[Transcript of "Buffy The Vampire Slayer" episode Invisible Girl at buffyology.com.]
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.
CORDELIA is walking with HARMONY and her current boyfriend, MITCH.
I just love springtime. Me and bright spring fashions!
Spring training.
Me at the end-of-school dance.
The end of school.
Definitely. My favorite time of year. (giggles) I am, of course, having my dress specially made. Off-the-rack gives me hives.
Let me guess: blue, like your eyes!
My eyes are hazel, Helen Keller.
You two will look so fine together in the May Queen photo.
Well, I haven't been elected May Queen yet.
As they pass the library doors, BUFFY comes barging out. She bumps into Mitch and drops her bag, spilling out its contents: a couple of stakes, a couple of crosses, a canister of mace, etc.
Behold the weirdness!
You're probably wondering what I'm doing with this stuff, huh?
Wow, I'm not!
For History class. Mr. Giles has this, like, hobby of collecting stuff... which he lent me... for show and tell. Did I mention it's for History class?
She is always hanging with that creepy librarian in that creepy library.
Cordelia and company give her a last disgusted look and continue on down the hall.
Hey, did I ever tell you about the time that she attacked me? At the Bronze? I don't know why this school admits mentals like her.
They all laugh at her and Buffy watches after them, humiliated.
The teacher, MS. MILLER, is discussing The Merchant of Venice with the class, Cordelia and WILLOW among them.
'If you prick us, do we not bleed? If you tickle us, do we not laugh? If you poison us, do we not die? And if you wrong us, shall we not revenge?'
Okay. So talk to me, people. How does what Shylock says here about being a Jew relate to our discussion about the anger of the outcast in society?
Well, how about color me totally self-involved?
Care to elaborate?
Yeah. With Shylock it's whine, whine, whine, like the whole world is about him. He acts like it's justice, him getting a pound of Antonio's flesh. It's not justice, it's yicky.
But has Shylock suffered? What's his place in Venice society?
Well, everyone looked down on him.
That is such a Twinkie defense. Shylock should get over himself. People who think their problems are so huge craze me. Like this time I sort of ran over this girl on her bike. It was the most traumatizing event of my life and she's trying to make it about her leg! Like my pain meant nothing.
Well, Cordelia's raised an interesting point here. (the bell rings) Which we'll pursue at a later time.
The students get up to leave. Cordelia walks up to Ms. Miller's desk.
Ms. Miller?
Good observations today, Cordelia. It's always exciting to know someone's actually done the reading.
Willow rolls her eyes behind Cordelia and leaves.
Thanks. I want to talk to you about my final paper. I'm real unfocused. I have all these thoughts, and I'm pretty sure they all contradict each other.
Well, I have your outline here, but why don't you stop by tomorrow after school? We'll go over it then.
That'd be great! Thanks a lot.
You're welcome. I'll see you then.
Okay, bye! (leaves the class) Harmony!
Cordelia catches up with Harmony who turns to greet her.
Hi!
They called and said the dress is ready. It's so great! Mitch is gonna die.
Mitch comes out of the showers, drying himself off. He wraps his towel around his waist and heads over to his locker and starts to dress. Another boy, BUD, closes his locker and comes over to him as he pulls on his pants.
Hey, Mitch. You goin' to the Bronze?
Later. I'm picking up my tux first.
Uh huh.
Gotta look sharp for the big dig.
Oh, that's right! You gotta look good to be on Cordelia's arm.
Oh, it's not her arm I'm lookin' to be on.
Bud laughs with him and then leaves. The locker room is silent as Mitch continues to dress. Suddenly, he hears footsteps and a girl's quiet giggling. He looks around, confused.
Who's there?
The laughter comes again from a different direction.
Okay, fun time's over. Come out.
He reaches for a bat which is resting on top of the lockers but it levitates out of his reach. by itself. The bat swings and hits him, knocking him to the floor. He struggles up, stunned, and another swing of the bat connects with his face, knocking him unconscious.
Opening credit sequence.
Cordelia is campaigning for May Queen, handing out chocolates to the students as they pass by.
Now, remember who to vote for for May Queen. As in me!
She sees Harmony and walks over to her.
Hi, isn't this the bomb? I'm such the campaign strategist.
Harmony takes one and notes the 'C' on the wrapper.
'C'. For Cordelia?
No, 'C' for Wilma, little brain. Of course, 'C' for Cordelia! This way people will associate me with something sweet.
She goes to hand one to a girl with her back turned, not realizing it's Buffy.
