Act Three[/u]
INT. DOMINION BAR
Shell holds the door to the Dominion Bar open as Clem and Bob enter, carrying Kalinka inside very carefully. Beck and Jack follow them inside, followed by Illyria who is gripping Sarah firmly by the back of the neck. Once through the door, Illyria shoves Sarah into the bar area.
ILLYRIA:
Sit down.
SARAH:
I
helped you guys! So much for thanks.
Clem glares at Sarah with hatred as he and Bob carry Kalinka.
BOB:
Are we taking her to your room, Clem?
CLEM (distant):
Yeah…thanks.
Bob turns his head to look at Shell.
BOB:
Grab some bandages from the storeroom, would you?
Shell nods her head solemnly before following Bob and Clem out the back.
INT. DOMINION BAR, CLEM AND KALINKA’S BEDROOM
Bob and Clem slowly carry Kalinka inside the bedroom and place her gently on the bed. Clem sits softly on the side of the bed and places his hands in Kalinka’s. Bob watches uneasily.
KALINKA:
Damn it, Clem…You’ll get blood over the sheets.
Clem smiles sweetly at his wife.
CLEM:
Hey, don’t blame me, Kallie. It’s your blood.
(beat)
Besides, I’ll replace the sheets.
KALINKA:
That’s a first. You must be worried.
Shell enters the bedroom, holding bandages and antiseptic. She passes them toward Bob, and he responds with a shake of his head.
BOB:
I can’t stand the sight of blood, Shell. You’ll have to do it.
SHELL:
What? You’re a demon! And I’ve seen you spill blood before.
BOB:
I don’t have a problem
making people bleed. But looking at someone who’s been wounded makes me nauseous.
Shell walks toward Kalinka’s bed, and with Clem’s help, removes Kalinka’s bloody shirt. She tosses it on the ground, near Bob’s feet. Bob covers his mouth as if he were about to vomit.
KALINKA:
Watch the carpet, guys.
CLEM:
I’ll have it dry cleaned.
Clem lifts Kalinka up so she is in a sitting position, and Shell inspects the wound.
SHELL:
It’s not looking very pretty.
Shell pours antiseptic onto a cloth and cleans the wound. Kalinka flinches and Clem holds her hand. Once the wound is clean, Shell begins to wrap the bandage around it.
INT. DOMINION BAR
Sarah sits on the couch silently, avoiding contact with the others. Illyria stands still as Jack and Beck pull up seats.
BECK:
Wow…I mean…wow. That didn’t go well.
Jack shakes his head.
JACK:
No, it didn’t.
BECK:
I mean, Kalinka…is she going to be okay?
ILLYRIA:
Kalinka will be fine. She is a Vengeance Demon.
(beat)
They heal quickly.
JACK:
Bob said that dimension is only accessible via the Dominion Bar, right?
ILLYRIA:
That is correct.
JACK:
So the Slayers must have come through here. So, if they want to head home, they also have to come through here.
BECK:
Great. That’s just what we need.
ILLYRIA:
They cannot attack us here.
JACK:
But we can’t do anything to them, either.
The door swings open and Miranda strides into the bar, followed closely by Ashley, Cindy, Lara, Belle and finally Simone. Illyria steps in front of Miranda, blocking the Slayers from stepping any further inside.
MIRANDA:
Come on, demon. Take a swing.
Illyria stays silent as Jack and Beck rise from their seats and stand behind her.
JACK:
Actually, I was hoping you ladies might like to try it.
SIMONE:
We’d best not trigger any spells in here.
BECK:
Yeah, especially so soon after we kicked your asses.
Sarah rises from the couch and walks toward the Slayers.
SARAH:
So you’d better run back to the Tengu, then.
ASHLEY:
You can’t hide out here forever, Sarah. Just remember that.
The Slayers turn around and Simone opens the door. The Slayers begin to leave.
LARA:
See you all later.
Jack and Beck look at each other in disbelief as the door slams shut behind the Slayers.
