OPERATIVE CHOICE by Lisann (LisannLFN@aol.com)
With guest-star Adrian Paul as Alexander
PRE-CREDIT SCENE: OPERATIONS COMES INTO MADELINE'S OFFICE; SHE IS SITTING AT HER COMPUTER.
OPERATIONS: [WALKING UP TO THE DESK] "Good morning."
MADELINE: "Good morning." [SMILING] "Is he here yet?"
OPERATIONS: "No, but we expect him within the hour."
MADELINE: "Good. Does Michael know yet?"
OPERATIONS: "Yes." [HE STARTS TO LEAVE; SHE GOES BACK TO HER COMPUTER; HE CHANGES HIS MIND AND TURNS AROUND] "Did you do something different? Your hair?"
MADELINE: [WITH HER HEAD STILL DOWN] "No." [SHE LOOKS UP] "Why?"
OPERATIONS: "Just asking." [HE LOOKS AT HER; SHE LOOKS RIGHT BACK - SILENCE]
SCENE ENDS WITH OPENING MUSIC.
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SCENE 1: BRIEFING; OPERATIONS, MADELINE, MICHAEL, WALTER, BURKOFF, AND OTHER NO-NAME OPS.
OPERATIONS: "I'm sure all of you have heard of the recent events in Europe over the last few months, the break-up of a major terrorist group, One Voice, which consisted of heads of state and other high ranking officials of several European countries. The result of that has left us with a problem. Many governments are shaken up as a result of arrests and deaths of those involved. The remaining officials are still vulnerable to the remnants of One Voice. Therefore it has been decided that we will set up a base of operations there. It will be second only to us."
WALTER: "Who will be running it?"
OPERATIONS: "The man directly responsible for bringing down the terrorists. Alexander Logan."
WALTER: "Never heard of him."
OPERATIONS: "You will."
WALTER: "Who's going over there with him?"
OPERATIONS: "That's why he's here. He will be asking questions. [JUST THEN A WELL-DRESSED, VERY HANDSOME MAN WALKS IN] "I will expect everyone's full cooperation. This briefing is over."
SCENE ENDS WITH EVERYONE LOOKING AT ALEXANDER. LAST SHOT IS OF MICHAEL.
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SCENE 2: WALTER IN HIS WORK ROOM. NIKITA COMES IN WITH WEAPONS, DRESSED IN COMBAT GEAR. SHE HANDS WALTER HER WEAPONS.
NIKITA: "Hey, Walter."
WALTER: "Hey, sugar. Did you get your bad guy?"
NIKITA: "Yeah. What's going on? Everyone seems to be buzzing about something. Did something happen?"
WALTER: "Alexander happened"
NIKITA: "Who?"
WALTER: "He's some hot-shot op that just got back from Europe. He's recruiting. He's setting up a base of operations over there."
NIKITA: "What's he like? Have you seen him?"
WALTER: "Yeah, and if I were you I'd start packing my things right now."
NIKITA: "Why?"
WALTER: "You'll know when you see him."
NIKITA: "Does Michael know him?"
WALTER: " Yes; he was in Europe with him for a few months when he first went over there."
NIKITA: "And what does Michael think about him?"
WALTER: "What does Michael think about anything?"
NIKITA: "Yeah." [SHE LAUGHS] "Thanks, Walter."
WALTER: "Sure, sugar."
SCENE ENDS
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SCENE 3: MICHAEL IS WALKING DOWN THE HALL; HE RUNS INTO NIKITA, WHO HAS CHANGED HER CLOTHES.
MICHAEL: "Hello."
NIKITA: "Hello."
MICHAEL: "How did everything go?"
NIKITA: "Fine."
MICHAEL: "I'm glad you're back." [SILENCE] "You look good."
NIKITA: "Thanks." [MICHAEL STARTS TO LEAVE] "Michael?"
MICHAEL: "Yes?"
NIKITA: "Alexander...you know him?"
MICHAEL: "Yes. What about him?"
NIKITA: "What's he like?"
