Post by collex on Sept 30, 2009 11:43:54 GMT -5
Hi everyone. This is episode two of my new ongoing series Slayers.
Slayers takes place 20 years after Chosen. To learn more and read the first episode, go there.
Comments and Feedback are very very much appreciated. I need them as badly as a vampire needs blood! Either PM me or use the general feedback forums, but please leave some! Thanks.
Now, without further ado, here is the episode:
Timeline: 20 years after BtVS Season7 (Season 8 is ignored because t isn't complete yet)
Genre: Urban fantasy, high-school drama, action
Rating: PG.
Summary: While A.J., Ricky and Bee are starting to settle into their new life in Safe Hill, their new squad leader arrives, pushing A.J. to her physical limits.
Disclaimer: Every existing characters and situations from past BtVS episodes belongs to Joss Whedon. I guess everything else belongs to me.
Slayers Season 1, Episode 2
Scene 1
Open on: EXT. ROAD LEADING IN TOWN, NIGHT
The episode begins with an overhead view of the road leading to Safe Hill. A 10-years- old black American car comes from off-screen toward the city and comes to a stop on the right side of the road. Cut to inside the car. Four young MEN and one GIRL are sitting in the car, listening to loud rock music. The young MEN are all in the mid-twenties. They wear clothes typical of rock fans and wear their hair short and spiky. The driver is the leader of the band. He goes by the name of KAIN and he looks very much like the other young men, except that his hair is long and straight. KAIN and another guy are sitting in the front of the car while the others are sitting in the back, on each side of the GIRL, who is around 18. The GIRL is platinum blonde with dark roots showing. She is wearing a tank top, an extremely short miniskirt, a lot of jewellery and heavy make-up. When the car stops, she shouts something, but the sound of her voice is drowned by the music playing in the car. KAIN turns off the music.
Kain (without turning around to look at her) – What?
Girl (still shouting a bit) – I said, why are we stopping?
Kain – Because we’re hungry.
Girl (not understanding) – Hungry? But we’re in the middle of nowhere and we ain’t got any food.
Kain – Well, we’ve got you!
While he says this, he finally turns around to look at her. His face is warped. He got no eyebrows, his forehead is rippled, two sharp fangs are jutting out of his top jaw and the white of his eyes is now yellow, with the iris being a sickly green. The GIRL nervously looks at the other boys (the PASSENGERS are now facing her too), who all have their vampire face on. As she screams, cut to an overhead view of the exterior of the car. When the screaming stops, the right rear door of the car opens and the girl’s corpse is thrown on the roadside. Cut to inside the car again, but this time we are facing KAIN and the FRONT PASSENGER. All the boys are still looking like vampires. The FRONT PASSENGER wipes blood from his lips.
Front Passenger – Hell, Kain. She tastes like rotten shit!
The two BACK PASSENGERS groan in agreement.
Kain (Looking directly in the camera) – No worry, boys. Tomorrow, we feast on Slayer’s blood.
KAIN turn the music on again and starts the car as the camera cut once again to an overhead view of the exterior of the car. The car pulls off from the road side and continues down the road. The camera follows the car as it passes a big sign on the side of road, and then closes up of that sign. On the sign, there is a logo representing a big, green hill with WELCOME TO SAFE HILL, MASSASSUCHET written in big green letters next to it and “The Safest Town in the World” written in smaller green letters below it.
MAIN CREDITS
Scene 2
Open on: INT. SCHOOL (CLASSROOM), DAY
In a typical classroom, the students are just starting to arrive. Among them are A.J., RICKY and BEE. A.J. is wearing a classy-but-unusual ensemble with no jewellery but the Claddagh ring which never leaves her, RICKY is wearing a t-shirt and his trusty brown leather vest and BEE is wearing clothes that are both the latest fashion and very practical in a fight. RICKY seems tired and wasted, as if he hadn’t slept well for some times now. All three sits next to one another and begins to chat while the other kids are sitting and getting ready.
A.J. – My god, that hotel bed sure doesn’t seem comfy. Still weren’t able to sleep?
Ricky (desperate) – No. My god, my back hurts so much. Why did Mr. Harris said no to your aunt’s offer to have us slept at your place?
A.J. – I suppose he didn’t want to bother her. The Captain has always been over-protective with Aunty. She’s practically his sister.
Bee – Oh, don’t be such a baby, Ricky. If you trained more, you would be able to endure this (sarcastically) “pain”.
Ricky (irritated) – That’s easy for you, Terminator.
A.J. – Anyway, you should be able to sleep in a real bed soon. Aunty said the Captain finally bought the manor. Our new “watcher”, as she puts it, should have all the necessary keys and papers with her. And she should be here sooner or –
A.J. is interrupted by the TEACHER clearing her throat. All the students turn toward her. She is an impressive woman despite her small size and old age. Experience can be seen in her eyes. Beside her is PRINICIPAL MULLER a tall, almost bald man in his late forty. He is wearing a marine wool suit. He is smiling, a genuine smile, but it is more respectful than warm.
Teacher – Hi students. Before we start, Principal Muller would want to talk to you.
Principal Muller – Hi everyone. I’m here to introduce you to your new school counsellor. Please welcome her with the respect she deserves. Miss Cho, if you want to come in please.
MISS CHO, an Asian woman in her late twenties enters the classroom. She is wearing a red trouser suit and black shoes. Her long black hair is tied up in a tight bun secured by an oriental-style hairpiece. She is small but she doesn’t seem to care. Everything in her speaks of self-confidence, firmness and power. She addresses the students like she would an army.
Miss Cho – Hi children. My name is Miss Jia Cho. I’m your new counsellor, like Principal Muller said. I’m here to help you if you have any problems, either with your career choices, with your family or with anything else. And because I know everyone has problems of some sorts, I will all meet you in my office personally before the end of the month. For now, I’ll let you go back to your studies. Have a good day.
MS.CHO and the PRINCIPAL depart, thanking the teacher for her time. The TEACHER turns back to the students and starts teaching.
Scene 3
Cut to: INT. MORGUE, DAY
Inside the morgue, the bloodless corpse of the girl seen in Scene 1 is lying on a stainless steel table. A small DOCTOR is doing an autopsy. He is visibly baffled by what he is seeing. From behind him enters DAWN, visibly on duty for the newspaper. The DOCTOR turns around and sees her. He removes his mask and smiles nervously.
Doctor – Oh, hi Mrs. Summers.
Dawn – Hi Doctor. This is the girl who was found outside of town last night? (The doctor nods) Do you have anything for me, Doctor?
Doctor – Well Mrs. Summers, I can tell you that this girl is about eighteen and she was probably addicted to drugs, according to the multiple syringe marks on her arms.
Dawn – Do you think it’s a murder, Doctor?
Doctor – I can’t reveal this kind of information before the police, you know that, Mrs. Summers.
Dawn (knowingly) – I won’t quote you. Was she murdered?
Doctor (sighing) – Yes, probably. But as for how, I’m totally clueless. It seems she was sucked dry.
Dawn (worried) – What do you mean, sucked dry?
Doctor – It’s as if her blood had been drained out of her body from those tiny holes, here. (Pointing the to some bite marks on corpse’s neck) Of course, it’s completely impossible, so I’ll keep working on the body. You promise you won’t quote me on this?
Dawn – Doctor, have I ever lied to you? Now, I must get going before Chief Langton catches me here.
As she prepares to leave, CHIEF LANGTON himself enters the morgue. A tall, strong forty-something man with a thick moustache and wearing a spotless uniform, the police chief doesn’t seem happy to see DAWN.
Chief Langton – Mrs. Summers. Still putting your nose where it doesn’t belong, I see.
Dawn (defiantly) – With all due respect, sir, I’m a reporter. You may not like it, but my job is to report the news to the citizens. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got work to do. Good luck with that case.
Dawn leaves. CHIEF LANGTON looks at her and rages internally.
Chief Langton (to himself) – Those journalists. No respect for authority.
Scene 4
Cut to: INT. SCHOOL (CAFETERIA), DAY
It’s lunchtime and the school cafeteria is crowded. A.J. enters onscreen alone with a tray in her hands and sits at a free table. She puts the tray on the table and her schoolbag on the floor next to her. She reaches into the latter and pulls out an old book with a brown leather cover. She starts to read it when RICKY and BEE sits at her table, also carrying trays.
Bee – Already studying? You should eat instead. A Slayer needs to be at her peak in order to do her job correctly.
Ricky – First of all, Bee, Mr. Harris forbade any slaying ‘till our new “boss” arrives. And second, I don’t think she’s studying. What’s that book A.J.?
