Let me start up where Detective Knight has finally located David Constantine, next in line for the local Mafioso throne. Nick has David backed up to the brick (No Brickster snide remarks here.) siding of the mortal's own home. He is trying to convince the man that turning states evidence against his great grandfather [a key figure in Nicholas' attempted escape from LaCroix decades earlier] is the best way to gain his freedom.
The parallels here were too tasty to pass up:
Cutting into the scene-
DC: "Look Detective, I know you're doin' your job. But I gotta ask you, walk away like you never saw me."
N: "I know what you're used to Mr. Constantine I'm not for sale." (That's right Nikkie, can't sell what you don't own! ;-[).--Ooooh, I'm so mean to him sometimes, aren't I ?)
DC: " I'm not offering, I'm begging. I'm puttin' my life in your hands. My family...if they think that I betrayed them I'm a dead man. Anywhere you take me, I'm a dead man." (Kinda like you, eh, Nick?)
N: "Once you testify against your great grandfather, he'll
be in jail. [NK trys to placate the desperate human before him]
And he can't hurt you anymore. He can never hurt you again." (
DC: "I can't testify against him, he's my family. [pause] It was never about takin' him down."
N: "Johnny Larnar thought it was."
DC: "He thought that was the way for me to get out. [pause, calmer] But that's not who I want to be [in retrospect], I don't want to turn against my family. I just wanna...start over again [gesturing to emphasize the point] ...somewhere, far away. [looking off to his left, at the thought of the seemingly hopelessness of his plight. he now turns back to Knight] I grew up with killing, but I don't want to be a killer." [Nick glances down and to his right, lost in thought] (Nooo, not like the blond hormone catches the similarities here---Thick As A ...but I think y'all know the rest. ;-[).)
Fade to Flash Back:
Nicholas is hurrying down a deserted, foggy, Paris ocean front street. He looks around furtively in apprehension, as he clutches what seems to be a parcel inside his vest. He is soon stopped short by the unexpected emergence of LaCroix. (Ooooh, suit and tie, no less!) Who steps out to confront him.
LC: (What is with this damn subtitling thing? Okay, once more, with feeling...) [in French] "Where have you been?"
N: [French] "Walking." (Too quick to answer, boy. It won't work.) [he now turns away]
LC: [French] "You know you can't lie to me, Nicolas." (pronounced in the silent "S" way Janette does.) "You are not capable." [sarcastic tone]
Nicholas shifts uncomfortably in the face of the accusation, knowing his master is correct.
LC: [in English, between clenched teeth] "Where have you been?"
Nick just stands there, defiant and does not answer his master.
LC: [he juts his left arm out to point an accusing finger
to the lump beneath his son's jacket] "What it that?" (I
just adore Nikkie here...he behaves like a five year old with crumbs on
his face, when his father asks if he ate the last cookie.
LC: [fending off a cruel smile] "I will not ask you again."
With resignation, Nicholas regrettablly surrenders the bundle he has been 'hiding'. He places it unceremoniously into LaCroix' demanding hand. The elder looks down at it in amusement.
LC: [taking a moment to study the package, he eventually looks up] "Ancient medicinal herbs. Rare Chinese elixirs."
The young vampire meets his mentor's gaze again. Steadfast and determined, lips set firmly.
LC: "Nicolas still searches for a cure." [the bound merchandise he is holding is flung to the side]
Other's eyes follow his lost hope.
LC: "Why didn't you just tell me you've been to The Apothecary. [the tone is deceivingly light, a grin graces his lips] There's no need for secrets between us." [true anger shows on LaCroix' face now, as he takes a mighty back swing. hitting his son squarely across the jaw, and then giving him a hard jab to the chest] (Ooh Hoo, Uncle is pissed big time here folks!)
