Catch A Falling Star
Transcript by Northstar

DINGMAN'S HOLLOW

A small USA town, there's a Momma's Bed and Breakfast inn and a diner where customers are eating and the music playing in the background is 'I'm Crazy' by Patsy Cline.
Big Jim: Maggie my love. My sweet precious love of my life. Can't tell me you've been going with that husband of yours yet. (puts his hand on her butt)
Maggie: An supposin' I did? (removes hand) How do you suppose you'd profit by that?
Big Jim: All right, all right but you can't hide the light that shines in your eyes every time I walk by.
Maggie: that light there big Jim... that's just so as you can make your way over to the door without trippin' over anything.
Everyone laughs. Somebody's putting some supplies into a box.
Maggie: Momma, that...
Big Momma: I know, I know. I wrote it all down. You know Maggie Simpson, it's not in my nature to rob anyone blind.
Maggie: Nope, just a little bit near sighted.
Radio is still playing in the background as people go about their business. Then there's a big noise and everyone listens. Things start to shake in the diner and the lights flicker. They all head out of the diner to see if they can see what is making the noise.
Big Jim: Dear sweet Lord.
In the sky something is falling to the ground.

COMM CENTER

Operations: Mr. Corman, what's going on?
Corman: It's gone sir. No tracer pulse, no IR, nothing on the resonators. We lost it.

THE PERCH

Operations is on the phone and Madeline is there as well.
Operations: Yes. Yes. I understand... Yes I do... I know what it means... thank you very much. (he flips the phone closed and turns to Madeline) That was Center. Mr. Jones. They're considering me to take over George's position at Oversight.
Madeline: And George?
Operations: They didn't say.
Madeline: When do they expect to make a formal decision?
Operations: Soon. I'm sure they're waiting to see how I handle this downed satellite situation. He did reiterate the importance of handling this quickly and efficiently.
Madeline: Then you'll send in Michael and Nikita?
Operations: Yes... if all goes as I expect it will...
Madeline: Congratulations will be in order.
Operations: Uh huh.

BRIEFING TABLE

Operations: This is com-sat Alpha. It is Center's most sophisticated satellite and it also serves as the link for 6 other orbiting birds. Every byte of data that is up-linked or down-linked passes through Alpha. Yesterday it dropped from its orbit and we lost communications to Corman.
Corman: Orbital decay began about a month ago and all attempts to re-establish were unsuccessful. Now I've extrapolated a curve based on Alpha's trajectory just before we lost contact. Given a plus or minus factor of 80KM we suspect that the satellite impacted in the United States. IN a town just north of Chattanooga Tennessee called Dingman's Hollow.
Operations: Center is highly exposed on this mission. The amount of confidential data and classified information contained in Alpha's central processing unit is critical. Michael and Nikita will go in alone. Under U.S. Clearance performing a universal geological survey. This is a small town with a small population. We cannot risk exposure. The details will be on your panels. Mr. Corman will be handling tactical.
They all rise to leave and Corman walks over to where Nikita and Michael are standing.
Corman: Look, I realize this is new for you boss, I just want you to know I can handle the job.
Nikita: I'm sure you'll do just fine.
Michael: We'll need our panels in 20 minutes (he walks away and Nikita puts her hand on Corman's shoulder then she walks away)
Corman: Right.

MAGGIE'S DINER

Michael and Nikita walk in and everybody looks at them.
Maggie: Howdy.
Michael: (smiling) Hi.
Maggie: We've got fried chicken and taters, fried chicken and biscuits, fried chicken and bread and if you're watchin' your weight (looks Michael over) you don't seem to have a problem, we've got fried chicken and nothin' else.
Michael: We're from the Universal Geological survey. We'll be spending a few days here. Can you recommend a place to stay?
Preacher: did you come to check out our rocks?
Tiny: You might want to start inside of Big Jim's head. Never could figure out what's makin' that rustling sound in there.
Nikita: We're going to be studying some land formations. You know, erosion patterns, weather patterns.
Big Jim: Tell you what. If I was travelling with you... sure wouldn't be rocks I'd be lookin' at.
Maggie: Ignore him. All that cholesterol goes right to the brain. Ain't much here in town. Momma's if ya gotta. It ain't much but it's clean and comfortable about half a block from here.
Michael: thank you. (they both get up and walk to the door)
Preacher: Come on back tomorrow. I think we're having fried chicken. (more laughter from everyone)

