iamza was curious about what kind of stories I'd have pitched them, considering that I thought the series had (to put it mildly) several drawbacks. It's actually pretty interesting to try to write to the strengths of something that you see as mired in its weaknesses. After I've posted the whole thing, I'll do another post with a little commentary and background info. LJ barfed when I tried to post it in one piece, so I'll break it at the close of Act Three. Tomorrow, I'll post Acts Four and Five.The script is called "Don't Gimme That Old-Time Religion," which I freely admit is a lousy title -- but while it's clunky, it's a little memorable, and that's what I was going for. So here's my STAR TREK: VOYAGER spec, circa 1999.
STAR TREK: VOYAGER
"Don't Gimme That Old-Time Religion"
TEASER
FADE IN:
INT - GENERIC CORRIDOR
We're on Voyager, not far from the mess. HARRY KIM walks into view. With him
is another young human, ENSIGN ARTHUR LEVESQUE.
HARRY
-- you've been on the late shift eight years?!
LEVESQUE
Yup.
HARRY
But Voyager was your first post.
LEVESQUE
Same as you.
HARRY
So how do you get eight?
(stops in his tracks)
The Academy?!
Levesque has gone on ahead. Kim hurries to catch up.
INT - GENERIC CORRIDOR / MESS HALL
We rejoin the two coming around a corner.
LEVESQUE
The captain rechecked my files. I even know
who to blame. Turns out, a certain student
console jockey screwed up. Entered my
species as Choosh.
HARRY
They're nocturnal.
LEVESQUE
And eight feet tall with glowing eyes
and more genitals than the crew of a
class two freighter.
Harry is duly impressed.
HARRY
Wow.
LEVESQUE
On the bright side, I got a lot of dates.
(beat)
But if I ever get my hands on that
Wesley Crusher --
The door to the mess slides open.
CHAKOTAY (OS)
Great Spirit, we are far from the sacred
places of our ancestors --
INT - MESS
Kim and Levesque step in and freeze. With good reason.
There's no light but candles. A SERIES OF CLOSE SHOTS shows various
CREW MEMBERS, including NEELIX, kneeling on the floor, eyes closed,
meditating. In front of them are cloths weighted down by assorted
personal knick-knacks: MEDICINE BUNDLES.
It looks like a cult gathering. Unusual. Creepy. Unfamiliar.
And at the head of the gathering, eyes closed, his back to the windows,
is CHAKOTAY. He alone has the techno-thingie that we've seen used in
various episodes as a peyote substitute. Call it a HALLUCINATRON. His
right hand rests on it; lights blink.
CHAKOTAY
We ask you for guidance, and pray you
will receive us...
He picks up the hallucinatron, begins to pass it around. As Neelix
rests his hand on the device, Kim and Levesque exchange a look, then
slowly back out of the mess.
The door slides closed. None of the people in the mess has so much as
glanced in their direction.
INT - CORRIDOR
Kim and Levesque slump against the wall beside the door. They look like
a couple of Southern Baptists who wandered into a Santeria church by
mistake. It takes a moment for them to find any words.
LEVESQUE
That was very weird.
(beat)
What do you think that thing was?
Kim looks blank. Levesque mimes the hallucinatron.
HARRY
Oh. He uses it to induce hallucinations.
Visions. Whatever.
LEVESQUE
(intrigued)
Hallucinations?
(beat; unnerved:)
Did you knew he was --
HARRY
One-on-one, yeah. Not --
(beat)
You think the captain knows?
LEVESQUE
I hope not.
(off Harry's look)
When we joined the Federation, we left all that
behind. No gods, no myths... just us. On our
own feet.
HARRY
There are plenty of religious people. They just
keep it private, is all.
LEVESQUE
Oh, yeah. Real private.
(beat)
I'm gonna turn in. See you later.
HARRY
Later.
Exit Levesque -- but for Kim, his words are resonating.
FADE OUT.
END TEASER.
