The Realm Below 1.01 "Inaugerate"

[raynesnoir]

Episode 1.1 “Inaugurate”

Teaser:

An elevator door opens. But instead of an elevator car emerging, a hand emerges from the door and climbs up. It’s Lilah Morgan with her hair messed up, and blood all over her. She reaches her hand down the shaft and helps up Cordelia Chase – also bloody. The two make their way through the lobby.

Cordelia: We’re almost there!

Lilah: I can see the sun!

The front of the lobby has a bunch of windows, the sun glaring through. Outside are ruined buildings – indicating the location is Los Angeles. As they run for the exit a gunshot can be heard followed by a large bang. Metal shutters start to go down in front of the exit.

Lilah: Shit! This wasn’t supposed to happen!

Lilah stops and turns around, a gun out. She fires behind them as much as she can. Cordelia tries to get through the shutters; knocking on them with her fists. Lilah’s gun clicks empty.

Man (Off Screen): Freeze!

Lilah throws the gun down and puts her hands up. Cordelia turns around.

Cordelia: Oh to hell with you!

She grabs a gun from her side as well and charges back, firing. A shot that isn’t hers Is heard. She looks down and falls over.

Cut to: Black

End Teaser

Theme Song: Fallen © Sarah McLachlan

Starring:
Charisma Carpenter - Cordelia Chase
Justin Chambers - Thomas Wright
Alexa Davalos – Gwen Raiden
Zane Huett - Benjamin Keefe
And Stephanie Romanov as Lilah Morgan

Special Guest Star:
AJ Cook as Carmen White-Rayne

Guest Starring:
William Sadler - Mr. Sims

Created by:
Alexander Brown
Amber Rose
And Lyn Elwhyen

Executive Producers:
Alexander Brown
Joseph Sessumes
And Amber Rose

Written by:
Alexander Brown
And Amber Rose

Based on Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel © Joss Whedon, 20th Century Fox, and Mutant Enemy. No profit is made off of this fanfiction series.

[raynesnoir]

Act One:

Open to:

An expensive, prestige office with thick curtains to the side of the room. At the desk is an older man laying back in a large leather chair.

Man: And why have you come here for now, Ms. Morgan?

Across from him is revealed to be Lilah Morgan, sitting up nervous in the chair.

Lilah: Well, Mr. Sims, sir. I have a little suggestion to make.

Mr. Sims: Yes? You may take my attention for a moment I suppose.

Lilah gets up and goes to the curtains. She pulls them aside to reveal that there is no window, but just more wall.

Mr. Sims: Getting a little sick down underground, Ms. Morgan?

Lilah: I just want to request a change of location.

Mr. Sims: What for?

Lilah: First off for the sanity of Wolfram and Hart’s employees. And second because if one of our experiments escapes-

Mr. Sims: Patients, Ms. Morgan.

Lilah: If one of our… patients… were to escape, they could potentially slaughter us all. There’s no way out of this place.

Mr. Sims: And what do you purpose I do about it, Ms. Morgan?

Lilah: You’re a liaison to the senior partners. Liase your way to getting us above ground!

Mr. Sims: And what, have that half witted vampire you’re so fond of messing up around invade our privacy once more?

Lilah pauses.

Mr. Sims: Yes, I read your record Ms. Morgan. I may have been here for only two weeks, but I’m not an idiot. You have to do something really stupid to get repositioned and removed as CEO.

Lilah: It was out of-

Mr. Sims: Do not try to lie your way out of this… Lilah. You really think that I’m that naïve?

He stands up.

Mr. Sims: You’re not a CEO anymore. You have no place making requests like that. Especially on a new employee like me.

She can’t respond.

Mr. Sims: What, can’t make a witty rebut to me? Afraid of what I might have done to you? If you think you’ll go mad underground like this, then you haven’t seen anything yet.

Lilah: Could you just consider the possibilities, sir?

Mr. Sims walks to the curtains and draws them closed. Lilah goes to the door after Mr. Sims silence. Mr. Sims sits down.

Mr. Sims: You haven’t even asked me what got me here in the first place, Ms. Morgan.

Lilah stops and turns.

Lilah: Sir?

Mr. Sims: Everyone did something to get here. Either a great failure, or something so dark that they wanted to keep you in close check.

Lilah stares into his eyes.

Mr. Sims: And I am not a failure.

Mr. Sims stares back into her eyes. After a moment, she breaks contact first.

Mr. Sims: No one wants you here, Ms. Morgan. You’re only alive still because of your friend Mr. Wright. And I promise you I will see a change to that.

Lilah pauses a moment to gather her thoughts, and then walks out of the room.

Cut to:

The skyline of a large city.

Caption: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

Cut to:

The outside of a big mansion surrounded by tree’s; far off from the rest of the city. A truck drives up to the gate.

Cut to:

The truck stopping at the gate. The large truck driver, Gary, rolls his window down. The security guard comes to it.

Security Guard: May I see your pass please.

Gary: Certainly.

He opens the glove compartment and brings out a clipboard. The Security Guard looks down at it.

Security Guard: The Vigilant was waiting for this shipment. He’ll be pleased.

Gary smiles. The Security Guard hands the clipboard back to him.

Security Guard: Take out to the back of the house. You may have to wait a little while before anyone comes for the cargo. The Vigilant has an affair to deal with tonight and couldn’t spare the staff.

Gary: I can wait all night with this pay.

The Security Guard opens the gate.

Security Guard: Well, take care, sir.

