03x06 - Hello Stranger

[bunniefuu]

Previously on Covert Affairs...

I'm sending you back to the DPD.

But this mission isn't dead yet.

Langley has asked me to evaluate your well-being in the field.

Who ordered the assessment?

I can't marry you.

You should have this back.

Good-bye, Auggie.

You'll begin therapy.

This is mandated.

I didn't need it after my injury, and I don't need it now.

[Timer ticking]

[Strained breathing]

Yesterday, Yemeni Prime Minister A'zam Halabi suffered a heart att*ck.

State is allowing him to enter the U.S. for medical treatment only.

He's currently en route to the Mayo Clinic, where he will undergo surgery later today.

This is a special situation. We defer to State.

No planned action at this time.

What are we getting in return?

I assume it has to do with oil.

It does have something to do with oil.

Yemen is not an OPEC nation. They make their own deals.

So State is trading lower gas prices for a man's life.

Is that why the CIA isn't allowed anywhere near the place?

They're worried we'll mess up the deal?

While the prime minister's here in the country, I'd like to try and turn his Chief of Staff.

His name is Sayid al-Muqri, and I think he could be a valuable asset.

Annie, you're not the first person in this building who's wanted to turn Sayid al-Muqri.

I've been following him, and I think he could be a friend.

How so?

When he was a grad student at Oxford in 2000, an editorial appeared Political Analysis. between Yemen and the west.

And although there was no byline to the editorial, I could hear his voice in the article.

If he wrote it, I think he could be turned.

I'd like to make the play.

Halabi took in al-Muqri when his parents d*ed.

They're like family.

Al-Muqri will definitely be traveling with him.

Surgery lasts three hours.

After which they get on a plane straight back to Yemen.

It's a very short window of time.

How do you plan to approach?

A cold pitch.

It's the only way, given the time frame.

So you think you can turn the prime minister's right-hand man based on an article he might not have written.

He's being under-utilized at home.

He's ambitious, and he's itching to do more, to find a bigger way to contribute.

We could be that way.

But the risk is too high and the timeline too short.

So let's move on.

[Knocking]

May I have a moment, please?

Sure.

I wanted to give you a copy of the brief I wrote on Sayid al-Muqri.

Maybe it'll change your mind.

Annie, your interest in this individual is not the issue here.

We don't have a single asset in Yemen.

The CIA's decided the whole country's a black hole, that no Yemeni man or woman would ever work with us.

I don't accept that. Do you?

I am not responsible for CIA policy.

I am responsible for you, and I am not prepared to send you into a situation that's primed for you to fail.

Never mind the State doesn't want us to jeopardize their deal.

What you are proposing is akin to flying to Cuba for three hours to try to turn Castro's son.

Sayid and I may have grown up on opposite sides of the globe, but we both raised ourselves in the absence of strong parents.

We traveled by ourselves, we learned other languages, we chose a life of service to our nations.

I may not have met him yet, but I already know how to speak to him.

If anyone from State Department sees you, you will turn around and fly home.

If you meet with Sayid and he turns you down, you will fly home.

If you even think you're about to get caught, you will fly home.

That's a yes?

You have three hours. Don't make me regret this.

Good luck, Annie.

[Can You Save Me? By Apple Trees & Tangerines]

♪ Covert Affairs 03x06 ♪
Hello Stranger
Original Air Date on August 21, 2012

♪ Can you save me ♪
♪ from this nothing I've become? ♪
♪ it's just something that I've done ♪
♪ I never meant to cause you worry ♪
♪ Don't you blame me ♪
♪ for this nothing I've become ♪
♪ it's just something that I've done ♪
♪ I never meant to show you my mistakes ♪

Oh, hey. Let me walk you to the elevator.

You only say that when you wanna talk about something.

Whey do you assume I wanna talk to you about anything, particularly about Joan's decision to let you do this mission?

How could you know she gave me the Op?

That just happened.

Because I know you, and when you believe in something, whole armies won't stop you.

Which is why, despite your attempts to keep things quiet, I know about Parker... and what happened at Allen's.

