Disclaimer: Highlander belongs to Davis/Panzer Productions, I don't own anything, just my original characters. I have also made the decision to add a new chapter to the book weekly, like a TV show. That way, I will have extra time to write, finish my schoolwork and hang with my folks.
I was born before 1600 in the Highlands of Scotland, and I am still alive. I am Immortal and I am not alone. For four hundred years, I have fought, loved, wondered, explored and avenged. Now, I have found the woman of my dreams, but we are always in danger. For centuries, I have battled the Dark Immortals, with Holy Ground my only refuge. Soon will be the time of the Gathering, when the stroke of a sword and the fall of a head, will release the power of the Quickening. I am Owen MacLeod, the Highlander. In the end, there can be only one.
(Cue Princes of the Universe)
Starring
Jack Turpin
Kehli O'Byrne
Adrian Paul
Alexandra Vandernoot
Stan Kirsch
Amanda Wyss as Randi
(Princes of the Universe ends)
See No Evil
Guest Starring
John Hertzler as Marcus Korolus
Special Guest Appearance
by Tim Reid
A car pulled up to the gate entrance of the Municipal Stadium and Natalie Bard exited it. She walked into the stadium, and noticed Sam, stadium's the security guard.
"Hey, Sam," she greeted.
"Hello," Sam replied.
"I'm going up to the boxes," continued Natalie. "Listen, I'm expecting a couple of people. So could you point them up my way?"
"You've got it, Miss Bard," Sam promised.
"Thanks."
At the antique store, Duncan and Tessa read a pamphlet that had Natalie's picture on it.
"You'll like Natalie," Tessa told her boyfriend regarding her friend.
"I like her already," replied Duncan, "Stylish, tasteful, with a certain underplayed elegance. Anyone can see she's got a great foundation."
"Uh, you're talking about the stadium, of course."
"Oh, of course, yeah. So, your art's going to grace the entrance way."
"If she likes my ideas," Tessa affirmed, "I'm on the short list, and I have an edge – we were at the at the Sorbonne together."
"Your edge is talent," Duncan replied before he asked, "Ready?"
"Ready," Tessa answered. They left the antique store to meet with Natalie and got in the T-bird.
Back at the stadium, Natalie walked down the hallway and entered the luxury box. She was startled upon hearing footsteps. She looked up as she heard the footsteps.
"Tessa?" she called out.
The footsteps suddenly stopped, and Natalie walked to the door to investigate, but only saw an empty hallway. This left her very confused as she walked back to the luxury box.
Outside, Duncan and Tessa got out of the T-bird in front of the stadium.
"Any chance, as part of your fee, you could negotiate a pair of season tickets?" asked Duncan.
"I might," replied Tessa.
"On the fifty-yard line?"
"Don't push your luck, buddy."
As Duncan and Tessa walked down the hallway, Natalie heard the footsteps again, along with someone humming. She turned to see a man wearing a helmet and goggles, holding a bowie knife.
"No!" Natalie screamed as the man attacked her.
"Natalie!" she heard Tessa call out.
"No!" Natalie screamed, "Get off of me!"
Then suddenly, Duncan and Tessa entered the luxury box, scarring the assailant away.
"Stay with her!" Duncan ordered as he gave chase.
Tessa tended to Natalie, whose scalp had been cut open.
"Oh, Natalie," she wailed quietly as she held her friend.
Duncan chased the assailant out of the luxury box, resulting in the assailant dropping his bowie knife. The chase went down through the stadium seats and then inside the stadium. They ran along the interior hallway, then the assailant ran back out into the seating. He waited and jumped onto Duncan as he ran out, knocking him down. Then he ran back in and headed for the ramps leading down between levels with Duncan trailing some distance behind him.
The assailant ran onto level three and encountered Sam.
"What the hell-?!" was all he could say before he was shoved aside.
By the time Duncan made it outside, the assailant had already fled on his motorcycle.
Duncan looked on with Tessa as the paramedics were wheeling Natalie out of the luxury box.
"I'm going with her," Tessa told Duncan before she followed the paramedics out of the box.
"Duncan MacLeod?" asked a voice.
"Yeah?" Duncan replied.
"Lieutenant Graffini," a bald man introduced himself. "I'm told you saw the guy."
"Yeah, a, uh… tall, well built," Duncan described. "Wearing old biker's leather, looked like something out of the Twenties."
"What about eye, hair color?" asked Graffini.
"He was wearing a helmet and goggles. Sorry."
"Did he say anything? Did you pick up an accent, something?" Graffini continued, which Duncan shook his head to. "Did you notice anything special about him?"
"Like I said," answered Duncan, "He looked like something out of an old movie."
"What about the bike?"
"I was too far away to see."
"Lieutenant, we found this on the floor on the balcony," Sergeant Ray Bennett informed the Lieutenant, showing a plastic bag, containing the bloody bowie knife.
"Is that the scalper's knife?" asked a voice.
A blonde woman walked up from behind Duncan. It was Randi McFarland, a nosey reporter who had been causing a lot of trouble for Duncan.
"How the hell did you get in here?" Graffini asked the reporter.
"I'm very popular with your men, Lieutenant," Randi answered. "I get their names right on TV. Now, you didn't answer my question. Did the scalper strike again?"
