STARGATE SG1
Episode 807
"AFFINITY"
By
Peter DeLuise
Transcribed by
Callie Sullivan
A street somewhere. A car, driving somewhat too fast, slams into
the rear of a car in front which has slowed down ready to park
at the kerb. The rear car’s bonnet buckles and steam starts coming
out. Out of the rear car get three men who can best be described
as looking like thugs. Loud music is coming from the car. A young
man gets out of the front car.
THUG
What the hell were you doin’?!
YOUNG MAN
I was trying to park.
THUG
Did you ever hear of signalling, pal?
YOUNG MAN
I did signal.
THUG
Listen, man, if you don’t know how to
drive, maybe you should try stayin’
off the damn road!
YOUNG MAN
Well, maybe if you hadn’t been tailgatin’
me, this wouldn’ta happened.
(The thug laughs indignantly, then grabs the young man by the
jacket.)
THUG
Oh, no, you didn’t just say that! (He
slams him against his car.)
YOUNG MAN
Look, man, I don’t want any trouble.
THUG
Too late. (He draws back his fist and
goes to punch the young man, but his
hand is caught by someone. It’s Teal’c,
wearing casual clothes and with no hat
on so that his tattoo is clearly visible.)
TEAL’C
This is unlawful behaviour.
THUG
Who the hell are you?
TEAL’C
Collision procedure dictates that you
exchange insurance information and if
necessary notify the police.
(The thug looks round at one of his friends, who laughs disbelievingly.)
THUG
What?!
TEAL’C
This gentleman did indeed signal (the
man nods in agreement), which would
indicate that it was you who was at
fault.
(The thug tries to tug Teal’c’s hand free without success.)
THUG
Pal, you’d better learn to mind your
own damned business.
(He goes to punch Teal’c with his free fist but Teal’c grabs
it with his own free hand, then headbutts the thug who falls
to the ground. The second thug swings a punch at him but Teal’c
ducks, then punches him twice and he falls. The third thug swings
a punch but Teal’c lowers his head so that the punch goes straight
into his tattoo. The thug cries out in pain, then Teal’c punches
him to the ground. The first thug gets up onto his hands and
knees, then roars in rage as he starts to throw himself at Teal’c,
but Teal’c punches him down again before he can even get off
his knees. Bystanders move slowly closer as Teal’c stands in
the middle of the three downed men. A young skateboarding kid,
Eric, looks on in awe.
ERIC
Woh!
TEAL’C
I believe it will now be necessary to
notify the police.
YOUNG MAN
Yeah. Thanks.
(In the background we can still hear the music coming from the
thugs’ car - the lyrics go, “Who’s the man?”)
(Teal’c bows his head to the young man.)
SGC. JACK’S OFFICE. Walter, looking nervous, comes to the door
and knocks.
HARRIMAN
Sir, uh, Colonel Kendrick from the Office
of Special Investigations is here to
see you.
O’NEILL
Does he have an appointment?
HARRIMAN
No, sir ...
(Kendrick pushes Walter out of the way and barges in.)
KENDRICK
You wouldn’t return my phone calls,
sir.
O’NEILL
I was busy; didn’t think it was important
- take your pick.
KENDRICK
You know as well as I do there’s been
another incident. (Jack looks at Walter,
who holds up his hand placatingly and
backs out of the office.) When you petitioned
the OSI to allow Teal’c to live off-base,
your request was approved under certain
provisions. These provisions have clearly
been violated.
O’NEILL
Oh, come on, Colonel. If you had saved
Earth from total annihilation a couple
of times and your government told you
you couldn’t go out to play, wouldn’t
you consider it more a ... guideline
than a rule?
KENDRICK
We all appreciate what Teal’c has done
for us, sir, on numerous occasions -
but that doesn’t change the fact that
he’s a liability, and every day he’s
allowed to roam around in public jeopardises
national security.
O’NEILL
Oh, don’t be so dramatic, Dick - it’ll
give you gas.
KENDRICK
Either you take action to ensure these
provisions are met or the OSI will.
O’NEILL
Hey. (He holds up a finger warningly.)
Watch it. I’ll look into it.
KENDRICK
Yes, sir. (He turns and leaves. Behind
Kendrick’s back, Jack continues to wave
him away.)
TEAL’C’S APARTMENT BLOCK. Inside the building, someone knocks
‘shave and a haircut’ on Teal’c’s door. Teal’c opens the door.
DANIEL
Hey!
TEAL’C
Daniel Jackson.
DANIEL
Just wanted to come by and see how you’re
settling in.
TEAL’C
Please enter.
(Daniel comes in and looks around.)
DANIEL
Wow - I like what you’re doin’ with
the place - sort of, um, Jaffa chic
with, er, East African flair.
TEAL’C
I have discovered there are many programmes
on television which offer advice in
the area of home design and decoration.
DANIEL
Yeah, I’m a little more into the History
Channel myself.
TEAL’C
Can I offer you anything?
DANIEL
No, I’m fine. Um, how’s the fern doin’?
(Teal’c blinks, then gestures to Daniel’s
side. Daniel turns and walks over to
a very sad-looking fern in a pot. He
lifts a few of the fronds, which sound
very dry.) Don’t suppose you’ve tried
talking to it.
