02x06 - Guise Will Be Guise

[bunniefuu]

Previously on Angel:

Angel to Darla: "So you're what Wolfram and Hart brought back in that box."

Darla to Lindsey: "What *is* the plan exactly?"

Lindsey: "We don't want him dead. We want him dark."

Angel grabs Darla by the throat: "Stop!"

Darla presses a cross against his chest: "You stop! - God doesn't want you (they break apart) but I still do."

Wesley walks around the lobby counter looking at an open file in his hand. Tries to open the top drawer of the file cabinet. When it sticks, he gives it a good yank and the drawer flies completely out, scattering papers on the floor. With a grimace, Wesley swings the drawer by its handle so it comes to rest on the counter top then crouches down to retrieve the papers.

A guy steps up to the counter.

Guy: "Hello."

Wesley straightens up and bangs his head on the file drawer sticking out past the counter.

Wesley: "Didn't hear you come in. Uh, how can I help you?"

Guy: "Where is he?"

Wesley: "Angel? He's rather - out at the moment. Is there something I can do for you? I'm his associate."

Guy: "Yeah. You could tell me where the boss is. It's kinda urgent."

Wesley: "Oh, we specialize in urgent. Life and death, is it?"

Guy: "It could get rough. I need someone with his special abilities."

Wesley: "I understand perfectly. Why don't you fill me in and as soon as we find..."

Guy: "What about you? You got any special abilities?"

Wesley: "A few, I dare say."

Guy: "Are you a creature of the night?"

Wesley: "No. But I was a rogue demon hunter so - I know how to handle myself when things get rough."

Wesley slips on the papers on the floor and lands on his butt.

Guy: "Yeah. You're scary."

Wesley gets back up: "I'm sure he'll be back soon."

Guy: "Might want to tell the boss, he wants to run a business he shouldn't be foisting clients off on his secretary."

The guy turns away and walks out.

Wesley: "That's associate."

Wesley goes back to gathering up papers as Cordy hurries down the stairs.

Cordy: "What are you doing?"

Wesley: "Ah. Knocking things over, driving away business - you know, the usual."

Cordy: "Well, I found him and we have to stop him before it's too late we have to change our (looks down at the dress she is holding in her right hand) Do you have any clothes a man would wear?"

Wolfram and Hart, day, a guard checks one of the corridors in the basement. After he walks on, a grate in the floor is pushed open and Angel climbs out of it, followed by Gunn.

Angel sees a guy and a woman arguing a little ways down the hallway branching off to their right.

Angel to Gunn: "Don't make eye contact. Keep going."

The two of them walk across the hallway and step into the elevator. The doors are almost closed, when someone sticks a briefcase between them. The doors slide back open. It's the pair from the hallway, and they are Wesley and Cordy, dressed in lawyer garb.

Angel grabs them and pulls them into the elevator.

Angel pushing a floor button: "What are you two doing in here?"

Cordelia pushing the door open button: "Um, I'm thinking risking our lives to save yours..."

Gunn: "How'd you get in?"

Wesley: "We used the door."

Gunn: "And they just let you in?"

Cordelia: "Hello. Lawyer! (Angel pushes up, Cordy pushes open) You're not going up there."

Angel pushes up: "No, no. I need to do this. I have to find her... where they have her..."

Cordelia pushes open: "Still with the Darla of it?"

Wesley to Gunn: "Did you encourage this?"

Gunn: "I'm just going along for the ride."

Angel pushes up.

Cordelia pushes open: "Gonna be a pretty short ride. They have vampire detectors!"

Gunn: "We know. It's cool. He's got a plan."

Wesley: "A plan?"

Angel: "Yeah. (Pushes up) I get to the offices before they stop me."

Gunn: "See? (Whips his head around to stare at Angel) What? *That's* the plan? Walking real quick was the "plan"?"

Cordelia pushes open: "Angel, this is crazy. Listen to yourself. You're all insane and angry and (Angel pushes up) insane! You need help!"

Angel: "I'm not insane and I'm not angry"

Cordy pushes open, and this time there is a security guard there, triggering the stake concealed in his nightstick. Angel grabs a hold of it and stabs him through the foot with it.

Wesley: "Euugh!"

Gunn: "Man, that's nasty."

The guard is trying to pull out the stick but it went all the way through his shoe and is wedged tightly into the cr*ck between the elevator and hallway.

Angel walking past the guard: "Maybe I'm a little angry."

The other give the struggling guard one last look then follow him out.

Cordy: "Maybe?"

Intro

On the stage of the Karaoke bar two Japanese men are singing "I got you babe," Wesley, Cordy and Gunn are sitting at a table, watching.

Gunn: "Okay, what I want to know is (sees a horned demon light a cigarette on a candle) how'd I live in L.A. all my life and not notice weird-ass stuff was going on?"

Cordelia: "Oh, the ass is even weirder than you think."

Wesley: "The Host, the fellow talking to Angel over there? He helps demons, reads their souls, senses their futures..."

Cordelia: "Yes, but he can only do it when they sing Karaoke."

Angel and the host are leaning on the bar counter.

