An Alternative Angel - Dark Secrets

DARK SECRETS

Completed: 24 August 2000

SCENE 1

INT / EXT - HOUSE - DUBLIN, IRELAND - 1754 - NIGHT

A young woman is in the midst of preparing for bed.

CLOSE UP of a pair of hands doing up the buttons of a white nightdress.

BACK VIEW – she gathers up her long black hair and puts it up in a bun. She takes a white bonnet from the nightstand and places it on her head.

The woman pulls back the bed covers then stops abruptly. She turns her head quickly towards the window but sees nothing. She moves towards the window and presses her nose against the glass.

CLOSE UP of her face – she looks exactly like Paris! Her green eyes dart back and forth, but don’t see anything.

She moves away from the window and gets into bed.

ANGELUS’ POV – from the shadows, he sees the woman turn the flame of the oil lamp down.

ANGELUS (O.C)
(softly)
Sweet dreams, my dear.

DISSOLVE TO…

SCENE 2

INT / EXT - PARIS’ APARTMENT - NIGHT

CLOSE UP of Paris’ face. She is sleeping peacefully.

PAN UP to the window and we see Angel watching her.

ANGEL
(whispers)
Sweet dreams, Paris.

ANGEL’S POV – he sees Paris stir in her sleep but she doesn’t awaken. He touches his fingertips to the window pane.

NEIGHBOR (O.C)
Hey!

Angel snaps his head around.

ANGEL’S POV – he sees a fat, balding man peering down at him from the second floor of the neighboring tenement.

NEIGHBOR
What the hell do you think you’re doing?
Get the hell outta here!

Angel panics at having been seen and uses his vampiric speed to flee the scene.

NEIGHBOR’S POV – he looks up and down the narrow alley that runs between the two buildings. The neighbor scratches the top of his bald head, a frown on his face.

NEIGHBOR
Where the hell’d he go?

BLACK OUT

SCENE 3

INT - ANGEL INVESTIGATIONS - OUTER OFFICE - DAY

Paris arrives at the office to find Wesley and Cordelia pouring over the morning newspaper.

PARIS
(cheery)
Good morning.

Wesley glances up from the paper but Cordelia does not.

WESLEY
Good morning, Paris.

CORDELIA
(distracted)
Hey.

As Paris puts her bag down behind the desk, she peers through the glass panelled window into Angel’s office but he’s not there. She turns her attention to her fellow employees.

PARIS
Anything good in the paper?

CORDELIA
Define good.

PARIS
Ah, anything that’s not bad.

Cordelia looks up at her.

CORDELIA
Oh. In that case then…no.

Cordelia looks past Paris as the elevator stops and Angel steps out into his office. He walks through the office to the coffee machine. As he pours himself a cup of coffee…

ANGEL
Morning.

CORDELIA
Hey.

Angel takes a sip of the coffee and screws his face up in disgust.

ANGEL
Eugh! This is terrible.

CORDELIA
(bland)
It’s yesterday’s.

Angel puts the cup down and looks at Wesley who still has his head down.

ANGEL
What’s so interesting in the paper?

WESLEY
(evenly)
There was a murder last night.

ANGEL
And that’s interesting because…

WESLEY
(looking up at Angel)
The body was drained of blood.

CORDELIA
I don’t know about you guys, but I’m
going out on a limb here and saying
it was vampires.

PARIS
(uneasily)
Vampires?

CORDELIA
Okay, Paris…remember that little talk
we had last week? Everything I told
you was true. Demons, ghosts, vampires…
they actually exist.

PARIS
They’re all real?

CORDELIA
Yes, Paris. They’re all real.

ANGEL
(to Wesley)
Where’d it happen?

WESLEY
Los Feliz.

ANGEL
Were there any others?

WESLEY
Not unless they occurred after the
newspaper’s deadline.

ANGEL
Cordelia, get on the computer. Check the
police and coroner reports from last night.
Find out whatever you can about this
attack, and if there were any others.

CORDELIA
Okey dokey.

Cordelia sits down at the computer while Angel goes into his office. Paris slowly follows him and watches as he sits down at his desk.

PARIS
(hesitantly)
Angel.

ANGEL
Yeah?

He looks up at her and she quickly diverts her eyes to the bricked-over window behind him.

PARIS
(nervous / soft)
One of my neighbors paid me a
visit this morning.

ANGEL
Why?

PARIS
He said he saw a man outside my bedroom
at three o’clock this morning.

ANGEL
What was he doing up at that time of night?

PARIS
He works the night shift at a gas station.

ANGEL
Did he see his face?

PARIS
No, it was too dark. But he did say
that he was tall and well-built and was
wearing a long coat.

ANGEL
Did he call the police?

PARIS
No.

ANGEL
Why not?

PARIS
When he called out to the man,
he disappeared.

ANGEL
(raising an eyebrow)
Disappeared?

PARIS
As in vanished. Into thin air.

ANGEL
Maybe your neighbor was seeing things.
Was he under the influence of anything
last night? Drugs, alcohol?

PARIS
I don’t know. But he was convinced
he saw this man.

ANGEL
Even if he did see him, the description’s not
much to go on.

PARIS
I know.
(then)
I just…I thought I should tell you.

ANGEL
You did the right thing, Paris. But if your
neighbor sees him again, let me know.

PARIS
(nods)
I will. Thanks, Angel.

Angel watches Paris leave the office then lets out a slow sigh of relief.

CUT TO…

SCENE 4

INT - TAVERN - DUBLIN, IRELAND - 1754 - NIGHT

Kathleen is behind the bar pouring two tankards of dark ale then pushes them across the counter top to two local fishermen.

ANGLE ACROSS THE ROOM - we see Angelus enter the tavern. He is wearing black trousers, white ruffled shirt and black frock coat. He is clean-shaven, his shoulder-length hair pulled back in a ponytail at the base of his neck. He surveys the room then smiles to himself when he sees Kathleen wiping down the bar. He moves slowly across the dirt floor to the bar.

KATHLEEN
(without looking up)
What would you like?

ANGELUS (O.C)
You.

Kathleen looks up sharply at the man, then her gaze softens slightly.

KATHLEEN
We only have ale or whisky, sir.

ANGELUS
Then I’ll have a glass of your finest
whisky, m’lady.

Kathleen takes a glass off the counter behind her then pours the whisky. Kathleen places the glass in front of the handsome man. Angelus reaches for the glass and their fingers brush briefly. Kathleen jerks her hand away.

KATHLEEN
Why are your hands so cold, sir?

ANGELUS
Because it’s snowin’ outside.

KATHLEEN
Well, looking at how you’re dressed, why do
you not own a pair of gloves?

ANGELUS
I misplaced them several days ago and I’ve
not yet had the chance to buy me a new pair.

Angelus raises his glass to Kathleen then throws back the whisky in one gulp. When he realises the taste, he screws up his face. Kathleen smiles at his reaction.

