[RR looks around, starts walking toward closed store.He crosses the alley, then heads around the side of the building.¹ Upstairs, Tessa & DM are.. busy.]

RR - [sneaks down side alley, past parked T-bird (Tessa & DM are still 'busy'), looks in window with penlight (Tessa & DM are still 'busy'), cuts hole in window glass, removes circle of cut glass, disables alarm ² (Tessa & DM are still 'busy'), reaches up inside window, ³ releases catch, opens window, & props window open with piece of wood ⁴ (Tessa & DM are still 'busy'). He climbs through window, looks around.] Check it out. One night only, everything must go.

DM - [senses 'buzz', sits up] I feel something.

Tessa - I hope so. [moves toward him again]

DM - [stops her] No. ⁵

DM - [close on his face as he senses 'buzz'] I feel something.

Tessa - I hope so.

DM - [close on his face] No. ⁶ (This is a different cut from the DVD version.)

DM - [continued] Someone's here.

Tessa - I didn't hear anything.

DM - [pulls sword from under coffee table] Neither did I.

Tessa - Mac.

Tessa - Duncan, be careful.

RR - [kneeling by bag full of loot, looks around, goes to sword display case, ⁷ unlocks case, takes sword out of case] En garde, you fool! Wssst. [makes swishy noise]

DM - I am Duncan MacLeod.. of the clan MacLeod.. and you are dead.

RR - Uh.. dead? Whoa, heheh. Geez, I ripped off a couple of cups and a bowl; I'm sorry, all right? Here -- take 'em. They're all in the bag. I'll pay for the window. It's over. Okay?

DM - It's over when I cut off your head.

RR - Cut off my head?!? You don't think that's a little extreme for petty theft? Hey dude, chill. Your insurance will cover it.

Tessa - Mac, he's just a boy.

RR - You know what? You should call the police. In fact, I tell you what, I'll call them myself. Got a phone?

DM - There's someone..

[Slan, yelling, crashes through skylight.]

RR - Whoa! I'm on like 'America's Funniest Home Videos', right?

Slan - MacLeod! I'm Slan Quince and I've come for your head.

RR - This is very uncool, guys.

Slan - [to Tessa] We haven't been properly introduced, but you'll get to know me, my dear.

Tessa - Mac!

DM - Did you come to fight or talk?

CM - [appears in doorway] He's not gonna fight you, Duncan.. not until he's made you suffer.. until he's destroyed everything you love in this world.. until you don't know whether you want to live or die. That's your way, right, Slan?

DM - Connor, what are you doing here?

CM - Headhunting. Sorry, Duncan, but this one's mine.

RR - Man, these guys are out there. [heads for open window]

CM - [to DM] Let the boy go.

Slan - My challenge was to Duncan MacLeod, not you, whoever you are.

CM - I'm Connor MacLeod -- same clan, different vintage.

Slan - Ah, yes. You! [Both MacLeods raise their swords.] Haa! Not two against one. Tsk tsk tsk tsk.

CM - Thanks, Slan. I know the rules. You and me. Now.

[CM & Slan begin to fight, but are interrupted by police sirens.]

Slan - [as sirens get louder] It sounds to me like we're about to have company, gentlemen. I just wanted to meet the charming lady of the house. Ha ha. Until we meet again! [Slan breaks front store window with the hilt of his sword & jumps through.]

CM - [to DM] Heh heh heh. You look good.

[DM pulls up outside, parks, enters building.]

RR - [shown into room & handed envelope containing his belongings] All right, this puppy is gonna walk.

<DM - [enters station] I was asked to come in and identify a boy who broke into my store last night.

Powell - Richie Ryan?

DM - If that's his name, yeah.>

Powell - Look, I don't understand. We caught this kid. We can make a good case against him, but not if you don't press charges.

DM - Sorry. No charges.

Powell - Look, let me tell you something. This punk is trying to get off the hook by saying he DIDN'T break in. That he heard a disturbance, looked inside. He saw three men with drawn swords having it out.

DM - [laughs] Did he also see a guy in a bat costume and a long cape?

