Giles scans some book in. He says to the high school boy, "Three day late charges at ten cents a day times two books ... your total comes to sixty cents."
Willow and Xander walk in.
"Sixty cents. The price of one of those soft drinks from the cafeteria beverage dispensers. Perhaps you'll remember to return your rentals on time. Oh, and have a good day," he attempts a smile.
The guy walks out. Xander watches him out as Willow sets up her lunch on the table.
"Alright, tough guy Giles. Book em' danno," says Xander.
"Ah, you're here. Where's Buffy?"
"She had to go to the little Slayer's Room," answers Willow.
Giles looks at her odd.
"Bathroom. she had to go to the bathroom. Oh fuddie duddie," she says.
Xander pats her on her left shoulder and says encouragingly, "Don't worry Will, I still think you're funny."
"Touching," she whispers in a reminding command.
"Sorry," he quickly apologizes.
"Oz should be here in a minute," says Willow to Giles.
"Oz has entered the building," Oz says as he walks pass the now shutting doors to the library.
"And making good time too. Only a few minutes late," replies Willow.
"Four-four time," says Oz. No one says anything, "It's hard to follow an act like Xanders'."
"You heard it?" asks Xander.
"Talking to one of my friends on the chaotic side of the door over there. It's a whole different scholastic universe on the other side."
"Kind of like a bizzarro Sunnydale?"
"No, regular Sunnydale pretty much is bazzarro Sunnydale. I wonder what the Kryptonite would be?" Oz pounders.
"That;s easy," says Xander, "the cafeteria food."
Buffy walks through the double library doors.
"Oh, thank goodness you are here," a relieved Giles exclaims.
"What?" asks Buffy.
"I missed you. Really, really missed you," says Giles.
"Hey Buffy," calls Willow.
"Hey Willow. Hey guys."
Xander and Oz both say hey about the same time.
"Were you guys talking science fiction in front of the librarian again?"
"Louise Lane?" asks quietly to Xander.
"Nah," he smiles and his face brightens up as he looks at Buffy, "Supergirl."
Willow speaks up, "We got you a drink, Oz did anyway."
Oz responds, "They were out of Coke, so I got you Pepsi."
"Pepsi? I didn't even know they had Pepsi machines on campus," comments Xander.
"It was way in the back. Apparently it's supposed to taste good. They got this girl singing and dancing and oscillating her butt. Not sure what that has to do with the taste," replies Oz.
"Maybe it tastes like ass," says Xander.
No one laughs. He looks around at everybody staring at him.
"No one is laughing today. Especially at me. Where has all the laughter gone?"
"Lost it last night. I got to kill a slime monster," says Buffy.
"Details Buffy, details," says Xander.
"Well, it was all oozing and bubble gum on the bottom of your shoe like. On the plus side I cut it in half."
"Ew," the all turn to see Cordillia standing in the double doorway, "I knew there was a reason I was avoiding all you midnight weirdoes. God," she walks out disgusted.
"Can we cut her in half too?" asks Xander.
"Well, this is all fascinating and witty banter, but we are actually all here for a reason this time," says Giles.
"Lunch," Willow comments. Oz Smiles.
"Yes, well, something more than that."
"There;s more?" asks Buffy.
"Unfortunately so. While Buffy and I attempted to retrieve the body parts last night, we encountered two police automobiles. While this hampered our recovery efforts, it did not deteur them. I went back alone. The body had dissolved."
"Did you cover it in salt?" says Xander. "I should stop saying things now."
"Indeed. So, as I was saying, it dissolved. Now, that took care of our disposal concerns, but presents us with a whole batch of problems."
"Fresh from the oven," says Oz.
Giles takes his glasses off and hesitates.
"I saw it on the news this morning. I called Wesley immediately. This may be nothing..."
Concerned, Buffy looks at him with her mouth slightly agape.
"Giles, what is it? Come on, don't hold back," Buffy demands.
"You were in fact patrolling that cemetery the same night it happened."
"What happened?" asks Willow.
"A man was found dead. He had been stabbed once and slowly bleed to death. The police aren't releasing very much information at this point. Buffy, your DNA is all over the place. Your footprints still fresh, hair follicles, drops of blood. I'm afraid we may have to put you in hiding."
