STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE "Rivals" #40512-431 Story by Jim Trombetta and Michael Piller Teleplay by Joe Menosky Directed by David Livingston THE WRITING CREDITS MAY NOT BE FINAL AND SHOULD NOT BE USED FOR PUBLICITY OR ADVERTISING PURPOSES WITHOUT FIRST CHECKING WITH THE TELEVISION LEGAL DEPARTMENT. Copyright 1993 Paramount Pictures Corporation. All Rights Reserved. This script is not for publication or reproduction. No one is authorized to dispose of same. If lost or destroyed, please notify the Script Department. Return to Script Department FINAL DRAFT PARAMOUNT PICTURES CORPORATION October 18, 1993 STAR TREK: DS9 - "Rivals" - 10/18/93 - CAST STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE "Rivals" CAST SISKO ALSIA KIRA MARTUS ODO COS QUARK ROANA BASHIR COM VOICE DAX O'BRIEN KEIKO ROM Non-Speaking Non-Speaking MORN BAJORAN MONKS N.D SUPERNUMERARIES STAR TREK: DS9 - "Rivals" - 10/18/93 - SETS STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE "Rivals" SETS INTERIORS EXTERIORS DEEP SPACE NINE DEEP SPACE NINE CORRIDOR HOLDING CELL O'BRIEN'S QUARTERS OPS PROMENADE QUARK'S REPLIMAT SECURITY OFFICE RACQUETBALL COURT CLUB MARTUS STAR TREK: DS9 - "Rivals" - 10/19/93 - PRONUNCIATION STAR TREK: QEEP SPACE NINE "Rivals" PRONUNCIATION GUIDE BAJORAN bah-JOR-an CARDASSIAN car-DASS-ee-en ALSIA AL-see-ya BRISCOLA BRISS-koe-lah EL-AURIAN EL OAR-ee-uhn GAMZIAN GAN-zee-uhn MARTUS MAZUR MAR-tus may-ZUR PLYGORIAN PLY-gor-EE-uhn PROSECCO pro-SEK-o PYTHRO PIE-throw PYTHRON PIE-thron VLUGTA VLUG-tuh VLUGTAN VLUG-tan ISIK ISS-ick DEEP SPACE: "Rivals" - REV. 10/18/93 - TEASER 1. STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE "Rivals" TEASER FADE IN: 1 EXT. SPACE - DEEP SPACE NINE (OPTICAL) Establishing. 2 INT. QUARK'S - SECOND LEVEL A table somewhat away from the main action. A tall, elegantly dressed and mannered man in his forties, MARTUS, is bending a sympathetic ear toward his companion, an alien matron, ALSIA, who appears to be a couple of decades his senior. ALSIA When my husband was alive we ran the business together. And I managed to put away a bit of latinum every year, just for myself. Now that he's gone... Well, I've got quite a little sum... Martus nods, his voice the very essence of sympathy -- when Martus talks, it's as if he absolutely, unquestionably, no- two-ways-about-it is on your side. MARTUS That's important... She nods, smiling. Then the smile slowly fades... ALSIA To be honest... It's not really enough. Not for the future. Not for the way I want to live out my retirement... (beat) So I've decided to invest it all -- She catches herself. Then shakes her head, as if amazed. ALSIA (continuing) I can't believe I'm telling you this... We just met. DEEP SPACE: "Rivals" - REV. 10/20/93 - TEASER 2. 2 CONTINUED: ALSIA (Cont'd) But I think I can really trust you. I feel like we've known each other forever. MARTUS (shrugs) When hearts are in sympathy... time collapses... He puts a sympathetic hand on hers... she smiles in response. 3 ON ODO ENTERING Quark's from across the room. He's scanning the place with intent -- a man on a mission. 4 RESUME SCENE The matron puts her free hand on top of Martus's. ALSIA I'm taking everything I've saved, and I'm purchasing the mining concession for the entire Vlugta asteroid belt. MARTUS Asteroid mining? How adventurous. (concerned) But are you sure that's wise? Prospecting can be risky. She leans toward him across the table. ALSIA Not this time. (confidentially) My father was a stellar cartographer. Thirty years ago, he conducted a full spectrum mineralogical analysis of those asteroids. But he never had the means to follow up on what he found. MARTUS (with admiration) And now you plan to carry out your father's dream. DEEP SPACE: "Rivals" - REV. 10/18/93 - TEASER 2A. 4 CONTINUED: ALSIA (nods) When his survey results become public, I'll get seven times my investment back... overnight. (laughs) I still can't believe I'm telling you all this. My "secret plan." I've been thinking about it for years. I never even told my husband... it must be all this Gamzian wine. MARTUS How brave of you... handling everything on your own... ALSIA (flattered) It hasn't been easy. There's so much to keep track of... so much to do. MARTUS (light bulb) Maybe I can help. (a beat) Would you consider... Some kind of... partnership? Alsia smiles. She's vulnerable, lonely, in a little over her head. Martus is just what she needs... Until... DEEP SPACE: "Rivals" - REV. 10/18/93 - TEASER 3. 5 INCLUDE ODO'S HAND as it's planted firmly on Martus's shoulder. Martus cringes under the grip, glancing up. 6 THE SCENE Odo is standing next to Martus, hand in place. Alsia looks concerned. ODO Let's go. Martus glances at the hand on his shoulder -- but Odo doesn't budge. MARTUS Exactly where are we going? ODO To Security. The woman reacts. Martus keeps his sophisticated cool. MARTUS But I've done nothing wrong. His companion nods vigorously. ALSIA It's true. We were just talking. ODO You were talking, Madam. He was listening. Martus scowls. OFF the woman's puzzled look. 7 INT. PROMENADE - SECOND LEVEL Odo escorts Martus. MARTUS Security Chief Odo, isn't it? ODO I've been watching you since you arrived. MARTUS Should I be flattered? DEEP SPACE: "Rivals" - REV. 10/19/93 - TEASER 4. 7 CONTINUED: ODO Martus Mazur... A refuge from the El-Aurian system... MARTUS Everyone has to be from somewhere. (a beat) Where are you from, Odo? Odo looks up at Martus. The con man's face is open, sympathetic. ODO (harsh) Don't try to pull that routine on me. MARTUS (innocently) What routine? ODO I know all about you El-Aurians. You're "listeners." People like to talk to you. Martus shrugs. DEEP SPACE: "Rivals" - REV. 10/20/93 - TEASER 5. 7 CONTINUED: (2) MARTUS Everyone needs someone to confide in... Someone to hear their stories... I offer a sympathetic ear. And if they request my help -- I give it to them. ODO That couple from Pythro Five told me you asked for their financial access codes. MARTUS Some might call helping an elderly couple invest their savings a compassionate act. ODO Not when you invest it in your own business. A business that promptly folds. MARTUS I had a run of bad luck. No one regrets it more than I do. ODO You're a con man. And they've signed a complaint. Martus's confidence seems to break for a moment at this news. 7AA OMITTED 7A INT. HOLDING AREA (OPTICAL) Odo pushes Martus backward into the open security cell. Martus looks around the cell, noting his cellmate, an ancient, diseased-looking alien (COS), then turns back to Odo. His voice is thoughtful, sympathetic. MARTUS (re: cell) This isn't necessary. I'm not going anywhere. Let's have a drink. Talk a bit... Odo harumphs and activates the cell field barrier. He turns and heads away. OFF Martus's scowl... FADE OUT. END OF TEASER DEEP SPACE: "Rivals" - REV. 10/20/93 - ACT ONE 6. ACT ONE FADE IN: 8 EXT. SPACE - DEEP SPACE NINE (OPTICAL) Establishing. 9 INT. CORRIDOR O'BRIEN is walking jauntily along, carrying an athletic bag and dressed in very casual workout clothes -- the DS9 equivalent of cut-off sweats, old t-shirt and tennis shoes. He's practice-swinging with anticipation a racquetball-type racquet -- as if really looking forward to working out. O'Brien comes to a door and goes inside. 10 INT. RACQUETBALL COURT - CONTINUOUS O'Brien ENTERS and is surprised to find BASHIR inside. And also geared up for play -- only Bashir is dressed in the latest professional-style fashion. O'Brien looks like a pickup player by comparison. The doctor is warming up, stretching his muscles with a set of highly stylized stretches that also tell of serious formal training in the sport. BASHIR (in greeting) Chief. O'Brien tries not very successfully to cover his disappointment at finding someone else in his court. O'BRIEN Oh. Hello, Doctor... BASHIR (re: court) Great job. You built it yourself, didn't you? Bashir doesn't mean it in a patronizing way, but somehow the question rubs O'Brien the wrong way. O'BRIEN Yeah. Just finished. I missed playing. And I figured there'd be at least a couple of players on board. DEEP SPACE: "Rivals" - REV. 10/18/93 - ACT ONE 7. 