Third Party Ripoff
Transcript by Cathy

MICHAEL'S OFFICE

Nikita: I thought there was a briefing.
Michael: Twenty minutes. I called you in early so we could talk.
Nikita: Oh. Okay.
Michael: We should stay together.
Nikita: I don't think I want that anymore.
Michael: You didn't like the way I acted when I had to take charge.
Nikita: You became a different person.
Michael: No, the same person, just playing a different role. Something we all have to do in here to survive.
Nikita: It doesn't matter how you intellectualize it. I feel the way I feel.
Michael goes to kiss her but she turns her head, shakes it, walks away and leaves.

SECTION ONE - PRIVATE DINING ROOM

Madeline and Operations are having breakfast together.
Operations: Nice result in Djakarta.
Madeline: Except for C Team.
Operations: I didn’t read the appendix. What happened?
Madeline: There was an outbreak in the area.
Operations: Our people were infected?
Madeline: We didn’t test. We just eliminated the variable.
Operations: The whole team?
Madeline: Yes.
Operations: It’s too bad. Still, better to lose the hand and save the body.
Madeline: We have an internal matter to discuss.
Operations: What’s that?
Madeline: Michael and Nikita.
Operations: What now?
Madeline: It’s unresolved.
Operations: I thought she pulled back.
Madeline: She did. But I think Michael will persist.
Operations: These two have been dancing around this thing from day one. Maybe we should just let it go for now.
Madeline: Actually I was going to suggest a hard wedge.
Operations: You think that’s necessary?
Madeline: I do.
Operations: (nods) What mode?
Madeline: I’m mapping out a behavioral strategy.
Operations: Think it will work?
Madeline: Watch and see.

MUNITIONS

Walter and Birkoff are looking at something under a magnifying glass.
Walter: It would have vaporized if they’d used aluminum oxide.
Birkoff: Yeah, that’s what I thought. So you think Germany?
Walter: For the parts, yeah. But it could have been assembled anywhere.
They both see, on the other side of the glass, a reflection of a pretty young woman.
Valerie: Walter? Here you go. Thanks.
Walter: Valerie.
Valerie: It’s an impressive unit, but how did you get five significant digits out of it?
Walter: Well, years of... uh... experience.
Valerie: (smiles) Ah, you must be Seymour.
Birkoff: Everyone calls me Birkoff. (they shake hands)
Valerie: I’m Valerie. I’ve been sent over to work with the profile division.
Birkoff: Great.
Valerie: I haven’t made it to Comm yet, but I hope when I do you have some time to show me around.
Birkoff: Sure.
Valerie: Well. I’ll see you both later.
Birkoff: Okay. Bye. (She walks away, they both ogle her through the glass) Wow.
Walter: Yeah.

BRIEFING ROOM

Operations: Olivier Velden is a mid-level player in black market weapons. Instead of working with larger networks like Hammas or Red Cell, he brought his business to start-up, satellite groups that are too small to be on our radar. The only documentation we have on these groups is in Velden’s client list itself.
Nikita: So we’re after the list.
Operations: No. We want Velden but not dead. We want to turn him and send him back out.
Michael: What are the chances he’ll be receptive?
Birkoff: Over 70%. We have enough background to be confident he’s a good candidate.
Operations: Your panels are being uploaded now.

