ANGEL 5.21 Power Play - Full Transcript
BTR1701
Written by
David Fury
Directed by
James A. Contner
Episode 5.21
Original Airdate
May 12, 2004
CAST
Angel DAVID BOREANAZ
Cordelia Chase CHARISMA CARPENTER
Wesley Wyndam-Pryce ALEXIS DENISOF
Charles Gunn J. AUGUST RICHARDS
Illyria AMY ACKER
Spike JAMES MARSTERS
Lorne ANDY HALLETT
Harmony Kendall MERCEDES McNAB
Lindsey McDonald CHRISTIAN KANE
Marcus Hamilton ADAM BALDWIN
Nina Ash JENNY MOLLEN
Archduke Sebassis LELAND CROOKE
Cyvus Vail DENNIS CHRISTOPHER
Senator Helen Brucker STACEY TRAVIS
Drogyn the Battlebrand ALEC NEWMAN
Izzerial the Devil MARK COLSON
Ernesto ELIMU NELSON
PROLOGUE
1 INT. BLACK THORN INITIATION CHAMBER - NIGHT
A dark warren of tunnels beneath the city of Los Angeles. DROGYN kneels
before a roaring fire, wearing a burlap sack over his head. A half-dozen
robed and hooded men beat him with sticks. ANGEL watches from the other
side of the fire, pacing, then jumps through the flames and lands next
to Drogyn. The man's attackers back away as Angel helps him to his feet
and removes the bag from his head. He looks up at Angel, bloodied and
weak, with his hands tied behind his back.
DROGYN
(whispers)
Thank you. Thank you...
Angel stares back at him, then shifts his face and sinks his fangs into
Drogyn's neck.
Opening credit sequence.
ACT I
2 INT. WOLFRAM & HART- ANGEL'S APARTMENT- DAY
TITLE CARD:
19 HOURS EARLIER
Angel lies in bed, staring at the ceiling. NINA ASH rolls over and
cuddles close to him.
ANGEL
Hey.
NINA
Okay. Where did you learn how to do that?
ANGEL
Which part?
NINA
Doesn't matter. How are you?
ANGEL
I'm good.
NINA
You're not perfectly happy, are you? 'Cause I've got my wooden stake
right here.
She reaches for the nightstand drawer.
NINA
Oh, that's not a stake. I know I brought it-
ANGEL
You're safe.
NINA
Okay. And you? Good? You weren't thinking about your little Roman friend
or-
ANGEL
Nina, for the last... whoa.
He looks at his watch and sees how much time has passed.
ANGEL
For the last... very long moment I haven't had a single coherent thought.
NINA
I'm going to take that as a compliment.
ANGEL
You really should.
NINA
But now the brow is back. If she's not on your mind then...?
ANGEL
There's a lot more than usual going on.
NINA
Work?
ANGEL
Always.
NINA
You should get away. Vacation- you know that word? Go to Cabo, drink
margaritas, midnight skinny-dipping, making love on the beach. Did you
catch how I subtly included myself in your vacation package?
ANGEL
Nina...
NINA
Too pushy, too needy, I never even said it. You should make love on the
beach all by yourself.
ANGEL
It would be wonderful. I mean it.
NINA
But...
ANGEL
(sighs)
There are things that I have to do. Things that I've already set in
motion that... (beat) I've spent years fighting to get somewhere, to
accomplish something and now that I'm close to it... I don't like what I
see. What I am.
NINA
You're a hero.
ANGEL
That word...
NINA
Well, you're my hero.
ANGEL
I may not always be.
CUT TO:
3 INT. WOLFRAM & HART- CORRIDOR- DAY
ILLYRIA strides down the hallway and passes SPIKE stranding in an office
doorway.
SPIKE
Like you're not even there. The world trembled before your feet once.
Now... padding around a place you don't want to be in and the rabble
don't even give you so much as a polite yawn.
ILLYRIA
Do not presume I require any creature's attention.
SPIKE
Wouldn't dream of it, blue. Still... you can't enjoy haunting this
place. Less than what you were, not knowing what to do with yourself.
Believe me, I've been there.
ILLYRIA
And what do you know of it?
SPIKE
Long and fascinating tale. Ghost story, in fact. Short of it is, take my
advice. Get out once in a while before you go bats.
ILLYRIA
Out?
SPIKE
Out. Outside. That place just on the other side of the window.
ILLYRIA
I've grown wary of this world since my powers were depleted. Strange.
Though I've been made more human, this place remains disconcerting.
SPIKE
Yeah, well, I'm afraid that never goes away. Anyhow, I thought Wesley
was giving you a primer on all things human.
ILLYRIA
He and I are no longer having intercourse.
SPIKE
You what?
ILLYRIA
He has ceased communication with me.
SPIKE
Oh! Communi-
ILLYRIA
My recent reversion to the Burkle persona disturbed him... and he will
not tell me why.
SPIKE
You don't know? You may not think you're as powerful as you were,
highness, but looking like Fred- for some of us- it's the most
devastating power you have.
CUT TO:
4 INT. WOLFRAM & HART- ATRIUM- DAY
Angel and GUNN emerge from Angel's office as MARCUS HAMILTON escorts in
HELEN BRUCKER, a striking woman, mid-50's, exuding power and wealth.
HAMILTON
Ah. And there's the man himself. Angel, I'd like you to meet Senator
Brucker.
