STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE "Prophet Motive" #40513-462 Written by Ira Steven Behr & Robert Hewitt Wolfe Directed by Rene Auberjonois 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 1994 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 This script is not for publication or reproduction.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 7, 1994 STAR TREK: DS9 - "Prophet Motive" - 12/07/94 - CAST STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE "Prophet Motive" CAST SISKO EMI KIRA ZEK ODO MEDICAL BIG SHOT BASHIR MAIHAR'DU DAX O'BRIEN QUARK ROM Non-Speaking Non-Speaking N.D. SUPERNUMERARIES ALIENS STAR TREK DEEP SPACE NINE: "Prophet Motive" - 12/07/94 - SETS STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE "Prophet Motive" SETS INTERIORS EXTERIORS DEEP SPACE NINE DEEP SPACE NINE DOCKING RING AIRLOCK DOCKING RING CORRIDOR HABITAT RING CORRIDOR CARGO BAY COMMANDER'S OFFICE INFIRMARY PROMENADE/SECOND LEVEL REPLIMAT QUARK'S QUARK'S QUARTERS ROM'S QUARTERS WARDROOM SHUTTLE STAR TREK: "Prophet Motive" - 12/07/94 - PRONUNCIATION STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE "Prophet Motive" PRONUNCIATION GUIDE ALDEBERAN al-DEB-uh-ron ALTAIR AL-tair ANDORIA an-DOOR-ee-uh CHIRURGEON key-RUR-juhn EMI EM-ee HENRI ON-REE HUPYRIAN HUE-pie-ree-an KOHLANESE KOLE-a-knees MAIHARIDU MAY-har-doo P'TRELL puh-TRELL ROGET ROE-ZHAY SENVA SEN-va TRIXIAN TRIX-ee-uhn DEEP SPACE: "Prophet Motive" - REV. 12/12/94 - TEASER 1. STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE "Prophet Motive" TEASER FADE IN: 1 INT. QUARK'S QUARTERS Close on QUARK, a beatific smile on his face as pair of skillful hands caress his lobes. EMI (O.S.) Am I doing it right? Quark is seated in a comfortable chair while behind him a beautiful humanoid (minor prosthetics) alien woman, EMI, is performing oo-mox on his happy ears. QUARK (blissful) You don't have to be quite so gentle. She massages his ears with a firmer touch. Quark quivers and sighs. He's in heaven. EMI Tell me again. QUARK Tell you about what? EMI About the stem bolts. QUARK I have one hundred gross of self- sealing stem bolts sitting in Cargo Bay Eleven. EMI And they're all mine? QUARK For only ten bars of gold-pressed latinum. She starts rubbing his ears quicker. EMI You don't know how much this means to me. DEEP SPACE: "Prophet Motive" - 12/07/94 - TEASER 2. 1 CONTINUED: QUARK (close to ecstasy) You don't know how much this means to me. EMI With those stem bolts, my family will be able to triple production of our reverse-ratcheting routing planers. QUARK Glad to be of help. Emi continues oo-moxing as she leans over and breathlessly whispers into Quark's ear. EMI (seductive) Quark, I can't wait any longer. Why don't you and I... go down to Cargo Bay Nine and... sign the contract? Quark is tempted, but he wants to prolong his pleasure. QUARK No need to rush. Your family's ship won't be here for a week. We'll have plenty of time to finalize the deal before then. EMI That's an unusual attitude for a Ferengi. QUARK I'm a very unusual Ferengi. Quark settles back for more oo-mox, but the door CHIMES. QUARK (continuing, re: the door) Ah... that must be the Saurian brandy I ordered. (to the door) Enter. But instead of the expected Ferengi waiter, ROM ENTERS, looking a little panicky. QUARK Rom? Where's my brandy? DEEP SPACE: "Prophet Motive" - 12/07/94 - TEASER 3. 1 CONTINUED: (2) ROM Forget the brandy, Brother. You must leave here immediately. And that goes for the female as well. EMI (frowns) Is something wrong? QUARK (sees she's disturbed) Nothing's wrong. Quark grabs his brother and takes him aside. QUARK (harsh whisper) Have you lost your mind? She's willing, she's wealthy... and she's wants to buy our stem bolts. ROM It's going to have to wait. Something important has come up. QUARK Right now, nothing is more important than this. But just then... 2 NEW ANGLE A small, hooded figure ENTERS the room, supporting himself on a familiar-looking cane. It's the GRAND NAGUS ZEK, though we never see his face. He's followed almost immediately by his towering Hupyrian servant MAIHAR'DU. QUARK (shocked, to Rom) Grand Nagus Zek. ROM As big as life. Maihar'du takes one look at Emi and points sternly at the door. Emi looks at Quark for guidance. QUARK (panicky, waving her away with his hands) Go. Go! DEEP SPACE: "Prophet Motive" - 12/07/94 - TEASER 4. 2 CONTINUED: Emi flees. Without a word, the Nagus walks into Quark's bedroom and Maihar'du follows, glaring at Quark as he walks by, as if daring him to protest. QUARK (whispers) What does Zek want with me? ROM Looks like he's moving in with you, brother. And as Quark reacts to this news, we... FADE OUT. END OF TEASER DEEP SPACE: "Prophet Motive" - 12/07/94 - ACT ONE 5. ACT ONE FADE IN: (NOTE: Episode credits fall over opening scenes) 3 INT. INFIRMARY BASHIR is checking some calculation from a PADD against those on one of his wall monitors when his combadge CHIRPS. SISKO (O.S.) (on com) Sisko to Bashir. BASHIR (to com) This is Bashir. SISKO (O.S.) (on com) Doctor, please report to the wardroom immediately. BASHIR On my way. Bashir EXITS. 4 INT. WARDROOM On the door as it opens and Bashir ENTERS. He stops in his tracks when he sees... 5 NEW ANGLE SISKO, KIRA, DAX, O'BRIEN, and a handful of other Starfleet and Bajoran officers all standing facing the door, holding glasses of champagne. Everyone cheers. BASHIR What's this? Dax approaches with two glasses of champagne and hands one to Bashir. DAX (playful) Champagne. She leads Julian over to the others. DEEP SPACE: "Prophet Motive" - REV. 12/12/94 - ACT ONE 6. 5 CONTINUED: SISKO Congratulations, Doctor. BASHIR Thank you. (smiles) Now will someone please tell me what's going on here? SISKO The Federation Medical Council has announced the nominees for this year's Carrington Award. And they are... (reading off a PADD) Doctor April Wade of the University of Nairobi, Healer Senva of the Vulcan Medical Institute, Doctor Henri Roget of the Central Hospital of Altair Four, Chirurgeon Ghee P'Trell of Andoria, and... (looks up) Doctor Julian Bashir, Chief Medical Officer of Starbase Deep Space Nine. Everyone crowds around Bashir to congratulate him. BASHIR There must be some mistake. As far as I know, my name wasn't even up for consideration. DAX Oh, it was up for consideration. I submitted it myself... through an old friend of Curzon's. KIRA You deserve the nomination, Doctor. Your work on biomolecular replication was "both audacious and groundbreaking." (smiles) According to Dax anyway. She's the only one who understands it. O'BRIEN So how does it feel to be the youngest nominee in the history of the Carrington award? DEEP SPACE: "Prophet Motive" - 12/07/94 - ACT ONE 7. 5 CONTINUED: (2) BASHIR (embarrassed) It feels... good. He drains his glass in a single gulp. BASHIR Now if you'll excuse me, I should get back to work. And with that, he turns and EXITS. We hold on Sisko and the others, surprised at his sudden departure. 6 EXT. SPACE - DEEP SPACE NINE (OPTICAL) Establishing. 7 INT. PROMENADE - SECOND LEVEL It's a few hours later. Bashir and Dax are walking and talking on the second level of the Promenade. BASHIR Jadzia, what exactly is it that you want me to say? DAX I want you to say that you're thrilled beyond belief to be nominated for the Federation's most prestigious medical award. BASHIR Believe me, I'm honored to be nominated. DAX You're not acting like it. BASHIR I just don't want everyone making a big deal out of it. DAX But it is a big deal. We're all proud of you. BASHIR I'm glad, but before you suffer through the next few days waiting for the board's decision, let me assure you that I'm not going to win. DEEP SPACE: "Prophet Motive" - REV. 12/12/94 - ACT ONE 8. 