Threshold Of Pain
Transcript by Lisa
MUNITIONS
Walter is at his work station, he is tampering with some sort of device,
Birkoff approaches.
Birkoff: Want to grab some lunch?
Walter: Yeah. Just want to finish looking at this.
Birkoff: (looking at the device in Walter's hands) Is that a Grunen 412?
Walter: Yeah, I always wanted to see one of these things up close.
Birkoff: I heard the detonators are pitch and roll sensitive.
Just then, there's a sound from the device, a red light comes on.
It's a bomb. Walter looking up, looking at Birkoff, doesn't look
concerned.
Birkoff: Better get it to disposal.
Walter: (nodding, then concerned) Maybe you're right. (Walter comes to a door,
trying to open it, it won't open) It's jammed! (Walter is running
to containment, shouting) Stay away from me, stay away from me! (Walter
comes through a hallway, Operations
is walking Walter's way) Look out, look out, I got a bomb... out of my way! (The
other operatives moving aside) Get away from me! Alright, stay back!
Walter
stops, opens a hatch in the hallway, throws the device in it, and closes the
door, there's an explosion, Walter breathes a sigh of relief, walking away.
Birkoff is there.
Walter: So (smirking, startled) Where d'you like to
have lunch? (Birkoff, staring ahead as they walk)
WAR ROOM
Operations is briefing other operatives including Michael, Nikita on a mission.
Operations: This is the work of a recently formed group calling itself "Black
March". They freelance for various terrorist organizations. They appear to be
motivated by money and the sheer joy of causing pain and
destruction. These are the leaders of Black March..... (there are two
people on the screen, a woman and a man) Simon Crachek, and his partner
Caroline. Some sources say they're brother and sister, others that they're
lovers. In fact, they're probably both. In
24 hours, Black March will be meeting in suburbs of Bucharest. Our job is
to terminate them. You leave in one hour.
Operations walks off.
MUNITIONS
Walter is going over equipment with Nikita and the female operative
is Angela, who was also at the briefing. Another male op, Mark, who was
sitting by her at the briefing, watches on.
Walter: (to Angela) These new sites read a trifle high, don't let them
throw you.
Angela: Okay, thanks Walter.
She walks away with the gun, coming towards Mark,
she smiles at him, he does the same, they walk away together, Walter watches
them walking, Nikita not looking, she is preparing her equipment.
Walter: Real lovebirds huh?
Nikita: (looking up) You think it's not real?
Walter: Ahh, it's real.
Nikita: What, so you don't approve?
Walter: (looking towards Nikita) I approve, just that it will (looking
down, feeling sad), it will end badly, sooner or later it always does in this
place.
Nikita: They know that. Miracle is, they make it work anyway. (looking
upset and sad) And they make it seem so simple. (Nikita leaves)
Walter: Good luck sugar, and don't forget about those sites.
Nikita: Yeah I got it.
Walter smiling at her walking away.
MISSION
They are in front of a building, Michael is inside the mission van, typing.
Michael: Go.
Nikita and Mark are on top of a building, Nikita aiming
the gun, at a man standing below looks to be meeting someone.
Nikita: I've got a clear visual
Birkoff at section typing and watching on.
Birkoff: All operatives point delta in one minute.
Angela on
mission, with gun in hand walking closer to where the man is standing.
Nikita: Birkoff, do you have the hostile?
Birkoff: Got him. (Nikita and Mark, aiming at the man looking on, man
walking with a gun in one hand, looks to be walking away) You're
clear.
Michael is looking on from the van, Angela is moving closer,
about to go up a flight of steps. Angela
brushes up against a piece of metal, making a sound, the piece falls
over the steps, Birkoff and Michael hear it. Just then a man from nowhere
appears and shoots at Angela, she's hit, falls over the steps. Mark sees her and
Nikita shoots the man.
Mark: Angela! (getting up) I'm going to get her.
(Nikita reaching for Mark to stop
him, but she can't)
Nikita: Mark, you can't go.
Nikita tries to cover him, Nikita and
Birkoff watching, Mark gets to Angela.
Mark: (resting her head on his lap) You'll be fine,
I'm getting you out of here.
Michael: Birkoff, we need to extract.
