[Transcript of "Buffy The Vampire Slayer" episode Goodbye, Iowa at buffyology.com.]
BUFFY relates her experience at Walsh's hands to GILES, WILLOW, XANDER, ANYA and SPIKE.
So Maggie sends me down into the sewers with one of those blasto guns and the next thing I know, it's raining monsters.
Hallelujah.
And then this gate slams down behind me and I try to use the gun but it goes pfft.
You're saying that Maggie Walsh set you up?
That's exactly what I'm saying. She sent me on a one-way recon.
Got to hand it to you, Goldilocks-- you do have bleeding tragic taste in men. I've got a cousin married to a regurgitating Froglocs demon that's got better instincts than you.
What does my taste in men have to do with this?
You think Riley was out knitting booties for your future offspring while Maggie was stringing you up?
None of the others objects to Spike's characterization of Riley; Anya, Xander and Giles are silent.
You guys think Riley had something to do with this?
Probably not but we'd be remiss if we didn't think of all the possibilities.
Right. Remiss. (beat) No! No, Maggie made sure that he was nowhere around when she sent me on this very special make- Buffy-dead assignment.
Plus Riley-- he seems like he wouldn't tell a little white lie let alone a whole bunch of big dirty ones.
That's why they call it the secret forces, Will, 'cause they kinda keep the whole lying thing to themselves.
All I know is that Maggie has it in for me which means the Initiative has it in for me.
I'm guessing the mad scientist isn't too keen on the fact that the entire Scooby gang knows that the Initiative is up to no good.
Which brings us back to the "not safe for any of us" concept.
What could have happened to make Professor Walsh want to kill you?
I don't know. She wasn't keen on the fact that I was asking a lot of questions, that's for sure.
So you were getting too close to something.
Clearly. Although one can only imagine what she'd be so desperate to hide.
All is quiet save the peaceful sounds of birds and other forest noises. Pan to a concrete access tunnel just visible in the side of the hill. It doesn't look as if it's been used for some time. The metal doors screech as they open from the inside.
CU on a pair of combat boots walking down the steps from the entrance. Pan up to reveal ADAM, legs clad in camouflage commando pants, the left leg sporting a metal brace (jointed at the knee) from ankle to mid-thigh. He's not wearing a shirt, and his flesh is a jigsaw of different skin types. An electronic metal plate covers the left side of his chest. His face is mostly scaly and green except for the patch of pale human flesh around his ear and blue right eye. His left eye glows a demonic red. His short hair is a normal brown, but a metal plate frames the left side of his face and wraps around the back of his head.
Having escaped from the Initiative, Adam stands for a moment, taking in his surroundings, then smiles and moves off through the forest.
Opening credit sequence.
Buffy takes charge.
Everybody grab a weapon. We've gotta move.
Buffy hands Xander an axe and Anya a grappling hook.
Storm the Initiative. Yeah, let's take on those suckers.
I was thinking more that we'd hide.
Oh, thank god.
I think perhaps we should talk about this.
We need to relocate someplace where we're less likely to be found. We need to come up with a plan.
We could go to my place.
The Initiative guys know how close we are. They'll automatically check the places that you hang out. Xander, what about your basement? The guys haven't seen us together that much and there's enough room.
Oh, plus mirror ball!
Cool! Come on down and boogie at Xander's hideaway.
Yes, come boogie.
Absolutely not! I will not squat in that dank hole.
What? It was good enough for me but you're above it all?
Precisely. Besides I don't see why we can't stay right where we are. It's very unlikely that those Initiative boys are going to come round here to look for--
The door bangs open and RILEY enters.
Buffy! God, Buffy are you okay? What happened?
You know?
I know something went down. Tell me.
Maggie tried to kill me.
It didn't work but they're all upset anyway.
Okay, listen I need you to go over everything step by step. There has to be... has to be some kind of mistake.
There was no mistake. And how do you know something happened?
I was on a mission but I came back and... I'm not sure. Look let's just keep her heads and not jump to any--
Riley stops and stares at Spike.
What?
That's Hostile 17.
No, I'm just a friend of Xander's. (beat, drops accent) Bugger it. I'm your guy.
