Highlander

Episode Transcripts

 

SEASON TWO
Episode 8: Revenge of the Sword

Written by Aubrey Solomon
Directed by Clay Borris
Aired: Nov. 20, 1993
 
Transcript revised: 9-16-20

 

/ 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. 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

Charlie DeSalvo - Philip Akin
              Dojo manager

 

GUEST STARS:

Jimmy Sang - Dustin Nguyen
              movie star

Lisa Scott - Debbie Podowski
              movie producer

Johnny Leong - Robert Ito
              Tong leader

CO-STARRING:

Grandfather Lao - Mina E. Mina
              Buddhist monk

Giuseppe - Frank Crudele
              shopkeeper in flashback

FEATURING:

Hong - Johnny Mah
Soo - Vernon Rieta
              Tong henchmen

Kid - Jai West
              wants Jimmy's autograph

UNCREDITED:

Movie director - Clay Borris

Props master - Don Buchanan

Movie crew - 'Highlander' crew

Locations List:*
0. Scenes filmed at Virtue/Reckert Studios, 770 Pacific Blvd [49.274936,-123.111030] (no longer there)
1. Funeral home interior - unknown location (studio sets?)
2. Park - east side of Oppenheimer Park [49.282745,-123.093537]
3. Little Italy - Celtic Shipyards, 7520 Balaclava St, Southlands [49.217101,-123.177132]
4. Buddhist Temple entrance - Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Park [49.279916,-123.103418]
5. Inside Buddhist Temple - Dr. Sun Yat Sen Classical Chinese Garden [49.279651,-123.103913]
6. Funeral home exterior - 255 Dunlevy Ave [49.282623,-123.095391]
* 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.) Huge thanks to Gillian Horvath for providing the tape of the official domestic cut of this episode, as it was released by the studio for the US stations.

~Official Eurominutes are bolded.
~Rerun on SciFi channel* (1999) matches the official cut, with one exception.
~Rerun on SciFi channel (2009) matches the official cut.

* Special thanks to Debra Lindsay for the 1999 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 Joe Dawson]
He is Immortal, born in the highlands of Scotland four hundred years ago. He is not alone. There are others like him -- some good, some evil. For centuries, he has battled the forces of darkness, with holy ground his only refuge. He cannot die, unless you take his head, and with it his power. In the end, there can be only one. He is Duncan MacLeod... the Highlander.

OPENING CREDITS

TEASER

Empty dojo, night 0

Charlie - [in office, into phone] Okay, I'll be right over. [hangs up, exits office. Lights go out as lightning flashes and thunder rumbles. The flashes reveal two ninjas hiding in the shadows of the dojo.] What do you want?

Ninja - Our money.

Charlie - Get lost. I don't pay for protection.

Ninja - Then you pay for a funeral.

[The ninjas attack Charlie, who fends them off. Eventually one of the ninjas pulls out a knife and throws it at Charlie, hitting him in the chest. Charlie sinks to the floor.]

Ninja - Everyone pays.

[Lights come back on. Ninjas turn to see Jimmy standing at the exit by the light switch. Jimmy fights the ninjas and knocks both out.]

Jimmy - [runs to Charlie] Charlie! Charlie. [checks for a pulse] Charlie!

<Borris - [off to the side, with camera crew] Cut! All right. CUT

Lisa - Great scene, Borris.

Borris - Thanks a lot. Thanks a lot. Hey, nice fight scene, Johnny. That was great, man.

Stage hand - Thank you.

Borris - Beautiful. All right. Good stuff. Jimmy, looked great, man.

Jimmy - Thanks.

Borris - This film's going to make a million bucks. See you later. Okay, thanks, everybody, for a good week.>

Charlie - So, Jimmy, what'd you think, man? How'd I do?

Jimmy - Not bad, for a beginner.

Charlie - Beginner? Hey, MacLeod, what'd you think, huh? I mean, is this a good career move or what?

DM - Well, I wouldn't give up your day job, Charlie. Jimmy's got some good moves.

Charlie - Yeah, well, he ought to. I taught him everything he knows. Kid's going to be a star.

