Season 2 | Episode 13 | When She Was Bad

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Episode Summary

After spending the summer with her dad in L.A., Buffy returns to Sunnydale, well, very unsunny. It seems her prom night massacre of the Master — during which she died and came back to life — gave her more of a wiggins than she admitted at the time. And to make
matters worse, the Master is not quite as dead as everyone had hoped.

His minions assemble with the Anointed One and plan to try to bring the Master back. This can be done by assembling those who were with him when he died — Willow, Cordelia, Giles, and Ms. Calendar, the computer teacher who Giles is stuck on. Angel warns Buffy about the Anointed One’s powers, but she ignores him.

Besides being rude to Angel and nasty to Cordelia, she is cold to Willow and Xander. She even tries to make Angel jealous by dancing seductively with poor Xander, who buys her act. Xander finally tells Buffy off when the vampires beat him up and start assembling the foursome they need for their mission.

Buffy rescues Willow, Cordelia, Giles and Ms. Calendar, who are hung upside down and about to be killed. In order to finish off the Master, Buffy crushes his bones. After this final act, Buffy is purged of her fear and anger and starts sobbing as Angel holds her.

The next day at school, she apologizes to Giles for behaving so badly, and is mortified when she realizes how rotten she’s been to her friends. But once she gets to class, Xander and Willow are quick to forgive her, and the Three Musketeers — or is it the Three Stooges?– are together again.

Shooting Scripts

Teaser

ANGLE: A HEADSTONE
It’s night. We hold on the stone a moment, then the camera tracks to the side, passing other stones
in the
EXT. GRAVEYARD/STREET – NIGHT
CAMERA comes to a stone wall at the edge of the cemetery, passes over that to see the street. Two
figures in the near distance.
XANDER and WILLOW are walking home, eating ice cream cones.
WILLOW
Okay, hold on…
XANDER
It’s your turn.
WILLOW

Okay, Um… “In the few hours that we
had together, we loved a lifetimes worth.”

XANDER
Terminator.
WILLOW
Good. Right.
XANDER
Okay. Let’s see…
(Charlton Heston)
‘It’s a madhouse! A m–
WILLOW
Planet of the Apes.
XANDER
Can I finish, please?
WILLOW
Sorry. Go ahead.
XANDER
‘Madhouse!’

She waits a beat to make sure he’s done, then
WILLOW

Planet of the Apes. Good. Me now. Um…

XANDER
Well?

WILLOW

I’m thinking. Okay. ‘Use the force, Luke.’

He looks at her.

XANDER

Do I really have to dignify that with a guess?

WILLOW

I didn’t think of anything. It’s a dumb

game anyway.
XANDER

You got something better to do? We played
rock-paper-scissors long enough, okay?
My hand cramped up.
WILLOW

Well, sure, if you’re ALWAYS scissors,
of course your tendons are gonna stretch —

XANDER
(interrupting)

You know, I gotta say, this has really
been the most boring summer ever.

WILLOW

Yeah, but on the plus side, no monsters

or stuff.

She sits on the stone wall. He leans on it next to her, looking off towards the graveyard.

XANDER

I know, but I’m so restless! I’m actually
glad school is starting again.
WILLOW

Yeah, and that has nothing to do with a
certain girl that we both know that is a

vampire slayer?
XANDER
Please. I’m so over her.
(REAL casual)

Did she, uh, say when she was getting
back, about which I don’t care?

WILLOW

I haven’t heard from her. I mean, I got a
couple of postcards after she went to L.A.
and then, like, nothing.
XANDER

Yeah, I never heard… well, she’s probably
having fun with her dad.
WILLOW
And you don’t care.
XANDER

Okay, so maybe there’s some interest. I’m
a man, I have certain desires. Certain needs…

WILLOW
I don’t wanna know.

XANDER
Don’t you?

The playful intimacy here is becoming ever so slightly less playful. He’s kind of close to her, smiling at
her.

XANDER (cont’d)
I got a movie for you.

He dabs his cone at her, leaving ice cream on her nose. She stares at him wryly.

WILLOW
Xander…
XANDER
Come on.
(dabs again)

You’re Amish, you won’t fight back
because you’re Amish, I mock you
with my ice cream cone, Amish Guy…

WILLOW
Witness. My nose is cold.
XANDER
Let me get that —

He makes as if to lick it. She starts back, laughs.
WILLOW
Xander!
XANDER

What can I say? It makes your nose look

tasty.

He daubs it with a napkin (he has the only one or she would). And again, yeah, they’re pretty close,
her arm on his shoulder, looking at each other, then less looking than gazing…
CLOSE UP: THEIR FACES
Come pretty close, right into the awkward almost-kiss-zone. A moment, and they stop, their heads
separating.
There is a vampire right between them. Leering, ravenous, and practically in the kiss zone himself.
He’s on the other side of the wall from them, the dirt and the tux hanging on him speaking of a fresh
rising. The kids see him and start back — Willow clumsily jumping from the wall — he easily vaults it,
coming swaggeringly at them.

XANDER
(stepping in front of her)
Willow, go!
WILLOW
Xander —

The vampire jumps him. He steps back and slugs it — but it isn’t phased, grabbing his neck and
pulling him in for the kill.
Willow desperately searches about for some kind of weapon, finally grabbing the vampire’s arm,
trying to wrench him off Xander —
A HAND clamps down on the vampire’s shoulder. Pulls back and spins him around, straight into the
path of a lightning fist.

The punch is followed by a roundhouse kick — and another. The vampire finally gets time enough to
lunge at the figure — who easily FLIPS him onto the ground, turning to the others. [Hand Written:
‘Stunt vamp. # 1, Stunt Double Buffy, no Double Xander, Willow’]

BUFFY
Hi guys.

The vampire rears up behind her and without looking back she SLAMS her foot into his chest,
sending him flying back —
ANGLE: A TREE
with a broken branch sticking out of it. The vampire slams backwards right onto it, exploding into
dust the moment he’s impaled.
BUFFY doesn’t even look back.

BUFFY
Miss me?
END OF TEASER
Act One
EXT. SAME – GRAVEYARD – MOMENTS LATER – NIGHT
Xander and Willow hug Buffy, excited to see her. Xander perhaps slightly more so.

WILLOW
Buffy!
BUFFY
Hey, Will.
XANDER

Man, your timing really doesn’t suck.

WILLOW
When did you get back?
BUFFY

Just now. Dad drove me down. And I
knew you losers would be getting into
some kind of trouble.
WILLOW

I think we had the upper hand. In a

subtle way.
BUFFY

Does either of you even have a cross?

Very sloppy…
XANDER

Well, it’s been a slow summer. That was
the first vampire we’ve seen since you

killed the Master.
BUFFY

It’s like they knew I was coming back.

XANDER

What about you? How was your summer?
Did you slay anything?

They are walking again, Xander keeping close to Buffy. Willow tries to keep up.

BUFFY

Strictly R&R. Hung out, partied…
shopping was also a major theme.

XANDER

Well, you haven’t lost your touch.
That vampire —
BUFFY

I did kind of wail on him, didn’t I?

XANDER
I really like your hair.
BUFFY

So, how did you guys fare? Did you
have any fun without me?
XANDER
No.

WILLOW
Yes.

XANDER

Summer was a little yawnworthy. Our biggest
excitement was burying the Master.

There is a subtle hardening in Buffy’s face whenever they mention that name. Neither friend notices.

WILLOW

That’s right, you missed it! Right out

by that tree.

She points to
ANGLE: A TREE
deep in the graveyard.

WILLOW

Giles buried the bones and we poured holy
water and chanted and we got to wear robes!

XANDER

Very intense. You shoulda been.

WILLOW
Have you see Giles?
Buffy is staring at the tree Willow pointed at. She answers crossly:

BUFFY

Why would I call Giles? I’ll see him at

school.
XANDER

Man, I’m really glad you’re back.

BUFFY
Yeah.
(unconvincingly, as she
looks at the tree)
Me too.

CUT TO:

INT. BUFFY’S BEDROOM – NIGHT
HANK and JOYCE SUMMERS are unpacking Buffy’s things. Hank brings in a large suitcase as Joyce
puts clothes away.

JOYCE
More clothes?
HANK
(guiltily)

Uh, do shoes count as clothes?

JOYCE
(re: large suitcase)
That’s shoes? How much shopping did

you let her do?
HANK

Oh, I’m spoiling her. Did I forget to

mention that?
JOYCE

What you forgot is that I’m gonna
have to deal with another year of
‘Daddy would let me buy that.’

HANK

I just thought I’d save you from the big
back-to-school clothes nightmare.

JOYCE

My nightmares about Buffy and school
have nothing to do with clothes. Did she
manage to stay out of trouble in L.A.?

HANK

She did, yeah. She was, you know… great.
There isn’t much GREAT! In his ‘great’. Joyce stops unpacking.
JOYCE
But.
HANK

She was just… I don’t know. Distant.
Not brooding, or sulking, just… there
was no connection. All on the surface.
The more time we spent together, the
more I felt like she was nowhere to be

seen.
JOYCE
Hence the shoes.
HANK

I may have been overcompensating a little.
It was strange. At least when she was burning
stuff down I knew what to say. As for
example, ‘don’t burn stuff down’. But now…

JOYCE

Welcome to my world. I haven’t been
able to get through to her for so long…

I’ll just be happy if she makes it through

the school year.

CUT TO:

EXT. QUAD – DAY
First day. Kids run to and fro, greeting each other, looking for classes.
CORDELIA walks along with a couple of Cordettes. As usual, all the talking is done by

CORDELIA

It was a nightmare. A nightmare. They
promised me we were going to St. Croix
and then at the last minute, they just decide
we’re gonna visit Tuscany instead. Art.
Buildings. Totally beachless for a month
and a half. No one has suffered as I have
suffered. Of course I think that kind of
adversity builds character. But then I
thought, well I already have a lot of
character, I mean it is possible to have
too much character, isn’t it?

They move out of frame and we pick up MR. SNYDER walking along with GILES, watching the
students around them.

MR SNYDER

The first day back. It always get me.

GILES
Yes.
MR SNYDER

I mean, it’s incredible. One day the
campus is completely bare, empty…
the next, children are everywhere.
Like locusts. Crawling around,
mindlessly bent on feeding and
mating, destroying everything in sight
in their relentless, pointless desire

to exist.
GILES

I do love these pep talks. Have you ever
considered, given your abhorrence of
children, that school principal is perhaps
not your true vocation?
MR SNYDER

Someone’s gotta keep an eye on ’em.
They’re just a bunch of hormonal timebombs.
Why, every time a pretty girl walks by,
every boy turns into a jibbering fool.

GILES
Ms. Calendar!

JENNY CALENDAR is passing. She stops, happy to see Giles. Snyder doesn’t even see her — he’s
watching the kids.

JENNY
Mr. Giles.
GILES

(jibbering fool)
Well, uh, dyeh, nnn, hello.
MR SNYDER

I’ve seen the way these kids gaze at
each other, all moony —

Giles and Jenny gaze at each other, all moony.
JENNY
It’s good to see you.
GILES
Yes.
MR SNYDER

You think they’re thinking about

learning?
GILES

Are you heading towards the faculty

room?
JENNY
That sounds like fun.
MR SNYDER

I try to talk sense to ’em, tell ’em about
the really important things in life.
Responsibility, discipline, punctuality…
I might as well be talking to myself.

Which, in fact, he is — the other two have gone.

CUT TO:

INT. SCHOOL HALL – MORNING
Giles and Ms. Calendar are walking together.
GILES

And how was your summer?

