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The X Files Transcripts
Archive
This is from the "pink copy" (third draft) of the
"Ascension" script. It's definitely different from the final, aired
version. Notably, the script states clearly that Krycek is trying to
kill Mulder by starting the tram when he's outside it. Krycek is
supposed to be furious that Mulder doesn't fall off. This is not how
it looks on screen, by any stretch of the imagination...
Also in this script is a scene where Mulder, Krycek, and
Skinner confront each other. I don't know if this is *the* big scene
Nick has spoken of in various interviews, but it's definitely not in
the aired version. In this version, Mulder goes to see X when he
should be taking his lie detector test. He doesn't borrow Krycek's
car. Instead, Krycek follows him. The action starts outside the
building where Mulder has just met with X...
========
Mulder isn't sure where to go next. As he moves down the
sidewalk, he's startled by a HONKING HORN. Mulder turns to
see ---
KRYCEK, driving up. He gestures for Mulder to get into
the car. Mulder comes around to the open passenger window.
KRYCEK: "C'mon, Mulder, get in."
Mulder, fueled by X's warning, now eyes Krycek with some
suspicion.
MULDER: "How'd you find me?"
KRYCEK: "I saw you leave the building. Skinner heard
you took off and went ballistic. He wants you back there now."
Mulder hesitates.
KRYCEK: "C'mon, let's go."
After a tense beat, Mulder opens the door and climbs
inside. Krycek takes off driving. Mulder, ultra paranoid, secretly
notices --
A FILTERLESS CIGARETTE BUTT in the ashtray.
Mulder realizes it's the same filterless brand as those
smoked by the Cigarette Smoking Man. Mulder makes the
connection between Krycek and all the strange things that have
transpired.
Off Krycek's curious look, we hear --
SKINNER'S VOICE (O.S.): "He's a spy?"
INT. FBI HEADQUARTERS -- SKINNER'S OFFICE -- DAY
Mulder controls his anger. Krycek's expression reveals
nothing. Skinner appears worried that Mulder had finally gone
over the edge.
MULDER: "He was the last one with Duane Barry before
he died."
Skinner looks to Krycek, who turns to Mulder.
KRYCEK: "Bruises from your hands were around his
neck. And you ordered me out of that room. Maybe I could have
saved him."
MULDER: "Saved him? You poisoned him."
SKINNER (presses on): "Do you have any hard evidence
against Agent Krycek?"
MULDER: "No, Sir." (off Skinner's incredulous look)
"But there's a web of circumstantial evidence that he conspired to
thwart my search for Agent Scully."
SKINNER: "How are you getting this?"
MULDER: "He stopped the tram before I could get to her."
KRYCEK: "An electrical short shut it down for a few
minutes."
MULDER: "No, you shut it down after hitting the night
watchman."
Krycek doesn't react.
SKINNER (to Mulder): "The watchman told you this?"
MULDER: "No -- he's in critical condition. I just got off
the phone with his work. They found him bleeding to death in the
engine room this morning."
KRYCEK: "You're the one who flashed your gun at him."
SKINNER: "You threatened the night watchman, too?"
MULDER: "Agent Krycek was the last person seen with
him before his injury."
KRYCEK: "He obviously fell or got hurt after I left."
MULDER: "He was with you in the control room?"
KRYCEK: "That's right."
MULDER: "Then why'd you let him almost kill me?"
SKINNER: "What the hell are you talking about, Agent
Mulder?"
MULDER: "I climbed on top of the tram after it stopped
near the upper tower. They would have seen me on the TV
monitor." (To Krycek) "If he was there, why did he start the tram?
And why didn't you stop him?"
Skinner looks curiously at Krycek for a response.
KRYCEK: "We didn't see you on the monitor."
Skinner looks at Krycek, unconvinced by his lame
explanation.
MULDER: "No, you saw me, and you tried to kill me."
Skinner begins to get drawn into Mulder's conspiracy
theory.
SKINNER: "Why go through all this trouble?"
MULDER: "Ask him -- "
Mulder tosses the filterless cigarette butt on Skinner's desk.
Skinner recognizes it as the brand of the Cigarette Smoking Man.
MULDER: "Maybe he'll tell you what Scully and I were
getting close to...so he had the Bureau shut down the X-Files."
A disturbed Skinner picks up the cigarette butt.
SKINNER: "Where'd you find this?"
MULDER: "Krycek's car."
Skinner, disturbed, glances at Krycek.
SKINNER: "What the hell was he doing with you?"
Skinner's private line rings. Pissed, he picks it up.
SKINNER: "Hello?"
INT. PENTAGON BUILDING -- SHADOWY OFFICE --
DAY
The Cigarette Smoking Man is on the phone. A small desk
lamp carves out his features in the shadows. Smokes swirls up into
the light.
C.S. MAN: "Skinner?"
INT. FBI BUILDING -- DAY
Skinner subtly tenses hearing his voice. Mulder senses this
and leans closer to Skinner.
MULDER: "How'd he know we were talking about him?"
Skinner shares a paranoid look with Mulder, wondering if
his office is bugged. Skinner swivels his chair around to have a
private but quietly heated conversation with the C.S. Man.
FEATURE MULDER AND KRYCEK sitting on their
chairs, watching. Mulder glances over. Krycek's expression seems
strangely calm. After a moment, Krycek suddenly stands.
MULDER: "Where are you going? Sit down."
Krycek ignores him and starts toward the door. Mulder
stands and follows.
MULDER: "Krycek."
Krycek doesn't look back. Mulder grabs Krycek's arm.
Krycek regards him without emotion. Mulder feels like he's
looking into the eyes of a person he's never seen.
SKINNER'S VOICE: "Let him go, Agent Mulder."
Mulder turns. Skinner gestures for Mulder to release
Krycek's arm. Mulder is confused.
MULDER: "He murdered Duane Barry."
SKINNER: "We'll never be able to prove it."
Mulder looks at Skinner with utter disbelief. Skinner
shakes his head, resigned.
SKINNER: "Let him go."
Mulder turns on Krycek. They meet eyes for the last time.
Mulder wants to kill him. Krycek looks like he couldn't care less
and exits. Mulder, stunned, advances on Skinner.
MULDER: "How could you let him walk?"
SKINNER: "I told you before, Agent Mulder. We all have
to answer to somebody."
MULDER: "They know where she is."
SKINNER: (nods) "The Director and I will be looking into
that right now."
Skinner stands, grabs his coat, and starts for the door. He
glances back at Mulder, who looks lost. Skinner appears
sympathic. As a way of apology --
SKINNNER: "And I'm reopening the X-Files."
Mulder, stunned by the turn of events, takes this news
without any reaction.
SKINNER: "I thought you'd be glad to get back to your
work."
MULDER: "I will be when we find Scully."
Skinner turns, exits....