Relic Hunter (1999–2002): Season 2, Episode 18 - Midnight Flight - full transcript

[THEME MUSIC PLAYING]

[SPEAKING FRENCH]

Caliphate's sceptre has led
you to countless victories.

With it, you can
not be defeated,

which is why your
enemies covet it.

And even your allies are not
above stealing it.

I prepared the vault.

The sceptre will
be safe there.

Show me.

It's in a chamber
underground.

The sceptre will remain
there,



protected until you call
for it again.

Protected by what?

Beware.

The path is guarded by hidden
spears, arrows and traps.

A harmless appearance is
often the most effective method

Of leading a man
to his death.

This crystal is the key
to entering the vault.

[CHURCH BELL RINGING]

[STREET NOISES]

[OMINOUS MUSIC]

NIGEL: This is not
a good idea.

SYDNEY: It'll be fine,
Nigel.

He's an archivist,
Sydney.

An archivist with the
crystal and stone tablet



leading to Gunther's
sceptre.

He has no experience
relic-hunting.

As I recall, you were
no Indiana Jones.

Oh, that was low.

He begged me to come.

He works in a tiny office
at the Louvre
for the past ten years.

He wants to see a
little action.

What was I supposed
to do?

You know Frederick.

He's not going
to like the... the...
Danger?

Well, that would
be it.

Well, everyone deserves
a chance in the field
at least once.

Oh, there he is.

SYDNEY: Frederick,
watch out!

FREDERICK: Hey!

You want to take
my bag, too?

SYDNEY: What is
going on?

No damage, thank God.

I can't believe that
someone tried to rob me
in this little town.

I think this may be
a little more

than a case of your friendly
neighborhood mugging.

You think he knew about
the tablet and the crystal?

Possibly.

How?
I have no idea.

Sydney, I swear, you were the
first person I called.

No one else knows about this.

Well, I don't want to be
looking over my shoulder

All the way to the sceptre.
We've got to find this guy.

The tablet says we have to
arrive at bear rock
by noon today.

If we don't, we'll have to wait
a whole year till the next
winter solstice.

FREDERICK: Pull up here.
We have to go in on foot.

Do you think we still have to
worry about that guy from town?

If he shows up, we'll
figure it out then.

Which way?

Here.

[MOTORCYCLE ENGINE]

[DIALING CELL PHONE]

[RINGING]

Your guy has got someone
with him. She's dangerous.

SYDNEY: How much
further, Frederick?

FREDERICK: We're close.
I recognize the landscape
from the map.

It... It should be
just up here.

NIGEL: See anything
that looks like a bear?

SYDNEY: Are you sure
this is it?

Bear Rock.

Well, it looks a bit like
a bear, don't you think?

In an abstract, 5th century
barbarian sort of way.

Exactly.

Now we need to find where
to place the crystal.

NIGEL: We only have
a couple of minutes till noon.

There should be an indentation
towards the bear's head,

at eye level in a portion
of the rock that sparkles.

Crystal deposits.
They sparkle.

Yes.

Now, where's your
compass?

FREDERICK: The leading
face of the crystal,

must face precisely
north.

NIGEL: North.

What happens now?

The tablet wasn't clear.

FREDERICK: It only says, "the
sun will guide the path

through crystal
eyes."

SYDNEY: Was it supposed to
cut off that fast?

FREDERICK: Tablet didn't say.

NIGEL: These rock formations
are all natural.

FREDERICK: There's nothing
man-made around here.

FREDERICK: The Visigoths
were quite nomadic.

Maybe there's a way into
an underground chamber.

Nothing.

Look for some kind
of marking.

Here!

It's the same as the one I
brought from the museum.

NIGEL: Meant to reflect
the beam of light
from the first one.

It was covered with
so much dirt

It cut off the beam
as soon as it hit.

But how do we find the
sceptre without the beam?

By reconstructing the
scene of the crime.

Okay, the light came
from the bear rock.

If it was supposed to
strike the crystal,

it would have done so at
approximately this angle.

Now, thankfully, there
aren't a lot of complex angles
on the crystal's surface.

So if the beam struck
from this angle,

most likely it would've
reflected off...

NIGEL: This way.

Yes, of course. A system
of light refraction

Based on the angles
of the crystal,

provided they're in the right
place at the right time.

Botheus was a genius.

NIGEL: I'm no geometry major,

NIGEL: but I'd lay money
on the beam of light

NIGEL: Reflecting
somewhere down here.

