Based on a True Story

Based on a True Story

Teaser

Story by Dan Joslyn, Zahir al Daoud and CN Winters
Written by Zahir al Daoud, Dan Joslyn and CN Winters
Produced and Directed by CN Winters and Susan Carr
Edited by DragonWriter17
Sounds by CSR
Art Direction by Robert Kidman
Artists – Robert Kidman, CN Winters, Zahir al Daoud, Isis, Mattxxx, and Humaira

Fade In:
Ext.
Back Alley – Night

The creature with an axe was human-shaped. It wore long robes and a hood. But it moved with great speed and skill, making an intricate series of moves.

Opposing it was a young woman with dark hair. Her answering moves were at least as intricate as the creature's. Wherever the axe swung, she managed not to be there, yet she didn't run away. Instead, she leapt up to avoid the axe then rolled. She dove and kicked and at one point even ran up a wall for a few steps with enough speed to make a flying leap to the other side of the hooded creature.

Still, it was relentless. Worse, it was driving her back to the dead end of the alley. Her face showed her realization of this. She tried being even more aggressive, but being unarmed, there was little she could do.

Then…

"Faith!" A tall man in a long leather jacket appeared at the front of the alley. He ran towards her and the hooded creature. Halfway there, he tossed the sword in his hand in a arc. The blade caught a reflection from streetlamps as it flew.

Faith's hand caught it perfectly. She began a series of sweeping attacks on her opponent. But, seeing another hooded creature coming up behind the man in the long coat, she called out a warning. "Spike! Behind you!"

Spike turned and began his own fight. The hooded creature he fought was a foot taller than the one Faith fought, and it landed blows like a hammer. One blow sent Spike into a shaft of light, revealing the furrowed brow, amber eyes, and fanged mouth of a vampire. With a growl, he began to rain a series of blows against the tall creature, not allowing it a moment to recover. He looked berserk, reckless of danger and so unstoppable.

On her side, Faith – now armed – had little trouble defeating the shorter of the creatures and soon drove her sword all the way through its trunk. As it collapsed on the ground, she ran to aid Spike.

She threw the sword, hitting the taller creature directly between the eyes. It managed to make a small gurgling sound before falling over.

Now, in the silence, Faith and Spike looked at each other. They took a few steps forward, saying nothing.

"How many Harbingers have you seen?" said Faith, voice low.

"Only these two," was his answer. His eyes focused on her cheek. "You…there's a cut."

She touched her cheek. He was right. A tiny cut. One corner of her mouth twisted into half a grin. "I didn't notice." Unblinking eyes never left his.

"You should be more careful," he whispered. As he said this, he stepped closer to her. Very, very close.

"What about Willow?" she said in a raspy voice.

He barely hesitated. "What about her?"

They slipped into a passionate embrace, as if they'd been longing for this for years and years and years, but never before dared to let it happen.

Until now.

He actually lifted her up, while one leg of hers reached around and held his trunk. All the while the kiss never even slowed down; if anything, it grew more passionate.

"Cut! Print! Check the gate!"

Instantly the two released each other. The stage lights cut off, and the normal lights switched on. Dozens of stagehands began checking things, while the actors playing the Harbingers rose from the floor.

The director was checking the playback on a tiny screen next to him. He looked up. "It's good! You two up for one more take, for safety?"

Orlando Bloom blinked a little and stretched his face. "I think I oughta check my face. Feels like it's slipping."

"Right," the director said before turning over his shoulder and yelling, "Make-up! Check out Mr. Bloom." He turned back around again. "How about you, Katie?"

Katie Holmes smiled. "I'm good."

"Beautiful, sweetheart!" he told her. "Places, everyone!" he shouted again.

Cut To:
Int.
Watchers Council – Rec Room – Night

On the TV screen, a commercial began.

Kadin said, "Huh. So what they've done here is make a show about Superboy, but without the whole cape?"

Snuggled next to her, Kennedy nodded. "Yup."

