"Time's Arrow" Line-by-Line

LONDON: I'd like to do some travelling, maybe go to sea. And Alaska. I've had the strangest notion to go see Alaska.

 

CLEMENS: That's a great idea, son. That's exactly what I would do if I were your age. Alaska, the Klondike, the Aurora Borealis. That's it. Follow your dreams and write about 'em.

 

LONDON: Thank you, Mister Clemens. You know, that is exactly what I'm going to do!

 

CLEMENS: You do that, son.

 

LONDON: You'll see my name in print, too.

[Clemens is leading Jack out of the room.]

 

CLEMENS: I'm sure I will.

 

LONDON: Don't forget. The name's London. Jack London.

 

CLEMENS: Goodbye now. Bye, bye.

 

[Clemens closes the door on Jack and locks it. He then walks back over to Data's device and fiddles with it some, removing a part from it; the device powers down. There's talking out in the hall and the sound of the door being unlocked. Clemens hides the part he has taken in his suit jacket and hurriedly hides in the room's wardrobe. The door opens and in walks Data talking with 19th Century Guinan.]

GUINAN: I found the Head Surveyor, I found the cavern. You will not be able to get to it. The entrance is on a mine shaft that is the middle of the Presidio on an army base.

 

DATA: Perhaps you could arrange for us to get in.

 

GUINAN: How?

 

DATA: With permission to dig for the mine shaft.

 

GUINAN: Oh, no, Data. I've done everything you've asked-

 

DATA: I have full confidence in your persuasive abilities.

 

Guinan: Well, I suppose it's more interesting than throwing a tea dance.

 

Data: Strange. The transceiver assembly has been removed. Without it I will be unable to track the time shifts.

 

GUINAN: Twain.

 

DATA: Clemens?

 

GUINAN: Yes. He's been driving me crazy. He watches the house, he follows me down the street asking me questions. If anyone took this you can believe it was him.

 

Data: If you are correct, he must be warned. The device has been modified in such a way that prolonged contact with human tissue would be highly toxic.

(there's a thump from the wardrobe. Data opens the door to reveal the guilty party. Data picks up the transceiver that Clemens dropped.)