[Transcript of "Buffy The Vampire Slayer" episode Fear, Itself at buffyology.com.]
XANDER raises a butcher knife and turns to WILLOW and OZ as he regards his freshly-carved jack-o'-lantern.
I don't know... I was going for ferocious, scary, but it's coming out more dryly sardonic.
It does appear to be mocking you with its eye holes.
The nose hole seems sad and full of self-loathing.
Xander turns the jack-o'-lantern around to show BUFFY who is lying on the bed, off in her own world.
What do you think, Buff?
I was just thinking about the life of a pumpkin. Grow up in the sun-- happily entwined with others-- then someone comes along, cuts you open and rips your guts out.
Okay! And on that happy note, I've got a treat for tomorrow night's second annual Halloween screening. People prepare to have your spines tingled, your gooses bumped by the terrifying... Fantasia?
Maybe it's because of all the horrific things we've seen but hippos wearing tutus just don't unnerve me the way they used to.
Phantasm. It was supposed to be Phantasm. Stupid video store!
I thought we were doing the Alpha Delt thing.
What thing?
The Scary House? Sounds kinda lame.
It actually borders on fun. You have to go through the Scary House maze to get to the party, which is usually worth getting to. Those guys go all out.
As witnessed last Friday.
Very true.
There is a party?
We didn't tell you?
No, it's cool. You guys got your little college thing. I'm fine. I mean, I got better things to do than tag along to some fraternity.
You can come.
Okay. But only because I lied about having better things to do.
A blast will be had by all.
Buffy gets up and sighs.
I'm going to get going.
Now? Tonight's still...(looks at watch) okay, it's a little mature, but still.
I'm sleepy. You guys have fun.
You want me to come with?
No, I'm fine.
Xander shakes his head.
Sad Buffy.
She didn't even touch her pumpkin. It's a freak with no face.
She's still suffering a little post-Parker depression.
Bailing on the Buff... does anyone else want to smack that guy?
All three raise their hands.
Buffy walks down the street alone when a demon suddenly jumps out of the bushes at her, screaming. She delivers a punch to its face, sending the creature sprawling to the pavement. She reacts with surprise when the "demon" pulls off a Halloween mask revealing itself to be a teenage boy.
Jeez, that hurt! What the hell is wrong with you, lady?
He gets up and walks away, shaking his head.
That's what I'd like to know.
Opening credit sequence.
Willow and Buffy enter the cafeteria.
I've got the basics down: levitation, charms, glamours. I just feel like I've plateaued Wicca-wise.
What's the next level?
Transmutation, conjuring, bringing forth something from nothing. Gets pretty close to the primal forces. A little scary.
Well, no one's pushing, you know. If it's too much, don't do it.
Don't do it? What kind of encouragement is that?
This is an 'encouragement' talk? I thought it was 'share my pain'.
I don't know. Then again, what is college for if not experimenting? You know, maybe I can handle it. I'll know when I've reached my limit.
Oz sidles up to them.
Wine coolers?
Magick.
Oh, you didn't encourage her, did you?
Where is Supportive Boyfriend Guy?
He's picking up your dry cleaning but he told me to tell you that he's afraid you're going to get hurt.
Okay, Brutus. (off Oz's confused look) Brutus? Cæsar?
Both Oz and Buffy look mystified by her literary reference. She makes a stabbing motion with her banana.
Betrayal? Trusted friend? Back-stabby?
Oh, I'm with you on the reference but I won't lie about the fact that I worry. I know what it's like to have power you can't control. I mean, every time I start to wolf out, I touch something deep, dark. It's not fun. But just know that whatever you decide, I back your play.
See? Concerned Boy, Sweet Boy.
I kinda like him worrying anyway.
Raucous laughter drifts over from across the room and Buffy turns to see Parker sitting at a table, laughing with his friends.
You know I... forgot to be hungry.
She puts her food down and turns to leave. Willow hands her food to Oz and runs after her.
Wait, Buffy. Buffy, don't let jerky Parker chase you away.