KATHLEEN
Would you care for another, sir?

ANGELUS
I don’t think so.

KATHLEEN
After the second glass, you won’t be able
to taste a thing.
(looking to her right)
Isn’t that right, Paddy?

PADDY
(smiles, raises glass)
That t’is, my good lady.

Paddy downs the whisky then Kathleen pours him another glass.

ANGELUS
In that case then…

Kathleen refills his glass.

KATHLEEN
I don’t believe I’ve seen you in here
before, sir.

ANGELUS
I’ve only recently moved here. My mother will
be joining me shortly for the festivities.

KATHLEEN
(smiles)
Well, I hope you become a regular.

ANGELUS
(leaning into her)
And why’s that, love?

KATHLEEN
(looking at the room)
They’re not exactly lining up to get in here,
y’know.

Angelus laughs softly, then so does Kathleen.

KATHLEEN
My name’s Kathleen O’Leary.

ANGELUS
(smiles)
Pleased to meet you, Kathleen.
My name’s…

CORDELIA (V.O)
Angel.

HARD CUT TO…

SCENE 5

INT ANGEL INVESTIGATIONS - INNER OFFICE - DAY

CLOSE UP of Angel’s face, deep in thought, a slight smile on his lips.

CORDELIA (O.C)
(impatiently)
Angel!

Angel snaps out of his reverie and looks up at Cordelia and Wesley.

ANGEL
(momentarily confused)
Huh?

WESLEY
We found out about this vampire attack.

ANGEL
Huh? Oh, right.

CORDELIA
And where’s your brain been the last
few minutes?

Angel ignores Cordelia’s comment.

ANGEL
(to Wesley)
What’d you find out?

WESLEY
It was definitely a vampire attack, but
that’s not all.

ANGEL
What else?

CORDELIA
There were four similar attacks in the same
area early this morning. Before sunrise,
of course.

WESLEY
It would seem as if this vampire gang Buffy
warned us about has finally arrived.

ANGEL
(thoughtfully)
Hmmm.

CORDELIA
Don’t vampires usually work alone or
with a partner?

ANGEL
Some do.

WESLEY
So, why form an army?

ANGEL
(dark)
To get my attention.

CORDELIA
That’s assuming they know you’re here,
which, if they’ve come from Sunnydale,
they probably do.
(sudden realisation)
Oh, God, that means they could
come here…to the office…

ANGEL
They wouldn’t be that stupid.

CORDELIA
They might be.

WESLEY
You think they’ll seek you out, don’t you?
(off Angel’s silence)
Angel?

ANGEL
(grim)
Yeah…I do.

DISSOLVE TO…

SCENE 6

INT - HOUSE - LOS FELIZ - LATE DAY

We see about 20 vampires moving about the large living room of the timber house.

PUSH IN on three vampires who are seated at a dining table off the living room.

RAMON
(looking around)
James found us a good home.
He should be rewarded tonight.

ANTOINE
I’ll make sure he is.

RAMON
He can hunt with Dagger.

ANTOINE
That’s just what I was thinking.

LOUIS
(impatiently)
So, when do we get to see him?

RAMON
Patience, Louis. Antoine, do you
remember where he was living?

ANTOINE
Near Hollywood.

RAMON
(nodding slowly)
That’s right.
(then)
Working as a private detective.

ANTOINE
(corrects)
Investigator.

RAMON
Same thing.

Ramon looks past Antoine and Louis as a vampire begins to roll up a rug that is at the front entrance.

RAMON
(to the vampire)
Touch that rug and you won’t live to
see nightfall.

The vampire looks up quickly at Ramon then hurriedly unrolls the rug.

LOUIS
So, when do we get to see him, Ramon?

RAMON
Tonight.

ANTOINE
We should visit him after we’ve eaten.
And we should be prepared in case
we were misinformed.

RAMON
Agreed.

LOUIS
But if he is cursed, he’ll never agree to do
want we want.

RAMON
(standing up)
Then we’ll just have to convince him.
Won’t we?

LOUIS
(smiles)
I can’t wait to finally meet the
legend himself. In person. Oh, boy.
(bouncing up and down)

Antoine looks at him with a slight frown as he stands up.

ANTOINE
You wouldn’t happen to be excited now,
would you, Louis?

LOUIS
Excited doesn’t describe it. Ever since I
first heard of him and the things he did, I’ve
wanted to meet him. And it’s finally
going to happen!

ANTOINE
Yes, it is, my boy. Yes, it is.

Antoine walks away from the table.

CLOSE UP of Louis’ excited face, but there’s also a hint of danger in his eyes.

CUT TO…

SCENE 7

EXT - PARIS’ APARTMENT - NIGHT

Angel walks the narrow alley between the two buildings.

ANGEL’S POV – he looks up at the neighboring second floor window and sees it’s dark.

Angel stops at the lit bedroom window and peers in to find the room empty. A few moments pass then the bathroom light go off and Paris emerges wearing nothing but an oversized t-shirt.

Sensing something, Paris suddenly looks towards the window. Angel quickly disappears from view and runs down the alley.

PARIS (O.C)
Stay away from me!

CUT TO…

SCENE 8

INT - ANGEL’S APARTMENT - NIGHT

Angel pulls back the sliding door, steps inside then pulls the door shut. He wanders into the bedroom and sits down heavily on the bed. Elbows on knees, he drops his head into his hands.

ANGEL
(strained)
What am I doing?

Angel raises his head slightly when he HEARS a noise upstairs. He stands up as he HEARS three sets of footsteps slowly coming down the stairs from the office. He moves to the bureau and takes a stake from the top drawer.

When he walks out of the bedroom, he sees three VAMPED-OUT vampires standing at the foot of the stairs.

RAMON
(smiles)
Hello, Angelus

LOUIS
(eager)
It’s so good to finally meet you.

ANGEL
(low)
Okay, so you know who I am.
Who the hell are you?

RAMON
The name’s Ramon. This is…
(looking to his left)
…Louis, and…
(looking to his right)
…Antoine.

ANGEL
(eyes narrow)
You three and your friends are responsible for
those attacks last night.

ANTOINE
(boasts)
And at least half a dozen more tonight.

ANGEL
Before I dust you…
(raising the stake)
…why don’t you tell me want you want?

LOUIS
You. The Scourge Of Europe himself.

ANGEL
I’m not scourging anymore.

RAMON
Ah…so it’s true.

ANGEL
What’s true?

RAMON
That you’re cursed with a soul.

Angel is silent as Louis looks to Ramon.

ANGEL
So, what do you want with me?

LOUIS
We want you to join us.

ANGEL
(dryly)
Join you.

LOUIS
To lead us and teach us.

Angel considers this offer for a moment.

ANGEL
I don’t think so. In case you didn’t know,
L.A’s my territory; my town, and I suggest
you leave it.

