STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE "Shadowplay" (fka "Persistence of Vision") #40512-436 Written by Robert Hewitt Wolfe Directed by Robert Scheerer 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 This script is not for publication or reproduction.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 December 9, 1993 STAR TREK: DS9 - "Shadowplay" - REV. 12/10/93 - CAST STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE "Shadowplay" CAST SISKO BAREIL KIRA COLYUS DAX RURIGAN O'BRIEN TAYA ODO FEMALE VILLAGER QUARK MALE VILLAGER BASHIR JAKE Non-Speaking Non-Speaking N.D. SUPERNUMERARIES YADERAN VILLAGERS BAJORAN CIVILIAN STAR TREK: DS9 - "Shadowplay" - REV. 12/10/93 - SETS STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE "Shadowplay" SETS INTERIORS EXTERIORS DEEP SPACE NINE DEEP SPACE NINE DOCKING RING CORRIDOR INFIRMARY RUNABOUT KIRA'S QUARTERS OPS ALIEN PLANET PROMENADE QUARK'S YADERAN SETTLEMENT REPLIMAT SISKO'S QUARTERS YADERAN OUTSKIRTS RUNABOUT - ORINOCO EMPTY PLAIN PROTECTOR'S OFFICE STAR TREK: DS9 - "Shadowplay" - REV. 12/10/93 - PRONUNCIATION STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE "Paradise" PRONUNCIATION GUIDE ALDEBERAN al-DEB-uh-ron ANETRA ah-NET-rah BAJOR BAY-jor BAREIL buh-RILE BOLIAN BOH-lee-ahn BRINDA BRIN-dah CARDASSIA car-DASS-ee-uh COLYUS COAL-ee-us DEPNEN DEP-nen FREYLA FRAYE-la GARAK GAIR-uck GHERGHER GERR-gerr HARRID HAIR-id HEDRIKSPOOL HED-rick-spool ILVIAN ILL-vee-un JUMJA JUM-juh KATTERPOD KATT-er-pod KONO KO-no LYSIA ARLIN LIE-see-ah AR-lin MANWARING MAN-war-ing MERRUK MER-uk MONRA MON-rah PRYLAR RHIT PRIE-lar RIT RELLIKETH RELL-ih-keth RURIGAN RUR-ih-gan SEELEE SEE-lee SINGHA SING-uh STREK STREK TAYA TAY-uh VEDEK VE-dik YADERA yah-DER-ah YADERAN yah-DER-ahn DEEP SPACE: "Shadowplay" - REV. 12/16/93 - TEASER 1. STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE "Shadowplay" TEASER FADE IN: 1 EXT. RUNABOUT (OPTICAL) The Orinoco traveling at impulse. DAX (V.O.) Science Officer's Log, Stardate 47603.3. Commander Sisko has assigned me to investigate an unusual particle field detected on the other side of the wormhole. Odo has come along as he often does on Gamma Quadrant missions, hoping to find a clue to his origin. 2 INT. RUNABOUT DAX is piloting the runabout, while running a series of scans and regaling ODO with an involved and, to Odo, pointless story. DAX So you see... Ensign Manwaring has spent the last two weeks avoiding the assay office because he thought that Freyla was in love with Lieutenant Strek, but all the time, Strek was seeing Security Officer Seelee and Freyla was waiting for Manwaring to ask her out. ODO Officer Seelee has seemed... distracted at work lately. (a beat) I'm going to have to talk to her about this when I get back to the station. DAX (reproachful) Odo, I didn't tell you that story to get Seelee in trouble. DEEP SPACE: "Shadowplay" - 12/09/93 - TEASER 2. 2 CONTINUED: ODO Frankly, Lieutenant, I fail to see any point in your story at all, except perhaps to illustrate the foolish humanoid preoccupation with romantic coupling. DAX The point of the story is that sometimes we don't recognize true love even when it's staring us right in the face. ODO (sarcastic) How fascinating. DAX Let me give you another example... You know Lysia Arlin? It's more a statement than a question. ODO The Bolian woman who runs the Jumja kiosk. DAX I've noticed she's been making a lot of visits to the Security Office lately. ODO She has a cousin who's interested in a career in law enforcement. DAX (not believing that excuse for a second) You don't say. Odo stares at Dax for a beat and then realizes what she's hinting at. ODO Are you implying that Lysia Arlin is interested in me? Dax smiles. That's exactly what she's implying. ODO Ridiculous... I would have noticed. DEEP SPACE: "Shadowplay" - 12/09/93 - TEASER 3. 2 CONTINUED: (2) DAX (triumphant) Exactly my point. ODO You must be mistaken. DAX How can you be so sure? ODO Because women don't react to me in that manner. DAX (delicately) Are you telling me that you've never had a... female friend? ODO I consider Major Kira a friend. DAX That isn't what I meant. I'm talking about... an intimate friendship. Odo gets the drift. He instantly becomes very uncomfortable. ODO That's a very personal question. DAX I'm sorry, but after seven lifetimes, the impersonal questions aren't much fun anymore. ODO Why is it that whenever you do something socially unacceptable, you blame it on being a Trill? DAX (playful) Why is it that whenever you get flustered, you start sounding like you're conducting a police investigation? Odo harumphs. Luckily, before Dax can press any further, one of the displays on her panel comes to life. Odo and Dax turn their attention to the controls. DEEP SPACE: "Shadowplay" - REV. 12/10/93 - TEASER 4. 2 CONTINUED: (3) DAX Looks like we found that particle field. (mild surprise) They're Omicron particles. ODO Is that unusual? DAX Omicron particles are incredibly rare. They can only be created by certain types of matter/anti-matter reactions. (off monitor) The field seems to be coming from the second planet in this system. Let's go in a little closer. 3 EXT. SPACE - RUNABOUT (OPTICAL) The Orinoco changes course. 4 INT. RUNABOUT Odo and Dax consult the Runabout sensor readouts. DAX That's strange. The particles are concentrated in one small valley. And look at these field fluctuations... ODO (looks) Totally non-random. DAX Someone or something must be manipulating the field. Odo checks another set of sensors. ODO Sensors aren't picking up any life forms. DEEP SPACE: "Shadowplay" - REV. 12/10/93 - TEASER 5. 4 CONTINUED: DAX The particle field could be interfering with the sensors. (gets up) We'd better beam down and take a look. 5 EXT. YOSHADRAN SETTLEMENT - NIGHT Odo and Dax walk into the center of an alien village (having just beamed in off-camera) and approach a complex cylindrical structure, probably some kind of generator, covered with panels, circuitry and flashing diodes. The surrounding village is hard to make out at night, but when we see it in the daylight, the architecture is distinctly non-human, yet open and inviting. Dax tries to take readings with her tricorder. DAX I'm still getting a lot of interference. The particle field must be blocking the tricorder functions. Dax moves the tricorder around until it's pointed toward the generator. DAX The interference seems to be coming from here. (re: the generator) This must be the source of the field. It's probably some kind of matter/anti- matter reactor. ODO Lieutenant, I suggest we leave before we're discovered. DAX (still studying generator) Give me another minute. As they are talking, we hear the sounds of voices in the distance. Beams of light cut the darkness. DEEP SPACE: "Shadowplay" - 12/09/93 - TEASER 5A. 6 NEW ANGLE As first one, then another, then a half-dozen humanoid aliens, equipped with portable lights, emerge from the darkness. The aliens look frightened and surprised. ODO (ironic) Take all the time you want. One of the aliens (COLYUS) aims a phaser-like weapon at Odo and Dax. And as Odo and Dax react. FADE OUT. END OF TEASER DEEP SPACE: "Shadowplay" - 12/09/93 - ACT ONE 6. ACT ONE FADE IN: (NOTE: Episode credits fall over opening scenes.) 