[Transcript of "Buffy The Vampire Slayer" episode Dirty Girls at buffyology.com.]
SHANNON, a terrified young teen girl, runs for her life, careening through the forest as three hooded Bringers chase her wielding wicked-looking ceremonial daggers. She bursts out of the woods and into the path of an oncoming pickup truck, waving her arms desperately at the driver.
Help! Stop! Stop, please!
The truck screeches to a halt and she runs up to the passenger side window, looking beseechingly in at the driver, CALEB. He's dressed all in black, wears a Catholic-style minister's collar and speaks with a pronounced Southern twang.
What's goin' on?
Please, get me out of here!
Was someone hurt? What is it?
She doesn't have time to answer. She just jumps in the truck and slams the door.
Drive!
Caleb guns it and takes off just as the Bringers dash out of the forest after Shannon. Caleb looks out the back window, then over at Shannon as she tries to catch her breath.
Well, that was... (sighs) Are you all right?
Thank you. Thank god you were there.
Well, let's not give him credit for everything. (beat) No, I'm funnin' ya. I don't believe in coincidence. I also don't believe young girls should be out in the woods late at night. They should be tucked in bed.
Wish I was.
I expect you do at that. Look, I don't mean to pry but those boys, they looked like... well, you didn't happen to fall in with devil worshippers, did you? (no answer) No, I'm sorry. You... you look like you've been traveling a while. I don't think that. Is there someplace you'd like me to drop you? You heading someplace?
Sunnydale.
I'm going there myself. I ain't never been but I expect we could find a police station or--
I just need to get to Revello Drive. Thanks, Father...?
Call me Caleb. Never was nobody's daddy.
I'm Shannon.
Well, Shannon, you feel like telling me why those freaky joes were after you?
I'm not sure.
Well, do you ever think that maybe they were chasing you because you're a whore?
What?
Now I know what you're thinking. Crazy preacher-man, spoutin' off at the mouth about the Whore of Babylon or somesuch. That ain't me. I'm not here to lecture you. I mean, what's the point?
He reaches down and pushes in the cigarette lighter.
My words just curdle in your ears. Wouldn't take in a thing. Head filled with so much filth that there ain't no room for words of truth.
Shannon looks around nervously, realizing she's gone from one bad situation to another.
Well, you know what you are, Shannon? Dirty.
What? I'm not! What--
Now, now, now... there's no blame here. You were born dirty. Born without a soul. Born with that gaping maw that wants to open up and suck out a man's marrow. It makes me puke to think too hard on it.
Shannon tries the open the door but the handle turns uselessly. She's locked in.
Yeah, that there door's problematical. Don't know as I could recommend steppin' out at this speed, anyway. You're like as not to tumble some. Then of course there's my boys back there. They hate to miss a mark.
Your boys?
Well, they ain't exactly my blue-eyed boys but they're hard workers. And they don't truck with Satan. That was just me havin' fun. Satan is a little man.
Shannon looks around and assesses her options, then lunges for the steering wheel. Caleb easily bats her aside and slams her back against the seat.
Now I don't like backseat drivers.
He reaches down and pulls out the cigarette lighter. The tip glows red-hot. He presses it against the surface of a ring on his right hand, heating it up.
Please... don't hurt me.
Oh, now is this the part where you offer to do anything? Because I tried to make it clear to you... you got nothin' I want to explore.
He reaches over and presses the sizzling-hot ring against Shannon's neck, branding her with it. She shrieks in pain.
Oh, yeah! That's it! Now that's a cleansing fire. Hallelujah!
He releases her and she holds her burned neck, sobbing and gasping in pain.
Now if I'm not mistaken, there's a car a little ways behind us and I do believe there's some folk in it going the same place you are. Now I want you to deliver a message for me but it's not for them. It's for the other one. The one and only, the original, accept-no-substitutes Slayer. Would you tell her something for me?
Yes.
Well, thank you, Shannon.
He takes out a hunting knife and rams it into Shannon's gut. The girl doubles over, gasping in pain and shock, as Caleb leans over and whispers in her ear. When he's done, he rips the knife back out of her and braces his foot against the passenger door.
Now... let's see what we can't do about that door.
He kicks the door open and shoves Shannon out onto the pavement. She bounces and tumbles and lands in a broken heap directly in the path of the car behind them. Brakes squeal as the car comes to a halt mere feet from Shannon's crumpled body.
The car doors open to reveal WILLOW and the Vampire Slayer FAITH. Willow runs over to Shannon and turns her over. The girl's face is bloody and bruised.
Are you okay? Can you hear me? Can you talk? (to Faith) This girl's bleeding badly. We have to get her to the hospital.