Powell - Okay. [laughs] Anyway. Now he had jewelry from your shop in his pocket when we nabbed him running from the scene. We've got him dead-to-rights.

DM - Sorry. Can I talk to him before you let him go?

Powell - You're sort of a 'Father Flannagan, there's no such thing as a bad boy,' kinda guy, aren't you? Look, let me set you straight on something. You talk, he walks. He hasn't learned a thing. This boy needs to do a little time in juvie to straighten him out. Next month, he turns eighteen. His next visit here? Oh, he gets processed through as an adult. He gets sent to the big house where the cons will pass him around for dessert. Think about it. Come on. ⁸ [takes DM to RR] This gentleman would like to talk to you. Now you give me one excuse to bust your butt while you're still here and you'll do ten on the taxpayers' money, punk. Got it?

RR - Oh, yes sir, Sergeant Powell, I certainly do, sir.

Powell - He's all yours. [leaves]

RR - Honestly, sir, I really do appreciate this second chance you're going to give me to become a useful member of society.

DM - If I let you out of here, I do not want anyone coming around asking about your little fantasies. That is the deal.

RR - Fantasies? Oh, you mean like the one where you and the Knights of the Round Table were, uh, wheee tseee tseeee tseee tseee, right? [imitating swordfight] Never saw a thing. Just, uh, made it all up. Hmpf. I know, I'm fast. All my teachers said so. Fast, but lazy. My lips are sealed. Word of honor. Besides, who'd I tell, ya know?

[Queen - 'Who Wants to Live Forever' instrumental as Tessa takes a shower (strategic blob of steam NOT in the DVD version!)]

Tessa - [throws towel over back of chair] So, you liberated this wine from Napoleon's own cellar, I suppose?

DM - No, this wine's only a little bit older than you are. Happy birthday. [hands Tessa a small box]

Tessa - Oh. [kisses DM, opens box] Oh, Mac! You're crazy.

DM - Just something I picked up during the French Revolution. [puts bracelet on Tessa's wrist]

Tessa - From now on, I only celebrate un-birthdays.. like the Mad Hatter.

DM - You're beautiful.

Tessa - Ha. I'm a year older.

DM - And still beautiful.

Tessa - When we met, you were the 'older man.'

DM - [laughs, takes her hand] Much.

Tessa - I mean, now we look the same age. ⁹

Tessa - When we met, you were the 'older man.'

DM - [laughs, brushes her cheek with his hand] Much.

Tessa - I mean, now.. now we look the same age. ¹⁰ (This is a different take, not in the DVD version.)

Tessa - Soon..

DM - Come here. Tessa, you're the most wonderful woman I've known in my entire life.

Tessa - All four hundred years?

DM - I'm not four hundred. I won't be four hundred for.. another four months.

Tessa - The problem is, even when you are four hundred, or four hundred and twenty, you'll still look thirty-five. It makes me sick.

DM - Good skin runs in my family. There's nothing I can do about it.

Tessa - From now on, every year you'll look at me and see someone who looks older and older than you, while you stay the same. And it'll just be a matter of time..

DM - No, it won't.

Tessa - ..until you want someone else.

DM - No.

Tessa - Or maybe I will.

DM - You'll want someone younger? Not exactly hard to find.

Tessa - No. Maybe I'll want someone I can grow old with.

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

Tessa - Mac, I know there have been others.. other loves. After a century or two.. do you learn how to cope?

DM - Cope? With the loss? Hm? No matter how many years go by, or how many times you say goodbye to those you care most about, when they leave, you..

Tessa - Die?

DM - Yes. When they die, you're naked and alone. Why don't we stop thinking about what's going to happen when I'm four hundred and twenty or four hundred and forty or.. [kisses Tessa] ..and think about what's going to happen.. later on tonight.

Tessa - And what's going to happen tonight? [They continue to kiss.]

