ONLY THE LONELY, written by Susan Martin
Forever Knight season 1, episode 16
Transcribed by Victoria E. Meredith (meredith@ab.wvnet.edu)
Extra scenes transcribed by Janet A. Dornhoff (dornhoff@uiuc.edu)


Characters with lines other than "AAAAAAH!" (in the order in which
they appear)
A woman, the third victim of the dating service killer (W)
*The killer (M)
Reporter Steve Tate
Detective Don Schanke, Metro homicide detective (S)
Dr. Natalie Lambert, coroner (NA)
An officer at the scene of the murder
Detective Nick Knight, vampire (N)
Grace, a lab technician (?) in forensics (G)
Another technician
Eddie
Elsa Burden (Burton?), a management-type at "Singular Interests
Introduction Service" (E)
Sidney the cat (okay, so he doesn't have any real lines, but he's
really cool)
Roger Jameson, the man Natalie begins seeing after literally running
into him at the grocery store =AE
Police Captain Stonetree (ST)
George Pomfrey, a former employee of "Singular Interests" (P)
Lionel

TEASER

[A man and woman stand in the hallway in an apartment building.  We
can't see their faces, only their bodies.
Woman: I had a really nice time tonight.

Man: Yeah, me too.  Allow me.  [The man moves to come in to her
apartment.  She is hesitant.]

W: Well...

M: I'd love a cup of coffee.

W: Um....

M: Ohhh...you were going to say "good night" now, weren't you?

W: Well, it's just--it's late, and--I've got an early meeting
tomorrow morning.  Otherwise--you know, um--  [His beeper goes off.]

M: Oh...that's the hospital.  I'm sorry.

W: It's okay.

M: Would it be all right to just quickly use your phone?

W: Sure.  Come on in.  [They walk inside.  He takes her in his arms
as soon as they've cleared the door.]

W: [Uncomfortable.]  You sure somebody isn't going to die at the
hospital without you?

M: They can wait.  [He starts to unzip her dress.]

W: Uh, no--wait--

M: What?

W: I don't know--maybe we're just going a little too fast.  [The
man's voice suddenly fills with anger.]

M: Too fast?

W: Y--yeah.  [He grabs her roughly.  She gasps and struggles, trying
to get away.]  No!  Don't!  Stop it!  [She falls.  Glass breaks.]
[In a few moments, the man exits the apartment and hurries down the
hall.  Inside, we can see the woman sprawled on the floor.  She is
not moving.]

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

COMMERCIAL

[Outside the murder scene, a TV news anchor reports:]
Reporter: Another woman has been brutally murdered on the West Side
tonight.  Here on the scene, police are trying to piece together the
clues.  [Switch to view of same reporter on TV.  The screen legend
reads, "Live: Steve Tate."]  There is some speculation as to whether
this will prove to be the most recent in a series involving sexual
assault and murder.  Residents are outraged--  [Inside the apartment
where the murder took place, Schanke clicks off the TV.  He turns,
shaking his head.   The murder scene is full of police, and someone
begins to cart the corpse out on a gurney.  Nat, overseeing the
proceedings, stops them.]

NA: Wait a sec.  [She places a plastic bag over one of the corpse's
hands.]  I want you to prep anything you can find for a DNA profile
the minute you guys get back.  Okay?  [She turns to a cop.]  So, did
the {???} give you any prints, or what?

Officer: No, no clear prints.  [Nick walks in.]

N: Hey, Nat.

NA: Hey!  Welcome to victim number three.

N: Are you sure?
NA: Not yet, but it sure looks that way.

N: Strangulation.

NA: Barehanded.  Also signs of sexual assault, and no indication of
forced entry to the premises.

S: Found something.  [He brings over a video case.]

N: {???}, Schank.  [Reads label.]  "Singular Interests Introduction
Service.  Client copy."  [They pop it in the VCR.  A young woman
begins to speak.]

W: [On tape.] Okay, umm....

NA: That's her.  That's the victim.

W: [On tape.]  See, I us--the reason I came here is, uh...I'd love to
go out, I'd love to meet somebody to spend my life with--

N: A dating service.

W: [On tape.]  --but...ever since I've gotten out of school I've
just, you know, there's work, and there's always something else that
I have to be doing, so I'm hop--  [Nat looks worried.]

[Outside the apartment.  Nick and Schanke walk to the car,
accompanied by Natalie.]
S: Could it be?  Could it actually be we finally have a lead?  'Cause
the captain's not the only one that's being catapulted into insanity
by those "Take Back the Night" rallies outside the precinct.

N: Okay, tomorrow we hit "Singular Interests."  See if any of the
other victims were members.

NA: A dating service killer.  [Laughs.]  Oh, no, I think I'm getting
a case of what's-this-world-coming-to nausea.

S: What's this world coming to is right when someone not _bad_ and
not _broke_ like Jill Fisher has to resort to a dating service in the
first place.

NA: [Defensively.]  Oh, come on, Schank, it's the nineties.  Dating
services, like frozen dinners...have their places.  It's not
necessarily a case of resorting to them.  [Schanke and Nick look at
her, surprised.]  _No_, I haven't.  Although I have...thought about
it.

S: You?  That's ridiculous!  You have so much more to offer than the
average person.

NA: Please--it's not my intention to get into a discussion of my
dating life-- [She opens her car door.]  --or lack thereof.  [Smiles,
then gets in the car.]
S: For crying out loud.  If I had known--I mean, Myra _lives_ for
this stuff.

NA: [In mock horror.]  Oh noooo....help me!  He's gonna sic Myra the
Matchmaker on me.  I'll end up married to his cousin in Moosejaw.
[Embarrassed laugh.]  Don't worry about me, Schank, I'll be fine.
Anyway, who has time for dating?

S: [Gestures towards a startled Nick.]  He does.  What the hell's
wrong with him?