If you're right, there's
got to be something here.

[HOLLOW SOUND]

SYDNEY: Here.

NIGEL: Some ancient
kind of well.

FREDERICK: You think they hid
the sceptre underwater?

SYDNEY: No, I don't.

[ADVENTURE MUSIC PLAYING]

Welcome to the field.

Okay!

NIGEL: Ah! Umph! Ah.

It was an illusion.

I can't think of
a better way
to stop people

from climbing down
a well, can you?

Okay!

NIGEL: Such a diverse
mixture of weaponry.

NIGEL: The spears are Visigoth.

NIGEL: But these helmets are
Byzantine, 4th century.

FREDERICK: Gunther led the
Visigoths as far as
the Middle East.

FREDERICK: That's where
he took the sceptre

FREDERICK: From the
Seraba Caliphate of Persia

Look at this.

Look at the detail
on this scimitar.

Didn't the sceptre belong
to Hannibal of Carthage?

It did at one point.

The legend says whoever
carries the sceptre into battle

Was always victorious.

As you can imagine, that
made it highly desirable

And very susceptible
to theft.

So Gunther wanted to make sure
no one would ever take it
from him.

FREDERICK: The sceptre.

SYDNEY: Frederick, no!

[RUMBLING]

An early byzantine crossbow
tomb trap. Fascinating.

You saved my life.

Our boy Gunther really
got around, didn't he?

FREDERICK: Please, after you.

FREDERICK: What are
you looking around for?

More booby traps?

You catch on fast,
Frederick.

Then how are we
supposed to get it?

We don't.

We get it to come
to us.

SYDNEY: Nigel.

The museum will be
most grateful, Sydney.

We have to get it
there first.

That guy that tried
to mug me,

you really think he's
still a problem?

Now that we have the relic,
he's bound to make his move.

If he's the only one.

You think there may
be more than one?

Usually hordes of
them,

armed to the teeth.

FREDERICK : We must hurry. We
only have a few hours

till the last train to Paris.

[CAMERA SHUTTER]

CLAUDIA: I'll catch up with you.
Just got to get something
out of Syd's office.

Who are you?

What are you
doing here?

Looking for Sydney Fox.

Well, she's not here.

Yeah, I know. She's on
her way back to Paris.

Where is she staying?

How did you get in here?

The door was unlocked.

No, it wasn't.

I'm going to call
campus security.

Could I trouble you
for some coffee?

Please.

FREDERICK: Thank you, Sydney.

Not just for finding
the relic,

but for making me
part of it.

It was our pleasure,
Frederick.

See you both at
the opening.

We wouldn't miss it.

Thanks again. See
you soon.

NIGEL: All right, all right,
I was wrong. I admit it.

Taking Frederick along
was a good idea.

You helped a friend,
he had a great adventure,

no harm was done.

Sydney: Hm.

What's wrong?

I'm still confused.
Who was the guy
on the motorcycle

And why did he
come after us?

Francois.

Hello, Sydney, Nigel.

Francois, you didn't
have to come all the way
from the Louvre to thank us.

By the way, Frederick
did great out in the field,
didn't he, Nig.

Oh, great, yeah, great.

Frederick disappeared from
work a week ago

After stealing
Botheus's crystal,

and the stone tablet
leading to the sceptre.

And...

You two were with him.

Francois, we've worked
together for years.

You can't actually believe
that I would

steal a relic right out
from under you.

I don't, Sydney, but,
what were you doing there?

Who took these?

The man I hired to
follow Frederick.

The man you hired?

Yes, Franz Mueller.

He doesn't happen
to ride a motorcycle?

I knew something wasn't
right.

FRANCOISE: When I discovered
the documents

and the crystal
were missing,

and then when Frederick
didn't show up for work,

it didn't take much to
imagine he would end up

In that part of Luxembourg
searching for the sceptre.

I actually tried to
call you to follow him.

When Frederick called
me last week

and said that the museum
wanted me to find the sceptre,

I had no reason to believe
that you hadn't authorized it.

NIGEL: We'll get
it back, Syd.

Francois, I haven't
lost a relic yet.

I don't intend to now.

[CELL PHONE RINGING]

Hello?

Nigel, what is going on?

Excuse me?

Some French guy broke in
to the office so I called
security.

Turns out he's some "FBI" type
with the French consulate.

They made me tell them what
hotel you're staying at.

Claudia, it's all right.

And they said you and Sydney
stole something.

