[Transcript of "Buffy The Vampire Slayer" episode Gingerbread at buffyology.com.]
BUFFY slowly strolls along the perimeter of the park and into heavily wooded area. She hears a rustling sound coming from the brush directly in front of her and stops instantly, her gaze fixed on the shaking branches. She pulls out her stake and assumes a fighting stance. Suddenly, she's startled by a voice from o.s.
Is it a vampire?
Buffy snaps her head around and sees her mother walking toward her carrying a bag in one hand and a large thermos in the other.
Mom, what are you doing here?
I brought you a snack. I thought it was about time for me to come out and watch. You know, the slaying.
You know, the slaying is kind of an alone thing.
But it's such a big part of your life and I'd like to understand it. It's, you know, something we could share.
Actually, it's pretty dull, you know, it's (distracted) bam, boom, stick... poof.
Her attention is back on the rustling bush, and she nudges her mother to the side a bit. Suddenly a vampire bursts out and runs straight for her. She ducks as the vampire lunges and delivers a series of punches, kicks and jabs, causing him to stagger back. Her mother cheers her on.
Good, honey! Kill him!
Buffy continues fighting the demon, grunting as it grabs her and they both roll to the ground. Buffy stands up, getting her bearings.
Buffy, he's over here!
The vampire faces her and roars.
Oh, my god! It's Mr. Sanderson from the bank!
Buffy launches into another vicious attack, beating the vampire back and causing him to flee into the woods.
And he's getting away!
Buffy gives her a stern look.
Stay!
Joyce walks the short distance to the park's playground where she examines a discarded toy truck. Something catches her eye across the way and she starts toward it.
Buffy elsewhere in the park, wrestling the vampire to the ground. She seizes the opportunity and impales the vampire through the heart with her stake. It immediately vaporizes in a cloud of dust.
Joyce as she makes her way over to the carousel. Suddenly, she stops in horror, shocked at what she sees.
Oh, god. Oh...
Long shot of Joyce with the carousel in the foreground. The body of a young boy lies dead on it and next to it on the sand lies the body of a young girl. Each of the children has one arm outstretched, and drawn in black on the palms of their hands is a strange triangular symbol with a "U" shape through the center.
Opening credit sequence.
Several police cars and a coroner's van have arrived and detectives are looking over the scene. A police photographer steps up to the carousel and begins photographing the bodies: the boy's outstretched arm with the symbol on the palm of his hand; the girl from straight above with her outstretched arm; a close- up shot of the girl's face.
Buffy is finishing an interview with a police officer.
Are we done? Can my mother and I leave now?
Yes, ma'am.
The police make preparations to move the bodies.
All right, let's move here. Somebody pull that car out.
They said we can go home now.
They were little kids. Did you see them? They're so tiny.
I saw.
Who could do something like this? I just...
I'm so sorry that you had to see this. But I promise, everything is going to be okay.
How?
Because I'm going to find whatever did it.
I guess. It's just you can't... you can't make it right.
Buffy hugs her mother as she begins to sob.
I know. I'm sorry. But I'll take care of everything. I promise. Just try and calm down.
Buffy looks up at GILES.
Don't tell me to calm down!
I only meant--
They were kids, Giles. Little kids! You don't know what it was like to see them there. My mom can't even talk.
I'm sorry. I... I just want to help.
I know.
Do we know how? It wasn't a vampire?
No. There were no marks.
Wait. There was a mark-- a symbol.
She takes a pen from the table and sits down to draw it for Giles. Giles quickly reaches over to stop Buffy before she can deface the parchments lying in front of her.
It's a 12th-century Papal Encyclical. Write on this.
He gently picks up the parchments and slides a spiral notebook over to her. Buffy begins to draw.
It was on their hands. The cops are keeping it quiet, but I got a good look at it.
She pushes the drawing over for Giles to see.
There. Find me the thing that uses this symbol and point me at it.
Hmm.
Hmm. What? Giles, speak.
What? Oh, sorry. I just wonder if we're looking for a thing. The use of a symbol on a victim like this suggests a ritual murder and a cult sacrifice by a group.
A group of... human beings? Someone with a soul did this?
Yes, I'm afraid so.
He moves to the bookshelves behind the table and begins to research.
Okay. Then while you're looking for the meaning of that symbol thingy, could you also find a loophole in that 'Slayers don't kill people' rule?
Giles looks up from his book at her.
Buffy, this is a dreadful crime, I know, and you have every right to be upset but... I wonder if you're not letting yourself get a shade more personal because of your mother's involvement.
Oh, it's completely personal. Giles, find me the people that did this. Please.
OZ and XANDER are selecting their lunch. Oz reaches in, grabs a foil-wrapped burrito and sets it on his plate. Xander glances over at him.
Hey.
Hey.
They move down the line. Each takes a fruit cocktail.
So... a burrito.
This is a burrito.
Damn straight.
They both take their trays and head for an empty table. They sit and begin to eat. WILLOW and AMY enter.
