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313. Beyond the Pale
Written by Lawrence Hertzog
Directed by Rene Bonniere
Guest Starring: Jamie Harris, Michael Cram
Transcribed by Christine
DINING AREA-Section
Operations and Madeline are seated at a table, having breakfast.
OPERATIONS: Your report is very thorough.
MADELINE: What’s your decision?
OPERATIONS: I’ve got two men, one job. Head Strategist is a significant promotion.
MADELINE: Michael’s more qualified.
OPERATIONS: In terms of time served? Yes. But even looking at your report, Zalman might be better suited for it.
MADELINE: (thinks about this) I wouldn’t underestimate Michael’s reaction to this.
OPERATIONS: (smug) Michael’s a team player.
MADELINE: Maybe. But he wants this post, and he knows he deserves it. He may not show it, but he will be resentful.
OPERATIONS: (picks up a hand-held pager/phone) Have Michael come to my office.
Female voice: Right away, sir.
OPERATIONS: (rises from the table, smiling) Thank you for your input.
Madeline remains seated, watching as he leaves. She is clearly
unhappy that Michael is being passed over for Zalman.
OPERATIONS’ LOFT
Michael enters, taking a stand before Operations.
OPERATIONS: I hear you made some progress on the Vincent Tomas situation.
MICHAEL: Yes. I believe we located the nucleus of his operation. I’ve gone over the layout with Birkoff.
Operations pivots away at a 45 degree angle, and stares out his window, leaving Michael to study his profile.
OPERATIONS: Michael, I know you expected the promotion to Head Strategist. And over the years, I indicated that the job might one day be yours.
Operations turns back to face Michael directly.
OPERATIONS: But you’re a field man. The best I have. The Head Strategist position… I believe it would be a mistake for both of us.
Michael listens intently, his expression guarded, though not pleased.
MICHAEL: Is that all?
OPERATIONS: This isn’t personal, Michael.
MICHAEL: Of course.
He turns and exits the office, Operations stares after him.
NIKITA’S APARTMENT
Nikita is asleep in her bed. The creaking of footsteps on her hardwood flooring in her apartment awakens her. As the steps drawer closer, she slowly slides her hand beneath her pillow and grabs her gun. She jerks upright, swinging her gun in the direction of the sound. Michael stands at the landing to her bedroom. She sighs with relief and lowers the gun.
NIKITA: Michael.
Michael doesn’t reply, but just looks at her calmly.
NIKITA: What’s wrong?
He walks to her bedside, so that she now has to look up at him.
MICHAEL: We’re getting out.
NIKITA: (confused) How? It’s impossible.
MICHAEL: I’ll explain. Get dressed.
He turns and goes back down the stairs to the main apartment area. Nikita swings her legs over the side of the bed, and sits there. Her expression is one of thoughtful musing.
BRIEFING TABLE
Michael sits in the center chair, along with Walter, Zalman, and two other operatives. Operations is briefing them on a mission.
OPERATIONS: For the past six months, there’s been a sharp increase in Red Cell activities. We believe that Vincent Tomas has taken the helm in Europe and is responsible for the escalation.
The holograph screen appears, showing Tomas’ image.
OPERATIONS: He’s operating as he did in Asia, using a well concealed mobile cell to communicate with a number of satellite substations. Tactically, we have to strike all locations simultaneously to keep one from informing the other. Zalman, our new Head Strategist will coordinate the strike from inside Section. Michael will lead the cell team in the field. Any further questions will be directed to Zalman.
Zalman sits at the end of the table wearing a smug expression. Michael’s face remains unreadable. Finished with the briefing, Operations moves off. The operatives begin to rise, as does Michael, buttoning his jacket as he strides off.
ZALMAN: Michael!
Michael stops and turns to face Zalman, who takes a stance before him.
ZALMAN: I just wanted you to know that I studied all your files, and I have nothing but respect for the work that you’ve done here. I’m really looking forward to having you as my point man.
Zalman actually looks sincere as he says this, but Michael is unimpressed.
MICHAEL: My team will be ready.
ZALMAN: Oh, I know that.
Michael strides off; Zalman watches his retreat.
MUNITIONS AREA
Walter and Nikita are standing at the worktable, gathering equipment for the upcoming mission.
