The Berrisford Agenda

Spoiler Episode #11: "The Berrisford Agenda"

Compilation of Dark Angel - S2 Spoilers provided by RAMS

PAGE 9
LOGAN: (to Max)So what's it with you an melodrama anyway?
MAX: When I got out of Manticore I was so clueless. Those old black and white movies taught me everything about the world.
LOGAN: But movies aren't like real life.
MAX: Sure they are. They're all about love and betrayal and venegance and death. What's more real than that?
Logan can't really argue with this, as--

IN ANOTHER PART OF THE ROOM
Alec comes across an upright piano sitting in the corner covered with a blanket. He pulls the blanket off. Taps a few keys. Sits down at the bench. Out of his shirt pocket he takes --

A LOCKET
silver, on a long chain. It glints in the low light of the bar. He hangs the locket over the edge of the piano and then, after a moment, leans forward and begins to play.

ON ALEC
as the background noise begins to fade away, the soft music of the piano rises, seems to soothe him as --

INT. MANTICORE (FLASHBACK)
Alex plays a grand piano in a large cement, windowless room. In front of him are THREE MEN in suits, watching him impassively from a row of folding chairs. ANOTHER MAN, wearing a lab coat, stands nearby with a clipboard in his hand.

ON ALEC
playing, but there's no sense that the music means anything to him. He's proficient, but unemotional as he pounds out a lush romantic tune.

PAGE 10
He's half-listening to the men talk, although it's clear they're trying to speak low so as not to be overheard.
MAN #1: He's very good.
LAB COAT: Yes, sir. All the X5's display a propensity for quick learning of complex tasks involving the right brain, but he's picked it up even quicker than we'd hoped.
MAN #2: When did you start the lessons.
LAB COAT: Yesterday.

ON ALEC
makes the most of a particularly difficult transition. Adds a flourish.
MAN #1: What's his experience level in the field?
LAB COAT: Limited but successful. Four assassinations. Two days in the field maximum for each. Minimum interpersonal contact.
MAN #2: So this would be his first deep cover mission?
LAB COAT: (nods)We've been prepping him for the last year. He excells in common verbal usage.
MAN #1: Who's the target?
LAB COAT: John Berrisford.
MAN #2: The _________. (occupation TBD)

PAGE 11
LAB COAT: Our intelligence indicates he's been ______________. (doing something bad, TBD). We've determined that close surveillance is necessary.

ON ALEC
as he finishes the piece. Sits at the piano, face forward. Impassive. Rigid.
LAB COAT (CONTD): Nice work, X5-494.
No reaction from Alec --

INT. APARTMENT - DAY(FLASHBACK)
The sound of a shower running. PAN ACROSS the simple living room -- neat but unimpressive. The water stops and the bathroom door opens. A YOUNG MAN emerges, towel wrapped around his waist. He gropes towards the dresser for --

HIS GLASSES
which suddenly slide away from his grasp. The young man turns to see --

ALEC
Standing behind him. Alec smiles. Puts the glasses on (NOTE: He'll wear them in all the subsequent flashback scenes, except at Manticore).
ALEC: Looking for these?
YOUNG MAN: (scared, vulnerable) What do you want?
ALEC: Shhhh, it's okay...
Then, quick as lightning, Alec has a cord around the young man's throat. The young man drops to his knees, out of frame as Alec chokes the life out of him. It's all over in an instant. A soft thud as the body drops to the floor.
Alec pushes the bathroom door closed to reveal a blue suit with a subtle pinstripe hanging on the back. He reaches into the jacket pocket and pulls out a wallet.

PAGE 12
INSERT WALLET
As Alec takes out an ID card with the young man's picture on it and the name SIMON LEHANE. Quickly replaces it with a fake ID -- same info, but this one has a picture of Alec.
He starts to pull off his T-shirt to change, then pauses for a moment. Begins examining the pictures on top of the dresser -- Simon with some friends. Wearing a cap and gown. In the blue suit attending a fancy party. Alec stares at the photos, curious, then looks down at the body at his feet. This happy life, cut shirt by his hand.
After a moment, he resumes dressing. Impassive.

EXT. BERRISFORD GATES - DAY (FLASHBACK)
Alec, wearing the glasses and the blue suit, rings the buzzer for entry. After a moment --
VOICE (O.S.): (filtered)Yes?
ALEC: Simon Lehane.
The gates part. Alec stares up the drive at the house, looming above him. For the first time, we see a flicker of nervousness in his demeanor.

