HIGHLANDER "GUILT TRIP" (TV) © 2002 M.D. KOFFIN THIS DRAFT IS FOR PREVIEWING PURPOSES ONLY. DO NOT COPY OR REDISTRIBUTE THIS MATERIAL WITHOUT THE AUTHOR'S EXPRESSED PERMISSION. INT. MACLEOD'S BARGE - EVENING DUNCAN MACLEOD is ironing his clothes. He is dressed in a bathrobe and boxers. He SENSES ANOTHER IMMORTAL presence. A beautiful young woman, CAMILLE, is standing behind him in the open doorway. Camille is dressed in an elegant evening gown. She has a faintly Slavic accent. CAMILLE I am looking for Methos. Macleod feigns ignorance. MACLEOD Who? Camille reveals her sword and moves in closer to Macleod. CAMILLE You are lying to me. MACLEOD Listen, I don't know who you are... Camille strikes and Macleod blocks her attack with the ironing board. CAMILLE I am Camille. Macleod pulls his sword from under a pile of laundry. MACLEOD I am Duncan Macleod of the clan Macleod. MACLEOD AND CAMILLE FIGHT briefly. Camille proves that she is a capable fighter. THEY LOCK IN A MOMENTARY DRAW, their blades at each other's throats, when THEY BOTH FEEL THE PRESENCE OF ANOTHER IMMORTAL. Camille withdraws her sword and backs away. She puts a finger to her lips in a gesture for Macleod to keep quiet. METHOS walks in the open door. His arms are overloaded with groceries. Methos looks directly at Macleod but seems oblivious to both his drawn sword and his clothes everywhere. Methos also appears not to notice Camille standing behind him. METHOS I am telling you, Macleod, you are going to love it. I got the recipe from the Great Empress Suiko herself. MACLEOD Hey, Julia Child, heads up. Macleod tosses his sword to Methos, who automatically drops the groceries to catch the weapon. He whips around exactly in time to deflect Camille's attack. Methos recognizes her with blank surprise. METHOS Camille? Camille mimics his surprised tone. CAMILLE Methos? She winks playfully at him before striking again. METHOS AND CAMILLE FIGHT, slipping in the groceries and stomping on Macleod's once clean laundry. Methos disarms Camille. He points Macleod's sword directly under her chin. She pushes the tip of the sword away with a finger. CAMILLE Just testing your reflexes. Methos pulls Camille close and kisses her. Macleod rolls his eyes in exasperation. Methos remembers when he first met her. FLASHBACK 1895 - GUANGZHOU, CHINA EXT. CITY STREETS - EVENING - CHINESE NEW YEAR (The smashed groceries on the floor meld into assorted litter on a festive street.) METHOS is strolling along the side of the crowded street enjoying the PARADE. There is a long dragon-train and several costumed ribbon dancers moving to a lively drum beat. Many of the celebrants are also in some type of costume or face paint. Methos hears what sounds like SWORDPLAY. He turns and sees that it's just a couple of LITTLE KIDS PLAYING. Methos shrugs it off, but then SENSES AN IMMORTAL nearby. Following a narrow alleyway, he sees TWO ADULTS FIGHTING at the end. One of the fighters is CAMILLE, with a small rat mask that covers just her eyes. The man fighting with her, ROMAN, is wearing a horse mask. Camille knocks the sword out of Roman's hands. She pulls off her mask. Roman falls to his knees with her sword resting on his shoulder close to his neck. He removes his mask and looks up at the sky. ROMAN Do it. Camille looks anguished. CAMILLE Roman… ROMAN DO IT! Shaking her head, Camille withdraws. She turns to walk away. Roman speaks to her back. ROMAN I didn't spend a century searching just so you could walk away from me again. Camille does not turn around and she throws her sword to the ground. CAMILLE I won't kill you, Roman. ROMAN That's too bad. Roman gets to his feet and goes to retrieve his sword, but METHOS STEPS ON THE BLADE before he can pick it up. Roman looks up at Methos from a crouched position. ROMAN You can't interfere. METHOS I know the rules, though it appears you don't. Methos draws his sword. He lifts his foot so that Roman can stand up with his sword. Roman looks at Methos incredulously. ROMAN Are you challenging me? METHOS If you want to put it that way, but I should warn you, this time you'll lose more than just your dignity. Camille picks up her sword and looks on, but does not interrupt. Roman and Methos stare each other down. Roman slowly lowers his sword and he gives Methos a hateful look as he backs away. Roman replaces his horse mask and disappears in the parade crowd. Methos looks expectantly at Camille but she does not appear grateful. CAMILLE Why did you do that? METHOS I suppose you'd rather have been executed. Camille does not