JENNY

Extreme. I did Burning Man in Black Rock.
It’s such a great festival — you should have
been there. There were drum rituals, naked
mud-dances, raves, mobile sculptures, you
would have just… hated it with a fiery passion.

GILES

Yes, I can’t imagine finding any redeeming

— naked?
JENNY

You probably spent all summer with your

nose in a book.
GILES

I suppose you’d consider that terribly dull.

JENNY
(flirtatiously)
Depends on the book.

Xander, Willow and Buffy approach.

WILLOW
Giles!
XANDER
Hey. G-man! What’s up?
GILES

Nice to see you and don’t ever call

me that.
JENNY
Hey, kids.
GILES
(to Buffy)
How are you?
BUFFY
Alive and kicking.
WILLOW

Buffy killed a vampire last night!

A few surrounding students react to that.

BUFFY

Uh, I think you can get a little more
volume if you speak from the diaphragm.

WILLOW
Sorry.
JENNY

We got vampires? I thought the
Hellmouth was closed.
GILES

Closed, not gone. The mystical energy
it emits is still concentrated in this area.

XANDER

Which means we’re still the undead’s
favorite party town.
GILES
(to Buffy)

This vampire — could you tell where he

might be from?
BUFFY

Local talent. Fresh. He was still wearing his

funeral ensemble.
GILES

Which means there are other vampires
about, and they’re already killing. I
should have been on top of that.
I wonder if they’re here for some
particular purpose…
BUFFY

You’re the Watcher. I just work here.

GILES

Well, I have to consult my books.

XANDER
(looking at his watch)
Eight minutes and thirty three seconds.

(to Willow)
Pay up.

Xander looks at the others as Willow digs a dollar out of her pocket.
XANDER (cont’d)

I called ten minutes before you had to
consult your books about something.

WILLOW
We better get to class.
The three kids start off.
GILES
Buffy.
(she stops, turns)
I realize you’ve only just returned,
but when you’re ready, I think we
should start your training again.

BUFFY

I’m ready. I’ll see you after school.

GILES

Well, I understand if you need a few

days to —
BUFFY
I’m ready.

CUT TO:

INT. LIBRARY – AFTERNOON
TRAINING MONTAGE — We see various quick pops of Buffy in action. She’s in great shape, moves
with grace and power.
–Buffy doing a series of highkicks at a retreating Giles.
–Buffy doing an aerial flip.
–Buffy throwing a stake into a man-shaped target. Nothing but heart.
–Buffy punching a wooden post.
This last she does with increasing intensity, her fists flying at the beat-up post, her face rapt with
concentration. As we go CLOSE ON her face, we see a flash — so quick it’s near subliminal – of
THE MASTER
leering at the camera.
INT. LIBRARY – AFTERNOON
She continues to rain blows on the post, Giles watching her with a small blossom of concern in his
eyes.

GILES

Buffy… I think that’s enough… Buffy!

At this last she jerks back from the post and with all her might KICKS it, easily snapping it in half.
Looks at Giles, breathing heavily, a trickle of sweat on her forehead.

GILES (cont’d)

Safe to say, you’ve stayed in shape.

BUFFY

Well, I’m ready for anything those
vampires want to throw at me.

CUT TO:

INT. THE FACTORY – NIGHT
It’s a dark brick building, old machines and rusted hooks and chains making up its décor. A group of
vampires, including TARA (girl vampire) stands on the balconies and rafters, listening to someone on
the floor below.
ABSALOM is long — long in the face, the body, the fingers. His face, like those around him, is
vampiric. He is too old and powerful to bother assuming a human visage. He moves with grace and
authority, and speaks with same.

ABSALOM

We have been put down, my kinsmen.
We have lost our way, and we have lost
the night. But despair is for the living.
Where they are weak, we will be strong.
Where they weep, we rejoice. Where
they bleed, we drink. Within these three
days a new hope shall rise. We put our

faith in him…

He looks over at someone.
It is the ANOINTED ONE, standing quietly in front of the factory’s huge furnace. The flames behind
frame his dark visage.

ABSALOM (cont’d)
And he will show us the way.

The Anointed One almost smiles.

BLACK OUT.

END OF ACT ONE
Act Two

INT. SCHOOL LOUNGE – DAY
Buffy sits on a couch by the coffee table, lost in thought. After a spell, Xander and Willow join her,
sitting opposite each other. Xander next to Buffy.
XANDER
Buffy. Buffy!

Buffy snaps out of it as they sit.

BUFFY
Fine! I’m fine!
XANDER
(huh?)

Good. It’s good that you’re fine.

WILLOW

What were you thinking about?

BUFFY
Nothing.
XANDER

Come on, you can tell us! We’re your
bosom friends. The friends of your

bosom.
WILLOW
Xander…
BUFFY

I wasn’t thinking anything. Really. Did I
have think-face? ‘Cause there was nothing

going on.

Xander and Willow both have bag lunches, which they start digging through.

WILLOW
What’d you do last night?
BUFFY
Slept.

Xander holds up a breakfast bar, Willow an apple. With unspoken accord, they toss them to each
other.

BUFFY (cont’d)
Had weird dreams. I can’t really
remember them. I just know they
were all over the place.
XANDER
Dreams are meaningful.
WILLOW

They sure are. The other night I dreamt

that Xander–
(stops herself)

Uh, it wasn’t Xander. In fact, it wasn’t me.
It was a friend’s dream, and they don’t

remember it.
BUFFY
(smiling)
I’ll bet they don’t.

Giles approaches. Buffy rises to meet him.

BUFFY (cont’d)

What’s the buzz? You look worried?

GILES

This vampire activity — I think I
know what they’re up to.
BUFFY

Well, don’t stress. We’ll deal.

GILES
I hope it’s that simple.
BUFFY

It is not to sweat. Trust me.

GILES

I don’t know. I mean, I killed you once.
It shouldn’t be too difficult to do it again.

BUFFY
(it stops her)
What?

He PUNCHES her, sends her sprawling onto the coffee table. Before she can even move he’s on her,
grabbing her throat. She tries to fight him off, eyes widening, but he’s too strong.
ANGLE: XANDER AND WILLOW
Are paying no attention to what’s happening next to them.
No one is. Students mill about, laugh, talk — while Giles chokes the life out of a weakening Buffy.
She claws at his face, but only succeeds in PULL IT OFF to reveal beneath it the FACE OF THE
MASTER.

SMASH CUT TO:

INT. BUFFY’S BEDROOM – NIGHT
Buffy awakes with a start, gasping and sweating. She is completely freaked, sitting up and running
her hands through her hair. She looks around the dark room.
ANGLE: FROM OUTSIDE HER WINDOW
She looks small and vulnerable in the frame. Starts to settle back down — a figure suddenly
appears near camera, right outside the window.
Buffy hears a noise, looks out there. She stares, but she doesn’t scream.

BUFFY
Hello.

ANGEL is crouched outside the window.

ANGEL
Mind if I come in?
BUFFY
(noncommittally)
Be my guest.

He steps gracefully in, standing near her bed.
ANGEL
How are you?
BUFFY
Peachy.

There is a moment of uncomfortable silence; she’s not making this easy.

BUFFY (cont’d)

So, is this a social call? It’s kind of late.
Or, it is for me. For you this is, what,

lunch hour?
ANGEL
(bridling slightly)
It’s not a social call.
BUFFY

And that means grave danger. Gosh,

it’s so good to be home.
ANGEL

I’m sorry. I wish I had better news.

BUFFY

Let me guess. Some of your cousins
have come for a family barbecue,
and we’re all on the menu.
ANGEL

The Anointed One. He’s been gathering
forces somewhere in town. I’m not sure why.

BUFFY

I guess I’ll find out soon enough.

ANGEL

You don’t sound too concerned.

BUFFY

I can handle myself. I could use a little

action, anyway.
ANGEL

Don’t underestimate the Anointed One
just because he looks a child. He has
power over the rest of them. Its source
is deep, and old. They’ll do anything

for him.
BUFFY

Is that it? Is that everything? ‘Cause
you woke me up from a really nice

dream.
ANGEL
Sorry. I’ll go.

He heads for the window. Stands facing it as Buffy hunkers down in bed, facing away from him.

ANGEL (cont’d)
(quietly)
I missed you.

She can’t reply, but the hardness in her face melts away. After a couple of beats she turns, her true
emotions about to spill out–

BUFFY
I missed —
But he’s gone. She stares at the window, unhappy.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. SCHOOL HALL – DAY
Buffy is with Willow and Xander. She betrays none of her vulnerability with them.

WILLOW

Angel came by? Wow. Was there,
I mean, was it having to do with

kissing?
BUFFY

Willow, grow up. Not everything is

about kissing.
XANDER

Yeah! Some stuff is about groping.
(to Buffy, worried)
It wasn’t about groping?
BUFFY

Hello, Hormones on Parade… it was
pure shop talk. You know, vampires?
Ring a bell? Pointy teeth, they walk

by night…
WILLOW
What’d he say?
BUFFY
(shrugs)

Something’s up. Nothing I can’t handle.

XANDER

Oh! Hey! Did you guys know? Cibo
Matto is gonna be at The Bronze tonight

WILLOW

Cibo Matto? They’re playing?

XANDER

No, Willow, they’ll be clog-dancing.

WILLOW
(excited)

Cibo Matto can clog-dance? — Oh,
sarcasm. Right.
XANDER
(to Buffy)

We should attend, no? If you’re not
busy with fighting or anything.

BUFFY
Sounds like fun.

Cordelia arrives, cute jock in tow.

CORDELIA
(witheringly)

Oh, look. It’s the Three Musketeers.

Brief confusion crosses the faces of our heroes.
BUFFY
Was that an insult?
XANDER
Kinda lacked punch.
WILLOW

The Three Musketeers were cool.

CORDELIA
(considering)
I see your point…
XANDER

I would have gone with ‘Stooges’.

CORDELIA

Well, I just meant you all hang out
together. So, did you guys fight demons

all summer?

Panic from the three.

WILLOW

Yes! Our own personal demons!

XANDER

Such as lust… and, uh… thrift.

BUFFY
(re: the other two)
I think I would have to go with
‘Stooges’ also.
CORDELIA

What are you guys talking about? I’m
talking about big squiggly demons that
come from the ground. Remember, on
prom night, with all the vampires?

BUFFY

Cordelia. Your mouth is open. Sound
is coming from it. This is never good.
They draw her away from the jock, who’s not really paying attention anyway.

XANDER

You see, we can’t mention that stuff
in front of other people. Buffy being
the Slayer and all.
WILLOW

You haven’t been talking about your
little adventure all summer, have you?

CORDELIA

Are you nuts? You think I would tell
anyone that I spent the evening with
you guys? Besides, it was all so creepy.
That Master guy, screaming…
Once again, nobody notices the effect the name has on Buffy.
CORDELIA (cont’d)
I don’t even like to think about it.
Your secret is safe with me.

BUFFY

That works out great. You don’t tell
anyone I’m the Slayer, and I won’t
tell anyone that you’re a moron.
She leaves, leaving Cordy a little hurt and the others a little nonplussed.

XANDER

See, now that was a good insult.

WILLOW
A little TOO good…

CORDELIA
What’s up with her?
WILLOW
I don’t know.

CUT TO:

EXT. THE BRONZE – NIGHT
Kids (and young adults) pour in. A big sign advertises CIBO MATTO.

CUT TO:

INT. THE BRONZE – CONTINUOUS – NIGHT
Cibo Matto is just finishing a song. Xander and Willow sit and watch. She has a little ice cream
sundae, he has a soda.

