“In every generation there’s a chosen one. She alone will stand against the vampires, the demons and the forces of darkness. She is the Slayer.”
At the cemetery
Buffy is desperately trying to get out from under the devilishly strong Luke. Not only is he very strong, but he’s also much bigger than her.
The Master’s faithful hound opens his jaws and draws ever closer to Buffy’s neck — he’s already ready to sink his teeth into her throat.
Buffy. Uhh! No. Ahh!
Buffy is in a dire situation; she’s already closed her eyes in despair. Everything is turning against her — it seems she’ll have to stay in this crypt forever. Become just another skeleton like the one lying in this sarcophagus for who knows how many years. Or even worse — become one of them, one of those she’s supposed to destroy. Become a vampire.
It’s terrifying even to imagine what awaits ordinary mortals if the Slayer becomes a vampire. Her strength and speed, combined with fury, lack of conscience, and thirst for blood…
But that’s not meant to happen — not now, at least. With a beastly roar and astonishment on his face, Luke recoils from Buffy. He stares at his right palm with hatred and fear — it’s smoking.
Around Buffy’s neck is the very cross that the master of mystery had given her in that secluded alleyway. The cross has played into Buffy’s hands, giving her the chance to take advantage of her enemy’s confusion. Gathering her strength, Buffy pulls her knees to her chest and then kicks the vampire in the chest. The blow sends Luke flying out of the sarcophagus.
Buffy doesn’t wait a single second. She immediately jumps to her feet and, standing inside the sarcophagus, looks around. But Luke is nowhere to be seen — he’s vanished into thin air. Buffy has no time to search for him — her friends’ lives are at stake. She doesn’t know whether they’ve made it home or if Darla got to them first.
Buffy leaps out of the sarcophagus and leaves the ill-fated crypt. Perhaps she’s even glad she doesn’t have to keep fighting such a powerful and sinister foe.
Buffy runs as fast as she can across Sunnydale’s nighttime cemetery. She scans her surroundings, but her friends are nowhere in sight. Buffy stops and starts looking around. You can clearly see how deeply she worries about her friends’ fate.
Suddenly, a vampire’s roar is heard somewhere very close by. Buffy turns toward the terrifying growl that bodes no good. And she sees Willow lying beneath a vampire dressed in a leather jacket. He’s pinned the poor girl to the ground and is about to sink his teeth into her neck.
Willow. No! No! Get off!
Willow tries in vain to throw him off, but she simply doesn’t have the strength.
Buffy. Hey!
The vampire raises his head and turns to Buffy. His face shows surprise. Buffy gives him a solid kick right in his demonically transformed mug. The blow knocks the vampire off Willow; he rolls across the cemetery grass. Grabbing his face, he springs to his feet and dashes off — after all, everyone wants to live.
Willow lies on her back, propped up on her elbows, staring at Buffy. Her face shows a mix of astonishment and fear. But Buffy doesn’t linger — she immediately turns and runs on. She needs to find Xander and Jesse. Willow also gets to her feet and follows Buffy — credit where credit’s due, Willow’s got guts.
Meanwhile, two vampires are dragging unconscious Xander by the arms, his body just dragging along the grass.
Willow. Xander!
Seeing this terrible sight, Willow can’t help but call out her friend’s name. She realizes she’s just brought trouble upon herself. After all, she’s only just miraculously escaped death. But how can she think of herself when her friend is in danger?
The vampires stop and turn toward Willow. But Buffy is already there. She delivers a well-aimed kick to each vampire. The vampires scatter in different directions, releasing Xander.
Buffy quickly sizes up the situation: she breaks off a branch from a nearby pine and thrusts it into the male vampire’s chest. He falls to the ground and turns to dust. However, the female vampire manages to escape.
And Willow is already on her knees beside her friend. Xander begins to regain consciousness and tries to get up. Willow helps him.
Willow. Xander. Are you OK? (Willow’s face shows genuine concern.)
Xander. Man, something hit me. (Clearly not feeling well.)
Buffy approaches her friends and glances around. But their friend Jesse is nowhere to be seen.
Buffy. Where’s Jesse? (Buffy’s voice betrays her feelings. She believes the blame for everything that’s happened lies solely with her.)
Willow. I don’t know. They surrounded us. (Willow’s face shows confusion. She’s both glad Xander is alive and terrified at the same time. After all, who knows where their friend Jesse is right now?)
Xander. That girl grabbed him. And took off. (Xander’s laboured voice betrays his condition — clearly he’s taken a good blow to the head.)
Buffy. Which way? (Buffy asks tersely; urgency is written all over her face.)
She realizes things are very bad indeed. After all, she only just managed to save Willow and Xander at the very last moment. And she herself survived only by a miracle. If Luke hadn’t brushed against the cross on her chest, they’d all be vampire dinner by now.
Xander. I don’t know. (He shakes his head from side to side, but his eyes are closed.)