This is Spike. He's... it's a really long story but he's not bad anymore.
Spike takes issue with that.
Hey! What am I, a bleedin' broken record? I'm bad, it's just I can't bite anymore. (to Riley) Thanks to you wankers.
We've been looking all over the place for him but you've known where's he's been all along?
It's not like that.
Then what is it like? What's he doing here?
Leaving you swabs to your dramatics, thanks. I've got my stories on the telly for that.
Spike shrugs on his duster and heads for the door.
By the by, if you're trying to kill her...
He smiles and gives Riley a big thumbs up. Buffy and Willow roll their eyes as Spike runs out the door into the sunlight covering his head and arms with his coat.
Buffy, what is this? You're hiding an HST?
Why don't you just back off and let her ask the questions, Jack? Your boss just tried to make monster food out of her.
Riley looks around but sees from everyone's expressions that it's not a friendly room.
I didn't see much, I wasn't there. All I know is that Professor Walsh told me you were dead but then I saw you on the monitors. Look, this isn't Professor Walsh. There must be something making her act this way. Something... I don't know... controlling her.
We think Buffy may have been becoming too inquisitive, that she was getting close to something that Professor Walsh was trying to hide. Do you have any idea what that might be?
What about 314? Maybe that's it.
Maybe she was trying to test you. What if it was only a drill?
Then why did she tell you I was dead? Riley, it wasn't a test.
I've heard rumors that the Initiative isn't all that we've been told. That secretly they're working toward some darker purpose, something that might harm us all.
No! That's not what happens there. I would know.
Riley, no one is sure of anything, okay? We were just trying to sort it out.
I can't be here. I'll sort it out on my own.
Riley...
No. Just... I'm sorry.
Flustered, Riley abruptly leaves.
A small BOY, perhaps 7 to 9 years old, plays with an action figure-- kind of a Transformer, man-to-machine type toy. Adam comes upon the boy and approaches him. When the boy sees Adam, he doesn't seem frightened at all, despite Adam's horrific appearance.
What am I?
You're a monster.
I thought so. (beat) What are you?
Me? I'm a boy.
A boy. How do you work?
I don't know. I just do.
The boy points to the bone spur protruding from Adam's wrist.
What's that for?
Adam raises his wrist to look at the skewer, almost as if he'd forgotten about it. Then looks back at the boy and smiles.
Riley wanders the campus, confused and trying to sort out his conflicting feelings and loyalties.
DR. ANGLEMAN enters the darkened lab. He flicks the light switch several times but nothing happens.
Dr. Walsh?
Angleman closes the door slowly.
Adam?
As Angleman cautiously makes his way through the lab, he slips and falls on something wet. As he sits up, he notices blood on his hands and follows the trail to a body lying face down nearby. Horrified, he scrambles backward, away from Professor Walsh's corpse.
CU on the mirrored disco ball hanging from Xander's ceiling. Cartoon sounds come from a TV o.s. Reflected light from the ball strikes Giles in the eye waking him. He's sleeping on an inflatable plastic chair.
Pan past a makeshift curtain to Willow, Anya and Buffy in bed watching Saturday morning cartoons. Wile E. Coyote lets a wrecking ball fall toward the Roadrunner. The ball misses the Roadrunner and instead of stopping halfway up, continues in a full circle, taking out Wile E. Coyote.
That would never happen.
Well, no Buff. That's why they call them cartoons, not documentaries.
Giles staggers in and turns off the TV.
Must we have the noise? My head is splitting.
Well, look who's cranky bear in the morning.
Yes, I can't imagine why I didn't sleep well in my beach ball.
Every time you moved it made squeaky noises. It was irritating.
Really? I'm surprised you could hear it over your Wagnerian snoring.
Okay, you guys, could we not, please? Everything's screwed up enough without you two doing "Scenes From my Parent's Marriage".
Sorry.
Sorry.
Thank you.
It'll be okay, Buffy. Riley's just confused, that's all.
I don't know. It just seems like things could get heavier. His whole world's falling apart.
And after everything you've been through with Angel. You know, you really should get yourself a boring boyfriend. Like Xander. (beat) You can't have Xander.
