[Transcript of "Buffy The Vampire Slayer" episode The Weight Of The World at buffyology.com.]
One of Glory's minions gathers up her cosmetics. He hurries into the main room where other minions pack all of Glory's things. MURK walks among them.
Quickly, quickly! Already we're behind schedule! Someone's bound for a beheading. Let's make sure it's not me.
Murk looks into a large walk-in closet where GRONX fills boxes with Glory's clothes.
Why do we remain when our moment of triumph lies so close at hand?
The glorious one, having acquired much in this world, doesn't exactly travel light.
They peek around the corner into the bedroom. GLORY stands on a stool, wearing an ornate velvet gown. More minions are at her feet, working on the stitching.
Hey! Minions! I can hear you. God-like ears don't miss much, you know what I'm sayin'? Come here.
Murk and Gronx hurry into the room.
'Twas he who blasphemed, your magnificence.
Spurred on by treacherous urging!
Guys! I'm not going to kill you. Not in the mood. (confused) What do you think that's about?
In mercy does your power lie?
No, brainless. In torture, death and chaos does my power lie. So tell me... why am I not popping your head like a zit right now? (beat) Maybe I'm just hungry.
Yes, we shall fetch a lovely--
No, I'm not hungry.
She drops the gown to the floor, revealing a simple black dress underneath. She steps impatiently down from the stool.
Ughh! Just a little tight in the skin is all. I've been waiting an eternity-- well, 25 human years-- and it all comes down to tonight.
The portal shall open.
And the great Glorificus shall return.
To the hell I came from. Where I'm going to rain down more super-sized portions of slaughter, mayhem and bloodshed than any of you scabs can even dream about. So how come I ain't happy? Got everything I ever wanted. Still... something's off. I don't know. What do you think?
She looks off to her left. Reveal DAWN sitting on the sofa, bound and gagged, whimpering with fear.
WILLOW, XANDER, TARA and ANYA wait in the old gas station with GILES, who is regaining consciousness. The door opens and SPIKE enters.
Better part of a century spent in delinquency just paid off. Hot- wired Ben's auto. Who's for gettin' the hell out of here?
All in favor, let's do it. (to Giles) You good to go?
Oh, don't worry about me. How's Buffy?
The same. Still.
It's been almost a half an hour.
The Slayer's going to be all right, won't she?
You should try it again, Will.
All right, but... I'm not even sure she's, you know, really in there.
Try.
Willow sighs and kneels on the ground in front of BUFFY.
Can you hear me? Buffy!
Buffy sits with her hands folded in her lap. She stares straight ahead and doesn't react to anything.
Buffy! Buffy?
Opening credit sequence.
Resume. Buffy, still unresponsive, stares into space.
Buffy! She can't just be brain-dead. I mean... she's still Buffy somewhere in there, right?
Spike, come on, we're not going to get Dawn back by sitting around here.
You're not going to get Dawn back any way you slice it, Harris. It's for Buffy to decide.
Good, panic. That oughta help.
We should move her. Unless we shouldn't. Should we?
Couldn't that make it worse? I think I read that somewhere.
I am so large with not knowing.
It's impossible to know for sure. Losing Dawn, after all that Buffy's been through... I think it's pushed her too far into some sort of catatonia.
You don't need a diploma to see that. Snap her out of it.
Spike grabs Buffy by the shoulders and shakes her.
Buffy! Oi, rise and shine, love!
Spike...
Come on, people. Girl's endowed with Slayer strength. It's hardly the time to get dainty. Buffy!
We tried that!
Spike slaps Buffy hard across the face. No reaction but he grabs his head as pain shoots through his brain.
Ow!
We didn't try that.
Xander pulls Spike away.
Are you insane? We could be dealing with neurological damage here. You want to kill her?
We have to do something. I can't just sit here watching. You waste time with kid gloves. I'm willing to wager, when all is said and done, Buffy likes it rough.
Xander punches Spike in the face and Spike launches himself at Xander.
Willow's head snaps around, her gaze piercing.
Separate!
Spike and Xander are hurled apart, crashing up against opposite walls. They look at Willow in surprise. Her expression is determined and unforgiving.
