Love Transcript
By Debora May
(Caution: occasional editoral comment contained below)
TEASER
Bauer, Andy, 3 Terrorists.
Bauer: I won't waste your time with small talk. I know you're busy.
We've got our L-Virus. Like other nerve gas agents, L-Virus combines chemically
with KHSO5, but only L-Virus has a bromine spike. (He does something on
the computer and turns it to Terrorist 1 and 2.)
T1: speaking Korean
T2: This isn't proof. This display could have been simulated in the
software.
Bauer: That's a good point. Andy, take Frank to the basement, willya?
Andy: Frank?
Bauer: Go ahead.
(Andy leaves the room with a cat. Bauer opens a large screen TV.)
Bauer: You hired me to do two things: to get L-Virus, which I did,
and to pull the trigger, if your negotiations with the government break down.
Your concern is whether I have the resolve to do what you're asking. That's
legitimate. After all, I'm only in this for the money. I've known Andy for
10 years (Andy appears with the cat on the TV screen), ever since
his parents died. He's the closest thing I have to a son. Andy puts the cat
down and attempts to leave the basement. The door is locked. He motions to
the camera to open the door. Bauer pushed a button to release the gas. Andy
turn in panic, struggles with the door. The terrorists and Bauer watch him
die. Bauer zooms the camera in on his body.
Bauer: There's your signature: black eyes and black nails. (The
camera zooms in one black fingernails). L-Virus. Do we have a deal?
T2 nods.
Bauer: Good. I hope your discussions go well. If not, I'll be ready.
T1 and T2 leave.
ACT I
Briefing Room
Operations: 2 days ago, an experimental DX class nerve gas was stolen.
And the fact that our government was in possession of this material is a
blatant violation of the chemical weapons convention. (He activates the viewing
screen.) This is Perry Bauer. Hammas, Red Brigade, IRA, all of them have
done business with him over the years. He can procure just about anything;
material, information, people. Based on the information we've gathered over
the past 36 hours, we believe he has L-Virus. What he plans on doing with
the virus is not known, but we think it's linked to the recent threats against
the government by Red Cell, the rogue faction out of North Korea.
Michael: How much time?
Operations: L-Virus has a limited shelf
life. If they're going to use it, it's going to be soon.
Airport
Peter and Sage arrive at the airport. They are blond, dressed in leather
and sunglasses. They get into a limosine. Sage proceeds to climb all over
Peter. The doors suddenly lock and a gun appears on the back of the front
seat. Nikita is there, in her punk, gum-chewing persona.
Nikita: Weapons, please?
Peter and Sage exchange looks.
White Room
Peter and Sage are bound to chairs, hands behind their backs.
Madeline enters and walks through the room.
Madeline: In a moment you'll be separated and you'll never see each
other again. Understand that. Whoever talks first will go free; the other
will never see the light of day.
Madeline exits.
The door closes on Peter and Sage staring at each other.
Walter's shop
Nikita is checking in her weapon.
Walter: Been thinkin' about me?
Nikita: Sure, Walter, you're all I ever think about.
Walter: You know, they don't condone sexual relations between operatives,
but I think in our case they'd make an execption.
Nikita: Oh, yeah?
Walter: (Turns his computer screen to Nikita.) I've already
done the paperwork.
Nikita laughs.
Nikita: Oh, Walter, um, there's no "w" in menage a trois.
Walter: I thought I ran a spell check.
Michael enters.
Michael: How'd it go?
Walter: Michael, ya mind? We're having a moment here.
Michael gives Walter a look and then (I swear it) a slight smile.
Walter grins at Michael, then Nikita. Nikita signs Walter's form.
Walter: Thank you sugar.
Nikita winks at Walter as she leaves.
Walter: (under his breath) So bad.
Scene continues in Section
Nikita: It went fine, Michael.
Michael: And, uh, how's everything else?
Nikita: I didn't know there was anything else?
Michael: Have you made friends?
Nikita: See, I thought I wasn't supposed to get close to anyone.
Michael: How's the apartment?
Nikita: (irritated) Michael , you don't have to pretend to
be interested. Everything's fine.
Michael: I know the transition is difficult. It was difficult for
me, too.
Nikita: (pause) Really...somehow I don't see anything being
difficult for you. I guess I'll see you later.