He didn't. I just don't want to deal with this right now. I'm taking a holiday from dealing, happily vacationing in the land of not coping.
You know what? You'll feel better at the party tonight. Maybe you'll even meet someone.
Willow, I don't want to meet someone. I've reached my quota on someones. Besides, I think I'm going to have to patrol anyway.
Tonight? But it's Halloween!
I'll double check with Giles, but I'm sure he's going to think I should be on active Slayer duty. He doesn't care about Halloween.
GILES opens his door for Buffy dressed like a Mexican mariachi and holding a big bowl of candy.
Happy Hallow--! Hello, Buffy.
Buffy stares at him, floored.
Oh, my god...
It's a sombrero.
And it's on your head.
It seemed festive. Come in. Candy?
Buffy looks around at the decorations.
What's going on here? You hate Halloween.
I never said any such a thing. As my Watcher's duties took precedence, I simply haven't taken time to... well, to embrace its inherent charms until now.
He turns on a Frankenstein puppet hanging from the ceiling and its arms move mechanically back and forth.
Look, look! It's alive! See how he shakes? (off her look) Is there something you wanted?
I was thinking that I should patrol tonight. You know, possibly the cemetery or if you had a better sug--
She stares at the fringe dangling from the brim of his sombrero.
Could you please take that off?
Oh, yes, of course. I see... is there some specific danger you were sensing?
No. But then you know we were all caught off guard when Ethan turned everyone into their costumes.
True, but what happened then was anomalous. Creatures of the night shy away form Halloween. They find it all much too crass.
Hard to believe.
Well, I promise you there is little likelihood of any supernatural activity tonight. (re: candy) You sure you don't want one?
The fraternity brothers transform their house into a haunted mansion. As one of the BROTHERs walks down the hallway, a plastic skeleton with a knife in its hand swings out in front of him, making him jump. He laughs and turns, holding up a paper bag to CHAZ, who is working the skeleton,.
I come bearing spiders.
The sound system is not going to cut it. Nothing but lame.
You want me to call Oz? He can probably hook us up.
Do it. If we don't scare the young women, they will not fall into our arms. We'll have womanless arms. Halloween isn't about thrills, chills and funny costumes. It's about getting laid.
Is there any holiday that's not about getting laid?
Arbor Day. Call Oz, dude.
Done. Oh, and you wanted a symbol to paint upstairs, something mystical?
He holds up an old book opened to a page with a pentagram.
Check this out.
Xander puts on a jacket and turns to leave only to find ANYA standing on the stairs.
Anya? You really have to get this knocking thing down. How did you--
You're uncle Rory let me in. Does he always smell like peppermint?
The man likes his schnapps. What are you doing here?
You haven't called. Not once.
You said you were over me.
And you just accepted that? I only said that because I thought that's what you wanted to hear.
That's the funny thing about me... I tend to hear the actual words people say and accept them at face value.
That's stupid.
I accept that. I can't say seeing you falls into the realm of a bad thing.
Anya smiles.
Really? I thought maybe we could go out tonight, for our anniversary.
Anniversary?
It's been exactly one week since we copulated. Did you forget?
Oh no, of course not. It's just I already have plans with Buffy, Willow and Oz. It's Halloween, you know.
I don't understand.
Well, every October 31st, we mortals dress up in masks--
No, I understand that inane ritual. It's those people. You continue to associate with them though you share little in common.
What are you talking about?
I mean, they go to college. You don't. They no longer live at home. You do.
Oh hey, those things... the bonds of true friendship transcend... could we just change the subject?
Okay, okay. Don't get upset with me. I just wondered.
If you want you can come with me tonight to this party.
You mean like a date? Is that what this is? Are we dating?
There are definitely date-like qualities at work here. Oh, you'll need a costume.
A costume?
Dress up, you know, something scary.
Scary. Scary how?
Anya, you ex-demon, terrorized mankind for centuries. I'm sure you'll come up with something.
Class lets out for the day and Buffy approaches Professor MAGGIE WALSH and RILEY as they are about to leave.
