Slipping Into Darkness
OUTDOORS
A courthouse building in the background. A man dressed all
in black picks up the pay phone to make a call and places a device on it,
apparently tracking the call somehow. It's Michael.
Voice: Go ahead.
Michael: I need a cab.
Voice: Where to?
Michael: Hamburg.
Voice: Hang up, and turn around.
Michael does, a Mercedes station wagon drives up. The window goes down and a man
is there.
Man in car: We didn't think you'd show.
Michael: When can I meet Philo?
Man: First things first.
He hands Michael a glass vial of something.
Michael: What's the reaction time?
Man: Ten hours. First sign is confusion, then comes judgment disintegration,
followed by paranoid delusions. A complete brain meltdown.
Michael: Good.
WAR ROOM
Michael enters; Operations is there.
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 isn't looking; Michael sprays the substance into his drink.
Operations: Okay let me know when you have something definitive. Oversight wants
a quick turnover on this one.
Michael: Sure.
Michael leaves and walks downstairs. He looks up at Operations in the Perch, who
is drinking the poison.
THE PERCH
Madeline walks in and up to Operations,
who is sitting at a terminal.
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: Gustav Pogue.
Madeline: Gustav Pogue has been dead for four years.
Operations: That's exactly what he wants the world to believe.
Birkoff: (on the intercom) Sir, I've got what you asked for.
Operations: (to Birkoff) I'll be right there. (to Madeline) Start preparing a
profile on Pogue. (he leaves)
Madeline looks concerned, confused.
COMM CENTER
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.
Another operative comes up.
Operative: Sir?
Cut to Michael and Walter, watching events, both looking concerned.
Walter: I hear we're chasing a ghost.
Michael: Gustav 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.
Flash back to Comm, Operations is upset.
Operations: What's the matter with you people? You can't even see the obvious!
Birkoff: Sir, I've checked every file-
Operations: (pushes his way in by Birkoff's terminal) Come on, move, move!
(starts typing himself)
NIKITA'S APARTMENT
Mick is at the door.
Mick: Oh, I'm so glad I caught your home, popsicle.
Nikita: What? (she's annoyed, it's obviously very early.)
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 (starts to close the door)
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. (she
slams the door in his face but can still hear him.) 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: (throws open the door) Just get out of my life! Please! (slams door
again)
The phone rings.
Nikita: (to herself) Here's your morning wake-up call.
Michael: Josephine.
COMMONS AREA
Nikita comes in, runs into Birkoff
Nikita: Hey, Birkoff.
Birkoff: Can't talk! (he rushes by her)
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: (stalking by them) Briefing
in two minutes.
Nikita looks shocked.
WAR ROOM
Operations: Most of you remember Gustav 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.
(Operations leaves)
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. (he walks away)
THE PERCH
Madeline enters, goes up to Operations.
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. (annoyed) 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!
Madeline looks shocked at his tone of voice.
Birkoff: (on intercom) Sir?
Operations: What is it Birkoff? (still angry)
Birkoff: I found Pogue's old safe house.
Operations: Great. (he leaves, leaving Madeline looking very much concerned)
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 CENTER
The mission is taking place. Michael is in
the field, Nikita is in Section doing tactical.
Birkoff: Red Team is in the target zone.
Nikita: Engage.
Flash to ground troops running and a man's voice.
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: (in the field, releases the woman) Go on.
VAN ACCESS
The team comes back in.
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. (to Duskis) You're going to be my example. Do it.
Duskis: What do you mean? (men start to drag him away)
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?
Operations walks away, Nikita walks up.
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. (Michael walks away)
COMM CENTER
Nikita goes up to Birkoff.
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?
Birkoff nods. Nikita looks up at the Perch, sees Operations glaring down malevolently. Michael,
too, watches the Perch.
MADELINE'S OFFICE
Nikita enters.
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.
They stare daggers at each other and Nikita finally walks away.
COMM CENTER
Operations storms in.
Operations: Birkoff, I told you not to divert any resources from Pogue! (he
slaps Birkoff across the face, hard) Don't ever let that happen again!
Anybody else here want to disobey me? What are you looking at? Get back to work.
Nikita and Walter stare in shock. Michael stares and then turns around and walks off.
A BUILDING
At night. A secret meeting of Section operatives.
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.
Another 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. Liberia, 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 a choice. Operations is out of
control. You can go if you like, Walter. We understand.
Walter takes a moment to think about it.
Walter: I'm in.
COMMONS AREA
Nikita arrives back.
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.
Operations paces in the Perch, smoking.
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 the 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.
Operations sees them talking, glares, and darkens the Perch.
SIBERIA
It looks like a small Mongolian village, tents covered in animal skins.
Helicopters arrive from the sea, people on the ground running. Nikita is on the ground on
a snowmobile. She's searching for Pogue.
Operations: Has the target been located?
Birkoff: They're still looking.
Nikita searches through the people on the ground
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: (holding his head) That's impossible.
Birkoff: Are you all right?
Operations: (shoves him into the chair) 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: (to the other ops) Let's go, let's go.
Operations: When Nikita returns, I want her cancelled. You tell Madeline.
VAN ACCESS
Mission team returns, Nikita comes back in and sees two
big operatives waiting for her. They take her gun away.
Nikita: I know the way.
She walks down the hall, followed by the two operatives. Then when she gets a
chance, she beats them both up and goes to run but runs headlong into Michael.
They stare at each other. She's scared; he looks misty
eyed but he doesn't back off and she backs away and heads to where she was
supposed to be going.
WHITE ROOM
Nikita is strapped to the chair, Madeline enters
and walks around her.
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. (She steps behind the chair and releases
the restraints; lets Nikita go. Nikita jumps up and stands by the wall.) 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. (Madeline leaves)
COMM CENTER
Nikita walks in wearing a hat, trying to
disguise herself.
