Man in the Mirror

Part 2

(February 9, 2005)

Written by El Linchador and Lady Starlight
Act Three

EXT. LOS ANGELES STREET - NIGHT

Fred stumbles through the streets, holding her head and looking at the burnt-out buildings in horror.

FRED
Wh-what happened...I can't remember...

She stops stops dead on the sidewalk and looks down a stretch of roadway - As far as we can see, not a soul stirs.

FRED
Unbelievable.

She steps forward towards the curb, her attention on the street.

CLOSE-UP on her foot, teetering near the edge of the curb. She takes another step into AIR. She looks down, but before she can stop herself, she stumbles and falls down into the street, catching herself with her hands.

FRED
Ow!

Fred rolls into a sitting position, rubbing her ankle. Her face contorts as she gingerly prods at it. Then her hand goes to her forehead, and she breaks into a WIDE GRIN.

FRED
Angel! That's right! I was headed to see Michael
at Unique Antiques for...
uh...a location spell, right!
(she looks around)
Geez, I'm not anywhere near his shop.
(she rubs her ankle and winces)
I think it's twisted.
(beat)
And I should really stop talking to myself.

PULL BACK down the street - The two men from the alley have followed her. They look at each other, grin, then step out of the shadows, each clutching a baseball bat. They head straight for Fred.


INT. CHINESE RESTAURANT - NIGHT

Lippon sits on a crate, silently pointing the mini-crossbow at Angel. Angel looks around the room.

ANGEL
(blinking away tears)
You do know that statues of Mary don't do much.
(pause)
On the other hand, that humidifier must have
holy water in it.
(he squirms)
I'm itching.

Lippon grins, wallowing in his prisoner's admission of his brilliance, but keeping the crossbow pointed at Angel.

ANGEL
(nodding towards the crossbow)
Stumble upon that piece of technology by accident as well?

LIPPON
It cost some money. Better to be safe than sorry.

ANGEL
So you're safe with me and a crossbow, but you'll
send your kids out by themselves?

LIPPON
They're too fast for anyone to catch, and you're
my golden goose.

ANGEL
I don't plan on laying any golden eggs.

Lippon stands up quickly, knocking the crate back a foot or so.

LIPPON
(angrily)
You think this is all a joke.

Angel's tears are steadily flowing now. He's stopped trying to blink them away, and just lets them flow.

ANGEL
Actually, no. But, I don't see how any of us
are going to survive thanks to your stupidity.

LIPPON
Stupidity?

Lippon stands and looks away, rubbing his face quickly with his fast-hand speed. Angel starts tugging one of his arms out from the chains discreetly. Lippon turns back to Angel. Angel stops squirming.

LIPPON
When you were off planning the big takedown of
Wolfram and Hart...
(pause)
did you think about it beforehand?

ANGEL
(sarcastically)
Of course--it's been a dream of mine
for five years or so, give or take a month.

Lippon starts pacing back and forth in front of Angel.
LIPPON
So, you think to yourself, "I'm gonna be a big ol' hero
and stop Wolfram and Hart."
And then you do it. Congrats.

ANGEL
Thanks. They are stopped--for now.

LIPPON
For now? So, you unravel the system of checks
and balances that controlled everything awful in
this town, and end up making things worse,
and you say to me "for now?" They'll come back?

ANGEL
I told you. I didn't do this. I stopped
the evil that controlled this town. It's not my fault
that the Senior Partners' answer to that was a petty act
of revenge, setting an army loose on this city.
I cut off their arms and brains in this dimension.
I destroyed their Circle.
(he shakes his head)
I don't expect you to understand the details of this,
Lippon, but trust me, things will get better.

Lippon looks around for the crate and sits down on it abruptly. He slumps down and rubs a hand over his forehead.

LIPPON
Right, I see...losing a son to pneumonia...
uh, having to hide in our home...
oh, and abduction. Waiting for that light, Angel.

Angel takes advantage of Lippon's preoccupation and starts slowly working at his chains again.

ANGEL
I thought you were a regular ol' Bonnie and Clyde.

Lippon's head snaps up and he glares at Angel, who has frozen in place, not wanting Lippon to see how close he is to breaking one arm free.

LIPPON
Do you think I enjoy this, Angel?
I'm just trying to show you your part in this.

ANGEL
And what part is that?

LIPPON
The instigator.

ANGEL
I know you're angry, but you have to understand,
the world will be better.

LIPPON
"Will be better...."
(beat)
I don't think we'll live that long, Angel....
(he shrugs)
I somehow figured you weren't going
to take responsibility. That's fine.
(beat)
At least you'll do your part to make it up to us.

ANGEL
By someone paying money for me?
And I am taking responsibility.
But I can't do that if I'm tied up here.
I can't track down the Senior Partners' agents if I'm
auctioned off to the highest bidder.

Lippon stands up and steps close to Angel. He leans in, putting his face right in front of Angel's.

LIPPON
(softly)
Consider it your penance.

Lippon goes back to his crate.

ANGEL
What happens if someone finds us--
finds me--before you start your auction?

LIPPON
Your friends?

ANGEL
Actually, I'm more worried about my enemies--
and you should be too.

LIPPON
Angel, do you think I'm an idiot?
There's no way they'll find this little shack.
I also picked a public place for the auction.

ANGEL
Smells like a Chinese food joint.

