[Transcript of "Buffy The Vampire Slayer" episode Beauty And The Beasts at buffyology.com.]
Night in a wood near Sunnydale. The full moon rises slowly above the trees. Track among the trees and bushes, low to the ground and in slow motion. BUFFY reads in voiceover from Call of the Wild.
'One night after supper, the lead dog turned up a snowshoe rabbit. The dog lay down low to the race, his body flashing forward, leap by leap.'
Buffy's voice dissolves into WILLOW's. She is walking around the cage while reading from the book.
'He was sounding the deeps of his nature and the parts of his nature that were deeper than he, going back into the wombs of time. The rabbit could not--'
Suddenly a werewolf leaps, snarling, against the cage door near her head. The door rattles in its frame but holds. She starts and steps back.
Okay. Maybe we should try a less stimulating passage.
She flips through the pages of the book while OZ growls at her and settles back down in the cage. XANDER walks into the library, carrying a thermos and a couple of magazines, looking very tired.
Private Harris reporting for Oz watch.
Xander! Oh, good.
Xander yawns as he walks up to her and takes the book out of her hands.
Oh! Call of the Wild. Aren't we reading the Cliff Notes to this for English?
Some of us are. Anyway, it'll help you stay awake. It's good and very wolfy. (re: Oz) Seems to soothe the savage beast.
She takes Xander's arm and leads him away from the cage toward the table. We see that towels have been draped across most of the cage.
Except for the parts about... (whispers) rabbits.
Oz crashes against the cage again, causing Xander to jump.
Rabbis?
Willow frowns and takes her book back.
It... seems to make him a little overexcited. Okay. Now, he's had his 2:00 feeding, and after sunrise, if he forgets where his clothes are, they're on top of the file cabinet in his cage. (re: towels) I put those towels up for privacy.
No worries. I can handle the Oz full monty. I mean, not 'handle' handle, like 'hands to flesh' handle.
Okay. (nervous) Well, it's not for you. It's for me, 'cause I'm still getting used to half a monty.
Oh. Good. (realizes) Half? You and Oz? Which half?
Wouldn't you like to know? Anyway, he's more manageable tonight and on the third night. Tomorrow night, the total full moon, that's when he's a real wolfer. But in case there's trouble-- there won't be, but if...
She holds up the trank gun.
Sleepy time. Gotcha.
Thanks again for doing this. I wouldn't have asked, but I have this test.
No big. You can count on me. I got my coffee, magazines. Figured I'd read, maybe run the stairs over there a little bit. I'm good.
Willow gathers her things and waves at both of them on her way out.
Bye.
Oz raises his head and growls as she disappears through the doors. Xander picks up the book up, inspects the cover and looks over at Oz. He decides to make things easy on himself. He climbs onto the table, sets the book down at one end and lies on his stomach, using the book as a pillow. He smiles as he settles in for a relaxing nap. In the cage, Oz delivers a suspicious growl.
FAITH and Buffy are on patrol.
Nice place. Do you ever catch kids doing the diddy out here?
No. There's a smooch spot up by the woods. That's usually where kids go.
Yeah? Bet you and Scott have been up there kicking the gearshift.
Hardly. Only been on a few dates.
But you like him. And when you think about him, you get that good, down-low tickle, right?
Yeah, I guess but... (beat) How low?
You tell me.
How about not? But he is... (sighs) nice and he's funny.
And quite a muffin.
Blueberry. That crunchy, munchy stuff on top. But my most favorite thing so far is that he doesn't seem to be any kind of Hell Beast.
All men are beasts, Buffy.
Okay, I was hoping to not get that cynical till I was at least forty.
It's not cynical. I mean, it's realistic. Every guy from... Manimal down to Mr. I-Love-The-English-Patient has beast in him. And I don't care how sensitive they act. They're all still just in it for the chase.
Buffy doesn't argue.
A boy runs through the bushes in a panic and we hear a creature's growling and heavy breath in pursuit. The boy looks around wildly and trips over a low branch, rolling onto his back. The creature chasing him is quickly upon him and drags him away, screaming.
Opening credit sequence.
Willow, Oz and Buffy climb the stairs from the quad up to the balcony.
I don't think that's true, that every guy is in it only for the chase.
I know. It is an awful generalization.
Hey, Buffy!
She looks up and sees SCOTT enthusiastically approaching. Willow shoots Oz a knowing smile.
That's what I stopped you for, basically. Hey.
Okay. (smiles) Hey.
Scott's friends DEBBIE and PETE join them as well. Debbie is holding a bouquet of flowers.
How do, Debbie?
Hi, Oz. Hey, you're not doing jazz band this year?
Oh, can't take the pressure. It's not the music that's hard, it's the marching.
We have a marching jazz band?