Hi, Oz.
Hey.
Xander. Hi.
Hey, Amy.
Willow and Amy both sit. Amy seems overly happy.
Hi, guys.
Hey, Amy. I like your new hair.
I haven't see you all day. Where you been?
Not with me. No, sir. Ask anyone. No.
Oz gives Xander a puzzled look. Willow smiles weakly at Oz. The tension is very thick. Oz finally breaks it with a change of subject.
So, Buffy's birthday is next week.
Oh, yeah. Good. I've been pondering gift options.
Willow sees Buffy approaching.
Shh.
Oh, come on, we just got a topic here.
Hi, Buffy.
Buffy! (stands up) What's up?
He offers her his chair. She takes it and sits while he grabs one from a neighboring table.
You guys didn't hear?
Hear what?
A murder. Somebody killed two little kids.
Oh, no.
They were like seven or eight years old. My mom found the bodies during patrol last night.
Oh, my god.
Kids?
Why was your mom there?
More bad. She picked last night, of all nights, for a surprise bonding visit.
God, your mom would actually take the time to do that with you?
Buffy shoots Willow a look.
That really wasn't the point of the story, was it?
No. The point is, she's completely wigging.
Joyce walks up behind her.
Who's wigging?
Buffy snaps her head around, sees Joyce and stands up.
Um... everyone. You know, 'cause of what happened.
Oh, it's so awful. I had bad dreams about it all night.
Hi, Mrs. Summers.
Oh, hi everybody.
Hi.
Hi, Mrs. Summers.
Buffy, have you talked to Mr. Giles yet about who could have done this?
Yeah. He thinks it might be something ritual. A cult. He's still looking. In the meantime, we're going to add to my patrol and, y'know, keep an eye out.
A cult. (jumps to a conclusion) Like witches.
Willow coughs. Amy looks away.
Sorry. Phlegm. Too much dairy.
Oh, I know you kids think that stuff's cool. Buffy told me you dabble.
Right. Absolutely. That's me. I'm a dabbler.
But anybody who could do this isn't cool. Anybody who could do this has to be a monster. It's--
You know what? Would you guys excuse us for a little bit?
Nice to see you.
Buffy and Joyce exit.
What a burn. I mean, Buff's mom was just starting to accept the whole Slayer thing and now she's going to be double-freaked.
Makes me grateful that my mom's not interested in my extra- curricular activities.
Amy smiles at that. Then Willow frowns.
Or my curricular activities.
Buffy and Joyce are walking and talking.
Are your friends going to help with the investigation, too?
Mom, I really think... maybe this isn't the best place to talk about this.
Are you embarrassed to be hanging out with your mother? I didn't hug you.
No. It's just... this hall is about school and you're about home. Mix them, my world dissolves.
It's just, I keep thinking about who could have done such a thing. I have to help.
Well, Giles can always use help in the library.
I called everybody I know in town. I told them about the dead children. They're all just as upset as I am.
You called everybody that you know?
And they called all their friends. And guess what? We're setting up a vigil for tonight, for City Hall. The Mayor is even going to be there. Now we are going to get some action.
Buffy is less than thrilled.
Uh-huh. That's great. But you know what? A lot of times when we're working on stuff like this, we like to keep the number of people that know about it kind of... small.
Oh. Right. Well, I'm sure there won't be all that many people.
A large crowd has gathered. Many of them are holding up signs with pictures of the two children and the words "Never Again!". Buffy and Willow enter and take in the crowd.
This is great. Maybe we could all go patrolling together later.
At least your mom's making an effort. My mom's probably-- (notices her mother) standing right in front of me right this second.
SHEILA ROSENBERG sees them and walks over.
Mom?
Willow, I didn't know you were going to be here. (to Buffy, absently) Oh, hi, Bunny.
Hi.
Mom, what are you doing here?
Oh well, I read about it in the paper and what with your dad out of town... (surprised) Willow, you cut off your hair! Huh. That's a new look.
Yeah, it's just a sudden whim I had... in August.
I like it.
Joyce comes over to join them. Sheila reaches out to shake hands.
Hello, Joyce.
Sheila, I'm glad you could come.
Giles enters.
There you are. I almost didn't find you in this crush. (to Joyce) Oh, Mrs.... Joyce. Quite a turnout you have here.
Oh, well, it's not just me, but thank you. Well, it's been a while.
Right. Not since... not since... not for a while.
There's a rumor going around, Mr. Giles.
Rumor? About us? About what?
About witches. People calling themselves witches are responsible for this brutal crime.
Indeed? How strange.
Yes! Strange! Witches.
Well, actually, not that strange. I recently co-authored a paper about the rise of mysticism among adolescents and I was shocked at the statistical--
She is interrupted by electronic feedback as MAYOR RICHARD WILKINS tests the microphone and steps up to the lectern.
Oh, are we starting?
The Mayor clears his throat as Joyce makes her way over to Buffy, who is frowning up at the Mayor.
