Double Date Transcript

By Baoqin and Dana

TEASER - BRIEFING ROOM

The familiar music of Number One Crush by Garbage starts. Nikita and Michael walk into Briefing room, Fanning has his back to Nikita. Nikita is having flashbacks of what happened in the mission involving Fanning Fanning. (See Obsessed)
Nikita: Fanning, I thought he was dead.
Fanning: Sorry to disappoint you.
Operations: We decided to keep him alive, he's Section material.
Nikita: What's he doing here?
Operations: He's going on a mission with you.
Nikita: Really. A psychotic killer and sadistic wife beater.
Operations: Most of our operatives are flawed, in one way or another.
Nikita: I don't like him, I don't trust him, and I sure in hell don't want to work with him.
Operations: I know you have history. You have to put that behind you and concentrate on the mission.
Nikita: It's not just the history. Michael seduced his wife and betrayed him to Section. He will not rest until we are dead.
Operations: And then he will die too.
Nikita: He won't care. As long as we are dead first.
Operations: On the contrary, our assessment indicates he has a very strong will to live. The mission requires that the three of you to work together.
Fanning: May I say something?
Operations: Go ahead.
Fanning: Regarding the past, as far as I'm concerned, everyone was just doing their job. As for the present, I have no hard feelings. I just want to stay alive.
Nikita: Really?!
Fanning: Really.

SCENE TWO - BRIEFING

Operations: Nicholas Kusko, former head of the Romanian secret police. After the cold war, he dropped out of sight to form his own highly trained mercenary unit. He's been involved in 50 terrorist incidents in the last three years. Recent intel has given us a location near western Moldova. This picturesque part of forest is actually a mobile camp occupied by Kusko's private army. Assault is out of the question, so we've developed an alternative. That's where Mr. Fanning comes in.
Fanning: I did a number of jobs for Kusko before I came to Section. He has no reason not to trust me.
Operations: He has arranged a meeting, we will use the opportunity to terminate Kusko and his entire organization. You will get further details from Michael, that's all.
Michael: We leave tomorrow morning for stations 6, so we'll get our equipment now. Reconvene at 2 o'clock.

WALTER'S

Walter: Check it out.
Nikita: No weapons for him (Fanning), Walter.
Walter: Yeah, I heard.
Fanning: You know, I think you guys have me pegged all wrong. It's not like I'm into revenge. So what if Michael gave my wife some physical pleasure? I wasn't 100% faithful, right? I must say, however, I am envious of the fact you two get to carry on a relationship while you work together. I think that's great.
Michael: Drop it, Fanning.
Fanning: Why? Is that a touchy subject? I just think it's admirable the way you two pulls it off. In fact, there's been a question I want to ask you, Michael, for a long time. It's kind of a personal question, but seen how you slept with my wife, I guess we got a lot in common, so you don't mind me asking it. When you guys go on missions or on standby, how often do you have sex?
You should have seen the expression on Nikita's face.
Michael: I said *drop* it.
Fanning: I'm sorry. I'm over the line, I will see you guys on the mission. (Fanning leaves.)
Nikita: I don't believe that he does not care about revenge. We have to do something, Michael.
Michael: It's already been taken care of. Clayman. Will come along as comm. op. His real function is to watch Fanning. The first sign of trouble, he's authorized to cancel him.
Nikita: That's more than on nothing. I just hope it's enough.

MISSION

Nikita, Michael, Fanning, and two other team members set up night watch. They set up a series of posts ejecting lasers. If anyone enters the perimeter, the alarm would go off.
Clayman: We've cleared the perimeter.
Michael: The meet is 20km to the east at 9:30.
Clayman: Fanning is going alone?
Michael: Kusko insisted.
Nikita: What if he doesn't come back?
Michael: He'll come back. Kusko's security is sophisticated. From now on we maintain radio silence.
Fanning: I gotta take a leak. (to Nikita, sarcastically) Is that all right?
Nikita: It's OK if I say it is.
Fanning: Request permission to take a leak.
Nikita: Permission denied.
The next morning, Michael applies an radioactive isotope to Fanning's hand.
Fanning: How much contact is needed?
Michael: A handshake is enough to tag him.
Fanning: Well, that's pretty strong stuff.
Michael: The isotope won't do any real damage as long as an extracting agent is applied within 12 hours. You should be back by then.
Fanning: What if I'm not?
Michael: The skin peels off your hand, 3 hours later you love the feeling in your arm, 6 hours after that you're dead. Good luck.

