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405. Man in the Middle
Originally aired in the U.S. February 20, 2000
Directed by Brad Turner
Written by Lawrence Hertzog
Edited by David B. Thompson
Dialogue transcribed by Cathy
MADELINE’S OFFICE
MADELINE: I see no indication of the Gelman response. Nikita’s irises and pupils are completely normal.
OPERATIONS: Then we’ve lost control of her.
MADELINE: Yes. With Adrian’s help, it seems that Michael has been able to reverse what we’ve done. Do you intend to reinstate the orders for his cancellation?
OPERATIONS: No. Not now. Not as long as he has Adrian.
MADELINE: Well, as long as he has Adrian, he’ll have Nikita.
OPERATIONS: I’m aware of that. When the time is right, we’ll deal appropriately with all three of them.
MADELINE: There may already be a way to deal with Michael and Nikita.
WAR ROOM
OPERATIONS: Wolfgang Volker is the founder and chief operating officer of Volkwerks Industries, the second largest small arms manufacturer on the continent. We’ve been monitoring his operation since they’ve expanded to their new facility in Heilbron. Birkoff has a direct link into their inventory control.
BIRKOFF: As far as I can tell, it appears to be a legitimate organization. No unaccounted shortages, no burglaries. Their security system’s first rate.
OPERATIONS: This is his son, Helmut Volker. In the last month, his activities mainly consisted of living off his father’s fortune and the high life and fast track. In the process, he’s acquired some very interesting friends. All with known ties to Red Cell.
NIKITA: What happened last month?
OPERATIONS: Helmut went to work for his father. Given his associations, and now his access to his father’s inventory, we predict a better than 90% probability that a move will be made by Red Cell to acquire some extremely sophisticated weaponry.
MICHAEL: We have operatives in place.
OPERATIONS: At Volkwerks, yes. But not in Helmut’s party circle. Anna Gunther, Frederick Kraus. Heroin dealers, lovers. That will be our point of entry.
CITY STREET
NIKITA: You always take me to such nice places, Michael. They should be out in a few minutes.
MICHAEL: Where are you staying tonight?
NIKITA: They’ve assigned me to temporary quarters while they scrub all traces of the Gelman process from my little apartment. I’ve got to say, my new pad’s almost as nice as this.
MICHAEL: For how long?
NIKITA: Two weeks.
MICHAEL: You could stay with me.
NIKITA: Are you asking me to move in with you?
MICHAEL: You’d be more comfortable.
NIKITA: Well, is this for two weeks or were you thinking of something a little more…permanent?
MICHAEL: We’d have more privacy.
NIKITA: And how is it that you think that we’re going to get away with that?
MICHAEL: Adrian.
NIKITA: I’ll think about it. Team two, stand by. Target in sight.
MICHAEL: Get in the car.
NIKITA: Give us the heroin.
MICHAEL: She only asks once. Take them in.
NIKITA: Shall we?
HELMUT VOKER’S ESTATE
BUTLER: Follow me.
NIKITA: Another nice place.
BUTLER: Anna Gunther and Frederick Kraus.
HELMUT: We’ve been waiting for you two. That’s enough for tonight; we’ll finish this tomorrow. Gentlemen, play time. Anna Gunther and Frederick Kraus. I must say, I find it hard to believe you are who you say you are.
MICHAEL: And why is that?
HELMUT: Well, it’s much too old for you. Much too…iron stake up the rear and all that.
NIKITA: So you’re not disappointed then?
HELMUT: Only at my failure to make a more appropriate prediction.
You’re both much
too…gorgeous for words. I should have been born with his face.
MICHAEL: Two kilos, Turkish, uncut.
HELMUT: Freddie, please, humor me and ask as if we’re the best of friends. Sit. I’ve been doing business all day and I’m feeling completely bereft of insignificant small talk.
NIKITA: I like your tie.
HELMUT: So, why don’t you two tell me when you knew you were meant for each other and absolutely no one else would do?
NIKITA: I’d say we’re still working on that.
MICHAEL: (to Helmut) You’re interested in making a purchase?
HELMUT: Of course I’m interested, Freddie. Why, do you think all those people out there love me for who I am? And why the rush? You’re my friends now. Stay and party and we’ll do this business tomorrow. Do you know, I have a feeling there’s a bit more of that iron stake stuck up there than we thought, but we’ll have a good yank at it before we let you out into the real world. Alex will make you feel comfortable, and if you insist on being alone, I might have to suggest you lock your door.
OPERATIONS’ PERCH
OPERATIONS: By now, they should have Volker’s attention. Now it’s just a question of how far he’s willing to go.
MADELINE: We knew the probabilities going in -- just under sixty percent. But if Volker is drawn to Nikita as I suspect he is…then I believe we can be confident in the outcome.
