(Magic Box. Giles talks to a customer)

GILES: Well, if you're serious about these matters, all right, but ... you need to be very careful. Measure precisely, and, and, please don't step ahead.

(Tranvers and 6 other watchers enter)

TRAVERS: No, he's quite right. You wouldn't want to do anything dangerous. Turn the wrong person into a badger.

GILES: Quinton. I didn't realize you were here.

TRAVERS: Well, evidently.

GILES: Been a while. I see you've, uh, brought some of our ... colleagues with you. Would you care to introduce us?

TRAVERS: Well, first I thought we might catch up.

(The other Watchers begin to spread out through the store.)

GILES: Well, certainly, certainly. Uh, well, um, this is the shop, obviously. Uh, i-it's been a very interesting transition into the world of retail. But I think it's gone rather well. I'll give you the grand tour if you like.

TRAVERS: No, that's all right, I think I can see what you've been up to.

GILES: Yes, well, I, I, uh, do limit my time here, obviously.

(Watcher #1 (Nigel) comes up behind Anya, looking at the racks of magic stuff behind the counter. Anya looks at him suspiciously.)

GILES: Buffy and I have been training a great deal these days. Uh, there's a, a back room...

TRAVERS: Oh yes. I thought perhaps you were keeping that space for the really dangerous items that should be kept out of the public's hands. Or maybe you don't worry about that.

GILES: I'm very careful.

NIGEL: Most of this stuff couldn't harm anyone. Incense, dime store trinkets ... but there are some things...

GILES: I'm sorry, who are you?

(Watcher #2 (female) is looking at the stuff on another shelf.)

WATCHER2: There are some very potent elements here ... focusing crystals, runic artifacts, an amulet of Cauldis... Also this statue. Its removal from Burma is a criminal offense... ...and when triggered, it has the power to melt human eyeballs.

GILES: In that case, I severely underpriced it.

• Funnies
• Watcher's Council

written by: Douglas Petrie and Jane Espenson; Transcribed by Joan the English Chick (pisces@englishchick.com).. Full transcript at:
http://www.studiesinwords.de/90checkpoint.html