time's arrow, pt 1

STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION "Time's Arrow" #40275-226 Story by Joe Menosky Teleplay by Joe Menosky & Michael Piller Directed by Les Landau

THE WRITING CREDITS MAY NOT BE FINAL AND SHOULD NOT BE USEDFOR PUBLICITY OR ADVERTISING PURPOSES WITHOUT FIRST CHECKINGWITH THE TELEVISION LEGAL DEPARTMENT.

Copyright 1992 Paramount Pictures Corporation. All RightsReserved. This script is not for publication orreproduction. No one is authorized to dispose of same. Iflost or destroyed, please notify the Script Department.

FINAL DRAFT

APRIL 6, 1992

STAR TREK: "Time's Arrow" - REV. 4/06/92 - CAST

STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION "Time's Arrow"

CAST PICARD SAMUEL CLEMENS RIKER BELLBOY DATA GAMBLER BEVERLY SEAMAN TROI AMERICAN INDIAN GEORDI BEGGAR WORF DOORMAN ROUGHNECK GUINAN SCIENTIST Non-Speaking A MAN Non-Speaking A WOMAN SUPERNUMERARIES N.D. MAN (MISTER LANE) BUSINESSMAN SOCIETY PEOPLE ALIENS

STAR TREK: "Time's Arrow" - 4/06/92 - SETS

STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION "Time's Arrow" SETS

INTERIORS EXTERIORS USS ENTERPRISE USS ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE READY ROOM DEVIDIA TWO ENGINEERING TEN FORWARD 24TH CENT. SAN FRANCISCO OBSERVATION LOUNGE HOTEL 19TH CENT. SAN FRANCISCO/ DATA'S ROOM STREET POKER ROOM ALLEY 24TH CENTURY SAN FRANCISCO UNDERGROUND CAVERN HOTEL VICTORIAN HOME VICTORIAN HOME BALLROOM

STAR TREK: "Time's Arrow" - 4/06/92 - TEASER 1.

STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION "Time's Arrow" TEASER

FADE IN:

1 EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL)

in orbit of Earth.

PICARD (V.O.)Captain's log, stardate 45959.1.The Enterprise has been recalledto sector zero zero one on apriority mission.

2 EXT. 24TH CENTURY SAN FRANCISCO - DAY - ESTABLISHING

PICARD (V.O.)(continuing)All we've been told is thatevidence has been discoveredindicating the presence ofextraterrestrials on Earth...five centuries ago.

3 INT. UNDERGROUND CAVERN

PICARD and DATA move down a tunnel illuminated bymining lights... a SCIENTIST, male, late forties,leads the way...

SCIENTISTWork crews were down hereinstalling seismic regulators whenthey found some remarkableartifacts...

He pulls back a tarp to reveal a collection ofartifacts from the late 1800s... perhaps a broken pairof bifocals, a pocket watch, a pistol, a canteen,bullets and bullet case...

PICARDAnd it's been determined that theydate back to the late nineteenthcentury... ?

STAR TREK: "Time's Arrow" - REV. 4/09/92 - TEASER 2.

3 CONTINUED:

DATA(studying them)The biofocal vision aide istypical of the era... the weaponis a forty-five caliber singleaction cavalry pistol inventedby Colt Firearms in 1873.

SCIENTIST(nods)Look inside the watch.

Data examines the watch and opens it... time hasstopped long ago... the face is cracked and broken...there is an engraving: "To S.L.C., with love. 30November, 1889."

PICARDWhat makes you thinkextraterrestrials are related tothis discovery...

SCIENTISTThe crew was having a problem withthe regulators... something inthe cavern was interfering withthe phase conditioners... itturned out to be the cavernitself... do you have a tricorder,Commander?

Data takes out his tricorder and takes readings, reactscuriously...

DATAThe composition of the exposedrockface has been altered byexposure to triolic waves...

SCIENTISTWhich you're not going to findon Earth... in either thenineteenth or twenty-fourthcentury...

PICARDTriolic waves?

STAR TREK: "Time's Arrow" - REV. 4/09/92 - TEASER 3.

3 CONTINUED: (2)

DATAThe byproduct of an energysource employed by very fewspecies because of its deleteriouseffects on living tissue...

SCIENTISTWe've confirmed that no one hasbeen in or out of this cavern incenturies... so we're left witha five-hundred-year-old mystery.

PICARDI'm curious, Doctor. There arefar greater experts on Earth whocould investigate your mystery.Why bring the Enterprise all theway home?

The scientist gives them a quick, grim glance ...

SCIENTISTAs we continued our excavation,we found one other thing I haven'tshown you yet...

He leads them across the chamber...

SCIENTISTWe've tried to leave everythingas we found it...

He pulls back another tarp to reveal something we don'timmediately see...

4 PICARD

reacts, stunned.

5 DATA

reacts, very curious.

STAR TREK: "Time's Arrow" - 4/06/92 - TEASER 4.

6 THE SCIENTIST

studies their reactions and as he looks back down wefollow his gaze to see Data's head broken at theneck... dusty, old and dead...

FADE OUT.

END OF TEASER

STAR TREK: "Time's Arrow" - REV. 4/16/92 - ACT ONE 5.

ACT ONE

FADE IN:

(NOTE: Episode credits fall over opening scenes.)


Still in orbit of Earth...

PICARD (V.O.)Captain's log, stardate 45960.2.We have transported the materialsdiscovered in the cavern back tothe ship for analysis. I wish Icould be as dispassionate aboutthe implications as my secondofficer...

8 INT. ENGINEERING (OPTICAL)

Close on Data's head at a work station... it is open,circuitry exposed, Data examines it with a 24th-centurymicroscopic device... Picard and RIKER look over hisshoulder, waiting for some conclusion...

DATAInteresting... there has been atwelve percent decomposition ofthe bitanium in the neural pathwaylinks... it suggests the alloysare vulnerable to...

RIKERData...

DATAYessir... ?

RIKERHow can you look inside that...and analyze the decomposition...without... without...

Riker struggles for the right word for a beat...

DATAEmotion, sir?

RIKER... without, I don't know...

STAR TREK: "Time's Arrow" - REV. 4/13/92 - ACT ONE 5A.

8 CONTINUED:

DATAI am simply trying to make anobjective assessment.

PICARDIs it... yours, Data?


8 CONTINUED:

DATAI am quite certain that it is,Captain.

PICARDCould it be Lore?

DATAMy brother's positronic brain hada type L phase-discriminatingamplifier... mine is type R.

PICARD(re: the head)Type R?

DATA(acknowledging)Yessir.

PICARDCan you determine how long it hasbeen in the cavern?

DATA(glances at Riker)As I was going to say, thedecomposition strongly indicatesthat life was terminatedapproximately five hundred yearsago. That would be consistentwith the other artifacts recovered.

RIKERYour head is not an artifact.

DATAIn relative terms, perhaps not.Nevertheless, it seems clear thatmy life is to end in the latenineteenth century.

RIKERNot if we can help it.

DATA(curious)There is nothing anyone can doto prevent it, sir.(MORE)

STAR TREK: "Time's Arrow" - 4/06/92 - ACT ONE 6A.

8 CONTINUED: (2)

DATA (cont'd)At some future date, I will betransported back to nineteenthcentury Earth... where I will die.It has occurred. It will occur.

The ease with which he speaks it is unnerving.GEORDI, who has been working in another part ofengineering, moves to them...

GEORDII can't tell you exactly who thealiens were... but I have foundout a few things...

He sits at a computer station... calls up somethingon the monitor...

GEORDIThe triolicized rock face tellsus we're probably dealing witha species with microcentrum cellmembranes. Triolic waveswouldn't harm them. Also mightmean they're shape shifters ofsome kind...

STAR TREK: "Time's Arrow" - 4/06/92 - ACT ONE 7.

8 CONTINUED: (3)

RIKERSo they could have appeared asHumans on Earth...

GEORDI(nods)I don't think it's anyone we'verun into before... nothing wefound matches up with any knownlifeform...

He switches programs...

GEORDIWhat does match up... is acellular fossil that might havejust come along for the ride...

