Episode 18 - The Grand Illusion
ACT FOUR
INT. THE CIRCUS TENT - DAY
where we see Buffy walking down a darkened hallway. Up in
front, we see a drawn red curtain.
ANGLE : THE RED CURTAIN
from Buffy's POV as we approach it.. slowly getting
closer and closer. We hear a muffled sound of someone
talking off in the distance. We draw open the curtains
to reveal..
ANGLE : RINGMASTER
his back turned to Buffy in the centre of the circus
ring. There is a spotlight trained on him so we only see
his harsh silhouette. Aside from the spotlight, all the
lights are out, so we cannot see the audience he is
addressing.
RINGMASTER
(to the audience)
Welcome, ladies and gentlemen, to our
final Act.
We hear an audience applauding and cheering.. clearly
enjoying the moment. The ringmaster bows. Buffy takes a
few steps into the circus ring but stays behind the
ringmaster, watching from a distance.
RINGMASTER
Observe if you will.. our protagonist.
With a grand flourish, the ringmaster sweeps his hand
back and points towards Buffy. The spotlight switches
focus to Buffy, blinding her.
RINGMASTER
(smiling)
Our hero.. as she steps into the light,
as heroes do, to face an unknown fate.
We hear murmurs from the audience. Buffy looks around but
cannot see anything in the dark.
RINGMASTER
Why don't we give her hand, ladies and
gentlemen?
Much applause. The spotlight shuts off and the main
lights power up, illuminating the circus tent interior.
Buffy looks around to see the "audience". Hundreds of
cardboard cut-outs of comically-drawn people with wildly
exaggerated emotions on their faces. From laughter, to
shock, to tears.. frozen emotions mocking Buffy. Applause
continues from the inanimate audience all around her.
BUFFY
Stop this!
The ringmaster raises both his hands in a subtle gesture.
The applause immediately cuts out. Deadly silence. Buffy
takes a nervous look around at all the faces staring down
on her before refocusing on the ringmaster.
BUFFY
Bring them back.
RINGMASTER
Who? Oh, you mean your friends? Your
sister? They're safe. Well, at least,
they will be.
BUFFY
Where are they?
RINGMASTER
All in good time.
BUFFY
(suddenly lunging at the
ringmaster)
You tell me now!
The emcee dissapears as Buffy grabs for him. He reappears
behind her. Buffy turns around and stares at him.
RINGMASTER
Obviously, all is not as it seems.
Buffy calms down. She watches the ringmaster keenly as he
paces around her.
RINGMASTER
What do you think has been happening
here? The dissapearances?
BUFFY
It's an illusion. Isn't that what
you're selling? This place? It isn't
real. Send us back to where we came
from now!
RINGMASTER
This place isn't real?
(a beat as he smiles)
Your life isn't real Buffy. That's your
illusion. If I send you back, you will be
nothing more than a character in
someone else's little play.
Buffy stares at the ringmaster, not comprehending what
he's saying. The ringmaster holds out an open hand.
RINGMASTER
It's the greatest trick of all you see?
The one you don't even realise is
happening.
A deck of cards magically appear in his hand. He starts
to expertly shuffle the cards, all the while never taking
his eyes off Buffy. He stops shuffling and shows the top
card to Buffy. The Queen of Hearts.
RINGMASTER
That must be you.
Buffy watches.. confused. The ringmaster replaces the
card and shuffles again.
RINGMASTER
This pretty life of yours. What if it's
all a lie?
He stops shuffling and shows the top card to Buffy. Queen
of Hearts. He replaces and shuffles.
RINGMASTER
What if your life is controlled by
someone else? Every little thought in
your head, every word you have spoken,
every memory you have cherished, every
tear you have shed.. What if none of
that was real?
He stops shuffling and shows the top card to Buffy. Queen
of Hearts. He replaces and shuffles.
RINGMASTER
What if they were simply given to you,
like a whispered lie?
BUFFY
It isn't true.
RINGMASTER
Of course it is Buffy.
BUFFY
No.
RINGMASTER
Don't resist me. I am a friend. The one
you should be afraid of is the one who
has created you. The one who controls
all.