"No way," says Buffy.
"Buffy, this is serious. We have to get you out of here," a concerned Xander comments.
"I have to stay here and stop the Ascension."
"I think I'm going to have to go with Xander on this," Oz mouths that back to himself silently, "yeah..."
"Giles, any chance this could have been Faith?"
"Well, there's no way to know for sure without asking her directly. So far all of her killings have been purposeful. This one seems to be without reason. It may, or may not be."
"Still, we should check right?" says Willow.
"How?" asks Xander.
"I don't know. I was just saying."
"It wasn't me, but I thank everyone for their concern..." Oz looks at everyone. Willow puts an arm around Oz.
"Giles, I'm not leaving."
"And we may not have to. These are only suggestions. there is always a chance this could blow over. The law is involved, we should at least use caution."
"Well, at least the demon body dissolved. That's one less thing we'll have to worry about."
The Mayor picks up his office phone. Faith quiets down. In a perky tone he answers, "Hello, this is Mayor Wilkens Officer, Mayor Wilkens speaking."
"Mister Mayor, this is Snyder. I have some information you might find interesting."
"You do," he looks at Faith, "let me put you on speaker phone. I just have loads of paper work and need my hands free. Oh please, go on."
"Just a hour ago there was a fight in the high school cafeteria. Couple little punks knocked each other up pretty good."
"And how is this information interesting again?" asks the Mayor.
"Well, I had to call the police. When he arrived, I noticed who it was. To my surprise I saw Charles Kamen."
"Ah yes, Kamen. He did some work for me a ... a year ago I believe. He was a perfect gentlemen. Fine outstanding officer. I think he transferred to Los Angeles."
"He did. But he moved back to Sunnydale a few months ago. who can blame him? L.A. is the pot smoking capital of the world. A bunch of pathetic junkies. Anyway, he had some interesting thing tidbits ... another officer at the Hathaway Cemetery made some discoveries. A weird monster body as he described it. It was gooey and melted. Just melted. All gone. And Kamen pulled over out school librarian, who was coinscidently on his was to that cemetery."
"Well, that's not too unusual. A faculty member died there last year," says the Mayor.
"That's what Kamen said he said. Jenny Calander. But he had Buffy Summers with him."
The Mayor's smile turns into a frown. "Gosh, as much as I'd like to think some kids will bloom and become great thinkers, or artists, some are never more than just plain trouble makers."
"Mister Mayor, that's only half of it - a man was found stabbed to death."
"Did you say stabbed?"
"Yes sir."
"Hold on a second," he presses down the mute button. "Faithy, you haven't been going around stabbing people have you?"
"No way. You know I'd ask you first. Besides, I don't even have a blade."
"You don't ... hummm ... you sure?" he asks again.
"One-hundred-ten sure boss," answers Faith.
Okay, that's a good girl. You know it leaves daddy with an awful big mess to clean up," he releases the mute button, "Snyder."
"Yes sir," Snyder says a bit nervous. Wondering what the Mayor had been saying.
"Do they have any suspects?"
"Not yet, but they think it could be a ritualistic cult. His own blood was used to paint a symbol on his head. Ah, what the hell is wrong with people these days? I swear."
"Could you please reframe from swearing. It's a nasty thing to do. Would that be it?" asks the Mayor.
"Sorry sir. That's it for now. Officer Kamen said he'll be in contact as soon as the investigation gives him a minute."
"I appreciate your call Snyder. It was very thoughtful."
"You're welcome sir. And ... you'll make sure I get what is coming to me?" he hints.
The Mayor grins really big and replies, "I wouldn't have it any other way. Good-bye now," he hangs up. "It could be nothing. We are on the Hell Mouth. Cults and killings aren't that strange an occurrence ... but still, with Mr. Trick's passing, may he rest in peace, I could really use you as my eyes and ears."
"No problemo boss. I got your back," says Faith.
"That's what I like to hear. I swell up with such pride to see someone so young like you, so full of ambition. You can do what ever you set your heart to."
"So what do I do now boss?"
"Get dressed. Put on something nice. Bright, vibrant colors preferably."
"Where we heading? Police HQ, graveyard?"
"Ah," he waves off, "don't be so silly. Dairy Queen."
She smiles and looks at him.