MICHAEL: "He's a good operative. I trust him."
NIKITA: "But...?"
MICHAEL: "He's a bit arrogant."
NIKITA: "I see. Well, I'll find out for myself. I'm on my way to Madeline's office to meet him. I'll see you later." [SHE STARTS TO LEAVE]
MICHAEL: "Wait, I'll go with you." [HE WALKS AHEAD OF HER]
SCENE ENDS WITH NIKITA SMILING TO HERSELF.
**********
SCENE 4: MICHAEL WALKS INTO MADELINE'S OFFICE AHEAD OF NIKITA. HE NODS TO ALEXANDER, THEN STANDS IN A 'MICHAEL POSE' OFF TO THE SIDE. ALEXANDER STANDS UP THE MOMENT HE SEES NIKITA.
ALEXANDER: "It's a pleasure to meet you, Nikita." [HE SHAKES HER HAND BUT DOES NOT LET GO RIGHT AWAY]
NIKITA: [TAKEN ABACK BY HIS GREETING, NOT QUITE SURE HOW TO REACT] "I..." [SHE HESITATES, STILL HOLDING HIS HAND] "It's a pleasure." [HE LETS GO AND THEY SIT DOWN; MICHAEL IS STANDING]
MADELINE: "Alexander and I were just discussing your profile." [NIKITA NODS, AN 'OH, GREAT' LOOK ON HER FACE] "I'm sure he has some questions of his own to ask you."
ALEXANDER: "I was just about to get something to eat. How about some dinner and we could talk then?"
NIKITA: "Sure." [SHE LOOKS AT MADELINE]
MADELINE: "Go ahead."
ALEXANDER: [GETTING UP] "Madeline, I'll see you later." [HE LOOKS AT MICHAEL] "Michael."
MICHAEL: [NO REACTION; ALEXANDER LEAVES]
[NIKITA GETS UP TO LEAVE; BEFORE SHE DOES SHE LOOKS DIRECTLY AT MICHAEL. HE LOOKS BACK WITH NO EXPRESSION ON HIS FACE. SHE STAYS FOR A MOMENT, THEN LEAVES. MICHAEL LOOKS AT MADELINE; SHE SMILES AT HIM. HE WALKS OUT]
SCENE ENDS WITH MADELINE ALONE IN HER OFFICE.
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SCENE 5: ALEXANDER AND NIKITA IN A RESTAURANT. THERE ARE PLATES IN FRONT OF THEM; THEY HAVE ALREADY EATEN. ALEXANDER TAKES A SIP OF WINE.
NIKITA: "I don't know what else I can tell you about me that you haven't already read in my profile."
ALEXANDER: "I already know what kind of operative you are; I want to know what kind of *person* you are."
NIKITA: [TAKING A DEEP BREATH] "Do you mind if I ask you a question?"
ALEXANDER: "No. Go ahead."
NIKITA: "From what I can hear, you're a good operative. Operations trusts you to run a part of Section - Operations doesn't trust many people - and yet, you seem..." [SHE PAUSES]
ALEXANDER: "What?"
NIKITA: "Human. The one thing I learned from being in the Section is that if you're good at your job, you can't be human. You have to be one or the other. I should know; I've gotten myself into a bit of trouble over-" [SHE DOESN'T FINISH]
ALEXANDER: "You have to be somewhat hardened to do your job well. But as you know, being in the Section teaches you that life can be very short...so I decided to enjoy what I can while I'm here."
NIKITA: [SHAKING HER HEAD IN DISBELIEF] "You're so different; I can't believe you get along so well with Operations and his 'show no mercy' policy."
ALEXANDER: "He and I had our differences in the beginning."
NIKITA: "Usually a difference of opinion with Operations means being canceled."
ALEXANDER: "I saved his life once."
NIKITA: "I see."
ALEXANDER: "I'll tell you about it some other time. How long has Michael had feelings for you?"
NIKITA: [CHOKING ON HER WINE] "Excuse me?"
