I Seek You 2.0
OUTLINE
As all involved run amok searching for clues to get a grasp on the situation they are caught in. Their handlers back at base try to make sense of the sudden commotion.
Now the Mossad, Russia's SVR, China's MSS and even Switzerland's FIS are trailing their operatives.
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ESPLANADE, AL MUKALLA, YEMEN
Pierrot and Philippe, are sipping tea on Al Mukalla's run down esplanade as the sun sets on the Arabian Sea. Pierrot stares out at the last fishing boats arriving as Philippe tries to reason with him.
-You thought we'd pull up the Holy Grail, fifty gold bars waiting for us in a trunk with a hook. For 70 years... Why not Bin Laden's body while you're at it.
-That at least we could have gotten something for it.
-Well, the coordinates they gave you were right.
-That's why they were so right on. The fishermen must have plundered the wreck before. I shouldn't have waited all this time.
-Anyways. Let's blow this joint. Fuck this place. I'm sick of it. No wine, no women.
-Great... And what's your plan for diesel?
-Well, we still got the captain's box... and the mail trunk... and we have way enough fuel to reach Suez. There we can hook up with Mister John. For sure he'll find a buyer, no?
Pierrot snaps out of his blues.
-Shit. I forgot about the canal's toll.
UNDERGROUND MONITORING ROOM, BERN
Franz Meier and his Unit Chief stand behind a Technician as they scan through various video captures of cars and individuals from surveillance cameras across Switzerland. A facial recognition software establishes 7 matches for Uri Yatom. The last one being from the Buchs, St. Gallen train station. The Technician freezes the video on a image where Uri stares at the camera. On another screen, we see the back Giulietta captured in several tunnel on highway E43. The Technician points at the timestamp.
-This is the last capture... less then 3 hours after the train station shot.
The Unit Chief looks at Meier.
-So we have an intoxicated Russian that vanished and a good Samaritan Mossad operative playing hide and seek with us.
Meier looks amused.
-An intoxicated Russian! There's a oxymoron, I mean, a pleonasm... Anyways, word from Herzliya is that our good Samaritan has gone AWOL!
-They're playing us...
-Could be, but I don't see what for.
-Retaliation for stalling the pre-war accounts?
-Neah... they got what they wanted. Beside that came from New York, not Jerusalem.
The Unit Chief looks back at Uri's expression staring at the camera.
-Maybe he flashed on the Department of Justice girl.
-She's a lesbian.
-Well... Maybe he doesn't know. Or maybe that's what turns him on... Do we know where she's at with Nikitin?
-No, she's back at her office but nothing transpired yet.
-Well, let's keep on top of this thread... We'll worry about the Israelis later.
FEDERAL DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, CARLA'S SUPERVISOR'S OFFICE
Carla and a Legal Adviser sit across from their Supervisor's desk at the Department of Justice and Police. Carla is seeking an angle for her case as her Supervisor is trying to close it.
-So we answer that the money vanished and that we have no idea where it went.
-Well, this is what happened, and it's already much more than what they would have told us if we'd asked them.
-OK, and about ZIB (Zurich International Bank)?
-If they don't hold any prohibited accounts, they're cleared.
-And the Liechtenstein transit.
-OK... Send it to the Russians and let them worry about it. As far as we know, the funds were legally transferred from Switzerland to Liechtenstein. The rest is not our jurisdiction.
The Legal Adviser interjects.
-Unless the money was here when Moscow filed for Tax Fraud.
The Supervisor looks at his report then back at the Legal Adviser.
-Wasn't it Tax Evasion.
-Not any more. An addendum came in later on correcting their mistake.
Supervisor switches to Carla.
-When was the transfer recorded at ZIB?
Carla looks at her file.
-July 7th at 06:37 Central European Time.
-And the Addendum?
Legal Adviser responds without even looking at his file.
-Issued at 8:12 Moscow Time and recorded in Bern at 7:15 CET when the Department opened.
Carla gets restless.
-They moved the money 25 minutes after the Addendum was issued... Someone tipped them off.
The Legal Adviser is affirmative.
-Still, technically the issuing date, hour and minutes in this case, are valid.
Carla smirks.
-So we got a case!
The supervisor looks at both of his colleagues, flabbergasted.
CONECTEKA OFFICE, HERZLIYA, ISRAEL
Mossad agents Aaron Hanin and Zvi Dagan discusses the feasibility of cracking Alexander Nikitin's communications with Sefi and Arik, two software specialists employed by Conecteka, a Mossad financed instant messaging start up company.
Sefi points at logs on his screen.
-We know he's sending very short coded SMS via cell phone and that he often gets online shortly after through various open or cracked WiFi connections. But from there, even when we manage to log in to one of his many laptops which are constantly zapped, we get nothing.