Buffy's out. Glory has Dawn. Sometime real soon she's going to use Dawn to tear down the barrier between every dimension there is. So if you two want to fight, do it after the world ends, okay? (with calm authority) All right. First we head back to Sunnydale. Xander will take Giles to a hospital. Anya's looking after Tara. And Spike, you find Glory. Check her apartment, see if she's still there. Try anything stupid, like payback, and I will get very cranky. Everyone clear?
Anya cautiously raises her hand.
Anya.
Um... what will you do?
I'll help Buffy.
Okay, then.
The world is spinning. Straight to a new day! Big day. Big, big day.
Willow tries to soothe Tara and calm her down.
Uh... Will? Now don't turn me into a horned toad for asking but... what if we come across Ben?
I don't think a doctor's what Buffy needs right now.
Well, yeah, especially not one who also happens to be Glory.
What do you mean?
You know. Ben is Glory.
You mean... Ben's with Glory?
"With" in what sense?
They're working together?
No. No. Ben is Glory. Glory is Ben. They're one and the same.
Everyone looks at each other, thoroughly confused.
When did all this happen?
Not one hour ago! Right here, before your very eyes! Ben came, he turned into Glory, snatched the kid and pfft! Vanished, remember? (off their looks) You do remember...? Is everyone here very stoned? (annoyed) Ben! Glory! He's a doctor, she's the Beast. Two entirely separate entities sharing one body. Like a bloody sitcom. Surely you remember.
So you're saying Ben and Glory...
Have a connection?
Yes, obviously, but what kind?
Oh, I get it. That's very crafty. Glory's worked the kind of mojo where anyone who sees her little presto-chango instantly forgets. And yours truly, being somewhat other than human stands immune.
So... Ben and Glory are the same person?
Glory can turn into Ben and Ben turns back into Glory.
And anyone who sees it instantly forgets.
Kewpie doll for the lady.
Excellent. Now. Do we suspect there may be some kind of connection between Ben and Glory?
A man uses a blowtorch to attach metal crossbeams to each other. He turns off the blowtorch and lifts his welder's mask to reveal CRAZY #1 from the Sunnydale Hospital Psych Ward. He looks around, then falls to his knees as Glory enters, followed by Dawn and several minions. Glory is resplendent in her velvet gown and pulls Dawn along by the arm.
The Key. The Key.
As Glory walks through the site, pull back to reveal many of Glory's victims operating various pieces of construction equipment. They are building something massive.
Every one of them simultaneously drops what they are doing and kneels before Glory as she passes.
Glory, Dawn and the minions enter a small building at the base of the structure.
Murk opens the door and peers inside, then nods and gestures behind him. He enters, followed by Gronx, Dawn, Glory and the minion HIGH PRIEST. Glory pushes Dawn into a chair and turns away, putting a hand to her head. She sits while Murk and Gronx hover nearby. The priest guards Dawn. He's larger than the others and wears ornate robes.
Unbelievable how annoying those groupies can be.
They merely sense that tonight, at last, the dimensional portal shall open. Ushering in the long and bloody reign of the great...
The priest smears a dark paste on Dawn's forehead and chants in a foreign language.
Dawn cringes away from him and Glory stares at him, puzzled.
What's he doing?
I must anoint the Key.
Really don't. Go.
But--
Out! Get out, get out!
Murk hurries forward and ushers the priest out as Glory grabs a rag and wipes the gunk off Dawn's forehead.
You know... you recapture your godhood and unleash Armageddon... all of a sudden everybody wants to be a part of the inner circle.
She tosses the cloth aside and sighs.
You okay?
I want to go home.
Glory strokes Dawn's hair with a look of sympathy and concern.
Sweetie... oh... you're about to.
Dawn looks at her hopefully.
Not that fake suburban nightmare the monks cooked up for you. I mean your real home. As the Key! You fit the lock. Well, it's like a lock. Hey! You want a pizza?
No.
Pillow? (re: TV) I don't know if this thing gets cable. Doubtful.
Please. Stop.
You nervous?
Yes.
I know how you feel. It is your last night. (off Dawn's terrified look) You know, as a human. This body... it's just a rental, Dawnie. Being human? It's like a costume for girls like you and me. Being something else, that's what we are.
Don't.
What?
Don't call me Dawnie.
Huh. Wow. You know, that actually hurt my feelings.
