Title: Ripper
Author: Wolframandbambi
Date Written: August 2003
Rating: PG-13
Pairing: Ripper/Ethan (beginnings of friendship)
Summary: This is a pilot for Ripper, set in the 70s when Giles was in his 20s.
Feedback: I would love feedback. Let me know if you would like another episode.
Disclaimer: These are not my characters.  They belong to Joss, Twentieth Century Fox, UPN, WB & Mutant Enemy. This is purely for fun.
Spoilers: none

* * * * *

Ripper

Episode One

CREDITS

Intro music: “Going Underground”, The Jam

1. INT. BEDROOM IN AN OXFORD COLLEGE, 1970s, NIGHT

A man in his early 20s is smoking a cigarette, listening to The Jam. He’s moving around his room, getting ready to go out – this largely consists of making himself looks scruffier. The man is handsome, with a lean face, and earring in one ear and piercing blue eyes. He’s leaning back in his chair, in a room littered with beer bottles, discarded clothes, a guitar, and, incongruously – he doesn’t look the studious type – piles and piles of ancient, musty-looking books. This is RUPERT GILES, otherwise known as RIPPER an Oxford undergraduate. But he’s not your average student. He’s also a dark magician. Hence the books…and the small matter of the pentagram drawn on the tiles of the fireplace.

A voice over begins – the voice is rough around the edges, veering towards mockney, though obviously someone educated. It’s the young man’s voice.

VO

Into every generation a slayer is born. A chosen one, one girl against the vampires and the demons…blah blah blah. Maybe you’ve heard the story. But this isn’t about her. It’s about me, Rupert Giles. Some people call me Ripper. And I’m not the sort of bloke to go round saving the world. That’s not my style. Me? I’m just in it for the ride…

The record finishes, RIPPER gets up, stubs out his cigarette in a glass, grabs a long black coat, and exits the room, banging the door noisily.

2. EXT. RADCLIFFE SQUARE, OXFORD, NIGHT

RIPPER is walking across the square, huddled up in his coat. His breath is misting. You can tell by his winding way of walking that he’s had a lot to drink tonight. Another male STUDENT is walking bouncily towards him – a swotty type in a college scarf and specs.

STUDENT
Oh hallo Giles!

RIPPER looks up and sighs. He’s not in the mood.

STUDENT
Essay crisis eh? Coming out for a bit of inspiration?

RIPPER
Do I know you?

STUDENT
Know me? I’m at your college! I’m theUnion President! Oliver Rowson!

RIPPER
I’m not the political type mate.

He makes to walk on. OLIVER steps in front of him.

OLIVER
I assure you, we have met. But, maybe I’ve changed rather since then…

Suddenly the Oliver’s face begins to change…his forehead wrinkles, his teeth become fangs and his eyes glow yellow. He’s a vampire. Rupert is suddenly very sober.

RIPPER
Shit!

OLIVER smiles, showing his fangs.

OILVER
Got your attention now, eh? You think you’re sooo cool, don’t you…Ripper?

RIPPER reaches inside his coat while the vampire’s still gloating, whips out a wooden stake and pops it neatly through the creature’s heart. OLIVER looks down at its chest in surprise. RIPPER snatches its college scarf.

RIPPER
I’ll ‘ave that, thank-you.

It explodes in a cloud of dust. RIPPER tucks the scarf inside his coat, then dusts himself down, and begins to walk – slight smile playing on his lips. He’s feeling pretty damn cool.

RIPPER
Now that looked harder in the manual.

Two more vampires are standing behind him. They’re just as geeky-looking as the first.

VAMP ONE
The chap seems to think he’s a slayer

RIPPER whips round.

RIPPER (under his breath)
Oh bollocks!

He looks them up and down, trying to hide his fear.

RIPPER
What? Did someone turn the WHOLE chess team?

VAMP TWO
He’s funny.

VAMP ONE
He’s very funny.

VAMP TWO
Dead funny.

VAMP ONE (giggling)
Side-splitting!

VAMP TWO (also giggling)
Shall we split his sides then?

While the two vamps are tittering like schoolboys, RIPPER is muttering under his breath, his hand in his pocket. He pulls out a crystal sphere, holds it up, it starts to glow.

RIPPER
Incendere!

