Welcome to the Hellmouth

Darla

Are you sure this is a good idea?

It's a great idea, now come on. They crawl in. Cut to the hall. They come out of the classroom and walk down the hall.

Darla

Do you go to school here?

I used to. On top of the gym it's so cool. You can see the whole town. He continues down the hall, but she stops him close to the intersection.

Darla

I, I, I, I don't wanna go up there.

Aw, you can't wait, huh?

Darla

We're just gonna get in trouble.

Yeah, you can count on it. They almost kiss when Darla startles, draws a quick breath and turns her head around to look down the hall.

Darla

What was that?

What was what?

Darla

I heard a noise.

It's nothing!

Darla

Uh, uh, maybe it's something.

Or maybe it's some *thing*!

Darla

That's not funny. He looks down the other hall.

Hellooooo! (to Darla) There's nobody here.

Darla

Are you sure? (looks away) Boy: Yes, I'm sure.

(off camera) Buffy?

Buffy

(sitting up) I'm up, Mom!

(off camera) Don't wanna be late for your first day!

Buffy

(to herself) No... Wouldn't want that. Cut to the school. The camera pans from the street to the main building. Cut to Joyce pulling up to the school in her Jeep to drop off Buffy.

Okay! Buffy gets out.

Buffy

I promise.

Okay. Buffy faces the school and lets out a deep breath. Joyce drives off. Cut to Xander, doing his usual bob and weave through the crowd on his skateboard.

Xander

'Scuse me, comin' through, pardon me, 'scuse me, whoa! 'Scuse me, not sure how to stop! Please move, whoa, 'scuse me... (notices Buffy) Whoa! He stares at her and doesn't notice that he's headed right for the stair railing. He crashes into it and falls beneath it, grunting in pain. Willow walks up and has to step high to avoid tripping over his legs.

Willow

Uh, which part?

Xander

The math. Can you help me out tonight, pleeeease, be my study buddy?

Willow

Well, what's in it for me?

Xander

A shiny nickel!

Willow

Okay. Do you have 'Theories in Trig'? You should check it out.

Xander

Check it out?

Willow

From the library? Where the books live.

Xander

Right, I'm there! See, I wanna change... Cut to the hall just inside the door.

Hey, hey!

Xander

Hey, Jesse, what's what?

New Girl!

Xander

That's right, I saw her. Pretty much a hottie!

Willow

I heard someone was transferring...

Xander

So tell!

Tell what?

Xander

What's the sitch, what do ya know about her?

New girl!

Xander

Well, you're certainly a font of nothing! Cut to Principal Flutie's office. Buffy is seated. He has her school records and walks around the desk to his chair as he looks them over.

Buffy Summers, sophomore, late of Hemery High in Los Angeles. Interesting record, quite a career... He sits, takes the sheet he's reading and tears it into four pieces.

Buffy

Mr. Flutie...

All the kids here are free to call me Bob.

Buffy

Bob...

But they don't. He begins reassembling the torn sheet.

Buffy

I know my transcripts are a little... colorful.

Heeey... We're not caring about that. Do you think, uh, 'colorful' is the word? (tapes the paper) Not, uh, 'dismal'?

Buffy

Wasn't *that* bad!

You burned down the gym.

Buffy

(exhales) I did, I really did, but... You're not seeing the big picture here, I mean, that gym was full of vampi... asbestos.

Buffy, don't worry. Any other school they might say 'watch your step', or 'we'll be watching you'... But, that's just not the way *here*. We want to service your needs, and help you to respect our needs. And if your needs and our needs don't mesh... He puts the poorly repaired sheet back into her file and slaps it shut. She gives him a thin, nervous smile. Cut to the hall. Buffy comes out of Mr. Flutie's office. She opens her bag and rummages through it as she walks into the hall right in front of a girl and a boy. The girl bumps into her, making her lose her grip on the bag and spill its contents.

Buffy

Oh! Sorry!

That's okay.

Buffy

(looks down at the mess) Oh... Xander hears the noise, looks back, quickly comes over and squats down next to her to help her gather her things.

