Into the Abyss
Historical Note: The story takes place in August of 2003. Laura is the slayer-in-residence at the Cleveland hellmouth (See Five by Two and Deadlines)
Previously in Dead Lines
EXT. TOP OF THE HELLMOUTH - NIGHT
Robed demons have gathered on the grassy natural amphitheatre that hides atop the plateau. A wide stream divides the middle and falls over the edge. The demons split into four groups and migrate to the four corners. Mars is rising.
From hiding, Faith watches as a shadow forms in the center. A demon in a burgundy colored robe steps from one group and approaches the shadow.
Burgundy One: Prim yleh-ehyx Em-alihan.
Faith removes a custom arrow from her bow quiver.
A demon in a scarlet robe leaves the second group and joins the burgundy demon.
Scarlet One: Tsy primy vuy yvy-fup.
Faith sets and nocks the arrow.
A demon in a silver robe departs the third group to join the shadow group.
Silver One: Tsy primy vuy vuuy, vuuq, lyb.
In a single motion, Faith raises and draws the bow.
Finally, from the fourth group, a demon in slate-grey robe comes to join the four.
Slate One: Primy vuy uueh. Primy vuy fuj. Ehqyehs yehr.
Faith’s fingers relax, the bowstring snaps forward, the arrow flies …
Teaser
Looking far down on a bonfire encircled by darkness. Something coming up fast. Arrowhead appears and then a blossom of white-blue light.
Cut-to
Faith staring upward.
Faith: (awe) Damn.
Below her hiding place, the natural amphitheatre is lit by the light, the demon clans' ritual exposed. Their voices rolling up towards Faith sound like an angry ocean. Faith slings her bow and fades back into the woods.
Cut-to
The four robed demons at the center search each others' eyes and claws for betrayal. The burgundy robed one jerks straight and then collapses, an arrow is embedded in its back.
Orleans, France
EXT. – PARK – NIGHT
Your typical French Renaissance park. Buffy over watches Willow who sitting cross-legged on the grass scrying.
WILLOW
It’s … done. That way.
BUFFY
Which way?
Dogs Barking! Buffy’s off, Willow behind her, dodging and darting around trees. They come through a grove of trees to see a young light olive complexion girl with shoulder length dark hair surrounded by two vampires, one a skinhead woman and the other a curly haired man. The girl front kicks the man-vamp in the gut bending him double, but the woman-vamp grabs the opportunity to grab the girl from behind and start to put the bite on her. Buffy dashes over, clamps onto the woman-vamps two ears and jerks up and back. The vamp screams and lets go of the girl. Buffy steers the vamp around and away and then flings her into an oak. The man-vamp has caught his breath, not that he lost it, and charges the girl. She drops to one knee and thrusts a stake into the vamp’s heart. Dust falls around her. Skinhead vamp is now throwing jabs at Buffy, none hitting. The skinhead vamp backs off a step, then immediately springs forward feigning a lunge punch. Buffy bobs away. Skinhead spins around with a high wheel kick. Buffy drops under the kick and spins around with her rear leg to reap out the skinhead vamps’ leg. Vamp hits the dirt! Buffy stakes the Vamp. Vamp becomes one with the dirt. Buffy rises and turns to the girl – but the girl is walking away.
BUFFY
Uh, not even a thank you?
WILLOW
Maybe she doesn’t speak English?
BUFFY
French would do.
WILLOW
Maybe we should catch up with her?
They trot after her, but she reaches the road first, where she mounts a motor scooter.
BUFFY
Maryanne! Un momento!
The motor scooter starts and Maryanne, the dark-haired girl, is off.
WILLOW
Un momento? That’s Spanish Buffy.
BUFFY
Who knew?
WILLOW
I got her license tag.
BUFFY
She probably won’t answer the door.
WILLOW
Maybe if she thought you were Canadian?
ACT 1.
Establishing Shot: A stone chateau in ornate castle style. It's small, but immaculate. Woodlands surround it.