Jimmy - I already am. [walks away] Hey, I'm dying of thirst, here. Where's that ginseng tea I asked for?

DM - Teach him humility, too?

Charlie - Hey, he's in character, MacLeod. They all do that.

Lisa - We're wrapped for the weekend. See you Monday, Charlie?

Charlie - Yeah. Oh, listen, this is Duncan MacLeod. He owns the dojo. Lisa Scott. She's producing Jimmy's movie.

Lisa - [shakes DM's hand] Hi.

DM - I thought you were an actress.

Lisa - Only when the checks bounce. Thanks for the free location, Mr. MacLeod. We need all the freebies we can get. [looks over at ninja stuntman still on the floor] Up and at 'em, Terry. Scene's over.

Charlie - Come on, Terry.

Lisa - Terry?

DM - [walks over, checks for a pulse] This man is dead.
 

ACT ONE

Dojo 0

Charlie - [as he hits the mat] Aah! That's it, MacLeod. I'm done.

DM - Sure?

Charlie - [gets slowly to his feet] Yeah.

Jimmy - [watching them] Charlie, you quitting?

Charlie - Only to fight another day, man. In case you didn't notice, the man just kicked my ass.

Jimmy - [to DM] You think you're pretty hot, don't you...

DM - Adequate.

Jimmy - That's what I think, too -- adequate.

Charlie - Hey, lighten up, guys. We're all friends here.

DM - You have a couple of nice moves, Jimmy.

Jimmy - [takes katana down from wall rack] Yeah? You know of anybody better?

DM - For a movie star, you were great.

[Jimmy unsheathes katana and waves it around a bit before holding it at DM's neck.]

DM - [unimpressed] I think one death on your movie's enough.

Charlie - [from office, as Jimmy sheaths the sword] Hey, MacLeod!

 

Dojo office 0

Jimmy - Poisoned? It's got to be some kind of a mistake.

Charlie - Jimmy, they did an autopsy. It was in some ginseng tea.

DM - Isn't that what you were asking for after the take?

Jimmy - So? Everybody drinks that stuff.

Charlie - Yeah, but you never got yours, right?

Jimmy - So?

DM - So maybe the stunt guy drank it.

Jimmy - Look, give me a break. Why would someone want to poison me?

DM - You'd know that better than we would.

Jimmy - You know what? You two have been watching too much TV.

DM - I'd keep a low profile for a while if I were you.

Jimmy - A low profile? I'm in the middle of a picture!

DM - A man's dead. It could have been you.

Jimmy - Yeah, but it wasn't. Look, I'm on a train right now... that train stops, it's all over.

DM - Yeah? And what happens to that train if you're dead?

Charlie - MacLeod's making sense, Jimmy. I mean, what's a few days gonna hurt?

Jimmy - Hey, up yours, Charlie. You know -- and when did you become such a wuss? [leaves]

DM - I guess he's still in character.

 

Loft apartment 0

[Knock at door.]

DM - [comes out of bathroom] Yeah. [Knocking continues.] I'm coming. [opens door by elevator]

Lisa - What are you trying to do to me?

DM - Nothing. [as Lisa storms past him] Come in. Make yourself at home.

Lisa - Cute, MacLeod. Let's get one thing straight. This is my movie.

DM - Okay. Now what is it that you're talking about?

Lisa - You and your friend Charlie. You had no business telling Jimmy we should shut down.

DM - Want some coffee?

Lisa - No.

DM - I guess it's just my cautious nature. I was thinking of his life.

Lisa - Don't. I pay security for that. Besides, there's no proof it was an attempt on Jimmy's life.

DM - Oh, no. Just the dead body. <CUT Why don't you let the police investigate?>

Lisa - Let me tell you a little bit about the movie business, MacLeod. If I shut down production, I don't finish shooting on schedule. No shooting, no delivery, and my picture goes in the toilet.

DM - I take it that's a no?

Lisa - I know it's your dojo, but I'd really appreciate it if you stayed the hell off my set. [leaves]

 

Dojo 0

CUT

DM - What do you want, Charlie?