LIPPON
What?

ANGEL
(breaths in)
Smells like Chinese food....
It reeks of burned sweet and sour sauce
every time you open that door.

Lippon looks nervous.

ANGEL
I'm sure there's hundreds of Chinese restaurants in L.A.--
they won't find this burnt out one, right?


EXT. KROG HIDEOUT - NIGHT

Gargesh, the Prio Motu that appeared to be leading the regiment of demons in the teaser, is talking to someone in a chair in the middle of a TRASH DUMP.

GARGESH
It was definitely Angel, sir. Ask any of the other guys!

MAN (o.s.)
The wingless vamp himself? You got lucky.

CUT TO a CLOSE-UP on the man as he turns around in his chair. It's a Kailiff demon, with ridges on his bald brown head and jaw (Angel 1.5, Room w/ a Vu).

KAILIFF DEMON (cont.)
So, how do you explain this, shrimp?

He throws a ROLLED-UP PIECE OF PAPER at Gargesh's face. It bounces off and hits the ground. Gargesh scrambles to pick it up and unravel it.

ANGLE ON the opened paper - It's one of the many fliers written by Lippon.

Gargesh turns the paper around and around in his hands, squinting to try and make sense of it.

GARGESH
What...is this, Raef?
(beat)
Sir?

RAEF
This thing ran by like Speedy Gonzalez--

Raef points down at one of Lippon and Yara's CHILDREN, lying MOTIONLESS.

RAEF (cont.)
Luckily, I had a mouse trap handy. Anyway, call me confused,
Gargesh, but it looks like someone has grabbed Angel
and is putting him up for sale.
(he looks at Gargesh)
Wanna tell me how a team of twenty of our best thugs
went out for a little grab-and-snatch fun before taking
care of Angel--with you at the helm, mind you....

Raef straightens up in his chair, glaring at Gargesh.

RAEF (cont.)
...And only eight of you came back, don't forget!
(he points at the flier)
--And somehow this fella nabbed him?

GARGESH
May-may-maybe it's an even bigger gang?

Raef shakes his head with disappointment. He stands up.

RAEF
You know, being vertically challenged the way you are,
Gargesh, you've had to develop skills other than fighting.
Skills like leadership. Tactics.
You've had a much harder time earning respect.

Raef picks up a DAGGER and starts walking around the room, playing with it in his hand--making practice feints, stabbing an invisible opponent, and twirling it around. He turns his back on Gargesh.

GARGESH
Sir, we weren't planning on Angel catching up to us so soon
in our attempt to take more control--

RAEF
And I wasn't planning on doing this for another month or so.

Raef turns and THROWS THE DAGGER right into Gargesh's shoulder. Gargesh screams once before clamping his mouth shut.

GARGESH
(gasping)
Great aim...
...sir.

RAEF
I missed.
(beat)
Oh well...we need to nip this Angel problem in the butt.
(beat)
Is it "bud" or "butt"?

GARGESH
(wincing in pain)
I don't know.

RAEF
I think it's "bud," but I like "butt" better.
Don't you, Gargesh?

Gargesh nods, trying to not cry, the knife still in his shoulder.

RAEF
(frowning)
Geez, Gargesh, you can take out the knife!

Gargesh winces as he pulls it out.

GARGESH
(gasping again)
Thank you, sir.

Gargesh starts to hand the knife back to Raef, then, apparently thinking better of it, lets it drop unobtrusively behind him.

RAEF
Ready your doggies and I'll ready the men--
we're going vampire hunting. Tonight!

GARGESH
But the auction doesn't start until right before dawn.

Raef shakes his head as he comes up to Gargesh. He pats the top of Garesh's head, then starts pacing the room again.

RAEF
Silly Gargesh. In case you get your very own
gang someday, let me share the first rule of
being a super-villain--you don't follow the rules.
This "auction" for Angel is set at dawn.
Most likely, they've got him stashed somewhere close to
where you fools were turned back like cowards.
My goal is to get to Angel before the auction--
and dust him.

GARGESH
Great plan...but I, uh...lost one of the dogs.

RAEF
(turning to face Gargesh)
Excuse me?

GARGESH
Porgut cl--claims he accidentally opened the cage door
right after I left. Rex kinda ran off.

RAEF
Well, can't you call him?

GARGESH
Yeah, but he may not make it back before we--

RAEF
Get the one you have, blow on that special whistle of yours,
and let's get ready to move. We have a vampire to kill.

CLOSE-UP on the great smile on Raef's face.

RAEF
"Raef City"...it works for me.


EXT. LOS ANGELES STREET - NIGHT

CLOSE-UP on Tito.

TITO
Clear.

WIDE SHOT of Gunn and the rest of Anne's group, scanning an empty parking lot of a long-abandoned shopping center.

ANNE
All right, it seems quiet enough tonight.

RONDELL
Gunn hogged all the action.

GUNN
I'm telling you, these are not fun guys to be fighting.
Those Prio Motu will be back.

ANNE
Sorry we couldn't find anything.

Rondell scoffs and walks away.

GUNN
He didn't buy it, did he?

Anne shakes her head "no." Gunn and Anne step away from everyone else. Then Gunn turns around, his eyes still scanning the empty buildings around him.

GUNN
I don't know where he went...maybe Spike or
Illyria were right....
(he looks at her)
You all still gonna make another round?

