Hell Hath No Fury

#412 "Hell Hath No Fury"
Written by: Lawrence Hertzog
Directed by: Rene Bonniere
Edited by: Richard Wells
Transcript by: Ginger taken from The Official Alberta Watson Home Page

Teaser

Van access
Michael and Nikita arrive with hostiles from Red Cell. Operations and Madeline are there waiting to greet them.

Madeline (to Operative): Take him to processing with the others.

Operative: He’s dead.

Madeline: That’s his problem.

The prisoners file by Operations and Madeline.  Madeline looks each one over.

Madeline (to Michael): No hostiles unaccounted for?

Michael: That’s everyone.

Madeline: They’ll be a debrief in 30 minutes.

Michael and Nikita exit leaving Operations and Madeline alone.

Operations: We’ve hit four Red Cell substations in 10 days and still no sign of the man you are looking for.  If this mission doesn’t yield results…

Madeline: We’ll hit four more.

Madeline exits.
Scene dissolves to Madeline at containment.  Madeline deactivates the electrical field and enters the holding cell.

Computer voice: Entry clear.

Madeline looks over each prisoner one at a time.

Prisoner (steps forward): Madeline, you are looking for me.  I am Leon.

Madeline: Step into the light.

Prisoner (steps forward): You would have discovered it soon enough.  Maybe this way we can save us all some unnecessary discomfort.

Madeline: After all these years, I would never have taken you for a man who prefers things comfortable.

Madeline zaps the prisoner with some kind of ray gun.  He falls back into the electrical field and is killed.
Scene dissolves to Operations and Madeline in the Perch.

Operations: Is that all he said to you?

Madeline: Yes. He lied.  You are aware of the significance of that lie?  It means one of the men in that room is Leon.  I’ve got him.

Madeline exits the Perch.  Dissolve to opening credits.
 

Act 1

Madeline’s office.

Madeline is in her office. Seated at her desk.  He desk is covered with surveillance photos.  She is going over them with a magnifying glass.  At first we think she is alone, but then Operations comes into view.

Operations: You’ve been at it for hours.  How about a break?

Madeline:  What?

Operations:  I said ‘How about a break’?

Madeline: No. I’m fine.

Operations:  Is that according to your professional opinion?

Madeline:  I found him. Look.

Madeline brings up on her computer the surveillance video of the people in the holding cell.  Operations comes around so he can see what she is pointing to.

Madeline: I’ve been studying visual cues and body language.  Did you see that? (pointing to something on the computer)  What that man there.  Watch his eyes.  That’s Leon.

Operations: How can you be sure?

Madeline: I’ve reviewed more than 8 hours of data.  Virtually, no one in this room makes a move without a reference to him.  Even the physical space between themselves and him.  I’m sure of it.

Operations: Yes.  I can see that.  But the question is ‘can I be sure of you?’

Madeline: Extracting Leon will have serious impact on Red Cell operations.  The amount of knowledge that he carries inside his head…

Operations: I’m aware of the man’s potential significance.  That’s why I won’t risk making any mistakes.

Madeline: This isn’t a mistake.

Operations:  Well, then, you won’t object if we wait for confirmation.

Operations leaves her office.  Madeline goes back to looking at the surveillance photos.
Scene dissolves to Operations giving a briefing.  Birkoff, Walter, Michael, and Madeline are seated around the table.  Operations activated the view screen and Leon’s picture comes up.

Operations:  We have reason to believe that this man might be Leon code name for Red Cell’s chief strategist.  We need to confirm this before we proceed.  Birkoff.

Birkoff is completely zoned out.

Operations: Birkoff. Background.

Birkoff: Hmm.  Over the last 18 months Red Cell has been transitioning their security coding from complex cypher to gene coded matrix.

Operations:  As you know, Section has abandoned gene coding more than 4 years ago.  Our knowledge base regarding this technology is extensive.

Birkoff:  I’ve narrowed down the 3 most likely routes of communication between Red Cell command and Leon.  If we can intercept a gene coded communique marked for Leon.

Operations:  We will be able to confirm or eliminate.  We’ll send out 3 teams.  Michael will lead Alpha.  Birkoff will upload your panels.

The briefing ends.  Everyone leaves except Birkoff.  Something is obviously on his mind.
Scene dissolves to Michael and Nikita as they enter Michael’s office.

