11 EXT. COUNCIL - GARDENS - AFTERNOON 11
Buffy is slowly walking through the brightly lit gardens, but
not taking any of it in. She takes a deep breath before
turning and seeing --
JOYCE! The Slayer almost screams. She looks her over.
BUFFY
Mom?
JOYCE
Buffy.
(beat)
You look tired.
BUFFY
I've been hearing that a lot.
JOYCE
It's to be expected.
(beat)
Are you eating enough fruit?
BUFFY
(weary)
Mom...
JOYCE
I know, I know. You're all grown up
now. You can take care of yourself.
BUFFY
I wouldn't say that.
JOYCE
Something wrong, honey?
BUFFY
Everything.
JOYCE
Oh, come on. It can't be that bad,
can it?
BUFFY
Dawn is...
JOYCE
Yes. We all saw that coming. I
warned her, that you wouldn't
choose her.
BUFFY
I had no choice.
JOYCE
Of course you did, Buffy. You
always have a choice.
BUFFY
(somber)
Do you blame me for her death?
JOYCE
No, don't think that. Buffy, you
did everything you could to keep
Dawn here... but it just wasn't
meant to be. She wasn't a part of
the world's plan, she should never
have existed.
BUFFY
But she did. And I loved her. How
could they give her to me and then
take her away?
JOYCE
Everything happens for a reason,
Buffy. You have to trust that what
was before and what may come, is
all a part of some greater plan.
Buffy shakes her head.
BUFFY
I can't believe that. I can't trust
that the higher powers would put me
through so much pain because of a
greater good.
(teary)
I keep thinking that I must be an
awful person for them to do this to
me... to keep doing it to me.
JOYCE
Buffy... I know at the moment you
can't see the light at the end of
the tunnel but there is one... it's
just a little clouded right now.
Joyce places her hand on Buffy's cheek.
JOYCE (cont'd)
I love you, Buffy. I will always
love you no matter what. Trust in
that.
BUFFY
I do. But what am I supposed to do
now? Where do I go from here?
GILES (O.S)
Buffy?
Buffy turns to see Giles approaching. She looks back to see
Joyce has disappeared.
GILES (cont'd)
Are you all right?
BUFFY
(disturbed)
Yeah.
GILES
I heard you talking.
BUFFY
Just getting some things out in the
open. So I can actually hear myself
saying it before telling you.
GILES
What's that?
Buffy starts walking and he follows suit.
BUFFY
I can't go back to Cleveland,
Giles. I won't.
GILES
But, Buffy --
BUFFY
I remember the last time I felt
like this. The darkness, the void.
And I hurt so many people. I don't
want to do that to my friends and
they wouldn't understand.
(beat)
So I've made a decision. Something
I've realized I have to do.
GILES
And that is?
BUFFY
I'm moving. I don't know where and
I don't know how long I'll be there
for. I've got a plane booked, it'll
take me to LA. I'll say goodbye to
Angel and I'm just gonna go.
GILES
Buffy, running away isn't the
answer.
BUFFY
I'm not running away. I'm moving
on. Cleveland is where I was the
Slayer. I can't be that anymore. I
give up. I throw in the towel and
it's time I did something else...
something that doesn't involve all
the people I love being killed.
GILES
This is your solution? You drop
your friends, the ones who have
been there for you from the very
start?
BUFFY
Don't make this any harder, Giles.
GILES
Oh, you think this is easy for me
to listen to? To hear my Slayer...
the girl I have tried to teach...
just throw everything she's worked
for away?
BUFFY
And what have I got?
GILES
People who care about you. Friends
you are lucky to have.
Buffy thinks this over.
BUFFY
Don't matter. Everything's done. I
leave tonight.
GILES
If you were really going to go
through with this, you would have
gone without telling me.
BUFFY
I was hoping you'd understand.
GILES
Then I guess it's clear you really
don't know me at all. How could you
think I would understand or support
you like this? I did not raise you
to run from your --
BUFFY
From what? The pain? The hurt and
torture? Giles! I can't do it
anymore. I won't be the victim for
the higher powers, I'm not playing
their game anymore.
GILES
So don't! Take a stand.
(beat)
But what I can't comprehend, is why
you would leave everyone who loves
you. You do that and you will fall.
You'll have no one.
BUFFY
I'll have myself.
(beat)
That's all I need.
GILES
(disappointed)
Then I wish you luck. But I won't
give you my blessings.
BUFFY
I don't need them.
Giles shakes his head and instead of retorting, he simply
walks away. Buffy looks on, saddened.
12 INT. SUMMERS RESIDENCE - LOUNGE - MORNING 12
Andrew is lounging on the sofa, flicking through the channels
on the TV. Suddenly he stops.
ANDREW
Ooh, Beyblade.
The door opens and Anya ENTERS. She looks around, then sees
Andrew.
ANYA
Where's Willow?
ANDREW
Uh... I think she went out.
Somewhere... or she's upstairs.
