Sideshow

Author: Katar Hol <silveragent99[at]yahoo.com>

Summary: In August 2003, Dawn learns lessons in leadership and becomes her own hero, Xander gains courage in perseverance from an unlikely person, and Buffy finds the darkside to her bad boy addiction.

Rating: PG 13. Adult language. Action.

Type: Mystery/Action

Ships: Willow/Kennedy. Xander-Dawn FRIENDSHIP ONLY.

Author's Notes (optional): This is set in what is supposed to be a standard Screenplay format. Let me know if you have problems reading the format.

Disclaimer: All characters herein belong to Mutant Enemy and Joss Whedon. This sample screenplay is for amusement purposes only.

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                              Buffy the Vampire Slayer
                                     "Sideshow"
                                       TEASER
               MEXICO - SEA OF CORTEZ - 1912 - DAY
               A cavalry troop of Mexican Revolutionary soldiers is charging
               towards the sea on an open plain. Horses galloping, guns at
               the ready. The plain ends on a empty lagoon, and on one side
               is a set of cliffs. The sea is boiling, bubbling, and a weird
               pulsating sound permeates the air.
                                                                CUT TO:
               EXT. THE CLIFFS - DAY
               A man dressed in rather formal clothes and carrying a
               Winchester rifle observes the cavalry charge. He is smoking a
               cigar and has two Colt Single Action Army revolvers at his
               hips. He is observing the action through large binoculars.
                                   FRANCISCO
                         "Come my Dorados. My Golden Ones!
                         Onwards. And please God, FASTER."
               To his lieutenant
                                   FRANCISCO (CONT'D)
                         "Are the others ready?"
                                   JOSE
                         "Yes Colonel Villa. They are
                         ready."
                                   FRANCISCO
                         "Good."
               Suddenly from the boiling sea in the lagoon a UFO appears,
               barely clearing the water. It struggles ungainly into the air
               and fires into the charging cavalry, who shoot back with guns
               blazing. Men and horses fall down, stricken by the laser
               pulse. Again! And again. As more men and horses fall.
                                   FRANCISCO (CONT'D)
                         "Now!"
               He fires into the air with his Winchester rifle.
                                                              CAMERA ON
               THE CLIFFS
               Men in the cliffs pull ropes and the canvas covering built
               into their cliffside redoubts fall down. Revealing cannons.
               The fire on the UFO. Again. And again. Punching holes in the
               alien craft.
               The UFO struggles higher, holes leaking smoke and fluid.
               Until suddenly ... It explodes.
                                   FRANCISCO
                         "Scum! Come to MY Country and do
                         these things. THIS is the price you
                         pay!"
                                   JOSE
                         "Is it over?"
                                   FRANCISCO
                         "For now. At least for us. And for
                         me. [pause] God willing."
               Throwing his cigar down, he looks at the carnage of his
               cavalry. Men and horses are dead. The toll is appalling.
                                   FRANCISCO (CONT'D)
                         "Come. Let us see to our Dorados.
                         They have paid a heavy price today.
                         Though those alien scum have paid
                         one heavier."
                                       ACT ONE
               EXT. A CHICAGO BUS STOP - DAY
               The heading is August, 2003 Chicago as the camera focuses on
               a bus stop. A Transit Bus comes to a hissing stop, and people
               exit on the far side of the bus hidden from the camera. The
               bus pulls away with a groan of diesel engines, revealing:
                                   DAWN
                         "OK. Wonderful neighborhood. I miss
                         Sunnydale already. At least there
                         all I had to worry about was
                         demons. Ick. I'm sweating already.
                         And Dawn ... Not good talking to
                         yourself!"
               A homeless person wanders by, muttering to herself
                                   HOMELESS WOMAN
                         "Shiny green, shiny green. I see
                         you. Not real you know. Shiny
                         green. Shiny green."
                                   DAWN
                         "Great. That's all I needed. WHERE
                         is Xander's junkyard?"
               She pulls out a map and consults it.
                                                                CUT TO:
               EXT. FARTHER UP THE STREET - DAY
               A rather effeminate boy of 16 is being pursued by a gang of
               toughs. Of around the same age. He's Latino as are his
               pursuers. He has long dark hair, a rather girlish face, and
               is very worried as his pursuers are GAINING on him. He sees
               Dawn at the bus stop as he runs from his pursuers.
               He staggers to the bus stop and asks Dawn
                                   RICKY
                         "Do you have a cell phone?"
                                   DAWN
                         "No. What's the problem?"
               The pursuing gang arrives.
                                   RICKY
                         "Oh god."
                                   DAWN
                         "What the HELL is going on."
               The gang leader is a fairly muscular boy of around 16. He's
               got tattoos on both his arms and a tough attitude. Like
               everyone else in the neighborhood except Dawn he's Latino.
                                   GANG LEADER
                         "OK Ricky. Time for your beating.
                         [he looks at him nastily] Fag."
                                   DAWN
                         "What the HELL?"
                                   GANG LEADER
                         "Get lost White Girl! Before you
                         get hurt."
               Dawn gets an angry look on her face. Trouble is starting.
                                   DAWN
                         "Like hell I will. [to Ricky] Are
                         they chasing you because ..."
                                   GANG LEADER
                         "He's a homo. And we don't WANT his
                         kind in our neighborhood."
               Dawn gets a look on her face. Thoughtful. And full of anger.
                                   DAWN
                         "Now I'm thinking YOU need a
                         beating. Big time."
               She pulls a wand out of her jacket. And shakes it to the
               ground. It's an ASP Baton. Which she uses to hit the Gang
               leader over the head with. Twice.
                                   DAWN (CONT'D)
                         "Go! NOW!"
               She pushes Ricky down the street. They turn a corner. Hop a
               fence. The gang right behind them. The Gang Leader holding
               his head and ANGRY. They cross an empty parking lot, filled
               with weeds. Dodge across a busy street into a junkyard.
               Dawn spies Xander with a crowbar in hand walking across the
               junkyard.
                                   DAWN (CONT'D)
                         "Xander! Help!"
               Xander advances as the gang pursues Dawn and Ricky into the
               Junkyard. An ANGRY look on his face.
                                   XANDER
                         "And here I though today was going
                         to be boring."
               To Dawn
                                   XANDER (CONT'D)
                         "Dawn. There's a monkey wrench
                         behind me. Nearly as good as a
                         mace."
               Dawn grabs the monkey wrench and stands off to Xander's blind
               side. She's ready and waiting.
                                   DAWN
                         "Gotcha."
               To Ricky
                                   DAWN (CONT'D)
                         "Get behind us."
                                                                CUT TO:
               INT. A MILITARY COMMAND POST - DAY
               A large military command post in an underground bunker is
               manned by various uniformed personnel. Several monitors are
               tracking the progress of a object heading towards Chicago
               from outer space. Both the object's terminal point and the
               orbital insertion are displayed in a rotating three
               dimensional wire frame.
                                   GRAHAM
                         "Is it confirmed?"
                                   SOLDIER AT MONITOR
                         "Yes sir. Ohject has decelerated
                         around the Moon, inserted into
                         Earth orbit, and is descending."
                                   GRAHAM
                         "Terminal point?"
                                   SOLDIER AT MONITOR
                         "Chicago Sir. Likely Lake
                         Michigan."
                                   GRAHAM
                         "Then it's started."
               He picks up a phone.
                                   GRAHAM
                         "Get me the President. They've come
                         back."
                                                                CUT TO:
               INT. A DINER - DAY
               Willow and Kennedy are a table in a greasy, Chicago diner.
               Buffy is standing at the table taking their order.
                                   BUFFY
                         "So? You want fries with that?"
                                   WILLOW
                         "I don't think so Buffy. Just a
                         coke. What about you Kennedy?"
                                   KENNEDY
                         "No I'm good thanks."
               Willow and Kennedy are holding hands underneath the table.
               Buffy sees this. And pouts a bit until she sees a handsome
               biker. He's at the front counter, ordering. He's rugged,
               handsome, and has a three day old stubble. He smiles
               charmingly at Buffy. Who smiles back.
                                   WILLOW
                         "Hey, Earth to Buffy? You're not
                         thinking of askingn out THAT guy
                         are you?"
                                   BUFFY
                         "Oh no. Certainly not. Especially
                         since Giles wants me to go to
                         England and help him and Andrew
                         rebuild the Council. [pause] God
                         with Andrew the Council will be
                         more annoying than ever."
               She turns back to Willow.
                                   WILLOW
                         "And besides, you were gonna go out
                         with Xander tonight? I mean it
                         would be nice. You. And Xander. And
                         stuff. After Anya. And Spike. Nice.
                         [a pause] And I'm shutting up now."
                                   BUFFY
                         "Oh yeah. Xander. I'd forgotten.
                         Yeah I can hang with him. [she
                         looks over at the biker again
                         longingly] I guess."
               Kennedy looks at Buffy
                                   KENNEDY
                         "I thought he was your friend? How
                         come you haven't done the nasty
                         with him? [a smile] Or have we
                         corrupted you?"
               Buffy's taken aback
                                   BUFFY
                         "You HAVE been hanging with Faith
                         too long. Good thing Faith and
                         Robin went to Cleveland already.
                         Xander IS my friend. He's just ..."
                                   WILLOW
                         "You're friend?"
                                   BUFFY
                         "Right. I mean come on ... He's
                         Xander. He's gonna be alright. He
                         can handle stuff. And he's just ...
                         Well Xander."
               Kennedy looks at Buffy with new insight
                                   KENNEDY
                         "You mean you're not interested."
                                   BUFFY
                         "Exactly. He's not ... Romantic."
                                   KENNEDY
                         "Not like that guy over there?"
                                   BUFFY
                         "Well, I like my men ... sorta
                         mysterious. And well ... men.
                         Xander ... He's one of the girls."
               Kennedy snorts at this.
                                   BUFFY
                         "You know what I mean. Guys, they
                         have to have some mystery to them.
                         Xander is just a nice guy. No
                         surprises. I like surprises."
                                   WILLOW
                         "Yeah I know."
                                   BUFFY
                         "Hey! Not fair. Besides Xander's
                         never been evil. And I like my men
                         with a touch of evil."
               Seeing Willow's look Buffy adds.
                                   BUFFY
                         "Just a touch though. JUST a touch.
                         No more vampires for Buffy."
                                   WILLOW
                         "So you ARE gonna hang out with
                         Xander tonight? He seems so down
                         lately. All he does is go to that
                         Junkyard or watch reruns."
               Buffy shoots Willow a look
                                   BUFFY
                         "Have I EVER let my friends down."
               Buffy goes over to the counter and starts flirting
               shamelessly with the biker. Kennedy and Willow observe this.
                                   KENNEDY
                         "Five bucks says she dumps Xander
                         tonight for that Biker."
                                   WILLOW
                         "UH uh. No takers. Hey! Maybe we
                         can hang with him for a while?"
                                   KENNEDY
                         "Willow! I thought tonight was our
                         romantic night? He'll be OK."
                                   WILLOW
                         "Are you sure? This Anya thing and
                         his eye? It hit him pretty hard."
                                   KENNEDY
                         "Sure. I mean he's got his friends,
                         right?"
                                                                CUT TO:
               EXT. THE JUNKYARD - DAY
               The two groups stare out at each other. Dawn and Xander are
               standing next to each other.
                                   GANG LEADER
                         "You're in a lotta trouble White
                         Boy. And you're gonna get a beating
                         little girl."
               Dawn snorts at this.
                                   XANDER
                         "As opposed to before?"
               He gestures to his eyepatch.
                                   XANDER (CONT'D)
                         "You chase a friend of mine into MY
                         Junkyard. And I'm in a real pissy
                         mood."
                                   GANG LEADER
                         "Walk away. You don't get hurt. We
                         OWN this neighborhood."
               Hefting his crowbar.
                                   XANDER
                         "And here I thought it was Mayor
                         Daley."
               Pulling out a Makarov pistol and pointing it at Xander.
                                   GANG LEADER
                         "You better walk away. Now."
               Xander smiles. It's NOT pretty.
                                   XANDER
                         "Like I care? Dead here or dead in
                         Sunnydale. All the same to me."
               He advances towards the group.
                                   DAWN
                         "Xander! No."
               Suddenly a man steps forward from off camera. He's got a
               careworn face with well worn clothing from another era. An
               era of horseback. And rifles.
               He has on a rather battered hat, is chomping a badly chewed
               cigar, and is hefting a rather large bore Winchester rifle.
               Which is pointed directly at the Gang Leader.
                                   FRANCISCO
                         "I think you had better leave now.
                         This rifle would leave a very large
                         hole in your heart."
               He smiles at this.
                                   GANG LEADER
                         "This isn't your ..."
               He trails off as he looks at the calm and deadly demeanor of
               the man with the rifle pointed directly at him.
                                   GANG LEADER (CONT'D)
                         "Forget it. Later Ricky. Later. [he
                         pauses and looks at Dawn and
                         Xander] And I'll catch you two
                         later. This is our neighborhood."
               The gang leaves sullenly.
               There is an awkward pause.
                                   RICKY
                         "Thanks. Those guys were gonna beat
                         me for sure."
                                   XANDER
                         "Why were they after you?"
               Angrily.
                                   DAWN
                         "Cause he's gay."
                                   XANDER
                         "So?"
                                   RICKY
                         "Not too popular in THIS
                         neighborhood."
               Dawn holds out her hand. So does Xander.
                                   DAWN
                         "I'm Dawn."
                                   XANDER
                         "I'm Xander."
                                   RICKY
                         "Ricky."
               They all shake hands.
               Xander, Dawn, and Ricky look at the man with the rifle.
               Questioning.
                                   XANDER (CONT'D)
                         "Thanks for the save. It was very
                         Burt Lancaster of you. [a pause]
                         That was a joke. Never want to
                         offend a man with rifle."
                                   DAWN
                         "Thanks. [shooting Xander a look of
                         concern] Things could have gone ...
                         Badly without you here. Mr?"
                                   FRANCISCO
                         "My name is Francisco Villa. But
                         you Miss Summers, and you Alexander
                         Harris, [a pause] and of course you
                         Ricky, may call me Francisco."
                                   DAWN
                         "How did you know? How did you know
                         my name?"
                                   RICKY
                         "You know me?"
                                   XANDER
                         "Say! You're not some evil thing
                         from Sunnydale are you? Cause hey,
                         been there, done that, got my eye
                         poked out."