Charlie - Hey! Every time I'm nice to you, you think I want something?

DM - Because you do.

Charlie - Well, just a small favor. You know how important this movie is to Jimmy. Hey, come on, give the kid a break. He's just trying to do some good with his life.

DM - What, the movies?

Charlie - It beats jail, man. Come on, he's just a kid, MacLeod. He grew up with squat. His father kicked him out when he was sixteen...

 

Flashback: Glenfinnan, 1622
(from "Family Tree")

DM - [waking from first death] Father!

Ian - You're not my son!

 

Dojo 0

(resume previous scene)

Charlie - CUT Hey, you think it's easy having your life turned upside down, man?

 

Flashback: Highlands of Scotland, 1622
(from "Family Tree")

Ian - [re horses] Eh, they smell a tusker.

Hunter - Aye.

Ian - Steady, lads.

DM - [appears on path] Father!

Hunter - It's the devil's work!

DM - Father, 'tis me, Duncan.

Hunter - Come on! Keep away from him! He's a ghost! [Hunters ride away.]

DM - [walks forward, speaks to Ian's horse] You know me, do you not? He recognizes me, but my own flesh and blood does not.

Ian - You'll not beguile me thus, be ye from Heaven nor Hell.

DM - I am your son!

Ian - No! And you never were!

DM - Then where do I come from? Where do I come from? Where do I come from? 1 [Ian rides off.] Father, no, don't go! I need to know! Where?! Where do I come from!! Where?! I am Duncan MacLeod of the Clan MacLeod!!

 

Dojo 0

(resume previous scene)

Charlie - He's a fighter, MacLeod. Look, he came up like me. Now, he's got a few rough spots, but doesn't everybody, man? Hey! Hey, are you listening to me?

DM - Yeah. What do you want me to do?

Charlie - Keep an eye on Jimmy with me. I already cleared it with Lisa.

DM - Where is he?

Charlie - He's at the park, giving a demo for some kids.

DM - Oh, making himself an easy target.

 

Golden Dove Funeral Home - Leung's office 1

Leung - [to henchmen Hong and Soo] Do you know why I was praying? For understanding. For wisdom. For answers why you do not follow my commands.

Hong - Mr. Leung, Jimmy Sang was--

Leung - [waves Hong into silence] Instead of an obituary, I read about a show that he's giving today... and the wrong man died. It brings me great disappointment.

Hong - We were trying to make it look like an accident.

Leung - Buddha teaches us to learn from our mistakes. If we don't, we must be corrected.

 

Park 2

Jimmy - Do you believe in fate, Charlie?

Charlie - Sometimes.

Jimmy - I do. You know, ever since I was a kid, I always knew that I was going to grow up to be somebody.

Charlie - And making this movie makes you a somebody?

Jimmy - I'm a star, Charlie. Look at me. First time out. You know what that means?

Charlie - Yeah. It means you got real lucky.

Jimmy - No. Luck had nothing to do with it. I've got the talent. I've got the drive. Nothing is going to stop me. You never thought I could make this happen.

Charlie - Well, you've come a long way, Jimmy.

Jimmy - I'm not that scrawny kid you used to know.

Charlie - No, you're not.

Jimmy - Listen, you know, this morning... I didn't mean...

Charlie - Forget it, all right?

Jimmy - Charlie, I owe you. You know that. I'm not going to forget. Listen, I've got an idea, okay? After we wrap this picture, I'm going to go to L.A. Why don't you come with me?

Charlie - [sighs] No, thanks.

Jimmy - No, come on. I could get you some stunt work. A guy with your talent?

Charlie - I don't want -- I don't think so.

Jimmy - Okay. I got another idea. Okay? We'll open a place -- a dojo in Malibu. We'll call it 'Dojo to the Stars', man. Right off the beach. I'll stake you.

Charlie - No stunt work, no Malibu, no stars, man.

Jimmy - Why not?

Charlie - I like where I am.

Jimmy - And where is that? No offense, but... you know, you don't even own your own place anymore.

Charlie - And is that what it would take, man?

Jimmy - What was that?

