Mr. Magic: Mr. Magic
by Dena Karson
The characters in this story belong to Joss Whedon and the concept is his creation, but this script is my work and mine alone. Any characters I have introduced and further info about current characters belongs to yours truly. I have not mooched ideas from anyone and I do not want anyone to mooch ideas from me. Any questions or comments should be sent to me via e-mail. I love getting comments/criticism (helps me to grow as a writer), so let me know what you think.
Additional Notes: You should read 'Delilah,' 'Mirror, Mirror,' and 'Who Am I?' before this to understand who Delilah is. Also, there's more in here about the Turning Point, and I assure you that story will be coming after the next episode (Promise! I've already started it.) This particular story is mostly stuff about the Turning Point and Delilah and her powers. Other than that, it is a little shady in places cause I kind of got sick of it as I went along.
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(Scene opens with a teenage guy in his bedroom. He is chanting phrases from spells, concentrating on a rock sitting in the middle of the room. Suddenly the rock rises in the air, floating for a moment. He opens his eyes and stares at it satisfactorily, then says a few more phrases and the rock implodes. Scene switches to outside in the middle of the street, where Buffy is hunting for vampires.)
BUFFY (goading quietly)
Come out, come out wherever you are! (Looks around.) Come on, you bloodsuckers, it's just me: a poor, defenseless little girl. (Stops and rolls her eyes.) This stupid Turning Point has made life so boring.
(Suddenly a beam of light flashes from a second story window of one of the houses on the street. Buffy jumps back in surprise, her eyes wide.)
BUFFY
On the other hand...
(She looks up to where the light came from. Flashes of colored light continue to come from the window. Scene switches to the next day at school. Buffy, Giles, Xander and Willow are in the library, and Buffy is telling them about what she saw the night before.)
BUFFY
I'm telling you, it was whacked. I'm standing there and all of a sudden I see these psychedelic lights coming out of this house.
XANDER
Maybe the people who live are big on disco and have a strobe light or something.
BUFFY (shaking her head)
No, it was definitely not your run-of-the-mill 100 watt bulb.
GILES
So you believe it was something of the paranormal kind?
BUFFY
Definitely.
XANDER
So whose house was it?
BUFFY (shrugging)
Don't know. I got the address, though.
GILES (turning to Willow)
Do you suppose you could search city records and find out who lives there?
WILLOW (jumping up to work on the computer)
Sure. What was the address?
BUFFY
404 Lycott Street.
(Willow types it on the computer and has the answer within seconds.)
WILLOW
Here it is. It belongs to Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Watkins.
GILES
Do they have any children?
WILLOW (typing a little more)
A son. Nathan Watkins, a student at Sunnydale High...
XANDER
Yeah, I know him. He's in our Physics class.
BUFFY
So you think he's our suspect?
XANDER
Doubtful. Real quiet guy. Likes to study, that sort of thing. Not the flashy, light-emitting type.
GILES (suddenly remembering something and becoming upset)
Oh dear.
BUFFY
What?
GILES
Well, Mr. Watkins came in here about two weeks ago looking for a book on curses and spells. He had said he was just doing a report, so I really didn't think about it too much...
BUFFY (incredulous)
You gave him a book of spells? Way to have a major lapse in judgment!
GILES
I didn't think he'd be able to cast any; it takes a brilliant mind just to decipher them.
XANDER
He is Mr. IQ himself.
GILES
But that doesn't explain how he managed to harness that type of power in such a short time. It makes no sense...
BUFFY
Okay, bottom line this for us. What's the worse he could do?
GILES
Considering his present grasp on the spells, I'm not sure there is much he cannot do.
BUFFY (tortured by what she is saying)
As much as I hate suggesting this, do you think we should consult Delilah?
GILES
That would be the best course of action. Do you think she's back in town?
BUFFY
I know where you can find out.
(Scene switches to Angel's apartment, where the phone is ringing. Angel walks in the door and picks it up, waiting for the person on the other end to speak.)
ANGEL (recognizing the voice)
Giles. What is it? (Pauses while Giles is talking.) I don't know yet. But I'll let her know you're looking for her. (Hangs up the phone.)
