[Transcript of "Buffy The Vampire Slayer" episode Listening To Fear at buffyology.com.]
DAWN and BUFFY sit with JOYCE in her hospital room. Joyce has a bandage on her forehead, the result of her biopsy. Dawn eats her mother's Jell-O with her fingers.
Listen, you two, I know this creamed spinach is pretty delicious but I promise, I won't be offended if you go out for some real food.
You kidding me? This is the good life. Relaxing in bed while people bring you food on trays.
Dawn licks her fingers.
I like the Jell-O.
Help yourself. There's something about food that moves by itself that gives me the heebie-jeebies.
It's good and wiggly. This girl at school told me that gelatin is made from ground-up cow's feet and that if you eat Jell-O there's some cows out limping with no feet.
Joyce and Buffy grimace.
But I told her I'm sure they kill 'em before they take off their feet. (off their looks) Right?
You're the one who insisted on teaching her to talk.
DR. KRIEGEL enters the room to check on Joyce.
Oh, hello, Dr. Kriegel. You know my girls, Buffy and Dawn.
Yes, of course. You two are becoming part of the regular crew around here.
Just keeping her company.
Good. Just be careful you don't wear her out.
Oh, don't worry about that. I woke up exhausted. There's really no more exhausted to get.
The doctor takes Joyce's chart and looks at it.
Well, maybe some good news will help. The blood work's come back from the lab and everything seems fine. So we've scheduled your surgery for day after tomorrow at ten in the morning.
Buffy and Joyce sober up at this news.
How's that sound to you?
Oh, well, I think they had me scheduled for volleyball but we can work around it.
All right. Joyce, you take care. Make sure you get some good solid rest. And I mean that.
He leaves and Joyce turns to Buffy.
The day after tomorrow. I don't think I can stand to stay here another two days just waiting.
Waiting? Gimme a break. We got tons to do.
We have soap operas to watch and trashy magazines to read.
And an adjustable bed to fiddle with. That alone will keep me busy for four hours or so.
Oh, I really don't need you to stay here, Buffy. I know you've got patrolling to do.
Not tonight. Tonight I have mom-taking-care-of to do. And besides, Riley's filling in for me with the others. I'm sure they have everything under control.
GILES, XANDER and WILLOW are in the midst of a furious battle with two Amazon-type female vampires. The hulking demons are giving the three a good thrashing.
Giles has the dark-haired vampire in a choke-hold while Willow attacks with a stake. The creature shoves Willow away and twists out of Giles' grasp.
The blonde vampire throws Xander to the ground, then pulls him upright by the shirt as the brunette flips Giles over her shoulder.
Willow gets to her feet, holding a stake. She rushes at the brunette but the vampire lifts her into the air and throws her to the ground.
Xander charges the blonde from behind and she seizes him in a headlock and punches him in the face.
Giles reels to his feet, disoriented as the brunette vampire decks him in the face.
The brunette vampire throws Giles over her shoulder again and, as she straightens up, Willow sees her opening and stakes her in the back. The demon explodes into a cloud of ash as Willow and Giles turn their attention to the second vampire.
Xander staggers to his feet and the creature shoves him back against the crypt by the neck. Giles lunges forward, shoves the vampire out of the way and raises his stake as if to stab Xander.
Human chest! Human chest!
Sorry!
The blonde vampire gets up, shoves Willow away as she approaches, and pins both Giles and Xander against the mausoleum wall. They stare at her in alarm as her fangs descend. But Willow is there with her stake and the vampire soon disintegrates with an agonized scream.
The guys catch their breath and Willow grins goofily.
My god, what a rough night.
I just did two of 'em! Yay on me!
Xander smiles for her as they limp their way out of the graveyard.
That was pretty cool. Except the part where I was all terrified and... and now my knees are all dizzy.
Giles stops and bends over to pick up his glasses.
Not so much a big success night for me. But I think I should get points just for showing up. Unlike some Riley Finn who shall remain unnamed.
Yes, that was disappointing. Things would have been easier if he'd been here.
Oh, piffle! Who needs him when I'm dusting two at a ti--
She suddenly staggers and they catch her, each grabbing an arm.
Whoops. (nervous smile) Maybe it would've been good if... he'd shown up.
Perhaps he forgot.
The deserted building is littered with random pieces of furniture and debris. Pan across the dark room to where RILEY sits in an old armchair. Riley lies back, stone-faced, while a FEMALE VAMPIRE crouches next to him, greedily draining blood from his outstretched arm. She lifts her head and smiles at him for a moment, then returns to feeding, gripping Riley's arm in both hands. He stares off into the darkness.
