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214. Old Habit
Written by: Maurice Hurley
Directed by: Terry Ingram
Guest Cast: Chris Leavins, Danna Christo, Cas Anvar,
Eric Fink, TL Fursberg, Jill Dyck, Stavroula Logothetis
Transcribed by Jean
[Note: Transcript dialogue only until updated.]
BLACK SEA BEACH
Men dig up land mines.
HALIR: Carefully.
Birkoff and Operations monitor while Omar runs his undercover field assignment.
OPERATIONS: Can you get a better view?
BIRKOFF: Omar, a meter to your left.
HALIR: Be careful where you step. You might kill us all.
Omar says nothing, just continues watching as another land mine is uncovered.
WALTER: Land mines.
BIRKOFF: In the Middle East they're everywhere. Just walk into a field and help yourself.
HALIR: We will use these to strike terror into the hearts of our enemies. For a man who is willing to die for his cause cannot be stopped.
HALIR: Don't you agree, my friend?
OMAR: Of course.
HALIR: But first we must kill all the frauds, all the imposters. And all the double agents. You understand.
Halir fires his gun. The signal is lost to static.
OPERATIONS: Excellent. So far everything's going as planned.
BRIEFING TABLE
OPERATIONS: Halir's group is called "Bright Star." Their goal is to destroy all symbols of modern decadence. Their weapon of choice: suicide bombings. The bombs are constructed from land mines so the materials can't be traced. Last night we sacrificed a mole in order to protect a more important contact. Gregory Formitz, a dealer in forged documents, passports, visas, press credentials. He supplies Bright Star with fake I.D.'s. If we control Formitz, we have a chance to stop Bright Star. We've been brought into this one a little late, so we have to play catch-up. We need any intel we can get. Michael, it's all yours.
The meeting disperses.
MICHAEL: You'll be our liaison with Formitz. Madeline has prepared a profile -- you may find it useful.
MADELINE'S OFFICE
MADELINE: Formitz is from a wealthy family. Intelligent, well educated. He ranked first in his class at medical school.
NIKITA: Medical school.
MADELINE: Dropped out three days before graduation.
NIKITA: Because?
MADELINE: He was a younger son, a rebel. He wanted to cause his family the maximum amount of disappointment.
NIKITA: Did it work?
MADELINE: Yes. They never spoke to him again. His alliance with terrorists arose partly as a way of continuing to rebel, partly because danger appeals to him.
NIKITA: So betraying Bright Star to us makes it even more dangerous.
MADELINE: Exactly.
NIKITA: So, betraying us to Bright Star in turn might up the ante even further.
MADELINE: Very good. Our analysis indicates there's little chance of that happening soon. But as time goes on, the chance will increase so be alert.
COMM
WALTER: Birkoff, you got a minute?
BIRKOFF: No, not really.
WALTER: We want to tell you something.
BIRKOFF: It'll have to wait.
WALTER: We're getting married.
Birkoff looks up from his computer at Walter and Belinda.
WALTER: I asked her last night. She accepted right away.
Birkoff continues to stare and says nothing.
WALTER: Oh, okay, yeah. Don't congratulate us or anything -- its all right
BIRKOFF: Congratulations! I'm sorry. I'm just surprised.
WALTER: Yeah, well, me too. But you've got to get lucky sometimes, right?
BIRKOFF: When's the big day?
BELINDA: Tomorrow.
WALTER: Yeah, I have to hurry, you see, because she might come back to her senses.
BELINDA: That'll never happen.
WALTER: We just wanted you to know.
BIRKOFF: Thanks. Congratulations.
WALTER: See you later.
BAR
MAN: Hey, buy you a drink?
Nikita shakes her head.
MAN: Ah, come on.
NIKITA: Back Off!
MAN: Okay.
PIMP: You go out when I tell you!
ERICA: I was sick!
PIMP: I decide when you're sick.
The pimp strikes the girl.
ERICA: No! No! Don't!
PIMP: I've been soft on you, huh? But that'll change now.