Charlie - For me to, uh, be somebody.

Jimmy - Charlie, look, I didn't mean it that way.

Charlie - It's all right, man, just forget it.

Jimmy - Okay, listen, we -- I think we'd better go, you know? The show's starting soon. Come on, let's go.

Charlie - Yeah. Don't want to keep your public waiting, man. Come on.

 

[short time later]

[Jimmy has two assistants each hold a board that he breaks with a kick. A small group of kids watches, applauds. 2 Then Jimmy breaks a stack of boards with his bare hand. Charlie, DM & Lisa watch from nearby.]

Lisa - [to DM] Most people who make it big can't get out fast enough. Jimmy still comes down here all the time.

DM - Yeah. Charlie told me.

Kids - [as Jimmy prepares to break a stack of five bricks] Oh, he's going to do it? He's going to break his hand. This is {going to hurt}. [Jimmy plows through the bricks with his hand.] Yeah! All right, Jimmy!

Lisa - Maybe he's a little arrogant, but he's a star. It comes with the territory.

DM - And producers?

Lisa - Clean slate, okay, MacLeod? Look, I really appreciate what you're doing here.

DM - Yeah, but you don't think it's necessary, do you?

Lisa - [looks at group of kids] They're his fans. They love him. He's going to be a big star.

[DM notices black sedan driving past. Hong, in passenger seat, points a gun out the window.]

DM - Charlie!

[Charlie grabs Jimmy and pulls him to the ground.]

Hong - [shoots at them] Come on, let's go!

[DM runs at the car and jumps on it, grabbing onto the hood. The driver, Soo, swerves back and forth, eventually dislodging DM, who does some handsprings and lands on his feet. The car drives away.]

Charlie - [runs up] You crazy bastard. You think you can fly?

DM - I thought I just did.

Lisa - Are you okay?

DM - Yeah. I'll live. I guess those were a couple of his fans that loved him so much.
 

ACT TWO

Establishing shot: Production Office 0
 

Studio 0

Lisa - I can't believe it! Look at this place! Huh? Why the hell would anybody want to trash our set?

DM - Offhand, I'd say someone doesn't want you to make this movie.

 

Flashback - New York City, 1905 - Little Italy 3

DM - [in Italian, to man carrying wooden barrel] {sounds like 'Mahbaney, javalito.'} [greets shopkeeper] Buon giorno, Giuseppe. Come va?

Translations: Buon giorno - Good morning; Come va? - How are you?

Giuseppe - Hey, ciao. Come sta?

Translations: ciao - hello; Come sta? - How are you?

DM - Come Maria?

Translation: Come Maria? - How is Maria?

Giuseppe - Eh, {??}

Translation: According to shooting script, 'She's fine. She asks after you.'

DM - So, what happened here?

Giuseppe - Ah, you know kids. They get a little crazy sometime, you know?

DM - This crazy? Come on, Giuseppe. You and me, we don't have secrets. They broke your window.

Giuseppe - [reaches into his pocket] There. [hands rumpled paper to DM] That came with the rock. [paper contains a black handprint and some writing: Paghi o muori. (Pay or die)]

DM - The Black Hand.

Giuseppe - Mano Nera. They wanted me to pay protection. Protection from what? Protection from them!

DM - You wouldn't pay?

Giuseppe - I'll tell them what to do with protection. Ptuhh! [slaps bend of right elbow with his left hand: 'up theirs'] This is America. I have rights!

DM - Give me some names, Giuseppe.

Giuseppe - What for?

DM - So I can talk to them.

Giuseppe - What makes you think they listen?

DM - Because I can be very convincing.

Giuseppe - That's okay, my friend. This is not your fight.

DM - Then go to the police.

Giuseppe - They own the police.

DM - Not all of them.

Giuseppe - Okay. Maybe tomorrow.

DM - Okay. Tomorrow. At nine o'clock. We go together. Nine o'clock.

Giuseppe - Okay, my friend. We'll go together. We'll get the bastards, eh?

DM - [Italian] {??} I see Marco has some new cloth for me.