Cut to:

Gary rolls his window up and begins to drive. The gate closing behind him.

Cut to:

The interior of the truck as it reaches around back. Gary begins to sweat and breathe heavily. Ruffling behind him causes him to look frightened.

Gary: Can I go now please?

A head comes from the back of the truck. The head belongs to Gwen Raiden. She strokes his cheek with her gloved hand.

Gwen: Take me to the back.

Gary stops the truck suddenly.

Gwen: Gary, you don’t want me to have to hurt you.

She moves her gloved hand to his neck.

Gwen: Do you?

Gary: What do you want anyways?

Cut to:

The interior of a Catholic Church. The place is empty except for Gwen. She is wearing a long black dress with a veil covering her face.

Caption: Los Angeles, California, United States of America.

Gwen walks into a confessional booth and pulls the veil back and pulls out a post card. On the front is a picture of sunny L.A.; ruins in the background, but lots of new buildings up around. The card reads “New and Improved.”

Gwen: ****ed up how they sell this place now.

Gwen shakes her head and places the post card through a slot in the confessional. She waits and looks at her watch.

Woman’s Voice (Off Screen): I think they’ve done a wonderful job building around the rubble. Truly apocalyptic artwork.

Gwen jumps back a bit, startled.

Woman’s Voice (Off Screen): What, you thought I’d miss our appointment?

Gwen: It’s happened to me before.

Woman’s Voice (Off Screen): Considering your clientele, that doesn’t surprise me much at all.

Gwen: It pays the bills… with a little interest.

There’s a long, awkward pause.

Woman’s Voice (Off Screen): Here’s your next sin, my child.

An envelope

Gwen: Please cut the priest crap.

Woman’s Voice (Off Screen): Have something against God, Ms. Raiden?

Gwen: More like God has something against me.

Woman’s Voice (Off Screen): Is it because of your powers? Do you blame God?

Gwen: How do you know-

Woman’s Voice (Off Screen): You’ll need them.

There’s another long pause.

Woman’s Voice (Off Screen): You can open the letter now.

Gwen grabs it and tears it open. She pulls out a bunch of pictures. The first is of a large decorative golden rod. The second of a mansion . She flips to the next and it’s another mansion. As is the next one.

Gwen: What, is it in pieces? I may need to charge more for assembly.

Woman’s Voice (Off Screen): This object is of great value to me and my superiors. It’s in one of those locations.

Gwen: Where is this exactly?

Woman’s Voice (Off Screen): Vancouver, Canada.

Gwen: Oh great…

Woman’s Voice (Off Screen): Oh you’ve been there?

Gwen: Not many fond memories.

Woman’s Voice (Off Screen): They invented the California Roll, did you know that?

Gwen: No, but it makes a lot more sense now.

There’s another pause.

Gwen: I’ll get going now.

Woman’s Voice (Off Screen): That’d be for the best.

Gwen gets up with the letter and walks out. You can hear her heels click as she walks down the hall.

Cut to:

The other side of the confessional. Lilah pulls out her phone and waits for an answer.

Lilah: Yeah it’s me.

Pause.

Lilah: Yeah, I just sent her on her way. Had her thinking about sushi and everything. And you were right; the location hit home. If she’s anything like she used to be, I almost pity the security guards.

Cut to:

Lilah pacing in her office. The door opens and a young man in a suit comes in.

Lilah: Thomas, thank God! I’ve been waiting for hours.

Thomas: Please call me Mr. Wright. We have to keep ourselves as professional as possible while on the job.

Lilah: I sent Gwen Raiden on her job a week ago. I’ve updated you as much as possible. They caught her and are in the process of bringing her in. There was a problem at the border.

Thomas: Damn those Canadians and their mixed up priorities. Once I got a whole package of cocaine across the peach arch and they just smiled and nodded and lowered their mountie hats to me as I drove right on through. Best place to smuggle drugs from.

He sits down in the chair and puts his feet on the desk.

Lilah: That isn’t the point. I did your job so can you get me what I want?

Thomas: Freedom? Well you’ll just have to see, won’t you.

Lilah frowns at him.

Thomas: Aww, now don’t get that way, sweetie. You know I’ll look out for you.

Lilah: And Chase.

Thomas: I can’t look out for more than one person? Can’t a man have his freedoms to chose what lovely ladies he mingles with?

Lilah: How did you become a liaison?

Cut to:

The truck. Gary is shaking.

Caption: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

Gary closes his eyes.

Gwen: Gary, let’s go!

Gary doesn’t respond.

Gwen: Gary! You saw what I can do!

Gary stays silent.

Gwen: Look, all I needed was a way in! It didn’t have to come to this.

Still nothing.

Gwen: Move the damn truck, Gary!

Gary: Shut up you freak!

Gwen takes her glove off and shocks him right there. He screams and begins to sizzle from his new burn wound. She puts the glove back on and pushes him to the side. She puts her foot down and begins to drive the truck herself.

Gwen: No one calls me that.

Cut to:

A long busy street in a shopping area. Gwen, now with dirt on her face and messed up hair, is storming down the street with her cell phone out.

Caption: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

The phone rings a few times.

Gwen: Come on, pick up you bitch.

It rings again.

Gwen: I didn’t get my ass kicked just to pay long distance charges afterwards.

It rings once more, and then Lilah picks up.

Lilah (Off Screen): Hello?

Gwen: You bitch, you didn’t tell me that they’d have that much security there.

Lilah (Off Screen): Ms. Raiden, it’s nice to talk to you again.

