Covert Affairs (2010–2014): Season 2, Episode 12 - Uberlin - full transcript

This started as
an anonymous tip,

and it's turned out
to be a crash course
in money laundering.

AII right. What's
the front company?

A honey factory...
In South Africa.

Let me guess.
Honey's real,

some of the
orders are fake.

Ding! Invoices show
the factory sold an
order to a confectionery

at 134 Rue du Lombard
in Brussels.

Except it doesn't exist.

Trip to Brussels
isn't a bad deal.

Yeah, but honey
money moves fast.



Next, to an off-shore
account in Bermuda.

Then, to Berlin,
to a private investment
company owned by...

Drum roll, please...

Isaak Von Hagen.

AUGGIE: Isaak Von Hagen.
The go-to guy for tax
evaders the world over.

Yeah, and now he's
rumored to be moving
money for terrorists.

So, how do we
get to a guy with
that many layers?

You don't.
You get to his wife.

You think she's
the way in?

Elsa Von Hagen
just opened a
private bank account

a few weeks ago
under a false name.

Her first in
20 years of marriage.

AUGGIE: Think she's
looking for a change?

Right now,
she's looking
for a hat.



Oh. Shopping's over.
I'll check in later.

AUTOMATED VOICE:
Alexanderplatz.

Listen closely.

You're to tell
Arthur Campbell I have
requested to see him.

I don't know
anyone named...
Don't turn around.

The way you follow me,
Iike a lovesick puppy.

Either you fancy me,
or you're CIA,

seeking intel on
my husband's clients.

Or maybe it's both.

I want a meeting
with Arthur Campbell.
Make it so.

I guess I won't bother
asking you if you're
actually going to Berlin.

Is this woman,
Elsa Von Hagen,
who I think she is?

A former asset.
Yeah. She went by
the name Petra then.

But it's her.

You said she
was trouble.

Unreliable, maybe.

"Dangerous" is
the word you used.

Why was she
so dangerous?

Oh, it was
Berlin in '89.

I was a punk kid,
still wet behind the ears,
taking on the Stasi.

This is entirely different.
It's a different time.

Have you looped in
German intelligence?

No. Isaak Von Hagen has
moles all over the BND.

Arthur, you're
a public figure.

You can't go skulking
around Berlin and expect
the BND not to notice.

It's not about
not being noticed.

It's about
not being caught.

Karl Schmidt is one
of the good guys.
He'll want to help.

Isaak is ultimately
his problem, anyway.

Karl could be the mole.

(SIGHS)

Well, have you at least
given thought as to who
will cover your desk?

Yes, you.

It will give you a
chance to see the
job you passed up.

You looking
for this?
Yes.

Promise me you'll
meet with Elsa and
come right back.

You'll barely have
time to miss me.

JOAN: (OVER PHONE)
Arthur has agreed
to meet Elsa.

He's en-route
to Berlin now.

ANNIE: (OVER PHONE)
How do I contact him?

JOAN: Being
spotted with Arthur,
an overt CIA officer,

could blow your cover.
So, I suggest you
follow strict protocols.

Limit face-to-face meetings.
Use secure phone lines.

ANNIE: Standard
handler protocol.

JOAN: And as far as your
asset, Elsa Von Hagen,
is concerned,

she's not to be trusted.

ANNIE: I never expected Arthur
actually to come to Berlin.

JOAN: I didn't realize
you had expectations
for your missions.

ANNIE: Sorry.

I mean, how does a woman
like Elsa even know Arthur?

JOAN: Elsa is actually
a long-term asset of Arthur's

named Petra Mueller.
Former Stasi.

ANNIE: That's how she made me.

JOAN: They were
some of the best.

(SPEAKING GERMAN)

JOAN: Annie, I want you
to run point on this.

You'll arrange the meet,
liaise with Elsa.

Arthur's going
to be in and out.

Think of him as
an access agent,

there only to
make introductions.

And Annie...
I want a full report.

Of the meet?

Of everything.

I may be way off
base on this,

but I think Joan wants
me to spy on Arthur.

What kind of intel
is she looking for?

I don't know.
But Arthur has way more
experience as an operative.

