Buffy 2x08: The Dark Age – Transcript

Transcript

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.

Sunnydale High School at night. A man in a suit with a briefcase is walking past a school building at a brisk, determined pace. He stops for a moment and looks around. Behind him to his left a door opens, and a school custodian comes out with a trashcan.

CCustodian

Can I help you?

PPhilip

Rupert Giles! I need to see him!

CCustodian

Mr. Giles, uh, he's our librarian. Next building over, first door on your left.

Philip rushes off without a word of thanks.

CCustodian

(sarcastically) You're welcome. (dumps the trash)

Philip continues at his brisk pace and finds the outside library door. He continues toward it, but stops in his tracks when he hears a twig being crushed behind him and turns to look. He hears a moan, but sees nothing and checks the other way again. Behind him he hears breathing and turns back again, and sees a woman in the shadows.

PPhilip

Oh, God!

Slowly she walks into the light. She is dead and rotting. Her eyes flash yellow briefly.

PPhilip

Diedre?

DDiedre

Philip.

Philip quickly backs up and doesn't see the curb behind him. He trips over it and falls, dropping his briefcase. He scrambles to his feet and runs to the library door. He pounds on it and yanks at the doorknob, but it's locked.

PPhilip

Help! Help! Somebody, please!

Diedre slowly advances on him.

PPhilip

(to himself) God, no! (loud) Help!

Cut inside. Buffy is doing step aerobics to a techno beat. Giles is sitting at the table with his hands to his ears, not relishing the music. He raises his head.

Giles

(loudly over the music) Must we have this noise during your calisthenics?

Buffy

It's not noise! It's music!

Giles

I know music. Music has notes. This is noise.

Buffy

I'm aerobicising! I must have a beat!

Giles

(under the music) Wonderful. You work on your muscle tone while my brain dribbles out of my ears.

Cut outside. Philip is still pounding on the door.

PPhilip

Help! Help! Please!

Diedre continues to advance on him.

PPhilip

Help me, somebody, please!

Diedre has closed the gap. Philip turns to face her with horror in his eyes. She puts her hands up to the door on either side of him to prevent his escape. He trembles with fear as she moves her hands onto his neck and begins to choke him.

Cut inside. Buffy has finished her aerobics. She strolls to the table and turns off her boom box.

Giles

Ahhh! Very good. And the rest is silence.

Cut outside. Philip falls from Diedre's grip, dead. A moment later Diedre collapses next to him. After she hits the pavement she disintegrates into a puddle of slime. The puddle spreads out and into Philip.