Hello, everybody.
He'll do something about this. You'll see.
Everyone settles down to listen to what the Mayor has to say.
I want to thank you all for coming in the aftermath of such a tragic crime. Seeing you all here proves what a caring community Sunnydale is. Sure, we've had our share of misfortunes but we're a good town with good people and I know that none of us will rest easy until this horrible murder is solved. With that in mind, I make these words my pledge to you. (re: signs) 'Never again!' Now I ask you to give your attention to the woman who brought us all here tonight, Joyce Summers.
He steps back as Joyce moves to the front of the room and steps up to the lectern.
Thank you.
She pauses for a moment before beginning.
Mr. Mayor, you're dead wrong. (off crowd reaction) This is not a good town. How many of us have lost someone who just disappeared? Or got skinned? Or suffered neck rupture? And how many of us have been too afraid to speak out? I was supposed to lead us in a moment of silence, but... silence is this town's disease. For too long we've been plagued by unnatural evils. This isn't our town anymore. It belongs to the monsters and the witches and the Slayers.
Buffy looks at her mother in open-mouthed shock. She and Willow exchange a worried glance. Giles is stunned.
I say it's time for the grownups to take Sunnydale back. I say we start by finding the people who did this and make them pay.
The people in the crowd begin to applaud.
Hear, hear!
Sheila claps her hands and looks around at the other people. A man nods his head in silent agreement. Buffy stares at her mother in amazement.
Establishing. Light comes from an upstairs window.
CU on a skull with a hole in the top resting on a throw rug next to a burning candle. A hand reaches over the hole in the skull and drops in a short string of beads. Pan up to MICHAEL, a warlock draped in a black hooded cloak.
He folds his hands, intertwining his fingers and glances up at another cloaked figure stepping around him. The figure kneels to pick up the skull-- it's Amy. She stands up and carries the skull over to a position opposite Michael. There are other candles, cups of powders and potions and a small cauldron. Amy sets down the skull and sits. She takes a cup of powder and hands it to a third figure, who takes it from her and pours the contents into the steaming liquid in the cauldron. Pan up to reveal the third figure, Willow, also cloaked in black. She stares silently down at the boiling mixture.
Pull up from the cauldron, taking in the array of occult paraphernalia and the three witches around it, finally revealing a pattern in the center of the throw rug: a large triangle with a U-shaped symbol in the middle.
Michael has his locker open and is checking his black makeup in the mirror stuck to the inside of the door. A group of guys approaches him, and ROY, their leader, slams the locker door shut.
Watch it.
Oh, sorry. Did I make you smudge your eyeliner?
Michael rolls his eyes and shakes his head.
You gonna put a spell on me?
Amy comes to Michael's defense.
Hey, what is your problem?
Roy grabs Michael by the shirt and slams him up against the lockers.
Everyone knows he's into that voodoo witchcraft. I heard about those kids. People like him gotta learn a lesson.
And what about people like me?
Get in my face and you'll find out.
Buffy steps up behind Amy and gives Roy a smile. He notices her and suddenly thinks better of going any further. He lets Michael go and backs off.
No problem here. We're walking.
Buffy follows them for a few steps, then turns back to Michael and Amy.
You guys okay?
Yeah. We're fine.
Thanks, Buffy.
Both and Amy and Michael walk away. Buffy looks back down the hall to make sure the gang is still headed off. Giles comes around the corner and Buffy starts toward him, but is intercepted by CORDELIA.
You'll be one busy little Slayer, baby-sitting them.
I doubt they'll have any more trouble.
I doubt your doubt. Everyone knows that witches killed those kids and Amy is a witch. And Michael is whatever the boy of witch is, plus being the poster child for yuck.
Cordel--
If you're going to hang with them, expect badness. 'Cause that's what you get when you hang with freaks and losers. Believe me, I know.
She starts off down the hall but stops and turns back to Buffy.
That was a pointed comment about me hanging with you guys.
Yeah, I got that one. Besides, witches didn't do it.
Cordelia leaves and Buffy turns to Giles.
Actually, I think they may have. My research keeps bringing me back to European Wiccan covens.
You found the meaning of the symbol?
I'm pretty sure, yes. There's a piece of information I need that's in a book that Willow borrowed. Can you find it?
Buffy enters looking for Willow. She sees Xander sitting on one of the couches and approaches him.
Buffy, hi.
Hey. Is Willow around?
How can I convince you people that it's over? You assume because I'm here, she's here, that I somehow mysteriously know where she is.
Those her books?
Yeah. She's in the bathroom.
But the fact that I know that doesn't change that I have a genuine complaint here. Look, I'm getting sick of the judgment, the innuendoes. Is a man not innocent until proven guilty?
You are guilty. You got illicit smoochies. Going to have to pay the price.
But I'm talking about the future guilt. Look, everyone expects me to mess up again. Like Oz. I see how he is around me. You know, that steely gaze... that pointed silence.
