~~~~~~~~~~ Disclaimer ~~~~~~~~~~
I do not own the characters in this story, nor do I own any rights to the television show "Buffy the Vampire Slayer". They were created by Joss Whedon and belong to him, Mutant Enemy, Sandollar Television, Kuzui Enterprises, 20th Century Fox Television and the WB Television Network.
This is a straightforward and dry transcript of the episode “Buffy Vs. Dracula.”
~~~~~~~~~~ Prologue ~~~~~~~~~~
Fade in. Night time.
Close up shot of Buffy in bed. it's obvious she can't sleep as she lists restlessly trying to get comfortable. She tries closing her eyes a couple of times but they pop open again and she looks around the dark interior of her room, finding nothing of interest. She turns her head to the right to look at the person beside her. The camera cuts to a wider shot and pans over to reveal Riley Finn sleeping soundly. We can see there is a scar on the left side of his chest from his self-inflicted wound suffered in the episode "Primeval."
Realizing she isn't going to fall asleep anytime soon, Buffy starts to get out of bed and...
Is suddenly running through a cemetery, pushing herself hard, determination etched on her face. Decked out in black pants and a green shirt under a black leather jacket, Buffy is the epitome of purpose. Her legs are moving in almost a blur as she weaves her way through the hundreds of headstones in her path.
Cut to Buffy's POV and we see the back of the vampire unfortunate enough to be caught in the Slayer's sights. Cut to closer shot of the creature and we see that not only is he fleeing for its life but that he is very much in fear for that unlife.
Buffy is quickly closing the distance between them and takes a running leap off a large headstone the vamp just ran past and takes him down from behind. They both hit the ground rolling, separating from each other, and Buffy is already on her feet by the time the vampire gets back up and meets him with a snapping roundkick to its head. This takes the creature off his feet and sends him spinning to the ground again, but he's up in a flash and attacks her. Growling he steps forward with a high outward crescent kick, that Buffy easily ducks, and is following through with a spinning heel kick as Buffy low spins into a leg sweep, kicking his legs out from under him and he hits the ground again.
Buffy is standing again by the time she completes her spin, smoothly drawing a stake from her jacket. The vampire is barely starting to rise once more when she springs forward into a handstanding front flip bringing the heels of her boots down on his face. As he flops down on his back, Buffy kneels down next to him slamming her stake home into his heart. He's already exploding into dust by the time she pulls her stake from his chest.
Buffy stands up breathing heavy, her eyes wide with the adrenaline rush. She takes a quick look around before moving off.
Cut to Buffy's bedroom.
Riley is still sleeping in the same position before Buffy left. Buffy steps into frame, in her sleepware once again, and silently climbs into bed, snuggling back against Riley, who instinctively wraps an arm around her.
A look of contentment on her face...
Buffy closes her eyes.
Wolf's howl. Buffy theme and opening credits roll.
~~~~~~~~~~ Part 1 ~~~~~~~~~~
Fade in. A bright sunny day at the beach. In the background a couple can be seen walking through the gentle waves of the ocean. Buffy suddenly appears in the foreground and catches a football.
Buffy: (happy) Touchdown! (doing a victory dance with the ball) Oh, yeah! Go, Team Me!
Cut to Riley smiling as he watches this ready to receive the ball and Buffy throws it back to him.
Riley: Anybody ever told Team You the quarterback throws like a girl?
Riley throws the ball to her again and Buffy's no longer smiling when she catches it.
Buffy: I do?
Riley just smiles at her with understanding. Scowling, Buffy takes the time to line her fingers with the football's laces and there is a small whipping sound as she straightlines the ball through the air.
The football pegs Riley in the face and he falls to the sand. Buffy winces.
Buffy: Ooo! Sorry!
Cut to wider shot. Buffy and Riley are now in the background and the rest of the Scooby Gang are in the fore. Xander is sitting on a piece of driftwood trying to start a fire in the improvised grill pit built in the sand with stone blocks. Anya is lying on a beachchair with a book in her lap. Across from them, Willow is sitting on a large beach towel, also reading with Tara lying down beside her reading tarot cards. Riley is getting to his feet and Buffy can read his intentions.
Buffy: No! No! Don't you --
Riley charges her.
Buffy: No-No-NOO!!!
He catches her in his arms and before we see them tumble to the sand...
Xander: I'm exhausted just looking at those two. All the splashing and jumping and running. Shouldn't relaxing involve less exertion?
Xander strikes another match.
Anya: Absolutely. Exertion can lead to sweatiness.
Tara: Oh, which can cause the, um, pain and heartbreak of stinkiness. Better to just stay put.
Willow: I think we've just put our finger on why we're the sidekicks.
Buffy and Riley are hurrying to join the others.
Willow: (taking off her sunglasses) Game over?
Riley holds up the suddenly flat football.
Riley: Uh, Buffy slayed the football.
Willow gives the deceased ball a pouty lip.
Buffy: (looking towards Xander) Where's my burger?
Riley: (sitting down on their own beach towel) Yeah, man. I'm starving. Cow me.
Buffy sits down in front of him and he wraps his arms around her.
Xander: The, uh, fire's not cooperating. It's comforting to know that I lack the culinary finesse of a caveman.
Willow: (waving a casual hand) Ignis incende.
A fire suddenly flares up from the grill and Xander falls back off his seat. Buffy lowers her sunglasses, impressed.
Buffy: Willow! Check you out. Witch-fu!
Willow: (modestly) It's no big. You just have to balance the elements so when you effect one you don't wind up causing --
Thunder rumbles overhead as the sky suddenly darkens with the rolling in of large storm clouds. It begins to rain heavily. The gang quickly jump to their feet and start grabbing their stuff.
Willow: I didn't do it! I didn't do it!
Willow squeals as they run away to escape the downpour.
Cut to later that night. It's still storming. Lighting flashes illuminating the ominous castle up on the hill. An old moving truck pulls up at the foot of the hill and two moving guys -- very not happy at having to make this delivery in the rain -- climb out and round to the back to raise the tarp covering a long wooden crate.
Mover #1: C'mon, hurry it up! I'm getting soaked!
Mover #2: I'm trying. (as they start pulling the crate from the truck) Jeez! This thing weighs --
The crate slips from his hands and hits the muddy ground hard, one corner cracking spilling rich dirt. The crates other end is still leaning against the back of the truck.
Mover #1: Nice. Good job.
Mover #2 kneels down to inspect the damage.
Mover #2: Look at this. Guy's carting dirt around. I don't believe it!
Mover #1: (rounding to the opposite side of the crate) Well -- we' ll turn it on it's side.
Mover #2: (taking position on the other side, ready to lift) Dirt! Man, rich people are --
An arm in a black sleeve suddenly punches out of the crate and the white-skin fist unfurls its elegant fingers with very sharp nails and slashes the side of the man's neck wide open. Mover #2 garbles a gasp as he begins to fall back. Mover #1 is shocked by this and makes no move to escape as the occupant of the crate smashes its way out of the crate in a shower of splintering wood when --
We cut to the next day. Afternoon. Exterior of Giles' apartment building.
