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SLAYER EPISODE 1.1 "Family Values"
Written by
James Anthony McSloy
FADE IN:
EXT. WU'S ANTIQUES - NIGHT
Title reads: China, Guangzhou
The street is deserted, only beggars are left at this
hour of the night.
Wu's antiques, an old fashion looking Chinese building
and the only building with it's lights on.
Standing across the street watching Wu's, there is a
man, cigarette in one hand, the rest of him covered by
darkness.
He takes a draw of his cigarette, lighting up his face
briefly.
INT. WU'S ANTIQUES - CONTINUOUS
The shop is old, there is shelves and selves of "junk".
The only light in the shop is from an oil lamp on the
cash desk.
Sitting behind this desk is KENJ WU, the shop owner, a
frail looking old man. He looks through some papers on
the desk, squinting as he reads the writing.
The bell door RINGS, Wu looks up.
Standing at the entrance of the shop is the man who was
watching the shop.
WU
(in Chinese)
I'm sorry we're closed. Come
back tomorrow morning.
FIGURE
(in English)
You have something that belongs
to me.
WU
(in English)
I said, we are closed now, come
back in the morning.
FIGURE
I need it now.
WU
We open at nine, you can get it
then, until then, goodbye.
FIGURE
You don't understand old man! I
need it now!
The figure steps into the light, a well built man,
black hair, long black coat and seriously angry.
WU
I said no! We are shut!
MAN
I need it, and I will get it!
The man walks up to the wooden cash desk, grabs it with
his hands and tears it from the ground. With no effort
he throws the desk into the wall, it smashes, and
splinters and falls to the floor.
The still lit oil lamp smashes to the ground exploding
and setting fire to the wood on the ground. It slowly
spreads into the corner of the room and up the back
wall.
Wu is stunned,slowly moving back towards the wall that
is engulfed in flames.
MAN (CONT'D)
Where are you going? I told you
that I need it!
WU
I don't have anything of yours!
Please leave me!
The man grabs Wu and throws him across the room, into a
stack of wooden shelves.
MAN
You have it, I can sense it
here!
Wu - barley alive stands up, holding his arm.
WU
Please, what is it that I have?
Please take anything.
The man moves closer to Wu and grins.
MAN
Your soul.
He grabs Wu and pushes him to the floor, pinning him.
WU
(in pain)
Please, don't. Please.
The man tears off his coat, revealing his body, which
is covered in tattoos, lines and lines of an ancient
symbols.
WU (CONT'D)
My god!
The man grabs Wu's cheeks forcing his mouth open - then
a green, misty energy exit's Wu's mouth and flows into
the man's.
They both shake as the energy is exchanged. The man
tears open Wu's shirt revealing one tattooed symbol on
his chest.
After a beat the symbol starts to glow and then fades
from Wu's body.
ON THE SYMBOLS ON THE MAN'S BACK
starts to glow, the black ink glowing with white
energy, and then at the bottom of the furthest line of
text, a new symbol appears, the same symbol that
disappeared from Wu.
EXT. WU'S ANTIQUES - MOMENTS LATER
The whole of the shop is now engulfed in flames. The
front door bursts open and the man walks out of the
shop, untouched by the fire. He walks off as the shop
collapses in on itself.
ACT ONE
EXT. NEW YORK CITY - DAY
The big apple, we see the infamous Manhattan skyline
for a moment and then FLASH to:
EXT. LEWIS HIGH SCHOOL - CONTINUOUS
Establishing. The outside of the school is quiet,
class is in session.
INT. LEWIS HIGH ICE RINK - CONTINUOUS
Practice has already started, there are two teams on
the ice playing.
One team in red and the other in blue. Standing in the
box is COACH MASTERS, big guy, late thirties, clipboard
in one hand, stop watch in the other.
Sitting in the stands there are a few students (not
many), mostly girls watching their boyfriends playing.
MASTERS
Come on you ladies, this game
decides who plays this Friday, I
want to see some action!
THE SCOREBOARD
reads nil, nil.
We have QUICK FLASHES of the game, highlights.
Players passing the puck.
Shooting (and missing).
Slamming and smashing each other into the boards.
Then player #03 gets the puck, he takes it down the
side, dodging the defended one way and sending the puck
the other, he manages to get the puck again, now it's
him and the goalie - one on one. He sends the goalie
one way and slams the goal home in the back of the net.
The goal klaxon sounds, the red light spins as the rest
of number #03's team skate over and dive onto him,
celebrating as the full time whistle is blown.
A group of girls in the crowd are going 'crazy',
screaming and shouting.
GIRL#1
Yeah, go Josh! Wooohoo!
Coach Masters is out of the box and is walking over the
ice towards the two teams.
MASTERS
(to number #03)
Kline! Get here!
Number #03 skates over to the coach.
MASTERS (CONT'D)
Take off you helmet when I'm
talking to you boy!
Number #03 takes off his helmet, revealing a very
sweaty JOSH KLINE. He's a funny, charming, good looking
guy.
JOSH
Yes sir.
MASTERS
That was beautiful son, your
amazing, and your starting this
Friday.
JOSH
(amazed)
Wow! Really?
MASTERS
I wouldn't say it otherwise
would I Kline?
JOSH
No Coach! Thanks.
MASTERS
Hey don't thank me yet, just
play as well as you did today
and were good, got it?
JOSH
Sure Coach, I won't let you
down.
MASTERS
Good, now hit the showers.
Josh skates off, as the coach approaches the others.
MASTERS (CONT'D)
(to the others)
Okay, It was a tough choice,
some of you women have been
practicing, and maybe your hard
work will be rewarded today...
ON JOSH
As he skates toward the edge of the rink. Standing at
the edge is JESSICA ALBRIDGE, the hottest girl in Lewis
High, brown hair, a hot body.
Standing about ten feet behind her are two other girls,
both good looking, the obvious in crowd at Lewis High.
JESSICA
Hey baby. You played good.
Josh reaches her, they kiss.
JOSH
Coach chose me for Friday's
game, can you believe that?
JESSICA
Hey I told you last night that
you had nothing to worry about,
didn't I?
JOSH
Yeah, but you know how tough
coach can be?
JESSICA
Josh Kline you need to have more
faith in me.
They kiss again.
JOSH
I know, I'm sorry.
