(Giles' living room)

BUFFY: I got in a few hours ago, but I wanted to go see my mom first.

GILES: Yes. Yes, of course. How, how did you find her?

BUFFY: Well, I pretty much remembered the address.

GILES: Ah, eh, I mean, uh... How are things between you? (notices whistling tea kettle) Ah. Excuse me.

OZ: Hey, so you're not wanted for murder anymore.

BUFFY: Good. That was such a drag.

XANDER: So where were you? Did you go to Belgium?

BUFFY: Why would I go to Belgium?

XANDER: I think the relevant question is why wouldn't you? Bel-gium!

(Cut to the kitchen, where Giles takes a personal moment to deal with his emotions as the gang continues to chatter in the living room.)

BUFFY: What about you, Xander? What's up with you?

XANDER: Oh, you know, same old, same old.

CORDELIA: Hardly.

XANDER: Okay, I lied, a whole lot is new.

BUFFY: Well, that's good, isn't it? New is good.

XANDER: Oh, yeah, absolutely, except for the obvious. It's not too much... (inaudible)

CORDELIA: Yeah, 'cause you weren't at the hotel.

XANDER: Cordelia's parents dragged her onto a luxury vacation.

BUFFY: I feel for you.

(Giles emerges with a tray)

GILES: Here we are then. Cheer us up.

CORDELIA: So were you, like, living in a box, or what?

BUFFY: Well, it's a long story.

XANDER: So skip the heartwarming stuff about kindly old people and saving the farm and get right to the dirt.

GILES: Perhaps Buffy could use a little time to adjust before we grill her on her summer activities.

BUFFY: What he said.

XANDER: Fair enough. In fact, you can leave the slaying to us while you settle in. We got you covered.

BUFFY: I noticed. You guys seem down with the slayage, all tricked out with your walkies and everything.

CORDELIA: Yeah, but the outfits suck. This whole Rambo thing is so over. I'm thinking more sporty, like Hilfiger maybe.

WILLOW: Still, we were getting good. We dusted nine out of ten.

OZ: (whispers to Willow) Six out of ten.

WILLOW: Six out of ten.

XANDER: Whatever, we were kicking a little undead booty.

BUFFY: Well, thank you for the offer, but I think I just wanna get back to my normal routine. You know, school, slaying... kid's stuff. In fact, I'm jonesing for a little brainless fun. (to Xander) What are you doing tomorrow?

XANDER: Oh, I would, but, uh, (RE Cordelia) I'm kind of tied up.

CORDELIA: You wish. (pushes him away)

BUFFY: (to Willow) Will?

WILLOW: Um, tomorrow I...

BUFFY: Oh, come on. Friends don't let friends browse alone.

WILLOW: Okay. I had some schoolwork, but... I can change my plans.

• Scoobies

written by: Marti Noxon; Transcribed by: AleXander Thompson. Full transcript at:
http://www.studiesinwords.de/36deadman.html