THE GOVERNMENT CLUB

Michael is slowly walking across the room.
Michael: I’m in position.
Birkoff: All right. Give me a good base. Second team, advance to mark. Nikita, we’re ready for you.
Nikita enters in a short red wig and a slinky dress.
Nikita: I’m inside, where is he?
Birkoff: Mirrored door, at the back.
Nikita: (to guard, in a girly voice) Hi. Is Mr. Mills here? Thanks. (She enters the room) Mr. Mills? Mr. Mills? (Mills is at a booth with a girl on each arm) Hi. Hello.
Mills: (to his bimbos) Beat it. (to Nikita) Who are you? (practically drooling)
Nikita: I’m Lisa. I’m a dancer. Denise said I should come on back.
Mills: Turn up the music, let’s see what you’ve got.
Nikita steps up on the low table.
Birkoff: OK Michael, you’re clear to move up.
Mills is totally taken with Nikita who gyrates on the table; meanwhile Michael is progressing through the club. Nikita starts to fondle Mills and suddenly gets his gun away from him.
Mills: Who are you?
Nikita: You transferred funds from Olivier Velden’s account. (she leans over, nose to nose with him and points the gun at his head) I want the account number.
Mills: Look, I don’t know where you’re coming from and I don’t care. You’re already dead.
Birkoff: I’m picking it up. It’s in the room. It’s on him.
Nikita: (to Birkoff on her comm set) Do we need this guy?
Birkoff: No.
Nikita hits him with the pistol and lays him out then goes through his pockets.
Nikita: Found it.
Birkoff: OK, plug it in, we need to verify it.
Nikita transmits the information; meanwhile Mills’ men are coming toward the room.
Birkoff: Nikita, you’ve got incoming hostiles.
Nikita: Can you back me out? I’ve got twenty more seconds here.
Birkoff: No. You’re going to have to go through them.
Michael: I’ll cover you.
Birkoff: No, Michael. I need you at the front to prepare egress. Nikita can handle herself.
Michael: Send Niles. I’m getting Nikita.
Birkoff: Michael, what are you doing?
The hostiles enter, shooting. Nikita shoots back. She’s actually already taken them down by the time Michael arrives.
Nikita: OK Birkoff – got it all?
His screen shows "Download Complete".
Birkoff: Yeah. Get to your exit point.

MADELINE'S OFFICE

Nikita enters.
Nikita: Yes?
Madeline: Sit down. Do you understand what just happened on your mission?
Nikita: I haven't debriefed, but it was a contained dispersion. There was an incident at the second mark.
Madeline: How many times do you think Michael can break position before a team goes down?
Nikita: I didn't ask for his help. Why don't you talk to Michael?
Madeline: Have you ever heard of anyone in the Section talk about a Type 1 Directive?
Nikita: No.
Madeline: It's an internal dictum, a decision. Once it’s been made, it can't be changed and is always executed. One has been initiated regarding you and Michael. You two will extricate the personal component from your relationship.
Nikita: If your spies had been doing their jobs properly then you would know that the personal component of our relationship... doesn't exist.
Madeline: Michael isn't letting go. You will have to make him.
Nikita: You're talking to the wrong person.
Madeline: I don't think so. That'll be all.

NIKITA'S APARTMENT

She comes to the door and opens it to Michael.
Nikita: What's up?
Michael: Did they talk to you?
Nikita: Well, what do you mean?
Michael: Did Madeline suggest you stay away from me?
Nikita: She called it a Type One Directive.
Michael: And how did you respond?
Nikita: I didn't.
Michael: They don't want us to be together.
Nikita: No they don't.
Michael: What about you?
Next they are cuddled up in bed together. A phone rings; Michael’s; he answers.
Michael: Yes. All right.
Nikita: What time is it?
Michael: 3:30.
Nikita: Um. (Michael strokes her hair)
Michael: We have to go in.

MUNITIONS

Walter puts up the door to his cage, looks around, closes it again and walks to the back area.
Valerie: It seems like it took you forever.
Walter: It was just three minutes.
Valerie: It was too long. (they kiss)
Walter: No more. Come on. Not here.
Valerie: Why not?
Walter: Oh it’s…
Valerie: It’s been almost six hours.
Walter: Yeah, it’s just too dangerous, that’s all. It’s bad enough I brought you back here.
Valerie: That’s what makes you so exciting. (She unzips his jacket; he gives in and starts to kiss her again)
Birkoff: Hey Walter!
Walter: Yeah, Birkoff?
Birkoff: Where’s my PDA?
Walter: Just hang loose. (wiping lipstick from his mouth) I’ll be right there! (he comes back out) I’m sorry, I forgot. I was checking inventory.
Birkoff: You did that yesterday.
Walter: I had to double run the scanners.
Birkoff: Come on, I want to leave early tonight, I’m in a hurry.
Walter: You got a hot date?
Birkoff: Actually I do?
Walter: Who is it?
Birkoff: It’s Valerie. The new profiler.
Walter: Huh?
Birkoff: Anyways, I gotta go. Thanks.
Walter’s mouth drops open and he heads back inside.
Walter: We can’t do this here.
Valerie: What’s wrong?
Walter: Oh, nothing. I just thought we could do something romantic. Just you and me.
Valerie: But I don’t see anyone else here.
Walter: Uh – no. I meant, I meant. Maybe we could go and have dinner, huh? Huh? Tonight.
Valerie: Tonight?
Walter: Yeah.
Valerie: Tonight is, um, not so good.
Walter: You’re not on. I mean what’s the – what’s the problem?
Valerie: I’m busy. Look, Walter. I am never going to ask you for your itinerary. Please, don’t ask for mine. (she kisses him) I’ll see you tomorrow.
Walter: Sure.