Opening credits roll. Buffy's theme plays.

~~~~~~~~~~ Part 1 ~~~~~~~~~~

A nightmare. Giles is flashing back to his youth. He has visions of rituals and tattooing.

YYoung Giles

Time to go to sleep! (screams)

A vision of a demon. Cut to Giles' bedroom. He wakes with a start. He looks around as he sits up in bed, concerned but relieved to find it was only a nightmare.

Cut to school. The camera pans down from above a tree to Buffy and Willow sitting on a bench.

Buffy

I'm on a beach, but not one of those American beaches, one of those island beaches where the water's way too blue, and I'm laying on my towel, and it's just before sunset, and Gavin Rossdale's massaging my feet!

Willow

Oh, that's good! Uh, I'm in Florence, Italy, I've rented a scooter that's parked outside, and I'm in a little restaurant eating ziti, and there are no more tables left, so they have to seat this guy with me, and it's John Cusack!

Buffy

Ooo! Very impressive. You have such an eye for detail.

Willow

'Cause with the ziti!

Xander

(shows up) What are you two up to?

Buffy

Just having a quick game of 'Anywhere But Here'.

Xander

Ooohhh. Amy Yip at the waterslide park.

Willow

You never come up with anything new.

Xander

I'm just not fickle like you two, okay? I'm constant in my affections. Amy Yip at the waterslide park!

Willow

(to Buffy) Do you think Giles ever played 'Anywhere But Here' when he was in school?

They see him coming toward them.

Xander

Giles lived for school. He's actually still bitter that there are only twelve grades.

Buffy

He probably sat in math class thinking, 'There should be more math. This could be mathier.'

Willow

C'mon, you don't think he ever got restless as a kid?

Buffy

Are you kidding? His diapers were tweed.

Xander chuckles. Buffy sees Giles about to walk by and calls out to him.

Buffy

Giles!

Giles

(turns and sees them) Oh! There you are. (comes over)

Buffy

Hey, morning. Say, is that tweed? (stares at his jacket)

Giles

(preoccupied) What? Oh, uh, yes. Um, now, uh, look, tonight is very important, um... (heads inside)

Buffy

(follows) Now, that's a surprise.

Cut to the halls. They follow Giles to the library.

Buffy

So, what's on tap tonight that's so important? Uprising, prophesied ritual, preordained deathfest?

Xander

Ah, the old standards!

Giles

Um, a medical transport is delivering the monthly supply of blood to the hospital.

Buffy

Mm. Vampire Meals-On-Wheels. (stops at her locker)

Giles

Hopefully not. Uh, we'll meet outside the hospital at 8:30 sharp. I'll bring the weaponry.

Buffy

I'll bring the party mix!

Giles

Just don't be late.

Buffy

Have I ever let you down?

Giles

Do you want me to answer that, or shall I just glare?

JJenny

(finds them) Morning, England.

Giles

Oh, hello, Ms., uh, uh, tuh, Jenny.

Willow

(to Xander, smiling) Feel the passion!

Xander

(smiles back) Mm-hm!

JJenny

Willow...

Willow

(coughs) Coughing, not speaking. (coughs more)

JJenny

(to Willow) We still on for tomorrow?

Willow smiles and nods.

Xander

What's tomorrow?

JJenny

I'm reviewing some computer basics for the couple of students who've fallen behind. Willow's helping out for extra credit.

Xander

(chuckles) Those poor schlubs have to attend school on Saturday! (smiles)

JJenny

9am okay with you, Xander?

Xander's smile fades. Willow bobs her head in amusement.

Buffy

Got a bit of schlub on your shoe there.

Xander

Heh, heh.

JJenny

Well, Cordelia's gonna meet us.

Xander

(dripping with sarcasm) Ooo, gang, did ya hear that? A bonus day of class plus Cordelia! Mix in a little rectal surgery, and it's my best day ever!

JJenny

(to Giles) Walk me to class?

Giles

(a smile on his face) Pleasure.

Jenny and Giles head for her class. The others watch them go.

Buffy

Look at them.

Xander

A twosome of cuteness.

Willow

Can't you just imagine them getting together?

Their expressions all change to ones of being grossed out. Cut to Giles and Jenny walking.

JJenny

Oh! Thank you so much for loaning me the Forrester book. It's wonderful!

Giles

Well, I'm glad you enjoyed it!

JJenny

Yeah, it was so romantic, so evocative.

Giles

That edition was my father's. I, I, I must've read it... twenty times.

JJenny

Yeah, y'know how you have to, to dog-ear your favorite pages so you can go back to them?

Giles

Uh, uh, uh, what?

JJenny

Well, I mean, I-I practically had to fold back every single page. So finally I just, I just started underlining all the pages I really wanted to discuss.

Giles

U-u-underlined...?

JJenny

But then, of course, I spilled coffee all over it, I can't even read it...

Giles

(can't believe it) It's a first edition!

JJenny

I'm lying, Rupert. (smiles) The book's fine. (holds it up) I just love to see you squirm. (hands him the book)

Giles

(smiles in relief) Yes, well, I, uh... trust I gave good... squirm.

JJenny

Did anyone ever tell you you're kind of a fuddy-duddy?

Giles

Nobody ever seems to tell me anything else.

JJenny

Did anyone ever tell you you're kind of a sexy fuddy-duddy?

Giles

Well, no. Actually that, that part usually gets left out. (smiles) I c-can't imagine why.

JJenny

This weekend.

Giles

Would you like to go out?

JJenny

Mm, no, I think I'd like to stay in.

They draw together for a kiss as the bell rings. They touch lips, but break it off as students begin pouring into the halls.

Giles

Uh, this, (clears his throat) Saturday, then.

JJenny

Saturday night. (clears her throat) I'll see if I can make you squirm.

They look at each other for a moment before Giles heads off to his library.

Cut to the library. Giles walks in to discover a detective and two police officers there.

DDet. Winslow

Rupert Giles?

Giles

Yes?

DDet. Winslow

Detective Winslow. You're gonna have to come with me.

Giles

Why?

DDet. Winslow

There was a homicide on campus last night. The victim had no identification, but he was carrying this slip of paper with your name and address on it. (holds up the slip in a baggie)

Giles

(sets down his briefcase) My name?

Cordelia walks into the library.

Cordelia

Well, evil just compounds evil, doesn't it? First I'm sentenced to a computer tutorial on Saturday, now I have to read some computer book... There are books on computers? Isn't the point of computers to replace books?

Giles

(cuts her off) Cordelia, I'm a little busy right now. (points out the detective)

Cordelia

Oh! Great! (steps up to Det. Winslow) Can you help me with a ticket? It's totally bogus. It was a one-way street. I was going one way.

Giles