A jet of flame leaps out of the crystal towards the vampires. RIPPER doesn’t stop to see the effect and legs it into the night. The two VAMPS are startled, though not harmed, and run off in the other direction.

A figure is watching the action from the shadows. A tall thin YOUNG MAN with sandy hair and a sarcastic cast to his face. The YOUNG MAN starts to follow in the direction RIPPER took.

3. EXT. COWLEY ROAD

RIPPER is walking now and stops outside a house on the Cowley road. Music is blaring out of the windows – something hard and punk. It’s obviously a student party – but there’s not a hint of the Brideshead set about this. It looks more like a squat party.

RIPPER is about to go in when he senses something behind, whips round and grabs the YOUNG MAN who’s been following him by the throat.

RIPPER
Who the f**k are you?

The man can’t answer, his windpipe’s being squashed. He points this out with flapping hand-gestures. Ripper relaxes his grip slightly.

RIPPER
Ok. Let me ask again…who are you, and why were you sodding trailing me?

YOUNG MAN
(squeaks)
My name’s Ethan Rayne (gags) and I have a proposition for you…

R raises an eyebrow.

You know, there’s something about being followed by men in the dark and being propositioned that (grips more tightly) doesn’t put me in a good mood…

ETHAN is turning slightly blue. But a menacing glint comes into his eye. He reaches into his pocket, then grabs a handful of something and throws it in RIPPER’S face. RIPPER lets go his throat and doubles up, coughing.

ETHAN
Serves you right for being so unfriendly.

RIPPER stands up straight, suddenly.

RIPPER
I can’t see!

ETHAN
And I can’t iceskate. But, into every life some rain must fall…

RIPPER is staring around in panic. ETHAN keeps his distance.

ETHAN
Don’t worry, the blindness will wear off in a few minutes.

RIPPER:
But how did you…

ETHAN
Just a little trick I picked up from a rather charming witch at St Hilda’s. Magic…I would’ve thought you’d know that. Watcher like you.

RIPPER stares at him angrily, though he still can’t see anything. He tries to grab at him.

RIPPER
I’m not a Watcher!

ETHAN
(interested)
Oh? Then what are you? A demon hunter without a cause?

RIPPER is squinting. He’s starting to see vague shapes. He doesn’t answer ETHAN.

ETHAN
(almost kindly) Maybe you haven’t decided what you are yet. Let’s go inside. We can talk over a cup of room-temperature punch. It’s bloody freezing.

He takes RIPPER by the arm, who gives in to the guidance reluctantly. The door of the house is open, the hallway’s littered with the usual student house party detritus – bottles, fag butts, slumped bodies. No-one comments on their arrival – it’s not that sort of party. ETHAN has to raise his voice above the music.

ETHAN
You’re at Christchurch aren’t you?

RIPPER
Er…yeah

RIPPER IS startled by this sudden switch to mundane chit-chat.

ETHAN
Magdalen. Well…I was til I got booted out. Nice to meet you.

RIPPER begins to answer politely - you can tell his hard-man act conceals a nice middle class upbringing. But he switches to aggression mid-sentence.

RIPPER
The pleasure’s…strangely sodding absent, what with you blinding me and all!

ETHAN grins.

ETHAN
Let me get you a drink. In fact, let me get you drunk.

He looks RIPPER up and down for a second. RIPPER is still pretty plastered, despite the sobering shocks he’s had this evening.

ETHAN
–er. I believe this is more a time for the suffix than the adjective.

4. INT. KITCHEN AT THE HOUSE PARTY

RIPPER and ETHAN are sitting at a kitchen table, drinking out of chipped mugs. RIPPER’S body language is wary, but ETHAN looks relaxed. A stoned HIPPY bloke sits in the corner, watching them, smoking a joint. But he doesn’t seem terribly interested. Though he does offer RIPPER a toke. RIPPER takes the joint, inhales, and hands it to ETHAN.

RIPPER
So…what’s your proposition?

ETHAN takes a drag, and chokes slightly. He hands the joint back to the HIPPY, who smiles at him.

HIPPY
Thanks man!

ETHAN
(ignoring the hippy)
Black magic. Money. Power.

RIPPER
Oh? All things I like the sound of…but why’re you offering them to me?

ETHAN takes a sip of his drink.