Xander

Can I have you? She gives him a confused look.

Buffy

(smiles) Thanks.

Xander

I don't know you, do I?

Buffy

I'm Buffy. I'm new.

Xander

Xander. Is, is me. Hi. (smiles) Buffy: Um, thanks. They finish gathering up everything.

Buffy

Great! (they stand up) It was nice to meet you. She starts down the hall.

Xander

(unimpressed with himself) We both go to school. Very suave. Very not pathetic. He notices a stake still on the floor.

It's estimated that about twenty-five million people died in that one four-year span. But the fun part of the Black Plague is that it originated in Europe how? Cordelia is taking notes. So is Buffy, seated next to her.

Buffy

(to Cordelia) Thanks.

And this popular plague led to what social changes? Steve? The bell rings and the students get up to leave.

Cordelia

Hi! I'm Cordelia. (offers her hand) Buffy: (accepts it) I'm Buffy.

Buffy

Oh, great, thanks. (they get up) Where would that be?

Cordelia

I'll show you, come on. (they start out of the classroom) So you're from Hemery, right? In L.A.?

Buffy

Uh, yeah.

Cordelia

Oh, I would *kill* to live in L.A. That close to that many shoes? Buffy has to laugh as they go into the hall. Cut to the two of them walking down another part of the hall.

Buffy

Um, over?

Cordelia

So over. James Spader.

Buffy

He needs to call me!

Cordelia

Frappaccinos.

Buffy

Trendy, but tasty.

Cordelia

John Tesh.

Buffy

The Devil.

Cordelia

That was pretty much a gimme, but... you passed!

Buffy

Oh, goody! They turn toward a drinking fountain. Willow is there. She straightens up and sees them coming.

Cordelia

Willow! Nice dress! Good to know you've seen the softer side of Sears.

Willow

Uh, oh, well, my mom picked it out.

Cordelia

No wonder you're such a guy magnet. Are you done? Willow looks at the fountain, then back at Cordelia.

Willow

Oh! She turns and leaves. Buffy watches her go for a moment, then looks back at Cordelia after she starts talking again.

Cordelia

You wanna fit in here, the first rule is: know your losers. Once you can identify them all by sight (glances after Willow) they're a lot easier to avoid. Buffy lets out a nervous laugh and nods. She looks at Willow again, who has gone through the door at the end of the hall. Willow looks back at them before she continues. Cut to another area in the halls. The two of them continue their walk to the library.

Buffy

The who?

Cordelia

The Bronze. It's the only club worth going to around here. They let anybody in, but it's still the scene. It's in the bad part of town.

Buffy

Where's that? (stops outside the library doors) Cordelia: About a half a block from the good part of town. (laughing) We don't have a whole lot of town here. But, um, you should show!

Cordelia

Good. So, um, I'll see you in gym, and you can tell me absolutely everything there is to know about you. (waves and goes) Buffy: (waves back) Great! (to herself) Oh, that sounds like fun. She goes into the library. Cut inside. She comes in and looks around. It looks deserted.

Buffy

Hello? (continues in) Is anybody here? She looks at the book checkout counter and sees a newspaper. A picture has been circled. The caption above it reads "Local Boys Still Missing." Giles comes up behind her and taps her on the shoulder. She spins around, startled.

Giles

Can I help you?

Buffy

I was looking for some, well, books. I'm new.

Giles

Miss Summers?

Buffy

Good call! Guess I'm the only new kid, huh?

Giles

I'm Mr. Giles. The librarian. I was told you were coming. He heads around behind the counter.

Buffy

Great! So, um, I'm gonna need 'Perspectives on 20th Century...' Giles: (interrupting) I know what you're after! With a big grin on his face he pulls out a large old book with the word "VAMPYR" written in gold leaf on the front cover. Buffy looks up at him with an uneasy gaze.

Giles

Are you sure?

Buffy

I'm *way* sure.

Giles

(confused) My mistake. He puts the book back behind the counter. Buffy quickly leaves.

The new kid? She seems kind of weird to me. What kind of name is Buffy?

Hey, Aphrodisia!

Oh, Hey!

