NightMan (1997–1999): Season 1, Episode 6 - Face to Face - full transcript

NARRATOR: Johnny Domino
was one of San Francisco's

hottest young jazz musicians,

but fate and a cosmic event

were about to change
his life forever.

What the doctors told him
seemed impossible.

WALTON: John,
your brain has managed

to acquire the capacity

to pick up certain
frequencies like a radio.

But, Doc,
I'm only hearing bad stuff.

Yes, exactly.

You're tuned
to the frequency of evil.



Who sent you?

Hold it, now.
I'm on your side

RALEIGH: A whole new line
of super tools

developed for super policemen.

A belt which enables him
to overcome gravity.

Fabrics which are virtually
bulletproof.

A stealth mode which makes him
seem to disappear.

A holographic display

which makes him appear
to be where he ain't.

MAN: She is remarkable.

The skin texture,
the color.

Absolutely perfect.

At the risk of
sounding mercenary,

how much?



Here in my clinic,

it would run
approximately $100,000.

But I would imagine, Doctor,
that in you Zurich palace,

the sky would be the limit.

Thank you, Lisa,
that will be all.

And I must say, I've never had
a more beautiful
demonstration model.

Thanks again, Doctor.

It's hard to believe
that the whole left side
of her face

was completely destroyed.

Yes, Doctor.
Please, see for yourself.

Ten weeks ago,
Lisa's face

was shredded
by a rear-view mirror,

a windshield,
and a 50-foot skid
over asphalt.

This new technique
is a quantum leap

in facial reconstruction.

May I see
the schematic again?

Certainly.

Miniaturization, Doctor.

That's the key.

The synthetic skin contains
hundreds of micro motors
per square inch,

which allow each cell
to manipulate up, down,

in or out,
in any direction,

giving us complete control
of her facial features,

textures and expressions.

But the eyes, Doctor.

Yes. The asymmetry
that makes nearly
everyone's right eye

larger and rounder
than their left.

But this, now,
can be done, Doctor.

We live in a world
with more and more information

on smaller and smaller chips.

How soon can I learn
the procedures
and techniques?

I promise,
you'll be the first.

But in a few days,
I may be able to show you

something even more
remarkable.

Smoking isn't
permitted here.

Take that outside.

And don't forget
to take those.

Yes.

So, Mr. Bridges.

Any hot stock tips?

Always.

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

I see.

I see. If you're not
happy with it,

then you'll put me into
one of those illegal

equity swap schemes

that convicted you
in the first place.

Something like
that, yeah.

That's fair enough.

Have you been doing your
facial mobility exercises?

You said
two hours a day?

I've been doing eight.

I'm impressed.

Not much else to do
when you're locked in a cage

for 24 hours a day.

Tone and color match
are fine.

Let's see you smile.

And now a frown.

Lift your left eyebrow.

And now your right.

Excellent facial movement.

Thanks.

Wow.

Seems like I can
move my face

a lot better now
than before the attack.

DOCTOR: That's because
this new synthetic dermal

stretches more
easily than skin.

In the future someone might
be able to alter his features

enough to look like
a totally different person.

Well, Doctor...

the future's now.

Thanks, Doc.

Haskell?

Hey, Sam.

How do you like
the new me?

You look just like him.

Dr. Willis at your
service, ma'am.

When he was
a little kid,

he used to come to our house
to practice on our piano.

Really?
Yeah.

I didn't even know
he could play.

Oh, he plays.
Yeah.

Thank you,
ladies and gentlemen.

That was my oldest friend,
Lee Prescott, on the piano.

It's just his hobby.

His day job's
a little shadier.

He's this area's
new city councilman.

We'll be right back
after a short break.

Hoo!

I'm not so sure
about that, Johnny.

Hey, you sounded
great, Lee.

No. Thanks to Johnny.

He managed to cover
some of my worst parts.

My specialty.

You still have
some chops.

Oh, please.