NA:  Beats me.  Ask him.  See ya.  [She takes off.]

S: What is wrong with you, anyway?

N: Uh...well, you heard the lady.  Who's got the time?

*********Extra Shot************

There's an establishing shot of the Coronor's building, with a
nicely lighted sign labeling it as such, before the birthday party.

******End Extra Shot***********

[Coroner's office.  Nat sits at her desk doing paper work.  A group
of forensics staff members approaches her with a candle-filled cake,
singing:]
Staff: Happy birthday to you...happy birthday to you...happy
birthday, dear Natalieee...happy birthday to youuu....  [They set the
cake down.  She grins.]

NA: Happy what?  To who?

Grace:  Uh-uh, you don't get off that easy.

NA: No escaping the Creature from the Birthday Lagoon around here, I
guess, huh?  [Looks at the cake.]  Oh, my--my favorite.  A Twinkie
with candles.  [Technician giggles.  Nat counts candles.]  Now let me
see...one, two, three...thirty.  Yep, they're all there.

Technician: Make a wish.

G: But don't tell us, or else it won't come true.

NA: Don't worry, I don't think you could handle it.

G: Ooh!  [Nat takes a huge breath and blows out all the candles.
Everyone cheers and claps.]

NA: Aw, thanks, you guys.  [The technician hands her a present.]

G: From all of us.  [Nat unwraps the present and slowly lifts it from
the box.  It is a black lace teddy.  The staff hoots and whistles;
Nat looks up with one eyebrow cocked.]  Try it on.
[Outside.  Nick and Schanke head for the car.]

N: Got the address?

S: [His mouth full.]  's right here in m' pocket.  Woulda saved you a
piece, but I didn't think birthday cake was on that Spartan warrior
macrobiotic diet of yours.

N: Whose birthday?

S: [Still chewing.]  Nat's.  [Nick stops in his tracks.]  Forensics
threw her a bash.

N: Natalie's?  [Looks down.]  I completely forgot.  They called me
last week.

S: Don't sweat it.  The only reason I found out is I had to go down
and get test results.  [Nick slams the car door without getting in
and paces.]

N: No.  No, this is not good.  I didn't even get her a card.

S: It's not too late.  Do what I do with Myra.  Only I do it on
purpose.  I make her think I'm not getting her anything until the
last minute--but then she's so desperate no matter what I get her,
boom!  Big hit.  [Chuckles.]  Works every time.

N: Yeah....  [Gets in the car.]

[Inside Nat's office.  Nat dumps the birthday dishes into a container
labeled, "Infectious Waste."  She hugs Grace.]

NA: Thank you very much.  This was really sweet of you.

G: Happy birthday.  You're not working late tonight, are you?

NA: Don't worry, I took the night off.

G: Good.  Maybe you can wear your new...present.

NA: [Laughs.]  Yeah, well, maybe some other night.

G: Good night.  [The tech leaves, and Nat is alone in the lab.  She
remembers--]

[Flashback--Natalie]
[The doors of the autopsy room swing open with a crash as a man in
white rolls in a body bag on a blood-covered gurney.]
NA: What is it, Eddie?

Eddie: Not good.  You're gonna wish you'd celebrated your
twenty-eighth birthday at Pizza Palace or something.

NA: [Sighs.] Okay, ready?
Eddie: Yeah, one, two--  [They lift the body bag from the gurney to
the table.  Blood pours from the bottom of the bag.]

NA: Who is it and what happened?

Eddie: They couldn't find any I.D.  People who saw him before the
explosion said th--

NA: Explosion?

Eddie: He was trying to stop a gang robbery.  Someone tossed him a
pipe bomb for his trouble.  [Eddie starts to back away.]  It--it's a
real mess.  [Nervous laugh.]  At least there's not much of a face to
look at.  [He leaves.  Nat walks over to the body bag and prepares to
unzip it when the phone rings.]

NA: Saved by the bell.  [She answers.]  Forensics.  Dr. Lambert.
[Close-up on the body bag.  The blood that has run out of the body
bag reverses its trek  and begins to run back into the bag as Nat
speaks.  She does not notice.]  Yeah.  Yes, he did....No, Eddie just
brought him in....No, no, I haven't had time yet.  He's only been
here about two minutes....Yeah, well, I'll take a look at the pieces
and, ah...give you a report....Okay.  Fine....Bye.  [She hangs up,
then turns to the body bag and begins to unzip it--]

[The present.  In her office, Nat shakes off the memory, shuts off
the lights, and leaves.]

["Singular Interests."  Nick and Schanke question the agency head,
Elsa Burden.]
Elsa: My...records show that she hadn't had a date in the last six
months.

N: And why is that?

E: Well, if I remember, she had to cancel a few times, you know,
dates we had arranged for her.  Conflicts with work, I think,
and...then we never heard from her again.  [Smiles.]  Some clients
come to us because they're too busy to meet people, and they end up
being too busy to even date once they do.

S: What about the other two victims?

E: Sorry.  It would be in here if they were members.

S: Thank you very much.

N: Yeah.  Thanks.

[Nat's apartment.  She opens the door, calling:]
NA: Hi, honey, I'm home.  [A cat mews.  Nat shuts the door and walks
to the table, singing.]  "For you're a jolly good fellow, for you're
a jolly good fellow, for you're a jolly good fellow...."  [She picks
up a large gray cat and cuddles him.]  Oh...no one can deny that
you're a jolly good fellow, huh, Sidney?  Hey, you know what?  I'm
all out of cat food.  So, I guess you'll just have to take me out to
dinner for my birthday, huh?  How's that?