ACT ONE
FADE IN:
INT - MESS
The mess is brightly lit, cheery, full of people. Harry is sitting at
an out-of-the-way table, eating breakfast with TOM PARIS. SEVEN OF NINE
is in line waiting for food from NEELIX, who's serving. Tom and Harry
converse in near-whispers.
TOM
My point is, most Federation worlds are
atheist for a reason.
HARRY
But do I have to tell the captain?
TOM
Harry, you've got the first officer of
a Federation ship secretly using a public
space to hold late-night prayer meetings.
HARRY
Which violates every separations reg in
existence, I know. But --
Tom gestures silence. ANGLE: SEVEN OF NINE is watching them.
HARRY
(again sotto voce)
She can't hear us over there.
SEVEN
Borg audio centers are greatly superior
to human ears.
She approaches the table.
TOM
Is there *any* part of your anatomy that
isn't artificially enhanced? -- forget I
said that.
SEVEN
Lieutenant Paris is correct.
(Tom makes a "thank you" gesture)
Commander Chakotay's actions are a threat
to ship stability.
This is a little much for Tom.
TOM
Wait a second. Didn't you nearly blow up
the ship with that whatchamacallit the Borg
worship?
SEVEN
Omega is not a "whatchamacallit." It consists
of billions of parts working in complete harmony.
TOM
Like my tricorder?
HARRY
It's a Borg thing. Social instability is a
greater risk to the collective than physical harm.
TOM
So if we blow up, no loss.
Seven half-smiles. The idea has some appeal.
TOM
Yeah, well, I think we need a human perspective.
(off Seven's look)
No offense.
Tom gets up with his tray, walks off. Seven looks to Harry.
HARRY
He's right.
(beat)
I want your advice, you know that, but -- you
just don't have the frame of reference.
SEVEN
You refer to my lack of familiarity with human
social interaction?
HARRY
It's not your fault. But -- Seven, you were
raised by the Borg.
SEVEN
You believe I do not understand.
HARRY
(reluctantly)
I think you can't.
Exit Harry.
INT - MESS HALL / CORRIDOR
Harry exits the mess hall. Tom is leaning on the corridor wall, then
pushes off to join him.
TOM
Well, that was ugly.
HARRY
She meant well.
TOM
So did the Captain, and look where we are today.
HARRY
That's a little cynical.
TOM
Hey, maybe you forgot where I was before
we wound up here. The other side of the
galaxy is a step *up.*
HARRY
There's another thing. Captain Janeway's
been pretty lax on the whole separation issue.
I don't want this to backfire on me.
INT - MESS HALL
Neelix is rummaging in his kitchen. He pops up, and encounters Seven.
He jumps. Catches his breath.
NEELIX
Have I told you that Talaxian women of
your body type would be considered
unhealthily thin?
SEVEN
I have heard you take spiritual counseling
from Commander Chakotay.
Neelix didn't expect this.
NEELIX
Yes.
SEVEN
Tell me about it.
INT - CORRIDOR / TURBOLIFT
Tom is in the open turbolift. Harry bids him farewell from the
corridor.
HARRY
I think I need more advice.
TOM
What are you going to do? Take a poll?
The turbolift doors slide closed. Harry considers. That doesn't sound
like a bad idea.
INT - SICKBAY
Harry has waylaid THE DOCTOR.
DOCTOR
Ensign Kim, this isn't exactly my forte.
HARRY
I know. I'm sorry. But you're the only
person other than Tom I can count on to
keep quiet.
DOCTOR
Really? I thought it might have something
to do with the Starfleet regulations at the
core of my programming.
HARRY
You have to follow them, right?
DOCTOR
Which part of "the core of my programming"
do you find difficult to follow?
HARRY
No loose interpretation? No swaying by
strong emotion?
DOCTOR
Do you want the answer or not?
HARRY
Yes.
DOCTOR
No.
HARRY
What?
DOCTOR
Don't tell the captain.
HARRY
You've got to give me more than that!
DOCTOR
Did you want an answer, or a rationale?