Nikita then gets up and leaves to
get to Mark and Angela, there is shooting. Someone comes out from a
door, behind Mark who is attending to Angela, the man knocks something
over Mark's head, he is unconscious. Then we see a car out of nowhere,
coming toward Nikita fast, Nikita turns at the last minute, the lights shining
on her face, the car strikes her, she comes up on the top of the car, rolling
off, she is unconscious. Men are putting Mark, Angela, and Nikita into a car,
and Nikita in a trunk. Michael watches the tracker from Nikita and
Mark on the screen.
Michael: Where are they Birkoff? (Birkoff watches on)
Birkoff: We lost them.
Michael: (concerned) What do you mean?
Birkoff: They were taken in some kind of vehicle, I'm downloading
satellite intel right now, standard protocol dictates an abort.
Michael: Standard protocol is suspended. (Michael typing,
looking somewhat concerned) Find them! (looking away)
CRACHEK'S HEADQUARTERS
Angela, blood coming out of her nose, is up against a
wire cell, her arms tied to each post. Simon from Black March is
looking at her, then walking over to Mark, who is also against a wire
cell, he is sitting down, can't stand, hands tied to the wire behind
him.
Simon: (to Mark) Now, which one shall
we start with first. (opening a black
bag with some equipment for torture... needles, all sorts of
knives...) Caroline wouldn't hesitate, she'd know immediately, but then
she's an artist. By comparison, I'm something of a butcher.
Mark watches, just then, sees Simon taking out a knife,
Mark slightly startled, trying not to show emotion, looking at the
knife.
Simon: This will do. (Simon walking over to Angela with the knife)
Your equipment and tactics suggest a Section One, am I right?
(Angela, no emotion, looking at him, then away. He touches her with the knife,
going down her chest) You have a substation called S6, its been very active
lately. I have a number of colleagues who would pay very dearly for its precise
location. (going down her chest with the knife, just then, stabbing her in the
stomach) Give it to me! (Angela in pain, Mark looking on, trying not to react)
In another room, Caroline, Simon's sister, has Nikita on a
bed, still unconscious, Caroline is looking the other way.
Caroline: What's your name?
No response, or movement by Nikita. Smirking,
Caroline grabs a device and goes over to her. She climbs on the table and
walks over Nikita.
Caroline: My name is Caroline.
She presses the device against Nikita's neck, shocking her, and she wakes up.
As Nikita is feeling the shocks, Caroline's
head goes backwards, like she enjoys the power. Caroline puts her
hands on Nikita's hips coming closer to Nikita.
Caroline: We're going to be very wildly acquainted in the next few hours... (Nikita
looking up, gasping and in pain) Let me tell you how its going to
be... you are going to be my confidant, my sister... my lover. (Nikita
looking up, Caroline coming closer, then kisses Nikita on the lips,
Nikita still in pain) You will tell me everything I want to know, and much that
I don't care about. (Caroline on top of Nikita, keeping her down, hand on top of
the head, the other hand on her hair, Nikita looks frightened) I will ask,
and you will leap... that's it!
Caroline, looking down at her smirking, Nikita
looks scared and angry, Caroline grabs her hair tight. Back to Simon interrogating
Angela.
Simon: What's it like to feel pain? I'm incapable of it myself, it can
be and advantage, but it can be very lonely. Don't you think it's sad that I'm
so lonely?
Simon stabs her again, she's in pain.
Mark: Leave her alone.
Mark growls at her being tortured, shaking the wire gate, Simon hears him,
looks over at him, he looks back at Angela, licking his lips.
Mark: Stop.
Simon stabs her again, then looks at Mark, then back at
her, then back at Mark.
Simon: You're lovers. (Mark tries not to respond)
When you work with
bodies as much as I do, you learn to watch every move, every twitch, and you two
are lovers. (looking at Angela and Mark.)
Mark: (in pain) No we're not.
Simon: So I can do anything I want with her, and it won't bother you at
all... right?
Simon stabs her, Angela screaming in pain, Mark
looking, shaking the gate. Simon then grabs Angela's face, then with
a knife, proceeds to cut her forehead above the eyebrow.
Angela: No...