Angel shakes her hand.
ANGEL
Senator, welcome to Wolfram & Hart.
BRUCKER
Oh, I go way back with this firm. Back when Holland Manners was in
charge.
GUNN
I think you'll find things have changed a bit since then. Charles Gunn.
He offers his hand.
HAMILTON
Head of our legal department.
Brucker indicates ERNESTO, her assistant, standing next to her.
BRUCKER
Oh, and this is Ernesto. My personal-
ANGEL
Vampire.
BRUCKER
(surprised)
-aide. I always forget your kind can sense each other. Well, I believe
in diversity on my staff. It was a big part of my campaign.
GUNN
How commendable.
ANGEL
Harmony, do you mind getting us some coffee?
HARMONY pops up from behind her desk.
HARMONY
Coming up.
BRUCKER
Oh, thank you, no. No coffee. But if it isn't any trouble, I think
Ernesto might like some blood.
ERNESTO
Virgin, if you have it. Room temperature's fine.
HARMONY
Sorry. We have a no human blood policy. I can offer you something in a
rodent. We have some fruity, unassuming vole-
HAMILTON
Oh, I think we could make an exception to our policy this time for the
senator. Couldn't we, Angel?
ANGEL
Harmony, the lab might have something in the blood bank. Why don't you
go check it out?
Gunn glares at Angel but Angel ignores him and winks at Hamilton, who
nods in approval.
HARMONY
Okay. You're the boss, boss. (beat) Could I maybe just have a teeny,
weeny-
ANGEL
(curt)
No.
HARMONY
(defensive)
Just thought I'd ask.
HAMILTON
Well, senator, if there's anything you need, please call on me. Rest
assured, you're in good hands.
Angel indicates his office.
ANGEL
Shall we?
Brucker, Gunn and Ernesto head into his office but Angel hangs behind as
WESLEY approaches carrying a file folder.
WESLEY
Angel, there's been another fatality in Funville.
ANGEL
What?
WESLEY
That abandoned amusement park downtown? Third victim in as many nights.
Teeth marks strongly indicate a Boretz demon.
Illyria and Spike enter the lobby and overhear.
SPIKE
Oh, bloody Boretz. Nasty buggers. Stink to high heaven. Dress as
transients to prey on the homeless, poor sods.
WESLEY
(to Angel)
This last victim was a teenage girl, a runaway. She was ripped apart.
ANGEL
(shrugs)
Well, there's not much we can do about it now, huh?
WESLEY
Angel, we need to find this demon and destroy it before-
ANGEL
Somebody else dies? Yeah. I know, Wes. People are dying every day all
over. This girl is just one more statistic.
WESLEY
Stacey. The statistic's name was Stacey Bluth.
ANGEL
Well, you know, we can't save everybody and we can't sweat the small
stuff.
WESLEY
Small?
ANGEL
Wes, I've got a United States senator waiting for me so just find out
whatever you can about this Boretz thing and we'll talk later, okay?
He turns his back on Wesley and shuts his office door.
WESLEY
(sotto)
Small stuff...
SPIKE
Listen, you need some Boretz-killing done, I'll have a go. I haven't had
a decent tussle since the blue meanie and I stopped sparring.
WESLEY
Yes. All right. Call me if you find anything. I'll be in my office
learning what I can.
He walks off, distracted.
ILLYRIA
(to Spike)
He showed no regard for my presence.
SPIKE
Not that you require any creature's attention. (off her look) Hey, want
to go find something to hit?
CUT TO:
5 INT. WOLFRAM & HART- ANGEL'S OFFICE- DAY
Angel, Gunn, Brucker and Ernesto watch a campaign video for Brucker's
opponent.
ANNOUNCER
(on TV; v.o.)
A Gulf War veteran and Bronze Star recipient, Mike Conley believes
ethics and integrity matter. Finding solutions to problems in our
educational system, health and childcare services, Mike Conley believes
in work and in home. Your home is his work. He's looking out for your
children's interests.
Brucker hits the stop button on the remote and throws it on the table in
disgust.
BRUCKER
There. So you can see my concern.
ERNESTO
This Conley campaign is a juggernaut. The guy came out of nowhere with
his "your home is his work" crap. Women voters are eating it up.
BRUCKER
And they were mine. I had a lock on the chick vote and now my numbers
are slipping. I didn't claw my way up from hell and get installed in a
human body just to have some pedophile steal my Senate seat.
GUNN
Wait... he's a pedophile?
BRUCKER
Not yet. But the public better think he is when you guys get through.
GUNN
(angry)
Pardon me?
BRUCKER
Hell, convince Conley he is. You've got some sort of brainwashing
capabilities here, don't you? What's that doctor's name?
ERNESTO
Sparrow.
BRUCKER
That's the one. This sounds right up his alley.
GUNN
Yeah, well, it's not up ours. Look, I don't care what kind of services
you were used to getting with this firm but Holland Manners doesn't live
here anymore. We're not about to ruin a man's life and reputation just
so you can-
ANGEL
We can do it.
GUNN
What?
ANGEL
(to Brucker)
I'm not sure how long a reconditioning like that would take.
ERNESTO
The election's in November.
GUNN
You're not seriously considering-
BRUCKER
Angel, you just made yourself a very loyal ally in Washington.
GUNN
Angel, we need to talk.
ANGEL
I'm with the senator now, Gunn.