ILLYRIA:
I will follow them.
BOB (O.S.):
No, Illyria, you won’t.
Illyria turns around to see Bob walk toward the group.
BOB:
Let them return to the Tengu, and explain how they lost. We can follow later,
when we are prepared. They took us by surprise in Sulfur, and they’re not going to get the upper hand again.
Clem moves into the main bar area and toward Sarah, ignoring everyone else around him.
CLEM:
You!
SARAH:
What?
CLEM:
This is
your fault. Those Slayers came for you, and now Kalinka is hurt.
Bob grabs Clem’s shoulder.
BOB:
Clem…
CLEM:
Let go of me, Bob.
Bob continues to hold Clem’s shoulder.
BOB:
Now is not the time to be laying blame, Clem. We need to figure out how to stop this Tengu, and then we need to do it.
SHELL:
I agree. He’s becoming a real pain in the ass.
Clem breathes deeply as he glares at Sarah.
INT. NEW YORK CITY, SUBWAY STATION
Fifty-odd passengers step from a train and leave the platform. As the crowd dissipates, the Tengu is revealed in his humanoid form, sitting on a seat in a meditative trance. He sits silently, not moving a muscle, barely breathing.
Footsteps can be heard walking down the stairs as Miranda, Ashley, Cindy, Lara, Belle and Simone walk down toward the platform. They see the Tengu, walk toward him, and kneel in front of him.
The Tengu opens his eyes.
TENGU:
I trust that you bring me good news, Slayers.
The Slayers look at each other awkwardly, unsure of how to break the news to their master.
TENGU:
Well?
Miranda rises to her feet.
MIRANDA:
Not exactly, my Daimyo.
TENGU:
Is Sarah Welles dead?
Simone rises to her feet.
SIMONE:
No, my Daimyo. We failed you.
MIRANDA:
But on the upside, we
did rescue Simone.
The Tengu rises from his seat and a flash of his demonic form can be seen.
TENGU:
I care not for the wellbeing of Simone Matthews. That goes for all of you. You are glorified mortals who exist purely to do my bidding. Do you
understand me?
SLAYERS (in unison):
Yes, my Daimyo.
Ashley rises to her feet.
ASHLEY:
We fought with everything we had. They were just too powerful.
TENGU:
Then you are useless to me. Please explain why I should not release you from the mortal coil.
The Slayers look at each other worriedly. Cindy stands and steps toward the Tengu.
CINDY:
We did spill the blood of the Vengeance Demon, my Daimyo.
TENGU:
Interesting.
(beat)
That was not the task I bestowed upon you,
however, it could yet yield interesting results.
Bell stands before the Tengu.
BELLE:
I don’t understand, my Daimyo.
TENGU:
You wouldn’t. Shell Moore cares for the demon, yes?
Finally, Lara stands.
LARA:
That is our understanding.
TENGU:
Then it is only logical that she and her friends will seek vengeance. They will hold Sarah Welles accountable to some degree, and they will use her to strike at me.
LARA:
Forgive me for saying so, my Daimyo, but two friends of Shell’s attacked us, and you. They destroyed our temple.
(beat)
Are you certain this is a good idea?
The other Slayers avoid eye contact, worried about Lara speaking out of turn.
TENGU:
Pass me your katana, and allow me to demonstrate something.
Lara draws her katana and passes it to the Tengu. The Tengu grips the weapon and slashes it, decapitating the Slayer.
TENGU:
I am your master. Your Daimyo. As such, you do
not question me.
(beat)
Do you other Slayers understand me?
SLAYERS (in unison):
Yes, my Daimyo.
The Tengu kneels before Lara’s corpse and uses her kimono to wipe the blood from the katana’s blade.
INT. DOMINION BAR
Shell, Bob, Clem, Illyria, Jack, Beck and Sarah stand in the Dominion Bar and contemplate their next move. Nobody says a word, and Bob turns to Sarah.
BOB:
Sarah, take a seat.