A.J. (laying her book down, smiling) – In fact, I am studying. This book is a kind of encyclopaedia of the most common types of demons.
Bee – Does it say how to kill them? That’s the only thing I need to know.
Ricky (impressed) – Where did you find that? There are no books like this in the library. I know, I’ve checked.
A.J. – It’s one of Aunty’s books. Turns out she secretly kept quite a few books about demons, magic and the like. She also has a various assortments of garlic, crosses, stakes, holy water vials, etc.
(At this moment, STAN, A.J.’s ex-boyfriend, comes to their table with a predatory smile)
Stan – That’s an impressive collection, if you believe in ghost stories. I always knew your aunt was crazy. She had a nice ass, however.
A.J. (angry) – I already told you to leave me alone, Stan.
Stan (mockingly) – Wow, babe, don’t fret. I don’t wanna talk to you anyway. I wanna talk to her. (He turns toward Bee) Hey, baby, I’m Stan. I’m in the football team, you know (shows the emblem on his blazer). Anyway, there’s party at the Cube tonight, wanna come with me?
Bee (indifferent) – What’s the Cube?
A.J. – The local club. That’s where everyone goes to party.
Stan – You’ve heard A.J. Everyone’s going. So, I’ll wait for you there?
Bee – Well, you can wait for me. But you’ll wait a long time. ‘Cause I got much more important things to do tonight, Mister “Football Team”.
Stan (insulted) – Well, if you’re tired of being with this stuck-up (he nods toward A.J.), you know where to find me.
Ricky (to A.J.) – Who’s that Neanderthal?
A.J. – Used to be my boyfriend. He dumped me this summer after I refused to –
A.J. doesn’t have time to finish her sentence as PRINCIPAL MULLER comes up to their table.
Principal Muller – Hi, young ones. Miss Summers, Miss Sullivan and Mr. Tanner, right?
A.J. – That’s us, Principal Muller. What’s the matter?
Principal Muller – Your new counsellor, Mrs. Cho, want to see you. I’ve already advised your teacher, so you can go right to her office after lunch. Good day.
PRINCIPAL MULLER leaves. The kids look at each other, perplexed by the request.
COMMERCIAL
Scene 5
Open on: INT. SCHOOL (MISS CHO OFFICE/HALLWAY), DAY
MISS CHO office is a small, rectangular room with a massive wooden desk in the center. A flat computer screen sits on the desk, next to piles of student’s files. There are three plastic chairs in front of the desk, obviously for visiting students. MISS CHO is turned toward the back wall of the office, putting book in the shelves lining up that wall. It’s obvious that she has just arrived and she is still getting settled. Someone knocks at the door.
Miss Cho – Enter
A.J., RICKY and BEE enter the office. They are a little nervous, not sure of why they’re here. MISS CHO turns toward them and sit on her chair behind the desk. The kids sit on the three chairs in front of her desk.
Miss Cho (looking at Bee) – You’re Bee Sullivan, right? Your teachers in Boston had only kind words for you. Physically capable and emotionally driven, you seem ready to carve yourself a place among the most feared slayers.
Bee (delighted) – Wow, thanks. But, you know, I’m just doing my job, like my mother taught me too.
Miss Cho – Yes, your mother was, and still is, a formidable woman. I remember a mission under her leadership, it was –
A.J. (interrupting) – So…, you are our new Watcher?
Miss Cho (not taking the interruption kindly) – No. I’m your squad leader. The Watchers were grumpy old men too weak to fight the war themselves. I’m here to train you and fight side-by-side with you. If you follow me, you’ll stay alive. You are A.J., our new recruit, I suppose?
A.J. – Yes, it’s me. I suppose the Captain told you everything about me.
Miss Cho – Yes, Mr Harris (insisting on the name, obviously not liking A.J.’s nickname for Xander Harris) told me everything about you. He mostly insisted on your inexperience in slaying. We will work on that. And lastly, we have Ricky Tanner. I’ve heard a lot about you too.
Ricky – So what am I this month? An abomination, the Antichrist or a circus freak?
Miss Cho – You are a Slayer, like every other. Your… “condition” is puzzling, I admit it, but the fact remains that you have been chosen.
Bee – Talking about slaying, when do we start?
Miss Cho – Hastiness is a flaw, not an asset, for a slayer. I do, however, want to begin training as soon as possible. Since the training room in our new home won’t be ready for a week at least, we’ll have to start with field training. I’ve heard there is going to be a party at the local club. I am willing to bet some bloodsuckers will try to get a taste of the fun too. So I want to see you all there at 8, understood?
Ricky (mockingly) – Guess you’ll have to dance with Mr. “Football Team” after all, Bee. (Bee frowns and scoffs) Is that all, Miss Cho?
Miss Cho – One last thing. A.J., as you are less experimented than the rest of the squad, I want to see you in the cemetery at 6 for some additional training.
A.J. is dismayed by the news. Before she has time to reply, however, BEE tries to defend her.
Bee (fervently) – But she don’t need it. Her mother is the legendary Buffy Summers! Slaying’s gonna be a second nature to her. (A.J. is visibly embarrassed by BEE’s “speech”)
Miss Cho – Well, in that case, I suppose A.J. wants to be up to her mother reputation. One more reason to train as much as she can. Now, you can all go back to class. I’ll see you tonight. Don’t be late!
The three kids exit the office and walks in the hallway to reach their classroom.
Cut to: INT. SCHOOL (HALLWAY), DAY
A.J. is walking flanked by BEE and RICKY. BEE is smiling gladly, while RICKY is pensive but happy. A.J., on the other hand, is angry and confused.
Bee – She is nice, right? She’s a real fighter, no doubt. When I’ll tell my mother I’m already in a squad, she’ll be so proud.
Ricky – I agree that it’s nice not having to wait till your majority to be part of a squad. And going out in a club, that’s not too bad for a training session.
A.J. (grumpy) – Not too bad for you. Let’s all recall that I have to do some “catch up” in a creepy cemetery first.
Bee – Don’t worry, A.J. With your mother’s blood flowing in your vein, you’ll get trough training easily. Soon, you’ll –
A.J. (interrupting and shouting angrily) – Leave my mother out of this, “Buffy”. I’m not her, and I don’t want to be her, unlike you. Why would I want to follow the footsteps of a corpse anyway?
A.J. storms off off-screen, leaving RICKY and BEE alone. Both stands there, not knowing what to do.
Bee (oblivious) – What did I say?
RICKY puts is hand over his eyes and sights.
Scene 6
Cut to: INT. DAWN’S HOUSE (LIVING ROOM), LATE AFTERNOON
A.J. enters into the living room via the front door, visibly disappointed. She let her backpack slips on the floor. She is wearing no coat, the weather still being warm outside. She faces towards the staircase in the back of the living room and shouts.
A.J. (shouting) – Aunty, I’m home!
A.J. then sighs and lazily cross the living room into the kitchen.
Cut to: INT. DAWN’S HOUSE (KITCHEN), CONTINUOUS, LATE AFTERNOON
A.J. reaches into the fridge and takes out some milk and cheese. She then goes into a cupboard and began looking for various ingredients. DAWN’s purse is on the dining table. At this moment, DAWN enters the kitchen, smiling.
Dawn – Hi honey. What’s with the hurry? You are that hungry?
A.J. closes the cupboard’s door and turn around to face DAWN. In her arms is an assortment of spices and bag of pasta that she puts down on the counter. She looks at DAWN with a tired look on her face.
A.J. – Oh no, it’s just that I met our new watcher today. Sorry, not watcher, “squad leader” (she makes quotation mark with her hands). And well, she is pretty much into training stuff and she already scheduled my whole night. (Irritated) So I must meet her in the cemetery in an hour and then we go to the Cube for some field training.
A.J. starts cooking while talking to Dawn.
Dawn – Well, if you’re going to start slaying tonight –
A.J. (interrupting) – I’m not slaying tonight, Aunty. You’ve said it yourself; Safe Hill isn’t exactly a vampire haven.
Dawn – Well, it is now. The police found a body this morning near the town entrance. A young girl. She was sucked dry.
A.J. (surprised) – Are you sure?
Dawn – I saw the corpse, honey, and I assure you I have enough experience with vampire victims to recognize one on sight. Anyway, I wanted you to have this. It’s a birthday gift.
A.J. – But Aunty, you already gave me my birthday gift. The new bed, remember?
Meanwhile, DAWN goes into her purse on the kitchen table and pulls out a little black cellphone. She hands it to A.J.
Dawn – I’ll feel better if I know I can always reach you.