(raised voice) Cordelia!

Cordelia

What?! Why does everyone always yell my name? I'm not deaf! And I can take a hint. (unsure) What's the hint?

Giles

To come back later.

Cordelia

Yeah, when you've visited decaf land. (leaves)

Giles

(to Det. Winslow) Where do you want me to go?

Cut to the city morgue. The coroner opens one of the body storage doors and pulls out the drawer.

AAttendant

Have you had your breakfast?

Giles

No.

AAttendant

That was probably a good idea.

He pulls back the sheet to reveal Philip's body. It's bruised all over, with two especially dark bruises on the throat. Giles looks down at him in recognition.

DDet. Winslow

Do you know him?

Giles

(whispers) Yes. Yes. I-I mean, I did. His name's Philip Henry. He was a friend of mine in London. I... I haven't spoken to him in twenty years.

DDet. Winslow

Can you think of any reason why he might've wanted to contact you?

Giles

No.

He sees the tattoo on Philip's right arm near the inside elbow.

DDet. Winslow

Do you know what that is? The tattoo.

Giles

(lies) No. No, I don't.

Cut to the hospital ER entrance that night. Buffy is waiting on Giles.

Buffy

(exhales) 'Don't be late.' Sheesh.

She walks over to a pay phone to try calling, but stops when she sees the blood van pull up. The driver gets out with his clipboard as two ER doctors come out to meet him.

DDriver

Hey, fellas.

DDoctor

Hey.

Buffy

All's well that ends with cute ER doctors, I always say.

She watches them go to the back of the van and get out the insulated container. They start back with the driver, and he gets back into the van. Buffy realizes something's wrong.

Buffy

Since when do doctors take deliveries?

The van backs out of the ambulance slot. The doctors wave to the driver.

DDoctor

See ya.

The van drives off, and behind it a car engine starts and a pair of headlights come on. The old convertible pulls up into the light as the doctors set the container down. One of them opens the lid, takes out a bag of blood and begins to suck on it. The driver of the car gets out.

DDriver

Hey! No sampling the product!

The doctor vampire hisses, but puts the bag back down and drops the lid closed. Buffy runs to attack. She kicks the first doctor vampire down, then the second, and does a roundhouse kick to the driver's face. The first one gets up, and she tries kicking him again, but he grabs her leg and throws her onto the hood of the car. She scissor kicks him in the neck, and he staggers away and falls. A fourth vampire runs up as Buffy gets up and takes out a stake. She turns to attack him.

Buffy

Angel!

Angel

Buffy! Look out!

He jumps up onto the car's hood and leaps off to tackle the driver vampire coming at her from behind. Angel punches him in the face, but he stays up. The second vampire jumps up onto the hood and swings at Buffy. She ducks the punch and jabs him in the chest. The first vampire jumps up on the hood, too, and Buffy knocks him back off with a punch to the face. She punches the second one in the face, too, and he falls down on the hood on his back. She jumps off of the car and thrusts her stake into the first vampire as he tries to get back up. The second one is off the car again and grabs her by the shirt from behind. She swings around with the stake and gets him in the chest also. Angel, in the mean time, roundhouse kicks the driver and sends him spinning into the car. The vampire quickly sits up in the driver's seat and floors it as Angel tries to chase him. The car races off, leaving Angel and the blood behind. Buffy opens the lid to check on it.

Buffy

How did you know about this?

Angel

It's delivery day. Everybody knows about this. They only ruined one bag.

Buffy stands up and looks after the car, which is long gone. Angel kicks the lid back closed.

Buffy

Do you think you could make sure the hospital gets the rest?

She realizes whom she's just asked to do that and raises her eyebrows at him. Angel just nods, not insulted by the query.

Buffy

Thanks. I'm worried about Giles. He was supposed to meet me here.

Angel

Maybe he's late.

Buffy

Giles? Who counts tardiness as, like, the eighth deadly sin?

Angel

Right. Go.

She gives him a final look and hurries off.

Cut to Giles' apartment building. Buffy walks to his door and knocks. Giles opens the viewport and looks out at her, then opens the door.

Giles

Buffy. I-it's late. Uh, are you alright?

Buffy

I was gonna ask you the same thing.

Giles

Yes, I'm fine, fine. Look, I'm, uh, I'm rather busy a-at the moment, so, uh, I'll see you on Monday at, at school.

He starts to close the door. Buffy holds it open with her hand.

Buffy

Giles, did you forget? The hospital, vampires, handy carryout packets of blood?

Giles

Oh! Yes, uh, are you alright? W-were you hurt?

Buffy

No. I mean, my feelings a little. What's wrong?

Giles

Nothing, nothing, nothing's wrong. I-I'm just in the, uh, middle of something extremely important, and, uh, I'm sorry, but I'm gonna have to say good night now.

He closes the door in her face, leaving her confused and taken aback. She can hear Giles on the phone, but leaves him alone to his work. Cut inside.

Giles

Yes, I'm, I'm sorry to disturb you. It's, uh... I-I realize it's, uh, five in the morning there, um... Uh, I-I'm trying to reach Diedre Page. My name is Rupert Giles, uh, uh, she knows me. It's, it's very important. (listens to the bad news) I'm terribly sorry. I... I-I didn't know. W-when did she, uh, pass away? (listens more) Ohhhh. That recently. (sits at his desk) Um, yes, yes, um, we were friends when we were young. My condolences.

He hangs up the phone and stares off into space with his fingers to his lips while he considers and remembers. He takes off his glasses and reaches for his drink. The bottle next to it is in almost half empty already. He gulps the rest from the glass and sets it back down. He thinks another moment before grabbing his pen and crossing Diedre's name off of a list of five names: Thomas Sutcliff, Philip Henry, Diedre Page, Ethan Rayne, Rupert Giles. He gets up and goes into his bathroom to the sink in front of the mirror. He rolls up his sleeves, and on his left arm just above the inside elbow is the same tattoo that Philip had. He reaches into the sink full of water, cups his hands and splashes some on his face. He looks up at himself in the mirror.

Giles

So. You're back.

Cut to the city morgue. The camera slowly closes on the body storage drawers. Cut inside Philip's drawer. He reaches up and pulls the sheet off of his face. His eyes glow yellow.

