Written by Robert Kidman (With Additional Writing by Zahir Al Daoud and CN Winters)

Triangle

Teaser

Story by Robert Kidman

Written by Robert Kidman (with additional writing by Zahir al Daoud and CN Winters)

Directed by Robert Kidman and CN Winters

Produced by Susan Carr

Edited by DragonWriter17 and Lilly

Sounds by CN Winters

Art Direction by Robert Kidman

Artists – Robert Kidman and Zahir al Daoud

Happy Birthday, Grandpa!

- Rob x’s

Fade In:

Ext.

Phnom Penh, Cambodia – Day (1963)

A handsome middle-aged man wound his way amidst the other pedestrians. On the street, rickshaws and automobiles vied for space. Customers haggled with merchants selling everything from shoes to fish. Police officers, openly armed, strolled along the sidewalk in pairs. Everyone made room for them. The beggars left them alone.

The handsome man turned into a side street before they could spot him.

Phnom Penh’s side streets were a maze winding around each other. Despite this, most were relatively broad and, as a result, anything but dark. The handsome man moved among the crowds—these lacking tourists or, for the most part, anyone not ethnically Cambodian. No Europeans here. Few Chinese or Vietnamese. He fit in quite easily. The route he followed was elaborate, but his movements were steady. He did not run. He did not even walk quickly. His glances around him, while often, were not enough to arouse suspicion.

At length, he reached the house. His detour had cost him nearly half an hour.

Cut to:

Int.

Living room – Day

The handsome man entered through the back of the house. Not a single move was hurried or tentative. Roughly to the side was the living room, which he entered without fanfare.

A dozen others awaited him. They, like him, were ethnic Cambodian. Ages ranged from late thirties to early fifties. Most wore simple clothes, of a type that in far-off America would be termed ‘white collar.’ Over half wore glasses. All were men. All were also seated, and their attention was not on the handsome man’s entrance. They stared at the Stranger - the Stranger, who was now putting something away into his pocket before turning to the handsome man.

All dozen men in the room watched.

For the first time, the handsome man reacted. He blinked, startled. The Stranger did not look human. His ears were pointed, his eyes red. Some of his skin looked more like hide than flesh. When he spoke, prominent incisors increased the effect.

"Ah," the Stranger said pleasantly, "this would be your temporary Chairman?"

"Who are you?" The handsome man’s attention, aimed now at the stranger, was curiously intense.

"Doesn’t matter," said the Stranger. "It hasn’t for many years. More than you would believe. Suffice to say I represent an…admirer. No, that wouldn’t be accurate. Let us say, someone who approves of your leadership."

The handsome man barely reacted. "Why are you wearing this?" He made a gesture at the face. "Is this an example of Russian humor?"

"Again," said the Stranger, "it does not matter. Congratulations."

"For what?"

Now one of the dozen men stood. "In your absence, we have voted," he said.

"Until a new election is held, no meeting may be said to formally begin until I am present," said the handsome man.

"Does not matter," repeated the Stranger.

"Our vote is unanimous," said the one standing. "You, Pol Pot, are confirmed as Secretary of the General Committee." Every single one of the remaining eleven nodded their heads.

"What of Vann?"

"I have withdrawn myself from consideration," answered an elderly man still seated.

"We are agreed," resumed the standing man. "You are the natural leader. You will shape the policies and future of the Party. You will guide us to our own, uniquely Cambodian Communism and lead us to power. Yours will be the voice to which we listen. Yours the ideas we shall learn and implement. We place the future of the revolution in your hands."

Pol Pot stared at all dozen Central Committee members. He then looked at the Stranger.

"Congratulations," whispered the Stranger, as he turned to go.

"Wait…"

"That I cannot do. So many places to be, and people to meet. And you have a lot to do yourself, do you not?" The Stranger passed out of the room without a second glance. Pol Pot nearly took a step to follow, but the rest of the Central Committee rose as one.

"Lead us," said Vann. "Tell us what to do."

Fade out.

Cleveland, Present Day

Fade To:

Int.

Giles and Becca’s House – Bedroom – Late Night

The incessant mechanical sound of the second hand of the bedside clock only fuelled Giles’s frustration further. He tossed and turned, pulling the covers up, pushing them down.

A burdensome sigh passed his lips as he came to rest on his sweaty back. His eyes were wide open and stared at the white ceiling. He turned his head towards the mocking face of the clock beside him. With another sigh Giles crept out of bed, careful not to wake Becca, who seemed dead to the world.

Cut To:

Int.

Kennedy’s Apartment – Bedroom – Same Time

Kadin lay on her side with one arm over her head, her breathing heavy, the covers tucked around her waist.

The bottom of the window was cracked open slightly. The white net curtains billowed in the cool night’s air and brushed against Kennedy’s legs as she stood staring out at the streets below. She crossed her arms against her chest, clutching to her fleeting warmth. Through bloodshot eyes she stared at nothing in particular, just space.