A.J. (grateful) – Thanks, Aunty. (She gives DAWN a hug.)
Dawn (half serious) – You keep it open in all time, or I stop paying for it. Here, I’ll take care of these pastas for you, now go relax before your training session.
A.J. – Don’t worry, Aunty. If I trust Bee, my maternal blood will work miracles on the fanged crowd.
Scene 7
Cut to: EXT. GRAVEYARD, NIGHT
The camera is closed up on A.J., who is fighting with a TEENAGE VAMPIRE wearing a hooded sweater and baggie pants. She has a stake in her left hand, but the vampire quickly kicks it out of her hand. Surprised and inexperienced, A.J. stumbles and the vampire knocks her on the ground. Extreme close-up on A.J. and the vampire’s upper torsos as he straddles her and closes in to bite her neck. Moments before he can bite her, however, he turns to dust. The camera pulls back and we can see MISS CHO standing next to A.J., a stake in her hand. She helps A.J. gets up and look at her, severely.
Miss Cho (sounding like a teacher scolding a student) – Why didn’t you stake it?
A.J. – He kicked the stake outta my hand!
Miss Cho – No, I meant before that.
A.J. – I didn’t have the time to do it. He was too fast.
Miss Cho – It was not too fast. You hesitated, it’s different. The first rule you must learn is to never hesitate.
A.J. (recovering her breath) – I won’t make the same mistake again, I promise.
Miss Cho – I hope so. (She looks at her watch, a sport one) Good, it’s time to meet the rest of the squad. We will run to the Cube. Keep up.
MISS CHO picks her purse, puts her stake in it and runs toward the club, offscreen. A.J. stands there, not believing it.
A.J. (defeated) –She’s nuts or what?
She sighs, picks up her stake on the ground, puts it inside her jacket and starts running too.
COMMERCIAL
Scene 8
Cut to: INT. THE CUBE, NIGHT
The Cube is, true to his name, a large square building. The walls are painted stark white and illuminated by kaleidoscopic lights. There is a square stage in the middle of the club, surrounded by a square dance floor. On the wall opposite to the front door is the bar, behind which young waitresses are waiting or serving patrons. Between the bar and the dance floor, there are chrome square tables with assorted chrome stools. BEE and RICKY are sitting at one of those tables, leaving two chairs empty. RICKY is wearing a T-shirt, jeans and his trusted brown jacket while BEE is wearing tight-fitting jeans and a white top showing quite a bit of cleavage. BBEE is drinking a soda, while RICKY as a beer in front of him. They are in the middle of a small argument, as usual.
Bee – I still don’t understand why A.J. was so mad. If I had been raised by Buffy Summers, I sure wouldn’t throw a fit about it.
Ricky (sighing) – Bee, how many times will I have to tell you: A.J. was not raised by Buffy Summers, but by her sister. A.J. was two when her mother died. She barely even knew her.
Bee – Maybe, but she could at least be more grateful about being a slayer. It’s a great honor. Maybe I should remind her of that.
Ricky (starting to be irritated by Bee’s rant) – Bee, put yourself in her shoes for one second, please. Your mother raised you to become a slayer a decade before you actually became a slayer. A.J. didn’t even know what a slayer was until two weeks ago. Worse, she also learned at the same time that everything she thought she knew about her family was a lie. How would you react to that?
RICKY takes a long sip of his beer. Meanwhile, BEE trying to think of something witty to reply but she doesn’t have the chance to reply because STAN has walked up to her from the dance floor.
Bee (displeased) – And what do you want?
Stan (smiling and self-confident) – Well, I wanted to let you know that if you’re tired of that guy, you could always dance with me. Whaddya say, baby?
Bee – I say I’m not interested.
Stan – Ah, come on. Don’t tell me you’re as stuck-up as A.J.?
Ricky (standing up) – Look, “Stan”, she told you she was not interested. And leave A.J. alone or I swear you’ll regret it. Understood?
Stan (defiantly) – Who are you, her prince charming or what?
Both boys are on standing up and looking each other in the eye, ready to erupt into a fight. Before either of them can initiates hostility, MISS CHO arrive behind them. She hardly seems like someone who has just run a few miles
Miss Cho (hands on her hips) – Boys, can I ask what’s going on?
Stan (surprised) – Miss Cho? What are you doing here?
Miss Cho – These two students and I are here to work on an extra-curricular project. A private project. So, if you will leave us alone, Mr.?
Stan – Ipkkus. (Looks angrily at RICKY) You and I are not finished, man.
STAN goes back to the dance floor, off-screen. RICKY and MISS CHO sit down at the table with BEE. Ricky takes another long sip of his beer.
Ms. Cho – I thought it was obvious one should not drink before slaying. I guess I was wrong. At least Bee was wise enough not to compromise her physical and mental balance.
Ricky – Ah, come on, there won’t be any vampires tonight. It’s a peaceful town, trust me.
Ms. Cho – Maybe not so peaceful. A.J.’s aunt told her that a vampire’s victim was found last night at the town entrance. A.J. and I killed a vampire tonight, but they rarely travel alone.
Bee – Talking about A.J., where is she?
Ms. Cho – We both ran to come here. Obviously, she couldn’t keep up.
After a brief moment, A.J. finally arrives. She is completely exhausted and sweating a lot. She sits on the last vacant stool at the table. She calls to the WAITRESS, who comes to her right away.
A.J. (breathing heavily) – A glass a water, please.
The WAITRESS nods and leaves, off-screen.
Miss Cho – We’ll have to work on your endurance sooner than I thought. Meet me in the graveyard at 5 tomorrow morning.
A.J. (angrily surprised) – What???!! Are you craz – (Beat, off MISS CHO look). O.K., I’ll be there. Can I go to sleep right now, in that case?
Miss Cho – No. I’m here to test your stamina in the field, and you’re no exception.
Meanwhile, the WAITRESS comes back on street and hands a water glass to A.J. A.J. pays her and drinks her glass quickly. The WAITRESS leaves, off-screen.
Ricky – Hmm, Miss Cho, while we’re waiting for something to happen, what about the manor? Is it ours now? Because my back won’t take one more night in that crappy hotel bed.
Bee (falsely coughing) – *whiner*
Miss Cho – It’s ours, yes. You’ll both be able to sleep in a real bedroom, but you’ll have to sleep on temporary bunk beds for a couple days. I’m afraid new furnitures won’t be delivered before a week.
After her glass is empty, A.J. leaves the table and head toward the exit. MISS CHO gives her a dark look.
Miss Cho – And where are you going, young girl?
A.J. – I’m just taking some fresh air, ok. I’m not running away, I promise.
A.J. lazily walks toward the front door, crossing the dance floor in the process. She is next to the stage when the music stops suddenly and people start screaming. A.J. stops dead in her track and look up toward the stage. The camera pans to the stage. KAIN and his PASSENGERS have all climbed up on the stage and pushed the musicians away. They all have their vampire faces on. KAIN speaks into the microphone.
Kain – Boys and girls. Sorry to interrupt your party, but me and my boys have paid good money to the owner to uses the place for private party. So I’ll ask anyone not possessing the title of Slayer to scram immediately.
Stan (shouting from the dance floor) – And what if we don’t, you masked freaks?
Kain – Well, then, I won’t have any other choices. Boys.
The FRONT PASSENGER and the two BACK PASSENGERS drop themselves down the stage and begin to advance menacingly toward the crowd, who gradually turn around and start to leave. Cut to MISS CHO, BEE and RICKY, who are all standing up, grabbing their stake and waiting for everyone to have left before starting the fight. A.J. looks at KAIN on the stage. The two BACK PASSENGERS not having noticed her among the crowd, she ponders if she should attack now or wait.
A.J. (to herself) – Lesson one, a Slayer never hesitates.
A.J. grabs a stake from the interior of her jacket, jumps on the stage and attempts to stake KAIN. Exhausted as she is, however, KAIN easily avoid the blow.
Kain –Oh, that one is feisty tonight. Ok, babe, let see what you got. Gimme your best shot.
They begin to fight. The club being almost completely empty now, MISS CHO, RICKY and BEE enter the fight. RICKY and BEE each take on one of the BACK PASSENGERS while MISS CHO attacks the front PASSENGER. RICKY and BEE trade blows with their respective vampire without anyone having a clear advantage over his or her opponent.
Meanwhile, MISS CHO is easily overpowering her opponent. Her fighting style resembles martial arts and is extremely graceful. A decade of experience can be seen in her movements. She stakes her vampire pretty quickly while the others are still fighting with theirs.
