Original subtitles

[piano music playing]

[man 1]Eugene's career is my responsibility.

[man 2]But I have big plans for him.

[man 1] 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.

[watch ticking]

My watch.

Our deal is done, Milos. It expired today.

Time has caught up with the time piece.

[Milos]When his parents died, I took the boy in as my own.

I was the one who nurtured his talent.

And now he's become a very virtuoso thanks to whom?

Thanks to his uncle, of course. Of course.

But think back a few years, Milos.

Who summoned me?

Stay away from him. I'm warning you.

You're warning me?

This is gonna hurt you, Milos.

A lot more than it hurts me.

[groans]

Ah!

Truth be told, Milos, I never liked you very much.

[audience applauding]

Isn't he incredible?

Very impressive.

[exhales]

[Eugene] It's so strange.

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

to scatter his 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 wasn't exactly what I had in mind,

for a first date after so many years.

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

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

[sighs]

You know, his cholesterol was high, and he smoked, but...

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

It has to be a shock.

Yeah.

Yeah, it's got me a little off balance.

[groans]

What?

It's going to sound terrible, especially now,

but Kristin, 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.

[sighs]

I guess the bottom line is, I feel relieved.

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, what did we know about life?

I knew that I loved you.

You know, Kristin,

I've been 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.

[chuckles]

Listen to me, what an idiot.

I mean, you could be married with three kids for all I know.

Four.

I'm kidding.

[laughs]

Let's go grab a bite to eat, and you can bring me up to date

-on what you've been doing. -I'd like that.

[Alex] Morning. Kristin sure left early.

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

Hmm.

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

-but did she know his uncle? -[Derek] No.

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

to manage Eugene's career.

Kristin never met him, 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?

Well, not bad. We analyzed all the data from that church in Santa Torredo

and can't seem to come up with any reason for the bell ringing.

Frankly, I think it's a hoax.

Perhaps, but then again, spontaneous bell-ringing always invokes

a good deal of natural skepticism.

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

of your ancestors crying out to be set free.

I think there could be another explanation.

-And what's that? -Well, Santa Torredo

is the peyote capital of the world.

All right. You sprinkle a little bit of that on your taco,

and you can hear bells ringing all night.

Well, it's definitely something we should take into account.

-[Nick] Derek, you got a minute? -Of course.

Just got off the phone with Frances Carlton.

She did the autopsy on Milos Kadar.

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

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

-Yeah. -Could be self-inflicted.

Clutching his own chest in pain.

It's possible, but kind of unlikely. You'd need a lot of strength to do that.

So you suspect foul play?

[both laughing]

That was wonderful.

I couldn't believe the prices.

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.

[laughs]

I think you have me confused with Sting.

I'm not a rockstar. I'm a concert pianist.

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

Come on, you were never very good at being humble.

I sell a few tickets.

Stay in five star hotels now and then...

I have to admit I love it, but at the same time,

you know, it gets a little lonely.

Even with the groupies?

Groupies? Have 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.

They 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 edge.

Me?

I was 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, the irony is,

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

And it was our relationship

that inspired me to continue playing at all.

So how did you regain your edge?

I honestly don't know.

I mean, one day, I was lost, the next...

All I really know is, the minute I started playing Liszt,

everything changed.

Like now. Running into you again,

I feel like things are looking up.

Wow. What a beautiful watch.

Yeah, a gift from my agent.

Ooh.

I have to go.

I know.

Can we do this again?

Maybe.

-[clears throat] -I'll take that as a yes.

Miss Adams, I'm Leigh Noir, Eugene's agent.

Oh. Pleasure to meet you.

Miss Adams,

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

and it's imperative...

that he has no distractions, okay?

Hmm.

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

but I think you're out of line.

I think that's Eugene's decision.

Eugene isn't always capable of 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.

[piano music playing]

[playing off-key]

[grunts]

Come on.