Opening credit sequence.
Joyce reads in bed while Buffy and Dawn play cards. Willow enters with a large colorful paper bag.
Care package! Special delivery for the Summers girls.
She puts the bag down on the bed next to Joyce as Dawn runs over, excited.
Now let's see what I have in this sack of mine. Oh, I feel just like Santa Claus, except thinner and younger and female and, well, Jewish.
She reaches into the bag and takes out a red plastic hat with tubes encircling it.
This is an extra-special gift for your mom that I know she'll need. A beer hat! See, it's got cup holders and a straw that goes directly into your mouth and you can fill it with other stuff than beer. (nervous babble) And somehow, when I was in the store, this seemed like the most important idea and now there's the whole part where I'm crazy.
It's perfect. Thank you, Willow. You're very sweet.
Willow hands the beer hat to Dawn.
Now, let's see, who's next? Dawn, I believe I have something in here for you...
Joyce puts her hand to her head and grimaces. Buffy looks concerned.
Headache?
Just a little one. (smiles) A biggish little one. (to Willow) I'm fine! Go on, what else is in that sack of goodies, Willow?
All right. Dawn, to keep you busy...
She takes out a book marked Spells and hands it to Dawn, who smiles in delight.
Oh, spells! Thank you, Willow!
She hurries over to a nearby chair and sits down to read. Buffy folds her arms and looks at Willow in askance.
You got her a book on spells? The girl who can break things by just looking at them now has a book to teach her to break things by looking at them?
Oh, well, it doesn't actually have spells in it. Just history and anecdotes, stuff like that. (beat) Oh, Buffy... (reaches into bag) I have this for you.
She takes out a large textbook titled World History and hands it to Buffy.
Homework? (pouts) Oh. I don't believe in tiny Jewish Santa any more.
And a yo-yo.
She takes out a big yellow yo-yo and hands it to Buffy who smiles in delight.
Thank you.
The book is just in case you get a chance to look it over. We're doing World War I now. The last exam was really pretty easy, just underlying causes and trench foot so it should be no hassle to make it up.
I don't even know if I'm going to take that exam.
I'd rip it in half and stick it in bed with me!
The girls jump at Joyce's sudden outburst.
Mom?
Joyce looks around, confused.
You know, I think I'm going to take a little rest now.
She hands her cup to Buffy as Willow packs up her bag. Buffy puts the cup on a nearby table and Joyce lies back in bed, suddenly exhausted.
Okay. We'll be right outside if you need us.
Joyce smiles as they leave, then closes her eyes.
Buffy closes the door behind her.
What was she talking about? I mean, that was weird.
She's going to be fine.
It's okay. I'm sorry, the doctor spoke to me and I should have told you. The thing that's pressing on her brain... sometimes it might make her say weird things.
Does she know she's saying them?
Not really. It's sort of like a flash, you know, but you saw her two seconds afterward. She was normal.
And after the operation, no more pressing. She'll be all normal all the time.
Buffy and Willow walk Dawn down the hall.
Is that right?
Hey, Santa doesn't lie.
As they move down the hall, a confused man shuffles past them led by three women. It's the SECURITY GUARD from the warehouse where Buffy confronted Glory. He brushes against Buffy.
Oh, excuse me.
Careful, the facts say a picnic is in order.
He notices Dawn and reacts strongly.
What is that thing?
He points at Dawn and walks toward her, becoming agitated.
There's no data. There's no pictures on this one there!
Dawn looks from the guard to Buffy, scared, as the guard's wife comes forward and takes him by the arm.
What is the data? There's no one in there!
Buffy?
Buffy takes Dawn by the arm and turns her away.
Come on, honey. Don't worry about it.
Buffy and Willow look nervously over their shoulder as they hustle Dawn away.
The guard turns to his wife.
I'm going home? (wife nods) Home? Home, home, home.
His wife escorts him away as Buffy comforts Dawn and calms her.
What's wrong with him? Is it like Mom? A thing in his head?
I don't think so. I think it's different. Don't worry about it.
She brushes Dawn's hair back from her face as BEN approaches.
I guess I missed that. Was he bothering you?
Hey, Ben. This is my friend Willow.
They shake hands.
Hi.
Hi.
And yeah, the crazy man was a little... you know, crazy, but it's okay. Are they really going to send him home?
