[Transcript of "Buffy The Vampire Slayer" episode I Only Have Eyes For You 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.
Pan past the live band into the crowd packed on the dance floor swaying to strains of a love ballad. CORDELIA and XANDER are dancing close, smiling into each others' eyes.
WILLOW is looking around for BUFFY and finally spots her on the upper level leaning against the railing and watching the band.
BEN approaches Buffy from behind.
Hey.
Buffy turns to him, a little surprised.
I'm Ben. We had Algebra II together last year.
Sorry, I pretty much repress anything math-related.
Ms. Jackson? Second period? You sat in the seat three over and one behind.
Oh! Yeah, I remember now. It's the one with the desks and the chalkboards and pencils and stuff, right?
That's the one.
Like a steel trap.
So I was wondering, you know the dance tomorrow night? Are you going?
You mean the Sadie Hawkins thing? The deal where the girls ask the boys?
Yeah.
And I thought maybe, you know, if you're free, you might ask me.
Oh, gosh... I...
Ben lets her off the hook.
Oh hey, hey, no, don't worry about it...
No, you seem like a really great guy, it's... me. I'm not seeing anybody. (beat) Ever again, actually.
Oh. That's too bad. (long beat, awkward) Okay, well, I better...
He heads off into the crowd.
Sorry.
Sad, she watches him for a moment, then heads for the stairs. When she reaches the bottom, Willow meets her.
Hey! You're bailing?
Yeah. I'm going to stop by the library and see if Giles wants me to patrol and then sack it.
You've been doing that a lot. Patrolling and sacking. In fact, you've kind of been All-Work-And-No-Play Buffy.
I play. I have big fun. I came here tonight, didn't I?
You came, you saw, (glances up) you rejected.
You mean that guy? Just not in date mode right now.
Well, maybe you need to date to get in date mode.
I don't think I'm ready for that, Will.
You're thinking too much. Maybe you need to be impulsive.
Impulsive? Do you remember my ex-boyfriend, the vampire? I slept with him, he lost his soul, now my boyfriend's gone forever and the demon that wears his face is killing my friends. The next impulsive decision I make will involve my choice of dentures.
Okay, the Angel thing went badly-- I'm on board with that-- but that's not your fault. And anyways, love isn't always like that. Love can be... (smiles) nice!
A BOY chases a GIRL as she walks away from him determinedly.
Come back here! We're not finished!
He grabs her by the arm and turns her around to face him.
You don't care anymore, is that it?
No, it doesn't matter... it doesn't matter what I feel.
Then tell me you don't love me. (shakes her) Say it!
Will that help? Is that what you need to hear? I don't. I don't! Now let me go.
No! A person doesn't just wake up one day and stop loving somebody.
He takes a step back, raises a revolver, pulls the hammer back and aims it at her. She looks at the gun, then up at him, frightened.
Love is forever.
Opening credit sequence.
The boy has the gun trained on the girl.
I'm not afraid to use it. I swear! If I can't be with you...
Buffy walks around the corner and sees the grim tableau.
Hey!
Oh, my god!
The girl turns and starts walking away as Buffy runs at the boy.
Don't walk away from me, bitch!
Down another hall GEORGE, the janitor, hears the yelling, drops his mop and starts toward the commotion. Buffy charges the boy full-on. He looks at her just as she seizes his arm and brings it down over her shoulder, forcing the gun from his grasp. She elbows him hard in the gut, doubling him over, then grabs him by the shirt and throws him to the floor. The girl looks on in shock as Buffy bends down to pick him up by the collar. George arrives at a run and sees to the girl. They both look over at Buffy and the boy as she pushes him away, against the lockers. He is in open-mouthed shock over what just happened.
What happened?
What happened? You just went O.J. on your girlfriend!
This is nuts! I... I don't know why I got so mad.
Because you're a jerk?
He's not. We weren't even fighting a few minutes ago.
We weren't, I swear to god!
If you weren't fighting, then why'd you have a gun?
George looks around the hallway.
I don't-- I don't know. I don't even know where I got it.
I don't see any gun.
Buffy looks at him, confused, and she and the boy look around also.
The next day. Principal SNYDER enters and closes the door behind him.
I'm sure you know why I asked you here.
Buffy as she takes a seat in front of his desk.
To thank me?
That's right, I want to thank you. What would Sunnydale High do without you around to incite mayhem, chaos and disorder?
I don't incite! I stopped that boy from killing his girlfriend. Ask him. Ask the janitor.
People can be coerced, Summers. I'm no stranger to conspiracy. I saw JFK. I'm a truth seeker. I've got a missing gun and two confused kids on my hands. Pieces of the puzzle. And I'm going to look at all the pieces carefully and rationally and I'm going to keep looking until I know exactly how this is all your fault.