ETHAN
People talk. I’ve heard about you. Ripper.

RIPPER looks gratified at this.

RIPPER
What’ve you heard?

ETHAN
That you’re a chap with a Destiny.

He makes a grandiose, actorly gesture. Then continues.

ETHAN
When you graduate, you’re supposed to go off and join The Watchers Council, become some kind of supernatural civil servant, filing supernatural reports and creating supernatural red tape. One day, if you’re really really lucky, you’ll get to play chaperone to some little bit of fluff who gets all the glory while you lurk in the shadows, rotting away in a tweed suit. That’s your “Destiny”.

RIPPER is about to object – though from his face you can see he sort of agrees with ETHAN’S summary. He’s obviously had thoughts along the same lines. ETHAN holds up his hand to stop the objection.

ETHAN
But…it’s a Destiny that you are very commendably choosing to ignore.
You’re spending all your free time doing spells. Most of them, not very nice spells. And you want more…you’re hungry for more. You’re getting heartily sick of the small-time…am I right so far?

RIPPER doesn’t answer at once.

ETHAN
Some friends and I, we’re working on some very…interesting spells. Perhaps you would like to join us…?

RIPPER looks up thoughtfully.

RIPPER
(slowly)
Yeah. Maybe I would.

ETHAN sips his drink, watching RIPPER carefully, weighing him up.

RIPPER
Unusual nickname, Ripper. I wonder…what did you do to earn that little moniker? I’m assuming it wasn’t what your mummy called you as a child. Unless…

RIPPER meets ETHAN’S inquisitive gaze. He smiles, dangerously.

RIPPER
How about you don’t speculate about my mother, and you won’t have to find out how I got the name.

ETHAN raises an eyebrow.

ETHAN
Fine by me old man.

ETHAN takes a sip of his drink.

ETHAN
We could start right now if you like. A spell before bedtime - Just a little something I’ve found very useful myself…

RIPPER looks intrigued.

5. INT. DON’S STUDY, CHRISTCHURCH

RIPPER is sitting, slumped, on a hard-looking antique sofa. He’s wearing the vampire’s college scarf round his neck, which looks incongruous with his punk-like torn jeans and t-shirt. His TUTORIAL PARTNER – ginger hair, smartly dressed - is sitting beside him, with a large folder on his lap. The TUTOR is sitting opposite them, wearing a suit and academic gown. RIPPER looks terrible – bags under his eyes, pallid skin – clearly hungover. The TUTOR is scowling, but the TUTORIAL PARTNER looks smug – the look of someone who has a ten-page essay to present.

TUTOR
Mr Giles…it’s not like you to show support for your college.

He gestures to the scarf. RIPPER glances down at it.

RIPPER
S’not mine. (grins) I killed a bloke to get it.

The TUTOR laughs weakly, and decides to move swiftly on.

TUTOR
I believe you were going to read today.

He looks over his spectacles at RIPPER.

TUTOR
Please, do begin…you DO have an essay, don’t you? Because I hope I don’t have to remind you, your status at this college is tenuous to say the least.

RIPPER clearly has no essay. He doesn’t even have a pencil. But he’s fingering something in his pocket. The TUTORIAL PARTNER is about to offer to read instead. He’s obviously itching to air his masterpiece, which he has taken out of his folder and is trying to get the TUTOR to notice it.

RIPPER shrugs.

RIPPER
I didn’t write one. Couldn’t be arsed. So I went out and got drunk. (to TUTORIAL PARTNER) Gimme that!

He reaches over and snatches the other student’s essay. He mutters something under his breath.

TUTORIAL PARTNER
Excuse me…! What do you think you’re…

The TUTOR and the TUTORIAL PARTNER suddenly go limp. Their heads fall to their chests, apparently asleep. RIPPER looks pleased with himself and begins to inspect the first page of the essay.

RIPPER
Nice! The little spod’s written a blinder. Or rather, I have.

RIPPER writes his own name at the top of the essay.

RIPPER
Thank YOU Ethan!

A few moments later, the others sit up, slightly dazed.

TUTOR
Er…sorry, where were we?

RIPPER
I was about to read my essay. Which, if I say so myself, is really something you’ll want to hear. S’bloody brilliant.

TUTOR
Yes, well, I’ll be the judge of that.