(Scene switches to the Bronze that night. Delilah is standing in the shadows, apparently trying to hide. Angel walks in and immediately knows where she is. He walks toward her, she knows he is there but doesn't turn around.)
ANGEL
Delilah.
DELILAH (still not turning around)
How did you know I was back in town?
ANGEL
Lucky guess. I came here for a reason.
DELILAH (turning to face him)
I was hoping you had an excuse.
ANGEL
Giles wants to see you. They need your help.
DELILAH (sighing)
Doesn't someone always?
ANGEL
If you don't want to be bothered why do you stay?
DELILAH (shrugging)
Where else do I have to go?
(Scene switches to the same night. Buffy, Giles, Xander, and Willow are waiting around in the library, hoping Delilah will show up.)
XANDER
You know, I don't get it. What is it that Delilah does that keeps her so busy we have to wait around for her to show up?
BUFFY
Good question. It's not like she has a job flipping burgers or something.
GILES
I would have to imagine that she's quite bored now. She spent two hundred years preparing revenge and now that she has been vindicated I don't think she's got much of a purpose any longer.
(While they were speaking, Delilah had entered the room.)
DELILAH You're right.
GILES (sorry that they were discussing her behind her back)
Delilah, we were just -
DELILAH Wondering what I'm doing now that I've fulfilled my destiny. Truthfully, I'm not quite sure what to do with myself lately. Except maybe help you guys out, prepare for the Turning Point, that sort of thing. So what's your current problem?
GILES
I take it you got Angel's message.
DELILAH (nodding)
He said you wanted to talk to me.
GILES
Yes. (Looking at Buffy to explain.) Buffy?
BUFFY
Last night I was out hunting and I saw these flashes of light coming from a window in a house. Turns out it is a guy from our school named Nathan Watkins who got a book of spells from Giles. We think he's practicing for something, but we don't know what.
DELILAH (sitting down)
You said he's using spells from a book he got here. How long has he been doing this?
GILES
He only got the book about two weeks ago, so only about that long.
DELILAH (taking in the information and then looking at Buffy)
Describe the lights you saw.
BUFFY (unsure of what to say)
Well, they were scattered everywhere and all different colors. It would actually have been kind of pretty if one of them hadn't nearly iced me.
DELILAH (shaking her head)
It wouldn't have hurt you anyway.
XANDER
So you know something about this?
DELILAH Yeah. It's not good.
BUFFY
'Not good' like just a little bit bad or 'not good' like an apocalypse?
DELILAH Somewhere in between.
BUFFY (smiling)
Oh, wonderful.
WILLOW
So what is it?
DELILAH Well, he's definitely using the spells in the book you gave him, but there's more to it than that. It sounds like he's got the gift.
GILES
The gift?
DELILAH Most witches acquire their power through the spells they cast. Occasionally, and we're talking like once in a blue moon, a person is born with that kind of talent. Usually it's harnessed by a sorcerer who guides their apprentice, kind of how the Watcher guides the Slayer.
BUFFY
And what if there's no sorcerer around?
DELILAH Then one of two things happen. One, the person never develops their powers, which is pretty much the norm. But once and awhile the person's powers are so great that they become out of control.
XANDER
So you think that's what's going on with Nathan?
DELILAH (nodding)
Although I'd have to meet him to be positive, I'd say it's your safest bet. That books of spells he has, he's using it to practice, to get a feel for his gift.
BUFFY
But why did you say that the lights wouldn't have hurt me?
DELILAH Because of the chaos you described. He's not strong enough. Right now this Nathan is playing, and apparently he's not doing a very good job. Normal people who cast spells are in complete control, probably because they have to concentrate so hard to make it happen. But naturally talented people are like children left alone in a candy store.
(Suddenly Ms. Calendar walks in.)
MS. CALENDAR
I thought I heard voices in here. (Looks at Delilah.) Who are you?
(Delilah looks at all of them, unsure how to answer. She makes a pointed look at Giles.)
GILES (stumbling)
Delilah is a, uh, new student here.
MS. CALENDAR (raising an eyebrow)
Oh, really? What, you come in at nine o'clock at night to catch up?
