FATHER FIGURE, written by Michael Sadowski
Forever Knight episode 13, season 1
transcribed by Victoria E. Meredith (meredith@ab.edu)
extra scenes transcribed by Allison R. Sabo (asabo@vt.edu)

Characters with lines other than "AAAAAAH!" (in the order in which they
appear.)
Woman running a newsstand.
Marty Angelo, C.P.A., victim of a mob hit Gunman
Detective Nick Knight, Metro homicide cop; vampire (N)
Del {?}, a detective
Dr. Natalie Lambert, coroner (NA)
An officer
Lisa Cooper, a pre-teen girl and witness to a mob hit (L)
Daniel, a young boy in World War II London (D)
Janette, vampire (J)
LaCroix, vampire (LX)
Police Captain Stonetree (ST)
Detective Don Schanke, Metro homicide cop (S)
Carmela DeMarco, Lisa's babysitter (C)
Mr. Cooper, Lisa's father (F)


TEASER
[Afternoon. City street. A girl of ten or twelve (Lisa) walks down the
street. She pauses at a newsstand and picks through the comic rack. The
proprietor smiles at her, then turns away. As soon as she does, Lisa grabs
several comics and takes off down the street. The woman at the stand sees
her and yells:]

Woman: Hey! Hey! Get back here! You little punk. [Lisa darts down an alley,
running headlong into a business-suited man (Marty). His briefcase pops
open, and papers scatter everywhere.]

Marty: Watch where you're going, you little brat! [A car squeals to a stop
at the curb. Lisa hesitates a second, then continues running. She ducks
behind some dumpsters. Just as she does, two men step out of the car; one
has a gun. They come towards Marty. He backs away.] No, please! No! [The
man with the gun fires. Marty falls to the sidewalk.]

Other man: You shoulda checked your arithmetic, Marty. You shoulda checked
your arithmetic. [The gunman fires again. Lisa, who has been watching from
behind the dumpsters, moves, and the gunman spots her.] She saw us! Let's
get outta here! Come on! [The two men run for their car and peel out.]


OPENING CREDITS

He was brought across in 1228. Preyed on humans for their blood. Now he
wants to be mortal again, to repay society for his sins. To emerge from his
world of darkness....from his endless forever night.


(COMMERCIAL)
[Evening. Crime scene. Nick pulls up in his Caddy. Another detective meets
him at the car.]

N: Hey, Del.

Del: Nick.

N: Where's Schanke?

Del: School concert. His daughter is singing tonight, so he'll be back later.

N: Ah, you family guys stick together, huh? So what've we got? [They walk
towards the body.]

Del: Looks like a textbook rubout. A contract hit.

N: Oh. Wise guys.

Del: Yeah. They bagged the bean counter. Mr. Marty Angelo, C.P.A. Also
known to his shady friends as Marty Spreadsheets.

N: Maybe they didn't like the way he crunched his numbers.

Del: Swim with the sharks and sleep with the fishes. You know know the
deal: Marty's skimming off the top, the Don finds eraser crumbs on his
bottom line, breaks his heart to do it because Marty's like a son, but
business means business.

N: Hm. So we're dealing with a professional. [Nat, kneeling beside the
body, interjects:]

NA: Messy, but traditional. Two in the chest, one in the head. Large
caliber-- [she rolls the body over to show the back] --uh!--hollow points,
judging by the exit wounds.

Del: Whoa! Two car garage. [Laughs.]

NA: In like a sports car, out like a semi. [Nick looks slightly ill.]

N: Leave any casings?

Del: No. No witnesses either. Another one for the unsolved dumpster. [An
officer interrupts. To Del:]

Officer: Detective. [Del walks off. Nick's vampire hearing picks up a
heartbeat. He stares at the dumpsters. Nat recognizes that look.]

NA: [To someone off camera:] It's all yours. [She snaps off her gloves and
follows Nick as he walks towards the dumpsters. Nick stops and crouches
down beside one of the dumpsters. He speaks to an unseen person.]

N: It's okay, you're safe. Don't be scared. It's the police. [Lisa peeks
around the side of the dumpster.] It's all right, sweetheart, you can come
out now. [Lisa inches closer, then stops.]
L: I didn't do it. [Nick and Nat look at each other.]


[One of the men who killed Marty watches Nick's car through a tiny compact
telescope. He notes the Caddy's license plate number. Beside the car, Nick
and Del talk as Natalie fusses over Lisa inside the car.]

Del: [To Nick.] Lousy deal for a little kid to have to face all this murder
crap.

N: Yeah. Children are resilient, but there's a limit, huh?

Del: It ain't easy bringing up kids, Nick. You should try it.

N: I want to. [Del laughs and walks off.] [Half to himself.] I do think
about it sometimes. [He looks at Nat and Lisa. Natalie hands Lisa
something, maybe a pocket mirror.]

NA: [To Lisa.] Here. This....{inaudible}


[Flashback--Nick]

[World War II England. The young Daniel, shabbily dressed and dirty, sneaks
through the corridor of a fancy hotel. He gawks, then speaks with a Cockney
accent.]

Daniel: Cor! [He spots Janette and Nick strolling down the corridor. Nick
is in uniform, and Janette is in a formal gown. Daniel snatches Janette's
gold purse. She gasps, Daniel runs and smacks into several other
well-dressed hotel patrons, who laugh and pat him indulgently. He is
confused, but keeps running. Just as he nears the end of the corridor, Nick
pops out of the doorway and grabs him by the collar.] Put me down! Let go!
Let me down! [Nick marches Daniel back to Janette.] Please, miss, make him
let go.