Buffy is about to respond when his secretary buzzes him over the intercom.
Mr. Snyder, Billy Crandal chained himself to the snack machine again.
Pathetic little no-life vegan...
He gets up to go take care of Billy and Buffy stands up to go also.
Not so fast, missy. I'm not done with you yet. You stink of lies.
He points to her chair, and she sits back down and sighs. He leaves the office and closes the door behind him. To Buffy's right is a bookcase containing copies of every Sunnydale High yearbook since the school opened. The yearbook from 1955 slides off the shelf of its own volition and falls to the floor. Buffy picks it up. She looks at the cover, looks over at its space on the shelf, shrugs and puts it back.
Willow is still substituting for Jenny Calendar. She walks along the front of the class, addressing the students.
So for next time, read the chapters on information grouping and binary coding.
Giles looks into the classroom from the hall.
I bet you'll think coding is pretty cool. I mean, if you find two- digit, multi-stacked conversions and primary number clusters a big hoot.
Everyone in the class laughs. The bell rings and the students begin to leave. Willow notices Giles waiting just inside of the doorway.
Giles! I made them laugh, did you hear? I did the joke thing!
Yes, so it seems. I mean, you did indeed. Good show. I just stopped by to see if you needed any assistance, but you seem to have things quite under control.
Well, I had good lesson plans. Ms. Calendar had them on her computer.
Yes, she was very... dedicated.
And I found a bunch of files and internet sites on paganism and magick and stuff.
Oh?
Yes, it's really interesting.
Giles looks off, trying to control his grief over Jenny's death. Willow tries to keep his mind off it.
And I found this in her drawer.
Giles looks up as Willow holds out a light pink crystal strung on a leather thong.
She told me it was a rose quartz and it has healing powers. (beat) I thought she'd want you to have it.
He gets up from the desk and reverently takes the necklace from her, turning it over in his hand.
Oh, thank you, Willow. That's... that's very thoughtful of you.
He turns and leaves the classroom.
Buffy has her chin propped up in her hand, bored with the lecture and trying not to fall asleep. The TEACHER, a bookworm of a man, drones on.
Before 1935, the New Deal focused on revitalizing stricken business and agricultural communities. And the New Deal also tried to regulate the nation's financial hierarchy to avoid another disaster like the 1929 stock market crash.
Buffy can't help but close her eyes for a moment. Suddenly, she hears a woman's voice and she shakes herself out of her reverie. She looks up and her male history teacher has been replaced by a middle-aged woman.
Don't forget! Your assignments are due on Friday, class.
The students gather their things and begin to file out of the classroom. Buffy looks around and is taken aback by the sudden change in appearance of the classroom and the different dress and hairstyles of the students. Shaken, Buffy overhears two girls chatting.
I told Ms. Hall we'd go help decorate the gym. Who are you taking?
The girl hands a flier for the Sadie Hawkins Dance to her friend. Buffy can see that the year on it reads 1955.
David said yes.
Oh, you're kidding! He's so dreamy!
Buffy looks around, even more confused. She silently watches the surreal scene unfolding around her.
The teacher, MS. NEWMAN, collects homework papers from the students as they leave. One of the boys, JAMES, hands her his paper and she takes special note of him.
Thank you, James. How are you enjoying that book I loaned you? The Hemingway.
I like it. Very much. It's honest.
He slowly reaches for Ms. Newman's hand and gently takes it.
Yes, it's... it's based on a true story, actually. He fell in love with his--
The door opens and they quickly break contact. Suddenly Buffy finds herself back in the present as her history teacher continues his lecture, writing notes on the board.
...hours, child labor...
Buffy stares in surprise at what the teacher has written on the board.
...and collective bargaining.
The teacher looks back at the class and the students all start laughing. He looks back at the board and sees what he's just written: DON'T WALK AWAY FROM ME BITCH!.
Oh, my god!
He quickly grabs an eraser and frantically wipes it away.
Did you see what he wrote?
Buffy and Xander leave the lounge and head down the hall.
I'm telling you, something weird is going on.
"Something weird is going on." Isn't that our school motto?
Pretty much. But I don't know. This time it bugs me.
They reach Xander's locker and he starts to work the combination.
I don't want to poo-poo your wiggins but a domestic dispute, a little case of chalkboard Tourette's? All sounds like Hellmouth Lite to me.
He opens his locker and a muscular green arm shoots out and grabs him by the shirt. He screams as it slams him into the locker. Buffy takes him by the shoulders and tries to pull him away, to no avail. Finally Buffy manages to free him and Xander falls to the floor as Buffy slams the locker shut.
