Graduation Day, Part One

Cordelia

I can't believe this loser look. I lobbied so hard for the teal. No one ever listens to me. A lone fashionable wolf.

Xander

I like the Maroon. Has more dignity.

Cordelia

Dignity? You? In relation to clothes? I am awash in a sea of confusion.

Xander

I just want to look respectable in this, considering I'm probably gonna die in it.

Cordelia

Excuse me?

Xander

I'm telling you. I woke up the other day with this feeling in my gut. I just know there's no way I'm getting out of this school alive.

Cordelia

Wow, you've really mastered the power of positive giving-up.

Xander

I've been lucky too many times. My number's coming up. And I was short! One more rotation and I'm shipping state-side, you know what I mean?

Cordelia

Seldom if ever. They part. Cut to Willow and a guy standing at the foot of a stairwell, just after they sign each other's yearbooks. He leaves and Harmony walks down the stairs. All of Willow's lines are delivered with a compulsive smile.

Willow

Bye! We'll keep in touch!

Harmony

Willow, will you sign my yearbook?

Willow

Yeah. You have to sign mine too.

Harmony

You know, I really wish we woulda got to know each other better.

Willow

Me too.

Harmony

I mean, you're so smart. I always wanted to be like that.

Willow

Thanks. You're so sweet.

Harmony

I hope we won't lose touch.

Willow

No, we'll hang out.

Harmony

Bye!

Willow

Bye! Harmony leaves as Buffy walks down the stairs.

Buffy

Don't you hate her?

Willow

(still smiling) Yes, with a fiery vengeance. She picked on me for ten years, the vacuous tramp. It's like a sickness, Buffy. I'm just missing everything. I miss P.E.

Buffy

I think it's contagious. The whole senior class has turned into the Sixties, or what I would have imagined the Sixties would have been like without the war and the hairy armpits.

Willow

You don't feel it?

Buffy

No, I don't. I guess I'll miss stuff, but I just don't get the whole graduation thing. I mean you get a piece of paper and nothing changes. I don't even think I'm gonna go.

Willow

(affectionately to soda machine) Old trusty soda machine. I push you for root beer, you give me coke. (frowning at Buffy) What do you mean, not go? Why not?

Buffy

Ascension. Mayor becoming a demon. Snacking up on populace. I was planning on fighting him.

Willow

You can't do both?

Xander

(sits at their table) Both what?

Buffy

Go to graduation and fight the Mayor.

Xander

The Mayor? What, you guys didn't hear?

Buffy

Hear what?

Xander

Guess who our commencement speaker is?

Willow

Siegfried?

Xander

No.

Willow

Roy?

Xander

No.

Willow

One of the tigers?

Xander

Come out of the fantasy, Will.

Buffy

I don't believe this.

Xander

Lends credence to my whole "I'm gonna die" theorem, doesn't it?

Buffy

The Mayor at graduation? A hundred helpless kids to feed on. Got any other surprises for us? Cut to the inside of an apartment. Eccentric taste. A knock sounds at the door and a man goes to the door. He's balding, wears glasses, and sports a bow tie.

Just a moment!

Faith

Hi, I'm looking for Professor Wirth.

Oh, well, that's me, but I should ask you to come back during office hours. Students generally make an appointment Faith: Uh, I'm not from the college. I work for Mayor Wilkins. I'm Faith.

Faith

He's a big fan, professor.

Oh, Lester's fine.

Faith

We alone here, Lester?

Well, yes. Lifelong bachelor. I like my space.

Faith

I hear that. (produces a knife) You want to turn and face the wall, Lester.

What are you doing?

Faith

I'll make it quick.

Put that away. I'll scream.

Faith

Who wouldn't?

Please.

Faith

Sorry, friend, boss wants you dead.

Why?

Faith

(stabs him) You know, I never thought to ask. Opening credits. ----------------------------------------------------------- In Faith's apartment. The Mayor is tidying up. Faith is not in the room.

And everything went smoothly with Mr. Wirth?

Faith

Not if you're Mr. Wirth.

(giggles) Well, that's swell. You know how I feel about loose ends. And the big day is so close, you can smell the excitement in the air. Say, are you ever coming out of there?

Faith

I don't know.

Aw, come on. Faith enters, in a pink/white dress, barefoot.

Faith

I feel I look stupid in this.

