Wouldn't the pizza get kinda smooshed?

the heroes are only different because they're used to it all

Exactly. Getting used to it is incredibly important - especially so you stop having that second of hesistation. That's why I mentioned Dead Mans Party - if you watch the party, you can see all the party-goers freeze, except for the Scoobies, who just grab makeshift weapons without even blinking...

I blame the Scoobies just as much for Wesley's failure

I don't know - I think he was pretty much doomed to fail spectacularly, mainly because of when he arrived. If he'd been there in season 1, he might have had a chance - but by the time he got there, there were so many ambiguities to deal with (corrupt government, two Slayers, Angel), and Wesley was still thinking in black and white. Plus, Giles had the experience of having been bad-magic-hates-the-world-ticking-time-bomb-guy, whereas Wesley still thought you should always follow orders (because he always had).
But you're right - the way the Scoobies treated him certainly didn't help.

I'm glad you enjoyed reading this!