[Transcript of "Buffy The Vampire Slayer" episode Help at buffyology.com.]
A dead woman lies in her coffin in the funeral parlor's showroom. A pair of workers put the finishing touches on the body.
You did good work on her. She looks good.
Thanks. She's all set for the service tomorrow.
Good.
All right, then. I'll see you in the morning.
Good night.
They turn off the lights on the way out.
Two of other coffins open and BUFFY and XANDER climb out, out of breath for having been shut up inside the caskets. Buffy shines her flashlight in Xander's face.
Hey!
Sorry.
Thirty-three minutes. Since when do we go to all this trouble for one lousy vampire? Excuse me. One lousy potential vampire?
Vampire by vampire. It's the only way I know how.
A frantic knocking comes from inside a small coffin next to them. Buffy hurries to open it. DAWN sits up gasping for air.
I think this thing has a fricking child-lock on it.
She climbs out while Buffy shushes her.
You know, I'm not the shortest one here. I don't know why I had to be in the kid coffin.
Look, I know it's my job--
No, I'm sorry. I want to help. I guess I've been a little bit stressed out lately. I'm sorry I took it out on you.
No big. Been kinda stressed myself.
Well, the whole Willow sitch is not un-stressifying. I mean, she's here but not "part of the gang" here and hopefully not "under my feet here" in another time dimension... here.
There's Willow, there's the looming humungo bad and it's a school night. I should be home in bed, cuddling up to my insomnia and worrying about how I'm going to mess up tomorrow.
You'll be fine. You'll be a great counselor.
It's my first week actually talking to the kids. What if their problems are weird and tricky?
Well, I think you understate your familiarity with the world of weird and tricky. This job's perfect for you.
Check out perfect me. Taking my sister on an educational outing to the--
She shines her light on the dead woman.
Dead body.
I don't know, amateur opinion here, but she looks dead. I mean, like natural causes dead.
The paper said she had unusual cuts and contusions on her neck.
Buffy pulls down the woman's collar, revealing sutured twin puncture marks on her neck.
Maybe she cut herself shaving and then died naturally of embarrassment.
She looks...peaceful.
The woman's eyes snap open, a hateful yellow. Her fangs descend and she scowls up at them.
I am not peaceful!
That I can help with.
She plunges her stake into the vampire's heart and it explodes into dust.
I always thought closed caskets were more tasteful, anyway.
Opening credit sequence.
Buffy has everything neatly arranged on her desktop. She sits at her desk sharpening pencils.
Hello?
Buffy looks up. AMANDA, a young brunette, stands before her.
Come in! Hi.
Mr. Miller sent me here.
Do you know why?
I'm not sure. Maybe 'cause this guy was picking on me.
TOMAS paces before her desk.
I don't want to talk to you.
Okay, that's fine.
I'm serious. I don't want to talk.
Okay.
The school jock, PETER NICHOLS, leans against Buffy's desk and smiles.
You know, I hate to miss Bio but I thought it was best I come speak with you.
So what's on your mind?
On my mind?
Are you worried about... school? Friends, girls, your parents--
Yeah, yeah, that's it. My parents.
So what about them?
Issues of... divorce.
Back to Amanda.
You know, it's awful being teased. But the thing is, you know, with bullies like this, they're really just--
Insecure?
Buffy winces, embarrassed to be caught in a clichÈ.
Yeah, everyone says that. You know, I'm really tired of everyone being so insecure.
Tomas sits down across from Buffy and stares silently at her.
Peter listens to Buffy but seems to be checking her out more than anything else.
Divorce is terrible. My parents got divorced when I was a kid.
My parents are happily married. (covers) It's hard. I feel left out. But I'm also concerned about girls.
He sees she's not buying it.
Okay, I'm just bored. Maybe I should get back to Bio?
Buffy nods and smiles icily at him.
Back to Amanda.
You have to stick up for yourself, Amanda. You need to show this bully that you're not going to take anymore of his sh-- guff. Umm, any guff.
'Cause that's what I did. I stuck up for myself. The other day after class, I jumped him in the parking lot and I slammed his stupid-ass insecure face right into the pavement.
You what?
I guess that's another reason Mr. Miller wanted me to see you. Do you think I should pound on him some more?
Xander and WILLOW walk together along a path by a lake.
I bet she's giving them great advice.