Gwen: I’d like to say the same, but unfortunately I can only be nice to one person a day and this is just not yours!

Lilah (Off Screen): Try the other two mansions.

Gwen: Not without an increase in pay.

Lilah (Off Screen): Done.

Gwen: And damages.

Lilah (Off Screen): Damages?

Gwen: I think I chipped my tooth.

She feels around with her tongue in her mouth.

Lilah (Off Screen): Whatever you need, we will supply.

Gwen: Alright.

Lilah (Off Screen): You have a plan?

Gwen: I know some people here. I think I can get them to help me out. I’m heading there right now. I just hope the hick doesn’t answer; I never liked her.

Lilah (Off Screen): Don’t tell them what you’re doing with the rod.

Gwen: That’ll take a few lies.

Lilah (Off Screen): That confirms that this is your next sin.

Gwen: Whatever.

She hangs up and comes to a building. The sign reads “The Sacred Circle”. Another sign indicates that it’s closed for the night. Gwen just opens the door.

Cut to:

The inside of the Sacred Circle. A tall woman with dirty light blonde hair is wiping down tables and looking around the store, unaware Gwen has just entered. The store is a magic shop and has books, containers, and other magic hardware. The woman is cleaning up a vase, annoyed.

Woman: Stupid lack of vase-repairing spell.

Gwen whispers to herself.

Gwen: Just what I need.

Gwen opens and closes the door once more, making the bell clink. The woman does not turn around.

Woman: The sign says closed.

Gwen: I just popped in.

Woman: Well you can pop right out again, we’re closed for business.

Gwen doesn’t move.

Woman: I said-

She turns around and sees Gwen.

Woman: Gwen? Is there another child some lover of yours is carrying that my husband has created?

Gwen: Carmen White-

Carmen: Rayne.

Gwen: You tied the knot?

Carmen: Yeah, what did you know? So you can just take whatever pregnancies you have out of my store please.

Gwen just looks at her. Carmen begins to laugh. Gwen just stares. Carmen’s face turns serious.

Carmen: Come on, laugh!

Cut to:

Gwen outside the Sacred Circle on the phone.

Gwen: We may be in trouble.

Lilah: Excuse me?

Gwen: The help I came to get was either dead or comatose.

Lilah: Well can’t you just do the job alone? I mean that’s what we are paying you to do.

Gwen: The bride of Mr. Sleepy is planning on following me, I can just tell. She always used to mettle.

Lilah: Well can’t you use her?

Gwen: I’m going to do what I can. She’s more perceptive than I ever gave her credit for.

Lilah: Do not screw this up.

Gwen: I’ll try not to.

Cut to:

The interior of a small dimly lit room. A bed is in the centre with a woman lying down in it. The door opens and Lilah walks in. She tosses some clothes onto the bed.

Lilah: Come on, we’re going for a walk.

From the bed Cordelia Chase gets up. She’s in a hospital gown and her hair is messed up. Behind her are x-rays of her skull. Cordelia looks at her unenthusiastically.

Cordelia: Yippee. My favorite part of the week; a walk in hell with hells token bitch.

Lilah: Oh how I do still wish Angel would have killed you when he was supposed to.

Cordelia glares at her.

Cordelia: At least I didn’t sleep with the enemy.

Lilah: Whatever gets me leverage-

Cordelia: Got you killed.

Lilah crosses her arms and waits.

Cut to:

Cordelia now better dressed up. Her and Lilah walk around what appears to be the same floor of Wolfram and Hart in the destroyed office that Lilah used to work on. They turn a corner and Lilah grabs Cordelia and whisks her into an empty office. Cordelia waves her arms throwing Lilah off

Cordelia: What are you doing?

Lilah: Mr. Sims can’t know I’m seeing you. It’s both our necks if he gets his way.

Cordelia: Oh so it’s not Friday?

Lilah looks at her.

Lilah: What calendar are you paying attention to?

Cordelia: One that doesn’t have a sun to help!

Lilah: Well I’ve got some news.

Cordelia: From Mr. Wright? Already?

Lilah: He’s working on a plan right now. All you have to do is hang in there and do what they want. No more outbursts like last week.

Cordelia: I learned my lesson fast. Only so much rebelling a rebel can do.

Lilah: Especially when they don’t have a way to get beyond the taser guns.

Cordelia: I just can’t go back to that room. Or that part of the building.

Lilah: You don’t have it off so bad.

Cordelia: The lack of sunlight in my room begs to differ.

Lilah: There are some experiments that never leave the labs. There was a little boy I had to bring in a few days ago that isn’t going to get out of there before they cut him open to see how he works. With you at least it’s only a few x-rays for now and hope that you’ll have a vision while being monitored.

Cordelia: It’s like the powers know…

Lilah: Or your luck is going to run out one day and then it’s the end of the road for you, and the end of my way out of this shit hole!

Cordelia: Is that why you’re doing this?

Lilah: Would I risk my ass for anything else?

Cordelia: Oh how I love the ulterior motives. And here I was thinking we would be girlfriends for life.

Lilah: The only reason I’m helping you is because Mr. Wright says he can get us out. Without an interest in you, he’d have no interest in me.

Cordelia: So you’ve caught on to manipulation? Very good Lilah, you’ve learned observation skills since you died!

Lilah: You know me. The master manipulator. Had to learn eventually.

End Act One: Commercial Break.

[raynesnoir]

Act Two:

Cut to:

Lilah and Cordelia walk down a hallway together, silent, until Cordelia breaks the silence.

Cordelia: Where are we going?