INT. MEETING ROOM MORNING
Giles, Willow and Xander sit around one half of a large round mahogany table. Around the other half, sit a middle-aged Brazilian woman, CARMEN CUNHAL, and slender rakish English man, SEAN FAIRBAIN.
CUNHAL
What’s the situation you face?
GILES
We face. You know this.
CUNHAL
You’ve been speaking with Finance, not me.
GILES
And she did not convey any of it to you?
CUNHAL
It’s better to hear it from you.
GILES
Essentially, all the potentials have been empowered.
CUNHAL
We’re aware of it.
GILES
What’s the Council intend to do?
FAIRBAIN
We did not create the problem.
WILLOW
It’s not a problem.
CUNHAL
(to Willow)
How do you see it?
WILLOW
An opportunity.
FAIRBAIN
For who? Them?
XANDER
To be free to make their own choices.
FAIRBAIN
I find that frightening.
GILES
We can guide them.
CUNHAL
We?
GILES
Myself. Buffy, Willow, Xander.
CUNHAL
Only four people? With your limited resources?
GILES
In a partnership with the Council.
FAIRBAIN
(bemused)
You would – guide – the slayers and the Council would write the checks?
GILES
The Council would provide guidance on a range of matters.
CUNHAL
No, you’re suggesting the Council serve as your staff. I think we’ve facing either a very short or very long day.
EXT. STREET - DAY
Buffy and Laura are waiting outside an imposing Gothic building. Maryanne appears.
LAURA
Maybe I should do this alone.
BUFFY
Why?
LAURA
Because you said she ignored you last night?
BUFFY
It was dark. Let’s go.
They bump into Maryanne.
LAURA
M'excusez-vous, mais savez-vous où la bibliothèque est ?
MARYANNE
Sûr. Disparaissent deux sud de blocs, puis regardent vers votre gauche.
BUFFY
Could you write that down?
MARYANNE
Cei qui?
LAURA
Pouvez-vous écrire cela avalez-vous ?
Buffy hands her a notepad.
BUFFY
Oh, here’s something to write on.
Buffy hands Maryanne a book. On the cover it says Vampires. Maryanne doesn’t bat an eye. She writes down the directions.
BUFFY
(To Laura)
Ask her if it’s near Louis Pasteur Park.
LAURA
Est-ce parc proche de Louis Pasteur?
MARYANNE
Non, non
Maryanne briskly walks away.
LAURA
What’s the square?
BUFFY
It’s where she fought the vampires last night.
INT. MEETING ROOM – AFTERNOON
CUNHAL
Mr. Giles, you know well what’s involved in developing a new chosen one. It’s a delicate matter. One needs to know the society, the culture, the language of the girl. And while the approach has to be tailored to the individual, her possible responses fall into …
GILES
(interrupting)
I know my tradecraft.
CUNHAL
(pointing to Willow and Xander)
But do they?
XANDER
What? The Council’s an Amway?
CUNHAL
Giles, even given your talents and experience, it takes a Council.
WILLOW
The Council’s institutional memories?
FAIRBAIN
Rightly said.
WILLOW
Developed and refined over the centuries?
FAIRBAIN
Absolutely.
WILLOW
To guide one watcher who oversees one slayer.
The Council is mum.
WILLOW
(continuing)
That’s past. It’s a new world now.
CUNHAL
So they’re only four new slayers?
GILES
We’ve not mentioned numbers.
CUNHAL
Four of you, four slayers.
GILES
You’re being sophistic. The potentials you sent to Sunnydale numbered more than four.
FAIRBAIN
Many died.
XANDER
A lot lived.
FAIRBAIN
Which ones?
GILES
More than four.
CUNHAL
Which brings us back to the gross imbalance between yourselves and the new slayers.
GILES
I use the four as a convenient label. There’re more of us.
CUNHAL
The remaining Sunnydale slayers.
FAIRBAIN
Slayers guiding slayers.
XANDER
Who would know better?
FAIRBAIN
Who would know better what a child faces than another child? That’s your logic?
The standing clock against the wall tolls the bell.
CUNHAL
We might see fit to allow you to work with us, in a consulting capacity.