PICARDCellular fossil... ?

9 ANGLE (OPTICAL)

He calls up a blow-up of a one cell fossil...

GEORDIA microscopic ciliatedlifeform... not that differentfrom a thousand other single celllifeforms that you'd find on anyplanet surface... except thisparticular one isL-B-one-zero-four-four-five...and L-B-one-zero-four-four-fiveis only known to exist on oneplanet... Devidia Two in theMarrab sector...

PICARDNumber One, lay in a course...

RIKERAye, sir...

He EXITS... there's a moment when Picard exchanges aglance with Data, like there's something he might liketo say, but then he follows Riker out... on Data'sexpression...



Going to warp.

11 INT. TEN FORWARD (OPTICAL)

Data and Geordi sit at the bar... a beat in silence...Geordi is obviously shaken by the events, isdepressed...

GEORDISo?

Data cocks his head.

DATAI have no reference point by whichyour question can be answered.

GEORDISo... do you feel like talkingabout it?

DATAAre you referring to theforeknowledge of my death?

GEORDIYeah.

DATAI have no particular desire todiscuss the matter.(beat)Do you feel like talking aboutit?

GEORDIYeah.

DATAWhy?

GEORDIData... it's gotta bother youa little...

DATAOn the contrary, I find itrather... comforting.


11 CONTINUED:

GEORDI(surprised)Comforting...

DATAI have often wondered about myown mortality as I have seenothers age around me... Until now,it has been theoretically possiblethat I would live an unlimitedperiod of time. And althoughsome might find this attractive,to me it only reinforces the factthat I am... artificial.

GEORDII never realized... how tough allthis must be for you...

DATA"Tough"?

GEORDIKnowing that you would outliveall your friends.

DATA(blind to sentiment)I expected to make new friends.

GEORDITrue.

DATAAnd then outlive them as well.

A poignant beat. Geordi nods, beginning to understand.

GEORDINow that you know you might not...

DATA... it provides a sense ofcompletion to my future. In away, I am not so different fromanyone else. I can now lookforward to death.

GEORDII never thought of it that way.

DATAOne might even conclude that itbrings me one step closer to beingHuman. I am mortal.


11 CONTINUED: (2)

PICARD'S COM VOICEPicard to bridge officers...we're approaching the Devidiasystem... report to yourstations...

Data rises to leave...

GEORDISee you later... let's gettogether for a game of chess orsomething, okay?

Data cocks his head, acknowledges, EXITS. Geordi looksdown at his drink, shakes his head and grins...

GUINAN (o.c.)Looked like quite an intensediscussion.

He looks up

12 ANGLE

to see GUINAN arriving...

GEORDIYeah... talking about life, death,the future...

GUINANSomebody getting married?

GEORDINaw. Somebody's gonna die.

GUINANDie?

GEORDIThey found Data's head a milebelow San Francisco... been downthere for five centuries...

A solemn expression passes across her face... she'sdisconcerted by the announcement...

GUINANThat's why the Enterprise was sentback to Earth... I didn'trealize...


12 CONTINUED:

GEORDIYeah, something, isn't it?

She looks at him with a unusually concernedexpression... she knew this was coming... she's beenwaiting for it...

GEORDI(continuing)He seems fine about it... betterthan I am...(stands)I better get to engineering...

She acknowledges... and he EXITS... and stay on herfor a long beat... and push into her as she says toherself...

GUINANFull circle.

And we may not know what it means yet... but the wayshe says it... with fatalist tones... we realize shehas knowledge about this that she has not shared withGeordi...

12A INT. CORRIDOR

Riker is at a turbolift as Troi arrives... anacknowledgment and then...

TROII heard about Data.

RIKERYeah.

TROIIt's having an unusually traumaticeffect on everyone.

RIKERYeah.

TROIIf you don't want to talk aboutit, it's okay.

RIKERI'm fine. I'm just...

STAR TREK: "Time's Arrow" - REV. 4/20/92 - ACT ONE 11A.

12A CONTINUED:

TROI...angry.

RIKERNo not angry.(beat, realizing she's right)Yeah, angry. Why should I beangry?

TROIMaybe it reminds us all of ourown mortality.

RIKERI just don't want to believe it.

TROI(beat)Have you ever heard Data definefriendship?

RIKERNo...

TROIHow did he put it... somethinglike...(Data impression)"As I experience certain sensoryinput patterns my mental pathwaysbecome accustomed to them. Theinputs eventually are anticipatedand even 'missed' when absent."

She even cocks her head.

RIKER(smiles)You do that very well. So what'sthe point?

TROIHe's "used" to us... and we're"used" to him... it's like findingout someone you love has a terminalillness and...

The turbolift door opens, revealing Data inside... shestops in mid-conversation... uneasy tension...

STAR TREK: "Time's Arrow" - REV. 4/20/92 - ACT ONE 11B.

12A CONTINUED: (2)

RIKER(quickly)Data...

DATA(nodding)Counselor. Commander.

Riker and Troi step inside...

12B INT. TURBOLIFT - CONTINUOUS ACTION

All three are facing forward. There is anuncomfortable beat of silence.

DATAWould either of you mind if I madea personal inquiry?

The door closes and it begins to move up.

TROIPersonal inquiry? No, go rightahead.

DATAI am perceiving an apparent changein the way that others act towardme. For example, people abruptlyend their conversations when Iappear... as you did when theturbolift doors opened. Is thisan accurate observation?

RIKER TROI Not at all. Yes.

RIKER(beat, sighs)Yes.

TROIYou're right, Data. And it's nota very nice thing to do.

RIKER(struggling)It's just that our mental pathwayshave... become accustomed to your...sensory input patterns...

The door opens at the bridge...

STAR TREK: "Time's Arrow" - REV. 4/20/92 - ACT ONE 11C.

12B CONTINUED:

DATAI understand. I am fond of youtoo, Commander.

Data EXITS... Troi and Riker take a beat and then EXITtoo...


Coming out of warp approaching a planet.

14 INT. MAIN BRIDGE

Data, WORF, Riker. Picard ENTERS from the ready room.

RIKERWe're in orbit.

PICARDAny sign of life?

WORFNegative.


14 CONTINUED:

DATASir, sensors are picking upunusual temporal disturbances ona small area of the planet'ssurface... forty-two degrees,seven minutes north by eighty-eightdegrees declination east.

RIKER(exchanges a glance with Picard)Temporal disturbances...

PICARDTake us into a standard orbitabove those coordinates...

DATASpectral analysis shows a highlevel of triolic waves emanatingfrom the same location.

RIKERDo they correlate with yourreadings from Earth, Data?

DATAAffirmative, sir... the magneticsignature is identical to the onefound in the cavern.

PICARDWould these triolic waves bedangerous to humanoids?

DATAOnly with longterm exposure.There is no immediate threat.

PICARD(to Riker)Take an away team.

RIKERWorf...

Data rises to join the team... but Riker pointedlyleaves him out... continuing...

STAR TREK: "Time's Arrow" - 4/06/92 - ACT ONE 12A.

14 CONTINUED: (2)

RIKER(to com)Riker to La Forge. Meet the awayteam in transporter room three...

GEORDI'S COM VOICEAye, sir...

He starts to exit... Data reacts...

DATACommander...

PICARD(interrupting)Mister Data, I'll need you on thebridge to monitor the sensorreadings during thisinvestigation...

Picard nods to Riker who EXITS with Troi and Worf.


14 CONTINUED: (3)

DATACaptain, may I speak to you alone?

Picard would like to avoid this... but there is no way,so he nods and leads Data into...

15 INT. READY ROOM - CONTINUOUS

DATASir, it is established procedurethat the second officeraccompanies the away...

PICARDYes, yes I am aware of that...

DATAThen I must assume that thisdecision is related to thediscovery on Earth of...

PICARDI see no reason why we shouldn'ttake reasonable precautions...

DATACaptain, no disrespect intended,but there is no rationaljustification for such a course...

PICARDThen, I shall be irrational.

DATAIt is possible, sir, that theevents leading to my death maynot begin for years... evencenturies.

