Highlander

Episode Transcripts

 

SEASON ONE
Episode 8: Deadly Medicine

Written by Robert L. McCullough
Directed by Ray Austin
Aired: Nov. 7, 1992
 
Transcript revised: 8-9-20

 

/ Episode Screencaps / Location photos /

 

Zzickle's Notes:

I don't own Highlander - if I did, I would've given Methos his own show! The contents of this transcript are taken directly from the episode (with the help of closed captions and the DVD script), to the best of my ability. Huge thanks to Andy Sloane and his exhaustive lists of Highlander shooting locations for assistance with my Locations List. His album for "Deadly Medicine" can be found HERE. If you have any other location-related questions, you can email him at [karateusa at hotmail dot com].

If you want to post this transcript on your site, please let me know where it is going so I can visit it. Also, please post it with my name (Zzickle) and website (http://www.zzickle.com/) on it.

You are more than welcome to use these transcripts in your fanfiction stories, no notification required.

STARRING:

Duncan MacLeod - Adrian Paul
              the Highlander

Tessa Noel - Alexandra Vandernoot
              Duncan's girlfriend

Richie Ryan - Stan Kirsch
              street punk

Randi McFarland - Amanda Wyss
              a TV reporter

GUEST STAR:

Dr. Paul Wilder - Joe Pantoliano
              an ER doctor

CO-STARRING:

Barbara Madison - Beverley Hendry
              Dr. Wilder's nurse

Sgt. Bill Herrald - Stephen E. Miller
              police officer

Sam Thompson - Leslie Carlson
              friend of Duncan's

Carol - Catherine Lough
              receptionist at hospital

Jack - Stephen Fanning
              Randi's camara-man

UNCREDITED:

Mr. Talmadge - Eric Schneider
              Randi's boss

Locations List:*
0. Scenes on/near sets in Sound Stage 3 at Bridge Studios, Burnaby. [49.263257,-123.019589]
1. Parking lot - 155 W 3rd Ave [49.268561,-123.108373]
2. Molly's Gourmet Deli - 1832 Columbia St [49.268771,-123.109338] (no longer there)
3. TV newsroom, Police station - CityTV studio, 180 W 2nd Ave [49.269163,-123.108823]
4. City Center Hospital interior - BC Children's Hospital, 4480 Oak St [49.244453,-123.126293]
5. Outside antique store - Blood Alley Square [49.283085,-123.105154]
6. Street near antique store - Carrall & Water intersection (Brothers Restaurant, red awning) [49.283554,-123.104382]
7. City Center Hospital exterior - St. Paul's Hospital, Comox St [49.280656,-123.12747]
8. Police station exterior - Exterior of building at Bridge Studios, Burnaby [49.2635861,-123.018825]
9. Clancy's restaurant, boatyard, pier - Marina Grill, 1653 Columbia St, N Vancouver: front entrance [49.301692,-123.027578], inside/rear [49.301609,-123.027222], drugged sleep [49.301963,-123.027759], payphone / pier [49.301598,-123.028171]
10. Seacouver skyline - Burrard St Bridge, looking northeast [49.275421,-123.136804]
11. Street near antique store - 216 Carrall St (Blarney Stone) [49.282882,-123.104188]
12. Wilder's house - Altnadene House, 6450 Deer Lake Ave, Burnaby [49.241094,-122.968722]
* Locations are in Vancouver unless otherwise indicated.
= link to location photos
= link to episode screencaps

Eurominutes: The full version of this episode runs 48 minutes, but for the domestic (US) market, this was cut shorter for commercials. "Eurominutes" are those 4-5 minutes that European fans got to see but US fans missed out on when the episodes originally aired. (Subsequent reruns on USANetwork and SciFi/Syfy may or may not adhere to the original domestic cut.) While official Eurominutes have not been confirmed for this episode, the following cuts *are* marked:

~Bolded - USA Network* (1998) & possibly SciFi channel (2008) (can't confirm)
~Bolded - USA Network (1998) & SciFi channel (2008) (confirmed)

* Special thanks to Debra Lindsay for the USA Network tape.

 
NOTE: For 'Final Shooting Script' scenes that are not present in the actual episode, click on the 'CUT' links throughout the transcript. (Affected transcript lines are <bracketed>.)

[Voice-over by Duncan MacLeod]
I was born four hundred years ago in the Highlands of Scotland. I am Immortal, and I am not alone. Now is the time of the Gathering, when the stroke of a sword will release the power of the Quickening. In the end, there can be only one.

OPENING CREDITS

TEASER

Parking lot, night 1

[Two thugs beat up man, steal his car.]

 

Outside Molly's Gourmet Deli, night 2

[DM walks out of deli with paper bag, thanks person inside in Italian. As he walks, he stops several times to pick up items that fall out of the bag. Distracted by this, he steps off the curb just as stolen car speeds by, hitting him. He lies unconscious in the street.]

