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310. Slipping Into Darkness
Written by Peter M. Lenkov
Transcribed by Jean
[Note: Transcript dialogue only until updated.]
CITY STREET
VOICE: Go ahead.
MICHAEL: I need a cab.
VOICE: Where to?
MICHAEL: Hamburg.
VOICE: Hang up, and turn around.
MAN 1: We didn't think you'd show.
MICHAEL: When can I meet Philo?
MAN 2: First things first. (He hands Michael a glass vial of something)
MICHAEL: What's the reaction time?
MAN 2: Ten hours. First sign is confusion, then comes judgment disintegration, followed by paranoid delusions. A complete brain meltdown.
MICHAEL: Good.
OPERATIONS’ LOFT
OPERATIONS: Where are we with the Shadow Brigade?
MICHAEL: Birkoff's going through what we've recovered from the bombing.
OPERATIONS: And what do you think, is it their work?
MICHAEL: It's possible.
OPERATIONS: Okay let me know when you have something definitive. Oversight wants a quick turnover on this one.
MICHAEL: Sure.
OPERATIONS’ LOFT
MADELINE: Isn't that yesterday's news?
OPERATIONS: It appears holding Shadow Brigade responsible for the embassy bombing was a mistake. We may have acted too hastily.
MADELINE: They took responsibility.
OPERATIONS: They lied.
MADELINE: Who do you think it was?
OPERATIONS: Gustov Pogue.
MADELINE: Gustov Pogue has been dead for four years.
OPERATIONS: That's exactly what he wants the world to believe.
BIRKOFF: (via intercom) Sir, I've got what you asked for.
OPERATIONS: I'll be right there. Start preparing a profile on Pogue.
COMM
BIRKOFF: We've gone through all the elements of the event twice. There's no mistake, it's definitely Shadow Brigade.
OPERATIONS: What about Pogue?
BIRKOFF: He's been quiet-filed.
OPERATIONS: Impossible. This bombing has Pogue's signature all over it.
BIRKOFF: Not really.
OPERATIONS: Don't argue with me, Birkoff - just find the linkage to Pogue.
OPERATIVE: Sir?
WALTER: I hear we're chasing a ghost.
MICHAEL: Gustov Pogue.
WALTER: Yeah. What's the idea? It can't be him; I saw the corpse.
MICHAEL: He could have been doubled.
WALTER: Come on. We ran the DNA.
OPERATIONS: What's the matter with you people? You can't even see the obvious!
BIRKOFF: Sir, I've checked every file --
OPERATIONS: Come on, move, move!
NIKITA’S APARTMENT
MICK: Oh, I'm so glad I caught your home, popsicle.
NIKITA: What?
MICK: A matter of great urgency, this. Are you alone?
NIKITA: Yes, Mick.
MICK: I'll get to the point. I was at the library, right? I love reading.
NIKITA: What's the point?
MICK: There's this book out of print, "Great Chefs of the 30's and 40's".
NIKITA: I am not a morning person, get to the point.
MICK: I ran into Felice -- a bird I used to roger in Amsterdam. She's held up great over the years! … Okay, okay, okay. Condoms. Two or three will do.
NIKITA: What?
MICK: I'd run to the corner, but I don't want her to cool off, do you know what I mean?
NIKITA: She's there now?
MICK: Yes! It's all right. The engine's running, she's on idle.
NIKITA: No, Mick
MICK: What do you mean, "No, Mick"? Don't ever once share! Come on, doll, I'm sure you and Michael practice safe sex.
NIKITA: You should leave now before you get hurt.
MICK: Excusez-moi, I didn't know that things had soured between you two. But you still got feelings, and that's a good thing. You know, I'd stay here and help you work things through, but --
NIKITA: Just get out of my life! Please! Here's your morning wake-up call.
MICHAEL: Josephine.
SECTION ONE
NIKITA: Hey, Birkoff.
BIRKOFF: Can't talk.
WALTER: Hey, Sugar.
NIKITA: What's going on?