JASON'S OFFICE

Jason: Are you sure nobody has called?
Voice: I checked the phone logs for the last 3 days. No one named Seymour has called.
Jason: What about voice mail?
Voice: We checked everything sir.
Jason: Check it again. (a woman walks into the office) Hey sugar buns.
Naomi: Everything okay?
Jason: Yeah, everything's fine. I got some things on my mind.
Naomi: I would say. You were supposed to meet me at Le Cirque over an hour ago.
Jason: Yeah yeah I’m sorry I lost track of time.
Naomi: Well as long as you didn't lose track of me.
Jason: No.
Naomi: Anything wrong?
Jason: I'm a little worried about a friend that's all.
Naomi: Anyone I know?
Jason: No, it's a business thing but I was expecting to hear from him over a week ago and not a word.
Naomi: Did you try calling him?
Jason: did I try calling him? It's a little more complicated than that. I just hope that nothing's happened to him.
Naomi: Well you know what? I always go by what my dad used to say. No news is good news. I'm sure by now you would have heard right?
Jason: You're right. You're right again. Let's go eat.

MOMMA'S BED AND BREAKFAST

Michael and Nikita are following the woman up the stairs.
Big Momma: Well they're pretty much both the same size. One's a little bit more feminine if that matters to ya. That one right there. (points to a room and Nikita takes a look)
Nikita: Oh thanks. It's fine, thank you.
Big Momma: Oh good. Now I make coffee in the morning but the rest of your meals you'll have to take over at Maggie's. There's a phone in the living room. Collect and credit card only please. There's plenty of towels, so y'all make yourself at home.
Michael: Thank you.
Big Momma: Good, Uh just what was it you said you was studying here?
Michael: Rocks.
Big Momma: Uh, rocks... well goodnight.
Michael: Good night.

NIKITA'S ROOM - NIGHTTIME

Nikita is laying on her bed, head at the foot of it and Michael is caressing her face.
Nikita: It's beautiful here.
Michael: You're beautiful. (more caressing)
Nikita: I used to dream that there were places like this somewhere. Safe, warm. Do you ever think of anything like that?
Michael: Yes. (kisses her head and then again on her forehead)
Nikita: You never talk about it. (more tender touches by Michael)
Michael: Inside. Nobody can change it. It will always be what I need it to be. (more kissing)
Nikita: Is it anything like this?
Michael: A little maybe... you're there. (kiss)
Michael starts to give kisses along her face and down to her neck... She seems to be drifting off and he covers her with the quilt and then it looks as though he turns to leave but she quickly grabs his hand and pulls him down on top of her where they kiss some more. Then she does a reversal where she rolls him over and she is on top all the while kissing. Fade to outside, it's dark.

FIELD - DAYTIME

A farmers field. Michael and Nikita are driving along in an all terrain vehicle and Nikita is communicating with Corman.
Corman: I'm picking up a thermal footprint about... 2 clicks SSE of your position.
Nikita: I see it. Field over there... There's a road up ahead... Affirmative. I confirm a geographical anomaly. We're on our way.
Michael pulls the jeep up and stops and they both get out and walk over to an area of the field. There is an area that looks scorched.
Nikita: Well something definitely did land here. It's a crater about 6 meters in diameter. It's fresh.
Operations: Just a crater? No sign of the satellite?
Nikita: Not yet but from all appearances I'd say we found the point of impact.
Corman: What is it?
Nikita: If the satellite did land here it's been moved. There's a fresh cut of tire tracks. A truck most likely leading toward an old barn.
All of a sudden shots are fired towards Michael and Nikita and they take cover. The guy known as Big Jim gets out of a truck holding a rifle.
Big Jim: Hey you guys okay? Hey look, I’m real sorry about that. Maybe next time you can wave a white flag or something so that we can know it's you.
Michael: Oh, you mean it's someone else you wanted to kill?
Big Jim: Well no, I wouldn't say kill exactly. But uh we do get our fair share of poachers around here and best to let 'em know we mean business.
Nikita: Oh yeah? What are they trying to poach?
Big Jim: Now you're sure you're okay? Look I know you folks are gonna be all over the place for the next while. It might be better if you gave us advance warning next time as to just where you'll be.
Michael: Okay, we'll do that.
Big Jim: Oh look, it's coming up on lunchtime and I feel so bad about all this. Why don't you let me buy you a meal?
Nikita: Well we're not really...
Michael: Well actually yes. I'm starting to get hungry. Good idea.
Big Jim: Alrighty then. ( they leave the jeep where it is and go with him)

THE BARN - NIGHTTIME

Michael and Nikita are at the barn they saw that afternoon. They are carrying flashlights and are searching. Not much in the barn at first glance. Just an old car. Then Michael discovers something.
Michael: Nikita. It's a solar panel. It's used to charge the batteries that maintains satellite orbit.
Nikita: So that means someone had to load the satellite in their truck and drive it across that field and into this barn.