Cut to interior. Camera pans up to reveal Willow sitting at Giles' desk behind a laptop, happily punching a few keys. Giles is looking over her shoulder.
Willow: There you go. All set.
Giles: Thank you, Willow. Obstinate bloody machine simply refused to work for me.
Giles walks to the other side of the room as Willow stands up. We see the new scanner she just hooked up for him beside the laptop.
Willow: (putting a thin opened book onto the scanners glass and closing the lid on it) Just call me the computer whisperer. (standing up, excited) Let's get scanning. I want to see this puppy go --
Giles returns and dumps four heavy, old tomes in her arms. Willow's excitement suddenly fades as Giles goes for more books.
Giles: Start with those.
Willow: (pouty) Start? Where's finish?
She stacks the books on the desk.
Giles: (choosing more books) Willow, it's essential we begin to archive the library. I mean, most of these texts have no duplicates.
Willow: But... now?
This gets Giles' attention and he faces her.
Willow: (hopeful) Doesn't winter seem more like archiving season?
Giles approaches her a little crestfallen.
Giles: I mean, you don't have to, Willow. You're-you're welcome to leave if, uh...
Willow: (feeling guilty now) No. It's fine. (sits down at the laptop again) It's just you've been Mr. Project all summer. You know? Labeling the amulets and indexing your diaries. I draw the line at making giant rubber band balls. That's when you'll just have to get a life.
She removes the smaller book from the scanner and reaches for one of the heavier texts.
Giles: (clears throat) That's what I'm trying to do, actually. Is, uh... get a life.
Giles sits down on his weapons truck.
Willow: It might go better if you left the house.
Giles: Willow, um... you mustn't repeat what I'm about to say... Especially not to Buffy.
Now Willow gives him her undivided attention as she turns in her chair to face him, a bit apprehensive.
Willow: Uh, oh.
Giles: You promise?
Willow: Oh, god. Well, I guess. Now that I know there's something to know I can't not know just because I'm afraid somebody will know I know. You know?
Giles: Did that mean "yes?"
Willow: Yeah.
Giles: We're doing all this because I want you and others to have everything you need at your fingertips. See, I'm-I'm going back to England.
Willow can't say anything for a couple of seconds.
Willow: You're -- what? But you can't. You're Buffy's Watcher!
Giles chuckles softly at this.
Willow: I mean, in a fired way, but...
Giles: (removing glasses) It's becoming quite obvious that Buffy doesn't need me anymore. And I-I don't see that in, uh, self-pitying way, I'm -- I'm quite proud, actually.
Willow: But what about the rest of us? We still need to be watched. Personally I can't get through a day without a little hairy eyeball.
Giles: (chuckling again) I appreciate the sentiment, but it's-it's just not so. Now, you'll be fine. You all will. (stands, putting on glasses) And you know, we'll stay in touch. You can always... always call me whenever you like.
Willow regards him as he reaches for a tea cup on the bar.
Willow: (a beat) When are you going to tell Buffy?
Giles: Soon. It-it won't be easy, but... I know she'll understand.
He Raises the cup and takes a sip.
Cut to the dining room in the Summers home. Buffy has just finished dinner.
Buffy: Thanks, Mom. Everything was yummy.
Joyce: (hopefully) Hey, you up for dessert? We could, um, take a drive, get some ice cream.
Buffy hesitates a second, thinking of a response.
Buffy: You know, I-I would, but I kinda have to get out and patrol. (stands and gathers her dishes)
Joyce: Now? It's-it's eight-thirty.
Buffy: Well, vamps don't really care what time it is. You know, dark equals dinner bell.
Buffy disappears into the kitchen.
Joyce: Right. Of course. (pause) You know, I'm going to have to get used to this place without you again. It gets so quiet.
Buffy returns.
Buffy: You know, maybe we should make a regular date of this. When school starts.
Joyce smiles and nods.
Buffy: I'm sorry. (leans down to kiss Joyce on the cheek) Duty calls. It's a total drag. (she heads for the front door)
Well, for it being such a drag, Buffy sure is enjoying herself as she gleefully demonstrates what can happen when a vampire finds himself alone in a big cemetery face-to-face with a Slayer.
We're back in the same cemetery again and Buffy punches the vampire hard in its face, not even bothering to hide the smile on her face, and she reels her fist back again and punches it a second time. This vampire is a little bigger than the one from last night but it doesn't matter to Buffy as she hits him with a backhand next, followed by a one-two combo. The vamp's completely punch-drunk and Buffy grabs him by the shoulders and slams a knee into his gut. As he falls to his knees Buffy thinks it might be fun to get a piggyback ride from him and climbs on his back, wrapping her arms around his neck.
Cut to an empty area of the cemetery. The air ripples and white-smoky mist fills the screen and materializes into an extreme close-up of a pale face with a pair of hazel eyes that are watching Buffy.
The vampire finally decides that he's tired of playing horsy and throws Buffy off and she hits the ground hard. But she's still gamed for more and charges him again. She ducks under his right hook and hits him with a right hook of her own, then follows through with a roundkick to the head making him fall to one knee. She steps into a spinning heel kick but the vampire catches her leg in the air and stands up lifting Buffy over his head. She struggles but is helpless and the creatures throws her down on the ground again. Buffy's quickly on her feet again and runs straight at him. The vamp is ready for her, but she suddenly plants her hands on top of his shoulders and hops up, wrapping her thighs around his head with a crunch, swinging her upper body back and around flipping him over on his back. Pulling out a stake, Buffy scrambles on her knees and plunges it into his chest. We hear him go "whoosh" as she pulls the stake out and stands up. Stuffing the stake in the back of her waistband, she scans the area then marches off.
Buffy doesn't walk very far before she starts sensing that someone or something is watching her and turns around a second before an accented voice speaks.
Dracula: Very impressive hunt.
A pale man with long dark hair steps out of the shadows.
Dracula: Such power.
Buffy: That was no hunt. That was just another day on the job.
Cut to shot over Buffy's shoulder. We see more of Dracula as he approaches her. He's wearing a long black cape with a red inside lining. Buffy beckons to him with her fingers.
Buffy: (tough girl) Care to step up for some overtime?
Dracula: We're not going to fight.
Buffy: Do you know what a Slayer is?
Dracula: (smoothly) Do you?
Buffy gives him a once over.
Buffy: Who are you?
The camera pulls in closer as he speaks and we can see his fangs, but he doesn't have the usual ridged forehead or yellow eyes of normal vamps.
Dracula: I apologize. I assumed you knew. I'm Dracula.
There is a dramatic pause while Buffy digests that information.
Buffy: (grinning) Get out!
~~~~~~~~~~ Part 2 ~~~~~~~~~~
Fade in on Willow and Xander. They are walking along in the same cemetery, coffee drinks in their hands.
Willow: Xand... what if somebody had a secret and that somebody promised somebody else that they wouldn't tell anyone?
Xander: Newsflash, Will. Everybody knows. (takes a sip from his straw)
Willow: No, this-this isn't about me and Tara.
Xander: Oh. Well, not that I wouldn't be all ears if you wanted to tell me a secret about you two. Even if it was very, very naughty,
Willow: (grinning) Sorry. This is the non-naughty variety. And I'm not telling you.