HARRY
What about your core programming?
DOCTOR
I'm more than the sum of my bits!
(beat)
Commander Chakotay's actions have caused no
disruption to the ship. And my patients who
consult him tell me they do so because they want
to find out who they truly are. That's a quest
I won't deny to anyone, Ensign.
INT - CORRIDOR
Harry comes out of Sick Bay, looking a bit discouraged. Turning down
the hall, he almost walks into TUVOK.
TUVOK
Mr. Kim. You're away from your station.
Are you feeling unwell?
HARRY
No. Yes.
(off Tuvok's look)
I had to see the doctor about something.
Advice. Personal.
Harry lies very badly.
TUVOK
Of course.
HARRY
Tuvok -- could I ask you about a
hypothetical situation?
TUVOK
At the risk of being recursive, may I
conclude that the hypothetical nature of
this question is itself hypothetical?
HARRY
Yeah, but I really wish you wouldn't.
TUVOK
I see.
(beat)
If you would prefer I not know, then do
not ask.
HARRY
You're right. Thanks.
Harry approaches the turbolift. Tuvok's about to leave.
HARRY
Vulcans rejected religion early, didn't they? Mostly?
The question surprises Tuvok. He considers his answer.
TUVOK
Religion's decline was essential to the
rejection of illogic and emotion.
(beat)
Although my wife would disagree.
The implication being that this is a point of contention in the
marriage.
HARRY
Thanks, Tuvok.
Harry gets into the turbolift and is gone. Tuvok, now very concerned,
looks after him for a few moments... and then turns his thoughtful gaze
towards the door of Sickbay.
INT - CORRIDOR
Tom and Harry exit the turbolift and walk toward the mess.
HARRY
... and Arthur's afraid that if he says
anything, he'll go back on the night shift.
So --
TOM
So nothing.
(beat)
Your call. But it's not what the Federation
is about.
HARRY
I always thought tolerance was part of the
package.
TOM
Only of weird alien religions the
xeno-anthropologists haven't finished
studying yet.
(beat)
I've got a prior engagement. See you.
He takes a different corridor. Harry walks on.
INT - MESS
SEVEN AND CHAKOTAY are deep in conversation.
CHAKOTAY
You're sure you don't want to come to the meeting?
SEVEN
I prefer to experience humanity on my own terms.
I will meet with you alone. 2100 hours?
CHAKOTAY
Fine.
She steps away from him, and goes to the door as HARRY enters the mess.
SEVEN
Ensign Kim. Your timing is excellent.
HARRY
Neelix just took a break?
SEVEN
Amusing, but incorrect. I wish to ask you
for a date.
HARRY
A what?
SEVEN
We will meet by the holodeck, but you should
reach me by communicator with a reminder.
At 2100. Promptly.
HARRY
Um -- yes! I'd love to. Um, what exactly
brought this on?
SEVEN
I wish to expand my knowledge of human
interaction.
HARRY
(gulp)
I'll be glad to help.
SEVEN
2100 hours. Do not forget.
Exit Seven. Harry wipes his forehead.
INT - SICKBAY
Tuvok interrogates the Doctor, who's trying to go about his business.
TUVOK
I would like to know the nature of
your consultation with Ensign Kim.
DOCTOR
Why don't you ask Ensign Kim?
TUVOK
He proved recalcitrant.
DOCTOR
How unfortunate.
TUVOK
His conversation implied a breach in
regulations that, if it exists, would
be serious.
DOCTOR
Really?
TUVOK
Perhaps seeking your advice would be
uncharacteristically logical of him, but --
DOCTOR
I'm afraid I can't discuss the nature of
a private conversation with a patient. That
regulation --
TUVOK
-- only applies if Ensign Kim received
medical evaluation. Did he?
DOCTOR
It's none of your business.
TUVOK
You are programmed to cooperate with
Starfleet security.
DOCTOR
I am also programmed to respect my patients'
privacy. Privilege or no.