'Cause he's usually such a chatterbox.
Buffy moves over to examine Willow's books.
No, but it's different now. It's more a verbal nonverbal. He speaks volumes with his eyes.
Buffy finds the book in question and picks it up. Underneath it is a spiral notebook. On the exposed page is the triangle symbol. Buffy picks it up and stares. Willow comes out of the bathroom and over to her.
Hey, Buff. Whatcha looking for? You want to borrow something?
What is this?
Willow closes the notebook.
A doodle. I do doodle. You, too. You do doodle, too.
This is a witch symbol.
Okay, yeah, it is.
Willow...
What?
That symbol was on the murdered children.
Before they can get any further into it, they are distracted by the sound of many lockers suddenly being slammed shut. They can hear a man talking loudly.
Please step back. Stay away from the lockers. This is police business.
Buffy, Willow and Xander exchange alarmed looks. They all head into the hall to see what's going on.
A police officer is going from locker to locker opening them with a master key. At another locker another officer takes some books from a student.
Hand them over, please. The books.
Yet another officer takes a string of garlic cloves from a locker and sets it on a cart with a bunch of other things they've confiscated. PRINCIPAL SNYDER stands in the hall, gloating as the police continue their search. Several officers keep the students at bay and a detective leads a boy away. Amy joins the group as they watch all the activity.
Aw, man, it's Nazi Germany and I've got Playboys in my locker!
This is a glorious day for principals everywhere. No pathetic whining about students' rights. Just a long row of lockers and a man with a key.
An officer finds a voodoo doll in a locker.
They just took three kids away.
What are they looking for?
Witch stuff.
What?
They got my spells. I'm supposed to report to Snyder's office.
Oh, my god.
An officer looks through a girl's purse. Another officer steps up to Amy.
Okay, Amy. You'll have to come with me.
Stay away from the locker.
I have stuff in my locker. Henbane, hellebore, mandrake root--
Excuse me. Playboys. Can we turn the sympathy this way?
One of the officers has reached Cordelia's locker and pulls out a can of hairspray.
Hey! Get your grubby custodial hands off that.
Miss, you have to stay back. Miss, stay back.
That hairspray costs forty-five dollars and it's imported!
Oh, god, my locker's next. Buffy, I didn't do anything wrong.
An officer pulls some plastic bags from Willow's locker.
The symbol is harmless. I used it to make a protection spell for you, for your birthday. With Michael and Amy. Only, now it's broken, because you know about it, so happy birthday, and please, you have to believe me!
Snyder walks over to the group with the bags in hand.
Ms. Rosenberg. My office.
He holds up the bags of henbane and mandrake root. Willow stares back at him, eyes wide with worry and fear. Buffy discreetly walks in front of her and takes Giles' book from her arms. Willow starts down the hall in front of Snyder. Oz accompanies her.
A police officer kicks open the cage door and strides out into the room with a stack of books in his hands. He carries them over to the table and drops them unceremoniously into a box. Another officer comes down from the stacks with another armful of books. Buffy comes into the library as still another officer walks out carrying one of the boxes. She heads straight for Giles, who watches helplessly.
Giles.
They're confiscating my books.
Giles, we need those books.
Believe me, I tried to tell that to the nice man with the big gun.
Giles watches the activity around him, seething with anger.
No. There's something about the symbol that we're missing. Willow said she used it in a protection spell. It's harmless. Not a big bad. So then why would it turn up in a ritual sacrifice?
I don't know. Ordinarily, I would say let's widen our research.
Using what? A dictionary and My Friend Flicka?
This is intolerable. Snyder's interfered before but I won't take this from that twisted little homunculus.
Snyder enters the library holding a cup of coffee.
I love the smell of desperate librarian in the morning.
You get out! And take your marauders with you.
Oh, my. So fierce. I suppose I should hear you out. Just how is, um... (re: books) 'Blood Rites and Sacrifices' appropriate material for a public school library? Chess club branching out?
This is not over.
Oh, I should say it's just beginning. Fight it if you want. Just remember, lift a finger against me, and you'll have to answer to MOO.
Answer to MOO? Did that sentence just make some sense that I'm not in on?
'Mothers Opposed to the Occult.' A powerful new group.
And who came up with that lame name?
Snyder turns to leave.
That would be the founder. I believe you call her 'Mom'.
Willow opens the front door and enters. In the living room she finds her mother looking over a bunch of things taken from her room.
Oh, sit down, honey.
Principal Snyder talk to you?
Yes. He's quite concerned.
Mom, I know what this looks like and I can totally--
Oh, you don't have to explain, honey. This isn't exactly a surprise.
Why not?
Oh, well, identification with mythical icons is perfectly typical of your age group. It's a classic adolescent response to the pressures of incipient adulthood.
Oh. Is that what it is?
Of course, I wish you could've identified with something a little less icky but developmentally speaking...
Mom, I'm not an age group. I'm me. Willow group.