Zvi looks at his printed notes.
-We picked up the sound of his and another voice once and no cell signal was emitting in the vicinity, so he's using some kind of of Internet phone or video conferencing software... Skype?
Arik who's leaning on his chair at one end of the conference table intervenes.
-Skype doesn't boot up properly in most of the Gulf countries. Could be a compatible derivative bypassing the government proxy. This would be a major pain to crack. If he's changing MAC address every-time he uses it, there is no way we could do anything. We'd need Skype sources codes to intercept...
He turns towards Aaron who's staring out the window behind him, watching a C-130 Hercules taking off from Sde Dov Airport.
-And that would be your department.
Zvi looks up from his notes.
-But Nikitin's derivative app would also use those codes?
Arik acknowledges.
-Yes, most likely...
Sefi pushes back his laptop.
-What's Nikitin's military background?
Aaron answers still staring out the window.
-Naval Intelligence.
-Where was he based?
-All over. Vladivostok, Sevastopol, Murmansk... We know he grew up in Tallinn. His father was a Russian ship engineer and his mother still lives in Estonia, in an upscale Dacha.
Arik looks at Safi then at the two others.
-That could be it.
Aaron turns around as if he missed something.
-What?
Zvi stands up folding his notes, looking at Aaron.
-Tallinn... That's where the Skype code was written. Let's check Nikitin's possible connections to the original developers. University, High School, Sports team...
FRANZISKA'S LIVING ROOM, BERN
Carla is packing her gear and leaves a handwritten note on Franziska's fridge.
WAS GREAT. THANKS FOR ALL. GOTTA GO. LOVE. C.
DOMODEDOVO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, MOSCOW
Carla is greeted by Karl Tretiak, a hipster in his late 20s and Mikhail Nabokov, a 50 something civil servant type, as she disembark a Swiss flight at Domodedovo Airport.
Karl
(in perfect American accented English)
Ms. Xanthis... Welcome to Moscow. I am Karl Tretiak from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and please let me introduce you to Mr. Nabokov from the Prosecutor General's Office.
Carla
(smiling, extending her hand)
Very pleased to meet you both.
Mikhail
First time in Russia?
Carla
Yes
Karl
(inviting Carla to follow them)
Well, the team is expecting you at 14:00 downtown. Would you like to drop by your hotel first or maybe get something to eat?
Carla
I don't think I need to drop by the hotel but I'd accompany you guys to eat before the meeting.
Karl
Great.
LIMOUSINE - AIRPORT TO DOWNTOWN ROAD
Carla sits on the back seat next to Michael as Karl sits on the passenger seat next to the driver.
Mikhail
(pompous)
Do you like Caviar.
Carla
(smiling)
Yes, very much.
Mikhail
We could take you to one of the finest Caviar House in Moscow.
Carla
That would be very nice, but you don't have to go through all this. Maybe later, once we'll be a little more advanced on the case.
Moment...
Karl
(turning towards her)
I suppose you're still fairly busy with the UBS-DOJ case.
Carla
(Looking at the scenery)
Not that much... Mind you... This was before my time.
Karl
(enthusiastic)
I was an intern in Washington at the turn of the millennium... Was a crazy time. Then they sent all us interns back following September 11th. I preferred New York City though.
Carla
(absent)
Oh yeah... I was only there once... when I was seven.
Mikhail
(trying hard to be funny)
Too young to enjoy nightlife.
Carla
Yes... It was for my father's funeral.
Mikhail
(swallowing)
Sorry.
Carla
Not a problem. We weren't actually that close.
Moment...
Carla (continuing)
Would you mind dropping me at my hotel before the meeting. I wouldn't mind freshening up.
OUTSIDE THE BALTSCHUG KEMPINSKI HOTEL
Karl and Mikhail wait in the car oustide the Baltshug Kempinski Hotel. Mikhail sips from a flask as Karl flips stations on the radio.
Mikhail
(in Russian)
Wouldn't mind freshening her up myself.
Karl
(being wise)
Mikhail... you're all talk and no action man... If you want to get a girl like this, you gotta be smart. You won't get her with bootleg Caviar which you couldn't even pay for and nightlife insinuations. Anyways... You're over the hill man.
Mikhail
Yeah... Mr. New York... Anyways, I'll be spending the day with her... You're just our escort...
Karl
(stopping his search on a hip hop track)
We'll see...
CORNER OFFICE, 55th FLOOR, RUSSIAN MIDDLE-EASTERN BANK, DUBAI
Viktor is sitting at his brand new desk with his feet on his desk as a Fan Jing, an attractive 28 year old Chinese woman enters.