XANDER (smiling, trying to cover up)
She's very dedicated.
MS. CALENDAR (staring at Delilah)
Oh, my God. What are you, a vampire?
DELILAH No. A witch.
MS. CALENDAR
Hexed?
DELILAH (a little surprised)
Yeah. How did you know?
MS. CALENDAR
You have no aura, and since only non-living things don't...
DELILAH (smiling)
You're a... techno-pagan is the term, I believe.
MS. CALENDAR
You know that just by looking at me? Fascinating.
GILES (interrupting)
Excuse me. Ms. Calendar, why are you here?
MS. CALENDAR
Gee, what a warm reception.
GILES
I'm sorry, but we have a bit of a problem.
MS. CALENDAR
Well, maybe I can help.
BUFFY
She's right, Giles. Fill her in.
GILES (rolling his eyes)
There's a young man in this school by the name of Nathan Watkins with seemingly natural powers of magic. Apparently he's been testing his abilities and the limits of his ability.
MS. CALENDAR
Okay, what now?
GILES
Well, that's where we were when you walked in: trying to figure out what he is going to do with his powers.
DELILAH There's not much he can do right now; he's still too weak. All the same, the magic can be somewhat unpredictable.
MS. CALENDAR (picking up on it immediately)
It will take on a life of its own until it's host knows how to control it.
DELILAH Right.
XANDER
Oh, goody. Magic-boy running around the hallways like a madman.
WILLOW
So what can we do?
DELILAH Not much, really, unless someone is up for nuking him.
GILES
I was hoping for that as a last resort.
MS. CALENDAR
Could I make a suggestion?
BUFFY
By all means.
MS. CALENDAR
I think a containment spell would work.
DELILAH (recognizing it)
Ah. Trap his powers.
MS. CALENDAR
Yup.
BUFFY
Okay, so Delilah, you can do that no problem, right?
MS. CALENDAR
It's not as easy as it sounds.
GILES
How so?
DELILAH The person who casts the spell has to be in the presence of the castee every day, and since I'm not around that much...
GILES
All right, then Ms. Calendar can do it.
DELILAH That's not such a good idea either.
BUFFY (caustically)
Gosh, you're just so cooperative, aren't you?
GILES
Why can't she do it?
MS. CALENDAR
Because the person who casts the containment spell has to take on the powers that they have suppressed. See, magic is like energy, ebbs and flows like electrical current. And with electricity, there are sometimes power surges. Same thing happens with magic.
XANDER (talking to the whole group, gesturing to Ms. Calendar)
So if she did a containment on him, she'd get fried?
DELILAH More like obliterated.
WILLOW (shuddering)
Ew.
GILES (looking at Delilah)
So you could take on that kind of power?
DELILAH Of course. What, it's not like I'll die or something. Besides, I've got more power than he could ever hope for.
XANDER
So you're the only one who can do it, right?
DELILAH Yeah, but like I said, I'm not around enough.
BUFFY (smiling slyly)
I know a way you can be.
(Scene switches to the next day at school. Giles, Xander, and Willow are in the library. Buffy emerges from Giles's office.)
BUFFY
Okay, are you guys ready?
GILES
Yes, you had better get a move on.
BUFFY (gesturing to the doorway)
Ta-da!
(Delilah emerges from the room, dressed in a short black skirt and black tank top (note: she is not dressed trashy or anything, just very simple and alluring). She looks unsure of herself, as if she's uncomfortable in the outfit. Xander's jaw drops and Giles freezes.)
BUFFY (explaining, a bit indignant)
I did the best I could, considering the fact she hates skirts and refuses to wear anything but black.
DELILAH (giving her a look)
Hey, I never volunteered to pose as a student in this school. And I still don't know what was wrong with my regular clothes.
BUFFY
Sorry, but goth is not in.
GILES (ogling, to Delilah)
Are you sure you're, uh, warm enough in that outfit?
DELILAH (smirking at him)
I'm just fine, thanks.
WILLOW
Delilah? I broke into school records, forged a transcript for you, and got a class schedule. (She hands Delilah a piece of paper.)
BUFFY (handing Delilah a stack of books)
And you'll need these.
