FATHER'S DAY, written by Gillian Horvath Forever Knight season 2, episode 10 transcribed by Victoria E. Meredith People with lines other than "AAAAAAH!" (in order of appearance) Thomas Constantine, the very old Don of the infamous Constantine crime family (CT) David Constantine, his great-grandson (D) Karen Constantine, David's wife (K) Johnny Larnar, a man with police connections who comes to pick up David Two of Constantine's thugs Detective Don Schanke, Metro homicide cop (S) Carter, a detective Detective Nick Knight, Metro homicide cop and vampire (N) Police Captain Amanda Cohen (C) Dr. Natalie Lambert, coroner (NA) Customs officer LaCroix, vampire; Nick's "father" (L) Janette, vampire; another of LaCroix's "children" (J) Spelling note: Nick's full name is pronounced in at least two different ways. When you see the spelling "Nicholas," you should think of the standard English pronunciation. The spelling "Nicolas" indicates a French pronunciation, without an "s" sound at the end. In general, Janette uses the French pronunciation unless she is angry; everyone else tends to use the English one. TEASER [Conference room. Close-up on Thomas Constantine, a very old man.] Constantine: There is no prouder day in a father's life than the day he can pass on to his child the things that matter most to him. Today is that day. [David Constantine's home. His wife Karen meets him at the door with their son Adam.] Karen: David? Johnny L's here. [His face freezes.] [Conference room. A nurse attends Constantine. Six men and women in gray suits sit around the table.] CT: I'm a very old man. I've lived longer than I should have. I've buried two sons, and two grandsons. [Coughs hard.] I've waited, and at last that day has come when my great-grandson can step in and take my place. [David's house.] David: It's today? Johnny: They're sending {???} in a car to get you. They'll be here any minute. [Conference room.] CT: You think he's too young? [One of the gray-suited women shrugs.] I was less than twenty when my father, God rest his soul, put all this in my hands. Now it's David's turn. He may be young, but don't think he's weak. No, he's strong--strong as I was then. He's a Constantine. The last. [David's house. David picks up his son.] D: Get his coat. Johnny: Leave him here. It'll be safer-- D: [Interrupting.] My great-grandfather will send people. Johnny: [Gestures towards David's wife and son.] David, they want you, not them. [To Karen:] You don't know where we're going, you don't know anything. K: David, this is-- Johnny: --You can send for them later, okay? [Noises--a car pulls up out front. David puts Adam down and kisses Karen.] The back. Go out the back. Go! [Johnny and David run out the back as Constantine's thugs come up the walk.] K: [To son:] Stay here. [Answers door. The thugs enter, then hear Johnny's car door out back.] Thug: What's that? Second Thug: They're getting away. Let's go. [They run out the back, but the car carrying David and Johnny L. screeches off.] [Conference room. A henchman hangs up a cordless phone, then walks to whisper in Constantine's ear. He listens silently. After a pause, Constantine stands.] CT: There is no harder day in a father's life than the day he must discipline a child. But love demands sacrifices from us all. The family must be protected. 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 [Night. The police station. In the locker room, Schanke desperately searches for someone to cover for him.] S: No, no, no, you wait, you--you _owe_ me, Carter! Carter: I can't, Schanke. Family stuff, man. S: Wh-whaddaya mean, "family stuff?" I covered you on your birthday, remember? Carter: All right, all right. I'm sorry. Maybe next time. All right? S: [Hmph.] Yeah. Well, maybe not. [Brightens.] Hey! Hey, Rozzen, Rozzen, whattaya doing Sunday? Do ya wanna talk trade? [Rozzen shakes his head.] Yeah, well, see if I lend you my electric lumbar pillow again. Creep. [Sees Nick.] Oh, man. Do I look like a soft touch? I help these guys out aaaall the time. I spotted Carter on his birthday, for crying out loud. Now when I ask him to do me a favor, it's like I don't even exist. I just wanna go up to the cottage, spend a little bit of time, you know, up at the lake, Father's Day with my wife and kid, but no. N: We're off Sunday. S: No, no. _You're_ off Sunday. Correction. Cohen saw my time card? Said I was six hours late in the last three months. So she added an extra shift. I miss enough