Fan
(In English, smiling)
Good afternoon Mr. Viktor. My name is Fan Jing. I've been assigned to be your personal assistant... Welcome to Dubai... Did you have a good flight?
Viktor
(assessing Fan)
Yes, thank you. You speak Russian?
Fan
(in Russian)
Yes, and Arabic... as well as English and Chinese obviously. I studied at the Beijing Foreign Studies Language University before getting my Master's from LSE.
Viktor
(in English)
LSE?
Fan
(in English)
London School of Economics.
Viktor
(in Russian, looking outside)
Wow... And you like it out here?
Fan
It has slowed down in the past few years and many foreigners left. But I'm very happy to now be part of Mr. Nikitin's team. This city needs visionaries like him.
Viktor turns back towards Fan assessing her body.
Fan
(getting ready to exit the office)
Well, if you need anything Mr. Viktor, I'll be glad to accommodate you. I will let you settle in now. I'll be right outside.
As Fan exits, Vicktor receives an SMS.
[XELA]
(written in Russian)
"SO?"
[KIV]
(written in Russian)
"NOT BAD ;)"
BOARD ROOM, PROSECUTOR GENERAL'S OFFICE, MOSCOW
Carla, Mikhail Nabokov and four other Russian officials sit around a long antique conference table inside the Prosecutor General's Office of the Russian Federation. The room is decorated with paintings ranging from Czarist to Revolutionary times.
Carla
(in English, formal)
I'm here to convey my government's assurances that we are committed to enforce any duly executed requests from your government as we are to all governments we have diplomatic relations with.
DDD (Chief Prosecutor)
So why didn't you freeze Nikitin's account when the money there.
Carla
Obviously someone notified RPC's (Russian Pipeline Company) executives about your Office's request to amend the file's status.
EEE (Ministry of Justice)
What status?
FFF (Assistant Prosecutor)
A technicality that wasn't included in the first request.
Carla
As Mr. FFF mentioned, we differentiate Tax Evasion from Tax Fraud. The first as being a Civil offense and the latter as being a Criminal offense.
FFF
(politely interjecting)
I noted the mistake when DDD handed me the file to reiterate our request.
EEE
(to Carla)
Do you understand that RPC's 2008 IPO was illegal as the company was still a property of the Russian Federation. (looking at Michael) Nabokov... Show us those statements your people prepared.
Mikhail passes the statements to Carla.
Carla
(glancing at the statements)
Our involvement is limited to enforcing your government's claim of Tax Fraud. Both the privatization of the company and its subsequent IPO were validated outside of our jurisdiction.
DDD
But all the money was transferred to Switzerland.
Carla
(continuing to read from a report)
I believe that RPC was operating openly in Russia at that time. We never got a request concerning illegal transfers...
DDD
So Nikitin has ears in your department!
Carla
(handing out a document)
The transfer occurred 25 minutes after the request was issued... from Moscow.... Our log shows that the message was only accessed at 7:15 Swiss time when the system was booted up... 62 minutes after it had been issued in Moscow... and 38 minutes after the money had been transferred out of Switzerland.
Silence. DDD and EEE look at each other, as GGG (FSB) intervenes.
GGG
We are not here to figure out where or how or even when the leaks occurred Ms... Xanthis. What's important for us... as it is important for your government... is security. And Interior security is tied to External financial capabilities ... Nikitin is a threat to our country. You understand...
Carla
And I am here to reiterate our commitment to your government... But we need assurances from your end that our channels remain secure. We cannot prosecute effectively if the other party is constantly one step ahead...
GGG
We'll establish a new protocol... And my department will handle the channels.
Carla
(looking at all)
As long as our correspondent is mandated by your judicial system...
GGG
It will...
Carla
(at GGG)
Then we will formally request that the funds are returned to Switzerland.
DDD
Then Russia!
Carla
Once the alleged crimes will have been prosecuted in Switzerland, we'll proceed to the next step.
INTERIOR TRAMWAY CAR, OLD BERN / INTERIOR FEDERAL PALACE CAFÉ, BERN
Feurer, aboard a tram, is on the phone with Meier who's sitting at the Federal Palace's Café.
Feurer
So why are the Russians so insistent on us prosecuting Nikitin now that he's out of the country.
Meier
Fishy... If they wanted him out... He'd be out...
Feurer
And this Ricin affair... Any developments?
Meier
Botulinum... No... When is Xanthis back?
Feurer
Tomorrow morning
Meier
Well, keep me posted.
Feurer stares out the tram's window... at the Aare River below.
EXTERIOR, INTERDISCIPLINARY CENTER, HERZLIYA
Zvi waits on a bench outside a pavilion on the IDC campus. He seems busy texting on some Blackberry derivative as Gadi Oran walks to him.