~~~~~~~~~~ Part 2 ~~~~~~~~~~

The city morgue. The morgue attendant is going through some paperwork and checking on bodies. He opens one storage bay, checks the toe tag, and closes it. He does the same for the next one. Then he opens Philip's, and discovers him missing. Suddenly a body bag comes down over his head. He tries to struggle, but Philip is too strong for him. Philip forces him into the storage bay and slams the door shut. He slowly starts to make his way out of the morgue.

Cut to the hall at Sunnydale High. Jenny, Xander, Willow and Cordelia head for the computer classroom.

Cordelia

This isn't right. School on a Saturday. It throws off my internal clock.

Xander

When are we gonna need computers for real life anyway?

JJenny

Hmm, let's see. There's home, school, work, games... (unlocks the classroom door)

Xander

Y'know, computers are on the way out. I think paper's gonna make a big comeback.

Willow

And the abacus.

Xander

Yeah, you know, you don't see enough abaci.

They all go into the room. Willow, Xander and Cordelia each take a seat in front of a PC. Cordelia takes the one next to Xander.

JJenny

Alright, guys. The first thing we're gonna do is... Buffy!

Buffy follows Jenny into the room.

Xander

Huh? Did I fall asleep already?

Willow

Aw, you miss your friends?

Xander

Uh, sit here, Buffs! (stands up) Demilitarize the zone between me and Cordelia!

Cordelia

Yeah, and delouse him while you're at it.

Buffy

(to Jenny) Actually I wanted to talk to you for a second?

JJenny

Something wrong?

Xander

Is there some crisis that requires instant action? Very far from here?

Buffy

It's Giles.

JJenny

Well, he's alright, isn't he?

Buffy

I don't know. Uh, he didn't show up when he was supposed to last night, and then, when I went over to his place, he was acting... well, very anti-Giles. He wouldn't let me in, and he looked really bad. I-I think he might've been... (doesn't want to believe it) I think he was drinking.

JJenny

He was home alone drinking?

Willow

But... tea, right?

Buffy

Wasn't tea, Will.

Xander

Yep, yep, I knew this would happen. Nobody can be wound as straight and narrow as Giles without a dark side erupting. My Uncle Roary was the stodgiest taxidermist you've ever met by day. By night, it was booze, whores, and fur flying. Were there whores?

Buffy

He was alone.

Xander

Give it time.

Buffy

So, none of you guys have noticed anything different lately?

Willow

No!

JJenny

Not really.

Buffy

Uh, you haven't seen anything weird?

Xander

Nope.

Cordelia

No, he seemed perfectly normal yesterday when I saw him talking to the police.

Everyone stares at her.

Buffy

And you waited till now to tell us this because...?

Cordelia

I didn't think it was important.

Xander

We understand. It wasn't about you.

JJenny

Well, what were the police talking to him about?

Cordelia

Oh, don't tell me, I know this one. Um... (thinks) Something about... a homicide.

Buffy

That's it. I-I'm calling him right now.

She goes to find a phone. Jenny rubs her head with worry.

Cut to the library. Buffy heads for Giles' office when she hears something in the stacks and stops in her tracks to look. She sees a shadow move across one of the bookcases in the anteroom. She goes up the stairs and through the French doors. Slowly she walks down the main aisle, looking around and down each side aisle. As she passes one a man watches her search. Buffy keeps looking. He sees her through a gap in the books and puts his hands against the bookcase to push it over onto her. She looks up and sees it's Ethan, and dashes away just in time to avoid being crushed under the bookcase. Ethan tries to make his escape, but he's limping heavily and can't run. She grabs him by the arm and turns him around.

Buffy

I know you! You were in that costume shop.

EEthan

Oh, I'm pleased you remember. (tries to go)

Buffy

(stops him) You sold me that dress for Halloween, and nearly got us all killed!

EEthan

But you looked great.

She punches him squarely in the jaw.

EEthan

Owww! (straightens back up holding his jaw) So now we're even?

Buffy

I'll let you know when we're even. What're you doing here?

EEthan

Snooping around.

Buffy

Honesty. Nice touch.

EEthan

It's one of my virtues. (smiles) Not really.

Buffy

I've got a great idea: why don't I just call the police and have you arrested for breaking and entering, and then I can get back to my fun Saturday?

EEthan

Yes, the police. Well, they'll have all those questions, and they'll really need Rupert to answer them all.

Buffy

You know Giles.

EEthan

We go back. Way back. You don't happen to know where he is, do you?

Cut to Giles' nightmare. The tattoo on his arm. Visions of a demon, of Diedre in her rotted state, of eyes glowing yellow. His phone rings. Cut to his apartment. He stirs at his desk and fumbles with the phone, managing to pick up the receiver.

Giles

Hello.

Buffy

(cut to her) Giles, it's me.

Giles

(cut to him) (exhales) Buffy, u-unless this is an emergency, I'll see you on Monday.

Buffy

(cut to her) What's the Mark of Eyghon?

Cut to Giles. He is surprised to hear those words from her. Cut to the library.

Buffy

Giles?

EEthan

Cat got his tongue?

Buffy

I'm in your office with someone who claims to be an old friend of yours. (cut to Giles) Ethan Rayne?

Giles

He's there with you? Listen, Buffy, you're... you're in grave danger while Ethan's there. I want you to (cut to Buffy) put the phone down and get out of the library as soon as possible.

Buffy

I'm not going anywhere until you give me some answers!

Philip comes crashing through a window in Giles' office. Ethan steps behind Buffy and holds her in front of him.

Giles

Buffy?

Cut to Giles' apartment. He grabs his glasses and runs from his apartment. Cut to the library. Philip comes out of Giles' office and straight for Buffy. She kicks him in the chest and rolls over the counter. He comes through the door and at her again. Ethan climbs over the counter, too.

PPhilip

Ethan!

Xander comes in, followed by the others.

Buffy

Don't let him get away!

Xander pushes Ethan up against the counter, but gets pushed aside. The doors are held wide open by the women, and Ethan tries to make his escape past them, but Cordelia knees him in the crotch and he collapses. Buffy looks around for what to do with Philip and spots the open cage door. She backs toward it, then turns and makes like she's running in. Philip hurries to follow, but she sidesteps the door and kicks him into the cage as he runs by. She slams the door shut and locks it. Ethan is still lying in pain on the floor.

Dissolve to later. Ethan is sitting in a chair at the table being watched by Buffy. The others observe Philip. Willow has seen enough and goes over to Buffy.

Willow

I'm not gonna get close enough to feel his pulse, but... he looks dead.

Xander

Except for the walking and attacking Buffy part.

EEthan

He's dead. Sorry, Philip. Really I am.

Giles barges into the library.

Giles

Is everyone alright?

Cordelia

Super! (proud of herself) I kicked a guy!

