starring
David Boreanaz
J. August Richards
Amy Acker
and
James Marsters
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CLASSIC GREENWALT-ERA BLIPVERT - A blood-red sun sinks under the horizon of the L.A. skyline. ESTABLISHING SHOT - EXT. LOEWS STATE THEATER - DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES - EARLY EVENING SUPER LEGEND: NINE HOURS EARLIER I called this meeting because we can't afford to work independently anymore. INT. LOBBY - LOEWS STATE THEATER - SUNSET In some ways, the LOEWS State still resembles a movie house--the old concessions counter, with a popcorn machine, a glass case for confectionery treats, and a soda dispenser are still there to remind us of its recent past. But the boxes of supplies piled up behind the counter, the chairs stolen from various neighborhood restaurants, and the mattresses scattered near the staircase as a resting place for refugees tell of its recent role as headquarters for Anne and the human resistance. We're in the middle of a WAR CONFERENCE - Spike, Gunn, Illyria, Anne, Brian, Rondell, Chain, and Tito attending; Angel (his back against the counter, facing the others) presiding. The situation out there is bad, and getting worse. We need to start sharing information, contacts, resources. ANGLE ON - Rondell, in the back of the group, leaning against the wall separating the lobby from the main theater. He's radiating hostility, but he's listening. I know some of you aren't comfortable working with vampires. CLOSE-UP on Angel. But if we're going to take back this city, we've all got to pull together. If anybody's got a problem with that, let me know about it now. Anne, Tito, Chain, and Gunn turn around and look at Rondell. (with fake indignation) What? I'm cool. ANGEL Glad to hear it. (beat; to Gunn) What's the status on the new player? GUNN Moving fast. They've taken over districts from Pasadena all the way down to the Imperial Highway. Whoever these vamps are, they're organized, disciplined, and probably got a major bankroll behind them. Army boys haven't been able to budge 'em Heavy casualties every time they try. Civilian body count is way up. RONDELL Demon lords down on the south side been taking heavy hits too. Vamps ain't made a major move yet, but they're probably softening up the territory for a big-time invasion. ANGEL What's happening in werewolf country--Hollywood, Culver City, Inglewood? CHAIN At least four vamp raids in Inglewood, and they've been hitting the clan from positions in Griffith Park, too. Takahashi's boys are goin' nuts. This keeps up, we could have a full-scale war. Beat. The room goes eerily silent. (to Angel) This is pointless. You waste your time reacting randomly to the actions of inferior species. If you wish to avoid bloodshed, and ensure the safety of your subjects, you would do far better eliminating all three of your enemies and seizing power yourself. SPIKE Sounds like a promising strategy. Us and what army? ILLYRIA The Slayers living in our very midst. They, and the human warriors who have battled by your side, would be a formidable army of conquest. ANGEL I told you, we don't do "conquest." ILLYRIA So you say. ANGEL (changing the topic; to the group) All quiet downtown? TITO Like a mouse. Nobody's messed with us since the Slayer girls moved in. Vamp-free zone for miles around. ANNE Brian, are you sure the girls are all right? Jacki almost bit my head off this morning, and the others...well, they look tense. BRIAN They're O.K. A little nervous about being on their own for the first time--but they're adjusting. GUNN Any word from Faith? BRIAN (tapping his temple) "Checked in" about an hour ago. Up to her neck in demons on Wall Street. Don't think she'll be back any time soon. (his face darkens) It's hard for the girls. Especially the younger ones. They see what's happening in the city, but they can't be everywhere. I can sense their frustration. SPIKE Can't say as I blame 'em. Situation's been sliding downhill for weeks. And if we get neck deep in a full-out demon war? (shaking his head) Even if we had a hundred Slayers behind us, there's going to be a load of death for a lot of poor saps who get in the way. GUNN You're just a regular ball of sunshine today, aren't you? SPIKE (shrugging) Been there. Done that. Once was enough. ANGEL Look, if we don't want an explosion, we have to take out the fuse. If we find the vampire nest, find out who's behind this invasion, we can stop the war. Do we have any information? Any leads? Anything? Long pause; Rondell, at the back of the group, slowly raises a finger. This might be nothin'. (looking toward Chain) After that last raid in Inglewood, me and Chain got word from our contacts on Hawthorne Boulevard. Told us those vamps weren't just smashin' things up for fun. They ripped through an apartment building like