I'm sorry.
Not the point.
I'm just thinking, here I am trying to make you feel better when comforting others... not part of my life. (frowns) And I'm doing it so I can stop feeling so... um... (snaps her fingers) Help me out.
Guilty?
Guilty! (laughs) That's it! But I'm not supposed to feel guilty. I'm not supposed to feel anything. I'm... I'm a god. I'm above it. I'm... (points to Dawn) You! You did this to me, didn't you? Some sort of spell. You've been hanging with the Wicca, you could've-- (beat) But no. It's not magick. It's something else. Still, it is you doing this.
I... I'm not doing anything. I swear.
We'll see.
Glory opens the door. Several minions wait outside.
Anoint this thing now!
The priest enters again, followed by Murk and Gronx. The priest smears the paste on Dawn's forehead.
Know what they're all chanting for out there, Dawnie? Blood. 'Cause we found out your blood is the key to the Key! All I gotta do is bleed you dry, the portal opens up, and I can go home! So knock yourself out, girlfriend. Make me feel bad as you can.
Glory gets right in Dawn's face.
'Cause tomorrow... you bleed, little girl.
Willow takes candles out of a small leather bag and places them on the table while Anya watches anxiously.
You sure you know what you're doing?
I think so. (beat) I don't know. It's... not exactly well-explored territory but I gotta try.
A spell like this could be really dangerous for Buffy. And you.
Time... oh, time is coming.
Willow puts her arm around Tara.
Shh. It's okay. I'm here. (to Anya) You'll look after her while I'm...
Sure. What do I do?
Mostly just be here for her. And there's some pills in my knapsack. Half of one every two hours keeps her pretty mellow.
You think you'll be gone more than two hours?
Wish me luck.
Okay.
Anya reaches over and gives Willow a small punch on the arm.
Good luck!
Thanks. (to Tara) Okay. Be good now, sweetie. I'll be back as soon as I can, okay? We're good?
No reply. Willow kisses her on the forehead, smiles at her, then turns away. Tara whines softly and holds out her hand toward Willow.
Willow gathers up the stuff from the table and walks toward the bedroom door.
Good luck.
Willow enters and closes the door.
She puts a candle on the small table beside the bed and lights it. She repeats the process three more times, one in each corner of the room. Buffy sits in a chair against the wall, quiet and still.
Willow sits on the bed, facing Buffy. She closes her eyes and takes a deep breath.
The room is clean and brightly-lit, sunlight streaming through the window. Willow blinks in confusion and looks around.
She walks though the room, examining the pictures and knick-knacks on the shelves.
Suddenly a voice comes from behind her.
Hi, Willow.
Willow turns to find a little girl, about six years old with blonde hair in pigtails. She holds a doll and sits at a child-sized table covered with toys.
Willow smiles.
Hello, Buffy.
YOUNG BUFFY smiles happily up at Willow.
The door is forcefully kicked open. Spike enters, turns on the light and looks around. The apartment is deserted.
The remains of the minions' rune-casting litter the floor.
Spike walks through an arched doorway beneath the stairs and finds a small cramped room with nothing but a bare bulb for illumination. There's a mattress, a small table and some books as well as Ben's hospital photo ID card still attached to his scrubs.
Six-year-old Buffy looks curiously at Willow.
What are you doing here?
Actually, I'm... looking for you.
Do you like dolls?
Buffy... what are you doing here?
I like it here.
But... you know we need you. You have to come out.
Why?
To be with your friends.
It's a big day for me.
The little girl looks over at the front door as it opens.
Hello!
Mommy! Daddy!
Young Buffy hands her doll to Willow and runs to the door.
You're back! You're back!
JOYCE and HANK SUMMERS enter carrying a tiny infant wrapped in a blanket.
Hello, Buffy.
How's my girl?
Are you ready to meet your new baby sister?
Young Buffy looks upset, frowns, backs away and folds her arms across her chest.
Oh, come on now, Buffy. She's nothing to be afraid of.
Who's afraid?
Don't you want to be the big sister?
No, I want to be the baby.
Buffy...
You're going to pay more attention to her and forget all about me!
Oh...
Joyce kneels down beside Young Buffy and shows her Dawn up close.
Doesn't she look funny? Like a wrinkly old grandpa.