7 INT. QUARK'S It's after hours and QUARK's alone in the bar, sitting at a Dabo table, occasionally giving the wheel a halfhearted spin. There's a satchel on the table next to him. Quark hears a CHIME and looks up. 8 NEW ANGLE To include the bar's front door, which is closed. A shadowy figure can be seen through the window. QUARK (to himself) It's about time. (louder) Enter. The door opens and the figure steps in, still hard to make out. 9 ANGLE ON QUARK As he picks up the satchel and moves toward the door. QUARK (continuing) Where have you been? I've been waiting hours... He trails off as the shadowy figure steps into the light. It's KIRA. QUARK (not who he was expecting) Major? (polite) I'm sorry. We're closed. You'll have to come back in the morning. Quark tries to shoo her out of the bar. Kira doesn't budge. DEEP SPACE: "Shadowplay" - 12/09/93 - ACT ONE 7. 9 CONTINUED: KIRA I didn't come here for a drink. (cold) I thought you might like to know... your cousin Kono just tried to come aboard the station... QUARK (feigned surprise) Kono? Here? What an unexpected pleasure. KIRA He's gone, Quark. When we tried to talk to him, he beamed onto a departing Tellarite freighter. QUARK There must be some mistake... Why would Kono be coming here? KIRA I wondered the same thing myself. So I did some checking. Your cousin's wanted for robbing a museum on Cardassia Five. My guess is that he thought someone here would help him sell the merchandise. QUARK Outrageous. You have no proof of that. KIRA Quark, get this into that twisted little brain of yours... if you thought you were going to get away with anything while Odo's gone, think again. I'm watching you. ARK Major, you make it sound like you don't like me. Kira can't believe Quark's incredible understatement. DEEP SPACE: "Shadowplay" - 12/09/93 - ACT ONE 8. 9 CONTINUED: (2) KIRA ("Are you crazy?") Don't like you? (dispassionate) You collaborated with the Cardassians, you cheat your customers, and you're a danger to this station. I don't just not like you. I... despise you. She leaves. QUARK I'm sorry I mentioned it. 9A OMITTED 10 INT. SISKO'S QUARTERS SISKO and JAKE, both in night clothes, are having a late night snack. JAKE A job? What do I need a job for? SISKO You're fifteen years old. It's time you started taking on a little responsibility. (trying another approach) Look... Nog works, doesn't he? JAKE (begrudgingly) Yeah. SISKO And you're almost as old as he is. I had a job at your age. It was a terrific experience. JAKE (giving in) All right. I'll talk to Nog and see if he can get me a job at Quark's. SISKO I was thinking more along the lines of helping out Chief O'Brien. DEEP SPACE: "Shadowplay" - REV. 12/10/93 - ACT ONE 9. 10 CONTINUED: JAKE (not thrilled) Chief O'Brien? SISKO You like Chief O'Brien, don't you? JAKE He's okay... but I don't know anything about engineering. SISKO This is the perfect opportunity to learn. Besides... it'll look great on your application to Starfleet Academy. Which really sells it for Sisko, if not for Jake. JAKE (halfhearted) Okay, I'll give it a try. SISKO (supportive smile) That's all I ask. 11 thru OMITTED 12 13 EXT. YADERAN SETTLEMENT - NIGHT Re-establishing. 14 INT. PROTECTOR'S OFFICE - NIGHT Dax and Odo sitting across a desk from Colyus, the Yaderan colony's Protector, a combination mayor and sheriff. The office is equipped with an array of alien tech equipment and Colyus is at work at a device that looks like a computer console, basically ignoring them. ODO Are you going to just sit there all night, or are you going to explain why you're holding us. Colyus smiles and studies them for a bit. He's middle-aged and a little overweight, friendly and soft-spoken by nature, and deceptively low key. DEEP SPACE: "Shadowplay" - REV. 12/10/93 - ACT ONE 10-11. 14 CONTINUED: COLYUS You say you're from the other side of the galaxy? DAX That's right. COLYUS (shaking his head in wonderment) Amazing. Our colony has never had visitors before, and now... we have two. DEEP SPACE: "Shadowplay" - REV. 12/13/93 - ACT ONE 12. 14 CONTINUED: (2) DAX We didn't mean to intrude. In fact, we didn't even know there was a village here until we beamed down. So if it's all the same to you... we'll be on our way. She starts to get up. Colyus gestures for her to wait. COLYUS I'm afraid it's not that simple. Colyus looks at Dax and Odo expectantly. Odo recognizes the tactic. ODO Are we being accused of some kind of crime? COLYUS Have you committed one? DAX (offended) We just arrived here. COLYUS So you keep saying. DAX If you want, you can check our ship's logs... they'll prove it to you. COLYUS Logs can be tampered with. (turns to Odo) You should know that... after all, you claim to be a Security Officer. ODO I am a Security Officer and I've had enough of this. If we were guilty, we wouldn't even be here right now. I'll prove it. He hits his communicator. ODO (to combadge) Computer, one to beam up. DEEP SPACE: "Shadowplay" - REV. 12/10/93 - ACT ONE 13. 14A NEW ANGLE (OPTICAL) As Odo DEMATERIALIZES. Colyus reacts, grabbing his weapon. DAX (smiling) Don't worry. He'll be back. Just then, Odo RE-MATERIALIZES. DAX What did I tell you? COLYUS (to Odo) Interesting... you disappearing like that. I've got twenty-two people who've disappeared without a trace. ODO (intrigued) Twenty-two people missing? Did they all disappear at the same time? COLYUS No. It started in the fall. But the last victim vanished six hours ago. DAX Six hours ago, we weren't even in this system. If you want, you can accompany us back to our station. They'll verify everything we've told you. Colyus considers the situation, then puts his weapon down. DEEP SPACE: "Shadowplay" - 12/09/93 - ACT ONE 14. 14A CONTINUED: ODO Do you have any other suspects? Colyus smiles wearily. COLYUS (defending himself) You were my only ones. I'm not saying everyone here is perfect. We have some petty thefts, an occasional fight. But kidnapping... or murder? We've never had anything like that before. ODO I see. So naturally, when we arrived... COLYUS Naturally. ODO (theorizing) I remember reading a report about a similar series of disappearances on Brinda Five. Half the population of a small village vanished. COLYUS (very interested) Did they ever find them? ODO As I recall, they'd been transported off the planet by Orion traders to work as forced laborers in their mining camps. (a beat) Have you scanned the area for signs of transporter activity? COLYUS It was the first thing I tried. But I didn't find anything. Colyus once again sizes up Odo and Dax. COLYUS (continuing) I've been protector here for almost ten years. DEEP SPACE: "Shadowplay" - REV. 12/10/93 - ACT ONE 15. 