Faith looks down at Shannon without emotion.
Yep. Guess I'm back in Sunnydale.
Opening credit sequence.
Potential Slayers fill Xander's apartment. They sleep on the couches, on the chairs and on the floor in sleeping bags. XANDER lies in his bed, talking with CARIDAD, one of the potentials, a beautiful South American girl, who sits on the edge of his bed, anxious.
I know it's hard.
I haven't been able to sleep the last few nights.
Hey, listen, it's going to be okay. Buffy knows what she's doing. She's not going to send you into battle until she's sure you're ready for action.
That's just it, though. How will I know I'm ready? For action.
You have to trust us.
I'm so scared, Xander. And I'm so young.
Well, believe it or not, I was younger than you when I started all this.
There's just so much I haven't done. So much I need to do. It's like... I never had a real boyfriend, you know?
Yeah?
I've never been with a man. I could die tomorrow... and I've never been with a man.
She looks at him meaningfully.
Well...
Suddenly another potential, COLLEEN, sits up and moves into frame right next to Caridad.
I've never been with a man before, either.
Colleen...
I've never been with her in front of a man before.
I've never been with her in front of a man, neither.
They both stare at Xander seductively, then move toward him.
Um...
Xander...
We can't.
We're so scared.
The others might hear us.
No, they won't.
They're okay.
Colleen and Caridad climb on top of Xander and kiss him as the bedroom door clicks open on its own to reveal the rest of the potentials out in the living room in their lingerie hitting each other with pillows. Feather fly everywhere as the nubile young girls cavort and giggle.
Xander. Xander!
Xander struggles awake, coming out of his dream, to find RONA standing in the doorway, annoyed.
What?
Oh, damn it!
What's going on? I was sleeping.
Dominique has the stomach flu and the toilet bowl is backed up.
I'll be right out. (covers) I got a... leg cramp.
Rona shrugs and walks out, leaving Xander staring at the ceiling in frustration.
Faith and Willow watch through a window as the doctors and nurses prep Shannon for surgery. The injured girl is draped in bandages and surgical sheets and hooked to an array of monitors.
You sure she's one of us? She don't look like much now. Not a potential Slayer, I mean.
Don't know. It seems to fit, though. We'll know more when she regains consciousness.
If she regains consciousness. Girl's been gutted like a catfish.
Yeah.
Something's killing girls all over world, trying to end the Slayer line... thing like that, I figure I might get a heads-up.
Faith...
I guess it doesn't really matter. As long as you got the true Slayer intact.
You were in prison. We figured you were safe there.
Yeah, that's prison. Safe as a kitten.
Sorry, I don't know much about the big house. Was it... I mean, did something happen in there?
Someone came at me with a nasty-looking knife. Didn't really know why. Not till now.
Faith, we didn't--
Forget it. It's cool. I get by. What are we going to do about her?
I guess we should find Buffy, tell her what's going on. I tried calling home. Dawn said she's out patrolling.
Hmm, let's go look for her. Cemetery's more fun anyway.
She heads for the door.
Wait. Somebody should wait here in case she wakes up.
Fine. Sit tight. I'll be back.
Wait... maybe you meeting Buffy alone isn't the best idea.
You told her the sitch, right? She knows I'm coming. Probably been up all night hanging streamers.
Yeah, but it's not like you're study-buddies exactly. And maybe it'd be better if I eased her into the whole thing.
I can't stay here, Willow. Spent way too much time in hospitals. We don't click. Don't worry. I'm sure we'll all get along just fine.
A pretty young WOMAN runs full speed through the cemetery, fleeing something chasing her down. She stops, scared, and looks around, trying to find her bearings when she's suddenly grabbed from behind, spun around and a fist slams into her face, knocking her to the ground.
Her attacker looms over her, reaching for her throat, when he's suddenly seized from behind and hurled into a nearby grave marker. It's SPIKE. He lands in a heap, then leaps to his feet to confront Faith.
Whatcha want to do to her, vamp? Huh? Something like this?
She punches him twice in the head and he falls to the ground, dazed. Faith flexes her fingers; she's just warming up.
Nice punch you got there. Let me guess. Leather pants, nice right cross, doe eyes, holier-than-thou glower... you must be Faith.
Oh, goody. I'm famous.
Was told you were coming. Bit of a misunderstanding here. I'm--
Spike. Yeah, we've met before.
We have? I don't think we--
Faith kicks him in the gut and he doubles over in pain.
Bloody hell! What are you doing? I'm on your side.
Yeah? Maybe you haven't heard. I've reformed.
She throws another punch and he blocks it, then decks her.
So have I. I reformed way before you did.
They trade blows, Faith landing a vicious backhand to Spike's head.
