Love Changes Everything

Part I

open scene:
MacLeod’s loft, empty. We hear the sound of the elevator, than see the door of it open. Camera angle on bottom half only of the person who steps out of the elevator; it is not MacLeod. The unknown person goes to the bathroom, proceeding to take a shower, and slip into MacLeod’s robe. The camera moves up and we see the face of a young woman, appearing to be about sixteen. Fade to Flashback:
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1862
The young woman we saw at MacLeod’s loft is squatting on a hill, wearing Native American clothing. "Highlander Buzz" occurs as the young woman sneaks up on a man in buckskins, who we know to be MacLeod; she plans to steal his food. She ignores the "buzz," takes out her knife, cuts away the pouch, and walks away. Thinking she is safe, the young woman begins eating the cornmeal that the pouch contained. MacLeod comes from behind her, and places his sword across her neck. Knowing she’s been caught, and not wanting to lose her head, the young woman passes the pouch back to MacLeod and grins innocently. MacLeod looks threatening for a moment, then returns her smile. He takes out a loaf of bread and bites into it. Then he passes to the woman, who only moments ago was trying to steal his food. She looks hungrily at it, and takes a small bite, and then a much larger one. Then she passes it back. MacLeod: I am Duncan MacLeod, of the clan MacLeod. You speak English? Tori: I’m Tori, born in Wales. MacLeod: How old are you? Tori: Old enough. (Mac gives her a look) 400. MacLeod: I’m 270. How did you survive so long? Tori: You mean because I’m a girl? MacLeod: No, because you are… young in body. Can you use a sword? Tori: Some MacLeod: Would you like to learn more?
Fade to MacLeod’s loft
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Tori is asleep on a couch, we hear sound of elevator, then "buzz." Elevator opens revealing Duncan MacLeod, Richie Ryan, and Methos. Tori is awakened by the "buzz."
Tori: Hello MacLeod, who’re your friends? MacLeod: Tori, what are you doing here…in my house…in my robe? Tori: Mac, you said if I ever needed you… MacLeod: What do you want? Money? Tori takes out her sword and puts it across MacLeod’s neck Tori: I’m not a beggar MacLeod. All I need is a place to stay for awhile. Methos and Richie are alarmed, as they pull their swords out. Tori is near hysterical as she removes the sword from MacLeod’s neck, and aims it at Richie and Methos. Tori: Come on, let’s go. I’ll take you both on. MacLeod steps in front of her to intervene. He puts a hand on Tori’s shoulder. She collapses into his arms crying. MacLeod: Shhh, shhh, it’s okay. (to Methos) Adam, clean her up and take her to Joe’s. I’ll be there soon, okay? Just….talk to her. Methos: Come on kid. Tori: I’m 130 years older than MacLeod. Methos: Still a kid to me. Joe’s Bar Methos and Tori(now clothed) sit at the bar. Joe: Hey Adam, who’s your friend? Methos: This is Tori, a friend of Mac’s. We’ll take two beers. Joe: She old enough to drink? Methos: Yeah, she’s older than MacLeod. (Tori gives him a look) It’s okay, he knows. Joe: Two beers coming up. Tori? Don’t let anyone know it’s beer, I’d be in trouble for serving minors. We can’t exactly say "But she’s over 400," they’d lock the both of us up in a mental institution. (For the first time, Tori smiles ) So, how old are you? Tori: 435. (a beat) I guess I’m pretty good with a sword. Joe: I’d say so. You known Mac long? Tori: We met 135 years ago. Joe goes to get beers Tori: Adam….could I, uh, stay with you? I’m a bit uncomfortable at MacLeod's. Methos: Yeah, sure, as long as you don’t cut off my head while I’m sleeping.(pause) You want to tell me why you’re uncomfortable at Macs? Don’t get me wrong, the guy makes me uneasy sometimes. Tori: Ummm…..Let’s say we had a bad experience living together and leave at that. (Methos looks disappointed) For now, at least. (MacLeod enters, as Joe brings the beers) Hey MacLeod.