14A CONTINUED: (2) COLYUS And I like to think I'm pretty good at my job. People trust me to solve their problems. But whoever's behind these disappearances is a lot smarter than I am. I have to admit, I'm starting to get desperate. ODO Maybe what you need is a little help. Colyus grins, thankful for the offer to help. 15 EXT. YADERAN SETTLEMENT - FRONT OF RURIGAN'S HOUSE NIGHT Dax, Odo, and Colyus approach the front of the house. An elderly Yaderan man (RURIGAN) stands alone on the porch, looking out over the central square, lost in thought. COLYUS (calling to him) Rurigan. Rurigan looks down. He's a craggy-faced old man with a blunt and combative manner. RURIGAN (examines Dax and Odo) So these are the strangers I've heard about. Shouldn't they be in a cell. COLYUS I'm satisfied they have nothing to do with the disappearances. In fact, Odo here is a Security Officer. He's going to try to help us. RURIGAN (to Odo) And how do you plan on doing that? ODO I understand your daughter was the latest victim. When was the last time you saw her? DEEP SPACE: "Shadowplay" - REV. 12/10/93 - ACT ONE 16. 15 CONTINUED: RURIGAN This morning, at first meal. But Taya says she saw her in her workroom... around midday. ODO Taya? RURIGAN My granddaughter. (turns to Colyus) Colyus... Anetra's gone. Just like the others. We're never going to find them. ODO How can you be so sure? RURIGAN Let's just say I haven't been proven wrong yet. DAX I'd like to scan the area again for transporter activity, in case you missed something. COLYUS Go right ahead. Dax activates her tricorder. DAX (off tricorder) I still can't get a clear reading. The Omicron particles put out by the reactor are creating too much interference. COLYUS It must be your equipment... our scanners never have any trouble. Colyus takes out a small portable sensing device, the alien equivalent of a tricorder, and activates it. DAX Certain kinds of transporters leave behind a residual electrostatic charge. If we could check Anetra's workroom... Colyus looks to Rurigan, who nods. Colyus gestures toward the door and he and Dax EXIT into the house. DEEP SPACE: "Shadowplay" - REV. 12/10/93 - ACT ONE 17. 15 CONTINUED: (2) Odo hangs back. ODO If you don't mind, I'd like to talk to your granddaughter. RURIGAN Last time I saw her she was across the square. I'll take you to her. 16 EXT. ANOTHER PART OF YADERAN SETTLEMENT - NIGHT An alien girl (TAYA) sits alone on a stairway, absentmindedly playing with an alien toy which vaguely resembles a large top. Taya's about nine, and looks lost and forlorn. She hears a noise... a footstep or some movement... and looks up and sees... 17 ODO AND RURIGAN walking toward her. Odo's face is hidden by the darkness. RURIGAN Taya? Rurigan steps into the light. Odo follows and the beam of harsh light illuminates his face, making it look even more bizarre and unreal. 18 ON TAYA As she reacts to Odo's strange appearance, shying away. 19 RESUME SCENE Odo can't help but notice the girl's reaction. Rurigan notices it, too. RURIGAN Don't be afraid, Taya. He's a friend of Protector Colyus. He just wants you to answer some questions. TAYA Do I have to? RURIGAN Not if you don't want to. DEEP SPACE: "Shadowplay" - 12/09/93 - ACT ONE 18. 19 CONTINUED: Odo glances at Rurigan, having hoped for a little more support. He turns to the girl and tries to talk to her as gently as possible. ODO But it would help if I could talk to you about your mother's disappearance. Taya looks even more forlorn. TAYA She hasn't disappeared. She'll be back. Odo is very uncomfortable with the situation, but feels he has to push on. ODO The last time you saw your mother... did she seem... upset about anything? Nervous maybe, or worried? TAYA She was fine. (to Rurigan, pleading) When will she come home? RURIGAN I don't know, Taya. He puts a protective arm around her and she buries her head in his side. RURIGAN Let's go. It's time for bed. ODO I'd like to ask a few more questions. RURIGAN It can wait 'til morning. 20 ANGLE ON ODO watching Rurigan escort his despondent granddaughter away. DEEP SPACE: "Shadowplay" - 12/09/93 - ACT ONE 19. 20 CONTINUED: As she's leaving, Taya looks back at Odo almost as if accusing him of causing her all this pain. Hold on Odo's reaction, then... FADE OUT. END OF ACT ONE DEEP SPACE: "Shadowplay" - REV. 12/16/93 - ACT TWO 20. ACT TWO FADE IN: A21 INT. OPS (FORMERLY SCENE 11) O'BRIEN's at work in the pit; N.D.s man the other stations. Sisko and Jake step off the Turbolift into Ops. Jake is no longer wearing one of his typical jumpsuits. Instead, he wears loose-fitting work clothes. Sisko sees O'Brien at work in the pit. SISKO Chief. O'Brien looks up and notices Sisko and Jake. SISKO (re: Jake) Here's that new apprentice we discussed. O'Brien smiles. He and Sisko have obviously already talked about this. O'BRIEN Yes, sir. (climbs out of the pit) Welcome aboard. DEEP SPACE: "Shadowplay" - REV. 12/16/93 - ACT TWO 20A. A21 CONTINUED: O'BRIEN Let's get to work. I was just about to run a diagnostic on the primary system core. O'Brien leads Jake away. Sisko watches with mixed feelings about sending his son off to his first day at work. He's proud, but he also realizes something is being lost here. His son is becoming a man. SISKO (calling after them) Mister Sisko. Jake turns around, surprised to hear his father address him as a fellow crewmember. SISKO (an afterthought) I almost forgot. He hands Jake a small object he's been holding in his hand. It's a COMBADGE. SISKO For you. Jake takes the combadge and looks at it with a mixture of surprise and awe. JAKE (doesn't know what to say) Thanks, Dad. Sisko nods in acknowledgement, playing the role of commander instead of father. SISKO (dismissive) It's standard equipment for all station personnel. B21 ANGLE ON JAKE (FORMERLY SCENE 12) Who looks back at his dad, then puts on the combadge and follows O'Brien. Once Jake's back is turned, Sisko drops his commander role and smiles proudly at his son. DEEP SPACE: "Shadowplay" - REV. 12/10/93 - ACT TWO 20B. 21 INT. PROMENADE In long shot, we see Quark wheel and deal with a Bajoran N.D. civilian. Pull back to: 22 INT. INFIRMARY Kira and BASHIR standing in the doorway to the Infirmary, looking out at the Promenade. BASHIR Let me get this straight, Major. You want me to spy on Quark for you? KIRA I wouldn't call it spying, exactly. I just thought you could, you know... keep an eye on him while Odo's away. When you're not busy. Bashir doesn't need much coaxing. BASHIR It's no problem, Major. KIRA Then you'll do it? BASHIR I look forward to it. Garak's been lecturing me on surveillance techniques. This will give me a chance to try some of them out. She gives him a grateful smile as her combadge comes to life. SISKO'S COM VOICE Sisko to Kira. KIRA (to combadge) This is Kira. DEEP SPACE: "Shadowplay" - 12/09/93 - ACT TWO 21. 22 CONTINUED: SISKO'S COM VOICE Major, I thought you might like to know, we've received word that Vedek Bareil is coming aboard the station. KIRA Coming aboard? When? SISKO'S COM VOICE His ship just arrived at Docking Bay Twelve. Kira reacts. She's pleasantly surprised. 