7 CONTINUED: DAX You don't know that. The work you've been doing deserves to be recognized. BASHIR This isn't about my work. Do you know what the life expectancy of a Carrington Award winner is? (before she can answer) Five years. Ten at the very best. And do you know why? (answering his own question) Because the Carrington Award is intended to be the crowning achievement for a lifetime in medicine. April Wade is a hundred and six. The last time she was nominated, three years ago, people said it was premature. DAX Julian, you're exaggerating. BASHIR Maybe a little. But the undeniable truth is I am far too young to be a serious candidate for the Carrington. Now, put my name up for nomination in seventy years, and I promise you, I will get extremely excited. But until then, I don't plan on giving it much thought. DAX That's a very mature attitude. BASHIR You sound surprised. DAX Actually, I'm astounded. But impressed. BASHIR So then we don't have to dwell on this for the next three days. DAX I won't mention it again. DEEP SPACE: "Prophet Motive" - 12/07/94 - ACT ONE 9. 7 CONTINUED: (2) BASHIR I appreciate that, Jadzia. DAX (after a beat) So who do you think is going to win? Wade or P'Trell? And as Bashir sighs... 8 INT. ROM'S QUARTERS A tired Quark steps out of the bedroom, having just gotten dressed. He looks around at the disaster area that passes for Rom's Quarters. There are clothes and unwashed dishes everywhere. Quark goes to the replicator. QUARK (to replicator) A cup of millipede juice, hold the shells. We hear the sound of the replicator working (off screen) and Quark reaches in and pulls out a steaming hot cup of bright yellow liquid. He takes a sip. It's good, but not enough to elevate his mood. He sits down on a clothes-strewn couch, grimaces, reaches around and pulls an empty bottle out from under his butt. QUARK (annoyed) Rom. Rom sticks his head out of his bedroom. He's using a Ferengi tool vaguely reminiscent of an electric toothbrush to clean his ears. ROM Did you call me, brother? QUARK Would it be too much trouble for you to put these empty bottles in the replicator? ROM Keeping my quarters clean is Nog's job. DEEP SPACE: "Prophet Motive" - 12/07/94 - ACT ONE 10. 8 CONTINUED: QUARK Except Nog is on the Homeworld visiting his grandmother. ROM (looks around) Then cleaning will just have to wait until he gets back. QUARK No it won't. Until the Nagus gives me back my own quarters, this is my home too. And I've had enough of this mess. Clean it up. Now. ROM I won't. QUARK Yes you will. It's bad enough I have to put up with your constant teeth grinding every night, and your incessant ear-picking. But I will not tolerate living like some Pakled refuse merchant for another... (he looks at the bottle in his hand) Wait a minute. This is a bottle of Aldeberan whiskey. Rom reaches over and grabs the bottle's neck to take it away. ROM Let me, brother. QUARK (doesn't let go) I recognize this label. This is from my private stock. Rom is still trying to wrest the bottle out of Quark's grasp. ROM No, it's not. QUARK It most certainly is. (sees something else and lets go) And what's that over there? DEEP SPACE: "Prophet Motive" - 12/07/94 - ACT ONE 11. 8 CONTINUED: (2) Rom staggers back with the bottle in his hand. Quark goes and pulls a cloth off a case of small bottles. ROM Trixian bubble juice. QUARK (suspicious) Nog's favorite. (a beat) This came from my stockroom, didn't it? ROM Are you accusing my son of being a thief? QUARK No. I'm accusing you of being a thief. Quark looks at the cloth in his hands. QUARK (continuing, re: the cloth) These table linens. The chairs. That table. Everything in here comes from my bar. ROM Not everything. QUARK As soon as you're done cleaning, I'm going to conduct a complete inventory and find out exactly what you've stolen from me. Now get to work. ROM No. I refuse. (off Quark's reaction) I work for you all day, brother. But here, I'm the boss. You want this place cleaned up, do it yourself. QUARK (frustrated) What I want is my own quarters back. DEEP SPACE: "Prophet Motive" - 12/07/94 - ACT ONE 12. 8 CONTINUED: (3) ROM That makes two of us. Living with you was bad enough when we were children. QUARK (offended) What do I do? ROM (accusatory) You think. QUARK What do you mean, "I think?" ROM You stay up late, every night, plotting and scheming. And when you think, you mumble. And if there's anything I can't stand, it's listening to you mumble. QUARK That does it. I've been accommodating long enough. If the Nagus wants to stay on the station, he'll have to find someplace else to live. Quark storms out and Rom follows him. 9 INT. HABITAT RING CORRIDOR As Quark and Rom EXIT Rom's Quarters and cross to a nearby door. ROM Are you sure this is a good idea? No one's seen the Nagus since he got here. He must be working on something important. If you disturb him, he might get very angry. QUARK I'm not going to disturb him. You are. ROM Me? Why not you? DEEP SPACE: "Prophet Motive" - 12/07/94 - ACT ONE 13. 9 CONTINUED: QUARK Because Zek likes me. So I can't afford to get on his bad side. On the other hand, he barely acknowledges your existence. So you have nothing to lose. (pumping him up) Now go in there and tell the Nagus he'll have to leave. And whatever happens, don't let Maihar'du intimidate you. Quark hits the door chime and then steps around the corner. ROM Where are you going? QUARK Don't worry, if you need me, I'll be close by. Just then the door opens and a mellow, relaxed-looking Nagus opens the door. ZEK What can I do for you, Rom? Rom is shocked and amazed. ROM (falls to his knees) Grand Nagus, forgive me for disturbing you. ZEK (glad to see him) Who's disturbed? I've been hoping someone would drop by. Come right in. Rom is speechless. He's stunned that Zek is being so accommodating. But as Rom is trying to process this turn of events, Quark, who has been listening from down the corridor, suddenly appears beside his brother. QUARK Thank you. We'd be delighted. ZEK Quark. I knew you'd be lurking around here somewhere. DEEP SPACE: "Prophet Motive" - REV. 12/16/94 - ACT ONE 14. 9 CONTINUED: (2) ZEK (smiles) Well what are we standing out here for? I have something very exciting to show you both. Zek gestures a welcome and Quark and Rom ENTER Quark's quarters. 10 INT. QUARK'S QUARTERS Quark and Rom ENTER to find the room completely stripped of all furniture and decorations. It's just a big empty room. Maihar'du is sitting on the floor in a corner, reading a large handwritten book. He looks puzzled and a little upset. QUARK What happened to my furniture? ZEK I got rid of it. It was getting in the way of my work. QUARK (trying to be polite) And what work was that, Grand Nagus? If I my be so bold? ZEK I'm glad you asked. (to his servant) Maihar'du... the book. Maihar'du takes one last confused look at what he's reading, then closes it and, with some hesitation, hands it to Zek. As Zek takes the book, Maihar'du looks dolefully at Quark and Rom. He is not happy. ZEK You're about to read the shining triumph of my life. The one thing I'll always be remembered for. Zek hands Quark the book. Quark and Rom exchange a look. QUARK (re: the book) May I? DEEP SPACE: "Prophet Motive" - REV. 12/12/94 - ACT ONE 15. ZEK By all means. Quark tentatively opens the book. The text is in Ferengi, written in hand with a calligraphy brush. QUARK (reading) "The Rules of Acquisition, Revised for the Modern Ferengi." (to Zek) You rewrote the Rules of Acquisition? ZEK (eager) I hope you like them. (as he wanders off) Absorb... enjoy... He EXITS into the bedroom. 