STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE "The Muse" (fka "Playing House") #40510-493 Story by Majel Barrett Roddenberry & Rene Echevarria Teleplay by Rene Echevarria Directed by David Livingston THE WRITING CREDITS MAY NOT BE FINAL AND SHOULD NOT BE USED FOR PUBLICITY OR ADVERTISING PURPOSES WITHOUT FIRST CHECKING WITH THE TELEVISION LEGAL DEPARTMENT. Copyright 1996 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 This script is not for publication or reproduction.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 February 13, 1996 STAR TREK: DS9 - "The Muse" - 02/13/96 - CAST STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE "The Muse" CAST SISKO LWAXANA TROI KIRA ONAYA BASHIR JEYAL DAX O'BRIEN ODO QUARK WORF JAKE Non-Speaking Non-Speaking N.D. SUPERNUMERARIES STAR TREK: DS9 - "The Muse" - 02/13/96 - SETS STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE "The Muse" SETS INTERIORS EXTERIORS DEEP SPACE NINE DEEP SPACE NINE HABITAT RING CORRIDOR INFIRMARY PROMENADE QUARK'S SECURITY OFFICE REPLIMAT SISKO'S QUARTERS GUEST QUARTERS ODO'S QUARTERS ONAYA'S QUARTERS/BEDROOM ACCESS CONDUIT CONDUIT JUNCTION DEEP SPACE NINE - "The Muse" - 02/22/96 - PRONUNCIATION STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE "The Muse" PRONUNCIATION GUIDE BETAZOID BAY-tuh-zoyd SHAKRAS SHOCK-ras JEYAL juh-YALL KASIDY KAS-i-dee KESTRA KESS-truh ONAYA uh-NYE-yuh PSIONIC SY-on-ik QUI'LARI kih-LAR-ee RAKALLA UNEZ ruh-KAHL-uh 00-nez REVALUS reh-VAHL-us TAGANA tuh-GONE-uh TARKALEAN tar-KAY-lee-uhn TANIS TAN-nis TAVNIAN TAV-knee-un TAVOR KELL tuh-VOR kell UMANI oo-MON-ee CATULLUS KUH-tull-us TARBOLDE TAR-hold DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Muse" - REV. 02/22/96 - TEASER 1-2. STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE "The Muse" TEASER FADE IN: 1 thru OMITTED 2 3 EXT. SPACE - DEEP SPACE NINE (OPTICAL) as a BAJORAN TRANSPORT pulls up to the station; another VESSEL can be seen moving in the background. 4 INT. PROMENADE as PASSENGERS from the transport ENTER the Promenade from an airlock. The mix should represent a variety of Starfleet officers, Bajorans and aliens, and most of them seem to be here on business of some kind. We see Bajoran dignitaries being greeted by Bajoran officers in uniform, Vedeks being greeted by fellow Vedeks, etc. JAKE SISKO is leaning against the rail on the Second Level, studying the faces and costumes of the departing passengers. He activates a PADD in his hand and we hear a distinctive BEEP. JAKE Character sketches for possible stories... DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Muse" - REV. 02/22/96 - TEASER 3. 4 CONTINUED: Jake starts describing some of the passersby who catch his eye: a short, blue BOLIAN walks arm-and-arm with a leggy Bajoran DABO GIRL; he's wearing fancy clothes and, oddly, he has hair. JAKE A Bolian tries to impress a dabo girl... by wearing a toupee... A Bajoran MONK ENTERS carrying a SATCHEL and is greeted by one of the FERENGI WAITERS that works at Quark's. JAKE A thief disguises himself as a Monk so he can swindle a Ferengi... Jake's eye is caught by a striking Alien Woman who stands framed in the airlock, strangely still, taking in her surroundings with a gaze that is at once bemused and world-weary. We will come to know her as ONAYA. Her features are vaguely feline, though you might have to look twice to see she wasn't human. Her skin is pale, her hair long and dark, like her dress, which is flowing and diaphanous. It's hard to guess her age, mid-thirties, maybe forties. JAKE A woman... traveling alone... she's come a long way... Jake stops talking when he sees her eyes find his... she's looking at him. Their eyes lock... 5 JAKE'S POV as the woman holds his gaze... until some other passengers block Jake's sightline for a moment. 6 RESUME SCENE When Jake can see again, the woman is gone. He cranes to find her again, looks this way and that, but she's nowhere to be found. Off his intrigued features... DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Muse" - REV. 02/22/96 - TEASER 4. 7 OMITTED 7A INT. PROMENADE (FORMERLY SCENE 1) as ODO makes his way down it. It's first thing in the morning, and the shops are just opening for business. A BAJORAN SHOPKEEPER is arranging merchandise on the counter when she sees Odo. She smiles because he's coming through at his usual time, to the minute. He nods a greeting. ODO Good morning... He passes another storefront where the ALIEN PROPRIETOR is just swinging his doors open. ODO Punctual, as always... They exchange nods as Odo continues off... 7B NEW ANGLE (FORMERLY SCENE 2) as Odo passes by Quark's. He stops in his tracks, dismayed to see MORN and a few other would-be customers standing outside the locked door, waiting with TWO FERENGI WAITERS for the bar to open. Odo doesn't like this, Quark is late. Suddenly QUARK hurries up, looking a bit harried, like he's overslept. Morn starts to say something, but Quark cuts him off. QUARK Don't even start. Morn falls silent, decides to be thankful Quark made it. Quark fiddles with the lock until he notices Odo standing there. QUARK What are you looking at? Odo says nothing, just looks disapproving. QUARK So I'm a few minutes late. I was here till four in the morning last night. ODO You close at two. The door starts to OPEN. DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Muse" - REV. 02/22/96 TEASER 4A. 7B CONTINUED: QUARK You never know what time your last customer is going to leave. (pointed) Right, Morn? Morn skulks inside... ODO If this were my bar, I'd have it cleared out promptly at two A.M. QUARK If this were your bar, people would be so bored you'd be lucky to get them to stay past nine. ODO But I wouldn't keep them waiting in the morning... And with that, Odo heads for his office... 8 INT. SECURITY OFFICE as Odo ENTERS and is surprised to find LWAXANA TROI sitting in front of his desk. She looks at him, tries to smile a greeting, though the truth is she's upset and emotional. ODO Ambassador Troi... Tears start to well up in her eyes. LWAXANA Please... Lwaxana... Odo doesn't know what to make of her apparent distress -- is she upset just because he called her Ambassador Troi? ODO I'm sorry... if that's what you prefer. She nods, chokes back a sob. ODO Is there something wrong... why are you crying? LWAXANA Because... DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Muse" - REV. 02/22/96 - TEASER 5. 8 CONTINUED: She stands... and for the first time, we notice her mid- section "is swollen with child. LWAXANA I'm pregnant... Off Odo's uncertainty about how to react we... FADE OUT. END OF TEASER DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Muse" - REV. 02/20/96 - ACT ONE 6. ACT ONE FADE IN: (NOTE: Episode credits fall over opening scenes) 9 INT. SECURITY OFFICE - CONTINUOUS Odo swallows his surprise, unsure what Lwaxana's teary demeanor represents. She stifles a sob, tries to smile. LWAXANA It's a miracle. I never thought I'd be able to have another baby. ODO Then those are tears of happiness... But this only sends Lwaxana over the edge; she starts to get agitated... LWAXANA I won't let him do it, Odo! ODO (concerned) Who... what? LWAXANA My husband -- Jeyal -- he wants to take my baby from me! That's why I ran away! Odo tries to calm her, guides her back to the chair... ODO Lwaxana, please. Try to be calm. Now, why would your husband want to take your baby from you? She takes a breath, steadies herself. DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Muse" - REV. 02/20/96 ACT ONE 7. 9 CONTINUED: LWAXANA He's Tavnian. She looks at him as if this were explanation enough, but Odo has no idea what this means. ODO And? LWAXANA They believe in strict separation of the sexes. Boys are raised by men, girls by women. Those poor children aren't even told the other sex exists until they're sixteen. ODO (catching on) And your child is male. LWAXANA (nods) The day Jeyal found out, he said he was going to take the baby away from me as soon as he was born I told him that wasn't what we'd agreed to; he'd said it would be different with us because I wasn't Tavnian. ODO But he changed his mind. LWAXANA (nods) During our wedding ceremony, he spoke so beautifully about why he wanted to marry me, but afterwards it was as if I'd become a piece of property in his eyes. ODO So you ran away. LWAXANA And it wasn't easy, believe me. Toward the end, I was practically a prisoner in my own house. Odo knows Lwaxana came to him for a reason, and he's desperate to find a way to put the situation right and get her out of his hair. DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Muse" - REV. 02/20/96 ACT ONE 8. 