23 EXT. SPACE - DEEP SPACE NINE (OPTICAL) With a Bajoran ship in port. 24 INT. DOCKING RING CORRIDOR Kira escorts BAREIL out of the docking ring airlock. She's genuinely glad to see him, but there's a slight hint of an underlying nervousness. KIRA I wish you'd given us a little more notice. We could've arranged a formal reception. BAREIL (smiles) Exactly what I wanted to avoid. There's a subtle difference in Bareil this time. Where as before we've only see him "on duty," now he's a little more relaxed, more down to earth, maybe even a little vulnerable. Kira notices it, too. KIRA What brings you to the station? BAREIL Prylar Rhit invited me to speak at the station's shrine. (a beat) And to be honest, I've been looking for an opportunity to come see you. DEEP SPACE: "Shadowplay" - 12/09/93 - ACT TWO 22. 24 CONTINUED: KIRA Really? (surprised but pleased) I'm honored. Which isn't exactly the reaction he wanted. BAREIL Honored? Actually I was hoping you'd be happy to see me. KIRA Oh, I am. (a beat) Very happy. He smiles as they walk off together. 25 INT. PROMENADE Kira and Bareil emerge onto the Promenade, and continue their now inaudible conversation as they join the steady stream of pedestrians. 26 ANGLE ON QUARK Watching the two of them together and smiling in self- satisfaction. 27 EXT. ALIEN PLANET (OPTICAL) With the runabout in orbit. 28 INT. RUNABOUT Dax is at work at the controls. Odo ENTERS from the back. DAX You're out of your bucket early today. ODO My regenerative cycle rarely varies. There's no reason to stay "in-the- bucket" any longer than I have to. (looks down at the monitors) Have you found anything? DEEP SPACE: "Shadowplay" - REV. 12/10/93 - ACT TWO 23. 28 CONTINUED: DAX Not a thing. There're no other ships in orbit... no other settlements on the planet... and no power source except the reactor... ODO So you're sure the woman wasn't transported out of her workroom? DAX It's too early to rule out anything, but Colyus and I couldn't find any residual electrostatic charge. (a beat) What about the little girl. Did she see anything? ODO (uncomfortable) I'm not sure yet. I wasn't able to get much out of her last night. I'll try again today. (reflective) I'm afraid I'm not very good with children. DAX (mild surprise) You're around children all the time on the Promenade. ODO Being around children and communicating with children are two entirely different things. DAX (wryly) I'll let you in on a little secret, Odo... Children are just like adults, only smaller. ODO (doesn't buy it) I'll keep that in mind. DEEP SPACE: "Shadowplay" - REV. 12/10/93 - ACT TWO 24. 29 EXT. YADERAN SETTLEMENT - DAY The village in daylight is a much less threatening, much more tranquil environment. The Yaderan villagers are going about their daily business, going off to work, shopping, etc. 30 NEW ANGLE To find Odo and Dax making their way through the settlement to the area where Odo met Taya the night before. Odo and Dax spot Taya, back at the stairs. She and two other Yaderan children are playing with Taya's top. DAX I'll be with Colyus if you need me. (mock concern) Good luck. Dax leaves. Odo harumphs. 31 NEW ANGLE As Odo approaches Taya. ODO (formal) Hello, Taya... Remember me? We met last night? Taya nods. TAYA (withdrawn) You wanted to ask me questions. Her friends leave as Odo sits down next to her. ODO That's right. About your mother. I understand you were the last one to see her. TAYA I guess. It's clear she really doesn't want to talk about it, but Odo refuses to give up. DEEP SPACE: "Shadowplay" - REV. 12/16/93 - ACT TWO 25. 31 CONTINUED: TAYA (continuing; innocent curiosity) What happened to your face? Odo's surprised. That was the last thing he's expecting Taya to ask about. ODO Nothing "happened" to it. I'm a shape-shifter... I just... don't do faces very well. Taya just looks perplexed. ODO (trying to explain) I have the ability to change my shape to look like other things. TAYA You mean you're a changeling? ODO (glad she understands) That's right. TAYA (skeptical) There's no such thing as changelings. They're make believe. Everyone knows that. ODO I'm not make believe. TAYA All right... then let me see you change into something. ODO Maybe later. Right now I feel like talking. DEEP SPACE: "Shadowplay" - REV. 12/16/93 - ACT TWO 25A. 31 CONTINUED: (2) TAYA If I were a changeling, I'd change shape all the time. Everyone would want to be my friend. Odo harumphs. ODO I wish it were that easy. TAYA Why wouldn't it be? (sees Odo's reluctance) If I have to answer your questions, then you have to answer mine. Odo frowns. She's got him in a corner. ODO When I was younger, people were always asking me to change shape for them. They'd pretend to be my friends, but all they wanted was to see me become a chair... or an animal... None of them ever really cared about me. DEEP SPACE: "Shadowplay" - REV. 12/10/93 - ACT TWO 26. 31 CONTINUED: (3) TAYA Maybe they were scared of you. ODO Some of them probably were. Taya looks at Odo a long time, as if trying to make a decision about him. TAYA (reassuring him) I'm not afraid of you. ODO I'm glad to hear that. TAYA Were your parents changelings, too? There's something about the simplicity and genuine curiosity behind Taya's questions that disarms Odo. ODO I never knew my parents. (a beat) I've been looking for them a long time. TAYA My father died when I was four. I don't remember him very well. (sad) The last time I saw my mother, she was in her workroom... making pottery... But when I went to get her for midday meal... she was gone. ODO How did she act, when you last saw her? TAYA Happy. She was making a vase for Mister Depnen, the baker. He really likes my mother so he always saves us the best loaves of greenbread. ODO Did your mother ever go anyplace before... on a trip... a vacation? DEEP SPACE: "Shadowplay" - REV. 12/16/93 - ACT TWO 29. 31 CONTINUED: (4) TAYA (shakes her head) We don't go on trips. ODO Never? TAYA We don't leave the valley. ODO Why not? TAYA (thinks it's a dumb question) Nobody ever leaves the valley. Everything we need is right here. ODO (intrigued) I see. TAYA (wistfully) My mother's never coming back, is she? ODO Why do you say that? TAYA That's what grandfather told me. Taya's on the verge of tears. Odo reaches out and tentatively puts his hand on the girl's shoulder. ODO (trying to comfort her) Taya, I don't know where your mother is, but I promise you... I'm going to do everything I can to find her and bring her back to you. Taya nods, blinking away the tears. She looks up at Odo with a child's trust and hope. DEEP SPACE: "Shadowplay" - 12/09/93 - ACT TWO 28. 