He stops shuffling and shows the top card to Buffy. The
Joker. Buffy stares hard at the comical, maniacal jester
grinning at her. The ringmaster replaces the card and
shuffles.
RINGMASTER
You see, the Queen and her consorts
have never realised that their lives
have been controlled by the one. He who
is never seen..
He stops shuffling and shows the top card to Buffy. The
Joker. He replaces and shuffles. He shuffles quicker
now.. the tempo increasing.
RINGMASTER
He who is never remembered..
He stops shuffling and shows the top card to Buffy.
ANGLE ON : THE JOKER CARD
closer in on his eyes.. staring at Buffy.
The ringmaster replaces the cards and shuffles.
RINGMASTER
But he who is always there.
He stops shuffling and shows the top card to Buffy.
ANGLE ON : THE JOKER CARD
A tight close-up on his eyes.. mocking Buffy.
RINGMASTER
He is all powerful. An entity more
frightening than any demon you have
encountered. He is your creator. He is
your God. He is why I'm here.
BUFFY
Who are you?
RINGMASTER
I am here to save you.
BUFFY
Save me?
RINGMASTER
And others like you Buffy. Others he
has created.
Buffy thinks hard for a beat, wrestling with the
possibilities in her mind.
BUFFY
(with dread)
I'm not real?
A beat. Buffy waits breathlessly for a response.
RINGMASTER
No. But I can give you your freedom.
You see, your entire life under the
creator had been simply a play acted
out under his direction. I can offer you
a way out.
BUFFY
How are you going to do that?
RINGMASTER
Well, you see.. the deed had already
been done. That is why you're here.
We had prised you free from the creator's
hands and moved you away. Gave you a new
life.. a free life..
(look around)
here, in this place. Here, where we
thought you would be safe.
BUFFY
What? Sunnydale? This isn't Sunnydale.
RINGMASTER
True. This isn't the Sunnydale he
created, but an exact replica of it.
This was the new home we created for
you. Everything up to now, everything
you can remember is real. Those are
your thoughts. Your memories.
Everything that you have done here is
real. They are things.. actions you
have chosen to do.. free from his
control. In short, Buffy, you could
say that since you were moved here,
you have been alive.
BUFFY
You keep mentioning this past life I've
supposed to have had.. under this,
this..
RINGMASTER
Creator.
BUFFY
Yeah, that guy. If that's the case,
why..
RINGMASTER
..don't you remember anything about it?
Buffy nods.
RINGMASTER
When we brought you over, we felt it
was necessary to eliminate certain
memories of your previous life.
Memories of the storylines he had you
playing out for his amusement. We
wanted you to start here with a relatively
blank slate and let you take your life
where you lead it.
BUFFY
(to herself)
I don't believe this. God, this isn't
happening.
RINGMASTER
You have to believe Buffy. You have to
believe because he has found you. He is
destroying this world and is coming to
claim you back.
Buffy stares at the ringmaster, trying to take it all in.
She walks around, shaking her head.
BUFFY
Wait a minute. So this circus? That
whole act about illusions this morning?
You were like priming me?
RINGMASTER
We had to plant the idea in your head
that all may not be what it seemed. We
had to make you believe in the
possibility of the impossible.
BUFFY
And the dissapearances? Is that part of
your act?
RINGMASTER
No my dear. That is very much real.
Since he's found you, he has been
slowly strangling the life out of this
world. You see, once the tree dies,
its leaves will fall off one by one
until there is nothing left.
(a beat)
Everything here has stopped Buffy.
You have to come with me, for this
is a world with no more stories to
tell.
BUFFY
But..
RINGMASTER
Enough! There isn't time for any more
explanations. Don't you see? He hides
in the darkness that looms ever closer.
EXT. ROAD - DAY
where we see the black wall eating up the scenery, moving
closer to Sunnydale.
INT. THE CIRCUS TENT - DAY
RINGMASTER
Once it reaches here, he will claim you
and you will be lost forever. He will
place you back under his spell and you
will return to your former life, a mere
puppet in his troupe of performers. Oh,
he'll lie to you with another one of
his comfortable lies.. to explain away
this little detour in the story he has
laid out for you.