Janette: Certainly. As soon as we find a policeman.

Daniel: Air raid warning, miss. No bobbies out tonight. Why don't we just
call it quits and I'll be on me way. [Janette smiles; so does Nick.]

N: He's a cheeky little tyke, isn't he? [LaCroix appears, also in uniform.]

LX: I say we should roast him over a fire.

J: Hmm, how does that sound, dear boy?

D: Me name's Daniel. What's yours--Princess something?

J: [Pleased.] That's worth at least a shilling. [She opens her purse and
pulls out a coin. Nick smiles indulgently. Only LaCroix is not enchanted.]
Here you are...Daniel of the silver tongue. [Daniel kisses her hand.]

D: And that's worth more than money to me, miss, thanks.
LX: [Low and dangerous.] You go away now, boy. While you still can. [Nick
drapes an arm over Daniel's shoulder. Janette bends to the boy's level.]

J: Daniel...where do you live?

D: Wherever I lay me 'ead. The gutter, most nights. [Janette looks at Nick
imploringly.]

J: Couldn't we at least...take him for a meal? [Nick smiles.]


[Present. Police station. Stonetree speaks to Nick.]

ST: Are you listening, Knight?

N: I'm sorry. What?

ST: The kid. Lisa Cooper. She's your baby till the father comes home.

N: Oh, wait a second, I mean--what about her relatives?

ST: None in town. Father's an oil rigger, works the platforms offshore.
Gone away for a month at a time. We'll get him here as soon as we can.
Meanwhile....

N: You know, I think Nat's the best choice for the job. She's, uh--

ST: Not a cop. You do it. The Prime Minister's in town, and I'm jammed up
all day. Schanke brought the babysitter in. Mrs. DeMarco. Talk to her. And
keep the kid under wraps.


[In another room, Schanke talks to the babysitter. Nick enters.]

***************Extra Line**************

C: I don't got eyes in the back of my head. What could I do?

***************************************

S: It's okay, Mrs. DeMarco, no one thinks it's your fault. [She sighs.]
This is Detective Knight.

N: Thanks for coming down, Mrs. DeMarco.

S: Carmela takes care of Lisa when her dad works.

C: She can be a real handful, that kid. A good girl, don't misunderstand
me, but when Lisa goes her own way....Only one she ever listened to was her
mama. God rest her.

N: What happened to her mom?

C: Drunk driver. Lisa went out on the road, and...her mom went after her,
to...pull her back, you know? Lisa has suffered ever since....She blames
herself for her mama's death. That's too much guilt for a little girl to
carry.

S: Mrs. DeMarco, we've contacted Lisa's dad, and now he's coming in on the
next available chopper. [Takes a breath.] Until we're certain that she's
out of danger, Lisa will be our...responsibility. [Carmela looks at Nick. A
pause.]

*************Extra Scene***************

C: He's gonna think I couldn't take care of his daughter. [Schanke shakes
his head "no".] I try my best, but I can't keep up with a kid that age. You
got to watch Lisa every minute. She's always sneaking out, getting into
trouble. It's all them...comics she reads.

N: Believe me, Mrs. DeMarco, nobody blames you. I mean, kids are tough.

C: She's a full-time job. I'm not so young anymore.

N: We'll make sure you get home safely, Mrs. DeMarco.

*********End Extra Scene***************

N: And...I'll assume protective custody of Lisa.

C: Whatever you...think is best.... [She stands.] Good luck to you, Mr.
Knight. You'll need it. [She leaves. Nick vents his frustration on
Schanke.]

N: This was Stonetree's idea--I'm not the right guy for this assignment!

S: You don't like kids, Nick?

N: Yeah, I--yeah, I like--

S: Your instincts will kick in! Don't sweat it! After a few hours with that
little angel, you'll probably...get the biological urge to have some of
your own. How old are you, anyway?

N: I'm a lot older than I was five minutes ago.

S: The right age! You are ripe, man, you are ready. Come on, Pops, this is
an easy gig. You'll rent some Disney Classics, you'll sit around, you'll
play Barbie until your mind turns to mush.


[Nick and Schanke walk into another room to pick up Lisa. She is seated on
a desk, surrounded by officers and sketch artists.]

L: ....so the Pope says, "No thanks, sister, I don't want to pick up any
bad habits!" [Her audience laughs.]

S: See, Nick, the kid's a real charmer.
N: [To the sketch artist.] Got anything you can use? [The sketch artist
shows him two composites.] Okay, have these copied and circulated.
Gary--get me an unmarked precinct car. Don't want to take her to the Caddy.
It's too open. I want her safe and snug. [To Lisa:] Okay, you're with me.
Let's go.[Starts to leave.]

L: Wait. Wait! Wait! [To the sketch artist.] Show him the other suspect.
[The sketch artist turns the pad around to reveal a caricature of Schanke.
People giggle in the background.]

S: Oh. Oh, that's real funny. Is this supposed to be me? [People laugh
louder. To Nick:] You think this looks like me?

N: [Hiding a smile.] Uh, no, you're right. Uh...you've got much more
prominent...uh...uh...nose hair. [Lisa laughs.]


