I do not own any of these characters, I am, in fact, merely a fan trying to cope with summer boredom.
Out Cold
Teaser: The Summers' house: Devil's Night. The doorbell rings. Vic looks up at the ceiling from laying in her bed.
VIC: Will someone get it!?
The doorbell keeps on ringing. Vic slowly gets up from her bed, and walks up the stairs.
VIC: Is somebody gonna get the door!?
Vic walks out and through the kitchen. She heads to the front door. Someone knocks on the kitchen door. Vic turns around. It's Zeke. She hobbles to the door.
ZEKE: Still milking that (Vic opens the door) "I was poisoned" thing.
VIC: For all it's worth.
ZEKE: You wanna go TP someone's house or something?
VIC: I wanna sleep.
ZEKE: Come on, tomorrow's supposed to be your real one night off.
VIC: They've told me that vamps in Sunnydale don't follow those rules.
ZEKE: Then, you might as well enjoy tonight, right?
VIC: I've gotta work tomorrow. Big day for the Magic Box. (Staring at Zeke who is still outside) Are you gonna come in?
Zeke walks in.
ZEKE: I just thought we could have some fun.
Cut to: The Bronze. Buffy sits at the bar. Spike tends bar.
BUFFY: I need a beer.
SPIKE: Nope.
BUFFY: Just one beer?
SPIKE: Nope.
BUFFY: A coffee?
SPIKE: Not happenin'
BUFFY: A soda, then?
SPIKE: Can't do it.
BUFFY: Please.
SPIKE: Nope.
Buffy lays her head down on the bar.
SPIKE: Maybe you should go home.
BUFFY: (head still down) Where's Dawn?
Spike whistles and Dawn comes out from a crowd of boys.
SPIKE: Take your sis home.
BUFFY/DAWN: Ok.
SPIKE: Go on now.
Buffy gets up and Dawn takes her arm and leads her towards the door.
BUFFY: I can't believe we have to be at that damn High School tomorrow.
DAWN: Yeah, I know, school on Halloween.
BUFFY: Hey, maybe someone will vandalize it, and it'll be closed.
DAWN: We can only hope.
Cut to: The Summers' house: Vic's room. She and Zeke are making out on her new found bed. Vic leans back until her head is back on her pillow.
ZEKE: You sure?
Vic sits up erect. With a strange questioning look towards Zeke.
VIC: (offended) Am I sure?
ZEKE: Sorry, I just - well, you've gotten your heart torn out, and then shot in the heart. I just didn't know.
VIC: Maybe you're right - maybe we shouldn't do this.
Vic sits up on the edge of the bed.
ZEKE: Aw, Vic, I didn't mean it like that.
VIC: Why do people do that?
ZEKE: Do what?
VIC: Say someone's name like, "Aw, Vic" I'm the only other person in the room, who else would you be talking to?
ZEKE: Myself, I guess.
VIC: (angry) Urgh!
ZEKE: What?
VIC: Nothing.
ZEKE: (puts his hand on her shoulder) Hey, if you wanna do it, let's do it.
VIC: Maybe I don't.
ZEKE: Then, we won't.
VIC: What's wrong with me?
ZEKE: Why would there be something wrong with you?
VIC: I dunno, but there obviously is.
ZEKE: Why do you say that?
VIC: I've never not wanted to.
ZEKE: So it's a bad thing that for once in your life, you don't wanna have sex?
VIC: Yes.
ZEKE: (Kissing the back of her neck) It's not, trust me.
VIC: (angry) Urgh!
ZEKE: What?
VIC: Why are you so damn agreeable?
ZEKE: You want me to disagree? Fine. (Raises his voice) You know, what the hell is wrong with you? How can you not wanna have sex? The moment is perfect, but no, something has taken a striking blow on your libido, and I have to suffer. I won't stand for it!
Vic turns around and kisses Zeke. She pushes him down on the bed and strattles him.
VIC: Thanks.
She tears open his shirt.
ZEKE: No problem.
Zeke kisses Vic and rolls over on top of her. They make love - not sex.
Cut to: Xander's flat - he's all alone. Sitting on his couch watching TV. The phone rings. He answers it.
XANDER: Hello?
WILLOW: They're having sex right now.
XANDER: Who?
WILLOW: Vic and Zeke. I'm in the living room, but I can hear 'em.
XANDER: Well, do you wanna come over here? I'm not doing anything.
WILLOW: No, I just don't wanna listen to them go at it.
XANDER: You wanna go egg cars and TP houses like the old days.
WILLOW: Xander - we never did that in the old days.
XANDER: Never too late to start.
WILLOW: You watchin' TV?
XANDER: Yupp.
WILLOW: Whatcha watching?
XANDER: Charlie Brown
WILLOW: Me too. Hold on, I think they stopped.
Willow puts the phone down and listens. There is a pause, but then they start back again.
WILLOW: False alarm, they were just taking a breather.
XANDER: Are we just gonna talk about another couple's sex life tonight?
WILLOW: I'm jealous - why should they get to do that while I'm up here watching Charlie Brown...the blockhead?
XANDER: I know, I'm jealous, too.
WILLOW: well, at least you've had someone in the past month - unlike me.
XANDER: Well, pause and realize that the person I *had* is the one in the basement with some guy right now.
WILLOW: True. Talked to Anya lately?
XANDER: I've never *really* talked to her since she got back.
WILLOW: you need to talk to her.
XANDER: She won't talk to me.
WILLOW: I didn't say that she had to talk to you, just you talk to her.
XANDER: She won't listen.
WILLOW: Make her listen.
XANDER: What? Do you want me to (flipping channels) chain her down, and - ooh.
WILLOW: What?
XANDER: Invasion of the Body Snatchers: channel 51.
WILLOW: I'm there.
XANDER: As I was saying, do you wnat me to chain her dowwn and make her listen to me?
WILLOW: If that's what it takes.
XANDER: Ooh, and I get a nice mental picture with that one.
WILLOW: Ewe! Xander! Wait, I think they stopped.
Willow stops and listens.
WILLOW: Nope - still going.
XANDER: Jesus. Go find yourself a woman and get some.
WILLOW: It's not that easy, and you know it.
Dawn and Buffy come in the house. Buffy walks over to the sofaand lays down on the remaining two cushions.
WILLOW: (to Dawn) Is she ok?
BUFFY: Caffeine!
WILLOW: Aww, poor Buffy.
BUFFY: Have to work tomorrow.
She pauses. Then lifts her head.
BUFFY: What's going on downstairs?
WILLOW: Do you really wanna know?
BUFFY: No.
WILLOW: (to Xander) See, Buffy heard it too.
XANDER: Put the Buffster on.
Willow hands Buffy the phone.
WILLOW: It's Xander. He wants to talk to you.
BUFFY: Xander? They're making loud noises downstairs.
XANDER: So I heard.
BUFFY: I want caffeine.
XANDER: You know you cant have it.
BUFFY: But I have to work tomorrow.
XANDER: No caffeine.
Buffy looks up at the TV.
BUFFY: Ooh, Body Snatchers.
XANDER: I know.
BUFFY: I'm gonna give the phone to Willow while I yell at the kids downstairs.
XANDER: Don't interrupt them.
BUFFY: They're loud.
Buffy hands the phone to Willow. She walks into the kitchen and to the basement door.
BUFFY: Hey! This is your last round!! You're too loud.
Zeke's body relaxes over Vic's.
VIC: Alright.
ZEKE: (to Vic) Sorry.
VIC: Oh, it's ok.
Vic slides her shirt on. They start putting all of their clothes on.
ZEKE: So, what are you doing tomorrow?
VIC: Patrolling.
ZEKE: Could you use any company?
VIC: Sure. I gotta call my watcher.
Vic goes up the stairs leaving Zeke alone in the basement.
VIC: (to Willow who has the phone still) Hey, sorry about the noise. I need to call my watcher, though - she probably thinks I'm dead.
WILLOW: Oh, ok. (to Xander) Hey, Xand?
XANDER: Yeah?
WILLOW: Vic has to call her watcher - can I call you back?
XANDER: Sure.
WILLOW: I'll talk to you later.
XANDER: Ok, bye.
Willow hits the talk button and the phone turns off. She hand sit to Vic.
VIC: Thanks.
Vic dials her watcher's number
VIC: Hi...poisoned. It's ok, I'm all better. We fought some weird Reproduttori a couple of weeks ago...I know, I'm sorry, I lost track of time...yeah, well they're telling me that Halloween is pretty busy in Sunnydale... Yes, i will call you and tell you what happens...ok...I'll talk to you again...bye.
Vic hits the talk button, and returns the phone to Willow.
BUFFY: Was she mad?
VIC: Yeah, and concerned because I was poisoned, but she was cool about it.
Zeke walks into the living room.
ZEKE: Uh, (points behind him) I'm gonna go.
VIC: No! Why?
ZEKE: Well, if you want me to stay.
VIC: Uh, yeah.
BUFFY: Yeah, come on, stay.
WILLOW: Yeah, I'll have Xander come over so you won't be the only guy.
BUFFY: We can have a Halloween Sleepover - where Dawn and I have to wake up and go to school.
VIC: Yeah, and I have to go to work.
