NightMan (1997–1999): Season 1, Episode 18 - Bad to the Bone - full transcript

[THEME MUSIC PLAYING]

NARRATOR:
Before our story begins...

So, Mr. Bridges.
Any hot stock tips?

Always.

But maybe we should wait
till you finish
my face first.

But this new technique
is a quantum leap

in facial reconstruction.

Miniaturization, Doctor.

That'’s the key.

The synthetic skin contains
of micro motors
per square inch,

giving us complete control
of our facial features,



textures and expressions.

[DOCTOR GRUNTS]

One of our old collars just
broke out of
Terminal Bay Prison.

He could be headed
this way.

E. Haskell Bridges.

JOHNNY:
Who'’s E. Haskell Bridges?

CHARLIE: Some financial guru

that cheated a bunch of people out of millions.

You do still have
those offshore accounts,
don'’t you?

Yes, Sam. I'’ll take you
to your big score soon enough.

But first, I have a few little
ones to settle here.

And Frank, you'’re under arrest.

Frank,
you'’re under arrest.

RALEIGH: So you'’re saying
this Bridges
can change his face



to resemble anyone
he wants?

Charlie, where'’s you go?

Bad choice.

[SCREAMING]

BRIDGES: I'’ve got big plans for Johnny Domino...

and this space face of mine.

[SAXOPHONE PLAYING]

[AUDIENCE CLAPPING]

[ROCK MUSIC PLAYING ON RADIO]

[CHANGES RADIO STATION]

[JAZZ MUSIC PLAYING]

[WOMAN STRAINING]

Come on.

Hey. Let me help you.

Okay.

Thanks a lot.

All right.There you go.

Thank you.

You, uh, saved me.

Uh, Johnny.

Johnny Domino of
the House of Soul?

Guilty.

I got a cell phone in my car
if you need to make a call,

or can I give you a lift?

Miss...

Willit. Lisa Willit.

I live over on Lincoln.

I'’m heading that way.
I'’m going to Furton's Cafe.

Good choice.You hungry?

Uh, yeah.

You wanna join me?

I'’d love to.

Okay. Just grab
your keys.

Thanks.

Nice car.Oh, thanks.

Furton'’s... Steak and eggs.

Breakfast of champions.

So named because
you have to spend

eight hours in a gym
to work it off.

Ooh, yeah. Ouch.

Thanks.

Well, wanna come in
for a while?

I think I'’ll have
to take a rain check.

I got a headache.

Isn'’t that supposed
to be my line?

I wish it would be
your headache.

I'’ll see you at the club
Saturday night?

My treat.

Uh, I'’m supposed to be
doing you favors.

You were a real
life saver tonight.

Don'’t worry about it,
it'’s my pleasure.

Thanks.Goodnight.

[OMINOUS MUSIC PLAYING]

[ROCK MUSIC PLAYING]

[KNOCK AT DOOR]

Let me guess.
You had car trouble.

No.

I forgot something.

Yeah? What'’s that?

This.

[CHOKING]

[ROCK MUSIC PLAYING ON RADIO]

[GASPS]

[MUSIC STOPS PLAYING]

[MYSTERIOUS MUSIC PLAYING]

Looks like strangulation by
a ligature of some kind.

Probably a necklace.

Local canvas
turn up anything?

Yeah, a neighbor
across the street
said she saw the victim

go out last night about 8:15.

Yet, no one saw her return.

And her car is still missing.

Get the plate numbers
from the manager,
have him call it in.

Maybe this bozo'’s
dumb enough

to still be driving around
in her car.

[DOOR OPENING]

Morning.

Well, well.
It'’s about time, princess.

I was about ready
to call the paramedics.

That is amazing.

What?

That I brought you
breakfast in bed?[CHUCKLES]

How well you have
his voice down.

Oh, it'’s good, isn't it?Hmm.

Fantastic.

But I'’m getting a little
bored of the pretty boy.

I think I prefer
the real you.

If you insist.

Happy now?

Of course, darling.

Anytime I can gaze upon
your cruelly handsome face

that I'’ve grown
to love and know.