SYSTEMS

Birkoff briefing a team.
Birkoff: The files that we extracted from Mills’ office were productive. We found three primary accounts, one of which Velden manages personally. This is the Rosay Bank in Zurich. (brings up a hologram) Based on the pattern of deposits, we know he’ll show within 48 hours.
Nikita: Is this a grab?
Davenport: No. We’re going to tag him, that’s all. From there we’ll plan an end game strategy.
Michael: Why are you running the scenario?
Davenport: The scenario? Didn’t anyone tell you?
Michael: What?
Davenport: This is my team.
Michael: Then why was I called in?
Davenport: (looking uncomfortable) Because you’re on it. I thought you knew Michael. Sorry. Once he’s tagged, we’ll put two teams on him. We’ll thread into his network from the front and when we have a secure window we’ll isolate and determine whether or not he needs to be brought in.
Nikita leaves, looks up at the Perch where Operations and Madeline are talking.

SECTION ONE - HALLWAY

Michael and Nikita heading for Van Access.
Nikita: What's happening?
Michael: They've put Davenport in charge. It's started.
Nikita: I know. Why?
Michael: They want to take me down.

SECTION ONE - STAIRWAY

Birkoff: Hey Walter!
Walter: What’s up?
Birkoff: I need the name of that restaurant you told me about, by the river, it’s really romantic. Chez something Bistro something?
Walter: I don’t know what you’re talking about.
Birkoff: Sure you do, come on, I need it for this weekend.
Walter: Something happening this weekend?
Birkoff: Valerie. Things are really working out. I can’t believe it took me this long to discover older women. I mean, she-
Walter: When, this weekend?
Birkoff: What?
Walter: What night?
Birkoff: Sunday.
Walter: Not Saturday.
Birkoff: No, she has plans. Dinner with a girlfriend.
Walter: Dinner with a girlfriend. That’s what she said?
Birkoff: I think so. Wh- what’s the problem?
Walter: You’re the problem! Valerie’s going out with me on Saturday night.
Birkoff: What?
Walter: Just like last weekend and the weekend before that.
Birkoff: Walter, I didn’t know that.
Walter: No, of course not. You’ve been so busy with your little techie toys in there you couldn’t even see that there’s something between me and her right underneath your nose.
Birkoff: Well, I –
Walter: You what?
Birkoff: I’m sorry.
Walter: You should feel sorry for yourself because you haven’t got the chops to hang on to her.
Birkoff: What the hell does that mean?
Walter: Look. Save yourself the let down and just take it like a gentleman, okay?
Birkoff: Oh you think she’s going to dump me for you?
Walter: Let me let you in on a little secret.
Birkoff: Okay.
Walter: You’re not even there for the dumping. Seymour.