Buffy straightens up and gazes across the empty expanse of the nighttime cemetery, her face etched with bitter regret. It’s clear she understands she’s most likely too late. There’s little she can do to help Jesse now. She whispers his name softly — the spark of hope for his rescue has all but faded from her eyes. In the young Slayer’s gaze, you can see just how deeply she’s imbued with profound human emotions. She’s no robot assassin — she’s a young woman with a big heart.
In the Library
Behind the railings, on the second floor of the library, a globe spins rapidly. Apparently, Giles has spun it to show Buffy, Willow, and Xander gathered below that his speech concerns the entire World as we know it. Or rather, the one we don’t know at all, to be honest. After all, according to Giles’s words, all official history is a lie.
Armed with several ancient folios in his arms, Giles walks with the measured pace of a lecturer along the bookshelves on the second floor. His face shows complete concentration and confidence — here, he’s in his natural habitat. Not a trace remains of the bewildered Giles who had been at the nightclub.
Giles. This world is older than any of you know. Contrary to popular mythology (Giles places his hand on the spinning globe, stopping it. By doing so, he puts an end to the past worldview of those gathered below), it did not begin as a Paradise. For untold eons, demons walked the Earth. They made it their home, their, uh, their Hell. (As he speaks, Giles grabs another book from the shelf without pausing his lecture on Earth’s prehistoric past.) But in time, they lost their purchase on this reality, and the way was made for mortal animals, for men. All that remains of the Old Ones are vestiges, certain magicks, certain creatures.
Giles finally descends to the lower section of the library where his listeners are.
Buffy. And vampires. (Buffy unexpectedly adds to Giles’s words, holding a cooling pack on her right forearm.)
Buffy and Giles simultaneously step closer to the table. Willow is sitting at the table; she raises an astonished gaze to Buffy. She simply doesn’t want to believe such a terrible truth. Giles’s words offer her no comfort at all — his version of our home planet’s past kills any hope for a normal life going forward.
But Xander, despite everything he’s seen so far, maintains the reality walls he built in childhood. The walls within which the vast majority of people live, unable to see the world’s true picture. He raises his index fingers, drawing the group’s attention.
Xander. OK, this is where I have a problem. See, because we are talking about vampires. We’re having a talk with vampires in it. (He wants them to understand the conversation is absurd. This simply can’t be real.)
Willow. Isn’t that what we saw last night? (Willow asks with such hope in her eyes; her gaze is fixed on Giles. She clearly wants him to say vampires don’t exist, but it never happens.)
Buffy. No. No, those weren’t vampires. Those were just guys in thundering need of a facial.
Willow turns her head toward her, her eyes clouded. Willow has such a pitiful look. At the sight of such a childlike gaze, any parent would instantly pull her close to comfort.
It’s obvious both Xander and Willow understand Buffy isn’t telling the truth right now. Willow turns back to Giles, but he’s sitting on the table and looking into a book — which isn’t surprising at all. In fact, it’s hard to say exactly where Willow is looking. Her gaze seems fixed on emptiness — her whole world has been turned upside down in her mind.
Buffy. Or maybe they had rabies. It could have been rabies. And that guy turning to dust? Just a trick of light. That’s exactly what I said the first time I saw a vampire. Well, after I was done with the screaming part.
Willow. Oh, I… I need to sit down. (Willow’s voice is rather slowed, her gaze even more clouded.)
Buffy. You are sitting down.
Willow. Oh, good for me.
Xander. So, vampires are demons? (He addresses Buffy.)
But Giles automatically and rightfully perceives such questions as directed straight to him.
Giles. The books tell that the last demon to leave this reality fed off a human, mixed their blood.
Xander turns to Giles, and at that moment the radical difference between Giles and everyone gathered becomes apparent. Xander and Willow are only at the threshold of discovering the backstage. Buffy partially knows what’s really happening behind the scenes. Giles, though lacking experience in direct monster confrontations, is forced to hold the true Hell in his mind. He knows too much about what’s actually happening in the world to turn a blind eye. Moreover, knowing all this, he must play the role of a young girl’s mentor. To know that this girl will most likely perish at the claws of one of the demons in the end. Giles’s face at this moment is painted with rather distinct hues. The stamp of the burden of knowledge is clearly visible on his weary, exhausted face.
Giles. He was a human form possessed… Infected… by the demon’s soul (handing the open book to Xander, who listens with his mouth agape). He bit another and another. And so they walk the Earth, feeding. Killing some, mixing their blood with others to make more of their kind. Waiting for the animals to die out, and the Old Ones to return. (Giles utters these final words, raising his impassive gaze to a frightened Willow.)
In the Underground Temple
With a constrained gait, Darla walks through the underground tunnel. The arched walls of the tunnel are lined with brick, and the sound of dripping water can be heard. Streaks from water are visible on the walls.
