Michelle - James! Stay Away!
 

[Whine of night goggles powering up. Man looks at his watch, showing Watcher tattoo on wrist.]

Michelle - [in chair, hands bound, in center of dark room] Why are you doing this? He's done nothing to you.

Pallin - This isn't personal. You ever wear red dresses? Be a good color for you. [waves his hand in front of her face. She can't see it.]

Michelle - I'll wear whatever you want me to wear. CUT It's been three days. He won't come.

Pallin - He'll come. They always come.

[Alarm beeps as James opens front door.]

Pallin - See? Right on time.

Michelle - You're not an Immortal. What chance do you have?

Pallin - Do you want to know a secret? I cheat.

Michelle - James! Stay away! Stay away!

Pallin - Scream all you want, if it makes you feel better.

[James climbs stairs to second floor.]

Michelle - James! Stay--

[James walks down upstairs hallway, enters room, door closes behind him.]

Pallin - [in center of room lit by bright spotlights, holding a sword, night goggles pushed up onto his forehead] Surprise.

James - You're not an Immortal.

Pallin - Give that man a cigar.

James - [draws sword] Where is she?

Pallin - She's around here somewhere. All you got to do is find her.

James - Oh, I will... after you're dead.

Pallin - Talk's cheap. [flips goggles down, turns spotlights off]

[In the complete darkness that follows, James can't see anything. Pallin plays with his prey a short while, then beheads him.]

Pallin - [opens door slightly] Guess who won. [closes door]
 

RR - So, how's my love line doing?

Greta - I see you're very romantic.

RR - Yeah, well, I've had my moments.

Greta - You attract women not only of beauty, but of intelligence.

RR - You're very good at this. Do you, uh... see any attraction for me in the very near future?

Greta - Not likely. I sense you're not looking to have a serious relationship.

RR - No, but I can live with frivolous.

Tessa - [at nearby table with DM] So, you see anything you like?

DM - [stares at her] Yeah. You know, I look at you sometimes, and I realize how beautiful you are.

Tessa - Maybe... we should go home.

DM - Maybe.

RR - Hey, guys. I would like you to meet...

Greta - Hello, I'm Greta. I'm the seventh daughter of the seventh son. I see things that other people don't even look for.

RR - As I was saying, this is Greta. Would you care for some wine, Greta?

Greta - Thank you. [takes sip from wine glass] As I was saying, a few dollars spent on Greta's gifts could be the best investment of your life.

DM - The rap alone is worth the investment.

RR - No, Mac, trust me. She has real talent.

DM - I can see that just by looking at her.

Tessa - Come on, it would be fun to have my palm read.

DM - [with humor] Only if she tells you what you want to hear.

Greta - I see you're a woman of taste. [takes Tessa's hand, gets a flash of something] Oh, that was a rush.

Tessa - Are you okay?

Greta - Yeah. Where were we?

[Greta takes Tessa's hand again, gets flash of Tessa surrounded by darkness, a man's smile, the hostage room where James' girlfriend was held. Two sword blades crossed, a woman saying "Stay away from me," more distorted images, and finally a gun muzzle and blood, ending with a very brief white-out flash of a boy wearing a dewrag.]

Greta - [blinks, looks around] What the hell was that about? [lets go of Tessa's hand]

Tessa - What's wrong?

RR - Ah, it's no big deal, Tess. She's just having a psychic experience, right?

Greta - That's it. I must have -- I mean, I did.

RR - Greta, I was kidding.

DM - [to Tessa] Hey, don't worry.

Greta - You have to get the hell out of this city.

Tessa - What are you talking about?

Greta - Trouble -- and you're right in the middle of it.

DM - I think we've heard enough. Thanks. [stands up]

RR - Hey, come on, guys. We're all having fun here. [to Greta] I mean, this is just a joke, right?

Greta - Look, I saw what I saw. I think this is for real.

DM - I'm sure it is. [to Tessa] Let's go.

Greta - I know this sounds crazy as hell, but I saw swords.

Tessa - It's okay. Thanks for the reading.

DM - [to Tessa as they walk away] Come on. Don't let it bother you.

Tessa - She seemed so upset. What about the swords? How could she know about that?

DM - Well, maybe it was a coincidence. Or maybe she really did have a psychic experience and caught a glimpse of our life together.

Tessa - She scared me.

DM - Hey, Tess, nothing's written in stone. Whatever she saw or didn't see, we decide our future. It's whatever we want it to be.

Tessa - Hold me. I love you, Duncan.

DM - I love you too, sweetheart. [They kiss.]

Carmen - [kisses DM, then slaps him] You bastard!