[In the car.]

N: That's quite a sense of humor you've got there, Lisa.

L: Let's hear the siren.

N: Okay. [He obliges, turning it on for a second, then switching it back off.]

L: [Inspecting a box.] Hey--bullets! [Nick takes the box from her with his
free hand.]

N: [Serious.] Hey, Lisa, don't play with those, okay?

L: Ever kill anybody?

N: Well, police work isn't like what you see on TV.

L: Nothing's like what you see on TV.

N: Or like you read in the comic books. Read a lot of those?

L: Many as I can.

N: Well, maybe you should change your literary diet a little. [A car pulls
in behind them.]

L: [Gives him a "you're so _weird_" look.] I don't _eat_ 'em. They keep me
company. You know, when my dad's gone.

N: You miss him, huh?

L: I wish he didn't have to go away so much.

N: Well, he has to work. Maybe he likes his job.

L: Maybe he hates his daughter.

N: No....

L: Man, is he gonna kill me for this.

N: I doubt that.

L: You don't know me. I...I mess up sometimes. Ever read _Janie_Jinx_? [She
shoves the comic in front of his face; he pushes it away so he can see to
drive.]

N: No!

L: "True-blue crime fighter." [The car behind them is close. Nick looks
concerned.] She's _majorly_ unlucky. "Trouble follows Janie like a grim
shadow." What do you think? [A preoccupied Nick eyes the mirrors.]

N: Sounds like a lousy role model to me.

J: She's not real. Anyway, some people are born like that. Jinx and stuff.

N: [Distracted.] Yeah, I suppose so. Lisa.

L: What?

N: Get down on the floor. Now! [She drops to the floor as the car following
them swerves up beside. The man in the passenger seat pulls out a gun and
fires. Nick ducks, his window shatters, and he brakes. The other car
screeches off. Lisa gets up, shaken but uninjured.]

************Extra Scene**************

[Nick opens the car door after the car stops, and get out behind the door,
looking at the car as it leaves.  He's rubbing his shoulder as if in pain]

N: You okay?

L: Wow. Can I come up for air? [Nick gets back inside the car.]

N: Yeah, sure.

L: They get you? They must have got you, right? I mean, you were right there.

N: Nah, I'm okay.

L: Someone doesn't like _me_ very much.

N: Was that Janie Jinx talking? [Pulls up the rado] This is 10-33.

Dispatch: Delta 1566

N: Yeah, shots fired. Wellington....

*********End Extra Scene*************

(COMMERCIAL)

[Nick's place. Nick opens the door and lets Lisa in. She is wearing a
bulletproof vest (marked "PD" in huge white letters) that is many sizes too
large for her.]

L: Is this your fortress of solitude?

N: Yeah, solitude's a good word.

L: [Gestures to vest.] Can I keep this on?

N: Absolutely. [She wanders around the room, looking at Nick's stuff. She
picks up a sculptured head and turns it over.] Hey Lisa--you break it, you
bought it, okay? [She puts it down and keeps looking. Nick dials the phone.
In her office, Natalie answers.]

NA: Natalie's Bed and Breakfast.

N: Hi, Nat, it's me. [Lowers his voice.] Look, I, uh, caught one.

NA: How bad?

N: Well, you know--I'll _live_. Could you?

NA: On my way. Just got a few more customers to tuck in.

N: Okay. Thanks. [Hangs up.]

L: What's to eat? [Opens the fridge. It is, of course, empty except for the
obligatory bottles of blood. Lisa opens the bottom compartment, and a
plastic unit of (human?) blood falls out.] Weird. [She shuts the
refrigerator. To Nick.] Are you Italian or something? [Nick ignores her.
She walks to the piano and runs her fingers up and down the keyboard.]

N: [Irritably. He's on the phone again, waiting for an answer.]
Hey, Lisa, do you mind?

L: Do you got a drinking problem?

N: You know--you ask a lot of questions. _You_ should be a detective. [On
the other end of the phone, Schanke picks up in his home. He is curled up
in a chair in his off-duty clothes, watching TV and eating.]

S: I am a detective.

N: Oh, Schank.

S: [His mouth full.] Knight? What's shakin'? [Theme from I Dream of Jeannie
plays on his TV.] Diaper duty gettin' you down already?]

N: Uh--listen up, we've been made. Two perps have already called it in.
Someone took a little target practice at my head.

S: Oh, they shot at your _head_, huh? Well, I guess it's gotta be our boys.
I'll check it out. Tomorrow.

N: Now, Schank.

S: Damn it, Nick, I'm watchin' my favorite TV show. [More I Dream of
Jeannie music.] Come on.

N: Yeah, well, tape it. Get over here. I might have a little...ballistic
evidence for you. [Rubs his shoulder.]

S: Oh, come on, Knight.

N: Schank, bring some food.

S: [Mouth full again.] Y'know, you're a real pain in the 'rhoids?

N: [To Lisa, who has made her way to the balcony.] What do you like? [She
rubs her stomach and mouths "pizza."] [To Schanke.]
Pizza. And...bring some other stuff. Um...you know...stuff kids like.

S: Well, should I bring a bib and spoonfeed her, too? [Laughs, hangs up.
Lisa, standing on the stair landing, tears off the velcro tabs on her
bulletproof vest and drops it in the floor.]

N: Make yourself at home.

