Original subtitles

The following presentation is rated TV14.

Eugene's career is my responsibility.

But I have big plans for him.

No.

I'm not going to let you take advantage of him.

I only want what's best for him, Milos.

You know that. Leave the boy alone.

Your arrangement was with me.

Our arrangement's terminated.

Remember this, Milos.

My watch.

Our deal is done.

expired today.

Time has caught up with the time piece.

When his parents died, I took that boy in as my own. I was the one who nurtured

his talent.

And now he's become a great virtuoso. Thanks to whom? Thanks to his uncle, of

course. Of course.

But think back a few years, Milos.

Who suddenly... Stay away from him. I'm warning you.

You're warning me?

This is a matter to me, Lush. A lot more than it hurts me.

Truth be told, Milosh.

I never liked you very much.

Isn't he incredible?

Very impressive.

It's so strange.

A man lived so many years, but it doesn't take more than a second to

ashes.

Sorry.

I guess I probably should have come up here and done this alone.

No, I'm glad that you called.

Really.

Actually, so am I.

Of course, scattering my uncle's ashes was exactly what I had in mind for our

first date after so many years.

Well, life has a way of throwing us curves when we least expect it

He died so suddenly. Did he have a history of heart problems?

Yeah, let's clasp all his eyes.

Oh, but... I don't know, it just really came out of the blue.

Not to be a shock.

Yeah,

it's got me a little off balance.

What?

It's going to sound terrible, especially now.

Kristen, I never liked my uncle.

I mean, he was tolerable, but... He was difficult.

He was overbearing.

I mean, ever since my parents died, it was like he felt obligated to stage

-manage my life.

It wasn't something I wanted.

I guess the bottom line

is, I feel we're neat.

If there's anything I can do for you, I'm here.

You always were.

I was the idiot who ran out on you. Oh, Eugene.

That was a long time ago.

No, I was a fool. I let my parents take over my life.

No, they only wanted what's best for you. You needed space and time to

concentrate on your music.

Besides, we were 17 when we know about life.

I knew that I loved you.

And Kristen.

I'm thinking a lot about you.

I mean, when I heard you were in San Francisco, I got butterflies.

I guess I was hoping that maybe we could pick up where we left off nine years

ago.

Or not.

Listen to me, what an idiot.

Maybe we could be married with three kids for all I know.

Four.

I'm kidding.

Let's go grab a bite to eat, and you can bring her up to date on what you've

been doing.

I'd like that.

Morning.

Kristen sure left early.

Yes. She went with Eugene to spread his uncle's ashes.

I know that she and Eugene were friends in high school, but did she know his

uncle? No.

His name is Milos Kadar. He came to this country a few years ago to manage

Eugene's career.

Kristen never met her, but she'll be all right.

She's going to spend the day with Eugene.

So how's it going on the New Mexico case?

Not bad. We analyzed all the data from that church in Santa Teresa and can't

seem to come up with any reason for the bell ring.

Frankly, I think it's a hoax. Perhaps, but then again, spontaneous bell ring

always invokes a good deal of natural skepticism.

Unless you're a Native American and believe it's the spirit of your

crying out to be set free.

I think there could be another explanation.

And what's that?

Well, Santa Torito is the peyote capital of the world, right? You sprinkle a

little bit of that in your taco and you can hear bells ringing all night.

No, it's definitely something we should take into account.

Derek, you got a minute?

Of course.

Just got off the phone with Francis Carlin. He did the autopsy on Milos

Found that to be a little strange, and so emailed it over.

These look like they're made by someone grabbing his chest.

Yeah. Could be self -inflicted, clutching his own chest in pain.

It was possible, but kind of unlikely.

It took a lot of strength to do that.

So you suspect foul play?

Oh, that was wonderful.

I couldn't believe the price.

I know. We definitely couldn't afford that back in high school.

Do you like the life?

Flying around first class with millions of adoring fans?

I think you have me confused with Sting. I'm not a rock star. I'm a concert

pianist. Yes, but you're the hottest in the world right now, Eugene.

Come on, you're never very good at being humble.

I sell a few tickets, stay in five -star hotels now and then, and I have to

admit I love it, but at the same time, you know, it gets a little lonely.

Even with the groupies?

Groupies? You ever seen who comes to my concerts? Hey, I came.

Yes, and I'm happy you did.

I mean, the past three years have been a real whirlwind.

It would have been so much better if you were there to share it with me.

That's not fair, Eugene.

After you left, I never heard from you. You didn't even send me a postcard. I

know.

My parents insisted I break off communication with you.

I mean, they were so convinced you were the reason I lost my age.

Me?

Performing Haydn when I was six, Mozart when I was eight.

My talents seemed to have no limits.

Until I was 17.

