Flame War, Part 1 :
Employees of the FBI’s Baltimore field office are killed in separate incidents of arson. A tip provide by Dexler’s mysterious informant suggests these attacks have deep roots in the X-Files.
Written by: Sean Kelley-McKeever
Directed by: Eric Parsons
Produced by: Kyler McLaughlin
Special Agent Jess Dexler
[…] : Two of the Skinner references involve X-Files–a contortionist and a supposed lycanthrope–and one shows Skinner helping Pierce with a still-unsolved serial murder case.
– Review the contortionist file.
– Check the lycanthropy file.
– Read the unsolved murder file. You learned about Pierce’s unsolved case.
Hay Guise : I heard about what you were dealing with. Ashtag! That was really something. I’d love to see the code that kid wrote!
– “Can’t help you.”
– “Any Ashtag into?” Neutral
– “You’ve been useless.”
Hay Guise : But I’m working on that, okay? I’ve got a couple of their cities, some other little details, but it takes time to finesse this stuff!
– “Fair enough.”
– “Anything I can do?” Neutral
– “My patience has limits.”
Hay Guise : I’m ninety percent positive it’s to cover up the murder of the FBI employees, but I have no idea why they’re being killed.
– “You guys are being this.”
– “Who’s the next target?”
– “I smell a trap.” Neutral
Special Agent Jess Dexler
Stacey : You were at work again, weren’t you?
– Be contrite. You were honest with Stacey
– Talk about the game.
– Lie to her.
Stacey : Not to interrupt your strategy session, but speaking of colleagues when am I going to meet your partner?
– See what she has in mind. Neutral
– Be noncommittal.
– Ask her why.
Dexler : Now Hay Guise is telling me that L’Ively is the one behind the two FBI-related arson deaths in Baltimore. He won’t give me more than that.
– Suspect Hay’s motives.
– Discuss L’Ively’s intent.
– Press for more info. Neutral
Dexler : L’Ively, by all accounts, is a homicidal psychopath. Aggressive, un predictable, malevolent–possibly with preternatural abilities.
– Be determined. Neutral
– Share in her fears.
– Dimiss her worries.
Dexler : I’m going to tell both our “bosses” about Hay, so we’ll need to take precautions so Hay doesn’t find out. No phones, no email.
– Agree. Neutral
– Disagree with precautions.
– Disagree with telling them.
A.D. Skinner : Neither did I. The medical report from the hospital seems to have been misplaced.
– Ask about the report. Neutral
– Support Dexler: this warrants investigation.
– Point out discrepancies with L’Ively’s MO.
A.D Skinner : …and not one in the bureau wants the X-Files taking an interest in an ongoing investigation of this magnitude.
– Suggest using Dexler’s political allies. Neutral
– Suggest it’s Mulder and Scully’s case.
– Suggest waiting it out.
[…] : Dexler’s buddy lives in western Maryland, which means going an hour out of your way, but it could be worth it.
– Get the fire gear. [Premium 20 Diamonds]
– Go to Baltimore. Neutral
[…] : Something instrumental would do more than the shouts and riffs of 2000s nu metal to help you focus on the case.
– Ask for other music.
– Change the station.
– Let it go. Neutral
[…] : You could take a deep dive into his psyche. You’ve likely read everything you can about him. What do you have to lose?
– Talk to L’Ively in your head. [Premium 19 Diamonds] – Additional dialogues
– Keep thinking it through.
If you talked to L’Ively in your head.
Cecil L’Ively : Do you always do that? Have an inner voice that talks to you like it’s someone else? Kinda mental, you ask me. I lit it.
– Ask about his inner voice. Neutral
– Ask about motives.
– Insult him.
Cecil L’Ively : Come on. Give me something good. Something with teeth.
– Suggest sexual insecurity. Neutral
– Ask why he kills.
– Claim dominance over him.
Cecil L’Ively : …I kill because I can. Best part is, no one can stop me. No one.
– Look down on him. Neutral
– Show determination.
– Stop the fire.
Dexler : Did you have some kind of nightmare? A condition? What the hell, man?
– Tell the truth. Inner secrets : Cecil L’Ively
– Tell her you’re fine.
– Apologize.
Main Path
Dexler : This is pretty crazy isn’t it? We’re tampering in an official investigation. We could get in a lot of trouble if we’re found out.
– “Crazy but necessary.” Neutral
– “It’s exciting.”
– “I hate it.”
Dexler : I just hope Skinner doesn’t hang us out to dry if this all goes bad. We’re on our own dime. We have no proof he sent us out.
– Share her doubt.
– Reassure her. Neutral
– Worry for Skinner.
Dexler : Yeah, but we don’t have a talking dog. Anyway… I’m glad we got paired up. You’re good people, Fulton.
– Share the sentiment.
– Squirm at the affection.
– Thank her.
Dexler : When you hit the head at the gas station.
– Compliment her. Neutral
– Say nothing.
– Downplay her smarts.
Scully : One was a kid who was burned alive as part of a satanic ritual, and the other was killed in a fire in the seventies.
– Speculate on L’Ivele’s mortality. Neutral
– Ask about the ritual.
– Balk at the suggestion.
Scully : L’Ively has a thing for his victim’s wives. I know the current death don’t fit his pattern, but you may want to check on her.
– Thank her. Neutral
– Ask if she’s coming to assist.
– Quibble with her profile.
Dexler : Armed and ready. You?
– “Same” Neutral
– “Nervous.”
– “We’ll be fine.”
Cecil L’Ively : I wouldn’t shoot if I were in your shoes. It will end poorly for you, but not for me.
– “You’re under arrest.” Neutral
– “Move and I’ll shoot.”
– “How are you holding a flame?”
Cecil L’Ively : You sure you don’t know any of this? Don’t you lie to me.
– Condemn his acts.
– Show surprise and sympathy. Neutral
– Pretend to know.
Cecil L’Ively : You know who they are. They’re still alive?
– Refuse to help.
– Say they’Re dead.
– Suggest you’ll cooperate. Neutral
[…] : L’Ively makes a run for it. He’s close but moving, and you remind yourself you’re not a great shot.
– Chase L’Ively.
– Check on Dexler. You checked on Dexler instead of going after L’Ively.
– Shoot at Lively.
Special agent Jess Dexler
[…] : I recall seeing a garden hose coiled around the corner. I could use it to douse the windows, or I could try the front door. It’s quicker.
– Use the hose.
– Try the door. Neutral
Fulton : He got away… L’Ively…
– “Shh. Rest.” Neutral
– “It’s not your fault.”
– “Damn it.”
Next : Episode 10 - Flame War, Part 2
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