                                   FRANCISCO
                         "Ah well, that's a very good story.
                         About knowing all of you. But I'm
                         here to help."
               He slaps both Xander and Dawn across their backs. It's a
               hearty slap since Francisco has put some weight behind it.
                                   DAWN
                         "Help with what? Those gang
                         members?"
                                   XANDER
                         "Not that, ah we don't appreciate
                         the help of the Mexican Chuck
                         Connors. Who somehow knows our
                         names."
                                   DAWN
                         "Xander. You have GOT to stop
                         watching TV Land."
                                   XANDER
                         "Hey. One eyed guys get their
                         social life where they can."
               Looking a bit puzzled, Francisco points to the sky.
                                   FRANCISCO
                         "No. I'm here to help. With that."
               A pause. Then, a spacecraft similar to the one seen before
               streaks across the sky, low, heading for Lake Michigan. The
               air is filled with the pulsing sounds of the spacecraft.
                                   FRANCISCO (CONT'D)
                         "They've come back. The aliens have
                         returned. And only you Dawn
                         Summers, you Alexander Harris, and
                         you Ricky Cortez, can stop them."
                                   XANDER
                         "Oh crap."
                                   DAWN
                         "I TOLD Buffy we should never have
                         left California."
               Ricky is looking dumbfounded.
                                   RICKY
                         "Aliens. OK. WHAT THE ..."
                                       ACT TWO
               EXT. THE JUNKYARD - DAY
               Everyone is standing around not knowing what to say. Dawn
               attempts to break the silence by hitting Francisco.
                                   FRANCISCO
                         "Hey. Stop that."
                                   DAWN
                         "Xander! I can touch him."
                                   RICKY
                         "So?"
                                   XANDER
                         "So he's not the First."
                                   FRANCISCO
                         "The First what?"
                                   DAWN
                         "The First Evil. And Xander, do we
                         KNOW he's not working for it? He
                         KNOWS our names."
                                   XANDER
                         "Good point."
                                   FRANCISCO
                         "The First Evil? No."
               He laughs
                                   FRANCISCO (CONT'D)
                         "I don't work for THAT. I work for
                         her. The Mother."
                                   XANDER
                         "OK, I'm going to regret this.
                         Whose mother?"
                                   FRANCISCO
                         "The earth of course. The mother of
                         us all. She wants you to defend
                         her. From them. And other threats."
               Dawn's not buying this. She asks him skeptically with arms
               crossed defensively.
                                   DAWN
                         "Why are you here? With us? Why not
                         the Slayer? She has the power.
                         We're just ..."
                                   XANDER
                         "A one eyed guy and girl from
                         Sunnydale."
                                   RICKY
                         "Sunnydale? The town that
                         disappeared?"
                                   XANDER
                         "Pretty much."
               Francisco interrupts, urgently.
                                   FRANCISCO
                         "Dawn Summers. The Earth has called
                         you. To her defense. YOU are
                         needed. You. Mr. Harris. And YOU
                         Mr. Cortez. The earth needs you."
                                   RICKY
                         "OK. NOT what I was expecting."
                                   FRANCISCO
                         "Your sister the slayer, Faith,
                         Kennedy, even the Witch, Willow ...
                         They can do nothing. Leaders,
                         defenders are needed. NOT the
                         slayer."
               He pauses.
                                   FRANCISCO (CONT'D)
                         "The monks who created you knew
                         better than the Knights. It is Dawn
                         Summers who is needed. And I am
                         truly sorry for that, but it cannot
                         be helped."
                                   XANDER
                         "Wait a minute. What can Dawn and I
                         and ... Ricky? Right?"
                                   RICKY
                         "Yeah. Ricky."
                                   XANDER
                         "Sorry."
                                   RICKY
                         "No problem."
                                   XANDER
                         "What can we do? And let me say
                         Aliens? Not that sucky Aliens
                         Resurrection Movie by any chance?
                         [he pauses]  We don't have any
                         power?"
                                   FRANCISCO
                         "You can stop them. The aliens.
                         From stealing people, and doing ...
                         Doing I do not know what. But it's
                         bad. The Earth doesn't like it."
                                   DAWN
                         "With what?"
                                   FRANCISCO
                         "You are a leader. So is he
                         [pointing to Xander]; and so is he
                         [pointing to Ricky]"
               Dawn doesn't buy this and raises an eyebrow.
                                   FRANCISCO (CONT'D)
                         "With my men, my Dorados, and only
                         a few cannon, I destroyed those
                         scum the last time they came. It's
                         why the Earth sent me to you. To
                         advise you. To help you."
                                   RICKY
                         "Ah, you are some sort of ... "
                                   FRANCISCO
                         "I am Francisco Villa. Doubtless
                         you know me."
                                   RICKY
                         "Are you like ... no offense Felix
                         Arellano? Or ..."
               Angrily he's cutting Ricky off.
                                   FRANCISCO
                         "You are born in this country?
                         Correct? [Ricky nods]. If you were
                         a Mexican you'd recognize me. I
                         suppose your parents were not
                         Nortenos. [Sigh] Well it cannot be
                         helped I suppose.
                         [More vigorously] I was NEVER a
                         bandit. That was lies. Spread by
                         that bastard Carranza. I was a
                         patriot of the ..."
               He breaks off seeing that NO ONE has any idea of what he's
               talking about.
                                   FRANCISCO (CONT'D)
                         "Never mind. [Sadly] It doesn't
                         matter now. We have other things at
                         hand."
                                   DAWN
                         "OK, let's  start again. WHY can't
                         the slayer just ... "
                                   FRANCISCO
                         "Slay? [Dawn nods] Because the
                         aliens, they come from VERY far
                         away. From another world, orbiting
                         a different sun. Magic, slayers,
                         even demons and vampires ... They
                         just stop around them."
               He pauses and decides to tell of this:
                                   FRANCISCO (CONT'D)
                         "We had a brujo. A very powerful
                         one. He tried to cast a spell on
                         them. HE lost all his magic and
                         cried for days. We tried to set a
                         demon on them. It just ...
                         Vanished."
                                   XANDER
                         "So you are saying ..."
               Looking at Dawn intently.
                                   FRANCISCO
                         "Against this threat ... Your
                         sister Buffy Summers is just a
                         girl. And her friend  is worse than
                         useless."
               Xander's tired of this; angry at the world, and not wanting
               another stupid fight.
                                   XANDER
                         "Look. Thanks for the help with
                         those guys. And the Clint Eastwood
                         look? Definitely you. But we're
                         just ordinary people.
                         All we've got is a junkyard. And a
                         half built trebuchet."
                                   DAWN
                         "Can I see it? I mean you're really
                         building it? For the competition?"
                                   RICKY
                         "Trebu ... What?"
                                   DAWN
                         "Trebuchet. It's a medieval siege
                         engine. Xander and I are building
                         it ... For this contest. Winner
                         gets a thousand bucks."
                                   XANDER
                         "And a chance to compete in
                         Junkyard Wars."
                                   RICKY
                         "Cool. I always wanted to be on
                         that show. Well that or Trading
                         Spaces."
                                   XANDER
                         "Oh yeah did you see that one where
                         they redid the house in a nautical
                         motif ... "
               Looking at Dawn
                                   XANDER (CONT'D)
                         "I REALLY need to stop watching
                         TLC."
               Dawn's sorting at this
                                   DAWN
                         "We need some help with the
                         Trebuchet. And a third person for
                         the team IF we ..."
                                   XANDER
                         "Win. To compete in Junkyard Wars."
                                   RICKY
                         "Hey! I'm in. This Buffy? She's
                         your sister? And some sort of ...
                         Superchick?"
                                   DAWN
                         "Pretty much."
                                   RICKY
                         "Like all those girls on TV?
                         Throwing cars around and stuff?"
                                   XANDER
                         "Buffy's never ACTUALLY thrown a
                         car around."
                                   DAWN
                         "She did fight a hell god once
                         though."
                                   XANDER
                         "And don't forget Adam."
                                   RICKY
                         "Adam?"
                                   XANDER
                         "This Frankenstein Monster."
                                   DAWN
                         "And there was the Mayor. Turned
                         into a giant Snake and tried to eat
                         the town."
                                   XANDER
                         "Oh and the Master."
                                   DAWN
                         "A vampire. Then there was Angel.
                         Buffy's boyfriend. ALSO a vampire."
                                   XANDER
                         "When he was evil."
                                   DAWN
                         "Xander [laughing] he was ALWAYS
                         evil."
                                   XANDER
                         "That's true. God I ..."
                                   DAWN
                         "Miss that?"
                                   XANDER
                         "Yeah. Good times."
               Dawn and Xander smile at each other. Remembering the the
               closeness they felt then, and their lost home.
               Ricky's puzzled.
                                   RICKY
                         "OK. You guys are all officially
                         WEIRDER than I am."
                                   XANDER
                         "Of course."
                                   DAWN
                         "Hell yeah."
               Dawn sees Francisco poking about in the Junkyard, looking for
               the Trebuchet it seems. He turns the corner and finds it.
                                   DAWN
                         "Hey. What are you doing?"
                                   FRANCISCO
                         "This, this is .... [he pauses and
                         smiles at the approaching Xander,
                         Dawn, and Ricky] ... EXCELLENT."
                                   XANDER
                         "Ah what?"
                                   FRANCISCO
                         "You've made this ... Mostly out of
                         wood. And stones for the
                         counterweight."
               He points to the wood frame, with much lashings of rope, peg
               and glue construction, the only anachronistic elements being
               large rubber tires mounted on the bottom of the frame.
               Dawn smiles at him
                                   DAWN
                         "Always the craftsman Xander."
               She touches his arm affectionately. Which makes Xander happy
               and proud.
                                   XANDER
                         "Hey. Ex carpenter here. Of course
                         it's wood.
                                   FRANCISCO
                         "The aliens ... They are good at
                         detecting metal. But this ... This
                         is WOOD. And Stone. They won't
                         discover it. Until it's too late."
                                   XANDER
                         "Hate to disappoint you, but this
                         thing can't hit what we just saw.
                         It was too high and too fast."
                                   FRANCISCO
                         "It doesn't  need to. They're in
                         the lake."
                                   RICKY
                         "Why would Aliens be in Lake
                         Michigan?"
                                   FRANCISCO
                         "Because the air, it ... Corrodes
                         their ship, their metal, their
                         devices. They have to HIDE in
                         water. And we can hit them when
                         they come out. [he pauses] it's how
                         I beat them when I fought them.
                         They are vulnerable then. They
                         can't move fast."
                                   RICKY
                         "OK, ten minutes ago I was running
                         from the neighborhood tough guys
                         who don't like ..."
                                   XANDER
                         "My best friend  is gay. It's
                         cool."
                                   DAWN
                         "Yeah it's cool."
                                   RICKY
                         "And now we're talking about
                         fighting aliens with ..."
                                   FRANCISCO
                         "Me. Francisco Villa. [A few words
                         in Spanish to Ricky who looks at
                         him uncomprehendingly]"
                                   RICKY
                         "Sorry man. Don't speak Spanish. I
                         was born here."
                                   FRANCISCO
                         "So it would seem. Do not worry.
                         You will not fight alone. The
                         neighborhood that pursued you will
                         turn to you. Soon."
               He turns to them all and and takes his hat off and bows
               slightly.
                                   FRANCISCO
                         "I will see you all soon. I must
                         arrange our weapons."
               And with that he takes his leave, lighting a cigar and with a
               certain sauntering air as he walks away.
                                   DAWN
                         "I told you we should never have
                         left California. And did I mention?
                         Freezing cold in January?"
                                   XANDER
                         "Don't remind me."
                                                                CUT TO:
               EXT. A HELICOPTER OVER LAKE MICHIGAN - DAY
               Graham is looking out over Lake Michigan with large
               binoculars. He's thoughful. A uniformed Navy enlisted man
               approaches him.
                                   NAVY NONCOM
                         "Sir. We can't find them. But radar
                         DEFINITELY tracked them to Lake
                         Michigan. So far we haven't been
                         able to locate them with Sonar, but
                         the thermal gradient could be
                         hiding them. Or they could be in
                         amongst the shipwrecks. There are
                         literally hundreds around here."
                                   GRAHAM
               "Keep looking. Use the standard grid pattern."
                                   NAVY NONCOM
                         "And when the Press asks"
                                   GRAHAM
                         "Anti-terrorist drills. That should
                         hold them for about a day. Maybe
                         two."
                                   NAVY NONCOM
                         "Sir?"
                                   GRAHAM
                         "Yes?"
                                   NAVY NONCOM
                         "A lot of us ... We have families
                         here Sir."
                                   GRAHAM
                         "And?"
                                   NAVY NONCOM
                         "Is this going to be another
                         Sunnydale? Another LA? If you are
                         worried about leaks it's gonna
                         start with this. People are scared.
                         For their families Sir."
               He sighs.
                                   GRAHAM
                         "No. Tell the men it's not LA. Not
                         Sunnydale. No magic involved. Not a
                         bit. Just your 100% normal Alien
                         Invasion."
                                   NAVY NONCOM
                         "Thank you Sir."
                                                                CUT TO:
               INT. A DINER - DAY
               Buffy is flirting shamelessly with the biker.
                                   BUFFY
                         "So. What's your name?"
                                   MACK
                         "Mack. And yours?"
                                   BUFFY
                         "I'm Buffy."
                                   MACK
                         "Nice to meet you Buffy."
                                   BUFFY
                         "Same here. I mean to meet. You
                         that it is."
               She smiles at Mack. It's a winning and seductive smile.
                                   MACK
                         "Are you new here? I haven't seen
                         you around before?"
                                   BUFFY
                         "Yeah. We moved here after
                         Sunnydale ..."
                                   MACK
                         "Disappeared?"
                                   BUFFY
                         "Pretty much."
                                   MACK
                         "We?"
                                   BUFFY
                         "I moved here  with my sister. And
                         some friends."
                                   MACK
                         "So. You wanna go out tonight?"
                                   BUFFY
                         "Sure. I get off in a couple of
                         hours."
                                   MACK
                         "Sounds cool."
                                                                CUT TO:
               INT. A WAREHOUSE - NIGHT
               A console with various switches and and monitors is being
               operated by a shadowy figure. As the camera pulls back it's
               revealed to be a figure in a dull grey space suit, the helmet
               covered with a reflective silvery sheen masking the features
               of the being inside it. Slowly and with great care the figure
               takes a device looking like a handgun crossed with a Palm
               Pilot, touches the display screen to adjust the device. The
               figure walks over to the a large metal container.