[Glass repairmen finish lettering on new window, nod to each other. Tessa walks down alley toward antique store. ¹¹ Slan, in parked car, drums his fingers as he watches the alley. Tessa walks down alley as Slan watches from his car. She enters antique store. ¹²Shot of Slan's car parked in alley. Glass repairmen finish lettering on new window, nod to each other. ¹³ Close on new store window: ANTIQUES / APPRAISALS. Tessa walks into view, straightens tapestry, looks at items in window display. Close on Slan's eyes as he watches. ¹⁴ CM walks past T-bird. Tessa rearranges items on display table. Shot of Slan's car parked in alley.] (13/14: these cuts are NOT in the DVD version)

Slan - [sees CM in rearview mirror] Well, well, look who's here. [turns, smiles at CM through rear window of car, revs engine, blows CM a kiss] Ciao, baby! [laughs & drives off]

[DM senses 'buzz', goes over to Tessa.]

Tessa - [stops grinding on piece of metal] Is there someone here?

DM - Someone with a long lifeline. [unlocks back door, sword in hand, then sees CM looking in]

CM - [enters] Hi.

DM - Tessa, you've already met Connor MacLeod.

CM - I'm, uh, a friend of Duncan's from the old neighborhood.

[CM & DM fencing.]

CM - A mere pinprick.

DM - By my count, you look more like a pincushion!

[More fighting, laughing.]

DM - You know Slan is mine.

CM - You sure you can handle him? Come on. [holds out hand]

DM - [helps CM up] No problem.

[More fighting.]

CM - Slan is mine.

DM - Protecting Tessa is MY job.

[They both laugh.]

CM - Good to see you.

Tessa - You're sure you wouldn't rather use a sword, Connor?

CM - I take it that, uh, what you saw last night was.. new? New.

DM - Yes, as a matter of fact, it is quite new for Tessa. CUT

Tessa - How long have you two known each other? Are you related?

DM - We're clansmen. When I was growing up, there was a legend in my clan about a strange man in my grandfather's time who was killed in battle and then miraculously revived.

CM - Everyone thought it was witchcraft.

DM - I thought it was an old wives' tale. Until one day..

Tessa - I know. Someone killed you, but you didn't die.

CM - And then I found him, well, you know, the way someone found me.

DM - Connor taught me everything I needed to know to survive as an Immortal. The rules. The tactics needed to win.

CM - As once someone taught me.

Tessa - Win what?!? Why does this Slan person want Duncan? Please, don't say anything in front of the lady! Let me just go in the next room and crochet while you have cigars and brandy and talk about beheadings!

DM - I told Tessa some of it. I thought I was out of it. She didn't need to know all the rules.

CM - You're not out of it anymore! 'There can be only one.' Remember that rule?

Tessa - One what? One of you? Only one Immortal left in the end? Is that it? And what does the winner get?

CM - The last one will have the power of all the Immortals who ever lived -- enough power to rule this planet forever. If someone like Slan is that last one, mankind will suffer an eternity of darkness from which it will never recover.

Tessa - And you didn't think this was important enough to mention?

DM - It's nothing new.

Tessa - It is for me.

CM - You can't stay out of the Game, Duncan. You've tried before.

DM - Damn it, Connor! It had nothing to do with the Game, and you know that.

[Queen - 'Who Wants to Live Forever'

DM - [crying] She knew the names of all the grasses.. the wildflowers.. the songs that told where her people came from, how they lived, what they believed in!

CM - I'm sorry. I'm so sorry.

CM - [voice-over, as they watch funeral pyre burn] Do you think we ever lived like this? Like a tribe?

CM - [voice-over continues] Together with a common language, a reason and a name for each living thing? Did we once belong somewhere -- a time and a place, however briefly?

[DM pulls up in T-bird, feels 'buzz', enters store cautiously.]

DM - [over sound of grinder] Tessa?

Slan - [stops grinding] Hi, hon. Want to see what I've been working on? [Tessa, sitting in chair tied & gagged, cries out as Slan removes the cloth draped over her.] I think the face could use a little work, don't you? [holds grinder near Tessa's face. DM steps forward.] Uh-uh! Ha ha ha. Not too close. Drop it. Drop it! [Tessa continues making muffled noises.]