9 CONTINUED: (2) ODO Now that you've shown your husband how determined you are to be part of your son's life, perhaps he'll reconsider his position. LWAXANA Not Jeyal. He's the most willful man I've ever met. She lets out a deep, worried breath... LWAXANA I'm so tired, Odo. I've never needed a friend more than I do right now. Odo isn't sure what she's asking of him, but he doubts he's going to like it. He starts to beg off... ODO I appreciate your situation, and I would like to help... Before Odo can continue... LWAXANA I knew you would. You're such a sweet, dear man. ODO (quickly) Unfortunately, I'm also a very busy man. LWAXANA Of course. Believe me, the last thing I want is to be a burden to you. I know how much you value your privacy. All I want is a quiet place where I can have my baby in peace. Odo sees a chance, grabs for it... DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Muse" - REV. 02/20/96 - ACT ONE 9. 9 CONTINUED: (3) ODO I was about to suggest the very thing. I'll find out when the next transport leaves for Betazed. LWAXANA I couldn't possibly go there. That's the first place Jeyal will look for me. I know him. He won't give up until he finds me and gets his son back. She turns to Odo, looks at him with the utter conviction that he'll do the right thing. LWAXANA That's why I came to you. Because I knew you'd protect me. She looks at him with those big, dark eyes... the essence of vulnerability. LWAXANA You will protect me, won't you, Odo? Odo doesn't want to encourage her to stay on the station, and so he keeps his response business-like. ODO I'm chief of security on this station. It's my duty to protect everyone aboard. LWAXANA I knew I could count on you. (a beat) Then it's settled, I'll have the baby here. Odo's heart sinks... she's staying, and he's going to have to deal with her. ODO (giving up) I'll see that you're assigned quarters. LWAXANA Near yours? I really would feel safer knowing you're close. ODO I'll see what I can do. She moves to him, pulls him into a hug... DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Muse" - REV. 02/22/96 - ACT ONE 10. 9 CONTINUED: (4) LWAXANA Thank you, Odo. You don't know what this means to me. ODO (more to himself) No... but I know what it means to me... She pulls back, looks at him questioningly, and he musters a reassuring smile... off Odo's features as he contemplates what he's in for... 9A EXT. SPACE - DEEP SPACE NINE (OPTICAL) Re-establishing. 10 INT. REPLIMAT where Jake is sitting at a table having a glass of juice and working on a new story with a PADD and stylus. 11 NEW ANGLE to reveal Onaya watching him from out on the Promenade. She studies Jake for a moment before starting toward the Replimat. Jake is so intent on his PADD he doesn't notice her pass, get a CUP from the replicator, and take a seat near his. She watches him work for a beat, then finally speaks to him. Her voice is alluring, full of mystery... ONAYA You're a writer... He looks up at the sound of her voice and his face brightens when he realizes it's her. ONAYA I could see it in your eyes... they were somewhere else. A place you were... inventing. Jake is a bit embarrassed by her attention, but mostly, he's intrigued by her. JAKE I'm working on a story... She looks at him, smiles. DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Muse" - REV. 02/22/96 - ACT ONE 10A. 11 CONTINUED: ONAYA (smiling) I can spot a creative soul a galaxy away. DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Muse" - REV. 02/20/96 - ACT ONE 11 CONTINUED: She has a way of looking at Jake when he speaks, then looking away, that has a definite element of flirtation. ONAYA My name is Onaya. JAKE Jake Sisko. She studies him for a beat. ONAYA Do you live here? He nods, and she looks out into the Promenade admiringly. ONAYA I love Cardassian architecture... the way things flow together. Kell used to say that every element had to be "of a piece, yet have a beauty all it's own." JAKE Tavor Kell -- the architect? ONAYA (nods) I knew him when he was in exile. JAKE (impressed) What was he like? ONAYA He was shy... unsure of himself. Most people would never notice someone like him, but I have a weakness for artists. She looks at him frankly as she says this; though there's nothing overtly suggestive in her tone, there's an undercurrent that Jake isn't sure what to make of. JAKE You wouldn't think he was shy from his designs. DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Muse" - REV. 02/20/96 - ACT ONE 12. 11 CONTINUED: (2) ONAYA When I first met him, they were as timid as he was. I was always telling him to stop censoring himself. JAKE He must've listened to you. She shrugs a smile... ONAYA I've found that artists have a weakness for me, as well... She holds his gaze. ONAYA At least... I hope they do... This time the subtext is clear: she's talking about Jake. It makes him a bit uncomfortable, so he steers back to the subject. JAKE I... I've always wondered what Kell would've designed if he'd lived to be older. ONAYA (with conviction) He accomplished more in the years that he had than most people could in a dozen lifetimes. His name is known throughout the quadrant... his buildings will stand for centuries to come. She looks at him. ONAYA Isn't that what an artist wants, to be remembered? Isn't that why you write? No one has ever talked like this to Jake, taken his writing so seriously, and he's a bit embarrassed by it. JAKE I don't know... I think it's mostly because I like to tell stories. DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Muse" - REV. 02/22/96 - ACT ONE 13. 11 CONTINUED: (3) ONAYA There's no reason to hide your ambition, Jake. It's nothing to be ashamed of. I think it's what makes artists so compelling. JAKE (admitting it) All right... I guess I do want to be remembered. She leans in toward him, her features almost grave. ONAYA So what are you doing to make sure you will be... ? Jake's a little embarrassed at how seriously she's taking this admission, but flattered, too. JAKE Well... I'm thinking about going to the Pennington School, on Earth. ONAYA You already have the talent inside you. I can see it. You just need someone to help you bring it to the surface. JAKE How? ONAYA There are ways. Exercises... techniques. JAKE Can you show them to me? She studies him appraisingly for a beat. ONAYA Come to my quarters tonight. JAKE (grins) I'll be there. DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Muse" - REV. 02/22/96 - ACT ONE 14. 11 CONTINUED: (4) She smiles and nods, both a deal sealed and a subtle dismissal. Jake moves away... OFF her smile of anticipation... 12 OMITTED FADE OUT. END OF ACT ONE DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Muse" - REV. 2/15/96 - ACT TWO 15. ACT TWO FADE IN: 13 INT. SISKO'S QUARTERS where Jake is flopped on the couch, trying to work with a PADD and STYLUS. He's distracted, can't stop thinking about his encounter with Onaya in the Replimat. He absently taps at the PADD with his stylus as he goes over it in his mind, thinking about how he should have handled himself differently. SISKO ENTERS from his bedroom, wearing CIVILIAN CLOTHES and carrying a SATCHEL. They're going on a trip, but he sees no sign of Jake's bag. SISKO Are you packed? Kasidy's ship is going to be here any minute. Jake turns to him, knows Sisko won't like what he has to say. JAKE Dad... I'm thinking about staying home. SISKO Staying home? This trip was your idea. JAKE I know... SISKO You really want to pass up three days in the Bajoran outback? JAKE I thought maybe you and Kasidy would have a better time without me. Sisko gives him a "don't start" look... SISKO You can lay off the matchmaking Jake, Kasidy and I are doing fine. JAKE It's not just that... I've got a story I'm working on and I don't want to lose my concentration. DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Muse" - REV. 02/22/96 - ACT TWO 16. 