It's pretty tough to find
any practice time these days.

Although I do keep
my fingers limber

by massaging local
politicians' egos.

Mm. Doesn't seem to work
with Mayor Booker,
though, huh?

Oh, no, I think you mean
Mayor "Big Foot" Booker.

You know, she has stomped
every initiative
I've introduced so far.

My theory is that
the City Council
is like the NBA.

Rookies never
get a real shot

until they establish
themselves.

I hope you're right.

But just in case, Frank,
as an ex-cop,

you can hook me up
with a hit man, yeah?

For you, Lee, anything.

I appreciate that.

Mayor Booker once again
finds herself
defending her policies

against freshman
city councilman,
Lee Prescott.

SAMANTHA: Patience, darling.

I know how anxious you are
after being in jail so long,

but I wanna look my best.

One more question, Mayor.

REPORTER: It would seem
that Councilman Prescott

intends to use his seat
to turn up the heat,

under the Mayor, that is.

BRIDGES: I'll show
the Councilman some heat.

Dad always did
like him best.

FRANK:
I couldn't help it.

I mean, he's a bright,
young man

with a lot of
musical talent.

But he realizes that
he also needs a real job.

A real job.

Excuse me.

I wonder if...

Oh, Sure.
I'll be glad to.

Oh, actually...

I was talking to him.

Oh!
The king is dead!

Long live the new king!

He's married.
Thanks.

She is cute.

Hey, Charlie.
Why the long face?

FRANK: You got a problem?

We got a problem, Frank.

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

He could be
headed this way.

Holler,
the triple homicide?

Not Leonard,
the mob hit guy?

Who else did we put
into Terminal Bay?

I'm surprised you don't
remember, Frank.

Probably one of the most
heinous, vicious criminals
we ever ran across.

E. Haskell Bridges.

Who's E. Haskell Bridges?

Some financial guru
that cheated

a bunch of people
out of millions.

Right, right.
The name sounds familiar.

And you two
put him away?

Wait a minute.
How did he get
to Terminal Bay

from that minimum security
country club at Quincy?

He got in some sort of
hassle with the guard

and the warden
threw the book at him.

Word is after he got
to Terminal Island,

some hard case
took a knife to him

and carved half
his face away.

I hear he's a pretty
bitter boy.

Mm. I'm sick of the noise
and the traffic here already.

I wish we could go
to your beach house
in Marbella.

Sam, you know it's sold.

It's part of the judgment
against me.

Hmm. What about
St. Kitts, then?

Well, bless your
greedy little heart.

You're trying to pump me
about what assets I have left.

Haskell, you don't really think
I'm that mercenary, do you?

But of course, my love.

If I don't come up
with the hidden treasure
I promise to you,

you'd be gone so fast,
you'd leave a vapor trail.

Oh, that is so unkind.

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.

LEE: Mayor Booker?

Prescott, I didn't know
you were still here.

I hope you're not wasting...

No! No!

Sergeant, you absolutely
certain about this?

All right, I'll meet you
at headquarters in 15.

Late night, Charlie?

Bad news, guys.

Charlie, you're not
gonna try to...

We just arrested
Lee Prescott.

Lee?
For what?

Attempted murder.

Walked into City Hall
and tried to pop Mayor Booker.

Come on, Charlie,
you know that's bogus.

Not yet, I don't.

Apparently he did it
right in front
of a security camera.

It's all on tape.

CHARLIE: Can you imagine
what a jury is gonna do
with this?

Okay, I've seen it.
I still don't believe it.

I know this kid.

Let me talk to Lee.

It's not strictly
within policy.

Oh, come on, Charlie...
However...

since he's been asking
for you,

and I'm such a sweet guy.

Lee, come on in.

Thanks, Doug.

Hey, man.

Frank, thanks for coming.

I... I didn't do this.

I know how stupid
that sounds after seeing
what's on that tape,

but this is some
kind of a frame up.