Lilah: I don’t need to tell you that, Ms. Chase.

Cordelia: Ok, A: My name’s Cordelia, not “Ms. Chase”. B: You don’t tell me where we’re going and I swear to god-

Lilah turns to Cordelia with a vicious look on her face.

Lilah: You’ll do what? Whine and complain some more?

Cordelia looks pissed off now, but instead doesn’t reply, and continues walking, without Lilah leading her. Lilah starts walking until she’s once again in front of Cordelia. They walk in silence for a few more moments, until Lilah reaches a door, opens it, and walks in without saying a word.

Cordelia: To go in or not to go in-

Lilah pops her head outside from the room.

Lilah: It’s not even a question. Get in here. Now.

Cordelia raises an eyebrow but complies, walking in the room. There is a giant glass screen separating part of the room from the part in which Lilah and Cordelia are standing. Cordelia looks to her right and we see a few computers set up near the glass screen with people near them.

Cordelia: What are they doing?

Lilah: Testing the boy.

Cordelia looks around.

Cordelia: What boy?

Lilah points toward the barrier in the room.

Cordelia: What the hell is wrong with you people?!

She turns to the people on the computers.

Cordelia: (cont’d) I mean, seriously! You can’t cage people like this! Trust me, there are some people I would want to cage, and maybe not for the same reasons as you, but I don’t do it! That’s just…freaking twisted!

Lilah: To be honest, Cordelia…you might be right, but I don’t give a damn.

Cordelia: (ignoring her) Why is a boy in there?

Lilah: He has powers.

Cordelia: (sarcastically) Ohh…lemme guess- He can fly.

Lilah: Hardly. He can talk to animals.

Cordelia faux-gasps.

Cordelia: (sarcastically) What’s Wolfram and Hart up to now? Taking over rainforests?! Oh no, the world is going to end!

Lilah shakes her head.

Lilah: Seeing that you don’t get it I won’t even try getting it through your very thick skull.

She pauses for a moment before she continues.

Lilah: Let’s just say that he’s part of the group of good assets that might actually help us.

Cordelia: Oh! So that must make him the ‘et’ and you the ‘ass’.

She smiles. Lilah smiles as well and walks off into the computer area of the room, and Cordelia follows. Finally, we see the boy that Lilah is talking about. He is sitting in a corner, facing it, appearing to be talking not to an animal but to himself. He is shaking his head occasionally as well. Cordelia frowns. Lilah walks further to the right of the room and opens a door that has been built into the glass screen. She indicates for Cordelia to go before her. She goes, and starts to walk over to him. Lilah is standing right at the door, watching.

When Cordelia reaches the boy, she taps him on the shoulder, but he doesn’t respond. She continues to frown. She looks back to Lilah, and mouths “What’s his name?”.

Lilah: Ben.

The boy/Ben turns and looks at Lilah, glaring. He also sees Cordelia, and looks confused.

Ben: W-who are you?

Cordelia: I’m Cordelia.

Ben blinks.

Ben: That’s a weird name.

Cordelia laughs.

Cordelia: Yeah, well, my parents named me, and you know how parents are…

Ben’s expression goes blank, and he spaces out.

Cordelia: Oh…I’m sorry…

Ben looks back towards the corner. Cordelia looks over his shoulder, and sees what he is talking to- it’s a tiny, grey squirrel. Ben is whispering to it, incoherently as far was Cordelia is concerned. She looks at him, concerned and sad.

Cordelia: (cont’d) You know…I have powers too.

At this point Lilah exits the room, closing the door behind her Cordelia notices, but doesn’t bother saying anything.

Ben: What kind of powers…?

Cordelia: It might sound kinda…well…psycho…but I can sometimes see the future.

Ben: Really?

Cordelia nods.

Cordelia: And it used to be painful. (pause) I understand what you’re going through Ben, I really do…

Ben looks up at her, and we see a hint of light in his eyes. Cordelia smiles.

Cut to:

Lilah outside a door, still in Wolfram and Hart. It appears to be an office. She knocks on it, and at first there is no response.

Lilah: C’mon, I know you’re in there.

Man: Do you really?

Lilah: I f you don’t open this door-

The door swings open, revealing the man/Thomas.

Thomas: What do you want, Lilah?

Lilah: Can I come in first?

She inches her way toward the door and Thomas closes it a little bit more.

Thomas: No.

Lilah sighs.

Lilah: Fine then. I want to arrange a meeting with you and Ms. Chase.

Thomas: Why…?

Lilah: What, you don’t want to meet her?

Thomas: Of course I do, but you don’t really give people what they want. The exact opposite mostly, in fact.

Lilah shrugs.

Lilah: What can I say, I’m feeling generous.

Thomas almost laughs.

Lilah: (cont’d) So, when do you want to meet?

Thomas: Later today.

Lilah: Hm…let me think about that…

Thomas: You do that.

He closes the door in her face.

Lilah: So in about thirty minutes? Down in the café?

There is no response. Lilah smirks.

Lilah: (cont’d) Excellent!

Cut to:

The café in Wolfram and Hart. We see Lilah and Cordelia walk in, Cordelia slightly lagging.

Cordelia: I still don’t see why you want me to come meet a complete stranger who’s probably-

Lilah sees Thomas sitting at a table, and Thomas waves a hand, indicating for them to come sit down. Lilah goes to the table, now way ahead of Cordelia. Cordelia raises her eyebrows.

Cordelia: (cont’d) –not that bad looking…

She continues to look surprised and walks to the table as well.

