[Transcript of "Buffy The Vampire Slayer" episode The Dark Age 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.
PHILIP HENRY, dressed in a suit with a leather briefcase, walks past the 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.
Can I help you?
Rupert Giles! I need to see him!
Mr. Giles? He's our librarian. Next building over, first door on your left.
Philip rushes off without a word.
You're welcome.
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 snap behind him and turns to look. He hears a moan but sees nothing. Behind him he hears breathing and turns back again and sees a woman in the shadows.
Oh, god!
Slowly she walks into the light. She is dead and rotting and her eyes briefly flash a sickly yellow.
Deirdre?
Philip.
Philip quickly backs up but 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.
Help! Help! Somebody, please!
Deirdre slowly advances on him.
God, no! Help!
BUFFY is doing step aerobics to a techno beat. GILES sits at the table with his hands to his ears, not relishing the music. He raises his head.
Must we have this noise during your calisthenics?
It's not noise! It's music!
I know music. Music has notes. This is noise.
I'm aerobicising! I must have a beat!
Wonderful. You work on your muscle tone while my brain dribbles out of my ears.
Philip pounds on the door.
Help! Help! Please!
Deirdre continues to advance on him.
Help me, somebody, please!
Deirdre 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.
Buffy has finished her aerobics. She strolls to the table and turns off her boom box.
Ahhh! Very good. And the rest is silence.
Philip falls from Deirdre's grip, dead. A moment later Deirdre collapses next to him. After she hits the pavement she disintegrates into a puddle of slime. The puddle spreads out and onto Philip.
Opening credit sequence.
6
6
A nightmare. Giles is flashing back to his youth. He has visions of rituals and tattooing.
Time to go to sleep!
A vision of a hideous slavering demon.
Giles wakes with a start. He looks around as he sits up in bed, concerned but relieved to find it was only a nightmare.
Pan down from above a tree to Buffy and WILLOW sitting on a bench.
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 is massaging my feet!
Oh, that's good! 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!
Oh! Very impressive. You have such an eye for detail.
'Cause with the ziti!
XANDER wanders up to them.
What are you two up to?
Just having a quick game of 'Anywhere But Here'.
Oh! Amy Yip at the waterslide park.
You never come up with anything new.
I'm just not fickle like you two, okay? I'm constant in my affections. Amy Yip at the waterslide park!
Do you think Giles ever played Anywhere But Here when he was in school?
They see him coming toward them.
Giles lived for school. He's actually still bitter that there are only twelve grades.
He probably sat in math class thinking, 'There should be more math. This could be mathier.'
C'mon, you don't think he ever got restless as a kid?
Are you kidding? His diapers were tweed.
Xander chuckles. Buffy sees Giles about to walk by and calls out to him.
Giles!
Oh! There you are.
Hey, morning. Say, is that tweed?
What? Oh, yes. Now look, tonight is very important...
Now that's a surprise.
The group follows Giles to the library.
So, what's on tap tonight that's so important? Uprising, prophesied ritual, preordained deathfest?
Ah, the old standards!
A medical transport is delivering the monthly supply of blood to the hospital.
Mmm. Vampire Meals-On-Wheels.
Hopefully not. We'll meet outside the hospital at 8:30 sharp. I'll bring the weaponry.
I'll bring the party mix!
Just don't be late.
Have I ever let you down?
Do you want me to answer that or shall I just glare?
JENNY CALENDAR appears and sidles up to Giles.
Morning, England.
Oh, hello, Miss... Jenny.
Feel the passion!
Mmm-hmm!
Willow...
Coughing, not speaking.
We still on for tomorrow?
Willow smiles and nods.
What's tomorrow?
I'm reviewing some computer basics for the couple of students who've fallen behind. Willow's helping out for extra credit.
Those poor schlubs have to attend school on Saturday!
Nine AM okay with you, Xander?
Xander's smile fades and Willow bobs her head in amusement.