13 CONTINUED: Sisko backs off, he doesn't want to discourage Jake from taking his work seriously. SISKO You could write on the trip. (seeing Jake's reluctance) I'm not trying to talk you into anything, but I don't get leave that often, and I was looking forward to the three of us spending time together. JAKE Me, too... but I really need to focus on this. Sisko sees Jake's made his decision. SISKO All right... good luck with it. As they move together for a good-bye hug. SISKO I'll see you in a couple days. They part and Sisko EXITS. 14 OMITTED DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Muse" - REV. 02/14/96 - ACT TWO 16. 15 INT. QUARK'S SUPERNUMERARIES as needed. Odo ENTERS and approaches Quark, Who's at the bar. ODO You called me out of a security briefing... this better be important. QUARK It is to me. Quark motions over toward a table where we see... 16 LWAXANA, DAX, KIRA, AND WORF sitting together. Dax and Kira are in their "CAMELOT" COSTUMES; Worf is in his WORKOUT CLOTHES and has his BATILETH. All three of them are stone silent, looking into their drinks with morose faces. Lwaxana is somberly recounting her woes, and seems oblivious to the effect she's having on our people. LWAXANA ... that's when I realized what a terrible mistake I'd made -- that my marriage was a sham... what I'd mistaken for love was nothing more than a prison. As if sensing that our people can't take much more, Lwaxana tries to cast off her mood. LWAXANA I shouldn't dwell on it... it's all in the past anyway... She turns to Kira and Dax, asks brightly -- LWAXANA So... where are you ladies off to? KIRA (unenthused) A holosuite... DAX (listless) King Arthur's Court... This seems to pop Lwaxana's fragile bubble of optimism... LWAXANA Camelot... love betrayed... dreams shattered... (a beat) I'm coming with you. DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Muse" - REV. 02/14/96 - ACT TWO 17A. 16 CONTINUED: Off the gloom on our people's faces... 16A ON ODO AND QUARK as Odo, who can't hear the conversation at the table, turns to Quark. QUARK Look at them, you'd think somebody died. I don't know if it's because she's Betazoid or what, but her mood's contagious. As soon as she walked in here, things started getting quiet. And in fact, the bar does feel more subdued than it's numbers would indicate. Quark indicates her table: ODO What do you want me to do about it? QUARK Either cheer her up, or get her to leave. Because if you don't, I'm going to throw her out. Odo gives him a cold glare and moves off... DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Muse" - REV. 02/14/96 - ACT TWO 18. 17 NEW ANGLE as Odo approaches Lwaxana's table. Dax, Kira and Worf barely acknowledge his appearance, but Lwaxana's face brightens at the sight of him... LWAXANA Odo... why don't you join the party? Odo looks like he can't believe he's doing this. ODO Actually, I have some free time... and I was wondering if you wanted to take a walk. WORF I would. ODO I meant Lwaxana. LWAXANA I'd love to. (to the women) Sorry... maybe next time. They give little sign of hearing her. Once Odo and Lwaxana have moved off: DAX I'm so depressed. Quark approaches... QUARK Ladies, your holosuite is ready... (to Worf) Yours will be another few minutes. KIRA (to Dax) I don't know... I don't really feel like it anymore. DAX Me neither. Quark shrugs, turns to Worf. QUARK What about you? A nice battle ought to cheer you up. DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Muse" - REV. 02/15/96 ACT TWO 18A. 17 CONTINUED: WORF (standing to go) I am not in the mood for killing right now... QUARK Fine, you all know my policy on cancellations... Worf, Kira and Dax know it by heart: ALL No refunds... But they're too depressed to care... DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Muse" - REV. 02/22/96 - ACT TWO 19-21A. 17 CONTINUED: (2) Off Quark's face as they move off... 18 OMITTED 19 INT. HABITAT RING CORRIDOR as Odo and Lwaxana make their way down it. We pick them up in mid-conversation. DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Muse" - REV. 02/20/96 - ACT TWO 22. 19 CONTINUED: LWAXANA Kestra was six years old when she died. My sweet little girl. (a beat) I lost my parents, a sister, a husband... but nothing, nothing compared to losing her. A moment... then she realizes just how depressing this must be to listen to. LWAXANA I didn't mean to go on like that. I'm sorry. ODO Don't apologize. I think I finally understand why you're so determined not to let your husband take the baby from you... She smiles sadly... maybe she never thought of this herself, or maybe she's just grateful someone understands. She recognizes Odo's door. LWAXANA These are your quarters, aren't they? ODO (resigned) Right next to yours. LWAXANA My replicator is acting up. Would you mind terribly if we popped in so I could get a cup of Gavaline tea? The last thing he wants is to let her get her foot in the door, but he can't see how he can deny her a simple cup of tea. ODO Of course not... They EXIT to his quarters... DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Muse" - REV. 02/15/96 - ACT TWO 22A. 20 INT. ODO'S QUARTERS as Odo and Lwaxana ENTER. She takes in his jungle gym with interest, touches its surface. Odo doesn't like people messing with his stuff, and tries to lead her toward his replicator. ODO The replicator is right over here. I'll let Chief O'Brien know about yours. LWAXANA (quickly) I already did. He said he'd get to it as soon as he could. DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Muse" - REV. 02/20/96 - ACT TWO 23. 20 CONTINUED: Something about how quickly she says this gets Odo's attention. He studies her for a beat, then orders from the replicator. ODO Gavaline tea... LWAXANA Hot. We hear the SOUND of the replicator working. LWAXANA (re: jungle gym) Is this for shape-shifting... ? ODO (surprised she knows) Yes, actually. Most people think it's a sculpture. LWAXANA Well, what do most people know? Odo hands her the CUP of tea. LWAXANA Thank you... She turns, heads for the door. Before she gets there, she turns back, wanting to say something. LWAXANA May I ask you something, Odo? (gently) Are you over her? Lwaxana sees Odo's guard go up. LWAXANA Don't worry, I'm not going to throw myself at you if you say yes. It's not easy for Odo to talk about his feelings, but Lwaxana knows his secret, so he answers. ODO Major Kira is involved with First Minister Shakaar now. LWAXANA How sad... DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Muse" - REV. 02/20/96 - ACT TWO 23A. 20 CONTINUED: (2) ODO Not at all. I'm happy for her. Though not sure if she believes him, she smiles kindly. LWAXANA Just don't go do what I did. (off his look) Look for someone to fix your broken heart... then end up pregnant and on the run. Odo can't help but smile... ODO I don't think there's too much danger of that happening. Suddenly Lwaxana grabs her tummy -- the baby kicked. LWAXANA Oh... Odo is instantly at her side. ODO What is it? LWAXANA (handing him her cup) The baby kicked... can I sit down for a minute? Odo has no experience with pregnant women and the whole thing has him a bit panicked. ODO I don't have any furniture. LWAXANA The floor will do... He sets the cup down on his work console, and helps her get down to a sitting position, her back against the bulkhead. Odo sits nearby, watches to see if she's all right... ODO How are you feeling now? She touches her belly, considers how to put it. DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Muse" - REV. 02/15/96 - ACT TWO 23B. 20 CONTINUED: (3) LWAXANA Like a changeling who's had to hold his shape too long... Odo can't help but be struck by her analogy. ODO I think I know what you mean... DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Muse" - REV. 02/20/96 - ACT TWO 24. 