WALTER: If you ask me, the whole thing stinks! Everyone around here respects Michael. He’s a leader. I don’t know what Zalman does besides fit in.
NIKITA: He’s not a threat.
WALTER: Michael say anything to you?
NIKITA: Well, you know Michael. It’s the job; you do it.
WALTER: (nods) Uh. Well, you’re pretty much ready here. I’m just gonna log these things out.
He turns from the table, taking the few steps to the wall where his log-in system is built in. Nikita stays at the table, throwing Walter a side glance, before busying herself with a black zip-up carrying bag. Michael approaches, striding quickly and purposefully into the area. He walks past Nikita and Walter, and into the off-limits back storage area.
WALTER: Hey, Michael!
He rushes after Michael into the storage area.
WALTER: Hey, hold on!
Michael continues further into the storage area. Walter hurries after him.
WALTER: Where are you going? You know I can’t let you back here! Well… well maybe I can help you, if you just tell me what you want!
MICHAEL: Nothing.
Nikita now moves to some secured, pull-out storage drawers, also built into the wall. She opens one and removes a Section router.
MICHAEL: I need a note from Zalman, is that it?
WALTER: No. No. Look, nobody’s with Operations on this one. But it didn’t happen for you and it can’t change the rules!
Nikita hurriedly puts the phone transmitter into her bag. Michael begins reversing his steps, Walter following. Michael passes by Nikita.
MICHAEL: We’re going out in one hour.
Nikita throws affords him a glance, as he exits the area.
WALTER: You’re going to have a swell time.
NIKITA: (smiling) We’ll be okay.
WALTER: Watch your flank!
NIKITA: Thanks.
WALTER: Maybe you better watch his too.
Nikita gives him an amused smile, then looks at him thoughtfully.
WALTER: What are you looking at, Sugar?
NIKITA: Just the best part of my day.
She zips up her bag and turns to leave.
WALTER: Keep on talking like that I’ll forget how old I am.
Nikita stops and turns back to look at Walter again. They smile
at each other, then Walter turns back to complete his logging of equipment.
He doesn’t see Nikita’s expression turn to one of sadness.
TOMAS MISSION
We see a large cargo truck driving down a road. The surrounding area appears remote and is wooded. Nikita is driving the truck; Michael occupies the passenger seat.
NIKITA: How long you think it’ll take them to know we’ve got the field router?
MICHAEL: Once we use it, they’ll know.
NIKITA: (nods and glances over at him) Then they’ll come after us?
MICHAEL: That’s right.
NIKITA: Michael, are you running away because you lost a post to Zalman?
MICHAEL: (staring out at the road before them) In Section, you either move up or move out.
NIKITA: I understand that, Michael. I just don’t understand why you need me.
MICHAEL: (still watching the road) I don’t need you. (Now he looks over to her pointedly, so that she also turns to look at him) I want you.
Nikita clearly doesn’t expect to hear this from him, and she refocuses on the road. She can’t help but be pleased and she smiles, as Michael continues to study her.
Flash to Section
Operations is seated at the table, where he and Madeline ate earlier. He is watching the nearby monitor, listening in as the mission plays out.
ZALMAN: Status.
BIRKOFF: Seven teams deployed. Team one will make target. They will have two minutes to secure the nucleus station, shut down communications and acquire Tomas before the satellite teams hit.
ZALMAN: Michael’s team?
BIRKOFF: They’re within the perimeter now.
TOMAS MISSION
The cargo truck pulls up to a large house. The back doors of the truck open and operatives jump out. Michael gets out of the passenger side, gun in-hand, and leads the operatives toward the house. As they begin dispersing to surround the building, Nikita gets out of the truck, and waits. Michael pushes open the front door of the house and leads the way inside. The house is empty. They walk around the interior, looking about, but the house is clearly deserted.
Flash to Section
ZALMAN: Status report. Do you have Tomas?
Back to Tomas house
MICHAEL: Condition blue. The location is clear.
ZALMAN (via com): You didn’t find anything?
Flash to Section
MICHAEL (via com): Looks like they pulled out within the last twenty-four hours.