Got a bit of schlub on your shoe there.
Ha ha.
Well, Cordelia's going to meet us.
Oh, 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!
Walk me to class?
Pleasure.
Jenny and Giles head off. The others watch them go.
Look at them.
A twosome of cuteness.
Can't you just imagine them getting together?
As they contemplate the full ramifications of that, they become completely grossed out.
Giles and Jenny walking.
Oh! Thank you so much for loaning me the Forrester book. It's wonderful!
Well, I'm glad you enjoyed it.
Yeah, it was so romantic, so evocative.
That edition was my father's. I must've read it... twenty times.
Yeah, y'know how you have to dog-ear your favorite pages so you can go back to them?
What?
Well I mean, I practically had to fold back every single page. So finally I just started underlining all the pages I really wanted to discuss.
Giles turns pale.
Underlined...?
But then, of course, I spilled coffee all over it. I can't even read it...
It's a first edition!
I'm lying, Rupert. (smiles) The book's fine. (holds it up) I just love to see you squirm.
Yes, well, I trust I gave good... squirm.
Did anyone ever tell you you're kind of a fuddy-duddy?
Nobody ever seems to tell me anything else.
Did anyone ever tell you you're kind of a sexy fuddy-duddy?
Well, no. Actually, that part usually gets left out. (smiles) I can't imagine why.
This weekend.
Would you like to go out?
Mmm, 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.
This... Saturday, then.
Saturday night. I'll see if I can make you squirm.
She gives him a meaningful look before they head their separate ways.
Giles walks in to discover a Detective WINSLOW and two police officers waiting.
Rupert Giles?
Yes?
Detective Winslow. You're going to have to come with me.
Why?
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.
Winslow holds up the slip in a baggie.
My name?
CORDELIA breezes into the library.
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?
Cordelia, I'm a little busy right now.
Oh, great! (to Winslow) Can you help me with a ticket? It's totally bogus. It was a one-way street. I was going one way.
Cordelia!
What? Why does everyone always yell my name? I'm not deaf! And I can take a hint. (unsure) What's the hint?
To come back later.
Yeah, when you've visited decaf land.
She turns and stalks out the door in a huff.
Where do you want me to go?
The morgue ATTENDANT opens one of the body storage doors and pulls out the drawer.
Have you had your breakfast?
No.
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.
Do you know him?
Yes. Yes. 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.
Can you think of any reason why he might've wanted to contact you?
No.
Winslow indicates the tattoo on Philip's right arm near the inside elbow.
Do you know what that is? The tattoo.
No. No, I don't.
Buffy is waiting on Giles.
'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.
Hey, fellas.
Hey.
All's well that ends with cute ER doctors, I always say.
She watches them go to the back of the van and take out the insulated container. They start back with the driver and he gets back into the van. Buffy realizes something's wrong.
Since when do doctors take deliveries?
The van backs out of the ambulance slot. The doctors wave to the driver.
See ya.
The van drives off and behind it a car engine starts and a pair of headlights come on. An 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.
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 delivers 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 takes out a stake. She turns to attack him but pulls back at the last instant when she realizes it's ANGEL.
Angel!
Buffy! Look out!
He jumps up onto the car's hood and leaps off to tackle the vampire coming at her from behind. Angel punches him in the face, but he stays up. Buffy and Angel fight furiously, and Buffy manages to stake two of the vampires in quick succession. The third jumps into the driver's seat of the convertible 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.
How did you know about this?
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.
Do you think you could make sure the hospital gets the rest?
Angel just nods.
Thanks. I'm worried about Giles. He was supposed to meet me here.
Maybe he's late.
Giles? Who counts tardiness as like the eighth deadly sin?
Right. Go.
She hesitates then hurries off.
Buffy walks to his door and knocks. Giles opens the viewport and looks out at her, then opens the door.
Buffy. It's late. Are you all right?
I was going to ask you the same thing.