Mark: No (Simon
cuts Angela who is screaming) Don't! (shaking the gate)
Simon: Why not, you barely know her. (he continues cutting her)
Mark: Alright, I'll tell you.
Simon: Tell me what? (looking at him)
Mark: Anything, anything you want.
Simon: Substation 6?
Mark: (pauses) Yes. (Simon looks at Angela, then puts his knife away. Turns
and tells Caroline) Caroline, times up!
COMM CENTER
Birkoff is at his workstation.
Birkoff: I got a vehicle to the south about 12 minutes ago, it has to be
them. (Michael looking on from the van) I'm sending the coordinates
now. (Michael looks some what concerned.)
Michael: How far?
Birkoff: 15 minutes, maybe less.
Michael: Move.
CRACHECK'S HEADQUARTERS
Caroline opening a door, holding up Nikita, who can't stand on
her own, throwing her down on the floor.
Caroline: Well, well (coming towards Simon)
Simon: I can't believe I beat you!
Caroline: Her pain threshold is very high. (Nikita awake, in pain) I'd have broken
her eventually, but (Caroline
comes closer, kisses him on the lips) you win.
Simon: Oh I just got lucky, they're lovers
Caroline: (looking at Simon) mmmmm.
Simon: And now as they say... talk.
Mark: 8 kilometers due east. Eleven field operatives. Six over seven security
package.
Simon: Thank you, that's very helpful. (just then they all hear shots,
they both looks) They traced us already, I thought it would take longer.
Caroline: Let's go!
They leave, Caroline first. On the way out, Simon stops and cuts Angela's
throat.
Angela's head drops, Mark screams.
Mark: No! No!
Mark shakes the
wire gate. Simon turns and looks at Mark with a pleased look
on his face. Simon and Caroline flee just before Michael enters the room. While
operatives are securing the room, Michael goes to Nikita, leans
down towards her, very quickly strokes her hair. Then he goes over to Angela and
checks her pulse behind in her neck. Mark is watching him.
Michael: I'm sorry.
Mark is crying, screaming, blood coming down his face. Nikita is awake, lying on the floor, rolls over on her side, closes
her eyes, looks sad.
COMMONS AREA
Mark looks up at Operations in the Perch, then walks away, running into Nikita
as he is leaving. Nikita and Mark both look up at the Perch.
Nikita: Where are you going?
Mark: To tell Operations what happened.
Nikita: You can't. (walking away as Mark is trying to explain)
Mark: I have to, I gave up a substation.
Nikita: (speaking low) Shut-up, they'll cancel you Mark.
Mark: If the substation is hit, they're going to figure out what happened and
cancel me anyway, look at least this way, I'll save lives.
Nikita: You can save the substation without giving yourself up.
Mark: What are you talking about?
Nikita: I'll tell you later, right now we've got to debrief in about five
minutes. Listen to me, we were captured, we were tortured, we were rescued,
that's all that happened (Nikita is about to leave, then turns and puts her hand
on his shoulder, talking low) We were captured, we were tortured, we were
rescued... say it.
MADELINE'S OFFICE
Mark is answering Madeline's questions, Nikita sitting beside him.
Mark: We were captured, we were tortured, and we were rescued. That's
about it, the details are fuzzy.
Madeline: Does that include Angela's death?
Mark: I didn't actually see that.
Madeline: Why not?
Mark: I was unconscious.
Madeline: From torture?
Mark: I was knocked out when I was captured, after that I was in and out.
Madeline: You and Angela were close.
Mark: Yes.
Madeline: I'm sorry.
Mark: We knew the risks.
Madeline: (to Nikita) Do you have anything to add?
Nikita: (no emotion) No I was pretty much in the same condition.
Madeline: So you didn't see Angela die either?
Nikita: No. (shaking her head)
Madeline: That's all for now (as they were getting up leaving... walking
away, Madeline calls them back) One more question. (they stop and turn around
at the
same time, looking at her) Why do you suppose they killed her? You both were
barely conscious, what did they gain by it? (Mark and Nikita pause to answer)
Mark: Maybe they wanted us to see her dead body when
we came around. Example of what would happen to us if we didn't cooperate.
Madeline: Our intel indicates they're usually more direct then that.