That was the idea. Riley was supposed to be Mr. Joe Guy. We were going to do dumb things like hold hands through the daisies going tra-la-la.
Poor Buffy. Your life resists all things average.
So dump him. But you can't have Xander.
I'll try and remember that. It's too late anyway. I'm already at the "I hurt when he hurts, I smile when he smiles" stage.
I hate that part.
I'll just have to make it work.
Xander rushes down the stairs carrying a breakfast tray with orange juice and some food.
Turn on the TV. Now!
Willow jumps up and does as he says. The cartoons have been interrupted for a news brief.
Sunnydale is still reeling from news of the crime. A source in the coroner's office tells us that the boy was stabbed with what looks like some kind of large skewer and his body was then mutilated. Police have not named a suspect and the killer is still at large.
No one says anything for a moment, taking in the horrifying news.
The Polgara demon had a skewer in its arm. That's the one that Maggie insisted we bring back alive.
She must have sent it after you.
And it got distracted. God...
Buffy, its not your fault. How could you know?
She's right. You mustn't blame yourself.
I'm not going to. I'm going to the crime scene to see what I can find out. You guys research the Polgara demon. I want to know where it is. When I find it, I'm going to make him pay for taking that kid's life. I'll make him die in ways he can't even imagine.
Everyone looks at her in an almost-amused way. She stops and looks down at herself.
That probably would have sounded more commanding if I wasn't wearing my yummy sushi pajamas.
Riley walks up the stairs. FORREST sees him and catches up.
Hey, where've you been all night? Well, congratulations. I see you and Buffy have finally gotten past the shy phase.
I wasn't with Buffy. I had to be alone, think some things through.
What things?
Riley motions Forrest into his room and closes the door behind them.
This is mighty ominous. What's up man?
Professor Walsh tried to have Buffy killed.
What? Did Buffy tell you that? I mean, do you have any proof?
I saw enough to know it's true.
I don't get it. Why?
I don't know. Buffy thinks that she's getting too close to something-- that Professor Walsh has some secret.
I wouldn't put it past Buffy to get on Professor Walsh's bad side. She tends to put her nose where it doesn't belong.
What?
She's a pain. Always wanting to know "why this" and "why that".
And you're saying she should die because of that?
I don't know. Maybe Professor Walsh found out that Buffy was up to something bad. That ever cross your mind?
Why does it bug you so much that I'm hanging with her? Is it because she's a better soldier than you?
It bugs me that she's using you to infiltrate our operation.
So you saying that she's a spy? You're crazy.
Riley, think about it. The professor's not stupid. If she tried to kill Buffy, maybe Buffy needed killing.
GRAHAM enters, looking extremely shaken.
Guys.
Not now, Graham.
He doesn't move.
What is it?
Professor Walsh is dead.
Riley arrives as two scientists kneel over Walsh's body. Sentries stand guard. Forrest arrives moments later.
Look at that wound. She's been staked, wouldn't you say, brother?
What?
Only one person I can think of who could do something like that.
You better not be saying what I think you're saying. We don't know a person did this. The Polgara demon has skewers.
Riley stalks off. Forrest grabs him.
No way, man. That's your girlfriend's m.o.
Riley grabs Forrest's shirt.
That's a serious accusation. You better be ready to deal with the consequences.
Forrest shoves Riley back.
Bring 'em on. That supernatural freak has blinded you and I'm sick of it.
That's enough!
Stand down, Finn. Show some respect. Listen, everybody's upset but arguing isn't going to help anything and it's certainly not what Professor Walsh would want.
No, sir.
All right, good. Now, Washington is sending in a team to do an internal investigation. I've been told we have to wait for their word.
What do you mean wait? This has to be the work of the Polgara demon we captured last week.
Probably. It looks like last night the Polgara escaped through tunnel 72.
It's out loose somewhere?
I'm afraid so.
Then we have to go after it.
My orders from Washington are for a total lockdown until they arrive. I'm sorry. Now return to your quarters. There's nothing you can do here.
Later. Riley and his team, alone.
Listen, Angleman can talk all he wants but I'm still in charge till the brass gets here and tells me otherwise and I say we've got a demon to hunt. Now suit up for armed patrol and by that I mean loaded guns, men. Target practice is over. We're going for blood.