Yes, I'm fine, fine. Look, I'm rather busy at the moment, so I'll see you on Monday at school.
He starts to close the door. Buffy holds it open with her hand.
Giles, did you forget? The hospital, vampires, handy carryout packets of blood?
Oh! Yes, are you all right? Were you hurt?
No. I mean, my feelings a little. What's wrong?
Nothing. Nothing's wrong. I'm just in the middle of something extremely important and I'm sorry but I'm going to have to say good night now.
He closes the door in her face, leaving her confused and not a little bit hurt. She can hear Giles on the phone but leaves him alone to his work.
Giles is talking animatedly on the phone.
Yes, I'm sorry to disturb you. It's... I realize it's five in the morning there. I'm trying to reach Deirdre Page. My name is Rupert Giles. She knows me. It's very important. (listens to the bad news) I'm terribly sorry. I... I didn't know. When did she pass away? (beat) Oh, that recently. Yes, yes, we were friends when we were young. My condolences.
He hangs up the phone and stares off into space while he considers and remembers. He takes off his glasses and reaches for his drink. The bottle next to it is 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 Deirdre's name off of a list of five names: Thomas Sutcliff, Philip Henry, Deirdre Page, Ethan Rayne, Rupert Giles. He gets up and goes into the bathroom
Giles stands before 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 we saw earlier on Philip's arm. 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.
So. You're back.
Close on the storage drawers.
Inside Philip's drawer. He reaches up and pulls the sheet off of his face. His eyes glow a rotten yellow.
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 shambles out of the morgue.
Jenny, Xander, Willow and Cordelia head for the computer classroom.
This isn't right. School on a Saturday. It throws off my internal clock.
When are we going to need computers for real life anyway?
Jenny unlocks the classroom door.
Hmm, let's see. There's home, school, work, games...
Y'know, computers are on the way out. I think paper's gonna make a big comeback.
And the abacus.
Yeah, you know, you don't see enough abaci.
They all enter the room.
Willow, Xander and Cordelia each take a seat in front of a PC. Cordelia takes the one next to Xander.
All right, guys. The first thing we're going to do is... Buffy!
Buffy follows Jenny into the room.
Huh? Did I fall asleep already?
Aw, you miss your friends?
Sit here, Buffs! (stands up) Demilitarize the zone between me and Cordelia!
Yeah, and delouse him while you're at it.
Actually, I wanted to talk to you for a second?
Something wrong?
Is there some crisis that requires instant action? Very far from here?
It's Giles.
Well, he's all right, isn't he?
I don't know. 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 think he might've been... I think he was drinking.
He was home alone drinking?
But... tea, right?
Wasn't tea, Will.
Yep, yep, I knew this would happen. Nobody can be wound as straight and narrow as Giles without a dark side erupting. My Uncle Rory was the stodgiest taxidermist you've ever met by day. By night, it was booze, whores and fur flying. Were there whores?
He was alone.
Give it time.
So none of you guys have noticed anything different lately?
No!
Not really.
You haven't seen anything weird?
Nope.
No, he seemed perfectly normal yesterday when I saw him talking to the police.
Everyone turns and stares at her.
And you waited till now to tell us this because...?
I didn't think it was important.
We understand. It wasn't about you.
Well, what were the police talking to him about?
Oh, don't tell me, I know this one. Um... (thinks) something about... a homicide.
That's it. I'm calling him right now.
She goes to find a phone.
Buffy heads for Giles' office when she hears a noise from the stacks and stops in her tracks. 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.
A man observes her from the shadows. He puts his hands against the bookcase to push it over onto her. At the last instant, she looks up, sees ETHAN RAYNE, 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 spins him around.
I know you! You were in that costume shop.
Oh, I'm pleased you remember.
You sold me that dress for Halloween and nearly got us all killed!
But you looked great.
She punches him squarely in the jaw.
Owww! (beat) So now we're even?
I'll let you know when we're even. What're you doing here?
Snooping around.
Honesty. Nice touch.