               He peers through the window, and picks up another device. The
               camera sees the heat signatures of ten human beings.
               Including one by the door. The figure sees this and points
               the device at the figure by the door, then the other figures.
               We seem them drop as thermal images one by one.
               The figure opens the door. The room is filled with teenagers.
               Boys and girls.
               One of the girls awakes from her unconcious state, and sees
               the figure dragging the boy who stood by the door. She
               screams, loud and long, as she's struggling to get to her
               feet. The figure points his device at her and she's suddenly
               still. Very still. The figure drags first the boy out, and
               straps him to the table. The figure then drags the girl out.
               He does  not strap her to the adjoining table.
               He instead goes to a panel in the wall. And takes out of it
               various containers and a very sharp looking scalpel. He
               returns to the form of the very still girl, and proceeds to
               cut her open. The boy regains a small measure of
               conciousness. He screams as he sees the girl being cut open.
                                                                CUT TO:
               EXT. THE JUNKYARD - NIGHT
               There are floodlights on the still unfinished Trebuchet. Dawn
               and Xander are hauling some large timber frames to add to the
               trebuchet. Various small metal bits for the hook and trigger
               are lying about, as well as various power tools. They take a
               break from the work. Dawn and Xander wiping sweat from their
               brows.
                                   DAWN
                         "Sorry Buffy stood you up Xander."
                                   XANDER
                         "Hey. That's OK. I got my best pal
                         with me helping."
               Dawn brightens at this.
                                   DAWN
                         "Really? I'm your best pal?"
                                   XANDER
                         "Really. [he pauses to smile at
                         her] You know that."
                                   DAWN
                         "Buffy and Willow ... They're just
                         ..."
                                   XANDER
                         "Uncomfortable with me?"
                                   DAWN
                         "Xander ... See these scars?"
               She holds out her wrists.
                                   XANDER
                         "What scars Dawnie? I don't see
                         any."
                                   DAWN
                         "That's cause you're not looking.
                         Xander ... Buffy sees them EVERY
                         day. So does Willow. Anyone I meet,
                         even Ricky ... They know I tried to
                         kill myself in the first five
                         seconds."
                                   XANDER
                         "Anyone that knows you wouldn't
                         care. I don't care."
                                   DAWN
                         "And I don't care about your eye.
                         Same thing. You still look the same
                         to me."
               She hugs Xander, it's a long and strong hug. Xander's eye
               moistens. SOMEONE still loves him.
                                   DAWN (CONT'D)
                         "Xander?"
                                   XANDER
                         "Yes?"
               She looks up at him. Troubled.
                                   DAWN
                         "Are you trying to commit suicide?"
               Xander's appalled. He pulls away.
                                   XANDER
                         "What?"
                                   DAWN
                         "Don't bullshit the Suicide Queen
                         Xander. [She holds up her wrists]
                         The other day? With those guys
                         after Ricky? Looked like it to me."
                                   XANDER
                         "No. Dawnie no I just ..."
               Pissed off with the wrath of Dawnie
                                   DAWN
                         "Just goddam DON'T. Don't ever.
                         [she  pauses] I NEED you Xander.
                         You're all I've got."
                                   XANDER
                         "Hey ... You're talking about Mr.
                         Happy here. And besides, you've got
                         Buffy, and Willow and ..."
                                   DAWN
                         "Xander I've just got you. I lost
                         Mom. I lost Tara. I lost Cassie. I
                         lost Molly, and Amanda. And we lost
                         Anya. [she places her  hand on his
                         arm] Xander I know how much you
                         hurt. We left Sunnydale with
                         NOTHING. [she pauses] I don't even
                         have a picture of Mom or Tara. I
                         can't even ... visit their graves.
                         It's all gone."
               She paces away a bit
                                   DAWN
                         "I love Buffy. But I know, I know
                         she doesn't love me. Not the same
                         way. Not any more. Not like she
                         used to. [bitterly] She still talks
                         about Spike all the time."
                                   XANDER
                         "I know it's tough Dawnie. I know."
               He's close to crying now.
                                   DAWN
                         "So you see, I need you. Besides,
                         Anya made me promise. To ... Look
                         after you. If anything happened to
                         her."
               Xander's stunned by this.
                                   DAWN
                         "You don't want me to break my
                         promise now do you?"
               She smiles up at him.
                                   XANDER
                         "She made you promise?"
                                   DAWN
                         "Xander ... no one who loved you
                         could ever try to hurt you, to try
                         and kill you ... Like she did."
               Xander starts to say something, but Dawn cuts him off.
                                   DAWN (CONT'D)
                         "She knew it was wrong, and that
                         she hurt you, hurt you bad. She
                         didn't want you to ..."
               Huskily he asks Dawn
                                   XANDER
                         "What did she tell you?"
                                   DAWN
                         "What you told her. God Xander
                         you're not your Father. You do
                         stupid things all the time but
                         that's not one of them. You're not
                         the guy who hits women. It's why I
                         love you."
                                   XANDER
                         "I do stupid things?"
               Hugging him again and looking in his face.
                                   DAWN
                         "Yeah."
                                   XANDER
                         "And you love me?"
                                   DAWN
                         "Of course. Even when you're being
                         stupid. But don't be stupid
                         anymore. Or else."
                                   XANDER
                         "Or else what?"
                                   DAWN
                         "I'll have to do something stupid
                         too."
               She gives him a searching look, playfulness mixed with
               ironclad determination.
                                   XANDER
                         "I'll try not to be stupid."
                                   DAWN
                         "Better. Besides. I need you to
                         watch my back. I don't trust this
                         Francisco 'I work for the Earth'
                         guy, and it was a bit too
                         convenient that Ricky showed up."
                                   XANDER
                         "Are you saying?"
               Dawn hugs him closer. She looks intently at him.
                                   DAWN
                         "I need you to watch my back
                         Xander. And I don't trust anyone
                         else to do it. Not even Buffy. [She
                         smiles] Be happy to watch YOURS."
               Ricky arrives and clears his throat.
               Dawn and Xander break their hug, which had perhaps threatened
               to turn into something else.
                                   XANDER
                         "Hey Ricky."
                                   DAWN
                         "Ricky"
               Quickly changing pace, Xander asks ...
                                   XANDER
                         "Hey Ricky, You want to give me a
                         hand with this?"
               He motions towards the large timber.
                                   RICKY
                         "Sure."
               Xander strips off his shirt, it's getting hot as the work
               pace increases. Xander and Ricky wrestle the timber into
               place as Dawn watches with great interest, a smile on her
               face.
               Francisco appears before Dawn, and nods at Dawn's interest in
               Xander.
                                   FRANCISCO
                         "So it would appear you have an
                         interest? In seige engines of
                         course."
                                   DAWN
                         "Of course."
                                   FRANCISCO
                         "He is dangerous you know. Never
                         forget that."
                                   DAWN
                         "Ricky?"
                                   FRANCISCO
                         "No. The other one. Xander. The one
                         you are thinking of taking to bed."
                                   DAWN
                         "What the hell? And excuse you."
                                   FRANCISCO
                         "I was  young once too. And he has
                         his advantages. For you. As a
                         leader. Of men [he pauses] and of
                         course women as well."
               Xander and Ricky are hard at work. Power tools making noise
               and totally engrossed in their work. They don't notice
               Francisco talking to Dawn.
                                   DAWN
                         "Again with this leader stuff.
                         Wrong sister. You want Buffy.
                         Short, blonde, beautiful, POWERFUL.
                         Dates dead guys."
                                   FRANCISCO
                         "I can see this will be difficult.
                         Perhaps it's only fair. I handled
                         it little better when I found out.
                         [he pauses] It was thought that El
                         Cid and that bandit Juaquin
                         Murietta would appeal to me. El Cid
                         was a snob, and Murietta a drunken
                         pig. I was neither. I was a
                         revolutionary and a patriot and
                         ..."
               Seeing Dawn's puzzled look.
                                   DAWN
                         "Again with the huh?"
                                   FRANCISCO
                         "The Earth has always had
                         defenders. You know the story, the
                         demons? They were here first?"
                                   DAWN
                         "Giles 101. I got that."
                                   FRANCISCO
                         "And that the Earth did not love
                         them? They came from ... elsewhere.
                         They were not wanted. Parasites. So
                         the Earth created us. Her children.
                         Mankind."
                                   DAWN
                         "So we pushed them out? I thought
                         we came from somewhere else?"
                                   FRANCISCO
                         "No. We came from the Earth.
                         Created to love and defend her. We
                         are her children. Though perhaps we
                         do not always love or defend her
                         enough. Still, she loves us beyond
                         all reason."
                                   DAWN
                         "Because we are her ... Children?"
                                   FRANCISCO
                         "Yes that is the way of it. And
                         among these children, are those who
                         are special, important."
               With a bit of jealousy.
                                   DAWN
                         "The Slayer."
                                   FRANCISCO
                         "No. NOT the Slayer. She IS
                         important, but she is not ... Have
                         you ever been to the Circus?"
                                   DAWN
                         "The Circus? When I was little. My
                         Dad took Buffy and me to see it in
                         LA when I was ... Well he didn't
                         really."
                                   FRANCISCO
                         "Yes I know. Your memories, they
                         are not ..."
                                   DAWN
                         "Real."
                                   FRANCISCO
                         "But you are. You are perhaps the
                         greatest of us all. You see in the
                         circus ... There  is the main
                         event. And then there is the
                         sideshow. I saw Barnum's circus in
                         El Paso once. The sideshow was VERY
                         entertaining. Bearded ladies,
                         dwarves, a man who could bend
                         himself backwards into ..."
                                   DAWN
                         "Gross!"
                                   FRANCISCO
                         "But it was NOT the main event. The
                         Slayer has her role, she always had
                         it, but it was never the main
                         event. That's you. Your sister, the
                         Slayer?"
               Comprehending
                                   DAWN
                         "Buffy was just the sideshow?"
                                   FRANCISCO
                         "And you are the main event."
                                   DAWN
                         "What am I then? Slayer Junior?"
                                   FRANCISCO
                         "No. The leader. In time of need
                         the Earth has always had one.
                         Hammurabi, King Arthur, Robin Hood,
                         El Cid, Wyatt Earp, even for a very
                         short time ... Me."
                                   DAWN
                         "Then why me? I don't have  any
                         powers?"
                                   FRANCISCO
                         "Powers are not needed. In fact
                         they are a drawback.
                         A leader must ... Lead. Powers get
                         in the way of that. Besides ... You
                         are the Key."
                                   DAWN
                         "But I don't open anything
                         anymore."
                                   FRANCISCO
                         "Yes you do. Your human potential.
                         You will become simply ... More of
                         Dawn Summers. Smarter. Tougher.
                         Able to learn things quicker. Like
                         languages. Or fighting."
                                                                CUT TO:
               INT. A CHICAGO NIGHTCLUB - NIGHT
               Buffy and Mack are seated at the bar. It's noisy and smoky.
               Buffy smiles winningly at Mack.
                                   MACK
                         "Want to get a free drink?"
                                   BUFFY
                         "Sure!"
                                   MACK
                         "Watch this."
               He approaches a slightly built guy who's nursing a beer and
               looking hopefully around for any unattached girls. Mack looms
               over him with a grim look on his face.
                                   MACK (CONT'D)
                         "You've been looking at my
                         girlfriend."
                                   GUY
                         "Ah. No I haven't."
               Placing his hand on the guys shoulder and SQUEEZING hard Mack
               looks in his eyes only inches from his face.
                                   MACK
                         "Yes you have. And unless you buy
                         me and my girlfriend this next
                         round I'm gonna pound you so hard
                         you won't be able to [noise  drowns
                         out his words] for a week. Mother
                         [noise drowns out the rest]
                                   GUY
                         "Hey man. Really. I didn't ... One
                         round? On me?"
                                   MACK
                         "And make sure you tip the
                         bartender. He's gotta put up with
                         your puke."
               Mack winks  to the bartender. As the guy hands the bartender
               his credit card.
                                   GUY
                         "Hey. A round for this guy and his
                         girlfriend."
               Mack returns to Buffy.
                                   BUFFY
                         "What did you say to him?"
                                   MACK
                         "Oh he's a guy I know. I asked him
                         to buy us a round and he did. I'm
                         real popular around here."
                                   BUFFY
                         "Hey that's great!"
                                                                CUT TO:
               EXT. THE JUNKYARD - NIGHT
               Dawn and Francisco are continuing their conversation. Not
               very happily for Dawn.
                                   DAWN
                         "Then the monks?"
                                   FRANCISCO
                         "Acted as the Earth wanted. The Key
                         can be neither created nor
                         destroyed. It is nearly as old as
                         the Earth itself. And wrapped
                         inside YOU it makes you more ...
                         Dangerous."
                                   DAWN
                         "I don't want to be dangerous."
                                   FRANCISCO
                         "And I didn't want to ... Never
                         mind.
                         The Earth wants and needs you
                         dangerous. To defend her. It's why
                         it sent me. Besides helping you
                         defeat the aliens I am to advise
                         you, and train you a little."
                                   DAWN
                         "Advise me?"
                                   FRANCISCO
                         "Yes. Xander has his advantages. He
                         is not divisive like your Sister's
                         boyfriends, and is loyal. He can
                         help smooth out arguments among
                         your followers. He did this for
                         your sister. Correct?"
                                   DAWN
                         "How did you know?"
                                   FRANCISCO
                         "The Earth told me. But for all
                         that he is too dangerous. I advise
                         letting him get himself killed. It
                         is the best course."
                                   DAWN
                         "What? What in hell are you talking
                         about?"
                                   FRANCISCO
                         "He is attractive, but he is older.
                         And missing an eye. Perhaps one day
                         you will wish for someone younger,
                         stronger, healthier. If you have
                         taken him as your ... You cannot
                         undo that. Take my advise in this
                         matter, one's lover can be VERY
                         jealous at just the wrong time. And
                         betray you."
               Dawn is not happy with this advice.
                                   DAWN
                         "So I should?"
                                   FRANCISCO
                         "Let him die. You will feel his
                         loss, but you will not be
                         vulnerable to jealousy, or fear for
                         his life. He will be already dead.
                         And your enemies cannot touch you
                         through him. [he smiles] Besides,
                         you can take many lovers.
                         You will be alone of course. But it
                         is for the best. Trust me this is
                         the best way."
