| ACT THREE FADE IN INT. SUMMERS HOUSE - NIGHT On Faith's pale face as her eyelids flutter open. She GROANS. Pull back to reveal her lying on the couch. Buffy shoots into the scene and kneels beside Faith, caressing her compassionately. BUFFY Faith, baby, are you okay? God you scared me so much out there. FAITH What the fuck happened? BUFFY I don't know...you're weak baby, but you're home with me and it's all right. You're drained of slayer-strength, but we're working on it. We'll find out what's responsible and you'll be tip-top in no time. Okay baby? FAITH (serenely as Buffy strokes her) Yeah...I love what you're doin'. BUFFY I know you do. I'll do it forever. FAITH B? You feelin' on the level? BUFFY More than ever--seeing you at the cemetery so helpless, and on this couch so vulnerable...baby I'm so sorry for how I treated you. FAITH Ya keep callin' me baby. BUFFY I just couldn't admit how deep you've infiltrated my heart. I'm yours Faith. I'm yours and I wish to God and Goddess and every fucking Power for you to be mine. FAITH (teary-eyed) Ya gotta fuckin' ask? Buffy begins to cry herself, but manages a smile. She kisses the tears off Faith's cheeks, her eyelids, and then, as Faith's eyes flutter shut... On Faith's face as her eyes fly open and she sits up. Pull back to show only Faith in the room. Faith wipes at her dry face, semi-freaked, semi-disappointed. Faith MOANS, gently pressing areas of her body. Buffy appears from the kitchen with snacks. BUFFY You should lie down. FAITH I'm-- (pause) --I, uh, feel more than off. BUFFY My heightened observation skills concur. Slayerness rules! I don't get freaked these days... FAITH Sorry. BUFFY Misplaced, missy. FAITH Quit tryin' to be cute to make me feel better. BUFFY I'm not trying. You think I've got cuteness working for me right this second? FAITH (unconvincingly) Fuck no! Bein' a slayer hasn't changed the fact I can't tell cute from obnoxious. And it's really fuckin' annoyin' when someone self- proclaims cuteness. They think it's cute to do that, but it fuckin' ain't. BUFFY You're hurting--so the attitude cover is expected. You've changed, but not too much...just how I like you. FAITH Please don't do that. BUFFY What? FAITH Pity the loser lyin' on your couch. BUFFY You're sitting. I'm resigned to the sitting despite your health and you are staunchly opposed to me pitying you. Meanwhile, I have never and will never pity you. And you are not, never have been, and never will be a loser. FAITH I'm goin' back to the hotel. Faith moves to get up but Buffy smoothly pushes her down. BUFFY FUCK no. FAITH Boss the groupies around. BUFFY Don't mistake assertive for bossy. Realize I'm telling you to lie down and shut up because it HELPS YOU. I care about you...this is how I'm showing it. Faith's blown away. She can't respond. CUT TO: EXT. CHURCH - DAY Father Oliveira futilely tries to drag a set of two-by-fours up the steps. A school-ready Dawn is passing by. DAWN Oh, Father, let me help. FATHER OLIVEIRA Generous child, I don't wish to impede your path to educational awareness. DAWN Um, I'm just headed for school-- there's no evidence of me paying attention and doing well. But, hey, lugging flanks of wood up stairs--woo hoo! FATHER OLIVEIRA From your size, these pieces may weigh as much as you do, so... Father Oliveira drifts off as Dawn easily picks the two-by- fours up and over her shoulder. FATHER OLIVEIRA I should seriously consider those holy coupons for the sports club. CUT TO: INT. CHURCH - CONTINUOUS Dawn cheerily sways into the church and down the aisle, showing off her strength. Father Oliveira follows, uncomfortable with the display. She heads all the way to the front where Father Oliveira hurries to cut her off. FATHER OLIVEIRA Dropping them here is fine and dandy DAWN All rightee-O. Dawn motions to toss them, but thinks better of it, seeing the stained-glass windows, crosses, and statue of Jesus. She carefully places them on the floor. DAWN Remodeling? The place is pretty kickin' as is. FATHER OLIVEIRA There's always room for improvement. A widely-held truth for human-kind. DAWN I guess. I've never been very religious--funny how it's appealing at this time in my life. FATHER OLIVEIRA Devotion to faith is always opportune. DAWN Gotta jump at the opportunities when they're presented free and clear. Not so much free. A NOISE comes from the office. Dawn glances at the door, then spots the HAT scrounged in the pew corner. DAWN There someone--? FATHER OLIVEIRA --Sister...Christian. She's clumsy. DAWN Riiight...you know, I thought I might attend mass this week. FATHER OLIVEIRA Renovations--we're closed--for all cases. St. Cecilia's isn't the only game in town though. DAWN Doesn't look like any construction's taking place. FATHER OLIVEIRA Starts tomorrow. Dawn politely nods. She takes a few steps and casually tips one foot and steps on her shoelaces with the other. She stumbles onto the pew, sitting on the hat. FATHER OLIVEIRA Are you okay? DAWN Speaking of clumsy...I'll be fine Father. You go do your thing...won't waste anymore of your time. FATHER OLIVEIRA Never a waste with my fellow humans. Dawn ties her shoelaces. Father Oliveira peeks back as he enters the office. He closes the door when he's in, giving Dawn the chance to stuff the hat in her pants. CUT TO: INT. HYPERION OFFICE - DAY Willow talks on the phone. WILLOW Ewwwwwwwww--stomach churning to the max. I ate steamed octopus. INTERCUT: INT. SUMMERS HOUSE - DAY On the other end, Buffy relaxes in the kitchen BUFFY Hopping on the "Ewww Train". Tentacles is not a delicacy in my house. WILLOW Suffice it to say, I probably would have welcomed the jelly bath. So how's everything on the homefront? BUFFY Out of control. Dawn's doing heavy-lifting in the relationship area. Spike is still on the run. I'm in love with Faith. Giles wants to be in GQ. WILLOW Whoa! Oh oh, hey, hold it right there "Miss I Just Professed My Love For My Fellow Lusciously Buxom Slayer". You love Faith? BUFFY Oh, yeah, I thought I'd slip that in. Really isn't a big deal. WILLOW The bleepin' hell it's not! BUFFY Bleepin'? WILLOW Profanity is a virtue I'd rather not embody. Lesbian love, however, is one that suits you! I mean, slayerness is a sapphic organization. BUFFY What, like N.O.W? WILLOW Goddess no! You fight for the greater good and the powers that be--not a greater estrogen balance and the powers of special interest groups. Buffy, this is huge! When-- BUFFY --Saturday night. For reasons that pertain to the personal lives of others, I can't tell you the circumstances of my awakening...let's just say I finally let go, faced the gorgeous music and realized spending my life with her is a choice I will never regret. WILLOW Awww--you can't see me, but I'm crying. BUFFY Called it! WILLOW Have you told Faith yet? BUFFY No. WILLOW Does she feel the same way? BUFFY Yeah... WILLOW YES! BUFFY Told to me as the climactic event of a heated exchange BEFORE I had my life-changing release. WILLOW Oh. Sucks for you huh? BUFFY Perfect phrasing. WILLOW Buffy, I know I've had--still have--confrontational issues with Faith--history-wise--but I'm happy for you and I think Faith is the one. BUFFY That means more to me than anything anyone's ever said to me. Except when I was 14 and my dad told me I looked like a young Grace Kelly. Couldn't appreciate the comment at the time since I didn't know who Grace Kelly was, but now... WILLOW Mmm, Grace Kelly. Talk about a piece of pie I'd love to eat. BUFFY WILLOW! Buffy doesn't appear to disagree. CUT TO: EXT. DEAN HOUSE - NIGHT Dawn bangs on the door. Moments later, a black-eyed Elle answers. ELLE Banger. DAWN Labels aren't nice. ELLE You deserve it. DAWN It was an accident. ELLE You spiked a volleyball in my face! Fuck that dodging unintentional shit! DAWN You're reading too much into my propensity for rage. ELLE I'm not your therapist. You might benefit from having one...I'm fed up with you and your crap. Elle tries to close the door, but Dawn keeps it open. DAWN Please don't dismiss me like that. We have so much to discuss. ELLE Have the conversation in your head then! You'll win it that way! Or, knowing Dawn Summers, mental instability would probably make her lose in a fiery blaze! DAWN Don't blow me off. I feel so fucking terrible for the gym incident and ignoring you and wronging you... (pause) I NEED YOU. ELLE Thanks...but how long until your knee ends up in my gut and your lips stay shut when my ears are open? DAWN It won't be like that. ELLE I can't keep submitting to your words when I don't trust them. Dawn's head drops, her hair hiding her face. Elle slowly closes the door. CUT TO: INT. SUMMERS HOUSE - DAY Faith gingerly walks down the stairs. She gets to the bottom when Dawn flies down and bumps Faith. Faith YELPS but Dawn doesn't acknowledge her on her way to the kitchen. Faith settles in the archway to the dining room where Buffy is. BUFFY Wanna do research? Find out first- hand what's got you