I know, Lee. We just
wanna help you prove it.

Where were you
last night, Lee?

That's just it.
I've got no alibi.

I went back to my office
after dinner

to catch up on some
paperwork.

Were you by yourself?

Yeah.

RALEIGH: Well, if this
isn't you on the tape,

then either someone's
impersonating you...

FRANK: Or he's got
an evil twin.

Or someone has
doctored the tape.

Can they do that?

Hey, if they can make
Fred Astaire dance
with a vacuum cleaner...

And you dare to call me
a samurai shopper.

You must have bought every
beard, wig, and mustache
in the place.

So much fun.

Do you remember the former
dubbed Man of a Thousand Faces?

Sure. Michael Jackson?

No. Lon Cheney.

I'm planning on
beating both of them.

So instead of having
just one man,

you'll have your choice
of a thousand.

Mm. Well, you know
how I love smorgasbords.

Let's go home
so you can show me
your Mel Gibson.

The first thing
we have to decide

is which lines of
investigation to pursue.

I have a friend who can detect
if there's been any tampering,

if I can examine
the original
surveillance tape.

That's very good.
What about us, Johnny?

What?
Wha...

Where are you, son?

Did you, uh...

I got a feeling
Lee wasn't being
totally honest with us.

You don't really think that
Lee had anything to do...

I think he's just not
telling us everything.

SAMANTHA: I love your
new suits, darling.

And I love shopping.

What's next?

BRIDGES: You know,
I think we could use

a little walking
around money.

I want you
to call this bank

and tell them
they're about to have
a very special guest.

What do you think?

Unbelievable.

Okay.

Christine,
thank you very much.
Run along, please.

Back to work, everyone.
I'll handle this.

Sir, it is a great honor.

Warren Buckley,
bank president.

Nice to meet you.

Um, if you could...

step over to my desk,
that would be really great.

Your assistant told me
your situation.

And, you know, once
I lost my wallet in Acapulco
on vacation, and you know...

It happens.

You're not supposed
to drink the water.

A lot of cervezas,
margaritas...

One thing, well...

If you'd like to sign
a counter check

I'll have them prepare
the 10,000 in cash.

More if you think
you need it.

No, I think that's plenty.

That'll be fine.
Thank you, Warren.

"Warren."
Okay. All right.

Let me just look
this up here, okay?

Hope you're entertained.

Oh, Charlie,
I was just...

You were just what?
Breaking and entering?

Stay away from my desk.
How many times
I gotta tell you?

This concerns me, Charlie.

This is all about
Bridge's escape.

Look, what does this mean
here about not...

An ex-con smashed
his face, okay?

He broke jail while
the doc was treating him.

Come on in.

Hi, Frank.
Hey, Lee.

I'll be right back.

Keep a lot of air between
you and that desk, Frank.

How are Gina and the kids?

They're fine,
they really are.

She must be going nuts.
She's fine. She's fine.

Johnny and I went
over the crime scene

and we couldn't
find anything

that those
lab guys missed.

I was hoping maybe
you might've come up
with something.

I'm trying.
Believe me, I'm trying.

Lee, somebody wouldn't
ordinarily go through
this much trouble

to frame a stranger,
you know what I mean?

I know. Unless there
is some huge reason,

or obvious suspect.

I've been racking
my brain, Frank.

There is no one.

What about when you worked
at the DA's office?

That was for ten months,
seven years ago.

Just out of law school,
I was working
the white collar division.

I didn't prosecute
any violent offenders.

No murderers, no rapists,
crazies, nothing.

Hello, hello.
FRANK: Raleigh.

Any sign of tampering
with that original tape?

Uh, no, no.

They're gonna run some
more sophisticated tests,

but it's a long shot.

We may have caught a break.

Just got an anonymous
call from a woman

who says she knows someone
who can put Lee at his office
during the shooting.

You got any idea
who that could be?

No. None at all. I...