Fanning goes to the meeting with Kusko. Two cars appear from opposite directions. Kusko comes out of the car and shakes Fanning's hand.
After the meeting, Michael gives the extracting agent to Fanning (it's a hand cream in fact)
Michael: What job did he offer you?
Fanning: He offered me a hit in Brussels and one in Russia.
Michael: What did you say?
Fanning: The one in Brussels.
Michael: Why?
Fanning: There's a day more and it's consistent with my cover.
Michael: Good.
Fanning: Hey, does this stuff work?
Michael: It works.
Fanning: Any damage?
Michael: Nothing permanent.
Later, they watch a satellite image on the laptop with Kusko's compound.
Nikita: The brightest spot is Kusko's hand?
Michael: Yes.
Nikita: And the others?
Michael: Things he's touched. (to the others) Prepare to evacuate.
Michael and Nikita set up the missile. Fanning and the two ops leave for the van. The minute they were in the clear, Fanning kills the other two ops. In the mean time, the missile tags onto the isotope on Kusko's hand. Michael sets it off.
Michael and Nikita cleans up the area and leave for the van. As they reach the van, Nikita notices one of the ops slumped over the driver's seat. Before she can react, Fanning grabs her from behind and points his gun to the back of Nikita's head. Michael points the gun at him.
Fanning: Drop the gun! Drop it, man!
Michael slowly drops the gun.
Fanning: Now we're back together again, just like old times. I'd love to chat, but I got a mission of my own and you're just the man to help me with it. I'm gonna get my wife back.
Michael: I haven't seen her for a while.
Fanning: Well neither have I, that's the problem,.
Michael: I don't even know where she is.
Fanning: Find her. It's poetic justice. You took my woman, you get her back, and if you don't, I'm gonna take yours. You got 48 hours.

ACT TWO - CABIN

Fanning drags Nikita into a cabin in the forest.
Fanning: It's not much, but I like to call it home.
Nikita: You know Section's gonna come after you.
He throws her on the floor and slams some chairs.
Fanning: Section's not gonna know anything about this. Who's gonna tell?
Nikita: Michael.
Fanning: Michael? (He chains Nikita onto a hook in the floor) Michael knows that Section doesn't bargain. Section would just let me kill you and I don't think Michael would want that.
Nikita: If we don't report they'll come after us, whether you want them to or not.
Fanning: I don't think he'll let them.
Nikita: Fanning, let's be real. How is he going to find Lisa and bring her back here, and hide the death of two operatives from Section, all in the space of 48 hours?
Fanning: You know what? I think it's gonna be a really big challenge. Michael wants you alive so badlyI think he might just be able to pull it of. (he slams something, Nikita reacts) Hey, a little jumpy? (she smiles)

CYBER CAFE

Birkoff enters the cyber café, one of the mystery twins is at a table (!).
Birkoff: I'll take 60 minutes (It's good to know that he *does* get out of Section One.)
Birkoff gets on a computer and starts a game. It looked like some kind of dungeon and doom game. Birkoff is just getting into the game, when a black gloved hand stops the game. It's Michael.
Birkoff: You scared the hell out of me. What are you doing here?
Michael: Mission security has been breached. Kusko's still alive.
Birkoff: That's impossible. Satellite intel picked up the explosion, our sources confirmed it.
Michael: Security has been breached. Kusko's still alive.
Birkoff: Sure. Whatever you say.
Michael: Tell Operations the team's dead except for Nikita and me (he counts on killing Fanning). We're in mandatory refusal until the mission's complete. Right now I need to know where Fanning's wife is. Her name is Lisa. Find her now.
Birkoff: These things are just toys. They're just for fun.
Michael: Now (you can't say no to him when he says that)
Birkoff: I guess I can try rerouting a bit stream to piggyback into some databases.
Michael: Do it. You'll have to cover for me with Operations.
Birkoff: Till when?
Michael: Till I get back.
Birkoff: You can trust me.
Michael: If you betray me, I'll kill you.
Birkoff: That's why you can trust me.