LC: "Is this how you thank me! [moving towards his child, the other backing away] "This is how you repay me!" [seething, LC has forced Nick against the building]
N: "It's not about you." [insolence in his voice]
LC: "Of course it has to do about me! [shouting, with golden eyes gleaming as he grabs the labels of his protege's coat. lifting him up along the stone of the structure, pinning him there] I gave you life! I gave you power! I gave you eternal protection!" (Can you say---Obsession? I knew you could! ;-[). ) "You want to go back?!" (seeth, seeth) "Can you imagine how that makes me feel?!" (Gee...let's not show too much of our emotions, Walking "O".) "You will stop this pathetic search for a cure. [still fuming but more measured in presentation] You make a fool of yourself and of me. [pause...angered again] You're my creature, Nicholas. Made in my image."
N: [calmly, though still pressed to the cold brick behind him] "Then I am a monster." (Watch it, those nasty words hit home Nickster.) [LC releases him, letting him down. to pull back and stare at the ground. LaCroix gathers his composure, looking up to his errant 'brat' with cold pale blue eyes]
LC: "Why are you doing this to me?"
N: [stating directly to his father] "I've done nothing to you LaCroix. You did this. [he now looks off to the right and remarks with more determination] Perhaps there is no cure. But that won't stop me from leaving you. Kill me if you wish, either way...I will leave you. (Try, Nikkie. Try...)
Nicholas at his declaration, turns and swiftly walks off. Leaving a frustrated and indignant LaCroix standing in his wake.
Cut back to present:
Nick has let David Constantine go, not bring him in for questioning or protection. Captain Cohen is upset at his choice. Nick, after speaking with his boss, now talks to Schanke about the form his daughter is having her dad fill out. It's about what it is to be a 'father'.
Schanke is seated at his desk. Det. Knight walks up.
Cut into the scene:
N: "Are you still doing that questionnaire on 'Fatherhood'? [planting himself against the corner of Don's desk]
D: "Shhh! [quickly looking around to make certain no one has heard his partner's inquiry] Yeah, why?" [in a hushed tone]
N: "A father is someone who will sacrifice everything to give his child a better life than he had." (Such seeming insight from Brickster, considering he'll never admit this to LC.) [Nick walks off]
D: "That is great! [bending down to start writing furiously] --A father is someone who'll--Now what's the rest of it? --Sacrifice anything...--[pause] Nick!? What's..?[turning to ask his partner, who now is gone]
Cut to next scene:
Nick is now talking to Natalie, at the morgue. Interrupting into the current conversation--
Nat: "...Why?" [asking the reason as to why Nick has David Constantine hidden at the loft]
N: "Because I know how powerful his family is. The Captain is right, he's not going to get away without some help. It's dangerous. It's not that easy. [Nick rises from where he is seated to look off to the side at his last comment] Even when they are trying to kill you, they're still you're family." (Nooo...Nikkie. Even when you're trying to kill 'em, they are still your family.)
He now stands to directly speak to Natalie. His voice and body gestures tell her the truth and experience he knows of his words.
Nat: "Youch..! That sounds like an epitath. Was it really that hard for you? Leaving them? (Natalie, my dear girl. You have no idea. Actually neither does NK since he hasn't truly left them yet either.)
N: [steadily meeting her gaze] "Parts of it." [he now shifts his sight to the left]
Cut to Flash Back:
A billowy curtained window-way is opened by Janette. It allows our hormonal boy entrance. He is still shaken by the recent confrontation on the street, with his master.
J: "Nicolas, did LaCroix find you? He was so angry." [concern passes her lips. she turns to follow NIck's emergence into her suite]
N: [tense] "Yes. He found me. He'll never let me live as long as I'm searching for a cure." (Ummm, yes he will, he likes the...challenge?)
J: "But you can never find one. Forget about it. [moving closer to her lover] Stay."
N: [disconsolate] "No, I can't ! [shaking his head in denial] I can't live as we do anymore! [voice rising] I leave Paris tonight before he finds me again. Come with me..." [grasping Janette's hand in his]
J: "And do what? [looking to the blond man before her. she speaks huskily, words full of emotion] This is my home."