of my daughter's life as it is, you know, working nights? Now I'm gonna miss her special chocolate pudding cake. N: I'll cover for you. I'll cover for you. S: You-you'd do that? N: Yeah. S: Oh, man. No strings? N: No strings. Why not? Go on. Be with your family. S: I owe you big time, Nick. N: Yeah...just not the electric lumbar pillow, okay? [Police station floor. Cohen stares significantly at her watch as Nick and Schanke come in.] Cohen: Are you expecting a call from Johnny Larnar, Detective? S: Uh, no. C: Well, he called. [Smiles.] He said he's bringing in David Constantine tonight. N: [Whoa!] David Constantine's turning in the family? You mean he's talking? C: Apparently, your partner set it up. S: Let's not get too excited here, Captain, because you know Johnny Larnar talks a good game but he doesn't always deliver. C: Yeah? Well, he says he's gonna "deliver" him into protective custody if you meet him at Bleaker and Bridge in half an hour. N: Look, David Constantine's next in line for the throne. If--if this is for real. C: His testimony could put his family's business out of business. The old man'll be spending his few remaining days in a prison hospital...which would make me very happy. I suggest you go meet the man. S: Anything to keep a smile on your face, Captain. C: [As she leaves.] Just try to be on time. [Nick's Caddy. Schanke is filling out a paper as Nick drives.] S: What is that word, it--it--it--it means "generous," but it starts with an "A?" N: "Altruistic?" S: "Altruistic." Good word. [He writes it down.] N: What is that? S: Ah, it's some kinda questionnaire, it's for Jenny's school project. "What Is A Father." N: Well, that sounds really-- S: Silly? Well, it is silly, but you know, it's Jenny's. N: And? What _is_ a father? S: A sucker for doing this silly form. [They arrive at the meeting place, but find only the empty car with one door open and the lights still on. They turn off the lights, scout around, and discover Johnny's lifeless body on a fire escape. There is no trace of David.] N: I don't think this is going to put that smile on the captain's face. [Crime scene. Nat pulls off her gloves as she reports her findings.] NA: Two in the back, one in the head. From about twenty-five or thirty feet away. Nice marksmanship. I'd say they were professionals. N: Any sign of a passenger? NA: Well, if he was here, he got away clean. C: [Walks up to Nick and Schanke.] He was here. It's all over town now. David Constantine ran out on the family, and the old man has every available soldier out looking for him. S: Well, maybe they took him. Just because he isn't lying here clammy doesn't mean he got away. C: All I know is David Constantine was supposed to be a witness for the crown, and instead he's a missing person. If he's still alive, we have to find him. Fast. [She leaves.] S: Little David gave him the slip. I don't like the odds. I mean, where the hell would he go? The Constantines aren't exactly the type of family you just--leave. NA: Not alive, anyway. [Flashback] [1920's, at a dock. Two men are moving a crate from the wharf.] Customs officer: Hey! that hasn't been inspected. [A young Constantine steps into view. The officer gasps and speaks with reverence.] Mr. Constantine! I--I--I'm sorry sir, I didn't realize you were a--go right ahead, sir. CT: I appreciate your kindness. [The crate goes to his office, where he pries it open.] Welcome to the new world. [Nick steps out of the crate.] N: Don Constantine? [He offers his hand; they shake.] CT: At your humble service. [Constantine hands him cut glass decanter of red liquid.] I have an "arrangement" at the hospital. N: [Takes a gulp.] I had to leave Paris in a hurry. I didn't get the chance to bring much. [He hands Constantine a few pieces of jewelry, including a watch on a chain.] CT: This will be enough. Will you be followed? The West coast, I think, will be safest. Do you have a preference? [Nick shakes his head, then takes another drink.] Los Angeles, then. With a new name. [Nick reacts.] No? N: Los Angeles will be fine. You're not what I expected. CT: You thought I'd be older. I could say the same of you, sir. My father died last year. I run this family now. I assure you whatever you need will be taken care of. Whatever you need. [He looks significantly at the decanter in Nick's hand. Nick shuts his eyes and takes another drink.] [Present. David's house. Nick and Schanke question Karen.] K: Is there a--has something happened? S: [Deadly calm.] We're trying to locate your husband, ma'am. Do you have any idea where he might have gone? K: Uh, he's in New York. On business. Is there a problem? S: Oh, you could say that. N: When was the last time you saw Johnny Larnar, Mrs. Constantine? K: [Nervously.] Uh, it must be, uh, two weeks ago. S: He wasn't here earlier tonight? K: What's this all about? What's happened? S: Johnny Larnar's dead, Mrs. Constantine. Now, your husband could be next, if we don't find him before his great-grandfather does. [As if to hide her fear, Karen becomes angry.] K: Don't be ridiculous. David's great-grandfather? He's family. He looks out for us. Why on earth would he want to hurt David? S: To keep him from talking to us. K: [Cold.] My husband would have no reason to talk to you, Detective. And I don't think I do, either. [She stands.] N: David could be in real danger. I think you know that. You all could be in danger. K: We'll be fine. Thank you very much. [Pointedly.] Good _night_. [They leave. Schanke turns at the last minute.] S: Listen, if you, uh, if you change your mind, you know who to call, and if you hear from your husband-- K: Good night, Detective. [Shuts door.] S: What do you have to say to get through to some people? [Nick senses something and Schanke notices.] What? N: Nothing. [Nick's Caddy. In front of the station house.] S: Cohen is going to become a little drill sergeant after this development. [He starts to get out, then notices Nick is still inside acting spacey.] Hel-loo? You coming? N: Uh, you go ahead. There's something I need to check out. S: W--wait, wait, wait, wait. "There's something you've gotta check out?" And you want me to go in there and tell the Captain we've got nothing? No way! No, no, no. I'm not letting you off this one. You're coming with me. N: You owe me one, remember? For Sunday? [Schanke gives him a look, then gives in and gets out of the car.] S: Yeah. [He slouches off. Nick begins to drive, and turns on the radio. LaCroix as the Night-Crawler is on.] L: So. It's question time on Night Watch, gentle listeners. I see by the old clock on the wall that it's very nearly Father's Day. So. Tonight's question is...what _is_ a father? [Nick adjusts the volume.] Ring! We have a caller, and the caller says that a father is..."altruistic." [Nick starts at the word.] Bzzzt! Too bad. Thanks for playing, though. Every parent wants something in return. Love. Loyalty. Nothing...is...free. [Nick pulls up outside David's house and exits the car as LaCroix continues to speak bitterly.] So, boys and girls, the Night-Crawler wants to know: what did _your_ father promise you? Did he promise to take care of you? Did he _keep_ his promise? [Nick heads down an alley near David Constantine's house. He finds a lone figure, oblivious to Nick's presence.] N: [Quietly.] Police. [The figure tries to run, but Nick leaps vamp-style and pins him to the wall by the throat. In the lamplight, we can see that it is David Constantine.] COMMERCIAL [Alley behind David's house.] N: David Constantine, I presume. D: Y--you're a real cop. N: Nick Knight. Metro homicide. A lot of people are looking for you. D: [Deep breath.] I didn't kill Johnny. N: I didn't say you did. Why don't I just take you downtown and you can give your statement to the prosecutor-- D: No! [He tries to walk away; Nick grabs his arm.] Look, Detective, I know you're doing your job. But I've gotta ask you--walk away like you never saw me. N: I know what you're used to, Mr. Constantine. I'm not for sale. D: I'm not offering! I'm _begging_--I'm putting my life in your hands. My family-- If they think that I've betrayed them, I'm a dead man. Anywhere you take me, I'm a dead man. N: Once you testify against your great-grandfather, he'll be in jail and he can't hurt you anymore. He can never hurt you again. D: I _can't_ testify against him. He's my family. It was _never_ about taking him down. N: [A pause.] Johnny Larnar thought it was. [David looks down.] D: He thought that was the way for me to get out. But that's not who I want to be. I don't want to turn against my family. [His voice becomes husky.] I just want to...start over again. Somewhere. Far away. I grew up with killers. But I don't want to be a killer. [Flashback] [Paris, mid 1920's. Nick walks down the street; LaCroix steps out of the shadows and stops him.] L: [In French:] Where have you been? N: [In French:] Walking. L: [In French:] You know you can't lie to me, Nicholas. You