RAMON
And if we decide to stay?

ANGEL
Then you’ll find out first hand why this
is my town.

Angel looks up as he HEARS someone coming down the stairs then sees Paris’ face emerge from the shadows. She literally bumps into the three vampires and looks up at their faces.

PARIS
(screams)
Aargh!

Angel quickly moves forward and pulls her away from his brethren.

ANTOINE
(licking his lips)
My, my, Angelus.
Who’s this pretty young thing?

ANGEL
(warns)
Someone you’re leaving alone.

Angel pulls the horrified Paris towards the bedroom.

ANGEL
(orders)
Stay in here.

Angel shuts the bedroom doors then returns to the vampires.

LOUIS
(smiles)
She’s pretty. Can I have her?

ANGEL
(growls)
No. Now leave.

RAMON
As you wish. But you’ll be seeing us
again, Angelus.

ANGEL
(sarcastically)
Looking forward to it.

The three vampires turn and climb up the stairs. When they are gone, Angel moves to the bedroom and opens the doors. Paris is standing in the middle of the room where he had left her. Motionless.

ANGEL
(gently)
Paris.

Paris jumps then turns and faces him. For the first time, she looks into his eyes. He sees the fear and confusion in hers.

PARIS
(stammers)
What…what were they?

ANGEL
Vampires.

PARIS
(shocked)
Vampires?

Paris starts swaying on her feet and looks as if she’s about to faint. Angel puts a supporting arm behind her and guides her to the bed where they sit.

ANGEL
(concerned)
Are you okay?

PARIS
(shakily)
I don’t know.
(beat)
That big…why’d he call you Angelus?

ANGEL
It’s a long story.
(then)
Why are you here?

Paris is distracted by the vampire’s faces.

INTERCUT - close up of the three vampires’ faces.

ANGEL
Paris?

PARIS
(looking at him)
Huh?

ANGEL
Why are you here?

PARIS
(distant)
He was outside my window…

ANGEL
Did you see his face?

PARIS
(shakes head slowly)
He disappeared before…

Paris nervously looks around the room.

ANGEL
Are you sure you’re okay?

PARIS
Huh? Yeah…no…I don’t know.
(then)
I don’t want to go home…
in case he’s…

ANGEL
He’s probably long gone by now.

Paris nods her head slowly but is unconvinced.

ANGEL
(hesitantly)
Listen, why don’t you stay here the night?

PARIS
(alarmed)
What if those, those, those…
(pointing at the stairs)
…things come back?

ANGEL
They won’t.

PARIS
Are you sure?

ANGEL
Positive.

Paris nods her head slowly.

CUT TO…

SCENE 9

INT - THE HOUSE - LOS FELIZ - NIGHT

Ramon, Antoine and Louis enter the house to find it empty.

ANTOINE
Everyone must be out partying.

Ramon sits down on the couch, a frown on his face.

LOUIS
(sitting down)
How are we going to convince Angelus
to join us?

RAMON
(thoughtfully)
He was intrigued by us.

ANTOINE
And you came to this conclusion when?

RAMON
He could’ve killed us when he first saw us
but he didn’t.

LOUIS
And he knew about our work from last night.

RAMON
Yes, he did. He’ll want to know more
about us after our visit tonight.

LOUIS
(smiles evilly)
I’d like to know more about his pretty
lady friend.

ANTOINE
(smiling)
You read my mind.

Louis and Antoine laugh as Ramon ignores them. He’s in deep thought.

BLACK OUT

SCENE 10

EXT / INT - A HOUSE - DUBLIN, IRELAND - 1754 - NIGHT

Kathleen walks arm-in-arm with Angelus along a dimly lit street.

KATHLEEN
So, where are you from originally?

ANGELUS
Galway. But I’ve been travellin’ quite a
bit of late.

KATHLEEN
Sounds excitin’.

ANGELUS
It was.

KATHLEEN
I’ve not set foot outside Dublin meself.

ANGELUS
I find that rather difficult to believe.
Someone such as yourself should see
what the world has to offer.

KATHLEEN
I’ve been meaning to go to London to
visit my sister. She moved
there with her husband last year.

ANGELUS
(glint in his eye)
Really?

Angelus looks ahead.

ANGELUS
We’re here.

KATHLEEN
(looking up)
You bought Mr Quinn’s house.

ANGELUS
Aye.

KATHLEEN
It’s such a shame what happened to him.

ANGELUS
Aye, t’is.

Angelus opens the door and pushes it open.

ANGELUS
After you, my dear.

Kathleen smiles then brushes past Angelus as she enters the house.

ANGELUS’ POV – he watches her survey the room.

CLOSE UP as an evil smile crosses his lips.

HARD CUT TO…

SCENE 11

INT - ANGEL’S APARTMENT - NIGHT

Angel is lying on the sofa staring up at the ceiling, a thoughtful look on his face.

PARIS (O.C)
(groans)
Mmm.

Angel gets up off the sofa and moves stealthily to the bedroom door.

ANGEL’S POV – he sees Paris stirring in her sleep.

As he leans up against the wall, a soft groan emanates from her lips.

ANGEL’S POV - he looks at her sleeping.

CLOSE UP of a sadness and longing in his eyes.

CUT TO…

SCENE 12

INT - ANGEL INVESTIGATIONS - INNER OFFICE - DAY

Cordelia and Wesley look through Angel’s office when they hear the elevator. They both move into the office and are surprised to see Paris with their boss.

CORDELIA
(bewildered)
Hi…Paris.

PARIS
(innocent smile)
Hi.

WESLEY
(bewildered)
Good morning.

As Angel sits down at his desk, Cordelia and Wesley watch Paris walk through the office and sit at her desk. Wesley and Cordelia look at each other then at Angel.

CORDELIA
(coy)
Ah, Angel. Is there something you’d
like to share with us?

ANGEL
Yeah. Remember I said those vampires
are here are get my attention?

CORDELIA
Okay. Not quite the answer I was
looking for, but, yeah.

ANGEL
Well, they got it.

WESLEY
What happened?

ANGEL
Three of them paid me a visit last night.

CORDELIA
You said they wouldn’t be that stupid.

ANGEL
They were.

WESLEY
Did they happen to mention what they wanted?

ANGEL
Yeah.

CORDELIA
And that would be?

Paris walks back into the office and puts a couple of files on Angel’s desk. She then starts looking through a tray of files that sits on top of the bookcase by the door.

ANGEL
(giving Paris a guarded glance)
Most young vampires don’t really know
what they’re supposed to do once they’ve
been changed. Sometimes a number of them
will band together and seek out an older,
dominant vampire to teach them and
give them guidance.

Angel gives Paris another guarded glance.

ANGEL
And sometimes they want that dominant
vampire to join them until they become
the perfect killers.

WESLEY
So, they’re looking for a dominant vampire.