hurting? FAITH I already know--depending on what hurt your referrin' to. BUFFY There's a bunch of questions Giles--and I--want to ask. FAITH Ask and ye shall receive. BUFFY Fight a demon that succeeded in connecting with a special shot? FAITH Nope. I was on cruise-control 'til cruisin' into a tombstone. BUFFY Any unusual activities the last few--couple of days? Faith shies away from that one. Buffy's got her. BUFFY Faith. FAITH Dabblin' a bit in the arts. BUFFY Arts? Black? FAITH More like pink. BUFFY Spells about gay men and flamingos? FAITH No, but that's one hell of an image B. Buffy GIGGLES. Faith does to--against her better judgment. FAITH Substance ain't material to this. I was just screwin' around--testin' my mettle. BUFFY Did something happen? FAITH Blew up in my face--literally. BUFFY That's definitely something. Why don't you write down the details and Giles will check it out. Faith nods, GASPS, and winces. Buffy moves closer to Faith. BUFFY Wanna lie down? FAITH Nah, just residual soarness. I still got some slayer healin' left. BUFFY Strength? FAITH I'm runnin' on fumes. So fuckin' weird. BUFFY What? FAITH I haven't felt this...mortal...since the day I got the call. BUFFY Yeah--I thought I was a sitting duck when my powers disappeared. After all the bitching about having them, I wouldn't know how to live without them. FAITH You could. Your life was solid-- 90210 datin', cheerleadin', hair freak-outs. (beat) I despised myself up until that day. My life was in the dumps-- worthless parents who still have this sick power over me. I'd fuck anyone just 'cause it was my one real talent. School, friends, responsibility didn't even exist...that shit don't register if no one puts it in front of you. (MORE) FAITH (CONT'D) (pause) I didn't want to care about ME...I hate feeling like this. BUFFY Then don't. That's in the past. Today's Faith is respectable, likable, and lovable. You want to feel those...we feel them for you. (beat) Faith, you are special in ways I can't even describe. Faith smiles. Buffy enamors her with a deep gaze...one that's broken by Buffy's cell RINGING. Buffy angrily pulls it out and: BUFFY You suck. (pause) Yes Giles--you still suck. In fact, congratulations on surpassing me on suck-street. (pause) Now? Later-- (pause) Fine. I'll be there in a few. Buffy hangs up. FAITH Bad guys? BUFFY If Giles can be categorized as one--YES. He found info on some Greek stuff he's been railing about since getting those ancient books. Wants to prove the existence of a God-child living on Earth. FAITH What's new about that? I'm a godchild. Billions are. BUFFY No--child of a God. Pet project. We'll talk more later, okay? Faith nods. Buffy leaves. Faith eyes the door for a moment before turning for the kitchen. Dawn shoots into the frame and almost knocks Faith over. FAITH Gimme a break D. What do I gotta do to get on your good side? DAWN Die. Or move to South Dakota. FAITH I'm sorry! Sorry for what I did to you and everyone else! I can't say it any better--words aren't my fort. DAWN FortE. Jeez. FAITH I always got a kick outta you D. You were my wing-chick. DAWN Easy to remember the good aspects. FAITH Why dwell on the bad when I can't do anything about it! I can't fix my mistakes--just repent and do my best to be the real me. DAWN I've heard a lot about the real you. FAITH You seen it. DAWN Well those memories get bumped out of my mind by those pesky incidents of you trying to kill my sister and friends! Helping that snake destroy the world. Parading my mother in front of me as you held a FUCKING KNIFE TO HER THROAT! FAITH I never woulda cut her. I swear-- doing that is probably the thing I regret the most! Your mom was the only one that really showed...some kind of embrace for me and I couldn't have killed her. DAWN Knowing it was a bluff wipes away the trauma. As if I'd believe you. FAITH I wish to God I could take it back. It fuckin' tortures me that I can't apologize to her! She's the one I feel the worst about and I wish she were alive so I could tell her! DAWN Oh, well, I feel so sorry for YOU that you can't apologize to MY DEAD MOTHER! Dawn races up the stairs and SLAMS a door. Faith looks lost. She rubs her increasingly red eyes then stares determinedly at the door. CUT TO: EXT. HOPE CEMETERY - DAY Faith strolls across the picturesque terrain, stopping when she reaches her destination. Close on the words: Joyce Summers. Faith kneels down on the ground and sits in a comfortable position. FAITH Hey