DM - What was that for? [wrestles knife away from Carmen] Give me that! Why?

Carmen - I am not a whore! [storms out of wagon]

DM - What did I do?

Carmen - [runs through camp] Roman!

DM - [follows] What did I do?

Carmen - Roman!

DM - [to himself] What is this about? Oh, I don't understand women. She's crazy. [calls after her] Carmen!

Carmen - Roman!

Roman - [sitting by fire, stands] What is it?

Carmen - MacLeod. He used me. He lied to me. He said he would marry me!

DM - I WILL marry you.

Carmen - Liar! [grabs DM's hand] I saw it in your palm!

DM - What are you doing?

Carmen - You will have hundreds of women, but you will never marry. Not me, not anyone!

Roman - Is this true?

[Older gypsy woman looks at DM's palm, nods.]

Roman - [takes off jacket] Get him a knife.

DM - Oh, this is crazy.

Roman - [puts knife in DM's hand] You have destroyed the honor of my family.

DM - What on earth are you talking about?

Roman - You raped my sister.

DM - What?

Roman - You will marry her now.

DM - Roman, I love your sister, but no one's going to force me to marry anyone. [Roman slices DM's cheek with his knife.] Uh!

Roman - Then you will die.

DM - [throws knife down] Roman, I am your friend. [turns to Carmen] Carmen...

Roman - Go, MacLeod.

Carmen - [as DM walks away] MacLeod... you will bury many women, but you will marry none! You will always be alone. Do you hear me? Alone.

(resume previous scene)

DM - Let's get married.

Tessa - What do you mean, married?

DM - I mean, married as in... married.

Tessa - You mean, as in a proposal? You mean as in "Will you marry me" married?

DM - Is this better? [gets down on one knee, sings] Will you marry me? Will you marry me?

Tessa - Get up! There are people.

DM - Well, you still haven't answered my question. [asks nearby people] Do you think she should marry me?

Woman - Yes.

DM - I think she should marry me. Yeah? I think she should marry me. What do you think?

Tessa - All right. All right. All right. Yes!

DM - Yes?

Tessa - I'll marry you!

DM - Yes! [picks her up, spins her in a circle]

Tessa - Why now? [DM notices two men (Pallin and Billy) by pool tables watching him intently.] What are you looking at?

DM - Uh... probably nothing. I'll be right back.

Tessa - [as DM leaves] Whew!

RR - [walks up to Tessa] What's going on? Thought you guys were taking off.

Tessa - Richie, Duncan just asked me to marry him.

RR - He what?

Tessa - He proposed to me!

RR - For real?

Tessa - Yeah.

RR - Just now?

Tessa - Uh-huh.

RR - Why? [off Tessa's look] Well, no, no, Tess, don't. I mean, I know that he loves you and all, but I mean, after all this time, it seems a little strange, don't you think?

Tessa - Well, no, not to me.

RR - Well, congratulations.

[DM looks around pool hall, walks behind pool tables. ^A He walks between two pool tables, looks around some more, then shrugs and returns to Tessa.]

Tessa - Did you ever think... what if we had never met? What if you didn't jump in that boat? Hmm? What if--

DM - You'll drive yourself crazy.

Tessa - Where would you be now? Where would I be?

DM - I give up. Where would you be?

Tessa - Well...

DM - Well?

Tessa - I don't know. I can't even imagine a life where we're not together. Do you think there's such a thing as fate? Something that drew us together?

DM - I think... what drew us together... was you. Your face... [kisses her] Your eyelashes... Your hair... and your ears...

Tessa - Mmm. My whole head?

DM - Mmm. And everything inside. But most of all... your heart. [continues kissing her]

Tessa - Duncan...

[fade to black]

DM - You know, it's going to be funny opening the store again tomorrow.

Tessa - Mm-hmm.

RR - So, is this going to be a traditional wedding or what?

Tessa - What do you mean?

RR - I mean, have you thought about who's going to give you away?

Tessa - Come on, Richie. Give me a break.

RR - See, I was actually kind of hoping that Mac would ask me to be his best man.

DM - [laughs] I wouldn't have it any other way.

RR - All right. Cheers.

DM & Tessa - [clink champagne flutes with RR] Cheers.

RR - Tess. [holds glass for her to take] Mac, can you give me a hand for a second?

[DM sees Billy looking in through window, goes to door.]

Tessa - Mac?

RR - [as DM leaves store] A simple "no" would have worked.

[Meanwhile, Pallin drives up to antique store.]

[DM continues chasing Billy.]

[Pallin enters store.]

RR - Can I help you? [Pallin tasers him unconscious.]