It's one of my virtues. (smiles) Not really.
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?
Yes, the police. Well, they'll have all those questions and they'll really need Rupert to answer them all.
You know Giles.
We go back. Way back. You don't happen to know where he is, do you?
22
22
Giles' nightmare: the tattoo on his arm; visions of a demon, of Deirdre in her rotted state, of eyes glowing yellow.
Giles' phone rings. He stirs at his desk and fumbles with the phone, managing to pick up the receiver.
Hello.
Giles, it's me.
Buffy, unless this is an emergency, I'll see you on Monday.
What's the Mark of Eyghon?
Giles is shocked into silence. That's the last thing he expected her to say.
Giles?
Cat got his tongue?
I'm in your office with someone who claims to be an old friend of yours. Ethan Rayne?
He's there with you? Listen, Buffy, you're... you're in grave danger while Ethan's there. I want you to put the phone down and get out of the library as soon as possible.
I'm not going anywhere until you give me some answers!
Philip crashes through the window in Giles' office. Ethan steps behind Buffy and holds her in front of him.
Buffy?
Giles grabs his glasses and runs from his apartment.
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.
Ethan!
Xander runs in, followed by the others.
Don't let him get away!
Xander shoves Ethan up against the counter, but Ethan recovers and tries to make his escape through the open library doors. 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 follows but she sidesteps the door and kicks him into the cage as he runs by. She slams the door shut and locks it. Ethan writhes in pain on the floor.
Later. Ethan is sitting in a chair at the table being watched carefully by Buffy. The others observe Philip. Willow has seen enough and moves to Buffy.
I'm not going to get close enough to feel his pulse but... he looks dead.
Except for the walking and attacking Buffy part.
He's dead. Sorry, Philip. Really I am.
Giles rushes into the library.
Is everyone all right?
Super! (proud) I kicked a guy!
We're okay.
Dead guy 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.
It can't be!
Yes, it can. Hello, Ripper.
I thought I told you to leave town.
You did. I didn't. Shop's lease is paid till the end of the month.
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.
You should've left when I told you.
Ohhhh...
Giles?!
You put these people in danger. The people I care about.
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.
What dreams? What is going on here?
Tell her, Ripper.
Giles...
Philip breaks the cage door and throws it open into Jenny, knocking her out. Xander quickly pushes Cordelia out of harms way.
Jenny!
Giles scrambles to her aid as 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, disintegrating into a puddle of slime. Everyone stares at it in shock.
Now there's something you don't see everyday.
I'm going to be in therapy till I'm thirty.
Where's Ethan? 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.
Are you all right, Jenny?
She cradles her head in her hand.
Ow!
Careful! Can you stand?
I think so.
This is what happens when you have school on Saturday.
Xander shoots her a look.
Lean on me. It'll be all right.
Promise?
I promise.
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 a cat's eyes.
Giles sits at the table stroking Jenny's hair as she rests her head against her hand. Buffy comes striding back into the library.
How's your head?
Throbbing.
I lost Ethan. Giles, what's going on?
It's complicated, Buffy and quite frankly, it's private.
I don't care from private! I care from dead guys attacking us. I care from you lost-weekending in your apartment.
I wasn't... I was just trying to find a solution.
Giles, share! What is the Mark of Eyghon?
Giles rounds on Buffy, furious.
Hey! This is not your battle! And as your Watcher, I'm telling you unequivocally to stay out of it!
Buffy can't believe what she's hearing.
I have to get Jenny home.
He helps her to her feet.
Thank you.
She rests her head on his shoulder as the two of them walk from the library. After they're gone, Buffy turns to the others.
We have work to do. Will, I want you to find out anything and everything you can about the Mark of Eyghon.
I'll try the net but 'Mark of Eyghon' sounds like "Giles and his books" sorta deal.
Then we hit the books.
Willow heads up into the stacks.
Xander, how do you feel about digging through some of Giles' personal files and seeing what you can find?