Host: "I thought maybe I'd seen you walk away for the last time. You doing okay?"

Angel: "Yeah, yeah."

Host: "Once more with less feeling."

Angel: "I guess I'm a little, ah, uhm - rocky."

Host: You're Rocky and Rocky II and half of the one with Mister T. Tell me about it."

Angel: "I just... I-I feel this... like - I have to do something - and if I don't let it out I'll explode, and then - when I do something - it feels, ah - I-I think, maybe - this - this is it. I... (hangs his head) I'll sing if I have to."

Gunn: "Wait. Are you saying... Is he gonna sing? Oh God, is Angel gonna sing?"

Host: "You don't have to sing. A break for you, a break for me, and a break for Mr. Manilow."

The host pulls out a notepad and scribbles something on it.

Angel: "Okay. Uh. If you're sure."

Host: "Poor Angelito. Here."

Angel takes the paper: "What's this?"

Host: "An address in Ojai. A friend of mine, even though, does he ever call? Does he ever write? Good guy, though. You ever hear of the T'ish Magev?"

Young man comes by and hands the host a drink.

Host: "Thank you, Ramone. I was just thinking I'd rather be drinking. (to Angel) He's a treasure."

Angel: "The T'ish Magev... he's like... a swami, sort of, right? Very powerful... This is his address."

Host: "I'm sending you to him. You need more than I can do for you. This guy... he'll shock your chakras, fillet your soul... whatever you need. Go to him."

The two Japanese guys finish their song and the host gets up.

Host: "Lovely! That was Cher-riffic, boys!"

Angel to the trio at the table: "We're going. I don't have to sing."

Cordelia: "Oh thank God! (Angel looks at her) I - I mean for your sake, 'cause you don't like to do that."

sh*t of Angel driving along a deserted freeway.

Cordy and Wesley are in Angel's office tidying up some papers.

Cordelia: "I figure he'll be back pretty quick. This swami guy sounds kinda magic, he'll probably just do a spell and zap this obsession out of Angel's head."

Wesley: "Intriguing notion. Psychiatry through magic. Instant cures for phobias, compulsions, identity crises."

Cordy sits down in the big chair behind Angel's desk.

Cordy spins the chair in circles: "Hey, look at me. I'm Angel!"

Wesley: "He doesn't generally spin that much."

Cordy: "Right. Right. This is Angel. (Picks up a book, opens it and pretends to read it, leaning her head in one hand.) Oh, no. I can't do anything fun tonight. I have to count my past sins, then alphabetize them. Oh, by the way, I'm thinking of snapping on Friday. (Wesley suppresses a smile and Cordy gives him a big grin.) - You know, I love Angel and everything, but right now, I'm so glad he's headed the other way."

Angel walks up onto the porch of a log cabin situated next to a lake and knocks on the door. The door is opened by a burly guy wearing a blue, plaid shirt over a gray T-shirt.

Magev: "Yeah."

Angel after a b*at: "I'm looking for the T'ish Magev?"

Magev: "Well, you found him."

Angel looks him up and down: "Really. - You're the swami?"

Magev: "You're the - vampire with a soul?"

Angel: "Yeah."

Magev steps away from the open door: "Well, in or out? You're letting in the bugs."

Cordy walks into the hotel lobby and is grabbed around the neck by a guy from behind.

Benny: "Where is Angel?"

Cordy: "He's not here."

Benny: "You're lying. Give me Angel."

Cordy tugs on his arm: "I-I can't. Let go! (He does and Cordy turns to face him) It's about time you..."

Benny pulls out a g*n and points it at her.

Wesley overhears Benny as he walks towards the lobby.

Benny: "My boss needs your boss. So I can not leave here without him. So you are gonna get him for me now, or I'm gonna blow your head off."

Cordy: "No! I-I - I-I can't..."

Wesley quickly heads back into Angel's office.

Cordy: "...I-I-I don't know where he is. I swear."

Benny cocking his g*n: "Too bad."

Cordy: "Wait! Wait! Listen, I-I... (We see someone in a long, dark coat walks towards them.) Please wait."

Wesley wearing Angel's coat: "I'm Angel. (He almost slips on something but catches himself before Benny spins around to confront him.)You looking for me?"

At the cabin Angel is sitting across from the Magev, who is tying a new hook on his fishing rod.

Magev: "Nice ride."

Angel: "Sorry?"

Magev: "The car. Very slick."

Angel: "Thanks."

Magev: "What kind of mileage do you get with that thing?"

Angel: "I don't know. 12 in the city, maybe."

Magev nods: "Gas hog. Still, probably a chick magnet, right?"

Angel: "What? (Magev looks at him) No."

Magev: "If you say so."

Angel after a moment: "I though we were gonna talk about my problems."

Magev: "That car is your problem, pal. Says everything about you."

Angel: "The car."

Magev: "Yes, the car. You live in L.A. It's all about the car you drive."

Angel: "I really don't think..."

Magev: "Vampire, living in a city known for its sun - driving a convertible. - Why do you hate yourself?"

Angel: "I don't. I mean, I got a deal."