NIKITA: Excuse me.
Nikita hits the pimp. When he produces a knife, she disarms him.
NIKITA: You get out -- and don't come back.
Nikita plops his hat back on and gives him a shove toward the door.
NIKITA: You two all right?
ERICA: It's just gonna be worse when he comes back.
NIKITA: He won't come back.
Erica leaves.
DANIELLE: Thanks.
Danielle leaves. Formitz arrives.
NIKITA: Formitz?
FORMITZ: You're my contact?
NIKITA: That's right.
FORMITZ: You just took out that pimp? Well, idiot, the idea is to maintain a low profile. This is not going to work. I'm outta here.
Nikita prevents his leaving by grabbing his arm.
NIKITA: Sit down.
FORMITZ: Let go of me.
Nikita releases his arm.
NIKITA: If you don't sit down, I'm gonna make a scene that's gonna give you the highest profile in this neighborhood. Sit Down!
FORMITZ: Fine. But from now on we tend to our business and we let other people tend to theirs. All right?
NIKITA: You do business with Bright Star.
FORMITZ: Yeah.
NIKITA: We want copies of all I.D.'s and credentials you provide them with.
FORMITZ: That's not the way it works. Halir, their main man, calls me, tells me where to meet. I bring the blanks; he brings the pictures. He watches me make the I.D.'s, takes them when I'm done. There are no copies. (he gestures to his head) Except up here.
NIKITA: I need names and descriptions.
FORMITZ: What would I need?
NIKITA: Give me your bank account information, you'll have the money within an hour.
FORMITZ: Uh, just like that, huh? Oh, of course. If I'm lying I never get the chance to spend it, do I?
NIKITA: Names.
FORMITZ: I only have one so far. Ahmed Mujani. Posing as a journalist.
NIKITA: Going where?
FORMITZ: First stop, Beirut. After that I don't know.
NIKITA: When?
FORMITZ: Halir didn't say. But I got the impression...very soon. See you again.
SYSTEMS
BIRKOFF: Ahmed Mujani. Formitz says he's the bomber.
OPERATIONS: Where is he?
BIRKOFF: From Beirut, he went to Berlin, then to Hamburg. He checked into the Milo Hotel last night.
OPERATIONS: Cross-ref the hotel with potential targets.
BIRKOFF: It's three blocks from the International Trade Centre.
OPERATIONS: I'll assemble a Team. You prepare the tactical.
INTERNATIONAL TRADE CENTRE
MICHAEL: Nikita, status.
NIKITA: The delegates are all inside. There's over a hundred in one room.
MICHAEL: They've been screened. He'll come from out here.
BIRKOFF: Michael, report.
MICHAEL: The security team hasn't seen him.
BIRKOFF: He could be disguised.
MICHAEL: We're aware of that.
NIKITA: Craig. Check out the, ah, elderly lady with the shopping bag.
CRAIG: I'm on it. Excuse me, Ma'am?
The elderly lady straightens and shoots Craig.
NIKITA: Got the target.
Michael and Nikita pursue. Mujani enters an different building building’s lobby and lock the door, trapping many people inside. He opens his coat, revealing the bomb hidden beneath. It explodes.
MICHAEL: Let's go.
COMM
BIRKOFF: Walter and Belinda are getting married.
NIKITA: That's great.
BIRKOFF: No, its not great. Belinda's in abeyance. She's scheduled for the Rio mission. There's no way she'll be coming back.
NIKITA: Well, is there anything you can do?
BIRKOFF: I took her out of abeyance once before. Operations found out. Do you think I should tell Walter?
NIKITA: There's no point. Just let them be as happy as long as they can. Look, I gotta go meet Formitz. You're going to be on comm and take down the names. Okay? Okay?
BIRKOFF: Yeah, okay.
SYSTEMS
WALTER: The bomb came from cannibalized land mines as we expected.
OPERATIONS: What about the detonator?
WALTER: It's, ah, another dead end. Garden variety; could have come from a thousand sources.
