(Cut to Buffy's room. Buffy is pacing. Willow lies on the bed while Dawn sits on the floor, leaning against the bed.)

BUFFY: I don't get what he's thinking. Why isn't he worried?

WILLOW: Maybe he thinks his body can handle it. He *is* in really good shape.

BUFFY: Nobody's body can handle a heart attack.

WILLOW: I know. I'm sorry, Buffy. I'm trying too hard to make it okay.

BUFFY: (sighs) I just keep coming back to the Initiative.

WILLOW: It does have that icky government feel to it.

DAWN: Did you know that one time the CIA tried to kill Fidel Castro with poisonous aspirin?

BUFFY: Dawn, please. I know I have to do something, I just don't know what.

DAWN: Another time the CIA-

BUFFY: Dawn!

DAWN: It's important.

(Buffy looks annoyed but nods.)

DAWN: (quickly) Tried to make Castro go crazy by putting itching powder in his beard. (Buffy raises her eyebrows accusingly) It's about the government!

WILLOW: Call the Initiative. If they know what's wrong with him, they have to help.

BUFFY: Yeah, but call them how? First of all, they don't exist any more, and secondly, they never *claimed* to exist in the first place. It's so unfair. I mean, i-it's like Big Brother can spy on you all the time, and-and the second I have something to say, no one will listen!

DAWN: (muttering) Sounds more like Big Sister.

WILLOW: There has to be a way.

BUFFY: Like what? Take a tour of the White House and pretend to get lost, and look for some door with a sign on it that says "Secret Government Monster Hunters"?

DAWN: If they're really spying on you all the time, you just say something so you know they'll hear you. Like sometimes, I write fake things in my diary in case... (trails off)

BUFFY: I gotta go. Uh, see you guys later.

(She grabs her bag and leaves. Dawn looks over at Willow.)

DAWN: What'd I say?

(Cut to Buffy entering Riley's room. We see a punching bag in the foreground. It's dark. )

BUFFY: Riley?

(No one's there. Buffy walks in, closing the door behind her. She picks up the phone and puts it to her ear. We hear a dial tone, alternating with clicking noises. )

BUFFY: (into phone) Riley's in trouble. He needs help.

(She hangs up. )

• Buffy & Dawn
• Buffy & Riley

written by: Rebecca Kirshner; Transcribed by Joan the English Chick (pisces@englishchick.com).. Full transcript at:
http://www.studiesinwords.de/82outofmymind.html