Magev: "You got a deal. - Why not a personalized license plate that says 'irony'?"

Angel: "Top goes up."

Magev: "Appearances. Very important to you."

Angel: "That's not true."

Magev: "Sure it is. So important that you're willing to put your eternal life at risk every time you hop into that thing. Top up or not."

Angel: "It's just a car."

Magev: "Oh. So why all the layers, all the black? You know it's been about 80 degrees in the shade lately."

Angel: "No reason. I-I don't have a body temperature so..."

Magev: "So it's for the look."

Angel: "No. - It's just this way I don't have to worry about matching. - I don't have a reflection so..."

Magev: "Sure you do."

Angel: "I do?"

Magev: "You're reflected in the people around you. The way *they* see you. - What do you think they see?"

Benny now has his g*n pointed at Wesley's chest.

Wesley: "That - that - that won't k*ll me."

Benny: "Fine. Let's go. (Lowers his g*n and walks towards the door) Follow me."

Wesley: "You just expect me to follow you. I don't see why I should. (Turns away from Benny and takes a step towards Cordy) Ah, you know the g*n won't k*ll me."

Benny: "Oh yeah? (Points the g*n at Cordy) What's it gonna do to her? (Wesley spins around) Come on."

Wesley, hands up in a placating gesture: "Yes. Alright. (Benny lowers his g*n, and Wesley folds his arms across his chest) but, ah, I shan't be cooperative."

We see a fancy house with robed guards at the entrance. Benny walks in, followed by Wesley.

Benny without turning around: "I invite you in."

Wesley quickly jumps back across the threshold, then enters again as Benny turns to motion him to enter.

Wesley: "Thank you. Considerate."

Two men come walking into the entrance hall.

Bryce: "Sounds like you're saying it was my intention."

Paul: "I'm not saying it was on purpose. It's just obviously some gives your drivers their instructions."

Bryce: "And your drivers? One little overreaction - you never know what *that's* gonna lead to."

Paul: "Hmm, it's good then that you and I got together, you and I. Cleared it all up. No misunderstandings."

Bryce: "I think you understand me perfectly, Paul."

After a b*at, Paul turns away.

Paul throws a look at Wesley before walking out the door.

Benny to Bryce: "This is Angel."

Bryce: "Angel. (Shakes Wesley's hand) Sorry to make you wait - business thing. Come on in. (He leads the way into a room) I'm pleased to meet you, Angel. My name is Magnus Bryce. Benny, get him a drink."

Wesley: "Mr. Bryce, I know who you are. I read the business pages. I don't know why you want me here, but this is not the way to get my cooperation. Your man abducted me tonight!"

Bryce: "I understand you're frustrated. But I'm a desperate man. You help people. I need help - protection for someone very dear to me. Now, relax, let me explain."

Benny hands Wesley a glass: "Cheers."

Wesley looks at it: "Blood. I don't usually - drink in front of humans."

Bryce: "Don't insult me. Go on. (Wesley takes the glass) It's fresh."

Wesley swallows hard, lifts the glass and takes a drink. Lowers the glass, his lips pressed firmly together.

Wesley: "Dear god! That's - nummy."

Lifts a hand to cover his mouth.

Bryce: "You've heard about the software, the cable network, - that's all a front. The money comes from wizardry. My great-grandfather created our first spell in his garage, (Puts a hand to his stomach, the lifts it back to his mouth to cover a burp) a simple - tallness illusion. Now it's all custom designed work for people with the right money."

Wesley: "Really?"

Bryce turns to pick something up off the table the same time Benny turns to look at something on one of the side tables.

Bryce: "You see someone in this town with looks and talent..."

Wesley notices he's unobserved for the moment and quickly pours the rest of the blood into a flower vase on a table just behind him. Then notices that it's a clear glass vase and steps in front of it as Benny and Bryce turn back to face him.

Bryce: "...chances are - we provided one of them. It's like they say: the goddess Yeska does not give with both hands. It's not a nice business. I have a lot of enemies - industry rivals."

Wesley: "Like the man in the hall?"

Bryce: "Paul Lanier? His firm's in wish-granting. Scary little euro-creep. And there are others."

Wesley: "Lanier is threatening you?"

Bryce: "Someone - is threatening my daughter. My only family. Maybe it's Lanier, maybe it's Briggs over at consolidated curses. There are letters and calls. Twice we have caught intruders inside the house."

Wesley: "But you're a powerful wizard. Certainly you must know dozens of protection spells."

Bryce: "Hundreds. Used them all. These guys are in the business, they know all the tricks."

Wesley: "You want me to say I'll act as her bodyguard."

Bryce: "No. You don't really get to say anything. I'm gonna pay you a lot of money to protect her. You'll do it - and get paid - and we'll both be very happy."

Magev: "There are *two* yous."

The two of them are standing in the main room of the cabin.

Angel: "To mes."

Magev: "The image you work so hard to create and the real you."

After a b*at Angel takes off his black leather jacket and drops it on a chair.

Angel: "Well, maybe my persona *is* a little - affected."