DELILAH (taking the books, reading the paper)
English Literature?
XANDER (jumping up, looking at her schedule)
Hey, you're in my class!
DELILAH (not looking thrilled)
Oh. Excitement.
XANDER (throwing his bookbag over his shoulder, looking at the books in her arms)
Do you want me to take you---uh, those for you? (Chuckles nervously.)
DELILAH (giving him a wary look)
Uh, no, that's all right. I can manage.
(They turn and start walking out of the library.)
XANDER
I'll help you catch up. We're still on Dickens.
DELILAH Charles? I met him once.
XANDER (incredulous)
You met him?
DELILAH Yeah. A real depressing guy. Kind of morbid, actually.
(They both exit the library doors, and Buffy turns around, her eyebrows raised.)
BUFFY
She's one to talk.
WILLOW
Do you think this is going to work?
BUFFY (shrugging)
Why wouldn't it?
GILES
As long as she keeps her own powers under wraps and manages to harness Mr. Watkin's, we should be all right.
WILLOW
I hope so.
BUFFY
Come on, what's the worst that could happen?
(Scene switches to outside in the hallway, where Delilah and Xander are walking to class. They walk past Cordelia and some of her friends.)
CORDELIA (looking at Delilah incredulously, speaking loud enough for Delilah to hear)
Look who just walked out of the crypt!
(Delilah turns around and glares at her. Suddenly Cordelia cannot breathe. She's clutching her throat and sinking to the floor, looking at Delilah in horror. As suddenly as it began, Cordelia can breathe again. Delilah smiles wickedly at her and she begins to walk away, Xander following her in amazement.)
XANDER (to Delilah)
Can you show me how to do that?
(Scene switches to the library, where Giles and Ms. Calendar are speaking.)
MS. CALENDAR
So has this Delilah cast the spell yet?
GILES
No, she has to wait until she has a class with him.
MS. CALENDAR
Do you really believe it's such a good idea to have a witch loose in school?
GILES
She's not as bad as one would think; after all, she has been a great help to us a few times and is informing us of the Turning Point as much as she can. Besides, it's either let her in or let this boy wander about experimenting.
MS. CALENDER I suppose.
GILES (moving a stack of books)
Have you found any information on sorcerers who take on apprentices?
MS. CALENDAR
As of yet, no. I've put out a call over the web, though. Should have a response within a couple days.
GILES
Well, we need to find one willing to take him under their wing. The last thing we need is a warlock running about.
MS. CALENDAR
He's not a warlock.
GILES
Not yet, but if he keeps practicing the spells---
MS. CALENDAR
No, smarty. A male witch is not a warlock. That's just a Scottish word meaning "oath breaker." At some point in time it was used to designate male witches, but at present it's not very P.C.
GILES (looking surprised)
Oh, really? Well, in that case, the last thing we need is a male witch running around school.
(The scene ends with her giving him a look. The next scene is the hallway, with Xander and Delilah walking to their next class.)
XANDER
Okay, now we've got Physics. Nathan's in that class.
DELILAH (nodding)
Good. I just need to be in the same room with him and then I can cast it.
XANDER
Uh, do you mind if I ask you a question?
DELILAH Sure, what's the worst I can do? Kill you? (She laughs.)
XANDER (looking a little uncomfortable, laughs along nervously)
Ha.
DELILAH Just a joke. Lighten up. What's your question?
(Cordelia walks up to them with Principal Snyder beside her.)
CORDELIA (pointing at Delilah)
That's her! That's the girl who attacked me!
DELILAH (looking completely innocent)
I never laid a hand on you.
XANDER
Yeah, it's true. I was there.
CORDELIA Yeah, well, (turning to Principal Snyder) she looked at me and all of a sudden I couldn't breathe.
PRINCIPAL SNYDER (looking strangely at Delilah)
Do you go here?
DELILAH Yup, just transferred.
PRINCIPAL SNYDER (still staring at her oddly)
I didn't hear anything about anyone transferring.
CORDELIA (upset)
Uh, hello! This girl attacked me! Aren't you going to do anything?! I mean, we can't have crazy people like her running around the school!
XANDER
But raving lunatics like you are perfectly all right.