BUFFY: But it'll be fun.
Willow dials Xander up.
WILLOW: Hey Xander.
XANDER: Hey, Will.
WILLOW: You wanna come to our Halloween sleepover?
XANDER: But doesn't everyone have to be somewhere tomorrow?
WILLOW: Yeah, we'll set an alarm.
XANDER: I'll be right over.
WILLOW: See ya then.
Willow hangs up the phone.
BUFFY: Xander coming?
WILLOW: Yupp.
Vic and Zeke lay out on the floor next to each other.
WILLOW: Hey, now no getting frisky down there we hear enough of that tonight.
BUFFY: And I hope you guys used protection. You don't wanna end up like me.
They continue to watch the movie. There is a knock on the door. Xander enters the house.
XANDER: Hey you guys.
BUFFY: Hey Xander.
Xander squeezes between Dawn and Willow on the sofa. All three girls have to adjust.
BUFFY: Jeeze, Xander - couldn't you have sat in the chair.
VIC: Yeah, we saved it for you.
XANDER: That's ok. I like it here.
Vic glances over at Zeke, they smile at each other. They jump up and go to the chair. Zeke sits in it, and Vic lays over the top of him.
WILLOW: Oh, young love.
XANDER: I'm wishing.
BUFFY: You sure you wanna recollect those horrible thoughts of early Senior year?
Willow and Xander look at each other then turn away.
XANDER: I'm not thinking we wanna re-hash any of those old sparks.
WILLOW: Absolutely no. We've grown since then.
XANDER: Yeah, you're gay, and I'm...over it.
WILLOW: Right.
Dawn adjusts herself into a more comfortable position.
DAWN: Buffy, do I have to go to school tomorrow?
BUFFY: If I have to go, so do you.
DAWN: Well, you don't have to go.
BUFFY: Yes, I do. Willow, did you bring the alarm clock down?
WILLOW: Yupp, and it's set.
BUFFY: Good, I feel like I'm gonna fall asleep any minute.
Eventually, everyone falls asleep right where they are sitting. Spike walks into the house at about 3:15am. He sees everyone in the living room asleep. He goes into the kitchen and grabs a pint of blood from the fridge. He turns around and there is a figure in the doorway.
BUFFY: (still unseen) Good morning.
She takes a step into the dim light. Spike sits at the island.
SPIKE: Having a slumber party.
Buffy sits down next to him.
BUFFY: Yeah, well, we're just getting over the Halloween blues.
SPIKE: Word on the street is nothing is planned.
BUFFY: Well the word on the street is rather unreliable. Seeing that every time someone says that - some form of Hell breaks loose.
SPIKE: Well, the vamps and demons are quiet - now all you have to look out for is isolated incidents.
BUFFY: Generally, the isolated ones are the biggest.
SPIKE: Don't worry your pretty little head off about it. I'll help.
BUFFY: You work tonight, don't you?
SPIKE: Yeah, but, I can handle it before work.
BUFFY: Good, it'll get us a break.
SPIKE: Vic has to be in by nine.
BUFFY: (clenching her teeth) By nine?
SPIKE: Curfew - Dawn has to be in by eight.
BUFFY: Curfew? When did this happen?
SPIKE: Just this year. It's a good idea, don't you think...less victims.
BUFFY: Less fire power.
SPIKE: Yeah, but you'll have Willow and Xander.
BUFFY: It's probably some conspiracy against me to deplete my fire-power.
Zeke walks into the kitchen hearing the noise.
ZEKE: What are you two doing up?
BUFFY: Did you know about a curfew?
ZEKE: Yeah, but I'm 19 - I have no curfew.
BUFFY: Good, then you can help when random chaos breaks out.
ZEKE: Sorry, I have a gig at the Bronze at 10.
BUFFY: (sarcastically) Great.
SPIKE; What about Anya?
BUFFY: I could ask, but she'll probably be too busy counting the major bucks that rolled in.
SPIKE: She'll help.
BUFFY: I gotta go get some sleep. You sleeping upstairs?
SPIKE: Yeah, I think you've got a full boat down here.
BUFFY: Goodnight.
SPIKE: 'Night.
Buffy and Zeke head into the living room. Everyone has accommodate themselves into the empty space. Buffy pushes Willow up, because she is leaning on the arm of the sofa. As Willow leans up, as does Xander and Dawn. They moan to the uncomfortable movement - never opening their eyes. Zeke picks up Vic and sits back down in the chair. She just lays limp in his arms until she is set back down onto his lap. She snuggles in close to his chest.
Cut to: Morning: Everyone on the sofa is leaning on Buffy because it was their position when she had left to talk with Spike. Vic is sprawled out across the top of Zeke who's head is leaning back on the easy-chair with his mouth wide open. The alarm clock goes off, and Vic rolls over falling onto the ground with a great thud. Everyone is jutted up by Vic's scream when she hits the floor. Buffy turns and hits the drowse button; when she finally is awke enough, she turns off the alarm.
ZEKE: (to Vic) You ok?
VIC: Hitting my head is my life.
Vic pushes herself up.
DAWN: I call shower.
BUFFY: Fine, I go next.
VIC: Willow and I took ours last night.
XANDER: I can go home and shower - I scheduled myself off.
VIC: Shut up!
Everyone gets ready, and Buffy, Vic, and Dawn pile into Xander's car. Xander drops everyone at their standard stops, and then heads back to the house.
Buffy walks into the office. She goes to the water cooler. Kathy, a regular coffee drinker has just finished getting some water.
BUFFY: What's with the change?
KATHY: I just want this day to be over, so I figured I'd rather be half asleep for it all, and then get caffeined up when I get out of work.
BUFFY: Oh. Big Halloween fan?
KATHY: It's right there next to Christmas.
BUFFY: Oh, well, see you at lunch.
KATHY: Ok.
Cut to: The Magic Box. Giles, Xander, Vic, and Anya sit at the table waiting for business to pick up.
VIC: I hate Halloween.
ANYA: I love it, it means lots of money for the store.
VIC: We have a curfew, and I'll be patrolling the rest of the night. Hey! Maybe I can sneak into the Bronze!
XANDER: Nope, they're checking IDs after curfew.
VIC: Well, what if I'm already in there.
ANYA: They're clearing everybody out, then checking IDs, but it's free cover after nine.
VIC: Oh, goodie, it's free the one night I can't get in.
ANYA: You'd better take your lunch now - before it gets busy.
VIC: It's only 10:30!
ANYA: Well, you have to go before the lunch time rush.
VIC: Fine!
Vic slams a demonology book shut, and walks out of the store.
XANDER: She didn't seem too thrilled.
ANYA: It's that or no lunch.
GILES: I don't think she's all to thrilled with holding a job. I'm sure she considers slaying job enough.
Vic walks back into the shop.
VIC: And you'd think that slayers would be exempt from curfew.
The three look at her strangely.
XANDER: You couldn't wait until you were off of lunch to say that.
VIC: Well, I thought I'd forget it. Remind me when I get back, then I'll have more to say about.
XANDER: (snidely) And we'll organize our opinions on that while you're out.
VIC: Shut up!
Vic storms out again. Xander rolls his eyes.
XANDER: Teenagers.
Anya just glares at him as if to say: You had sex with her, and we got you back for that one - she's smarter than you think.
Cut to: Sunnydale High: Offices. Buffy sits at her desk, she's making phone calls to the students with unexcused absences. Kathy walks in. Buffy hangs up the phone.
BUFFY: Oh, hey Kathy.
KATHY: How's attendance?
BUFFY: Low, everybody is calling in because of the holiday.
KATHY: Yeah, well, I don't feel so well, so I'm gonna go home.
BUFFY: You should have had your caffeine.
KATHY: Yeah, well, I'm gonna go home and sleep - see if that helps.
BUFFY: Oh, ok, well I'll see you tomorrow.
KATHY: Buh bye.
Kathy leaves the office.
Cut to the cafeteria: Dawn sits at a table with a couple of friends. Vic comes up behind Dawn. She puts her finger in front of her mouth to indicate to Dawn's friends to be quiet.
VIC: Excuse me, I was wondering where the soda machines are. You see, I live at this house where the chick is preggers and she dumped out all of the soda and alcohol down the drain.
Dawn turns around.
VIC: (joking surprise) Hey! I know you!
DAWN: Vic! What are you doing here.
Vic takes a seat at the table.
VIC: Just came to see what I was missing. And to get some soda.
DAWN: Oh. That's cool. (to her friends) You guys, this is Vic, she lives in my house. Vic, these are my friends: Beth, Jenna, and Anne.
VIC: Hey.
FRIENDS: Hey.
VIC: So seriously, where are you guys hiding the caffeine.
BETH: I'll show you. Does anyone else want one.
ANNE: I'll take one.
JENNA: Me too.
BETH: Dawn?
DAWN: No, I'm cutting back because of Buffy.
VIC: Suit yourself.
BETH: We'll be right back.
Cut to: Summers' house. Spike sits on the couch watching cartoons. Zeke leans up against the couch. A talk show comes on, and Spike flips the channel to some more cartoons.
SPIKE: So...you and Vic.
ZEKE: Yeah?
SPIKE: Heard you guys were pretty loud yesterday.