Magev: "A little affected? Come on. How many warriors slated for the coming apocalypse do you think are gonna be using that hair gel? (Angel runs a hand through his hair) Don't get me wrong - you're out there fighting the ultimate evil (Takes to wood staffs off the wall) you're gonna want something with hold. - But how do you expect to triumph over the soldiers of darkness when you're still fighting yourself?"

Angel: "You think I'm fighting myself?"

Magev throws him one of the staffs and Angel catches it.

Magev: "Let's find out."

Virginia is lounging on her bed, reading, when Bryce comes in followed by Wesley and Benny.

Bryce: "Honey, we have a guest."

Virginia: "Oh, look. The vampire's here."

Wesley: "Uh, yes. Hello."

Virginia sits up: "Well, daddy knows how to send out for just about anything."

Bryce: "Virginia, play nice. Angel's gone out of his way to help us."

Virginia: "No he hasn't. You probably brought him here at g*n point."

Wesley chuckles, saunters further into the room, checks over his looks in her vanity mirror, then jumps back with a yell.

Bryce: "What? What's wrong?"

Wesley: "Cover that mirror!"

Virginia: "Why? We know you're a vampire."

Wesley: "Do it!"

Virginia gets up and covers it.

Wesley: "I'm terribly sorry. It's just strategy. If the att*ck - were to happen here... If I were to fight here I - wouldn't want my opponents to know too soon - what I really am."

Bryce: "Good man."

Virginia: "Yeah, great! He's already anticipating letting kidnappers into my room."

Wesley: "Mr. Bryce, may I speak to Virginia alone?"

Bryce: "I'll be right outside."

He and Benny step out and close the door.

Wesley: "You were right. I didn't want to be here."

Virginia: "I knew it. He thinks he owns everyone."

Wesley: "But there are threats. It's dangerous. You need to be protected. (Virginia just shrugs) You have a lot of books. You must spend some time in here."

Virginia: "Well, there have been threats for a long time. Every time there is a new one - I buy a book shelf."

Wesley: "Virginia, we're both stuck here. So it seems to me - I might as well do what he wants me to do - and do my best to protect you."

Virginia: "You think you're the vampire for the job?"

Wesley: "Well, I wanna try. - You gonna fight me?"

After a b*at Virginia gets up from her chair: "Let's go shopping."

Wesley: "What? Now? It's the middle of the night! Wouldn't you rather wait till morning - when I can't reasonably leave the house. Yes, as your bodyguard I insist we go at once."

He opens the door and tells Bryce as they walk past him: "We're going shopping."

Gunn: "At g*n point?"

Cordy: "Yes! The point of a g*n. He just walked Wesley right out of here. And this whole "I'm Angel" thing is a very, very bad idea. I mean, if I thought *that* would work, *I* could've been Angel, because, guess what, pretty much a girly name."

Gunn: "Were'd they go?"

Cordy: "I don't know. I tried to follow them, but I lost them."

Gunn: "So what's the plan?"

Cordy: "The plan is, you go get Angel from the Swami place, I track down Wesley. This guy that took him, pretty distinctive, maybe I can find a criminal record, known associates - uh! Mug sh*ts!"

Gunn: "I better get started. It's gonna take me a long time to find this place."

Cordy: "Gunn - this thug-guy is bad news. I really hate to think where Wesley may be right now."

Wesley and Virginia walk into a fancy store. There is champagne in an ice bucket sitting on a table and soft classical music is playing in the background.

Wesley looking around: " I say, this place is extraordinary. Wizard supplies. - It's a little exposed, though isn't it? I mean - are you really safe here?"

Virginia: "You tell me."

Wesley: "Oh, yes. My job exactly. To make it safe. Well, I shall certainly do my best."

Virginia: "We all do our best for Daddy. Makes shopping for him a real pain."

Wesley: "Ah, we're looking for a *gift* are we?"

Virginia: "For his birthday. Number fifty. That's why he's so twitchy lately. Big party makes security dodgy, plus I think there's a whole mid-life thing going on."

Wesley: "You're looking at talismans?"

Virginia: "Images of the goddess Yeska, his favorite creepy deity. - What do you think of the gold one?"

Wesley: " Attractive, but it isn't real gold -it couldn't be, one good spell would melt it. I'd go with the iron one."

Virginia: "You sound like dad. - He really gets into all this stuff. He loves it all, the rituals - magic..."

Wesley: "You don't love it."

Virginia: "I used to - when I was little. It's been just him and me for a long time. He used to sit me next to him at his desk and teach me about runic incantations or enchanted armor."

Wesley: "But not any more?"

Virginia: "No. I mean, *he* still loves this stuff. - Guy's gotta love something."

Wesley puts his hand on top of a helmet sitting on the counter their leaning on.

Wesley: " Your father obviously loves you, too. He's gone to some trouble to protect you."

Virginia: "He has his car insured, too. (Looks at Wesley's hand) Doesn't that hurt?"

Wesley looks over and sees that the helmet is topped by a cross, quickly pulls his hand away, pretending to be burnt.

Wesley: "Ow, hot, hot. (Sticks his hand into the ice bucket, but after a moment he pulls it back out) cold! Cold."