Excuse me, Professor Walsh? I came to get today's assignments. I couldn't make it to class for personal reasons.
Right. I count four limbs, a head, no visible scarring, so I assume your personal issue wasn't a life-threatening accident of any kind. I'm therefore uninterested. You got problems, solve them on your own time. Miss another class and you're out.
Walsh walks briskly past Buffy and out the door.
She means it, you know.
Yeah. I got the impression she wasn't saying it to make me laugh.
You've got to be aware your work's taken a little downturn lately. I can't remember the last time I've seen your hand up.
Does stretching count?
Look, things get pretty intense freshmen year, as I dimly recall. Too much fun or not enough?
Both, actually.
Riley hands her the assignments.
Yeah, well, you've just got to keep your priorities. Professor Walsh is worth your time.
Thanks. I'll get this done tonight.
Tonight? It's Halloween! What, you're not going to dress up and go party?
I have a lot of work to do.
I may be out of line here and it's not really my business but you seem like the kind of person that makes things really hard on themselves. Halloween isn't a night for responsibility. It's when the ghosts and goblins come out.
That's actually a misnomer.
Well, I didn't mean real ones.
Buffy smiles and looks away.
But hey, there is some good scary fun to be had on campus tonight.
Yeah? What are you doing?
Well, I'm going to sit here and grade papers.
Buffy turns to go.
Scary.
Very.
Well, thanks for the pep talk, coach.
Don't make fun. I worked long and hard to get this pompous.
No, I mean it.
You're welcome.
Buffy smiles and walks out. Riley watches her, grinning.
EDWARD, one of the frat brothers, paints a pentagram onto the floor as Oz and Xander carry in a speaker.
Okay, watch your step, boys. Paint's still wet in a few spots.
Thanks for the loan, man. Our sound system sucks.
Mi Casio es su Casio.
Xander points at the pentagram.
Well, that's an interesting little design. What does it mean?
No clue. I got it out of this book. There is a lot of really cool stuff about--
Xander spots a fruit bowl on a nearby table.
Oh, grapes! Wow, peeled. You guys know how to spoil your guests.
Eyeballs, man. Blindfold chicks and have them stick their hands in the bowl and tell them it's eyeballs. They love that.
And here I was wasting time buying them flowers and complimenting them on their shoes. So you go through the whole house of horrors downstairs and it ends up here. Sweet. You fratly guys have a nice setup.
Hey, mighty, mighty Alpha Delts. You should think about pledging.
Oh, Xander is a civilian.
Ah! Townie, huh? Didn't know. He looked so normal. You sure we should let him come to the party, Oz?
Hey, standing right here.
Scary sound effects blast from the speakers. Oz looks at them unhappily.
Cranking.
You're sensing a disturbance in the Force, master?
Oz takes out a folding pocketknife.
The left speaker is crackling a little bit.
And you feel stabbing it is the proper solution?
I'm just going to trim the wire. It might be a short.
As Xander turns away, Oz cries out in pain.
Oz?
Cut myself. It's okay.
He straightens up, holding his hand. A few drops of his blood fall onto the pentagram.
Playing with knives, fun, yes, but not safe. And when you bleed to death, I've got dibs on your equipment.
Unnoticed by the guys in the room, the air shimmers over the pentagram and one of the plastic spiders suddenly springs to life and scuttles away.
JOYCE sews Buffy's costume on her machine while Buffy watches.
Thanks again for doing this at the last minute.
I'm just glad I could find it. There. Try it now. I let down the hem and loosened it a little around the hood.
Buffy puts it on and smiles.
Oh, it feels better. (off Joyce's look) Oh, no. Someone's getting nostalgic face.
I'm sorry. I'm thinking about the little girl who wore that. What is it? Five, six years ago?
Yeah, Little Red Riding Hood was the cutting edge in costumes.
Your father loved to take you out.
He was such a pain! Twelve years old and I can't go trick-or- treating by myself?
He just wanted to keep you safe.
No, he wanted the candy. I was just the bait.
Oh, that's not true, actually. The candy was for me. Your father loved spending time with you.