Sarah pulls up a stool and sits as Bob looms over her.
BOB:
How do we destroy the Tengu?
SARAH:
If I knew that, I would have done it when he tried to kill me.
BOB:
Does he have any weaknesses that we can exploit?
SARAH:
Not that he’s advertising.
BOB:
So you have no idea?
SARAH:
Honestly? No, I don’t.
Clem steps forward, angrily.
CLEM:
She’s lying.
SARAH:
Oh, for crying out loud, you little demon! The Tengu wants me
dead, which I’d thought we’d previously established. Which means the minute I step out of this bar, I’m in danger. So unless you want me here as a permanent guest – and by the tone in your voice, I doubt that’s the case – I need to do everything in my power to help you all kill him first.
Clem clenches his fists in frustration and Shell interjects by placing her hand on his shoulder.
SHELL:
She’s not worth it, Clem.
BOB:
Okay, Sarah, you have a choice. You can come and fight alongside us against the Tengu, or I can drag you outside and kill you. It’s your choice.
SARAH:
So, either you can kill me, or the Tengu can kill me? That’s some choice.
BOB:
The Tengu may not kill you…
provided we get lucky.
SARAH:
Looks like I’ll have to take the option where I
might survive.
BOB:
Good choice.
(beat)
Shell, Illyria, get some weapons. It’s time to leave.
JACK:
Wait a minute, what about me?
BECK:
And me!
CLEM:
Bob, I’m going, too.
BOB:
No, no and no.
(beat)
Jack, you’re injured. Beck, you’re not a warrior. Clem, your wife needs you here, by her side.
CLEM:
Yeah, you’re right.
JACK:
I can do this, Bob.
BOB:
You’re probably right, Jack. Still, I can’t let you run into battle while you can still barely walk.
BECK:
What about me? You haven’t
seen the Tengu. This guy is big and scary, and tough as Hell.
ILLYRIA:
Beck is correct.
BOB:
I’m sure he is. But you’re not, Beck. I appreciate all your help, but you’re not trained for this.
BECK:
Look, four against the Tengu
and the Slayers are not good odds. Five isn’t much better, but every little bit helps, right?
SHELL:
Beck has a point, Bob.
(beat)
Beck, are you sure you
want to do this? I can’t guarantee your safety.
Beck simply nods her head as Bob contemplates the proposition.
BOB:
Fine, grab a weapon…
INT. DOMINION BAR, CLEM AND KALINKA’S BEDROOM
The lights are dimmed in the bedroom as Kalinka lies in the semi-darkness. Her breathing is shallow and obviously difficult for her. Kalinka hears a soft tap at the door and tilts her head slightly as the door opens.
Clem enters slowly and quiet.
CLEM:
Hey…sorry, you weren’t sleeping, were you?
KALINKA:
No, I drifted off briefly a couple of times, but it’s kind of hard to sleep when you have a gaping hole in your stomach.
CLEM:
I’m sorry, Kallie.
(beat)
If I hadn’t given you grief about not wanting to fight, you’d still be okay.
KALINKA:
Nonsense, Clem. I still would have fought anyway.
Kalinka reaches toward Clem and briefly flinches in pain. She places her hand on his.
KALINKA:
Listen, I really need to apologise to you. I shouldn’t have gone out and done the whole Vengeance Demon thing.
CLEM:
It’s not that…
KALINKA:
And I shouldn’t have
lied to you about it, Clem.
Clem breathes deeply.
CLEM:
Can we not talk about this, now?
(beat)
Bob’s taken the others to kill the Tengu.
KALINKA:
What? That’s stupid, they know nothing about him.
CLEM:
I think your injury struck a nerve with them, Kallie.
EXT. NEW YORK CITY, SUBWAY STATION – NIGHT
Shell, Beck, Sarah, Illyria in her Winifred Burkle guise, and Bob, dressed in a trench coat and fedora to hide his demonic appearance, walk toward the entrance to the subway station. They each grip their weapons firmly. Even though it is late at night, people are still milling about the area, going about their business.