Stop... hitting... me! We're on the same side.
He gut punches her and sends her reeling backward.
Please. Do you think I'm stupid?
Well... yeah.
You were attacking that girl.
She throws another roundhouse blow, sending Spike to the ground, then immediately is pounded to the ground herself. She looks up to find BUFFY standing over her, smiling.
Sorry, Faith. I didn't realize that was you.
Faith gets to her feet, rubbing her jaw.
It's all right, B. Luckily, you still punch like you used to.
Buffy cocks an eyebrow at Faith, then turns to Spike.
You okay?
Yeah, terrific.
You're protecting vampires? Are you the bad Slayer now? (puzzled) Am I the good Slayer now?
He's with me. He has a soul.
What? He's like Angel?
No!
Sort of.
I'm nothing like Angel.
He fights on my side... which is more than I can say for some of us.
Yeah, well, if he's so good, what's he doing chasing down defenseless--
The pretty blonde girl Spike was chasing suddenly tackles Faith to the ground with a snarl, her fangs reaching for Faith's neck. Faith kicks her off and rolls to her feet.
That's one of the bad guys.
You should make 'em wear signs.
She doesn't wait for the vampire to attack; she launches herself at the creature and beats her mercilessly while Spike and Buffy calmly watch. The vampire kicks Faith backward toward Buffy and she reaches out and snags a stake from Buffy's belt.
May I? Thanks.
Faith makes quick work of the vampire and within seconds, it's a fading cloud of dust.
Angel's dull as a table lamp and we have very different coloring.
Okay. Catching up. Anything else I gotta know?
Buffy looks at Faith and smiles but the her eyes remain cold and wary.
Nice to have you back.
Buffy enters with Faith and Spike.
Whoa... memory lane. Same old house.
Yeah, well, every piece of furniture's been destroyed and replaced since you left, so actually, new house.
Buffy?
DAWN and GILES enter from the dining room and stare at Faith warily.
We have a new houseguest.
Faith notes the chilly reception she's getting from Dawn and Giles and tries to make light of it.
Hey, got a spare bed for a wanted fugitive?
Hello, Faith.
Huh. I guess "wanted" wasn't really accurate.
Does she have to stay here? Because there's some nice hotels that welcome tried-to-kill-your-sister types.
Check it out. Brat's all woman-sized.
Dawn fixes Faith with an icy stare, never wavering, even when she talks to Buffy.
Look, I need to get to the hospital. Some girl was attacked on her way into town. We think she might be--
We know. Willow's been calling.
She's still there. She's going to call if the girl wakes up.
Buffy looks over at Giles, no warmth for him in her gaze.
Fine.
She turns and walks upstairs. Giles watches her go, worried, then turns to Faith.
Well, Faith, we better see if we can find someplace to squeeze you in for the night.
Dawn continues to glare at Faith and Faith stares right back. Finally, Dawn gives up and walks off into the kitchen leaving Faith alone with Spike.
Not all that tension was about you. Giles was part of a plan to kill me... for Buffy's own good.
Well, that makes me feel better about me... worse about Giles... kinda shaky about you.
Caleb pours himself a glass of wine from one of the kegs and raises it.
"Drink of this... for it is my blood."
He drinks deeply of the wine.
You know, I always loved the story of the Last Supper. The body and blood of Christ becoming rich red wine. I recall as a boy, though, I couldn't help but think, what would happen if you were at the Last Supper and you ordered the white? A nice oaky Chardonnay or white Zin? I mean, would he make that out of his lymph or some all? Never did bring it up. I suppose there was a reason why I never spent too long in one parish. Just lookin' for answers. Just lookin' for the Lord in the wrong damn places... and then you showed me the light.
Reveal THE FIRST in the form of Buffy standing in the shadows, smiling.
Do you think I'm god?
I certainly do not. I am beyond concepts like that.
But you still wear the outfit.
Man can't turn his back on what he come from. Besides, black is slimming. Everyone knows that.
How do you like what I'm wearing?
She spins around for him to get a good look.
Just another dirty girl. And since you only dress up in dead folk, I'm guessin' one who's already been paid her wage.
Look hard. What do you see?
Caleb does and then reacts, surprised.
Strength. And the loneliness that comes with real strength.
Nothing about my pert and bouncy hairdo?
You're her...
The Slayer.
Caleb smiles, excited, and reaches out to touch her but his hand passes right through her face.
At long last. All this time, all the work I've done for you-- blowin' up the Council, organizing the Ray Charles brigade and stickin' all them splits-- you never showed me.
Well, you've earned it. And you'll be meeting her soon, am I right?
Oh, yeah. Yeah, she'll get the message.
And what makes you so sure she'll come?
