Hank: There you are! I've been looking everywhere. Why aren't you in class?

BUFFY: Dad, what are you doing here? Y-you're not supposed to pick me up till after school. Is something wrong?

Hank: Well, I, I need to talk to you.

BUFFY: Something *is* wrong. Is it mom?

Hank: No, no, it's not your mother, she's fine. (quieter) Could I speak with you for a moment? Privately?

BUFFY: Um, sure! Yeah. (looks at Giles) Uh, oh! I'm sorry. Dad, this is Mr. Giles, the librarian. Uh, this is my dad, Hank Summers.

GILES: My pleasure. (shakes his hand)

Hank: Likewise.

BUFFY: I'll be back.

(outside)

Hank: I came early because there's something I've needed to tell you. About your mother and me. Why we split up.

BUFFY: Well, you always told me it was because...

Hank: Uh, I know we always said it was because we'd just grown too far apart.

BUFFY: Yeah, isn't that true?

Hank: Well, c'mon, honey, let's, let's sit down. You're old enough now to know the truth.

BUFFY: Is there someone else?

Hank: No. No, it was nothing like that.

BUFFY: Then what was it?

Hank: It was you.

BUFFY: Me?

Hank: Having you. Raising you. Seeing you everyday. I mean, do you have any idea what that's like?

BUFFY: What?

Hank: Gosh, you don't even see what's right in front of your face, do you? Well, big surprise there, all you ever think about is yourself. You get in trouble. You embarrass us with all the crazy stunts you pull, and do I have to go on?

BUFFY: No. Please don't.

Hank: You're sullen and... rude and... you're not nearly as bright as I thought you were going to be... Hey, Buffy, let's be honest. Could you stand to live in the same house with a daughter like that?

BUFFY: Why are you saying all these things? (a tear rolls down her cheek)

Hank: Because they're true. I think that's the least we owe one another. (She begins to sniff and cry) You know, I don't think it's very mature, getting blubbery when I'm just trying to be honest. Speaking of which, I don't really get anything out of these weekends with you. So, what do you say we just don't do them anymore? I sure thought you'd turn out differently. (he leaves)

• Buffy & her mom

written by: David Greenwalt; Transcribed by: AleXander Thompson. Full transcript at:
http://www.studiesinwords.de/10nightmares.html