(beat)
This interview is over. Computer, deactivate
Emergency Medical --
Tuvok goes to a console, starts pressing buttons.
DOCTOR
-- what are you doing?
(no answer)
Tuvok, that's encrypted --
TUVOK
Only the medical records. Your personal,
non-medical memory is readable. If Ensign
Kim was ill --
DOCTOR
Tuvok, stop. Please. You can't do this --
TUVOK
It is the logical course of action, Doctor.
A hologram's memory is admissable in cases of --
DOCTOR
Just a hologram, yes! But not me! If you
press that button, you're just using me as a
tool again -- I can't --
(anguished)
If our friendship means anything to you...
don't do this.
TUVOK
Your argument is based in emotion, Doctor.
(beat)
Though it may appeal to me... as a Vulcan,
I must reject it.
And he stabs the button. The doctor reacts as part of his memory is
copied to Tuvok's PADD. It doesn't hurt. But he hates it.
DOCTOR
How could you?
TUVOK
You would do anything for the welfare
of your patient.
(beat)
Voyager is mine.
Exit Tuvok. The Doctor stands, numb and alone.
INT - JANEWAY'S OFFICE
Janeway is at her desk. Tuvok enters. She gives him The Stare.
JANEWAY
I've spoken with the doctor.
(beat)
You'd better have a *damn* good explanation.
TUVOK
Regrettably, I do.
He hands Janeway the PADD.
CUT TO:
ANGLE - THROUGH A PEEPHOLE
We see a brightly-lit room in BG, and then an eye. It blinks.
INT - TOM'S QUARTERS
The bed is rumpled. Tom and Belanna are dressed, but only partway;
they've just completed a lunchtime assignation. Belanna is holding a
black object about the size and shape of a cantelope. It's open on one
end, and she's peering into it. The device is a PEEPHOLE HOLO. Nearby,
Tom continues dressing.
BELANNA
Wow. Now that's what I call flexible.
TOM
She was something.
BELANNA
Actually, I meant you. But she's
impressive. Who is she?
TOM
"She" is Caitlin Reilly. Her family got
displaced from one of the worlds on the
Cardassian border. She resented it. Made
me resent it too. That's why I went Maquis.
BELANNA
Plus she could do that thing with her tongue?
TOM
A spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down.
BELANNA
Among other things. So what happened?
TOM
I got caught, remember? She got away --
but sent me that.
BELANNA
She sent an explicit peephole holo of
the two of you to you in *prison?*
TOM
To my parents. Mom kept it on the mantel.
She wanted to torque off my dad.
BELANNA
You're lying!
(off his look)
You're not.
TOM
My new stepmother was eighteen and wore tighter
clothes than Seven of Nine.
BELANNA
How'd she get blood to her brain?
TOM
Really wasn't an issue.
(beat)
What about you? The Maquis. Why'd you join?
BELANNA
Same as you.
TOM
(mock surprise)
You knew Caitlin?
Belanna hits him with a pillow.
BELANNA
No, you goof. The displacement. I hated the
idea of people being kicked out of their homes
so Cardassians could move in.
TOM
(beat)
What about the religious issues?
BELANNA
Huh?
TOM
There was an upsurge in the old religions. Lot of
people in the Maquis turned into true believers.
BELANNA
Yeah, but that's not what it was about.
TOM
Not even for Chakotay?
BELANNA
What?
TOM
You served with him. He probably had prayer
meetings every night or something.
BELANNA
(beat)
Tom, what's going on?
Tom's stuck -- but then THE COM PANEL pops on, revealing Harry.
HARRY
Tom, you are not gonna believe -- oh.
Hi, Belanna.
Belanna waves.
TOM
What's up?
HARRY
Meet me in my quarters. As soon as possible.
(beat)
You won't *believe* this.
Com panel turns off.
TOM
Gotta run.
(kisses her)
Bye.
Tom exits.
BELANNA
Tom --
She's puzzled. Hits her com badge.
BELANNA
Torres to Chakotay.