Following Darla, Jesse emerges from around the tunnel’s bend — or rather, Luke pushes him out. The vampire holds him by the back of his sweater as if to keep Jesse from falling. The sound of their footsteps — whether on stones or shards of brick — can be clearly heard. One thing is clear: the floor there is uneven, and one could easily trip. But that's not why Luke is holding Jesse.
Luke is very loyal, devoted to his Master. It’s completely obvious that Jesse won’t get away from him. But he only releases the boy’s shirt when they reach the entrance to the underground temple. He shoves Jesse into the Master’s reluctant residence, urging him on with the word “Move”.
With fear in his eyes, Jesse cautiously descends the steep slope. He can’t believe what he’s seeing. Just moments ago they were in the tunnels — and now he’s suddenly in some kind of temple. Or rather, in the ruins of a it.
Darla is already standing below, on a sandy platform lit by candles. Jesse takes his place to her left; Luke follows and joins them. All three gaze into the darkness.
From the gloom, the Master emerges. Even his gait reveals something inhuman about him. His arms hang perfectly still along his body, extending slightly forward. Only his legs move.
Master. Is this for me? (His voice's still weak. He speaks almost in a singsong manner, with childlike anticipation.)
Luke. An offering, Master. (A hopeful smile plays across Luke’s face — it’s important to him their high priest will like the gift.)
Darla. He’s a good one. His blood is pure. (Darla takes a couple of steps toward their patron, a sycophantic smile on her face.)
Master. You’ve tasted it. (There’s unconcealed reproach in his voice.)
Luke and Darla immediately bow their heads. Darla’s guilt is obvious. But what is Luke’s fault? Well, Luke is a special being. It’s no wonder he’s the Master’s right-hand man. It’s very important to him that his master remains pleased at all times. Luke perceives any change in his master’s mood as his own personal failing.
Master. I’m your faithful dog. You bring me scraps (bending his arms at the elbows in front of his chest, theatrically mimicking a faithful dog.)
Darla. I… I didn’t mean… (mumbling plaintively, her eyes pleading for mercy.)
Master. I have waited. For 3 score years I have waited. While you come and go, I am stuck here. Here… here in this house of… worship. (The Master begins in a singsong tone, briefly revealing notes of anger, ending with a visceral disgust for the place he’s in.)
He literally trembles with loathing for the underground temple — abomination that his careless servants don’t understand the humiliated position he’s now in. Darla stares at her patron in fear, cowering awaiting punishment. There’s no fear in Luke’s expression, though. He’s genuinely dismayed that he’s angered his master. He’s clearly prepared to accept his well-deserved punishment.
The Master’s tone shifts again. Notes of anger are still audible, but he’s already regained control of himself.
Master. My ascension is almost at hand. Pray that when it comes, I’m in a better mood. (He says this, stepping very close to Darla.)
With lightning speed, he thrusts his right arm forward, as if intending to wound or kill her. But instead of the expected cruel act, he places his palm rather gently on the guilty one’s neck.
Terrified to death, Darla stares at the Master in horror. She understands that his gentle touch means nothing. How many times has she herself gently touched her victims just before taking their lives?
Darla. Master, forgive me. We had more offerings, but there was trouble: a girl.
Luke. And there was a girl. She fought well and she knew of our breed. It is possible that she may be…
Master. A Slayer. (He speaks with a lilt in the voice, interest lighting up in his eyes.)
Jesse, an unwilling witness to the conversation, has been standing rooted to the spot all this time. The only thing that betrays him as a living person is the gradually dawning horror on his face.
In the Library
Xander. And that would be a what?
Giles. For as long as there have been vampires, there’s been the Slayer, one girl in all the world, a chosen one.
Buffy. He loves doing this part.
Giles. Al right, the Slayer hunts vampires. Buffy is a Slayer. Don’t tell anyone. Well, I think that’s all the vampire information you need. (Reducing the lecture he had ready in his head down to four sentences with restrained displeasure, casting an annoyed look at Buffy.)
Xander. Except for one thing: how do you kill them? (He addresses Buffy and Giles with genuine earnestness.)
Giles shoots Xander a startled glance. He obviously didn’t expect this turn of events.
This stance of Xander’s reveals to us his hidden strength and true character. Cordelia thinks he’s a loser; he’s clearly not one of the “cool” kids at school. But when faced with horror, he doesn’t tuck tail. Most of the “not-losers” would simply decide never to leave their houses at night again. Xander, though, is ready to take up the fight — despite the fact that he’s not the Chosen One; he’s just an ordinary guy.
Buffy. You don’t. I do.
Xander. Well, Jesse is my…
Buffy. Jesse is my responsibility. I let him get taken.
Xander. That’s not true.
Willow. If you hadn’t shown up, they would have taken us, too. (She remarks this with sincere gratitude.) Does anybody mind if I pass out? (With a weak voice again).