JJenny

We're okay.

Xander

Deadguy here interrupted our tutorial. (to Philip) Been meaning to thank you for that.

Philip jumps at him, and Xander backs off. Giles walks over to have a look at Philip.

Giles

It can't be!

EEthan

Yes, it can. (Giles turns to him) Hello, Ripper.

Giles

I thought I told you to leave town.

EEthan

You did. I didn't. (Giles approaches him) Shop's lease is paid till the end of the month.

Cordelia

(to Xander) Uh, why did he call him Ripper?

Giles grabs Ethan by the hair on the back of his neck and lifts him out of his chair.

Giles

You should've left when I told you.

Cordelia

Ohhhh...

Buffy

Giles?!

Giles

You put these people in danger. The people I care about.

EEthan

If you cared so much about them, why didn't *you* leave town? (pushes Giles' arm away) You've been having the dreams, I know. I have. We both know what's coming.

Buffy

What dreams?! What is going on here?!

EEthan

Tell her, Ripper.

Buffy

Giles...

Philip breaks the cage door and throws it open into Jenny, knocking her out. Xander quickly moves away and pushes Cordelia with him.

Giles

JENNY!

He scrambles to her aid. Buffy gets between Ethan and Philip and kicks him in the chest three times, forcing him back against the cage. He slides down to the floor, but gets back up and comes for Buffy again. Before he can reach her, his eyes go wide, he begins to convulse and he collapses to the floor next to Jenny. He disintegrates into a puddle of slime. It begins to spread out. Everyone stares.

Willow

Now, there's something you don't see everyday.

Cordelia

I'm gonna be in therapy till I'm thirty.

Buffy

(looks around) Where's Ethan? (runs off) Where'd he go?

The slime oozes its way to Jenny, and her hand stirs when it makes contact. She regains consciousness, and Giles helps her sit up.

Giles

Are you alright, Jenny?

JJenny

Ow! (cradles her head in her hand)

Giles

Careful!

JJenny

Ohhh...

Giles

Can you stand? (helps her up)

JJenny

I think so.

Cordelia

This is what happens when you have school on Saturday.

Xander gives her a look.

JJenny

(unsteady) Mm.

Giles

Lean on me. (pulls her close) It'll be alright.

JJenny

(pulls away to look at him) Promise?

Giles

I promise.

JJenny

I believe you.