Thomas: Hello, I’m-

Cordelia: Yeah, yeah. She told me your name already.

Thomas: And yours to me, also. Nice to meet you anyways.

Cordelia: Yeah… Why are we meeting again?

She turns to look at Lilah, and as does Thomas. Lilah shrugs, and gets up from the table.

Lilah: You know what? I was never even here.

She walks away, and Cordelia glares at her.

Cordelia: What a prissy bitch.

Thomas chuckles.

Thomas: Well you’re not the first one who’s thought it, but I think you’re the first one to actually say it out loud.

Cordelia: Knowing her, I’m pretty sure I wasn’t.

Thomas: So you know her well?

Cordelia: Unfortunately. Even though she’s already died she can’t seem to leave me alone…

Thomas: She’s never left anyone alone. What makes you think mortality could change that?

Cordelia: I guess that’s true.

There are a few moments of silence, where the camera is focused on Cordelia, and she looks as though she is thinking about something important. She looks back to Thomas.

Cordelia: I know this might be rude, but I have to cut this short. There’s this…thing. That I have to go do.

Thomas: Oh, yeah, of course. I have to go do a…thing…too.

They both get up from the table, almost at the exact same time. Thomas puts out a hand.

Thomas: It was very nice meeting you.

Cordelia extends her hand and shakes his.

Cordelia: Yeah…you too.

There is a brief silence, before Cordelia goes past him and walks out of the café. Thomas watches her leave before heading in another direction, towards a different exit.

Cut to:

The interior of the room that Ben is in. We see people typing away at computers, and the door opens. Cordelia walks into the room once again. She walks up to one of the people on the computers, tapping on their shoulder. They turn around, looking at her with an eyebrow raised.

Cordelia: Could you open the door?

He doesn’t reply.

Cordelia: (cont’d) How ‘bout I just change that question into a statement? Open the damn door!

He looks at her strangely, but then shrugs and presses a certain button on the computer. The door swings open by itself, and Cordelia heads over to it. Ben is now in a different corner, facing the door. There are no animals near him this time. He continues to look at her before speaking up.

Ben: It’s you again…what do you want?

Cordelia: A nice mansion and a glass of Chianti, while I’m curled up next to a blazing fire getting all warm and toasty.

Ben doesn’t respond. He blinks at Cordelia instead.

But eh, I guess you don’t always get what you want. What about you, kid?

Ben just stares at her, but distantly.

Cordelia: (cont’d) Okay so my response wasn’t exactly what you probably expected.

Ben shrugs.

Ben: Nothing’s what you expect.

Cordelia raises both eyebrows.

Cordelia: Wow. Pretty wise saying, coming from a kid.

Ben: I’m not exactly normal.

Cordelia: Yeah? Neither am I. Guess we have something in common.

Ben gives a hint of a smile, and Cordelia smiles once again. Suddenly Ben looks beyond Cordelia and looks a little frightened. Cordelia looks confused.

Cordelia: (cont’d) What’s wrong?

Ben just continues to stare beyond her, so she swivels around- to see Mr. Sims.

Cordelia: (cont’d) Oh.

Mr. Sims looks very angry, looking from Cordelia to Ben and back again.

Mr. Sims: What are you doing in here?

Cordelia: I was just-

Mr. Sims: No, you see, you can’t just anything.

Cordelia: Excuse me?

Mr. Sims: Oh, you heard me. (pause) Now, if you’d head up to your room, Ms. Chase, that-

Cordelia: No.

Mr. Sims: (taken aback) What?

Cordelia: You heard me. No.

Mr. Sims continues to look astonished, and as does Ben. Clearly no one has ever stood up to him before.

Cordelia: (cont’d) You don’t own me.

Mr. Sims suddenly smiles, looking smug.

Mr. Sims: Au contraire. I do own you, by law of this association.

Cordelia: This “association” has nothing to do with law! At all! If it did then you wouldn’t be able to own people in the first place.

Mr. Sims: Wrong again. We are the law.

Cordelia: And now you’re starting to sound like Faith.

Cordelia rolls her eyes, but Mr. Sims expression remains very serious.

Mr. Sims: Do not underestimate us. You don’t have any idea what we are capable of.

Cordelia: You know, you’re right. I don’t. Maybe that’s because all I’ve seen you do is sit on your ass.

Mr. Sims: You’ll see more.

There is a threatening silence, and even Cordelia dares not say another retort.

Mr. Sims: (cont’d) Now, go to your room.

Cordelia: I’m not five.

Mr. Sims: I don’t care. Go!

His voice booms. Cordelia looks unsure, but glances at Ben one last time before leaving the room. Mr. Sims looks at Ben as well, glaring, causing Ben to look down at the floor. Mr. Sims is now very aggravated.

Cut to:

Mr. Sims office. He is sitting on the chair that he was previously in the episode, and Lilah enters again.

Lilah: You rang?

Mr. Sims does not show expression, except for a faint one of the anger that he is trying to restrain.

Lilah: Something wrong?

Mr. Sims: Wrong? You could say that.

His expression doesn’t change, and Lilah’s doesn’t either.

Lilah: What went wrong now?

Mr. Sims: Sit down.

Lilah: I’d prefer to stand.

Mr. Sims: (raising his voice) Frankly, I don’t care what you prefer, Miss Morgan. (even louder) Sit. Down.

Lilah raises an eyebrow but complies.

Lilah: Now, what is it that’s out of order, boss?

Her voice has a tone that is mocking him slightly, but he ignores it.