Joyce gently puts Dawn in Young Buffy's arms.
Like this... okay, support the head... there you go! We're calling her Dawn.
Dawn.
I could be the one to look after her sometimes... if you need a helper. Mom? Can I take care of her?
Joyce smiles and strokes her daughter's hair.
Yes, Buffy, you can take care of her.
A noise catches Willow's attention and she turns to look.
Reveal adult Buffy #1 carrying a book through the main floor of the Magic Box. She walks over to a bookshelf, shelves the book, pauses for a moment, then turns and walks away.
Willow glances over at Young Buffy as we
Willow stands by a raging bonfire and looks around in confusion.
Oh... kay.
Giles sits up in his hospital bed and pulls on his jacket. His wound is still sensitive and he grimaces as he walks gingerly out into the hall.
Can you...
Xander helps Giles with his jacket.
There. How you doing?
It only hurts while I answer pointless questions. Where's Buffy?
Willow's on it. Or... in it. She's working some spell, trying to reach Buffy psychically.
She's gone into Buffy's mind?
Pretty tricky stuff.
It's extraordinarily advanced. I was thinking we should check on Glory's victims while we're here.
Oh, the mental ward? I've already been. The vegetable section's closed. Nobody there. It's like they all just got up and walked away.
Spike lingers next to a nearby medical cart. He surreptitiously takes a bag of blood from the cart and slips it in his pocket as Xander and Giles approach.
Checked out Glory's flat. Looks like the great one has scampered.
Gone to perform her ritual with Dawn and leaving us entirely clueless.
Not entirely. I know this bloke. Well, not so much a bloke as a demon. But still, bookish. All tuned in to the nastier corners of this our magick world. It's a bit of a last resort really but still, we might persuade him to suss out Glory's game plan.
Spike pointedly stands beneath a "No Smoking" sign and lights up a smoke.
Sound worthy?
Giles sighs and shrugs.
Off we go then. Meet back at the shop. (to Xander) Found Ben's room at Glory's. Didn't learn much.
Wait, wait, wait. Ben? At Glory's? You're saying all this time he's been subletting from her?
Spike rolls his eyes.
This is going to be worth it.
Spike bitch-slaps Xander upside the head and they both grab their heads in pain.
Last time. From the top.
Glory leans against the wall of the warehouse, obviously annoyed.
I'm hating this, Murk.
And this would be what exactly, your holiness?
Memories. I'm starting to remember the things Ben did. People he spoke with, stuff he wore... (to Dawn) Kid!
The minions part to reveal Dawn sitting in a chair next to the high priest. Glory approaches her.
I came... he came to see you, didn't he?
Ben?
Yeah, Ben. You called him to the desert when you were hiding from me. And he came. And then he was me, you remember?
Yes.
See? She's not supposed to remember that! Nobody should! The cloak between Ben and me is fading. I almost helped her! He... I wanted to. I can't do this!
She seizes the priest by the front of his robe.
Get him out of me.
What?
Ben! The human meat-sack who's infecting me. Do your mojo, make an incision or removal or whatever you've gotta do. Help me! I'm... I'm thinking Ben's thoughts and... and I'm feeling his feelings! And I...
Suddenly Glory disappears and BEN stands in her place.
...can't kill the girl.
Now back to Glory.
Damn it. (to priest) Help me!
This I cannot do. You risk terrible magicks in opening the portal. Nothing comes without a price. This... is yours.
Gods don't pay.
She yanks Dawn to her feet by the throat.
We do this now!
Willow, still standing by the bonfire, looks to her right to find Buffy sitting on a rock. Across from her on the other side of the fire is SINEYA, the First Slayer.
Hey... I know you. You're the first original Slayer who tried killing us all in our dreams.
Sineya gazes at Buffy.
How've you been?
Death is your gift.
Death is my gift?
Wait. Death is her what?
Death is your gift.
Repeat of the previous scene. Buffy #1 walks past Willow, slips the book onto the shelf, pauses.
Willow watches, confused.
Buffy #1 stands at the bookcase, staring at it but not really seeing it, lost in thought.
Willow turns to find Buffy #2 walking away from her down a hallway. At the end of the hall there is a door, slightly ajar, with sunlight streaming through the crack.