Nikita: I got the impression they inflict pain and death for the sheer
fun of it.
Madeline: You can go, but stand by, there's going to be a follow up mission.
They both leave.
SECTION ONE - HALLWAY
Nikita and Mark are walking.
Mark: She didn't
buy it.
Nikita: Probably not, but I doubt she suspects the truth either, not yet anyway.
Mark: (Mark grabs hold of Nikita and looks at her) Why, huh, why did he
kill her?
Nikita: (sorry for him) I can't explain that Mark, he's insane.
Mark: He wanted to see the expression on my face, he actually seemed
curious.
Nikita: We can't think about that right now, we just have to face the
future. Crachek said that there was more than one group interested in buying
this intel, that means its going to take time to make a deal. If we can get to him
and Caroline before this goes down...
Mark: The intel dies with them.
Nikita: (looking at Mark) Exactly. (Mark nods)
Mark: How do we find them?
Nikita: I'll handle it.
Mark: Madeline said it's going to be a follow up mission.
Nikita: That can be delayed.
Mark: How?
Nikita: I'll handle it. (Mark nods) I want you to rest, and stay close.
MUNITIONS
Walter watching a video capture from the mission, and he looks distraught.
Michael comes to see Walter and he has something he has for Walter to take a
look at.
Michael: Walter, I need you to take a look at this timer. (Walter doesn't answer, looks
concerned) Walter.
Walter: It was my fault.
Michael: What?
Walter: The Black March mission. The sites read high, I warned the team,
but I should have made the adjustment. (Michael looks at him, concerned)
Michael: Why didn't you?
Walter: Wasn't time... but I should have made time.
Michael: A lot of things went wrong on that mission, the sites had
nothing to do with it.
Walter: (confused, shaking his head) You don't know that, rounds flying, split
second decisions, the smallest glitch could ruin everything.
What's happening to me, first I almost blow everybody up (confused look)
and now this (walking away, still at his station).
Michael: (hesitates for a moment) I need this timer calibrated.
Walter: Yeah, just leave it right there Michael, I'll get to it.
Michael
pauses, staring at him, then walks away. Walter seems lost, confused,
looks at him leaving, then looks down.
COMM CENTER
Nikita comes to see Birkoff.
Nikita: Hey, what's the status on the follow up mission?
Birkoff: I've got a probable location, I'm just waiting to confirm.
Nikita: Anywhere near Kiev?
Birkoff: (confused) No, Bucharest... why?
Nikita: When I was being held, I seem to remember Crachek saying to Caroline
something about a meeting in Kiev.
Birkoff: Why didn't you mention this at the debrief?
Nikita: Well, it just came back to me a little while ago. I don't know, I keep
remembering things in bits and pieces.
Birkoff: We'll check it out. It may delay things for a while.
Nikita: Well if you think its worth it, then.
Birkoff: Yeah. (Nikita leaves, he watches her)
Nikita goes to Walter's station looking for him.
Nikita: Walter?
Walter appears above her looking down.
Walter: Yeah, sugar.
Nikita: I need a Beretta 92F and a Baby Glock.
Walter: Guess I owe you that much.
Nikita: Owe me?
Walter: The mission went south because of the sites, partly at least.
Nikita looks at the guns, getting them ready.
Walter: Are you in some kind of trouble?
Nikita: (looking down, then at him) Yeah. (walks away)
Walter: (watching) Well, be cool.
Nikita: Yeah, thanks.
NIKITA'S APARTMENT
Nikita is about to go up to her door, she pauses, and turns towards
Mick's door across the hall, she knocks, she doesn't hear anything, starts to walk away from the door, when Mick's door opens. Mick peeks
out, sees her, closes his eyes. He looks shocked.
Mick: You wanted to see me?
Nikita: Yeah, I need a favor Mick. (smiling) You know about "Black March"?
Mick: (shakes his head slightly) New players, lots of splinter groups, out of
control. Good lot to stay clear of (he is looking at what she is
wearing), and I kinda stay clear of them.
Nikita: They're led by two psychotics named Crachek and Caroline. I mean,
you got the connections Mick, I need to know where they are.
Mick: (smiling) Do you?