WILLOW

I just think something’s up, is all.

XANDER
Willow, you’re paranoid.
WILLOW

Buffy’s never acted like this before.
Ever since she got back, she’s different.

XANDER

Buffy’s always been different.

WILLOW
She’s never been mean.
XANDER
(cranes to look for her)
Any sign of her? She said she was coming.

WILLOW

No… The band’s cool though.

XANDER
(distracted)
Yeah. Cool.

Willow looks a little glum that he’s not paying attention. After a moment, she takes a little spoonful
of ice cream and dabs it on the end of her nose. Waits for Xander to look at her.
When he does…

XANDER (cont’d)
Got something on your nose.
He turns back to the door and she wipes her nose, dejected.

CUT TO:

EXT. THE GRAVEYARD – NIGHT
We see the tree Willow pointed out. TILT DOWN to see the earth — the grave of the Master, to be
precise. It has a series of little crosses all around it, but no headstone.
A spade is stuck in the earth. Another, and a third. They all begin digging up the grave.
ANGLE: ABSALOM AND THE ANOINTED ONE

Watch as the three vampires dig. More vampires around them. The Anointed One looks at Absalom,
who turns to the vampire standing nearest.

ABSALOM

Dig. All of you. We have to hurry.

The vampires move to the grave and begin digging with their hands. A couple of their hands begin to
smoke.

VAMPIRE 2
Aagh!
(turns to Absalom)
The ground is consecrated! It burns!

ANOINTED ONE
Dig.

The vampire obeys, grimacing from the pain. Finally they dig up:
ANGLE: A SKULL
Which they uncover further.
The Anointed One looks on, impassive.

CUT TO:

INT. THE BRONZE – NIGHT
Buffy enters. Sees Xander and Willow, and starts crossing to them. As she makes her way through
the crowd, Angel appears before her. It takes her just a second to throw up her defenses.

BUFFY
Oh. Hi again.
ANGEL
Hi.
BUFFY

Is there danger at the Bronze?

ANGEL

I can’t help thinking I’ve done something
to make you angry. That bothers me
more than I’d like.
BUFFY

I’m not angry. I have no idea where
that comes from.
ANGEL

What are you afraid of? Me? Us?

BUFFY

Uh, could you contemplate getting
over yourself? There’s no ‘us’. I’m
sorry if I was supposed to spend the
summer mooning over you, but I
didn’t. I moved on. To the living.

She leaves, heads for Xander and Willow. Passes Cordelia, who appears to have overheard the
exchange.

WILLOW
What’s wrong with Angel?

BUFFY
Beats me.

The band starts playing. Buffy looks over at Angel, still hovering about in the back. She grabs
Xander’s hand.

BUFFY (cont’d)
Let’s dance.
XANDER
Uh, uh…
But she’s leading him on the floor. They start to dance.
ANGLE: BUFFY DANCING
Buffy’s moves are a little too close, a little too hot. It’s pure bad girl, and Xander doesn’t know
whether to be suspicious, aroused, or panicked.
ANGLE: WILLOW
Looking on, unhappy.
ANGLE: ANGEL
Unhappy.
Hell, even Xander is looking a little upset. Buffy smiles at him.
BUFFY

Xander, did I ever thank you for saving my life?

XANDER
No.

She brings her body up against his — is she gonna kiss him? — then whispers in his ear:

BUFFY
Don’t you wish I would?

And with that, she leaves. Leaves the floor, leaves The Bronze, leaves a wake of unhappiness behind
her.

CUT TO:

EXT. THE BRONZE – CONTINUOUS
She is about twenty feet out when she hears her name.
CORDELIA
Buffy.

She stops, turns as Cordelia steps out of The Bronze towards her.
CORDELIA (cont’d)
You’re really campaigning for bitch
of the year, aren’t you?
BUFFY

As defending champion, are you

nervous?
CORDELIA
I can hold my own.
(stepping forward)
We’ve never been close, Buffy, which

is nice, ’cause I don’t like you very
much. But you have, on occasion,
saved the world and all that stuff,
so I’m gonna do you a favor.

BUFFY
Joyous me.
CORDELIA

Your friends can’t do it, ’cause they
like you. And they’re sort of afraid

of you.
BUFFY
What’s the favor?
CORDELIA

I’m going to give you some advice.

Get over it.
BUFFY
Excuse me?
CORDELIA

Whatever’s causing the Joan Collins
‘tude, deal with it, embrace the pain,
spank your inner moppet but get over it,
’cause pretty soon you won’t even have
the loser friends you’ve got now.

BUFFY

I’d say it’s about time for you to mind
your own business.
CORDELIA
It’s long past. Nighty night.

Buffy turns and leaves. Cordelia watches her go. As she does, we see two vampires emerge from the
shadows behind her, moving slowly toward her.

CORDELIA (cont’d)
(calls out)

I’ll just go see if Angel feels like dancing.

Getting no response, she turns to go – and they grab her. Hand over mouth, they drag her off.
ANGLE: BUFFY
Walking away, oblivious.

BLACK OUT.

END OF ACT TWO
Act Three

INT. FACTORY CELLAR – NIGHT
Cordelia is brought in by a pair of vampires. They bring her down the steps and push her into the
dark — near pitch dark — room. Go back up and shut the door on her.
Cordelia is terrified. She looks back at the door, at the back room. Takes a step forward, her eyes
slowly adjusting. Taking another step and–
ANGLE: A HAND

appears in frame just as Cordelia’s foot nudges it.
She jumps back, then looks down at the figure on the floor. Kneels, pulling the figure onto her lap,
seeing that it is
JENNY CALENDAR
who groans, unconscious. Her face bloody and bruised.
CORDELIA
Ms. Calendar? Oh God…

She looks around at the dark, up the stairs. In a very small voice she says:

CORDELIA (cont’d)
What do they want?

CUT TO:

EXT. GRAVEYARD – NIGHT
Buffy enters the graveyard from the street. She is lost in thought, wandering seemingly aimlessly.
She sees
ANGLE: THE TREE
That Willow said the Master was buried under. Heads toward it.
As she nears it she slows down. Her expression changes — or rather sets, like concrete. She stops.
ANGLE: THE MASTER’S GRAVE
Is empty.
Buffy tries very hard to stay controlled. She takes but one faltering step back — and the Master is
right beside her.
She spins. No one’s there. But she’s closer to the edge than ever. She looks back at the grave,
shaking, whispering to herself.

BUFFY

He’s dead, he’s dead… he’s dead…

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. JOYCE’S CAR – MORNING
Buffy is in the passenger seat, silent and sullen. Joyce looks at her.

JOYCE
How are your new classes.
BUFFY
(not looking at her)
Good.
JOYCE
Good.

More nothing. Finally:

JOYCE (cont’d)

Is there the slightest chance that if I
asked you what was wrong, you’d

tell me?

That actually gets Buffy to look at Joyce, though she says nothing.
JOYCE (cont’d)

Of course not. That would take all the
fun out of guessing.
WILLOW (V.O.)
She’s possessed!

CUT TO:

INT. SCHOOL LOUNGE – DAY
Willow and Xander are talking to Giles.

GILES
Possessed?
WILLOW

It’s the only explanation that makes
any sense. You should have seen her
last night. That wasn’t Buffy.
XANDER

Are we overlooking the idea that she
may just be very attracted to me?
(off Willow’s look)
She’s possessed.
GILES
Possessed by what?
WILLOW
(excitedly)
A possessing thing!
GILES

Well, that narrows it down.
XANDER

You’re the expert. Maybe when the
Master killed her, some mystical bad
guy transference happened.
WILLOW
That’s what it was.
(aside, to Xander)
Why else would she be acting like
such a B. I. T. C. H.?
GILES

Willow, we’re all a little old to be spelling things out.

XANDER
(working it out)
A bitkha?
GILES

I suggest the explanation for her behavior
may be somewhat more mundane.
Second bell RINGS, most kids filtering off towards classes.
GILES (cont’d)

She may simply have what you Americans
refer to as ‘issues’. Her experience with

the Master must have been extremely
traumatic. She was, for at least a few
minutes, legally dead. I don’t think
she’s dealt with it on a conscious level.
It’s too painful. She’s convinced herself
that she’s invulnerable for the very reason

that she feels —
Xander notices Buffy coming up behind Giles and hastily interrupts:

XANDER

That’s a very interesting point about
trout! That you made just now.

GILES
(confused)
Trout?
(sees Buffy)

Trout! Yes! The trout… is a fish. Good
morning! Did you sleep well?

BUFFY

Like a rock. The Master’s gone.

GILES
I’m sorry?
BUFFY

The Master. I went by his grave last
night and they have a vacancy.

GILES
Good god.
WILLOW

What would somebody want with
Master bones?
XANDER

Trophy? Horrible conversation piece?

BUFFY

They’re gonna bring him back.

A moment. Buffy stares at Giles.

BUFFY (cont’d)

They’re gonna bring the Master back
to life and I seem to recall you telling
me he was history.
GILES

Buffy, I’ve never heard of a revivification
ritual being successful —
BUFFY

But you’ve heard of them. Thanks for

the warning.
WILLOW

Buffy, Giles did bury him in hallowed —

BUFFY

This is Slayer stuff, okay? Can we
have less from the civilians, please?

XANDER
(truly pissed)
Okay, that’s just about —
Snyder appears beside them, preempting Xander’s tirade with:
MR SNYDER

I believe that some of us have classes.

(to Giles)
And some of us have jobs.
GILES
(to the kids)

I’ll see you all in the library after school.
And we can finish our discussion.

WILLOW
About trout.
The kids disperse, Buffy giving Giles one final look.
MR SNYDER

There’s some things I can just smell.
It’s like a sixth sense.
GILES

No, actually, that would be one of the five.

MR SNYDER

The Summers girl? I smell trouble. I
smell expulsion. And just the faintest

aroma of jail.
GILES

Well, before you throw away the key,
perhaps you’d consider giving her the
benefit of the doubt. She may surprise

you.

Snyder looks him over for a beat.

MR SNYDER

You really have faith in those kids, don’t you?

GILES
Yes, I do.
MR SNYDER
Weird.

He goes, leaving Giles alone.

CUT TO:

INT. LIBRARY – EVENING
The sun is just fading as our team researches. Giles crosses to the center of the room, book in hand.

GILES

All right, I’ve got something. It’s latin,
so bear with me. Um, to revive the
vampire, they need his bones,
(sheepishly looks at Buffy)
which they have… and, uh, the blood…
this is very unclear… of the closest
person, someone connected to the vampire.

BUFFY
That’d be me.
GILES
Perhaps…
BUFFY

We were very close. Way close. We
killed each other, okay? It really
promotes togetherness.
XANDER

Well, is there anything on WHEN
the ceremony might take —

A rock SMASHES through the window behind his head. He ducks — everyone moves, alarmed. Buffy
just spins and catches the rock.
Wrapped around it is Cordelia’s necklace, and a note.
BUFFY
This is Cordelia’s.

Everyone looks at each other. Buffy takes the note, opens it. It reads:

BUFFY (cont’d)

‘Come to the Bronze before it opens,
or we make her a meal’.
XANDER

They’re gonna cook her dinner?

(gets it)

Please pretend I didn’t ask that.

WILLOW
What do we do?
BUFFY

I go to the Bronze and save the day.

XANDER
I don’t like this.
GILES
Nor I.
BUFFY

Well, you guys aren’t going.
WILLOW
What do you mean?
BUFFY

I can’t be looking out for you three
while I’m fighting.
WILLOW

What about the rest of the note?

