Slipping Into Darkness

Scene One - outdoors, a courthouse building in the background. A man dressed all in black picks up the pay phone to make a call and places a device on it, apparently tracking the call somehow. It's Michael.

Voice: Go ahead.

Michael: I need a cab.

Voice: Where to?

Michael: Hamburg.

Voice: Hang up, and turn around.

Michael does, a Mercedes station wagon drives up. The window goes down and a man is there.

Man in car: We didn't think you'd show.

Michael: When can I meet Philo?

Man: First things first. (He hands Michael a glass vial of something)

Michael: What's the reaction time?

Man: Ten hours. First sign is confusion, then comes judgment disintegration, followed by paranoid delusions. A complete brain meltdown.

Michael: Good.

Scene Two: Section One, Operations Loft Michael enters; Operations is there.

Operations: Where are we with the Shadow Brigade?

Michael: Birkoff's going through what we've recovered from the bombing.

Operations: And what do you think, is it their work?

Michael: It's possible.

Operations: Okay let me know when you have something definitive. Oversight wants a quick turnover on this one.

Michael: Sure.

Scene Three: Operations Loft Madeline walks into the loft and up to Operations, who is sitting at a terminal.

Madeline: Isn't that yesterday's news?

Operations: It appears holding Shadow Brigade responsible for the embassy bombing was a mistake. We may have acted too hastily.

Madeline: They took responsibility.

Operations: They lied.

Madeline: Who do you think it was?

Operations: Gustov Pogue.

Madeline: Gustov Pogue has been dead for four years.

Operations: That's exactly what he wants the world to believe.

Birkoff: (on the intercom) Sir, I've got what you asked for.

Operations: (to Birkoff) I'll be right there. (to Madeline) Start preparing a profile on Pogue. (he leaves)

Birkoff: We've gone through all the elements of the event twice. There's no mistake, it's definitely Shadow Brigade.

Operations: What about Pogue?

Birkoff: He's been quiet-filed.

Operations: Impossible. This bombing has Pogue's signature all over it.

Birkoff: Not really.

Operations: Don't argue with me, Birkoff - just find the linkage to Pogue.

Operative: Sir?

Flash to Michael and Walter, watching events, both looking concerned.

Walter: I hear we're chasing a ghost.

Michael: Gustov Pogue.

Walter: Yeah. What's the idea? It can't be him, I saw the corpse.

Michael: He could have been doubled.

Walter: Come on. We ran the DNA.

Operations: What's the matter with you people? You can't even see the obvious!

Birkoff: Sir, I've checked every file-

Operations: (pushes his way in by Birkoff's terminal) Come on, move, move! (starts typing himself)

Scene Five: Nikita's apartment. Mick is at the door.

Mick: Oh, I'm so glad I caught your home, popsicle.

Nikita: What? (she's annoyed, it's obviously very early.)

Mick: A matter of great urgency, this. Are you alone?

Nikita: Yes, Mick.

Mick: I'll get to the point. I was at the library, right? I love reading.

Nikita: What's the point?

Mick: There's this book out of print, "Great Chefs of the 30's and 40's".

Nikita: I am not a morning person, get to the point.

Mick: I ran into Felice - a bird I used to roger in Amsterdam. She's held up great over the years! … Okay, okay, okay. Condoms. Two or three will do.

Nikita: What?

Mick: I'd run to the corner, but I don't want her to cool off, do you know what I mean?

Nikita: She's there now?

Mick: Yes! It's all right. The engine's running, she's on idle.

Nikita: No, Mick (starts to close the door)

Mick: What do you mean, "No, Mick"? Don't ever once share! Come on, doll, I'm sure you and Michael practice safe sex.

Nikita: You should leave now before you get hurt.

Mick: Excusez-moi, I didn't know that things had soured between you two. (she slams the door in his face but can still hear him.) But you still got feelings, and that's a good thing. You know, I'd stay here and help you work things through, but-

Nikita: (throws open the door) Just get out of my life! Please! (slams door again)

Nikita: (to herself) Here's your morning wake-up call.

Michael: Josephine.

Scene Six - Section One Nikita comes in, runs into Birkoff

Nikita: Hey, Birkoff.

Birkoff: Can't talk! (he rushes by her)

Walter: Hey, Sugar.

Nikita: What's going on?

Walter: Don't ask.

Nikita: Why?

Walter: According to Operations, Shadow Brigade is a waste of time. Pogue is the real target.