INT - JANEWAY'S OFFICE
CHAKOTAY
I'm with the Captain. I'll get back to you.
(to Janeway)
Sorry, Captain. What's up?
JANEWAY
I've been informed that you're using the mess
to hold late-night religious gatherings in
violation of the separation regulations.
(beat)
I'm going to have to insist that you put a
stop to it.
Chakotay is stunned.
FADE OUT.
END ACT ONE.
ACT TWO
FADE IN:
INT - CHAKOTAY'S QUARTERS
Chakotay's sitting alone. The DOORBELL CHIMES. He doesn't answer it
the first time, or the second. Finally, he gets up and trudges to the
door. It opens, revealing Seven of Nine. She has a bag.
SEVEN
Commander. I know I am early --
(beat)
Are you all right?
CHAKOTAY
I've been better. Come in.
(she enters)
Did you bring some items of personal
significance?
Seven upends the bag, pours a heap of BORG HARDWARE onto a table.
CHAKOTAY
What the hell --?
SEVEN
Borg implants. These were removed by the
Doctor when I came on board.
As she explains, Chakotay picks up an bowl-shaped implant. He doesn't
know what it's for. Flips it over, cups it in his palm. Then he
realizes: it's part of a Borg bustier. Puts it down fast.
CHAKOTAY
The Doctor let you take these out
of containment?
SEVEN
He was in no mood to object.
INT - SICKBAY
Tuvok enters. Sickbay is deserted. Tuvok looks around for several
moments, delaying the inevitable, until --
TUVOK
Computer -- activate Emergency Medical
Holographic Program.
The Doctor flickers into existence.
DOCTOR
You! What are you doing here?
TUVOK
I wish to apologize.
DOCTOR
Fine. You've done it. Go away!
The Doctor flickers out again.
INT - CHAKOTAY'S QUARTERS
Chakotay and Seven are seated at a table.
CHAKOTAY
After the meditation, I'll ask you to
rest your hand on this.
He hands her the hallucinatron. She examines it.
CHAKOTAY
Just don't touch the top. That
activates it.
SEVEN
What does it do?
She touches the hallucinatron with her augmented hand. In ECU: SMALL
TUBULES EMERGE FROM HER FINGERTIPS. Contact the device.
CHAKOTAY
It takes you into your mind, opens you up.
In the old days, we used cactus candy, oxygen
deprivation. This is easier, safer.
(beat)
Besides, cactus candy always made me sick.
My father was mortified.
As he speaks, SEVEN'S AUGMENTED POV shows her view of the hallucinatron
OVERLAID WITH A TECHNICAL READOUT. She's secretly scanning the device.
Just as she finishes --
Seven's combadge BEEPS.
HARRY
(VO, FILTER)
Kim to Seven of Nine.
SEVEN
Seven of Nine. Thank you for the reminder.
I am on my way.
(to Chakotay)
I had forgotten a previous engagement.
Another time?
Chakotay's taken by surprise.
CHAKOTAY
Of course. You know where to find me...
Seven exits.
CHAKOTAY
...if you're ever really interested.
(beat)
Too bad I can't fit everyone who *is* in here.
Suddenly, he has an idea. He gets up.
INT - CORRIDOR
Tom, holding a bunch of flowers, gives Harry a bit of unheard
last-minute advice, then ducks around a corner.
The turbolift doors open --
-- Tom realizes he still has the flowers, signals Harry --
-- and tosses them over, just in time. Seven half-exits the lift.
HARRY
Hi! It's great to see you.
He hands her the flowers. Seven, puzzled, takes them.
SEVEN
Thank you.
(beat)
I must cancel our date.
HARRY
What?
SEVEN
"I am sorry." "Something has come up." "Thank you
for understanding."
Seven steps back into the lift and is gone. Tom re-enters. Harry,
agonized, makes futile gestures towards the turbolift door. Tom shrugs,
looks on the bright side.
TOM
She took the flowers.
INT - ANOTHER CORRIDOR
Seven stuffs the flowers into a RECYCLING CHUTE and keeps walking.
