Prologue
1 EXT. LOS ANGELES STREETS— NIGHT 1
A stack of newspapers. The headline reads:
Crime Wave Shuts Down City
Suddenly the top bundle is snatched away by CONNOR. He swings the
newspapers like a brick, decking the first of three vampires attacking him.
The other two charge him, one punching while the other swings him
around by the arms and into a group of high pressure gas cylinders.
Connor rips the nozzle off one of the cylinders, sending a blast of high
pressure gas into the faces of the attacking vampires. They scream in pain
and stagger backward.
Connor presses the advantage, kicking one to the ground and decking the
second. The third vampire slams Connor into the wall of a nearby guard
booth, stunning him long enough for the other two to grab him by the
arms and immobilize him.
CONNOR
Let me guess. Out-of-towners?
VAMPIRE
Yeah, Tucson.
The creature smiles and moves in for the kill but Connor kicks him hard
in the face. As he goes down, Connor breaks free from the other two. He
triggers a spring-loaded stake on his wrist and quickly kills one of the
vampires as the other one gets to his feet and charges. Connor leaps onto
the roof of the guard booth at the last instant. The vampire’s momentum
carries him headfirst through the booth’s glass window, shattering it. The
creature slides back out of the booth onto the ground, stunned. Connor
drops down next to it and slams his stake home, leaving nothing but dust.
The last vampire charges Connor with an enraged snarl and knocks his
stake free. Connor beats him back with a rapid flurry of punches, then
lifts him up and hurls him 20 feet into the air where he slams into a
billboard and drops to the ground. Connor picks the stake up off the
ground and smiles cruelly at the vampire as it gets to its feet.
CONNOR
Welcome to L.A.
He whips the stake at the vampire and it strikes its mark. The creature
disintegrates with a howl of rage..ANGEL
Soulless
4
Connor looks down at the dusty remains and shakes his head.
CONNOR
Tourists…
Then he looks up as a gang of five more vampires saunters down the
street toward him. He watches warily as three more drop from the
rooftops at the opposite end.
CUT TO:
2 INT. HYPERION HOTEL— OFFICE— NIGHT 2
FRED, GUNN and LORNE watch anxiously as CORDELIA holds the glass
receptacle containing Angel’s glowing soul and WESLEY opens the wall
safe in the office.
FRED
Seeing Angel’s soul all floaty like that kinda makes me
crazy.
LORNE
It’s not forever, sugarplum. We’re just borrowing it.
Wesley finishes dialing the combination and opens the safe. He turns and
holds out his hands for the receptacle.
WESLEY
Cordelia…
She slowly reaches out and hands it to him..ANGEL
Soulless
5
FRED
Don’t drop it.
Wesley takes the jar and carefully sets it down inside the safe, then closes
the door and spins the lock.
WESLEY
Angel is gone.
CORDELIA
I can’t believe… it’s done.
GUNN
Taking out Angel’s soul… putting it in a jar… I hope we
know what we’re doing.
WESLEY
If Angelus knows how to destroy the Beast, it’s all we’ve
got.
LORNE
Yeah, otherwise, permanent midnight.
CORDELIA
He’s dangerous, I know. I’ve seen it. But we’re doing the
right thing.
WESLEY
As long as we’re very careful. Before Angelus was
ensouled, his viciousness was mythic. You all know his
history..ANGEL
Soulless
6
FRED
Killing, maiming, torture…
LORNE
Puppies nailed to walls— thank you, Cordelia, for that
lovely image— but I think that brings us up to speed.
WESLEY
There’s only one thing Angelus will be focused on: getting
free so he can slaughter us.
CORDELIA
We’re Angel’s only link to humanity. Angelus will hate us
for that. He’ll want to make us suffer.
WESLEY
Watch the monitor when I go down. Pay attention to
everything he does, everything he says. He’ll try to
confuse you, to play on your emotions so you’ll drop your
guard. If he succeeds, even for an instant, we’re all dead.
(beat) I’ve spent my life training for this and I’m still not
ready. He’s smarter than I am and a great deal more
focused. He’ll exploit everything Angel knows about me
and go for the jugular. Whatever he’s got, I’m not going to
see it coming.
FADE TO:
3 INT. HYPERION HOTEL— BASEMENT— NIGHT 3
ANGELUS sits in his cage singing softly to himself, a wicked smile on his
face.
ANGELUS
If you go into the woods tonight,
You won’t believe your eyes.
If you go into the woods tonight,
You’re in for a big surprise…
Opening credit sequence.
Act I
4 INT. HYPERION HOTEL— BASEMENT— NIGHT 4
Angelus watches silently as Wesley descends the stairs and stands before
the cage..ANGEL
Soulless
7
WESLEY
Angelus…
ANGELUS
Wes. Why the long face? Aren’t you happy to see me?
WESLEY
Should I be?
ANGELUS
Well, if it wasn’t for you and your shaman friend, I
wouldn’t be here. I’m feelin’ the love.
WESLEY
The choice was Angel’s.
ANGELUS
Angel-schmangel. You’re the man with the brain.
WESLEY
You’re comfortable?
ANGELUS
Nice acoustics. Wouldn’t hate a chair.
Wesley pulls a chair over and sits down in it, just outside the red
perimeter line on the floor. He rests a loaded crossbow on his lap.