Sam, your beauty is exceeded

only by the depth
of your insincerity.

That'’s why we make
such a perfect couple.

OFFICER: Lieutenant.

Thanks for you help.

They just found
the victim'’s car.

It was broken down
over on Division Street.

Car hot-wired or sabotaged?

No, it doesn'’t
look like it.

We may have a killer
posing as a good Samaritan.

Telephone the boys
to get over there
as soon as possible.

I'’ll meet 'em on my way
back to the station.

Yes, sir.

I'’ve never felt
pain like that.

Well, it definitely sounds
like a migraine.

My aunt used to get '’em.

Usually ends
with her throwing up.

This was pretty bad.

Knocked me out
for ten minutes.

Wow. Never heard of that.

This has never happened before?

I thought it might be
an after-effect from
that lightning strike.

It could be.

I mean, you received
1,000 volts in a circuitry
as delicate as a human brain,

there'’s bound to be
some changes.

I think that you should go
see Dr. Walton, find out
what'’s going on.

I think that you should go
see Dr. Walton,

find out what'’s really
going on.

Maybe I will.

I'’m busy, Raleigh.

[WHISPERS]
You should go see Dr. Walton,

find out what'’s
really going on.

[WHISPERS] Maybe I will.

I'’m out.

[BRIDGES HUMMING]

Ahem.

What?

I was just thinking about
what you were like before.

Back when you were just
a slightly crooked financier.

You mean, before Frank Dominus
and Charlie Dann

sent me to prison
to be brutalized

and have my face
smashed in?

Yeah. But look at what
a great one Dr. Willis
gave you in return.

A space face to help me
get my revenge.

Don'’t do that.

My brain is
already scrambled.

Why else would I
be with you?

Maybe for the, uh,
thrill of the hunt.

The satisfaction
of the kill.

Mm.Or the money.

Now you'’re talking.

But every time I think that
you spent half a million
dollars on that thing...

Ah, consider it
a donation

to prop up the faltering
Russian economy.

Besides, classified weapons
are not easy to come by.

I bet it worked so well
on Domino last night.

I mean, zap.

One highly concentrated
microwave beam

interfering with
the electrical activity
of his brain,

and anything I want,

from a mild headache
to total incapacitation.

So you'’re saying you got
Johnny Domino'’s brain
in the palm of your hand?

Precisely.

But then you thought
the last plan would work.

Mm. That last one had
a fatal flaw.

It was too obvious.

This one'’s more subtle.
It'’s more elegant.

It takes care of the father
and Lieutenant Dann

by making Domino
a murderer.

Well, I understand how
the father will be punished

by Johnny'’s conviction,
but Lieutenant Dann?

Lieutenant Dann will be
the one to collect
the evidence

that will put
his best friend'’s son

in the gas chamber.

[SOMBRE MUSIC PLAYING]

I appreciate you coming
down here, Fern.

FERN: Oh, sure, doll.

Always glad to help
your guys out.

You'’re pretty sure that
this is the girl you saw
in your diner last night?

Yeah. Huh.

She looked a hell of a lot
better than that.

So did the guy she was with.

Yeah? What did he look like?
Can you describe him?

Sure, doll.

In a word, hubba hubba.

Thirty-ish,
medium length brown hair,

six foot, uh,
two or three,

and built like a brick
rumpus room.

Yeah.If you catch my drift. Ha!

Yeah. A regular Greek God
in the flesh.

Look, if you got some time,
I'’d like to put you together
with my sketch artist.

Oh, sure, doll.
For you, anything.

That'’s my girl.

I can'’t believe you got Johnny
to go see that doctor.

Mm. Easy.

I just reminded him how
often I'’d be around

nagging him about it.

Hell hath no fury
like the Dominus ignored.

Remember that.Uh-huh.

Oh. Speak of the Devil.

Hey, kip.

Sit down, son.

So, what did
Dr. Walton say?

"That'’ll be $200, please."

That I'’m fine, Dad.
I'’m fine.

Everything is normal,
including the EEG.

And what about last night?

Yeah, what about
last night?

He said
he wasn'’t certain.

That it'’s probably
a severe migraine.