Absolutely! Those kids are lucky to have Buffy looking out for them. I just wish she believed it. She's still stressing over the whole "dropped out of college, not actually qualified" thing. Plus the salivating Hellmouth underneath her feet and the whole...
"From beneath you, it devours." It's not the friendliest jingle, is it? It's no "I like Ike" or "Milk: it does a body good."
I know. It's gonna be bad. It's gonna be real bad. And I wonder, will I... well, if it comes-- when it comes-- will I be able to help?
I think so.
I don't know. I don't know what I can do. I mean, frankly, I'm...I'm scared of what I might do.
Yeah, I get that. Figuring out how to control your magick seems a lot like hammering a nail. (off her look) Well, hear me out. So you're hammering, right? If you hold the end of the hammer, you have the power but no control. It takes like two strokes to hit the nail in... or you could hit your thumb.
Ouch.
So you choke up. Control but no power. It could take like ten strokes to knock the nail in. Power, control. It's a tradeoff.
That's actually not a bad analogy.
Thanks.
Except I'm less worried about hitting my thumb and more worried about going all black-eyed baddy and bewitching that hammer into cracking my friends' skulls open like coconuts.
Right. Ouch.
Sorry. (beat) Xander, being back here... I don't know...
It'll take time. Are you sure you're ready for this?
Willow nods and steps forward. Xander hangs back. She passes several grave markers, then stops before one in particular and looks down. After a moment, she sets a handful of stones on the headstone and kneels in front of it, tracing the name engraved on the face.
Hey. It's me.
Tomas sits with Buffy. He's talking now, opening up.
I'm scared. I don't want to be left all alone. My brother's joining up with the Marines. Whew. You know, if he knew I was making a fool of myself, he'd smack me in my head. I guess I'm just being stupid.
Sounds like your brother's pretty tough.
Yeah, he's a man. I'm just all messed up right now.
You are not messed up. It is not messed up to worry about your brother.
What if he doesn't come back? What if he gets blown up?
Have you talked to him? Have you told him how you feel?
No. No, I don't want to talk to him. I don't want to do that. I don't want to talk to him.
Okay.
You understand?
Now JOSH, a nerdy boy sits before Buffy.
So Josh, what's on your mind?
Well, I'm worried that I'm... gay.
Okay, first of all, I think it's great that you would come and talk to me about this. And second of all, you should know that there is nothing shameful about being gay. Nothing.
I know. It's just... I'm not positive so I was thinking that... why don't you go on a date with me so I can be sure.
Josh smiles dreamily at Buffy and she shakes her head in disbelief.
Buffy has yet another student before her.
It sounds like it's difficult for you. Like maybe your sister makes it hard for you to establish your own identity. You said she's controlling, she doesn't let you make your own decisions...
Reveal Dawn.
Yeah, and she borrows my clothes without asking.
I understand. That must be hard.
CASSIE NEWTON sits with Buffy now. She's cute in an unconventional way, wearing a black t-shirt with purple streaks in her blonde hair.
So you're not doing your homework?
I guess not. It all just... seems kind of ... whatever.
I know high school can seem kind of frustrating. But if you just get through it, then you can go to college, you know, or you can join the French Foreign Legion or anything you want.
Yeah, well, I'm not gonna do all that stuff.
Okay, no Foreign Legion. I get that. I mean all the changing your name and being indentured for all those years and occupying Algeria...
It's just that I'm not graduating from high school.
Why not?
I really like that shirt. Where'd you get it?
Cassie, don't change the subject. Why won't you graduate?
Because next Friday I'm going to die.
Resume. Buffy stares at Cassie, shocked.
What?
Can we talk about something else?
No, we have to talk about this.
Just... never mind.
Cassie, what makes you feel like this?
Feel like what?
Like you want to hurt yourself.
Oh, I'm not going to commit suicide if that's what you're saying. No way.
Okay, then. What are you saying?
Look, I don't mean to be a pain. You seem really nice and I know you're just trying to help. But I'm wasting your time.
No, you're not. This is why I'm here. Cassie, please tell me, why do you think you're going to die?
I don't think it, I know it. I just know.
What do you mean, you know? Are you saying that someone's going to hurt you? Has someone threatened you?
No. (beat) No, I just know that next Friday I'm going to die. Some things I just know. I don't know how, I just do. Like I know there will be coins...
Coins?
Lots of coins. Weird ones. And I know that you'll go someplace dark underground. I don't know.
