Forever Knight (1992) s03e15 Episode Script

Okay.
There you are.
Not bad.
Feels almost real.
But I think I better debug the code and the tactile response routines.
Don't you think? I thought you'd agree.
That should work a little better.
Did you come to work, or would you care to play? Sure.
I got an hour to kill.
But it only takes a second to die.
That feels real.
Damn, I'm good.
I want you to experience the greatest sensation of all.
Something you've never felt before and you'll never feel again.
Death.
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.
Okay, here's the deal.
In the last few weeks I have been swamped with paperwork.
Our paperwork.
Our arrest reports, our weapons discharge reports, our brief sheets, our requisitions, our case summaries, the works.
I have our paperwork piled up to here.
Our paperwork.
As in you and me.
So my question to you, Nicholas B.
Knight, is this: Why am I doing all the paperwork myself? I mean, partners work together, right? Sothat means you should be helping me with the paperwork.
You and me.
Good.
Got that off my chest.
And now I feel much better.
Nick? Yeah? Did you hear a word I said? Yeah, sure.
You said you were feeling better, and that's good.
Isn't it? What is wrong with you lately? You are so out of it.
Out of what? Single shot, close range.
Killed him instantly.
Execution-style.
No sign of struggle or forcible entry.
Killer knew the victim or victim trusted the killer.
Or he was preoccupied.
Virtual reality gear.
If he was in here he was oblivious to everything else.
Brain candy.
I got a nephew who mainlines the stuff.
Victim's name is R.
H.
Lo.
He's a programmer here.
Software developer and co-owner of the company.
So we're looking for the other owner.
You with us here, detective? I hope we're not boring you.
Yeah, sure.
Okay, here's the drill.
I'll talk to Massey in Computer Ops.
Get one of his people in on this case.
Vetter, I want you on that.
Knight.
Knight.
I want you to follow up on ballistics.
Yeah.
Don't you ever get tired of it? Of what? The repetition, the routine.
So that's what this is all about? Unlike yourself, some of us are on a clock.
Life is short and busy, and there's not enough time to do as much as we'd like, so we are compelled to make the most of it.
Wait a minute.
You're not bored, are you? I don't know.
Not good.
Bored cops get careless, which might not be of much concern to you, but could prove disastrous for your partner.
I can't help what I'm feeling.
I I can't seem to stay interested in the job.
I hate to say this, but boredom on the job is a very common human dilemma.
If you were anybody else, I'd prescribe a week on a beach somewhere and write it off as burnout.
But you're not anybody else.
In the past when this happened, you've Moved on.
Moved on.
Well, there it is.
Look, I'm not saying that that's what I'm going to do.
Look, Nick, I understand that being a vampire gives your life a little extra kick, and that losing it has its downside, but it is something that you want, isn't it? If you're missing something in your life in this life try to do what the rest of us do.
Find something else to fill the void or live with it.
Nick, in my office.
I'll cut right to the chase here, Nick.
I'm worried about you.
You're off your game.
Yeah, I know.
Problem is, I don't know what to do about it.
Well, maybe you need some time off, change of pace.
No, I don't think so.
You need something, Nick.
I never thought I'd hear myself saying this, but I don't like what I'm seeing from you lately.
I think you need to take stock of the situation and work it out before Vetter starts thinking she'd better be watching her back while she's out there with you.
Captain, my partners can rely on me.
Cops are human, Nick.
Sometimes they lose focus, and they don't realize it until it's too late.
You're lucky.
You see the signs.
You just have to decide what you're gonna do about them.
Yeah.
It's a vampire.
Look at this.
That's what she is.
She's a vampire.
This is good.
This is the best I've ever seen.
Wanna try it? Nick, this is Detective, uh, Linda Fulford from Computer Ops.
She'll be helping us with this.
It's good to have you with us, detective.
Thanks.
This is gonna be fun.
This is a prototype.
Combination virtual reality game and online service.
The hardware is uplinked by a digital cell phone to a high-speed mainframe over at Virtual Dimensions Lab.
Next generation stuff.
Check it out.
Frankly, I prefer reality to computer games.
Yeah, but reality doesn't have vampires.
Hang on, Nick.
Did you come to work, or would you care to play? Nick, what's going on in there? I think I'm being seduced.
Yeah, well, these things are designed to seduce you.
Into opening your wallet.
It's an interactive vampire game.
Nick? Pretty girl, huh? Yeah.
Very pretty.
It's unbelievable.
I I could feel her touch.