The TUTORIAL PARTNER looks puzzled for a moment.

TUTOR
And what about you, Watts? I’m sure you have an essay for me.

The TUTOR looks at him expectantly. He’s obviously used to brilliant work from that quarter. But the TUTORIAL PARTNER is panicking, looking very guilty.

TUTORIAL PARTNER
(scared an confused)
I…must’ve…I…don’t think I wrote one.

The TUTOR looks shocked and disappointed. RIPPER looks smug.

RIPPER
Shall I start?

6. INT. WHITE HORSE PUB

RIPPER and ETHAN are in a snug corner of the pub, nursing pints. RIPPER is recounting the story of the tutorial, very pleased with himself.

RIPPER
You should’ve seen their faces! Poor little bastard looked so confused. Cheers, Ethan!

He raises his glass. So does ETHAN.

ETHAN
Cheers!

They clink glasses.

RIPPER
Well. What now?

ETHAN
You haven’t had enough for one day?

RIPPER
Enough? Not likely!

Exhales

RIPPER
I actually feel like I’m living my own bloody life for a change!

ETHAN
Good for you old man.

ETHAN pauses to take a sip of his pint.

ETHAN
You know the Pitt Rivers museum? On Parks road?

RIPPER
Victorian eyesore? Of course.

ETHAN
Good. Because there’s something there I want you to help me steal. Tonight. Something rather special.

RIPPER laughs.

RIPPER
I’m game. What were you planning on pinching? I thought it was just a bunch of junk in there. Rusty swords and stuffed birds and that.

ETHAN leans in conspiratorially.

ETHAN
There’s this one-eyed yellow Idol…

RIPPER
(interrupts, laughing)
It’s not from the North of Katmandu is it?

ETHAN
Don’t be facetious.

RIPPER takes a sip of his drink and shrugs

RIPPER
Well, if I get cursed as a result of this, I’m bloody well taking you down with me!

ETHAN smiles

ETHAN
You’d be entitled to.

RIPPER
What does it do, this idol? I assume it’s not to go with your dolly collection.

ETHAN
We need it for the ritual.

This piques RIPPER’S interest, he leans forward.

RIPPER
What ritual?

ETHAN taps his nose.

RIPPER
(exasperated)
We’re not in the masons. You don’t need to be so mysterious!

ETHAN
(theatrically)
Oh reason not the need Ripper!

RIPPER
Pfft! English students! You always have to dress everything up. Just tell me what you’re planning.

ETHAN
Trust me, it’ll be the best night of your life so far.

RIPPER
Trust you? Unlikely. But I’ll come along for the ride. Anything’s better than the college bar.

He gets up, slams down his empty glass.

RIPPER
What are we waiting for? Let’s go and nick us a god.

7. INT. PITT RIVERS MUSEUM

The museum is dark and empty. Row upon row of glass cases are jumbled together, full of a hodge-podge of ancient swords, shrunken heads, Buddhas, tribal headdresses, and all manner of Imperially-pilfered objects. We hear footsteps. RIPPER and ETHAN appear, carrying torches.

RIPPER
Well, that was a walkover. Security here is rubbish.

ETHAN
I don’t believe the curators quite know the value of the collection. It may not be worth much to sell, but…

He puts his hand on a glass case, gazing inside.

ETHAN
There’s enough mystical power in here to end the bloody world!

He looks round at RIPPER and grins

ETHAN
Not that I’d want to of course.

RIPPER
Wouldn’t put it past you.

ETHAN
I’m rather surprised your council chaps don’t put a guard on this place.

He runs his hand over a case of sacrificial daggers.

RIPPER
That bunch of grandads? They never think about the…bigger picture.

ETHAN
Ah, but if you stick with them, you might get your own fully posable slayer Sindy…spend every night with a lovely little action bimbo?

RIPPER
Tempting. But I very much doubt they’d let me shag her. Not really in the Watcher’s handbook. Unless I missed something juicy in the small print. Anyway, I don’t think slayers have sex. They’re sort of like nuns, from what I hear. Never met one though. But maybe if I do…
(grins)

ETHAN smiles and carries on looking about him, inspecting the cases, till he spots what they came for.

ETHAN
There!