VOLKER ESTATE
NIKITA: You noticed who was in the room with Volker when we came in?
MICHAEL: Yes, we’ll need to get into his safe.
NIKITA: It might be easier said than done. I’m not so sure he’s the phony he makes out to be.
MICHAEL: You think there’s more?
NIKITA: You’d think there’d have to be.
HELMUT: Hushed words in my humble hallway?
NIKITA: No, just discussing what good taste you have in champagne.
HELMUT: Yes, I regret I’m cursed with my good taste. It’s murder on the bank account, but it does wonders for the soul.
NIKITA: Nice on the tongue, too.
HELMUT: So…you two are all set then? What say you join me on the shooting range tomorrow morning? You do shoot, Freddie?
MICHAEL: I’m a little out of practice. Nikita is blowing in his ear as he says this.
NIKITA: It’s getting late. Come on, darling. See you in the morning. Good night.
HELMUT: It’s just become that.
VOLKER ESTATE
Helmut invites Nikita out of her bed into his suite.
HELMUT: I always feel that we miss some of life’s more exciting moments when we sleep.
NIKITA: Well, I’ll be sure to keep my eyes open.
HELMUT: And I’ll try to make it worth the effort. In fact, why don’t I do it right now?
NIKITA: Oh.
HELMUT: It’s from Mexico. Not quite Turkish, but almost as good.
NIKITA: It’s late.
HELMUT: The best time for dreams. Dreams we can dream together. Please.
Helmut prepares a syringe of heroin and continues to purswade Nikita to partake of the drug with him. The door opens -- it’s Michael.
NIKITA: Freddie!
MICHAEL: Drugs are the only thing I sell.
HELMUT: Freddie…If somehow I’ve created the wrong impression here, if I made you think that I thought that I could purchase this gorgeous creature, then I’m profusely sorry. You more than anyone should know: one look at her, she’s priceless.
MICHAEL: Then consider the cost in the event you were to break something.
HELMUT: Are you threatening me? I think I’m beginning to like you.
MICHAEL: We can conduct our business tomorrow.
HELMUT: Eight o’clock at the shooting range. It’ll be fun.
VOLKER ESTATE: SHOOTING RANGE
HELMUT: Oh…a bit to the right. This baby packs some kick.
NIKITA: Very serious. Impressive.
HELMUT: My youth was a tortured one, Anna. My father kept all of the best toys for himself. It’s a little bit over my head, but with a slight adjustment, I should be able to zero right in on the target. It’s sort of a smart rocket.
MICHAEL: Something not required of the shooter.
HELMUT: All right, Freddie – since it appears to come down to whose is bigger – please.
MICHAEL: It is heavy. So I just push --
Michael turns his head as he speaks to Helmut, not looking at the target when the weapon discharges, hitting the target.
MICHAEL: Beginner’s luck.
HELMUT: I should say.
HELMUT’S OFFICE
HELMUT: It’s a lot of money, Freddie.
MICHAEL: It’s a lot of heroin, Helmut.
HELMUT: It’s because I like you that I’m taking your word it’s as good as you say it is.
MICHAEL: You’re welcome to test it.
HELMUT: Well, as I say, I like you and that means I trust you. You know, if you’d give me half a chance, I think you could end up liking me too.
MICHAEL: We don’t seem to enjoy the same games.
HELMUT: Well, how do you know if you’ve never played?
MICHAEL: Our business is concluded.
HELMUT: Please. I know we haven’t exactly hit it off, but don’t leave angry. I fail so miserably at most things, but I consider being a charming host one asset. Please, stay for my brunch.
COMM
NIKITA: We have a window. Michael will distract Helmut. I’m proceeding to primary objective.
VOLKER ESTATE
HELMUT: Well, I give up. No doubt you’ve murdered the lovely Anna in a jealous rage and buried the body on the grounds, thus framing the ardent rival?
MICHAEL: She’s changing.
HELMUT: My God, I hope not! Hey, have you tried the little sausage quiche?
MICHAEL: Can we talk for a moment?
HELMUT: Hmmm…tell you what. I’ll keep my mouth busy, and you talk
MICHAEL: It’s about Anna.
HELMUT: Hmmm, I can imagine. Almost everything is.
MICHAEL: When I conduct business, it’s just that -- business. I enjoy your money, you enjoy your games. I expect that in the future, we can continue to do what we all do best.
HELMUT: Really? Are you authorized to speak for both of you? Looks like the yank at the old stake didn’t budge it much, but we tried, right? Friends?
Two young women approach.
HELMUT: Karyn, Celine. This is Freddie.
CELINE: Always keeping the best to yourself, Helmie?
HELMUT: I tried but I’m coping with bitter rejection. Leave some for the other vultures, huh kids? Hey, they bite, Freddie -- but in all the right places.