WESLEY
You’ll have to forgive the accommodations. The last time
you were free, you terrorized Sunnydale..ANGEL
Soulless
8
ANGELUS
That Slayer… she’s a pistol.
WESLEY
I’ve imagined this moment many times. Years of study…
research. I’ve read everything ever written about you.
ANGELUS
Stop. I’m blushing.
WESLEY
To be one-on-one with the legendary Angelus… as a
former Watcher, it’s a high point.
ANGELUS
Buttering me up, getting me all relaxed… not the most
innovative interrogation technique but… okay, I’ll play.
WESLEY
Is it a game?
ANGELUS
Hey, open book. Anything you want to know. How sweet
that virgin gypsy tasted, the special smell of a newborn’s
neck. My first nun— now that’s a great story.
WESLEY
We could start there.
ANGELUS
Don’t be coy, Wes. You’re just dying to know about the
big beastie. Fire away.
WESLEY
All right. Did you know the Beast?
ANGELUS
Well, now that’s a question. Not a great question. Not
even an insightful question. Not a Wyndam-Pryce-worthy
question.
WESLEY
If you knew the Beast, why wouldn’t Angel remember?
ANGELUS
I don’t know. Maybe he doesn’t remember the good
times. Maybe he won’t let himself. So like him. (beat)
Here’s one for you. What’s the deal with Angel and the
Raiders of the Lost Ark?.ANGEL
Soulless
9
WESLEY
The movie?
ANGELUS
The perfect-day fantasy he came up with. Caves, booby
traps… the requisite phallic sword.
WESLEY
He fought the Beast in the fantasy?
ANGELUS
Real candy-ass.
WESLEY
The Beast?
ANGELUS
Angel. Not enough to be the hero. Couldn’t be happy
unless the whole gang’s pitching in.
WESLEY
So he killed the Beast in his fantasy?
ANGELUS
Had to, to get what he wanted. We all want something,
Wes. It’s the way of the world. Everybody’s got an
agenda.
WESLEY
And you’re going to tell me mine..ANGEL
Soulless
10
ANGELUS
You want to come down here, get your vital stats on Lava
Boy, play the big hero…
WESLEY
I want to know how to kill the Beast. It has nothing to do
with being a hero.
ANGELUS
Sure it does. But why now? Can’t be because there’s an
apocalypse coming. Always one of those around the
corner.
WESLEY
Enlighten me.
ANGELUS
Foul rag and bone shot to the heart. That’s where you live.
WESLEY
Meaning?
ANGELUS
You want to impress the girl. Move in, get her to love you.
After a couple of days of chocolate-covered cherries…
He slams his hands against the bars and Wesley raises the crossbow.
ANGELUS
…you’ll bend her over the kitchen counter and—
WESELY
Is that supposed to rattle me?
ANGELUS
Kind of bony for my taste but… different strokes.
WESLEY
The Beast called you an adversary.
ANGELUS
I bet he loves to rub that shiny bald head against her soft
milky skin. Mmmm… good.
Wesley looks up at the camera, worried,
CUT TO:.ANGEL
Soulless
11
5 INT. HYPERION HOTEL— LOBBY— NIGHT 5
The others watch Angelus and Wesley on the monitor.
ANGELUS
(on cam)
Come on, Wes. It’s not like your schoolgirl crush is a
secret.
FRED
(nervous)
Charles, remember. We can’t believe anything Angelus
says.
GUNN
How about the stuff that’s true? Can we believe that?
CORDELIA
He distorts everything. He lies with the truth. It’s part of
what makes him so dangerous.
LORNE
(to Fred)
Yeah, don’t let him get to you, kiwi.
GUNN
He’s not the only one that’s gettin’.
FRED
Charles…
GUNN
I know, I know.
FRED
It’s just words.
WESLEY
(on cam)
You found a vulnerability and exploited it. Well done.
CUT TO:
6 INT. HYPERION HOTEL— BASEMENT— NIGHT 6
WESLEY
Can we move on now?.ANGEL
Soulless
12
ANGELUS
(laughs)
I’m just getting started. I’ll tell you this. All that digging
you’ve been doing on the horny giant? Wrong place.
WESLEY
And the right place?
ANGELUS
I could tell you… but it wouldn’t be sporting.
WESLEY
But you were adversaries, you and the Beast.
ANGELUS
A guy like me… friends, enemies… hard to keep track.
WESLEY
If he was an enemy, I’d be doing you a favor by
destroying him.
ANGELUS
You know, you’re not fooling anyone. Get some new
clothes, cool haircut, hit the gym… you’re still the same
loser none of the other kids wanted to sit with at lunch.
WESLEY
Yet you’re locked in that cage and I’m out here.
ANGELUS
So? You got no leverage. What are you going to do? Kill
me?.ANGEL
Soulless
13
WESLEY
If I have to.
ANGELUS
(laughs)
Wait till they drop, Wes, then try that line again.
WESLEY
I’ll put your soul back. You won’t talk? No problem. We’ll
bring Angel back and be no worse off than we were.
ANGELUS
Making you a failure again.
WESLEY
You want to waste my time, you can rot down here.
He turns to leave.
ANGELUS
Nice stamina, Wes. No wonder Fred’s not interested.