GILES
We’ll be too busy, seeing as we know the slayers and you do not.
EXT. THREE STORY HOUSE - NIGHT
Buffy and Laura are staking out Maryanne’s home.
LAURA
Do you have a custom stake?
BUFFY
Oh no. Sometimes the stakes goes poof with the vampire. If there were a Home Slayer, I’d buy stakes in volume.
LAURA
You could buy garden stakes.
BUFFY
To splintery.
LAURA
So there’s no Excalibur of stakes?
BUFFY
I had a friend who had a stake she named Mr. Pointy.
LAURA
Anything special about it?
BUFFY
It was hers. (beat) There’s Maryanne.
Maryanne is coming out from behind the house. She unchains her scooter and starts pushing it down the road. Once away from the house, she climbs on and starts the engine.
BUFFY
Here we go.
Car pulls out after Maryanne.
ACT 2.
EXT. CEMETERY – NIGHT
Maryanne is walking a circuit of the graveyard. Buffy and Laura follow at a distance.
LAURA
There’s only one new grave. Wouldn’t that be where you’d go?
BUFFY
May not be vamp primed. Maybe she knows something we don’t.
LAURA
Are all demons evil?
BUFFY
No.
LAURA
How do you tell which are evil? Is there a horn thing?
BUFFY
Behavior. Usually.
LAURA
Killing and destroying?
BUFFY
Good indicators.
LAURA
Here comes the new grave … again.
Maryanne walks past, not even a glance. Buffy and Laura come alongside and glance down. There’s a fresh earthy scent.
LAURA
No flowers.
BUFFY
Maybe it’s not a French thing.
They continue on.
LAURA
What if a demon is killing another demon?
Buffy stops. Looks over her shoulder.
LAURA
(cont’d)
What is it?
BUFFY
Shhh.
Buffy holds up her hand in silence. Something is stirring in the new grave. A hand appears, then a head. An old man in glasses, looks around, then begins pulling himself out of the ground.
LAURA
Should we?
Buffy looks around for Maryanne. And there she is, walking straight towards Buffy and Laura. At the last moment, she veers around them and continues onto the vampire. The vampire seems baffled at being alive and hungry, but adjusts quickly to the sight of Maryanne. He reaches for her with both hands and is staked for his manners.
Buffy goes towards Maryanne, Laura follows behind.
BUFFY
Maryanne?
Maryanne does not respond. Buffy comes almost within kicking distance.
BUFFY
Maryanne? Do you hear me?
LAURA
(speaking French)
Do you hear us?
Maryanne, smoothes out her clothes and starts towards them.
LAURA
Her stake’s gone.
BUFFY
Maryanne, do you have another stake?
Again, no response, and as she passes them, they see her eyes, while open, are vacant.
BUFFY
A spell?
LAURA
What are we going to do?
BUFFY
Follow her. She needs back-up.
So they follow behind.
EXT. CAFÉ – MORNING
Giles, Willow and Xander are having breakfast. Buffy and Laura join them.
WILLOW
Coffee?
BUFFY
No coffee.
LAURA
Croissant?
XANDER
Butter or jelly?
Laura scoots up beside him and plucks a naked croissant from his plate. Buffy slumps beside Willow.
WILLOW
How’d it go?
BUFFY
Like before. It’s like she doesn’t see us. (to Giles) Anything on the research front?
GILES
(Slowly sets down his teacup)
I, uh … was unable to …
BUFFY
You passed on research?
GILES
It’s not like I have a library in my travel bag.
BUFFY
(to Willow)
Internet?
WILLOW
Huh …
BUFFY
Not you to?
WILLOW
It’s the negotiations. Preparing takes time.
LAURA
Good croissant. (to Xander) Thanks. (to Buffy) I’m off to bed. We’re on again tonight?
BUFFY
Afraid so.
Laura departs. Buffy pours an orange juice. The others sit guilty.
BUFFY
(cont’d)
On the way in I spoke with Dawn. There’re more out there and there’s less in the bank.
XANDER
We know Buffy.
WILLOW
I could go with you tonight. The field-work thing.