Here's a chocolate. (Buffy turns to her) Oh. I don't think I need the loony-fringe vote.
Cordelia turns away, ignoring her.
Well, I don't even like chocolates. (to herself) Okay, that was the lamest comeback of all time.
XANDER and Willow arrive.
So what's Cordelia up to?
Bribery. She's desperate to be May Queen.
Cordelia, man, she does love titles.
Oh, God! Remember in sixth grade with the field trip?
Right, right! The guy with the antlers on his belt!
Be my Deputy!
And remember the hat?
Oh God, the hat!
Gee, it's fun that we're speaking in tongues.
I'm sorry.
It's just that we had this... you had to be there.
It's not even funny.
Really.
Cordelia just has a history of trying too hard.
Yeah, what kind of moron would want to be May Queen anyway?
I was.
You what?
At my old school.
Oh! So the good kind of moron would do that. The non-moron, I mean.
Well, we didn't call it 'May Queen', but we had the coronation and the dance and all that stuff. It was nice.
Well, you know, you don't need that anymore. You got us!
Be my Deputy! Oh, God...
Buffy feels very left out but they're all suddenly distracted as Bud comes running down the hall with news about Mitch.
Guys, c'mon! Mitch got whaled on! I think he's...
Principal SNYDER is talking to the students.
Dead? Of course not. What are you, ghouls?
They all turn to look as the paramedics open the doors to the gym and wheel Mitch out.
There are no dead students here. This week. Clear back, make room, all of you.
Buffy grabs the gurney and stops it.
Mitch, what happened?
I don't know. I heard something. I tried to grab a, a bat... that hit me.
What hit you?
The bat! By itself. The thing was floating. It knocked me out.
The paramedics wheel him away to Buffy puzzled expression.
I'd better check out the scene.
She starts toward the locker room.
Where do you think you're going?
Mitch wanted me to get his comb. He... likes his comb.
I don't think Mitch needs his comb right now. I think Mitch needs medical attention. And you need to stay away from the crime scene. Always sticking your nose in.
Sue? What did you say? Mitch was gonna sue the school?
Snyder turns, a stricken expression on his face.
Sue? Who?
Buffy mouths a 'thank you' to Willow and Xander and quickly slips into the locker room.
Well, his dad is the most powerful lawyer in Sunnydale.
Hold on. What have you two heard?
His dad, the lawyer. You haven't heard of him?
Other lawyers call him 'The Beast'.
The locker room is deserted. Buffy walks in quietly and looks around. She sees the bat on the floor and nudges it with her foot. It just rolls away. She goes into the nearest row of lockers where four of the locker doors are damaged and hang wide open. She notices a large red letter on the door of one of the lockers. When she closes all the locker doors, the word 'look' is revealed in red paint.
Buffy is discussing her findings with Willow and Xander.
'Look'? That's all it said?
Look at what? Look at Mitch?
Maybe. All I know is it's a message.
And...
GILES walks up to the group at their lunch table.
Ah, here you are.
And monsters don't usually send messages. It's pretty much crush, kill, destroy. This was different.
I'd have to say you're right.
I love it when he says that! Any theories?
Giles takes a seat with them.
It's a bit of a puzzle, really. I've never actually heard of anyone attacked by a lone baseball bat before.
Maybe it's a vampire bat. (beat, off everyone's look) I'm alone with that one, huh?
Well, assuming the bat itself is not possessed, there are a few possibilities that bear investigating. Someone with telekinesis, the power to move objects at will, an invisible creature, or possibly a poltergeist.
A ghost?
Yes, and a very angry one.
Yeah, I'd say. The locker room was a real scene.
If it's a ghost, then we're talking about a dead kid.
I guess so. You know, why don't you compile a list of dead or missing kids? It's probably a good place to start.
And I'll research all the possibilities, ghosts included. But Xander, if you're not doing anything, would you like to help me?
What, so there's homework now? When did that happen?
It's all part of the glamorous world of vampire slayage.
Well, what part do you have?
Gonna find out what I can about Mitch. This attack wasn't random.
Well, I want that part.
Fine. You can do it. Ask around, talk to his friends. Talk to Cordelia.
Talk to Cordelia? (to Giles) So research, huh?
Harmony finds Cordelia at the drinking fountain.
Hi!
Oh, hi.
Cordelia, you weren't in fifth period.
I went to the hospital.
Oh, Mitch. How is he? Will he be okay?