VAN ACCESS

The team returns, Davenport walks in first and is met by Operations.
Operations: Did the target transfer en route?
Davenport: Yes he did.
Operations: What about their comm?
Davenport: We downloaded their files. I brought back a sample for Walter.
Operations: Well done.
Davenport: Well there wasn’t that much resistance, sir.
Operations: (Glaring at Michael and Nikita) That’s the sign of a mission well profiled. (Operations walks away)
Michael: You want me to debrief?
Davenport: They’ve asked for singulars this time. I’m not sure why.
Michael: Yes or no.
Davenport: Yes, if you don’t mind.
Davenport walks away; obviously uncomfortable with ordering Michael around.
Nikita: You okay?
Michael: Yes. If that's the game they want to play, I'll play it.
Nikita: What are they trying to accomplish?
Michael: Take away my authority. They think it means something to me.
Nikita: And it doesn't?
Michael: Not really.
Nikita: So what does?
Michael: Whatever I do, I need to do it well. The best I can. That means something to me. Don't worry. Whatever they want to do to me, I can handle.
Michael turns and sees operatives removing things from his office. Madeline emerges.
Michael: What are you doing?
Madeline: Since you’re not going to be performing tactical oversight, you won’t be needing the space anymore.
Michael: Where will I be?
Madeline: On six, with everyone else.

MUNITIONS

Birkoff and Walter working on something together.
Birkoff: These primes are all out of range. What were you doing?
Walter: I was compiling.
Birkoff: Compiling? Why didn’t you use a hash table?
Walter: Look, don’t talk down to me Birkoff. I was sourcing triggers when you were still in short pants, and that wasn’t very long ago.
Birkoff: Long enough for the world to change and leave you behind.
Walter: Just solve the problem, okay. Never mind the flapping of the lips.
Birkoff: If you’d just come to me in the first place, you wouldn’t be in this mess!
Valerie shows up behind them.
Valerie: Hi, guys.
Birkoff: Hi.
Walter: Hi.
Birkoff: Can I help you with something?
Valerie: Do I need a reason to just drop by and say hello?
Walter: No.
Valerie: Well. You two seem busy. I’ll see you later.
Birkoff: Okay.
She walks away; they both ogle her again as she goes.

SYSTEMS

Davenport is briefing them on a mission.
Davenport: Team one will do advance. Take out light security and prep for incoming. Teams two and three will implement the profile. Twelve minute check, everyone is divided into perimeter and backup. We’re out in ten. Let’s go. (he walks away, speaks to Michael more privately) Michael, I didn’t want to say this in front of the team-
Michael: Why?
Davenport: You’re posted at nine.
Michael: That’s backup.
Davenport: That’s where they profiled you.

NIKITA'S APARTMENT

Nikita and Michael are in a bubble bath together, talking about a mission.
Nikita: Anyone get hurt?
Michael: Three down, one lost.
Nikita: How bad were the three?
Michael: I don't know. I wasn't close enough.
Nikita: Are you thinking that the outcome would have been better had you been team lead?
Michael: No. Davenport's capable.
Nikita: Capable is okay for some missions. Others it's not.
Michael: I don't want to talk about it.
Nikita: You're not the same. You said this wasn't going to affect you, but it has.
Michael: I'll get over it.
Nikita: Maybe you shouldn't try to. Maybe the job means more to you.

MADELINE'S OFFICE

Nikita enters; Madeline doesn’t turn around but knows it’s her.
Madeline: Come in. Yes?
Nikita: I want it to stop.
Madeline: I assume you’re speaking of Michael?
Nikita: Yes.
Madeline: Well, that’s a step. You’re seeing things from a different perspective and that’s good.
Nikita: You’ve created a situation where everyone loses, Madeline.
Madeline: Have I?
Nikita: Well, you’ve determined that my relationship with Michael is affecting his performance. By how much? 10%? 12%?
Madeline: Actually, just under one and one half percent. Which is unacceptable.
Nikita: And for that you’re willing to sacrifice him altogether? Lose everything?
Madeline: An operative in Michael’s position can cause damage if he’s off even by a fraction.
Nikita: Whatever. (cold) It’s like I said, he’s yours. You win.
Madeline: It has to come from him. And it has to be his idea, not yours. Otherwise he’ll just…resist on principle.
Nikita: What are asking me?
Madeline: That he stops loving you.
Nikita: And how do I do that?
Madeline: You have to want it to happen.
Nikita nods and leaves.