PICARDI hope that's true, Data.Nevertheless, this investigationbegan with your death... I amsimply trying to see that itdoesn't end the same way.

DATA(beat)While I appreciate your concern,sir, if I may employ anaphorism, one cannot cheat fate.


15 CONTINUED:

PICARDCheat fate... ? Perhaps we can't,Mister Data. But, to be honest,I don't think I could forgivemyself... if we didn't at leastgive it a try.

On Data's reaction...

16 EXT. PLANET SURFACE - NIGHT

Ominous. Riker, Troi, Worf and Geordi MATERIALIZE...move around, investigating with tricorders... a naturalrockface environment...

Troi is getting some unusual feelings now, she can'tput her finger on it yet... Geordi moves along aninvisible perimeter, taking readings...

GEORDIThe concentration of triolic wavesfalls off about here...(walking into the rockface))It increases exponentially thecloser in we go...

RIKERWhat's the source? Is theresomething underground?

GEORDINegative, Commander.

RIKERThen what's the explanation?

GEORDIDon't have one yet.(hits combadge)LaForge to Enterprise.

DATA'S COM VOICEGo ahead.

INTERCUT:

17 INT. MAIN BRIDGE

Data at the aft science station. Picard at command.


17 CONTINUED:

GEORDI'S COM VOICERun a spectral field correlationfor me... see if these triolicreadings are directly related tothe temporal distortions...

DATAAcknowledged.

Data moves from one console to another... beginspressing a series of panels...

18 EXT. PLANET SURFACE

Moving to find Troi... who is walking with an innerpurpose...

RIKER(concerned)Deanna...

TROIThere is life here... a child...an old woman... dozens more...dozens... hundreds... terrified...

RIKERTerrified... ?

TROIMy God... they're Human.

Off reactions...

FADE OUT.

END OF ACT ONE

STAR TREK: "Time's Arrow" - REV. 4/07/92 - ACT TWO 16.

ACT TWO

FADE IN:


Still in orbit.

20 INT. MAIN BRIDGE

Picard reacts as...

RIKER'S COM VOICETroi's convinced they're human...they may be trapped somehow...we're not sure...

Data moves from the aft station...

DATACaptain, the results of mytemporal analysis may bepertinent...

Picard nods, go ahead.

DATAIt indicates a synchronicdistortion in the areas emanatingtriolic waves...

INTERCUTTING:


GEORDIThat explains a few things. Howmuch, Data?

DATA'S COM VOICEA positive displacement of pointzero-zero-four percent.

GEORDI(off Riker's look)Whatever or whoever's there...is out of phase with us... Butwe're only talking about afraction of a second...


21 CONTINUED:

WORFA fraction of a second would makethem invisible?

GEORDIA millisecond, a year... itwouldn't make any difference...If what we're reading is accurate,we're occupying the same space...but in a different time...

RIKERHow do we compensate?

22 INT. MAIN BRIDGE (INTERCUT CONTINUING)

DATACommander, we might be able tomanipulate the synchronicdistortion...

GEORDI(nodding)Maybe. If we created a containedsubspace forcefield. But to get apoint zero-zero-four variance,we'd need an incredibly sensitivephase discriminator, Data... Idon't think we've got one thatwould come close...

DATAYes, we do. It is built into mypositronic decompiler.

Reactions all around.

DATAIt would be necessary for me tojoin the away team, Captain.

Picard looks at him. A long beat. So much for cheatingfate.

PICARD(beat)Proceed.

As Data EXITS... a last look by Picard and...


23 EXT. PLANET SURFACT - NIGHT (OPTICAL)

The away team reacts as Data MATERIALIZES... he iswearing a phaser, carrying a small generator and othertech gear in a carrying case...

RIKER(grim)Mister Data...

DATASir.

GEORDILet me give you a hand here,Data...

Geordi quickly moves to assist him in preparing...turns on the generator... checks that it is functioningproperly...

DATA(to Riker)Once I have adjusted theforcefield, I will no longer bevisible, Commander... however,I have taken steps to ensure thatyou will still be able to hearme. If you would assist me ina test of the com system...

Data presses his combadge... Riker follows suit... andnow as Data talks there is an echo over the com...

DATA(continuing)My voice will be transmitted ona delay correlated to the phaseadjustment... it should allow meto maintain verbal contact...

RIKERWill we be able to talk to you?

DATANossir, that will not be possible.

GEORDIYou're ready to go...

He hands Data a hand control and the mobile generator(which should have a handle). Data turns it on withthe hand control. There is an optical zap between thegenerator and the remote control...

STAR TREK: "Time's Arrow" - 4/06/92 - ACT TWO 18A.

23 CONTINUED:

GEORDISubspace field is established...

Data moves toward the slab... working the handcontrols...

DATAAdjusting for synchronicdistortion... point zero-zero-one...


23 CONTINUED: (2)

And with each count he begins to fade... and so doesthe echo...

DATAPoint zero-zero-two... pointzero-zero-three... point zero-zerofour...

And he's gone... his com voice is our only referencepoint...

DATA'S COM VOICEI have made visual contact...(beat)There are lifeforms here...

24thruOMITTED25

26 PICARD

on the bridge... listens...

DATA'S COM VOICEThey are either unaware of me orchoosing to ignore me... I ammoving approximately ten metersnorth of my starting positionto observe more closely...

27thruOMITTED28

29 RESUME AWAY TEAM (VARIOUS)

listening...

DATA'S COM VOICEThey range from two to threemeters in height... silver-grayin color... they have fourlimbs... no eyes or earsare noticeable...(MORE)


29 CONTINUED:

DATA'S COM VOICE (cont'd)... there is a single orifice wherea humanoid forehead wouldordinarily be. They are reclinedagainst the rockface... surroundingan apparatus of some sort...approximately one-point-five metersin height...

RIKER(to Geordi)An apparatus?

30 PICARD

listens...

DATA'S COM VOICEIt is releasing what appear tobe energy fragments... whichare then ingested by the entitiesthrough their orifice... perhapssome sort of nourishment...


31 THE AWAY TEAM

As he describes his movements, the officer's eyesfollow the invisible trail.

DATA'S COM VOICEThe upper portion of theapparatus seems to be a holdingfacility for the energysegments... there are hundreds,perhaps thousands of thesefragments inside.(beat)I have resumed a northerndirection... There is no evidenceyet of Humans...

GEORDI(to himself)Okay, enough, Data... come onback now...

32thruOMITTED33

34 PICARD

DATA'S COM VOICEI have encountered anotherlifeform... an ophidian...it seems to be restrictedby a forcefield...

35 OMITTED

36 THE AWAY TEAM

DATA'S COM VOICETwo of the silver-gray entitiesare approaching it... they havereleased the forcefield...

Suddenly there is a sonic boom... reactions...

STAR TREK: "Time's Arrow" - 4/06/92 - ACT TWO 22.

37 OMITTED

38 PICARD

reacts to the sound... which is followed by a deafeningswirling sound of a tornado...

DATA'S COM VOICE(breaking up)...temporal... massive... theophidian is capable of...

39 OMITTED

40 THE AWAY TEAM

reacts...

DATA'S COM VOICE(breaking up)...Caught... attempting to...

His voice dissappears into the searing noise...

41thruOMITTED43

44 ANOTHER ANGLE ON AWAY TEAM (OPTICAL)

as they see a flash twenty meters away...

TROIData!

All of them break simultaneously into a run... and whenthey get there, they look down to see...

STAR TREK: "Time's Arrow" - 4/06/92 - ACT TWO 23.

45 ANGLE - THE GENERATOR AND HAND CONTROL

are all that is left.

46 REACTIONS

PICARD'S COM VOICECommander Riker, report!

The away team use their tricorders as they search invain for any trace of Data...

RIKER(beat)We've lost him.

46A PICARD

reacts. A long beat.

47 OMITTED

48 EXT. ALLEY - DAY - CLOSE ON DATA

lying on the ground, trying to get his bearings. Thefirst thing we notice is how quiet it is... Data looksaround, slowly rises... the alley is nondescript...but there are old style garbage cans... a cobblestonestreet surface... brick wall buildings. Data (whostill has his phaser on his belt) moves slowly towardthe street... reacts as he sees...