CUT TO:
6 INT. WOLFRAM & HART- WESLEY'S OFFICE- DAY
Wesley sits at his desk speaking into a large leather-bound volume.
WESLEY
Boretz demons: classifications and case histories.
He sets the book down and opens it. It fills with dense text. As he sits
down to read it, the left page blanks out and new text appears:
YOU'RE LOOKING IN
THE WRONG PLACE
WESLEY
What am I looking for-
The right page of the book also erases itself and a symbol appears- a
circle with spiked teeth radiating out along its perimeter. Wesley
stares at it, considering, as Gunn enters.
GUNN
We've got a serious problem. It's Angel. He's-
WESLEY
Hold on.
He looks back at the book but the symbol is gone.
GUNN
Wes?
CUT TO:
7 INT. WOLFRAM & HART- RACQUETBALL COURT- DAY
Angel plays racquetball with IZZERIAL THE DEVIL a red-skinned, horned
demon. Angel's shot gets by Izzerial.
IZZERIAL
Ah, hell. Nice one. Did I tell you... I ran into Ed the other day?
ANGEL
Ed?
IZZERIAL
The Grand Potentate whatcha-whosit of the Fell Brethren?
ANGEL
Right. How is Ed?
IZZERIAL
You know the Fells. All they can talk about is the baby. The baby's
doing this now. The baby's doing that. What a wonderful ritual sacrifice
he'll make. Yak, yak, yak. Anyway, he couldn't say enough nice things
about you.
ANGEL
Great.
IZZERIAL
You're really coming through, big guy. There's a real buzz about you.
ANGEL
So how much longer do I have to wait for an answer?
IZZERIAL
Hey, these things take time. Trust me. Won't be long now.
Angel serves the ball and Izzerial returns.
CUT TO:
8 EXT. FUNVILLE AMUSEMENT PARK- NIGHT
Spike and Illyria make their way through the abandoned amusement park at
night. The decaying wooden roller coaster looms over them.
SPIKE
See? This isn't so bad now. Little field trip out in the... well, what
passes in this city for fresh air. All we need now is to bag ourselves a
Boretz demon and we've got ourselves a perfect date.
ILLYRIA
Angel does not think the casualties of this creature are important
enough to avenge.
SPIKE
Yeah. I think corporate living's made him lose his love for the hunt. No
worries. More for me, then.
ILLYRIA
He does not serve his interest.
SPIKE
What are you on about?
ILLYRIA
I've seen this before with many rulers. Your leader has been corrupted.
SPIKE
Hey, hang on. In the first place, Angel's not my leader. In the second,
what the bloody hell do you mean corrupted?
ILLYRIA
It always begins the same. A ruler turns a blind eye to the dealings of
battles from which he cannot gain... and a deaf ear to the counsel of
those closest to him. As his strength increases, so does the separation
between he and his follow-
SPIKE
Shh. You smell that?
ILLYRIA
The odors of everything in this world of men are equally repugnant to me.
SPIKE
Bloody helpful. You're wrong about Angel. Not that I don't think the sod
could end up being a megalomaniacal bastard. It's just that if he did...
I'd know it. I'd feel it.
ILLYRIA
You'll have proof soon enough. A corrupted ruler on such a path sees
treachery and betrayal all around him. He cannot suffer intimates and
will eventually turn against them.
SPIKE
Guess I don't have to worry about that, 'cause Angel and me have never
been intimate. Except that one-
ILLYRIA
Mark me. He will murder one of you.
Spike starts as Drogyn steps out from behind a support column.
DROGYN
Actually, he already has.
SPIKE
Drogyn?
ILLYRIA
Who is this?
SPIKE
The Guardian of the Deeper Well. Greenskeeper of your graveyard, so to
speak.
ILLYRIA
My jailer.
DROGYN
Illyria...
SPIKE
Boretz!
The Boretz demon leaps down onto them, attacking Spike and hurling him
into a power junction box. Illyria steps up and engages the Boretz as
Spike gets to his feet.
SPIKE
Stay away from its mouth! It's bite is poisonous. Go for its knees. I
think there's a weak spot-
Illyria kicks the demon with pile driver force, sending it smashing
through a series of wooden support struts for the roller-coaster above
them. It lands on the ground in a lifeless heap.
SPIKE
Okay, yeah. That might do it. (to Drogyn) What the hell are you doing
here? (off his look) Oh, don't give me your "ask me no questions, I'll
tell you no lies" bugaboo.
Drogyn winces in pain, his voice weak.
DROGYN
I came to find you.
SPIKE
Oh, so you tacked up a sign on your tree, waved bye to the Keeblers,
hopped the puddle and somehow managed to sniff me out in a city of 10
million?
DROGYN
I can find anyone who's visited the Well, be they in this world or any
other. I came to warn you...
He collapses, barely conscious and Spike catches him.
SPIKE
Warn?
ILLYRIA
He's bleeding.
SPIKE
You're all torn up, mate. What did this to you? The Boretz, was it?
DROGYN
No. It was Angel.
FADE OUT
ACT II
9 INT. WOLFRAM & HART- ATRIUM- NIGHT
Wesley heads for Angel's office but detours, stopping at Harmony's desk.
He grabs the sign-in book and draws the circle symbol he saw earlier.
HARMONY
That would look good on a calf.
WESLEY
Pardon?