Nikita: Michael, do you think we’ve been fully briefed on this mission?

Michael: Why?

Nikita:  It seems clear that Madeline has already identified Leon.  If that’s true then Operations is using us to second guess her.

Michael:  He needs to make sure.

Nikita:  I don’t know.  Something…I’ve never seen in her.  Whatever is is it’s not just about capturing Leon.  It’s personal.

Nikita exits.
Scene dissolves to Walter and Birkoff.  Birkoff is walking to Comm.  Walter intercepts him.

Walter: Hey, Amigo, everything OK with you?  You seem distracted.  Is something on your mind?

Birkoff: You’re the guy who makes the life and death decisions about other people’s lives.  I thought you had all the answers.

Walter:  I tried to tell you to let this thing slide.  But no. You had to push it.  And you found out. Yes, you’ve got a twin brother. Yes, he’s free and you’re not and I’m the one that made the call.  But that’s the way the cookie crumbled.

Birkoff:  Only he got the cookie and I got the crumbs.

Walter:  Let it go.

Birkoff: Like you let him go.

Birkoff is not happy.  Walter walks away.
Scene dissolves to Operations in the Perch.

Operative (VO): First team returning through West Air Lock.

We see Michael and Nikita arrive.  They walk through Section.  Michael heads for Birkoff at Comm.

Birkoff: What have you got?

Michael hands Birkoff a disc.  Birkoff inserts it into his computer.

Birkoff: It’s a directive for Leon.  Priority level 1 and it’s gene coded.

Scene dissolves to the Torture Twins in the White Room.  Leon is brought in by a guard.  The guard seats him in the nice comfy chair.  He is just about to attach the arm restraints when Madeline enters.

Madeline: That won’t be necessary.

Leon: Professional courtesy?

Madeline: A temporary reprieve.

Leon:  And them?

Madeline:  If I need them, the results of their work won’t be temporary.  I know who you are.  But it seems as if my superiors feel they need confirmation.

Leon:  It’s hard to imagine looking at you that you have any superiors.

Madeline: It would simplify things if you did this yourself.

Madeline hands Leon a scapel.

Leon: You’ve intercepted a gene coded transmission.  All’s fair as they say.

Leon cuts his finger tip with the scapel.  The female torture twin takes a blood sample.  Madeline meets up with Operations outside of the White Room and they take the sample to Walter.  Walter confirms Leon’s identity.

Walter: It’s positive.

Madeline:  Bring the prisoner to containment.  15 minutes.

Operations and Madeline exit leaving Walter wondering what’s up.
Dissolve to Madeline in her office.  She has let her hair down.  She is looking at herself in the mirror.

Section personal (via comm): The prisoner is ready for you.

Madeline: I’ll be right down.

Madeline applies red lipstick to her lips.
 

Act 2

White Room

One of the torture twins takes a device from their case.  It’s the device that makes those slits under prisoners eyes.  Just as they are about to use it on Leon Maddy enters and stops them.

Madeline: No. Get out.

The torture twins exit the White Room.

Leon: You catch more flies with honey is that it?

Madeline:  It would be a shame to damage such a price package prematurely.

Leon:  I’ll take that as a compliment.

Madeline:  It was meant as one.  You do understand what’s expected of me.

Leon:  If I am who you think I am, you also understand what is expected of me.  You think you can break me?

Madeline:  With the threat of pain?  No. I’m sure you are quite able to turn away from that.

Leon: How then?

Madeline:  Reason. Rationality.  We know each other too well to continue playing past the end game.

Leon: is this the end game?

Madeline: I think you know that it is.

Leon: And you think you’ve won?

Madeline: You’re in the chair.

Leon: Sitting or standing, you seem to be answering my questions.

Madeline smiles at him.

Leon: I gather that this fellow, Leon, has been a formidable adversary.  Something, given you’re obvious intelligence, you are not accustomed to.  I’d imagine a woman like you would find that stimulating.  And given how lovely you are… I can only regret that I’m not him.

Madeline:  The gene code was positive.

Leon:  Your Leon would think of that, wouldn’t he?

Madeline: Possibly. He’s also smart enough to play it jus the way you are playing it.

Leon: Touche.  So, where does that leave us?

Operations (VO): Madeline. My office.