The Initiative searches the cemetery for the Polgara. Forrest and Graham enter Spike's crypt and take note of the signs of habitation.
Somebody's been staying here.
What do you think, a homeless guy?
Could be... or a squatter of the demon variety.
Not the Polgara.
Who cares? I see a demon, it dies.
Graham puts his hand on the TV set.
It's warm.
Their attention settles on the crypt in the center of the room. They each take a side and lift the heavy stone lid off and slide it to the floor. They look inside but find nothing but an ancient moldering corpse.
Damn.
They turn to leave and Forrest smashes the butt of his gun through the television screen in frustration on the way out.
Animals!
After the soldiers are gone, Spike peeks out from beneath the corpse, sighing with relief.
The crime scene, surrounded by yellow police tape. Buffy watches from a distance as the young boy's covered body is wheeled away. She turns as Riley walks up behind her, dressed in his military uniform.
Buffy, hey.
Hey. Look, I'm sorry about earlier. I know that everyone came on pretty strong. And the Spike thing isn't as tweaked as it looks. Okay, maybe it is but there's an explanation that almost makes sense. (Riley says nothing) Hello? I'm apologizing here and I think that's pretty big of me considering I'm the one who was almost made a demon sandwich. (no response) This is the part where you throw me a bone.
Maggie's dead.
Buffy is shocked
Happy now?
How can you ask me that? Of course I'm not happy. What happened?
That's classified.
Classi-- the Polgara. It got her and escaped. Didn't it?
She takes his silence as confirmation.
I'm going to find it. I'm going to find it and destroy it. And then you can stop asking me how happy all this death makes me.
She turns and heads off.
TARA opens her door in response to Willow's knock.
Howdy.
I just got your message a minute ago. I was in class but I was about to call you.
I had so much fun the other night, those spells.
Yeah, that was nice.
I hope you don't think that I just come over for the spells and everything. I mean, I really like just talking and hanging out with you and stuff.
I know that. But you want to do a spell.
Yeah, but only because it's really important. There's this--
No, you don't have to explain. I don't mind, really. I've been thinking about that last spell we did... all day.
You have?
Mmm-hmm.
Well this one should be really fun, too. We conjure the Goddess Thespia to help us locate demonic energy in the area.
Tara suddenly loses her enthusiasm.
The Goddess Thespia. Are you sure we're ready for that?
You and me? This is beneath us.
Okay. If you say so.
WILLY cringes when he sees Buffy enter but signals her to move to the end of the bar. Various vampires and demons drink and carouse around her.
You're killing me here.
Oh, missed you, too. Joint's jumping.
Yeah. Y'know, I'm making some changes with my life. Getting away from my old image.
You mean as a double-dealing snitch.
I know you're going think I'm blowing smoke but after those Apocalypse demons nearly did me in I had an experience of the spiritual variety.
That's swell, really. But I need to know if you've heard anything about a Polgara demon doing some killings in the last few days.
You see, that's the thing. I don't talk behind people's backs no more. And I'm bringing some class to the joint, y'know. It's Willy's Place now, see. (indicates sign behind him) Brings in a better clientele. I got one of those deep fryers. These demons just go crazy for chicken fingers. Look, if they see me dealing with you, then I'm just the same old Willy working both sides of the street.
I'm going to have to punch you aren't I?
Just once and it don't have to hurt. Just make it look good.
Buffy cocks her arm and Willy recoils, yelling in pain.
Not yet! I haven't touched you.
Sorry, right, right. Go ahead. Wait. (loud) No! I can't talk to you!
Buffy punches him and she doesn't seem to have held back. Willy cries out in real pain this time and holds his nose.
What have you heard about the Polgara?
Heard there was one around a week or two back. Word was you got him. You and those Army guys.
And that was the last you heard?
Yeah, as far as I know he's off the streets.
What about those Army guys? What do you know? You heard anything about 314?
Riley suddenly walks in, surveying the place. Buffy turns to him, annoyed.
What are you doing here? Following me?
You told me you were tracking the Polgara demon. I thought I'd help. But now I see you're not hunting demons, you're socializing with them... again! I thought you were supposed to be killing these things not buying them drinks.