Zvi
We lost Uri.
Gadi
(concerned)
What do you mean lost!
Zvi
Off the grid.
Gadi
Well, that's his job, no?
Zvi
Still, I'm concerned. I don't know what happened. He's just gone AWOL. I'm more concerned about what could happen to him from the inside.
Gadi
How... What do you mean.
Zvi
Guys like Hanin... They're going a great distance to find him. We're launching a full operation around some other guy, basically as a smoke screen.
(confidential)
Has he been in touch with you?
Gadi
Who... Hanin? I don't even know these guys...
Zvi
No, Uri.
Gadi
Great... Now I've got you, out of all people, asking me to find Uri!
ALEXANDER'S OFFICE, 60th FLOOR, RUSSIAN MIDDLE-EASTERN BANK
Viktor walks into Alexander's office. An empty floor with with a 360 degree view of Dubai. Alexander is laying masking tape on the floor.
Viktor
Planning to take over the city, Sasha!
Alexander
(surprised)
Viko!
The two men embrace.
Alexander
(looking at the lines of tape on the floor)
I told you, this is the new land of opportunities. They're going through their own Perestroika. And we're here to help.
Alexander pours two glasses from a bottle of Russkiy Standart on a makeshift table.
Alexander
(drinking)
Na Zdorovie.
Viktor
(drinking)
Na Zdorovie. So what's the set up.
Alexander
(walking through the floor)
Desk, Ping Pong table, lounge... (pointing further) and washroom, kitchen... Operations are on 50 to 54. 55 as you know is management. Ground floor will be for limited customer service.
Viktor
And on 1 through 49?
Alexander
Empty. Until we find use for it.
Viktor
Nice.
Alexander
I kept the core management in place. Mostly Indians. You're CFO and I suggest you bring a controller from home.
Viktor
And who's this Chinese girl.
Alexander
(smiling)
That's part of your signing bonus. She's been harassing me for a job since I got here. Seriously, she came highly recommended from our Shenzhen friends. Plus she speaks Russian.
CARLA'S ROOM, BALTSCHUG KEMPINSKI HOTEL, MOSCOW
Carla gets an SMS from Franzizka while sitting naked on her bed watching the news.
MISSING YOUR SKIN
F
She drops the phone on the bed without replying and continues watching the news. She flips channels and laugh as she stops to watch a Russian comedy show entitled ProjektorParisHilton.
The hotel phone rings. She picks up.
Carla
(suspicious)
Yes? Yes... Oh, Yes hi... Well... Thank you... (she looks at the time on her phone)... I was actually not thinking of going out as I have some work... Yes, at 7:30 I believe... (smiling) Ok then... Give me 10-15 minutes. I'll meet you in the lobby.
EXTERIOR MOSCOW SIDEWALK
Karl smiles as Carla walks out of the elevator. A doorman opens the front door as Karl politely gestures Carla to move ahead.
-Sorry for my colleague... He's a relic from the Brezhnev era...
-Not a problem... I hope I was not too rude myself...
-Don't worry. He's back to his wife by now... Snoring off some home made Vodka...
They cross a bridge over the Moscow River onto Kremlevskaya Naberezhnaya. A Pedestrian discreetly follows them from less then 20 meters away.
Karl points at the skyline.
-This obviously is the Kremlin and in front... that tall building back there, is where I work.
-So... What do you do at Foreign Affairs?
-A little of everything... You know, Russian people are kind of complex... (resigned) and complicated... and this "quality" is reflected in our government, in the way our system works... It's not streamlined like in America where everything is geared towards the consumer.
-Well, maybe that's as good.
-What?
-Not to be solely oriented towards the consumer.
-Yeah... Anyways, we're used to it. What about your country?
-What... The people?
-Yes, us Russian view Switzerland as the ultimate example of efficiency and order.
-I guess... I don't know if I relate much to that model though.
Karl gently grabs her back to guide her through a side street.
-You're from Greek origins right?
-Yeah... On my father's side. My mother was Swiss German.
-Was?
-Yeah she also passed when I was young.
-Oh, yes you mentioned it earlier... Sorry.
-Well... That's fate, I'm an orphan...
She looks up at a street sign an continues.
-But I can read the Greek alphabet... П/P-Р/R-О/O-С/S-П/P-Е/E-К/C-Т/T... Prospect street!
-Not bad... Actually prospect means street... Avenue.
A cyclist shouts at them from the other side of the street.
-Красивый
Carla looks at him then back at Karl.
-But for pronunciation, it's harder... What did he tell you?
-He said Beautiful
-I thought gay boys were not that open in Russia.
Karl looks amused.
-Guess he was talking to you then.