Well, the doctor says he'll be fine. They're gonna send him home tomorrow. But... you should've seen him lying there. All black and blue. How's he gonna look in our Prom pictures? How am I ever gonna be able to show them to anyone?
Well, they can do wonderful things with airbrushes these days.
You think?
Harmony finds Cordelia at the drinking fountain.
Hi!
Hi! Did you see Mitch? He just broke up with Wendy eight seconds ago, and he's already nosing around.
It's shameless!
In the spring, if he makes Varsity Baseball, maybe I'll take him on a test drive.
Another girl, MARCIE, walks up, kind of mousy, not nearly fashion-forward enough to fit in with Cordelia's court. She greets Harmony and Cordelia nervously, but eager to fit in and make friends.
Hi, guys!
Cordelia turns and looks at her as if she's filthy animal.
What do you want?
Cordelia and Harmony walk along the balcony toward the stairs.
I just hope they can prop him up long enough to take the picture.
Buffy emerges from a doorway.
Cordelia, can I talk to you?
Oh, great.
Why is she always try--
With a short cry, she suddenly lurches backward and tumbles down the stairs. Buffy, Cordelia and others come running down after her. Principal Snyder sees it happen also and moves into damage-control mode.
Harmony!
Oh, for heaven sakes! Clear back, everyone. Give her some air. (to a student) You! School nurse, now!
The student nods and scrambles to get the nurse.
Ow! Oh, my ankle! I think it's broken.
What happened?
Hey, who's the principal here? (to Harmony) What happened?
She fell! She-- we were standing at the top of the stairs and she just fell. All by herself.
No, I was pushed!
Buffy gets up when she hears laughter and footsteps going up the stairs. She follows the sounds up the stairs as Snyder bends down and touches Harmony's ankle.
Ow!
Don't sue.
Buffy reaches the top of the stairs and still hears the laughter. She sees a door close and ducks through it.
Buffy pokes around the dim and deserted band hall. The room is set up in risers with chairs and music stands arranged on them in a semi-circle around a central conductor's platform.
Is anybody here?
She feels something bump her from behind and hears footsteps pattering into the band room. She looks around, confused.
Hey! Who's here?
More motion from somewhere but Buffy can't pinpoint it. The ceiling access hatch in the corner rises up, but Buffy doesn't notice it.
Okay, I know someone's here. Look, I'm not gonna hurt you. I just wanna talk to you.
The ceiling hatch lowers back into place. Buffy looks around and finally leaves. The camera pans from Buffy up to the ceiling hatch in a corner above a cabinet.
Students are leaving for the day. The camera pans over to two men dressed in black suits watching the student's activity from across the parking lot. Buffy, Willow, Xander and Giles emerge from the building.
Giles, have you ever touched a ghost?
No. From what I've heard, having a ghost pass through you is a singular experience. It's a rather cold, amorphous feeling. It makes your hair stand on end.
You see, that's my problem. I touched the thing, but it didn't go through me. It bumped into me. And it wasn't cold.
So we're talking about what-- an invisible person?
A girl. She laughed.
A girl on campus with the ability to become invisible.
That is so cool!
Cool?
Well, yeah, I would give anything to be able to turn invisible. Well, I wouldn't use my powers to beat people up, but I'd use my powers to protect the girls' locker room.
It must be a fairly heady experience... having that ability.
How'd she get it? Is she a witch? 'Cause we can fight a witch.
Hmm. Greek myths speak of cloaks of invisibility, but they're usually for the gods. (off everyone's look) Research Boy comes through with the knowledge!
This girl's sort of petty for a god.
She's got a grudge. But why Harmony?
Harmony and Mitch. The common denominator is...
Cordelia!
So what now?
First thing tomorrow, why don't you pull up that missing kids list?
Got it. I'll see ya then.
Bye.
Willow heads off.
See ya. (leaves with Willow) Oh, hey, do you want to come to our place tonight for dinner? Mom's making her famous phone call to the Chinese place.
Xander, do you guys even have a stove?
So, I'll look into ways that you can de-cloak an invisible someone. What about you?
I think Cordelia's gonna be working on her May Queen dress tonight. Maybe there'll be some action. Guess I'm gonna start the hunt.
How exactly do you propose to hunt someone you can't see?
Buffy gives Giles an inquisitive look, not sure how to answer.
You may have to work on listening to people.
Very funny.
I thought so.
Buffy walks into the darkened hall and hears activity off to her left. She follows it and finds the room where Cordelia and her friends are prepping her dress. Buffy hears the conversation and laughter coming from the room.