Nikita: Yeah, and quickly. (sincere, although upset)
Mick: And what, is in it... for me?
He's looking at her eyes and mouth,
like he is trying to kiss her, she pushes his face away.
Nikita: I won't break every bone in your body.
(gentle tap against his
face, she walks over to her door)
Mick: I never could resist a woman in distress. My one weakness, really (putting
his hand over his mouth, like he is going to blow her a
kiss) Nikita turns toward him at her door.
Nikita: Quickly. (pointing at him, as she closes her door, slightly smirk, he
closes his)
NIGHTCLUB
Nikita comes in wearing a sleek dress, followed by Mark. They walk through the club
looking for Simon and Caroline. Mark and Nikita standing close as though a
couple, while they both look at different sides of the club. Nikita sees them
both on the floor dancing close. Nikita follows Caroline in the bathroom, as
Nikita passes the door in the bathroom that Caroline is in. As Nikita is walking
over to the mirror to check her face, Caroline comes out, sees the back of
Nikita at the mirror. Caroline watches Nikita putting on her lipstick, Caroline
looks around the bathroom, to see if they're alone, smiling, walks over to
Nikita.
Caroline: Are you as bored as I am?
Nikita: I've seen it livelier.
Caroline's mouth opens, sizes Nikita up
and down, Nikita begins to walk passed her, Caroline puts her hand
up, so Nikita can't pass.
Caroline: Maybe we should leave?
Nikita: Just ask. (kisses her arm that is blocking the way) And I shall
leap.
Smirking, Nikita shoots her twice. Caroline slightly screams and falls to the
floor. Nikita wipes her mouth with her hand and leaves.
Out in the club Simon is sitting with people having drinks. Mark sees
him, takes out his gun. Simon sees him, gets up, gunfire follows. Mark chases
Simon but loses him.
SECTION ONE - HALLWAY
Nikita: We've still got a couple of more
hours, I'm going to call Mick to see if he could try...
Mark: (cutting her off, shaking his head) Even if we found Crachek again, we
couldn't make another hit in time, I blew it, it's that simple. I have to tell
Operations the substation's vulnerable.
Nikita: Do you want me to go with you?
Mark: (shaking his head) Nope, no, I'll go
alone. Thanks... for everything.
Nikita puts her head down, he passes her, she quickly turns
towards him.
Nikita: Sorry.
Mark: Yeah.
He turns his head to look at her as he leaves. Nikita looks up at the Perch.
THE PERCH
Mark enters, Operations is busy and doesn't look at him, but knows he's there.
Operations: (without looking) What is it?
Mark: I need to talk to you.
Operations: It'll have to wait, I'm busy.
Mark: (nervous) A substation has been compromised. (walking towards Operations)
Operations: (takes off glasses, facing Mark) Which one?
Mark: S6.
Operations: Degree?
Mark: Location, security everything. It happened during the Black March
mission.
Operations: (no emotion) Who was responsible?
Mark: (pauses) Nikita.
Operations slightly shocked, looks down where Nikita is staring up at them.
Mark is besides Operations. Now they are both staring at her. Nikita, concerned,
looks up, then down at the floor, then looking around. Mark looking at
Operations.
Operations: You should have come forward at once. (camera still on Mark)
Mark: Nikita begged me to wait. She had a plan to set things right, but
it didn't work out. (Operations staring, slightly shocked) Now its the question of
saving the substation, so here I am. (keeping composure) She was only trying to
help Angela. I hope you can take that into account.
Operations: You'd do better to worry about yourself, you'll be sanctioned for
not informing me earlier. (no emotion)
Mark: (nervous, looking down) I understand.
Operations: (pressing a button) Bring Nikita to abeyance.
Mentz and another operative approach Nikita, she turns around and sees them.
Operative: You have to go with us.
Nikita: Why?
Operative: You're in detention.
Nikita's eyes widen, looks up at the Perch, both Mark and Operations are staring
down. Then as Nikita is looking, Operations stares away, Mark then looks another
way. Nikita's mouth opens, she's speechless, shakes her head. The two operatives take her.
WHITE ROOM
Madeline is there staring, Nikita looks away.
Nikita: He was trying to keep Angela from suffering at the hands of that
butcher, I don't blame him. So he gave up the substation.