20 CONTINUED: (4) After a beat, she smiles to herself, touches her belly... LWAXANA He's moving... She sees the look of awe on Odo's face... LWAXANA Would you like to feel? It hadn't even occurred to Odo, but before he can reply she takes his hand and places it on her belly. A moment, then... LWAXANA There! ODO (amazed) Yes... A quiet moment passes... LWAXANA I'm so tired... I don't think I've had a decent night's sleep in weeks... They're sitting close, his hand still on her belly, and she leans over to him, rests her head on his shoulders... LWAXANA (quiet) Sometimes, with Betazoid babies, you can actually sense their thoughts... Her eyes fall shut and her features go peaceful... after a beat... LWAXANA Such... contentment... A look of utter astonishment crosses Odo's features... ODO Yes... I feel it, too... DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Muse" - REV. 02/21/96 - ACT TWO 25. 20 CONTINUED: (5) LWAXANA (sleepy) Someone once said that life is a search to find the peace we once had when we were safe inside our mothers... Odo wonders what this could mean for him... ODO I... didn't have a mother... LWAXANA (far away) Don't worry, Odo... you'll find your peace, just the same... He's struck by this simple kindness in her wish for him. She tries to get more comfortable, puts her head to his chest... After a quiet moment... ODO Lwaxana... your replicator's not really broken, is it? LWAXANA (still farther) No... Odo looks pained as he realizes it was his attitude toward her that forced her to lie to him. She moves again, trying to get comfortable... ODO I'm sorry if I made you feel unwelcome... it's just my way... She says nothing, and Odo realizes that her breathing has become deep and regular... she's fallen asleep on his leg... ODO Lwaxana... ? No response. He tries to move gently away, but she mumbles something in her sleep and pulls him closer. Odo realizes that he's trapped, her sleeping head on his leg. He struggles with what to do, then makes a decision. We hear the SOUND of Odo MORPHING... 21 NEW ANGLE (OPTICAL) as he finishes MORPHING we see that he's turned his lower half into a pillow for Lwaxana... he looks down at her sleeping face... off this peaceful moment... DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Muse" - REV. 02/16/96 - ACT TWO 26. 22 EXT. SPACE - DEEP SPACE NINE (OPTICAL) Re-establishing. 23 INT. HABITAT RING CORRIDOR as Jake, carrying his PADD and STYLUS, comes to a stop outside a door. He touches the PANEL. JAKE It's Jake... Jake Sisko. Remember me? A beat later, the door OPENS to reveal Onaya. ONAYA (smiles) Come in... 24 INT. ONAYA'S QUARTERS as Jake and Onaya ENTER and the door closes behind them. These quarters look nothing like anything we've ever seen on the station. They're sumptuous, inviting, with soft fabrics and pillows everywhere. Onaya has CANDLES all around the room, and they provide most of the light. Sheer silk DRAPES hang over the windows, so that we get only a suggestion of the stars outside. Soft, almost AMBIENT ALIEN MUSIC plays in the background. Jake is a little overwhelmed by the atmosphere, and a bit nervous to find himself alone with this beautiful older woman. JAKE I brought some of my stories for you to read... ONAYA I don't need to. JAKE (unsure) Oh... I thought maybe -- ONAYA It's what you're going to write next that interests me. (studying him) You seem nervous, Jake. JAKE (admitting it) Maybe a little. DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Muse" - REV. 02/16/96 - ACT TWO 26A. 24 CONTINUED: ONAYA That's understandable. You should be nervous when you start something new. She reaches to take his hand, intending to lead him over to where some pillows are arranged around a low wooden TABLE, but he starts from the contact, making her realize she was right. ONAYA Though maybe not this nervous. Haven't you ever been alone in a woman's quarters before? Off his reaction. ONAYA Whatever you're thinking, put it out of your mind -- you're here to work. Jake is reassured by her almost stern tone... relaxes a bit. They settle on to the pillows. She looks at him, enthusiasm in her face. ONAYA Now, what's the most ambitious story you've ever wanted to tell? JAKE (considers) I have an idea for a novel. It's sort of autobiographical. The main character's mother dies and... it's not really about that... it's about a lot of things... He shakes his head, seems uncertain. ONAYA So many it seems too big for you, right now. You're afraid you can't do it justice. He looks at her, surprised that she knows this. JAKE Yeah... DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Muse" - REV. 02/16/96 - ACT TWO 26B. 24 CONTINUED: (2) ONAYA (a knowing smile) But I'll bet you know what the first line is. Jake can't believe it -- he does. JAKE How'd you know that? She shrugs an almost girlish smile. ONAYA I want to show you something. She takes a SMALL BOX off the table and hands it to him. He opens the box, and sees it contains a beautiful, old-style INK PEN. ONAYA Revalus used it when he wrote "The Wait." JAKE You knew him? ONAYA (smiling) I told you I have a weakness for artists... (beat) I want you to have it... JAKE (stunned) I don't know what to say... Thank you. ONAYA There's more... She shows him a stack of THIN WHITE PAPER -- in the dim light of the room it's strangely white, alluring. JAKE I've never worked on paper before. DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Muse" - REV. 02/20/96 - ACT TWO 26C. 24 CONTINUED: (3) ONAYA Revalus used to say a writer should put pen to paper as if he were a painter putting brush to canvas. It's part of what he called "visceral writing." JAKE (intrigued) What's that? ONAYA It's one of the techniques I told you about. JAKE Can you teach it to me? ONAYA (indicating the table) That's why you're here, isn't it? Jake scoots up to it, takes a few sheets of paper, and uncaps his pen. She kneels behind him, places her hands on his shoulders with such an easy manner that he hardly notices. ONAYA The opening line of your novel... write it down. She watches as he does it... ONAYA Now... (simply) Keep going. JAKE What do you mean, keep going? ONAYA Write whatever comes to you... the idea is to create a stream of consciousness and see where it takes you. You can edit later. She starts to massage his neck... ONAYA Just write the first thing that comes to mind... I won't look... DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Muse" - REV. 02/20/96 - ACT TWO 26D. 24 CONTINUED: (4) Jake looks a little skeptical, but puts pen to paper and starts writing something. ONAYA Let the words tumble out of you... don't censor them... He keeps going, trying to give it a chance. ONAYA (softly) Feel the pen in your hand... the texture of the paper... let yourself fall into a rhythm... As Jake writes, she presses her thumb into the top of his neck, right below his skull. ONAYA (quiet) Feel where my thumb is... ? That's your foramen magnum... it's a focal point of the body's bioelectric field... there's another one here... She massages his temples with her fingers... ONAYA The Vulcans call them qui'lari... the Indians of ancient Earth called them shakras... Jake continues writing, he's beginning to fall into a rhythm... ONAYA I know how to stimulate them to make you feel restful... or energized... or even creative... Jake looks down at his writing, excited by what's happening... JAKE This isn't bad... She leans in close to his ear, whispers... ONAYA I told you I could help you. She continues to massage his neck, his head, his temples... DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Muse" - REV. 02/20/96 - ACT TWO 27. 