That it may or may not
be a one time thing.

Oh, and he gave me
some of these to take,

in case it happens again.

Did you eat
all the chicken?

Don'’t eat any of the chicken,
it'’s got MSG in it.

There'’s no more.
He took it all. Look.

CHARLIE:
How are we doing here?

You capturing
his magnificence?

Sure, doll.
We'’re coming along.

Uh, his eyebrows,

uh, thicker, fuller.

Give me a copy of that
when you'’re done, Chuck.

Keep up
the good work, doll.

Oh, yeah. Uh-huh.
Even more.

His lips...

Like pillows.

Ah...

Yeah.

Oh, yeah.
That'’s good.

[PLAYING]

Welcome, denizens
of the dark.

This is Night Bird,

spending the first hour
of tonight

here in my cozy little nest

at the House of Soul.

Johnny Domino and his group
are in the house.

You might wanna make plans to be here.

[SLOW MUSIC PLAYING]

Mm. It'’s a shame, really.

That much talent having
to go to waste.

They could always use
a good jazz man on death row.

Kind of tough to set off
all those harmonicas.

[BOTH SNICKER]

Where is she? Hmm?

Who, the waitress?

No. Johnny'’s next victim.

Some attractive young woman

who'’s just gaga over our
heroic jazz man.

Mm. Well, there should be
a lot of them.

Including one right
at this table.

Now why would I possibly
want the real thing

when I already have an
incredible simulation?

That would be like a girl
asking for diamonds,

when she'’s already had
a cubic zirconia.

Sam...Mm-hmm.

You should have that tongue
registered as a deadly weapon.

Ah, bingo.
There she is.

Where?At the bar.

Third one from the end.

She is very attractive...

and she'’s alone.

And she'’s definitely gaga.

Can you imagine
how excited she'’ll be

when she gets a note
from Johnny Domino

suggesting a private
rendezvous?

Thank you.

Now run along
and deliver it...

while I end
Mr. Domino'’s career.

[CHUCKLES]

[MUSIC CONTINUES PLAYING]

[INAUDIBLE DIALOG]

[DEVICE BEEPING]

[AUDIENCE CLAPPING]

Thank you.
Thank you.

I'’m gonna take
an early break.

I'’ll be back soon.
Thanks.

What'’s he doing?

Uh, something is wrong.

[KNOCK AT DOOR]

Hey, kid. You all right?

Uh, no.
Migraine is back.

Hey, I can call the doctor
if you want me to.

Uh, no. Wait.

Let'’s see if
these pills work.

I'’m gonna lie down
for a few minutes.

I gotta go help Jessie
switch the feeds.

Okay.

Cool. I'’ll be here.

[GROANS] Okay.

[INDISTINCT CONVERSATION]

Johnny?

Johnny?

Johnny?

Here'’s Johnny.

I was so surprised
when I got your note.

At first I thought it might
have been a trick
of some kind.

"Trick"?

Now that wouldn'’t be
very nice.

I'’m such a huge fan, Johnny.

I mean, I come whenever
I can afford it.

But I didn'’t think you
even knew I existed.

I'’ve had my eye on you
for a long time.

That'’s a beautiful scarf.

I thought you'’d like it.

[CHOKING]

Hey, Johnny.

What'’s your hurry?

[WOMAN SCREAMING]

MAN: Oh, my God!

[POLICE RADIO CHATTER]

CHARLIE:
Thanks. Call us if you
remember anything else.

Frank?

What'’s the matter, Frank?

A girl just got
murdered here, Charlie.

That'’s what's the matter.

Yeah. Well, usually you
get all excited about
interfering in my business,

and solving a crime.

Now all of a sudden you'’ve
become a regular choir boy.

This one was
just too close, Charlie.

I mean, if I'’d gotten here
five minutes sooner,
I could'’ve...

You could'’ve what, Frank?

You'’re the one
who taught me,

"shoulda, woulda, couldas"
get you nowhere

but a shrink couch or
a leave from duty.

Now, what'’s done is done.

Yeah.

Yeah, you'’re right.

So... Ahem.
What do you... Uh...