Wait...
(thinks)
Nope. She's out.
ANYA
Andy, you're gonna turn into a big
fat slob if you lay there anymore.
ANDREW
I know... I should move... but I
ate too much.
(beat)
Hey, you wanna play that game where
we list all the things about
Xander's body we like?
ANYA
Not right --
(realizing)
You do that? I mean... we do that?
ANDREW
Uh, yeah, it's like our best past
time.
ANYA
I can't believe you'd --
(then)
Okay!
She takes a seat next to him.
ANDREW
Okay. I like his arms. They're big,
like, manly big.
ANYA
(smiles)
Manly, huh?
ANDREW
Yeah. You go.
ANYA
Oh, right. Um... I like my... um,
his... penis. It's big. Really big.
I mean, wow! I've never seen a man
so big.
ANDREW
Really?
ANYA
Totally.
ANDREW
Whoa... okay, I like his butt. It's
perky and firm but still has a
softness --
ANYA
Okay, this just got disturbing.
She quickly stands.
ANYA (cont'd)
I need to find Willow so she can
change me back before Anya stuffs
up my meeting.
ANDREW
Um... what?
ANYA
(beat)
I'm Xander.
ANDREW
(laughs)
Get out.
ANYA
No really. Ask me anything.
ANDREW
How many fingers am I holding up?
He holds up three.
ANYA
Three.
ANDREW
Oh my God, it is you! How did this
happen?
ANYA
I don't know. That's why I need
Willow.
ANDREW
So, where's Anya?
ANYA
She's pretending to be me in a
meeting. Which, when you think
about it, is very, very bad.
Andrew can't help but let a giggle escape his lips. Anya
shoots him an icy look.
ANYA (cont'd)
This isn't funny, Andrew.
ANDREW
I know, it's just... you look so
pretty.
ANYA
That's not the issue.
But then she looks down at herself.
ANYA (cont'd)
I do have great legs though. And
perky --
She stops, looking down at her stomach.
ANYA (cont'd)
Oh no.
ANDREW
What is it?
ANYA
The worst thing about being a
pregnant woman.
She dashes up the stairs as Andrew peers up. We hear some
really horrible VOMITING.
ANDREW
(calls)
Anya always says that pickled
raisins cure it.
ANYA (O.S)
(disgusted)
Oh God!
13 EXT. CONSTRUCTION SITE 13
Workers go about their business, working away, nothing
unusual. Three figures come our way. One of them is Xander,
the others are OSWALD BALE, Xander's right hand man, and
PERRY MCLOOS, the man who wants some construction work done.
PERRY
So you see, Mr. Harris, the work
would be long but the paycheck
would be worth it.
XANDER
Yes. Money, I like it.
Perry smiles and hands him a slip of paper. Xander looks it
over, his eyes widening at the figure.
XANDER (cont'd)
Whoa! Do you know how many pairs of
shoes I could buy with this amount
of money?
(off their looks)
Um... manly shoes, of course. Cos
us men are big... and strong.
(lion impression)
Grrrr.
Oswald and Perry exchange bemused looks.
OSWALD
Anyway, Mr. McLoos, I think you'll
find that our work here is above
average. Right, Xander?
He looks to him but Xander's still staring at the piece of
paper. Oswald nudges him.
XANDER
Huh?
OSWALD
I was just saying, our work is the
best out there.
XANDER
It is? It is! And you know why?
Because my finace drives me to
ambition. She is the rock. And
she's beautiful and a vixen in the
sack.
Oswald is stunned. Perry smiles.
PERRY
I know exactly what you mean, Mr.
Harris. My wife and kids are the
only reason I'm as successful as I
am.
XANDER
Maybe if you told Xander that he
might be more sympathetic towards
me and...
(realizing)
What am I saying? I'm Xander. I'm
Xander! Don't listen to me, I
skipped breakfast this morning and
when I don't have breakfast, I'm a
loon!
(quickly)
Not a crazy loon! I mean, when I do
a job I'm serious. It's all work
and no play Anya --Xander! My
name... is Xander.
(beat)
I know that because I have a penis.
The other two stare at him in disbelief, confusement, and
mostly shock. Xander looks at them, worried.
XANDER (cont'd)
Okay. I need to go to the little
girls room.
(beat)
Oh crap! Boys room!
He quickly rushes off and when he rounds a corner he pulls
out his CELL PHONE. He dials and puts it to his ear.
XANDER (cont'd)
(into phone)
Xander! I can't do this. It's too
hard. I keep forgetting who I am
and we haven't even got to the
contract yet.
(beat)
Oh fine! But if I babble about
penises anymore, I think he might
get the wrong idea!
14 EXT. ROCKWELL AVENUE - EVENING 14
Willow walks along the sidewalk, carrying a brown paper bag
with the words "ENCHANTED ACCESSORIES" imprinted on it.
She looks across the street before crossing the road, where
she sees --
JACKSON. He immediately stops upon noticing her, unsure of
whether to engage in any kind of communication. He doesn't.