HARMONY
Thinking of getting a tattoo, right? Put a little more bad in your bad
boy bank? It should go on your calf.
He rips out the page and goes into Angel's office.
10 INT. WOLFRAM & HART- ANGEL'S OFFICE- NIGHT
Wesley enters Angel's office carrying his drawing only to find him with
Hamilton.
WESLEY
Angel, something unusual came across one of my... oh, I didn't realize
you were occupied. If you don't mind, Hamilton.
ANGEL
Actually, Wes, we're kind of in the middle of something. Why don't you
try me later?
WESLEY
Yes, later, then.
He turns to go but Angel stops him.
ANGEL
Hey, Wes? Shut the door on your way out.
CUT TO:
11 INT. WOLFRAM & HART- ATRIUM- NIGHT
Wesley exits Angel's office to find LORNE waiting outside the door.
LORNE
Hey, is Angel in there?
WESLEY
He is.
LORNE
What's the weather report?
WESLEY
Cold. Icy, actually.
LORNE
Well, he cut six of my clients loose, didn't even tell me. I spent all
day talking them off ledges and out of pill bottles.
WESLEY
I sense that suicidal celebrities are beneath Angel's concern.
LORNE
These are very pretty people I'm talking about here, Wes. Four of them
are getting in shape for Young Guns III.
GUNN
What did he say?
12 INT. WOLFRAM & HART- WESLEY'S OFFICE- NIGHT
WESLEY
Nothing. He had Hamilton in his office. They're discussing business
strategy.
GUNN
Hamilton?
LORNE
It's like Angel suddenly started channeling Leona Helmsley.
WESLEY
He's not himself, at any rate.
GUNN
What's happening to him?
The phone rings.
WESLEY
(into phone)
Yes? Spike.
CUT TO:
13 INT. SPIKE'S APARTMENT- NIGHT
Gunn, Wesley, Illyria, Lorne and Spike listen as Drogyn tells his story.
DROGYN
It was a Sathari, part of a clan of demon assassins. They fell upon me
last night, the poison from his four blades wearing heavy on my limbs.
SPIKE
Yeah, rousing bit of rah-rah, mate. Get to the goods.
DROGYN
Once I bested him, I tortured the Sathari for hours until he confessed
who had sent him. It was Angel.
SPIKE
Tell 'em why.
DROGYN
He said Angel was afraid I'd find something in the Deeper Well,
something that would uncover the truth about his involvement.
GUNN
In what?
DROGYN
Helping Illyria escape from her tomb.
WESLEY
I thought the release of her sarcophagus from the Deeper Well was
predestined.
SPIKE
Yeah, what about that bit?
DROGYN
Well, that's what I thought at the time but now I believe Illyria's
resurrection may have been planned.
GUNN
By Angel?
LORNE
Oh, that doesn't make a lick of sense. I mean, why would Angel want to
spring an Old One?
DROGYN
I don't think that was the point.
GUNN
Then what was?
DROGYN
Before he died, the assassin said something about a sacrifice... someone
trusted and dear.
WESLEY
Are you saying that Angel was responsible for what happened to Fred?
DROGYN
He may not have chosen her specifically but-
LORNE
Whoa! Let's put a kibosh on that sentence before it turns into an
ass-kicking.
DROGYN
Do you think I gain pleasure in this? I held Angel an ally, a brother.
WESLEY
And you believe he may have murdered Fred?
DROGYN
I know this is difficult for you but Angel was involved. The information
retrieved from the assassin-
GUNN
You ever think maybe he was lying?
DROGYN
No one lies when they're at the mercy of my wrath.
GUNN
Then you're the liar, Aragorn.
SPIKE
He has to tell the truth. It's a curse or something.
GUNN
How can we be sure? We don't even know this guy.
WESLEY
Gunn, this is Drogyn, the Battlebrand, given eternal youth a thousand
years ago. Demonbane, truthsayer... (off Drogyn's look) Watchers'
Council.
SPIKE
Percy did a paper. Bully for him.
Wesley unfolds his drawing.
WESLEY
Drogyn, any idea what this symbol means?
DROGYN
No.
SPIKE
Where'd you get that?
WESLEY
This afternoon someone tapped into the template interface. Sent a
message to me and that symbol. Somebody's dropping clues.
GUNN
Playing games is more like it.
LORNE
Well, put me on the short bus but I still can't wrap my head around the
notion that Angel had anything to do with Fred or any of this.
WESLEY
Angel's been doing a number of things out of character lately. We all
noticed it.
LORNE
Yeah, but why is this happening now? Why the change?
WESLEY
Yes, why the sudden need to tie up loose ends like Drogyn? Unless...
ILLYRIA
He's preparing to make his move.
GUNN
What kind of move are we talking about?
WESLEY
There's only one way to find out. We ask him.
They all head for the door but Wesley pauses.
WESLEY
Drogyn should stay here under guard.
SPIKE
I'm not missing the fireworks. Hey, Illyria, you don't care about any of
this nonsense, do you?
ILLYRIA
The intricacies of your fates are meaningless.
SPIKE
Well and good. You mind watching over our friend Drogyn? (off her look)
Aw, come on. A new place'll do you good. It's nice and cozy. Help
yourself to some beer in the fridge. Switch on the telly if you get
bored.
He hands her the Playstation controls.
SPIKE
And feel free to play a little Crash Bandicoot. It'll give you lot
something to pass the time.