BUFFY
(looking it over)
What rest?
WILLOW

The part where it says, ‘PS this is a trap’?

GILES

You’ll be playing right into their hands.

BUFFY

And their hands are gonna get slapped.

XANDER

We should at least go in force. Stock

up stakes.
BUFFY
I can handle it.
WILLOW

Stop saying that! God, what’s wrong

with you?
XANDER
Cordelia may be dead.

Buffy stops, looking at them.

BUFFY
This is my fight.
She takes off, leaving them to look at each other.

CUT TO:

EXT. ALLEY BY THE BRONZE – NIGHT
Buffy is almost at the Bronze when Angel approaches. She turns to him, exasperated.

BUFFY

You know, being stalked isn’t really
a big turn-on for girls.
ANGEL

You need help. Someone to watch your back.

BUFFY

You sure you don’t mean my neck?

ANGEL
Why are you riding me?
BUFFY

Because I don’t trust you. You’re a
vampire. Or is that an offensive term?
Should I say ‘undead American’?

ANGEL

You have to trust someone. You can’t

do this alone.
BUFFY
I trust me.
ANGEL

You’re not as strong as you think.

BUFFY

You think you could take me?

ANGEL

What?
BUFFY

Come on, you must have wondered…
a vampire, the Slayer, I know you’ve
thought about it. If it came down to a
fight… could you take me? Why don’t

we find out?
ANGEL
I’m not gonna fight you.
BUFFY

No? Big strong vampire like yourself?

ANGEL
Buffy…
BUFFY
Come on. Kick my ass.
The smile in her eyes is tending toward the crazed. He growls, low.
BUFFY (cont’d)

Now we get to see who we’re really

dealing with.

He stops, controlling himself.

ANGEL

Don’t you have somewhere to be?
She remembers Cordelia. Hiding a flash of guilt, she replies.
BUFFY
I do.
ANGEL
Well, you’re wasting time.

She looks to the Bronze, back to him.

BUFFY
Just stay out of my way.
ANGEL
Happy to oblige.

She goes off. After a beat, he follows.

CUT TO:

INT. THE BRONZE – A MINUTE LATER – NIGHT
Buffy enters, walking slowly, looking about her. Not as confident as she was around the others. She
pulls out a stake, walks.
She hears CRYING. Looks near the stage and finds:
ANGLE: A GIRL
Huddled on her knees, back to Buffy, and wearing Cordelia’s coat. Her eyes narrow suspiciously as
she takes a slow step forward.
ANGLE: BUFFY

From far off, heading toward us. Angel appears off to the side, also approaching the figure.

BUFFY
That’s not Cordelia.

And the figure rises into frame right before us — (it had been huddled close to camera) — and no, it’s
not Cordelia. It’s a grinning vampire. Female, yes, but definitely not Cordy. She laughs, turns to
Buffy.

TARA

Cordelia… she didn’t come…

BUFFY
Where is she?
TARA

I’m not supposed to tell…
ANGEL
I don’t like this.
BUFFY
What?
ANGEL

There’s the bait. Where’s the hook?

Buffy looks around — and the vampire JUMPS her!
She instinctively rolls, flips the vampire over. Comes up onto her feet and steps on the vampire’s
neck. She looks around some more.

BUFFY

You’re right. Why would they send just one?

CUT TO:

INT. LIBRARY – NIGHT
Willow and Xander talk as Giles continues to puzzle over his books.

WILLOW

I still think we should have gone with her.

XANDER

Buffy’s about to lose it. I think we
should be trying to reach minimum

safe distance.
WILLOW

Xander, you know it was a trap!

GILES

Aha! This Latin is translated from the
Sumerian, and rather badly, which
makes it difficult. But the person
closest to the Master actually translates
as the nearest — physically. The person

or persons who…

He realizes what he’s saying when he says it.

GILES (cont’d)
…were with him when…

WILLOW
When what?
He looks at the two of them, dead certainty on his face.
GILES
It IS a trap…

She comes toward him and as we pan with her wee see two vampires standing there. Smiling,
needless to say. Willow almost walks right into them. SCREAMS, stepping back. Xander and Giles
look around — there are four of them in here, surrounding our three.

GILES (cont’d)
…it just isn’t for her.

BLACK OUT.

END OF ACT THREE
Act Four

INT. THE BRONZE – NIGHT
Buffy has just finished tying the vampire’s hands behind her back with Angel’s belt. She hands her off
to him.

BUFFY

Watch her. Don’t kill her if you don’t have to.

ANGEL
Buffy, what’s going on?
BUFFY
I’ll be back.

She takes off at top speed.

CUT TO:

INT. LIBRARY – NIGHT
Buffy runs in, finds much overturned. Stops, then spots:
BUFFY
Xander?

She runs over him as he is struggling to get up. He is beaten and bloody.

BUFFY (cont’d)

Where are the others? What happened?
She moves to help him up, but he violently shakes off her hand.
XANDER

Vampires. The ones you could handle

yourself.
BUFFY

Where did they take Giles and —

XANDER

I don’t know! I don’t know what your
problem is — what your ‘issues’ are,
and as of now I officially don’t care!

If you’d worked with us for five seconds
you could have stopped this.

Buffy takes the words hard — she knows he’s right. She tries to gather her wits, to keep from
breaking down…

BUFFY

We have to think. Why did they take them?

XANDER

If they hurt Willow I’m gonna kill you.

BUFFY
(realizes)

Why did they take them and not you?

This stops him. He thinks as well.

XANDER

Giles said the ritual was, um… they
needed people close to the Master…
physically close, when he…

BUFFY

The ones who were with him when he

died.
XANDER
Giles, Willow… Cordelia.
BUFFY
(nodding)
And Ms. Calendar.
XANDER

Odds are, they’ve got the complete

set by now.
BUFFY

We just have to find out where.

XANDER
How?

CUT TO:

INT. THE BRONZE – NIGHT
Xander and Angel stand watching something happen out of frame. Suddenly the girl vampire falls
into frame, much closer to camera. Her hands are still tied behind her back, and she lands hard.

BUFFY
One more time.

She hauls the vampire up.

BUFFY (cont’d)
Where are they?
TARA

You’re too late. Your friends are dead.

BUFFY
Tell me where they are.
TARA

What are you gonna do, kill me?

BUFFY
As a matter of fact, yes.

She PUNCHES the vampire in the face. She flies back, landing on top of the pool table. Buffy comes
around the table, calmly unhooking her cross necklace. She holds it above the vampire’s face and as
the vampire moans in pain, Buffy drops the necklace into the vampire’s mouth. Clamps it shut
with her hands.
The vampire writhes, SMOKE pouring out of her mouth.
BUFFY (cont’d)

But since I’m not gonna kill you any
time soon, the question becomes, how
do we pass the time till then?

ANGLE: XANDER AND ANGEL
Look on, obviously uncomfortably with Buffy’s methods.
Buffy pulls the cross out by the chain.

BUFFY
So. One more time.

CUT TO:

EXT. THE FACTORY – NIGHT
CAMERA moves slowly towards the factory. It looks large and forbidding in the darkness.

CUT TO:

INT. FACTORY CELLAR – NIGHT
Cordelia is tending to a still unconscious Ms. Calendar. The door opens, Cordelia starting back as a
big vampire enters.

CORDELIA

Please… go away… what do you —
She SLUGS her, knocking her cold. Starts dragging both women up the stairs.
INT. THE FACTORY – NIGHT
The Anointed One walks past the old, rusted surgical table in the middle of the room. He holds a
goblet in his hands. As we track with him, we see the Master’s skeleton laid out on it. He reaches the
head of the table, and Absalom, who wears a black ceremonial robe. On either side of the table are
two floorlength wooden torches.
The Anointed One hands him the goblet. Absalom looks up at
ANGLE: THE BALCONY
Where two vampires start hauling on a chain.
CLOSE ON: THE CHAIN
on a pulley, moving across the ceiling.
And we finally go WIDE to reveal the four bodies of BUFFY’S friends HUNG UPSIDE DOWN on
meathooks attached to the chain. They are all unconscious as they are positioned directly above the
Master’s skeleton.

Absalom dips his finger in the goblet. Goes to the first body — Willow — and makes a small ‘x’ on her
forehead.
The other vampires from a semi-circle around the side of the table as Absalom continues on to each
boy, repeating the ritual.
ANGLE: UNDER THE BALCONY
Buffy, Xander and Angel have snuck in.
The three of them creep along in the dark until they can see the center of the room.

They see the skeleton laid out on the table. Above it, their four friends. The vampires in a semi-
circle, six quietly chanting figures. Absalom and the Anointed One at the head.

Buffy can’t move. Her eyes widen with fear and remorse.
The Anointed One produces a curved knife, hands it to Absalom, who says a silent prayer over it.

ANGEL
Buffy. Buffy!

She snaps out of, looks at him.

XANDER

We gotta do something now.

BUFFY

You two get the others out of here.

ANGEL

We’ll need you to distract the vampires.

BUFFY
Right.

She starts toward the ceremony.

XANDER
What are you gonna do?

She stops, turns back.

BUFFY
I’m gonna kill them all.
(walking away)
That oughta distract them.

ANGLE: ABSALOM
Finishes his prayer, kisses the knife.

ABSALOM

For the Old Ones, for his pain. For

the Dark.

They repeat it solemnly, one after the other.

VAMPIRE BOB
For the Dark.
Absalom brings the knife to the first throat — that of Willow.
VAMPIRE JANE
For the Dark.

VAMPIRE WALT
For the — GYEHNNNNGH!

–eyes popping wide as the tip of a stake pops out of his chest. A moment of gasping, then he
EXPLODES INTO DUST, revealing Buffy right behind him.
There’s actually a moment of quiet.
Then Absalom SCREAMS, an inhuman shriek that galvanizes the vampires (BOB, JANE and NED) into
action. They effectively flank our girl, and Jane and Ned rush her simultaneously.
She roundhouses them both in the jaw, staggering them back as Bob gets her from behind but she
elbows him in the throat.
ANGLE: BUFFY
They are trying to surround her — full frontal assault hasn’t paid off. She dodges about the boxes and
machines, quick and alert.
ANGLE: ABSALOM
Sees she’s occupied. Roughly grabs Willow’s face, brings the knife to her throat–
–when the four bodies start moving away, towards the balcony.
ANGLE: XANDER AND ANGEL
Are hauling on the chain that holds the bodies, pulling them closer.

ABSALOM
The sacrifices! Stop them!
Ned peels off upstairs, leaving Buffy with Jane and Bob.
ANGLE: BUFFY
She is on one side of a pile of boxes, Jane behind her, Bob on the other side of the boxes. She kicks
Jane, then jumps, grabbing the top box and flipping herself over the pile, landing on her feet — and
still holding the box, she brings it over her head and SMASHES it over Bob’s head.
The guy’s effectively wearing a box helmet. Buffy powers out a side kick to the face, smashing
through the box to it hit. Bob flies back into the corner.
Jane slams into her and they both go down.
ANGLE: XANDER AND ANGEL
They’re pulling the bodies to the safety of the Balcony. Calendar and Cordy are lying nearby as they
pull the third one off. It’s Giles, who’s just starting to waken.
Ned crests the stairs — and Angel turns, his VAMPIRE FACE now on. Ned charges — Angel throws
himself at him. They grapple, stepping onto some rotted boards covering a hole. It breaks, the two of
them falling down to the lower level.
ANGLE: BUFFY
is under Jane, struggling to keep him from biting her. Her hand sweeps the floor, coming up with a
box shard. She slams it into her back, pushing her off right before she’s dusted.
ANGLE: BOB
Gets the box off his head and climbs swiftly to the ramp above Buffy’s head, trying to escape.
Buffy sees him. She runs, jumps — grabs a pipe under the ramp and swings her legs up —
–and THROUGH the wooden slats, tripping him up, sending him flying to the ground. He lands hard.