10 CONTINUED: O'Brien sets down his racquet and athletic bag and also starts to stretch -- his exercises, like his gear, suggest a non-organized approach to the game. O'BRIEN (continuing) I didn't think you'd be one of them. BASHIR Captain of the team at Starfleet Medical School. We took the sector championship my last year. O'Brien reacts. O'BRIEN Against other medical students. Bashir laughs. BASHIR Against everybody. (remembers) I played a Vulcan in the finals. Talk about stamina -- I don't think he ever actually broke a sweat. O'Brien looks at him. O'BRIEN (surprised) And you won? BASHIR (of course) Took him on a back wall riser shot. O'Brien considers this as Bashir goes into a slightly bizarre exercise -- opening his arms wide and thrusting elbows back in a cross between Tai Chi and a flapping chicken. O'BRIEN Well, I can't say I've had much in the way of... (a look at the weird exercise) ... formal training. O'Brien picks up his racquet and takes a ball out of his athletic bag. DEEP SPACE: "Rivals" - REV. 10/20/93 - ACT ONE 8. 10 CONTINUED: (2) O'BRIEN (continuing) But it's been a serious pastime for a lot of years. BASHIR (over-helpful) Some of the toughest players I've run into didn't know what they were doing -- Whoops. BASHIR (continuing) -- formally I mean. Hey, whatever works, works. (quickly) This exercise for example. I picked it up at a tournament from a top player. It's a four thousand year old battle warmup. According to legend, it "makes the heart a friend to the hand." He pauses. BASHIR (continuing) Medically, I don't know what that means. All I know is it gives me more energy. Bashir picks up his own racquet. BASHIR Feel like playing? O'Brien tosses the ball to Bashir. O'BRIEN Serve. Bashir bounces the ball a couple of times in warmup. BASHIR (re: floor lines) I'd guess from the lines you prefer Old Style rules. DEEP SPACE: "Rivals" - REV. 10/18/93 - ACT ONE 9. 10 CONTINUED: (3) O'Brien bristles slightly at the insinuation -- even if Bashir didn't intend anything by it. O'BRIEN I can play any style you want. BASHIR (shrugs) Traditional it is. Always been my personal favorite anyway -- O'BRIEN (with edge) -- Serve. Bashir SMASHES one against the wall. The velocity catches O'Brien off-guard and he doesn't return. BASHIR (almost apologetic) One... OFF O'Brien as he girds for the battle. 11 INT. HOLDING CELL Martus looks in disbelief at... 12 HIS CELLMATE an old, misshapen alien lying asleep on the other bunk -- the Cos. His wheeze sounds like a death rattle. Martus cringes in disgust. MARTUS Pardon me, Friend. No response. MARTUS (louder) Pardon me. The noise continues unabated. Martus gets up, steps over. The view from up close isn't pretty -- the alien looks as bad as he sounds. MARTUS (continuing) Ugh... DEEP SPACE: "Rivals" - REV. 10/18/93 - ACT ONE 10. 12 CONTINUED: Martus carefully reaches down without touching him, and shakes the cot. The snoring stops. In fact, there's a long beat where it doesn't seem like he's breathing at all. Martus's eyes go wide. MARTUS (continuing) Friend? Are you all right... ? Martus leans hesitantly forward -- as if to place his ear close to the alien's chest and listen for a heartbeat. A SUDDEN CHOKING BREATH almost makes Martus jump out of his shoes. The alien cellmate coughs and sits up. MARTUS (continuing) I thought you had died. COS If only... Martus steps back as the alien hacks a couple of more times, then seems to recover. COS (continuing) If only I could be so fortunate. MARTUS You were snoring. Martus goes back to his cot. The alien smiles sadly. COS Forgive me. But as you can see, my health is not good. MARTUS Yes. Well, sorry I had to wake you. Martus turns away, hoping the conversation will end. COS I wasn't always like this. MARTUS (dismissive) Of course not. DEEP SPACE: "Rivals" - REV. 10/18/93 - ACT ONE 11. 12 CONTINUED: (2) COS (not getting the hint) I had youth. Vigor. Fame. Wealth beyond measure. All gone... Martus just doesn't want to hear this. MARTUS I'm not listening... DEEP SPACE: "Rivals" - REV. 10/18/93 - ACT ONE 12. 12 CONTINUED: (3) COS All because of this. Cos pulls out a small, spherical, softball-sized, handheld GAMBLING DEVICE. It has a strange design, covered by curious angles and curves, as if fashioned from exotic seashells. Martus stares as Cos thumbs a button on the device. It chirps and whistles strangely. MARTUS A gambling device. The sound suddenly stops. The device is quiet as before. MARTUS (continuing) Did you win? COS (weary smile) Of course not. Martus doesn't understand the response, but he's still intrigued. MARTUS You gambled away everything you had? DEEP SPACE: "Rivals" - REV. 10/19/93 - ACT ONE 13. 12 CONTINUED: (4) COS In a manner of speaking. (beat) Every trade deal I struck was a disaster. Every alliance I formed fell apart. Every endeavor backed -- a failure. Martus scowls. This guy's not making much sense. He lies back down. MARTUS What does that have to do with a toy? Sounds like you just had a lot of rotten luck. COS Yes. "Rotten luck." In the end... (he looks at the device) It all comes down to luck. Cos works the device again. The sounds begin again. Only this time, when they stop, the entire device HUMS and GLOWS brightly for a beat, then fades. COS (in awe) I... won... 13 MARTUS isn't really paying attention. MARTUS That's nice... (beat) What did you win... ? 14 THE COS'S HANDS go limp, dropping the ball onto the floor. 15 FOLLOW THE DEVICE as it rolls across the room, banging up against Martus's cot. DEEP SPACE: "Rivals" - REV. 10/19/93 - ACT ONE 14. 16 INCLUDE MARTUS as he reaches over and picks up the device. MARTUS You dropped it... No response. Martus glances over -- 17 INCLUDE THE COS who is sitting still on his cot, head down on his chest, eyes open and blank -- peaceful smile on his face... Martus whips around. MARTUS Officer! You've got a dead prisoner in here! (no response) Officer... Hold on the device in Martus's hand for a beat, then... 18 OMITTED FADE OUT. END OF ACT ONE DEEP SPACE: "Rivals" - REV. 10/19/93 - ACT TWO 15. ACT TWO FADE IN: 19 INT. O'BRIEN'S QUARTERS KEIKO is working at a small computer. The door opens and O'Brien ENTERS. KEIKO (not looking up) How'd it go? O'Brien's sweatclothes are drenched in perspiration, his face is red with exhaustion and anger. He throws the racquet across the room. Keiko glances up at the noise, sees his condition. KEIKO (continuing; cautious) Good workout? O'BRIEN Medical school. Captain of the team -- at Medical school. KEIKO Who are you talking about? O'BRIEN Bashir. O'Brien begins undressing. KEIKO You had a game? O'BRIEN No. He had a game. I just kind of stumbled around the court for ninety minutes and made a complete ass of myself. KEIKO I'm sure he didn't see it that way. O'BRIEN The hell he didn't. That smug look on his face. "I guess you prefer Old Style rules." Like I'm some kind of a fossil. In my day, I would've wiped the court with him. DEEP SPACE: "Rivals" - REV. 10/19/93 - ACT TWO 16. 19 CONTINUED: KEIKO That's the point. You're not a kid anymore. It's nothing to be ashamed of. People just naturally... slow down. O'Brien shoots her a look. O'BRIEN Like molasses in winter. Thanks. KEIKO Miles... You're taking this way too seriously. O'BRIEN (ignoring her) I'm out of shape, that's all. I need to get my wind back. "Sector Champion" my eye. He's vulnerable to every one of my best shots. (beat) I just couldn't get them there. He heads for the shower. O'BRIEN (continuing; with intent) This time... As O'Brien disappears offscreen... 