[playing off-key]

[playing off-key]

[Leigh] 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."

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.

[scoffs]

Yes.

Well, we spoke about that as well.

And Uncle Milos felt you were riding my coattails.

[exclaims]

Riding your... Well,

I didn't realize your uncle with 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.

Play for me.

-I don't feel like it right now. -Play!

[plays piano]

[playing off-key]

[playing off-key]

[playing in harmony]

[woman] What exactly are you hoping to find, Mr. Rayne?

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

Well, it's my understanding as well. However, in my experience,

it doesn't hurt to dot all the i's and cross all the t's.

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

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 lights through the talents of their offspring.

Perhaps, he pushed a little too hard.

-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 seemed to lose his interest.

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 is going to shepherd his career?

He has an agent. Leigh Noir.

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

I think with Milos 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... it broke.

I'm sorry. I'm Leigh Noir.

Derek Rayne. You are Eugene's agent.

-That's right. -This watch belonged to his uncle, Milos.

Really?

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

That's all right. I can take care of it.

-Oh. -Thank you. Nice meeting you.

So, 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's an adventure.

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

Eggs. I'm very good with eggs, especially scrambled.

-How about you? -Hard boiled.

-That's my specialty. -[laughing]

I meant, how do you like living alone?

Well, I don't really, I'm living in the Luna Foundation.

-Yeah. -Although, it's a little bit isolating

because we're the only house on the island.

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

I know, but does have its upsides.

No fighting over the remote control.

You don't have to hang out the 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 sexy.

Hmm.

Well, it's probably not through the segue,

but would you like to come up?

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

I make a mean coffee. Actually, have one of two choices.

Espresso tranquilo or cappuccino bigadolfso.

You have those backwards.

[laughs] Not the way I make it.

Okay.

Enter.

Can I help with coffee?

No. You must trust me.

I may be new with this,

but I'm sure I can manage a coffee.

You have a nice place.

Thank you.

This copy of Danse Macabre is incredible.

Can't be an original, can it?

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.

Yeah, I thought it was a bit presumptuous.

Yeah, Leigh 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

you played the other night, the "Totentanz."

That's right. I'm impressed. Not a lot of people know that.

Well, Liszt was such a complicated man.

Hm-mm.

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.

[plays piano]

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 high,

while the other draws me downward into darkness and despair."

You're right, that's beautiful.

It is.

So are you.

It's getting late.

I don't know about this, Eugene.

[kisses]

This is too fast. Don't you think?

It feels right.

I should go.

[piano music playing]

-Good morning. -Good morning.

I couldn't resist a little serenade.

Hmm. Well, it sure beats an alarm clock.

[chuckles]

It's not every morning that I get to wake up to music

from the world's greatest pianist.

It could be, if you want it.

I can't believe how late I slept in.

It's only eight 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.

Hmm.

I really should go.

Hmm.

When will I see you again?

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

Okay.

Think you'll have it all sorted out by say... lunch?

[both chuckling]

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, Mr. 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.

Hm-mm.

Did it look like this one?

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

The 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 very good reason.

-Of course, I understand. -Thank you.

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 will be for both of us.

Listen, 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 -Oh.

and she's going to introduce me to Roger Mackenzie.

-Roger Mackenzie! Well... -Yeah.

The second most powerful agent in the field.

Mackenzie has a very impressive roster.

More impressive than mine?

Liszt, Paganini, Mozart, Caruso--

Listen, you've lost your mind!

Now, will you just get the hell out of here!

Do you understand?

Yes.

Completely.

Good.

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

[Derek] 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 come back.

Hmm. It happened about three years ago,

he won a minor competition in Atlanta,

which gave him the right to perform with Dmitry Zubkovsky.

-The famous Russian conductor. -Exactly.

-[keyboard clacking] -[beeps]

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 is off to Belgrade, Berlin, London for a banner performance,

and now, he's hot property.

Hmm.