Two guys come up on either side of Virginia.

1. Guy: "Virginia, we're gonna go now."

2. Guy: "Say good bye to the pretty guy."

Wesley: "Wait!"

Virginia: "Angel!"

1. guy: "You're Angel? The vampire?"

The guys let go of Virginia.

Wesley: "Yes - I am. I'm - Angel (pulls his glasses off and tosses them onto the counter) the vampire with a soul - fighting for my redemption with - with - with k*lling evil demons. That's right. Scourge of the demon world. (The guys exchange a quick look) don't worry, boys, I don't k*ll humans - unless I'm angry!"

Virginia hurries to away from them to stand behind Wesley, and the first thug lifts his hands in a placating gesture.

1. Guy: "We're just doing what he told us."

Wesley: "Who - Lanier? (Guy nods) Fine. You're going to leave now. Then you're gonna to tell Lanier (he reaches to adjust his missing glasses and the thugs back away a step) - forget about the girl. Now go!"

They leave

Wesley picks up his glasses and puts them back on.

Wesley to Virginia: "We better get you back home. It's not safe here. - I think if we give them a next time, it could get a lot rougher."

Angel and Magev are staff fighting on a covered bridge.

Magev: "You're holding back. What are you afraid off?"

Angel: "Nothing."

Magev: "You're whimping. This isn't River Dance. Fight!"

Angel: "I am fighting!"

Magev: "Yourself. You're fighting yourself. Fight me! Why are you holding back? Why can't you let go?"

Angel: "Because."

Magev: "Why?"

Angel over their locked staffs: "If I let it, it'll k*ll you."

Magev: "It?"

Angel disengages and steps back: "The demon."

Magev: "Ha! But the demon is you!"

Angel: "No."

Magev: "Yes! That's the thing you spend so much energy trying to conceal!"

Angel shakes his head: "No, I just - I can't let it control me."

Magev nods: "Ah. I see. (Hits Angel's knee hard then hooks the staff behind his legs to drop him onto his back) You *don't* think it controls you?"

Magev is talking on the phone holding an ice bag to the back of his head.

Magev: "I don't know how long I can keep up this Yoda gag. Son-of-a-bitch is strong. Plus something we didn't think about - you know the guy can smell blood."

Lanier: "What are you talking about?"

Magev: "He's a vampire! It's only a matter of time before he sniffs out where I stashed the real Magev's body. I know you want me to keep him up here for the whole weekend, but..."

Lanier: "Stop, stop, stop. Angel's there?"

Magev: " Yeah he's here. He's right outside. He's brooding. He came up here right after he spoke to the Host, just like Ramone said he would. Why?"

Lanier: "The vampire is with you? - Then who the hell is the English guy?"

Cordy is looking at mug sh*ts of criminals on her laptop, eyes the magazine lying beside it, finally picks it up and starts to flip through it.

Cordy: "Celeb photos - celeb photos page 46."

She comes across a photo of Bryce and Virginia with Benny standing behind them.

Cordy: "It's him!"

Wesley is walking Virginia back to her room.

Wesley: "I hope you weren't too frightened."

Virginia: "No, more angry, you know?"

Wesley: "Well, they were trying to intimidate you."

Virginia: "Not at them. At the whole thing, at the fact that I have to live like this."

Wesley: "It's a bad situation."

Virginia: "It's a bad situation? It's a waste of a life! I keep waiting for my life to start and it never does. There is just - more locks, and surveillance cameras and (turns down the hallway and sees two robed guards posted by her door) guards?! Okay, what is this now - bedroom guards? You go back and you tell my dad..."

One of the robed figures grabs a hold of her.

Wesley takes his glasses off: "Stop it!"

The other stretches his hand, holding a sparkling fire, towards Wesley.

Guard: "Let your flesh be weakened..."

Wesley: "Pipe that down..."

Wesley grabs a hold of the guys hand and folds it closed over the fire as he kicks him.

Wesley: "...I've had it with your.."

Slams the guard holding Virginia in the face, then tosses the first guy over his shoulder.

As he stands there, breathing hard, the two guys scramble up and away.

Virginia: "You were amazing."

Wesley with a smile: "I was a bit."

Virginia: "Your face - you don't go all (crinkles up her face) like a regular vampire."

Wesley: "Ah. I suppose I'm not like a regular vampire."

Angel and Magev are sitting at the lake, fishing.

Angel: "Not a vampire at all, really. I mean, not any more. They brought her back as a human."

Magev: "This Darla girl - why'd they do that?"

Angel: "I don't know. But seeing her again... it's just..."

Magev: "It started the inner struggle."

Angel: "Yeah."

Magev: "She's not even the one that did this to you."

Angel: "No. It-it's still her, it's still Darla. It's - kinda hard to explain."

Magev: "What hard? You're obsessed."

Angel: "I guess I am, a little, yeah."

Magev: "You blame her."

Angel: "I suppose I do."

Magev: "You want to punish her."

Angel: "A bit..."

Magev: "At the same time you want to thank her."

Angel: "Thank her?"