               Dawn's been simmering at slow boil. Now she's blowing up in
               anger. She jabs her fingers into Francisco's chest as she
               makes her points.
                                   DAWN
                         "So you are gonna advise me on my
                         lovelife? Who I'm gonna sleep with
                         or not?"
                                   FRANCISCO
                         "It's my job. There will be
                         others."
                                   DAWN
                         "Tell them to go away. I don't WANT
                         to be this great leader, the ..."
               Helpfully he adds
                                   FRANCISCO
                         "Defender. Protector of the Earth."
                                   DAWN
                         "Tell them I quit. Get someone
                         else."
                                   FRANCISCO
                         "You can't quit."
                                   DAWN
                         "Like hell I can't."
               Xander and Ricky turn away from their work, noticing
               Francisco and Dawn's angry reaction.
                                   DAWN
                         "Xander we're getting out of here."
                                   XANDER
                         "What's wrong?"
                                   DAWN
                         "This guy is offering me Buffy's
                         deal. Guess what?"
                                   XANDER
                         "You don't want it?"
                                   DAWN
                         "Yeah. [Turning to Francisco] See?"
                                   RICKY
                         "You mean you get superpowers like
                         your sister? [a pause] Are we
                         fighting vampires? I thought it was
                         Aliens."
               Suddenly a group of neighborhood toughs, the same ones that
               chased Ricky earlier, burst into the Junkyard. There are a
               LOT more of them and they have baseball bats in their hands.
                                   GANG LEADER
                         "OK Ricky. We said later. And here
                         it is. Later."
                                   RICKY
                         "Hey Martin. Leave these guys out
                         of it OK?"
                                   GANG LEADER (MARTIN)
                         "Uh uh. Time for you and your gay
                         friends to learn who runs this
                         neighborhood."
               Xander casually picks up an axe. This one's made for cutting
               wood not combat but he figures it will do. He starts swinging
               it back and forth, building up speed as he presents a
               formidable, berserker like appearance.
               Seeing this the Martin sneers
                                   MARTIN
                         "So you got your boyfriend to back
                         you Ricky? You're still gonna get a
                         beating."
                                   DAWN
                         "No. He's MY boyfriend."
               She's got a crowbar in hand. And has moved oh so casually to
               Xander's blind side. A somewhat nasty smile on her face.
                                   DAWN
                         "Now I'M in a real pissed off
                         mood."
                                   XANDER
                         "Ricky get behind us. Dawn, just
                         like at Sunnydale High. We'll take
                         them out. Can't be tougher than
                         vamps."
                                   MARTIN
                         "Sunnydale? Vampires? That shit's
                         real?"
                                   XANDER
                         "Very real. And we've been fighting
                         them for years. So kicking your
                         ass?"
               Dawn completes Xander's words with a smile.
                                   DAWN
                         "Easy"
               They begin to fight. Francisco leans against a wall, un
               noticed by the gang members. Two, three, four gang members
               rush Xander, who turns the cutting edge of the axe AWAY and
               uses it as a mace. The gang members are bowled over by the
               intensity of the attack. Dawn simply jabs the crowbar at her
               attackers midsections, cutting in between swings. One, two,
               three, attackers fold beneath her. Soon there are many gang
               members strewn around the ground in front of Xander and Dawn.
               There's a bright flash of light, and ... A part of the wall
               collapses. Amidst the smoke and noise ... Several figures in
               dull grey spacesuits appear. They start pointing devices at
               random people who fall down, immobilized.
                                   DAWN (CONT'D)
                         "Xander! It's the aliens!"
                                   XANDER
                         "Yeah. I figured. Those space
                         suits? Dead giveaway."
                                   DAWN
                         "Ricky! Get these guys out of here.
                         The wall's weak at the back. Knock
                         it down and get everyone OUT."
                                   DAWN (CONT'D)
                         "We can't stay here and fight them.
                         We can save you but you have to
                         follow us."
               Dawn starts dragging fallen gang members, shoving and pushing
               the panicked boys who were moments before their attackers to
               the rear.
                                   DAWN (CONT'D)
                         "Don't panic. Just keep moving.
                         Carry those who can't move. Grab
                         him."
               Xander's also moving people along. Shoving them, pushing
               them, until he notices an spacesuited figure who appears to
               be the leader focusing on Dawn. He's still got his axe in his
               hand.
                                   XANDER
                         "Dawn! Watch that guy. He's after
                         you."
               Too late. The alien pauses to study Dawn a moment before
               aiming his device at her. Dawn drops like a stone. Instantly
               Xander's axe flies from his hand. Burying itself edge deep
               inside the shattered helmet of the spacesuited figure. The
               aliens are stunned. Their leader has just been killed. By a
               primitive weapon. They have never seen this before.
               Moving swiftly Xander scoops up the immobile Dawn and rushes
               her to rear of the junkyard, through the gap in the back
               wall, and down the side street and into another. He reaches
               the rest of the group, former attackers and Ricky mingling
               with the ease of those who just escaped an unearthly horror
               together.
               Dawn's coming to.
                                   DAWN
                         "Xander? Are we?"
                                   XANDER
                         "We're OK Dawnie. Everyone got out
                         OK."
                                   MARTIN
                         "What were those things?"
                                   XANDER
                         "That would be your Chicago
                         aliens."
                                   DAWN
                         "Was that Cockroach guy in
                         Sunnydale a demon or Alien?"
               Appearing suddenly Francisco answers that.
                                   FRANCISCO
                         "That was a Demon. As you well
                         know, Miss  Summers. NOW can we go
                         get the weapons?"
ACT THREE
EXT. CHICAGO SIDE STREET - NIGHT
The group is milling about, the gang members bunched
together, Dawn still a bit groggy and leaning on
Xander, close to Rick and Francisco. Everyone's got
questions.
GANG MEMBER
"Who the hell is this guy?"
FRANCISCO
"I am Francisco Villa. A Mexican."
GANG MEMBER
"Hey I'm Pedro, a guy who's gonna ..."
MARTIN
"Don't start Pedro. Those guys ... they saved our
asses man. I mean those things they ... "
DAWN
"OK is everyone OK? Can you move?"
General groans and grunts but they can move.
DAWN (CONT'D)
"Good. Then I want YOU [pointing at Martin] to get
these guys out of here. Go home. Stay off the
streets."
XANDER
"And I think you all owe someone an apology."
MARTIN
"Apology? Oh yeah hey thanks man."
XANDER
"I didn't mean for me. I meant for my buddy here.
Ricky. I saw him carry you out. You would have been
Alien bait without him. Didn't you SEE those movies?"
He moves in closer, a troubling good humor to his face
when approaching Martin.
XANDER (CONT'D)
"I figure any MAN would admit it; and say he's sorry
for being a first class jerk. [pause] Seeing as how he
saved your life."
Martin's non-plussed by this. NOT what he expected.
The faces of the gang are blank, they tell him
nothing. A pause and then ...
MARTIN
"Hey Ricky. Thanks man. I owe you. Sorry about ..."
Sourly he says
RICKY
"Forget it. No big DEAL."
He pushes past to the head of the street.
RICKY (CONT'D)
"Come on. Let's go guys."
Francisco raises an eyebrow, and leads the way, while
the gang members disperse.
They walk up the street, and Dawn and Xander traipse a
bit behind Francisco and Ricky.
XANDER
"Dawn. You OK?"
DAWN
"My head hurts and I feel like puking my guts out."
XANDER
"I guess that would be a no then."
DAWN
"Definitely."
XANDER
"About that whole boyfriend deal?"
She cuts in quickly
DAWN
"I didn't want them hitting on me. AND they have to
learn. To know ... that straight people won't [pause]
tolerate that crap. Not ever."
XANDER
"You miss her don't you? Tara?"
She's got tears streaming down her face, and a
determined look.
DAWN
"Every goddamn minute of every goddamn day. I miss
her all the time."
Softly he puts a hand on her shoulder.
XANDER
"I know. I do too."
A pause and then
XANDER (CONT'D)
"That was a brave thing you did. Standing there,
getting people out."
DAWN
"And that was a brave thing YOU did. That guy, that
thing would have had me."
XANDER
"Well I just had to Axe him something."
Dawn laughs
DAWN
"SEE? This is why I need you to cover my ... "
She looks at him and takes his hand.
DAWN (CONT'D)
"And after? That was nice. What you did for Ricky.
Calling that guy on his crap."
XANDER
"Ricky stood up and got counted. Someone needed to
notice. [pause] Up for research on the Villa guy?"
DAWN
"Oh yeah."
XANDER
"Do you think he knows the Hometime guy?"
DAWN
"Xander that's BOB Villa. [pause] You watch too much
Home and Garden Television. You need to stop watching
TV and get out more."
XANDER
"You watch it with me."
Laughing.
DAWN
"This is true. We BOTH need a date."
Moving up to match Francisco's pace, she draws even
with him. Ricky drops back to talk to Xander.
DAWN (CONT'D)
"How much further?"
FRANCISCO
"It's not far."
DAWN
"Those guys, those ..."
FRANCISCO
"Aliens. It is what they are."
DAWN
"Were they after me and Xander or ..."
Sighing
FRANCISCO
"That is hard to say. Perhaps they knew somehow that
the Earth had picked you. Or perhaps they merely saw a
lot of people they could capture. They like to do that
you know. Capture people. [pause] The Earth simply
does not know. Nor do I."
DAWN
"I haven't agreed to do this you know? Fight them I
mean."
FRANCISCO
"Yes. I know. You are here merely to LOOK at the
weapons."
DAWN
"Yes. JUST to look. I'm tired of all this ...
violence."
Xander and Ricky are talking.
XANDER
"Must be tough. Being out and all. In this
neighborhood."
RICKY
"Hell I was going to say must be tough, losing that
..."
XANDER
"Hey it's OK. The eye? Some superpowered Demon guy had
a BB gun in Sunnydale and then it WASN'T fun and games
anymore."
He pauses.
XANDER (CONT'D)
"You were SUPPOSED to laugh at that one."
RICKY
"Sorry man. Ah really? A BB gun?"
XANDER
"No. Some superpowered creep."
A pause, then ...
RICKY
"Is what they say true? About Sunnydale? And LA? That
vampires and demons and magic and stuff is all REAL?
That they put out the SUN? Took over the whole STATE?"
XANDER
"Ricky man, you don't know the HALF of it. The stuff
I've seen. Sometimes ... "
RICKY
"What?"
XANDER
"I just feel like giving up. I mean here I am, a guy
with no superpowers, up against all these supercreeps.
I'm just an ordinary guy. I mean ... what can I do?"
RICKY
"Dude. Plenty. You saved your girlfriend from those
things."
Xander's a bit stiff and awkward.
XANDER
"Dawn's not ... she's not ..."
RICKY
"Hey she's hot. I thought she was?"
XANDER
"No. My girlfriend, well my EX girlfriend. She ...
died in Sunnydale."
RICKY
"Hey man I'm sorry. I had a buddy die of ..."
Xander's face is suddenly full of compassion.
XANDER
"Ah was it ..."
Prickly he's ticked off at the assumption.
RICKY
"Drug overdose man. Not every gay guy dies of ..."
XANDER
"Hey I'm sorry ... I mean we just miss them don't we?"
RICKY
"Yeah. We do."
A pause
RICKY (CONT'D)
"Don't ever give up man. You can't do that. That was
pretty cool standing up to Martin for me. He's a bad
dude."
Xander laughs.
XANDER
"After Sunnydale he looks like a cub scout."
RICKY
"That's pretty funny."
XANDER
"He beat you up a lot?"
RICKY
"Plenty. All I ever wanted to do was cut hair in my
Aunt's Salon and have a boyfriend. That's it. But in
this neighborhood? I've taken a pounding since I was
fifteen."
Xander's amazed.
XANDER
"Wait. How old are you?"
RICKY
"I'm Eighteen."
XANDER
"You've been OUT in this neighborhood for three
years?"
RICKY
"Yeah. Three years. [bitterly] Time flies when you get
a pounding."
XANDER
"And here I thought I had it tough."
RICKY
"You mean with the eye thing?"
XANDER
"Yeah. Not too many girls read comics so the Nick Fury
look? Not working for me."
RICKY
"Hey ... dude you got it going on."
Xander's delighted
XANDER
"Really? I mean you're not just saying that to be
nice?"
RICKY
"Hey man, take it from the gay dude in the
neighborhood. You've got it."
XANDER
"Even with the eye patch?"
RICKY
"Even with the patch man."
XANDER
"Thanks Ricky. That's the nicest thing anyone has said
to me in a while."
RICKY
"Hey no probs. [pause] You know Dawn likes you."
XANDER
"Well yeah she's my friend."
RICKY
"No dude she's checked you out. Trust me on this. You
should ask her out."
XANDER
"Hey! She's only seventeen. And besides her sister
..."
RICKY
"Dawn's a hottie. Even I know that."
XANDER
"Yeah she is but ... "
RICKY
"But what? You like her, she likes you. What's the
deal?"
XANDER
"Seventeen. And she's my best ... I mean she's my ...
she's got an older sister."
RICKY
"Aw man. Dated her older sis?"
Xander laughs.
XANDER
"No. More like her older sister is a friend of mine
who would KILL me if she saw me with ..."
RICKY
"Why? I mean if you haven't dated her? What's the
deal?"
XANDER
"She's got superpowers. And she's always pissed off."
RICKY
"Man. That really sucks."
CUT TO:
INT. ANOTHER CHICAGO BAR -- NIGHT
Buffy and Mack are dancing at a biker bar. Buffy's
looking seductively at Mack who likes what he sees.
They start kissing as they dance, and wend their way
back to the bar too soon.
MACK
"Hey. That was incredible. You are so beautiful.
[pause] You know that don't you?"
BUFFY
"Wow. And did I say ... Wow?"
The bikers, clad in leather and with riding gear,
helmets, and gloves all piled atop tables are checking
out Mack and Buffy. One of them is sitting alone at a
table, though there is other gear around suggesting
his pals are in the restroom. He's slender, and is
wearing padded fabric riding gear in the European
style rather than the leather of the other bikers.
Mack sees him and smiles.
MACK
"Buffy. I see a pal of mine over there. I'm going to
say hi, and he'll get us a drink."
BUFFY
"Sure."
Mack walks over to the man sitting alone at the table.
His back is towards Buffy and he blocks her view of
the guy.
MACK
"You've been looking at my girlfriend. I don't like
that."