Don't get me started. The mental ward's booked beyond capacity-- literally nowhere to put them-- so the ones with families, they're letting them go home. Like his family's going to be able to take care of him. He has to have someone to watch him 24-7! (to Dawn) What was he saying to you?
Oh, he was just babbling.
The city lights glisten like diamonds in a sea of black.
A sleeping bag is spread out on the roof. Willow and TARA lie side-by-side and look up at the stars.
You know what's weird?
Japanese commercials are weird.
Yes. And also, you know some of the stars we're looking at don't even exist any more? In the time that it takes for their light to reach us, they've died. Exploded. Poof.
Were... things rough at the hospital?
Willow frowns and shrugs.
You know, I used to love to look up at them when I was little. They're supposed to make you feel all insignificant but they made me feel like... like I was in space... part of the stars. (points) There's Canis Minor... and Cassiopeia.
And the Big Pineapple.
Hmm. You know, I'm not sure I remember that one.
Oh, it's a major one. (points) See those three bright stars right over there?
Willow puts her head on Tara's shoulder and looks along her arm.
Yeah.
And see those stars along there? That's the bottom of the pineapple.
It's big.
Hence the name. (beat) The real ones never made sense to me. I... sort of have my own.
Teach me.
Tara points again.
See those stars over there? "Short Man Looking Uncomfortable."
They both giggle.
"Moose Getting a Sponge Bath." Um... "Little Pile O'Crackers." (off Willow's frown) That was a bit of a stretch. You do it. What would you call... that one?
Hmm, let's see...
As Willow looks up at the starry sky, one of the stars suddenly enlarges and streaks toward the earth, trailing a golden rain of fire.
A huge flaming meteor about to crash into something!
They scramble to their feet as the object flies past them and impacts somewhere in the distance. A burst of light momentarily flashes behind trees.
Bits of flaming rubble light the darkness as something digs its way out of the trench carved by the passage of the meteor.
In the distance, the security guard from the hospital walks alone, muttering to himself.
I know what I said. I said I won't go away far. A person needs to respect a man.
POV: something low to the earth, moving swiftly toward him.
And then it says... that... the facts says... he's got to go take a walk and get some fresh air and find some fresh spaces.
POV: the creature climbs a tree and looks down on the hapless man beneath.
...and some fresh space! And needs to walk to get... to get where he's going.
Suddenly the thing drops down from the tree onto his back. It's about four feet long, has a wrinkly gray face and a mouth full of sharp teeth, cloven hooves and a carapace like a giant cockroach.
The guard screams in terror and falls to the ground.
Paramedics remove a gurney from an ambulance and wheel it into the emergency room.
As the patient is wheeled inside, the alien creature crawls along the ceiling above them, unnoticed.
Joyce lies in her hospital bed, pushing the call button repeatedly.
This thing doesn't work! It isn't working!
I'm sure they heard you.
She takes the call button from Joyce and puts it aside. Dawn sits in the background, reading.
I bet it's not even hooked up to anything, just like the push buttons at the crosswalk that are supposed to make the signal change.
I'm sure someone's on-- what? The push buttons aren't hooked up to anything?
Dr. Kriegel enters.
Oh, tell him, Buffy. Tell him, okay?
Look, Dr. Kriegel, we want to go home.
Well, of course. You can come back and visit your mother first thing in the morning.
No. We. I mean all of us. My mom, too.
Joyce looks anxiously at the doctor and nods.
Oh. Well, I understand that but it's not necessarily the first thing I'd recommend.
I can't! I can't stay here waiting for two days for this operation, I just can't. It makes my head hurt to be here, can't you tell that?
Joyce, there's no reason to get upset.
No reason to get upset? Oh, right, sorry, I must just think there is because of my brain tumor!
Dawn looks at Buffy, alarmed.
Here, Dawn, why don't you get something from the machine?
Buffy hands Dawn some money and she takes it and leaves, looking apprehensive.
I'm sorry I said that. I'm just tired.
I know. Listen, Doctor, I don't see why we can't take her home, you know, just until... I mean, wouldn't it be better for her to rest someplace where she felt safe and comfortable?
Even if it would mean some work for you, taking care of her?
Oh, thank god.
I'll do it, anything.
There are medications to administer. I'd have to go over those with you and I'd need for you to check her vitals, watch her pretty closely. I'm afraid you won't get a lot of sleep.
I'm not much of a sleep person anyway.
Can we go now? Let's go now!
Oh, hold on! Let me get all the medications and all the instructions on how to do everything.
She's right. Let's do this right. We don't want to forget anything.
POV: The creature looks down on Dawn reading her book.