Kadin groaned, and Kennedy’s head shot round to see her lover stretching and turning on her other side. She let out a relieved sigh when Kadin didn’t awaken and then returned to gazing through the window.

Cut To:

Int.

Giles and Becca’s House – Kitchen – Moment Later

The boiling kettle’s hum withered into the still night. Giles poured the water into a mug already filled with a teabag that floated atop the milk and began to stir.

Cut To:

Int.

Kennedy’s Apartment – Bathroom – Moments Later

Kennedy sat on the edge of the bath, her hands clasped together, her eyes staring at the floor. A noise from one of the other rooms broke her catatonic stare. It sounded like voices.

Cautiously she got to her feet and left the bathroom, passing through the bedroom and into the open plan living room. The voices were louder now; they were muffled still but definitely louder—and feminine.

Kennedy marched forward and threw open the front door and looked to her right and then to her left. Two slayers were using the opposite wall as support as they made their way down the hall, laughing and giggling, looking rather tipsy.

"Hey! Some of us are trying to sleep!" Kennedy shouted down the hall.

The pair of slayers did a stumbling 180°. One of them looked to the other and put a finger to her mouth and shushed her. "Do you know what time it is?"

"Yep," the other slayer said. Then she raised her bottle. "It’s party time!"

Kennedy let out a heavy sigh and went back inside. She put her back to the closed door and shut her eyes. She heard the slayers’ drunken banter grow softer as they moved away.

Cut To:

Int.

Giles and Becca’s House – Hallway – Moments Later

The door to Liz’s room quietly swung open. Giles stood in the doorway with his cup of tea and watched his daughter slumber. She lay spread-eagle on her stomach with the blankets kicked to the bottom of the bed.

She whimpered slightly as her hand reached out for the covers. Giles gingerly came inside and pulled them up, and in an instant she became content.

He smiled and gently stroked her hair. After a moment he stood up, left the room, and pulled the door to, being careful not to make the lock click. Giles walked further down the hall and came to Martin’s room. The door was ajar, and he popped his head inside.

His tiny son was out for the count, his arms wrapped around a plush bunny that he held close to his chest. The mobile of toy boats and airplanes above his crib continued its slow arc.

Cut To:

Int.

Watchers Council – Slayer Gym – Moments Later

Kennedy slipped her hands into a pair of boxing gloves and then started to circle the punch bag. Left jab. Right jab.

Cut To:

Int.

Giles and Becca’s House – Study – Same Time

Bathed in the warm glow of his ornate lamp, Giles tapped his pen against an empty page in a notepad. He sat up straight and cocked his head from side-to-side and then stared back down at the page.

He sighed.

Cut To:

Int.

Watchers Council – Slayer Gym – Same Time

Kennedy’s punches became more intense and her footwork lighter as she continued to circle the bag. She spun round and kicked the bag, sending it swinging backwards.

Cut To:

Int.

Giles and Becca’s House – Study – Same Time

Pen poised, Giles placed the nib at the top left margin. His face was creased with strain as the pen in his hand quaked in his tight grasp. He barked under his breath and threw his pen across the room with tremendous force.

Cut To:

Int.

Watchers Council – Slayer Gym – Same Time

As the bag swooped down towards Kennedy, she pulled back her right arm and at the right moment thrust it forward into the leather bag. The sheer power ripped the punch bag from its moorings and sent it flying against the mirrored wall opposite her.

Cut To:

Int.

Giles and Becca’s House – Study – Same Time

Giles put a hand to his mouth once he slammed the notebook shut. As he looked back up, he caught sight of himself in the glass cabinet to his right.

"If you’re going to step in, mate, now would be a good time."

Cut To:

Int.

Watchers Council – Slayer Gym – Same Time

The punching bag toppled over and crashed to the wood-laminate floor. Kennedy stepped forward and stared at the cracked mirror. Her reflection—refracted in the broken shards, almost fifty, possibly more—stared back at her with the same solemn expression.

Cut To:

Int.

Giles and Becca’s House – Bathroom – Moments Later

Giles stood upright from leaning over the sink and dabbed his mouth on a washcloth. He placed the washcloth down, sniffed, coughed, and then became still as he stared back at his reflection.

Another sigh.

He ran his hand through his dusty hair, turned his head from side to side, showed his teeth, and finally touched the skin of his face. It was becoming slack and wizened, and there dark purple rings under his red eyes.

Cut To:

Int.

Kennedy’s Apartment – Bedroom – Moments Later

Kadin moved closer and laid her arm across Kennedy, who was now lying in bed beside her. Disinterested, Kennedy gently moved Kadin’s arm down. Subconsciously Kadin snuggled up closer, resting her head on Kennedy’s shoulder.

Kennedy sighed and turned her head away to the side.

Her eyes fluttered closed.

Cut To:

Int.

Giles and Becca’s House – Bedroom – Late Night

The floorboards creaked as Giles made his way back into his bedroom. Beside his bed, he pushed his slippers off and tossed his bathrobe over a chair. Diligently, he pulled back the covers and slid into bed. Becca shifted slightly and moaned.