Good Samaritan - I saw the car go by. Go call an ambulance.

Woman - Don't move him.

Good Samaritan - Don't touch him.
 

ACT ONE

Television newsroom 3

Randi - --but I'm a reporter, not a reader!

Talmadge - How do you think Barbara Walters got started?

Randi - With speech therapy? [then, seriously] Look, Mr. Talmadge, I belong out in the field--

Talmadge - Do you know how many girls -- uh, women -- would give their right arms to sit behind the anchor desk?

Randi - All the ones called "lefty"? I don't want to be an anchor! Anchors are only good for holding things down! I'm an investigative reporter -- I belong out in the street!

Talmadge - Wrong. You're a co-anchor filling the slot between weather and sports, and as long as I sign the checks, you'll be in makeup ready to roll for "news at eleven."

 

City Center Emergency 4

Wilder - What've we got?

Barbara - Hit-and-run twenty minutes ago, pupils reactive, so they had to jump-start him. His respiration's ragged as hell. He's also got extensive head injuries.

Wilder - I want X-rays on this, stat!

Barbara - Right away.

Wilder - Let's go.

[Medics & nurses prepare to move DM from gurney onto ER bed.]

Medic - Watch his head.

Wilder - Let's get him squared away with admitting right away.

Nurse - I.V. up.

 

Television newsroom 3

[Teleprompter scrolls past:

OUR "UP CLOSE" FEATURE THIS WEEK... "THE TEN BEST DRESSED ACTORS IN HOLLYWOOD". WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK AFTER THIS.]

Randi - ..."the ten best-dressed actors in Hollywood--" Who cares? They call that news?

Jack - It's the... lighter side.

Police Scanner Radio - --Possible five-four-five in vicinity of 6th and Elm, victim en route to City Center Emergency, suspect vehicle description: two-door domestic, dark blue, last seen going north on Lake.

Randi - You hear that? Things are HAPPENING out there--

Jack - Yeah. Too bad the cops can't do anything about it.

Randi - You see, THAT'S a story. The personal side of becoming a random victim in this city... [walks over to video camera] Can you run one of these?

Jack - Yeah, in my sleep. I didn't go to six years of film school for this.

Randi - Let's go.

Jack - What about the news at eleven?

Randi - Well, it's four-and-a-half hours from now... And this could be our lead feature: The Little Victim in the Big City! Come on.

Jack - I don't know...

Randi - Come on, Jack, where's your sense of adventure? Come on, where's your ambition? Let's go!

Jack - Okay.

Randi - [as they walk to exit] Get the camera, Jack. [He runs back to get it.] Come on, hurry up!

 

Establishing shot: outside antique store, night 5
 

Loft apartment 0

RR - [to Tessa, who is drawing] Where's the Lord and Master?

Tessa - [smiling] Late.

RR - So he's NOT perfect after all. 1

 

Emergency Room 4

Nurse - His vital signs are stabilizing.

Wilder - I need cardiac consult now, not in the morning. [to Barbara] What's happening with X-ray?

Barbara - I'll go up there.

Wilder - Barbara... [stops her] Thanks.

Medics - [pushing another gurney off screen] Coming through!

[Everyone rushes to help them, leaving DM alone for a few minutes.]

Medic - Give me a hand over here.

Nurse 1 - [off screen] We need PCV, stat. We need chest x-rays and blood gasses.

Nurse 2 - [off screen] Pupils are fixed and dilated.

Nurse 1 - [off screen] Okay. Hold him down...

[DM wakes up, pulls oxygen mask & neck brace off, blood pressure cuff, I.V. line, & ECG leads (although ECG machine continues to show heartbeat in background), grabs his coat -- and his head -- and hobbles out of room while everyone else is still clustered around other gurney.]

 

Hospital hallway 4

[DM walks down hall, tucking in shirt, putting on jacket, & suddenly realizes his wallet is missing. Looking around, he sees a sign for Admitting, heads in that direction.]

 

Emergency Room 4

Wilder - All right, let's take him over to ICU. [to medic as they wheel gurney out] Have Dr. Stephens look after him.

Medic - Right.

Barbara - [back from radiology, to Wilder] It doesn't look good. I'm afraid we're gonna lose him.

Wilder - [pulls radiographs from viewer, slaps up several views of DM's skull] Massive hemorrhaging in the frontal lobe--

Barbara - What's left of it.

Wilder - Terminal edema throughout the cortex... I'm surprised he wasn't D.O.A. What's his vitals now?

Barbara - [turns toward room where DM was, turns back] Where did he go?

Wilder - What? Who ordered him moved?

Barbara - Nobody told me. [enters room] The I.V.'s still dripping.