Did you find anything on Leigh Noir?

No. He's supposed to be the classical world's hot new promoter

of up-and-comers. He gets the bucks if not the respect.

Anything else?

No, not really. Noir's life is shut up

tighter than a drum, but I'll keep looking.

Good. I'd like you to dig up whatever you can on a book of woodcut

called La Danse Macabre.

Don't you think it's time that we bring Kristin into the loop?

Yes. I'll talk to her.

Okay.

-Waiting for someone, Mrs. Penrose. -[gasps]

Mr. Noir, nice to see you.

You should work on that sincerity, Mrs. Penrose.

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

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

I disagree.

Aah!

[groans]

Sorry, I'm late.

[gasping]

Oh, my God.

[Kristin] 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 Milos' death.

The marks 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 doesn't mean he ever lost his ability.

I still find it interesting that his gift seemed to return

around the same time that he got into business with his agent.

Yes, 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 just got of the phone with the police,

and Winifred Penrose, the musical director

at the Conservatory was found dead an hour ago.

-What? -Let me guess, heart attack.

[Nick] Apparently.

[knocking at door]

[Kristin] Eugene?

[knocking at door]

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?

Well, 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.

[playing off-key]

See.

[playing off-key]

Kristin, it's just happening again, all right.

-Okay, why don't you explain-- -God!

-Eugene. -What?

-I really want to help you-- -Well, you can't, all right!

One day, three years ago, Kristin, I sat down on this piano

my parents were dead,

and Uncle Milos was at his wit's end,

[sniffles] and I just wanted to quit.

I sat down on this very same piano, bent these very keys,

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,

and every nuance.

I could play again.

And all this happened at the same time Leigh 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.

[Derek] Is this from Danse Macabre?

No. Evidently, Holbein created several woodcuts

that weren't included in the book.

[Derek] "Testing a man whose time has run out."

Sound familiar?

I found another one that's interesting.

Now this is the only woodcut were death is actually beaten.

Guess they dropped it in the book because they thought it was too upbeat.

Have you heard anything else about Mrs. Penrose?

Frances said that she had the same five bruises

or at least, very similar to the ones that was found on Kadar's chest.

[cell phone ringing]

Hello.

Derek, it's Kristin.

Um... 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.

[off-key piano music playing]

-Derek will be here soon, Eugene. -He can't help me.

[Leigh] Eugene's right.

Poor Eugene.

No one can help him now, but yours truly.

Eugene, she's quite lovely.

Get out!

Eugene...

You know, I was hoping you'd come around.

I have. I'm getting on with my life.

Even if it means, I never play the piano again!

Well, that could be arranged.

[groans]

[blows]

First time's the 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 everything he wants, and more, and in return,

and I get 10% of the take and an equal share

of the sensual pleasure.

What do you mean?

Well, I live through my brilliant charges.

Their fire is my fire. Their passion is my passion.

Their triumphs are my triumphs.

Their conquests, well,

you remember the other night, when the two of you...

I have to say that...

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

Yeah, rapture.

I don't believe it.

You're sick.

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 lights

and the adoration.

You wanna feel my emotion?

Hmm?

You wanna feel my joy?

My elation?

How about my pain? [screams]

[yelps]

No! Don't!

[screams] My hunger!

What are you doing?

Something I should have done a long time ago.

Eugene, I forgot to mention,

I don't handle disappointment very well.

No! Leave him alone!

Eugene, no! [cries]

Eugene.

[gasping]

No.

[crying]

How could you do that?

Well, you saw what happened.

It was his choice. But 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.

Well...

I guess it's just you and me.

You can't run, Kristin.

You can't hide.

[grunts]

-Kristin. -Kristin.

[Derek] You okay?

[grunts]

[Nick yells]

[grunts]

[groans]

[screams]

It stopped.

[Kristin crying]

It's okay.

[Kristin]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 Kadar his life.

But his music still haunts my soul.