Willow, Tara Riley, Xander, ANYA and Giles make their way through the forest, hunting for the meteor's crash site.
Everyone stay close. (to Xander) I'm glad you called me in on this.
Glad you answered.
Oh, yeah. I'm sorry about last time. Heard I missed out on some fun.
Oh, yeah, fun was had. Also frolic, merriment and near-death hijinks.
Riley pushes past Willow and Tara.
Look, there it is.
They approach a long swath cut deep in the ground. It's about four feet deep, ten feet wide and several hundred feet long. At its end there's a large chunk of what looks like rock, steaming and smoking. Riley jumps down into the trench as Giles pans his flashlight over the rock.
Wow. We have meteorite.
Is it hot?
Riley extends his hands toward it.
'Cause if there's radiation, you could like go all sterile.
Xander jumps backward but Riley ignores her and touches the rock carefully.
No, it's not hot. It's warm. And broken. It's sort of--
Hollow.
Yeah.
So we're all thinking the same thing, right?
Festive piņata? Delicious candy?
Something evil crashed to earth in this and then broke out and... slithered away to do badness.
In all fairness, we don't really know about the slithered part.
Oh, no. I'm sure it frisked about like a fluffy lamb.
Let's look around. Maybe we can figure out where it went.
Riley climbs out of the trench and they move off into the woods. Willow rounds a stand of trees and finds the security guard's corpse on the ground.
It went here!
Riley kneels by the body and feels for a pulse.
No pulse.
Yep, the space lamb got him.
I don't see any marks on him.
I know him! He was at the hospital, a mental patient. They released him today.
Riley takes out a pen and extends it toward the guard's mouth.
Riley, what are you doing?
I'm not sure, there's something...
He sticks the pen in the guard's mouth and it comes out covered with a clear slimy substance. Everyone reacts simultaneously, covering their noses at the stench.
Oh, that might be toxic, don't touch it.
Oh, yeah, touching it was my first impulse. Luckily, I've moved on to my second, which involves dry-heaving and running like hell. Oh, man, does that smell.
So what do we do now?
We can't call Buffy. (beat) I want to call Buffy!
You can't. She's got... life stuff. That has to come first.
So we'll just figure this out ourselves. We're experienced.
Yes, 'cause it seems like we're always dealing with creatures from outer space. Except that we don't ever do that.
This is definitely new territory.
Perhaps we should explore a bit more, head into the woods a bit.
They all look apprehensively at the dark and foreboding forest.
Who votes research?
Everyone raises their hand and starts to walk away except Riley.
Research.
Yeah, I think that's a good call. There could have been some other cases like this. I'm going to stay here, examine the body some more, look around a little bit.
Yeah, don't do anything hunterly.
No, no, I'm just not great at research, which I'm sure you guys figured out. I like me a good crime scene.
Give us a call if you need help.
Believe me, something jumps out at me in the dark... you'll hear me even without the phone. Call me if you learn anything.
You got it.
The group starts to move off.
I don't want to be the one who finds the bodies any more.
Riley watches them go, crouching next to the body. When they're gone, he stands up and takes out his cell phone.
I need to speak to the man at the desk. This is Agent-- this is Riley Finn. You have an Agent Miller, Graham Miller, he'll tell you who... yes. Emergency frequency.
The ward contains five beds, each with a patient in it. A NURSE moves from bed to bed. One of the PATIENTS is muttering to himself.
Cold. Cold.
The nurse moves over to him. His arms are in restraints. She pulls the blankets up over him, then turns off the light on his nightstand and walks away.
Wait! You can't go! Don't you be that kind of barn owl. Please. Please, don't go! Please!
He begins to cry as the nurse turns out the overhead light and leaves the room.
Please! Please! Please don't--
He looks around the darkened room and whimpers in fear. Furtive scurrying noises. The patient twists around trying to look under the bed, panting.
I can't see you! I can't see you! I can't see you!
The tail of the alien creature moves behind the bed and it leaps on top of him with an inhuman squeal.
The nurse sits at her desk doing paperwork. She hears the patient scream and looks up, then goes back to her paperwork, all too used to the routine cries of the disturbed.
The creature rests atop the patient, its cloven hands on his chest. It spits clear slime out of its mouth all over his face.
Dr. Kriegel checks some paperwork as Joyce stands behind him, dressed and eager to leave.
Well, I guess we're all set then.
Buffy and Dawn stand on either side of their mother. The doctor hands Buffy a piece of paper and three pill bottles.
