Written and Directed by: Joss Whedon

Transcribed by: AleXander Thompson for Psyche's Transcripts

Copyright © 1998 Alexander Thompson

Disclaimer

I do not own the characters in this story, nor do I own any rights to the television show "Buffy the Vampire Slayer". They were created by Joss Whedon and belong to him, Mutant Enemy, Sandollar Television, Kuzui Enterprises, 20th Century Fox Television and the WB Television Network.

This is not a novelization or a script. It is a straightforward and dry transcript of the episode "Innocence". It also includes descriptions of the settings, action scenes and camera movements where I felt they were needed.

I made every effort to accurately transcribe the dialogue from this episode. If you notice anything that is transcribed incorrectly, please let me know and I will post an update. rev 98.10.05

This episode was originally broadcast on January 20, 1998.

Teaser

In every generation there is a Chosen One. She alone will stand against the vampires, the demons and the forces of darkness. She is the Slayer.

Spike's warehouse. The Judge is kneeling in a corner facing a bunch of storage racks. Spike wheels into view and stops about twenty feet from him. He pushes himself a few feet closer and turns around.

Spike: I'm not happy, pet. Angel and the Slayer are still alive. They know where we are, they know about the Judge. We should be vacating.

Drusilla: (walks up to him) Nonsense. (takes his hand) They'll not disturb us here. My Angel's too smart to face the Judge again.

Spike: (glances over his shoulder) What's Big Blue up to anyway? He just sits there. (looks away)

Judge: I am preparing.

Spike: (rolls his eyes) Yeah. (turns and wheels over to him) It's interesting to me that 'preparing' looks a great bit like sitting on your ass. (facing him) When do we destroy the world already?

Judge: My strength grows, and with every life I take it will increase further.

Spike: So let's take some. I'm bored.

Drusilla starts moaning.

Spike: (looks back at her) Dru?

Drusilla collapses to the floor and begins to cry.

Drusilla: Angel...

Spike: (concerned) Dru? (rolls to her) What is it? (stops by her) Dru!

The camera pans around to her face.

Spike: Darling... Do you see something?

Her crying gives way to an evil smile. Cut to Angel's apartment. Buffy stirs in his bed and reaches over for him. She opens her eyes, suddenly wide awake when she doesn't find him there and looks around. She sits up in bed. Outside it's still raining hard, and lightning strikes. She looks around the room again, but Angel is nowhere to be seen.

Buffy: Angel?

Cut outside to the alley. The rain has let up. Angel falls to the pavement and props himself up on his hands.

Angel: Buffy...

He can't hold himself up and collapses to the ground.

Angel: (frightened) Oh, no.

A hooker standing in a doorway sees him and slowly walks over to him.

Hooker: Hey. You okay? (bends down to look at him) You want me to call 911?

Angel: (suddenly stands up) No. The pain is gone.

Hooker: You sure?

Angel: Yeah.

He spins around, game face on, grabs her and violently bites her on the neck to feed. He drops her dead body, tilts his head up and blows out the smoke he's just inhaled through her neck from her lungs.

Angelus: I feel just fine.

Opening credits roll. Buffy's theme plays.

Act One

The kitchen at Buffy's house. She quietly opens the kitchen door, looks around, comes in and carefully closes it behind her. She keeps an eye out for her mother as she goes around to the stairs. Once there she starts up, stomping rather loudly, and her mother hears her.

Joyce: (off camera) Morning.

Buffy stops her ascent and comes back down a few steps. Her mother comes over to the base of the staircase.

Buffy: Morning.

Joyce: So, did you have fun last night?

Buffy: Fun?

Joyce: At Willow's.

Buffy: Yeah. (smiles) Yeah, fun at Willow's. You know, she's a fun machine.

Joyce: You hungry?

Buffy: No. Uh, no, I-I'm, uh, just gonna go take a shower.

Joyce: Well, i-if you hurry, I'll run you to school.

Buffy: Thanks.

Joyce folds her arms and looks up at Buffy curiously.

Joyce: Is something wrong?

Buffy's eyes go wide, but she quickly regains her composure.

Buffy: No. (shakes her head) What would be wrong?

Joyce: (staring) I don't know. You just look...

She shakes her head, smiles and goes into the dining room. Buffy breathes a sigh of relief and heads up the stairs. Cut to the library. Xander walks in. Giles looks up at him.

