• Welcome! The TrekBBS is the number one place to chat about Star Trek with like-minded fans.
    If you are not already a member then please register an account and join in the discussion!

12x06 - "Mr Nice Guy"

Meanwhile...

TNG 17x06 – “QUINTESSENCE”

‘They’ have destroyed countless universes for being boring, and ‘They’ are ready to do the same to this one. Whoever is the first to reach the test on Gorsach 9 will be the deciding factor – which is why Q has spent years making sure that person will be Picard. Remembering the hints given to him by Q over the years, Picard makes it through various tests. When he finally faces ‘Them’, one person representing an entire universe, he is amused by the absurdity of the situation and laughs out loud. ‘They’ consider this never-before-seen reaction a good enough reason to let this universe survive, leaving only Picard and Q with any memory of what happened. But what did forcing Picard to dress up as Robin Hood (TNG 4x20 “Qpid”) and rescue Maid Marian have to do with saving the universe? “I just wanted to see you in tights, Jean-Luc.”

TTN 1x06 – “OFF WITH THEIR HEADS”

The Sleeper is awakening, and all the worlds that it dreamed inside the Small Magellanic Cloud will soon wink out of existence. Fighting against the increasing anomalies, Titan and Donatra’s fleet go to work rescuing as many Neyel as they can. Frane must deal with the guilt of having prayed for exactly this to happen. Then he remembers Holy Vangar, the asteroid habitat that brought the Neyel from Earth in the first place – they can use it as a lifeboat. The rescue efforts allow Tuvok and Akaar to bury the hatchet from their long feud. Eventually the anomalies grow too great to save any more, so they tractor Holy Vangar away and use the Bassen Rift to return to Romulan space, exploding the warp cores from Donatra’s fleet to seal the rift. Back on Earth, Akaar disembarks but Riker asks Tuvok to stay as tactical officer. Frane agrees to help the rescued Neyel settle back into their ancestral home.

VOY 10x06 – “BE THANKFUL FOR WHAT YOU’VE GOT”

Morale is low on Voyager, and Counsellor Cambridge blames Captain Miseryguts, moping around the Yaris Nebula. Cmdr Paris’s passion for history suggests a traditional Thanksgiving party might help, an idea which Cambridge fully embraces. Chakotay is furious – given his Native and Maquis heritage, he feels personally targeted. Cambridge isn’t even American, he’s British. While the crew enjoys a slap-up meal in the mess hall, Chakotay and Cambridge are at each other’s throats. Paris must step in – Chakotay’s sour mood sets a bad example, at least Cambridge is thinking of the crew. On the other hand, Cambridge takes a little too much glee in needling the captain. Paris suggests they both join the party and offer a wider historical perspective on events. That done, Chakotay sends a message to Janeway, eager to get home. Meanwhile, Paris receives a secret encrypted message from B’Elanna, telling him that her slipstream shuttle is ready, so she and Miral are leaving Earth.
 
Last edited:
TEASER​


FADE IN:


1 EXT. DEEP SPACE NINE


Standard establishing shot, the Defiant in place, maybe a couple of freighters.


2 INT. DS9 - TURBOLIFT


Commander RO LAREN stands alone as the lift travels through the station. It has been a stressful day, and she is looking forward to a beer at Quark’s.

Her combadge BEEPS. She grits her teeth, really not wanting to be bothered right now. But she is the commander, so she has no choice. She taps to receive.


RO
Ro. Go ahead.

CENN (comm)
Minister Fandor is calling. Again.​


Ro closes her eyes, sighs. Will this day never end? She looks up at the harsh fluorescent LIGHTS of the turbolift - bright and grating against the cold metal. She winces and rubs her forehead - the lights are giving her a headache.


RO
Please inform Minister Fandor that
I am now off duty, and if the seven
times I have spoken to him already
today were not sufficient to assuage
his concerns, he will just have to
wait until I come back on duty
in fourteen hours.

CENN (comm)
Okay, I’ll tell him. Sir.

RO
Thank you. Oh and Major? I don’t
want to talk to any more ministers
today, alright? I am off duty.

CENN (comm)
Completely understood, Commander.
Cenn out.​


The line drops, and Ro acts as if to THROTTLE an invisible figure before her, GROWLING her frustration and exhaustion. The effort of doing so makes her headache worse, so she rolls her shoulders and cricks her neck from the tension.

Finally the turbolift glides to a halt, and the doors open onto the Promenade...


3 INT. DS9 - PROMENADE (CONTINUOUS)


Ro steps out of the turbolift into the parade of civilians and crew, and looks around in amazement...

To the untrained eye the Promenade looks no different, but the change in atmosphere is apparent. The light is sunny, warm and soothingly diffuse. The SOUNDS are happy, a gentle whisper of friendly chatter unbroken by anything too loud.

As Ro stands watching, an ELDERLY LADY, rummaging in her shoulder bag as she walks, accidentally drops her purse. A passing SECURITY OFFICER stops, picks up the purse, hands it back to the lady. She thanks him profusely and moves on.

At the JUMJA KIOSK, a MOTHER and her CHILD are buying a jumja stick. The child wants the bigger one, but the mother can only afford the smaller one. The SHOPKEEPER waves off her concerns, handing the bigger one to the child anyway.

Ro steps out of the way for a small group of people to approach the turbolift. As the door opens, every one of them attempts to politely “after you” for the others, until one finally takes the invitation and boards.

She strolls on down the Promenade. A minor PRYLAR standing outside the station’s SHRINE waves at her warmly as she passes - Ro waves back in happy confusion.

She passes the REPLIMAT on her other side, and sees a YOUNGER MAN generously volunteer his seat to an OLDER MAN to sit in. The older man gratefully receives.

Ro finally reaches the SECURITY OFFICE, where security chief EVIK NATH stands in the open doorway. The mature Bajoran Lt Cmdr watches this perfect sunny day on the Promenade with satisfaction and pride.


EVIK
Good evening, Commander. How
was your day?

RO
Exhausting... until now. Is it
just me, or is everybody in
a really good mood today?

EVIK
I like to think so.

RO
You did this? How?

EVIK
I instituted a new policy among my
staff. I’ve been trying to instil a
sense that their role should be
more than just a faceless horde
of soldiers and security guards. So
I’ve been training them in basic
conflict management techniques.
Teaching them to be peace keepers,
not just rule enforcers.

RO
What’s the difference?​


Evik smiles demurely, and gestures for Ro to join him as they STROLL back down the Promenade again.


EVIK
I believe that if the average Deep
Space Nine resident can see my
officers as fellow people, there
to help them when they need it,
and not some intimidating army
of cold regulation and impersonal
law, then there will be no need
for anyone to use force.