Oh, that's smooth, Officer Riley. They teach you those undercover moves in the Special Forces?
No, I'm serious, Buffy. What are you doing here?
Just cooling her dogs like the rest of us. Why don't you sit down, relax?
I want you to tell me. Who are you?
No kidding. How about I get you some chicken fingers on the house?
Hey, think you could shut up?
Look, I'm just saying--
I said shut up! Or maybe you'd like to go back to the lab with me. I'm sure the coats would love to classify a... whatever you are.
Leave him alone, Riley. He's human.
So he's human.
Buffy suddenly notices that Riley is trembling and sweating profusely.
You're shaking.
He just harbors demons. Which makes him a good guy like you?
Riley grabs Buffy by the arms.
The truth, Buffy. Now!
You have the truth. You are just too screwed up because of what happened to Professor Walsh to see it. Now let go of me.
Buffy breaks his grip as a spooked OLD WOMAN gets up to leave.
Hold it, you!
Riley turns with drawn pistol pointed at the woman. The semi-auto wavers in his hand.
No leaving until I say so!
Hey! We got new rules here. No killing.
Right. Except rules don't seem to apply much these days, do they? Like if I shot you right now, I don't know if I'd have a corpse on my hands or one pissed off vampire.
Riley...
I mean who do you believe? First it sounds like lies, then it sounds like truth.
The old woman starts crying. Finally, Riley lowers the gun and dumps it on the bar, smashing glasses. Riley trembles and Buffy steps closer.
What's happening to me?
Riley sits on the bed holding his head in his hands. The makeshift curtain is closed to allow some privacy. Buffy sits next to him and puts a blanket around his shoulders.
Riley, why don't you lie down? You'll be more comfortable.
Riley shakes and scratches his hand bloody. Buffy holds his hands apart.
Stop it.
I can't. It's like something's growing inside of me.
No. You're hurting yourself, okay? Shhh.
Buffy takes off her scarf and wraps it around his hand.
I thought I knew but I don't. I don't know anything.
Sshhh. You're sick. Once you get some rest...
No, Buffy. I don't know... anything. I don't know what's going on. Who the bad guys are. Maybe I'm the bad guy. Maybe I'm the thing you should kill.
No! Don't you even think that.
She strokes Riley's cheek.
Okay, listen to me. You're sick. You just need to get some sleep. Please. Lie down for me. Come on.
Riley curls up in a fetal position, shaking. Buffy strokes his forehead.
It'll be okay.
Riley seems to calm down somewhat and he falls into a troubled sleep. Buffy exits through the makeshift curtains where the others are waiting.
How is he?
It isn't just grief making him act this way. Something's affecting him physically and its getting worse.
Do you think Professor Walsh did something to him?
I don't know but I'm ready to find out.
That's going to be tough, what with Maggie's deadness and all.
She must have kept records somewhere, about Riley, about 314, about all of it. And I'm sure she wasn't the only person that knew what she was up to.
So what's the plan?
Giles, Anya, keep researching. Xander, you and I are going undercover.
Hey, remember before? No Xander! Not in a boyfriend way or a "lead him to a certain death" way.
He's the only one with military experience.
It's not like he was in the 'Nam. He was G.I. Joe for one night.
It's okay, Anya. I've backed up Buffy before.
Can't you do something else to help them? Like Xerox handouts or something?
I'll be careful. Promise.
It's a minor point but how do you plan to get into the Initiative? I'm sure their security system's almost impenetrable.
I have my clearance. I'm hoping she didn't have time to revoke it.
Okay, as to the whereabouts of this Polgara demon... I'm afraid we've not turned up much. There's been no reports since its original capture.
Then we'll just have to keep looking.
Twine stretches across the floor in the shape of a square, its points held down by four different-colored crystals. Pull back to reveal Willow and Tara sitting across from each other, the magickal symbol between them.
So the square is Sunnydale?
Right, it's like a map. We both take different parts of the potion and when we do the incantation, we both blow it onto the square at the exact same time.
But how does it work?
Well, that's the cool part. When the potion mixes and Thespia is called, it creates this mist over the parts where the demons are. It even makes different colors for different breeds.