The man laughs.
MAN AT TABLE
"That's funny."
MACK
"What? That I'm going to pound you into hamburger for
looking at my girl?"
MAN AT TABLE
"No. I was just talking about you the other day."
Suspiciously
MACK
"Do I know you?"
MAN AT TABLE
"No. But I know YOU Mack. Alias Mack the Badger, Alias
Mack Tooker, alias Mack Tooner, alias Mack the Hack.
Hell I've been looking for you."
Angrily
MACK
"You've got a big mouth for a skinny little gink. I
think I'm going to enjoy making you bleed."
MAN AT TABLE
"Oh come on Mack. Like you thought you could get away
with the old badger game in THIS town without being
connected? You have some cheap ho on your arm, scare
some tourist into giving up his credit card for a
round of drinks, and split the tab run up with the
bartender?"
He pauses while Mack blinks
MAN AT TABLE (CONT'D)
"That was naughty. [He shakes his fingers at him] What
was worse ... was not cutting the Outfit guys in on
the deal. Means you aren't too popular. And one of
those guys you shook down was the nephew of a Cook
County Judge. Hence my little discussion with DA last
week."
He smiles. Triumphantly.
Mack is angry. And has had enough.
MACK
"You can go to hell."
He pulls his hand back for a roundhouse swing; and is
jumped by the man's companion's before he can connect.
They're struggling with him and trying to pull his
hands back behind him.
FIRST GUY
"Jeez Tim you sure know how to pick on a guy ten times
your size."
MAN AT TABLE
"That's him. Mack the Hack."
SECOND GUY
"Oh really?"
MAN AT TABLE
"Yes really."
FIRST GUY
"Don't tell me he was stupid enough to try the badger
game on you."
MAN AT TABLE
"I TOLD you I don't look like an Assistant District
Attorney."
FIRST GUY
"Well it's an easy arrest."
Buffy sees all this and jumps in.
BUFFY
"Hey! Leave my date alone!"
She tries to pull off the guys from Mack. She throws
first one guy off, then the other.
BUFFY (CONT'D)
"He's my DATE! Leave him alone."
Mack sees this opening and clocks the man at the table
hard, knocking him down. While the two men Buffy threw
off reach behind them. They bring out pepper spray
containers and spray both Buffy and Mack with the
stuff. Buffy and Mack fall down to their knees, eyes
streaming, coughing, faces burning. The two men
handcuff them with plastic ties.
FIRST GUY
"Chicago PD. You are BOTH under arrest. For assaulting
an Officer."
SECOND GUY
"And you Mack the Hack, are under arrest for
extortion, fraud, grand theft, and whatever the hell
ELSE we can throw at you."
He pauses.
SECOND GUY (CONT'D)
"You knocked out my Brother in Law. Mr. Assistant
District Attorney."
Another pause.
SECOND GUY (CONT'D)
"Thank you. I really HATE that guy."
Coughing and wheezing
MACK
"You're welcome."
FIRST GUY
"Let's go."
BUFFY
"Oh god."
CUT TO:
EXT. A DINGY CHICAGO SIDESTREET - NIGHT
In a very run down neighborhood Xander, Dawn,
Francisco and Ricky approach a man smoking a cigarette
by a large 1950's Cadillac.
FRANCISCO
"You have them Gonzalez?"
GONZALEZ
"Yes I do. I told you. [pause] Is that them? They
don't look like much."
XANDER
"Hey. I look [pause] OK I look like a pirate. But
still ..."
Cutting him off with a wave of her hand.
DAWN
"It doesn't matter. What do you have?"
Popping the trunk Gonzalez displays his wares.
GONZALEZ
"This!"
Dawn has a sharp intake of breath and looks greedily
at the assorted rifles, hand guns, and submachine
guns, which seem to be of a 1920's vintage. She's in
deep loooove.
DAWN
"Is this?"
As she takes out a large, HEAVY full size rifle.
GONZALEZ
"Yes. A BAR. It comes with five magazines. I also have
four hundred rounds of ammunition."
XANDER
"A BA What?"
DAWN
"It's a BAR. Browning Automatic Rifle. Fires 30-06
rounds. Armor piercing. We used it in WWII. Serious
stuff Xander. You should know this. YOU watch History
Channel same as I do."
XANDER
"I watch for Modern Marvels. Not that gun stuff.
You're scaring me Dawn."
DAWN
"This is great! Xander here hold it."
She hands it to Xander. It's heavy and awkward in her
hands. In Xander's hands it's seemingly light; showing
his deceptive strength.
XANDER
"Hey, this thing is cool. It's got a wood stock. But
of course it's a gun so it's evil and ..."
Dawn interrupts him
DAWN
"Xander. Willow's NOT here. And neither is Buffy. It
wouldn't be bad if we had something more than an Axe
if those guys show up at the Junkyard again."
XANDER
"Good point. Ah ... you won't tell Will and ..."
DAWN
"I will DEFINITELY not tell Buffy."
CUT TO:
INT. A CHICAGO POLICE STATION
Buffy and Mack are being fingerprinted and
photographed. We see their fingers being inked and
rolled over the paper; and Buffy being photographed in
profiles and full on. She has a sad and humiliated
expression.
Buffy's in a holding cell. Filled with prostitutes and
female addicts (often one and the same). It's filled
with sad people of whom Buffy is not the saddest.
JAILOR
"Summers. You got one phone call. Use it."
Buffy is led out by the Jailor to the phone at the
booking desk. She dials the number.
BUFFY
"Willow? I'm in trouble. I'm in jail. [she starts to
cry] PLEASE come get me. I need help."
Buffy starts crying and the tears won't stop.
CUT TO:
EXT. A DINGY CHICAGO SIDESTREET
They are all still looking over the weapons. Dawn
spots something in the pile.
DAWN
"Oh my god. Are these Browning Hi Powers?"
FRANCISCO
"That is a good gun. Not that awful German crap. I can
tell you, never trust a Luger. Drop it in the dirt and
will NEVER work. Never. This I know."
GONZALEZ
"Yes. A matched pair. There is also a shoulder
holster. With tie downs. Put on a jacket and no one
would know ..."
XANDER
"In this heat?"
GONZALEZ
"Or a loose dark shirt."
DAWN
"And this?"
She lifts out a vintage Thompson submachine gun, with
stick magazine.
GONZALEZ
"Yes, I have ten magazines for that one. It's a very
good weapon."
With obvious lust in her eyes.
DAWN
"A Thompson."
FRANCISCO
"Another very good gun. Also NOT German. NEVER trust a
German. Go to Columbus they tell me. The Kaiser will
support you and ..."
He breaks off. No one except Gonzalez has the
slightest idea of what he's talking about.
FRANCISCO (CONT'D)
"Sorry. Never mind about that."
Xander's hesitant, while Ricky is a bit miffed and
standoffish.
XANDER
"Dawn. Let's not get carried away here. I mean how are
we gonna pay for all this and ... "
FRANCISCO
"It is no problem. I will pay for all."
XANDER
"And I mean isn't this stuff illegal? I mean guns and
stuff?"
DAWN
"Xander. I got knocked down ... like a little girl."
XANDER
"And you're not a little girl. Believe me. But I was
there to ..."
She interrupts him
DAWN
"That's not the point. Xander I can't FIGHT, not even
like you. I'm not strong like Buffy, not even as
strong as you are."
Seeing his face she hurriedly adds.
DAWN (CONT'D)
"Listen, I KNOW you'll always watch my back. I just
want to be able to watch yours. With this stuff ... "
She looks at Francisco ..
DAWN (CONT'D)
"And with his training I CAN."
XANDER
"Training? Where are we gonna ... oh. The cellar in
the Junkyard."
DAWN
"It's perfect. Soundproof. And we can train there."
In command now.
DAWN (CONT'D)
"We'll take them all. Oh and these 1911's for Xander."
She hands the 1911's to Xander. Francisco nods
approvingly.
FRANCISCO
"That is also a very good gun. I've used them myself.
Very effective. And it's not ... "
XANDER
"Let me guess ... German?"
FRANCISCO
"Exactly. You can never trust them. Or their guns.
Neither work when the going gets dirty. I know from
experience."
Dawn takes the heavy, old style revolver.
DAWN
"Ricky. This one's for you."
She hands the 1911's to Xander. She takes off her
shirt, shrugs on the shoulder holster as Xander and
Gonzalez appreciate Dawn in a sports bra and Ricky
despite himself smiles at the two men's reaction;
while Francisco coolly puffs on his omnipresent cigar.
Dawn attempts to hand the large, old style Smith and
Wesson revolver (which looks like Indian Jones gun) to
Ricky who immediately turns sullen and balks.
RICKY
"I don't believe in guns."
DAWN
"Ricky. I need you on this. You don't have to like it
but ..."
Exploding with anger.
RICKY
"You don't live in this neighborhood!"
DAWN
"Hell I don't!"
RICKY
"Well OK maybe you do. But you don't KNOW it. You
haven't lived here your whole life. You know how many
friends, how many family members I've seen buried?
Cause of that?"
Dawn's aghast. But before she can say anything
Francisco steps in.
FRANCISCO
"Listen to me little boy. Mexico was liberated from
Diaz by guns. From Huerta by guns. By men like Zapata.
By men like Madero. Heroes. Who used guns."
He pauses
FRANCISCO (CONT'D)
"The freedom of Mexico was won by guns. Guns just like
these."
Ricky's angry and unconvinced.
RICKY
"Who cares? That was a long time ago. Mexicans like me
get killed on the street. By guns like these. I don't
believe in them."
FRANCISCO
"Believe in them or not as you wish. Nevertheless they
are real. They are a tool. To be used skillfully to
kill evil men, or not. Or will you throw stones when
the aliens come [pause] again? For your mother? Your
aunt?"
Dawn intercedes.
DAWN
"You don't have to take it right now. Just think about
it. But there's no harm in LEARNING how to shoot is
there?"
To Gonzalez
DAWN (CONT'D)
"We'll take them all."
GONZALEZ
"Very well. I will deliver them tomorrow early. At
first light."
FRANCISCO
"And here is your money. As agreed."
To the astonishment of everyone but Gonzalez ...
Francisco counts out fifteen gold coins ... gold
DOLLAR coins.
GONZALEZ
"It is good to do business with you again ...
Francisco."
FRANCISCO
"And with you as well Gonzalaz."
GONZALEZ
"I look forward to doing business with you as well
Miss Summers."
Dawn's angry at Francisco.
DAWN
"You told him my NAME?"
GONZALEZ
"No he did not Miss Summers. His ... [pause] Mother
did."
XANDER
"Again with the Mother stuff. Somehow I ..."
Dawn cuts him off
DAWN
"No jokes Xander. Not here. Not now. Not in front of
... them."
Turning to Ricky and Francisco
DAWN (CONT'D)
"Let's get out of here."
CUT TO:
A MONTAGE
We see the guns being unloaded from the vintage
Caddilac into the cellar at the Junkyard, Xander, Dawn
and Ricky setting up targets at Francisco's direction.
A lecture with Francisco showing the operation,
disassembly, and cleaning of the Thompson, BAR,
Browning Hi Powers, and 1911's, as well as Ricky's
heavy Smith and Wesson revolver with old style grips
and gold bead partridge blade. We see Dawn at the
firing line, missing nearly every target as Francisco
shakes his head. We see Xander at the firing line,
blasting away a wooden target into splinters with the
heavy BAR. Obvious joy at making a big mess. Work
outside on the trebuchet. Xander, Dawn, and Ricky
laughing as they assemble more pieces. We see Xander
firing with the 1911, missing every target while
Francisco shakes his head. Ricky refusing to take the
revolver while Francisco shrugs. Dawn practicing her
draws. Getting faster. Dawn shooting more targets,
hitting this time. Francisco with a small smile.
Xander practicing with the heavy Colt Autopistol,
hitting the target as well. Dawn with the Thompson,
writing the letters D A W N on the wall ... smirking
in triumph. Francisco tossing tennis balls in the air
and Dawn drawing and firing at them, hitting all three
tennis balls. Francisco's broad smile. The trebuchet,
finished now, tossing a rock. Five feet. More work on
the trebuchet. This time the rock flies all the way to
the END of the junkyard.
The group is filled with pride. And even Francisco is
happy.
DAWN
"Xander that was awesome. We did it. We can win this
thing."
FRANCISCO
"Winning a contest is not what that will be used for."
XANDER
"Not gonna argue with a guy who can shoot like you ...
but OUR Trebuchet and MY junkyard."
FRANCISCO
"No Mr. Harris I take no offense. But the Trebuchet
will be needed for ..."
XANDER
"Yeah yeah the aliens. When they come out of the water
and attack Chicago."
DAWN
"We didn't say we'd do this. I mean I appreciate your
help and all but ... "
FRANCISCO
"You don't want to fight."
He smiles sadly.
FRANCISCO (CONT'D)
"I know. You'd rather be doing something else."
Ricky has a smile of his own at this. He can picture
what Dawn and Xander would REALLY want.
FRANCISCO (CONT'D)
"And it's not fair to ask. But there is no one else.
Don't worry though. You will get to choose."
He laughs at this.
FRANCISCO (CONT'D)
"Enough for one day. We will talk later."
With that he strides off.
DAWN
"Ricky? Want to come over to my place? I've got
something interesting ... on Francisco."
XANDER
"Dawnie. I think I love you. Even more."
Laughing.
DAWN
"Is it me? Or our Cable TV?"
CUT TO:
INT. BUFFY'S APARTMENT - DAY
Xander, Dawn, and Ricky walk in. The apartment is
deserted.
DAWN
"Hello? Buffy? Willow? Kennedy?
Looking at Xander and Ricky.
DAWN (CONT'D)
"Good. They're not home. Come into our bedroom. I've
got some stuff on my laptop."
They move into the bedroom, Buffy and Dawn's beds side
by side. They move to Dawn's computer.
She has a web page up. It has photos ... of Francisco
on horseback, smoking a cigar, with the same slouched
down hat and a rifle at his side.
DAWN (CONT'D)
"See. Look familiar?"
XANDER
"Whoa. Check out the Wild Bunch revisited."
RICKY
"Naw, more Clint Eastwood."
XANDER
"You just gotta love the Westerns. Never go out of
style."
Impatiently.
DAWN
"You're missing the point. Look."
She begins to read.