49 OMITTED

50 WIDE

a street scene out of San Francisco circa 1890s...

FADE OUT.

END OF ACT TWO

STAR TREK: "Time's Arrow" - REV. 4/07/92 - ACT THREE 24.

ACT THREE

FADE IN:

51 EXT. SAN FRANCISCO STREET - CONTINUOUS

Data continues to take in the 19th-century ambience.It's a cosmopolitan mixture of people and costumes.Two rough-looking DOCK WORKERS, three N.D. URBANITES, apair of CHINESE IMMIGRANTS. He gets strong REACTIONSof curiosity re: his appearance.

Data button-holes one of the roughnecks.

DATAPardon me. I am searching fortwo individuals with an ophidian.

The two men give him a blank look.

DATA(continuing)I beg your pardon -- a snake.

The two roughnecks look at each other and laugh --Data's precise speech pattern strikes them asinordinately funny.

ROUGHNECK(to partner; re: Data)Frenchman.

The partner laughs and the two ruffians keep going.Data cocks his head in reaction, glances around somemore, spots a section of NEWSPAPER with some crumpledtrash along a wall. He bends and picks it up,straightening the page to read it.

52 CLOSE ON THE NEWSPAPER

The paper is the SAN FRANCISCO REGISTER and theheadline reads CHOLERA OUTBREAK -- HUNDREDS DIE. Thedate: AUGUST 13, 1893.

BEGGAR (o.s.)Could you help out a Forty-Niner?

53 RESUME AND INCLUDE A BEGGAR

in his sixties, unsteady on his feet, who has juststepped up to Data.

STAR TREK: "Time's Arrow" - REV. 4/07/92 - ACT THREE 24A.

53 CONTINUED:

BEGGAR(continuing)I fell down a shaft...

He indicates a stiff leg.

BEGGAR(continuing)And got blown up in a tunnel...


53 CONTINUED: (2)

DATAThat is unfortunate.

BEGGARMost unfortunate. I require largequantites of whiskey as alinament.

The man gives a dry cough and slumps for a momentagainst Data... he takes a deep ragged breath tocollect himself.

DATAI am sorry but I have no whiskeyto give you.

BEGGARI'll take a dime.

DATAI am sorry. But I have no formof legal tender.

The beggar considers Data for a moment.

BEGGERWe're both in the same boat, eh?(beat)This is my corner. Go find yourown.

A beat. Data takes advantage of the moment.

DATAI would be happy to do so.However, I am presently in needof information.

BEGGAR(grudginly)The stockbrokers are cheap as hell-- don't even ask 'em. Besthandout is a young man with hislady. You give him a chance toimpress her by bein' generous.But stay clear of the sailors --likely as not, you'll get a fistacross the jaw for your trouble.

DATAThank you for the advice, but Iam trying to find two individualswith a snake.


53 CONTINUED: (3)

BEGGAR(scowls, pointing)A snake? You're an odd fellow,aren't you? Best not be tooparticular about who you'rerequesting funds from --

The Beggar starts to cough violently --

DATAYou require medical attention.I will find a doctor --

BEGGARNo.(beat)It's too late for that...

The Beggar struggles off after another passerby --

BEGGAR(to passerby)Help a Forty-Niner...


53 CONTINUED: (3)

-- leaving Data alone.

Data drops the newspaper where he found it, glancesaround the street...

54 ANGLE - HOTEL ENTRANCE

A BELLBOY is loading a suitcase into a HORSEDRAWNCARRIAGE as the suitcase owner stands by. The manhands some coins to the Bellboy, then gets into thecarriage. The Bellboy closes the door after him, andthe carriage is driven off.

54A INCLUDE DATA

heading over toward him, as the Bellboy steps over totwo MEN who are standing at a doorway nearby. TheBellboy hands the coins over to one of them.

BELLBOYPut it on Gentleman Jim. K.O.in the fifth.

The man nods. The Bellboy heads for the Hotel entrance-- Data is waiting for him.

DATAI require temporary lodging.

The Bellboy reacts to Data's clothes and appearance.

BELLBOY(indicates Data's clothes)Looks like the missus booted youout in the middle of the night.

Data thinks for a moment -- the light goes on in hiseyes.

DATAI understand the source of yourmisperception.(indicating clothes)But this is not sleepware. AndI have no... missus.

The Bellboy is staring at him doubtfully.


54A CONTINUED:

A beat -- Data grabs at a cover story.

DATAI am a Frenchman.

The Bellboy shrugs.

BELLBOYEverybody's from somewhere. Thatdoesn't matter at this hotel.It's six bits a day or fourdollars a week.

DATAI have no money.

BELLBOYNow that matters...

DATAI am capable of performing asignificant range of tasks -- bothmental and physical. Perhaps yourhotel could offer me... a job.

BELLBOYWell, I don't know. We got a maidwe're pretty happy with. Thecook's decent. The dishwasher'sdrunk all day but at least heshows up on time. And thenthere's me -- I do everythingelse.(shrugs)Sorry.

Suddenly, an N.D. MAN steps out of the hotel behindthem, putting his hat on, looking down in the dumpsas he steps past them.

BELLBOY(to man)Lady Luck not with ya, tonight,Mister Lane?

The man shoots him a hard look, then sullenly continuesoffscreen. A beat until he's gone, and the Bellboylaughs to Data.

BELLBOY(continuing)Hasn't filled a straight in fiveweeks.


54A CONTINUED: (2)

Data's head jerks to attention.

DATAPoker?

OFF Data's face...


54B INT. POKER ROOM - DAY - ON THE DOOR

A KNOCK. No response. A beat and the door opens,revealing Data, who steps inside. He looks up, seeswhat he came for.

55 ON A POKER TABLE

where the tension is palpable. No one has even glancedin Data's direction.

Four MEN are at the poker table: A sophisticated NEWORLEANS GAMBLER in Southern gentleman clothes,including a BLACK VEST. A burly, mean-looking SEAMANin appropriate costume. An AMERICAN INDIAN wearingurban, nontribal clothing, including a BOWLER HAT. Aslightly chubby, local BUSINESSMAN.

The Gambler and the American Indian appear to be thebig winners, with considerable piles of currency andsilver dollars in front of each.

They are at the end of a hand. Frustrated, theBusinessman tosses down his cards, folding. TheGambler carefully puts his cards down as well.

GAMBLERFold.

The Seaman is in a staring match with the AmericanIndian, both still holding their hands. The Seamanstudies his impassive opponent -- the American Indianis unreadable.

SEAMANGo to Blazes!

He angrily tosses down his hand, folding. The AmericanIndian silently collects the money in the pot, as theGambler laughs.

GAMBLERA poker face carved in marble.

The Seaman puts a meaty hand on the Indian's downturnedcards, intending to turn them over.

SEAMANWhat'd ya have?

The Indian immediately lays his own hand on the cards-- stopping the Seaman from revealing them. There is asilent, tense beat of impending violence.

STAR TREK: "Time's Arrow" - 4/06/92 - ACT THREE 28A.

55 CONTINUED:

GAMBLER(to Seaman)Mind you, sir. It's a gentleman'sprerogative to divulge a bluff.(re: Indian)Our friend wishes to remaincryptic. I believe it proper torespect that wish...

STAR TREK: "Time's Arrow" - 4/06/92 - ACT THREE 29.

55 CONTINUED: (2)

The Gambler is all smiles and conciliatory -- butthere's a threat behind it that the physically moreimposing seaman can't ignore.

SEAMAN(taking his hand off cards)The devil take you all...

He crosses his arms together, steaming. The Gamblergathers all the cards together and begins to shuffleas the Seaman glances up in surprise at an unseeninterloper.

SEAMAN(continuing; toward offscreen)What in hell do you want?

56 INCLUDE DATA

standing nearby, having waited patiently for the handto end.

DATAI would like to join your game.

Everyone gives him the once-over, a little taken abackby his appearance. The Indian alone is completelyunruffled. He takes one look, and with asophisticated, dry as dust delivery (NO cliche'd"Injun-speak") makes a joke off Data's skin tone.

