STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE "Statistical Probabilities" #40510-533 Story by Pam Pietroforte Teleplay by Rene Echevarria Directed by Anson Williams 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 1997 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 This script is not for publication or reproduction.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 September 26, 1997 STAR TREK: DS9 - "Statistical... " - 09/26/97 - CAST STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE "Statistical Probablities" CAST SISKO JACK KIRA PATRICK ODO LAUREN BASHIR SARINA DAX LOEWS WORF WEYOUN O'BRIEN DAMAR QUARK DABO GIRL Non-Speaking Non-Speaking N.D. SUPERNUMERARIES N.D. CARDASSIANS N.D. JEM'HADAR STAR TREK: DS9 - "Statistical... " - 09/26/97 - SETS STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE "Statistical Probabilities" SETS INTERIORS EXTERIORS DEEP SPACE NINE DEEP SPACE NINE AIRLOCK CORRIDOR CARGO BAY/TEAM DORM OPS PROMENADE/SECOND LEVEL QUARK'S CAPTAIN'S OFFICE SISKO'S QUARTERS SMALLER GUEST QUARTERS SMALL STORAGE BAY DS NINE - "Statistical... " -09/26/97 - PRONUNCIATION STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE "Statistical Probablities" PRONUNCIATION GUIDE HOLNA HOLE-nuh KABRAN kuh-BRAHN KABREL kuh-BRELL KENJA KEN-juh LOEWS LOWS SARINA suh-REE-nuh SINGH EL BASHIR singe el BUH-shear BENZIUM BEN-zee-um BICANTIZINE BYE-can-tih-zeen CORMALINE CORE-muh-leen DIATHILATE DYE-ath-ill-ate MIZINITE MIZ-uh-nite PROTOZOIDS PROTO-zoids YRIDIUM yir-ID-ee-uhm DEEP SPACE NINE: "Statistical... " - REV. 10/23/97 - TEASER 1. STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE "Statistical Probabilities" TEASER FADE IN: 1 EXT. SPACE - DEEP SPACE NINE (OPTICAL) Establishing. 2 INT. CARGO BAY/TEAM DORM The Cargo Bay has been configured into a kind of dormitory. Free-standing partitions divide the room into semi-private areas. There's a REPLICATOR against one wall, several WALL MONITORS, and a large TABLE and CHAIRS in the middle of the room. Alcoves in the corners offer separate sleeping quarters. We cut in to find an agitated man of about thirty-five, pacing back and forth and ranting half to himself. He's JACK, and as we'll learn, he's a maladjusted product of twenty-fourth century genetic engineering. Behind him, we see a beautiful woman of about the same age, luxuriating on a nearby couch. Her name is LAUREN, and everything she does exudes a strange sensuality. She's watching Jack with an elaborately patient air. JACK No. No. It's not fair. (more to himself) Am I alone here? Is that it? Am I the only one who sees. (covering his ears) What is that noise! A voice from off-camera replies -- LOEWS (O.S.) Calm down. 3 NEW ANGLE to include DOCTOR LOEWS, a Starfleet psychiatrist of about thirty-five. Though by nature a warm person, she's been working with Jack and the others for months now and it's been a difficult time. DEEP SPACE NINE: "Statistical... " - REV. 10/23/97 - TEASER 2. 3 CONTINUED: Somewhere behind her we see SARINA, a ghost-like apparition in her late twenties. Pale and drawn, she never speaks. She always seems to be hovering on the edge of things -- we never see her move, she just seems to appear in places. JACK Why? Am I talking too fast? Having trouble keeping up, Doctor? LOEWS I just don't want you to get upset. PATRICK, a child-like man in his fifties, ambles up to Doctor Loews. He looks scared, lost -- PATRICK Please don't leave us here, Karen. Please. LOEWS (reassuring) It's only for a few weeks, Patrick. Jack can't resist taunting Patrick -- JACK You know what they're going to do to us, don't you? You know why they carted us halfway across the quadrant? They're going to experiment on us. LOEWS Stop it, Jack. Patrick starts to fight back tears -- JACK They want to find out what makes our "genetically engineered" brains tick. They're going to cut our heads open and see what comes out! He spins away with manic glee, delighted to have upset Patrick. DEEP SPACE NINE: "Statistical... " - REV. 10/23/97 - TEASER 3. 3 CONTINUED: (2) LOEWS (to Patrick) He's just trying to scare you, don't listen to him. I told you why I brought you here, remember? To meet that Doctor? Doctor Bashir? LAUREN You know. The handsome one. LOEWS (to Patrick) He was genetically enhanced when he was a boy, just like all of you. JACK No. No. He's not like us. I never saw him at the Institute. He wasn't locked away for being too smart. He passed himself off as normal. He's mister normal Starfleet man. Mister productive member of society. Maybe we can learn to be just like him. Wear a little uniform. (saluting) Yes, sir. (pivoting around) No, sir. (pivoting again) Thank you, sir. PATRICK I don't like it here. LOEWS It's going to be all right. Doctor Bashir is going to work with you for a while, that's all. Think of it as a little vacation from the Institute. JACK (to himself) No. No. This isn't happening. LOEWS It is happening, Jack, and you're going to have to try to make the best of it. Lauren crosses over, holding a PADD in her hand and looking at it longingly -- LAUREN I'm going to make the best of it. DEEP SPACE NINE: "Statistical... " - REV. 10/23/97 - TEASER 4. 