The other students in the hall seem confused, but stay well back from Xander and Buffy. Buffy decides to look inside the locker again and cautiously lifts the latch. She slowly opens the door, and they both peek in. Nothing. The locker is completely normal.
Willow is at the table studying. She looks up when she hears the doors open and sees Xander's torn shirt.
Xander, what happened? Did Cordelia win another round in the broom closet?
You're just a big bucket of funny, Will. I'll have you know I was just accosted by some kind of locker monster.
Giles looks up from his filing.
Loch Ness Monster?
'Locker' monster is what he said. But it wasn't really a monster. It was like, this big arm that came out of the locker, but then we opened it again-- it was gone. Nothing.
This was right after Buffy's history teacher starts doing some freaky channeling thing in class.
Oh! Sounds like paranormal phenomena.
A ghost? Cool!
Oh, no, no. No cool. This was no wimpy chain rattler. This was 'I'm dead as hell, and I'm not gonna take it anymore.'
Well, despite the Xander-speak, that's a fairly accurate definition of a poltergeist.
I defined something? Accurately? Guess I'm done with the book learning.
So we have some bad boo on our hands?
Yes.
Well, why is it here? Does it just want to scare people?
Unfortunately, he doesn't know exactly what he wants. That's the trouble. See many times the spirit is plagued by all manner of worldly troubles. Being dead, it has no way to make its peace, so it lashes out, growing ever more confused, ever more angry.
So it's a normal teenager, only dead.
Well, what can we do? Is there any way to stop it?
The only tried and true way is to work out what unresolved issues keep it here and... resolve them.
Fabulous. Now we're Dr. Laura for the deceased.
Only if we can find out who this spirit is. (considers) Or was.
George is doing his usual mopping. Behind him a classroom door opens and a teacher, MS. FRANK, walks out on her way home.
Working late, Ms. Frank?
My fault. Let myself get behind. Is it okay to walk here George? It is George, right?
Oh yes, ma'am. You go ahead.
Thanks. You have a nice evening.
You too. Drive safe. (beat) Oh, Ms. Frank?
Yes?
George drops his mop and approaches her.
You can't make me disappear just because you say it's over.
There's no way we can be together... no way people will ever understand. Accept it.
Is that what this is about? What other people think?
No! I just want you to be able to have some kind of a normal life. We can never have that. Don't you see?
I don't give a damn about a normal life! I'm going crazy not seeing you. I think about you every minute.
She steps closer and puts her hand up to his cheek. He looks down sadly.
I know. But it's over. It has to be.
She turns around and starts to leave. He looks up again and starts to chase after her.
Come back here! We're not finished yet!
He grabs her by the arm and turns her around to face him.
You don't care anymore? Is that it?
No, it doesn't matter... it doesn't matter what I feel.
Then tell me you don't love me. (shakes her) Say it!
Will that help? Is that what you need to hear? I don't. I don't! Now let me go.
No! A person doesn't just wake up one day and stop loving somebody.
He takes a step back, raises a revolver, pulls the hammer back and aims it at her. She looks at the gun, then up at him, frightened.
Love is forever.
George and Ms. Frank can be heard faintly as they continue their quarrel.
I'm not afraid to use it. I swear. If I can't be with you...
Oh, my god.
Don't walk away from me, bitch!
Giles notices George's loud yelling and looks up from his desk. He gets up, takes off his glasses and walks out of his office to the area behind the checkout counter.
He hears a faint female voice.
I need you.
He looks around for a moment, then jumps to a conclusion.
Jenny.
Giles follows the voice out of the library.
Giles arrives at the hallway intersection.
Don't!
Giles looks in the direction of George's voice and sees him out on the balcony holding the gun on Ms. Frank.
Don't do that, damn it! Don't talk to me like I'm some dumb--
The gun goes off and Giles dives for cover. Ms. Frank is thrown backward from the force of the bullet's impact. She tumbles over the balcony railing lands at the base of the stairs below. George peers over and sees her lying dead on the ground. He panics and runs into the hall. Giles rushes out and tackles him to the floor. George loses his grip on the gun and it skitters away across the tile. As it does, it dissolves in a whiff of black vapor. George raises his head as Giles gets to his knees behind him and holds him down.
What's going on?
What's going on? You just shot a woman.
George is stunned by the realization of what he's done.
Establishing. A large deserted mansion, set back in the trees. The architecture is modern in style, but the lot overgrown and the place has the air of something long abandoned.
ANGELUS walks in leading SPIKE and DRUSILLA on a tour of the house.
And this... this is the garden.