You've got my home phone number, pager number and here-- these are the medications I talked to you about-- the sedative and so forth, painkillers.
Right. No problem.
Now if this is going to be too much for you, we can make your mom perfectly comfortable here.
No. No, I got this. We really, really appreciate--
You look just like your father when he cries.
POV: the doctor and the Summers women from the alien's perspective on the ceiling.
I told you she's been--
I know. Joyce? Joyce... we're all done here. Why don't you take your girls home now.
Yes. Yes, thank you. Thank you for all your help, doctor.
I'll see you in a couple of days.
He walks off as Buffy, Dawn and Joyce link arms.
Oh, let's get the hell outta here.
POV: the alien watches them walk out the door.
An aerial view of Sunnydale at night.
The door opens and Buffy enters, followed by Joyce and Dawn.
Here we go.
Oh, it's nice to be home.
Buffy closes the door behind them and turns on the lights. Joyce winces and puts her hand to her eyes.
Do you want to go in to bed, Mom?
Buffy, no, that light is too bright. It's too bright.
Buffy quickly turns the lights off again as Dawn rubs Joyce's shoulders.
Oh, okay, okay!
It's too bright. Buffy, it hurts. It hurts my eyes.
It's off, it's off. You know what? (to Dawn) Why don't you turn off the lights in the living room, (to Joyce) and I will take you upstairs and we'll shut off all the lights up there. Okay? Come on.
Buffy leads Joyce upstairs as Dawn heads into the living room.
The downstairs lights go off, followed a moment later by the upstairs lights.
An aerial view of a pond surrounded by trees, the alien landing site stretches across the landscape beside the pond with Riley standing nearby. A jet black helicopter swings into frame and descends toward the site. The chopper's searchlight illuminates Riley and the meteorite as it lands. Several commandos in black tactical gear and black berets emerge and run to Riley. MAJOR ELLIS, the team leader, extends his hand and Riley shakes it. Behind him, GRAHAM MILLER nods to Riley in greeting.
You Finn?
Yeah.
Major Ellis. I'm in charge of this op. What's the situation? Just the one civilian casualty?
That I know of. This way.
Riley leads them toward the security guard's body.
You found a stiff in the woods and called us in? Don't you usually call your girlfriend for this kind of thing?
He grins as Riley shoots him a sour look. Ellis kneels beside the guard's corpse.
I wouldn't touch that stuff in his mouth if I were you.
Toxic?
No, just messy. (Ellis stands) Guy seemed to have simply choked on the stuff.
He tosses Ellis a small sample vial.
Near as I can tell, it's some kind of protein alkaloid.
Ellis holds up the vial and looks at the contents in the light. Riley gestures and the others follow him toward the meteorite.
Does this fit the profile of any sub-t you're familiar with?
Not subterrestrial, Major. Extraterrestrial. (re: meteorite) It came out of that.
Miller, set the trackers for a protein signature.
Yes, sir.
No good, Major. This alkaloid's breaking down at an accelerated rate. It's dissolving too fast to track.
You got a better idea?
Thing came from space. Gotta be some trace radiation.
We have Geiger counters in the packs.
Shouldn't be too much background gamma noise out here.
Break 'em out.
Graham nods and moves off.
Establishing.
Buffy and Dawn are on the living room sofa, watching TV. Dawn rests her head on Buffy's shoulder. Canned laughter emanates from the television.
POV: the alien moves along the ceiling, through the foyer and toward the living room. It sees the girls, then turns, as Joyce comes down the stairs in her nightgown and robe. She walks into the kitchen.
Buffy and Dawn look up from the TV at the sound of dishes clinking together in the kitchen. Buffy picks up the remote control and turns off the TV.
Mom?
More crashing noises and Buffy and Dawn get up.
Joyce bends over, looking in the refrigerator as Buffy and Dawn enter.
Oh, my--
Dawn goes to Joyce as Buffy rushes to the stove and turns it off, moving a pan off the burner and coughing at the burning smoke. Joyce straightens up and shoots Buffy an annoyed look.
Mom, what are you doing?
I'm making breakfast.
She closes the fridge and looks Buffy up and down.
And you shouldn't eat any more. You're disgustingly fat.
Buffy recoils, hurt and Joyce looks around, confused.
Oh, Buffy, I don't know what I'm doing.
You just need some rest. We'll put you back to bed.
She and Dawn lead Joyce out. As they walk past the basement door, we see that it's slightly ajar and light emanates from below. Flickering shadows belie someone or something moving around downstairs.
Buffy closes a pill bottle as Joyce swallows some water.