He already knows Elsa.
So, why am I the one
running point on this?

Well, it could be because
you got us onto Isaak.

Could be because you're
covert and he isn't.

I don't think so.

I think it has something
to do with this woman, Elsa.

I could hear it
in Joan's voice.
Well...

Then, this may be
your most sensitive
operation yet.

Great.

Thanks for that.

(THEME SONG PLAYING)

This was an NSA
Iistening post.

Amazing what lengths
our paranoia took us.

Speaking of which,
are you sure you
weren't followed?

Positive.

I took three trams,
doubled back.

I used evasive tactics
the whole way.

Good. I assume
Joan's filled you in?

Yeah. Elsa will
meet you tomorrow
at Britz-Ost harbor.

No.
I can...

You let me
handle Elsa.

You can let her think
we're meeting at the harbor,

but I've got another
Iocation in mind.

Another location?
I want to
control the meet.

Gartenfelder Strasse.

What's the issue?

It's an office
park now.

Oh.

How about Bernauer?
Or is that a
T.G.I. Friday's?

No. Bernauer
is good.

"Turn and face
the strange."

Brecht?

Bowie.

He recorded
three albums
here in Berlin.

You'll need this
for the meet.

I thought I was going to
take a more active role.

I mean, Joan gave me that
impression, but it's fine.

Elsa's my problem.
AII you have to do
is follow my lead.

Understood.

Same evasive tactics
on the way home.

And don't worry about Joan.

If all goes to hell...

It's on me.

Oh. I'm sorry.

Arthur and I had a
meeting scheduled.

Numbers meeting.
Yes, I'm aware.

I can come back.
No, that's okay.

Arthur read me in.

It's not that pressing.

Really. I'll just
stop in tomorrow.

Joan.

I came to pick up
the files on the
Santorini Operation.

It's being re-assigned
to Special Projects.

I'm sure you've
heard about it, the new
division I'm heading up.

Yes, congratulations.
Richly deserved.
Thank you.

Now, the files.

May you be more prudent
with your own budget
than you were with mine.

If you need help
while Arthur is away,
I'll be in my office.

ANNIE: Apparently, Arthur
didn't get the message.

His orders are the exact
opposite of Joan's.

That sounds
pretty interesting.

You know what?
Maybe I should stick around.

Where would you be going?

Richmond, it's
Billy's 30th birthday.

Or it would have been.

Billy from Special Ops?

The Jack of
Diamonds Mission?

Yeah.

His family is
holding a special
memorial. But...

These things
can be difficult.

You know, the other
families are there.

Billy meant a lot to you.

His friends and family
are celebrating his life.

And you were a part of that,

Auggie?

Yeah.
Go.

(GREETING IN GERMAN)

Danke.

(SCOFFS)

You must be excited
to see Arthur.

Or do you always
drive this fast?

Is that what's
making you nervous?

My fast driving?
Or is it something else?

I just like to get
where I'm going all in
one piece, that's all.

(DEVICE BEEPING)

(GRUNTING)

(CURSING IN GERMAN)

(SCOFFING) Arthur.

You wanted a meet.

You got it.

Not even a hello?

Hello, Elsa.

You've hardly changed.

Your little stunt
could have
gotten us killed.

I happen to know you
can handle yourself
behind the wheel.

(CHUCKLES SARCASTICALLY)

Annie said you're
offering us Isaak's
client information.

AII I want in return
is resettlement
in the UK.

Why so eager
to cooperate?

Isaak changed.

His business used to be
a few bean counters

Iooking to cheat
on their taxes.

His new clients,
they are killers.

How do we get
his client list?

There's only one way
to get that information.

Become a client.

Twice, we've sent
operatives to
become clients.

They got nowhere.

Well, your operatives
didn't have me
to vouch for them.

So, you're the key
to this whole thing.

Who do you think
gave you the tip about
A.J. Manufacturing?

Face it, Arthur.
You need me.

Then pitch me to Isaak.

My husband is no fool.
He knows you're CIA.

He knows your past.
Unless you've been
misleading him all this time.

(SIGHS)

Tell him I sold you
secrets in '89.