Buffy just drinks her juice. Willow and Xander exchange glances. They’re getting the cold Buffy.
XANDER
Well, I guess we’ll head off for the Chateau.
Xander and Willow rise, Willow touches Buffy’s shoulder, then the two leave Buffy and Giles alone.
BUFFY
Where do things stand?
GILES
The Council scoffs at our offer and suggest we might be able to serve as advisors.
BUFFY
That’s just their opening (beat) Right?
GILES
I think they believe they can find the slayers without the Codices.
BUFFY
Do you think so?
GILES
I think they could find some of them. I also think it’s in their nature to want to find all of them.
BUFFY
‘Cause they’re control freaks.
GILES
Perhaps, but also because each unguided slayer is a potential rogue.
Buffy looks away to the morning traffic.
GILES
(cont’d)
We can use that concern to our advantage.
Buffy turns back to Giles.
BUFFY
Exactly how?
GILES
They’re not going to be our hand-servants, but we can be their attending conscience.
BUFFY
No sleep Buffy. Tree pretty, Fire bad.
GILES
We merge operations. Demand a veto over policy or operational decisions. Set up an ombudsman’s office.
BUFFY
Okay, but this needs to happen quickly.
GILES
Whatever’s reasonable?
BUFFY
Sure.
INT. CHATEAU ENTRY HALL - DAY
Willow and Xander are talking quietly in a corner.
XANDER
Buffy was not pleased with us.
WILLOW
I’m going to go out with her tonight.
XANDER
What about negotiation homework?
WILLOW
You and Giles can do it.
Giles enters the front door, sees them and comes over to join them.
XANDER
Speak of the devil.
GILES
Where?
WILLOW
What did Buffy say?
GILES
She wants us to expedite matters.
WILLOW
I’m expedite girl.
CUT-TO
INT. – CHATEAU MEETING ROOM – DAY
The Council sits. Footsteps heard in the hall. Giles enters – alone.
FAIRBAIN
You’re late. And you’re … colleagues will be later still.
GILES
They’re not attending today.
CUNHAL
Do you need more time before we begin?
GILES
Oh no, not at all.
A moment’s quiet. Brains thinking.
CUNHAL
We’ve set aside an office for you, or another of your choosing, in the new Council headquarters. A compensation package has been prepared.
She passes a folder across the table to Giles. He lays it before him unopened.
GILES
An office? It’s purpose?
CUNHAL
Consultant-General.
GILES
Director-General
CUNHAL
(amused disbelief)
Head of the Council?
GILES
Co-Head.
FAIRBAIN
Two chiefs? That’s asinine.
GILES
It worked for Rome.
FAIRBAIN
Not well.
GILES
Power has to be shared if we’re to work together.
CUNHAL
Do you think the power, so divided, could be used towards a common ends?
GILES
Certainly.
CUNHAL
Then there’s an agreement …
GILES
(interrupting)
Absolutely.
CUNHAL
And if there’s an agreement, why need there be two heads?
GILES
There’s an agreement on ends, but not on means.
CUNHAL
I grant the Council has traditions that you might not agree, but you’d be consulted. Your advice listened to.
GILES
And ignored if need be.
CUNHAL
What do you suggest?
GILES
The Co-Head position.
FAIRBAIN
That’s simply not going to happen.
GILES
Then both of us shall continue our respective battles against evil. We with slayers, you without.
CUNHAL
Perhaps, if you were to make a list of your concerns on the Council’s past practices and we could then agree on a common modus operandi.
GILES
That’s a start, but what of the future? What if we were to disagree on matters not covered? What then?
CUNHAL
We’d consult.
GILES
And then the Council would go it’s merry way. We have to have a mechanism by which we’d feel our concerns were not ignored.
CUNHAL
What do you suggest?
GILES
That our, ‘list of concerns,’ be linked with the right to review Council actions and rule on whether those actions be allowed.
FAIRBAIN
(appalled)
You want to sit in judgment? On us?
CUNHAL
You want a veto.
GILES
It would make the Consultant-General position palatable.