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. (She
walks away)
Michael: Nikita-
Nikita: I can't talk.
Michael: What happened?
Nikita: Madeline let me go.
Michael: (Stops her, takes her arm) 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.
Michael walks across Section, looks up at Operations pacing in the Perch.
SECTION ONE - RESTRICTED AREA
Obviously some place Michael's not supposed to
be. Madeline runs into Michael.
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. (he goes to leave) 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: Really? It must be a mistake. I'll look at it.
Madeline stares at him, suspiciously. He walks away and then makes a call on his
cell phone.
Michael: We'll have to accelerate the schedule. I'll keep in touch.
THE PERCH
Madeline and Operations are present.
Madeline: What is it?
Operations: I just located Pogue.
He goes over to the counter by the window and leans on it, gasping for air.
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!
He storms from the Perch, leaving her looking extremely worried. After a second,
she follows him.
VAN ACCESS
Michael's about to go out with the team.
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: (to his team) Let's go.
Operations: You've been given orders, Michael! Find Pogue, or I'll find someone
who will!
Michael: No, you won't. (turns and faces him.)
Madeline: Michael, you're out of line. (calm but firm)
Michael: It's over, sir.
Madeline: Michael, you are out of line! (angry)
Michael: 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.
Madeline looks furious. Operations looks sideways, looks around in a circle at
all the operatives standing there.
Operations: Any of you here want to join these traitors? Go ahead, step behind
them now!
Operatives, including Walter and Birkoff, align themselves with Michael.
Operations: (sees Nikita) Why is she still alive? (he looks at Madeline)
You're just like them!
Madeline: I'll take care of it. (calm)
Operations: Cancel them all! I gave you a direct order! Did you hear what I
said? (grabs for his gun, Michael stops him)
Michael: I can't let you do this, sir.
Operations: (laughs maniacally) What did you just say?
Michael: You're not well, sir.
Operations slaps Michael over the face. Michael doesn't react. Madeline looks
down.
Michael: I'll have to ask you to step down, sir.
Operations slaps him again. He prepares to do it a third time; Michael catches
his arm and stops him, twisting it around behind him and turning him over to two
operatives.
Operations: You're done here. (he tries to order the operatives around) Take him
away! I said get rid of him!
Madeline watches, looking like it's paining her to see any of this.
Operations: What's going on here?
Michael: I'm relieving you of your duties, and assuming command of the Section.
(they give Operations a shot, he stops struggling.) Take him away. Take both of them
away. (Madeline turns to look at Michael, shocked. Two operatives take her away) If
anyone here disagrees with what I've done today, feel free to come and see me.
(Michael walks away)
They throw Operations in a room, where he lies muttering, and take Madeline
elsewhere. Michael makes a call, again putting a device on the phone first.
Michael: Tell Philo I'm in. (the lights come up on the
Perch; Michael is there.)
THE PERCH
Michael is there, Nikita enters.
Nikita: Are you sure about this?
Michael: The transition's been cleared.
Nikita: So George put you in charge?
Michael: For now.
Birkoff: (on intercom) Michael, you wanted me?
Michael: I want you to cut the Pogue search. Start focusing in on the Shadow
Brigade splinter groups.
Birkoff: Right.
Michael: (to Nikita) Come with me.
Nikita: Where?
Michael: Oversight. I want them to approve your transition to my second in
command. Nikita follows him.
A PARKING GARAGE
Nikita and Michael pull up in a black SUV.
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: He might die.
Michael: That's the point.
He gets out of the car, Nikita follows.
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. (she walks away)
Michael: Nikita.
He cocks a gun; she hears it; she's crying.
Michael: Nikita!
She turns around and he shoots her; she falls. Applause, the man from
the first scene walks up to Michael.
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. (he does) OK, you've got your meeting. If you don't
mind. (he gives Michael a cover for the eyes, and motions him to the waiting car)
AN AIRPORT
Car drives up to a waiting jet; they all get out
and get into the jet. Michael is being led with a bag over his head. Philo's
inside the plane.
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.
A monitor shows Operations, sitting cross-legged on the floor of the room they
threw him into, his shoes and socks off. Michael looks away.
Outside, Nikita comes flying up in the black SUV, flies through a gate, comes
out shooting. Inside the plane, Philo's man runs up.
Man: Someone's followed us here!
Philo: You set me up!
Nikita is outside shooting guards left and right. She enters the plane, gun
drawn, but lowers it when she sees that Michael is already in control of the
situation.
SECTION ONE
An operative opens the door and releases
Madeline from her cell; she comes out walking fast, heading directly to
Operations' cell.
Madeline: (to the operative) Get Medical, now.
She punches buttons to enter the cell. Operations is lying on the floor,
breathing shallowly. She kneels down, takes his pulse, and strokes the side of
his forehead.
Next scene, they're wheeling him into a medical room. She walks around the bed
watching, looking down at him, worried. He opens his eyes, sees her.
Operations: (hoarsely) Did we get him?
Madeline: (smiles down at him) We got him.
He closes his eyes.
SECTION ONE - HALLWAY
Nikita and Michael, walking along.
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
Operations and Philo.
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.
He injects him with the drug that he himself took, then walks away as Philo
starts to shake.
THE PERCH
Michael and Operations.
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 enters the Perch.
Madeline: Things went well.
Operations: Yes, perfectly. (He smiles at her) Michael's skills were impressive.
Madeline: Yes, they were.
Operations: He might just have what it takes to do this job.
Madeline: Your successor? (Operations nods) I don't think he has the ambition.
Operations: Oh, he's got it. He just doesn't know it yet.
Last shot of Michael walking through Section in slow motion.
THE END
Edited by Dana