Well...

She flipped the script. She did.

Are you okay?

I'm fine.

Auggie.

I'm going to be fine. Now you have a plane to catch.

We're gonna talk about this, all right?

Drinks at Allen's this week.

We might need to find a new place.

But hey, variety's the spice of life, right?

Now I am going to get blamed for undermining your Op.

I'm sure Joan will find some other reason to keep me in the doghouse.

What is going on between you two?

The friction's so palpable, I'm almost glad I can't see it.

She asked Eyal Lavin for a full cogent profile on me.

Well, you have been through a lot lately.

Maybe she just wants to make sure you're doing okay.

Eyal knows you well.

That's what he said.

Well, it just might be true.

You sound like you're on her side.

I'm on your side.

Which reminds me why I wanted to talk to you.

Oh, you admit it.

You do wanna talk to me about something.

What can I say?

I'm a talker.

What you're about to do is a huge gamble.

If you get there and decide not to go for it, I won't think any less of you. No one will.

I know what I'm doing.

[Elevator dings]

Like I said-- whole armies.

Call me when you land.

Halabi will be arriving by a private medical jet, pre-cleared for landing by the FAA.

[Siren wails]

So hit me. What are my roadblocks?

Sayid and Halabi will be traveling with a small protection detail, but your real problem will be the State Department.

[Elevator dings]

[Indistinct chatter]

So the scary part is that they bought out the whole wing or the whole floor?

Neither.

A shutdown on any level would draw too much attention, and they don't want anyone poking around while we treat the leader of a hostile nation, and I mean anyone.

The public, the press, or your friendly neighborhood CIA.

I got to admit.

It seems a little counterproductive, working against our own government.

Yes, why can't we all just get along?

Come home safe and unseen.

You can rant about bureaucracy later.

It's not a rant. It's a difference of opinion.

Spoken like an operative, all fired up to turn an asset.

You got a game plan ready?

Yeah, I think I'm gonna go with the basic version.

Everyone has a favorite vice.

Well, looks like you're gonna have to wait to hear about mine.

They've just begun the procedure.

Your three-hour countdown starts now.

Okay. Here I go.

Sir, I'm sorry.

Smoking's not permitted in or around the hospital.

Claim this is a free country.

It's hard waiting for important news without a cigarette.

You must know some secret.

No secrets.

I know a spot-- probably the only spot-- where they'll let you smoke.

I'm okay.

Not here.

Mayo Clinic is the size of a college campus, and security has a problem with smoking for some unknown reason.

Where?

Out this door.

It's a good spot.

Yeah.

As-salaam alaikum, Mr. al-Muqri.

I've been looking forward to meeting you.

Forgive me, we don't have a lot of time.

[Cursing in arabic]

Unbelievable.

The CIA can't even let a sick man see a doctor.

We're welcoming to see the best doctor in the world.

At tremendous cost.

We're just having a conversation.

Conversations with the CIA are never free.

We haven't demanded anything.

The CIA and the State Department are too separate things.

That's a distinction you like to make, isn't it?

I don't know which operatives you've met in the past, but I'm not them.

No, you're blonde.

Perhaps someone now thinks that's my type.

There's no agency plot here, Mr. al-Muqri.

We have things in common, and so I came to see you on my own terms.

The only thing worse than a CIA operative is a CIA operative with a personal agenda.

We have a shared agenda.

"The distance between villages is short."

You wrote that, and I believe it.

That we are all related.

I didn't write that, but okay.

We're great friends.

Great friends who pounce on each other in moments of crisis.

The man who I have sworn to serve faithfully is fighting for his life downstairs, and you see that as a political opportunity.

I see this as the only opportunity to speak with you to convince you that we have a chance to change things.

Spoken like an American. All promise and hope.

No regard for risk.

We're both at risk here.

No.

I am the one standing in a hostile nation under careful watch.

I have traveled far and fought hard to stand here with you.

I don't even know your name.

You know everything about me.

I'm exposed and vulnerable, while you remain anonymous and protected.