He keeps walking.
WILLOW
Jackson?
(calls)
Jackson?
She quickly heads after him. He finally stops, turning to
face her.
JACKSON
Willow. Hey.
WILLOW
Hi. Didn't hear me, huh?
JACKSON
No. I did.
WILLOW
Oh.
(beat)
We haven't seen you for a long
while.
JACKSON
No, I've been busy. You know,
getting back into the police force
and all.
WILLOW
You're a cop again?
JACKSON
Detective. It's... better. I help
people now.
WILLOW
Jackson... are you all right?
JACKSON
Yeah, I'm fine. I just... I'm busy
is all. You know.
WILLOW
Okay. Well, it was good seeing you.
She turns, a little uneasy, ready to walk away.
JACKSON
How's Buffy?
WILLOW
Buffy? She's... awake. I mean, not
catatonic anymore. She's still in
England.
JACKSON
Right. Will you, um... will you
just tell her...
(beat)
Never mind. It doesn't matter.
WILLOW
Tell her what?
JACKSON
Nothing. Don't worry about it.
(beat)
Uh, I'll be seeing you.
He walks away, leaving Willow saddened about his obvious
dejection. She watches him walk for a moment, before turning
and entering the house...
15 INT. COUNCIL - BUFFY'S ROOM 15
Two suitcases are propped up on the bed as Buffy stuffs them
full of clothes and various items. She closes one of the
cases, staring into space, contemplating everything, before
zipping it up.
KNOCK! She turns to see Giles standing at the door, looking
in at her.
BUFFY
I don't wanna fight, Giles.
GILES
No. I shouldn't think you do. It's
not what I'm here for actually.
BUFFY
Wanted to have the last word, huh?
GILES
No. Of course not.
BUFFY
So... what?
GILES
I've been doing some things with
Marie --
BUFFY
Whoa! I don't wanna know about you
and Marie!
GILES
No! I mean, we've been looking for
a passage --
He notices her look of disgust and quickly finishes before
she can say anything.
GILES (cont'd)
In an old book, it was often used
by the Council when the active
Slayer lost her way.
BUFFY
You think a book is gonna make all
the pain go away?
GILES
No, Buffy. When the text is read
aloud by the Slayer, she is taken
on a quest within her own mind.
It's all very complicated, I
wouldn't want to bore you with the
details.
BUFFY
No. Last time I went on a quest I
was given a glimpse of hundreds
Turok-Hans, waiting to devour us.
That vision haunted me for weeks.
GILES
This isn't... Buffy, I don't ask
much of you. And I know you are set
on leaving this life behind you
but... I'm not asking you as your
Watcher.
BUFFY
(beat)
What do I have to do?
GILES
Read the text.
He hands her the book, which she eyes, curiously.
GILES (cont'd)
If anything, it'll give you a
little perspective.
BUFFY
Is this how you plan to make me
stay?
GILES
No. I just want to make sure if
you're not around, I know you're
safe.
Buffy nods, getting it.
BUFFY
Thanks.
GILES
Buffy --
BUFFY
Giles, don't. I'll do this one
thing for you, but after this I'm
gone. I mean it. This life is over.
It's time to start again.
Giles doesn't say anything, just looks at her with a
downhearted expression, then EXITS.
Buffy breathes a sigh before opening the book to where a
small piece of paper marks it.
16 INT. COUNCIL - CORRIDORS 16
Giles walks through the corridor, almost BUMPING into Marie,
who's carrying stacks of books.
MARIE
Rupert! You made me jump.
(beat)
How is she?
GILES
Stubborn.
MARIE
Wonder where she gets that from?
GILES
Are you implying I'm stubborn? I'm
not stubborn. I'll have you know
I'm extremely far from --
MARIE
Rupert! I was making a joke.
GILES
Oh, yes. Well, I suppose I'm not in
the most light hearted of moods
right now.
MARIE
I imagine not. Buffy's still
adamant about leaving her friends?
GILES
More so. I just hope this quest
helps her.
MARIE
You think it will change her mind?
GILES
I don't know, Marie. I really don't
know.
17 INT. COUNCIL - BUFFY'S ROOM 17
Buffy looks over the book, her finger tracing the imprinted
text on the page.
BUFFY
(dubbed in Latin)
For guidance, for help. For paths
not yet taken. For the mind, body,
and soul. Hear my plea, show me
that which I am yet to know.
She waits. Nothing... ... until the room begins to shake. A
light starts to shine from the book until the room is filled
with BRIGHT WHITE.
DISSOLVE TO:
18 EXT. DESERT - DAY 18
The BRIGHT WHITE fades away and Buffy looks around, bookless.
BUFFY
Huh.
(beat)
Is someone supposed to be here?
VOICE (O.S)
Only you.
Buffy turns to see the figure -- IT'S HERSELF!
On Buffy's bemused expression we...
BLACK OUT.
END OF ACT TWO