BOB:
So the Tengu’s here, Sarah.
SARAH:
He’s just down stairs.
BECK:
And you know this, how exactly?
SARAH:
I’m a Slayer, and I can sense him.
SHELL:
Why can’t I sense him? I’m supposed to be a Slayer…
BOB:
Don’t sweat it, Shell. My guess is he has a hold over
his Slayers.
Sarah ignores Bob’s comment as she, Shell, Beck, Illyria and Bob take a brief moment before entering the subway.
TENGU (V.O.):
Excellent. They have arrived.
INT. NEW YORK CITY, SUBWAY STATION
Sarah leads the group down the stairs, followed closely by Bob and Illyria, with Shell and Beck behind them. Beck’s mouth opens in shock as she sees that the platform is crowded with people.
BECK:
My God, look at all these people. Can we do this, without getting them killed?
ILLYRIA:
Humans. They’re always getting in the way.
SHELL:
Gee, Illyria. On behalf of the
three humans in this little group, I’d like to thank you for your confidence.
BOB:
Quiet, guys. Let’s take this slowly.
The group continues to walk down the stairs and watch the crowd. Sarah sees Simone, Miranda, Ashley, Cindy and Belle dispersed among the bystanders and points them out.
SARAH:
The Slayers are down there.
BOB:
I don’t see the Tengu. From what I understand, he should be easy to spot among a crowd.
SHELL:
Hey, maybe he’s wearing a trench coat so nobody’ll recognise him.
SARAH:
He’s here, I can feel him. I can’t see him, though. He’s hiding out of plain sight.
BECK:
Just to make our lives easier.
SHELL:
Maybe we should ask his friends.
Shell walks down the stairs and fights through the crowd at the platform to reach Ashley. After a few rude looks from disgruntled bystanders, Shell manages to push her way behind Ashley. Shell draws a knife from her pocket and presses it against Ashley’s lower back.
SHELL:
Hey, Ashley! What a surprise, running into you here.
(beat)
I don’t suppose you know where we could find the Tengu? If you don’t, that’s cool, but this knife pressed against your back might start to hurt. It would probably be a sharp pain.
Ashley responds by swivelling around and punching Shell in the face, sending her reeling into the crowd. People begin to disperse, not wanting to get hurt in the brawl. One teenage boy grins as he points out the punch to his friend.
TEENAGE BOY:
Dude, check it out. Chick fight!
Bob, Illyria, Beck and Sarah rush into the crowd and toward the Slayers who promptly draw their katanas. Ashley points hers toward Shell, who is still lying on the ground.
SHELL:
So, I’ll take that as a “no,” then. That’s a shame.
ASHLEY:
For someone with a katana pointed at her, you really do have a smart mouth.
With a flick of her wrist, Shell throws her knife at Ashley, striking her in the hand and forcing her to drop her katana. Ashley grips her hand in pain as Shell points the katana at her throat.
Miranda lunges toward Bob, who responds by ejecting the spikes from below his wrist. Miranda slashes her katana at Bob, who ducks the attack and uppercuts her chin. Miranda moves with the blow, using the propulsion to flip herself in the air and land on her feet. Bob rushes at Miranda as his spikes collide with her katana.
Cindy runs at Illyria, who morphs back into her demonic form and grabs her by the throat and lifts her into the air. Cindy gasps to catch her breath as she kicks violently at Illyria’s chest and breaks free of the stranglehold.
Belle steps toward Beck, who draws a sword. Belle strikes at Beck who only narrowly blocks the attack. Belle strikes again, and Beck just blocks it. Belle grins as she strikes again and again, toying with the untrained Beck.
Simone leaps into the air, past the people rushing to evade the fight and toward Sarah. Holding her sword above her head, Simone comes crashing down, slashing toward Sarah and cutting her cheek. Sarah wipes away the blood and runs at Simone. Sarah swipes her katana at Simone’s neck, cutting it open.