they were lookin' for something. GUNN (to Angel) That sounds like a lead. RONDELL 'Course, they might've found what they're looking for by now, and we're still screwed. GUNN Let's stay optimistic. (to Rondell and Chain) Guys, you want to take us down there, introduce us around? CHAIN (rising from his seat) Give me a minute to load up on firepower. Chain passes by Angel, and goes around to the back of the counter out of view. Rondell doesn't budge; he's staring a bullet hole through Angel, then turns and shoots one through Spike. Anne sees his expression and sighs, as if to say, "Not this again!" Rondell, please.... RONDELL (sulking) All right. (making his way towards the counter; to Anne) But I'm only doin' this as a favor to you. As Rondell walks past him, Spike can't resist a zinger - Welcome to the team, lad. RONDELL Don't push me, blondie. EXT. FRONT OF AN APARTMENT BUILDING - INGLEWOOD - EARLY EVENING PAVEL DOBRYNIN, approximately thirty-five years old with jet- black hair, races out the front door of the building, then stops cold in the middle of the street, trying to decide which way to run. He's got a Wesley-level growth of beard stubble, his clothes are disheveled, and he's breathing heavily, obviously panicked. Finally, he turns left and bolts out of frame. As soon as he's gone, two POLICE OFFICERS (in riot gear, complete with helmets) come out of the front door of the building. They quickly but calmly trace Dobrynin's steps, turn left, and run offscreen. HIGH-SPEED STEADICAM SHOT - The camera follows alongside the chase, ZOOMING BY the two cops and speeding down to the end of the block; we hang a right, catching up to and then passing Dobrynin. We zip down two more blocks, then hang another left, and come upon SIX TINY FIGURES in the distance walking towards us. The camera slows. ANGEL, SPIKE, ILLYRIA (in Fred mode), GUNN, CHAIN, and RONDELL fill the frame. So who are we talking about here? Gino? RONDELL No, man, Gino died two years ago. Demon ambush. But you wouldn't know about that. What with the new posse and all. CHAIN Rondell, can you just let it go for two-- GUNN (to Chain) Let him talk. Didn't shoot off his mouth, it wouldn't be Rondell. RONDELL (ignoring them both) No, we got two new recruits down around 91st. Tenants of Mr. Sessue Takahashi, wolfman landlord of L.A. Sweet crib for the rent--but you can't go out at night, because you never know if Takahashi's boys are gonna be mixing it up with some other freaks. And these last couple'a days? Man, forget about it. They're pouncing on anything that even looks at them funny. (beat; he turns to Gunn) But hey, it was all part of the job for Charles Gunn, Wolfram and Hart attorney at law, am I right? Breaking those sweet real estate deals for the monsters with the money. (to Angel) Making the bottom line smooooth for the CEO. ANGEL (reigning in the anger) We destroyed Wolfram and Hart. RONDELL Never should have joined in the first place. (to Gunn, sarcastic) "You lost the mission, bro." (simmering down; more sympathetic) But hey, it's not like I'm telling you something you don't know. Heard you lost some of your own crew. (shaking his head; genuinely sad) The society girl. Kinda liked her. And the English dude... he was cool. ZOOM IN on ILLYRIA-F - Rondell's comment seems to trigger a dizzy spell; Illyria WINCES IN PAIN as the god-king involuntarily goes into a-- FLASHBACK - The aftermath of the battle between Wes and Cyvus Vail from "Not Fade Away." Illyria cradles the bleeding Wesley, whispering to him -We're out of the flashback; Illyria-F stumbles forward slightly, drawing the attention of the others. The gang grinds to a halt at the mouth of an alley. Blue? You all right? ILLYRIA-F (straightening up; cool as ice again) Of course. Dobrynin CUTS THROUGH AN ALLEY, running at full speed, constantly checking behind him to see if Riot Gear One and Two are catching up. He looks ahead to the far end of the alley. His mouth drops open from sheer astonishment. DOBRYNIN'S POV - Angel, Spike, Illyria-F, Gunn, Rondell, and Chain where they stopped in the street. Even from fifty feet away, he can see their auras clearly, lighting up the gloom of the alleyway. FREEZE FRAME. Series of CLOSE-UPS IN BLACK AND WHITE - GUNN, RONDELL, and CHAIN - their auras are the simplest, a uniform gray luminescence radiating from their bodies. SPIKE - Slightly more intense than the humans'; near-pitch black on the interior, then growing gradually lighter until it's near-white on the outside. ANGEL - Angel's aura is far more intense, twin beacons of obsidian and silver light, emerging simultaneously, yet somehow never touching. ILLYRIA - A staggeringly beautiful pattern of chaotic swirls and eddies that somehow retain their shape as they descend to infinite microscopic levels. Out of Dobrynin!Vision and back to