Carla grabs Karl's arm as they continue walking.
-What about this drink you lured me into!
NIGHT, PROPAGANDA NIGHT CLUB, MOSCOW
Karl and Carla are quickly picked by the doorman as they get to a line in front of a nightclub.
Carla
(teasing, as they get in)
You got pull!
Karl
(boasting)
They know I'm from the Ministry...
Carla
(joking)
And you bring many foreign girls here?
Karl leads Carla to a seating section of the club. Scores of fashion model types sit around shiny white sofas as a Hip Hop beat triggers strobe lights on the dance floor.
A young waitress attends to them as soon as they sit.
Karl
(to Carla, loud)
Champagne?
Carla
(hesitating)
I'd rather try a good Vodka...
Karl
(in Russian, to the Waitress)
A bottle of Jewel of Russia Ultra.
Carla
(getting closer as the Waitress' leaves)
So you didn't get to tell me what your job was at Foreign Affairs.
Karl
We've been working on this inter-agency case for months now... The Nikitin case. They've formed a team dedicated to taking him down and I've been assigned to it by my department as a liaison officer... Although most of the time I feel more like an intern.
Carla
And interns get to cut through club lines and sit in VIP sections?
Karl
(shy)
My family has been in government for generations... That's how I got the Washington internship in the first place.
Carla
And do you like it?
Karl
What?
Carla
Your job!
Karl
Neah... Not really.
A NEW Waiter bring the Vodka and a two glasses. He serves Carla first as a curious By-Stander observes them the from a distance.
Waiter
(in Russian, to Karl as he pulls out his wallet)
On the House.
Carla
(raising her glass to Karl)
To internships!
DANCE FLOOR, PROPAGANDA NIGHT CLUB, MOSCOW
On the dance-floor, Karl is stunned by Carla's intuitive and sensual moves... As guys and girls rub each other around them, the Waiter keeps serving them shots from their bottles and delivering them on the dance floor under the suspicious eye of the mysterious by-stander.
Carla gets intimate with a guy and a girl competing for contact with her body. As the girl eventually pulls Karl back to his table, Carla remains on the dance floor getting closer and closer to the Russian Guy until they lead each other to men's room.
MEN'S ROOM, PROPAGANDA NIGHT CLUB, MOSCOW
Carla leans back on the wall on top of the toilet as the Russian Guy kisses her belly and starts zipping down her pants. Suddenly, the mysterious by-stander/follower busts the door and tases the Russian Guy down.
Carla is shocked as she recognizes Uri who grabs her arm to pull her out.
Carla
(surprised, zipping her jeans back on)
What are you doing?
REAR ENTRANCE, PROPAGANDA NIGHT CLUB, MOSCOW
They run out through the back door and cross a court yard leading to a side street.
Carla
(starting to lose her balance)
Where are we going...
Uri keeps looking back, concerned... He hails a taxi as they reach the main intersection just meters from the club's entrance.
INTERIOR TAXI, STREETS, MOSCOW
The taxi driver is staggered as Carla faints on the back seat. Uri quickly hands him a 5,000 Ruble bill for him to start the car as he closes the door.
Driver
(in Russian)
Where to?
Uri
(in Russian, looking back towards the club)
Just drive... Straight!
The driver accelerates.
FRONT DOOR, PROPAGANDA NIGHT CLUB, MOSCOW
The Waiter and Russian Guy run out of the club amidst commotion in the line up. As the Waiter pulls his cell and dials, the Russian Guy jumps on a parked Motorcycle and zooms out after the taxi.
INTERIOR TAXI, STREETS, MOSCOW
The taxi loses the motorcycle and reaches a busy intersection.
Uri
(to the Driver)
Turn here... let us down and continue.
Uri pulls Carla out of the taxi which takes off.
EXTERIOR, STREETS, MOSCOW
Uri pushes Carla into a doorway as the motorcycle passes right by them.
Carla
(spaced out)
What's going on? I can't stay awake...
Uri
(holding her up)
They've spiked your drink.
Carla
Shit... GHB?
Uri
(peeking at the street)
Don't know... but it looks like it worked...
Carla
(embarrassed)
I don't know what happened... Can you help me go back to my hotel.
Uri
(pulling her back on the sidewalk)
Not a good idea... Hold on to me...
EXTERIOR, DAWN, TWO STAR HOTEL, MOSCOW
Uri and Carla climb up the stairs of a modest hotel. Carla clings on to Uri as they get to the reception.
Uri
(in Russian)
You have a room?
The man at the reception desk looks skeptically at both of them.
Man at desk
Passports.
Uri pulls a Czech Republic Passport from his inside pocket.
Man at desk
(looking at the photo on Uri's passport)
Czech... eh!