You look lovely. Perfect for the Ascension. Any boys that manage to survive will be lining up to ask you out.

Faith

It just isn't me, though.

Not you? Let me tell you something. Nobody knows what you are. Not even you, little Miss Seen-it-all. The Ascension isn't just my day. It's yours too. Your day to blossom, to show the world what a powerful girl you are. I think of what you've done, what I know you will do (caresses her face) no father could be prouder.

Faith

I hope I don't let you down.

Impossible. Now come on, change back into your street clothes. I'll buy you an icee. They share a smile. ---------------------------------------- Daylight outside Sunnydale High. Willow parks her bike. Percy, the jock from Dopplegangland, greets her.

Hey, Rosenberg!

Willow

Hey, Percy.

Check it out, history final.

Willow

B-minus, that's great.

I'm a scholar. I'm like a scholar.

Willow

Congratulations.

Hey, listen. Thank you. I mean, for helping me. Being so patient. And also, for not kicking my ass like you did in the Bronze.

Willow

You know, Percy, that was actually... for your own good.

I know, I know.

Oz

(arrives) Hey.

Willow

Hey. (to Percy) History's important, you know.

No, I totally get that now. And I got the grades, I'm graduating tomorrow, can forget all this crap. (cheerfully, leaves) Oz: On the bright side, after graduation, he may not have the chance to forget it all.

Willow

(unhappy) Uh-huh.

Oz

I was trying to keep things light.

Willow

But things aren't light. I mean, it's bad enough we have to fight the Mayor. I don't want him eating Percy and the whole class. We have to find a spell or something to stop the Ascension.

Oz

Then we will. ---------------------------------------- In a classroom. Class is in session. Xander tries to sneak in.

Thank you for joining us, Mr. Harris. Xander gives him a double thumbs-up.

Xander

Ummm... E.

No. There's no E. Camera turns so that we can see that the chalkboard has the garrett of a game of Hangman drawn. The teacher draws in the head.

Anya

Hi.

Xander

Hey.

Anya

So, I was wondering, maybe if you were free this weekend, maybe we could do some entertaining thing.

Xander

Would that be along the lines of you telling me about all the men you destroyed back in your demon days? Cause pencil me in.

Anya

Well, we could do something else you like. We could watch sports of some kind.

Xander

Uh, I don't know.

Anya

Men like sports. I'm sure of it.

Xander

Yes. Men like sports. Men watch the action move, they eat of the beef, and enjoy to look at the bosoms. A thousand years of avenging our wrongs and that's all you've learned?

Anya

I'm trying, okay? You don't need to take my head off.

Xander

I'm sorry. Look, I don't even know if I'm going to make it to the next weekend. I'll tell you what, I survive the Ascension and maybe you and I can do some sports related ... What? Anya has a horrified look on her face. ---------------------------------------- Giles and Wesley are fencing. Buffy stands to the side, holding up a newspaper headline: PROFESSOR FOUND MURDERED Buffy: Faith.

Giles

You sure?

Buffy

One of her pieces. I recognize the brush work. Giles takes the paper and holds it in one hand, reading while parrying Wesley's light attacks.

Giles

Brutally stabbed. Mr. Wirth, visiting professor of geology. There's nothing in here that bellows motive.

Willow

Random killing, perhaps? Fit of rage? Everybody does seem to be going a bit mad, lately. Faith has something of a head start.

Buffy

Doesn't read. I think it's homework. Giles stops sparring.

Giles

The Mayor wanted the good professor out of the way.

Buffy

Which leads to the question, how come? I'm gonna destroy the entire city, but I take the time to kill harmless Lester first?

Giles

Tying up loose ends? Lester had something or knew something.

Buffy

Then I wanna know too. The Mayor's trying to hide. I say we go seek.

Wesley

Ah. By attempting to keep a valuable clue from us, the Mayor may have inadvertently led us right to it. (with a sword flourish) Buffy: What page are you on, Wes, cause we already got there.

Buffy

I just love it when you take charge, you man, you.

Wesley

Uh, we... was that a yes? I have trouble keeping track.

Buffy

I'll go.

Giles

Be careful. If Faith should show up...

Buffy

I don't think she'll show. Been there, killed that. She's not much for follow-up.

Giles

Nonetheless, keep watch. Faith has you at a disadvantage, Buffy.

