
Yeah, she's been great. She totally
helped me make up the flyer and
she's the one who came up with the
idea to babysit six kids instead of
just one. You know, the parents drop
them off here and hey presto,
healthy profit margin!
BUFFY
Bad, bad, bad..
DAWN
What?
BUFFY
You don't know.. I mean, it's a lot
of responsibility.
DAWN
I can do this.
Buffy and Dawn regard each other for a second. Buffy
nods.
BUFFY
Okay, but this place better be still
in one piece when I get back. And no
one gets into my room.
DAWN
I got that memo already.
Buffy starts helping Dawn unpack the shopping bags.
Dawn stops for a second and fiddles with the item in
her hands before she brings up the next question.
DAWN
So, I was thinking. Maybe we could
go visit Mom on Christmas, spend
some time with her?
BUFFY
(uneasy)
Oh. I think Giles and I might be
busy with.. stuff. If you want to
go, I'm sure Tara, Willow or Xander
would take you.
DAWN
But you haven't been for so long.
Don't you want to talk to her?
Buffy doesn't answer. She walks away from Dawn,
putting some stuff away.
DAWN
I mean, it's not like we're going to
do anything really Christmasy this
year anyway.
BUFFY
Welcome to the Slayer's Christmas
Special, with special guest
appearances from death, mayhem and
general misery.
(then, off Dawn's
reaction)
I think Xander and Anya's having a
get-together. I'm sure they'd love
to have you over.
DAWN
No, we should be together.
Buffy regards Dawn for a beat, then gives a little
smile.
BUFFY
Maybe we'll do something.
Dawn smiles.
BUFFY
Just don't expect anything like a
Norman Rockwell painting okay? Giant
Christmas trees, christmas stockings
over a fireplace, little children
staring longingly at their presents,
these things never really happen.
INT. HOUSE/LOUNGE ROOM - NIGHT
We see a big christmas tree, stockings over a
fireplace and a little girl lying on the carpet
staring longingly at the presents under the tree.
MOM (O.S.)
Stephanie! Dinner's ready.
STEPHANIE
Coming.
DAD (O.S.)
Your mother called Stephanie.
STEPHANIE
Coming.
DAD (O.S.)
Stephanie, take your eyes off those
presents and come to dinner.
STEPHANIE
But can't I just open one now?
MOM (O.S.)
No Honey. You'll just have to wait.
Stephanie sulks and continues to stare at the
presents. We PULL BACK..
EXT. OUTSIDE THE HOUSE - NIGHT
back past the window frame to a spot outside the
house, revealing that we have been watching the scene
from someone's POV. We hear some strange breathing as
we continue to focus on Stephanie.
INT. HOUSE/LOUNGE ROOM - NIGHT
ANGLE : STEPHANIE
as she continues to stare at the presents, oblivious
to the presence. We hear a gentle rapping on the
window. She turns around, gets up and starts heading
to the window.
EXT. OUTSIDE THE HOUSE - NIGHT
from someone's POV, we see Stephanie coming towards
us, not at all scared. We hear the breathing again.
Stephanie smiles, reaches the window and opens it.
STEPHANIE
Hello. Are you cold? Do you want to
come in? I've been nice.
ANGLE ON : STEPHANIE'S HAND
from the left side of the frame, reaching out into the
darkness.
STEPHANIE (O.S.)
Come in.
We see Stephanie's hand but nothing else for a beat.
Then from the right, we see a scaly, demony hand with
long fingers, reaching out for Stephanie's hand,
getting closer and closer.
Suddenly, a hand strikes out from the darkness and
grabs the demon hand, pulling it away. We PAN UP to
see
ANGLE : SASHA
as she looks down at Stephanie, smiling.
SASHA
Why don't you go back inside little
girl. And close the window behind
you. You're letting the cold in.
Stephanie looks at Sasha and smiles, not moving.
Sasha notices, sighs, turns away from Stephanie, then
turns back, fully vamped.
SASHA
Now!
Stephanie loses her smile, backing away slightly.
MOM (O.S.)
Stephanie.
STEPHANIE
(eyes on Sasha)
Coming.
Stephanie closes the window and backs up nervously.
She then exits.
ANGLE : SASHA
from the demon's POV.
SASHA
(to herself)
Children are so trusting. Shame
there's hardly enough there for half
a meal.
Sasha turns towards the camera (looking at the demon).
SASHA
And you. I told you to behave
yourself while you're here.
We hear a low growl from the demon.
SASHA
Yes, I know you're hungry but you'll
feed soon enough.
(smiling)
I have someone else in mind for you.
REVERSE ANGLE :
We see a close up view on a pair of yellow cat-like
eyes followed by another menacing growl.
BLACKOUT
END OF TEASER
CONTINUE TO ACT ONE