JESSICA
I'll tell you what you can do to
make it up to me.
JOSH
What is it?
JESSICA
Can I get your autograph?
(beat)
You know, before you become all
rich and famous?
JOSH
Well, we'll have to see about
that.
They kiss again, longer this time, more passion.
GIRL#2
Jess, come on were going to be
late.
Jessica turns and smiles.
JOSH
It's okay, I need to hit the
showers anyway. I'll see you
later on tonight, right?
JESSICA
(mocking)
Well, we'll see.
They kiss and Jessica joins her friends, Josh watches
as they walk off.
INT. LEWIS HIGH - LOCKER ROOM - MOMENTS LATER
The doorway from the ice rink opens and in comes a
sweaty Josh. He walks up to his locker and opens it.
The locker is filled with pictures of Josh and his
friends, Jessica, and a family picture of his mom, dad
and him.
Josh looks down at the picture for a moment, and
smiles.
JOSH
This one's for you mom.
He grabs a towel and slams the locker shut.
CHRIS STEINBERG walks in from the shower area - towel
around his waist.
CHRIS
Hey Bro. Heard you made it for
Friday's big game.
JOSH
Yup. All that after school
practice has paid off. Thanks
man.
CHRIS
Don't mention it. Your my boy,
plus you got me that date with
Britney and she is a fine piece
of ass my friend, a fine piece.
They high five. Josh heads off towards the shower.
CHRIS (CONT'D)
Hey! You going out tonight?
There's a killer band on at
Joey's!
JOSH
Yeah I'll be there.
CHRIS
Later dude.
INT. LEWIS HIGH - SHOWERS - MOMENTS LATER
We see Josh in the shower.
Suddenly Josh staggers back, slammed by something
unseen. He falls to his knees, breathing hard, and then
is hit with BLUE ENERGY.
JOSH
(in pain)
ARRRGGGHHHH!!
Josh is lifted off his feet and flung across the room,
smashing into the wall, tiles fall as he hits the
floor, his face hits the ground. Blood drips from a cut
on his forehead.
He lifts his head up.
JOSH'S POV
Everything in the shower is blurry, and is getting
darker and darker.
JOSH (CONT'D)
(barely able to
speak)
C-C-Chris!
He passes out.
INT. JOSH'S DREAM STATE - NIGHT
Nothing but darkness.
Out of the black we see FLASHES of VAMPIRES and DEMONS
killing and maiming people.
Then a YOUNG GIRL (SLAYER) bursts into FRAME, she grabs
a demon and kills him, then she grabs a vampire. Flips
him over her shoulder and STAKES him in the chest, he
turns to DUST.
More and more demons/vampires attack, and each time she
takes them out.
The Slayer transforms every time a demon is killed.
The girl's clothing, the way she looks getting more and
more modern until finally, standing alone in the
darkness there is BUFFY SUMMERS.
BUFFY
It's time.
INT. HOSPITAL - NIGHT
Josh wakes - he is lying in a hospital bed with a nasty
gash on his forehead.
Sitting by his bed is JOSEPH KLINE - Josh's father -
He's a friendly looking guy in his late thirties.
Looking rather tired.
JOSEPH
Josh, oh thank god that your
awake. I was so worried. How are
you feeling?
JOSH
Uh, feel like I went ten rounds
with Mike Tyson.
JOSH (CONT'D)
(a beat)
How did I get here? And why does
my head hurts?
JOSEPH
Well that's what we hoped you'd
be able to tell us. You were
found by the coach in the
showers.
(a beat)
Is there anything you can
remember? Did somebody attack
you?
JOSH
No, well not that I can
remember. I was showering as
normal and then nothing. I must
have just passed out.
JOSEPH
Maybe you've been doing too much
son. If it's not ice hockey it's
football. I think you need to
slow down.
JOSH
You know me dad. Can't keep me
still for a minute.
They exchange smiles.
JOSH (CONT'D)
How long do I need to stay here?
JOSEPH
The doctor needs to do a quick
check up now that your awake,
but after that you can go home.
JOSH
Good, I hate these places. They
always remind me of...
JOSEPH
I know, I hate them just as much
as you do, and now your feeling
better. We can go.
Joseph gets up and hands Josh fifteen dollars.
JOSH
What's this for?
JOSEPH
Get yourself a cab home, and
some pizza. I'm going to be late
tonight.
JOSH
Where are you going?
JOSEPH
Work.
JOSH
(angry)
Come on Dad, you've got to be
kidding? You spend every hour of
the day there. Can't you come
home with me?
JOSEPH
Josh don't be like that, I need
to be at work. Something big
has just happened and we have
everyone working on it. It's
important that I'm there.
JOSH
You know what? Just forget about
it! Don't bother making excuses!
Just go!
JOSEPH
Josh.
JOSH
Dad, just go!
Joseph looks at Josh and then walks out of the room.
EXT. HOSPITAL - MOMENTS LATER
The hospital doors open and out strolls a couple of
Doctors and Joseph.
STYLES (O.C.)
Where are you going?
Joseph turns to see VICTOR STYLES, a middle aged man,
dressed in a suit, looking very slick.
JOSEPH
(startled)
Mr. Styles, I was just...
STYLES
You were just going back to the
site, isn't that right?
JOSEPH
Yes sir.
Styles points to the main road where a black BMW is
parked. The driver gets out and opens the passenger
door.
STYLES
And Kline, I need to see some
progress.
JOSEPH
Okay Mr. Styles.
He starts off.
STYLES
Oh and how's you son doing, Josh
isn't it? I heard about his
little accident.
JOSEPH
He's fine.
STYLES
Lets keep it that way, huh?
Joseph gets into the car, the driver shuts the door and
climbs into the driver's seat.
Styles watches as the car drives off. He smiles.
INT. JOSH'S BEDROOM - NIGHT
The bedroom is in total darkness as Josh enters - now
sporting a bandage on his head - he switches on the
light and throws his bag into the corner of the room.
The room is filled with trophies, ice hockey, kick
boxing and football. Josh walks over to the mirror and
takes a long look at the reflection.
JOSH
What the hell happened?
He takes off the bandage covering the gash. The gash is
nearly healed.
JOSH (CONT'D)
Son of a bitch.
Josh walks over to his bed and sits on the edge of it.