INT - CHAKOTAY'S QUARTERS
Chakotay shoves a sofa against the wall, then stands back to look.
DOORBELL CHIMES.
CHAKOTAY
Come in!
(Belanna enters)
What do you think?
All of Chakotay's furniture has been pushed against the wall.
BELANNA
I think you have absolutely no future
in interior design.
CHAKOTAY
But can I fit about thirty people in here
for a religious ceremony?
BELANNA
(raised eyebrow)
What kind of religion do you have in mind?
(then)
That was a cheap shot. I'm sorry.
CHAKOTAY
It doesn't matter.
He gets up, crosses to a bar, pours a drink.
BELANNA
What, that's it?
CHAKOTAY
What did you expect?
BELANNA
I don't know, but redecorating wasn't high
on the list.
CHAKOTAY
As opposed to, oh, pointing out the Captain's
blatant hypocrisy?
BELANNA
You noticed.
CHAKOTAY
I did mention Neelix's Talaxian festivals,
and the Omega incident. You know, the Captain's
even consulted me from time to time.
Belanna raises an eyebrow.
CHAKOTAY
That's not a euphemism.
BELANNA
So what's next?
CHAKOTAY
I think a couple more drinks. By then I should be
too buzzed to care.
BELANNA
You can't fool me. Your religion matters
more than this.
CHAKOTAY
I thought you were an atheist.
BELANNA
I worship personal freedom. Just like you.
(beat)
Don't you know what's going on? Have you
heard what Tuvok -- ?
CHAKOTAY
I heard about the doctor!
(beat)
And all the times before. First Janeway came for
Tuvix, but I didn't speak up because I wasn't a
combined life form. Then she came for Seven of
Nine, but I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Borg.
Then she came for me, and there was no one left
to speak on my behalf.
BELANNA
(beat; cold)
I just came up from the mess. It's full of
people who'll speak up for you. If you'll quit
wallowing in self-pity and let them.
(beat)
Couch looks good there.
Belanna exits. Chakotay sits a moment, as her words sink in.
INT - CORRIDOR
Chakotay, carrying his MEDICINE BUNDLE, enters turbolift.
INT - TURBOLIFT
CHAKOTAY
Mess.
COMPUTER VOICE
Unable to comply.
CHAKOTAY
Computer, is there a problem with
this turbolift?
COMPUTER VOICE
Turbolift is functioning within
normal parameters.
CHAKOTAY
My ass.
COMPUTER VOICE
Please repeat destination.
CHAKOTAY
Mess hall, please.
The doors close again. Chakotay's getting suspicious.
The doors open, on
INT - THE BRIDGE
and Janeway, who looks pointedly at Chakotay's medicine bundle.
JANEWAY
We need to talk.
INT - MESS
There's a sizable crowd assembled -- actually, it's everyone who was
here last night, and then some. Neelix pours a drink for Belanna.
NEELIX
I'm surprised to see you here.
BELANNA
Why?
NEELIX
His beliefs have helped a lot of
people. Saved my life. But you --
BELANNA
I don't believe in his gods, but I
believe in him.
(beat)
As long as he's not hurting anybody,
he ought to be able to do any damn
fool thing he wants.
Neelix chokes on his drink.
INT - JANEWAY'S READY ROOM
Janeway and Chakotay are seated on opposite sides of her desk, on top of
which lies Chakotay's open medicine bundle.
CHAKOTAY
Diverting any turbolift heading for the mess
whose payload includes a detectable amount of
sage, sweetgrass...
(re: hallucinatron)
...and one of these. That's very good. Tuvok?
JANEWAY
Tuvok.
CHAKOTAY
Tuvok.
JANEWAY
I don't object to your beliefs, Commander.
They make your life easier, fine. People want
to learn from you, fine. But it's a private
matter. Not a public display.
Chakotay casually indicates his TATTOO. Janeway gives him The Look.
JANEWAY
Don't be cute, Chakotay.