Xander: (disappointed) Okay. Want to see if Buffy's hanging around the headstones?
Willow: Sure.
They start moving off-screen.
Willow: So if I was going to tell you -- which I'm not going to...
Cut back to Buffy and Dracula. The way we left them.
Buffy: So, let me get this straight. You're (accent) D'racula? The Guy. The Count.
Dracula: I am.
Buffy: And you're sure this isn't just some fan-boy thing? 'Cause I've fought more than a couple of pimply-overweight vamps that called themselves Lestat.
Dracula: (stepping even closer to her) You know who I am. As I would know, without question, that you are Buffy Summers.
Buffy: (a beat) You've heard of me?
He starts to pace slowly in front of her.
Dracula: Naturally. You're known throughout the world.
She considers this.
Buffy: (modestly) Nah. (then grins) Really?
Dracula: Why else would I come here? For the sun?
He stops right in front of her.
Dracula: I came to meet the renowned killer.
Buffy: (slightly uncomfortable) Yeah, I prefer the term "Slayer." You know, "killer" just sounds so...
Dracula: Naked?
Buffy: Like I... paint clowns or something. I'm the good guy, remember?
Dracula: Perhaps. But your power is rooted in darkness. You must feel it.
Buffy ponders that thought for a moment.
Buffy: No. (looks at him) You know what I feel? Bored.
Buffy lunges forward drawing her stake and strikes at him, but Dracula suddenly disperses into a cloud of white smoke and Buffy falls through it. She pops back up and is searching as he re-materializes behind her. She whirls around and attacks again, but he does the "smoke-thing" once more and she hits nothing again. She turns around again, eyes darting around.
Buffy: (nervously) Okay... that's cheating.
Xander: Hey, Buffy. What's up?
Buffy whirls around again, stake ready, but it's only Xander and Willow walking up to her.
Willow: You look like you just saw --
Buffy: Get out of here. Now!
Xander: Fine. (as Drac materializes behind them) But I was going to give you a sip of my double-mint mocha, but --
Buffy: Behind you.
They turn around and see Dracula standing a few feet from them.
Willow: (worried) Hi!
Xander is not worried as he looks the Count up and down.
Xander: Nice! Look who's got a case of "Dark Prince" Envy.
Dracula: I have no interest in you. Leave us.
Xander: Nooo. (mocking Drac's accent) We're not goin' to leeb yoo! And where'd you get that accent, Sesame Street? (more mocking) Vun, two, th'ree! Th'ree victums! Mah, ha, ha, ha, ha!
Close up shot of Dracula looking amused in the not-at-all way.
Buffy: (warningly) Xander. I'm pretty sure that's Dracula.
Xander glances at her, then at Dracula again. He steps closer to her.
Xander: (whispering) Wow! Really? (steps behind Buffy) Hey, sorry, man. I was -- (chuckles nervously) Just joking around.
Dracula: (to Buffy) This is not the time. I will see you soon.
Dracula opens his cape as he lunges forward and Buffy, Willow, and Xander duck as he shapeshifts into a small bat flying over their heads.
They stand up again, Buffy searching the sky.
Buffy: BAT!
They duck again but the Dracubat seems to be targeting Buffy, flapping at her hair as she swats the air at it. He finally flies away into the night and they watch him go.
Cut to exterior shot of Giles' apartment building.
Xander: (OS) And Buffy's all, "Look out!"
Cut to interior. Xander is rounding the sofa to sit beside Anya (who is sporting very fetching shoulder-length blonde hair). Riley is leaning against the edge of Giles' desk and Giles is sitting in his easy chair in the corner of the living room area.
Xander: (excited) And then friggin' Dracula is standing right behind us and -- !
Willow: (excited) And then he's lunging at us, like... whoosh! And --
Xander: (excited) He totally looked shorter in person.
Buffy: (excited) ...Uh, you're probably seeing a pattern here) I told you he'd heard about me, right? I mean, can you believe that? Count Famous heard of me.
Riley: I couldn't believe the first twenty times you told us. (stepping away from the desk) But it's starting to sink in now.
This brings Buffy back to earth.
Buffy: I'm sorry. Am I repeat-o girl? I was just... blown away.
Riley: It's not that surprising that he's heard about you, Buffy. You are the Slayer.
Buffy: (smiling) I guess. It's just... the way he said it, you know and... He made it sound so...
Willow: (smiling) Sexy? I bet he made it sound sexy.
Tara appears from the kitchen walking around the back of the couch.
Buffy: Kinda. (reminiscing a bit dreamily) He of the dark, penetrating eyes, and lilty accent.
Xander: I wonder if he knows Frankenstein?
Tara takes a seat on the arm of the couch beside Willow, handing her a glass of soda.
Tara: (maybe a bit jealous) You thought Dracula was sexy?
Willow: (oops) Oh! No. He-he was -- yuck!
Anya: (off-handedly) Right. Except for the whole tall, dark, and handsome thing. Yucko.
Xander: (maybe a bit jealous) How would you know?
Anya: Oh, we hung out a few times. Back in my demon days. You know once or twice. (sighs) It was pretty cool. (notices how everyone is looking at her) You know, from-from a whole evil thing... perspective.
Xander: Please! He was no big whoop.
Willow: "No big whoop?" What about that thing where he turned himself into a bat? That was awesome!
Giles: Yes. It must've been. I-I must admit I'm sorry I missed that.
Willow, remembering the Giles situation, suddenly starts to lead the "keep Giles in America" parade.
Willow: Me, too! The whole time I was thinking "Gosh! I wish Giles were here! He'd know what to do!" (to the others) Didn't you guys think that?
Buffy: Actually, I was more thinking (throws her hands up to hair) "Bat!"
Xander: (to Giles) How come he can do that?
Giles: Um, I-I have know idea. Th-there is a great deal of myth about Dracula. I imagine the trick to defeating him lies in separating the fact from the fiction.
Willow: (still on the "Giles forever" bandwagon) Great point! That is so Giles to think of something like that! You know? That-that we would have never...
She trails off at the strange looks she's getting from the others.
Buffy: So we should take things slow with Dracula. I mean, he said we would meet again but I would like to avoid that until we do some serious homework.
Riley: I don't know. I mean, he may have a bunch of swell party tricks but he's still just a vampire. I say we load up with stakes and crossbows and go after him now.
Xander: Second.
Anya: No, Buffy's right. Dracula's too slick to fall for the usual stuff.
Buffy: We hold off. No killing until we know exactly what we're dealing with.
Riley: You're not just saying that because of those (off-handish) "dark penetrating eyes" of his, (serious) are you?
Buffy: No! (hurries to his side) His eyes were -- they were -- (sternly) There was no penetration. Cross my heart.
Giles: All right. Um, Willow. You and Tara find out everything you can about the actual legend of Vlad the Impaler on the Internet and, um, ("as usual" tone) I'll check the library.
They all start to stand.
Riley: If the Initiative was still around we'd be able to find everything on this guy in a few hours.
Buffy: We may not be as fast, but we'll find him. (to everyone) You guys, we'll reconvene here in the morning?