DAWN (CONT'D)
"Francisco "Pancho" Villa ... one of the more notable
revolutionaries against the Diaz and Huerta
dictatorships, was perhaps best known for his 1916
raid on Columbus New Mexico and the subsequent
Pershing Expedition into Northern Mexico which failed
to capture him. Historians are divided on how much
involvement the Kaiser's German agents active in
Mexico actually had in galvanizing Villa's raid onto
American soil. OH."
She murmurs to herself.
DAWN (CONT'D)
"He was married to about twenty seven different women.
No wonder."
XANDER
"No wonder what?"
DAWN
"Never mind. Tell you later."
She turns to them.
XANDER
"Offhand ... I'd say he looks really good. For an old
guy."
DAWN
"He looks even better for being assasinated in 1923."
XANDER
"Well that too."
RICKY
"We gotta tell somebody. He's like a vampire or ..."
Dawn laughs.
DAWN
"No Ricky he's not a vampire. And not an evil ...
spirit or a zombie or anything else."
She looks at them.
DAWN (CONT'D)
"He WANTED us to know. It's not like he tried to hide
it. All the hints he dropped, the gold DOLLAR coins
... Xander those things ... they dated back to BEFORE
1914 ... Heurta, the Kaiser, Columbus New Mexico. He
wanted us to find out."
RICKY
"Why? Why would ... Pancho Villa want us to know ..."
DAWN
"So I'd believe him. When he said he worked for the
Earth."
XANDER
"Why am I NOT getting a good feeling here Dawn?"
Willow and Xander make noise coming into the
Apartment.
We hear their voices.
WILLOW
"Good. No one's home. Thanks again for helping me bail
Buffy out of jail Kennedy."
Xander starts to say something but Dawn places her
hands over Xander's and Ricky's mouths. She puts her
finger up to her lips and mouths "quiet."
KENNEDY
"That's what girlfriends are for. Are they gonna
charge her?"
WILLOW
"Buffy says no. She got pepper sprayed in front of
witnesses by the cops, so that's a plus. And they
believed her when she said she didn't know ..."
KENNEDY
"That her date was bullying guys into buying them a
round of drinks, and then scamming their credit
cards."
WILLOW
"Pretty much."
KENNEDY
"God Buffy is such a loser."
WILLOW
"Kennedy don't say that."
KENNEDY
"Well, it's true isn't it? I mean any decent guy she's
not interested in."
WILLOW
"It's not that. It's just that Buffy's still dealing
with Spike and all."
KENNEDY
"No. It's that she has a taste for the gutter Willow.
I know she's your friend and all ... but she's an
idiot. I THOUGHT that maybe she'd want your friend
Xander."
Willow laughs.
WILLOW
"Hah. Buffy wanting Xander."
KENNEDY
"Well why wouldn't she? I mean he's her friend isn't
he?"
WILLOW
"Buffy ... she kinda needs a ... more ... powerful
kinda guy. Like Spike. Or Angel."
KENNEDY
"Vampires you mean."
WILLOW
"Yeah. Pretty much. Buffy needs a dead guy. But hey
... big with the strong and the grr and fangy stuff."
KENNEDY
"And like that's so good?"
WILLOW
"She's a slayer Ken. She needs ... "
KENNEDY
"The power? Yeah. I get that. Poor Xander. And Dawn.
They're norms."
WILLOW
"Norms? The restaurant?"
KENNEDY
"No. Silly. Norms. Normals. No powers. You know ...
useless."
WILLOW
"Ken! That's not very nice."
KENNEDY
"But it's true. You know it. I mean what do they DO?
Really? I can see why Buffy doesn't want Xander. I
mean a guy without power isn't sexy. Not that I'd
know."
WILLOW
"Xander's sweet."
KENNEDY
"I know. I mean I like him. And Dawn. But would I want
either of them?"
WILLOW
"Cause they're Norms?"
KENNEDY
"Well, cause they're not you. They don't have your
magic. They way you make me feel. But yeah, Norms."
Laughing
WILLOW
"Well I'm sure I'm better in bed than Dawnie is. I
mean she's seventeen."
KENNEDY
"And a virgin. At her age. I mean has she ever HAD a
boyfriend? Or girlfriend?"
WILLOW
"Hey! But ... well not so much. I'm pretty sure
Dawnie's straight. It's just that ..."
KENNEDY
"Who'd want her when you could have Buffy?"
WILLOW
"Or Vi. Or Rona. Special girls."
KENNEDY
"And Xander's not much better. All he could do was
Anya."
They both laugh.
Meanwhile Xander and Dawn are getting really pissed
off.
WILLOW
"I can see Buffy's point. I mean even Spike ..."
KENNEDY
"Would be better in bed than Xander. At least that's
what Anya told me."
WILLOW
"And Dawn? I mean really who'd want her with all that
whining?"
Xander and Dawn have had enough. They enter the main
room of the apartment and stare at Willow and Kennedy.
Ricky trails after them.
RICKY
"Hi. Um. I'm Ricky."
WILLOW
"Oh god. Dawn. Xander we didn't mean ..."
Angrily with the full wrath of Dawnie.
DAWN
"Never mind Willow. We're just norms. Me and Xander."
XANDER
"Yeah. Who'd want us?"
DAWN
"Glad we're good for a laugh."
KENNEDY
"Look, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to embarrass you in
front of your boyfriend."
RICKY
"I'm not Dawn's boyfriend. I'm gay. [pause] Like you."
He looks down. He's embarrassed for Dawn and Xander.
DAWN
"See? I'm just too whiny to get a boyfriend. It's why
I'm still a virgin."
XANDER
"And me? Hey glad to know I'm not as good as ..."
Angrily Dawn interjects.
DAWN
"You're worth a billion Spikes."
Willow approaches both Dawn and Xander. She's got a
totally apologetic manner and is wilting under
Xander's one eyed stare and Dawn's angry face.
DAWN (CONT'D)
"So. Buffy's in trouble again. She rolling around the
front lawn with her latest ... oh wait. We don't have
a front lawn. We don't have a house. Thanks to Buffy."
WILLOW
"Dawnie that's not fair. Buffy was fighting a war."
XANDER
"And it sure looks like we lost."
WILLOW
"Dawn. When you get older, you'll understand. I mean
you're ..."
DAWN
"Only a seventeen year old virgin. Yeah. Got that. At
least I didn't sleep with a guy and turn him evil, so
he starts ..."
XANDER
"Killing all our friends."
DAWN
"Like Buffy."
XANDER
"Glad to see we count so much with you."
WILLOW
"You do count. We were just ..."
KENNEDY
"Fooling around. We didn't mean anything by it."
DAWN
"No. It's OK. Glad we got that out in the open."
She gives Willow a hard stare. Resolve in her face.
DAWN (CONT'D)
"Thing is ... you both owe me."
WILLOW
"I mean sure. I'm sorry and all. But the owe?"
DAWN
"You owe me. Both of you. And you owe Xander. You
wouldn't be here Will if Xander hadn't stopped you. Or
have you forgotten? And neither would you. He gave his
eye for you Kennedy."
As she looks hard at Kennedy.
DAWN (CONT'D)
"Ever wonder WHY I was at Rack's? That night? Or did
you forget that like everything else us Norms did?"
WILLOW
"Dawnie I'm so sorry for that. What I said."
DAWN
"Funny. I never got an apology."
XANDER
"You were just a Norm Dawn. Like me."
Willow's shooting Xander a pained look but he's not
buying. His mad still stays. Dawn's getting calm and
quiet in a scary flat way.
DAWN
"Guess so. I was gonna sell myself Willow. To Rack.
Clem made his price real clear. I got it. Sell my
fifteen year old whiny virgin body. To save your ass."
She's angry to the point of tears and gets right up in
Willow's face.
DAWN (CONT'D)
"I wanted to BE you Willow. Just like you. You were my
big hero. Even more than Buffy. I LOVED you. As much
as Tara. Do you even remember her? Her face? I would
have let Rack violate me over and over again ... just
to save you. And all you could do was get off on
trying to kill me."
She pauses.
DAWN (CONT'D)
"So you owe me. And him. And I'm going to collect."
Xander's appalled
XANDER
"Dawn. I never ... I never knew."
DAWN
"Well, now you know."
XANDER
"I'm sorry."
He goes to hug Dawn.
RICKY
"Xander, Dawn, can we get out of here?"
Breaking from the hug, Xander and Dawn look at him.
XANDER
"Sure Ricky."
DAWN
"Lets get out of here."
They go to the door, when it opens. Francisco is at
the door.
FRANCISCO
"It's started. I'm sorry. You are needed."

*****

ACT FOUR
INT. BUFFY'S APARTMENT -- DAY
Willow and Kennedy are looking at the newcomer with
suspicion.
WILLOW
"Dawn? Who is this?"
With a laugh Dawn introduces him.
DAWN
"Meet the famous Pancho Villa."
FRANCISCO
"So. You finally figured it out. I dropped enough
hints."
He sighs
FRANCISCO (CONT'D)
"Fame. So fleeting."
Willow and Kennedy are appalled.
WILLOW
"It's the First! Dawn, Xander get ..."
Francisco interrupts them
FRANCISCO
"No Miss Rosenburg. I am NOT the First. I am ... an
agent."
Willow has none of this and launches a firebolt
against Francisco, which sputters and dies. Francisco
crosses to her and grabs her shoulders to her shock
and dismay.
FRANCISCO (CONT'D)
"Nothing of yours can touch me Miss Rosenburg. I am of
the Earth. Her agent, for a while again."
He smiles. And glances at Xander and Dawn.
FRANCISCO (CONT'D)
"You could have been my successor. But you chose a
different path. And perhaps chose wisely. Who can
say?"
WILLOW
"What are you? And you know me? Dawn?"
Xander interjects
XANDER
"Will, it's OK. The guys alright."
Helpfully Dawn adds.
DAWN
"He's the ghost of Pancho Villa. He's training us."
RICKY
"To fight aliens."
DAWN
"Were you REALLY married twenty seven times?"
Looking embarrassed.
FRANCISCO
"Yes. But let us not talk about it now. The aliens are
active. And the Earth calls us to defend her, once
again."
KENNEDY
"Wait a minute, ALIENS? You mean like ..."
XANDER
"Yeah aliens. They have nasty weapons."
DAWN
"But Slayers and Witches don't work around them."
She looks at Willow, and then Kennedy VERY
thoughtfully.
WILLOW
"Dawnie, I don't think it's a good idea to go with
this guy, whoever he is ..."
DAWN
"Willow. He's Pancho Villa. He fought Aliens before.
I'm fighting them now. And you can't come."
FRANCISCO
"The aliens, they sap the power of brujos, the
witches. And the slayers. It was not pretty. One of
ours screamed and screamed before we finally shot
her."
Looking at the appalled group he adds
FRANCISCO (CONT'D)
"What else were we to do? She would only scream. And
it scared the horses."
WILLOW
"So you're what? Some sort of ghost?"
FRANCISCO
"I was the Agent of the Earth, the Protector, the
Defender of the Planet, the ..."
Dawn interrupts.
DAWN
"You fought aliens."
WILLOW
"And I would be ... what exactly?"
DAWN
"What I am now Willow."
XANDER
"Dawn, the Alien Fighter?"
DAWN
"Hey that's cool. Can I use it?"
XANDER
"Sure why not?"
RICKY
"It's important to have a cool name."
XANDER
"Like Spiderman."
DAWN
"Or Superman."
XANDER
"Captain America."
RICKY
"Wolverine."
Xander, Dawn, and even Kennedy and Willow look at
Ricky.
XANDER
"Wolverine's lame."
DAWN
"He wears YELLOW and has ears on his head."
RICKY
"He's the best he is at what he does."
DAWN
"Uh Whatever. Alien Fighter is cool though."
Dawn's now in command.
DAWN (CONT'D)
"Francisco, I mean Pancho"
FRANCISCO
"Please call me Francisco. I hated that nickname."
DAWN
"Francisco then. WHERE are the aliens now?"
FRANCISCO
"Near Hyde Park."
DAWN
"OK, we need to pick up our weapons and ..."
FRANCISCO
"There are already people gathering. You must lead
them."
She sighs. She's not ready for this. And hates what
she has to do. She looks at Xander and Ricky.
DAWN
"Will you guys ..."
XANDER
"Dawn. I followed your sister for seven years. She
saved the world a lot. I'm sorry you have this ... but
I wouldn't know anyone I'd trust more."
RICKY
"Hey. You saved my ass from those guys in the
neighborhood. I owe you. Just don't ask me to pick up
a ..."
DAWN
"I know. But you have to know ..."
RICKY
"I know. I know what's at stake. It's my city too."
Willow and Kennedy are aghast at this exchange, and
see Dawn perhaps for the first time. She's Buffy
sister alright.
KENNEDY
"Look I'm the slayer. I can ..."
DAWN
"Do absolutely nothing but scream around these aliens
while they blow your head off ..."
XANDER
"With one of their nasty ray guns."
DAWN
"Stay here. And whatever you do DON'T tell Buffy. I'll
be back soon."
And with that they leave.
EXT. A CHICAGO NEIGHBORHOOD -- DAY
A crowd mills about, in a tough and run-down area with
a vacant lot and a warehouse. People are peeking
around the corner at the warehouse, with no signs of
activity.
MARTIN
"They're HERE! I saw one of them go in."
Dawn, Ricky, Xander and Francisco approach the crowd.
Carrying large duffel bags.
DAWN
"Who saw them?"
MARTIN
"I did."
DAWN
"How many of them are there?"
MARTIN
"I don't know, I saw one of them go in about half an
hour ago. Others saw at least two others go in ..."
MAN IN CROWD
"About an hour ago."
DAWN
"Great. Why do I sense a trap?"
XANDER
"They're showing themselves ..."
RICKY
"To draw us in?"
DAWN
"And capture more people."
She ponders a moment. Then decides.
DAWN (CONT'D)
"OK, you, you and you. Go to that, that, and that ..."
She points to three different street corners facing
the Warehouse.
DAWN (CONT'D)
"And YELL as loud as you can if you see ANY movement.
If people come out ... you help them. Get them away
from here as FAST as possible. You do NOT go in to
that warehouse for any reason. Got it?"
The three youths that Dawn has picked out nod their
assent and move to the street corners.
DAWN (CONT'D)
"OK, you guys know me. You know Xander. AND Ricky. We
got you out of the Junkyard. We'll get your relatives
and friends out of there ..."
She points off to the warehouse.
DAWN (CONT'D)
"If they are still alive. I'm not some kind of hero, I
don't have special powers ..."
