[Scully enters Skinner's room at the hospital. He looks very sick, but smiles as she enters.]
Sir, there's something I'd like to try. It's a treatment called therapeutic plasmapheresis. It requires filtering all of the blood in your body. It's a radical procedure and there is a danger that your body might go into shock.
I'm in your hands. (weakly) I think I owe you an apology, Scully. You and Mulder.
I've been lying here thinking. Your quest... it should have been mine.
If I die now, I die in vain. I have nothing to show for myself. My life...
Sir, you know that's not true.
It is. I can see now that... I always played it safe. I wouldn't take sides. Wouldn't let you and Mulder... pull me in.
You've been our ally more times than I can say.
Not the kind of ally that I could have been. (Scully touches his wrist gently)
So they're splitting us up, huh?
This is a one-time thing.
Who told you that? Obviously, if you do a good job they're not going to stick you back here. (Scully sees Ritter coming in) Right?
RAgent Ritter
Agent Scully, we're all set.
Peyton Ritter, this is Fox Mulder.
RAgent Ritter
It's a pleasure to meet you, Fox.
(stays seated; polite, but unenthusiastic) A pleasure to meet you... Peyton.
RAgent Ritter
Off to New York.
[The two of them leave; Mulder watches them go wistfully.]
(on phone) I don't know what to think. (looks up as Fellig passes her) He's, uh... unusual.
(on phone) As in he, uh, plugs up like a cork when you stab him? (looking at an image of Fellig's stab wounds on his computer)
Mulder, where are you getting this stuff?
Well, young man Ritter has been sending progress reports to Kersh. My computer may have inadvertently intercepted a few of those. He's got nice things to say about you, though... mostly. Why don't you let me do a little background check on Fellig for you.
Come on. It's, you know... it's what I do now. I'm getting good at it.
[Scully sighs.]
He's right. Tell me, Ritter, did he have any help concocting that story?
RAgent Ritter
(defensive) Look, Fellig is a murderer. Whether or not he did this specific one, I don't care-- not if it buys me a few days in the box with him.
No judge is going to issue a warrant based on this.
RAgent Ritter
No, no, no. I know the judge. We'll have it by noon. (she stares at him in shock, then turns to leave) You know, Kersh warned me about you.
RAgent Ritter
Yeah - you and your partner. God knows his reputation precedes him so I guess I should have seen this coming. You muck up my case, and Kersh'll hear about it. Are we clear, Dana?
(coldly correcting him) Scully. (cell phone rings) And we're done with this conversation.
(on phone) Hey, Scully, uh, how's that X-File coming? And before you tell me that it's not an X-File...
Alfred Fellig seems to know an awful lot about death.
Oh, yeah? Well, that's not surprising, given that he's reached the ripe old age of 149.
[A group of men are in a basketball court playing, including Mulder. He makes a basket; stops when Scully enters the gym.]
BPBasketball player
(to Mulder) Hey, Milk, let's play ball. (Mulder waits for Scully to walk closer; player is irritated) Yo, Homestyle, cough up the rock.
[Mulder throws the ball over his shoulder; catches it when thrown back and casually makes a basket.]
BPBasketball player
(shaking his hand) Oh, no, no. Aw, it don't work like that.
(joining Scully, ignoring the game) Hey, Homegirl, word up.
Mulder it's my distinct impression that you just cheated. And that you're not coming in again today.
Yeah, you got so much game I'm wondering if you have any work left in you.
No, I'm ready to J-O-B just not on some jagoff shoeshine tip.
(VERY small smile) No "jagoff shoeshine tip"?
(smile) No background checkin' jagoff shoeshine tip.
Well, about your J-O-B, Mulder somebody's been trying very hard to reach you by phone. Somebody who wants you back at the FBI ASAP.
(more serious) About what?
You looking for work, Agent Spender? 'Cause if you are, I got a whole pile in that middle drawer that I'd love to shove down someone's throat.
I was just writing you a note. I think you know why I'm here.
She wants to talk to you.
I didn't hear the magic word.
Look, Agent Mulder, I'm not going to get down on my knees here.
Are you asking me, Agent Spender?
My mother's been gone for almost a year. She turns up in a train car where she's been operated on by a group of doctors who were burned alive. I just want the truth.
The truth is out there, Agent Spender. Maybe you should find it for yourself.
[opening voiceover; about Cigarette Smoking Man and his father, Bill Mulder] Two men, young, idealistic - the fine product of a generation hardened by world war. Two fathers whose paths would converge in a new battle - an invisible war between a silent enemy and a sleeping giant on a scale to dwarf all historical conflicts. A 50-years war, its killing fields lying in wait for the inevitable global holocaust. Theirs was the dawn of Armageddon. And while the world was unaware, unwitting spectators to the hurly-burly of the decades-long struggle between heaven and earth there were those who prepared for the end; who measured the size and power of the enemy, and faced the choices: stand and fight, or bow to the will of a fearsome enemy. Or to surrender - to yield and collaborate. To save themselves and stay their enemy's hand. Men who believed that victory was the absence of defeat and survival the ultimate ideology... No matter what the sacrifice.
[frustrated] They've burned our clothes.
Hey... I heard gray is the new black.
Mulder, this stinks, and not just because I think that woman is a... well, I think you know what I think that woman is.
[dryly] No. Actually, you hide your feelings very well.
[Agent Spender and AD Kersh study evidence of the Syndicate's death]
AKAD Kersh
The way these people died... the loss of life here - it is beyond words. I can't imagine how it must be for you - losing your mother.
Yes, sir. But that's not why I asked for this meeting.
AKAD Kersh
Why did you ask for it?
Because I'm responsible for the deaths of those people at the Air Base hangar in no small way. I certainly didn't prevent them.
AKAD Kersh
I can assume then you can explain how they died? Because I have yet to hear any explanation.
Agent Mulder can explain it. I think Agent Scully, to an extent. They might have even prevented what you see in those photos.
AKAD Kersh
Agents Scully and Mulder have been suspended by the FBI.
Also my doing... and my mistake.
AKAD Kersh
I would ask...
I'd ask, sir - before you tell me that it's not my business - that you do everything you can to get them back on the X-Files. Far worse can happen... and it will.
AKAD Kersh
Where are you going?
AKAD Kersh
Agent Spender... [Spender leaves; Kersh turns to Mulder, angrily] You have answers now? Why didn't I hear about those answers before?
I've had answers for years.
AKAD Kersh
Then why didn't we hear about them?
No one would ever listen.
AKAD Kersh
Who burned those people?
They burned themselves. With a choice made long ago by a conspiracy of men who thought they could sleep with the enemy. Only to awaken another enemy.
AKAD Kersh
What the hell does that mean?
It means the future is here, and all bets are off.
AKAD Kersh
Agent Scully, make some sense.
Sir, I wouldn't bet against him.