RO
It seems to be working. I’ve never
seen the Promenade so peaceful.
(frown)
Now I think of it, the last couple
of criminal activity reports Major
Cenn has shown me have had much
lower numbers than usual. Is that
down to this new policy too?

EVIK
I certainly hope so. I’ve never
been entirely convinced of the
efficacy of imprisonment as a
deterrent to crime. I recognise
it’s an ugly necessity sometimes,
but I would rather not just lock
everyone up and forget about them.

RO
I hope you’re not suggesting
that’s what I did when I was
the station’s chief of security.

EVIK
Oh, not at all, Commander. But
even if I were, it wouldn’t be a
criticism. Every security officer
has their own style. This is just
mine. My hope is that by tackling
the emotional underpinnings and
consequences of crime, I can help
to eliminate it before it starts.​


By now the pair have reached one of the many other shops along the length of the Promenade - this one a homewares and tchotchkes store run by the ETHRAKOIS (the battling alien couple seen in DS9 11x13 “The Late Show! With Morn”).


RO
Well, I can’t fault your motives.
(looks around)
Or your results, by the look of
it. How hard are these conflict
management techniques to learn?

EVIK
Oh, not that hard. Why, what
are you suggesting?

RO
I wouldn’t mind if the rest of us
got a bit of training in how to not
get into fights or arguments. I’d
like to extend this policy of yours.
You think you could hold a few
of these training sessions for
the senior staff?

EVIK
I’d be delighted to, Commander.
There’s nothing I find more
satisfying than helping people
to resolve their differences
and come together in peace.​


A glass dish comes flying past Ro and Evik’s ears, SMASHING against the bulkhead, accompanied by a SHOUT of annoyance.


MRS ETHRAKOI (o.s.)
Screw you, jackass!​


Ro jerks back in shock. Evik just holds his smile.


EVIK
You see? Satisfying.​


Off Ro’s dubious expression...


FADE OUT


END OF TEASER​
 
ACT ONE​


FADE IN


4 INT. DS9 - WARDROOM


Major CENN shoves Lieutenant BOWERS hard. Bowers may be big and tough, but Cenn is really pissed off right now.


CENN
What the hell did you say to
Lieutenant Kesh-u?

BOWERS
Take your hands off me, Major.

CENN
How many times do I have to point
out to you that you are not the
first officer of this station?

BOWERS
And how many times do I have to
point out to you that I am the
next senior Starfleet officer in
line after Commander Ro, and
the first officer of the Defiant?

CENN
(gritted teeth)
We are not on the Defiant!​


Suddenly Doctor BASHIR is there, gently placing himself between them without any physical contact.


BASHIR
Gentlemen, calm yourselves. Now
tell me, what’s this all about?​


Cenn and Bowers are both pretty steaming, but they grit their teeth and turn to Bashir.


CENN
I ordered Kesh-u to repair the
replicators in the ambassadorial
quarters on level twenty-two.
(points at Bowers)
But he took Kesh-u off that
assignment and put him on the
upper pylon torpedo launchers.

BOWERS
Lieutenant Kesh-u is a Starfleet
officer, I gave him a direct
command as his senior officer.

CENN
On this station I am your senior
officer, Lieutenant. And you do
not get to countermand my orders
just ‘cause you feel like it.

BASHIR
Now let’s all stay calm, everyone.
Lieutenant, is what the Major
says true? Did you countermand
his orders to Kesh-u?

BOWERS
(grudging)
I suppose I did, yes. But I didn’t
know about those orders at the
time, and Kesh-u didn’t tell me,
he just did what I said.

CENN
Well, of course he did, he’s a
junior officer, what else is he
gonna do? That’s not the point!

BASHIR
Alright, Major. Now Lieutenant
- can you explain why it was
important to you that Kesh-u
stop what he was doing and
go to the upper pylons instead?

BOWERS
Because I considered the station’s
defences to be a higher priority
than some random replicators.

CENN
They were not random replicators.
They were replicators in the
Barolian ambassador’s quarters.
An important trading partner who
we are trying to get to join the
Federation. But you didn’t bother
asking that, did you?

BASHIR
So what this sounds like to me is
a failure of communication. Major
Cenn, you didn’t make Lieutenant
Bowers aware of why Kesh-u’s
assignment was important. Bowers,
you didn’t check with either Cenn
or Kesh-u if it was okay to change
that assignment. And Kesh-u
didn’t feel able to volunteer that
information to a senior officer.

EVIK (o.s.)
Okay, let’s just pause it there
for a moment.​


All three men stop and turn together, to see...

Evik calmly watching this entire discussion from across the wardroom, about to offer gentle and constructive advice. Ro stands beside him, observing with arms folded.


EVIK
Doctor Bashir, I’m not certain
calling the entire situation a
“failure” is the best way to get
the Lieutenant and the Major
to see eye to eye.

BASHIR
I was just trying to show that
there was no single person to
blame, but rather they all shared
the responsibility equally.

EVIK
A reasonable approach. But I’m
concerned that calling people a
“failure” when they’re already
agitated might just serve to make
it worse. Instead try framing the
situation in more positive terms.

RO
As an opportunity to be embraced,
not a problem to be solved.

EVIK
Exactly. Instead of “failure of
communication”, you might say
something like “there’s a chance
here to work on clarifying the
chain of command, for everyone’s
benefit”. Yes?

BOWERS
Doesn’t sugar-coating it like that
run the risk of just patching the
cracks instead of solving what’s
at the root of it all? If you’ll
pardon the mixed metaphors.

EVIK
Well at this point in the process,
Lieutenant, we’re not even trying
to solve the root problem. We’re
just trying to lower temperatures
and get everyone to at least look
at the situation dispassionately.
The problem will never be solved
when people are shouting at each
other. Only when everyone can
calmly explain their side of the
story will progress ever be made.​


Ro steps in, uncrossing her arms.


RO
Alright, I think that’s enough for
now. Thanks for coming, everyone.
And nice acting performances, too.​


Bashir, Bowers and Cenn file out of the room. Cenn is last, and takes the chance to mutter on his way out...


CENN
It wasn’t all acting.​


CUT TO:


5 INT. DS9 - MAIN OPS CENTRE


Bowers turns to Commander Ro, both of them shielded from attention in the tactical alcove on the top level. He glances to the side, where he sees NOG at the engineering console and CANDLEWOOD at sciences, both out of earshot.


BOWERS
Commander, I object to this.

RO
On what grounds?

BOWERS
It’s a waste of my time. I have an
overhaul on the tactical systems in
the upper pylons to get done, and
my time would be better spent
making sure that this station can
defend itself than learning how
to be nice to criminals.

RO
If we were all a little better at
defusing these situations before
they arise, you wouldn’t need
those tactical systems.

BOWERS
With respect, Commander, that’s
naive. No amount of nice words
will stop a well-placed torpedo
from destroying this station if we
don’t have shields and phasers.