TEAL’C
I have not. Perhaps you should tell
me why you are here.
DANIEL
A guy just can’t come by and visit his
friend? (He sits down. Teal’c looks
at him. Daniel taps his hands on his
knees for a moment, then stands up again.)
Yep - I heard what happened the other
day. Three KOs, first round.
TEAL’C
O’Neill sent you to speak with me.
DANIEL
No ... yeah.
TEAL’C
I broke no law. I intervened to prevent
a criminal activity and was forced to
defend myself.
DANIEL
You see, that’s kind of the point. Look,
there’s no reason why you shouldn’t
be allowed to live off-base, I mean,
especially when you’re not carrying
a symbiont any more, but - you’re supposed
to be keeping a low profile.
TEAL’C
That is not always easy.
DANIEL
Yeah, I’m not just talking about the
tattoo, although I do see how that could
be a problem.
TEAL’C
I often cover it to avoid stares in
public but I tell those who have seen
it that it is a tribal mark from my
home land.
DANIEL
Yes, this is less about appearance than
it is about behaviour.
TEAL’C
Have I not conducted myself as a typical
member of this community?
DANIEL
No - no, actually, no, you haven’t.
Um, besides the other day, there was
the incident with the old man and the
teenagers in the park; there was that
thing with the guy with the pit-bull
...
TEAL’C
In each case, I was only attempting
to render assistance where it was needed.
DANIEL
See, that’s kind of the problem. Um,
normally human beings are a little more
... careful about getting involved in
business that isn’t theirs. I know -
that sounds bad but it’s just the way
it is and, um, you can’t afford to be
drawing attention to yourself.
TEAL’C
I understand. (Someone knocks at the
door.) Excuse me. (He goes and answers
it. A young woman is standing there.)
KRISTA
Hi.
TEAL’C
Krista.
(Krista holds up a plastic bag.)
KRISTA
Made you cookies.
(Teal’c takes the bag and bows to her.)
TEAL’C
Please come in.
(Krista comes in and sees Daniel.)
KRISTA
I’m sorry - I didn’t realise you had
company.
TEAL’C
Krista James, this is Daniel Jackson.
DANIEL
Hi! (He and Krista shake hands.)
TEAL’C
Krista lives in the apartment next door.
KRISTA
Wait a minute - Doctor Jackson? You’re
the archaeologist who hired Teal’c to
come over from Mozambique.
DANIEL
That’s right!
KRISTA
Well, then I should thank you. It’s
been great having him here. It’s nice
to have a man around who cares about
his neighbours.
DANIEL
Actually, we were just talking about
that.
KRISTA
In fact, that’s why I’m here. (She turns
to Teal’c.) The cookies were a bribe.
My pipes are doing that thing again.
TEAL’C
Normally I would be happy to provide
assistance. However ...
DANIEL
Nonononono - no, don’t-don’t let me
interrupt - I’ve gotta be going anyway,
so, um ... (He heads for the door.)
It’s very nice to meet you.
KRISTA
Nice to meet you.
DANIEL
Uh, Teal’c, that other thing we were
talking about, um - every rule has its
exceptions. (He waves to Teal’c and
Krista, then leaves.)
PARK. Sam and Pete are buying hotdogs, then stroll towards some
picnic tables.
PETE
So - how are things in the galaxy?
CARTER
You know I can’t talk about work.
PETE
Sorry - I’m still getting used to the
fact that my girlfriend’s a super-hero.
CARTER
Bit of an exaggeration.
PETE
The super-hero part or the girlfriend
part? (Sam grins at him. They sit down
at a table.) You travel to other planets
to do battle with alien creatures bent
on galactic domination. Just because
you don’t wear a tight spandex outfit
doesn’t mean that you’re not ... although
- it’s an idea you might wanna consider.
(Sam giggles.)
CARTER
Look, I know this is hard for you. I
mean, any other guy would have just
freaked out and run away.
PETE
You didn’t run away when I stalked you.
Anyway, I just want you to appreciate
the position I’m in here.
CARTER
I do, believe me. And I’m really glad
you stuck around.
PETE
I’m glad to hear you say that, because
I put in for a transfer to Colorado
Springs PD.
(Sam smiles and kisses him.)
CARTER
Are you sure?
PETE
I’ve never been more sure of anything
in my entire life. That’s why I got
you this. (He reaches into his pocket
and takes out a small box. He opens
it - inside is a diamond engagement
ring.)
CARTER
Oh my God.
NEAR TEAL’C’S APARTMENT BLOCK. Teal’c and Krista are walking
along the road with bags of shopping.
KRISTA
I’m sorry to keep asking you to help
with my plumbing but the super’s never
around and my boyfriend’s not very handy.
TEAL’C
There is no need to apologise.
(They walk past a woman getting out of her car and putting her
handbag on the roof.)
KRISTA
Anyhow, you’ll forgive me once you’ve
tasted my lasagne.
TEAL’C
I am looking forward to it.
(Eric, the skateboard kid, comes over.)
ERIC
Yo, T!
TEAL’C
Greetings, Eric. (They do a street handshake.)