Across from them, in a similar position, Xander and Vi each grabbed a handful of popcorn from the bowl in their joint lap. "But they can't call it Superboy," Vi said. "Can't even use the word."

"Why not?" asked Kadin, raising her eyebrows.

"It's complicated, but Andrew was telling me that Superman and Superboy are legally two completely different entities when it comes to trademark and copyright."

"Even though they're the same character?" said Kennedy.

"Right." Vi shrugged. "Keeps the lawyers busy. I guess."

Xander shook his head. "The guy playing Brainiac, he reminds me of someone."

Buffy strode into the room, scanning it as she did so. "Hi guys. Listen, anybody seen Dawn tonight?"

"Not since dinner," said Vi.

"How about Heli?"

Both couples looked at each other. "Don't think so," said Kennedy.

"Where is everybody? The place seems deserted."

"I saw Ro and Willow headed up the stairs for their apartment about an hour ago," offered Kadin. "But I don't think they wanted any company."

"Maybe Andrew is trying to find someone who'll believe his story about making a movie," suggested Vi.

Xander laughed. "That's it. Probably has them tied up somewhere while he acts out the whole script for them, playing all the parts!"

"What's this? Andrew? Making a movie? Again?"

"Oh no," said Kennedy, "not like that. He's saying he sold a screenplay based on the origins of the Watchers Council to Hollywood."

"Tracey believes him," Kadin said.

"No offense, but Tracey would believe him if he said he had a black belt in karate."

"Actually," said Vi, "that is kinda sweet."

"But," interrupted Buffy, "it isn't true? I mean, Andrew's version of events is being turned into a major movie that would be seen by millions, right? Right?"

All four of them laughed, shaking their heads.

"And in some entertainment news," the late-night anchor on the local television news program said from the television, "a fire broke out earlier today on the set of the new motion picture Slayers: The Chosen. Fortunately, the fire department quickly doused the flames, and production is not expected to be delayed. Slayers, based on a screenplay by Watchers insider Andrew Wells, has a star-studded cast headed up by Katie Holmes, starring as the Original Slayer, Faith Lehane."

Five mouths lay open, below five sets of huge eyes staring at the screen.

Andrew walked into the room. "Hi guys. Whatcha watching?" All eyes turned to Andrew and then narrowed. "Uh…why are you all looking at me that way? Guys? Buffy? Buffy, what's wrong?"

Fade Out

End of Teaser

Act One

Starring:
Sarah Michelle Gellar as Buffy Summers, Elisabeth Harnois as Jocelyn O'Hara, Thora Birch as Tracey, Lacey Chabert as Skye, and Elijah Wood as Jeff Lindquist

Fade In:
Int.
Watchers Council – Lobby – Early Morning

Two Weeks Later

Dawn wasn't really hiding. She simply stood where Jeff would be very unlikely to see her. Jeff himself was pulling his luggage out of the back of the taxicab, then heading for the front door. Dawn peaked from behind one of the pillars.

Jeff had barely made it more than a yard inside the lobby when Dawn gave herself away.

"What is that?"

He paused and with a sigh answered, "Go ahead. What does it look like? Knock yourself out."

Giggling, Dawn approached, eyes fixed on Jeff's chin. "A tiny mouse, maybe, that decided this was a good place to die?"

"Very funny."

"Or – OR – you were chewing on a pen. It started to leak, and you didn't notice!"

The smile on Jeff's face was painted there. "Ha. Ha. Ha."

"Wait! Maybe…"

"Enough please."

"But…! No, I haven't got another good one. Besides, everybody else has to have their chance."

"And I am so looking forward to that."

Dawn snickered. "Was this," she pointed at Jeff's tiny beard, "her idea?"

"She suggested it, yes. Hope mentioned how young I look and suggested I try growing one."

"You had a quite a trip."