WESLEY
Whatever your connection to the Beast, clearly you don’t
know anything that can help us.
ANGELUS
Is this the part where I get defensive, start talking to prove
you wrong? What else you got?
Wesley pauses on the stares and turns back toward the cage.
WESLEY
You must hate it. That Angel fights evil.
ANGELUS
Eats you up inside, doesn’t it? Seeing all those idiots flock
around him, calling him a champion. Anyone ever call you
a champion?
WESLEY
I do my part.
ANGELUS
Right. Like letting Lilah suck Lorne’s brain. Or here’s an
oldy but a goody… Faith. Good job being her Watcher.
She turned out to be a peach..ANGEL
Soulless
14
WESLEY
And you managed to get your soul back, not once but
twice, saving the world several times in the process.
Nobody’s perfect.
ANGELUS
Then there’s kidnapping the fruit of my loins. Smooth.
WESLEY
He survived.
ANGELUS
I guess you just can’t understand that special bond
between dad and son, given that your own father’s
ashamed of you.
WESLEY
And Connor’s ashamed of you. The universe’s way of
maintaining order, I guess.
ANGELUS
That twerp really gives me the creeps. You?
WESLEY
In Cordelia’s vision, you and the Beast were standing on a
field—
ANGELUS
Oh, god, yeah! Let’s talk about Cordy, shall we? Huh?
Now there’s a rack to write home about. Too bad about
the personality, though. Yap, yap, yap, yap.
CUT TO:
7 INT. HYPERION HOTEL— LOBBY— NIGHT 7
Cordelia stares at the monitor as Angelus mocks her.
ANGELUS
(on cam)
“Oh, god… Angel. Oh, Angel… we can’t. I love you but
you were so bad. You ate babies.” Chicks…
LORNE
(to Cordelia)
Sticks and stones, sweet potato.
Gunn reaches out to turn down the sound..ANGEL
Soulless
15
GUNN
We don’t have to—
CORDELIA
No, I’m okay.
FRED
Like you said, just little bitty bits of truth twisted all up into
lies.
ANGELUS
(on cam)
Which do you think is worse, Wes? Stealing my kid like
you did or banging him… like Cordelia? All that bumpin’
and grindin’, fire raining in the sky… quite a picture. Well,
more of a snapshot, ’cause Connor…
He chuckles and Fred looks at Gunn, confused.
FRED
Well, now that’s just ridiculous. Connor’s Angel’s son. It
would be like sleeping with your own…
Cordelia just stares at the monitor as Lorne motions for Fred to stop.
FRED
(realizes)
Oh…
ANGELUS
(on cam)
At least you thought you were doing the right thing. Hey,
who’s a guy gotta kill to get a drink around here, huh?
Cordelia looks up as Connor enters, beaten and bloody.
CORDELIA
Connor, what happened? Are you all right?
CONNOR
They’re coming from all over. Too many to fight.
He notices Gunn and Fred staring at him.
CONNOR
What?
Wesley enters..ANGEL
Soulless
16
WESLEY
He wants blood.
FRED
(quick)
I’ll get it.
GUNN
Me, too.
CUT TO:
8 INT. HYPERION HOTEL— BASEMENT— NIGHT 8
Fred and Gunn descend the stairs. Fred carries a glass of blood while
Gunn brings a loaded crossbow.
ANGELUS
Othello and Desdemona. My favorite couple. Oh, wait.
Desdemona wasn’t in love with the other guy. So much for
“stand by your man”. Then again, you probably like her
on her knees.
Gunn points the crossbow at Angelus while Fred gets a wheeled cart and
sets the glass on it. She pushes it over to toward the cage.
GUNN
Keep talking. I’ll sweep out the cage when I’m done.
ANGELUS
Oh, provocative! Get me all riled up. You think that’s what
your boss would want?
GUNN
Don’t have a boss.
ANGELUS
You might want to tell Wesley that. Ah, Fred… you look
all fresh and sweet but I hear you at night in your room
with Gunn. The things you say… I’m lying there, listening,
hands under the covers… I can’t help myself. It’s so…
gripping.
GUNN
This coming from a guy who can’t get any. Ever.
FRED
You’re a pig..ANGEL
Soulless
17
Gunn raises the bow.
GUNN
Step back.
Angelus chuckles and raises his hands, stepping backward a step. Fred
pushes the cart forward, past the red line. Angelus stares at her like a
predator, then reaches out and picks up the cup of blood. He holds it for a
beat, a small smile curling his lip, then he viciously kicks the cart, sending
it slamming into Fred’s legs. She falls forward onto it and he pulls it back
toward the cage. He seizes her by the neck and holds her against the bars
in front of him.
GUNN
No!
ANGELUS
Might get some now.
SMASH CUT TO BLACK
Act II
9 INT. HYPERION HOTEL— BASEMENT— NIGHT 9
Resume. Angelus grins menacingly at Fred through the bars, his hand
clamped across her throat. She struggles desperately but can’t get free.
ANGELUS
I like the way you move Fred. Do it just a little to the left….ANGEL
Soulless
18
FRED
Charles!
Gunn drops the crossbow and rushes forward, trying to pry Angelus’
fingers from Fred’s neck.
GUNN
Get off her!
