*Spoiler* Freaky Phoebe

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Episode 7.19: Freaky Phoebe
Airdate: May 2005

03/12 - Paige begins whitelighter duty when she gets a new charge named Mitchell Haines, 28, mechanic. Mitchell isn't interested in having a new whitelighter nor developing his powers. Will Paige be able to show him using his powers can be a good thing or will she admit defeat? Piper takes care of demons who attack at P3. Phoebe is annoyed because the newspaper is being sued and the legal department is clamping down all reporters. They want all of Phoebe's columns to be reviewed by a professional shrink so that she doesn't get sued for giving bad advice. A hideous-looking sorceress named Imara switches bodies with Phoebe so she can be out in the real world and take care of three of Zankou's lieutenants who are above ground. Destroying Zankou's trusted men will weaken the powerful demon. The real Phoebe is trapped underground. Will the sisters discover the switcharoo in time? Leo is working at Magic School. Sheridan also appears in the episode. Source: SpoilerFix.com

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Mitchell, 28, sits on top of an oil drum eating lunch. He's dressed in mechanics clothes and looks like he's enjoying this moment to himself. Until Paige orbs in. Mitchell looks up, annoyed, but not surprised. Paige can't help but notice him, but quickly regains her composure, "Mitchell Haines?" Mitchell confirms. Paige: "Hi, I'm your new Whitelighter. Paige Matthews. Pleased to meet you…" Mitchell: "Not interested." He hops off the drum, tosses his lunch into a dumpster and heads toward an auto body shop across the street. Paige, thrown, scrambles to catch up. "Wait, what are you doing, you can't just walk away…" Mitchell: "No? Watch me." Paige: "But, aren't you at least going to hear me out?" Mitchell turns to her, mocking, "Let me guess…I'm a witch with great powers? That you can help bring them out for me, master them?" Paige: "Well, yeah, more or less." Mitchell: "I don't want your help." Paige: "Now hold on just a sec…" She cuts him off at the front door to the shop, looks around, and leans in, "Look, I know you've had problems in the past, but maybe you just haven't been turned on to magic by the right person. Namely, me." Mitchell: "My last Whitelighter said the same thing. They ever send anybody who hasn't studied the Elder playbook?" Paige: "Hey, I'm not just anybody. I'm a Charmed One and I ran Magic School. Throw in Whitelighter and you're getting a three-for-one deal here. That's a lot of experience." Mitchell: "Good, you can use it to help your next charge." With that, he brushes past Paige and slams the door in her face.

INT. P3 - Day

Piper blasts a demon against a door to her office, blowing him up. She ducks a fireball and turns to face another demon, who just threw it at her. Piper: "Okay, little head's up? There's two places I won't allow demons. Where I live…and where I work!" She blows him up but gets knocked down by a piece of ricocheting debris, which allows a third demon, Lantos, to get the drop on her. He approaches, curiously not forming a fireball, when Paige orbs in next to him. He's just as surprised to see her as she is to see him. "Barstool!" She orbs the stool at him, knocking him back against the wall. Piper recovers to blast him but he shimmers out just in time. Paige pulls her rattled sister to her feet. "You okay?" Piper, looking around, concerned, "Yeah, I'm fine." Paige: "What do you think they wanted?" Piper: "I have no idea." Paige: "At least you're not hurt.' Piper, looking around, finally spotting what she was looking for, "No, but he is." The beer delivery guy lays in a corner, knocked out and bleeding.

FADE OUT

END OF TEASER


ACT I

INT. P3 - Day

The beer delivery guy is now hooked up to an IV and is being wheeled out on a gurney by a couple of paramedics. A uniformed officer is filling in a concerned Piper and Paige, "He's got a concussion, needs a few stitches, but he'll be fine." Paige: "Did he say if he saw anything?" Cop: "He was hit from behind. Last thing he remembers was loading a case of beer off his hand truck." Piper: "That's good, I mean, that he remembers it. Probably means no brain damage." Cop: "Stick around. The detective's gonna need to take a statement." Paige, to Piper, "' Probably means no brain damage?' Smooth." Piper: "Okay, that's the last time I call 911." Paige: "If only. Now that Leo can't heal anymore, that call's probably the first of many." Piper: "Great. I finally get a normal husband and now demons attack me here…they never attack me here." Paige: "Still, we covered pretty well…" Piper: "THIS time, but what about next time or the time after that?" Paige: "So, we'll deal with it then." Piper: "No, I'm gonna deal with it now. And when I'm done with whoever did this, the demon world'll think twice before they try attacking us again. These guys are not gonna screw up my new life." Paige: "That's great, but before you take care of that, can you help another family member with her new life? The reason I came by? Mitchell told me to get lost. My first charge." Piper: "Oh." Paige: "Oh? That's all you've got for me? Oh…?" Piper: "Sorry, not really into the whole Whitelighter deal anymore. Why don't you talk to Leo?" Sheridan, approaching, "Excuse me…You're Phoebe Halliwell's sisters, right?" Piper, guarded, "Right…" Sheridan: "I'm Inspector Sheridan, I met Phoebe a couple weeks ago…on another case." Piper, big fake smile, "Nice to meet you. So where's…' Sheridan: "Lieutenant Morris? Out of town, taking some personal time. I'm covering his territory while he's gone. So, can you describe the suspects? Tall, short? Black? White?" Paige: "You know, it all happened to fast…" Piper; "Plus, we were in the back when it happened. By the time we came out, they were…" Paige: "Gone." Sheridan appraises them for a moment, then "What I don't get is why they'd try to rob the place in the middle of the day…before you even opened." Paige: "We were just asking ourselves the same question." Sheridan: "I'll be in touch." She heads out and Paige breathes a sigh of relief, "At least she thinks this is the first time we've met. Thank you memory dust." Piper tells her the dust isn't foolproof and they can't give her any reason to suspect she's met them before.