Back to A.J., she is easily overpowered by KAIN. Not only is she inexperienced, she is also physically and mentally exhausted and it shows. KAIN knocks her stake out of her hand and then kicks her in the stomach, knocking her down the stage.
Kain (gloating) – You’re weak, tired and frankly pathetic. Fighting you’s no fun.
Miss Cho (voice over) – Then try me!
KAIN turn around just in time to avoid MISS CHO’s powerful kick. The two begin to fight each other on the stage. MISS CHO has a very small advantage on KAIN.
On the dance floor, BEE and RICKY are still fighting with their respective vampire. Both fights are pretty much tied until RICKY and BEE comes back to back. They give each other a quick glance and switch places. Now both facing a new opponent, the vampires hesitate long enough for RICKY to stake his new foe. BEE, however, is less lucky. Her new opponent is too quick on his feet and he stops her killing blow, and then twists her arm. BEE lets out a small scream.
Back to the stage where KAIN and MISS CHO are fighting. Bee’s scream distracts MISS CHO less than a second, but it’s enough for KAIN to disarm her and throw her on a table at the edge of the dance floor.
BEE recovers her freedom of movement and with a succession of quick movements, she is able to stake her vampire. She then looks angrily at Ricky, who is catching is breath instead of helping her.
KAIN is standing over MISS CHO, who is lying on the broken table and who has lost her stake.
Kain – You know, I usually don’t drink from girls your age. Too old for me.
A.J. (voice over)– Then why start tonight?
KAIN looks worried for a second before he explodes into dust. A.J. is standing where KAIN was a second ago, exhausted, sweating and barely standing. She has a drum stick in her hand that she obviously used as a stake. RICKY and BEE lazily walks toward them. MISS CHO gets up with the help of A.J. and brushes debris of her dress. She looks at them and seems proud even if she doesn’t smile.
Miss Cho – So, your fighting styles are sloppy and you don’t collaborate enough with each other. However, nobody died – so, for tonight, well done, squad. Now, let’s go home. A.J., I’ll see you tomorrow morning?
A.J. (burned out) – Yeah, yeah. Goodnight, all.
A.J. turns toward the door and lazily starts to walk. RICKY gently takes her arm before she can go too far. She turns around to face him.
Ricky – Hey, are you sure you can go home alone? You look like you’re gonna faint.
A.J. – It’s ok. I’m ok. I’ve got to… I’ll, I’ll see you tomorrow.
She walks away, exiting The Cube and continuing in the street at a very slow pace.
Scene 9
Cut to: INT. DAWN’S HOUSE (LIVING ROOM), NIGHT
A.J. enters the house via the front door. She removes her trenchcoat and intends to put it on the coat hanger, but she is too tired and misses it, letting the trenchcoat fall on the floor. She doesn’t seem to notice. She crosses the living room and start to climb up the stairs. Halfway to the second floor, she abandons and just lies down in the stairs. A voice comes from upstairs.
Dawn (voice over) – Honey, is that you?
DAWN, wearing a black dressing gown, climbs down the stairs. When she sees A.J., she rushes to her side.
Dawn – My god, honey, what happened.
A.J. (in a sleepy voice) – No-Nothing. Training, that’s all. (Beat) And slaying –
Dawn – My god, I’ve never saw you that tired. Come, I’ll get you to your bed and I’ll call the school tomorrow, tell them you’re sick.
A.J. (sleepy) – No (Beat) no. I must be in the graveyard at five. Must train (beat) endurance (tired laugh).
Dawn (shocked and angry) – What? She wants you to train before school? Is she crazy? Xander Harris is gonna hear from me. How dared he send anything but a musty old librarian to be my little girl’s watcher! You’ll stay here tomorrow morning, honey, and I’ll talk to this Nazi.
A.J. (pauses, open her eyes and smile a bit) – Thanks, Aunty. But I’ll talk to her, ok?
Dawn (smiles and strokes A.J.’s hair) – Wanna solve this yourself, isn’t it? Ok, I’ll let you do it. Now, let’s go to bed.
DAWN helps A.J. to get up, then she holds her by the arm and they climb up the stairs together.
Scene 10
Cut to: INT. SCHOOL (MISS CHO OFFICE), DAY
MISS CHO is in her office, placing books on the shelves on the back wall, facing away the camera. A.J. enters the door, backpack on her shoulders. The noise that comes from the hallway is a clear indication that classes have not begun yet. A.J. stands in front of the desk. MISS CHO doesn’t turn around and continue placing books as she speaks.
Miss Cho (coldly) – You were not there this morning for training. It was not an optional session, so I hope for your sake that you have a good reason to justify your absence.
A.J. – Nope, I don’t. I just slept because I was tired.
Miss Cho (turning around to face A.J., a unfriendly expression on her face) – If you came here to apologize –
A.J. (interrupting) – I didn’t come here to apologize. I came here to tell you I know why you want me to do extra training. And to tell you I won’t do it anymore.
Miss Cho – I told you why I wanted you to train more than the others. Because you are a rookie –
A.J. – Come on. We both know that’s bull. You want me to train harder because you want me to become a legend like my mother. Well, I have news for you: I’m not my mother and don’t wanna be like her.
After A.J.’s finished, MISS CHO expression soften up, becoming almost motherly. She sits down at her desk at look up at A.J.
Miss Cho – (to herself) You think that – (Beat, to A.J.) Do you know why Mr. Harris chose me to be your squad leader?
A.J. – Well, it’s obviously not for your social skill, so it’s probably because of your ass. Maybe your boobs.
Miss Cho (she almost smile) – No, Mr. Harris is not that kind of man, believe me. He sent me here because I did not know your mother. When I became a slayer, she was already dead. I’ve heard of her, like every slayer, but I was never one for worship. He chose me because I was one of the only slayers who would not expect you to be your mother. He didn’t want to put such a weight on your young shoulders, and I agree with him.
A.J. – Than why all this extra training? Surely not because I’m a rookie. I’m as green as the other on the field.
Miss Cho – I may not care about whom your mother was, but some do. Your mother made a lot of enemies who would love to make you pay for her deeds. Some of them are powerful – and alive. You are in greater danger than your friends, that is why I wanted you to train harder
The cold expression on A.J.’s face also changes at this moment. She looks like she finally understands why MISS CHO acted like she did. She sits on a chair and, after a moment, speaks calmly.
A.J. – Well, that’s – (Beat) Thank you, Miss Cho, but extra training is not the way to go. It’s because I was so exhausted that this leather junkie almost killed us last night. I’ll train with the others, diligently, I promise. But no more extra. (Beat, smiles) Beside, they’re still no demons who know who I am, so no need to worry, right?
Scene 11
Cut to: INT. CASTLE, NIGHT.
Caption: Scotland
The same castle than in last episode, except that, this time, an inversed pentagram has been drawn on the stone floor with a white chalk. Four ROBED MEN and the dark-haired woman, DRUSILLA, are standing in the room. DRUSILLA is at the back of the room, facing us, and she hold open the tome seen last episode. Two more ROBED MEN enter the room from offscreen, dragging a screaming young girl behind them. DRUSILLA begins reciting something in a weird language as the two men drag the girl to the center of the pentagram. One of them then pulls a knife out of his coat and slit the girl’s throat. Both men then leave the girl on the floor and join the other around the pentagram. DRUSILLA’s chanting is now at its peak. The robed men all join her to recite the last three verses. When the last verse is done, a loud rumbling sound can be heard, and a magical portal appears at the center of the pentagram. The GIRL’s corpse disappears, and the naked body of a MAN appears in its place, lying on his chest. He has sparse black hair and a tribal tattoo on the right side of his back. DRUSILLA kneel at the MAN’s side and take him in her arms. His head falls into her lap, making it impossible for us to see his face.
Drusilla – Poor little kitty. Here, Mommy’s here now, love. And she’s got good news. Seems your other half had a daughter. A sweet, little innocent girl for you to kill. I bet her blood is deliciously warm and sweet. I’ll lead you to her. But first, you’ll need strength, won’t you?
Man – Ye-Yes.
The MAN then bites DRUSILLA neck, like a vampire. DRUSILLA screams and turns into dust. The dust then seems to be sucked into the MAN’s open mouth. The man then raises his head to look at the camera. He is not human. His ears are pointed and one of them bears chewing marks. His face is unnaturally covered with deep, red-tinted wrinkles. He has no eyebrows and his eyes are a sick yellow with a red iris. Two sharp fangs replace his upper canine teeth. Sparse clumps are all that is left of his once beautiful black hair. Even with this demonic appearance, he is still recognizable as having been, once, the same man that appears on A.J.’s night table. His name is ANGELUS. He smiles to the camera an evil, cruel smile.