Translation: According to shooting script, 'Good. Until the morning.'

Giuseppe - Si, si, si.

[DM walks to stall next door, notices man in wagon pulling out a shotgun.]

DM - Giuseppe! [Giuseppe looks up.] Get down! [Men in wagon fire their shotguns. Bullets hit Giuseppe in the chest & he falls back. A The wagon continues past the store and the men shoot at DM as he runs to his friend's aid.] Giuseppe. Giuseppe. [realizes his friend is dead]

Woman in crowd - Oh, no!

[DM looks at paper of black handprint fluttering on the ground.]

 

Studio 0

(resume previous scene)

[DM examines stencil of red hatchet spray-painted on a freestanding mirror. Below the hatchet is the word 'DIE'.]

Lisa - Great. We have a graffiti artist.

DM - It's a Tong sign.

Charlie - I thought the Tongs were finished.

DM - No, they're still around. They just don't advertise.

Lisa - Our movie's about the Tongs.

Jimmy - Lisa, it's just a story I made up.

DM - Is it?

Lisa - We're shutting down production until we find out what's going on.

Jimmy - You're shutting nothing down.

Lisa - Jimmy, your life isn't in the budget.

Jimmy - Fine! Then walk! I'll get another producer.

Lisa - You're cutting me loose?

Jimmy - It's my way or the highway.

Lisa - No, you can't do this.

Jimmy - I'm the star, here! Watch me. [walks away]

Lisa - [follows] Oh, no, no, no, no, no. You can't dump me!

Jimmy - No?

Lisa - No, I'll sue your ass in every court in the state!

Jimmy - Go ahead.

Charlie - [to DM] The man's got a major attitude problem.

DM - You'd better convince him that this thing's for real.

Charlie - It's not going to be easy.

DM - Well, make him an offer he can't refuse.

 

[short while later, backstage]

DM - Is that what they call creative differences?

Lisa - I'm a little pissed.

DM - Yeah, I noticed.

Lisa - You know, you work on a movie, and it gets to be your baby. When somebody messes with it, you get a little crazy.

DM - Who gets custody?

Lisa - If we can't work it out, the lawyers, and by the time they're through with it, I'll be in a nursing home.

DM - You could change your minds.

Lisa - Ha ha! Not likely. We only got this far by being as stubborn as hell.

DM - Tell me about Jimmy's script.

Lisa - Well, he shopped around everywhere, got turned down everywhere, too, until he met me. CUT And the rest was hard work and sweat.

DM - Did he tell you how he got the story?

Lisa - You think that stuff in the script is real, don't you?

DM - He grew up in that community. He must have seen what was going on.

Lisa - Think I should call wardrobe and see if they can make me some bulletproof Armani?

DM - [chuckles] No, they're after him, not you. Anyway, if you need anything, you know where to find me.

Lisa - [as DM leaves, to herself] I may just do that.

 

Establishing shot: Buddhist Temple 4

[DM walks to entrance & through gates, looks around.]
 

Buddhist Temple 5

Lao - Duncan MacLeod.

DM - [bows] Grandfather Lao. How did you know it was me?

Lao - They say that every soul has its aura. Yours is very, very strong. [hands DM a cup of tea, drinks from his own] Besides... I saw your car drive up. Please. [motions DM to sit]

DM - [chuckles] They say wisdom looks in all directions.

Lao - It is good you have come to make an old man happy. How can I help you?

DM - Do you know Jimmy Sang?

Lao - When he used to live here, we used to talk.

DM - Tell me about him.

Lao - A man travels many roads to find his true nature.

DM - Was he involved in the Tong?

Lao - That is something you will have to ask him.

DM - He won't tell me.

Lao - Then... neither will I.

DM - Then tell me who the head of the Tong is.

Lao - Even for someone with an aura as strong as yours, MacLeod, the Tong is something to be feared.

DM - I once heard it said that fear was to warn us of a danger, not make us afraid of it.

Lao - [laughs] You know, sometimes I think it is you who should be wearing these robes.

DM - Thank you for the tea, Grandfather Lao.