ANGLE: ANGEL
as Ned shoves a shard of wood at his heart — Angel grabs it and shoves harder, sending it backwards
through HIS.
ANGLE: XANDER
Gets Willow, the last one, off the chain. A dazed Giles is helping Ms Calendar.

GILES
Are you all right?
JENNY
I think so. My head…
GILES
(to Xander)
Where’s Buffy?

Xander looks down at:
ANGLE: BUFFY FROM XANDER’S POV
Pummeling her remaining opponent, Bob.

XANDER

She’s working out her issues.

ANGLE: BOB
flies into the corner under the balcony from the force of one of Buffy’s blows.

ABSALOM (O.S.)
Enough!

ANGLE: ABSALOM
Steps out of the shadows by where the Anointed one exited. He is holding a sledgehammer.

ABSALOM

Your day is done, girl. I’ll grind you
into a sticky paste. And I’ll hear you
beg before I smash in your face.

Buffy stands by the big torch, listening. Finally:
BUFFY

So, are you gonna kill me? Or are you
just making small talk?

That tears it. Absalom rushes her, swinging back the hammer. At the same time, Bob does as well,
from the opposite direction.
Buffy stands by the torch, waiting. Doesn’t even look at them.
At the last second she SWEEPKICKS the base of the torch, splintering it and flipping it up —
–the pointy end IMPALES Bob — he’s dusted —
–as the burning end IGNITES Absalom. He reels back, then comes at her, arms aflame, swinging —
–then stops as the flames literally consume in (FX).
The sledgehammer drops to the ground in front of Buffy.
She takes a moment, breathing hard. Quiet in victory. Looks at something, her expression changing.
She picks up the sledgehammer.

ANGLE: THE OTHERS
watching from above, in various stages of wakefulness. Xander helps Willow to her feet.

WILLOW
It’s over.
XANDER
No, it’s not.

As she approaches the table, we TRACK BACK to reveal it, the Master’s bones laid out before her. She
stares at it quietly for a moment, then swings the sledgehammer and SMASHES the skull in. She
swings again, smashing the Master to powder, the grunts of her efforts rising to a roar, still she
swings it, again, again, out of control–
Angel approaches, slowly. His face is human once again. He touches her shoulder and she stops.
Drops the hammer, shaking. She starts crying just before he folds her into his arms.

ANGEL
It’s okay… it’s okay…

ANGLE: XANDER
Watches Angel hold her, silently. PAN OVER to find Willow watching Xander with much the same
emotion.
WIDE ON: THE FACTORY
As Buffy continues to sob, small in the giant, dark space.

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. PALM COURT – MORNING
Amidst the bustle, we see Cordelia and Ms. Calendar walking together.

CORDELIA

What an ordeal. And you know the worst
part: It stays with you forever. No matter
what they tell you, none of that rust and
blood and grime comes out. You can
dry-clean till judgment day; you’re
living with those stains.
JENNY
(dead pan)

Yes. That’s the worst part of being
hung upside down by a vampire that
wants to slit your throat. The stains.

CORDELIA
I hear you.

As they cross out of frame we pick up Buffy walking with Giles. The swagger has gone out of her step
a bit.

BUFFY

I don’t think I can face them.

GILES
Of course you can.
BUFFY

I can’t! What am I gonna say? ‘Sorry
I almost got your throats cut. What’s

the homework?’

GILES

Punishing yourself like this is pointless.

BUFFY

It’s entirely pointy! I was a moron. I
put my best friends in mortal danger –
on the second day of school!

GILES

What are you going to do, crawl into
a dark cave for the rest of your life?

BUFFY
Would it have cable?

He stops, turns to her.

GILES

Buffy, you acted wrongly, I admit, but
believe me, that was hardly the worst
mistake you’ll ever make.
(a beat)

That wasn’t nearly as comforting as it

was meant to be.
BUFFY

Well, points for effort. I’ll see you.

She heads inside.

CUT TO:

INT. CLASS – CONTINUOUS
She slowly makes her way to the back row, where Willow and Xander sit, talking. The seat next to
Willow is empty. Hesitantly, Buffy approaches. Willow turns and looks up at her.

WILLOW
Buffy.
BUFFY
Hey.
WILLOW
We saved you a seat…
Buffy smiles gratefully, sits. Xander leans over to say:
XANDER

There’s a rumor going around that Mr.
Cox is the most boring teacher in the
entire world. Like I think he won a belt

or something.
BUFFY
Lucky us.
WILLOW

Well, I hear he nods off a lot, so that’s

a plus.
XANDER

So, are we bronzing tonight?

WILLOW

Wednesdays it’s kind of beat.

XANDER

Well, we could grind our enemies into
talcum powder with a sledgehammer,
but, gosh, we did that last night.

Buffy laughs, relaxing. As they continue to talk — Buffy joining in — we dolly away, leaving them to
their conversation.

CUT TO:

INT. THE FACTORY – DAY
Through the wreckage walks the Anointed One, his expression calm but gloomy. He stops, looks
about him for a while.

ANOINTED ONE
I hate that girl…

BLACK OUT.

THE END

Transcripts

Prologue ~~
In every generation there is a Chosen One. She alone will stand against
the vampires, the demons and the forces of darkness. She is the Slayer.
The cemetery. The camera pans across it and over to the sidewalk along
the border. Willow and Xander are on their way home. Xander has an ice
cream cone and takes an occasional lick.
Willow: Okay, um…
Xander: It’s your turn.
Willow: I, alright, okay, uh… ‘In the few hours that we had together,
we loved a lifetime’s worth.’
Xander: Terminator.
Willow: Good! Great.
Xander: Um, oh, okay, I got one. (imitating Charlton Heston) ‘It’s a
madhouse! A mad…’
Willow: (interrupts) Planet of the Apes.
Xander: Can I finish, please?
Willow: Oh! Sorry, go ahead.
Xander: ‘…house!’ (indicates she may answer)
Willow: Planet of the Apes. Okay, good. Me. Uh…
Xander: Well?
Willow: I’m thinking. ‘Use the Force, Luke.’
Xander: Do I even have to dignify that with a guess?

Willow: I couldn’t think of anything. It’s a dumb game anyway.
Xander: Well, what else do you wanna do? We already played rock, paper,
scissors. My hands cramped up.
Willow: Well, yes, if you’re always scissors of course your tendons are
gonna strain…
Xander: (interrupts) Y’know, I just gotta say that this has been the
most boring summer ever.
Willow: Yeah, but on the plus side no monsters or stuff.
She steps over to the wall and hops up to sit on it.
Xander: I’m just so restless! I’m actually looking forward to school
startin’ up again.
Willow: Yeah, and that wouldn’t have anything to do with a certain girl
we both know who is a Vampire Slayer?
Xander: Please, I’m so over her. Did she, uh, mention when she might be
gettin’ back? About which I do not care.
Willow: I haven’t heard from her. I got a couple postcards when she
went to L.A., but then, like, nothing.
Xander: Well, she’s probably with her dad having a good time.
Willow: And you don’t care?
Xander: Well, okay, there might be some interest. I’m a man. I have
certain desires, certain needs…
Willow: Uhhh! I don’t wanna know.
Xander: I got a movie for ya! (taps her nose with his ice cream)
Willow: (surprised) Xander!
Xander: You’re Amish! You can’t fight back… ’cause you’re Amish! I
mock you with my ice cream cone, Amish guy!
Willow: Witness. (pouty) My nose is cold.
Xander: Let me get that for ya. (leans in to lick off her nose)
Willow: Xander! (stops him)
Xander: I’m sorry, I can’t help myself. Your nose looks so tasty.
He reaches up with his napkin and gently wipes off her nose. He takes
much longer than he needs to and looks into her eyes. He brushes his
hand against her cheek. After another moment he starts to move in for a
kiss. She responds in kind and tilts her head. They stop just short of
making contact and linger there a moment. Xander finally begins to pull
back, and when he does he sees a vampire standing on the other side of
the wall. Willow notices his glance and looks, too. She screams and
jumps off of the wall as Xander pulls her away from the vampire.
Xander: Willow, go!
He puts himself between her and the vampire. She doesn’t go, but watches
as he punches the vampire in the face. The vampire isn’t fazed. He grabs
Xander and tries to bite. Xander struggles with him to keep from being
bitten. After a few moments of wrestling a hand grabs the vampire by the
shoulder and pulls him off of Xander. It’s a girl, and she punches the
vampire in the face, knees him in the crotch and flips him over onto his
back. She turns to Willow and Xander.

Buffy: Hi, guys!
The vampire gets up. Buffy turns her attention back to him and kicks him
in the chest, sending him flying into a tree, where he gets impaled on a
dead branch and bursts into ashes. She turns back to Willow and Xander.
Buffy: Miss me?
Opening credits roll. Buffy’s theme plays.
~~ Part 1 ~~
On the sidewalk.
Willow: Buffy!
Xander: Hey! (hugs her)
Buffy: Hey. Hey, Will! (hugs her)
Xander: (hugs Buffy again) Man, your timing really doesn’t suck.
(laughs)
Willow: When’d you get back?
Buffy: Uh, just now. Dad drove me down. And I figured you two losers
would be getting into some kind of trouble.
Willow: I think we had the upper hand. I-in a subtle way.
Buffy: Does either of you even have a cross? Very sloppy.
Xander: Well, it’s been a slow summer. I mean, that’s the first vampire
we’ve seen since you killed the Master.
Buffy: It’s like they knew I was coming back.
They start to walk.
Xander: So, what about you? How was your summer? Did you slay anything?
Buffy: No. Uh, just hung out, partied some, shopping was also a major
theme.
Xander: Well, you haven’t lost your touch. That vampire…
Buffy: I did kinda whale on him, didn’t I?
Xander: (notices) I like your hair.
Buffy: (giggles) So, how did you guys fare? Did you have any fun
without me?
Xander: No.
Willow: Yes!
Xander: Uh, our summer was kinda yawnworthy. Our biggest excitement was
burying the Master.
They stop walking.
Willow: That’s right, you missed it. (points) Right out by that tree.
(Buffy looks) Giles buried the bones and we poured holy water and we got
to wear robes.
Xander: Very intense. You shoulda been.
Willow: Have you seen Giles?