He could be convinced
I've been selling
secrets all along.

I'm sure he's heard
about my legal troubles
at the Agency.

A man in my position
might need someplace
to stash the money.

Well, if he
suspects anything,
he'll kill us both.

Then, you'd better
be convincing.

I look forward to
meeting your husband.

Does Langley know
about this plan?

You mean Joan?

Joan appreciates
resourcefulness.

AII that matters
is whether or not
the job gets done.

And it will.

The meeting must
happen today.

Today?

In a couple
of hours.

Tell Arthur he can't
accept the terms
Isaak will give him.

Isaak will know
it's a set-up.

I'll tell him.

Arthur is crazy
to be doing this.

You must know that.

He's good at
what he does.

Arthur was going
to rise quickly
in the CIA,

Berlin proved it.

I set him on that path.

Maybe he's trying
to get us all killed.

Or maybe it's only me.

Why would he want that?

You give Arthur
the message.
He must be prompt.

Good luck to us all.

The venue's a bit
atypical, I know,

but we've got
Billy's high school
football team

competing for the
State Championship
on the big screens

and 30 beers
on tap.

A party tailor-made
for Billy.

You're one of Billy's
college buddies, right?

The cop, right?

Firearms training
would be tricky.

Oh. You're Auggie.

I'm sorry. I can't believe
I didn't put that together.

I'm Parker.

Billy's little sister.
Yeah.

It's nice of you to come.

The whole family
has been wondering
how you're getting along.

How are you getting
along, Auggie?

(PHONE RINGING)

Hey, you're Skypeing me.
You must miss me.

Yeah. I'd also love
for you to yell

if you see Chloe's
paintings anywhere
in this pile.

The ones she did
for the art show?

Yeah. I thought I put them
away for safe-keeping
a few weeks ago, but...

Oh, no.

What?
I got them framed.

Oh, how sweet.
Yeah, but they're
in my apartment.

Well, I'll go
get them.
You can't.

No one can know
where it is.

I can't know
where you live?

Not this particular
apartment. The Agency
has strict protocols.

The school art
show is tonight.

Chloe is going to be
crushed if her work
isn't part of the exhibit.

I know.

So, have someone go get them.

Danielle, no one
at the Agency can
know where I live.

Okay. What am I
supposed to tell Chloe?
How do I explain this?

I... I'm sorry. I...

You know what?
Just save your apologies.

Danielle.
(CALL ENDS)

Guten Tag,
Mr. Campbell.

ELSA: Please have a seat.

I must say, rarely
does a CIA man
come to me for help.

Well, there comes
a time when a man must
prepare an exit strategy.

For me, that time
appears to be now.

Only a man with
special talent can keep
his true nature hidden.

If what my wife says
is true, you have kept
yours hidden a long time.

I'll take that
as a compliment.

You may be using
this special talent
on me right now.

Perhaps the CIA made
a deal with the polizei.

If so, the CIA would
not choose to send me.

Because you're overt?

Because the CIA doesn't
trust me anymore.

You worked with my wife
during the '80s, no?

I was posing as a student.
We had a class together.

I'm sure you were
quite taken with him.
Weren't you, Elsa?

Of course.
I thought it
was true love.

ISAAK: The pull of
young love is powerful.

One might suspect
now the two of you are
plotting against me.

Well, I assure you,
that's not the case.
I'd prefer my
wife to answer.

I'd be twice
a fool then.

He's here because
he's in a bind.

And I'm fortunate
to have a husband
who can help him.

And you think
you can trust me?

I do.

Words are cheap.
Actions are what count.

(SCOFFS)

The CIA teaches you this?

My wife.

$3 million, that's the
minimum deposit. I take 4%.

Hefty minimum.

For you, yes.
But I'm sure you
amassed a small fortune

selling secrets,
didn't you?

But I'm not the kind of
guy who puts all of his
eggs in one basket.

Three million. That's
all the eggs I've got.

You say I'm a man
you can trust. So, trust.

You have until
3:00 p.m. tomorrow.

(ANNIE SPEAKING HALTING GERMAN)

Oh. Let me help.