MOMMA'S BED AND BREAKFAST - NIGHTTIME

Nikita comes out of her room where she heads downstairs. No one seems to be about. The front door is open and the screen is flapping in the wind. Nikita gets to the bottom and goes thru a door but nothing there. She walks back into the dining room where she sees a plate with toast on it as if someone left because they were interrupted. She goes outside and looks around. She hears something down the street and goes to investigate. She walks over to Maggie's diner where the good ole country music is still playing on the radio. She looks in and sees that the place is deserted and she goes inside. There is food left on plates in the booths and the counter. She goes behind the counter and then she touches the food. It is still warm. Nikita then goes back to the Bed and Breakfast and just as she is about to go back into her room, Momma comes up behind her with a cup of tea.
Big Momma: couldn't sleep?
Nikita: Uh... no.
Big Momma: It's herbal. Chamomile to help you get to sleep.
Nikita: Yeah. Thank you very much.
Big Momma: that will put you right out. It worked on all my children and it always works for me. (she hands the cup to Nikita)
Nikita: I'll just let it cool.
Big Momma: Well not too long now. You don't want it to get cold.
Nikita: No. thank you.
Big Momma: Well goodnight. (Nikita takes a sip of the tea and then making a face spits it out)

JASON'S OFFICE

Naomi, his girlfriend, comes in holding airline tickets.
Jason: To what do I owe this pleasant surprise? (she gives him the tickets) Plane tickets? To Aruba? Who are you going with?
Naomi: Very funny. First class round trip. Four days on the beach and in the sun and you get to apply the sunscreen.
Jason: Darlin' I...
Naomi: No. No excuses. You've been working way to hard. No that the merger has been completed... trust me. It will be good for you. You'll like it.
Jason: Have I told you how much I love you?
Naomi: Talk is cheap. We leave Friday. (she leaves)
Jason: Is it Friday yet?

MAGGIE'S DINER

Michael and Nikita having coffee. All the regulars are there.
Michael: So you didn't see anybody?
Nikita: It's like they just picked up right in the middle of what they were doing and left. Did you get anything from Corman?
Maggie comes up to them and refills their coffee.
Maggie: Too much of this will keep you up at night. Breakfast is on it's way.
Nikita: Thanks.
Michael: See the postman over there. Watch how he's eating. He didn't change hands. ( they both watch the guy)
Nikita: What?
Michael: After he cut his food he kept the fork in his right hand. Usually Americans put their knives down and switch the fork to the right hand.
Nikita: Maybe he wasn't born here.
Postman: Great chow Mags. I better shove off though. Catch you later.
Maggie: Later Harry.
He leaves the diner and then we see him driving his mail rounds. Michael and Nikita must have followed him as they go up to the mail boxes and each take out a piece of mail. They then are seen back in their vehicle having opened up the mail. The pages inside have nothing on them. They are blank.
Nikita: (on phone with Corman) So the owner of Momma's Bed and Breakfast is Selma Hertz. Big Jim, my guess is Jim Huntington. 751 Oak St. and then there's Leonard Paul Treakle, 16 Palmer Rd.
Corman: Are you sure?
Nikita: Yeah. What's wrong?
Corman: Leonard Paul, Jim Huntington, Selma. Nikita, these people, every name you've given me... they're all dead. (Nikita hangs up the phone and looks at Michael)

MOMMA'S BED AND BREAKFAST

Nighttime. Michael and Nikita leave the B&B and head towards the diner. They look in and no one is there.
Nikita: It's the same as last night.
Michael takes something out of his pocket. It's some kind of tracking device.
Michael: The Church.
They head over that way and stand outside. All the townspeople are sitting inside watching a movie on the history of baseball and it's base in American history. Michael and Nikita are peaking inside and when they see all this they look at each other.