Wilder - Is he dead? [walks to nurse's station, picks up phone, dials]

Man - [on phone] Morgue.

Wilder - [into phone] Uh, yes, hi. This is Dr. Wilder in E.R. Did we just send over a cold one?

Man - [on phone] Uh, no, Dr. Wilder. It's been real dead down here.

Wilder - [into phone] Thank you. [hangs up phone, looks at Barbara, picks phone up and dials again]

Carol - [answering phone at reception desk] Admitting. This is Carol.

Wilder - [into phone] Yes, Carol. Uh, this is Dr. Wilder in E.R. We sent up I.D. on a critical accident patient. Have you notified next of kin yet?

Carol - [into phone] Well, I was going to, but his brother just came by and--

Wilder - [into phone, stuttering] His brother?

Carol - [into phone] Yeah. He was REALLY nice. About six feet, [on phone] good looking, ponytail.

Wilder - [into phone] Thank you. [hangs up phone] Well, apparently our critical patient just checked out of the hospital.

Barbara - That's impossible.

Wilder - His brother came by to take him home. 2

Barbara - The man was dying. We have to find him. [begins to walk off]

Wilder - Barbara! [goes after her] Barbara... [pulls her aside] Barbara, we've worked together a long time, you and I, and I'd like to think that we have more than a professional relationship.

Barbara - I was hoping so...

Wilder - Me, too. CUT Oh, and Barbara... don't mention this to the rest of the staff. I'll... I'll follow it up myself.

Barbara - If you're certain. [Wilder kisses her cheek & they go separate ways. Wilder walks back around nurse's station to phone.] 3

(In the domestic version, the next scene, with DM taking a taxi to the T-bird, is moved here.) 4

Wilder - [picks up phone at nurse's station again] Uh, yes, Carol, this is Dr. Wilder once again. About that patient we have down here -- you did photocopy his I.D., didn't you?

Carol - [into phone] That's standard procedure, Dr. Wilder.

Wilder - [into phone] I see. Would it be possible if I could come up there and look at it?

Carol - [into phone] I'll be here.

Wilder - [into phone] Thank you.

 

Outside Molly's Gourmet Deli, night 2

(In the domestic version, this scene is moved up to before Wilder calls Carol back, above.) 4

[DM gets out of taxi.]

Taxi driver - That'll be twelve-fifty, please.

[DM pays driver, walks to T-bird, gets in & drives off.]

 

Hospital Admitting 4

Carol - [to Randi & Jack] Yes, we did admit a hit-and-run victim earlier this evening. Are you related to Mr. MacLeod?

Randi - Who? Wait, what was that? The accident victim's name is MacLeod?

Carol - I can't divulge any--

Randi - DUNCAN MacLeod?

Jack - What, you know the guy?

Randi - [to Jack] Let's go.

Carol - Well, are you related?

Randi - [over her shoulder] Yes, yes, I'm his sister.

 

Loft apartment 0

Tessa - Why doesn't he call?

RR - He probably got hung up someplace without a phone. Maybe he ran into somebody.

Tessa - Like another immortal.

RR - Tess, he can take care of himself.

 

Outside antique store, night 0

[DM pauses by door, still affected by his injuries. Suddenly Dr. Wilder appears behind him, injects him in the neck with sedative, drags him into back seat of T-bird, & drives T-bird away. 6]

 

Hospital hallway 4

Randi - [speaking into microphone as Jack walks beside her, recording video] --the exigencies of urban life, never realizing how vulnerable each of us is, has brought us to the emergency room of City Hospital, where a man who only hours ago was healthy and living his life... a man who now lies injured--

Barbara - Excuse me, but I'm going to have to ask you to leave.

Randi - We're doing a story on the city's victims of violence.

Barbara - Please, this is a hospital.

Randi - We're checking on your patient, Duncan MacLeod.

Barbara - The admitting office handles--

Randi - Is he in surgery?

Barbara - Look, if you'll just turn it off...

Randi - [quietly to Jack] Okay, okay, forget the camera. [to Barbara] But can we SEE Mr. MacLeod?

Barbara - Mr. MacLeod's injuries were minor. He's been discharged. There's nothing more I can tell you.

Randi - But the police call was for vehicular homicide.

Barbara - The police were wrong.

Randi - That's good. Well, there goes the story, huh? I'm really sorry, I'm sorry to bother you. Sorry. Let's go, Jack. Sorry. 5

 

Basement laboratory 0

[DM, strapped to table & drugged, can barely focus on Wilder.]

