WESLEY: (to himself) Death. Every source says it's death.

CORDELIA: Well, it's just a prophecy. It's not like it came from on high.

WESLEY: That's what a prophecy is, Cordelia.

CORDELIA: Alright. Yeah, but Angel faces death all the time, just like a normal guy faces waffles and French fries. It's something he faces every day like... lunch. Are you hungry? (gets up to get a doughnut)

WESLEY: The fact that his death is prophesied - which isn't good news - doesn't concern me nearly as much as the way he took that news.

CORDELIA: What? He didn't scream like a girl as some of us would have? Angel's cool.

WESLEY: Angel's cut off. Death doesn't bother him because there's nothing in life he wants. It's our desires that make us human.

CORDELIA: Angel's kind of human. He's got a soul.

WESLEY: He's got a soul... but he's not a part of the world. He-he can never be part of the world.

CORDELIA: Because he doesn't want stuff? That's ridiculous. (Wesley takes her doughnut away) Hey! I want that!

WESLEY: What connects us to life?

CORDELIA: Right now? I'm going with doughnuts!

WESLEY: What connects us to life is the simple truth that we are part of it. We live, we grow, we change. But Angel...

CORDELIA: Can't do any of those things. Hey--(Wesley takes bite out of her doughnut) Well, what are you saying, Wesley? That Angel has nothing to look forward to? That he's going to go on forever the same, in the world, but always cut off from it?

WESLEY: Yes.

CORDELIA: Well, that sucks. We've got to do something. We've gotta help him.

WESLEY: I'm not sure we can.

CORDELIA: What is your deal? You go around boring everyone with your musty scrolls and then you say there is nothing we can do?

WESLEY: He is what he is.

CORDELIA: He's Angel. He's good. And he helps the helpless and now, he's one of them. Well, he's gonna have to start wanting things from life, whether he wants to or not!

(Angel enters)

ANGEL: Morning.

CORDELIA: Morning. Want some coffee?

ANGEL: No, thanks.

CORDELIA: How about a doughnut? Chocolate...

ANGEL: No.

CORDELIA: Creamy fillings?

ANGEL: (laughs a little) No. I don't want anything. (Cordelia makes a sound and looks at Wesley) Am I supposed to know what this is about?

WESLEY: We were just discussing how you don't want that many things.

CORDELIA: You're cut off from life. But don't worry, I'm gonna help you with that.

ANGEL: Oh. Good.

CORDELIA: We'll start small. Keep it simple. How would you like a puppy? (Angel just looks at her) Right. A Ficus? They're low maintenance. Ant farm?

WESLEY: I have to go.

ANGEL: Where are you going?

WESLEY: Rare book shops. I need references to translate the prophecy. Probably not a good idea to take the scroll with me.

ANGEL: No. I'll lock it up downstairs in the weapons cabinet.

WESLEY: Angel, I hope I'm wrong about all this but it might be a good time to consult the Oracles.

ANGEL: I don't need to see the Oracles about this.

WESLEY: Well, think about it. (exits)

CORDELIA: Oracles.... Get out of the house... Could be fun!

• Angel & Wesley
• Cordelia & Angel
• The Shanshu prophecy/scroll of Aberjian

written by: David Greenwalt; Originally transcribed by anonymous. Edited and formatted for this site by Cerd_gwenn. Checked against source by me.. Full transcript at:
http://studiesinwords.de/a22shanshu.html