Yeah but, you know, since the best jazz is improvisational, we'd be going off in all directions, banging into floats... scary.
He's just being Oz.
Pretty much full-time.
Those are pretty flowers.
Thanks. Pete brought them for me.
Yeah. Well, I'm sure Scott does that kind of stuff for you too, Buffy.
Oh, well, we're not up to flowers. (to Buffy) Are we? Up to flowers? Did I miss flowers?
No. We're pre-posy. Definitely.
Scott nods, relieved.
What time is it? Oh, I have to go see Mr. Platt today.
Platt? The school counselor?
I get to convince him that I'm Little Miss Stable so I can stay in school.
Platt creeps me out. I would totally quit going but I'm flunking senior bio and my teacher says I have success issues.
Senior bio? I kinda aced that final.
And how did you do that? Oh, right. You showed up.
If you want my notes, they're yours.
Thanks! That'd be great!
The bell rings.
We'd better go. (to Scott) I'll see you.
Yep.
They kiss lightly on the lips and Buffy turns and heads into the building. Oz and Willow follow her. Scott gives his friends a contented and satisfied look.
GILES and Xander are reading an article in the paper.
We need to recheck every possible exit avenue.
I'm telling you, it's a waste of time. I was here all night.
They look up as Willow and Oz walk into the library.
Right. It's good to see you. No need to panic.
Just a thought... poker: not your game.
What's the deal, Giles?
Now bear in mind most likely there is no deal but if there was a deal, then it would concern murder... last night. A male student was found in the woods.
Which student?
Jeff Orkin.
Jeff? He was... I knew him.
I'm afraid he was... terribly mauled. Now, much as I hate to think it, it could be the handiwork of--
Me.
Wolf you, not you you.
But it's not. Not wolf you, not you you. The room was secured, the gate was locked and the window unbreakable, and... (looks up at window) open!
Oh, god.
Not to freak. I rested my eyes now and then. That's all.
Willow is furious, betrayed. Giles glares at Xander. Oz says nothing, turning the implications over in his mind.
How long exactly did you... rest your eyes for?
A little now, a little then. But I never heard Oz leave and he was here in the morning when I... when I...
Woke up!
You could put it that way if you want to, Mr. Technical.
Oz walks over to Willow, looking at her sadly.
Oh, god.
She takes his hand and looks to Giles imploringly.
The door opens, and Buffy enters. MR. PLATT is sitting behind his desk with his back to her, looking out the window while his ever-present cigarette smolders between his fingers. He doesn't turn to face her when he speaks.
Two o'clock. Miss Summers.
Buffy Summers, reporting for sanity.
Her smiles fades when she realizes he still isn't going to turn around. He spews out a huge cloud of cigarette smoke.
Look... I know that I have to do this and I'll cooperate and I'll look at your ink blots and everything but... I don't want to talk about my life or my childhood or... anything for that matter, actually. And ... I don't want to be friends here.
Mr. Platt finally turns around.
We're not going to be friends. (smiles) You have friends already, I hope. Friends are a good thing. They like you, agree with you, tell you what you want to hear. That's not what you need right now. What you need is a trained, not too crazy professional who will always give you his honest opinion.
He pops the top off an aerosol can and sprays deodorizer around the room. Buffy gives him an odd look but says nothing.
Which I offer.
He stares at her for a moment before gesturing to a chair.
Have a seat.
Not too crazy? Those are your credentials?
Look, Buffy, any person-- grownup, shrink, pope-- any person who claims to be totally sane is either lying or not very bright. I mean, everyone has problems. Everybody has demons, right?
Gotta say I'm with you on that.
Excellent. So the hope I bring you is: demons can be fought. (Buffy looks up at him sharply) People can change. You can change. Now. Your turn. Let's start with why you ran away.
She looks up at him nervously.
That's a long story.
Bore me.
You know, I'm really over it. I'm moving on, I feel good, I'm even dating someone new.
All good things. But still, you're bringing me in at the end of the movie.
I was dating someone. It ended badly. My mom and I were fighting and I... kinda freaked.
Well, tell me more about this guy. The Bad Ending Guy.
She hesitates, then plunges forward.
He was my first... I loved him and then he--
Changed?
She looks up at him, surprised again.
Yeah.
He got mean.
Yes.
And you didn't stop loving him.
Buffy doesn't know how to respond.
Look, lots of people lose themselves in love. It's no shame. They write songs about it. The hitch is, you can't stay lost. Sooner or later, you have to get back to yourself.
And if you can't?
If you can't... well, love becomes your master and you're just its dog.
Buffy is surprised at his odd turn of phrase.
Buffy enters to find Giles pacing and everyone else sitting on the steps looking gloomy. She sets her bag on the table.
