========================================================================= Date: Sun, 10 Mar 1996 10:46:00 PST Reply-To: Mike Goldman Sender: Highlander TV show stories From: Mike Goldman Subject: "Scavenger Hunt" (1/11)--HL Story The people hiding in the dark of Joe's Bar heard the conversation: "I don't understand why we had to stop here." came Joe's voice. "I told you," explained Rory, "I don't think Matt remembered to turn off his amp and I don't want anything to happen to his equipment or to the bar." "So why can't Matt come and check?" "It was on our way. Don't worry -- I'm still taking you out for your birthday." Grumbling from Joe. "Y'know," Rory said brightly, "for such a young guy, you can be a real grouch." There was an unidentifiable sound. "Ouch!" Rory cried. "You know, you're getting *way* too handy with that cane, geezer." The second sound was much more identifiable. "Ow!" she cried again. "*Give me that*!" "Geez," she muttered, "some people..." Footsteps were heard and lights suddenly blazed on. "Surprise!" everyone yelled at the completely unsuspecting Joe, who pulled back in shock and surprise, looking at Rory with narrowed eyes. She shrugged and smiled, but kept the cane firmly out of his reach until he finally smiled back. "Happy birthday, Joseph." she whispered, kissing him on the cheek. "Thank you." he said, kissing her back. Duncan was next. "Happy Birthday, Dawson. You're looking good for such an old guy." "Gee, thanks, Mac. I feel so much better." Joe responded. Rory made a disparaging sound. "We can't *all* be male models frozen in time, Macleod." Duncan made a face and moved on. As the next group of well-wishers came up, Joe whispered, "I wish you and Mac would get along better." "Hey, it's been almost a hundred years." she whispered back, "Why mess with tradition?" She patted him on the shoulder. "Gotta go check on things." she excused herself and delved into the crowd. Joe rolled his eyes, wondering why that higher power he kept beseeching had not intervened as of yet, and greeted his guests, including Amanda and Anne. "Amanda!" Joe exclaimed as she came up to him, "I didn't expect to see you!" "I never miss a party." purred the Immortal, her vinyl outfit causing Joe to squint as the lights bounced off it. She kissed him on the cheek and then used her thumb to wipe off the scarlet imprint. "Enjoy." she said and then was gone. Anne was next, holding baby Mary. "Happy birthday, Joe." "Thanks, Anne." He held out his arms. "May I?" She nodded and handed Mary over to him. "Hi, little one." he cooed. "Did you get an invitation for tonight?" "I hope you don't mind..." Anne started. "Mind? Of course not." Joe waved his free hand as if to wipe away Anne's statement. "The Lindsay women are always welcome here." He handed Mary back to Anne. "Except when they're wet." "Oops. Sorry about that." Anne scooped up Mary and retreated to the back room to change her infant daughter. The party was soon under full swing. People availed themselves of the food and drink laid out on the tables and the conversation soon reached a dull roar, competing with the music. After about an hour, Amanda stepped onto the stage and up to the mic, waving at Rory back at the soundboard, who obligingly cut the music. She tapped the mic and then jumped at the slight feedback. "Ahem. People?" She clapped her hands. "As you know, we're all here for Joe's birthday. I'm in charge of the entertainment." "God help us." Duncan said under his breath. "Now," she continued, "several of my *early* ideas were rejected..." she paused and looked at Rory, Duncan and Richie who studiously looked at anything *but* Amanda. "However, I did come up with something that seemed to meet with approval--a scavenger hunt!" "The way it works," Amanda explained, "is that I will draw names out of a hat. Those two people will be a team and will receive a list of items they must find and bring back. None of these items can be personal items nor can they be bought. When all the teams are assembled, you will have 3 hours to complete your mission." Rory grabbed a hat from behind her and made her way up to the stage, holding the hat while Amanda drew names. "Let's see..." she mused, pulling out two slips of paper. "Joe Dawson and Anne Lindsay." Anne and baby Mary made their way over to Joe. "Well, we probably won't be the *fastest* team." she said, smiling. "But we'll be one of the better-looking." he responded, throwing his cane over one arm and threading his other hand around her elbow. Amanda drew a couple more names, then "Richie Ryan and..." she called. "Amanda LeFauvre." Amanda smiled -- only semi-predatorially -- while Richie looked half-excited and half-terrified at the thought of being alone with Amanda for an extended period of time. Things were getting down to the last few people. Amanda pulled one of the few remaining pieces of paper out of the hat. "Duncan Macleod!" she announced. Joe stole a look at Rory, who had her fingers crossed, eyes squeezed shut and lips apparently moving in a prayer. "Rory Malone!" Rory's lips stopped moving, her eyes opened, and she looked balefully at the ceiling. Mac looked about as happy. Joe smiled to himself. . he thought, . The last few names were drawn and Amanda reiterated the rules, then set the people on their way. Joe and Anne left as well, but not before chuckling at the sight of Mac and Rory circling each other at Mac's convertible. "Okay, Macleod, let's do this." Rory said resignedly, jumping into the convertible. Duncan slid less than enthusiastically into the driver's seat, tossing the list to Rory. "What's on it?" She unfolded the paper. "Let's see...a flyswatter, pink toilet paper, a pink feather boa, dog collar, Big Mac box and one bottle of Scotch." She folded up the paper and placed it in her trenchcoat pocket. "A flyswatter?" "Yep." "Great." said Mac, as he pulled out into traffic. "Where are we going to find a free flyswatter in Seacouver at this time of night?"