Nikita: Who's Pogue?

Walter: The question is, who was Pogue?

Nikita: He's dead?

Walter: Very.

Nikita: So what's the problem?

Walter: Pogue was the largest arms dealer in Europe. Class A priority. Operations tracked him for four years, every time Pogue got cornered, he got away. Pogue was too smart for Operations, but not for George.

Nikita: So George put him down?

Walter: Mmm-hmm. It was the only time Operations ever failed at something he really wanted.

Nikita: If Pogue's dead, then what's Operations doing?

Walter: I don't know. How about going crazy?

Operations: (stalking by them, looking like he's starting to lose it.) Briefing in two minutes.

Operations: Most of you remember Gustov Pogue. Founder of the Btari Rebels. Yesterday we learned he surfaced and was spotted two kilometers from where the embassy was bombed. We believe this is the first in an extensive anti-democracy campaign of terror. Profilers are now working on the tactical. They'll have something in the next few hours. Operatives are on standby. That's all. (Operations leaves)

Nikita: Michael. Walter said Pogue was dead.

Michael: That's right.

Nikita: So I don't understand. What's Operations doing, what's wrong?

Michael: You don't have to understand. (he walks away)

Scene Eight: Operations Loft. Madeline enters, goes up to Operations.

Madeline: I just heard we're on standby for Pogue.

Operations: He has to be stopped.

Madeline: Is everything all right?

Operations: Why?

Madeline: You seem tired.

Operations: I feel fine. (annoyed) What's on your mind?

Madeline: We're all under pressure. Maybe you need a little down time.

Operations: Not until we've neutralized Pogue. You know him, he rewrites the book on this sort of thing.

Madeline: Have you considered the possibility that maybe we're dealing with one of his operatives?

Operations: You're wrong! It's Pogue and I don't want to hear otherwise!

Birkoff: (on intercom) Sir?

Operations: What is it Birkoff? (still angry)

Birkoff: I found Pogue's old safe house.

Operations: Great. (he leaves, leaving Madeline looking very much concerned)

Nikita: Michael. You get the profile?

Michael: Yes.

Nikita: Well this was Pogue's safe house six years ago. MI-6 raided it, he escaped.

Michael: Yes.

Nikita: So even if he were active, he wouldn't use it now.

Michael: Doesn't matter, it's not your call.

Nikita: What about you?

Michael: It's not mine either. We're locked.

Nikita: So this is a waste of time?

Michael: You should get to Technical.

Nikita: Michael, what's going on?

Michael: What do you mean?

Nikita: Something's not right. Operations is cold and ruthless but he's not irrational.

Michael: I've got to go.

Scene Ten: Section One, Comm Center - The mission is taking place. Michael is in the field, Nikita is in Section doing tactical.

Birkoff: Red Team is in the target zone.

Nikita: Engage.

Man: Okay, move out!

Birkoff: We've got a runner.

Nikita: Duskis, go after him.

Birkoff: He's got him.

Nikita: Identify.

Duskis: Target is female - non hostile. Repeat, non hostile.

Birkoff: First team's reporting the same thing. Pogue isn't there.

Nikita: Duskis, let her go. Now.

Duskis: (in the field, releases the woman) Go on.

Scene Eleven - Section One, Egress, the team comes back in.

Operations: What happened out there?

Michael: Intel was bad, resistance was non-aggressive.

Operations: Duskis allowed a hostile to escape.

Michael: She wasn't hostile.

Operations: It was Pogue. (to Duskis) You're going to be my example. Do it.

Duskis: What do you mean? (men start to drag him away)

Operations: This is what happens when you use your own playbook.

Duskis: I followed procedure! There were no hostiles! Ask anyone! Why are you doing this?

Nikita: Michael, where are they taking him? No, no, we can't let this happen.

Michael: There's nothing you can do.

Nikita: There was no threat. I told him to stand down.

Michael: Let it go, Nikita. (Michael walks away)

Scene Twelve - Comm - Nikita goes up to Birkoff

Nikita: Birkoff, Operations is out of control. He's just ordered Duskis to be cancelled, we have to do something.

Birkoff: Just keep your head down and your mouth shut, you'll be fine.

Nikita: Then what about Duskis, what about him?

Birkoff: Forget about him, it's done.

Nikita: He's dead? Already?

Scene Thirteen - Section One, Madeline's office. Nikita enters.

Nikita: I need a minute.