I'm afraid to ask.
CORDELIA looks up.
Oz ate someone last night.
He did not!
Oz does not eat people. It's more werewolf play. You know, I bat you around a little bit, like a cat toy. I have harmless, wolf fun. Is it Oz's fault that, you know, side effect, people get cut to ribbons and maybe then he'll take a little nibble and... (off Willow's look) I'm not helping, am I?
No. (to Buffy) Oz may have got out of his cage last night.
Or maybe there's another werewolf roaming the woods.
Perhaps. Perhaps it's something else entirely.
It's okay. We'll work together and we'll figure this out.
Yes... Buffy. You patrol the woods. The others, check out the morgue.
Right! We can see if it's a werewolf kill or not. But what about Oz?
Well, I have some research materials at home I need to look up. We could ask Faith to watch over him.
Oz looks pained.
What, you're having a Slayer watch me? Oh, good, we're not overreacting.
He gets up to leave, not wanting to listen to any more of this. Willow goes after him and he turns to her.
Okay. You know that thing where you bail in the middle of an upsetting conversation? I have to do that. It's kind of dramatic, I know, but... sometimes it's a necessary guy thing.
And I want you to... do the guy thing, but...
She glances and gestures at the clock on the wall. It reads 5:30 PM. Almost sunset. He looks back at her and the others, realizing this isn't the time to do the guy thing and, with a heavy sigh, walks into the cage. It locks shut with a clang.
Oz?
Get away from the cage.
What?
It's going to happen soon.
Willow doesn't move.
Get away from me.
He turns his back to her, shutting her out.
Buffy is patrolling by herself, looking and listening carefully.
A figure quickly and silently slips past her. Buffy senses something and raises her stake. Again the figure dashes by and this time Buffy sees it. She chases it through the underbrush
Buffy is suddenly bowled over as a man charges her from out of the darkness. She turns to look at him and he hesitates a moment, looking back at her as well. It's Angel, growling and snarling at her. His lips drip with blood and gore but he has on his human face, not vampire.
Buffy stares at him in wide-eyed shock.
Angel continues to growl at Buffy and charges her as she gets up. They both tumble to the ground and fight furiously but Buffy eventually gets the better of him and after a few vicious blows to the head, he loses consciousness. Panting with exertion, Buffy stares down at her lover, still not believing her eyes.
A flashlight breaks the gloom, illuminating several bodies lying on gurneys. Willow shines her light on the closed body drawers along the wall. She finds the one she wants and opens it lifting the plastic sheet away from Jeff Orkin's face. She sets her Scooby-Doo lunchbox on his chest and opens it. Xander approaches from behind as she takes out a plastic bag and a pair of tweezers. Xander takes one look at the body and nearly vomits.
Oh, god.
He bends over, holding his mouth, trying to hold it back. Willow calmly hands him the flashlight.
Here. Hold this.
He doesn't hold it very steady and Willow has to adjust his arm as she would an unruly desk lamp. She takes Jeff's hand and examines his fingers when Xander suddenly spins around and shines the light into Cordelia's face.
Aah!
God!
Willow reaches for Xander's hand again and pulls it around to shine the light where she needs it.
We're doing crime here. You don't sneak up during crime.
God, have a--
She sees Jeff's mauled body.
Okay! Scarred for life! Oh, god!
Willow calmly goes about getting some samples from under Jeff's fingernails.
Willow, how can you stand it?
Yeah, Will. I mean, this guy is pretty barf-worthy. Can't we be elsewhere? Like, you know, is Oz cleared or what?
She finishes with Jeff's hand and puts it back under the plastic, then moves the flashlight in Xander's hand around to inspect the rest of the body.
I'm not sure. I mean, there are a lot of incised wounds but they could be from anything.
Anything with big, sharp teeth and vicious--
Do you want to go back to the car and wait?
Willow starts to pick at Jeff's chest with the tweezers.
No. God. I'm just saying...
Almost done. Let me just get a few stray hairs from the body. They could be from the attacker.
Cordelia holds her nose against the stench.
Great. So we got everything we need?
Yep. That's it.
She drops the tweezers and faints dead away, falling back into Xander. He quickly gets an arm under her as she goes down and they all sink to the floor.
Okay... little too much excitement for the Wilster here. (to Cordelia) Doesn't look good for Oz, does it?
It really doesn't. This guy was ripped apart by a big wild animal.
Buffy finds Drusilla's steamer trunk and knocks Miss Edith and the other dolls off it. She throws open the lid, dumps the contents out onto the floor and picks up a heavy chain and shackles.
Buffy throws one end over a support beam and locks the shackles on Angel's wrists. She steps back as he lies unconscious on the floor, one arm held high by the chain. He wakes and gets to his knees, lashing out at her. He strains against his bonds and growls at Buffy, then crouches down and cowers like a trapped animal.