* Another Saturday night
Just after ten o'clock

* The band was getting started
And things begin to rock

* You can hear the toes tapping
And hear the fingers snapping

* And the joint's filling up
With hot chicks and cool cats

* They're here to have
A good time

* Dancing the night away

* There's all kind of folks
That seem to dig the scene

* You can see them in their 80s
Right down to their teens

* Jumpin', jivin' jitterbuggin'
All night long

* If the band can play it
They're going to dance

* 'Cause they're here to have
A good time

* Dancing the night away...

That's him.

Frank Dominus.

The one who put me
in that hell hole.

Well, he certainly has
one amazing son.

You're referring to his
talent, of course?

Of course, darling.
What else?

BRIDGES: Do you think
that it's true

that most parents think
that losing a child

is worse than, uh...

dying themselves?

Sure.

Why?

I was just wondering how
I could arrange for both.

JESSICA: Help!

RALEIGH: You're sure
that Jessica's gonna be okay?

She already called
from the hospital,

wondering about
the damage.

They say that
it's nothing structural,
mostly cosmetic.

Plus the smell
from water.

Johnny.
Dad.

I thought I sent you home
to bed 20 minutes go?

First of all,
I'm your father.

You don't send me to bed,
I send you.

Now, I ran into Shules.

He's the arson investigator
on this one.

Is it?

What? Oh, arson. Yeah.

Definitely, he said.

Amateur hour all the way.

You think someone
could be after Jessica?

She usually is not here
this late.

Is it possible the target
could have been you?

NEWS REPORTER: The hottest
jazz club in the city

became too hot
late last night,

as fire broke out
at The House of Soul.

However, club headliner,
Johnny Domino,

proved he's the coolest
musician around

when he managed to rescue
club owner Jessica Rodgers.

Sorry, dear.
Domino looks fine.

Very fine.

BRIDGES: Careful, Sam,
you're melting the glass.

So you're not upset
your plan failed?

Oh, the plan was just
a little experiment.

Everything is perfectly
under control.

Besides, it'll keep them
from seeing the real pattern

until it's too late.

Jessica looked good.
Yeah.

Doctor says that he's gonna
release her this afternoon.

Oh, aren't we going
to the club?

It's back there.

No, I wanna make
a stop first.

See if we can find this witness
who saw Lee in his office.

You got a line on?

More like a hunch.

A hunch?
Yeah.

What do you got?

I think Lee was lying
about his alibi.

He got one.

Why would he deny something
that could prove his innocence?

To protect something
more important.

More important
than his career?

His family.

So you think that Lee
was in the office
with another woman?

I've got a list of Lee's
office staff.

One of them looks promising.

JOHNNY: Lynn Sprogg?

You are Johnny Domino.

I thought it was a joke
when you buzzed up.

I've seen you play.

Great. Uh,
this is Raleigh Jordan.

Hi, how do you do?
Hello.

Councilman Prescott
is a close friend of mine.

I know.
He recommended the club.

Lee knows so many
cool people.

Lee's a cool guy.

Isn't he?

We were hoping
you would help us out
with the trouble he's in.

Sure. Anything.
Ah, it's really simple.

All you need you to do
is say a few words
into this tape recorder.

What for?

JOHNNY: Somebody called
the police station

and said they could prove
that Lee was in his office
when the crime happened,

but didn't leave a name.

So we're trying to eliminate
this staff from suspicion.

I don't understand.

The call came in
on a recorded line,
so the police have it.

So all we need to do
is run a voice comparison
of the two

to see if it will match.
Ready?

No, wait.

I don't want to.

Why not, Lynn?
Did you make the call?

Lying won't help Lee.

I didn't lie.

I was with him
in his office.

So you're having an affair?

No.

I showed up that night
to tell Lee that I was
in love with him.

And he turned you down?

Not completely. We...

We were still talking about it
when all the commotion started.

Anyway, Lee told me
not to tell anybody.

But I couldn't just let him
go to prison. I love him.