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

Est. shot: Nick's caddy outside his loft.
Close-up of round hole surrounded by artificial green.  A golf ball
rolls into the cup.  Voice-over of earlier dialogue; several more
balls roll by as camera slowly pans up the strip of green, shot
slowly widening.
S: (vo) What's this world coming to is right when someone not bad
   and not broke like Jill Fischer has to resort to a dating service
   in the first place.
Nat: (vo) Come on, Schank, it's the ninties!  Dating services,
     like frozen dinners, have their place, it's not necessarily
     a question of resorting to them.
Expanding shot shows a row of balls to the left of the green, a
putter rolling one into place and sending it towards the hole;
a pair of bare feet in black silk pajama bottoms to right.
Nat: (vo) Anyway, who has time for dating?
S: (vo) He does, what the hell's wrong with him?
Camera slowly pans upward.
Nat: (vo) Beats me, ask him.
Pan reaches hands on putter, continues up to include Nick leaning
over the putting green.
S: (vo) What _is_ wrong with you?
Nick: (vo) Well, you heard the lady.  Who's got the time?
      No, no, this is not good.  I didn't even get her a card.

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

[Nat walks out of a grocery store, carrying a bag filled with a few
groceries and many cans of cat food.  At the door, she literally runs
into a good-looking young man (Roger).  They both cry out, her
groceries scatter, and the man stumbles.]
NA: Oh, my G--I'm so sorry--I--

Roger: --sorry--  [He begins to help her pick up the groceries.]

NA: --I--uh--I--  [She notices that he's bleeding.] Oh, no, your
nose.  Uh...here.  [She pulls off her scarf and hands it to him.]
Here, use this.  I am _so_ sorry.  [He takes the scarf, dabbing at
his face.]

R: [Good-naturedly.]  Look.  Don't worry about it.  You probably have
more important things on your mind anyway.  [He picks up a can of cat
food.]  Like, uh...a hungry cat that's about to take revenge on your
drapes as we speak.  [Nat smiles, gathering her things.]

NA: Well, I would love to blame this on Sidney, but I really should
have been watching where I was going.  [He starts to return her
scarf, then notices that it's badly stained.]

R: Oh, no, your scarf.

NA: Oh, hey, don't worry about it.  That's okay.  [She takes the
scarf and stuffs it into her purse.]  I hardly ever get to ride with
the top down anyway.

R: Sorry to hear that.  [Nat looks at him.  He looks earnest.  Nat
laughs.  Down the street, Nick is buying a bouquet of flowers from a
street vendor.]

N: Thank you.  [He pulls one from the bouquet and hands it back to
the woman selling them, who smiles appreciatively.]  This is for you.
 [He continues down the street towards Natalie's place--then catches
sight of her just ahead.  He calls out.]  Natalie?  [She turns,
surprised.]

NA: Nick.  [He walks up to her.]

N: Well, this is a surprise.  I was just coming to surprise you.  [He
eyes Roger, then hands her the flowers.]  Happy birthday.  [Nat takes
them, trying not to act disappointed.]

NA: Well, thank you.  They're beautiful.  Like big suns.

N: [To Roger:]  Hi.

NA: Oh.  Uh, Nick, this is...uh....

R: Roger.  Roger Jameson.  [He offers Nick his hand; they shake.]

NA: Roger's the latest victim of my clumsiness.

R: Nice to meet you.

N: Uh, likewise.

NA: Were you...uh...just on your way over to my place?

N: Yeah.  Yeah, I was just coming to drop those off.  Schanke's
waiting for me, so....I should, uh....

NA: [Her face falls.]  Well.  Thanks again.  It was...really sweet of
you to remember.

N: Nat?  I'm...sorry I couldn't get away for your party.  Um....
[Uncomfortable pause.]  Um...  [To Roger:]  it was nice to meet you.
[Starts to leave, then turns.]  Uh...almost forgot....  [He hands her
a card.]  It goes with the flowers.  [Hesitates.]  Bye.  [He leaves.
Nat stares after him, then opens the card.  On the front is an
expressionist-inspired night scene; inside, it reads "To Nat, Happy
birthday with affection, Nick."  She watches him drive off.]

R: [After a pause.]  Was that, by any chance...awkward?

NA: What?  Oh, no.  No, he's just...[softly, looking at the card]...a
friend.  Just a friend.  [Sounding cheerful again.]  Well, I guess
I'd better be getting home to rescue my drapes.

R: It was nice to meet you, Natalie.  Happy birthday.

NA: Thanks.  It was nice to meet you, too.  [She turns to go.]

R: Natalie!  [She turns.]  Maybe I could meet Sidney sometime?  Maybe
I could...call him?

NA: [After a moment.]  He's in the book.  Lambert.  Sidney...Lambert.

R: Okay.  [She leaves, smiling.]

[Flashback--Natalie]
[Coroner's office.  Natalie unzips the body bag.  Inside is a
battered but still recognizable Nick.]
NA: That's not so bad.  [She raises her eyebrow appreciatively.]  Not
so bad at all.

[Back in the present, Nat sighs and heads for home.]

COMMERCIAL

[Night.  Coroner's office.  Nat and Grace talk.]
G: This the genetic profile from the Fisher case?

NA: Yep.  We have to do a PCR boost.  The hair was dyed, so the cell
structure was damaged.  The DNA's just too weak.

G: So we need volunteers for a control group.  [Schanke comes in.]

S: I never volunteer for anything.

NA: Perfect timing, Schanke.  [She approaches with a lancet; he backs
nervously into the corner.]

S: N--no, wait--wait a minute.  Do I look like I eat cardboard and
ride a treadmill?  Huh?  Do I--do I look like I have spots and I--and
a--and a tail?  Don't do this to me, Natalie, this is--this is not
_right_!

NA: Sorry, Schank, but you're the only guinea pig that we got.
[Grace grabs him from behind; Nat preps his finger.]  Now...this
won't hurt a bit.  [Sticks him with the lancet.]

S: Ow!  One day you're slicing cake, the next day you're slicing me.

G: I'll take care of it.  [Grace takes the sample.  The women laugh.]

S: Yeah, that's real funny.

