Act 4
Cut To:
Int.
Dining Room – Same Time
The gang stood around looking at the slayer with dumbfounded expressions. Kennedy gave Giles an incredulous look. but then started to smile.
“Okay, I get it. Ha. Ha. Very funny. You guys are playing a trick on us.”
“Excuse me, but who are you?” Willow asked.
“Enough of the role playing, Will. You can stop now,” Kennedy answered.
Willow turned sharply to Andrew. “Who is this woman?” she asked impatiently.
“She’s one of our more outspoken, obnoxious employees,” he answered.
“Hey!” Kennedy said indignantly.
Everyone turned to see Vi pull Marsha into the room by the earlobe, the younger slayer yelping all the way.
“She did a spell,” Vi told the room.
Marsha pushed away from Vi as all eyes turned on her.
“I did not,” she answered.
“What’s going on?” Kennedy asked Vi. “Giles thinks he’s Professor Plum.”
“Care to explain?” Vi prompted Marsha.
“I just wanted to make something that would impress Andrew. That’s all,” Marsha said in a quiet voice.
Kennedy harrumphed. “Well, now two people are dead, and everyone thinks they’re actually their characters,” Kennedy reprimanded. “What in the world are we going to do?” Kennedy asked Mia. When Mia didn’t have an answer, Kennedy began to pace. “This is bad. Very, very bad.” Kennedy closed the distance between her and Marsha. “Didn’t the news of the evil chessboard teach you not to mess with magic?”
“Magic?” Willow asked.
Kennedy turned to her former lover. “You’re all under a spell. You’re killing people because you think you’re in some warped murder mystery,” she told them.
The watcher group scoffed at the news. “Magic? Magic’s all balderdash and chicanery,” Giles answered. Willow nodded in agreement.
“Boy, did I just have a surreal moment there,” Kennedy mumbled, as she looked at Giles and Willow. She shook it off and continued. “If you were yourselves, you’d know how strange this sounds coming from me but…magic is real.”
“You’re nuts,” Faith answered.
“So nuts that she’s probably the one that did them in,” Rowena answered.
“She’s got the strength to do it, a soldier’s build. That’s for sure. Feel,” Xander added. He reached out and felt Kennedy’s upper arms. Willow reached over and began to squeeze too.
Kennedy scowled at Xander. “Get off me,” she told him firmly. Xander let go and walked away, though Willow continued to knead her flesh.
“We could use her,” Willow told them. “She could protect us.”
Faith glanced over to see Rowena quirking an eyebrow in Willow’s direction.
“That bothers you,” Faith said to Rowena.
Everyone turned to look at Faith, except for Mia, who extracted Willow from her girlfriend and gently pushed the redhead into the chair behind her.
“What?” Rowena asked Faith.
“Miss Scarlet touching the employee. I saw that look on your face,” Faith went on.
“That’s ridiculous. Why would I care? She can touch who she likes. It’s not like I own her. It’s not like we even met before tonight, for that matter,” Rowena answered rapidly.
“You’re nervous,” Robin observed.
“Yes. I mean no. I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Rowena insisted.
Mia looked closely at Rowena and began to nod. “She’s lying.”
“How do you know that?” Kennedy asked.
“Her eyes. They’re dilating.”
“It’s the light!” Rowena countered harshly. Then she looked away.
Giles turned swiftly to face Willow. “Did you meet each other before tonight?”
“I meet so many people in my line of work, Professor, and I don’t like what you’re suggesting,” Willow answered.
“I didn’t suggest anything,” he answered. “I just asked if you met prior to this evening.”
“Everybody shut up!” Kennedy yelled. “You are not a Professor,” she told Giles before looking around the room. “You’re all under some mystical spell. Two people are dead now,” she told them. “Really dead, and we need to figure a way out of this now!”
“No,” Robin answered. “We need to figure out who did this before the police get here.”