Nick glances away, turning his back on her.
J: "You will go to Don Constantine, in America. [this determined statement causes Nicolas to face Janette]
The dark haired woman now explains the procedure to her pale love: The trunk, the jewels...payment, all the rest. At her completence he kisses her fiercly, in adoration and thanks.
Cut to present day:
Scenes of Nick trying to convince David's wife into helping the police.
Then, at the loft. We have the great grandson figuring out NK is much more than mortal. Assasins have just tried to kill them both. Nick has taken the bullets, the other man has seen that no harm was done to the Dectective. Knight now stands to the side of the sunlight piercing his home. David is taping them over, blocking out the deadly rays. They talk of how the human male's great grandfather knew of Nick's dark kind.
N: [off to the side of the rays] "I know what it's like, not wanting to be what you are." (Looking for that kindred spirit, Nick? In a mortal like this one? Get over it already!!)
Shoot to Don Constantine asking his two lackies about the man they tried to kill. On how he changed and wouldn't seem to die.
Cut to the Raven:
Nick implores Janette to hide David at the club. They talk--
N: "I didn't realize you were afraid of Constantine, [antagonizing her] after all he's just a man."
J: "He's a fanatic! He would kill anyone. Betray anyone to protect his family."
N: [he takes a cold, hard stare at his former lover] "Wouldn't we all?" [stated in a flat knowing tone. Janette registers his remark]
Fade to Flash Back:
J: [in French, speaking to a very disturbed LaCroix standing behind her] "He's gone...just forget him. [Now in English] We can get a new one. [Janette tilts her look off to the right, sensing the profound anger of her master. she hopes in vain that her suggestion will ease the situation she has placed herself into]
LC: [his control is just barely evident as he speaks loudly through clenched teeth, to his daughter's back] "I DON'T WANT A NEW ONE! I LIKE THAT ONE!" (YAAAH, one of the THE best UFfish lines here. Even Janette understands that Nikkie is the 'one and only' to Our Favorite, Voyeurist, Walking Orgasm.)
LaCroix, composed, now smoothly slides towards the woman before him, coyly stating, LC: [In French] "What did he tell you, Janette? That he doesn't belong with us? [in English now, as he stands to the back of his female child] He will always be a part of us." (Tell me, how much of a part LC ;-[) ?) [LaCroix places his hand upon the back of her bare collar bone, he murmurs in French again] "He needs us to survive."
Without turning, Janette gives the elder the information he seeks...
J: "Constantine...[issuing all this in French] I sent him to Constantine." [unable to resist the will of her master]
We join Nick and Janette talking present day at the Raven, in the midst of the active nightclub. The conversation concerns the temporary hiding of David Constantine there.
J: "That was different, you were confused and needed us."
N: "I needed to get away and you led him right to me." [his words sting his former flame]
J: "You know I was trying to help you." [looking uncomfortably away from Nick's imploring stare]
N: "I'm sure you were. [pause] Stay out of it this time." (Yes, Janette. Not like last time, you don't want to be in the middle of a lovers' spat again ;-[).) "And don't call his daddy to come and get him."
J: [verbally reacting in defense, to his admonishment] "Fine! It's his funeral." [she now clips past Nick to walk off. leaving him standing with a grim look on his face]
Det. Knight steps over to the young Italian waiting at the bar. He tells him he'll be safe here, at the club, for a while.
Cut out:
The Caddy pulls up to Don Constantine's mansion. A flurry of papers on his desk announces the unusual arrival of the vampiric officer. Nick stands in the middle of the room, facing the old man. He is there to discuss David's future.
Don C: [note: I have interrupted the conversation] "...The man who ran out on his family." (Nikkie twitches a bit on that one, youch!) "Put himself before the ones he owed his life to." (Actually the one he owed his 'life' to.)
