ACT I
EXT. GRAVEYARD #1 - NIGHT
XANDER is strolling around and twirling a stake as he whistles the theme to "Star Wars." He suddenly stops.
XANDER (tensely) Who's there?
The bushes just behind him rustle and ANYA comes flying out, hitting XANDER squarely in the back.
ANYA (screaming) Aaahh!
The two fall to the ground with XANDER landing face down with ANYA on top of him.
ANYA (disappointed) Oh, it's only you.
ANYA slowly climbs off XANDER, allowing both of them to get up. They stand and dust off their clothes.
XANDER (sarcastically) Love you, too, Anya. (switches to really annoyed) Geez, what's your problem? I was just coming to help patrol, so you and Willow don't have to be out all night. Where is Wills, anyway?
From the direction that ANYA entered, WILLOW and TARA enter holding hands and talking to one another. They do not notice XANDER.
XANDER Hey, guys.
The girls look up and smile.
WILLOW Oh, hey, Xand. If you guys don't mind, I should get going. I have a huge paper due soon and since none of us want to see Willow in major wiggage later, I need to hit the books.
XANDER No problem. We'll see you tomorrow. Don't forget the meeting in the Magic Box.
ANYA Yes, please come and bring lots of money to buy things!
XANDER Sweetie, we talked about this thing called tact once, remember?
WILLOW (ignoring Anya and turning toward Tara) You coming?
TARA You go ahead. I am just going to stay a little longer and help out Xander and Anya. I'll see you at the Magic Box, tomorrow.
WILLOW Okay, bye.
XANDER & TARA Bye.
ANYA (calling after Willow) Don't forget your money! WILLOW exits. The three remaining Scoobies set off into the graveyard.
TARA So, how is she?
XANDER Who - Buffy?
TARA nods.
XANDER (cont'd) She's okay, not great. But, I mean, that is expected, right? After having just lost your mother?
TARA When my mom died, I felt like the world had ended.
ANYA Buffy certainly acts like it.
XANDER (exasperated) Ahn!
ANYA What? It's true. You have seen her. She doesn't talk or slay much anymore. She has been shirking her responsibilities which is quite irresponsible!
XANDER I, for one, am glad she isn't patrolling right now. That way we can look out for her mom's ghost again. I don't want to worry Buffy for nothing, so we're going to wait to tell her about it, right? You haven't said anything yet, Tara?
TARA Nothing, promise.
The three continue to walk when suddenly the ghost of JOYCE appears before them.
ANYA (screaming) Aaaahh! There it is again!
XANDER I swear, it looks just like Joyce.
TARA (to ghost) Joyce? (quietly to Xander and Anya) It looks just like her and is even wearing one of her dresses.
Suddenly, the ghost disappears.
ANYA Wait, she's leaving.
TARA We should tell Buffy about this. She would want to know.
XANDER I don't know if that is such a good idea. Maybe we should research this first. The cause may be something mystical and we don't want to upset Buffy any more than she already is, don't you agree?
ANYA (cheerily) Yes, a very good idea.
XANDER and ANYA walk off, while TARA remains behind for a moment.
TARA I am gonna tell Buffy about this tomorrow. We can keep it between us and Xander and Anya will never know. Buffy has the right to know - she needs to know.
TARA runs and catches up with the couple. The three walk out of the graveyard together, heading home.
EXT. GRAVEYARD #1 - NIGHT
XANDER is strolling around and twirling a stake as he whistles the theme to "Star Wars." He suddenly stops.
XANDER (tensely) Who's there?
The bushes just behind him rustle and ANYA comes flying out, hitting XANDER squarely in the back.
ANYA (screaming) Aaahh!
The two fall to the ground with XANDER landing face down with ANYA on top of him.
ANYA (disappointed) Oh, it's only you.
ANYA slowly climbs off XANDER, allowing both of them to get up. They stand and dust off their clothes.
XANDER (sarcastically) Love you, too, Anya. (switches to really annoyed) Geez, what's your problem? I was just coming to help patrol, so you and Willow don't have to be out all night. Where is Wills, anyway?
From the direction that ANYA entered, WILLOW and TARA enter holding hands and talking to one another. They do not notice XANDER.
XANDER Hey, guys.
The girls look up and smile.
WILLOW Oh, hey, Xand. If you guys don't mind, I should get going. I have a huge paper due soon and since none of us want to see Willow in major wiggage later, I need to hit the books.
XANDER No problem. We'll see you tomorrow. Don't forget the meeting in the Magic Box.
ANYA Yes, please come and bring lots of money to buy things!
XANDER Sweetie, we talked about this thing called tact once, remember?
WILLOW (ignoring Anya and turning toward Tara) You coming?
TARA You go ahead. I am just going to stay a little longer and help out Xander and Anya. I'll see you at the Magic Box, tomorrow.
WILLOW Okay, bye.
XANDER & TARA Bye.
ANYA (calling after Willow) Don't forget your money! WILLOW exits. The three remaining Scoobies set off into the graveyard.
TARA So, how is she?
XANDER Who - Buffy?
TARA nods.
XANDER (cont'd) She's okay, not great. But, I mean, that is expected, right? After having just lost your mother?
TARA When my mom died, I felt like the world had ended.
ANYA Buffy certainly acts like it.
XANDER (exasperated) Ahn!
ANYA What? It's true. You have seen her. She doesn't talk or slay much anymore. She has been shirking her responsibilities which is quite irresponsible!
XANDER I, for one, am glad she isn't patrolling right now. That way we can look out for her mom's ghost again. I don't want to worry Buffy for nothing, so we're going to wait to tell her about it, right? You haven't said anything yet, Tara?
TARA Nothing, promise.
The three continue to walk when suddenly the ghost of JOYCE appears before them.
ANYA (screaming) Aaaahh! There it is again!
XANDER I swear, it looks just like Joyce.
TARA (to ghost) Joyce? (quietly to Xander and Anya) It looks just like her and is even wearing one of her dresses.
Suddenly, the ghost disappears.
ANYA Wait, she's leaving.
TARA We should tell Buffy about this. She would want to know.
XANDER I don't know if that is such a good idea. Maybe we should research this first. The cause may be something mystical and we don't want to upset Buffy any more than she already is, don't you agree?
ANYA (cheerily) Yes, a very good idea.
XANDER and ANYA walk off, while TARA remains behind for a moment.
TARA I am gonna tell Buffy about this tomorrow. We can keep it between us and Xander and Anya will never know. Buffy has the right to know - she needs to know.
TARA runs and catches up with the couple. The three walk out of the graveyard together, heading home.