Kennedy shook her head in frustration. “I can’t believe this is happening.” She turned to Marsha. “Go get the book you used. We’ll see if we can find a way to reverse this.”
“Maybe we should just let them play the game,” Marsha told her. “Everything might right itself if they figure out the mystery.”
Kennedy clenched her jaw. “I’m not gonna repeat it. Go…get…the book.”
With a sigh and a roll of her eyes, Marsha left the room. Then Mia stepped forward. “Maybe she’s right. Let them work it out,” she whispered.
“Fine, but we’re not leaving this room, and neither are they,” Kennedy said, taking a seat and folding her arms across her chest.
Cut To:
Int.
Watchers Council – Slayer Rec Room – Moments Later
Carrying her book, Marsha walked in to see Dawn and Jeff sitting at the table with each other. They looked up as the young slayer entered and came over.
“Everyone’s in the dining room,” she told them. “They moved Skye.”
Dawn and Jeff exchanged a look and rose from the table.
Cut To:
Int.
Watchers Council – Dining Room – Same Time
Kennedy and Mia watched with equally tense expressions as everyone in the room shouted at each other.
“God, I hope we find a way to fix this,” Kennedy grumbled. “And Skye and Brell? What do we do with them?”
“Let’s just try to focus on one thing at a time,” Mia told her. “We need to change them back before they kill everyone in the Council.”
On the other side of the room, the group moved in on Rowena.
“What’s the link?” Andrew asked.
“What are you talking about?” Rowena countered, as the gang closed in around her.
“Between this young woman and Mr. Boddy. Why kill both of them?” he asked.
“I didn’t kill both of them,” she argued.
“But you killed one of them then? Which one?” Faith asked.
“I didn’t say that,” Rowena answered, beginning to pace. “You can’t all stand here and tell me that you’re not happy he’s gone.”
“Sounds like a confession to me,” Xander remarked.
“Why don’t you back off?” Willow replied.
“Ah ha!” Giles piped in. “Defending Mrs. Peacock now, I see.”
“I am not!” Willow shouted.
“Thanks a lot,” Rowena answered.
“Don’t you start with me,” Willow told her firmly. “Look –”
“You never answered my question,” Giles told her.
“What question?”
“Did you know Mrs. Peacock prior to tonight?” he pushed.
“Yes!” Willow shouted, making the room grow silent.
“So you lied,” Robin said, stroking his chin.
“How did you know her?” Andrew asked.
“The studio!” Faith said with a finger snap. “Mrs. Peacock’s husband worked for Bridgelight. And who produced Zombie Land?”
After a brief pause, Willow admitted the accusations with a sigh, “Bridgelight. But I didn’t kill Mr. Boddy!”
“We can’t believe you! You lied once already,” Giles countered.
“She isn’t lying,” Rowena said softly, getting everyone’s attention. “I did it.”
“Patricia, no. Don’t say anything more,” Willow remarked.
“Patricia?” Faith asked. “First name basis? Sounds like you might know each other a bit better than you’re both letting on.”
Willow and Rowena looked at each other for a moment. “Yes, I met Patricia through the studio. I was working on the film and…we hit it off, so to speak.”
The group looked confused, and all at once the appearance of recognition took over. “Ahhh…” they collectively sighed.
“So she really did kill her husband to be with you,” Robin remarked.
“She didn’t,” Willow answered. “I killed him to be with her. She took the heat so that I could continue my film career.”
“Then why kill Mr. Boddy?” Giles asked Rowena.
“The murder rap was just a red herring,” Willow answered for her. “The real reason was the information that Mr. Boddy had about us, about Patricia and me, about our relationship. It wasn’t about Mr. Peacock’s suspicious and untimely death.”
“He knew about our torrid affair,” Rowena explained further. “He threatened to expose Josephine and essentially end any possibility of her career going any higher. I couldn’t let him do that to her.”
“That still doesn’t answer who killed the girl,” Robin said, as Dawn, Jeff, and Marsha walked inside the room.