PRINCIPAL SNYDER That's enough. (Looks at Delilah) You, come with me. (Starts walking away to his office.)
DELILAH (handing her books to Xander)
I'll handle this.
XANDER
How? You're not going to---
DELILAH (whispering in his ear)
I have my ways. Don't worry.
(Xander shrugs and turns back only to find that he's face to face with Cordelia.)
CORDELIA I should have figured you knew her. What is she, anyway? Some kind of witch or something?
XANDER (nervous, but blows it off)
What? Oh, come on, Cordelia. There's no such thing as witches.
CORDELIA (conceding)
You're right. But I can think of a word that rhymes with witch that describes your new friend perfectly.
XANDER
Now, now, Cordelia. People who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones.
(Xander walks away from Cordelia, leaving her confused and upset. The next scene opens in the library. Buffy, Giles, Ms. Calendar, and Willow are sitting around.)
BUFFY (pacing)
Where are they?
MS. CALENDAR (checking her watch)
They'd better get here soon if we're going to swap info before Delilah cast the spell.
GILES
I'm sure Xander and her will be here shortly.
WILLOW
You don't think something happened, do you?
GILES
Of course not. I think Delilah has lived long enough to know how to stay out of trouble.
(Xander bursts into the room.)
XANDER
We've got a problem.
GILES
Oh, God. What did she do?
XANDER
Other than trying to kill Cordelia, nothing really.
MS. CALENDAR
She tried to kill Cordelia?
BUFFY
Do you blame her?
XANDER (answering Ms. Calendar's question)
Yeah, and then Snyder dragged her away.
WILLOW (incredulous)
She's in the principal's office?!
XANDER
Yup. She said she'd take care of it, though.
GILES (under his breath)
I'm sure she will.
BUFFY (throwing her arms up in the air)
So what are we going to do now?
MS. CALENDAR
Hey, we'll get it all worked out. She can put the spell on him tomorrow if needs be.
BUFFY
Nathan's powers are growing like weeds, okay? Tomorrow might be too late.
MS. CALENDAR
Then I'll contain his powers until she can take over.
GILES
No, it's too dangerous.
MS. CALENDAR
Since when has that stopped you from doing something?
(Delilah bursts into the library.)
DELILAH (breathless)
Sorry about that.
GILES (angry)
Do you realize what you have done? Our whole mission is compromised now because of your lack of self-restraint.
DELILAH Chill, okay? I took care of it. Snyder thinks I'm just a regular student and Cordelia is your basic whiner.
BUFFY
That's nothing new.
DELILAH Look, I just came here to cram before the exam. Anything specific I should know?
MS. CALENDAR (pulling out some papers)
Not much, except this. You've got to cloak your identity so that he doesn't realize that it's you taking away his powers. If you don't, it could get ugly.
DELILAH Got it. Anything else?
MS. CALENDAR
Be careful. This isn't a spell you're used to, especially with humans. Your powers combined with his are phenomenal. If the containment collapses, it could kill him.
DELILAH (nodding)
I understand: his life comes first.
GILES
Yes. We'd prefer if you don't "nuke him."
DELILAH (smirking)
I'll try to remember that.
BUFFY
Well, that's all then. We ready for physics?
XANDER
As ready as we'll ever be.
(Buffy, Delilah, Xander, and Willow get up to leave. They are halfway to the door when Giles calls out to them.)
GILES
Behave yourselves, please.
BUFFY (turning around, sarcastically)
Yes, Dad.
(They exit. The next scene opens in the physics class. Buffy, Delilah, Xander, and Willow are all seated, waiting for Nathan to show up.)
WILLOW (worried)
Maybe he's not here today.
XANDER
What, are you kidding? The guy has better attendance than Giles.
DELILAH (distracted from them)
That's him.
BUFFY (following Delilah's line of vision to the doorway)
Yeah, it is. How did you know?
DELILAH One always recognizes their own kind.
(Nathan takes a seat directly in front of Delilah. The class begins, and Buffy leans over to Delilah.)
BUFFY (whispering)
Okay, girl. Do your stuff.