ANGELUS
Come on, Charles, save her! Come on, save her, Char—
Angelus looks down in surprise as a trank dart slams into his arm. Reveal
Wesley on the stairs with a rifle. He ejects the casing and loads the next
dart as Angelus’ grip on Fred loosens and Gunn pulls her free.
Angelus stares at Wesley as he fires again. The second dart strikes
Angelus in the chest. He wavers a moment before his eyes close and he
collapses to the floor.
GUNN
(to Fred)
Are you okay? Did he hurt you?
FRED
(gasps)
No, I’m sorry… that was so stupid… I should have…
WESLEY
It’s not your fault. Angelus is unpredictable. He’ll take any
opening no matter how small. It’s understandable but you
played right into his hands. (to Gunn) Never drop your
weapon.
Wesley looks down at Angelus’ unconscious form than heads back
upstairs.
FRED
(to Gunn)
I was… thanks.
GUNN
So you’re okay?
FRED
Yeah. I’m just glad you’re here.
Wesley pauses at the top of the stairs and watches as Fred embraces
Gunn..ANGEL
Soulless
19
CUT TO:
10 INT. HYPERION HOTEL— ANGEL’S SUITE— NIGHT 10
Connor looks up from changing his clothes as Cordelia enters with a shirt
for him.
CORDELIA
Hope you like black.
CONNOR
Thanks.
He takes it and puts it on, noticing how big it is.
CONNOR
This is his.
CORDELIA
(smiles)
Well, if you don’t like it, I could ask Lorne.
CONNOR
It’s fine.
He starts to strap on his wrist-stake.
CORDELIA
You’re not going back out.
CONNOR
Somebody has to.
CORDELIA
Connor, you’re exhausted. You said yourself there are too
many—
CONNOR
I want to get out of here, okay? Everybody still looks at
me like I’m the one who’s connected to the Beast.
CORDELIA
No. The looking earlier, that wasn’t about the Beast. It was
because of us. Angelus said some things… about the night
we… you know. The weirdness is because everyone
knows..ANGEL
Soulless
20
CONNOR
Good.
CORDELIA
Connor…
CONNOR
Angel doesn’t care if everyone knows. Why should I?
CORDELIA
(firm)
It’s not Angel. (beat) Anyway, you should get some rest.
She turns to go.
CONNOR
You don’t want to be with me, fine. You’re not. But don’t
tell me what to do.
She hesitates, then walks out, closing the door behind her.
CUT TO:
11 INT. HYPERION HOTEL— OFFICE— NIGHT 11
Fred enters the office where Wesley is looking though some old books.
FRED
Hey.
WESLEY
Hey. Angelus mentioned something about a sword in
Angel’s fantasy. I thought…
He shrugs and sets the book down.
FRED
I wanted to thank you. If you hadn’t have come in when
you did…
She glances nervously out into the lobby. Wesley notices.
WESLEY
He’s not there.
FRED
(nervous)
It’s… Charles heard what Angelus said. The stuff about—.ANGEL
Soulless
21
WESLEY
Me.
FRED
Yeah, and—
WESLEY
How I feel about you.
FRED
(nods)
Yes. Which is very sweet. There’s nothing wrong with it.
WESLEY
Yes, there is.
He suddenly steps forward and kisses Fred passionately. She doesn’t
resist. In fact, she responds, wrapping her arms around him.
She suddenly breaks off, guilty, as Gunn walks in from the lobby. Wesley
turns back to his books.
GUNN
Hey, who’s watching the monitor? (off their looks) What’s
going on?
FRED
(evasive)
Nothing.
GUNN
Did he just—.ANGEL
Soulless
22
FRED
Of course not. Charles, let’s… you’re right. The monitor.
GUNN
You better tell me what the hell I just walked in on.
FRED
We were just…
GUNN
(sarcastic)
What? Researching?
WESLEY
You want to do this, deal with me. Leave Fred out of it.
Gunn stalks over to Wesley, furious.
GUNN
You ought to be leaving Fred out of it!
FRED
Hello? I’m here.
GUNN
(to Wesley)
You think I don’t see the way you look at her?
FRED
Charles, please…
GUNN
And you, running off to him every time you need help,
like I’m not good enough.
FRED
(desperate)
No! That’s not… this isn’t the time.
GUNN
(to Wesley)
I’m telling you, stay away from her.
CUT TO:
12 INT. HYPERION HOTEL— BASEMENT— NIGHT 12
Angelus comes around and listens to the argument drifting down through
the floorboards with a wicked smile..ANGEL
Soulless
23
ANGELUS
(laughs)
That was fast.
CUT TO:
13 INT. HYPERION HOTEL— LOBBY— NIGHT 13
Connor sneaks down the stairs and ducks past the office unseen, heading
for the basement door.
GUNN
(o.s.)
…a long time since you were out for anyone but yourself.
WESLEY
(o.s.)
I owe you nothing. Not anymore.
CUT TO:
14 INT. HYPERION HOTEL— OFFICE/LOBBY— NIGHT 14
Gunn lunges at Wesley but Fred pushes him back out into the lobby.
GUNN
You just take what you want, huh? Don’t matter who it
belongs to.
Wesley follows them out, refusing to back down.
WESLEY
I didn’t realize Fred came with a deed..ANGEL
Soulless
24
FRED
Stop it! What’s wrong with you?