Her name's Rita Scott.
She's R.
H.
Lo's partner.
And obviously the model for the virtual vampire.
Who? The vampire in the game.
You and R.
H.
Lo are co-owners of Virtual Dimensions? We met at York university.
I was in the computer animation program, while R.
H.
was designing software and hardware.
We clicked.
Clicked? In a business sense only.
We spent a few years in the video business, then struck out on our own.
We're pioneers.
R.
H.
designed those remote headsets.
They'll revolutionize the market.
There's nothing else like them.
I imagine they'll be worth a lot of money someday.
I'm betting the ranch they will.
This is like déjà vu or something.
I was just saying all this stuff four hours ago.
On the Internet.
I was online doing an interview with a computer rag.
That's not much of an alibi.
I didn't know I needed one.
Where were you logged-on from? From my office.
If you'd like, you can log on to the system for a transcript.
We'll do that.
Did Lo have any enemies? I can't think of any.
Did you come to work, or would you care to play? Show me how.
Are you sure you're ready for what I have to offer? I think I can handle it.
In here you may do as you please.
In here you are a vampire.
To win the game, you must kill and keep killing.
The victim's blood will be your source of power.
Go ahead.
Sink your fangs into her flesh.
Drink her essence.
She will not resist.
Why don't you do as she asks.
Take me.
Please.
Take me.
It's just a game.
Take me.
Please.
Take me.
I can't.
It's not real.
No one gets hurt.
Indulge yourself as you please.
Please.
Take me.
What is the point of the game? Pleasure.
Fantasy fulfillment.
Although I've made a few adjustments for this particular game.
Adjustments? In case someone came looking.
You are looking for something, aren't you, detective? More than just escape, I mean.
You will find what you're looking for if you make it all the way to the end.
But first, you have to play the game.
I'm looking for who killed Lo.
Well, that would be me.
But tell me, detective, is there a court of law in reality where a virtual confession is admissible? I didn't think so.
Excellent, detective.
Thrilling, wasn't she? Now, then.
It's time to move onward and upward.
You've passed the first level, which, let's face it, was pretty easy.
Now, keep an eye on the display: your time left and your blood supply.
I look forward to seeing you again.
Nick, what the hell are you doing? Have you lost it or something? Captain, I think the game's the key.
This is evidence.
Put it away.
I can't! Rita Scott killed Lo.
She said so in the game.
In the game? Oh, that's great.
So, what am I gonna do? Bring her hologram up on charges in virtual court? I don't even have circumstantial evidence against her, let alone a weapon.
And I can't get a warrant to search her place without probable cause, period.
The end.
Where's Tracy? She's with Fulford.
They went back to the computer lab to see if Fulford can get in that mainframe thing, search the files, figure out what's what.
Now that's where you should be.
Captain, I've gotta play this game out.
I I'm telling you the answer is in the game.
What answer? Whatever it is, it links Rita Scott directly to the crime.
The murder weapon, maybe.
Nick, you're not thinking right.
Look.
You're telling me she's gonna lead you to a piece of evidence that could put her away for life? Now, why on God's name would anyone do that? Maybe that's the game she wants to play.
Enough with the games.
Nick, look.
You got a reasonable suspicion.
We'll haul her back in here, and we'll get the truth out of her.
But in the meantime, will you get back on site with your partner, please.
Rita Scott's alibi checks out.
She was on the Internet when Lo was murdered.
Logged on from her office.
We're talking about a computer wizard here.
I mean, could she have faked it? It'd be some trick, but with the right stuff, maybe.
The heart of their program is the most sophisticated interactive engine I have ever seen.
Anything's possible.
Looks like the partners had a contract.
Lo's shares revert to the corporation in the event of his death, meaning the sole remaining partner, Rita, controls them now.
Sounds like motive to me.
Yeah, but it's so in your face.
Didn't she think we'd clue into that right away? She didn't care.
She thinks she committed the perfect crime.
Are you saying you know she's guilty? She confessed to me.
In the game.
Oh.
She'd have to be online somewhere to do that, but that's hard to trace and harder to prove.
God, Nick, come on.
I know.
I know.
We have no evidence.
Okay? I g I got the same speech from Reese.
But look at it this way.
Right now we have nothing.
If there's a clue or clues in the game, it can't hurt to keep playing.
It's not exactly our regular procedure.
Okay.
From what I know of the game, everything takes place in real Toronto locations.
The first was a boudoir in a museum.
The second looked like BCE Place.
Uh, th The clues could be hidden there.