What do you mean underground?
And I know you'll try to help...
Cassie, I don't understand what you're saying.
But you can't, okay? I gotta go.
She stands up and gathers her things.
Trig. I don't want Mr. Corrigan sending me Principal Wood again.
Cassie, please...
Thanks for being so nice. I really do like that shirt. You should put a sweater on so it doesn't get stained. I gotta go.
Cassie, wait, please...
Gotta go.
PRINCIPAL WOOD listens calmly to Buffy's concerns about Cassie.
What am I supposed to do?
Well, you did what you were supposed to do. You reported the situation to me.
And...?
Listen, Buffy, it's hard. Kids this age... they're hurting, they're pissed off and they say things. Sometimes they say awful things. When I was in high school, I had a thing with this guy, right? Real bully. I kept telling everyone that he'd better sleep with one eye open 'cause I was going to bust his ass. Well, I got suspended. Talk like that is taken pretty seriously where I come from.
The hood?
Beverly Hills... which is a hood.
Buffy tries to hide her embarrassment.
Listen, the point is, I was talking big because I was scared. I couldn't bust a move back in high school, let alone someone's ass. Most of the time, that's what it is when these students act out. Fear, pain...
But sometimes it's not just talk, right?
Every time there's a threat like this, we do the same dance. Inform teachers, search lockers, but we can't... we can't know what's going to happen and we can't search their brains. We just do what we can.
It's not enough. I need to fix this. I don't usually get a heads up before somebody dies.
What do you mean usually?
No. No, not since... I mean, I'm sure it's not usual to get a chance to stop something like... I just I need to do something, okay? I have to make this better.
She trips and spills coffee on her shirt.
Oh! Oh, shoot.
Buffy looks down at the coffee stain on her shirt and remembers Cassie words earlier.
Dawn's opens her locker and starts when she shuts the door again to find Buffy standing there watching her.
I have a job for you.
Dawn hides behind one of the library stacks, eavesdropping on a conversation between Cassie and her friend MIKE HELGENBERG.
What're you drawing?
Don't you have a history test to study for?
When are you going to design me a tattoo?
A tattoo? Oh, right. I could imagine that.
Come on. Design something. I mean, maybe we could get matching tattoos. How about like a snake with fire coming out of its mouth.
Hmm... or a sexy hula girl who wiggles when you flex?
Yeah, now you're talking. Sexy hula girl. But a sexy snake hula girl.
Dawn pretends to read a book while casually making her way toward their table.
You are so ridiculous.
So I was thinking... maybe we should go to that dance after all.
What do you mean "after all"? I told you I don't want to go.
Well, I assumed you were kidding.
It would probably be lame anyway.
Well, yeah, but lame is funny and, you know, maybe fun if, you know, we're hanging out together.
We hang out together all the time.
Right. And therefore we should hang out together at the winter formal.
Dawn approaches and interrupts.
Hey. I'm in ceramics class with you. I'm Dawn Summers. I forgot if we had an assignment last week. I spaced.
Right. Hey, Dawn. Yeah, you know we did have an assignment but I didn't write it down. I think something to do with glazes...
As scintillating as the pottery talk is, I'd better actually go study. (to Dawn) I'm Mike, by the way.
Hi, Mike. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to...
Oh, don't worry about it. I better go hit the books if I'm going to ace this test. Nice meeting you, though. Cass, I'll see you later?
Yep. Hey, Mike, you're going to get a B.
Oh, A+, baby, A+.
Dawn sits with Cassie and notices her book: Kurt Vonnegut's Slaughterhouse Five.
So is that any good?
Yeah. Actually, yeah.
What do you have to read it for?
Oh, just for me, I guess. I kinda stopped reading my homework assignments. I just... read what I want.
That's so cool. I'd do that but my sister'd be down my neck in a second.
Summers... hey, are you the counselor's little sister?
No. She's my sister. Lucky me, huh?
No, she's really nice. I actually just saw her this morning.
Oh, really? What about? (beat) I'm sorry, that's none of my business.
No, I don't care.
So Mike's a cutie. Are you guys going to that dance?
No, I don't think so.
Oh. I mean, didn't he ask you?
Like 105 times.
And you said no?
One hundred six times. No, I can't go. I'm not going to be around that night.
Buffy and Xander stand behind Willow who types on her laptop.