Should I wear my hair up? Do you think I should wear it up?
Buffy peeks through the door to watch.
How does the hem go? Is it long enough, or...
Buffy smiles.
Isn't it beautiful?
Buffy wistfully remembers her own experience as Prom Queen, days long past when her life was normal and she could enjoy such mundane activities. As she turns to go, she hears a flute playing in the distance somewhere. She begins to follow the sound.
Giles stops as he hears the music, too. The music stops and he continues into the stacks. He hears a furtive squeaking sound and stops again.
Who's there?
He looks at his reflection in a glass-enclosed bookcase and sees no one but himself in the room behind him. As he turns away, he is severely startled by Angel standing right behind him. He looks back at the glass but doesn't see Angel in it.
A vampire casts no reflection.
Don't worry. I'm not here to eat.
Buffy told me you don't feed from humans anymore.
Not for a long while.
Is that why you're here? To see her?
I can't. It's... too hard for me to be around her.
A vampire in love with a Slayer. It's rather poetic, in a maudlin sort of way. What can I... what can I do for you?
I know you've been researching the Master.
Yes, the Vampire King. I've tried to learn as much as I can about him for the day that Buffy must face him.
Something's already in motion, something big, but I don't know what. You've read all the Slayer lore there is, right?
I've studied all the extant volumes, of course. But the most salient books of Slayer prophecy have been lost. The Tiberius Manifesto, the Pergamum Codex...
The Codex?
It's reputed to have contained the most complete prophecies about the Slayer's role in the end years. Unfortunately, the book was lost in the 15th Century.
Not lost. Misplaced. I can get it.
That would be most helpful! My own volumes have been rather useless of late.
Angel indicates the book in Giles' arms.
Legends of Vishnu?
There's an... invisible girl terrorizing the school.
That's not really my area of expertise.
Nor mine, I'm afraid. It's fascinating, though. By all accounts it's a wonderful power to possess.
Oh, I don't know. Looking in the mirror everyday and seeing nothing there... it's an overrated pleasure.
Marcie looks at herself in the mirror as Cordelia comes bursting through the door, friends rotating around her like satellites. Marcie perks up and tries to join in their conversation.
God! I am never sitting through another one of those alumni lectures again. Two hours of 'My Trek Through Nepal'. Hello! There is nobody caring.
And did you guys see his toupee? I mean, it looks like a cabbage.
And those slides! 'That's a mountain. That's a mountain, too. Now look at some mountains.'
I swear, he had three slides and just used them over and over.
I know, but did you guys see his toupee? I mean, it was, like, the worst!
We're talking, okay?
Oh! And did you guys check out that extreme toupee? Yeah, that's realistic. It looked like a cabbage.
They all laugh as Cordelia and her friends leave the restroom. Marcie stares after them, stung and humiliated.
A student assembly, the results of the Prom Queen election.
The winner is Cordelia Chase! Let's bring up our new May Queen.
The students in the quad all applaud. Xander and Willow get up and leave, disgusted.
Thank you for making the right choice and for showing me how much you all love me. (off applause) Being this popular is not just my right, but my responsibility, and I want you to know I take it very seriously. It all began when...
Buffy leaning on a nearby pillar. Willow and Xander come over to her.
So, Giles said you'd be here. Why are you being here?
Last night was a bust. But I still think Cordy's the key.
This is the dead and missing list. I pulled up their classes, activities, medical records...
Good work.
Willow notices the two men in black suits loitering by some stairs.
Has Cordelia hired a bodyguard or something?
Hey, you guys, check out this one. It's the most recent one, Marcie Ross... disappeared, like, six months ago.
I don't know her.
Me neither.
Her only activity was Band. She played the flute.
So?
Well, last night when I was hunting, I heard this flute, but I couldn't figure out where it was coming from. And it was in the band room that I lost Miss Invisible yesterday. You know what, this all tracks. I'm gonna check it out. See you guys later?
Okay, we'll see you after Geometry.
...ask not what your school can do for you, ask hey, what am I wearing to the Spring Fling?
Buffy looks around for any clue as to where her quarry might have escaped. She notices a boot print on a dusty chair and starts scanning the ceiling. She spots the access hatch we saw earlier and uses a cabinet to climb up to it.
Inside, she finds Marcie's things. Her flute, teddy bear, sheet music and yearbook are there. Buffy opens the yearbook and finds Marcie's picture.
POV: Marcie watching Buffy going through her belongings.
Marcie Ross. So it is you.