XANDER
"But we will do what we can. We're from ..."
DAWN
"Sunnydale."
The crowd murmurs at that news. Dawn spots two
homeless men in the crowd. She approaches them.
DAWN (CONT'D)
"Buy your clothes?"
HOMELESS MAN
"Twenty dollar."
DAWN
"Xander, give them twenty dollars. And strip."
XANDER
"What?"
The crowd whistles as Dawn starts to strip off her
clothes. She silences them with glare and a few choice
curse words in Spanish. Dawn eyes Xander with a bit of
cold appraisal, while Xander looks at Dawn in her
sports bra and panties and finds himself oddly
depressed, as if he's suddenly awakened to find the
world changed. And Dawn giving him the eye is even
more depressing now, here, than he imagined. He feels
... old. Before his time.
DAWN
"We've got a trap of our own ... ugh!"
She makes a sour face at the stink of the clothes.
XANDER
"So we don't stick out?"
Dawn's a bit tender now, shutting out the crowd as
they swap clothes.
DAWN
"Xander the patch ..."
Sadly he notes.
XANDER
"I know Dawn. It has to go."
RICKY
"Hey you'll fit right in."
XANDER
"Great. More downward mobility."
DAWN
"Join the crowd."
Xander reluctantly removes the patch, Ricky winces
unconciously as he sees the gaping hole in Xander's
face, and Dawn looks sadly at Xander with compassion
mixed with resolve.
Dawn is strapping on various weapons, her matching
High Powers, a few hideout guns including a small
revolver at her thigh and a small automatic at her
back before putting on the rest of the clothes.
Xander's VERY reluctantly tucking a 1911 into his
waistband (uncocked) and wrapping up the BAR in
newspapers and tape. Ricky under wordless protest
accepts his revolver, with ill concealed resentment
tucking it behind his waistband.
XANDER
"You have got to stop watching Taxi Driver Dawn."
Smiling and imitating a bad New York accent
DAWN
"You talking to me?"
She looks at Francisco sadly.
DAWN (CONT'D)
"You're not coming are you?"
FRANCISCO
"You already know I'm limited in what I can do here.
Otherwise you wouldn't be ..."
RICKY
"Needed?"
FRANCISCO
"Yes."
RICKY
"So I get to play ..."
XANDER
"Chase the homeless people. Wow Cordy would be so
proud."
DAWN
"Hey I'M the biggest loser here."
They walk towards the warehouse.
XANDER
"Hello? One eye? Only Girlfriend I ever had DEAD? And
Slept with Spike?"
DAWN
"Got that beat. Buffy's my SISTER. Lost my house, and
everything I own."
XANDER
"Every girl I slept with tried to kill me."
Staggering (pretend) into him. Ricky is "chasing them"
throwing small stones at them.
DAWN
"I dated two boys. One was a vampire who wanted a
snack after sex, the other dumped me for Buffy."
She curses in Spanish.
DAWN (CONT'D)
"That HURT!"
XANDER
"You know Spanish?"
DAWN
"I pick things up fast. In this neighborhood. Your
turn."
XANDER
"Faith never even talked to me. Beat THAT!"
He pretend staggers into Dawn.
DAWN
"OK. WILLOW never apologized for trying to kill me."
XANDER
"Buffy made me take in SPIKE as my roomate."
DAWN
"You win."
They are near the doorway. They stagger past when ...
Two aliens in full space suits come out and grab them.
Dawn shouts ...
DAWN (CONT'D)
"Now!"
And all hell breaks loose. Dawn draws her twin High
Powers and shoots the alien that's grabbed her in the
helmet repeatedly until the helmet is shattered and
her alien is down. Xander's struggling with his alien
... unable to get his 1911 out and trying desperately
to keep the alien from bringing an ominous hand weapon
to bear. Finally he's had enough and kicks the alien
in the groin. To no avail.
XANDER
"Either you're a girl ... and I'll date you soon, or
you are REALLY alien."
DAWN
"Xander stop screwing around and ..."
Xander uses the BAR in newspaper as a club, hitting
the weapon out of the space suited alien's grasp. Then
hitting the alien until the helmet of that alien
shatters too.
XANDER
"OK, maybe I won't date you after all."
DAWN
"Xander, Ricky, follow me!"
The three enter. Xander's got the BAR partially
unwrapped and is firing at a mass of surprised Space
Suited aliens. Dawn shouts as she turns back to Ricky.
DAWN (CONT'D)
"Hold this goddamn door. We need to get people out."
Ricky nods grimly, and hefts his revolver, taking
careful aim and firing.
Xander and Dawn advance, to the door of the metal
container where young men and women from the
neighborhood are kept. The aliens are regrouping and
firing back at Xander and Dawn, searing flashes of
light and heat as objects beside them start to
disappear.
DAWN (CONT'D)
"Xander! Open that door!"
Xander hefts the rifle and shoots it point blank on
the hinges. It falls inward with a crash.
XANDER
"Everybody out of the pool."
Dawn exchanges a few shots with the Aliens to effect,
providing some cover for Xander and a moment of quiet
as both groups seemingly stare at each other, boggled.
The aliens staring at the two who DARED invade their
sanctuary, and Dawn and Xander staring at something
they've never seen before. Or believed in. The spell
is broken by Dawn's shout!
DAWN
"We have to get out of here!"
The aliens advance, cutting them off from Ricky. And
the door.
XANDER
"Looking ugly Dawnie!"
DAWN
"I'm beautiful. THEY'RE ugly!"
She has a flash of inspiration.
DAWN (CONT'D)
"Xander, the walls. They've got to be cheap and thin.
Bust through them with your ..."
Xander's already got it. He's firing away at the wall
until it's in tatters. He rushes the wall and bashes
away at with the heavy BAR until a hole is made.
XANDER
"What are you idiots standing around for? Didn't you
see Alien Resurrection?"
At that the huddled boys and girls start to move, past
Dawn and towards Xander and safety. But the aliens
press closer and Dawn's having a hard time keeping
those with weapons busy as their bolts crash closer to
her with each shot.
RICKY
"Here comes the cavalry!"
And Ricky arrives in the middle of the mess with MANY
of his former tormenters, who crash into the aliens
like a giant wave, seething with violence and
preventing the aliens from bringing their weapons to
bear. Aliens and Humans alike start falling down, not
moving.
DAWN
"Goddamnit Ricky! I told you to stay!"
RICKY
"I'm covering your ass!"
There is a bright flash of blue light as Xander's
getting the last of the captives out of the warehouse
and Dawn dives right into him knocking them both
through the hole in the wall and entangled in each
other.
Dawn's crying and cursing, in Spanish and in English.
XANDER
"Dawn what's wrong."
DAWN
"Stupid Stupid Stupid IDIOT! I TOLD HIM ..."
A man from the crowd walks up to them.
MAN FROM CROWD
"They're gone. All of them. And all of our people.
There's no one left."
XANDER
"You knew ..."
Bitterly, angrily, Dawn answers.
DAWN
"How the hell ELSE would they get in and out of places
dressed like that Xander? How the hell else? Unless
they had a goddamn teleporter."
She looks at him solemnly.
DAWN (CONT'D)
"I told him to stay by the goddamn door. Not to move.
Not a goddamn inch."
She's angry. Angry at Ricky, the aliens, herself, and
the world. She lets out a wordless howl of rage, her
scream echoing up and down the back alley of the
warehouse. And above, one lone space suited alien, his
suit blending in with the building like a chameleon to
make him almost imperceptible, stares at Dawn and
Xander thoughtfully, for a long time as the two move
their rescued captives away.
EXT. THE JUNKYARD - NIGHT
Dawn and Xander are sitting around morosely around the
now finished Trebuchet. Dawn's angry and Xander's
depressed beyond measure. Dawn's finishing a long,
angry, horribly obscene tirade in Spanish that ends up
shocking Xander.
XANDER
"Dawn! That kind of language!"
DAWN
"YOU know Spanish?"
XANDER
"Some. Comes in handy."
DAWN
"You learned it at school?"
Xander sighs.
XANDER
"No. On the job. You?"
Dawn stares moodily away into the distance.
DAWN
"You know me. I just ... pick up things fast. Like
Sumerian. I just ... listened. To the neighborhood
people, like Mrs. Pineda at the market, or the radio
and TV. Maybe it's because I'm the key. Maybe that's
why I learn things so fast."
XANDER
"Maybe. But you shouldn't say those words Dawn."
DAWN
"Why not? I got Ricky captured, probably killed. And
nearly did the same for you."
XANDER
"That's not fair. He knew the risks. Just like I did."
DAWN
"Xander, he came to save US. And all those people.
Probably most of them wouldn't lift a finger to help
him. Cause of who he is."
Angry at herself. She spits out ..
DAWN (CONT'D)
"Now I finally understand why Buffy was such a ... I
understand. Why she wanted to do things alone. I
should have gone in alone."
XANDER
"And you would have been dead. And all those people
would have died too. Or whatever the hell those aliens
do to them. You did what you could. No one's asking
any more."
DAWN
"I am."
Looming suddenly out of the background, Francisco
adds.
FRANCISCO
"You should not blame yourself. Soldiers are always
falling in battle. It is the way of the earth."
Dawn's angry, and Xander finds Francisco even MORE
depressing.
DAWN
"That's goddamn easy for you to say. Why should you
care? You're dead!"
Dawn then proceeds to use nearly every bad and dirty
word she can remember in Spanish directed at
Francisco, the Earth, and the aliens.
XANDER
"What she said. Only double."
FRANCISCO
"Are you both finished?"
DAWN
"Yes."
FRANCISCO
"I must admit I'm impressed. Good cursing is always
important for a leader and I remember ..."
Looking at Dawn's increasingly angry face and Xander
becoming dangerously despairing he changes gears
abruptly.
FRANCISCO (CONT'D)
"He may not be dead. These aliens are tricky fellows.
We may yet save him."
XANDER
"Ah ... what?"
DAWN
"Where are they hiding?"
FRANCISCO
"In the lake of course. They always hide in Water. I
don't know why. Perhaps it is their metal. It corrodes
so quickly. We had a few of their things. They fell
apart within days."
Xander absorbs this information, and Dawn grows
thoughtful.
DAWN
"Xander ... these aliens, they travel in spacecraft,
right?"
XANDER
"OK. Aliens, spacecraft, no sexy Vulcan babes. Making
sense. Well it's not but ..."
DAWN
"And they have to hide in water else their metal parts
all corrode, right?"
XANDER
"Yeah that's what Francisco just said."
Dawm turns to Francisco.
DAWN
"What SORT of water do the aliens hide in?"
FRANCISCO
"Well, it was only the one time for me. But it was
brackish water. Still, dead. No fish. In a lagoon in
the Sea of Cortez."
DAWN
"Xander what corrodes metal in the air?"
XANDER
"Oxygen."
DAWN
"So if you needed to hide your spacecraft to avoid
oxygen, where would you hide it?"
XANDER
"In the center of the lake, where's there no oxygen,
as deep as you could go."
DAWN
"Except."
XANDER
"OK I'll bite. What's the catch."
DAWN
"It's a spacecraft not a submarine. They have to bring
EVERYTHING with them."
Xander's catching on.
XANDER
"Which means that they have to pack light for their
vacations."
DAWN
"And that means their spacecraft can't be too deep.
Cause it can't stand the pressure."
She turns to Francisco.
DAWN (CONT'D)
"How deep were they?"
FRANCISCO
"Oh, about forty feet. No more. We tried to get to
them in boats but they sunk them every time. We waited
..."
DAWN
"Until they tried to leave?"
FRANCISCO
"Yes. Then I sent my Golden Ones, my precious Dorados,
the best cavalry in the world, in a feint. We lost
many men that day. Good men."
Dawn and Xander are looking thoughtfully at the
Trebuchet.
DAWN
"Xander, what's the range on that thing?"
XANDER
"At LEAST 300 feet."
DAWN
"And you still have those stones you were going to
use?"
XANDER
"Yes. And I have a map of Lake Michigan in my boss's
office. He does a lot of fishing."
DAWN
"It gives depth readings?"
XANDER
"And wrecks. Fish hang around wrecks."
DAWN
"It's a gamble."
XANDER
"We owe him. And he's my friend."
Dawn looks at Xander with infinite compassion, no
stranger to loss herself.
DAWN
"I know."
EXT. LAKE MICHIGAN SHORELINE -- NIGHT
Xander and Dawn are wheeling the Trebuchet out of
large panel truck. It's heavy work and they glare at
Francisco as they muscle the Trebuchet down the ramp
and onto the cement bordering the lake. Farther out in
the middle of the Lake, helicopters with military
markings patrol the waters, spotlights on the water
below them.
XANDER
"You couldn't help? Or is that against the Cowboy
Code?"
DAWN
"Forget it. It's done already."
She glares at Francisco.
DAWN (CONT'D)
"Don't you know anything more?"
FRANCISCO
"If it was Vampires, or demons, or anything else, I
could help you. But these aliens? They are not of the
earth. I'm as helpless as a witch or slayer would be."
XANDER
"Well, that's just great. Well, at least the military
is out in force. Think they know?"
At this Francisco just shrugs, while Dawn stares at
the helicopters for a moment.
Dawn and Xander muscle the stone into position on the
Trebuchet. They align it roughly towards the empty
Lake.
XANDER (CONT'D)
"You know, we could wait here all night and nothing
could happen. Probably nothing will happen and we'll
have to do this again tomorrow ..."
At these words a loud throbbing sound comes from the
lake and the water begins to boil. A pulsing light
appears from beneath the water, oddly in tune with
sounds.
XANDER (CONT'D)
"I should never talk again."
Dawn just snorts at this.
DAWN
"Can you line this thing up? Can we aim it?"
XANDER
"Yeah. Help me move it."
They tug and push at the Trebuchet, which gets aligned
with the bubbling and boiling water, and the light
below which gathers speed as it approaches the store.
Now the UFO breaks free of the water, heavy and
ungainly as it struggles into the air and tries to
pick up speed. The helicopters are too far away to
reach it, but it shoots several searing bolts of light
and a helicopter drops out of the sky.
DAWN
"Xander! Now!"
Xander releases the catch, and the stone flies free,
arcing a path directly into the accelerating UFO,
which folds around the stone upon impact and crashes
heavily into the water near the shore.
DAWN (CONT'D)
"Goddamn you! Come to my planet and do these things,
this is the price you pay."