Mrs. S. (long pause) Christ, what the hell do I say to the stoned version of you? Get it? You--stoned--I'm talkin' to your...Jesus, I have enough trouble talkin' to people and when I think this'll be easier, I find I'm worse--and a complete dork. I might as well spit it out--plain and simple, I'm sorry Mrs. S. You treated me the best of anyone...like I mattered...like I belonged. Me and you, we were outsiders, meant to be kept outta the loop by the scooby inner circle 'cause--damn, I don't know. Still somethin' in common. I know you were ecstatic for me showin' up 'cause I could play reliever--do Buffy's job so she could have the normal life. Pissed me off back then...but I'd do it in a second now if that would make her happy. Now, I believe happiness is real, not just a dream. (MORE) FAITH (CONT'D) Now, I want it--this time believing I can have it. If she'd just say...tell me--I'm hers. I love your daughter Mrs. S. I know I ain't the prototype husband you imagined and hoped for, but I'm no slouch. I don't deserve her--I've never doubted that--but devotin' and spendin' all my energy to LOVING her is the ultimate hope for a worthless piece o--me. For me-- 'cause while I may not deserve HER, I sure as hell deserve the chance to be WITH HER and earn her love. I wish you could give me a thumbs- up or whatever hokey approval. Faith snuggles up against the headstone. FAITH (whispering) Wish I had you for a mom. CUT TO: INT. DARK STATION - EVENING On Spike as he stands in the shadows. We don't see who he's talking to. SPIKE Do your job. Anything short of success, and you get whipped onto my next sandwich. Got it? Deliver the rogue's head to me--mutilation is welcome. CUT TO: INT. SUMMERS HOUSE - EVENING Buffy enters through the front and finds Dawn at the computer in the living room. DAWN Hey, I'm using hacker magic with resounding success. BUFFY You're not robbing a bank, are you? DAWN No...that's tomorrow. Actually, I'm-- BUFFY --Where' s Faith? DAWN (irritated) I don't know. BUFFY You don't know? She's not here? DAWN Excuse me for not paying attention to her every move. I've been busy discovering two kids were reported missing yesterday and I think it has something to do with St. Cecilia's church--at least, the priest is spearheading the plot-- it's doubtful the building itself came to life and is involved. BUFFY Did you do something to Faith? She's lost her slayer powers Dawn! YOU could take her! DAWN God! Are you listening to yourself? All about fucking Faith! Evil has infiltrated a church--how about focusing on the important task at hand? BUFFY You're always grumbling about lack of responsibility and contribution to the fight--handle this on your own! I trust you. Now, you and Faith: what the fuck? CUT TO: INT. CHURCH - EVENING Candlelight. Sister Christian plays the ORGAN in the upper deck. Elle, cognizant of the creepy-factor, slowly walks down the aisle to the front. Close on Elle as she turns and looks up at Sister Christian for a moment. She's uneasy with the atmosphere, and it doesn't help when she turns around to find Father Oliveira right there. She SCREAMS and staggers back. FATHER OLIVEIRA Dear child, forgive my abrupt appearance. I meant not to disrupt you. ELLE No problem. It has more to do with how scary this place can be. FATHER OLIVEIRA That's unfortunate--hopefully you can relax now. ELLE Certainly worth the effort. FATHER OLIVEIRA I'm overjoyed you decided to show. ELLE I aim to please. FATHER OLIVEIRA Marvelous. You won't fail in that objective. ELLE Riiight. FATHER OLIVEIRA Come on...I want to share something with you. Elle follows Father Oliveira to his office door. FATHER OLIVEIRA Tomorrow night shall be a banner date in the history of my race. Elle furrows her brow. Father Oliveira grins and opens the door. He presents the way for Elle who enters and the sight before her turns her white-- One of the Altar Boys is bound and gagged, bloody and bruised. There are two large crosses against a wall. The other Altar Boy--dismembered and chomped on. Elle spins right into the demonized Father Oliveira. FATHER OLIVEIRA Sacrifice is the hallmark of humanity. You should be exhilarated my dear. Father Oliveira brandishes his jaws-like teeth to Elle, triggering her SCREAM. He cuts it off with his hand and we stay in the main area as Father Oliveira pushes Elle inside and closes the door, Sister Christian's ORGAN resonating with madness. END ACT THREE |
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