OPERATIONS: Did the bomber go into the bus depot as an evasive maneuver, or was that his intended destination?
MICHAEL: It was his intended destination.
OPERATIONS: You're sure.
MICHAEL: It was my impression during the mission and the tapes confirmed it.
OPERATIONS: Then we're facing an extreme situation. They're targeting innocent people in public places -- anywhere, any time. Formitz is the key, more than ever. He and Nikita are getting along?
MICHAEL: Well enough. She's meeting him again this afternoon.
OPERATIONS: Good. Keep me informed.
BAR
NIKITA: Birkoff, he's not here.
BIRKOFF: He'll show. He was late last time, too. Remember?
NIKITA: Okay, its over now. This guy needs to learn some manners. What's his address?
BIRKOFF: We agreed to stay clear of his house.
NIKITA: Birkoff, give me his address.
BIRKOFF: Thirty-three oh one, Van der Weil.
NIKITA: Hey.
DANIELLE: Oh, hey.
NIKITA: What's up?
DANIELLE: Nothing. Ah, Erica, the girl I was with before? Ah, I can't find her. She never stays with a trick. That's one of her rules. And she won't break it. Especially with what's been happening.
NIKITA: What's been happening?
DANIELLE: Girls have been disappearing. And they find them, um...
NIKITA: What, murdered?
DANIELLE: Mutilated. I mean, she should have been home hours ago. Um, she's my friend.
NIKITA: What's your name?
DANIELLE: Um, Danielle. Yeah.
NIKITA: Listen, Danielle, I'm sure that Erica's going to turn up. Hey, it's going to be all right.
FORMITZ'S APARTMENT
Nikita knocks, then shoots the lock off Formitz’s apartment door, and enters.
FORMITZ: What the hell is this?
NIKITA: Where have you been?
FORMITZ: Occupied! You're not supposed to come to my house.
NIKITA: Yesterday, I saw forty people die. Some of them were children. I don't want to see that again. Understand?
FORMITZ: Maybe, ah... I lost track of time.
NIKITA: Well, don't be late next time.
FORMITZ: Who pays for my lock?
NIKITA: You do. You had a meeting with Halir last night?
FORMITZ: Yeah.
NIKITA: Names?
FORMITZ: Three. I wrote 'em down yesterday.
NIKITA: When's your next meeting?
FORMITZ: He'll call.
NIKITA: You'll let me know.
Nikita picks up a red scarf.
NIKITA: Where did you find this?
FORMITZ: It's my sister's.
NIKITA: You're lying. It belongs to a girl called Erica. She was at the bar last night.
FORMITZ: So what?
NIKITA: So, she's missing.
FORMITZ: Missing ...what does that mean?
NIKITA: Why don't you tell me?
NIKITA: Where is she?
FORMITZ: I'm the only contact you have with Bright Star. Without me, you can't stop them.
NIKITA: Where's .. Erica?
FORMITZ: You want to see her?
NIKITA: Yes.
FORMITZ: Sure. Why not?
FORMITZ: Come on, you can say hi.
Formitz leads Nikita to a door, unlocks it, and they go in. Erica’s body is hanging up by her hands.
FORMITZ: Oh, it’s not cheap or casual. I spend a long time selecting them. It's like I know them. It means something, you know?
Nikita beats Formitz.
MADELINE'S OFFICE
NIKITA: Why didn't you tell me?
MADELINE: He's a very frightened man. Murder gives him a feeling of being in control.
NIKITA: I know Section makes compromises but he's Jack the Ripper!
MADELINE: We need him.
NIKITA: Shall I tell you what he does?
MADELINE: That won't be necessary. It's simple arithmetic. We sacrifice a few lives to save hundreds. Stay focused on the mission. Try remembering the faces of the people at the bus depot just before the explosion.
CORRIDOR
NIKITA: Michael. Did you know about Formitz?
MICHAEL: He just contacted us. You beat the hell out of him.
NIKITA: I can't go back there. If I do -- I'll kill him.
MICHAEL: You will go back. You will not kill him.