How can you have a conversation with me and hide your identity at the same time?

How can I connect with you...

When you haven't even shared with me your name?

Annie Walker.

How do I know that's the truth?

Because it's the truth.

Do not approach me again...

Annie Walker.

[Door opens]

[Door closes]

There she is. Go, go.

Arthur Campbell or Joan?

Uh, excuse me.

I'm asking you a question.

Who sent you?

I don't--I don't know what you mean.

All right, you can play it that way.

You being here is in direct violation of American diplomatic policy.

Come on, let's go call your parents.

Steve, we respect the fact that the State Department is facilitating this.

Are you trying to apologize?

Because you're terrible at it.

I apologize.

The Agency never intended to compromise your authority.

But that's exactly what you're trying to do.

Why else would you send an operative here?

We didn't send her.

To build national security.

You're either deliberately breaking a promise you made, or you've got a rogue agent under your roof.

We didn't make any promise. You dictated terms.

Perhaps while temperatures are running high, we should avoid questioning each other's motives.

Everyone on this call wants the State Department's deal with Yemen to succeed.

Are you suddenly my partner in this, Arthur?

I'd like to think we can work together, yes.

The American people finally get some relief from soaring energy costs, and an old man gets to see a great doctor.

Do you support both those ideas?

Of course I do.

Then why are you screwing it up?

The CIA comes in, everybody gets nervous.

They start to reconsider deals.

I know you don't wanna be responsible for that.

I understand your point of view, Steve.

You understand, or you agree?

I agree.

Then you'll send her home right away.

Right away.

Good.

Play the "what if" game with me.

Ooh, one of my favorites.

Okay, a brilliant, young operative flies to Minnesota to turn a valuable asset--

What if she's caught by the State Department?

She calls for advice.

What if Joan and Arthur cave to State and send her home?

If we're talking about the same operative, she uses whatever time she has left to pursue her objective.

What if she's been banned from the building?

Then she finds a way to make him leave it.

Auggie, you're brilliant.

That's not a "what if" statement.

You win.

I usually do.

Listen, I'm stepping into a meeting for the next hour.

Call me if you need anything, all right?

You're my top priority.

I'll be fine.

No worries.

Auggie.

How's it going?

Fantastic, and I have a feeling it's about to get even better.

It is?

Today's your lucky day.

We're gonna shake things up a little bit.

How?

A field trip.

You could probably use some fresh air.

I don't live in this office, Auggie, I just work here.

Besides, we'll be here for the hour.

That's how this works.

Oh, I'm sorry.

The other week, you presented yourself as an unconventional shrink: working with veterans, offering to let me skip sessions.

Is that just a cover?

What did you have in mind?

I'll take the cigarettes.

Which ones?

All of them.

You're going to show me how to get across the street blindfolded?

Orientation and mobility training.

When I did it, I didn't have a choice.

It'll help you to understand me better.

Auggie, I--

And the more that you protest, the less time you're gonna have to get the hang of it.

That's the spirit.

[Horn honking]

You ready?

I'm ready.

Here you go.

All right.

How does this work?

Okay, this cane's a couple of inches too tall for you.

So choke down a little bit.

You're gonna hold it waist high, about a foot in front of your body.

Think of it as an extension of your index finger, but it should be underneath the shaft.

That way, if you hit something, you're not gonna s*ab yourself in the stomach.

See?

Mmhmm.

Very good.

This little aluminum tube is about to become your best friend.

Cigarettes?

You can bum one of mine.

Takes me four minutes to smoke a cigarette.

That's how much time you have.

Mr. al-Muqri, I'm surprised.

I didn't take you for a man who shuts down conversations.

What sort of man did you take me for?

If given the right support... a leader.

That's what you tell all of us, isn't it?

Flatter us, make us feel special.

I've never said that to anyone before.

I came here to speak to you.

Then speak.

I'd like to work with you.

That's never going to happen.

Why not?

Because the CIA has wreaked havoc in my part of the world.

You keep referring to me as a mouthpiece for the Agency.

I know you wouldn't like to be thought of that way.