Curiosity. Woman's first sin. I offer her an apple, what can she do but take it?
He raises his wine glass in a salute.
I'll see you soon.
8
FLASHBACK-- PREVIOUSLY ON "BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER"
8
Series of cuts from past episodes, all featuring Faith. Fighting Angel, Buffy, working for the Mayor, stabbing Allan Finch, holding a knife to Willow's throat, being stabbed by Buffy and falling from the roof of her
apartment building. ANDREW narrates this flashback sequence in voiceover.
Faith, her name alone invokes awe. Faith: a set of principles or beliefs upon which you're willing to devote your life. The Dark Slayer. A lethal combination of beauty, power and death. For years and years-- or to be more accurate-- months, Faith fought on the side of good, terrorizing the evil community. But like so many tragic heroes, Faith was seduced by the lure of the dark side. She wrapped evil around her like a large evil Mexican serape. She became a cold-blooded killer. Nobody was immune to her trail of destruction. Not friends, not family, not even the most pacifist and logical of races.
Faith wields her trademark assassin's knife and kicks Mr. Spock in the chest, sending him reeling. Spock recovers and charges her, seizing her knife arm before Faith can stab him. He punches and shoves her away, then reaches down to administer the Vulcan nerve pinch but Faith grabs his arm and pirouettes, wrapping his body up against hers, bringing her knife down from behind toward his chest.
Andrew stands in the same position, holding Rona against him, a chopstick raised to strike like Faith's knife. AMANDA, KENNEDY, MOLLY, CHAO-AHN and the other potentials stare at him like he's crazy.
What the hell are you talking about? I thought Faith killed a volcanologist.
Andrew chuckles condescendingly.
Silly, silly Amanda. Why would Faith kill a person who studies Vulcans?
He studied volcanoes. He was a professor.
Ah... yes. Well, regardless.
I thought you weren't supposed to be doing this any more... making up stories?
I'm not. This is true. Except for that... possible word misunderstanding. There are things you need to know about.
He looks out the kitchen window where Faith is going through her martial arts routine in the backyard.
Faith has a history not to be taken lightly. She's a killer. Never forget that. You must stay on guard around Faith at all times. Your very lives may depend on it.
A beat of silence from all the girls, then Chao-ahn looks around, exasperated.
Yut goh nuey jhai hi how been wan dhong. [There is a girl in the backyard doing gymnastics.]
Andrew looks at her and nods knowingly.
ROBIN WOOD sits at his desk going over some paperwork when Buffy approaches and stands in the doorway.
You look better.
No, I don't.
No, you don't.
But I'll be okay. Unless, of course, you start beating up on me now.
I won't. Well, I thought about it. I made some doodles. As far as I'm concerned, we're on even ground. (beat) I meant what I said. I don't have time for your vendetta... but I need you in this fight. I want you on my side.
Thanks. That means a lot.
So we're good?
Absolutely. You're fired.
What?
Effective immediately.
You're firing me? I just refrained from kicking your ass!
Buffy, there's nothing here for you. I mean, people are leaving town, half the kids don't even bother showing up anymore. You've got things to deal with that are much worse than anything here. Look at the big picture.
Right. The big picture. The one with the big war and all the dead little girls.
Not dead. Not dead if you get them ready.
I don't want to lead them into war. It can't be the right thing.
Most wars aren't, you know.
Some of these girls haven't even been tested in battle.
Then I guess maybe you should test them.
Couldn't I just come to work part-time? I could make flyers for encounter groups and post them up all over the school.
And you're fired again. (beat) Remember, Buffy, the mission's what matters.
The door opens and Faith ducks in and sits on the stairs. The sounds of a dozen girls arguing can be heard from above. She's found her quiet refuge and she quickly lights up a cigarette and relaxes.
You craving a moment alone in the dank or can I bum one?
Faith looks over to find Spike lying on his cot in the corner, back propped against the wall.
She smiles and walks over to him.
Well, I guess you can smoke all you want. The big C not really an issue.
She draws deep on her cigarette, then hands it to him.
Teeth get yellow after an eternity. You gotta watch that.
Huh.
Faith sits down across from him and lights another one for herself. She looks at the manacles and chains on the wall behind him and smiles.
Right. It's not what it looks like.
Hey, to each his own, man. This one guy I ran with, he liked me to dress up like a schoolgirl and take this friggin' bullwhip and I'd be like--
I got dangerous for a while.
This before the soul or after?
After... but I got over it. In case you're feeling all dust- happy again after your long incarceration.
Not if you're all repenty. Takes the fun out of it.
The sound of dishes shattering filters down from upstairs and Faith stretches. Spike's gaze travels appreciatively over her curves.