And I don't care
who knows it.

Like his wife?

BRIDGES: Hey, Frank,
you're under arrest.

Hey, Frank,
you're under arrest.

Hey, Frank,
you're under arrest.

CHARLIE: Okay,
so it looks like him.

WARREN: That's my point.
It looks exactly like him.

How was I to know?

You didn't try
to verify his ID?

Oh, come now, Lieutenant.

I'm supposed to ask for ID
from him?

Yeah, right.

But from me, the bank
asked for a blood sample

and a thumb print
of my firstborn baby.

Policies.

Leave the tape.
I'll see what I can do.

Thank you.

Great.

CHARLIE:
That the girl?

Lee's anonymous witness.

A staff member.
Lynn Sprogg.

She says Lee
was in his office with her
when the incident happened.

My guess is they weren't just
doing paperwork.

No, no, no. She said
nothing ever happened.

They were still exploring
their feelings.

Thanks.

Got a reception tonight
for some hotshot
from Scotland Yard.

Brown-nosing mandatory.

So this girl...

She could be lying
to save Lee's skin.

No. He worked too hard
to keep her secret.

Well, then,
if Lee isn't on that tape,

I just got myself
a second impostor.

Second?
Numero duo.

Check it out.

Sure looks like him, man.

It's not.

Wait a minute.
Someone's hiring look-alikes
to commit crimes?

Makes sense to use
someone like him
to rob a bank.

It's not much
of a score, though.

No, it's not.

So who's going through all this
to frame Lee Prescott?

And how did they find
a double for him?

I asked first.

Inspector.
Lieutenant Charlie Dann.

I've got a question for you.

Certainly.

When are you Limeys gonna
get out of Northern Ireland?

I really don't think
this is the time.

Time? Eight hundred years
isn't enough time?

What do you think
you're doing?

Toasting our guest, Chief.

I got him.

I'm sorry.

I thought you were
somebody else.

Well, you thought wrong.

How'd it go?

Oh, it was a fabulous party,

until some Moorish cop
rolled in,

right in front of
the local news media.

It sure beats
the nine to five.

BRIDGES: And that's the end
of Lieutenant Dann's career.

Now, one last score
to settle.

You know, I've decided
that Lieutenant Dominus
shouldn't just die.

He should disappear
without a trace.

You know,
buried in the desert, or...

dumped in the Bay
to wash out to sea.

Why?

So his precious son
can look for him
for the rest of his life.

You know, sometimes
you are really scary.

I know.

Let's go.

This is Elaine Barnes
on the scene
of a breaking news event.

Pay attention
to the unidentified man

talking to
Chief Inspector Grimes.

In a room filled
with police officers,

the guest of honor
ironically became

the victim of a crime.

Charlie?

Hey, Johnny.
Johnny, come here.

You won't believe
what I just saw here.

I know. I know.
I saw it a half hour ago.

I don't think it's Charlie.

Another look

I checked his place.

I was hoping you might
know where he is.

I haven't seen him
since yesterday morning.

Shh.

Keep talking.
Keep talking.

Uh, but I went
by Jessica's

this morning
about four o'clock,

and there she was,
wringing her hands,

you know, over all
that damage.

FRANK: Jessica is...

Johnny!

When's my birthday?

The day after mine,
but I'm still not
getting you anything.

Hey, Charlie.

You need to work on
your people's skills,
you know that?

So I said to Jessica,
you know,

"That wood paneling
is kind of hard to replace,
that old stuff.

"And it's tricky to kind of
match the grain..."

Dad, Dad.

You're boring
the fish, Frank.

Well, if it isn't
Charlie Dann, big TV star.

Now you're
boring me, Frank.

You know that wasn't me.

FRANK: Got a good alibi?

Oh, yeah. Phony call
from a phony dispatcher

to a bogus homicide scene
that leads nowhere.

How's that one?

Sounds pretty solid
to me.