Buffy

Cause I'm not crazy or cause I don't kill people?

Giles

Both, actually.

Buffy

I hear you. I can't kill her, fun as it may sound. I can make her cry uncle, though, and I mean to.

Wesley

Don't let your feelings about Faith interfere with your work.

Buffy

Stopping Faith is my work. Take a beat to love the synergy.

Willow

Faith is a footnote. Our priority is stopping the Ascension. Xander enters, pulling Anya by her arm.

Xander

Easier said than done, (malarkey? monkey?) boy.

Wesley

Xander, if you don't have something constructive to add?

Xander

You guys want to know about the Ascension? Well meet the only living person who's ever been to one. Cut to an overhead shot. Same group gathered around the library table.

Anya

About eight hundred years ago in the Kastka Vallies above the Urals, there was a sorcerer there who achieved Ascension. Became the embodiment of the demon Lo-Hash. I was there cursing a shepherd who had been unfaithful. (merrily) His wife had wished that all his sheep would lie with...

Buffy

Can we get back to the chase?

Anya

Sorry. Lo-Hash was ... It-it decimated the village within hours. Maybe three people got out. I've seen some horrible things in my time. I've been the cause of most of them, actually, but this...

Wesley

Ahem, I'm sorry, but Lo-Hash was a four-winged soul killer, am I right? (Giles nods.) I was given to understand that they're not that fierce. Of all the demons that we've faced...

Anya

You've never seen a demon.

Buffy

(raises her hand) Uh, excuse me? Kind of professionally, four years running.

Anya

All the demons that walk the earth are tainted, are human hybrids like vampires. The Ascension means that a human becomes pure demon. They're different.

Giles

Different?

Buffy

How?

Anya

Well, for one thing, they're bigger. ---------------------------------------- Daylight, outside. Chairs are being set set up in rows for the commencement address. Snyder is showing the Mayor the arrangements.

Kids are here. Parents off to the side there. We'll go up, they'll play the processional, and they you'll give the address.

It all looks wonderful.

As long as nobody makes any trouble. Mayor:: Oh, stop worrying. You just make sure the kids show up. Anybody who doesn't feel like coming to graduation, well, they'll just have to live without a diploma.

Call me Richard. You've done a great job here. I know things are, well, different here in Sunnydale. We've both seen all sorts of things. What's important is that we keep it under control, and that's what you've done.

I believe in order.

Sunnydale owes you a debt. It will be repaid. Yessir, we'll mark that invoice paid in full. The Mayor walks away. Snyder watches him with a worried expression. ---------------------------------------- In the library. Anya et al. are continuing their discussion. Willow and Oz enter.

Anya

It doesn't sound like Lo-Hash. The rituals are all different.

Giles

I wish that was a relief.

Oz

What's going on?

Willow

How come evil girl's in the mix?

Giles

Anya witnessed an Ascension.

Willow

Oh, okay then.

Buffy

What about the spiders? The Mayor had a box of spiders that he had to eat. The Box of... I want to say Grav-Locks?

Giles

Gavrock.

Anya

It doesn't ring a bell.

Buffy

Well, there must be something that you can remember that would be helpful. The Mayor enters, alone. The group pulls back, Willow pulling Oz back. Buffy slips the newspaper (PROFESSOR FOUND MURDERED) out of sight.

So, this is the inner sanctum. Faith tells me this is where you folks like to hang out, concoct your little schemes. I tell you, it's just nice to see that some young people are still interested in reading in this modern era. So, what are kids reading nowadays? The Mayor walks to the table and picks up a book. Giles stands his ground and doesn't flinch at the proximity. Mayor: "The beast will walk upon the earth and darkness will follow. The several races of man will be as one in their terror and destruction." Aw, that's kind of sweet. Different races coming together.

Buffy

You never get even a little tired of hearing yourself speak, do you?

(chuckles, to Giles) That's one spunky little girl you've raised. I'm gonna eat her. Giles grabs Wesley's sword from the table and thrusts it through the Mayor's chest. The Mayor staggers back but regains his balance.

Buffy

Get out. The Mayor takes a handkerchief and slowly wipes the blood from the sword. Mayor: I smell fear. That's smart. Some of your deaths will be quick, if that's worth anything. Well, see you all at graduation. (tosses the sword back to Giles) You don't want to miss my commencement address. It's going to be one heck of a speech. Fade to commercial. ----------------------------------------------------------- In a hallway, not really crowded, but with plenty of students. Xander runs after Anya.