Willow follows Buffy #2.
Where are you going?
Dawn gasps and chokes as Glory strangles her. The minions hover anxiously.
Glorificus, wait! Kill the Key now and all will be lost!
We'll be stuck on this mortal plane forever!
All right, you're right. (releases Dawn) It's cool. I'm just a little emotional right now... which-- if you're into irony-- funny.
Dawn stumbles backward, gasping for air.
Leave. We need a little girl-time.
The minions back out, bowing obsequiously. Glory gestures impatiently.
Goodbye!
They scatter and Dawn glares angrily at Glory. Glory puts her hands to her face and shakes her head.
How do they do it?
Do what?
People! How do they function here like this in the world with all this bile running through them? Every day it's whoo-oo! You have no control. They're not even animals, they're just these meat-baggy slaves to hormones and pheromones and their feelings. Hate 'em! I mean, really. Is this what the poets go on about? Call me crazy but as hard-core drugs go, human emotion is just useless! People are puppets! Everyone getting jerked around by what they're feeling. Am I wrong? Really, I want to know. (no response) Gonna bleed you either way.
Dawn stares at her with hatred but decides it might be safer to cooperate.
Depends on the person.
So you're saying some people like this?
Some.
Funny. 'Cause I look around at this world you're so eager to be a part of... and all I see is six billion lunatics looking for the fastest ride out. Who's not crazy? Look around. Everyone's drinking, smoking, shooting up, shooting each other... or just plain screwing their brains out 'cause they don't want 'em anymore. I'm crazy? Honey, I'm the original one-eyed chicklet in the kingdom of the blind 'cause at least I admit the world makes me nuts. Name one person who can take it here. That's all I'm asking. Name one.
Buffy.
Buffy still sits unresponsive in Xander's bedroom, Willow across from her in a trance.
Willow rushes to catch up with Buffy #2 as she disappears through the door at the end of the hall.
I can't keep following you around like this, Buffy. We have to go. You have to talk to... me.
Willow is taken aback as she enters the room.
Willow stares at the floor where the bed should be. In its place is Joyce's grave. The headstone reads "Joyce Summers 1958-2001."
Buffy #2 stares at the grave, a neutral expression on her face.
I'm sorry.
Don't be. Death is my gift.
Yeah, I keep hearing that but I'm not exactly sure what it means.
Buffy #2 walks out of the room.
It's really not that complicated.
They cross the hall and enter Dawn's bedroom. Dawn lies on the bed, smiling.
Not for you maybe.
Buffy sits on the bed beside Dawn.
It's what I do. I mean, come on. You've known me for how long? It's what I'm here for. It's all I am.
Buffy turns to Dawn and picks up a pillow. She puts the pillow over Dawn's face, smothering her. Dawn begins to struggle as she suffocates.
Buffy, stop! No! God, no!
Buffy calmly turns to Willow.
What? I keep telling you, Will. I figured it out. Death is my gift.
Dawn's struggling stops, her arms and legs fall limply onto the bed.
Willow stares in horror as Dawn dies.
Glory stumbles forward shaking her head, suddenly dizzy.
Oh, Ben. This is really not a good time.
But Ben has other ideas and in an instant Glory is gone and he's standing before Dawn.
Dawn. Has Glory hurt you?
No. Not yet.
Ben turns away shakily and sits carefully on a chair.
But I have to get out of here. Ben? You okay?
Where is it?
Where's what?
Ben stares at his hands.
All the blood. I can feel it... still warm and... wet. Glory. Oh, god. She slaughtered hundreds of men but I can feel them... breaking.
Ben, something is happening to both you and Glory.
I'm remembering her, aren't I? The things she's done... things she's going to do.
I know. She told me. I think whatever the magick is that keeps you guys apart, it's starting to break down. Ben, Glory could come back any minute.
Ben doesn't seem to hear her.
How could she do this?
I don't know but we have to get out of here and find Buffy--
No! I mean, I have a job. I have a life! And Glory? She never once thinks about me in all this!
A knock at the door.
Help me.
How?
Highness!
Ben gets up and goes to the door.
Please...
Is everything all right?
Ben opens the door..
You're not--
He yanks the priest inside and head-butts him. The priest staggers back against the wall and falls down unconscious.