Xander: Well, the bus depot was a total washout. And may I say what a lovely place to spend the night. What a vibrant cross-section of Americana.

Jenny and Willow look at him concerned. Cordelia sitting on the counter also looks worried.

Giles: No vampires transporting boxes?

Xander: No, but a four-hundred-pound wino offered to wash my hair. (looks at everyone) What's up? Where's Buffy?

Willow: She never checked in.

Giles: If the bus depot is as empty as the... docks and the airport...

Xander: Do you think this Judge guy's already been assembled?

Giles: Yes.

Xander: Then Buffy could be... Okay, we gotta find 'em. (thinks) Um, we gotta go to that place, that, uh, that factory. That's where they're holed up, right? (looks back at Willow and Jenny) Let's go.

Cordelia: And do what? Besides be afraid and die.

Xander: Well, nobody's asking you to go, Cordelia. If the vampires need grooming tips we'll give you a call.

Giles: Cordelia has a point. Now, i-i-if Buffy and Angel were, were...harmed, then we don't stand to fare much better.

Xander: Yeah? Well, those of us who were born with feelings are gonna do something about this.

Jenny: Xander.

Willow: No, Xander's right! My God, you people are all... Well, I'm upset, and I can't think of a mean word right now, but that's what you are, and we're going to the factory! (starts out)

Xander: Yeah! (follows)

Just then Buffy comes into the library.

Willow: Buffy!

Xander: We were just going to rescue you.

Willow: (throws Giles a look) Well, some of us were.

Giles: Well, I-I would have.

Jenny: Where's Angel?

Buffy: He didn't check in with you guys?

Giles: No.

Cordelia: (slides off the counter) What happened?

Giles: The Judge, i-is he...

Buffy: No assembly required. He's active.

Giles: (whispers) Oh, damn it. (removes his glasses)

Buffy: He nearly killed us. Angel got us out.

Giles: Why didn't you call? We, we, we thought...

Buffy: Well, we, we had to hide. Uh, we got stuck in the sewer tunnels, and with the hiding, we just split up... Uh, no one's heard from him?

Willow: I'm sure he'll come by.

Buffy: Yeah, I'm, I'm sure you're right.

Giles: Buffy, the Judge, we, we must stop him.

Buffy: I know.

Giles: What can you tell us?

Buffy: Not much. I, um... I kicked him. It was just like a sudden fever. If he'd got his hands on me...

Giles: In time, he won't need to. The stronger he gets, he'll be able to reduce us to charcoal with a look.

Buffy: Also, not the prettiest man in town.

Giles: I better continue researching, must look for a weak spot. The rest of you should get to your classes.

Jenny: Yeah, I better go, too.

They all start out. Buffy is the first one out the door.

Xander: Yeah, yeah, yeah. (holds the door open)

Willow: Buffy, wait up!

Jenny: (stops on the way out) (to Giles) I'll, uh, go on the 'Net and search for anything on the Judge.

Giles: Thank you.

Xander: After classes I'll come back and help you research.

Cordelia: (pats him as she walks out) Yeah, you might find something useful if it's in an 'I Can Read' book.

Xander looks like he's ready to kill her. Cut to the halls by the stairs. Buffy is about to go up when Willow catches up and stops her.

Willow: You don't think Angel would have gone after the Judge himself, do you?

Buffy: No, he'd know better than that. Maybe he just needed... I don't know. I just, I wish he'd contact me. I need to talk to him.

They start up the stairs. Jenny looks around the corner and watches them go up. Cut to Spike's warehouse. Drusilla is laid out on her back on the big table. Spike wheels himself around to her. She looks up at the ceiling blissfully.

Spike: (smiles) Are we feeling better, then? (leans on the table)

Drusilla: (sighs) I'm naming all the stars.

Spike: You can't see the stars, love. That's the ceiling. Also, it's day.

Drusilla: I can see them. But I've named them all the same name. (tilts her head to him) And there's terrible confusion.

Spike: Did you see any further? Do you know what happens to Angel?

Angelus: (appears at a side door) Well, (clears his throat) he moves to New York and tries to fulfill that Broadway dream. It's tough sledding, but one day he's working in the chorus when the big star twists her ankle.

Spike: You don't give up, do you?

