(Buffy & Dawn watch tv. Unseen by them, Joyce decends from upstairs and enters the kitchen. They hear sounds.)

DAWN: Mom?

(more sounds. They investigate. Joyce is looking in the fridge, and something is burning on the stove)

BUFFY: Oh, my-

(Dawn goes to Joyce as Buffy rushes to the stove and turns it off, moving a pan off the burner and coughing as whatever's in it gives off smoke. Joyce straightens up, holding the fridge door, and turns to give Buffy an annoyed look. )

BUFFY: Mom, wha-what are you doing?

JOYCE: (angrily) I'm making breakfast.

(she closes fridge, looks Buffy up and down)

JOYCE: And you shouldn't eat any more, you're disgustingly fat.

(Buffy looks hurt. Joyce looks confused.)

JOYCE: Oh, Buffy, I don't know what I'm doing.

BUFFY: You just need some rest. We'll put you back to bed.

(She and Dawn take Joyce's arms and lead her out. Buffy gives Joyce some pills.)

BUFFY: Okay, here we go.That will help you sleep. Come on, let's get you all tucked into bed.

(Suddenly Joyce gasps and sits up, staring at Dawn.)

JOYCE: Don't touch me! You - you thing!

DAWN: (backing up) Mom, please!

JOYCE: Get away from me! You're nothing, you're, you're a shadow!

BUFFY: Mom-

JOYCE: I don't know what you are or how you got here!

BUFFY: Mom, it's Dawn.

(Dawn backs away, upset, and runs out of the room.)

JOYCE: Dawn? Honey, what's wrong?

BUFFY: She's .. just tired. We all are.

(She coaxes Joyce to lie down, which Joyce does, looking worried)

BUFFY: Come on, go to sleep. I'll check in on you in a little bit.

• Dawn as the Key

written by: Jane Espenson; Transcribed by Joan the English Chick (pisces@englishchick.com).. Full transcript at:
http://www.studiesinwords.de/87listeningtofear.html