ANNE
(nodding)
I think so, then we'll probably call it a night.

GUNN
(smiling)
I'm glad I ran into you--keep it safe.

ANNE
You know, Gunn....

She lowers her voice.

ANNE (cont.)
We're doing O.K. now, but I think the worst is yet to come.
If things aren't working for you with Angel's group....

GUNN
(shaking his heaad)
I was just blowin' off some steam earlier--
a little frustrated tonight.

ANNE
Well, I know some of the other guys here still have
a hard time trustin' you, but I could always use your help.
Heck, we could even make you a permanent member
of the team, if you wanted.

GUNN
I appreciate that, Anne, but I don't know
how well that'd go down, especially with Rondell.
Besides, right now, Angel needs me.
(he smiles again)
But I'll keep that in mind.

VOICE (o.s.)
How sweet.

Gunn and Anne turn to see a VAMPIRE standing there.

GUNN
(grumbling)
We need to put little bells around your necks.
(then, louder)
How do you do that!

WIDE SHOT to reveal that the group is surrounded by a PACK OF VAMPIRES.

RONDELL
You're a liar, Gunn--I thought you promised us no vamps.

GUNN
(eyeing the vampires)
These ain't my boys, Rondell.

VAMPIRE ONE
Ah, c'mon. We could be friends.

GUNN
Friends don't let friends drink their blood.

VAMPIRE ONE
A shame. I got a great comic book collection.

With that, the VAMPIRES LEAP ON THE GANG. Gunn takes on the first vampire. Tito takes another, and Rondell finds himself dealing with two. Anne pulls a stake from her back pocket and DUSTS another.

ANNE
Got one!

RONDELL
Could use some help.

TITO
Me too!

Anne looks undecided, then runs toward Tito and the others. Gunn grabs his foe and knees him in the gut.

GUNN
I already got lots of friends.

He shoves a stake through the vampire's back. It bursts into dust. Meanwhile, Anne, Tito, and the others are busy fighting the other vamps, while Rondell still has two bearing down on him. One of the vampires uppercuts him. Rondell hits the ground. Both vampires leap on top of him.

RONDELL
AHHHH!

Rondell's POV - suddenly, they both get DUSTED from behind. Standing there is Gunn, holding a pair of stakes.

RONDELL
I thought I told you to stay outta my way.

GUNN
You're welcome.

Gunn extends his hand. Rondell takes it. Gunn helps him to his feet.

RONDELL
Thanks, Gunn.

GUNN
No matter what, I got your back.

ANGLE ON - Only one vamp is left, and he is in retreat.

Tito and Anne cheer, slapping the backs of the other two members of their crew. Gunn grins at them, then glances down.

His POV - a SHEET OF PAPER on the ground. We see the word "Angel" written on it in large letters. It's another one of the ransom notes.

GUNN
The hell?

Gunn bends down, picks it up, and reads it. Rondell looks over his shoulder, reading it too.

GUNN
Damn, they got Angel!

ANNE
Who has Angel?

Anne rushes over and grabs the flier from Gunn's hands.

GUNN
Don't know, but they're planning to "sell" him
at dawn. I gotta find him.

ANNE
I'll help.
(glancing at the others)
You guys continue the patrol.

GUNN
Anne--

ANNE
(earnestly)
I want to help.

Gunn nods. The rest of the gang look at her, confused.

RONDELL
You sure you want to do this, Anne?

GUNN
Rondell--

RONDELL
Gunn...I ain't tryin' to be ungrateful. You're
O.K. in my book. Your business with the vamp,
though, is your business, and I ain't helpin'.
But to ask Anne to--

ANNE
Rondell, I can handle myself. I owe Gunn a favor.
Trust me, you all head back. I'll be fine.

Tito and the others give handshakes to Gunn and Anne.

RONDELL
(shaking Gunn's hand)
If anythin' happens to her....

GUNN
Heck, she might be carrying me to the hospital.

Rondell nods and backs away. He turns and follows the rest of the gang as they head off. Anne turns to Gunn.

ANNE
Where do we start?

GUNN
Our leads are dust, but...
(he turns over sheet of paper)
Chinese.

ANNE
Who's Chinese?

GUNN
Food. It's a Chinese food menu.

ANNE
What?

GUNN
They wrote their ransom note on the back of a menu.
General Tsu chicken...pepper steak...
but it's all stuff you can find anywhere...
nothin' there.

Anne takes it and reads it over.

ANNE
(smiling)
Hmm...they have my favorite.

GUNN
What?

ANNE
Number Fourteen. Something I used to get
from this one little place down on Twentieth and Ocean.

GUNN
What?

ANNE
"Bruce Lee's Kickin' Chicken." They claimed
that Bruce Lee ate there a lot in the Seventies.
Spicy, but not overwhelming.

GUNN
Lemme see that.

Gunn takes back the menu and looks at it, then looks at Anne.

GUNN
Does this look like that place's old menu?

ANNE
(shrugging)
I have no idea...it seems pretty standard to me.

GUNN
Do you remember how to get there?

ANNE
Yeah, but I don't know if this is a chain
or a one-of-a-kind or what.

GUNN
Well, it's a lead. Where to?


EXT. LOS ANGELES STREET - NIGHT

Fred is still on the ground, looking around. The two men clutching bats close in. Fred turns.

FRED
What....