ERIC
I saw you take out those three gorillas
the other day. Nice work!
TEAL’C
In retrospect it may have been unwise
to intervene.
ERIC
Are you kidding? They deserved it.
(Behind Teal’c and Krista, the woman is putting some lipstick
on. A teenage boy grabs her handbag off the roof of the car and
starts running.)
WOMAN
Hey! Hey, stop that guy, he’s got my
purse! Hey!
(The boy pushes past Krista, knocking her bag of groceries to
the ground.)
ERIC
Aren’t you gonna do anything?
TEAL’C
I must not intervene.
ERIC
What?! You’re just gonna let him get
away?
(Teal’c looks at the boy as he runs down the street. Then he
bends down, picks up an avocado, tosses it in his hand and then
hurls it hard towards the fleeing boy. The avocado hits the boy
hard on the head and he falls to the ground.)
ERIC
Oh-ho-ho, man! What a shot!
KRISTA
How did you do that?
ERIC
You the man, T!
(The woman whose purse was stolen turns to him.)
WOMAN
Thank you! That was amazing.
(Teal’c bows to her.)
KRISTA
That was amazing!
ERIC
T-money, you are the man! Gotta give
the man his cross. (He shakes hands
with Teal’c, who looks proud but also
concerned at having once again drawn
attention to himself.)
(Nearby, we see that a surveillance camera is taking photographs
of Teal’c.)
TEAL’C’S APARTMENT. Night. Teal’c hears someone pounding on Krista’s
door.
DOUG
Krista! Krista! C’mon, Krista! Listen,
listen, just let me in.
(Teal’c opens his door and walks out into the hallway.)
KRISTA
Doug, I have to work tomorrow.
DOUG
So?
KRISTA
So, you’re drunk. Just go home, please.
(Teal’c walks down the hallway to Krista’s doorway. Doug is leaning
against the doorjamb. Krista is standing in the doorway.)
DOUG
No, no, no, honey, I ain’t goin’ nowhere.
KRISTA
That’s ...
TEAL’C
Is there a problem?
(Doug turns and looks him up and down.)
DOUG
Oh, this-this is a private conversation.
TEAL’C
If it were private you would not be
conducting it in the hallway, nor speaking
so loudly.
(On the other side of the hallway, the door to another apartment
opens. An elderly lady holding a cat stands there.)
KRISTA
It’s alright, Mrs Conners - just go
back inside.
(Mrs Conners looks disapproving, but closes the door again. Teal’c
turns back to Krista.)
TEAL’C
Do you require assistance?
KRISTA
No, I’m OK.
DOUG
Who the hell is this guy?
KRISTA
His name is Teal’c - he’s my neighbour.
DOUG
Teal’c. (He snorts derisively.) What
kind of a crazy name is that?
KRISTA
He just moved here from Mozambique.
DOUG
Oh. No doubt.
TEAL’C
Krista has requested that you leave.
I suggest you comply.
DOUG
You’d better check yourself before you
get hurt.
TEAL’C
I have checked. I suggest you leave,
before it is you that gets hurt.
KRISTA
Doug - go sober up.
DOUG
You know what? (He turns to her and
takes her by the chin.) I’m gonna call
you tomorrow. (He turns and looks dismissively
at Teal’c, then walks away.)
KRISTA
I’m sorry about that. I hate when he
gets that way.
TEAL’C
This is not the first time. (Krista
shakes her head.) So you have stopped
receiving him.
KRISTA
Not exactly. He’s not always like that.
Since he lost his job he’s just been
... y’know.
TEAL’C
I do not.
KRISTA
It’s been hard on him.
TEAL’C
And has it not been hard on you?
KRISTA
I’m fine.
(Teal’c nods and bows his head.)
SGC. DANIEL’S OFFICE. Sam, Daniel and Teal’c are talking.
TEAL’C
I do not understand Krista’s behaviour.
DANIEL
Yeah - that’s a common problem. Most
cultures on Earth recognise it as a
significant gap between the experiences
of men and women. Among the Masai of
East Africa each newly-wed man is actually
required to wear his wife’s clothing
for a month as a way of gaining insight
into her life.
CARTER
If only it were that simple.
(Daniel throws her a look, then continues.)
DANIEL
The point is, while rituals and customs
may vary, almost all cultures put significant
pressure on single adults to form bonding
pairs. In ancient Persia, if a girl
died a virgin they would go so far as
to marry her corpse off before burial.
CARTER
That’s horrible!
DANIEL
The groom was usually quite well-paid.
CARTER
It’s bad enough being on your own without
every TV show and commercial and magazine
ad trying to tell you how abnormal it
is.
DANIEL
I think that’s what I just said.
CARTER
I mean, they make you afraid of being
alone but at the same time tell you
not to settle for anything less than
the perfect romantic ideal, like that
actually exists anywhere in the real
world. I mean, either way you can’t
win. (She sighs irritably. Daniel raises
his eyebrows at Teal’c, then turns to
Sam.)
DANIEL
How’s things?
CARTER
Good. (She glances between Daniel and
Teal’c.) We were talking about Teal’c’s
friend, right?