AMERICAN INDIANPale... face.

The other players all laugh uproariously at the pun.The laughter dies down, the Seaman makes an unfriendlyscowl toward Data.

SEAMAN(re: Data's appearance)Don't like Easterners, personally.

Data cocks his head, now more secure in his role asforeign visitor.

DATA(confident)I am a Frenchman.

The Gambler perks up at this, not quite believing it.


56 CONTINUED:

GAMBLERAh. Mes parents sont originairesde Bourgogne. Je suis ne a laNew Orleans.

Data reacts to this unexpected response, takenmomentarily for a loss. A beat.

DATA(perfect accent)Alors nous sommes presque freres.Je suis heureux de vous connaitre.

The Gambler laughs, surprised at the answer, thenindicates an empty chair.

GAMBLERPlease, sir.

Data sits down as the Gambler exchanges glances withhis cohorts -- "we've got a live one here." TheGambler finishes up a shuffle, placing the deck infront of the android.

GAMBLER(continuing)The game is poker. The deal isyours. The ante is four bits.

Data confidently removes his COMMUNICATOR and places itin the center of the table.

Everyone eyes the shining device.

GAMBLERFamily heirloom?

DATAIn a manner of speaking. It isa crystalline composite ofsilicon, beryllium...

The Seaman picks it up and BITES INTO IT.

DATA(continuing)Carbon-seventy, and --

SEAMAN(surprised)Gold.


56 CONTINUED: (2)

DATA(nodding)Gold.

The Seaman puts it back down.

GAMBLERI'll give you three bucks for it.

DATAI accept.

The Gambler takes the communicator and pushes a fewof his winnings over to Data.

Data cuts the deck, picks up the two halves andshuffles them with an expert hand.

OFF the other players' reactions to the perfect snap ofthe cards...


57 INT. DATA'S HOTEL ROOM

A modest hotel room, with a single bed, a desk, and awindow. The door UNLOCKS AND OPENS. The BellboyENTERS, holding out an arm as if to present the room --and Data STEPS INSIDE.

The android is now wearing the American Indian's BOWLERHAT and the Gambler's BLACK VEST. He has obviouslycleaned up big at the card game.

BELLBOYDid you see the looks on theirfaces? I did everything I couldnot to laugh.

DATATo whom are you referring?

BELLBOY(what else)Frederick La Rouque and JoeFalling Hawk. Those two are cardsharks. Oh sure, they play iteasy at first so they don't scareoff the marks, but give 'em enoughtime and they'll bleed a man dry-- especially an out-of-towner.

DATAWhat was the source of yourjocular reaction?

The kid looks blank.

DATA(continuing)What was it you found humorous?

BELLBOYDon't you see? They had youpegged for a sap.(indicates Data's appearance)Those clothes you got on, the wayyou talk -- it's like you wereborn yesterday. You sure had themfooled.

DATAIt was not my intention todeceive.

The Bellboy looks at Data's innocent face. The Bellboycan't decide whether Data's telling the truth or not.


57 CONTINUED:

The kid shrugs.

BELLBOYHave it your way.(indicates the room)This is the place. Breakfast isfrom six to eight. Checkout'sat noon when you're ready toleave.

DATAThank you.

The Bellboy stands there waiting -- the classic tipsituation, but Data doesn't get it. The Bellboy holdsout his hand. Data shakes it.

DATA(continuing)It has been a pleasure.

Data lets go of his hand and steps toward the windowto glance outside.

The Bellboy CLEARS HIS THROAT. Data turns.

DATA(continuing)It would be advisable to monitorthat cough. I have read thatthere is currently an epidemicof cholera in San Francisco...

The young man is impatient. Annoyed at having to gothrough this to get a tip.

BELLBOYNever felt better.

Data still doesn't get it. The Bellboy again sticksout his hand, palm raised. Data stares at it,considers the situation -- finally understands.

DATAOf course. The gratuity.

The bellboy gives him an impatient grin ofacknowledgement. Data pulls out a big wad of CASH fromhis waistband -- the poker winnings -- and peels offa dollar bill, handing it to the Bellboy.

STAR TREK: "Time's Arrow" - REV. 4/13/92 - ACT THREE 31B.

57 CONTINUED: (2)

DATA(continuing)Thank you for your assistance.

The Bellboy takes the bill, amazed.

BELLBOYA dollar!


57 CONTINUED: (2)

A beat as the kid stares dumbstruck at Data.

DATAYou are welcome.

The Bellboy steps into the doorway, then turns back toData.

BELLBOYIf there's anything you need --it can get lonely in SanFrancisco. You might want somecompany. I can introduce you toLillian.

Data considers this for a moment.

DATAI have no need for companionship.However, I do require some...supplies.

Data steps over to the desk and picks up a PEN, dippingit into an INKPOT and writing onto a piece of PAPER.

BELLBOYAnything you need, I can get itfor you wholesale... I can getit for you less than wholesaleif you don't ask me where it camefrom...

Data hands him the piece of paper. The Bellboy staresat it, a bit puzzled by what he sees.

BELLBOYWhat do you need all this stufffor?

DATAI am an inventor...

BELLBOYNo kidding... well this is gonnatake a while. I'll hafta go clearcross town.(MORE)


57 CONTINUED: (3)

BELLBOY (cont'd)(beat)And it's not gonna be cheap.

Data takes a few more bills off his roll and hands themto the young man.

DATAYou may retain the surplus foryourself.

A beat. The Bellboy didn't quite get it.

BELLBOYKeep the change?

Data recalls the phrase.

DATAExactly.

BELLBOYDone.

The Bellboy is out the door like a shot, slamming itbehind him.


57 CONTINUED: (5)

Data goes to the desk and sits down. He takes the penand another piece of paper and begins to sketch acomplicated circuit diagram...

58 EXT. STREET - DAY

The Bellboy is shooting along the street, clutchingData's list in hand, smiling with enthusiasm over themoney and the assignment.

FOLLOW him for half a block, as he approaches the alleywe've seen before. He doesn't stop (or even hear) themuffled MOAN as he passes by...

BEGGAR (o.s.)(barely audible)Help out a Forty-Niner...

As the Bellboy continues on his way --

59 STAY ON THE BEGGAR

propped up against some wooden boxes and other junk inthe alley. He's in really bad shape, head rolling tothe side, eyes half-closed, mumbling to himself,dying...

BEGGAR(continuing)Fell down shaft... Forty-Niner...Help me... Help me out...

A SHADOW falls over the old man, and even in hisextreme state, he seems to feel the darkness intrudeupon his heart... His eyes struggle open.

60 A COUPLE

are standing in front of him. Both the man and womanare tall, handsome, elegantly dressed, aristocratic.But their faces are cold and expressionless -- likedemons. The man holds a CANE with an elaboratelycarved SNAKE'S HEAD. The woman carries a VALISE,almost like a doctor's bag. They stare at the beggar,as if waiting...

61 INCLUDE THE BEGGAR (OPTICAL)

as his face fills with horror at the apparition.

STAR TREK: "Time's Arrow" - 4/06/92 - ACT THREE 34.

61 CONTINUED:

BEGGARNo...

He tries to struggle off his back, but there's nostrength left in his body.

BEGGARNo...

He collapses, eyes closing for the last time...

The couple watch impassively. Then the woman raisesthe Valise, aiming it at the dying man.

The Valise GLOWS with a weird lighting effect, andextends a FIELD out toward the man's body, envelopinghim for a moment, then withdrawing back into theValise, which stops glowing.

The couple turn and leave, clearing the screen.

OFF the Forty-Niner, now cold and dead...

FADE OUT.

END OF ACT THREE

STAR TREK: "Time's Arrow" - REV. 4/16/92 - ACT FOUR 35.

ACT FOUR

FADE IN:

62 EXT. ENTERPRISE

In orbit above the planet.

PICARD (V.O.)Captain's log, supplemental.Close-range sensor analysis hasyielded no further trace ofCommander Data. Despite theemotional repercussions among mycrew, I must move this missionforward.