Well, the chatter in the caf is that she got kicked out, and that's why her mom had to get a new job. The girls work the combinations to their gym lockers.

Neg!

Pos! She was starting fights!

Neg-ly!

(opening her locker) Well I heard from Blue, and she said that... The dead boy falls out of the locker onto Aura's arm. She screams and lets the body fall. ~~~~~~~~~~ Part 2 ~~~~~~~~~~ The quad at school. Willow is sitting on a bench in front of a wall taking out her lunch. Buffy approaches her.

Buffy

Uh, Hi! Willow, right?

Willow

(looks up) Why? I-I mean, hi! Uh, did you want me to move?

Buffy

Why don't we start with, 'Hi, I'm Buffy,' and, uh, then let's segue directly into me asking you for a favor. (sits next to her) It doesn't involve moving, but it does involve hanging out with me for a while.

Willow

But aren't you hanging out with Cordelia?

Buffy

I can't do both?

Willow

Not legally.

Buffy

(exhales) Look, I really wanna get by here, new school, and... Cordelia's been really nice... to me... anyway, but, um, I kinda have this burning desire not to flunk all my classes, and I heard a rumor that you were the person to talk to if I wanted to get caught up.

Willow

Oh, I could *totally* help you out! Uh, if you have sixth period free we could meet in the library?

Buffy

Or not. Or we could meet someplace quieter. Louder. Uh, that place just kinda gives me the wiggins.

Willow

Oh, it has that effect on most kids. I love it, though, it's a great collection, and the new librarian is really cool.

Buffy

He's new?

Willow

Yeah, he just started. He was a curator at some British museum, or, or The British Museum, I'm not sure. But he knows everything, and he brought all these historical volumes and biographies, and am I the single dullest person alive?

Buffy

Not at all. Xander hops up onto the wall behind the girls and sits on it between them. Jesse stands in front of them and drops his bag.

Hey!

Xander

You guys busy? Are we interrupting? We're interrupting. He tosses his bag to Jesse.

Buffy

Hey!

Willow

Hey!

Hey there! He drops Xander's bag next to his own.

Willow

Buffy, this is Jesse and that's Xander.

Xander

Oh, me and Buffy go waaay back, old friends, very close. Then there's that period of estrangement where I think we were both growing as people, but now here we are, like old times, I'm quite moved.

Is it me, or are you turning into a bibbling idiot?

Xander

No, it's, uh, it's not you.

Buffy

Well, it's nice to meet you guys, I think. Xander jumps down to retrieve the stake from his bag.

Well, you know, we wanted to welcome ya, make ya feel at home, unless you have a scary home...

Xander

And to return this. (holds up the stake) The only thing I can think is that you're building a really little fence. (hands it to her) Buffy: (takes it) Hah, no, um, a-a-actually it was for self-defense. Everyone has them in L.A. Pepper spray is just so passé.

If you have any dark, painful secrets you'd like us to publish?

Buffy

Gee, everyone wants to know about me. How keen.

Xander

Well, not much goes on in a one Starbucks town like Sunnydale. You're pretty big news.

Buffy

I'm not. Really.

Cordelia

(interrupts) Are these guys bothering you?

Buffy

Uh, no!

Willow

She's not hanging out with us.

(stands next to her) Hey! Cordelia!

Cordelia

(to Jesse) Oh, please! (to Buffy) I don't mean to interrupt your downward mobility, but I just wanted to tell you that you won't be meeting Coach Foster, the woman with the chest hair, because gym was canceled due to the *extreme* dead guy in the locker.

Buffy

What?

Willow

What are you talking about?

Cordelia

Some guy was stuffed in Aura's locker!

Buffy

Dead.

Cordelia

Totally dead. Way dead.

Xander

It's not just a little dead, then?

Cordelia

Don't you have an elsewhere to be?

Y'know, if you need a shoulder to cry on, or just to nibble on...

Buffy

How did he die?

Cordelia

I don't know.

Buffy

Well, were there any marks?

Cordelia

Morbid much! I didn't ask!