RO
Isn’t it at least worth a try?

BOWERS
It’s not my primary concern, no.

RO
Well, it’s one of mine. Look at
that business with the Androssi
- you and I only managed to
put the station in danger.
(gestures to Nog)
It was negotiation that got us
out of it. So I think we could all
learn to be a little less quick on
the trigger. And I’m making it
an order, Lieutenant. Clear?​


The magic words - Bowers pulls himself up to attention.


BOWERS
Clear, Commander.

RO
Good. However, to put your mind
at ease... Nog?

NOG
Commander?

BOWERS
While we’re in this session with
Evik, I’d like you to take control
of the tactical maintenance in
the upper pylons. Alright?

NOG
Aye, sir.​


Ro looks to Bowers - he grudgingly nods acknowledgement. Ro, Nog and Bowers all head towards the turbolift.


RO
Mister Candlewood, you have Ops.

CANDLEWOOD
(snort of derision)
Yeah, right. Good one, Commander.

RO
(pauses, glares)
I’m serious, John. I’m leaving you
in command.​


Candlewood looks at Ro. Turns to look behind him. Behind him the other way. Finally looks back at Ro with a frown... which gradually shifts into a sly smile.


CANDLEWOOD
Aaaah - you almost got me.

RO
John, this is not a joke. With me,
Cenn, Bowers and Nog all out of
Ops, you’re the only senior staff
on duty. So you’re in charge.

CANDLEWOOD
But -

RO
It’s called the chain of command,
you might have heard of it?​


Ro walks off to join the others on the waiting turbolift. Stunned, Candlewood turns to watch them go.

Ro shakes her head at how exhausting Candlewood is. Nog gives him a nervous thumbs-up of encouragement. Bowers glowers, not happy about anything that just happened.

Then the turbolift takes them away. Candlewood turns to look back at Ops - a suddenly enormous expanse of junior crew and technological marvels that he is responsible for.


CUT TO:


6 INT. DS9 - WARDROOM


Major Cenn, Doctor Bashir and Lieutenant Bowers have just left the classroom. Ro turns to Lt Cmdr Evik...


RO
Well, this was your show. How do
you think they did?

EVIK
I think they grasp the basics. I
may have touched a nerve with
the scenario, however. Of course,
practising in a controlled room
and facing a real live situation
are quite different things. But
with a few more sessions, I think
they’ll be safe to release into
the wild, so to speak.

RO
At least those three are actual
grown-ups. It’s the other three
children I’m worried about.​


CUT TO:


7 INT. DS9 - ETHRAKOIS’ SHOP


One of Pif’s young puppies, BIF, sits on the deck with tail thumping, looking up eagerly.


BIF
Hi!​


MRS ETHRAKOI, the divorced alien woman who co-runs this shop, pauses her task of refilling shelves and looks down at the adorable puppy. She bends down to talk to him.


MRS ETHRAKOI
Well howdy, lil darlin’. What’s a
sweet thang like you doing on the
Promenade all by your lonesome?​


Bif launches into a well-rehearsed, perfectly recited spiel in his tiny, cute little voice.


BIF
Good afternoon, ma’am. My name is
Bifto Eoba, and my daddy is...
(trouble with
the big words)
Ambassador Quark’s met... his
metra... his doorman.

MRS ETHRAKOI
He sure is, darlin’.

BIF
My daddy says it’s time all us
puppies start to learn a trade -
when we’re not in school, anyway.

MRS ETHRAKOI
You askin’ for a job?

BIF
If you have an opening, ma’am, I’d
love the opportunity to apply for
it. I promise I’ll work hard.

MRS ETHRAKOI
Well, ain’t you just the sweetest
thang that ever did? I seen yo
daddy workin’ at the bar. And yo
entire family got the charm gene,
ain’t that right?​


Bif smiles wide, his tail thumping and spines erect.


MRS ETHRAKOI
You know? I gotta fill these damn
shelves, and that means I ain’t
got time to chat up folks out on
the Promenade and get ‘em in the
door. You work that charm for me,
you got yo’self a job, darlin’.​


Bif YIPS excitedly, tail thumping harder than ever.


MRS ETHRAKOI
C’mon, I’ll get you set up.​


Bif follows Mrs Ethrakoi into the shop, past displays of shot glasses, figurines, souvenirs and memorabilia.

Slouched behind the cash register is MR ETHRAKOI, the Mrs’s ex-husband. The male alien looks up from his magazine, and notices little Bif trotting after his ex-wife.


MR ETHRAKOI
The hell is this?

MRS ETHRAKOI
The kid needs a job. You remember
those, jackass? That’s where you
get up off’a yo fat ass once in a
while and do sump’n.

MR ETHRAKOI
If I wanted another mouth to feed,
I’d-a given you children. But you
was too ugly fo that, weren’t ya?

MRS ETHRAKOI
Maybe if you moved yo fat ass off
that chair more than once a month,
I wouldn’ have ta hire this sweet
thang to get some damn customers
while I do all the damn work.

MR ETHRAKOI
And maybe if you ain’t so damn
ugly, you ain’t be chasin’ away
the few customers we got.

MRS ETHRAKOI
Screw you, jackass.​


With that, Mrs Ethrakoi stomps on towards the store rooms at the back, while her ex-husband goes back to reading his magazine. Little Bif, who watched the entire exchange, begins to worry about what he has walked into...


FADE OUT


END OF ACT ONE​
 
ACT TWO​


FADE IN


8 INT. DS9 - PROMENADE (UPPER LEVEL)


A Bajoran MAN and WOMAN stand in front of one of the large oval windows, having a spirited discussion. The Woman is rummaging in her travelling bag.


WOMAN
I’m telling you, I don’t have them.

MAN
Then where the hell are they?

WOMAN
If I knew that, I wouldn’t be
searching for them, would I?

MAN
It was your job to look after them.

WOMAN
Look, I know, okay? You yelling at
me isn’t going to help.

CANDLEWOOD (o.s.)
Excuse me! Anything I can do?​


Caught off guard, the Man and Woman turn to look to see that Candlewood has approached them, smiling wide.


WOMAN
I beg your pardon?

CANDLEWOOD
I happened to be passing by and I
noticed you seemed to be having
problems. I was just wondering if
there’s anything I can do to help.

MAN
It’s under control, thank you.

CANDLEWOOD
I am the chief science officer of
the station, I may be able to -

MAN
Thank you. We’re fine.​


ACROSS the Promenade, Ro and Evik sit at a table outside Quark’s bar, warily watching Candlewood’s progress.

Back over by the window...


WOMAN
We seem to have lost our tickets
for the shuttle back to Bajor.

MAN
You’ve lost them.

CANDLEWOOD
Have you made a report to station
security?

MEN
We don’t need station security,
she’s just absent-minded.