Muttered acknowledgments as they leave.
Riley: What's your plan?
Buffy: Big sleep. My Count encounter wiped me out.
Riley: I'm kinda wired. And maybe I should just let you get your rest.
Buffy: Are you sure? (smiling mischievously) I mean, maybe if you just lie down with me --
Riley: (smiling) Nothing you are about to say will lead to rest.
Buffy: Guess you're right. I'll see you in the morning?
Riley: Uh-hm. With donuts.
Buffy: Hmm. Heaven.
They kiss, just barely making it G-rated.
Buffy: See? A little sugar and I'm all yours. Dracula - shmakula.
Cut to Xander and Anya walking down Main Street. Anya, with her arm in his, is still talking about the good old times she had with Dracula while Xander is looking straight ahead with a "not enjoying this conversation" look in his eyes.
Anya: I doubt he'd remember me. I was just a silly young thing. Like seven-hundred or so. But he did say that this guy I cursed was doomed forever, which is really sweet, don't you thing?
Xander: (he doesn't) Adorable.
Anya: (missing the sarcasm) It was a great spell. It made this jerk incredibly fat. Like a human minivan.
As they continue down the street, the camera pans upward where we see a gray wolf walking along the edge of the roof, right over the "Espresso Pump" sign, looking down on the couple.
Anya: (OS) You should just mention my name. You know, if you see him again.
Xander: Or better yet, why don't you just go sit on top of a crypt and flaunt your neck cleavage until Dracula shows up? Then you two can talk private.
Anya: Please! Don't tell me you're jealous.
They stop at the corner of Main Street and face each other.
Xander: Oh, no! Just because you're panting over the guy...
Anya: (gapes at him) I am not panting! Now stop being silly. See you tomorrow.
She gives him a quick kiss on the lips.
Xander: You don't want to come back to my place?
Anya: It's whites day, remember? The bleach smell makes me nauseous.
Anya heads off across the street.
Xander: (calling after her) Fine. I suppose Dracula doesn't use bleach, huh?
He rounds the corner and continues walking down the sidewalk. The wolf follows him from the rooftops.
Xander: (OS) He's a darks-only man.
Moments later, Xander is walking through a more residential area and stepping onto the curb from the street between some bushes. Dracula suddenly materializes in front of him, startling him to a stop. Catching his breath he recomposes himself, regarding the Count.
Xander: (chuckles) Great. Perfect.
Close up shot of Drac looking very Draculable.
Xander: (putting his hands on his waist) You know what? You're not so big. One round of old-fashion fisticuffs I bet you'd fold like a bitty baby!
Xander: (rolling up his already rolled up sleeves a little more) Okay. Let's do it! But no poofing!
Raises his fists ready to rumble.
Xander: Come on puffy-shirt. Pucker on up 'cause you can kiss your pale ass good --
Dracula: Silence.
Xander: (passive) Yes, Master.
Xander closes his eyes trying to shake off the hypno mojo.
Xander: No, that's not --
Dracula: (raising a hand towards Xander) You will be my emissary. My eyes and ears in daylight.
Xander: Your emissary?
Dracula: Serve me well. You will be rewarded. I will make you an immortal. A child of darkness that feeds on life itself... On blood.
Xander: (excited) Blood! Yes! Yes! I will serve you, your excellent spookiness.
Dracula's expression doesn't change.
Xander: Or Master. I'll just stick with "Master."
Dracula: You are strange and off-putting. Go now.
Eager to obey, Xander turns and starts to leave. Then he stops and turns around again.
Xander: But Master, how can I find -- ?
But Dracula has disappeared again.
Xander: (impressed) Brilliant. What an exit. The guy's a genius!
Xander giggles. And giggles some more in a "Renfield" way as he giddily walks off.
Cut to a candle lit crypt. Riley opens the door and steps inside searching for something. He reaches the center of the chamber when a voice speaks up.
Spike: Well, well. (stepping out of the shadows in the corner armed with a crossbow) You can take the boy out of the Initiative but you can't take the Initiative out'o the boy.
Riley: (indicating the crossbow) I'd put that down unless you're bucking for one helluva headache.
Spike ponders that for a couple of seconds then sets the weapon down on a sarcophagus.
Spike: I can't be too careful. (hooking his thubs in his belt buckle) I got quite a few demons after me these days.
Riley: I'm looking for some information. Might pay a little.
Spike: I'll play.
Spike walks across the crypt to his sofa chair next to an end table.
Riley: What can you tell me about Dracula?
Spike: (in a "you're kidding" tone) Dracula?
Spike raises a cigarette to his lips.
Spike: Pouncy bugger owes my eleven pounds, for one thing.
Riley: You know him?!
Spike: (scoffs) Know him? We're old rivals.
He lights the cigarette with his zippo lighter.
Spike: But then he got famous. Forgot all about his foes. (points at Riley) I'll tell you what. That glory hound's done more harm to vampires than any Slayer. His story gets out and suddenly everybody knows how to kills us. (sits down) Uh, the mirror bit...
Riley: But he's not just a regular vampire. He... has special powers, right?
Spike: (waves it off) Nothing but showy gypsy stuff. What's it to you, anyway?
Riley: He's in town. (starts pacing) Making his "presence" known.
Spike: (putting feet on an ottoman) Drac's in Sunnydale, way? (takes a drag on cig) I guess the old boy needed closure after all.
Riley: (faces him) Actually, he's gunning for Buffy. (sits on a stone bench) But I'm out to find him before he gets another shot at her.
Spike: Tough talk, cowboy. But you're not going to catch him napping in a crypt. No, the Count has to have his luxury estate, and his bug-eaters, and his special dirt, don't he?
Riley: (rolling this information in his head) So, you're saying I should... check out mansions? That sort of thing?
Spike: (condescending) Noo. (gets up) I'm saying you should go home to your superhoney. (puts cigarette out under his boot) Have a nice safe snog. You're out of your depth in this one, boy.
He turns away, probably to grab another cigarette. Riley looks slightly pissed.
Riley: You've helped Buffy before, so she has a problem killing you now that you're helpless. I don't.
This gets Spike's attention and the vampire walks up to Riley.
Spike: I'd like to see you try.
Riley stands up and gets right in Spike's face.
Riley: Would you?
Being several inches taller than Spike, Riley does make a very imposing figure and the vampire becomes more than a little concerned. Wisely, he doesn't say anything and finally looks away. Riley starts heading for the door.
Spike: (calls out as Riley leaves) You're never gonna find him.
But Riley doesn't even look back and is gone.
Spike: (softly) Not before he gets to her.
Cut to exterior shot of the Summers home.
Cut to Buffy's bedroom. She's asleep in bed. The camera pans from her to her window which is raised just a couple of inches. From the opening a soft fog is pouring inside filling the floor in a layer of mist. A strong wind blows into the room and Buffy wakes up in a start, sitting up. She is looking at --
Dracula. Tiny whisps of mist are still fading from his just materialized formed. He is standing at the foot of her bed, looking down at her.
Dracula: You are magnificent.
Buffy: I bet you say that before you bite all the girls.