63 INT. OBSERVATION LOUNGE

Picard, Riker, Troi, Geordi, Worf, BEVERLY. Cuttinginto the middle of a rare argument between Riker andPicard.

RIKERI'm not willing to accept thathe's dead and leave it at that...

PICARDMister Data cannot be ourpriority...

RIKERWhat's more important than Data?

Troi understands best at the table what Picard issaying, says it with the compassion... understandingthe pain the people at the table are feeling...

TROILook at what we have so far...evidence that these aliens havebeen travelling back in time toEarth...

BEVERLYWhat if they're trying toundermine our history for somereason... ?

WORFSome kind of guerilla war...


63 CONTINUED:

PICARD(nods)We have to operate on theassumption that there is athreat... if not to us then to19th-century Earth. Our firstorder of business is to determinewhat that threat may be.(turns to Geordi)In order to do that, Mister LaForge, we must find a way tocommunicate with theselife-forms...

GEORDIIt's not going to be easy toreproduce what Data did. We cancreate a contained subspacefield... but we'd need anextraordinarily sensitive phasediscriminator to get that pointzero-zero-four variance.

PICARDCan you build one?

GEORDIIt won't be as good as Data's...

RIKERWill it be good enough?

GEORDII don't know. I can try... it'sgoing to take a while...

PICARDI don't want anyone else goingin alone.

GEORDII should be able to create asubspace field large enough toencompass everyone. Adjustingthe phase inside the field willbe the hard part.

PICARDMake it so.


63 CONTINUED: (2)

He rises, signalling the end to the meeting.

RIKERThere's one thing we have toassume, Captain.

Picard looks at Riker...

RIKERThat wherever he is, Data's doingthe same thing we are... tryingto get to the bottom of this...he may know a lot more aboutwhat's going on than we do. Itmight be in the best interestsof this mission to find him...

PICARDPerhaps in the course of ourinvestigation we will. I hopeso.

As the others exit, Worf stands back with Riker fora beat...

WORF(sotto, to Riker)If we do find Commander Data, itmay be our fate to die with him...in the past. If our remains arein that cavern... they would haveturned to dust long ago.

He exchanges a look with Riker...

64 INT. TEN FORWARD (OPTICAL)

After hours. The lighting is a little dimmer thannormal. Two crewmembers at a far table are the onlycustomers present.

Guinan is behind the bar, working diligently over adozen pieces of variously sized and shaped GLASSWARE,containing liquids or solid crystals of many hues.

She's carefully pouring from a tiny vial into a LARGEGLASS, the tension and concentration evident on herface.

PICARD (o.s.)(lightly)I'm afraid to interrupt.


65 INCLUDE PICARD (OPTICAL)

stepping up to the bar as Guinan continues to pourwithout answering him until she's emptied the tinyvial. She relaxes and glances up.

GUINANCaptain. You didn't have to cometo me. I would've been happy togo to you.

PICARD(re: glassware)And let me miss all this? Ihaven't seen such a complexoperation since the Academy labfinal in exochemistry.

GUINANIt's a Tzartak aperitif. Very,very touchy.

She picks up a small beaker and carefully pours.

GUINAN(continuing)The trick is to change theevaporation point of the mainingredient. You want thetemperature where the liquid goesto vapor to be half a degree belowthe body temperature of yourcustomer.

She adds a few tiny crystals to the glass.

GUINAN(continuing)That way, the moment the liquidtouches the tongue, it evaporates.The flavor is carried entirelyby the vapor.


65 CONTINUED:

She adds a few drops of liquid to the glass.

GUINAN(continuing)But it's a highly delicate affair.A few molecules off and the vaporpoint crashes. Poof. It's gone.All of it.

A long beat as Picard studies her.

PICARDWhat did you want to see me about?

A beat as Guinan studies her glassware.

GUINANI hear you're sending an away teamdown to the surface.

PICARDYes.

GUINANAre you going along?

Picard reacts to the question.

PICARDThis is rather unusual... for youto be curious about an awaymission...

Guinan shrugs, starts slowly adding, drop by drop,another liquid to the glass.

GUINANMaybe it's an unusual awaymission.

PICARDGuinan, if you have something totell me, I'm listening.


65 CONTINUED: (2)

Guinan stops pouring. She stares straight at him, ismore direct than we've ever seen her.

GUINANStarfleet captains usually don'taccompany away teams...

PICARD(agrees)That's general policy...

GUINANThis time you have to...

PICARDWhy?

GUINANYou just... do.

He studies her a long beat... he needs more than thatand she knows it.

GUINANYou remember when we first met?

PICARDOf course.

GUINANDon't be so sure.

PICARDWhat do you mean?

GUINANI mean... if you don't go on thismission...

She drops a single tiny crystal into the glass. Abeat, then the liquid in the glass suddenly andfuriously BOILS away in less than one second.

GUINAN... we didn't.

OFF Picard's reaction.

66 EXT. SAN FRANCISCO HOTEL - DAY - ESTABLISHING- STOCK

STAR TREK: "Time's Arrow" - 4/06/92 - ACT FOUR 40A-41.

67 INT. DATA'S HOTEL ROOM - DAY

Data is at his desk, using a high-tech device he hasbuilt out of 19th-century materials. He is workingon the exposed PHASER HOUSING. Data is now completelydressed in 19th-century clothing -- days have passedsince we last saw him.

SOUND: A heavy, low, muffled THUMP offscreen.

Data glances up toward the door. A beat and he turnsback to the work at hand.

Another THUMP. This time closer. Data continues towork. Another beat, another THUMP.

Data finally sets down the instrument and moves towardthe door.

The loudest THUMP yet, right outside. Data opens thedoor.

68 OMITTED

69 INCLUDE THE BELLBOY

at the doorstep. Tucked in his back pocket is arolled-up NEWSPAPER and at his feet is a HUGE ANVIL.The young man has obviously just moved it up the stairsto Data's room. He appears exhausted.

BELLBOYSorry it took so long, MisterData.

DATAAn apology is not required.

Data casually reaches down with one hand -- AND PICKSUP THE ANVIL as though it weighed an ounce. He startstoward the center of the room -- there's a noise ofastonishment from the Bellboy.

Data STOPS, knowing he's just made a huge mistake.The android quickly sets down the anvil, as if droppingit. He clutches his arm as though strained.

BELLBOYYou alright?

DATAI appear to have overexertedmyself...


69 CONTINUED:

BELLBOYI'll say.

A beat as the kid glances up at the light bouncingaround the room. There's a glint of curiosity andlightness in his eyes that we've never seen before.

BELLBOYYou got it working.

Data pulls out a dollar for tip money and hands it tothe Bellboy, but the young man IGNORES it, continuingto stare fascinated at the light bouncing around theroom.

DATAYes.

BELLBOYWhatever it is.

DATA(re: money)This is for your trouble.

The Bellboy accepts it, but distractedly, as if moreinterested in what Data's created.

BELLBOYWhat are you gonna do with theanvil?

DATAI require a low intensity,magnetic field core. Theiron mass of the anvil willprovide that.

The kid nods without comprehension.

BELLBOYWhat's it gonna be when it'sfinished?

Data cocks his head as he tries to form a reply...

DATAWhat do you think it is... "gonnabe"... ?

STAR TREK: "Time's Arrow" - REV. 4/07/92 - ACT FOUR 42A.

69 CONTINUED: (2)

BELLBOYIf I were to guess... maybe a newkind of motor for one of thosehorseless carriages...

DATAThat is a good guess.

BELLBOYNo kiddin'. Damn. You reallythink there's money in thosethings?

DATA(beat)Perhaps.

BELLBOYIsn't that what makes Americagreat?

DATATo what are you referring?

BELLBOYMan rides into town in hispajamas... wins a grub stake ata poker table and turns it intoa horseless carriage and makesa million bucks. That's America.

DATA(concerned at the conclusion)Perhaps I have given you anerroneous impression...

BELLBOYSome day my ship's gonna comein...

DATAYou have a ship?

BELLBOYOh sure... and it's fulla gold...I'm just biding my time til itgets here... raising a stake anyway I can... I've been a newsie,cut fish at a cannery, I've evenbeen an oyster pirate...