Back to Tomas house
The assisting operatives take the stairs to the basement to go check it out. When they are out of sight, Michael moves to stand before a glass-paneled door, obviously a signal to Nikita, who sees him and heads for the house. Michael opens the doors for her to enter.
MICHAEL: This way.
Nikita follows as Michael leads out a back door.
Flash to Section
ZALMAN: Michael? Michael, status! Look, is there any indication whatsoever that they might have had advance warning.
Back to Tomas house
Nikita looks worriedly to Michael.
MICHAEL: Yes. They knew. End of report.
He presses buttons on the router, which cuts off his communication, sending a loud shrill noise into the comm ear pieces.
Flash to Section
ZALMAN: What the hell is going on!?
Zalman is holding his ear piece with a finger, as if pressing it will clear the shrilling beeps.
MALE VOICE: We lost signal.
ZALMAN: Michael?
Birkoff stares at his computer screen with disbelief. The beeps continue.
ZALMAN: Michael!
BIRKOFF: I’ve got to shift op frequencies to try to get comm back.
Back to Tomas house
Nikita is staring at Michael, waiting for direction.
MICHAEL: Let’s go.
They begin running, heading for the woods, Nikita following Michael. When they come to an incline in the terrain, Michael turns back and takes Nikita’s hand to help her up. They continue running.
Flash to Section
BIRKOFF: Try it.
He taps at his keyboard.
ZALMAN: Michael. Michael!
Back to Tomas house
We see the other operatives exiting the Tomas house.
ZALMAN (via com): Can anyone hear me?
MALE OP: This is Team Two. Fredricks.
ZALMAN (via com): Thank God! Where the hell is Michael!
FREDRICKS: Uh, sir, we don’t exactly know.
Back to Section
ZALMAN: What do you mean, you don’t know!
Birkoff looks up, shocked.
FREDRICKS (via com): He’s missing, sir. Nikita too.
ZALMAN: Both of them?
FREDRICKS (via com): I’ve got personnel out on teams going over the area.
Zalman is angry. He yanks off the earpiece and throws it aside, taking a stand beside Birkoff’s desk.
ZALMAN: How in the hell did this happen?
BIRKOFF: (incredulous) Somehow they got their hands on a Section field router. It’s programmed with all Section’s codes and frequencies.
As Zalman listens, he puts two and two together, and storms off in search of Walter. He approaches the Munitions Area.
ZALMAN: Walter!
Walter is in the back area. He hears Zalman and turns, poking his head around the doorjamb.
WALTER: Yeah.
ZALMAN: Get out here! A field router…
WALTER: What about it?
ZALMAN: Check your inventory.
Walter goes to the built-in drawers where the routers are kept, and begins pulling out the drawers. One of the drawers is empty.
WALTER: You’re right. One is missing. Someone must have taken it.
ZALMAN: (threatening) Just so that you fully understand how I work here. I don’t tolerate mistakes.
WALTER: (angry) Then, don’t make one bigger than you already have!
OPERATIONS: (via com) Zalman! My office now!
ZALMAN: (suddenly obedient) I’m on my way, sir. (Reverts back to his mean self) To be continued, Walter!
Walter glares at him as he moves off.
OPERATIONS’ LOFT
Operations stands before his window, surveying Section as he waits for Zalman. Zalman arrives, sees Operations, and pauses a moment before entering the loft. Operations doesn’t acknowledge Zalman by looking at him, but continues looking out the window as he begins to speak.
OPERATIONS: You are aware, as Head Strategist, that any mission failure is your responsibility.
ZALMAN: I’m aware of that, yes.
Now Operations turns to look at Zalman.
OPERATIONS: You’re also aware that any failure on your part is my responsibility.
ZALMAN: Sir….
OPERATIONS: (cutting him off angrily) Listen to me! I put you in charge of this mission.
ZALMAN: (completely cowed) I won’t let you down.
OPERATIONS: You already have. Make no mistake about that.
ZALMAN: I will find out what happened.
OPERATIONS: Oh, I’ll tell you what happened.
He advances so that he is now in Zalman’s face.
OPERATIONS: Michael left because I passed him over for you, and he took Nikita with him. You should have anticipated that variable.
ZALMAN: We’ll find them.
OPERATIONS: (angry) Not standing in here you won’t!