(smiling, then closing his
eyes)
I can even see it now.. the future he
has planned for you.
(a beat, then opening his
eyes and staring intently at
Buffy)
Life is all about choices Buffy. I
believe you will always make the right
one.
Buffy stares back at the ringmaster, not quite
understanding his meaning. We hear a distant booming
sound.
RINGMASTER
He comes closer. It is time Buffy. You
must decide. Do you believe?
Buffy looks shaky.. still reeling from the day's events.
BUFFY
Believe? How can I? You tell me my life
is what? A cheap novel?
(firmly)
That I'm not real?
Buffy then softens. She walks around, her head down..
looking conflicted. She looks back up to the ringmaster.
BUFFY
How can anything you've said be true?
The creator? Fake lives?
RINGMASTER
Well, if it isn't Buffy, it would mean
all this is indeed happening. It would
mean your friends are gone, your sister
is gone.. and you will never see them
ever again.
Buffy looks at the ringmaster with dread. An unthinkable
option.
RINGMASTER
Do you believe?
Buffy takes a beat, then..
BUFFY
What do I have to do?
The ringmaster smiles. He points a finger towards Buffy.
RINGMASTER
You have to give that to me.
Buffy looks down at the locket on the necklace around her
neck.
BUFFY
This?
RINGMASTER
We need it to bring you over to the
other side.
BUFFY
(playing idly with the
locket around her neck)
But.. why?
RINGMASTER
So I can destroy it.
BUFFY
(clutching the locket
protectively)
You wanna what? You're not destroying
this.
RINGMASTER
Your mind has to be cleansed before you
can cross over. Your locket is an
artefact left over from your past life
under the creator. By voluntarily
destroying it, it will show your
rejection of that world, of the reality
that had been created for you. Don't
you see? In his world, you would never
destroy the thing you hold most
precious.
BUFFY
(unsure)
So, if I give this to you.. you destroy
it.. and then we can cross over?
RINGMASTER
And then we can cross over.
BUFFY
And my friends? My sister?
RINGMASTER
Unfortunately, they have already been
claimed. But if you come over with me,
you can help me get them back.
Buffy thinks for a beat, then removes the necklace from
around her neck. She takes one last look at the locket in
the palm of her hand.
ANGLE : BUFFY
staring hard at the locket.
REVERSE ANGLE : THE LOCKET
in the palm of her hand. We slowly PUSH in on it.
RINGMASTER
Buffy.
Buffy snaps out of it.. looks back up to the ringmaster.
RINGMASTER
We don't have much time.
Buffy slowly starts to hand the locket over to the
ringmaster, who reaches out with his open hand. Buffy
suddenly stops her movement, then pulls back.
BUFFY
Wait.
RINGMASTER
(urgently)
Buffy. He is coming! You must hand it
over.
Buffy looks at the ringmaster suspiciously.
BUFFY
If all you needed to do was to destroy
my locket, why didn't you just zap it
over.. like you did this afternoon with
my watch?
RINGMASTER
I told you. It has to be your decision.
Only your acceptance of the truth can
break the spell.
BUFFY
No. I don't buy it. You're lying to me.
RINGMASTER
Please, Buffy. There isn't time..
EXT. BUFFY'S HOUSE - DAY
accompanied by a loud roar, we see the blackness eat up
the house and then continue on.. speeding towards town.
INT. THE CIRCUS TENT - DAY
BUFFY
Everything here is an illusion..
(looks down at the locket)
but this is real..
(back to the ringmaster)
isn't it? This is something you want,
something you need. I know it.
RINGMASTER
His power grows stronger.
(to Buffy)
Buffy, you have to fight this! He is
making you say these things.
BUFFY
(blocking the ringmaster
out)
But why this locket? Why?
EXT. MAGIC BOX - DAY
loud, deafening roar as the blackness consumes the Magic
Box.. speeding down the street.
INT. THE CIRCUS TENT - DAY
The two still at a standoff. The roar getting louder and
louder around them.
RINGMASTER
(looking up and around, as
if sensing danger)
He is near.
(urgently; reaching out with
his hand)
Buffy! Give me the locket. This is your
only chance.