Magev: "For the gift she's given you."

Angel: "Gift?"

Magev: "You're deeply ambivalent."

Angel: "Yeah, well, I am and I'm not."

Magev: "You need to get over her. - Okay, what does she look like?"

Angel: "She's beautiful. - Small, blonde..."

Magev: "Right. So here's what you do. You go out and find yourself some small, blonde thing. You bed her, you love her, you treat her like crap, you break her heart. You and your inner demon will thank me, I promise."

Angel: "Uhm..."

Virginia is sitting on her bed.

Wesley: "Are you alright? (Sits down beside her) I mean, two close calls like that..."

Virginia: "I guess so. I don't know. Are we safe now?"

Wesley: "I don't know."

Virginia: "Sometimes I think about running away. Isn't that ridiculous, a 24 year old runaway?"

Wesley: "We all want to escape our lives sometimes."

Virginia: "I think about - getting my own place - a little apartment. A job, something - silly like - uhm, a perfume sprayer - or working at a tire store."

They both laugh.

Wesley: "A tire store?"

Virginia: "I told you it was ridiculous."

Wesley: "No, no. It sounds wonderful! Rotating tires and inflating - things... Your father would not allow it I'd imagine."

Virginia: "Oh, no. It's too dangerous. He says they would grab me in a second and use me to get to him. - If you think about it, he's saying that if I moved out - it would k*ll him. - I'd be responsible."

Wesley: "That's a huge burden to put on you."

Virginia: "I just - (she leans her head onto his shoulder) I just want out."

She looks up at him then leans in and lightly kisses him on the lips.

Wesley: "Virginia..."

The kiss again, just as lightly, but longer.

Virginia while still kissing him: "I'm sorry - I know we can't."

Wesley: "Yeah. - Why?"

Virginia: "Well, you're a pretty famous guy, Angel. I hear the guards talk sometimes. I know."

Wesley: "Know?"

Virginia: "About the curse."

Wesley: "Ah. - The curse."

Laughs and shakes his head, not looking at her.

Magev: "Curse?"

Angel: "Yeah. I thought you knew."

Magev: "Well, they don't tell me everything. So you really can't - at all?"

Angel: "Well, that's part of what makes me special, right?"

Magev: "Right. No, that's real special. - So, it's a sex thing this curse?"

Angel: "Well, no, not specifically."

Magev: "Well, then, what specifically?"

Wesley: "Perfect happiness. Yes, of course. Mustn't... (He leans in and kisses her) Mustn't - mustn't let oneself (Virginia pulls off his glasses) let oneself forget (she nibbles at his ear) diabolical consequences - I should... You know this whole curse thing has been *widely* misinterpreted."

Virginia: "Really?"

Wesley: "Oh, yes! Yes, it's less of a curse and more of a hex, actually (she continues to kiss him) Barely that (he kisses her back) a recommendation..."

Virginia pulls back: "Are you - sure you're telling the truth?"

Wesley: "Virginia, I wanna be honest with you. I wanna tell you everything. I'm not (She kisses him) actually... (the rest becomes muffled by her kisses)"

Next day. Gunn's pickup pulls up beside Angel's car in front of the cabin, and Gunn gets out.

Gunn: "Yo, yo! Anybody home?"

Magev: "Morning traveler. Do you seek enlightenment?"

Gunn: "I seek Angel. He with you?"

Magev: "Well, he was until the sun came up, then... You see that pile of dust over there? (Laughs) I'm just joking! He's inside. Come on."

Gunn as he walks towards the house: "Joking. Great. We got ourselves a funny zen master."

Magev suddenly hits him hard on the head from behind, then across the chin, knocking him unconscious.

As he bends down to pull the body away, Angel's voice comes from the shadowed porch.

Angel: "Which lesson was that exactly?"

Magev straightens up: "He was not your friend. I sensed danger..."

Angel: "Where is the real T'ish Magev? Did you k*ll him? Did you put him in the lake?"

Magev with a grin: "Something like that. But you know what? Somehow I'm not that worried about you right now, seeing as you can't get any closer. (Spreads his arms and laughs) Ah, wonderful sunshine! Wish you were here."

As Magev turns his back on Angel with a laugh, Angel picks up a fishing rod and hooks the Magev then quickly reels him in hand over hand.

Magev: "Ouch! Ow! What are you doing?"

Angel, now in vamp face, grabs Magev by the front of his shirt and pulls him even closer.

Angel: "Getting in touch with my inner demon."

Wesley's is lying in Bed next to Virginia, watching her sleep.

Wesley, dressed, steps out of Virginia's room and looks down the hallway. He turns back to Virginia standing in the door and kisses her, then he turns away to quietly walks down the hall only to run into Cordelia.

Cordy: "There you are! I found you!"

Wesley: "Cordelia. How did you get in here?"

Cordy: "Well, I told them that I worked for Angel and they sent me right in. You got everybody scared around here, I'll tell you that. It's like they don't even know you're a chimp. (Virginia comes up behind Wesley and Cordy holds out her hand) Oh. Hey, you're Virginia Bryce!"

Virginia: "Who are you?"