are not capable. [Switching to English:] Where have you been? [Nick gives no answer, only tries to conceal a package under his coat. Of course, LaCroix notices.] What is that? [Nick looks away.] I will not ask you again. [Nick gives in and reveals the package. LaCroix laughs softly.] Ancient medicinal herbs. Rare Chinese elixirs. Nicholas still searches for a cure. [He drops the package.] Why didn't you just tell me that you'd been to the apothecary? We've no need for secrets between us. [Wham! Or, as Cousin Laura puts it, Clobber! LaCroix hits Nick across the face _hard_. LaCroix is completely enraged. He backs Nick up against the wall.] And this is how you thank me? This is how you repay me? N: This has nothing to do with you. [LaCroix picks him up by the lapels and slams him against the wall. LaCroix's eyes glow.] L: OF COURSE IT'S TO DO WITH ME! [Snarling through his teeth.] I gave you life. _I_ gave you power. I gave you my eternal protection. And you want to go back? Can you imagine how that makes me feel? You will stop this pathetic search for a cure. You make a fool of yourself and a fool of me. You're my creature, Nicholas. Made in _my_ image. N: [Quietly.] Then I am a monster. L: [That hurt. LaCroix drops him and steps back. His eyes are normal.] Why are you doing this to me? N: I've done nothing to you, LaCroix. You did this. [His breath catches.] Perhaps there is no cure. But that won't stop me from leaving you. Kill me if you wish. Either way, I _will_ leave you. [Nick walks away.] [Present. Nick returns to the conversation at hand with David.] D: I've got to get away. The police can't protect me. You must know that. I should never have come back here. I just--wanted to make sure that they were all right. I wanted to give them a different kind of life. I didn't want my son to grow up the way I did. [Station. Cohen's office. Frustration is heavy in her voice.] C: You had him and you didn't bring him in. N: He didn't want to come. He just wants to walk away. C: Do I look like I care what he wants? He could be the key to bringing down the Constantine family once and for all. N: He could be dead before we even get him to a courtroom. Captain, we can't absolutely guarantee his safety here. The Constantines have gotten to people on Death Row, let alone people in a police precinct. He's not going to testify. He's not wanted for anything. There are no warrants. C: Thanks for the legal briefing, Detective. He won't last the day without our protection. [Nick leaves; she shuts the door hard. Schanke looks up from his survey.] S: Oh, well, she took that well, I thought. You still have your gun and your badge, don't ya? You know, she is right. He's not safe out there. N: He wouldn't be any safer in here. Are you still doing that questionnaire on fatherhood? S: [Embarrassed.] Sssh! [Looks around, lowers voice.] Yeah, why? N: A father is someone who will sacrifice everything to give his child a better life than he had. S: [Impressed.] That is _great_. [Scrabbles for a pencil.] "A father is someone who w..."--now what's the rest of it? "Sacrifice anything...." Nick! What's-- [Nick is gone.] [Coroner's office. Nat wades through files and papers as she speaks.] NA: Oh, come on, Nick, what did you expect? You knew she wasn't going to like it. She's been trying to salt Thomas Constantine's tail ever since I was an intern. N: Well, getting David killed isn't going to help. NA: No, and you did what you thought was right. You cut him loose. N: Well--not exactly. NA: W--what do you mean, not exa-- [She looks at Nick.] Where is he? N: My place. [He grins guiltily and turns away.] NA: Nick! You're a cop. You can't get involved in-- Okay, all right, all right. Why? N: Because I know how powerful his family is. The captain's right. He's not going to get away without some help. It's dangerous. And it's not that easy. [Sighs.] Even when they're trying to kill you, they're still your family. NA: Youch. That sounds like an epitaph. Was it really that hard for you? Leaving them? N: Parts of it. [Flashback] [Paris, mid-1920's. Nick enters the richly appointed rooms he shares with Janette and LaCroix. Janette rushes to him, concerned.] J: Nicolas. Did LaCroix find you? He was so angry. N: [Still breathing hard.] Yes, he found me. I have to leave. He'll never let me live as long as I'm searching for a cure. J: But you can never find one! [Her voice drops to a whisper.] Forget about it. Stay. N: No. I can't. I