NA: Thanks, Grace.
S: Ha ha ha.  [Grace leaves.  Nat is still laughing.]

NA: [To Schanke:]  So, uh, what can I do for you?  [Schanke hands her
a piece of paper.]  What?  What's this?  [Reads it.]  Oh, no.  No,
no--_you_, go.  [Points towards door.  Schanke backs out.]

S: Keep an open mind, would ya?

NA: Outta here.  [She backs him towards the door.]

S: It's Myra's friend's brother Lionel--

NA: Right now!

S: --apparently, he's a really nice guy, I haven't actually met him
myself--

NA: Go!

S: --why don't ya just give it a shot?  Call the guy up, at le--

NA: Bye!  [Pushes him out the door.]

S: Oh, come on.  [She sighs.]

********Extra Shot********

Est. shot of caddy outside loft before shot of Nick staring
into bottle which leads into flashback.

****End Extra Shot********

[Nick's apartment.  Nick contemplates a half-empty bottle of blood.]

[Flashback--Nick]
[In the coroner's office, Nat is on the phone.]
NA:  [On phone:]  There's hardly a mark on him.  Are you sure you
didn't make a mistake?  [This conversation is intercut with close-ups
of Nick on the autopsy table.  His wounds seal themselves, and his
eyes move under his closed eyelids.]  Well, I mean, this guy looks
like he just barely cut himself shaving this morning.  [Nick's eyes
open and he leaps from the table, eyes glowing and fangs bared.  Nat
gasps and drops the phone.  He growls at her.]  What the hell?  You
were dead.  A minute ago.  Who are you?

N: You don't need to know.  [He growls again.]

NA: _What_ are you?

N: Something very different from you.  [He grabs a unit of blood,
bites the top off, and drinks it.]

[Present.  Nick's place.  The phone rings, and Nick answers.]
N: Hello.  [At the station, Stonetree is in his office with Schanke
and the woman from the dating service, using a speaker phone.]

ST: Sorry to wake you, Nick, uh...we have, uh, Elsa Burden here.

N: The woman from the dating service.

ST: That's right.  Uh, she came here to see you.  [Schanke breaks in.]

S: You ready for this, Nick?  She says the other two victims _were_
members of the club.  They weren't on their computer because their
memberships had expired.

N: What about dates?  Um...did they have any in common?

Elsa:  No, I checked that out first; in fact, uh, one of the girls
hadn't even had one.

N: Okay, how about people who had access to the files?  [Elsa sighs.]

Elsa: George Pomfrey.

S: Who's that?

Elsa: An ex-employee.  He worked on the computers.  He was fired a
year ago after sexually harassing one of our female employees.

N: Okay, Schank.  Look, uh...get Norma to run a check on prior
convictions.  Keep me posted.  [Nick hangs up.]

[Coroner's office.  The phone rings, and Nat answers.]
NA: Hello, Dr. Lambert.

R: [On phone:]  Natalie?  It's Roger Jameson.  The guy you...decked
last night?  [Laughs.]

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

Shot of Roger in phone booth in park, grinning.
R: Yeah, your machine said I could reach you at this
   number.  I was just wondering if you'd be available
   for a...late lunch?
Nat, on phone w/ start of a smile.
Cut to kids with supersoakers in park.

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

[A public park.  Nat and Roger eat from brown paper bags on a park
bench.]

NA: So, how's your nose?

R: Well, I can still smell things.  The grass...the flowers...your
perfume?

NA: Ah, yes, I believe I'm wearing a formaldehyde-based scent today.
Actually, I'm a little surprised you'd be up for a picnic with me,
considering I nearly knocked you unconscious.

R: Ah, I like a woman who packs a good punch.  [Smiles.]

NA: Are you always this cheerful?

R: What is there not to be cheerful about?

NA: I don't know.  Maybe I work too hard.

R: I think you probably do.

[Coroner's office.  Grace answers the phone.]
G: Forensics.

N: Hi, Grace, it's Nick Knight.  Is Natalie there?

G: Uh, no, you just missed her, Detective.  Any message?  [Nick is a
little surprised.]

N: Uh, no, uh--no, I was just...calling to check in.

G: She shouldn't be too late; she had a, uh, _lunch_ date.  [Grace
hangs up, smiling.]

[The park.  They walk.]
NA: I usually buy my lunch from a dispensing machine and eat it by
the warm glow of my computer screen.

R: You see, you do work too hard.  You've got to get out more.
That's what summer's for.

NA: Yeah, it's been a while, all right.  [Wistfully.]  A while since
I've spent any time in the sun.

[Flashback--Natalie]
[Coroner's office.]
N: I am a vampire.

NA: Vampire?

N: Yes.  [She approaches, fascinated.  She reaches for Nick's face;
he snatches her hand and holds it away for a moment, then brings it
close to his mouth.]  Oh...you're so cold.

N: I'm dead.  [They stare into each other's eyes.]

NA: No.  No, you're not.  You're not dead.

[Nat comes back to the present in the park.]
NA: I'm sorry, what did you say?

R: I _said_ that we probably have a lot in common.

NA: Well, that could very well be.

R: What do you say we find out just how much?  [She stops.]

NA: Now?

R: Why not?  Seems to me like you could use some fresh air.

NA: Well, it is supposed to be my day off.

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

R: I say we go fly a kite. (claps hands enthusiastically)
N: (dubious) A kite?
R: A kite.
N: O-kay...  (with a what-the-hell attitude)
Cut to sunset on train tracks, stakeout for Bomfrey.

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

[Night.  Nick and Schanke stake out Arnie's Adult Book World, waiting
for George Pomfrey.]
S: He's got, uh, three prior convictions, two for petty theft, one
for rape...several misdemeanor charges, indecent exposure, lewd
behavior in public....[Sighs.]  It's a wonder this guy finds time to
come into work at all.  [Chuckles.]  What time did the owner say his
shift is...starting, anyway?  [Nick has spaced out.]  Hello?