Buffy. Breathe.
Willow. Breathe.
Buffy. Breathe.
It hasn’t escaped Giles that Buffy blames herself for what happened. You could read that in his gaze. A different picture titled “Buffy” is taking shape in his mind — she won’t leave anyone in the lurch.
Buffy. This big guy Luke, he talked about an offering to the Master. Now, I don’t know what or who, but if they weren’t just feeding, then Jesse may still be alive. I’m gonna find him. (She speaks with determination. Beyond that, she seems to assure Xander that she’ll do whatever it takes.)
Willow. Uh, this maybe the dumb question, but shouldn’t we call the police? (Looking at Buffy with an expression that says, “We shouldn’t get involved in this ourselves — it’s dangerous.”)
Giles. And they’d believe us, of course. (Giles stands up, hands in his trousers pockets - it’s clear they’ll have to handle everything themselves.)
Willow. Well, we don’t have to say "vampires". We could just say that there’s a bad man. (Pushing her tactic of “staying clear of danger” with insistence.)
Buffy. They couldn’t handle it even if they did show up. (Leaning closer to Willow.) They’d only come with guns.
Giles. You have no idea where they took Jesse? (Finally getting down to business.)
Buffy. I looked around, but as soon as they got clear from the graveyard, they could just have… voom!
Xander. They can fly? (Glancing at Buffy with concern.)
Buffy. They can drive.
Xander. Oh.
Willow. I don’t remember hearing a car.
Giles. Let’s take an enormous intuitive leap, shall we, and say they went underground.
Buffy. Vampires really jam on sewer systems. You can get anywhere in the entire town without catching any rays. But I didn’t see any access around there.
Xander. Well, there’s an electrical tunnel that runs under the whole town.
Giles. If we have a diagnostic of the tunnel system, it might indicate a meeting place. I suppose we could go to the building commission. (With a light slap on the table, realizing they’re wasting time.)
Buffy. We so don’t have time.
Willow. Uh, guys, there maybe another way. (A spark appears in her eyes. It seems she knows how to help with searching.)
The Underground Temple. The Situation Escalates
The Master turns to his servants, a fierce malice in his eyes. His voice is ominous.
Master. A Slayer. Have you any proof?
Luke. Only that she fought me and yet lives. (With pronounced pride and a confident gaze.)
Master. Oh, very nearly proof enough. I can’t remember the last time that happened. (Hints of sarcasm in his voice.)
Luke. 1843, Madrid. (Avoiding the Master’s gaze in shame.)
Master. Ahh…
Luke. He caught me sleeping. (Trying to justify himself, tentatively glancing at the Master.)
Master. She mustn’t be allowed to interfere with the Harvest.
Luke. I would never let that happen. (With self-sacrificing devotion and a burning desire to restore his standing in the Master’s eyes.)
Master. Don’t worry about it. I believe she’ll come to us. We have something she wants. If she is a Slayer, and this boy lives, she’ll try to save him. (As if stating a fundamental truth about the nature of the Slayer.)
Luke. I thought you were nothing more than a meal, boy. Congratulations. You’ve just been upgraded. To bait. (Grabbing Jesse by the neck and turning to the Master with a satisfied smile.)
Back in the Library
Willow is sitting at the computer; on the screen is a city utilities plan labelled “Sunnydale Sewer Conduit”. Buffy and Xander are standing nearby, absorbed in studying the plans on the screen. Giles is standing behind Willow, but a little apart from the group — he clearly understands that the plans were obtained illegally.
Buffy. There it is. (Pointing her finger at a junction amidst a tangle of straight and curved lines.)
Willow. That runs under the graveyard.
Xander. I don’t see any access. (All three peer at the screen, but Giles remains standing apart, trying not to even look in the direction of the computer.)
Giles. So, all the city plans are just open to the public? (Glancing seriously at the back of Willow’s head.)
Willow. Um, well, in a way. I sort of stumbled onto them when I accidentally decrypted the city council’s security system. (Giles smiles without saying a word.)
Xander. Someone’s been naughty. (Leaning over the screen to Willows left, but looking past her.)
Buffy. There’s nothing here. This is useless. (Stepping away from the screen in irritation.)
Giles. I think you’re being a bit hard on yourself.
Buffy. You’re the one that told me I wasn’t prepared enough! (Even more annoyed, turning to Giles.) Understatement. I thought I was on top of everything, and then that monster Luke came out of nowhere… (Suddenly stopping her rapid speech, remembering exactly how Luke had approached her.)
Xander. What? (Everyone clearly notices that she’s just remembered something.)
Buffy. He didn’t come out of nowhere. He came from behind me. I was facing the entrance, he came from behind me, and he didn’t follow me out. The access to the tunnels is in the mausoleum! The girl must have doubled back with Jesse when I got out. God, I am so mentally challenged! (Grabbing her temples in frustration and then spreading her arms in self-disappointment.)