HOTEL BAR

The setting screams money. Michael is wearing a thin white silk shirt and black tux. He goes to the bar.
Michael: Milk.
A couple tries to get into the private dining room, a bodyguard at the door stops them.
Bodyguard: Sorry, private party.
Woman: Let's go.
Michael sees Lisa through a glass door. She looks a lot more glamorous than before.
One of the bodyguards walks to the bar.
Bodyguard: Can I get an orange juice? (Hey, got to stay sober for the job.)
Michael: I need a favor.
Bodyguard: What?
Michael: Give your employer a message.
Bodyguard: Why?
Michael: She knows me.
Bodyguard: Sure she does.
Michael: There's something in here for you.
Bodyguard: And what that?
Michael: I'll give you back your gun.
Bodyguard: You don't have my gun.
Michael punches him in the stomach, grabs his gun, twists his arm around, so the gun is pointed to his back. The other bodyguard watches in alarm.
Michael: My name is Michael. I'd like a word with her. Understand?
The guard agrees. (Like he has a choice.) He goes in the private dining room, and tells Lisa the message. The camera slows down, and you watch as Lisa's surprised face turns around. Her curly blond hair is now straightened and dyed a dark reddish color. Flashback to Obsessed, "I'm afraid of falling in love / I think we already have". A sweet music plays while she remembers some more, "I can't see you again / We have to see each other again."
She comes out the dinning room, with three bodyguards behind her. She is wearing black pants with a maroon halter top.
Lisa: What do you want?
Michael: To see you.
Lisa: Why?
Michael: Can we talk alone?
Lisa: (to the bodyguards) Guys, give us some space. (To Michael) So it was a job, no, an assignment. You made that clear.
Michael: At the time I thought it was true. I expected to forget you. I tried, but I couldn't.
Lisa: I don't believe you.
Michael: I came to see you.
Lisa: It's not a job. I know it. I can't deal with this. This is too sudden.
Michael: Let me stay with you tonight.
Lisa: I need some time to think.
Michael: There is no time. I have probably been missed, they are looking for me. Just one night, that's all I ask.

HOTEL ROOM

Lisa has changed, she is now wearing a maroon dress, and her hair is now curly.
Lisa: (to the guard) You can go. (to Michael) You want some wine?
Michael: Whatever you're having.
She tries to open the bottle, has some difficulty with it, so Michael takes it from her, touching her hand. She's troubled. He takes her hand and starts to undress her. She giggles. They start making out.

SECTION - SYSTEMS

Birkoff: Michael went silent.
Operations: What?
Birkoff: Just came in. The mission's been compromised.
The screen shows "STATUS OFF LINE". Birkoff is faking it.
Operations: Yesterday you said that intel indicated complete success.
Birkoff: It did.
Operations: When will he reopen contact?
Birkoff: 24 hours.
Operations checks something on the computer himself. Birkoff looks concerned.
Operations: I don't like this, Birkoff.
Birkoff: Intel seems reliable. I don't know what happened.
Operations: Screen the sources, eliminate the unreliable ones. Keep me informed.
Birkoff: Yes, sir.

HOTEL ROOM

Lisa is lying on top of Michael, Michael is has his shirt on, but the buttons are open.
Lisa: Not a day has come by that I haven't thought about us.
Michael: Me, too.
Lisa: Was it as good as you remembered?
Michael: Yes. (You can tell Michael is not really *there*, he has this sorta of vacant look on his face.)
Lisa stands up, and zips up her dress.
Lisa: Yes, everything is just as it was . . . except me.
The bodyguards appear again, Michael realizes what is happening. He stands up and dispatches the first two operatives. The third one pulls out a gun. Michael stops and puts his hands up, one of the bodyguards grabs Michael's arms from behind. The other one punches Michael in the mid-section.
Lisa: How does it feel, Michael? How does it feel to be used and betrayed?
She signals the bodyguards to continue, but she looks away. She is still in love with Michael.