We didn't, but they
think we did

Frederick pulled a
fast one. Turns out

he stole some
documents from the Louvre

To get our help and then
disappeared with the sceptre.

Ooh. How's Syd taking it?

NIGEL: Not well which is why
I need to use your connections.

Those wonderful people at the
credit card companies.

Nigel.

NIGEL: Call your contacts.
Find out whatever you can

About where Frederick may have
made his last few purchases.

I'll see what I can do and
I'll get right back to you.

SYDNEY: I'm going to
find Frederick

If I have to hunt him
across every continent.

NIGEL: He could be anywhere.

SYDNEY: Nigel, we've tracked
relics

That have been missing for
hundreds, thousands of years.

Yes, but relics don't
have legs, credit cards,

ways to leave the
country.

Which is why they can't make
stupid mistakes
and leave a trail.

Trust me, Frederick
is no master criminal.

I doubt if he's still around,
but I'll see if I can get
an address on him.

Maybe one of his
neighbors can...

What's wrong?

Back at bear rock,
Frederick used my phone.

He made a couple of calls,
but lagged behind

Like he didn't want
us to hear.

Check the phone log.

Here's one.

Sorry, where is this?

Merci.

The Turkish embassy
here in Paris.

Turkish embassy?
Any others?

Yes, one more.

Hotel Bonsoir.

What is your address,
please?

1640 rue Philippe.

I know how this
must look.

NIGEL: It looks like you
used us to steal the sceptre.

And sell it for your
own selfish gain.

It does look that way,
doesn't it?

Nigel, the window.

NIGEL: Right.
FREDERICK: The window?

Yes, we've been in this
situation before, actually.

NIGEL:
I'm afraid so.
FREDERICK: Really?

And you threw the money
out of the window

To teach whoever it
was a lesson.

That's right.

NIGEL: After, of course,
we threw him out.
FREDERICK: Alright, alright!

I'll tell you.

I sold the sceptre
to Azis Habbasi.

Azis Habbasi? Habbasi.

That name sound Turkish
to you, Nigel?

Definitely Turkish.

Well, maybe we should take
Frederick over to the embassy,

see if they know
who Habbasi is.
No!

All right.

He's a member of the
Turkish trade commission

And a very wealthy collector
of historical artifacts.

That explains the phone
call to the embassy.

Where is Azis Habbasi now?

He's still at the embassy,
until tonight.

He's leaving at midnight for
Istanbul, with the sceptre.

The Turkish embassy.

Let's get some rope.
Tie him up and gag him.

I'm going to get
that sceptre back.

Well, that should
be relatively simple.

I mean, why don't you just
walk through the front door,

announce that you're here
to take back a priceless relic

That was illegally acquired
by a prominent member

of the trade commission.
Nigel.

Sydney, this is mad.

Even if you found a way
in, this is an embassy.

It's Turkish sovereign
territory.

They catch you sneaking around,
they can't even call the French
authorities.

I'm not going to let
them ruin my reputation
And let Gastineau down.

SYDNEY: Now, I set out
to get that sceptre for the
Louvre, and that's exactly what

I'm going to do.

I've got till midnight.

Why don't you head back to the
hotel and check on Frederick?

Sir?
Yes?

Umm... there's a woman at
the gate to see you.

I wasn't expecting anyone.

She said to give this to you.

"Sydney Fox, Relic Hunter"

Bring her to my office.

Get that thing any
closer, you may as well
put a lint brush on it.

Please this way.

Azis Habbasi.

Sydney Fox.

Have we met before?

No. A mutual acquaintance
of ours

seems to believe that we have
certain interests in common.

What kind of interests
might they be?

Relic hunter.

What does it mean "relic"?

An antiquity. An ancient sword.

A chalice, a jewel-
encrusted sceptre.

Ah, sounds fascinating.

Durga, goddess of
destruction and revenge.

India, 11th century?

12th.

It's a beautiful piece.

I'd think you'd keep it in a
more secure location.

I have a place for the more
valuable items in my collection.

Maybe you'll show it
to me some time.

Tell me.

Is this "relic hunting"
dangerous?

That's what makes it
so fun.

Fun is one of my
interests. Is it yours?

I'm having a party.

Are you?
You'll be my guest.

Will I?

Please. It would be
my honour.

Haven't got a thing
to wear.

Too busy relic-hunting?

Something like that.

Then I'll have to
send you something.

Will you now?

Oh, but your flight
at midnight...