Lao - Come. The man you are looking for -- his name is Johnny Leung. Strange. A monk should be beyond the needs of the spirit... but I look forward to these visits so much.

<DM - So do I. Besides, who would answer my questions? CUT

Lao - Yes. Who else asks more?> You are always seeking answers, MacLeod.

DM - Well, the truth doesn't always jump up into your arms. Sometimes you have to sneak up and ambush it.

Lao - Always the hunter. Most men who know what you know would be satisfied.

DM - [reciting a Zen word-play] Yes, but knowing what you don't know is almost as important as knowing what you do know.

Lao - Ah. But knowing what you do know allows you to answer the questions to what you do not know.

DM - That's not in the teachings.

Lao - No. I made it up. [laughs] Oh, I grow old, MacLeod. It is well you came when you did.

DM - Oh, come on, Lao. There are carp in that pond that are twice your age.

Lao - Yes, and maybe closer to the godhead. It is only a feeling... we may not walk together again.

DM - That would be a great loss for me.

Lao - Why? Only my body will leave. And who can say? Maybe I will return some day as one of these carp.

DM - [bows] Be well, Granfather Lao.

Lao - Oh, MacLeod... maybe you shouldn't eat any fish... just in case. 3

 

Outside Golden Dove Funeral Home 6

DM - Well, look who it is. [grabs Soo as he tries to attack] Now, can we talk? Huh?

Hong - [comes out of building, shoves gun into DM's side] Don't count on it. Mr. Leung wants to see you.

DM - Why didn't you say so?
 

ACT THREE

Establishing shot: Funeral home 6
 

Funeral Home - reception area 1

Leung - Anyone can make a mistake. I hope you will agree.

DM - That's why they put erasers on pencils.

Leung - But this man's mistake was to go against me. A closed casket will be necessary in his case, and possibly in yours, <Mr....

DM - Bond. James Bond.> CUT

 

Funeral Home - Leung's office 1

DM - [enters at gunpoint, following Leung] Death seems like good business.

Leung - Let's say it's not affected by the recession. [as DM examines a vase] That is Ming Dynasty, from China's national museum.

DM - [flips the vase casually in his hands, then turns it upside down and looks at the base] It's a forgery.

Leung - What do you know of Chinese art?

DM - Well, the original was imprinted with the Emperor's chop. This... isn't the emperor's chop.

Leung - There are only a handful of men in the world who would know that.

DM - [sets vase down] I have to warn you, flattery will get you nowhere.

Leung - And a sense of humor.

DM - Thank you.

Leung - I don't like many people, but I begin to like you.

DM - Oh, well, give me your number and we'll go bowling sometime.

Leung - Still joking. Trust me, you'd like to be my friend. It's far better than being my enemy.

DM - I like friends.

Leung - And friends don't have secrets, do they?

DM - No.

Leung - Where is Sang?

DM - Can't tell you.

CUT

Leung - [pulls revolver from his coat pocket, empties all the bullets out and puts only one back in] Are you a gambler, Mr. MacLeod? My people are great gamblers.

DM - That could be very noisy.

Leung - The room is soundproof. [spins chamber and flips it back into gun. Points gun at DM's knee and cocks the trigger.] Where is he?

DM - Why do you want him?

Leung - You're not here to ask questions. Only to answer them. [pulls trigger, gun clicks harmlessly] You have luck. [spins and loads again] But luck, like most things, doesn't last. [points gun at DM's chest]

DM - Tell you what. I'll make you a deal. Leave him alone, and stop extorting money from your people, and I'll leave you alone.

Leung - [pulls trigger -- another harmless click] One has patience with children... and small dogs. [rotates chamber so the single bullet is in firing position]

DM - And men with no honor.

Leung - Your luck just ran out. [points gun at DM's head]

DM - [grabs gun away, moves behind Leung, holds the gun against his neck] Come on.

Leung - [to henchmen, as they start to move forward] No.

DM - I'd drop the guns if I were you, boys. It's loaded.

Leung - Do what he says... now! [as henchmen put their guns on the floor] You'll regret this.