Ah. Do you
speak English?
Yeah.

Great. I'm trying to
find this concert hall.

Oh. You don't
want to go there.

I know a place. It's more
exclusive, but the admission
price is a little steep.

Uh, how steep?

About three million.
And I need it by tomorrow.

Whoo.

Make eye contact with
that woman in front of you.

No, the one over
my right shoulder.

Convey annoyance with me.

If she responds,
she's not a shadow.

Okay. Great.
Can you just point me
in the right direction?

Well, it looks old-school.
But it works.

So, what do you
want to do now?

I going to ask Joan
to divert money
from another mission.

Okay. Maybe...
Maybe I should be
the one to call Joan.

We'd have a better
shot if I do it.

Yeah, but you're
supposed to be on
a plane home already.

And I've only blown
one check-in.

Well, maybe
you're right.

Okay. Um, then
I'm going to need
to be read in.

You've already
been read in.

Not on you and Elsa.

Well, as you know,
the officer-asset
relationship

can get complicated.

Assets stop being
sources of intel.
Lines blur.

The lines blurred
between you and Elsa?

You feel the need
to be honest with Joan.
That's admirable.

But I'm her husband,
and I will explain
it all later.

It's better that way.

Thanks.

In the end, I just did
what most of us do.

I graduated,
came home to Richmond,

got a decent job.

I needed to be
close to family
after what happened.

I'm sure they
needed you, too.

I'm leaving the nest
this fall, though.

Off to the
Peace Corps.

Where are you
being placed?

I'm not sure, yet.

But I always
wanted to go, though.

So, it's about time
I did, you know?
Yeah.

Wait. I forgot to
ask what you brought
for the scrapbook.

Actually, I'm
empty-handed. I...

I wasn't sure I was
coming to this.

You can still
contribute something.

It probably
won't be as cool

as the original sheet music
to Billy's favorite song
that I found,

but you could try.
Not A World Apart.

Yeah, that's the one.

Is it signed?

It was tough to find
already. Come on.

I think I can top it.

We're not an ATM
I can't get three million
cleared that fast.

Arthur mentioned the
possibility of diverting
the money from another op.

The Santorini Operation.

Well, Jai is in charge
of that now, and

I can't touch any of
that money without his
expressed approval.

Oh.

And I thought Arthur is
supposed to be on a
plane to Dulles right now.

If we can get the money
into an account, we can
get the bank codes.

And then, both of us can
be home soon after that.

Annie, two other
operatives have tried
to become clients before.

What makes you certain
this will work for you?

Annie?
Elsa is the key.

AII right.

I'll speak to Jai.
But this better work.

I never expected
the guy that composed
A World Apart

to look so...
Professorial.

On this,
I have no comment.

So, you're really
going to ask him to
autograph the sheet music?

Well, we're here.

I'll get you a copy
of his latest recording, too.

You can take it
with you this fall.

It's better
if you don't.

I got good at using
what happened as
an excuse not to...

Get on with things.
I don't want to fall back
into old habits, you know?

Come on.

What are you doing?

We've got time. We can't
get an autograph until
the end of the set, right?

You don't want
to take a blind man
to the dance floor.

You love the music.
So, show it.

Jazz is about listening.

Wrong. Jazz
is about feeling.

You know, you're
doing pretty good.

You should see
my electric slide.

(CELL PHONE RINGING)

Mrs. Walker.
Good morning.

Arthur was in
Iove with her.

Elsa? Did you
tell Joan?

No. We need her to
make the money transfer.
I was afraid that

if I told her about
Arthur and Elsa,
she wouldn't do it.

Why are you still up?
It's a school night.

I closed down
the jazz club.

The guitarist was amazing.

Uh-huh. So, who is she?

The guitarist?
A guy named Blackhorn.

You know what I mean.
Your date.

Ah. Well, to quote the
famous Annie Walker,

"That information
is need to know."

Hey, it's me.

Hey. Annie said you
came through with the money.

But you're the client...

Right?
How did you know?

Arthur, I'm your wife. And...

I'm a spy.

And given the fact that
I had to horse-trade
with Jai for the money,

how about you
tell me the truth
about you and Elsa?