(Mac pulls up a stool) Look, I don’t need to stay at your place anymore; I found another. MacLeod: Are you sure? Tori, I’m sorry about what I said earlier. Tori: It’s not about that, and you know it. (Tori looks at Mac as if daring him to respond, as we zoom in on MacLeod) _____________________________________________________________________________________ When we zoom back out, it is a younger MacLeod, year 1863 Mac and Tori are sword training in a field. Tori falls to the ground exhausted, and Mac kneels beside her. MacLeod: Get up Victoria, we’re not done yet. Tori: I told you not to call me that. MacLeod: (innocently) What? Victoria? Tori: Arrrgghh. Tori pushes MacLeod, and he, surprised by the blow, falls backwards. He gets up, and tries to pull Tori to her feet, only succeeding in having them both fall backward down a small hill. They roll in the grass, and when they stop Mac is on top of Tori, both laughing. They look into each others eyes longingly, then kiss. Fade to Indian Village, that evening. MacLeod pulls Tori aside. MacLeod: Look Tori, about earlier…. Tori: Don’t bother, I’ve heard it all before. MacLeod: What? Tori: "Look Tori, I know you’re really 400, but when I look at you I think sixteen." MacLeod: You know I love Little Deer. Tori: But that’s not all, is it? (MacLeod doesn’t respond) I wish I had been killed a little later in life, it’d be so much easier. Present day, Joe’s Bar MacLeod: (trying to change the subject) So, why’d you need a place to stay? What happened? Tori: I was killed. MacLeod: Again? Tori: Yeah, I’m accident prone. The worst was that time I got hit by a bus… Methos: Ouch . Tori: (nods to Methos) Yeah, anyway, I was shot (pause) by one of us. MacLeod: Anyone I know? Tori: (nods in affirmation) Kiowatha. Joe: (who’s been listening) Wasn’t he an Indian? Tori: No, it’s the Chinese Kiowatha, what do you think? MacLeod: (Ignoring Tori) Yeah, his tribe warred against the tribe Tori and I lived with. Tori: He was trying to take my head, so I jumped out of a window…. twelve stories up. Methos: Ouch. Tori: I guess it’s a good thing I have a high tolerance for pain. (pregnant pause) It was a public street; he couldn’t take my head there. MacLeod: He’ll come after you. Tori: I know. MacLeod: Where are you staying? Tori: Adam's. (MacLeod raises an eyebrow, but says nothing.) If you’ll excuse me, I must use the Ladie's room. (She leaves) Methos: How good is Kiowatha? MacLeod: Real good. Methos: Can she beat him? MacLeod: I hope so. Methos: What happened between you two? MacLeod: She’ll have to tell you that. Methos: The longer you guys keep me from knowing, the more curious I get. MacLeod: Are you going to tell her? Methos: What? That I’m 5,000 years old? Don’t change the subject. MacLeod: We had feelings for each other once. Now, are you? Methos: I honestly don’t know. Methos’ apartment Methos and Tori enter Methos: I’ll take the couch, and you can have the bed. Tori: There’s no reason why we can’t both have the bed. We’re both adults. Methos: (a bit uneasy at first) Okay sure. Umm, which side do you want? Tori: It doesn’t matter. Want to watch TV? Methos: Sure. Want a beer? Tori: Just an orange juice, thanks. Methos: Hmmm. Tori: What? Methos: MacLeod likes orange juice. Later, watching television Tori: Adam….hold me? Methos: Why? Tori: I am afraid. Methos: Okay (puts his arms around her) And, it’s Methos. Tori: Huh? Methos: My name. It’s Methos. Tori: You mean Methos Methos, as in the legend? Methos: In the flesh. Tori: When you said I was a kid to you, I wondered. Methos: Tori, could I ask you something? Tori: I might not answer. Methos: What really happened between you and Mac? Tori: (Gets out of Methos’ arms to face him) I was in love with him once. I thought Duncan felt the same way, and maybe he did, but he wouldn’t do anything about it. I’m doomed to be sixteen forever. Methos: But you’re not! You’re far above a sixteen year old. You are an intelligent, witty, beautiful 535 year old. Tori: (smiles :-)) What are you waiting for? Methos: Huh? Tori: Aren’t you going to kiss me? They embrace, and kiss. Fade to MacLeod’s Loft, next day. Richie is sitting on the couch as he hears the "buzz," and the sound of the elevator Richie: (Drawing his sword) Mac? Out steps Methos grinning. Richie sheaths his sword. To Be continued... It's written, I just have to type it:)