normal action and color - (to Rondell) We know. We lost the mission. But we're doing everything we can to make it right. RONDELL You can't make it right. The demons own this town now, and they're not gonna let go without a war. ANGEL The demons always owned this town. You just didn't know it. RONDELL That right, O great leader? Then what the hell did the big takedown of Wolfram and Hart get you? What did it get the rest of us? Nothing! You tore down this city, big man, and the demons are still in charge. CLOSE-UP on Angel. Rondell's words are hitting him hard. Nothing changes--the demons of the world cut up the pie, and the working man starves to death. Why don't you do somethin' real, instead of walking around all puffed up in your leather jacket and greasy hair? Displaying an uncanny sense of dramatic timing, Dobrynin RACES OUT OF THE ALLEY AND PLOWS STRAIGHT INTO ANGEL. He grabs onto the lapels of Angel's coat, eyes wide with fear and desperation. (with thick Russian accent) Please. You must help me. They are going to kill me. ANGEL (peeling Dobrynin's fingers off the fabric) Hold on a minute. Slow down. Who's going to kill you? Angel looks around quickly. ANGLE ON - there are a dozen or so pedestrians walking along the boulevard, oblivious the drama around them. They know I am close to discovering the secret....to piercing the veil. They cannot allow me to live. (urgently) You must protect me! GUNN Could we get the first part of that two-part story? DOBRYNIN There is no time! (to Angel) You are the vampire with a soul, yes? ANGEL Yes, but....How did you know that? DOBRYNIN Then it is your duty to protect the innocents of this world from the-- RONDELL (pointing toward the alley) Company. Riot Gear One and Two walk confidently up to Angel and the gang, trying their best to project an appearance of professional calm and courtesy. (to Riot Gear One and Two) Officers. DOBRYNIN (near-panicked) Monsters! RIOT GEAR TWO Gentlemen.... (to Illyria-F) Ma'am... (to the group) Sorry for the imposition, but we need to ask Mr. Dobrynin here a few questions. Angel takes a good, hard look at Riot Gear One and Two, turns to Spike (who nods), then turns back to the "cops." (chuckling) I'm sorry, but that is the worst imitation of a beat cop I have ever heard. Do you actually fool people with those outfits? RIOT GEAR TWO (to Riot Gear One) We're going to have to do this the hard way. Riot Gear One and Two VAMP OUT. Hand him over now and I promise we'll let you go. Angel and Spike vamp out. (to Riot Gear Two) You're the soul of generosity. Spike and Angel pounce on Riot Gear One and Two simultaneously, pummeling them back into the depths of the alley. (turning; to Gunn) Get him out of here! Gunn, Illyria-F, Rondell, and Chain are about to grab Dobrynin and take off, when a dozen "innocent pedestrians" on the street turn into A DOZEN VAMPIRES APPROACHING THEM FROM ALL DIRECTIONS. Aw, c'mon--that's just not fair. ILLYRIA-F (disdainfully) We can destroy them all. Easily. GUNN But if we go in for the big-time vamp smashing, we'll probably get the Russian guy killed. ILLYRIA-F Do you have an alternative? Angel slams Riot Gear One against a steel garbage container. He quickly reaches into his pocket for a stake, and in a single fluid motion, jams it through his opponent's heart. Riot Gear One explodes in a shower of dust. Angel flips the stake across the width of the alleyway, and the camera follows it right into Spike's hand. Spike is crouched over the prone form of Riot Gear Two; he brings the stake down savagely, and Riot Gear Two is dust. GUNN's POV - he sees Spike wiping out Riot Gear Two. The alleyway is free and clear. Matter of fact, I do. Gunn, Illyria-F, Rondell, Chain, and Dobrynin race back into the alley; the vamp mob blocks off the entrance. ANGLE ON - the opposite entrance to the alleyway. Another dozen or so VAMPIRES pour in. The Fang Gang screeches to a halt; they're bottlenecked. Angel, Spike, and Chain flank Dobrynin on one side; Gunn, Rondell, and Illyria-F set up to defend him on the other. Illyria shifts back into TRUE BLUE FORM. The two forces are about to collide when Angel hears a LOW, ROLLING GROWL above his head. ANGLE ON - the FIRE ESCAPE. Three WEREWOLVES stand on the first-floor landing, with another three perched on the metal staircase leading to the second floor. A silver-haired werewolf leaps from its spot on the staircase and lands in the midst of the vamp mob approaching Illyria, Gunn, and Rondell, knocking over vamps like bowling pins. A larger, brown-haired werewolf does the same with the mob on the other side. Recognizing a godsend when they see one, Angel and company attack. The remaining four werewolves leap down and join them. The werewolves do most of the hard work, gouging huge chunks of flesh out of the attacking vamps; the Fang