Doesn't leave us much
time for fun.

Oh, we have to work fast.
Then I'll see you tonight.

By the way.

Our mutual acquaintance...

Yes?

He works at the Louvre.

Or at least used to
until just recently.

I know many people
at many museums.

8 o' clock then.

Fatima, get someone
to follow her.

Did you find
anything yet?

Just the usual
press releases.

I need more than that.

Sorry, Sydney, but
they don't post

Turkish embassy blueprints
on their website.

I have to figure out
a way to get inside.

I... I thought he was
inviting you.

Well, he wasn't really
inviting me.

NIGEL: What was he doing
then?

He was playing
with me.

The last thing he wants
is me there.

It was sort of like a word
game playing kind of thing.

Sydney, what are we
going to do?

I don't know.

[KNOCKING]

[FREDERICK MUMBLING]

Take care of him.
How?

How do I know?

[MUMBLING CONTINUES]

[MUMBLING CONTINUES]

A gift from Mr. Habbasi
for you.

Please thank him for me.

What is it?

It's from Habbasi.

Habbasi? Is it ticking?

How does he know
where you are?

Excellent taste.

Yes. Well, I'm so happy for
you. There's a card.

"8:00. Azis Habbasi.

P.S. Tell Frederick I
will say a prayer for him."

[MUMBLING]

Excuse me.

I'm so glad you
decided to come.

Well, you sent me
this beautiful dress.

It was the least I
could do.

I thought you said we were going
to have some fun around here.

Let me show you some of the more
private parts of the embassy.

Pierre Duchamps wishes
to speak with you.
It's important.

Excuse me.
Of course.

Hi guys.

[CELL PHONE RINGING]

Hello?
CLAUDIA: Nigel

I did some checking and came up
with some stuff on Frederick.

That's great Claudia, but...

You know this guy I'm dating
at the eastern bank

In the financial planning
department?

I thought he was in
the credit division.

Oh no, that's Brad.
Try to keep up, Nigel.

My mistake.

CLAUDIA: This guy I'm seeing,

he's got this connection at
American Express.

This guy Will.

Who sounds really cute
on the phone.

But you know how those
things usually pan out.

It's like those chat line
operators.

They may sound really sexy,
but...

Claudia!

Anyway, I gave him the name

and he gave me the last three
transactions on Frederick's
card.

CLAUDIA: The first was
for Red Star Airlines.

A flight to Peru leaving Paris
at 3:00 tomorrow.

The second was a reservation at
Hotel Bonsoir in Paris.

Oh, that's great, Claudia...

And a receipt for this kinky
sex club called

True Blue in Pigalle
where men give women pony rides.

Can you say "freak"?

That's a little more information
than I needed to know.
Thank you.

Whatever. Let me know if you
need any more info.

It was a wonderful
performance,

one of the best I've
seen at the opera.

Where's the ladies room?

Through that hall to
your right.

Excuse me.

[DOGS BARKING]

Palm print scan,
digital entry code.

Must be thermal
blast-proof.

[PEOPLE TALKING IN HALLWAY]

[FREDERICK MUMBLING]

I'm trying to work.

[MUMBLING CONTINUES]

I'll take it out, but
if there's any yelling...

Please.

Let me go.

I'll... I'll give you the
money I got for the sceptre,

5,000,000 francs.

This isn't about the money.

Then tell Sydney to
talk to Habbasi.

Please?

FREDERICK: He knows
I'm with you.

You don't understand what
kind of a man he is.

I have to explain what
happened or he'll hunt me down.

[CELL PHONE RINGING]

Hello?
Nigel it's me.

You've got it? You've
got the sceptre?

Sydney, you're incredible.

Now, all we have to do is turn
it to Gastineau at the Louvre

And our troubles are over.

HABBASI: Pleasure.

Is the plane ready?

I told the driver you'll be
leaving the embassy at midnight.

Thank you, Fatima.

NIGEL: Well I've got to say it's
been fun talking to you,
Frederick.

Sorry it wasn't a clean sock,
but I've really got to run.

Okay? Oh, don't worry,

I'll send someone, probably
the police, to pick you up.

Ciao.

[PANICKED MUMBLINGS]

Find the facilities
all right?

Yeah. Powdering my nose took
a little longer than I thought.

You really should have someone
take a look at the lighting
in there.

Quite impressive,
isn't it?

The digital code was
effective enough,

but our security chief
insisted

On installing the
palm scan.