Xander looked around the room. “The knife is missing. Whoever has the knife killed the girl.”
Slowly, Willow reached into her cleavage and pulled out the dagger. “I killed the girl.”
“Whatever for?” Giles asked, totally confused.
“She’s the one who caught us in the wardrobe department. She was Mr. Boddy’s informant.”
From the other side of the room, Kennedy ran her hands down her face. “This is so whacked.”
Dawn crept closer, taking careful steps.
“You killed Skye?” she asked Willow. The witch rose and nodded.
Dawn took off into a sprint and tackled Willow over the chair before Kennedy, Mia or Vi could even react. Dawn grabbed the knife and repeatedly began stabbing Willow in the chest with it. The witch howled in agony as Dawn screamed undistinguishable obscenities.
“Dawn! No!” Kennedy shouted. Before she could move, though, a blast of power hurled Dawn back, sending her crashing into the dining room china cabinet. The dinner guests screamed and scrambled in all directions, tripping over Vi and Mia as they tried to reach Dawn, who had fallen in a crumpled heap among the shattered wood and glass. Marsha staggered back into the corner by the door and fell to her knees in tears.
“Willow?” Kennedy whispered, taking a faltering step towards Willow’s body. It was sprawled out on the floor, her blue dress stained black with blood. Kennedy rushed forward as Willow’s hand, lying across her stomach, twitched.
“Josephine?” Rowena asked from her position, crouched behind the dining table. “Is she…?”
“Not another one,” Xander complained.
“Get the doctor!” Kennedy shouted. “Someone get help! She –”
Willow’s hand shot into Kennedy’s chest, audibly cracking several ribs as she tossed her away. Coughing in pain, Kennedy watched as Willow slowly got to her feet, ignoring the blood oozing from the wounds in her chest.
“Two and a half years,” she whispered, as everyone in the room froze, staring at her, “I’ve been waiting for this a long time.” There was a gasp, from the slayers and the dinner guests alike, as Willow opened pure obsidian eyes. Her hair darkened to black, and dark patterns of veins began to grow over her cheeks.
VO: Alright. Stop. Rewind. So it didn’t really happen this way…how about this…
Willow and Rowena looked at each other for a moment. “Yes, I met Patricia through the studio. I was working on the film and…we hit it off, so to speak.”
The group looked confused, and all at once the appearance of recognition took over. “Ahhh…” they collectively sighed.
“So she really did kill her husband to be with you,” Robin remarked.
“She didn’t,” Willow answered. “I killed him to be with her. She took the heat so that I could continue my film career.”
“Then why kill Mr. Boddy?” Giles asked Rowena.
“He knew about our torrid affair,” Rowena explained. “He threatened to expose Josephine and essentially end any possibility of her career going any higher. I couldn’t let him do that to her.”
“That still doesn’t answer who killed the girl,” Robin said, as Dawn, Jeff and Marsha walked inside the room.
Andrew looked around. “The knife is missing. Whoever has the knife killed the girl.”
Slowly, Giles reached into his coat pocket and pulled out the dagger. “I killed the girl.”
“Why?” the room asked collectively.
“We were having an affair, and she learned she was pregnant. She threatened to tell my fiancé of our liaisons. I took the opportunity that was presented.”
“You were the one sleeping with Skye?” Dawn asked.
“The one?” Kennedy asked.
Dawn nodded. “I had my suspicions for a while now, but I never thought it was you, Giles. I mean, my God, what were you thinking?”
Giles looked away with guilt.
Dawn pulled out a gun and fired off round after round into Giles’s chest. The others in the room scattered around and cowered on the ground. He finally fell to the floor, face first, dead.
“At least we know who killed Professor Plum,” Dawn announced. “It was me, in the library, with the revolver.” She dropped the gun on the floor with a clatter.