Michael: You'll see me in 10 minutes. Madeline wants to see us.
Madeline's office
Operations: Our guests have a meeting with
Bauer this afternoon. Your name is Peter (hands Michael a packet);
Nickita, you're Sage. You met through a man named Pfiger from Frankfurt.
You specialize in a broad range of mercenary services: attack, diversion,
assissination. You''ve been married for less than 2 years, and, judging from
the fresh scratch marks on their backs, it's safe to say the relationship
is a passionate one.
Michael and Nikita exchange a look.
Nikita: Will Bauer know we're not these people?
Madeline: Bauer's never met Peter and Sage. They were referred to
him by Pfiger. Now, just be careful. Bauer is extremely suspicious. Even
if you do earn his trust and you cross over into his world, he's as dangerous
to his friends as he is to his enemies.
Nikita: Meaning what?
Michael: He's got exotic appetites. Whatever he has to do to his
partners to get off, he will.
Madeline: He *will* hit on you, Nikita.
Nikita: I'm cool.
Madeline: He could hit on you, too, Michael. (Nikita snorts.)
Here, put these on.
Michael picks up one of the wedding rings, begins to slide it on his finger.
Nikita's ring is too big for her finger.
Nikita: It doesn't fit.
Michael: Here, this one's yours. (He puts the ring on Nikita's
finger.)
Nikita: Do I have to love, honor and obey?
Michael: Just--obey.
Nikita: S'OK. There's no need "till death do us part". (Michael
looks very haunted at this point.)
Madeline: Let me see you kiss.
Michael: We'll be fine.
Madeline: I know you will.
Nikita gives Michael a quick peck.
Madeline: You've got to *become* Peter and Sage.
Michael: We will.
Madeline: That's everything.
Nikita: So, which one of them cracked?
Madeline: They both did, of course.
Nikita: So who goes free?
Madeline: You'd better get ready.
Nikita gives Madeline a knowing look, kicks the door open and exits.
Bauer's property
A limosine is driving through lots of green to a gate. The driver rings
the gate.
Speaker: Yeah, what is it?
Driver: Peter and Sage to see Mr. Bauer.
Speaker: Unload 'em. We'll meet 'em at the gate.
Driver: I don't get it, do I wait?
Speaker: You're done.
Limo pulls away, leaving Michael and Nikita with their bags. Nikita is wearing
a really stupid looking short black wig. Michael has his hair in his "mission
hairstyle"-pulled back into a top ponytail.
A golf cart drives up.
Flunky: Who's the happy couple?
Michael: We're here to see Bauer.
Flunky: Really, what for?
Nikita: We're here for the job in the kitchen
Flunky: Who says there's an opening?
Nikita: Mutual acquaintance.
Flunky: Who might that be?
Michael: Pfiger.
Flunky: Let's go.
Camera mounted on the gate monitors them driving away; Michael in front
with the flunky, Nikita in back.
Bauer's house
Flunky: After you're all settled in, you
can hang by the pool. We've got a full bar, videos, whatever you want.
Michael: When do we meet Bauer?
Flunky: You in a hurry?
Michael: We came here to do a job, not watch videos.
Flunky: That's too bad, we've got some
pretty good ones.
Flunky waves at armed guards patrolling the property.
Scene continues on the balcony of the house
Bauer: You're late, why is that?
Michael: Are you Bauer?
Bauer: You didn't answer my question.
Nikita: What is it with these guys, Peter, They all got small ones?
--Or they just act that way?
Bauer: This your wife?
Michael: Yeah.
Bauer: She's got quite a mouth.
Michael: Sorry we're late. It couldn't be avoided.
Bauer: This job requires precision and execution. Convince me you
can do it.
Michael: Talk to Pfiger, he knows our work.
Bauer: This doesn't feel right. Meet Ornett out front, he'll take
care of your fee for coming out.
Michael stands still, thinking for a moment. He and Nikita leave the house.
Michael puts his arm around her, as if cuddling with her, and whispers.
Michael: He has no intention of letting us walk out of here alive.
They get back in the golf cart, walking past all the armed guards, with Nikita
in front. She kicks the driver in the face; she and Michael go into the trees.The
guards and Bauer are looking everywhere for them. Nikita comes up behing
Bauer as he is looking through the scope of his gun, and puts a gun to the
back of his neck.