Xander

Anya, wait! Where you going?

Anya

Anywhere. If there's a lunar shuttle going up anytime soon, I'm on it.

Xander

We need you here. You might be able to help.

Anya

Or I might be able to live. You can't stop the Ascension, Xander. You were right the first time. The only thing any sane person can do now is run. (she leaves) Anya leaves, passing Cordelia.

Cordelia

What's her saga?

Xander

She's freaking.

Cordelia

About what?

Xander

The Mayor is going to kill us all during graduation.

Cordelia

Oh. Are you going to go to fifth period?

Xander

I'm thinking I might skip it.

Cordelia

Me too. ---------------------------------------- Daylight. Inside the Summers house. Buffy is packing.

Buffy, I'm home. Do you wanna go to, uh, ...? What are you doing? You're running away again? And you're taking my clothes.

Buffy

Mom, I need you to leave town. Tonight.

Buffy, I'd miss your graduation.

Buffy

Yeah, that's sort of the idea.

There's no way. I wouldn't dream...

Buffy

Mom, graduation is a pointless ceremony where you sit around and listen to a bunch of boring speeches until someone hands you a piece of paper that says you graduated which you already know and maroon does nothing for my complection, so don't argue, okay?

(sarcastic) What, is some terrible demon going to attack the school. (Buffy glares, keeps packing) Oh, I see. Oh, you know, Buffy, looking back on everything that's happened, maybe I should have sent you to a different school.

Buffy

Just promise me that you'll be far away from here.

I'm not leaving you to face an awful monster. If I go anywhere, you're going with me.

Buffy

You know that I can't.

Well then I can't either.

Buffy

Mom, I know that sometimes you wish I were different.

Buffy, no.

Buffy

I wish I could be a lot of things for you. A great student, a star athlete, remotely normal. I'm not. But there is something I do that I can do better than anybody else in the world. I'm gonna fight this thing, but I can't do it and worry about you.

Buffy, you just can't ...

Buffy

You stay, you'll get me killed. You'll have to trust me on this. Can you do that? ---------------------------------------- In Willow's room. Amy-rat is nibbling something in her cage. Oz is typing on the computer. Willow is laying on the bed, reading.

Willow

Oh, this is so frustrating.

Oz

Nothing useful?

Willow

No, it's great. If we want to make ferns invisible, or communicate with shrimp, I've got the goods right here.

Oz

Our lives are different than other peoples'.

Willow

Oh, who am I kidding? I'm not going to find a spell to stop the Ascension. I'm no witch. I can't even change poor Amy back to a person.

Oz

But you got the swinging Habitrail going. I think Amy is in a good place emotionally.

Willow

Oz.

Oz

What?

Willow

Could you just pretend to care about what's happening? Please?

Oz

You think I don't care?

Willow

I think we could be dead in two days time and you're being ironic detachment guy.

Oz

Would it help if I panic?

Willow

(babbling) Yes, it would be swell. Panic is a thing people can share in times of crisis. And everything's really scary now, you know, and I don't know what's gonna happen. And there's all sorts of things that you're supposed to get to do after high school, and I was really looking forward to doing them, and now we're probably just gonna die and I would like to feel that maybe you would ... Oz leans forward and kisses her, slowly.

Oz

Panicking. More kissing. ---------------------------------------- In Professor Wirth's apartment. Buffy is collecting papers and books and putting them in a file box. Angel appears at the front door (it's open) and stumbles over the door jamb.

Angel

Ow.

Buffy

Stealthy.

Angel

Not my best entrance. I think they were mopping in the halls.

Buffy

What are you doing here?

Angel

I checked in with Giles. He asked me to back you up.

Buffy

He's afraid I'll run into Faith.

Angel

And you're not?

Buffy

It's gonna happen sooner or later.

Angel

What's that?

Buffy

A report. Excavation of some old lava bed. Guy was a volcano-ologist or something.

Angel

Anything in there that connects him to the Mayor?

Buffy

I looked through it, but the only thing I understood were the commas. Gonna bring it to Giles, see if he can do better. (picks up the file box) Angel: Let me give you a hand. Angel takes the box. They leave the apartment. Cut to outside as they leave the building.

Angel

It's alright. I'll walk you there.

