Act Three

Buffy's room. She's considering what to wear to the Bronze. She holds a shiny black outfit up to the mirror.

Buffy: Hi! I'm an enormous slut! (holds up a blue floral dress) Hello! Would you like a copy of 'The Watchtower'? (lowers the dress) I used to be so good at this.

Her mother comes into the room.

Joyce: Hi, hon.

Buffy returns her dresses to the closet.

Buffy: Hey!

Joyce: Are you, uh, going out tonight?

Buffy: Yeah, I'm going to a club.

Joyce: Oh. Will there be boys there?

Buffy: No, Mom. It's a nun club.

Joyce: Well, just be careful.

Buffy: I will.

Joyce: You know, I think we can make it work here. I've got my positive energy flowing... I'm gonna get the Gallery on its feet... Oh, uh, we may have found a space today.

Buffy: That's great.

Joyce: Oh, and that school is a, a very nurturing environment, which is just what you need.

Buffy: Well, actually...

Joyce: Oh, not too nurturing. I know, you're sixteen, I've read all about the dangers of over-nurturing.

Buffy goes to her bed and lays out a couple of outfits.

Joyce: It's hard. New town and everything... It is for me, too. I'm trying to make it work. (takes her daughter's hands in hers) I'm *going* to make it work.

Buffy: I know.

Joyce: Oh, you're a good girl, Buffy, (pats her on the head) you just fell in with the wrong crowd. But that is all behind us now.

Buffy: It is. From now on I am only going to hang out with the living. (they let go of their hands, and she picks up her dresses) I mean, lively. People.

Buffy heads back to her closet with an awkward look on her face.

Joyce: Hmm. Okay. You have fun.

Cut outside later that evening. Buffy is walking down a dark street, when someone appears behind her. She senses that she is being followed. After walking for a ways, when she gets a chance she ducks down an alley and looks around for a place to hide. A cat yowls and kicks some cans as it runs away. She spies something above her. Angel comes into the alley but doesn't see her. As he slowly walks along, the camera pulls up to reveal Buffy in a handstand on a bar high above the pavement. When Angel has passed underneath her, she swings down and kicks him in the back. He is knocked to the ground, and Buffy positions herself above him with a foot on his chest.

Angel: Ah, heh. Is there a problem, ma'am?

Buffy: Yeah, there's a problem. Why are you following me?

Angel: I know what you're thinking. Don't worry, I don't bite.

She backs off and lets him get up, but keeps her fighting stance.

Angel: Truth is, I thought you'd be taller, or bigger muscles and all that. You're pretty spry, though. (massages his neck)

Buffy: What do you want?

Angel: The same thing you do.

Buffy: (lets down her guard) Okay. What do I want?

Angel: (steps toward her) To kill them. To kill them all.

Buffy: Sorry, that's incorrect. But you do get this lovely watch and a year's supply of Turtle Wax. What I want is to be left alone!

She starts a determined walk away.

Angel: Do you really think that's an option anymore? You're standing at the Mouth of Hell. And it's about to open.

She stops, turns to him and looks at him with a wide-eyed gaze. He reaches into his jacket and pulls out a small box.

Angel: Don't turn your back on this. (tosses her the box) You've gotta be ready.

Buffy: What for?

Angel: For the Harvest.

Buffy: Who are you?

Angel: Let's just say... I'm a friend. (starts to leave)

Buffy: Yeah, well, maybe I don't want a friend.

Angel: (turns back) I didn't say I was yours.

He leaves. Buffy stares after him for a moment, then opens the box. It contains a silver cross and chain. She takes it out, holds it in her hand and takes another glance in his direction.

Cut to outside the Bronze. People are arriving and meeting. Buffy is wearing the cross around her neck. She walks up to the entrance, gives the doorman some cash and goes in. Sprung Monkey is playing "Believe" loudly, and the dance floor is crowded with people.