Buffy: Why would I do that? I’ll see him at school.
Xander: Man, I’m really glad you’re back.
Buffy: (looks at the tree again) Me, too.
Cut to Buffy’s room. Her dad is helping her mom unpack her things. Joyce
opens a suitcase and looks through it.
Hank: Okay, then. This is the last of it. (puts another suitcase on the
bed)
Joyce: More clothes?
Hank: Oh, do shoes count as clothes?
Joyce: How much shopping did you let her do?
Hank: Oh, I just thought I was saving you from the big back-to-school
clothing nightmare. (unzips the suitcase)
Joyce: My nightmares of Buffy in school have nothing to do with
clothes. Did she manage to stay out of trouble in L.A.?
Hank: She did, yeah. She was, um… you know, great.
Joyce: But?
Hank: She was just, I don’t know, um… distant. Not brooding or
sulking, just… there was no connection. The more time we spent
together, the more I felt like she was nowhere to be seen.
Joyce: Hence the shoes?
Hank: (hands her the shoes) I may have overcompensated a little bit.
Joyce: Hmm.
Hank: It’s so strange. You know, at least when she was burning stuff
down I knew what to say.
Joyce: Well, welcome to my world. I haven’t been able to get through to
her for so long. I’ll just be happy if she makes it through the school
year.
Cut to Sunnydale High.
Cordelia: It was a nightmare, a total nightmare.
Cut to her and two friends coming down some stairs and walking across
the quad.
Cordelia: I mean, they promised me they’d take me to St. Croix, and
then they just decide to go to Tuscany. (exhales) Art and buildings? I
was totally beachless for a month and a half. No one has suffered like I
have. Of course I think that that kind of adversity builds character.
Well, then I thought, I already have a lot of character. Is it possible
to have too much character?
Snyder: The first day back. It always gets me.
Giles: Yes.
Cut to the two of them walking along the colonnade.
Snyder: I mean, it’s incredible. One day the campus is completely bare.
Empty. The next, there are children everywhere. Like locusts. Crawling
around, mindlessly bent on feeding and mating. Destroying everything in
sight in their relentless, pointless desire to exist.

They stop. Snyder looks around, observing the students.
Giles: I do enjoy these pep talks. Have you ever considered, given your
abhorrence of children, school’s principal was not, perhaps, your true
vocation?
Snyder: Somebody’s got to keep an eye on them. They’re just a bunch of
hormonal time bombs. (takes two steps away from Giles) Every time a
pretty girl walks by every boy turns into a gibbering fool.
Giles spots Jenny coming towards them.
Giles: Ms. Calendar!
Jenny: Mr. Giles!
Giles: Well, I, uh, um… Hello!
Snyder: You see the way these kids gaze at each other… all moony.
Jenny: It’s good to see you.
Giles: Yes.
Snyder: You think they’re thinking about learning?
Giles: Uh, were you headed to the, uh, faculty room?
Jenny: Sounds like fun!
They head off to the faculty room leaving Snyder behind.
Snyder: I try and tell ’em about the important things in life.
Discipline, responsibility, punctuality. Might as well be talking to
myself.
Cut inside to the halls. They walk through the student lounge.
Giles: How was your summer?
Jenny: Extreme. I did Burning Man in Black Rock, ohhh, such a great
festival, you should’ve been there. They had drum rituals, mobile
sculptures, raves, naked mud dances, you would’ve just… hated it with
a fiery passion!
Giles: I can’t imagine finding any redeeming, uh… (stops at the base
of the stairs) Naked?
Jenny: Hmm. And you probably spent all summer with your nose in a book.
Giles: Yes. I suppose you’d consider that frightfully dull.
Jenny: Depends on the book. (smiles)
Willow and Xander come down the stairs. Buffy is not far behind them.
Willow: Giles!
Xander: Yo! G-man! What’s up?
Giles: Nice to see you. And don’t ever call me that.
Jenny: Hi, kids.
Willow: Hi!
Buffy arrives now, too.
Giles: (to Buffy) How are you?

Buffy: Live and kicking.
Willow: Buffy killed a vampire last night.
They all look around to see if anyone overheard.
Buffy: Uh, I think you can get a little more volume if you speak from
the diaphragm.
Willow: Sorry.
Jenny: (quietly) We’ve got vampires? I thought the Hellmouth was
closed.
Giles: Well, it’s, it’s closed, but not gone. The mystical energy that
emanates from it is still concentrated in this area.
Xander: Which means we’re still the undead’s favorite party town.
Giles: I wonder if they’re here for any purpose, particularly.
Buffy: You’re the Watcher. I just work here.
Giles: Yes, I-I must consult my books.
Xander: Oh, eight minutes and thirty-three seconds, pay up. (Willow
hands him a dollar) I called ten minutes before you’d consult your books
about something. (to Willow) Thanks.
The bell rings.
Willow: We better get to class.
They all start making their way to their classes.
Giles: Oh, uh, Buffy! (she looks back) Uh, I realize you’ve only just
returned, but when you’re ready I-I think we should start your training
again.
Buffy: I’m ready. I’ll see you after school. (starts to go again)
Giles: Well, I-I-I understand if, if you want a few days to…
Buffy: I’m ready. (leaves)
Cut to the library after school. Buffy does tumbling and kicking
exercises that take her all around the library. Then they continue
training with the quarterstaff. Buffy swings it at Giles’ hand pads. He
retreats as she hits. He ducks a swing but she continues around with the
quarterstaff and knocks him back into the chairs by the table. Next she
practices her punches on the wooden punching dummy. She has a flash of
the Master and begins to go crazy on it, throwing continuous rapid
punches.
Giles: Buffy, that’s enough.
She keeps whaling on the dummy.
Giles: Buffy!
She kicks it, and it breaks.
Giles: Uh, safe to say you’ve stayed in shape.
Buffy: (breathing hard) I’m ready. Whatever they’ve got coming next,
I’m ready. (bunches her hair above her head) Yeah.
Cut to an old brick warehouse. Cut inside.
Absalom: We have been put down, kinsmen. We have lost our way. We have

lost the night. But despair is for the living. Where they are weak, we
will be strong. Where they weep, we rejoice. Where they bleed, (laughs)
we drink! Within three days a New Hope will arise. We will put our faith
in him. (looks over at Collin) He will show us the way.
~~ Part 2 ~~
The student lounge. Buffy is upstairs on a couch, off in her own world.
Willow and Xander come up the stairs to her.
Xander: Buffy! (no response) Buffy!
Buffy: (back on earth) Fine! I’m fine.
Xander: Good! It’s good that you’re fine.
Willow sits on the couch opposite Buffy. Xander steps past Buffy and
sits on the couch next to her.
Willow: What were you thinking about? (gets out an apple)
Buffy: Nothing.
Xander: Oh, c’mon, you can tell us. We’re your bosom friends! The
friends of your bosom!
He gets a power bar out of his bag.
Willow: Xander.
Xander winces at his power bar. Willow frowns at her apple. They toss
them to each other over the table.
Buffy: I wasn’t thinking anything, really.
Willow: What’d you do last night?
Buffy: Mm. Slept. I had weird dreams.
Xander: Dreams are meaningful.
Willow: Tsh! Tell me about it. The other night I dreamt that Xander…
Uh, I-it wasn’t Xander. I-in fact it wasn’t me. It was a friend’s dream,
and she doesn’t remember it.
Buffy: I bet she doesn’t.
Giles: (finds them) Buffy!
Buffy: Giles! (gets up) What is it? You look worried.
Giles: This vampire activity, I think I know what they’re up to.
Buffy: Well, we’ll deal with it.
Giles: I hope it’s that simple.
Buffy: It is not to worry. Trust me.
Giles: Oh, I don’t know. I mean, (chuckles) I’ve killed you once, it
shouldn’t be too difficult to do it again.
Buffy: What?
Giles takes a hard backhand swing at her face, knocking her down onto
the table between the two couches. He gets on top of her and begins to
choke her. Xander and Willow just sit on the couches and chew away at
their food. Willow smiles at Xander. Buffy reaches up to Giles’ face and
tries to push him off. She claws at him, and suddenly pulls off a mask,
revealing the Master underneath. Buffy stares up at him in wide-eyed

terror.
Cut to Buffy’s bedroom. She wakes from her nightmare with a start. She
looks around and over at her open window. She sits up and rubs her face.
When she looks back at her window again Angel is there, leaning against
the sill.
Buffy: Hello.
Angel: Mind if I come in?
Buffy: Be my guest.
Angel: How are you?
Buffy: Peachy. So, is this a social call? It is kinda late. Or, well,
it is for me, anyway. What is it for you, lunch hour?
Angel: It’s not a social call.
Buffy: Ah. So, lemme guess. That means grave danger. Gosh, it’s good to
be home.
Angel: I’m sorry. I wish I had better news.
Buffy: So, some of your cousins are in town for a family barbecue, and
we’re all on the menu!
Angel: The Anointed One. He’s been gathering forces somewhere in town.
I’m not sure why.
Buffy: Guess I’ll find out soon enough, huh?
Angel: You don’t sound too concerned.
Buffy: I can handle myself. Besides, I could use a little action
anyway.
Angel: Don’t underestimate the Anointed One just because he looks like
a child. He has power over the rest of them. They’ll do anything for
him.
Buffy: Is that it? Is that everything? Y’know, ’cause you woke me up
from a really good dream.
She turns away from him and lies back down.
Angel: Sorry. I’ll go. (turns around to go, but pauses) I missed you.
Buffy: (turns to the window) I missed you?
Angel is already gone. “It Doesn’t Matter”, by Alison Krauss, plays in
the background.
Lyrics: It doesn’t matter what I want / It doesn’t matter what I need
Cut to Joyce’s Jeep the next morning on the way to school.
Lyrics: It doesn’t matter if I cry
Joyce: How are your new classes?
Buffy: Good.
Lyrics: Don’t matter if I bleed
Joyce: Good. Is there the slightest chance that if I asked you what was
wrong you would tell me?
Lyrics: You’ve been on a road

Buffy looks over at her mother.
Joyce: Course not. It would take all the fun out of guessing.
Lyrics: Don’t know where it goes or where it leads
Cut to the halls at Buffy’s locker.
Willow: Angel stopped by? Wow. Was there… Well, I mean, was it having
to do with kissing?
Buffy: Willow, grow up. Not everything is about kissing.
Xander: (to Willow) Yeah. Some stuff’s about groping. (to Buffy) It
wasn’t about groping?
Buffy: Okay, hormones on parade here? It was pure shoptalk. Remember
vampires, pointy teeth, they walk by night, am I ringing a bell?
Willow: What did he say?
Buffy: Oh, something’s up. (closes her locker) Nothing I can’t handle.
They begin to walk down the hall to class.
Xander: Oh, hey, did you guys hear that Cibo Matto’s gonna be at the
Bronze tonight?
Willow: Cibo Matto? They’re playing?
Xander: No, Willow, they’re gonna be clog dancing.
Willow: Cibo Matto can clog dance? (gets a look from Xander) Oh,
sarcasm, right.
Xander: We should attend, no?
Cordelia comes out of class and engages them in the hall.
Cordelia: Oh, look, it’s the Three Musketeers.
They look at each other, not sure what to make of that.
Buffy: (to Xander) Was that an insult?
Xander: Kinda lacked punch.
Willow: The Three Musketeers were cool.
Cordelia: I see your point.
Xander: I woulda gone with Stooges.
Cordelia: Well, I just meant that you guys always hang out together.
So, did you guys fight any demons this summer?
Willow: Uh, yes! Our own personal demons.
Xander: Uh, such as, as, as lust and, uh, thrift!
Buffy: I would have to go with Stooges also.
Cordelia: What are you guys talking about? I’m talking about big
squiggly demons that came from the ground? Remember? Prom night? With
all the vampires.
Buffy: Cordelia, your mouth is open and sound is coming from it. This
is never good.