ILLYRIA
Crash Bandicoot?
CUT TO:
14 INT. WOLFRAM & HART- ATRIUM- NIGHT
Angel stands at Harmony's desk reviewing a contract.
ANGEL
Strike these four clauses and wire it back to them. See what they make
of that.
HARMONY
Yeah! See what they make of that.
Wesley, Lorne, Gunn, and Spike enter and surround Angel.
WESLEY
Angel.
ANGEL
Long dinner?
WESLEY
We need to talk to you. Now.
GUNN
Boy's dead serious.
They head for his office but Angel doesn't move.
SPIKE
You coming, then?
Angel sighs and follows them in.
15 INT. WOLFRAM & HART- ANGEL'S OFFICE- NIGHT
ANGEL
Okay, what's on your minds?
LORNE
The question is what's on yours?
SPIKE
Our friend Drogyn is in town.
ANGEL
Is he?
SPIKE
Yeah. A bit marked up, though. Somebody tried to have him killed. You
know anything about that?
ANGEL
Of course not. Where is he?
GUNN
He's safe.
ANGEL
Good. Now can we get back to business or was there something else?
WESLEY
Business? What business are we in, Angel?
ANGEL
Do I really have to explain this to you people? We're in the business of
business. Oil, software, worldwide wickets. The product doesn't matter.
It's the game that matters. Get to the top, be the best, have the most.
Win.
WESLEY
Win what?
ANGEL
You're still missing the point.
GUNN
Is that Angel talking? 'Cause it sounds a lot more like Angelus.
ANGEL
Oh, if I were Angelus, half of you would already be dead just for the
fun of it.
SPIKE
One of us already is. We having fun yet?
ANGEL
You want to know the truth? The truth is there's only one of us who ever
understood how things really work- Lorne.
LORNE
Whoa. Can I not be the poster child for your nervous breakdown here?
ANGEL
You didn't judge. You didn't spend your life obsessed with good and
evil. You do that, you get swallowed, lost in the minutiae. Good/bad,
Angel/Angelus- none of it makes a difference. I wish it did but, you
know, an ant with the best intentions or the most diabolical schemes is
just exactly an ant. There is one thing in this business- in this
apocalypse that we call a world- that matters. Power. Power tips the
scale. Power sets the course. And until I have real power, global power,
I have nothing. I accomplish nothing.
WESLEY
And how you get this power...
ANGEL
Isn't pretty. Isn't fun. You think it's Wolfram & Hart getting to me
here and maybe you're right because they've shown us what power is. From
day one, they've been calling the shots and all we've done is get shot
at. I have a chance to change that.
LORNE
And will you? I mean, not to play an old saw but power does
traditionally corrupt. You get high up enough and, well, the people...
they do start to look like ants.
ANGEL
I can't worry about that- the small stuff.
Harmony pokes her head in.
HARMONY
Angel, that important phone call from... that guy about that thing, it's
on line three.
ANGEL
We're done here. I have to take this.
They all reluctantly start to file out.
SPIKE
Yeah, the guy about the thing.
WESLEY
(to Angel)
The small stuff that you can't worry about- would that include Fred?
ANGEL
I loved Fred.
WESLEY
That's not an answer.
ANGEL
Then I guess you don't get one.
He slams the door in Wesley's face.
SMASH CUT TO BLACK
ACT III
16 INT. WOLFRAM & HART- INTERROGATION ROOM- NIGHT
Wesley and Lorne sit in the firm's interrogation room. A large two-way
mirror dominates one wall.
WESLEY
There's got to be something behind all this. A reason. It could be a
ploy. (beat) For god's sake, say something.
LORNE
What would you like me to say? Tell you that Angel loved Fred and that
in an eon of eons he would never harm her in any way? I wish I could,
Wes, but if he believes what he's saying and I believe he does...
WESLEY
It doesn't make any sense. Angel never cared about power.
LORNE
Well, he's never had any to care about, has he? Not real power- even as
Angelus. And then just like that, he's king of the mountain. It's quite
a view from up there. Tends to make people want things, even if they
start with the best intentions. Angel's seen real power and he's not
looking away. He's going to go for it, Wes.
Gunn and Spike throw the door open and haul in LINDSEY in shackles.
LINDSEY
(grins)
You boys look like you could use a hug.
CUT TO:
17 EXT. SO-CAL ACADEMY OF ART & DESIGN- NIGHT
Nina exits the building and heads for the parking lot. She stops when
Angel calls out to her.
ANGEL
Nina.
Nina walks over and gives him a hug and a kiss.
NINA
Angel, hey. Well, this is a nice surprise. Everything okay?
ANGEL
Can we sit down?
He takes her by the hand and sits with her on a park bench. He gives her
an envelope.
NINA
Plane tickets? I don't believe it. We're getting away? This is... but I
thought you didn't have time to- wait. There are three tickets here. Are
we taking a chaperone? (reads) My sister and Amanda?
ANGEL
I need you to be out of here.
NINA
That's typical. You sleep with a guy and he sends your entire family out
of the country. No, wait, that's actually not that typical at all. You
couldn't just not call?
ANGEL
It's not safe here.
NINA
Is it ever? I want to be with you if there's trouble.
ANGEL
You don't want to be with me. You don't want to be near me.
NINA
Because I might get hurt?