L: Sure. Okay. [She walks over, picks up the TV remote, clicks on the TV
and throws herself on the couch. Nick is amused. After a few seconds, she
looks at Nick.] You're not married.

N: No.

L: Are you straight? [Nick grins.]

N: Yeah.

L: And...there's nothing in your refrigerator.

N: Well, I'm not home a lot.

L: Can I call you Nick? [He sits down beside her.]

N: I'd like it if you did.

L: I'm really sorry about everything. But I'm...I'm glad _you_ found me.

N: Maybe _you_ found _me_.


[Flashback]

[Voiceover:] J: Isn't it refreshing to have a little one about the house?

[In the hotel. Janette and LaCroix sit at one end of a long table. Nick and
Daniel are at the other end. Janette continues speaking to LaCroix.]

J: Almost as if we were a real family. It's a strange but sweet sensation.
[She leans close, whispering to LaCroix.] I think I rather like it.
[LaCroix eats a spoonful of "soup." At the other end of the table, Nick
admonishes Daniel in a fatherly way.]

N: Now don't finish it all in one bite. Where are your parents, Daniel?

D: Me mum {?copped?} it in an air raid last year. Dunno where me dad is. He
ran away when I was small.

N: You have no family to go to?

D: Only an auntie. Up north. Sheffield way. Never met 'er, but she might
take me in. 'Course, I'd need a...train fare. Couple a quid would do me
nice, Nicholas.

N: [Smiles.] We'll see. [Nick signals to Janette. She brings over a wrapped
box and sets it on the table in front of Daniel.]

J: Daniel, you are a very...lucky...boy. Nick practically flew all over
London to find a special treat for you. Close your eyes. [As soon as
Daniel's eyes are closed, LaCroix bares his fangs and hisses. Nick and
Janette glance at him, then turn away and ignore him. Janette opens the
box; inside is a toy fire engine.] Ta-da! [Daniel takes it, delighted.]

D: Thanks, Princess. [He hugs her, then Nick. LaCroix takes a drink of
"wine" and walks away.] [To Nick:] You're a real mate.

N: Now go on, play with it. [LaCroix glares at them and takes another sip
from his glass.]


[Present. Nick's place.]

L: Where's our supper? I'm starved.

N: Schank will be here any minute.

L: Where's your girlfriend?

N: Girlfriend?

L: The lady doctor. You should marry her. She's got it bad for you. I can
tell.

N: You're nuts, Lisa.

L: [Sadly.] My mom used to say that. Life's a beach. But it goes on, right?
That's what they say.

N: And on, and on, and on. [The buzzer sounds. Schanke's voice, distorted,
comes over the intercom.]

S: Pizza cop! Pizza cop! Buzz me in, Knight. [Nick buzzes him in, and Lisa
opens the lift. Schanke is laden with pizza and groceries.] [Cheerfully, to
Lisa.] Hey, how ya doin? Boy, you are lookin' mighty, mighty fine. How are
you, Lisa?

L: [Grabs his tie.] Spill something on your tie?

S: Where? [He looks down, she flips him in the nose and laughs.]

L: Gotcha! [Schanke laughs.]

S: [To Nick.] Kids. Gotta love 'em, huh? [He starts to unload the groceries.]

N: Anything on the shooters?

S: Yeah, located the car, it's a rental. Guys used bogus ID's. Clean as a
whistle. It's already in the shop. [He opens the pizza. Lisa climbs up ont
the counter to reach the dishes, and Schanke picks her up.] We do not need
no stinkin' dishes! No dishes! [Sets her down.] Pizza time. Come on, kids,
let's wolf it. [Schanke pulls off a piece and gets too close to Nick.
Nick leans away.]

N: Garlic.

S: This guy has got the weirdest taste of any cop I've ever known. He
doesn't like doughnuts, he doesn't like burgers--

N: Anything else?

S: Of course. [Schanke reaches into the shopping bag and pulls out:]
Popcorn...cookies!

N: I mean the case.

S: Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah. The case. Eh, I'm workin' on it, workin' on it. I
faxed the ballistic reports and the M.O.'s to the Feds for a cross check.
[Schanke picks a piece of pepperoni off the pizza, tosses it into the air,
and catches it in his mouth.]

N: What else?

S: Ta-da! Well, what else? I've got A.P.B.'s comin' out the wazoo. Also
located a mountain of paperwork at Angelo's pad. [He tries the pepperoni
trick again and misses. The pepperoni hits the floor, and he shrugs but
makes no move to pick it up. To Lisa.] You think I should leave him any
pepperoni?

L: Better him than the floor. [Schanke laughs.]

S: Isn't she cute? I'm out of practice. Anyone even remotely resembling
Lisa's ID will be sleepwalking through a lineup tomorrow morning. Now rest
assured.
N: Ah, that's great. [He walks off.]

S: [To Lisa.] How would you like Cincinatti Schanke to show you the fine
art [riffles a deck of cards] of poker?

L: Poker? That's kinda hard, isn't it?


[Gunman talks on a car phone.]

Gunman: Yeah, we tracked her down. So now the kid's holed up with a cop.
You still want her done, we'll have to whack him also....Yeah, well, that's
not so simple anymore, Vincent. Whackin' a cop ups the ante. And our
fee....[Gives his partner a thumbs-up sign.]....Okay. Sounds good to me,
Vin. Listen. You get the ID and address on a '62 Caddy. Plate number
3-5-Happy, Mother-Victor-6. Soon as we get that, your troubles are over.