11 CLOSE ON QUARK AND ROM As they look in awe at the book. QUARK (excited) Rom, do you know what this means? ROM (depressed) Yes. It means we're going to have to memorize a whole new set of Rules. QUARK No, you idiot. It means we'll be the first Ferengi to benefit from Zek's wisdom. The knowledge contained in this book could make us both rich beyond our wildest dreams. ROM (it sinks in) I'll be able to go into business for myself. (excited) Turn the page, Brother. Turn the page. Quark turns the page with a flourish. QUARK The first Rule of Acquisition is... DEEP SPACE: "Prophet Motive" - 12/07/94 - ACT ONE 16. 11 CONTINUED: ROM Go on. QUARK (as eager as Rom) If they want their money back... ROM Yes, yes? QUARK (surprised) Give it to them. ROM (repeating) If they want their money back... (puzzled) Give it to them? Quark and Rom exchange looks of troubled surprise. Suddenly we hear the strangled sound of someone weeping in spite of themselves. 12 NEW ANGLE It's Maihar'du. He's weeping, overcome by the tragic knowledge of the Nagus's downfall. And as Quark and Rom react to this sad and strange sight... FADE OUT. END OF ACT ONE DEEP SPACE: "Prophet Motive" - REV. 12/13/94 - ACT TWO 17. ACT TWO FADE IN: 13 INT. QUARK'S QUARTERS It's a little while later. Rom is seated in the middle of the floor, reading aloud from the book. Quark is pacing back and forth, trying to make sense of the Nagus's Rules. ROM Rule Number Twenty-One, "Never place profit before friendship." (turning pages) Rule Number Twenty-Four "Latinum tarnishes, but family is forever." (turning pages) Rule Twenty-Eight, "Money can never replace dignity." QUARK (losing patience) Skip to the end. Rom flips ahead until he gets to the last page, then reads it silently. QUARK Well, what is it? ROM You're not going to like it, Brother. QUARK I can take it. Tell me. ROM Rule number Two Hundred and Eighty- Five, "A good deed is its own reward." Suddenly Quark reals as if about to pass out. Rom leaps to his feet and goes to support Quark. ROM Brother, are you all right? QUARK (wobbly) I... just need to sit down. Rom helps his brother take a seat against the wall. Quark still doesn't look so good. Rom starts fanning him with the book of Rules. It's like waving garlic in front of a vampire. DEEP SPACE: "Prophet Motive" - 12/07/94 - ACT TWO 18. 13 CONTINUED: QUARK No... Take it away. Rom realizes what he's doing isn't helping. ROM Sorry. He puts the book aside. QUARK (to himself) Got to think. Got to think. There has to be an explanation... a reason for why he's doing this. ROM Maybe we should ask him. Rom stands up and starts to head toward the bedroom. But Quark grabs his arm and pulls him back down. QUARK No. Don't you see? He's testing us. (grasping at straws) Yes. That must be it. It's some kind of test. (urgent) Get the book. ROM (doesn't understand) You want to hear more? QUARK No. It must be some kind of code. Read me the first word of every Rule. ROM (complying) If... never... keep... profit... a... good... smile... honesty. QUARK (likeit means something) If never keep profit a good smile honesty. ROM What does it mean, Brother? DEEP SPACE: "Prophet Motive" - 12/07/94 - ACT TWO 19. 13 CONTINUED: (2) QUARK (with conviction) It means... absolutely nothing. (still grasping) Maybe if we hold the pages up to the light. Quark takes the book from Rom and holds it at different angles up to the light. QUARK No... that's not it. He examines the binding, the ink, the fabric of the paper. He smells it, taps on it and listens to it, and licks it, but still can't find an answer. QUARK The answer must be right in front of us. ROM I know. Maybe the Nagus has gone insane. QUARK Nonsense. The Nagus is the most brilliant Ferengi alive. I've modeled my life after him. Don't ever let me hear you speak that way about him again. ROM But what if he really believes all this? QUARK How could he believe this insanity? No. It has to be part of some brilliant, twisted, devious plan. The Nagus isn't like you and me, Rom. He thinks ten, sometimes twenty, steps ahead. These Rules are probably the key component in some vast plot to seize financial control of the entire quadrant. ROM So what do we do? QUARK The only thing we can do. We put down this book and we walk away. DEEP SPACE: "Prophet Motive" - 12/07/94 - ACT TWO 20. 13 CONTINUED: (3) Quark sets the book on the floor. QUARK When the Nagus feels ready, he'll inform us of his plans. But until then, we have to act as if we know nothing. ROM (happy) I can do that. QUARK Don't worry, Rom. In time, all will be revealed. And as Rom looks at his brother with admiration... CUT TO: 14 EXT. SPACE - DEEP SPACE NINE (OPTICAL) Re-establishing. 15 INT. QUARK'S The bar is busy with the usual crowd. Rom is waiting on tables. Quark is behind the bar, working absentmindedly and muttering to himself. QUARK (still trying to make sense of it) "If never keep profit a good smile honesty." (shakes his head) Nah. He tries to concentrate on his work. Just then, the Nagus ENTERS, followed by a morose Maihar'du. ZEK Quark, my boy. What do you say we buy everyone a drink? Put it on my tab. Rom overhears this and moves closer. QUARK But... why? DEEP SPACE: "Prophet Motive" - 12/07/94 - ACT TWO 21. 15 CONTINUED: ZEK Because it will make everyone happy. And that will make me happy. ROM (aside to Quark) It must all be part of his plan. Wheels within wheels, Brother. Quark nods, but he's not convinced. QUARK (to the waiters) Drinks for everyone. Compliments of the Grand Nagus. (to Zek) Is there anything else I can do for you, Nagus? (tempting) We just got in a shipment of quality Hupyrian beetle snuff. ZEK Actually, I've lost my taste for beetle snuff. It might be fun for you and me, but it's no fun for the beetles. (a beat) By the way, Quark, I just met the most lovely young female. She stopped by your quarters, looking for you. QUARK Was her name Emi, by any chance? ZEK Now that you mention it, I believe it was. She wanted me to tell you that her family's ship has arrived with the latinum. QUARK (excited) It's about time. (to Rom) Rom, watch the bar. We're finally going to get rid of those stem bolts. ZEK I don't think so. Quark looks at Zek in surprise. DEEP SPACE: "Prophet Motive" - 12/07/94 - ACT TWO 22. 15 CONTINUED: (2) QUARK But we have a contract. ZEK Which was never signed. And frankly Quark, you were charging an outrageous price for those stem bolts. QUARK She didn't seem to think so. ZEK She did once I explained it to her. QUARK You what? ZEK I couldn't let you take advantage of an innocent young woman like that, Quark. So I told her where she could get all the stem bolts she needed... at wholesale. QUARK (crushed) Wholesale? (to Rom) He told her where to get them at wholesale. Quark wanders off in a daze. QUARK What am I going to do with a hundred gross of stem bolts? Rom and the Nagus watch him go. ROM My poor brother. ZEK Don't worry about him. Eventually, he'll sell those stem bolts... at a fair price. ROM (bewildered) A fair price? I'm very confused. DEEP SPACE: "Prophet Motive" - 12/07/94 - ACT TWO 23. 15 CONTINUED: (3) ZEK That's understandable. It will take some time to get used to the new ways. ROM New ways? ZEK (friendly) Walk with me, Rom. They walk off, leaving Maihar'du alone at the bar. He reaches out and takes a bottle, then pours himself a big drink. 