Angelus: (slowly comes over) As long as there's injustice in the world, as long as scum like you is walking... (notices the wheelchair) well, rolling the streets... I'll be around. (stops a few feet away) Look over your shoulder. I'll be there.

Spike: Uh, yeah. Angel, um... look over *your* shoulder.

Angelus turns around, and the Judge puts his hand on his chest.

Spike: Hurts, doesn't it?

Angelus: (looks back) Well, you know, it kinda itches a little.

Spike: (to the Judge) Don't just stand there. Burn him.

Angelus: Gee, maybe he's broken.

Spike: (to Drusilla) What the hell is going on?

Drusilla's face takes on a look of realization.

Judge: This one... cannot be burnt. He is clean. (removes his hand)

Spike: Clean? You mean, he's...

Judge: There's no humanity in him. (turns and goes)

Angelus: (faces Spike) I couldn't have said it better myself.

Drusilla: Angel.

Angelus: Yeah, baby. I'm back.

Act Two

Spike's warehouse.

Spike: Is it really true?

Angelus: It's really true. (laughs and walks around the table)

Drusilla: (follows him with her gaze) You've come home.

Spike: No more of this 'I've got a soul' crap? (follows him)

Angelus: What can I say, hmm? (strikes a match on the table) I was going through a phase. (lights a cigarette)

Spike: This is great! This is so great!

Drusilla: (walks on the table waving her arms) Everything in my head is singing! (Angelus laughs) We're family again. (Angelus helps her off of the table) We'll feed. Grrr. (turns to Spike) And we'll play. (leans in to him)

Spike: I've got to tell you, it made me sick to my stomach seeing you being the Slayer's lap dog.

Angelus growls and grabs Spike by the shirt. Then he kisses him on the forehead and steps back. Spike busts up laughing. Angelus and Drusilla join in.

Drusilla: How did this happen?

Angelus: You wouldn't believe me if I told you.

Spike: Oh, who cares? What matters is now he's back! Now it's four against one, which are the kind of odds I like to play.

Drusilla: (leans toward Angelus) Psst. We're going to destroy the world. Want to come?

Angelus: (plays with his cigarette) Yeah. Destroying the world. Great. I'm really more interested in the Slayer.

Spike: Well, she's *in* the world, so that should work out.

Angelus: Give me tonight. Hmm?

Spike: What do you mean?

Angelus: Lay low for a night. I guarantee you by the time you go public she won't be anything resembling a threat.

Spike: You've really got a yen to hurt this girl, haven't you?

Angelus: She made me feel like a human being. That's not the kind of thing you just forgive.

Cut to the library. Cordelia walks by the counter looking through a book. Xander is lying on top of the counter, also studying a book. Giles is in his office reading through yet another book. Willow is on the phone with Buffy.

Willow: Ok. No, no, he didn't, but I'm sure he'll... Well, Buffy, he probably has some plan, and he's trying to protect you. Well, I-I don't know what. I'm not in on the plan. It's his plan. No. Don't even say that! Angel is not dead.

Xander: Say 'hi' for me.

Willow: (into the phone) Yeah, of course we'll be here. Okay, bye. (hangs up) (to Xander) Say 'hi' for me?

Xander: What's the word?

Willow: She's checked every place she can think of. She even beat up Willy the snitch a couple of times. Angel's vanished.

Giles: (standing in his doorway) But he does do that on occasion, no?

Willow: Oh, yeah, but she's extra wigged this time. I guess 'cause of her dreams. God, what if something really happened to him?

Giles: Is she gonna join us here?

Willow: Yeah. She's just stopping at home first.

Xander slams his book shut and jumps off of the counter.

Xander: Nada.

He heads for the stacks with it. Cut to the stacks. Xander finds Cordelia on his way to return the book to its place on the shelves.

Xander: Did you find anything? (shelves the book)

Cordelia: This book mentions the Judge, but nothing useful. Big, scary, no weapon forged can stop him, took an army to take him down. Blah, blah, blah.

Xander: We need some insight, a weak spot.

Cordelia: Well, we're not gonna find it here.

She shelves the book as Xander comes over to her. She turns to face him.

Xander: Sorry I snapped at you before.

Cordelia: Well, I'm reeling from that new experience.

Xander: I was crazed. I wasn't thinking.

Cordelia: I know. You were too busy rushing off to die for your beloved Buffy. You'd never die for me.

Xander: No, I might die *from* you. Does that get me any points?

Cordelia: No.