"Well, go on, scoot. Skiddadle you little rascal."
Willow and Xander walk in.
"Sixty cents. The price of one of those soft drinks from the cafeteria beverage dispensers. Perhaps you'll remember to return your rentals on time. Oh, and have a good day," he attempts a smile.
The guy walks out. Xander watches him out as Willow sets up her lunch on the table.
"Alright, tough guy Giles. Book em' danno," says Xander.
"Ah, you're here. Where's Buffy?"
"She had to go to the little Slayer's Room," answers Willow.
Giles looks at her odd.
"Bathroom. she had to go to the bathroom. Oh fuddie duddie," she says.
Xander pats her on her left shoulder and says encouragingly, "Don't worry Will, I still think you're funny."
"Touching," she whispers in a reminding command.
"Sorry," he quickly apologizes.
"Oz should be here in a minute," says Willow to Giles.
"Oz has entered the building," Oz says as he walks pass the now shutting doors to the library.
"And making good time too. Only a few minutes late," replies Willow.
"Four-four time," says Oz. No one says anything, "It's hard to follow an act like Xanders'."
"You heard it?" asks Xander.
"Talking to one of my friends on the chaotic side of the door over there. It's a whole different scholastic universe on the other side."
"Kind of like a bizzarro Sunnydale?"
"No, regular Sunnydale pretty much is bazzarro Sunnydale. I wonder what the Kryptonite would be?" Oz pounders.
"That;s easy," says Xander, "the cafeteria food."
Buffy walks through the double library doors.
"Oh, thank goodness you are here," a relieved Giles exclaims.
"What?" asks Buffy.
"I missed you. Really, really missed you," says Giles.
"Hey Buffy," calls Willow.
"Hey Willow. Hey guys."
Xander and Oz both say hey about the same time.
"Were you guys talking science fiction in front of the librarian again?"
"Louise Lane?" asks quietly to Xander.
"Nah," he smiles and his face brightens up as he looks at Buffy, "Supergirl."
Willow speaks up, "We got you a drink, Oz did anyway."
Oz responds, "They were out of Coke, so I got you Pepsi."
"Pepsi? I didn't even know they had Pepsi machines on campus," comments Xander.
"It was way in the back. Apparently it's supposed to taste good. They got this girl singing and dancing and oscillating her butt. Not sure what that has to do with the taste," replies Oz.
"Maybe it tastes like ass," says Xander.
No one laughs. He looks around at everybody staring at him.
"No one is laughing today. Especially at me. Where has all the laughter gone?"
"Lost it last night. I got to kill a slime monster," says Buffy.
"Details Buffy, details," says Xander.
"Well, it was all oozing and bubble gum on the bottom of your shoe like. On the plus side I cut it in half."
"Ew," the all turn to see Cordillia standing in the double doorway, "I knew there was a reason I was avoiding all you midnight weirdoes. God," she walks out disgusted.
"Can we cut her in half too?" asks Xander.
"Well, this is all fascinating and witty banter, but we are actually all here for a reason this time," says Giles.
"Lunch," Willow comments. Oz Smiles.
"Yes, well, something more than that."
"There;s more?" asks Buffy.
"Unfortunately so. While Buffy and I attempted to retrieve the body parts last night, we encountered two police automobiles. While this hampered our recovery efforts, it did not deteur them. I went back alone. The body had dissolved."
"Did you cover it in salt?" says Xander. "I should stop saying things now."
"Indeed. So, as I was saying, it dissolved. Now, that took care of our disposal concerns, but presents us with a whole batch of problems."
"Fresh from the oven," says Oz.
Giles takes his glasses off and hesitates.
"I saw it on the news this morning. I called Wesley immediately. This may be nothing..."
Concerned, Buffy looks at him with her mouth slightly agape.
"Giles, what is it? Come on, don't hold back," Buffy demands.
"You were in fact patrolling that cemetery the same night it happened."
"What happened?" asks Willow.
"A man was found dead. He had been stabbed once and slowly bleed to death. The police aren't releasing very much information at this point. Buffy, your DNA is all over the place. Your footprints still fresh, hair follicles, drops of blood. I'm afraid we may have to put you in hiding."
"No way," says Buffy.