Xander. So, what’s the plan? We saddle up, right? (Approaching Buffy, fully ready for action.)
Willow turns wide eyes to Xander. His behaviour deserves praise, but at the same time she really doesn’t want him to put himself in such danger.
Buffy. There’s no “WE”, OK? I’m the Slayer and you’re not. (Looking Xander straight in the eyes.)
Xander. I knew you’d throw that back in my face. (It’s clear how humiliating and unpleasant it is for him to be so belittled.)
Buffy. Xander, this is deeply dangerous. (Trying to convince him, without hurting his feelings.)
Giles watches Xander with interest, unnoticed by the latter. In a brief moment, the true, brave hearts of the young people are revealed to Giles. His opinion of them as mere schoolchildren shifts.
Willow lowers her eyes in thought, then raises her gaze to Buffy again.
Xander. I’m inadequate. That’s fine. I’m less than a man. (Moving away from Buffy and standing next to Giles, even slightly behind him.)
Willow. Buffy, I’m not anxious to go into a dark place full of monsters. But I do want to help. I need to. (As if speaking both for herself and her friend.)
Giles. Well, then help me. (Taking his hands out of his pockets and approaching Willow, leaning over the computer screen.) I’ve been researching this Harvest affair. It seems to be some sort of preordained massacre, rivers of blood, Hell on Earth. Quite charmless. (Glancing at Buffy.) I am a bit fuzzy, however, on the details. It may be that you can wrest some information from that dread machine. (And after pause) That was a bit, um, British, wasn’t it? (Noticing the puzzled and appraising looks on Willow’s and Buffy’s faces.)
Buffy. Welcome to the new World. (With a kind chuckle.)
Giles. I want you to go on the net.
Willow. Oh, sure, I can do that. (With a joyful smile — “my skills are useful after all” — returning to the keyboard.)
Buffy. Then I’m out of here. (Preparing to leave. But she turns, addressing Xander.) If Jesse’s alive, I’ll bring him back.
Giles. Do I have to tell you to be careful? (Glancing at Buffy’s back.)
Buffy turns around, silently looking at Giles. A faint smile appears on her face. She leaves.
The relationship between Buffy and Giles has undergone colossal changes. Giles has seen in her a person who isn’t indifferent to others’ grief. She has seen that he isn’t one to sit idly by when the Slayer risks her life. He was ready to go with her, there in the club. He’s ready to be on the front lines, despite the fact that his strength lies in his mind. His role is to provide competent guidance and develop action plans. But he truly worries for Buffy. He’s ready to watch her back, even without any special powers.
Xander remains leaning against the lower bookshelves. It seems he’s taken a hard blow below the belt from Buffy’s words. He sincerely wants to help, but no one sees him as someone truly capable of doing so.
It’s interesting that Buffy, Giles, and Willow seem to understand how Xander feels right now. But none of them has dared to support his eagerness to act. All three understand that not just anyone should go into a vampire lair expecting to succeed. The Slayer is one thing; an ordinary schoolboy is another.
Everyone knows that even Buffy shouldn’t go alone into a place where there may be many vampires. But she is the Slayer, she has special powers. And what about Xander? What power does he have, other than a big heart and the willingness to stand up for his friends even in the face of death?
Feet on the Ground
Buffy walks with a confident, quick stride across the school grounds, which turn out to be not so small after all. Students are loitering here and there across the campus, and the sun is shining brightly. Her black jumper and turquoise satin trousers fit her impeccably. Large sunglasses add an extra touch of charm.
Buffy approaches the open gates of the school fence — the sound of her footsteps on the concrete path is delightful. The sound of summer.
Principal. And where do we think we’re going? (Grasping the gate bar, right behind Buffy, who comes to an abrupt halt.)
Buffy. We? I. Me. (Pointing to herself with her finger, trying to think of something to say.)
Principal. We’re not leaving school grounds, are we?
Buffy. No. No (glancing around at the street as if she might find a clue there). I'm just admiring the fence, you know. This is quality fencework (placing her hand on the gate bar with an approving pat.)
Principal. Because if we were leaving school grounds on our second day at a new school after getting kicked out of our old school for delinquent behaviour… Do you see where I’m going with this? (A “sweet” smile appears on his face.)
Buffy. Mr. Giles. (Blurted out — the first thing that came to mind.)
Principal. What?
Buffy. He asked me to get a book for him. Uh, from the store. (Taking off her sunglasses, looking the principal straight in the eye with an “honest” gaze.) ’Cause I’ve got a free period, and I’m a big reader. Did it mention that on my transcripts? (Continuing to dig herself deeper into a hole of lies.)
Principal. Mr. Giles? (Crossing his arms over his stomach with a skeptical look.)
Buffy. Ask him. (An innocent expression on her face.)