Xander: No. (takes Cordelia aside) It’s, see, we can’t mention that
stuff in front of other people, Buffy being the Slayer and all.
Willow: You haven’t been talking about our little adventure all summer,
have you?
Cordelia: Are you nuts? Do you think I would tell people that I spent
the whole evening with you? Besides, it was all so creepy. That Master
guy? And all the screaming? I don’t even like to think about it. (to
Buffy) So your secret’s safe with me.
Buffy: Well, that works out great. You won’t tell anyone that I’m the
Slayer, and I won’t tell anyone you’re a moron. (leaves)
Xander: Now, that was a good insult.
Willow: A little too good.
Cordelia: What’s up with her?
Cut to the Bronze that night. People are gathering and going in. Cut
inside. Cibo Matto is on stage playing “Spoon”.
Lyrics: Don’t, don’t want the boys
Cut to Willow and Xander sitting at a table. She has a cup of ice cream.
Willow: I just think something’s up is all.
Lyrics: Don’t, don’t note the heat
Xander: Willow, you’re paranoid.
Willow: Buffy’s never acted like this before. Ever since she got back
she’s… different.
Lyrics: Can’t find a spoon…
Xander: Buffy’s always been different.
Willow: She’s never been mean.
Lyrics: …that we have had
Xander: (exhales) Any sign of her? She said she was coming.
Lyrics: The sugar cubes…
Willow: No. The band’s cool, though.
Xander: Yeah, cool.
Lyrics: …can melt our mouth / We belong, yes, to-to-together
Willow dips her nose into her ice cream and smiles, trying to get
Xander’s attention.
Lyrics: We belong, yes, to-to-together / We belong, yes, to-to-together
Xander: (looks at her) You got somethin’ on your nose.
Lyrics: We belong, yes, to-to-together / We belong, yes, to-to-together
The smile disappears from Willow’s face, and she wipes the ice cream off
with her napkin.
Lyrics: We belong, yes, to-to-together
Cut to the cemetery. Dissolve to the tree where the Master is buried.
Four crosses mark his grave. A shovel stabs into the dirt and starts to

dig. Another one joins in. The camera pans around to Absalom, Collin and
two others watching the first two vampires dig.
Absalom: (to the other two) Don’t just stand there. Dig! We have to
hurry.
The other two get on their knees and begin to dig. The ground burns
their hands.
Vampire: The ground is consecrated! It burns!
Collin: Dig.
The two vampires continue digging by hand. The grave is shallow, and
they soon unearth the Master’s skull.
Cut to the Bronze. The band starts their next number, “Sugar Water”.
Lyrics: The velocity of time… turns her voice into… sugar water
Buffy walks into the Bronze. Angel sees her come in and goes over to
her.
Buffy: Hi.
Angel: Hi.
Buffy: So, is there danger at the Bronze? Should I beware?
Angel: I can’t help thinking I’ve done something to make you angry. And
that bothers me more than I’d like.
Buffy: I’m not angry. I don’t know where that comes from.
Angel: What are you afraid of? Me? Us?
Buffy: Could you contemplate getting over yourself for a second?
There’s no ‘us’. Look, Angel, I’m sorry if I was supposed to spend the
summer mooning over you, but I didn’t. I moved on. To the living.
She heads over to Willow and Xander’s table. Cordelia watches her go by,
and wonders about her attitude.
Lyrics: I’m on a concrete way / The wind is blowing…
Buffy: Hey!
Willow: Hi.
Xander: Hey.
Lyrics: …to the north-northwest
Willow: What’s wrong with Angel?
Buffy: Beats me.
Lyrics: It smells like sands of the southern island
Buffy: (to Xander) Let’s dance. (pulls at his shirt)
Xander: Ooo-kay. (is pulled by his shirt to the dance floor)
Lyrics: When a black cat crosses my path
Buffy and Xander begin to slow dance. Her movements are very sensual.
Lyrics: A woman in the moon is singing to the earth / A woman in the
moon is singing to the earth / La la la, la la la la la la / La la la,
la la la la la la

Buffy turns around and spoons in against Xander, pulling his arms around
her waist. She grinds her hips and shoulders against him.
Lyrics: La la la, la la la la la la / La la la, la la la la la la
She reaches up with her hand and strokes his face. Angel looks on
jealously. Willow watches in disbelief. Buffy continues her grinding.
Lyrics: I’m riding on a camel that has big eyes / The buildings are
changing into coconut trees / Little by little
Buffy turns to Xander and tilts her head up to his, close enough to
kiss.
Buffy: Xander? Did I ever thank you… for saving my life?
Lyrics: When a black cat…
Xander: No.
Lyrics: …crosses my path
Buffy slowly slithers around him, making sure not to lose contact with
his body.
Lyrics: A woman in the moon is singing to the earth
Buffy: Don’t you wish I would?
She breaks off, leaving him standing there. Xander isn’t sure what to
make of it all, but he knows he doesn’t like it.
Lyrics: A woman in the moon is singing to the earth
Buffy goes back to their table and retrieves her jacket.
Lyrics: La la la, la la la la la la
She walks past Cordelia as she makes her way out of the Bronze. Angel
follows her with his stare.
Lyrics: La la la, la la la la la la
Xander is still standing on the dance floor, upset and unsure how to
react.
Cut outside. Buffy exits the Bronze and walks down the alley at a quick
pace. Cordelia follows her out.

Cordelia: Buffy. (Buffy stops) You’re really campaigning for bitch-of-
the-year, aren’t you?

Buffy: (turns to face her) As defending champion, you nervous?
Cordelia: I can hold my own. You know, we’ve never really been close,
which is nice, ’cause I don’t really like you that much, but… you have
on occasion saved the world and stuff, so I’m gonna… do you a favor.
Buffy: And this great favor is…
Cordelia: I’m gonna give you some advice. Get over it.
Buffy: Excuse me?
Cordelia: Whatever is causing the Joan Collins ‘tude, deal with it.
Embrace the pain, spank your inner moppet, whatever, but get over it.
‘Cause pretty soon you’re not even gonna have the loser friends you’ve
got now.

Buffy: I think it’s about time you start minding your own business.
Cordelia: It’s long past.
Buffy: (turns and goes) Nighty-night. (flips up her hood)
Cordelia: I’ll just see if Angel feels like dancing.
She is suddenly grabbed by two vampires coming out of the shadows and
dragged into an adjacent building.
~~ Part 3 ~~
A basement. The two vampires force Cordelia down the stairs. At the
bottom they shove her into the room. She’s frightened and looks around.
She takes a step sideways and bumps into a hand. She looks down and sees
that it’s Jenny. She crouches down to see if she’s okay, but Jenny is
unconscious.
Cordelia: Ms., Ms. Calendar? Oh, God, Ms. Calendar?
Cut to the cemetery. Buffy is going to check out the Master’s grave.
When she gets there she finds it dug open and his bones exhumed. She
steps back slowly, and thinks she sees the Master out of the corner of
her eye. She quickly turns to look, but no one’s there.
Willow: She’s possessed!
Cut to the student lounge. Giles is getting a soda from the vending
machine.
Giles: Possessed?
Willow: That’s the only explanation that makes any sense. I mean, you
should’ve seen her last night. That wasn’t Buffy.
Xander: Are we overlooking the idea that she may be very attracted to
me? (gets looks from the others and concedes) She’s possessed.
Giles: Possessed by what?
Willow: Aaaaa possessing thing!
Giles: (sarcastically) Well, that narrows it down.
He takes a sip of his soda and winces at its sweetness.
Xander: Well, you’re the expert. Hey, maybe when the Master killed her
some… mystical bad guy transference thing happened.
Willow: That’s what it was! I mean, why else would she be acting like
such a b-i-t-c-h?
Giles: Willow, I think we’re all a little too old to be spelling things
out.
Xander: A bitca?
Giles: (not surprised by Xander’s misunderstanding) Yes. I suggest
that, uh, the explanation for her behavior may be something more, more
mundane.
The bell rings and the students around them begin to leave for class.
Giles: (sits) She may simply have what you Americans refer to as
issues. Uh, her experience with the Master must have been extremely
traumatic. Well, she was, for at least a few minutes, technically dead.
(Buffy appears in the door) I-I don’t think she’s dealt with that on a
conscious level. (Xander notices Buffy) She’s convinced herself that
she’s invulnerable… for the very reason that she feels…

Xander: (interrupts) That’s a very interesting point about trout, you
just brought up now.
Buffy walks up to them.
Giles: Trout? (notices Buffy) Trout! Yes, trout, i-is a fish. Good
morning. Did you sleep well?
Buffy: Like a rock. Master’s gone.
Giles: I’m sorry?
Buffy: The Master. I went by his grave last night, and they have a
vacancy.
Giles: Good God!
Willow: What would somebody want with Master bones?
Xander: A trophy, a horrible conversation piece?
Buffy: They’re gonna bring him back. They’re gonna bring the Master
back to life, and I seem to recall you telling me he was history.
Giles: Buffy, I-I-I’ve never heard of a-a revivification ritual being
successful.
Buffy: But you’ve heard of them? Thanks for the warning.
Willow: Well, Buffy, Giles did bury him and…
Buffy: Look, this is Slayer stuff, okay? Could we have just a little
less from the civilians, please?
Xander: Okay, that’s just about enough!
Buffy shoots Xander a look.
Snyder: (interrupts) I believe some of us have class? And some of us
have jobs.
Giles: Y-yes, well, I’ll, uh, I’ll see you all, uh, in the library
later. We’ll, we’ll continue this discussion.
Willow: About trout.
The kids leave. Snyder watches them go.
Snyder: There’re some things I can just smell. It’s like a sixth sense.
Giles: No, actually that would be one of the five.
Snyder: That Summers girl. I smell trouble. I smell expulsion, and just
the faintest aroma of jail.
Giles: Well, before you throw away the key, you might consider giving
her the benefit of the doubt. She may surprise you.
Snyder: You really have faith in those kids, don’t you?
Giles: Yes, I do.
Snyder: Weird.
Cut to the library after school.
Giles: Alright, alright, I-I-I’ve got something. It’s Latin, so bear
with me. Uh, to revive the vampire they need his bones, uh… w-which
they have, and, um, the blood… this is very unclear, of the closest

person… uh, someone connected to the vampire.
Buffy: That’d be me.
Giles: Perhaps.
Buffy: We were close. We killed each other. It really promotes
togetherness.
Xander: Well, is there anything on when the ceremony might take…
A rock comes crashing through a window.
Xander: Whoa!
Buffy catches the rock in her hands. It has a note wrapped around it and
kept in place with a bracelet.
Buffy: This is Cordelia’s. (takes off the note) ‘Come to the Bronze
before it opens, or we make her a meal.’
Xander: They’re gonna cook her dinner? (gets looks from everyone) I’ll
pretend I didn’t say that.
Willow: What do we do?
Buffy: (exhales) I go to the Bronze and save the day. (starts to go)
Xander: I don’t like this.
Giles: Nor I!
Buffy: (turns back) Yeah? Well, you guys aren’t going.
Willow: What do you mean?
Buffy: I can’t do it anymore. I can’t look after the three of you guys
while I’m fighting.
Willow: Well, what about the rest of the note?
Buffy: What rest of the note?
Willow: The part that says, ‘P.S. This is a trap’?
Giles: You’ll be playing straight into their hands. (takes off his
glasses)
Buffy: I can handle this.
Willow: Stop saying that! God, what’s wrong with you?
Xander: Cordelia may be dead.
Buffy: This is my fight.
She leaves and grabs her coat and bag on the way out. Willow just
watches her go. Xander shakes his head. Giles puts his glasses back on.
Cut to the alley outside the Bronze. Buffy senses Angel as she nears the
entrance.
Buffy: Y’know, being stalked isn’t really a big turn-on for girls.
Angel: (behind her) You need help. Someone to watch your back.
Buffy: Sure you don’t mean my neck?
Angel: (comes around her) Why are you ridin’ me?