Madeline: Something wrong, Nikita?

Nikita: Cancelling Duskis was unjustified.

Madeline: He was an abeyance operative.

Nikita: I didn't know we executed abeyance operatives. I thought they performed a function?

Madeline: Is that what you walked in here for? To turn me against Operations? (same tone of voice she used on Michael in LFM when she confronted him about bugging her office…she is not amused.)

Nikita: We can't just stand by-

Madeline: Return to Comm. (They stare daggers at each other and Nikita finally walks away.)

Scene Fourteen - Section One, Comm Center Operations storms in.

Operations: Birkoff, I told you not to divert any resources from Pogue! (he backhands Birkoff across the face, hard.) Don't ever let that happen again! Anybody else here want to disobey me? What are you looking at? Get back to work.

Nikita stares in shock. Michael stares and then turns around and walks off.

Scene Fifteen - A building, night. A secret meeting of Section operatives.

Walter: It doesn't make any sense. One day he's normal, the next day he's Dante leading us down the nine circles of Hell.

Another operative: We have 100% of our resources looking for a dead man.

Nikita: Meanwhile, we're absentee on two class-ten activities.

Birkoff: Make that three. Iberia, Myanmar, Rwanda - all unanswered. This is not just an internal matter anymore.

Nikita: We have to go to Oversight.

Walter: Whoa, whoa Sugar, not so fast.

Nikita: Do you have any better ideas?

Walter: No, all I'm saying is that we should put some thought into our next move. I was at a meeting like this thirty years ago - talk of insurrection.

Birkoff: What happened?

Walter: I didn't want any part of it. That's the only reason I'm here today.

Nikita: Well, the way I see it, we don't have any choice. Operations is out of control. You can go if you like Walter. We understand.

Walter: I'm in.

Scene Sixteen - Section One Nikita arrives back.

Michael: Nikita. Where were you?

Nikita: Home.

Michael: I called.

Nikita: I must have been in the shower. Was there something you needed?

Michael: You're going out. Operations says Pogue was spotted at his secondary base camp.

Nikita: Are you sure you want to be taking orders from him?

Michael: Intel was confirmed.

Nikita: Like the last time? Michael, Pogue's dead and you know it. Operations is delusional. He needs to be taken out of play.

Michael: Who else have you talked to?

Nikita: I'm not alone. But we can't do it without you.

Michael: Let's just go through this mission. I've seen Operations like this before, and it turned out he was right.

Nikita: Michael -

Michael: -And if he's not…I'll help you.

Operations: Has the target been located?

Birkoff: They're still looking.

Birkoff: Any sign of Pogue?

Nikita: Target is not on site. I repeat, target is not on site.

Operations: Advance, damn it! He's there!

Birkoff: We're coming up negative.

Operations: (holding his head) That's impossible.

Birkoff: Are you all right?

Operations: (shoves him into the chair) Get away from me! Evac without the target is not an option. Somebody there knows something. Start shooting collateral until someone talks.

Nikita: They're non-hostiles. To eliminate them would be ineffectual.

Operations: You've been given orders.

Nikita: Then I disobey the orders. No one's going to die here.

Operations: Nikita? Nikita!

Nikita: (to the other ops) Let's go, let's go.

Operations: When Nikita returns, I want her cancelled. You tell Madeline.

Scene Eighteen - Egress. Mission team returns, Nikita comes back in and sees two big operatives waiting for her. They take her gun away.

Nikita: I know the way.

Scene Nineteen - White Room. Nikita is strapped to the chair, Madeline enters and walks around her.

Nikita: He's crazy. You know he's insane, don't you. He will destroy this place, Madeline.

Madeline: What happened at your meeting in the bunker? Is there going to be a mutiny? You have to tell them to stop. (She steps behind the chair and releases the restraints; lets Nikita go. Nikita jumps up and stands by the wall.) Then stay out of sight. I'll take care of Operations for you.

Nikita: I don't get it.

Madeline: We're aware of Operations condition. We're dealing with it. He's been compromised. We were able to do some tests without his knowledge. There's something in his system that's changing his body chemistry. A psychotropic agent of some sort.

Nikita: Who did this to him?

Madeline: We don't know yet. Someone inside.

Nikita: Inside Section?

Madeline: I need you to calm everybody down on this. Give us a chance to solve the problem.

Nikita: Why don't you just quarantine him?