Wilder - [shining penlight into DM's eyes] Sorry about the morphine, Mr. MacLeod. But over the years, I've realized that my... "in house" patients require substantial sedation to avoid disturbing my neighbors. But none of them have ever held your promise. [puts on lab coat & exam gloves] Modern medicine, Mr. MacLeod, it does such a poor job of healing the body. We simply must improve the healing process... but how? Now, a man comes into my E.R. with severe brain trauma, multiple internal injuries, bone fractures, and he simply gets up and walks out. I must know more about this man. [unbuttons top part of DM's shirt, baring his chest. DM mumbles unintelligibly.] There, there, Mr. MacLeod. Any discomfort you're about to feel will pale in the medical history we're about to make together. [scrubs DM's forearm with alcohol swab] Our first approach will be a cell pathology exam, for which I will need a tissue sample. [holds up scalpel, bends over, then straightens holding small skin sample with forceps. Leans back over DM in time to see the wound healing with small flashes of electricity.] Mr. MacLeod... this may be the beginning of a beautiful relationship.

 

Outside antique store, next morning 5

[Randi drives up, parks next to store, enters store.] 6

 

Inside antique store 0

Tessa - [hears Randi enter store] Duncan?

Randi - [as Tessa walks into room] Hi... you remember me? Randi McFarland.

Tessa - Yes. What can I do for you?

Randi - I just came by to see how Mr. MacLeod was doing. Y'see, I'm doing a story on the city's accident victims--

Tessa - Accident? What accident?

Randi - He didn't tell you? About last night?

Tessa - No... no, he never even came home. What happened?

Randi - Well, there was this accident, a hit-and-run, and he was taken to City Hospital.

 

Establishing shot: City Center Hospital 7
 

City Center Hospital 4

Tessa - Dr. Wilder?

Wilder - Ah, yes... you're looking for me?

Tessa - Yes, well, actually we're looking for someone you saw last night: Duncan MacLeod.

Wilder - ["remembering"] MacLeod... MacLeod... Yes, I saw Mr. MacLeod last evening.

Tessa - Was he hurt?

Wilder - Well, actually, we're not really sure. You see, when a patient checks himself out of the hospital, um, we have no choice but to discharge him.

Tessa - Has anyone else come looking for him?

Wilder - No.

PA - Dr. Wilder, report to the E.R., stat. Dr. Wilder...

Wilder - Will you excuse me. [leaves]

RR - If he was here, something pretty nasty must have gone down. He's not exactly the accident-prone type.

Tessa - But if he left, where is he?
 

ACT TWO

Hospital hallway 4

Wilder - Honestly, there's nothing else for me to tell you.

Randi - Well then, can I see his file?

Wilder - Well, as I recall, the man wasn't here long enough to create any sort of a file.

Randi - How about his X-rays?

Wilder - Nope. No, he was out of here long before we could order up any X-rays.

Randi - Do you ordinarily sign the discharge papers?

Wilder - Well, some--

Barbara - [walking up] Dr. Wilder, we've got a bad dog bite down here.

Wilder - Thank you. [to Randi] Look, I really would like to help you, but... I don't know what else to say.

Randi - The paramedics said he was seriously injured.

Wilder - Paramedics aren't equipped to give any sort of diagnosis.

Barbara - [from doorway] Dr. Wilder?

Wilder - Yes. [turns back to Randi] --and Mr. MacLeod walked out of here on his own volition. Now, seriously injured people, they don't do that... do they?

 

Establishing shot: Police Station 8
 

Police Station 3

<Herrald - I told you, lady, nothing strange in the way of a homicide has been reported. I mean, maybe he just took a business trip, forgot to tell you-- CUT

RR - Aw, give me a break. Are you nuts?

Tessa - Listen, Sergeant Herrald, first your people told me I had to wait forty-eight hours before I could file a missing person's report--

Herrald - That's the law.

Tessa - Then they said I should come back--

Herrald - I wish I had something to tell you.>

RR - So do we.

Tessa - A man doesn't disappear without a trace!

Herrald - Look, Miss Noel... we get a couple of these things a week in here. I mean, we spend more time trying to track these guys down than you'd imagine. And you know what? When we find them, they usually don't want to be found.

Tessa - What are you saying?

Herrald - You're a beautiful woman, and a guy would have to be crazy... but men are men. These things happen.

Tessa - [to Richie] Let's go.

 

Basement laboratory 0

[DM is still strapped to table, drugged, unable to escape.]

 

Television newsroom 3

Jack - [at table with Randi, working on computer] I don't get this. What is so damned newsworthy about this MacLeod guy?

Randi - He's brought into the hospital after being run down. He gets up and he walks out under his own power... and THEN he promptly disappears! I mean, it sounds like there's a story in there somewhere.

Jack - So we want his complete medical history, then.

Randi - Who knows? Maybe he's got something to hide.

Jack - [searching database] Okay...

 

Emergency Room 4

Wilder - A party?

Barbara - [wrapping woman's foot with ace bandage] Yeah, we're all meeting down at Clancy's for dinner. I thought it might be a chance for... everyone to have a good time.