WALTER: Don't ask.
NIKITA: Why?
WALTER: According to Operations, Shadow Brigade is a waste of time. Pogue is the real target.
NIKITA: Who's Pogue?
WALTER: The question is, who was Pogue?
NIKITA: He's dead?
WALTER: Very.
NIKITA: So what's the problem?
WALTER: Pogue was the largest arms dealer in Europe. Class A priority. Operations tracked him for four years; every time Pogue got cornered, he got away. Pogue was too smart for Operations, but not for George.
NIKITA: So George put him down?
WALTER: Mmm-hmm. It was the only time Operations ever failed at something he really wanted.
NIKITA: If Pogue's dead, then what's Operations doing?
WALTER: I don't know. How about going crazy?
OPERATIONS: Briefing in two minutes.
WAR ROOM
OPERATIONS: Most of you remember Gustov Pogue. Founder of the Btari Rebels. Yesterday we learned he surfaced and was spotted two kilometers from where the embassy was bombed. We believe this is the first in an extensive anti-democracy campaign of terror. Profilers are now working on the tactical. They'll have something in the next few hours. Operatives are on standby. That's all.
NIKITA: Michael. Walter said Pogue was dead.
MICHAEL: That's right.
NIKITA: So I don't understand. What's Operations doing, what's wrong?
MICHAEL: You don't have to understand.
OPERATIONS’ LOFT
MADELINE: I just heard we're on standby for Pogue.
OPERATIONS: He has to be stopped.
MADELINE: Is everything all right?
OPERATIONS: Why?
MADELINE: You seem tired.
OPERATIONS: I feel fine. What's on your mind?
MADELINE: We're all under pressure. Maybe you need a little down time.
OPERATIONS: Not until we've neutralized Pogue. You know him, he rewrites the book on this sort of thing.
MADELINE: Have you considered the possibility that maybe we're dealing with one of his operatives?
OPERATIONS: You're wrong! It's Pogue and I don't want to hear otherwise!
BIRKOFF: (via com) Sir?
OPERATIONS: What is it Birkoff?
BIRKOFF: I found Pogue's old safe house.
OPERATIONS: Great.
SECTION ONE: HALLWAY
NIKITA: Michael. You get the profile?
MICHAEL: Yes.
NIKITA: Well this was Pogue's safe house six years ago. MI-6 raided it. He escaped.
MICHAEL: Yes.
NIKITA: So even if he were active, he wouldn't use it now.
MICHAEL: Doesn't matter, it's not your call.
NIKITA: What about you?
MICHAEL: It's not mine either. We're locked.
NIKITA: So this is a waste of time?
MICHAEL: You should get to Technical.
NIKITA: Michael, what's going on?
MICHAEL: What do you mean?
NIKITA: Something's not right. Operations is cold and ruthless but he's not irrational.
MICHAEL: I've got to go.
COMM
BIRKOFF: Red Team is in the target zone.
NIKITA: Engage.
MAN: Okay, move out!
BIRKOFF: We've got a runner.
NIKITA: Duskis, go after him.
BIRKOFF: He's got him.
NIKITA: Identify.
DUSKIS: Target is female - non hostile. Repeat, non hostile.
BIRKOFF: First team's reporting the same thing. Pogue isn't there.
NIKITA: Duskis, let her go. Now.
DUSKIS: Go on.
EGRESS
OPERATIONS: What happened out there?
MICHAEL: Intel was bad; resistance was non-aggressive.
OPERATIONS: Duskis allowed a hostile to escape.
MICHAEL: She wasn't hostile.
OPERATIONS: It was Pogue. You're going to be my example. Do it.
DUSKIS: What do you mean?
OPERATIONS: This is what happens when you use your own playbook.
DUSKIS: I followed procedure! There were no hostiles! Ask anyone! Why are you doing this?
NIKITA: Michael, where are they taking him? No, no, we can't let this happen.
MICHAEL: There's nothing you can do.
NIKITA: There was no threat. I told him to stand down.