EXT. BERRISFORD MANSION - DAY(FLASHBACK)
The doors open to reveal a bruiser of a guy we'll call MARIO. Clearly the family muscle. He looks Alec up and down and determines at once that he's no threat.
MARIO: This way.
Alec follows him inside, past the living room (we may notice a family portrait hanging above the mantle) and up the stairs to --

INT. RACHEL'S SITTING ROOM - DAY(FLASHBACK)
Tasteful and elegant -- old money at work here. This is her sitting room -- the bedroom, we'll learn, is through another door. This room is comfortable -- chaises and sofas, etc -- but dominated by a baby grand piano in one corner.

PAGE 13
Alec enters as a young woman turns from the window to greet him. This is RACHEL, 17. Brunette and fresh-faced. A stunner. She extends her hand.
RACHEL: I'm Rachel Berrisford.
ALEC: (formal)It's a pleasure to meet you, Miss Berrisford.
RACHEL: (smile at Mario)A pleasure to meet me, Mario. You can tell my father that the new piano teacher has impeccable manners.
MARIO: (as he leaves)I'll be sure to do that.
ALEC: (to Rachel) Should we get started?

TIME CUT TO:

INT. RACHEL'S SITTING ROOM - DAY(FLASHBACK)
Rachel plays while Alec watches her. She's good, a little stiff but otherwise fine. She looks up.
RACHEL: Is this alright?
ALEC: It's fine. A little lighter on the _______(musical term, TBD).
She adjusts, and he smiles. The sound of CLAPPING (O.S.), and then JOHN BERRISFORD enters the room. A bear of a man, he seems to take up all the avialable space with his boundless energy.
BERRISFORD: Fabulous. (Rachel stops) No, no don't stop it sounds marvelous.
He gives Alec's hand a hearty handshake.

PAGE 17
INT. JOHN BERRISFORD'S OFFICE - DAY (FLASHBACK)
Wood-paneled and expensive. Alec is at the computer downloading files to a disk. He slips the disk into his pocket as --
RACHEL (O.S.)- Simon?
He straightens as she enters.
ALEC: Hey...
RACHEL: What are you doing in here?
ALEC: Got lost looking for the bathroom.
RACHEL: (flirty)Well hurry up, time for my lesson.
She leaves. Off his relief --

INT. RACHEL's SITTIN ROOM - DAY(FLASHACK)
Rachel and Alec sit beside eachother on the piano bench, playing a duet. Rachel plays better than she did earlier. We get the feeling some time has passed. They finish. Share a smile.
ALEC: Better. But you still need to watch your dynamics.
RACHEL: I'll start practicing in the morning, before my father drives me to school.
ALEC: Good...
RACHEL: Do you know what today us? (he shakes his head) It's our three month anniversary. Three months ago today, you gave me my first lesson.

PAGE 18
ALEC: I didn't know.
RACHEL: Calls for a present, don't you think?
ALEC: (no idea)A what?
RACHEL: A present. That's when I give you something to commemorate the occasion.
ALEC: (trying to cover)I guess my family wasn't real big on presents.
Rachel reaches up and unhooks the chain of her locket. Holds it out in her palm.
RACHEL: Here. This belonged to my mother. I want you to have it.
ALEC: I can't...
RACHEL: I want you to...
Then she leans in and kisses his cheek.
RACHEL (CONTD): I love you...
Alec reacts just slightly. A moment, and then they kiss again. More intently. He touches her hair, awed.
RACHEL (CONTD): Simon, do you love me?
ALEC: I don't know. I just know I've never felt like this before.
RACHEL: Have you ever been in love?

PAGE 19
ALEC: (shakes his head) Only heard about it.
RACHEL: (takes his hand) Come back tonight when everyone's asleep. I'll leave my window open...
He smiles and kisses her again. Rachel leans her head on his shoulder. Off Alec, unsure what to do with all of these new emotions --

EXT. SUBURBAN STREET - NIGHT (PRESENT)
Alec in the tree, watching the upstairs window in the dark house. Reacts as it slides open, curtains fluttering. A light comes on inside but we still can't see anything.

INT. MAX's CRIB - NIGHT
Max is in bed, watching "Love Story." After a moment she grabs the remote and switches over to what we can assume, by the sound of it, is Australian Football. A moment, and then, in spite of herself--
MAX: Come on... Come on... Yes.

