(Cut to: Willow, Spike, and Buffy standing beside a pay phone in the building. The phone is dark.)

WILLOW: Discharge and bring life.

(The pay phone sizzles and suddenly lights up.) SPIKE: (to Willow) Handier than a Swiss knife. Look, the door to my crypt's got this nasty squeak, maybe you could...

(Willow rolls her eyes, turns and walks away. Pan to Buffy on the phone.)

BUFFY: Hey, uh, i-it's Buffy. I need to ask you a really big favor.

(Outside. A car drives up to the gas station where the army of knights stands around watching. Ben is at the wheel. Cut to inside. Ben stands next to Giles tending to his wound, wearing surgical gloves.)

BEN: You, uh, forgot to mention the costume party outside.

BUFFY: Sorry, I didn't know who else to call.

BEN: It's okay. I mean yeah, not how I pictured seeing you again, but ah, I'll take what I can get.

BUFFY: Thank you. For coming.

(he looks at Dawn)

BEN: My pleasure

(fade to commercial and back. Ben finishes up treating Giles)

BEN: All right, I think I got him stabilized, but there's a lot of damage. We need to get him out of here.

BUFFY: Well, I think the guys with the pointy swords kinda have other ideas.

BEN: Don't they always?

(Shot of Spike in the background making a disgusted face, mimicking Ben silently, then turning away.)

BUFFY: Look, I know this must seem extra Outer Limits to you.

BEN: This? Naah. I've seen things you wouldn't believe. You know, emergency room, full moon on a Saturday night.

BUFFY: Look, if this gets too weird, just tell me. I'll understand.

BEN: Don't worry about me. I won't leave until I've worn out my welcome.

(He smiles. Buffy smiles back, then looks with concern at Giles. She takes his hand. )

• Buffy & Ben

written by: Steven S. DeKnight; Typed the partial transcript of this episode myself. Full transcript at:
http://www.studiesinwords.de/98spiral.html