Jeff nodded. "Yeah." He hesitated. "And you might as well be the first to know. Hope is in Cleveland." Dawn went silent. Even her face was still. "She's got a hotel room a few blocks from here. With the money she made demon-hunting, the idea is for her to get her GED, then go to college." He paused. "You can close your mouth now."

"Oh! Sorry." Now Dawn just blinked. "This sounds serious."

He didn't answer for a moment. "Yeah. How serious we'll see. But – yeah."

"Faith is so gonna freak."

"Well," he said with a shrug, "she and Buffy can trade notes."

"Makes sense." Dawn reached over and took one of Jeff's pieces of luggage. They headed for the elevator.

"Where is Faith, anyway?"

Dawn grinned. "On her way to Hollywood."

"Really?"

"Yep. Along with Robin, Buffy, Xander, and Willow. Oh, and Andrew. It's his movie, after all."

"Whoa! That's getting made?"

"Evidently. Andrew wrangled a visit to the set for himself and the principals. The cast wanted to meet them anyway. Giles was invited, too, but he's busy. Besides, he's kinda miffed at who they got playing him. Too old, he says."

"Who is it?"

"Ian McKellen."

"Really? That is so cool! So who's playing you?"

"Never mind. It's not important. Really."

"C'mon…"

"Really!"

Cut To:
Int.
Private Jet – Same Time

"Well," said Rowena's voice from the speakerphone on the equivalent of a coffee table, "this might not be the strangest daily briefing we've ever had, but it's likely to be in the running."

A chuckle answered her, from Robin at least. He sat next to Faith on a curving sofa, with Willow on his other side. Across from them, on a matching sofa, were Buffy and Xander.

"Carry on, Ro," was Buffy's comment.

"Fortunately," continued the slightly mechanical voice from the speaker, "today seems fairly mild. We've worked out pretty much all the protocols for the testing with Skye. Jeff is back. Haven't talked to him yet."

"I'll want to," muttered Faith.

"Yes," Rowena's voice hesitated. "You do that. Anyway, Dawn says Jocelyn has been skipping her sessions. She said this is a cause for worry?"

"Absolutely!" was Willow's answer. "Have Jeff and Dawn both track her down, will you?"

"Right."

"Oh, that'll make our latest resident demon real happy – teaming up Jeff and Dawn," said Xander.

"Tough," said Buffy.

"Okay," Rowena continued, "we're still getting lots and lots of requests for interviews, especially with you, Faith."

"You didn't tell them where I was, did you?…Did you?"

"I said you'd be back inside a week."

Faith visibly relaxed.

"You're getting a lot better at the interviews, I thought," offered Robin.

"Practice." She shrugged.

"Well, if it makes you feel any better, maybe they'll want to interview me some when the movie comes out," Robin offered.

Now Faith rolled her eyes. "They're gonna wanna interview Samuel Jackson, not you."

"And how cool is that?" Robin's grin was ear to ear. "And when you consider who's playing you…"

Faith groaned.

"Who is that again?" asked Rowena's voice.

"Katie Holmes," Robin snickered.

"Katie Holmes. I know I've heard that name…"

"Tom Cruise sofa jumping lady," Willow offered.

"Ohh, right," said Rowena. "She had that nude scene you went on about in a movie with a psychic – Hilary Swank was in it, too…"

The plane snickered collectively.

"I never knew you had a thing for Katie Holmes?" Xander added.

"I don't have a thing, okay? I just liked that movie," Willow replied defensively. "Can we just move on now?"

"Yes, leaving the trivial stuff aside for a sec," interrupted Vi's voice from the speaker. "There's something important I want to ask of all of you going to Hollywood. Very important."

"Um, okay. What's up?" said Buffy. "Got a report of some new demon sighting?"

"Is there someone in Los Angeles who wants our help?" asked Willow.

"Please let it be somebody whose butt I can kick," said Faith.

"Maybe," said Vi. "All of you there are to keep an eye on Xander. Lots of starlets out there, and I don't want him bumping into any."