Dracula: No, you are different. Kindred.
Buffy: Kindred? Hardly --
Dracula: (motioning with a finger) Pull your hair back.
Buffy reaches over her head with her left arm and pulls her hair back from her right shoulder, revealing her neck. Dracula is quite fascinated by this.
Buffy: (a bit self-conscious) This isn't how I... usually fight. You think you can just waft in here with music video wind and your hypno (looks at his eyes)... I-eyes...
Dracula: I have searched the world over for you. (moves to the side of the bed) I have yearned for you. (sits down on the bed in front of her) For a creature whose darkness rivals my own.
He reaches out to touch her right cheek and Buffy flinches but turns her head. He is looking at the bite scar Angel gave her by feeding from her ("Graduation Day Part 2").
Dracula: (lowering his voice) You have been tasted.
Buffy: He was --
Dracula: (continues to caress her cheek gently with his sharp nails) Unworthy?
Buffy slowly raises her eyes to look at him. He is still staring at the scar.
Dracula: (intimate whisper) He let you go.
Buffy can only stare at him with wide eyes. He finally looks away from the scar and into her eyes.
Dracula: (intimate whisper) But the embrace... his bite... you remember.
Buffy: (without conviction) No.
He raises his other hand to caress her left cheek.
Dracula: Do not fight.
Buffy closes her eyes as he starts to lean in closer. A low hiss -- almost a growl -- escapes his lips.
Dracula: I can feel your hunger.
Slowly he continues to lower his head to her neck. There is the sound of his fangs sinking into her flesh and Buffy's mouth opens in a silent gasp, her eyes wide. Then she closes her eyes and clenches her teeth against the pain as he feeds on her when --
Fade out.
Buffy moans softly.
~~~~~~~~~~ Part 3 ~~~~~~~~~~
Fade in. Morning. Exterior shot of Summers home.
Cut to Buffy's bedroom. Closing shot of her lying in bed. She begins to stir and slowly wakes up. Propping herself on her elbows she frowns, probably contemplating the dream she had last night.
Moments later. Buffy steps in front of her full-length mirror, dressed now. She starts fixing her hair and stops when something catches her attention. Pulling her hair back to reveal the right side of her neck, she is shocked to see twin puncture wounds, over the scar she already has and realizes that it wasn't a dream. She quickly grabs a scarf and wraps it around her neck.
Cut to Giles' apartment.
Riley steps into frame armed with a jelly donut. He offers it over the back of the couch to Buffy who is sitting against the armrest.
Riley: It's a jelly one. Do you want it?
Buffy pulls back away from the innocent pastry with barely contained disgust.
Buffy: (hardly audible) no.
Xander suddenly swoops in from the hallway, his hand out, snapping like jaws aimed for the donut.
Xander: Got it! Mine-mine.
He snatches it out of Riley's hand and attacks it with quick little nibbles as he moves off to sit on a barstool. Riley smiles in amusement and searches the donut box for another one for himself. Willow is sitting in the easy chair in the corner, a book and a spiral notebook on her lap.
Willow: Well, I think we have Dracula factoids.
Xander: (scoffingly) Like any of that's enough to fight the Dark Master.
Everyone gives him a strange look and Xander realizes his slip.
Xander: -- bator.
Riley walks into the living room area and sits down on the coffee table in front of Buffy.
Willow: A lot of it we already knew. Turn-offs: wood, fire, crosses, garlic. Turn-ons: nice duds, minions, (a bit dreamily) long slow bites that last for days.
Buffy listens to this with a concerned expression on her face.
Riley: Yeah, I did a little research, too. Dracula likes to live in style. Which means we can rule out the usual dumps vampires haunt.
Xander: Ah! (his donut dripping jelly) But he's smart enough to figure that we probably already know that. I'm guessing he's laying low.
Willow: Actually, my research backs Riley up. Drac isn't the lay-low type.
Giles walks out of the kitchen with a cup of coffee and hands it to Riley.
Giles: So we can, uh, check out the nicer places. (licking his fingers, Xander moves to Giles' desk as Giles approaches the bar) Don't you think, Buffy?
Buffy is staring off into space as if not hearing him.
Giles: (sits on a barstool) Buffy?
She finally turns her head to look at him.
Buffy: Yeah. We'll check all the swanky places first. What else did you guys get?
Giles: Well, uh... Willow has most of it, actually.
The "We love Giles" campaign manager Willow chimes in again.
Willow: (laying it on thick) Only because you gave me super-pointers! I never would've --
Giles: (with a knowing grin) Just... go ahead, Willow.
Willow: Okay. Dracula's modus operandi is different from other vampires. He will kill just to feed, but he'd rather have a connection with his victims. And he has all these mental powers to draw them in.
Again Buffy listens but she already knows this from experience.
Willow: He -- he can read and control minds and appear in dreams.
Buffy: (softly) Uh-huh.
Willow: Makes sense. That stare. He just kinda looked right through you. Didn't you feel it, Buffy?
Riley looks at Buffy, very interested in the answer. Buffy opens her mouth but sees his expression.
Buffy: (nonchalant) No. No, I didn't.
She gets up and moves closer to the fireplace.
Xander: (fidgetting) See? Buffy didn't feel it. I think you're drawing a lot of crazy conclusions about the Unholy Prince.
Again everyone gives him strange looks.
Xander: -- bator.
Giles: The point is, though he goes through the motions of an intimate seduction, the end result is the same. He turns them into a vampire.
Buffy doesn't say anything as she takes this information looking a little worried.
Xander: Well, that is intimate. Dracula is gifting these ladies with his own blood.
He looks down at the desk and sees a spider on the surface, eyeing it hungrily.
Xander: And blood.
The spider starts crawling across the surface.
Xander: (hungrily) Blood is life.
He looks up and sees that everyone is looking at him again.
Xander: (quickly) According to them.
Without looking, he slams his hand down on the desk, on top of the spider which is hidden from the others' view by the new scanner.
Giles: (turning to the others) Um... just be aware that he-he tends to form a relationship with his prey. (Xander quickly stuffs the spider into his mouth and no one notices.) It's not enough for him to take her, she must want to be taken. She must burn for him.
Buffy fidgets with the scarf on her neck as she listens to Giles.
Buffy: That's... interesting. (heading for the door) I'm going to go find him.
Riley: (hurrying after her) You shouldn't go by yourself, Buffy. I mean, this guy is seriously dangerous.
Buffy: (faces him) It's cool. I got it.
She turns and -- cut to the courtyard as Buffy walks out of the apartment quickly closing the door behind her before Riley reaches it. She's walking fast and the door opens again and Riley runs after her. She's nearly to the steps when he catches up and grabs her arm making her face him.
Riley: Hey. Take off that scarf.
Buffy: What? (brings a hand up to the scarf) No.
Riley: (pointing an accusing finger at her) You're under the thrall of the Dark Prince!
Buffy: (rolling her eyes) I am not under the thrall of the Dark Prince.
Riley: (nonchalantly) Then take off the scarf.