Nick firmly tells the Don to not have his people try to track down David again. That the elder does not want the trouble Nicholas can cause him.
Don C: "Oh, I'll go after him alright. And I'll keep going until I find him. There's no way to hide in this world." (You would think Brick would get this fact by now! ;-[).)
Don C: [quoting a past remark from the man before him] "Someone will always...betray you." (NK nods in sudden agreement. What? Just catching this concept O' Blond One?) "Yeah...you see I remember you too." [grimacing slightly]
Don C: "You met me as a young man, remember that? [NK stands up from the hard wood desk he was leaning on, his hands moments ago being firmly planted there] Hmm, I raised two sons, two grandsons. [motioning to the framed photos on the paneled wall behind him. Nick looks about, finally to focus on his host again] And I lost them all, but you wouldn't understand. You'll be young, forever." (Oooh, this cutting retort turns Nikkie away. He angsts in the guilt of his gift.) "Humph. For me, family is all that is left." (For you too...ungrateful whelp!) "My version of immortality." (Poor Nick, he can't have that type of human immortality any more. No matter how hard he tries.) [Knight looks away again] "David is like another son to me. It's my last chance, to pass on what I've build...what I am."
N: "He doesn't want it, all right! He...DOES...NOT...want it!" (Who you talkin' about here? David and the Don? Or you and LaCroix?! Such a passionate lad you are, that's why we all love you ;-[) !) "If he really is like a son to you, why don't you be like a good father and let him do what he wants and not what you want? [barely controlling his temper]
Don C: (Touchy subject for Nickster here kids
N: "I don't believe it." [in determination]
Don C: "You never did." (Gotcha!! Seems Don Constantine is much more perceptive than Nikkie realized, since those few words stopped him short.)
Fade out:
Nightcrawler broadcast and LaCroix.
LC: "It's a beautiful night out there isn't it boys and girls? I haven't seen a night quite like this in a hundred years. [the Don is seen entering the radio station's airing room's antechamber. He is in a wheelchair. LaCroix catches sight of the elder 'family' head] In fact this is no night to be inside...let's turn off our radios, go out and...play. [LC shuts down the microphone]
LC: "Ooh, ho. [in amusement, an ironic smile and chuckle is directed to the invalid man before him] You don't look well Don Constantine. Time's a BITCH, isn't it?" (I'm sorry, but there is just something about the way Bennett delivers that line that clenches my stomach every time I hear it ;-[). Hmmm...Nasty Nigel, nasty!)
Don C: [waiting patiently for the pale one to finish his remarks] "I'm here for the favor you owe me." [shot of the other's impassive face]
Fade out to Flash Back:
We are once more in Paris, at the office of a young Don Constantine. He is seated at his desk, speaking to the couple before him. Janette stands to the foreground, aloof. LaCroix, wearing suit, tie, coat and black fedora, is sitting on the corner of said desk. (Can't help it, he looks...goofy...in a fedora.) Hands clasped in his lap, LC twiddles his thumbs in an attempt to keep his impatience in check. The other man stands to tell him that he has not seen Nicolas.
Don C: "I haven't seen him." [Janette leaves at this point]
LC: [raising his left hand to halt the false statement] "No! [LaCroix now snatches the chain and watch hanging from the mortal's vest] I gave this to him. He was to keep it until the day he died. [not facing the other] So...either you helped him, with this as payment. Or...you killed him. I would be most unhappy if it were the latter." (Uncle uses that possessive tone of voice we've all come to know and...adore. Nope, no reference here to the Pavlovian physical response it generates in me ;-[) !)
Don C: "I assure you, he's fine. He's...traveling."
LC: [ginning to himself at the, not surprising, news] "Aah. But where? He probably told you that his life was in danger. [a brief sneer] I can't imagine where he got that idea." [standing abruptly] (Where? Where? Ummm, Uncle..? That would be from, you...) "I'm simply trying to keep my family together, Don Constantine. Surely you can understand that. I would be eternally grateful for your help, [facing the screen, his back still to the mortal so instrumental in the 'temporary' misplacement of his son] in this matter."