Buffy: Because I don’t trust you. You’re a vampire. (gets a look) Oh,
I’m sorry, was that an offensive term? Should I say ‘undead American’?
Angel: You have to trust someone. You can’t do this alone.
Buffy: I trust me.
Angel: You’re not as strong as you think.
Buffy: (gives him a challenging look) You think you can take me?
Angel: What?
Buffy: Oh, c’mon! I mean, you must’ve thought about it. What would
happen if it ever came down to a fight, you vampire, me the Slayer, I
mean, you must’ve wondered! Well, why don’t we find out?
Angel: I’m not gonna fight you.
Buffy: Come on! Kick my ass!
Angel: Don’t you have somewhere to be?
Buffy: I do.
Angel: Well, you’re wasting time.
Buffy: Just stay out of my way. (walks around him to the entrance)
Angel: Happy to oblige.
Cut inside. Buffy comes in and looks around as she slowly walks through
an empty Bronze. She comes upon a girl crying in a corner. She stops.
Angel appears behind her.
Buffy: That’s not Cordelia.
The vampire laughs and turns around.
Vampire: Cordelia couldn’t make it.
Buffy: Where is she?
Vampire: I’m not supposed to tell.
Angel: I don’t like this.
Buffy: Don’t like what?
Angel: There’s the bait. Where’s the hook?
The vampire attacks, and Buffy flips her over onto her back on the floor
and pins her down with her foot.
Buffy: You’re right. Why would they send just one?
Cut to the library. Giles is continuing his research.
Willow: I still think we should’ve gone with her.
Xander: Buffy’s about to lose it. I think we should be trying to reach
minimum safe distance.
Willow: Xander, you know it’s a trap!
Giles: Ah! Ah, ah, ah! Uh, uh, the Latin is, is translated from the
Sumerian, a-a-and rather badly. Closest to the Master actually
translates as ‘nearest’. Physically. The, the, the person or persons who
were with him… when he… (looks up) It is a trap.

Several vampires appear on the mezzanine level above.
Giles: It just isn’t for her.
~~ Part 4 ~~
The Bronze. Buffy binds the vampire’s wrists
Buffy: Watch her. Don’t kill her unless you have to. (shoves her over
to Angel)
Angel: Buffy! What’s goin’ on?
Buffy: I’ll be back.
Cut to the library. Buffy comes rushing in, and stops short when she
sees that the place is a shambles. The camera pans through the room to
the center table, which has been tipped over onto its side. Behind it
Xander regains consciousness and gets up, using the table for support.
Buffy: Xander!
She rushes over to him to help, but he shakes her off.
Buffy: What happened?
Xander: (out of breath) Vampires. The ones you could handle yourself.
Buffy: Where are the others?
Xander: I don’t know. (angry) I don’t know what your problem is, what
your issues are. But as of now, I officially don’t care. If you’d worked
with us for five seconds, you coulda stopped this.
Buffy: (turns away) We, we just have to think. Where would they have
taken them?
Xander: (vehemently) If they hurt Willow, I’ll kill you.
She turns back to him and looks at him seriously.
Buffy: Why did they take them and not you?
Xander: Giles said the ritual was, um… They needed people who were
close to the Master. Physically close. When he, uh…
Buffy: The ones who were with the Master when he died.
Xander: Giles, Willow, Cordelia…
Buffy: Ms. Calendar.
Xander: Odds are they’ve got a complete set by now.
Buffy: We need to find out where.
Xander: How?
Cut to the Bronze. Buffy is interrogating the female vampire. She throws
her down onto the floor.
Buffy: One more time: where are they?
Vampire: You’re too late. Your friends are dead.
Buffy: (lifts her back up) Tell me where they are!
Vampire: (laughs) What are you gonna do? Kill me?
Buffy: As a matter of fact…

She throws the vampire onto a pool table.
Buffy: …yes. (yanks off her necklace) But since I’m not gonna kill
you any time soon, the question becomes…
She drops the cross into the vampire’s mouth and covers it with her
hands.
Buffy: …how are we gonna pass the time till then?
The cross burns in the vampire’s mouth, and she shakes her head. After
several seconds Buffy pulls the cross back out.
Buffy: So. One more time.
Cut to the warehouse. Cut inside. Collin carries a black case past the
Master’s skeleton, which has been laid out on a table. Absalom takes it
from him.
Absalom: Begin.
Another vampire starts pulling on a chain, and Willow, Giles, Cordelia
and Jenny are moved along an overhead conveyor to hang upside down and
unconscious above the Master’s bones.
Absalom: Behold, these four mortals.
Buffy comes into the warehouse through a side door. Angel and Xander
follow her in.
Absalom: Witnesses to our Master’s wretched demise. They will breathe
their last this night. The blood that pours from their throats will
bring NEW LIFE to the old one. We gather for his resurrection. For the
dawn of this new hell.
Buffy looks up at the four of them hanging upside down.
Xander: (in a low voice) Buffy! Buffy! (she faces him) We gotta do
something now!
Buffy: You two get the others out of here.
Angel: We need you to distract the vampires.
Buffy: Right.
Xander: What are you gonna do?
Buffy: I’m gonna kill them all. (turns to her task) That oughta
distract them.
Cut to Absalom, holding a Kuhkri, a long, curved knife.
Absalom: For the old one. For his pain. For the dark.
Vampires: For the dark!
Absalom kisses the blade. Cut to one of the vampires. A stake is
suddenly thrust through him from behind, and he instantly turns into
ashes. Buffy stands there now in a fighting stance. Absalom looks at her
in disbelief and then roars. Three vampires begin fighting her. She
easily keeps them at bay. Angel and Xander seize the opportunity to
climb the ladder to the platform above to get the others off of the
conveyor. Buffy continues to fight the vampires below. Absalom takes
Collin and ushers him out of the warehouse. He comes back in and sees
Angel and Xander pulling on the chain, bringing the others back over to
the platform.
Absalom: The sacrifices! Stop them!

A vampire responds to Absalom’s command and runs to the ladder to the
platform. Buffy continues to fight below as Angel and Xander keep
pulling on the chain. Absalom looks around and then rushes out of the
warehouse. Buffy keeps fighting. She does a flip over some wooden boxes,
grabs one on the way and smashes it onto a vampire’s head. She kicks the
vampire in the face, knocking him down and breaking a few pieces of wood
off of the box. She gets tackled by another vampire. On the platform
above Giles, Jenny and Cordelia are already off of the conveyor. Angel

and Xander lift Willow off as well. Giles rolls on the floor in semi-
consciousness. They lay Willow down and tend to them all. A vampire

finally makes it up to the platform and growls. Angel looks at him with
his game face on and growls back. The vampire attacks, and Angel rushes
to meet him. They fight. Below one of them is on top of Buffy. She
reaches up with a broken piece of wood and jams it into the vampire’s
back, and gets ash all over herself. The vampire she knocked down before
with the box gets up and rushes to attack her. Above, Angel and his
opponent fall through a poorly covered hole in the platform. Jenny is
awake now and crawls over to Giles, who is also awake now and trying to
sit up.
Giles: Are you alright?
Jenny: Yeah, I’m okay.
Giles: Where’s Buffy?
Xander is at the edge of the platform holding a still unconscious Willow
with his arm and watching the fight below.
Xander: Uh, she’s working out her issues.
Buffy is still fighting a vampire below. Underneath the platform Angel’s
attacker tries to jam a piece of wood into his chest, but Angel stops
him and jams it into his instead. Buffy kicks the vampire she’s fighting
into a storage rack, and he goes down with it. Absalom shows up again in
the doorway with a large sledgehammer.
Absalom: ENOUGH!
Buffy turns to look at him. The other vampire gets back up.
Absalom: Your day is done, girl. I’ll grind you into a sticky paste,
and hear you beg before I smash in your face.
Buffy: So, are you gonna kill me or are we just making small talk?
Absalom raises the sledgehammer in indignation and yells as he begins
his attack. The other vampire rushes at her from the other side. Buffy
calmly looks at the tall wooden torch post in front of her, breaks it
off and turns it a few times in her hands. The vampire impales himself
on the broken end and crumbles into ash. Absalom runs into the burning
end and is set ablaze. He backs up and screams as the flames spread over
him. He makes a last desperate attempt to get Buffy and raises the
sledgehammer over his head, but is too late as the flames engulf him and
instantly burn him up. The sledgehammer falls to the floor with a loud
clang. Buffy drops the post and looks over at the Master’s skeleton. Cut
to the platform above. Willow is awake now.
Willow: It’s over.
Xander: No, it’s not.
Cut below. Buffy bends down and picks up the sledgehammer. She slowly
walks over to the Master’s skeleton and looks at it a moment. Then she
swings the hammer back behind her and arcs it directly into the Master’s
skull, shattering it to pieces. She keeps whaling on the Master’s
skeleton as Willow, Xander and Giles look down from above. Angel comes
up behind her and watches her continue until there’s nothing left on the
table. She stops and bursts into tears, dropping the sledgehammer to the

floor.
Angel: It’s okay. It’s okay.
Buffy turns around and leans into him, crying into his shoulder. Angel
gently holds on to her as she cries. Xander, Willow and Giles continue
to watch from above. Willow briefly looks up at Xander.
Cut to the school the next day. Jenny and Cordelia walk across the quad.
Cordelia: What an ordeal. And you know what the worst part is?
Jenny: What?
Cordelia: It stays with you forever. No matter what they tell you, none
of that rust and blood and grime comes out. I mean, you can dry clean
till judgment day, you are living with those stains.
Jenny: Yeah that’s the worst part of being hung upside down by a
vampire who wants to slit your throat: the stains.
Cordelia: I hear ya!
Giles and Buffy come walking the other way on the other side of the
quad.
Buffy: I don’t think I can face them.
Giles: Hmm? Of course, you can.
Buffy: I can’t! What am I supposed say? ‘Sorry I almost got your throat
slit. What’s the homework?’
Giles: Punishing yourself like this is pointless.
Buffy: It’s entirely pointy. I was a moron. I put my best friends in
mortal danger on the second day of school.
Giles: What are you gonna do? Crawl inside a cave for the rest of your
life?
Buffy: Would it have cable?
Giles: Buffy, you acted wrongly, I admit that. But believe me, that was
hardly the, the worst mistake you’ll ever make. Uh, that wasn’t quite as
comforting as it was meant to be.
Buffy: Well, points for effort. (the bell rings) See ya.
Cut to class. Buffy comes in, sees Willow and Xander and stops. Willow
sees her come in. Xander, facing Willow, notices her look up and looks
over, too, but goes back to what he’s doing on Willow’s desk. Buffy
walks over to an empty desk next to Willow.
Willow: Hey, Buffy.
Buffy: Hey.
Willow: We saved you a seat.
Buffy looks at them both and sits down.
Xander: There’s a rumor going around that, uh, Mr. Cox is the most
boring teacher in the entire world. Like, I think he won a belt or
something.
Buffy: Like, yes.
Willow: Well, I hear he nods off a lot. So that’s a plus.

Xander: So, we Bronzin’ it tonight?
Willow: Wednesday, it’s kinda beat.
Xander: Well, we could grind our enemies into talcum powder with a
sledgehammer, but, gosh, we did that last night.
The two of them give Buffy big smiles. She smiles back.
Xander: Hey, I got a plan: how ’bout miniature golf.
Willow: There’s no course here.
Xander: Okay, uh, miniature tennis! A very tiny form of tennis that we
could invent…
They make small talk until class begins. The camera slowly pans around
them.
Cut to the warehouse. Collin surveys the damage Buffy has wrought. He
looks all around him at the pieces of bone strewn all over the place.
Collin: I hate that girl.