FORMITZ'S APARTMENT
NIKITA: I want to apologize for what I did. I'm sorry; the body was just a little bit of a shock. I believe you collect stamps.
FORMITZ: A Belgian Jubilee, very nice. Come in. I was right, wasn't I? It doesn't matter what I do. You need me. I can't believe how great it feels, having someone you tell. It makes it even better.
NIKITA: I don't want to hear it.
FORMITZ: I've already picked the next girl. It's that friend of Erica's; the young one.
NIKITA: You leave her alone.
FORMITZ: No. I've already decided. See, I've dreamt about it from the first time I saw them together. Now, I'm doing it.
NIKITA: Don't you touch her!
FORMITZ: Or what?
COMM
BIRKOFF: The Rio team leaves in a couple of minutes.
BELINDA: I'd like you to give Walter a message for me.
BIRKOFF: Give it to him yourself when you get back.
BELINDA: You know I'm not coming back.
BELINDA: Tell him he's the best man I've ever known. I love him...and it’s not such a bad thing to die on the happiest day of your life. Will you tell him that for me?
BIRKOFF: Sure.
BELINDA: Thanks.
BAR
FORMITZ: Two hundred bucks for one hour. You ever made that much before?
DANIELLE: Sure.
FORMITZ: Liar. Let's go.
Nikita interrupts and twists Formitz’s arm behind his back.
FORMITZ: Hey, hey, hey, hey!
NIKITA: Get lost, right now!
FORMITZ: Hey, you sure about this? Hm? Hmm?
NIKITA: Put your hands on her again and I'll kill you. Get lost!
FORMITZ: Okay, okay, okay, okay.
DANIELLE: What do you think you're doing? He was going to pay me $200.
NIKITA: Eric's dead.
DANIELLE: No. Was she...?
NIKITA: She was murdered by - by the man that you were just talking to.
DANIELLE: No. You're a cop?
NIKITA: No, I'm not.
DANIELLE: But you'll go to the cops.
NIKITA: No, I can't.
DANIELLE: Why not?
NIKITA: Because I just can't. Let's just get your things and go.
DANIELLE: Where?
NIKITA: Some place safe. Let's just get your things and we'll go.
DANIELLE: No, I need to work.
NIKITA: Not tonight you don't.
DANIELLE: Yeah, I'll stay away from him. I'll --
NIKITA: He'll find you. He'll track you down, he'll torture you and then he's going to kill you. Do you understand?
DANIELLE: You're scaring me.
NIKITA: Good! Get your things.
DANIELLE: I don't even know your name.
NIKITA: Nikita. Let's go.
Nikita takes Danielle to a bedroom in another building.
NIKITA: You'll be okay here.
DANIELLE: How long am I supposed to stay here?
NIKITA: I don't know. Until I say you can go out again. If you need money, I'll get you some.
DANIELLE: You are you?
NIKITA: Do you have someplace to go?
DANIELLE: No, I don't.
NIKITA: Parents?
DANIELLE: I'd rather die than go back to them, okay? I mean that.
NIKITA: All right. No lectures. But Danielle, if you leave this room, you will die. Do you understand that? I'll get back as soon as I can. Promise me you won't leave until then.
DANIELLE: Yeah, I promise.
NIKITA: Lock the door after I'm gone.
DANIELLE: Yeah.
MICHAEL'S OFFICE
NIKITA: No mission?
MICHAEL: No.
NIKITA: What'd you call me in for?
MICHAEL: Where were you?
NIKITA: No place in particular. Formitz's last intel was accurate. One of our teams in Prague was able to prevent a bombing.
NIKITA: Good.
MICHAEL: They took the bomber alive. It's a woman.
NIKITA: She might lead us directly to Halir. We wouldn't need Formitz any more.
MICHAEL: I thought you'd like to know.
NIKITA: Thanks.
OUTSIDE WHITE ROOM
NIKITA: She broke?
MADELINE: No. And she won't.
NIKITA: It hasn't been that long -- how can you be sure?