CANDLEWOOD
Oh, I’m sure that’s not true. She
looks perfectly sensible to me.

WOMAN
Thank you.

MAN
Are you hitting on my wife?

CANDLEWOOD
Ha! Obviously not, that’s silly.​


By their faces, that clearly just made it worse.

Across the Promenade, Ro face-palms.

By the window, Candlewood is starting to sweat.


CANDLEWOOD
I just mean, I have no interest in
your wife that way.

WOMAN
So you’re saying I’m ugly now?

CANDLEWOOD
What? No, of course I’m not saying
that. I was just -

MAN
What the hell business is it of
yours anyway? Why are you
even talking to us?​


Candlewood looks back and forth between them, unsure how he got in this mess. He steps towards the large oval window...


CANDLEWOOD
Excuse me a moment.​


Candlewood OPENS the window, swinging it wide on a hidden hinge. He steps over the window sill and OUT into open space. He calmly closes the window behind him, and as the confused Bajoran couple watch, Candlewood drifts away into the darkness of space, politely waving them goodbye.


FLASH


Candlewood stands where he was, horrified at the situation he got himself in, as the Bajorans glare at him.

Suddenly his combadge BEEPS. He taps it gratefully.


RO (comm)
Ro to Candlewood. Report to Ops
immediately.

CANDLEWOOD
On my way, Commander.
(taps to close)
I’m sorry, I have to...​


Nothing to say, so Candlewood just scuttles away in shame.

Across the Promenade, Evik tries to comfort Ro.


EVIK
It’s okay. It takes some people a
little longer to learn.

RO
How to act like a normal sentient
life-form? Yeah. I wonder if Nog
and Tenmei are doing any better.​


By her expression, she doubts it.


9 INT. DS9 - PROMENADE (LOWER LEVEL)


Nog and TENMEI stroll along, looking for people to help.


TENMEI
I wonder if John’s got himself
punched yet.

NOG
He can’t help it, it’s not easy
for some people.

TENMEI
You took to it smoothly enough.

NOG
(shrug)
It’s no different from standard
Ferengi negotiation techniques.
You start from the universal truth
that every person has something
someone else wants. It’s just a
matter of knowing what. Any two
people can find an understanding,
you just facilitate it.

TENMEI
And then take a percentage of
the profits.

NOG
Obviously.

BIF
Hi!​


They have reached the Ethrakois’ shop, where little Bif sits outside with a big grin and a thwacking tail. Nog instinctively cringes back, but Tenmei is delighted.


TENMEI
Bif! What are you doing here?

BIF
I work here! Would you like to
come in and spend some money?

TENMEI
Ha! Can’t fault your honesty.
I’d love to. Come on, Nog!

NOG
(gulp)
Do we have to?

TENMEI
Aw, who could say no to that
adorable little face?​


Tenmei enters the shop, with Nog reluctantly following.


10 INT. DS9 - ETHRAKOIS’ SHOP


Tenmei and Nog browse the shelves - they are the only customers in there. Bif waits helpfully nearby.


BIF
Is there anything specific you’re
looking for?

TENMEI
Actually, now that you ask, I was
looking for something for the
coffee table in my quarters.

BIF
Right this way!​


Mrs Ethrakoi emerges from the store rooms at the back.


MRS ETHRAKOI
Well hello, darlins. My new hire
earnin’ his keep, ah see!

TENMEI
He certainly is! In fact, I think
this -
(picks up thingy)
- would look just lovely on my
coffee table.

BIF
Can I work the register? Can I,
can I?

MRS ETHRAKOI
(indulgent)
Oh okay. Just be careful.

BIF
Yes!​


Bif trots excitedly over to the register. Tenmei follows smiling at his eagerness, while Nog keeps his distance.

Bif JUMPS up onto the seat in front of the register, balances precariously on his hind legs while his front paws reach towards the controls. He taps one button...

...and the cash tray SHOOTS out at top speed, throwing the poor hapless puppy across the room where he CRASHES into a shelf of things and to the floor. Tenmei gasps in worry...


BIF (o.s.)
(from behind
register)
I’m okay! I’m good!​


Tenmei smiles in relief, but then Mr Ethrakoi comes stomping out of the back room...


MR ETHRAKOI
The hell was that damn noise?!

MRS ETHRAKOI
Don’t worry about it. It’s just
the kid learnin’ his way round
the register. Go back to sleep.

MR ETHRAKOI
That furry lil’ frelnik breakin’
my damn shop?

MRS ETHRAKOI
He just made us the first sale we
got all day, jackass. Meanwhile
you passed out in the back like
the fat lump o’ useless y’are.

MR ETHRAKOI
You better shut yo damn face,
woman, fore I shut it for ya.

MRS ETHRAKOI
Screw you, jackass.​


Not wanting to get in the middle of this, Tenmei just hands over her credit chip to Mrs Ethrakoi, who scans it into the system and hands it back. Tenmei picks up her purchase.


TENMEI
Come on Nog, let’s go.​


Tenmei drags Nog with her back out of the store and onto...


11 INT. DS9 - PROMENADE


Nog and Tenmei pause outside the shop.


NOG
Why are we leaving? Isn’t this
what we’re here to practise -
resolving people’s arguments?

TENMEI
I think this one is above our pay
grade, Nog. That’s a fight that’s
been going on for a long time.
I’m just worried about Bif...​


12 INT. DS9 - ETHRAKOIS’ SHOP


Bif clambers back out from behind the register, shakes himself free of debris. Mrs Ethrakoi grabs a brush-and-dustpan and starts clearing up the mess from the crash.


BIF
Sorry, Mrs Ethrakoi.

MRS ETHRAKOI
Don’t you worry about a thang,
sweet thang.

MR ETHRAKOI
Damn should be worryin’ about it.
You bring that stoopid lil’ thang
in here, takin’ money out’a mah
pocket, and then he goes smashin’
what he spose’d to be sellin’.

MRS ETHRAKOI
(brandishes brush)
You too stoopid to notice how the
only customers we had all day done
scrammed the second you show yo
fat ass around here? That’s where
yo money be goin’ - out that door
chased by yo ugly face.

MR ETHRAKOI
I’m warnin’ you, woman.

MRS ETHRAKOI
Screw you, jackass.​


She turns away to continue cleaning up.

Sneering his disgust, he approaches and KICKS her on the behind, knocking her sprawling to the deck with a CRASH.

She SEETHES, and in a moment of fury, grabs a glass paper-weight off a nearby shelf, turns and HURLS it at him.

The paper-weight HITS him right on the head, sending him to the deck and SMASHING more glass objects.


13 INT. DS9 - PROMENADE


Hearing the SMASH, Nog and Tenmei turn in worry...


14 INT. DS9 - ETHRAKOIS’ SHOP


Shaking the cobwebs from his bloodied head, Mr Ethrakoi scrambles back to his feet, and advances in a BLIND RAGE on his ex-wife, who is still prone on the deck.