Buffy: Uh... (wrenching her arm free of his grasp) Let go of me! This is ridiculous --
But Riley reaches to her neck and pulls the scarf off. He sees the fang marks on her neck and looks devastated. Xander follows Giles and Willow outside and they see this as well. Buffy just glances back and forth at them and Riley, bringing her hand up to her neck. Unable to say anything, she walks past him and sits down on the edge of the fountain, burying her face in her hands.
Giles: W- why didn't you say anything?
Xander: (quickly) Because she didn't want to worry us. Right, Buffster? It's nothing. Just a scratch.
Willow: Two deep puncture-y scratches?
Buffy lifts her head, seeing them all looking at her.
Buffy: I'm not sure why I tried to hide it. Uh, there was this voice and it was telling me to cover it.
Riley: (perks up) What I tell you? That's thrall.
Xander: You're saying Dracula has some sort of freaky mind-control over her? You're watching too many creature-features, man.
A fly starts buzzing around Xander's head and lands on the bushes besides him. Everyone is listening to Buffy and pays him no attention.
Buffy: (OS) It does seem like he has this control over me.
Xander plucks the leaf the fly is resting on sucks the insect into his mouth.
Buffy: E-even though a big part of me is resisting.
Riley: (fidgeting with Buffy's scarf in his hands) No, it's okay. I... I shouldn't take this personally. I mean, what with Angel -- (Buffy raiser her head to glare at him) It's understandable that there would be transference. I mean, they're both broody immortals...
She stands up in front of him, forcing him to look her in the eyes.
Buffy: I am not transfer-y. (in a softer voice) I swear to you... I'm your girl and I'm going to stay that way.
Riley believes this.
Riley: Okay. (sternly) But you are not going anywhere near him again.
Giles: Um, Riley's right. You-you should stay out of sight. Let the rest of us look for Dracula.
Buffy: Well, I can't go home. He already got inside once.
Xander: (eagerly) You can come over to my place. I'll make sure you stay put.
Giles: Good! And R-Riley and I can, uh, can search for Dracula and Willow, you-you and Tara could, uh, do a protection spell at-at Buffy's house. Prevent him from returning.
Willow: Got it. How'd he get inside anyway?
Cut to Summers home.
Joyce: He seemed so nice and normal. (afterthought) A little pale.
Joyce is walking out of the living room where Willow, in the foyer, has a couple of small bowls of mixed powders. Tara approaches the front door with a piece of sage, one of its tips burning, and waves it around the frame of the door.
Willow: A good Sunnydale rule of thumb: avoid white-skinned men in capes.
Joyce: I'm not like this. I don't invite strange men over for coffee.
Willow pours some of the powder into Tara's hand.
Joyce: It's just... (sighs, sitting down on the stairs) When you girls are older you'll understand. It's hard to date. Sometimes you just feel like giving up on men all together.
Willow and Tara exchange a knowing glance, smiling.
Cut to bird's eye view of the horizon. The sun is only half visible as it continues to set.
Cut to Giles and Riley. They are walking through the courtyard of a mansion, back to the front gate. Giles is carrying a bag of supplies and Riley is looking down at his small notepad.
Riley: Another bust.
Giles: And it's getting dark. I should have turned up a better lead. There must be an easier way to find him.
Riley: Ah, too late to worry about that now. (indicating the notepad) If we hurry we can hit these last places.
Stepping out of the front gate, they continue down the street.
Cut to Buffy. She is sitting on Xander's couch, staring off into space, oblivious to Anya's ranting, desite the fact that she's sitting right next to Buffy. Xander, still full of anxious energy, is pacing back and forth. He doesn't seem to be listening to her either.
Anya: How come I have to be here Slayer-sitting while the other guys get to look for Dracula. I mean, just because I'm --
Xander: (without stopping) What time is it?
Anya: Almost six. (standing up) Look, I mean, I'm the one who knows him. I'm the one who had a really good look at him inside. I mean --
Xander doesn't break stride as he walks to her, grabs her arms, and starts pushing her into the open closet.
Anya: Wha -- Hey!
He shoves her into the closet and closes the door.
Anya: HEY!
Buffy doesn't even turn her head as Anya begins to pound on the door and Xander props a chair under the doorknob.
Anya: (muffled) Xander, this isn't funny! Let me out! HEY!
Xander faces Buffy.
Xander: I'm supposed to deliver you to the Master, now.
Buffy finally turns her head. There is no surprise in her expression as she looks at him.
Xander: There's this whole deal where I get to be immortal. You cool with that?
Buffy: Take me to him.
She stands up. He regards her for a second then turns to leave.
Anya: (muffled) Come on, Xander! This isn't funny!
Cut to ominous castle we saw thirty minutes earlier in the episode.
Dissolve to Xander and Buffy walking towards the front of the castle. Night. Xander continuously glances back to make sure she's still following him as they climb the stone stairs to the opened front door.
Cut to interior of the grand dining hall, lit with torches and candles on the walls. Xander walks in.
Xander: Master? I delivered the Slayer.
Buffy enters with her hands behind her back and stands beside him. They face Drac who is off-screen.
Xander: She who you most desire. (then) Sorry, whom.
Cut to Dracula, standing in front of the large fireplace, as he looks over his shoulder at them. He's not wearing his cape now. Buffy walks past Xander to stand beside the long wooden dining table.
Xander: So now comes the immortality, right? You do the thing and --
Dracula: (turning to face Buffy) Leave us. We must not be interrupted.
Xander: (full of pep) You bet!
He leaves and Dracula and Buffy continue to stare at each other.
Dracula: I knew you'd come.
Buffy: Why? (starts walking slowly towards him) 'Cause I'm under your thrall?
Buffy brings her hand from behind her back and pops up a wooden stake and catches it again.
Buffy: (bad-ass) Well, guess again, pal.
Dracula: (calmly) Put the stake down.
Buffy: (passive) Okay.
She immediately sets the stake down on the table. Looking down at the stake her eyes widen and concern fills her expression. Now she begins to back away from him slowly.
Buffy: (nervous) Right. (tries to chuckle) That... was not you. (forced) I did that. I did that... because... (child-like stubbornness) I wanted to!
Dracula, who still has not moved, just tilts his head slightly. Buffy continues to back up.
Buffy: Maybe I should rethink that thrall thing.
She glances around wondering how she's going to get out of this mess.
Buffy: (worried) oohhhh.....
~~~~~~~~~~ Part 4 ~~~~~~~~~~
Fade in. Riley and Giles step into frame walking along the foot of a hill with a stone wall. Riley turns to Giles as they continue.
Riley: I've lived in Sunnydale a couple of years now. You know what I've never noticed before?
Camera pulls back as they start up the rocky hill to reveal Drac's humble place of residence.
Giles: (conversationally) Uh, a castle?
Riley: A big honking castle.
Cut to interior.
Riley and Giles step inside. Giles closes the door behind them. Riley points up ahead of them and Giles nods, continuing down the large corridor. Riley moves off through an opened iron gate leading into a larger room.
Somewhere behind them a very attractive woman with yellow eyes leans out of the shadows. We can just barely see a hint of fangs as she smiles.
We return to Buffy and Dracula. Buffy is still backing away from him, though much slowly now and he is walking towards her.