Buffy still stares hard at the locket, trying to
concentrate. A sudden realisation. She looks back up to
the ringmaster.
BUFFY
Can you trust what you see?
RINGMASTER
What?
BUFFY
Isn't that what you said before? Well,
I don't trust what I see. I don't trust
you!
With those words.. we suddenly zoom in on Buffy's eyes..
then a white flash as Buffy remembers something. A quick
shot of the General. Flash. A shot of Christopher,
slumped in a corner.. handing something to Buffy.
We return back to normal as we see a stunned Buffy, still
recovering from seeing the images.
BUFFY
I remember.
RINGMASTER
Those are his lies. That is what he
wants you to believe! You're only
seeing them because he is gaining in
power as he comes closer.
(holds out his hand again)
Quickly! Before he reaches us!
EXT. PARK - DAY
a loud roar as we see the darkness consume the trees, the
grass. We WHIP PAN over to the right where we see the
circus tent in the middle as darkness surrounds it on
every side.. quickly closing in.
INT. THE CIRCUS TENT - DAY
RINGMASTER
This is your last chance Buffy. Once he
has claimed you, he will return you to
his play. He will lie to you and you
will believe him. You will not even
realise how close you came to freedom.
The roar becoming deafening in the tent now. Things
beginning to shake. Some of the cardboard audience
surrounding the ring falling down to the floor.
RINGMASTER
(his hand reaching out)
Buffy.. please.
EXT. CIRCUS - DAY
as we see the darkness closing in from all directions..
just about to consume the circus itself.
INT. THE CIRCUS TENT - DAY
The interior of the tent suddenly starts to darken. A
beat as Buffy stares at the ringmaster.
BUFFY
(staring hard at the
ringmaster)
No.
ANGLE : RINGMASTER
from Buffy's POV as darkness consumes the interior of the
tent.. consuming the ringmaster and everything around
Buffy.
Black. Nothing but black for a long beat.
Suddenly, in the darkness, we hear a lone hand clapping.
We slowly FADE UP.
ANGLE : THE GENERAL
standing now before Buffy, clapping. Behind him, we see
Sasha emerge to stand behind the General. To his left, we
see a small, faint floating figure.. Little friend. The
General finishes clapping, a smile upon his face.
THE GENERAL
Welcome back slayer. You've been gone
for so long.
ANGLE : BUFFY
looking disorientated and dizzy.. a little unsteady on
her feet. She looks down at her hand.
REVERSE ANGLE : HER CLOSED HAND
from her POV. She slowly opens it to reveal.. the Amulet
of Magas, at the end of a chain.
Buffy closes her eyes and allows herself a slight smile,
clutching the amulet ever tighter.
THE GENERAL
Well, well. You broke the spell.
Buffy looks back up at the General, placing the amulet
back around her neck.
THE GENERAL
(with a hint of menace in
his voice)
Good for you.
The General stares down Buffy for a beat, then turns his
attention to the wisp of light next to him.
THE GENERAL
(to Little Friend)
Your spell has failed. You may leave us
now. We have no more use for you.
Little friend responds by blinking, then dissapears. The
General turns slowly back to Buffy. He sees Tarwin
creeping slowly behind Buffy, his pole-axe in hand.
THE GENERAL
(pacing)
You know, we just couldn't decide on a
way to get the amulet back from you. I
mean, ever since your witch stole it
from us, you've been wearing that
amulet around that silly neck of
yours.. just challenging us to take it
from you.
(stops pacing)
I respect that by the way. I mean, it
guarantees your death, but I respect
the gesture nevertheless.
Buffy kinda rolls her eyes, then almost loses balance.
She looks very unstable. She looks up at the General.
REVERSE ANGLE : THE GENERAL
from Buffy's POV. Double-visiony for a beat, then slowly
refocusing.
THE GENERAL
(resumes pacing)
There were so many ways we could have
handled the situation. So many
possibilities. Then Sasha here
suggested we bring in some outside
help. I admit, when I first heard of
the plan to use a conjurer to get the
amulet back, I laughed. Didn't I Sasha?
SASHA
(giving Buffy the death
stare; impassively)
You did my General.