Helmut goes to Michael and Nikita’s suite.
HELMUT: Hello? Anna?
Flash back to the party.
CELINE: Karyn thinks my dress is tacky. Too obvious. What do you think?
MICHAEL: It is.
Helmut continues looking for Nikita and finds her in his office.
HELMUT: What are you doing in here?
NIKITA: I just wanted to get away from the noise. First century Roman. It must be worth a fortune.
HELMUT: Yes. It is.
NIKITA: It’s beautiful.
HELMUT: Yeah. So when are you going to tell me the truth?
NIKITA: Truth about what?
HELMUT: That you don’t love Freddie. Hmmm. All right, truth or dare. I’ll start. My father is despicably wealthy and getting older as we speak. His health, well, let’s just say he’s not up to a full 18 holes anymore. Do you know what this is worth? The last offer I had was for $250,000.
NIKITA: It’s beautiful.
HELMUT: Yeah. (he drops it) Pocket change, given what I stand to inherit. Regrettably, there’s a codicil to my father’s will. Everything he has comes to me if I’m married and settled down.
NIKITA: How unusual for you.
HELMUT: Isn’t it? Thus the question becomes, will my father’s heart shut down before mine opens up? That would truly be a shame. Your turn.
NIKITA: Well, what would you like me to say?
HELMUT: I believe I just asked you to marry me.
SECTION ONE
OPERATIONS: These are Nikita’s photographs of the inventory Volker has arranged to sell to Red Cell. The plan is to hijack a truck belonging to one of Volkwerk’s regular customers, making it look like business as usual.
BIRKOFF: I’ve accessed the company’s delivery logs. Mandelux makes two pickups a week but for security reasons the exact time and place are only confirmed two hours before they’re scheduled to arrive. Volker uses a fairly sophisticated cipher system on his cell phone. I’m working on it, but I haven’t had much luck.
MICHAEL: If we fail to get the route in time, the factory loading dock is the most effective point of contact.
OPERATIONS: Was, Michael. We no longer intend to interfere with the sale. Volker’s value as a permanent source of information and given his rise in status within Red Cell that the success of this arms deal will give him outweigh the importance of this one mission.
MADELINE: And given his infatuation with Nikita, we feel that her continued connection to him can be extremely useful to us.
NIKITA: Are you saying you’d like me to accept his, uh, proposal?
MADELINE: Yes.
NIKITA: For how long?
MADELINE: Indefinitely.
CORRIDOR
BIRKOFF: It might have just worked out that way.
WALTER: You know how things are, amigo. Things don’t just “work out” around here, they happen for a business.
BIRKOFF: Even at the cost of letting Red Cell get their hands on that shipment – you think they’re doing this all to get rid of Nikita?
WALTER: It’s a numbers game. Michael, Nikita, Volker, Nikita and Red Cell: they pull the level, whatever comes out three cherries, that’s the jackpot.
NIKITA: Walter?
WALTER: Back here, sugar.
NIKITA: You said you wanted to see me?
WALTER: Mmm-hmmm. (he wheels out a tray of cupcakes) They’re for you, cupcake.
NIKITA: What is this?
WALTER: Think of it as a government low-budget bon voyage party. I’m just trying to make it as painless as possible. They’re not rigged, and there’s no electronic files baked inside them or anything. Well here’s…here’s looking at you, kid.
NIKITA: You two talk like I’m never coming back. I’m getting married, not cancelled.
WALTER: Close enough. Keep your powder dry. Sure as hell going to miss you.
NIKITA: I’ll be back.
CHURCH
MICHAEL: What are you thinking?
NIKITA: About the man I’m going to marry. It’s one thing to convince another man that I love him enough to marry him. But the idea of not seeing you again--
MICHAEL: You have to separate Anna’s life from Nikita’s.
NIKITA: Is that what you did with Elena?
MICHAEL: I tried.
NIKITA: So even with everything that you went through, you still think it’s possible to hold on to your heart?
MICHAEL: Yes. We’ll find a way to stop this.
VOLKER ESTATE
HELMUT: Ah, I wasn’t sure you’d come.
NIKITA: I said I would.
HELMUT: Yes, but it’s beauty’s prerogative to not always deliver what’s promised. I keep trying to read your eyes…and they flash and they sparkle…but somehow manage to not give an answer.
NIKITA: Yes. All right. I’ll marry you.
COMM
MICHAEL: Have you been able to decipher Volker’s cell phone code?
BIRKOFF: No, not yet. But since the mission’s been scrapped, it’s no longer a priority.
MICHAEL: If it was?
BIRKOFF: He’s using an encryption code that can’t be remotely scanned. I’d have to physically get a hold of the phone and use a nam demodulator to clone the algorithm. Like I said, it’s no longer a priority.