Operations turns back to his window, while Zalman pauses a moment before
leaving, looking back once.
LONELY ROAD
An old model truck comes to a stop along a deserted by-road. Michael and Nikita get out, both carrying backpacks.
NIKITA: Merci.
MICHAEL: Merci beaucoup.
He then closes the truck door, and they move off, heading down a side
road.
SECTION
Operations and Madeline stride side by side, passing through a doorway and into an observation room.
In the adjacent room, Walter is strapped to a chair, his head fitted with a device. He is sweating profusely and clearly in pain. Zalman holds a shock trigger, which he presses with frequency.
ZALMAN: You gave them the field router. Why?
As he paces before the chair, he presses the trigger and shocks Walter, who gasps with pain.
WALTER: I gave them nothing.
ZALMAN: You will answer me, Walter.
Operations and Madeline stand at the window, witnessing the scene before them.
ZALMAN: Or, we can start this whole procedure right from the top.
WALTER: I did answer you.
Zalman shocks him again. As Walter grunts with pain, Madeline looks at Operations, clearly displeased by what she is seeing.
MADELINE: How far are you going to let Zalman take this?
ZALMAN: You see, I expect being involved with them that you know where they are too.
WALTER: You can go straight to……he…el..ll
At that moment, Zalman shocks him again. Walter’s eyes roll back with pain, and he is unable to complete his response.
Operations, prodded by Madeline, decides to step in now.
OPERATIONS: Zalman that’s enough. Turn it down.
ZALMAN: Sir, I will get him to talk.
OPERATIONS: Walter? Did you do it?
WALTER: (shakes his head) No.
OPERATIONS: (to Zalman) It’s over. You heard him.
ZALMAN: (resistant) Sir!
OPERATIONS: Get him out of there!
Zalman immediately clicks the shock trigger off, as Walter sighs with
relief.
FARMHOUSE
Michael and Nikita walk up to a shuddered, stone house. Passing by a window, Michael opens the shudders, before moving to the front door. He opens the door and steps in, holding the door for Nikita to enter. She looks about the place, smiling. It’s interior is rustic and charming.
NIKITA: How’d you find this place?
MICHAEL: I saw it when we were doing aerial reconnaissance. I noticed it because it was over 50 kilometers from a population zone.
He has the field router in his hand, which he places aside in a nearby box.
NIKITA: Who owns it?
MICHAEL: I do.
He kneels before a wood stove, and begins crumpling and filling it with old newspaper.
NIKITA: Really?
MICHAEL: And, I bought the land around it, 100 hectares.
Nikita begins walking around, checking out the interior.
NIKITA: I like it.
She opens a door and looks inside. It’s a garage with a truck parked inside. She closes the door.
NIKITA: It must be beautiful here in the summer.
Michael is putting wood into the stove now. He glances at her. She kneels before a shelf where a record player sets, and begins flipping through some dusty records.
NIKITA: These look like they’ve been around.
She selects a record and places it on the turntable, carefully dropping the needle in place. As she stands, a haunting French song begins to play. Nikita moves to the couch where she sits and watches Michael, who now stands at a counter, cutting up vegetables.
NIKITA: I didn’t realize you had such talent in the kitchen, Michael.
MICHAEL: There’s still a lot of things you don’t know about me.
He glances over at her.
MICHAEL: Maybe it’s time you learned.
Now he looks intently at her. Nikita returns his look, her eyes bright with emotion.
Evening, Same Day
We see the fire is blazing in the wood stove. Nikita lounges on the couch. The front door opens and Michael enters with an armful of firewood. He deposits it to the floor.
NIKITA: How long do you think we’ll stay here?
MICHAEL: Not long enough.
He moves to the opposite end of the couch and sits. Nikita pivots so that she can lie her head down on his lap. Michael looks down at her; his mood is quiet.
NIKITA: I’m so glad you brought me here. I wish we could stay.
MICHAEL: Let’s not think about the future. Let’s just enjoy this while it lasts.
NIKITA: (shivers) You know, I couldn’t get that window closed today.
MICHAEL: I’ve got to go into town tomorrow and get some things. I’ll pick up a new latch.
NIKITA: So we’ll be cold tonight then.