Patient - Ow.

Wilder - [to patient] You know, Ms. Moore, someday a sprain like this will heal in minutes, right from within your own body. [Ms. Moore scoffs.]

PA - Telephone call for Dr. Wilder. Dr. Wilder, telephone.

Barbara - I can handle this. You go ahead. [Wilder walks over to nurse's station to answer phone.]

Wilder - [into phone] Yes, this is Dr. Wilder.

Randi - [on phone] It's Randi McFarland, Doctor.

Wilder - [into phone] Oh, hi, um... I'm rather busy right now, can I call you back?

Randi - [into phone] You're too busy to hear about your patient, Duncan MacLeod?

Wilder - [into phone] Uh, can I put you on hold? [hangs up phone] Barbara? I have a... I have to take this in the other room. [walks down hallway & picks up different phone] Um, go ahead, Miss McFarland.

Randi - [into phone] We've been doing some research, Doctor, and there are no medical records anywhere on Duncan MacLeod. No vaccinations, no hospitalizations, there's not even dental work.

Wilder - [into phone] Well, um, maybe he's just really healthy.

Randi - [into phone] It's odd though, that, you know, after he left your hospital he just disappeared, isn't it?

Wilder - [into phone] Yes. Yes, it is. Um, but thank you for calling and I'll make sure to call you if I hear anything. [hangs up phone]

 

Television newsroom 3

Randi - [to Jack] I just tell this guy about a medical miracle and he acts like I'm talking about dental floss. Let's check into this Dr. Wilder and his E.R. and see what turns up.

 

Emergency Room 4

Wilder - [returning to triage room] Everything all right?

Barbara - Yeah, everything's fine, just fine. So you think you're going to make it tonight?

Wilder - Oh, right, the party. Look, Barbara, I'm -- I'm -- I'm not very good at parties. But, uh... I'll, um... I'll be there.

 

Basement laboratory 0

[DM manages to get free, staggers toward stairs. He hears Wilder enter house & hides under stairs. Wilder comes downstairs, sees DM is missing, begins to look around. He turns to take gun from cabinet & DM charges him. They scuffle, DM knocks Wilder down & escapes.]

 

Establishing shot: Clancy's, night 9
 

Payphone outside Clancy's, night 9

[Barbara, holding receiver, listens to phone ring.]

 

Basement laboratory 0

[Wilder, still unconscious on the floor, is woken by phone ringing, gets up, answers phone.]

Wilder - [into phone] Hello?

Barbara - [into phone] Paul? I thought you were coming. The party's over. 9

Wilder - [into phone] Oh, Barbara... um, I'm sorry, uh... something came up.

Barbara - [into phone] Something always comes up! 9

Wilder - [into phone] It's just... it's not been a very good time.

Barbara - [into phone] It's about that patient, Duncan MacLeod, isn't it? 9

Wilder - [into phone] Barbara, I thought we said we weren't gonna mention him again.

Barbara - [into phone] He wasn't the first, Paul. [on phone] I've always done what you asked me; you owe me the truth. [into phone] As much as I care for you, if you can't tell me, I'm going to have to bring it up with the hospital board of inquiry. 9

Wilder - [into phone] No, no, you can't do that.

Barbara - [into phone] Then explain it to me. 9

Wilder - [into phone] All right, I'll come over to the restaurant.

Barbara - [on phone] The restaurant's closed. Everybody's gone home.

Wilder - [into phone] All right, uh, well, I -- I'd still love to see you.

Barbara - [into phone] I'd like that. 9

Wilder - [into phone] Uh, where are you?

Barbara - [into phone] Um, I'm at the pier, next to the parking lot. 9

Wilder - [into phone] I'll be right there. [hangs up phone]

 

Establishing shot: Seacouver skyline, night 10
 

Downtown street, night 6116116

[DM stumbles along sidewalk, still drugged & disoriented.]

 

Harbor Pier, night 9

Barbara - [turns as T-bird drives up & stops] Paul... I'm glad you came.

Wilder - Hi, Barbara. [kisses her]

Barbara - Hi.

Wilder - Are you all right?

Barbara - Yeah. You missed a great party. But I took a lot of pictures.

Wilder - Barbara... you MUST promise me that you will forget about MacLeod and never mention his name again.

Barbara - What are you afraid of, Paul? What have you done?

Wilder - Nothing. I -- I've done nothing.

Barbara - Then why all the secrets and all the lies?

Wilder - I -- I don't know what you're talking about.

Barbara - I heard what you told the reporters, about us not taking any X-rays.

Wilder - I don't recall...

Barbara - I checked radiology. The X-rays aren't there anymore. The same thing happened with Mrs. Wilson and Mr. DeSavlo. Please, Paul, what is going on? We've gotta tell somebody about that MacLeod fellow, about what happened to him in there. How he left E.R. in critical condition.