No more Starbucks for the wanna-be's, man. They've been spazzing for like hours.
Yeah, it does get a bit much up there.
They're good girls. Green is all.
So why aren't you up there imparting?
That's Buffy's thing. Anyway, I just spent a good stretch of time locked away with a mess of female types. Kinda had my fill.
Hmm. But you waited till Angel needed your help to bust out of jail.
Three squares, a nice weight room, a movie every third Sunday... it could've been worse.
What movie?
The last one was Glitter. (off his look) I guess it couldn't have been worse.
You had the power to walk away anytime. Nothing to stop you.
I stopped me. I got dangerous for a while.
She takes off her jacket and Spike's gaze lingers on her tight t-shirt and the swell of her breasts.
You over it?
More or less. I pull for the good guys now.
What's the less?
Usual stuff.
Such as?
I was thinking about looking up the guy with the bullwhip. Long incarceration.
She gives Spike a wicked smile and locks eyes with him. After a beat, he smiles back and stubs out his cigarette.
You could do better. Schoolgirl thing's old hat.
It's all old hat, man. Every guy's got some whack fantasy. Scratch the surface of any granola-type dude-- naughty nurses and horny cheerleaders. I figure if you can't beat 'em...
Join 'em.
Just don't forget who's on top.
That, I suspect, would be you.
You got that right.
She slides off the table and sits down on the cot and leans against the wall next to him.
I've met you before, you know.
Yeah, you made a great impression on my chin.
Not in the graveyard. Before that. I was kinda wearing a different body.
Pity.
You seemed okay with it.
The body swap with Buffy.
She fill you in on that whole deal?
She told me it went down. Failed to mention who was driving her skin around.
I might have said a few things.
Like you could ride me at a gallop till my knees buckled. Squeeze me till I popped like warm champagne. That's not the kind of thing a man forgets.
Should've known it wasn't blondie behind the wheel. She'd never throw down like that.
Oh, you have been away.
Don't even tell me little miss tightly-wound's been getting her naughty on?
Not of late.
Wow. Everybody's just full of surprises.
They both look up as Buffy descends the stairs. She stops when she sees Faith and Spike cozied up on the cot.
Hey, B.
Well, it's nice to see you two getting along so well.
Yeah, you just know all the cool vampires.
She sits up and moves away from Spike.
Yeah.
Hey, aren't you usually at work about now?
I kinda decided to cut back on my hours.
The doors opens and Dawn calls down.
Buffy? Is that you?
Down here. (to Faith) Figured I'd be better off focusing on what's going on around here.
Buffy, Willow just called from the hospital. The girl's awake.
Shannon lies in her bed, her wounds bandaged but still weak. She stares at the ceiling while telling Buffy and Willow her story.
He was a minister or something. At least, he dressed like one. I thought he was trying to save me at first.
He picked you up on the side of the road?
The Bringers were chasing me. He said they were his boys... right before he burned me.
She pulls back her bandage and shows Willow a heart-shaped burn mark on her neck. Willow takes out a digital camera and photographs it.
He wanted to tell you something. Before he cut me, he told me to give the Slayer a message.
Buffy and Willow exchange a startled glance.
What is it?
He said, "I have something of yours."
Buffy has gathered everyone together-- all the potentials, Dawn, Xander, Andrew, Faith, Spike, Willow and Giles-- and briefs them on what she found out at the hospital.
We've got a new player in town. Dresses like a preacher, calls himself Caleb. Looks like he's working for The First. He's taunting us, calling us out. Says he's got something of mine. Could be another girl, could be something else. Don't know. Don't care. I'm tired of talking. I'm tired of training. He's got something of mine? Fine. I'm getting it back... and you guys are coming with me.
BETTY, a pretty blonde woman, walks through the dark basement, moving hesitantly among the huge vats and kegs of stored wine. She stops when Caleb appears before her, smiling.
You're searching for something, girl. What would that be now?
You. I was looking for you.
That right?
I heard you speakin' tonight-- preachin'. I felt your words go straight to me.
Well, the truth is like a sword, isn't it, girl? Cuts deep.
Yeah.
The words I use got a power to 'em. A power, now. They're not just words. They're truth.
They brought me here.
They called you. Know why? Because you're human. You got your urges. A woman's got hers. A man's got his. Our whole race can be so damnably weak... and that's why we seek the strength, the power.
Caleb moves back into the shadows. Betty hesitates a moment, then follows.
It's not wrong to be drawn to the power... is it, preacher?
Oh, no, child. It's not wrong...
Betty suddenly gasps and falls to the floor, dead, her abdomen ripped open. Caleb stares down at her, bloody knife in hand.
...just human.