Buffy

(looks at everyone) Um, I gotta book. I'll, I'll see you guys later. She grabs her things and leaves. Cordelia stares after her.

Cordelia

What's her deal? Cut to outside the gym. Buffy sneaks up to an outside entrance. It's locked. She uses her strength to break the door and goes in, looking around to make sure no one sees her. Cut to the locker room. Buffy finds the body and pulls back the sheet. She sees the vampire bite.

Buffy

Oh, great! Cut to the library. Buffy barges in.

Giles

(in the stacks) Sorry?

Buffy

You heard about the dead guy, right? The dead guy in the locker?

Giles

(steps into the light) Yes. She drops her bag on the study table and heads up the stairs.

Buffy

'Cause, it's the weirdest thing. He's got two little, little holes in his neck, and all his blood's been drained. (meets him) Isn't that bizarre? Aren't you just going, ooo?

Giles

I was afraid of this.

Buffy

Well, *I* wasn't! It's my first day! I was afraid that I was gonna be behind in all my classes, that I wouldn't make any friends, that I would have last month's hair. I didn't think there'd be vampires on campus. And I don't care.

Giles

Then why are you here?

Buffy

To tell you that... I don't care, which... I don't, and... have now told you, so... bye. (turns away to go) Giles: Is he, w-will he... rise again?

Giles

The boy.

Buffy

No. He's just dead.

Giles

Can you be sure?

Buffy

To make you a vampire they have to suck your blood. And then you have to suck their blood. It's like a whole big sucking thing. Mostly they're just gonna kill you. Why am I still talking to you? Buffy turns and goes down the stairs. Giles moves over to the railing.

Giles

You really have no idea what's going on, do you? You think it's coincidence, your being here? That boy was just the beginning.

Buffy

Oh, why can't you people just leave me alone?

Giles

Because you are the Slayer. (comes down the stairs) Into each generation a Slayer is born, one girl in all the world, a Chosen One, one born with the strength and skill to hunt the vampires...

Buffy

(interrupts and joins in) ...with the strength and skill to hunt the vampires, to stop the spread of their evil blah, blah, blah... I've heard it, okay?

Giles

I really don't understand this attitude. You, you've accepted your duty, you, you've slain vampires before...

Buffy

Yeah, and I've both been there and done that, and I'm moving on.

Giles

What do you know about this town? (goes into his office) Buffy: It's two hours on the freeway from Neiman Marcus?

Buffy

What? You, like, sent away for the Time-Life series?

Giles

Ah, w-w-w-yes.

Buffy

Did you get the free phone?

Giles

Um, the calendar.

Buffy

Cool! But, okay, (gives back the books) first of all, I'm a Vampire Slayer. And secondly, I'm retired. Hey, I know! Why don't you kill 'em?

Giles

I-I'm a Watcher, I-I haven't the skill...

Buffy

Oh, come on, stake through the heart, a little sunlight... It's like falling off a log.

Giles

A, a Slayer slays, a Watcher...

Buffy

...watches?

Giles

Yes. No! (sets down the books) He, he trains her, he, he, he prepares her...

Buffy

Prepares me for what? For getting kicked out of school? For losing all of my friends? For having to spend all of my time fighting for my life and never getting to tell anyone because I might endanger them? Go ahead! Prepare me. They just look at each other for a moment. Buffy exhales, turns and leaves the library in disgust. Giles hesitates for an instant.

Giles

(to himself) Damn! He runs after Buffy. Xander walks out from behind the stacks.

Xander

What? Cut to the hall. Giles catches up with Buffy.

Giles

It's getting worse!

Buffy

What's getting worse? He guides her over to the wall and speaks with her in a low voice.

Giles

The influx of the undead, the... supernatural occurrences, it's been building for years. There's a reason why you're here and a reason why it's now!

Buffy

Because now is the time my mom moved here. She tries to evade him, but he puts his arm out to stop her.

Giles

Something's coming, something, something... something is, is gonna happen here. Soon!

Buffy

Gee, can you vague that up for me?

Giles

The signs, as far as I can tell, point to a crucial mystical upheaval, very soon. Days. Possibly less.