"Scalper?" inquired Duncan, slightly confused.
"Another woman was murdered last week in North Shore Park," Randi explained, "Her throat was slit, and she was scalped. Wasn't she, Lieutenant?"
"That information's restricted," answered Graffini.
"Well, what do you have on the killer?" Duncan asked.
"What are you, writing a book?"
"Is he following a pattern?"
"Thanks for your help. We have your name and address."
Graffini then walked away. Both Duncan and Randi already did not like him.
"Surprise, surprise, a weird murder attempt and you're right in the middle of it," Randi chimed in before she eyed Graffini, "He's a real prince, huh? So, what really happened MacLeod?"
"A woman was assaulted," answered Duncan.
"Tell me something you didn't tell them."
"I told him everything."
"You never tell anybody everything. Come on, MacLeod, you were here. Give me a quote."
"Those who forget the past are condemned to relive it," Duncan quoted smugly, before walking away.
At Owen's apartment, Owen and Lynn were watching the news, in their underwear. They had just been planning their Paris trip to celebrate Lynn's graduation, when the report came up.
"Well, shit," swore Lynn. "We got back into town to plan our vacation, and now this."
"Blonde woman, scalp?" Owen whispered to himself. "I know who it is!"
"Who?"
"Marcus Korolus."
"An Immortal?"
"Yes. Legend has it that, in the 1620s, Lenora, the woman he loved, had him burned for witchcraft after he told her about his Immortality. Korolus was driven insane by the betrayal and in revenge, he murdered Lenora, taking her scalp. However, her death alone didn't satisfy him, and he continued to kill other women who resembled her in the same way. His targets were always women who reminded him of her and had long blonde hair like she had."
"So, you're going after him?"
Then, an idea flew into Owen's head.
"Dad and I will," he began. "But while we work, you can spend time with Tessa at the antique shop. Both've been dying to meet you."
"Alright, sure," agreed Lynn. "Let's do it."
Owen cheered and they hurried to the bedroom to get dressed.
Duncan was going through contents of an old box as Tessa entered the room. She walked over to him.
"How is she?" he asked.
"Sedated. She was sleeping when I left. She went into shock in the ambulance. We almost lost her," Tessa answered. "And that police officer… he came in and made her relive every moment of it. Who could do something like this to her?"
Before Duncan could reply, he suddenly felt the buzz. Immediately after, the door opened, and in walked Owen and Lynn, each with an arm around each other.
"Look who's back!" sang Owen.
"Owen, you need to let me know when you're coming," said Duncan.
"But I like surprises."
"Hello," Tessa greeted Lynn, standing up.
"Hi!" Lynn greeted happily, shaking the older girl's hand.
"So, this is your girlfriend?" asked Duncan.
"She is," answered Owen. "Lynn, Tessa and Duncan. Tessa and Duncan, Lynn."
"You didn't tell me they were this beautiful," Lynn teased her boyfriend.
"I didn't know how else to describe," answered Owen. "But onto more pressing matters. I wanted Lynn to meet you guys, but I heard about the killer, and I know who it is."
"Who?" asked Tessa.
"Marcus Korolus, a man who was betrayed by the one he loved and then went insane because of it."
"An Immortal?"
"It's not," answered Duncan.
"How do you know?" Lynn asked.
"The killer is a mortal," Duncan explained. "I encountered him up close. Marcus is a different story."
Duncan held up a playbill that said, 'Orpheum Theater PRESENTS MARCUS KOROLUS in 'Man and Superman' by George Bernard Shaw.'
Duncan thought back to the Orpheum Theatre stage in 1925.
Korolus held a young blonde flapper tightly, talking brokenly into her ear.
"Why did you betray me, Lenora?" he asked, hurt.
The flapper screamed as he waved a large knife in her face. Suddenly Korolus paused as he sensed a buzz.
"Marcus," called Duncan as he walked onto the stage.
"You found me," said Korolus.
"When I read in the newspapers the description of the other women they found murdered - tall, slender, blonde - I knew you were here. Then I saw your picture in the playbill."
"I knew you'd come, Duncan," said Korolus, throwing the flapper to the floor.
"Please, don't do this," pleaded Duncan, removing his hat and long coat. "Let me help you. Come with me."
Korolus turned abruptly and hurled his knife at Duncan, hitting him in the chest. The flapper screamed at the sight. Korolus grabbed his rapier sword from a nearby chair.
"It doesn't have to be this way," Duncan wheezed.
"It is ordained... that my judgment will be realized," replied Korolus. "And the penalty for adultery is death.
He unsheathed the blade and attacked Duncan, who pulled the knife from his chest and used it parry the strikes. Duncan, several feet from his katana, desperately tried to defend himself as he healed.
"Marcus, this woman is not Lenora," he pleaded.
"Liar!" barked Korolus, hitting Duncan's wound. "She's the same. The same face, the same body, and the hair that women covet, and men adore!"
He shoved Duncan forward and lunged, resulting in his sword stabbing into a mirror. Korolus forced Duncan to look at him.
"She betrayed me, Duncan. I gave her the world. She told them what I was... and they burned me for a WITCH!"
Korolus swung for Duncan's head, but the Highlander dodged it. Duncan continued to block Korolus' strikes with the knife as he returned to center stage.