She closes her eyes and leans on his shoulder, hugging him close. When she opens her eyes again they glow yellow like cat's eyes.

~~~~~~~~~~ Part 3 ~~~~~~~~~~

The library. Giles is at the table stroking Jenny's hair as she rests her head against her hand. Buffy comes striding back into the library.

Giles

How's your head?

JJenny

Throbbing.

Buffy

I lost Ethan. Giles, what's going on?

Giles

It's complicated, Buffy, and quite frankly, it's private.

Buffy

I don't care from private! I care from dead guys attacking us. I care from you lost weekending in your apartment.

Giles

I wasn't... I was just trying to find a solution.

Buffy

Giles, share! What is the Mark of Eyghon?

Giles

Hey! (stares her down) This is not your battle! And as your Watcher, (stands up) I'm telling you unequivocally to stay out of it!

Buffy can't believe what she's hearing.

Giles

I have to get Jenny home. (helps her up)

JJenny

Mm. Thank you.

She rests her head on his shoulder as the two of them walk from the library. Buffy goes over to the others sitting and leaning on the counter.

Buffy

We have work to do. Will, I want you to find out anything and everything you can about the Mark of Eyghon.

Willow

I'll try the 'Net, but 'Mark of Eyghon' sounds like Giles and his books sorta deal.

Buffy

Then we hit the books.

Willow heads up into the stacks.

Buffy

Xander, how do you feel about digging through some of Giles' personal files and seeing what you can find?

Xander

I feel pretty good about it. Does that make me a sociopath? Nah. (heads for the office)

Cordelia hops off of the counter and smiles at Buffy.

Buffy

(raises her brows) What?

Cordelia

What about me? I care about Giles.

Buffy

(thinks) Uh, work with Xander.

Cordelia

Well, when I say 'care', I, I mean...

Buffy

Cordelia...

Cordelia

Okay, okay! (walks to the office)

Buffy goes to do what she can to help, too.

Cut to Giles' apartment building.

JJenny

Thanks for bringing me here. (cut inside the apartment) Not quite ready to be home alone just yet.

She accepts a drink from Giles. He walks around the couch and sits down next to her. She takes a sip of the drink.

JJenny

Ooo!

Giles

Jenny, uh... I'm so very sorry about all of this. (sets down his drink and takes off his glasses) I, uh... I never meant for you to be involved in, in, uh, any of this.

JJenny

So I got involved. (leans forward) That's what happens when two people get involved.

Giles looks at her and smiles. He starts to make a move in to kiss her, but stops himself.

Giles

I really am, however, gonna have to get you home. It's not, uh... I'm not a very safe person to be around at the moment.

JJenny

Nothing's safe in this world, Rupert. Don't you know that by now?

She reaches up and strokes his head behind his ear.

Cut to the library. Willow has found something.

Willow

Ah! Aha! It's not Egyptian, it's Etruscan (goes over to Buffy with her book) mistaken for Egyptian by the design pattern, but any fool can see it predates their iconology. Look, the Mark of Eyghon, worn by his initiates. (reads) 'Eyghon, also called the Sleepwalker, can only exist in this reality by possessing an unconscious host. Temporary possession imbues the host with a euphoric feeling of power.'

Buffy

Yeah, but what about non-temporary?

Willow

(reads) 'Unless the proper rituals are observed, the possession is permanent, and Eyghon will be born from within the host.'

Cordelia

I'm guessing eww!

Willow

Wait. Hey, listen. 'Once called, Eyghon can also take possession of the dead, but its demonic energy soon disintegrates the host, and it must jump to the nearest dead or unconscious person to continue living.'

Buffy

I still don't get what this has to do with Giles.

Willow

I don't know about Giles, but ancient sects used to induce possession for bacchanals and, and orgies.

Xander

Okay! Giles and orgies in the same sentence. I coulda lived without that one.

Cordelia could've lived without Xander's comment.

Buffy

Uh, wait a minute. The dead guy's all puddly now.

Cordelia

So the demon's gone. There was no one dead to jump into. I mean, we're all not dead, right?

Buffy

No, no one dead.

Xander

But someone unconscious.

They realize what happened.

Cut to Giles' apartment. Jenny yanks the phone cord from the wall.

Giles

What was that?

JJenny

What was what?

Giles

I thought I heard something. (comes out of the kitchen with tea)

JJenny

I didn't.

Giles

Here. (hands her a cup) Drink that, and then I'll drive you home.

JJenny

(takes a sip) You could take me home. (sets the cup down) Or you could take advantage of me in my weakened state.

Cut to the library. Buffy is on the phone.

Buffy

Thank you, operator. (hangs up) There's no answer at Ms. Calendar's, and Giles' phone is out of order. I'm gonna go over there. (strides out)

Cut to Giles' apartment.

Giles

Jenny, uh... (moves away) I'm, I'm really very attracted t-to you.

JJenny

Good. (follows)

Giles

But, um, now really isn't the right time. (faces her)

JJenny

Oh, there's never been a better time.

She pushed him back onto a chair, climbs onto his lap and kisses him hard. He pushes her away.

Giles

It's not right. I would be taking advantage.

JJenny

(gets off) God, you just don't change, do you? (paces)

Giles

What?

JJenny

It's not right, it wouldn't be proper, people might get hurt. You're like a woman, Ripper. You cry at every funeral. You never had the strength for me. You don't deserve me. (whispers) But guess what? You've got me. (takes his head) (in a deep male voice) Under your skin.

She grabs his hair and lifts him to his feet. She kisses him roughly. When she pulls back her face has started the transformation to Eyghon.

JJenny/Eyghon

Was it good for you?

She smashes his head into the phone on the desk.

JJenny/Eyghon

Aw, you never had the stomach. But that's okay. 'Cause I'm about to rip it out!

She pulls him back, and he cries out as he staggers backward into the bar and stumbles to the floor. Buffy kicks open the door and kicks Jenny/Eyghon hard in the jaw, sending her back over the couch and onto the floor. She gets up again and walks around the couch, eyeing Buffy.

Buffy

Back off!

JJenny/Eyghon

(stops and laughs) Three down, two to go. Be seeing ya.

She runs and dives through the window. Buffy crouches down beside Giles.

Buffy

Are you alright?

Giles

Oh, Jenny! Oh, God!

Buffy

Giles, how do we stop this?

Giles

Oh, God, what have I done?

Buffy

Talk to me! Giles, you're scaring me.

Giles

I'm sorry.

Buffy

Don't be sorry, be Giles. C'mon, we fight monsters. This is what we do. They show up, they scare us, I beat 'em up and they go away. This isn't any different!

Giles

It *is* different.

Buffy

Because you don't know how to stop it?

Giles

Because I created it!

Cut to the library. Xander comes out of Giles' office.

Willow

Did you find anything?

Xander

The most meticulous banking and phone records you've ever seen. And, um, this.

He hands her a picture of a young Giles in a leather jacket playing an electric bass.

Willow

(giggles) That's Giles?

Cut to Giles' apartment.

Giles

I was twenty-one, studying history at Oxford. And, of course, the occult by night. I hated it. The tedious grind of study, the... overwhelming pressure of my destiny. I dropped out, I went to London... (exhales) I fell in with the worst crowd that would have me. We practiced magicks. Small stuff for pleasure or gain. And Ethan and I discovered something... bigger.

Buffy

Eyghon.

Giles

Yes. One of us would, um... (nervously pours a drink) go into a deep sleep, and the others would, uh, summon him. It was an extraordinary high! (smiles nervously) God, we were fools.

Buffy

You couldn't control it.

Giles

One of us, Randall, he lost control. Eyghon took him whole. We tried to exorcise the demon from Randall, but it killed him. No. We killed him. We thought we were free of the demon after that. But now he's back. And one by one, he will kill us all.

Buffy

Three down, two to go?

Giles nods.

Buffy

Then it's going after Ethan. (gets up) I better beat it there.

Giles

(gets up) *We'd* better.

Buffy

*I'd* better. Giles, you're barely mobile, and speed is of a serious essence here.

Giles

(sits back down) I don't know how to stop it without killing Jenny.

Buffy

I've got the guys working on it. I'll, um, try to contain it until we figure something. (starts to go)

Giles

Buffy? (she stops) I'm sorry.

Buffy

I know. (leaves)

Cut to the street in front of Ethan's. Cut inside. Buffy opens the door and looks in.

Buffy

Ethan? (comes in and closes the door) Ethan? (looks around) Giles told me everything. Look, it's coming for you.

EEthan

(appears behind her) And you came to protect me? I'm touched.

Buffy

Don't worry, it's nothing personal. To protect Giles I have to protect you. (walks past him)

EEthan

How does Ripper inspire such goodness?

Buffy

'Cause he's Giles.

EEthan

And I'm not. Still, lucky me.

Buffy

Hmm. Lucky you.

EEthan

Well, we can't run. Eyghon will find us. (shows his tattoo) This mark's like a homing beacon.

Buffy

That's okay. I'm not much into running.

EEthan

Aren't we manly?

Buffy

One of us is. You're gonna hide till it's over.

EEthan

Excellent plan.

Buffy

Is there a way in through the back?

EEthan

Uh, there's a back door. It's locked. I think it's solid.

Buffy

We'll set up there. Let's go.

EEthan

Oh, no, please.

He indicates she should go first. She heads toward the back as he picks up a mannequin arm and hits her across the back with it, knocking her down and out.

EEthan

Ladies first.