(Delilah raises her hands out in front of her, concentrating. Nathan shudders for a moment, but then returns to what he is doing. Delilah concentrates harder, her hands shaking. Finally she is finished, Nathan unaware of what just happened. Delilah smiles satisfactorily. Next scene begins in the hallway after class. Buffy, Delilah, Xander, and Willow walk out of the doorway.)
XANDER (in amazement)
That's it? You just put your hands out and it's done?
DELILAH It's a little more complicated than that.
BUFFY
At least the spell has been cast.
WILLOW
Now what?
BUFFY
We consult Ms. Calendar and find out what to do next.
(The next scene is in the library. Ms. Calendar bursts in holding a sheet of paper.)
MS. CALENDAR (calling out to Giles)
Oh, Giles!
GILES (coming out of his office)
What?
MS. CALENDAR (handing him a piece of paper)
Found a sorcerer in Montreal, Canada. He's on his way to Sunnydale as we speak.
GILES (reading)
He seems quite qualified to take on Nathan. Good work.
MS. CALENDAR (smiling)
Thanks, Giles. You're sure in a better mood.
GILES
Well, I've tried to look on the bright side; at least they're no vampires involved in this.
MS. CALENDAR (sarcastically)
No, just witches and sorcerers. Much more normal, huh?
(Buffy, Delilah, Xander, and Willow all enter the library.)
GILES
Did you do it?
DELILAH Piece of cake.
BUFFY
Yup. Nathan's bagged up and ready to go. Did you find a sorcerer yet?
GILES
He should be here soon.
XANDER
So we just hand him over to a complete stranger?
MS. CALENDAR
No, not really. This guy has excellent qualifications, so he's not really dangerous or anything. Besides, he'll stay here in town so that Nathan can keep living his life as if nothing has happened.
WILLOW (after a pause)
So what now?
BUFFY
We wait.
(The next scene begins that night. The same group is sitting around the library.)
XANDER (to Ms. Calendar)
What will the sorcerer do once he gets here?
MS. CALENDAR
The sorcerer puts his own containment field on Nathan, which will automatically lift Delilah's. Than as he trains his new apprentice, the field is lifted slowly.
(Suddenly Delilah shudders.)
GILES
What happened?
DELILAH (confused)
I don't know. Something's up. He's at the cemetery, trying to...raise vampires? (She's in amazement at what she just said.)
BUFFY
But he can't, right? I mean, you took away his powers.
DELILAH Yeah, the ones he already had. This kid's smart. He's casting spells. Someone is telling him to.
WILLOW
Someone who?
DELILAH (shaking her head)
I don't know. (Taken aback, suddenly aware.) A vampire.
GILES
But they're hiding out, waiting for the Turning Point.
DELILAH This one isn't. She's no ordinary vampire. She wants to defy prophecy and... (Delilah chuckles, realizing what is happening.) She wants to take the Master's place. Nathan is her key to ultimate power.
MS. CALENDAR (to Giles)
And you thought you were rid of the undead.
BUFFY
We have to get over there and stop this.
XANDER
And how do you plan on doing that?
BUFFY (shrugging)
I'm the Slayer, she's a vampire. I may be little out of practice, but I think I can deal.
WILLOW
What about Nathan?
BUFFY
I can handle him, too. (Walks to exit.)
GILES
Correction, we. You're not going alone. I'm coming with you. (Following.)
MS. CALENDAR (jumping up)
So am I. (Following.)
DELILAH Me, too. (Following.)
WILLOW
Don't leave me out. (Following.)
XANDER (pauses, watching them all leave, then shrugs)
I guess no one wants to hear what a terrifically bad idea this is. Oh, well. (Runs after them.)
(The whole group is walking towards the cemetery. Just before they reach it, Buffy stops dead. The rest of them halt quickly behind her.)
BUFFY (whispering)
Angel.
ANGEL (walking out of the shadows)
Something's going down.
GILES
We know. We're on our way there.
ANGEL (to Buffy)
I was just about to come and get you.
BUFFY (to Angel)
You know the whole story?
ANGEL
Only that a vampire has risen to take over the Master's place and she's using some boy to get it.
BUFFY
That's about where we are.