[DM continues to chase Billy.]

Tessa - [enters from workshop] Richie?

DM - [finally catches Billy] What do you want? [knocked aside by motorcyclist. Billy jumps on back of motorcycle and escapes.]

Tessa - [backing away] Take whatever you want.

Pallin - I will. CUT
 

[short time later]

DM - [enters store] Tessa? [RR moans.] Richie! What happened?

RR - Mac, a guy comes in here and zapped me in the neck.

DM - What guy?

RR - I don't know. A big guy.

DM - What'd he look like?

RR - Tall guy. Blond hair.

DM - Where's Tessa?

RR - I don't know. Mac, I'm sorry.

DM - It's not your fault. It's not your fault. I just have a feeling I've just been set up.

Tessa - What do you need me for?

Pallin - [in the shadows] Bait.

Tessa - But he'll fight anyway, if that's all you want.

Pallin - Well, maybe that's the way the Immortals do it, but I have to be a little more careful. [He smiles at her (one of Greta's flashes).]

Tessa - [sees his tattoo] You're a Watcher.

Pallin - Oooh, so you know about us.

Tessa - Yes, I know about you. But I don't understand you. What in God's name do you think you're doing?

Pallin - My friends would call it saving the human race. But I do it for other reasons. I get off on it.

Tessa - Why Duncan?

Pallin - Because he's a freak.

Tessa - He's a good, decent man.

Pallin - He's not a man. He's not human. He's an it. CUT I think it's time we spoke to him, don't you?

DM - [answers phone] This is MacLeod. [on phone, Pallin laughs.] Listen to me carefully, you son of a bitch. If anything-- ^B [on phone] If anything--  ^C I mean anything -- happens to Te-- (this is NOT in the DVD version!)

Pallin - [on phone] Wait, don't tell me... [into phone] I'm a dead man, right?

DM - [into phone] If you're lucky.

Pallin - [on phone] How'd I guess? [into phone] Don't worry, buddy. You'll get your shot. And to show you that I'm not such a bad guy, I'm going to let you talk to her. [holds phone for Tessa]

Tessa - [into phone] Mac.

DM - [into phone] Tessa, are you all right?

Tessa - [on phone] I'm fine. Don't come! It's a trap.

DM - [into phone] Where are you?

Pallin - [pulls phone away, into phone] Of course it's a trap. That won't matter, now will it? [on phone] I'll be in touch. [hangs up]

<RR - CUT Mac, look what I just found. Isn't this the earring that Tessa was wearing today?>

DM - I just need five minutes of your time.

Greta - Something happened to her, didn't it?

DM - Tessa was kidnapped last night.

Greta - Then what are you doing here? Shouldn't you be with the police or something?

DM - I need your help.

Greta - Mister, I do an act. A little theater for the paying customers. My mother had the gift, but I never did.

<DM - You do now. CUT [puts earring in her hand]>

Greta - Look, last night was my first time -- my only time. It's not gonna happen again. [hands earring back]

DM - Please. [gives her the earring again]

Greta - [rubs earring between her palms briefly] I'm sorry. I'm blank. Nothing. The only thing I get a picture of is the pizza I had for lunch.

DM - Try again.

Greta - I do this and then I'm out of it, right? You go away? Far away? [concentrates on earring, gets images of mounted animal heads, Tessa, Pallin's smile again, Tessa bound to a chair in the hostage room, crossed sword blades, more distorted images]

DM - What did you see?

Greta - Nothing. [drops earring on table]

DM - What did you see? Talk to me!

Greta - All right. I saw her... your friend. She's a prisoner or something. And there was a guy with a mask. He was swinging a sword. What kind of weird stuff are you people into?

DM - Is she okay? Can you tell me something about her location?

Greta - No.

DM - Is there anything -- anything else at all?

Greta - There was a wall with animal heads on it.

Harry - Dying art. People just aren't killing things like they used to.

DM - That's too bad.

Tax - It's hell on the fur business, too. My cousin Mel's a furrier uptown.

DM - That's nice for him.

Tax - Nice? It's terrible. He's in hock up to his ears. Nobody's buying nothing, and when they do, some wacko starts throwing eggs and garbage at them.

DM - The man I'm looking for is tall, blond.

Tax - If God didn't want women to wear fur coats, why'd he invent mink?

DM - About the blond man--

Tax - What did he do -- birds or beasts?

DM - What?

Tax - What did he hunt? Ducks? Quail?

DM - Big game.

Tax - Well, there was a guy in... but he was bald. I got a great memory for animals. But people...

DM - [sees Billy at the window] Thanks anyway.