Wow! Look. Jasmine.
Night blooming.
Like us. Oh, Angel, it's fairyland. (turns in excitement) Oh!
It's paradise. Big windows, lovely gardens. It'll be perfect when we want the sunlight to kill us.
If you don't like it, Spike, hit the stairs and go. Take a stand, man.
Well, our old place was just fine till you went and had it burned down.
Things change, Spikey. You gotta roll with the punches. Well actually, you've pretty much got that part down, haven't you?
Very funny, mate.
What can I say? I just love to see you smile, buddy.
Angelus holds up a jasmine bloom and brushes it across Drusilla's cheek as he growls into her ear.
Yeah, you're a giver.
Spike turns his wheelchair around and leaves the room.
Giles has called the gang in to brief them about the incident with Ms. Frank.
It was just as with the couple you encountered the other night, Buffy. The janitor remembered everything. He knew he'd killed this poor woman but he had no idea why. Well, they had no intimate relationship.
What about the gun? Did you find it?
No, no. The police, everybody, we searched high and low. I think it's very clear what's happening here.
Fill me in then, 'cause I've read the book, seen the movie, and I'm still fuzzy about what's going on.
It's Jenny.
What?
You think she's the ghost?
Well, don't you see? She died here under tragic circumstances and now she's trapped.
But what about the gun? I mean, Angel didn't shoot Ms. Calendar.
The gun is insignificant. It's the violence of the thing that matters.
I don't know. These fights these couples keep having, it's sort of... specific.
She's right. It's a pattern that doesn't fit with the way Ms. Calendar died.
Yes well, I appreciate your thoughts on the matter, In fact I... well, I encourage you to always challenge me when you feel it's appropriate. You should never be cowed by authority. Except, of course, in this instance, when I am clearly right and you are clearly wrong.
Willow, Xander and Buffy enter.
This is freaky. I don't ever remember ever seeing Giles be this weird.
Willow sits at the desk and starts up her laptop.
I know. He's usually Investigate-Things-From-Every-Boring- Angle Guy. Now he's I-Cling-Onto-My-One-Lame-Idea Guy. What gives?
He misses her. He can't think. Just a little more fallout from my love life.
Okay, but this ghost stuff is something else. Let me do a crosscheck on other shootings at the school.
Yeah, we need some alternate ghost theories. What do we know?
Dog spit is cleaner than human.
Besides that?
Oh, boy! We know plenty.
She scrolls through a newspaper article on her laptop. The headline reads "Sunnydale High Jock Kills Lover, Self".
It says a student murdered a teacher on the night of the Sadie Hawkins Dance. The rumor was they were having an affair and she tried to break it off. After he killed her, he went into the music room and shot himself.
Ladies and gentlemen, we have a ghost. It is one of those two, right?
It all fits: the gun, the Sadie Hawkins Dance.
Which is tonight.
How come we've never heard about this murder-suicide thing before? When did it happen?
Nineteen fifty-five.
Willow and Xander both look up at her, surprised.
How did you know?
Later. Buffy sets the 1955 Sunnydale High yearbook on the desk and opens it to a picture of Ms. Newman.
Okay, here's the new strangeness. I dreamt about this woman, Grace Newman, the other day. Her and this guy.
Jim Stanley? He's the one. He did it.
Your dreams are getting wicked accurate, Buff. You wouldn't happen to see me coming across some big cash? Or possibly knowing the love of a woman? In a full-body sense?
He couldn't make her love him, so he killed her. Sicko.
He looks so normal in this picture. He was smart, too. He made the honor roll.
Smart...
He killed a person and killed himself. Those are pretty much two of the dumbest things you could do.
I know, but... well, don't you feel kind of bad for them?
Sure I feel lousy. For her. He's a murderer and he should pay for it.
With his life?
No, he should be doing sixty years in a prison, breaking rocks and making special friends with Roscoe the Weightlifter.
Yikes. The quality of mercy is not Buffy.
Whose ghost do you think we're dealing with? His or hers?
Well, considering how violent it is, I'm going to say his.
That tracks.
Well, I've been browsing on some of Ms. Calendar's pagan sites. Maybe I can find a way to communicate with them and... we can find out what he wants.
Who cares what he wants? We need to shut him down before some other innocent guy goes and kills some poor nice girl and then blows his brains out all over the music room wall.
Okay! (smiles and rubs his hands) Who's hungry?
The next day. Kraut dogs and spaghetti are on the menu today. Cordelia takes her tray and sits down next to Xander.
I hope you guys aren't going to the Sadie Hawkins Dance tonight because I'm organizing a boycott. Do you realize that the girls have to ask the guys? And pay and everything? I mean, whose genius idea was that?