What do you need...
What do you need from me?

You know the witness drill.

See anybody in the vicinity?

No.

I mean, nobody suspicious.

What'’s that supposed to mean?

I mean, I saw this couple
over here, Charlie,

and I saw, you know,
the regular employees
of the club.

And Marty.

You know, downstairs,
the parking attendant.
I saw him.

Marty, yeah.

I should probably
interrogate him.

He probably got stiffed
on a tip,

snapped, and became
a homicidal maniac.

[CELL PHONE RINGING]

Dann here.

You there now?

Yeah, I'’m on my way back.

Gotta go, Frank.

A possible eye witness
to yesterday'’s murder.

Anymore of these, we'’ll have
enough to play Bingo with.

Take care of yourself.

Yeah, yeah.
Good luck, Charlie.

Dad, I don'’t know what
you'’re talking about.

I'’m talking about
an hour ago,

when I saw you
in the garage, Johnny.

I wasn'’t
in the garage, Dad.

I was right here,
on this sofa an hour ago.

Are you sure about that?

Yes, I felt sick.
I took some medicine

to get some rest.

I must have passed out
for a few minutes.

Johnny, you had a blackout.

Maybe I did.

So you don'’t know
where the hell you were
an hour ago.

I was right here,
in this same place.

I know what I saw, son.

Dad, don'’t you have
a meeting to go to?

Yeah, I got a meeting
to go to.

I'’m gonna call
and cancel it.

No, don'’t call
and cancel it.

Go to your meeting.

I'’ll call Dr. Walton

and tell him it'’s
an emergency.

You promise?

Yeah, I promise.

[CHOKING]

So you can'’t be certain about
any of this, Doc?

Absolutes in medicine
are rare enough.

But when you'’re dealing with
something as complex
as the human brain,

it'’s almost impossible.

But you have some
educated guesses?

[SCOFFS] Well,
I'’ll answer a few questions.

Now, do you remember

how rare that accident
of yours was?

I mean, behavioral changes
in people who'’ve been struck
by lightning?

[SCOFFS]

It'’s what you might call
"uncharted territory".

I know the migraines
and blackouts are possible
after effects.

But would I actually do
something I don'’t remember?

Oh, yes.
Alcoholic blackouts.

But the causes of those
are quite different.

But what about
doing something wrong?

Ah...

Something opposite of
my values and beliefs?

Well, yes, there are cases
in scientific journals,

in which people
do commit crimes,

or even kill somebody.

[DRUMMING]

Lieutenant Dann.
You wanted to see me?

Oh, yeah, yeah.
I'’m Ginger.

My professional name.
You know, after Ginger Baker,

the drummer from Cream?

Yeah, I'’m a big
Clapton fan myself.

So, look. I understand
you saw some people

near Fern'’s diner
last night?

What do you mean?

Evidence, Ginger, evidence.

What about the people
you saw near Fern'’s diner?

Sure, sure. Yeah.
Fern told me I should
come tell you.

So what'’d you see?

Oh, okay.

Well, I'’d just
wrapped my act, right,

and I was on my way home,

when I spotted this totally
dope car outside of Fern'’s.

It was like this purple
two-seat Roadster...

Ginger, Ginger.
Come on back to Earth.

What about the people?

Well, I was checking
out the machine,

when this couple
came out of Fern'’s
and zoomed off in it.

Man, it had a great pick up.

Would you be able to
recognize the two people
if you saw '’em again?

Maybe.

I'’ll definitely recognize
the car, though.
I got a picture of it.

You got a picture of the car?

Yeah, yeah, yeah. I saw it
on the news stand today.

It'’s so cool, man.
It'’s like this
40'’s style Roadster

or something, I don'’t know.
I'’ve never seen it.

CHARLIE: "Prowler".

There'’s not a whole
lot of these around,

except for one I know of.

Look, I appreciate your help.

You give the officer
your contact number?

Yeah.

Thanks for your help.Hey.

No problem.

Later.

[OMINOUS MUSIC PLAYING]

There was a case
of a sleepwalker

who drove across town,

killed his mother-in-law,

went home,
and woke up next morning

with her blood
on his pajamas.