16 INT. CARGO BAY Close on a dart board, maybe with a few BLINKIES around the edges, but basically a recognizable regulation English-style dart board. Three darts land in succession. They're good throws, but not anything spectacular. 17 NEW ANGLE As O'Brien goes and pulls out the darts. The techy dartboard keeps score automatically. O'BRIEN Your turn. Bashir waits at an impromptu throwing line which has been painted on the floor. He's got three darts in his hand, but he looks dubious. BASHIR I don't know about this. O'BRIEN Would you rather play racquetball? BASHIR Chief, since Keiko's been on Bajor we've played one hundred and six games of racquetball. O'BRIEN Right. So throw a dart. Bashir tosses a dart. DEEP SPACE: "Prophet Motive" - 12/07/94 - ACT TWO 24. 17 CONTINUED: BASHIR I'm a little rusty. O'BRIEN So am I. Bashir throws another dart. O'BRIEN I suppose the smart money's on Wade or P'Trell. Bashir throws his third dart and misses the board entirely. The dart CLANGS off the metal bulkhead. BASHIR (retrieves his darts) That seems to be the general consensus. O'BRIEN I mean, Doctor Wade is very popular. But P'Trell is doing some amazing work in gerontological research. (a beat) Which one do you think will win? BASHIR Either of them would be a worthy recipient of the Carrington. O'BRIEN (makes his tosses) Of course, if I had my druthers, the award would go to you. BASHIR Thank you. O'BRIEN But let's face it. You don't stand a chance. Even though this is absolutely true, O'Brien's still getting some small enjoyment out of needling Bashir. BASHIR (agreeing, as he takes his turn) You don't say. DEEP SPACE: "Prophet Motive" - 12/07/94 - ACT TWO 25. 17 CONTINUED: (2) O'BRIEN I mean, I know how talented you are, but I bet there're doctors all over the Federation saying, "Julian Bashir, who the hell is he?" O'Brien smiles as Bashir clangs another dart off the bulkhead. BASHIR Chief, you are absolutely right. Bashir retrieves his darts and O'Brien gets ready to throw. O'BRIEN I'm glad you agree. BASHIR (mischievous) So... how much longer is Keiko going to be on Bajor? O'Brien's throw goes awry. CLANG. 18 EXT. SPACE - DEEP SPACE NINE (OPTICAL) Re-establishing. 19 INT. PROMENADE It's early morning. There are only a few people on the Promenade. MORN is waiting expectantly outside Quark's, which is still closed. A sleepy Quark approaches, and as Morn looks at him with reproachful eyes, Quark realizes that the bar's still not open. QUARK Hey, Rom... Quark bangs on the door. QUARK Open up. There's no response. Morn shrugs. KIRA (O.S.) Something wrong, Quark? Quark turns and sees Kira approaching. DEEP SPACE: "Prophet Motive" - REV. 12/16/94 - ACT TWO 26. 19 CONTINUED: QUARK My brother should've had this place open an hour ago. KIRA Last time I saw him was last night... walking with the Nagus on the Promenade. QUARK Come to think of it, I don't remember him coming back to his quarters last night. (worried) I'd better go find him. Quark starts to leave, but Kira grabs his shoulder and stops him. KIRA Not so fast. (a beat) Do you have anything to do with this? Kira hands Quark a PADD. Quark looks at it, puzzled. QUARK The Ferengi Benevolent Association? KIRA This message has been going out over subspace all morning. QUARK This looks like some kind of offer of charitable assistance to those in need. KIRA The operative words being "looks like." I don't know what you and the Nagus are up to, Quark, but I'm not going to let you exploit people in need. QUARK You think this is some kind of scam? KIRA Yes. DEEP SPACE: "Prophet Motive" - 12/07/94 - ACT TWO 27. 19 CONTINUED: (2) QUARK I hope you're right. Quark rushes off. Kira gives him a questioning look. Then she hears a THUNK and turns to find Morn, leaning his head against the door to the bar, utterly defeated. 20 INT. QUARK'S QUARTERS Quark storms into his quarters, which have been transformed into an office with multiple subspace communications hook- ups being manned by Quark's staff of Ferengi waiters. Rom is right in the middle of everything, coordinating their activity. Zek is nowhere in sight, but Maihar'du is sitting at a desk, dispiritedly working alongside the waiters. ROM (to a waiter) Make sure the relief shipment is sent by high warp courier. And don't worry about the cost. Quark looks at the changes to his quarters in wide-eyed horror. QUARK Rom, what's all this? ROM (with pride) You're looking at the sector headquarters of the Ferengi Benevolent Association. And as Quark reacts to Rom's announcement... FADE OUT. END OF ACT TWO DEEP SPACE: "Prophet Motive" - 12/07/94 - ACT THREE 28. ACT THREE FADE IN: 21 INT. ROM'S QUARTERS Quark ENTERS, pulling Rom after him by his ear. ROM Brother, I don't have time to talk to you. I have work to do. QUARK That's right, you do. In the bar. And it's time you got started. And make sure the rest of my employees go with you. ROM That's impossible. You saw how busy they are. I'm afraid you might have to hire some new waiters. QUARK Look, whatever the Nagus is paying, I'll match it. ROM He's not paying us anything. We're donating our time to help launch the Benevolent Association. (proudly) I'm the association's senior administrator. You know brother, I never realized how many people there are who could use a little help. QUARK If you don't get down to the bar right now, you're going to be the one who needs help. ROM The Nagus said you'd react like this. QUARK The Nagus is a very smart man. ROM He's more than that. He's a visionary. He has plans, brother. And I'm going to be part of them. DEEP SPACE: "Prophet Motive" - 12/07/94 - ACT THREE 29. 21 CONTINUED: QUARK What could the Nagus possibly want with you? ROM (with pride) He says I'm "malleable." And that he's going to mold me into a new kind of Ferengi. An evolved Ferengi. QUARK (dubious) Evolved into what? ROM I'm not sure, exactly. The Nagus says that the answers lie in his new Rules of Acquisition. He told me, "Rom, it's time for the Ferengi to move beyond greed." QUARK Beyond greed? There's nothing beyond greed. It's the purest, most noble of emotions. ROM "Greed is Dead." That's the tenth Rule of Acquisition. QUARK No it's not. The tenth Rule of Acquisition is "Greed is Eternal." ROM Not anymore. (a beat) The Nagus is going to shake the very foundation of Ferengi society, and we're going to be at his side every step of the way. QUARK What do you mean, "we?" ROM The Nagus has made you the co-chairman of the Benevolent Association. Your name will figure prominently on all our correspondence. DEEP SPACE: "Prophet Motive" - 12/07/94 - ACT THREE 30. 21 CONTINUED: (2) QUARK He never mentioned anything about that to me. ROM The Nagus wouldn't dream of excluding you, Brother. As soon as we get the Benevolent Association established here, the Nagus plans on returning to the homeworld. And we'll go with him. Think of it. You and I will be there when Zek personally announces the "New Rules of Acquisition" on the Grand Steps of the Sacred Marketplace. QUARK We'll be there all right. And we'll probably be right alongside him when they throw him off the spire of the Temple of Commerce. ROM The Temple of Commerce? But that's the tallest building in the Ferengi Alliance. A fall from that height could... could... Rom trails off, finally seeing what Quark is getting at. QUARK Exactly. (a beat) Don't you see, Rom. Something's terribly wrong with the Nagus. And we have to help him... before he gets us all killed. Quark looks determined. He knows what he must do and nothing will stop him. 22 INT. INFIRMARY Quark and Maihar'du watch with concern while Bashir finishes an examination of Zek. He's performing his last test, which involves scanning the inside of the Nagus's ear. ZEK (laughs) That tickles. DEEP SPACE: "Prophet Motive" - 12/07/94 - ACT THREE 31. 