Oh. I was green.

You were in
Iove with her.

Well, I wasn't ready
to admit it to anyone,

not even myself.

So, two days ago,
when she called,
you came running.

Oh. I know how
it must look.

But there is nothing
going on with me and Elsa.

Please know that.

You know what's in
two days from now?

Our wedding anniversary.
I'll be home by then.

You know, we haven't been
in the same city on our
anniversary in three years.

Last year,
I was in Prague.

Well, this year,
we'll start a new trend.

Where do you want to go?

I don't want to go anywhere.
I just want to be home.

With you.

Goodnight, Arthur.

(DISCONNECTED TONE)

Oh, goodnight, Joan.

(KNOCKING ON DOOR)

(KNOCKING CONTINUES)

What the hell are you doing?

You know you
can't be here.

Isaak is on to you.
To us.

I overheard him
talking on the phone.
Somebody tipped him off.

Don't play games
with me, Elsa.

Arthur, this is not a game.

Either we go now
or we hide out
somewhere until dark.

Like we did in 1989?
Our place is still there.

You got the money,
didn't you?

That's what this
is all about.
The money.

You used to trust me.

Well, I chalk that
up to immaturity.

You were mature enough
to make me envision
a life beyond the Wall.

A life with you.

You never intended
to go anywhere.

As operatives go,

you had great instincts.

Probably the best of
any operative I'd seen.

You really think
you could have been
so wrong about me?

(CELL PHONE RINGING)

Hello?

Elsa showed up at the
hotel room, claiming the
operation's been compromised.

That Isaak is on to us.

You don't believe her?
She's trying to play us.

So, what do
you want to do?

Meet me at the usual
spot in 10 minutes.

I'll try and figure
something out.

(TIRES SCREECHING)

You're coming
with me.

(WHISPERING)
What's going on?

Annie, meet Karl Schmidt,
my German counterpart
at the BND

(SPEAKING GERMAN)
Karl and I have spoken
many times on the phone,

but never in
person until now.

He's been shadowing us.
I saw him at the
currywurst stand.

Did Elsa Von Hagen
order you to pick us up?

I don't take orders from
the Von Hagens, Arthur.

I'm one of the
good guys, remember?

Well, it's hard to tell,
the way you snatched us up.

I'd think you'd be
more appreciative.

I'm getting you
out of Berlin,
keeping you alive.

Oh. Is that what
you're doing?

KARL: We'd been surveilling
the Von Hagens long
before you got here.

This morning,
we hear chatter that
Isaak wants you dead.

He would take great pleasure
in taking you down
and smearing your reputation.

That of the CIA
in the process.

Your plane to DC.

The local polizei will
ensure that you are
on it when it departs.

(SPEAKING GERMAN)

(OFFICER REPLIES IN GERMAN)

Safe travels to
you both, then.

Oh, and, uh...

Nice jacket.
Very German.

Arthur,

what about Elsa?

What about her?
We're just going
to leave her here?

You heard what Karl said.
She vouched for us.

There's a lot about
Elsa you don't know.
Okay.

Read me in.

She was playing
a game back in '89.
One I barely got out of.

We were supposed
to meet at one of
the train stations

that the secret police
had closed down after
the Berlin Wall was built.

A ghost station.

She was going to defect.
I get there,

Elsa's nowhere to be found.

But the Stasi's there.
With guns.

I know you're my boss,

you're actually
my boss' boss,
which is worse.

But if you thought
Elsa betrayed you,
why did you come to Berlin?

Why did you
take that call?

If you're absolutely
certain she betrayed you,

then we should get
on that plane right now.

But if there is
any doubt...

I do have doubts.

But it's too late.

No. If there's a
chance to save her,
we should take it.

I know how
difficult it can be

trusting someone when
it seems dangerous.

We'd have to get by
these guys first.

Yeah.

How?

I got 13 operatives
out of here
during the Cold War.

I can get us
back in now.

(MAN SPEAKING GERMAN)

(SPEAKING GERMAN)

How did you know the
polizei would help us?

Well, the polizei
hate the way the BND
come in barking orders.

Kind of like the
police and the FBI.