DM - [flips sword around & cuts power cord to grinder] You came for me. [They fight.]

Slan - [puts sword to Tessa's neck. Tessa screams. DM comes toward them, sword raised.] You know what some wags call me? Slan the Cat, because I like to play with my victims first. Ah-ah-ah-ah. ¹⁵ [laughs silently at DM] Don't spoil the fun! Be a good boy, and I'll leave her alive.. this time. I want you to think about it now. I bet you're thinking about it right now, aren't ya?

[They exchange a few more blows. Slan knocks DM down & leaves.]

Slan - Ta-ta for now, kids.

DM - You want to talk?

<Tessa - If I wanted to talk, I suppose I'd be talking. CUT I'm an artist. I'm supposed to have this tremendous imagination. But who could imagine this? Mac, I want to leave.>

[DM sits on corner of desk, sighs.]

DM - I think it's for the best, Tessa.

Tessa - Is that what you think?

DM - Is WHAT what I think?

Tessa - That I'm leaving you.

DM - Yes, that's what I think.

Tessa - You'd think in four hundred years, a person would learn how to listen.

DM - Well, that's what you said.

Tessa - I meant *I* want to leave -- not you, but this place. Here. The two of us. THAT'S what I meant. But maybe, that's not what you wanted to hear. ¹⁶ [comes around end of desk to him] Let's go. We could be in Paris by tomorrow.

DM - You think he couldn't find us in Paris? Tessa, Slan won't give up. You'll have to leave.

Tessa - What?

DM - There's no way you could have known what this was going to be like.

Tessa - Well, I have an idea now. So, what has this been for you -- this past dozen years? Was it like a summer fling? R & R? 'Sorry darling, back to the wars, you know.' Damn you! Damn your Gathering! Damn your whole race!

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

Tessa - No. An enemy could never hurt so much.

CM - Hey.. I know you loved her, but you can't keep them from dying. They all do. Men kill men. We kill each other.

DM - I don't care who does the killing. I'm tired of it. I'm tired of the endless mindless fighting. I'm tired of death.

CM - You can't quit.

DM - I didn't ask you for permission, Connor.

CM - I know why you chose this place. It's holy ground.

DM - That's right. And I did ask permission of the old ones to build my cabin here.

CM - No Immortal can fight here.. ever. You'll always be safe.

DM - Glad you approve. Connor, the battle between good and evil can do without me for a while.

CM - Maybe, but you can't stay out of it forever.

DM - No, not forever, but for a while.

CM - They'll find you.

DM - Eventually.

[CM & DM are fighting. RR watches through a broken window.]

[Queen - 'Princes of the Universe'

CM - So, how do you feel, old man?

DM - Fifty years younger than you do. [to Tessa] What's wrong?

Tessa - Slan called.

DM - What did he say?

Tessa - He'll be on Soldier's Bridge tonight.

DM - That's not all, is it?

Tessa - When he's finished with you, he'll be back for me.

CM - [watching DM sharpen his sword] You know, I've been thinking. Why are you smiling? 'Cause I've been thinking?

DM - Uh-huh.

CM - [laughing] Well, anyway, as long as I can remember knowing you..

DM - Oh, not again.

CM - Excuse me?

DM - You heard me.

CM - You don't know what I'm going to say. As long as I remember knowing you, you've had all the fun and most of the good women.

DM - Lately.

CM - Lately?

DM - That's what I said.

CM - What are you talking about?

DM - Well, I seem to remember that girl in London. The red-head.

CM - Ha!

DM - Healthy girl.

CM - Come on, that was almost a hundred and sixty years ago.

DM - That's what I said -- lately.

CM - You know what your problem is? You live in the past.

DM - I don't have a problem.

CM - Yes, you do.

DM - No, I don't.

CM - Yes. You do.

DM - No, I don't. Stop arguing with me.

CM - I'm not arguing.

DM - Yes, you are.

CM - No. It's conversation.

DM - It's conversation? Well, end of conversation!

CM - Oh, easy way out, huh?

DM - Uh-huh.