"You killed Lenora three hundred years ago!" he shouted.
"No!" Korolus screamed as he lunged. "She lives!"
Korolus continued to swing wildly before Duncan shoved him to the ground. Korolus got up and ran for the back of the stage.
"She won't die!" he cried. "I must kill her! I must kill them all!"
Realizing what needed to be done, Duncan grabbed his katana from his coat on the floor and used it along with the knife to fight Korolus. Finding an opening, Duncan struck Korolus' sword arm, forcing him to drop his sword. Duncan then stabbed him in the heart, mortally wounding him. Korolus collapsed onto a piece of scenery and looked at the flapper still lying on the stage.
"Lenora," he wheezed before dying.
The flapper then fainted from shock. Duncan sorrowfully raised his sword above him.
"Bye, Marcus," he said.
Duncan swung down and beheaded Korolus, with the resulting Quickening knocking him onto the ground of the stage.
"He was insane," finished Duncan.
"So, he's dead," stated Owen. "And an Immortal is off the list."
"Then who is doing this?" Tessa asked.
"That's what we need to find out," Lynn replied. "We're in."
Duncan looked at Owen, who shrugged with confusion.
The quartet strolled through the stadium as Duncan gave a history lesson.
"You know, before this was a stadium, there were orchards and stables," he explained. "It's where Marcus killed one of his victims."
"How did he choose them?" asked Tessa.
"By the color of their hair," Owen answered. "He only chose blondes."
"Why?"
"The woman he fell in love with was blonde and she betrayed him," Lynn chimed in.
"Correct," confirmed Duncan. "He went mad. He had to destroy her and everything that reminded him of her."
Tessa sighed, "It's too crazy. What was it like back then?"
"It was just after the war," explained Owen, "1925… Prohibition. There were half a dozen gang killings just two blocks from here."
"So, one more victim didn't count for much," Tessa stated.
"No, actually, the pressed played it up," Duncan interjected, "A copycat killer could do a lot of research if he wanted to and find out exactly how the women were killed."
"I can't believe this is actually more interesting than learning the subject in school," said Lynn.
"Thank you!" Owen exclaimed happily.
Duncan and Tessa looked at each other in confusion. But of course, a certain nosey reporter had to walk into the stadium and ruin the moment just by being there.
"Are you guys' stringers for a rival network or is there some other reason you're here?" asked Randi.
"Natalie Bard is my friend," Tessa answered.
"I'm sorry. How's she doing?"
"Recovering."
"You know, I've been trying to get in to see her," Randi asked, "Do you think you could…"
"Ah, no, I couldn't," Tessa objected, "I'm sorry."
Tessa walked away, annoyed that Randi seemed more interested in the story than actual lives.
"Hey, maybe later?" Randi called out.
"Maybe," answered Duncan.
"You know, I was thinking about what you said yesterday about history repeating itself," Randi told him, "I spent the last twenty-four hours in the archives running down the old serial murder cases."
"You did?" Duncan inquired.
"There is one that fits the pattern," answered Randi, "It happened sixty-seven years ago, MacLeod. How'd you know about it?"
"Have you told the police yet?"
"Didn't anybody ever tell you it's not polite to answer a question with a question?"
"Answer his question lady," said Owen, rather rudely.
"I'm sorry who are you?" asked Randi.
"The bad-tempered son, and you are the nosey reporter," Owen replied. "Now, have you told the police yet?"
"Sharing information with the police isn't a habit I've developed," answered Randi, a bit offended by Owen's behavior.
"Well, I suggest you develop the habit and focus on helping innocents instead of getting a story. He'll kill again."
Owen turned and walked away with Lynn. Lynn felt just as annoyed as he was.
"Nosey reporters only bring trouble," grumbled Owen.
"I know," Lynn agreed.
The two left the stadium, though Duncan would catch up with them later.
At the loft apartment, Tessa noticed Duncan was sitting on the edge of the bed, deep in thought.
"What's wrong?" she asked.
"I should be out there," answered Duncan.
"At the risk of injuring your Immortal feelings," Tessa replied, "The police can do a lot better than you."
"Just feels weird, doing nothing while this plays out again."
He laid down next to her in the bed.
"He isn't Marcus," Tessa assured him, "You've given the police everything they need. They'll catch him."
The two laid together quietly until Tessa spoke up.
"Uh, I've been thinking of something else."
"You want Natalie to come stay with us, right?" inquired Duncan.
"Mm hmm," Tessa answered, "Just until they catch this monster."
"Ok."
On the balcony, Owen was smoking a cigarette, watching his city like a bird. Lynn walked out to join him.
"What's wrong?" she asked.
"This guy is no Immortal," stated Owen. "But he's sure as hell trying to act like Korolus."
"Yes, you have a point, but can you let the cops take care of it?"
"A mortal following in the footsteps of an Immortal is very dangerous."
Lynn sighed, "I hate it when you're right."
"No," teased Owen. "You just hate it when you're wrong."
The graduate giggled.
"So, you really want to help?" asked Owen.
"Blondes are his targets and will be his undoing," Lynn replied.
"Then let's fucking go."