can't _live_ as we do anymore! I'll leave Paris tonight. Before he can find me again. Come with me. J: And do what? [Her voice breaks.] This is my home. N: I'm sorry. [Resigned, Nick starts to turn away.] J: [Takes a deep breath.] You will go to Don Constantine. [Nick is surprised.] In America. [Janette opens a huge steamer trunk.] He knows about us, about our kind. He helps us when we need to travel. He can help you disappear. I'll make the arrangements immediately, and you'll sail within the hour. [Janette kisses Nick deeply and passionately. When they part, she gives him a handful of jewelry and chains.] You'll need this. [David's house. Nick is talking in the living room with David's wife.] K: That can't be true. David would never _want_ to leave. He _loves_ his family. He's always taken good care of his family. That is how he was raised. N: He wants what's best for you and your son, even if it means crossing Thomas Constantine. K: Don't be silly. David's great-grandfather wants what's best for us, too. He's always taken good care of us. N: Did you know that Constantine was planning on turning the business over to your husband? K: Everyone knew, from the day David was born. N: That's why he's doing this. Take a look at the old man. Take a look at the world he lives in. That's not the kind of life that David wants for you. [Day. Nick's place. David paces nervously.] D: Why doesn't she call? Why doesn't she come? N: It's a big decision for her, David. Giving up everything she knows.... D: I'm her _family_, for God's sake. Doesn't she know I'm trying to help them? [Footsteps on the stairs. David brightens.] _There_ she is. I thought you said she's have to buzz to get up. [The door flies open, and two gunmen enter.] N: Get down! [The gunmen fire their automatic weapons repeatedly. They shoot Nick, but he vamps out and hardly seems to notice that the bullets have gone right through him and pierced holes in the wall. He disarms the gunmen, and they run. David has seen. He stands up.] D: [Wonderingly.] W--what are you? N: The only thing that can protect you. COMMERCIAL [Nick's apartment. David is still shaky from the shooting and from Nick's revelation. David tears off squares of duct tape and places them over the bullet holes in Nick's wall, blocking the tiny sunbeams that pour through. Nick leans against the wall.] D: My, uh, (ahem) great-grandfather...told me that there were creatures in this world that...nobody knows about today. N: Your great-grandfather's fortune was based on deals that...can't face the light of day. Men with secrets will always pay men like Constantine to help them hide. D: You knew him. N: I knew him. I know what it's like. Not wanting to be what you are. [David continues to apply duct tape to the walls.] [Constantine's office. The gunmen make their report to Constantine.] Gunman: I know it sounds hard to believe, sir, but he really was that strong. It's like the bullets didn't even faze him. CT: Did he change? G: Change? CT: His eyes. [The gunman's eyes widen in recognition.] G: You know him. CT: I know his kind. [Night. The Raven. Nick and David enter, and Janette comes up behind them. She licks her lips.] J: Who's your friend? [She recognizes David and begins to scold Nick as if he had just brought home a stray puppy.] Oh, no. No, no. Get him out of here. You can't keep just dragging people in here every time you don't know what else to do with them. N: [To David.] Go get yourself a drink. [David moves off.] [To Janette.] Relax. It's just until I can set up his disappearance. He won't be staying long. J: He's not _staying_ at all. I have to do business in this town, Nicolas, with Constantine. Liquor license, health inspections--I cannot afford trouble. N: [Baiting her.] I didn't realize you were afraid of Constantine. After all, he's just a man. J: He's a fanatic. He would kill anyone, betray anyone to protect his family. N: Wouldn't we all. [Flashback--Janette] [The Paris apartment. LaCroix has just returned to discover than Nick is gone. Janette tries to cover for him, but LaCroix is furious.] J: [In French:] He's gone....Just forget him. [Unsteadily, in English.] We can get--a new one. L: I don't _want_ a new one. I like _that_ one. [In French:] What did he tell you, Janette? That he doesn't belong with us? [English:] Nonsense. He will always be part of us. You know that. [French:] He needs us to survive. J: [French:] Constantine. [She lowers her voice, perhaps ashamed of