[Sandwiched into a low-rent, mixed ethnic neighborhood that will never make it as a retirement hot spot, a paved court surrounded by a wire fence, as we hear the calls of young men playing a pick-up game of basketball.]

VARIOUS VOICES - Over here... Come on, Jamal... Take it to him...

[Jamal, a young black man, yo-yos the ball up and down. It's two on two basketball. If you're not bleeding, there's no foul. Richie is guarding him and if he was any closer he'd be inside his shorts.]

JAMAL - Face it, man, you're too short, too slow, and too damn ugly to guard the king.

[Richie "bodies" him away from the basket as Jamal tries to turn a corner towards the hoop.]

RICHIE - Not that way, your highness.

[Jamal backs off. The ball still yo-ing up and down, he sets, ready to drive to the hoop.]

JAMAL - I'm surprised at you, Richie. [beat] Don't you know? White men can't-- [fakes, goes around Richie, who doesn't move. He is looking at something in the distance. Jamal, underneath the basket, stuffs the ball through.] --Jump! [beat] I am bad! [to Richie] Who's the king?

RICHIE - [hasn't heard Jamal] Donna...?

[Donna, on the other side of the fence, is watching him. Richie moves to the fence opposite Donna. They face each other through the wire. Donna is twenty and pretty -- they had a close friendship that overflowed into passion one night two years before. Shortly after that she disappeared without a word, and this meeting is a mix of unresolved feelings and strained, tentative smiles.]

RICHIE - Donna.
 

 
[From the background, we hear Jamal:]

JAMAL - Hey, Richie... The game!
 

 
JAMAL - The game--

RICHIE - Later.

[Jamal moves off.]
 

 
RICHIE - They're at my place now.
 

 
DONNA - I was going out with Joey, remember? [beat] We only did it one time, Richie.

RICHIE - [with a smile] Guess I got lucky. [beat] You could've called.

 
[Donna smiles, takes Jeremy from Richie.]

DONNA - Time this little man hit the sack.

[As she turns toward the off-camera bedroom...]

RICHIE - Donna.... [beat] You do great babies.

DONNA - You, too.

[She takes Jeremy into the off-camera bedroom.]
 

 
[Animal knows trouble when he sees it -- but he's been up against most things on two legs and never lost.]

ANIMAL - I said we're closed!

[He goes inside, slams the big doors shut.]
 

 
[He sucks down half, pours the rest over his head to cool off. As he does, the Bartender rises shakily from behind the bar, and croaks:]

BARTENDER - Why?

[Kern looks as if he's never considered this before. He hauls the Bartender onto the counter and slides him along it like a hockey puck, finally dumping him on the floor.]

KERN - I was thirsty.
 

 
[The sound of a Wedding March is heard.]
 

 
KERN - You hunt alley cats long enough... you find a tiger.
 

[A small wedding ceremony is underway, a few onlookers watching the white-gowned bride and groom stand before a smiling Father Matthew, about to exchange vows, as behind them...]

[MacLeod and Kern smash through the stained glass window, rolling onto the church floor, sending the entire wedding party screaming. MacLeod rises, realizing they're on Holy Ground, that he can do nothing. Both hide their swords. Father Matthew stands stunned.]

FATHER MATTHEW - MacLeod.

MacLEOD - Sorry, Father.

[Between MacLeod and Kern stands the terrified young bride. Kern chuckles at the situation. He grabs the frightened bride, pulls her to him and kisses her hard on the lips.]

KERN - Congratulations.

[He shoves her stumbling into MacLeod, then turns and plows through the shrieking onlookers and out the door. MacLeod goes after him, slowed by the people, finally reaches the door--]
 

 
KERN - As long as you got a strong stomach and don't ask too many questions.
 

 
CLERK - Take a hike.

[He pulls his cap down, slouches back... suddenly he's pulled over the front desk, his face inches from MacLeod's. The Clerk blanches, suddenly changes gears.]

CLERK - [in a rush] Room 117, top of the stairs on your right near the fire escape...
 

 
[MacLeod's POV -- some of Kern's gear in a corner.]

MacLEOD - He'll be back.

[The Clerk nods in frightened agreement. MacLeod turns to leave.]
 

[As Jeremy toddles across the floor to Richie, who is showing all the delight of a father in his child's achievements:]

RICHIE - Attaboy, Jeremy, keep going!
 

 
FATHER MATTHEW - Have you come to confess, my son?

KERN - I'm not your son.

FATHER MATTHEW - We are all God's children.
 

 
KERN - I knew that. [beat] You looking for specifics or can I be general about this?

FATHER MATTHEW - Whatever you like.
 

 
KERN - Nothing got my appetite going like breaking a couple of femurs.
 

 
DONNA - He's the one who was asking about Duncan.

RICHIE - [reacts, grabbing her shoulders] He was here?!

DONNA - On the street...
 

 
KERN - [steps into room, looking unworried, but baffled to see Richie] Who the hell are you?

RICHIE - Would it make a difference?

KERN - No.
 

 
KERN - Where's MacLeod?

RICHIE - Go to hell.

KERN - I love it when they talk tough.
 

 
RICHIE - Don't tell me... I've looked worse.

MacLEOD - A little oil and vinegar and you'd be fine. [beat] Where's Kern?
 

[MacLeod enters warily through the splintered door, looks around the room, the spear in his hand. MacLeod's POV -- one trashed apartment. He gets the BUZZ. He looks up: Kern is on the roof. MacLeod smiles grimly and heads up.]