You know, Charlie,
this clone of yours,

it probably makes you
a part of Lee's situation.

Which brings us right back
to our revenge motive.

And I'm drawing
as big a blank as he is.

Maybe adding you
to the mix

will give Lee
some new ideas.

You think I could
see him this late?

I don't know.

McGuire's on
the late shift.

He's a buddy.

Yeah, talk to him.

Find a place
for Charlie to stay.

Mm. Right.
Okay.

Sorry, guys.
I don't think Dann and I
ever worked together

on a case involving
a violent felony.

How about a felony
that got plea bargained down
to a misdemeanor?

No. I mean,
I can't think of one.

You can't remember
ever having Charlie

on a witness stand
in a felony case?

No. I mean, unless you count
the E. Haskell Bridges case.

But you knew
all about that.

So where are we
on this?

Nowhere.

Excuse me for interrupting.

Are you Lieutenant Dann?

No, we're just using
his office.

I see. Could you tell me
where I could reach him?

Is this an emergency?

I'm Dr. Willis.

I flew down here with some
very important information

regarding a man named
E. Haskell Bridges.

FRANK: Yeah, I'll swing by
in a few minutes.

And Harry, listen. Thanks.
I really appreciate this.

Yeah.

It's great.

Paulito's got a cabin cruiser
on the other side of the bay.

It's yours...
Well, actually mine
for a week.

Sold.

I'm gonna go
pick up the keys.

You stay here, lay low,
while I get back, okay?

Where else am I gonna go?
Yeah.

I'll get some
supplies, too,
while I'm out.

When I get back,
I'll give you
the old signal.

They say the memory
is the second thing
to go, Frank.

So, what'd you forget?

Actually, I didn't
forget anything.

I just needed your help
to get back at your
old partner.

So you're saying this Bridges
can change his face

to resemble anyone he wants?

Apparently, when he escaped,

he transformed his face
into an exact copy of mine.

I had no idea that he could

manipulate this technology
so well.

So Bridges is after Dann and me
because we put him in prison?

There was
another cop involved,
the one who really nailed him.

Johnny...

Answering machine.
Let's go.

Oh, the things I do
for you, Charlie.

Mm-hmm.

You tired?

Yeah.

Well, just close
your little eyes.

Uncle Frank will have you
snug in your bed.

Charlie.

Charlie?

Pull over, Frank.

Why?
Pull over!

Why

We got a jumper.

What are you
talking about, Charlie?

I don't see
any jumper.

Come on, Frank.

FRANK: Hey, Charlie.

Charlie, where'd you go?

Charlie, where are you?

Charlie, where'd you go?

Charlie, what's the matter?

JOHNNY: Bad choice.

I got him, son.
I got him.

Dad?
Yeah?

Night, night, Daddy.

It's okay, Dad.

* Now, folks, here's a story
About Minnie the Moocher

* She was a red hot
Hoochie-coocher

* She was the roughest
Toughest frail

* But Minnie had a heart
As big as a whale

* Hi-dee hi-dee
Hi-dee hi

* Hi-dee hi-dee
Hi-dee hi...

Pulled another body
out of the Bay
this afternoon.

Bridges?

No.

If this creep
has changed faces,
how can you be sure?

It was an 80-year-old woman.

He's good,
but he's not that good.

You think that Bridges
will ever,

pardon the expression,
surface again?

Well, in the spring
when the water warms up,

more than flowers pop up.

Mm. Mm-hmm.

I love that one.

I've noticed.

Do it again.

All in good time, Sam,
all in good time.

I've got big plans
for Johnny Domino,

and this space face of mine.

Nah. I guarantee you.
E. Haskell Bridges

got swept out the sea
by the current.

I'll lay you 100 bucks
we'll never see any one
of his faces again.

* The King of Sweden

* He gave her things
That she was needin'

* He built her a house

* Of gold and steel

* A diamond car

* With platinum wheels

* Poor Minnie