I have three different drafts of this script and the earliest one is the version Sturgeon turned in as his final draft. It's dated May 2, 1967 and I *think* it would have been the basis for the production company's first draft. Anyway, Spock goes to sickbay in this version but there's no mention of a deck number. The deck number is in the June 3, 1967 and subsequent versions.
Btw, I don't understand Memory Alpha's cataloging of the various Amok Time scripts -- the draft revisions and dates don't match the real world.
Thanks for the info alchemist, I'll amend my notes accordingly.
As I understand it, "Amok Time" was planned for the late 1st season but but was held until the 2nd because of Sturgeon's reputation for a laborious writing process. So maybe Blish got hold of a very early outline and that's why his differs slightly in regards later versions? It
is interesting that he doesn't actually give any dialogue for these scenes, but just describes the situation, as if he's referencing a mere outline, and not a more fleshed out early draft.
Also to clarify, I assume you mean to say that Spock (and Kirk?) went from the bridge to sickbay as in the final version, or did Spock go from his quarters to sickbay? And since you say Spock went to sickbay but no deck # is given, then I assume Spock (or Kirk?) gave the turbolift destination as "sickbay"?
The reason I ask is because even in the Blish version Spock goes to sickbay after the conversation with Kirk, it's just a matter of the scene location (Spock's quarters vs the turbolift) that changes.
IOW, the "deck 5" dialogue would be originally Kirk's as he goes to Spock's quarters from the bridge after finding out that his orders were changed, but later after talking to Spock, orders him to sickbay, so the latter would comply - possibly by taking a turbolift and saying "sickbay" to the computer?
Sorry to seem so nit-picky, but I really am trying to understand what might have went on to the best of my ability, and I still get the feeling that there was some confusion between Spock's quarters (deck 5?) and sickbay.
BTW, I was indeed going by Memory Alpha's info, the only draft script I was able to find online was the final draft dated the day before filming was to begin, and by then all the dialogue and scenes in question match what's onscreen.