When we met.

Yeah, and I hit the wall.

And my parents saw all their dreams and aspirations flying out the window.

And the only thing they could point to was that I was distracted.

So they pointed to me.

Yeah.

You know what the irony is?

Is that I lost interest in playing before I met you.

And that it was our relationship that inspired me to continue playing at all.

So how did you regain your edge?

I honestly don't know.

Every one day I was lost, the next.

All I really know is the minute I start playing Liszt, everything changed.

Like now.

Running into you again.

I feel like things are looking up.

Ah.

What a beautiful watch.

Yeah, a gift from my agent.

Ooh.

I have to go.

I know.

Can we do this again?

Maybe

I'm Lee Noir, Eugene's agent.

Oh, pleasure to meet you.

Miss Adams.

Eugene is in a very important stage in his career right now, and it's

that he has no distractions, okay?

Well,

Mr. Noir, I'm sure you have Eugene's best interest at heart, but I think

out of line. I think that's Eugene's decision.

Eugene isn't always capable.

Making the right decisions when it comes to his career.

That's why I'm here.

Well, he's very lucky to have someone like you who's so interested in his

personal life.

You're right.

He's a very lucky guy.

Excuse me.

You stumbled there.

Don't you ever knock?

Stumbled?

Yeah, well, I'm not a machine.

You know, before your uncle's unfortunate death, he

expressed concern for your welfare should he pass away unexpectedly.

Is that right?

That's why he asked me to be sure I looked out for your interests.

Well, last time we spoke, he wanted me to find someone with sturdier roots in

classical music.

Sturdier roots?

Well, the fact is, you did just come onto the scene a few years ago.

That's right.

Just about the time you regained your former brilliance.

Yes.

Well, we spoke about that as well.

And Uncle Milos felt you were riding my coattails.

Riding your... Well, I didn't realize your uncle had such a wonderful sense of

humor.

Listen, I appreciate everything you've done for me.

No, you don't appreciate it at all.

That's it.

All right.

I don't feel like it right now.

What exactly are you hoping to find, Mr. Rain?

I was under the impression that Milos Kadar died of a heart attack.

Well, that's my understanding as well. However, in my experience, it doesn't

hurt to dot all the I's and quote all the P's.

What can you tell me about Milos, Mrs. Penrose?

Oh, where do I begin?

Well, he pushed himself almost as hard as he pushed Eugene.

Typical behavior among parents and family, wanting to live in the lives or

talents of their offspring.

Perhaps he pushed a little too hard.

Well, it sounds like you knew him quite well.

Not well.

But I'd followed the career of Eugene since he was a child.

One of the most gifted prodigies I'd ever seen.

And then, when he hit puberty, like so many other brilliant musicians, he

to lose his interest.

Well, obviously he found it again.

which makes it so astounding.

I can't remember a case where a prodigy in any field lost his talent and then

somehow got it back, and more.

What happens to Eugene now his uncle is dead?

Who's going to shepherd his career?

He has an agent, Lee Noir.

He does an excellent job with Eugene, but he drives him very hard.

I think with Miloche gone, Noir may burn Eugene out.

I'd hate to see that happen.

Interesting watch.

You know, I used to... Yeah.

I used to have one just like that, but... Broke.

No, I'm sorry.

I'm Lee Noir.

There, Crane.

You are Eugene's agent.

That's right.

Well, this watch belonged to his uncle, Milos.

Really?

Well, I could take that and give it to Eugene, okay?

That's all.

I can take care of it.

Thank you.

Nice meeting you.

How do you like living in the city?

I love it.

Up until six months ago, I was living with my uncle.

Now I've got this really great loft all by myself.

Do you like living alone?

Yeah, absolutely.

You know, being by myself all the time tends to get a little lonely. But, you

know, after growing up on a piano bench, every day is an adventure.

And I'm trying to do all my own cooking.

Eggs. Very good with eggs.

Especially scrambled.

How about you?

Hard -boiled.

That's my specialty.

I meant, how do you like living alone?

Well, I don't really. Let me get the Luna Foundation.

Although it's a little bit isolating because we're the only house on the

So, you know, living alone is not a natural human condition?

No, but it does have its upside.

No fighting over the remote control.

You don't have to hang up your clothes.

You can go to bed with a mud pack on.

Not that I know.

Well, the thought of you covered in mud is actually very decadent.

Hmm.

Well, it's probably not the smoothest segue, but would you like to come up?

Um, I mean, I can't. You sure?

Make a mean coffee. I actually have one of two choices.

Espresso tranquillo or cappuccino vigoroso.

You have those backwards.

Not the way I make it.

Okay.

Anthem.

Can I help with coffee?

No.

Trust me, I may be new at this, but I'm sure I can manage the coffee.