[StreakSpeed]

INT. Demon Lair - Eternal Night

Lantos enters the lair from an outer cave with two minions. He hesitates at the site of Imara, a sorceress, flanked by two handmaidens. Seeing Lantos, she beckons him to come closer and tell her why he failed. Lantos takes a couple steps forward, "I'm confident the witch will be alone again soon." Imara: "I don't have time for 'soon'. I need a lock of hair NOW…the only way to weaken Zankou is to take out his most trusted lieutenants. Daleek, Benzor, Linson…all above ground, all of whom I can only get to with the help of the beautiful Charmed Ones. Tell me, Lantos, do you think I'm beautiful, too?" Lantos, "Of course." Knowing he's lying, Imara withdraws her hand from his arm and tells him they can't wait any longer, "I reported to the Source, I won't do the same with his successor." Lantos tells her he'll need at least 6 more demons. Imara tells him he can't overcome the sisters with force, especially Piper, since she'll be expecting another attack and they need to go after a different sister this time…Phoebe. Lantos asks why not Paige. Imara says it's because she's also a Whitelighter, which puts her in constant contact with the Elders.

INT. Manor - Kitchen - Day

A disgusted Phoebe hurries in to find Piper finishing up a batch of vanquishing potion. "Lawyers! There should be a special place in hell for each and every one of them!" Piper; "Okay, before you completely lose it, I need to…" Phoebe: "Talk about an attack…" Piper: "Exactly…" Phoebe: "The paper just had a couple lawsuits, so now the stupid legal department is clamping down on ALL the reporters." Piper; "So, you're not a reporter. Anyway, as I was…" Phoebe: "I'm a columnist! They're telling me I could be sued for giving bad advice so they want me to have my columns reviewed by a professional shrink!" Piper; "Well, technically, you're NOT a real shrink. Now, if you'd let me…" Phoebe: "Excuse me. Bachelor's degree. That's four years right there. Anyway, my readers don't care about my credentials. They know what matters is my insight!" Piper, can't hold it in any longer, "True. Now, how about you direct that famous insight towards the fact that I was just attacked at P3!" Phoebe, stopping in her tracks, "Oh my God, are you okay?" Piper: "I'm alive…something the demons won't be when I'm done with them. Providing I can find them…" Phoebe asks about the Book, but Piper tells her that too many fit the description. Phoebe: "Kinda strange, demons don't usually attack at the club." Piper: "Even stranger? I'm not so sure they actually wanted to kill me. One of them could have easily nailed me with a fireball, but he didn't." She hands Pheebs a potion vial. "What's this for?" Piper; "New policy. We carry these for protection." Phoebe: "But if we don't know what kind of demon it is…' Piper: "I don't care. If this potion doesn't kill 'em, it'll at least stun 'em." Phoebe; "And I thought I was on a rampage." Piper; "I'm sending demondom a message. I've got a new life with a normal husband and nobody's getting in the way of either one." Phoebe: "Alright, I'll help you go after these guys as soon as I clean up this thing with my column, okay? You want me to have a life too, right?" Piper: "If you must."

INT. Magic School - Leo's Office - Day

Leo, relaxed and in charge, hands an assistant a folder, "Need copies to go to all the teachers. Also tell Mr. Feeney a firm yes on the after school TK class." The assistant nods and leaves and then, Leo looks over, "So you bombed with your charge?" Paige, seated across from his desk, "Severely." Leo tells her it happens, and not to let it get her down. Paige says it would have helped if the Elders had given her more to go on, "So the guy had several Whitelighters and the power of hyper-speed…I could've googled and found out more than that." Suddenly, bells chime. Leo: "Hold that thought…" He looks to a corner of the office, "Yes?" A transparent teacher, Lawrence, materializes, looking sick, "I'm not feeling well, could you fill in for me at Corporealizing class?" Leo tells him it's no problem, then advises him to go home and get some rest. Lawrence dematerializes and Leo turns back to Paige, "What?" Paige: "Nothing. I'm just impressed, that's all." Leo asks what she means. Paige: "I had your job for almost a year. You make it look easy, but I know it's anything but." Leo thanks her. Paige: "You don't need an assistant, do you?" She says she's serious, she's starting to wonder if she's cut out for the Whitelighter stuff, plus she still doesn't trust the Elders. Leo asks if it's because They didn't tell her everything about Mitchell, because they never do, They want Whitelighters to get to know their charges themselves. Paige asks why They started her with a charge who hates Whitelighters. Leo tells her she needs to find a way to talk to him, that's her job as his guide and if she doesn't get him to use his powers, a lot of future innocents will be lost. Paige: "Great, no pressure there." Leo tells her They wouldn't have given him to her if They didn't think she could handle it. Then he tells her to go with her instincts and adds a bit about a few reluctant charges he had…."I had some charges once who didn't want to use their powers, either. So, I had to insinuate myself into their lives, get them to trust me before I could help them. Pretended to be a handyman, worked like a charm." Paige, smiles, knowing, "Lemme guess, you married one of them?" Leo: "Believe me, your sisters made Mitchell look like a piece of cake."