Nikita: Audition's over
and hands him a radio. Bauer calls off the guards. Michael walks out of the
trees, holding a guard hostage.) Bauer: (to Nikita) Welcome to the
team.
ACT 2
Bauer's compound. Flunky, Michael, Nikita.
Flunky: This is it (their apartment). Here's your itineraries: timeline,
location, floorplan. Memorize it.
Michael: What are we doin'?
Flunky: We're going to release nerve gas into an office building.
Nikita: Why?
Flunky: You know when you'ge got hostages, nobody really pays attention
until you toss a body out the front door? We'll be leaving in about 12 hours.
If Bauer calls you in the building, you'll be wearing a gas mask, please
don't take it off until you're back in the van. Rock and roll.
Nikita sneaks out to meet Walter in a van.
Nikita: 10 o'closk tomorrow morning. The De Anza Building downtown.
He's bringing gas masks.
Walter: Got it.
Nikita: So what's the plan?
Walter: We evacuate the building and let him have his fun. Good Luck
sugar.
Walter gives Nikita a small circular bomb and kisses her hand as she takes
it from him. She leaves. Walter looks very unhappy.
Section
Birkoff, Madeline
Birkoff: I can see why he chose the building. Access in and out on
three sides. The windows are all tinted and sealed, there's only one security
guard.
Madeline: Collateral, do we have a number?
Birkoff: During peak hours, we're lookin' at 400, 500 people. Mornings
are probably half that.
Madeline: Did you run a sim?
Birkoff: Yeah, the problem is, we're not
sure how many canisters he plans on using. He's certainly got enough to cover
the whole building.
Madeline: Past performances?
Birkoff: You want to know if he'd really
toast this many people? He's going in with the gas. This guy's not bluffing.
ACT 3
De Anza Building, downtown
Bauer, Michael, Nikita, 4 flunkies, driver
Bauer: You-you (points to 2 flunkies) cover the north side
of the building. Keep it clear. Grab the masks. Peter, Sage, hang in front.
Anything comes in, doesn't look right, you let me know. Let's go.
Bauer goes into the building with 2 flunkies. Michael and Nikita stay with
the van, observing. Nikita see a mother and child going up to the entrance,
the child smiles and waves at Nikita.
Nikita: (very low) Michael
She starts to move to stop them. Michael grabs her arm and pulls her back.
Michael: *STAY PUT*
Mother and child meet with father and leave before entering the building.
Cut to Bauer and flunkies putting canister in the ventilation system. The
security guard tries to stop them, gets shot for his trouble. They start the
gas and leave, but the guard catches Bauer's foot and pulls him down. Bauer
hits the wall, unconscious.
Cut to outside
Flunkies run out of the building.
Michael: Where's Bauer?
Flunky: I dunno. Right behind me.
Nikita: sees people trying to open the windows.
Nikita:Oh my god, Michael, there's people in there! Gimme that.
She grabs Michael's gas mask and runs into the building.
Michael: SAGE! (He grabs another mask and follows her in.)
Flunky: Let's get out of here!
Nikita is in the lobby of the building, trying to move people out and getting
hysterical.
Upstairs, Bauer regains consciousness.
Michael enters, grabs Nikita and slams her against the wall.
Michael: There's nothing you can do--focus!
Bauer crawls out of the elevator (stairs?)
Michael lifts Bauer up on his shoulders and gets him to the truck. Sirens
sound. Michael and Nikita climb in the van. Michael gives Nikita a look--get
it under control.
Bauer's compound
Michael and Nikita are outside, alone.
Nikita: Section let those people get slaughtered. I told Walter exactly
when and where it was going to go down. Who are these butchers we're working
for, Michael?
Michael: Don't do this, Nikita. You don't have all the information.
Nikita: I don't care. You don't stand by and watch innocent people
die. You find a solution.
Michael: What solution?
Nikita: You grab Bauer and you lock him up? You don't let him walk
into that building.
Michael: Most likely Bauer had a fail-safe. Instead of a dozen dead,
there'd be thousands.
Nikita: You don't know that.
Michael: That's right. Neither do you. (He looks intently at Nikita;
she looks away.) Just do the job.
Bauer's house
Bauer descends some stair with a martini glass in his hand. Michael and Nikita
are waiting. She is now wearing an odd black policeman's-type hat.