MADELINE: I'm sure.
NIKITA: Well, perhaps if we just held off for a little while, and, ah, let her remember what its like not to feel pain. Then, suddenly, hit her with it.
MADELINE: It won't work.
NIKITA: Can I at least try?
Madeline nods.
WHITE ROOM
NIKITA: We're finished. Let's go.
KARA: Where?
NIKITA: To a cell.
KARA: I'll stay here.
NIKITA: I said we're finished.
KARA: I had a son. He was three when they came to my house and murdered him and my husband. I no longer feel pain and I do not fear death. You'll give me comfort, then begin again, worse then before. What will you do, break every bone in my body?
Kara breaks the bones in three of her fingers with her other hand, never once flinching.
KARA: What else do you wish to break? I'll save you the trouble.
SYSTEMS
OPERATIONS: An embassy in Vienna. An airport in Istanbul, another in Bucharest. All within the last four days.
MADELINE: Bright Star?
OPERATIONS: They're picking up the pace. We can't just intercept the bombers. We have to get to Halir, himself. What about the prisoner?
MADELINE: She very unlikely to crack.
OPERATIONS: If we have to use Formitz, we'll have to do it quickly. They're starting to use other forgers. They may not need him much longer.
MADELINE: We'll have him set up a meeting with Halir -- some place we can access.
MICHAEL: Formitz will be extremely reluctant to take that kind of risk.
OPERATIONS: Nikita will have to persuade him.
OPERATIONS: Is that a problem?
MICHAEL: The relationship between Formitz and Nikita is not without difficulties.
OPERATIONS: Why is that?
MADELINE: She's become aware of his...habit.
OPERATIONS: She has a job to do. I would hate to feel that she's regressing, becoming sentimental again.
MICHAEL: She's not.
OPERATIONS: Then can she or can she not persuade Formitz to meet with Halir?
MICHAEL: I'll go along.
OPERATIONS: We need a contingency.
MADELINE: I agree.
OPERATIONS: Any ideas?
MADELINE: One or two.
BAR
FORMITZ: Your boyfriend?
NIKITA: A colleague.
FORMITZ: Three's a crowd.
NIKITA: Deal with it.
MICHAEL: When's your next contact with Halir?
FORMITZ: Like I told her, he calls me. Tells me what to bring, where to meet.
MICHAEL: Next time will be different. You'll set the terms.
FORMITZ: It'll never happen.
MICHAEL: You tell him you know the name of a traitor inside his organization.
FORMITZ: Do I?
MICHAEL: One will be provided.
FORMITZ: It's too risky. He'll be heavily guarded.
MICHAEL: We can deal with that. You set the meeting. We'll triple your fee.
FORMITZ: And provide sanctuary afterwards.
MICHAEL: Of course.
FORMITZ: Now, I will need certain other things as well.
MICHAEL: Such as?
FORMITZ: She knows.
NIKITA: Forget it.
FORMITZ: I'll give you an hour to think it over.
SECTION: CORRIDOR
MICHAEL: He wants the girl. He won't cooperate unless he gets her. Where is she?
NIKITA: I don't know. Michael, find another way. Pay him more money. Threaten him.
MICHAEL: He's unstable as it is. Threats might spin him out of control.
NIKITA: Even if I knew where Danielle is, I wouldn't give her to that monster.
MICHAEL: I haven't said you should.
NIKITA: But that's what you're thinking. You're going to tell me to remember those people at the bus depot.
MICHAEL: Do you?
Michael leaves.
MADELINE: Nikita. Good news. The prisoner cooperated after all. Gave us a way to Halir.
NIKITA: When I left her she was breaking her own bones.
MADELINE: You should have had more faith in your own suggestion. We let her rest, then brought her back in. It worked.
NIKITA: So there's no need for Formitz?
MADELINE: Apparently not.
OPERATIONS: Halir will be meeting a courier at sixteen hundred, in an Arab market in Berlin. We'll tag the courier, follow him to Halir. You'll remain in Section to assist Birkoff with tactical overview. Any other questions?