On his bed side table there is the same picture of
Josh's mom, dad, and him that he has in his locker.
There is a moment as he looks at the picture.
JOSH (CONT'D)
I miss you mom.
CLOSE ON THE PICTURE
falls from Josh's hand. Josh grabs his head in pain.
JOSH
ARRRGGGHHHH!
Josh falls from the bed onto the floor - blacking out
again.
EXT. JOSH'S DREAM STATE - CONTINUOUS
Josh is standing, alone in the darkness.
JOSH
Hello! Is there anybody there?
FOOTSTEPS can be heard moving towards Josh.
JOSH (CONT'D)
Who is that? Hello? Where am I?
Out of the darkness steps Buffy - the PHOTO of Josh and
his family in her hand.
JOSH (CONT'D)
Who are you?
BUFFY
It is time Josh. Your calling
awaits you. You are a Slayer.
JOSH
What? I have no idea what your
talking about? But I can tell
you that I'm no Slayer.
BUFFY
You must accept your calling,
your destiny or all you hold
dear to you will die.
CLOSE ON THE PICTURE
from the edge of the picture frame blood starts to
flow, covering faces of the photo. It drops and
smashes.
BUFFY
You must accept who and what you
are. Before it is too late.
JOSH
I don't understand. What do you
want me to do!
Standing where Buffy was is Josh's mother - Josh steps
back in shock.
JOSH'S MOM
You will. Josh.
INT. JOSH'S BEDROOM - MOMENTS LATER
Josh's eyes snap open. He's lying face down on the
floor. He slowly gets up.
JOSH
Mom.
Suddenly from downstairs there is a huge CRASH. Josh
turns towards the door, grabbing his baseball bat as he
waits.
Another CRASH!
He opens the door, the hallway is still in darkness but
there is light from downstairs
INT. JOSH'S LIVING ROOM - CONTINUOUS
The living room is trashed. Three big men are going
through all of the draws, tearing the place apart.
Josh comes down the stairs, bat in hand.
One of the guys turns and see's Josh.
GUY#1
What do we have here? Okay kid,
where does your father keep the
key?
The other's turn.
JOSH
I have no idea what you fella's
are looking for, but you've got
about ten seconds to get outta
here.
All three of the guys vamp out.
GUY#1
Boys, it's dinner time.
Guy#3 charges toward Josh, he steps back and swings bat
smashing the vampire in the face and with surprising
force knocks the vampire across the room.
Josh looks down at the bat surprised with what he's
just done.
JOSH
Whoa?
GUY#2
This kids on some kind of
steroid trip. I'll sort him out.
Guy#2 snatches the bat throwing it across the room. He
grabs Josh and throws him across the room. Josh slams
into the floor, a little shaken he gets back to his
feet.
Josh grabs guy#1 and inflicts a series of punches to
his face, and then a spinning kick, the vamp hits the
ground.
JOSH
(cocky)
You know what you guys? Your
getting your asses kicked off a
seventeen year old.
Guy#1 throws a kick aimed for Josh's head, Josh grabs
his foot in mid kick and lifts the vamp off his feet
and into the wall.
JOSH (CONT'D)
I hope you guys aren't going
easy on me? Come on, show me
what you've got.
Guy#2 grabs Josh from behind (total surprise).
GUY#2
Okay. I'll show you.
Guy#2 leans in to bite Josh's neck, his teeth scraping
the skin. But he stops, as a stake bursts through his
chest - a look of horror crosses his face.
GUY#2 (CONT'D)
Uh.
He turns to dust. Revealing Buffy Summers standing
holding the stake.
JOSH
You? I know you.
Standing not far behind Buffy is RUPERT GILES.
BUFFY
Hi, I'm Buffy, you must be Josh?
JOSH
Where did that guy...?
BUFFY
I'll explain later.
Guy#3 is up and lunges at Josh. Buffy shoves Josh out
of the way and kicks the vampire. She throws a series
of punches at the vamp and then BAM - delivers a STAKE
to the chest.
The vamp's dusted.
Guy#1 looks at Buffy who has a smirk across her face.
The vamp turns and runs - into the kitchen and out of
the window.
EXT. STREET OUTSIDE JOSH'S - CONTINUOUS
Shards of glass and the vampire hit the pavement below.
The vamp gets to his feet and runs off down the street
not looking back.
INT. JOSH'S LIVING ROOM - CONTINUOUS
Josh is still in shock. He looks at Giles and then at
Buffy. She smiles back at Josh.
BUFFY
(to Josh)
So do you have anything to drink
around here?
EXT. CENTRAL PARK - NIGHT
The park is empty and quiet.
Lit up by the few street lights but mainly by the moon
light.
INT. TUNNELS UNDER CENTRAL PARK - CONTINUOUS
We CRAWL through the dark tunnels, moving toward an
opening at the end. Rats move by us, We FOLLOW the RATS
as we enter:
INT. MAIN CAVERN - CONTINUOUS
The main cavern is enormous and dark. There is a path
that leads down to the floor of the cavern.
Many huge stone pillars hold up the roof of the cavern -
this is definitely more than just a cavern.
Three men with torches walk down the path and onto the
floor of the cavern. The floor of the cavern is covered
with ruins of a sunken village.
The central ruin is a huge temple still in tact. There
is cabling and equipment leading into the temple.
The three men are talking as the walk toward temple.
They are Joseph Kline, DAN KOOPER and STEPHEN ACKROYD.
JOSEPH
So how much of the seal has been
deciphered since I've been gone?
ACKROYD
Not much but I think the hole in
the center of the seal is some
sort of key hole. The symbol
above it means "to open", the
rest is still a mystery.
JOSEPH
Good work. Looks like were
finally getting somewhere at
last.
KOOPER
How's your boy Joe?
JOSEPH
He's okay. Just a little
accident at school, nothing to
worry about.
They reach the temple, and walk into the ruins.
INT. TEMPLE - CONTINUOUS
The old temple is still in good condition apart from
the whole building now being one big room, and the huge
pit in the center of the room.
Computer equipment, cables, and other tools runs from
the outside of the temple to the edge of the pit.
The three men walk up to the edge of the pit.
ANGLE: INSIDE THE PIT
The pit goes down a good thirty feet. The bottom is lit
up by a ring of fluorescent lights.