Oh, honey... I understand.
No, you don't. Mom, this may be hard for you to accept but I can do stuff. Nothing bad or dangerous but I can do spells.
You think you can and that's what concerns me. The delusions.
Mom, how would you know what I can do? I mean, the last time we had a conversation over three minutes, it was about the patriarchal bias of the Mr. Rogers Show.
Well, with King Friday lording it over all the lesser puppets...
Mom, you're not paying attention.
And this is your way of trying to get it. Now, I have consulted with some of my colleagues and they agree that this is a cry for discipline. You're grounded.
Grounded? This is the first time ever I've done something you don't like and I'm grounded? I'm supposed to mess up. I'm a teenager, remember?
You're upset, I hear you--
No, Ma, hear this! I'm a rebel! I'm having a rebellion!
Willow, honey, you don't need to act out like this to prove your specialness.
Mom, I'm not acting out. I'm a witch! I can make pencils float. And I can summon the four elements. Okay, two, but four soon. And I'm dating a musician.
Oh, Willow!
I worship Beelzebub. I do his biddings. Do you see any goats around? No, because I sacrificed them.
Willow, please!
All bow before Satan!
Sheila leaves the room.
I'm not listening to this.
Prince of Night, I summon you. Come fill me with your black, naughty evil.
That's enough! Is that clear? Now, you will go to your room and stay there until I say otherwise. And we're going to make some changes. I don't want you hanging out with those friends of yours. It's clear where this little obsession came from. You will not speak to Bunny Summers again.
Joyce sits at the dining room table surrounded by posters of the two children. She has a MOO button pinned to her blouse. Her laptop is open and a phone and fax sit nearby. The place is set up like a command center. Behind her is a whiteboard full of statistics. She speaks sternly to Buffy.
I don't want you seeing that Willow anymore. I've spoken with her mother. I had no idea her forays into the occult had gone so far.
You're the one who ordered the raid on the school today?
Honey, they opened a few lockers.
Lockers. First syllable, 'lock'. They're supposed to be private. And they took all of Giles' books away.
He'll get most of them back. MOO just wants to weed out the offensive material. Everything else will be returned to Mr. Giles soon.
If we're going to solve this, we need those books now.
Sweetie, those books have no place in a public school library. Especially now. Any student can waltz in there and get all sorts of ideas. Do you understand how that terrifies me?
Mom, I hate that these people scared you so much. And I know that you're just trying to help, but you have to let me handle this. It's what I do.
But is it really? I mean, you patrol, you slay... evil pops up, you undo it. And that's great! But is Sunnydale getting any better? Are they running out of vampires?
I don't think that you run out of--
It's not your fault. You don't have a plan. You just react to things. It's bound to be kind of fruitless.
Okay, maybe I don't have a plan. Lord knows I don't have lapel buttons.
Buffy...
And maybe next time that the world is getting sucked into Hell, I won't be able to stop it because the Anti-Hell-Sucking Book isn't on the approved reading list!
I'm sorry. I didn't mean to put down--
Yeah, well, you did. It doesn't matter. I have to go. I have to go on one of my pointless patrols and react to some vampires. If that's all right with MOO.
She turns around and heads for the door, then steps back into the room.
And nice acronym, Mom.
Just trying to make things better.
As Buffy walks past the table, the dead boy and girl, HANSEL and GRETEL, are suddenly sitting there looking up at her.
You are.
There's bad people out there.
Joyce looks at them sadly.
And we can't sleep.
Not until you hurt them.
The way they hurt us.
Joyce nods, knowing what she has to do.
The carousel is bedecked with candles and flowers and pictures of the children. Buffy stands quietly as ANGEL approaches.
Hey.
Hi.
They embrace for a long moment. Buffy looks up at him.
How are you?
I'm all right. I think I'm better than you right now.
They both look over at the carousel.
I heard about this. People are talking. People are even talking to me.
It's strange. People die in Sunnydale all the time. I've never seen anything like this.
They both stroll over to a bench.
They were children. Innocent. It makes a difference.
And Mr. Sanderson from the bank had it coming? (beat) My mom... said some things to me about being the Slayer. That it's fruitless. No fruit for Buffy.
She's wrong.
Is she? Is Sunnydale any better than when I first came here? Okay, so I battle evil. But I don't really win. The bad keeps coming back and getting stronger. Like that kid in the story, the boy that stuck his finger in the duck.
Dike.
Buffy gives him a confused look. Angel smiles.
It's another word for dam.
Oh. Okay, that story makes a lot more sense now.
Buffy, you know, I'm still figuring things out. There's a lot I don't understand. But I do know it's important to keep fighting. I learned that from you.
But we never...
We never win.
Not completely.
We never will. That's not why we fight. We do it because there's things worth fighting for. Those kids. Their parents.
Their parents.
Look, I know it's not much.
No. No, it's a lot.
Giles is trying to do some online research. He loses his connection.