Cassie's records all show the same thing. Good grades, good kid, then all of a sudden not so good grades, absenteeism, comments about apathy and depression...
So the question is, what changed?
Right. If she did have some sort of psychic vision, that would explain it.
Do you really think this girl is some kind of precog?
I don't know. I told you about the shirt, right?
Buff, you spilled a cup of coffee. I'm not saying you don't have Slayer grace but it's not the first time.
I mean, maybe, just maybe, you're trying so hard to help that you're seeing paranormal when there's just normal.
Maybe. But maybe not.
Want me to check her medical records?
Her doctor already sent them.
Buffy hands the file to Xander who flips through it.
Strep throat. Ear infections. Yeast infections. None of my business... no real info here.
Have you Googled her yet?
Willow, she's 17.
It's a search engine. Look. (types) Okay, let's see what "Cassie Newton" pulls up. (beat) Hey, look. Check this. She's got her own site.
A day and a half of researching and we finally try looking up her.
Cassie's website is artsy and eccentric. The graphics resemble old-style ransom notes with letters cut from newspapers and pasted together to form words.
Wow, that's a lot of poems.
Poems. Always a sign of pretentious inner turmoil.
The sheets above me cool my skin Like dirt on a mad woman's grave. I rise into the moonlight white And watch the mirror stare.
Pale fish looks back at me, Pale fish that will never swim. My skin is milk for no man to drink, My thighs unused, unclenched.
This body is not ready yet But dirt waits for no woman And coins will buy no time. I hear the chatter of the bugs.
It's they alone will feast.
The front door opens and Dawn enters.
Okay, death is really on her brain.
We all deal with death.
This girl isn't just dealing, she's giving death a long, sloppy word-kiss. She has a yen for the big dirt-nap.
I don't know. I mean, a lot of teens post some pretty angsty poetry on the web. I mean, I even posted a melodramatic love poem or two back in the day.
Love poems?
I'm over you now, sweetie.
Love poems!
Look, all I'm saying is that this is normal teen stuff. You join chat rooms, you write poetry, you post Doogie Howser fan-fic. (off their looks) It's all normal, right? Let's see what other sites there are.
You guys are way off track. I got a hunch on this one.
Oh, wait. Here's something. No, that's Philip Newton.
No, that's her dad. Open it.
Guys, I'm telling you. I got this case cracked wide-open. I got the perp fingered. I told you about Mike Helgenberg, right?
That's the guy that asked her to the dance?
Right. The one that keeps asking her to the dance. I'm thinking, who likes to be rejected? Nobody. I'm thinking some people can't handle the rejection. I'm thinking that--
Hey, I got something. Whoa, drunk and disorderly, disturbing the peace... there's a lot of charges here.
Her dad's a drunk?
A violent drunk?
We'd better find out. I have his address right here. Got your keys?
Yeah.
Buffy and Xander leave without acknowledging Dawn.
Guys, I'm telling you, I'm liking Mike Helgenberg for the perp. Let's collar him before he... (dejected) lawyers up.
Buffy and Xander stand on Philip Newton's front porch, ringing the doorbell.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer would break down this door.
And Buffy the counselor?
Waits.
PHILIP NEWTON answers the door and peers out suspiciously.
Mr. Newton?
That's right.
I work at your daughter's school. I need to talk to you.
Inside the house, Buffy and Xander continue their conversation with Mr. Newton.
So is she screwing up her grades again? Because she's not the sharpest apple in the barrel.
She's got some problems. But it's... it's kind of you we wanted to talk about.
What about?
We know you've been picked up by the police a couple of times. We wanted to know if you still... drink a lot.
She looks pointedly at the counter top, cluttered with alcohol bottles.
What's that got to do with Cassie?
Frankly, we were worried that you might... drink too much and hurt Cassie. That's all.
Oh. Oh, I see. That's all. You just come in here in the middle of the night, into my home, and start accusing me of beating on my daughter? That's all?
We just want to make sure that Cassie's--
Well, that's a lie! Who told you this? Did Cassie's mother put you up to this, 'cause I pay my support, okay? To the dime! She just wants to take away the one weekend a month I get to be with my girl.
Which is when?
What?
Which weekend is it?
I just had her last weekend. (beat) Look, I may not be the greatest dad in the world but I don't beat up my daughter.
So you won't be seeing her this Friday, then?