ZEKE: Who told you that?
SPIKE: Willow.
ZEKE: I hear you and Buffy are pretty loud.
SPIKE: Who told *you* that.
ZEKE: Vic, Dawn, Willow.
SPIKE: Listen, you break her heart, I break your arm. Not to mention, she'll break your knee caps.
ZEKE: (confused) Who? Willow?
SPIKE: No, Vic.
ZEKE: Thought never crossed my mind.
SPIKE: Yeah, well she may have all that pent up aggression - which i don't understand because she kicks evils ass everyday, but she is easily broken.
ZEKE: Vic? Easily broken? Are we talking about the same girl here?
SPIKE: Well, you weren't there trying to console her through the whole Xander mishap.
ZEKE: No I came in during the vengeance part of that one.
SPIKE: Just don't hurt her - she's fragile.
ZEKE: So is her head.
Cut to: Sunnydale High. Vic is sitting at Dawn's table. She bangs her head on the table.
VIC: I hate work.
DAWN: You can always come back to school.
VIC: Hell no! Where's your sister? I might as well say hi before I go.
DAWN: The attendance office.
VIC: Ok, I'll see you later, Dawnie.
DAWN: Bye.
Vic prances off through the cafeteria.
Cut to: the attendance office. Vic stands in front of Buffy's desk with a soda in her hand. Buffy looks up at it longingly.
VIC: Now, Miss Summers - you know you're not allowed to caffeine.
BUFFY: How did you- (she looks up) What's up?
VIC: Nothing much - early lunch. Boring Magic Box.
BUFFY: No chaotic evil?
VIC: Not yet - but I'm hoping. Hey, did you know there is a curfew!?!
BUFFY: Yupp - you have to be in by nine.
VIC: What kind of crap is that?
BUFFY: We'll be short on man power tonight.
Vic looks up at the clock.
VIC: Well, I'd better be going. Don't wanna be late on our busiest day of the year - plus Anya would go vengeance demony on me.
BUFFY: Bye. See ya later.
VIC: Bye.
Cut to: The magic box. Vic walks in back from her lunch. There are only a few customers in the store.
VIC: I seriously they should inform the US government and get us special rights and exemptions.
The three look up from the table where Vic had left them.
ANYA: Good, you're back. I need you to get these things from the stock room(she hands Vic a list) and put them out on the shelves.
VIC: What? I thought you all were supposed to have ready opinions?
XANDER: Sorry, I was too busy nodding off to think of one.
Vic rolls her eyes. She goes to the stock room.
GILES: Well, now that she's back - I'm going to run home for a little while - be back in an hour or so.
ANYA: Ok.
XANDER: Bye, Giles.
Giles gets up and leaves the Magic Box.
XANDER: So, what are you doing tonight.
ANYA: It our one night off a year.
XANDER: Yeah, well, I was wondering if you wanted to -
ANYA: Xander! It's over.
XANDER: Yeah, well, I was hoping, maybe we could -
ANYA: I can't.
XANDER: Will you just listen for once?
ANYA: What!?
XANDER: If you wanted to rent a scary movie, and hang out.
ANYA: And by hang out you mean make out?
XANDER: No, I mean hang out - friends.
ANYA: I'm not so sure about that.
XANDER: Come on, just come over at like eight o'clock. I'll rent some movies.
ANYA: We'll see.
Cut to: The storage room. Vic has a box and is filling it with things from the list.
SPIKE: Vixen!
Vic jumps back almost dropping the box.
VIC: Jesus, Spike! Why do you always do that!?
Out of the shadows comes Spike and Zeke.
VIC: Oh, hey, Zeke. Great, while you guys are here - can you help me find this stuff?
Spike grabs the list out of Vic's hand and walks around the room taking everything off of the shelf that she needs. Vic follows him holding the box.
SPIKE: That should do it.
VIC: You coming out this time?
SPIKE: Sure, come on little Zeke.
The three of them walk up the stairs. Anya is ringing people up at the register.
ANYA: Vic! Can you help bag?
There is now a significant amount of people in the store.
ANYA: Thank God, you brought help. Hey! Guys! Can you help customers and put stuff out, please?
ZEKE: Sure!
SPIKE: Fine.
Spike hands Zeke the box, and goes up to a customer.
SPIKE: Can I help you find anything, ma'am?
Cut to: Sunnydale High. Dawn is sitting in class not even listening to the teacher. She is doodling on her paper. The teacher continues giving a lecture on The Great Gatsby. Dawn doesn't even have her book open.
TEACHER: Dawn, how would you characterize Jordan?
DAWN: Hmm?
TEACHER: How would you characterize Jordan?
DAWN: Well, um, she's a...cheater. Careless.
TEACHER: Good.
The teacher goes to her desk and sips some of her coffee. Suddenly she collapses. Dawn gasps, but realizes she is the only one making any noise. She looks around and the rest of her class is passed out on their desks.
DAWN: Buffy!
Cut to: The attendance office. Buffy realizes it suddenly got quiet. She looks over at her student assistant who is asleep on a desk.
BUFFY: Hey, sleepy, wake up.
The assistant doesn't flinch. Buffy goes over to her, and gives her a nudge. The girl still doesn't move. Buffy looks over at the students waiting to make calls - they all seem to be asleep. Buffy goes out into the main office - the secretary is asleep on her desk. She heads into the principal's office - same thing. Dawn runs into the attendance office.
DAWN: Buffy!
Buffy hears Dawn's scream and runs back into her office.
BUFFY: Dawn! You're ok.
DAWN: Buffy, what's going on?
BUFFY: Everybody is passed out.
Another student walks into the office.
STUDENT: My whole class is passed out.
BUFFY: We know. You guys wait here, I'm gonna go search for any other students.
DAWN: Buffy.
BUFFY: yeah?
DAWN: Just use the intercom.
BUFFY: Good idea.
Buffy goes to the phone and dials the code for the intercom.
BUFFY: (into the intercom) Any conscious students please report to the attendance office so we can figure what is going on.
Within a few minutes three more students come into the attendance office.
Cut to: The Magic Box. Vic is bagging still. She hands someone their bag.
VIC: Thank you, Happy Halloween.
Suddenly Vic collapses. Anya looks down.
ANYA: Xander! Someone!
The boys come rushing over.
XANDER: What happened?
ANYA: She just passed out.
XANDER: Take her into the training room.
The Magic Box phone rings.
SPIKE: Hello? Magic Box? William Speaking.
BUFFY: Spike? What are you doing there?
SPIKE: Helping out - why are you calling.
BUFFY: The entire school passed out on us.
SPIKE: That's funny because Vic just passed out on us.
BUFFY: He did?
SPIKE: Yupp.
BUFFY: Well, she was in the school on her lunch.
SPIKE: So you're saying this shouldn't require a hospital visit.
BUFFY: No, I think it's magic.
SPIKE: Magic? What about poison?
BUFFY: No - they're still alive - just passed out. We'll be there in a little bit. First we're gonna drop these kids home.
SPIKE: Ok, See you then.
BUFFY: Bye.
SPIKE: Bye.
Spike hangs up the phone.
SPIKE: Apparently Vic's problem is an epidemic over the whole school. Everyone these is passed out.
ANYA: Witchcraft?
SPIKE: That's what they think.
Spike heads into the training room. Xander and Zeke are trying to wake Vic up.
SPIKE: No use.
ZEKE: Come on, Vic wake up.
SPIKE: Someone cast a spell - Buffy's trying to figure it out right now.
XANDER: How does she know?
SPIKE: All but a few at the school are passed out.
ANYA: (on the intercom) I need someone to bag! Hurry, hurry, hurry!
ZEKE: I'll go to it. (He leaves the training room) Coming!
SPIKE: We should probably get Giles. If it's magic, he's the one to undo it.
XANDER: Yeah, and Willow, if it involves chemistry.
SPIKE: I'll call Giles - you find Willow.
XANDER: Will do.
They both leave the training room to do their assignments.
Cut to: Sunnydale High.
BUFFY: Ok, you guys - we're just gonna get outa here, and then figure this out.
STUDENT 1: Shouldn't we call someone?
BUFFY: Not from here. Whatever made everyone pass out is in the building.
Buffy, Dawn, and the students head out of the school. On their way out, one of them stops at a soda machine and gets a soda. He snaps it open and begins drinking it.
STUDENT: Haven't had my daily dose of caffeine, yet.
They get out of the school.
BUFFY: Ok, you guys go home - we'll figure this out.
The students leave, but the one with the soda stands there blankly. He suddenly collapses. Buffy watches the soda flowing from the can. She runs over and picks the can up. There is still some soda left in it.
BUFFY: we need to find out what's in here.
DAWN: Why?
BUFFY: Did you have any soda today - or anything with caffeine in it?
DAWN: No.
BUFFY: When Vic stopped in the office she had a soda - she's passed out. This kid was fine until he had a soda, and then - BANG! He's on the ground.
DAWN: My teacher had coffee, though.
BUFFY: Caffeine.
DAWN: But why would someone spike the schools caffeine beverages?
They are walking down the street towards the Magic Box.
BUFFY: Everyone in that place drinks caffeine. Look, there were only six, well, five of us who didn't have any caffeine - it's a good way to get the whole school to do something.