Gang mostly cleans up, with a well-placed stake putting a wounded vamp out of its misery. While Gunn trades blows with a blonde vampiress, a beefy, Brian Thompson-like vamp (think Luke from "The Harvest") slips by him and advances on Dobrynin. A red-haired wolf jumps for his throat, but "Luke-lite" easily bats it away. Dobrynin tries to run; "Luke-lite" grabs him by the arm and swings him around with tremendous force, propelling him twenty feet into the side of a building. Dobrynin's head hits the brick with a sickening "crack". Angel turns and watches him drop like a stone to the concrete. Damn it! CLOSE-UP - Gunn stakes "Luke-lite" from behind. Fight over. The remaining vamps scatter in both directions. TWO-SHOT - Angel kneels down to check Dobrynin. Dobrynin is bleeding profusely from the head, gasping for air, eyelids fluttering. We'll get you to a hospital. DOBRYNIN (coughing; a trace of blood oozes out from the side of his mouth) No. It is too late. CLOSE-UP - Dobrynin grabs Angel's hand. You must finish this. Angel stiffens, as if an electrical current were running through his body. ZOOM IN on Angel's eye - inside the iris, a sequence of TEXTS AND SCIENTIFIC FORMULAE in Latin, Greek, and Cyrillic flashes by at blinding speed, followed by the blurry image of a strange GREEN, TOAD-LIKE CREATURE. We hear a ROARING SOUND, like a raging river or blood flowing through veins, until the spell is broken by-- Angel....Angel! Spike stands over Angel and Dobrynin as Angel snaps out of his trance. He's still holding Dobrynin's hand, but the hand is lifeless; he gently places it on Dobrynin's chest. You all right? ANGEL (looking down at Dobrynin's body) I'm fine. (beat) Wish I could say the same for him. SPIKE You blanked out for a minute. ANGEL I did? Weird--I think he was trying to tell me something before he died. SPIKE You mean like telepathy and such? ANGEL Sort of. It wasn't so much communication in words, as...I-I can't explain it. SPIKE We can dig through your brain for the message later. Right now, I think we should get out of here before the real boys in blue show up. GUNN (o.s.) Uh, guys? MEDIUM SHOT - Gunn, Illyria, Rondell, and Chain at the edge of the alley (backs to us), facing four of the werewolves--lined up and in full (four-legged) wolf form. Two of the wolves trot out in front of Angel and Spike, while the other two stay behind Gunn and Illyria, Rondell and Chain. I get the feeling we're being "herded." RONDELL Do we wanna go where they're going? SPIKE I'm mildly curious. Besides, they saved our necks back there. I'd like to find out why. ANGEL Then we go. The "herd" moves out, walking (or trotting) at a moderate pace toward the opposite end of the alley. Illyria morphs back into Fred mode. Spike whistles the theme from "Lassie." INT. AN ELECTRONICS WAREHOUSE - NIGHT The camera zips around the columns of DVD players, iPods, and camcorders, showing employees--all in VAMPFACE--hard at work moving merchandise into trucks, writing on clipboards to keep track of inventory, and maneuvering a forklift prong under a huge platform stacked with laptops. The camera trails one employee in overalls who knocks on the manager's office door and then follows him in. The manager himself is sitting in the shadows, but we can see from the outlines of his features that he is tall and gaunt, with bony fingers and sunken eyes. (with a British accent) Report, Mr. Franco. FRANCO Dobrynin is dead. MANAGER Is our operative secure? FRANCO I believe so, sir. We've had no chance to make contact over the past few hours, but I don't think Dobrynin had a chance to identify the operative, even if he could. MANAGER You look worried, Franco. FRANCO There...may be a complication. A number of our troops were killed before they finally got to Dobrynin. The survivors said it was a combined assault by werewolves, humans, two vampires, and a human-shaped creature they could not identify. MANAGER Two vampires.... (he ponders that for a moment) Was one of them approximately six feet tall, broad build, brown hair, with expensive taste in fashion? FRANCO As a matter of fact, the reports match that description exactly. That's amazing. MANAGER He's an old...friend. FRANCO Apparently, this particular vampire was with Dobrynin when he died. That does leave open the possibility-- MANAGER --that Dobrynin may have passed on his knowledge. (low chuckle) Ah, Angelus. Master of chaos. You always make things interesting. (to Franco) Mr. Franco, send out a scouting party. The usual hot spots. If Angelus did receive Dobrynin's knowledge, he may try to finish Dobrynin's mission. FRANCO Do you want him dead or alive, sir? MANAGER Alive. For now. We'll set up a meeting at Checkpoint A. I want to know what sort of angle he's playing here. (beat) Of course, we can always kill him later. BLACK OUT. |