(COMMERCIAL)

[Schanke and Lisa sit at Nick's table, playing poker. Schanke sighs.]

S: I call.

L: Three kings. Read 'em and weep. [She expertly places her cards on the
table and rakes in her winnings. Schanke tosses down his cards and sighs
again. Nick smiles.] Ante up, pigeon.
Lisa needs new shoes.

S: New shoes? I just bought your college education.

N: She's way out of your league, Schank.

S: She's just a kid, for--Um...do you have ten bucks you can spot me 'till
payday?

N: I'm all tapped out. You should quit while you've still got your shirt.

****************Extra Lines**************

[Schanke looks over at Lisa.]

S: Lisa, honey...

L: You wouldn't borrow money off a little kid, would you?

*****************************************

[Natalie walks in and sees them playing cards.]

NA: It's happy hour. [Comes to Lisa.] Hi, Lisa. You okay? [Schanke sniffs
her.]

S: Mmm, you _do_ smell nice tonight, Doctor. What are you wearing--eau de
formaldehyde? [Nat turns to glare at him.]

NA: Have you been corrupting this child?

S: Hardly.

NA: [To Lisa.] You know, it's awfully late. Shouldn't you be asleep?

L: I'm cool. Honest. I didn't know you made house calls. [Nat looks
pointedly at Schanke.]

NA: Only for deadbeats. [Gets up.] Come on, Nick, let's go take a look at
that shoulder.

S: Why, what happened to it?

N: Uh--I just pulled a muscle.

L: The perp riddled him with bullets.

S: Oh, yeah, right.

L: Nick was wicked! You should've seen him. He's not afraid of anything.

S: Well...except marriage, maybe. Right, Nick? _And_ children--

NA: --Uh, Nick, shall we? I've got places to go, people to dissect....
[Nick stands and puts an arm around her shoulders, and they head upstairs.]

***************Extra Scene***************

[Nick and Nat walk towards the bedroom, Nat mumbling something here.  They
approach the door side by side.]

(in unison): After you.

N: Go ahead. [Nat walks in the room, followed by Nick.  She puts her bag on
the dresser, and pulls out some stuff to take care of Nick's shoulder.
Nick shuts the door to the bedroom.] You know, I have to really stop
getting shot. Sometime someone's going to notice for good. [takes off his
jacket to reveal a short sleeved t-shirt]

NA: Hmm, have you tried ducking?

N: Okay, I'll try it.

NA: Let's see... [rolls up Nick's sleeve] Now that's strange. The wound is
still open.

N: It can't be.

NA: I wonder... [smiles]

N: What?
NA: Well this must mean your metabolism's changing. I mean, this thing
should have been healed and sealed within minutes, right?

N: Well, usually bullets go right through me.

NA: An open wound is a definite improvement. Means you're not healing as
fast as you did. I don't know, but we might be feeling shades of mortality
here. Program must be working. I mean, look, you can see yourself in the
mirror.

N: Yeah, only sometimes.

NA: Have you tried that artificial blood I gave you?

N: Oh you mean the low fat, zero cholesterol, no sodium, absolutely no--

NA: --Flavor, yeah, well don't knock it, tiger, it's obviously working.

*************End Extra Scene***************


[Outside Nick's place, the gunmen shine a spotlight up the side of Nick's
warehouse. They spot a fire escape, missing its lower ladder, near the
top.]

Gunman: Okay. Let's go. [They drive away.]


[In the bedroom, Natalie probes Nick's wound, and Nick jerks away in pain.]

N: Ow! [Nat stares, amazed. Nick can't believe it either.] Wow.

NA: You felt pain!

N: [Increasingly pleased.] Uh--not much, but--

NA: But some! [Grins happily.] I hit a little teeny tiny human nerve end in
there! Hold still. [Resumes probing.]

N: Take it easy.

NA: Okay, just--ah! [Pulls out the bullet.] There. I got it. [He inspects it.]

N: It's a .357.

NA: That's nasty. [Nat closes up her case.] Well, you are still a medical
marvel, but I think we are getting just a little bit closer. [Nat starts to
massage Nick's neck.] How's the babysitting detail going?

N: I'm enjoying it. And I'm afraid of it. Who knows? If mortality _is_ my
future...maybe a family of my own is possible, too. [Nat grins.]

NA: Must be strange for you having a kid around the house.

N: There was another, once.


***********Alternate Flashback Sequence**********

[LaCroix and Nick playing chess]

LX: Keep him.

N: You can't be serious.

LX: What our Janette wants, she must have.

N: The boy would discover too much. There's danger for us if he stays.

LX: He would never betray his own.

N: LaCroix, he's a child.


[Present. Nick's room]

N: His name was Daniel.

NA: Tell me about it.

N: Just the same old story. He looked to me for help....Didn't get it.


[Flashback--Nick and LaCroix]

LX: Can you imagine what it would be like?

************End Alternate Sequence******************

[Flashback--Nick]

[In the London apartments. LaCroix and Nick sit.]

LX: Think of it, Nicholas. His body arrested at such a--precious age. Youth
eternal. That _would_ be an interesting experiment. Don't you think?

N: He's too young to choose.

LX: Choose? My dear Nicholas, we offer him the rarest of gifts. We choose
for him.