DAWN: But, why pass out?
BUFFY: I don't know.
They walk into the Magic Box. Giles and Spike are sitting at the designated table.
BUFFY: It's caffeine.
SPIKE: I think you're just projecting.
DAWN: No, it is.
BUFFY: (hold out the can) We need to find out what whoever did to this.
SPIKE: Xander's getting Willow right now.
Cut to: Campus of UC Sunnydale. Xander walks through the crowds looking for Willow. He heads to the library. No Willow. He goes back outside. Willow is reading a book up against a tree.
XANDER: Willow!
WILLOW: Xander, what are you doing here?
XANDER: Big problems.
WILLOW: Is it Buffy - is she ok?
XANDER: Buffy is fine. Vic is passed out, but Buffy's fine. Come on.
Willow gets up and they head to Xander's car.
WILLOW: Why is Vic passed out?
XANDER: The same reason the rest of the high school is passed out.
WILLOW: Why are they passed out?
XANDER: That's why we need you.
They get in Xander's car and speed off.
Cut to: The Magic Box. Buffy, Dawn, and Giles leaf through spell books while Spike and Zeke help with the shop.
BUFFY: What we need is motive. Why would someone want a whole high school to be unconscious?
GILES: Maybe they want to kidnap someone,
BUFFY: No - that's just overkill - and they'd be conscious by now.
DAWN: Hey, I'm kinda happy - no school.
BUFFY: Yeah, but a student would just skip or call in. Making the phone student body and staff pas out is just a way to get expelled.
DAWN: Then they'd get to miss a lot of school.
Willow and Xander walk in.
XANDER: Any new discoveries?
BUFFY: It's caffeine.
XANDER: Caffeine?
BUFFY: Someone curse all the school's caffeine beverages.
XANDER: That's kinda lame.
BUFFY: Yeah, but it worked. Willow, I brought in a can of soda- could you test it?
WILLOW: Sure.
XANDER: I'll help.
Buffy turns back to leafing through her spell book. She lifts her head in realization.
BUFFY: Giles. If you wanted to miss work, would you rather take a sick day - or cause the whole place to be shut down?
GILES: Excuse me?
BUFFY: I thought it was strange today when Kathy had no coffee. The woman is a caffeine addict.
DAWN: So you're saying she curse the caffeine to get outa working.
BUFFY: Halloween is her favorite holiday. She musta figured her spell didn't work and just took a sick day.
GILES: Maybe she just didn't feel well.
BUFFY: There's only one way to be sure: We'll have to pay Kathy a visit - keep looking for the reversal spell, though. XANDER!
Xander runs into the main room.
XANDER: Yeah, Buff.
BUFFY: You wanna check out a co-worker's place with me in search of magic?
XANDER: Sure.
BUFFY: Dawn, can you go help Willow?
DAWN: Sure.
Dawn goes back to help Willow.
BUFFY: We have to stop by the school first to get her address.
XANDER: Ok.
Cut to: Sunnydale High. Buffy and Xander rummage through the files in one of the offices. They are surrounded by unconscious people at their desks.
BUFFY: Found it!
Buffy grabs a slip of paper and writes down Kathy's address. She shows it to Xander.
BUFFY: You know where this is?
XANDER: Yeah.
BUFFY: Good. Let's go.
Cut to the front door of Kathy's house. Buffy rings the doorbell. Kathy opens the door.
KATHY: (surprised) Buffy! What are you doing here?
BUFFY: Just dropped by to visit.
KATHY: (she doesn't invite them in - they continue to talk at the door)Shouldn't you be at work?
BUFFY: You know a funny thing happened at work today.
KATHY: (fearfully backing up) A funny thing?
BUFFY: yeah, I was thinking you maybe knew about it?
KATHY: What kind of funny thing?
BUFFY: Why weren't you drinking coffee today, Kathy?
KATHY: I-I didn't feel much in the mood for caffeine.
BUFFY: Why is that?
KATHY: Because I-
BUFFY: Because you had cursed it with a sleeping spell?
KATHY: I didn't think it worked.
BUFFY: Well, it did, and now the whole school is passed out.
KATHY: (half smiling) It worked?
XANDER: Yeah, it worked - now how do we make it un-work?
KATHY: I-I don't know.
BUFFY: You know, Wicca can be a very powerful tool, if you know how to use it right. Why were you using it, by the way?
KATHY: I didn't wanna go to work today, so I figured if everyone in the school was passed out, I could leave.
XANDER: Two points for Buffy!
BUFFY: But you didn't think it was working - so you went home?
KATHY: Yeah.
BUFFY: What spell did you use?
KATHY: I don't have it anymore.
BUFFY: Where'd you get it?
KATHY: The Magic Box.
BUFFY: What a small world. What kind of spell was it?
KATHY: Just your general sleep spell.
BUFFY: What did the book look like?
KATHY: It was Black leather with a silver pentacle on it - pointing down.
BUFFY: Thanks.
Cut to: The Magic Box. Giles has the Black leather book with a silver pentacle pointing down in his hand. He goes to the bookshelf.
GILES: Well, nothing in this one.
Willow is in the training room with Dawn pouring vials of one substance into another. She has a slide of something in her microscope.
WILLOW: Hmp.
DAWN: What?
WILLOW: Nothing.
DAWN: Oh.
WILLOW: I mean, there is nothing in these - it's just regular soda. The acidity isn't off - nothing.
Vic is still laying unconscious on a stack of floor mats. Willow and Dawn walk out of the training room just as Buffy and Xander enter the Magic Box.
BUFFY: The spell is in a black leather book with a silver pentacle pointing down.
GILES: I just looked through that - I found nothing.
BUFFY: It's a sleeping spell.
Buffy goes to the bookshelf and finds the book. She flips through it.
BUFFY: Here it is.
She lays the book down.
BUFFY: Was that so hard? How do we reverse it?
Giles looks down at the book. He flips the page.
GILES: Xander, go in the back and get me these ingredients.
XANDER: Ok.
Xander goes in the back and a few minutes later comes back with all of the ingredients.
BUFFY: We should probably do this in the other room.
They head back into the training room. Giles performs the spell he speaks in Latin and at the end: English.
GILES: Awaken.
We hear Vic moan and she moves on top of the mats.
BUFFY: Well, that did it.
VIC: (sitting up) I was out again?
XANDER: You sure have that damsel in distress act down.
VIC: Yeah, (hops off the mats) but when I'm conscious, I can kick your butt all the way across the Pacific - remember that.
XANDER: (taunting) Ooh, I'm scared.
VIC: You should be. So what did I miss.
BUFFY: Someone put a sleeping spell on all of the caffeine beverages in the school.
VIC: Oh, so I had reason to pass out.
XANDER: But slayers have no reason to pass out, do they Buff?
BUFFY: Pregnant slayers do.
XANDER: But you're not pregnant, though, are ya Vic?
VIC: If I were, I wouldn't know.
DAWN: Well, you should go reassure Zeke you're ok.
VIC: Was he freaking out?
XANDER: There was a little freakage.
VIC: Well, thank you guys - again.
BUFFY: No problem.
Vic head out of the training room and on to the main part of the shop. She heads behind the counter.
ANYA: Oh, good, help bag.
Vic grabs a bag and helps Zeke bag up the items.
ZEKE: You ok?
VIC: Peachy.
ZEKE: Good.
VIC: How are you?
ZEKE: Better now that you're ok.
He kisses her.
ANYA: Hey, no kissing on the sales floor!
VIC: Ok, we'll go in the back.
ANYA: Oh, no you won't. And don't think you're paid for being passed out in the back.
VIC: How about you pay me, and I give the money to Zeke.
ANYA: That sounds fair.
Cut to: Closing at the Magic Box. Anya locks the doors as the group hangs around the table.
SPIKE: We've gotta get the nibblets home before curfew.
ZEKE: Yeah, and I gotta get to the Bronze to warm up.
XANDER: I'm gonna go and rent some videos.
VIC: I think I'm gonna patrol until curfew.
BUFFY: I'm gonna rest while you patrol and then go patrol when you get home.
ANYA: I'm gonna count money.
WILLOW: How did we guess?
They all head home - Anya stays in to count her money.
Cut to: the Bronze: The song "Good Time" by Counting Crows is playing. Zeke is unwinding the cords to plug into his guitar. Spike is at the bar serving drinks.
Vic walks lonely through the cemeteries. Buffy is asleep on her bed. Dawn is in her room read the Great Gatsby. Willow sits on the couch watching TV.
Anya walks up to Xander's door and is about to knock. She pauses, then turns back around and leaves. Xander goes to the phone - there is a shot of the phone at the Magic Box ringing. Then there is a shot of Anya sitting at home - he phone is ringing - she looks at the caller ID and it is Xander. She turns up the TV.
Vic walks home. When she gets there, she wakes up Buffy. Buffy heads out of the house and there is a shot of her on patrol.
Cut to: The front door of Anya's flat. Xander is standing there with a solemn look on his face. He knocks on the door. No one answers.
XANDER: Come on, Anya, open the door.
Anya walks over to the door and opens it. Xander is standing there with a Blockbuster bag, a bag of popcorn, and a six-pack of beer. Anya opens the door further.