I'll take you as far as I can, ditch you before she comes back.
He takes Dawn by the hand and runs out the door.
We're back to where we started: Willow looks down at Young Buffy at her coloring table.
Okay... now this is weird.
Hi, Willow. What are you doing here?
Actually, I'm... looking for you. Here. Again.
Do you like dolls?
No... and I think we already déjà'd this vu.
You talk funny.
Yes... as you'll tell me again when we're older and in chem class. (frowns) Buffy, what are we doing here?
Don't you like it here?
We don't have time.
The front door opens and Young Buffy gives her doll to Willow and runs to meet her parents.
Mommy, Daddy!
We're home!
You're back, you're back!
Joyce and Hank enter holding baby Dawn.
Hi, Buffy.
Joyce kneels and hands the baby to Buffy.
We're calling her Dawn.
Willow turns her head to find Buffy #1 slipping the book on the shelf in the Magic Box again.
I could be the one to look after her sometimes.
A fire burns in the fireplace. A desk piled high with books, papers, and an old manual typewriter. DOC sits at the desk holding a mug, flipping the pages of a book.
Knocking on the door. He doesn't get up.
It's always open!
The door opens and Spike and Xander enter.
What can I do for you boys? Want some cocoa?
No. We need information. We need--
Ben's Glory!
Who's what?
Look at this. Special Ed remembers.
Yeah. I do. Ben's Glory and Glory's Ben. It's like this... fog's lifting.
Wonderful. But not why we're here. (to Doc) Hell-god type. Name of Glory--
AKA Ben.
--has gone missing. She's brewing up some major-league bad and she's nicked the Slayer's kid sister in the bargain.
Hmm. That girl you brought here. Sweet little thing. How'd things work out with her mom? Changed her mind, didn't she?
Yeah. You got any idea where Glory would take her?
Doc closes the book and considers.
Glory... Glory. Oh! You don't mean Glorificus? Gosh. What do you want to get mixed up with her for? That's a sure way to get yourselves killed. I hear she's awfully unpleasant. When it comes to hell-gods, my best advice is get out of the way... and stay there.
Love to. Can't.
Well, other than that... I'd like to help but I'm a small-town guy. This Glorificus, if it is her... whoo, she's big city.
She's got Dawn.
Right. (thinks) Well, I may know a fella, you know, who knows a fella in China. He might--
How the hell are we supposed to get to China? Teleport?
I guess.
Spike stares at Doc, suspicious.
You know, if you're in that much of a hurry. Wish you luck.
You're lying.
Xander looks at Spike in surprise as Doc removes his glasses.
And what's more... I believe you're standing right in front of the very thing we need.
Doc shifts slightly, blocking their view of a carved wooden box with his body.
Doc smiles and suddenly leaps to his left, then behind Spike. His movements are preternatural, inhuman, as if he's an insect. Doc snatches a sword off the wall and puts the tip of the blade to Spike's throat.
Idiot.
Doc lunges forward but Spike smacks the sword blade aside and falls to the floor, pulling a pile of books over onto himself.
Doc opens his mouth and his tongue shoots out, several feet long, like a gecko, and smacks Xander in the chest, slamming him back against the wall. His tongue retracts as quickly as it emerged.
You think only underworld bottom-feeders worship the Beast?
Doc kicks Spike in the face, then turns, grabs the box off the table and throws it into the fire.
Her day is coming, boys! And when she returns, then you're going to see something.
Xander jumps up, kicks Doc in the chest and falls on top of him. As they grapple, Spike races over to the fire and pulls the box out.
Xander grabs the sword, rises up on his knees and plunges it into Doc's chest. Blue blood erupts from the wound and sprays Xander.
Spike stands up with the box and walks over to Xander. It's singed but otherwise undamaged.
What do we got?
Something worth dying for.
Xander and Spike exit.
CU on Doc: the sword sticking out of his chest, wet, blue-stained his shirt.
Suddenly Doc's eyes snap open.
Buffy #2 repeats the same actions as before. Willow watches helplessly.
Buffy, will you just stop a second and listen to me? Buffy!
Willow rushes around in front of Buffy and stops her.
You have to stop doing this.
Doing what?
Killing Dawn.
Why?
Because this never happened. You never killed your sister.
