Date: Tue, 6 Feb 1996 08:27:17 -0500 Reply-To: Frank Balon Sender: Highlander TV show stories From: Frank Balon Subject: The Old Timer 1/5 A few weeks ago there was some discussion on HIGHLA-L concerning older people becoming new Immortals. Also, we have been introduced to the child Immortal "Kenny" in the third and forth season episodes "The Lamb" and "Reunion". This story has nothing to do with Kenny, however. It is 180 degrees away. It explores the scenario of an older man suffering his first death, and becoming Immortal. This story features Doctor Anne Lindsey, Richie Ryan, Joe Dawson, and my own character, Joe Pavelski. There are a few somewhat graphic descriptions of violence. These are typical of the Highlander Universe and sadly, our own.... at least our little corner of it. Comments are always welcome, Frank D. Balon "The Old Timer" part 1 of 5 A Highlander Story by Frank D. Balon Seacouver....January 1996 Joe Pavelski looked back over his shoulder at the approaching gang of youths. After abandoning his broken-down car, the older man was forced to make his way through a less desirable area of the city. It was a chilly damp night, typical of the winter in the Pacific Northwest. The time was only about 8:00 P.M., but the street was empty save for himself and the five teenagers. Even though he had already come more than two miles, he was not winded or tired. Athletically inclined as a young man, he had always stayed active, and in fact still enjoyed long walks and regular exercise. Apprehensive at first, he now felt a rush of fear. He saw that the group had fanned out about 20 yards behind him. And then glancing forward again, he was startled by the abrupt appearance of two more of them. Blocking Joe's way, the taller of the pair spoke. "Hey old man, got a lite?" By now, all seven of the toughs had surrounded him. He quickly looked around himself and saw that there was no avenue of escape. "I'm sorry..." he stammered, "I don't smoke." "How about your wallet then?" Hissed a second boy. "And your watch..... and rings too." This voice came from behind, almost in his ear. Before Joe could respond, he was roughly pushed against the nearest wall. As his back banged against the rough bricks, he instinctively raised his arms to protect his head and face. A hand reached out and knocked his hat to the ground, exposing his full shock of white hair. The tall boy strode forward and delivered a crushing punch to the older man's stomach. With this, the group attacked like a pack of wolves. A steel pipe smashed into his midsection, then again, across his forearms, shattering the bone. The resulting explosion of pain was more intense than anything he had ever experienced or imagined. Even to scream was impossible, with his breath expelled from his lungs by the force of the body blows. Under a rain of clenched fists and booted feet, Joe slumped to the pavement. But like sharks at a feeding frenzy, the gang continued their vicious attack. Finally, after what seemed an eternity, the horrible beating stopped. As Joe lay on the ground, two of the punks began to pull on his overcoat, wrenching it off of his torso. Another removed his wallet while yet another tore off his wrist watch. A kick and a push against his fractured rib cage served to roll him onto his back. Through a dizzy haze of agony and blood, Joe saw the unmistakable form of a handgun leveling inches from his chest. His head pounding, he heard a voice screaming "DO IT.... WAIST THE OLD FART!" Everything seemed to get dark as his vision began to tunnel, focusing on the gun. Oddly, time seemed to slow down, and in doing so, Joe's thoughts seemed to turn inward, to old memories. As the weapon flashed, he was thinking of his wife's funeral, fifteen years earlier. Doctor Anne Lindsey was working the midnight shift at the Emergency Room at Seacouver General when the ambulance, sirens wailing, pulled to the entrance. The paramedics had called ahead and had reported that they were in route with a mugging victim. The report also stated that the man had suffered numerous injuries including broken bones, multiple lacerations, and a single gunshot wound. As they wheeled him in, Anne asked the ambulance tech, "What are his signs?" She gasped to herself, seeing the broken figure on the stretcher, the torn, blood soaked white shirt and the swollen, bruised and dirtied face. Putting aside her feelings, she went to her job. "His blood pressure is almost non-existant and his pulse is very weak and erratic. He was left in the cold for at least two hours before a passing police car spotted him." "We're starting to loose him....GET HIM ON THE TABLE NOW!" Anne shouted, seeing the man begin loosing all life signs. Working feverishly, she and ER team plied all of their skills, but to no avail. As Joe's heartbeat went flat line, Anne resigned herself to the inevitable. "Dam ....His injuries were too bad....he's gone." Turning toward the ambulance driver, she asked, "Do we know his name? The man answered "No, they cleaned out the poor old guy, they took his wallet, any ID, everything. The police said that they will have to wait for somebody to report him missing." Anne thought to herself, 'how terrible to die completely alone, nobody even knows your name...' And then growing angry '...What kind of animals could do this?' Then, speaking to an orderly, "Please take him down to the morgue. I'll be down in a few minutes to do the report.....Thanks." Standing over the sheet covered body, Anne completed the standard form. She filled in the blanks: White male; Age...70-75; Height...72 inches; Weight...170 lbs.;Cause of Death... Multiple trauma by blunt object, single gunshot wound to torso. She hesitated at the line: Name... , then started to write: John Doe... Then it happened. The Immortal Seed that had laid dormant for so many years had finally been given it's catalyst . In that instant that Joe had died, only minutes before, the power that is the Quickening flowered and bloomed anew. Bursting forth, the ageless energy began its gift of healing and rebirth. As Joe's body lurched, Anne screamed and stumbled backwards, away from the examinating table. "OH MY GOD !" she cried, while the man drew in a loud, convulsing breath. A bare arm appeared from under the sheet, grabbing at the fabric. Pulling the cover away, the man began rolling onto his side, supporting himself on his right arm. He completed the motion by finishing in a sitting up position. The expression on his face was one of confusion, unfocused and distant. Then, taking his left hand, he felt the side of his face and continued by running his fingers through his mussed, snow-white hair. His eyes searched the room and found Anne clutching her clipboard, her eyes wide with fear. "Where am I ?" He asked. "How did I get here? And then the inevitable question: "What has happened to Me?" In the few seconds since the man *awoke* , Anne had realized what must have taken place. Calming herself, she thought, ' He's like Duncan.... He's an Immortal.' Then, with a rush of panic, 'And what do I do now? He can't stay here. I have to get him out of here with no one seeing. But how?' Stepping toward the man, she asked "What's your name?" "Joe Pavelski." "All right.... Joe, please listen to me now, we don't have much time. Something has happened to you that I can't really explain. Something that is, well, unbelievable. You were dead, and now, ..... you're not..." She gasped again as the sheet fell away, exposing the man's bare chest. Where there had been the gaping gunshot wound, as well as the numerous welts and contusions, was now smooth, unmarked skin. She stepped forward, her thoughts racing to form a course of action. "Please come with me. You must do exactly what I say. And please, you must trust me." Allowing the woman to take him by the arm, Joe slid off of the table. He looked down at his chest and touched it with his palm. "...I was...shot...I...remember now... I was surrounded ... and they were hitting me and..." "Yes, it did happen." Anne interrupted. "But we must leave now....Please." "Where are we going?" "To somebody who can explain everything." End of Part 1 of 5 =========================================================================