3 CONTINUED: (3) She holds up the PADD, which displays a PICTURE of Bashir. LAUREN See the way he's looking at me? He's in love with me already. JACK (grabbing for PADD) Give me that. But Lauren's too fast for him, whips it out of his reach. Patrick starts to whimper again -- PATRICK I want to go home. The door CHIMES. Lauren spins to face the door -- LAUREN (excited) It's him. Jack uses the opportunity to snatch the PADD away -- he immediately smashes it against a nearby table, shattering the screen. He holds it up to taunt Lauren, and we see spidery cracks across Bashir's face. JACK See that? That's what I'm going to do to your boyfriend. LOEWS (holding out her hand) Give me the PADD. He refuses for a defiant beat, then suddenly slaps the PADD into her open palm, broken screen first. She yanks her hand away, and we see that she's been cut. Jack tries to hide his smile. JACK Sorry. DEEP SPACE NINE: "Statistical... " - REV. 10/23/97 - TEASER 5. 3 CONTINUED: (4) She checks herself, recovers her professional bearing, and starts to wrap a makeshift bandage around her hand. LOEWS You're not sorry, Jack. We both know that. You did it on purpose because you're upset. But there are better ways of dealing with being upset. JACK I'll work on it. Loews turns to the others -- LOEWS All right, I'll see you all in a few weeks. She makes an extra effort to say good-bye to the introverted Sarina. LOEWS Bye, Sarina. Before she leaves, Patrick moves to her and gives her a big hug. She accepts it, and with a last look at Jack, Loews heads for the door. 4 INT. AIRLOCK CORRIDOR where we find BASHIR waiting patiently. It's hard to tell if he's anticipating going in or dreading it -- the truth is it's a little of both. The prospect of meeting others who were genetically engineered brings up painful memories, memories he hasn't fully dealt with. The door OPENS to admit Loews. As it shuts behind her, Bashir sees the blood on the bandage wrapped around her hand. BASHIR Are you all right? DEEP SPACE NINE: "Statistical... " - REV. 10/23/97 - TEASER 6. 4 CONTINUED: LOEWS It's nothing. Just another run-in with Jack. Like I said in my report, don't turn your back on him. BASHIR We'd better get you down to the Infirmary. LOWES I'll be fine. You go on in. They're about as ready to meet you as they'll ever be. (beat) I just hope you have better luck getting through to them than I've had. And with that, she moves past him and heads down the corridor. Off Bashir's face as he prepares to enter the door and face whatever's on the other side... FADE OUT. END OF TEASER DEEP SPACE NINE: "Statistical... " - REV. 10/23/97 - ACT ONE 7. ACT ONE FADE IN: (NOTE: Episode credits fall over opening scenes) 5 INT. CARGO BAY/TEAM DORM as the door OPENS to admit Bashir. Someone has killed the lights, and the room is now DARK, spooky. Bashir steps inside and the door SHUTS behind him. After a beat -- BASHIR Hello? No answer. Finally, a GIGGLE from somewhere in the shadows. It's Patrick, hiding. Jack chimes in from somewhere unseen -- JACK (O.S.) Funny. He doesn't look like a mutant. BASHIR (looking around) Is that you, Jack? 6 JACK hiding in the darkness. JACK (panicking) He knows me. He knows my name. I didn't tell him my name. 7 BASHIR BASHIR It's all right. I read Doctor Loews's reports, that's all. JACK (O.S.) I knew that. Bashir moves around one of the partitions and comes face to face with -- 8 SARINA white as a ghost. DEEP SPACE NINE: "Statistical... " - REV. 10/23/97 - ACT ONE 8. 8 CONTINUED: BASHIR Hello, Sarina. She stands there, staring at him. 9 JACK JACK (to himself) Why's he trying to talk to her? He read the reports. (to Bashir) She won't answer. Didn't you read the reports? 10 BASHIR AND SARINA Without a word, she moves away, slips into the shadows. BASHIR Would anyone mind if I turned on some lights? 11 JACK JACK (to himself) Would anyone mind if he turned on some lights? (to Bashir) Go ahead. We're not mole people, you know. 12 BASHIR BASHIR Computer, lights. The LIGHTS COME UP to normal, and the first thing Bashir sees is Lauren, lying on her side on the couch, playing the seductress. LAUREN Hello. BASHIR Lauren. DEEP SPACE NINE: "Statistical... " - REV. 10/23/97 - ACT ONE 9. 12 CONTINUED: LAUREN I know what you're thinking, Julian. But I'm not that kind of girl. Suddenly Jack comes around from behind a partition. JACK Bashir, was it? Rings a bell. Bashir, Bashir, Bashir. Got it! Singh el Bashir, fifteenth century poet. Any relation? BASHIR (surprised) Yes, actually. (NOTE: In the background, we might occasionally notice Sarina stealing surreptitious glances Jack's way. She enjoys his shenanigans, fears his temper, and most of all, wishes he'd pay attention to her.) JACK His work was totally derivative. He was a plagiarist. You knew that -- you had to know. But you came in here bragging about it anyway. Why? From behind a partition, Patrick giggles. BASHIR You're the one who brought it up. JACK What was I supposed to do -- let you get away with it? (clutching his ears) That noise! DEEP SPACE NINE: "Statistical... " - REV. 10/23/97 - ACT ONE 10. 