ETHAN points to a case containing – among many things – a six-inch high yellow statuette, with one jewel-studded eye.

ETHAN nods towards the case and they stroll over. RIPPER gets out a book and is about to read.

ETHAN
Are you off your nut? You can’t use magic in here!

RIPPER
Why?

ETHAN
You might wake up the exhibits!

RIPPER shrugs, wraps a cloth round his hand and smashes through the glass. He picks up the statue and shines his torch on it.

RIPPER
Ugly little bastard, isn’t he?

ETHAN
Hmm. Yes. But useful.

RIPPER
Now, we better go. Even if we haven’t woken up any beasties, I’m not to keen on waiting around to the fuzz.

On an upper level of the museum, someone is watching them. A donnish looking man with a bow tie. The CURATOR. He watches them leave with the statue.

CURATOR
Oh dear, boys. Oh dearie me. Whatever have you done?

He grins, showing a set of disturbingly sharp teeth.

8. INT CHRISTCHURCH COLLEGE DINING HALL

RIPPER is sitting at a table crowded with undergraduates chattering noisily. Everyone’s wearing their traditional academic gowns - even RIPPER. He seems nervous, quiet as he eats his meat and two veg. He’s sitting next to a jovial, prematurely middle aged STUDENT – the sort of bloke that started smoking a pipe aged 12.

STUDENT
You alright Rupert? You look a little off colour.

RIPPER
Yeah…I’m fine.

His neighbour chews a forkful of chicken.

STUDENT
Heard you wrote a blinder for Dr Hart yesterday. Didn’t know you had it in you!

RIPPER
Stranger things have happened.

The STUDENT gestures excitedly with his fork

STUDENT
Oh, did you hear about Oliver Rowson?
(beat)
He’s disappeared!

RIPPER
(casually)
Yeah?

STUDENT
It’s as if he disappeared in a puff of smoke.
(gestures with his hands)
Pouf!

RIPPER chokes on his food, stifling laughter. His neighbour doesn’t notice – he’s too excited.

STUDENT
It’s going to make a great story!

RIPPER
Story?

STUDENT
For the Cherwell…only the newspaper I’ve been editing for the last year! The Oxford newspaper.

RIPPER looks at him blankly.

STUDENT
Golly Ripper, you really don’t know what’s what round here do you? I sometimes wonder if you notice anything that really goes on in Oxford.

RIPPER
(darkly)
Yeah, that’s me. Don’t know a thing about what’s really going on under all our noses.

STUDENT
Mind you…he had been behaving rather oddly of late…I saw him the other day. Well, night actually…he’s been keeping very strange hours…and he was looking terribly pale.

RIPPER
Probably not getting enough iron in his diet.
(mutters under his breath)
If I was feeding off Oxford students, I’d be anaemic by now.

9. EXT. COLLEGE QUAD, CHRISTCHURCH, NIGHT

RIPPER is standing outside, waiting. He’s carrying a torch, and shivering slightly. A few moments later, ETHAN arrives, carrying the idol they stole the night before, and another torch.

RIPPER
Bloody finally. It’s brass monkeys out here.

ETHAN
It’s what? Really Ripper, you do talk some nonsense sometimes. Anyone’d think you’d been hanging around with Trade.

RIPPER balls his fist, angrily.

RIPPER
Oi!

ETHAN tuts

ETHAN
It’s not the time for brawling now, Ripper.

He bends down and opens a trap-door in the cobbles, leading to the wine cellars.

ETHAN
We have work to do. Well, havok to wreak, anyway.

He climbs down into the trap-door, and RIPPER follows.

10. INT. WINE CELLAR

RIPPER and ETHAN are walking through the wine cellar. ETHAN is shining a torch, weaving in and out of the racks. RIPPER now has the idol under one arm.

RIPPER
Bloody hell! I knew they stretched a long way under the college but…

ETHAN
Sh! Keep your voice down.

RIPPER
(stage whisper)
Why?

ETHAN
We’re not the only ones down here.

RIPPER
Oh? What, like porters or kitchen staff or something? We can just say we’re…

ETHAN
I’m not talking about people you idiot. I’m talking about things. You see, demons, they love a good cellar.

RIPPER
(sarcastically)
What, into fine wines are they?

A screetching sound is heard – it sounds like rats, but slightly lower-pitched.