24 CONTINUED: (5) Jake's pen is working faster now, moving across the page at a steady pace... he's fallen into a rhythm, and his face is mask of concentration.... ONAYA Let the words flow, Jake... let them flow... 24A NEW ANGLE (OPTICAL) (FORMERLY SCENE 27) As Jake writes, something strange begins to happen... faint WISPS of energy seem to whip off his head into Onaya's fingertips... Jake is unaware of them, and she continues massaging his head... we get the sense that she's drawing sustenance from these evanescent tendrils... ONAYA (whispered) Yes... that's it... let them flow... She takes them in hungrily... off this eerie moment we... FADE OUT. END OF ACT TWO DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Muse" - REV. 2/15/96 - ACT THREE 28-32. ACT THREE FADE IN: 25 thru OMITTED 28 29 INT. ODO'S QUARTERS (OPTICAL) where Lwaxana is alone. She seems to be looking for something, and keeps moving around the room to inspect various objects. In one corner Odo has some ROCKS piled together for his shape-shifting. She moves to them, studies the largest intently, touches it. After a beat, she shakes her head, moves to another part of the room. Her attention is caught by some SHEETS of METAL in another corner. They're a few feet square, of varying colors and textures, and she studies one in particular. After a beat, she smiles. LWAXANA There you are! She looks at the sheet as if she were expecting it to talk back, but instead, we see Odo start to MORPH off the surface of his jungle gym. She turns at the SOUND and sees Odo take shape, so that he ends up sitting atop one of the arches. ODO Got you that time. She protests, but it's clear from the smile on her face that she's pleased at his ingenuity. LWAXANA That's not fair. I didn't know you could do surfaces. ODO (lightly) Now you do. LWAXANA (playfully rising to the challenge) Shall we try again? Mindful of the fact she's pregnant. ODO Sure you're up to it? DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Muse" - REV. 2/15/96 - ACT THREE 32A. 29 CONTINUED: LWAXANA Absolutely, I haven't had this much fun in months. ODO (pleased) Really? (realizing) Neither have I. DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Muse" - REV. 2/15/96 - ACT THREE 33. 29 CONTINUED: (2) Suddenly a com voice cuts in. COM VOICE Security to Odo. ODO Go ahead. COM VOICE A transport just arrived from the Umani sector... the man you asked us to look out for was on it. Odo reacts... this is trouble. ODO Acknowledged. You know what to do. LWAXANA (anxious) It's my husband isn't it? ODO Stay here. I'll handle this. Off Lwaxana's face... she's scared, Odo or no Odo... 30 INT. SECURITY OFFICE where Odo is sitting at his desk studying a PADD, his chair facing away from the door. Behind him we see the door OPEN and one of Odo's DEPUTIES ENTER with JEYAL, Lwaxana's husband. We've never seen a Tavnian before, and their appearance is somehow hard, dangerous. This is a man who was raised by men, apart from "the corrupting influence of women." His bearing is almost military, his clothes have that pressed and tailored look, as if wrinkles were a sign of weakness. His hair is close-cropped and neat. Jeyal is indignant at having been brought here, and he demands an explanation to the back of Odo's chair, his voice hard, even. JEYAL You'd better have a good reason for dragging me in here. DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Muse" - REV. 2/15/96 - ACT THREE 34. 30 CONTINUED: ODO I'm chief of station security. That's all the reason I need. As he says this, Odo turns his chair around to face the door. As soon as Jeyal sees Odo's face he reacts, as if something has become clear to him. JEYAL Well, well... Jeyal smiles to himself as he puts it together. JEYAL You're the changeling. Odo... if I remember correctly. ODO What of it? JEYAL Lwaxana told me all about you... how you broke her heart. He gives Odo the cold look men reserve for their wives' former lovers. Odo can't be sure how all this figures into the equation, so he decides to play his cards close to the vest and say nothing. JEYAL Strange she'd come running to you for protection. The pregnancy must have her confused, poor woman. ODO I find her remarkably clear- headed. She doesn't want to see you; you might as well turn around and go home. JEYAL I've come a long way, I'm not going to leave emptyhanded. ODO She's not going back with you. JEYAL I'm not talking about her. Jeyal's features harden with the pent up anger he has over what Lwaxana's done. DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Muse" - REV. 02/23/96 - ACT THREE 35. 30 CONTINUED: (2) JEYAL I'm talking about my son. I intend to see he's raised by men away from the pampering foolishness of women. ODO I hate to disappoint you, but Lwaxana has no intention of giving him up to you. JEYAL Her intentions don't concern me. As her husband, I have a legal right to my son. Odo indicates the PADD he was holding when Jeyal first came in. ODO I've been familiarizing myself with Tavnian law. It's well established that a male child is considered the property of the mother's husband. JEYAL Exactly. ODO (not so fast) Not the child's father... the mother's husband... by the time Lwaxana gives birth, you won't be her husband. I will. Off Jeyal's astonished expression... 31 INT. ODO'S QUARTERS as Lwaxana reacts to what Odo has just told her. LWAXANA We're getting married? ODO If you take me as your husband in a legal Tavnian ceremony, your marriage to Jeyal will be automatically annulled and he'll lose his claim to the baby. DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Muse" - REV. 02/23/96 - ACT THREE 36. 31 CONTINUED: Lwaxana can't quite get her mind around the whole thing. LWAXANA I don't quite know what to say. (sincere) I'm just so touched that you're willing to do this for me... ODO It's not so much, really. We'll remain husband and wife for a few months, long enough to satisfy Tavnian law, and then get an annulment of our own. (wry) It isn't as if I was planning to marry someone else. LWAXANA Even so... thank you. ODO There is one thing I don't understand. Jeyal insisted on staying and witnessing the ceremony. LWAXANA (concerned) He did? ODO Is that a problem? Lwaxana knows he's not going to like this. LWAXANA In a Tavnian wedding, the groom has to stand before the bride and tell her why he wants to marry her. In front of his family and friends, he must proclaim his love for her and convince her to accept him as her husband. ODO I trust I can count on you to accept me -- even if I just stand there and read last week's Criminal Activity Report. DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Muse" - REV. 02/20/96 - ACT THREE 36A. 31 CONTINUED: (2) LWAXANA You don't understand, if anyone present doubts the groom's sincerity, they can challenge the validity of the marriage. ODO You mean... I have to convince Jeyal I want to marry you? Lwaxana nods. Off Odo's face as he realizes what he's gotten himself into... 32 INT. ONAYA'S QUARTERS (OPTICAL) where Onaya is kneeling behind Jake, who's still writing. The strange energy WISPS are still coming off him and being absorbed by her fingertips... they've not only rejuvenated her, they seem to be sending her into a blissful state. Jake, however, is worse for the wear... he looks exhausted, drained, but he doesn't seem to care. DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Muse" - REV. 02/20/96 - ACT THREE 37. 32 CONTINUED: Jake shakes his head in wonder at the speed and quality of what he's writing. JAKE without stopping) I've never been able to write like this... the ideas are coming so fast... I can barely keep up with them. ONAYA (far away) It's amazing, isn't it... ? Jake smiles, keeps writing. Onaya closes her eyes, allows her head to drop back; she's luxuriating in what's happening... 33 THE PAPER as Jake's pen flows across it, a drop of blood falls onto the page... 34 RESUME SCENE (OPTICAL) as Jake realizes his nose is bleeding. When he stops writing, reaches a hand up to staunch the flow, the energy WISPS stop coming. Onaya reacts, like an addict suddenly cut off from her drug. She looks down and realizes why Jake stopped. ONAYA (concerned) Jake... She hands him a HANDKERCHIEF. JAKE It's okay... it's just a nosebleed. He dabs at it with the handkerchief. ONAYA You should rest. JAKE I'll be all right. It's already stopped. He removes the handkerchief, and we see that he's no longer bleeding. He picks up his pen, looks at the page to see where he left off. DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Muse" - REV. 2/15/96 - ACT THREE 37A. 34 CONTINUED: JAKE Where was I... Onaya knows she should insist he stop, but the prospect of continuing to feed is too enticing. He starts writing again... 