20 INT. REPLIMAT Bashir and DAX are stepping away from the Replimat with a couple of snacks. In contrast to O'Brien, the doctor looks fresh as a daisy. But also very concerned. BASHIR I thought he was going to have a heart attack. DAX Come on, Julian. It couldn't have been that bad. DEEP SPACE: "Rivals" - REV. 10/19/93 - ACT TWO 17. 20 CONTINUED: BASHIR No, really. His face was flushed. I could've taken his pulse just by watching the side of his neck. DAX Then why didn't you stop? BASHIR Don't think I didn't try. After the first game, I said I had an appointment. He ignored me. Then after the second, I said I was getting tired. He didn't believe me. They sit down. BASHIR (continuing) Then he broke his racquet and I figured finally. But no. He made me stay there while he went and replicated another one. DAX So what finally happened? BASHIR While he was gone, I called my assistant. Told her to call me back after five minutes and say there was an emergency in the Infirmary. Dax can't help but smile. DAX That's terrible. BASHIR I had no other way out! Otherwise there would have been an emergency -- Chief O'Brien's coronary! DAX At least it's all over. BASHIR That's just it. This is only the beginning. DEEP SPACE: "Rivals" - REV. 10/19/93 - ACT TWO 18. 20 CONTINUED: (2) BASHIR The Chief wants a rematch. I'm telling you... it's going to kill him. Dax takes a sip of her drink, sets it down. DAX Honestly, Julian. You're exaggerating. O'Brien's not a day over thirty-eight... BASHIR Too young to die... Bashir shakes his head. BASHIR (continuing) I guess I am overstating the health risk. But that's not the point. The Chief has a lot of pride. And for good reason. I really respect him -- the things he's done, the kind of man he is. A long beat. BASHIR (continuing) I don't want to humiliate him... OFF Bashir's genuine concern. 21 INT. HOLDING CELL Martus is sitting on his bunk... the alien cellmate has been removed. Martus is idly playing with the gambling device left behind. He wins and the entire device GLOWS. MARTUS (bored) Another winner. What luck... 22 INCLUDE ODO (OPTICAL) as he arrives and opens the security field. DEEP SPACE: "Rivals" - REV. 10/19/93 - ACT TWO 19-19A. 22 CONTINUED: ODO The Pythron couple has refused to press charges. Martus is surprised. Then recovers his cool. MARTUS Of course. Didn't I tell you? They're my friends. ODO You can go. Martus is out the door. OFF Odo's face. 23 INT. QUARK'S QUARK and ROM are at the bar with MORN. They are playing a penny ante game for the price of Morn's drink. QUARK All right. Double or nothing. ROM House always takes blue. DEEP SPACE: "Rivals" - REV. 10/19/93 - ACT TWO 20. 23 CONTINUED: Morn tips over a small "basket" and out spills a triangular "coin," exotically designed, one side blue, the other white. It comes up blue. Quark grins. QUARK Sorry. The drink's on you. Morn pays. 23A OMITTED 24 INCLUDE MARTUS Walking up to the bar. MARTUS Prosecco. Quark doesn't budge. The Ferengi's attitude is unbroken confidence. QUARK And how do you plan on paying for that? (an edge) With "charm?" perhaps? A beat. Martus picks up the triangular coin, places it in the basket. MARTUS Double or nothing? QUARK (no way) Double nothing is still nothing. DEEP SPACE: "Rivals" - REV. 10/18/93 - ACT TWO 20A. 24 CONTINUED: Martus shows him the game. MARTUS If I lose, I'll give you this. Quark's not sure what the alien game is, but... QUARK (why not?) House always takes blue. DEEP SPACE: "Rivals" - REV. 10/19/93 - ACT TWO 21. 24 CONTINUED: (2) Martus turns the basket, the coin spill out and comes up white. QUARK (begrudgingly) Lucky. Martus tries not to react to Quark's comment. MARTUS My luck's running good today. QUARK So I heard. (off Martus's look) Decided not to testify, did they? Quark serves a drink in a very thin, flute-like glass. Martus downs it. MARTUS (innocent) I don't know what you mean. QUARK No? Quark indicates Martus's elegant clothes. QUARK (continuing) The forty-seventh Rule of Acquisition says "Don't trust a man wearing a better suit than your own." Either you're a con artist or you're covering up an empty coin purse. (toothy grin) I happen to know it's both. If this rattles Martus he doesn't let it show. In fact, he glances around and smiles with admiration, thumbing the game absentmindedly and winning. MARTUS I suppose we can't all be as successful as you. Quark finds himself glancing around with Martus, nodding. DEEP SPACE: "Rivals" - REV. 10/19/93 - ACT TWO 22. 24 CONTINUED: (3) QUARK Too true. Quark notices Martus play the game (and win) again. QUARK (continuing, curious) Some kind of game? (Martus nods) I've never seen that one before. How do you play? Martus hands the device to Quark. It looks captivating in the light. MARTUS Just push that key. Quark follows Martus's directions. The game chirps and whistles, then goes dead. No winner. MARTUS (continuing) Too bad. Martus takes it, tries it himself. The device chirps and whistles, then HUMS and GLOWS, beautifully. DEEP SPACE: "Rivals" - REV. 10/18/93 - ACT TWO 23. 24 CONTINUED: (4) MARTUS (continuing; shrugs) As I said. My luck's running good today. He sets the device on the bar between them. Quark is interested, but covers the sentiment with a dismissive gesture. QUARK Am I supposed to be impressed? MARTUS A little tinkering, some replication and expansion. It might make a nice addition to your casino. Quark glances at it, seems to barely keep from yawning. QUARK Who would play this? It's a child's toy. (as if getting an idea) My nephew. It might keep him out of my ears for a couple of days. Quark reaches down and pulls out a few latinum pieces, casually dropping them on the table. QUARK (continuing) I'll take it. Martus glances down at the coins. He considers Quark's offer. MARTUS (tempted) That's a tidy sum. QUARK I'm feeling benevolent today. (a beat) Have another. Quark casually sets another of the same drink in front of him. Suddenly Martus smiles. MARTUS I might have accepted. But the offer of the drink... That tells me you're very interested. DEEP SPACE: "Rivals" - REV. 10/19/93 - ACT TWO 23A. 24 CONTINUED: (5) Martus has scored a point, but Quark instantly recovers. QUARK Nonsense. You read too much into nothing. My benevolence is known far and wide. Martus stacks the coins. DEEP SPACE: "Rivals" - REV. 10/18/93 - ACT TWO 24. 24 CONTINUED: (4) MARTUS Oh, it's legendary, I'm sure. (beat) I'll take one hundred times what you've got here. QUARK Not in this space-time continuum you won't. (re: device) Go try to peddle this little triviality down on Bajor. You might be able to trade it for a meal. But it won't be a hot one. MARTUS You'd be in profit by the end of the week. Quark offhandedly doubles the amount of coins on the bar. QUARK Final offer. Take it before my magnanimity fades. Martus is desperate for cash, and again, is sorely tempted. He again plays the game -- again it wins, glowing in response. Quark can't keep the desire out of his eyes. Martus smiles. MARTUS Perhaps I'll hang onto it a bit longer... Martus downs the glass. Quark shrugs. QUARK Suit yourself. But be under no illusions. If I had been serious about acquiring this -- it would be mine. And for substantially less than what you'd hoped for. MARTUS It seems overconfidence comes in small packages around here. QUARK My track record speaks for itself. (beat) Just like your security file. A beat as they stare each other down. DEEP SPACE: "Rivals" - REV. 10/18/93 - ACT TWO 25. 24 CONTINUED: (7) MARTUS Thanks for the drink. Martus heads out the door with the device. OFF Quark's face as he shrugs it off and goes back to his business. 