~~~~~~~~~~ Part 4 ~~~~~~~~~~

Ethan's shop. He's humming while he works. Buffy is lying face down on a table with her arms tied together underneath. She wakes up.

EEthan

Wakey, wakey. You're missing all the fun.

Buffy

What fun?

EEthan

Your initiation.

He sets down a tray of tattooing instruments.

Buffy

You know what? I'm not real interested in joining your club.

EEthan

Too late. I already voted you in. (she struggles) Y'know, I hope you're not taking this personally, Buffy. I actually kinda like you. It's ju, it's just that I like myself a whole lot more. If you think of it karmically, this is, this is really big for your soul.

Buffy struggles with the rope.

EEthan

You know, taking my place with the demon, giving so that others may live.

Buffy

I'm gonna kill you. Will that blow the whole karma thing?

EEthan

Sweet child. (takes the tattoo ink and needle) Now, this may sting a little just at first. But don't worry, that'll go away once the searing pain kicks in.

Buffy struggles harder. He bends over her to begin.

EEthan

You can go ahead and scream if you like.

He starts tattooing her on the back of her neck.

Cut to the library. Willow, Xander and Cordelia are researching books.

Willow

We have to figure out how to kill this thing, and we need to do it fast. (takes a sip of tea)

Xander

(reads) Uh, 'hot lava.'

Willow

That's for a heretic.

Xander

Oh, yeah. Yeah, yeah, okay. Uh, ooo, ooo! 'Bury a potato!' No, that's for warts. Who writes this stuff?

Cordelia

I've got the solution right here. 'To kill a demon cut off its head.'

Xander

Oh, yeah-yeah-yeah-yeah! We'll, uh, find Ms. Calendar, then we'll decapitate her. Hey! She'll be the first headless computer teacher in school. You think anybody'll notice?

Cordelia

Do you know what you need, Xander, besides a year's supply of acne cream? A brain.

Xander

(Gets up) That's it! Twelve years of you and I'm snappin'! I don't care if you're a girl or not, I'm throwin' down! Come on!

Cordelia

(gets up and walks to him) I've seen you fight. And don't think I can't take you!

Xander

Give it your best shot.

Willow

(had enough, gets up) HEY! We don't have time for this! Our friends are in trouble! Now, we have to put our heads together and, and get them out of it! And if you two aren't with me a hundred and ten percent, then get the hell out of my library! (points to the door)

Cordelia

(meekly) We're sorry.

Xander

We'll be good.

Willow

(nods and sits) Okay. Now, we've done the research. We just have to figure out how to use it.

Xander

Oh, hey! Why don't we find another dead body for the demon to jump into!

Cordelia

Yes! At the cemetery.

Willow

Well, that won't kill the demon. It'll only give it a change of scenery. (something clicks) Oh. Oh! Oh, I've got it! (runs for the phone) I've got it!

Xander

She's good! (follows)

Cordelia smiles and follows also.

Cut to Ethan's shop. Ethan has finished Buffy's tattoo.

EEthan

Hmm. I think I missed my calling as an artist.

Buffy

Ethan, listen to me. This is a bad idea. You're dealing with something very dangerous.

EEthan

(rolls up his left sleeve) But it will get Eyghon off my scent.

He picks up a bottle of sulfuric acid. Buffy draws a breath in fright, thinking the acid is meant for her.

EEthan

Now relax. I'm finished with you. This is for me.

Buffy has found an exposed screw on the underside of the table and begins scraping her rope against it. Ethan steels himself for the burn of the acid. He slowly pours it onto his Mark of Eyghon tattoo. Buffy looks at him like he's insane. He does his best not to scream but lets out a few grunts of pain. Buffy keeps scraping the rope on the screw.

Cut to Giles' apartment. He's about to leave his apartment when he's caught by a waking nightmare and collapses to the floor, unable to remain standing. He has visions of the Mark of Eyghon and various friends incarnate of Eyghon, and finally of Buffy with her new tattoo. He wakes.

Giles

Oh! Ethan... No. No!

He quickly gets up, grabs his coat and staggers out the door, still weak and not bothering to close it behind him.

Cut to Ethan's. He wraps his arm in a bandage.

EEthan

Well, I hate to mutilate and run, but...

He and Buffy see a diffuse green light shine through the shop windows and the shadow of Jenny/Eyghon coming to the door. The door opens and Jenny/Eyghon steps in, well on her way to transforming into Eyghon.

JJenny/Eyghon

(to Ethan in a deep male voice) It's your time.

Buffy is almost through the rope under the table. Jenny/Eyghon steps up to Ethan. He stares at her in fear. She sniffs a few times and realizes he's not the one she's after anymore. She turns to Buffy, and her eyes glow. Jenny/Eyghon shoves Ethan aside just as Buffy gets through the rope. Buffy rolls off of the table and onto the floor as Jenny/Eyghon lunges for her. She kicks up and flips Jenny/Eyghon and the table over and onto the floor. They both get up. Jenny/Eyghon holds the table in her hands and rushes Buffy with it, pushing her into some crates. Giles barges in through the door.