Madeline: It has to appear as business as usual. That's the only way we can flush out the mole. (Madeline leaves)

Scene Twenty - Comm Center. Nikita walks into Comm, wearing a hat, trying to disguise herself.

Nikita: Hey.

Birkoff: What happened? I thought they-

Nikita: I'm okay.

Birkoff: Does Operations know you're alive?

Nikita: No. Where are we with Oversight?

Birkoff: I found an opportunity. We can get to George in the morning.

Nikita: No, you've got to put it off.

Birkoff: Why?

Nikita: It can't go down. Not yet. Trust me, I'll tell you when it's time. (She walks away)

Michael: Nikita-

Nikita: I can't talk.

Michael: What happened?

Nikita: Madeline let me go.

Michael: (Stops her, takes her arm) I'm sorry. But even if I hadn't gone after you, you never would have escaped.

Nikita: I know, don't be sorry.

Michael: And Operations?

Nikita: As far as he knows, I've been cancelled.

Michael: You're working with Madeline?

Nikita: Operations has been drugged. That's why he's been acting the way he has. They think it's someone on the inside.

Michael: Did Madeline say who she suspects?

Nikita: No.

Scene Twenty-One: Section One. Obviously some place Michael's not supposed to be. Madeline runs into Michael.

Madeline: What are you doing down here?

Michael: Following up on a breach indicator. It appeared someone accessed a D server.

Madeline: What was it?

Michael: An electrical error.

Madeline: Why are you handling this?

Michael: Everyone in Comm was tied into a mission. I had some time.

Madeline: I see. (he goes to leave) Michael…I came across a discrepancy. I was hoping you could help me.

Michael: Of course.

Madeline: Your work time on the Warsaw debrief was 48 minutes shorter than we show.

Michael: That must be a mistake. I'll look at it.

Michael: We'll have to accelerate the schedule. I'll keep in touch.

Scene Twenty-Two: Operations Loft. Madeline and Operations are present.

Madeline: What is it?

Operations: I just located Pogue. (He goes over to the counter by the window and leans on it, gasping for air.)

Madeline: Where?

Operations: Helsinki.

Madeline: Are you sure?

Operations: I want a team sent out immediately.

Madeline: We've got everyone heading out on a class eight.

Operations: No, they're not! They're going after Pogue! (he storms from the loft, leaving her looking extremely worried. After a second, she follows him.)

Scene Twenty-Three: Section One. Michael's about to go out with the team.

Operations: Michael! There's been a change in the profile.

Michael: We have a situation that requires immediate response.

Operations: So do I. I just found Pogue.

Michael: (to his team) Let's go.

Operations: You've been given orders, Michael! Find Pogue, or I'll find someone who will!

Michael: No, you won't. (turns and faces him.)

Madeline: Michael, you're out of line. (calm but firm)

Michael: It's over, sir.

Madeline: Michael, you are out of line! (about as angry as Madeline gets, not quite her "don't be a child!" voice but closing in on it.)

Michael: It's over, sir. There will be no more phantom missions. No more cancellations.

Operations: What, have you people gone insane? Failure to act on my direct orders will be considered an act of treason.

Michael: Until you compose yourself, and have a chance to re-evaluate things, perhaps you should take a rest.

Operations: Any of you here want to join these traitors? Go ahead, stand behind them now!

Operations: (sees Nikita) Why is she still alive? (he looks at Madeline) You're just like them! (incredulously, in his paranoia he honestly believes she's turned on him)

Madeline: I'll take care of it. (Calm, pleading with him to trust her.)

Operations: Cancel them all! I gave you a direct order! Did you hear what I said? (grabs for his gun, Michael stops him)

Michael: I can't let you do this, sir.

Operations: (laughs maniacally) What did you just say?

Michael: You're not well, sir.

Michael: I'll have to ask you to step down, sir.

Operations: You're done here. (he tries to order the operatives around) Take him away! I said get rid of him!

Operations: What's going on here?

Michael: I'm relieving you of your duties, and assuming command of the Section. (they give Operations a shot, he stops struggling.) Take both of them away. (Madeline turns to look at Michael, shocked. Two operatives march her away) If anyone here disagrees with what I've done today, feel free to come and see me. (Michael walks away)

Michael: Tell Philo I'm in. (the lights come up on the loft; Michael is there.)

Scene Twenty-Four - Operations Loft. Michael is there, Nikita enters.

Nikita: Are you sure about this?