SYSTEMS

Davenport is briefing the teams again.
Davenport: Velden will be making his deal with the Libyans at 3:00. We can’t take him in front of witnesses. Our goal is to release him and send him back out.
Birkoff: We’ll be able to secure these four areas. Everyone on the inside will be hostile.
Davenport: No one but Velden and our people walk away. We’ll have seven minutes max. Four for the primary teams, three for housekeeping. Questions? Right let’s go. (he walks off; team follows including Valerie and Birkoff)
Valerie: Birkoff. Are you done after this mission?
Birkoff: Yeah. Why?
Valerie: I thought maybe we could get together.
Birkoff: You told me you had plans.
Valerie: I have a confession to make. I was sort of seeing someone else for some time. But it – it meant nothing. (She smiles; Birkoff moves forward and kisses her)
Birkoff: Anyone I know?
Valerie: No. It was a touchy-feely guy. A loser.
Birkoff: (stares at her) Yeah, sure.
Valerie: What? What’s the matter?
Birkoff: Walter’s not a loser just because he has feelings. But if you think he is I guess I’m one too because one day I hope to turn out half as good as him. (Birkoff walks away)

MUNITIONS

The team is getting their weaponry from Walter for the mission. Another op starts giving Michael a hard time.
McDaniel: What are you doing? That’s my comm unit.
Michael: No it’s not.
McDaniel: You’re third team now. You shouldn’t even be in prep ‘til we’re done.
Nikita: Forget it, Michael. You can use mine.
McDaniel: I would listen to her, Michael. Listen to her, listen to me, pretty much everybody – we’re all above you now.
Walter: What are you doing, McDaniel?
McDaniel: You know I’m just giving a little back. For five years I’ve been doing his grunt work and not once do I get a “Thank you! Nice job, McDaniel!”
Nikita: That’s not true.
Michael: Nikita. (to McDaniel) You’re wrong on this one. It’s mine.
Michael grabs him, punches him, smashes him into the table.
Davenport: Hey! Let it go, Michael. (Michael lets McDaniel up, Davenport grabs him and whips out a knife) Michael could have killed you but he didn’t. I’m not as patient as he is. (Shakes McDaniel off; Nikita watches; the team proceeds to Van Access.)

THE PERCH

Operations: Was McDaniel your idea?
Madeline: Yes. Michael was degenerating but not fast enough.
Operations: I don’t expect Nikita’s been much help.
Madeline: I spoke with her. She won’t be proactive but my instinct is she won’t interfere.
Operations: Don’t we need more than that?
Madeline: Michael’s self esteem is tied into Nikita’s perception of him. I’m sure it’s very painful for him.
Operations: Good.
 