GUNN
(to Wesley)
You don’t realize a lot of things, like the fact that nobody
wants you here!
WESLEY
’Cause you do such a bang-up job without me.
The shouting draws Lorne and Cordelia.
LORNE
Hey, hey, come on, guys. Let’s not say anything we—
GUNN
Shut up, Lorne! Great idea, Wes. Stealing Angel’s kid. Oh,
was losing him a part of your plan, too?
WESLEY
Go ahead. Throw some more blame around. It’s what
you’re best at.
GUNN
You want to say that again?
He takes a menacing step toward Wesley.
FRED
Oh, god…
WESLEY
Face it, Gunn, you can’t give her what she needs.
Gunn decks Wesley.
FRED
Charles!
Wesley holds his mouth, then Gunn lunges again. Wesley ducks the blow
and lands two of his own to Gunn’s abdomen. Gunn pushes him up
against the counter and they grapple and trade punches.
FRED
Stop it! This is insane!
CORDELIA
You’re doing exactly what Angelus wants!.ANGEL
Soulless
25
LORNE
Oh, for the love of Mike Tyson!
Fred grabs Gunn’s arm as he readies another punch and his fist catches
her in the mouth on the backswing. She collapses to the floor, holding her
bloody mouth. Cordelia and Lorne kneel next to her and help her up.
Gunn stares at her and realizes what he’s done.
GUNN
Fred…
Cordelia looks up at Gunn, then her eyes focus past him on the monitor
where Connor is approaching the cage in the basement.
CUT TO:
15 INT. HYPERION HOTEL— BASEMENT— NIGHT 15
Angelus sits obscured in the shadows as Connor approaches and stares
coldly at him.
CONNOR
Everyone’s afraid of you.
ANGELUS
Is that my shirt?
CONNOR
Not anymore.
ANGELUS
Looks good on you… son..ANGEL
Soulless
26
CONNOR
So did Cordy.
ANGELUS
She looks good on everybody.
CONNOR
Angel warned me about you, said I should remember
you’re not my real father.
Angelus stands up and approaches the bars.
ANGELUS
Yeah. That was a nice speech. Touching. I think it ended
with you promising to kill me.
CONNOR
I remember.
ANGELUS
Kind of unnecessary, don’t you think? I mean, with your
track record, I’ll be staking myself by the end of the day.
CONNOR
(smiles)
That’s fine by me.
ANGELUS
Darla felt the same way. Made her sick, you squirming
inside her, so she jammed a stake into her own heart just
so she wouldn’t have to hear your first whiny breath..ANGEL
Soulless
27
CONNOR
You don’t know anything.
ANGELUS
Then there was Holtz. You disappointed him so much, he
stabbed himself in the neck.
CONNOR
(angry)
My fa— Holtz was a good man. All he ever wanted was
for you to get the punishment you deserve. And you will.
ANGELUS
And now my boy’s in love… all hearts and flowers. (beat)
But doesn’t it freak you out that she used to change your
diapers? I mean, when you think about it, the first woman
you boned is the closest thing you’ve ever had to a
mother. Doing your mom and trying to kill your dad…
hmm, there should be a play.
CONNOR
You think I care what you say? Angel told me how you’ll
try to hurt me. How you weren’t my real dad, just some
animal in a cage. Angel’s my dad.
ANGELUS
I’m gonna cry.
CONNOR
That’s what he told me… and he thought I believed him.
The truth is… Angel’s just something that you’re forced to
wear. You’re my real father..ANGEL
Soulless
28
He stares icily at Angelus.
ANGELUS
I’m right here. All you have to do is come and get me.
CONNOR
You’d like that.
ANGELUS
You couldn’t take me, anyway.
CONNOR
We’ll see.
Angelus turns and walks back toward the wall.
ANGELUS
Promises, promises. Don’t make ’em if you can’t keep ’em.
CONNOR
I wouldn’t think of it.
Connor approaches the bars.
ANGELUS
This might be your best chance.
Connor stares at Angelus with hatred and steps across the red line.
ANGELUS
Don’t disappoint daddy.
CORDELIA
(o.s.)
Connor.
He turns to find Cordelia watching him from the stairs and steps back.
CORDELIA
Go upstairs.
He looks back at Angelus.
CONNOR
No.
CORDELIA
Please. Go upstairs..ANGEL
Soulless
29
Connor stares at Angelus for a long beat, then turns and heads up the
stairs.
CONNOR
(to Angelus)
It’s your lucky day.
ANGELUS
Yeah. Go to your room, mama’s boy.
When Connor is gone and the basement door is closed, Cordelia reaches
up to the camera and disconnects it.
ANGELUS
Cordy, Cordy, Cordy… just couldn’t stay away.
She walks down the stairs and stands before him.
CORDELIA
It’s been a long day and I think you’ve done enough
damage.
ANGELUS
So… no hug?
CORDELIA
You and I are going to make a deal.
ANGELUS
Tough. Did you practice that in front of the mirror a few
times? Let me guess. You want to know about the Beast?
CORDELIA
Everything you know..ANGEL
Soulless
30
ANGELUS
Oh. And in return, I get what? I wouldn’t mind a car. I hear
the new Mustang is nice.
CORDELIA
Something better.