How do you know where to look? How do you know what you're looking for? I don't.
Well, then, it's crazy to waste your time on it.
Guys, this is weird.
I'm analyzing the game program.
It must be the game that you're playing, Nick.
It's hard to describe.
It's like the program's deleting itself, so that every game is unique.
She said there was a time limit.
And it's not just counting.
If you're right, looks like you have one chance at finding whatever there is to find, and less than 12 hours to do it.
Vetter.
Yes, captain, we're on our way.
Yes, he'll be there.
Rita Scott's at the precinct.
I've gotta get back into the game.
Sorry, Nick.
Captain kind of insists.
Let me see if I've got this straight.
I'm here as a suspect in Lo's murder because you say I confessed to you while you were playing the virtual vampire game? Why did you access the game I'm playing? Whoa! Whoa! Hold on and back up.
I didn't access anything.
Is that the game? You just couldn't kill Lo, that would be too easy.
Someone had to know what you'd done, to see how clever you are.
You know, the more you talk, the less sense you make.
Nick.
I know you're playing this game with me.
I know you killed R.
H.
Lo, and I'll prove it.
I don't have to listen to this.
I was not in the game with you, and I never confessed to anything.
Can I go now, or shall I call my lawyer? No.
Yes, you can go.
You're close to getting yourself an unscheduled vacation here, Nick.
Maybe I need one.
Where are you going? Where have you been? I was beginning to worry.
I've been doing a little scavenging.
You found it? The skull? Yes.
Not bad at all.
But of course you have a long way to go yet.
And the challenges? Well, they get harder.
Like Megan over there.
She's all yours.
If you can get her.
You have nothing to fear.
Please don't kill me.
I haven't done anything.
Please.
Please.
Please, don't.
Don't kill me.
Please, I don't wanna die.
Please, have mercy.
Please.
Please You have eight hours, 52 minutes remaining.
Nick is this your idea of a joke? Rita said I'd find what I was looking for if I kept playing the game.
Rita in the game? Right.
Right.
Nick, Reese is going to blow an important blood vessel if you don't stop pushing this.
And I'm not really onboard with you here either.
They have to mean something.
I found them in real locations that I saw in the game.
The skull in a closet at the museum.
The The The blood label at BCE Place.
Someone, probably Rita Scott, is placing them there.
Nick, someone is yanking your chain.
You need a reality check maybe.
I don't know.
But this is not you.
I have to find more clues.
In the game? The game only points to them.
The clues are in real places.
And once you get the clues, how do we figure out what they mean? I don't know.
Maybe we should look at a different approach here.
We don't need a different approach.
I'm on the right track, aren't I? Yes.
See? She's with me.
Nick, are you all right? I'm fine.
You seem a little hyped.
It's the game.
Sure.
I've gotta get going.
Could we have a private chat? Can't it wait? Absolutely not.
I really don't have time for this.
What the hell is wrong with you? Tracy was right there.
You hypnotized a cop right in front of her.
Yeah, I know.
I shouldn't have.
"Shouldn't have"? Look, there's been a murder, and no one seems to want to solve it but me.
You mean, no one wants to do it your way, through that game.
It's the only way.
What is it about that game, that vampire game? It's giving you the kick you're missing? No! Let me guess.
You have to kill in that game, don't you? You're not looking at the bigger picture here.
We've had some major setbacks, and now you're hypnotizing cops in the precinct? I got over those, and I'll get over this.
I don't think you're over any of it.
I've gotta get back into the game.
Would you care to try a little human vintage? It's young, but it has an earthy, robust taste.
And it finishes quite well.
It really is quite delicious.
You know, I've been having the strangest inklings about you, Nicholas.
That you are ever so slowly wandering back into the fold.
So you can imagine my delight at finding you here like this.
I almost hesitate to ask what has happened to you.
Nothing's happened.
It's the game.
It's a virtual reality game.
About vampires.
How quaint.
And this game has rekindled the stirrings in you? I'm doing it to solve a crime.
Oh, yes.
Yes, of course you are.
And you have killed in this game? Yes.
Savored the victim's blood? Must be quite an impressive game.
You have six hours, 21 minutes remaining.
You think I'm pushing it? That's an understatement.
Captain thinks you've lost it.
And you think he's right? Well More collectibles from the novelty shop, Knight? I know how you think this looks.
Listen, I can drop this game right now if you want me to, but I swear Rita Scott walks if I do.
Look you want me to put a surveillance team on Rita Scott, no problem.