34A ON ONAYA looking down at Jake... a smile of pleasure and anticipation spreads itself across her features... off this unsettling moment... FADE OUT. END OF ACT THREE DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Muse" - REV. 02/21/96 - ACT FOUR 38. ACT FOUR FADE IN: 35 INT. ODO'S QUARTERS The jungle gym has been moved to one corner to make room for the wedding ceremony. O'BRIEN, BASHIR, Dax, Kira and Quark are present, all looking utterly perplexed by what's going on. Jeyal is standing nearby, his arms folded across his chest, looking skeptical about the whole proceeding. A few of Odo's DEPUTIES are also present. A CEREMONIAL PEDESTAL has been positioned near the window. It's octagonal, about two feet high and three across, with painted alien symbols carved into its wooden surface. Odo is wearing a Tavnian wedding TUNIC over his uniform, embroidered along the edges with the same sort of symbols seen on the pedestal. He's standing near the pedestal waiting for Lwaxana to come in, trying not to look uncomfortable about the whole situation. Bashir leans in to Kira and O'Brien and whispers a question. BASHIR Did I miss something? I didn't know Odo was getting married until this morning. KIRA (sotto) I'm not sure he knew either... O'Brien leans toward them, nods toward Jeyal. O'BRIEN (sotto) Who's that? KIRA I think he's Lwaxana's husband. O'BRIEN (wry) Nice of him to come. Quark, who looks particularly annoyed, leans in to Dax. DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Muse" - REV. 02/21/96 - ACT FOUR 39. 35 CONTINUED: QUARK (sotto) I don't believe it. How could Odo do this to me? It's so unfair. DAX (mischeivous) Is there something going on between you and Odo I don't know about? QUARK Don't be ridiculous. All I'm saying is that I could've arranged a beautiful reception if he'd given me enough notice. DAX (smiling) And enough latinum. QUARK If he thinks he's getting a wedding gift from me, he's got another thing coming... Jeyal approaches Odo... ODO I'm so glad you could make it. JEYAL I'm sure you are. It's not too late to call it off. (off Odo's look) Your dignity is important to you. I understand that. I wouldn't want anyone to see me go through a charade like this. Odo tries to muster up all the indignation he can. ODO If you don't mind... this is a very special moment for me... Jeyal smiles skeptically. Odo, turns away, moves back to stand near the pedestal. A moment later, Lwaxana ENTERS from the other room, wearing a Tavnian wedding gown. It's lush and flowing, and strikingly, the bride wears it barefoot. She's carrying a traditional Tavnian LIGHT BALL, and looks so lovely in its soft halo that all present fall silent. Lwaxana smiles at Odo, crosses to the pedestal, and he offers his hand and helps her step up onto it. DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Muse" - REV. 02/21/96 - ACT FOUR 40. 35 CONTINUED: (2) once she's in position, Odo turns and faces the guests. Jeyal stands in the back looking defiant and dubious. Though Odo's introductory remarks are stock, his voice is halting, and he spends an inordinate amount of time looking down at the floor. ODO In keeping with Tavnian tradition, I stand before you -- here in my home, among my worldly possessions -- in order to declare my wish to add this woman to that which is mine... He clears his throat, continues in an almost hurried tone. ODO She is as kind as she is beautiful... and I want her to be part of my life from this day on. Hoping this will be enough, he turns to Lwaxana, offers her a hand... ODO Marry me, Lwaxana... But before Lwaxana can react, Jeyal interrupts the ceremony... JEYAL Am I the only one here who finds this little more than a pale declaration of love? Our people react to this outburst, unsure what to do. JEYAL He could be talking about any woman. Lwaxana shoots Odo a do-something look, and he gathers his resolve, speaks over the hushed words being exchanged by our people. ODO Lwaxana isn't just any woman. Our people fall silent, turn to listen to what Odo will say. ODO Not to me. DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Muse" - REV. 02/21/96 - ACT FOUR 40A. 35 CONTINUED: (3) We hear another level of sincerity in Odo's tone -- he's realized he has to dig deep and speak truthfully about Lwaxana if he's going to convince Jeyal. ODO Before I met her, my world was a much smaller place. I kept to myself. I didn't need anyone else... and I took pride in that. He looks up at her, and she gives him an encouraging smile. Odo hesitates, then pushes himself to make a difficult admission. ODO The truth is... I was ashamed of what I was... afraid that if people saw how truly different I was... they would recoil from me. Reactions -- Kira... O'Brien... Quark. ODO Lwaxana saw how different I was... but she didn't recoil. She wanted to see more. Odo shakes his head, as if he still can't quite believe it. ODO For the first time in my life, someone wanted me as I was. And that changed me... forever. Jeyal takes in Odo's words, their undeniable sincerity... DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Muse" - REV. 02/21/96 - ACT FOUR 41. 35 CONTINUED: (4) Odo looks up at Lwaxana, wants her to see he means it. ODO The day I met her, is the day I stopped being alone. Lwaxana smiles, touched and moved by his words... ODO And I want her to be part of my life from this day on. Now, having earned it, Odo reaches his hand up to her with confidence... and speaks the ritual words that complete the ceremony. ODO Marry me, Lwaxana... let me into your light... It's up to Lwaxana to offer her hand and accept him, but she's so overwhelmed by his words that she's momentarily speechless. After a beat, Odo gently reminds her... ODO Lwaxana... ? She realizes, offers him her hand. He steps up onto the pedestal with her, into the gentle glow cast by the candle in her hand. LWAXANA (with emotion) I give myself to you... forever and always. They look at each other for a long moment, then turn and look out at their guests. ODO I say for all to hear... that this woman is mine. If anyone challenges my claim to her, let them do so now... DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Muse" - REV. 02/21/96 - ACT FOUR 42. 36 ON JEYAL It's up to him... and for a moment we don't know what he'll do. Finally, he looks down... he's not going to object. 37 ON ODO AND LWAXANA ODO I present to you... my beloved wife... After a moment, the guests break into applause. We can see on their faces that they too were unexpectedly moved by Odo's heartfelt words. Odo steps off the podium, helps Lwaxana down, and they move to join their guests. Everyone gathers round to offer their congratulations. After a few moments of this, Lwaxana turns away from someone and finds Jeyal standing behind her. He has something to say to her, and because he's too proud to make a scene, he's careful not to get upset or raise his voice. JEYAL I cherished you, Lwaxana... you were my most treasured possession. His face softening just a bit... JEYAL Take care of our son. When he asks, speak well of me... Lwaxana hesitates, then smiles kindly and nods that she will. Jeyal turns away, and marshalling all his dignity, EXITS without looking back... Like the others, Quark is swept up in the good cheer of the moment and is oblivious to what just happened. He raises his voice to get everyone's attention. QUARK Ladies and Gentlemen... please do me the honor of accompanying me to my humble establishment. I'm throwing a party for the happy couple! A chorus of approval from the others. Dax shoots Quark a questioning look. QUARK What can I say? I'm a hopeless romantic. Odo approaches Lwaxana to make sure she's okay. DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Musell - REV. 02/21/96 - ACT FOUR 43. 37 CONTINUED: She seems stunned, as if she can't quite believe it worked... ODO Are you all right? LWAXANA (nodding) We did it. He's really leaving. ODO It would appear so. She turns to Odo, smiles with gratitude. He returns it, swept up in the elation of their victory. LWAXANA You were wonderful, Odo. For a minute there, even I believed you wanted to marry me. Odo features falter... it's as if he was so caught up in the moment he forgot it was supposed to be a ruse. LWAXANA (re: the guests) I suppose we should tell them the truth... (mischievous) But let's wait till after the party. She moves to join the others as they start to EXIT for Quark's. Off Odo's uncertain features... 