ACT THREE - CABIN

Fanning: Forgot to share, I got hungry.
Nikita: So how did you know?
Fanning: What? About you and Michael? It didn't take a genius, people talk. I think it's really beautiful, though.
Nikita gathers the chain in her hand.
Nikita: My coat, if that's all right.
Fanning: It's all right if I say it's all right.
Nikita: (snorts) Request permission to get my coat.
Fanning: Permission granted.
She pretends the chain is too short.
Nikita: I can't reach.
Fanning gets up and hands her the coat. She grabs his hand and pulls him down, then wraps the chain around his neck. Fanning grabs a lit log from the fire place and stabs into Nikita's arm. Nikita jerks back in pain. Fanning Fanning gets up, choking.
Fanning: (amused) I will learn to do it. That was good. What the hell. Here' have some dinner.
He throws a can of food at Nikita. She did not free herself but earned her food at least.

HOTEL ROOM

Michael is lying on the floor, the bodyguards have obviously done their job well.
Lisa: do you still want me, Michael?
Michael: Yes.
Lisa: Oh, you are brilliant. But why don't we stop the games and tell me what you want? (Ok, lady, first of all, if Red Cell can't break him, you can't either, so don't even try.)
Michael: You.
Lisa: Good. (she is unnerved by Michael's answer, she obviously expected something different. She orders the guard to leave.) Go. I told you, I have changed. I am not the innocent girl you've tricked so easily. What's the job this time, Michael?
Michael: I already told you.
Lisa: You expect me to believe that you just come here after all this time just because you want me. (She laughs, and shakes her head.)
Michael: Believe anything you want. (The second he said that, he had her.)
Lisa grabs a towel and walks to Michael.
Lisa: No. You know, I used to dream that you would come back. As time passed, I gave up hope. Michael, why now? Why after so long?
Michael: Because of David.
Lisa: What about David?
Michael: He's not dead.
Lisa: He's coming here? No, I moved. I moved dozens of times, I changed names. How could he find me?
Michael: I did. That's why I came, to protect you from him.
Lisa: Why didn't you tell me?
Michael: Because I didn't want to scare you. I think one of your bodyguards is cooperating with him.
Lisa: Which one?
Michael: I don't know. How many are there?
Lisa: Ten, two shifts of five.
Michael: We have to spot the weak link in your security, before David does.
Lisa: I don't know anything about security, that's why I hired them.
Michael: If you had to slip out without been seen, how would you do it?
Lisa: Oh, there's a service elevator that goes to the 3rd floor, and then there's a stairwell. Michael, I heard them saying that that's the hardest one to guard.
Michael stands up, all of a sudden he doesn't seem so weak anymore. Lisa follows him. Michael injects Lisa's arm with novocaine (?). She is unconscious in a few seconds.

SECTION

Birkoff inserts a mini disc into his computer. Operations comes to talk to him.
Operations: Has Michael checked in yet?
Birkoff: I'm with him now. (he's faking the whole discussion with Michael)
Michael: Birkoff.
Birkoff: Michael, I read you. What's the status?
Michael: Four team members down.
Birkoff: Should we abort?
Michael: Negative. Nikita and I will proceed with the mission.
Operations: Michael, how was the security breached initially?
Birkoff: Michael, don't answer, the transmission is being monitored!
Operations: Did they trace him?
Birkoff: No. I cut off in time. They won't come back until the mission's over.
Operations: Let me know if he does.
Birkoff: Of course.

CABIN

Fanning is preparing to leave for the meeting.
Fanning: Are you wondering what I'm gonna do? Don't bother cause I'll tell you. I'm gonna stay in the woods cause I like the isolation. I think it would be great for Lisa too cause she can get used to things again.
He accidentally drops a bullet clip as he is packing. Nikita has seen it. She gets up and comes closer.
Nikita: Used to being a slave, is that what you mean?
Fanning: Yeah. Sit down! (Nikita sits back on the chair) Good little doggie.
Nikita: You really are scum.
Fanning: You know what? You're wrong. I am a man in love. The first time I ever saw Lisa I knew I was supposed to be with her. Lisa knew she was meant for me. There was a time I wanted revenge. But you know what, if you disappear, Section will come after me. If I send you back with a cover story, they won't. If they think I'm dead, everything will be fine. And you and Michael can't exactly make up a story, not since he's gone AWOL looking for Lisa, right? Then I may not send you back alive.
He arms his gun, points it at Nikita.
Fanning: Hey! Move! You know what, it doesn't really matter what happens as long as I get Lisa back. And I'm gonna. There's not a damn thing you can do about it. It's almost time. (he heads for the door) Don't go anywhere!
Left alone, Nikita snatches the clip using her leg.