The floor of the pit is made up of a stone seal. The
seal has ancient markings on it and a "key hole" in the
center.
JOSEPH
Is there any sign of a key then?
KOOPER
Nope, nothing around the seal.
JOSEPH
Does the seal mention anything
about the location of a key?
KOOPER
Can't tell, this language is
hard to decipher. It's taken be
all this time to find out that
there is a key, never mind where
it is.
JOSEPH
Okay gentlemen. Looks like
we've got a lot to do and not a
lot time. Let's go.
The three men each take it in turn to descend down the
ladder to the bottom of the pit.
INT. JOSH'S LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
Josh is sitting down on the couch. Buffy is standing in
front of him talking as Giles searches the wreckage.
JOSH
A Slayer?
BUFFY
That's what I said.
JOSH
A vampire...Slayer?
BUFFY
Yes. Josh we've gone through
this a thousand times now.
You are a Slayer, you kill
vampires. I'm a Slayer and I
also kill vampires. Got it?
JOSH
Sorry but it's a lot to take in
you know. One minute I'm Josh
Kline high school student and
next I'm a vampire Slayer. I
just don't understand, why me?
GILES
It is odd. After all a Slayer is
traditionally female. There has
never been a male Slayer.
Giles picks up a book off the floor, looks at it and
then opens it.
GILES (CONT'D)
This is interesting. May I ask?
Who's books are these?
JOSH
There my Dad's. He's always
buying them. I've never been
interested in them personally.
I'm not big on foreign
languages.
GILES
What does your father do?
JOSH
Works in real estate. Mainly
old property, why?
BUFFY
What is it Giles?
GILES
It could be nothing but this
book is not foreign as such, but
of an old demonic language. I'm
not sure, which one but I
recognize a couple of symbols.
I'd need to contact some people
to verify what language it is.
BUFFY
(to Josh)
Looks like you Dad does a little
bit more than selling houses.
CUT TO:
ACT TWO
INT. TEMPLE - NIGHT
Joseph, and the others are now at the bottom of the pit
hard at work on the seal. They are using equipment to
blow dust away, and then taking pictures of the
symbols.
JOSEPH
These symbols are amazing, I've
never seen anything like this
before.
ACKROYD
I know what you mean, they must
have been here for hundreds of
years. It's going to take a
while to piece what this means.
STYLES (O.C.)
I hope that is a joke Mr.
Ackroyd?
All three men look up, standing at the top of the pit
is Styles with two guys in black suits (bodyguards).
ACKROYD
(shaken)
Yes I am Mr. Styles. Sorry sir.
Ackroyd gets back to work.
STYLES
Gentlemen could you please join
me? I have some news I need to
discus with you.
The three men ascend the ladder and join Styles at the
top of the pit.
STYLES (CONT'D)
See the thing is men, I don't
have a lot of time left to find
out what is written on top of
that seal. I have bosses too,
and they aren't happy with my
progress, so that make me
unhappy with your progress.
ACKROYD
Sir, it's not our fault. Nothing
of this caliber has been seen
before. The language is quite
unique.
STYLES
(angry)
I understand what you are saying
and I feel for you I do but I
need results.
STYLES (CONT'D)
And in my past I've found the I
get results when I put a little
pressure on my employees.
One of the bodyguards vamps out and grabs Ackroyd, he
takes a big bite out of his neck, draining him.
Ackroyd's lifeless body hits the floor. Kooper and
Joseph are stunned.
STYLES (CONT'D)
So what I'm saying to you guys
is that you only have one hour
to find out what is underneath
that seal and how to open it.
Styles turns and walks off bodyguards in tow.
STYLES (CONT'D)
(not looking back)
That's sixty minutes people.
He leaves.
Joseph turns to Kooper.
KOOPER
What are we going to do Joe?
One hour isn't enough time!
JOSEPH
I need to get home. I've got
some stuff there that will help
us.
KOOPER
Are you kidding? You can't
leave! I can't do this on my
own.
JOSEPH
Get a grip of yourself. When I
was working on this last night,
before you got here I found
something, I took it home to
make sure it's what I thought it
was.
KOOPER
What is it? What did you find?
JOSEPH
The key.
INT. JOSH'S LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
Josh is sitting on the couch and Buffy is flipping
through one of the books off the floor - she's in a
world of fun.
Giles can be seen on the phone in the kitchen.
BUFFY
So Josh? You wanna lend a hand?
Or are you just going to sit
there in shock for the next,
forever?
JOSH
It's just a lot to take in.
Vampires? Demons? Slayers? All I
was worried about this afternoon
was that I wasn't going to get
picked for the hockey team and
tonight a guy just turned to
dust right in front of me.
BUFFY
You'll be okay Josh. When I
found out I was the Slayer I
freaked too, well I burnt down a
gym and got expelled, but that's
not the point.
JOSH
It's a lot you know vampires?
Next you'll be telling me
there's werewolves and ghosts.
Buffy gives him a "now that you mentioned it" look.
JOSH (CONT'D)
No way. You've got to be
kidding me. This is crazy.
Giles hangs up the phone and enters the living room.
BUFFY
So what's the news?
GILES
Well. As I suspected your
father's books have nothing to
do with his job. There old
texts. They hold the ritual for
opening the gate to hell.
BUFFY
You mean a hellmouth?
GILES
I wish I did Buffy. The gate of
hell are a lot more powerful
than a hellmouth. The gate was
put in place by ancient magics
before the time of man.
Josh sits back taking it all in - stunned.
GILES (CONT'D)
A hellmouth, like the one in
Sunnydale is a rip in the fabric
of our dimension. The gate of
hell is something completely
different.
BUFFY
Oh.
JOSH
So my dad is planning on opening
the gate of hell? Well that's
just great isn't it.
JOSEPH (O.C.)
I'm not planning on opening the
gate.
Standing in the doorway is Joseph.
JOSEPH (CONT'D)
I'm planning on sealing it shut,
forever.
(re: the trashed
room)
It looks as though they know I
have the key too.
GILES
The key?
Joseph pulls out a small stone disk from his jacket
pocket.
JOSEPH
The key that opens the gate of
hell.
GILES
(re: the key)
May I?
Joseph hands the key to Giles.
JOSEPH
(to Josh)
So who are your friends son?
They seem to know more about me
than I do.