ALEXANDER: "Michael was starring daggers at me the whole time we were in Madeline's office. It doesn't take a genius to figure out why."
NIKITA: [TAKING A DEEP BREATH] "It's...complicated. I'll tell you about it some other time."
SCENE ENDS WITH BOTH OF THEM RAISING THEIR GLASSES TO ONE ANOTHER.
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SCENE 6: MICHAEL IN OPERATIONS' OBSERVATION BOOTH.
OPERATIONS: "We have intel that several second-level members of One Voice are gathering information about Alexander. As of yet they don't know who he is- I'd like to keep it that way."
MICHAEL: "Do we know where they are?"
OPERATIONS: "Yes there is a safe house; see Burkoff for the specifics. Let's move on this Michael- I want them stopped before they have a chance to get started."
MICHAEL: "I'll get the team ready."
HE LEAVES. SCENE ENDS.
**********
SCENE 7: MICHAEL IN COMBAT GEAR IN A WOODED AREA. NEARBY, THERE IS A RUN-DOWN HOUSE SURROUNDED BY TREES.
MICHAEL: "Nikita- take (NO-NAME OP) with you, and go around the back. Take out anyone trying to leave. [NIKITA NODS, LEAVES, AND GETS INTO POSITION OUT BACK]
[CUT BACK TO MICHAEL, POINTING TO OPS 1, 2, AND 3] "You, you, and you come with me; the rest of the team will spread out and cover the perimeter- no one comes in or goes out."
[THEY MOVE INTO POSITION; MICHAEL AND THE THREE OPS MOVE OUT OF THE TREES AND APROACH THE FRONT OF THE HOUSE; A SURPRISED GUARD TRIES TO RAISE HIS GUN; MICHAEL SHOOTS HIM WITH A SILENCER BEFORE HE CAN; HE SPEAKS INTO HIS COM UNIT]
MICHAEL: "We're going in."
[THEY BURST INTO THE ROOM; THERE IS ONE GUY SITTING AT A FOLDING TABLE WHO HAS MAPS SPREAD OUT IN FRONT OF HIM; THERE IS A GUN SITTING ON THE TABLE; HE LOOKS UP, STARTLED, AND REACHES FOR THE GUN]
MICHAEL: "Don't." [THE MAN MOVES HIS HANDS AWAY AND PUTS THEM FLAT ON THE TABLE] "Are you in charge?"
MAN #1: [NERVOUSLY SHAKES HIS HEAD 'NO']
MICHAEL: "Who is?" [JUST THEN A MAN WALKS IN WITH ANOTHER MAP, A GUN STRAPPED TO HIS HIP]
MAN #2: "I found...."
MAN #1: [POINTS AT MAN #2] "He is."
MICHAEL: [SHOOTS MAN #1; LOOKS TO MAN #2] " Come with me." [FIRST OP TAKES MAN #2'S GUN, AND MAKES HIM MOVE TOWARDS THE FRONT DOOR; HE STOPS, SAYING TO OTHER OPS] "Search the house; bring anything you can find." [THEY LEAVE; SPEAKS INTO COM UNIT] "Nikita- make sure your area is clear, then move out." [CUT TO NIKITA]
NIKITA: "Right." [POINTING TO OTHER OP WITH HER] "Check out that area over there again; you have thirty seconds- go." [CUT BACK TO MICHAEL]
MICHAEL: [INTO HIS COM UNIT] "Evacuate the house." [THE TWO OPS COME BACK WITH PAPERS] "Perimeter teams: we are coming out- we have a hostile with us. I want no trace of the house left after we are gone." [HE MOTIONS AND THEY ALL WALK OUT]
SCENE ENDS
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SCENE 8: PRISONER IS IN THE WHITE ROOM; ALEXANDER ENTERS.
PRISONER: "You can do what you like with me...I will not tell you anything."
ALEXANDER: "I think we can persuade you to change your mind."
PRISONER: "I'm not afraid of you. I've dealt with worse than you."