CUNHAL
And in return?
GILES
I deliver the slayers.
ACT 3.
EXT. CEMETERY – NIGHT
Willow appears to be picnicking as battle wages around her.
Maryanne is pounding away at teen-age boy vampire. He takes it well, until Laura stakes him in the back. His sire, a teen-age girl, does not take this well and jumps for Laura, but is intercepted by Buffy’s trade-mark roundhouse kick to the snoot. Before girl vamp can say ouch, Buffy spins around and executes a backhand stake to her heart (ouch!). Maryanne continues her stroll. Buffy trots over to Willow.
BUFFY
Well?
WILLOW
(puzzled)
Hmmm..
Willow gets up and starts behind Maryanne.
BUFFY
Willow?
LAURA
Maybe whatever got Maryanne’s got Willow?
Buffy tenses to that, then hurries after Willow.
BUFFY
Willow!
Willow seems entranced by Maryanne.
BUFFY
(sternly)
Willow Rosenberg.
WILLOW
Huh?
BUFFY
You alright?
WILLOW
Yeah.
BUFFY
What you got?
WILLOW
It’s not magick.
Laura’s caught up with them.
LAURA
What is it then?
Willow moves head of them and trots to catch up with Maryanne.
WILLOW
Maryanne? Maryanne?
BUFFY
(calling)
We tried that.
Willow carefully matches stride with Maryanne and peers around to see her face.
WILLOW
Dilated pupils.
BUFFY
Drugs?
WILLOW
No (grinning) Buffy, she’s sleepwalking.
INT. – HOTEL – NIGHT
Buffy and Laura stand outside a door. Buffy knocks.
LAURA
(hesitating)
You’ll be talking with Giles. I’ll go get some sleep.
BUFFY
No, wait. You’ve part of this – thing.
The door cracks, one eye stares out.
GILES
Buffy, Laura. Come in.
INT. – ROOM – NIGHT
GILES
Sit. Tea?
BUFFY
No, thanks.
LAURA
Sure.
Giles busies himself with preparing tea.
BUFFY
Maryanne is sleepwalking.
GILES
You certain?
BUFFY
Willow is. And is there reason Willow declined to come with us here?
GILES
We’re not speaking.
BUFFY
What? Why?
GILES
We disagreed on negotiations.
BUFFY
Disagreed how?
GILES
Willow feels if we do not have complete say in Council matters, then we’ve nothing to discuss with them.
LAURA
If you have complete say, then what’s to discuss?
BUFFY
What?
LAURA
I think that was college kicking in.
BUFFY
Can’t say I blame her.
GILES
Are you changing your mind on what we decided?
BUFFY
No … but, you know, maybe I should speak with Willow.
GILES
What of Maryanne?
BUFFY
Sleepwalking can be cured (beat) can’t it?
GILES
I don’t think it’s easy.
BUFFY
There’s not a pill?
GILES
If there were a pill, then it’d be easy.
LAURA
Unless there were side-effects.
BUFFY
Well, then. It looks like Willow will have to do her magick.
Laura looks questioningly.
GILES
Strip her of her powers?
BUFFY
Remove Maryanne’s burden.
INT. CAR – NIGHT
Buffy and Laura are, again, staking out Maryanne’s home.
LAURA
It makes sense that if the scythe empowered us that it would tell you how to find us.
BUFFY
The scythe didn’t do the empowering. It channeled the power. And it didn’t tell us how to find you, but where to go to find the way to find you. (pause) Did that make sense?
LAURA
So how did you find us?
BUFFY
Magick. Willow knows the details.
LAURA
The scythe told you how to do the magick?
BUFFY
You’re the question girl tonight.
LAURA
Helps kill time.
BUFFY
She is running late, isn’t she?
They both stare at the closed gate.
BUFFY
(cont)
Maybe I should take a look.
Buffy climbs out of the door, looks both ways, then crosses the street to the gate. There’s no motorbike.
BUFFY
(self)
Oh. Oh.
Buffy hurries back to the car and leans in the window.
LAURA
Problem?