32 ANGLE ON ODO Odo sees how much this girl is depending on him and wants to give her some more assurances, but he's not sure how. Finally he gives her a reassuring smile. Taya smiles back. Odo's surprised. That was easier than he thought, and as we hold on this warm moment, we... FADE OUT. END OF ACT TWO DEEP SPACE: "Shadowplay" - REV. 12/16/93 - ACT THREE 29. ACT THREE FADE IN: 33 INT. REPLIMAT O'Brien and Jake are sitting at one of the tables. O'Brien has an assortment of isolinear rods spread out on the table and is going over them with Jake. O'BRIEN Okay, one more time, these are all isolinear rods. The ones with the white labels contain data relating to engineering system controls. The red labeled ones are for library and information storage. The blue ones are... ? Jake stares at the isolinear rods. It's still a foreign language to him. JAKE (defeated) I'm never going to get this. DEEP SPACE: "Shadowplay" - REV. 12/13/93 - ACT THREE 30. 33 CONTINUED: O'BRIEN Give yourself some time. I didn't get a handle on this stuff until almost a year after I joined Starfleet. ("no big deal") It's not like your going off to the Academy tomorrow. O'Brien meant to give Jake encouragement, but his remark has exactly the opposite effect. Jake looks even more morose. O'BRIEN What's wrong? JAKE Nothing. It's just... why does everyone assume I'm going to go to the Academy? O'BRIEN (surprised) You want to go... don't you? JAKE (getting it off his chest) Not really. O'BRIEN Does your father know? JAKE He wouldn't understand. Jake looks pretty glum. O'BRIEN I know how you feel. You know what my dad wanted me to be? A musician. Jake looks up in disbelief. O'BRIEN (continuing) It's true. I was going to be a cello player. He made me practice every day. I got to be pretty good. DEEP SPACE: "Shadowplay" - 12/09/93 - ACT THREE 31. 33 CONTINUED: (2) O'BRIEN When I was seventeen, my father even sent a recorded audition to the Aldeberan Music Academy. JAKE (perking up) What happened? O'BRIEN I got in. It was the happiest day of his life. I didn't know how to tell him I didn't want to go. So two days before I was due to leave, I went into town and signed up for Starfleet. JAKE What did your dad do? O'BRIEN He was furious. (a beat) But once he calmed down a little, he saw how much I wanted to join. Nowadays, when I go home, he introduces me as... (imitates his father, with pride) "My son, Senior Chief Specialist Miles Edward O'Brien." (smiles at the memory) The point is, you've got to live your own life. JAKE I don't want to disappoint my dad. O'BRIEN Your father's not a bad guy. He'll come around. Just give him time. 34 INT. PROMENADE - OUTSIDE BAJORAN SHRINE A half-dozen or so Bajorans trickle onto the Promenade from the shrine, talking excitedly among themselves. Bareil ENTERS from the shrine, accompanied by a Bajoran Monk (Prylar Rhit). Rhit thanks Bareil heartily. DEEP SPACE: "Shadowplay" - REV. 12/10/93 - ACT THREE 32. 35 NEW ANGLE On Kira as she emerges from the shrine. She's the last one out. Bareil sees her, parts with Rhit, and joins her. BAREIL So what did you think? KIRA Of your speech? (he nods) I liked everything about it... except the content. BAREIL You disagree with my interpretation of the Eighth Prophecy. KIRA "Disagree" might be a bit of an understatement. Passionately disagree is more like it. (a beat) That way you have of taking a prophecy, and showing how it can mean exactly the opposite of the accepted interpretation is... Kira's tries to come up with the precise word to express her feelings. BAREIL (egging her on) Brilliant... insightful... Kira can't help but smile, even as she comes up with the word she was looking for. KIRA Infuriating. BAREIL (smiles) Maybe we'd better talk about something else. Kira thinks about that for a second, then... KIRA Like what? DEEP SPACE: "Shadowplay" - REV. 12/10/93 - ACT THREE 33. 35 CONTINUED: BAREIL The Ilvian katterpod crop maybe? Or the new nature preserve in Hedrikspool Province? Or how about the standings in the Springball Championship. KIRA (surprised) You follow springball? BAREIL Religiously... if you'll pardon the expression. I even used to play a little. KIRA Me, too. I had Chief O'Brien design a springball holosuite program. BAREIL Really? (enthusiastic) Let's go. Bareil heads for a turbolift. Kira follows. KIRA You want to play springball? BAREIL Why not? (a beat) Unless you have a more pressing engagement? KIRA (smiles) Not that I can think of. BAREIL Good. I could use the practice. Kira shakes her head in amazement. This isn't anything at all like the Bareil she's used to. The two of them EXIT toward the Turbolift. 36 INT. PROTECTOR'S OFFICE - DAY One of the Yaderan villagers gets up to leave the office, having concluded an interview with Odo. DEEP SPACE: "Shadowplay" - 12/09/93 - ACT THREE 34. 36 CONTINUED: ODO Thank you for coming in. If I have any more questions, I'll let you know. As the villager EXITS, Rurigan ENTERS. ODO (to Rurigan) Please, have a seat. RURIGAN I've seen people coming in and out of this place all morning. You plan on questioning the entire village? ODO If that's what it takes. RURIGAN So, what have you found out so far? ODO Surprisingly little. No one seems to know anything about these disappearances. RURIGAN I could've told you that. Saved you some time. ODO You don't hold out much hope that the missing villagers will be found, do you? RURIGAN Nobody's found anyone so far. ODO From what I understand, you were one of the founders of this colony. RURIGAN (proudly) That's right. I'm the oldest one left. DEEP SPACE: "Shadowplay" - REV. 12/10/93 - ACT THREE 35. 36 CONTINUED: (2) ODO This colony must be very important to you. You helped found it. You raised a family here. RURIGAN I'm very proud of all we've accomplished. ODO Then explain something to me. This colony's undergoing a serious crisis, your daughter's among the missing, yet you hardly seem concerned. RURIGAN (gruff) There's nothing I can do to change things. Rurigan looks tired and a little weak. RURIGAN (continuing) I wish there was. (a beat) Now is there anything else, or can I go? Odo studies Rurigan for a beat. ODO (concerned) Are you sure you're all right? RURIGAN Why wouldn't I be? ODO You seem to be in a great deal of pain. RURIGAN (defensive) What makes you say that? ODO I can see it in your eyes. Maybe you'd like to sit here a while and rest. DEEP SPACE: "Shadowplay" - 12/09/93 - ACT THREE 35A. 36 CONTINUED: (3) RURIGAN (ironic smile) Wouldn't do much good. (matter of fact) You see... I'm dying. DEEP SPACE: "Shadowplay" - REV. 12/10/93 - ACT THREE 36. 36 CONTINUED: (4) ODO (surprised) I'm... sorry. RURIGAN I've had a good life... no regrets... I just wish I could see my daughter again. (a little impatient) Now, if there are no more questions... ? Rurigan gets up, but Odo stops him before he reaches the door. ODO Actually, there is one thing I've been wondering about... (get's Rurigan's attention) How come no one ever leaves the village? Rurigan is caught off guard by Odo's question. ODO (off Rurigan's reaction) I haven't met a single person yet that's ever been outside this valley. Any idea why? RURIGAN I suppose people here don't like to travel. After all, there's no place to go. ODO How can you be so sure? Have you ever left the valley? RURIGAN (thinks it over) Now that you mention it, no. ODO When I asked Colyus if he'd searched outside the valley for the missing people, he looked surprised, like he'd never thought of it before. I find that very peculiar. Where I come from, we'd have searched the entire countryside. DEEP SPACE: "Shadowplay" - REV. 12/13/93 - ACT THREE 37. 