Michael then reaches for edge of a blanket that is draped over the back of the couch and flips it forward so that it covers Nikita. She snuggles it up to her chin, pleased by the gesture; Michael rests his hand on her shoulder.
NIKITA: Thank you.
Again Michael glances down at her. His mood is almost somber.
MADELINE’S OFFICE
Operations enters, taking a seat before Madeline.
OPERATIONS: What’s so important?
MADELINE: I reviewed the psyche file on both Michael and Nikita. I’m not convinced they’re renegade.
OPERATIONS: They took the router. That’s how they escaped.
MADELINE: Maybe this was motivated externally.
OPERATIONS: Extortion?
MADELINE: Perhaps. In any case, my instincts tell me that this wasn’t a collaboration. Michael’s up to something.
OPERATIONS: What are your suggestions?
MADELINE: If their actions are being controlled, let’s find out who it is, before we walk into a trap.
OPERATIONS: Interesting. Thank you.
He stands, smiling, then leaves the office, Madeline watches him almost
suspiciously.
COMM AREA
The monitor shows an enlarged area map, with sensors zeroing in on a location. Zalman sits beside Birkoff.
BIRKOFF: Closest I can place them is they’re still in Belgium. Yeah, southeast of Brussels.
ZALMAN: This is reliable?
BIRKOFF: Factoring in the distortion, there’s an error radius of 16 kilometers. It’s the best we’re going to get.
Zalman is displeased with this information. He stands and exits the area. He takes a downward flight on a stairway and proceeds down a hall, soon intersecting with Madeline.
ZALMAN: Hello, Madeline.
She doesn’t respond, and neither of them slow their pace. But, then Zalman stops and looks back at her.
ZALMAN: Oh, listen, Madeline?
Now she stops and turns back to him.
ZALMAN: You can assure Operations, I will find Michael and Nikita.
MADELINE: That’s not a good sign.
ZALMAN: Sorry? What’s not?
MADELINE: Using a third party to mediate communication. It’s an indication of instability.
Zalman is speechless, but having said her piece, Madeline continues on her way. She goes to check on Walter, where he is in Medical, being examined after his shock treatment by Zalman.
MADELINE: Hello, Walter.
WALTER: (nods) Hmmm.
MADELINE: It wouldn’t have been my choice to handle matters this way, but you know I couldn’t interfere.
WALTER: What is happening to this place! This would never have happened back then. We all had our jobs. We did them. We were a team. We respected each other.
MADELINE: We didn’t change, Walter. The world did.
Walter only snorts with disgust.
FARMHOUSE
Michael leads the way up the stairs to a bedroom. Both he and Nikita carry candles. He takes the left side of the bed, placing his candle on the side table, as Nikita goes to the opposite side of the bed, also placing her candle on the matching side table. She sits at the edge of the bed, facing away from Michael, who also sits, kicking off his shoes.
NIKITA: How is this going to work?
MICHAEL: We can be careful. Take things slowly.
NIKITA: (nods) There’s another option, I mean… we can live today like it’s our last.
MICHAEL: (leans over toward her) It very well could be.
His words have an ominous ring to them and Nikita turns to look at him,
trying to read him. He is watching her intensely. She turns away,
her face thoughtful and confused, then lies back on the bed, turning her
head to gaze at the candle.
FARMHOUSE NEXT MORNING
Nikita wakes and stretches contentedly, smiling as she reaches out for Michael. He isn’t there. She immediately sits up.
NIKITA: Michael?
She grabs her pants and tugs them on.
NIKITA: Michael?
Quickly she runs downstairs, still calling for Michael. She grabs
her gun and checks it, looking around the house, before moving to the window
and pushing the curtain aside. Outside, all is still. She lets
the curtain fall back into place. As she turns from the window, her
eye catches a white piece of paper sitting on the table. It’s a note
from Michael, which reads: Went to town. Be back by noon.
STOREFRONT
Michael exits a small general store, a bag in each arm. As he
walks toward his truck, we see Mentz sitting in a car. Mentz takes
careful aim and fires at Michael. Michael immediately drops the bags
and lunges for the safety of his truck parked nearby. He stumbles
toward it, but falls. We see a tranq dart sticking out of his shoulder.