Session interrupted? (frustrated) Who said you could interrupt, you stupid, useless fad! No, I said fad. And I'll say it again.
Xander and Oz enter.
At that point, I will become frightened.
Take heart. We found your books.
Giles looks at them hopefully.
You can put the heart back. We can't get them. They're locked up in City Hall. (teases) Frisky Watcher's chat room? Why, Giles...
Buffy comes striding into the library. She heads straight for Giles.
Oh! Buffy, Oz and I found out--
What do we know about these kids?
What?
Facts. Details.
Well, they were found in the park.
No. Where did they go to school? Who were their parents? What are their names?
Giles takes off his glasses. None of them have answers to any of her questions.
We know everything about their deaths, but we don't even know their names.
Well, sure we do. (beat) It's on the tip of my tongue.
That never came up. Ever.
And if no one knows who they are, where did these pictures come from?
I just assumed someone had the details. I never really... well, that is strange.
We need to get some information.
Yes, well, somebody else do it. This thing's locked me out.
Well, if you wouldn't yell at it...
I can look around but Willow would really know the sites we need.
That's great. She can't even come to the phone. The wrath of MOO.
Well, we don't need a phone.
Oz starts typing an e-mail.
Willow lies on her bed idly toying with her teddy bear. Then she hears her laptop beep.
All right, we're linked. If anybody's ID'd the kids, she'll pull it up and feed it here.
She surfs the Web, looking for any leads.
Oz brings up the pages as Willow finds them. Giles reads the text from the screen.
Oh. 'Two Children Found Dead. Mysterious Mark...' No, no. These children were found near Omaha in 1949.
Yeah, they ain't ours. Keep going.
Before Oz can move on, the accompanying image loads from the Net.
Wait.
She sees the same image loading on her screen and gasps in surprise.
Those are...
...the same kids.
Fifty years ago.
Oz loads the next page.
1899. Utah. 'Two Children, Rural Community Torn Apart by Suspicion.'
A hundred years ago? How is this possible?
There's no mention of who they were.
They've never been seen alive, just dead. A lot.
The next page loads. This one is dated 1649 and has a hand drawing of the two children. An Instant Message window pops up with a note from Willow.
Ah. There were more articles. Every fifty years. All the same.
From as far back as 1649. Can I see that?
Oz surrenders his place to Giles. He types a bit, then reads the German and translates.
Written by a cleric from a village near the Black Forest. He found the bodies himself. Two children... Greta Strauss, age six. Hans Strauss, eight.
So they have names. That's new.
Sheila opens the door and is upset to find Willow online.
Willow. I thought I made myself clear. You're not minding me.
She folds down the screen and pulls out the phone line.
Mom...
I see what you're doing. You're challenging me. But I will not have you communicating with your cyber-coven or what have you.
Coven? What happened to me being delusional and acting out?
Well, that was before I talked in depth with Ms. Summers and her associates. It seems I've been rather close-minded.
So you believe me?
I believe you, dear. Now all I can do is let you go with love.
Let me go? What does that mean?
Her mother turns and walks out of the room without saying a word, pulling the door closed behind her and locking it from the outside.
Mom?
Giles paces while Oz continues looking for more information on the Web.
Wait a minute, there is a fringe theory held by a few folklorists that some regional stories have actual, very literal antecedents.
And in some language that's English?
Fairy tales are real?
Hans and Gre... Hansel and Gretel?
Wait. Hansel and Gretel? Breadcrumbs, ovens, gingerbread house?
Of course! Well, it makes sense now.
Yeah, it's all falling into place. Of course that place is nowhere near this place.
Some demons thrive by fostering hatred and persecution amongst the mortal animals. Not by destroying men, but by watching men destroy each other. Now, they feed us our darkest fear and turn peaceful communities into vigilantes.
Hansel and Gretel run home to tell everyone about the mean old witch.
And then she and probably dozens of others are persecuted by a righteous mob. It's happened all throughout history. It happened in Salem, not surprisingly.
Whoa, whoa, whoa. I'm still spinning on this whole "fairy tales are real" thing.
Giles stands and begins to pace again.
So what do we do?
I don't know about you but I'm going to go trade my cow in for some beans.
He gets a confused look from Giles.
No one else is seeing the funny here.
Giles, we need to talk to Mom. If she knows the truth, she can defuse the whole thing.
Suddenly Michael comes running into the library with a slight limp. He's been beaten and bruised. He has a black eye and his face is bloody.
What happened?
I was attacked!
Officially not funny.
By whom?
My dad. His friends. They're taking people out of their homes. They're talking about a trial down at City Hall. They got Amy.
Michael, stay here and hide. Giles, we'll go find my mom.
Willow!
The two of them run out of the library as Giles grabs his coat.
Tell Willow to get out of her house!
Stay in my office.
Willow hears the door lock turn and gets up from her bed. She runs over to the door as it opens.
Mom, we really have to talk.
Her mother stands framed in the door surrounded by several other adults.