Buffy

Oh, come on! This is Sunnydale! How bad an evil can there be here? Cut to outside the school. The camera descends behind some bushes and sinks through the ground into the lair of the Master. There are candles everywhere. Vampires bearing torches are gathering. The camera moves around the lair as Luke chants and eventually comes to rest on him.

The sleeper will wake. The sleeper will wake. The sleeper will wake. The sleeper will wake, and the world will bleed. Amen! ~~~~~~~~~~ Part 3 ~~~~~~~~~~ Buffy's room. She's considering what to wear to the Bronze. She holds a shiny black outfit up to the mirror.

Buffy

Hi! I'm an enormous slut! (holds up a blue floral dress) Hello! Would you like a copy of 'The Watchtower'? (lowers the dress) I used to be so good at this. Her mother comes into the room.

Hi, hon. Buffy returns her dresses to the closet.

Buffy

Hey!

Are you, uh, going out tonight?

Buffy

Yeah, I'm going to a club.

Oh. Will there be boys there?

Buffy

No, Mom. It's a nun club.

Well, just be careful.

Buffy

I will.

You know, I think we can make it work here. I've got my positive energy flowing... I'm gonna get the Gallery on its feet... Oh, uh, we may have found a space today.

Buffy

That's great.

Oh, and that school is a, a very nurturing environment, which is just what you need.

Buffy

Well, actually...

Oh, not too nurturing. I know, you're sixteen, I've read all about the dangers of over-nurturing. Buffy goes to her bed and lays out a couple of outfits.

Buffy

I know.

Oh, you're a good girl, Buffy, (pats her on the head) you just fell in with the wrong crowd. But that is all behind us now.

Buffy

It is. From now on I am only going to hang out with the living. (they let go of their hands, and she picks up her dresses) I mean, lively. People. Buffy heads back to her closet with an awkward look on her face.

Hmm. Okay. You have fun. Cut outside later that evening. Buffy is walking down a dark street, when someone appears behind her. She senses that she is being followed. After walking for a ways, when she gets a chance she ducks down an alley and looks around for a place to hide. A cat yowls and kicks some cans as it runs away. She spies something above her. Angel comes into the alley but doesn't see her. As he slowly walks along, the camera pulls up to reveal Buffy in a handstand on a bar high above the pavement. When Angel has passed underneath her, she swings down and kicks him in the back. He is knocked to the ground, and Buffy positions herself above him with a foot on his chest.

Angel

Ah, heh. Is there a problem, ma'am?

Buffy

Yeah, there's a problem. Why are you following me?

Angel

I know what you're thinking. Don't worry, I don't bite. She backs off and lets him get up, but keeps her fighting stance.

Buffy

(lets down her guard) Okay. What do I want?

Angel

(steps toward her) To kill them. To kill them all.

Buffy

Sorry, that's incorrect. But you do get this lovely watch and a year's supply of Turtle Wax. What I want is to be left alone! She starts a determined walk away.

Angel

Do you really think that's an option anymore? You're standing at the Mouth of Hell. And it's about to open. She stops, turns to him and looks at him with a wide-eyed gaze. He reaches into his jacket and pulls out a small box.

Buffy

What for?

Angel

For the Harvest.

Buffy

Who are you?

Angel

Let's just say... I'm a friend. (starts to leave) Buffy: Yeah, well, maybe I don't want a friend.

Oh, I just want to believe / Can you hear me? / Can you see me? / What's inside of me? / Oh, I just want to believe / If my life can have a purpose / Help me to believe / Oh, I just want to believe / Can you hear me? / Can you see me? / What's inside of me? / Oh, I just want to believe / If my life can have a purpose / Help me to believe Buffy moves to the music a bit. She sees a guy waving in her direction and waves back, then notices someone behind her waving back and pulls her hand down, embarrassed.

Buffy

Hey!

Willow

Oh, hi! Buffy walks around her and sits on the stool next to her. Willow turns to face her.

Buffy

Oh, you're here with someone?

Willow

No, I'm just here. I thought Xander was gonna show up.

Buffy

Oh, are you guys going out?