Suddenly Betty's body morphs and shifts and turns into Buffy. She springs to her feet and sighs at Caleb.
Most people don't like visits from their dead, you know.
Heathens. No appreciation for life's pleasures. Do it again.
I take requests. One of those potentials you killed, perhaps?
Nah, save them for later. I'm in more of an old memory lane kind of mood. Back before I met you, there was this choir girl in Knoxville I used to give singing lessons to. She even screamed on key. Show me her.
All these girls... they followed you willingly. You tricked them.
I only told them the truth. As for following, well... that seems to be what they do best.
Buffy paces before her core group: Giles, Faith, Xander, Willow and Spike.
We need to start arming the girls. I want to be ready to move when we find him.
We don't even know where we're going.
That's why I figured we'd do a little recon first. (to Faith) You up for it?
Point me where you want me.
Giles shakes his head in frustration.
And you're certain this is the best course of action? You don't even know what this man has of yours-- if he, in fact, has anything.
It could be a girl, a potential trying to get to us.
It could be a stapler.
I'm going in anyway.
With the girls? Most of whom have yet to be in the field, let alone in a life-or-death situation.
Then it's time we test them. Look, I'll just take the ones that have been here the longest. The rest can stay behind.
Could be that's just what he wants you to do: the old bait- and-switch.
Yeah, he lures us away and then kills the girls we leave behind.
I know. That's why I need you to stay here with them. You're my most powerful weapon, Will. I know you can keep them safe if anything happens.
An unknown man breezes into town, says he has something of yours. Buffy, this thing's got trap written all over it.
He won't be expecting a full attack, not this soon. That's why we have to move.
We know nothing about this man. We cannot go into battle unprepared. We have to have more time.
Giles, we don't have time. And you're not going into battle. I need you to stay behind with the others. (pointed) Help the girls who still need a teacher.
A Bringer moves through the trees, silent but sure. Buffy and Faith follow, tracking him from a safe distance.
No eyes but look at him go. He got sonar or something?
Or something, I guess. They're pretty good when they attack.
They just roam free around town?
Well, normally they show up out of nowhere and then either stab or get stabbed, and then they run off. It's like this guy wants to be found.
Lends weight to the whole "it's a trap" theory.
I am through waiting around for people to attack us.
Hey, I'm with you. Drop me in the hornet's nest. What the hell.
Buffy stares at Faith for a moment, taking her measure, then moves on.
You got a rough sitch here. Trying to turn a bunch of little girls into an army.
They're potential Slayers, just like we were.
Right. Maybe they'll do as good as us.
They're getting better.
I'll work with 'em. Some of them seem real eager. Fashion disasters, yeah, but they're ready to fight.
Why did you come back?
Willow said you needed me. Didn't give it a lot of thought. Do you-- am I getting you want me to be not here?
No, that's not what I meant. (sighs) I'm glad that you're here. It's good. Thank you.
No problem. You know me-- all about the good deeds.
Willow said you helped out Angel.
Yeah. He says hey.
Really?
Sure.
How is he?
Better. I had to do this whole magickal mind-walk with him.
You were in Angel's mind?
Buffy...
She looks up and follows Faith's gaze. The Bringer has arrived at the vineyard.
What is this place?
Look. There's more of them.
Bringers converge on the vineyard from all directions and enter the main building.
I think we just found our hornet's nest.
Let's get the cavalry.
They both head back the way the came.
Xander walks through the room distributing weapons to the potentials.
Now remember, we're looking for killing blows only, people. So chest and throat if it's a vampire. Stomach, chest and face if it's a Bringer.
What if it's something else?
Could happen. Something otherworldly. And here's a handy rule: don't go for the flashy tentacles just because they're waving them about trying to get attention. Go for the center. Brain, heart, eyes. Everything's got eyes.
Except the Bringers.
Except the Bringers.
I don't want there to be tentacles. I'm not good with squishy.
Kennedy hefts a large sword.
I don't care if it's Godzilla. I want to get in this thing.
Godzilla is mostly Tokyo-based so he's probably a no- show.
Besides, Matthew Broderick can kill Godzilla. How tough is he?
Xander!
Matthew Broderick did not kill Godzilla. He killed a big dumb lizard that was not the real Godzilla.
You people are even crazier than her.
Than who?
Buffy, man! I mean, taking us right into the bad guys' lair?
Well, that's where, generally speaking, you go to find the bad guy. And I don't think you came here to fight plaque.
No, I came here for protection.
Well, you signed on to fight with--
Look, I know but... this plan is trouble. Buffy doesn't care how many of us she puts in danger.
Let me tell you something about Buffy. In fact, you should all listen to this.
We kinda were.