INT. Bay Mirror - Lobby/Elevator - Day

As Phoebe talks on her cell, she jabs the elevator button. Into the phone, "I don't care what those idiots in legal say, Elise, nobody else's words are gonna pollute my column!" The elevator doors opens and she gets in, still talking, "No, I'll be up in just a minute." She hangs up just as Lantos and a minion shimmer in behind her. Lantos pulls out a pair of scissors, then nods to the other demon. Phoebe senses them and ducks just as the second demon grabs for her. Combat ensues as Lantos tries to cut her hair and she finally hurls the second demon against the wall and quickly pulls out her potion and tosses it at him. He explodes in a cloud of smoke, which starts to fill the elevator and we hear the snip of the scissors and see Lantos with a lock of Phoebe's hair. She whips around and smashes him against a wall, but it's too late, he's got what he wanted. She reaches down and yanks the scissors out of his hand and goes to stab him but he shimmers out, and the scissors plunge into the elevator wall just as the doors open and Phoebe looks to see a dozen Bay Mirror employees waiting for the elevator, staring at the sight of Phoebe. Clump of hair missing, out of breath, pulling the scissors out of the wall…she quickly gathers herself, gives everyone a big smile and ambles out of the smoke-filled elevator. She walks past the small group and holds up the scissors, "Favorite scissors. Knew I left them somewhere."

FADE OUT

END OF ACT I

[StreakSpeed]

ACT II

INT. Demon Lair - Eternal Night

Imara looks at the lock of Phoebe's hair and smiles, "What pretty hair she has…I'm going to enjoy this." Lantos, concerned, paces o the other side of a bubbling cauldron. "I was lucky to get out of there alive. Her powers of intuition…" Imara: "Won't do any good once she's trapped inside my cage." She places the hair on a silver tray and continues to add herbs to the cauldron. Lantos: "Still, if her sisters can anticipate like she can…" Imara tells him they can't, Phoebe's power is unique. Lantos, still worried, suggests holding off on the transfer. Imara: "How long have we been watching them? By now, we know the Charmed Ones better than anyone, including Zankou." Lantos: "But their bond is strong. To fool them even for a day…" Imara slaps him to the ground and the minions scatter. Imara stares at them fiercely for a moment, then gently takes the lock of hair and holds it up to the like, "Like I said, we've learned enough." And with that, she drops the hair into the cauldron.

INT. Phoebe's Office/Manor - Kitchen (intercut) - Day

Phoebe's in her office, looking at her hair in a mirror, talking into the phone, "My hair's ruined! And I just spent two hundred and fifty bucks on a cut and color, too!" Piper's at home, making lunch for Wyatt and Chris, "What? You spent two hundred and fifty dollars on a HAIRCUT?! You could've bought a week's worth of groceries with that!" Phoebe: "HELLO…don't really think the price of a haircut should be your first concern right now." Piper: "Okay, you're right…actually, this is good news." Phoebe: "Good news for who exactly?" Piper; "All of us. After all, how many demons specialize in going after someone's hair? Should be easier to figure out who they are. What'd they look like? Greasy hair, long coats…" Phoebe: "Yeah, and wielding some mean scissors…which, by the way, I've got." Piper: "Great, we can use them to scry with." Phoebe: "I'll bring them home as soon as I deal with somebody else who wants a piece of me." She looks up to see Dr. Jerry Randall approaching, holding Phoebe's column. She tells Piper she has to go but before Piper can protest, she hangs up and faces Dr. Randall. "Ms. Halliwell? Hello, I'm Dr. Randall." Phoebe: "Yeah, I know who you are. You're the guy who's here to ruin my column." Dr. Randall: "I sense some displaced anger." Phoebe: "No, it's very well placed. And you can put away that red pencil 'cause I don't plan to change a word of what I've written." Dr. Randall: "Well, I'm afraid you don't have a say in the matter." Phoebe: "Considering that says 'Ask Phoebe', I think I do."

INT. Demon Lair (simultaneous)

Imara is mid-ritual and as Lantos and the handmaidens look on, she drops the final herbs into the cauldron and recites her spell. The cauldron flares and Imara is rocked back as her demonic essence rises from her body and ascends towards the roof of the cave.

INT. Bay Mirror - Phoebe's Office (continuous)

Dr. Randall faces Phoebe, "Let me remind you, you're not the doctor, I am." He turns his back on her for a second and gestures towards the wall, "After all, I don't see any diplomas on your walls." The instant his back is turned, Phoebe's soul escapes, sinking into the floor, passing Imara's. Before Phoebe's body can collapse, Imara's soul inters her body.

INT. Demon Lair (simultaneous)

Phoebe's soul descends into Imara, on the ground, and she reawakens with a shudder, "What's going on…where am I?" Lantos and a minion guard grab her, yank her to her feet, and toss her into an enchanted cage, slamming the door shut. Then, Lantos waves a magic bar into place, which causes the door to glow and lock. Lantos: "Hello, witch. Hope you like the view…it'll be that last one you ever have."