Giles

Eyghon! Take me.

Jenny/Eyghon tosses the table aside and turns to face Giles.

Giles

Buffy, get out of here!

Jenny/Eyghon slowly advances on Giles.

Buffy

NO! (gets between them) No!

Jenny/Eyghon stretches her arm out at Buffy, and she goes flying into a pile of boxes. Jenny/Eyghon grabs Giles by the collar, pulls him around and down to the floor and stands over him.

JJenny/Eyghon

I've been waiting a long time to do this.

As she bends down to grab Giles Angel runs in through the door, grabs her and pulls her to the crate, banging her head into it. He takes her by the neck and starts to choke her. Willow, Xander and Cordelia run in next. Willow holds Giles back as he gets up.

Giles

He's killing her!

Willow

No! Trust me! This is gonna work!

Angel continues choking Jenny/Eyghon. Xander helps Buffy up. Finally Eyghon has to jump and does so, right into Angel. He drops Jenny as he's thrown back into the wall and begins convulsing. When Jenny hits the floor she is herself again. Willow lets go of Giles, and he immediately gets on his hands and knees next to her.

Giles

Jenny!

Angel's face twists and contorts as the demons inside of him fight it out. He is thrown to the crate and hits his head. His face goes through a few more contortions when Eyghon suddenly appears, apparently gaining the upper hand. After a moment Angel's face shifts back to normal, then back to Eyghon, then back to normal again. He is thrown back against the wall. Another moment's struggle and the demon inside Angel throws Eyghon out. Without a host body to occupy Eyghon quickly crumbles into ashes. Angel gasps and collapses to the floor. They all run over to his aid. Giles reaches out to Jenny. She shifts to look at him.

Giles

Jenny!

JJenny

Rupert...

Ethan gets up and runs from the shop.

Buffy

You knew that if the demon was in trouble it was gonna jump into the nearest dead person.

Angel

I put it in danger.

Willow

And it jumped. (stands up)

Angel

(gets up) I've had a demon inside me for a couple hundred years... (exhales) just waitin' for a good fight.

Buffy

Winner and still champion.

Xander

Uh, I think that Ethan guy disappeared again.

Buffy

Darn. I really wanted to hit him till he bled.

Cordelia

Well, at least it's over.

Buffy and Angel look over at Jenny and Giles. Jenny clings to Giles as they walk out of the shop.

Cut to school the next day. Willow, Xander and Buffy walk across the quad.

Buffy

You know what the worst thing is? I was saving up for some very important shoes, and now I have to blow my entire allowance to get this stupid tattoo removed. Let's just hope my mom doesn't see it first.

Xander

Puttin' that demon into Angel was pretty brill, Will.

Willow

I wasn't sure it was gonna work.

Buffy

But it did.

Xander

Like a charm.

Buffy

Hey! Maybe you should consider a career as a Watcher.

Willow

Oh, no, I don't think I could handle the stress.

Xander

And the dental plan is crap.

Willow

I don't see how Giles does it.

They see him walking.

Buffy

I don't think he has a choice.

Cut to the hall. Jenny walks to the stairs and is about to start up when Giles catches up with her.

Giles

Uh, uh, Jenny! Jenny...

She stops and turns to face him.

JJenny

Rupert, hi.

Giles

Uh... I-I-I tried to call you last night, s-see how you were.

JJenny

Yeah, I-I-I, uh... I left my phone off the hook. I seem to need a lot of sleep lately.

Giles

But, but you're al-alright? Is, is, is there anything you need?

JJenny

Mm, no, I'm fine. I mean, I'm not... running around, wind in my hair, 'the hills are alive with the sound of music' fine, but... I'm coping.

Giles

I, I would like to help.

JJenny

I know.

Giles

Perhaps we could, um, talk sometime, um... dinner, or, or a drink? When you're feeling stronger.

Buffy sees them talking.

JJenny

Sure, sometime.

Giles reaches out to her, but she takes a backward step up and away from him and draws a deep breath.

JJenny

Yeah. Sometime. (pauses) I better get to class.

Giles

Yes, of course.

He watches her go up the stairs. When she's gone from sight he looks down sadly, and after a moment starts to go to his library. Buffy catches up to him.

Buffy

Hey.

They round the corner and stop.

Buffy

Is she okay?

Giles

Um... The hills are not alive.

Buffy

(doesn't understand) I'm sorry to hear that. I think.

Giles

I don't think she'll ever really forgive me. Maybe she shouldn't.

Buffy

Maybe you should.

Giles

I never wanted you to see that side of me.

Buffy

I'm not gonna lie to you. It was scary. I'm so used to you being a grownup, and (inhales) then I find out that you're a person.

Giles

Most grownups are.

Buffy

Who would've thought?

Giles

Some are even, uh... shortsighted, foolish people.

Buffy

So, after all this time, we finally find out that we *do* have something in common. Which, apart from being a little weird, is kind of okay. (pauses) I think we're supposed to be training right now.

Giles

Yes. Yes. Um, need to concentrate on your flexibility.

Buffy

And you know what? I have just the perfect music. (holds up a black CD) Go on, say it. You know you want to.

Giles

It's not music, it's just, uh, meaningless sounds.

Buffy

There. Feel better?

Giles

Yes. Thanks.

They head into the next hall toward the library.

Giles

Bay City Rollers. Now, that's music.

Buffy

I didn't hear that.