Wilder - Barbara, I'm sorry, but... you won't be telling anybody anything.

Barbara - Why?

Wilder - Because you'll be dead. [pulls scalpel from jacket, grabs Barbara]

Barbara - Oh, please! Oh, no, please! Paul! Let me go, please!

[As they struggle, Barbara drops her camera, hitting the shutter button as it falls from her hand into the water. Wilder stabs her. She slides to the ground. He gets into the T-bird & drives off.]

Pedestrian - [as T-bird drives past] Hey.

 

Harbor boatyard, night 9

[DM continues to stumble along in empty warehouse area, trips over trailer hitch & passes out on ground behind dumpster.]
 

ACT THREE

The pier, early morning 9

Randi - [talking into microphone, looking into Jack's camera lens] --and with me here is Sergeant Bill Herrald. Sergeant, what exactly occurred here last night?

Herrald - Well, we have an apparent female homicide victim, age twenty-five to thirty.

Randi - Any idea who might have done this?

Herrald - Not at this time, although we do have several witnesses who saw a car leaving the scene. We'll keep you informed, all right?

Randi - [to camera] A grisly scene down on the pier last night, with more details as they become available. Reporting live from Silver Strand Beach, this is Randi McFarland. Now back to you, Brian... CUT

<Jack - And we're out. [lowers camera]

Randi - [as Herrald walks past] Sergeant! What kind of car was seen?

Herrald - Look, I'm not at liberty to tell you anything--

Randi - It's off the record! I promise I'll stay out of your hair.

Herrald - All right, off the record it's a black T-bird.>

 

Emergency Room 4

Randi - Dr. Wilder, do you have any comment on the murder of Barbara Madison?

Wilder - Um, I only heard about it this morning. I'm shocked and saddened. Now, if you'll excuse me--

Randi - But are you aware that the prime suspect in her murder is the patient we discussed?

Wilder - Yes, Duncan MacLeod. I have no idea why he would do such a thing.

Randi - Well, do you see any possibilities between his visit to this hospital and the events of last night?

Wilder - I... leave such matters to the police. I suggest you do the same. 7

 

Establishing shot: outside antique store 5
 

Inside antique store 0

CUT

Tessa - The pier? Do you think he was there?

Herrald - Witnesses saw his car speeding away from the scene.

Tessa - Then he's alive!

Richie - Yeah, but this murder down by the bridge, they think Duncan did it.

Herrald - Bright boy.

Tessa - This is insane. Duncan didn't kill anyone.

Herrald - Look, he phones, I wanna know, you got it?

 

Harbor boatyard 9

[DM wakes up, still slightly dizzy, sees pay phone nearby & goes to it.]

 

Inside antique store 0

Tessa - [answers phone] MacLeod and Noel Antiques--

Operator - [on phone] Will you accept a collect call from Duncan?

Tessa - [into phone] Yes! Yes, I will.

Operator - [on phone] Go ahead, Party.

Tessa - [into phone] Duncan, is that you?

DM - [into phone] Yeah, yeah, it's me. 9

Tessa - [into phone] Are you all right? Where have you been?

DM - [into phone] I'm not really... [flashback to Wilder leaning over him with scalpel] ...sure. 9

Tessa - [into phone] Where are you now?

DM - [looks around] [into phone] Uh, the harbor. Near Silver Strand. 9

Tessa - [into phone] Okay. Okay, there is a little café there. I'll be right there... and stay hidden.

DM - [into phone] Why? 9

Tessa - [into phone] You're wanted for murder.

DM - [into phone] What?

Tessa - [on phone] You're wanted for murder.

[DM sees police car approaching, leaves phone booth to hide.]

Tessa - [on phone] Hello? Duncan? 9 [to Richie] I've got to go get him. Richie, help me.

Richie - I'll take care of it.

 

Outside antique store 5

[Herrald & cop sit in unmarked car. Richie crawls up to car, puts sharp piece of metal in front of back left tire. Tessa walks to her convertible & drives away.]

Herrald - All right, this is it -- let's go, let's go!

[Their car pulls forward, tire goes flat. Richie peeks around corner of building & chuckles.]

 

Harbor pier café 9

Tessa - [rushes to where DM sits at table by window] You're alive! [They kiss.]

<DM - Yeah, well, don't judge a book by its cover.

Tessa - Where have you been all this time? CUT

DM - All what time?

Tessa - Look at today's date...

DM - [looks at newspaper heading] Oh my God.

Tessa - Where have you been?

DM - I don't know. [looks at newspaper again, sees headline: "Nurse Found Slain"] Look at this. The police think I killed this woman.