MS. CALENDAR
Hate to be the bearer of bad news, but we're kind of pressed for time here.
BUFFY
Right. Come on.
(They continue walking until the gates of the cemetery. They all pass through them, but Delilah lags behind, still on the sidewalk.)
BUFFY (turning to her)
Come on.
DELILAH (wary)
I can't.
GILES
Why not?
ANGEL (understandingly)
Hallowed ground.
WILLOW
Huh?
DELILAH (watching the cemetery ground warily)
I can't set foot on hallowed ground.
XANDER
What would happen?
DELILAH (still agitated)
Suffice it to say it would not be good.
MS. CALENDAR (tapping her watch)
Uh, hello?
GILES
Yes, right. (To Delilah.) So you're not coming?
DELILAH (shaking her head)
No. But I won't be far.
(The others continue on, with Buffy out in front.)
GILES
Buffy, would you please slow down?
BUFFY (stopping abruptly, smirking)
I thought since we headed to Armageddon I'd try to make good time.
MS. CALENDAR
She's right, Giles. Time is of the essence.
GILES
One should not rush into these things. There is planning, strategy involved...
BUFFY
Seeing as though nothing ever goes according to plan, I think we should just scrap that idea and save our time and energy. (Starts walking again.)
GILES (rushing in front of her, stopping Buffy)
This is no ordinary vampire. If she has the power to rise and control Nathan, who knows what else she can do.
ANGEL
He's right Buffy.
MS. CALENDAR
Wait a minute. You just said the vampires are rising again, right?
GILES (confused)
Well, yes. If she can, then I suppose others will as well. Why?
MS. CALENDAR (hitting herself on the forehead)
I can't believe we didn't figure this out sooner! (Looking at Giles.) That stuff I downloaded from the Net...
GILES (remembering, quoting)
'And after the hiatus, they will ascend to the Earth to...' (Stopping in shock and fear.)
MS. CALENDAR (finishing for Giles)
'...bring forth the point from which a great change will occur.'
GILES (looking grave)
Oh, dear.
WILLOW
Why doesn't that sound good?
GILES
All this time...I didn't think it would be so soon. I figured we would have more time to prepare.
BUFFY
It's the Turning Point, isn't it?
GILES
I'm afraid so.
BUFFY
Great. You tell me all there is to know about demons but you left all the necessary info out.
XANDER (laughing nervously)
But you can handle this, right? I mean, you stopped the Master from taking over the world, so this should be a piece of cake.
GILES
Unfortunately, I don't think Buffy can handle this on her own. (To himself, angrily.) I wish we had more information on this!
BUFFY
You mean even you don't have the whole story?
GILES (slightly ashamed)
No.
BUFFY (throwing her arms up in the air)
So basically I'm flying blind into the center of a hurricane?
MS. CALENDAR (getting an idea)
Maybe you won't have to. (They all look at her.) I'll go back to the school and try to piece all this together, all right? If I find anything out (Fishes a cellular phone out of her bag.) I'll call you, okay?
GILES
Yes, that will help. (Looking at the others.) Angel, we need you here. Willow, Xander; go with Ms. Calendar. (The two nod.)
MS. CALENDAR (looking at Xander and Willow)
Come on, kids. We've got work to do.
GILES (as they are running away, shouting)
And see if you can find Delilah and tell her what is going on!
BUFFY
So what now?
GILES
We find Nathan and try to get him away from there before it's too late.
(Scene changes to the library, where Ms. Calendar, Xander, and Willow have just burst in the door.)
MS. CALENDAR
Willow, the computer. Xander, you help me look through these books.
XANDER
What are we looking for, specifically?
MS. CALENDAR
Anything about the crossover between the demon world and ours, the vampires re-ascending, the new Master...even the end of our world as we know it.
(Willow and Xander exchange a wary look. The next scene is the cemetery. Angel, Buffy, and Giles are walking through gravestones, trying to find where Nathan is.)
BUFFY
If and when we find Nathan, what are we supposed to do with him? I mean, he has his powers back, right?
GILES
The power he has right now is not his own; he's getting it from the spells he casts. You really can't do anything with him; anything civil, anyway.