DENIM SHIRT
Easy pickin's.

Both men LUNGE AT HER. Instinctively, Fred ducks back and punches at them.

LONG SHOT - The men FLY off in two directions. One crashes through an abandoned store window; the other hits the side of a building.

Fred stands up and looks at her hands.

FRED
Wow!

Just then, we hear the clink of ARMOR.

Fred glances around, then quickly limps off into a nearby alley to hide.

CUT TO - two Prio Motus come running down the street.

PRIO MOTU ONE
Are we really gonna kill Angel?

PRIO MOTU TWO
That's what I heard. We gotta find him first.

PRIO MOTU ONE
We better hurry then--Raef's a bastard if you're late.

The run off.

ANGLE ON Fred. She steps out of the alley, worried eyes on them.

FRED
Angel!?!

Fred follows them.


INT. MONASTERY SANCTUARY - NIGHT

SPIKE
BOLLOCKS!

WIDE SHOT - The bull-sized Cu Sith crouches near the alter of the sanctuary, drool dripping from its maw as it stares down the girls, who are standing in the aisle, Hobbes right behind them. We can see chunks of wall missing behind the demon dog, and overturned and demolished pews throughout the room. Spike stands between the Cu Sith and the others, boxing the animal in with several more overturned pews.

SPIKE
Hobbes!
(glancing back)
Where is that monk?!
(to the girls)
Girls, I told you, run.

REDHEAD
(shaking her head fearfully)
He might still follow us.

SPIKE
Well, all that running around has tuckered him out for a bit.
Take the chance and get out!

The Cu Sith barks loudly then growls. The girls scream. Spike rolls his eyes.

SPIKE
Don't encourage him.


EXT. KROG HIDEOUT - NIGHT

Gargesh stands clutching another CU SITH HOUND by a long leash. He clutches a whistle.

GARGESH
Let's hope your big brother hears this.

Gargesh blows on the whistle.


INT. HAVEN MONASTERY - NIGHT

The Cu Sith Spike has cornered suddenly perks up its ears.

SPIKE
(wincing)
What the bloody hell is that noise?

Suddenly, the Cu Sith leaps forward, raming its head against one of the barrier pews, sending it flying. The animal glances around, then focuses on the girls again. As it takes a step towards them, Spike leaps forward and grabs the Cu Sith around the neck.

SPIKE
Oh no, you don't--

The animal struggles against him, twisting towards the aisle, then jerks Spike off his feet as it ACCERATES INTO A LUMBERING RUN. Dragging Spike along, it heads back to the entranceway and leaps through the hole in the door. Spike flattens himself to the Cu Sith's back to avoid the splinters hanging from the doorframe. Then he hangs on for dear life as the Cu Sith bolts down the stairs and into the street.

We hear SPIKE faintly at the distance.
SPIKE
--Bugger!



EXT. KROG CAMP - NIGHT

A large group of Prio Motus gather in the garbage dump, pulling on armor and readying their weapons. Fire flickers from several trash cans, providing illumination as they chant and grunt in preparation for battle.

REVERSE ANGLE - Fred slips quietly up to the camp. She ducks behind a nearby dumpster and peers at the scene, tilting her head to listen to them.

FRED
(frowning, murmuring)
What are they saying?

VOICE (o.s.)
How about you just get closer?

Fred looks up and sees -

A PRIO MOTU standing behind her.

She smiles sweetly up at him.

FRED
I'm guessing I can't drop off my recyclables here?


INT. CHINESE RESTAURANT - NIGHT

Yara opens the meat locker door. Without turning to look at her, Lippon snarls -

LIPPON
What the heck are you doing?

YARA
I was comin' to tell you that none
of the kids have come back yet.

Lippon turns around to face Yara, worry on his face.

LIPPON
I'm sure they're fine...
Give them some more time before--

Behind him, we see Angel pull one arm free. The chains jingle. Just as he's about to lift the chain over his head -

CLOSE-UP on Angel. A hand-held crossbow appears at his chest.

It's Lippon.

LIPPON
I got arms faster than light, Angel.
I even see you try and move another step,
I'll dust ya.

ANGEL
I'd just be delaying the inevitable.

LIPPON
Shock him, Yara.

Yara grabs the taser from outside the meat locker, runs in and stabs Angel with it. Angel yelps as an arc of electricity hits him. With a sag, he relents.

LIPPON
Re-wrap those chains--tight!

Yara kneels down and gets to work. Suddenly, there is a LOUD BANG outside.

ANGEL
That was quick.

LIPPON
You shut up!

Lippon looks out through the open doorway. Yara finishes chaining Angel up and gets up to her feet.

LIPPON
I should check that out. Yara, stand right here,
in his face, with the crossbow.
If he so much as blinks, fire it.
I gotta check outside, be sure we're O.K.

YARA
(nodding)
Take the taser, sweetie.

Lippon grabs the taser and leaves, shutting the door behind him. Yara turns to Angel.

ANGEL
Yara, I--

YARA
(coolly)
Don't...talk.

ANGEL
I just want to say that I'm sorry.

Yara gapes at him.

YARA
What?

ANGEL
I'm sorry for you and your family. I'm sorry
you're getting mixed up in this world.
And I'm sorry L.A. is going through this chaos.

YARA
So, you're sorry you destroyed Wolfram and Hart?