I feel pretty good about it. Does that make me a sociopath? (beat) Nah.
Cordelia hops off of the counter and smiles at Buffy. Buffy looks at her questioningly.
What?
What about me? I care about Giles.
Work with Xander.
Well, when I say 'care', I mean--
Cordelia...
Okay, okay!
Giles helps Jenny into his apartment. She's still a little woozy and shaken.
Thanks for bringing me here. Not quite ready to be home alone just yet.
She accepts a drink from Giles and he walks around the couch and sits down next to her.
Jenny... I'm so very sorry about all of this. I... I never meant for you to be involved in any of this.
So I got involved. That's what happens when two people get involved.
Giles looks at her and smiles. He starts to make a move to kiss her but stops himself.
I really am, however, going to have to get you home. It's not... I'm not a very safe person to be around at the moment.
Nothing's safe in this world, Rupert. Don't you know that by now?
She reaches up and runs her fingers through his hair.
Willow has found something.
Ah! Aha! It's not Egyptian, it's Etruscan 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.'
Yeah, but what about non-temporary?
'Unless the proper rituals are observed, the possession is permanent and Eyghon will be born from within the host.'
I'm guessing eww!
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.'
I still don't get what this has to do with Giles.
I don't know about Giles but ancient sects used to induce possession for bacchanals and orgies.
Okay! Giles and orgies in the same sentence. I could have lived without that one.
Cordelia could've lived without Xander's comment.
Wait a minute. The dead guy's all puddly now.
So the demon's gone. There was no one dead to jump into. I mean, we're all not dead, right?
No, no one dead.
But someone unconscious.
Jenny yanks the phone cord from the wall.
What was that?
He comes out of the kitchen with tea.
What was what?
I thought I heard something.
I didn't.
He hands her a cup.
Here. Drink that and then I'll drive you home.
You could take me home. Or you could take advantage of me in my weakened state.
Buffy is on the phone.
Thank you, operator. (hangs up) There's no answer at Ms. Calendar's and Giles' phone is out of order. I'm going to go over there.
Jenny... I'm really very attracted to you.
Good.
But now really isn't the right time
Oh, there's never been a better time.
She pushes him back onto a chair, climbs onto his lap and kisses him hard.
He pushes her away.
It's not right. I would be taking advantage.
God, you just don't change, do you?
What?
"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. (deep male voice) Under your skin.
She seizes him by the hair and lifts him to his feet. She kisses him roughly and when she pulls back her face has started the transformation to Eyghon.
Was it good for you?
She smashes his head into the phone on the desk.
Aw, you never had the stomach. But that's okay. Because I'm about to rip it out!
She pulls him back and he cries out as he staggers into the bar and stumbles to the floor. Suddenly, Buffy smashes open the door and kicks Jenny 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.
Back off!
Three down, two to go. Be seeing ya.
She runs and dives through the window. Buffy crouches down beside Giles.
Are you all right?
Oh, Jenny! Oh, god!
Giles, how do we stop this?
Oh, god, what have I done?
Talk to me! Giles, you're scaring me.
I'm sorry.
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!
It is different.
Because you don't know how to stop it?
Because I created it!
Xander walks out of Giles' office.
Did you find anything?
The most meticulous banking and phone records you've ever seen. And this.
He hands her a picture of a young Giles in a leather jacket playing an electric bass guitar.
That's Giles?
Resigned and humiliated, Giles relates his dark secret to Buffy.
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... 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.
Eyghon.
Yes. One of us would go into a deep sleep and the others would summon him. It was an extraordinary high! God, we were fools.
You couldn't control it.
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.
Three down, two to go?
Giles nods.
Then it's going after Ethan. I'd better beat it there.
We'd better.
I'd better. Giles, you're barely mobile and speed is of a serious essence here.
I don't know how to stop it without killing Jenny.
I've got the guys working on it. I'll try to contain it until we figure something.
