(At a fancy house with robed guards at the entrance. Benny walks in, followed by Wesley.)

BENNY: (without turning around) I invite you in.

(Wesley quickly jumps back across the threshold, then enters again as Benny turns to motion him to enter.)

WESLEY: Thank you. Considerate.

(Two men come walking into the entrance hall.)

BRYCE: Sounds like you're saying it was my intention.

PAUL: I'm not saying it was on purpose. It's just obviously some gives your drivers their instructions.

BRYCE: And your drivers? One little overreaction -- you never know what *that's* gonna lead to.

PAUL: Hmm, it's good then that we got together, you and I. Cleared it all up. No misunderstandings.

BRYCE: I think you understand me perfectly, Paul. (Paul leaves.)

BENNY: (to BRYCE) This is Angel.

BRYCE: Angel. (Shakes Wesley's hand) Sorry to make you wait -- business thing. Come on in. I'm pleased to meet you, Angel. My name is Magnus Bryce. Benny, get him a drink.

WESLEY: Mr. Bryce, I know who you are. I read the business pages. I don't know why you want me here, but this is not the way to get my cooperation. Your man abducted me tonight!

BRYCE: I understand you're frustrated. But I'm a desperate man. You help people. I need help -- protection for someone very dear to me. Now, relax, let me explain.

BENNY: (hands Wesley a glass) Cheers.

WESLEY: Blood. I don't usually -- drink in front of humans.

BRYCE: Don't insult me. Go on. It's fresh.

WESLEY: (drinks with difficulty) Dear god! That's -- nummy. (covers his mouth and burps)

BRYCE: You've heard about the software, the cable network -- that's all a front. The money comes from wizardry. My great-grandfather created our first spell in his garage, a simple -- tallness illusion. Now it's all custom-designed work for people with the right money.

WESLEY: Really?

BRYCE: You see someone in this town with looks and talent ...

(Wesley notices he's unobserved and quickly pours the rest of the blood into a flower vase, then notices it's a clear glass vase and steps in front of it as Benny and Bryce turn back.)

BRYCE: ...chances are -- we provided one of them. It's like they say: the goddess Yeska does not give with both hands. It's not a nice business. I have a lot of enemies -- industry rivals.

WESLEY: Like the man in the hall?

BRYCE: Paul Lanier? His firm's in wish-granting. Scary little euro-creep. And there are others.

WESLEY: Lanier is threatening you?

BRYCE: Someone is threatening my daughter. My only family. Maybe it's Lanier, maybe it's Briggs over at Consolidated Curses. There are letters and calls. Twice we have caught intruders inside the house.

WESLEY: But you're a powerful wizard. Certainly you must know dozens of protection spells.

BRYCE: Hundreds. Used them all. These guys are in the business, they know all the tricks.

WESLEY: You want me to say I'll act as her bodyguard.

BRYCE: No. You don't really get to say anything. I'm gonna pay you a lot of money to protect her. You'll do it, and get paid -- and we'll both be very happy.

written by: Jane Espenson; Original transcript anonymous. Edited, formatted and checked against source by chicken_cem. . Full transcript at:
http://www.buffyworld.com/angel/season2/transcripts/28_tran.shtml