36 CONTINUED: (5) RURIGAN I guess he felt there was no point to it. I guarantee you those missing people aren't out there. ODO You're sure of that. RURIGAN (smiles) Absolutely. Rurigan nods his goodbye and EXITS. Hold on a thoughtful Odo. 37 EXT. OUTSKIRTS OF YADERAN SETTLEMENT - DAY Odo, Dax, and Taya climb a hillside above the Yaderan settlement. Dax is carrying a Yaderan sensing device. Taya is in the middle of a story. TAYA So then Great Minra said to the evil changeling, "Well maybe you can turn into a mountain, or a Ghergher Beast, or a tornado... those are big things and big things are easy... but I bet you can't turn into something small... like a loaf of greenbread." And so the changeling said "Yes I can." and he did... and then do you know what happened? ODO (gruff) The Great Minra gobbled him up. TAYA (surprised) How'd you know? ODO The changeling in your story wasn't very smart. Taya absorbs this, then brightens. TAYA Could you turn into a loaf a greenbread? ODO I suppose I could. DEEP SPACE: "Shadowplay" - REV. 12/10/93 - ACT THREE 40. TAYA Show me. Odo almost smiles. ODO And let you gobble me up? I don't think so. DEEP SPACE: "Shadowplay" - REV. 12/13/93 - ACT THREE 39. 38 EXT. CREST OF THE HILL - DAY Dax, Odo and Taya reach the crest of the hill. Odo looks around. TAYA You see that tree. She indicates a nearby tree just below the crest. TAYA (continuing) Sometimes we go there to play. That's the farthest I've ever been from the village. ODO (to Taya) Wait here. TAYA But I want to see, too. ODO Please, do as I say. (to Dax) Lieutenant, come with me. Odo and Dax walk downhill past the tree. Taya watches them go, looking frustrated. 39 ANGLE ON DAX AND ODO (OPTICAL) Dax consults the Yaderan sensing device as she and Odo emerge from some bushes. DAX I'm still not reading other lifeforms... no indications of any power source... Dax and Odo walk a little further and the Yaderan sensing device suddenly DISAPPEARS out of Dax's hand. Dax and Odo exchange surprised looks. DAX Did you see that? It just vanished. DEEP SPACE: "Shadowplay" - REV. 12/10/93 - ACT THREE 40. 39A NEW ANGLE Taya is gathering a fistful of berry-covered vines. She starts down the hill. 39B ANGLE ON ODO AND DAX Still reacting to the vanished sensing device. DAX It happened just as we passed those bushes. 40 ANGLE ON TAYA Holding the berry vine as she comes down the hill. 40A NEW ANGLE Dax sees Taya coming toward them. As Taya reaches the bushes... DAX Taya? ODO (urgent) Don't come any closer. 41 NEW ANGLE (OPTICAL) Taya looks disappointed. TAYA But I brought you some Harrid berries. She holds out the berries and her arm DISAPPEARS to the elbow. Taya looks at her own arm in curiosity, apparently in no pain. As she raises her arm to her face, the arm RE- MATERIALIZES, a little bit at a time. 42 ANGLE ON ODO AND DAX And they react to this strange occurrence. FADE OUT. END OF ACT THREE DEEP SPACE: "Shadowplay" - REV. 12/10/93 - ACT FOUR 41. ACT FOUR FADE IN: 43 EXT. YADERAN SETTLEMENT - DAY Dax has opened a panel inside the reactor and is working on the systems inside. Odo leads Colyus out of his office and the two men join her. COLYUS (to Dax) Odo says you know what happened to the missing villagers? DAX I think I do. (finishes tinkering with reactor) It's a little complicated to explain. It'd probably be easier if I showed you. (a beat) May I have your coat? COLYUS My coat? DAX Please. Colyus gives it to her. Dax sets it down on the ground in a precisely predetermined location. DAX Now step back. Colyus complies. Dax reaches into the reactor and carefully begins to manipulate the controls. Nothing happens. COLYUS I'm waiting. DAX This may take a minute. I don't want to make any mistakes. As Dax continues making minute adjustments to the controls... DEEP SPACE: "Shadowplay" - REV. 12/10/93 - ACT FOUR 42. 44 NEW ANGLE (OPTICAL) The coat winks out of existence. Colyus reacts. COLYUS That was my favorite coat. He starts walking to the spot, but Odo restrains him. ODO Please, stay where you are. Dax works the controls... and the coat RE-MATERIALIZES. 45 RESUME SCENE Odo takes his hand off of Colyus's shoulder and Colyus picks up his coat and puts it back on. COLYUS Are you saying somebody used our reactor to transport the victims away? DAX No. It's not a transporter. It's a holographic projector. It creates an Omicron particle field and then manipulates the field to form physical objects... like your jacket. COLYUS What does this have to do with the missing people? DAX (breaking it to him gently) The people are made of Omicron particles, too. COLYUS (incredulous) You mean they're holograms. Colyus waits for Dax or Odo to deny his statement, but instead, Dax nods. DAX I'm afraid so. DEEP SPACE: "Shadowplay" - REV. 12/13/93 - ACT FOUR 42A. 45 CONTINUED: DAX (re: the reactor) The component that controls the particle field is breaking down. That's why people are disappearing. COLYUS That's ridiculous. Some of the victims were my friends. One of them was my nephew. DEEP SPACE: "Shadowplay" - REV. 12/13/93 - ACT FOUR 43. 45 CONTINUED: (2) DAX (with sympathy) If I'm right, everyone and everything in this village is a holographic projection. A beat. Colyus just laughs. COLYUS And I thought I was desperate to find an answer. ODO Listen to me, Colyus. I know this is difficult to accept... COLYUS It's going to take more than a vanishing jacket to make me believe that I'm some kind of hologram. ODO I'd be skeptical too if I were you. But we do have further proof. COLYUS What kind of proof? DAX The holographic field ends just outside this valley. Earlier today, Taya tried to reach past the edge... and her arm disappeared. COLYUS Is she all right? ODO She's fine. Her arm rematerialized once she pulled it back inside. COLYUS Where exactly did this happen? DAX We could show you, if you'd like. DEEP SPACE: "Shadowplay" - REV. 12/09/93 - ACT FOUR 44. 45 CONTINUED: (3) COLYUS (grim) I think you'd better. 46 EXT. SPACE - DEEP SPACE NINE (OPTICAL) As before. 47 INT. KIRA'S QUARTERS Bareil and Kira are sitting at a low table in Kira's quarters, eating a Bajoran spiced meat pie, which vaguely resembles traditional Ethiopian or Moroccan food. Kira and Bareil are dressed in casual workout clothes, having just returned from their game of springball. KIRA How's your shoulder? BAREIL Still a little sore. KIRA Maybe we should have Doctor Bashir look at it? BAREIL I'll be okay. It's only a sprain. He looks at Kira for a beat. There's definitely an attraction here, though neither of them seems ready to acknowledge it. KIRA I'm sorry. BAREIL Don't apologize. I should have seen it coming. (a beat) Where did you learn to play like that? KIRA My brothers and I used to play at the Singha Refugee Camp. There wasn't much else to do. BAREIL I was at Relliketh. DEEP SPACE: "Shadowplay" - REV. 12/09/93 - ACT FOUR 45. 