MICHAEL: Let it go, Nikita.
COMM
NIKITA: Birkoff, Operations is out of control. He's just ordered Duskis to be cancelled, we have to do something.
BIRKOFF: Just keep your head down and your mouth shut, you'll be fine.
NIKITA: Then what about Duskis, what about him?
BIRKOFF: Forget about him, it's done.
NIKITA: He's dead? Already?
MADELINE’S OFFICE
NIKITA: I need a minute.
MADELINE: Something wrong, Nikita?
NIKITA: Canceling Duskis was unjustified.
MADELINE: He was an abeyance operative.
NIKITA: I didn't know we executed abeyance operatives. I thought they performed a function?
MADELINE: Is that what you walked in here for? To turn me against Operations?
NIKITA: We can't just stand by --
MADELINE: Return to Comm.
COMM
OPERATIONS: Birkoff, I told you not to divert any resources from Pogue! Don't ever let that happen again! Anybody else here want to disobey me? What are you looking at? Get back to work.
STORAGE BUNKER, NIGHT
WALTER: It doesn't make any sense. One day he's normal, the next day he's Dante leading us down the nine circles of Hell.
OPERATIVE: We have 100% of our resources looking for a dead man.
NIKITA: Meanwhile, we're absentee on two class-ten activities.
BIRKOFF: Make that three. Iberia, Myanmar, Rwanda -- all unanswered. This is not just an internal matter anymore.
NIKITA: We have to go to Oversight.
WALTER: Whoa, whoa Sugar, not so fast.
NIKITA: Do you have any better ideas?
WALTER: No, all I'm saying is that we should put some thought into our next move. I was at a meeting like this thirty years ago -- talk of insurrection.
BIRKOFF: What happened?
WALTER: I didn't want any part of it. That's the only reason I'm here today.
NIKITA: Well, the way I see it, we don't have any choice. Operations is out of control. You can go if you like Walter. We understand.
WALTER: I'm in.
SECTION ONE
MICHAEL: Nikita. Where were you?
NIKITA: Home.
MICHAEL: I called.
NIKITA: I must have been in the shower. Was there something you needed?
MICHAEL: You're going out. Operations says Pogue was spotted at his secondary base camp.
NIKITA: Are you sure you want to be taking orders from him?
MICHAEL: Intel was confirmed.
NIKITA: Like the last time? Michael, Pogue's dead and you know it. Operations is delusional. He needs to be taken out of play.
MICHAEL: Who else have you talked to?
NIKITA: I'm not alone. But we can't do it without you.
MICHAEL: Let's just go through this mission. I've seen Operations like this before, and it turned out he was right.
NIKITA: Michael --
MICHAEL: And if he's not…I'll help you.
MISSION
OPERATIONS: Has the target been located?
BIRKOFF: They're still looking.
BIRKOFF: Any sign of Pogue?
NIKITA: Target is not on site. I repeat, target is not on site.
OPERATIONS: Advance, damn it! He's there!
BIRKOFF: We're coming up negative.
OPERATIONS: That's impossible.
BIRKOFF: Are you all right?
OPERATIONS: Get away from me! Evac without the target is not an option. Somebody there knows something. Start shooting collateral until someone talks.
NIKITA: They're non-hostiles. To eliminate them would be ineffectual.
OPERATIONS: You've been given orders.
NIKITA: Then I disobey the orders. No one's going to die here.
OPERATIONS: Nikita? Nikita!
NIKITA: Let's go, let's go.
OPERATIONS: When Nikita returns, I want her cancelled. You tell Madeline.
EGRESS
NIKITA: I know the way.
WHITE ROOM
NIKITA: He's crazy. You know he's insane, don't you. He will destroy this place, Madeline.
MADELINE: What happened at your meeting in the bunker? Is there going to be a mutiny? You have to tell them to stop. Then stay out of sight. I'll take care of Operations for you.
NIKITA: I don't get it.
MADELINE: We're aware of Operations condition. We're dealing with it. He's been compromised. We were able to do some tests without his knowledge. There's something in his system that's changing his body chemistry. A psychotropic agent of some sort.