[MADELINE ENTERS, DOOR SQUEAKING. SHE STANDS NEXT TO ALEXANDER]
ALEXANDER: "Now you're dealing with worse."
SCENE ENDS
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SCENE 9: MADELINE AND ALEXANDER WALKING TO HER OFFICE.
ALEXANDER: "I'm very impressed with your persuasive techniques, Madeline. You have a certain...*way* with people."
MADELINE: "Thank you." [THEY REACH HER OFFICE; THE DOOR OPENS, SHE TURNS TO HIM] "Would you like a cup of tea?"
ALEXANDER: "Yes, that would be nice." [HE FOLLOWS HER IN THE OFFICE; THERE IS A POT OF TEA AND TWO CUPS SITTING ON HER DESK. SHE SITS IN HER CHAIR; HE SITS DOWN OPPOSITE HER]
MADELINE: [POURING HIM A CUP AND HANDING IT TO HIM; HE TOUCHES HER HAND] "Here you are." [SHE LOOKS DIRECTLY AT HIM, UNCOMFORTABLE]
ALEXANDER: "Thank you." [THEY DRINK THEIR TEA IN SILENCE]
SCENE ENDS.
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SCENE 10: BURKOFF SITTING AT HIS COMPUTER. HE CALLS UP TO OPERATIONS IN HIS BOOTH.
BURKOFF: "Sir?"
OPERATIONS: "What is it, Burkoff?"
BURKOFF: "The information Madeline got from the prisoner checked out. There are several, more smaller but somewhat significant groups still out there. I've just picked up a conversation with one of them. "
OPERATIONS: "What are they talking about?"
BURKOFF: " Buying weapons. Pumping up recruitment."
OPERATIONS: "Can you get in with them? Set up a meeting so we can pick them up?"
BURKOFF: "Of course."
OPERATIONS: "Let me know when you have it."
SCENE ENDS WITH BURKOFF AT HIS COMPUTER
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SCENE 11: NIKITA WALKING INTO MADELINE'S OFFICE; ALEXANDER IS WAITING FOR HER.
NIKITA: "You asked to see me?"
ALEXANDER: "I think you know why...I'm getting ready to leave. I'd really like you to be a part of my team."
NIKITA: "I...." [SHE PAUSES, THEN STARTS SPEAKING VERY FAST] "I can't...I mean..."
ALEXANDER: [INTERRUPTING] "I'm *asking* you. I think you and I would make a great team. I haven't told Operations...I'll leave your name off the final list. If you decide to come with me, I'm leaving at midnight tomorrow."
NIKITA: "But you could force me to go with you."
ALEXANDER: "I said I wouldn't do that."
NIKITA: "You know the only reason I would stay."
ALEXANDER: "Yes." [SHE STARTS TO LEAVE; HE CALLS HER BACK] "Nikita." [SHE TURNS TO FACE HIM] "I do know how you feel."
SHE NODS TO HIM AND LEAVES. SCENE ENDS WITH HIM SITTING THERE ALONE.
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SCENE 12: NIKITA IN HER APARTMENT. THERE IS A KNOCK AT THE DOOR; SHE OPENS IT.
MICHAEL: [HE WALKS IN; NIKITA CLOSES THE DOOR; THERE IS SILENCE FOR A MOMENT BEFORE HE SPEAKS] "Alexander asked to see you after the briefing."
NIKITA: "Yes."
MICHAEL: "What did you say to him?"
NIKITA: "Not much...he asked me to be a part of his team."
MICHAEL: "What was your answer?"
NIKITA: "I didn't give him one yet."
MICHAEL: "I see...have you thought it over?"
NIKITA: "Michael, I'm not in the mood for one of your cat-and-mouse games, where you say everything but what you *really* want to say. I don't know for sure *what* I'm going to do...I..."
MICHAEL: [INTERRUPTING] "Don't go." [HE WALKS OVER TO HER, AND GENTLY TOUCHES HER HAIR; THEY EMBRACE]
SCENE ENDS.
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SCENE 13: ALEXANDER IN OPERATIONS' BOOTH.