ANGEL
'Cause I'm the thing that'll hurt you.
NINA
(re: tickets)
What do you call this?
ANGEL
How can I convince you that I want to be with you?
NINA
Show me a fourth ticket.
ANGEL
(sighs)
Okay. If I get through this intact, I'll come for you. We'll have time.
NINA
(laughs)
You're the most amazing man I've ever met but you're a crappy liar.
ANGEL
Go. I'm not asking.
NINA
I'll go. Why on earth would I stay?
She gathers her things and walks off into the night.
CUT TO:
18 INT. SPIKE'S APARTMENT- NIGHT
Illyria and Drogyn sit beside each other on the couch playing Spike's
Playstation.
DROGYN
It is a test, a task of some sort. You must collect those crystals. And
the fruit.
ILLYRIA
Why?
Drogyn sets the controller aside and turns to Illyria.
DROGYN
Old One, you have no right to walk this earth. Your time is past. You
belong to the Well.
ILLYRIA
Truly. I wish now I had never been brought out of it.
DROGYN
Do you?
ILLYRIA
I don't know. I play this game. It's pointless and annoys me... and yet,
I'm compelled to play on. Does that not-
The front door to the apartment shatters and explodes inward. Hamilton
strides in, dusting splinters off his suit jacket.
HAMILTON
Well, looky-looky who's making friends.
DROGYN
Marcus?
HAMILTON
Dro, how have you been?
ILLYRIA
(to Drogyn)
You're acquainted with this creature?
HAMILTON
Yes. We go way back, don't we?
DROGYN
Too far.
HAMILTON
The good old days. So I hear you're living in a tree now.
DROGYN
The tree is the entrance to the Deeper Well. I live in a cave. It's
really quite pleasant.
HAMILTON
I'm sure it's a peach. I'm afraid you won't be returning to it again.
ILLYRIA
You will not harm him.
HAMILTON
Oh, you mean like this?
He tosses Drogyn across the room and into the wall. Illyria attacks
Hamilton but her blows have no effect on him. He hurls her into the wall
as well.
HAMILTON
Hang on, Dro. This'll just take a second.
Hamilton methodically starts beating Illyria nearly to death. He holds
her at arms-length and punctuates his words with one crushing blow to
her face after another.
HAMILTON
I gotta tell ya, I'm a little disappointed. I didn't think a big, scary
Old One bled this easily. Maybe it's this skinny little body you chose
to infect. Or maybe it's that ray gun they shot you with to keep you
from exploding. Or maybe... you're... just... not... that... cool!
He lets her drop to the floor, barely conscious and bleeding from the
eyes and nose.
HAMILTON
Yes, that's probably it.
He smiles and brings his foot down on her face.
CUT TO:
19 INT. WOLFRAM & HART- INTERROGATION ROOM- NIGHT
Lindsey sits at the table, surrounded by Spike, Gunn, Lorne and Wesley.
LINDSEY
So what are you going to do? You going to beat it out of me?
SPIKE
If you say so.
He walks toward Lindsey, who springs to his feet to confront him. Gunn
steps between them and shoves Lindsey back into the chair.
GUNN
We all know how this goes. Spike beats you to a bloody pulp, you beg for
mercy, and we get what we came for.
LORNE
Who needs all that rigmarole?
LINDSEY
I told you. I don't know why Angel gave up that kid. Or anything else.
Me and him, not too close. I gotta get back to my game of solitaire.
Wesley shows him his drawing.
LINDSEY
Where'd you get that?
WESLEY
It doesn't matter. What does it mean?
LINDSEY
(chuckles)
Is that what all this is about- all these questions about Angel? (beat)
No. No way. No way they'd take Angel.
SPIKE
Who they?
LINDSEY
The Circle of the Black Thorn.
LORNE
Sounds like a little sewing club for pirates.
LINDSEY
It's a secret society.
GUNN
Never heard of them.
LINDSEY
That's 'cause they're secret.
SPIKE
There's plenty of these cabals about. They usually spend a lot of time
in basements paddling one another's bums to prove their manhood.
LINDSEY
These aren't frat boys, Spike. The Circle's small. It's elite. They've
got connections you boys can't even comprehend.
WESLEY
They're evil.
LINDSEY
Sure. But evil's not the point. Power is.
WESLEY
Power.
GUNN
Okay, we get it. They're bad ass. What do they do?
LINDSEY
Jeez. Are you guys always this slow? Starts with an "a", ends in
"pocalypse". It's a well-oiled machine, this Circle. These people grease
the wheels, keep the parts in place. Make sure man's inhumanity to man
keeps rolling along.
WESLEY
We thought the senior partners were responsible for the apocalypse.
LINDSEY
The senior partners are on a different plane. Down here, it's the
players in the Circle that make things happen. Hell, if you get tapped
by one of them, it's kind of like getting the keys to the chocolate
factory.
WESLEY
That's why you came back to L.A., tried to kill Angel. To get into the
Circle.
LINDSEY
To be a Black Thorn is to be the senior partners' instrument on earth.
Doesn't get bigger than that.
GUNN
Looks like Angel succeeded where you failed.
LINDSEY
He doesn't have it in him.
WESLEY
Doesn't have what in him?
LINDSEY
Well, for starters, he's gotta give up the champion angle. Quit saving
girls in alleys. He probably wouldn't even make it on the Circle's radar
until he killed one of his lieutenants.