Michael: The transition's been cleared.

Nikita: So George put you in charge?

Michael: For now.

Birkoff: (on intercom) Michael, you wanted me?

Michael: I want you to cut the Pogue search. Start focusing in on the Shadow Brigade splinter groups. (to Nikita) Come with me.

Nikita: Where?

Michael: Oversight. I want them to approve your transition to my second in command. Nikita follows him.

Scene Twenty-Five - A parking garage. Nikita and Michael pull up in a black SUV.

Nikita: What are we doing here? This isn't Oversight.

Michael: No, it's not. If I had told you the truth, you wouldn't have come.

Nikita: So who are we meeting?

Michael: Philo.

Nikita: Philo's Red Cell, Michael. So it was you…all along. You compromised Operations.

Michael: Yes.

Nikita: You might die.

Michael: That's the point.

Nikita: I don't understand.

Michael: I have an agreement with Philo. He'll feed us certain operations. I'll do the same. And he'll protect my leadership. Our leadership.

Nikita: I can't go along with this. Not with Red Cell. No. (she walks away)

Michael: Nikita. He cocks a gun; she hears it. He shoots her, she falls.

(applause, the man from the first scene walks up to Michael)

Man: I'm impressed.

Michael: I'm glad.

Man: I hear you two were close. Must have been hard, killing the girl.

Michael: It will be a lot easier killing you. Now I want to see Philo.

Man: Another day, Philo's not ready.

Michael: Not good enough.

Man: It'll have to do. You know Philo doesn't see people.

Michael: Today he does. I followed my part of the deal. Now you take me to Philo or I end this right now.

Man: Philo doesn't like to be threatened.

Michael: This is about confidence, either he trusts me, or he doesn't.

Man: Let me make a call. (he does) OK, you've got your meeting. If you don't mind. (he waves at the waiting car)

Scene Twenty-Six - an airport. Car drives up to a waiting jet; they all get out and get into the jet. Michael is being led with a bag over his head. Philo's inside the plane.

Philo: Michael, have a seat. I see you've been quite busy. You placed the cameras perfectly.

Michael: Your orders were quite specific. I simply followed them.

Philo: That's about to change. Now that you're in command, you and I will be partners.

Michael: My post is temporary. I haven't secured my position.

Philo: You will. He won't last another day. (a monitor shows Operations, sitting cross-legged on the floor of the room they threw him into, his shoes and socks off. Michael looks away.)

Man: Someone's followed us here!

Philo: You set me up!

Scene Twenty-Seven - Section One. An operative opens the door and releases Madeline from her cell; she comes out walking fast, heading directly to Operations' cell.

Madeline: (to the operative) Get Medical, now.

Operations: (hoarsely) Did we get him?

Madeline: (smiles down at him) We got him.

Scene Twenty-Eight - Section One, hallway. Nikita and Michael, walking along.

Nikita: So this whole thing was a chess match, to smoke out Philo.

Michael: It worked.

Nikita: You would have let me kill those people in Siberia?

Michael: We knew you wouldn't.

Nikita: Well, I'm glad I met everybody's expectations. Even the talk of insurrection? You anticipated it?

Michael: Yes.

Nikita: I'm going to have to stop being so predictable.

Scene Twenty-Nine: The White Room. Operations and Philo.

Philo: If my hands were free, I would applaud you.

Operations: I accept the compliment.

Philo: Eight years, spent in the cold. Never once did I feel the need to surface.

Operations: And trust can be our greatest weakness.

Philo: You went to extreme lengths to find me. Mentally and physically. You put your own life on the line.

Operations: It was worth it.

Philo: What happens now?

Operations: You've been watching - paying attention. You tell me.

Scene Thirty - Operations loft. Michael and Operations.

Operations: Good morning, Michael.

Michael: You look well.

Operations: Thanks to your timing. Another few minutes, who knows what would have happened

Michael: I still don't understand why you insisted on taking that drug.

Operations: Credibility, Michael. Leave nothing to chance. That will be all.

Michael: Yes, of course.

Madeline: Things went well.

Operations: Yes, perfectly. (He smiles at her) Michael's skills were impressive.

Madeline: Yes, they were.

Operations: He might just have what it takes to do this job.

Madeline: Your successor? (Operations nods) I don't think he has the ambition.

Operations: Oh, he's got it. He just doesn't know it yet.

THE END

Editorial Comment by the Transcriber: Peter Lenkov is a God.