Section operatives pick him up and carry him to their car.
VAN ACCESS
Zalman gangly strides confidently toward Van Access; while from the opposite end of the hallway, Operations, Madeline, and Walter also approach. The heavy door opens and we see Michael restrained in a straight jacket being led forward by Operatives Mentz and Snow. They come to a stop in front of Operations.
OPERATIONS: You know what’s going to happen. Tell us where the router is, Michael.
Of course, Michael says nothing.
ZALMAN: Take him to containment.
Mentz and Snow lead Michael past Zalman and down the hallway, while
Madeline and Walter watch on with concerned expressions.
COMM
Zalman approaches Birkoff’s desk.
ZALMAN: What about Nikita?
BIRKOFF: They still haven’t found her.
ZALMAN: Come on! She must be close.
BIRKOFF: The terrain is difficult. The roads are old. She could be anywhere.
ZALMAN: Don’t tell me about the labor pains, okay? Just show me the baby.
BIRKOFF: I’ll see if there are any choppers in the area, we could call in.
ZALMAN: I want the entire area covered.
FARMHOUSE
Nikita is at the window, keeping watch on the road using binoculars. She sights a truck approaching and immediately leaves the window, arranging the curtains back into position. Taking her gun, she loads it, then begins grabbing her and Michael’s gear. She throws open a trap door in the floor and throws the items down, looking around once last time to see if she’s forgotten anything, before taking the stairs to the basement below. She closes the door overhead.
Two operatives approach the house, entering and immediately beginning a search of the interior. Nikita listens from her hiding place below the floor, trying to peer through the floorboard cracks. One of the operatives goes upstairs, and shortly comes back down.
OPERATIVE: She’s not up there. Look for the router.
Nikita hears this and remembers that Michael had placed it the box. Stealthily she opens the trap door, reaches to the nearby box and grabs the router, returning to her hiding place. Router in hand, she keys in a new location in order to throw them off her trail. The operative receives a beep as the new location is being zeroed in on at Section.
OPERATIVE: They’re getting a signal from up North.
Satisfied she’s not there and that they have a new location to check,
the operatives leave. Nikita breathes a sigh of relief.
WHITE ROOM
Michael is strapped to a chair, the shock device sits atop his head. He is being shocked in the same manner as Walter had undergone. Zalman paces, shocking him every few seconds, while Michael grimaces with pain. He is sweating profusely, his eyes ringed with dark circles caused by the torture. Zalman gives him one last shock, then sets the trigger aside.
ZALMAN: Is she really worth all this, Michael? And would she do even half as much for you?
Michael watches Zalman intently, his eyes despite the pain still strong and refusing to be broken. Zalman shakes his head with disbelief.
ZALMAN: You know, uh, they briefed me about the two of you. Michael and Nikita, Nikita and Michael. But having read your file, I must tell you, I’m surprised.
As Zalman paces, Michael’s eyes follow him.
ZALMAN: To go this far… For what? Hmmm? Love? You? I find that very hard to believe.
The door opens and the Torture Twin enter, their familiar gold cases in hand.
ZALMAN: Either I severely misread you, or this is all about something else. Where is she, Michael?
Michael only continues to regard Zalman with hard eyes, as the TT’s look on.
ZALMAN: (to the TT’s) Make it extremely unpleasant!
COMM/OPERATIONS’ LOFT
Zalman leaves Michael to the TT’s, and we see that Walter and Birkoff have been monitoring the events from Birkoff’s station. Knowing what is to come, Walter is mortified.
WALTER: No. I don’t need to see this.
Birkoff glances up to Operations’ loft, and sees him pacing back and forth. Then, Zalman enters.
ZALMAN: Sir, is there a problem?
OPERATIONS: How’s it going?
ZALMAN: Well, you were right, he’s very resistant, sir. But, um, I think one more session should do it.
OPERATIONS: No. I know him. He’ll die first.
ZALMAN: Are you saying I should stop?
OPERATIONS: No. I’d like you to try a different approach.
WHITE ROOM
Michael is still strapped to the chair. He is clearly tired, his head hangs wearily. The door opens, and Zalman strides in, snapping his fingers at the TT’s.
ZALMAN: Get out.
They exit the room.