CM - Yeah, the usual. Duncan?

DM - [turns] What?

CM - [knocks him unconscious] End of conversation.

Tessa - Mac!

CM - He was arguing. Don't worry. He's gonna be okay.

Tessa - You don't have to go either.

CM - We don't have a choice. I hope to see you again.

[Slan is waiting.]

RR - [hiding behind car, sees CM come out of store] Damn. Sir Lancelot. [As CM starts the car, RR hides in the trunk.]

DM - [waking up] Oh..

Tessa - Mac. Mac?

DM - Where is he?

Tessa - Where do you think?

DM - Oh, ohh. [stands up]

Tessa - I know you have to go. Tell me, does anyone, anywhere, know why? Just why?

DM - Tessa, I won't be back, even if I win.

Tessa - After twelve years, is it that simple for you?

DM - Of course not! But you didn't know..

Tessa - I do now!

DM - It will happen again!

Tessa - I don't care!

DM - Tessa. I love you.

CM - [wearing beige trench coat & white sneakers!] Don't look so disappointed, Slan. When was the last time you had such an enthusiastic opponent?

Slan - Maybe you're right. This could be fun. [puts on protective mask]

CM - [swishes sword, laughs] Still worried about that pretty face of yours?

Slan - Just protecting my most valuable asset.

[CM & Slan start fighting.]

RR - [watching from shadows] Oh man, these guys should sell tickets. CUT

[DM drives quickly toward Soldier's Bridge.]

[CM cuts Slan's face.]

Slan - Aaaaaaaah! Aaaaaaaah! [pulls off mask]

[Fight continues. Slan shoots CM with a barb from the handle of his sword. CM falls over edge of bridge into the water.]

Slan - Bye-bye.

DM - [walks onto bridge] Slan! It's over now. [They fight.] Your cutting is slow, Slan, Come on! [Fighting continues.]

Slan - Aaaaaaaaaah [charges DM, gets sliced across abdomen, falls to his knees] Finish it, Highlander.

DM - There can be only one. [beheads Slan, takes Quickening, then looks up & sees RR watching]

RR - Whoa. Chill, man. Just.. just pretend I'm not here.

[DM jumps off bridge into river.]

[DM pulls CM out of river.]

CM - Go for it. That's it. [DM pulls projectile from CM's chest.] Aaah, oh, God!

DM - I know this won't come as a surprise, but you'll live.

CM - I should have known it -- you're never on time. Slan?

DM - I handled it.

CM - As I said, you have all the fun and most of the good women.

DM - Connor, I'm not going back to Tessa. I cannot put her through this again.

CM - I understand, but she won't. [sees RR trying to hide in grass by bridge] What about the boy? He'll need watching.

DM - I know. I will.

Tessa - [hears noise] Mac? [runs down to workshop] Duncan, is that you? ¹⁷ [opens door to back alley] Connor, are you alright?

CM - Yeah, I'm okay. Don't worry.

Tessa - Where is Mac?

CM - He's alive, and Slan won't be calling you anymore.

Tessa - Connor, where did Mac go?

CM - He didn't tell me. But I can guess.

Tessa - Where?

CM - Do you really want to know? [Tessa nods.] ¹⁸

[DM sits outside cabin, meditating. CM pulls canoe to shore of lake, walks toward cabin. ¹⁹ Camera pans down to Tessa standing by tree watching DM. DM looks over at her.]

Tessa - I tried to call you, but.. [runs to DM, kisses him] I love you. I love you.

DM - It hasn't ended. You know that. It won't end until..

CM - We don't know when it's going to end. We never do. But while we're here.. living in this time, in this place.. some of us.. the lucky few.;. will still have all the fun. And?

CM & DM - [together] All the good women.

CM - [laughs] Listen, I gotta go. The Old Ones are whispering that, uh, you want to be alone.

DM - You're welcome to stay.

CM - Goodbye, Tessa.

Tessa - Will I..?

CM - I hope so. Duncan..

DM - Connor. [CM leaves.]

Tessa - You didn't say goodbye?

DM - Never do.