Wow.
You ready?
Tara nods. Willow pours some green powder into Tara's hand, then some white powder into her own hand.
Let's do it.
Willow closes her eyes and Tara does the same.
Thespia, we walk in shadow, walk in blindness. You are the protector of the night.
Thespia, goddess, ruler of all darkness, we implore you... open a window to the World of the Underbeing.
Still with her eyes shut, Willow sharply blows the powder into the square. Tara blows across her hand also but keeps her fist closed to prevent the powder from escaping. Making sure that Willow is not looking, Tara surreptitiously dumps her powder under the bed.
With your knowledge, may we go in safety. With your grace, may we speak of your benevolence.
Willow opens her eyes and is disappointed to see that nothing has happened.
Or not.
Buffy wears glasses with her hair up in a bun and carries a white cloth bag. Xander is dressed in green military fatigues.
Seems pretty quiet.
It usually is this time of--
A man rushes past them but takes no notice. Relieved, Buffy touches the panel hidden in the wall and then stands in front of the full length mirror. Xander doesn't realize what she's doing and walks up next to her.
Buff, maybe you should check the look later.
Shhh.
Buffy quickly shoves him back across the hall.
Oww! What'd you do that for?
Sorry. I'm the only one that can pass the retinal scan.
Xander obviously misunderstands again.
The-- ewww. I don't want to see that.
Retinal scan, Xander. (beat) Well, we'll know in a few seconds if my clearance is still good.
Or if we're about to die at the hands of fifty grief-filled military goons.
Retinal scan recorded. Summers, Buffy.
The mirror slides to the side and the elevator opens. Buffy steps in and Xander tentatively follows.
Why am I not entirely comforted by the arrival of the man-sized microwave?
The elevator descends and they exit as the doors open.
Xander is as amazed as Buffy was the first time she saw the depth and breadth of the Initiative's operation.
Holy moley!
I know.
I totally get it now. Can I have sex with Riley, too?
Buffy shoots Xander a withering look and leads him down the stairs toward the main floor level. Two scientists climb the stairs toward them and Xander panics and wraps Buffy up in his arms.
Quick! Pretend to make out with me.
She pushes him off her.
What?! What are you talking about?
Well, you know. In the movies the guy and the girl have to hide...
Please! Could you possibly draw more attention to us?
Buffy looks down at her clipboard as the two scientists pass them without incident.
This is the Initiative, Xander. Military guys and scientists do not make out with each other.
Well, maybe that's what's wrong with the world. Ever think about that?
Willow briefs Giles and Anya regarding her lack of success with the spell.
It totally failed. It wasn't even like the spell went wrong. It just wouldn't.
If it's any consolation, we haven't fared much better here.
Really? Is Riley okay?
Well, he's asleep finally but he doesn't look good. And the research is troubling as well. I mean, this demon we're after seems highly atypical for a Polgara. The child that it killed was mutilated. There's no recorded cases of a Polgara ever having done such a thing.
Also the Polgara have to eat every two hours. Factor in the low IQ and you have a demon who's not exactly low profile.
So how has he been hiding in Sunnydale for the last two days without anyone seeing him?
Exactly.
Willow pulls back the curtain surrounding the bed. Riley stands right there, no longer lying down. He still does not look well at all.
Riley!
Where's Buffy?
She went out. Can I get you something?
Just tell me where she is.
You're not well, Riley. You need to rest.
Riley puts on his boots.
Did she find the Polgara? Is that it?
Well, no. We're still looking.
Well, what?
She went to find out what's making you sick.
I'm not sick. Are you're telling me she went to the Initiative?
Riley goes to grab his stuff.
Riley, she's just trying to help you.
Willow moves between Riley and the stairs.
She doesn't belong there.
Riley, listen--
Stand away from the stairs.
No! You're going to get Buffy killed.
Riley violently shoves Willow out of his way and she falls to the floor.
Hey!
Riley stalks up the stairs as Giles and Anya run to help Willow up.
You all right?
Buffy and Xander eavesdrop on a conversation between Angleman and another scientist.
How many of the men are still out? The longer they go without their meds--
Everyone's off their schedule because of the professor's death.