Willow

No, we're just friends. We used to go out, but we broke up.

Buffy

How come?

Willow

He stole my Barbie. (Buffy looks confused) Oh, we were five.

Buffy

Oh.

Willow

I-I-I don't actually date a whole lot... lately.

Buffy

Why not?

Willow

Well, when I'm with a boy I like, it's hard for me to say anything cool, or, or witty, or at all. I-I can usually make a few vowel sounds, and then I have to go away.

Buffy

It's not *that* bad!

Willow

No, i-it is. I think boys are more interested in a girl who can talk.

Buffy

You really *haven't* been dating lately.

Willow

It's probably easy for you.

Buffy

Yeah, real easy.

Willow

I-I mean you don't seem too shy.

Buffy

Well, my philosophy, do you wanna hear my philosophy?

Willow

Yeah, I do!

Buffy

Life is short.

Willow

Life is short!

Buffy

Not original, I'll grant you, but it's true. You know? Why waste time being all shy and worrying about some guy, and if he's gonna laugh at you. Seize the moment, 'cause tomorrow you might be dead.

Willow

Oh, that's nice! Buffy looks up and sees Giles on the upper level.

Buffy

Um, I'll be back in a minute. (gets up to go) Willow: Oh, tha-that's okay, you don't have to come back.

Willow

(to herself) Seize the moment. Cut to Buffy, making her way to the stairs. The camera follows her up.

I feel love with my friends / I feel love in my songs / If I could just hold love / Then all the answers might come / I said, oh, if we're all children of God / And we just turned away / I got a lack of belief / I said a world without faith / It's time we turn back around Buffy: (finds Giles) So, you like to party with the students. Isn't that kinda skanky?

Giles

Oh, right, this is me having fun. Watching... clown hair prance about is hardly my idea of a party. I'd much rather be at home with a cup of Bovril and a good book.

Buffy

You need a personality, stat!

Giles

(points to the crowd below) This is a perfect breeding ground for vampire activity. It's dark, it's crowded... Besides, I knew you were likely to show up, and I have to make you understand...

Buffy

...that the Harvest is coming. I know, your friend told me.

Giles

What did you say?

Buffy

The Harvest. That mean something to you? 'Cause I'm drawing a blank.

Giles

I'm not sure. Uh... W-who told you this?

Buffy

This... guy. Dark, gorgeous in an annoying sort of way. I figured you two were buds.

Giles

No. The Harvest. Did he say anything else?

Buffy

Something about the Mouth of Hell. I *really* didn't like him! The band has finished its song and there's lots of applause. They soon start their next song, "Swirl". Giles moves around Buffy, leans on the railing and looks down at the crowd.

Giles

Look at them, throwing themselves about, completely unaware of the danger that surrounds them.

Buffy

Lucky them.

Giles

Or perhaps you're right. Perhaps there is no trouble coming, the signs could be wrong. It's not as though you've been having the nightmares. Buffy is silent. Cut to below.

Cordelia

My mom doesn't even *get* out of bed anymore. And the doctor says it's Epstein-Barr. I'm like, pleeease! It's chronic hepatitis, or at least chronic fatigue syndrome. I mean, *nobody* cool has Epstein- Barr anymore. Jesse spots Cordelia and comes over.

Hey, Cordelia!

Cordelia

Oh, yay, it's my stalker. (makes a face) Jesse: Hey, you, uh, you look great!

(coughs) Listen, uh, you know, you wanna dance, you know?

Cordelia

With you?

Well, uh, yeah.

Cordelia

Well, uh, no! C'mon, guys. She and her friends leave. Jesse is left in the dust.

Fine! Plenty of other fish in the sea. Oh, yeah, I'm... on the prowl. Witness me prowling! Cut to Buffy and Giles on the upper level.

Buffy

I didn't say I'd never slay another vampire. It's not like I have all these fluffy bunny feelings for them, I'm just not gonna get way extracurricular with it. You know, if I see one, sure I'll...

Giles

(interrupting) Will you be ready? There's so much you don't know about them, about your own powers. A vampire appears to be completely normal until the feed is upon them, only then do they reveal their true demonic visage.