Buffy turns to leave.
Buffy? (she stops) I'm sorry.
I know.
Establishing.
Buffy opens the door and looks in.
Ethan? Giles told me everything. Look, it's coming for you.
Ethan appears behind her.
And you came to protect me? I'm touched.
Don't worry, it's nothing personal. To protect Giles I have to protect you.
How does Ripper inspire such goodness?
'Cause he's Giles.
And I'm not. Still, lucky me.
Hmm. Lucky you.
Well, we can't run. Eyghon will find us. (re: his tattoo) This mark's like a homing beacon.
That's okay. I'm not much into running.
Aren't we manly?
One of us is. You're going to hide till it's over.
Excellent plan.
Is there a way in through the back?
There's a back door. It's locked. I think it's solid.
We'll set up there. Let's go.
He indicates for her to go first.
Oh, no, please.
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.
Ladies first.
Ethan hums while he works. Buffy lies face down on a table with her arms tied together beneath her. She wakes up.
Wakey, wakey. You're missing all the fun.
What fun?
Your initiation.
He sets down a tray of tattooing instruments.
You know what? I'm not real interested in joining your club.
Too late. I already voted you in. You know, I hope you're not taking this personally, Buffy. I actually kind of like you. It's just that I like myself a whole lot more. If you think of it karmically, this is really big for your soul.
Buffy struggles with the rope.
You know, taking my place with the demon... giving so that others may live.
I'm going to kill you. Will that blow the whole karma thing?
He approaches with the tattoo needle.
Sweet child. 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 as he bends over her to begin.
You can go ahead and scream if you like.
He starts tattooing her on the back of her neck.
Willow, Xander and Cordelia are hard at work.
We have to figure out how to kill this thing and we need to do it fast.
'Hot lava.'
That's for a heretic.
Oh, yeah. Yeah, yeah, okay. Oh! 'Bury a potato!' No, that's for warts. Who writes this stuff?
I've got the solution right here. 'To kill a demon cut off its head.'
Oh, yeah! We'll find Ms. Calendar, then we'll decapitate her. Hey! She'll be the first headless computer teacher in school. You think anybody'll notice?
Do you know what you need, Xander, besides a year's supply of acne cream? A brain.
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 walks up to him and gets right in his face.
I've seen you fight and don't think I can't take you!
Give it your best shot.
Willow has had enough.
Hey! We don't have time for this! Our friends are in trouble. Now, we have to put our heads together 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!
She points to the door.
We're sorry.
We'll be good.
Okay. Now, we've done the research. We just have to figure out how to use it.
Oh, hey! Why don't we find another dead body for the demon to jump into!
Yes! At the cemetery.
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!
She's good!
Ethan has finished Buffy's tattoo.
Hmm. I think I missed my calling as an artist.
Ethan, listen to me. This is a bad idea. You're dealing with something very dangerous.
But it will get Eyghon off my scent.
He picks up a bottle of sulfuric acid. Buffy cringes.
Now relax. I'm finished with you. This is for me.
Buffy finds 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 Eyghon tattoo. Buffy looks at him like he's insane. He does his best not to scream but can't help himself.
Giles is about to leave his apartment when he's caught by a waking nightmare and collapses to the floor. He has visions of the Mark of Eyghon and various friends incarnate of Eyghon, and finally of Buffy with her new tattoo. He wakes.
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.
Ethan wraps his seared arm in a bandage.
Well, I hate to mutilate and run but...
He and Buffy suddenly notice a diffuse green light shine through the shop windows as Jenny's shadow stops at the door. The door opens and Jenny steps in, well on her way to transforming into Eyghon.
It's your time.
Buffy has almost sliced through the rope beneath the table. Jenny steps up to Ethan. He stares at her in fear. She sniffs a few times then realizes he's not the one she's after anymore. She turns to Buffy and her eyes glow a putrid yellow. She shoves Ethan aside just as Buffy cuts through the final strands of the rope. Buffy rolls off of the table and onto the floor as Jenny lunges for her. She kicks up and flips Jenny and the table over and onto the floor. They both stand up and Jenny holds the table in her hands and rushes Buffy with it, shoving her into a stack of crates.