A knife hovers into frame over Buffy's shoulder, but does not strike. Buffy closes the yearbook and takes it with her as she starts back down the hatch. In the band hall, she closes the hatch and climbs back down from the cabinet.
Ms. Miller is waiting for Cordelia to show up. Marcie walks in and closes the door. Ms. Miller hears this, but does not look up from her paperwork.
Cordelia, could you possibly be on time?
She looks up from her desk and sees no one is there. Puzzled, she goes back to her work as Marcie walks around behind her and giggles.
Who's there?
Marcie slips a plastic bag over Ms. Miller's head and ties it off, suffocating her.
Cordelia arrives at the door and knocks.
Ms. Miller is slumped over on her desk. Cordelia enters.
Ms. Miller? Oh, my God, Ms. Miller! Oh, my God! (pulls the bag off) Are you okay?
Ms. Miller draws a sudden deep breath and begins coughing.
Ms. Miller, what happened?
Behind her at the chalkboard a piece of chalk floats up and begins to write.
Attacked. Didn't see.
At the sound of the chalk on the board, Cordelia and Ms. Miller turn to see the word 'listen' written in large letters.
Giles is sitting at the table, going through various volumes while he, Xander and Willow listen to Buffy's report.
A nest?
It looked like she'd been there for months. It's where I found this.
She opens the yearbook and puts it on the table for Willow and Xander to see.
Oh, my god! (reads) 'Have a nice summer. Have a nice summer.' This girl had no friends at all.
Once again I teeter at the precipice of the generation gap.
'Have a nice summer' is what you write when you have nothing to say.
It's the kiss of death.
You guys didn't know Marcie Ross?
Never met her. Why?
'Cause you both wrote it, too.
'Have a nice...' Yeesh!
Where am I? (Buffy points) Oh. 'Have a great summer.' See, I cared!
You guys don't remember her?
No, I probably didn't see her except to sign the book. I mean, this is a big school.
Xander, we each had four classes with her last year.
So no one noticed her and now she's invisible.
What, she turned invisible because no one noticed her?
Of course! I've been investigating the mystical causes of invisibility when I should have looked at the quantum mechanical! (off their puzzled look) Physics.
I think I speak for everyone here when I say, huh?
It's a rudimentary concept that reality is shaped, even... created by our perception.
And with the Hellmouth below us sending out mystical energy...
People perceived Marcie as invisible and she became so.
So, who knows the answer to this one? Think about it.
Several students, including Marcie, raise their hands.
Cordelia?
Well, just because the story's about him, doesn't necessarily mean he's the hero, right?
Exactly. So, what do we call him? Willow?
Well, the protagonist.
Xander?
Why can't he be both? I mean, he did do some things that are pretty heroic.
Absolutely. Who doesn't agree with that?
Several students including Marcie raise their hands. Ms. Miller points to one.
Okay.
Marcie raises her hand again. Ms. Miller points to someone else.
And how about you?
Marcie becomes weary of constantly being passed over and sighs. She looks at her hand and watches as it becomes translucent and then transparent.
The group is really brainstorming now, figuring it out.
This isn't this great power that she can control. It's something that was done to her. That we did to her.
No wonder she's miffed.
What does she want?
Just what we thought. Cordelia.
She turns the yearbook to Willow and Xander to show them the marked up picture of Cordelia. Cordelia enters the library just in time to overhear her name.
What? I knew you'd be here. Buffy, I know we've had our differences, with you being so weird and all, and hanging out with these total losers...
Willow and Xander can't believe that she just said that in front of them. Cordelia suddenly realizes she may have overstepped.
Oh... well, anyway, despite all of that, I know that you share this feeling that we have for each other, deep down--
Nausea?
Somebody is after me! They just tried to kill Ms. Miller. She was helping me with my homework. And Mitch? And Harmony? This is all about me! Me, me, me!
Wow! For once she's right.
So you've come to me for help.
Because you're always around when all this weird stuff is happening. And I know you're very strong and you've got all those weapons. I was kind of hoping you were in a gang.
Buffy can't believe what she's hearing.
Please! I don't have anyone else to turn to.
Giles gets up and offers her a chair.
Please. Sit down.
Okay, thanks.
You know, I don't recall ever seeing you here before.
Oh, no. I have a life.
Okay. Cordelia, your attacker is an invisible girl.
Who is really, really angry at you, which I can't imagine personally, but it takes all kinds, y'know?
Well, I don't care what it is, just get rid of it.