DANIEL
I thought we were.
CARTER
Teal’c, how do Jaffa couples handle
their problems?
TEAL’C
On Chulak, a dispute between a man and
a woman that cannot be resolved necessitates
a pledge break. It must be requested
by one and granted by the other.
DANIEL
And if that doesn’t work?
TEAL’C
A weapon is required.
PARK NEAR TEAL’C’S APARTMENT BLOCK. Teal’c is working out, doing
tai-chi-like moves. During one of the moves he turns around and
finds Krista standing nearby watching him.
KRISTA
Sorry - I don’t wanna interrupt you.
I just came out for a little air.
TEAL’C
Are you alright?
KRISTA
I had another fight with Doug. I told
him it’s over - that I don’t wanna see
him any more.
TEAL’C
Are you not happy with your decision?
KRISTA
I guess it was the right thing to do,
but he’s not a bad person. He’s just
going through a tough time.
TEAL’C
You have no cause to feel guilty.
(Krista smiles.)
KRISTA
What was that you were just doing?
TEAL’C
It is called lok’nel - an ancient form
of martial arts training.
KRISTA
You think you could teach me?
(Teal’c nods and gestures for her to stand at his side. He starts
doing moves and she copies him.)
(A montage of scenes follows as many days pass and Teal’c continues
to teach Krista his routines. As time passes she gets more proficient.
In the final scene, they are working out in Teal’c’s apartment.
As they finish one move they turn to face each other, and gaze
long and deeply into each other’s eyes.)
TEAL’C’S APARTMENT BLOCK. Teal’c comes out of his apartment and
walks along the corridor to knock on Krista’s door. She opens
it.
KRISTA
Oh, hi.
TEAL’C
You are late for your next training
session.
KRISTA
Yeah, I meant to tell you - I don’t
think I’m gonna be able to train with
you any more.
TEAL’C
You have been making tremendous progress.
KRISTA
Well, I just don’t have time, y’know?
TEAL’C
Has something transpired?
KRISTA
No, everything’s fine. Look, I’ve gotta
go.
(She puts her hand on the door to close it, but Teal’c slams
his own hand onto the door to stop her when he sees that her
wrist is badly bruised.)
TEAL’C
You are injured.
KRISTA
It’s nothing. Please.
DOUG’S VOICE
Krista, who is it?
KRISTA
It’s just my neighbour.
DOUG
Oh yeah? Ah, the plumber, hmm. I’ll
handle this.
KRISTA
Doug, it’s noth...
DOUG
I said, I’ll handle it.
(Behind Teal’c, Mrs Conners opens her door and peers out. Krista
reluctantly walks away into the apartment.)
DOUG
Don’t think I don’t know what’s been
going on around here. She told me everything.
TEAL’C
Were you the one who injured her?
DOUG
What goes on between me and Krista ain’t
none of your business.
TEAL’C
If you ever injure her again, I will
kill you where you stand.
(Doug nods sarcastically. Teal’c walks away towards his own apartment.
Mrs Conners stands in her own doorway, having heard the entire
conversation.)
SGC. SAM’S LAB. Sam is sitting looking at her laptop. Jack comes
to the door.
O’NEILL
Carter.
CARTER
Sir.
O’NEILL
I never thought I’d hear myself utter
these words: I need that report.
CARTER
Right! Um, I just need to, er, finish
typing up my notes. (She rummages through
the paperwork on the desk.) Uh, yeah,
I’ll have it for you first thing tomorrow.
(Jack looks at his watch.)
O’NEILL
It is tomorrow.
CARTER
Oh.
O’NEILL
I’m joking! I don’t need the report!
CARTER
Well, then, why ...?
O’NEILL
Because something’s going on with you.
You haven’t tried to confuse me with
any scientific babble for the last couple
of days and that’s a red flag to me.
(Sam sighs, then picks up the box containing the engagement ring
and hands it to Jack.)
CARTER
Pete gave me this.
(Jack takes the box, opens it and looks at the ring, then looks
at Sam.)
O’NEILL
People normally wear these on their
fingers.
CARTER
I haven’t said yes.
O’NEILL
And yet - you haven’t said no. (He snaps
the box shut.)
CARTER
I told him I needed to think about it.
O’NEILL
And? (He puts the box on the desk.)
CARTER
That was two weeks ago.
O’NEILL
Ah!
CARTER
Y’know, all these years I’ve been concentrating
on work - I just assumed that one day
I would ...
O’NEILL
Have a life?
CARTER
Yeah!
O’NEILL
Yeah.
CARTER
And now it comes down to it, I don’t
know. I mean, every time we go through
the Gate, we risk not coming back. Is
it fair to put somebody else through
that?
O’NEILL
Pete is a cop - I think he could handle
it.
CARTER
What about kids?
O’NEILL
What about ‘em?
CARTER
Do I take maternity leave and then come
back? What, do I drop the baby off at
daycare on my way to some unexplored
planet on the edge of the Crab Nebula?
O’NEILL
Carter, there are people on this base
who have families.
(Sam thinks for a moment, then looks into Jack’s eyes.)
CARTER
What about you? If things had been different
... (she trails off.)