Obviously, some hairy-legged feminist.
Really! Well, we need to nip this thing in the bud. I mean otherwise, things are going to get really scary.
Suddenly several students scream as their hotdogs and spaghetti turn into snakes. A boy pulls his snake-dog away from his mouth, leaving the snake protruding from his lips. He drops the bun, spits out the snake and quickly gets up, backing away from his table.
Xander and the others look back at their table and see snakes all over it as well. They all jump back, except for Cordelia, who is too busy screaming to think. When she finally looks at the table again a snake lunges at her and bites her on the cheek. She reacts fast, throws the snake off of her and runs.
Snyder walks through the door and stops in shock when he sees the mayhem. He steps back just as a student runs by and falls over a table. Moments later the cafeteria is deserted.
The police are present, supervising a team of pest controllers gathering the snakes, which have made their way throughout the school. Students are still fleeing the building and running around in a panic. Cordelia and Xander sit in the back of an ambulance while a paramedic dresses Cordelia's snakebite.
Perfect. I'm going to be scarred and swollen. Why didn't they just kill me?
The POLICE CHIEF's car. Snyder holds the door open as the Chief steps out.
Schoolboy pranks?
Never sell.
The sewer got backed up.
Better. I can probably make that one fly but this is getting out of hand. People will talk.
You'll take care of it.
I'm doing everything I can but you people have to realize--
Snyder breaks off as two parents approach.
Snyder, what's going on here?
Backed up sewer line. Same thing happened in San Diego just last week.
The parents seem to accept that and move off in search of their children.
We're on a Hellmouth. Sooner or later people are going to figure that out.
The City Council was told that you could handle this job. If you feel that you can't, perhaps you'd like to take that up... with the Mayor.
I'll handle it. I will.
The Chief walks off leaving Snyder disconcerted.
Buffy sits on her bed, talking with Xander, Cordelia and Willow.
Remember the plan to contact the spirit and talk to it? Scrap that plan. Buffy, you were right. The time for touchy-feely communication is passed. I've done some homework and found the only solution is the final solution.
Nuke the school? (smiles) I like that.
Not quite. Exorcism.
Are you crazy? I saw that movie! Even the priest died.
What's the deal?
Willow lays down a map of the school building and they all lean in to look.
Okay, see here, the balcony? That's where the original teacher died back in 1955 and that teacher last night. That's the hot spot where all the bad mojo is coming from. We need to create a Mangus Tripod.
A what?
One person chants here on the hot spot. And the other three chant in other places around the school forming a triangle. It's supposed to bind the bad spirit and keep it from doing any more harm.
Well, I'll take the hot spot. If there's trouble, that's where it'll be.
Willow nods.
This ghost, this James guy, is fixating on you, Buffy. The dreams, the yearbook... you sure you can handle it?
Well, I'm hoping he'll show. (cold) I truly am.
The group is preparing for the ritual.
Okay, we all have our places. We do the chant and light the candle at midnight exactly. Any questions?
Yeah, what if this mangled triangle thingy doesn't work?
Oh! I almost forgot. I made us all scapulas.
She starts handing them out.
Okay, so we can flip the ghost over when it turns a nice golden brown?
Scapula, not spatula. You wear it around your neck for protection.
You expect me to wear this? It smells like grandpa breath.
Sorry, I didn't have a lot of time. I had to use sulfur. Stinky, but effective.
Okay, let's do this.
They move into the student lounge.
No problem. This will be a piece of cake. Right?
They hear a creaking and then a crashing noise. They jump and look in the direction of the noise and see that the doors at the end of the hall have slammed shut on their own. One by one the other doors at the ends of the two intersecting halls slam shut as well.
Drusilla sifts through the dirt in one of the large planters.
Maybe I'll sleep underground. Dig myself a little burrow.
What about your pretty dress, sweet? It'll get all dirty.
Then I'll sleep naked. Like the animals do.
You know, I'm suddenly liking this plan.
Drusilla lies down on the ground in front of the planter.
Fortunately, nobody cares what you like, mate.
Oh, yeah? Let's ask Dru.
He slides off of the bench and crouches, looking at Drusilla. She begins to laugh as she has a vision.
There's a gate! It's opening!
Incoming! I love when she does this.
What gate, pet? What do you see?
It's black. It wants her.
Wants who?
The Slayer. It's time, Angel. She's ready for you now. She's dancing. Dancing with death.
Big deal. He won't do anything. Our man Angel here likes to talk but he's not much for action. All hat and no cattle.
Angelus slides his arm around Drusilla's waist.