Wesley: "This is Cordelia Chase. She works for me. (Virginia nods at Cordy, who nods back) Virginia, I left my coat..."

Virginia: "I'll get it."

As soon as Virginia turns her back Cordy grabs a hold of Wesley's arm.

Cordy: "Good move. Now let's scuttle our butts out of here."

Wesley: "Cordelia, I'm not going with you."

Cordy: "What? I'm rescuing you! Key ingredient? We leave!"

Wesley: "I understand, but I have to stay. I have a job to do."

Cordy: "What is wrong with you? You've got like delusions of Angel! You're not him. You can't do stuff on your own. (Sees Bryce and two robbed guards come up behind Wesley) Oh, crud. (Once they come close enough, she reaches out and shakes Bryce hand) Oh, hey, Mr. Bryce, I've seen your picture, (sees Benny behind Bryce) and I remember you from the armed abduction."

Wesley: "I had Ms. Chase testing your defensive perimeter and I must say... Did you know your guards just let her in?"

Bryce: "Because I told them to. I wanted my daughter to hear someone call you by your real name."

Wesley: "Wait."

Virginia steps up beside Wesley: "What's going on? What real name?"

Bryce: "I got a call, from an anonymous friend with some information. This guy - isn't Angel."

Benny grabs Wesley's shoulder and pulls him backwards towards a window.

Wesley: "I am so Angel!"

Cordy: "Yeah, yeah!"

Wesley: "Oh, no, no, not the sun! For I am a vampire. Oh, oh oh! It burns! Oh."

He cowers away from the sun, as Cordy makes a face and Virginia stares at him, finally gives up the pretense.

Virginia: "You're not Angel."

Wesley: "My name is Wesley Wyndham-Price."

Virginia: "I talked to you. I trusted you. - You lied to me. - Come to think of it, you actually put my life in danger. I was walking around thinking I had vampire protection. - Here's the funny part: I finally thought I had a friend."

She holds out Angel's coat to him, and after a moment's hesitation he takes it and watches her turn away and walk into her room.

Cordy comes to stand beside Wesley: "Well - you kind of screwed her over, huh?"

Bryce: "You're gonna get out of my house now, loser. Take the piece with you."

One of the robed guards pushes them down the hall.

Cordy: "The Piece? Was that supposed to be me? Get off me!"

Benny: "You should have let me k*ll them. You're just gonna let them go?"

Bryce grabs him and throws him up against the wall.

Bryce: "Never tell me what to do. Never! You brought me the wrong guy. You risked the whole sacrifice, you understand? - But I'm not gonna k*ll you. Because I need you now, Benny. (Walks over to some ugly rock step sculpture) It's only a few hours until the sacrifice. You understand the need for security in this? This is the party of my life (picks up a manacle and chain attached to the rock) obviously Virginia's too."

Cordy sits down next to Wesley on the lobby steps inside the Hyperion.

Cordy: "Well, that was pretty humiliating, huh?"

Angel comes in leading a dazed Gunn.

Cordy gets up: "Angel, Gunn, what happened?"

Angel: "He got hit."

Cordy: "By who? The swami? Swamies don't hit. Swamies swam."

Angel sees Wesley sitting on the steps: "Why is Wesley wearing my coat?"

Gunn to Cordy: "That was a whole lot of swami."

Wesley: "The T'ish Magev hit him?"

Angel: "He was a fake. Someone must have found out that I was going up there. They hired this guy to get me out of the way. He took out the real Magev. Set up the whole thing."

Wesley: "Did you find out who hired him?"

Angel: "He wouldn't say. (Wesley gets up and starts to pace) That is my coat, right?"

Wesley: "It has to be Paul Lanier. He thought that would keep Virginia unprotected. Then when his men couldn't take me out, he tipped off Bryce that I wasn't Angel. He hoped Bryce would get me out of the way."

Angel: "What's going on? - Where you in Virginia?"

Wesley: "That's beside the point."

Cordy: "He was posing as you. Protecting a girl named Virginia. This guy Lanier is trying to k*ll her, or abduct her, or something."

Wesley: "She's probably in danger right now. She's at the big party."

Gunn: "What party?"

Wesley: "Her father's birthday. Big wizard event, cake, ice cream, tributes to the goddess Yeska."

Angel: "Yeska? Wait a minute, I know Yeska. She's no goddess."

Cordy: "What do you mean?"

Angel: "She's a Davric demon."

Wesley: "Davric? They don't serve humans - well, unless the humans make a sacrifice."

Gunn: "Sacrifice?"

Wesley: "Davric demons eat live sacrifices, generally girls. They grant huge power to the person that offers a sacrifice on their 50 - oh, dear lord, on their 50's birthday. - Bryce is gonna sacrifice his own daughter."

Cordy: "So why was Lanier trying to abduct her?"

Angel: "Bryce is going to get a lot of power off that sacrifice."

Wesley: "We have to go. Angel you take Gunn, go to the front of the house. Cordelia, we'll to to the back."

As he is about to walk past Angel puts out a hand to stop him.

Wesley: "Alright. You know this sort of thing best. How should we proceed?"