Some things are universal.

The man in uniform's
distaste for a suit?

That's one.

The ghost station
is down here.

Wait here.
It could be dangerous.

It's okay. I'll come.

Stay here.
Keep your eyes open.

Arthur?

You must go. Now.

Isaak, he knows
I was working with you.

I think one of his men
followed me here.

I did my best to
shake him, but
I can't be sure.

We've got a van outside.
We move quickly,
we got a shot at escaping.

Arthur, thank you.

You don't have
to thank me. Let's go.

He's still not back,
Miles.

Sorry.
Let me save
you another trip.

Arthur will trade you
DeSean Jackson
for Eli Manning

and your first pick
in the keeper draft.

What? That's
breakaway speed,

and I'm sure Manning
isn't thrilled to be
warming your bench.

Yeah.

Auggie, have you heard
from Arthur or Annie?

No, why?

Because they still haven't
picked up the money,

and neither of them are
answering their phones.

I'll see what
I can find out.

That's him.
One of Isaak's men.

This way.
My car is hidden
not far from here.

Come on.

(SHOUTING IN GERMAN)

(CURSING IN GERMAN)

(SPEAKING IN GERMAN)

Go. Go.

(GRUNTING)

Down.

(SPEAKING GERMAN)

Oh, we Americans have
a few moves of our own.

(SPEAKING GERMAN)

Don't worry. I've got this.

(SPEAKING GERMAN)

ARTHUR: Your
flight to London.

Interpol has Isaak
in custody already.

So, you'll be safe.

Your mission succeeded.

They have a team pulling
valuable intel from Isaak's
network as we speak.

Funny.

I thought the only way
I'd ever leave Berlin
was with you.

I was detained
that last night.

Somebody had tipped
the police off about us.

About what we
were planning.

I told no one.

You believe me
now, don't you?

Ah, it doesn't matter.

You'll go to England.

I'll go home to DC.

To your wife.

Goodbye, Arthur.

Goodbye, Elsa.

It's not the ending
of the Cold War,
but it's a job well done.

I got a hero's welcome
when the Wall fell.

One I did not deserve.

I just happened
to be in Berlin
at the right time.

The kudos you'll
receive for this work
you've done here,

will be well-earned.

I can hardly
take the credit.

Oh. You'll have to.

I was never here.

Hey.

I'm sorry to
show up like this.

No, it's okay.
Is everything alright?
Come on in.

Um... It would have
made more sense to call.

But I thought I should
say this in person.

And I need to say it now,
or I might lose my nerve.
Okay.

I really appreciate
your offering to
hang out this weekend,

but I don't know...
You don't think it's
such a good idea.

Yeah. I mean,
it just took so long
to get over losing Billy,

and this feels like...
Just, stuff's going...
No, no, no. You know what?

Hey. You don't
need to explain it.
Certainly not to me.

Okay.

Well, I guess
I should go, then.

I'm sorry. I shouldn't
have done that.

I thought we were
on the same page.
You said this was a bad idea.

Mmm-hmm. Right.

So, we agree.
Mmm-hmm.

No romantic dinner?

I assumed I'd
be eating alone.

I'm sorry.

You had me worried.

You didn't need to be.

You should have told me.

You're right.

But Berlin
is behind me.

For us Navy boys,

this symbolizes
safe passage home.

It's beautiful.

I got you
something, too.
Oh.

Oh, whoa, whoa,
whoa, whoa, whoa.

Eli Manning?
Mmm-hmm.

Thanks to me,
you're winning now.

Happy anniversary.

Happy anniversary.

Danielle?

Chocolate-chip
pancakes.

Chloe's favorite.
I made them myself.

Well, the girls
aren't up, yet.

I know this won't make up
for what happened
with Chloe's artwork.

I realize we don't
always get the chance
to make things right.

Sometimes,
what's done is done.

I just hope this isn't
one of those times.

Have you slept?

Not yet. I...
I got in late
Iast night.

Well, the girls will
be up any minute.

They can't eat all these
pancakes by themselves.

What do you think?

(SNIFFING)
Oh, my God.

(TALKING INDISTINCTLY)