BUFFY
Bike’s not there. Can you knock on the door and see if she’s home?
LAURA
What if she is? What do I say?
BUFFY
Improvise.
LAURA
That’s a slayer skill?
BUFFY
Sure. (beat) If she answers, ask for directions somewhere. If someone else answers, then when they go to get her, walk away.
LAURA
That’s lame.
BUFFY
Give me a break. I’m improvising.
Laura rolls her eyes, but gets out and crosses the street. She knocks on the door, no answer. She looks back at Buffy and raises both hands palm up. Buffy pantomimes knocking again. And the door opens. Magick. Laura converses with the woman for a minute. The woman shuts the door and Laura returns to the car.
BUFFY
Okay?
LAURA
She’s out on the town with friends.
BUFFY
You didn’t get any specifics?
LAURA
I did. And directions.
BUFFY
Cool. I’ll drive.
INT. CLUB – NIGHT
Group of French students doing the French party thing. Maryanne’s talking with SIMONE and yawns. Conversation is in French.
SIMONE
You can be so Parisian.
MARYANNE
It’s the late night studying.
SIMONE
So you should relax more.
MARYANNE
I should lay down.
INT. CHATEAU SMOKING ROOM – NIGHT
Cunhal drinks a brandy while watching Giles read through some documents.
GILES
Humph.
CUNHAL
It’s not a legal document. Ours are not the sort of matters that can be brought before a judge.
GILES
Ambiguity can breed distrust.
CUNHAL
Which overhangs us?
GILES
Quite. (looking up) Buffy is very skeptical of working with the Council.
CUNHAL
Does she think we have fangs?
INT. CLUB – NIGHT
Buffy and Laura come in from the night.
BUFFY
Talk to the bartender. I’ll look around.
Laura disappears into the crowd. Buffy works around the edges, eyes scanning. A debonair young man walks up to her.
DEBONAIR GUY
You’re looking for someone?
BUFFY
Yes. Oui. Drats.
D.G.
You’re British?
BUFFY
Am I British? Not hardly.
D.G.
American?
BUFFY
Canadian.
D.G.
(smiling)
Québec!
BUFFY
Toronto.
Laura reappears with Simone.
LAURA
(to Simone) This is Buffy. (to Buffy) Simone. She says Maryanne was acting tired and was going to lay down.
BUFFY
Where? How long ago?
Laura translates question. Simone answers.
LAURA
A half hour ago. She doesn’t know where.
BUFFY
Maybe she went home? Let’s look for her bike.
Buffy’s off. Laura thanks Simone and follows after.
INT. HALLWAY – NIGHT
Willow knocks on a door. Xander appears.
XANDER
Couldn’t reach Kennedy?
WILLOW
Buffy called. They need help.
XANDER
Let me get my jacket.
EXT. STREET – NIGHT
Buffy and Laura are standing next to Maryanne’s motor bike. Buffy has her hand close to the engine.
BUFFY
It’s cool. She must be walking.
LAURA
Simone said she was tired.
BUFFY
We checked around the bar.
LAURA
I don’t know why she’d go outside (beat) Maybe the noise?
BUFFY
Or she’s sleepwalking.
LAURA
There’re no cemeteries nearby.
BUFFY
Patrolling? She’s tired and goes outside. Falls asleep on her feet.
Buffy looks up and down the street.
LAURA
She starts to patrol. Which way?
BUFFY
We’ll have to split up.
ACT 4
INT. CHATEAU SMOKING ROOM – NIGHT
Fairbain has joined Giles and Cunhal.
FAIRBAIN
Where’s the list?
GILES
My colleagues are preparing a report.
FAIRBAIN
(oh so polite)
How long do we have to wait?
CUNHAL
Actually, we can begin tonight. Giles has provided us with information on a slayer living here Orleans.
Cunhal hands a sheet to Fairbain. He examines it skeptically.
Fairbain
Maryanne Desmoulins? Where is she now?
GILES
I would think patrolling.