Cordelia assumes that because Angel and Paris arrived together that he’s told her he’s a vampire.

CORDELIA
Someone like…

Angel shoots Cordelia a warning look and shakes his head ever-so-slightly. She quickly deduces that he hasn’t told Paris his secret.

CORDELIA
…Spike.

Paris turns around.

PARIS
What’s a Spike?

Angel relaxes a little, relieved his secret has not been exposed.

CORDELIA
He’s a real bad vampire who likes to
torture people.
(guarded glance at Angel)

PARIS
(slowly)
O-kay.

WESLEY
How young do you think these vampires are?

ANGEL
Six months. A year tops. Why?

WESLEY
Because there were five more attacks last night.
At least they’re the ones that made it into
this morning’s paper. The victims’ throats
were practically torn to shreds.

Paris unconsciously touches her throat and winces.

PARIS
Thanks for the visual, Wesley.

WESLEY
Sorry.

CORDELIA
I was just about to check if there were any
other attacks last night.

ANGEL
There were. Try and find out as much
as you can about my visitors. They called
themselves Ramon, Antoine and Louis.

WESLEY
And what are you going to do?

ANGEL
Try and find where they’re nesting.

CUT TO…

SCENE 13

INT - ANGEL INVESTIGATIONS - OUTER OFFICE - DAY

Cordelia is looking at the computer then looks up at Paris who’s standing at the filing cabinet.

CORDELIA
So…did you get in super early
this morning?

PARIS
(frowning at her)
Sorry?

CORDELIA
You…Angel…arriving together.

PARIS
Oh that.
(innocent)
I slept downstairs last night.

CORDELIA
Really? Why?

PARIS
(uncomfortable)
Someone’s been watching me for the
last few nights.

CORDELIA
You mean like a stalker?

PARIS
(nods)
Yeah. He was outside my bedroom window
again last night and I got scared.

CORDELIA
I don’t blame you.

PARIS
Angel said yesterday that I should let him know
if stalker guy showed up again. Of course
he did, so I came over here and ran straight into
those three…vampires. I guess I kinda freaked
and Angel let me stay the night.

CORDELIA
You slept on the sofa?

PARIS
Angel did. He let me take the bed.

CORDELIA
How noble of him.

The computer beeps and Cordelia looks at the screen.

CORDELIA
(makes disgusted face)
Okay, that’s something I could’ve gone
the day without seeing.

As Wesley walks into the office carrying a newspaper…

WESLEY
What is?

CORDELIA
(pointing to screen)
Pictures.
(looks up at Wesley)
How come I always have the icky job of
going through coroner reports?

As he walks out of his office…

ANGEL
Because you’re so good at it.

Cordelia screws her nose up at Angel.

ANGEL
What’d you find?

CORDELIA
(pointing to screen)
These.

Angel stands behind Cordelia and looks at the screen.

ANGEL
(deadpan)
Messy.

CORDELIA
(sarcastic)
You think?

ANGEL
How many others did you find like that?

CORDELIA
Too many.
(off Angel’s inquiring look)
Twelve and counting.

ANGEL
Did you find anything on the three
that came here last night?

CORDELIA
Nada. They really must be newbies.

Wesley goes to the filing cabinet and takes a map out. He moves to the desk and opens up the map to reveal the city.

WESLEY
(to Cordelia)
Where did all the attacks occur?

Cordelia picks up a highlighter pen then refers to her notes. Slowly she marks all the locations on the map.

WESLEY
(observes)
They’re all in the same area.

PARIS
Except that one.

Paris points to the mark in the Hollywood Hills.

CORDELIA
Maybe one of them went solo.

ANGEL
No. I’d say they’re looking for better
accommodations.

WESLEY
(taps his finger over the area)
So, they’re in Los Feliz.

ANGEL
Shouldn’t be too hard to find.

CUT TO…

SCENE 14

INT - A HOUSE - DUBLIN, IRELAND - 1754 - NIGHT

Angelus looks at Kathleen for a moment.

ANGELUS
Would you care for some wine?

Kathleen turns and looks at him then smiles.

KATHLEEN
That’d be lovely.

Angelus moves into the kitchen and looks around.

ANGELUS
Kathleen.

KATHLEEN (O.C)
Yes.

ANGELUS
I don’t seem to have any wine in the kitchen.
Would you be able to go down to the cellar
and pick out a bottle?

KATHLEEN
Of course.
(looking around)
Where’s the cellar?

Angelus appears from the kitchen and points to a door.

ANGELUS
There. The wine is in the back room.

KATHLEEN
Okay. I’ll be back in a minute.

Kathleen picks up an oil lamp then moves to the cellar door.

CONTINUOUS...

SCENE 15

INT - THE HOUSE - CELLAR - NIGHT

Kathleen carefully makes her way down the stairs into the dark, damp cellar. When she reaches the bottom of the stairs, she looks around then sees the back room.

Avoiding the overhead spider webs, Kathleen moves to the room. Once inside, she looks around but the room is empty. As she turns to leave, the door slams shut.

Kathleen moves to the door and realises there’s no handle. She pushes against the door, but it doesn’t budge. She bangs the palm of her hand against the heavy wood.

KATHLEEN
Help! I’m locked in!

On the other side of the door stands Angelus. He hears Kathleen’s calls.

KATHLEEN (O.C)
Can you let me out?

ANGELUS
(sinister / quiet)
Eventually.

He smiles then turns and moves towards the stairs.

DISSOLVE TO…

SCENE 16

EXT / INT - THE HOUSE - LOS FELIZ - NIGHT

Angel is making a search of recent vampire attackees’ houses in the Los Feliz area. He corners the Plymouth slowly then shuts the headlights off as he approaches the fifth house of the evening. He stops the car a short distance from the house that interests him. He gets out of the car and checks his coat pockets for the stakes he’d put in them earlier.

Staying in the shadows, Angel approaches the house and peers through one of the front windows.

ANGEL’S POV - he sees a dozen people moving around the living room.

Angel moves to the door and as he reaches for the doorknob, the door opens. A young vampire stares at him.

VAMPIRE
Yeah?

ANGEL
Is Ramon here?

The young vampire points behind him.

ANGEL
Thanks.

The young vampire steps aside as Angel enters the house. All the vampires stop what they’re doing and look at Angel as he walks with authority through the living room. Ramon, Antoine and Louis stand up and look at him.

ANTOINE
You found us.

LOUIS
He can do anything. He’s Angelus.

A number of vampires are shocked that they are in the presence of a legend. Angel quickly assumes his evil persona, but not the face.

ANGEL
That’s right. You weren’t too hard
to find. I just…
(sniffs the air)
…followed the scent of death in the air.

Several vampires laugh quietly as Ramon looks at Angel warily.

RAMON
You didn’t seem to want anything to do
with us last night.