38 INT. ONAYA'S QUARTERS (OPTICAL) where Jake is still writing, leaning up against Onaya, who absently plays with his hair as he works. Jake is writing feverishly, and faint energy WISPS whip off him into Onaya's fingers as she strokes his hair. He looks terrible, drained and exhausted... and Onaya is so blissed-out she's near stupor... ONAYA (far away) Jake... He doesn't seem to hear her, keeps working... DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Muse" - REV. 02/21/96 - ACT FOUR 44. 38 CONTINUED: ONAYA You should rest... JAKE Not now. I'm onto something. She's sated, nearing the point where any more would be too much. ONAYA Your father will be home soon... you should be there. JAKE I'll see him later. Another WISP sends her over the edge... she grabs his pen, she has to stop him. ONAYA That's enough. He lets out a frustrated breath, turns to look at her. JAKE What'd you do that for? She tries to soften the moment. ONAYA You're pushing yourself too hard. JAKE (excited) No, I'm not. My mind has never been so clear. Everything's coming together. At the rate I'm going, I could have this book finished in a few days. She touches his cheek, gives him a worried smile. ONAYA And you will. I promise you. But if you rest now, your work will be even better. JAKE All right... I'll go home. Maybe get some sleep. DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Muse" - REV. 02/20/96 - ACT FOUR 44A. 38 CONTINUED: (2) ONAYA (suddenly vulnerable) You'll come back later? JAKE (reassuring) Of course. (glancing at the pages) I need you. She smiles... and he moves off... DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Muse" - REV. 02/21/96 - ACT FOUR 45. 39 OMITTED 40 INT. REPLIMAT SUPERNUMERARIES as needed. Jake ENTERS shakily, makes his way toward the replicator... bumping into a chair on the way. He orders... JAKE Orange juice. We HEAR the sound of the replicator, and Jake pulls a MUG from the slot. He takes it, looks around for a chair. As he heads for a table he's hit by a blinding headache that sends him staggering. He passes out, falls to the ground. As the other patrons stand to help him... 41 INT. INFIRMARY Jake is unconscious on the bio-bed, a NEURAL STABILIZER on his forehead, its BLINKIES active. A NURSE is scanning him with an INSTRUMENT. Bashir is explaining what he's found to Sisko, who's just returned from Bajor. He's wearing DIFFERENT CIVILIAN CLOTHES than those he left in. BASHIR Something has stimulated Jake's brain functioning in a way I've never seen. The capillaries in his cerebral cortex have dilated twenty percent, neurotransmitter production is up by at least that amount, and neural activity is off the scale. SISKO Do you have any idea what caused it? DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Muse" - REV. 2/15/96 - ACT FOUR 46. 41 CONTINUED: BASHIR Not yet... but it's a good thing we got him in here when we did. His cortex was on the verge of synaptic collapse. Bashir shakes his head -- his message is clear. SISKO But he's going to be all right? BASHIR (nods) I need to keep him in a neural stabilization field for a while. JAKE (O.S.) Onaya... Both men turn at the sound of Jake's voice... Jake is semiconscious, he can barely get the words out. SISKO Jake... Jake struggles to open his eyes... focus on his father's face... JAKE (weak) Where is she, dad... ? SISKO Jake. Tell me what happened. But Jake slips into unconsciousness again. Sisko looks down at him, his features grave. SISKO I'm going to go talk to Odo, see if he knows anything about this... Onaya. BASHIR We'll let you know if his condition changes. With a last look at Jake, Sisko EXITS. Bashir turns to the Nurse. DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Muse" - REV. 02/22/96 - ACT FOUR 47. 41 CONTINUED: (2) BASHIR I'll be in the lab. She acknowledges and Bashir moves off... 42 EXT. SPACE - DEEP SPACE NINE (OPTICAL) Re-Establishing. 43 INT. INFIRMARY (OPTICAL) The lights have been DIMMED, and Jake is still unconscious on the bio-bed. 44 NEW ANGLE as the Nurse ENTERS from the other room. Suddenly a FLASH of LIGHT illuminates her features and she reacts to something off-screen... 45 RESUME SCENE (OPTICAL) as Onaya's half-formed body steps away from the wall -- she's part flesh, part energy. Before the Nurse can react, one of Onaya's not-quite- fully-formed arms snaps out and SMACKS her with a vicious blow that renders her unconscious. Onaya, now almost fully corporeal, moves to Jake's side, removes the neural stabilizer, gently shakes him awake... ONAYA Come with me, Jake... it's time to finish what we've started... Off her smile of anticipation we... FADE OUT. END OF ACT FOUR DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Muse" - REV. 02/21/96 - ACT FIVE 48. ACT FIVE FADE IN: A46 INT. INFIRMARY (FORMERLY SCENE 48) Sisko, now in uniform, has been called back to the scene, and is watching as O'Brien uses a TRICORDER to scan the wall through which Onaya emerged. O'BRIEN (to Sisko) I'm picking up traces of some sort of... psionic energy. (indicating) It's concentrated here, where Nurse Tagana said she saw something come through the bulkhead. Bashir reacts -- BASHIR Captain, the tests I ran indicated that Jake's mental activity was stimulated by some kind of psionic phenomenon -- possibly telepathic in nature. SISKO Then this entity Nurse Tagana saw could've been responsible. BASHIR We have to find it -- and get Jake back in a neural stabilization field before it's too late. O'Brien gets an idea. O'BRIEN I'll tell Odo to have his search parties reconfigure their tricorders to scan for psionic energy. BASHIR That'll help, but only for a while... psionic residue decays within minutes. SISKO Then we'd better get moving... Off Sisko's determined features... DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Muse" - REV. 02/21/96 - ACT FIVE 49. 46 INT. AN ACCESS CONDUIT as the CAMERA glides along it and EMERGES into -- 47 INT. CONDUIT JUNCTION (OPTICAL) A small chamber DEEP in the heart of the station. Onaya has brought Jake here to feed off what little he has left -- she's reasoned that the authorities are looking for him and knows she doesn't have a lot of time. Jake is slumped against the wall, exhausted and drained, but still writing. She massages his neck and head, and the ENERGY WISPS are coming off him more frequently now; she takes them in through her fingers, and the intensity of it is sending her into a blissful state. She encourages him with soft murmurs... ONAYA Keep going, Jake... He refocuses, keeps writing... ONAYA The moment I saw you, I knew that you were worthy of what I could give you... but I can't stay with you forever... this is your chance to create something that will live on, long after you're gone... He's hit by another blinding headache, but he shakes it off, keeps writing. Suddenly his nose starts to bleed again. He tries to ignore it, blots it carelessly with one hand. Onaya takes a cloth, dabs at his nose, doing her best not to interfere with his work. ONAYA There... it'll stop in a minute... He keeps writing... she continues feeding... off the eerie symbiosis between them... DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Muse" - REV. 02/21/96 - ACT FIVE 50. 