He didn'’t know where
it had come from,

and he didn'’t know
what he'’d done.

It does happen, Johnny.

I'’ve delicately
directed Lieutenant Dann

towards this quarry.

Mm-hmm?

So let'’s get back to
the House of Soul

so I can lay
a little more evidence

for our city'’s finest...

Time to hit Johnny Domino
where he lives.

[CHUCKLES DEVIOUSLY]

Thanks.

And now for one more
tiny little change.

Here I go.

So, how do I look?

Scrumptious.

I'’ll give you
my autograph later.

Just remember
to cover my back.

And later you can
cover my front.

Yeah.

RALEIGH: Champ.

I didn'’t know
that you got back.

Yeah, I just got here.

So, what did the doctor say
about the headaches?

He says he thinks
it'’s temporary.

Good, good.
That'’s good news.

I hope
that you called your dad.
He seemed pretty worried.

I took care of that.

Good.

Good.

I think I'’m gonna
head down the club.

Whoa, whoa, whoa.
Wait, wait, wait.

What do you think?

Very fine resolution on
the thermal scan function
on the eye?

What do you think?

What?

The thermal...

You didn'’t try it,
did you?

Oh, uh, yeah.
Yeah.

Sorry.Well, let'’s go do it now.

Because I worked all day
on this, okay? Let'’s go.

I can'’t believe you.

Screwing around.

I'’ll be right there, buddy.

[DEVICE CHIRPING]

What?

Wha...

You'’re acting like you've
never seen the Night Man
suit before.

Of course I have.

I guess I'’m just...

sort of still in awe.

Yeah. You know what?
I still feel that way.

[CHUCKLES]

You know what, pal?

I can honestly say

it'’s like I'm seeing it
for the first time.

Check it out.

[CAR DRIVES PAST]

Uh-oh.

[DEVICE CHIRPING]

[WAVES WHINING]

[GROANS]

I think I killed him.

So it'’s really, like, none
of this rings a bell, huh?

It'’s like you got
amnesia.

It'’s just partial.

Doctor says it'’s temporary.

In areas like this,

I'’m just a little hazy

Okay. But, you know
I love to talk about my toys.

So if you want
a quick review...

Yeah.

Okay. Cool, cool. Okay.

First we'’ll start with
the, uh,

the Anti-gravity belt.
Okay?

You remember the first time
that we used this, right?

You were carrying me
over the bank

and then you dropped me
into the water.

How could I forget?

Okay. So, then we'’ve got
bullet resistant fabric.

Scanner...
You know what?

I think that
we should probably

practice your skills
on this stuff again.

I mean,
if you feel up to it.

That'’d be great.

Johnny, can you hear me?

Oh, thank God.

I thought that
you might be dead.

[GRUNTS]
What happened?

You had some kind
of a seizure.

I'’ll go get an ambulance.

No, no.

I'’m okay.

This, scanner on,

serves both as
an instrument
of perception

and a weapon.

Beautiful.

Who are you?

Uh, a passerby.
I saw you fall.

I'’ve been here
a long time?

No, not long.
Just three-four minutes.

I'’ve been here
the whole time?

Yeah. Where else?

Good.

Let me help you.

Thanks.

Thanks for your help.Okay.

Time to hit Johnny Domino
where he lives.

Bridges?

And you'’re working for him.

I have to go.[GRUNTS]

Where is he?

Who?

This is what you'’ve been
using to knock me out.

That'’s my pager.

Sure it is.

Let go of me.

I'’m not gonna do it.

[GRUNTING]

[EXCLAIMS] No, no!

This is totally illegal.

I'’ll call a cop for you.

I didn'’t say...

Hold up, Johnny.

We gotta talk
about Lisa Willis.

Not now, Charlie.
I can'’t talk.

Now.

So what?

You admit you know her?

Yes. But I don'’t
have the time.

Take the time, Johnny.

Because I'’m here to arrest
you for a murder.

Oh, come on, Charlie.
I didn'’t do it.

I thought I did for a moment,
but I didn'’t.

What the hell are you
talking about?

I'’ll explain later.

