Sunday, February 13, 2011

Weekly feature: Excerpt from original script

From the last ep of Angel season 1, To Shanshu In L.A..

Source: The Casefiles, vol 1.

Many changes were made to the scene with Cordelia, Wesley and the donut, inclduing cutting this exchange:
WESLEY: "The end... death..." what if the root was proto-Anatolian, say from the Hittite... if it's Hittie, the root is really more like... close.
CORDELIA: Clothes? As in Armani the Hittite?
Wesley shots her a look.
CORDELIA: I try to cheer people up and they give me that look.

I expect the authors meant that it was this exchange (transcript from buffyworld.com) was the one that got altered:

"Next day. Wesley is sitting in front of Angel's desk in the office and closes the book in front of him.
Wesley: "Death. (He gets up and walks into the outer office to sit down across from Cordelia) Every source says it's death."
Cordy: "Well, it's just a prophecy. It's not like it came from on high."
Wesley: "That's what a prophecy is, Cordelia."
Cordy: "Alright. Yeah, but Angel faces death all the time - just like a normal guy faces waffles and French-fries. It's something he faces every day like - lunch. - Are you hungry?"
She gets up to get a doughnut.
Wesley: "The fact that his death is prophesied - which isn't good news - doesn't concern me nearly as much as the way he took that news."
Cordy: "What? He didn't scream like a girl as some of us would have? (Sits back down) Angel's cool."
Wesley: "Angel's cut off. Death doesn't bother him because - there is nothing in life he wants! It's our desires that make us human."
Cordy eating her doughnut: "Angel is kind of human. - He's got a soul."
Cordy goes for another doughnut.
Wesley: "He's got a soul - but he's not a part of the world. (Gets up) He-he can never be part of the world."
Cordy: "Because he doesn't want stuff? - That's ridiculous. (Wesley takes her doughnut away from her) Hey! I want that!"
Wesley: "What connects us to life?"
Cordy: "Right now? I'm going with doughnuts."
Wesley: "What connects us to life is the simple truth that we are part of it. - We live, we grow, we change. - But Angel..."
Cordy: "Can't do any of those things. - Well, what are you saying - that Angel has nothing to look forward to? That he going to go on forever, in the world, but always cut off from it?"
Wesley: "Yes."
Cordy: "Well, that sucks! We've got to do something. We've got to help him."
Wesley: "I'm not sure we can."
Cordy: "What is your deal? You go around boring everyone with your musty scrolls and then you say there is nothing we can do?"
Wesley: "He is what he is."
Cordy: "He's Angel. He's good. And he helps the helpless and now - he's one of them. - Well, he's gonna have to start wanting things from life, whether he wants to or not!"
Angel comes up the elevator and Cordy and Wesley go into his office to greet him.
Angel: "Morning."
Cordy: "Morning. - Want some coffee?"
Angel: "No, thanks."
Cordy: "How about a doughnut? Chocolate..."
Angel looking through a book: "No."
Cordy: "Creamy fillings?"
Angel laughs a little as he looks at her: "No. I don't want anything. (Cordelia makes a sound and looks at Wesley) Am I supposed to know what this is about?"
Wesley: "We - were just discussing how - you don't - want that many things."
Cordy: "You're cut off. But don't worry, I'm gonna help you with that."
Angel: "Oh. Good."
Cordy: "We'll start small. Keep it simple. - How would you like a puppy? (Angel just looks at her) Right. - A Ficus? They're low maintenance. - Ant farm?"
Wesley: "I have to go."
Angel: "Where are you going?"
Wesley: "Rare book shops. I need references to translate the - prophecy. - Probably not a good idea to take the scroll with me."
Angel: "No. I'll lock it up downstairs in the weapons cabinet."
Wesley: "Angel - I hope I'm wrong about all this but - it might be a good time to consult the Oracles."
Angel: "I don't need to see the Oracles about this."
Wesley: "Well, think about it."
Wesley leaves.
Cordy: "Oracles. - Get out of the house. - Could be fun."
Angel turns and goes back down the elevator."

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