Cut to: BLACK
END CREDITS
Slayers takes place 20 years after Chosen. To learn more and read the first episode, go there.
Comments and Feedback are very very much appreciated. I need them as badly as a vampire needs blood! Either PM me or use the general feedback forums, but please leave some! Thanks.
Now, without further ado, here is the episode:
Timeline: 20 years after BtVS Season7 (Season 8 is ignored because t isn't complete yet)
Genre: Urban fantasy, high-school drama, action
Rating: PG.
Summary: While A.J., Ricky and Bee are starting to settle into their new life in Safe Hill, their new squad leader arrives, pushing A.J. to her physical limits.
Disclaimer: Every existing characters and situations from past BtVS episodes belongs to Joss Whedon. I guess everything else belongs to me.
Slayers Season 1, Episode 2
Counselling
Scene 1
Open on: EXT. ROAD LEADING IN TOWN, NIGHT
The episode begins with an overhead view of the road leading to Safe Hill. A 10-years- old black American car comes from off-screen toward the city and comes to a stop on the right side of the road. Cut to inside the car. Four young MEN and one GIRL are sitting in the car, listening to loud rock music. The young MEN are all in the mid-twenties. They wear clothes typical of rock fans and wear their hair short and spiky. The driver is the leader of the band. He goes by the name of KAIN and he looks very much like the other young men, except that his hair is long and straight. KAIN and another guy are sitting in the front of the car while the others are sitting in the back, on each side of the GIRL, who is around 18. The GIRL is platinum blonde with dark roots showing. She is wearing a tank top, an extremely short miniskirt, a lot of jewellery and heavy make-up. When the car stops, she shouts something, but the sound of her voice is drowned by the music playing in the car. KAIN turns off the music.
Kain (without turning around to look at her) – What?
Girl (still shouting a bit) – I said, why are we stopping?
Kain – Because we’re hungry.
Girl (not understanding) – Hungry? But we’re in the middle of nowhere and we ain’t got any food.
Kain – Well, we’ve got you!
While he says this, he finally turns around to look at her. His face is warped. He got no eyebrows, his forehead is rippled, two sharp fangs are jutting out of his top jaw and the white of his eyes is now yellow, with the iris being a sickly green. The GIRL nervously looks at the other boys (the PASSENGERS are now facing her too), who all have their vampire face on. As she screams, cut to an overhead view of the exterior of the car. When the screaming stops, the right rear door of the car opens and the girl’s corpse is thrown on the roadside. Cut to inside the car again, but this time we are facing KAIN and the FRONT PASSENGER. All the boys are still looking like vampires. The FRONT PASSENGER wipes blood from his lips.
Front Passenger – Hell, Kain. She tastes like rotten shit!
The two BACK PASSENGERS groan in agreement.
Kain (Looking directly in the camera) – No worry, boys. Tomorrow, we feast on Slayer’s blood.
KAIN turn the music on again and starts the car as the camera cut once again to an overhead view of the exterior of the car. The car pulls off from the road side and continues down the road. The camera follows the car as it passes a big sign on the side of road, and then closes up of that sign. On the sign, there is a logo representing a big, green hill with WELCOME TO SAFE HILL, MASSASSUCHET written in big green letters next to it and “The Safest Town in the World” written in smaller green letters below it.
MAIN CREDITS
Scene 2
Open on: INT. SCHOOL (CLASSROOM), DAY
In a typical classroom, the students are just starting to arrive. Among them are A.J., RICKY and BEE. A.J. is wearing a classy-but-unusual ensemble with no jewellery but the Claddagh ring which never leaves her, RICKY is wearing a t-shirt and his trusty brown leather vest and BEE is wearing clothes that are both the latest fashion and very practical in a fight. RICKY seems tired and wasted, as if he hadn’t slept well for some times now. All three sits next to one another and begins to chat while the other kids are sitting and getting ready.
A.J. – My god, that hotel bed sure doesn’t seem comfy. Still weren’t able to sleep?
Ricky (desperate) – No. My god, my back hurts so much. Why did Mr. Harris said no to your aunt’s offer to have us slept at your place?
A.J. – I suppose he didn’t want to bother her. The Captain has always been over-protective with Aunty. She’s practically his sister.
Bee – Oh, don’t be such a baby, Ricky. If you trained more, you would be able to endure this (sarcastically) “pain”.
Ricky (irritated) – That’s easy for you, Terminator.
A.J. – Anyway, you should be able to sleep in a real bed soon. Aunty said the Captain finally bought the manor. Our new “watcher”, as she puts it, should have all the necessary keys and papers with her. And she should be here sooner or –
A.J. is interrupted by the TEACHER clearing her throat. All the students turn toward her. She is an impressive woman despite her small size and old age. Experience can be seen in her eyes. Beside her is PRINICIPAL MULLER a tall, almost bald man in his late forty. He is wearing a marine wool suit. He is smiling, a genuine smile, but it is more respectful than warm.
Teacher – Hi students. Before we start, Principal Muller would want to talk to you.
Principal Muller – Hi everyone. I’m here to introduce you to your new school counsellor. Please welcome her with the respect she deserves. Miss Cho, if you want to come in please.
MISS CHO, an Asian woman in her late twenties enters the classroom. She is wearing a red trouser suit and black shoes. Her long black hair is tied up in a tight bun secured by an oriental-style hairpiece. She is small but she doesn’t seem to care. Everything in her speaks of self-confidence, firmness and power. She addresses the students like she would an army.
Miss Cho – Hi children. My name is Miss Jia Cho. I’m your new counsellor, like Principal Muller said. I’m here to help you if you have any problems, either with your career choices, with your family or with anything else. And because I know everyone has problems of some sorts, I will all meet you in my office personally before the end of the month. For now, I’ll let you go back to your studies. Have a good day.
MS.CHO and the PRINCIPAL depart, thanking the teacher for her time. The TEACHER turns back to the students and starts teaching.
Scene 3
Cut to: INT. MORGUE, DAY
Inside the morgue, the bloodless corpse of the girl seen in Scene 1 is lying on a stainless steel table. A small DOCTOR is doing an autopsy. He is visibly baffled by what he is seeing. From behind him enters DAWN, visibly on duty for the newspaper. The DOCTOR turns around and sees her. He removes his mask and smiles nervously.
Doctor – Oh, hi Mrs. Summers.
Dawn – Hi Doctor. This is the girl who was found outside of town last night? (The doctor nods) Do you have anything for me, Doctor?
Doctor – Well Mrs. Summers, I can tell you that this girl is about eighteen and she was probably addicted to drugs, according to the multiple syringe marks on her arms.
Dawn – Do you think it’s a murder, Doctor?
Doctor – I can’t reveal this kind of information before the police, you know that, Mrs. Summers.
Dawn (knowingly) – I won’t quote you. Was she murdered?
Doctor (sighing) – Yes, probably. But as for how, I’m totally clueless. It seems she was sucked dry.
Dawn (worried) – What do you mean, sucked dry?
Doctor – It’s as if her blood had been drained out of her body from those tiny holes, here. (Pointing the to some bite marks on corpse’s neck) Of course, it’s completely impossible, so I’ll keep working on the body. You promise you won’t quote me on this?
Dawn – Doctor, have I ever lied to you? Now, I must get going before Chief Langton catches me here.
As she prepares to leave, CHIEF LANGTON himself enters the morgue. A tall, strong forty-something man with a thick moustache and wearing a spotless uniform, the police chief doesn’t seem happy to see DAWN.
Chief Langton – Mrs. Summers. Still putting your nose where it doesn’t belong, I see.
Dawn (defiantly) – With all due respect, sir, I’m a reporter. You may not like it, but my job is to report the news to the citizens. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got work to do. Good luck with that case.
Dawn leaves. CHIEF LANGTON looks at her and rages internally.
Chief Langton (to himself) – Those journalists. No respect for authority.
Scene 4
Cut to: INT. SCHOOL (CAFETERIA), DAY
It’s lunchtime and the school cafeteria is crowded. A.J. enters onscreen alone with a tray in her hands and sits at a free table. She puts the tray on the table and her schoolbag on the floor next to her. She reaches into the latter and pulls out an old book with a brown leather cover. She starts to read it when RICKY and BEE sits at her table, also carrying trays.
Bee – Already studying? You should eat instead. A Slayer needs to be at her peak in order to do her job correctly.
Ricky – First of all, Bee, Mr. Harris forbade any slaying ‘till our new “boss” arrives. And second, I don’t think she’s studying. What’s that book A.J.?