CHURCH - NIGHTTIME

Michael and Nikita enter after everyone but the preacher has left. They each enter the church on opposite sides. Nikita takes a seat all the while watching the preacher as he watches them, but Michael continues up to him. Next, at the barn the preacher is stretched out between two vehicles, his body off the ground, and he is groaning.
Preacher: I already told you. My name is Leonard Treakle and I’m the pastor at the First church of... (more moaning and groaning as he is stretched some more by Michael)
Nikita: What is that? (she notices some kind of marks on the mans wrist) Have you seen that before Michael?
They are sending the data back to Section to Corman.
Corman: The insignia is related to a terrorist organization called, Chornish Sturm, Black Storm.
Nikita: In Chechnya. They're on our hit list right below Red Cell.
Corman: What's going on there? You located the satellite yet?
Nikita: Not yet, but it seems as though we stumbled across a Black Storm sleeper base.
Corman: Sleeper base?
Nikita: Yeah. It's where they train their agents to look, act, think and breathe just like the locals. It gives them a base of operations right in the heart of the US. From there they can dispatch sleepers to anywhere in the country when ever they need to.
Corman: That's quite a coincidence. An Oversight satellite to crash right in the middle of a terrorist base?
Nikita: Yeah. I was thinking the same thing... What information can you give me regarding the satellite's orbital decay and codes that were issued before it crashed.
Corman: Coming right up. ( he punches some keys) I'm getting a lockout on it Nikita.
Nikita: Who issued it?
Corman: It's coded. Would Birkoff have done this?
Nikita: There's no reason why he would.
Corman: Give me a few hours. I can crack this. (pause) Hey good luck out there.
Nikita: thanks. (she walks back over to where Michael and the preacher are) He's Black Storm. Did he tell you anything.
Michael: they have the satellite. The mailman is their courier to the outside. He's bringing in an unlocked device.
Nikita: (bending down) You don't want to keep any high tech equipment in your humble little burg is that it? So where is the satellite?
Preacher: I told you everything that I'm going to.
Nikita: That truly is a shame.
Preacher: It doesn't matter. You two will be dead long before me.

MAGGIE'S DINER - DAYTIME

The regulars are all there.
Maggie: I don't know. They say it was a heart attack. Found just sittin' there right in the pew.
Big Jim: Poor man probably didn't know what hit him.
Tiny: Give's ya pause.
Michael and Nikita are sitting in a booth when the Postman walks in and hands Maggie a brown envelope.
Postman: Here you go Maggie. (he leaves and Michael follows)
Michael: Excuse me. Do you know if there is a library in town?
Postman: Ah... sure. You hang a left on Elm St. it's a stones throw from there on the corner. You can't miss it.
Michael: Spasiva. (Thank you in Russian)
Postman: Pajalsta. (You're welcome)
The postman realizes his mistake.

COMM CENTER

Corman works at his terminal and some info comes up.
Corman: Come on... Huh... yes.
He goes to the Perch where he finds Operations Perch and Madeline.
Madeline: We have a problem.
Corman: Everything I could find suggested that the satellite was crashed on purpose.
Madeline: Do you know by whom?
Corman: I was working on that when you called me. But everything that I could see leads back to Oversight or Center.
Operations: Can you think of a reason why Oversight would intentionally crash a satellite containing valuable data right into the heart of a terrorist base?
Corman: I don't know... Not unless..
Madeline: Go on.
Corman: Well if the data was useless. Providing the enemy with useless intel would distract them for years.
Madeline: You're very astute.
Corman: Thank you. But Michael and Nikita (pause) were sent in to make it look convincing. To make every effort to retrieve the data. But Michael won't fail.
Madeline: You've put the pieces together quite well.
Corman: And if Michael dies trying... will make it look all the more convincing.
Operations: Very good Mr. Corman.
Madeline: (to operatives) Take him to containment.
Corman: What for? Why? No!

BRIEFING TABLE

Davenport and a few others as well as Madeline.
Operations: You'll proceed to Dingman's Hollow. Michaels mission is to make every effort to retrieve the satellite data before the enemy can get their hands on it. It's up to you to make sure that he fails.

ARUBA - BEDROOM

Jason and Naomi are there. She goes to the doors and closes them and then goes over to the bed where Jason is laying.
Naomi: Everything okay Jay? (he sees her as a blur) You seem tired.
Jason: I don't know if it's work catching up to me. Too much wine? I can barely keep my eyes open.
Naomi: that’s okay. You've got four days to feel a lot better.
Jason: I love you. (he is obviously drugged and passes out)
Naomi gets off the bed and over to the doors where she lets in two guys in black carrying a body bag. They zip it open and it's Birkoff, burn marks showing.