Michael: How're your feelin'?
Bauer: Why'd you come into the building? Your orders were to stay
posted.
Nikita: If we'd obeyed orders you'd be dead now.
Bauer: Well, that's an interesting management dilemma, isn't it?
Do I reward you for disobeying orders or punish you for saving my life?
Nikita: How 'bout feeding us? I'm starved.
Bauer: C'mon in. Let's get acquainted. (Goes back upstairs.)
Scene continues in the kitchen
Bauer: When I first hired a 5-star chef, my mother said I was excessive,
but I don't believe in cutting corners when it comes to pleasure, don't you
agree?
Nikita: Oh, I like froot loops.
Bauer: So, where did you two meet?
Michael and Nikita exchange a look. Michael settles back into character,
gives a slight smile.
Michael: Oh, that was in--
Nikita: (interrupting him loudly) Rio. During Carnival. The
first time I remember seeing him was in my bed, the morning after. I don't
know how we got there, we were totally wasted. Peter's my first, my only--
(goes over and bites Michael gently on the jaw) --true love. (Michael
stares intently at Nikita's act.)
Bauer: But that's odd. Because Pfiger told me you were with him,
at that time, in Frankfurt, and he introduced you two.
Nikita: Pfiger's a liar. He wishes he were with me.
Bauer: Yes, that's my friend Pfiger. (grins and laughs). Come-I have
something to show you; you'll like it.
Madeline's office
Operations: Red Cell is giving the government 6 hours to accede to
their demands.
Madeline: What are they?
Operations: Releasing politcial prisoners,
lifting the embargo, public denunciation of capitalism, the usual crap.
Madeline: Will they meet any of the demands?
Operations: Not a single one.
Madeline: Will that change over the next 6 hours?
Operations: No. We made any progress?
Madeline: Michael and Nikita are with Bauer now. We're not in real-time
contact with them, but we expect to hear from them shortly.
Operations: (nods) 6 hours.
Madeline's computer is showing pictures of Michael and Nikita in their Peter
and Sage personas.
Bauer's house
Bauer is nuzzling his girlfriend, puts his arm around Nikita.
Nikita: (calls back) Great dinner, chef!
Bauer appears drunk. Nikita pushes him away from her. Michael comes up behind
Nikita, puts his hands on her shoulders protectively. Bauer turns on music,
starts dancing with his girlfriend and motions Nikita to join them. Michael
takes Nikita out to dance. They dance, very slowly, staring at each other.
The song goes: 'Cos I can't go on living, being your sometimes man. Bauer
watches them closely; he doesn't seem drunk now.
Girlfriend: You two look so beautiful together.
Michael: Sage is beautiful.
Girlfriend: You must be in love.
Michael: We are.
Bauer throws his glass, shattering it. Nikita jumps slightly.
Bauer: Go get me more champagne, willya?
Girlfriend: You can be such a pig when
you want to be--like all the time.
Cut back to Michael and Nikita, he is SMILING at her!! Bauer goes up to them,
puts his arms around both Michael and Nikita.
Bauer: You're a lucky man, Peter, a lucky man.
Michael: Are we done with this job?
Bauer: Yup.
Michael: I guess your clients got what they wanted?
Bauer: Nah, was a total waste of time. I knew it would be. They're
foreigners, you know, they don't understand, you don't get in John Wayne's
face and tell him what to do. Fanatics, you know. Wipe out a few thousand
people.
Nikita: What people?
Bauer: Watch the morning news. Out of my hands now. Let's not talk
about money, though, tonight, all right? Tell me something, what do you think
of Stephanie (the girlfriend)?
Michael: She's all right.
Bauer: (to Michael) C'mere. I want to tell you a little secret.
Ever since the first time I met you, I've been wantin' you to watch me have
sex with your wife. Whaddya say. (Nikita is fussing with her wedding ring.
Michael turns to look at her).
Michael: Just give us the money and we're out of here.
Bauer: Oh, no, Peter, I hate to burst your bubble, but 'we're outta
here' is not an option.
Nikita: What do you want from us?
Bauer: Listen, obviously, you two have some perverse idea about love
and single partners. I respect that. So if you don't want to do it WITH me,
how about you do it FOR me.
(Nikita: turns and swallows.)