She circles him in a wide arc and stops when she notices a silhouette on the floor surrounded by scorch marks-- the spot where he fell from the dimensional portal.
Angel fights the chain and it pains Buffy to see him like this.
Oz paces the length of his cage, chafing at the confinement. Faith is oblivious as she dances to the music of Mark Ferrari on her portable CD player. Buffy walks in behind her and taps her on the shoulder. Instinctively, Faith spins around and lands a backhand punch to Buffy's face.
Oh!
She stumbles backward and braces herself against the portable card catalog.
Oh! Buffy! Are you okay? What are you doing here?
Bleeding internally but I'll live.
God, I'm sorry. (re: CD player) I guess I didn't hear you.
Figured as much. Ow. Again. Actually, I came to give you the rest of the night off.
Get out of jail free, huh? How come?
Couldn't sleep. Figured I'd cram for my French test.
That's cool. I was going kinda crazy in here but I can get in a few stakings before sunrise.
She heads for the door, handing Buffy the keys to the cage on the way.
Knock yourself out. Not literally, though.
Yeah. Later.
After Faith is gone, Buffy turns her attention to the card catalog. She pulls out the first drawer and begins her search.
Morning. Sunlight pours through the cage window and down on Oz, human again and naked.
Giles arrives with a cup of coffee in hand. He checks Oz, then unlocks the door and pulls it open. As he starts toward his office, he notices Buffy curled up in the stacks, asleep in a chair with a book on her lap and a drawer from the card catalog next to her on a stepstool. Other books are lying on the floor around her. He quietly reaches down for one of the books. As he does so, Buffy stirs from her slumber and looks up at him.
Hey.
Hello.
Buffy realizes what Giles must be thinking and tries to cover.
Oh. Boy. Faith and her nutty books.
Exploring Demon Dimensions and Mystery of Acathla.
Yeah! And she still listens to heavy metal. Freaky deaky.
Buffy...
She sees that he's not buying it.
What if... I told you that I had a dream about Angel... and it brought up some questions?
I'd say it was to be expected. Must have been some dream. I didn't think you knew what a card index was for.
I dreamt that he came back.
Of course. After Jenny was killed, I had dreams that she was still alive, that I saved her.
This was vivid. Really vivid. Three-dimensional, sensurround, the hills are alive...
She stops when she realizes her use of Jenny's metaphor. Giles considers for a moment.
Do you believe it was a prophecy?
No. I don't know. I... (sighs) I guess it just... it made me wonder. (beat) Is there a chance even? Could it happen?
Well, there's no record of anyone returning from a demon dimension once the gate was closed. I can't imagine how it could happen or why.
Let's just pretend for a second that... Angel somehow found his way back to Sunnydale. What would he be like?
I really can't say. From what is known about that dimension, it would suggest a world of... brutal torment. And time moves quite differently there, so...
I remember. So he would've been down there for hundreds of years.
Yes.
Of torture.
It would take someone of extraordinary will and character to survive that and retain any semblance of self. Most likely, he'd be a monster.
A lost cause.
Maybe. Maybe not. In my experience, there are two types of monster. The first can be redeemed, or more importantly, wants to be redeemed.
And the second type?
The second is void of humanity, cannot respond to reason... or love.
Willow shows up unexpectedly, bringing a box of donuts with her.
I thought Faith was on duty.
Oh, hey. Change of plans.
Glazed or cake? (smiles) It's fun to watch them make them. They use this spritzy thing and they drop the batter into this--
Couldn't sleep, huh?
I've been at Mister Donut since the TV did that snowy thing.
Behind her Oz has dressed and comes out of the cage.
How come you're the Wakey Girl? I mean, this time it's not your boyfriend who's the cold-blooded...
She breaks off at Buffy's wide-eyed look. Oz slips on his shirt and walks up to her.
Jelly donut?
Everything all right?
Yeah. What happened with the inspection of the body?
Anyone? They're yummy delicious!
Willow, come on. Was it werewolf? Was it a vampire?
It wasn't conclusive.
How could it not be conclusive? What did it look like? Was he bit?
Let her finish, Buffy.
No, it's just...
She realizes the sensitivity of the issue with Oz standing right there.
I'm sorry.
Buffy has a plate of multi-colored Jell-O and looks for a place to sit. Scott waves to her.
Buffy. Over here.
She sits with him and Debbie and Pete.
Hey.
Hey. I can't back you on that lunch. Nutritional demerits.
Oh. My stomach doesn't want hard food today. (re: green Jell- O) But there's fruit in it.
Those are marshmallows.
Oh. I'm really out of it today. I didn't sleep well last night.