Leon: I hope this isn’t on my account.

Madeline: Before you die, you’ll tell me what I want to know.  It’s up to you how you want to spend that time.

Madeline turns to go.

Leon: Dinner for two might be nice.

Madeline pauses a moment before exiting a smile on her face.
Scene dissolves to Operations and Madeline in the Perch.

Madeline:  The man will not respond to conventional methods. It’s not even worth trying.

Operations: He doesn’t appear to be responding to your unconventional ones.

Madeline: You agreed to let me handle this.

Operations: he’s playing with you and he appears to be winning.

Madeline: Of course.  That’s what he needs to believe.  I told you I understand him.  He will become overconfident. He’ll blunder.

Operations: We’ve already damaged Red Cell considerably by taking him out of play.  It’s clear he’s not going to give up any information.  He’s outlived his usefulness.

Madeline:  You’re not being fair.  We agreed this would take time.

Operations: I want this finished.

They do the Ops/Maddy stare off.  Madeline exits.  Operations looks down to Birkoff at Comm.

Operations:  Birkoff, I want that interrogation disc as soon as you transmit the data.

Birkoff: I’m working on it now.

Birkoff sees something on the disc.  A scar behind Madeline’s right ear.  Walter comes up behind Birkoff.  He sees it too.

Walter: What is that?

Birkoff:  I don’t know.  I don’t want to know.

Walter: It looks like an incision..a fresh one at that.

Birkoff: Whatever.

Walter: Ahh, Birkoff, it’s about this whole mess. You know, your bother and all..

Birkoff: it’s alright. It’s over.  I understand.  I have to get this to Operations.

Scene dissolves to an outdoor area.  Jason Birkoff drives up to Micro Technologies. (Note: car license plate reads ‘BYTE ME’)  A woman is in the passenger seat.  Jason kisses her goodbye, then gets out of the car.

Jason (southern american accent): Be good.

The woman gets out of the car and follows him.

Woman: Tonight? 5:30?

Jason: You know I have a meetin’ at 5.

Woman: So, how’s the merger coming along? Nervous?

Jason: Nah.  They’ll close. We just have to sweat it out until they do.  It’s them against us.  You just have to outlast the other guy.

Woman:  Well, you’re good at that.  You’re good at a lot of things.

They kiss.

Jason: Sometimes I wish somebody’d make my decisions for me. Be a hell of a lot easier that way.

They kiss again.  He goes into his office building and she goes back to the car.  After they leave, Seymour Birkoff comes out of hiding.  He saw the whole exchange.
Dissolve to Madeline’s office.  Leon is there with her.  They are having tea.

Madeline: Cream or sugar?

Leon: No, thank you.

Madeline: I’ve always been curious. Your attempt to intercept us in Catou (I cannot figure out where she says here) failed and yet we know you had lead time.

Leon: The airport there is Hell.  Nothing but delays.

Madeline:  It was the same in Jubo (again I have know clue what she said).  Given your failure to interceed, it’s likely a geographical issue.  No substations in that area.

Leon: What would you like me to say?

Madeline (laughing):  That given the frequencies you use to transmit and the lag time involved that the Algiers substation is your headquarters.

Leon:  I could tell you that.  Would that please you?

Madeline: Your appreciation and your confirmation would please me.

Leon: What I think you’d like me to say is that like you the best days of Leon’s life over the last 6 years have been those where you and he went toe to toe. Sparing across continents.  Each one trying to out think, out guess, and out maneauver an equally matched opponent.  Those days when he could almost taste the sweat on your brow.

Madeline: Is that true?

Leon: You know that it is.

Madeline nods in agreement.

Madeline: Yes. And Algiers?

Leon: Is not our central link.
 
Dissolve to Operations and Madeline in the Perch.  She is replaying the video of her tea with Leon.

Madeline: Now, watch here, when I touch his hand.  You see a sharp rise.  He’s reacting to me.

Video scene: Madeline: And Algiers? Leon: Is not our central link.

Madeline: He’s lying. You can tell by comparative reaction.

Operations: No margin for error.

Madeline: I’ve compiled the data a dozen times using variables.  I’m positive.

Operations: You’re emotionally involved.  Did you figure in that variable?

Madeline: Of course.  Algiers is the substation.