25 INT. PROMENADE - CONTINUOUS Martus has left Quark's and is wandering along the Promenade. O'Brien is jogging toward him -- weighted down with ankle and wrist weights. He passes in a huff. Martus continues, eyeing a mature Bajoran widow, ROANA, who is supervising the closing of her shop. The shelves are empty and two Bajoran workers are moving out the last of the merchandise. Martus approaches her. MARTUS (probing) Times are difficult... She shrugs. ROANA Oh, it's not that. Business is good... MARTUS Then why are you shutting down? ROANA My husband and I ran this place for nine years. Before that we had a shop on Bajor for seventeen. But he passed away a few months ago. And my heart just isn't in it anymore. MARTUS Not the same, is it? Working by yourself... ROANA (perks up) No. It's so much nicer to work next to someone else. (smiles) You understand. Martus smiles and gives a little nod -- yes, he always understands... DEEP SPACE: "Rivals" - REV. 10/19/93 - ACT TWO 26. 26 INT. RACQUETBALL COURT Mid-game. O'Brien smacks the ball -- Bashir tries to return, misses. Even though it didn't look that tough. BASHIR Nice shot! O'Brien looks like he can barely contain his anger. He takes the ball, serves. Again, Bashir misses. BASHIR (continuing) Damn. The ball bounces around for a bit. O'Brien doesn't touch it -- he's too ticked off. Bashir picks it up, tosses it to O'Brien who smacks it out the way with his open hand, sending it flying across the court. O'BRIEN You think I'm stupid, too? BASHIR What are you talking about? O'Brien points a finger in his face. O'BRIEN I don't need your charity. Next time, you play your best game or you don't play. O'Brien whips around and is out the door. OFF Bashir's face as he lets out a frustrated breath. 27 INT. PROMENADE Quark and Odo ENTER frame. QUARK He can't do this! I have an exclusive contract! I want him arrested! DEEP SPACE: "Rivals" - REV. 10/19/93 - ACT TWO 27. 27 CONTINUED: ODO Who are you talking about? QUARK Martus! That... (spitting the word) listener. Odo follows Quark. ODO What's he done? QUARK Just look. Quark and Odo arrive in front of the widow's old shop and see -- 28 OMITTED 29 MARTUS Wearing a new jacket, looking pleased and prosperous, ushers customers into his new establishment (Roana's old shop). MARTUS Welcome my friends. Welcome... to Club Martus. Martus glances over, shoots Quark a smile... FADE OUT. END OF ACT TWO DEEP SPACE: "Rivals" - REV. 10/19/93 - ACT THREE 28. ACT THREE FADE IN: 30 EXT. SPACE - DEEP SPACE NINE (OPTICAL) Establishing. 31 INT. PROMENADE - SECOND LEVEL SISKO is walking with Quark, who is hurrying the pace. QUARK I have a contract! For which I paid considerably. All gambling on DS Nine happens at Quark's -- or it doesn't happen. SISKO A few bribes to the Cardassians when they ran this place doesn't constitute a contract. Not in the eyes of the Federation. They enter a turbolift. QUARK He's a con-artist! A crook! Sisko cocks an eyebrow at the description. SISKO One more won't make much difference. The turbolift doors close. PAN DOWN TO: 31A INT. PROMENADE - MAIN LEVEL After a beat, Sisko and Quark emerge from the turbolift. QUARK You owe me. You begged me to stay here when you came on board and I did -- against my better judgement. DEEP SPACE: "Rivals" - REV. 10/19/93 - ACT THREE 28A. 31A CONTINUED: SISKO I didn't beg. I blackmailed you. (a beat) And don't pretend it hasn't paid off for you. They round a corner -- Martus's place is now visible: a healthy stream of patrons going in the entrance. QUARK It's paid off fine until now! Martus is cutting into my profits. I want him stopped before it gets any worse. DEEP SPACE: "Rivals" - REV. 10/18/93 - ACT THREE 29. 31A CONTINUED: (2) ROM (O.S.) Too late for that, my Brother. 32 INCLUDE ROM AND MARTUS having just come from Quark's, heading toward Martus's. Quark's brother and competitor look to be on chummy terms. QUARK What is the meaning of this? MARTUS I've promised your underpaid sibling a quarter partnership in my establishment. Both Quark and Sisko react. ROM (to Quark) Make me a better offer. QUARK A bidding war? Over you? Don't make me laugh. Rom looks hurt, but Martus smiles, victorious, as he and Rom continue toward the new club. QUARK (to Martus, re: Rom) Careful, Martus. He shaves the latinum! ROM (as he goes) I do not. (beat) Not much... Quark turns to Sisko with an "I told you so" look... 33 EXT. SPACE - DEEP SPACE NINE (OPTICAL) Establish time cut. DEEP SPACE: "Rivals" - REV. 10/19/93 - ACT THREE 30. 34 INT. CLUB MARTUS Martus ENTERS and surveys his club. It's packed. A beautiful dabo girl is serving canapes from a tray and two handsome Bajoran dealers are presiding over a central table. Martus works his way through the room and runs into Alsia, the alien matron from the teaser. She looks worried. ALSIA Martus, I just got word that the Vlugta government accepted my bid. Martus smiles winningly at her... never one to give up on a mark. MARTUS That's wonderful. (picks up on her mood) What's wrong? ALSIA (not happy) They won't finalize the transaction unless I commission a study on the effects the asteroid mining will have on intersystem navigation. (desperate) All my money is committed to the bid. I can't afford the study. And I only have a week to get it done. MARTUS How much do you need? DEEP SPACE: "Rivals" - REV. 10/19/93 - ACT THREE 31. 36 CONTINUED: ALSIA Ten thousand Vlugtan Isiks. MARTUS Ten thousand Isiks... It won't be easy to raise that kind of money. ALSIA I know. I hope I can find an investor in time. Which is exactly what Martus wanted. It's his lucky day. MARTUS I might know someone. But what kind of return could they expect on their investment? ALSIA Once I begin mining, I'll pay them ten times ten thousand. MARTUS (smiles) Don't worry, Alsia. I'll do everything in my power to keep your dream alive. ALSIA Martus, I don't know how to thank you. Alsia kisses him on the cheek and EXITS the Club. 35 thru OMITTED 36 37 NEW ANGLE Martus notices Rom, who is running a tricorder over a second plate of canapes. MARTUS Is there a problem, Rom? DEEP SPACE: "Rivals" - REV. 10/19/93 - ACT THREE 31A. 37 CONTINUED: ROM Not with this batch... but with my brother around... you can never be too careful. Rom signals to the dabo girl, whose tray is now empty. She comes to take the new tray. MARTUS You mean to say he would poison the canapes? ROM Maybe not poison. But a small intestinal bug... I wouldn't put it past him. The dabo girl picks up the tray and Martus nuzzles his face along her neck. MARTUS (continuing) Don't worry about Quark. I've been having the most astonishing run of luck lately. (nuzzles closer) I'm beginning to think I can do no wrong... DEEP SPACE: "Rivals" - REV. 10/18/93 - ACT THREE 32. Martus's financial backer, Roana, the Bajoran widow, steps into the club. Martus spots her a split second before she sees him -- and instantly turns the nuzzle into a paternal scolding of the dabo girl's uniform. MARTUS (continuing) Neatness counts. Never think it doesn't... Then he pretends to have spotted Roana for the first time. He grabs two glasses off the tray, sending the girl on her way -- Rom follows with the tricorder. MARTUS (re: Roana) A toast! To the Queen of the Promenade! Everyone smiles good-naturedly, as Roana comes over, flattered by his attention. He hands her one of the glasses. MARTUS (continuing) A woman whose business acumen is matched only by her beauty and charm. (as if thinking) Have I left anything out? She smiles, and Martus returns the loving look. MARTUS (continuing) To you, My Treasure... They clink their glasses and take a drink as everyone else in the room toasts them as well. As the visitors go back to their conversations, Martus indicates the room. MARTUS (continuing) Are you as pleased as I am? ROANA What do you think? MARTUS I think we make quite a good team. (beat) Perhaps we might consider... DEEP SPACE: "Rivals" - REV. 10/18/93 - ACT THREE 33. 