You're your own person.

A person whom you have just met and yet claim to know so well.

This is why we are enemies.

Because you make assumptions about us, and you act as if they are true.

You don't really believe we're enemies.

I believe your country is only interested in mine because we have oil.

You're right.

If that's your pitch, it's not a very good one.

I'm being honest.

We're interested in you because of oil, and you're interested in us because of our technology, our universities, and sometimes our health care.

As you can see, we can be very giving.

The empty hand, reaching for help in the guise of affection.

Reminds me of the prose you wrote in that article.

I didn't write that article.

You've fallen in love with a ghost.

Sayid, I don't have time to play these games, and neither do you.

You can't be happy with your country's place in the world or your position in it.

Work with me.

You mean spy for you.

I mean work with me.

We can share information and ideas.

We can build a bridge between our nations that no one else is willing to build.

I am not a builder of bridges.

I serve at the pleasure of the Prime Minister, and I accept the position he has given me.

But you're here now.

You had cigarettes.

The only cigarettes in Minnesota?

Maybe.

Or maybe you just like talking to me.

Come on.

What are you doing?

I don't think we've been seen, but we have to go now.

What are you talking about?

That car over there has State Department plates.

Can you run?

I'm not running anywhere with you.

We don't have time to negotiate this.

You're unsupervised and off the hospital campus, which is a violation, and puts us both at risk.

We have to go now.

Which way?

[tires screech, horns honk]

We should go.

Out the front.

Wait, wait.

[Cart rattles]

Okay, we're at the corner. I've got you all lined up.

There is a dip in the concrete called a cutout.

And I want you step out into that cutout.

[Horn honking]

Uh, wait, wait, wait! Stop! Watch it!

I said onto the cutout, not into the street.

Sorry, I thought that--

No, it's okay.

Just take a breath.

Very good.

Now, here are the ground rules.

You are gonna have to lean into your other senses.

Listening is everything.

I want you to feel the ground with your feet.

It'll tell you everything that you need to know.

Now take a breath.

What do you smell?

Exhaust.

Something even less pleasant.

Hmm, a dog.

Who's left a calling card, so watch your step.

[Chuckles]

Now, you're gonna sweep the cane back and forth in front of you like you're clearing the way for each step.

When we start, you're gonna keep sweeping and breathing.

That's right.

Okay, we've got parallel traffic.

You hear that?

Uhhuh. I hear it.

Then we're safe. Let's go.

Okay.

That's it!

Nice and steady.

[Horn honks, tires screech]

Whoa, whoa, whoa! Take your blindfold off.

That's crazy.

Yeah, it happens.

Most people veer toward their dominant leg.

Now come line yourself back up, put your blindfold on, and keep going.

Okay.

That's it. Keep going.

Keep going.

All right, you did it.

I did it!

Oh, my God, that was amazing!

Let's do it again. That a girl.

You sure we lost them?

Let's sit near the back door just in case.

How are you feeling about those cigarettes now?

Oh, not winded. It's just adrenaline.

Yeah, keep telling yourself that.

Counter?

Booth.

The one at the back, please. Mmhmm.

Does this, uh, sort of thing happen to you a lot?

It happens.

Mostly my job consists of talking to people.

I'm hungry. Let's order something.

Western food doesn't really interest me.

Everything's on a bun.

Can I have a turkey sandwich on whole wheat, and can you bring the check with it?

I'll have a hamburger, toasted bun, please.

What? It's like going to Japan and not ordering Sushi.

I barely recognized you in that meeting today.

I read you in on the Yemen deal, I told you it wasn't actionable, and you used it to make a play.

I showed initiative.

How could you send Annie there?

Because she showed me initiative.

And why not send her there?

Because State Department's nervous?

No, because the State Department is trying to navigate very fragile terrain, and they're doing it well.

Since when do you compliment the State Department?

You detest Steve Barr and all his cronies.

You always have.

You put me in an impossible position.

Arthur, I probably should've talked to you first.

Yes.

But I took a chance.

Are you angry because I didn't defend your operation or because I didn't defend you?