MUNITIONS
WALTER: It’s a nam demodulator. It’s a variation on what the ripoff guys are using to clone cell phones. A little more sophisticated in that it can handle digital coding and encryption schemes. It ain’t fast, though.
MICHAEL: How long?
WALTER: If it’s simple, a minute. From there, well it’s anybody’s guess. Up to three, four minutes probably. (Michael takes it) You know I’m going to have to log this.
MICHAEL: You’ll think of something. (Michael walks away)
WALTER: Yeah, yeah, I always think of something. Michael.
NIKITA’S APARTMENT
NIKITA: We’re leaving for Buenos Aires later tonight.
MICHAEL: I know.
NIKITA: I’m sure he’s going to want the deal to go down sometime before we leave.
MICHAEL: (hands her the nam demodulator) If we want to stop it, we need to know when.
NIKITA: Do you think this is going to work?
MICHAEL: If he fails with Red Cell, he’ll no longer be of use to them. This marriage will be…
NIKITA: Pointless. I’ve got to go.
OPERATIONS’ PERCH
OPERATIONS: Madeline? My office.
HELMUT’S OFFICE
HELMUT: I’ll be expecting your call. I’ll talk to you later.
NIKITA: Hi.
HELMUT: Promise me that you’ll leave me at least once a day so that I can have the pleasure of watching you come back through the door.
NIKITA: You’re very good at this. Charming.
HELMUT: It’s all planned. Our plane leaves at ten. I’ve arranged for the ceremony Sunday afternoon.
OPERATIONS’ PERCH
OPERATIONS: I came across this anomaly in our records.
MADELINE: A nam demodulator? You can trace it.
OPERATIONS: No, it slipped through the cracks. There’s no repair order. It’s listed as being out, with a bad circuit board.
MADELINE: Did you check the replacement schedule?
OPERATIONS: It doesn’t show up. It was on inventory when we planned the Volker mission, but now it seems to be missing. Michael?
MADELINE: We both knew there was a chance he’d try to interfere.
OPERATIONS: Even putting himself at risk with Oversight?
MADELINE: To prevent the marriage. To keep Nikita to himself. He’s already shown us how much he’s willing to risk.
OPERATIONS: (hits the intercom) Davenport, team briefing, fifteen minutes.
HELMUT’S SUITE
HELMUT: I have to tell you, it’s a bit lonely in here.
NIKITA: Well, when you come out, you’ll have all the company you need.
HELMUT: Yeah, huh…I’m all for cleanliness but, uh, bathing first, I don’t know. It takes away the spontaneity.
NIKITA: I’m sorry. Just one of my quirks.
HELMUT: I expect to find out about all your quirks. Oh, you’re still dressed.
NIKITA: Well, I thought that you might like to give me some help.
VOLKER ESTATE
HELMUT: Volker here.
VOICE: Can you talk?
HELMUT: Ja.
VOICE: 8:00 tonight at Volkwerks.
HELMUT: I’ll be there.
NIKITA: Everything all right?
HELMUT: Ja, like clockwork.
VOLKWERKS
HELMUT: You have the schedule? All right.
MAN: OK
HELMUT: Very good.
Cut to the estate.
BUTLER: I think this is everything, Madam. The plane just arrived. Do you expect Mr. Volker shortly?
NIKITA: Yes, any minute. Thank you.
Back at Volkwerks.
HELMUT: That’s the last stack? That’s all of it? Good.
DAVENPORT: Birkoff, the truck is leaving. It’s a done deal. We’ll maintain contact with the target.
VOLKER ESTATE
HELMUT: There she is. You seem surprised to see me.
NIKITA: No, I mean…I was just…well, I thought you’d be here sooner.
HELMUT: You must promise to always miss me.
NIKITA: Of course.
HELMUT: Come. We have a plane to catch.
OPERATIONS’ PERCH
OPERATIONS: Having Adrian does not give you free rein. Nikita’s mission is justifiable. I’m sure not even Oversight would take kindly to your interference. You are expendable.
MICHAEL: I know.
OPERATIONS: It’s over, Michael. Nikita has her job to do and you have yours. Forget about her.
MICHAEL: Is that all?
OPERATIONS: For the moment.
BUENOS AIRES: OUTSIDE
MINISTER: Do you, Helmut Volker, take this woman, Anna Gunther to be your lawfully wedded wife, to love honor and cherish so long as you both shall live?
HELMUT: I do.
MINISTER: And do you, Anna Gunther, take this man, Helmut Volker, to be your lawfully wedded husband, to love honor and cherish until death do you part?
NIKITA: I do.
MINISTER: Then by the power vested in me, I now pronounce you
man and wife. You may kiss the bride.
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