COMM
BIRKOFF: Nikita, come with me.
NIKITA: Birkoff, the mission ....
BIRKOFF: Walter just found out Belinda's dead.
NIKITA: What?
MUNITIONS
BIRKOFF: Walter, you're scaring me!
Walter shoves Birkoff away.
NIKITA: Walter, what are you doing?
Walter fails to push Nikita out of his way.
WALTER: He asked for it and he's gonna get it.
NIKITA: You're going to shoot Operations!
WALTER: Right between the eyes!
Nikita pushes him deeper into Munitions.
WALTER: Get out of my way!
NIKITA: Walter, I'm sorry Belinda's dead.
WALTER: You're not --
NIKITA: I'm sorrier than I can say but how many times have you told me not to take the Section personally?
WALTER: I don't care what I told you!
NIKITA: It's pointless -- they'll kill you, too!
WALTER: I don’t care!
NIKITA: Well, I do! And so does Birkoff, and so do a lot of other people here!
NIKITA: We need you, Walter. I need you. What would Belinda tell you to do? Would she tell you to throw your life away...or stay here for the people who need you?
WALTER: It's not fair! It's not fair!
NIKITA: I know, Walter. You have to go on. That's what she would want.
OPERATIONS: Walter? What's happening here?
Nikita takes the gun out of Walter's hand and conceals it under her coat. Walter wipes his eyes.
NIKITA: Nothing. We were just talking.
OPERATIONS: You and Birkoff should be at your terminals.
NIKITA: I know. We're going now.
OPERATIONS: Walter. I'm sorry about Belinda.
MARKETPLACE: MISSION
BIRKOFF: Courier should arrive in a gray sedan.
MICHAEL: Here he is. He's on foot. Entering the square.
BIRKOFF: Team one -- tag him.
NIKITA: Courier's been tagged.
BIRKOFF: He's heading toward the Northeast corner.
The courier approaches Halir.
HALIR: Hello, my friend. What do you have for me today?
Michael kills the bodyguards. Mentz and another operative capture Halir.
MICHAEL: We've got Halir. Perimeter status?
NIKITA: Perimeter's clear.
The courier turns to face the remote camera and Nikita identifies Formitz.
MICHAEL: (to Formtiz) You can go.
Nikita tosses down the comm link and leaves. She goes to Danielle’s hiding place, but the room is empty.
MICHAEL'S OFFICE
NIKITA: Why was Formitz at the meet?
MICHAEL: The original courier was detained. We substituted Formitz; a face Halir would trust.
NIKITA: Why did he agree to help?
MICHAEL: More money.
NIKITA: No. Section found Danielle and gave her to him.
MICHAEL: He knows his way around, perhaps he found her himself.
NIKITA: You called me in, told me about the prisoner. Let me interrogate her. Meanwhile, Section was out looking for Danielle. Isn't that right?
MICHAEL: No.
NIKITA: Madeline lied when she told me the prisoner broke.
MICHAEL: Madeline wouldn't bother to lie.
NIKITA: She might to keep that mission running smoothly. I want the truth, Michael. Did the Section give Danielle to Formitz?
MICHAEL: No.
FORMITZ'S APARTMENT
FORMITZ: What are you doing here?
WOMAN: Halir was taken.
FORMITZ: My god, who took him?
WOMAN: You know.
FORMITZ: I don't. How would I know?
WOMAN: Because you betrayed him.
FORMITZ: Are you crazy?
WOMAN: We have names, dates...
FORMITZ: They made me do it.
The woman shoots him.
COMM
MICHAEL: Formitz is dead.
NIKITA: Can't say I'm too sorry about that.
MICHAEL: You don't seem to be surprised.
NIKITA: Dangerous line of work he's in.
MICHAEL: His death compromises our ability to deal with the remnants of Halir's organization.
NIKITA: We'll just have to find some other way.
MICHAEL: This is important, Nikita. I want the truth. Did you give him up?
NIKITA: No.
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