N: You are deranged.

LX: Yes, I know.


******Placed elsewhere in other version********
[Present. Nick's room.]
N: His name was Daniel.

NA: Tell me about it.

N: Just the same old story. He looked to me for help....Didn't get it.
************************************************


[Flashback--Nick]

[With LaCroix again.]

N: I want no part of this. [Rises to leave.]

LX: Do you think that Janette's motives are entirely maternal? Ask her
yourself. _She_ has plans for the boy. [LaCroix takes a puff from a cigar
and exhales at Nick.]


[Present. Nat and Schanke prepare to leave. The sounds of a horror movie
play in the background.]

NA: [To Nick.] So you'll talk to her?

N: I'll talk to her.

NA: She needs to talk, you know. Sometimes there's a delayed stress
syndrome, a period of denial. She might be supressing her feelings.

N: Nat, I'm not a professional.

NA: No, I know, but you're a sympathetic ear. And see that she gets some
rest. [She punches Nick lightly in the stomach with her bag. He groans.]

S: Yeah, and I'll bring her dad by in the morning, okay?

N: Okay. Oh, Schank. Here. [He hands Schanke some money--to cover his poker
losses? Schanke laughs.] And here-- [hands him the bullet in an evidence
bag] --ballistic evidence. I--dug it out of the upholstery.

S: You're a lucky cop, Knight. Bye, Lisa. [Lisa doesn't respond.]

N: Bye, guys.


[Nick's room. He carries the sleeping Lisa in and puts her in his bed. As
he starts to take off her shoes, she wakes up.]

L: Is my dad here?

N: Soon, Lisa. I guess you love him a lot, huh?

L: Yeah...but I'm glad you're here.

N: Thanks. So tell me about him. What's your dad like?

L: He should be a cop. He's made out of the stuff of heroes.

N: Something out of_ Janie Jinx_?

L: Nah. [Thinks.] _Silver...Surfer_...issue...26. But he did get a medal in
the war. Once a guy fell off an oil platform? And sharks were all circling
around him? And my dad dived in with his scuba knife...and he saved him.

N: Wow.

L: And another time? He swam fifty miles in a hurricane because it was my
birthday, and he didn't want to miss it.

N: Well, you're a lucky girl to have a dad like that.

L: But why does he go away so much? [Sighs.] It wasn't so bad when my mom
was here. But after....It was all my fault. My mom got killed because of
me. That guy tonight? If I hadn't've bumped into him, or slowed him
down...maybe he would've got away.

N: Ssh. Listen, Lisa. You can't blame yourself for what happened tonight.
Any more than you should blame yourself for what happened to your mother.

L: I'm really scared, Nick. Those killers are going to get me, aren't they?

N: No, they won't get you. I won't let that happen, I promise.

L: Will you stay here with me until I fall asleep?

N: Yeah. Sure. Close your eyes. [She does.] I'll be right here. [He strokes
her hair.]


[Flashback--Nick]

[In the London apartment, Daniel plays the piano. Nick stalks out of the
main rooms and pulls the slightly opened draperies shut.]

N: Daniel. [Daniel looks up, surprised.]

D: You're usually asleep now.

N: You and I have to talk, Daniel. You must leave this house.

D: Why? What've I done wrong? I thought you liked me.

N: I do like you, Daniel. Another time and place...another life...you'd be
welcome as a son to me. [Softly.] But I can't stand by and see you hurt.
You'll have to go.

D: Don't put me out, Nicky, please!

N: Your life is in danger, Daniel. [He looks directly into Daniel's eyes.]
You will leave this house, Daniel. You will leave us now.

D: I don't want-- [Nick hypnotizes him. Heartbeat. Daniel continues
speaking in a dead voice.] --I must leave. Yes, leave.

N: You want to leave this house, Daniel. You want to run. [Nick tucks money
into Daniel's hand.] You want to run for your life. [Daniel leaves. Just
after he disappears, LaCroix and Janette rush out of their rooms in their
night clothes.]

J: Daniel! Daniel! [She is near tears.] [To Nick.] Where is he? [Nick opens
the curtains to show a slice of sunlight.]

N: He's gone.


[Present. Nick sets an empty bottle down on the table and stares at the
full one beside it.]


************Extra Scene*****************

[Nick sits next to a large barrel, dips into it with a gravy boat {?} and
fills a wine bolle through a funnel, then corks it. Several bottles are
lined up on the table, and Nick drinks from one bottle, then sits it back
on the table and leans back, thinking.]

**********End Extra Scene***************


[Morning. Outside, a van with a ladder on top pulls up. The gunmen get out.
Inside, Lisa comes downstairs. She tries to rouse Nick, but he is zonked on
the couch, sleeping like the dead. (Hung over?)]

L: Nick! [She sees the two bottles on the table and shakes her head.]

*************Extra Scene****************

[Lisa goes over to the refrigerator and pulls out a piece of leftover
pizza, takes a bit, then pulls out a mostly empty bottle of blood and a
glass. She goes over to the sink, pours a little blood into the glass,
takes a sip and makes a face, pours the blood down the sink.]

L: Gross. [walks over to Nick] Come on Nick, up and at 'em. [lifts up one
of his hands from where they are crossed on his chest, then drops it back
into its position. She feels his forehead, listens for a heartbeat.] Come
on, officer. Wake up and smell the donuts.