(Jack looks at her for a moment.)
O’NEILL
I wouldn’t be here.
TEAL’C’S APARTMENT BLOCK. Teal’c returns home to find Krista
sitting on the floor by his apartment door.
TEAL’C
Krista! (He hurries towards her.)
KRISTA
Hey - I was waiting for you.
TEAL’C
Has something happened?
KRISTA
No, I’m fine. It’s just ... it’s over,
with Doug - for real this time. I’m
sorry about what happened before. (Teal’c
reaches out and strokes her tear-stained
face.) I need to get out of here. I
can’t even think in this place. Will
you come with me?
TEAL’C
Perhaps tomor...
KRISTA
No, now, tonight. We’ll just get in
the car and drive. We’ll take the whole
weekend. It doesn’t even matter where
we end up, as long as it’s away from
here. Please.
SGC. DANIEL’S OFFICE. Daniel is working on his computer. Sam
comes in, looking worried.
DANIEL
Hey. What, uh, what’s going on?
CARTER
General O’Neill just got off the phone
with Colonel Kendrick. Krista’s boyfriend
was found dead in her apartment.
DANIEL
What?! What happened?
CARTER
We don’t have all the details yet but
according to Kendrick, preliminary evidence
indicates that Teal’c may have been
responsible.
DANIEL
That’s impossible.
CARTER
That’s what I said. Unfortunately we
can’t ask him about it because he’s
missing. So’s Krista. As of right now,
Teal’c is wanted for kidnapping and
murder.
CITY. Night. Teal’c is driving Krista.
KRISTA
Thanks for getting me out of there.
I just couldn’t be in that place tonight.
TEAL’C
Where do you wish to go?
KRISTA
Just keep driving. (Teal’c checks his
rear-view mirror and looks concerned.)
What? What is it?
TEAL’C
I do not wish to alarm you but I believe
that we are being followed.
(Krista looks over her shoulder at the car behind them.)
KRISTA
Who would be following us?
TEAL’C
Perhaps Doug.
KRISTA
No. (Teal’c looks at her.) He doesn’t
know I’m gone yet.
TEAL’C
Then they are most likely following
me.
KRISTA
You? Why would anyone be following you?
TEAL’C
It is difficult to explain.
(Krista looks over her shoulder again as Teal’c turns a corner.
The car behind them follows.)
KRISTA
Can you lose them?
TEAL’C
I believe so. However, it will require
me to violate posted speed limits and
several of the safe driving regulations.
KRISTA
I’m OK with that.
(Teal’c nods and smiles at her.)
TEAL’C
Hold on. (He floors the accelerator.)
MOTEL. Krista and Teal’c walk into a motel room. Krista checks
out of the window and then draws the curtains.
KRISTA
Don’t tell me you learned how to do
that back in your village.
TEAL’C
There are aspects of my life which I
am not at liberty to divulge.
KRISTA
What are you - a spy or something? (More
seriously) One thing’s for sure - you’re
not really Doctor Jackson’s research
assistant. That much I figured after
about thirty seconds.
TEAL’C
Krista, I ...
(Krista puts a finger over his mouth.)
KRISTA
It’s OK. For now, I’m just glad you’re
here.
(They gaze at each other for a moment, then start to kiss.)
COLORADO SPRINGS. Morning. Outside the police station, Sam is
waiting in her car as Pete walks over and gets in.
PETE
Hey.
CARTER
Thanks for meeting me.
PETE
No problem. (He smiles at her expectantly.
Sam looks serious and shakes her head.)
CARTER
Pete, I’m sorry. (Pete’s smile fades.)
I need a little more time. Look, you
know how I feel about you. It’s just
- there’s some things I need to work
out.
PETE
OK.
CARTER
Anyway, that’s not what this is about.
PETE
It’s not?
CARTER
No. I wouldn’t ask if it wasn’t so important.
PETE
What’s going on?
CARTER
I need your help.
MOTEL. Teal’c wakes up and turns to the other side of the bed
but Krista isn’t there.
TEAL’C
Krista? (He gets up.) Krista! (He goes
to the bathroom and switches on the
light but she’s not in there either.
There’s a knock on the door. He goes
to the door and opens it, to find four
SFs, fully geared-up, pointing rifles
at him.)
SF
Police! Turn around, lace your fingers
behind your head.
(Teal’c complies.)
SGC. Jack and Kendrick are walking along the corridor towards
Jack’s office.
KENDRICK
Well where is he being held?
O’NEILL
He’s in his old quarters.
KENDRICK
Is he at least under guard?
O’NEILL
He’s not going anywhere.
(They reach Jack’s office and go in.)
KENDRICK
He’s a murder suspect.
O’NEILL
Y’know I talked to him. He said he didn’t
do it.
KENDRICK
That’s good enough for you, is it?
O’NEILL
Pretty much. (He sits down at his desk.)
KENDRICK
Well unfortunately you’re not in charge
of this investigation.
O’NEILL
Yeah. He also said he felt like he was
being followed last night.
KENDRICK
The OSI did not have Teal’c under surveillance.
O’NEILL
Yeah. How’d you find him?
KENDRICK
We received a tip.