ANGEL
I changed my mind. Especially after
the hack jobs you lot have been doing
lately, I thought 'who better to teach these
boys the fine art of vampirism than
Angelus himself?'

LOUIS
(tries to hide his excitement)
So, you’re joining us?

Angel ponders the question as he looks at the faces behind him, none of which he recognises.

As he turns to face Ramon, Antoine and Louis, he VAMPS OUT and smiles.

ANGEL
Count me in.

CLOSE UP of Angel’s smiling face, his fangs bared.

CUT TO…

SCENE 17

INT - ANGEL INVESTIGATIONS - OUTER OFFICE - NIGHT

Wesley and Cordelia are sitting on the office couch.

WESLEY
You almost blew it earlier.

CORDELIA
Well, I just figured that if Paris stayed with
Angel last night and saw his visitors, that
he told her what he is. How was I to
know he didn’t tell her?

WESLEY
I don’t think Paris is quite ready to discover
that the man she works for is a vampire.
Nor is he ready to tell her.

CORDELIA
Well, he can’t keep it a secret for too much
longer. If he’s not careful, she’s going
to put two and two together and figure
it out herself.

As Paris walks in carrying two plastic bags of Chinese food…

PARIS
Figure out what?

CORDELIA
Ah…ah…
(looks at Wesley)

WESLEY
How to use the computer.

CORDELIA
Right! It’s just going to be a matter of
time before you figure it out. I know it
took me weeks…months before I knew
what I was doing.

PARIS
I’m slowly getting it, Cordelia.

CORDELIA
You are?

PARIS
Yeah. I found the instruction book in the
filing cabinet the other day.

CORDELIA
There’s a book?

PARIS
Yeah.

The corners of Wesley’s mouth start to curl up but Cordelia catches him and gives him a playful whack on the arm.

CORDELIA
(warns)
Don’t say a word.

WESLEY
(tries not to laugh)
Wouldn’t dream of it.

Off Wesley.

CUT TO…

SCENE 18

INT - THE HOUSE - LOS FELIZ - NIGHT

Angel walks through the group of vampires, inspecting them. He then rejoins his Ramon, Antoine and Louis at the dining table.

ANGEL
Is this all of you?

RAMON
Some are out hunting.
There’s twenty of us in total.

ANGEL
And you’re the oldest?

RAMON
Yes.

ANGEL
How old?

RAMON
Almost a year.

ANGEL
(muses)
A year. I’d already lost count of those
left in my wake by then. Actually, I lost
count after the first week. Where have
the last 247 years gone?

ANTOINE
(glaring at Louis)
Two forty-seven?

LOUIS
(shrugs)
Hey, I was only four years off.

ANGEL
(to Louis/surprised)
You’ve been reading about me?

LOUIS
Trying to. There aren’t many books
about you.

ANGEL
You obviously weren’t looking in the
right places.

ANTOINE
We’ve heard stories about you from
other vampires.

ANGEL
And who’s been filling your heads with
all these tall tales?

ANTOINE
Spike mainly.

ANGEL
Ah, Spike. Why am I not surprised?
How is my boy these days?

LOUIS
He’s good.

ANGEL
I’m sure he is, but I wouldn’t believe too
much of what he says.

RAMON
Why not?

ANGEL
Given that he’s almost 130 years my
junior, he wasn’t around for a lot of
what he probably told you about. Plus, he
tends to take out a grudge against me
every now and then.

LOUIS
Why?

ANGEL
It doesn’t concern you.

RAMON
You must’ve learnt a great number of
things in your time.

ANGEL
(modestly)
One or two.

ANTOINE
Spike said you were rather creative.

ANGEL
I’ve been known to be.

ANTOINE
Will you teach us what you’ve learnt?

ANGEL
Like what? How to kill?

LOUIS
(smiles)
Yes.

ANGEL
Torture?

LOUIS
Yes.

ANGEL
(louder)
Feed on entire families and still want more?

LOUIS
Yes!

ANGEL
That’s good.

Angel looks at the three, then moves away for a moment.

ANGEL
Lesson number one. A vampire should
work alone. But if one must hunt with others,
there should be no more than four in total.

RAMON
(bewildered)
What are you saying?

ANGEL
You must decide which four are the most
worthy of becoming my prodigies. If you
can’t decide within 24 hours, I’ll
decide for you.

RAMON
But –

ANGEL
Here endeth the lesson.

Angel turns and moves through the living room towards the door.

BLACK OUT

SCENE 19

INT - ANGEL INVESTIGATIONS - DAY

Cordelia is sitting at the computer. There’s a disgusted frown etched on her face. As Wesley walks into the office…

WESLEY
There were three more attacks last night.

CORDELIA
Make that nine.

WESLEY
Nine?

CORDELIA
Not that I really wanted to, but I came
in early to check the coroner’s website.
Six more attacks in Los Feliz and three in
Silver Lake which is getting a little too
close to home for my liking.

WESLEY
Hmmm. They’re starting to spread out.
(then)
Any sign of Angel yet?

CORDELIA
Not -

The two of them hear the elevator ascend and they see Angel step out. As he emerges from his office…

CORDELIA
Speak of the devil.

Angel gives Cordelia an askance look.

ANGEL
What’d I do?

CORDELIA
Nothing. But your fanged friends have
been rather busy….and mobile.

WESLEY
There were nine more attacks last night in
Los Feliz and Silver Lake.

ANGEL
I’m not surprised.

WESLEY
Did you find where they’re nesting?

ANGEL
Yeah.

WESLEY
What happened?

ANGEL
They think Angelus is the best thing since
sliced bread. They want him to teach
them how to be big bad vamps.

WESLEY
So, you’re pretending to be Angelus?

ANGEL
Yeah.

CORDELIA
And they’re buying it?

ANGEL
They seem to be. Although the
leader, Ramon, is a bit wary.

WESLEY
How’d they know about Angelus and
where to find you?

ANGEL
(simply)
Spike.

CORDELIA
Okay…remind me to stake Spike the
next time I see him.

WESLEY
How many in this gang?

ANGEL
Twenty.

WESLEY
How do you want to handle this?

ANGEL
I told them that before I teach them anything
they have to reduce their numbers to four.
Angelus will only teach the four vamps who are
deemed to be most worthy to learn from him.

CORDELIA
So, you think the others will leave town?

ANGEL
Probably not, but we can hope.

WESLEY
So, what’s the first lesson going to be?

ANGEL
I thought I’d take a play from
Buffy’s handbook.

CORDELIA
Which is?

ANGEL
Don’t play with fire.

WESLEY
What do you have in mind?

ANGEL
While I’m inside with them, I want you and
Cordelia to light the house.

CORDELIA
(alarmed)
But you’ll be inside. You’ll be killed.
Fire’s bad for you. Remember?

WESLEY
I agree. It’s too dangerous, Angel.

ANGEL
Don’t worry about me.
I’ll get out in time.