THE GENERAL
But then, when I heard of what our
little friend could do.. what he could
make you believe. I was convinced that
the plan would work and you would quite
simply hand the amulet over.
SASHA
(again impassively)
Aren't I a clever girl?
BUFFY
(a little hunched over)
Clever? Actually, I'm thinking more of
a noun.. but you got the first letter
right.
Sasha emits a short, controlled growl.
THE GENERAL
(to Buffy)
But you somehow managed to see through
the deception, didn't you? I'm
impressed.
SASHA
She was lucky.
THE GENERAL
Oh, come now Sasha. Let's give some
credit where it's due. It takes a
certain type of person who is so
convinced of one's existence, to be so
self-absorbed, to break such a powerul
spell. So, again my dear girl.. kudos
to you.
We now see Tarwin directly Buffy, standing a few metres
back. Buffy hunches over again, looking very queasy and
unwell.
THE GENERAL
What's the matter? Feeling a little
off-colour? Don't worry slayer. It's to
be expected. It's one of the
unfortunate side-effects of the spell.
You'll recover in an hour or two.
The General allows himself an indulgent pause.. then
smiles.
THE GENERAL
Still, no point wasting a perfectly
good opportunity.
He clicks his fingers. From behind the General and Sasha
emerges the giant soldier-vamp. Buffy looks up at the
giant, fearsome-looking vampire. She starts to slowly
back away as the soldier vamp approaches her.. backing
away straight towards Tarwin.
Tarwin raises his pole-axe to his side and swings it at
Buffy's head.
Buffy senses danger and instinctively drops to the ground
as the axe swings harmlessly above her head.
Buffy tries to spring back up but, being disorientated
and groggy, falls back to the ground. She looks up to see
Tarwin lifting the axe again and swinging down at her.
The long pole-axe strikes an overhanging metal pole mid-
swing. A loud clanging noise echoes through the tent. The
axe-handle breaks in two, leaving Tarwin holding on to
nothing but a sharp, wooden handle as he rest of his
weapon flies off somewhere else. He looks up at the
General.
ANGLE : THE GENERAL
rolling his eyes. Not happy.
Cue Fighty music.
From the ground, Buffy quickly sweeps Tarwin's legs with
her own.. causing the vampire to fall over onto his back.
Buffy springs back to her feet as Tarwin slowly tries to
get back up.
Buffy somersaults over Tarwin, then kicks him in his back
as he gets up. Tarwin is sent stumbling into the General
and Sasha, knocking the pair down like bowling pins.
Buffy quickly picks up the broken pole-handle and turns
to face the Soldier vamp who stands looking down at the
General on the ground.
ANGLE : SOLDIER VAMP.
from Buffy's POV. Double-visiony.
Buffy can't focus. She decides to run out of the tent.
THE GENERAL
(angrily to soldier vamp)
Get her!
The soldier vamp starts to chase Buffy as the General and
Sasha slowly push Tarwin away from on top of them.
EXT. CIRCUS - NIGHT.
as Buffy rushes out of the circus tent. She stops and
takes a quick look around her. She sees the rest of the
makeshift buildings on the circus grounds. She sees the
black, night sky. She then sees the familiar lights of
Sunnydale off in the distance. She smiles.
We hear a growl come from behind her as something large
approaches. Buffy starts to sprint off towards the exit,
then stops.. spotting something out of the corner of her
eye. She speeds off off-screen in that direction.
ANGLE : SOLDIER VAMP
as he bursts out of the tent, looking around. He turns to
his right and sees Buffy running into a building off in
the distance. He pursues.
INT. A BUILDING - NIGHT
ANGLE ON : DOOR
as it slams open. The soldier vamp stoops down low to get
through the entrance, then looks around.
We PULL BACK from him to reveal we are now in the Hall of
Mirrors. The soldier vamp takes a few steps into the maze
of mirrors.
Suddenly, we hear a sound. The soldier vamp follows the
sound, spotting a flash of movement reflected in one of
the mirrors. The soldier vamp chases.
We end up in another hallway. The soldier vamp stops,
finding himself surrounded by mirrors. He looks around,
his eyes a fiery red. He sees nothing, not even his own
reflection.
BUFFY (O.S.)
Hey! Soldier Boy!