her weakness.] I sent him to Constantine. [Present. Janette continues her conversation with Nick.] J: That was different. You were confused, and you needed us. N: I _needed_ to get away. And you led him right to me. J: You know I was trying to help you. N: I'm sure you were. Stay out of it this time. And don't call his daddy to come and get him. J: Fine. It's his funeral. [She walks away.] N: Excuse me. David, you'll be all right here for a couple of hours. I'll go and arrange for you to, ah, get lost. [Constantine's office. Nick comes in through the open window.] CT: You haven't changed a bit. Last I heard you were in Chicago. N: I moved. CT: So I see. And you're the man who has my grandson, hm? A policeman. Vampire...homicide...cop. [Begins to laugh.] That's certainly one for the record books.... [He chokes on his cough and recovers.] Well, I--I remember you, Nicholas, whatever you're calling yourself. The man who ran out on his family. Who put himself before the ones he owed his life to. Well, this is my family you're interfering with now. I don't allow interference. N: [Leans into Constantine's face.] Don't send your people after David again. You don't want the kind of trouble I can make for you. CT: Oh, I'll go after him, all right. And I'll keep going until I find him. There's no way to hide in this world. N: Oh, that's right. Someone will always...betray you. Yeah, you see, I, ah, remember you, too. CT: You met me when I was a young man, remember that? I raised two sons, and two grandsons, and I lost them all. But you wouldn't understand. You'll be young forever. Huh. For me, family is all that's left. My version of immortality. [Laughs, coughs again.] David is like another son to me. It's my last chance to pass on what I built--what I am. N: He doesn't want it. All right? He does not want it. If he really is like a son to you, why don't you be like a good father and let him do what he wants, not what you want. CT: What he wants doesn't matter. He's a Constantine. A prince...can only be a prince. Not a pauper. N: I don't believe it. CT: You never did. [Inside the broadcasting room of the CERK radio studio, LaCroix is doing his Night-Crawler show.] L: It's a beautiful night out there, boys and girls. I haven't seen a night quite like this in a hundred years. [The hall door opens, and a nurse rolls Constantine in a wheelchair. Recognition.] In fact, this is no night to be inside. Let's turn off our radios and go out...and play. [LaCroix punches a button, taking his mike off the air. He speaks to Constantine.] Oh...you don't look well, Don Constantine. Time's a bitch...isn't it? CT: I'm here for the favor that you owe me. [Flashback] [LaCroix and Janette are in the young Constantine's office in the 1920's, looking for Nick.] CT: I'm sorry I can't help you. I haven't seen him. L: No. [With controlled fury, LaCroix takes a watch on a chain from Constantine's desk.] I gave this to him. He was to keep it until the day he died. So...either you helped him, with this as payment, or...you killed him. I would be _most_ unhappy if it were the latter. CT: [Taken aback. He hesitates only a second.] I assure you, he's fine. He's...traveling. L: Ah. But where? He probably told you that his life was in danger. I can't imagine where he got that idea. I am simply trying to keep my family together...Don Constantine. Surely _you_ can understand that. I would be eternally grateful...for your help in this matter. [Present. CERK studio.] CT: I won't have David leaving the family. It can't be allowed. I did the favor you asked me one man to another...one father to another. Now I want that favor returned. L: I have an excellent memory for old accounts. You would have brought me his head on a platter if I'd asked you. Is that what you'd like me to do for you? Ah, ah--now, be careful. [Smiles.] I do tend to take things...literally. COMMERCIAL [David's house. Nick is in the living room, talking with David's wife.] K: I really don't know why you're here, Detective; this really has nothing to do with you. It's a family matter. N: I just have one question to ask you. Did you think you were helping David when you told Constantine where he was? K: I--I don't know what you're talking about. N: You knew David was staying at my house. Did you know that Constantine sent two of his men to kill him? K: N--no, they were supposed to bring him back. I just want to put everything back the way it was before. N: Well, that's not going