CUT TO…

SCENE 20

INT - THE HOUSE - DUBLIN, IRELAND - 1754 - NIGHT

Angelus slowly descends the stairs to the cellar.

KATHLEEN (O.C)
Hello? Are you out there?

Angelus stands at the door.

ANGELUS
(assuringly)
I’m here, Kathleen.
Are you okay in there?

KATHLEEN (O.C)
(pleads)
Please get me out of here.
(then)
Did you find the key?

ANGELUS
I’ve searched high and low but have been
unable to locate it thus far.

CLOSE UP of the key Angelus holds in his hand.

KATHLEEN (O.C)
(shakily)
No. Please. I can’t stand being in here.
It feels like the walls are closing in on me.

ANGELUS
I’ll keep looking for the key, Kathleen.
Just hold on a little longer.

Angelus moves away from the door. As he ascends the stairs…

KATHLEEN (O.C)
(sobs)
Please get me out of here. Please.

Off Angelus.

CUT TO…

SCENE 21

INT - ANGEL INVESTIGATIONS - DAY

Paris arrives at work and frowns upon seeing Wesley and Cordelia’s concerned faces.

PARIS
What’s going on?

CORDELIA
(blurts out)
Angel wants us to burn down the
vampire’s lair while he’s inside.

Paris peers through the glass panels and sees Angel sitting at his desk, seemingly deep in thought.

PARIS
Didn’t you try and talk him out of it?

WESLEY
Yes, but he’s not exactly taking advice
from us at the moment.

CORDELIA
(desperate)
You have to try.

PARIS
Me? Why?

CORDELIA
Because he might listen to you.

Paris looks at Cordelia then at Wesley who nods.

PARIS
(hesitantly)
Alright. I’ll try.

Paris puts her bag on the desk then moves towards the door to Angel’s office. She hesitates for a brief moment then opens the door and steps into the office, closing the door behind her.

PARIS
Angel?

Angel doesn’t respond.

PARIS
Angel?

Angel snaps out of his reverie and looks up at Paris under hooded eyes.

ANGEL
(somewhat surprised)
Paris.

PARIS
Wesley and Cordelia said you want to burn
down the vampire’s lair.

ANGEL
Yeah.

PARIS
While you’re inside.

ANGEL
That’s right.

PARIS
Can’t this be done some other way?

ANGEL
No.

PARIS
(growing concerned)
What if you don’t get out?

ANGEL
I will.

PARIS
But what if you don’t? You’ll burn to death.
I can’t think of a worse way to die than that.
Angel, please. Think about this some more.

ANGEL
(harshly)
I have thought about it, Paris.
It has to be this way.

Hearing the finality in his voice, Paris turns and walks out of the office, closing the door behind her.

CORDELIA
(hopeful)
Well?

Paris looks at Cordelia and shakes her head without word.

DISSOLVE TO…

SCENE 22

INT - THE HOUSE - LOS FELIZ - NIGHT

Angel is standing in the living room, surrounded by all twenty vampires.

ANGEL
Have the four been chosen?

RAMON
No.

ANTOINE
We’re all worthy to learn from you, Angelus.

ANGEL
Really?

ANTOINE
Yes.

ANGEL
Well, I know that…
(glances at Louis)
…Louis is worthy to learn from me.

Louis flashes a broad smile.

ANGEL
But that leaves three vacancies in the
Angelus School of Death. If you can’t
decide in the next…
(looking at his watch)
…two minutes then I’ll make the
decision for you.

The vampires all begin to gather to make the decision while Angel steps away towards the kitchen.

HARD CUT TO…

SCENE 23

EXT - THE HOUSE - LOS FELIZ - NIGHT

Wesley and Cordelia are outside the house dousing the walls with gasoline.

Wesley empties his can and waits at the side of the front yard in the shadows.

Cordelia empties her can then stands off to the other side of the house in the shadows.

CORDELIA
(complains/low)
I’m going to smell like a gas station
attendant for the next week.

She checks her watch.

Wesley also checks his watch.

HARD CUT TO…

SCENE 24

INT - THE HOUSE - LOS FELIZ - NIGHT

Angel checks his watch and as he walks out of the kitchen…

ANGEL
Time’s up, boys.

He looks at Ramon, Antoine and Louis, then surveys the others.

ANGEL
So, who’s it going to be?

RAMON
We’re all worthy to learn from you.

ANGEL
Somehow I knew you were going to say that.
Well, I guess I’ll have to decide for you.

HARD CUT TO…

SCENE 25

EXT - THE HOUSE - LOS FELIZ - NIGHT

Wesley and Cordelia check their watches then take a matchbook out of their pocket.

ANGLE - Wesley lights a match and drops it on to a gasoline trail that leads to the house. Wesley then races towards the car.

ANGLE - Cordelia drops a match on to the gasoline. As the flames grow, she races away from the house and sees Wesley waiting at the car.

She joins him and the two of them watch on anxiously as the flames begin to engulf the timber building.

HARD CUT TO…

SCENE 26

INT - THE HOUSE - LOS FELIZ - NIGHT

Angel sees the flames as the side window explodes. As the vampires panic and try to find an escape route, there are two explosions that rock the house and cause the raging inferno to burn out of control.

Four vampires try to get out the front door but they all catch alight and quickly turn to ash.

Two other vampires try and leap out the front window. Fire explodes through the window and the vampires catch alight and turn to ash.

Ramon and Antoine look around frantically.

RAMON
Where’s Angelus?

ANTOINE
I don’t know.

Ramon races into the kitchen with Antoine hot on his trail. Together they watch as three of their brethren try to smother the flames that burn their clothes. The three vampires all explode into a cloud of ash.

There is a loud crack overhead. Ramon and Antoine look up as the ceiling crashes down on top of them. They both yell as fire engulfs them. The yells soon stop as they turn to ash.

HARD CUT TO…

SCENE 27

INT - ANGEL INVESTIGATIONS - OUTER OFFICE - NIGHT

Paris glances at her watch as she nervously paces the floor. She runs her fingers through her hair as she looks towards the door.

HARD CUT TO…

SCENE 28

EXT - THE HOUSE - LOS FELIZ - NIGHT

Wesley and Cordelia are watching wide-eyed as the house slowly disintegrates from the flames. Cordelia scans the yard.

CORDELIA
(frantically)
Where the hell is he, Wesley?

WESLEY
I don’t know, but I’m sure he got out.

CORDELIA
You don’t know that!

Sirens can be heard in the distance.

WESLEY
(getting in the car)
We have to get out of here.

CORDELIA
Not without Angel!

Cordelia glares at Wesley then looks back at the inferno.

WESLEY
(starting the engine)
Cordelia, get in the car. Now!

Cordelia moves around the car, never taking her gaze off the house. She gets in and Wesley speeds away.