She sees the fury in his eyes, tries to back away...

He bends down towards her, raising his FIST to strike, and they disappear from view behind the cash register...

Little Bif has been watching all this, frozen in fear, tiny ears folded back, spines flat, tears in his eyes...

And as we stay on the poor terrified puppy, we hear Mr Ethrakoi PUNCH his ex-wife. She SCREAMS. He PUNCHES her again. She SCREAMS again. All hidden by the register, but the sounds are unmistakable... and continuing.

Tenmei and Nog RUSH back into the room, and seeing what is going on, Nog slaps his combadge.


NOG
Security and medical to the
Ethrakois’ shop, now! NOW!​


Tenmei rushes to Mr Ethrakoi, grabs his arm and TWISTS it behind his back. He ROARS in frustrated fury.

Nog scoops little Bif off the deck and holds him safely to his chest, the tiny puppy quivering in fear as Mr Ethrakoi rages and Mrs Ethrakoi whimpers...


FADE OUT


END OF ACT TWO​
 
ACT THREE​


FADE IN


14 INT. DS9 - INFIRMARY


Mrs Ethrakoi lies on a bio-bed, sniffling away her tears as Bashir slowly, carefully passes a DERMAL REGENERATOR over her bruised, bloodied and swollen face. He speaks gently.


BASHIR
Mrs Ethrakoi... you can’t go on
like this.​


She doesn’t respond.


BASHIR
This is the third time I’ve healed
your wounds. And this isn’t even
the worst time, is it?​


She looks away, sniffles some more.


BASHIR
Mrs Ethrakoi... I don’t want to
pry where I’m not wanted. But
as your doctor, I can’t just stand
by and let this continue.

MRS ETHRAKOI
You won’t understand.

BASHIR
Maybe not. But that doesn’t mean I
can’t listen. Doesn’t mean I can’t
help. And my promise still counts
- it doesn’t leave this room.​


She thinks about it for a moment, wipes the tears away. Finally she hauls herself up to sit sideways on the bed.


MRS ETHRAKOI
He used to love me. I’m sure he
did. When we first got married,
moved here, opened the shop...

BASHIR
I remember your first visit to the
infirmary. I’m so sorry I couldn’t
save the baby.

MRS ETHRAKOI
Ain’t yo fault, Doctor. He’s the one
who hit me.

BASHIR
And there’s no excuse for that.
You were right to divorce him.

MRS ETHRAKOI
And what did that get me? Ah get
to sleep in peace once in a while.
Still gotta face him every day.

BASHIR
Is there really no way you can
get out of the business?

MRS ETHRAKOI
An’ do what? That shop’s my whole
life. Ain’t got no man, ain’t got no
children. Ain’t gonna lose my
livelihood too.

BASHIR
Sooner or later, it might be your
livelihood or your life.​


She nods silently. That already occurred to her.


MRS ETHRAKOI
I thought if I just stood up to
him, gave back as good as I
got... it wouldn’t be so bad.

BASHIR
But that’s not working, is it?​


She shakes her head. No, it’s not. Bashir gently reaches out to hold her hand in comfort... she lets him take it.


15 INT. DS9 - SECURITY CELLS


Mr Ethrakoi stands inside a cell, fists clenched and breath still heavy with rage. The forcefield buzzes over the cell. The blood and bruise is still on his head.

Outside the cell, Lt Cmdr Evik stands gazing at him, rather troubled by it all. How did this happen?

He turns away and heads back to the office.


16 INT. DS9 - SECURITY OFFICE


Evik re-enters the security office from the cells. Nog and Tenmei are waiting nervously.


TENMEI
Lieutenant Commander, I’m so
sorry. I should never have left
them alone.

EVIK
That’s alright, Lieutenant. You
had no way of knowing it would
escalate to that extent.

TENMEI
But if we’d stayed, it might not
have escalated at all.

EVIK
Lieutenant, you are not to blame
for this situation. How’s young
Mister Eoba?

NOG
I took him back to the bar, his
father’s looking after him. The
shop is closed for the day.

EVIK
Thank you, Nog.

RO (comm)
Ro to Evik - I’d like you to
come to my office, please.​


Evik hesitates - he has been waiting for this call.


EVIK
I’m on my way, Commander. If
you’ll excuse me, Lieutenants.​


Evik walks out onto the Promenade, leaving Nog and Tenmei alone.

They look to the screens, which show Mr Ethrakoi...


17 INT. DS9 - COMMANDER’S OFFICE


Ro is not happy.


RO
I want that man prosecuted, Mister
Evik. Clapped in irons. Extradited
back to his homeworld. Thrown
into the damn sun.​


Evik takes a deep breath.


EVIK
Commander... can we sit?

RO
I guess...​


Evik leads them over to the couches, takes a seat. Ro picks up two mugs of coffee from the replicator, hands one to Evik, sits beside him.


EVIK
Mr Ethrakoi will be prosecuted, I
assure you of that. Since we have
witnesses, it’s not a question of
whether Mrs Ethrakoi presses the
charges or not this time - charges
will be pressed. But... I’m still
hoping there’s another way.

RO
What are you talking about?

EVIK
Commander - actually, may I call
you Laren?

RO
We’ve known each other long
enough, I guess. Sure.

EVIK
Alright, then. Laren... I truly,
genuinely believe that the way to
deal with these situations, with
any situation, is with words. Not
fists, not walls. Crime, in almost
every case, is caused by imbalance
of one kind or another. Somebody
has something the other wants,
feels something the other doesn’t
feel, believes something the other
doesn’t believe. If you can just
resolve that imbalance, then you
haven’t just punished the crime,
you’ve removed any reason for
it to happen at all.

RO
It’s an admirable idea, Nath.
But is it realistic?

EVIK
I should hope so - isn’t it the
basis of the entire Federation?
Look at the advances Earth has
made, for example. Once unlimited
power was discovered, replicators
to make whatever you wanted...
all inequalities were gone just like
that. Problems that had troubled
the planet for centuries - solved
in a handful of years. Nobody
wanted for anything anymore, so
greed and jealousy disappeared...
(shrug)
...and with them almost all
crime and injustice.

RO
I think it’s a little more complex
than that, Nath.

EVIK
Perhaps. But that’s the goal. It’s
also a big part of why I wanted to
join Starfleet, even before Bajor
joined the Federation... because
I admired its ideals. And by and
large, it’s achieved those ideals.

RO
Okay, answer me this. If you think
greed and want are the source of
all evil... how come you’re such
good friends with Quark?​


Evik is surprised into a delighted BARK of a laugh.