At a basement apartment, the Scalper was not happy. He had been in Columbus Park, disguised as city worker with an orange, fluorescent vest and a large trash bag, scouting his next victim. He almost attacked police scout Delaney, when he heard her check in with Bennett.
The Scalper's apartment walls were covered in photos and news articles about Marcus Korolus and the 1920s Scalper. The modern Scalper screamed in frustration and turned to the 'Man and Superman' poster on the wall.
"They're trying to stop us," he told the image of Korolus. "But we are smarter than they are."
He took out his bowie knife and looked at a dummy head modeling a woman's blonde wig.
"Hi," he greeted before stabbing the dummy's head. "'We will kill them all. They will not betray us again."
He sat down at an old upright piano & began to sing & play 'Let Me Call You Sweetheart.'
Back at the shop, Owen and Lynn were helping Richie dust off some of the artifacts, while they waited for an update from Duncan. Then, Randi showed up.
"Fuck," swore Owen. "It's the nosey bitch again."
Richie looked confused, while Lynn hoped Randi did not hear Owen. Luckily, she had not. Randi knocked on the glass door, causing Duncan to look up.
"Come," he offered.
Randi entered the office, looking around.
"I've always liked your taste," she said. "So… why don't you tell me what all this is about."
"All what?" Duncan asked.
"What the hell are you, MacLeod?"
"Is this a fishing expedition or did you come here for a reason?"
"Well, nothing's gone down at the stakeouts, and they think it may be a coincidence."
Randi pulled out a cigarette, which Owen objected to.
"Not inside," he barked. "The smoke sticks to the walls."
This caused Richie and Lynn to snicker.
"Besides you shouldn't do that," chimed in Duncan, "You'll live longer."
"Who wants to live forever?" Randi retorted.
"Fuck this bitch," mumbled Owen.
He did not like nosy reporters, but he was always insulted when someone indirectly mentioned Immortality in his presence. Sometimes, he wished he could stop being Immortal and live in peace. Lynn patted his shoulder while Randi continued to pester Duncan, who seemed very patient.
"Tell me you used to be a two-pack-a-day man," she said.
"Nope," replied Duncan.
"What did you used to be, MacLeod?"
"Just what I am."
"What if it's on the record? Just between us."
Duncan didn't reply.
"Well, at least think about it," Randi suggested before she started to leave.
"The copycat will stick to the same pattern… one way or another," Duncan informed the reporter, "You can tell Graffini that."
"Like he'd listen. See you around," replied Randi before she left the office.
"I hope Tessa's friend is doing okay," Lynn whispered to Owen.
"Me too," replied her lover.
"Hey, maybe we can talk sometime," the woman spoke to the duo as she approached them.
"No," snapped Owen. "Your business here is done and we're working, so buzz off."
"Don't be like that, buddy," Richie suddenly spoke up. "Besides, I got lots to say. I had a very interesting childhood. At the age of two I was visited by aliens."
"Spare me," the reporter laughed in response. "I'll see you guys."
"Someday, your nosiness is going to get your ass bit and we're not going to do a thing to stop it," warned Owen. "Run along."
Randi left the shop, rather offended and Lynn spoke to Owen.
"I know reporters are a problem," she said, "But you don't need to be rude."
"I know," sighed Owen. "I just get really annoyed when they get in businesses they have no right to be in."
"What you said did make me laugh though," Richie said.
Owen smiled a little as Duncan approached the trio.
"So, Mac, what's with you and the lady newscaster, huh?" asked Richie.
"I can't go to Graffini directly; he'd ask too many questions," Duncan answered. "I couldn't stonewall him like I do her. Guys, we have a serious problem here, Marcus killed five women in ten days before I stopped him."
"That's a problem," stated Lynn. "We have to be one step ahead of him before he strikes again."
"Well, the copycat's not following the same pattern," Duncan informed the three. "He should have tried again in Columbus Park."
"How can we be sure he's going to follow it so closely?" Richie asked.
"Besides, maybe something happened that made him not try again," suggested Owen.
"Because…...he's probably studied everything he can on Marcus," Duncan answered, "He wants to be like him, so he has to kill like him."
"The knife…...he lost the knife," Richie stated, snapping his fingers, "He's got to buy a new knife."
"No, no, he's too smart for that," Duncan replied. "There's got to be something else."
"Like what?" Richie asked.
"The Indian," answered Duncan.
"What?"
"He means his ride!" quipped Owen, chuckling. "You know Ryan, you're starting to grow on me."
Duncan, Owen, Lynn and Richie arrived Deeley Motorshops. Richie opened the door for the other three and followed them in.
"Marcus rides an Indian," Duncan told them, "Maybe our guy does too."
"Better than nothing," Lynn added.
"Well, this is the place where the yuppies meet the outlaws," Richie declared. "If this guy is riding an old Indian, he's definitely getting his parts here."
He looked up and recognized a heavyset man with very long hair and beard.
"Hey, Herbie, yo! My man, bro, what's up? Come talk to me."
"Richie, I'm glad you're here," Herbie replied, "Tell me, which leg do you want broken?"
"Whoa, whoa, chill big guy. What did I do?"
"You said you could get me a manifold for a '46 Harley, remember? I had a cash client all lined up."
"I got out of the parts business," Richie informed him.
"What, you get busted?" Herbie chuckled.