DISSOLVE TO…

SCENE 29

INT - THE HOUSE - DUBLIN, IRELAND - 1754 - NIGHT

Kathleen is slumped against the wall on the dirty cellar floor, staring at the oil lamp. The flame flickers as a large rat skitters across the floor a couple of feet in front of her. Kathleen lets out a short scream of horror and quickly backs herself into the corner.

KATHLEEN’S POV - she stares at the rat, which is now in the opposite corner. It sniffs the floor then turns and looks at her.

KATHLEEN
(tight)
Stay away from me.

ANGELUS (O.C)
Kathleen!

Kathleen looks towards the door and slowly gets to her feet.

ANGELUS
(standing at door)
Kathleen!

KATHLEEN (O.C)
(desperate)
Please let me out.

She stands at the door and glances at the rat, which is still in the corner.

KATHLEEN
Please…there are rats in here.

ANGELUS (O.C)
Help is coming, Kathleen.

KATHLEEN
(verging on tears)
Please. I’m so hungry…and thirsty.
(coughs)
Please…let me out of here. Please.

ANGELUS
I will. Soon. You’ll just
have to wait a little longer until
everyone comes back.

KATHLEEN (O.C)
(frantic)
Back from where?

ANGELUS
(smiles)
The celebrations of course.

KATHLEEN
(bewildered)
I’ve been in here for three days?

ANGELUS (O.C)
(apologetic)
I know. I’m sorry. I’ll get
you out of there. You just need
to wait another day.

KATHLEEN
(horrified)
No! Please let me out. Please.

The lamp suddenly goes out and Kathleen is thrown into total darkness.

ANGELUS (O.C)
I have to go now, Kathleen.

KATHLEEN
(frantic)
No! Please don’t leave.
(bangs on door)
Please, come back!

Kathleen listens for a moment but does not hear movement outside. She does hear the rat skitter across the floor and over her foot.

KATHLEEN
(horrified)
No! No! No!
(strangled)
Aargh.

Kathleen slumps to the floor sobbing.

BLACK OUT

SCENE 30

INT - ANGEL INVESTIGATIONS - OUTER OFFICE - NIGHT

Paris is still pacing the office. She hears footsteps and whirls around to see Wesley and Cordelia rush inside.

PARIS
(anxious)
Where’s Angel?

WESLEY
You mean he’s not here?

PARIS
No.

CORDELIA
We should’ve waited, Wesley.
I told you we should’ve waited.

PARIS
I’ll see if he’s downstairs.

Paris goes into Angel’s office and disappears downstairs.

CORDELIA
(worried)
We should never have left him behind.

WESLEY
He would’ve got out as soon as we
started the fire.

CORDELIA
This was such as bad idea, Wesley.
We should’ve tried harder to talk him
out of this. What do we do if
he didn’t get out?

ANGEL (O.C)
Nothing.

Cordelia and Wesley look towards the door as Angel enters the office.

CORDELIA
(relieved)
Angel. You’re alive.

She rushes up to him and wraps her arms around him. Angel gives Wesley an uncomfortable look.

WESLEY
Are you okay?

ANGEL
I will be when Cordelia releases me
from her death grip.

Cordelia lets him go then immediately starts checking him over.

CORDELIA
You didn’t get burned, did you?

ANGEL
Cordelia, I’m fine. Though the same
can’t be said for the others.

CORDELIA
Good.

WESLEY
Did any of them find a way out?

ANGEL
I don’t think so.

CORDELIA
(baulks)
You’re not sure?

CUT TO…

SCENE 31

EXT - ANGEL'S APARTMENT - NIGHT

Paris is sitting on the sofa by the kitchen. She hears the sliding door pull back.

PARIS
Angel?

LOUIS (O.C)
Guess again.

Paris whips her head around and sees Louis standing just inside the apartment. He pulls the door shut behind him.

Paris manages to find her feet as she stares wide-eyed at the vampire. She opens her mouth to speak but no words come out.

LOUIS
(smiles)
Cat got your tongue?

PARIS
(small, stammers)
Stay away…away from me.

She finally gets her legs to start working and takes several steps backwards. Louis mirrors her movement. Paris turns and moves towards the elevator but using his speed, Louis is quickly on her.

He grabs her arm and jerks her around to face him as he VAMPS OUT. Paris stares at him terrified, mouth open but unable to scream for help.

LOUIS
(smiles)
You are incredibly pretty, aren’t you?
It’s almost going to be a shame to kill you.

PARIS
(small)
No.

LOUIS
(smiles)
Yes.

Paris manages to push Louis away and he laughs as he watches her rush towards the sliding door. Using his speed again, he grabs her hair and arm. He pulls her against him then pulls her head to one side. As he bares his fangs and lowers them towards Paris’ neck…

ANGEL (O.C)
Louis!

Louis quickly pulls back from Paris’ neck then turns to face Angel who’s standing at the foot of the stairs.

LOUIS
Angelus! You’re here. Would you like to
watch me kill this pretty young thing and
tell me what I might be doing wrong?

ANGEL
(advances slowly)
That’s not going to happen, Louis.
Now, let her go.

Louis picks Paris up and hurls her away from him screaming.

ANGEL’S POV – he sees Paris land hard in the sunken area that leads to the tunnels, then he smells her blood.

CLOSE UP of Paris’ unconscious face, blood trickling from a gash in her forehead.

ANGEL
(warns)
You shouldn’t have done that, Louis.

LOUIS
You said let her go, so I let her go.

Angel moves closer to Louis.

ANGEL
You want to learn from me?

LOUIS
Yes.

ANGEL
Good. Lesson number one:
don’t mess with me or my friends.

Angel VAMPS OUT then swings at Louis, catching him in the jaw with a left fist then a quick right. Angel spins and whips his left leg around but Louis steps back just in time. Louis executes a sidekick to Angel’s stomach then leaps. He spins in the air and his foot connects with Angel’s head.

Momentarily off balance, Angel is quickly kicked in the chest. Recovering, Angel catches Louis’ foot in mid-air and pushes the young vampire off balance.

ANGLE on Paris as her eyes flutter then open. She groans in pain as she props herself up on an elbow.

PARIS’ POV – Angel has his back to her and is punching Louis repeatedly in the jaw. Louis blocks a punch and hits Angel hard in the jaw. Using the momentum, Angel whips his leg around, catching Louis in the side of the head. Paris breathes in sharply when she sees Angel’s profile as he takes a stake from his coat pocket. She watches Angel raise the stake then arc it down into Louis’ chest. Paris gasps as Louis explodes into a cloud of dust.

FOREGROUND – Angel is breathing heavily as he senses Paris’ eyes on him. He MORPHS BACK into human form then turns to face Paris who’s staring at him wide-eyed.

ANGEL
(concerned)
Are you okay?

Angel moves towards her as she struggles to find her feet. He rushes to her and helps her to the sofa where they sit.