LORNE
The senior partners, the Circle, they're killing Angel by degrees.
WESLEY
And we all watched it happen.
GUNN
The guy I knew wouldn't want this. Wouldn't want to be this.
WESLEY
Angel dedicated his life to helping others. Not because he had to but
because it was a path he'd chosen. If he's been swayed from that-
influenced- then maybe there's still time. We can bring him back. He'd
do the same for any of us, regardless of our actions.
LORNE
And what if he's skipped too far down that evil brick road?
CUT TO:
20 INT. BLACK THORN INITIATION CHAMBER- NIGHT
A dark warren of tunnels beneath the city of Los Angeles. Drogyn kneels
before a roaring fire, wearing a burlap sack over his head. A half-dozen
robed and hooded men beat him with sticks. Angel watches from the other
side of the fire, pacing, then jumps through the flames and lands next
to Drogyn. The man's attackers back away as Angel helps him to his feet
and removes the bag from his head. He looks up at Angel, bloodied and
weak, with his hands tied behind his back.
DROGYN
(whispers)
Thank you. Thank you...
Angel stares back at him, then shifts his face and sinks his fangs into
Drogyn's neck.
Angel drinks deeply, then steps back and snaps Drogyn's neck and drops
his lifeless body to the floor.
FADE OUT
ACT IV
21 INT. BLACK THORN INITIATION CHAMBER- NIGHT
Surrounded by the Circle of the Black Thorn, Angel stands in the center
of the group's symbol inscribed on the floor. The members are all masked
and wear hooded black robes. His face also concealed by a mask, Izzerial
steps forward, the palm of his hand glowing with a fiery symbol. He
places his hand over Angel's heart, branding him.
IZZERIAL
The Circle entwined.
CIRCLE
Embrace this worthy son.
IZZERIAL
The Thorn draws blood.
CIRCLE
The Thorn is the power and the power is absolute.
Izzerial shakes hands with Angel.
IZZERIAL
Welcome to the fold.
The lights go up in the room and the robed demons remove their masks.
Many of them Angel recognizes, including ARCHDUKE SEBASSIS, CYVUS VAIL
and Senator Brucker. They all break out into applause.
VAIL
Well done, Angel.
IZZERIAL
See? Didn't I tell you it was going to happen? And how about that lamb
we got you for the slaughter. Any idea who that was?
ANGEL
Drogyn the Battlebrand.
IZZERIAL
Damn straight. We got you some super-charged warrior juice, not some
schmuck. You must feel great.
He and Angel clink their champagne glasses in a toast.
IZZERIAL
Okay, let me introduce you around to a few people. Some of these folks
you know, some you don't. Of course, you're acquainted with the Archduke.
SEBASSIS
Kudos, child. I must say, it's gratifying to see you've returned to
form, Angelus.
ANGEL
It's still Angel.
SEBASSIS
Ah, well, what's in a name, eh? In the spirit of our new alliance, you
must allow me to throw a dinner party in your honor.
ANGEL
You know how I love parties.
BRUCKER
It's nice to see you again so soon, Angel.
ANGEL
Senator. I had no idea you were so well-connected.
BRUCKER
Well, I'm not going to take the White House in 2008 on just my sparkling
wit and funding from hostile governments.
ANGEL
(chuckles)
I expect not.
IZZERIAL
Excuse us, Helen. Angel, I've got someone here who'd like to pay his
respects.
ANGEL
Vail.
VAIL
You've been looking for me.
ANGEL
Actually, I've been looking like I'm looking for you. Appearances, you
know.
IZZERIAL
See, Cyvus? I told you it was all good. Now why don't you two shake
hands? Come on.
VAIL
No hard feelings, then?
ANGEL
Ultimately everything worked out for the best.
VAIL
Your son, he kills quite well.
ANGEL
Thanks.
IZZERIAL
Got a great turnout for your initiation.
ANGEL
Really?
IZZERIAL
Oh, yeah. Everybody's here. Here, let me freshen that up.
He takes Angel's drink and moves off, leaving Angel to take in the room,
noting each of the Circle's members.
CUT TO:
22 INT. WOLFRAM & HART- ATRIUM- DAY
Angel steps off the elevator, rubbing his branded chest, and heads
straight for his office.
23 INT. WOLFRAM & HART- ANGEL'S OFFICE- DAY
As Angel enters his office, Gunn closes the door behind him and Spike
decks him before he can react, sending him reeling to the floor. Wesley
and Lorne step out of the conference room and they all surround Angel,
all armed.
SPIKE
You might want to stay down.
ANGEL
Or what? Careful... you don't want to get yourselves hurt.
GUNN
We know what you've been doing. Giving up the baby to the Fell Brethren,
working for Senator Bitch, trying to take out Drogyn to cover up what
you did to Fred. And for what? To get in bed with the Circle of the
Black Thorn?
ANGEL
So you figured it out.
LORNE
Yeah, a little singing from a jailbird we know... and loathe.
ANGEL
Lindsey? And you believed him?
SPIKE
He doesn't have a reason to lie.
ANGEL
He doesn't need one.
WESLEY
Unlike you?
ANGEL
What I do here is my business. You don't like how I conduct it, you can
leave... before I kill you.
WESLEY
Kill us? Hard to believe we're having trouble trusting you.
ANGEL
Just telling it like it is.
Wesley cocks his shotgun.