Lyrics: Oh, I just want to believe / Can you hear me? / Can you see me? / What's inside of me? / Oh, I just want to believe / If my life can have a purpose / Help me to believe / Oh, I just want to believe / Can you hear me? / Can you see me? / What's inside of me? / Oh, I just want to believe / If my life can have a purpose / Help me to believe

Buffy moves to the music a bit. She sees a guy waving in her direction and waves back, then notices someone behind her waving back and pulls her hand down, embarrassed.

Lyrics: Everybody wants to find the circle / The line of truth that has no end / Because so many nights I've slept with the feeling of empty / And I say, right now I'm ready to believe

She finds the bar and sees Willow sitting there.

Buffy: Hey!

Willow: Oh, hi!

Buffy walks around her and sits on the stool next to her. Willow turns to face her.

Willow: Hi!

Buffy: Oh, you're here with someone?

Willow: No, I'm just here. I thought Xander was gonna show up.

Buffy: Oh, are you guys going out?

Willow: No, we're just friends. We used to go out, but we broke up.

Buffy: How come?

Willow: He stole my Barbie. (Buffy looks confused) Oh, we were five.

Buffy: Oh.

Willow: I-I-I don't actually date a whole lot... lately.

Buffy: Why not?

Willow: Well, when I'm with a boy I like, it's hard for me to say anything cool, or, or witty, or at all. I-I can usually make a few vowel sounds, and then I have to go away.

Buffy: It's not *that* bad!

Willow: No, i-it is. I think boys are more interested in a girl who can talk.

Buffy: You really *haven't* been dating lately.

Willow: It's probably easy for you.

Buffy: Yeah, real easy.

Willow: I-I mean you don't seem too shy.

Buffy: Well, my philosophy, do you wanna hear my philosophy?

Willow: Yeah, I do!

Buffy: Life is short.

Willow: Life is short!

Buffy: Not original, I'll grant you, but it's true. You know? Why waste time being all shy and worrying about some guy, and if he's gonna laugh at you. Seize the moment, 'cause tomorrow you might be dead.

Willow: Oh, that's nice!

Buffy looks up and sees Giles on the upper level.

Buffy: Um, I'll be back in a minute. (gets up to go)

Willow: Oh, tha-that's okay, you don't have to come back.

Buffy: (smiles) I'll be back in a minute.

Willow: (to herself) Seize the moment.

Cut to Buffy, making her way to the stairs. The camera follows her up.

Lyrics: I feel love with my friends / I feel love in my songs / If I could just hold love / Then all the answers might come / I said, oh, if we're all children of God / And we just turned away / I got a lack of belief / I said a world without faith / It's time we turn back around

Buffy: (finds Giles) So, you like to party with the students. Isn't that kinda skanky?

Giles: Oh, right, this is me having fun. Watching... clown hair prance about is hardly my idea of a party. I'd much rather be at home with a cup of Bovril and a good book.

Buffy: You need a personality, stat!

Giles: (points to the crowd below) This is a perfect breeding ground for vampire activity. It's dark, it's crowded... Besides, I knew you were likely to show up, and I have to make you understand...

Buffy: ...that the Harvest is coming. I know, your friend told me.

Giles: What did you say?

Buffy: The Harvest. That mean something to you? 'Cause I'm drawing a blank.

Giles: I'm not sure. Uh... W-who told you this?

Buffy: This... guy. Dark, gorgeous in an annoying sort of way. I figured you two were buds.

Giles: No. The Harvest. Did he say anything else?

Buffy: Something about the Mouth of Hell. I *really* didn't like him!

The band has finished its song and there's lots of applause. They soon start their next song, "Swirl". Giles moves around Buffy, leans on the railing and looks down at the crowd.

Giles: Look at them, throwing themselves about, completely unaware of the danger that surrounds them.

Buffy: Lucky them.

Giles: Or perhaps you're right. Perhaps there is no trouble coming, the signs could be wrong. It's not as though you've been having the nightmares.

Buffy is silent. Cut to below.

Cordelia: My mom doesn't even *get* out of bed anymore. And the doctor says it's Epstein-Barr. I'm like, pleeease! It's chronic hepatitis, or at least chronic fatigue syndrome. I mean, *nobody* cool has Epstein- Barr anymore.