Will, I did this.
In your imagination! None of this is real! You're stuck in some kind of loop!
I don't know what you're talking about. Excuse me.
She moves around Willow and continues down the hallway, pushing through the door into her mother's room.
Buffy, why are you doing this?
Dawn and Ben walk down the main street of Sunnydale, Ben still in Glory's ceremonial robe. Dawn looks nervously over her shoulder.
I think they see us.
Just stay close to me. Don't look back.
Suddenly he pushes Dawn into an alley and they press up against the wall.
Shh! Stay very still.
Ben peers around the corner. When he turns back, Dawn hits him over the head with a large chain. He goes down and Dawn drops the chain next to him.
I'm sorry.
Dawn steps over him and starts to head out into the street.
Sorry?
Terrified, Dawn turns back to find Glory holding the chain.
That actually hurt, you prepubescent puke.
Resume. Glory towers over Dawn, enraged.
Okay, first thought, just totally spontaneous, unfiltered, off the top of my head... ow! You hit Ben in his soft human head and I remember the pain.
Glory pins one of Dawn's arms behind her and forces her farther into the alley.
You probably think I won't waste any precious blood of yours till tonight. You're right. But I know a thousand ways to hurt you that won't spill a drop.
Glory shoves Dawn in the chest and the girl stumbles backward with a yelp. Glory advances on her.
You know all those pesky feelings Ben's been having-- like guilt, empathy? I'm going to take 'em and mash 'em back down where they belong, okay? (suddenly sweet) Now... let's have big-girl fun. Just you and... (beat) leave her alone.
Glory rolls her eyes and morphs into Ben.
I said leave her alone.
Ben and Glory start switching back and forth in rapid succession. Dawn watches, amazed.
No, no. Little late in the game to start growing a backbone, Benjamin. Now be good and stay quiet. No you don't! Get over yourself, Ben! This is the way things are! I'm strong, you're weak. This is reality. Stop trying to infect me with your--
Do you ever stop talking? I don't know which is worse, waking up in a dress not knowing where I've been or having to hear all your self-involved ranting!
Animal.
Wrong, Glory. I'm no animal. This is humanity you're feeling. Welcome to the world.
Dawn slowly gets up and starts edging away. Ben turns to her.
No, no, no!
Glory grabs Dawn and throws her across the alley. She slams into a dumpster and falls to the ground.
Stick around, chica.
I won't let you hurt her, Glory.
Oh, shut your hole, you sanctimonious little meatworm. I'm going home no matter what you do.
Glory reaches down and picks up an empty beer bottle. Ben slams it against the side of the dumpster, breaking it. He holds the broken edge to Dawn's face. Dawn cringes in terror.
You really think I'll just let that happen?
Benjamin, what are you doing?
You need her blood? When I'm through there won't be enough left to fill a bottle cap. Then you, hellbitch, have nowhere left--
--to go.
Glory pulls Dawn away from the dumpster, throws her across the alley, then throws the bottle against the wall. Dawn crouches on the ground staring at Glory in abject fear.
You can't hurt her and you know it, Ben. I know it 'cause I feel what you're feeling. Scared. Shh! Shh! It's okay! You don't want to die. Who would? I don't.
You can't. You're immortal.
Nobody has to die here, Ben. Just let me bleed the girl and go home. Everything will work out fine.
Do you really believe with all I know that you can trick me?
Stop and think, baby. We bleed the kid, return me to my seat of power, I become a god again...
And I disappear.
Unless somebody up there likes you. Give up the girl... I could like you a lot.
I won't make a deal with you, Glory.
When exactly did you get stupid? I'm offering immortality here.
I believe you. That's not the problem. You make me immortal, then what?
He walks over to Dawn, grabs her arm and pulls her to her feet.
I'd have to kill her to do it and I won't be able to live with that, not even for a day, forget about eternity!
He spins Dawn around and morphs in mid-whirl. Glory lets go of Dawn and she collapses to the ground.
Baby, baby, baby, Ben. Why do you worry so much? When you're immortal, all this crap you've been carrying around inside... the guilt, the anger, the crazy-making pain... (smiles) Oh, it all just melts away like ice cream. Trust me. When all this is over I can set you up real nice. I'm making it easy. It's you... or the girl.