Buffy

Look, I don't need an escort. I'm a big girl. Superpowers, remember? I don't need you crowding me.

Angel

I didn't think I was.

Buffy

No, of course you don't. You just show up at the prom and then you disappear into the ozone. For all I know, you left town.

Angel

Are you mad at me for being around too much or for not being around enough?

Buffy

Duh. Yes.

Angel

Which?

Buffy

What?

Angel

I don't get you.

Buffy

No, you don't, not anymore.

Angel

Are you just making this harder to make this easier on yourself?

Buffy

Could we stop with the brain-teasers? I just wish it was over, done.

Angel

It's not that simple. I mean, once the Mayor ...

Buffy

I know, world in peril and we have to work together. This is my last office romance, I'll tell you that.

Angel

I'll get out of your face. He drops the box at her feet and turns away.

Buffy

Isn't it even a little hard for you?

Angel

How can you ask me that? Just because I'm not acting like a brat doesn't mean I don't feel...

Buffy

It's nice to know what you thing of me!

Angel

What do you expect me to say when you just attack?

Buffy

I just can't do this anymore. I can't have you in my life when I'm trying to move on. The sound of an arrow striking. The arrow was fired above and behind Angel, and has passed through his back so the point sticks out the front of his jacket. He falls and Buffy catches him.

Missed the heart.

Faith

Meant to. Fade to commercial. ----------------------------------------------------------- In the library. Angel sits in a chair. Giles cuts the arrow shaft where it enters Angel's back.

Giles

There.

Buffy

Okay, ready? (grasps the arrow's point) Angel: Yeah.

Giles

Not too much blood here.

Angel

I heal pretty fast. I should be alright.

Buffy

(while swabbing the exit wound) I'm just glad Faith's such a suck shot.

Giles

You sure it was her?

Buffy

Well, I've narrowed down my list of one suspect. Buffy and Giles continue bandaging Angel. Wesley is sitting at the table, reading.

Wesley

Fascinating.

Giles

What?

Wesley

It seems our Mr. Wirth headed an expedition in Hawaii, digging in old lava beds near a dormant volcano.

Buffy

I'm not fascinated yet.

Wesley

He found something underneath. A carcass, buried by an eruption.

Giles

A carcass?

Wesley

A very large one. Mr. Wirth posits that it might be some heretofore undiscovered dinosaur.

Angel

A demon?

Giles

Yes, that would be something that the Mayor would want to keep a secret. If it's the same kind of demon he's turning into and it's dead, it means that, well, he's only impervious to harm until the Ascension. In his demon form, he can be killed.

Buffy

Great. So all we need is a million tons of burning lava. We're saved.

Angel

Well, it's a start, anyway.

Buffy

Okay, you've been a real klutz today. You need ...

Angel

Damn. Angel falls to the floor, unconscious. Cut to Giles sniffing the arrow's point.

Giles

We'll have to run some tests.

Angel

(unintelligible?) Buffy: You're burning up.

Giles

Call the others. Get them here. We need to move him to the safety of his own bed before the sun comes up.

Buffy

Will you be able to find out what this is?

Wesley

The Council has all the known toxins on file, mystical or otherwise. I'll contact them immediately.

Buffy

Thanks. (to Angel) You're going to be okay. ---------------------------------------- Willow's bedroom. Clothes are scattered on the floor and draped over Amy-rat's cage. Willow and Oz cuddle in the bed. Oz strokes Willow's hair. Willow: I feel different, you know. I-I guess that makes sense. Do you feel different. Oh, no, you've already, probably, no big change for you. It was nice. Was it nice? Should this be a quiet moment?

Oz

I know exactly what you mean.

Willow

Which part?

Oz

Everything from 'it's different'. They kiss. The phone rings, Willow answers.

Willow

Hello. (listens, hangs up) We've gotta go. ---------------------------------------- In the Mayor's office. He places the Box of Gavrock on his desk as Faith enters.

Faith

He's dropped, boss.

Applause, applause.

Faith

Right in the back. He pitches over and Buffy's freaking, looking around, all panicked. It's a good time.

Well, that should keep her occupied for a spell.

Faith

What next?

The Ritual of Gavrock. I have to ingest several of the inhabitants of this box.

Faith

Ingest?

Eat.

Faith

You're wicked gross.