RIPPER
What’s that?

ETHAN
Rats?

ETHAN doesn’t sound like he believes it for a second. He’s shaking slightly.

RIPPER
I bloody hope so!

The noise gets louder and louder. We see glimpses of movement in the shadows thrown by the torchlight. Goblin-like figures, circling round RIPPER AND ETHAN

RIPPER But I don’t bloody think so!

ETHAN and RIPPER step closer together, peering out into the darkness, shining their torches frantically, trying to make out what’s out there. RIPPER’S torch illuminates one of the creatures fully for a second. We see a beady eye, a mouthful of teeth, a curved claw, then it’s gone.

RIPPER Oh. Balls. I’ve heard about these…always thought they were just an old wives tale.

RIPPER reaches into his pocket, pulls out a knife. ETHAN looks around in panic.

ETHAN
What are they?

RIPPER
Perhaps we could leave the demonology lesson for a time we’re not about to be minced.

ETHAN
What are we going to do?

ETHAN’S beginning to panic. Courage is clearly not one of his virtues. If he has any. RIPPER shrugs, looks out into the dark, swearing under his breath. But the creatures, though they’re baring their horrible teeth, don’t seem to be coming any closer.

RIPPER looks puzzled for a moment. Then he looks down at the statue under his arm. He holds it out towards the nearest creatures, and they run back, screetching even louder.

RIPPER
Nice one !

ETHAN grins with relief.

ETHAN
I didn’t know it could do that!

RIPPER looks fondly down at the little yellow god.

RIPPER
(to the statue)
Thanks mate, I owe you one!
(to Ethan)
Come on, lead on.

ETHAN
This way.

They walk on, holding the idol in front of them, until they reach a wall. ETHAN presses something – you can’t quite see what – and a door swings open.

RIPPER
Very flash. Surprised they haven’t snapped you up for MI5.

ETHAN grins

ETHAN
Oh, they tried. But I’m too much of a glory hound – what’s the point of doing things you can’t brag about in the pub afterwards?

He walks through the door and RIPPER follows. The door slams behind them.

11. INT SECRET CHAMBER

The room is lit by candles. It’s quite large, the walls are stone, it looks like it was built a very long time ago. Inside are several shadowy figures – three men and a woman.

ETHAN
More than a coven, less than a soccer team. Ripper, meet the gang. Gang, meet Ripper.

RIPPER
You didn’t say anything about a gang.

ETHAN
I wanted to surprise you. Told you I practised my little hobby with friends didn’t I? Well, here are said Friends.

The “gang” move closer to RIPPER. There’s something menacing about the way they walk. They crowd round him. Ripper tries to keep his cool, not let on that he’s afraid.

RIPPER
They don’t exactly look like they’re gunning for a love-in.

ETHAN grins.

ETHAN
Oh, they want to welcome you with open arms. And veins.

RIPPER looks at him in horror.

RIPPER
What is this? Candid camera, Sacrifice special?

He’s beginning to panic slightly.

ETHAN
Calm down Ripper. It’s just a little initiation.

The gang ignore him and talk amongst themselves.

MAN 1
Is he ready?

MAN 2
He doesn’t look it.

WOMAN
He’s so…stiff. We need to loosen him up.

She comes closer, carrying a knife.

RIPPER
(backing away)
Now hang on a minute

ETHAN
She’s not going to hurt you Ripper. Well, not much…

RIPPER
That looks like a bloody sharp knife.

WOMAN
Better than a blunt one. Blunt ones hurt much more.

ETHAN
Come on…if you want power, you have to be prepared to make some sacrifices. You can’t make an omlette without breaking eggs. Be a good boy and stand still for Deirdre.

RIPPER
Speaking as the egg in question, I’m not entirely sure I want…

DEIRDRE
(soothing)
Shhhh! We just need to know you’re ready.

MAN 2
Then we’ll show you…what you came to see.

RIPPER looks round at them, their faces illuminated by the flickering candles. He’s starting to feel more comfortable. This is just a game, they’re just trying to mess with his head. So he stands up straighter.

RIPPER
What do I have to do?

ETHAN
You have to bleed, old boy. After that…the fun can begin.