INT. Bay Mirror - Phoebe's Office (simultaneous)

Dr. Randall: "So whether you like it or not, you and I will be working together for a long time, do we understand each other?" 'Phoebe': "Lemme ask you something, Doc…do you think I'm hot?" Dr. Randall: "Excuse me?" Knowing he does, she grabs him and gives him a kiss, then 'Phoebe': "This is gonna be fun!" With that, she strides out of the office, slowing only to wink at a copy boy on the way out.

[StreakSpeed]

INT. Manor - Living Room - Day

Leo's flipping through a demon handbook, "Nope." Piper crosses over to him with a few more books, "Good, it's not just me then. By the way, thanks." Leo: "For what?" Piper: "For coming home to help me with this." Leo: "Come on, you were attacked." Piper: "I know. And I'm doing my best to make sure it doesn't happen again." Leo tells her she can't scare away every demon. She tells him she can at least make the demons think twice before they attack…and can't help but add, "I'd just like to think that someday when you come home in the middle of the day, it'll be for lunch." Leo: "Or…maybe there's something else we could do for an hour…" Piper: "Don't push it. Keep checking." Leo picks up another book, "You know, they're probably working for an upper-level demon, whoever wanted the hair. Question is…who?" Piper: "Witch doctor?" Leo: "Could be. Or a Voodoo priestess, Soul Swapper, demonic cloner…" Piper: "Cloner, huh? That wouldn't be so bad, actually. At least I'd have another sister around to help fight demons." 'Phoebe': "Did somebody say 'fight demons'…'cause I am so there." Piper; "Phoebe? What are you doing back here so soon/" 'Phoebe': "What do you mean?" Piper asks about the shrink. 'Phoebe' says she took care of him, then catches a glimpse of herself in the mirror, "Oh my God!" Piper, misinterpreting, "Oh, for God's sake, would you stop worrying about your hair already?" Leo: "Maybe we should go upstairs, try looking at the Book of Shadows again." Piper: "There's nothing, I checked." 'Phoebe': "Well, let's check again! We've got demons to vanquish, don't we?" And with that, she enthusiastically heads up the stairs, leaving a curious Leo and Piper to follow her upstairs.

FADE OUT

END OF ACT II

ACT III

INT. Manor - Attic - Day

'Phoebe', growing more confident by the minute, flips through the Book, not letting on that she recognizes most of the demons. "So, do we have any idea what those demon creeps are up to?" Leo tells her that they don't, but he's leaning towards soul swapping. 'Phoebe': "Soul swapping? Nah, sorry, I don't see it." Leo: "If it was voodoo, the demons could have just stolen a comb…gotten your hair that way. Soul swapping's more powerful. All the ingredients have to be fresh. Which explains why they needed newly cut hair." 'Phoebe': "Yeah, but, demons have tried to impersonate us in the past. It never works. We know each other way too well." Piper: "She's got a point. At least we can still try scrying for these guys with the scissors." 'Phoebe': "Scissors?" Piper: "They in your purse? Never mind, I'll get 'em." Nervous, but thinking fast, 'Phoebe' slams her hand down on the Book, reeling from a very well-timed, very faked, premonition. Piper asks what she saw. Piper sets her purse back down and joins 'Phoebe' at the Book. As she recovers, she points at a demon on the page, Daleek, "THIS is who we need to vanquish." Piper: "Daleek? But he doesn't look anything like the demon who attacked us." 'Phoebe': "Really…are you sure?" Leo: "Unless it's the demon they're working for…" 'Phoebe': "Yeah, I'll bet that's it." Leo takes a look, "Upper-level demon, operates above ground. Who knows, might be a Zankou plant. Wouldn't be the first time…" Piper; "Yeah, but it doesn't say anything about him stealing hair." 'Phoebe': "Still, I saw him posing as a civilian in my premonition. What more proof do we need?" Piper agrees and 'Phoebe' says she'll meet them downstairs, "I'm gonna slip into something a little more…sexy." Piper: "SEXY? We're killing a demon, Phoebe, not going clubbing." 'Phoebe': "Did I say sexy? I meant comfortable." She starts to head out but Piper stops her, "Should we really go after this Daleek guy without the Power of Three?" Leo: "You can call Paige if you need her, but with her being a Whitelighter, you're gonna have to get used to working without her more." 'Phoebe' agrees with him. Leo: "Besides, you've got potions. Even if he is an upper-level demon, it's nothing you haven't handled before."

INT. Demon Lair - Eternal Night

'Imara' attempts to grab the cage door but gets a shock and is knocked backwards by the magical forcefield. Lantos: "You have somewhere to go? I can't believe I was worried we wouldn't pull this off." 'Imara': "I'll get out of here eventually." Lantos: "With a face like that, you're better off in the cage." 'Imara' catches her reflection in one a mirror and recoils as Lantos continues: "Don't feel all that charmed now, do you?" 'Imara': "My sisters will get me out of this cage…and this body." Lantos: "You're forgetting…for them to come to your rescue, they'd first have to realize Imara's in your body." 'Imara': "You don't think they can tell when there's a demon in the house?" Lantos: "There was a demon in your house not too long ago. Zankou. And everything he learned, we learned. Imara broke into his lair, stole all his information…now, she knows everything about you." 'Imara': "I don't care, my sisters will figure it out." Lantos: "But by then it'll be too late. For both you and Zankou. We'll have killed all of his allies, weakened him to the point where he can no longer rule. And as for you…you're just keeping Imara's body alive so her soul can return to it. Too bad there won't be a body for your soul to return to."