NIKITA: Who did this to him?
MADELINE: We don't know yet. Someone inside.
NIKITA: Inside Section?
MADELINE: I need you to calm everybody down on this. Give us a chance to solve the problem.
NIKITA: Why don't you just quarantine him?
MADELINE: It has to appear as business as usual. That's the only way we can flush out the mole.
COMM
NIKITA: Hey.
BIRKOFF: What happened? I thought they --
NIKITA: I'm okay.
BIRKOFF: Does Operations know you're alive?
NIKITA: No. Where are we with Oversight?
BIRKOFF: I found an opportunity. We can get to George in the morning.
NIKITA: No, you've got to put it off.
BIRKOFF: Why?
NIKITA: It can't go down. Not yet. Trust me, I'll tell you when it's time.
MICHAEL: Nikita --
NIKITA: I can't talk.
MICHAEL: What happened?
NIKITA: Madeline let me go.
MICHAEL: I'm sorry. But even if I hadn't gone after you, you never would have escaped.
NIKITA: I know, don't be sorry.
MICHAEL: And Operations?
NIKITA: As far as he knows, I've been cancelled.
MICHAEL: You're working with Madeline?
NIKITA: Operations has been drugged. That's why he's been acting the way he has. They think it's someone on the inside.
MICHAEL: Did Madeline say who she suspects?
NIKITA: No.
SECTION ONE: RESTRICTED LEVEL
MADELINE: What are you doing down here?
MICHAEL: Following up on a breach indicator. It appeared someone accessed a D server.
MADELINE: What was it?
MICHAEL: An electrical error.
MADELINE: Why are you handling this?
MICHAEL: Everyone in Comm was tied into a mission. I had some time.
MADELINE: I see. Michael…I came across a discrepancy. I was hoping you could help me.
MICHAEL: Of course.
MADELINE: Your work time on the Warsaw debrief was 48 minutes shorter than we show.
MICHAEL: That must be a mistake. I'll look at it.
MICHAEL: We'll have to accelerate the schedule. I'll keep in touch.
OPERATIONS’ LOFT
MADELINE: What is it?
OPERATIONS: I just located Pogue.
MADELINE: Where?
OPERATIONS: Helsinki.
MADELINE: Are you sure?
OPERATIONS: I want a team sent out immediately.
MADELINE: We've got everyone heading out on a class eight.
OPERATIONS: No, they're not! They're going after Pogue!
SECTION ONE
OPERATIONS: Michael! There's been a change in the profile.
MICHAEL: We have a situation that requires immediate response.
OPERATIONS: So do I. I just found Pogue.
MICHAEL: Let's go.
OPERATIONS: You've been given orders, Michael! Find Pogue, or I'll find someone who will!
MICHAEL: No, you won't.
MADELINE: Michael, you're out of line.
MICHAEL: It's over, sir.
MADELINE: Michael, you are out of line!
MICHAEL: It's over, sir. There will be no more phantom missions. No more cancellations.
OPERATIONS: What, have you people gone insane? Failure to act on my direct orders will be considered an act of treason.
MICHAEL: Until you compose yourself, and have a chance to re-evaluate things, perhaps you should take a rest.
OPERATIONS: Any of you here want to join these traitors? Go ahead, stand behind them now!
OPERATIONS: Why is she still alive? You're just like them!
MADELINE: I'll take care of it.
OPERATIONS: Cancel them all! I gave you a direct order! Did you hear what I said?
MICHAEL: I can't let you do this, sir.
OPERATIONS: What did you just say?
MICHAEL: You're not well, sir.
MICHAEL: I'll have to ask you to step down, sir.
OPERATIONS: You're done here. Take him away! I said get rid of him!
OPERATIONS: What's going on here?
MICHAEL: I'm relieving you of your duties, and assuming command of the Section. Take both of them away. If anyone here disagrees with what I've done today, feel free to come and see me.