37 CONTINUED: (3) MARTUS (teasing smile) ... formalizing our relationship... ROANA Are you proposing to me? Martus pulls out a long, elaborately jeweled EARCUFF. MARTUS What do you think? The Bajoran woman reacts when she sees it, taken aback. ROANA It's beautiful... Martus helps her attach it to her ear. MARTUS You deserve nothing less... There's a MUSICAL CHIMING noise from offscreen. ROANA What's that? Martus smiles. MARTUS Come take a look... 38 FOLLOW MARTUS AND ROANA as he escorts her to the central table -- which features several built-in GAMBLING DEVICES: FULL-SIZED, versions of Martus's handheld, seashell-design alien gambling device. Several players are working them -- one has just paid off by chiming and glowing. The effect is very appealing. The dealer passes the player his winnings. Roana turns to Martus. DEEP SPACE: "Rivals" - REV. 10/19/93 - ACT THREE 34. 38 CONTINUED: ROANA These are wonderful. Where did you get them? She swoops down toward them. MARTUS I replicated them from a handheld version a friend gave me. ROANA I've never seen anything like them. Martus nods proudly. MARTUS No one has. 39 INT. QUARK'S Quark is at the bar, morosely surveying his empty place, idly upending the penny ante coin basket onto the bar. DEEP SPACE: "Rivals" - REV. 10/19/93 - ACT THREE 35. 39 CONTINUED: QUARK (dully) House always takes blue... The coin spills out -- white. QUARK (continuing) What a surprise. Quark again upends the basket -- white. He scowls. Tries it a third time -- white. Now he's ticked. QUARK (continuing) House always takes blue. The coin comes out -- white. In a blast of anger, Quark smacks the coin with his open hand, stepping away from the bar. 40 FOLLOW THE COIN as it bounces across the bar -- and comes up white. 41 INT. OPS (VPB) Dax is at her workstation. Her computer is working on something, but she's not paying attention. The computer BEEPS and her screen suddenly flashes. She stares wide-eyed at the new set of numbers scrolling across the display. DAX (excited) I don't believe it. KIRA steps over. KIRA Believe what? DAX (re: screen) I've had the computer looking for this program for weeks. It was buried somewhere in the deep code level right before the Cardassians left. KIRA How'd you find it? DEEP SPACE: "Rivals" - REV. 10/19/93 - ACT THREE 36. 41 CONTINUED: DAX I'm not sure. It's more like it found me. (shrugs) Just lucky, I guess. 42 INT. RACQUETBALL COURT O'Brien is flat on his back, eyes dazed -- obviously having just been knocked down. Bashir is hovering over him, racquet still in hand. BASHIR I'm so sorry! O'BRIEN (dazed) What... happened... BASHIR You served, I returned low, you slipped on the ball... O'BRIEN I slipped on the ball? BASHIR Stepped right on it in mid-flight. Never seen anything like it. Bashir helps him up. O'Brien rubs his back. BASHIR (continuing) Easy. I want to check you out... O'BRIEN I'm fine. Serve. COM VOICE Doctor Bashir, report to the Infirmary. BASHIR Sorry, Chief. Have to go. O'BRIEN I'll get you next time. Bashir hesitates for a beat. DEEP SPACE: "Rivals" - 10/18/93 - ACT THREE 37. 42 CONTINUED: BASHIR Look, about that... (hesitant) It's just that... I guess I don't enjoy the game as much as I used to. I hope you don't mind... but I'm sure you can find another opponent. Bashir EXITS, leaving O'Brien behind, steaming. DEEP SPACE: "Rivals" - REV. 10/19/93 - ACT THREE 38. 43 OMITTED 44 INT. QUARK'S O'Brien ENTERS and sees that he's Quark's only customer. Quark sits morosely behind the bar. O'BRIEN Where is everybody? Quark indicates Martus's place -- in the background, we can see people going in and out of the club. QUARK (bitter) My friendly competitor's place. (serves O'Brien a drink) A Listener. So what? So he listens. I can listen. I can listen as well as anyone. Quark notices O'Brien stretching his sore back. QUARK What happened? DEEP SPACE: "Rivals" - REV. 10/20/93 - ACT THREE 39. 44 CONTINUED: O'BRIEN I fell down. QUARK See. I'm listening. Nothing to it. (beat) How did you fall down? O'BRIEN Playing racquetball with Bashir. QUARK Where? O'BRIEN On the court -- where do you think? Quark considers for a moment. QUARK What was the score? O'BRIEN (annoyed) Who cares? QUARK I care. I'm listening. Tell me your problems. All of them. O'BRIEN I've got no problems a good drop shot wouldn't cure. QUARK He beat you. O'Brien suddenly cuts loose. O'BRIEN By half a step! That's all. He's got a few years on me -- so what? I've got more experience... A light seems to go on in Quark's eyes. He holds up his hands as if picturing the poster he's sketching in his mind. DEEP SPACE: "Rivals" - REV. 10/20/93 - ACT THREE 40. 44 CONTINUED: (2) QUARK (to himself) The aging champion... O'BRIEN I've got spin shots he's never even seen... QUARK (to himself) Versus the daring challenger... O'BRIEN So I had some bad breaks. One more game. That's all I needed. QUARK (to himself) Come one, come all... O'BRIEN I'd've kicked him all over the court. QUARK (to himself) Welcome to Quark's... O'Brien finishes the beer. O'BRIEN Thanks. He leaves the bar as Quark's mind is spinning. QUARK (to himself) Quark's House of Champions... 45 INT. OPS Dax and Kira at their workstations. A LOUD FRITZ comes from the Ops table. It's enough to make everybody look over. KIRA Damn. Sisko steps outside his office into Ops, a bemused expression on his face. SISKO Something wrong, Major. DEEP SPACE: "Rivals" - REV. 10/19/93 - ACT THREE 41. 45 CONTINUED: KIRA My terminal just... self-destructed. DAX What? KIRA I lost an evaluation report I've been working on for weeks. DAX Even the backups? KIRA Even the backups. Sisko considers for a moment. SISKO Funny, I've been hearing a lot of bad luck stories in the last few hours. (a beat) Doctor Bashir tells me the Infirmary is full of minor accidents. People slipping and falling, walking into turbolift doors before they open, that kind of thing. DAX (lightly, to Kira) Well I've had a great day. So don't try to send your misfortunes over here. Kira scowls. KIRA Come on. We make our own luck. We all know that. She steps off screen carrying a PADD -- there's a LOUD BONK from the direction she's gone. Sisko and Dax glance over. OFF their looks. DEEP SPACE: "Rivals" - 10/18/93 - ACT THREE 42. 46 INT. CLUB MARTUS All of the gambling devices are glowing off and on, the players in front of each are excited. Rom is watching. Martus steps over, scowls. MARTUS They all hit jackpots at once? (off Rom's nod) Is there any way I can blame this on you? ROM (hopes not) I don't think so. MARTUS No. I suppose not. (re: players) Pay them off. Martus is not happy about this turn of events. 47 ON THE GAMES still glowing and chiming. 48 INT. QUARK'S Quark is by himself, one hand idly on the penny ante basket, thinking out loud. QUARK "Challenge of the Galaxy." "Match of the Century." (thinks a beat) "Wonder of the Wormhole." Quark almost unconsciously tips the basket -- the coin comes up blue. Quark glances at it... Finally. QUARK (smiles) House always takes blue... DEEP SPACE: "Rivals" - 10/18/93 - ACT THREE 43. 49 PUSH IN ON THE COIN Something very strange is going on... FADE OUT. END OF ACT THREE DEEP SPACE: "Rivals" - REV. 10/19/93 - ACT FOUR 44. ACT FOUR FADE IN: 50 OMITTED 51 INT. QUARK'S O'Brien ENTERS, carrying his tool kit, to find a crowd gathering in Quark's (three cowled Bajoran monks are among them). Quark himself is the center of attention -- standing on top of the bar, addressing the crowd. Bashir is standing nearby, looking very reluctant. QUARK If it's action you want, you've come to the right place. Excitement... we have it here! Thrills and spills. Victory and defeat. Look no further. We've got it all... Quark spots O'Brien making his way toward Bashir. QUARK (re: O'Brien) Here he is. The reigning champion of Starfleet... A legend on both sides of the wormhole... Ladies and Gentlemen... Miles "The Mechanic" O'Brien! The crowd applauds. 