CHAKOTAY
What if the public disagrees with you?
JANEWAY
I got the petition.
CHAKOTAY
There was a petition?
JANEWAY
I can't do a good job without my crew's input,
but I won't be strong-armed by them.
(beat)
Find another spot, a suitable one, and you
will have my full support. But that's your job,
not mine. Clear?
CHAKOTAY
Crystal.
JANEWAY
It had better be.
Pause.
CHAKOTAY
So... where's Tuvok now?
INT - MESS
The door opens and everyone turns toward it. TUVOK enters. There is a
moment of tension as he surveys the room. He raises an eyebrow.
One of the UNNAMED CREWMEN folds his arms, standing stiffly defiant.
Belanna looks at him, shakes her head.
Then she coolly steps past Tuvok and walks out toward the hall. In
unison, the crewmembers rise to follow her out. Tuvok watches them go.
Belanna turns back, exchanges a frosty look with Tuvok as the crewmen
pass her and enter the hallway, then follows along with them.
INT - CORRIDOR
Where she finds Tom and Harry, who've been cut off from their exit by
the throngs of crew. They were surreptitiously checking out the scene.
Now they're just uncomfortable. Tom looks at Belanna. She looks back.
Neither is pleased to see the other just now.
HARRY
That's it. This situation could not
*possibly* get any worse.
INT - SEVEN'S CARGO BAY
SEVEN'S HAND detaches from an input device. Moves to a keypad, enters
data.
And her replicator makes a duplicate of Chakotay's hallucinatron.
FADE OUT.
END ACT TWO.
ACT THREE
FADE IN:
INT - MESS
Chakotay is conferring with Belanna and Neelix.
BELANNA
There's got to be a catch.
CHAKOTAY
And it's right up front. This is a
public area. We're the public. We have
a right to use it.
NEELIX
Do we have to make a fuss?
CHAKOTAY
You sound like my great-great grandfather.
NEELIX
(flattered)
Really?
CHAKOTAY
His skeleton's in a museum in Guatemala.
NEELIX
Oh.
BELANNA
Open protest wouldn't work.
CHAKOTAY
Who needs it? She'll support us. I say
we let her.
BELANNA
Make her regret her promise. How do you
plan to do that?
(beat)
Oh. Great. We're the brain trust.
NEELIX
What's wrong with the holodeck?
BELANNA
Too expensive.
CHAKOTAY
We're talking about a lot of use. Almost
nightly. Even if we pool our energy rations,
we couldn't swing that.
Pause. Neelix considers.
NEELIX
So where's it written that we have to
turn it on?
Chakotay and Belanna look at each other, then at Neelix, their jaws
hanging open. Neelix has had a really good idea.
INT - CORRIDOR
They exit the mess.
NEELIX
I'm off to spread the word!
He ambles off down the corridor. Belanna and Chakotay walk away in the
opposite direction. Belanna gives Chakotay a dirty look.
BELANNA
Your great-great grandfather donated his
body to science.
CHAKOTAY
Worked, didn't it?
They walk off-camera, and we go to:
INT - SEVEN'S CARGO BAY
The door opens. Ensign Levesque enters, PADD in hand. He checks the
place out; it's his first time here.
LEVESQUE
Hello? You wanted some data?
He wanders a bit -- and encounters Seven. She's seated, with her hand
resting on the top of her replicated hallucinatron. Her eyes stare into
space. Levesque stares.
Seven's hand lifts off the hallucinatron. She stands up and goes to her
workstation, where, with her back to Levesque, she bends far over to
make an entry. Levesque cocks his head to the side and stares, an
incredulous expression on his face. Momentarily, Seven notices. She
turns her head to look at him.
SEVEN
Yes?
LEVESQUE
(honestly curious)
Is that *comfortable?*
SEVEN
What?
LEVESQUE
I know you're Borg and all that, but --
when you have to -- *go,* um --
(then)
Do you have *help* putting that on?