"Ah," Richie looked over at the MacLeods before answering, "sort of."
"We were wondering if you could do us a little favor," Owen spoke up.
"What?" Herbie asked, unamused.
"Uh… uh… " stammered Richie.
"We're looking for a guy who owns an Indian," Duncan answered.
"Great bike, fast as hell," Herbie replied, stating the bike, "They stopped making them thirty, forty years ago though. What's this guy look like?"
"He's about six foot two, and weighs about a hundred and eighty pounds," answered Lynn.
"Guy wore a scarf and goggles," Herbie told the quartet, "Kept the goggles on."
"Yeah. That's him," Duncan replied, before asking, "Do you have a name? Address?"
"Nope," answered Herbie, "Sorry."
"Well, if you see him, we'd appreciate a call," Duncan said, giving the man his business card and a hundred-dollar bill.
"Sure mister," Herbie replied accepting the card and cash, "whatever you say."
"Thanks so much, Herb," replied Richie sarcastically.
The four made their way out of the shop.
Natalie woke up violently sitting up, screaming. Tessa, sitting by her side in the bed, got up to comfort her.
"Shh, it's just a dream," she soothed.
"Oh, Tessa," sobbed Natalie.
"It's going to be okay," Tessa assured her.
"Oh God."
Natalie laid back down on the bed.
"It's going to be okay," Tessa assured her again, comforting her friend.
Duncan entered the loft to see Natalie reading a Victor Hugo novel on the couch.
"Hi," he greeted. "Is Tessa around?"
"She went to the drugstore to pick up a few things for me," answered Natalie.
"How are you feeling?"
"Better."
"Good."
"I, um, I never thanked you," Natalie told Duncan as he prepared to leave, "You risked your life going after him like that."
"Well, I'd wish I caught him," replied Duncan.
"Yeah. Me too."
"The police will."
"I wish I'd believed that. I wish… I wish I'd had a gun when he came for me. I…"
"It's not as easy as to kill as that, Natalie. Even in self-defense."
"What if they can't find this animal? What if he keeps killing?"
"They will. They'll find him. I have to go."
"Okay."
"Tell Tessa I'll be back in an hour or so."
"Okay."
"Good night."
And Duncan left the loft.
Owen gazed at Lynn, admiring her looks, when the phone rang. Richie quickly went to answer it.
"Antiques, Richie speaking. What's up?"
"Richie, it's me, Herbie," Herbie replied on the other end of the line. "He's here."
"Who, the Indian?" asked Richie.
"In the flesh," Herbie answered.
"Well, stall him. Just keep him there."
"Hey, this is as far I go for a hundred bucks. You want him, come get him."
"All right, all right, just keep him there. I'm on my way."
Then he hung up.
"What is it?" Lynn asked.
"The Indian guy's here," Richie answered.
"I heard it," chimed in Owen. "I'll inform my father."
"I got this," Richie said as he hurried out of the store, "There's no time for back up."
"Kid, wait!" barked Owen as Richie ran out of the store.
Richie hurried to his motorcycle and then drove off.
Moments later, Richie pulled up to Deeley's Motorcycles as the Scalper was driving away on the Indian. Recognizing the bike, Richie followed after him. Quickly, the Scalper realized he was being followed and the chase was on.
Richie chased the Scalper through the streets, but he was eventually cut off by a car, which resulted in him dumping his bike, injuring himself in the process. The Scalper was able to flee from the boy.
Duncan, along with Owen, arrived at the Columbus House, noticing Randi at the scene, another murder scene. Police cars lined up the street, while an officer examined a chalk outline on the sidewalk beside building.
"Look who showed up," Randi stated as the MacLeods stepped out of the T–bird.
"We just heard on the radio that the serial killer struck again," replied Duncan.
"Columbus House instead of Columbus Park," Randi stated, "The guy's playing with the cops. He's getting off on it."
"Anything on the victim?" asked Owen.
"Helen Willis is her name," answered Randi. "Her dog's ok, thank God."
"He rides an Indian," Duncan told the reporter.
"What?"
"It's a motorcycle."
"How do you know?"
"That doesn't matter," replied Owen quickly. "But make sure Graffini does and make it snappy. There are twenty-six of them registered in the metro area."
"What are you guys?" asked Randi. "Federal? State? Special task force? You guys working undercover, is that it?"
"If we were, we wouldn't be talking to you, would we?" Duncan inquired.
"Graffini and the others don't even know, do they?"
"Neither do you."
"All right. Whatever you say," replied Randi, "I can be a team player. You know, if I keep quiet on this, MacLeod or whatever your real name is, I expect an inside lane when the story breaks."
"Well, I can't promise you anything," Duncan told her.
"Well, then neither can I. Think about it. Fair is fair."
"We have to go," Owen interrupted before he started to leave, moving Duncan with him.
"Well, what do you know?" Randi asked.
"Fuck off!" barked Owen as Duncan drove him away.
Natalie looked at the mirror in Richie's room as she was reflecting on the day of the attack. She could not get the image her nearly being mutilated out of her head. Her screams, him stabbing at her scalp. Natalie unwinged the bandage on her head and begin to cry.
"Natalie…. don't," Tessa said as she entered the bedroom. "Don't! Don't, it's too early. Let it heal first."