Josh gets to his feet and walks over to his dad.
JOSH
Why didn't you tell me?
JOSEPH
I didn't know how to. How could
I have explained what I do to
you?
JOSH
You could have trusted me. I
would have understood.
Josh storms off upstairs leaving an uncomfortable
silence. They all look at each other waiting for
someone to make the first move.
BUFFY
(awkward)
I'm Buffy Summers and this is...
JOSEPH
The Buffy Summers who closed
down the Sunnydale hellmouth?
BUFFY
(stunned)
The one and only. How?
JOSEPH
Wow.
(shakes her hand)
It's a pleasure to meet you Ms.
Summers.
(re: Giles)
This must be Rupert Giles.
(shakes Giles hand)
We heard about what happened up
in Sunnydale this morning.
BUFFY
Who's we?
JOSEPH
I work for Style's Inc. We've
been working on finding the gate
of hell for over a year now.
When we found it our original
plan was to seal it shut but my
boss has other plans.
GILES
He wanted to open it?
JOSEPH
Got it in one. Turned up one day
with these two vampire
bodyguards, they killed three of
my team and said whoever stepped
out of line would be next.
GILES
When did you find the key?
JOSEPH
A couple days ago. I've kept in
on me since then.
(re: the mess)
As you can see it wasn't safe
here.
BUFFY
Question? How did he know you
had it?
JOSEPH
I don't know. He must have some
kind of surveillance at the
site. There is no other way
that he could have knew about
it.
Joseph picks up a couple of the books from the floor
and puts them on the table.
JOSEPH (CONT'D)
(re: Josh)
I'll go and see how he is.
INT. JOSH'S BEDROOM - NIGHT
Josh sits on his bed. He is throwing a small basket
ball into a hoop stuck to his cupboard door - goes in
every time.
There's a knock on his door and his dad comes in.
JOSEPH
(re: the picture)
What happened?
Josh doesn't even turn to look at Joseph.
JOSEPH (CONT'D)
I'm sorry that I didn't tell you
what I did for a living son. I
just didn't know how you'd take
it.
Josh turns to face him.
JOSH
How I'd take it! Today I was
attacked by three vampires, I
was nearly killed by one of
them. If it wasn't for Buffy I'd
be dead now, and do you know why
I nearly died?
JOSEPH
Josh I...
JOSH
Because they were looking for
something of yours, a stupid
key! Something to do with your
job!
JOSEPH
I'm sorry. I didn't think they
knew I had it. I should have
trusted you.
JOSH
Yeah you should have. Now if you
don't mind I'd like for you to
leave.
Joseph gets up and starts for the door.
JOSEPH
I'm sorry.
It doesn't register on Josh's face. Joseph leaves.
Josh throws the ball at the door.
He gets up off the bed, grabs his coat and opens his
bedroom window.
EXT. STREET OUTSIDE JOSH'S - CONTINUOUS
Josh's window is on the first floor of the house, about
twenty foot off the ground. He looks around and:
JOSH
Lets see what these Slayer
powers can do.
Jumps out of the window.
CLOSE ON THE SIDEWALK
as Josh's feet land on the pavement. We PAN UP to see
Josh standing there - un harmed and pleased with
himself.
JOSH
Time to have a little fun.
INT. JOSH'S LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
Joseph comes down the stairs, Buffy and Giles are
reading through some of the books.
JOSEPH
He's still angry. He won't come
down.
BUFFY
He'll be okay.
JOSEPH
I don't know Ms. Summers. After
what he found out about my job.
I don't think he'll be okay at
all.
GILES
I think that's the least of
worries on Josh's mind.
BUFFY
Yeah. He took being told that
he was a Slayer pretty good...
Joseph is stunned.
JOSEPH
He's a Slayer?
(a beat)
How is that possible, I thought
that Slayer's were female only.
GILES
They are...normally. After the
battle in Sunnydale I got a
called from an ancient coven of
witches in England. They said
that a unusual occurrence had
happened here in New York. A
Slayer had been activated, and
it was a male.
BUFFY
So we came here looking for Josh
and to explain to him what had
happened. When we got here he
was just about to be food for
the vamps responsible for this
little mess.
GILES
Buffy.
Maybe you should go talk to
Josh. See if you can get him to
come down.
Buffy gets up.
BUFFY
Sure, beats doing research.
She goes up stairs.
GILES
And Mr. Kline. If you wouldn't
mind maybe we could help with
the sealing of the seal.
JOSEPH
Sure. I think I've translated
most of the text. But there are
a few things that I'm unsure
about. That's what I came home
for.
Joseph goes into a downstairs bedroom. He comes back
out with two old books and a pad of note paper.
JOSEPH (CONT'D)
(to Giles)
This is what I have so far.
Giles sits and starts reading.
JOSEPH (CONT'D)
I've been working on it for
three days now.
GILES
Do you have all of the
ingredients for the spell?
JOSEPH
Yes.
(a beat)
Mr. Giles I need to be back at
the site with in an hour or
Styles will know I've gone and
my co-worker will be killed.
Buffy comes running down the stairs.
BUFFY
We have a small problem.
(a beat)
Josh is gone.
ACT THREE
EXT. JOEY'S CLUB - NIGHT
Outside of the club is quiet, a couple of people
waiting about. The doorman sits on a stool reading a
muscle magazine.
The band can be heard playing inside.
INT. JOEY'S CLUB - NIGHT
It is dark inside of the club and the band is kicking
ass on stage. There is a group of people on the dance
floor dancing to the music.
Up at the back of the club there is the main bar area
and to the side of the club is a pool table.
There is a staircase leading up stairs to a snack bar
area with tables and overlooking the main stage.
The club is packed.
ON A TABLE OVERLOOKING THE BALCONY
Chris, Jessica, GORD JONES, and SARAH WEBBER are
sitting watching the band.
Jessica looks at her watch.
JESSICA
(to Chris)
Josh definitely said that he was
coming, right?
CHRIS
When I spoke to him in the
locker room he said he was
definitely going to be a show.
SARAH
Jess, stop worrying. You know he
likes to make an entrance.
Anyway how can you concentrate
with all these cute boys around.
CLOSE ON A GROUP OF GUYS
there looking over at Jess and Sarah. One of them waves
at Sarah over.
SARAH
(to Jess)
I'll be back in a moment.