EXT. Auto Body Shop/Street/Alley - Day

[StreakSpeed]

Mitchell's staring at the bars on the front grill of a car. He suddenly hears the sound of squealing breaks and then, a second later, the thud of a car crash. He jumps up and sees a car smashed against an electrical power pole next to the alley. Then, he sees the driver, trapped in her seat. The power pole snaps in half, wires sparking dangerously over the car roof. The woman looks through the broken windshield, weak and pleading, "Help me…please…someone…" Mitchell quickly glances around, then shifts into hyper speed. Becoming a human blur, he races across the empty street to the car and quickly yanks open the door as the light pole starts to fall. He pushes the woman out the passenger side and blurs away with her just as the pole falls onto the car's roof, crushing it. In the alley, he sets the dazed woman down and checks her over. "Are you okay? Are you hurt?" The woman opens her eyes and suddenly glamours into Paige. Mitchell jumps back, stunned. "Surprise!" Mitchell, angry: "What're you doing? Are you out of your mind" Paige: "No, I just wanted to show you how your powers could save a life. Not that you really saved me, of course, but you could've.' Mitchell: "So you tricked me?!" Paige: "Well, yeah…I mean, if you want to put it that way, I guess, but…I just wanted to, you know, jump start things a little for you, remind you of what you can really do. With powers like yours, you can't just turn your back on that kind of gift." Mitchell tries to protest, but Paige stops him. Mitchell's temper flares, "You don't' know me, you don't know anything about me!" And with that, Mitchell brushes past her, leaving her to wonder what went wrong.

INT. Magic School - Leo's Office - Day

Leo: "You crashed your car??" Paige: "Well, it was just a rental. What? I took the insurance!" Leo tells her that's not the point. Paige: "Hey, you're the one who said I should follow my instincts!" Leo: "As a way to earn his trust, not destroy it!" Paige: "Hey, well, maybe there's a reason nobody else has gotten through to him before. Maybe it can't be done." Leo says he doesn't believe that, there's no such thing as a lost cause. Paige: "In that case, then maybe it's time someone else tried to get through to him. I mean it. Call the Elders and bring in another Whitelighter. I'm done, I can't do it." Leo: "So, what, you're just gonna give up?" Paige: "Mitchell doesn't want to be a witch, Leo. And I can't force him." Leo: "Well, maybe that's your problem…" Paige asks what he's talking about. Leo: "He's not just a witch, Paige. He's a person, too. Actually, he's a person first. Powers are tied to emotions, you know that. If you really want to help him, stop concentrating on the witch and start focusing on the man."

INT. Office Building - Hallway - Day

'Phoebe' marches down a hallway as Piper struggles to keep up, stunned by the news, "We're vanquishing a city councilman?? Are you crazy!?" 'Phoebe': "I told you he was posing as a civilian. You were fine with it." Piper: "That's because I thought we'd find him in an alley or a warehouse…not in the middle of downtown!" 'Phoebe': "You're the one who insisted I come home from work, take care of this." Piper: "I know but…would you just stop clunking around on those things for a second and listen. Please." She stops and glances towards the Councilman's outer office at the end of the hallway, eager to get on with it. Piper continues, "Look, I want to kill demons as much as you, probably more. But we can't afford to be reckless, especially with Sheridan around." 'Phoebe': "Sheridan?" Piper: "This morning? The attack at the bar?" 'Phoebe': "Right, sorry…got demon councilman on the brain." Piper: "I just don't want to risk getting back on her radar." 'Phoebe' reminds her that demons have attacked in one day, then asks if she wants them to get another chance. Piper; "Of course not, but…" She pauses as 'Phoebe' admires herself in a glass case that contains a fire extinguisher. Piper catches her doing it. "Were you just looking at yourself?" 'Phoebe': "Yeah. It's not a crime." Piper: "No, but it's pretty damn vain." 'Phoebe': "I'm just making sure I'm presentable. After all, we are seeing a councilman." Piper; "Who you think is evil." 'Phoebe': "Correction…who I KNOW is evil. And you'll know it, too, as soon as you freeze the scene." They turn and go the last few yards to Councilman Ben Wexler's outer office. A security guard asks if he can help the sisters. Piper smiles, then gestures, freezing the scene. She glances around, everyone's frozen, "All right, no demons in this bunch." 'Phoebe' nods towards the door to the councilman's office and they cross past the frozen figures and enter.

INT. Councilman Ben Wexler's Inner Office (continuous)

Ben is working at his desk when they enter. 'Phoebe': "Councilman Wexler?" Ben: "I'm sorry, do we have an appointment?" 'Phoebe': "No…Daleek….we don't." Realizing he's caught, he stands and forms a fireball. Before he can throw it, Piper gestures and blasts him against a wall…giving 'Phoebe' a chance to pull out the potion and throw it at him, blowing him up in a fiery vanquish. She stares at the scorch mark, "Okay, that's awesome. What is that stuff?" Piper: "Who cares? Let's get outta here."

