East Wing
Episode Title: "Vanished: The Cost of Secrets"
TEASER
INT. WHITE HOUSE – EAST WING – SECURE SITUATION ROOM – NIGHT
Director Ellen Hart (CIA), General Ricci (NATO), and Deputy Director Mason (CIA, clandestine ops) sit in tense silence. News coverage blares:
"SCORPION, SVU, CRIMINAL MINDS, CHICAGO PD: GREER CASE TIED TO CIA FRONT OPERATIONS"
"SCIENTISTS PAID TO SPY? WHITE HOUSE ADVISOR MISSING"
RICCI:
It's out. The Greer disappearance is everywhere. The Agency's front operations, the Spruance Foundation, covert payments—Scorpion and half the country's top law enforcement are on it.
HART:
We've lost control of the narrative. If Greer's files surface, the whole MKUltra legacy will be back in the headlines.
MASON:
We need to keep the President insulated. No direct lines between us and the Spruance operation. If Congress starts hearings, we stick to the "national security" script.
ACT 1: DAMAGE CONTROL
INT. CIA – BLACK SITE CONFERENCE ROOM – DAY
A wall-sized screen displays live news, social media, and Senate hearing rumors. The Church Committee's old findings on MKUltra are trending again.
HART:
We emphasize that MKUltra ended in the 1970s, destroyed by Director Helms's order, and that all human experimentation now requires informed consent under presidential directives. We do not admit to any ongoing projects.
MASON:
What if they find the Spruance files? Or proof of recent operations?
HART:
Discredit. Disavow. Leak that Greer was under personal stress. Float the "voluntary disappearance" theory. If necessary, suggest foreign involvement.
ACT 2: THE PRESIDENT DEMANDS ANSWERS
INT. WHITE HOUSE – OVAL OFFICE – DAY
The President, visibly frustrated, meets with Hart and the National Security Advisor.
PRESIDENT:
I want the truth. Did we fund scientists to spy on each other? Is the Agency running fronts in academia?
HART:
Sir, the Church Committee already addressed these issues. There were abuses in the past—MKUltra, Project Artichoke, and related programs. All were shut down decades ago, and strict oversight is in place now.
NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISOR:
We recommend a public statement reaffirming support for transparency and promising a full review of any "historical irregularities."
PRESIDENT:
If this story grows, I'll have no choice but to appoint a special prosecutor.
ACT 3: THE PRESSURE BUILDS
INT. EAST WING – MEDIA MONITORING ROOM – NIGHT
Hart, Ricci, and Mason monitor calls from Congress, the press, and law enforcement. Social media is full of survivor testimony and historical exposes.
HART:
We're being boxed in. The public wants accountability for the mind control experiments, the lack of consent, and the cover-up.
RICCI:
We need to get ahead of the story. Offer limited cooperation. Release heavily redacted files. Express regret for "past mistakes." Never admit to any ongoing research.
MASON:
And the Greer case?
HART:
Let the FBI and local police chase their tails. We'll keep our own investigation internal.
ACT 4: THE AGENCIES PUSH BACK
INT. CIA HEADQUARTERS – DIRECTOR HART'S OFFICE – DAY
The phone rings. Hart answers, bracing herself.
OLIVIA BENSON (SVU):
Director Hart, this is Captain Benson, NYPD SVU. We have survivors—real people—whose lives were destroyed by your agency's programs. You need to come clean.
HART:
Captain, those were legacy programs, long since ended. The Agency is cooperating with all official inquiries.
BENSON:
Not enough. The world is watching.
EMILY PRENTISS (CRIMINAL MINDS):
Director Hart, we're seeing trauma patterns that match your old experiments. You must open your files so we can help the victims.
HART:
National security restricts some information, Agent Prentiss.
PRENTISS:
You can't hide behind that forever.
HANK VOIGHT (CHICAGO PD):
Hart, this is Voight. We've got a survivor here and more coming forward. Start cooperating, or we'll take it public.
HART:
We're reviewing all relevant files, Sergeant. You'll have what's appropriate.
WALTER O'BRIEN (SCORPION):
Director Hart, hiding the truth only makes us dig harder. This isn't just about Greer. It's about every life affected by these secrets.
HART:
Your team's actions are disruptive, Mr. O'Brien. I urge you to stand down.
WALTER:
We're not standing down until every survivor gets justice.
ACT 5: THE SHADOWS CLOSE IN
INT. CIA – SECURE VAULT – NIGHT
Mason and Hart review the last of the Spruance files. Hart hesitates, then locks them away.
MASON:
If these come out, it's not just the Agency on trial—it's the whole government.
HART:
We hold the line. No more leaks. No more heroes.
ACT 6: THE WORLD WATCHES
INT. TV STUDIO – NIGHT
A news anchor summarizes:
ANCHOR (TV):
With mounting pressure from Scorpion, SVU, Criminal Minds, and Chicago PD, the CIA faces unprecedented scrutiny over its secret programs. As the Greer case deepens, the world asks: how many more secrets remain buried?
END OF EPISODE