ANYA: Come on in.
The End.
Out Cold
Teaser: The Summers' house: Devil's Night. The doorbell rings. Vic looks up at the ceiling from laying in her bed.
VIC: Will someone get it!?
The doorbell keeps on ringing. Vic slowly gets up from her bed, and walks up the stairs.
VIC: Is somebody gonna get the door!?
Vic walks out and through the kitchen. She heads to the front door. Someone knocks on the kitchen door. Vic turns around. It's Zeke. She hobbles to the door.
ZEKE: Still milking that (Vic opens the door) "I was poisoned" thing.
VIC: For all it's worth.
ZEKE: You wanna go TP someone's house or something?
VIC: I wanna sleep.
ZEKE: Come on, tomorrow's supposed to be your real one night off.
VIC: They've told me that vamps in Sunnydale don't follow those rules.
ZEKE: Then, you might as well enjoy tonight, right?
VIC: I've gotta work tomorrow. Big day for the Magic Box. (Staring at Zeke who is still outside) Are you gonna come in?
Zeke walks in.
ZEKE: I just thought we could have some fun.
Cut to: The Bronze. Buffy sits at the bar. Spike tends bar.
BUFFY: I need a beer.
SPIKE: Nope.
BUFFY: Just one beer?
SPIKE: Nope.
BUFFY: A coffee?
SPIKE: Not happenin'
BUFFY: A soda, then?
SPIKE: Can't do it.
BUFFY: Please.
SPIKE: Nope.
Buffy lays her head down on the bar.
SPIKE: Maybe you should go home.
BUFFY: (head still down) Where's Dawn?
Spike whistles and Dawn comes out from a crowd of boys.
SPIKE: Take your sis home.
BUFFY/DAWN: Ok.
SPIKE: Go on now.
Buffy gets up and Dawn takes her arm and leads her towards the door.
BUFFY: I can't believe we have to be at that damn High School tomorrow.
DAWN: Yeah, I know, school on Halloween.
BUFFY: Hey, maybe someone will vandalize it, and it'll be closed.
DAWN: We can only hope.
Cut to: The Summers' house: Vic's room. She and Zeke are making out on her new found bed. Vic leans back until her head is back on her pillow.
ZEKE: You sure?
Vic sits up erect. With a strange questioning look towards Zeke.
VIC: (offended) Am I sure?
ZEKE: Sorry, I just - well, you've gotten your heart torn out, and then shot in the heart. I just didn't know.
VIC: Maybe you're right - maybe we shouldn't do this.
Vic sits up on the edge of the bed.
ZEKE: Aw, Vic, I didn't mean it like that.
VIC: Why do people do that?
ZEKE: Do what?
VIC: Say someone's name like, "Aw, Vic" I'm the only other person in the room, who else would you be talking to?
ZEKE: Myself, I guess.
VIC: (angry) Urgh!
ZEKE: What?
VIC: Nothing.
ZEKE: (puts his hand on her shoulder) Hey, if you wanna do it, let's do it.
VIC: Maybe I don't.
ZEKE: Then, we won't.
VIC: What's wrong with me?
ZEKE: Why would there be something wrong with you?
VIC: I dunno, but there obviously is.
ZEKE: Why do you say that?
VIC: I've never not wanted to.
ZEKE: So it's a bad thing that for once in your life, you don't wanna have sex?
VIC: Yes.
ZEKE: (Kissing the back of her neck) It's not, trust me.
VIC: (angry) Urgh!
ZEKE: What?
VIC: Why are you so damn agreeable?
ZEKE: You want me to disagree? Fine. (Raises his voice) You know, what the hell is wrong with you? How can you not wanna have sex? The moment is perfect, but no, something has taken a striking blow on your libido, and I have to suffer. I won't stand for it!
Vic turns around and kisses Zeke. She pushes him down on the bed and strattles him.
VIC: Thanks.
She tears open his shirt.
ZEKE: No problem.
Zeke kisses Vic and rolls over on top of her. They make love - not sex.
Cut to: Xander's flat - he's all alone. Sitting on his couch watching TV. The phone rings. He answers it.
XANDER: Hello?
WILLOW: They're having sex right now.
XANDER: Who?
WILLOW: Vic and Zeke. I'm in the living room, but I can hear 'em.
XANDER: Well, do you wanna come over here? I'm not doing anything.
WILLOW: No, I just don't wanna listen to them go at it.
XANDER: You wanna go egg cars and TP houses like the old days.
WILLOW: Xander - we never did that in the old days.
XANDER: Never too late to start.
WILLOW: You watchin' TV?
XANDER: Yupp.
WILLOW: Whatcha watching?
XANDER: Charlie Brown
WILLOW: Me too. Hold on, I think they stopped.
Willow puts the phone down and listens. There is a pause, but then they start back again.
WILLOW: False alarm, they were just taking a breather.
XANDER: Are we just gonna talk about another couple's sex life tonight?
WILLOW: I'm jealous - why should they get to do that while I'm up here watching Charlie Brown...the blockhead?
XANDER: I know, I'm jealous, too.
WILLOW: well, at least you've had someone in the past month - unlike me.
XANDER: Well, pause and realize that the person I *had* is the one in the basement with some guy right now.
WILLOW: True. Talked to Anya lately?
XANDER: I've never *really* talked to her since she got back.
WILLOW: you need to talk to her.
XANDER: She won't talk to me.
WILLOW: I didn't say that she had to talk to you, just you talk to her.
XANDER: She won't listen.
WILLOW: Make her listen.
XANDER: What? Do you want me to (flipping channels) chain her down, and - ooh.
WILLOW: What?
XANDER: Invasion of the Body Snatchers: channel 51.
WILLOW: I'm there.
XANDER: As I was saying, do you wnat me to chain her dowwn and make her listen to me?
WILLOW: If that's what it takes.
XANDER: Ooh, and I get a nice mental picture with that one.
WILLOW: Ewe! Xander! Wait, I think they stopped.
Willow stops and listens.
WILLOW: Nope - still going.
XANDER: Jesus. Go find yourself a woman and get some.
WILLOW: It's not that easy, and you know it.
Dawn and Buffy come in the house. Buffy walks over to the sofaand lays down on the remaining two cushions.
WILLOW: (to Dawn) Is she ok?
BUFFY: Caffeine!
WILLOW: Aww, poor Buffy.
BUFFY: Have to work tomorrow.
She pauses. Then lifts her head.
BUFFY: What's going on downstairs?
WILLOW: Do you really wanna know?
BUFFY: No.
WILLOW: (to Xander) See, Buffy heard it too.
XANDER: Put the Buffster on.
Willow hands Buffy the phone.
WILLOW: It's Xander. He wants to talk to you.
BUFFY: Xander? They're making loud noises downstairs.
XANDER: So I heard.
BUFFY: I want caffeine.
XANDER: You know you cant have it.
BUFFY: But I have to work tomorrow.
XANDER: No caffeine.
Buffy looks up at the TV.
BUFFY: Ooh, Body Snatchers.
XANDER: I know.
BUFFY: I'm gonna give the phone to Willow while I yell at the kids downstairs.
XANDER: Don't interrupt them.
BUFFY: They're loud.
Buffy hands the phone to Willow. She walks into the kitchen and to the basement door.
BUFFY: Hey! This is your last round!! You're too loud.
Zeke's body relaxes over Vic's.
VIC: Alright.
ZEKE: (to Vic) Sorry.
VIC: Oh, it's ok.
Vic slides her shirt on. They start putting all of their clothes on.
ZEKE: So, what are you doing tomorrow?
VIC: Patrolling.
ZEKE: Could you use any company?
VIC: Sure. I gotta call my watcher.
Vic goes up the stairs leaving Zeke alone in the basement.
VIC: (to Willow who has the phone still) Hey, sorry about the noise. I need to call my watcher, though - she probably thinks I'm dead.
WILLOW: Oh, ok. (to Xander) Hey, Xand?
XANDER: Yeah?
WILLOW: Vic has to call her watcher - can I call you back?
XANDER: Sure.
WILLOW: I'll talk to you later.
XANDER: Ok, bye.
Willow hits the talk button and the phone turns off. She hand sit to Vic.
VIC: Thanks.
Vic dials her watcher's number
VIC: Hi...poisoned. It's ok, I'm all better. We fought some weird Reproduttori a couple of weeks ago...I know, I'm sorry, I lost track of time...yeah, well they're telling me that Halloween is pretty busy in Sunnydale... Yes, i will call you and tell you what happens...ok...I'll talk to you again...bye.
Vic hits the talk button, and returns the phone to Willow.
BUFFY: Was she mad?
VIC: Yeah, and concerned because I was poisoned, but she was cool about it.
Zeke walks into the living room.
ZEKE: Uh, (points behind him) I'm gonna go.
VIC: No! Why?
ZEKE: Well, if you want me to stay.
VIC: Uh, yeah.
BUFFY: Yeah, come on, stay.
WILLOW: Yeah, I'll have Xander come over so you won't be the only guy.
BUFFY: We can have a Halloween Sleepover - where Dawn and I have to wake up and go to school.
VIC: Yeah, and I have to go to work.
BUFFY: But it'll be fun.
Willow dials Xander up.