INT. Councilman Wexler's Outer Office (continuous)

'Phoebe': "They're all frozen. What's the hurry?" Piper: "I don't want to be around when they unfreeze and discover their boss is now a missing person!" 'Phoebe': "Relax. Nobody's ever gonna know we were here. As they exit back through a metal detector and head down a hallway, we see that they missed the fact that there were several security monitors mounted on the walls, a picture of the frozen guard greeting the two of them remains on the screen.

[StreakSpeed]

FADE OUT

END OF ACT III


ACT IV

INT. Manor - Foyer/Hallway/Stairs - Day

'Phoebe' enters, heading for the stairs. Piper's a step behind, trying to reason with her. "I just think we should try finding the demon who actually attacked us." 'Phoebe': "We'll get to him." Piper: "When?" 'Phoebe': "After I try getting a couple more premonitions. Who knows how many of Zankou's guys are out there…" Piper: "But our first demon has a piece of your hair. And who knows when he's gonna use it - or try to come back for more!" 'Phoebe': "So what if he does? With this face, I could be bald and still look good." Piper, having enough, "Alright, what the hell's gotten into you?" 'Phoebe' stops in her tracks, anxious, "What do you mean?" Piper: "You're running around like a crazy person. That is when you're not stopping to check yourself out on every shiny surface you walk past…" 'Phoebe': "I'm sorry. I'm a little scattered. I got so much on my mind - what with my column and demons and trying to help you get a normal life…" Piper, backing down, "I appreciate it, but it doesn't require us going a mile a minute." 'Phoebe': "You wanted to make a statement to the demon world. I figure we kill enough of them, we'll do that. Right?" Piper agrees and the doorbell rings. Piper opens the front door to see Inspector Sheridan. "What brings you all the way out here?" Sheridan: "Actually, this does." She pulls out a photo and we see it's a picture from a security camera at Councilman Wexler's office. Sheridan explains the situation and that "…according to this picture, you were the last two people to see him before he disappeared." Piper: "And you think we had something to do with it?" Sheridan: "Did you?" Piper: "No, I mean…we just went down to see what he could do about some branches hanging in our backyard." Sheridan: "Probably not a lot, considering he's not really your councilman." Piper; "Which is exactly what we found out when we talked to him." 'Phoebe': "There, satisfied?" Sheridan: "No, I'm not. Not by a long shot. First there's a robbery that doesn't look like a robbery and now a councilman's mysteriously gone missing. Both times, one of you were there." Piper tells her it's just a coincidence. Sheridan tells them she doesn't believe in coincidences, then, "I'll be in touch." And with that, she leaves. Piper closes the door and 'Phoebe' is already heading for the stairs. "Where are you going?" 'Phoebe': "To change. I've had this on for an hour now. I can't help it. She makes me nervous." Piper: "And you're making me nervous. Look, I appreciate you helping me out with demons, but we've gotta be more careful.' 'Phoebe' promises they will be and heads off.

INT. Demon Lair - Eternal Night

'Imara' is pacing in the cage, giving herself a pep talk as the Minion Guard stands by, watching the cave entrance. "Come on, Phoebe…there's gotta be a way outta this…" Lantos: "Hey, give it a rest, will ya? You're tiring out her body. Imara's gonna need her strength when she returns, to kill your sisters." 'Imara': "Yeah? What makes you think I'm gonna let any demon…" Suddenly, she contorts her body and falls to the ground. Lantos, curious, approaches as 'Imara' lies in the middle of the cage. Lantos: "What's the matter with you? Get up." 'Imara': "What happened? What am I doing here?" Lantos exchanges a look with the guard as 'Imara' slowly stands, "They figured it out, they reversed the spell! Well don't just stand there, you fools, get me out of here!" Lantos, not buying it, "What are you talking about?" 'Imara': "Don't you see? The witches switched our souls back. IT'S ME!" Guard: "Imara?" 'Imara': "Hurry, we don't have much time…open up…let me out!" The guard goes to move the magical lock, but Lantos stops him. "Wait…how do we know it's really you?" 'Imara': "You dare challenge me? Open the cage now, or I'll kill you both!" Guard: "Same temper…" Lantos: "Still, we've been planning this for months and they figured it out in a couple of hours? I don't think so." 'Imara': "They wouldn't have suspected a thing if you hadn't left the scissors behind. That's right, you screwed up. Now let me outta here before they get here and kill us all!" Lantos, still not convinced, "Stay here. I'm going to go above ground, see for myself." 'Imara': "Idiot! Phoebe'll kill you the moment she sees you." Lantos: "Unless you're Phoebe, and this is just a trick." He turns to the guard, "DON'T let her out until I return." He shimmers out and 'Imara' looks over at the guard, "The witches will vanquish him…and then they'll come and vanquish you, too, unless you let me out. NOW!"