to happen. Constantine kills anyone who betrays his family, even David. K: But I thought if--if he came back, he'd be safe. N: If he came back. If he came back, he'd be just like his great- grandfather. Is that what you want for him? Is that what you want for your son? K: [Her voice shakes.] All that I want for my son right now is his father, but I don't know where he is. I mean, is this how David takes care of us, by running out, by not being here on Father's Day? N: I have to go. David wants you to go with him. That's what this is all about. You have to decide which is more important to you: Constantine's family, or your own. [Police station.] N: Hi, Nat. NA: Hey, you. Hey, have you seen Schanke? The captain wants to see him. N: I'm him. NA: Of course you are. [Laughs.] N: Actually, I'm subbing in so he could be with his family. NA: Oh. Oh, please, you're making me feel all--warm and fuzzy inside. Speaking of which, I have a hungry cat at home, evidence to deliver, _and_ no one volunteered to sub for meee.... N: Next time. [She leaves. Nick turns towards Cohen's office--and sees LaCroix, sitting with his feet propped up on a desk. LaCroix stares at Nick....] [Flashback] [An elegant hotel in Los Angeles, mid-1920's. Nick walks down the spiraling staircase, adjusting the cuffs of his evening wear--and there are LaCroix and Janette.] L: I must say I commend your choice, Nicholas. Los Angeles has such...possibilities. Although rather too much sun for my liking--Let us not make a scene, shall we? [Nick, who had begun to break away, recovers himself.] N: How did you find me? L: I shall always find you, Nicholas. [Nick meets Janette's gaze. She looks down.] Let's just forget about this little episode, shall we? I wouldn't like to...hold it against you. [He holds the watch up for Nick to take....] [...and back to the station. Nick speaks to LaCroix in a low voice.] N: What do you want? L: Do I have to "want" anything? Let's talk about families, Nicholas. That seems to be what's on everyone's mind. What _is_ a father? A father is the man who made you what you are, and like it or not, Nicholas, I'm the only father that you've got. And, as a father, I must say I'm very disappointed in you. Sticking your nose in where it's not wanted. N: Constantine came to you. L: It's a matter of an old debt. I want you to stay out of this. I think a child owes his father that much courtesy. N: What about what a father owes his child? It works both ways, you know. L: Let's see what your friend Schanke has to say about that, shall we? [He picks up Schanke's survey form and reads.] A father provides love, discipline, guidance, protection, and support. That's not bad. N: He left out "freedom." L: So would I. Let's stop beating about the bush. If David Constantine does not return to his family, I will find him and kill him. [Softly.] You're not strong enough to stop me, Nicholas. Why do you care anyway? N: I think you understand. L: Maybe I do. N: Well then why don't you do for David what you would never do for me? Let him go. [Constantine's conference room. LaCroix enters.] CT: Is it done? L: And if I said it was? CT: What do you mean? L: There's only one way that this can end. You know how stubborn children are. The boy wants to leave. That _isn't_ going to change. CT: He thinks there's some better life out there than what I can give him. L: It's always about what _they_ want, isn't it? They can be so thoughtless. [Leans into Constantine's face.] Do you want him killed? Is that what _you_ want? COMMERCIAL [Constantine's conference room. He continues talking with LaCroix, leaning heavily on his cane. He gestures towards the faded photographs of his sons and grandsons that hang on the wall.] CT: They were supposed to take my place! David's grandfather, Demitri. My oldest. He looked just like me. He's the one who should be standing here today. Ah, but this isn't an easy business. You take some casualties. Demitri was in the wrong place at the wrong time. We lost his brother Stefan in the big war. [His voice rises in anger.] I remember thinking I'd never make it another twenty-five years, until Demitri's boys were old enough to take over--and then another twenty- five 'till David was ready. David's uncle died in Vietnam. His father made it back--well, he didn't _really_ come back. He didn't last five years. I'm an old, tired man, just hanging on. Without David, it all ends. The family...the business...everything we are! He and