It's time to go. Oh, and get your coat. It's chilly out.
Go? Go where?
I said get your coat, witch!
Willow slams the door on them and the adults start to pound on it. Willow desperately tries to keep them out.
Several people are gathered. Joyce interviews them about their activities.
Did you speak to the families on Sycamore Street?
Yes, I did.
Great.
She writes it down in her notebook. Buffy opens the front door and enters quickly. Giles is right behind her. Joyce looks up in surprise.
Buffy! Mr. Giles! Did something happen?
Mom, we need to talk to you. Now.
Well, of course, honey. (to the others) Go on without me.
No, we need to talk alone.
They others move to leave.
Look, there's more to this than--
Suddenly Joyce holds a cloth up to Buffy's mouth and nose and two of the men jump Giles from behind, wrestling him to the floor. Buffy quickly collapses to the floor, overcome by the fumes from the cloth.
You were right. It was easy.
There are the two children standing on the stairs. The boy is holding a bottle of chloroform in his hand.
I told you.
It gets even easier.
Buffy isn't completely unconscious and can hear the conversation.
But I'm still scared of the bad girls.
Buffy's vision begins to blur.
You have to stop them. You have to make them go away. Forever.
Buffy passes out.
Oz and Xander run in.
Willow!
Oz runs for her room. Xander is right behind him.
The boys barge in and see that it's a shambles. It's clear there was quite a struggle. They waste no time running back out.
A crowd is gathered. A few of them bear torches. They calmly watch as Willow and Amy are tied to stakes.
Hold still. Be a good girl.
Buffy is between Willow and Amy, unconscious and also tied to a stake. Piled all around them are the library books that MOO has deemed offensive, ready to burn in a glorious blaze.
No! Why are you doing this to me? Mom?
There's no cure but the fire.
Amy struggles against the ropes.
Buffy! Wake up!
This is crazy, Mom!
Buffy! Buffy!
Cordelia kneels over Giles and gives him a sharp slap to the face.
Wake up!
She slaps him two more times and he begins to come out of it. She is about to slap again, when he reaches up and blocks her swing.
Cordelia?
Took you long enough to wake up. My hand hurts.
Pity. Oh... why are you here?
Things are way out of control, Giles. First the thing at school and then my mom confiscates all of my black clothes and scented candles. I came over here to tell Buffy to stop this craziness and found you all unconscious... again. How many times have you been knocked out, anyway? I swear, one of these times, you're going to wake up in a coma.
Wake up in a... oh, never mind. We need to save Buffy from Hansel and Gretel.
He heads for the front door and Cordelia follows.
Now, let's be clear. The brain damage happened before I hit you.
Oz and Xander slam open the doors and run in. There they encounter four men guarding the door to the room where the girls have been tied up.
What's with the grim? We're here to join you guys.
They slowly approach the men who eye them suspiciously.
No, really. Why should you guys have all the fun? We want to be part of the hate.
Just so we're clear, you guys know you're nuts, right?
The men lunge for the boys, who make a fast break down the hall.
Buffy begins to stir.
Buffy!
Buffy struggles against her bonds.
Good morning, sleepyhead.
Mom, you don't want this.
Since when does it matter what I want? I wanted a normal, happy daughter. Instead I got a Slayer.
Sheila joins Joyce bearing a torch.
Torch.
Thanks. This has been so trying. You've been such a champ.
Oh, you too, Joyce.
We should stay close, have lunch.
Oh, I'd like that. How nice.
Joyce bends down to set fire to the books.
Oh, you can't be serious!
Mom, don't!
Joyce touches the torch to the books and they begin to burn. Others with torches set books ablaze all around them.
All right. You want to fry a witch? I'll give you a witch! Goddess Hecate, work thy will!
Uh-oh.
Amy's eyes turn pitch black and the energy from her spell begins to swirl around her.
Before thee let the unclean thing crawl!
She shivers as the spell's power increases around her, building in strength. However, Amy has neglected to specify a recipient for the spell and without an avenue for release, the power turns onto Amy herself. She is engulfed by a sudden burst of flame. An instant later Amy's clothes are empty and the ropes drop to the books below. Everyone stares in amazement. Buffy and Willow notice a rat crawl out of Amy's clothes. It scampers down the pile of books and scurries across the floor. The frightened adults jump out of its way.
She couldn't do us first?
You've seen what we can do! Another step and you will all feel my power!
What are you going to do, float a pencil at them?
It's a really big power!
The people stare at them in shock and horror.
Yes! You will all be turned into vermin. And some of you will be fish! Yeah, you in the back will be fish!
Maybe we should go.
The children suddenly appear.
But you promised.
You have to kill the bad girls.
Giles and Cordelia race to City Hall. Cordelia looks through the things Giles brought with them.
I can't believe you had this stuff in your apartment. It smells foul.
Shred the wolfsbane. That's the leafy stuff. And then you can crush the satyrion root. Luften sie den something. Schlumer? Schluter?