Just don't tell Mr. Platt you have insomnia. He'll make you start a dream journal.
Oh, what's that, like a Barbie thing? Dear Dream Journal, how come Ken hasn't come around since he got that earring?
I never did it. He's a quack.
I kinda liked him.
Really? I guess he's kinda funny and stuff. It's just... sometimes I just don't like the things he says.
Oh, he definitely marches to the beat of his own drummer. Actually, I think he makes his own drums.
Well, my mom says that therapy can be completely helpful.
Yeah, but your mom has the wattage of a Zippo lighter, Scott.
Debbie giggles.
I hope you realize I don't actually know these people. I just... I thought you would like me better if I had friends, so I hired them. (off her look) So... I wanted to tell you that you look great today. But now I want to raise that to amazing because you didn't sleep well.
That's really sweet. And I wish I didn't have to, but I just remembered that I do, so I'll see you later.
She pats him on the shoulder as she leaves, leaving her Jell-O behind.
Uh, yeah.
Check out Scotty liking the manic-depressive chick.
Scott is not happy. It's obvious that Buffy's moodiness is wearing thin with him.
Buffy considers Pete's hurtful comment before continuing down the hall.
Buffy walks in through the heavy drapes hanging across the entrance. Angel crouches against the wall, whimpering. Buffy stops and looks sadly at his suffering. Slowly she moves toward him. Angel remains hunched over, not looking up or giving any indication that he knows she's there.
Angel?
He doesn't seem to hear her.
Do you understand me?
Still nothing from him. She moves a little closer. The tattoo on his back beckons to her. Slowly she reaches out and touches him lightly on the shoulder. He lashes out violently at her and roars and she jumps back. Then he goes back to his pathetic whimpering. Buffy looks at him, terribly hurt, and rushes from the mansion.
Above Angel, the bracket holding the chain begins to loosen. Dust falls as he pulls against it.
Pete and Debbie are walking to class.
Debbie, come on. Just for a minute.
He takes both of her hands and tries to push her against the wall but she evades him and pulls away.
No, I can't. I have to meet a friend.
He pulls her back to him by her wrists.
So you'll be late but happy.
He kisses her and reaches behind him with one hand to open a door.
Pete backs into the dark supply room pulling her in with him. Debbie giggles and once inside, he pulls her close and they embrace and kiss passionately. Pete breaks off the kiss and backs away toward the back of the room.
No, no. Let's stay here.
Relax, Debbie. What's wrong with you today?
He takes her in his arms again and kisses her again. After a moment, he notices an empty jar on the shelf. It contains a few drops of a green fluorescent fluid.
What is that?
She turns his face to hers and tries to kiss him again.
Nothing. Kiss me.
No. Debbie, you did not drink that, did you?
Drink it? You know I didn't.
Debbie, what's going on?
Her giddiness fades and she looks at him nervously.
Buffy opens the door and comes in. She finds him just as before, turned away from her.
Two o'clock. Buffy Summers, right?
Before he can respond she plows ahead with what she has to say.
Wait. Don't turn around. Okay? And don't say anything. Just listen. I mean, that's your thing, right?
She fidgets nervously.
There's something going on. I mean, this whole entire story is probably going to convince you that I'm loony-bin material, but... there's nobody else that I can talk to. Not Willow and not Giles. Nobody. If they found out, they'd freak on me or they'd do something and... I need help. I just, I need to talk to someone. I'm so scared. It's this guy. He...
She notices his cigarette: it's burned completely down to the filter, leaving a long ash where the tobacco used to be. She realizes that something is very wrong.
He's come back.
Pan from Buffy to Mr. Platt, sitting dead in his chair. His face and chest have been torn apart.
Pete is seething with anger. He picks up the empty bottle.
So the bottle just jumped out of the cabinet and spilled on its own?
Of course not. I was trying to get rid of it.
You were trying to get rid of it?
To help you. You know how you get.
You think this has anything to do with how I get?
Well, when you drink it--
When I drink it, nothing, Debbie. Nothing! (Debbie flinches) I don't need this anymore, okay? I am way, way past that now.
He slams the bottle back onto the shelf.
You see?
He takes another bottle down and throws it to the floor, breaking it.
You see? (breaks another) No more. (again) You could pour out everything I made and it wouldn't help. And you want to know why?
He grabs her by the arms and she whimpers in fright.
You want to know why? Because all it takes now is you, Debbie. You and your stupid, grating voice!
He suddenly yells out in pain and his head whips back and forth. The skin on his face and neck begins to thicken and the veins pulse and throb. Debbie watches in terror. With a final scream his transformation is complete: his face is mottled and grotesquely misshapen. Debbie is too frightened to even breathe. Pete shakes her violently.