Sarah leaves the table.
JESSICA
So Chris. How did your date go
with Britney the other night?
CHRIS
It was good. We had fun. She
said she was going to come
tonight as soon as she finished
work.
(looks at his
watch)
Guess she must have finished
late.
CLOSE ON A CROWD ON THE DANCE FLOOR
they are definitely into the music. Dancing away as
the band tear up the stage.
The singer finishes, throws down his mike and dives
into the crowd.
ANGLE: CHRIS
is on his feet applauding the
band.
CHRIS
(shouting)
Alright! You guys rule!
The singer is back on stage.
SINGER
We'll be back in five.
Chris sits back down, Jess still looks concerned.
CHRIS
(to Jess)
Do you want another drink?
Chris gets up.
JESSICA
Um, yeah. Diet Coke. Chris can
I borrow your cell phone. I'll
give Josh a call and find out
where he is.
Chris gives Jess the phone.
CHRIS
Sure go for it.
Jess dials as Chris disappears into the mass. The
phone rings and rings.
JESSICA
(into phone)
Come on Josh. Where are you?
EXT. GRAVEYARD - NIGHT
We CRAWL along the ground of the graveyard past a
couple of gravestones and a backpack, which is RINGING.
Josh falls into frame hitting the ground.
JOSH
This is harder than I thought.
ON THE FOUR VAMPIRES
standing not far from Josh -- they look pissed.
Josh gets back to his feet, reaches into his jacket and
pulls out a make shift stake.
JOSH
But I'm getting the hang of it.
Josh rushes the vampires -- punches one in the face,
then another, goes back and kicks the first vamp and
then the same to the second.
The other two are watching, circling the battle.
Josh slams the stake into the first vamps chest --
dusting him, kicks the second to the ground and stakes
him.
JOSH (CONT'D)
Told you guys, I'm a fast
learner.
The other two are on him in a second. Josh blocks the a
punch from the first vampire, but is caught off guard
by the second. Josh drops the stake and stumbles back.
JOSH (CONT'D)
Okay. I know I'm new to this
business but that was a cheap
shot.
The vamps look at each other and then go for Josh. Josh
grabs one by the wrist and flips him onto his back and
then punches the other vamp square in the face.
Josh rolls -- picks up the stake and stakes the vamp on
the ground. Now it's one on one.
They spar -- but Josh gains the upper hand, with all
his strength he kicks the vampire hard in the chest.
The vampire is sent flying through the air and is
impaled on a branch of a tree.
JOSH (CONT'D)
That was easy.
KLAGOF DEMON (O.C.)
Is that right?
Josh turns and is hit by something we don't see. Josh
is lifted off his feet by the punch and is sent flying
into the side of a mausoleum.
ON THE KLAGOF DEMON
six feet tall and made of pure muscle this demon is
big. Razor sharp talons and fangs to match. His grey
skin shines in the moonlight.
He walks over to Josh, pins him with his foot.
KLAGOF DEMON
I was looking for some nice girl
to eat, they taste sweeter you
know? But you. You have real
power, if you were a girl I'd
say that you were a Slayer.
He picks Josh up and raises him above his head.
JOSH
Oh man.
Josh is thrown into a gravestone -- smashing it.
He coughs and spits blood out of his mouth.
JOSH (CONT'D)
(in pain)
You know you can get cream for
that skin rash.
Josh is up stumbling on his feet.
KLAGOF DEMON
I will tear you apart!
The demon swings at Josh but he dodges it and delivers
a nasty uppercut. The demon staggers back, phased.
KLAGOF DEMON (CONT'D)
You have the strength of a
warrior. I will enjoy eating
your heart.
Josh swings again, his punch is caught by the demon. He
twists Josh's arm.
JOSH
Arrrggghhhh!
Josh head buts the demon with the back of his head --
the demon lets go of Josh.
He turns, kicks the demon in the chest knocking him to
the ground.
JOSH (CONT'D)
Buddy, I have a lot more than
spirit.
Josh rolls across the ground picking up the stake and
bringing it down towards -- the demon grabs the stake
and snaps it while it's still in Josh's hand. He grabs
Josh's arm and swings him across the graveyard at least
ten feet.
The demons gets back on his feet. Josh is lying on the
ground nearly out cold.
KLAGOF DEMON
It's feeding time.
The demon picks Josh up by his neck, his feet off the
ground. Josh gasps and chokes.
KLAGOF DEMON (CONT'D)
Wiggle all you want boy, your
just wasting your strength. I'm
going to enjoy eating you.
BUFFY (O.C.)
You'll have to go through me
first.
The demon turns to see Buffy.
KLAGOF DEMON
My pleasure little girl.
BUFFY
The names Buffy. Nice to meet
you.
The demon starts toward Buffy. Buffy doesn't give him
time to close distance. She launches a high kick to the
side of his head, but he dodges out of the way then he
throws several fast punches -- Buffy manages to block
them.
KLAGOF DEMON
I'm disappointed girl.
He charges at Buffy swinging.
KLAGOF DEMON (CONT'D)
I expected more.
The demon extends his claws shooting out at Buffy's
neck
BUFFY
And you know I'm all broken up
about it.
Buffy leans backward, the demons claws catching nothing
but air.
Buffy slams the demon in the face with her elbow and
then an uppercut to his gut.
BUFFY (CONT'D)
I'll try to be more impressed
when I'm kicking your ass.
The demon staggers back -- wiping blood from his
nostril.
The demon launches a powerful snap kick at the center
of her chest, it knocks her backward and to the floor.
KLAGOF DEMON
That's more like it.
Buffy gets back to her feet.
BUFFY
Let's try that again.
The demon throws another punch at Buffy's head -- she
blocks it and snaps a sidekick into his gut -- he falls
to the ground.
Buffy grabs his neck, choking the life out of him.
KLAGOF DEMON
(gasping for air)
You've got fight in you girl. I
hope your so...
And with a SNAP, the demon is dead. Buffy drops the
dead demon to the ground.
ON JOSH
now sitting on the grass, he's exhausted and rubbing
his neck. Buffy turns to him.
BUFFY
What the hell did you think you
were doing? You could have been
killed!
JOSH
(in shock)
I could have been killed. That
thing...it's neck?
BUFFY
(pissed)
Did you just hear a word I said?