I've been through more battles with Buffy than you all can ever imagine. She's stopped everything that's ever come up against her.
The front door opens and Buffy and Faith enter. Buffy stops when she hears Xander talking in the living room and listens. As Xander talks, Buffy's eyes mist with tears.
She's laid down her life, literally, to protect the people around her. This girl has died two times and she's still standing. You're scared, that's smart. You've got questions, you should. But if you doubt her motives-- you think Buffy's all about the kill-- and you take the little bus to battle. I've seen her heart-- and this time not literally-- and I'm telling you right now she cares more about your lives than you will ever know. You gotta trust her. She's earned it.
A silent beat, finally broken by Faith.
Damn. I never knew you were that cool.
Well, you always were a little slow.
I get that now.
Buffy composes herself and walks into the room with the others.
All right. Let's saddle up.
Buffy and her crew emerge from the forest surrounding the vineyard and stop outside the main building.
Okay, set up a perimeter. Guard the door. I don't want anything getting in behind us. My team goes in first to check the place out. You guys are our safety net. This place is a trap, we give the signal, you guys come in guns-a- blazing.
So what's the signal?
I'm thinking lots and lots of yelling.
Got it.
Buffy looks to her group.
Shall we?
She heads up the steps and enters the main vineyard building followed by Spike, Molly, Kennedy and three other potentials. Xander, Faith, Amanda, Chao-ahn and the rest remain outside.
Buffy's group descends the stairs into the basement where all the wine is stored in massive kegs.
What is this place?
Looks like an old vineyard.
An evil vineyard, huh?
Like Falcon Crest.
Stay alert, you guys. The Bringers are here somewhere. We just need to find out where.
Spike spots a Bringer lurking in the shadows.
Shouldn't be too hard.
The Bringer attacks and suddenly half a dozen more leap out of the darkness and attack the group. Buffy and Spike engage them immediately. The other girls hesitate momentarily, then join the fight as well. The girls falter at first but as their confidence builds, they hold their own against the Bringers quite well, driving them back with Buffy and Spike.
Suddenly, the all the Bringers stop fighting and melt back into the shadows. The wine cellar is eerily quiet once again, save for the winded breathing of the potentials. Then Caleb strides out into the center of the room and confronts Buffy and her crew.
Well, now! You girls are just burnin' with righteousness, aren't you? Problem is you think you're blazin' like suns when really you're burnin' like matchsticks in the face of the darkness. You havin' fun? Now I hope my boys haven't worn you out too much. I need you fit for when I purify you.
Save the sermon, padre. I heard you have something of mine.
He grins and looks around at all the potentials.
Well, I do now. You like my little message, did you? You know, I ruined a perfectly good knife on that girl. Got her soiled blood all over the place. I may need to get a new truck. So you're the Slayer. The Slayer. The strongest, the fastest, the most aflame with that most precious invention of all mankind: the notion of goodness. (beat) Well, the Slayer must indeed be powerful.
He smiles at Buffy, then hits her with a right cross, punching her in the head. The blow lifts her off her feet and hurls her a dozen feet across the room where she slams into the wall and lands dazed and barely conscious.
So what else you got?
Spike's face goes feral and he attacks Caleb.
The preacher casually bats him to the ground. Spike gets up and tries again, throwing a kick to Caleb's head. The blow connects but doesn't faze Caleb at all. He continues to block Spike's blows, then backhands the vampire to the ground, picks him up and hurls him at the far wall where he slams headfirst through the side of a huge wine storage tank. Thousands of gallons of wine erupt in a cascade, blowing Spike back out of the hole and leaving him a soggy mess on the floor.
Let's go!
She charges Caleb as the Bringers return and attack the potentials again. Caleb backhands Kennedy through a standing wine rack. The bottles shatter around Kennedy, the glass cutting her in a dozen different places as the rack crashes down on top of her. She falls to floor and lies still.
Kennedy!
She rushes forward to attack Caleb with a club. He deflects the blows with ease and seizes Rona's arm, holding it in a position of hyper-extension.
Miss, I do believe you have your own problems you should be worried about.
He twist Rona's arm down and around, snapping the bone clean in two. The girl screams in agony and drops to the floor in dazed shock. Caleb scoops up one of the Bringer's curved daggers from the floor and tosses it to a hooded acolyte. The Bringer stands over Rona, dagger raised. Her eyes go wide as the knife descends-- but suddenly an arrow slams through the Bringer's hand and he reels backward in pain.
Xander loads another arrow into his bow as Faith and the other potentials charge into the fray.
Oh, good! There's more of you.
Faith heads straight for Caleb, launching a hammer-kick to his chest while Xander fights his way through the Bringers, trying to get to Buffy who lies across the room unconscious.