STAR TREK: "Time's Arrow" - 4/06/92 - ACT FOUR 43.

69 CONTINUED: (3)

DATAThat is a considerable spectrumof occupations.

BELLBOYCan't stay in one place toolong... I'm always looking forthe angle, you know... say, maybeyou and I could go into businessselling your horselesscarriage... you invent 'em, Isell 'em... I can sell anybodyanything, whattaya say?

DATAI believe your plan is a bitpremature.

BELLBOYKeep it in mind though. Well,I better get back...

He starts to leave and the young man suddenly remembersthe newspaper in his back pocket.

BELLBOYI forgot! I got you somethingat the bakery on Third.

He sets the paper down on the desk by Data, unrollingit to reveal the pastry inside.

DATAThank you, Jack.

Data starts to pick out some coins to pay him back, butthe young man brushes it off.

BELLBOYIt's on me... partner.

And EXITS. Data reaches over to make an adjustment onthe phaser housing.

STAR TREK: "Time's Arrow" - 4/06/92 - ACT FOUR 44.

69 CONTINUED: (4)

The newsprint and pastry are slightly in his way, so hepicks up the edges of the paper and starts to slide itaside -- WHEN SOMETHING CATCHES HIS EYE. DATA STOPSDEAD, STARING AT THE NEWSPAPER.

70 CLOSE ON THE PAPER

A caption reads: "Literary Reception Announced." Abovethe words is the hostess' face. IT'S GUINAN. And it'sunmistakable.

71 RESUME DATA

as stunned as an android can be...

FADE OUT.

END OF ACT FOUR

STAR TREK: "Time's Arrow" - REV. 4/06/92 - ACT FIVE 45.

ACT FIVE

FADE IN:

72 EXT. SAN FRANCISCO VICTORIAN HOME - DAY

To establish.

73 INT. BALLROOM - DAY

An elegant reception. About two dozen well-dressed19th-century society people are chatting in smallgroups. A single narrow TABLE holds drinks andcanapes.

CLEMENS (o.s.)The eminent scientist, AlfredRussell Wallace, has revived thetheory that Earth is at the centerof the stellar universe.

74 ON THE GENTLEMAN

who from the white hair and suit, bushy eyebrows, largeCuban cigar, and soft Southern drawl is unmistakablySAMUEL CLEMENS, a.k.a. MARK TWAIN. There are a coupleof people at the side, listening, but from this angle,we don't see to whom he is primarily directing hiscomments.

CLEMENS(continuing))This distinguished naturalphilosopher has reaffirmed ourplanet as the only habitable globein the Heavens. A worldconstructed, furthermore, for thesole benefit of man.(beat)He's gotten a lot of folks excitedabout the notion.

75 INCLUDE GUINAN

dressed in 19th-century costume, but with a couple ofexotic touches (as though she were royalty from afar-flung island).

STAR TREK: "Time's Arrow" - 4/06/92 - ACT FIVE 46.

75 CONTINUED:

GUINANMister Clemens, why do I suspectyou're not one of them?

Her comment generates easy SMILES from Clemens and theothers. Clemens is witty, charming -- but deeplycynical.

CLEMENS(lightly)Your suspicions, Madam Guinan,are undoubtedly based upon yourkeen observational skills. Nowif you'll permit me, I'll continuemy character assassinationunimpeded.

Everyone laughs.

GUINANPlease do.

Clemens takes a big puff on his cigar.

CLEMENSAccording to our best geologicestimate, the earth isapproximately one hundred millionyears of age. Perhaps it is less,perhaps more.

GUINANPerhaps a great deal more.

CLEMENS(nodding)Indeed. But regardless, it isancient in the extreme. Now,geology also tells us that Manhimself has existed for but amicroscopic fraction of thoseyears.

Clemens blows a big puff of cigar smoke into the air.

CLEMENSCurious, isn't it, that the worldgot by for such a great long whilewith no Humans around to take upspace?(MORE)


75 CONTINUED: (2)

CLEMENS (cont'd)I suppose Mister Wallace and hissupporters would say the worldneeded all that time to prepareeverything for our illustriousarrival.

Clemens reaches out and casually takes an OYSTER canapeoff the plate of a GENTLEMAN standing near. He appearsto study it carefully...

CLEMENS(re: the canape)The oyster alone probably requiredfifteen million years to come outjust right...

Everyone laughs as he pops the canape into his mouth.A beat and Guinan gives him a sly smile.

GUINANAnd if the Earth isn't alone...If there are millions ofinhabited planets in theHeavens...

CLEMENSQuite my point. Man becomes atrivial creation, does he not?Lost in the vastness of the cosmicprairie, adrift on the deep oceanof time. A single one amongcountless others.

Clemens appears pleased with himself. Guinan casuallyshrugs.

GUINANThen again, someone might say adiamond is still a diamond -- evenif it is one among millions. Itstill shines as brightly.

Touch. A beat as Clemens studies her for a moment,then smiles.

CLEMENSIndeed, someone might say that,Dear Lady. If someone thoughtthe Human race were akin to aprecious jewel.

Clemens puffs the cigar and lets out the smoke.


75 CONTINUED: (3)

CLEMENS(continuing)But this increasingly hypotheticalsomeone would not be me.

Guinan smiles.

76 ON THE ENTRYWAY - FAR ACROSS THE ROOM

where Data has just ENTERED, wearing the fine clothesof a 19th-century gentleman. He pauses, scanning theroom.

DOORMAN (o.s.)Good afternoon, sir.

Include the DOORMAN, a large man appropriately dressed,holding a GUESTLIST. The man eyes Data, reactingmomentarily to his skin color, but then taking it instride.

Data shoots his cuffs, as if confident in his new role.

DATAGood afternoon. I would like tospeak to Guinan.

DOORMAN(re: guestlist)And you are... ?

Data's confidence suddenly flags as he realizes there'sa list.

DATAData.

The man checks the list.

DOORMANMister Data... Could it be underanother name?

DATAI do not know...

The Doorman is hesitant about possibly offending amisplaced invitee.


76 CONTINUED:

DOORMANI... can't seem to find you onour guest list, sir.

DATAI am a personal friend.

DOORMANMadam Guinan has discovered manypersonal friends since thenewspaper announcement. But ifyou're not on the guest list,there's nothing I can do.

Data will not be denied, begins to move inside...

DATAIt is urgent that I see her...

The Doorman tries to block his way...

DOORMAN-- Sir, if you don't leave thishouse immediately, I will sendfor the police.

DATAThat is an excellent idea. I willwait for them inside.

Data STRIDES STRAIGHT into the party. The Doormangrabs onto him, but is dragged along like a rag doll byData's android strength.


77 ON GUINAN AND COMPANY

still enjoying the conversation.

DOORMAN (o.s.)Sir! Please!

Guinan and Clemens and the others turn toward thenoise.

78 INCLUDE DATA

as he approaches them, dragging the Doorman behind him.

DATAGuinan, I must speak with youimmediately.

Data stops in front of her. She reacts... looks at himwithout an ounce of recognition.

DOORMAN(out of breath)Forgive me, madam... He's strongerthan he looks.

DATA(to Guinan)I am sorry about the disruption,but he did not believe me whenI told him we were friends.

GUINAN"We?" Meaning you and me? Havewe met, Mister...

DATA(puzzled)Data.

Guinan looks completely blank. Data reacts -- SHEDOESN'T KNOW HIM.

DATAYes. We... were on a shiptogether.

Guinan smiles, trying to socially defuse the situation,as well as find out who this strange man is. Clemensis keenly observant.

GUINANI've certainly done my share oftravelling. What ship?

STAR TREK: "Time's Arrow" - REV. 4/07/92 - ACT FIVE 51-52.

78 CONTINUED:

DATAThe Enterprise.

GUINANIs that a clipper ship?

DATAIt is a starship.

Guinan REACTS -- suddenly she knows she's dealing withan alien like herself. But she also is acutely awareof the need to maintain appearances.

CLEMENS(puzzled)A starship? What registry wouldthat be?