Buffy looks away.
Not enough, I guess.
Buffy...
Oh, that just paved right over Memory Lane, huh?
Our divorce had nothing to do with you.
I don't know. I'm starting to feel like there's a pattern here. Open your heart to someone and he bails on you. Maybe it's easier to just not let anyone in.
I thought it might be easier. You must have noticed that I am not exactly the social butterfly I was when I was with your dad. I don't think I made a single new friend the year we moved to Sunnydale.
Why not?
Fear. I didn't believe I could trust anyone again. It's taken time and a lot of effort but I've got a nice circle of friends now. I mean, don't get me wrong. I'm still a little gun shy. It certainly didn't help that my last boyfriend turned out to be a homicidal robot. I will always be here for you. And you've got Mr. Giles and your friends. Believe me, there is nothing to be afraid of.
Raucous students in costumes throw toilet paper into the trees.
Willow, dressed as Joan of Arc, talks with Oz on the phone.
No, I'll just meet you at your place. (beat) Yeah, Buffy said she was coming but I haven't seen her. We have to make sure she has fun. We have to force fun upon her. And if Parker shows up, we just ax-murder him. That's Halloweeny! Okay, I'll see you in a little bit.
Willow hangs up and heads out into the hallway.
The dorm is full of college kids in costumes. A tall black guy in DRAG wearing a blond wig walks over to her.
Willow, you've got to stop by the room.
I'm late for a battle or I would. I love your outfit though.
As Willow leaves, she passes a guy dressed as a LOBSTER talking to a girl dressed like a PRESENT.
There is nothing going on here.
I saw you flirting with her!
Do we have to do this every time? I love you. You know that!
The Haunted House is in full swing. A frat brother leads RACHEL, blindfolded, to the bowl of peeled grapes.
Okay, Rach, what's in the next one?
You guys are sick!
Here, give me your hand.
This is gross.
Eyeballs, Rachel, they're eyeballs! Muahaha!
Rachel giggles and takes the blindfold off. She looks down in horror at the bowl. It's not filled with grapes but real eyes, slick with gore. She drops the eyes and screams.
Buffy, fully dressed as Little Red Riding Hood, is on her way to the party when she's joined by Xander who strikes a fashionable pose in his tuxedo.
Hey, Red. What you got in the basket, little girl?
Weapons.
Oh.
Just in case. Like the tux, Xander.
Bond. James Bond. Insurance, you know, in case we get turned into our costumes again. I'm going for cool Secret Agent Guy.
I hate to break it to you but you'll probably end up cool Head Waiter Guy.
As long as I'm cool and wield some kind of power.
They meet up with Willow and Oz.
Will. Medieval Will.
Hail, ye olde vareletty thou.
I'm Joan of Arc. I figured we had a lot in common, seeing as how I was almost burned at the stake... and plus she had that close relationship with god.
And you are?
Oz opens his jacket and reveals a nametag that says 'God'.
Of course. I wish I'd thought of that before I put down my deposit. I could have been God.
Blasphemer.
As they walk along, two heavily armed soldiers dressed in camouflage and wearing ski masks step out of the bushes in front of them and head off across campus.
Nice costumes. Very stealthy.
What are they supposed to be?
NATO?
Oh, yeah... I invited Anya to join us but she's having some trouble finding a scary costume so she's just going to meet us there.
Perfect. Everybody's got a date but third-wheel Buffy.
You're not a third wheel.
Technically speaking you're a fifth wheel.
Willow impatiently pushes him aside and wraps an arm around her best friend.
We're going to have the best time.
The kids are in a full-blown panic, running around madly, screaming. The lights strobe and the entire atmosphere inside the house has turned malicious. A deep voice reverberates through the structure.
Release me!
Buffy and her friends approach the house.
Party-goers scream in terror.
Willow and Oz smile and holding hands as they approach the front door. Oz turns to address the others.
Let the horrors begin.
Edward runs blindly down the hallway.
God, help me!
He falls down a flight of stairs and lands in a twisted lifeless heap at the bottom.