O’NEILL
That didn’t strike you as ... odd?
KENDRICK
I told you something like this might
happen - you flat-out ignored my warnings.
O’NEILL
Not so much ignored as ... completely
disregarded.
KENDRICK
With all due respect, General, I’m gonna
have to insist that Teal’c be placed
in confinement immediately or I will
recommend that he be held elsewhere.
SGC. DANIEL’S LAB. Daniel is going through paperwork and drinking
coffee when suddenly Ancient symbols start popping up on his
computer screen.
DANIEL
What the hell?
(Another window pops up on the screen and the words “Look familiar?”
appear. Then the phone rings.)
DANIEL
Daniel Jackson.
(The male voice that comes from the other end of the phone sounds
almost like a Goa’uld voice, but is probably someone using one
of those voice distortion devices.)
VOICE
Did you get my message?
DANIEL
Who is this?
VOICE
The symbols, Doctor Jackson, do you
recognise them?
DANIEL
Uh, I don’t know who you think this
is ...
VOICE
We need them translated into Goa’uld.
DANIEL
I have no idea what you’re talking about.
VOICE
We know it’s the language of the Ancients
but the dialect is obscure. You’re the
one man on Earth who can translate them.
Your friend Teal’c is in trouble.
DANIEL
How’d you know about that?
VOICE
We can help him. We’ve been watching
him. In fact, we saw the whole thing.
DANIEL
You witnessed the murder.
VOICE
We’ve got it all on tape - concrete
evidence that proves Teal’c’s innocence,
and it’s yours in exchange for the translation.
Of course, if you tell anyone, we’ll
know, and the deal’s off. (He hangs
up.)
TEAL’C’S APARTMENT BLOCK. Sam and Pete are in Krista’s apartment.
White tape on the floor outlines where Doug’s body was found
at the foot of a wall. Pete is looking at a photograph of Doug’s
body where it was found.
PETE
The investigator who checked the position
of the body concluded that the victim
was pinned and choked against this wall
(he demonstrates) and then fell to the
floor.
CARTER
So ...?
PETE
So I’m not so sure. The proximity of
the body to the wall supports that but
the position of the body suggests otherwise.
CARTER
What do you mean?
PETE
If he fell into a slump, his legs and
arms would be bent. (He points to the
tape outline and the photograph.) His
legs are straight, and his arms are
placed by his sides, suggesting that
the body was dragged here and placed
in this position.
CARTER
Why move the body?
PETE
Well, dying against the wall suggests
that the victim was attacked by somebody
bigger and stronger.
CARTER
Like Teal’c. So it was a set-up?
PETE
It’s possible. Now, you said that Teal’c
thought he was being followed.
CARTER
That’s right.
PETE
The Air Force denies having him under
surveillance?
CARTER
Yeah.
PETE
If I was staking out Teal’c’s place
(he walks to the window and opens the
curtain), that’s where I would be. (We
see the window of an apartment opposite.)
THE OPPOSITE APARTMENT. Pete picks the lock and he and Sam walk
in.
PETE
Hello?
(As they go further in, we see that the apartment is empty of
furniture. Pete and Sam walk to the window of the living room.)
PETE
From this vantage point you can easily
see into both apartments. (He looks
down, then squats down and points at
the carpet.) Three indentations.
CARTER
A tripod.
PETE
Unfortunately I think they cleaned the
place up pretty good. I doubt we’ll
find anything.
CARTER
So it’s a dead end.
PETE
Not necessarily. Is there a pizza place
nearby?
CARTER
Why?
PETE
One thing about a stake-out - you never
eat healthy.
PARK. Daniel is walking in a park, looking around nervously.
A man walks over holding a carton of coffee.
JENNINGS
Doctor Jackson. Keep walking. (He gestures
the direction to go. They walk towards
a picnic table.) You came alone - I’m
impressed. I like a man who can follow
instructions.
DANIEL
You’re the one who called me?
JENNINGS
It doesn’t matter. Have you completed
the translation?
DANIEL
Yeah, see, that’s why I wanted to talk
to you - I need more time.
JENNINGS
You’re playing with your friend’s life
here, Doctor.
DANIEL
I can’t translate something unless I
understand the context - where they
were found, what they’re for.
JENNINGS
You think I’m stupid.
DANIEL
I’m not lying.
JENNINGS
I can see we’re going to have to do
this the hard way.
DANIEL
What does that mean?
JENNINGS
Either you give us the translation now,
or I’ll be forced to take this to the
next level.
DANIEL
So, beyond kidnapping and murder.
JENNINGS
We didn’t kill the boyfriend - but we’ll
kill the girl if we have to.
DANIEL
How do I know you even have her?
JENNINGS
Come with me and I’ll show you.
DANIEL
Yeah - you know, I’ve got a thing, so
... (he turns to go)
JENNINGS
I have three snipers targeting your
position at this very moment, Doctor.
(Daniel stops and turns back.)
DANIEL
You’re bluffing.
(Jennings places his cup of coffee on the picnic table and steps
back.)
JENNINGS
Position one - go for the coffee cup.
(Nearby a silenced shot can be heard and a bullet pierces the
coffee cup.)