INT. LOGAN'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
Logan is watching the game as well, pumps his fist at the goal scored. Then he grabs the remote and flips to "Love Story." After a moment --
LOGAN: Wow, she's dying but she still looks great...

EXT. SUBURBAN STREET - NIGHT
Alec watches, and now we can hear the song that Alec was playing earlier. It seems to float across the night, beckoning him. He shuts his eyes as --

INT. RACHEL'S SITTING ROOM - NIGHT(FLASHBACK)
Alec enters through the window. Takes a steadying breath before opening the door that leads to--

PAGE 22
She turns and heads out. Normal watches her go, shakes her head.
NORMAL: Crazy kids.

EXT. BERRISFORD MANSION - DAY(PRESENT)
Max stands at the door. It opens, revealing a MAID. Max extends the slip to her.
MAX: Jam Pony messenger. We delivered a package here yesterday. I need a signature.
The maid nods and moves off. Max takes the opportunity to step inside and get the lay of the land.

INT. BERRISFORD LIVING ROOM - CONTINUOUS
Checks out the impeccable furniture, the stately decor...
Spots--

THE PORTRAIT
Hanging over the mantle. Moves closer. It's a much younger Berrisford and Rachel posed with a woman we can assume is Rachel's late mother. Max sees the locket that Alec has in the present day is hanging around the woman's neck. The maid suddenly reappears behind her.
MAID: You shouldn't be in here.
MAX: Sorry.
She hands Max the slip. Max looks at the signature.
MAX (CONTD): What does that say... Berrisford?
The maid nods. Max takes a look back at the painting, the locket as we --

MATCH CUT TO:

THE LOCKET
glinting, swinging in the light.

PAGE 23
INT. JAM PONY LOCKERS - DAY
Alec sits on a bench, holding the locket up. He smiles as --

INT. JOHN BERRISFORD'S OFFICE - NIGHT(FLASHBACK)
Alec enters the room to find Berrisford sitting behind his desk, feet up, smoking a cigar.
ALEC: You wanted to see me, sir?
BERRISFORD: I certainly did. Sit down. (Alex does) Are you under the impression that I'm a blind man, Lehane?
ALEC: No, sir.
BERRISFORD: Taking it for granted then that I must be stupid?
ALEC: No, sir.
BERRISFORD: Then maybe it won't surprise you to learn that I've seen the little looks you and my daughter have been giving each other. I've noticed that she floats around this house on her toes like a goddamn fairy princess whenever you're around.
ALEC: Sir --
He tosses Alec a cigar.
BERRISFORD: Have a cigar. They're Cubans, by god. Traded a buddy of mine a carton of C-24 microchips for 'em.
ALEC: I thought you were a ____________. (Berrisford's occupation TBD)
BERRISFORD: I've got a few things working...

PAGE 24
Alec lights the cigar. Smooth... Berrisford stands and pours them both a scotch.
BERRISFORD (CONTD): Here you go, kid.
ALEC: Thank you.
BERRISFORD: Now I'm sure you realize that my daughter is a special girl.
ALEC: Yes, sir.
BERRISFORD: Sir me again, son, and I'll clock you. (ruffles Alec's hair) Call me John already. I like you, you're a good kid, but I think you know my special daughter can't be dating a piano teacher.
Alec's confidence slips another notch.
ALEC: No, I guess not.
BERRISFORD: That's right. So I'm promoting you.
ALEC: Sir? I mean, John?
BERRISFORD: As of today you're my personal assistant. What do you think of that?
ALEC: I think that's...great.
The POP of a Champagne cork, and we reveal --

RACHEL
in the doorway with a bottle and three glasses. She gives Alec a kiss and begins to pour them each a glass. Berrisford taps a few keys on his computer. Frowns as she hands him the flute.

PAGE 25
BERRISFORD: That's strange.
ALEC: (nervous)Problem?
BERRISFORD: No, just some old files of mine... Looks like they've been accessed recently.
RACHEL: Probalby Mario cleaning up your desktop. Come on now, no more work. It's a celebration.
Berrisford shakes it off. Holds up his glass and they CLINK. Off Rachel, ecstatic, and Alec, unnerved but holding it together--

SMASH CUT TO:

INT. MANTICORE (FLASHBACK)
Back in the cement room, Alec stands at attention, briefing the three suits and Lab Coat guy who now sits behind a table.
MAN #1: Are you saying the mission may have been compromised, 494?
ALEC: (reluctant) It's a possibility, sir.
A look between the three men. Then--
MAN #1: The files you brought us were very enlightening, and we'd prefer to keep you in the field to gather more information. Howecer we have no choice now but to bring you in.
Alec is crushed. Tries not to let it show.
ALEC: I understand, sir.
The men stand.