ZALMAN: An impressive showing, Michael. And all this for a second rate blonde whore.
He leans closer and whispers now.
ZALMAN: Do you know that in the long run, they probably should have offered the promotion to you.
He straightens. He is feeling confident and cocky. Michael watches him with tired eyes.
ZALMAN: I mean with so many important things in the world worth dying for. Oh, that reminds me. Before you do die, there is something I’d like you to take a look at.
Smirking, he activates a screen on the wall.
ZALMAN: Special presentation, Michael. A live feed just for you.
Michael doesn’t look at the screen. It shows his son, Adam, playing soccer in a park with another young boy.
ZALMAN: You know, as thorough as I thought I’d been, I had no idea until an hour ago that you had a son.
Michael shifts his eyes toward the screen, followed by his head as he sees the live feed of Adam.
ZALMAN: Now there is something worth dying for.
The look of pain in Michael’s eyes is heartbreaking as he watches his son.
ZALMAN: Something worth living for?
Zalman pauses the screen’s image. This time when Michael looks at him, his eyes are full of hatred.
ZALMAN: I know you hate me, Michael. I mean, when you’re someone like me, you try not to be concerned what other people think. So hate me. Until your dying breath if you must. But, you may not want to take that dying breath until you’re absolutely sure that your son is safe from the likes of me.
Michael glances over at the screen and the image of Adam frozen there, closes his eyes, and leans his head back in defeat.
ZALMAN: Game over, Michael. Where’s Nikita?
Michael still resists telling, his face showing that this is difficult for him.
ZALMAN: I’m sorry, Michael, I can’t hear you. Speak up!
As Michael speaks, his voice is filled with emotion, hating that he is turning Nikita over to Zalman. He speaks haltingly.
MICHAEL: She’s at the farmhouse, 5 kilometers west of town.
Zalman is pleased. The door opens and he exits. As the door
closes again, Michael turns to face toward it, but his eyes look up, as
if he is looking at something specific.
FARMHOUSE
It is night. Nikita sits on the floor in the dark house peering out the window into the blackness beyond. She spies operatives emerging from the woods, mere seconds before shots ring out and crash through the glass. Ducking down, she moves for cover, waiting for them to enter the house. As the operatives rush in, Nikita takes aim from her hiding place behind the stairwell and begins firing, throwing herself to floor in an effort to better position herself. She takes down two operatives before two others surround her.
NIKITA: How’d you find me?
OPERATIVE: Michael gave you up.
NIKITA: I don’t believe that.
More shots ring out, and the operatives who had surrounded her, fall to the floor. Zalman enters the house.
NIKITA: Zalman!
ZALMAN: It’s over, Nikita. Where is the field router?
NIKITA: You killed your own team!
ZALMAN: Not my team. Now where is the field router?
NIKITA: You’re Red Cell.
ZALMAN: You know what they say… Don’t give up your day job.
He moves to stand over her, aiming his gun at her. She looks scared.
ZALMAN: What is it about you people, hmmm? Michael… you… What is it that convinces you that all this is worth dying for?
NIKITA: It’s people like you.
He bends down to her.
ZALMAN: At this very moment, Michael is strapped to a chair, waiting.
As he speaks, he lowers his face closer and closer to hers.
ZALMAN: If I were to go back empty-handed…
He tries to kiss her, but she turns her face away. Instead, he reaches into her jacket and pulls out the router. Now he stands, pulling her upright also.
ZALMAN: I suppose now that I got this, my rising career at Section One would have come to an end. You know the amazing thing about this unit is that it, um, transmits and receives simultaneously. But, when I turn this on, Nikita, they’ll think they’ve located you.
He leans forward and kisses her on the mouth, then moves to kiss her neck.
ZALMAN: It should take them about an hour to get here, wouldn’t you say?
He continues kissing her neck and she doesn’t fight him, but stares straight ahead, looking past him at someone behind Zalman. A gun is pressed to Zalman’s back, and he stills. Michael holds the gun. As Zalman straightens away from Nikita, the operatives that were strewn across the floor suddenly stand. Zalman is shocked.
ZALMAN: It can’t be.
NIKITA: If you think about it long enough, it’ll come to you.