BUFFY
We could always resort to Delilah's idea.
ANGEL
Which was?
BUFFY
Nuking him.
GILES
Much as I hate to say it, that may be your only option.
BUFFY (taken aback)
Wait a minute. You're actually promoting death and destruction?
GILES
No, of course not. But I'm just saying that if you eliminate one of the variables, the equation becomes much simpler.
BUFFY (not comprehending)
Sorry Giles, I flunked math.
ANGEL (explaining in simpler terms)
By getting rid of Nathan, you can concentrate on the vampires.
BUFFY (smiling grimly)
There's a bright side to everything.
(Scene changes to back at the library. Willow is sitting at the computer.)
WILLOW (biting her lip)
Uh, I think I found something.
MS. CALENDAR (jumping up, reading the computer screen, confused)
What?!
(Scene changes again to the cemetery. Buffy and Angel are behind one headstone; Giles is behind another nearby. They are watching Nathan, who is chanting from a book. Facing him is a female vampire.)
ANGEL (warily)
I don't like this.
BUFFY
I didn't expect you to.
ANGEL
No, something isn't right.
GILES (whispering loudly)
He's correct. There should be more here.
BUFFY
Let's just concentrate on her for now.
(Buffy gets up from behind the tombstone. Immediately the female vampire sees her and smiles.)
FEMALE VAMPIRE I've been waiting for you. I didn't think you'd show.
BUFFY
Really? Well I'm here now.
FEMALE VAMPIRE So what are you waiting for?
(She and Buffy fight, and Buffy quickly wins and stakes her. Angel and Giles are soon behind Buffy, looking at the dust where the vampire once stood.)
BUFFY
That was too easy.
ANGEL
You're right.
GILES
Perhaps the prophecy was wrong.
ANGEL
No. It can't be.
BUFFY
Well, at least there's one less vampire around.
GILES
Yes, that is a positive.
BUFFY (gesturing to Nathan, who is still sitting and chanting)
So what do we do with him?
GILES
Wait until the sorcerer Ms. Calendar found arrives, I suppose.
(Suddenly the cellular phone Ms. Calendar gave to Giles rings.)
GILES (handling it oddly, like he doesn't know what he is doing)
Uh, hello? (Pauses while the other person is speaking.) Oh, dear. Yes, thank you. We'll be right there. (Hangs up.)
BUFFY
That can't be good.
GILES
I'm afraid it's not. We have to get back to the school.
(The scene ends, the next scene begins with Buffy and Giles entering the library.)
WILLOW
Where's Angel?
BUFFY
He went to find Delilah and bring her back here.
MS. CALENDAR
What about Nathan?
GILES
That sorcerer of yours showed up and carted him off.
MS. CALENDAR
Oh, good.
BUFFY
So explain why we're here.
MS. CALENDAR (pulling up a sheet of computer paper)
Willow found this on the Internet and printed it up.
(Giles takes the paper, reading silently to himself. His eyes widen as he finishes.)
GILES
My God.
XANDER
That sounds bad.
GILES
It is.
BUFFY
Bad how?
GILES
It appears tonight was not the Turning Point, but instead a sort of warm-up.
MS. CALENDAR
Yeah, the demons were kind of testing the waters before they try to take over.
GILES
They sent up the vampire that you, Buffy, killed as a kind of decoy to distract your attentions.
XANDER
>From what?
GILES
It doesn't say; just that the minions would send their weakest to test the Slayer.
BUFFY (to herself)
That explains why she was so easy to dust.
MS. CALENDAR
Well, unfortunately, your next trial won't be as simple. There's one more event before the final battle, the one you know as the Turning Point.
WILLOW
You mean there's more?
BUFFY
What kind of event are we talking about?
MS. CALENDAR
Don't know. All it says is, "And before the ascension of the demons and pivotal juncture, there will be a final test where the Slayer and her side of good will come face to face with their worst enemy. Only after this will the Turning Point come to pass."
XANDER (sarcastically)
Oh, that sounds great.
BUFFY
But what does it mean, 'coming face to face with our worst enemy?'
GILES
I'm not sure, but I have a feeling we'll soon find out.
(Fade out. Show ends.)
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