LaCroix offers a sidelong glance back to the man he has been talking to. The other nods slightly in respect and acknowledgement of the request.
Fade back to the CERK station, present day:
Don C: [addressing LaCroix] "I won't have David leaving the 'family', it can't be allowed. I did the favor you asked me, one man to another. One father to another. Now I want that favor returned." (This is one ballsy dude! To speak to a thousand plus years old immortal in that way!)
LC: "I have an excellent memory for old accounts [smile]. You would have brought me his head on a platter if I asked you to. Is that what you'd like me to do for you? Uh, oh...be careful. [sardonic short laugh] I DO tend...to take things...literally."
The scene ends with the pair grimly eyeing the other.
Cut out:
Cut back:
Nick is talking to David's wife, Karin. He is asking her if she thought she was helping her mate, by telling the Don where David was. (Kinda like...Janette did?) The woman had not realized that Constantine intended to kill her husband. She thought they were going to return him to 'The Family'.
K: "I just want to put everything back, the way it was before."
N: [short] "Well that's not going to happen. Constantine kills anyone who betrays his family, even David."
K: [shaking her head] "But I thought if...if he came back he would be safe."
N: "If he came back he'd be just like his great grandfather."
(Read
K: "All that I want for my son, right now, is his father. [voice rising] But I don't know where he is."
What she said touches something deep in Nick. He looks down in concentration.
K: [upset now] "I mean is this how David takes care of us, by running out. By not being here...on Father's Day!" (Yo! Nikkie...ummm...Do you think your 'family' might need you, too?)
Knight is no longer looking at the woman seated before him. He is lost in thought.
N: [obviously preoccupied, he remarks absently] "I have to go."
The young Mrs. Constantine turns away in frustration. Nick regains the sense of the current situation. He sympathetically explains to the woman that David wants to be with them and that she must decide if 'The Family' is more important than her own.
Cut to the station:
Knight enters, smiling. He cheerfully says "Hi" to Natalie as he grabs her waist as he passes behind her. She is standing at the counter signing forms. Nat asks if he has seen Schanke, the Captain is looking for him.
N: "I'm him." [still grinning as he turns back around to look at her. he wears a boyish look of amusement]
Nat: "Of course you are." [mirroring his infectious smile]
N: "Actually I'm subbing in, so he can be with his family." [Nick now joins his friend to lean on the counter beside to her]
Natalie holds up a hand in mock protest.
Nat: "Oh, oh please...you're making me, feel...all warm and fuzzy inside. [in feigned disgust] Speaking of which. I have a hungry cat at home, evidence to deliver and since no one 'volunteered' to sub for meee..."[her words fade away as she had gathered her papers and walked off]
N: "Aaah...[knowingly] Next time!" [loud enough for her to hear]
Detective Knight walks over to his deck. He finds a very staid LaCroix seated there. (So, like tell me. Why didn't the Brick sense his 'daddy' was there? So near?) The young one stops short, his expression is frozen and impassive.
Fade to Flash Back:
We are in Los Angeles (I'm sure this time!). Nicholas blissfully descends a wide, lush flight of stairs and is adjusting his cuffs. He glances to the people passing him, on their way up. He is still smiling happily to himself as he fidgets some more with his sleeve. A slow, deep voice halts his movement.
LC: [off screen] "I must say I commend your choice, Nicholas." [Nick stares wide eyed]
Now seen is LaCroix and Janette, they are standing together in the lobby. (Okay, I'll spare you the 'LaCroix in suit jabs'. Thankfully, at least he's not wearing...the fedora. Yaaah :-[)!)
LC: [stepping forward] Los Angeles has such possibilities." (Told you, I knew it was L.A. this time!)