She slaps him hard across the face, before the operatives take him into
custody and lead him out the door. Only Michael and Nikita remain
in the house. Michael holds her eyes to his, as if to communicate
something to her, and seemingly in search of understanding. Nikita
seems to sense this, and she nods slightly, as if to tell him everything
is okay.
DINING AREA
Operations and Madeline are back in at the dining table, having dinner.
MADELINE: You could have told me.
OPERATIONS: Your knowing wouldn’t have given us an advantage.
MADELINE: It took me nine hours to figure out. I could have used that time elsewhere.
OPERATIONS: I actually factored in ten hours. As usual, you exceed my expectations. There were no pressing actions elsewhere. It had no impact.
MADELINE: How long has Zalman been arbitrary?
OPERATIONS: Fourteen weeks. Birkoff discovered unusual amounts of black time in his residence.
MADELINE: If you had suspicions, why didn’t you take him directly to interrogation?
OPERATIONS: I wanted to, but Oversight felt he had upward potential. They wanted proof.
As they speak, we see Michael striding into the White Room.
MADELINE: Have you found where Zalman planted the devices yet?
OPERATIONS: Michael is working on that now.
WHITE ROOM
Zalman is strapped to the chair. The Torture Twins have completed their task, and leave. Zalman bears the tale-tell slits beneath his eyes. He is completely broken. Michael walks behind the chair, then to the front. Zalman looks at Michael, clearly ready to spill everything he knows.
MICHAEL: I need to ask you a couple of questions. Where’s Vincent Tomas?
ZALMAN: Belgrade.
MICHAEL: How many CCD’s have you installed in Section?
Zalman raises his eyes upward and to the side as he thinks carefully about this.
ZALMAN: Six.
MICHAEL: I need their locations.
ZALMAN: Of course.
MUNITIONS
Operations makes his way across the open main area and into Munitions. Walter is alone, sitting in chair beside his worktable. He is obviously lost in thought.
OPERATIONS: Walter.
WALTER: Yeah.
OPERATIONS: You’ve been debriefed. You know why things happened the way they did.
WALTER: (nods) Yes.
OPERATIONS: You endured considerably pain on behalf of the Section without complaint, without incident.
WALTER: (laughs shortly) What are you going to do, pin a medal on me?
OPERATIONS: (smiles) You know, Walter, when I was a prisoner of war, I made friends with one of the guards. It was war; we were on opposite sides. But we made friends anyway. He, uh, he gave me this…
He holds up a large white crystal.
OPERATIONS: It’s supposed to help relieve the pain of life. I never believed him, but I didn’t throw it away either.
He extends the crystal to Walter, who takes it.
OPERATIONS: I want you to have it. Take a month off.
Walter is clearly surprised by the gesture, at a loss for words, and
can only stare at Operations with stupefaction. He is still staring
with wonder when Operations turns and leaves.
NIKITA’S APARTMENT
Michael stands at the counter, pouring wine into glasses. The French music from the farmhouse is playing in the background. Taking the glasses, he walks to Nikita, who sits on the couch, and hands her a glass.
NIKITA: (smiles) Thank you.
MICHAEL: Dinner was wonderful. Thank you.
Nikita smiles up at him; and he moves to take a seat against the opposite wall, so they are facing each other.
NIKITA: Well, it wasn’t as good as the meal you cooked at the cabin, but…
Michael only watches her intently. Nikita takes a sip of the wine.
MICHAEL: I liked it there.
Nikita smiles and nods. They continue to regard each other intently, as the music plays louder. The air is charged between them, and they are both aware of it.
NIKITA: You know it can’t be casual between you and me. I can’t do that.
She looks up to see Michael’s reaction. His expression indicates that he understands what she is saying.
MICHAEL: I know.
Nikita eyes fill with tears, as they hold a long and intense look. Michael holds up his wineglass, never taking his eyes of her, as if to toast the future; and Nikita also holds her glass out to him. As they sit there with their glasses extended to the others, they continue to eye one another intensely. Michael brings the glass to his lips and drinks, maintaining his eye contact. Nikita’s eyes brim with bright tears, and her extended hand begins to shake. She lowers her glass, her eyes still latched to his, and her expression is one of powerful intensity.
The End
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