(looking at Carla)
And her?
Uri
She doesn't have it with her. We just need to rest for a few hours.
Man at desk
(with a grim)
Rest... eh! Two thousand Rubles... Out by 11:00...
Uri pulls 2 bills of One thousand Rubles.
Man
(handing the key)
3rd floor. Bathroom on the floor.
AARON'S APARTMENT, TEL AVIV / MOSSAD HQ, HERZLIYA
Aaron is awaken by his mobile phone ringing.
Aaron
(answering, groggy)
Hanin!
Voice
There's been some commotion at a Disco in Moscow last night. Around the Swiss Prosecutor.
Aaron
And?
Voice
She was apparently extracted by a stranger.
Aaron
Yatom!
Voice
That's what we think.
INTERIOR, TWO STAR HOTEL ROOM, MOSCOW
The sun shines through the red curtain as Carla opens her eyes. Still in a daze, she looks around the unfamiliar room and sees her suitcase on a the vanity. She hears a continuous banging but can't figure out where the noise comes from.
She realizes that she is still dressed up as she stands to looks around for the bathroom. She finds her cell phone on top of her suitcase with its SIM card pulled out next to a hand written note.
STAY OFF THE GRID - URI
As the banging gets louder, she finally realizes that someone is knocking on the door and opens it to find a Maid and the front desk Man whom she doesn't seem to remember.
Man
(in Russian, upset)
It's already 2:00 pm! We've been knocking for half an hour... What's wrong with you!
Carla
(in English, holding her head)
Sorry... I didn't wake up...
Man
(in Russian... not understanding)
You've got 15 minutes...Or we charge you another night!
(in English, showing his watch)
One-Five!
Carla
(closing the door)
Yes... Ok...
She gets back to the vanity, looks at herself in the mirror and folds the note in her pocket... puzzled.
INTERIOR, SWISS FLIGHT 987, TARMAC, MOSCOW
Carla places her SIM card back into her cell.
Loads of SMS and missed calls messages pop up.
Flight Attendant Announcement
(in German)
Ladies and Gentlemen, we are now ready for take off. Please make sure that your seat-belt is fasten and cell phone turned off. All electronic equipment shall now be turned off until we reach our cruising altitude. Thank you. (repeat message in English...)
Carla presses redial on Feurer's number as she hears the announcement.
Carla
(quietly)
Feurer!
Carla looks at the incoming attendant.
Carla (con't)
It's a long story... I'm still in Moscow..
The flight attendant stops by Carla and waits impatiently...
Carla (con't)
I'll see you in the morning... I'm all right... Thanks... Just tired...
SANCTUARY NIGHTCLUB, ATLANTIS HOTEL, PALM JUMEIRAH, DUBAI
Viktor and Fan are being escorted to a private section on the rooftop terrace of the Sanctuary Nightclub where Alexander is sitting with Najwa and four young Emiratis.
Viktor
(to all as they reach the table, in Russian)
Is this the coolest it gets!
Alexander
(in English, standing up)
Gentlemen, please let me introduce you our recently appointed CFO, Viktor X and his lovely assistant, Fan Jing.
(turning to Viktor) Viktor, this is His Excellency Sheik 1, his brother Sheik 2 and... (looking at the two other Emirati men)...
Sheik 1
(interjecting, to Viktor)
This is Sheik 3, Dubai's Deputy Minister of Finance and Sheik 4, President of the Central Bank of the UAE... Welcome to Dubai.
Viktor and Fan greet all as they sit around the low lying table. Waiters light up extra waterpipes as Alexander pours vodka into everyone's glass.
Fan extends her hand to Najwa who sits next to her as the men engage in a parallel conversation.
Fan
(in Arabic)
Hi, I'm Fan. You must be Mr. Alexander's wife.
Najwa
(in English)
Just a friend... I'm Najwa, please to meet you and congratulation's on your new position.
Fan
(in English)
Thanks, this is really challenging and (looking at Alexander then Viktor) I really hope that I will meet Mr. Alexander's and Mr. Viktor's expectations.
Najwa
I'm sure you will... Good luck anyways.
Fan sips from her glass but seems startled by the taste of straight vodka.
Najwa
(pouring Red Bull in Fan's vodka then into her's)
Try with this... Goes through more easily.
Fan
(trying her drink again)
Better, thanks.... So I heard that you also speak Russian.
Najwa glances towards Viktor who doesn't react.
Fan (con't)
Oh no... Mr. Viktor didn't tell me that, I heard from other people on the staff.
Najwa
(amused)
People talk about me at the office?
Fan
(trying to defuse the situation)
Oh... No... I guess I must be mistaken.