Madeline just
staring, no emotion.
Madeline: Mark says you did.
Nikita: He's lying to protect himself.
Madeline: At the debriefing, you said that neither one of you
broke.
Nikita: That's right.
Madeline: You lied.
Nikita: (looking down, but straight ahead) Yes I did.
Madeline: Then why should I believe you now?
Nikita: (looking up at her) Because I was trying to protect him.
Madeline: Why?
Nikita: Because I had just seen him go
through hell, and I wanted to make things right.
Madeline: (cold) Out of the goodness of your heart.
Nikita: Out of a thing called friendship. You should look it up. (looks away)
Madeline looks over at the lie detector.
Madeline: Congratulations, you passed with flying colors.
Nikita: So what's the problem?
Madeline: So did Mark.
Nikita: Well, he's found some way to beat the machine.
Madeline: Or you have.
Nikita: If you're as good at reading people as you say you are, then
you should be able to tell I'm innocent by looking in my eyes.
Madeline: Exactly what Mark said.
Nikita watches Madeline leave, Nikita looks sad, closes her eyes for a
second, then looks down.
WHITE ROOM
Birkoff is hooked up to the lie detector.
Birkoff: She said, she heard them mention Kiev. I had to delay the
mission to check it out.
Operations: And?
Birkoff: Was false, not even close.
Operations: Do you think she deliberately misled you?
Birkoff: Well she was dazed, or in pain, who knows what she...
Operations: (cutting him off) Birkoff! Do you think she
deliberately misled you?
Birkoff pauses, thinking.
Birkoff: (hesitates) I don't have an opinion that.
(buzzer goes off; Birkoff makes a pained face, reluctant to say it) Yes, I think she did.
WHITE ROOM
Walter is now sitting in the chair.
Operations: The guns used in the unauthorized mission have been identified. They
came from your arsenal.
Walter: Mine is the only arsenal in Section.
Operations: How did Nikita get them?
Walter: I can't keep my eye on everything every second of the day,
anybody could have taken them. How do we know that it was Nikita?
Operations: The prints were found on the guns, so were yours.
Walter: I handle all the weapons.
Operations: The prints overlapped.
Analysis indicates that they were handled simultaneously.
Walter: Labs make mistakes.
Operations: Did you give them to her?
Walter: What kinds of guns were those again?
Operations: (losing patience) Did you give the guns to Nikita?
Walter: No. (buzzer on device goes off, he's lying)
Walter: Machines aren't perfect. I've had this cold lately...
Operations: You handed the guns to Nikita, do you deny it?
Walter: Yes, I deny it. (buzzer goes off again)
I deny it. (again it goes off)
MADELINE'S OFFICE
Madeline is spraying her plants, Operations enters.
Madeline: The substation's been secured. We'll incur no damage there.
Operations: Good, now it's just a matter of internal security.
Madeline: I tend to believe Nikita. (Operations surprised, looks at her)
Operations: But you have doubts?
Madeline: Her flaw is compassion, Angela's suffering may have affected her even
more then it did Mark.
Operations: She planned an unauthorized mission, that suggests she had the most
at stake.
Madeline: Unless her compassion was causing her to protect Mark.
Operations: You're arguing against yourself.
Madeline: (small smile) It's not an easy call.
Operations: We spent enough time, I want closure by the morning.
Madeline: I'd like to talk to you about Walter.
Operations: Yes, he behaved strangely in the interrogation,
he practically asks to be sanctioned.
Madeline: He blames himself for the Black March mission. He thinks it was
partially an equipment failure.
Operations: Is there any evidence that he is right?
Madeline: Not really.
Operations: Then he'll have to snap out of it.
Madeline: You might be able to help.
Operations: How?
Madeline: By giving him a pat on the back.
Operations: (surprised) A pat on the back?
Madeline: A few words of praise or appreciation.
Operations: (shocked) Are you serious?
Madeline: Walter is older then most, works alone, 18hrs a day, and has very few
outlets. An exception to our usual approach might be appropriate.
Operations: Alright, I'll stop by and pat him on the back. (smirk)
SECTION ONE - DETENTION
Nikita is in a small room, waiting to find out about what is going
to happen next. The door opens, Michael enters and closes the door.