Mr. Sims: You. And not out of order- Out of line. You are out of line.

Lilah: How so?

Mr. Sims laughs, but not because he finds something funny.

Mr. Sims: Please, Miss Morgan…You really don’t know?

Lilah stares at him blankly.

Lilah: I might.

Mr. Sims: Lilah-

Lilah: I don’t believe I’ve given you permission to use my first name.

Mr. Sims looks at her, in shock and anger.

Mr. Sims: I do not need your permission for anything, Lilah.

He stresses the final word.

Mr. Sims: (cont’d) Moving on…Are you aware that Miss Chase was visiting one of our patients today?

Lilah: It’s possible.

Mr. Sims gives her a deadly glare. Clearly, he is getting very pissed off.

Lilah: (cont’d, reluctantly) Yes.

Mr. Sims: And did I give you permission to show her around? (beat0 No, don’t answer that, because I know for a fact that I didn’t. Damn it, Lilah! Why can’t you just understand your place and accept it?! You are nothing but just another employee for us, do you understand?

Lilah: I-

Mr. Sims: (interrupting, getting angrier) Clearly you don’t! You also don’t understand that you are not permanently in my books! That means you probably will not be here very long and while you are here, I suggest you don’t get on my bad side.

He stands up, getting more passionate about what he is saying.

Mr. Sims: (cont’d) And that means that you have to terminate your special attention to Cordelia, because it is not to my liking. I’m not going to ask if you understand. You will have to deal with these terms, or I will get rid of you. (beat) There are more ways of getting rid of you than firing you. I’d like you to remember that, Miss Morgan.

There is a silence for a few moments.

Mr. Sims: (cont’d) Now go.

Lilah looks cautiously at him for a moment before getting up and leaving the room, almost slamming the door. We follow her. Once outside the room, she learns on the door and breathes out a heavy sigh.

Mr. Sims: (O/S, still angry) I told you to leave!

Lilah: Jeez…

Lilah looks at the door, raises an eyebrow once again, and stops leaning on it before walking away.

End Act Two: Commercial Break

[raynesnoir]

Act Three:

Cut to: Cordelia, sitting alone in her room. She looks from side to side, before staring down at the floor.

Cordelia: How did it get this bad?

She continues staring at the floor, until she rolls her eyes.

Cordelia: (V/O) Please, Cordy, stop trying to kid yourself. You know exactly what happened…

The scene goes blurry before coming back into focus again, and now we see we are in a different room in Wolfram and Hart, and it is a flashback. Mr. Sims sits in a chair in the middle of the room, behind a desk. A button on the phone near him lights up, and he presses the speakerphone button.

Mr. Sims: Yes?

Woman: (Off Screen) Sir, we have a new patient.

Mr. Sims looks very interested, and sits further up in his seat.

Woman: (Off Screen) Yes, an arrival from this very city.

Mr. Sims: Who is it?

There is a sound of the woman flipping through papers.

Woman: (Off Screen) A Miss…Chase.

Mr. Sims: Cordelia Chase?

Woman: (Off Screen) Yes.

Mr. Sims: This could be very, very interesting.

Cut to: Mr. Sims standing in an empty room, pacing. He looks as if he is waiting for something. Suddenly, a bright white light fills the part of the screen, and Mr. Sims smiles.

Woman: (Off Screen) This better be pretty damn important…

The camera shifts over to where the woman is standing, and we see that it is Cordelia.

Cordelia: (cont’d) ‘Cause this is so not the hospital, and I know I’m not awake yet.

Mr. Sims raises an eyebrow and then shakes his head.

Mr. Sims: You misunderstand. I want you to lie to your friends.

Cordelia: Well that’s nothing new…but I don’t want to lie to my friends. Why do you want me to? And who the hell are you?!

Mr. Sims: Frankly, I don’t care what you want. This is an offer. You must do it or I will have your friends slaughtered. Now, would you rather them be lied to, or be killed?

Cordelia: That depends which “friend” you’re talking about.

Mr. Sims: …What?

Cordelia: Never mind. (pause, more serious) Of course I don’t want them killed.

She sighs.

Cordelia: (cont’d) What do you want me to do?

Mr. Sims: I knew you’d see it my way…Now, this is going to work in your benefit as well. I’m sure you would like to fully wake up, yes?

Cordelia: Well, .

Mr. Sims: We’re going to need you to astral project for some time to distract your friends, so that we can steal your body.

Cordelia gives him a weird look.

Cordelia: And you’re going to do what to my body?

Mr. Sims: If you would please get your mind out of your gutter, I would explain. (pause) We’ll take your body from the hospital. The minute we have it back here, we’ll put you back in your body.

Cordelia: Wow, I don’t even know you and you’re going to do this for me?

She looks at him with excitement and he smiles.

Mr. Sims: Of course.

Cordelia’s fake excitement fades.

Cordelia: You really thought that I would believe anything you said just now? You know that I’m not five, right? There’s gotta be strings attached.

Mr. Sims: No string.

Cordelia: Hah, yeah, right. Cough it up mister.

Mr. Sims: The only string is that you would have to betray your friends.

Cordelia: Will I ever be able to see them again?

Mr. Sims: Of course. Why wouldn’t you be?

Cordelia looks like she’s deep in thought for a few moments, and then she sighs.

Cordelia: Fine. But if anything goes wrong, prepare to have your ass thoroughly kicked.

Mr. Sims: Sure.

Cordelia gives him one final glare before Mr. Sims waves. Cordelia looks confused, and then disappears in another flash of white light.