You have a nice place.

This coffee at Downs Macafre is incredible.

It can't be an original, can it?

You can indeed.

Another gift from my agent.

I met Mr. Noir yesterday.

Where? After I left you.

He intimated I was a distraction.

He had no right to say something like that.

I thought it was a bit presumptuous.

Yeah, Lee Noir defines presumption.

I'll speak to him.

Don't worry, I didn't take it to heart.

Good.

These are the woodcuts that inspired Franz Liszt to compose the piece he

the other night, the Totentanz.

That's right. I'm impressed.

Not a lot of people know that.

Wow. Liszt was such a complicated man.

Mm -hmm.

He was a genius.

You know what I find amazing is that a man with so much passion could take the

vows of chastity and enter a monastery.

Well, that was strange, especially when you consider Franz Liszt loved women.

They loved him.

I mean, they pursued him relentlessly.

Some women even died for him.

This is what he wrote to his mistress.

I feel an eagle's claw tearing at my breast.

My tongue is dry.

Two opposing forces at war within me. One leads me ever higher while the

other... Draws me downward into darkness and despair.

You're right, that's beautiful.

Yeah.

How are you?

I

don't

know about this, Eugene.

This is too fast, don't you think?

Feels right.

I should go.

Good morning.

Good morning.

Couldn't resist a little serenade.

Well, it sure beats an alarm clock.

Not every morning that I get to wake up to music from the world's greatest

pianist.

Could be if you want to.

Oh, I can't believe how late I slept in.

Oh, it's only 8 o 'clock.

But my friends will wonder where I am.

I'm sure they'll figure it out.

So, how about a little breakfast?

I'm sure I could whip up some saucy scrambled eggs.

I really should go.

I'll see you again.

Well, I need a little bit of time to sort all this out.

Think I'll have it all sorted out by, say, lunch?

I'll call you.

Sounds like a brush -off to me.

If I wanted to brush you off, you'd know.

Well, good morning.

Good morning.

And how is Eugene?

He's fine.

I met his agent yesterday, Miss Noir.

Yes, so did I.

I found him quite unsettling. Me too.

But, you know, you can't fault his generosity.

What do you mean?

Well, he gave Eugene an original copy of La Danse Macabre and a beautiful

antique watch.

A watch?

Did it look like this one?

Uh -huh. It's almost identical. Where'd you get them?

A location where Milos died.

It was his.

So now we know where he got it.

So Mr. Noir likes to give antique watches. What's the point?

I'm not sure yet.

Derek, despite your concern about Mr. Noir...

Eugene is still a little bit fragile right now, and he's a friend of mine.

So I'd appreciate it if you didn't intrude into his personal life without a

good reason.

What the hell are you doing here?

I thought we could talk.

Sorry, but I'm going out. I have a meeting.

I don't think that's a good idea. I don't think that's any of your business.

Of course it's my business.

We have an arrangement.

Just as I had an arrangement with your uncle.

I'm not going to walk away from all the time I've invested in you.

The sooner you realize that, the easier it'll be for both of us.

I had talent before you came into my life, and I will have talent again.

I can be what I am without your help.

Would you like another demonstration of who's the puppet and who's the

puppeteer, Pinocchio?

I spoke to Winifred Penrose, and she's going to introduce me to Roger McKenzie.

Roger McKenzie?

Wow.

The second most powerful agent in the field.

McKenzie is a very impressive rocker. More impressive than mine.

Paganini, Mozart, Caruso. Listen, you've lost your mind.

Now you get the hell out of here.

Do you understand?

Yeah.

Completely.

Good.

As far as I'm concerned, I...

So tell

me, what were you able to find on Eugene?

Born in Czechoslovakia in 1972, but moved to the United States as an infant,

settling in Boston. Here he is as a baby.

It was around age five that he gained recognition as a musical phenomenon, but

it was around 17 that he lost it.

Yeah, temporarily.

Tell me about his comeback.

It happened about three years ago. He won a minor competition in Atlanta,

gave him the right to perform with Dmitry Zubkovsky.

Oh, it's the famous Russian conductor.

Exactly.

This leads him to the Great Hall of the Moscow Conservatory, where, against all

expectation, he wins the formal competition.

This is also the first time that he performs the Totentanz.

Then it's off to Belgrade, Berlin, London for a banner performance, and now

hot property.

Did you find anything on Lenoir?

No, he's supposed to be the classical world's hot new promoter of up -and

-comers. Gets the bucks if not the respect.

Anything else?

No, not really. Noir's life shot up tighter than a drum, but I'll keep

Good. I'd like you to dig up whatever you can on a bugle woodcut called La

Macabre.

Don't you think it's time that we bring Kristen in to look?

Yes.