EVIK
I honestly can’t say. I suppose we
just get along. I take him at face
value, he takes me the same way.
Plus... I’ve found that if you
approach people with optimism,
treat them as though they are a
good person, with a good heart,
they more often than not want to
live up to the person you already
believe them to be. They don’t
want to disappoint you. And the
world becomes a better place.

RO
(smile)
Strange how two people who grew
up in the same circumstances can
come out of it with such opposite
perspectives. I saw the pain, the
starvation, the violence... and I
only saw two options. Join in the
fight, or run away. That’s why I
joined Starfleet - not because I
admired them. But because I
had nowhere else to go.

EVIK
Whereas I saw all the good things
that came out of that horror. The
people bonding in the face of
adversity, surviving by any means
necessary, still choosing love
over hate even in such horrible
conditions. It is possible. And I
believe it might even be possible
here. If I can just get Mister and
Mrs Ethrakoi to sit down and talk
to each other, if I can facilitate
some kind of reconciliation, even
after everything that’s happened,
isn’t that a good thing?

RO
Is it, though? He beat his wife.
Does the kind of man who can do
that deserve any reconciliation?

EVIK
I know. I understand, I do. It’s
an almost impossibly difficult
situation. But one’s ideals mean
nothing if one gives them up just
when they are tested the most.​


Ro sits back, sips her coffee. Evik has given her a lot to think about.


RO
When I ran away to Starfleet, I
was lucky to find someone who
believed in me. Someone who was
prepared to give me a chance. It
seems only right that I should
pass on the favour.

EVIK
(relieved)
So you’re going to let me try?

RO
You can try. I’d keep a tight hold
on your expectations, though, if I
were you. They have to both want
it... and even then there’s no
guarantee it’ll work.

EVIK
I realise that, Commander. But
it’ll certainly never work if we
don’t even try.​


With a deep breath, Evik gets to his feet.


EVIK
Thank you for the talk. I’ll let
you know how I get on.​


Ro nods her understanding, so Evik places his coffee mug back in the replicator and heads back out to Ops.


FADE OUT


END OF ACT THREE​
 
ACT FOUR​


FADE IN


18 INT. DS9 - WARDROOM


Mr Ethrakoi stands from his chair in a fury, bellowing:


MR ETHRAKOI
I ain’t gotta defend nothin’!​


Sat next to him, Lt Cmdr Evik speaks calmly but firmly.


EVIK
Mister Ethrakoi. Please remain
calm and take your seat.​


Seething, Mr Ethrakoi does as he is told - for now.

Evik regathers his wits, looks between Mr Ethrakoi sat next to him, Mrs Ethrakoi across the conference table from them both, and Counsellor MATTHIAS sat next to Mrs Ethrakoi.


EVIK
This is an official criminal
proceeding, Mister Ethrakoi. You
could be deported back to Barolia
if I or Commander Ro deem it
justified. I’m trying to help you
avoid that, so it is in your own
interest to cooperate.

MRS ETHRAKOI
Oh, just deport the jackass. Got
plenty o’ warrants waitin’ for ya
back home, ain’t that right?

MR ETHRAKOI
You shut yo damn face, woman.

EVIK
(warning)
Mister Ethrakoi.
(deep breath)
In fact, your wife is correct.

MRS ETHRAKOI
Ex wife.

EVIK
My apologies. But the pressing of
charges allowed me to investigate
your past on your homeworld, and
there are several outstanding
warrants for your arrest. Public
drunkenness, affray, petty theft.

MR ETHRAKOI
Ain’t nothin’.

EVIK
Not so. They may be comparatively
minor offences in the grand scheme
of things, but they do establish
a pattern of behaviour.

MR ETHRAKOI
Damn, you love yo fancy words, huh?

MRS ETHRAKOI
He saying you a jackass, jackass.

EVIK
Mrs Ethrakoi, please. I also can’t
help notice the timing of these
warrants - only weeks before
your arrival on this station.

MRS ETHRAKOI
He runnin’ from the law, ain’t he?

EVIK
With, if I may say, Mrs Ethrakoi,
your apparent complicity.

MRS ETHRAKOI
We was young and in love. I guess
I liked the bad boys back then.
Thought we could start over
somewhere new.

EVIK
And somewhere with no extradition
treaty with Barolia.​


Mrs Ethrakoi shrugs, admitting it. Matthias speaks up...


MATTHIAS
Mister and Mrs Ethrakoi, if you
were so in love then, so much
so that you would leave your
homeworld and travel across the
Alpha Quadrant for a new start
together... what went wrong?

MR ETHRAKOI
You heard how she talks to me.
Woman always callin’ me fat
and lazy and jackass.

MRS ETHRAKOI
Just sayin’ how it is.

MATTHIAS
Words, however hurtful, are one
thing, Mister Ethrakoi. Fists are
quite another. But my point is,
you loved each other once.​


A moment of quiet. The Barolians look at each other...


MRS ETHRAKOI
Nope. Ain’t nothin’ o’ that left
now. Not since the bastard beat
me and killed my child.

EVIK
He... what?

MRS ETHRAKOI
I told him I was pregnant. We was
gonna have a baby. He beat me so
hard... the baby died inside me.​


Evik has to pause to process that. He is genuinely shaken and has no idea how to react to such news. Matthias stretches a hand across the table to hold Mrs Ethrakoi’s.


MR ETHRAKOI
I told you I didn’t want no damn
baby. But you went ahead anyway.​


At this, Evik, looks up in astonishment.


EVIK
Mister Ethrakoi... are you trying
to actually justify the murder of
your own unborn child?​


Mr Ethrakoi has the decency to blink a couple of times... but he cannot back down.


MR ETHRAKOI
Damn woman should’a shut her damn
face and done as she was told.​


Evik has to pause again. This is shaking his entire world view. Also shaken, Matthias tries to fill the void.


MATTHIAS
Mrs Ethrakoi... could you try to
explain for us how you felt when
that happened? If you could put
your feelings into words, what
would they be?​


Mrs Ethrakoi gathers herself, looks across the table at her defiant ex-husband.


MRS ETHRAKOI
Betrayal. Man I loved, man I
trusted... he hurt me so bad
I couldn’t barely breathe.
Scared to even look at him.

EVIK
Mrs Ethrakoi... I’m so sorry.
I had no idea.

MR ETHRAKOI
(scoff)
Ain’t you the chief of security
around here? Y’ought’a know.

EVIK
(tensing)
The first day I arrived on this
station, Mister Ethrakoi, you were
in a cell, arrested for breaking
into your ex-wife’s quarters. I
read your station record then,
including your wife’s visit to the
Infirmary. Or should I say, her
first visit. But the extent of her
injuries was not included in that
report. I was always curious why
you never chose to press charges
then, Mrs Ethrakoi.

MRS ETHRAKOI
I told ya - I was scared.
(at her ex-husband)
I ain’t scared no mo, jackass.
‘Sides, I handled it mah own way.

