Chapter 3: Going Through The Motions

Chapter 3: Going Through The Motions


         The Sunnydale Idol logo spun off the screen to show Ryan back at the graveyard with the three judges on the same tombstone, he said, "All right. You've met the contestants, met the judges, now let's see how they fare. Here's our first contestant, Buffy Summers."

         The screen cut to a shot of Buffy's graduation photo. Although Buffy was smiling widely in the picture, the photo was slightly burnt on the edges. In a voiceover, Ryan recounted, "Our first contestant is Elizabeth Summers, or Buffy as she prefers to be called. Buffy comes from Los Angeles and moved here after her parents' divorce."

         As Ryan continued, a montage of Buffy's daily routine rolled by. Scenes of her helping Dawn get ready for school, taking out the garbage, working at the Doublemeat Palace were shown as Ryan said, "Buffy is now a full-time mom to sister Dawn, while working double-shifts at the local burger joint. But that's during the day..."

         The scene cut to a montage of Buffy on patrol, fighting off three vamps in usual Slayer-style. "At night, Buffy is the Slayer. She is the Chosen One, selected to protect the people of Sunnydale from the demons and vampires that plague the town."

         "I would love to give it up," said Buffy as the camera cut to a close-up of her being interviewed. "Hang up my stakes and settle for a normal life. But I'm not normal and I have a duty to protect the people here. Leaving is not an option. My dreams... my dreams come second."

         The scene faded out and into the graveyard where Ryan and the judges are. The camera panned left to find Buffy walking along, looking around. Suddenly, she began to sing,

                  Every single night, the same arrangement
                  I go out and fight the fight.
                  Still, I always feel this strange estrangement
                  Nothing here is real, nothing here is right.

         A vampire appeared from behind a gravestone and rushed at Buffy. She spun him around and continued singing,

                  I've been making shows of (she punched vampire) trading blows
                  Just hoping no one knows (she kicked and grabbed the vamp, throwing him behind her)
                  That I've been going through the motions
                  Walking through the part.

         Buffy pulled a stake from her jacket pocket as the vampire attacked her from behind and she staked him without looking back.

                  Nothing seems to penetrate my heart…

         She continued walking and singing,

                  I was always brave, and kind of righteous.
                  Now I find I'm wavering.

         Two vampires and a demon gathered near a tree. There was a person tied to the tree. The vampires saw Buffy and attacked.

                  Crawl out of your grave, you'll find this fight just (she punched one vampire)
                  Doesn't mean a thing. (she punched the second vampire)

         One of the vampires sang,

                  She ain't got that swing.

as the second vampire punched Buffy and she went down. She sang,

                  Thanks for noticing.

         She continued lying there as the two vampires and the demon began to do a dance, singing,

                  She does pretty well with fiends from hell
                  But lately we can tell…

         As they sang, Buffy got up and a sword came flying towards her. She spun and caught it, looking back to see who threw it. She saw Ryan, grinning and waving, as to say, 'keep going'. She looked confused but then shrugged and went after the vamps.

                  That she's just going through the motions,
                  Going through the motions.

         Buffy pulled the first vampire away and cut off his head with the sword. The second vampire sang,

                  Faking it somehow.

as Buffy pushed him aside and stabbed the demon who sang,

                  She's not even half the girl she – (he looks down at his wound) – ow.

         The demon fell over as Buffy continued walking, holding the sword.

                  Will I stay this way forever?
                  Sleepwalk through my life's endeavor?

         She used the sword to cut the ropes that are tying the person to a tree. The person came around the tree trunk, to reveal a handsome man who started to sing,

                  How can I repay –

before Buffy interrupted him with a

                  Whatever.

         She turned away, tossed the sword back to Ryan, who fumbled and dropped it with a girly shriek, and continued walking.

                  I don't want to beeeeee... (she walked up onto a raised platform ringed by statues, then stopped)
                  Going through the motions
                  Losing all my drive.
                  I can't even see
                  If this is really me
                  And I just want to be –

         The second vampire attacked her and she staked him. He exploded into dust that formed a cloud, obscuring Buffy from view, then cleared as she sang the final word,

                  Aliiiiiive!

         There was a wide aerial shot of Buffy standing amidst the gravestones, just as the camera cut to the judges' panel. Paula smiled widely as Simon raised his hand for Buffy to stop and her eyes widened at the sight of them.

         "Okay, that's enough. Paula?" he said with cool efficiency.

         "Well, your presence is great, I really felt like you were really depressed and bored with the whole 'going through the motions' thing. And you look amazing. You got style..." she started.

         Buffy interrupted, "Uh, who are you guys? What's going on...?"

         Simon put his hand up to say 'don't interrupt' and Paula continued, "...and you didn't lose your stride, killing the vampires. So, good job. Randy?"

         "Yeah, you got it, girl. You kept up the performance and showed real emotion. Your voice, a little flat, untrained. But the power was there, you're not shy about it. Great job. Simon?" he summed up quickly before turning to Simon.

         Buffy looked confused as she crossed her arms, but bit her tongue and waited for them to finish. Simon, looking bored, heaved a big sigh and faced her.

         "Well, I'm afraid I don't quite agree everyone else... don't take this personally, but I think you're a horrible singer. You may be a good Slayer, but it's probably your voice that's raising the dead. I mean, come on, you have no range, you're off-key..."

         "Simon…" Paula started, rolling her eyes.

         "Hey! I didn't want to sing, okay? It just happened! And who are you to criticize me?!" she cried, getting off the tombstone to walk towards the judges' panel.

         "I'm the one who's going to end up signing with the winner, so I think if anything I have a say in who gets the record deal. People would have to be deaf to buy your CD. Sorry, I don't think you have what we're looking for," he said, calmly.

         "Record deal? Looking for? What are you – "

         Simon ignored her question with a rolling of his eyes and turned to his left. "Paula, final decision."

         Paula smiled and said, "You know what? I say, yes. I think she has the charisma to pull it off. True, her voice may need work, but it's rare to see that kind of enthusiasm," she defended.

         "Randy?" Simon asked the man to Paula's left.

         Randy looked at Buffy, critcally. "I say yes, too," he finally agreed. "Work on your range, but I think you have star quality."

         Simon sighed and resigned, "All right. See you in the next round."

         "Next round? What are you...?" Buffy began to question before an excited Ryan came up beside Buffy and put his arm on her shoulder.

         "So, the judges have decided. Buffy makes it to round two! But how will her friends fare… ow!" He cried in pain as Buffy twisted his arm behind his back.

         "What the hell is going on?! You have till the count of three to tell me!"

         Simon chuckled as he said, "At least she got good taste when it comes to Ryan. I think I'm beginning to like her."

         Ryan, who was still straining under Buffy's hold, managed to choke out, "We'll be back... after this." Then, looking off-screen, he whimpered, "Help…"