VO: Okay, Okay…here’s what really happened:
Willow and Rowena looked at each other for a moment. “Yes, I met Patricia through the studio. I was working on the film and…we hit it off, so to speak.”
The group looked confused, and all at once the appearance of recognition took over. “Ahhh…” they collectively sighed.
“So she really did kill her husband to be with you,” Robin remarked.
“She didn’t,” Willow answered. “I killed him to be with her. She took the heat so that I could continue my film career.”
“Then why kill Mr. Boddy?” Giles asked Rowena.
“He knew about our torrid affair,” Rowena explained further. “He threatened to expose Josephine and essentially end any possibility of her career going any higher. I couldn’t let him do that to her.”
“That still doesn’t answer who killed the girl,” Robin, as Dawn, Jeff, and Marsha walked inside.
Faith looked around. “The knife is missing. Whoever has the knife killed the girl.”
Slowly, Willow reached into her cleavage and pulled out the dagger. “I killed the girl.”
“Whatever for?” Giles asked, totally confused.
“She’s the one who caught us in the wardrobe department. She was Mr. Boddy’s informant.”
From the other side of the room, Kennedy ran her hands down her face. “This is so whacked.”
Dawn crept closer, taking careful steps.
“You killed Skye?” she asked Willow. The witch rose and nodded.
Dawn took off into a sprint and tackled Willow over the chair before Kennedy, Mia or Vi could even react. Dawn grabbed the knife and repeatedly began pounding Willow in the chest with it. The witch howled in agony as Dawn screamed indistinguishable obscenities.
“Dawn! No!” Kennedy shouted. She rushed over as the watchers pulled Dawn away. “Oh God,” Kennedy cried, as she, Vi, and Mia saw Willow resting on her side. Kennedy rolled the witch over. Her eyes were closed, but not a drop of blood appeared on her dress.
“What the…?” Kennedy muttered.
Willow’s eyes shot open. “Gotcha,” she said. Then she started to laugh.
Soon the rest of the room couldn’t suppress their chuckles. Brell sat up from the floor, opening his eyes.
“Brell get up now?” he asked.
Andrew pulled him to his feet, and soon Skye followed. She walked over to her girlfriend and wrapped her arm around Dawn’s waist.
“You set all this up?” Kennedy asked the room. “Were you all in on it?” she asked, turning to Vi and Mia. Both women shook their heads.
“I had no idea,” Vi answered.
“Me neither,” Mia told her.
“What about you, squirt?” Kennedy asked Marsha.
Marsha handed Andrew a cup, and he took a drink.
“What do you think?” she asked.
“That’s darn good punch,” he remarked, making her smile proudly.
“Punch? That’s what you were making? What…and the book?” Vi motioned with her head.
“Well, I wanted to make some punch for the gang using Andrew’s recipe, which means constant stirring. So I thought I’d study my Latin while I was at it.”
“And the Coven Room?” Vi asked.
“Just returning the cauldron,” Marsha answered.
“God, you guys scared the hell outta me,” Kennedy said, shaking her head. Slowly she began to grin. “You’re evil. All of you…evil to the core.”
“Yeah,” Faith admitted with a smug grin. “But it was fun. You shoulda seen the look on your face.” She gave a short chuckle.
“Actually,” Andrew said, raising a hand. He walked across the room to pick up his recorder. “We can. I’ve got it all on tape.”
“Maybe later,” Faith told him. “I, however, would like to hear all the tawdry details of Mrs. Peacock and Miss Scarlet’s adventures behind the scenes,” she teased.
Willow looked at Rowena, and the blonde woman shrugged. “Not much to tell. Just a little role-playing, after all.”
Willow, wordless, turned around and walked to the table, picking up her water glass and taking a drink, avoiding eye contact with anyone.
“I thought we were boned,” Kennedy said with a sigh. “I didn’t know how we were going to fix you guys.” She paused and motioned Skye over toward her. “Let me look at that.”
Skye walked over for Kennedy to examine the neck wound. “Looks real, doesn’t it?” Skye asked.