You're the reason I started the formulas in the first place: to be the man you wanted! And you pay me back how? By whoring around with other guys and taunting me!
No! I don't! I don't even look!
Pete backhands her across the face and shoves her to the floor. She gets to her hands and knees and then slowly stands back up.
Is that something your shrink taught you, Debbie? Huh? To share? To communicate? To piss me off!!
He knocks her to the floor again and this time she stays down and cowers.
Well, guess what? Even he's not going to listen to your pathetic ramblings anymore. I'm all you've got now, Debbie! Do you hear me? I am all you've got!
She backs herself up against the wall, trembling in the face of his rage. Pete suddenly realizes what he's doing and calms down a bit. He looks down at his gnarled hands, then back at Debbie.
Oh, my god.
His face and body shift back to their normal appearance. She is sobbing and he crouches down beside her, suddenly sorry for his behavior.
Hey, Debbie. Hey, listen... you know you shouldn't make me mad. Huh? You know what happens.
He takes her head in his hands and turns her to face him.
Debbie, please. Are you all right?
He kisses her forehead. She responds and puts her arms around his head and strokes his hair as they hold each other tightly.
It's okay.
Finally she calms down.
It's okay.
Giles brainstorms with Buffy, Faith and Willow.
This creature is especially brutal. I believe the phrase coined by the coroner when describing Mr. Platt was 'purÔø‡ed'. But he did confirm that Platt was killed shortly before Buffy found him.
Which means that he was killed during the day.
Willow raises her fist in triumph.
Yes! (off their looks) Sorry. I got... I've just been... it's horrible, horrible.
It's okay, Will. We're all glad Oz is off the hook.
Indeed. Shouldn't he be here by now? The sun sets at 5:30.
Oz looks around one last time as heads for the library. Just then Debbie rushes up to him.
Sorry I'm late. Did you bring the notes?
As he hands her the notes, Oz notices that she has a black eye.
Yeah. Um... you okay?
What? Oh, yeah! (laughs) I'm such a klutz! I...
Fell down? Hit your... eye?
Pete watches them surreptitiously from around a corner.
Doorknob. Thanks.
She starts to go but Oz stops her.
Hey, if you want to talk...
She shakes her head and smiles nervously.
Thanks again for the notes.
Yeah.
He looks up at the sky and quickly heads for the library. Angry, Pete stalks off.
The meeting is still in progress.
Our task now is to determine what sort of killer we are dealing with. Clearly, we're looking for a depraved, sadistic animal.
Oz walks in.
Present.
Willow jumps up and runs over to him, pushing Giles aside in her eagerness to reach him.
Hey, I may be a cold-blooded jelly donut but my timing is impeccable.
But you aren't! It's a kill-in-the-day monster! A hundred percent for sure.
Okay.
They embrace but Giles is all business.
I wish we had time to celebrate properly. However, we have two victims: Jeff Orkin and now Platt. Maybe there's something they had in common.
Missing internal organs.
Besides that.
Debbie. (off Giles' look) Well, victim number one, Jeff. He was in jazz band with us. They used to horse around.
They were screwing?
Shocked looks all around. Faith just shrugs.
I don't think so but he hid her music comp book once.
And we know that Debbie knew Platt. I mean, she was seeing him and way vocal about not having love for the guy.
Add this and stir. I just saw Debbie a minute ago sporting a nasty black eye.
Okay, so pretend Debbie wanted Platt dead. Maybe he fought back.
Buffy's not convinced.
No. Platt was dead in an instant. He didn't even drop his cigarette. Now, what if boyfriend Pete's the one doling out the punishment?
We should find them both immediately.
He and Buffy grab their coats and make for the door.
Well, Debbie was in the quad a minute ago.
All right. We'll split up. Faith, you and I team. Willow, stick with Buffy.
The group heads out leaving Oz by himself in the empty library.
And I'll... go lock myself in the cage.
Debbie tries to hide her black eye with makeup. The door opens behind her and Buffy and Willow enter. Debbie doesn't acknowledge them.
It's tricky, covering a fresh shiner like that. You know what works?
What?
Don't get hit. What's going on, Debbie? I'll bet the farm you know.
You're wrong. I don't know anything.
Normally, I'd say, "You want to play 'I have a secret'? Fine." But people are dying here.
It... it's not his fault. I mean, he's not himself when he gets like this.
You mean Pete.
It's me. I make him crazy. He just does what he does because he loves me too much.
But weren't Mr. Platt and Jeff murdered by an animal?
Pete's not like other guys. Is he, Debbie?
Debbie realizes they know more than they are letting on.
I've gotta go.
She grabs her purse and starts to leave but Buffy stops her.
You have to talk to us. We can't help you until you do.
I didn't ask for your help!