It's dangerous. I don't want to think about the damage our guys could do under the stress of withdrawal, especially since they won't understand what's happening to them. These guys don't know they've been getting meds in their food so we better get them in here stat.
We've located all but a few. The last ones were in pretty bad shape but we stabilized them.
But Finn wasn't one of them, right?
No.
Find him. He's the one I care about. He's too important to our work to lose now.
Indeed.
Spike strolls in and throws some money on the bar.
Double shot of O-neg, keep. Make it the good stuff... don't want no freaking orangutan.
Got ya.
Been a real pisser of a day, hasn't it? Those Army blokes are on a tear. They ran me out of my place and all over town.
A demon hand lands on Spike's shoulder and Spike turns toward the creature.
Yeah? What's that?
Spike hits the floor as the demon decks him in the head.
Resume.
Keep me posted. I'll be in Records.
Angleman swipes his keycard and enters a secure room. Buffy waits until the last second, then slips her clipboard into the closing door before it latches. She rushes up behind Angleman, spins him around and seizes him by his lab coat, pulling him close.
Now I don't generally like to kill humans but I've learned that it pays to be flexible in life.
I was wondering when you'd turn up.
Oh, darn! So this isn't a surprise? Now you can tell me what you did to Riley and after that we can take a tour of room 314.
Somebody's coming, you know. I'm sure they've already seen you on the security monitors.
Riley rounds the corner.
Monitors are non-functional at this time, sir. Went down about ten minutes ago.
What? I didn't do that.
Thank god for small favors and we'll worry about the details later-- huh, Buff?
Finn, take this girl to the stockade immediately.
Riley, he can tell us what we need to know. (to Angleman) Maggie wanted me dead, didn't she?
She did. (to Riley) But understand, the Initiative has no interest in eliminating the Slayer. (to Buffy) It was her own vendetta.
Why? Spell it out for me! I feel an attack of dumb blonde coming on.
I don't know.
Buffy tightens her grip.
Well, think harder!
It was the project.
Project? 314.
It... it escaped.
That's enough! You're making her sound like some psychopath. She wasn't like that. She was a brilliant woman.
She was. It's not--
All she was doing was trying to help people and this is the way you want them to remember her!
Angleman said Walsh was feeding you drugs.
Riley is still sick and feverish. He lurches to within arm's reach as Buffy lets Angleman go.
You're doing this to me, aren't you? This all started because of you.
If you will just listen to me, I am trying to help you get to the truth.
You want truth, then tell me, what did you do to her Buffy?
Riley grabs Buffy and she breaks his grip.
Stop it! I didn't do anything.
Again Riley grabs Buffy and she breaks free.
Riley stop! This isn't about us. Everything that we need to know is here. We just need to find out what was in 314.
Suddenly they're all stunned to silence as the corpse of an Initiative soldier crashes to the floor in front of them. They all look up to find Adam standing on an overhead catwalk, looking down at them.
Me.
Resume. Adam paces on the catwalk.
I've been thinking about the world. I wanted to see it, learn it. I saw the inside of that boy and it was beautiful but it didn't tell me about the world. It just made me feel. So now I want to learn about me. Why I feel... what I am...
Adam steps off the platform and drops effortlessly to the floor, 15 feet below.
So I came home.
Adam removes a magneto-optical computer disk from the pocket of his fatigues and inserts it into a port in the cybernetic attachment on his chest.
I'm a kinematically redundant bio-mechanical demonoid designed by Maggie Walsh. She called me Adam and I called her mother.
Adam, Maggie would want you to stand down.
Yes. But I seem to have a design flaw.
Angleman pales.
In addition to organic material, I'm equipped with GP2D-11 infrared detectors, a harmonic decelerator, plus DC servo.
She pieced you together from parts of other demons.
And man. And machine. Which tells me what I am but not who I am. Mother wrote things down... hard data, but also her feelings. That's how I learned that I have a job here. And that she loved me.
She wasn't your mother and she didn't love you!
Is that really the issue?
She made you because she was a scientist!
Riley!
Adam pulls another disk from his pocket and inserts it into his chest.
Riley Finn.
Stop! Those files--
Oh! Mother created you, too.