DM - Well, maybe not. See, I'm a gambler, too, Johnny. [spins and loads] How about you? You feel lucky today? [cocks gun] Hmm? Hmm? [turns and fires gun at vase, shattering it] Guess not. [pushes Leung at henchman and leaves]

Leung - [stops henchmen from following] No! It's not him I want.

 

Empty dojo 0

Charlie - The truth, man. The stuff in your script about the Tongs -- it's real, isn't it? Isn't it?

Lisa - [enters dojo] Go ahead. Tell him, Jimmy.

Jimmy - I fired you.

Lisa - I put my life into this damn movie. You don't get away that easily.

Charlie - We're only trying to help you, man.

Jimmy - I don't want your help.

Charlie - Maybe not, but you need it, man. What the hell happened to you? I taught you better than this.

Jimmy - Get off me, Charlie.

DM - [enters dojo] So it's Jimmy Sang against the world. What's going on between you and Johnny Leung?

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

DM - The hell you don't! This isn't about the movie, is it?

Jimmy - I've had enough of you.

DM - Not yet, you haven't. [grabs Jimmy's arm as he walks past. Jimmy retaliates and they begin fighting.]

Lisa - MacLeod! You guys -- you guys--

Charlie - No, let it be.

[Both remove their coats, fight hand to hand briefly, then Jimmy grabs a sword.]

DM - Come on. [grabs two swords from rack on wall, fights briefly, slices Jimmy's shirt at the waist] Another inch, it wouldn't have been like the movies, would it? [Jimmy keeps fighting, gets knocked down.] Now are you going to tell me what's going on?

Jimmy - Go to hell. [attacks again]

DM - [disarms him] Then you're on your own, hotshot. [walks away]

Lisa - Jimmy, would you--

Jimmy - [pushes her away, angry] Aah!

 

Loft apartment 0

Lisa - [arrives in elevator] You got a minute?

DM - What's on your mind?

Lisa - I know I can't make any excuses for him--

DM - Then don't. Why should you feel responsible?

Lisa - Because it's my movie. If anything should happen to Jimmy because of it--

DM - I don't think this is just about the movie. This is something personal between Jimmy and the Tong. I'd say your boy has his ass in a sling.

Lisa - He won't get out without your help.

DM - Protecting your investment?

Lisa - A friend.

DM - I don't know what I can do for him.

CUT

Charlie - [enters through stairwell door] MacLeod? MacLeod.

DM - What is it?

Charlie - Jimmy split.

Lisa - What?

DM - When?

Charlie - After the fight. He was really pissed, man, and he wouldn't talk to me.

DM - He's a big boy, Charlie.

Charlie - Yeah, who doesn't know who the hell he is. It's a big city, MacLeod. I could use your help.

DM - All right. All right.

 

Outside Buddhist Temple 4

Kid - Jimmy, Jimmy, can you give me your autograph? Jimmy, can you beat Steven Seagal?

Jimmy - Beat Steven Seagal? Do you know why I study the martial arts?

Kid - To kick butt!

Other kids - Yeah!

Jimmy - No, you study the martial arts for the discipline. You don't go out and look for fights. That's not why you study it.

Kid - Why not, Jimmy? You can kick anyone's butt.

Other kids - Yeah.

Jimmy - Well...

Lao - Hello, Jimmy.

Jimmy - [to kids] I'll be back, okay?

Kids - Jimmy, we want your autograph now. Come on. Come on, Jimmy. Please, Jimmy.

[Jimmy rises, bows to Lao.]

Lao - Long time, Jimmy.

Jimmy - Yes. I was hoping I might be able to talk with you, Grandfather.

Lao - I thought you needed nothing. What has changed?

Jimmy - Everything.

Lao - There are others who have been looking for you, Jimmy.

Jimmy - [turns, sees DM behind him. DM bows to Lao.] What do you want?

DM - I want to talk about you and Johnny Leung. [Jimmy looks at Lao.] He didn't tell me.

Jimmy - Johnny Leung. I was a kid. Half my family died in a stinking freighter when we came to this country. Eight of us living in two rooms, you know. My father and his brother... was making half the minimum wage in some damn kitchen.