Maybe she'll slip up somehow.
You see, that kind of police work, I can understand It doesn't matter where she is.
She's online with this game, and the only place she's gonna slip up is the game.
Oh, yeah, and she's in there dropping little breadcrumbs for you? Virtual clues, yeah.
"Virtual clues.
" Captain.
Each virtual clue leads me to a real clue.
And every time I move up a level, something brings me closer to a real piece of evidence that's going to convict her.
But there's a clock on this.
Time's running out.
I need to get to the next level.
You are on the next level, if you ask me.
Oh, fine.
You have three hours, Well, how's it going? There is nothing in Rita Scott's background.
Nothing from what the canvass team's got on her or R.
H.
Lo.
Nothing at all that points to her as his killer.
Or to anyone, for that matter.
You know, there may be something to what Nick has been saying.
I mean, ask yourself: why games? I beg your pardon.
These computer games, the Internet, the whole thing.
People are into it because it gives them something to think about.
Gives their minds something challenging to do.
And it's fun.
It's an ego boost, too, when you win.
The harder the game, the greater the boost.
That's why people play.
They get hooked.
And? What if Rita Scott is hooked on her own game? She's sure she's going to win, that nothing anyone does is gonna get her convicted.
The clue she leaves in the real world, she's gets a charge out of that.
And she won't stop until the game she's playing with Nick has been played out.
Hypothetically speaking.
Well, she is our only suspect with motive.
In fact, she's our only suspect.
Maybe it's just remotely possible that Nick is right.
Well, what do the clues mean? They're probably a game in themselves.
An anagram, maybe.
There's just one level left.
The problem is you can't get there until you've figured out the clues.
The game within the game.
An anagram.
Time, as they say, is becoming a factor.
Bye for now.
You have 58 minutes remaining.
Tracy, Nick.
I found two more clues: a jackknife and a noose.
Nick, listen.
Uh We think it's a It's a game within a game.
It's an anagram.
Anagram.
The last two: "jackknife" and "noose.
" This is a decoding program we developed for the RCMP.
It can give us thousands of answers to a word jumble in minutes.
Yeah, but we only want one answer.
Then we should tell it whether we want first letters, last letters, middle letters, progressing.
I'd say progressing.
First is too easy.
What's with that cute little dice? We get bored.
Ah.
"S-R-C-P-G-E.
" Scrip-gey? Scribbee? Do we get to buy another vowel? A church.
I don't know.
Maybe we should try last letters.
I really have to say I'm impressed, detective.
Good work.
But where is the murder weapon? Yes.
It's here.
My guess would be it's somewhere a vampire wouldn't want to touch it.
Lots of possibilities for that in a church.
"L-N-E-D-S-E.
" Nedsel? Densel? Lesned? These are words? They could be place names.
Oh, yeah, of course.
I was in Lesned the other day.
So, what's left? First letters.
Figures.
"O-H-N T-S-J.
" John St.
Or St.
John.
Of course.
The church of St.
John.
Perfect place for a vampire game.
Good guess.
But you'll never get to it.
Oh, I'm not a detective in here.
Here I'm a vampire.
You may call me Nicholas De Brabant.
That's the whole point of games like this, Nicholas De Brabant.
People can be anything they want to be, except who they are.
Warning: You have three minutes remaining.
It's a little dark corner of the human psyche that can be exploited without limitation.
Everyone wants to be something they aren't.
And what do you want to be? Exactly what I am.
The winner.
Too bad, detective.
You played a very good game, but you lose anyway.
The perfect crime can't go on forever.
One last thing: The murder weapon, it's not in It's right here.
If you're gonna play a game, you should know who you're playing against.
You never saw me like this.
Never saw You have the right to remain silent, a right to an attorney.
Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law.
Nick, are you okay? Yeah, I'm fine.
This is the weapon.
You sure? Yeah.
We'll send it down to Ballistics.
It'll check out.
You may not believe this, but, uh, I sure hope you're right.
So, Rita, there's no get-out-of-jail-free cards where you're going.
Maybe not.
As long as there's a game to play.
It's a good thing Tracy decided to show up at the church.
Wouldn't have bet on your chances of getting Rita Scott back to the precinct at 8 in the morning.
You gonna keep these? I was thinking about it.
Virtual vampire, virtual feeding.
Virtual killing, you mean.
Nick, I'm scared.
I know that you enjoyed killing again, even if it was just a game.
Trouble is these games can be addictive.
It's up to you.
Do what you want with them.