N: [Comes back to earth.]  Oh.  Uh, I was listening.  I was.

S: From what remote satellite?  By the way, how's that hole in the
ozone layer doing?  I mean, if I'm boring you, Nick, just tell me.
[To himself.]  Jeez, I sound like Myra.

N: Listen, you haven't told me, uh--how did you two meet anyway?
[Schanke opens his mouth, then spots Pomfrey across the street.]

S: Hey, there he is.  [They exit the car.  Nick calls to him.]

N: George Pomfrey?  Metro police.  [George makes a run for it; Nick
and Schanke pursue.  George runs through a high gate and locks it.
Nick and Schanke reach the barrier seconds too late.]  Damn.  All
right, try and cut him off around the other side.  Go on!  [Schanke
takes off.  As soon as he is out of sight, Nick rips the gate down,
leaps in, and grabs George.]  Pomfrey!  You're under arrest.

[Nat's apartment building.  Nat and Roger laugh as they approach
Natalie's door.]
R: Well, at least that was a little break from the office.

NA: Uh, just a little, yeah.  [She laughs.]  Aw, poor kite.  [She
looks regretfully at the shredded remains of the kite.]
R: Yeah, maybe we should get us one of those ten year olds to try to
help us fly the thing.  [They laugh.  He embraces her, and they kiss.
 Nat's beeper goes off.]

NA: Sorry.  It's my pager.  It's a miracle it hasn't gone off before
now.  I guess I should call.

R: Okay.

NA: Do you--want to come in?  [She opens the door; they kiss again,
standing in the doorway.  Inside Nat's apartment, Nick is standing
with the phone in his hand, a dial tone sounding.  He clears his
throat.  Nat breaks her embrace, startled.]  Nick!  [He hangs up the
phone.]

N: Nat.  I...just tried to page you.  [General exchange of
significant looks.]

COMMERCIAL

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

Est. shot outside of Nat's apartment building.
Nick: (vo) I really wasn't trying to intrude...
Cut to Nat and Roger in doorway.  Nat's clearly ticked.
Nat: Well then what are you doing here?
Nat points to the kitchen, heads there, leaving Roger in
doorway.  He looks uncomfortable.  Nick puts an arm around
Nat's waist as she passes.  Nat turns to Roger, holding up a
just-a-minute finger.  Nick swings her round behind the
screen; Nat is caught a bit off-guard by the maneuver and his
attitude.

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

[Nat's kitchen.  Nick and Nat argue in whispers behind a partition;
we can see their silhouettes gesturing wildly as they fight.]
N: [Hissing.]  Is that where you've been all day?  With _him_?

NA: What--Nick --

N: I was worried about you.  Grace says you've been gone since
lunchtime!

NA: Don't you look at me like that!  So I took {???the afternoon
off???}, so what?  It was supposed to be my whole day off!  [Nick
sighs, exasperated.]  I'm sorry I worried you, all right?

N: How could you blame me?

NA: What the hell is that supposed to mean?

N: It--  [On the other side of the partition, Roger clears his
throat.  Nick and Nat freeze.]
R: Natalie?  [She hits Nick on the shoulder; he shrinks back.  She
walks to the kitchen doorway.  Nick follows.]  I should be hitting
the road.  It's getting late.

NA: Roger--uh--it's okay, you don't have to leave, I mean, this is
purely [Nick puts his hand protectively on her shoulder, glaring at
Roger.] w--work related.

R: Uh--It's all right.  Really.  You clear it up, and, um...I'll call
you.  [He moves towards the door.  Nat shakes off Nick's hand and
follows him out.]

NA: I'm sorry our day had to end this way.  I had a really great time.

R: Yeah, me, too.  Maybe we can do it again sometime.

NA: I'd like that.  [They kiss goodbye.]

R: Bye.

NA: Bye.  [He leaves.  Nick and Nat continue to fight.]

N: I guess you don't think that's...a little too familiar for
a...first date, huh?

NA: Excuse me?  I'm a big girl, in case you hadn't noticed.

N: Oh, no, no, no, no, I've noticed, I've noticed, I just, uh, happen
to feel a little protective.

NA: Protective.

N: Yeah.  Protective.

NA: Protective like towards...a sister, protective.

N: Yeah, like towards a sister, yeah.

NA: Perfect.  Well, I guess I can cut you a little slack considering
the state of the world as it is now, date murders....

N: We...we've...got a...suspect in custody.  [Nat sighs, genuinely
relieved.]

NA: Well, thank God.  [Nat's phone rings.  She answers.]
Hello?....Yes, he is, Captain, he's right here.  [She hands the phone
to Nick.]

N: [Quietly.]  Thanks.  [To the captain:]  Yeah....Yeah.  I'll be
right in.  [He hangs up, turning to Nat.]  They just found another
victim in the woods behind Bridgeport tennis court.  They think she's
been dead for over a week.

[Police station.]
ST:  M.O.'s match the other murders.  She just disappeared after a
date last week.  We've checked with, uh...Elsa Burden.

N: Former member of "Singular...Interests."

S: Yeah.  Well, here comes the best part.

ST: It isn't George Pomfrey's.

S: Turns out little George has one of the tougher alibis to beat.
Two out of the four murders took place while he was holed up in a
Missasauga lockup for flashing a lady cop on the {???beat???}.
[Someone tosses a newspaper down on the captain's desk.  The headline
reads "Killer Loose as Police Miss."  Stonetree is steamed.]

ST:  All right.  This...is the _last_ newspaper _allowed_ in this
precinct while this case is open.  [Nick and Schanke stare.]  In
fact, if I find another one, I will search out the culprit who
brought it into this office...and he or she will look forward to
a..._lifetime_...desk job at Parking Violations!  [He crumples the
paper, then grabs one from the hands of an officer walking past and
goes into his office, slamming the door.]