INT. Body Shop Bay - Night

Mitchell's working on a car door with a hammer. Working late, no one else around, when Paige suddenly orbs in. "Get out." Paige; "No, this time I'm not going anywhere." He turns to walk away from her, only to have her block his path. "And neither are you…I know when you decided not to use magic, Mitchell. I did some research." Mitchell: "You don't know anything." Paige: "I know about the accident." Mitchell: "Leave me alone!" He turns again to walk away but Paige steps in front of him. "You can't run away from me like you did all your others. Something happened to your fiancée. Jennifer, right?" Mitchell tries to blur towards the far door but he has to zig-zag around a couple cars which allows Paige to quickly orb in front of him. "I can do this all night." Mitchell: "Why are you doing this to me?" Paige: "Because I was sent to help you and I'm not leaving until I do. Look, don't give a rat's ass about your being a witch or not, alright? I'm just trying to help YOU. You're not just running from your gift, Mitchell, you're running from yourself, too." He starts to walk away, but this time, Paige doesn't stop him. "You loved her, didn't you? I mean REALLY loved her." Mitchell: "Yes…I did.' Paige: "How…did she die?" Mitchell: "I was…supposed to meet her. I was late, can't remember why. But when I got there, they had…already killed her. Demons. They didn't want her. She didn't even know what they were, who I really was. They were there for me, but I was…late. If only I'd used my speed, I might have been there in time to…" Paige: "You don't know that for sure. You can't ever know that…when I lost my parents, I blamed myself, too. Even tried to use my powers to change the past, fix it, but…we may have powers, but we're not invincible. We can't fix everything, or save everybody. We're still just…people. People who still have the ability to help others."

INT. Manor - Attic - Night

[StreakSpeed]

'Phoebe' enters in another outfit, "Aren't you cold?" Piper, waiting by the Book, "No, but then again, I actually have clothes on." 'Phoebe': "I know, it's kinda short, but I couldn't help myself. Felt so soft against my…" Piper: "Okay! Can we get back to demons?" 'Phoebe': "You bet." She starts flipping through the Book and quickly places her hand on another page and gets another premonition. "Benzor." Piper; "Benzor?" 'Phoebe': "Upper-level demon. I saw him posing as a judge. Probably also hooked in with Zankou." Piper: "You got all that from one premonition?" 'Phoebe': "Cool, huh?" Phoebe's cell phone rings and 'Phoebe', caught up in the Book, ignores it. Piper: "You gonna get that? Your phone…?" 'Phoebe': "Oh…right." She finds the cell in her purse and hurriedly answers, "Hello? Dr. Randall? Oh, right…look, just do whatever you want, I don't really care." She hangs up and Piper looks at her for a second, a flash of suspicion in her eyes. Then, reacting to the sound of a baby crying on the monitor, "I'll be right back." The moment Piper exits, Lantos shimmers in behind 'Phoebe', who checks her nails for a second before sensing his presence. She spins to face him and he forms a fireball, "What are you doing here?" Lantos, confirming, "Imara?" 'Phoebe': "Well, who else would it be? Why aren't you watching the witch?" Lantos: "She…said they sent you back to your body. I came to check." 'Phoebe': "WHAT?" Piper, returning, "Phoebe?" Lantos, not sure what to do, looks to 'Phoebe' for guidance. Then, to his surprise, "HELP! PIPER!" Lantos, "What are you doing??" 'Phoebe': "Covering…" Piper rushes in to see Lantos. 'Phoebe': "Black him!" Lantos, realizing too late: "No!!!" Piper gestures and blows him up. 'Phoebe' looks over at her sister and breathes a sigh of relief. "Whew, that was close." Piper: "That was the same demon, the one who attacked me in the club." 'Phoebe': "And me in the elevator." Paige, completely unaware, orbs in, happy, "Hey, guys, what's going on?" 'Phoebe': "Paige…good, you're just in time." Paige: "For what?" 'Phoebe': "To help us vanquish the demon who's been trying to kill us." Piper: "How do you know who it is?" 'Phoebe': "The demon you just blew up said her name…Imara. We need to vanquish her right away."

INT. Demon Lair - Eternal Night

Imara's been trying to break down the guard and he's starting to crack, "I can't let you out. She'll kill me." 'Imara': "She IS me." Guard: "But Lantos…" 'Imara': "Lantos is dead, otherwise he would've been back by now." Guard: "I don't know…" 'Imara': "If you do nothing, you'll be vanquished by the witches, don't you understand that? But if you free me, you'll take Lantos' place and rule by my side." The guard considers that, then retrieves the magical lock. The cage's force field sputters out and the door opens. 'Imara', pleased, steps out and crosses over to him. "You made a wise decision." He smiles, and she suddenly leaps up and kicks him hard against the wall, "My sisters and I thank you…" Then, she hears the familiar sound behind her. Piper, Paige and 'Phoebe' have just orbed in. 'Imara': "Well, it took you long enough." 'Phoebe': "Actually, I think we're right on time." 'Imara': "No, don't!" They throw the potion at 'Imara', incinerating her, and Phoebe's soul rises up and disappears through the ceiling. Paige and Piper, both seeing that, exchange a curious look. Paige: "What was that?" 'Phoebe': "That was Phoebe's soul…we just killed your sister." Before they can react, 'Phoebe' grabs the confused Minion and shimmers out with him.