ANGELUS
What’s a better ride than a Mustang?
CORDELIA
Me.
FADE OUT
Act III
16 INT. HYPERION HOTEL— BASEMENT— NIGHT 16
Resume. Angelus stares at Cordelia through the bars.
ANGELUS
You?
CORDELIA
That’s the offer. No more stalling, no more games. You tell
us what you know, you get me.
ANGELUS
Must be some confusion. You took out the soul. I still have
the brain.
CORDELIA
Then use it. The Beast, the darkness… the world is falling
apart. We’re out of time. We’re out of ideas. You’re the
end of the line.
ANGELUS
Wes was better at buttering me up.
CORDELIA
You know what it means to be a champion.
ANGELUS
I’m trying so hard to forget..ANGEL
Soulless
31
CORDELIA
Sometimes a sacrifice needs to be made.
ANGELUS
And you’re the little lamb. Not that there aren’t a few
things I wouldn’t mind doing to that body… other than the
obvious.
CORDELIA
Tell us about the Beast and you can do whatever you want.
ANGELUS
You’re lying.
CORDELIA
Look in my eyes. Angel knows me. You know me. Better
than anyone. So when you look at me, you know I’m not
lying.
Angelus stares at her, considering.
17 INT. HYPERION HOTEL— OFFICE— NIGHT 17
The group listens to Cordelia, amazed.
FRED
I don’t understand.
GUNN
Why is Sid Vicious suddenly Mr. Show-and-Tell?
LORNE
Well, honeybuns here must have a secret stash of Higher
Power dust.
CORDELIA
Something like that. He’s ready, Wes, whenever—
CONNOR
Why don’t you want to tell us what you did?
CORDELIA
I did what I had to.
GUNN
Which means what?
No answer..ANGEL
Soulless
32
FRED
Cordelia…
WESLEY
Connor’s right. We’re all painfully aware of Angelus’
ability to manipulate—
CORDELIA
I’m not being manipulated.
WESLEY
It would be better if I knew.
CORDELIA
(hard)
It’s better if you don’t.
WESLEY
All right…
CUT TO:
18 INT. HYPERION HOTEL— BASEMENT/LOBBY— NIGHT 18
Wesley is again seated in front of the cage. Upstairs, everyone else
watches on the monitor.
WESLEY
…shall we start from the beginning?
ANGELUS
Why not?
WESLEY
A year.
ANGELUS
Seventeen-eighty-nine.
WESLEY
So you were in Prussia.
ANGELUS
You have been doing your homework. Those Prussian
girls… must be the pastries. Worth the trip. All that
sweetness gets into their blood..ANGEL
Soulless
33
WESLEY
Very interesting. At some point the Beast will appear?
ANGELUS
Patience, Wes. I was taking a shortcut on my way to
Vienna. Started feeling like someone was… watching me.
FLASH CUT TO:
19 EXT. PRUSSIA (1789)— WILDERNESS— NIGHT 19
As Angelus moves across a field in the dark of night, he comes across
hundreds of corpses, torn to pieces, littering the ground in all directions.
ANGELUS
(v.o.)
There were troops around. I had run into them now and
then. Not as sweet as the girls, by the way. But the little
massacre I ran into— seriously lacking in military
precision. Bodies, bodies everywhere and not a drop to
drink.
FLASH CUT TO:
20 INT. HYPERION HOTEL (PRESENT)— BASEMENT— NIGHT 20
ANGELUS
And so I followed the trail and there was your friend, the
one you so cleverly call the Beast.
FLASH CUT TO:.ANGEL
Soulless
34
21 EXT. PRUSSIA (1789)— WILDERNESS— NIGHT 21
Angelus watches as the BEAST holds a man up by the throat, strangling
him, then tosses the body aside.
ANGELUS
(v.o.)
We had a lot in common.
Angelus steps up to the man’s body and violently snaps his neck.
ANGELUS
(v.o.)
But he already knew that. He’d been watching me. He
staged the carnage to impress me.
FLASH CUT TO:
22 INT. HYPERION HOTEL (PRESENT)— BASEMENT— NIGHT 22
WESLEY
So he sought you out. Why?
ANGELUS
Girl trouble. Thought I might be able to help him with a
situation.
WESLEY
How?
CUT TO:
23 INT. HYPERION HOTEL— LOBBY— NIGHT 23
ANGELUS
(on cam)
You’ve heard of the Svea Priestesses? Very powerful. Big
into banishing.
LORNE
(to Fred)
Vanishing?
FRED
Banishing.
ANGELUS
(on cam)
The Beast was next on their list..ANGEL
Soulless
35
CUT TO:
24 INT. HYPERION HOTEL— BASEMENT— NIGHT 24
ANGELUS
He couldn’t touch them. Some kind of mojo. But a vampire
could.
WESLEY
So he wanted you to kill them.
ANGELUS
We had it all worked out. I’d scratch his priestesses and
he’d scratch my back somewhere down the line— a limited
partnership.
FLASH CUT TO:
25 EXT. PRUSSIA (1789)— WILDERNESS— NIGHT 25
BEAST
You need not be my enemy. Join with me, Angelus.
WESLEY
(v.o.)
And?
ANGELUS
(v.o.)
I declined.