“Had me fooled,” Kennedy admitted.
“Jeff was our special effects guru,” Skye said proudly, and he took a slight bow.
“It was nothing, really,” he told them. “A little latex, a little spirit gum and some fake blood.”
“And letting you check for the pulse was pretty smart. But what about you?” Kennedy asked, as she turned to Brell. “I checked you for a pulse but found nothing.”
“Brell demon can stop blood flow for a few moments. When pretty slayer come into room, Brell stop while slayer check. Slayer think Brell dead.”
Kennedy laughed. “Damn, you guys thought of everything, didn’t you?”
“Actually, it was all Andrew’s plotting,” Robin told her. “I say we all give him a nice round of applause.”
As the group clapped, Andrew gave a nod of appreciation. “Ah yes, but a director is sometimes only as good as his actors,” he told them. “Really. I had fun, guys and you played it all just perfect.”
“So, Slick,” Faith said, coming up to stand beside Kennedy. “Whaddya say I get out of this monkey suit, and we all go take part in Slayerfest?”
“You’re on,” Kennedy smiled, as the group began to leave the room.
Fade In:
Ext.
Watchers Council – Hallway of Willow and Rowena’s Apartments – Later that Night
Dressed in their regular clothes, Rowena and Willow emerged from their apartments at the same time.
“Finally, I’m rid of that silly hat,” Rowena said, with a smile and an exasperated sigh.
Willow forced a smile, but said nothing.
“What’s wrong, Will?” she asked.
“I think maybe we should cool things down a bit between us.”
Rowena opened her mouth and closed it firmly. “What brought this on, may I ask?” she finally said.
“Tonight,” Willow replied. “We had the perfect chance to tell the gang about us, but again all they got were more excuses. I…I think maybe you need to come to…to terms with a few things still, a-and I can’t be an active part of that while you do.”
“So you don’t want me now?” Rowena asked.
“Just the opposite. I’d like to shout it from the rooftop. Well, okay, maybe not the rooftop but at least the second story of the Council. I mean I’d like our friends to know…But I don’t think you feel the same way.”
“Willow, I love you.”
“I know. I love you too, but…sometimes love just isn’t enough. I’m sorry, Rowena. I know I want you, and I don’t care who knows. Until you feel the same, I think it’s best we give things a rest…Just think it over.”
Rowena folded her arms across her chest while Willow guiltily walked away down the hallway.
“Wait!” Rowena called out, making Willow stop. “Let’s set a date,” she proposed as she closed the distance between them.
“What?” Willow asked.
“Give me another month, Willow. Just us, okay?…And then…then we’ll tell them, all right?”
“You know…being kinda sneaky was fun at first, naughty even…but the novelty is wearing off here.”
“I realize that. All I’m asking is that you consider it. I don’t want to throw this away because I’m scared of how they’ll all take it,” Rowena answered.
“I told you before –”
“Yes, they’re all with the accepting, well, except for your ex, I’m sure, but that goes without saying. Actually, she’s one of my main concerns.”
“Why?” Willow asked. “She’s moved on, Ro.”
“Perhaps, but I was her watcher at one point.”
“But now you’re not,” Willow answered. Rowena started to protest, and Willow put a finger over her lips. “Look. Ken will deal. Everyone will, so…we’ll go another month and see what happens…Besides, you’ve got me wrapped around your little finger.” Willow looked serious for a moment, then she began to grin.
Rowena smiled and wrapped her arms around the witch, holding her tight. “You’re not the only one wrapped,” she whispered softly as she closed her eyes.
Willow’s grin was slowly replaced by a look of uncertainty, until she closed her eyes too.
Fade to Black
End of Everything Old
Next on Watchers…
The Presidium’s plan for revenge is set into motion when every sleeping slayer in the world wakes up in an all-too-real magical arena and is forced to fight for their lives.
Click here to read “Dream Warriors” now!