22 CONTINUED: Bashir completes his scan. BASHIR Well, I must say, for a Ferengi of your age, you're in excellent health. That is, aside from some vascular damage to your mucus membranes. You really should stop using beetle snuff. ZEK As a matter of fact, I already have. BASHIR Glad to hear it. Bashir begins to put away his instruments. QUARK Does this mean you're going to have to go in for some exploratory surgery? BASHIR Why would I do that? QUARK To find out what's wrong with him. BASHIR There's nothing wrong with him, Quark. QUARK That's not true. There's something deeply wrong with him, and you have to find out what it is. BASHIR I performed every test I can think of. There's no sign of trauma, brain damage, mental illness. His central nervous system's operating within normal parameters, and his endocrine system's in terrific shape. DEEP SPACE: "Prophet Motive" - 12/07/94 - ACT THREE 32. 22 CONTINUED: (2) ZEK (to Quark and Maihar'du) You see, I told you. (to Bashir) They're like a couple of nervous investors... always looking for trouble. (a beat) Oh, well. I suppose I should be flattered. Thank you, Doctor. You've been very helpful. Zek starts to get up off the examining table, but Quark restrains him. QUARK No. (to Bashir) He's sick, I tell you. You have to perform more tests. BASHIR Quark, if you don't get out of here, I'm going to perform some tests on you. QUARK But you have to do something. BASHIR Like what? QUARK Put him in stasis. Keep him from hurting himself until you can figure out what is wrong with him. BASHIR (dismissive) I don't think that will be necessary. QUARK I can't believe you're supposed to be one of the five best doctors in the Federation. If you ask me, you're a quack... No wonder everyone says you don't have a chance to win the Carrington. (to Zek) Let's go. Maybe we can make an appointment for you to see Doctor Wade. DEEP SPACE: "Prophet Motive" - 12/07/94 - ACT THREE 33. 22 CONTINUED: (3) BASHIR Good luck. If I remember correctly, Nairobi is beautiful this time of year. Maihar'du helps Zek to his feet. Zek takes a strip of latinum out of his pocket and hands it to Doctor Bashir. ZEK Here, Doctor. For your trouble. BASHIR I can't accept this. ZEK Why not? It's only money. Donate it to charity if you'd like. Bashir thinks about it, then takes the money. QUARK (with venom) And you say he's not sick. Quark starts to lead Zek out of the room, but the Nagus pauses at the door. ZEK Oh, and Doctor, I do hope you'll attend tomorrow night's ceremony. BASHIR (never heard of it) Ceremony? ZEK At the Bajoran shrine on the Promenade. I intend to give a gift to the Bajoran people. This is obviously the first Quark's heard of it too. QUARK Gift. What kind of gift? ZEK It's a surprise. You'll find out tomorrow night like everyone else. Quark is so wrapped up in thought that Zek has to lead him from the room. DEEP SPACE: "Prophet Motive" - 12/07/94 - ACT THREE 34. 22 CONTINUED: (4) ZEK (to Quark and Maihar'du) Come along. We have a lot of work to do before then. (with deep concern) So many needy people, so little time. Zek and Quark EXIT, leaving Bashir alone in the Infirmary, puzzled and more than a little amused. 23 INT. DOCKING RING AIRLOCK Quark and Rom are at the far end of the airlock, standing in front of the bulkhead of the Grand Nagus's personal shuttle. They've pried off an access plate and Rom is trying to override the door controls and break in. QUARK Aren't you done yet? ROM Breaking into the Nagus's personal shuttle somehow seems wrong, Brother. QUARK I don't care. I have to know what he intends to give to the Bajorans. ROM But the Nagus wants it to be a surprise. QUARK I hate surprises. Now hurry it up, before someone... Quark trails off as a huge shadow looms over them. They turn around and see... 24 NEW ANGLE Maihar'du standing over them. He holds out an ominous-looking device and points it out toward them. QUARK (covering) Maihar'du. As you can see, my brother and I were just repairing the door locks on the Nagus's... DEEP SPACE: "Prophet Motive" - 12/07/94 - ACT THREE 35. 24 CONTINUED: Maihar'du presses the trigger of the device. But to Quark's surprise, it isn't a weapon. Instead it opens the door. Maihar'du motions for Rom and Quark to enter. The brothers exchange relieved looks. 25 INT. THE NAGUS'S SHUTTLE Moments later. Quark, Rom and Maihar'du squeeze into the cockpit of Zek's ship. Maihar'du, with a grim expression, points to something behind one of the seats. Quark examines it. It's a metal box. QUARK (examining it; concerned) This is the gift? Maihar'du nods. ROM What is it? But Quark has already recognized the familiar-looking metal casing. QUARK (with awe) It's one of the missing Bajoran Orbs, Rom. An Orb of the Prophets. And as Quark and Rom looks down at the box, we... FADE OUT. END OF ACT THREE DEEP SPACE: "Prophet Motive" - 12/07/94 - ACT FOUR 36. ACT FOUR FADE IN: 26 INT. THE NAGUS'S SHUTTLE (OPTICAL) Quark sets the ark on the shuttle's control panel. He and Rom stare in amazement at the sealed box containing the Orb, while Maihar'du watches in silence. QUARK I tell you, Rom, this Orb explains everything. Zek's behavior, the new Rules, the Ferengi Benevolent Association, everything. ROM It does? How? QUARK I'm not sure. But I plan to find out. (to Maihar'du) Don't just stand there. Talk to me. But Maihar'du drops his head. The story is too painful for Maihar'du to relate. QUARK (pats him on the shoulder) I know how you feel. While Quark is trying to comfort Maihar'du, Rom examines the latch of the ark. QUARK What are you doing? ROM I thought we should look inside... I mean, we don't know for certain that there's an orb in here. (an idea) Maybe Zek's just giving them the box. QUARK Don't be ridiculous. ROM But how will we know unless we look? Rom knocks on the box, listening to the echo to try to discern what's inside. DEEP SPACE: "Prophet Motive" - 12/07/94 - ACT FOUR 37. 26 CONTINUED: QUARK Rom, it's too dangerous. Now leave it alone. ROM But Brother-- QUARK I said leave it alone. Quark tries to grab the ark. Rom refuses to let go. They struggle over it. Finally, Quark wrests it away, but as he does so, the doors fly open facing him. His face is bathed in purplish light, and... FLASH... 27 INT. QUARK'S (BEGIN ORB SEQUENCE) (OPTICAL) Quark finds himself slowing rotating in a seated position. He looks down and finds himself sitting on his dabo wheel, which is slowly turning. The bar is deserted. QUARK (still rotating) Rom? Maihar'du? (desperate) Morn? (worried) Anybody? ZEK (O.S.) (contemptuous) What's the matter, Quark? Spinning out of control, are we? The dabo wheel stops spinning and Quark comes to rest facing Zek, who is standing behind the bar, pouring himself a drink. In manner and tone, Zek is once again the insulting, nasty, greedy despot we all know and love. QUARK Grand Nagus? ZEK Maybe. 27A NEW ANGLE (OPTICAL) Quark looks around and sees that Zek is now standing behind him. ZEK Maybe not. DEEP SPACE: "Prophet Motive" - 12/07/94 - ACT FOUR 38. 27A CONTINUED: Zek gives the wheel a violent spin. Quark begins rotating around and around. Quark desperately tries to stop the wheel and suddenly... 