[DM chases Billy.  ¹ Billy climbs fire escape. DM follows. They scuffle, DM punches Billy, Billy falls from fire escape and dies. ]
 

RR - All right. ²

Pallin - [enters with tray of food] You'd better eat. You'll be here for a while.

Tessa - Why are you waiting? Why don't you just get it over with?

Pallin - The longer MacLeod has to wait, the edgier he becomes. An edgy man makes mistakes.

Tessa - Maybe he won't come.

<Pallin - He'll come as soon as I tell him to. CUT [answers cell phone] Yeah.

Man - [on phone] Billy's dead. MacLeod killed him.>

Pallin - [hangs up phone] Your good and decent man just killed my friend.

Tessa - You have no one to blame but yourself.

Pallin - [slaps her] Bitch! Billy really believed in this crap. He was a soldier.

Tessa - Soldier? You're trying to kill an innocent man. That isn't war. It's murder! [throws plate of food at him as he leaves]

RR - Anything? [DM, still looking at manilla folder contents, shakes head. Greta approaches.] I thought you wanted no part of this.

Greta - I didn't, but I can't get it out of my head. I keep having these visions -- these images. It's making me crazy.

DM - Did you see anything new?

Greta - I saw you.

DM - What was I doing?

Greta - I don't know. I mean, all I get is bits and pieces. It's not like I can put in a tape and watch the movie.

DM - Well, what do you think I was doing?

Greta - Fighting with somebody -- the guy in the mask, I think. Look, this is all new to me. I read palms, I make a few bucks. It's a gig, not a life style.

DM - [looks at his palm, sits down beside her] Read my palm.

Greta - What good will that do?

DM - Please.

Greta - [looks at DM's palm] My God, you've got a life line the size of the Mississippi. Wait a minute... how old are you? [begins to get image flashes again:

Greta - What are you?

DM - What did you see?

Greta - Halloween. Guys in costumes, sword fights. This big old house. And then it all just went black.

DM - Well, you mean the vision stopped?

Greta - No. It was different than that. It was pitch-black. You know, like somebody turned out the lights or something, but blacker.

DM - Was it night? [Greta shakes her head 'no'.] Well, what color were the walls? I mean, I need details!

Greta - What details? Black is black.

DM - Well, was there anything else of Tessa or the man holding her?

Greta - No.

DM - There must have been something.

Greta - What do you want from me? You want me just to make up something so you feel better?

DM - No. I want you to give me something that I can use. [pause] I'm sorry. I know you're doing your best. Was there anything else? What about the house?

Greta - It was an old Tudor, I think.

DM - Was there anything special about it?

Greta - No. I mean, it's probably nothing.

DM - What?

Greta - The windows of the house -- some of them were colored glass. Look, I told you, it's not much.

DM - It's more than I had.

Greta - Wait. This is my home number. [writes number on inside of matchbook cover, hands matchbook to DM] I won't sleep until this is over.

DM - Thanks.

Greta - Let me know what happens, okay?

DM - Yeah.

[Tessa studies metal fork, then goes to door.]

DM - Did he call?

RR - No. Mac, what's he waiting for?

DM - That's his game. [opens laptop]

RR - And what are you doing?

DM - I'm looking for a Tudor house that Greta saw.

RR - Mac, there are tons of Tudor houses in this city.

DM - Some are registered as historical landmarks, though.

RR - Sure. Dozens.

DM - Yeah, but not all of them have colored glass windows.

[Tessa tries to open locked door with metal fork, gives up and tries to jam the door knob with the fork instead.]

Pallin - What are you doing in there?

[Pallin kicks door in & Tessa breaks the wooden chair against his back, knocking him down. She runs down two flights of stairs and out into street.]

Tessa - [runs in front of passing car] Stop! Stop! Stop, please! Stop! You have to help me!

Driver - [pushes her away from car window] What the hell! Are you drunk or something? You could've gotten yourself killed. [drives away]

Tessa - You have to help me!

Pallin - [grabs her] I still need you. [drags her back into house]
 

RR - [answers phone] Hello.

Pallin - [on phone] Is that you, Richie?

RR - [into phone] Who is this?

Pallin - [into phone] Still stunned?

RR - [on phone] Why don't you come find out.

Pallin - [into phone] Ha. Ha. Funny man. [on phone] Let me talk to MacLeod.

RR - [into phone] He's not here right now.

Pallin - [on phone] That's too bad. [into phone] Give him a message for me. You tell him that the girl is at Thirty-four Ninety Briarcliff Street. [on phone] And you tell him I'm expecting him. [hangs up]

Pallin - That was very good before. I won't underestimate you again. [cuffs Tessa to radiator]

Tessa - It's not me you have to worry about.