What are you muttering about?
It's a part of an incantation. It's in German and without my book...
What does it mean?
It's about lifting a veil. It should make the demons appear in their true form, which with any luck, will negate their influence. And drop a toadstone into the mixture.
This? (sniffs it) It doesn't look like a toad.
No reason it should. It's from inside the toad.
I hate you.
Oz and Xander have lost the posse and are trying to find another way in. They struggle with doors but they are all locked.
We gotta get inside.
They hear Willow cry out.
No! Oh, god, help!
Will?
It sounds like she's right... above us?
Oz hops up on a bench below a ventilation duct grate. He bangs on it a couple of times and it gives way and he climbs in. Xander is right behind.
The flames are reaching higher, but still haven't reached Buffy and Willow. Hansel and Gretel stand at the front of the crowd as they watch the fire grow and advance.
They hurt us.
Burn them.
Mom, dead people are talking to you. Do the math!
I'm sorry, Buffy.
Mom, look at me! You love me. You're not going to be able to live with yourself if you do this!
You earned this. You toyed with unnatural forces. What kind of a mother would I be if I didn't punish you?
Giles and Cordelia run down the hallway. Giles hears what's happening inside and rushes over to the doors but finds them locked. He looks around in desperation and unexpectedly reaches into Cordelia's hair and pulls out a hairpin.
Ouch! You got hair with that!
Giles ignores her protests and kneels down in front of the doors. He carefully inserts the pin into the lock and begins to pick it.
God, you really were the little youthful offender, weren't you? You must just look back on that and cringe.
Shh!
The flames are getting very close to Willow.
Buffy, I can't take it! It's too hot!
I'm sorry, Will. If it wasn't for me, none of this would have happened.
Giles succeeds in unlocking the door and rushes in. He directs Cordelia to a fire hose in the corner. She smashes the glass with her elbow, holding up her hand to protect her face from the glass. The sound draws the crowd's attention.
Stop them!
Cordelia pulls out the hose and turns it on, spraying the advancing crowd, driving them back. Giles begins reciting his incantation.
You like that? Huh? How about some more!
The flames creep higher and are now dangerously close to Willow.
Buffy, I'm on fire!
Cordelia, put out the fire!
Oh, right.
She turns the stream of water on the flames and quickly douses them.
Oz and Xander are still trying to find their way into the meeting room.
Cordelia extinguishes the last of the fire and turns off the water. Hansel and Gretel slowly move toward Giles. He raises the bottle with his potion high and recites an incantation.
Ihr Göetter, ruft Euch an! Verbergt Euch nicht hinter falschen Gesichtern! (You gods, I call upon you! Do not hide behind false faces!)
He throws the bottle to the floor, smashing it in front of the children. As the mixture begins to steam around them, Hansel and Gretel exchange looks and embrace. A moment later the two children morph into a single 7-foot-tall demon. Its ears are pointed and huge fangs jut from its lower jaw. Its skin is red and mottled and its hair is long and tangled.
Okay, I think I liked the two little ones more than the one big one.
Sheila and Joyce stare up at the demon in horror. The crowd runs out screaming. The demon turns to face Buffy. Her trance broken, Joyce looks at the two girls tied up and helpless.
Oh, my god!
Protect us! Kill the bad girls!
You know what? Not as convincing in that outfit.
The demon roars and rushes her. Buffy struggles with her bonds, trying to get free. The ropes don't give, but the stake she's bound to breaks. Buffy leans over, pointing the tip at the onrushing demon. It can't overcome its own momentum and impales itself through the neck. Sheila and Joyce look away in disgust.
With the demon weighing the stake down, Buffy can't straighten herself back up and stares down at the floor.
Did I get it? Did I get it?
Suddenly the ceiling gives way above them and Oz and Xander crash to the floor. The books break their fall. They look up weakly at Buffy and the dead demon.
We're here to save you.
Several days later. Willow and Buffy have a number of bowls and jars of powders and potions laid out. Several candles are burning. Willow idly crushes some herbs in a bowl.
Your mom doesn't mind us doing this in the house?
She doesn't know.
Business as usual?
Hmm, sort of. She's doing that selective memory thing your mom used to be so good at.
She forgot everything?
No. She remembered the part where I said I was dating a musician.
She takes a pinch of the herbs and sprinkles it onto a ceremonial iron plate set between them.
Oz has to come for dinner next week. So that's sort of like taking an interest.
Okay, should we try this again?
Let's do it. I think we got the mix of herbs right this time.
Okay. Ready?
She lights a match and sets it to the mixture of herbs and roots on the plate while Willow recites her spell. It begins to burn, emitting purple smoke.
Diana, Hecate, I hereby license thee to depart. Goddess of creatures great and small, I conjure thee to withdraw.
Willow and Buffy both look over at Amy the rat. She gets up on her hind legs expectantly. Nothing happens. Buffy looks over at Willow.
Maybe we should get her one of those wheel thingies.