I don't know about that. I think this whole Slayer thing has run its course. I'm ready to focus my energy elsewhere.
Really?
Oh, yeah! What with you being Special Needs Boy, I figure I should stick close to home. (slides his hand over Drusilla's body) You and Dru can always use another pair of hands.
Drusilla coos with delight and Angelus chuckles maniacally. Spike is furious but helpless to stop it.
The hall outside of the school library. Willow is cautiously making her way past the library when Giles suddenly opens the door behind her and she screams out in fright. He starts and yells out, too.
God, Willow, what are you doing here? You're not supposed to be inside.
Me? What about you?
I'm trying to... I think I may be close to contacting Jenny.
Willow gives him an understanding look. He starts to go back into the library, but turns back.
What's that smell?
It's my scapula.
Ah, right, of course. Did you use sulfur?
Yeah.
That's clever. Well, run along then. There may be some paranormal phenomena if I contact her. You don't want to be in the line of fire.
He goes back in and the door swings shut behind him.
Okay. 'Night.
Cordelia walks in with her candle and flashlight and looks around. The place is deserted. She sees her reflection in the mirror with a bandage on her cheek. She walks over to it and sets the candle down on the shelf. She pulls off the bandage and winces at the pain. Leaning toward the mirror she inspects the twin fang marks on her cheek.
Buffy hears the song I Only Have Eyes For You, playing from somewhere. Down the hall she can see shadows and a bright light dancing against a wall. She walks toward the sound and through a pair of doors.
A Class of '55 Sadie Hawkins Dance flier is taped to one of the windows. Buffy steps over to the door and looks in. There she sees James and Grace dancing slowly to the music.
There are still a few snakes slithering around. Xander enters and looks around nervously.
Oh, yeah, baby... it's snakalicious in here.
Willow looks around nervously.
Buffy is watching James and Grace slowly turn as they dance.
When James turns into view again, Buffy sees that his face is rotted and decomposing, the face of a corpse. Buffy stares back in open-mouthed shock then looks around in confusion as James and Grace are suddenly gone.
Cordelia digs in her purse for some makeup. When she looks back up into the mirror, the flesh around the snakebite suddenly starts decomposing and sloughing off, exposing the muscle and bone beneath. Cordelia screams in terror at the top of her lungs.
Willow sets her candle down on the floor. Below her the floor suddenly starts to swirl and a green demonic hand reaches up and seizes her, pulling her down. She
screams for all she's worth, and flails desperately at the stair railing to keep from being pulled in.
Giles!
He hears her screams and comes running.
Willow!
Giles! Giles!
The demon is too strong and she loses her grip on the railing.
Where are you?
He runs into the lounge area.
Please! Help! HELP ME!
He turns and sees her sinking into the floor and scrambles up the stairs to her aid.
He pulls her by the arms and slowly lift her out of the pit swirling in the floor. She tumbles into his arms and they both fall down the stairs.
Buffy puts her scapula around her neck as she has a vision of Ms. Newman running out of the hall onto the balcony, chased by James brandishing his gun.
Stop!
Just calm down.
James points the gun at her, shaking, and it goes off. Ms. Newman clutches her chest, then pulls her hand away, gaping at the blood. James walks back into the music room, puts on a record and starts crying as he raises the gun to his head and pulls the trigger.
Buffy on the balcony as James' rotted corpse walks up to her and takes her by the arms.
Get out!
The vision of him fades quickly and Buffy takes a hesitant step backward.
Cordelia pants with fear, covering her face with her hands. She looks into the mirror again and sees that her face is back to normal again. She pulls her hands away, takes a closer look and sighs with relief.
Giles sits down next to Willow.
Are you all right?
Giles, Jenny could never be this mean.
I know. It's not her, is it?
I'm sorry.
The town clock begins to strike midnight. Willow remembers her responsibility.
Oh, god.
She scrambles back up to the landing to light the candle. He follows.
Careful up here!
Cordelia is nervous but ready with her candle and lighter.
Buffy strikes a match and lights her candle.
Willow struggles with her lighter but the flame won't ignite. Giles crouches down, takes it from her and lights the candle. Willow looks at him gratefully, then begins the spell.
I shall confront and expel all evil.
Cordelia lights her candle.
I shall totally confront and expel all evil.
Xander sits on a table with his lit candle before him. He has his legs crossed, hands folded and eyes closed as if in prayer.
Out of marrow and bone...
Buffy lights her candle.
Out of house and home... never to come here again.
Giles and Willow look around in confusion. Nothing is happening.
SKIP CUT (SEPARATE TAKES):
CAFETERIA: Xander opens his eyes. Nothing.