S: How's that for an ultimatum?

N: Well, I don't know, Schanke.  Parking Violations is beginning to
look pretty good to me right now.

S: [Sighs.]  Was it too perfect to hope that George Pomfrey was our
answer?

N: Maybe he still is.  Come on.

[Questioning room.  George Pomfrey stands, hostile.]
Pomfrey:  I'm outta here, right?  You haven't got a thing on me.

N: You're not telling us everything, George.

P: Oh, hey.  I'll get my lawyer to give you a call.  [Nick grabs
George and holds him up against the wall by the shoulders.]

N: Listen, you little worm, you're gonna play ball with us or the
next person you'll open your raincoat for'll be six-foot-three with
tears tattooed on his cheeks.  [Shoves George harder.  Nick looks
into his eyes, hypnotizing him.  We hear a heartbeat.]  All four
victims were from "Singular Interests."  You had access to personal
details in their files.

S: Accessory to the crime of murder, George.  Hard time.

N: This is your last chance.  Tell us what we should know.  [Nick
lets go and backs off.]

P: What?...So I sold some stinkin', lousy files.  So what?
S: To who?

P: I didn't check for I.D.!  [Nick looks into his eyes again.  The
heartbeat starts again.]

N: To whom, George?

P: Some...creep with a fifty dollar bill.  [Breathing hard.]  He was
driving a white van with a...picture of a flower or something on the
side.  Th--that's it.

[Coroner's office.  Nat is taking scrapings from under the latest
victim's fingernails as Grace looks on.]
NA: Somewhere out there, there is a guy walking around with some
pretty heavy-duty scratches.  At least we finally got a good cell
sample for comparison of the DNA workup.  [Grace freezes.]  What?

G: I forgot to get the fourth sample for the PCR boost you wanted for
the Fisher DNA profile?  Go right ahead, right between the eyes.

NA: It wouldn't be such a bad idea.  Wait a minute.  [She rummages
through her purse and pulls out her bloodied scarf.]  Here.  Use
this.  It's Roger's blood, I, uh, I was taking it to the dry cleaner,
but it probably won't come out anyway.

G: Thanks.  [She takes the scarf and walks out just as Nick walks in.]

N: Hi, Grace.  Nat.

NA: [Distant.]  Hi.  So, did you get anywhere questioning Pomfrey?

N: Oh, we're working on a possible lead, uh, Schanke'll check it out
tomorrow.

NA:  Good.  Excuse me.  [Pushes him out of the way.]  Ought to have
the DNA analysis for you by then.

N: Great.  Well.  Have you forgiven me for ruining your evening?

NA: [Coldly.]  I accepted your apology last night.  [She pushes the
gurney into the refrigerated room; Nick follows her.]

N: In letter only, or in...spirit, too?  [She refuses to look at
him.]  Because, Nat, I can't tell by the way you're acting.  [Nat
slams the cold room door.]

NA: I _said_...I forgive you.

N: I--I know it was presumptuous of me to break into your house.  I
guess I took liberties with our friendship that I shouldn't have.

NA: Look.  _Please_, Nick.

N: Would you just let me finish?  [She turns.]  I care about you,
Nat.  I really do.  [Her face softens.]  I just want you to be happy.
 Last night I realized something.

NA: W--what?

N: That if I'm not careful, I'll get in the way of you and your
happiness.  I just want you to know that I--I--re--I really--think
that it's a good idea that you're beginning to see someone.
And...I'm--I'm tr--I'm truly happy for you.  And, uh....well, I won't
mess it up by interfering, or, uh, doubting your judgment.

NA: [Angrier than before.]  Well, I really appreciate that.  Thanks.
[She walks away.]

N: Nat?

NA: You've made yourself perfectly clear, all right?  I--I just have
a lot of work to do.  [Nick stands for a moment, then leaves.  Nat
looks after him.]

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

[Flashback--Natalie] Intercut with Nick on street.
[where the "And you're not afraid" v.o. is in the CBS version]
Shot of Nat walking down a street at night.  She shows no
reaction as a man walks other way towards her.  He bumps into her
as they pass each other, as if he were in a hurry, brushing
shoulders and continuing on.  Nat stops, he slows as her
footsteps stop.
Nat: You're testing me.
     (Nick, background, stops and turns towards her.)
     To see if I've forgotten.
Nat turns to face him (several feet apart).
Nick: I see you haven't.
Nick starts to move toward her, focusing his attention.
Nat: Oh, please, don't bother.  It won't work.  Maybe I'm just
     one of those people  who they say can't be hypnotised.
     Or maybe I don't want to be.

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

N: And...you're not afraid?

NA: Fear is based on ignorance.  I'd rather try to understand.  What
makes you think I can't help you?

N: Help me?  Are you serious?  No one can help me.  My immortality is
a curse.  A fall from grace.  [He walks behind her and speaks
directly into her ear.]  Evil is a metaphysical condition.

NA: You're not evil.  [Turns to face him.]  You ended up on my
examining table because you tried to help people.  Also, your
condition _is_ a physical one.

N: I see.  Your specialty.  And how on earth do you think you can
help this eight hundred year-old body...this incessant hunger for
blood?  This...physical condition of mine.

NA: I don't know.  Yet.  But I _am_ willing to try.

N: And what's the reward for you, Doctor?  What could you _possibly_
expect for in return?

NA: [She stares at him.]  Solving a puzzle is its own reward for me.

N: Are you sure?

NA: Oh, yes.

[Present.  Nat sits at her desk, remembering the encounter.]
NA: Liar.  [She picks up the phone and dials.]  Uh, hello, Roger?
Hi, uh, this is Natalie.  L--look, I know it's very
late--....[Smiles.]  Uh, no, to--tomorrow night sounds perfect.