EXT. STREET – NIGHT
Maryanne is striding down a street running alongside a park. A TALL DARK MAN notices her coming and starts towards her. As he comes nearer to her, he slows. Maryanne continues straight at him. He sidesteps to allow her to pass, but she spins towards him and strikes him in the temple with a left backfist. He topples on his back to the ground, but rolls backward onto his feet.
Maryanne assumes a left lead stance. The TDM stays his ground. Maryanne quickly shuffles forward executing a lead side kick at TDM’s chest – but he side steps letting her leg brush along his left shoulder, raises his left arm capturing her leg, then sweeps her standing foot out from under her. Maryanne hits hard.
TALL DARK MAN
Do you have any idea what I am?
Maryanne’s eyes come alive.
MARYANNE
Pardon? Where am I?
TALL DARK MAN
Let me help you up.
EXT. STREET – NIGHT
Rains begins to fall. Buffy is walking quickly down a street, head swinging back and forth. A small car approaches her from behind. It’s high beams flick on and off. Buffy stops and does the Buffy twist. Xander’s head leans out the passenger window.
XANDER
Buffy!
Buffy raises her hand. The car slows to a stop beside her, engine still running. Buffy goes to it.
BUFFY
(looking in the back seat)
You didn’t see her?
XANDER
No. What’s your plan?
BUFFY
A locator spell.
Willow’s at the wheel, She peers around Xander.
WILLOW
I don’t have the ingredients.
BUFFY
Okay. (She straightens up from the car and gazes around, then bends back over to see both of them.) Okay, I’m going to cut through the park. You follow the street.
XANDER
Got it. (to Willow) Ahead James.
Willow engages the gears, and the car moves off. Buffy crosses behind it and disappears into the park.
EXT. STREET – NIGHT
The Tall Dark Man stands over Maryanne. He offers his hand. Maryanne hesitates, but then takes it and he helps her to her feet.
TDM
How do you feel?
MARYANNE
Strange.
TDM
It was quite a fall.
MARYANNE
I fell?
TDM
As we were passing, you seemed to lose your balance. You threw out your arm and then fell.
MARYANNE
I don’t remember.
TDM
What’s your name?
MARYANNE
I know my name … I just don’t remember how I got here.
TDM
Maybe you should sit down?
He points to a bench. Maryanne considers the offer.
TDM
(cont’d)
Rest your feet.
INT. CAR – NIGHT
Willow and Xander cruise the street, each scouting their respective sides.
XANDER
Where is everyone?
WILLOW
Out of the rain?
XANDER
You know, if there’s no one out because of the rain, then maybe Maryanne went back inside to.
WILLOW
Clever thought.
XANDER
Shall I call Buffy?
INT. PARK – NIGHT
Buffy’s moving through the park, rain falling, shifting shadows. Her cell rings.
BUFFY
Find her? (listening) Okay. I’m going to finish the park. Pick me up on the other side?
EXT. STREET – NIGHT
Maryanne and the Tall Dark Man are sharing a bench.
TDM
It looks like you just worked yourself into stupor.
MARYANNE
Maybe so. I should return to the Club.
TDM
I think you should.
Maryanne looks around, but does not stand.
TDM
(cont)
You’re lost. I can help you.
He stands. She stands. Rain. She’s shivering.
TDM
(cont)
Here. Take my coat.
He removes his coat and steps behind her to place it on her shoulders.
INT. CAR – NIGHT
Willow and Xander come around a corner and the head lights pick up a man’s back. They continue pass.
XANDER
So much for my theory.
WILLOW
What theory?
XANDER
About people getting out of the rain.
Willow glances at her side rear view mirror, once and then again.
WILLOW
Xander. That’s Maryanne
XANDER
You sure?
Willow suddenly brakes the car to a stop and darts out the door. Xander follows without question. Willow’s running back towards the man. He’s standing behind Maryanne.
WILLOW
(in French)
Maryanne!
MARYANNE
What? Yes?
WILLOW
Simone’s looking for you.
MARYANNE
Who are you?
TDM
(to Maryanne)
You don’t know them?
WILLOW
(to Maryanne)
Do you know him?
MARYANNE
He’s … helping me.