GUINANMister Data. Of course.(to Clemens)Excuse us, but we have so muchto catch up on...


78 CONTINUED: (2)

Guinan quickly hurries Data OFFSCREEN. Clemens is leftwith his hand in the air. He reaches up for his cigarand takes a long puff, staring in the direction thepair disappeared, a look of intrigued suspicion on hisface...

79thruOMITTED80

81 ON DATA AND GUINAN

as Guinan pulls him past the partygoers and arounda door.

GUINANLet me guess. My father sent you.Well, you tell him I've still gota lot more listening to do --

DATA-- I was not sent by your father.

A beat; Data realizes that she doesn't know who he is,but decides he has no choice.

DATACircumstances demand that I takeyou into my confidence. I requireyour assistance.

A pause, then Data spills the beans.

DATA(continuing)I am from the future.

Guinan reacts with surprise.

GUINANIs this some kind of a joke?

She stares at his guileless face.

GUINAN(continuing)No, you don't look like the jokingtype.


81 CONTINUED:

DATAThat is correct. I am from thetwenty-fourth century, where youand I serve together on the samestarship.

Guinan lets this sink in for a moment. Accepts it, fornow.

GUINANWhy do you need my help?

DATAOur ship encountered a specieswho appear to be threatening 19th-century Earth. I investigated,and was inadvertently pulled intotheir temporal vortex.(beat)When I saw your photograph in thenewspaper, I assumed you hadjoined me from the future. I knowyour species is long-lived --but I did not realize you hadvisited Earth so long ago.

Data suddenly NOTICES SOMETHING behind Guinan --

81A A TENDRIL OF SMOKE

wafting up from behind the door. Data and Guinan lookfrom the smoke to each other.

82 FOLLOW DATA AND GUINAN

as they step around the corner...

83 INCLUDE CLEMENS

inches away from them, the big cigar firmly in hand.

CLEMENSEavesdropping is by no means aproper activity for a gentleman.(beat)Nonetheless, the deed is done...


83 CONTINUED:

OFF the look between Data and Guinan -- he's heardeverything.

84 EXT. ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL)

In orbit above the planet.


Riker, Troi, Geordi, Worf and Beverly... allparticipate in the preparation of the field... there isa variety of technical gear with them... one three-foot-high generator with controls and readouts, threetwo-foot-high relay stations akin to a small satellitereceiver... Geordi wields a tricorder pinpointing theperimeter...

GEORDIHere...

Worf sets down a generator expertly... aims it atCrusher and Riker about twenty yards away...

86 BEVERLY AND RIKER

are doing roughly the same exercise... Beverly withthe tricorder...

BEVERLYThe triolic waves end... right...here...

Riker sets up a relay station, aligns it with Worf...

87 GEORDI

has moved to join Troi against the rockface... who hasalready set up another relay... Geordi checks it withhis tricorder...

GEORDIThat's fine, Counselor...

As he moves to meet Worf against a parallel sectionof rockface who is setting up the last relay station...


88 ANGLE (OPTICAL)

Picard MATERIALIZES... the away team reacts...

PICARDHow soon will you be ready?

GEORDII think we are, Captain...

Geordi goes to the generator and hits a panel, anoptical flash passes between the generator and thethree relays and disappears... the area is not aperfect square...

GEORDIThe subspace field is established.

He looks at Riker for further instructions... Riker isbeginning to worry about the captain's unexpectedarrival... if it means he wants to be here for this, hehas a big problem with that...

RIKERI'd feel more comfortable if you'dmonitor us from the ship, captain.

PICARDI have reason to believe mypresence on this mission isimperative.

RIKERImperative?

PICARDYes.(beat)Mister Worf, you will report tothe bridge.

WORFSir... as security officer, myplace is by your side.


88 CONTINUED:

PICARDThe security of the Enterpriseis of paramount importance,Lieutenant.

WORF(beat)Yes, sir.(hits combadge)Worf to Enterprise.

TRANSPORTER OFFICER COM VOICEGo ahead.

WORF(not pleased)Beam me up.

TRANSPORTER OFFICER COM VOICEStand by.

Worf DEMATERIALIZES.

PICARDProceed, Mister La Forge.

Riker accepts the inevitable. Geordi is holding amodified tricorder...

GEORDI(for Picard's benefit)I've modified this tricorder tointerface with the subspacegenerator... It should allow meto control the phasediscrimination... assuming it'sgoing to work at all...(off Picard's nod)I'll need everyone within thefield...

Everyone passes between the relays... another opticalflash as they pass through the invisible line...

GEORDIAdjusting for synchronicdistortion... point-zero-zero-one...

And with each count, there is a continuous lightingchange... slowly being bathed in a blue light...


88 CONTINUED: (2)

GEORDI(continuing)...point-zero-zero-two...point-zero-zero-three...

And as the blue hue increases, now figures begin toAPPEAR...

89 ANGLE (OPTICAL)

a group of ALIENS in reclining positions on the ground,arranged loosely in a circle... each of them issilver-gray, a vaguely humanoid shape with very roundheads, no facial features to speak of... except ablowhole where the forehead might ordinarily be... intheir center, built into the ground, is a TRANSLUCENTHOLDING CHAMBER, glowing and flashing from within (likea light ball spinning inside). On the side of thechamber is a techno-organic, nipplelike projection.Periodically, the chamber DISPENSES an energy segmentfrom its lower recesses... and as it emerges one ofthe aliens on a rotating basis sucks it into hisblowhole...

90 THE AWAY TEAM (OPTICAL)

reacts... a beat as the aliens continue to ignorethem.

PICARDWhy can we see them when theycan't see us?

GEORDIThe phase displacement might notbring us far enough into theirperceptual range.

91 PICARD (OPTICAL)

moves up close to look at one... it ignores him...keeps sucking energy...


91 CONTINUED:

BEVERLY(with tricorder)These strands appear to bebiomagnetic... variable flux...they must be organic in origin...

PICARDA life-form... ?

92 TROI AND RIKER (OPTICAL)

move to the translucent chamber... the lights continueto flash from within... moving around, darting... andagain, once in awhile, one is dispensed out the bottomand disappears into an alien blowhole... Troi isgetting strong feelings now... she is overwhelmed withthe power of the emotions she feels... and she can'thelp raising one hand to the chamber and gentlytouching it...

A tear rolls down her cheek...

TROINo. There is no life here...what I have sensed is only animprint, an echo from the lastmoment of life... Human life...they all died in terror...

There is a sonic boom... a bright light and they react,turn to see...

93 ANGLE (OPTICAL)

Two more aliens arriving through a hole of swirlingwhite light... one carries a canister... the othera glowing, snakelike object... the noise isdeafening...


94 THE AWAY TEAM

surrounded by the swirling wind, now bathed in thecombination of blue and white light. (They are farenough away to avoid being sucked in like Data was.)They react to the sight of the newcomer aliens...

95 THE ALIENS (OPTICAL)

move to the transparent chamber. One of themattaches the canister to the nipplelike projectionon the chamber's side... new segments enter the tubefrom the canister... and the chamber gets brighter...

96 THE AWAY TEAM

watches in horror... over the din --

RIKERMy God... they're delivering moreof them... for the others to...ingest...

TROI(reacts with surprise to something she sees)Will, look at what he'scarrying...

Riker looks at the other alien with the squigglingobject...

97 ANGLE - CLOSE ON THE OBJECT (OPTICAL)

as it twists in the alien's hands... and opens a mouthrevealing itself to be something akin to a snake...and it struggles to escape but the alien grips itharder...

98 THE OTHER ALIEN (OPTICAL)

removes the canister from the holding tank and theymove back to the white light and are drawn in...


99 RIKER (OPTICAL)

looks to Picard... who exchanges a look with the othersand with a nod, the captain leads the way to theanomaly... as they move closer with grim determinationon their faces, they enter into the force... anddisappear into the white light... which twists itselfup and disappears... and without a freeze frame... westay for several beats on the silent, desolatelandscape and only then do we super:

TO BE CONTINUED

FADE OUT.

END OF ACT FIVE

THE END

time's arrow, pt 1

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