Angel looks around, stands up: "Uhm, well, Gunn and I could - take the back?"

Wesley walks on: "Very good. Lets go."

Angel following: "Uh, Wesley, can I get my coat back?"

Benny is trailing Virginia around her dad's party. She sees the stone sculpture, decorated with lit candles.

Virginia: "What is this horrible thing? - I hope a girl isn't gonna jump out of it or something."

Benny: "Not really."

Bryce taps the side of his glass with a spoon to get everyone's attention.

Bryce: "Thank you. I wanna thank all of you for being here on this special occasion. My feelings (chokes up) my feelings run almost too deep for words. But I'll try to do this, and do it right."

Virginia: "What is he talking about?"

Bryce lights a candle: "Yeska, of the razor eyes and stone heart, take this offering. I cast my most precious emerald into the ocean on the moment of my birth plus 50 years."

Virginia: "Daddy, what are you doing? (Benny grabs her wrist and pulls her towards the sculpture) Daddy? Hey! Hey. Daddy stop them!"

Bryce: "Take this gift..."

Benny shackles Virginia with the attached chains.

Virginia to Benny: "Stop - stop now!"

Bryce: "Let her death return tenfold onto me my power."

Virginia: "Make them stop!"

Bryce: "Be a good girl now. This is hard enough already."

Benny to Virginia: "He's really torn about it."

Virginia to the party guests: "Help! Somebody help me!"

Bryce comes to stand in front of her.

Virginia: "Daddy?"

But he only dips his thumb into a basin of water sitting on the sculpture and marks her forehead with it, before backing away again.

Wesley, Cordy, Angel, who's wearing his coat again, and Gunn stride into the party room through the open double doors.

Wesley: "Release her or die."

Angel: "Don't I say that?"

Bryce: "Guards!"

The party goers scatter as Wesley gets knocked down by the firs charging guard. He gets back up and does about as well as Angel and Gunn against the guards. Cordy gets into the fray as well, knocking one of them over the head with a champagne bottle from behind, as he is trying to strangle Gunn.

Wesley hurries towards Virginia, knocking Benny out along the way, and starts to unchain her while the others fight on.

Wesley: "I'll get you out of here."

Bryce cowering beside a table: "The hour approaches Yeska. Do not be blind to my plea. Yeska I beseech thee. (A wind starts to blow inside the room, distracting the fighters) Appear!"

Yeska, and ugly gray skinned demoness with a blonde afro appears with a flicker of lightning in front of Virginia.

Yeska with a grin: "The Sacrifice (Virginia stares at her wide eyed and Yeska's grin vanishes) is impure!"

And with that Yeska vanishes herself the same way she appeared.

Gunn: "What's going on?"

Wesley to Virginia: "Let's go."

Virginia: "Why did you come back?"

Wesley: "I said I'd protect you."

Virginia gives a short laugh and lets him help her up.

Bryce: "She's impure? - She-she's not a virgin? (Starts towards Wesley) You..."

Gunn: "Woah! That's what impure meant?"

Cordy: "She slept with him?"

Bryce: "You were supposed to be Angel. This wouldn't have happened. That's why I hired him. He's a eunuch."

Cordy: "You slept with her."

Angel: "Eunuch?"

Wesley to Bryce: "Things happen. Two young people, danger..."

Virginia: "What are you talking about?"

Bryce: "She was a virgin before you got here."

Virginia: "I was *not* a virgin!"

Bryce: "What?"

Wesley: "Oh, thank goodness."

Gunn: "I could have told you she was no virgin."

Angel: "I'm not a eunuch."

Cordy: "One day as Angel, one day! - and he's getting some."

Bryce: "What? How could you. I kept you away from all men!"

Angel: "I mean, the curse isn't even all that clear.

Virginia: "Daddy, you remember that chauffeur from when I was 16? And the one at 18? I haven't been a virgin for a *very* long time. - I even dated Rick."

Bryce turns to look at one of the robed guards, who hurriedly and quietly makes his way from the room.

Bryce: "Ginny, don't do this! Don't make me angry!"

Virginia: "Right. Because then you might do something bad. - *You* were going to *k*ll* me! (She hauls back and hits her dad with a hard left, knocking him to the ground) You are not my father anymore."

Cordelia smiles at her as Virginia walks out of the room.

Angel to Bryce still on the floor: "I'm not a eunuch."

Hyperion Hotel, day.

Cordy comes into Angel's office holding out a magazine article to him.

Cordy: "Look!"

Angel takes it and reads: "Virginia Bryce squired by Mr. Wesley Wyndham-Price, private detective and bodyguard to the stars. -Hah. Squired - who says squired?"

Cordy points at the picture: "Look at him all over her!"

Angel: "Cordelia, you're just jealous that he's getting some attention."

Cordy: "Damned skippy! He's getting famous off this! Reflected glory - that's my thing!"

Angel: "Get a little perspective. (Cordy st*lks out and Angel returns to reading the article) 'Bodyguard to the stars.' Yeah, right! - There is no Wyndham-Price Agency."

FADE TO BLACK