52 ON O'BRIEN as he steps up to Bashir. O'BRIEN What's this all about? I got an emergency call. BASHIR So did I. But I don't see any emergency. 53 RESUME SCENE As the applause dies, Quark indicates Bashir. DEEP SPACE: "Rivals" - REV. 10/19/93 - ACT FOUR 45. 53 CONTINUED: QUARK And the challenger... He's fast, he's deadly. He's Julian Bashir. They call him The Doctor! The grudge match of the galaxy... O'Brien's heard enough and starts for the bar. O'BRIEN (sotto voce, to Quark) Get down from there! QUARK (ignoring him) And all... (pointedly) For a worthy cause. This gets O'Brien's attention. QUARK (continuing) Yes, these noble competitors have insisted I donate half the house's winnings to the Bajoran Fund for Orphans. O'BRIEN (surprised) Orphans? The three Bajoran monks seen earlier in the crowd suddenly converge on O'Brien, giving him a three-way, Leo Buscaglia- type bear hug, pulling him away from Quark. QUARK The Mechanic versus the Doctor. Tomorrow. Twelve hundred hours. And only one will emerge victorious. So place your bets. And in the meantime... (indicates gambling tables) The tables are open... Everyone starts making bets with two of Quark's representatives; gathering around his tables. Quark climbs down from the bar. DEEP SPACE: "Rivals" - 10/18/93 - ACT FOUR 51. 54 OMITTED 55 NEW ANGLE Bashir confronts Quark. BASHIR Quark, this is outrageous. We haven't agreed to anything. QUARK As your exclusive promoter, I have the right to arrange matches as I see fit. BASHIR Exclusive Promoter? QUARK (presenting a PADD) Just sign here. Not a chance. BASHIR Forget it, Quark. QUARK I understand how you feel, but... think of the children. (re: monks) The monks have already made a down payment on new blankets for the winter. (beat) Ah well, I'm sure the little ones can huddle together for warmth... Bashir looks over to O'Brien, who's drowning in orange robes. The two men exchange a look. They both know there's no way out. BASHIR (to O'Brien) Looks like you're going to get that rematch after all. DEEP SPACE: "Rivals" - REV. 10/19/93 - ACT FOUR 47-48. 55 CONTINUED: This time the monks embrace both O'Brien and Bashir and move away into the crowd. 56 INCLUDE MARTUS as he and Quark exchange a look. 57 INT. OPS Dax is at her workstation, a frustrated and puzzled look on her face. DEEP SPACE: "Rivals" - REV. 10/19/93 - ACT FOUR 49. DAX I don't believe it. The program I found... It... disappeared. 58 INCLUDE SISKO Looking over her shoulder. SISKO Have you checked the deep code level? DAX (nods) No luck. (puzzled) It's funny, it's almost like the computer brought that program up at random... then just swallowed it again. Before Sisko can answer... 58 INCLUDE KIRA as she steps into Ops. Sisko turns to her, amazed to see her in good health. SISKO Major -- you're all right. KIRA Not even a sprain. But that's more than I can say for everybody else in the Infirmary. SISKO Still crowded? KIRA Yeah. But Doctor Bashir tells me it's a whole new batch. A beat as they consider this. SISKO More minor accidents? Kira nods. Sisko and Dax think about this for a moment. DEEP SPACE: "Rivals" - REV. 10/19/93 - ACT FOUR 50. 58 CONTINUED: DAX Could there be a connection between the accidents and the increase in system failures? KIRA (doesn't buy it) I wasn't hurt by a system failure. I tripped and fell. Just coincidence, that's all. SISKO (to Dax) There must be a logical explanation for all this... maybe a virus... or some kind of spatial disruption? DAX It would have to be something that effects both people and machinery. SISKO Get on it. 59 INT. CLUB MARTUS The place is practically empty. An N.D. Bajoran is at one of the alien slot machines. Martus's Listening ability has had its effect -- Rom won't shut up, much to Martus's growing annoyance given the state of club. DEEP SPACE: "Rivals" - REV. 10/19/93 - ACT FOUR 51. 59 CONTINUED: ROM I always had smaller lobes than the rest of the boys. They used to tease me about it. Quark was the worst. He told everyone I was adopted... MARTUS (re: empty club) I just don't understand. Things were going so well... ROM On my naming day, Quark substituted old vegetables for my presents. Then he sold the presents for more than our father had paid for them. MARTUS (annoyed) I couldn't care less about your trivial childhood. (indicates club) We've been virtually abandoned. I want to know why. ROM A bad streak. It happens. MARTUS Not to me it doesn't. DEEP SPACE: "Rivals" - 10/18/93 - ACT FOUR 52. 59 CONTINUED: (2) Martus takes a deep frustrated sigh. The dabo girl he was flirting with earlier is standing nearby, idle because of the lack of visitors. Martus smiles and steps over to her. MARTUS I require the comfort of a compassionate soul. He nuzzles his face across her chest -- and glances up to see Roana standing in the doorway. She's glaring at him. ROANA Don't think I didn't see through you from the very start. She didn't of course. But her pride is wounded. Martus pushes the dabo girl away. DEEP SPACE: "Rivals" - REV. 10/20/93 - ACT FOUR 53. 59 CONTINUED: (3) MARTUS A joke! Really. ROANA In case you've forgotten, I still hold the lease on this place. I want you out of here by tomorrow. (re: slot machines) And you can take those damn things with you. Roana EXITS. 59A INT. PROMENADE (OUTSIDE CLUB MARTUS) Martus follows Roana out onto the Promenade. MARTUS But Treasure... Roana storms off without looking back. 59B NEW ANGLE As Rom joins Martus outside the club. ROM (miserable) Oh, I knew no good would come of this. I never should've left Quark. What's going to happen now? Martus watches Roana disappear around the bend of the Promenade. MARTUS I'm not sure. (his eyes light up) But I have an idea. Something has obviously caught Martus's attention. CUT TO: DEEP SPACE: "Rivals" - REV. 10/20/93 - ACT FOUR 54. 60 NEW ANGLE - MARTUS'S P.O.V. And reveal Alsia, on the Promenade, talking to an N.D. human. 60A ANGLE ON MARTUS As he smiles broadly. Maybe his luck is returning. 60B EXT. SPACE - DEEP SPACE NINE (OPTICAL) Time cut. 60C INT. CLUB MARTUS Martus places a lockbox on the counter of the bar and opens it. It's full of latinum. MARTUS The profits from the club... I believe it comes to just about ten thousand Isiks. Martus gives Alsia the box. ALSIA (delighted) Oh, Martus! She hugs him. ALSIA You don't know how much this means to me. MARTUS I know what it means to me... ten times as much in return. ALSIA You won't regret this. You'll see. We'll both be rich. DEEP SPACE: "Rivals" - REV. 10/19/93 - ACT FOUR 54A. 60C CONTINUED: She smiles, kisses him on the cheek, and heads away. He pauses, decides to test his luck -- tries the machine. A loser. Martus scowls and walks away. STAY on the machine... FADE OUT. END OF ACT FOUR DEEP SPACE: "Rivals" - 10/18/93 - ACT FIVE 55. ACT FIVE FADE IN: 61 EXT. SPACE - DEEP SPACE NINE (OPTICAL) Establishing. 62 INT. O'BRIEN'S QUARTERS 63 CLOSE ON O'BRIEN standing in front of the mirror, bare-chested. He looks like he's psyching himself up as he dresses. It's slow and deliberate -- like a medieval knight putting armor on before a joust. O'BRIEN (to his reflection) You can beat his backhand. Keep the ball low and to his left. He stares for a moment. Then turns to one side. 64 INCLUDE KEIKO standing next to him, holding his t-shirt. She hands it to him with great gravity. He pulls it over his head. Then stares again at his reflection. O'BRIEN (continuing) Corner return on the serve, then kill shot left. He keeps staring for a beat, again turns to Keiko. She hands him two wrist sweatbands, and he puts them on. He again stares back at the mirror, continuing the pep talk. O'BRIEN (continuing) If he returns again... high back wall... He again turns to Keiko, who hands him his racquet. He turns back to the mirror. O'BRIEN (continuing) And remember -- DEEP SPACE: "Rivals" - REV. 10/19/93 - ACT FIVE 56. 