MATTHIAS
That’s when you filed for divorce?

MRS ETHRAKOI
Ain’t you? If you woke up in
hospital with a dead baby inside
you, and you realised the man
you married, all the little things
you let pass ‘cause you love him,
they ain’t the exception, they the
rule - ain’t you do the same?​


Matthias doesn’t answer that - she can’t imagine her own husband ever doing something so horrible. A new tack...


MATTHIAS
And Mister Ethrakoi... how do you
respond to your ex-wife telling
you how you made her feel?

MR ETHRAKOI
Don’t matter! Woman embarrassed
me. Divorcin’ me like that - y’aint
do that!

EVIK
So, just to be clear, your main
concern at the fact that your wife
saw fit to divorce you is not what
you might have done to cause that,
but that the divorce might cause
you to lose face?

MATTHIAS
(devil’s advocate)
To be fair, Commander, that is
consistent with Barolian culture.
Divorce is an extremely rare and
very shameful thing to them.​


Evik gets up from his seat - breaking his own instructions from earlier - and turns away. He needs to step away from this for a moment to catch his breath and keep his temper.

After a moment, he turns back and approaches the table.


EVIK
My wish in all of this has been
to get to the root of the issues
between you, and resolve them so
that you might live together in
peace. I must say, you are making
that a rather challenging task.
(draws himself up)
But it is still a worthy goal. And
I have to believe you think so
too. Even after the divorce, you
work together, you run that shop
together. Surely that signifies a
desire to remain close in some
way, to resolve your differences.

MRS ETHRAKOI
You think I wanna walk into that
shop and see his face every day,
after what he did to me?

EVIK
Then why do you stay?

MRS ETHRAKOI
Cause I ain’t the one who ought’a
leave! It’s mah shop, I put all
mah savin’s into it, I’m the one
who does all the damn work,
and I ain’t done nothin’ wrong!

MR ETHRAKOI
It’s mah shop too, woman! I put
just as much money into it as you
did, and I ain’t lettin’ you take it
all from me after you embarrass
me like that!

MRS ETHRAKOI
Yeah, and if you leave you ain’t
got nowhere to go but back home
and straight into a Barolian prison,
ain’t that right?

MR ETHRAKOI
(stands, angry)
I ain’t goin’ to no damn prison
for you, bitch!​


Like a shot, Evik’s HAND is around Mr Ethrakoi’s THROAT, and the Barolian is LIFTED an inch off the floor. Evik is in an almost mindless fury, acting on pure instinct.

Matthias shoots to her feet in alarm...


MATTHIAS
Lieutenant Commander!​


Evik comes at least partly to his senses and lets go of Mr Ethrakoi’s throat.

But the moment he steps back, the Barolian man swings a PUNCH into Evik’s face in retaliation. Evik stumbles back. Matthias and Mrs Ethrakoi YELP in surprise.

Evik takes a moment to reorient, coming back at Mr Ethrakoi with a look of steely determination.

Mr Ethrakoi begins to realise he may have crossed a line here, but he is still incapable of backing down.


EVIK
(eyes on Mr E)
Counsellor Matthias... please take
Mrs Ethrakoi back to the security
office. I’m also going to need a
couple of deputies.​


Worried about what’s about to happen, Matthias does as he asks. She takes Mrs Ethrakoi’s arm and gently leads her to the door, exiting the room and leaving the two men alone.


EVIK
Mister Ethrakoi...​


Before he can continue, the Barolian goes on the offensive. He comes at Evik with another PUNCH...

...and Evik avoids it effortlessly, stepping aside and SHOVING Ethrakoi until he collapses over the table.

Ethrakoi turns and attacks again with a wild, uncoordinated PUNCH towards Evik’s head...

...Evik grabs the fist in mid-air, TWISTS Ethrakoi’s arm behind his back and WRENCHES it right up, immobilising him.

Ethrakoi SCREAMS - Evik takes pity and lets go. Ethrakoi takes advantage and PUNCHes Evik again, successfully now.

Evik has had enough - this ends NOW. Gritting his teeth, he aims a series of lightning-speed PUNCHes right at the Barolian’s face - BAM BAM BAM. Ethrakoi hits the deck.

Catching his breath, Evik reaches down, grabs the dazed and beaten Barolian, hauls him upright with his arm twisted behind him again, and presses him against the bulkhead.

...and this is where the entering SECURITY OFFICERS find them. Evik acknowledges their arrival with a nod, and they stay where they are - he clearly has this under control.

Evik keeps Ethrakoi pinned hard against the bulkhead. There is absolutely no sense that the Barolian will get free, no matter how much he struggles. Evik speaks calm and low...


EVIK
I must apologise, Mister Ethrakoi.
I believe that if I have to use
force, then I’ve already failed
in my duty. As a peacekeeper, I
should have been able to resolve
this situation before it went so
far. So I apologise for my failure
to persuade you from this path.
(pause)
But this is what people seem to
misunderstand about me. They think
that a man who believes in peace
is not capable of using force. I
assure you that’s not true. Now...
do I continue to demonstrate that,
or are you going to - as the
humans say - “come quietly”?​


Reluctantly, Ethrakoi nods his acquiescence. Evik turns to his officers and nods them over - they come and take hold of the Barolian man by both arms, marching him to the door.

Evik watches them go... then collapses back into his seat at the table, head in his hands, disgusted with himself.


FADE OUT


END OF ACT FOUR​
 
ACT FIVE​


FADE IN


19 EXT. DEEP SPACE NINE


Standard establishing shot...


20 INT. DS9 - COMMANDER’S OFFICE


Ro looks at the padd in her hand, then back up at Evik.


RO
What the hell is this?​


Evik stands before her desk, at attention and eyes straight ahead, hands clasped behind his back.


EVIK
I submit myself for discipline,
Commander. I used force against
a prisoner under my own protection.
That is utterly inexcusable.

RO
(sigh)
Nath... at ease.
(he doesn’t)
That’s an order. Take a seat.​


Reluctantly, Evik does relax a little, and takes the seat across from Ro’s.


RO
I read the counsellor’s report.
She said Ethrakoi attacked you.

EVIK
That’s true, he did. But only
after I attacked him first.

RO
...you did?

EVIK
I’m a fraud, Commander. That much
is clear to me now. For all my high
ideals and promises of peace, the
moment they are tested I revert
to the same base brutality that
I rail against in others.

RO
So what you’re saying is...
you’re a normal person.

EVIK
Violence is not normal. It cannot
be allowed to become normal.

RO
Every living thing has a capacity
for it, Nath. I’d congratulate you
on having lasted this long without
it, actually.