JEEP

Michael is driving and Lisa slowly starts to wake up.
Lisa: Oh, my head.
Michael: I gave you an injection of novocaine.
Lisa: It's a job, isn't it? And all that talk about love and protecting me is all rubbish, wasn't it? (Duh, wake up and smell the coffee.) Tell me this has nothing to do with David. Please, you're not going to take me to him. (She tries to open the door, Michael yanks her hair back, hard.)
Lisa is now wearing a black knee length coat with black pants, and her hair is pulled into a neat pony tail. Since she was out during the whole trip, my guess would be that Michael changed her clothes and did her hair. Is anything spy boy can't do?

CABIN

Nikita takes out a bullet from the clip. She places it between a hole in the chain, she grabs a brick, and slams it down on the bullet, *hard*. Fanning Fanning stops when he hears the resonating sound of a bullet going off. He runs back into the cabin, Nikita is already gone.

JEEP

Michael stops the jeep. Before he and Lisa start off to the meeting place, he stops her.
Michael: I have something for you.
Lisa: What's this?
Michael: Your way out. (In Michael's hand is the radioactive isotope.)

FOREST

Lisa is walking in front of Michael, her arm is twisted back behind her. She is yelling on top of her lungs.
Lisa: Let me go. Ah! Let me go! You have to let me go! Michael, let me go! NO, no, I don't wanna go. Please!
Fanning sees Lisa and Michael. He pulls out his gun and carefully aims at Michael, so the bullets just miss Michael by a few inches. Michael let Lisa go.
Lisa starts to run away. Nikita tackles Lisa down.
Nikita: Lisa, listen, we don't have much time. I'm gonna need your help. How did you and Michael get here?
Lisa: In the jeep.
Nikita: Where?
Lisa: I don't know.
Nikita: Do you remember where the sun was?
Lisa: I'm not sure.
Nikita: You have to think.
Lisa: Behind us to the left.
Nikita: Let's go.
She grabs Lisa and takes her to the jeep. She starts to drive away, when Fanning Fanning appears in the middle of the road. He shoots out a tire, and the jeep swerves out of control.
Fanning: Welcome home, Lisa.
Nikita: It's all right, don't move.
Fanning: Get out of the car. Lisa, get out of the car!
Nikita: Don't do it, Lisa.
Lisa gets out of the car. Nikita jumps out too and comes in front of Lisa, shielding her from Fanning.
Fanning: Lisa, get over here, right now.
Nikita: Don't do it, Lisa.
Fanning grabs Lisa and point the gun at Nikita.
Fanning: I could kill you, but then Michael would come after me, wouldn't he? If I let you live, he takes you back to Section so I can get away. You're lucky, I guess there's no contest. (to Lisa) Come on.
Michael watches the whole scene from the bushes but doesn't interfere. Nikita watches as Fanning grabs Lisa's hands and starts walking away.

Nikita: How long have you been standing there?
Michael: A while.
Nikita: Why didn't you shoot him?
Michael: I knew he wouldn't kill you.
Nikita: Lisa?
Michael: She'll be fine.
Nikita: I'm going to help her.
Michael: Nikita. (He has his gun aimed at her.)
Nikita: You are going to kill me?
Michael: No, I'm going to shoot you in the leg and carry you back. It'll be easier for both of us if you can walk.
Nikita: You know, you are either insane, or the cruelest man that ever lived.
Michael: I gave her the isotope.
Nikita: So she can poison him?
Michael: The only way she can truly be free is if she kills him herself.
Nikita: Is that what she said, Michael, or is that what you made her believe?
Michael: Let's go.

Lisa is walking with Fanning.
Fanning: What a beautiful day.
He takes out his water bottle.
Fanning: Want some?
Lisa: No.
He drinks from it and the water is shown falling into his mouth in slow motion. There's something about it. He offers her the bottle again.
Fanning: We've got a long way to go.
Lisa: No, I'm sure.
She has the vial that had contained the isotope behind her back. She smiles at him.
Fanning: Coming?
Lisa: Yeah.
She drops the vial and follows him.

Michael is driving the jeep. He is on the phone with Operations.
Michael: Of course.
Nikita: Do you think Operations believed you?
Michael: I think so.
Nikita: Good. So we are in the clear, then. I wonder if Lisa is in the clear.

THE END

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