47 CONTINUED: Again there is a bit of an awkward silence. BAREIL (continuing) And now... here we are. A beat as they finish eating. BAREIL (continuing) That was delicious. KIRA Thank the replicators. Kira gets up and starts to clear the table. BAREIL Here, let me help. He gets up and they both reach for the same plate... KIRA That's not necessary. Your shoulder... They both take the plate. Their hands are now touching and they're inches apart. BAREIL Never felt better. They look into each other's eyes for beat. KIRA Maybe I could use some help after all. They lean closer and kiss. It's a long kiss and when it ends, they're both smiling. KIRA (smiles) I'll have to remember to thank Prylar Rhit for inviting you here. BAREIL You better tell him soon. Prylar Rhit is going to be returning to Bajor. (off Kira's look) It appears he fancies himself something of a Dabo player. DEEP SPACE: "Shadowplay" - REV. 12/10/93 - ACT FOUR 46. 47 CONTINUED: (2) KIRA Really? BAREIL He's run up a sizable gambling debt. It's caused quite a scandal in the Vedek Assembly. Kira is beginning to get a nasty suspicion. KIRA Let me get this straight. The man who invited you to the station, owes money... to Quark. BAREIL Who? KIRA The little troll who runs the Dabo tables. She heads for the door. KIRA I have to go. BAREIL Why? KIRA I need to talk to Prylar Rhit. I think I know the real reason he invited you here. Kira EXITS, leaving Bareil confused, not quite sure what just happened. 48 EXT. YADERAN SETTLEMENT - DAY The square around the reactor is full of villagers, including Rurigan and Taya. Odo and Dax are standing by the reactor platform, watching as Colyus tries to settle down the unruly crowd. YELLS FROM CROWD I don't believe it... I'm not a hologram... Listen to Colyus... We're alive... This isn't going to bring anyone back... Let him talk... Colyus hold his hands up for quiet. DEEP SPACE: "Shadowplay" - REV. 12/10/93 - ACT FOUR 47. 48 CONTINUED: COLYUS Please. Everyone calm down. We have to make a decision. MALE VILLAGER Colyus, you should be out looking for my wife and all the others who are missing. FEMALE VILLAGER (agreeing) Not wasting time listening to these strangers and their lies. COLYUS You all witnessed what happened when they brought us to the edge of the field. (to Male Villager) Merruk, we both saw your hand disappear. The crowd quiets down. Many of them also experimented with the field. MALE VILLAGER (grasping at straws) It could've been a trick. DAX It wasn't a trick. FEMALE VILLAGER Then how come we never learned about this before. ODO Because none of you ever tried to leave the valley. COLYUS It's possible that we were programmed not to leave, so we wouldn't learn the truth. Colyus now has the full attention of the crowd. COLYUS (continuing) We have to shut down the system. If we don't fix it soon, the whole village will disappear. DEEP SPACE: "Shadowplay" - REV. 12/10/93 - ACT FOUR 47A. 48 CONTINUED: (2) RURIGAN You don't know for certain... COLYUS Do you want to take that risk? DEEP SPACE: "Shadowplay" - REV. 12/13/93 - ACT FOUR 48. 48 CONTINUED: (3) RURIGAN (mocking) If we're not real, then it really doesn't matter whether the village disappears or not. COLYUS It matters to me. (playing his best card) Dax, you said that if you can fix the machine, you might be able to bring the missing people back? DAX We hope so. TAYA (to Rurigan) I could see my mother again. COLYUS We've all lost someone. I say it's worth a try. RURIGAN (to Dax) What if you turn off the projector, and you can't get it back on? DAX (concerned) Then this village will cease to exist. But the system's only a few months away from complete failure. At least this way, we have a chance to save you. TAYA Grandfather, please let her try. Rurigan puts a comforting hand on Taya's shoulder. MALE VILLAGER Rurigan, what do you think? Colyus looks to Rurigan, as do all the others. Rurigan looks down at Taya and gives her a bittersweet, comforting smile. DEEP SPACE: "Shadowplay" - REV. 12/13/93 - ACT FOUR 49. 48 CONTINUED: (4) RURIGAN We can't go on like this. I guess we should let her shut it down. This quiets the crowd. Rurigan pulls a lot of weight. COLYUS Any objections. There's some minor grumbling, but no one wants to step forward and oppose Rurigan. COLYUS Then it's settled. He nods to Dax to get started. 49 ANGLE ON TAYA As she hugs Rurigan. TAYA I can't wait to see my mother. Rurigan hugs her with a reassurance that isn't mirrored in his face. As Dax goes to work, Taya looks at Odo. TAYA Your face isn't so scary... once you get used to it. ODO (touched) Thank you. 50 NEW ANGLE As Dax looks up from her work and makes eye contact with Colyus. Colyus nods. DAX (half to herself) All right. Here we go. 51 ANGLE ON THE YADERANS Rurigan holds Taya close. The other Yaderans brace themselves, saying goodbye, hugging each other, trying to find the strength to face the unknown. Odo and Taya exchange what they hope will not be a final look. DEEP SPACE: "Shadowplay" - REV. 12/10/93 - ACT FOUR 50. 52 ANGLE ON DAX As she turns off the reactor, and... 53 NEW ANGLE (OPTICAL) The Yaderans and their entire village DISAPPEAR, to reveal an empty, rocky field surrounding the power plant, inhabited only by Dax, Odo, and... 54 RURIGAN Standing by himself, looking old, fragile, and very much alone. RURIGAN (defiant) Don't look so surprised, Lieutenant. I'm as real as you are. And as Dax and Odo react to Rurigan... FADE OUT. END OF ACT FOUR DEEP SPACE: "Shadowplay" - REV. 12/13/93 - ACT FIVE 51. ACT FIVE FADE IN: 55 EXT. EMPTY PLAIN - DAY Dax, Odo and Rurigan stand alone by the reactor. RURIGAN I was happy living on Yadera Prime. Until the Dominion took over. And changed our whole way of life... Dax and Odo exchange a look, but Rurigan is too deep into his memories to notice. RURIGAN I woke up one day and realized I didn't belong there anymore. So I came here and used a holo-generator to recreate everything that I'd lost. (proudly) I've lived here in my village for thirty years. I've watched its people marry, have children, grow old... Sometimes, I even forgot they were holograms. (with regret) But now it's over. Rurigan takes one final look around the valley. RURIGAN (putting it all behind him) I'd appreciate it if you'd take me back to Yadera Prime. ODO But what about the villagers? What about your granddaughter? RURIGAN (rhetorical) What granddaughter? You mean Taya? She's not real. ODO Technically, I suppose you're right. Maybe by our definition, Taya's not real. DEEP SPACE: "Shadowplay" - REV. 12/13/93 - ACT FIVE 52. 