28 CLOSE ON QUARK (OPTICAL) He spins around and finds himself seated at a table on the second level. There's an Orb box in front of him. Overcome by curiosity, he opens the box and finds... 29 ZEK'S HEAD (OPTICAL) Inside the box. ZEK Looking for answers? You couldn't find them if they were dangling from your lobes. Quark fearfully shuts the box, and suddenly he's... 30 NEW ANGLE (OPTICAL) Standing in the middle of the bar, on the first level, looking up at Zek, who's standing on the second level. ZEK Where's that old Quark cleverness I've heard so much about? (a beat) Or are you so paralyzed with fear that you can't think straight? Suddenly... 31 ZEK (OPTICAL) Is now on the third level of the bar, leaning over the railing. ZEK Answer me, Quark. What are you so nervous about? Don't you think change is worth dying for? All I want is a little... leap of faith. And with that the Nagus jumps from the third level of the bar. DEEP SPACE: "Prophet Motive" - REV. 12/12/94 - ACT FOUR 39. 32 NEW ANGLE (OPTICAL) As the camera zooms toward Quark's upturned fear-filled face. As his mouth opens in a scream... 33 CLOSE ON QUARK (OPTICAL) Who, to his surprise, catches a falling Orb box instead of the Nagus. ZEK (O.S.) Nice catch. Quark turns and sees that Zek is behind the bar again. ZEK That's the wonderful thing about mysteries. Sometimes the answers just... fall from the sky. 34 NEW ANGLE (OPTICAL) And now Quark is back slowly spinning on the dabo wheel, but this time, the Orb box is cradled in his lap. ZEK What do you have to lose? Open it. 35 CLOSE ON QUARK (OPTICAL) He's standing behind the bar, which is now filled with customers, all of whom are looking at him. The ark is on the bar, and Quark opens it and pulls out... 36 HARD BOUND BOOK (OPTICAL) A copy of Zek's New Rules of Acquisition. Quark holds up the book, and... 37 NEW ANGLE (OPTICAL) The bar patrons break out in enthusiastic applause. Quark looks at Zek, who is now sitting across the bar from him. ZEK Consider it a gift. DEEP SPACE: "Prophet Motive" - 12/07/94 - ACT FOUR 40. 37 CONTINUED: And as Quark reacts to the book, we FLASH... 38 INT. THE NAGUS'S SHUTTLE (OPTICAL) Quark is seated, dazed, as Rom slams shut the doors to the ark. ROM Are you all right? QUARK (reacting to his vision) A gift. ROM (no idea what he means) A gift? QUARK Zek said the New Rules were a gift. ROM (party line) A gift from Zek to the Ferengi people. QUARK No. They were a gift to Zek. From them. (a beat) Don't you see? They did it. They put the idea for the New Rules in Zek's head. They... changed him somehow. ROM They did? How dare they? (stops himself) Who are we talking about, Brother? QUARK The Prophets. The aliens that live inside the wormhole. (to Maihar'du) They did this to him, didn't they? Maihar'du nods. QUARK (insistent) Tell me everything. DEEP SPACE: "Prophet Motive" - 12/07/94 - ACT FOUR 40A. 38 CONTINUED: But Maihar'du just lowers his head and sobs silently. ROM Easy, Brother. You know Hupyrian servants take a vow only to speak to their masters. QUARK (giving up) You're right; get him a handkerchief or something. I'm going to try to break into Zek's personal logs. 39 INT. DOCKING RING CORRIDOR Rom and Quark are walking down the corridor, with Maihar'du trailing behind them. Quark is explaining everything to his brother. QUARK According to Zek's logs, he obtained the Orb from one of his contacts on Cardassia Three. From there, he headed straight for the wormhole. His ship's log shows that he entered the wormhole, stayed inside for only a few minutes, then reversed course, and came here. ROM You think he went in there to talk to the Prophets? QUARK In his personal logs, Zek said that the future was looking very bright indeed. (off Rom's blank look) Don't you get it? DEEP SPACE: "Prophet Motive" - 12/07/94 - ACT FOUR 41. 39 CONTINUED: QUARK According to Dax, the Wormhole Aliens can see through time. The Nagus must've thought he could convince them to let him see the future. That way he'd be able to anticipate economic changes throughout the galaxy. ROM (in awe) The opportunity for profit would've been enormous. (confused) But instead he created the New Rules of Acquisition. Why? QUARK Something must've gone terribly wrong. But I intend to set it right. ROM How, brother? DEEP SPACE: "Prophet Motive" - 12/07/94 - ACT FOUR 42. 39 CONTINUED: (2) QUARK I have an idea. ROM Does it involve me? QUARK Not really. ROM (smiles) I like it. Quark ignores Rom. He's too busy plotting his next move. 40 INT. REPLIMAT Bashir is drinking tea and working on a PADD. ODO approaches. ODO May I join you, Doctor? BASHIR By all means. What can I do for you? Bashir sets aside his PADD, placing it face down on the table. ODO (sits down) It's what I can do for you. Bashir looks at Odo, puzzled. ODO I have a friend at Starfleet Intelligence. And she has a friend who has a cousin who's married to the assistant of one of the members of the Federation Medical Council. BASHIR Really? ODO And according to my friend, her friend heard something from his cousin that his wife heard from this council member that I thought you might find interesting. DEEP SPACE: "Prophet Motive" - 12/07/94 - ACT FOUR 43. 40 CONTINUED: BASHIR Which is? ODO Doctor Wade is not going to win the Carrington. Bashir can't believe Odo's gotten wrapped up in the hype along with everyone else. BASHIR (exasperated) Not you too. ODO Doctor, I thought you'd be delighted. BASHIR If what you say is true, and mind you, I'm not saying it is, the only one who has reason to celebrate is Ghee P'Trell. ODO Perhaps. But P'Trell is by no means as popular as Doctor Wade. BASHIR According to your friend. ODO Actually, according to my friend's friend's-- BASHIR (cuts him off) I get the picture. ODO The point is, if it isn't going to be Doctor Wade, it could be anyone. P'Trell, Senva, Roget, even you. BASHIR Constable, I didn't think I was going to win before. And I don't think I'm going to win now. ODO Is that a fact? Odo indicates Bashir's PADD. DEEP SPACE: "Prophet Motive" - 12/07/94 - ACT FOUR 44. 40 CONTINUED: (2) ODO Then why have you been working on your acceptance speech? Bashir turns his PADD upside right, then looks up and Odo in surprise. BASHIR How did you know? ODO Just a guess. Odo smiles and walks away. Bashir looks embarrassed. 41 EXT. SPACE - DEEP SPACE NINE (OPTICAL) Re-establishing. 42 INT. QUARK'S QUARTERS It's late at night, but Zek is still hard at work, alone in Quark's quarters. He's talking to someone on a Viewscreen, but there's no need for us to see the screen. ZEK My goodness, I never knew solar flares could be so devastating to a planet's agriculture. (checking a PADD) Let's see, at current market rates two thousand tons of Kohlanese barley would cost me a hundred and eighty- nine bars of gold press latinum... but it's worth it. I can have the first shipment of barley on the way to you in... Zek notices Quark, Rom, and Maihar'du ENTER the room. ZEK (to screen) Hold on. I'll be right back. Zek hits a button, turns off the viewscreen, then looks up at Quark and the others and smiles sweetly. ZEK Can I help you boys? DEEP SPACE: "Prophet Motive" - 12/07/94 - ACT FOUR 45. 43 NEW ANGLE - ZEK'S P.O.V. As Maihar'du pulls out a huge black sack and brings the mouth of the sack over Zek's head, cutting off his vision. CUT TO BLACK. 