(The paramedics work on Joyce. Suddenly she begins to cough and gasp.)

PARAMEDIC 1: I got her! My god, we got her!

PARAMEDIC 2: Let's get her on the truck now. I'm calling ahead.

PARAMEDIC 1: (faintly in background) Never brought one back this stiff.

JOYCE: Buffy.

BUFFY: I'm here.

PARAMEDIC 1: It's a miracle. That's what it is, a beautiful miracle.

(Cut to Joyce in a hospital bed, Dawn sitting on the bed beside her, Buffy and a doctor standing next to the bed.)

DOCTOR: Good as new.

JOYCE: Buffy, thank god you found me in ti- Zoom in on Buffy as Joyce says this.

(Cut back to the living room as we realize this was all in Buffy's imagination. She is still standing there watching the paramedics work. )

PARAMEDIC 2: She's cold, man.

PARAMEDIC 2: Call it.

(Paramedic 2 stands up slowly and walks toward Buffy. He appears blurry (from Buffy's perspective).

PARAMEDIC 2: I'm sorry.

BUFFY: (OS) Wha-what do we do now?

PARAMEDIC 2: I'm sorry, but I have to tell you that... ...your mother's dead. It looks like she did die a good while before you found her. There's .. nothing you could have done.

BUFFY: W-what...

PARAMEDIC 2: I'm guessing it must have been a aneurysm or some clotting. Some complication from surgery. She probably felt... ...very little pain. I'm gonna call it in. The coroner's office will come by and take her in, and they'll determine the cause of death conclusively.

RADIO: Dispatch 7, we have a 206, what's your status?

PARAMEDIC 1: We're moving.

RADIO: Location is Beaumont and 9th, your gig is on the street, go now.

PARAMEDIC 1: Okay. We gotta fly.

PARAMEDIC 2: All right. (to Buffy) I'm gonna call this right away. Now the coroner's office may take a while. In the meanwhile, I think you should sit. Have a glass of water, and try not to disturb the body. Do you need anything, is there someone you can call?

BUFFY: (softly) Someone's coming.

PARAMEDIC 1: Let's go.

PARAMEDIC 2: I'm very sorry for your loss.

BUFFY: Thank you.

(He exits, leaving the front door open. Buffy walks to the door, still holding the phone, and looks out. )

BUFFY: Good luck.

• Joyce's Illness

written by: Joss Whedon; transcribed by Joan the English Chick . Full transcript at:
http://www.studiesinwords.de/94thebody.html