DEIDRE
Hold out your hand…

RIPPER does so reluctantly. DEIDRE holds it and draws her knife across his palm. He winces. DEIDRE produces a cup, squeezes blood from the wound into it.

DEIDRE
And the other one…

RIPPER does so.

RIPPER
You’re a sick bunch of bastards, you know that.

ETHAN
Thank you! But remember…we’re sick bastards with the sort of power you’ve always dreamed of. Take it away boys.

He nods to the two men. They begin to chant.

ETHAN looks wickedly at RIPPER.

ETHAN
If this is too much for you, you can leave if you want. You’re not a prisoner.

RIPPER steels himself, clenching his wrists, wincing at the pain in his hand. But he’s not going to back down now.

RIPPER
I’m staying. But you better have something bloody good to show me!

ETHAN
Oh don’t worry, we do…

DEIDRE smiles at him and picks up the idol, then pours some of RIPPER’S blood on its head.

Fade to black.

9. EXT. CHRISTCHURCH MEADOWS

It’s a misty morning. RIPPER is lying face down on the grass. He pushes himself up, to his feet. He’s wet with dew, and still wearing last night’s clothes – which look like they’ve been barbecued. His hand is still bandaged, and the bandage is unharmed. He’s confused, looks around him at the meadows. He sniffs the air, smells something odd, then looks towards the river. A column of smoke is rising from beyond the trees.

RIPPER
What the…?

He clutches his head and falls.

10. FLASHBACK TO LAST NIGHT

We see a whirl of images. A DEMON, large and scaly, rising up in the middle of the circle of RIPPER, ETHAN, DEIDRE and the two men. A light shooting out of its hand, into them. RIPPER, standing on top of a building, fire burning around his outstretched hands, but he doesn’t seem in any pain. Then we see the building alight, flames licking around him without harming him. ETHAN walking on the water, laughing.

Then the images become darker, more disturbing. RIPPER sees an image of himself with a hand coming out of his stomach. ETHAN is standing behind him – it’s his hand; snakes crawling all over DEIDRE - it’s not clear whether she’s laughing or screaming; the two male strangers morphed into one, a mess of limbs and heads. A flash of the idol, covered in RIPPER’S blood, the blood spreading around it in a pool, spreading further and further until it’s a lake. DEIDRE and the two men floating in the lake, apparently dead. Then, in the vision, DEIDRE’S eyes snap open, she’s looking at him directly.

DEIDRE
I owe you one, mate.

11. EXT. CHRISTCHURCH MEADOWS

ETHAN who is lying close by, staggers to his feet, clutching his head. We see through his eyes for a moment – his vision is blurred.

ETHAN
Well…that was quite…a…night.

There is no sign of the woman or the other two men. RIPPER is lying still a couple of feet away.

ETHAN
Ripper, are you alright old man? Cos I’m bloody not.

RIPPER grunts, then props himself up on his elbows.

RIPPER
I wanna fry-up.
(thinks for a second)
Or maybe I wish I was dead. I can’t decide.

ETHAN helps him to his feet, then has to clutch onto him for support. They’re both a very sorry sight. RIPPER’S clutching his head, trying to rid himself of the images he’s just seen.

RIPPER
Where are the others? I can’t seem to remember what happened after…

ETHAN
No bloody clue. They could be dead.

RIPPER looks at him in shock. But ETHAN grins.

ETHAN
Only kidding. They probably didn’t play silly buggers like us. Went home to their nice soft beds. But you, Ripper…

He looks at RIPPER, approvingly, though there’s an element of malice in the look – the look of Satan about to offer Eve that plump juicy apple.

ETHAN
You’re the real thing, aren’t you? You’re ready to take it all the way.

RIPPER preens himself at this, while trying to remain upright. Then he turns in the direction of the smoke.

RIPPER
Was that us? Did we flambee the boathouse last night?

ETHAN nods, slowly and slyly. RIPPER considers this piece of information. Then he grins.

RIPPER
Good. I hate bloody rowers. It’s just not natural, getting up that early. So, we did them a favour, didn’t we?

ETHAN laughs.

ETHAN
Well, I better toddle off. Got to change out of these rather incriminating clothes. I’m seeing father for lunch today, down in London.

He gestures to their arson-couture.

RIPPER
Yeah.

ETHAN
If you ever fancy a repeat performance. Or a better performance, call this number. I live in Camden.