Well, when are you going to? I mean, if Pete kills you, it'll pretty much be too late.
Debbie, we're running out of time.
Angel struggles with the chain, then pulls on it with all strength.
The bracket and beam pull free of the wall and crash to the floor. Angel falls roughly onto his hands and knees, then gets up and runs out of the mansion.
Where can we find him?
I don't know.
You're lying.
What if I am? What are you gonna do about it?
Wrong question.
Buffy takes her by the arm and pushes her up against the sink in front of the mirror, forcing her to take in her own blackened eye.
Look at yourself. Why are you protecting him? Anybody who really loved you couldn't do this to you.
Would they take him someplace?
Probably.
She shakes her head, sobbing.
I could never do that to him. I'm his everything.
Great. So what? You two live out your Grimm fairy tale? Two people are dead. Who's going to be next?
Oz is alone in the cage, pacing, waiting to change. The door opens and Pete walks in and confronts Oz.
Since when do you touch my girl?
Hey, Pete. This is kind of a bad time.
Well, I guess you didn't think about that when you put the moves on Debbie!
He rattles the door of the cage as Oz glances up at the window to check on the setting sun.
We talked, yeah, but it was move-free. About this cage? When that sun sets--
You won't be alive to see it!
He rattles the cage again and steps back, seething with anger.
I'm serious. Something's going to happen that you... probably won't believe.
Pete screams as he contorts and transforms into his alter ego again. He glares at Oz with murder in his eye. Stunned, Oz takes a step backward.
Or you might.
Pete lunges at the cage and grabs the door. He rips it free of its hinges, throws it aside and roars at Oz. He runs into the cage, seizes Oz and throws him out the door into the library.
Debbie is sitting on a bench, hugging herself and staring off into space, chanting.
He does love me. He does love me.
This is useless. We have to go. I have to find Pete.
He does love me.
Willow tries to make Debbie to stand up.
Come on.
He does love me.
I think we broke her.
He does love me. He does love me.
I think she was broken before this.
Buffy shoots Debbie a last look of contempt, then leaves.
Pete lifts Oz up over his head and slams him down onto the table. It smashes under the force of the impact.
Did you kiss that whore? Huh? Did she like it?
Pete throws Oz onto the stairs. Oz is barely able to hold his own, merely marking time until sundown. Oz glances through one of the arched windows and for once is relieved to see that the sun has set. He looks over at Pete, who is advancing on him again.
Time's up. Rules change.
Within seconds, Oz morphs into a snarling werewolf and gnashes his teeth at Pete. He leaps onto Pete, taking him down to the floor. Pete scrambles to his feet and punches Oz as he attacks again. Oz isn't fazed in the least and he leaps onto Pete again, slamming him into the stairs. Oz bites down hard on Pete's arm, bringing a scream of agony.
Buffy, Debbie and Willow hear the scream and begin running toward the library. Giles and Faith join them from an adjoining hallway.
What was that?
The group rushes in to find the cage open and the two creatures fighting on the stairs.
Get the dart gun!
Buffy reaches behind the counter and pulls out the trank rifle.
Got it!
Pete, watch out!
As Buffy cocks the gun and takes aim, Debbie shoves her aside to protect her boyfriend. The gun goes off and the dart hits Giles in the hip.
Pete finally manages to flip Oz off him and pulls free of his jaws. Buffy can't believe she shot Giles.
Oh! Sorry!
Oh, right. Bloody priceless.
The drug quickly takes effect and Giles drops to the floor.
Oz leaps over the counter and bolts out of the library. Buffy tries to take aim but can't get a clear shot and tosses the rifle to Faith.
You get the wolf!
Got it!
Faith runs out of the library in pursuit of Oz with Willow close behind. As Debbie runs into the stacks to escape, Buffy takes on Pete, landing a staggering blow to his head. He stumbles up the stairs and onto the upper level with Buffy in pursuit. She delivers several vicious blows, sending him staggering into a bookcase, which he flips over onto her. While Buffy struggles under the shelf, Pete roars and runs from the library.
Pete runs through the library doors, clutching his wounded arm. He looks around frantically for an escape route. He rounds the corner just as Buffy exits the library in pursuit. Cut to another part of the halls. Pete spots a high window above a bank of lockers in an adjacent hall, leaps on top of them, pushes the window open and crawls through, leaving tell-tale streaks of blood on the wall.
Elsewhere in the school. Oz bounds around a corner and runs down the hall with Faith and Willow in hot pursuit.
Debbie is sitting on the floor leaning against a crate, waiting for Pete to show up. He runs through the door and she jumps up and runs over to him.
Pete! You're all right! God, you're all right.
She throws her arms around him and hugs him but he doesn't hug her back.
She almost shot you. Did you see? I stopped her. You have to leave, get out of Sunnydale. She knows.