Ashley leaps backward and away from Shell.
ASHLEY:
This could get interesting, after all.
SHELL:
I’m still bored.
Shell drops the katana and runs toward Ashley. Clenching both fists together, Shell swings at Ashley, connecting with her face. Ashley throws a punch, which Shell dodges, and Shell responds by punching her viciously in the nose, drawing blood.
Bob quickly moves his head back as Miranda slashes at his face.
BOB:
See these scars? They came from people with far more training than you.
MIRANDA:
There’s a first time for everything.
Bob slashes the spike from his right wrist toward Miranda’s shins, cutting them. Miranda grimaces in pain as Bob grabs her head and slams it down toward his knee.
Cindy throws a punch toward Illyria’s head, connecting with her cheek.
CINDY:
The Tengu seems to be worried about you. For a big, bad Old One, you don’t seem so big, or bad.
ILLYRIA:
Try me.
Cindy throws another punch at Illyria, however Illyria catches her fist this time. Illyria squeezes Cindy’s fist and a crack can be heard as she breaks the Slayer’s hand.
Belle swipes her katana at Beck half-heartedly, and Beck ducks as if her life depended on it.
BELLE:
Why did I have to fight you?
Beck swipes her sword at Belle, landing the flat side against Belle’s face.
BELLE:
Now, that’s just funny.
Beck presses the sword against Belle’s face and stares at the blade. The blade begins to glow red as Belle pushes herself free, screaming from the searing pain, a burn evident on her face.
BECK:
Well, I’m laughing!
Sarah and Simone stand still as they face each other.
SIMONE:
I’ve been looking forward to this, Sarah.
(beat)
The Tengu is going to make sure your death is painful.
In a swift, violent move, Sarah stabs her sword through Simone’s chest. Sarah breathes deeply as she stares into Simone’s eyes, and twists the blade. Simone looks horrified as she breathes her last breath.
SARAH:
It’s too bad you didn’t live to see it, Simone.
TENGU (O.S.):
Enough!Everybody turns around at the sound of the Tengu’s booming voice. He stands over everybody in his human form, maintaining an air of superiority.
BOB:
I thought he was supposed to be a big demon.
Illyria runs directly at the Tengu with all her strength. The Tengu reacts with a punch with the back of his fist, sending Illyria crashing onto the train track. Illyria stands up and looks stunned as she sees a train speeding toward her. With no time to jump away, Illyria raises her arms to block herself and the train crashes into her, screeching to a halt.
Bob, Shell and Beck watch, completely stunned as Illyria climbs free from the wreckage.
ILLYRIA:
That makes me angry.
Bob, Shell, Beck and Sarah turn toward the Tengu, who morphs into his full demonic glory. His wings stretch out from behind his back as the remaining people run for the exits, screaming.
Bob runs toward the Tengu, but is stopped in his tracks as the Tengu telekinetically lifts him into the air. The Tengu lifts his hand up, sending Bob crashing into the ceiling of the subway. Bob crashes to the ground as debris falls, covering him.
BECK:
In the immortal words of Johnny Storm,
flame on!Beck launches three fireballs directly at the Tengu, igniting flames around him. The Tengu steps past the flames and looks Beck directly in the eye.
TENGU:
You are out of your league, little girl.
Shell and Sarah run toward the Tengu with their weapons drawn. They strike at his wings, however are knocked to the ground by a telekinetic blast. Illyria runs toward the Tengu again, and punches him in the face, knocking him through the wall.
The Tengu climbs to his feet and sends a telekinetic blast toward Illyria, knocking the debris free. The attack fails to connect with Illyria.
TENGU:
Interesting. My powers appear unable to hurt you.
(beat)
You truly are like the Oni.
Illyria looks at the Tengu stunned.
ILLYRIA:
The Oni? You are his acolyte?
TENGU:
Oh, yes, Illyria. And when he rises, there will be Hell to pay.