Okay, here we go. (takes glass from Joyce) That will help you sleep. Come on, let's get you all tucked into bed.
Buffy and Dawn stand on opposite sites of the bed and pull the covers over Joyce as she lies down.
Dawn leans over to caress Joyce's forehead and Joyce gasps and sits up, staring at Dawn.
Don't touch me! You... you thing!
Dawn jerks back, horrified.
Mom, please!
Get away from me! You're nothing... you're a shadow!
Mom--
I don't know what you are or how you got here!
Mom, it's Dawn.
Dawn runs out of the room, crying.
Dawn? Honey, what's wrong?
Dawn slams the door behind her and Buffy turns to Joyce.
She's... just tired. We all are.
She coaxes Joyce to lie down.
Come on, go to sleep. I'll check in on you in a little bit.
Buffy enters Dawn's room to find her sister sitting on her bed, sobbing. Buffy kneels beside her.
She hates me.
No.
She called me a thing.
She loves you. Okay? She's not herself. I told you what the doctor said about the tumor.
No, not just Mom. People. They keep saying weird stuff about me.
Are you talking about the man in the hospital?
He called me a thing, too. And there was another one. A weird guy outside the magick shop. He said I didn't belong. He said I wasn't real. Why does everybody keep doing that? What's wrong with me?
Nothing. It's not you. I think there's something that happens in people's brains when there's something wrong. It's like a short- circuit... and it makes them feel like nothing's real except for them. That's all it is.
Dawn looks unconvinced.
Look, it is not you, okay? And if anyone says anything like that to you again, don't listen. Even if it's Mom.
I hate it.
I know. Just don't listen.
Xander stares at a small model of the solar system hanging above his head. Behind him, Giles and Willow sit at a reading table covered with books.
Look at how teeny Mercury is compared to like Saturn. Whereas in contrast, the cars of the same name--
Xander, please, we have work to do here.
I still don't get why we had to come here to get info about a killer snot monster.
Because it's a killer snot monster from outer space. (beat) I did not say that.
Willow types on her laptop.
Demons enter our world in all sorts of ways. This one came from above.
And the university library's astronomy section is the home of aboveness. Got it. Hey, take in the study material too.
He holds up a book titled Meteors and You! as Anya and Tara sit down.
We've been scouring all the international periodicals for any other meteorite landings in the last week.
Big zippo.
Well, then it would appear that the world is not being invaded.
I'm pretty pleased about that.
Uh, guys? I've got some stuff. The most recent meteoric anomaly was the Tunguska blast in Russia in 1917. Some witnesses claimed the meteor was hollow.
Hmm... maybe with a chewy demon center like ours.
How far back does this list of anomalies go?
Pretty far. Back to the Queller impact in the 12th Century.
The what?
Queller. I don't know why they call it that. It didn't hit a place called Queller or anything. It landed just outside of Reykjavik in Iceland.
Wait, I just saw... (flipping pages) Queller. Quell... here, here! (reads) "Primitive people used to believe that the moon was a cause of insanity. Sometimes they would pray to the moon to send a special meteor to fix the problem the moon had caused. These meteors were expected to quell the madmen.
The man in the woods. He was a mental patient.
And he got pretty well... quelled.
Okay, I'm looking in history right now. It says in the Middle Ages there were these sweeping plagues of madness. People were losing their marbles everywhere. But then it would suddenly subside. And these dates look pretty close. Like maybe it happened after each one of the meteor events.
So something emerged from the meteors... and quelled the madmen.
Meteor go boom, crazy guy goes bye-bye.
Xander's little book made it sound like this Queller thing had to be summoned. So... who summoned it?
Who else? My money's on Glory, our resident beastie summoner.
We should call Buffy. Except we can't call Buffy. (to Giles) Can we?
No, but we better call Riley.
Riley talks with Willow on his cell phone from the Sunnydale Psychiatric ward. Members of the commando team move around in the b.g. behind him.
Queller demon?
Yeah, that's our perp. It's sort of a scavenger that can be summoned to kill--
Crazy people.
Yeah, how'd you know?
'Cause I've got five corpses here at the mental ward at Sunnydale Memorial.
You're at the hospital? Oh, listen, Riley, I saw Buffy's mom earlier and she was acting kinda... wacky. Insane wacky, if you know what I mean?
It's okay. Joyce was released earlier today. That intern, Ben, told me. They're safe at home.
Oh, good. And the thing-- the Queller-- is it still there?
I think I've got it cornered in the air ducts.