Buffy

You're like a textbook with arms, I know this.

Giles

The point is, a Slayer should be able to see them anyway. Without looking, without thinking. Can you tell me if there's a vampire in this building?

Buffy

Maybe...

Giles

You should know. Even through this mass and this... din, you should be able to sense them. Well, try! Reach out with your mind. (Buffy looks around) You have to hone your senses, focus until the energy washes over you, until you, you feel every particle o-of...

Buffy

There's one.

Giles

W-where?

Buffy

Right there, talking to that girl.

Giles

You don't know...

Buffy

Oh, please! Look at his jacket. He's got the sleeves rolled up, and the shirt! Deal with that outfit for a moment.

Giles

It's dated?

Buffy

It's carbon dated. Trust me, only someone living underground for ten years would think that was still the look.

Giles

But you didn't... hone.

Buffy

(notices that the girl is Willow) Oh, no.

Giles

Isn't that...

Buffy

Willow.

Giles

What's she doing?

Buffy

Seizing the moment! She starts down to rescue Willow.

We're formed in liquid / Pushed out still dripping / A world was thrown before my eyes Cut to below. Willow is being led out of the Bronze by the vampire. Cut to Giles. He's at a loss for what to do.

Buffy

(recognizing) Cordelia! (she lets go) Cordelia: God! What is your childhood trauma?! Her entourage appears in the restroom door behind her.

Cordelia

Why? Do you need to attack her with the stick? Jeez! Buffy turns and goes.

Giles

That *was* quick. Well done! I-I need to go to the library. This Harvest thing...

Buffy

I didn't find them! He grabs Buffy by the arm and turns her to face him.

Giles

The vampire is not dead?

Buffy

No, but my social life is on the critical list.

Giles

(lets go of her) So, what do we do?

Buffy

I'll take care of it!

Giles

I-I-I need to come with you, yes?

Buffy

Don't worry. One vampire I can handle. She leaves, walking past Jesse talking to Darla.

So, um, what did you say your name was?

Darla

Darla.

Darla. You know, I haven't seen you around before. Are you from around here?

Darla

No, but I have family here.

Have I met them?

Darla

You probably will. Cut to the Master's lair. The Master rises out of the pool of blood as Luke kneels and looks on. He steps out of the pool over to Luke and offers his hand. Luke takes it.

Master! ~~~~~~~~~~ Part 4 ~~~~~~~~~~ In the Master's lair.

I am weak.

(quotes scripture) 'In the Harvest he will be restored.' Master: The Harvest.

I must be ready. I need my strength.

I've sent your servants to bring you some food.

Good. Luke?

Yes?

Bring me something... young. Cut to the sidewalk next to the cemetery. Willow and Thomas are walking.

Willow

Sure is dark.

It's night.

Willow

Well, that's a dark time, night. Traditionally. I still can't believe I've never seen you at school. Do you have Mr. Chomsky for history? Thomas ignores her babbling and heads into the cemetery.

I know a shortcut. He grabs her hand and leads her into the cemetery. Cut to outside the Bronze. Buffy is trying to find Willow.

Xander

Hey, you're leaving already?

Buffy

Oh, Xander! Have you seen Willow?

Xander

Not tonight, no.

Buffy

She left with a guy.

Xander

We're talking about Willow, right? Scorin' at the Bronze, work it girl...

Buffy

(interrupts) No, I need to find her. Where would he take her?

Xander

Why? Oh, hey, I hope he's not a vampire, because then you might have to slay him.

Buffy

(taken aback) Was there a... a school bulletin? Was it i-in the newspaper? Is there anyone in this town who doesn't know I'm the Slayer?

Xander

No. I only know that you *think* that you're the Slayer, and the reason why I know that...

Buffy

(interrupts) Well, whatever, it doesn't matter, just tell me, where would Willow go?

Xander

You're serious!

Buffy

We don't find her and there's gonna be one more dead body in the morning! Cut to the cemetery. Willow and Thomas are walking.

Willow

Oh, okay, th-this is nice... and scary. Are you sure this is faster? They reach the mausoleum.