A.J. (laying her book down, smiling) – In fact, I am studying. This book is a kind of encyclopaedia of the most common types of demons.
Bee – Does it say how to kill them? That’s the only thing I need to know.
Ricky (impressed) – Where did you find that? There are no books like this in the library. I know, I’ve checked.
A.J. – It’s one of Aunty’s books. Turns out she secretly kept quite a few books about demons, magic and the like. She also has a various assortments of garlic, crosses, stakes, holy water vials, etc.
(At this moment, STAN, A.J.’s ex-boyfriend, comes to their table with a predatory smile)
Stan – That’s an impressive collection, if you believe in ghost stories. I always knew your aunt was crazy. She had a nice ass, however.
A.J. (angry) – I already told you to leave me alone, Stan.
Stan (mockingly) – Wow, babe, don’t fret. I don’t wanna talk to you anyway. I wanna talk to her. (He turns toward Bee) Hey, baby, I’m Stan. I’m in the football team, you know (shows the emblem on his blazer). Anyway, there’s party at the Cube tonight, wanna come with me?
Bee (indifferent) – What’s the Cube?
A.J. – The local club. That’s where everyone goes to party.
Stan – You’ve heard A.J. Everyone’s going. So, I’ll wait for you there?
Bee – Well, you can wait for me. But you’ll wait a long time. ‘Cause I got much more important things to do tonight, Mister “Football Team”.
Stan (insulted) – Well, if you’re tired of being with this stuck-up (he nods toward A.J.), you know where to find me.
Ricky (to A.J.) – Who’s that Neanderthal?
A.J. – Used to be my boyfriend. He dumped me this summer after I refused to –
A.J. doesn’t have time to finish her sentence as PRINCIPAL MULLER comes up to their table.
Principal Muller – Hi, young ones. Miss Summers, Miss Sullivan and Mr. Tanner, right?
A.J. – That’s us, Principal Muller. What’s the matter?
Principal Muller – Your new counsellor, Mrs. Cho, want to see you. I’ve already advised your teacher, so you can go right to her office after lunch. Good day.
PRINCIPAL MULLER leaves. The kids look at each other, perplexed by the request.
COMMERCIAL
Scene 5
Open on: INT. SCHOOL (MISS CHO OFFICE/HALLWAY), DAY
MISS CHO office is a small, rectangular room with a massive wooden desk in the center. A flat computer screen sits on the desk, next to piles of student’s files. There are three plastic chairs in front of the desk, obviously for visiting students. MISS CHO is turned toward the back wall of the office, putting book in the shelves lining up that wall. It’s obvious that she has just arrived and she is still getting settled. Someone knocks at the door.
Miss Cho – Enter
A.J., RICKY and BEE enter the office. They are a little nervous, not sure of why they’re here. MISS CHO turns toward them and sit on her chair behind the desk. The kids sit on the three chairs in front of her desk.
Miss Cho (looking at Bee) – You’re Bee Sullivan, right? Your teachers in Boston had only kind words for you. Physically capable and emotionally driven, you seem ready to carve yourself a place among the most feared slayers.
Bee (delighted) – Wow, thanks. But, you know, I’m just doing my job, like my mother taught me too.
Miss Cho – Yes, your mother was, and still is, a formidable woman. I remember a mission under her leadership, it was –
A.J. (interrupting) – So…, you are our new Watcher?
Miss Cho (not taking the interruption kindly) – No. I’m your squad leader. The Watchers were grumpy old men too weak to fight the war themselves. I’m here to train you and fight side-by-side with you. If you follow me, you’ll stay alive. You are A.J., our new recruit, I suppose?
A.J. – Yes, it’s me. I suppose the Captain told you everything about me.
Miss Cho – Yes, Mr Harris (insisting on the name, obviously not liking A.J.’s nickname for Xander Harris) told me everything about you. He mostly insisted on your inexperience in slaying. We will work on that. And lastly, we have Ricky Tanner. I’ve heard a lot about you too.
Ricky – So what am I this month? An abomination, the Antichrist or a circus freak?
Miss Cho – You are a Slayer, like every other. Your… “condition” is puzzling, I admit it, but the fact remains that you have been chosen.
Bee – Talking about slaying, when do we start?
Miss Cho – Hastiness is a flaw, not an asset, for a slayer. I do, however, want to begin training as soon as possible. Since the training room in our new home won’t be ready for a week at least, we’ll have to start with field training. I’ve heard there is going to be a party at the local club. I am willing to bet some bloodsuckers will try to get a taste of the fun too. So I want to see you all there at 8, understood?
Ricky (mockingly) – Guess you’ll have to dance with Mr. “Football Team” after all, Bee. (Bee frowns and scoffs) Is that all, Miss Cho?
Miss Cho – One last thing. A.J., as you are less experimented than the rest of the squad, I want to see you in the cemetery at 6 for some additional training.
A.J. is dismayed by the news. Before she has time to reply, however, BEE tries to defend her.
Bee (fervently) – But she don’t need it. Her mother is the legendary Buffy Summers! Slaying’s gonna be a second nature to her. (A.J. is visibly embarrassed by BEE’s “speech”)
Miss Cho – Well, in that case, I suppose A.J. wants to be up to her mother reputation. One more reason to train as much as she can. Now, you can all go back to class. I’ll see you tonight. Don’t be late!
The three kids exit the office and walks in the hallway to reach their classroom.
Cut to: INT. SCHOOL (HALLWAY), DAY
A.J. is walking flanked by BEE and RICKY. BEE is smiling gladly, while RICKY is pensive but happy. A.J., on the other hand, is angry and confused.
Bee – She is nice, right? She’s a real fighter, no doubt. When I’ll tell my mother I’m already in a squad, she’ll be so proud.
Ricky – I agree that it’s nice not having to wait till your majority to be part of a squad. And going out in a club, that’s not too bad for a training session.
A.J. (grumpy) – Not too bad for you. Let’s all recall that I have to do some “catch up” in a creepy cemetery first.
Bee – Don’t worry, A.J. With your mother’s blood flowing in your vein, you’ll get trough training easily. Soon, you’ll –
A.J. (interrupting and shouting angrily) – Leave my mother out of this, “Buffy”. I’m not her, and I don’t want to be her, unlike you. Why would I want to follow the footsteps of a corpse anyway?
A.J. storms off off-screen, leaving RICKY and BEE alone. Both stands there, not knowing what to do.
Bee (oblivious) – What did I say?
RICKY puts is hand over his eyes and sights.
Scene 6
Cut to: INT. DAWN’S HOUSE (LIVING ROOM), LATE AFTERNOON
A.J. enters into the living room via the front door, visibly disappointed. She let her backpack slips on the floor. She is wearing no coat, the weather still being warm outside. She faces towards the staircase in the back of the living room and shouts.
A.J. (shouting) – Aunty, I’m home!
A.J. then sighs and lazily cross the living room into the kitchen.
Cut to: INT. DAWN’S HOUSE (KITCHEN), CONTINUOUS, LATE AFTERNOON
A.J. reaches into the fridge and takes out some milk and cheese. She then goes into a cupboard and began looking for various ingredients. DAWN’s purse is on the dining table. At this moment, DAWN enters the kitchen, smiling.
Dawn – Hi honey. What’s with the hurry? You are that hungry?
A.J. closes the cupboard’s door and turn around to face DAWN. In her arms is an assortment of spices and bag of pasta that she puts down on the counter. She looks at DAWN with a tired look on her face.
A.J. – Oh no, it’s just that I met our new watcher today. Sorry, not watcher, “squad leader” (she makes quotation mark with her hands). And well, she is pretty much into training stuff and she already scheduled my whole night. (Irritated) So I must meet her in the cemetery in an hour and then we go to the Cube for some field training.
A.J. starts cooking while talking to Dawn.
Dawn – Well, if you’re going to start slaying tonight –
A.J. (interrupting) – I’m not slaying tonight, Aunty. You’ve said it yourself; Safe Hill isn’t exactly a vampire haven.
Dawn – Well, it is now. The police found a body this morning near the town entrance. A young girl. She was sucked dry.
A.J. (surprised) – Are you sure?
Dawn – I saw the corpse, honey, and I assure you I have enough experience with vampire victims to recognize one on sight. Anyway, I wanted you to have this. It’s a birthday gift.
A.J. – But Aunty, you already gave me my birthday gift. The new bed, remember?
Meanwhile, DAWN goes into her purse on the kitchen table and pulls out a little black cellphone. She hands it to A.J.
Dawn – I’ll feel better if I know I can always reach you.
A.J. (grateful) – Thanks, Aunty. (She gives DAWN a hug.)