Maggie's not my mother! I have a mother, a real--
A birth mother, yes. But after you met Maggie, she was the one who shaped your basic operating system. She taught you how to think, how to feel. She fed you chemicals to make you stronger-- your mind and body. She said that you and I were her favorite children. Her art. That makes us brothers. Family.
No! I'm not like you.
That's pain, isn't it? Why? Because your feeding schedule-- the chemicals-- have been interrupted? Or do you miss her? Tell me.
I'll kill you!
You won't. You haven't been programmed to.
I cannot be programmed! I'm a man!
Adam holds a third disk up.
It's here-- the plan she had for us. What happens. How it ends.
No.
Do you want to hear?
No!
Riley pulls his pistol but Adam easily disarms him, knocking the gun across the room. Buffy steps in and a hammer punch from Adam sends her reeling. Riley punches Adam in the head and Adam responds with an uppercut, hurling Riley flying twenty feet across the room. Adam throws Xander into a wall as Buffy throws a kick to Adam's chest and a blow to his ribs to completely no effect. Adam sends a slicing blow to Buffy's neck and she drops, unconscious.
Angleman starts to run for the exit and Adam turns to intercept him, his arm- skewer sliding smoothly out like a switchblade.
Doctor.
As Angleman runs past him, Adam impales Angleman through the chest and he falls to the floor, dead.
Riley seizes Adam by the throat from behind but Adam easily breaks the hold, shrugging Riley off and turns and stabs him through his left side. Riley falls, clutching his wound and groaning in pain.
Buffy comes to, staggers to her feet and kicks Adam in the back. Adam knocks Buffy to the floor, then picks her up and throws her ten feet into a steel security door. This time she doesn't rise. We can hear soldiers pounding on the door from the other side.
Thank you. This has been... very interesting.
Adam quickly mounts the catwalk and disappears into the ventilation shaft. Buffy crawls over to Riley as Forrest, Graham and a squad of soldiers succeed in compromising the door.
Riley, are you okay?
We got a demon in here. It escaped through that vent.
It's not the Polgara. It looks sort of half-man.
Right. And you just happened to be in the neighborhood.
She's telling the truth. I saw it. It killed Angleman. Go... now.
He needs to go to a hospital.
We'll take it from here.
I'm going with him.
It's a military hospital.
No.
Back off. We take care of our own around here. Understand?
Buffy looks around as the squad pointedly aims their rifles at her.
Buffy...
Forest and Graham each take one of Riley's arms and help him up.
Escort them out.
Riley turns and looks back at her.
Buffy...
Off the sounds of fighting, Spike rolls out of the bar and onto the sidewalk, landing face-up in the gutter. His nose is bloody and he's barely conscious. A DEMON looms over him.
What did you expect, Spike-- a welcome party? Word's out-- you've been making war on the demon world.
War?
With the Slayer. You kill other demons and the rest of us don't hold with that. Still, if I see you around again, I'll be inclined break that code. Do you understand?
The demon turns and walks off, leaving Spike to nurse his wounds.
Buffy and Willow walk to class.
No word from Riley?
Nothing. The Initiative probably has him locked in some medical ward. There's no way I can get near him until I come up with a better plan than just storming in and getting us all shot.
Yeah, you might want to work the kinks out of that one.
What am I going to do? He needs me and I can't get near him.
You'll find a way.
It's not like I can spend all of my energy going after the Initiative. Not while Adam's out there.
He's really that big of a threat?
Buffy sits on a nearby bench and Willow follows suit. Buffy seems spooked.
I could barely fight him. It's like Maggie designed him to be the ultimate warrior. He's smart and fast. He gave the commando guys the slip with no problem.
There's gotta be a flaw.
I think the part where he's pure evil and kills randomly was an oversight. (beat) I never should have let them take Riley. I need to be with him.
I'm sure he's okay.
There's no way he can be. Everything's he's ever believed in has been taken away. He's alone. He has nothing to hold on to.
Riley lies quietly on a bed, IV lines and wires running to electronic monitoring equipment around him. His abdomen is heavily bandaged.
His expression is forlorn, lost, but he raises his hand; Buffy's scarf is wrapped around it. He grasps it desperately, like a lifeline.