his son are the last of the Constantines. When I die, everything I built will have disappeared. But that doesn't mean anything to you, does it? [With great intensity.] But it means everything to me. You owe me. [LaCroix hesitates, then nods.] [Outside somewhere. Nick and David stand by a packed truck, waiting.] N: I don't know if she's coming, David. Why don't you get in the truck? D: No. Y--you don't understand. I can't leave without them. I didn't _do_ this for me. There's no point in leaving if I have to leave them behind. N: She's got to make her own decision. Otherwise you might as well stay-- [They both catch sight of David's wife and son walking towards them. David hugs them excitedly.] D: Oh! Oh, thank God you're here. K: Where are we going? D: It's all right. Don't worry. Uh, the truck will take us to the Hamilton Airport; Nick--took care of everything. [A car pulls in behind the truck, blocking its exit.] N: Go. Quickly. [Constantine steps out of the car. Nick moves forward as LaCroix gets out of the other side.] L: We both know how that would end, Nicholas. N: Take your family, David, and go. I'll try to hold them off. D: What do you mean? You're stronger than-- [Nick turns and looks at him. David realizes who and what LaCroix must be, and utters a quiet "Oh." But he catches himself, and steps forward, shaking his head.] Karen and Adam are leaving. No. [Steps forward to Constantine.] I'll run the family if you want me to run the family--or you can shoot me if you want to shoot me. But my son...is not going to be raised like this. CT: That noble streak is endearing. You get it from your uncle Stefan. A wise old man once told me that love demands sacrifices from us all. Well...it's my turn to let go. [He smiles. David can't believe his ears.] D: Are you telling me that-- CT: I've buried enough sons for a lifetime. That's not the legacy I want to leave. [He claps David energetically on the shoulder.] I hear that Los Angeles is a place to start over. They need persons like you with your energy to help them rebuild. [David and his great-grandfather embrace. Off to one side, Nick regards LaCroix with disbelief.] N: [To LaCroix:] What did you say to him? L: [Dismissively.] Oh, the old man was simply concerned to have someone to run the business after he died. [Nods towards Constantine.] Personally, I don't think he's ever looked fitter. He could live for another hundred years. [Nick turns slowly to LaCroix; LaCroix is cucumber-cool. He shrugs.] I owed him a favor. [He walks away, and Nick half smiles.] COMMERCIAL [Police station. Schanke, late again, sneaks in and sits down at his desk, trying to look inconspicuous.] N: [Whispering.] You're going to wind up with an extra shift, you know. S: Yeah, with any luck it'll be on my daughter's birthday. Listen--I--I wanna thank you for standing in for me. Before you say it was nothing, it was something. It was really important to me, and--okay, it just meant a lot to me and I wanna thank you. N: You're welcome. S: So. Did I miss anything? [Nick looks up in mock innocence and shakes his head.] N: Not really. S: Where's my questionnaire? [CERK radio station. LaCroix does his Night-Crawler show as Nick, in his car, listens.] L: Good evening, Toronto. As all the night creatures come out of their dens, the Night-Crawler is on the air. And whose little ears are listening tonight? It's a school night, so how about a little education? [Begins quoting Hamlet.] "I am thy father's spirit, doomed for a certain term to walk the night...." [Nick arrives at the station. LaCroix is still going at the Hamlet's father's ghost bit.] L: "...and in the porches of mine ear did pour the leprous dist--" [He sees Nick, who walks into the broadcast room.] What's this, gentle listeners? A visitor? [LaCroix takes the room's microphone off the air. Nick hands LaCroix a watch on a chain--the same watch that LaCroix had given him years earlier.] N: Happy Father's Day. [LaCroix takes the watch and smiles, as if touched] I'm not coming back to you. I just wanted to say thank you. [He leaves. LaCroix watches after him, then brings the mike back on the air with a click.] L: They say if you love someone, let them go. If they're really yours, they will learn their lessons and return. You _will_ come back, Nicholas. [He clicks the watch open.] I can wait. [We see that the watch has been engraved with a single word--"Forever."] I have all the time in the world. [Fade to black.] END CREDITS