Najwa
(confirming)
No, you're not... I do speak Russian. I was born in Hungary. We were taught Russian from a very young age... Then they switched us to English.
Fan
(finding an angle to befriend Najwa)
Oh... Interesting... We had several professors from Hungary where I studied in Beijing. Hungary must be a very beautiful country.
Najwa
Maybe... I didn't really like it.
Fan
Oh, I'm sorry... Is your family still there
Najwa
(dismissive)
No...
Alexander puts his hand around Najwa's neck...
Alexander
(to Fan)
So Fan....
An waiter walks towards Sheik 1 to whisper in his ear as they look at four Eastern European escorts standing by.
Sheik 1
(to Fan and Najwa)
Would you ladies enjoy the company of some lady friends?
Before Fan could say anything, Najwa answers.
Najwa
(sipping at her cocktail, not even looking at the escorts)
I think we have enough Russian speakers at the table.
Sensing that Najwa's response might have offended the Sheiks, Viktor stands up and raises his glass.
Viktor
To our host and to their kingdom.
Alexander
(Standing up, looking at the Sheiks)
Nasdrovie...
All raise their glass and drink.
Najwa
(Standing)
I feel like dancing... (looking at Fan) You're coming?
Fan glances towards Viktor, hesitating, before leaving the table with Najwa.
144th FLOOR APARTMENT, BURJ KHALIFA BUILDING, DUBAI
Najwa and Alexander are back at their apartment.
Najwa
(walking out of the shower)
Who's this Chinese girl you hooked up with Viko?
Alexander
(flipping the news on the TV)
Some girl with experience in banking... Plus she's Chinese and speaks like five other languages... She's nice. You like her?
Najwa
(wiping her body with a towel)
I don't know... Something about her...
Alexander
You complain about Russian girls as being all whores, Western expats as being boring, Muslim girls as I don't know what... And now it's the fucking Chinese... Make an effort! You can't lock yourself up all day staring at the Gulf. Make new friends.
Najwa
I don't look at the Gulf... I look at Iran.
She gets to him and slides naked into his arm.
Najwa
Anyways, I don't need friends... You're enough for me.
Alexander
(caressing her head)
Once this bank is set up, we'll move somewhere better, like South-America... Argentina... I always wanted to go there.
Najwa
(getting closer)
Maybe...
CONFERENCE ROOM, FEDERAL PALACE, BERN, SWITZERLAND
Meier along with the Director of the Swiss Federal Intelligence Service (FIS) are meeting with two Swiss Federal Councillors (Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA & Federal Department of Justice and Police FDJP) to brief them about the alleged "assaults" on Carla Xanthis in Moscow and the possible intervention of a mysterious good Samaritan.
FDFA Councillor
(handing a letter to the Director of the FIS)
This came in this morning directly from the Ambassador.
FIS Director
(noticing the heading of the Russian Embassy in Bern, looking at the FDJP Councillor and Meier)
Mr. Meier just briefed me about meeting this Ms. Xanthis informally last week.
FDJP Councillor
(inquisitive, looking at Meier)
What do mean informally!
Meier
She was introduced by a mutual friend, one of her colleagues. She claimed to have been approached by a man, who we believe to be Mossad, who in turn apparently warned her, Ms. Xanthis, about a potential treat on her life.
FDJP Councillor
And why wasn't this brought up to our department.
Meier
I believe she was afraid to lose the case she was working on.
FIS Director
(looking at Meier)
But you did suggest that she seek protection form the Cantonal police right!
Meier
Yes
FDFA Councillor
(trying to catch up)
So she was sent to Moscow without anyone being informed that she had been threatened?
Meier
We were basically following a thread, the Botulinum case, that she had led us on to. I had no idea weather or not she had seek police protection.
FDFA Councillor
But you did know she was going to Moscow.
Meier
I was informed once she was there... Yesterday...
FDJP Councillor
And what about this mysterious Israeli Agent.
FIS Director
We're trying to get answers directly from Mossad but they seem to have lost touch with him as well.
YATOM FAMILY HOME, WEST-JERUSALEM
Gadi knock on the door of a suburban home on the outskirts of Jerusalem.
UriMom opens the door.
UriMom
(surprised)
Gadi!
Gadi
(smiling)
Shalom Mrs. Yatom.
UriMom
Shalom Gadi... What brings you here (concerned) Anything bad? You have news from Uri?
Gadi
No... Exactly... I was hoping you could help me...
UriMom
(letting him in)
Well come in....
Gadi follows UriMom across the house and into the garden...
Moments later, Gadi and UriMom are sitting in the garden, sipping on some limonade.
Gadi
I was hoping that you might know something?
UriMom
You know Uri has always kept to himself, ever-since he was a kid. After his father died, we moved here to live with my in-laws.
