GILES: What do you want?

(Spike rummages through Giles' fridge)

SPIKE: Ah.

(he takes out a transfusion blood bag)

SPIKE: Knew I left one. Buffy around?

GILES: Why?

SPIKE: I need to speak to the lady of the house. Hey, be a pet and give her a message for me, would you? Tell her I just might have something she just might want.

GILES: And what might that "something" be?

SPIKE: Information. Highly classified. Not cheap word-on-the-street prattle either. I'm talking about the good stuff now.

GILES: Thrill me.

SPIKE: (sighs) It's nothing I know. What, you think I'd come running over saying "I've got a secret, beat me till I talk?" There's files in the Initiative. I'm pretty sure I know where.

GILES: Files?

SPIKE: Yeah. Secrets. Mission statements. Design schematics. All of Maggie Walsh's dirty laundry, which I guess would include lots of tidbits about--

GILES: Adam.

SPIKE: Well, yeah. Say someone were to risk his life and limb --well, limb anyway-- to obtain said files. It might be worth a little something.

GILES: A-at . . this point a cynical person might think that you're offering just what we need when we need it most.

SPIKE: That person'd be right, Rupert. Supply and demand. And it won't be cheap this time.

GILES: What do you want?

SPIKE: Hmm, year supply of blood, guaranteed protection, merry bushels of cash, and, most important . . . a guarantee that I'm not to be in anyway slain.

GILES: Done.

SPIKE: With a smile and a nod from you? Sorry. Not close to good enough. This deal's with the Slayer.

GILES: I'll tell her.

SPIKE: Oh, you'll tell her! Great comfort that. What makes you think she'll listen to you?

GILES: Because . . . (trails off, unsure)

SPIKE: Very convincing.

GILES: I'm her Watcher.

SPIKE: I think you're neglecting the past-tense there, Rupert. Besides, she barely listened to you when you were in charge. I've seen the way she treats you.

GILES: Oh, yes? And how's that?

SPIKE: Very much like a retired librarian.

(Giles doesn't say anything and continues to pour himself a drink)

SPIKE: Look, I've got what she wants as long as she has what I want.

(He walks out of the kitchen and heads for the door. As he passes Giles-- )

SPIKE: Spread the word. She knows where to find me.

GILES: (softly) I'll think about it.

(We hear the front door close and Giles brings the glass to his lips. )

• Buffy & Giles
• Giles' mid-life crisis

written by: Douglas Petrie; Transcribed by Joseph B. Full transcript at:
http://www.studiesinwords.de/76theyokofactor.html