ETHAN hands him a scrap of paper with a phone number scrawled on it. There’s no name, just a number. ETHAN nods, and turns away. RIPPER looks after him for a minute, still trying to take in what has happened. Then he turns and staggers off towards the College.

12. INT. BY THE DOOR OF RIPPER’S BEDROOM/INSIDE THE ROOM

RIPPER is walking down the hall outside his bedroom. He’s exhilarated, though in a bit of a mess, and he bangs open his bedroom door. To his surprise, a man is sitting inside – he’s about 30, very respectably dressed. He would look like a Don if he didn’t look so dangerous. Ripper recoils. He obviously knows this man. Quentin Travers, a member of the Watcher’s Council, and a friend of his (dead) father.

RIPPER
Quentin! What the hell…

QUENTIN
Come in and shut the door Mr Giles. Don’t make a scene.

RIPPER doesn’t come any closer, he stays in the doorway.

QUENTIN
(firmly)
Come in.

RIPPER finds himself obeying. He’s in the habit of doing this – he grew up among council members, he can’t quite shake off the hold their authority has on him. He walks warily towards QUENTIN, and sits down on a chair on the opposite side of the room. QUENTIN looks at him sternly.

QUENTIN
Did you think the Council was blind?

RIPPER remains silent. There’s something about his manner that makes him look like a little boy who’s been caught being naughty. QUENTIN presses the tips of his fingers together.

QUENTIN
What you did last night…and the…activities you have been engaged in over the past year…they are unacceptable. Do you understand? Not to mention the company you appear to be keeping.

He shakes his head.

QUENTIN
Your father would have been so very disappointed in you, Rupert.

RIPPER clenches his fists at the mention of his father.

QUENTIN
When you should have been preparing for your calling, your sacred duty , you have been…well, you know as well as I what you’ve been doing. But you see, Mr Giles, it stops now. It’s time to be a man.

RIPPER is beginning to regain some of his cool during this lecture. He’s starting to bristle. Quentin smiles. But it’s a smile that doesn’t spread to the eyes.

QUENTIN
We are prepared to give you a second chance. If all this stops now, you will be permitted to remain at Oxford. Otherwise, we will have no option but to arrange your rustication. And we can, you know, Mr Giles. I’m sure you understand the power of the council.

RIPPER
(quietly)
So, you’re prepared to give me a second chance are you?

QUENTIN nods, smiling. He’s rather enjoying this – he’s obviously fairly new to power.RIPPER looks up and grins.

RIPPER
Stick it up your arse.

QUENTIN
(shocked)
Wha…

RIPPER gets up and saunters over to QUENTIN’S chair. He leans forward, putting his hands on the arms of the chair.

RIPPER
Go on…get me sent down. I really couldn’t give a toss. I didn’t ask to be a Watcher. And I’m not going to be. Dunno why I ever bothered coming here either. Oxford’s a dump. And I’ve got better things to do than hang out in sodding libraries all day!

Ripper hauls him up by the lapels.

RIPPER
Now get out of my room!

QUENTIN
You’ll regret this, Rupert.

RIPPER jostles QUENTIN to the door.

RIPPER
Maybe I will. But, at the moment, it feels pretty bloody wonderful.

He slams the door in QUENTIN’S face and smiles an exultant smile.

13. INT. OXFORD TRAIN STATION

RIPPER is walking down the crowded train platform, carrying a scruffy knapsack full of books and clothes. He has his guitar slung over one shoulder. He saunters onto the train that’s standing, waiting to depart. He sits by the window.

14. INT SECRET CHAMBER

The room where RIPPER was initiated is empty. The remains of a small fire throws a low light over the chamber. The yellow idol is lying smashed in the centre of the room. The single eye suddenly glows red for a second. There’s a hissing sound, a mist escapes, and creeps out under the door.

15. INT TRAIN STATION

Something invisible is moving through the crowd, nudging people out of the way.

MAN
Oi!

WOMAN
What on earth?

The camera follows this invisible presence onto the train. It appears to sit opposite RIPPER making an indentation in the seat. RIPPER is looking out of the window as the train shunts out of the station, smiling, blissfully unaware that he’s not alone. What’s following him? We’ll find out next episode…

CREDITS

THE END