I'll talk to her.

Okay.

Waiting for someone, Mrs. Penrose?

Mr. Noir, nice to see you.

You should work in that sincerity, Mrs. Penrose.

I understand that you want to introduce Eugene to Roger McKenzie.

I think Eugene should have the freedom to make his own choice.

I disagree.

Sorry I'm late.

Oh my God.

I can't believe that even after our conversation, you still ran a background

check on Eugene.

Now is that because I'm personally involved?

There are some unusual anomalies here. First of all, there's the question

regarding Milo's death.

The mark's on his chest.

Secondly, there's the issue of Eugene's musical ability, which seemed to fade

and then come back even stronger than before. I don't see how that's so

miraculous. Eugene went through a low period when his parents died. That

mean he ever lost his ability.

I still find it interesting that his gift seemed to return around the same

that he got into business with his agent. Yeah, I agree. But maybe Mr. Noir

actually knows what he's doing and he's helping Eugene.

I think you're grasping at straws, Derek.

I got off the phone with the police, and, um, Winifred Penrose, the musical

director at the conservatory, was found dead an hour ago.

What? Let me guess.

Heart attack.

Apparently.

Eugene?

Come on, Eugene. I know you're in there.

Open the door.

Are you all right?

Eugene?

Hey.

Talk to me.

I lost it.

You lost what? What's happening? When everything was coming together, now it's

just all falling apart, all right? What is?

Tell me.

When Uncle Milos died, I thought it was an accident.

But when I saw Mrs. Penrose today, she was dead.

All right? That was no accident.

What's going on?

I'll show you.

It's just happening again, all right?

Okay, well, why don't you explain it? Scott!

Eugene? What?

I really want to help you. Well, you can, all right?

One day, three years ago, I sat down at this piano.

My parents were dead, and...

Uncle Milos was at his west end, and I just wanted to quit.

I sat down on this very thin piano, very keyed, and that one day,

and every day until now,

my hands could not make a mistake.

My head could hear every note crystal clear.

I could anticipate every subtlety, every nuance.

I could play again.

And all this happened at the same time Lee Noir came into your life?

Yes.

Well, what did he do, Eugene? How did he help you make your comeback?

It's very complicated.

I guess you could say he gave me a certain inspiration.

Which is now gone.

Is this from Doss McConnell?

No, evidently.

Death take your man if time has run out.

Sounds familiar.

I found another one that's interesting.

No, this is the only woodcut where death was actually beaten.

I dropped it in the book because I thought it was too upbeat.

Have you heard anything else?

Frances said that she had the same five bruises, or at least very similar to the

ones that were found in Kadar's chest.

Hello? Derek, it's Kristen.

Listen, I'm really worried about Eugene. He's having some sort of a breakdown.

Can you bring him here?

I don't think so.

We'll be there as soon as we can.

Derek will be here soon, Eugene.

You can't help me.

Eugene's right.

Poor Eugene.

Nolan can help him now, but you're the true one.

Eugene, she's quite lovely.

Get out!

I was hoping you'd come around.

Oh, I have.

I'm getting on with my life.

Even if it means I never play the piano again.

Well, that can be arranged.

First time's a lesson. Second time's for real.

What are you?

Well, you might say I'm the man behind the man. I pull the strings.

Why can't you just leave him alone?

Well, because that's not the deal, okay?

You see, Eugene gets talent beyond his wildest dreams, and he becomes

he wants and more, and in return I get 10 % of the take and an equal share of

the sensual pleasure.

What do you mean?

Well, I lived through my brilliant charges.

Their fire is my fire. Their passion is my passion. Their triumphs are my

triumphs.

Their conquests, well, um... You remember the other night when the two of

I have to say that, uh... Well, I have to say that it filled me with a

certain... Yeah.

Rapture.

I don't believe it.

You're sick.

Well, you ain't seen nothing yet.

It's over.

I won't have you feeding off of me anymore.

Eugene, I don't think you're strong enough to walk away from the bright

and the adoration.

You want to feel my emotion?

You want to feel my joy?

My elation?

How about my pain?

No!

Don't! What have you done?

I should have done a lot.

I forgot to mention, I don't handle disappointment very well.

Well, you saw what happened.

It was his choice.

Luckily, there's no shortage of prodigies out there dying for a break.

Just last week, I heard of a 14 -year -old violin virtuoso in Buffalo.

Guess I'll need a warmer coat.

Yes, sir. You and me.

You can't run, Chris.

You can't hide.

50? 50?

Stop.

The promise of love is a seductive force, a heartbeat away from lust.

But the greatest seducer of all has nothing to do with love.

For nothing is more tempting than the promise of fame and adulation.

It cost Eugene Kedar his life, but his music still haunts my soul.