Release me!
The gang enters the silent house. There is no sign of pandemonium.
The joint's not jumping. Where is everybody?
Mechanical laughter erupts from a plastic one-eyed head floating in a punch bowl on a table next to the door.
Follow the signs.
Terrifying. If I were Abbott and Costello, this would be fairly traumatic.
Willow walks into a cobweb decoration and screams. She quickly pulls the sticky strands off herself.
Ah! Cobweb! Okay, that part was realistic.
Frat boys aren't too obsessive with their cleaning. Might not be decoration per se.
The plastic skeleton with the knife swings out at Xander and he jumps.
I wasn't scared, I was in the spirit.
And we back you up on that. Even if they question us separately.
Oz looks over at Willow and notices a very real tarantula crawling up her shoulder. Willow follows his surprised gaze and her eyes go wide with shock.
Get it off!
Oz calmly brushes the massive spider off and looks her over.
It's gone.
Okay, that is not sanitary!
Yeah, let's get to the party part of the party.
Are you sure it's off?
Yeah.
The group walks into a sitting room and Buffy bends down to examine a spot on the carpet.
I thought this led to...
What is it?
Buffy examines the stain on her fingers.
Blood. Real blood.
Okay, actual creeps have been given. (loud) Bravo, frat boys!
Buffy stands up, looking around uncertainly.
Shh! Do you hear something? Like a squeaking noise?
Oh, it's these rented shoes... patent leather. I asked the guy to--
No, no, wait. It's something else. I hear it, too. Something like...
They all slowly look up at the ceiling. It's a writhing black mass, seemingly alive. With strangled cry, the group covers their heads as the bats explode off the ceiling and shoot off down the corridor. Oz cautiously stands up and picks up a stray bat lying on the floor.
No, Oz, don't. It might be--
Rubber. It's made of rubber.
What the hell is going on here?
Look, maybe it's nothing. Maybe it's just a neat trick. You know, something done with wires or--
The thunderous voice echoes through the house again.
Release me!
Or it might be something else.
Anya approaches the house wearing a furry pink bunny suit. She stops, confused, when she realizes there is no front door, merely a welcome mat lying in front of a solid brick wall. She bangs on the wall and calls out.
Where is the door? Hey! Hello!
She sighs and heads back out to the street but stops when she hears a scream coming from the house. She looks up and sees a girl banging desperately against one of the second-floor windows.
Help me! Help me!
As Anya watches in shock, the stonework of the house suddenly envelopes the window, sealing it off and silencing the girl's terrified screams.
Xander!
She runs off to find help.
Buffy and friends head back toward the front door. Disembodied screams and bizarre sounds echo throughout the house.
Where are the stairs?
Where is the door?
This is the way we came in, right? We just went in a circle?
Oz flips a switch and the sound effects cut off.
Thank the Lord!
You're welcome.
Hey, I have a neat idea: lets get out of here!
And you were so anxious for me to come.
I'm serious, Buffy. We don't know what we're dealing with.
My turn. Does anyone hear that?
As soon as we start dealing with it, I'll know what it is we're dealing with. Do you hear something?
Like I said. Sounds like a hissing.
Buffy sets her basket down.
It's like a 'ssss' noise?
I thought the word "hissing" kind of covered that nicely.
Buffy opens a nearby closet door and finds Chaz inside, rocking back and forth like a scared child.
I'm sorry. I didn't know. I'm sorry.
Oz crouches down in front of him.
Chaz?
I didn't know.
What's happening?
It ah...
What is it?
It's alive. It's alive.
The plastic skeleton. CU: the knife in its hand. Pan up to reveal the bones are suddenly real. The lone eyeball turns in its socket and looks toward the gang.
What's alive?
He's in shock.
Chaz, what happened here?
Chaz looks up and screams as the skeleton charges Buffy from behind and stabs her in shoulder. Buffy slams the skull aside then kicks it in the ribcage. It collapses in a heap on the floor, once again nothing but plastic. Buffy stares at for a moment, then checks her shoulder.