You know, in this case, they're the same thing.

You realize you're almost out the door?

No.

Yes. The promise of the Chinese ambassador post is pulling you away like you no longer work here, like you've already gotten the job.

The choice I made today was the right call, given the facts that I had.

You know what, Arthur?

You're gonna make a great politician.

Mmm.

It's pretty good.

My, um-- my father was a dear friend to Prime Minister Halabi, and when my parents d*ed, he took me in.

I was 12 years old.

I remember, not long after I moved into the palace, a small bird hit the bedroom window and injured its wing.

The Prime Minister, he had falcons for some time, so he knew something about birds.

So he taught me how to repair the wing and nurse the bird back to health.

And I remember asking him every day if we can let the bird go, and he said something to me I'll never forget.

He said it would be cruel to let the bird go too soon, that it would surely die on its own, being weak and unable to fly and that just because I want the bird to be free doesn't mean that it's ready.

You think the Yemeni people are little birds with broken wings?

I think a nation chooses when and how to change.

It's up to their leaders to listen.

That's a progressive thought.

Does your mentor share your views?

He's not just my mentor.

He's my family.

He saved my life.

So you share all his views.

You disagree with your mentor?

I've had a few mentors, and I disagree with them every day.

How do you respect a man you disagree with?

Both my mentors are women.

The CIA is indeed a complicated place.

I respect them.

They succeeded where few women have.

And even when we disagree, I know they'd look out for me.

They believe in you.

Now imagine how it would feel to lose that.

It'd feel horrible.

So is this, uh, how the CIA works?

You talk to people like they are on Oprah's couch?

I asked you to reveal something about yourself.

I thought it only fair I do the same.

They won't stay out long. Let's circle back.

We're walking, huh?

Wish I would've worn comfortable shoes.

I'm, uh, sorry this didn't work out the way you wanted.

Oh, it's not about me.

What do you want to happen?

I want A'zam to make a full recovery.

That's all.

Yeah. You're right.

I'm right?

You couldn't have written that article.

Whoever wrote it has courage and vision.

That's not you. You have fear and caution.

So now you've taken to insulting me.

You really think that's going to work?

I don't know.

How do you convince someone in ten minutes that you believe in them more than they believe in themselves?

Be grateful for what A'zam has given you, but look for ways to realize your own potential.

I am one of those ways-- we are, right now.

Annie, I can't.

Where are you going?

I'm done.

Annie, you don't know what you're asking of me.

I do.

Even if I agreed to work with the CIA, I wouldn't be talking to you.

You would disappear.

I wouldn't.

And what happens if I get caught?

If someone in Yemen discovers our work?

We have emergency protocol for asset protection.

I could teach that to you.

Does that apply to my sister and her family?

Yes.

You can guarantee that now, or you'll have to ask your mentor?

I have to ask her.

But here's a number where you can reach me.

Memorize it, and destroy the card.

Hello?

Hey, it's me.

Annie, you missed your plane.

We agreed that if you got caught, you would get on a plane and come back home.

Joan, I got him to talk to me.

You did what?

He has some requests regarding asylum for him and his sister, but it's all pretty standard.

Stop. There's something we need to talk about.

The Prime Minister had another heart att*ck.

He's in critical condition.

I have to talk to Sayid. I don't wanna lose him, Joan.

You have to come home.

If the Prime Minister of Yemen dies on our soil, the last thing anyone wants is for a CIA operative to be found on the scene.

Can we grant him asylum or not?

Annie, you're not listening to me.

We cannot grant asylum. State will never allow it.

Not after today.

No, we have to make this happen.

The State Department is trying to avoid an international incident.

They're looking for you.

Annie, you need to get on a plane.

No, not before I talk to him. Sorry, Joan.

Ow!

Ooh, you okay?

Yeah.

Fire hydrant came out of nowhere.

Yeah, they do that.

Oh, even to you?

Oh, I bump into stuff about 14 times a day.

And I've been known to walk into the ladies' bathroom.

Sometimes on purpose.

[Laughs]

The truth is being blind is hard.