"One minute you're a…...successful career woman in control of her life," Natalie cried as Tessa replaced the bandages. "And…...forty seconds later, you're a piece of meat begging not to be butchered!"
"Don't think about it," Tessa begged her friend.
"It's all I think about!" sobbed Natalie, tears streaming down her face, "God, we're just…. something on the food chain, Tessa. If a man wants to hurt us, he hurts us."
"Stop it. Don't do this to yourself," said Tessa firmly. "Don't let yourself start thinking like that."
"Why? It's true, isn't it? How would you feel if it happened to you?"
Then, she realized what she said.
"I'm sorry. I'm sorry, Tessa. I can't…. I– I keep…."
"It's okay. It's okay," Tessa assured her, "After the surgeons fix it, you won't even see the scar."
"Yeah…...and if they can't? It doesn't really matter, right?" Natalie replied, "Beauty's only skin deep, and for the rest of my life I'll watch some man's eyes drift slowly up from mine into this."
She motioned at her forehead, "God, I hate the son of a bitch who did this to me. If he were here right now, I swear I'd kill him."
Then Natalie broke down crying in Tessa's arms.
Back at the back entrance to the shop, Lynn saw Richie was limping and parking his motorcycle and Duncan pulling up in his T–bird, with Owen.
"Richie!" Lynn exclaimed. "Are you all right?!"
"I'm fine," Richie assured her.
"What happened?" Duncan asked as he was getting out of his car.
"I saw him. I was on his ass, and I…." Richie answered, shaking his head, "I hit some cinders or something."
"Richie, I told you to wait," complained Owen.
"Who?" Duncan asked.
"The guy," Richie answered, "The– the Scalper. The dude with the goggles."
"Richie, what were you thinking?!" Duncan scolded him, "This guy is a psychotic killer!"
"You weren't there," Richie replied.
"Then you should've waited or called the police, but what you don't do…. you don't go off on your own!"
"That's what I wanted to tell him," added Owen.
Duncan took a breath and then spoke to Richie in a kinder tone.
"I know you thought you were doing the right thing."
"He saw me at the bike shop. He's not going to go back there again," Richie stated with regret, "Mac, I screwed up…. big time. I'm sorry."
"You meant well," Lynn soothed, patting Richie's shoulder. "Don't worry. We'll catch the guy."
"What am I going to do with you? Hmm?" Duncan asked Richie as he gave the boy a pat on the neck. "Did you hurt yourself?"
"I'll live," answered Richie.
"Come on. Let's go take a look at it. Come on."
He, Richie, Owen and Lynn went inside the shop to check on Richie's injuries.
Owen tended to Richie, while Lynn paced back and forth.
"What are we going to do about this guy?" she asked.
"I know what to do," announced Owen. "We'll be catching the freak at the theater."
"The theater?" Richie asked.
"Of course. He's copying everything that happened in regards to Korolus and we're going to have to use a blonde as bait to jump him."
Owen turned to Lynn with worry.
"We're gonna need you to be the bait," he said, reluctantly.
"Done," said Lynn, quickly.
"Wait, what?!" exclaimed Richie.
"Are you sure?" Owen asked, worried.
"I'm sure," answered Lynn. "I'm blonde too, and I'd rather help catch him then look over my shoulder to check if he's there. Besides, you won't let him even touch me."
"Alright, you're in. But we should probably tell Dad and Tessa first."
"Did Graffini catch him?" Tessa asked Duncan as she met up with him at the living room.
"That pompous ass couldn't catch a cold," replied Duncan. "He's sitting at the stakeout at the theater. The scalper knows he's there – he's not gonna show."
"So, what do we do now?" Tessa asked as Owen walked in.
"Well, I don't know," answered Duncan. "Graffini's just waiting for an excuse to throw me in jail."
"Bastard," mumbled Owen.
"We've got to do something," Tessa insisted.
"We have to set him up," Duncan stated, "Make him come to us."
"I was planning that too," chimed in Owen.
"What did you have in mind?" Tessa asked.
"We're going to use Lynn as bait for the freak. I already discussed the plan with her and Richie, and they've agreed. Lynn actually agreed without hesitation, you can ask her yourself."
"I want to help too," insisted Tessa, causing Duncan to give her a look. "And don't tell me it will be too dangerous!"
"Well, there's nothing you can do," Duncan replied.
"A second bait would actually be very useful," suggested Owen.
Duncan's look at Owen had a mix of shock, anger and flabbergast.
"Absolutely not," he replied. "I won't—"
"I have the right," said Tessa. "She's my friend."
"Oh, Tessa..."
"You said he only kills blondes."
"No."
"You'll be there to protect me, and Owen will be there to protect Lynn if he attacks her. No one is watching over his next victim, Duncan. She - whoever she is - is out there alone, with no guardian angel. And she's going to die if you and I don't stop him. You said so yourself."
"Okay," Duncan reluctantly agreed.
He unfolded the poster and allowed Tessa to read it.
"Man and Superman?" Tessa read the poster.
"By George Bernard Shaw," finished Owen.
"Yeah," Duncan explained, "It was playing at the Orpheum theater the night I finally caught up with Marcus."
"And do you think the killer will know that?" asked Tessa.