WESLEY
Then we have a problem.
ANGEL
I guess we do.
Angel grabs the shotgun barrel and the fight is on. Angel moves with
inhuman speed and disarms Wesley and Gunn in the blink of an eye. Lorne
fires his crossbow, hitting Angel in the shoulder. Angel kicks Wesley's
pistol from his hand, then spins around and seizes Lorne by the throat,
holding him hostage.
ANGEL
Are we done?
WESLEY
Let him go.
ANGEL
You don't give the orders. Lorne, pull this thing out of me.
Lorne reaches for the bolt protruding from Angel's shoulder.
ANGEL
Easy. Not in a great mood.
Lorne yanks out the bolt.
ANGEL
Good. Now, let's finish this.
He takes a crystal out of his pocket and holds it out in front of him.
ANGEL
Involvere.
The crystal glows and sends a force wave rippling through the room.
Angel lets Lorne go and turns to the others, his demeanor completely
different, back to his normal self.
ANGEL
All right, we have six minutes.
SPIKE
Till what?
ANGEL
The glamour collapses. As far as anyone outside this room is concerned,
we're still at each other's throats.
WESLEY
Aren't we?
ANGEL
Look, we don't have a lot of time here so I'm going to have to make this
short. Everything you think you know, everything you've heard, is a lie.
GUNN
Why should we believe you?
ANGEL
Because I'm the one who told it. (to Wesley) Read any good books lately?
WESLEY
You sent us the message?
ANGEL
And the assassin to kill Drogyn.
SPIKE
So that part was true?
ANGEL
I knew Drogyn could handle himself. I told the assassin just enough to
lead Drogyn to think I played a part in resurrecting Illyria. I figured
he'd come here looking for allies against me.
WESLEY
Why would you want us to believe you killed Fred?
ANGEL
Because they needed to believe it.
GUNN
The Black Thorn.
ANGEL
They needed to believe my own people didn't trust me anymore. They
needed to believe a person as good and as pure as Drogyn considered me
an enemy. It was the only way to gain their confidence.
LORNE
Oh, so this whole evil Angel thing has been a big scamola. I smell Oscar.
SPIKE
When did this all start?
ANGEL
Two months ago. With a kiss.
WIPE TO:
CORDELIA passionately kisses Angel good-bye.
BACK TO SCENE
ANGEL
Though it didn't hit me till later that night.
WIPE TO:
Angel awakens with a start, a series of images, including the symbol of
the Black Thorn and a fiery apocalypse, flashing across his mind's eye.
BACK TO SCENE
WESLEY
Cordelia gave you her visions?
ANGEL
A one-shot deal. She put me on the path, showed me where the real powers
are. But I couldn't see who they were. Then when Fred died, I wasn't
going to let that be another random horrible event in a random horrible
world. So I decided to use it, to make her death matter. And it worked.
I'm in. I've seen the faces of evil. I know who the real powers in the
apocalypse are.
GUNN
So all that "power tilts the scales" crap?
ANGEL
It's true. We're in a machine. That machine's going to be here long
after our bodies are dust. But the senior partners will always exist in
one form or another because mankind is weak.
LORNE
(to Wesley)
Do you want me to point my crossbow at him, 'cause I think he's going to
start talking about ants again.
ANGEL
We are weak. The powerful control everything... except our will to
choose. Look, Lindsey's a pathetic halfwit but he was right about one
thing. Heroes don't accept the way the world is. The senior partners may
be eternal but we can make their existence painful.
WESLEY
You want to take them on.
ANGEL
We're in a machine. The Black Thorn runs it. We can bring their gears to
a grinding halt, even if it's just for a moment.
SPIKE
About time we got our hands dirty.
ANGEL
This isn't a "keep fighting the good fight" kind of a deal. Let's be
clear. I'm talking about killing every single member of the Black Thorn.
We don't walk away from that.
LORNE
Do we crawl away at least?
ANGEL
We do this, the senior partners will rain their full wrath. They'll make
an example of us. I'm talking full-on hell, not the basic fire and
brimstone kind we're used to.
GUNN
We know the drill.
ANGEL
No, you don't. Ten-to-one we're gone when the smoke clears. They will do
everything in their power to destroy us. So... I need you to be sure.
Power endures. We can't bring down the senior partners but for one
bright shining moment, we can show them that they don't own us. You need
to decide for yourselves if that's worth dying for. I can't order you to
do this. I can't do it without you. So we'll vote. As a team. Think
about what I'm asking you to do. Think about what I'm asking you to give.
SPIKE
Kill 'em all. Burn the house down while we're still in it.
ANGEL
Something like that.
A long beat while everyone considers the implications. Finally, Spike
raises his hand.
SPIKE
I'm in.
WESLEY
I'm in.
Gunn raises his hand and Lorne reluctantly does the same.
PULL BACK TO:
24 INT. WOLFRAM & HART- ATRIUM- DAY
Outside the office windows, the glamour is in full effect. The hostage
stand-off continues.
SPIKE
Drop it!
WESLEY
Angel, you don't want it to go like this!
ANGEL
You're not the boss around here.
GUNN
Lorne, you all right?
LORNE
Wes, help-
SPIKE
Angel, weíve got three people here. Drop it!
Marcus Hamilton stands outside Angel's office, watching them through the
window, his face an inscrutable mask.
FADE TO BLACK
END