MacLEOD - Chicken pox. Nothing more than a very good excuse for playing badly.
 

 
CLAUDIA - No, Duncan. I was a spoiled brat when you met me twelve years ago.
 

 
MacLEOD - I'm surprised you didn't crate up Carnegie Hall and have it shipped in.
 

 
CLAUDIA - I would if I could. Duncan, I have a major international tour to prepare for.

[She sits herself down and does a little trial run. It's not perfect, but then, few things are.]

CLAUDIA - (CONT'D) You've done better.

MacLEOD - [to the tuner] Thank you.

[The tuner gathers his kit and exits. MacLeod presses a piano key, she smacks his hand. He grins.]
 

 
METHOS - To me, it's like sleeping.
 

 
ALEXA - Alexa Bond.
 

[MacLeod and Claudia stroll down a quiet back street.]

CLAUDIA - Who are these so-called friends of yours we're meeting?

MacLEOD - Relax, would you. It might actually do you some good to get out of the limelight for a minute.

CLAUDIA - [patronizing] Oh, and meet some "real" people for a change.

MacLEOD - [hides a smile] Almost ...
 

 
[MacLeod scratches himself around his hips and bodice, the itchy wool of the dress irritating him no end.]

WALTER (as "Petruchio") - They shall go forward, Kate, at thy command. Obey the bride, you that attend on her. Go to the feast, revel and domineer, Carouse full measure to her maidenhead, Be mad and merry, or go hang yourselves.

[THE AUDIENCE howls, pointing at the awkward Kate, ribbing each other and hollering insults.]

WALTER (as "Petruchio") - But for my bonny Kate, she must with me. Nay, look not big, nor stamp, nor stare, nor fret...
 

 
[The following scene will finish in the B.G.]

BAPTISTA - Nay, let them go, a couple of quiet ones.

GREMIO - Went they not quickly, I should die with laughing.

TRANIO - Of all mad matches never was the like.

LUCENTIO - Mistress, what's your opinion of your sister?

BIANCA - That being mad herself, she's madly mated.

GREMIO - I warrant him, Petruchio is Kated.

BAPTISTA - Neighbors and friends, though bride and bridegroom wants, For to supply the places at the table, you know there wants no junkets at the feast. [to Tranio] Lucentio, you shall supply the bridegroom's place, And let Bianca take her sister's room.

TRANIO - Shall sweet Bianca practice how to bride it?

BAPTISTA - She shall, Lucentio. Core, gentlemen, let's go.

[They exit the stage to much applause.]
 

 
WALTER - When you can beat me with a sword, you can play the part. [holds up a finger] Cheer up... Listen to how they love us -- music to my ears...

[He turns to greet the other actors as they come off the stage. On disgruntled, itchy MacLeod...]
 

[MacLeod is incredulous as he pulls Walter aside.]

MacLEOD - [sotto voce] That was you in the car?!

WALTER - Of course.

[An anxious look toward Claudia, caught up in her music. MacLeod steers Walter to the elevator.]
 

 
MacLEOD - If you say so.

METHOS - I'm telling you, I haven't felt this way since... well, you don't want to know.

MacLEOD - She seems very... nice.

METHOS - She's more than nice.
 

[MacLeod looks around for a moment. A vedette is passing by in the water in front of him. He makes a decision and leaps from the bank onto.]

TESSA - (O.S.) Hey, what are you doing?

[Where an assortment of tourists react. MacLeod is cool as ever, reacts as though nothing out of the ordinary has happened.]

MacLEOD - I'm sorry. I didn't want to miss the boat.

[We cut to see the police on the bridge. MacLeod walks to an empty seat.]

TESSA - What do you think you're doing?

MacLEOD - Ah, I didn't want to miss the tour.

TESSA - Is this the way you always make an entrance?

MacLEOD - I was trying to make an impression.

TESSA - You did. Bravo. [beat] You could have been hurt and there's another boat in fifteen minutes.

[MacLeod looks her directly in the eyes.]

MacLEOD - I wanted this one.

[Tessa is caught off guard.]

TESSA - I... You...

[Tessa eyes him with a mixture of humor and attraction, then turns back to her tour.]

TESSA - (CONT'D) I'm sorry for this interruption, ladies and gentlemen. [with a smile] I told you Paris was full of surprises. [beat] Behind you we have the Cathedral of Notre Dame. Construction began in 1163 and was completed in 1342.

[MacLeod smiles sheepishly and raises his hand.]

TESSA - (CONT'D) Yes ... what do you want?

MacLEOD - It was completed in 1345.

TESSA - [incredulous] What?

MacLEOD - Notre Dame was completed in 1345.

TESSA - How do you know? [beat] I suppose you were there?

MacLEOD - [smiles] Well, no actually it was a little bit before my time.

TESSA - Anyway, as I said, construction was completed in 1343.

MacLEOD - Five.

TESSA - Three. The Seine divides Paris in two parts. This is the left bank.

[We cut to shots of Paris.]
 

 
METHOS - Pure panic. [beat] I can't seem to stop thinking about her.
 

 
[Methos grins -- a look between the friends is interrupted by a deep sigh from Claudia in the other room.]

MacLEOD - (CONT'D) [resigned] Must be time for her noon feeding.
 

 
[Claudia slaps down the magazine, calls in to them.]

CLAUDIA - Hello! Would somebody like to pay a little attention to me?!

MacLEOD - [dry] It's what I live for.

[They move to join her.]
 

 
CLAUDIA - Yes, but they don't have to know that.
 

 
MacLEOD - That's crap! Your talent was something you had -- it isn't who you are. [She turns away. MacLeod turns her back.] Claudia, listen to me. I'm not going to tell you that you'll get back... whatever it is you've lost. Nothing is ever the same. That's how it is for us. But there are also possibilities. Endless and wonderful. Future upon future, but only if you know how to protect yourself.
 

 
CLAUDIA - [eyes him] Run that by me again.

MacLEOD - Through those doors is Holy Ground. No one can kill you there.
 

 
WALTER - Wait! [breaks] I promise.

MacLEOD - Promise what?

WALTER - [beat] I promise to leave her alone.
 

 
MacLEOD - And who said that?

WALTER - I did.

MacLEOD - You're getting better.

WALTER - You really think so?