Jesse spots Cordelia and comes over.

Jesse: Hey, Cordelia!

Cordelia: Oh, yay, it's my stalker. (makes a face)

Jesse: Hey, you, uh, you look great!

Cordelia: Well, I'm glad we had this little chat.

Jesse: (coughs) Listen, uh, you know, you wanna dance, you know?

Cordelia: With you?

Jesse: Well, uh, yeah.

Cordelia: Well, uh, no! C'mon, guys.

She and her friends leave. Jesse is left in the dust.

Jesse: Fine! Plenty of other fish in the sea. Oh, yeah, I'm... on the prowl. Witness me prowling!

Cut to Buffy and Giles on the upper level.

Buffy: I didn't say I'd never slay another vampire. It's not like I have all these fluffy bunny feelings for them, I'm just not gonna get way extracurricular with it. You know, if I see one, sure I'll...

Giles: (interrupting) Will you be ready? There's so much you don't know about them, about your own powers. A vampire appears to be completely normal until the feed is upon them, only then do they reveal their true demonic visage.

Buffy: You're like a textbook with arms, I know this.

Giles: The point is, a Slayer should be able to see them anyway. Without looking, without thinking. Can you tell me if there's a vampire in this building?

Buffy: Maybe...

Giles: You should know. Even through this mass and this... din, you should be able to sense them. Well, try! Reach out with your mind. (Buffy looks around) You have to hone your senses, focus until the energy washes over you, until you, you feel every particle o-of...

Buffy: There's one.

Giles: W-where?

Buffy: Right there, talking to that girl.

Giles: You don't know...

Buffy: Oh, please! Look at his jacket. He's got the sleeves rolled up, and the shirt! Deal with that outfit for a moment.

Giles: It's dated?

Buffy: It's carbon dated. Trust me, only someone living underground for ten years would think that was still the look.

Giles: But you didn't... hone.

Buffy: (notices that the girl is Willow) Oh, no.

Giles: Isn't that...

Buffy: Willow.

Giles: What's she doing?

Buffy: Seizing the moment!

She starts down to rescue Willow.

Lyrics: We're formed in liquid / Pushed out still dripping / A world was thrown before my eyes

Cut to below. Willow is being led out of the Bronze by the vampire. Cut to Giles. He's at a loss for what to do.

Lyrics: Now paint a picture / Crayon stick figures / With blue-haired people, purple skies

Cut to below. Buffy has lost them. She tries the back. She breaks a leg off of a stack of chairs and begins to stalk. After a while Cordelia comes out of the restroom and surprises her. Buffy reacts, taking Cordelia by the throat and pushing her up against a wall.

Buffy: (recognizing) Cordelia! (she lets go)

Cordelia: God! What is your childhood trauma?!

Her entourage appears in the restroom door behind her.

Buffy: Have you guys seen Willow? Did she come by here?

Cordelia: Why? Do you need to attack her with the stick? Jeez!

Buffy turns and goes.

Cordelia: (to her groupies) Excuse me, I have to call *everyone* I have *ever* met, right now.

Cut to the main floor. Giles catches up with Buffy.

Giles: That *was* quick. Well done! I-I need to go to the library. This Harvest thing...

Buffy: I didn't find them!

He grabs Buffy by the arm and turns her to face him.

Giles: The vampire is not dead?

Buffy: No, but my social life is on the critical list.

Giles: (lets go of her) So, what do we do?

Buffy: I'll take care of it!

Giles: I-I-I need to come with you, yes?

Buffy: Don't worry. One vampire I can handle.

She leaves, walking past Jesse talking to Darla.

Jesse: So, um, what did you say your name was?

Darla: Darla.

Jesse: Darla. You know, I haven't seen you around before. Are you from around here?

Darla: No, but I have family here.

Jesse: Have I met them?

Darla: You probably will.

Cut to the Master's lair. The Master rises out of the pool of blood as Luke kneels and looks on. He steps out of the pool over to Luke and offers his hand. Luke takes it.