EVIK
No. For years I’ve studied police
procedures and discipline. I read
about so-called police brutality,
and I could hardly believe such
a thing was possible. And as for
domestic violence.... So now, I’ve
betrayed everything I believe in.
There must be consequences.
(beat)
I therefore request that you
discipline me, Commander. A formal
reprimand. Demotion. Perhaps even
a court-martial. I couldn’t live with
myself otherwise.

RO
I’m not going to do that, Nath.

EVIK
Commander -

RO
No. Look, Nath - you’re right. You
do have extremely high principles.
Just because you weren’t able to
fully live up to them one time, in
some extreme circumstances where
by the sound of it I would have
done a lot worse, I won’t let you
throw your career away in shame.
If it salves your conscience, then
I’ll place a reprimand on your
record and order you to attend
counselling. But I’m not going
to demote you or court-martial
you... I need you too much.​


Evik wants to keep fighting... but maybe she’s right.


EVIK
Thank you, Commander.

RO
Okay, good. Now, I’ve spoken with
the Barolian Ambassador - he’s on
the station to let Minister Fandor
persuade him to break their trade
agreements with the Romulans and
come over to us. And he was quite
happy to hear that we could hand
over an unapprehended criminal
with outstanding arrest warrants.

EVIK
You mean he’s going to take Mister
Ethrakoi back to Barolia with him?

RO
We may not have an extradition
treaty with them, but now that
Ethrakoi’s been arrested and
charged with a full felony, not
just a B-and-E misdemeanour,
we have the grounds to deport
him back to his homeworld.​


Evik takes a deep breath, absorbing that.


EVIK
That’s... that’s good.

RO
Yes it is. Mister Ethrakoi gets
the punishment he deserves, and
Mrs Ethrakoi gets to take full
control of the shop and move on
with her life. And you... you need
to do the same, Mister Evik.​


Evik sits there - can he do that?


21 INT. DS9 - PROMENADE


Nog, Tenmei and Candlewood stroll along the Promenade, Nog sucking happily on a jumja stick.


NOG
Took me forever to get the little
bits of green fur off my uniform.
In the end I just put the whole
thing in the replicator and let
it make me a new one.

CANDLEWOOD
Oh come on, Nog. That’s going
a bit far, isn’t it?

NOG
You didn’t see how the little
thing was shedding all over me.

TENMEI
Well I thought it was sweet. Your
first instinct in a difficult situation
was to look after the frightened child.

CANDLEWOOD
Aww... you couldn’t help yourself,
Nog. You’re just too nice.

NOG
Speaking of can’t help yourself,
you never said how your first
stint commanding Ops went.

TENMEI
Oh, let me guess.​


CUT TO:


22 INT. DS9 - MAIN OPS CENTRE


Ops is in utter chaos.

One ensign is busy THROTTLING a second. A third kneels on the deck, CRYING for no apparent reason.

A fourth is just a pair of legs DANGLING out of a high-up computer console and desperately calling for HELP.

The main Ops table is ON FIRE, and Candlewood is uselessly squirting a fire extinguisher at it, while more ensigns run back and forth behind him, chasing a flying CAMERA DRONE.


CUT TO:


23 BACK TO SCENE


CANDLEWOOD
(pouting)
No.
(straightens uniform)
In fact it was a perfectly calm
and pleasant afternoon, thank
you very much.​


CUT TO:


24 INT. DS9 - MAIN OPS CENTRE


Candlewood sits at his science station, looking out over the junior crew staffing Ops...

...and it has the same calm, sunny and sweet, Disney-like sheen that the Promenade did in Scene 3. Full of peaceful, friendly people who are all perfectly happy.


CUT TO:


25 BACK TO SCENE


CANDLEWOOD
Actually I pretty much just kept
my head down and kept working,
and let everyone else do the same.

NOG
That’s actually the right thing to
do. They all know what their job
is, so let them do it. You’re just
there to answer questions and
stay out of their way.

CANDLEWOOD
Well in that case, I’m a natural.​


By now they have reached the Ethrakois’ shop again. Little puppy Bif is back sitting in the open doorway, spines erect and tail thumping away.


BIF
Hi!​


Nog cringes back again, but Tenmei grins while Candlewood leans down and scritches behind the puppy’s ears.


TENMEI
Hi, Bif! How’s things?

BIF
Things are very good, thank you,
Lieutenant. Would you like to
come into the shop? We have
some exciting new deliveries!

TENMEI
I’d love to. Come on, guys!

NOG
(mutter)
Do we have to...?​


Tenmei and Candlewood follow Bif into the shop, with Nog grudgingly following behind...


26 INT. DS9 - ETHRAKOIS’ SHOP


They enter the shop to find it PACKED with customers, a mix of officers and civilians, all freely browsing the shelves.

Mrs Ethrakoi herself is at the register, busily ringing up one purchase after another. She has never looked happier, and cheerily waves as she recognises the new customers.


MRS ETHRAKOI
Well hello, darlins! How y’all
doin’ this faaahn afternoon?

TENMEI
(wide grin)
We’re doing just fine, thank you
Mrs Ethrakoi.

MRS ETHRAKOI
(playful finger-wag)
Awww honey - we ain’t sayin’ that
name round these parts no mo.
You call me Bissenna, ya hear?

TENMEI
Loud and clear, ma’am.​


Meanwhile Candlewood has been browsing the shelves. He has picked up a candlestick and is checking it over...


CANDLEWOOD
Hey Prynn! What do you think of
this for my windowsill?

TENMEI
I thought you already had a
candlestick on your windowsill?

CANDLEWOOD
I did. It kind of... got broken.​


A moment... then Prynn rolls her eyes and Candlewood grins.


TENMEI
Fine. Go ahead.​


Meanwhile Bif has clambered up onto the register counter. Mrs Ethrakoi picks him up and holds him to her chest. Tenmei sees this, smiles sadly. Nog cringes.


TENMEI
How are you doing, really? Is
everything okay?​


Mrs Ethrakoi looks down at the tiny puppy cradled on her chest. She strokes his furry little head, gazing wistfully.


MRS ETHRAKOI
Not everything. But enough to be
goin’ on.​


Candlewood arrives with his purchase.


CANDLEWOOD
Hi! I’d like to buy this, please.

BIF
Can I work the register? Can I,
can I?

MRS ETHRAKOI
(indulgent)
Oh okay. Just be careful.

BIF
Yes!​


Mrs Ethrakoi places the puppy gently down on the chair in front of the register, and steps back out of the way.

Bif balances precariously on his hind legs while his front paws reach towards the controls. He taps one button...

...and the cash tray SHOOTS out at top speed, throwing the poor hapless puppy across the room where he CRASHES into a shelf of things and to the floor.

Tenmei and Candlewood gasp in worry...


BIF (o.s.)
(from behind
register)
I’m okay! I’m good!​


BLACK OUT


END OF SHOW​
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
If you are not already a member then please register an account and join in the discussion!

Sign up / Register


Back
Top