EXT. BEACH - DAY

We're on a lovely, sunny beach. Buffy's going out for a FOOTBALL PASS that Riley just threw. Both Buffy and Riley are in beachwear (Buffy in cute swim shorts and a tank top…) Buffy snatches the ball from the air, jumps around in triumph.

BUFFY
Touchdown! Yes! Go team Me!

Buffy carelessly tosses the ball back to Riley. It's short. Riley misses it.

RILEY
Anybody ever told Team You that
the quarterback throws like a girl?

Riley grins and sends the ball flying back to Buffy, who catches it, smiling innocently

BUFFY
I do?

Buffy lets loose a ZINGER - hurtling the ball toward Riley with slayer force. Riley catches it in the GUT and goes flying, hitting the ground hard.

ANGLE - WILLOW, XANDER, ANYA and TARA

Who react to this. Willow and Tara, in a cozy space, share a blanket. Xander's tending to a little BBQ, trying in vain to get a fire started.

XANDER
I'm exhausted just looking at
those two. The splashing and the
jumping and the running… Shouldn't
relaxing involve less exertion?

ANYA
Absolutely. Exertion can lead to sweatiness.

TARA
Which can cause the pain and
heartbreak of stinkiness. Better
to just stay put.

WILLOW
I think we've just put our finger
on why we're the sidekicks.

Now Buffy and Riley come running up, out of breath and happy.

WILLOW
Game over?

Riley holds up the football, which is completely squashed.

RILEY
Buffy slayed the football.

BUFFY
It was an accidental… slew.
(then/ to Xander)
Where are the burgers?

RILEY
Yeah man, I'm starving. Cow me.

DELETED

XANDER
I'd love to make with the moo but
the fire's not cooperating. I think
this charcoal is made out of water.

WILLOW
What's the deal, Xand? I thought
you were a cow griller by trade.

XANDER
Well they had a newfangled gas
stove at the burger place.

ANYA
Plus they fired him in like a day.

XANDER
Anya embarrassing me in public!
Who saw that comin'?

ANYA
(to others)
He's fine. He's back to working
muscle-y construction.

XANDER
Not for long. The job is over in
a couple weeks - then all my ends
will be loose again.

RILEY
Tell me about it. I'm kind of in
drift mode myself these days.

BUFFY
You're not drifty. You have school.

RILEY
Yeah - but I'm not even sure
what I'm doing.
(back to Xander)
I mean, I figure I do want my
masters in psychology…
But, there's different areas… The new
advances in psycholinguistics are
intriguing - but I've really
always thought of myself as a
congnative neurobiology guy.

Xander just looks at him. Finally-

XANDER
I hear ya.

WILLOW
(offers/ to Riley)
I do. Really. I was gonna
structure my major around computer
science - but now I don't know…
what if drama class is awesome?
Do I cast off the safe and dependable
for the exhilarating unknown?

TARA
Maybe you should take the class
before you re-think your life plan.
I mean, it's not like the Goddess
Thespia rules your seventh house.

Tara and Willow bust up at this apparently funny thought. Everybody else just looks at them. Willow tries to explain chuckling all the while-

WILLOW
Ohhh, God… See that's…
The Goddess Thespia -
she was a total drama queen and…
(running out of steam)
The seventh house, that's like
when… Ahhhh… Whooo…

TARA
(embarrassed)
It's okay. I keep forgetting -
jokes should have funny parts.

WILLOW
It was funny.
Super funny and clever and…
(giving up)
Fire ready yet?

Xander shakes his head, no. He's supremely frustrated.

XANDER
It's comforting to know I lack the
culinary finesse of a caveman.

Willow casually waves a hand.

WILLOW
(Latin)
Ignis incede.
(translation)
Fire arise.

WOOOSH! The grill is suddenly ablaze. Everyone reacts.

BUFFY
Willow! Check you out! Witch-fu!

WILLOW
(falsely humble)
It's no big. You just have to balance
the elements, so when you affect
one you don't end up causing-

BOOM! Willow's interrupted by a SUDDEN THUNDER CLAP. Out of nowhere, clouds gather and a dramatic change in weather ensues… The kids scramble to get out of the sudden downpour. Willow protests-

WILLOW
I didn't do it! I didn't do it!

BOOM AGAIN! Lighting flashes.