Giles barges in through the door.
Eyghon! Take me.
Jenny tosses the table aside and turns to face Giles.
Buffy, get out of here!
Jenny slowly advances on Giles. Buffy interposes herself between them
No! No!
Jenny stretches her arm toward Buffy and she flies into a pile of boxes. Jenny grabs Giles by the collar, pulls him around and down to the floor and stands over him.
I've been waiting a long time to do this.
As Jenny bends down to kill Giles, Angel runs in through the door, seizes her and slams her into a crate, banging her head into it. He takes her by the neck and starts to choke her. Willow, Xander and Cordelia follow close behind. Willow holds Giles back as he gets up, concerned for Jenny.
He's killing her!
No! Trust me! This is going to work!
Angel continues choking Jenny as Xander helps Buffy up. Faced with Jenny's imminent death, Eyghon is forced to vacate her body-- into the nearest dead person: 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 drops to his hands and knees beside her.
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. Suddenly Eyghon 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 and after another moment's struggle, the demon inside Angel throws Eyghon out.
Without a host body to occupy Eyghon looses a final death shriek and crumbles into ashes. Angel gasps and collapses to the floor and the group rushes to his aid. Giles reaches out to Jenny. She turns and looks at him.
Jenny!
Rupert...
Sensing he'd better leave before Buffy gets hold of him, Ethan runs from the shop.
You knew that if the demon was in trouble it was going to jump into the nearest dead person.
I put it in danger.
And it jumped.
I've had a demon inside me for a couple hundred years... just waitin' for a good fight.
Winner and still champion.
I think that Ethan guy disappeared again.
Darn. I really wanted to hit him till he bled.
Well, at least it's over.
Buffy and Angel look over at Jenny and Giles. Jenny clings to Giles as they slowly walk out of the shop.
Willow, Xander and Buffy walk across the quad.
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.
Puttin' that demon into Angel was pretty brill, Will.
I wasn't sure it was going to work.
But it did.
Like a charm.
Hey! Maybe you should consider a career as a Watcher.
Oh, no, I don't think I could handle the stress.
And the dental plan is crap.
I don't see how Giles does it.
They spot him walking across campus.
I don't think he has a choice.
Jenny walks to the stairs and is about to start up when Giles catches up with her.
Jenny! Jenny...
She stops and turns to face him.
Rupert. Hi.
I tried to call you last night, see how you were.
Yeah, I... I left my phone off the hook. I seem to need a lot of sleep lately.
But you're all right? Is there anything you need?
Mmm, 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.
I would like to help.
I know.
Perhaps we could... talk sometime? Dinner or a drink? When you're feeling stronger.
Buffy sees them talking.
Sure, sometime.
Giles reaches out to her, but she draws away from him.
Yeah. Sometime. (beat) I better get to class.
Yes, of course.
He watches her disappear up the stairs. When she's gone he looks down sadly and after a moment heads for the library. Buffy catches up to him.
Hey. Is she okay?
The hills are not alive.
I'm sorry to hear that. I think.
I don't think she'll ever really forgive me. Maybe she shouldn't.
Maybe you should.
I never wanted you to see that side of me.
I'm not going to lie to you. It was scary. I'm so used to you being a grownup and then I find out that you're a person.
Most grownups are.
Who would've thought?
Some are even shortsighted, foolish people.
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. (beat) I think we're supposed to be training right now.
Yes. Yes, need to concentrate on your flexibility.
And you know what? I have just the perfect music. (holds up a CD) Go on, say it. You know you want to.
It's not music, it's just meaningless sounds.
There. Feel better?
Yes. Thanks.
They head off toward the library.
Bay City Rollers. Now, that's music.
I didn't hear that.