Not unless my ex-wife gets a personality transplant.
Okay.
Okay, what? Okay, now you'll get out of my house?
Yeah, we will.
As Buffy and Xander head for the car, Cassie pulls into the driveway.
It's not him. He's not the one who does it. Thank you for trying but I probably shouldn't have told you anything. You're making such a big deal out of it and I want it to all to just go away.
Are you talking about killing yourself?
No, of course not.
Then fight. Try.
There's no point. I told you...
This doesn't sound like someone who really wants to live.
You think I want this? You think I don't care? (cries) Believe me, I want to... be here, do things. I want to graduate from high school and I want to go to the stupid winter formal. I have this friend and it would be fun to go with him. Just to dance and hear lame music, to wear a silly dress and laugh and stuff. I'd like to go. There's a lot of stuff I'd like to do. I'd love to ice skate at Rockefeller Center. And I'd love to see my cousins grow up and see how they turn out 'cause they're really mean and I think they're going to be fat. I'd love to backpack across the country or, I don't know, fall in love, but I won't. I just never will.
You will. Cassie, you will. You just have to tell us what you know. You have to tell us everything. Please, help us.
I can't. I just know it's going to happen. I don't know why and I don't know how but something out there is going to kill me.
Seven hooded figures stand in a circle holding candles and chanting softly in Latin. A circle of coins marks the floor in front of them with a ceremonial bowl filled with papers in the center. One dips his candle and lights the papers; a picture of Cassie begins to char and turn black.
Buffy sits at Willow's computer, reading Cassie's web site as Principal Wood approaches.
Hey, how're we doing? (Buffy starts) Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to scare you.
Oh, no, that's okay. I just didn't get much sleep last night.
It's been a long week, huh? Well, thank god it's Friday. (beat) I can't believe I just said that. See you later.
As Wood walks away, Buffy turns back to the computer.
I sit alone at my window sill Trees crackle, sunshine blares...
Cassie picks up where Buffy left off over a scene of students outside, eating lunch and enjoying the day.
...And children laugh like death, Their sharp happiness is a knife to me. One jealous snake on a window sill...
Buffy, Xander, Willow and Dawn sit around the dining room table, frantically researching. Papers strewn everywhere, yearbooks, the laptop, etc.
They will be here. Trees and sun and children with canes And pruney skin.
When I am but a memory, A laugh in the trees of time. I sit alone and try to love them I sit alone, a snake.
Cassie sits on her bed, writing more poetry. Her walls are covered with sketches and pastel drawings.
I sit alone and try to love them. I sit alone and laugh.
Buffy moves through the shadows looking for Spike. She finds him crouched on the floor staring into the dark. She waves her hand in front of his eyes. He doesn't respond. She snaps impatiently.
Spike, what are you doing?
Nothing. If I don't move, if I don't think, if I don't listen to the voices, then I won't hurt... much.
I need to ask you something.
Don't.
There's a girl, she's in danger, and she needs your help. Now. Time is running out. It's Friday, the day Cassie said she's going to die.
I can't. I can't hear you.
Is there something evil in the school? Down here, maybe. Spike, please, do you know anything?
Yes. There's evil. Down here. Right here. I'm a bad man. William is a baaad man. I hurt the girl.
Spike punches himself violently in the face. Buffy grabs his wrist and stops him.
Spike, stop it! What did you do?
I hurt you, Buffy, and I will pay. I am paying because I hurt the girl.
Spike. No. It's not me. It's a different girl, okay? Her name is Cassie Newton. Please, do you know anything specific?
Spike shakes his head and Buffy sighs. She turns to leave when Spike calls out softly after her.
Don't... don't leave me. Stay here and help me be quiet.
I think it's worse when I'm here.
Don't let him hurt the girl.
Buffy watches Principal Wood and a security guard are conducting locker inspections.
Well, there's nothing in this one. What've you got?
Mike walks by and Buffy stops him.
Where's your hall pass?
No hall pass. I've got a free period.
You seem kind of upset. Something on your mind?
No, not really.
He holds up a graded paper.
Well, I got a lousy B in Egyptian history. Knew this stuff cold so that, you know, that pisses me off.
You get pissed off a lot?
No, I--
Let me cut to the chase. I hear you can't get a date for the winter formal.