Gadi
When did you see him last.
UriMom
In November (+-3 months ago) for my step-mother's service.
Gadi
And you haven't heard from him since?
UriMom
No... He told me he had some business in Europe. You know he was very close to his grand mother, closer then he ever was to me. Maybe he wanted to go back to his roots. She was from Italy. I think he was very sadden by her death... She was his last connection to his father...
ALEXANDER'S OFFICE, 60th FLOOR, RUSSIAN MIDDLE-EASTERN BANK
Alexander and Viktor sit around Alexander's ping pong table along with Marina Krilova, early 30s, the bank's new Controller and Head of Business Affairs.
Marina
(to both men)
But I have absolutely no knowledge of local banking regulations.
Viktor
We deal directly with the Finance Minister and the President of the Central Bank.
Marina
Do we have a local lawyer on staff?
Alexander
We kept one... I think he's Egyptian...
Viktor
(interjecting, to Marina)
The locals don't work.
Marina
(exhaling and referring to the challenge)
Well, give me a few days to understand how things work and who's who around here. If all goes well, we should be operational within a few weeks.
Alexander
We need to be back on the grid by Monday at London's opening.
BACK IN HERZLIYA
Aaron and two other Mossad Agents are fast forwarding through a series of video captures showing Marina walking across Dubai's Airport Main Hall; Sitting on the back bench of a Limousine; Checking in and finally walking into her hotel room, going straight to the off-screen bathroom where she remains.
Mossad Agent 1
(proud, operating the laptop)
We learned our lesson from the Mahmoud op!
Marina walks out of the bathroom naked and shuts the lights as she gets in bed.
Mossad Agent 2
Don't we have night-vision?
Aaron
Well this is all good, but what we need data is from Nikitin's building. I'm not interested in jerking off over some Russian lawyer sleeping.
MA2
What if we bring Nikitin into the bedroom.
Aaron
You expect her to layout the whole scheme while he rides her? Plus he's busy with his Iranian girl. That's not gonna work.
REEF MALL, AL MURAQQABAT, DUBAI
Fan walks out of a taxi and into the main entrance of a shopping mall where she blends into a sea of Asian shoppers. She stops in front of several low end clothing shops, purchases underwear then eventually settles down at a self service noodle shop. Still wearing her Gucci sunglasses, she places her red handbag on the table dropping her plastic shopping bag on the floor as she sits down.
A short moment later, Shuibo, a Chinese man in his 40s approaches the table next to hers and addresses two Filipina women.
Shuibo
(in Mandarin, loud enough for Fan to hear)
You're too obvious...
The two Filipina women look at each other ignoring him.
Shuibo
(smiling at the women)
I'll be in the changing room of the clothing store across. Meet me there in 5 minutes. No sooner.
A surveillance camera records a wide angle shot of Shuibo being dissed by the Filipinas as he walks away.
Fan pretends to look normal and grabs her phone from her bag to answer a call.
Fan
(in English, on the Phone)
Najwa! Thanks for calling me back. Good... I was wondering what you were doing later on... I have these VIP passes for a new Gym in Dubai Marina... Yeah... I though maybe we you felt like joining me... Yeah... We could go for coffee after and hang around there... Great... I'll text you.
She hangs up and looks at her phone to see if 5 minutes have passed while discreetly glancing around. As she stands up to leave, one of the Filipinas waves at her.
Filipina Lady
(in Tagalog)
You're forgetting your bag!
Fan doesn't understand but then sees her plastic bag containing the cheap underwear and smiles back at the two young ladies.
Other Filipina Lady
(in Tagalog, to her friend)
Forget it... She's also Chinese.
CLOTHING STORE CHANGING ROOM, REEF MALL, AL MURAQQABAT, DUBAI
Fan and Shuibo both occupy adjacent booths.
Fan
(across the curtain)
I'm meeting her later this afternoon.
Shuibo
We thought you should focus on the new Russian controller.
Fan
Can't get close to her. She doesn't like me.
Shuibo
Already? How do you know that? She just arrived!
Fan
Girls' stuff. You can't understand.
Shuibo
Well, we need access to Nikitin.
Fan
The Arab woman and Viktor are his most trusted allies and probably his only confidants. Let me work on her and distance myself from Viktor so I don't blow my cover.
Shuibo
I'll ask for two more weeks. But get me something to work with...
Fan
I will... Don't worry. She's our bait.
Shuibo
Well, you were supposed to be the bait.
Fan
(sarccastic)
Results pay off in the long run. Out of all people, you should know this...
Shuibo
(changing subject)
Next time. Try to blend in a little more...
Fan
Well maybe we should hook up somewhere a little more classy then. Not like if that's what's missing here in Dubai.