Tessa - They have witnesses who swear your car was there.>

DM - [reading article] She was a nurse at City Hospital.

Tessa - That's the hospital you were at.

DM - I was?

Tessa - Don't you remember? [DM looks at newspaper again. 8 Tessa watches him.]

DM - [remembering] I've seen her before.

[Flashback to Barbara leaning over him in E.R.
Barbara - Massive head injury.]

DM - [reading again] She was killed on the pier.

Tessa - At the rear of Clancy's parking lot.

DM - Well, they say the only thing stolen was her camera. [thinks for a minute] How do they know that?

Tessa - Because she had the camera strap attached to her wrist.

DM - Why steal her camera and not her purse? I wonder...

 

The Pier 9

Tessa - [as DM hauls himself out of the water, holding Barbara's camera] You found it.

DM - Yeah, a well-protected bay with limited tidal action this time of year.

Tessa - But, Duncan, the film -- even if there's anything worth looking at, it's been sitting in salt water.

DM - Tessa, trust me. We're not going to One Hour Photo. [stands up] Come on.

 

Sam Thompson's darkroom 0

Sam - Why don't you just take this to One Hour Photo?

DM - Because, uh... we don't have an hour to spare and, uh... I happen to be wanted for murder.

Sam - [to Tessa] He's joking, right? [Tessa shakes her head.] I forgot, he doesn't have a sense of humor.

Tessa - [about camera] So what do you think?

Sam - How far down was it?

DM - Eighteen feet. Stuck in rocks.

Sam - Case is still intact, which is good. The immersion in salt water, which is bad. But I do like a challenge. [turns off lights, leaving darkroom red bulb shining. He turns camera over as DM removes his jacket. DM sets his jacket aside as Sam opens the back of the camera. Darkroom red bulb sways overhead as Sam begins developing the film. 9]

[Sam places piece of photo paper in developing tray, time lapse as images appear on paper.]

Sam - Lights. [DM turns lights back on as Sam studies sheet.] Hm, not bad, considering the salt water. Looks like a party.

Tessa - Is that all?

Sam - Well, it's a full roll... twenty-four exposures.

DM - She squeezed off an extra shot at the end of the roll.

Sam - Oh, you're right. It's over-exposed and out of focus. You can't see what it is.

DM - You might be able to enhance it with a computer simulation.

Sam - That'll take all night.

DM - I'll give you a hand. Besides, what else have you got to do?

 

Television newsroom 3

Man - [to departing news anchor] Hey, Katie, that was wonderful.

Randi - [enters room with Jack] Something's weird with MacLeod.

Jack - How do you mean?

Randi - Well, this isn't the first time he's shown up right in the middle of one of my stories.

Jack - Coincidence?

Randi - I stopped believing in that about the same time I stopped believing in the Tooth Fairy. He's into something with the good doctor. And I'm gonna learn what it is.

 

Sam's living room 0

Tessa - [looking at computer screen] So what's it doing?

DM - [tapping at keyboard] It's taking what can be seen in the picture and creating the most probable form.

Sam - Helluva thing.

DM - [as picture slowly sharpens into focus] Looks like a finger.

Tessa - [pointing] What's that?

DM - Looks like a ring.

Sam - It's some sort of a symbol.

DM - [enlarging image of ring] It's the Greek letter omicron.

Sam - Well, it sure doesn't tell you much.

DM - You'd be surprised, Sam, you'd be surprised.

 

Wilder's front porch 12

Wilder - [from around corner, as Randi knocks on front door] Can I help you, Miss McFarland?

Randi - Dr. Wilder? I'd just like to ask you a few questions.

Wilder - Not now.

Randi - Where are the others who disappeared from your E.R.?

Wilder - What's this about?

Randi - It's about a half a dozen people being discharged from your emergency room and then disappearing.

Wilder - Young lady, are you implying--

Randi - That there's something going on in your E.R. and Duncan MacLeod is a part of it? You bet.

Wilder - You don't give up, do you?

Randi - Never.

Wilder - Well, it's a rather long story, but I assure you there's a creditable explanation for all of this.

Randi - I've got the time.

[Wilder smiles & motions her into the house.]
 

ACT FOUR

Sam's living room 0

Sam - Seventy-two organizations in this country using the Greek letter omicron.

DM - How many use omicron as the first letter?

Sam - Let's see... [taps on keyboard] Ah, I love these software upgradings. [words scroll on monitor] Ha, one. Omicron Delta. Honorary Medical Fraternity... of trauma care specialists.

DM - Emergency room doctors. [Flashback to Dr. Wilder]

Sam - ...of which there are thirty-three members in this city.

DM - And only one treated me.

 

Basement laboratory 0

[Wilder escorts Randi down the stairs. She walks around, looking at medical equipment, then turns to find Wilder pointing a gun at her.]