The soldier vamp spins around, seeing Buffy approaching
him slowly and methodically, with the snapped-off pole-
axe handle in hand. She heads straight for him.
The soldier vamp swings at Buffy. He smashes his hand
into the mirror. The mirror breaks apart with a loud
crash. The soldier vamp looks flummoxed for a beat. He
spins around in a circle to see several Buffys, some
heading towards him, some away. Buffy stops and just
stands, watching the soldier vamp.
BUFFY
Must be perplexing.
The soldier vamp spins around, watching numerous Buffys
speak to him.
BUFFY
I mean, which one is Buffy?
The soldier vamp settles on one of the Buffys and watches
and waits.
BUFFY
It really is a confusing place. So many
me's?
Buffy#1 starts to approach the soldier vamp head-on,
slowly lifting her stake. As the soldier vamp watches
Buffy#1 in front of him approach, we see in the
background, Buffy#2 approaching the vamp's back.
The soldier vamp growls, then suddenly spins around with
blinding speed and swings at Buffy#2 behind him. The
mirror shatters into hundreds of pieces.
Buffy#1 approaches from behind and jams the stake hard
into the soldier vamp's back. The soldier vamp shrieks in
pain.
BUFFY
But the thing is, I only see one of
you.
EXT. CIRCUS - NIGHT.
Where we see the General, Sasha and Tarwin turning
towards the scream. They rush towards the Hall of
Mirrors.
INT. HALL OF MIRRORS - NIGHT
The soldier vamp spins around to face Buffy, still
howling in pain. He stumbles, then falls towards Buffy..
looking like he is about to land on top of her. Buffy
doesn't even flinch as the behemoth topples towards her.
Dust.. floating gently down around Buffy. Buffy takes a
deep breath.
We suddenly hear the crash of mirrors.. one after
another. Someone is approaching. Buffy spots the back
exit and scurries out.
EXT. CIRCUS - NIGHT.
as we see Buffy sprint out from the Hall of Mirrors and
quickly scale a fence and out towards the park. We PAN
back around to the circus where we see a giant 'CLOSED'
sign in front of the entrance. Its gates locked.
EXT. SUNNYDALE STREET - NIGHT
as Buffy runs into town. There are people on the streets
everywhere.. some giving Buffy a curious look. Buffy
stops and catches her breath. She looks around at the
town and at the people, a slight smile on her face.
A car screeches to a stop next to her. Giles, Xander,
Willow and Tara hop out.
GILES
Buffy!
Buffy turns to see her friends. A great look of relief..
as if waking from a nightmare.
BUFFY
(smiling brightly)
Giles!
(to Xander, Willow and Tara)
Guys!
She hugs each one in turn.
BUFFY
Everyone okay? Where's Dawn and Anya.
TARA
They're fine. They're back at the
house.
XANDER
We were just coming out to look for
you. What happened? Are you alright?
BUFFY
Yeah.
WILLOW
So, you got zapped out of there too
huh?
BUFFY
Yeah, kinda. Got a welcoming party and
everything.
GILES
A welcoming party?
BUFFY
(smiles)
Later. Let's just get home now, okay?
Giles smiles and nods. They all enter the car.
EXT. THE MAGIC BOX - DAY (DAY TWO)
to establish.
INT. THE MAGIC BOX - DAY
The gang loosely gathered around the table. Willow, Tara
and Dawn are packing their respective bags.. looking like
they're ready to head out. Xander, Buffy and Giles sits.
Anya is at the counter. The store is closed.
BUFFY
So, let me get this straight. When you
guys popped out of that world, you
popped back into this one?
WILLOW
Yup. Me, then Tara, then Dawn. We all
ended up here in the Magic Box.
TARA
And Mr Giles was already waiting here
for us.
BUFFY
(to Xander and Anya)
Where were you two?
ANYA
We ended up in the middle of the road,
miles out from town.
XANDER
We had to like Milo and Otis our way
back.
ANYA
(grumpily)
I don't get it. Why did I have to be
plopped back out in the middle of
nowhere when everyone else got returned
back to town?
WILLOW
(under her breath)
Karma.
ANYA
What?