PAGE 26
MAN #1: You'll eliminate the target tomorrow. I understand he drives his daughter to school every morning?
ALEC: Yes, sir...
MAN #1: Take care of it then.
ALEC: But the girl --
MAN #1: Can't be helped, 494.
MAN #2: Some collateral damage is to be expected in situations of this nature.
ALEC: I understand that, sir, but I'm sure I could find another way to --
MAN #1: Are you contradicting an order, 494?
Alec is silent.
MAN #1 (CONTD): Perhaps your time on the outside has caused you to waver in your commitment to this organization. I've seen it happen before...
LAB COAT: (makes a noted; to Man #1)Maybe a three-month program of indoctrination...? Send another X5 to do the job tomorrow?
A long moment. Man #1 looks to Alec. Then --
ALEC: I'll handle it, sir.
Off Alec's well-hidden distress--

PAGE 35
Alec uses a blade to sever one of the car's electrical wires, then runs it directly to the detonator. He presses a small switch on the device and a small red light begins to BLINK. Alec shimmies out from under the car.

EXT. BERRISFORD DRIVEWAY - DAY - CONTINUOUS(FLASHBACK)
Alec sits up, keeps his back pressed against the car, looks around to make sure he hasn't been seen. A beat as his eyes linger on --

RACHEL'S WINDOW
We see her CROSS THROUGH FRAME, getting ready for school, oblivious to Alec's treachery.

BACK TO ALEX
As he forces himself to look away, his Manticore training very much at odds with this feelings for Berrisford's daughter. Off Alec, deeply conflicted--

INT. RACHEL'S SITTING ROOM - DAY(FLASHBACK)
Dressed for school, Rachel throws a few worn textbooks into her backpack. Suddenly --
ALEC (O.C.): We need to talk.
She spins to find Alec standing by her opened window. A beat as she registers his presence, happy to see him.
RACHEL: What are you doing here?
ALEC: There's no time. Tell your father you're sick. You can't make it to school today.
RACHEL: What? Why--?
ALEC: (sharp)Just do it.
RACHEL: What's wrong?
She touches her hand to his chest, but he swats her away. Gets to the heart of the matter.

PAGE 36
ALEC: You're father's a bad guy. He screwed with some powerful people and now they're going to kill him. (beat) I'm going to kill him.
RACHEL: What are you talking about?
ALEC: You can't save him. And you'll die too if you don't do exactly as I say.
A beat, then Rachel makes a move for the door, frightened. Alec grabs her by the arm, spins her back around.
ALEC (CONTD): (a threat)Do it!
RACHEL: You're hurting me --
ALEC: Call downstairs. Tell him you're staying home.
Rachel's trembling now, her eyes welling with tears.
RACHEL: I thought you cared about us. How can you do this?
ALEC: I don't care about anymore.
A long beat as Rachel searches his eyes, sees something dead behind them.
ALEC (CONTD): You were a job, and now it's finished.
She SLAPS him hard across the face, BOLTS for the door. Alec follows after her, stone-faced --

SMASH CUT TO:

PAGE 41
-- Alec in reindoctrination, strapped to a chair, screaming.
-- Alec in a basement cell. Broken. His eyes dead.
And we go to --

INT. BERRISFORD MANSION - NIGHT(PRESENT)
As Alec finished his blur from before our flashback, coming full-circle to face Mario. Alec whip-pulls Mario down the stairs behind him, sending him tumbling to the foyer floor. Other goon gets a hard double jab to the cheek -- Pow! Pow!

INT. BERRISFORD HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS
Alec reaches Rachel's door. Hear the music playing... A moment, and then he pushes it open.