PARIS’ POV – she stares at the pile of dust on the floor.

ANGEL (O.C)
(gently)
Are you okay?

PARIS’ POV – she looks at Angel, unable to speak.

DISSOLVE TO…

SCENE 32

INT - THE HOUSE - DUBLIN, IRELAND - 1754 - NIGHT

Angelus slowly descends the stairs as he listens to Kathleen’s sobs and screams.

KATHLEEN (O.C)
Let me out! Please, let me out!

Angelus takes the key out of his vest pocket and looks at it for a moment.

ANGELUS
(sing-song)
Kathleen.

KATHLEEN (O.C)
(strained)
Please let me out.

ANGELUS
In a moment.

Angelus puts the oil lamp on the floor by the door then slides the key into the lock. He pulls the heavy door open and looks at Kathleen as she struggles to her feet.

ANGELUS’ POV – Kathleen’s dress is torn and dirty, her face covered in dirt and stained with tears.

KATHLEEN
(sobs)
Thank God.

She moves towards him as he steps into the room. She raises her arms to hug him but he catches them and holds them fast.

ANGELUS’ POV – he sees several rats skitter along the far wall then he looks at Kathleen.

ANGELUS
It’s not very nice down here, is it?

KATHLEEN
(sobs)
Please take me away from here.

ANGELUS
(smiles)
Gladly.

Angelus VAMPS OUT as Kathleen stares up at him with wide-eyed terror.

KATHLEEN
(screams)
Aargh!
(then / stammers)
What are you?

ANGELUS
(evenly)
I’m the one who’s going to set you free.

He holds Kathleen fast with one arm and pulls her head back. He bares his fangs and lowers them to her throat.

KATHLEEN
(screams)
Aargh!

Kathleen’s screams become gargled as Angelus rips out her throat. She stares at him as blood stains the front of her dress. As he licks the blood from his fangs, she slumps to the ground, her head bouncing off the dirt.

ANGELUS
(smiles)
Now you’re free, Kathleen.

ANGELUS’ POV – he sees the rats approach Kathleen with caution as he steps out of the room.

As Angelus closes the door he HEARS Kathleen’s gurgled screams. He licks more blood from his lips and smiles. He picks up the oil lamp then moves away from the door.

DISSOLVE TO…

SCENE 33

INT - ANGEL'S APARTMENT - NIGHT

Paris is staring at the dust on the floor.

ANGEL (O.C)
Paris?

She looks at him.

ANGEL
(gently)
Are you okay?

Angel hands her a kitchen towel as she nods slowly. She presses the towel to her forehead.

PARIS
(shakily)
Why…why did he call you Angelus?

ANGEL
(softly)
It’s a long story.

PARIS
(shakily)
But your face…was…

Paris runs a shaky hand through her hair.

PARIS
(trying to convince herself)
This is just a dream.
It’s all just a dream.

ANGEL
(softly)
No, it’s not, Paris.

PARIS
(looking at him)
What?

ANGEL
It’s not a dream.

Angel looks from Paris to the floor then back to her.

ANGEL
(softly)
I was born in Galway, Ireland and given
the name Liam. At the age of twenty-six,
I met a woman and was reborn as Angelus.
That was in 1753.

Paris stares wide-eyed at Angel.

PARIS
(breathes)
Seventeen fifty…

ANGEL
(shakily)
I’m a vampire.

PARIS
(breathless)
A…no…no…

Paris drops the towel as she quickly moves away from Angel. She sits at the end of the sofa, her back to him, her head bowed, her body trembling.

ANGEL
(softly)
After killing most of the people in my village,
including my family, I went to Europe where I
became known as the Scourge Of Europe.
I maimed, tortured and killed more people
than I care to remember.

Paris drops her head into her hands.

ANGEL
(softly)
In 1898, while in Romania, I killed a gypsy
girl. As punishment, the elders cursed me
with a human soul. I’ve not been able to
feed off a human since that day. I’m not
proud of the things I’ve done, but I can’t
undo them. Now, I’m trying to atone for
all the things I did as Angelus.

Paris shakes her head slowly.

ANGEL
(softly)
That’s why I help people now.
That’s why I helped you.

Paris’ body is trembling as Angel looks at her silently.

PARIS
(bitterly)
Is there anything else you haven’t told me?

ANGEL
(softly / hesitantly)
The one who’s been watching you is…me.

PARIS
(strained)
Why?
(then / bitterly)
If you were trying to scare me,
you succeeded.

ANGEL
I wanted to make sure you were safe.

PARIS
(strained)
Safe? From who? &bnsp; The demons?
The vampires?
(pauses)
You?

ANGEL
Paris, I…
(then)
From the first day I saw you, there was
something familiar about you. And I’ve
been trying to remember…

PARIS
(bitterly)
And you did?

ANGEL
(whispers)
Yes.

PARIS
(bitterly)
Congratulations.

Angel is stung by her remark.

ANGEL
(softly)
Not long after I was changed, there was
a girl. Kathleen. I became…obsessed
with her. She had your hair…your eyes.
If I didn’t know better, I’d swear you were her.

PARIS
(strained)
Did you kill her?

Angel is silent, giving Paris her answer.

Paris quickly gets to her feet and moves towards the sliding door. Angel stands and moves up behind her.

ANGEL
Paris. Wait.

He grabs her arm gently and turns her around. She does not look at him.

ANGEL
Paris, I…

Paris looks up at him, forcing him to silence himself.

ANGEL’S POV – he sees the betrayal, bitterness, fear and sadness in her eyes.

He lets go of her arm and watches her move towards the door. She pulls it open then disappears down the corridor.

CLOSE UP of Angel’s face which is full of pain and regret.

BLACK OUT

SCENE 34

EXT / INT - CORDELIA'S APARTMENT - NIGHT

Angel walks slowly along the alley. He gazes up at the neighbour’s window, which is dark. He stops outside the bedroom window and sees Paris sitting cross-legged on the bed. Her body is trembling as she slowly rocks back and forth.

ANGLE on Angel who looks away momentarily.

ANGEL’S POV - When he looks back into the bedroom, Paris is staring at him. She crawls off the bed and approaches the window.

PARIS’ POV - She looks into his eyes through her own which are red and swollen.

ANGEL’S POV - He sees tears roll down her cheeks as she raises her right arm and begins to pull the blind down.

HARD CUT TO…

SCENE 35

EXT - THE ROOF - NEIGHBOURING TENEMENT - NIGHT

PATRICK’S POV – he sees Paris pull the blind down. Angel stays at the window for a moment then turns and moves back down the alley.

PATRICK (V.O)
(dark)
Having lady problems, Angelus?

PULL BACK to see the back of Patrick, dressed in black and wearing a long coat.

PATRICK (V.O)
I’ll have to remedy that. Won’t I…
(pause)
Paris?

FADE TO BLACK

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