"Hey!" Xander looked around for support, but saw nothing but smirks. "I am insulted," he proclaimed.

"We'll keep an eye on him, Vi. Promise," Faith said.

"Are we through now?" Xander asked.

Buffy looked at the speakerphone. "We through?"

"Yep. Enjoy your trip, guys. Miss you, Will."

"Miss you too, Ro. I'll call you tonight, sweetie."

"Sounds good. Take care all."

An audible click ended the conversation. Xander tried to look indignant, but failed in the face of everyone else's grins.

"It isn't fair," he muttered.

"No comment," said Willow under her breath.

"Tracey! Andrew!" yelled Buffy.

From the front compartment of the plane, Tracey and Andrew both emerged. "All I'm saying is – they could've consulted me. I am the writer!"

"It's only your first movie, though. The important thing is we'll be together when I start at UCLA!"

"Yeah, but…" His voice trailed off, and his eyes fixed on the watchers and slayers watching and listening. "Do you mind?"

"Nah, go for it, Andy," was Faith's comment. "Unless you wanna explain to me what you were thinking? Katie Holmes?"

"I'm a writer, Faith. Not a casting director. And I'm learning quick that once you sell a script you pretty much give up all creative control. It's in the studio's hands so…it wasn't up to me!" Andrew parked himself in a seat and crossed his arms. "They didn't even ask me!"

"Hey," Robin said with a grin. "Relax, man. Chill…We're gonna be like three little Fonzies here. And what's Fonzie like?" he teased.

"Cool," Andrew replied quietly.

"Correctamundo! And that's what we're gonna be. We're gonna be cool," Robin replied, making Willow and Xander chuckle.

"You're an ass sometimes," Faith muttered with a grin.

"You're just jealous," Robin went on. "I've no complaints. I think this makes me almost as cool as Faith."

"You wish!"

"Samuel L. Jackson, honey. Samuel L. Jackson." Robin blew on his fingernails and then polished them on his shirt.

"Robin's right, Faith. I mean, there's no way Katie Holmes out-cools Mace Windu himself," Andrew added.

Faith glared at him, and he fell silent.

"So who's playing me?" Willow wanted to know.

"And me?" Buffy echoed.

"I don't know! Some parts were cast last. The whole production is on the fast track, or so they told me. Anyway, none of you are going to like who they choose, so why pick on me?"

"Hey!" Robin objected.

"Robin, excluded," Andrew replied. "And I thought Giles would be thrilled! Sir Ian McKellan is one the best English actors in the world!"

"Yeah but he's also sixty-something and gay," Buffy pointed out.

"Again, they DIDN'T ASK ME!" Suddenly, Darth Vader's Imperial March seemed to be coming from Andrew's inside coat pocket. "Just a sec." He pulled out a cell phone. "Hello? What? Oh, that's terrible! But – no, I wasn't – I said I – that's fine, that's totally okay – They won't. I promise." He closed his cell phone.

"It is so cool how those things look like communicators from the original Star Trek," said Tracey with a grin.

"I know!"

"Ahem." Buffy had her head lowered, her mouth pursed. "What was that?"

"Nothing. Nothing serious. There was an accident on the set. Well, not an accident really, just something…well a little odd. The studio wanted you to know it was nothing all that odd. Just a little odd. The usual kind of unusual is the way they put it."

"You know what worries me?" asked Xander. "That last bit just about made sense."

"What happened, Andrew?" Buffy's face hadn't changed.

"A stuntman disappeared. That's all. Happens all the time."

Cut To:
Int.
Hollywood Soundstage – Same Time

The security guard was middle aged, but only slightly overweight. His uniform was green and included both a gun as well as a club. But he didn't look worried. Nor did he look alert. He looked bored.

He glanced at the set pieces around him. Several bleachers of seats for talk shows and game shows. Several dozen varieties of doors. One wall was covered with different designs of staircases. From the look on his face, none of these held the slightest interest.