Pallin - We'll see.

[RR pulls up on motorcycle, walks toward house, is suddenly grabbed by DM.]

RR - Mac!

DM - Quiet! What are you doing here?

RR - He called just after you left. He's in that house.

DM - I know. I want you outside. Tessa's the only one I want to worry about in there. Right?

RR - Right.

DM - [firmly] Right?

RR - Right. [watches as DM walks toward house, turns to go around back of house] Wrong.

Pallin - [watching from inside] So he brought the posse.

[RR enters house. Pallin follows him and knocks him out. Meanwhile, DM enters at front of house, goes up stairs, hears noise and enters room where James was killed.]

Pallin - [holding sword, goggles on forehead] Welcome, Highlander. You got here sooner than I thought.

DM - Where's Tessa.

Pallin - Here. [pulls goggles over eyes]

DM - Who are you?

[Spotlights turn off. Pallin's green night goggle vision engages. DM takes off jacket & moves into defensive position. Pallin toys with him & DM actually manages some decent parries.]

Pallin - Ooh. Very impressive. [cuts DM across the belly]

DM - Aah! [backs away, pulls Greta's matchbook from his pocket]

Pallin - It's only a matter of time, Highlander. [cuts DM's arm]

[DM tosses matchbook into air and hits it with sword blade, igniting the matches & causing a flare of light.]

Pallin - [pulls off night vision goggles] Aah!

[In flickering light from matchbook, DM kills Pallin, then leaves room to find Tessa.]

Tessa - [as DM enters] Mac! Thank God!

DM - Out of the way. [uses sword to break handcuff link]

Tessa - [hugs DM] Oh.

DM - You all right?

Tessa - I'm fine.

RR - [enters room] I'm fine, too, if anyone cares.

DM - I thought I told you to stay outside.

RR - So sue me.

DM - Take Tessa home in the car. I'll take your bike. I want to find out a little bit more about this guy and his friends.

Tessa - Don't be too long. I love you.

DM - I love you, too.

[Tessa & RR leave.]

[Tessa & RR walk to T-bird.]

[DM searches computer.]

RR - [holds out jacket] Tessa.

Tessa - Thanks. [puts jacket on]

RR - Come on. Let's go.

Mark - [wearing jacket and dewrag (from Greta's first vision)] Nice car. How about a ride?

RR - Some other time. [to Tessa] Let's go.

Mark - [pulls gun] Now! Give me your keys. I want your rings, wallet, necklace! Come on!

Tessa - Okay! Okay!

Mark - Come on! Hurry up! Come on!

RR - All right!

Mark - That's all you got? You got more. Where's her purse?

Tessa - I don't have a purse, I swear -- only the rings.

Mark - You lying bitch! ^D [shoots Tessa]

[DM, inside, hears gunshot.]

Tessa - Aah!

RR - [shot twice] Aah!

[DM, inside, reacts to gunshots.]

[Mark turns, runs off. DM runs out of house, down porch steps ^E and across yard, kneels by Tessa's body, cradles it gently.]

[RR opens his eyes -- he's alive.] ³ CUT
 

[Kansas - "Dust in the Wind"

[DM stands in center of room, looking sadly around, remembering...]

DM - Uh... I didn't want to miss the tour.

Tessa - Is this the way you always make an entrance?

DM - I wanted to make an impression.

Tessa - You have. Bravo.]

(resume previous scene)

[DM, still remembering...]

(resume previous scene)

[DM, still remembering...]

[Tessa behind welding flame, talking to DM (no audio).]

(resume previous scene)

[DM, still remembering...]

[Tessa sits on bed, pats beside her for DM to sit.]

(resume previous scene)

[DM, still remembering...]

Tessa - Damn you! Damn your Gathering! Damn your whole race!

DM - I'm not your enemy, you know.

Tessa - No.

(resume previous scene)

[DM, sitting on stairs to upper level, still remembering...]

Tessa - Maybe I'll want someone I can grow old with.

DM - You know I've wanted the same thing -- to grow old with you.

(resume previous scene)

[DM, sitting on stairs to upper level, still remembering...]

Tessa - I love you, Duncan.

DM - I love you, too, sweetheart.

(resume previous scene)

[DM, sitting on stairs to upper level, still remembering...]

[DM exits store, closes door.]

[DM turns & senses 'buzz'.]

DM - [walks across street to RR] You're one of us now. [gives RR key to store] Sell it. [as RR moves away] Richie... watch your head. [walks toward T-bird. RR follows.]