TRAVERS: Miss Summers ... good to see you again.

BUFFY: Mr. Travers.

TRAVERS: Giles has just been telling us of your training regimen. Perhaps you'll favor us with a demonstration while we're here.

BUFFY: Right now?

TRAVERS: No need to rush you.

GILES: (ruefully) They're ... staying a little longer than I'd anticipated.

TRAVERS: We've already laid out our project for Mr. Giles. Nigel?

NIGEL: It's an exhaustive examination of your procedures and abilities. We'll observe your training, talk to your friends...

BUFFY: Talk to my friends?

TRAVERS: Yes, we understand you're still taking civilians out on patrols.

BUFFY: Oh, you've gotta be kidding me.

TRAVERS: Buffy ... I can sense your resistance, and I don't blame you. But I think your Watcher hasn't reminded you lately of the resolute status of the players in our little game. The Council fights evil. The Slayer is the instrument by which we fight. The Council remains, the Slayers change. It's been that way from the beginning.

GILES: (scornfully) Well, that's a very comforting, bloodless way of looking at it, isn't it?

TRAVERS: Giles, let me talk to Buffy, because I think she's understanding me. (to Buffy) Glory is stronger than you. She's a more powerful instrument, if you will. We can help you. We have information that will help. Pass the review and we give it to you without reservation. Fail the review, either through incompetence, or by resisting our recommendations...

GILES: (angrily) Resisting your recommendations? She fails if we don't do whatever you say! How much under your thumb do you think we are?

TRAVERS: How much do you want our help?

GILES: She's not your bloody instrument and you have no right to do any of this!

BUFFY: Giles!

TRAVERS: I understand you think this is unfair. But there are factors which should motivate you to go along with the review. Now, I don't want to do this, but obviously we could shut this place down permanently.

BUFFY: You can't do that. You don't have that kind of power.

TRAVERS: Of course we do, and a great deal more. In fact, if you insist on fighting us, we'll arrange to have Mr. Giles deported within the day. Never set foot in this country again. Now perhaps you're used to idle threats and sloppy discipline, Miss Summers, but you're dealing with grownups now. (pause) Am I making myself clear?

(Buffy glares. Blackout.)

• Giles role as Watcher
• 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