Mr. Sims: Silly girl. She’s so easy to convince…

He smiles to himself.

Mr. Sims: She’ll never see anything coming.

Cut to:

Hospital. We can see Cordelia from “You’re Welcome” as well as Angel and Wesley. They’re conversing, but we’re only seeing this from behind a curtain. Someone is peering in at them, and then backs away closing the curtain. We pan up and see that it is a worker for Wolfram & Hart. We see that behind him are several other agents. They are beginning to unhook the IVs that are connected to Cordelia, and making sure they’re bandaged properly.

Nurse 1: (Off Screen) How is Miss Chase doing?

Nurse 2: (Off Screen) No change. All her vitals are still the same. It’s sad to see a person’s life going to waste like this.

Nurse 1 sighs.

Nurse 1: (Off Screen)I know what you mean.

Nurse 2: (Off Screen) I’ll check in on her.

The agent widens his eyes. He glares menacingly at the rest of the group.

Agent: (whispering) Hurry up!

Some of the agents, who look like sorcerers, bow their heads and begin mumbling under their breath, in synch. Everyone behind the curtain disappears, save Cordelia. The nurse opens the curtain to see Cordelia- the same as she was before. IVs hooked up and all. The nurse glances on the monitor and sighs once again. No change.


Cut to: Wolfram and Hart, day. The agents appear in an empty room, and a platform is in the middle of the room. Someone is carrying someone in their arms, and sets them down on the platform- it is Cordelia’s body.

Cordelia: (V/O) How could I have been so stupid? I knew there was going to be a catch and yet…God. I’m such an idiot. (beat) No. You know what? They’re idiots. Jeez! And here I am thinking it was me!

The first agent looks at the person who was carrying Cordelia.

Agent: How did you do that?

Sorcerer: The “body” left at the hospital is merely an illusion. That “body” will die as soon as we put Cordelia’s soul in its rightful place.

The agent smiles.

Agent: Good work.

He looks at Cordelia, beaming with pride that he has succeeded.

Cut to:

Mr. Sims office. Cordelia is standing in the middle of the room, waiting. The door opens, and Mr. Sims comes in.

Cordelia: I held up my end of the deal. Where’s your part?

Mr. Sims: It will happen, soon enough. (beat) First though…I must inform you- there is a catch.

Cordelia: What?! You little piece of-

Mr. Sims: I would stop my sentence right there if I were you, Miss Chase. (pause) Yes, there is a catch. I did lie to you, but what do you expect? I am, after all, a lawyer.

Cordelia looks stunned.

Cordelia: You…you work for Wolfram and Hart…

Mr. Sims: Of course I do. And that is not even the biggest catch.

Cordelia: Might as well tell me now before I decide to pummel you.

Mr. Sims chuckles before continuing.

Mr. Sims: You see, we run certain…experiments here. We need nothing but the best of the best to study on. And you are one of the best.

Cordelia: Wait, what?! You’re going to experiment with me? That right there sounds just wrong. Do you think I would ever let you touch any part of me? Think again, mister.

Mr. Sims: I never said you would let us.

He smiles. Before Cordelia has the time to react, she is surrounded by a barrier. Security guards enter the room, and grab her by the arms. They can pass through the barrier, but she is helpless within it. They begin to drag her out of the room. Mr. Sims waves.

Mr. Sims: (still smiling) Enjoy your stay.

Cut to:

Present day. Cordelia, in her room. She sighs.

Cordelia: I can’t believe I lied to my friends…especially for them. So much has changed…why can’t things be like they used to be?

She looks down at the floor, sad. There is a knock on the door, and she looks up.

Cordelia: (cont’d) What do you want?

Man: (Off Screen) It’s me. Thomas.

Cordelia: Oh.

She gets up from where she’s sitting and opens the door. She looks at him expectantly, waiting to here a reason why he’s here.

Thomas: Listen, will you come with me for a sec?

Cordelia: Sure…?

She walks out of the room closing the door behind her, and they start walking down the hallway. We follow them.

Thomas: How are you?

Cordelia: Well, aside from the being locked up like a serial killer, I’m doing just peachy.

She rolls her eyes.

Cordelia: (cont’d) Honestly, what kind of question is that? I’m like a lab rat.

Thomas: That’s what they think of you as.

Cordelia raises an eyebrow.

Cordelia: They? You mean, you don’t think that way?

Thomas shrugs.

Thomas: I tend not to follow the crowd.

Cordelia: And you’re not stoned for your beliefs?! Wow, that’s a first. Wolfram and Hart, as far as I know, usually has some strict policy against having your own opinion.

Thomas: Oh, that rule is still there. It’s just more lax because they’ve put more stress on the “no stealing junk from vending machines” rule.

Cordelia: They have a rule for that?

Thomas: Yeah. It’s this big thing. Last week, one of the agents used magic to get chips out of one.

Cordelia: And here I thought Wolfram and Hart employees weren’t desperate- (beat) Oh, wait…I never thought that.

She smiles to herself, and then looks serious again.

Cordelia: (cont’d) But, to get back on track here, why aren’t you following your master’s orders?

Thomas: Okay, first? He’s not my master.

Cordelia: Really. Seems pretty masterful to me.

Thomas: …You do realize that didn’t come out the way you wanted it to, right?

Cordelia: Whatever. (beat) Stop getting off subject. God, you’re worse than some of my friends.

Thomas: I don’t see it their way because…

He looks around, making sure no one in the hallway can hear him. There’s no one in the hallway.