Ellis comes up and taps Riley on the shoulder, then nods to him. Riley nods back.
Look, Willow, keep at what you're doing. Call me if you find out how I can kill this thing.
Well, okay, but shouldn't we come help-- (dial tone) O-kay.
She hangs up and heads back to the others.
Joyce lies in bed, carrying on an angry conversation with people who exist only in her mind.
I wish that someone had bothered to tell me that there would be tennis being played! I just didn't know. Those eyes... those eyes, they're like gasoline puddles! Tell me. Tell me because I need to know why. Why are you staring at me like that?
Dawn lies in bed listening to her mother rave. She hugs a stuffed animal and tries to block it out.
What are you asking me? You are asking me, aren't you? Is this a test? And if this counts for the final grade, I need to know now! Okay, there are teachers and they put this on the syllabus but they do not stare down at you, they do not cling, they do not look down on you.
Dawn grabs her pillow and pulls it over her ears, trying to block out her mother's voice.
You know there are people who are nice and they give you presents, even when you are bad.
Cheerful Spanish music comes from the radio. Buffy turns up the volume and begins washing dishes. She bites her lip as she works, trying not to cry but, after a moment, she begins to sob. She wipes her nose with the back of her hand, tries to compose herself, then breaks down in tears.
Does someone know you're here? Because they should have told you that at the gate. You are not supposed to be here. I need to rest now. I don't like the way you're staring at me! Did they tell you that at the gate?
Reveal that Joyce isn't hallucinating this time: the Queller demon hangs from the ceiling above her.
Stop staring at me. I don't like it!
The Queller opens it's toothy mouth and looses an inhuman squeal.
Graham exits the emergency room, holding a Geiger counter. He takes a few steps staring at it, then stops as Ellis, Riley and the other commandos emerge behind him.
Trail stops here, edge of the parking lot.
It stops?
Graham nods.
A car. It hitched a ride. Probably underneath. So much for containment.
So some poor mental patient checks out of here today, drives away with this thing, took it right to his own home.
The light dawns for Riley.
Checked out today.
Get me a list of all patients discharged in the last twenty-four hours.
No. I know where it's going. We've gotta move, now!
Joyce is still in her bed, staring up at the alien.
I'm going to close my eyes and when I open them, you are going to go away.
The Queller squeals and drops down on top of Joyce.
Dawn hears Joyce scream and bolts up.
Joyce struggles against the Queller.
Get off me!
The creature spits its slime onto her face. Joyce shakes her head violently, trying to dislodge it.
Dawn opens the door, sees the demon on top of Joyce and gasps. The Queller looks at Dawn as she grabs a coat rack from her bedroom and shakes the clothing off of it. Dawn attacks the demon with it, shoving it off the other side of the bed.
The slime has hardened on Joyce's face and she pulls it away, gasping and panting. Dawn looks around, terrified.
The Queller rises from behind the bed and launches itself at Dawn, squeaking like a massive cockroach. She screams and runs back into her room.
The Queller chases her, crawling along the floor.
Dawn runs through her room and out into the hall as the Queller enters the hall from Joyce's room. Dawn runs into the bathroom and slams the door.
Buffy!!
Buffy is still crying in the kitchen. The radio and the running water from the sink are loud and she doesn't hear Dawn yelling. She pulls her hair back from her face and sniffs back her tears.
Dawn runs through Buffy's room and into Joyce's room. Joyce sits up on the bed, clawing at her face and gasping. Dawn grabs an exercise bike and pushes it in front of the door, then secures the other door to the room as well.
Buffy splashes water on her face, then dries it with a towel.
Dawn opens the door leading into the hall and yells as loud as she can.
Buffy!!!
This time Buffy hears the scream and spins around, dropping the towel.
Dawn slams the door shut again.
Buffy races out of the kitchen, down the hall and up the stairs.
Buffy opens the door to Joyce's room and finds Dawn and Joyce huddled on the bed, still wiping the slime off of her face.
What? What is it?
There's something out there, Buffy. It's after Mom!
You guys stay in here. Don't leave this room.
Buffy ducks warily back out into the hall.
As Buffy closes the door, the Queller drops from the ceiling and lands on her face. She claws at it and they struggle, slamming against a wall and then tumbling down the stairs. The Queller squeaks and crawls away. Buffy rubs her neck and looks around in confusion.
Joyce and Dawn sit on the bed in the dark bedroom, hugging each other tight.
It's okay, my baby. It's okay.
Dawn stares apprehensively at the door over her mom's shoulder.