BATHROOM: Cordelia looks around. Nothing.
BALCONY: A breeze blows out the candle flame. Buffy looks in the direction of the gust.
STAIRWAY LANDING: The candle snuffs out.
CAFETERIA: Xander looks around nervously as his candle winks out.
BATHROOM: Cordelia watches a curl of smoke drift up from the glowing wick.
Giles and Willow walk down the stairs and peer down the hall. A faint buzzing sounds in the distance, growing louder, approaching. At the far end of the hall a dark roiling cloud swings into view. Giles is the first to recognize the swarm of wasps for what it is.
Oh, my god!
Giles and Willow both break into a dead run. As they round the corner, Buffy and Cordelia join them.
You all right?
Xander runs out of the cafeteria as they all reach the far end of the hall to find the doors are jammed shut.
Get back!
Giles backs off and Buffy smashes the door open with one powerful kick, shattering the glass. The group runs out with the wasps right behind them.
When they reach the street, Xander looks back and stops.
Check it.
They stop and turn to look.
I'd say school's out for good.
They all stare in amazement: the wasps have covered the school so that nothing can get in or out.
Buffy leans against the wall while Giles pours some tea for himself.
The good news is none of you girls were shot. (beat) Well, we've established, based on all the parallels and Buffy's visions, that it's James' spirit.
So what do we do, Giles? About James.
Well, he's obviously reliving the night of the Sadie Hawkins Dance when he killed Ms. Newman. It's common enough for a spirit to do this, to... recreate a tragedy.
Hey. If Sunnydale High School shuts down forever, do we automatically graduate?
But why? What does he want?
He stops to consider Cordelia's question after all.
Actually, that's an interesting point.
He's trying to... resolve whatever issues are keeping him in limbo. What exactly those are, I'm not--
He wants forgiveness.
Yes. I imagine he does. But when James possesses people, they act out exactly what happened that night. So he's experiencing a form of purgatory instead. I mean, he's doomed to kill his Ms. Newman over and over and over again and... forgiveness is impossible.
Good. He doesn't deserve it.
To forgive is an act of compassion, Buffy. It's not done because people deserve it. It's done because they need it.
No. James destroyed the one person he loved the most in a moment of blind passion. And that's not something you forgive. No matter why he did what he did. And no matter if he knows now that it was wrong and selfish and stupid, it is just something he's going to have to live with.
He can't live with it, Buff. He's dead.
She stares at them all for a moment, then stalks off into the kitchen. Cordelia munches her cracker.
Okay. Over-identify much?
Buffy puts her hands in her pockets and finds a sheet of paper. She pulls it out and unfolds it. It's a Class of '55 Sadie Hawkins Dance flier. She puts the flier down as a faint male voice reaches her.
I need you.
She goes out the kitchen door into the night.
Willow gets up from her chair.
So what do we do next? Do we go in again?
Well, not now. No, the... the spirit is too angry, too powerful. No, we have to work out exactly how and if this thing can be defeated.
The school is still surrounded by the swarm of wasps. Buffy pays them no mind and the swarm parts to let her in. When she reaches the doors they open for her and the swarm closes in behind her.
Willow enters, looking for Buffy.
Hey Buffy, are you...
See sees the flier lying on the island and picks it up.
Oh, god. Giles! She went back.
Giles, Cordelia, Xander and Willow stand before the school, watching the wasps crawl over the building in an angry cloud.
So what now? Not even a mega-vat of Raid's going to do the trick here.
I don't get it. Is she trying to be a big loner hero or something?
No. I believe she's under the spirit's thrall. He's calling her.
But why?
James needs her to re-enact everything that happened on the night that he killed Ms. Newman. He wants to change things, make a happy ending.
But it can't ever happen! It always ends the same, which means Buffy just went in there to get shot, Giles.
Yes. But the school's deserted. There's no way for James to... to play his part. There's no man inside for him to possess.
So Buffy should be safe until we find a way to get her out.
In theory, yeah.
Buffy walks idly through the halls. She stops by the trophy case and turns around. Angelus arrives and stands before her.
Fun fact about wasps. They have no taste for the undead. Not that a sting would do me any damage, it's just... tonight's special. I wanted to look my best for you.
You're the only one. The only person I can talk to.
Gosh, Buff. That's really pathetic.
You can't make me disappear just because you say it's over.
Angelus approaches her.
Actually... I can. In fact, I just want you to be able to have some kind of normal life. We can never have that, don't you see?
I don't give a damn about a normal life! I'm going crazy not seeing you. I think about you every minute.
Angelus raises his hand to Buffy's cheek.
1955. Grace puts her hand on James' cheek. He looks down sadly.
I know. But it's over. It has to be!