Well, it's not that simple, it's a person, it's... (shows her the yearbook) It's this person. Now, do you have any idea why she'd be so--
Oh, god! Is she really wearing Laura Ashley?
So homicidal?
I have no idea. I've never seen this girl before in my life.
Marcie is here, watching and listening. She's obviously disturbed, unbalanced.
I won 'cause you didn't see me coming. Cordelia, you don't remember me. I remember you, all your idiot slut friends, I hate them. They take your life and they suck it out of you! But then they didn't see me coming. They gotta learn. They gotta learn.
According to what you told us about the attack on Ms. Miller, we now have two messages from Marcie: 'look' and 'listen'.
Messages we don't understand.
I don't think we're supposed to... yet. Marcie's not quite ready. But from what she did to Cordelia's picture, I would say that she's wigged on the whole May Queen thing. Maybe she's gonna do something about it.
Stop the coronation tonight, maybe. Keep you guys away from the Bronze?
Nothing is keeping me from the Bronze tonight!
Can we just revel in your fabulous lack of priorities?
If I'm not crowned tonight then Marcie's won! And that would be bad. She's evil, okay? Way eviler than me.
Cordelia has a point.
Buffy's with me on this.
Anyway, continuing the normal May Queen activities may be the best way to draw Marcie out. We can use Cordelia as bait.
Great! Bait?
Willow, Xander, you'll help me begin our research anew. Unless we find a way to cure Marcie's invisibility, then Buffy will be--
POV: Marcie, looking down from the stacks.
A sitting duck.
They all stand up and go about their respective tasks.
Come on.
Well, I have to try on my dress. And am I really bait?
Buffy and Cordelia are walking, Buffy enduring an endless stream of Cordelia verbiage.
So how much the creepy is it that this Marcie's been at this for months? Spying on us? Learning our most guarded secrets? So are you saying she's invisible because she's so unpopular?
That about sums it up.
Bummer for her. It's awful to feel that lonely.
Hmm. So you've read something about the feeling?
Hey! You think I'm never lonely because I'm so cute and popular? I can be surrounded by people and be completely alone. It's not like any of them really know me. I don't even know if they like me half the time. People just want to be in a popular zone. Sometimes when I talk, everyone's so busy agreeing with me, they don't hear a word I say.
Well, if you feel so alone, then why do you work so hard at being popular?
Well, it beats being alone all by yourself.
She continues down the hall. After considering that for a moment Buffy quickly follows.
Willow stops at the sound of a flute playing softly.
Shhh! Listen!
They all listen for a moment and look in the direction of the music.
Come on.
They come rushing out of the library.
We could... talk to her. Perhaps reason with her. Or possibly grab her.
There are three of us.
Let's go!
Buffy opens the door and turns on the light.
If you ever tell to anyone that I changed in a mop closet...
Your secret dies with me. (inspects the interior) Looks okay. But hurry.
Okay.
Buffy leaves Cordelia in the closet and closes the door behind her.
Giles, Willow and Xander come down the stairs and look around. They all listen for the plaintive moan of the flute. Xander picks it up, coming through a pair of heavy metal doors.
Over here.
He opens them and they all follow him into the boiler room.
Giles calls out to the girl, hoping to create a rapport.
Marcie? We know what happened to you. Please, can we talk to you?
We're sorry we ignored you.
Xander follows the sound of the flute over to a shelf at find it's coming from a tape recorder playing next to an air duct.
Can you say 'gulp'?
Marcie can be heard running from the room and slamming the door behind her. CU on the main gas valve: open and hissing.
What's that sound?
Buffy talks to Cordelia through the door.
You know what you were saying before? I understand. Somehow it doesn't seem to matter how popular you are when--
You were popular? In what alternate universe?
In L.A. The point is, I did sort of feel like something was missing.
Is that when you became weird and got kicked out?
Okay. Can we have the heartfelt talk with a little less talk from you? (no response) Cordelia?
She hears noises inside the closet and some muffled screaming.
Cordelia!
Buffy tries the door, but it's locked. She slams her hand through the door and reaches in to unlock it. As she bursts in, she sees Cordelia being pulled up through the ceiling.
Buffy!
Buffy tries to jump and grab her legs, but she misses and Cordelia's legs disappear into the darkness above. Buffy steps back, takes a running leap, grabs a pipe and swings herself up and through the opening in one fluid movement.
Giles discovers the source of the odd hissing sound.
It's gas. (checks the furnace) She's snuffed out the pilot light. The gas is on full! I can't find the shutoff valve.