Operations: I’ll schedule a briefing.

Operations exits.  Madeline stays behind continuing to watch the video of herself and Leon.
Dissolve to mission van. Night. They are arriving at the Algier’s substation.

Michael (in van): Alpha Team approach and hold.

Birkoff (at Comm): They’re shielded from our IR scans.  No readings inside.

Michael: Exterior anomolies?
 
Birkoff: None. Perimeter is clean.

Operations and Madeline are monitoring from the Perch.

Operations: Go.

Birkoff: You’re go to proceed Michael.

Michael: Alpha Team go to proceed.

Operative: Alpha Team leader, no hostiles on premises.  Looks like we caught a bad one.

Operatives enter building. Guns drawn.  No hostiles so far.  Michael is monitoring from the van. He sees something on his computer

Michael: Hold position.

The doors close and the operatives are trapped.  The sprinklers are activated and acid is sprayed on them. They die.

Birkoff: Michael, status?

Michael: Anticipate 70% loss. It was a trap.

Operations and Madeline in the Perch. They heard the exchange.

Madeline: I’ll adjust my numbers accordingly.

Madeline turns to leave, but Operations calls her back.

Operations: Madeline. (He walks over to her and strokes her cheek briefly.) Kill him.

Madeline: I still believe he’s..

Operations: What you believe is no longer a factor. Cancel him.

They do the Ops/Maddy stare again then she exits.
Dissolve to Leon strapped to a table with an IV in his arm.  Madeline is present in the room with a syringe in hand.  Operations is watching from an observation booth.

Leon: You could just shoot me.

Madeline: This is much more painful.

Leon: I wouldn’t have imagined you’d be a sore looser.

Madeline: You used me.

Leon: Nothing you wouldn’t have done if the situation were reversed.

Madeline closes off the IV.

Leon: Your eyes are really quite…

Leon gasps for breath then dies…well, not quite.  The machines show flatline.  Madeline looks at Operations.  He nods then leaves.  After he is gone, Madeline gives Leon the antidote.  Dissolve to Walter outside the room looking in a portal. He has seen what Madeline has done.
 

Act 4

Madeline’s quarters.

Madeline and Leon are in her quarters.  She is seated on the bed.  He is standing. He pours himself some water and drinks.

Leon: I imagine you’ve put yourself at considerable risk bringing me here.

Madeline: Why’s that?

Leon: The show you put on…The lethal injection…I gather I was suppose to wake up in…well, somewhere else.  If Operations finds out about this.

Madeline: I made a judgement call.  I believe I’m more aware of your value to us than he is.  I’m aware that using heavy handed approach to mining that value is out of the question.

Leon:  We are quite a pair the two of us.  We may play for different teams, stand on opposite sides of the field, but at the end of the day, we have more in common with each other than we do with any of our team mates.

Madeline: Maybe you’re just playing for the wrong team.

Leon:  We’ve known each other far too long to believe something like that Madeline.  Teams. Sides. You’d do as well on my team as I’d do on yours.  For us, it’s the thrill of the game that makes the heart pound.

Leon sits on the bed beside her.

Madeline: You may not know me as well as you think.

Leon: I know you, Madeline, maybe better than anyone else.  I know how you have to live inside yourself, isolate yourself because emotionally and mentally you have no equals here.  How, more often than not, you have to compromise your thinking just to be understood.  How you long for someone with the capacity to meet you where you live. On your level. A day, even a moment, when you don’t have to feel so alone. You’re not alone, Madeline.

Madeline kisses him.  They roll around on the bed kissing and crap. HORK.
Dissolve to Walter, Michael, and Birkoff in munitions.
Walter: Michael the guys not dead.

Michael: You saw it?

Birkoff: I got a sample of the intravenous solution she used for the lethal injection.  It’s copamine.  It will lower body response to produce flatline, but it isn’t fatal.

Walter: What do you think about this Michael? (Walter indicated the scar behind Madeline’s ear that is visible on Michael’s panel)

Michael: Incision suggests a post-thalmic inversion.

Walter: Who the hell would risk that?  It’s almost damn near 95% lethal. Red Cell?

Michael: Maybe.

Birkoff: What is it?

Walter: Oh, PTI, it went out with lobatomies and hack saws.  It’s suppose to stimulate the emotional center of the brain. Love, hate, that kind of stuff.