answer. Methos bows slightly and then turns to walk away. METHOS You're welcome. Camille stops. Strides purposely back and kisses him. Fireworks go off over their heads. BACK TO PRESENT METHOS holds Camille out at arms length. METHOS It's good to see you again. Methos looks down at the PALM OF HIS HAND, noticing that it is covered with blood. METHOS I hurt you. Camille pushes away from him and walks over to the door. CAMILLE Don't flatter yourself. Your boyfriend got in a good one. Methos and Macleod regard each other with startled amusement. Methos mouths the word "boyfriend?". Macleod closes his robe modestly, then turns to Camille. MACLEOD You're welcome to stay for dinner. Camille looks down at the MESS ON THE FLOOR. CAMILLE Thanks, but I've got another engagement. Camille straightens her evening gown and sighs at the RIP IN THE SIDE. The wound is already healed. Methos follows her over to the door. METHOS This wasn't a spontaneous social call, was it? CAMILLE I wanted to see if your instincts were still sharp. (bitter) Roman is here. And he's got some dirty tricks up his sleeve. Methos acts unconcerned. METHOS How about lunch tomorrow? Camille is not reassured, but she smiles ruefully. CAMILLE Sure. 12:30, Café Rialto. Camille exits out the door. Macleod picks up one of his shirts from the floor. It is all wrinkled and stained. MACLEOD She's, uh…lively. Macleod notices Methos' grim expression. MACLEOD Trouble? METHOS Roman Yaroslav. He's bad news Macleod. MACLEOD And he's coming for you? METHOS Camille must think so. INT. FORMAL HOTEL BALLROOM - A SHORT TIME LATER A high society party is in progress. ROMAN is dressed in a tuxedo. He is conversing with a small crowd when he SENSES ANOTHER IMMORTAL presence. CAMILLE has just entered the ballroom. She has a sash around her waist covering the tear in her gown. Roman extracts himself from the circle of guests. ROMAN If you'll excuse me. Camille approaches Roman directly. Her attitude is definitely hostile. CAMILLE What are you doing here? He bows gallantly, but his expression is challenging. ROMAN Having a terrible time. That is unless you'd care for a dance. She jerks away from him, as if facing a poisonous snake. CAMILLE You know what I mean, Roman. What are you doing here in Paris? Roman keeps his attitude casual. ROMAN Taking in the sites. Looking up old friends. CAMILLE I suggest you leave. Other GUESTS turn their heads at her angry tone. Camille lets out a fake tittering laugh. She distastefully takes Roman's hand. The rest of their conversation is continued whispers as they dance to a slow song. ROMAN I see. So now you're playing the sheriff and you're chasing me out of Dodge. He dips her, bending her over backward uncomfortably, then jerking her up viciously so that her head snaps back with the whiplash of the motion. CAMILLE If anything, I'll be playing the executioner. ROMAN Well, well. I've obviously struck a nerve if you're finally willing to take my head. CAMILLE I'm not going to let you hurt anyone else because of me. ROMAN Of course, you have enough blood on your hands already. Roman spins Camille out to arm length and lets go of her hand. Camille, losing her anchor, falls on her rump. He gasps in mock apology and offers his hand again. Camille is obviously furious, but again seeing the crowd watching, she smiles a false smile and allows Roman to help her to her feet. CAMILLE (through clenched teeth) You bastard. ROMAN I know, I'm such a clumsy dancer...Or was it the words that bruised you more? I guess the truth hurts. CAMILLE Your truth. In two hundred years you never even gave me one chance to explain. Roman grabs her roughly by the arms and stares intently at her stricken face. ROMAN What could you have possibly said? What words could make up for what you did? Before Camille has a chance to answer the song ends and Roman turns away from her. The guest clap politely. Roman winds his way through the guests towards an exit. Camille attempts to follow but is accosted by an older woman. The woman embraces Camille, then looks her up and down. Camille desperately attempts to see beyond the woman's extravagant feather boa to follow where Roman is headed. WOMAN Camille? It couldn't be you! Why, you don't look a day older! (confidential whisper) You must give me the name of your plastic surgeon. CAMILLE Bridgett! I've got to run...I'll call you. HIGHLANDER "GUILT TRIP" (TV) © 2002 M.D. KOFFIN THIS DRAFT IS FOR PREVIEWING PURPOSES ONLY. DO NOT COPY OR REDISTRIBUTE THIS MATERIAL WITHOUT THE AUTHOR'S EXPRESSED PERMISSION.