Principal. Well, maybe that’s how they do things in Britain. (Closing the gate in front of her.) They’ve got that royal family and all kinds of problems, but here at Sunnydale (turning sharply to Buffy and raising his voice by an octave) nobody leaves campus while school’s in session. Are we clear?
Buffy. We’re… clear. (Smiling at the principal.)
Principal. That’s the Buffy Summers I want in my school. A sensible girl with her feet on the ground. (Switching to a cheerful tone, then heading off toward the school.)
Buffy lowers her gaze to her feet, as if following the principal’s last words. A moment later, she pushes off the ground and lands on the other side of the fence. Crouching after the landing in a stealthy pose, she glances around like a spy. Then she jumps up and dashes off to rescue Jesse.
Willow and Xander discuss the changes in their lives.
Xander and Willow are walking slowly down the noisy school hallway. Willow has an open A4-sized notebook in her hands. She’s reading out loud some terrible things, tracing the list in the notebook with her pencil.
Willow. Murder, death, disaster. What else?
Xander. Paranormal, unexplained… You got your natural disaster? (Willow nods her head.)
Willow. Earthquake, flood…
Xander. Rain of toads.
Willow. Right.
Xander. Rain of toads. (Throwing his hands up.) Do you think they have anything like that in the paper?
Willow. I’ll put it on the computer search. If it’s in there, it’ll turn up. (Looking up at Xander.) Anything that’ll lead us to vampires.
Xander. And, in the meantime, I’ll help by standing around like an idiot. (Feeling useless.)
Willow. Not like an idiot. (Looking Xander in the eyes.) Just standing. Buffy doesn’t want you getting hurt. I don’t want you getting hurt. (Love hidden behind a transparent veil in Willow’s eyes.)
They stop in front of a classroom door.
Xander. This is just too much. I mean, yesterday, my life is like, “uh-oh, pop-quiz”. Today it’s rain of toads.
Willow. I know. (Nodding understandingly.) And everyone else thinks it’s just a normal day.
Xander. Nobody knows. It’s like we’ve got this big secret. (Both look at the unsuspecting students walking down the hallway.)
Willow. We do. That’s what a secret is — when you know something the other guys don’t.
Xander. Right. (Clearly very nervous.) Like, maybe you should get to class. (Pointing at the door behind him.)
Willow. You mean we. We should get to class. (Realizing he wants to go after Jesse.)
Xander. Yeah. (Shrugging nervously.)
Willow. Buffy will be OK. Whatever’s going on there, I think she can handle it. (Trying to convince her friend not to risk his life.)
Xander. Yeah, I do, too. (With a lost expression on his face.)
Willow. So do I. (Looking at her worried friend with a concerned gaze.)
Xander looks away, his gaze nervous. The thought of what might be happening to Jesse doesn’t leave him. On top of that, he let Buffy go alone. He hasn’t realized yet that she’s very strong. To him, she’s still just a girl who’s now doing what he should be doing — saving Jesse.
Willow keeps looking at Xander, afraid that he’ll still go to rescue his friend. Willow’s known Xander since they were little kids and understands that he has no place in a vampire lair.
Angel
Buffy cautiously enters the crypt where she fought Luke. She creeps forward as stealthily as possible. The hinges of the entrance door haven’t been oiled in ages and they creak, while Buffy’s heels apparently don't belong firmly in the “ninja footwear” category. Straight ahead, behind a sarcophagus, there’s another door. It’s secured with a chain, and there’s a padlock on it. Buffy slowly approaches the locked door, glancing around. Somewhere nearby, a rat’s squeak can be heard. The atmosphere is pretty scary, considering what she saw here last night — luckily, it’s daytime now. She reaches for the chains but lets go, sensing she’s not alone in the crypt. Behind her stands the same guy from the alley who warned her about the Harvest and gave her the cross.
Buffy. I don’t suppose you’ve got a key on you. (She says without turning around.)
The guy from the alley. They really don’t like me dropping in. (With a slight smile on his face.)
The guy adjusts the cuffs on his pristine white shirt. He’s wearing a stylish jacket over it.
Buffy. Why not? (Turning around and putting her hands on her hips.)
The guy from the alley. They really don’t like me.
Buffy. How could that possibly be? (Pretending to be surprised.)
The guy from the alley. I knew you’d figure out this entryway sooner or later. Actually, I thought it was gonna be a little sooner. (Expressing mild disappointment theatrically, but softening it with a smile.)
Buffy. Sorry you had to wait. (Slightly irritated, then shifting to a friendlier tone.) OK, look — if you’re going to be popping up with this cryptic wise-man act on a regular basis, can you at least tell me your name?
The guy from the alley. Angel. (A lingering, easy smile on his face.)
Buffy. Angel… It’s a pretty name.
Buffy turns toward the locked door, making it clear the conversation is over — she needs to save Jesse. But Angel immediately steps closer, raising his right hand in a “wait” gesture.