DANIEL
So are we gonna take your car, or mine,
or, uh, shall I just follow you?
SGC. CONFINEMENT ROOM. Sam has come in to talk to Teal’c.
CARTER
We checked a couple of pizza joints
and all-night delivery places near your
apartment to see if there’d been any
sudden repeat customers.
TEAL’C
An interesting investigative method.
CARTER
Yeah - I thought it was a little crazy
at first too, but we actually got a
lead at one place. The owner reported
a Caucasian male who’d been in half
a dozen times during the last two weeks.
TEAL’C
Is that unusual?
CARTER
Not necessarily but we thought it was
worth checking out. We got a licence
plate from the security camera out front
and we’re running it down.
(From outside, an airman swipes the door opens and Jack walks
in.)
TEAL’C
O’Neill.
O’NEILL
Well, Kendrick is finally convinced
something else is going on here.
CARTER
What changed his mind?
O’NEILL
Daniel’s missing.
GREY VAN. Inside the van as it drives along, Daniel has his hands
handcuffed together. He sits between Jennings and another man.
DANIEL
So you guys are ex-NID. You call yourselves
The Trust now, right?
JENNINGS
We want the same thing you want, Doctor
Jackson - we’re trying to protect the
planet.
DANIEL
That’s why you were watching Teal’c
- you thought he was a significant threat
to planetary security.
JENNINGS
Stargate Command may think it’s OK to
let the alien roam the streets unsupervised.
We beg to differ.
DANIEL
And never mind the fact that he’s helped
save the Earth more times than I can
count.
JENNINGS
He is an alien. Their motives can never
be trusted. Anyway, he is partly responsible
for the boyfriend’s death. If he hadn’t
shown the girl how to crush a man’s
windpipe, none of this would have happened.
DANIEL
So she killed him.
JENNINGS
It was self-defence, really. He was
getting out of hand.
DANIEL
And that’s when you guys moved in and
planted evidence to make it look like
Teal’c did it.
JENNINGS
We saw an opportunity and we took it.
(The van arrives at a warehouse and drives in. Daniel is taken
out of the back of the van and marched towards several tables
holding different types of computers. As he’s bundled down onto
a chair, one of the other people in the warehouse grabs Jennings’
arm.)
HOSKINS
What the hell’s going on here?
JENNINGS
The situation is under control.
HOSKINS
You were supposed to get the information
and leave.
JENNINGS
He wasn’t going to co-operate.
HOSKINS
He’s a member of SG-1. Do you have any
idea what kind of resources they’ll
mobilise to get him back?
JENNINGS
Once we get the translation, it’ll be
too late. (He turns to another man.)
Bring the girl. (The man moves off.)
SGC. SAM’S LAB. The phone rings. Sam answers.
CARTER
Carter.
(Pete is leaving the police station.)
PETE
Sam, it’s me. I traced the car from
the pizza place. It’s a rental. The
name on the agreement’s a fake I.D.
CARTER
That’s our man.
PETE
Whoever set this up knew what they were
doing. I’ve got a bank account, social
security number and credit cards, all
from a guy who died six months ago.
CARTER
OK, let’s focus on the car. Find out
if the rental company has satellite
tracking.
PETE
I’m on it. I’ll call you as soon as
I have something.
WAREHOUSE. A woman is working on one of the computers. She reports
her progress to Hoskins.
BROOKS
Uplink is established. We’re ready to
transmit.
(Hoskins turns to face Daniel.)
HOSKINS
We need those symbols.
(Krista, also handcuffed, is brought in.)
KRISTA
Daniel! (She is dragged across the room
and forced into the chair next to Daniel.)
What’s happening? Who are these people?
DANIEL
It’s gonna be OK.
(Hoskins holds out a clipboard with a sheet of paper on it towards
Daniel.)
JENNINGS
The symbols, now - or we kill the girl.
DANIEL
She’s got nothing to do with this.
HOSKINS
Look, Doctor Jackson, if it had been
up to me, things never would have gone
this far. (He throws a black look at
Jennings.) It was supposed to be a simple
surveillance operation, but then this
little domestic dispute happened, Teal’c
got involved, we knew you weren’t going
to help us voluntarily ...
DANIEL
So you decided to try a little blackmail
instead.
HOSKINS
Let’s just say one thing led to another.
But in any case, it’s too late for all
that now (he takes a pistol out of his
jacket), so either you give us what
we want (he points the pistol at Krista)
or I will kill her.
(Daniel looks at Krista for a few moments, then looks at Hoskins
and holds up his handcuffed hands for the clipboard. Hoskins
gives it to him and Daniel starts writing.)
HOSKINS
Oh, and by the way, we’ll know immediately
if the symbols are incorrect.
(Daniel looks up at him for a moment, trying to gauge whether
he’s telling the truth, then bends his head to the clipboard
again and continues writing.)
LATER. Daniel finishes writing. One of the men takes the clipboard
from him, takes it over to the tables and puts the sheet of paper
into a scanner. Brooks checks her screen as the scanned image
comes up on it.
BROOKS
Scanning. Translating symbols. (A message
comes up on the screen.) Translation
confirmed.
HOSKINS
Good. (To Daniel and Krista) Get up.