WILLOW: Hey Xander.
XANDER: Hey, Will.
WILLOW: You wanna come to our Halloween sleepover?
XANDER: But doesn't everyone have to be somewhere tomorrow?
WILLOW: Yeah, we'll set an alarm.
XANDER: I'll be right over.
WILLOW: See ya then.
Willow hangs up the phone.
BUFFY: Xander coming?
WILLOW: Yupp.
Vic and Zeke lay out on the floor next to each other.
WILLOW: Hey, now no getting frisky down there we hear enough of that tonight.
BUFFY: And I hope you guys used protection. You don't wanna end up like me.
They continue to watch the movie. There is a knock on the door. Xander enters the house.
XANDER: Hey you guys.
BUFFY: Hey Xander.
Xander squeezes between Dawn and Willow on the sofa. All three girls have to adjust.
BUFFY: Jeeze, Xander - couldn't you have sat in the chair.
VIC: Yeah, we saved it for you.
XANDER: That's ok. I like it here.
Vic glances over at Zeke, they smile at each other. They jump up and go to the chair. Zeke sits in it, and Vic lays over the top of him.
WILLOW: Oh, young love.
XANDER: I'm wishing.
BUFFY: You sure you wanna recollect those horrible thoughts of early Senior year?
Willow and Xander look at each other then turn away.
XANDER: I'm not thinking we wanna re-hash any of those old sparks.
WILLOW: Absolutely no. We've grown since then.
XANDER: Yeah, you're gay, and I'm...over it.
WILLOW: Right.
Dawn adjusts herself into a more comfortable position.
DAWN: Buffy, do I have to go to school tomorrow?
BUFFY: If I have to go, so do you.
DAWN: Well, you don't have to go.
BUFFY: Yes, I do. Willow, did you bring the alarm clock down?
WILLOW: Yupp, and it's set.
BUFFY: Good, I feel like I'm gonna fall asleep any minute.
Eventually, everyone falls asleep right where they are sitting. Spike walks into the house at about 3:15am. He sees everyone in the living room asleep. He goes into the kitchen and grabs a pint of blood from the fridge. He turns around and there is a figure in the doorway.
BUFFY: (still unseen) Good morning.
She takes a step into the dim light. Spike sits at the island.
SPIKE: Having a slumber party.
Buffy sits down next to him.
BUFFY: Yeah, well, we're just getting over the Halloween blues.
SPIKE: Word on the street is nothing is planned.
BUFFY: Well the word on the street is rather unreliable. Seeing that every time someone says that - some form of Hell breaks loose.
SPIKE: Well, the vamps and demons are quiet - now all you have to look out for is isolated incidents.
BUFFY: Generally, the isolated ones are the biggest.
SPIKE: Don't worry your pretty little head off about it. I'll help.
BUFFY: You work tonight, don't you?
SPIKE: Yeah, but, I can handle it before work.
BUFFY: Good, it'll get us a break.
SPIKE: Vic has to be in by nine.
BUFFY: (clenching her teeth) By nine?
SPIKE: Curfew - Dawn has to be in by eight.
BUFFY: Curfew? When did this happen?
SPIKE: Just this year. It's a good idea, don't you think...less victims.
BUFFY: Less fire power.
SPIKE: Yeah, but you'll have Willow and Xander.
BUFFY: It's probably some conspiracy against me to deplete my fire-power.
Zeke walks into the kitchen hearing the noise.
ZEKE: What are you two doing up?
BUFFY: Did you know about a curfew?
ZEKE: Yeah, but I'm 19 - I have no curfew.
BUFFY: Good, then you can help when random chaos breaks out.
ZEKE: Sorry, I have a gig at the Bronze at 10.
BUFFY: (sarcastically) Great.
SPIKE; What about Anya?
BUFFY: I could ask, but she'll probably be too busy counting the major bucks that rolled in.
SPIKE: She'll help.
BUFFY: I gotta go get some sleep. You sleeping upstairs?
SPIKE: Yeah, I think you've got a full boat down here.
BUFFY: Goodnight.
SPIKE: 'Night.
Buffy and Zeke head into the living room. Everyone has accommodate themselves into the empty space. Buffy pushes Willow up, because she is leaning on the arm of the sofa. As Willow leans up, as does Xander and Dawn. They moan to the uncomfortable movement - never opening their eyes. Zeke picks up Vic and sits back down in the chair. She just lays limp in his arms until she is set back down onto his lap. She snuggles in close to his chest.
Cut to: Morning: Everyone on the sofa is leaning on Buffy because it was their position when she had left to talk with Spike. Vic is sprawled out across the top of Zeke who's head is leaning back on the easy-chair with his mouth wide open. The alarm clock goes off, and Vic rolls over falling onto the ground with a great thud. Everyone is jutted up by Vic's scream when she hits the floor. Buffy turns and hits the drowse button; when she finally is awke enough, she turns off the alarm.
ZEKE: (to Vic) You ok?
VIC: Hitting my head is my life.
Vic pushes herself up.
DAWN: I call shower.
BUFFY: Fine, I go next.
VIC: Willow and I took ours last night.
XANDER: I can go home and shower - I scheduled myself off.
VIC: Shut up!
Everyone gets ready, and Buffy, Vic, and Dawn pile into Xander's car. Xander drops everyone at their standard stops, and then heads back to the house.
Buffy walks into the office. She goes to the water cooler. Kathy, a regular coffee drinker has just finished getting some water.
BUFFY: What's with the change?
KATHY: I just want this day to be over, so I figured I'd rather be half asleep for it all, and then get caffeined up when I get out of work.
BUFFY: Oh. Big Halloween fan?
KATHY: It's right there next to Christmas.
BUFFY: Oh, well, see you at lunch.
KATHY: Ok.
Cut to: The Magic Box. Giles, Xander, Vic, and Anya sit at the table waiting for business to pick up.
VIC: I hate Halloween.
ANYA: I love it, it means lots of money for the store.
VIC: We have a curfew, and I'll be patrolling the rest of the night. Hey! Maybe I can sneak into the Bronze!
XANDER: Nope, they're checking IDs after curfew.
VIC: Well, what if I'm already in there.
ANYA: They're clearing everybody out, then checking IDs, but it's free cover after nine.
VIC: Oh, goodie, it's free the one night I can't get in.
ANYA: You'd better take your lunch now - before it gets busy.
VIC: It's only 10:30!
ANYA: Well, you have to go before the lunch time rush.
VIC: Fine!
Vic slams a demonology book shut, and walks out of the store.
XANDER: She didn't seem too thrilled.
ANYA: It's that or no lunch.
GILES: I don't think she's all to thrilled with holding a job. I'm sure she considers slaying job enough.
Vic walks back into the shop.
VIC: And you'd think that slayers would be exempt from curfew.
The three look at her strangely.
XANDER: You couldn't wait until you were off of lunch to say that.
VIC: Well, I thought I'd forget it. Remind me when I get back, then I'll have more to say about.
XANDER: (snidely) And we'll organize our opinions on that while you're out.
VIC: Shut up!
Vic storms out again. Xander rolls his eyes.
XANDER: Teenagers.
Anya just glares at him as if to say: You had sex with her, and we got you back for that one - she's smarter than you think.
Cut to: Sunnydale High: Offices. Buffy sits at her desk, she's making phone calls to the students with unexcused absences. Kathy walks in. Buffy hangs up the phone.
BUFFY: Oh, hey Kathy.
KATHY: How's attendance?
BUFFY: Low, everybody is calling in because of the holiday.
KATHY: Yeah, well, I don't feel so well, so I'm gonna go home.
BUFFY: You should have had your caffeine.
KATHY: Yeah, well, I'm gonna go home and sleep - see if that helps.
BUFFY: Oh, ok, well I'll see you tomorrow.
KATHY: Buh bye.
Kathy leaves the office.
Cut to the cafeteria: Dawn sits at a table with a couple of friends. Vic comes up behind Dawn. She puts her finger in front of her mouth to indicate to Dawn's friends to be quiet.
VIC: Excuse me, I was wondering where the soda machines are. You see, I live at this house where the chick is preggers and she dumped out all of the soda and alcohol down the drain.
Dawn turns around.
VIC: (joking surprise) Hey! I know you!
DAWN: Vic! What are you doing here.
Vic takes a seat at the table.
VIC: Just came to see what I was missing. And to get some soda.
DAWN: Oh. That's cool. (to her friends) You guys, this is Vic, she lives in my house. Vic, these are my friends: Beth, Jenna, and Anne.
VIC: Hey.
FRIENDS: Hey.
VIC: So seriously, where are you guys hiding the caffeine.
BETH: I'll show you. Does anyone else want one.
ANNE: I'll take one.
JENNA: Me too.
BETH: Dawn?
DAWN: No, I'm cutting back because of Buffy.
VIC: Suit yourself.
BETH: We'll be right back.
Cut to: Summers' house. Spike sits on the couch watching cartoons. Zeke leans up against the couch. A talk show comes on, and Spike flips the channel to some more cartoons.
SPIKE: So...you and Vic.
ZEKE: Yeah?
SPIKE: Heard you guys were pretty loud yesterday.
ZEKE: Who told you that?
SPIKE: Willow.