Xander finds the valve handle on the floor.
Is this it?
Okay, that's bad. How about the door?
She and Xander slam themselves into the door, but it doesn't budge. Xander spots a prybar, grabs it and starts to swing it at the door like a ram.
No! One spark and you'll take the whole building with us!
Buffy looks around Marcie's "nest" and finds Cordelia lying there, unconscious.
Cordelia! (checks her pulse) Oh, my God!
She's looking around desperate for help, when Marcie kicks her. She rolls away and falls through a ceiling panel and onto a desk below, smashing it. She rolls away, dazed. Marcie drops a medical bag next to her and opens it. Buffy comes to and lifts her head to look around as Marcie takes a syringe out of the bag and moves toward Buffy. Buffy sees the needle a moment before Marcie injects her in the neck. As Buffy's vision blurs, she falls back to the floor, unconscious.
Establishing. The sun is still up, but setting fast.
Cordelia and Buffy are tied to the thrones for the May King and Queen. Buffy wakes up.
Buffy? You're awake?
Yeah.
I can't feel my face!
What do you mean?
My face. My face is numb. What is she doing?
I don't know.
Cordelia looks at the curtain. 'Learn' is written on it in glitter.
What does that mean?
I don't know.
Giles tries to turn the gas valve off with his bare hands with some success.
That should give us a few minutes, but if we don't get out of this room soon...
Why is Marcie doing this?
The loneliness, the constant exile, she's... (coughs) she has gone mad!
Ya think?
A tray wheels itself over to Buffy and Cordelia.
I'm disappointed. I'd really hoped you guys had figured it out by now.
Well, why don't you explain it? C'mon, Marcie, what are we supposed to learn?
Yeah, what do you want to teach us?
You don't get it. You're not the student. You're the lesson.
What did you do to my face?
Your face. That's what this is all about, isn't it? Your beautiful face. That's what makes you shine just a little bit brighter than the rest of us. We all want what you have. To be noticed, remembered. To be seen.
What are you doing?
Well, I'm fulfilling your fondest wish.
She pulls off the cloth covering the tray, revealing several gleaming and wickedly sharp surgical instruments. Cordelia gasps when she sees them.
I'm gonna give you a face no one will ever forget.
Willow is slouched on the floor, weakened by the lack of oxygen. Giles takes off his jacket and wraps it around the pole Xander found to prevent sparks.
One, two, three!
The two of them ram the door with the pole and it makes a deep, loud boom, but it doesn't budge.
Again!
The door still won't budge.
Buffy tries to reason with Marcie.
Marcie, you can't do this.
What are you gonna do? Slay me?
Marcie, you know this is wrong.
Marcie punches her.
You should have stayed out of my way. Y'know, I, thought you would understand my vision, but you're just like them.
She takes a scalpel from the tray and arcs it toward Cordelia's face.
Please don't do this! Nooo!
You should be grateful. I mean, people who pass you in the street are gonna remember you for the rest of their lives.
Buffy struggles to reach for the tray while Marcie concentrates on Cordelia.
Children are gonna dream about you. And every one of your friends who comes to the coronation tonight will take the sight of the May Queen to their graves.
Wait!
No, we really have to get started. The local anesthetic's gonna wear off soon and I don't want you to faint. It's less fun if you're not awake.
Willow is now unconscious. Xander and Giles are on the floor gasping.
You guys are... I'm blacking out on you.
He collapses onto Willow.
The floating scalpel hovers threateningly close to Cordelia's cheek.
Let me see. I think we should start with your smile. I think it should be wider.
Marcie, I know you think I don't understand, but I do!
Yeah, I'll bet you know how I feel. I'm sure you can just be with all your friends and feel so alone 'cause they don't really know you. You're just a typical, self-involved, spoiled little brat, and you think you can charm your way out of this, don't you? (screams) Isn't that what you think?
She swings the scalpel and slices Cordelia's cheek. Buffy looks at her in shock.
I see right through you.
Buffy has freed her legs and kicks the instrument tray into Marcie. She stumbles back into the curtain. Buffy quickly pulls the rest of the ropes off and gets out of the chair.
Oh, my god! Get me out of here, please!
Buffy starts working on Cordelia's ropes.
Hold still!
Sounds of Marcie getting up. She kicks Buffy away from Cordelia.
Oh, my god!
Giles is weakly slapping against the door. It suddenly flies open and Giles falls through it. Angel stands in the doorway and looks around and down. He quickly grabs Giles and helps him up.