I can't accept that.
Accept it. I'm a god, stupid.
She morphs into Ben again and this time it holds. He gets up, goes over to Dawn and holds out his hand.
I'm sorry.
Dawn sighs in relief and reaches out for him. But he seizes her wrist instead.
No!
Ben yanks her to her feet and leads her out of the alley.
Don't make this harder than it already is. I'm sorry, I've got no choice. It's you or me.
They emerge onto the street as three minions approach.
Buffy stands before her mother's headstone, then turns to go.
No. Buffy! Leave Dawn alone. What is this?
My gift. This is what I do.
I'm not talking about this, I'm talking about...
Willow follows Buffy through the door but instead of Dawn's bedroom, they emerge in the magick shop. Buffy #1 walks over to the bookshelf again and slides the book into place. Buffy #2 watches expressionlessly.
...this. Right here it happened. I know it's something small but... it's something. What?
Buffy #1 approaches the bookshelf and puts the book on it again, an endless loop repeating.
Don't go there, Will.
I'm not! You're the one who keeps dragging me back here. And you wouldn't be doing that if you weren't trying to show me something.
Am I?
Buffy, come on. It's your brain. Just tell me.
Buffy #2 watches herself shelve the book again.
What happened here?
This was when I quit, Will.
You did?
Just for a second.
Buffy #1 turns to face Willow.
I remember. I was in the magick shop.
I put a book back for Giles.
Nothing special about it. And then it hit me.
What hit you?
I can't beat Glory.
Glory's going to win.
You can't know that.
I didn't just know it.
I felt it. Glory will beat me.
And in that second of knowing it, Will...
I wanted it to happen.
Why?
I wanted it over. This is... all of this... it's too much for me.
I just wanted it over.
If Glory wins... then Dawn dies.
And I would grieve. People would feel sorry for me. But it would be over. And I imagined what a relief it would be. I killed Dawn.
Is that what you think?
My thinking it made it happen.
Some part of me wanted it and in the moment Glory took Dawn...
I know I could have done something better. But I didn't. I was off by some fraction of a second.
And this is why...
...I killed my sister.
Willow frowns for a moment, considering, looking between the two Buffys.
I think Spike was right back at the gas station. (loud) Snap out of it!
Buffy #2 looks at Willow in surprise. Buffy #1 turns from the bookcase.
What?
What?
All this... it has a name. It's called guilt. It's a feeling and it's important. (to Buffy #2) But it's not more than that, Buffy. (to Buffy #1) Buffys. You've carried the weight of the world on your shoulders since high school and I know you didn't ask for this but you do it every day. And so you wanted out for one second. So what?
I got Dawn killed.
Hello! Your sister? Not dead yet! But she will be if you stay locked inside here and never come back to us.
But what if I can't?
Then I guess you're right. And you did kill your sister.
Willow turns and starts walking toward the door. Buffy #2 turns to her in alarm.
Wait! Where are you going?
Where you're needed. Are you coming?
Buffy suddenly comes to with a start and looks around. Willow stares at Buffy and Buffy bursts into tears.
Willow gets up off the bed and kneels beside Buffy's chair, puts her arms around her friend and holds her as she cries.
Giles stands in the back making tea as the door opens.
Buffy? (to others) She's back.
You're okay?
Yeah. I'm okay.
Tara and Anya follow Willow and Buffy in.
I hear you found the ritual text.
Something like that, yes.
Did you know that Ben is Glory?
So I'm told. What do we know?
Well... according to these scrolls, it's possible for Glory to be stopped.
Giles hesitates and Buffy raises her eyebrows at him expectantly.
I'm afraid it's... well, Buffy, I've read these things very carefully and there's not much margin for error. You understand what I'm saying?
Might help if you actually said it.
Giles smiles and nods.
Glory plans to open a dimensional portal by way of a ritual bloodletting.
Dawn's blood.
Yes. Once the blood is shed at a certain time and place, the fabric which separates all realities will be ripped apart. Dimensions will pour into one another with no barriers to stop them. Reality as we know it will be destroyed and... chaos will reign on earth.
So how do we stop it?
The portal will only close once the blood is stopped... and the only way for that to happen is... (long beat) Buffy, the only way is to kill Dawn.