A beat.
BUFFY (CONT'D)
(caring now)
Josh, I know this is a lot to
take in but it's the way it is.
You need to deal with it fast.
Going out and nearly getting
yourself killed was stupid.
She sits down next to him.
JOSH
I know it was stupid. I
just...my dad he just gets me so
angry. Why didn't he trust me?
BUFFY
It's hard for people do deal
with. Some people freak out, and
some deal with it well. He was
just looking out for you.
JOSH
He doesn't care about me. All he
cares about is his stupid work.
BUFFY
Hey! Do you know what you sound
like? Your dad cares for you.
JOSH
No! He stopped caring for me
when my mom died.
BUFFY
Josh your Dad loves you very
much. Why do you think that I
came looking for you?
Silence.
JOSH
(re: demon)
I could have taken him.
They both laugh.
BUFFY
Come on we need to get back.
Your dad only has...
(looks at her
watch)
...thirty minutes left.
JOSH
Thirty minutes? Before what?
Buffy gets up.
BUFFY
He needs to get back to the seal
before it's too late.
JOSH
Why?
BUFFY
I'll explain on the way.
Josh gets up and they walk off.
INT. JOSH'S LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
Giles and Joseph are gathering research materials and
putting them into bags.
Giles picks up a book.
GILES
(re: book)
Shall we take this one?
JOSEPH
No just leave it here. I think
we have everything that we need.
STYLES (O.C.)
I hope that includes my key Mr.
Kline.
Standing in the doorway is Styles, and not far behind
him are his lackeys.
STYLES (CONT'D)
Oh, I hope you don't mind but we
let ourselves in.
They move further into the room.
STYLES (CONT'D)
Boys. Would you?
The two bodyguards split off, one goes for Giles and
one for Joseph.
Joseph tries to make a run for it but bodyguard#1 is on
him in a flash. He slams Joseph into the wall, knocking
him out.
GILES
Joseph!
Giles turns to see bodyguard#2 lunging towards him.
Giles doesn't have time to dodge the huge vamp's fist.
It knocks him to the floor unconscious.
STYLES
(to the vamps)
Boys. We're running out of time,
leave his friend. Soon it won't
matter.
One of the bodyguards picks up Joseph and carries him
out of the house. Styles and the other vamp follow.
STYLES (CONT'D)
Don't want people to just come
and go do we?
He shuts the door.
ACT FOUR
INT. JOSH'S LIVING ROOM - LATER
The front door opens and Josh and Buffy enter.
BUFFY
And then I jumped into the
portal.
JOSH
So you sacrificed yourself for
the...
ON GILES
Who is still out cold. Buffy and Josh rush over to him.
BUFFY
Giles! Giles!
JOSH
Oh my god! Is he okay?
Buffy picks Giles up.
BUFFY
Could you help Josh? We need to
get him to the chair.
Josh comes over and they move him to the chair.
Josh scans the room.
JOSH
Where's my dad?
He runs off into the downstairs bedroom.
JOSH (O.C.) (CONT'D)
Dad! Dad!
BUFFY
Giles. Come on. Wake up will
you?
He comes back out.
JOSH
He's not here. I need to find
him, now!
Josh heads for the door but Buffy is up and steps in
front of the door.
BUFFY
What are you doing?
JOSH
Get out of my way Buffy. I need
to go and find my dad, he could
be in trouble.
BUFFY
Where are you going to go? You
have no idea where he is. Last
time I checked New York was a
big place.
JOSH
I'll find him, now get out of my
way.
Josh steps forward, Buffy pushes him back.
BUFFY
Your not leaving here. We have
more chance of finding your dad
together.
JOSH
I'm warning you, get outta of my
way.
BUFFY
Your warning me? Go on Josh,
give it your best shot.
He throws a punch at Buffy but she's ready for it, she
blocks it and slams her own fist into the side of his
face. Josh staggers back.
Josh and Buffy go at it Josh snaps a kick into Buffy's
chest but she strikes back with an uppercut to his
face. Josh staggers back -- anger floods his face.
JOSH
Get out of my way!
Josh kicks Buffy in the midsection. She doubles over
and he smashes his elbow down -- hard -- knocking her
down, she's hurt.
JOSH (CONT'D)
Should of got out of my way.
Josh runs off into the night.
Buffy lifts her head up -- all groggy.
BUFFY
Josh. No.
She slowly gets to her feet, looks out of the door but
he's gone.
GILES (O.C.)
(coming too)
Uh. Buffy?
Buffy turns as Giles tries to get to his feet.
BUFFY
Giles! What happened? Where's
Joseph?
GILES
Urm. A man showed up. Must
have been Joseph's boss.
BUFFY
Styles?
GILES
He had two vampires with him,
they knocked me out and must
have taken Joseph with him.
Giles notices Buffy's cut lip.
GILES (CONT'D)
What happened? Did you find
Josh?
BUFFY
I found him in the graveyard.
Talked to him and brought him
back here. He saw you knocked
out and his dad missing and lost
it.
GILES
(re: bruises)
You tried to stop him?
BUFFY
Yeah and he totally knocked me
out. Giles I've fought a Slayer
before and that was tough but
Josh, he's strong, even for a
Slayer.
GILES
We don't know anything about him
or why he is a Slayer. I've
contacted the coven about it and
all they could tell us is that
he lives in New York.
BUFFY
Bunch of good they are. I
thought I had him and then I was
down, struggling to keep
consciousness. What are we going
to do now? He's going to go and
get himself killed.
GILES
I don't know Buffy. I need to
make some calls.
BUFFY
I'll go and see if I can find
him. I'll report back here in an
hour.
GILES
Buffy, do be careful.
Buffy smiles and runs off into the night.
Giles turns and walks into the kitchen.
CUT TO:
EXT. JOEY'S CLUB - NIGHT
The band is finished and people are leaving the club
heading towards their cars. Chris, Jess, Sarah, and
some random boy leave the club.
CHRIS
That band was so cool. I mean
they tore up the stage. Shame
Josh had to miss it.
JESSICA
Yeah, it is. I tried calling a
couple more times, but there was
no answer and his home phone was
engaged or off the hook.
Sarah stops with the boy and gives him a kiss.
SARAH
So I'll give you a call.