WILLOW
But do you know him?
MARYANNE
I don’t know you.
TDM
(to Maryanne)
We need to get you out of the rain.
WILLOW
We can give you both a ride.
MARYANNE
I don’t know.
TDM
(slow smile)
That would be good.
XANDER
(in English)
Our car’s over here.
TDM
(in English)
Thank you.
WILLOW
You speak English?
TDM
Of course.
The four start towards the car, but each pair keeping their distance from the other. As the reach the car, everyone pauses.
TDM
The back seat?
WILLOW
Sure.
As the TDM reaches for the door handle, his hand arm pass before the side view mirror.
XANDER
Willow … the mirror.
The Tall Dark Man instantly morphs into a vampire and jerks Maryanne away, slinging her across the sidewalk. He turns for Xander. Maryanne screams.
WILLOW
Vos animadverto solis!
The Vampire freezes. Xander side steps the vampire, draws a stake and drives it into the vamp’s heart. Dust settles onto the cobblestone.
XANDER
Way to go Willow.
WILLOW
Yeah, but we lost Maryanne.
XANDER
What?
Willow’s pulled out her cell.
WILLOW
(to Xander)
She ran away.
EXT. PARK – NIGHT
Maryanne runs through the park in the rain in the dark. She collapses against a tree. From her left, a distant voice calls out her name.
BUFFY
Maryanne!
Buffy’s not moving. She’s listening. Beating of rain.
BUFFY
Maryanne!
Again the listening thing. Just the rain. Buffy moves forward, down a slope to a small statute.
BUFFY
Maryanne!
Soft crying.
BUFFY
Maryanne?
The crying fades. Buffy follows the fade.
EXT. – STREET – NIGHT
Laura is jogging through the rain. She’s drenched. A car horn beeps. Laura glances around and sees the Scooby mobile.
XANDER
Come on.
Laura hops in the back.
LAURA
Find her?
XANDER
We think she’s in the park.
LAURA
Is she alright?
WILLOW
She’s scared to death.
EXT. EDGE OF THE PARK – NIGHT
Buffy’s moving through the park towards an edge where a soft yellow light halos the trees. Footsteps scurry across cobblestone. Buffy breaks from the park onto a quiet street. Directly across stands an ivy enshrouded stone church with a single bell tower. One of the double oak doors is open. As Buffy crosses the street and starts up the stone steps, the rain drives. Buffy pauses at the door to the sound of urgent whispering.
BUFFY
Hello?
Whispering continues without break. Buffy steps inside and as she does, she sweeps wet strands of hair off her face.
BUFFY
Maryanne?
Before her is a small chapel and the end, before the an altar, Maryanne kneels, hands clasped. Buffy walks slowly towards her.
BUFFY
(softly)
Maryanne? Are you alright?
Maryanne does not look around. Buffy takes another step towards her and then tenses. A woman’s voice speaks quietly from behind her.
WOMAN
(in French)
Maryanne? Are you alright?
Maryanne stops whispering.
WOMAN
The man’s gone. He can’t hurt you.
Buffy turns now to see a woman of casual refinement.
WOMAN
(to Buffy and in English)
I’m Diana. I’m on your side.
Diana steps pass Buffy and then kneels before, but at a distance, from Maryanne. She will speak to Maryanne in French.
MARYANNE
What was he?
DIANA
A monster.
MARYANNE
Who is she?
DIANA
A friend. Her name is Buffy. (pause) She’s like you.
MARYANNE
I’m so tired.
DIANA
Do you want to rest here?
MARYANNE
Simone must be worried.
BUFFY
Simone?
DIANA
(translates)
Simone must be worried.
BUFFY
I can talk to Simone for her.
DIANA
(to Maryanne)
She’ll tell your friend you’re alright.
MARYANNE
(to Buffy)
Thank you.
BUFFY
(to woman)
I’ll go (pause) You’re a Guardian?
Diana backs away from Maryanne, stands and turns to face Buffy – eye to eye.
DIANA
Council.
MARYANNE
Don’t leave me.
FADE OUT
Return to the Timeline
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