The Beast’s clawed fist slams into Angelus’ face and he collapses to the
ground..ANGEL
Soulless
36
ANGELUS
(v.o.)
He didn’t ask twice. I probably could have been more
diplomatic with my refusal but I’m not big with teamwork.
Angelus lies on the ground, moaning in pain, as the Beast leans down to
finish him off.
ANGELUS
(v.o.)
Thought that was going to be the end of me but, like I said,
girl trouble.
The Svea Priestesses appear across the field, dressed in blue cloaks and
carrying long staves topped with glowing crystals.
FLASH CUT TO:
26 INT. HYPERION HOTEL (PRESENT)— BASEMENT— NIGHT 26
ANGELUS
So they just started up the whammy and… there you have
it.
WESLEY
The Beast was banished. How?
ANGELUS
Don’t know. I was busy with the passing out.
CUT TO:
27 INT. HYPERION HOTEL— OFFICE— NIGHT 27
Everyone is going through the books, looking for information on the
Svea Priestesses.
CORDELIA
Slarf demons, spell mantras, Srail’gong technique… but
nothing on—
FRED
(reads)
The Svea Priestesses— also known as The Svear— a
mystical order, all descendants of a powerful Nordic
priestess Svea..ANGEL
Soulless
37
GUNN
They’ve been busy.
CONNOR
Anything about the Beast?
FRED
Nothing definitive but this one looks like it could match
up.
Gunn tries to look over her shoulder at the book. She looks at him
awkwardly, then hands it to Wesley. Gunn shakes his head and moves
away from her to the other side of the office while Wesley studies the
ancient text.
WESLEY
Same region. Approximately the same time period.
FRED
I’m shaky on Freyan runes but it kinda seems like it’s only
a general idea of who or what got banished.
WESLEY
Translation… something like big, hard thing.
CORDELIA
Sounds like our guy.
LORNE
Fantastico. So where do we find these banishing babes and
how fast can they get to L.A.?
Gunn slams the Yellow Pages down on the table in front of them.
GUNN
About 25 minutes, depending on traffic. They’re in
Pacoima.
CUT TO:
28 EXT. RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD— NIGHT 28
Cordelia, Wesley and Connor head up the front walk of a small house in a
quiet neighborhood. A small sign next to the door reads:
SVEAR
MON. – FRI.
11AM – 4PM.ANGEL
Soulless
38
Wesley rings the bell and they wait but no answer comes.
CONNOR
Looks like no one’s home.
Wesley knocks loud on the door, then tries the knob.
WESLEY
It’s open.
He swings the door inward and they enter the darkened home.
29 INT. SVEAR HOME— NIGHT 29
WESLEY
(calls out)
Hello? Anyone home? Hello?
CORDELIA
Nordic priestesses?
All three spread out and look around. Connor sees a set of family pictures
on the mantle showing a husband, wife and their children.
CONNOR
So the mom’s a priestess?
CORDELIA
I think all the women in the family are.
She examines some bills spread out on the dining room table, then sniffs
the air.
CORDELIA
What is that?
She looks into the living room and stares in shock. Wesley and Connor
see her expression and follow her gaze.
The entire family has been slaughtered, parents and children alike. They
lie strewn about the living room, their clothes smeared with gore.
FADE OUT.ANGEL
Soulless
39
Act IV
30 INT. SVEAR HOME— NIGHT 30
Resume. Wesley moves into the room and stares down at the remains.
WESLEY
We’re too late. Again.
CORDELIA
How does the Beast know exactly what we’re going to do?
It’s like he’s psychic.
WESLEY
Maybe he is.
CONNOR
Or he’s been watching us at the hotel.
Wesley kneels down to check the body of the nearest victim, an 8-year-old
boy.
CORDELIA
Angelus could have sent him a message. Some kind of
demon Morse code.
WESLEY
No, these people have been dead for a few days. Angelus
had nothing to do with this.
CORDELIA
Which means by the time the shaman was going all chanty
on Angel, it was already too late.
CONNOR
You mean they’ve been here like this… for days?
WESLEY
With the chaos outside, probably no one even noticed they
were gone.
CORDELIA
We should have seen this coming.
WESLEY
Of course the Beast would go after the priestesses. (beat)
Let’s have a look around, see if there’s anything useful.
Then we should call the police..ANGEL
Soulless
40
Wesley steps over to a desk and picks up a narrow piece of parchment.
WESLEY
A banishment incantation. At least, I think it is.
CORDELIA
Then they were trying to get rid of the Beast.
WESLEY
It seems so.
Connor is unusually affected by the sight of the bodies in front of him. He
looks away, into the kitchen, and notices a calendar hanging on the wall
beside him with “Daddy’s birthday” marked on it. It suddenly becomes to
much for him and he bolts for the door.
CORDELIA
Connor!
CUT TO:
31 EXT. RESIDENTIAL STREET— NIGHT 31
Connor runs down to the street and leans over into the bushes. He
vomits, then kneels there, heaving and gasping. Cordelia follows him out,
then sits down beside him when she sees what happened.
CORDELIA
Connor? (sighs) The sun should be up. (beat) It’s different,
isn’t it? Dead demons are just a big blob of oozing mess.
Vampires turn into dust like they were never anything at
all. But humans… it’s different..ANGEL
Soulless
41
Connor shakes his head.