(Outside the warehouse, a black van with fully geared-up SFs
hanging on the outside drives up. A second van follows. The troops
jump off and spread out, surrounding the perimeter.)
HOSKINS
Over there. Face the wall. (Daniel and
Krista look at each other, Krista obviously
terrified. Eventually two of The Trust
seize them and bundle them over to the
wall.)
DANIEL
I gave you what you want.
HOSKINS
Move!
(Krista stands half facing the wall but Daniel continues looking
at Hoskins. Hoskins raises his pistol.)
HOSKINS
I said face the wall.
(Reluctantly, Daniel and Krista turn and face the wall.)
DANIEL
Look, you don’t have to do this.
(Over at the tables, Brooks and a man are removing disks from
the computers and burning the hard drives.)
(Outside, the troops, together with Sam and Pete, are getting
into final position.)
(Inside, Krista, terrified, turns her head to Daniel.)
KRISTA
Daniel?
DANIEL
It’s gonna be OK.
(Behind them, Hoskins raises a zat gun and zats the pair of them
once each. They collapse to the ground. Hoskins goes over to
the table where Brooks is just finishing dusting off the computer
drive as the screens go to static. Hoskins, Brooks and the other
three men stand close together, as if waiting for a ring transporter.
Hoskins activates a small device, which starts beeping.)
(Outside, a sergeant reports.)
SERGEANT
Team two in position and ready.
(Inside, we see Daniel and Krista unconscious on the floor. Offscreen,
we see the edge of a large white flash and hear the sound of
a transporter, though it sounds more like an Asgard transporter
than a ring transporter.)
(Outside, Sam speaks into her radio.)
CARTER
Go!
(Explosives blow the doors open and the teams rush in. There’s
no sign of The Trust. Several people, including Sam and Pete,
go over to Daniel and Krista. The sergeant checks Daniel while
Pete squats down to check Krista.)
SERGEANT
He’s unconscious. There’s no-one here.
We’ve got all the exits covered - there’s
no way they could have gotten out.
PETE
How is that possible?
(Sam looks around, unsure.)
LATER. The SFs are clearing up. Daniel and Krista are now conscious
and sitting in a couple of chairs. Someone hands Krista a cup
of water. She nods her thanks to him, then turns to Daniel.
KRISTA
Thank you.
(Nearby, Sam and Pete are standing near one of the black vans
which has now been driven into the warehouse.)
PETE
So, it’s normal for the bad guys just
to disappear into thin air, right?
CARTER
Not really - although now I think about
it it’s not the first time it’s happened.
PETE
Just another day at the office.
CARTER
Yes.
PETE
Well, I figure you should be used to
it by now.
CARTER
No, I mean - yes.
PETE
Yes, as in ...
CARTER
Yes.
(Pete pulls her behind the van so that nobody can see them and
holds her by the arms.)
PETE
Are you messin’ with me?
CARTER
No.
PETE
Which means ...
CARTER
Yes.
PETE
You don’t need more time?
CARTER
No.
PETE
Enough already?
CARTER
Yes.
(They hug, and then kiss.)
OUTSIDE TEAL’C’S APARTMENT BLOCK. Teal’c is packing all his stuff
into his car. Eric rolls a box on top of his skateboard towards
the car.
TEAL’C
Be careful with that package, Eric,
its contents are ... (At that moment
Eric reaches the kerb and the skateboard
and box bump down off the edge of the
kerb. There’s a sound of breaking glass
from inside the box) ... fragile.
ERIC
Sorry.
TEAL’C
There is no need for an apology. (He
bends down and picks up the box.) I
am grateful for your assistance.
(He turns to put the box in the car but stops when he sees Krista
standing there.)
KRISTA
Hey. (Teal’c bows to her, then puts
the box in the car.) So - you’re really
leaving.
TEAL’C
Indeed I am.
KRISTA
Y’know, you don’t have to do this. The
whole thing was my fault.
TEAL’C
There is no need to blame yourself.
KRISTA
The men in the warehouse - I didn’t
know who they were. No-one told me anything,
but I know they were using me to get
to you.
TEAL’C
If it had not been you it would have
been someone else. They would not hesitate
to exploit any relationship to their
advantage.
KRISTA
What did they want?
TEAL’C
That I cannot say.
KRISTA
Right. So - where you gonna go?
TEAL’C
Back to where I came from.
KRISTA
What does that mean?
TEAL’C
It means I must say goodbye.
(They gaze at each other for a moment, then Krista looks over
his shoulder. Teal’c turns and sees Eric, who has gone back and
collected the fern.)
ERIC
This is all that was left.
TEAL’C
Thank you.
(Eric bends down and picks up his skateboard to show Teal’c the
underside.)
ERIC
Check it out.
(He has painted Teal’c’s tattoo symbol on the end. Teal’c smiles.)
TEAL’C
I am honoured.
ERIC
Later, T.
(Teal’c nods and puts the fern into the car, then closes the
boot. He and Krista share another long look, then he turns, pats
Eric on the shoulder, and gets into his car. Krista and Eric
stand side by side and share a sad smile as Teal’c drives away.)
THE END
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