SEVEN
Who are you? I was expecting Ensign Arthur Levesque.
LEVESQUE
That's me.
Now Seven's puzzled. She stares at him.
SEVEN
You do not look Choosh.
Levesque, deflated, hands over the PADD.
LEVESQUE
Here. Some stuff for Astrometrics.
When you get up there.
Seven takes it, turns away. Levesque's gaze turns to her hallucinatron.
LEVESQUE
Harry didn't say anything about you
being in Chakotay's... classes.
SEVEN
I am not.
LEVESQUE
Oh.
(then)
Huh?
SEVEN
Commander Chakotay uses the device
in conjunction with focused meditation.
(beat)
I have found that without such direction,
it produces a most interesting effect.
LEVESQUE
What do you mean?
CUT TO:
SEVEN OF NINE stands tall against a background of swirling colors.
She's strong, beautiful, glowing with radiance. Her body is outlined in
bright light; puddles of light and pools of shadow ripple over her form.
Other images swirl in the background behind her, never quite achieving
definition before they're gone from view. It's a Foundation Imaging
wonderwork, eerie and blazingly beautiful. A twenty-fourth-century acid
trip.
This is Seven as seen from the POV of Arthur Levesque, who has his hand
on the hallucinatron.
Finally, Levesque lifts his hand and *instantly* snaps back to normal. He
gets out of the chair, awed. Seven isn't even looking at him. Her
attention is all on the PADD Levesque gave her.
LEVESQUE
Wow.
(beat)
I feel normal. No dizziness, no headache, no
weird taste in my mouth --
(beat)
That thing has the Jewels of Sound beat all
hollow.
SEVEN
(re: PADD)
Thank you for the data.
LEVESQUE
Yeah, sure, no problem.
(beat)
Listen, do you think you could replicate
another one of those? For me?
And off Seven's look, we go to
INT - ENGINEERING
Belanna's working at a console. Tom enters with a PADD. Her back is to
him. When he notices she can't see him, he moves forward quietly and
places the PADD on a console behind her -- but the slight noise it makes
with the contact gets Belanna's attention. She sees him.
They regard each other for a moment, then he turns to go.
BELANNA
Wait.
(he waits)
I have to ask. Tuvok came in and busted the
meeting, you were right outside the door.
Did you know?
TOM
No. We were just walking by. We knew about
the service, saw Tuvok --
BELANNA
Put two and two together.
TOM
Harry told me. I don't know how Tuvok
found out.
BELANNA
Seven said he checked the Doctor's memory
after Harry -- no, it doesn't matter.
(beat)
I'm sorry I doubted you.
TOM
I don't exactly sympathize with Chakotay.
I don't like what he's doing. I don't
like your jumping on because now it's a
political cause. But it wasn't my place.
(beat)
But if it was, I would have.
BELANNA
I don't agree with that.
TOM
I know.
He turns and begins to exit.
BELANNA
Tell Harry he tried to do the right thing.
Exit Tom Paris.
INT - CORRIDOR
Levesque, carrying his new hallucinatron, encounters a young female
crewmember. Her name is JANIS MONTGOMERY.
JANIS
Arthur, hey! Welcome to daylight!
LEVESQUE
Thanks, Janis. Have I missed a lot?
JANIS
You kidding? This is day shift.
We get all the action. Firefights,
shuttle crashes, aliens, more shuttle
crashes -- one time, Tom Paris turned
into a newt.
LEVESQUE
A newt?
JANIS
He got better.
Levesque digests this. Janis sees the hallucinatron.
JANIS
What's that?
LEVESQUE
You wouldn't believe me if I told you.
(beat)
I can show you. Not now. Tonight.
My quarters.
JANIS
Okay, you do know I'm still
dating Mary, right?
LEVESQUE
Bring her along.
(off her look)
Not like that. I promise. This
little thing will blow your mind.
(beat)
I just hope you've been stockpiling
replicator rations. 'cause you're
gonna want your own.
FADE OUT.
END ACT THREE.
Part two is here.