*********End Extra Scene****************


[Quick shot of the gunmen wearing "UGB Communications" uniforms. Back
inside, Lisa decides to play with the remotes. She aims one at the TV, but
the blinds open instead and the sun streams in. Nick is still asleep.]
Jeez, you sleep like a stone. [Lisa picks up a pocket mirror, and begins to
play the sun's reflection across the walls. She beams the sunlight over to
where Nick sleeps, focusing it on his still-closed eyes. For a second,
nothing happens--then Nick's face begins to smoke. He wakes and cries out
in agony, grabbing his eyes. Lisa is frightened.] Sorry, Nick. I didn't
mean to! [He staggers across the room, groaning.]

N: The lights! Close up the blinds {?}! [He runs to the kitchen, vamped
out. His back is to Lisa, so she doesn't see. He lurches up the stairs to
the bathroom. Lisa trails behind.]

L: I was only playing. Are you okay? What was I to know? Do you need any
help? [Nick throws himself against the door in the bathroom. His eyes glow
gold. He continues to make noises indicative of pain.]

N: Oh!

L: I didn't mean to hurt you!

N: Aaaaah! [Lisa wavers outside the door.]

L: I screwed up, okay? I'm sorry! [Inside the bathroom, Nick throws
everything off the shelf over the sink, then fumbles for the faucet and
frantically splashes water on his face.] Nick, open the door! Please? [Nick
falls to the floor, clutching his face in pain. Lisa runs for the bedroom.]


N: [Panicked.] I'm blind! [Lisa throws herself on Nick's bed and weeps.]
I'm blind!


(COMMERCIAL)


[Outside Nick's apartment, the two men set their ladder against the wall.
In the bathroom, Nick hears.]


[Flashback--Nick]

[Nick kisses Janette hello.]

N: Where's LaCroix? [She doesn't answer, just takes his cane (crop?) and
puts it on the table. The toy fire engine rolls across the floor, starting
behind a chair, and runs into Nick's foot. Nick picks it up.] Toys at your
age, LaCroix. Really. [Nick carries the fire engine to the mantel and sets
it down. He hears a snarl from behind and turns. There is Daniel, sporting
fangs and glowing eyes.]

D: Hullo, Nicky! Welcome 'ome! [Nick turns to stare at Janette. LaCroix
enters through a sliding door and smiles. As Nick looks at the vamped-out
Daniel, LaCroix begins to laugh.]

[Present. Nick's place. Nick hears the clanging of the fire escape ladder.
He pulls himself to his feet and bursts from the bathroom, yelling for
Lisa.]

N: Lisa? [He hangs blindly onto the bannister.] Lisa, where are you? [In
the bedroom, Lisa continues to cry.]


[Police station. Schanke sits on a bench beside Lisa's father.]

S: She's, uh...she's a live wire, your Lisa. Did you know she plays poker?

F: Sure, I taught her. You didn't, uh....

S: Oh, yeah. I did. Twenty-three bucks she clipped me for. You know,
I--I--I know this is, uh...none of my business, Mr. Cooper, but that is not
good stuff to be teaching your kid.

F: Sorry, uh...cards was just something me and Lisa could do together.

S: Yeah, yeah, yeah, I understand.


[Nick's place. Nick continues to search blindly for Lisa.]

N: Lisa, where are you? [He grabs his forehead. Outside, the men have made
it up the fire escape. Inside:] Lisa...I'm sorry, Lisa. [Lisa keeps
crying.]


[Police station.]

S: So...uh, when you're...away, working every other month, what else does
Lisa do? [Mr. Cooper starts to shrug.] Ah--how would you know, right?

F: I thought Carmela could handle her.

S: You are missing out on the best years. Believe me. I got a daughter; I
do know.


[Nick's place. Nick is downstairs. The guys climbing up the building carry
something up the ladder. Nick hears and, having calmed himself a little,
continues to call to Lisa.]

N: Lisa. We need help. Someone's trying to break in. [Nick stumbles into
the phone. He picks it up; it is dead. Nick whispers.] Lisa. [Lisa walks
out onto the balcony.]

L: Nick?

N: Don't be scared, Lisa. Just be quiet and stay absolutely still. [Nick
listens hard. One gunman jimmies open a window and climbs in. He fires at
the inner door, blowing the lock off. Lisa screams. Nick vamp-leaps to the
upper wall and just hovers there. The man comes inside.]


[Police station.]

S: Lisa has a big hole in her life, and so do you. You can teach her never
to draw on an inside straight, but that's no substitute for having a father
there telling a bedtime story, being right there, rock-solid when she needs
him.

F: You're not telling me anything I don't already know. Can we go get her now?

S: Yeah. Absolutely. She's with one of my best men.


[Nick's place. Nick snarls quietly. Lisa ducks, but the man inside sees and
fires in her direction. Nick takes aim at the sound and drops on him.]

L: All right! [He throws the man through the glass bricks in one wall.]
Touchdown! [Nick turns to her.]

N: Lisa! [She sees his teeth and eyes.]

L: Am I dreaming this?

N: I'll explain later. There's another one of them out there somewhere.
[Nick listens for a moment.] Lock yourself in the bedroom. Now! [She runs
for the bedroom, but the other gunman comes crashing in through the
skylight. He lands directly in front of Lisa on the balcony.]