He turns toward her, they share a look.
Nikita: So who do they believe? (cold)
Michael: They don't know.
Nikita: (upset, but not surprised) Well thanks for coming, but I don't see how you can
help.
Michael: They located Black March, they're sending a team. I'll have
Crachek brought here alive. (pauses) Just tell me what you want him to say.
Nikita: I want him to tell the truth. (dignified)
That Mark gave up the substation.
Michael: Fine.
His voice was very low, showing concern. Michael looks at her, then walks to the
door.
Nikita: You don't believe me, do you?
Michael stops, looking down, makes a pause for effect.
Michael: (strongly) I do believe you.
She looks right at him, kind of pleased. Michael looks at her, then leaves. She
walks backwards,
rests against a wall.
COMM CENTER
Michael walks towards Birkoff who is at his computer monitoring
to the mission.
Birkoff: Hold positions, we go active in 3 minutes.
Michael: Birkoff... I'm inserting a mission parameter.
Birkoff: This late?
Michael: Yes. (pauses looking straight ahead) I
want Crachek alive.
Birkoff: (edgy) That's not consistent with the profile.
Michael: Then alter the profile.
Birkoff: Does Operations know about this?
Michael: (turning looking down at Birkoff) Just do it Birkoff.
Birkoff turns to look at him, they stare hard at each other for a moment. Birkoff gets it,
takes a quick look towards the Perch to see if Operations is watching. Then turn back to the computer.
Birkoff: All units listen up, we have a new parameter. We need
Crachek alive. Re-station alpha team 100 meters to the north.
Female op: Birkoff, we can't change the profile now, it's too late.
Birkoff: (firmly) Well we're just going to have to deal with it.
Michael: Good.
Michael leaves, Birkoff shakes his head.
MUNITIONS
Walter is sitting at his desk working, Operations approaches.
Operations: Hello Walter, how's everything?
Walter: Fine.
Operations: I wanted let you know how much we... Madeline and I
appreciate your hard work. And so does Oversight, we've commended you to them
many times.
Walter: (frowning) What's this about?
Operations: I just wanted to say thank you for the good work.
Walter: Don't patronize me.
All of a sudden out of the clear blue sky, you come down hear to
say thanks for the good work. What do you want me to do, wag my tail?
If you want something from me, just come out and say it.
Operations: (angry) Look I just stopped by to give you - give you a pat on the
back.
Walter: (offended) I don't need a pat on the back. I've been doing
this job since before you came to Section, and I can probably do your
job too. (smirking)
Operations: Really?
Walter: Really.
Operations: One of these days, you're going to carry this cranky
old man act a little too far.
Walter: Oh, what then, you won't commend me to Oversight?
Operations: Why did I bother? (he leaves)
Walter: That's a good question.
Operations coming from Walter's runs into Madeline.
Operations: Pat on the back... brilliant! (Madeline
watches Walter and smiles.)
SYSTEMS
Mark walking over to Birkoff who is working on
something.
Mark: Birkoff, what's this about Crachek being taken alive?
Birkoff: Yeah, they just brought him into the White Room. (Birkoff
leaves to go back to his station, Mark follows him talking)
Mark: (curious) The profile calls for elimination.
Birkoff: The profile got changed.
Mark: Who's authority?
Birkoff: (looking up at him from his chair) Michael's.
Mark pauses, just looking at Birkoff, unhappy.
Mark: Okay. (walks away)
THE WHITE ROOM
Crachek is strapped to the chair on the room, Michael watches him from outside.
Crachek: You're here to turn the screws, if you only knew what a
complete waste of time that was for both of us.
Michael turns, walks his way, but walking around the room
glancing at him, stops in front of him, hands folded.
Michael: You held two operatives, one of them told you the location of a
substation, who was it, the man or the woman?
Crachek: Who would you like it to be?
Michael: Let's start with the truth.
Crachek: You look like a man with a vested interest, who would you
be trying to protect, bet it's the woman. (licking his lips) Sorry,
she was the one who broke. (Michael just stares at him, Crachek smirks watching
him)
Michael: You're lying.
Crachek: Prove it.