Xander: Come on, can't we just kiss and make up?

Cordelia: I don't wanna make up. (he starts to go, but she stops him) But I'm okay with the other part. (smiles)

Xander smiles back and they start to kiss. After a few moments Cordelia giggles and smiles and they pull apart. Willow is standing behind them, completely confused and upset.

Xander: Willow, uh...

She darts off. Xander runs after her.

Xander: We were just... Willow! Willow!

Cordelia realizes they've been found out and begins to consider the implications. Cut to the halls. Willow comes running out of the library. Xander is right behind her.

Xander: Willow, come on!

Willow: (stops and confronts him, shaking her finger) I knew it! I knew it! Well, not 'knew it' in the sense of having the slightest idea, but I knew there was something I didn't know. You two were fighting way too much. It's not natural!

Xander: I know it's weird...

Willow: Weird? It's against all laws of God and Man! It's (disgusted) Cordelia! Remember? The, the 'We Hate Cordelia' club, of which you are the treasurer.

Xander: Look, I was gonna tell you.

Willow: Gee, what stopped you? Could it be shame?

Xander: All right, let's overreact, shall we?

Willow: But I'm...

Xander: Willow, we were just kissing. It doesn't mean that much.

Willow: No. It just means that you'd rather be with someone you hate than be with me.

She runs from the hall, leaving Xander just standing there to consider her words. He reluctantly turns to go back into the library. Cut to the Summers house. Buffy comes up the walkway to the porch. She looks at her door a moment, then turns and goes away. Cut to Angelus' apartment. Buffy opens the door, comes in and closes it behind her. She walks over to the bed and sees it's been made. One of his shirts is laid out on it. She goes over to the bed and reaches for the shirt. Behind her Angelus steps over to a statue, picks up a necklace hanging from it and puts it on. Buffy turns and sees him.

Buffy: Angel! (runs to him)

Angelus: Hey!

Buffy: Oh!

Angelus: Hey.

She kisses him and they hug.

Buffy: Oh, my God! I was so worried!

Angelus: I didn't mean to frighten you.

Buffy: Where did you go?

Angelus: Been around.

Buffy: Ohhh. Oh, my God! (hugs him again) I was freaking out! You just disappeared.

Angelus: What? I took off. (goes to his bed for the shirt)

Buffy: (confused) But you didn't say anything. You just left.

Angelus: (pulls on the shirt) Yeah. Like I really wanted to stick around after that.

Buffy: What?

Angelus: You got a lot to learn about men, kiddo. Although I guess you proved that last night.

Buffy: What are you saying?

Angelus: Let's not make an issue out of it, okay? (goes for his coat) In fact, let's not talk about it at all. (pulls it on) It happened.

Buffy: I, I don't understand. Was it m-me? (meekly) Was I not good?

Angelus: (laughs) You were great. Really. (snidely) I thought you were a pro.

Buffy: How can you say this to me?

Angelus: Lighten up. It was a good time. It doesn't mean like we have to make a big deal.

Buffy: It *is* a big deal!

Angelus: It's what? Bells ringing, fireworks, a dulcet choir of pretty little birdies? (laughs) Come on, Buffy. It's not like I've never been there before.

He reaches his hand up to her face and she jerks back.

Buffy: Don't touch me.

Angelus: (shakes his finger at her) I should've known you wouldn't be able to handle it. (starts to go)

Buffy: Angel! (he stops and faces her) (teary-eyed) I love you.

Angelus: (points coolly at her) Love you, too. (turns away) I'll call you.

He goes out the door. Buffy can only watch him go, extremely upset and confused. Cut to Enyos' hotel room. He lectures Jenny.

Enyos: You know what it is, this thing vengeance?

Jenny: Uncle, I have served you. I have been faithful. I need to know...

Enyos: (interrupts) To the modern man vengeance is a verb, an idea. Payback. One thing for another. Like commerce. Not with us. Vengeance is a living thing. It passes through generations. It commands. It kills.

Jenny: You told me to watch Angel. You told me to keep him from the Slayer. I tried. But there are other factors. There are terrible things happening here that we cannot control.

Enyos: We control nothing. We are not wizards, Janna. We merely play our part.

Jenny: Angel could be of help to us. I mean, he may be the only chance we have to stop the Judge.

Enyos: It is too late for that.

Jenny: Why?