Oh, whoa, look, I know it's your job to talk to kids with problems but honestly I don't have any. I'm fine. (off her look) All right, look, it's really no big deal. I have a friend that I really wanted to take. I don't know, I guess she doesn't see me that way. (laughs) She makes me crazy.
Crazy?
Yeah, sometimes I jus... that's funny. You're Dawn's sister, right?
That's right. Dawn is my sister.
Oh, that's so weird. I was just thinking about her. Yeah, I was thinking if, you know, Cassie won't budge, maybe I'll ask Dawn.
You aren't mad at Cassie, with her rejecting you like that?
Nah, she's a girl, right? Making boys crazy is like your job description.
You're asking my sister to the dance and she's your second choice?
Behind Mike, Principal Wood and the security guard open a locker and dozens of coins tumble out onto the hall floor.
I'll be keeping an eye on you.
Seems like someone's got quite a coin collection, huh?
Buffy picks one up; it's unusual. She looks at the number on the locker door: 281.
Buffy has MARTIN WILDER, the owner of locker 281, in her cubicle, questioning him.
You wanted to see me?
You have locker number 281?
Yeah, why?
She holds up a coin.
I want you to tell me what this is and what this has to do with a girl named Cassie Newton.
I don't know. It's late. I'm going to miss my bus.
I know it's late. That's why I don't have time to mess around so you need to talk to me. Now.
Believe me, if I knew anything, I'd tell you. I just... don't.
Do you know why I came back to Sunnydale High?
To creep me out?
To help. I'm a counselor here because I want to help. I know what it's like to walk these halls and feel lost, alone. I just want to make things better, connect. (hard) And I'm going to connect with your face if you don't stop wasting my time and help me do my job.
I... please, I...
A girl could die.
I guess I know who you're talking about. She's some weirdo suicidal poet girl. These guys I know want to mess with her. They've got this plan...
Students stream out of the school, leaving for the day. Dawn and Cassie walk out together.
Well, I guess this is goodbye.
No. I mean, let me walk you home.
Oh, don't worry about it. I'm going to my Mom's. It's kinda far.
Far is good.
Dawn, I know what's going on here.
What?
Buffy told you about me, right? She told you to pretend to be my friend?
No. Maybe. Cassie, she was scared. She wanted to help you.
Well, she can't.
Maybe she can. She's not like you think. She's got powers... of helping. And look, she was worried and now I'm worried and I wasn't pretending at all. I really wanted to be your friend.
You are my friend.
I am?
Yeah. Just remember, I'm not as dumb as I look.
I'm glad.
Peter Nichols walks by and calls out to Dawn.
Hey, Summers!
Listen, Dawn, whatever happens now, it's not your fault, okay?
Dawn is caught between the two conversations.
Um... what's up, Peter?
I was just wondering if anyone had asked you to winter formal.
She smiles flirtatiously at him, flattered.
What? Oh, no. Not exactly.
Well, I was just doing a poll. (laughs) I'll see you.
That guy is such an ass.
But Cassie is already gone.
Cassie? Cassie? Cassie!
Red-robed and hooded figures, Latin chants. The head of the cult pulls his hood back to reveal Peter Nichols.
All present?
All present.
Then we begin. (giggling) Mandel, shut up.
Sorry, dude, it's... it's just so cool. I mean, we're going to be rich!
Keep your shorts, all right. We have to do the ritual if we want to score. Oh, Keith, did you take care of the fire exits?
Yeah. Anybody tries to bust in here's going to get a nasty surprise. I set up this booby trap my cousin Ben always used to do.
Then nobody is getting in.
He yanks Cassie to her feet, blindfolded, bound and gagged.
...and nobody is getting out.
Dude.
Cassie whimpers through the duct tape on her mouth as Peter takes off her blindfold and hefts a large meat cleaver.
This is our sacrifice. (to Cassie) It's nothing personal. It's just that you have this death-kick suicidal vibe going. I figure if you disappear, everybody'll just assume you threw yourself in a river somewhere. (to cult) Extinguish.
Everyone puts out their candles.
All mighty Avilas... please accept our sacrifice. Please appear before us, oh mighty soldier of the dark. Please appear before us and grant us with infinite riches and we will pay you with our sacrifice. We kneel before you with the gift of flesh.
One of the robed worshippers suddenly stands and the red cloak drops to the floor. It's Buffy.
Okay, that is going on your permanent record.
Wait, this is the counselor! What the hell is she doing here?
