Barely Tolerated

TRAVERS (V.O.)
Congratulations. You pass.   INT. LIBRARY - NIGHT
Buffy sits at the table, holding a wet cloth to her head. Travers stands before her, Giles stands nearby. Nobody looks wildly happy.


TRAVERS  You exhibited extraordinary courage and clearheadedness in battle.
  The Council is very pleased.
  BUFFYDo I get a gold star?

TRAVERSI understand that you're upset -
  BUFFY
You understand nothing.  You set that monster loose and he came after my
mother.
  TRAVERS
You think the test was unfair?
  BUFFY
I think you better get out of town
before I get my strength back.
  TRAVERS
We're not in the business of 'fair', Miss Summers.  We're fighting a war.
                  

GILES
You're waging a war.  She's fighting it.  There is a difference.
  TRAVERS
Mr. Giles, if you don't mind -
  GILES
The Test is done. We're finished.
  TRAVERS
Not quite. She passed. You didn't.   Neither Giles nor Buffy knows what to say.


TRAVERS
The Slayer isn't the only one who must perform in this situation.  I have recommended to the council, and they
have agreed, that you be relieved of
your duties as Watcher effective
immediately.      You're Fired.
  GILESOn what grounds?
  TRAVERS
Your affection for your charge has rendered you incapable of clear and impartial judgment.   You have a Father's Love for the child and that is useless to the cause.   A moment, as Buffy registers the truth in this. Giles does not even look at her.

  TRAVERS
It would be best for you not to havefurther contact with The Slayer -
  GILES
I'm not going anywhere.
  TRAVERS
No, well, I didn't expect you to adhere to that.  However, if you interfere with the new Watcher or try to countermand  his authority in any way you will be dealt  with.    Are we clear.
  GILES
We're very clear.
  TRAVERS
(to Buffy)
Congratulations again.
  BUFFY
Bite me.  
TRAVERS
(turning to go)
Yes. Well.  Colorful girl.   He throws a look at Giles and walks out. Neither Giles nor Buffy says anything for a while. She puts the rag to her head and winces-


BUFFY
Ow!   --with pain. Giles moves to her, instinctively.


GILES
Let me see...   She looks up at him. A moment of silence, and she slowly hands him the rag. He dips it in water and squats down, inspecting the wound, dabbing it with the rag.


She says nothing. Lets him tend to her.

WILLOW
I just can't believe Giles was fired!
How could Giles get fired?
  OZ
So how did you manage to kill Kralik?
  JOYCE
Oh, she was very clever.
(off Buffy's look)
You go ahead and tell it, dear.  You tell
it better.
  WILLOW
But when you say fired, you mean fired?
  XANDER
You're not cruising past that concept anytime soon, are you?  
WLLOW
It's just-he's been fired!  He's unemployed!  He's between jobs!
  BUFFY
Giles isn't going anywhere, Will.
He's still librarian.
  WILLOW
Okay, but I'm writing an angry letter.