Buffy!
Faith slashes at Caleb with a set of fighting daggers and he ducks and weaves, a pleased smile on his face.
Why you're the other one, aren't you? The Cain to her Abel. No offense meant to Cain, of course.
Faith slashes again but Caleb moves with preternatural speed and her blade misses. He grabs one of her arms, then the other, wrenching them around and causing her drop the daggers. She struggles against him, then with a cry of rage, breaks his hold and slams Caleb in the head with an open-handed blow.
Never was much for the good book.
She throws another punch but Caleb seizes her arm again and twists it around the same way he did to Rona. He drives Faith to her knees and circles her, holding her twisted arm as he moves.
Oh, it has its moments. Paul has some good stuff, for instance, but overall I find it a tad complicated.
He backhands Faith to the floor and releases her arm.
I like to keep things simple.
He kicks Faith in the chest and sends her flying across the room into a set of stacked wine kegs. The kegs shatter and Faith falls to the floor, dazed, amid a shower of red wine.
Good folk, bad folk...
One of the potentials strikes from behind with her sword but Caleb reaches out and stops the blade with his hand, then seizes the girl by the throat.
...clean folk, dirty folk.
He casually snaps the girl's neck and drops her lifeless body the ground. Molly watches in horror as her friend dies.
No!
Yes.
He starts across the room toward Molly with a smile.
Xander makes it to Buffy and helps her to her feet as she regains consciousness.
Xander...
Buffy.
Get them out of here. We have to retreat. Do it.
He nods and starts organizing their withdrawal as they continue to fight off the Bringers. Buffy gets up and tries to shake off the wooziness as she punches the Bringers out of her way and heads for the stairs.
Caleb stands before Molly. Terrified, she strikes with her knife but he seizes her arm and stops the blow, then picks her up by the throat. He stares into Molly's eyes with an amused smile on his face as he takes her knife from her.
What can I say? I work in mysterious ways.
Caleb plunges the knife into Molly's chest and twists savagely.
Also some fairly straightforward ones.
Buffy stares at Caleb in horror as he drops Molly's corpse to the floor and kicks her dismissively. Enraged, she flies at him, legs and fists a flurry of deadly blows. She delivers a crushing uppercut to his chin and Caleb shoots across the room and slams into an old wine vat, shattering it.
Before she can do more, Spike grabs her arm and drags her away.
We are leaving.
Xander kneels over Kennedy and turns her over. Her face is a mess of bleeding cuts from the glass, her expression one of stunned shock.
Are you okay? (she nods) Let's go, come on.
He helps her up and sends her after the others, herding them all up the stairs.
Let's go! Come on!
He turns to go himself, then suddenly finds Caleb right behind him. The preacher holds Xander in an iron grip and Xander stares up into his face, terrified.
You're the one who sees everything, aren't you? Well, let's see what we can't do about that.
Caleb raises his hand and presses his thumb into Xander's left eye, gouging it out, leaving a bloody socket.
Xander screams in agony as Spike runs forward and kicks Caleb away. Xander drops to the floor in a haze of pain as Buffy runs to his side.
Xander!
Spike and Buffy help Xander up the stairs as Caleb gets to his feet and watches them go with a satisfied smile.
Buffy stands in the ER and watches as doctors and nurses tend to the potentials and her friends. Rona's shattered arm is in a heavy cast. She glances at Buffy, then looks away. Buffy makes her way down the line of beds to the end where Willow kneels beside Xander. He lies unconscious, his head and eye bandaged with heavy gauze. Willow holds Xander's hand and looks up at Buffy, accusation in her eyes.
Now it's a simple story. Stop me if you've heard it. I have found and truly believe that there's nothing so bad it cannot be made better with a story. And this one's got a happy ending.
Kennedy stares at the floor in stunned shock as the other potentials tend to her wounds, dabbing at the cuts on her face with a wet towel. They all turn and stare at Buffy as she walks in the front door. Buffy meets their gaze for a moment, then turns away.
There once was a woman and she was foul, like all women. For Adam's rib was dirty, just like Adam himself, for what was he but human?
Dawn watches as Buffy passes by her. She's worried for her sister but says nothing.
Buffy walks down the deserted streets of her town, isolated and alone.
But this woman, she was filled with darkness, despair... and why? Because she did not know. She could not see.
Caleb stands in his cellar with The First. Buffy's face looks back at him, smiling.
She didn't know the good news, the glory that was coming. That'd be you. For the Kingdom and the Power and the Glory are yours. Now and forever. You show up, they'll get in line... because they followed her and all they have to do is take one more step and I'll kill them all. See? I told you it had a happy ending.