Come on!
He pulls Giles out of the room, then helps Xander up, and finally takes Willow in his arms and carries her out. Giles slams the door closed. They all cough and sputter, clearing their lungs of the gas.
What happened?
You tell me.
I'm up, mom.
Hi! What do you want?
I brought you the Codex. (hands the book to Giles) I came in through the basement. I smelled the gas.
Yes, well shut it off, otherwise the whole building will go up!
I'll get it. It's not like I need the oxygen.
Come on, let's get out of here.
He leads Willow and Xander up the stairs and Angel watches them go. When they're gone Angel goes into the room to shut off the gas.
Buffy struggles to her feet, preparing to fight.
Y'know, I really felt sorry for you. You've suffered. There's one thing I really didn't factor into all this. You're a thundering loony!
Buffy, are you okay?
Buffy tries to get up but Marcie kicks her back down.
Oh, my God! Oh, my God!
Buffy tries to get up again, but Marcie punches her and knocks her onto the chair.
Buffy!
Buffy falls off of the chair and tips it over onto herself in the process. Buffy stands up again and takes a blind swing.
Hey, moron! I'm invisible. (knocks Buffy down) How are you gonna fight someone you can't see?
Cordelia is in hysterics and it's distracting Buffy.
Cordelia, shut up.
Okay.
Buffy closes her eyes and tries to sense where Marcie is. Marcie slowly walks around her. The floor creaks under her foot and Buffy spins around and lashes out with a vicious kick. Her foot connects solidly with Marcie and sends her staggering back into a banner which wraps around her. She gets up with the banner draped over her head, providing the perfect silhouetted target for Buffy.
I see you.
She punches Marcie again, knocking her to the floor. Suddenly, a side door slams open and several dark-suited men rush in, guns drawn.
Everybody stay where you are.
FBI! Nobody move!
The two lead agents run over to Buffy and Marcie. AGENT MANETTI holds out his arm to keep Buffy back.
Okay, we'll take it from here now, ma'am.
He helps Marcie up.
Take what from where?
The other agent, DOYLE, speaks up.
I'm Agent Doyle, this is Agent Manetti. We're here for the girl.
Well, where were you ten minutes ago when she was playing surgeon?
I'm sorry, we came as fast as we could.
Oh, my God!
Doyle hands Marcie off to another agent who leads her away.
We'll take it from here on.
You can cure her?
We can rehabilitate her.
In time she'll learn to be a useful member of society again.
Marcie is led out of the Bronze by the FBI.
Where are we going?
Very useful.
This isn't the first time this has happened, is it? It's happened at other schools.
We're not at liberty to discuss that.
It would be best for you to forget this whole incident.
Do you know that you guys are very creepy?
Thank you for your help.
Oh, and have a nice day.
Buffy watches them go, shaking her head.
Can I get untied now?
Buffy smiles at Cordelia and kneels down to untie her.
The team is walking toward the library.
I just can't believe how twisted Marcie got. By the way, how did you guys get out of the boiler room?
Oh, well, when the gas was coming down, we--
Janitor found us. Shut the valve off.
We were lucky.
I'll say.
Cordelia strides down the hall toward them.
Hi.
Hey!
Look, um, I didn't get a chance to say anything yesterday with the coronation and everything... but, um, I guess I just wanted to say thank you, all of you.
That's funny, 'cause she looks like Cordelia.
Buffy elbows him in the chest.
You really helped me out yesterday and you didn't have to. So thank you.
It's okay.
Listen, we were gonna grab lunch in a minute if you wanted to--
Mitch comes up behind Cordelia and slips his arm around her.
Whoa, whoa. You're not hangin' with these losers, are you?
Are you kidding? (walks away with him) I was just being charitable. Helping them with their fashion problems. You think I really felt like joining that social leper colony? Puh-leeease!
Boy, where's an invisible girl when you really need one?
They four of them head off into the library.
Doyle and Manetti escort Marcie into a classroom.
I think you'll be happy here.
You should fit right in.
Marcie doesn't answer, but quietly enters the classroom. The only person visible in the room is the FBI TEACHER.
Welcome, Marcie.
Hey.
Class, this is Marcie.
Out of nowhere, a chorus of voices.
Hi, Marcie.
Sit down.
Marcie takes the chair on the end of the row.
Okay class, let's get started. Everybody turn to page fifty-four of your texts.
Marcie opens her book and flips through to the indicated page. The title of chapter eleven reads 'Assassination and Infiltration'.
Cool!