It's difficult every day.

Do you ever wanna stay home?

Yeah, sure, but I don't.

So when you're not up to it, what do you do?

I keep going 'cause I have to.

About five years ago after my injury, all I wanted to do was get back to my unit, keep serving my country, but I didn't see how I could do either of those things when I couldn't even cross the street.

I found myself on a corner, just like that one-- frozen, turned around... lost.

So I threw my cane away, I heard it hit the ground, and just walked into traffic counting on somebody else to finish the job the expl*si*n didn't.

Some drivers have good reflexes.

You're a survivor. What does that feel like?

I'm lucky.

I'm a lucky guy.

Oh, hey, look at that. Our time's almost up.

You better get back for your next victim.

Because--

I opened up, I shared.

Come on, Doc, congratulations.

You got what you wanted after all.

I got my gold star, right?

It was nice knowing you.

No, we're not done yet.

How do you figure?

We haven't talked about what inspired this field trip in the first place.

You walked into my office with your own blueprint for what therapy should be.

Yeah, it was pretty damn good.

Are you always trying to manage people in situations?

Sayid! What are you doing?

This is my last chance.

I really need you to listen to me.

Listen to me, please.

A'zam had another heart att*ck.

I know.

I'm going to see him.

Now let me out of here.

We both fear that we may lose our mentors or that our mentors may lose faith in us.

But this is your choice. Your wings have healed.

Annie, please. Let me out of here.

I fear you'll see the Prime Minister's second heart att*ck as some kind of sign that he needs you now more than ever, but your loyalty cannot save him.

There is something bigger that we can save now.

Save what, Annie?

Yemen? America? The world?

Not today. Not all at once.

But a piece of it.

Did you speak to your boss about my request?

She said it's not possible.

I'm sorry.

And do you disagree with your mentor on this?

I do, absolutely.

But not enough to do anything about it.

What can I do?

So now you understand my position.

Perhaps we do have a lot in common.

"Only a fool confuses fate with destiny.

"Fate is what happens to us.

Destiny is what we make in spite of our fate."

I wrote that article such a long time ago.

How did you know it was me?

Because it was courageous.

You weren't waiting for someone else to tell you you were ready, you already knew.

[Elevator dings]

Where is A'zam?

Take her.

Prime Minister A'zam Halabi of Yemen, passed away last night at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.

The U.S. State Department had made arrangements for Halabi to receive medical treatment there after suffering his first of two myocardial infarctions.

The late Prime Minister's aides and personnel have returned to Yemen, where the state of the government remains in flux.

We turn now to our correspondent in Sana'a.

So this is what a deal with State looks like.

You gonna say "I told you so"?

I don't believe in "I told you so."

The thing went sideways. That is not your fault.

If I had two more minutes, Sayid would've said yes.

You know the great truth about turning an asset.

You gotta cast a lot of lines before you catch a fish.

This is the toughest thing that we do.

I thought I had him.

The strangest thing--spending so long reading about someone, their whole life unfolds in front of you.

I felt like I could see his potential.

You believed in him.

Yeah.

How angry is she?

Annie. Will you step inside, please?

Close the door.

Have a seat.

Do you have questions about why I couldn't grant Sayid's request?

They don't matter now.

They matter to me.

Annie, this job, this life is wonderful.

To me it is.

But it can also be frustrating.

Never more so than when uncertainties drive decisions.

Well, the future's uncertain.

Yeah, it is.

Look, I know this was painful.

And it's okay to be angry with the CIA.

It's even okay to be angry with me.

Joan, I've thought about this a lot... and I've requested a department transfer.

Do you want to go back to work for Lena?

I don't know. I left it blank on the form.

Well, I'm sorry to hear that.

I appreciate everything you've done for me.

I just think it's time to move on.

Annie, there's a Yemeni man on the asset line.

He says he'll only speak with you.

What?

Does Joan know?

Of course.

We spoke this morning.

She made it clear that if he called, he was to be your asset.

Congratulations.

Annie.

You gonna take the call?

Yeah.

Hello?