[Late afternoon.  Roger drives Nat's car as she rides in the
passenger seat.]
R: Okay, we're getting close.  Close your eyes.  Close your eyes!
[Nat does.]

NA: Oh, come on!  I'm going to get carsick!

R: Oh, you wouldn't do that in your own car, now would you?

NA: Aha, so that's the real reason we took mine.  Oh, come on,
just--give me a little hint about where we're going.

R: Okay.  You know I keep telling you you need a vacation?

NA: Uh-huh....

R: Well...what would you say if I told you I was taking you to the
tropics?

NA: The tropics?

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

R: Don't worry, you'll be back in time for work
   tomorrow.  Trust me.
N: Hey, Roger?
R: Yeah?
N: I think you're good for me.
R: I think you're good for me, too, Natalie.
Shot of car driving down rural road, cut to Nursery sign.

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

[The car pulls into a lot.  The sign reads, "Humber
Nurseries."  They get out.  Nat looks around wonderingly.]

R: What'd I tell you?  Come on.  [They walk inside.  In the
background, we can see a number of white delivery vans with flowers
painted on the sides.]

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

long extra scene here, with slightly different ending before the commercial

**************Extra/Alternate Scene*************

Shot of van with flower on side.
Shot from inside nursery, Nat and Roger come to large
glass door.
N: It looks closed.
R: Ye of little faith.
Roger pulls keys from pocket, unlocks door, pushes it
open and holds it for Natalie.
Nat pauses in doorway.
N: So what's an attorney doing with a key to a nursery?
R: (gesturing her inside) It's, uh, owned by one of my
   clients.
She buys it.  Nat heads into the building.  Roger closes the
door, locks it behind them.  Cut to inside of building - vast
sunny rooms with banks of planters and seedlings.  Nat and Roger
walk through it, Nat gazing in delight.
R: Incredible, huh?
N: It's beautiful!

Cut to Toronto skyline with CN tower, cars in foreground, with a
beautiful real-time sunset shot.  Top of sky is deep red, shades
down to yellow-white at horizon behind buildings.
Ext. shot of Nick's caddy at loft.
Close up of Nick in profile, window behind him letting in a few
inches of sunshine, very visible shafts heading to right at a
late-day angle.  Schanke's voice on Nick's machine.
S: I'm on my way home to drop dead from exhaustion, I've had
   a very long, very allergenic day. (Camera pulls back - Nick's
   perched on his motorcycle, brooding)  Myra's going to be sorry
   to hear I hope to never set foot in another flower shop as
   long as we both shall live.  Oh, yeah, nada on the white van
   with the flower on the side, or at least in Metro Toronto.
   We'll check outlying communities tomorrow.  Hope you have
   better luck.  *achoo!*  Chow. [beeep!]
Nick hits the remote, closing the blinds.
Shot of Toronto skyscrapers as last glow fades from sky and
last lights come on.

Caddy driving down street, tires squeal slightly as he
rounds a corner.
Est. shot of coronor's building with sign.
Nick pushes open door to Nat's lab strolling in, pauses in
doorway as he sees it's dark and empty.  Nick swings door shut
behind him, walks in, looks around idly.  Only light is from a
sickly green fluorescent above a counter and the swing-arm lamp
over Nat's desk.  Nick walks past the examining table, running
a hand along its edge.  He wanders over to Nat's desk, sits down,
looks like Now what?  Leafs through papers.  Pauses, frowns.
Moves a manilla folder aside, revealing a black lab notebook.
Picks it up, opens it, flips a page.  Chemical formulae, a
graph, notes.
Close-up on a page - neat block letters:
     SIMULATES BLOOD PLASMA     AUG 4, 1991
     NICK WAS UNABLE TO INGEST...
     NOTE: TRY INCREASING SYNTHETIC LIPIDS.
Nick looks worried, surprised, hurt, confused, especially worried.
Clasps hands, hugs arms against himself.
Grace steps through the doorway.  Nick hurriedly closes
notebook, hides it back under folder.  Grace flips on light,
spots Nick, hurries over.
G: Detective, thank God!
[Nick is so busy being casual, Grace's tone doesn't
 register at first]
N: Hi, Grace, I was looking for Natalie.  What's wrong?
G: I've been trying to reach you like crazy!  The DNA
   profile just came back.  (leaning over desk)  The guy
   that killed Laure Fischer and the last victim, and one of
   the guys from the blind for the PCR all have the same
   genetic profile!
N: (concerned now) Who's in the blind?
G: Schanke, Leroy from Vice, the janitor...and Natalie's
   new guy, Roger Jameson.  She took the night off, I think
   she's with him!
Fade to commercial.

**********End Extra/Alternate Scene*************

[Night.  Nick's place.  Nick sits on his motorcycle staring at the
wall.  The answering machine comes on.]
N: [On machine.]  Yeah.  Nick Knight.  I'm either in bed or
incommunicado.  [Beep.  Grace's voice, almost frantic, comes on.]

G: Detective!  I've been trying to reach you like crazy!  The DNA
profile of the guy who killed Laura Fisher _matches_ the one for
Roger Jameson!  Natalie's new boyfriend!  She took the night off.  I
think she's with him!

COMMERCIAL

[Coroner's office.  An excited Nick paces the floor beside Grace.]
N: Okay, uh--tell me everything you know him.  Did she say where he
worked?

G: She said he was a lawyer, but _I've_ already called the provincial
bar: _no_ Roger Jameson.

N: [His voice cracks.]  How could she not tell anyone where she was
going?

G: Well, I--she's been in such a strange mood lately.

N: I've got to find her.  [He leaves.]

[Night.  The nursery.  A picnic is spread among the plants, complete
with recorded romantic music and wine.]
R: Why don't you sit right down....I'll turn on a little
music....Let's see what we've got for dinner.