64 CONTINUED: KEIKO -- Win or lose... (with meaning) Tonight we celebrate. They exchange a look. O'Brien smiles with confidence. He turns for the door. Keiko stops him. KEIKO (continuing) Miles, wait. She shows him a beautiful handkerchief. KEIKO A silk handkerchief... medieval Japanese design. Scented with my perfume. She ties it around his forehead as a sweatband, then gives him a kiss. KEIKO Kick his butt. O'Brien smiles. 64A INT. INFIRMARY Bashir is dressed for the match. He's doing some preliminary stretches, loosening up, that sort of thing, when Quark ENTERS the room, carrying a bottle of liquid. At first Bashir doesn't notice him, intent on his stretching. QUARK Doctor... (Bashir sees him) I brought you something, a token of thanks from the monks... to show how much they appreciate your participation in their little fundraiser. BASHIR (still stretching) Thanks. Put it over there. Bashir indicates a lab table. Quark looks at the bottle. QUARK Aren't you going to try some? DEEP SPACE: "Rivals" - REV. 10/19/93 - ACT FIVE 56A. 64A CONTINUED: BASHIR What is it? QUARK The monks tell me it's a medicinal brew... an ancient secret of their order. It's supposed to impart great energy and vigor... Just the kind of thing to have before an athletic competition. Quark sees Bashir's hesitancy and seems to have a change of heart. QUARK (dismissive) But you're a man of science. You probably don't believe in folk medicine. This gets Bashir's attention. He stops stretching. BASHIR Actually, you'd be surprised how often traditional medicine turns out to have genuine value. He goes and examines the bottle. BASHIR (curious) What did they say was in this stuff? QUARK They didn't, exactly. But I'm sure it's all completely natural. Bashir considers it. He opens the bottle and sniffs the contents. QUARK (helpful) The monks said you should drink the whole thing in one gulp in order to get the proper effect. BASHIR Did they? Bashir places a small drop of the liquid into a vial. He goes to place the vial into a slot on his desk top, but Quark blocks the way. DEEP SPACE: "Rivals" - REV. 10/19/93 - ACT FIVE 56B. 64A CONTINUED: (2) QUARK What are you doing? Bashir tries to move around Quark. BASHIR Just curious about its contents. QUARK (still blocking) But what about your exercises? BASHIR This will only take a second. QUARK (grasping at straws) Why bother? Don't you trust the monks? Bashir ignores him and places the vial in a analyzer. He presses a few buttons, then checks a monitor. BASHIR Water... Sucrose... Dextrose... tribnel root extract... grain particulates... Yeast... synthahol... (suspicious) And almost seventeen milligrams of hyvroxilated quint-ethyl metacetamin. QUARK Like I said... all natural. BASHIR It's an anesthetic. If I drank this, I'd barely be able to stand, let alone play racquetball. (with certainty) You were trying to fix the match. QUARK Would I do that? DEEP SPACE: "Rivals" - REV. 10/19/93 - ACT FIVE 56C. 64A CONTINUED: (3) BASHIR You would if you had enough latinum bet on Chief O'Brien... Realizing he's been found out, Quark's poise turns to desperation. QUARK No one's betting on Chief O'Brien. All the money's on you. If you win, there won't be any profits. And if there aren't any profits, I can't donate anything to the monks. No donations... no winter blankets for the children. (calmer) But if you lose, then the house would win, and the monks would get their blankets. BASHIR Are you suggesting that I throw the match? QUARK For the children. Bashir thinks about it for a second, then... BASHIR Forget it, Quark. QUARK But the blankets... BASHIR Will be provided by you one way or another. Because if the monks don't get their blankets, Chief O'Brien and I will be very upset. (a beat, threatening) Is that clear? QUARK Perfectly. BASHIR (picks up his racket) Now, if you'll excuse me... I have a match to play. Bashir EXITS, leaving behind a disgruntled Quark. Quark grumbles, then takes a sniff from the bottle. His face wrinkles in disgust. DEEP SPACE: "Rivals" - REV. 10/19/93 - ACT FIVE 56D. 65 INT. OPS (VPB) Dax is at her console, looking at a complex display. Sisko and Kira join her. SISKO Kira said you'd found something. DAX Oh, I found something all right. I just don't know what it means. (off the monitor) Look at this. 65A INCLUDE THE MONITOR (VPB) Displaying an Okudagram of a multitude of spinning, bouncing particles. SISKO Solar neutrinos. DEEP SPACE: "Rivals" - REV. 10/19/93 - ACT FIVE 57. 65A CONTINUED: DAX Notice anything unusual? Kira hasn't got any idea, but she gives it the old college try. KIRA There're a lot of them? Dax smiles good-naturedly. DAX The spin. Given the laws of probability, from any given point of view, about half of them should be spinning clockwise and half of them counterclockwise. (brings up more information) But over eighty percent of them are spinning clockwise. KIRA (doesn't buy it) You think people are having accidents because of the way the neutrinos are spinning? DAX No, but I think it may be a symptom of the same problem. The neutrinos outside the station are normal, but inside... (indicates the monitor) Something very strange is going on here. 66 thru OMITTED 67 68 INT. RACQUETBALL COURT O'Brien and Bashir step inside the court, racquets in hand, ready to go. A beat. O'BRIEN (genuinely) Have a good game, Julian. BASHIR (surprised) You too. DEEP SPACE: "Rivals" - REV. 10/19/93 - ACT FIVE 58. 68 CONTINUED: O'Brien takes his position. Bashir bounces the ball off the floor a couple of times. Then serves. O'Brien returns -- just as he'd said in front of the mirror -- low and to the left... 69 INT. QUARK'S - CONTINUOUS (OPTICAL) The place is packed. A large monitor shows the interior of the racquetball court. The Bajoran monks are among the spectators. On the screen we see Bashir miss his return shot. Quark, who is standing under the screen calling the game, reacts with pleasant surprise. QUARK First point, O'Brien, breaking the serve... (dramatically) So it begins... 70 INT. RACQUETBALL COURT - CONTINUOUS O'Brien is more surprised than anybody. He picks up the ball, then serves. Bashir returns, O'Brien keeps it going, Bashir swings again at the ball, but the head of his racquet comes off and he misses. 71 INT. QUARK'S - CONTINUOUS Again, Quark is surprised at the result. QUARK Two-zero, O'Brien. Not a rousing start for The Doctor... DEEP SPACE: "Rivals" - REV. 10/19/93 - ACT FIVE 59. 72 INT. CLUB MARTUS Martus is pacing the room in from of the gambling devices. Rom is moping behind the bar. MARTUS Where is she? ROM Who? MARTUS Alsia. She was supposed to meet me here and tell me how the bid went. ROM I still don't think it's fair. You investing my money without asking. MARTUS (incredulous) Your money? ROM You promised me one quarter of the profits. But then you gave her everything we earned. MARTUS I promised you a quarter of the profits after expenses. ROM Expenses? What expenses? MARTUS (snowing him) Operating costs, overhead, recapitalization... ROM (he's heard enough) That does it. Rom emerges from behind the bar and throws his Club Martus jacket into Martus's face. MARTUS Where are you going? DEEP SPACE: "Rivals" - 10/18/93 - ACT FIVE 60. 72 CONTINUED: ROM Back to Quark. At least that way I'll get cheated by family. Rom spins and heads for the door -- passing the lone dabo girl, who is standing around bored. ROM Let's get out of here. She goes with him -- and they're both out the door. Martus is completely alone. Martus glances at the row of machines. He tries one. A loser... 