BOY
Yeah. I had a good time. Are you
sure you don't want to go for a
ride?
SARAH
I should really get home.
BOY
Come on baby, you know you want
to.
SARAH
Okay. But I can't stay for long
though. Okay.
BOY
Sure.
SARAH
I'll just go and tell my friends
that I don't need a ride.
Sarah runs over to where Chris and Jess are waiting.
CHRIS
Are you ready? Or do we have to
wait another thirty minutes for
you to come back up for air?
SARAH
Jerk!
She hits Chris's arms.
SARAH (CONT'D)
Jess will you be okay to get a
ride with this loser here?
JESSICA
Yeah sure. Where you going?
SARAH
Well Andy over there wants to
take me for a little ride.
CHRIS
Yeah I bet he does.
Sarah gives him a look.
JESSICA
Yeah I'll be okay. But are you
sure you want to go with him?
You've just met him.
SARAH
He seems cool. If he tries
anything out of the ordinary
I'll give him a blast of the old
pepper spray.
Sarah gives Jess a kiss on the cheek.
CHRIS
(re: the kiss)
Hey! Where's mine?
Sarah walks away giving Chris the finger.
CHRIS (CONT'D)
(to Jess)
Lets go.
ON JOSH
As he walks through the crowd outside the club. Jessica
see him but he doesn't see her.
JESSICA
Josh!
She runs over to him.
JESSICA (CONT'D)
Hey Josh! Josh! Wait up!
Josh keeps walking. Jess catches up with him, forcing
him to stop.
JESSICA (CONT'D)
Hey what's with the cold
shoulder?
JOSH
(very cold)
What is it?
JESSICA
(furious)
What is it? I've been sitting in
there going out of my mind with
worry! Where the hell have you
been?
JOSH
I don't have time for this.
Just get out of my way.
JESSICA
What is wrong with you Josh?
Tell me, please.
JOSH
I have more important things on
my mind than some stupid date.
Now get out of my way.
JESSICA
(noticing the
bruises)
What happened to your face? Your
clothes...is that blood?
JOSH
I'm asking you to get out of my
way!
Josh pushes her to the side and walks by.
JESSICA
(getting upset)
I don't know what the hell has
got into you Josh!
Chris runs over to Jess -- who bursts down into tears.
Chris comfort's her.
CHRIS
Hey, hey. What's wrong Jess?
JESSICA
Something's wrong with
Josh...he's just walked past, he
totally blew me off. Chris I've
never seen him like that, he was
so angry.
CHRIS
Come on we'll get you home.
CHRIS (CONT'D)
He's probably had another fight
with his dad. Give him sometime
to cool off. I bet you get to
school tomorrow and everything's
alright.
JESSICA
Yeah. I'm sure your right.
She wipes her tears away and gives a little smile.
CHRIS
See that's what I like to see.
Now come on.
They head off towards Chris's car. Jess looks back,
but Josh is nowhere to be seen.
CHRIS (CONT'D)
Are you walking?
She turns and heads to the car.
INT. TUNNELS UNDER CENTRAL PARK - NIGHT
Styles, and his two lackeys drag the still unconscious
body of Joseph through the tunnels.
STYLES
(to bodyguards)
When we get there I need no
distractions. You understand
this? Kill anybody who
interferes.
They nod.
STYLES (CONT'D)
Good.
INT. TEMPLE - MOMENTS LATER
CLOSE ON THE BOTTOM OF THE PIT
Kooper is working on the symbols that surround the "key
hole". He is sweating and keep looking at his watch.
CLOSE ON THE LAPTOP SCREEN
Images of symbols flash on the screen, each symbol
different. At the bottom of the screen red text reads:
NO MATCH.
KOOPER
Come on Joe. Your cutting it
short.
Styles and co appear at the top of the pit.
STYLES
Mr Kooper will you join us
please?
KOOPER
Yes sir.
Kooper climbs the ladder. When he reaches the top he
sees Joseph lying on the floor and the two bodyguards
vamped out standing over him.
KOOPER (CONT'D)
Joe! What have you done to him?
STYLES
Mr. Kline here had something
that belonged to me and he
wasn't going to give it up so I
took it back.
Styles pulls out the disk (key).
STYLES (CONT'D)
Do you know what this is?
Kooper looks at the disk in detail.
KOOPER
I have no idea. The markings on
the edge coincide with the
markings on the seal. It could
be some sort of key?
STYLES
Wow. You don't say. You know
what has to be done then don't
you.
The vamps snarl at Kooper. Kooper hands the disk back
to Styles.
Styles descends into the pit, he walks to the center of
the seal and kneel's before the "key hole". He reaches
into his jacket pocket and pulls out a sheet of paper.
STYLES (CONT'D)
(reading)
By the order of Talkach, I
command you.
Styles places the disk into the hole -- it clicks into
place, the edges line up perfectly.
STYLES (CONT'D)
Rise and open the underworld.
Rise and open the gate of hell.
Rise!
CLOSE ON THE DISK
As it suddenly starts to glow and then burst into
flames.
STYLES
It's time.
Flames shoot out from the disk igniting the outside of
the seal.
He reaches into his suit jacket pocket and pulls out a
small knife.
STYLES (CONT'D)
I give to you my blood, my life
force.
He cuts the palm of his hand. Blood drips from the open
wound.
CLOSE ON THE DROP OF BLOOD
It falls from the cut and onto the center of the seal.
AT THE TOP OF THE PIT
The light from the flames can be seen at the top of the
pit.
Joseph is slowly coming too. He drags himself to the
edge of the pit and looks down at Styles -- the others
are looking down too.
JOSEPH
Oh my god. It's too late.
We PAN OVER the top of the pit, as whole seal starts to
glow with fire.
Flames shoot up from the seal, up into the air scraping
the roof of the temple.
Styles is in the center of the flames -- untouched by
the flames. His head arched back, his body shaking and
convulsing.
The flames vanish and Styles falls to the ground.
We CLOSE IN on his eyes as they snap open -- red and
glowing with flames.
THE BODYGUARDS
pick themselves up off the ground and walk over to the
edge.
BODYGUARD#1
Sir? Are you okay?
Styles slowly gets to his feet. His eyes glowing
red/orange with fire.
STYLES
I'm feeling just fine.
BLACK OUT.
TO BE CONTINUED...
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