Dawn (half serious) – You keep it open in all time, or I stop paying for it. Here, I’ll take care of these pastas for you, now go relax before your training session.
A.J. – Don’t worry, Aunty. If I trust Bee, my maternal blood will work miracles on the fanged crowd.
Scene 7
Cut to: EXT. GRAVEYARD, NIGHT
The camera is closed up on A.J., who is fighting with a TEENAGE VAMPIRE wearing a hooded sweater and baggie pants. She has a stake in her left hand, but the vampire quickly kicks it out of her hand. Surprised and inexperienced, A.J. stumbles and the vampire knocks her on the ground. Extreme close-up on A.J. and the vampire’s upper torsos as he straddles her and closes in to bite her neck. Moments before he can bite her, however, he turns to dust. The camera pulls back and we can see MISS CHO standing next to A.J., a stake in her hand. She helps A.J. gets up and look at her, severely.
Miss Cho (sounding like a teacher scolding a student) – Why didn’t you stake it?
A.J. – He kicked the stake outta my hand!
Miss Cho – No, I meant before that.
A.J. – I didn’t have the time to do it. He was too fast.
Miss Cho – It was not too fast. You hesitated, it’s different. The first rule you must learn is to never hesitate.
A.J. (recovering her breath) – I won’t make the same mistake again, I promise.
Miss Cho – I hope so. (She looks at her watch, a sport one) Good, it’s time to meet the rest of the squad. We will run to the Cube. Keep up.
MISS CHO picks her purse, puts her stake in it and runs toward the club, offscreen. A.J. stands there, not believing it.
A.J. (defeated) –She’s nuts or what?
She sighs, picks up her stake on the ground, puts it inside her jacket and starts running too.
COMMERCIAL
Scene 8
Cut to: INT. THE CUBE, NIGHT
The Cube is, true to his name, a large square building. The walls are painted stark white and illuminated by kaleidoscopic lights. There is a square stage in the middle of the club, surrounded by a square dance floor. On the wall opposite to the front door is the bar, behind which young waitresses are waiting or serving patrons. Between the bar and the dance floor, there are chrome square tables with assorted chrome stools. BEE and RICKY are sitting at one of those tables, leaving two chairs empty. RICKY is wearing a T-shirt, jeans and his trusted brown jacket while BEE is wearing tight-fitting jeans and a white top showing quite a bit of cleavage. BBEE is drinking a soda, while RICKY as a beer in front of him. They are in the middle of a small argument, as usual.
Bee – I still don’t understand why A.J. was so mad. If I had been raised by Buffy Summers, I sure wouldn’t throw a fit about it.
Ricky (sighing) – Bee, how many times will I have to tell you: A.J. was not raised by Buffy Summers, but by her sister. A.J. was two when her mother died. She barely even knew her.
Bee – Maybe, but she could at least be more grateful about being a slayer. It’s a great honor. Maybe I should remind her of that.
Ricky (starting to be irritated by Bee’s rant) – Bee, put yourself in her shoes for one second, please. Your mother raised you to become a slayer a decade before you actually became a slayer. A.J. didn’t even know what a slayer was until two weeks ago. Worse, she also learned at the same time that everything she thought she knew about her family was a lie. How would you react to that?
RICKY takes a long sip of his beer. Meanwhile, BEE trying to think of something witty to reply but she doesn’t have the chance to reply because STAN has walked up to her from the dance floor.
Bee (displeased) – And what do you want?
Stan (smiling and self-confident) – Well, I wanted to let you know that if you’re tired of that guy, you could always dance with me. Whaddya say, baby?
Bee – I say I’m not interested.
Stan – Ah, come on. Don’t tell me you’re as stuck-up as A.J.?
Ricky (standing up) – Look, “Stan”, she told you she was not interested. And leave A.J. alone or I swear you’ll regret it. Understood?
Stan (defiantly) – Who are you, her prince charming or what?
Both boys are on standing up and looking each other in the eye, ready to erupt into a fight. Before either of them can initiates hostility, MISS CHO arrive behind them. She hardly seems like someone who has just run a few miles
Miss Cho (hands on her hips) – Boys, can I ask what’s going on?
Stan (surprised) – Miss Cho? What are you doing here?
Miss Cho – These two students and I are here to work on an extra-curricular project. A private project. So, if you will leave us alone, Mr.?
Stan – Ipkkus. (Looks angrily at RICKY) You and I are not finished, man.
STAN goes back to the dance floor, off-screen. RICKY and MISS CHO sit down at the table with BEE. Ricky takes another long sip of his beer.
Ms. Cho – I thought it was obvious one should not drink before slaying. I guess I was wrong. At least Bee was wise enough not to compromise her physical and mental balance.
Ricky – Ah, come on, there won’t be any vampires tonight. It’s a peaceful town, trust me.
Ms. Cho – Maybe not so peaceful. A.J.’s aunt told her that a vampire’s victim was found last night at the town entrance. A.J. and I killed a vampire tonight, but they rarely travel alone.
Bee – Talking about A.J., where is she?
Ms. Cho – We both ran to come here. Obviously, she couldn’t keep up.
After a brief moment, A.J. finally arrives. She is completely exhausted and sweating a lot. She sits on the last vacant stool at the table. She calls to the WAITRESS, who comes to her right away.
A.J. (breathing heavily) – A glass a water, please.
The WAITRESS nods and leaves, off-screen.
Miss Cho – We’ll have to work on your endurance sooner than I thought. Meet me in the graveyard at 5 tomorrow morning.
A.J. (angrily surprised) – What???!! Are you craz – (Beat, off MISS CHO look). O.K., I’ll be there. Can I go to sleep right now, in that case?
Miss Cho – No. I’m here to test your stamina in the field, and you’re no exception.
Meanwhile, the WAITRESS comes back on street and hands a water glass to A.J. A.J. pays her and drinks her glass quickly. The WAITRESS leaves, off-screen.
Ricky – Hmm, Miss Cho, while we’re waiting for something to happen, what about the manor? Is it ours now? Because my back won’t take one more night in that crappy hotel bed.
Bee (falsely coughing) – *whiner*
Miss Cho – It’s ours, yes. You’ll both be able to sleep in a real bedroom, but you’ll have to sleep on temporary bunk beds for a couple days. I’m afraid new furnitures won’t be delivered before a week.
After her glass is empty, A.J. leaves the table and head toward the exit. MISS CHO gives her a dark look.
Miss Cho – And where are you going, young girl?
A.J. – I’m just taking some fresh air, ok. I’m not running away, I promise.
A.J. lazily walks toward the front door, crossing the dance floor in the process. She is next to the stage when the music stops suddenly and people start screaming. A.J. stops dead in her track and look up toward the stage. The camera pans to the stage. KAIN and his PASSENGERS have all climbed up on the stage and pushed the musicians away. They all have their vampire faces on. KAIN speaks into the microphone.
Kain – Boys and girls. Sorry to interrupt your party, but me and my boys have paid good money to the owner to uses the place for private party. So I’ll ask anyone not possessing the title of Slayer to scram immediately.
Stan (shouting from the dance floor) – And what if we don’t, you masked freaks?
Kain – Well, then, I won’t have any other choices. Boys.
The FRONT PASSENGER and the two BACK PASSENGERS drop themselves down the stage and begin to advance menacingly toward the crowd, who gradually turn around and start to leave. Cut to MISS CHO, BEE and RICKY, who are all standing up, grabbing their stake and waiting for everyone to have left before starting the fight. A.J. looks at KAIN on the stage. The two BACK PASSENGERS not having noticed her among the crowd, she ponders if she should attack now or wait.
A.J. (to herself) – Lesson one, a Slayer never hesitates.
A.J. grabs a stake from the interior of her jacket, jumps on the stage and attempts to stake KAIN. Exhausted as she is, however, KAIN easily avoid the blow.
Kain –Oh, that one is feisty tonight. Ok, babe, let see what you got. Gimme your best shot.
They begin to fight. The club being almost completely empty now, MISS CHO, RICKY and BEE enter the fight. RICKY and BEE each take on one of the BACK PASSENGERS while MISS CHO attacks the front PASSENGER. RICKY and BEE trade blows with their respective vampire without anyone having a clear advantage over his or her opponent.
Meanwhile, MISS CHO is easily overpowering her opponent. Her fighting style resembles martial arts and is extremely graceful. A decade of experience can be seen in her movements. She stakes her vampire pretty quickly while the others are still fighting with theirs.
Back to A.J., she is easily overpowered by KAIN. Not only is she inexperienced, she is also physically and mentally exhausted and it shows. KAIN knocks her stake out of her hand and then kicks her in the stomach, knocking her down the stage.