DINGMAN'S HOLLOW - DAYTIME

Michael and Nikita are walking with the postman and Nikita is holding a gun to him.
Postman: Inside the shed.
Michael opens the doors and the satellite is there.
Michael: I have to remove the data drive.
He does something and then you see the postman looking behind Nikita.
Big Momma: Nice and slow now and forget about your guns. (Mom, Maggie, Tiny, and Big Joe are there) You can take it out, you can show it to me, you try and use it, it'll be mashed potatoes and gravy before you pull the trigger. (the guns are taken away)
Big Jim: Section Issue.
Maggie: Give me the toy.
Michael punches some numbers into the panel and then takes it out and hands it Maggie.
Big Momma: Good. Tiny.
He grabs the envelope from Maggie and takes the thing from there and puts it in the satellite.
Tiny: Something's wrong. He's done something to it. Some kind of lock code.
Big Momma: (grabbing Nikita) You have a little less than 5 seconds to give us that unlock code before I repaint this shed in white girl.
Michael: 12Z ?? 1035
Flash to in town where Davenport is sitting in a section van.
Davenport: Sir. We are in position.
Operations: The courier is using the cover of a US postal worker. As soon as they get what they want they'll send it out with him. I want confirmation when that happens.
Davenport: Yes sir.
Back at the shed.
Tiny: got it.
Big Momma: We were always told you were trained to go down for the mission. Ha!
Michael: We haven't finished the mission.
Big Jim: He's got big ones. I'll give you that.
Tiny: (handing the thing to Postman) She's all yours.
Postman: All right. See you guys tomorrow.
Big Jim: so what are we going to do with this geo team over here.
Big Momma: Tiny get your truck ( we see him back up a wood chipper! Fargo anyone???)
Mom holds her gun on Michael and Nikita. Mikey does one of his smooth moves by turning quickly and grabbing a hold of Mom's gun killing all of them. Next he's driving on a highway.
Davenport: Sir. The mail truck just cleared the outer marker.
Operations: Michael and Nikita.
Davenport: We're moving to position two.

THE PERCH

Madeline: (who is with Operations) Congratulations.
Operations: (on the phone) Yes I'm pleased to report that the mission status went exactly as planned... well thank you... I'll expect to hear from you then.

DINGMAN'S HOLLOW

Nikita and Michael are almost back to the B&B when she sees Davenport.
Nikita: Davenport?
Davenport: I have word that the mailman is not to be apprehended.
Nikita: I don't understand Davenport.
Michael: Data base was a dummy.
Davenport: I'm not authorized to discuss that.
Nikita: They wanted us to sell bad intel to Black Storm. They wanted it out.
Davenport: The courier's gone. They believe they have what they want. I have to take you in.
Michael: There's just one problem.
Davenport: What's that?
Michael: We didn't fail. (pause) The new lock code I gave them contains a self destruct.
We see the truck going down the roadway and then boom! It blows up.

THE PERCH

The phone is ringing.
Voice: Sir. Mr. Jones calling for you.
The phone keeps on ringing but Operations does not answer it.

MOMMA'S BED AND BREAKFAST

A group of people on the porch seeing Michael and Nikita off. They look just like the ones Michael killed.
Woman1: Come back. You're always welcome at Momma's. Come back soon now ya hear?
Woman2: Sir. They're clear. (to Operations on the phone) We've secured the town.
Operations: There's an outside briefing at 1800 hours.
Woman1: Yes sir. We'll be ready.
Nikita and Michael in the car.
Nikita: So we've replaced all these people with our own?
Michael: Yes. They had a field trace on the mailman. We hit Black Storm central 12 hours ago.
Nikita: So Dingman's Hollow's...
Michael: Section 6.
They drive off and as they leave town you see the sign that says "You are now leaving Dingman's Hollow".

JASON'S ROOM

Jason is laying in bed with some kind of covering on it. He wakes up groggy.
Jason: Naomi? Sugar buns?
He sees a phone, picks it up, no dial tone and he gets up. He gets out of the room.

MUNITIONS

Walter comes out to Michael and Nikita.
Walter: You guys were great out there. Not sure if everyone is as happy about that as I am.
He looks up and so do the other two and they see what looks like Birkoff wandering the hallway.
Jason: Man I'm tired.
Madeline and Operations come into the area.
Walter: Dear Mother of God.
Nikita and Michael just look, in shock.
Jason: (still walking and looking around) Damn phone's dead. Anybody knows how to get room service in this place? (two operatives appear behind him)
He looks around and starts to realize he is not in a hotel. Pan back to see the whole area with Madeline, Operations and the others.

THE END

Edited by Dana
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