ANGEL
(shaking his head firmly)
No. I can apologize for a lot things--
and help you and Lippon get back on your feet--
but I can't apologize for what was right.

YARA
What about my boy, Angel? Can you apologize to him?
Or the rest of my kids, who've been eating whatever
we can find in this hellhole?

ANGEL
There are options, Yara--help.

YARA
Where, Angel? Who? Every night now, Lippon and I
both have to go out to find food and water.
What happened earlier tonight with the Prios happens a lot.
Usually we can just give people what we found
and they let us go. But our kids are starving.

ANGEL
So you think money is the answer?

YARA
For now, yes. There are people we know
that have much more to sell,
but they're charging outrageous prices.
With this money, Angel, we'll be able to leave
this city forever, find somewhere safe, calm,
peaceful...for the kids.

ANGEL
Well, I hope for your sake that your husband
hasn't put them in harm's way tonight.
And I hope for our sake that no one
finds us in the meantime.

YARA
(taking a deep breath)
Lippon made sure to cover every angle.
No one will find us.

ANGEL
Yara...you realize that if anyone comes here
tonight and harms any of you, they really only want me.
(beat)
If you let me go, then you, your husband, your kids--
they won't be harmed. Friends or enemies--
they want me, not you.

Yara turns away from Angel and looks out the meat locker door.

Yara's POV - the open door leading to the dark, deserted kitchen. Garbage is piled along the walls and on every available surface.

YARA
(quietly)
No one will find us.

EXT. CHINESE RESTAURANT FRONT DOOR - NIGHT

Lippon peeks out the front door of the restaurant, but we can't see what's he's seeing at the moment.

LIPPON
(eyes wide)
Oh, sh....

BLACK OUT.


END OF ACT THREE
Act Four

EXT. KROG HIDEOUT - NIGHT

The Prio Motu brings Fred up to the others. Raef stands at the front, pulling on a body suit of armor.

PRIO MOTU
Look what I found.

The assembled Krog cheer.

RAEF
(eyeing Fred)
Wrong place to snoop around, little lady.

FRED
I'm very sorry...I thought I was--

RAEF
Save the story, sweetheart.
(to Prio Motu)
Kill her.

Raef turns and starts to walk off.

FRED
Wait! WAIT!

Raef stops. He turns his head halfway.

RAEF
Happy to oblige a lady. I always was curious as to
how I'd handle a plea for mercy.

FRED
Can I ask one quick question?

RAEF
Sure, baby.

FRED
How does a Kailiff demon command a group of Prio Motu?

Raef lets out a loud laugh while the rest of the Prio Motu hang their heads. He walks back towards Fred and takes her hand. He looks at the Prio Motu that was about to take her away.

RAEF
Let me.

Raef takes Fred from the Prio Motu and leads her on a walk deep into the garbage dump.

RAEF
Pretty knowledgeable, huh, little lady?

FRED
Kinda.

RAEF
It's a funny thing about these Prio Motu demons--
they have a strong warrior mentality. With these fools,
if you are able to slay their leader, you become El Capitain!
Look at me, girlie-girl--I'm kinda handy with a knife,
but I can't take on those human military fools on my own.
I needed some muscle. So, I did some training,
some studying, found an enchanted knife
and I challenged the legendary Krog to a duel for leadership.
Boy, were they shocked when I cut off his head. Instant army!

FRED
Now you're playing for a role in L.A.?

Raef stops, gesturing out over the heaps of garbage they are walking through.

RAEF
With Wolfram and Hart gone, there's a nice little void.
All these demons--and I'm not just talking about
these guys, this includes humans too--like leadership.
The working slugs complain about how much the leadership
oppress them, telling them what they can or can't do, yada-yada.

He pauses and eyes her, smiling.


RAEF (cont.)
Truth is, little lady, everyone wants to be led.
Deep down, they want someone to take that responsibility--
they want to give someone that power over them.
Why do you think you have churches and synagogues and mosques?
Everyone wants a god. I'm theirs, and I'm about to take them
to the promised land--domination.
(beat)
That and they hate living in stinky garbage.

FRED
Why are you telling me this?

RAEF
Because you're not some ordinary little lady, are you?

Raef looks up.

ANGLE ON - Gargesh comes around the corner of a large pile of what looks like department store mannequins. He doesn't see them.

RAEF
GARGESH!

Gargesh comes to a halt, looks around for the source of the shout, and runs over.

GARGESH
(panting)
Yes, sir?

Raef pushes Fred forward.

RAEF
Still missing Rex?

Gargesh lowers his head.

GARGESH
I blew the whistle...but....

RAEF
Well that means you got a spare cage on the truck.

Fred turns to look at Raef.

RAEF
(to Fred)
We have a little Angel that needs his wings clipped,
but I don't want to kill you 'til I know who you are.
So you get to come with.
(to Gargesh)
Throw her in the cage.

Gargesh grins as he takes Fred's arm.

RAEF
And don't touch her, you slimy trashball!

Fred allows herself to be taken away by Gargesh. Raef taps his chin.

RAEF
Gargesh?

Gargesh stops and both he and Fred turn around. Raef grins.

RAEF
By the way, little lady, my name is Raef.
What shall I call you?

Fred glances at Gargesh, who appears confused by the banter. She turns back to Raef.

FRED
My name's Fred...Winifred, actually.