Hey! Ever been in one of these?

Willow

No. Thank you. (turns away) Thomas: Come on. (comes up behind her and pulls her hair back) What are you afraid of? He moves in toward her neck. She lets out a yelp as he grabs her and pushes her into the mausoleum. Cut to inside the mausoleum. Willow trips down the stairs and stops up against the stone coffin. She turns around.

Is that what you think? He comes toward her again. She skirts by him, but only because he lets her. Darla blocks her way out of the mausoleum.

Darla

Is this the best you could do?

She's fresh!

Darla

Hardly enough to share.

Why didn't you bring your own?

Darla

(gives him a look) I did. Jesse stumbles into the mausoleum, holding his neck.

Hey! Wait up!

Willow

Oh, my God, Jesse! He is weak from blood loss and collapses. Willow tries to catch him and breaks his fall.

Y'know, you gave me a hickey. Thomas gives Darla a look.

Darla

(shrugs) I got hungry on the way.

Willow

Jesse, let's get outta here!

Darla

Oh, you're not going anywhere.

Willow

(confronts her) Leave us alone!

Darla

You're not going anywhere until we've (vamps out) *fed*! Willow screams and falls back down next to Jesse. Buffy and Xander show up.

Buffy

Well, this is nice. I-it's a little bare, but a dash of paint, a few throw pillows... call it home! Buffy moves behind the coffin to draw the vampires away from the others.

Darla

Who the hell are you?

Buffy

You mean there's actually someone in this town who doesn't know already? Whew, that's a relief, I'm telling you! Having a secret identity in this town is a job of work.

Xander

Buffy, we bail now, right?

Not yet!

Buffy

Okay, first of all, what's with the outfit? Live in the now, okay? You look like DeBarge! The vampires close in on her. She turns to Darla.

Darla

That's fine with me!

Buffy

Are you sure? Now, this in not gonna be pretty. We're talking violence, strong language, adult content... Thomas roars behind Buffy. She pulls the chair leg out from inside her shirt. He attacks from behind, but Buffy neatly jams the makeshift stake into his chest. He falls back and turns to ashes. Darla can't believe her eyes. Neither can anyone else.

Darla

He was young and stupid!

Buffy

Xander, go!

Darla

Don't go far! Buffy and Darla start to fight. Darla punches high, but Buffy blocks. Xander helps Willow pick up Jesse. Darla throws a backhand punch, but Buffy blocks again and follows up with a front snap kick to Darla's stomach. As she leans forward from the pain, Buffy slams her elbow into Darla's back. Cut to outside. Xander and Willow help Jesse out and they start to run. Cut to the mausoleum. Darla hits the wall and falls to the floor, winded.

Buffy

You know, I just wanted to start over. Be like everybody else. Have some friends, y'know, maybe a dog... But, no, you had to come here, you couldn't go suck on some other town.

Darla

Who are you?

Buffy

Don't you know? Luke grabs her by the neck from behind.

I don't care! He throws her across the room. He grabs Darla and lifts her to her feet.

Darla

(fearfully) We had someone, but then she came. She killed Thomas. Luke, she's strong.

You go. I'll see if I can handle the little girl. He approaches Buffy as she starts to get up, still a little dazed. Darla quickly climbs the steps, looks back once and runs out of the door. Luke attacks Buffy with a double punch, but she blocks it and delivers a punch to his gut and a hopping front snap kick to his jaw. He steps back, but isn't fazed.

Willow

We'll get the police, it's just a few blocks up! They are stopped by a group of vampires. Cut to the mausoleum.

You're wasting my time. She backs away up the stairs toward the exit.

Buffy

Hey, I had other plans, too, okay? Luke shoves the heavy lid off of the coffin. Buffy does a cartwheel onto and over it to avoid it and kicks Luke in the chest with both feet, knocking him down. She grabs the stake from the floor and lunges at Luke, but he is too quick for her, and grabs her by the wrist.

You think you can stop me? Stop us? He grabs the stake with his other hand and breaks it. Then he grabs her by the shirt.