"Kids okay?" she slurred, still half asleep.

"Fine," was his response. He glanced over to her; she lay on her side with her back to him as she drifted off once again. He reached out and brushed her hair with his fingers.

"I love you," he said softly.

She mumbled the same.

He pulled his pillow down and into place and rested back, his eyes staring back at the ceiling.

Then after a few moments he closed his eyes.

Fade Out.

End of Teaser

Act One

Starring:

Lacey Chabert as Skye, Gale Harold as Jim Pollan, Caroline Dhavernas as Grace Hatherley, Michelle Rodriguez as Kadin Van Helsing, Elijah Woods as Jeff Lindquist, Laura Pyper as Casey Pierce, Asia Argento as Marie, Alexis Bledel as Denise, Tessa Thompson as Chamique, T.R. Knight as Jackson, Mandy Musgrave as Hadley Ramirez, Helen Shaver as Becca Giles, Robert Picardo as Dr. Miller, Michael Shanks as Dr. Millenti, Alexa Davalos as Gwen Raiden, Laura Prepon as Lori Carew, Christine Romano as Hope Lehane and Gary Oldman as Mr. Jason Felix

Guest Starring:

Sean Glider as Zeromus, Jason Momoa as O’Kestra, Mariska Hargitay as Dr. Tara Abraham, Ric Young as Pol Pot and Sir. Derek Jacobi as Varthrim

Fade In:

Int.

Watchers Council – Coven Room – Morning

"I can’t keep this up," Giles said meekly as he rubbed his eyes.

Willow closed the doors to the supply closet and turned a key in the lock that hung from a ring of other keys.

"Oh come on, that’s not fighting-Giles talk. Where’s that age-old British stiff-upper-lippy outlook, huh?" she comforted as she came over to him, stuffing the keys into her pocket and pulling up a chair from against the wall.

"Age-old?" Giles countered. Willow rolled her eyes up to the ceiling with a guarded smile. He huffed. "I’m not sure this wizened watcher has any fight left in him."

She pouted. "Do you want me to give you the whole ‘vast-library-of-ancient-knowledge-that’s-un-spooling-in-your-already-dense-and-large-and-babble-babble-babble’ speech again? ’Cause if I have to…" She took in a large breath of air.

Giles put his hand out with a quirk of a smile. "No, you really don’t."

Willow stifled a chuckle. "Then what?"

"It’s just…there’s nothing, in here," he said, pointing to his head. "Nothing’s …‘un-spooling’. I lie awake night after night hoping I’ll eventually wake up and frantically scribble something down, but…nothing."

"It sounds like good old-fashioned stress to me," Willow said. "If you worry about something too much or try to force yourself to remember something, you’ll only work yourself into a state, and then your brain’ll go—" Willow blew a raspberry.

Giles smirked, although it fleeted soon after. "I’m not sure how much more time I can give it." Willow’s disposition fell to match his own. "I can only recall the Guardian Knowledge that has already integrated itself into my mind, that came to me before my…mental block, for lack of a better term."

"Again, stress. The whole annual saving the world and aftermath, the merger, the organizational shake-up, the new recruits, the new rules, not to mention the fact that you’ve come out of retirement…again," she added, rolling her eyes.

"Maybe I am stressed." He paused a moment. "Or what if the Guardian Knowledge can’t integrate with my mind any further because…I’m getting too old? Then again it could be a medical problem? I could have something wrong with my brain, and I can’t leave Becca and Liz and Martin…"

"Whoa, okay big fella," Willow said, lifting her hands in a stop gesture. "And I thought I was the queen of the babble." Willow raised both her brows in a fretful look. "But just for argument’s sake, when was your last check-up?"

"Last Thursday."

"Well, there you go," Willow threw her hands up. "You’re good. Everything will work out in the end, it always does."

Giles gave a weak smile.

Cut To:

Int.

Watchers Council – Dr. Millenti’s Office – Same Time

"So this isn’t the session where you ask about my mother?" Kennedy sniggered.

"No, not yet anyway." Kennedy looked up at Dr. Millenti, catching the sparkle in his eye. "So how’s it going?" he asked from behind his desk.

She rolled her eyes. "Where do I start?" The smile that had graced her face was now replaced with a blank stoic stare.

"From the beginning?"

A long, heavy sigh breezed through the parting of her lips. "It feels…it feels like I’m riding in the back seat while someone else is driving—badly." Kennedy looked up at the kind-faced doctor. "Everything’s a struggle lately. People say that it gets easier, that you push it to the back of your mind…but I can’t. I can’t ’cause every time I look down at my hands all I see is—" Her words came to an abrupt stop. She glanced at her hands in her lap. They were fists, tight fists.

"Kennedy?

Slowly, her fists bloomed, revealing the palms of her hands. They trembled, as did her eyes, as did her bottom lip.