Why don'’t you explain
downtown, Johnny.

I'’m sorry. Let's go.

[GRUNTING]

I'’m sorry, Charlie.

Oh, yes! Yes!

Nice landing.
Nice landing.

Looks like you'’re
catching up to speed

with the Anti-gravity belt.

Thank you.
Thank you, Raleigh.

Don'’t know what
I'’d do without you.

Oh, you'’d probably crash
and burn
from about 1000 feet up.

True.

Yeah.True. [LAUGHS]

I'’m beginning to realize
how invaluable
you are to Johnny.

What, are we now referring
to ourselves in
the third person?

That'’s cool. That's cool.
In that case...

Raleigh sincerely appreciates
Night Man'’s kind words.

Now can we please go inside,
because it'’s cold out... here.

I think it'’s better
you'’re not around.

Increases the pressure.

[GRUNTS]

Ha-ha!

Yeah!

[GROANING]
What happened?

Yeah, you got cold cut.

By who?

Hah! Me.

Why?

Ah, it'’s a test flight.

Kid, you know I do
not like these height.

I do.

Put me down, now.

Yeah?Yeah.

Okay.[SCREAMING]

[BRIDGES LAUGHING]

Have a safe trip.

[GRUNTS]I got you, buddy.

Okay. Put me down,
put me down, put me down.

What was that?

Raleigh, take it easy.

No, you take it easy.
You almost killed me
up there.

It wasn'’t me.

I'’ll explain later.

Going somewhere?

[LAUGHS MANIACALLY]

How about a light, Johnny?

[BOTH GRUNT]

How does that feel, Domino?

Bad move, Bridges.

[LAUGHS]

Time to stop playing around.

I agree.

Die, Domino.

That can'’t happen, Bridges.

You'’ll lose unless
you shut down now.

You'’re wasting your breath.

Your battery pack is low
from carrying Raleigh.

[BEEPING]

[LAUGHS]

What'’s the matter?
You don'’t have the guts
to finish me?

I don'’t have to.

[SUIT POWERING DOWN]

[SCREAMING]

So you actually recognize
that thing?

Yeah. Yeah.

I saw a somewhat
experimental device

when I was working
in weapons research.

This definitely could cause
your headaches and blackouts.

Which gave Bridges
the opportunity

to impersonate me
and commit those murders.

RALEIGH: Yes.Back up a minute.

I only got your word
E. Haskell Bridges
resurrected.

How do I know that
as a fact?

What more do you need?

I mean, that'’s gotta be who
I saw in the parking garage.

Exactly my point, Frank.

A fact you neglected
to mention.

Really?Yeah.

Charlie, you expect me
to rat out my own son?

Well, you got Bridges'’
girlfriend, Samantha, right?

Right.

Yeah. What am I gonna
charge her with?

Loitering in a trunk?

She'’s the one who zapped
me with that thing
in the garage, Charlie.

Possible assault at best.

I got two homicides
to clear up here.

I need factual evidence.

Like a bloated body.

So tell me, exactly,

which bridge did
Bridges fall from?

"Bridge"?

Am I speaking Greek here?

The two of you saw him
fall into the Bay.

Which bridge
did he fall from?

Or you'’re telling me
he fell from the sky?

No, no. That'’s not
what happened.

No, no. It was
the South City bridge,

about half way across.

North or south?

BOTH: South.

Look, I dragged that bay
for days looking for his body,

and came up with nothing
but little fishies.

Are you absolutely certain
he'’s down there?

Certain as humanly
possible, Charlie.

Given his recent
return from the grave,

I'’d say you can't be too sure
about anything

concerning
E. Haskell Bridges.

I'’ll get the drag team
down there at dawn.

Which reminds me...

The only factual evidence
I got in this case

is somebody I know
assaulting a police officer.

Oh, come on, Charlie.
You know that wasn'’t me.

Oh, so what
you'’re saying is

that was really Bridges
who decked me, right?

Of course it was, Charlie.

What?

Come on, Johnny.

Level with me.

[GROANS] Ah!

[ALL LAUGHING]

[THEME MUSIC PLAYING]