As LC strides past and out of view, Janette is seen standing quite serious and determined in stature.
LC: [smoothly still] "Although too much sun for
my liking." [he immediately is at his son's side. the young one
turns away] (Come on boy, Do It! Fight or flight, fight or flight.)
[his master's demeanour changes quickly to hiss,] "Let us
not make a scene!" (Oooh, Walking "O" has grabbed Nikkie's
forearm here. Well, then again...he was standing plenty close enough
to do so easily
Nicholas takes a long hard look towards Janette. He finally, briefly, meets his master's gaze.
N: [calmly, lightly, with much self control] "How did you find me?"
LC: "I shall always find you, Nicholas."
Shoot to Janette, she looks down.
Returning to our pair, the younger's lips are tightly drawn. He then realizes that LaCroix is fiddling with a gold pocket watch. The same one that was the gift from his master, long ago. The watch that he had given Constantine as payment for his...escape.
LC: "Let's just...forget all about this little episode.
Shall we? I wouldn't like to hold it against you." (Double Yaah!
I forgot all about that line! Tell us Orgasmic One. Oh tell us...pleeease!
--- What DO you want to hold...against...him? UFfish minds want
to know ;-[). ~Shame on you, Jules. Shame.~ WAIT! Wait a minute,
that's what I do these for! Oooo...I'm such a pervert, Yep-Yep-Yep
LaCroix lifts his hand to offers the watch back to his wayward child. (There must be a 'Missing Scene' here...I can TASTE it!)
Fade out:
Cut back to present:
Again at the precinct with LaCroix at Nick's desk. (I enjoy this next bit, a lot ;-[)! Our boys interact so delightfully.)
Knight, still in a good humor despite himself, walks up casually to his elder.
N: "What do you want?" [glancing about to see if anyone has taken notice of the presence of this, strange man, at his desk]
LC: "Do I have to want anything?" [he stands] (You always want something from Nikkie, now don't you? All haled pale one.) "Let's talk about, families...Nicholas. That's what seems to be on everyone's mind. [Nick still looks around to check if his co-workers are watching. he is uncomfortable with this 'public' confrontation]
Knight, facing the screen, has LaCroix talking to him off to his left.
LC: "What is a father? A father" (<Screws
his son over, every chance he gets.> Right, LaCroix? Oops, sorry
folks. That was rude...accurate in more ways than one, but...rude.---You
shoulda seen the first word I had typed in...but I thought I better change
it to 'screwed'
Knight is sooo amused with all of this.
N: [still grinning] "Constantine came to you."
LC: "It's a matter of an old debt [over his left shoulder to Nick] I want you to stay out of this. I think a child owes his father that much courtesy."
N: "And what about what a father owes his child [firm,
humorous and quiet] It works both ways you know." (~Damn,
I might want to take a break from doing these 'Slants' for a while. There's
not THAT much UF in them, is there? ;-[)~. So how,
pray tell, does it work *both* ways Nikkie? You mean like, taking and...giving?
Yaah! It must be the full moon!
Even without my implied UFfishness, Nicholas' remark does cause LaCroix to abruptly change the subject. (Maybe I'm not that far off?!)
LC: [briskly returning to the desk behind him] "Let's see what your friend, Schanke, has to say about it. [LaCroix picks up the questionnaire. he reads from it:] That's not bad." [from the back of Nick's left side] (Now I know it's pobably because they're not anal retentive U.S. actors, but these two always* stand so...close.)
N: [looking away] "He left out 'freedom'."
LC: "So would I."
Knight shakes his head slightly in dismay.
LC: [quite serious] "So let's stop beating around the bush. If David Constantine does not return to his 'Family'. I will find him and kill him. You're not strong enough to stop me, Nicholas. [pause, with curiosity] Why do you care anyway?"
N: [serious now, too] "I think you understand." [Nick's remark catches LaCroix cold, but he recovers instantly]
LC: "Maybe I do." (Nice job with the comeback, "O"! But you answered too quickly.)