Enyos: The curse. Angel is meant to suffer, not to live as human. One moment of true happiness, of contentment, one moment where the soul that we restored no longer plagues his thoughts, and that soul is taken from him.

Jenny: Then, if somehow, if... if it's happened... then Angelus is back.

Enyos: I hoped to stop it. But I realize now it was arranged to be so.

Jenny: Buffy loves him.

Enyos: And now she will have to kill him.

Jenny: (stands up) Unless he kills her first! Uncle, this is insanity! People are going to die.

Enyos: Yes. It is not justice we serve. It is vengeance.

Jenny: (exhales and grabs her coat and bag) You are a fool. We're all fools.

Her uncle just watches her go and shakes his head. Cut to the lounge at school. Willow comes down the hall. Xander comes out of the bathroom, sees her there and jogs over to her.

Xander: Will.

She hugs her arms around herself and turns to face him.

Willow: Hey.

Xander: Where'd you go?

Willow: Home.

Xander: I'm glad you came back. We can't do this without you.

Willow: Let's get this straight. I don't understand it, I don't wanna understand it, you have gross emotional problems, and things are not okay between us. But what's happening right now is more important than that.

Xander: Okay.

Willow: (drops her arms) What about the Judge? Where do we stand?

Xander: On a pile of really boring books that say exactly the same thing.

Willow: Lemme guess: 'no weapon forged.'

Xander: 'It took an army.'

Willow: Yeah, where's an army when you need one? (looks at Xander) What?

Xander: (looks thoughtful) Whoa. Whoa! I... I think I'm having a thought. Yeah, yeah, yeah, that's a thought. Now I'm having a plan.

The lights suddenly go out.

Xander: Now I'm having a wiggins.

Willow: What's going on?

Xander: Let's get to the library.

Angelus: (appears behind them) Willow. Xander.

They turn to look.

Xander: Angel.

Willow: Thank God you're okay. Did you see Buffy?

Angelus: Yeah. What's up with the lights?

Xander: I don't know. Listen, I think I have an idea.

Angelus: Forget about that now. I... I got something to show you.

Willow: Show us?

Angelus: Yeah. Xander, go get the others.

Xander: Okay. (runs off)

Angelus: And Willow. Come here.

Willow: (slowly walks toward him) What is it, Angel?

Angelus: It's amazing.

Cut to Xander running for the library. Suddenly he stops and turns around, realizing something is wrong. Cut to the lounge area. Jenny appears in the hall opposite Angelus holding up a cross.

Jenny: Willow, get away from him.

Willow: (stops and looks at her) What?

Jenny: Walk to me.

Willow: What are you talking about? It's Ang...

Angelus has sneaked up behind her and grabs her by the throat. She lets out a frightened yelp. Xander comes running through the door from the other hall.

Xander: Don't do that!

Angelus: Oh, I think I do that.

Willow: Angel...

Jenny: He's not Angel anymore. Are you?

Angelus: Wrong. I *am* Angel. (tightens his grip on Willow) At last!

Xander: Oh, my God.

Angelus: I got a message for Buffy.

Buffy: (appears behind him) Why don't you give it to me yourself?

Angelus spins around with Willow to face her.

Angelus: Well, it's not really the kind of message you tell. It sort of involves finding the bodies of all your friends.

He tightens his grip on Willow even more and she lets out another pained yelp.

Buffy: This can't be you.

Angelus: Gee, we already covered that subject.

Buffy: Angel, there must be some part of you inside that still remembers who you are.

Angelus: Dream on, schoolgirl.

Xander takes the cross from Jenny and starts toward Angelus.

Angelus: Your boyfriend is dead. You're all gonna join him.

Buffy: Leave Willow alone, and deal with me.

Angelus: But she's so cute (pinches her cheek) and helpless. (Xander gets closer) Really a turn-on.

Xander shoves the cross into Angelus' face from behind. He reels back and drops Willow. She cries out as she falls backward into Xander, and they collapse against the wall. Angelus turns to Jenny and wards her off with a hand as he starts to back down the hall. When he reaches Buffy he grabs her by the shoulders. She inhales in fright.

Angelus: (whispers) Things are about to get *very* interesting.

He kisses her, shoves her into the wall and backs out the door. Willow and Xander are up again.

Xander: Buffy, you okay?

Buffy just stares at the door.

Xander: Buffy.

Part Two