How did she know, Debbie? Did you run your big mouth?
No! She just knew. It seemed like she just knew.
So you filled in the blanks!
Pete shoves her to the floor.
NO! No!
But what did I expect from a screw-up like you?
I didn't... Pete...
You're nothing but a waste of space.
No!
Searching the darkened corridors, Buffy stops when she spots streaks of blood around a window in the hallway.
The stairs by the student lounge. Oz leaps down the stairs and rounds on Faith as she rushes down after him. He tackles on her, sending the rifle skittering across the floor. Behind her, Willow screams.
Buffy crawls out the window onto the roof. Through another similar window she notices a lamp swinging drunkenly. She rushes over to the door and forces it open.
It's quiet inside and Buffy looks down to find Debbie's beaten and broken corpse sprawled on the floor.
Oh, god.
As Buffy bends down to check her pulse, Pete grunts and seizes her from behind. He throws her against a stack of packing crates and she hits the floor, dazed. Pete smiles wickedly as he comes for her.
Faith struggles to keep Oz at bay, desperately avoiding his lycanthropic bite.
Where's the gun? (screams) Where's the gun!
Willow moves behind Oz and yanks on his tail.
Get off her!
The distraction works. Oz releases Faith and starts after Willow.
Get the gun! Get the gun!
Faith scrambles to her feet with the rifle.
Hurry!
Faith takes aim and shoots, hitting Oz in the haunches. He yelps and whimpers for a moment, then falls unconscious.
Pete yanks Buffy by the arm and backhands her.
All the same! You're all the same!
He backhands her again and she falls to the floor. As he advances on her, she kicks him off of her and sends him crashing into the wall.
Behind her, the door opens and she looks up to see Angel standing there, his vampire ascendant. With a tremendous roar, he attacks Pete who rises up to meet him. Angel whips his chains at him and slams him in the face repeatedly. Seemingly unhurt, Pete lunges at Angel and wraps his hands around Angel's throat.
Buffy gets to her feet and warily watches them fight.
Pete throws Angel to the floor, then turns his attention back to Buffy and advances on her. Behind Pete, Angel stands up and comes at him, wrapping the chains around his neck. He lifts Pete over his back and slams him down on the floor. Angel pulls hard on the chain, choking the life out of Pete. Then Angel violently twists the chains, cleanly snapping Pete's neck, killing him.
In death, Pete has changes back to his normal state, as does Angel who finally looks up at Buffy. A long beat as they take each other in. He finally speaks.
Buffy?
He falls to his knees and holds her tightly. Buffy is confused and isn't sure what to do but Angel just hangs onto her, sobbing quietly.
Buffy...
Her own tears finally start flowing. Her head and heart are too heavy with emotion for her to speak. After a moment, the couple turns and leaves and we linger on Pete and Debbie, together forever in death.
Willow and Oz hold hands as do Xander and Cordelia, talking with Buffy.
It's all over school, what happened with Debbie and Pete. Except for the Pete-was-a-monster part.
Yeah. A freshman told me that Pete had eight iced cafÔø‡ mochas and just lost it.
That's better than the estrogen theory. I heard he took all of his mother's birth control pills.
He didn't? (to Xander) Pete was a monster? Where have I been?
In your special place, Cor, which is why I adore you.
So what's the true story? What happened?
Well, we got hold of Pete's lab books and stuff and Mr. Science was doing a Jekyll/Hyde deal. He was afraid Debbie was going leave him, so he mixed this potion to become super mÔø‡s macho.
The only thing was, after a while, he didn't need the potion to turn into a bad guy. He did it just fine on his own.
So it was like a real killing. He wasn't under the influence of anything?
Just himself.
Buffy notices Scott sitting by himself and heads over to him.
I'll see you guys later.
Great. Now I'm going to be stuck with serious thoughts all day.
Follow Buffy.
I don't know what to say that's not going to sound stupid or obvious.
I've been friends with them both since before we started school.
Is there anything I can do?
He looks at her for a long moment.
Thanks. I'm going to be okay. It's just that you never really know what's going on inside somebody, do you? I mean, you think... if you care about them... but you never really do.
Moving shot through the forest, low to the ground in slow motion. Buffy narrates in voiceover from Call of the Wild.
'Night came on and a full moon rose high over the trees...'
Buffy watches as Angel sleeps on the floor.
'...lighting the land till it lay bathed in ghostly day. And the strain of the primitive remained alive and active.'
Close in to CU on Buffy.
'Faithfulness and devotion, things born of fire and roof were his...'
CU on Angel, sleeping. He shudders and his face contorts in anguish and pain as he dreams.
'...yet he retained his wildness and wiliness. And from the depths of the forest, a call still sounded.'