Francisco looks upon this and smiles. And upon
reflection for a moment, frowns. The choice Dawn has
made is not a happy one. But the planet could not ask
for a better protector.
Dawn's already stripping off her outer clothes, and
rushing towards the UFO which has a massive hole on
it's top and is slowly sinking into the Lake.
She comes to the UFO and unhesitatingly dives into the
hole as the UFO starts to sink and Xander swims
desperately after her.
INT. THE UFO -- NIGHT
Dawn's swimming into the UFO, which is filled with
murky water, desperately looking for someone,
something, anything to lead her to Ricky. The interior
is metallic, and sparse, she comes to a hatch and
opens it. Swims into another compartment. She's
running out of air when she spots Ricky. He looks
pale. She grabs him and he's cold to the touch. She
pulls at him and discovers his chest has been cut
open. And his heart removed. Her eyes widen as Xander
appears behind her with his waistband stuffed with
objects from the UFO. They turn to leave but the UFO
jerks and moves downwards. The door behind them
buckles, and is jammed shut. Dawn and Xander
desperately try to free themselves but to no avail.
The door won't budge.
Xander moves away. He studies a panel of lights behind
Dawn. He makes his decision. He pushes a sequence of
lighted buttons, grabs Dawn and Ricky's body. A flash
of blue light and they are in the shallows, distant
from the UFO, gasping for air.
DAWN
"How? How did you?"
XANDER
"I just knew."
He looks at Ricky. Ruined chest gaping open, his face
dead and cold.
XANDER (CONT'D)
"It's not fair. They used him for spare parts. It's
why they come here."
He starts to sob
XANDER (CONT'D)
"It's just not fair. He was my friend. He liked me. He
was a good guy. He was brave. He saved us."
He's crying more now, unable to stop the sobs.
Dawn's looking at him sadly.
DAWN
"I know Xander. I know."
She holds him, with love but not with desire, and
tells him ...
DAWN (CONT'D)
"It's OK Xander. Let it out. Let it ALL out. For both
of us."
There is another, smaller flash of blue light as the
UFO in the distance makes a big slurping noise and
slips into the lake, water boiling in it's wake. A
single space suited figure appears by Xander and Dawn.
Xander looks at the figure in pure white hot hatred.
He angrily brings up his 1911 still in his waistband
when Dawn stops him and forces the gun down.
DAWN (CONT'D)
"Xander, no. I need him."
Xander's angry and appalled.
XANDER
"He killed Ricky. What could you need him for?"
Francisco's words echo in Dawn's head. She remembers
"The aliens, they sap the power of the brujos, the
witches. And the Slayers." And "Magic, slayers, even
demons and vampires ... they just stop around them."
DAWN
"I need him for later."
She looks at Xander.
DAWN (CONT'D)
"There's been enough death here tonight Xander."
She looks at him thoughtfully.
DAWN (CONT'D)
"I need you to trust me on this Xander. I'll explain
later, but I promise you it's for a reason. Trust me."
She looks at the alien. Pushing Xander's arm down
further. She motions her head for the alien to leave.
The alien stands motionless, staring behind the helmet
that hides everything. Then he moves, splashing
towards the shore. As he moves he quickly assumes the
color of the water, sky, and later the pavement, like
a chameleon only faster. And is gone within moments.
Dawn swears in Spanish.
DAWN (CONT'D)
"I didn't know they could do that."
XANDER
"Neither did I."
DAWN
"I can STILL find him later."
EXT. THE JUNKYARD -- DAY
Dawn and Xander are wheeling the Trebuchet back into
it's old place.
XANDER
"On the upside? I've got all the things I swiped from
the UFO in alcohol. It's sitting inside a cooler. So
maybe they won't fall apart."
DAWN
"Won't someone find it?"
XANDER
"It's under a pile of junk. And nobody comes around
here. There's already a spider building a web around
it."
DAWN
"Probably a black widow."
Francisco appears from behind Xander, startling him.
XANDER
"Damn! Don't do that!"
Francisco smiles at his little joke.
FRANCISCO
"You both did very well. Though perhaps you could have
done better."
He gives a hard stare at Dawn, who is defiant under
his gaze.
DAWN
"I did what I had to. You know it."
Francisco sighs.
FRANCISCO
"I suppose it cannot be helped. In any case there are
things you must know."
DAWN
"I'm done fighting monsters. I had enough of that in
Sunnydale. Chicago aliens weren't much fun either."
XANDER
"What she said. Only triple."
DAWN
"I've got other plans. Like say College. An actual
career. Want someone to fight evil? Save the world? Go
ask Buffy. She's the professional."
Francisco frowns at this
FRANCISCO
"That is what I wanted to talk to you about. Buffy.
And a choice you must make."
The camera pans out, looking over at Francisco as he
talks to Xander and Dawn, earnestly, as they shout
their disbelief. Their words are mere murmurs from the
distance, coming into clarity as the camera moves back
in.
DAWN
"No. No! It's not true!"
XANDER
"This isn't fair! It would mean ..."
FRANCISCO
"Yes it IS true. You know it. And yes it IS NOT fair.
I don't deny it. It's why the Earth chose you. And now
why you must in turn chose."
He sadly shakes his head.
FRANCISCO (CONT'D)
"I am truly sorry. You are both very brave. I would
have been proud to count you as one of my Dorados."
He pauses.
FRANCISCO (CONT'D)
"Provided of course you could ride. You deserved
better. But now you must choose."
Dawn's angry. That it would even be questioned.
DAWN
"You KNOW how I choose. I love her. I always will.
She's part of me."
She looks at Xander
DAWN (CONT'D)
"You don't have to do this. You've suffered enough.
And you deserve more. More than ... this."
XANDER
"I've been with Buffy for seven years Dawn. I used to
be so much in love with her."
He laughs.
XANDER (CONT'D)
"She'd never even notice me. I never really ...
mattered that way for her."
Dawn looks at him. He laughs bitterly.
XANDER (CONT'D)
"I'm not ... I don't feel that way about her now. But
she's still my friend. She made my life better. I
couldn't imagine the world without her in it. She's
part of me too."
He pauses and looks at his friend.
XANDER (CONT'D)
"Just like you Dawn. Besides, you need someone to
watch your back."
She smiles, very sadly.
DAWN
"There's no one I'd trust more."
Francisco is satisfied.
FRANCISCO
"Then you know what to do, when the offer comes. And
remember, the United States Government is dangerous."
He sighs. They MUST understand.
FRANCISCO (CONT'D)
"If you make yourself indispensable, so that they do
not know where you begin and they end, you will be
safe. But you will have enemies, who will whisper in
the ears of important and nameless men in Washington,
and you must be wary."
He looks at them intently. Do they understand?
FRANCISCO (CONT'D)
"This is not a joke. The earth cannot help you with
that. It is something you must handle on your own.
Make many friends there, but always beware for
enemies. Trust no one there. Only each other."
XANDER
"Hey, like the X Files."
Dawn's annoyed by the joke. She sees in an instant the
danger.
DAWN
"Xander this is serious! [she pauses] There will be a
lot of people wanting us ..."
FRANCISCO
"Dead."
Turning to Xander.
DAWN
"Like Maggie Walsh."
XANDER
"Oh."
Francisco nods, and is nearly out the door when he
adds ...
FRANCISCO
"And never trust a German. Or their weapons. I had a
Luger once. I dropped it in the dirt. It jammed and
nearly got me killed. NEVER trust anything German."
And with that he leaves.
Xander and Dawn look at each other.
XANDER
"OK. Can I say how much our lives suck now?"
DAWN
"Look on the bright side. At least we don't have to
worry about retirement planning."
XANDER
"Or going bald."
DAWN
"Or varicose veins."
XANDER
"What ARE varicose veins?"
DAWN
"Mrs. Kleinman at the deli."
XANDER
"Oh."
Graham enters the junkyard, flanked by two obviously
out of uniform Army Rangers.
DAWN
"Hello Graham. The answer is yes. On these
condidtions."
INT. BUFFY'S APARTMENT -- DAY
Willow and Kennedy are sitting at the counter, eating
breakfast. Buffy is on the phone, talking to someone.
She hangs up.
BUFFY
"Well, guess what?"
WILLOW
"Any news from Giles on the Council front?"
BUFFY
"Oh plenty. Where's Xander and Dawn?"
Kennedy and Willow look abashed.
WILLOW
"Oh they're out. And about. And doing stuff."
KENNEDY
"I think they were looking for aliens."
Snorting up some cereal through her nose Willow is
about to say something when Buffy replies ..
BUFFY
"Hello? Slayer here. Oldest one around, anyway"
Adding this quickly seeing Kennedy's searching look,
and suddenly REMEMBERING she's not the only active
slayer anymore.
BUFFY (CONT'D)
"Seen Demons, vampires, werewolves and wiccas. No
aliens."
WILLOW
"There WAS that one time when ..."
BUFFY
"Will! That was a demon. It just CAME from a meteor. I
think."
She's puzzled by that.
BUFFY (CONT'D)
"At any rate, take it from me. There are no such
things as aliens. They don't exist. This town's just
nuts. Everyone is crazy."
KENNEDY
"Well, I think they were out looking for them."
BUFFY
"Good. Then they won't get into trouble then. But I'll
tell them the good news tomorrow."
EPILOGUE
INT. XANDER'S APARTMENT -- NIGHT
Dawn and Xander are sitting sprawled on the couch,
watching the end of a movie. Dawn's turning off the
DVD player. Xander's looking at her.
XANDER
"Seriously. Taxi Driver IS your favorite movie?"
DAWN
"Someday a real rain is gonna come, and wash all the
scum off the streets."
XANDER
"You're scaring me. You know that."
DAWN
"I have to start somewhere."
XANDER
"Just don't start turning into Andrew."
She playfully hits Xander for that.
DAWN
"Don't you EVER suggest ..."
XANDER
"Next thing you know, you'll be quoting Star Wars."
DAWN
"At LEAST I don't quote Babylon 5 like SOME people I
know. And Scorsese is cooler than Lucas."
XANDER
"Star Wars. American Graffiti. Raiders."
DAWN
"Mean Streets. Taxi Driver. Gangs of New York."
She pauses.
DAWN (CONT'D)
"Well OK, maybe not that last one."
She shifts gears.
DAWN (CONT'D)
"You ready for this?"
XANDER
"Yes."
He moves to the table along with Dawn from the couch.
There is a bottle of tequila and two shot glasses on
the table
Mockingly Dawn lifts the Tequila bottle.
DAWN
"Oh my. My first time."
She looks at him and breathily says ...
DAWN (CONT'D)
"And with you, it's so ... right."
XANDER
"You won't thank me later. It's gonna hurt."
Changing her tone to serious intent
DAWN
"It should hurt. I'm OK with that."
XANDER
"Are you sure? That you want to do this? And with me?
We don't ... have to."
DAWN
"Xander? There's nobody on earth I'd want to do this
more with."
And with that she pours the tequila into the shot
glasses. They each raise their glasses.
DAWN (CONT'D)
"To Ricky. He saved us."
XANDER
"To Ricky. My friend. A good ... man."
They drink. Dawn sputters.
DAWN
"It's disgusting."
XANDER
"Wait till you're hung over."
DAWN
"I don't care."
XANDER
"To ... Anya. She fought when she could have run. She
..."
He starts to nearly cry at this. Dawn looks at him
sadly.
DAWN
"To Anya. Our friend. We miss her. We always will."
They drink. Dawn's not choking this time.
DAWN (CONT'D)
"To Amanda. Our friend. One of us."
XANDER
"To Amanda."
They drink, Dawn refills the glasses.
DAWN
"To Molly. Who made me laugh."
XANDER
"To Molly. Who made me laugh too."
Another toast.
XANDER (CONT'D)
"To Chao Anh. She was brave."
DAWN
"To Chao Anh."
Another toast again, and Dawn refills the glasses.
DAWN (CONT'D)
"Xander ... if I puke will you still be my friend?"
XANDER
"Sure. You'll always be my friend Dawn. Just don't
puke in the living room. I have a cleaning deposit.
Bathroom's tiled. So's the kitchen."
DAWN
"Great."
They blink. A bit bleary eyed.
XANDER
"To Chloe. I understand why ..."
DAWN
"To Chloe. I understand too ..."
XANDER
"To Diane. Who was brave and a hero."
DAWN
"To Diane."
They toast.
XANDER
"To Annabelle."
DAWN
"To Annabelle."
They toast and Xander refills the glasses as Dawn
starts to slip with the bottle.
DAWN (CONT'D)
"To Eve. Who we never knew."
XANDER
"To Eve."
Dawn pauses. She's starting to nearly cry.
DAWN
"To Tara. Who ... who tried to be my Mom. When I had
no one else. Who I miss every day."
Xander sees her crying now and adds
XANDER
"To Tara McClay. She's ... part of our family. And I
miss her. Every day too."
Dawn between tears drains her glass dry. And before
Xander can say anything she gravely, and very
deliberately, as if she were made of glass and would
break if she moved suddenly, fills both their glasses
with tequila.
DAWN
"To Mom. I miss her. All the time. She's my hero."
Dawn's starting to cry again. Xander adds ..
XANDER
"To Joyce Summers. Who a lot of times I wish were MY
Mom. And who gave the world the two greatest people I
ever met. My heroes. Dawn and Buffy Summers."
He looks at Dawn.
XANDER (CONT'D)
"And every time I see Dawn, or Buffy, I KNOW Joyce is
proud of the women they became. Strong. Beautiful. And
heroes I'm proud to call my friends."
He looks at Dawn, who's stopped crying.
XANDER (CONT'D)
"Joyce is still here. Because you are."
They drink. Dawn with a sad smile on her face.
EXT. A CHICAGO ROOFTOP -- NIGHT
The last space suited alien looks at the skyline.
Chicago's high rises loom in the background. Checking
carefully to see what's about, and carrying a bundle
of clothes, the alien kneels down. Pauses for a bit,
and then with suddent violence twists the helmet, as
water pours out of the helmet. The alien is bent over,
coughing and retching violently as it struggles to
breath in the unfamiliar air.
It looks up, seeing the world for the first time with
unfiltered eyes as it gasps for air. The camera shows
the alien's face. It's a woman, beautiful in a harsh,
cold manner, tinged with green from the fluid in the
suit. She utters two words. In an unknown harsh alien
language.
But by the intonation and delivery, their meaning is
unmistakable. It's the worst obscenity she knows.