44 INT. DOCKING RING CORRIDOR Quark and Rom hurry down the corridor, checking to make sure the coast is clear, then signal Maihar'du, who follows them carrying the black sack, which is now full of Nagus, over one shoulder. Quark hesitates for a moment, then suddenly turns to Maihar'du. QUARK Wait. I have to be sure that he's all right. Maihar'du dutifully turns around so that Quark has access to the other side of the sack. QUARK (talking to the sack) Grand Nagus, can you hear me? Are you okay? ZEK (O.S.) (from inside sack) Don't worry, Quark. I forgive you. QUARK (to Rom, horrified) You hear that? (more determined than ever) We have to help him. Maihar'du and Rom nod and off they go. 45 INT. THE NAGUS'S SHUTTLE As they ENTER. Quark sits down in the pilot's seat and Maihar'du deposits the sack in the seat beside him. The ark containing the orb is also visible in the cabin. ROM Brother, this is a very brave thing you're doing. DEEP SPACE: "Prophet Motive" - 12/07/94 - ACT FOUR 46. 45 CONTINUED: ROM (Cont'd) Taking the Nagus back to the wormhole. I wish I could come with you. (quick backpedal) But I can't. Good-bye. Rom rushes out of the shuttle. Maihar'du looks longingly at the black sack containing his Nagus. QUARK Go on. Get out of here. Before you have me crying too. Maihar'du sniffles and nods. Then with a last glance at the Nagus, he slinks away. 46 CLOSE ON QUARK As he looks at the Nagus's sack. QUARK Don't worry. (he gives the sack a reassuring pat) It's going to be okay. And as Quark prepares to launch the shuttle, we... FADE OUT. END OF ACT FOUR DEEP SPACE: "Prophet Motive" - 12/07/94 - ACT FIVE 47. ACT FIVE FADE IN: 47 EXT. SPACE (OPTICAL) The Nagus's ship flies into the wormhole. 48 INT. THE NAGUS'S SHUTTLE (OPTICAL) Quark powers down the ship to a stop. The ship is buffeted by forces inside the wormhole. Quark looks worried. He reaches over and opens the sack containing the Nagus. Zek pops his head out and removes the sack. ZEK You know, my boy, I should be very angry with you... QUARK (hoping he is) Are you? ZEK Not in the slightest. I can't help myself. I like you. (looks around) Now, where have you taken me? QUARK Into the wormhole. The ship is rocked again. It rocks continuously through the following. QUARK (continuing) What's going on? ZEK This is exactly what happened when I was in here the last time. (a beat) The wormhole aliens are delightful people, but they like their privacy. QUARK So you did meet them. How did you make contact? DEEP SPACE: "Prophet Motive" - REV. 12/12/94 - ACT FIVE 48. 48 CONTINUED: ZEK (re: the Orb) I see you've brought the Orb of Wisdom with you. That should do the trick. (conspiratorial) If you really want to get their attention, open the box. That's what I did. Quark tries to get his courage up. The ship shakes violently. QUARK Sounds simple enough. ZEK Better hurry. (a warning) I got the dampening field on this ship for a substantial discount. Quark nods, takes a deep breath, and opens up the ark. There's a bright FLASH, and we... CUT TO: 49 WHITE SCREEN (OPTICAL) Just like in "EMISSARY." The same altered reality. The same SOUND of Quark's heartbeat and breathing, and suddenly, there's a... 50 RUSH OF IMAGES (OPTICAL) Four separate shots, each less than a second (unless otherwise specified, images are from this episode): --Sisko in his office holding out the Nagus's cane for Quark to kiss... (from "THE SEARCH, PT. I") --Kira confronting Quark on the Promenade... --Emi stroking Quark's ears in his quarters... --Dax and Quark playing tongo in Quark's... (from "RULES OF ACQUISITION") 51 WHITE SCREEN (OPTICAL) As before. Heartbeat... breathing... DEEP SPACE: "Prophet Motive" - REV. 12/12/94 - ACT FIVE 49. 51 CONTINUED: QUARK (tentative) Hello? 52 ANOTHER RUSH OF IMAGES (OPTICAL) Three more shots: --Rom and Quark studying the new Rules of Acquisition in Quark's barren quarters... --Bashir and the Quark in the Infirmary (with the Nagus off camera)... --Maihar'du carrying the Nagus in a sack in the Docking Ring corridor... 53 WHITE SCREEN (OPTICAL) As before. Heartbeat... breathing... QUARK (getting impatient) Hello? Is anyone there? 54 INT. INFIRMARY As it was when Bashir examined Zek. (Zek is off camera.) Bashir looks over at Quark. But this isn't Bashir. This is a Wormhole Alien. BASHIR ALIEN (observing Quark) It is corporeal... 55 WHITE SCREEN (OPTICAL) As before. QUARK Doctor? What are you doing in here? 56 INT. QUARK'S With Dax at the tongo table. This time Dax is the Alien. DAX ALIEN A physical entity... DEEP SPACE: "Prophet Motive" - REV. 12/12/94 - ACT FIVE 50. 57 INT. PROMENADE As before. KIRA ALIEN Not another one. QUARK I get it. You're the Wormhole Aliens? Or would you rather be called the Prophets? I never could figure that one out. 58 INT. QUARK'S QUARTERS Rom looks up from reading the Rules of Acquisition. ROM ALIEN Did the Sisko send you? QUARK Sisko? What does he have to do with anything? 59 INT. COMMANDER'S OFFICE Sisko points the Nagus's cane at Quark. SISKO ALIEN The Sisko taught us about corporeal lifeforms. 60 INT. PROMENADE As before. KIRA ALIEN About linguistic communication. 61 INT. INFIRMARY Bashir, Zek, and Quark. BASHIR ALIEN And linear time. QUARK I know all about it. He's quite a guy. But I'm not here to talk about Sisko. DEEP SPACE: "Prophet Motive" - 12/07/94 - ACT FIVE 51. 62 INT. DOCKING RING CORRIDOR With Maihar'du and the Nagus-in-a-sack. MAIHAR'DU ALIEN Then why are you here? QUARK I'm here to talk about the Nagus. 63 INT. QUARK'S QUARTERS As it was when Emi was stroking Quark's ears. But Emi stops and looks down at Quark with alien calm. EMI ALIEN The Nagus? Quark is a little startled to see Emi, but he realizes that it's not really her, but a Wormhole Alien. QUARK The other Ferengi who visited you. The one who brought the Orb. Emi ALIEN We are aware of the Zek. QUARK He came to see you, to ask for help. He wanted to learn about the future. 64 INT. COMMANDER'S OFFICE Sisko holds out his baseball. SISKO ALIEN (insistent) The Zek wanted to know the outcome of the game before it was played. QUARK (delighted) That's right. (a beat, trying to sound nonchalant) So what went wrong? DEEP SPACE: "Prophet Motive" - REV. 12/12/94 - ACT FIVE 51A. 65 INT. QUARK'S QUARTERS With Rom seated on the bare floor. ROM ALIEN At first we did not understand the Zek's request. The Sisko said that corporeal beings value their linear existence. 66 INT. QUARK'S With Dax at the tongo table. DAX ALIEN But the Zek wanted to understand events outside the restrictions of linear time. QUARK He wanted to see the future so he could gain by it. 67 INT. INFIRMARY As before. BASHIR ALIEN Yes. The Zek explained the value of "gain." How more is preferable to less. QUARK He taught you about profit. 68 INT. PROMENADE With Kira. KIRA ALIEN We found the concept... aggressive. 69 INT. COMMANDER'S OFFICE SISKO ALIEN Adversarial. 70 INT. QUARK'S QUARTERS With Emi. DEEP SPACE: "Prophet Motive" - 12/07/94 - ACT FIVE 52. 70 CONTINUED: EMI ALIEN Dangerous. We could not comprehend how any species could lead such a barren existence. QUARK (defensive) It has its advantages. 71 INT. DOCKING RING CORRIDOR With Maihar'du. MAIHAR'DU ALIEN We do not agree. We found the Zek's adversarial nature... invasive... threatening. 72 INT. COMMANDER'S OFFICE SISKO ALIEN We examined your species' history... the totality of your existence. We discovered that you have not always been as you are now. QUARK (surprised) We haven't? 73 INT. PROMENADE With Kira. KIRA ALIEN There was a time when your peoples' acquiring nature was not so pronounced. QUARK (shocked) Wait a second. Are you telling me that you somehow... de-evolved the Nagus? Bashir ENTERS from down the Promenade. BASHIR ALIEN We restored the Zek to an earlier, less adversarial state of existence. DEEP SPACE: "Prophet Motive" - 12/07/94 - ACT FIVE 53. 