OPERATIONS: "You're ready to leave?"
ALEXANDER: "Yes...we're loading now. "I'll be gone in about an hour."
OPERATIONS: "We picked up several more members of One Voice; we had one of them put out the word that they had killed you. That should buy us some time."
ALEXANDER: "Good. You have my final list?"
OPERATIONS: "Yes."
ALEXANDER: "Well...that's it."
OPERATIONS: "Yes." [OPERATIONS TURNS HIS BACK TO HIM; ALEXANDER STANDS THERE FOR A MOMENT, THEN LEAVES]
SCENE ENDS WITH OPERATIONS LOOKING OUT.
**********
SCENE 14: ALEXANDER STANDING IN VAN ACCESS AREA. OPS GOING THROUGH THE DOOR WITH BAGS AND EQUIPMENT. HE IS OVERSEEING EVERYTHING.
ALEXANDER: [TO NO-NAME OP] "Make sure that's the last of it." [OP NODS, THEN LEAVES; ALEXANDER TURNS TO SEE NIKITA STANDING THERE]
NIKITA: [SHE DOESN'T SAY ANYTHING, BUT LOOKS AT HIM WITH AN 'I'M SORRY' EXPRESSION ON HER FACE] "I came to tell you..."
ALEXANDER: [INTERRUPTING] "It's all right; I really would have liked to have you as a part of my team. But, I'm sure we'll get to work together in the future- at least if *I* have anything to say about it." [HE SMILES A DEVASTATING SMILE; SHE GIVES HIM A FRIENDLY HUG. WHEN THEY PULL APART MICHAEL COMES INTO FOCUS IN THE BACKGROUND STARING AT THEM]
SCENE ENDS.
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SCENE 15: MADELINE IN HER OFFICE, LOOKING AT HER PLANTS. THE DOOR SLIDES OPEN; ALEXANDER WALKS IN; SHE DOES NOT TURN AROUND. SHE SPEAKS TO HIM WITH HER BACK TURNED.
MADELINE: "You're finished?"
ALEXANDER: "Yes...they're waiting for me now."
MADELINE: [TURNING AROUND TO FACE HIM] "Then you'd better go."
ALEXANDER: "I wanted to say goodbye."
[HE WALKS TO WITHIN A FEW STEPS OF HER; SHE SHIFTS SLIGHTLY, UNCOMFORTABLE. HE CLOSES THE GAP BETWEEN THEM; MADELINE DOES NOT MOVE. HE KISSES HER GENTLY, BUT WITH SOME PASSION; WHEN HE PULLS AWAY, HE WHISPERS "Goodbye." HE LOOKS AT HER FOR A BRIEF SECOND, THEN LEAVES]
SCENE ENDS WITH MADELINE IN HER OFFICE, ALONE; THE SLIGHTEST LOOK OF REGRET IS ON HER FACE.
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SCENE 16: MADELINE LEAVING HER OFFICE. SHE STARTS WALKING DOWN THE CORRIDOR AND RUNS INTO NIKITA.
NIKITA: "Alexander is gone?"
MADELINE: "Yes. He is." [SHE STARTS TO WALK AWAY; NIKITA CALLS HER BACK]
NIKITA: "Madeline." [MADELINE TURNS TO FACE HER; NIKITA RESPONDS WITH A LOOK OF UNDERSTANDING. MADELINE GIVES A SLIGHT NOD OF ACKNOWLEDGEMENT, THEN WALKS AWAY]
SCENE ENDS.
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CLOSING SCENE: MICHAEL WALKING THROUGH THE BRIEFING AREA. NIKITA ENTERS.
MICHAEL: "You're going home?"
NIKITA: "Yes."
MICHAEL: "Would you like to get something to eat?"
NIKITA: [SHE LOOKS SURPRISED FOR A BRIEF SECOND; THEN A SLIGHT SMILE COMES OVER HER FACE] "Yes...I'd like to." [THEY WALK OUT TOGETHER]
ENDING CREDITS.