[Police station. An officer runs up to Schanke.]

Officer: Schank.

S: We just got an all units, code three. There was an explosion at 101
Gateway Lane. It's Nick's place.

F: What's wrong? Is it Lisa?

S: Uh--no, no, no. No problem. Give him a cup of coffee. [Schanke takes
off, leaving Lisa's dad behind.]


[Nick's place. Lisa screams as the gunman aims at her.]

L: Ah! No! [She ducks away as Nick leaps up and throws the man over the
bannister.] Wow! [Nick comes to Lisa and takes her by the arms. He is
normal now.]

N: Lisa...Lisa, you listen to me.

L: I can't wait till I tell.

N: No.

L: Aw, come on, Nick. Hey--at least tell me. How can you fly like that?

N: [Looking into her eyes.] I didn't fly. You did not see me fly.

L: Yes I did.

N: No, you didn't. [Hypnotizes her. Heartbeat.] Do you understand?

L: [Whispers.] Yes. I understand.

N: Good. [He embraces her.]


[Outside, the police arrive. Schanke directs them.]

S: Steve, Del, go around the side. [He runs towards the building, gun drawn.]


[Inside, Nick smiles at Lisa.]

N: Well, we did it together, huh? You were brave and strong, and without
Lisa Cooper, we couldn't have won.

L: Without me, those guys wouldn't have come here. You could've been killed
cause of me. It was all my fault.

N: Stop beating yourself up, Lisa. It's not your fault that those guys are
killers. And you were here because you were doing the right thing.

L: Nick....I stole those comics. That's why I was running and bumped into
that Marty guy. I started all of it.

N: Marty Angelo died because he was a thief stealing from thieves. His life
killed him, Lisa, not you. And the drunk driver that killed your mom? His
fault, not yours. You can't go on hurting because of what adults dump on
you, Lisa. [Schanke enters downstairs and calls out:]

S: Nick! Lisa! You all right? [Lisa stares at Nick.]

N: [Quietly.] Well? [She smiles and yells back:]

L: Yeah! [Quietly, to Nick:] Yeah.

N: Yeah.


(COMMERCIAL)

[Sunset. Nick's place. Nick, Nat, and Lisa sit in front of the TV as
uniformed cops look the house over. Lisa's father walks in.]

F: Lisa! [Lisa runs to him.]
L: Daddy! [He catches her in a hug. Schanke watches and sighs.]

S: Kids. Gotta love 'em. [To a passing officer.] Got any kids? Get some.
That's an order. [Across the room, Natalie tends to Nick's eyes.]

NA: Okay, you, come and sit down here. [He sighs and complies. Nat pulls
out a bottle of eyedrops and administers them to Nick. He fidgets.]

N: Aw, you know I don't need this stuff, Nat.

NA: Yes, I do but they don't, so just sit still and suffer. [Nick sighs. On
the other side of the room, Lisa's father holds her arm.]

F: Baby, are you okay? [She pulls away.]

L: Yeah, I'm okay. [He catches her.]

F: Listen, I'm sorry. I should've been here for you.

L: [Still trying to get away.] Y--you didn't know.

F: That's no excuse!

N: [To Nat:] You're in the way.

NA: Oh! [Moves.] Honestly, you kids get yourself into all kinds of
_trouble_....

N: Me and Lisa?

NA: Yeah. But don't worry. She'll bounce back better than you have over
Daniel.

N: Well, it's too late to change what happened to Daniel, isn't it?

NA: What did happen to Daniel? [Lisa interrupts Nick's answer, dragging her
father over to them.]

L: Nick, Natalie, this is my dad. [Nick stands.]

N: Mr. Cooper. I've heard a lot about you.

NA: How do you do?

L: Me and Nick solved the case together. I'll go say bye to Schank. [She
walks over to Schanke. They do the Three Stooges eye-poke routine, then an
elaborate handshake.]

S: All riiight.

N: [To Mr. Cooper.] She's right, you know. We couldn't have done it without
her. She's a great kid.

F: Who deserves better than she gets. I'm never around when I should be. My
job.

N: Well, it's not too late. She's still here. She loves you. [Lisa returns
with Schanke in tow.]

L: Come on. You meet my dad?

S: Yeah.

NA: Have you ever thought of finding work _in_ town? [Lisa bounces over.]

L: Ready, Dad? [Turns to Nick.] Well, Detective, let's get together and
fight the forces of evil again sometime. [Nick hugs her.]

N: You take care of yourself, okay? [She nods. Nat hugs and kisses her.]

NA: Goodbye, sweetie. [Lisa's dad picks her up.]

L: [To her father:] Do you have to go back to work soon?

F: I think you and I should have a serious talk about that. [They turn to go.]

N: Uh--Lisa? [Nick holds out the comic books.] You forgot these.

L: Naah...Janie Jinx is a dweeb. [To her father:] But you know what I did
forget? To pay for them. Let's go do that now. [Grins.] I got my own money.
This nice detective was teaching me how to play some poker.

F: [Laughs.] I gotta teach you not to take advantage of your elders. [They
leave. The instant Lisa is gone, Nat and Schanke grab the comics from
Nick's hand and begin to read them.]

NA: Okay, here, I got _Janie_Jinx_.

S: Mm-hmm, this one's mine. [Nick smiles, then watches after Lisa.]


COMMERCIAL

END CREDITS