Illyria jumps at the Tengu and grabs his head, crashing it into the ground. The Tengu fights his way back to his feet and punches Illyria squarely in the stomach.
Shell walks toward the Tengu and looks him squarely in the eyes.
TENGU:
Hello, Shell Moore.
SHELL:
You’re not going to kill me, are you?
TENGU:
You are the keeper of the words, Shell Moore. You hold the key to the ultimate destruction.
Shell grins.
SHELL:
Oh, yes…
(beat)
Would you like to hear them?
The Tengu laughs.
TENGU:
You have not yet discovered those words, Shell Moore.
SHELL:
Try me.
The Tengu looks at Shell, unsure. Slowly, Shell begins to open her mouth. The Tengu steps away from her, stretches out his wings, and soars into the air above, crashing through the roof of the subway and the streets above. The Tengu flies into the night sky as police cars arrive to inspect the area.
Bob climbs to his feet and rubs his head.
BOB:
Nice bluff, Shell.
(beat)
You
were bluffing, right?
SHELL:
Yeah, I was bluffing.
POLICEMAN (O.S.):
Halt! Police!
Bob, Shell, Illyria and Beck turn to see a policeman walking down the stairs, holding a flashlight in one hand, and a gun in the other.
BECK:
Um, this can’t be good, guys.
Sarah rushes past Beck and toward the policeman. Gripping her katana firmly, she decapitates the policeman and continues to run upstairs.
SHELL:
Should we follow her?
BOB:
Right now, I don’t see the point.
Guns can be heard firing above the subway, mixed with the sounds of police officers screaming in pain.
BOB (sarcastically):
This is just wonderful.
(beat)
We need to get out of here.
ILLYRIA:
Simple. We use this as a distraction.
BECK:
Running like Hell sounds like a great plan, guys.
Beck, Shell, Bob and Illyria turn and run up the stairs as fast as they can.
INT. DOMINION BAR
Jack sits alone at the bar and looks up as Beck, Shell, Bob and Illyria rush in, panting.
BOB:
They can’t get us here.
JACK:
Who can’t?
BECK:
The police. It’s a long story.
SHELL:
Clem’s with Kalinka?
Jack simply nods his head.
INT. DOMINION BAR, CLEM AND KALINKA’S BEDROOM
Clem sits next to Kalinka and holds her hand gently.
Music cue – “Time After Time”, by Eva Cassidy:
Lying in my bed I hear the clock tick
And think of you
Caught up in circles
Confusion is nothing new
Flashback warm nights
Almost left behind
Suitcases of memories
Time afterCLEM:
Kalinka, when you were injured, I was scared. I was scared that I would lose you forever. You’re the love of my life.
Kalinka smiles.
Music (continued):
Sometimes you picture me
I'm walking too far ahead
You're calling to me, I can't hearCLEM:
But after you went out and tried to kill Sarah, after the whole thing with D’Hoffryn, after you lied to me, and after you saw how that made me feel, you still don’t seem to understand why I’m upset with you.
KALINKA:
Clem, I apologised.
Music (continued):
What you've said
Then you say go slow
I’ve fallen behind
The second hand unwindsCLEM:
You did apologise, but did you mean it?
Kalinka begins to open her mouth, but closes it, unsure of how to answer.
CLEM:
I didn’t think so, Kallie.
(beat)
I love you with all my heart, I really do. But I can’t be with you right now.
Clem stands up and kisses his wife on the cheek. He then turns and walks away from Kalinka.
Music (continued):
If you're lost you can look, and you will find me
Time after time
If you fall I will catch you, I'll be waitingClem leaves, and the door closes behind him.
Music (continued):
Time after time
Time after timeFADE OUT.
END OF ACT THREE.
CLOSING CREDITS ROLL.
Written by:Allan Whatford
Story Editor:Marie Menninga
Special Thanks:Everyone who read this episode (and any of them, really!) - I hope you enjoyed it. Any comments in the
feedback thread are appreciated. Thanks.
Dominion © 2007 Allan Whatford