Just then from behind, Michael grabs hold of the side of his neck and shocks him
with a device on the side of his neck.
Crachek turns his head to the side of Michael, smirks and kisses the
device.
Crachek: Thank-you!
Michael just staring, goes to leave, he
opens the door, he waits, we see the Torture Twins come in. Michael leaves, the
twins circle around him, one in front, the other behind him.
SECTION ONE - HALLWAY
Michael just leaves the white room, walking down the steps just
stops, turns towards the room, there we see a elevator slide open behind
Michael, its Operations, Michael turns toward him.
Operations: Well.
Michael: We'll know something soon. (looking at
the door of the white room)
Operations: We spent too much time on this as it is, we can't
spend anymore. (looking at Michael)
Just then the door of the white room opens, the Torture Twins come out, they
both stare at Michael and Operations, the woman
shakes her head no. Michael looks down, the twins leave, then he turns towards Operations.
Michael: Let me try once more.
Operations looks at him and nods. Michael leaves for the white room, Operations watches.
THE WHITE ROOM
Michael enters again, both share a look, Michael then looking down walks around
him.
Michael: Do you want to live?
Crachek: Not especially.
Michael: We could use you.
Crachek: For my expertise in torture?
Michael: Yes.
Crachek: I might be interested if I thought I could trust you.
Michael: What do you have to lose? (Michael stops, looking
at him)
Crachek: How will they know I'm telling the truth?
Michael: Give the details, tell them everything what happened,
they'll know.
Crachek: You really want the woman to live, don't you? (Michael
stares at him) Too bad, she was the one who broke. (Michael stares, looks up)
SECTION ONE - HALLWAY
Operations and Michael stand outside the White Room; the elevator opens, Nikita comes
out followed by two operatives. She stops to looks at them, then proceeds to Containment.
She crosses path with Crachek that is being escorted out of the White Room, handcuffed.
Crachek walks towards Michael and Operations; there's a gunshot from the room Nikita went in.
Crachek: (the minute he hears the gunshot, smirks)
No wait, its all coming back to me now. (Michael and Operations stare at him)
It wasn't the woman who broke, it was the man, yeah. You want details? The
other woman was strapped to the fence, I took a scalpel and began to peel back
her face, above the left eye I think. She was in so much agony, she
couldn't even scream, just made this gurgling sound, that's when he begged me to stop. (Michael staring)
Crachek: Convincing? (smirks)
Michael: Yes.
Crachek: Shame it's too late. (laughing)
The door opens from behind him, Crachek turns around and sees Nikita walking towards him.
Operations: (looking at Michael) It worked, congratulations.
Michael staring ahead, looks like he is staring towards Crachek
and Nikita's way.
Crachek: I suppose it means the deal is off. (smirking)
Operations: Not necessarily. (Crachek looks at Operations who is
smiling) Take him to evaluation.
Nikita: (disgusted) You can't be serious.
Operations: (looking at Nikita, smiling) We have to utilize every
resource we can.
Operations leaves. Michael who was staring down, looks up at her. Nikita walks down towards him, coming right up
close to him.
Nikita: (sincere) Thank you.
Michael nods, staring right at her. Nikita looks down, then towards him again.
THE WHITE ROOM
Mark is in the chair, a door opens, its Nikita. They exchange a look.
Mark: I didn't plan it, but I walked into Operations'
office, I wanted to live.
Nikita: I just need to know one thing. Did you love Angela? (Mark cries)
Mark: God, yes! (crying, gasping breath)
Nikita takes his hand, he brings it to his face. They share a moment, then
the door opens and an operative comes in. When Nikita leaves, the operative takes a gun
out and points it at Mark.
COMMONS AREA
Nikita is walking by, she looks sad, Madeline meets up with her.
Madeline: Anything wrong? (both walking)
Nikita: No... Yes, there is. (both stop, share looks) I think it's wrong
that
Mark's dead and Crachek's alive.
Madeline: Crachek's not alive.
Nikita: Operations said you might find him useful.
Madeline: It didn't take long to realize we couldn't work with him.
The man was a complete monster.
Nikita's eyes widen, Madeline leaves, Nikita turns and stares,
watches Madeline leave, shocked.
THE END
Edited by Dana