Angel. Don’t go down there.
Buffy. Deal with my going. (Turning back to Angel.)
Angel. You shouldn’t be putting yourself at risk. Tonight is the Harvest. Unless you can prevent it… the Master walks. (He finishes in a chilling whisper.)
Buffy. Well, if this Harvest thing is such a suckfest, why don’t you stop it?
Angel. ’Cause I’m afraid. (With a smirk on his face.)
Buffy whirls away from him and kicks the door open, snapping the chains. Then, with a stony expression, she turns back to Angel — she seems disgusted by his cowardice. He keeps popping up with warnings and advice, wearing stylish clothes — but when things get dangerous, he’s not even ashamed to admit he’s scared, accompanying his confession of cowardice with a satisfied smile.
Angel. They’ll be expecting you.
Buffy. I’ve got a friend down there. (Taking a step toward Angel.) Or at least, a potential friend. Do you know what it’s like to have a friend? (Challenging him with a stare.)
The smile instantly vanishes from Angel’s face. He lowers his eyes, and his expression turns sad. It becomes clear that “friends” is a sore subject for him.
Buffy. That wasn’t supposed to be a stumper. (In an apologetic tone.)
Angel. When you hit the tunnels, head east toward the school. That’s where you are likely to find them.
Buffy. You gonna wish me luck? (In a light, friendly tone.)
But Angel just stares at her without saying a word. Buffy turns away in frustration and steps through the door. She pauses and carefully peers around the corner, then disappears from view.
Angel. Good luck. (In a whisper, but with sincerity on his face.)
An Unexpected Help
Buffy descends the reinforced-concrete steps into the stone basement. Under the staircase landing, two gas cylinders stand — that's the electrical tunnels' entrance after all. She walks cautiously along the smooth stone walls and turns left. An eerie silence surrounds her — who knows where the enemy might be lurking? She approaches a right-hand turn, carefully peeking around the corner. Then she turns back — and…
Xander. Do you see anything? (Making Buffy jump with surprise.)
Buffy. Xander, what are you doing here? (Through gritted teeth, irritated by his foolishness.)
Xander. Something stupid. I followed you.
Buffy. Look, you…
Xander. I couldn’t just sit at home and do nothing.
Buffy. I understand. (In a soft, understanding tone.) Now go away. (Suddenly switching to a stern, displeased tone.)
Xander. No. (Firmly, resolutely.)
Buffy. Xander, you’re gonna have to. (Switching to a caring, persuasive tone.)
Xander. Look, Jesse’s my bud, OK? If I can help him out, that’s what I got to do. (Calmly and confidently, looking Buffy in the eyes.)
Buffy gives in, realizing Xander is determined and won’t be talked out of it. She simply throws up her hands and nods for him to follow. Buffy heads into a tunnel dimly lit by electric lamps. Xander walks hunched over — it’s clear he’s afraid. But he keeps going to save his friend.
Xander. Besides, it’s this or Chem class.
After some time wandering through the tunnels, Xander learns about vampires’ weaknesses.
Xander. OK, so… crosses… garlic… stake through the heart.
Buffy. That’ll get it done.
Xander. Cool! Of course, I don’t actually have any of those things.
Buffy. Good thinking. (Handing him a wooden cross without turning around.)
Xander. Well, the part of my brain that would tell me to bring that stuff is still busy telling me not to come down here. I have… this, though. (Switching on a flashlight as he says this.)
Buffy. Turn that off. (Keeping her voice low, placing her hand on Xander’s flashlight. As if nobody hears them chatting.)
Xander. OK. OK. (Immediately switching off the flashlight.) So, what else?
Buffy. What else what? (Feeling the walls, which look covered with electrical cabels)
Xander. For vampire slayage.
Buffy. Oh, fire, beheading, sunlight, holy water, the usual. (As if it’s an ordinary conversation, not about fighting mythical creatures at all.)
Xander. You’ve done some beheading in your time? (He’s genuinely curious.)
Buffy. Oh, yeah. (Like a seasoned veteran.) There was this time I was pinned down by this guy that played left tackle for Varsity. Well, (turning to Xander) at least he used to before he was a vampire. Anyway, he had this really, really thick neck, and all I had was a little, little X-Acto knife… (Forcibly stopping short of the details, seeing Xander’s nervous laughter.) You’re not loving this story.
Xander. No, actually, I find it oddly comforting. (Buffy lifts her head, gazing at him and realizing it’s better not to talk about such things — not now, when Xander needs to gather his courage.)
Giles Learns Something Terrible
While Buffy and Xander are making their way through the tunnels, hoping to save Jesse, Giles isn’t wasting any time either. He’s surrounded himself with books in the library and is poring over everything related to the Harvest.
Giles. “For they will gather and be gathered… From the Vessel pours life.” Pours life. (He repeats thoughtfully and flips the page.)