Luke: Master!

Act Four

In the Master's lair.

Master: I am weak.

Luke: (quotes scripture) 'In the Harvest he will be restored.'

Master: The Harvest.

Luke: We're almost there. Soon you'll be free!

The Master reaches his arm out to test his mystical confines. They are still as strong as ever.

Master: I must be ready. I need my strength.

Luke: I've sent your servants to bring you some food.

Master: Good. Luke?

Luke: Yes?

Master: Bring me something... young.

Cut to the sidewalk next to the cemetery. Willow and Thomas are walking.

Willow: Sure is dark.

Thomas: It's night.

Willow: Well, that's a dark time, night. Traditionally. I still can't believe I've never seen you at school. Do you have Mr. Chomsky for history?

Thomas ignores her babbling and heads into the cemetery.

Willow: Uh, the ice cream bar is this way. It's past Hamilton Street?

Thomas: I know a shortcut.

He grabs her hand and leads her into the cemetery.

Cut to outside the Bronze. Buffy is trying to find Willow.

Xander: Hey, you're leaving already?

Buffy: Oh, Xander! Have you seen Willow?

Xander: Not tonight, no.

Buffy: She left with a guy.

Xander: We're talking about Willow, right? Scorin' at the Bronze, work it girl...

Buffy: (interrupts) No, I need to find her. Where would he take her?

Xander: Why? Oh, hey, I hope he's not a vampire, because then you might have to slay him.

Buffy: (taken aback) Was there a... a school bulletin? Was it i-in the newspaper? Is there anyone in this town who doesn't know I'm the Slayer?

Xander: No. I only know that you *think* that you're the Slayer, and the reason why I know that...

Buffy: (interrupts) Well, whatever, it doesn't matter, just tell me, where would Willow go?

Xander: You're serious!

Buffy: We don't find her and there's gonna be one more dead body in the morning!

Cut to the cemetery. Willow and Thomas are walking.

Willow: Oh, okay, th-this is nice... and scary. Are you sure this is faster?

They reach the mausoleum.

Thomas: Hey! Ever been in one of these?

Willow: No. Thank you. (turns away)

Thomas: Come on. (comes up behind her and pulls her hair back) What are you afraid of?

He moves in toward her neck. She lets out a yelp as he grabs her and pushes her into the mausoleum. Cut to inside the mausoleum. Willow trips down the stairs and stops up against the stone coffin. She turns around.

Willow: That wasn't funny!

Thomas comes down the steps. She backs away from him, against a wall. She trips over some stones.

Willow: I think I'm gonna go.

Thomas: Is that what you think?

He comes toward her again. She skirts by him, but only because he lets her. Darla blocks her way out of the mausoleum.

Darla: Is this the best you could do?

Thomas: She's fresh!

Darla: Hardly enough to share.

Thomas: Why didn't you bring your own?

Darla: (gives him a look) I did.

Jesse stumbles into the mausoleum, holding his neck.

Jesse: Hey! Wait up!

Willow: Oh, my God, Jesse!

He is weak from blood loss and collapses. Willow tries to catch him and breaks his fall.

Jesse: Y'know, you gave me a hickey.

Thomas gives Darla a look.

Darla: (shrugs) I got hungry on the way.

Willow: Jesse, let's get outta here!

Darla: Oh, you're not going anywhere.

Willow: (confronts her) Leave us alone!

Darla: You're not going anywhere until we've (vamps out) *fed*!

Willow screams and falls back down next to Jesse. Buffy and Xander show up.

Buffy: Well, this is nice. I-it's a little bare, but a dash of paint, a few throw pillows... call it home!

Buffy moves behind the coffin to draw the vampires away from the others.

Darla: Who the hell are you?

Buffy: You mean there's actually someone in this town who doesn't know already? Whew, that's a relief, I'm telling you! Having a secret identity in this town is a job of work.

Xander: Buffy, we bail now, right?

Thomas: Not yet!

Buffy: Okay, first of all, what's with the outfit? Live in the now, okay? You look like DeBarge!

