(Buffy discovers Xander, Anya, and Willow lying on the floor head-to-toe forming a triangle. Dawn stands in the middle. All are giggling.)

BUFFY: (angry) What is this? I thought I told you to do your homework!

DAWN: I was....

BUFFY: Please don't lie to me.

DAWN: I'm not.

WILLOW: We were acting out a geometry problem, 'cause I read this really neat article that said kids learn math better if you, you stimulate their, uh, visual learning pattern. You know, using the right side of the brain instead of just the left?

WILLOW: Stuff like that.

BUFFY: (not softened) Uh-huh.

WILLOW: So we made a triangle with our bodies, and that's when I called Xander obtuse, and he got really grumpy (smiling; Dawn giggles) and then Dawn said we were "acute" triangle, and, well, hilarity ensued.

BUFFY: Right. Well, you know what I think? I think maybe Dawn should do her homework at home.

DAWN: B-but it was working. I was really learning.

BUFFY: Please get your stuff.

DAWN: Fine. Don't listen to me.

WILLOW: Please don't be grouchy with her. Who among us can resist the allure of really funny math puns?

BUFFY: It's really important that Dawn finishes her schoolwork right now. Yeah, I know, but...

WILLOW: We were having good clean educational fun, and then all of a sudden it was all gloom and doom and the outlawing of human triangles.

BUFFY: (firmly) It's *really* important that Dawn finishes her schoolwork right now.

WILLOW: I know it is, and I'm a big fan of school. You know me! I'm like, (sings) "Go school! It's your birthday!" Or something to that effect.

BUFFY: Look, Willow, I know that you mean well, but you just don't understand, and there's no way that you could.

WILLOW: I do so understand, it ... you're stressed out.

BUFFY: I'm more than stressed out. I'm freaked out.

WILLOW: Yeah, well, maybe you need a break to de-freak. Hey, you could go to the World's Culture fair if you want to, with me and Tara.

BUFFY: I don't think so.

WILLOW: Come on. You can bring Dawn. It'll be fun. Good, educational-type fun in a discipline-y sort of way.

BUFFY: I can't do it, Will. Don't worry. It's not like I don't have a life. I do. I have Dawn's life. (to Dawn) Ready?

• Buffy & Dawn
• Willow & Buffy

written by: Rebecca Kirshner; Once again, I'm typing these up myself as transcripts are scarce.... Full transcript at:
http://www.studiesinwords.de/97toughlove.html