This page features the same winged anthropomorphic demon with a sword. A man is sitting on a stone in front of him. Between the demon’s hand and the man’s hand, there’s something that looks like either a lightning bolt or some kind of energy. Giles continues reading:
Giles. “On the night of the crescent moon, the first part of the solstice, it will come.” Of course. That’s tonight. (Giles puts on his glasses, a look of concern on his face. Something terrible is going to happen tonight, and he realizes they don’t have much time to prevent it.)
In Computer Class
Quite intense battles between students and computer programming are unfolding in the computer class. Judging by the interface and command lines, they’re working in BASIC. For most people, even today a computer class is a complete nightmare. One can only guess how terrifying programming lessons in the 90s were for kids.
On one of the tables stand three computers, where Cordelia, her friend (a blonde girl), and some long-haired guy are sitting. Judging by how Cordelia speaks to the guy, he’s not one of the “losers”.
Willow, meanwhile, is alone. She’s sitting at a separate desk by the door, not taking part in the chatter of the aforementioned students.
Cordelia. No… It’s supposed to find the syntax and match it. (Turning to the long-haired guy.) Or, wait… (With an expression of complete confusion.)
Blonde. Are we going to the Bronze tonight? (Waiting for the “boss’s” decision.)
Cordelia. No, we’re going to the other cool place in Sunnydale. (Saying this with sarcasm, looking at the blonde.)
The blonde hangs on Cordelia’s every word with her mouth open. Her face shows confusion — what kind of other cool place is there in Sunnydale?
Cordelia. Of course, we’re going to the Bronze! Friday night? No cover? (Batting her eyelashes and giving her friend a “this is obvious” look.) But you should’ve been there last night. ’Cause I ran into Buffy, and could she be any weirder? (Willow turns her head slightly towards Cordelia, listening in.) She attacked me! Do you believe it?
But the blonde friend turns away and looks at her screen with a weary expression. She clearly doesn’t know how to accomplish the task.
Blonde. Uh, I think we did this part wrong.
Cordelia. Why do we have to devise these programs? Isn’t that what nerds are for? (Lowering her voice and glancing in Willow’s direction. The blonde nods in agreement.) What’d she do?
The friend glances at Willow’s screen — Willow is reading information about earthquakes.
Blonde. Uh, she’s doing something else. (With a nervous laugh.)
Cordelia. OK. And then “pattern run”, right? (Looking at her own monitor. The friend just shrugs — how would she know?) Or… “go to end”. That’s it. (Turning to the blonde with a triumphant smile.)
Blonde. Maybe. (Smiling at Cordelia, but then immediately glancing at her own work with fear.)
Cordelia. So, anyway, I come out of the bathroom, and she comes running at me, screaming with a stick. (Gesturing dramatically, mimicking the “crazy” Buffy.) “I’m gonna kill you! I’m gonna kill you!” I swear. (Willow hears Cordelia’s lie, but doesn’t turn around.)
Long-haired guy. Who? (Peeking from behind the computer, with a lively interest on his face — people always want to hear such nonsense.)
Cordelia. Buffy. (Pleased to have captured everyone’s attention with her story.)
Blonde. The new girl.
Long-haired guy. What’s her deal?
Cordelia. Well, she’s crazed.
Blonde. Did you hear about her old school? (Cordelia and the long-haired guy shake their heads no.) Booted.
Cordelia. Well, I exhibit no surprise.
Long-haired guy. Why was she kicked out?
Cordelia. Uh, because she’s a psycho loony. (Showing the axiomatic with her face expression).
Willow. No, she’s not. (Quietly, continuing to look at her screen.)
Cordelia. What? (All three are surprised by the Willow’s interruption.)
Willow. She’s not a psycho. You don’t even know her. (Turning to face the trio.)
The blonde and the long-haired guy look at their leader, waiting. They don’t dare say anything themselves — Cordelia decides what needs to be said in such situations.
Cordelia. Excuse me? Who gave you permission to exist? Do I horn in on your private discussions? No. Why? Because you’re boring. (This earns her satisfied smiles from her henchmen.)
Willow humbly lowers her gaze and gets up from the computer. One must give her credit for her courage. She’s unable to defend herself, but she stands up for Buffy, knowing what will follow.
Blonde. OK. I think the program’s done.
Cordelia. Finally, the nightmare ends! OK, so how do we save it?
Willow. “Deliver”. (Throwing a concrete “life ring” before leaving the class.)
Cordelia. “Deliver”? Where’s that? Oh. (Happily pressing the Delete key.)
The entire file Cordelia had been laboring over the whole lesson gets deleted. An expression of horror slowly appears on Cordelia’s face. What she feels at this moment will be understood by anyone who has gone to school or is still going.
The link to the Part 2 https://dzen.ru/a/aeB-3F8sZwAYTJFS