XANDER
(stepping in quickly)
I think we just got.. like.. dropped
back in the same place where we were
yanked out from. I mean, see.. me and
An dissapeared when we were on the road
out of town. Buffy was at the circus
and everyone else was here.
BUFFY
I'll buy that for now.
DAWN
So, the whole thing was a trick?
GILES
I suspect the only thing that was
indeed real was the circus. It must
have been the source of the spell.
Where everything was centred. The
only thing common in both worlds.
XANDER
Well, it's gone now. Packed up and left
overnight.
WILLOW
No big surprise there.
TARA
What about everyone we saw over there?
That girl? They seemed so real.
GILES
I think you'll find that the only
people that were real are all in this
room right now.
A beat as the thought sinks in with the group.
WILLOW
(to Dawn)
Hey! You're gonna be late. You'd better
grab your books.
Dawn rushes over to the far end of the store with her bag
and starts packing some books into it. Willow and Tara
slowly follow, talking between themselves. Buffy watches
with a smile. Normality.
XANDER
What I don't get is if this conjurer
guy.. thing.. could create an entire
moving, talking world. Why couldn't he
just zap the amulet over into his hands
and give it to the General.
BUFFY
Because it was all an illusion. He
couldn't really harm any of us, or move
anything around.. at least, not in this
world. The only power he had was
messing with our minds.. making us
believe something which wasn't. Making
us forget the past.
XANDER
But you remembered. You remembered the
amulet.
BUFFY
Only just.
GILES
I suppose certain strong attachments
must have carried over. You didn't
realise it was the amulet, but you knew
it was important. So, somehow, you
managed to turn it into that locket.
Something you would find precious.
BUFFY
(looking at Dawn; quietly)
Something I would do anything to
protect.
Dawn finishes packing. She trots over to the table with
Willow and Tara in tow.
DAWN
(to Xander; chirpily)
Ready!
Xander gets up from his chair and bows.
XANDER
(cheesy English accent)
Your chariot awaits me ladies.
WILLOW
Why thank you kind sir.
XANDER
Yes, I eagerly look forward to taking
me ladies to the fine learnin'
institutions in this fair town. We best
hurry for, to my deep regret, my horse
is dry and may very well require a
drink before long. But fear not, for
tis coupon day at Texaco.
Willow and Tara head out the front door.. Xander
following. Dawn is about to head out, then stops, then
heads back to Buffy and hugs her. Buffy hugs back. They
break apart.
BUFFY
What was that for?
DAWN
No reason. Just a free hug.
(smiling)
You get five in a lifetime.
Dawn rushes out the front door. Buffy smiles.
ANYA
So, are we sure we're in the right
place now? I mean, I don't want to
settle myself in here only to find
we're in another fakey, bleach-blonde
Sunnydale.
BUFFY
I think we're safe Anya.
ANYA
Good. I like it here.
BUFFY
(smiles)
Me too.
Anya smiles back, then heads out to the training room,
carrying a pile of books.
Buffy removes the amulet from around her neck. She takes
a look at the amulet in her hand.
BUFFY
I don't think I should be wearing this
thing around anymore.
(in a mocking tone)
Hubris be damned!
GILES
We'll find a place to hide it.
Giles reaches out with his hand and places his hand on
Buffy's hand which is clenching the amulet.
GILES
We'll all in this together.
The two exchange a smile. Giles gets up and starts to
head towards the training room. Buffy remains seated at
the table.. going over something in her mind.
BUFFY
Giles?
Giles turns around.
BUFFY
(head down; as if ashamed)
I know I figured out it was all an
illusion and everything..
GILES
But?
BUFFY
(looks up at Giles)
but there was a time there when I
believed it. There was a time there
when I was ready to hand over the
amulet. Giles, I could so easily have
made the wrong decision.
GILES
Life is all about choices Buffy. I
believe you will always make the right
one.
Giles smiles, turns and walks away.. exiting into the
training room. Buffy sits quietly in the empty room, with
a slightly unsettled expression on her face.. as if
sensing something familiar in those words.
We slowly WIDEN the shot. Buffy sitting by herself in the
deserted Magic Box. All is quiet.
BLACKOUT
END OF SHOW
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