I think the cape took most of it.
Let me see.
Could need stitches. You should at least get a bandage or something.
A girl's scream rings out from somewhere in the house. Chaz cringes and scoots back into the closet, closing the door behind him.
Cowering in a closet is starting to seem like a reasonable plan.
Buffy looks back over her shoulder and sees only a blank wall. She picks up her basket of weapons.
What closet? I'm going to make my way upstairs and see if there are any people up there. You guys find a way out of the house and use it.
You're telling us to run away and leave you behind?
Buffy takes out a loaded crossbow.
We need help. We need the only person that can make sense of what's happening.
Giles sits on the couch in his sombrero with a bowl of candy, looking terribly bored. There is an insistent knock on the door and he gets up, excited to finally have a trick-or-treater.
Just a minute! Coming! (opens the door) Happy Hall--
Anya brushes brusquely past him.
Xander is in trouble. We've got to do something, right now!
Giles stares at her in surprise.
Anya?
Are you listening? Xander is trapped!
Where are Buffy and the others?
They're trapped too but we've got to save Xander!
Giles takes off his sombrero and sits down.
Slow down. I need you to be more specific.
We were supposed to meet at this house and I got there and there was no door where a door should be. And then I see this girl standing in a window and then-- poof!-- she's gone.
She vanished from the window?
No, the window vanished from the house.
Hmm. Matter and reality distortion... like a summoning spell's temporal flux.
He takes a book from his collection.
What?
Hmm? Oh, never mind. I just need to get some supplies together. I wouldn't worry about Xander. At least he's amongst friends.
Willow stares at Buffy, furious.
Will, I'm telling you--
You're telling me? You're telling me?
I can't do my job if I have to worry about each of your safety.
It's not your decision!
Got to disagree with you there.
Oh, of course you do.
Let's all take a breath. Buffy, maybe--
Being the Slayer doesn't automatically make you boss. You're as lost as the rest of us.
What are we talking about?
It's a simple incantation, a guiding spell for travelers when they become lost or disoriented.
And how does it work?
It conjures an emissary from the Beyond that lights the way.
Conjuring. Will, let's be realistic here. Okay, your basic spells are usually only 50-50.
Oh yeah? Well, so is your face!
Willow storms off while Buffy stares after her in confusion.
What? What does that mean?
I'm not your sidekick!
Willow leaves the room and Oz runs after her. Buffy sighs in frustration.
Well, that was a bunch of laughs.
Buffy doesn't acknowledge him and goes back to retrieve her basket.
Look, Buffy, we are all tired and a little edgy. Maybe Willow is overreacting. I'm sure part of it is because of how you've been Pushing Away Girl lately, but now is not the time to let that stuff tear us apart. What I'm saying is, I'm right with ya. I'm right by your side. I'm...
Buffy picks up her crossbow, ignoring him completely, and turns to go. She suddenly stops and looks around in confusion.
Xander?
Funny how you still haven't lost your sense of inappropriate humor.
Buffy looks right through him.
Xander, where did you go?
Buffy, knock it off. Skit's over. I'm right here.
Buffy stomps off down the hall, seething.
This is so typical of him!
Typical?
Buffy calls down the hall.
Xander?
Xander follows her after a beat.
Buffy!
Xander walks into a dimly-lit room. Candles burn all around him and the walls are covered with cobwebs.
Buff?
Willow rounds on Oz, still furious over Buffy's attitude toward her.
She thinks I'm not ready to be a full blown witch! I can handle the Dark Forces as good as anyone else. It's not that hard. It's just a guiding spell and I'm careful and all.
Oz looks around the corridor.
This floor used to have windows.
Willow nods absently then points to a nearby stairwell and heads up. Oz reluctantly follows.
Look. We found the stairs. Buffy didn't find the stairs, no sir!
You guys aren't thinking clearly.
He suddenly feels light-headed and looks down at his hands. They are hairy and his fingernails look more like claws. Willow, with her back to him, has not noticed the change.
We just need to get up to the coat room and maybe we can--
Willow, something is happening...