MICHAEL: Tell Philo I'm in.
OPERATIONS’ LOFT
NIKITA: Are you sure about this?
MICHAEL: The transition's been cleared.
NIKITA: So George put you in charge?
MICHAEL: For now.
BIRKOFF: (via intercom) Michael, you wanted me?
MICHAEL: I want you to cut the Pogue search. Start focusing in on the Shadow Brigade splinter groups. Come with me.
NIKITA: Where?
MICHAEL: Oversight. I want them to approve your transition to my second in command. Nikita follows him.
PARKING GARAGE
NIKITA: What are we doing here? This isn't Oversight.
MICHAEL: No, it's not. If I had told you the truth, you wouldn't have come.
NIKITA: So who are we meeting?
MICHAEL: Philo.
NIKITA: Philo's Red Cell, Michael. So it was you…all along. You compromised Operations.
MICHAEL: Yes.
NIKITA: You might die.
MICHAEL: That's the point.
NIKITA: I don't understand.
MICHAEL: I have an agreement with Philo. He'll feed us certain operations. I'll do the same. And he'll protect my leadership. Our leadership.
NIKITA: I can't go along with this. Not with Red Cell. No.
MICHAEL: Nikita.
MAN: I'm impressed.
MICHAEL: I'm glad.
MAN: I hear you two were close. Must have been hard, killing the girl.
MICHAEL: It will be a lot easier killing you. Now I want to see Philo.
MAN: Another day, Philo's not ready.
MICHAEL: Not good enough.
MAN: It'll have to do. You know Philo doesn't see people.
MICHAEL: Today he does. I followed my part of the deal. Now you take me to Philo or I end this right now.
MAN: Philo doesn't like to be threatened.
MICHAEL: This is about confidence, either he trusts me, or he doesn't.
MAN: Let me make a call. OK, you've got your meeting. If you don't mind.
AIRPORT
PHILO: Michael, have a seat. I see you've been quite busy. You placed the cameras perfectly.
MICHAEL: Your orders were quite specific. I simply followed them.
PHILO: That's about to change. Now that you're in command, you and I will be partners.
MICHAEL: My post is temporary. I haven't secured my position.
PHILO: You will. He won't last another day.
MAN: Someone's followed us here!
PHILO: You set me up!
SECTION ONE
MADELINE: Get Medical, now.
OPERATIONS: Did we get him?
MADELINE: We got him.
SECTION ONE: HALLWAY
NIKITA: So this whole thing was a chess match, to smoke out Philo.
MICHAEL: It worked.
NIKITA: You would have let me kill those people in Siberia?
MICHAEL: We knew you wouldn't.
NIKITA: Well, I'm glad I met everybody's expectations. Even the talk of insurrection? You anticipated it?
MICHAEL: Yes.
NIKITA: I'm going to have to stop being so predictable.
WHITE ROOM
PHILO: If my hands were free, I would applaud you.
OPERATIONS: I accept the compliment.
PHILO: Eight years, spent in the cold. Never once did I feel the need to surface.
OPERATIONS: And trust can be our greatest weakness.
PHILO: You went to extreme lengths to find me. Mentally and physically. You put your own life on the line.
OPERATIONS: It was worth it.
PHILO: What happens now?
OPERATIONS: You've been watching -- paying attention. You tell me.
OPERATIONS’ LOFT
OPERATIONS: Good morning, Michael.
MICHAEL: You look well.
OPERATIONS: Thanks to your timing. Another few minutes, who knows what would have happened
MICHAEL: I still don't understand why you insisted on taking that drug.
OPERATIONS: Credibility, Michael. Leave nothing to chance. That will be all.
MICHAEL: Yes, of course.
MADELINE: Things went well.
OPERATIONS: Yes, perfectly. Michael's skills were impressive.
MADELINE: Yes, they were.
OPERATIONS: He might just have what it takes to do this job.
MADELINE: Your successor? I don't think he has the ambition.
OPERATIONS: Oh, he's got it. He just doesn't know it yet.
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