73 CONTINUED: QUARK You can't do that. The Nagus is the financial leader of billions of Ferengi. I demand you re-evolve him immediately. 74 INT. QUARK'S (OPTICAL) All the Aliens are now seated around the tongo table. DAX ALIEN You are adversarial too. BASHIR ALIEN Aggressive. Intrusive. SISKO ALIEN (to the others) We should do to this one what we did to the other. Restore it to a purer existence. ROM ALIEN Counteract its adversarial nature. Quark gets to his feet, trying to hide his panic. QUARK Wait. Let's not be hasty. There's nothing wrong with acquiring profit. MAIHAR'DU ALIEN That is what the Zek said. QUARK And he was right. Look, I don't know how you people live, but all of us corporeal, linear whatevers have certain things in common. And one of those things is... (thinking on his feet) The need to improve ourselves. Quark begins pacing around the table, like a professor lecturing to some particularly slow students. DEEP SPACE: "Prophet Motive" - 12/07/94 - ACT FIVE 54. 74 CONTINUED: QUARK (Cont'd) Our ambition to improve ourselves motivates everything we do. (working up a head of steam) Without ambition, without... dare I say it... greed, people would lie around all day, doing nothing. They wouldn't work, they wouldn't bathe, they wouldn't even eat. They'd starve to death. (accusatory) Is that what you want? Are you so isolated and detached that you would sit back and allow the extinction of every corporeal being in the galaxy? Quark waits for a response. There's a long beat, then... SISKO ALIEN Your argument is specious. Changing you will not result in the termination of all corporeal existence. As if in agreement with the Sisko Alien, all the other Aliens just stare blankly at Quark. QUARK All right, so maybe I exaggerated a little. EMI ALIEN (ignoring him) We should alter this one and return it to its own people. ROM ALIEN Agreed. It is best to avoid contact with this species. DEEP SPACE: "Prophet Motive" - 12/07/94 - ACT FIVE 55. 74 CONTINUED: (2) QUARK (desperate) Wait. If you don't want to have any more contact with the Ferengi, that's fine with me. But by altering me, you won't be avoiding contact, you'll be encouraging it. My people are very inquisitive. If you change me, they're going to want to know what happened. And they're going to come here to find out. Just like I came to find out what happened to Zek. DAX ALIEN (to the others, acknowledging his point) That is... linear. QUARK And potentially very annoying to you. (a beat) But on the other hand, if you leave me alone, and put the Nagus back the way he was when you met him, I guarantee that you'll never have to speak to another Ferengi again. (hard sell) So... what do you say? There's a beat as the Wormhole Aliens consider what Quark has said, then... KIRA ALIEN Linguistic communication is tiresome. QUARK My point exactly. Which is why I think you should send me -- But Quark's cut off by another FLASH, and we're back in... 75 thru OMITTED 77 78 INT. THE NAGUS'S SHUTTLE (OPTICAL) Quark is jolted in his seat. He snaps out of his trance- like state and slams shut the door of the ark. ZEK Quark, are you all right? DEEP SPACE: "Prophet Motive" - REV. 12/12/94 - ACT FIVE 56. QUARK (still a little stunned by the experience) I think so. (hopeful) What about you? ZEK (irritable) Stop toadying up to me, Quark. It's revolting. Just get me out of here. (smiles) I have an Orb to sell to the Bajorans. QUARK Did you say sell? ZEK I'm going to make them pay through the nose. He laughs his annoying, cackling laugh. Then begins patting his pockets. ZEK And speaking of noses, where's my beetle snuff? Quark can't contain his joy. He reaches over and gives the Nagus a big hug. QUARK Oh, Nagus. You're back. I'm so happy. ZEK (pushing him away) You're wrinkling my suit. QUARK (worshipful) Whatever you say. And with a self-satisfied smiles, Quark begins powering up the ship. 79 EXT. SPACE - DEEP SPACE NINE (OPTICAL) Re-establishing. DEEP SPACE: "Prophet Motive" - 12/07/94 - ACT FIVE 57. 80 INT. WARDROOM (OPTICAL) Bashir stands along with the rest of the senior staff and watches the Viewscreen. It's the announcement of the Carrington award, presided over by a MEDICAL BIG SHOT. MEDICAL BIG SHOT And now, it is with great pride, that I present the nominees for this year's Carrington Award. They are: Doctor April Wade, Senva of Vulcan, Doctor Henri Roget, Chirurgeon Ghee P'Trell, and Doctor Julian Bashir. The senior staff applaud and grin at Bashir. Bashir tries to nod nonchalantly, but his eyes are frozen on the viewscreen. MEDICAL BIG SHOT And the winner is... On the screen, the BIG SHOT checks a PADD. When he sees the name, he looks startled. Everyone in the Wardroom catches this and looks at Bashir. MEDICAL BIG SHOT (very surprised) And the winner is Doctor Henri Roget. The staff immediately deflates. SISKO Roget? O'BRIEN How could they give it to Roget? Everyone gathers around Bashir to offer their condolences, but he seems unfazed. KIRA Better luck next time. BASHIR Maybe in forty or fifty years. Dax comes up and puts her hand on his shoulder. DAX (whispers) You seem to be handling this very well. DEEP SPACE: "Prophet Motive" - 12/07/94 - ACT FIVE 58. 80 CONTINUED: BASHIR (aside to her, still smiling to the others) Believe me, I'm not. DAX I didn't think so. Dax gives Bashir a sympathetic pat on the back. 81 INT. DOCKING RING CORRIDOR Quark and Rom escort Maihar'du and the Grand Nagus Zek back to his ship. The Nagus is back to his sour, nasty ways. He lets off a big juicy sneeze and stuffs some more snuff up his nose. ZEK Remember what I said, Quark. If anyone asks, you have no idea what happened to the charity money. QUARK You can count on me. They reach the steps to the airlock. ZEK And you're sure every copy of the revised Rules of Acquisition has been destroyed? ROM The only place the new Rules exist is inside my head. Zek stops dead in his tracks and looks at Rom appraisingly. Even Rom realizes that was not the right thing to say. Maihar'du takes a step toward Rom. QUARK (saving Rom's butt) Don't worry. Within a week, he'll have forgotten them all. Zek glares at Rom. ZEK He'd better. Zek EXITS into the airlock without so much as a good-bye. Maihar'du follows him, pausing only long enough to give Quark a gentle pat on the head to show his gratitude. DEEP SPACE: "Prophet Motive" - 12/07/94 - ACT FIVE 59. 81 CONTINUED: ROM I don't believe it, Brother. After all you did for the Nagus, he never even thanked you. QUARK (with admiration) He doesn't have to thank me. He's the Nagus. They turn and walk off down the corridor. QUARK There's only one thing that bothers me. Don't get me wrong, I was honored to help the Nagus, but it would've been nice if I'd been able to make a little profit for my troubles. Rom grins from ear to ear. ROM That's all right. I made enough profit for the both of us. QUARK What are you talking about? ROM I'm talking about the Ferengi Benevolent Association. Did you know it was funded with Zek's personal fortune? (smiles) I was the senior administrator, brother. QUARK (outraged) You embezzled money from the Nagus. ROM Surprise. Quark shakes his head. QUARK (with pride) Father would be proud. Rom smiles. Nothing more needs to be said. Quark throws an arm around Rom and the two of them walk off together, one big happy family. FADE OUT. END OF ACT FIVE THE END