DM - So you joined the Tong?

Jimmy - It was my only way out -- I had to. The only way I could keep them off my father.

DM - Is that why he threw you out?

Jimmy - He said he'd rather be dead than dishonored. So... so what now, huh? You going to the cops?

DM - No. You are.

Jimmy - Are you crazy? CUT

DM - You joined the Tong to protect your father. What are you protecting now?

[Hitman appears, shoots at Jimmy, runs out of bullets, is tackled by DM. DM runs to group of silent children, finds Lao dead, looks around.] Jimmy? Where's Jimmy? Jimmy!
 

ACT FOUR

Outside Funeral Home 6

[Jimmy lures Soo around corner of building and knocks him out, then enters building.]

 

Funeral Home - Leung's office 1

Leung - [as Jimmy enters] Jimmy Sang. How nice it is you've decided to honor me with your presence.

Jimmy - You're finished, Johnny.

Leung - Lack of respect. It is a weakness of the young and the stupid.

Jimmy - You deserve no respect.

Leung - You have no right. I gave you food. A roof. Money in your pocket. I gave you my family!

Jimmy - You gave me a gun, Johnny! You taught me how to bleed our own people like a leech! But now... now that will end. [pulls large knife from sheath]

Leung - I was like a father to you. You would kill your father?

Jimmy - It's something I should have done a long time ago.

[Henchmen appear and restrain Jimmy. Leung takes knife from his hand.]

Leung - Did you really think that I would give you the pleasure of killing me? [tears Jimmy's necklace off and tosses it down] Tradition is like blood. It binds us together and makes us what we are. [cuts Jimmy's palm with the blade] The traditional death for a traitor is very long and very painful. [slaps Jimmy's cheek. Jimmy struggles against henchmen.] Bring him.

 

Funeral Home - crematorium 1

Leung - [to Jimmy, in a coffin] Are you afraid, Jimmy? You should be. Soon you will beg me to kill you.

 

Funeral Home - Leung's office 1

[DM enters, finds Jimmy's necklace on the floor.]

 

Funeral Home - crematorium 1

Leung - But I will watch you die by inches.

 

Funeral Home - Leung's office 1

[DM finds knife on table.]

 

Funeral Home - crematorium 1

Leung - Be brave, Jimmy. Do not disappoint me. [closes lid of coffin]

[Soo starts conveyor belt moving coffin toward incinerator fire. DM enters, fights both henchmen, hits button to stop conveyor.]

Leung - The button!

[Soo starts conveyor again. Fight continues. Coffin nears end of conveyor. Jimmy punches at lid, manages to break through and escape, picks up gun dropped by Soo during the fight and aims it at Leung.]

Jimmy - This is for Grandfather Lao.

DM - Jimmy, no!

Jimmy - Stay out of this, MacLeod!

DM - If I had, you would have been dead by now, Jimmy. This isn't a movie, this is for real.

Jimmy - He's got to be stopped!

DM - He will, Jimmy, but not this way. This is murder. Is that what you want to leave those kids? Jimmy, if you testify, Leung will be put away forever! The Tong will die. Jimmy.

Jimmy - [in frustration] Aah! [lowers gun, slaps Leung]
 

TAG

Buddhist Temple 5

DM - I didn't know movie stars got their hands dirty.

Jimmy - [digging in flower bed] I've got a lot of work to do.

DM - Lisa told me the studio liked what they've seen of the movie so far.

Jimmy - So what?

DM - So, are you going to make movies, or are you going to spend the rest of your life hiding in this garden?

Jimmy - He loved this garden.

DM - I know. He still does.

Jimmy - Do you believe that stuff about... coming back until you get it right?

DM - Do you?

Jimmy - I hope so, because I'm sure as hell not getting it right this time.

DM - You know, I once heard it said that the main difference between a wise man and a fool is that the fool's mistakes never teach him anything. Once you've learned your lesson, it's time to move on. CUT <You know, Jimmy, this could be the start of a beautiful friendship.>

 

End of "Revenge of the Sword"

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