MISSION

A car strolls into a narrow alley. Someone rushes to clean the windshield, an operative on the team.
McDaniel: Velden’s car just rolled in.
Birkoff: Do we have a confirmation on Velden in the car?
McDaniel looks down at the operative that washed the windshield. He nods.
McDaniel: We have visual confirmation, he’s coming to you.
Michael and Nikita exchange looks. He's wearing thick black glasses and she a big black hat. The car comes out of a tunnel with the inscription "Livraison seulement" (French for "Delivery only").
Davenport: Okay Birkoff, we’re ready down here, what’s your status upstairs?
Birkoff: Velden should be moving to the rendezvous point now. We have to wait for a visual on the Libyans.
Michael: Davenport, hold. Velden’s team’s still outside your perimeter.
Davenport: How do you know?
Michael: Look at the pay phone behind you. Birkoff took out the land channels. That guy’s just posted.
Nikita: The Libyans are moving to rendezvous.
Davenport: All right, start your check. Team one, go. (Davenport bumps into Velden) Excuse me.
(A Libyan’s phone rings and he answers it) Yes?
Velden: The train station.
The Libyans turn and walk in another direction.
Davenport: All right, we’re down for the moment, Birkoff – we may have been made.
Birkoff: He’s backtracking to a new position to make sure the Libyans don’t have a net.
Davenport: OK can we go one layer out?
Birkoff: Not with the collateral. You’ll hit innocents for sure.
Michael: Let it play out, Birkoff. Libyans are heading back to the train station. Nikita?
Nikita: Velden’s team’s converging. They’ve split into upper and lower teams.
Michael: Nikita, move to third position.
Michael changes quickly, dropping the tan trench coat he was wearing to reveal a leather jacket underneath and continues on. He and Nikita meet up and link arms, walking together.
Birkoff: They’re heading inside. They must have a clean room in the garage.
Davenport: OK, all teams, abort.
Michael: No. We won’t get a control window like this for months, we have to use it.
Davenport: How?
Michael: Teams one and two, rotate. I need a roll to the south.
Davenport: What are you doing, Michael?
Michael: We’ll make it look like a third party ripoff. I need 60 seconds of fire time in a pocket.
Birkoff: Okay.
Michael: Make sure all exits are blocked.
Davenport: What about the Libyans?
Michael: We’ll keep two alive.
McDaniel: (listening, annoyed) Davenport, what is the chain of command?
Davenport: I’m giving it to Michael. Where do you want me, Michael?
Michael: Birkoff, put in the new program and start sequencing.
Michael and Nikita, now wearing masks, go into the room and take down everybody but a few. Michael types on a laptop.
Libyan: What’s he doing?
Velden: They’re bleeding our accounts.
Michael escorts Velden into another room.
Velden: What’s going on?
Michael: We only have a few seconds so listen to me carefully. Your money and your client’s money is now being stolen. In 24 hours you’ll be contacted by our people. If you don’t do what they say, we’ll make it look like you masterminded this ripoff. The Libyans will hunt you down and kill you.
Velden: What do you want?
Michael: Information. You work for us now.
Velden: How do I get out of here?
Next scene, Velden bursts from the room appearing to be holding Nikita at gunpoint and shooting people.
Velden: You have a car nearby?
Libyan: Yeah.
Velden: (drags Nikita to the laptop) Put the money back. (She types)
Nikita: That’s it.
Velden appears to shoot her, she drops.
Velden: Let’s go. (He and the two Libyans leave.)

VAN ACCESS

The team returns.
Davenport: Michael. I couldn’t do what you did out there today. I learned a lot.
Michael: Thank you. (Davenport walks away)
Nikita: So what are you going to do now?
Michael: Let's go home.
Nikita: You can't deny to yourself what happened today, Michael. You're a level 5 operative. That's the only way you can live.
Michael: I don't want to think about it right now.
Nikita: You're going to have to because when you lead missions, we survive.
Michael: We were on to something. Maybe there's another way.
Nikita: They’re not going to let this play on for much longer. There's no other way. If we end it now, then we can at least preserve our friendship.
She tries to smile but has tears in her eyes. He strokes her hair and cheek; then she walks away.

THE PERCH

Madeline and Operations are there, Michael comes in.
Operations: Yes, Michael?
Michael: I want my status reinstated.
Operations: What about you and Nikita?
Michael: It's over.
Operations: You know that it will be pointless for you to deceive me on this. (Pauses, then speaks into an intercom) Level 5 status reinstated; effective immediately.
Michael leaves.
Operations: Will it hold?
Madeline: For now.

MUNITIONS

Birkoff: Walter?
Walter: What?
Birkoff: I forgot to return this to you.
Walter: Oh yeah, thanks. I thought you had a date tonight.
Birkoff: No. I don’t think it’s going to work out with me and Valerie.
Walter: That’s too bad.
Birkoff: No, not really. She’s not my type.
Walter: Look, Birkoff. Don’t worry about me, okay? I mean if you want to see her, see her – it’s no big thing.
Birkoff: I don’t think so. I don’t have a lot of friends. I didn’t like the way it felt, not being able to talk to you.
Walter: You can talk to me anytime you want.
Birkoff: Thanks, Walter.
Walter goes back into his back area.
Walter: Where were we? (He starts kissing another woman.)

NIKITA'S APARTMENT

She goes to the door and Michael is there.
Nikita: Come in.
Michael: No. I just came by to tell you something. It's not over. We will be together.
He kisses her hand and leaves. She smiles.

THE END

Edited by Dana
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