Shells

The Qliphoth/Qlippoth/Qlifot or Kelipot 

(Hebrew: קְלִיפּוֹת‎, the different English spellings are used in the alternative Kabbalistic traditions of Hermetic Qabalah and Jewish Kabbalah respectively), literally “Peels”, “Shells” or “Husks” (from singular: קְלִפָּה‎ qlippah “Husk”), are the representation of Evil or Impure spiritual forces in Jewish mysticism, the polar opposites of the holy Sefirot.

The Realm of Evil is also termed 

Sitra Achra/Aḥra (Aramaic סטרא אחרא‎, 

The “Other Side” opposite holiness) 

in Kabbalah texts.

INT. FRED'S OFFICE - DAY 

Wesley is packing Fred's personal 
effects in a box with bubble-wrap. 
He takes a commemorative plate off 

the wall where it hung next to 

the Dixie Chicks poster. 

ILLYRIA 
(standing in the doorway) 
You grieve still... 

for a single Life.

WESLEY 
(without turning to look 

at her, shuts his eyes tight  and 

speaks through gritted teeth) 

Why are you here?

ILLYRIA 
I... I'm uncertain.  
(looks around) 
This place... was 

part of The Shell.

WESLEY 
(snaps) 
Don't call her —  
(breathes deeply) The woman 

you killed had a name.

ILLYRIA 
This is important to you. 
Things have Names. 
The Shell... Winifred Burkle... 
She can't return to you.

WESLEY 
(packing her things, tearfully) 

I know.

ILLYRIA 
Yet there are fragments. 
When her brain collapsed, 

electrical spasms channeled 

into my function system...

memories.  

(holds up her fingers, making a gap between 

her thumb and index finger where 

an electrical spark forms) 

(as Fred) 
Please...Wesley, 

why can't I stay?

WESLEY 
(turns away, nearly sick, crying) 
No.  
(looks out the window) 
Leave.

ILLYRIA 
I've nowhere to go. 
My Kingdom is long dead.  
(softly) 
Long dead. There's so 

much I don't understand. 
I've become overwhelmed. 
I'm unsure of my place.

WESLEY 
(turns to her, angrily) 
Your place is with 

the rest of Your People: 
Dead and turned to ash.

ILLYRIA 
Perhaps... but 

I exist here. 
I must learn to 

Walk in This World.  
(slowly approaches Wes) 
I'll need your help... Wesley.

WESLEY 
(frowning, choking back tears) 
If I were to help you find your way... 
you have to learn to change. 
You mustn't kill.

ILLYRIA 
You killed the Qwa'ha Xahn 

in defiance of Your Leader.

WESLEY 
(shakes his head, then looks at her) 
He murdered the 

woman I love.

ILLYRIA 

And that made it just.

WESLEY 
No. It wasn't just.  
(sighs, puts his hands on his hips) 

I'm probably the last man 

in The World to teach 

you what's right.

ILLYRIA 
But you will. If I abide, 

you will help me.

WESLEY 
(softly) 
Yes.

ILLYRIA 
Because I look 

like her?

WESLEY 
(looks at her with tears 

in his eyes, whispers) 
Yes.

ILLYRIA 
(stands beside Wes, looks out 

The Window to the lab below 

where her sarcophagus lies) 
We cling to What is Gone. 

Is there anything in 

This Life but Grief?

WESLEY 
(looks out at the lab) 
There's Love. 

There's Hope...

for some. 

There's hope that you'll 

find something worthy... 
that your life will 

lead you to some joy... that 

after everything... you can 

still be surprised.

ILLYRIA 
Is that enough?  
(looks at Wes) 
Is that enough 

to Live on?