"He knows everything about Korolus," Owen answered, "The only person who knows more about him is Dad. The chances are high that he WILL know this."
"This is Randi McFarland outside police headquarters with an update on the serial killer that has been terrorizing the city for days," Randi said as she stood next to the news van, "Through confidential sources I have learned that today's scalper is imitating another madman who prowled this city sixty-seven years ago. My sources assure me that police have broken the killer's pattern, and an arrest is expected shortly."
She then faced Duncan and asked, "How'd I do?"
"You were perfect," he replied.
Owen just stood in silence, still not liking Randi.
"It'll be on the six o' clock news," Randi told the Highlander, "If you're not right about this, MacLeod, my career as a reporter is over. Nobody'll talk to me."
"He'll take the challenge," Duncan assured her, "We'll have him."
"We will," added Owen.
Back at the shop, the phone rang, and Richie answered it again.
"Sisyphus Productions…." he answered. "No, I'm sorry, that part's already been cast…. You're very welcome."
He hung up the phone again before he heard the phone ring again and he picked it up once more.
"Sisyphus Productions…. No, no, no, Angie, wait don't hang up. It's Richie, it's me."
Lynn listened with curiosity.
"Ah, Sisyphus Productions, that's…. uh…. that's, well, it's a…. it's a long story. I'll explain later. Listen, Angie, I gotta run," Richie continued on the phone. "I can't keep this line tied up right now…. Oh, come on. Don't get mad. Don't be that way, Angie. Give me a break. I'll s…. I'll talk to you later, I promise. Come on, Angie. Come…."
By Richie's reaction in Lynn's eyes, Angie must have hung up on him.
"Aw man, women," he grumbled. "What are you going to do?"
"Hey," complained Lynn, "I'm right here!"
"Not you!" Richie exclaimed. "And definitely not Tess."
"Better not be! You're lucky Owen didn't hear that!"
"I DID!" called Owen as he entered the office with Duncan.
"How's it going?" asked Duncan.
"We've had one hundred and seventeen calls," Lynn answered.
"And they're all pissed the part's been cast," finished Richie.
"Well, at least none of them will show up and get in the way," Duncan replied before he left the office with Owen and Lynn as the phone rang again.
Richie answered it, "Sisyphus Productions."
Tessa and Lynn walked up and entered the theater in their own respective entrances. So far, there had been nothing happening. Neither of them had been attacked. They had patrolled different areas in case the Scalper was to attack in one of them. The news would catch this on the six o' clock news and the Scalper would be taken into police custody.
Upon entering the stage area, Tessa was startled upon Duncan stepping out in front of her.
"Did you see anyone?" he asked.
"No," Tessa answered. "I suppose I wouldn't."
Duncan looked out the window and saw nobody. He turned around and went back to the stage.
"Richie? Owen? Lynn?"
"Yo!" called Richie.
"Is anybody outside?" Duncan asked as Lynn and the boys entered the stage room.
"No, sir."
"I was sure he'd follow in," Duncan told Tessa.
"So, how long before I go out again?" inquired Tessa.
"Oh, we'll give it another twenty minutes. Don't worry, I'll be watching."
"As I'll be watching my girl," Owen smiled to Lynn.
"I feel so safe," teased Lynn with a smile.
"He might see you," Tessa warned Duncan.
"He'll be too blinded by your beauty," replied Duncan, giving Tessa a kiss.
Suddenly, they heard a woman's screams.
"The hell?!" yelled Owen.
"Guys, get the girls out of here," Duncan instructed.
"You got it," Richie replied before Duncan left him with Tessa, Owen and Lynn.
"Alright, quickly and quietly," encouraged Owen.
Duncan hurried to the alleyway to find a brunette woman lying on the ground with a blonde wig next to her. He knelt next to her and helped her sit up.
"It's okay. It's okay. It's all right," Duncan assured her. "What happened?"
"I came for the audition," the woman cried, "He had a knife. He tore my wig off…. and then he just pushed me down and he…. took off."
"You had the wrong color hair," Duncan told her.
Suddenly, a news van pulled into the alley and Randi jumped out of it.
"MacLeod, what's happening?" she asked.
"Call the police," Duncan told the reporter.
Richie, Tessa, Owen and Lynn hurried to the T–bird. The boys kept their eyes peeled for company as they led the girls to the car. As they were about to get in, Richie stopped.
"Whoa," said Richie. "The Indian."
Lynn looked and saw the motorcycle too. She looked at her pocket and hurried over to the bike.
"Lynn, what are you doing?" exclaimed Tessa. "Get in the car!"
"It's not safe!" Owen agreed.
"Karma's a bitch, freak," Lynn whispered to herself as she knelt down beside the bike. "Let's see you ride with a broken chain."
She pulled out a pocketknife and reached for the chain. Suddenly, the Scalper emerged from his hiding place and attacked Lynn. The Scalper pulled the blonde girl to the ground. Lynn struggled against him, but she was pinned down and saw the bowie knife going for her scalp.
Instantly, Owen saw red and charged. Grabbing the Scalper full force, he threw him at his own motorcycle, making him drop the bowie knife. After pulling him back to his feet, Owen applied a roundhouse kick, knocking the Scalper backwards and onto the ground. The Scalper got back to his feet, just in time to see the T–bird heading right for him.