Birkoff: If Red Cell could make her fall in love with him.

Michael: She has to be reported.

Michael exits.  Walter starts to leave, but is stopped by Birkoff.

Birkoff: Walter

Walter: Hmm?

Birkoff: I saw him.

Walter: You saw who?

Birkoff: My brother, Jason.

Walter (very concerned): That’s crazy.  If they get wind of this..

Birkoff: It was like looking in a mirror.

Walter: No, listen to me..

Birkoff: No. No matter how long you’ve been in here at least you know where you came from. You know who you are.  Do you have any idea what it felt like to know that I’m part of something? Someone?  To make that connection.

Walter:  How many times do I have to tell you? Hmm?  You know about the rules of contact in this place.  You know that if they get the slightest whiff of this, you are dead and gone.

Birkoff: I know. I just had to see him once.

Walter: And it’s over?

Birkoff: yes.

Walter pulls the gate to munitions down between himself and Birkoff and walks away.
Scene dissolves to Operations and Michael in the Perch.

Operations: Madeline hasn’t been compromised.  She submitted to the procedure voluntarily.

Michael: To get him to believe she’s in love with him?

Operations: He’s to formidable an opponent to try and get him to believe anything.  She is in love with him.

Michael: He’ll try to take advantage of that.

Operations: We are counting on it.  Is that all?

Michael: A woman in love may prove to be a more formidable opponent than the one she loves.

Michael exits.
Dissolve to Madeline and Leon in her quarters.  Madeline is in his lap. ICK.

Leon: You know, you really almost convinced me.

Madeline: I don’t understand.

Leon: Oh, I think you do, Madeline.  First you saved my life and when we made love… When we made love, I could almost believe it.  But that’s what you wanted isn’t it?  For me to believe it.  I was so smart about how to seduce you.  Yet you were in the lead all along.  Check mate.  The game is yours.

Madeline: This isn’t a game.

Leon: Madeline

Madeline: No. It may have started that way… What will it take for you to believe me? (She rests her head on his chest.) What if I could get you out?

Scene dissolves to Madeline.  She is heading for munitions.

Madeline: I’ve been reviewing the monthly inventory on Birkoff’s report.  There are a number of discrepancies on your inventory that haven’t been reconciled.

Walter: What kind of discrepancies?

Madeline: You are aware that checking out unauthorized equipment is grounds for cancellation?

Walter:  There must be some problem with the math.  That’s all.

Madeline:  Then I suggest you correct it within the hour.  Birkoff has the figures.

Walter: I’m on it.

Walter exits leaving Madeline alone in munitions.  She checks out some unauthorized equipment of her own.
Scene dissolves to Michael and Nikita in Michael’s office.

Nikita: Do you believe what Operations said?

Michael: He has no reason to lie.

Nikita: I s that all love is, Michael?  Synapses in the brain?  The proper conditioning?

Michael: I don’t know.

Nikita: Or you don’t want to know.  She may feel something for this man.  It may even resemble love. But I can’t believe that’s all there is to it.

Michael cups her chin in his hand and turns her face to him.
Dissolve to Madeline and Leon.  They are somewhere in Section.  Trying to make their escape.

Leon: They can’t trace our movements?

Madeline: I deleted you from the subsystem entirely.  My indications have me in my office.

Leon: The downside of relying on technology.

They arrive at an exit portal. The door swings open and Operations is there.

Madeline: Paul.

Operations (into his phone): I need a security team to transport.
(to Madeline) This wasn’t part of the profile.

Madeline: I’m not on profile.

Operations: Think about what you are doing, Madeline.  Remember the mission.  We discussed the possibility of things going too far.  And of you letting your emotions get in the way.  You have to remember your job.

Madeline: My job. I’m sorry Paul. There’s more to my life now than my job.  My resignation.

Madeline pulls out a gun and shoot Operations twice.  Then she and Leon leave.  Stepping over his body.
 
 

Act 4

Red cell

Leon and Madeline arrive at Red Cell.  She follows him as he leads her up the stairs and into a room - Red Cell’s equivalent of the White Room.  Two guards are there waiting.

Leon:   We have a prize package.  See that it receives special handling.

The guards strap Madeline into the chair.