Raef nods and then waves them off. Gargesh continues pulling Fred toward the cage.


EXT. LOS ANGELES STREET - NIGHT

Gunn and Anne are jogging down the street, headed toward Anne's Chinese restaurant.

GUNN
Are we there yet?

ANNE
(nodding)
It's right around the corner.

GUNN
Great.

ANNE
You did good back there, Gunn.

GUNN
(frowning)
I can still dust the bad vamps, Anne.
I haven't changed that much.

ANNE
Well, I think some of the others
had to see it to believe it.

GUNN
(incredulous)
What, that I was on their side?

ANNE
Kinda.
(pause)
I'm not sayin' that they'll let you babysit their kids,
but I think they're starting to trust you more.

GUNN
Right now, Rondell's the last thing on my mind.
Now, where is this place?

They round a corner and their eyes widen.

REVERSE ANGLE - the Chinese restaurant. The street is filled with DEMONS standing in front of it. We can see a few of them already sneaking around the side, trying to find ways to get in.

Gunn looks over at Anne.

ANNE
(murmuring)
Guess I'm not the only one who liked Number Fourteen.

Quickly, they disappear around the corner again. Gunn risks one more quick look, then turns back to Anne.

GUNN
Damn.

ANNE
We need to get in there somehow.

GUNN
(pointing at her sweatshirt)
You got a hood on that?

Anne pulls up the hood of her sweatshirt. Gunn does the same with his own.

GUNN
We gotta blend in. We'll force our way in early
to "look at the merchandise," find Angel, and...get out.

ANNE
You make it sound easy.

GUNN
Probably won't be. You still wanna help?

ANNE
(taking a breath for courage)
Lead the way.

Gunn and Anne start back towards the restaurant.


INT. CHINESE RESTAURANT - NIGHT

Lippon throws open the door to the meat locker.

LIPPON
Yara! Get out of there!

Yara turns. Angel looks up.

YARA
What?

ANGEL
I tried to warn you.

LIPPON
You shut up!

YARA
What about him?

LIPPON
We'll lock the door from out here.
We have some early birds outside.

ANGEL
Yara?

LIPPON
Don't talk to her!

YARA
(with a hint of fear)
Lippon...maybe if we let Angel go now,
they'll leave us alone.

LIPPON
(eyes narrowing)
Yara, what did he say to you?

YARA
It makes sense, Lippon.

LIPPON
(shaking his head)
Come on.

Lippon pulls her out of the meat locker and slams the door shut. MEDIUM SHOT of the two of them outside in the kitchen area, right next to the meat locker door. Lippon picks up a padlock and locks the door as he talks.

LIPPON
What's your problem?

YARA
(eyes furtive)
Nothing, I--

LIPPON
It's too late to quit now, Yara.
We've gone too far.

YARA
There's always choices.

LIPPON
The choice now is to live or die,
and letting him go won't change that.
I need you to stand at the kitchen door with the taser.
I gotta...I gotta go outside and try and tell
these guys I'm not keeping the vampire here.

YARA
Lippon....

LIPPON
(with a tender smile)
I know.

As Lippon walks off, we see Yara's look of concern.


EXT. CHINESE RESTAURANT - NIGHT

Gunn and Anne are working their way through the crowd as inconspicuously as possible.

GUNN
(whispering)
Don't fall behind.

Anne brushes past a lizard-like demon, who rolls his long tongue out at her provocatively.

ANNE
(frowning)
Not interested.

LIZARD DEMON
Your loss-ss, ss-ssweetie.

CUT TO - Lippon delicately steps outside the front door.

ANNE
Why are they all out here? Why don't they just rush in?

GUNN
Trust me, Anne, these demons are the smart ones--
they're planning their moment.
Which means we gotta take ours soon.

Lippon clears his throat.

LIPPON
Hey, folks...uhm...if you're here for the auction,
that's not happening for a few more hours.

LIZARD DEMON
We want to ss-ssee the merchandise first...
make ss-ssure you really have him.

LIPPON
He's not here.

VAMPIRE
Liar! I can smell him all over your clothes.

LIPPON
Right...but we moved him to a secure location...
'til the auction.

LIZARD DEMON
How about we take a look, just to ease
our collective curioss-ssity?

Suddenly, we hear the ROAR of motorcycles and trucks in the distance. Everyone turns to see what's coming.

REVERSE ANGLE - Several Prio Motu come rolling in on bikes. A truck pulls up beside them.

CLOSE-UP on the TRUCK. We see RAEF in the passenger seat, and, hidden from the view of the crowd, FRED in a cage on the bed of the truck. Beside her cage is another cage. A Cu Sith sits inside.

Raef smiles. Sitting beside him is ROGOFF, one of Lippon and Yara's children. The boy looks desperately afraid, and leans as far away from Raef as he can get.

RAEF
I'm guessing we're home?

The speedy-demon boy nods.

RAEF
Thanks.

CLOSE-UP on Raef. His face contorts with a grimace. We hear a LOUD CRACKING SOUND. Gargesh, who's driving, turns away.

RAEF
Too bad he only has super-speedy legs...

CUT TO - Gunn and Anne.

GUNN
Damn, that looks like the Krog again!

ANNE
(pointing)
Gunn!

Anne's POV - In the distraction, a few of the demons have RUSHED LIPPON and are trying to get to the front door.

GUNN
Let's roll!