Kain (gloating) – You’re weak, tired and frankly pathetic. Fighting you’s no fun.
Miss Cho (voice over) – Then try me!
KAIN turn around just in time to avoid MISS CHO’s powerful kick. The two begin to fight each other on the stage. MISS CHO has a very small advantage on KAIN.
On the dance floor, BEE and RICKY are still fighting with their respective vampire. Both fights are pretty much tied until RICKY and BEE comes back to back. They give each other a quick glance and switch places. Now both facing a new opponent, the vampires hesitate long enough for RICKY to stake his new foe. BEE, however, is less lucky. Her new opponent is too quick on his feet and he stops her killing blow, and then twists her arm. BEE lets out a small scream.
Back to the stage where KAIN and MISS CHO are fighting. Bee’s scream distracts MISS CHO less than a second, but it’s enough for KAIN to disarm her and throw her on a table at the edge of the dance floor.
BEE recovers her freedom of movement and with a succession of quick movements, she is able to stake her vampire. She then looks angrily at Ricky, who is catching is breath instead of helping her.
KAIN is standing over MISS CHO, who is lying on the broken table and who has lost her stake.
Kain – You know, I usually don’t drink from girls your age. Too old for me.
A.J. (voice over)– Then why start tonight?
KAIN looks worried for a second before he explodes into dust. A.J. is standing where KAIN was a second ago, exhausted, sweating and barely standing. She has a drum stick in her hand that she obviously used as a stake. RICKY and BEE lazily walks toward them. MISS CHO gets up with the help of A.J. and brushes debris of her dress. She looks at them and seems proud even if she doesn’t smile.
Miss Cho – So, your fighting styles are sloppy and you don’t collaborate enough with each other. However, nobody died – so, for tonight, well done, squad. Now, let’s go home. A.J., I’ll see you tomorrow morning?
A.J. (burned out) – Yeah, yeah. Goodnight, all.
A.J. turns toward the door and lazily starts to walk. RICKY gently takes her arm before she can go too far. She turns around to face him.
Ricky – Hey, are you sure you can go home alone? You look like you’re gonna faint.
A.J. – It’s ok. I’m ok. I’ve got to… I’ll, I’ll see you tomorrow.
She walks away, exiting The Cube and continuing in the street at a very slow pace.
Scene 9
Cut to: INT. DAWN’S HOUSE (LIVING ROOM), NIGHT
A.J. enters the house via the front door. She removes her trenchcoat and intends to put it on the coat hanger, but she is too tired and misses it, letting the trenchcoat fall on the floor. She doesn’t seem to notice. She crosses the living room and start to climb up the stairs. Halfway to the second floor, she abandons and just lies down in the stairs. A voice comes from upstairs.
Dawn (voice over) – Honey, is that you?
DAWN, wearing a black dressing gown, climbs down the stairs. When she sees A.J., she rushes to her side.
Dawn – My god, honey, what happened.
A.J. (in a sleepy voice) – No-Nothing. Training, that’s all. (Beat) And slaying –
Dawn – My god, I’ve never saw you that tired. Come, I’ll get you to your bed and I’ll call the school tomorrow, tell them you’re sick.
A.J. (sleepy) – No (Beat) no. I must be in the graveyard at five. Must train (beat) endurance (tired laugh).
Dawn (shocked and angry) – What? She wants you to train before school? Is she crazy? Xander Harris is gonna hear from me. How dared he send anything but a musty old librarian to be my little girl’s watcher! You’ll stay here tomorrow morning, honey, and I’ll talk to this Nazi.
A.J. (pauses, open her eyes and smile a bit) – Thanks, Aunty. But I’ll talk to her, ok?
Dawn (smiles and strokes A.J.’s hair) – Wanna solve this yourself, isn’t it? Ok, I’ll let you do it. Now, let’s go to bed.
DAWN helps A.J. to get up, then she holds her by the arm and they climb up the stairs together.
Scene 10
Cut to: INT. SCHOOL (MISS CHO OFFICE), DAY
MISS CHO is in her office, placing books on the shelves on the back wall, facing away the camera. A.J. enters the door, backpack on her shoulders. The noise that comes from the hallway is a clear indication that classes have not begun yet. A.J. stands in front of the desk. MISS CHO doesn’t turn around and continue placing books as she speaks.
Miss Cho (coldly) – You were not there this morning for training. It was not an optional session, so I hope for your sake that you have a good reason to justify your absence.
A.J. – Nope, I don’t. I just slept because I was tired.
Miss Cho (turning around to face A.J., a unfriendly expression on her face) – If you came here to apologize –
A.J. (interrupting) – I didn’t come here to apologize. I came here to tell you I know why you want me to do extra training. And to tell you I won’t do it anymore.
Miss Cho – I told you why I wanted you to train more than the others. Because you are a rookie –
A.J. – Come on. We both know that’s bull. You want me to train harder because you want me to become a legend like my mother. Well, I have news for you: I’m not my mother and don’t wanna be like her.
After A.J.’s finished, MISS CHO expression soften up, becoming almost motherly. She sits down at her desk at look up at A.J.
Miss Cho – (to herself) You think that – (Beat, to A.J.) Do you know why Mr. Harris chose me to be your squad leader?
A.J. – Well, it’s obviously not for your social skill, so it’s probably because of your ass. Maybe your boobs.
Miss Cho (she almost smile) – No, Mr. Harris is not that kind of man, believe me. He sent me here because I did not know your mother. When I became a slayer, she was already dead. I’ve heard of her, like every slayer, but I was never one for worship. He chose me because I was one of the only slayers who would not expect you to be your mother. He didn’t want to put such a weight on your young shoulders, and I agree with him.
A.J. – Than why all this extra training? Surely not because I’m a rookie. I’m as green as the other on the field.
Miss Cho – I may not care about whom your mother was, but some do. Your mother made a lot of enemies who would love to make you pay for her deeds. Some of them are powerful – and alive. You are in greater danger than your friends, that is why I wanted you to train harder
The cold expression on A.J.’s face also changes at this moment. She looks like she finally understands why MISS CHO acted like she did. She sits on a chair and, after a moment, speaks calmly.
A.J. – Well, that’s – (Beat) Thank you, Miss Cho, but extra training is not the way to go. It’s because I was so exhausted that this leather junkie almost killed us last night. I’ll train with the others, diligently, I promise. But no more extra. (Beat, smiles) Beside, they’re still no demons who know who I am, so no need to worry, right?
Scene 11
Cut to: INT. CASTLE, NIGHT.
Caption: Scotland
The same castle than in last episode, except that, this time, an inversed pentagram has been drawn on the stone floor with a white chalk. Four ROBED MEN and the dark-haired woman, DRUSILLA, are standing in the room. DRUSILLA is at the back of the room, facing us, and she hold open the tome seen last episode. Two more ROBED MEN enter the room from offscreen, dragging a screaming young girl behind them. DRUSILLA begins reciting something in a weird language as the two men drag the girl to the center of the pentagram. One of them then pulls a knife out of his coat and slit the girl’s throat. Both men then leave the girl on the floor and join the other around the pentagram. DRUSILLA’s chanting is now at its peak. The robed men all join her to recite the last three verses. When the last verse is done, a loud rumbling sound can be heard, and a magical portal appears at the center of the pentagram. The GIRL’s corpse disappears, and the naked body of a MAN appears in its place, lying on his chest. He has sparse black hair and a tribal tattoo on the right side of his back. DRUSILLA kneel at the MAN’s side and take him in her arms. His head falls into her lap, making it impossible for us to see his face.
Drusilla – Poor little kitty. Here, Mommy’s here now, love. And she’s got good news. Seems your other half had a daughter. A sweet, little innocent girl for you to kill. I bet her blood is deliciously warm and sweet. I’ll lead you to her. But first, you’ll need strength, won’t you?
Man – Ye-Yes.
The MAN then bites DRUSILLA neck, like a vampire. DRUSILLA screams and turns into dust. The dust then seems to be sucked into the MAN’s open mouth. The man then raises his head to look at the camera. He is not human. His ears are pointed and one of them bears chewing marks. His face is unnaturally covered with deep, red-tinted wrinkles. He has no eyebrows and his eyes are a sick yellow with a red iris. Two sharp fangs replace his upper canine teeth. Sparse clumps are all that is left of his once beautiful black hair. Even with this demonic appearance, he is still recognizable as having been, once, the same man that appears on A.J.’s night table. His name is ANGELUS. He smiles to the camera an evil, cruel smile.
Cut to: BLACK
END CREDITS