The vampires close in on her. She turns to Darla.

Buffy: Now, we can do this the hard way, or... well, actually there's just the hard way.

Darla: That's fine with me!

Buffy: Are you sure? Now, this in not gonna be pretty. We're talking violence, strong language, adult content...

Thomas roars behind Buffy. She pulls the chair leg out from inside her shirt. He attacks from behind, but Buffy neatly jams the makeshift stake into his chest. He falls back and turns to ashes. Darla can't believe her eyes. Neither can anyone else.

Buffy: See what happens when you roughhouse?

Darla: He was young and stupid!

Buffy: Xander, go!

Darla: Don't go far!

Buffy and Darla start to fight. Darla punches high, but Buffy blocks. Xander helps Willow pick up Jesse. Darla throws a backhand punch, but Buffy blocks again and follows up with a front snap kick to Darla's stomach. As she leans forward from the pain, Buffy slams her elbow into Darla's back. Cut to outside. Xander and Willow help Jesse out and they start to run. Cut to the mausoleum. Darla hits the wall and falls to the floor, winded.

Buffy: You know, I just wanted to start over. Be like everybody else. Have some friends, y'know, maybe a dog... But, no, you had to come here, you couldn't go suck on some other town.

Darla: Who are you?

Buffy: Don't you know?

Luke grabs her by the neck from behind.

Luke: I don't care!

He throws her across the room. He grabs Darla and lifts her to her feet.

Luke: You were supposed to be bringing an offering for the Master! We're almost at Harvest, and you dally with this child!

Darla: (fearfully) We had someone, but then she came. She killed Thomas. Luke, she's strong.

Luke: You go. I'll see if I can handle the little girl.

He approaches Buffy as she starts to get up, still a little dazed. Darla quickly climbs the steps, looks back once and runs out of the door. Luke attacks Buffy with a double punch, but she blocks it and delivers a punch to his gut and a hopping front snap kick to his jaw. He steps back, but isn't fazed.

Luke: You're strong.

He lands a solid backhand fist on her. She goes flying.

Luke: I'm stronger!

Cut to outside in the cemetery. Xander and Willow are supporting Jesse as they run.

Willow: We'll get the police, it's just a few blocks up!

They are stopped by a group of vampires. Cut to the mausoleum.

Luke: You're wasting my time.

She backs away up the stairs toward the exit.

Buffy: Hey, I had other plans, too, okay?

Luke shoves the heavy lid off of the coffin. Buffy does a cartwheel onto and over it to avoid it and kicks Luke in the chest with both feet, knocking him down. She grabs the stake from the floor and lunges at Luke, but he is too quick for her, and grabs her by the wrist.

Luke: You think you can stop me? Stop us?

He grabs the stake with his other hand and breaks it. Then he grabs her by the shirt.

Luke: You have no idea what you're dealing with.

He throws Buffy onto the rim of the now open coffin. She rolls off onto the floor, dazed. Luke gets up and starts toward her, quoting scripture.

Luke: 'And like a plague of boils, the race of man covered the Earth.'

Cut to the library. Giles is paging through an old volume and stops on a picture of Satan with lightning coming from his hand to a man's.

Luke: 'But on the third day of the newest light would come the Harvest. And the blood of men will flow as wine.'

Cut to the Master sitting in an intricately carved chair.

Luke: 'When the Master will walk among them once more!'

Cut to Xander, Willow and Jesse surrounded by vampires, including Darla.

Luke: 'The Earth will belong to the old ones.'

Cut to Buffy. Luke is in her face.

Luke: 'And Hell itself will come to town.'

He grabs Buffy and growls. He lifts her by the throat and throws her toward the coffin. Buffy flips over in a front layout and lands in the coffin next to a skeleton, and lets out a quick scream, but then remains silent, only breathing. She can't see or hear Luke. She slowly starts to get up. Suddenly Luke jumps up and into the coffin.

Luke: (smiling widely) Amen!

He moves in to bite Buffy.

To Be Continued...

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