[Angel interviews Barney in his office.]
BBarney
You know, I just noticed it's 3:45 in the afternoon. If you're a vampire, why aren't you in your coffin?
Coffin. I hate that stereotype. You're a demon and you don't know anything about vampires?
BBarney
Only what I learned from TV.
Vampires don't sleep in coffins. It's a misconception made popular by hack writers and ignorant media. [stands] In fact, you know, we can and do move around during the day, as long as we avoid direct sunlight. Got it?!
BBarney
Gotten. Sorry. Didn't want to push any sore spots.
[Cordelia enters the office after her audition.)
Hi. [she doesn't answer and he looks at her more closely] Everything okay? [in one smooth motion, she puts down her bag, reaches for him and kisses him] Hmm. Hmp. Mmghmm! [he puts his hands on her shoulders, gingerly pushing to get her off, trying not to offend her) Okay, uh... Cordelia, that was, uh... I, I think that you're acting out of grief, and you're confusing our... friendship... for something more...
I didn't feel anything. Did you feel anything?
No! You see, that's what I'm trying...
Urgh! That means I still have it. Damn! I can't believe he did this to me.
Doyle! I thought our kiss meant something. Instead, he used that moment to pass it on to me. Why couldn't it be mono or herpes?
[rubs his mouth] Cordelia...
I didn't ask for this responsibility, unlike some people, who shall remain lifeless. I don't have anything to atone for. If they know what's good for them, the PTB better just stay out of my head.
...Powers That Be... you had a vision?!
Boy, howdy! And you know how they look painful? Well, they feel a whole lot worse.
[sits as understanding washes though him] "Another door opens." You're my link to the Powers now.
I am nobody's link to anybody. I lost control of my entire central nervous system getting that stupid vision. And I'm not certain, but I might have... drooled... a little in my audition, the first one I've had in weeks.
Oh, uh, StainBeGone. It was a national, no less. They'll probably never call me again...
[snapping fingers] The vision. What was the vision?
Oh, who cares? It was a thing.
An ugly, grey, blobby, thing. What difference does it make?
The difference is, if you saw it in a vision, this could be an ugly, grey, blobby, dangerous thing.
I don't care! I want it out of me. And if kissing is the only way to get rid of it, I will smooch every damn frog in this kingdom. [enter their current client, demon Barney, from the rest room, drying his hands]
BBarney
Sorry, I thought I heard voices...
Uh, Barney, you remember my associate, Cor... [Cordelia kisses Barney] ...delia?
[rubs her mouth] Well, maybe not every frog.
BBarney
Boy, I gotta say, I like the way you people treat your clients!
[Angel encounters Wesley, who tried to replace Giles as Buffy's Watcher.]
I'll wager you never thought you'd see me again.
To tell you the truth, I hadn't given it much thought one way or the other. What are you...
Hup-up-up! [Wesley points his crossbow at Angel's throat] I'm the one asking the questions here. And I think it only fair to warn you, any sudden movement and I'll be forced to... [Angel casually knocks the crossbow from Wesley's hands] Right. You had a question?
[In the kitchen, Cordelia and Angel have just shared a moment of silence for Doyle. Angel goes back to scrambling eggs.]
Well, I'll be off then. Farewell, Angel. Who knows when our paths will cross again.
Do you even know where you're headed?
Rogue demon hunters rarely do. Wherever evil lurks, wherever the forces of darkness threaten humanity, that's where I'll be. [Angel pours a glass of orange juice for Cordelia.]
Oh, okay. Well, keep in touch.
Yes. Yes, I will. But now, the evil lurking everywhere bids me onwards! So... I go.
Yes. [sets foot on first stair, then leans back into hallway] No rest for the wicked fighters. Through storm and rain. Heat. Famine. Deep, painful, gnawing hunger... I go.
Ooh! [takes off coat] I suppose so!
[Angel encounters Wesley, who tried to replace Giles as Buffy's Watcher.]
I'll wager you never thought, you’d see me again.
To tell you the truth, I hadn’t given it much thought one way or the other. What are you--
Hup-up-up! [Wesley points his crossbow at Angel's throat] I’m the one asking questions here. And I think it only fair to warn you. Any sudden movement and I’ll be forced to-- [Angel casually knocks the crossbow from Wesley’s hands] Right. You had a question?
Interesting look for you. Motorcycle. The Watcher's Council trying out a new image?
In point of fact, I no longer work for the Council. I came to the conclusion that I was, of greater value to the 'cause working autonomously.
Hardly. With Buffy unwilling to follow Council orders there was simply no opportunity to function as Watcher. And that's why I became a rogue demon hunter.
Rogue demon hunter, yes. And I'm on the trail of a particularly nasty bugger right now. So I suggest you stay out of my way.
Easy, tiger. I think you might be making a mistake. If we're talking about the same demon, hearly seem pretty harmless to me.
He's left a trail of corpses, human and demon, all mutilated.
Each of the victims possessed some unique power. Telepathy, poisoned tongues, healing hands. Whatever the physical source of their power, it was ripped, gouged and torn from their corpses.
To what purpose, I can only guess. The fiend's cut a swath across half the continent. Almost count it in Phoenix. Got a pretty fair look too.
Kind of short? Ruddy complexion?
Short? No, on the contrary. Quite enormous and powerful. More of a yellow green. And it seems lately to be secreting some sort of viscous fluid.