Willow turns to him.
Something good? (realizes) Oh, no... not good.
I'm changing.
But you can't! There is no moon tonight.
I have to get away.
No, we need to find something to restrain you, like a rope or chains or something.
There is no time!
I can do the guiding spell. I know I can make it work!
Will, please...
Willow tries to grab him.
No!
Oz bats her hand away with a growl. Willow looks down at three red scratches across the back of her hand as Oz turns and runs off.
Oz! Oz, don't leave me!
Xander looks at his reflection in a mirror.
There I am. I didn't go anywhere. Great. Now I just have to live with the fact that no one else can see me.
Xander looks past his reflection in the mirror and is stunned to see a decapitated human head with one eyeball dangling from its socket resting on a dresser behind him. The head begins to move and blood runs from the eye sockets. Xander spins around and stares in numb shock.
I can see you.
That's it for Xander. He bolts from the room.
Oz sits in the bathtub chanting to himself, trying to hold off his lycanthropic transformation.
You're not going to change. You're not going to change.
Pan across a series of cobweb-covered gilt-framed pictures and settle behind Buffy, walking down the corridor. She hears a noise and spins around, crossbow at the ready, but there is nothing there.
Willow sits at a table, reciting the incantation that will cast the guiding spell.
Okay... Aradia, Goddess of the Lost, the path is murky, the woods are dense, darkness pervades, I beseech thee... bring the light.
She opens her eyes and smiles when she sees a tiny speck of light floating in front of her face.
Whoa! I did it! I did you. Hi! Right, you're waiting for instructions. Lead me to Oz.
The speck of light starts to float past her and Willow gets up to follow it.
Wait! I should try to find the people trapped upstairs first. But even if I get them we still need to find a way out of the house. Okay, here is what we should do...
She looks around and finds that the speck of light has divided and multiplied several times. There is now a small cloud of light motes dancing around her head.
Hey! What's going on?
The sparks start to circle her, gaining speed. She bats at them as they buzz around her like a cloud of mosquitoes
Stop! Stop it! Get off! Oz, hel--
Several of the sparks fly into her mouth and she starts coughing and choking, then runs off with the rest of the cloud in pursuit.
Buffy hears Willow's cry for help and breaks into a run, trying to follow Willow's voice.
Willow...
She comes to a locked door and kicks it open, charging over the threshold... but the floor has disappeared and she falls through space into the basement.
Buffy lies on the floor, dazed as the door swings slowly shut far above her head.
Basement... I must be in the basement.
A disembodied voice whispers out of the dark.
All alone.
Who said that?
Edward lurches around the corner, his head tilted at an unnatural angle.
They all ran away from you. They always will. Open your heart to someone and... (smiles) But don't fret, little girl. You're not alone... anymore.
Buffy screams in terror as arms burst up through the floor, clawing at her, trying to pull her down with them into a pit of despair.
Giles and Anya stand on the front porch of the house. Giles runs a hand over the wall where the door used to be, holding an open book in his other hand. Anya bounces impatiently.
Well?
We're going to have to create a door.
He closes the book and walks over to his bag.
Create a door? You can do that?
Giles takes out a chainsaw and fires it up.
I can.
Buffy fights desperately to keep from being dragged down by the legion of the dead.
No matter how hard you fight, you just end up in the same place.
Buffy crawls along the floor, kicking at the zombies clawing her.
I don't see why you bother.
Buffy reaches a small door set into the wall, pulls herself through and slams it shut behind her.
Buffy finds herself in the cloak room where the pentagram dominates the floor.
I'm upstairs. The coat room.
There are college kids in costumes cowering along the walls, whimpering in fear. Buffy approaches a boy huddled in the corner.
Oz?
Willow runs into the room, swatting the air around her head.
Get them off me! Get them off me! Get 'em off! Get 'em off!
Oz looks down at his hands-- which have returned to their normal human state-- then back at his lover. He takes Willow in his arms, holding her tight.
Willow... what's wrong?
Couldn't get them off...