She turns around and starts to leave. He looks up again and starts to chase after her.
1998. Buffy chases after Angelus.
Come back here! We're not finished!
She grabs him by the arm and turns him around to face her.
You don't care anymore, is that it?
It doesn't matter... it doesn't matter what I feel.
Then tell me you don't love me!
1955.
Say it!
Is that what you need to hear? Will that help? I don't.
1998.
I don't! Now let me go.
No! A person doesn't just wake up and stop loving somebody!
1955. Grace looks at James. He takes a step back, raises a revolver, pulls the hammer back and aims it at her.
1998. Angelus looks at the gun and then at Buffy, frightened.
Love is forever. I'm not afraid to use it, I swear! If I can't be with you...
Oh, my god!
He turns around and starts running toward the balcony.
1955. Grace runs from the hall.
Don't walk away from me...
1998.
...bitch!
Angelus runs away and she runs after him.
1955. James runs after Grace.
1998. Angelus barges through the door and out onto the balcony.
Stop it! Stop it! Don't make me!
He stops next to the balcony railing.
All right. Just...
1955. Grace turns around to face James.
You know you don't want to do this. Let's both... just calm down. Now give me the gun.
Grace holds out her hand.
Don't. Don't do that, damn it!
1998.
Don't talk to me like I'm some stupid...
The gun goes off. Angelus is knocked backward from the impact.
Giles and the others hear the gunshot.
Angelus has his hand clutched to his chest. He pulls it away and sees the blood. He looks up at Buffy. She stares back in open-mouthed shock at what she's just done.
James.
1955. Grace is thrown backward from the force of the bullet's impact. She tumbles over the balcony railing lands at the base of the stairs below.
1998. Buffy just stares in shock.
1955. James sees Grace lying dead below. He slowly goes back into the school.
1998. Angelus lies prone at the base of the stairs below.
Buffy slowly walks in, dazed.
Angelus. His eyes snap open. He props himself up on his elbows and looks up at the balcony.
Buffy walks to the record player at the back of the room. She turns it on sets it playing.
She looks into a mirror and James looks back at her. Her eyes are full of tears as she looks at him. He looks down at the gun in his hand.
Pans down from Buffy's face to the gun in her hand. She raises it slowly but a hand suddenly grabs her arm and pushes it back down. She turns and finds herself face to face with Angelus.
Grace!
Don't do this.
But I killed you.
It was an accident. It wasn't your fault.
Oh, it is my fault. How could I--
Shhh. I'm the one who should be sorry, James. You thought I stopped loving you. But I never did. I loved you with my last breath.
Buffy is sobbing.
Shhh... no more tears.
1955. Grace and James kiss.
1998. Angelus and Buffy kiss. They hold each other tightly in a loving embrace. Above them in the ceiling, a bright light appears and the spirits of Grace and James leave this world for the next. As quickly as it appeared, the light is gone.
Buffy and Angelus gently break off their kiss and open their eyes.
Angel.
He snarls, pushes her away and runs from the room, leaving Buffy in shock.
Giles paces behind the counter. The door opens and Willow, Xander and Cordelia walk in.
Everything seems normal. Not a snake, not a wasp.
Yep. School can open again tomorrow.
Explain to me again how that's a good thing?
I'm drawing a blank.
Giles goes back into his office where Buffy is resting.
Are you feeling any better?
James picked me. I guess... I guess I was the one he could relate to. He was so sad.
Well... they can both rest now.
I still... a part of me just doesn't understand why she would forgive him.
Does it matter?
No. I guess not.
Angelus stands by the fountain bare-chested, breathing frantically and scrubbing himself hard with the water.
You might want to let up. They say when you've drawn blood, you've exfoliated.
What do you know about it? I'm the one who was friggin' violated. You didn't have this thing in you.
He walks from the fountain and passes Spike in disgust.
What was it? A demon?
Love!
He grabs a clean shirt and starts to put it on.
Poor Angel.
Let's get out of here. I need a real vile kill before sunup to wipe this crap out of my system.
Drusilla runs up to him and snarls and he snarls back.
Of course. We'll find you a nice toddler.
Angelus starts up the stairs and out of the garden.
Want to come, pet?
No can do, Dru. I'm sure he'd be hell on wheels but we don't have much time. (to Spike) Gotta travel light. Sorry. Try to have fun without me.
Angelus and Drusilla rush out, leaving Spike to steam in anger.
Oh, I will.
He takes his foot from the footrest and puts it on the ground. He slowly gets up and stands tall, fully recovered. He angrily kicks his wheelchair and it spins off across the room.
Sooner than you think.