Buffy walks slowly through the dark house, looking for the demon. She takes the largest butcher knife from the rack and holds it at the ready.
As she nears the door to the basement, it suddenly bursts open. She jumps back in alarm and raises the knife as SPIKE emerges. Buffy sighs in exasperation as Spike closes the basement door.
Spike?
Yeah. Listen, did you hear a noise?
What the hell are you doing in my house?
Right then, caught me. Your basement's full of junk. And me being in need of junk...
You were stealing?
Well, yeah. Can't exactly work the counter at Burger Barn, can I?
He tries to surreptitiously slip some photos into his pocket but Buffy spots it.
Wait, are those pictures of me?
Before Spike can answer, the Queller attacks, jumping onto Spike's face and knocking him to the ground. He cries out as he lands on the floor with the Queller on top of him, choking him. As they struggle, Buffy grimaces and raises her knife, looking for an opening.
Spike's flailing foot kicks Buffy's hand and the knife flies away. Buffy winces in pain.
The Queller turns from Spike and charges Buffy with an squawk. They slam against the wall and fall to the floor with the Queller on top. Buffy punches it and throws it off her, then scrambles backward into the hallway toward the front door.
Spike picks up the knife and whirls around.
Buffy!
He throws the knife to her and she catches it just as the Queller knocks her down again and climbs on top of her. She stabs the knife into its back repeatedly until it stops screaming and falls still.
Buffy gasps and makes a pained face, rolling the bug demon off of her, then lying back with a sigh.
Spike holds out his hand. Buffy takes it and he pulls her to her feet just as the door bursts open and Riley rushes in, followed by the commando team. Spike and Buffy turn as more commandos pour through the back door.
Riley looks at Spike and Buffy apparently holding hands. Spike shoots him a sour look.
Are you okay?
Buffy frowns at him, then runs up the stairs.
You just missed a real nice time.
Buffy runs into Joyce's bedroom.
It's gone. I killed it.
Oh, god.
It's gone? You promise?
I promise
Both Dawn and Joyce hug her, putting their heads on her shoulders. Joyce puts her arms around her daughters, comforting them.
Everything's all right. Everything's all right.
Ben exits the hospital, goes to his car, unlocks it and gets in, looking around nervously. As he closes the door, DREG sits up in the back seat. Ben looks into the rearview mirror, startled.
It's strange. A body might ask what exactly it is you think you're doing. He might ask what all this was meant to accomplish. Because to a humble postulant, it looks like chaos. Like unnecessary attention drawn where it ought not to be.
Get out!
Sir.
Dreg gets out and stands by the driver's-side window.
Sir, forgive me. I just want to understand. Why summon the Queller?
Why do you think? Because I'm cleaning up Glory's mess. Just like I've done my whole damn life.
He starts the car and drives off as Dreg watches, pondering.
A nurse adjusts Joyce's IV as Buffy sits on the bed beside her, holding her hand. Joyce winces as the needle enters her arm. The nurse finishes and leaves and Buffy sighs.
Buffy... I'm going to ask you something and if I'm being crazy you just tell me, okay?
You got it.
The other day... well, actually, I'm not sure when-- the days seem to all bleed together...
It's not important.
No, I guess it isn't. I do know I was pretty out of it and I had... not a dream, exactly, more like I had this knowledge. It just came to me like... truth, you know? Even though it didn't seem possible, even though I shouldn't even think such things.
What?
That Dawn... she's not mine, is she?
Buffy stares at her mom in shock, then looks down. She comes to a decision and looks Joyce in the eye.
No.
Joyce absorbs this for a moment.
She does belong to us, though.
Yes, she does.
And she's important. To the world. Precious. (Buffy nods) As precious as you are to me.
Buffy smiles and nods again.
Then we have to take care of her. Buffy, promise me. If anything happens, if I don't come through this--
Mom...
No, listen to me. No matter what she is, she still feels like my daughter. I have to know that you'll take care of her, that you'll keep her safe. That you'll love her like I love you.
Tears well in Buffy's eyes.
I promise.
Good. Good.
They embrace tightly, neither wanting to let go of the other.
Oh, my sweet, brave Buffy. What would I do without you?
Buffy clings to her mother, thinking the same of her.
Joyce lies on a gurney as she's wheeled toward surgery. She smiles at Buffy and Dawn as she goes. Buffy and Dawn stand with their arms around each other, watching their mother disappear around the corner. Behind them, Riley, Xander, Anya, Giles, Tara and Willow stand vigil with them.