ZEKE: I hear you and Buffy are pretty loud.
SPIKE: Who told *you* that.
ZEKE: Vic, Dawn, Willow.
SPIKE: Listen, you break her heart, I break your arm. Not to mention, she'll break your knee caps.
ZEKE: (confused) Who? Willow?
SPIKE: No, Vic.
ZEKE: Thought never crossed my mind.
SPIKE: Yeah, well she may have all that pent up aggression - which i don't understand because she kicks evils ass everyday, but she is easily broken.
ZEKE: Vic? Easily broken? Are we talking about the same girl here?
SPIKE: Well, you weren't there trying to console her through the whole Xander mishap.
ZEKE: No I came in during the vengeance part of that one.
SPIKE: Just don't hurt her - she's fragile.
ZEKE: So is her head.
Cut to: Sunnydale High. Vic is sitting at Dawn's table. She bangs her head on the table.
VIC: I hate work.
DAWN: You can always come back to school.
VIC: Hell no! Where's your sister? I might as well say hi before I go.
DAWN: The attendance office.
VIC: Ok, I'll see you later, Dawnie.
DAWN: Bye.
Vic prances off through the cafeteria.
Cut to: the attendance office. Vic stands in front of Buffy's desk with a soda in her hand. Buffy looks up at it longingly.
VIC: Now, Miss Summers - you know you're not allowed to caffeine.
BUFFY: How did you- (she looks up) What's up?
VIC: Nothing much - early lunch. Boring Magic Box.
BUFFY: No chaotic evil?
VIC: Not yet - but I'm hoping. Hey, did you know there is a curfew!?!
BUFFY: Yupp - you have to be in by nine.
VIC: What kind of crap is that?
BUFFY: We'll be short on man power tonight.
Vic looks up at the clock.
VIC: Well, I'd better be going. Don't wanna be late on our busiest day of the year - plus Anya would go vengeance demony on me.
BUFFY: Bye. See ya later.
VIC: Bye.
Cut to: The magic box. Vic walks in back from her lunch. There are only a few customers in the store.
VIC: I seriously they should inform the US government and get us special rights and exemptions.
The three look up from the table where Vic had left them.
ANYA: Good, you're back. I need you to get these things from the stock room(she hands Vic a list) and put them out on the shelves.
VIC: What? I thought you all were supposed to have ready opinions?
XANDER: Sorry, I was too busy nodding off to think of one.
Vic rolls her eyes. She goes to the stock room.
GILES: Well, now that she's back - I'm going to run home for a little while - be back in an hour or so.
ANYA: Ok.
XANDER: Bye, Giles.
Giles gets up and leaves the Magic Box.
XANDER: So, what are you doing tonight.
ANYA: It our one night off a year.
XANDER: Yeah, well, I was wondering if you wanted to -
ANYA: Xander! It's over.
XANDER: Yeah, well, I was hoping, maybe we could -
ANYA: I can't.
XANDER: Will you just listen for once?
ANYA: What!?
XANDER: If you wanted to rent a scary movie, and hang out.
ANYA: And by hang out you mean make out?
XANDER: No, I mean hang out - friends.
ANYA: I'm not so sure about that.
XANDER: Come on, just come over at like eight o'clock. I'll rent some movies.
ANYA: We'll see.
Cut to: The storage room. Vic has a box and is filling it with things from the list.
SPIKE: Vixen!
Vic jumps back almost dropping the box.
VIC: Jesus, Spike! Why do you always do that!?
Out of the shadows comes Spike and Zeke.
VIC: Oh, hey, Zeke. Great, while you guys are here - can you help me find this stuff?
Spike grabs the list out of Vic's hand and walks around the room taking everything off of the shelf that she needs. Vic follows him holding the box.
SPIKE: That should do it.
VIC: You coming out this time?
SPIKE: Sure, come on little Zeke.
The three of them walk up the stairs. Anya is ringing people up at the register.
ANYA: Vic! Can you help bag?
There is now a significant amount of people in the store.
ANYA: Thank God, you brought help. Hey! Guys! Can you help customers and put stuff out, please?
ZEKE: Sure!
SPIKE: Fine.
Spike hands Zeke the box, and goes up to a customer.
SPIKE: Can I help you find anything, ma'am?
Cut to: Sunnydale High. Dawn is sitting in class not even listening to the teacher. She is doodling on her paper. The teacher continues giving a lecture on The Great Gatsby. Dawn doesn't even have her book open.
TEACHER: Dawn, how would you characterize Jordan?
DAWN: Hmm?
TEACHER: How would you characterize Jordan?
DAWN: Well, um, she's a...cheater. Careless.
TEACHER: Good.
The teacher goes to her desk and sips some of her coffee. Suddenly she collapses. Dawn gasps, but realizes she is the only one making any noise. She looks around and the rest of her class is passed out on their desks.
DAWN: Buffy!
Cut to: The attendance office. Buffy realizes it suddenly got quiet. She looks over at her student assistant who is asleep on a desk.
BUFFY: Hey, sleepy, wake up.
The assistant doesn't flinch. Buffy goes over to her, and gives her a nudge. The girl still doesn't move. Buffy looks over at the students waiting to make calls - they all seem to be asleep. Buffy goes out into the main office - the secretary is asleep on her desk. She heads into the principal's office - same thing. Dawn runs into the attendance office.
DAWN: Buffy!
Buffy hears Dawn's scream and runs back into her office.
BUFFY: Dawn! You're ok.
DAWN: Buffy, what's going on?
BUFFY: Everybody is passed out.
Another student walks into the office.
STUDENT: My whole class is passed out.
BUFFY: We know. You guys wait here, I'm gonna go search for any other students.
DAWN: Buffy.
BUFFY: yeah?
DAWN: Just use the intercom.
BUFFY: Good idea.
Buffy goes to the phone and dials the code for the intercom.
BUFFY: (into the intercom) Any conscious students please report to the attendance office so we can figure what is going on.
Within a few minutes three more students come into the attendance office.
Cut to: The Magic Box. Vic is bagging still. She hands someone their bag.
VIC: Thank you, Happy Halloween.
Suddenly Vic collapses. Anya looks down.
ANYA: Xander! Someone!
The boys come rushing over.
XANDER: What happened?
ANYA: She just passed out.
XANDER: Take her into the training room.
The Magic Box phone rings.
SPIKE: Hello? Magic Box? William Speaking.
BUFFY: Spike? What are you doing there?
SPIKE: Helping out - why are you calling.
BUFFY: The entire school passed out on us.
SPIKE: That's funny because Vic just passed out on us.
BUFFY: He did?
SPIKE: Yupp.
BUFFY: Well, she was in the school on her lunch.
SPIKE: So you're saying this shouldn't require a hospital visit.
BUFFY: No, I think it's magic.
SPIKE: Magic? What about poison?
BUFFY: No - they're still alive - just passed out. We'll be there in a little bit. First we're gonna drop these kids home.
SPIKE: Ok, See you then.
BUFFY: Bye.
SPIKE: Bye.
Spike hangs up the phone.
SPIKE: Apparently Vic's problem is an epidemic over the whole school. Everyone these is passed out.
ANYA: Witchcraft?
SPIKE: That's what they think.
Spike heads into the training room. Xander and Zeke are trying to wake Vic up.
SPIKE: No use.
ZEKE: Come on, Vic wake up.
SPIKE: Someone cast a spell - Buffy's trying to figure it out right now.
XANDER: How does she know?
SPIKE: All but a few at the school are passed out.
ANYA: (on the intercom) I need someone to bag! Hurry, hurry, hurry!
ZEKE: I'll go to it. (He leaves the training room) Coming!
SPIKE: We should probably get Giles. If it's magic, he's the one to undo it.
XANDER: Yeah, and Willow, if it involves chemistry.
SPIKE: I'll call Giles - you find Willow.
XANDER: Will do.
They both leave the training room to do their assignments.
Cut to: Sunnydale High.
BUFFY: Ok, you guys - we're just gonna get outa here, and then figure this out.
STUDENT 1: Shouldn't we call someone?
BUFFY: Not from here. Whatever made everyone pass out is in the building.
Buffy, Dawn, and the students head out of the school. On their way out, one of them stops at a soda machine and gets a soda. He snaps it open and begins drinking it.
STUDENT: Haven't had my daily dose of caffeine, yet.
They get out of the school.
BUFFY: Ok, you guys go home - we'll figure this out.
The students leave, but the one with the soda stands there blankly. He suddenly collapses. Buffy watches the soda flowing from the can. She runs over and picks the can up. There is still some soda left in it.
BUFFY: we need to find out what's in here.
DAWN: Why?
BUFFY: Did you have any soda today - or anything with caffeine in it?
DAWN: No.
BUFFY: When Vic stopped in the office she had a soda - she's passed out. This kid was fine until he had a soda, and then - BANG! He's on the ground.
DAWN: My teacher had coffee, though.
BUFFY: Caffeine.
DAWN: But why would someone spike the schools caffeine beverages?
They are walking down the street towards the Magic Box.
BUFFY: Everyone in that place drinks caffeine. Look, there were only six, well, five of us who didn't have any caffeine - it's a good way to get the whole school to do something.
DAWN: But, why pass out?