Personally, I think it's
a bit of overkill,

but you never can
be too careful.

How about a drink?

Why don't you get one
for yourself? The night's
still young.

Hello, housekeeping?

Yes, I have a small problem.

I think there must be a towel
thief or something in the hotel

Because all my towels
have gone missing.

I know, and I'm rather wet.

So if you could replace them
as soon as possible,

I'd be very grateful.
Thank you

Room 456. Thank you.

[KNOCKING]
MAID: Monsieur?

[mumbling]

Perverted English.

[MUMBLING CONTINUES]

[COUGHS]

Please untie me.

Shall I call the
police, Monsieur?

No, no, it's all right.

Whatever turns you on.

Syd, all systems go.
He's on his way.

Well, this has
been fun,

but I have to admit you won
the first game of the match.

First game? I'm delighted to
see you don't give up so easily.

So perhaps I'll be seeing
you in Istanbul when I land?

Istanbul? You have to make it
out of the airport here first.

Oh, I'm afraid I
don't fly commercial.

Not with a valuable diplomatic
pouch accompanying me.

But we still have
some time.

Won't you stay,
enjoy the party?

No, I should get back
to the hotel.

I have a few things
to attend to.

Oh. I understand,
of course.

Then, my cheri, until
we meet again.

Good night.

Mr. Habbasi?
Hmm?

There's a gentleman
at the back gate

who insists to speak
with you.

He says his name is
Frederick Harris
and it's urgent.

It's impossible.

She can't have it.

HABBASI: This is obviously
just a ploy for you
to save yourself.

No, no, no. I'm...
I'm telling you,

she was talking to
her assistant
on the phone.

She told him she'd
got the sceptre

And he... he ran off
to meet her.

I just managed to escape
and come to you.

Wait here.

Please, just remember,
I came here to help.

Now, this is what
I call fun.

Unfortunately, you forget:
You're on my territory.

SYDNEY: Never mess
with the goddess
of revenge.

Yes, very good.
Very good, yes.

What time have
you arranged?

Six o' clock.

I see.

Going so soon?

Yes, I'm not feeling
very well.

Another gift from
Mr. Habbasi?

He's a true romantic.

Well, I hope you
feel better.

Thank you.

[ALARM SOUNDING]

SYDNEY [YELLING]:
Nigel!

GUARD: Stop!

MAN: Who is that?
What is she doing?

You should try out
for the Olympics.

Seems there was an
altercation at the embassy.

I thought I'd let
the police check it out.

It's a good thing
Frederick took that bait.

Well, your call
was timed perfectly.

He never suspected
I let the maid in.

[SPEAKING FRENCH]

I asked him to be
here at 12:30.

Oh, nice touch.

What is this all about?

I believe this belongs
to the Louvre.

I knew you would
come through, Sydney.

You always do.

But are you sure you don't
want to call the museum first.

Just to make sure I
still work there?

Uh... no offense,
but we already did.

POLICEMAN: Move along.

POLICEMAN: You can tell that
to the magistrate.
SYDNEY: Oh look.

SYDNEY: You're in time to say
hi to Frederick.

FRANCOISE: Oh, Frederick.

I'm afraid I may have
mentioned his name
when I called the police,

but I didn't exactly have
time to explain the problem.

Don't worry. I'll tell
them all about it.

If you don't mind.

Nigel and I have had
enough explaining to do.

I'll take the bags
out to the car.

NIGEL: Oh,
excuse me,
thank you.

We did not have
as much fun
as I had hoped.

I thought it was
important I stop by

and say farewell to
my favorite
relic hunter.

You're not in jail.

No, it would be criminal.

Yeah, I guess diplomatic
privilege has its advantages.

Certainly does.

Yeah, well, remember you're
not in the embassy.

I'll let you in
on a secret.

It's actually more
fun this way.

A question.
Yes.

Before his unfortunate
circumstances with
the police,

it seems our friend
Frederick

misplaced a large sum
of money I loaned him.

How large?

5,000,000 francs.

I was hoping by chance you
might know what became of it.

5,000,000 francs.

It's funny you should
mention that figure.

I just read that an
anonymous donation

Was made in that
exact amount

To the Eastern European
Antiquities wing
of the Louvre.

Apparently, they're building
a permanent exhibit

For a sceptre they
found in Luxembourg.

It was a fabulous dress,
wasn't it?

Perhaps I'll get to
see you in it again.

Yeah, you never know,
do you?

[THEME MUSIC PLAYING]