Randi - People know I'm here.

Wilder - I see. But this isn't where they'll find you.

Randi - This would qualify as an infringement of the first amendment. You're trying to muzzle the press.

Wilder - I'm glad to see that you still have a sense of humor, Miss McFarland. Please, walk over to the gurney. Please. [pushes her when she does not move]

 

Hospital exterior 7

[Tessa parks her convertible by the curb, runs inside while DM waits in the car.] 10

 

Hospital Admitting 4

Carol - Yes, may I help you?

Tessa - I hope so. Uh, I was looking for Dr. Wilder. Is he in?

Carol - And you are...?

Tessa - Um, a very old friend. My plane has a layover for a couple of hours and I thought I might catch him.

Carol - He should be here but he hasn't checked in. Uh, he could be at home.

Tessa - Thank you. [turns to walk away, then turns back] Oh, I forgot... my address book is in my luggage. He lives at...?

Carol - 421 Highland.

Tessa - Thank you so much.

[Carol watches Tessa go, turns back to work, opens file folder.]

 

Hospital exterior 7

Tessa - [exits hospital, gets into car with DM] He's not there, but I've got his address. 11 CUT

 

Outside Wilder's house 12

[Tessa pulls into driveway & parks. DM & Tessa get out, look at house.]

 

Basement laboratory 0

Wilder - [holding Randi down] No, no, no, no, no, it's just a little shot, Miss McFarland, really. No, you'll go to sleep. You won't feel any pain at all.

Randi - [already drugged] Look, Doctor, I want to know more about these experiments of yours. I think it'd make a great story. It's just, here, unconscious, I can't help you.

Wilder - No, no, don't underestimate yourself. You're of enormous help to me and to all mankind.

Randi - I can get you on 'Sixty Minutes'. On CNN.

Wilder - Now you're underestimating MY intelligence. Do you think I'm insane?

Randi - Mm, no, it never crossed my mind.

 

Outside Wilder's house 12

[Tessa & DM walk up to porch. DM remembers flashbacks of porch & of Dr. Wilder.]

DM - This is it. No, stay here.

Tessa - Let me go with you.

DM - No. [tries door -- it's locked -- continues around side of house]

 

Basement laboratory 0

Wilder - Miss McFarland, you should be excited. You're about to be part of something historically significant. You see, by altering genes, we may be able to prolong our lives for... decades. Even centuries.

Randi - No... I -- I report history, I don't participate. I -- please!

Wilder - [soothing] Oh, no, no, no.

Randi - [quietly] You're gonna kill me.

Wilder - Of course not. My mission is to save lives. But I do, I need my research subjects. And although you're not as interesting as Mr. MacLeod, you'll... you'll do fine.

Randi - [losing consciousness] Please.

Wilder - Miss McFarland, someday you'll be proud of what you've done. Very proud.

DM - [off screen] No peace for the wicked, Doctor?

Wilder - [holding scalpel at Randi's neck] Get out. I'll kill her... she's not like you. She won't survive.

DM - If you even so much as scratch her, I'll dissect you.

[They fight. Randi is knocked off gurney onto floor. A small fire starts. Wilder throws a cup of liquid into DM's face, blinding him.]

Tessa - [coming down stairs] Duncan, watch out!

[As Wilder grabs his gun, Tessa knocks him off balance with I.V. pole, & DM throws him to the floor. Tessa rolls him onto his back -- the scalpel blade is imbedded in his chest. DM picks Randi up & carries her toward the stairs.]

DM - [to Tessa] Leave him. Come on! Go!
 

TAG

Outside Wilder's house 12

[Sirens wail & lights flash as emergency personnel move about the premises. Randi is on an ambulance gurney on the porch.]

Randi - [to Tessa] It's you. [remembers] Wilder?

Tessa - He won't hurt you.

Randi - Where is he?

Tessa - He's dead.

CUT

Herrald - [walks up] The lab is pretty burned up. It's hard to tell what he was doing down there. I'm not sure I really want to know, but can you give us a statement?

Randi - A statement? I think I just slept through the best story of my career.

Herrald - [sees DM standing off to the side] Hey, what about you, MacLeod?

DM - He was trying to help mankind. For some men, that's a dangerous impulse. Can we go?

Herrald - Yeah, okay, but I want a full statement from you later.

DM - [to Tessa] Let's go home. [They walk toward their car.]

Randi - [to Herrald] Thanks for getting me out of there.

Herrald - It wasn't us. We found you out here.

<Randi - [looks toward DM] MacLeod! CUT [He is already out of sight.] I'm gonna get that story, one of these days.>

 

[nearby]

DM - [as they walk to their car] All because I was gonna cook Italian.

Tessa - You have a long memory.

DM - Yeah, I have to. [kisses her]

 

End of "Deadly Medicine"

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