73 INT. RACQUETBALL COURT Bashir swings hard at a ball -- misses and crashes up against the wall. 74 INT. QUARK'S - CONTINUOUS (OPTICAL) Everybody winces at the sight of Bashir bouncing off the wall. QUARK Another bad break for Bashir. Nine- three, O'Brien. 75 INT. RACQUETBALL COURT - CONTINUOUS Bashir recovers, gets back into position. O'Brien stares at him for a moment. Turns to the "camera." O'BRIEN (to camera) Quark. I'm cutting the transmission. 76 INT. QUARK'S - CONTINUOUS (OPTICAL) Onscreen, it appears as is O'Brien is staring directly at them. QUARK (to O'Brien onscreen) What? You can't. DEEP SPACE: "Rivals" - REV. 10/19/93 - ACT FIVE 61. 76 CONTINUED: Everyone exchanges puzzled looks. O'BRIEN (on screen) Watch me. On screen, O'Brien reaches past the "camera's" POV and manipulates something off-camera. The screen fizzes out, then goes blank. Quark comes up with a quick explanation. QUARK (to all) The players have called a three minute break! Betting is reopened! Three minutes only! Three minutes only! 77 INT. RACQUETBALL COURT - CONTINUOUS Bashir is puzzled. BASHIR Why did you do that? O'BRIEN Something's wrong here. Bashir shakes his head in exasperation. BASHIR With me maybe. But you're playing a great game. O'BRIEN The best I've played in my entire life. (beat) I'm making shots I couldn't make fifteen years ago. When I was playing five hours a day, every day. I can't miss. BASHIR And I can't hit the broad side of a Plygorian Mammoth. DEEP SPACE: "Rivals" - REV. 10/19/93 - ACT FIVE 62. 77 CONTINUED: O'Brien tosses the ball to Bashir. O'BRIEN Try throwing it against the wall. Bashir complies... and the ball takes a weird bounce and careens away from him. BASHIR It should have come straight back to me. (O'Brien picks up the ball) You try. O'Brien throws the ball hard into the wall and it comes back... right into his hand. O'Brien throws the ball again, but this time at an angle. The ball bounces wildly from one wall to another... then flies right into his open hand. O'Brien and Bashir exchange a look. O'BRIEN (hits companel) O'Brien to Ops. DEEP SPACE: "Rivals" - REV. 10/20/93 - ACT FIVE 63. 78 thru OMITTED 81 81A EXT. SPACE - DEEP SPACE NINE (OPTICAL) TIME CUT: 82 INT. RACQUETBALL COURT CLOSE on O'Brien's hand as the ball flies into it again. WIDEN TO REVEAL that Sisko and Dax have joined O'Brien and Bashir. BASHIR It goes right to his hand. Every single time. O'BRIEN I must've done it a dozen times by now. And I haven't missed once yet. BASHIR Nobody can be that lucky. It's impossible. DAX Not impossible. Just extremely improbable. Everyone looks to Dax. O'BRIEN Improbable? SISKO (gets it) Like the neutrinos on the station spinning the same way. Or a few dozen people having minor accidents at the same instant. Or a system failing at just the wrong time. DAX Exactly. Someone or something on this station is distorting the laws of probability. DEEP SPACE: "Rivals" - REV. 10/19/93 - ACT FIVE 63A. 82 CONTINUED: SISKO Changing them so that incredibly unlikely things can happen on a regular basis. O'BRIEN How can we find out what's causing it? DAX (smiles) I think I know a way. 83 INT. CLUB MARTUS Martus is still alone at the machines. He plays automatically, trying not to think about his increasingly desperate situation. He's losing. 84 INCLUDE SISKO AND DAX As they ENTER the club. Dax has her tricorder out. Martus glances up at them. DAX (consulting tricorder) Ninety-eight percent of the neutrinos in this room are rotating clockwise. Dax follows her readings straight toward the machines. Martus smiles and steps away from the machines, making a sweeping gesture of welcome. DEEP SPACE: "Rivals" - REV. 10/19/93 - ACT FIVE 64. 84 CONTINUED: MARTUS The games are open... But Dax starts looking behind the machines. SISKO We're not here to play. (turns away) Dax? DAX One hundred percent clockwise. (puts away her tricorder) It's these machines. Martus is taken aback. MARTUS My gambling machines? What's wrong with them. DAX Somehow these machines are altering the laws of probability all over the station. A beat. Martus makes the connection. MARTUS (remembering) So that's what he meant. SISKO Who? MARTUS The alien who gave me the original... He said that it all came down to luck. That must be how it works. When you win, it makes you lucky, and when you lose... DAX But these machines are effecting everyone on the station, whether they play them or not. MARTUS (trying to dodge responsibility) Impossible. You must be mistaken. DEEP SPACE: "Rivals" - REV. 10/19/93 - ACT FIVE 65. 84 CONTINUED: (2) SISKO Wait a minute. You said there was an original machine? MARTUS Yes, a smaller one. When I opened the club I replicated these larger versions... Martus trails off. SISKO (accusingly) Larger versions. Sisko's tone of voice says that he thinks Martus is a moron. From the look on Martus's face, he might agree. SISKO How do you turn them off? MARTUS I'm not completely sure. SISKO Then how did you turn them on in the first place? MARTUS (realizing he's blown it bad) I didn't, exactly. I just... told the replicator to scan the original and make copies. (trying to be helpful) I think they have some kind of internal power source. Sisko's heard enough. He takes out a phaser. SISKO Lieutenant. Dax follows suit. MARTUS (panicky) Wait... what are you doing? DEEP SPACE: "Rivals" - REV. 10/19/93 - ACT FIVE 66. 84A NEW ANGLE (OPTICAL) Sisko nods and he and Dax fire at the machines, destroying them completely. SISKO (turns to Martus) Now... as for you... MARTUS You can't possibly blame me for this, Commander. SISKO I'd like to. Unfortunately, I don't have anything I can charge you with. ODO (O.S.) Fortunately, I do. 85 INCLUDE ODO As he ENTERS the club. ODO That elderly Pythron couple you "assisted" has had a change of heart. They've decided to press charges after all. Martus is crestfallen. 86 INT. HOLDING CELL (OPTICAL) Martus is alone is a holding cell. He looks up and sees Odo and Alsia entering the holding area. MARTUS Alsia. I knew you'd come to get me out. Odo harumphs and escorts Alsia to the other cell. DEEP SPACE: "Rivals" - REV. 10/20/93 - ACT FIVE 67. 86 CONTINUED: ODO Inside. She enters and Odo activates the security field. MARTUS What's the meaning of this. ODO Ask him. Odo looks to the door as Quark ENTERS. QUARK Your lady friend over there just tried to scam me. MARTUS Scam? QUARK (disdainful) Asteroid mining. To think anyone would be foolish enough to be taken in by that old trick. (smiles) But don't worry, Martus, I've come to get you out. Martus stands, steps toward Quark. Considers him. MARTUS In return for what? QUARK Nothing. Pure generosity. Quark smiles. MARTUS You're enjoying this, aren't you? QUARK Taken in by one of your own victims. And no one to turn to but me. I can't remember when I've been so... entertained. A beat as they consider each other -- still competitors to the core. DEEP SPACE: "Rivals" - REV. 10/25/93 - ACT FIVE 68-69. 86 CONTINUED: (2) MARTUS I'm glad you're enjoying yourself. Now how about giving me two thousand Isiks so I can book passage off the station. Quark interrupts. QUARK -- You want me to give you money? Ridiculous. Of all the ungrateful arrogance. MARTUS Unless you want me to stay here on the station. QUARK All right. I'll loan you five hundred Isiks. You can book passage on a cargo ship. MARTUS Fifteen hundred. After all, I do have expenses. QUARK Six hundred. MARTUS (offended) Twelve hundred. I still have my dignity. QUARK "Dignity and an empty sack is worth the sack." Rule of Acquisition number one hundred nine. And as they argue, Odo decides he's heard enough, harumphs and EXITS. MARTUS All right. Eight hundred. QUARK Go on... I'm listening. And as Quark smiles, knowing he's got Martus on the ropes... 86A thru OMITTED 87 FADE OUT. END OF ACT FIVE THE END