INT. RACHEL'S SITTING ROOM - CONTINUOUS
No one at the piano. We hear the soft sound of a woman crying from behind one of the sofas. Alec approaches.
ALEC: Rachel? I won't hurt you...
Alec comes around the bed to reveal --

A NURSE
dark-haired and pretty. She sees Alec and cowers. He reaches out a hand.
ALEC (CONTD): Tell me where she is.
The CLICK of a pistol cocking. Alec freezes. Straightens to feel the hard metal of a muzzle at his neck, and we reveal --

BERRISFORD
behind him. All traces of affability and friendliness gone.
BERRISFORD: Think you should be more concerned with where you are, huh kid?
Off Alec --

SMASH TO BLACK
END OF ACT THREE

PAGE 42
ACT FOUR

FADE IN:

EXT. SUBURBAN STREET - NIGHT
Max on her bike, roars toward the Berrisford house --

INT. JOHN BERRISFORD'S OFFICE - NIGHT
Berrisford is perched on the edge of his desk. Calmly hangs up his phone with one hand, the other holding a gun, then lets his gaze settle on

ALEC
whose hands are cuffed to the wooden arms of a heavy antique chair, despair all over him like an animal.

Berrisford plucks a pair of glasses from his desk, one of the lenses badly cracked --
BERRISFORD: (re: the glasses) Keep these as a reminder...
He tosses the glasses into Alec's lap. Speaks here in a tone devoid of malice and facetiousness -- lets the words do that for him:
BERRISFORD (CONTD): They saved my life. The morning you planted explosives under my car? I was running late... You know what that's like, right? Young enterprising guy like yourself, places to go, things to go, innocent people to kill...
ALEC: Is she alive?
BERRISFORD: (ignoring him, re: the glasses) Dropped 'em, damned if I didn't step right on 'em. At the last minute I had to call down to Ned, ask him to drive Rachel to school. As you probalby guess, Ned didn't make it.
ALEC: Tell me. Is she alive?

PAGE 43
Berrisford cracks Alec across the jaw with the butt handle of his gun.
ALEC (CONTD): (spits blood)You shouldn't have messed with those guys, John. You had to know it would go down hard.
BERRISFORD: Why didn't you just shoot me? Why didn't you just blow my head off like a man? (tormented) Why did you involveme daughter?
ALEC: (sick)I had orders.
BERRISFORD: Well congratulations, kid. Job well gone. (off Alec's look) Sure, you screwed up the most important part of your little plan, but seducing that girl? Mission accomplished.
ALEC: You want to kill me? Go ahead. But let me see her for five minutes.
BERRISFORD: (smiles)Kill you? What do you take me for, huh kid? I've got something much better in mind.
Off Alec--

CUT TO:

EXT. BERRISFORD MANSION - NIGHT
Max roars up the driveway on her motorcycle, cuts the engine. Notices immediately that Berrisford's front door has been kicked in.
MAX: (sotto, troubled) Real subtle, Alec..

PAGE 47
ALEC: I guess this is his...
MAX: Yeah, must be. (then) We better get outta here.
ALEC: Not yet.
Off this --

INT. RACHEL'S ROOM - NIGHT
Lights are low. Rachel lies in her bed, weak, surrounded by machinery. The nurse hovers, checking her vital signs. The song comes to an end and the nurse moves to turn it off when we hear a soft voice --
RACHEL: No, play it again...
NURSE: You need to sleep.
RACHEL: I'll be asleep for a long time. Play it again.
The nurse hits replay and the song starts up again. She turns away from the bed, registers surprise as we reveal --
ALEC
is standing in the doorway. Max is behind him.
NURSE: Get out of here.
Alec doesn't answer. He moves toward the bed and kneels down. Rachel turns her head, sees him.
RACHEL: You came back.
ALEC: I had to. I had to tell you how sorry I am.
RACHEL: You tried to save me. I should have listened.

PAGE 48
ALEC: Rachel --
RACHEL: Can you do something for me?
ALEC: Anything.
RACHEL: Tell me your real name...
ALEC: (with a glance to Max) It's Alec.
RACHEL: (the real question) And what happened between us... Was it really just a job?
Alec looks over, sees Max standing in the doorway. Shifts awat so as not to be overheard. Leans in close and whispers in Rachel's ear.
ON RACHEL
as a slow smiles breaks over her pretty face. And then her eyes close. And then she dies. Alec buries his face in her hair, takes a deep, last breath of her before standing and walking out of the room. Past Max without a word. Out of the house.
Off Max, who doesn't quite know what to make of any of this --

INT. LOGAN'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
Max and Logan are in his office. The article about the blast is back up on the computer.
LOGAN: Says a driver was killed, and Berrisford's daugther was critically injured --
MAX: Guess she never really recovered.
LOGAN: We were so busy concentrating on Berrisford, never occured to me that the key to all this was the girl.

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