"Time's Arrow" Line-by-Line

GAMBLER: Please, sir. (he indicates for Data to sit at the card table.) The game is poker. The deal is yours. The ante is four bits. (The gamblers all toss in their ante, Data antes his Comm-Badge.) Family heirloom?

 

^ (Data puts his comm. badge on the table)
GAMBLER: Family heirloom?

DATA: In a manner of speaking. It is a crystalline composite of silicon, beryllium, Carbon seventy, and...

 

[the Seaman picks up the Comm-Badge, bites it and then tosses it back onto the ante pile.]

Seaman: Gold.

 

DATA: Gold.

 

GAMBLER: I'll give you three dollars for it.

 

DATA: I accept.

 

[Data's hotel room. He's being lead in by Jack London and is wearing various articles of clothing from the gamblers.]

LONDON: Did you see the looks on their faces? I did everything I could not to laugh.

 

DATA: To whom are you referring?

 

LONDON: Frederick La Rouque and Joe Falling Hawk. Those guys are card sharks. Oh sure, they play easy at first not to scare off the marks, but you give them a little time, they'll bleed a man dry. Especially an out-of-towner like yourself..

 

DATA: What was the source of your jocular reaction? What was it you found humorous?

 

LONDON: Don't you see? They had you pegged for a sap. The clothes you got on, the way you talk, it's like you were born yesterday. You sure fooled them, though.

 

DATA: It was not my intention to deceive.

 

LONDON: Have it your way. This is the place. Breakfast is six to eight. Checkout's at noon when you're ready to leave.
(hands over the key and holds out his hand)

 

DATA: Thank you. (shakes his hand) It has been a pleasure.

[London coughs, and continues to hold out his hand.]

DATA: It would be advisable to monitor that cough. I have read that there is currently a cholera epidemic in San Francisco.

 

LONDON: Never felt better.

 

DATA: Of course. The gratuity. Thank you for your assistance.

 

LONDON: A dollar? If there's anything you need. It can get lonely in San Francisco. You might want some company. I can introduce you to Lillian.

 

DATA: I have no need for companionship. However I do require some supplies.

 

LONDON: Anything you need. I can get it for you wholesale. I can get it for you less than wholesale if you don't ask me where it came from. (Data has been writing a list) What do you need all this stuff for?

 

Data: I am an inventor.