Oz wraps her up in his arms, soothing her.
It's okay. It's okay. We're okay.
Buffy shakes her head.
We're not okay. We need to get out of here.
Xander sits nearby, rocking back and forth on the edge of a chair.
I'd offer my opinion but you jerks aren't going to hear it anyway. Not that Didn't Go To College Boy has anything important to say. I might as well hang out with my new best friend, Bleeding Dummy Head, for all you dorks care.
What is wrong with you?
Xander bolts to his feet.
You heard that? You can see me? (Buffy nods) Good. Oh, god, good!
The house separated us. It wanted to scare us.
But we got away.
No. We were brought here. We all got so scared that we ended up here. Why?
Xander points at the pentagram on the floor.
I saw them painting that. They were copying it out of...
He looks around and spots the open book on a nearby table.
That!
Willow take the book from him and quickly looks through it.
I think it's Gælic.
Can you translate?
Release me! Release me!
Will, give me something.
Okay... the icon's called the Mark of Gachnar. I think this is a summoning spell for something called...
Gachnar?
Well, yes. Somehow the beginning of the spell must have been triggered. Gachnar is trying to manifest itself, to come into being.
How?
It feeds on fear.
Our fears are manifesting it. We're feeding it. We need to stop.
If we're close our eyes and say it's a dream it'll stab us to death! These things are real.
Release me!
Okay, so our fears are feeding it. If we get everyone out of here...
She trails off as the walls start knocking and shaking.
Good plan. Lets go!
Xander heads toward the door but screams and recoils in shock when it bursts open to reveal Giles with buzzing chainsaw in hand. When he sees Xander, he shuts off the saw.
Giles? Everyone, it's Giles! With a chainsaw.
Anya rushes in behind Giles and hugs Xander tight.
Glad you could make it.
Giles takes a look at Willow's book.
The walls closed up behind us. (re: book) Gachnar, of course. Its presence infects the reality of the house but it's not managed to achieve full manifestation. We can not allow this to come into being.
But if it does I can fight it, right?
Giles shows her a picture in the book.
Buffy, this is Gachnar.
I don't want to fight that. So... we break the spell.
What ever we do, let's do it fast.
Giles flips the pages.
I have it, I have it. (reads) 'The summoning spell for Gachnar can be shut down in one of two ways. Destroying the Mark of Gachnar...
Buffy puts her fist through the floorboards, ripping them up. She looks over at Giles with a proud smile.
...is not one of them and will, in fact, immediately bring forth the fear demon itself.
Buffy sheepishly looks away as the mark begins to glow. Willow points to the center of the pentagram.
Look!
The floor shakes and rumbles and they all stare in horror as GACHNAR appears.
CU on Gachnar: he's one ugly demon: formidable and fearsome and furious.
Gachnar looks up and we pull back to reveal that he barely six inches tall.
This is Gachnar?
Big overture. Little show.
I am the Dark Lord of Nightmares! The Bringer of Terror! Tremble before me. Fear me!
Buffy tries not to laugh but Willow can't help herself.
He's so cute!
Tremble!
Xander bends down and calls to him like a puppy.
Who's a little fear demon? Come on! Who's a little fear demon!
Don't taunt the fear demon.
Why? Can he hurt me?
No, it's just tacky. Be that as it may, Buffy, when it comes to slaying...
Size doesn't matter?
They're all going to abandon you, you know.
Yeah, yeah.
Buffy brings her foot down and squashes Gachnar into paste.
The gang enjoys Giles' Halloween candy.
Some quality treats here, Giles.
Please, finish them.
This is much better. There is no problem that can not be solved with chocolate.
I think I'm going to barf.
Except that.
Xander stares at Anya in her bunny costume while he munches candy.
What?
That's your scary costume?
Bunnies frighten me.
Oh, bloody hell. The inscription!
What's the matter?
Giles shows her the book.
I should have translated the Gælic inscription under the illustration of Gachnar.
Buffy looks at it.
What's it say?
Actual size.
After a beat, Buffy shrugs and closes the book.