55 CONTINUED: ODO (Cont'd) Her memories are stored in a computer and her body's made up of Omicron particles. But who's to say that our definition of life is the only valid one. I'm sure if you asked her, she'd say she was real. She thinks, she feels... RURIGAN She only seems to... It's all an illusion, an illusion that I created. ODO You said you created this village thirty years ago. Taya's only ten. RURIGAN I designed the program so that the villagers could have children if they wanted to. DAX Then Taya's personality is a combination of her parent's personalities. ODO Just like a real child. You had nothing to do with it. RURIGAN But she's still a hologram. ODO Maybe, but I saw the way you held her hand when she was sad... how you comforted her when she was frightened. RURIGAN (defensive) I didn't want to see her get hurt. ODO (provoking) If she's not real, what does it matter? DEEP SPACE: "Shadowplay" - REV. 12/10/93 - ACT FIVE 53. 55 CONTINUED: (2) RURIGAN (angry) It matters to me. ODO Why should it matter to you if a hologram cries? RURIGAN (learning it out) Because... I love her. DAX And she loves you. Rurigan's beginning to waver. ODO Don't you see... she's real to you. And she's real to me, too. They're all real. And you can't turn your back on them now. 56 NEW ANGLE On Rurigan, as he finally realizes what he's created... and what he stands to lose. 57 EXT. SPACE - DEEP SPACE NINE (OPTICAL) Re-establishing. 58 INT. SISKO'S QUARTERS Sisko is at his desk, working with a PADD. Jake ENTERS, still wearing his work clothes. SISKO (glad to see him) Jake... how was work? JAKE Okay. Jake takes a seat. He's serious, adult... a man with a mission. DEEP SPACE: "Shadowplay" - REV. 12/10/93 - ACT FIVE 53A. 58 CONTINUED: JAKE (all business) It's kind of fun working with Chief O'Brien. Of course, it'd be better if I knew what I was doing. SISKO You'll get there. Jake nods but he's go something else on his mind. JAKE I guess so. SISKO I'm glad you decided to stick with it. DEEP SPACE: "Shadowplay" - REV. 12/10/93 - ACT FIVE 54. 58 CONTINUED: (2) JAKE Yeah. (almost blurting it out) Dad, I don't want to join Starfleet. That takes Sisko back for a second. He didn't see that one coming. SISKO Since when? JAKE Since forever. Starfleet is too much... like you. And I have to find what's me. (seeking approval) Does that make any sense? SISKO Perfect sense. Jake reacts with surprise. He expected more of a fight. JAKE It does? SISKO It's your life, Jake. You have to choose your own way. There's only one thing I want from you. Jake waits to hear what it's going to be. SISKO (continuing) Find something you love... and do it the best you can... Jake realizes that in some ways this a lot more responsibility than just following in his father's footsteps. But it's an adult responsibility. JAKE (humble) I'll try. SISKO Good. Then you'll make your old man proud. Jake gets up. DEEP SPACE: "Shadowplay" - 12/09/93 - ACT FIVE 55. 58 CONTINUED: (3) JAKE I better go study. I'm still trying to figure out those isolinear rods. Sisko nods and watches Jake EXIT to his room with a mixture of disappoint and pride. 59 INT. QUARK'S - SECOND LEVEL Kira ENTERS from the Promenade. She looks around, sees Quark waiting on a table, and makes her way purposefully toward him. KIRA (pleasant) Hello, Quark. QUARK (a little nervous) Major... to what do I owe this unexpected pleasure. KIRA Just thought I'd let you know... we caught your cousin trying to slip back onto the station. And guess what we confiscated from him... (smiles) Bone-carvings... stolen from a museum on Cardassia Five. For Quark, this is very bad news, but he tries not to show it. QUARK I always knew Kono was no good. KIRA I'm only sorry we didn't catch the two of you together. QUARK Life is full of disappointments. KIRA (smiling) Oh, by the way... (pointedly) Prylar Rhit tells me you "encouraged" him to invite Bareil onto the station. DEEP SPACE: "Shadowplay" - REV. 12/10/93 - ACT FIVE 56. 59 CONTINUED: QUARK Is that a crime? KIRA (smiling) Not at all... I just wanted to say thanks. I found him very... diverting. And as Quark watches, Kira EXITS onto the second level of the Promenade, where she joins Vedek Bareil and the two of them walk off, arm-in-arm. 60 ON QUARK Crestfallen, as he realizes his scheming has accomplished nothing but making Kira happy... QUARK Not diverting enough. 61 EXT. EMPTY PLAIN - DAY Dax and Rurigan finish their repairs to the reactor while Odo looks on with concern. Dax gets ready to turn on the system. DAX All right, nothing to do now but reactivate the system and see what happens. RURIGAN Lieutenant... wait. I have a favor to ask. (off reactions, softly) If it works, please don't tell any of the others that I'm... not like them. I don't want to be treated any differently than before. Dax looks surprised, like she might be about to object, but Odo speaks first. ODO Of course. Dax nods her agreement. Rurigan goes back to where he was when the system was shut down and signals Dax. Dax reactivates the reactor, and... DEEP SPACE: "Shadowplay" - REV. 12/10/93 - ACT FIVE 57. 62 EXT. YADERAN SETTLEMENT (OPTICAL) The settlement REAPPEARS, complete with all its residents. In fact, if anything, there are a few more people than before. The new arrivals look very confused. Taya searches the crowd until she finds a pretty Yaderan woman. Taya reacts joyfully. TAYA Mother! Taya rans embrace her mother and hugs her. Several other Yaderans embrace other missing people who've been returned, including the vocal Male Villager, who reunites with his wife. 63 NEW ANGLE Colyus breaks away from hugging his long-lost nephew and joins Dax and Odo. COLYUS (relieved) You did it. DAX We upgraded the system's memory core and realigned the field generator. You shouldn't have to worry about anyone disappearing now. COLYUS We just have to get used to the fact that we're holograms. RURIGAN We're alive and we have our families back. That's the only thing that counts. COLYUS (looking around) I wonder who created all this? ODO Whoever it was did a fine job. COLYUS (smiling) They did. Didn't they? DEEP SPACE: "Shadowplay" - REV. 12/10/93 - ACT FIVE 58. 63 CONTINUED: Rurigan nods his thanks to Odo. COLYUS It was good working with you, Odo. Next time you're on this side of the galaxy... I hope you come see us. (with a grin) We don't get many visitors. ODO I would like that. 64 NEW ANGLE As Taya approaches Odo. TAYA Odo, my mother's back. ODO I'm glad. Odo looks over at Dax, who is waiting for him. TAYA You're leaving. ODO I'm afraid so. TAYA I'll miss you. ODO I'll miss you, too. TAYA Thank you for bringing my mother back. (quietly) I hope you find your parents, too. ODO (touched) Thank you, Taya. So do I. Odo walks over and joins Dax, then stops, as if something just occurred to him. DEEP SPACE: "Shadowplay" - REV. 12/13/93 - ACT FIVE 59. ODO (calling over) Taya. 65 NEW ANGLE (OPTICAL) Odo twists his body and MORPHS into an exact replica of Taya's top-like toy. 66 ON TAYA Who's surprised and delighted. Yes, Taya, he really is a changeling. 67 NEW ANGLE (OPTICAL) As Odo rises back up out of frame, having shifted back off camera. He smiles back at Taya, pleased and proud to see the delight on her face. DAX Computer, two to beam up. Taya, who's joined by Rurigan, raises her hand in farewell as Odo and Dax DEMATERIALIZE. And as life resumes in the Yaderan village... FADE OUT. END OF ACT FIVE THE END