ACT 4
Michael and Nikita enter a room, escorted by an armed guard. Bauer is watching
through a video hook-up, drinking champangne straight from the bottle.
Bauer: OK, kids, don't disappoint me.
He turns on music that is piped into the bedroom. Michael observes the camera
placement. Michael and Nikita kiss and take Michael's leather jacket off.
He is wearing a tight(!) blue t-shirt.
Michael: Take your clothes off. (Nikita starts to pull off her
t-shirt. Michael catches her hands. ) No- slowly. (He backs up and
glances up at the camera.) Perform for me.
Michael sits down in a chair under the camera. Nikita starts to do a strip
tease. She tosses her hat to Michael. Michael takes out the circular bomb
Walter gave Nikita; it was hidden in her hat. Nikita continues to undress
slowly. Bauer has zoomed the camera in on her; he cannot see Michael on the
video.
Quick cut to the blond flunky unloading the gas canisters.
Cut back to Nikita dancing for the camera. Michael reaches up and opens the
air vent. He activates the bomb and rolls it into the air duct. He goes over
to Nikita, lifts her up in his arms and licks her tummy (every girl watching
now dies). He tosses her on the bed and lands on top of her.
Michael: Get ready.
He kisses her deeply and reaches up to cover her ears. The bomb explodes.
The entire house shakes.
Bauer gets a gun and tells his girlfriend to stay in her room.
Michael is up and out of their room and hacking into Bauer's computer.
Bauer enters the bedroom. Nikita is there in only her bra and leather thong,
crouched on the bed. The wig is off and her hair is flowing down.
Bauer: Where's Peter?
Nikita: Went looking for you. What's that? Did you hear that?
Bauer: What's going on?
Nikita: Nothing. Yet. (She takes off the wedding ring.) Probably
won't be back for a few minutes.
She arches her back seductively. Bauer approaches the bed. Nikita kicks him
in the groin. She does a backwards somersault, ending up in a crouch at the
head of the bed (every guy watching now dies). Bauer brings his gun up to
aim at her. Nikita gives him a big taunting smile. Michael appears behind
Bauer and grabs him by the throat. Nikita grabs her clothes.
Michael: It's a train station. Let's go.
Bauer: What, are you crazy? We'll die.
Nikita: No, you'll die. We'll be wearing gas masks.
Train Station
Nikita has Bauer, who is handcuffed.
Michael: Where is it?
Bauer: I don't know. He's an outsider I hired.
Nikita: Who?
Bauer: A kid. He's got long blond hair. (something is said about
dreadlocks- couldn't catch it) Bauer sees him. There-right there.
Michael: (to Nikita) Get these people out of here. (He runs
after the kid.)
Nikita: Please-please get out. (No one pays attention. She fires
her gun in the air, everyone drops. ) GET OUT! (They do. She points
her gun at Bauer.) Where is it? (She looks all around, in garbage
cans. ) *Where is it?*
Bauer: I don't know. I swear to god I don't know. (She has her
gun right at his head. ) All I know is that's it's supposed to go off
right at 6:04. (Nikita looks at the train board.)
Nikita: It's on the track.
Tries to get Bauer to go with her. He refuses, she belts him across the face.
Cut to Michael chasing the blond kid.
Cut back to Nikita walking up and down the track. She continues to fire
her gun in the air to get people to leave. She sees cords in the rocks and
digs up one canister. The train is coming around the corner right at her.
The other canister is attached. Nikita digs frantically to get the other
canister out and dodges off the track just as the train passes. Michael appears,
shoving the kid in front of him, and looks over at Nikita, lying next to
the track with the train going by and the canisters in her arms.
TAG
Section
Madeline, Nikita and Michael enter. Michael is all in black again, Nikita
is in the shirt and skirt from the beginning of the show.
Madeline: Apparently, you two were very convincing as a young couple
in love.
Nikita: Glad to hear it.
Nikita hears laughter and looks up to see Bauer with George (?) and Operations.
Madeline: Shades of grey. There's no such thing as the enemy any
more. As long as Bauer's willing to play both sides of the fence, we'll do
business.
Nikita is livid. Michael looks at her carefully, then leaves.
Nikita pulls out her gun, aims at Bauer and pulls the trigger. The chamber
is empty. She leaves.
THE END