The Scooby Gang is currently congregated in the dining room, holding the demon intruder hostage. The demon is tied down to a chair, as well as still being held in place by the spell. Dawn, Giles, and Tara are sitting in chairs on the opposite side of the table, facing the demon with Willow and Anya standing behind them. Spike is leaning against the doorway, blocking one exit, while Xander is standing, arms crossed, in front of the other doorway. Buffy is pacing behind the demon, holding his pendant in her hands.

Giles: (to the demon) We know that you have information about the "strange", shall we say, events that have occurred tonight.

Buffy: And you're not going anywhere till we know what you do, so you might as well start talking.

The demon says nothing; he stares straight ahead at the table.

Giles: Perhaps we should narrow down our questioning.

Buffy: Fine, we'll start easy. Who are you?

The demon remains unmoved, eyes still fixed on the table.

Buffy: Right, that's not important anyway. I don't really care who you are; it's more about what you are and who you're working for.

Giles: We have an understanding that you cannot come into our realm without being summoned by a master. The Kulgari are slaves of their realm, unable to open the gates of their own dimension, correct?

Buffy: (leans over to come face to face with demon) So tell me, who opened your gates?

Giles and Buffy's interrogation tactics are failing, as the demon remains silent.

Anya: (whispers to Willow) This isn't working. I know who might be more helpful.

Willow: (whispering) Who?

Anya: Well, we know vengeance demons are involved. I could spot those pendants from a mile away. D'Hoffryn knows more than this dimwit. You and Tara should go summon him; see what he knows.

Tara: (joins in the whispered conversation) Why us? You know him better.

Anya: Exactly. I think he'll reveal more to you. He knows all I'd want from him now would be information. Hell, he'll probably offer you a job.

Willow: Where's the amulet?

Anya: In the bathroom cabinet.

Willow: Oh that's safe.

Anya: I can think of much worse places to put it.

Willow gives Anya a dirty look, as Dawn turns in her chair to join the side conversation.

Dawn: Whatcha guys whispering about?

Tara: We have to go summon D'Hoffryn.

Dawn: Can I help?

Willow: Not with this spell.

Dawn: Doesn't hurt to ask.

Tara: You can keep an eye on him (gestures to demon), though.

Willow: Yeah, if he tries any moves, just say what I taught you. Do you remember?

Dawn: How could I forget?

Tara: All right. We should get going.

Willow: Be back in ten…or fifteen…twenty at the most.

Dawn and Anya both motion for Willow to shoo. She and Tara head out of the dining room, passing by Spike in the doorway, and making their way into the bathroom. Willow opens the cabinet and pulls out a flat, circular amulet while Tara creates a circle on the floor with sand.

Willow: Are you ready?

Tara answers with a nod, and the two women sit on the floor facing each other. They join hands and chant in unison.

Willow & Tara: Beatum sit in nomine D'Hoffrynis. Fiat hoc spatium porta ad mundum Arashmaharris.

As soon as they are done, a tall demon with two horns and a beard, D'Hoffryn, appears in a bright flash of light.

D'Hoffryn: (in deep booming voice) Behold D'Hoffryn, Lord of-

Willow: Oh save it; we've heard it before.

D'Hoffryn: (in regular, far less intimidating voice) Miss Rosenberg, what a pleasant surprise! Have you reconsidered my job offer?

Willow: No, just felt like chatting.

D'Hoffryn: (to Tara) I don't think we've met.

Tara: Tara.

D'Hoffryn: Well, it's nice to-

Tara: Do you know anything about Kulgari demons?

D'Hoffryn: I guess small talk truly is dead.

Willow: You want small talk? Okay, how are things going in the world of vengeance? Any exciting new methods of torture and revenge on the horizon?

D'Hoffryn: Well, actually, things are going great. Vengeance has become more competitive than ever. It's a shame that Anyanka-

Tara: (sternly) Her name is Anya.

D'Hoffryn: Yes, it's a shame that Anyanka left the business; she was by far the best I've ever seen.

Willow: Well, let's not dwell on the past, shall we. Who's the top dog in the biz now?

D'Hoffryn: For quite a while, Anyanka's friend Halfrek, I believe you know her, right? Anyways, she took over the highest vengeance rate for some time, but recently, she's been outdone by someone new.

Tara: Who?

D'Hoffryn: Oh, no one you know. She's a vengeance demon working the other side of the globe. Everyone's been trying new methods to beat her success rate, but no one is coming close. I can't believe Halfrek's still here; she is the best in her area, though. Halfrek is definitely no pushover.

Willow: Wait, here…like the United States? California?

D'Hoffryn: You didn't know? She's right here in Sunnydale; you should pay her a visit sometime.

Willow: Will do.

D'Hoffryn: (to Tara) Now what was that you wanted to know about Kulgari demons?

Tara: Oh, nothing. Thanks, but I forgot.

Willow: Thanks for your time, Hoffie, but we've gotta go.

D'Hoffryn: Here, take my card in case you change your-

Willow: Goodbye!

D'Hoffryn: Fine. Until next time…

D'Hoffryn disappears in a flash of smoke. Willow and Tara leave the bathroom with their new information and go downstairs toward the dining room.

Buffy: (to demon) You're really testing my patience, so I'm going to try speaking a language you'll understand. (She holds the pendant right in front of his face) You see this pendant; I know that if this should somehow get destroyed, you go from original recipe to extra crispy within seconds. So this is what's going to happen: You're going to answer my questions, or I'm going to send you back to whatever Hell it is you came from. Now tell me, who are you working for?

The demon flinches slightly, but still resists speaking.

Buffy: Oh well, your loss…

Buffy opens her hand to drop the pendant to the floor.

Demon: Wait!

Buffy catches the pendant by the chain before it can fall from her hand.

Buffy: And he speaks!

Willow: It doesn't matter.

Willow and Tara reenter the dining room; Buffy looks up in exasperation.

Buffy: All that work for nothing?

Tara: We can answer your question.

Everyone turns to them expectantly.

Willow: Halfrek.

Anya: Halfrek?

Buffy: Halfrek?

Xander: Halfrek?

Giles: (dryly) I think we've established that the Kulgari are working for Halfrek. Did he say why?

Tara: Not directly, but he said that the vengeance business has become super competitive, and that everyone's been searching for more efficient forms of spreading the vengefulness.

Buffy: Yeah, but couldn't it be any vengeance demon trying to get the edge?

Willow: And it's just a coincidence that Halfrek is residing here in beautiful Sunnydale?

Anya: She's right; it's Hallie, but I still can't believe she'd sink this low.

Xander: We've gotta stop this; we have to find her. Is there a way we can summon her?

Anya: She won't answer your calls (Xander gives her a hurt look). She won't answer any of us because we kill demons…and she's kind of a demon.

Buffy: Great, so back to square one.

Anya: Not exactly.

Buffy: How's that?

Anya: We were friends; I have a pretty good idea where she is.

Spike: (finally speaking up) Then what are we waiting for.

Anya walks into the Bronze, with Buffy, Spike, and Xander in tow. She spots a curly haired brunette consoling a sobbing redhead at the bar; they approach the woman, and Anya taps her on the back. She turns around, startled.

Anya: Hallie, what a surprise! I wish I could have seen this coming.