(chuckles) Well, you don't have to watch. Just, you know, go home, take it easy. It's a big day tomorrow.

Faith

You gotta give me something to do. There's no way I'm sleeping. Don't you need anyone dead? Or maimed? I can settle for maimed.

(chuckles) You little firecracker.

Faith

My mom used to call me that when I was little. I was always running around. She falls silent. The Mayor observes her with a look of concern.

If everything goes smoothly, you won't have to. But how often do things go smoothly?

Faith

So you'll still need me in there.

Always.

Faith

When I was a kid, a couple of miles outside of Boston there was this quarry. And all the kids used to swim there and jump off the rocks. And there was this one rock like forty feet up. I was the only one that would jump off it. All the older kids were too scared.

Not you though.

Faith

Naah. I could do it easy.

Get some rest.

Faith

Good luck with your spiders there. ---------------------------------------- Oz, Willow, and Xander are gathered in a Sunnydale High chemistry lab. Oz is peering through a microscope. Willow tears a page out of a notebook and hands it to Xander.

Willow

They should have all this at the magic shop. I can run a trace analysis, see if it's a mystical poison.

Xander

I'm a little short on cash.

Willow

Just tell them it's for me.

Xander

Right. Cut to Xander walking in a darkened school hallway. Anya meets him.

Anya

Xander.

Xander

What are you doing here? I thought you'd be in Aruba by now.

Anya

Hey, I'm packed. My car's right outside. I-I just, um, I-I had to, uh...

Xander

What?

Anya

You could come with me.

Xander

Come with you? You mean that?

Anya

Why not? We could just get in the car and drive. No one would miss us. We could take turns driving. Keep each other awake. You're going to die if you stay here.

Xander

I guess I might.

Anya

When I think that something could happen to you, it feels bad inside, like I might vomit.

Xander

Welcome to the world of romance.

Anya

It's horrible. No wonder I used to get so much work.

Xander

Well, I'm sorry I give you barfy feelings.

Anya

Come with me.

Xander

I can't.

Anya

Why not?

Xander

I got friends on the line.

Anya

So?

Xander

That humanity thing's still a work in progress, isn't it?

Anya

Are you really going to be that much help to them? I mean, you'll probably just get in the way.

Xander

Your stock is plummeting here, sweetheart.

Anya

Fine! You know what? I hope you die. Xander walks past her.

Buffy

It'll be okay. You'll be okay. She hears a door opening and goes to the living room. Wesley enters, looking upset.

Giles

Did you reach the council?

Wesley

Yes. They, they couldn't help.

Buffy

Couldn't?

Wesley

Wouldn't. It's not Council policy to cure vampires.

Giles

Did you explain that these were special circumstances?

Wesley

Not under any circumstances, and yes, I did try to convince them.

Buffy

Try again.

Wesley

Buffy, they're very firm. We're talking about laws that have existed longer than civilization.

Buffy

I'm talking about watching my lover die. I don't have a clue what you're talking about and I don't care.

Giles

Buffy, we'll find a cure.

Wesley

The Council's orders are to concentrate on ...

Buffy

Orders? I don't think I'm gonna be taking any more orders. Not from you, not from them.

Wesley

You can't turn your back on the Council.

Buffy

They're in England. I don't think they can tell which way my back is facing.

Wesley

Giles, talk to her.

Giles

(while walking to Buffy's side) I've nothing to say right now.

Buffy

Wesley, go back to your Council and tell them, until the next Slayer comes along, they can close up shop. I'm not working for them anymore.

Wesley

Don't you see what's happening? Faith poisoned Angel to distract you, to keep you out of the Mayor's way, and it's working. You need a strategy.

Buffy

I have a strategy. You're not in it.

Wesley

This is mutiny.

Buffy

(long pause) I like to think of it as graduation. Giles, I can't stay here any longer. I'm gonna see if I can help the others.

Giles

Of course.

Buffy

You'll watch him?

Giles

I'll call if there's any change.

Wesley

Buffy, you don't know what you're doing.

Buffy

Get a job. (marches off) ---------------------------------------- In the chemistry lab: Buffy, Willow, Xander, Oz.

Willow

Finding the poison wasn't that hard. It's a mystical compound. The latin name translates roughly to Killer of the Dead. Used on vampires.

Buffy

And the cure?

Willow

There aren't a lot of instances of it being cured.