CONNOR
That’s not…
CORDELIA
What?
CONNOR
The family…
Before he can say anything else, a vampire leaps from the shadows and
attacks. Connor is instantly on his feet, beating the creature to the ground.
Behind him, a second vampire lands in front of Cordelia and punches her
to the ground. Connor spins around and stakes it, turning back to the one
who attacked him even as the dust clears.
He beats the vampire back with a rapid flurry of blows, then lifts it up and
hurls it into the street. It looks up just as an SUV slams into it at full speed.
The car screeches to a halt with Wesley driving and Cordelia and Connor
jump in. Cordelia looks behind them and sees three more vampires
closing in.
CORDELIA
Come on!
Wesley punches the gas and the car shoots off down the street.
CUT TO:.ANGEL
Soulless
42
32 INT. HYPERION HOTEL— LOBBY— NIGHT 32
Angelus sings quietly to himself on the monitor as Gunn, Lorne and Fred
watch him.
FRED
He’s so relaxed.
GUNN
It’s like he’s not even in a cage.
LORNE
Well, in his mind, he’s not.
GUNN
You getting anything off him?
LORNE
Let me put it this way, moonpie. You don’t want to know.
FRED
I don’t. I definitely don’t.
The door opens and Cordelia, Wesley and Connor enter.
GUNN
What happened?
CONNOR
Vamps.
FRED
They didn’t get the Svear?
WESLEY
No. The Beast did. Slaughtered the entire family.
FRED
(shocked)
Guess he found a way to kill them after all.
GUNN
So much for our big priestess rescue.
FRED
Are we sure Angelus doesn’t know anything more? I
mean, maybe we should talk to—.ANGEL
Soulless
43
WESLEY
No. I think he’s told us everything he’s going to.
GUNN
Which means our last-ditch plan, turning Angel into a
soulless monster, it’s a bust. (beat) If Angelus can’t help
us…
CORDELIA
It’s time to bring back Angel.
Connor turns away and heads upstairs.
LORNE
Oh, and he’s usually so chatty.
CORDELIA
Rough night.
WESLEY
We’ll need the shaman.
CUT TO:
33 INT. HYPERION HOTEL— BASEMENT— NIGHT 33
Cordelia descends the stairs and stands before Angelus once again.
ANGELUS
Here I thought you’d be halfway to Georgia by now.
CORDELIA
I told you I’d be back. I’m back..ANGEL
Soulless
44
ANGELUS
How’d the little field trip turn out? Priestesses still feisty?
CORDELIA
We found a little boy, his sister, mom, dad, grandma… all
dead.
ANGELUS
Oh, god. I’m always missing the fun stuff.
CORDELIA
The Beast butchered them.
ANGELUS
So? Did you bring me back a souvenir? Maybe a stray
baby toe? (off her look) Come on, Cordy! Where’s your
sense of humor?
CORDELIA
Guess I lost it.
ANGELUS
Well, don’t blame me for your little debacle. I told you
everything I know.
CORDELIA
Too late.
ANGELUS
And whose fault is that? Doesn’t matter. I showed you
mine. Now it’s time to show me yours.
CORDELIA
The deal was, you give us information, we save the world,
you get me. Well… world not saved.
CUT TO:
34 INT. HYPERION HOTEL— OFFICE— NIGHT 34
Wesley spins the combination on the wall safe containing Angel’s soul.
CUT TO:
35 INT. HYPERION HOTEL— BASEMENT— NIGHT 35
Angelus stares daggers at Cordelia..ANGEL
Soulless
45
ANGELUS
You’re not thinking I’m just going to let this go?
CORDELIA
Not seeing a whole lot of other options… with the big steel
cage and all.
ANGELUS
Won’t be in here forever.
She looks at her watch.
CORDELIA
About another hour. Forgot to tell you the best part.
We’re putting your soul back.
ANGELUS
(chuckles)
Not gonna happen.
CORDELIA
Oh, but it is. Just in time for the primo apocalypse that’s
coming. Too bad. I know how you love those.
ANGELUS
Been looking forward to it all day. Still am.
CORDELIA
Thing is, you’re never coming back. Angel’s going to make
sure of that.
ANGELUS
We’ll see..ANGEL
Soulless
46
She takes a step closer to the cage.
CORDELIA
What you don’t get, Angelus, is that you’re nobody. Just a
disease. And Angel can’t wait to be rid of you.
Angelus looks her up and down lasciviously.
ANGELUS
I think I’ll start with the twins. I just love a woman with
nice ripe thighs.
His arm shoots through the steel bars, his fingers a mere inch from
Cordelia’s throat. She just stares impassively at him, not so much as a
flinch.
CORDELIA
Not even close.
Angelus’ calm façade cracks for the first time as Cordelia turns and heads
for the stairs.
ANGELUS
The more you piss me off, the longer I’ll keep you alive. (to
himself) Something tells me she’s a screamer.
CUT TO:
36 INT. HYPERION HOTEL— OFFICE— NIGHT 36
Cordelia walks into the office where the others are waiting.
CORDELIA
Okay, let’s—
She breaks off when she realizes they are all staring at her.
CORDELIA
What?
FRED
Angel’s soul… it’s gone.
Cordelia stares in shock at the empty safe.
FADE TO BLACK
END