"NO!" he screamed, but it was too late.
The T–bird hit the Scalper at full force and knocked him into a puddle of water. Owen glared, hiding some sadistic glee at the killer's suffering. Duncan ran over, having heard everything. Richie rushed to the car and opened the door.
"Are you okay?" he asked. "Are you all right? Tess, you okay?"
Tessa said nothing as she got out of the car. Then they saw the Scalper bleeding as he was trying to get up.
"Help me!" cried the Scalper.
Owen walked over to his girlfriend's assailant and kicked him in the head, knocking him onto his back. Then he pinned his target to the ground, cracking his knuckles.
"Big mistake, fucker," he growled.
Then he raised his fist and punched the Scalper in the face. Then he raised his fist again and brought it into the Scalper's face, over, and over, and over again, dislocating and breaking the killer's nose.
"Stop! Owen, stop!" Richie yelled.
"That's enough!" shouted Duncan.
But Owen ignored them and continued to punch. As he raised his fist for the biggest punch he could deliver, he felt two hands grabbing his arm. He turned quickly and saw blue eyes. And not just any blue eyes, but the pair of blue eyes he had fallen for two years ago.
"Baby," said Lynn, calmly and soothingly, "It's ok. I'm safe."
Owen looked at his arm to see her hands slowly making their way to his hand. Then he saw a tiny white object embedded in his glove. He looked at the Scalper and saw him without a top right front tooth, blood everywhere. He realized had punched the Scalper so hard that he made him lose it.
Opening his hand, Lynn gently slipped off Owen's glove before touching his hand. Pulling slightly, she lifted Owen off the Scalper and gently led him to the car.
"I didn't know what else to do," Tessa told the group as Lynn helped Owen away.
"You did fine," Duncan assured his girlfriend. "You did fine."
The four looked on as the Scalper continued to bleed and groan in pain. Just then, Randi and her cameraman showed up.
"That's him, isn't it?" Randi asked the older MacLeod.
"Yeah," he answered.
"Shoot the picture, John. Shoot this piece of garbage."
John filmed the Scalper lying in his own blood, then panned the camera up to Tessa, who was standing nearby.
"Someone… call an ambulance," Tessa said hesitantly.
Back at the loft, Tessa was in the living room when Natalie entered.
"There you are," Tessa said. "All packed?"
"Uh huh," Natalie answered.
"You sure you won't stay?"
"No. I need to be alone…. in my own place."
"The door's always open."
"That's nice to know. If I, uh, get the jitters, I'll call you."
The friends hugged quietly, before Natalie began to sniffle.
"I don't know what I would've done, if you…" she began.
"Shhh, it's okay," soothed Tessa, "You're going to be fine. Just…. don't be afraid to talk about it."
"He's still alive."
"He won't hurt anyone again."
"You did it. You stopped him. I wish it had been me behind the wheel of that car."
"No, you don't. Believe me."
Duncan walked in the room. He was going to take Natalie home.
"Ready to go?" he asked her.
"Yeah," she answered, "I'm all set."
"The car's outside, your bags are in it."
"Natalie…. I'll call you tonight, okay?" Tessa told her friend.
"That'd be great," Natalie replied before she left the room for the T-Bird.
"How's Owen?" asked Duncan.
"With Lynn," Tessa gestured to the backroom, before beginning to cry silently.
"Are you okay?" asked Duncan.
"Sure," Tessa answered tearfully. "I just keep seeing him in front of me as I…."
"You did what you had to, and they are considering your actions self-defense."
He walked over to her as more tears began to roll freely.
"I thought…." Tessa continued, before she turned and faced him as she laughed sadly. "I thought 'ridding the world of evil' would feel better than this."
"I know. I know," soothed Duncan as he gave her the biggest, most loving hug he could ever give.
Duncan glanced at the backroom, seeing Owen being held by Lynn. A small smile appeared on his face as he was truly happy Owen found the one to help him through situations like this one.
(Cue Princes of the Universe)
Co-Starring
Moira Walley as Natalie Bard
Dee McCafferty as Michael Tanovsky/The Scalper
Fulvio Cecere as Tony Graffini
Kelli Fox as Officer Delaney
Raimund Stamm as Herbie
Wanda Wilkinson as Helen Willis
Glynda Fitzgerald as Brunette Woman
Stacey Barrington as Flapper in Flashback
(Princes of the Universe ends)
I did not put Owen or Lynn in Family Tree to Revenge Is Sweet, because I felt like their presence would not do much, other than be additional characters. I felt like the audience needed to hang out with Duncan, Tessa and Richie before Owen and Lynn joined them. Plus, our young couple needs a little number of adventures in Seacouver before the move to Paris.
I also fixed a goof, the crediting of Natalie's last name. However, Sam the security guard was never credited, nor was his actor known, So I have decided NOT to put "Unknown Actor" in the credits.
Fun fact, Korolus is the first "K" Highlander villain to be killed, Kiem Sun was the first "K" one, but he lived.
Also, I was introduced to Amanda Wyss in A Nightmare on Elm Street, but not many of you would be surprised.
Anyway, thanks for reading, please review, your support helps my writing.
R&R, Roland Cain out!