Leon: The electric chair was imported from the United States.  It seems they, like you, have opted for a more civilized form of death.  A shame really.  There’s sort of a primitive beauty about the old ways.

Leon approaches Madeline with intent to torture.  She is crying.  He brushes a tear from her cheek.

Leon: oh, I think we are passed this now.  Don’t you think?

Madeline (looks up at him): I don’t think you understand how I feel.

Leon: How you feel, Madeline?  Madeline, after all these years, to accuse you of having feelings, I wouldn’t stoop that low.

Madeline: I would have told you anything.  All you have to do is ask.  I love you.

Leon turns off the torture device.

Leon: Alright. Let’s talk then.

Scene dissolves to Medical.  Michael and Nikita are there with Operations whose neck wound is being treated.

Nikita: Real bullets?  Getting hit wasn’t part of the profile?

Operations: As far as Madeline is concerned, given her feelings for this man, there is no profile.  Once she had the operation, the rest was improvisation.

Birkoff (from Comm): I’ve got location on Madeline’s secondary field locator.

Operations(to Birkoff): Upload the data.  (to Michael): I want a storm team mobilized in 15 minutes.

Michael exits leaving Operations and Nikita alone.

Nikita: So, for love, Madeline becomes your Judas goat.  Does she know they’ve implanted a second locator?

Operations: 14 minutes Nikita.  I’ll be on point.

Nikita exits.
Scene dissolves to Madeline in Leon at Red Cell. Madeline’s still in the hot seat.

Madeline: You are aware that they’ll track me through my implant?  They are most likely on their way.

Leon:  It’s a known frequency.  It’s been phase cancelled.

He kisses her cheek.

Madeline: No. There’s another one.

This gets his attention.  He runs out of the room shouting orders.

Leon:  She’s wearing an implant.  There’s no time to evacuate.  We are on hot standby as of now.

Operative:  I’m picking up no sign of movement.

Leon:  Because they don’t want you to.  I want everyone on tactical.

Leon returns to Madeline.  Section has arrived. Gunfire erupts.  Leon sets Madeline free.

Madeline: If you are thinking of using me to protect…

Leon: No. I know that killing me is more important to them than you are.  And if there is a way out of this, I want you with me.

Madeline: They’ll have us on thermal.  Is there another way out of this room?

Madeline and Leon leave together.  More gunfire,  enter Michael and Nikita guns blazing.  Michael and Nikita catch up with Leon and Madeline.  Michael has them in his sites.

Michael: Drop the gun.

Leon drops the gun.  Operations enters from the other side of the room.  His gun is drawn.  Madeline steps between him and Leon.

Operations: Are you sure you are willing to die for him?

Madeline: Don’t

Operations shoots Madeline in the arm to get her out of the way and then he shoot Leon twice in the chest. FINALLY!  Leon is dead.  Madeline is hysterical , crying, she throws herself on Leon.

Madeline: You didn’t have to kill him.  You didn’t have to kill him.  I’m so sorry.

Operations (to Michael & Nikita): Get her out of here.

Madeline: I’m so sorry. I love you so much.

Madeline is still crying uncontrollably and kissing Leon. HORK.
Nikita approaches.

Nikita: We have to go.

Madeline: you didn’t have to kill him.  We could have used him.

Nikita: I’m sorry.

Madeline: How could you know?  How could you know how I feel?  I’m sorry.

Michael approaches Madeline.

Madeline: You didn’t have to kill him.  We could have used him.

Michael helps her up and leads her away.

Michael: It’s alright.

She is still crying as he leads her away.
CUT!!!
 

Tag

The Perch

Operations and Madeline are in the Perch.  She is back to her normal self.  Thank God.

Madeline: 100% containment.  We’ve downloaded their data bases and cleaned their hard drives.  Birkoff is processing the data now. In the end, worth the chances we took.

Operations: You took.

Madeline: We were both at risk.

Operations: Yes. That bullet really did come close.

Madeline: did you think I had lost control?

Operations: You survived the reversal.  Any side effects? Lingering feelings?

Madeline: No. I feel quite well.  Have you seen my recommendations for the Crystal Sky Project?

Operations nods yes.
Scene dissolves to Jason Birkoff as he arrives at home.  Seymour Birkoff is waiting for him.  Jason stares at him. Stunned.  The brother stare at each other.

THE END