Buffy: Stay away from me.
Dracula: Are you afraid that I will bite you? (she doesn't answer) Slayer, that's why you came.
Buffy: No. Last night... is not going to happen again.
Dracula: Stop me. Stake me.
Buffy: (without conviction) I-uh... Any minute now.
Dracula: Do you know why you can not resist?
Buffy: 'Cause you're famous?
Dracula: Because you do not want to.
Buffy: (shakes her head, glancing around) My friends are --
Dracula: (unconcerned) They're here. They will not find us. We are alone.
He is standing right in front of her now and she has stopped moving.
Dracula: (whispers) Always alone.
He starts to circle her but Buffy keeps facing forward.
Dracula: There is so much I have to teach you. Your history. Your power. What your body is capable of.
Buffy: I don't need to know.
Dracula: You long to. (he is in front of her again) And you will have eternity to discover yourself. But first... a little taste.
Buffy: (with some conviction) I won't let you.
Dracula: I didn't mean for me.
Off Buffy's expression we --
See what Riley's doing. He's entering the large chamber and finds a door. He pulls on the handle, discovers it's locked, and starts walking the other way. But the door opens behind him and he whirls around to see Xander step out, looking a little pissed.
Xander: Nobody harms my master.
Riley: Your master?
Xander: (emphasizing with his index fingers) You want him? You come through me.
Riley straight-jabs him in the face and Xander's eyes are already closed as his head snaps back. He tilts to the side and drops to the floor.
Riley: (looking down on him) Okey dokey.
Riley walks through the door.
Now what is Giles up to? He's peeking around a corner and sees the coast is clear before stepping into the hallway. He walks up to a closed door and tries the doorknob. It's unlocked and swings open. Cautiously, he steps forward.
Cut to interior of the room. We can see that there is no floor as Giles is silhouetted by the light shining through the door. Unfortunately it's too dark for him to notice this and with his next step he falls to the floor below with a gasp.
Giles: Oh! Good show, Giles. (groans) At least you didn't get knocked out for a change.
Carefully, he rolls over onto his back with another groan. Then he starts to hear growling coming from the shadows surrounding him.
Giles: Ladies.
The attractive vampires slithers into view with two others and they crawl to Giles.
Giles: You... would be the Three Sisters, yes?
They immediately begin to caress his body, Sister #1 moving in to nuzzle the side of his face.
Giles: (trying to keep the "I'm in deep shit" tone from his voice) Excellent. Right. Uh, I'd heard that you were a myth. Obviously erroneous.
Sister #2 grabs the front of his shirt and rips it open.
Giles: Ah!
She jumps on him sitting straddle across his legs as Sister #1 continues to caress the side of his face with her tongue.
Giles: Ooo! That's, uh -- That's, ah -- (giggles) tickles!! Uh... Oh, dear god.
We leave Giles to face his imminent... doom and --
Cut to close-up shot of Dracula, unbottoning the cuff of his sleeve. Buffy watches him unroll it to reveal his wrist.
Buffy: (worried) What are you -- ?
Dracula: All these years fighting us. Your powers so near to our own... (slicing his wrist with a sharp nail) And you've never once wanted to know what it is that we fight for? Never even a taste?
Buffy: (looking down at the blood) If I drink that... ?
Dracula: I have not drunk enough for you to change. You must be near death to become one of us. And that comes only when you plead for it.
Buffy: (numb tone) I'm not hungry.
Dracula: No. Your craving goes deeper than that.
Buffy lifts her eyes to look at him.
Dracula: You think you know. What you are. What's to come. You haven't even begun.
Hearing these words before, Buffy looks down at the blood again, then returns her gaze on him. Slowly, she takes his arm in her hands and raises his wrist closer to her mouth. Looking at the blood once more, she hesitates, then lowers her head to his wrist. Closing her eyes as she opens her mouth and presses her lips against the cut.
She begins to feed.
Dracula: (harsh whisper) Find it! The darkness! Find your true nature.
Buffy continues to drink. Her eyes suddenly pop open and she flashbacks --
Hearing the pounding beat of her heart --
We see quick cuts of Buffy running through the cemetery --
Her blood cells rushing through her veins --
The First Slayer's face --
Buffy slaying the vampires we saw earlier --
Buffy jerks her head up. Her eyes wide with shock.
Buffy: (breathless) Wow.
She is still holding his hand and suddenly slams an open palm into his chest. Dracula goes flying backwards landing on the dining table sliding several feet on its surface.
Buffy: (looking unthralled) That was gross.
With a hiss, Drac swings his legs onto the floor and stands up as Buffy walks around the head of the table to face him.
Dracula: You are resisting.
Buffy just tilts her head nonchalantly.
Buffy: Looks like.
Dracula: Come here... Come to me.
Buffy's no longer impressed by his voice.
Buffy: You know, I really think the thrall has gone out of our relationship. But I want to thank you for opening up my eyes a little.
Dracula: What is this?
Buffy: My true nature. Want a taste?
Totally pissed now, Dracula snarls and charges her. Buffy jumps straight up in the air over his head as he swipes at her with his claws. She lands behind him as he stumbles to the wall thanks to his own momentum. She steps forward, spinning into a back kick that hits him in the chest just as he turns to face her, and immediately hits him with a backhand then brings that fist back to punch him across the face, turning him around. She quickly goes into another spinning back kick and sends him smashing into the stone wall face-first.
She moves in with another punch, but Dracula turns in time to block it with a raised forearm and slams a hard fist into her stomach. She bends forward around the pain and he sends a powerful backhand into her face. Buffy is lifted high into the air --
And two seconds later comes falling down hard on her back on top of the dining table.
Cut to the open door Giles fell through. Riley steps up to it.
Riley: Buffy? Are you in --
Riley starts to fall forward but catches himself on the side of the door frame. He looks down and sees --
Riley: Giles! Giles!
He quickly pulls out a wooden cross and the Three Sisters hiss at him but scatter away from Giles. Riley tosses the cross down to him and, although in a daze of euphoria, he instinctively catches it.
Riley: (reaching down) Come on! Come on! Grab my hand!
Giles: (climbing weakly to his feet) Thank god, you came.
Riley: Come on!
Giles: (on Jell-O-ed knees) There was no... possible escape.
He reaches up and Riley pulls him out. Giles sits on the edge.
Riley: Okay.
Giles: (pointing to the sock on his foot) Oh. My shoe! Silly me. I'll just pop back --
Riley grabs him to keep Giles from jumping back down.
Riley: No! No! No, sir! No more chick-pit for you. Come on.
Riley drags him to his feet and picks up the cross again and they hurry away from the door.
But back to the dining hall.
Buffy has jumped off the table and comes running full steam around it and throws herself at Dracula, sending them both to the floor. Drac is the luckly one who winds up on top, but Buffy takes exception to that and slams an elbow into his face followed by a hard punch, snapping his head back. Grabbing his shirt, she kicks her feet up and rolls back, taking him with her and now she's on top and wastes no time in pounding her fists into his face. On the third punch, he catches her fist in the palm of his hand and pulls her off, sending her rolling across the floor.