"Buffy, this is serious. We have to get you out of here," a concerned Xander comments.
"I have to stay here and stop the Ascension."
"I think I'm going to have to go with Xander on this," Oz mouths that back to himself silently, "yeah..."
"Giles, any chance this could have been Faith?"
"Well, there's no way to know for sure without asking her directly. So far all of her killings have been purposeful. This one seems to be without reason. It may, or may not be."
"Still, we should check right?" says Willow.
"How?" asks Xander.
"I don't know. I was just saying."
"It wasn't me, but I thank everyone for their concern..." Oz looks at everyone. Willow puts an arm around Oz.
"Giles, I'm not leaving."
"And we may not have to. These are only suggestions. there is always a chance this could blow over. The law is involved, we should at least use caution."
"Well, at least the demon body dissolved. That's one less thing we'll have to worry about."
The Mayor picks up his office phone. Faith quiets down. In a perky tone he answers, "Hello, this is Mayor Wilkens Officer, Mayor Wilkens speaking."
"Mister Mayor, this is Snyder. I have some information you might find interesting."
"You do," he looks at Faith, "let me put you on speaker phone. I just have loads of paper work and need my hands free. Oh please, go on."
"Just a hour ago there was a fight in the high school cafeteria. Couple little punks knocked each other up pretty good."
"And how is this information interesting again?" asks the Mayor.
"Well, I had to call the police. When he arrived, I noticed who it was. To my surprise I saw Charles Kamen."
"Ah yes, Kamen. He did some work for me a ... a year ago I believe. He was a perfect gentlemen. Fine outstanding officer. I think he transferred to Los Angeles."
"He did. But he moved back to Sunnydale a few months ago. who can blame him? L.A. is the pot smoking capital of the world. A bunch of pathetic junkies. Anyway, he had some interesting thing tidbits ... another officer at the Hathaway Cemetery made some discoveries. A weird monster body as he described it. It was gooey and melted. Just melted. All gone. And Kamen pulled over out school librarian, who was coinscidently on his was to that cemetery."
"Well, that's not too unusual. A faculty member died there last year," says the Mayor.
"That's what Kamen said he said. Jenny Calander. But he had Buffy Summers with him."
The Mayor's smile turns into a frown. "Gosh, as much as I'd like to think some kids will bloom and become great thinkers, or artists, some are never more than just plain trouble makers."
"Mister Mayor, that's only half of it - a man was found stabbed to death."
"Did you say stabbed?"
"Yes sir."
"Hold on a second," he presses down the mute button. "Faithy, you haven't been going around stabbing people have you?"
"No way. You know I'd ask you first. Besides, I don't even have a blade."
"You don't ... hummm ... you sure?" he asks again.
"One-hundred-ten sure boss," answers Faith.
Okay, that's a good girl. You know it leaves daddy with an awful big mess to clean up," he releases the mute button, "Snyder."
"Yes sir," Snyder says a bit nervous. Wondering what the Mayor had been saying.
"Do they have any suspects?"
"Not yet, but they think it could be a ritualistic cult. His own blood was used to paint a symbol on his head. Ah, what the hell is wrong with people these days? I swear."
"Could you please reframe from swearing. It's a nasty thing to do. Would that be it?" asks the Mayor.
"Sorry sir. That's it for now. Officer Kamen said he'll be in contact as soon as the investigation gives him a minute."
"I appreciate your call Snyder. It was very thoughtful."
"You're welcome sir. And ... you'll make sure I get what is coming to me?" he hints.
The Mayor grins really big and replies, "I wouldn't have it any other way. Good-bye now," he hangs up. "It could be nothing. We are on the Hell Mouth. Cults and killings aren't that strange an occurrence ... but still, with Mr. Trick's passing, may he rest in peace, I could really use you as my eyes and ears."
"No problemo boss. I got your back," says Faith.
"That's what I like to hear. I swell up with such pride to see someone so young like you, so full of ambition. You can do what ever you set your heart to."
"So what do I do now boss?"
"Get dressed. Put on something nice. Bright, vibrant colors preferably."
"Where we heading? Police HQ, graveyard?"
"Ah," he waves off, "don't be so silly. Dairy Queen."
She smiles and looks at him.
"Well, go on, scoot. Skiddadle you little rascal."