Gunn and Anne push their way through the demons clamoring at the door. Up ahead, we can see Lippon trying to bar the way.

LIPPON
Hey! My wife's in there!

A vampire sticks him with a knife in the gut.

VAMPIRE
Good, I'm hungry!

Lippon collapses. He pulls the knife from his gut and touches his fingers gingerly to the wound. BLOOD covers his fingers. He looks up.

Gunn and Anne stare down at him. He reaches out to them. Anne pauses, her face filled with horror. Gunn pulls her inside after the other demons.

CUT TO - the bed of the truck.

Fred looks over at the snarling Cu Sith staring at her from the other cage. Her hands grip the bars of her cage door. With a look of uncertain determination, she pushes on them. The door BURSTS OPEN. The dog starts barking loudly. Fred steps out of her cage, slips her hand in the dog's cage, and PUNCHES it. The animal falls to the cage floor, knocked out.

FRED
(quietly)
Sorry.

WIDE SHOT - the Prio Motus behind the truck slowly get off their bikes gaping at Fred, surprised.

PRIO MOTU
Hey! How'd you do that?

FRED
(smiling)
There's a lot I can do!

She hops off the bed of the truck and raises her clenched fists up like a boxer.

FRED
Care to see for yourselves?

The Prio Motu exchange confused looks. Then they RUSH HER.


INT. CHINESE RESTAURANT - NIGHT

Gunn and Anne enter the run-down Chinese restaurant.

REVERSE ANGLE - The place is pretty much trashed--tables and chairs are broken, a buffet table has been overturned. Some tables are still intact, though, complete with place-settings ready for customers. Behind Gunn and Anne, we can see demons fighting amongst themselves to get inside.

ANNE
Where is he?

Anne turns in a circle. She brushes her hair out of her eyes and scans the restaurant for any sign of Angel.

GUNN
Where do you think would be a good place?

ANNE
Something solid. Something defensible.

GUNN
Let's try the kitchen.

Gunn leads the way.

Suddenly, we hear a WOMAN SCREAMING.

Gunn and Anne approach the doors to the kitchen just in time to see -

The LIZARD DEMON ATTACKING YARA. Gunn rushes the demon and takes a SWING at it. It crumples to the ground. Gunn looks at Yara.

GUNN
Angel?

Yara silently points inside the kitchen before curling around herself in pain. We see a small trickle of purple blood seeping from underneath her clenched arms. Yara drags herself slowly through the wreckage of the restaurant and out the front door.

Gunn and Anne barge forward into the kitchen.

INT. CHINESE RESTAURANT KITCHEN - NIGHT

Demons crowd around the meat locker door, trying to open it.

GUNN
Hey, let the lady in first.

The demons turn and see the two humans. At the same moment, Hylpy, the daughter, walks into the kitchen from the other side.

HYLPY
Where's mom and dad?

All heads turn toward the kid. Hylpy backs away at the sight. Then she runs for the kitchen door and is almost out when a VAMPIRE tackles her. They go OFFSCREEN. We hear sounds of a struggle. Then TWO FEMININE VOICES SHRIEK IN UNISON. A pair of demons take advantage of the distraction and grab Gunn and Anne.

DEMON AT THE MEAT LOCKER DOOR
All right...now, who can break open a padlock?
Any steel-jawed demons here?

EXT. CHINESE RESTAURANT - NIGHT

Fred knocks a Prio Motu sky high as ten more surround her.

REVERSE ANGLE - Gargesh climbs onto the bed of the truck to check on his unconscious doggy. Raef has also gotten out of the truck and is standing a few feet away, watching Fred fight.

RAEF
(eyes wide)
Wow, this girl is more special than I thought.

GARGESH
(to Raef)
She hurt him!

RAEF
Well, get her then.

GARGESH
(confused)
But I thought you said not to touch her.

RAEF
(turning, annoyed)
That was then, this is now. Get her!

Gargesh hops off the truck. Fred turns around. Gargesh comes to a halt and eyes her, trying to look intimidating.

FRED
The dog trainer? Not very smart, fella.

A LOUD BARKING interupts their stand-off. All heads turn.

REVERSE ANGLE - The other Cu Sith comes running around the corner with a yelling Spike on its back.

GARGESH
Rex?

FRED
Spike?

They both turn to each other and give a look. Spike sees Fred surrounded by demons.

SPIKE
Blue? A little help here, maybe?

Fred looks at Gargesh. She smiles.

FRED
(to herself)
Blue?
(to Gargesh)
I just got an idea. Your little puppy's
coming to you, right? His master?

GARGESH
(chuckling)
And once he does, I'll sic him on you!

FRED
Right...once he does.

Fred grabs Gargesh by the shoulders. Gargesh squirms in her arms.

GARGESH
Hey!

FRED
Go fetch, Rex!

Fred HEAVES Gargesh away. The Cu Sith watches as his master goes flying at the restaurant wall.

CUT TO - Raef, who whistles appreciatively at the distance and height.

SPIKE
That's not helping, Illyria!

Fred glances at him, puzzled.

FRED
Why are you calling me Illyria?

SPIKE
Don't--

Spike doesn't have a chance to finish as the Cu Sith takes off in pursuit of its in-flight master. Gargesh hollers as the animal charges full speed right at the restaurant. It CRASHES into the wall.