They're both on their feet at the same time and Buffy grabs him and swings him down to the floor, sitting across his waist pulling out a small stake. She raises it over her head with both hands and brings it down at his chest. But Drac brings his arms up in time to block the strike and wrenches her hands apart. The stake goes flying from her grasp. He grabs the front of her shirt, pulls her in close, then throws her into the air. Her back slams against the stone wall and Buffy drops to the floor.
She raises her head and sees Drac already standing and charges him. He grabs her using her own momentum to flip her onto the table and she tumbles off the other side. Dracula leaps on top of the table growling down at her and Buffy stands, grabbing a chair and swings it at him. It shatters into many wooden pieces, stunning him, but Buffy's still turning, following through with a spinning heel kick that sweeps him off his feet. He lands on the table on his back and lashes out with a backhand to her face that sends Buffy stumbling to the wall. She immediately grabs one of the torches off the wall and Drac just barely rolls off the other side in time as she brings it smashing down on the table.
Armed with her bright new weapon, Buffy starts to round the table towards him.
Buffy: A guy like you should think about going electric. Seriously.
At this point, Dracula thinks it's time for him to start cheating and does his famous "poofing" trick and his white mist scatters. Buffy scans the hall wondering where he's going to pop out next. Then she sees his mist streak towards the upper level on the other side of the dining hall, gathering itself to take shape.
Dropping the torch she races along the side of the table, snatching up her first stake, and leaps into the air. She lands right in front of him just as he becomes solid and slams the stake into his chest.
Close-up of Drac's shocked expression.
Buffy: How do you like my darkness now?
He hisses in pain and Buffy yanks the stake out of his chest. He falls off and hits the winding stairs already turning into dust and is gone.
Stake in hand, Buffy strolls unhurried down the stairs. Riley and Giles enter the hall through another staircase. Giles still looking ruffled from his chick-pit experience.
Riley: Buffy! You okay?
Buffy: Yeah. Chalkful of free will.
Giles: And Dracula?
Buffy: Eurotrashed.
Xander comes running in from the other side of the hall, carrying a big flaming torch, uber-pissed.
Xander: Where is he? (I did mention the uber-pissed, right?) Where is the creep that turned me into a spider-eating man bitch!?
Buffy: He's gone.
Xander: Dammit! You know what? I'm sick of this crap! I'm sick of being the guy who eats insects and gets the funny syphilis. As of this moment... it's over! I'm finished being everybody's butt monkey!
The three of them just regard him for a moment, nodding their heads.
Buffy: Check. No more butt monkey.
Riley: It could have been worse. At least you weren't making time with the Dracu-babes like Giles here.
Buffy and Xander look at Giles in surprise.
Giles: (stammering) I was not making time, I was just, uh, (wrapping his shirt closed, crossing his arms) about to kill those, uh, loathsome creatures when-when Riley interrupted me.
Riley: (grinning) Really? You were going to nuzzle `em to death?
Trying not to laugh, Buffy and Riley start walking out.
Giles: (agasped) Uh, of course not! I was in complete...
But they're not listening to him and Xander is walking with them.
Giles: ...Control.
Defeated, Giles follows them out and all is quiet in the grand dining hall. The only thing moving seems to be the flames of the torches, candles, and fireplace. Until...
Cut to the foot of the staircase Dracula fell down. White smoke begins to swirl and Dracula reforms himself. The mist hasn't even stopped whisping from him when Buffy's arm comes out of nowhere and plunges her stake into his chest again. He clutches his chest in shock.
Cut to Buffy standing beside him.
Buffy: You think I don't watch your movies? (mocking) You always come back.
Dracula disintegrates into dust again and Buffy looks down, crossing her arms over her chest.
Cut to the foot of the stairs again and Drac's white smoke starts to swirl again.
Buffy: (OS) I'm standing right here!
The mist quickly scatters.
Cut to the next day. Exterior shot of Giles' apartment building.
Buffy: (OS) You wanted to see me?
Cut to interior. Buffy has just closed the front door and is walking towards the living room area. Giles stands up from his desk.
Giles: Yes. Uh, thank you, for coming. Can-can I offer you some tea? (grabs the tea pot from the bar)
Buffy: Oh, no, thanks.
Moving in front of the couch, Buffy looks down at the coffee table and sees a plate of cookies on the tea tray.
Buffy: Ooo! Cookies! (faces him as he steps to her) How come I rate a little cookie treatment?
Giles: Well, uh, actually, I have something to tell you.
He sits down putting the tea pot on the table.
Buffy: (sitting down beside him) Actually, I have something that I'd like to talk to you about, too.
Giles: (pouring himself some tea) Well, uh, you go first, by all means.
Buffy: No, go ahead.
Giles: No, I insist.
Buffy lowers her eyes as if trying to find a way to say what she has to say.
Buffy: (looking at him) You haven't been my Watcher for a while.
The words hit Giles hard but he keeps his composure. He raises his head but doesn't look at her.
Buffy: I haven't been training... And I haven't really needed to come to you for help.
She watches him, waiting for a reaction.
Giles: (reluctantly) I agree.
Still not looking at her, he slowly sets the tea pot down on the table. Buffy finds she has to stand up as she continues.
Buffy: And then this whole thing with Dracula. It made me face up to some stuff. (he looks at her) Ever since we did that spell where we called on the First Slayer... I've been going out a lot.
She hesitates for a moment.
Buffy: Every night.
Giles: Patrolling?
Buffy: (truthfully) Hunting.
She turns and paces to the side of the room.
Buffy: That's what Dracula called it... and he was right. (turns around and walks back) He understood my power better than I do. He saw darkness in it. (sitting down again) I need to know more... about where I come from. About the other Slayers. I mean, maybe... maybe if I can learn to control this thing I could be stronger. I could be better. But... I'm scared. I know it's going to be hard. And I can't do it... without you. I need your help. (hesitant)... I need you to be my Watcher again.
Although it's not a drastic change, Giles' expression suddenly brightens and it's probably all he can do to contain the joy her words fill him with. Buffy releases her breath in a sigh and smiles.
Buffy: Boy, I just-I just keep on talking, don't I? I'm-I'm sorry. You had something you wanted to say?
He's unable to keep the small smile completely off his face.
Giles: No. It's nothing.
They fall silent and Giles reaches for his cup. As Buffy watches him we --
Cut to the Summers home.
Buffy has just walked upstairs and peeks in her mother's bedroom door.
Buffy: I'm outta here. (walking down the hall to her own room) Riley and I are going to the movies.
We see Joyce step into view putting on earrings, looking as if she's getting ready to go out as well.
Joyce: Okay. Have a good time.
Cut to Buffy as she steps into her room. She stops when she sees a young girl, fourteen years old, with long dark brown hair, who appears to be unpacking things from a few boxes on the bed.
Buffy: What are you doing here?
The girl turns around as if not expecting her. But before she can say anything, Joyce calls out from her bedroom.
Joyce: Buffy? If you're going out, why don't you take your sister?
Buffy frowns. Then, as one, both girls turn towards the camera in shock.
Buffy & Dawn: (exasperated) Mom!!!!!
Black out.
END Credits.