[Nat's place.  Nick checks her address book, finding the entry "2
p--Roger picnic."  He sees a rose box on the table.  The top reads,
"Humber Nurseries, Ontario's Largest Garden Centre."  He makes his
way to the roof and takes off, flying towards the nursery.]

[Nursery.  Nat and Roger drink wine.]

[Flashback--Natalie]
[Nat remembers the scene in her office again.]
NA: [She reaches for Nick's face; he snatches her hand and holds it
away for a moment, then brings it close to his mouth.]  Oh...you're
so cold.

N: I'm dead.  [They stare into each other's eyes.]

[Present.  Nursery.  Roger fills Nat's wine glass again.  She smiles,
cuddling close.]

[Nick is still flying.]

[Nursery.  Nat gets up, rubbing her arms as if cold.]
R: Going somewhere?

NA: I'm afraid I'd get lost.  How big is this place?  [Roger embraces
her.]

R: You're right.  You would get lost.  I think you'd be much safer if
you stayed as close to me as possible.  [She shuts her eyes, they
kiss--and in her mind, she hears Nick's voice.]

N: Don't.  [She backs away from Roger.]

[Flashback--Natalie]
N: Don't.  Don't get too close to me.

NA: You want to hurt me.  Kill me.

N: No.  But I might anyway.

[Present.  Roger and Natalie kiss again.]

[Nick flies over the city, still searching.]

[Nursery.  Roger begins to unbutton Natalie's blouse.]
R: You won't be sorry, Natalie.  You won't be sorry.

NA: [Slowly.]  Why would I be sorry?

R: I'm going to make you feel _so_ wanted....I'm gonna make you
forget that ugly word, rejection.  I'm gonna make you surrender to
me.  [Nat takes a breath and steps back.]  What's wrong?

NA: I--I--I don't know, maybe we're just--going a bit too fast.

R: What'd you say?  Too fast?  [Dangerously.]  Just who the hell do
you think you are?  Half your clothes are off already, and now you
want to slow down?  [He shakes her roughly.  The cassette in the
player turns itself off with a loud click.  Roger lets go of Natalie,
calmer.]  Uh...hey.  I'm sorry.  I didn't mean that.  Can we start
over?  [She nods nervously, clutching her blouse.]  Good.  Because,
uh, I mean...we were having such a nice time, and uh....You really
turn me on, Natalie, I just want to do the same for you.  Okay, okay.
 I'll just, uh, I'll start the music, and, uh....  [He takes off his
jacket and turns to the player.  Nat sees that his arm is deeply
scratched; she leaps up silently and runs.  Roger pursues.  Nat keeps
running in the darkened greenhouse and finally trips on a hose and
falls, knocking herself out.  Roger catches up.  He speaks to her as
if she can hear him.]  You blew it, Natalie.

[Nick spots the greenhouse from the air and homes in.]

[Inside, Roger drags the unconscious Nat across the floor.]
R: I really wanted something between us, Natalie.  But you never gave
me a chance.  You _just_ didn't _trust_ me!  [Nick crashes through
the greenhouse roof, eyes glowing and fangs bared.  He picks Roger up
and throws him through the glass into a pile of manure, then takes
the unconscious Natalie tenderly in his arms.  She comes to,
terrified.]

NA: N--Nick?  Nick?!

N: Nat.  Nat.  It's okay.  [She gasps for breath, clinging to his
arms.]  Look, it's me.  No, no--it's okay.  It's me.  [He holds her
close.]

COMMERCIAL

[Police station.  Natalie, a bruise on her forehead, sits in an
office with Stonetree and Nick.  Nick stares at her.]
ST: I think that should do it.  I suggest you get home and get
started on that vacation of yours...uh, you've been through quite an
ordeal.

NA: I'll be as good as new in no time.

ST: You're a brave woman, Doctor.  I just, uh, wanted to extend
another thanks, uh, from the whole department.
N: Not to mention a city full of people who have one less bump in the
night to worry about.  [Nat sighs.]

NA: Well, thank you both.  I'm just glad Nick was able to get to me
in time, before I had a chance to prove what a simpering coward I
really am.  [Significant looks between Nick and Nat.  Stonetree turns
to leave, then stops at the door.]

ST: Uh, Natalie?

NA: Yeah?

ST: Uh--y--you know that thing they say about, uh...one bad apple.

NA: I--think I understand what you mean, Captain.

N: [To Stonetree.]  I'll be with you in a sec.  [Stonetree leaves
them alone in the room.]

NA: I...guess I'd better check on how that travel agent is doing
finding the quintessential desert vacation fun spot.  [Nervous laugh.
 She gets up to leave.]

N: Natalie?  [He catches her by the wrist, then stands to face her.]
Do you have _any_ idea how worried I was about you?

NA: Yeah.  [She caresses the hand holding her arm.]  Yeah, I think I
do.  [For a moment, it seems as if he is going to kiss her on the
lips, but she turns her head away almost imperceptibly.  He brushes
his lips against her forehead.  They hold each other tightly.]

[Out on the station floor, Natalie prepares to leave.  Schanke runs
after her.]
S: Hey, hey!  Natalie, Natalie, Natalie.  I am sooo glad you're still
here.  Listen, I--I know this may not be the best time, but, uh,
well, Lionel is coming in here to the station, and I thought maybe I--

NA: Oh, no.  Oh, ho, ho, nonononono.  That's my cue....  [She leaves.]

S: Hey, wait!  At least meet him--

NA: [Yelling back from outside.]  With my luck, he's related to
aliens!

S: I promised Myra!

NA: Forget it, Schank!  [She is gone.  Nick and Schanke look after
her.  A handsome, clean-cut man in a business suit comes up behind
them.]

Man: Excuse me, I'm looking for Detective Schanke.

S: I'm he.

Man:  [Offers his hand.]  Hi.  I'm Lionel.  [Nick and Schanke look at
each other.]

COMMERCIAL

END CREDITS