(Summers house. Buffy is folding dish towels on the table while Dawn is doing homework.)

BUFFY: Okay, so, I-I think the next step is to make a chart. A schedule.

(Dawn gives her an angry look)

BUFFY: I'll write down all the things you're supposed to do, and when you have to do them, and then I'll leave a box next to it, which you can mark with an X when you've accomplished the task.

(Dawn stares at her with a sullen expression.)

BUFFY: What? You want gold stars? (rolls her eyes) Okay. You can have gold stars.

DAWN: I don't want gold stars. (scoffs) I don't want any of this.

BUFFY: I'm just trying to give you a normal life.

DAWN: Well good luck. (after a pause) What, what am I doing wrong now?

BUFFY: This is for real Dawn.

DAWN: No, it's not. I'm not real. So why would my exciting graph of chores be real? Who cares if the Key gets an education anyway?

BUFFY: It's a chart, not a graph. And you are real.

DAWN: Yeah? Those monks put grades k-8 in my head, can't we just wait and see if they drop 9 in there too?

BUFFY: Damn it Dawn! This is serious!

DAWN: Why? Why should I care about *any* of this?

BUFFY: (yelling) Because they'll take you away!

DAWN: (long pause, then quietly) Take me away? What do you mean?

BUFFY: They'll take you away from me. That's what your principal told me while you weren't in the room. If I can't make you go to school, then I won't be found fit to be your legal guardian.

DAWN: Where would I go?

BUFFY: I don't know. Dad, maybe. Or foster care. I didn't really want to ask.

DAWN: You could of told me that.

BUFFY: I just did.

• Buffy & Dawn

written by: Rebecca Kirshner; Once again, I'm typing these up myself as transcripts are scarce.... Full transcript at:
http://www.studiesinwords.de/97toughlove.html