It was his idea!
Peter wields the cleaver menacingly.
Back off. Get back! Get back, you stupid bitch!
Buffy kicks him in the face and he falls backward. He gets back up and yells, raising the cleaver high.
You're gonna die!
Buffy kicks him again, in the crotch, and he falls in agony, dropping the weapon.
Do you know how lame this is? Bored teenage boys trying to raise up a demon. Sorry it didn't show. I bet it's 'cause you forgot the boom box playing some heavy metal thing, like Blue Clam Cult. I think that's the key to the raising of lame demons.
Buffy turns around to find the demon Avilas towering over her. Seven feet tall with a curved horn coming out of each side of his head, scaly brown skin, very muscular, with fins jutting from his shoulders. A circular cavity opens where his abdomen should be.
Buffy grabs the cleaver from the floor in front of Peter and hurls it at the demon. It embeds itself in its chest but the wound doesn't phase the demon at all. Buffy attacks but it effortlessly hurls her across the room.
Dude, help!
The demon rips the cleaver out of its chest and throws to the floor where it lands near Peter. It attacks Buffy, who desperately tries to kick it off. Peter grabs the cleaver and goes after Cassie.
No!
Peter wrenches Cassie's head back and holds the cleaver to her neck. Buffy decks one of the cult members as the demon attacks her again, tossing her into a bookcase. She collapses to the floor and the demon steps on her chest.
No! Ow!
Suddenly the demon turns, distracted, to find Spike standing behind him with a lit torch. Spike shoves it into the demon's back and it roars in pain.
Spike?
Here to help. No hurting the girl.
Untie her. I'll take care of this.
Buffy takes the torch from Spike and wields it at the demon while Spike goes to Cassie. He punches Peter, knocking him to the ground as Buffy jabs the torch into the cavity in the demon's abdomen.
Spike straddles Peter, pummeling him ferociously. With each punch, Spike's pain chip flares and he moans in agony.
Who are you?
I'm a bad man.
Spike finally knocks Peter unconscious and uses the cleaver to cut the ropes binding Cassie's hands. Buffy rams the torch into the demon's body again and this time it catches fire. The creature howls in agony as the fire consumes it, leaving nothing but a burnt shell. Spike takes the tape from Cassie's mouth and she looks up at him, sobbing.
She'll tell you. Someday she'll tell you.
Spike stares at Cassie, confused, as Buffy kneels beside them and helps her up.
Are you okay?
Spike walks off while Buffy inspects the rope burns on Cassie's arm.
Uh-huh. Ow...
Nearby, Peter comes to and crawls across the floor to the demon's flaming carcass.
You can't be dead. Where are my infinite riches?
Suddenly the demon lunges at him and bites into his shoulder.
Ahh! It bit me!
The demon falls back to the floor and explodes into dust. Buffy shields Cassie from the raining demon debris.
C'mon.
Help! Help me, please! I'm bleeding.
Buffy ignores him and walks out the door.
Sorry. My office hours are ten to four.
Buffy emerges from the library with Cassie.
It's all okay now. I hope you're not too disappointed.
When Buffy opens the main door, a booby trap triggers a crossbow mounted overhead. Buffy snatches the bolt out of the air, its point mere inches from Cassie's eyes.
Buffy snaps the arrow in two and drops it.
See? You can make a difference.
Cassie smiles and tenderly pushes Buffy's hair back from her face.
And you will.
Cassie suddenly gasps and collapses to the floor. Shocked, Buffy kneels down next to her. She listens for a heartbeat and checks her pulse.
Cassie? No, come on. Cassie. Cassie!
Cassie's eyes stare sightlessly up at the ceiling. She's dead.
Tears of frustration stream down Buffy's face.
Xander sits with Buffy, Willow and Dawn in silence. Willow finally breaks the quiet.
How is her mom?
Okay. (beat) As okay as... she told me that her family had a history of heart irregularities but she never told Cassie.
Cassie didn't know? Then it was fate?
I think she was going to die no matter what, wasn't she? Didn't matter what you did.
She just knew. She was special. I failed her.
Uh-uh. No. You didn't, 'cause you tried. You listened and you tried. She died because of her heart, not because of you. She was my friend because of you. I guess sometimes you can't help.
So what, then? What do you do when you know that? When you know that maybe you can't help?
Buffy sits at her desk, back at work, trying to make a difference.