N: [upset enough to finally turn to his master. sarcastically:] "Well then. Why don't you do for David what you would never do for me. [turning back away] Let him go."
LaCroix is stunned into silence at this accusation. Composure retained, his only response is a slow blink.
We fade out and into an outside shot of the Constantine mansion.
Don Constantine casually sips brandy from a snifter. He is seated at his home office's desk. The clicking of a door stirs him to look up. LaCroix now stands tall and ominous in the room.
(How utterly conventional of you, O' Ancient Paled One, to use the door. I think Nikkie made a much more dramatic impression by coming in through the window, when he visited.)
Don C: "Is it done?" [setting his glass down to gesture with his hands]
LC: "And if I said it was..."
Don C: "What do you mean?
LC: [walking slowly towards the seated man] "There
is only one way that this can end. [pause] You know how stubborn
children are." (Yeah, especially those 800 year old children
Don C: "He thinks there's some better life out there than what I can give him."
LC: "It's always about what they want, isn't it. They can be so thoughtless. [subtle grimacing blink] (Sorry, it works both ways LaCroixster.)
LaCroix leans onto the large piece of furniture the Don is at. He moves in close to speak firmly, face to face.
LC: [menacing] "Do you want him killed? Is that what you want?"
Constantine remains solid as he returns LC's stare.
Cut out:
Cut back:
Still at the mansion. LaCroix is standing again.
Don C: [he also has risen, to look at the pictures of his
'children' on the wall behind him] "They were supposed to take
my place [with frustrated passion]. David's grandfather, Dimitri,
my oldest. [reminiscing] He looked just like me. [passion
flares once more] He's the one who should be standing here today!
[regaining himself] Aah. Well this isn't an easy business,"
(Like being a vampire over a thousand years old with an unruly son
is?) "you take some casualties. Dimitri was in the wrong place
at the wrong time. We lost his brother Stephan
The Don goes on to list off to his guest how all the rest of his 'Family' has been lost, one way or another. He then states he is old and tired and sees his great grandson as his last hope to continue. Without David and his son, Constantine fears 'The Family' will end. Everything he has built will disappear.
Don C: "But that doesn't mean anything to you, does it?" (Can't help but notice that LC seems to be thinking along the same lines. Really now, Uncle, you can't actually be assuming that Nick is your, last. Unless...fatalistic tendencies Walking "O"?) "But it means everything to me! You OWE me!"
LaCroix, grim faced, silently assents.
Fade out:
Nicholas and David are at the young mortal's home, waiting. Nick is trying to explain to him that he's not sure if Karin and their son are going to show up. They do. She has decided to go with her husband and leave 'The Family' behind. Detective Knight has arranged everything for their escape. The trio is about to depart for the airport when a (gorgeous) Rolls Royce pulls into the drive.
N: "Go, quickly." [with determined steps he starts to go out to meet the car and its passengers]
The Don and LaCroix emerge. The patriarchal Italian strides urgently forward. LC languishes behind.
LC: "We both know how that would end...Nicholas."
N: [nodding in assurance to the group at his back] "Take your family David, and go. I'll try to hold them off." (Nicky is sooo forceful, when he's determined ;-[)!)
DC: "What do you mean? You're stonger than..."
A sharp backward glance stops David's retort short. (Ahhmm, David...Nick isn't the only vampire in town, ya know...)
DC: [shaking his head, he starts to walk up to his great
grandfather] "Karin and Adam are leaving. [Nick tries to
halt his progress. David brushes Knight's hand aside and says to him:]
No. [he steps past the Detective] Aaaa...I'll run 'The Family'
if you want me to fun 'The Family'. Or you can shoot me if you wanna shoot
me." (Ooo, just like when Blond "H" tells Walking "O"
in Paris,
Don C: "Well that noble streak is endearing. You get it
from your uncle Stephan
DC: [cutting in] "But you told me..."