FADE OUT


END OF ACT IV


ACT V

INT. Manor - Sitting Room - Night

A frantic Piper paces back and forth in front of Leo and Paige, blaming herself, "I told you it was a soul swap…didn't I tell you it was a soul swap?" Leo: "Piper, I really don't think now is the time for 'I told you so's." Piper: "I disagree, I think now is the perfect time for it. I knew something wasn't right with her, why didn't I do something?" Paige: "I really don't think blaming yourself is going to help much either." Leo: "Besides, how could any of us have known? She took over Phoebe's body to kill demons…Phoebe does that all the time." Piper: "Not lately she doesn't, not with everything going on at her work. I should've known, damnit!" Paige: "Why don't we just concentrate on getting her back, huh?" Piper: "Get her back? Paige, Phoebe's soul is GONE, okay? Forever." Leo: "Not necessarily…we've dealt with spirits before, we know they can keep themselves from moving on if their will is strong enough." Paige: "And Phoebe's is." Piper: "Fine, great, unfortunately, Imara's using Phoebe's body at the moment, and I don't think she's in a hurry to give it up, either." Paige: "Yeah, especially since we blew up HER body. Not that I'm blaming anyone." Leo: "Doesn't mean you still couldn't do another soul swap. Put Phoebe's soul back in her body and send Imara's essence to…" Paige: "Oblivion." Leo: "You just have to use the same ritual." Piper: "Problem is, we'd need a lock of Phoebe's hair to do it and I don't think Imara's going to let us get close enough to try." Paige: "We might not be able to get close enough, but I might know somebody who can…"

INT. Courthouse - Judge's Chambers - Night

Judge Hendricks packs his briefcase and prepares to leave. 'Phoebe': "Thomas Hendricks?" Judge: "Where'd you come from?" 'Phoebe: "Judge Thomas Hendricks?" Judge: "Who are you?" 'Phoebe': "Somebody who doesn't feel like working for your boss. Zankou…" Hendricks, concerned, hesitates, then quickly fires and energy dart at her, but she ducks and it vanquished the minion guard who was with her. "That was my favorite minion…" She tosses a potion at him before he can fire another dart and vanquished him. "Now, who's next?" But suddenly, the door flings open and a blur rockets in, forming into Mitchell. He stops in front of the stunned 'Phoebe', scissors in hand, quickly snips off a lock of hair, "Thanks', then he blurs back out, letting the scissors drop to the ground in front of 'Phoebe'.

[StreakSpeed]

INT. Manor - Attic - Night

Mitchell blurs in past Leo, hands 'Phoebe's' hair to Paige, then warns them, "She's pretty pissed." Paige: "Good." She tosses the hair into the cauldron. Piper: "Wait." A beat, then 'Phoebe' shimmers in. Piper: "NOW!" Paige and Piper chant the spell and 'Phoebe' forms an energy ball, but Piper gestures and blows it up mid-flight, knocking 'Phoebe' back a few steps. Suddenly, Imara's essence leaves the stunned 'Phoebe' as her body slumps to the floor, disoriented. Then, as the black soul of Imara leaves, Phoebe's golden-white one re-enters it. She looks around for a second, "Woah…" Paige: "You alright?" Phoebe: "No, how could you not know that thing was inside of me?!" Piper: "Don't even start." Phoebe, looking to see Mitchell, "Who are you?" Paige: "My first charge. He's the one who saved you." Phoebe: "Thanks…" Mitchell: "Don't thank me, thank my Whitelighter. She saved me." Phoebe: "Cute…" Piper: "She's back."

INT. P3 - Night

Paige: "How'd you fix everything so fast? Potion? Spell?" Piper: "Even better. Husband." Paige: "Getting hubby to do his chores. Can't get more normal than that. And, look, we've gone a whole day without a demon attack." Piper: "I think the demon world took note of our rampage." Paige: "Killing Imara constitutes a rampage?" Piper: "Killing Imara, Daleek and Benzor does.' Paige: "But we didn't kill the last two.' Piper: "The demon world doesn't know that." Phoebe: "They just think I did it. Which is fine by me." Piper: "Me, too." Phoebe: "Now, you wanna know what the real Phoebe's up to?" Piper: "As long as it doesn't involve another scantily-clad wardrobe change…" Phoebe tells them she's going back to college. Piper: "College? What…AGAIN?" Phoebe: "I decided I want to get my graduate degree. That way, I get the paper off my back AND get my professional credentials. Might even make me a better columnist.' Piper: "What happened to the woman who said her readers don't care about credentials?" Phoebe: "Well, speaking as a soon-to-be psychologist, I guess you could say I was…" Paige: "In denial?" Phoebe: "Exactly." Piper: "But what about the shrink at work?" Phoebe: "Dr. Randall? I don't think he'll be a problem anymore. Thanks to Imara, he thinks I've got schizophrenic tendencies…which made Elise question HIS credentials." Paige: "She fired him?" Phoebe nods, delighted, "The doctor is no longer in the house." Paige: "Well, I guess that doesn't make Imara all bad then. Course, she didn't help us much with Sheridan." Piper; "No, she didn't." Phoebe: "Wait, don't tell me she's back on our case again?"

INT. Police Department - Night

A thick folder marked "Halliwell" is dropped on a desk. As someone opens it, we see it's Sheridan, sitting down with a determined look as she thumbs through the file. A moment later, another Inspector, Tom Ryan, approaches, "Did you hear about Judge Hendricks?" Sheridan: "No, what?" Ryan: "he disappeared, too…must be an epidemic." Sheridan: "Must me…" Ryan: "If you need a hand with the Councilman's case, just let me know." Sheridan: "No, that's alright… got it." He shrugs it off and exits, leaving Sheridan alone to sift through the file, trying to figure out how the Halliwell sisters fit into all of it.

FADE OUT

END OF EPISODE