47A INT. AN ACCESS CONDUIT as Sisko and an N.D. BAJORAN DEPUTY make their way down it. Sisko has a PHASER strapped on and is scanning with a TRICORDER, the Deputy is carrying a PHASER RIFLE. SISKO I'm getting something... about twenty meters in this direction... He gestures toward the juncture where the tunnel wall meets the floor, to indicate a point below and off to one side. He works the tricorder to get a station schematic he can refer to. SISKO (gesturing down the tunnel) I'll go this way... you swing around and take Tunnel Sixty-one G... The Deputy nods and moves off... as Sisko heads the other way... 48 OMITTED 49 INT. CONDUIT JUNCTION (OPTICAL) where Onaya, kneeling behind Jake, is draining the last of his lifeforce from him -- the WISPS are coming less frequently now, and she has to massage his neck and head more to stimulate them. Jake's hand moves clumsily, he can barely hold the pen. He looks down at what he's just written, stops writing. When the ENERGY WISPS stop, she realizes and looks down at him. ONAYA (gently What's wrong? JAKE I can't... There's a note of desperation in his voice, as if he understands that this may be his last chance to get these words out of him... ONAYA Let me help you... She reaches and wraps her hand around his, guides it back to the paper... DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Muse" - REV. 02/21/96 - ACT FIVE 50A. 49 CONTINUED: His hand moves more steadily with her support... ONAYA That's better, isn't it... ? Jake concentrates... keeps working... the ENERGY WISPS start coming off him again, and we see her drawing sustenance from them, her bliss becoming ecstatic... Suddenly there's a NOISE and a GRATE in the ceiling bursts OPEN -- Sisko drops to the floor from above, PHASER in hand (and TRICORDER on his belt). SISKO Get away from him... Onaya looks at him, her eyes cold with the frustration of being interrupted in her moment of ultimate pleasure... JAKE (weak) Dad... don't interfere... DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Muse" - REV. 02/21/96 - ACT FIVE 51. 49 CONTINUED: (2) SISKO I said get away. She backs off... as soon as she lets go of Jake he slumps to the floor, loses consciousness. Sisko moves to him, keeping the phaser pointed at Onaya. SISKO (hits combadge) Sisko to Ops. KIRA'S COM VOICE Go ahead. SISKO Lock on to my signal and stand by to beam Jake directly to the Infirmary. KIRA'S COM VOICE You're too close to the reactor core -- there's so much interference I can't get a lock. Sisko's face hardens with frustration. SISKO (urgent) Get a medical team down here right away. He turns to face Onaya, his eyes cold with anger over what she's done to Jake. He sees the pages that have fallen from Jake's hands and spilled onto the floor. SISKO (trying to keep control) What are you? She defends herself with conviction. ONAYA It's not what I am that matters, it's what I do. You don't know the minds I've touched: Catullus, Tarbolde, Keats -- a hundred others. I unlocked their potential. SISKO Is that what you did to Jake? (temper flaring) Look at him. She smiles sadly... DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Muse" - REV. 02/21/96 - ACT FIVE 51A. 49 CONTINUED: (3) ONAYA They all died in the end... but look what I gave them in return: immortality. (vehement) Their names will live forever because of me. Sisko can't keep the anger from his voice -- this woman is trying to justify why she was willing to kill his son. SISKO (derisive) And you -- what do you get out of it... ? ONAYA What I need to survive -- so I can go on... find others... and unlock their talents as well. DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Muse" - REV. 02/21/96 - ACT FIVE 52. 49 CONTINUED: (4) She looks down at Jake's unconscious form with great tenderness... ONAYA He was the youngest I ever found... so eager... ready to give everything he had in one great burst... what a waste... (sadly) Good-bye, Jake... SISKO (raising his phaser) You're not going anywhere. She turns to him, smiles... and her body begins to SHIMMER and lose cohesion... she's TRANSFORMING into an ENERGY BEING. Sisko FIRES his phaser at her disappearing form but it has no effect. Before her features lose shape entirely we catch a last glimpse of her smile... then her substance rises up and DISAPPEARS through the bulkhead. 50 EXT. SPACE - DEEP SPACE NINE (OPTICAL) as Onaya's ENERGY EMERGES from the station and shoots off into space... 51 INT. SECURITY OFFICE where Odo is working at his desk, lost in thought. After a beat, Lwaxana ENTERS. LWAXANA I have wonderful news. There's a transport for Betazed leaving this afternoon. Odo reacts, he wasn't expecting this. She sees his uncertainty, explains... LWAXANA I'm going home. ODO But... I thought you were planning to have the baby here. LWAXANA If I did, I'd end up staying for months. And that wouldn't be fair. I've imposed on you enough. DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Muse" - REV. 02/21/96 - ACT FIVE 53. 51 CONTINUED: ODO Lwaxana... (searching for reasons) You could deliver at any time now, and it's a long way to Betazed. (insistent) You really should stay. She smiles, pleased that he wants her to... but as she looks at his face she begins to realize what's really going on, and her look changes to one of tenderness and sympathy. After a moment... LWAXANA I'll miss you, too. ODO Then why leave? LWAXANA You've gotten used to having me around, haven't you? You dear, sweet man. But don't you see, what you want is company, someone to take care of. Odo is a little embarrassed to admit it, but she's right. ODO Is that so wrong? LWAXANA No, of course not. The problem is... I want much more than that from you. I can't help it. I'm still in love with you. And as much as I wish you were in love with me, I know you're not. She looks up at Odo, continues with some difficulty... LWAXANA I could stay, try to make you fall in love with me... but we both know that's not going to happen. I'd end up resenting you... and your friendship is too important for me to let that happen. DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Muse" - REV. 02/21/96 - ACT FIVE 54. 51 CONTINUED: (2) LWAXANA (Cont'd) (with a sad smile) That's why it's better for both of us if I leave now... They regard each other for a long moment... Odo has realized she's right, and is grateful to her for seeing the truth. She leans in, kisses him tenderly on the cheek. LWAXANA Good bye... husband... ODO Good bye... wife... With a final look between them, she EXITS to the Promenade. Off Odo's features as he watches her go... 52 INT. SISKO'S QUARTERS where Jake is on the couch convalescing, maybe curled up with a THROW. On the low table in front of him we see a glass of JUICE, the remains of a meal. Sisko ENTERS from his bedroom with the pages Jake wrote while he was with Onaya. SISKO How you feeling? JAKE Okay, I guess... (seeing the pages) You've read it. SISKO Just finished. JAKE What'd you think? Sisko comes and sits next to him. DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Muse" - REV. 02/16/96 ACT FIVE 55. 52 CONTINUED: SISKO You've got a good start on a novel here, Jake. (smiles) Your spelling's still terrible, but the dialogue is sharp, the story's involving, the characters are real... (a sly smile) I especially liked the father. JAKE Remind you of anyone? SISKO A bit. (proud of him) It's really good. But Jake is unable to take any pride in it. JAKE I know. I just wish I wrote it. SISKO You did. Jake lets out a worried breath... JAKE How can I be sure? I mean... without Onaya... SISKO Listen to me. You wrote these words, not her. JAKE But she got them out of me. SISKO (setting the pages aside) And that means they were somewhere inside you. Jake hears the conviction in his father's voice and can't help but be reassured by it. SISKO All you have to do is learn to find them for yourself. Jake nods, understanding the challenge before him. He looks over at the pages with a mixture of pride and trepidation. DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Muse" - REV. 02/16/96 - ACT FIVE 56. 52 CONTINUED: (2) JAKE You're right... But I've got to tell you, I don't feel up to writing just yet. SISKO That's understandable. Take it easy for a while. You'll get back to it. And someday, when you're ready, maybe you'll even finish this. JAKE I hope so. SISKO (kissing him) I gotta get to work. Sisko stands and crosses to the door. SISKO I'll check in on you in a couple hours. JAKE I'll be here. Sisko EXITS. Jake considers for a moment, then leans forward and picks the pen Onaya gave him off the table. He holds it for a beat, considers the events of the last few days. He looks at the stack of pages on the table, uncaps the pen... 53 INCLUDE - THE TITLE PAGE Written in Jake's hand, just above the center of the page, we see the novel's title: ANSLEM Underneath it, he now writes... by Jake Sisko Hold on him as he looks down at his unfinished work, the work he's at once proud of and intimidated by... off this image we... FADE OUT. END OF ACT FIVE THE END