Buffy

But there are some?

Willow

One or two. Pretty vague accounts. How is he?

Oz

(reading) Hold it.

Xander

You got something?

Oz

I'm not sure.Buffy: Be sure. Oz: Okay. Killer of the Dead. That's our boy, and here's a vamp that walked away from it.

Willow

Does it talk about the cure?

Oz

Damn.

Buffy

Nothing?

Oz

No, it's in here, but...

Willow

(reading over his shoulder) Wait, completely reversed the effects. Oh.

Buffy

What?

Xander

Come on guys, the suspense is killing Angel.

Oz

The only way to cure this thing is to drain the blood of a Slayer.

Buffy

(long pause) Good.

Xander

Good? What did I miss?

Buffy

No, it's perfect. Angel needs to drain a Slayer, then I'll bring him one.

Willow

Buffy, if Angel drains Faith's blood, it'll kill her.

Buffy

Not if she's already dead. Fade to commercial. ----------------------------------------------------------- Willow and Oz at a computer terminal.

Oz

Leasing agreement. It should be recent. It won't be in her name but if the Mayor's putting her up, it might be in his.

Willow

Maybe he's charging it to the city?

Oz

Right, cross-reference Realty with Municipal Funds.

Willow

You wanna drive? (smiles) Oz: Sorry. Oz caresses her hair and Willow loses her typing rhythm for a moment. ---------------------------------------- In the library, Buffy and Xander are heading to the book cage.

Buffy

Someone should take over for Giles after a while. Watch Angel.

Xander

I don't mean to play devil's advocate here, but are you sure you're up to this?

Buffy

It's time.

Xander

We're talking to the death.

Buffy

I can't play kid games anymore. This is how she wants it.

Xander

I just don't want to lose you.

Buffy

I won't get hurt. (reaches into a weapons cabinet) Xander: That's not what I mean.

Faith

Is he dead yet?

Buffy

He's not gonna die. It was a good try, though. Your plan?

Faith

Uh-huh. The Mayor got me the poison. Said it was wicked painful.

Buffy

There's a cure.

Faith

Damn. What is it?

Buffy

Your blood. As justice goes, it's not un-poetic, don't you think?

Faith

Come to get me? You gonna feed me to Angel? You know you're not going to take me alive.

Buffy

Not a problem.

Faith

Well, look at you. All dressed up in big sister's clothes.

Buffy

You told me I was just like you. That I was holding it in. They approach until they're standing face to face.

Faith

Ready to cut loose?

Buffy

Try me.

Faith

Okay then. Give us a kiss. Buffy punches her in the jaw. They fight for a while.

Buffy

Stick around. Cut to Angel's bed. Oz and Willow watch him.

Angel

Buffy: Cut to the library.

Giles

Right. Right. (heads for a bookshelf) Xander: Something about the demon?

Xander

Who's Olvikan?

Giles

I know it's a demon, a very old one. Might have a picture.

Xander

Boy, it's a good thing no one ever wanted to check any of these books out, hunh?

Giles

Yes, very convenient. (flipping pages) Xander: Come on Olvikan. Hey. Giles stops flipping pages. Xander unfolds a page, twice (like a centerfold).

Xander

We're going to need a bigger boat. ---------------------------------------- In the Mayor's office. On of the Gavrok bugs is pinned, unmoving, to his desk with a knife. The camera pans up to show two of the legs sticking out of the Mayor's mouth. He chews and swallows. A vampire looks on uncertainly.

Mmm. My god, what a feeling. The power of these creatures. It suffuses my being. I can feel the changes begin. My organs are shifting, changing, making ready for the Ascension. Plus these babies are high in fiber. And what's the fun in becoming an immortal demon if you're not regular, am I right? A second vampire bursts into the room.

Buffy

What's the matter? All that killing, you afraid to die? Faith spins Buffy so she can get the leverage to use her legs and manages to snap the handcuff chain. They face off. Faith holds a length of pipe. Buffy pulls out Faith's knife.

Faith

That's mine.

Buffy

You're about to get it back. They exchange blows, Faith dodging the knife. They move to the edge of the terrace and Faith holds Buffy at the edge.

Faith

Man, I'm going to miss this. Buffy breaks Faith's grip and plunges the knife into Faith's abdomen. Both of them looked stunned for a moment.

"To Be Continued"