Thomas: (cont’d, quietly) Because I believe that what they’re doing is wrong. And I’m here to stop it.

Cordelia looks surprised.

Cordelia: Whoa, hold up, so you’re what? A rebel or something?

Thomas: Keep it down, will you? Someone will hear. (beat) Yes. There are several double agents in the building, and we’re working to sabotage the project. Treating humans this way…it’s not…well, humane.

Cordelia: Amen to that.

Suddenly, a person in a lab coat walks into the hallway.

Lab technician: Excuse me, but I need to borrow this experiment for a moment.

Thomas looks like he’s about to say something against it, but reluctantly doesn’t.

Thomas: Fine.

Cordelia frowns, but follows the lab tech obediently. As she walks down the hallway, she looks back at Thomas, who has his eyes on the floor before walking in the other direction. Cordelia looks back to where she’s going and Thomas is looking straight ahead in the direction he is walking too. A person walks out of a room, right near where Cordelia and Thomas were standing when they were talking. This person smiles- they know what Thomas fears people would find out…

Cut to:

Experimental lab. The lab tech walks in and sits down near a lot of computers, and motions Cordelia further into the room.

Lab tech: Have a seat in that chair, please.

She points to a chair in the middle of the room. Cordelia looks at it strangely. There are devices surrounding every part of it.

Cordelia: And I should trust you why?

Lab tech: Oh, you don’t need to be able to trust me. (beat) Sit. Now.

She scowls at Cordelia, and Cordelia slowly but surely walks towards the chair, and sits down. A doctor appears at her side with a small box in his hand. He opens it, and we see that there is a needle in it. He prepares it and without warning sticks it into Cordelia’s arm.

Cordelia: Hey!

Suddenly, she begins to feel drowsy. The doctor begins to place equipment on her head and we see that the equipment is sending out waves of power- of what kind of power is unknown. The doctor then leaves Cordelia in the chair, and walks back to where the computer and the lab tech are.

Doctor: Everything is ready.

The lab tech nods and presses a few buttons. Jolts of energy begin to flow through Cordelia- she is no longer drowsy, but in pain. She winces, and she can also feel her power surging in her and at the same time weakening. There is nothing she can do. Light blue energy begins to engulf both her and the machine. The doctor and the lab tech look confused. Suddenly, the machine stops working and Cordelia is left gasping for breath. She looks at her head and pulls the equipment of quickly, looking at it.

Cordelia: What the hell was that?!

Doctor: (to lab tech) The machine didn’t work…

Cordelia: Who gives a damn about your stupid machine?! That was painful and I want to know why you want to do this to me!

The doctor and the lab tech just look at her. She shakes her head and rushes out of the room, running down the hallway.

Cut to:

Cordelia’s room, again. Cordelia is sitting on the bed, and someone walks in- Lilah. Cordelia looks up- she does not look pleased.

Lilah: Oh Ms. Chase, you called for me? Big surprise there…

Cordelia: I did. And you can stop playing coy this second because I can tell you right now that I am not in the mood.

Lilah raises her eyebrows.

Lilah: Jeez, who put a stick up your ass?

Cordelia: Stop it. I’m not even trying to play nice with you anymore. No, someone didn’t put a stick up my ass. You want to know what I had thinks stuck on? My head. They stuck things on my head. And you know what? It hurt. Like hell. I want to know why you’re doing this to me.

Lilah: Firstly, sweetie-

Cordelia: Did you not hear what I said? We’re not being friendly.

Lilah: (cont’d, ignoring her comment) –I didn’t do anything to you. They did.

Cordelia: You could have stopped them.

Lilah: And risked putting my ass on the line? I don’t think so. I have to be here. To help you.

Cordelia: Help me? Please. The chances of that are slim to none. I doubt that anyone can help me. But I can tell you one thing.

Lilah: And what’s that?

Cordelia: That I’m going to get out of here- with or without you and your pal’s help. I won’t be sitting around like a helpless damsel in distress. That’s not the kind of girl I am. And if you don’t like that idea? Too bad.

Cordelia looks at her with a glare and Lilah just stares at Cordelia blankly.

Cordelia: Now get out.

Lilah starts to walk out the door, and she’s just outside of the threshold when she turns around.

Lilah: You know, it doesn’t have to be this way.

Cordelia: It really does.

Lilah: I don’t see why.

Cordelia: Then get some glasses.

Lilah: Why can’t we just be-

Cordelia slams the door in Lilah’s face.

Cut to black.

End of episode.

[raynesnoir]

Feedback here please

In Association With:
RAVEN created by Alexander Brown and Travis Truant-Simpson
SORCERESS OF CRIMSON FALLS created by Travis Truant-Simpson
BROKEN DESTINY created by Joseph Sessumes with Alexander Brown
ROGUE REDEMPTION created by Amber Rose
ROADS LESS TRAVELLED created by Thomas Wright with Alexander Brown CHOSEN created by Heather
CONTUNUATIONS by Alex Hart
SHADOW STALKER created by Lex
WISHFUL THINKING created by Ben Keefe
ASTA created by Irene Isaac with Rebecca Schwartz.

Feedback here please.

Trivia
- This series was first thought up at the end of September in a "what if" conversation.
- Carmen White-Rayne's apperance in the episode makes this the latest Raven spinoff that has a cameo from this character. Every other Raven spinoff has her appear.
- Amber Rose wrote the last two acts, while Alexander Brown wrote the teaser and first act.
- Five more episodes to this saga will be released; each two months apart from each other.