(Wesley's apartment.)


WESLEY: Cordelia, I want you to think about this. Angel's not the person you knew. He came to Los Angeles in pain, vulnerable, and when Doyle - his only friend died he - he retreated into himself.

GUNN: Him getting the visions didn't help either.

CORDELIA: So, let me get this straight. Angel gets the visions of people who are gonna die, and he tells you, and you go out and slay, and, this is how you make your living? This - has got to be the suckiest job in the world.

GUNN: It pays the bills: occasionally.

WESLEY: Don't be shocked by his condition. (Takes key from hook) The visions have taken a toll, and the isolation. Sometimes he sends us out to save people he killed two hundred years ago. So, why don't we just tell him you stopped by and said, "Hi"?

CORDELIA: Wesley. I've gotta see him.

(They enter a room empty but for shackles and Angel.)

WESLEY: Restraints. Sometimes the visions make him violent.

ANGEL: (hugging himself) One seven one, oak, one, one seven one Oak, Oak Drive, do you, do you hear me? I feel better now. I can be alone here. I won't, I won't run away...

CORDELIA: Oh my God.

WESLEYLEY: This is one of his good days.

ANGEL: No, I-I won't. I won't do that. I won't do... I didn't mean... I didn't mean... Only if it's dead. It's me. (Drops down on mattress) It was my fault. It was me. I'm okay. I didn't mean... I didn't mean...

WESLEYY: Don't get too close.

ANGEL: (covering his head) Ah! I won't run away.

CORDELIA: Angel. Do you remember me? (Squats down) Cordelia?

(Angel scrambles away.)

ANGEL: No. I'm afraid.

(Angel cowers.)

ANGEL: I'm afraid. I'm afraid.

CORDELIA: Shh. Don't be afraid. I won't hurt you.

ANGEL: I'm fine. Fine. Fine, one seven one. One seven one. You'll see. You'll see, one seven one. My head doesn't hurt. (Bangs head against wall) My head doesn't hurt. Now I'm warm. That doesn't hurt.

CORDELIA: You don't remember me, do you?

ANGEL: I was there. I wanted to die. But - but I was - was afraid to die. So afraid to die. One seven one.

(Angel repeats the number and keeps writing it with his finger on the wall beside him.)

CORDELIA: Shh, Angel, it's okay. Everything is gonna be okay.

ANGEL: It was my fault. I was there. I couldn't do anything. There was nothing I could do.

CORDELIA: Everything is gonna be okay.

(Cordelia kisses Angel. The visions return to her.)

CORDELIA: I remember everything. The visions (Walks to where Skip has materialized) they're mine.

SKIP: We made a deal. You gave up the visions, not to mention the certain death that goes with them, and you get to live out your dream. Call me crazy, I thought that was a pretty fair trade.

CORDELIA: Sure it's fair. But it wasn't me.

SKIP: We've been over this. I respect what you're trying to do. It's noble and heroic, and all that other Russell Crowe 'Gladiator' crap.

CORDELIA: You've seen...

SKIP: Didn't love it. The fact remains that humans are not strong enough to harbor the visions! Period. Even the Powers That Be can't change that.

CORDELIA: Then find a loop hole, Skip. I know my purpose in this world and it includes the visions. And if the Powers That Be aren't complete dumb-asses, they know it, too.

SKIP: There may be a - tiny - loophole.

CORDELIA: I'll take it.

SKIP: You may wanna think about that. The only way *you* get to keep the visions is by becoming - part demon. The process isn't easy. It'll make your vision pain feel like a stroll through candyland. And even after the agony subsides the effects of the transformation will be numerous and unpredictable. You may neVer be able to lead a human life again.

(Cordelia looks at Angel - who appears to be frozen in time.)

CORDELIA: So, demonize me already.

SKIP: (after a beat) It was an honor being your guide, Cordelia Chase.

(Skip raises his hand, Cordelia arches back, screaming in pain.)

• Cordelia & Angel
• Cordelia's visions & championhood

written by: Mere Smith; Originally transcribed by anonymous. Edited, formatted and checked against source for this site by Ann. . Full transcript at:
http://www.buffyworld.com/angel/season3/transcripts/55_tran.shtml