FRED
(turning back to the Prio Motu)
I'm so sorry...where were we?

INT. CHINESE RESTAURANT - NIGHT

The WALL behind Gunn and Anne CRASHES IN, bringing a howling Cu Sith with it. Gunn and Anne topple forward to the floor, knocking several demons down. Gunn quickly springs back up and takes on the demons that attacked them. Behind him, Spike crawls through the hole. He stands.

SPIKE
I didn't think I'd ever get off that--Gunn?

GUNN
(not looking back)
Spike?

ANNE
(rising)
Spike....

SPIKE
I just saw Illyria outside, too. Did you guys plan this?

GUNN
(still fighting)
Mind getting Angel...out of this locker
while we handle these guys?

SPIKE
(pointing)
Angel's in there?

GUNN
Long story.
(seeing Spike pause)
Pretty please?

Spike charges forward and kicks at the padlock on the meat locker door. The lock CRACKS, but before Spike can take another whack at it, a VAMPIRE rushes him. Spike turns and yanks a slat of wood off a crate and STAKES the vampire.

WIDE ANGLE - Anne bashes the lizard demon over the head with a serving tray. Gunn smashes his attacker in the nose with his elbow, finally dropping him. They look around quickly, checking for other threats. Then Gunn turns, yanks at the padlock, and opens the meatlocker door.

GUNN
Angel!

SPIKE
(recoiling as he enters)
Holy humidity, Batman!

GUNN
(to Anne)
He was sniffing gas earlier, ignore him.

Angel looks up. Then down. Angel opens his mouth to warn Spike about -

His POV - the TRIP-WIRE.

Spike stumbles over the wire.

ANGEL (o.s.)
Spike! Don't--!

Spike trips the wire. The stake COMES FLYING DOWN at Angel from the upper corner. Angel twists in his chains as far as he can, almost toppling his chair. The stake misses his heart and strikes him in the shoulder.

ANGEL
(angrily)
My hero! I was hoping you'd show up.

SPIKE
(frowning)
My bad...I've been riding a Cu Sith
for a half-hour, cut me some slack!

Spike starts blinking rapidly and wipes at the tears that have come to his eyes.

SPIKE
(confused)
What the--

GUNN
(mock-patronizingly)
Awww...see, you two really do care for each other!

Spike scoffs and sniffles.

ANGEL
There's holy water in the humidifier. The air's full of it.

SPIKE
(looking at his hands and scratching them)
Guess that's why my skin's starting to get all itchy.

GUNN
(to Angel)
Thought you were looking a little sunburned.

EXT. CHINESE RESTAURANT - NIGHT

The Prio Motu lay slain. The few demons remaining turn and run. Fred stands watching them, triumphant.

FRED
(looking around)
Where's that Kailiff demon?

She turns.

REVERSE ANGLE - Raef swings his motorcycle away from her. He waves.

RAEF
We'll meet again, little lady. Trust me.

Fred watches as he escapes on the bike. Then, with a jolt, she transforms back into her Illyria visage. Illyria shakes her head.

ILLYRIA
(Illyria voice)
Another one escapes me.

Illyria looks over at the restaurant.

Her POV - Gunn and Anne help Angel out the front door.

Illyria walks towards them.

EXT. CHINESE RESTAURANT - NIGHT

ANGEL
Ow, easy....

SPIKE
(to Angel)
So, you didn't make it back to the monastery.

ANGEL
These two demons nabbed me right after
our fight with that Prio Motu gang.

GUNN
Ah ha!

SPIKE
(glancing at him)
You were wrong, too, Charley. Don't get all gloaty.

Illyria walks up.

ILLYRIA
Angel. I see you have survived your torment.

ANGEL
Hey, Illyria--nice work out here.

SPIKE
Yeah, girl, why the Fred gear earlier?

ILLYRIA
(pause, confused)
Fred...gear?

ANGEL
Where's Yara? And Lippon?

GUNN
Who?

ANGLE ON - The STREET. Yara lies on the ground beside Lippon and Hylpy. She has one arm around Lippon and one hand resting on Hylpy's still ankle. A trail of purple blood marks her route to them.

ANGEL
Her children were the ones delivering the message.

ILLYRIA
They do not appear to have survived.

ANGEL
I think she knew.

They walk forward and form a ragged half-circle around the family. Anne turns away from the tableaux, brushing tears from her eyes. Gunn places a hand on the small of her back. Angel squats next to Yara, hands dangling between his knees.

GUNN
There are other easier things to steal
for money than a vampire with a soul.

Angel reaches out to close Yara's eyes, not looking at anyone else. His movements are deliberate, controlled.

ANGEL
They were looking for repayment.

SPIKE
On what?

ANGEL
On a debt.

GUNN
You owed them something?

ANGEL
They thought so.
(he sighs)

PULL BACK TO a WIDE SHOT of the gang around the bodies.

BLACK OUT.

THE END


Comments?


Written by El Linchador and Lady Starlight
Directed by LadyStarlight
Executive Producer Masquerade
Senior Script Editor Anom
Main Credits photo credit         LittleBit


Angel David Boreanaz
Gunn J. August Richards
Illyria Amy Acker
Spike James Marsters

Guest Starring
Anne Julia Lee
Rondell Jarrod Crawford

"Angel the Series" is the property of
Joss Whedon and Mutant Enemy.
No copyright infringement intended.