BUFFY: I don't know.
They walk into the Magic Box. Giles and Spike are sitting at the designated table.
BUFFY: It's caffeine.
SPIKE: I think you're just projecting.
DAWN: No, it is.
BUFFY: (hold out the can) We need to find out what whoever did to this.
SPIKE: Xander's getting Willow right now.
Cut to: Campus of UC Sunnydale. Xander walks through the crowds looking for Willow. He heads to the library. No Willow. He goes back outside. Willow is reading a book up against a tree.
XANDER: Willow!
WILLOW: Xander, what are you doing here?
XANDER: Big problems.
WILLOW: Is it Buffy - is she ok?
XANDER: Buffy is fine. Vic is passed out, but Buffy's fine. Come on.
Willow gets up and they head to Xander's car.
WILLOW: Why is Vic passed out?
XANDER: The same reason the rest of the high school is passed out.
WILLOW: Why are they passed out?
XANDER: That's why we need you.
They get in Xander's car and speed off.
Cut to: The Magic Box. Buffy, Dawn, and Giles leaf through spell books while Spike and Zeke help with the shop.
BUFFY: What we need is motive. Why would someone want a whole high school to be unconscious?
GILES: Maybe they want to kidnap someone,
BUFFY: No - that's just overkill - and they'd be conscious by now.
DAWN: Hey, I'm kinda happy - no school.
BUFFY: Yeah, but a student would just skip or call in. Making the phone student body and staff pas out is just a way to get expelled.
DAWN: Then they'd get to miss a lot of school.
Willow and Xander walk in.
XANDER: Any new discoveries?
BUFFY: It's caffeine.
XANDER: Caffeine?
BUFFY: Someone curse all the school's caffeine beverages.
XANDER: That's kinda lame.
BUFFY: Yeah, but it worked. Willow, I brought in a can of soda- could you test it?
WILLOW: Sure.
XANDER: I'll help.
Buffy turns back to leafing through her spell book. She lifts her head in realization.
BUFFY: Giles. If you wanted to miss work, would you rather take a sick day - or cause the whole place to be shut down?
GILES: Excuse me?
BUFFY: I thought it was strange today when Kathy had no coffee. The woman is a caffeine addict.
DAWN: So you're saying she curse the caffeine to get outa working.
BUFFY: Halloween is her favorite holiday. She musta figured her spell didn't work and just took a sick day.
GILES: Maybe she just didn't feel well.
BUFFY: There's only one way to be sure: We'll have to pay Kathy a visit - keep looking for the reversal spell, though. XANDER!
Xander runs into the main room.
XANDER: Yeah, Buff.
BUFFY: You wanna check out a co-worker's place with me in search of magic?
XANDER: Sure.
BUFFY: Dawn, can you go help Willow?
DAWN: Sure.
Dawn goes back to help Willow.
BUFFY: We have to stop by the school first to get her address.
XANDER: Ok.
Cut to: Sunnydale High. Buffy and Xander rummage through the files in one of the offices. They are surrounded by unconscious people at their desks.
BUFFY: Found it!
Buffy grabs a slip of paper and writes down Kathy's address. She shows it to Xander.
BUFFY: You know where this is?
XANDER: Yeah.
BUFFY: Good. Let's go.
Cut to the front door of Kathy's house. Buffy rings the doorbell. Kathy opens the door.
KATHY: (surprised) Buffy! What are you doing here?
BUFFY: Just dropped by to visit.
KATHY: (she doesn't invite them in - they continue to talk at the door)Shouldn't you be at work?
BUFFY: You know a funny thing happened at work today.
KATHY: (fearfully backing up) A funny thing?
BUFFY: yeah, I was thinking you maybe knew about it?
KATHY: What kind of funny thing?
BUFFY: Why weren't you drinking coffee today, Kathy?
KATHY: I-I didn't feel much in the mood for caffeine.
BUFFY: Why is that?
KATHY: Because I-
BUFFY: Because you had cursed it with a sleeping spell?
KATHY: I didn't think it worked.
BUFFY: Well, it did, and now the whole school is passed out.
KATHY: (half smiling) It worked?
XANDER: Yeah, it worked - now how do we make it un-work?
KATHY: I-I don't know.
BUFFY: You know, Wicca can be a very powerful tool, if you know how to use it right. Why were you using it, by the way?
KATHY: I didn't wanna go to work today, so I figured if everyone in the school was passed out, I could leave.
XANDER: Two points for Buffy!
BUFFY: But you didn't think it was working - so you went home?
KATHY: Yeah.
BUFFY: What spell did you use?
KATHY: I don't have it anymore.
BUFFY: Where'd you get it?
KATHY: The Magic Box.
BUFFY: What a small world. What kind of spell was it?
KATHY: Just your general sleep spell.
BUFFY: What did the book look like?
KATHY: It was Black leather with a silver pentacle on it - pointing down.
BUFFY: Thanks.
Cut to: The Magic Box. Giles has the Black leather book with a silver pentacle pointing down in his hand. He goes to the bookshelf.
GILES: Well, nothing in this one.
Willow is in the training room with Dawn pouring vials of one substance into another. She has a slide of something in her microscope.
WILLOW: Hmp.
DAWN: What?
WILLOW: Nothing.
DAWN: Oh.
WILLOW: I mean, there is nothing in these - it's just regular soda. The acidity isn't off - nothing.
Vic is still laying unconscious on a stack of floor mats. Willow and Dawn walk out of the training room just as Buffy and Xander enter the Magic Box.
BUFFY: The spell is in a black leather book with a silver pentacle pointing down.
GILES: I just looked through that - I found nothing.
BUFFY: It's a sleeping spell.
Buffy goes to the bookshelf and finds the book. She flips through it.
BUFFY: Here it is.
She lays the book down.
BUFFY: Was that so hard? How do we reverse it?
Giles looks down at the book. He flips the page.
GILES: Xander, go in the back and get me these ingredients.
XANDER: Ok.
Xander goes in the back and a few minutes later comes back with all of the ingredients.
BUFFY: We should probably do this in the other room.
They head back into the training room. Giles performs the spell he speaks in Latin and at the end: English.
GILES: Awaken.
We hear Vic moan and she moves on top of the mats.
BUFFY: Well, that did it.
VIC: (sitting up) I was out again?
XANDER: You sure have that damsel in distress act down.
VIC: Yeah, (hops off the mats) but when I'm conscious, I can kick your butt all the way across the Pacific - remember that.
XANDER: (taunting) Ooh, I'm scared.
VIC: You should be. So what did I miss.
BUFFY: Someone put a sleeping spell on all of the caffeine beverages in the school.
VIC: Oh, so I had reason to pass out.
XANDER: But slayers have no reason to pass out, do they Buff?
BUFFY: Pregnant slayers do.
XANDER: But you're not pregnant, though, are ya Vic?
VIC: If I were, I wouldn't know.
DAWN: Well, you should go reassure Zeke you're ok.
VIC: Was he freaking out?
XANDER: There was a little freakage.
VIC: Well, thank you guys - again.
BUFFY: No problem.
Vic head out of the training room and on to the main part of the shop. She heads behind the counter.
ANYA: Oh, good, help bag.
Vic grabs a bag and helps Zeke bag up the items.
ZEKE: You ok?
VIC: Peachy.
ZEKE: Good.
VIC: How are you?
ZEKE: Better now that you're ok.
He kisses her.
ANYA: Hey, no kissing on the sales floor!
VIC: Ok, we'll go in the back.
ANYA: Oh, no you won't. And don't think you're paid for being passed out in the back.
VIC: How about you pay me, and I give the money to Zeke.
ANYA: That sounds fair.
Cut to: Closing at the Magic Box. Anya locks the doors as the group hangs around the table.
SPIKE: We've gotta get the nibblets home before curfew.
ZEKE: Yeah, and I gotta get to the Bronze to warm up.
XANDER: I'm gonna go and rent some videos.
VIC: I think I'm gonna patrol until curfew.
BUFFY: I'm gonna rest while you patrol and then go patrol when you get home.
ANYA: I'm gonna count money.
WILLOW: How did we guess?
They all head home - Anya stays in to count her money.
Cut to: the Bronze: The song "Good Time" by Counting Crows is playing. Zeke is unwinding the cords to plug into his guitar. Spike is at the bar serving drinks.
Vic walks lonely through the cemeteries. Buffy is asleep on her bed. Dawn is in her room read the Great Gatsby. Willow sits on the couch watching TV.
Anya walks up to Xander's door and is about to knock. She pauses, then turns back around and leaves. Xander goes to the phone - there is a shot of the phone at the Magic Box ringing. Then there is a shot of Anya sitting at home - he phone is ringing - she looks at the caller ID and it is Xander. She turns up the TV.
Vic walks home. When she gets there, she wakes up Buffy. Buffy heads out of the house and there is a shot of her on patrol.
Cut to: The front door of Anya's flat. Xander is standing there with a solemn look on his face. He knocks on the door. No one answers.
XANDER: Come on, Anya, open the door.
Anya walks over to the door and opens it. Xander is standing there with a Blockbuster bag, a bag of popcorn, and a six-pack of beer. Anya opens the door further.
ANYA: Come on in.
The End.