Don C: [retaking control of the conversation] "I've
buried enough sons, for a lifetime. That's not the legacy I
want to leave! [stepping up to David, grasping his upper arms]
I hear that Los Angeles" (
Shot of LaCroix. He paces forward to look down and off to the side.
LC: "Humph?" (Okay, Daddy "O". Unclear on the concept of...letting go. -- Hi, Marcia... Orgasmic One is as deserving of my teasing in this part as I felt Nick was in some of my other parts. I do, try, to share my slanting equally. Though I can get carried away at times ;-[).)
N: [he has walked up to a, still confused, LaCroix] "What do you say to him?"
LC: "Oh. The old man was simply concerned, to have someone to run the business after he died. [small grin] Uuh...personally, I don't think he's ever looked fitter. He could live for another hundred years..."
Nick slowly turns to his master, once he realizes the innuendo of the remark. He glares.
LC: [offhand, as sort of an explanation to the harsh gaze he has received] "I owed him a favor." [LaCroix walks away]
Nicholas smiles, with a look of
We leave the scene with a view of the two Consantine men still in an embrace.
Cut out:
Cut back:
At the station house. Don Schanke sneaks in late, again. Nick's partner expresses his gratitude to Knight for relieving him the day before, so he could spend time with his wife and daughter. Schanke now rifles his desk top for the form he was to fill out, the questionnaire on what it is to be a father. He asks Nick if he's seen it, the other shrugs.
Fade to a night lake front shot of the city: The Nightcrawler's voice is heard.
LC: Good evening Toronto. As all the night creatures come out of their dens. The Nightcrawler is on the air. [we see Nick driving in the Caddy] And who's little ears are listening tonight? [Nick smiles] It's a school night. So, how about a little education? [pause] I am my father's spirit...doomed for a certain term, to walk the night." [we now see LaCroix speaking from the CERK station] (Note to Loopies: I don't recognize the reference on this next part, so I'm guessing a bit. Please bear with me...corrections ARE appreciated.) "And in the porches of mine ear, did pore the leprostist..." (That was the best I could do.)
LaCroix, mentally interrupted, quickly turns from his broadcast. He scrutinizes the presence he feels is waiting outside. His son's image is reflected in the glass of the soundbooth. A satisfied grin traces his lips as he continues.
LC: "What's this, gentle listeners, a visitor." (This is good UFfers, this is real...good ;-[)!)
Nicholas enters the booth. We watch from above as the young one crosses over to his...father. He places a gold watch into the out-stretched fingers of his elder.
N: [smiling] "Happy Father's Day."
LaCroix' left hand folds tightly over the time piece. Holding it elicits a look of pleasure to his cold features. He draws it close and take a moment turns off the microphone.
N: "I'm not coming back to you." [LC appears bemused] (He's heard it all before, child.) "I just want to say, thank you." [Knight awkwardly turns and goes. he leaves a, once again, resigned LaCroix in his wake.]
LC: [turning the mike. on again. LC pauses to take a sharp intake of breath. he now gathers courage, grace and continues] "They say if you love someone, let them go. [we see Nick's reflection in the glass again. he hesitates] If they're really yours they will learn their lessons and return. [LaCroix looks at the watch in his hand as he speaks] You will come back, Nicholas. I can wait. [close-up of his pale fingers holding the golden piece. its lid is open to clearly show a word boldly inscribed inside: FOREVER] I've all the time in the world."
Fade out:
I, alas, have come to the finish of this saga. The sun has risen once more, I must sign off. I will leave with these words of observation:
My, such...power, for one hour of television. And it only took me five days to share these meager expoundings of mine. I *knew* there was a reason why I kept avoiding the good episodes. Wow! UF views aside, Father's Day is one incredible piece of intellectual work. I may have given it my best shot, but there is no way I could even begin to describe all the subtle visual inferences between the characters, ALL of the characters.
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