12 CONTINUED: (2) He moves off in apparent pain -- LAUREN Tell me, Doctor... (sizing him up) What sort of... enhancements did your parents have done to you? BASHIR Mental abilities, mostly. But they had my hand-eye coordination, reflexes and vision improved as well. Without warning, Jack does a perfectly executed BACK- FLIP. Impressively, he ends up standing almost exactly where he was standing before. JACK Can you do that? BASHIR I doubt it. JACK What happened? Your parents couldn't afford the full overhaul? Another giggle from Patrick. LAUREN He turned out all right. JACK (giving her a withering look) You're not exactly known for being discriminating. LAUREN I turned you down, didn't I? JACK And you're still regretting it. (quick, as if to catch Bashir off guard) The cube root of three hundred twenty-nine -- what is it? Bashir considers whether to respond to this test, decides to go ahead. BASHIR Six point nine zero three. DEEP SPACE NINE: "Statistical... " - REV. 10/23/97 - ACT ONE 11. 12 CONTINUED: (3) LAUREN Very good. You didn't even use your fingers. (to the others) He's a mutant, just like the rest of us. JACK No. He's not like us. No. He passed as normal. Patrick comes up to Bashir to ask a question. PATRICK Is it true? You passed as normal? Is it true? BASHIR (nods) My genetic status wasn't discovered until last year. LAUREN How'd you manage to hide it for so long? This is a difficult subject for Bashir... BASHIR I did my best not to... exploit my abilities. JACK So no one would suspect. Very clever. I'm impressed. (suddenly angry) That's not right. There are reasons why DNA resequencing is illegal. There are reasons why people like us are barred from serving in Starfleet. We have an advantage. Normal people can't compete. It's not fair. BASHIR Maybe you're right... maybe I should've said something sooner. JACK There are rules. Don't talk with your mouth full. Don't open an airlock when someone's inside. Don't lie about your genetic status. But you did. You lied. DEEP SPACE NINE: "Statistical... " - REV. 10/23/97 - ACT ONE 12. 12 CONTINUED: (4) JACK (Cont'd) And when you got caught, you cut a deal with Starfleet and got yourself off the hook. Patrick misunderstands Jack's point -- PATRICK (brightly) If you'd told the truth, you could've come and lived with us. At the Institute. JACK He's right, you know. They would've put you away. BASHIR They don't "put people away" for being genetically engineered. JACK No, they just won't let us do anything that's worth doing -- they're afraid we're going to take over. BASHIR It happened before. People like us did try to take over. JACK I knew it! I knew you were going to trot out the Eugenics Wars. BASHIR I'm not trotting anything out. All I'm saying is that there's a reason we're barred from certain professions. That doesn't mean we can't be productive members of society. JACK Here it comes. The "we have something to contribute" speech. (anger flashing) No. No. I will not forget what was done to me. I will not be part of the society that locked me away for being too smart. No. Bashir turns to look at Lauren, who shrugs that she's not interested either. Patrick shakes his head vigorously, siding with his friends. DEEP SPACE NINE: "Statistical... " - REV. 10/23/97 - ACT ONE 12A. 12 CONTINUED: (5) BASHIR All right, then. Since you seem to have all the answers, I'll spare you the speech. Bashir wants to let them know that what happens next is up to them, so he turns and heads for the door. Jack and the others couldn't be more surprised. JACK Where are you going? BASHIR I'm having dinner with some friends. DEEP SPACE NINE: "Statistical... " - REV. 10/23/97 - ACT ONE 13. 12 CONTINUED: (6) Bashir can see that all of them have no idea what that must be like, and though they won't admit it, they're desperately curious. JACK You think we don't eat? We eat. We're going to eat right now. Yum- yum. PATRICK (moving off excitedly) I'll set the table. JACK Don't worry about us, we'll be fine. Bashir nods, and EXITS without another word. Once he's gone, a terrible silence settles on the room. LAUREN (furious with Jack) Thanks for chasing him off. They drove him out, and as much as they don't want to face it, they regret it. Off this moment... 13 EXT. SPACE - DEEP SPACE NINE (OPTICAL) Re-establishing. 14 INT. SISKO'S QUARTERS It's after dinner, and SISKO is sitting at the table with Bashir, WORF, DAX, KIRA, O'BRIEN and ODO. BASHIR All I kept thinking was "there but for the grace of God go I." DAX How do you mean? BASHIR My parents found a decent doctor to perform the DNA resequencing on me. These four weren't so lucky. DEEP SPACE NINE: "Statistical... " - REV. 10/23/97 - ACT ONE 14. 14 CONTINUED: BASHIR (Cont'd) They all suffered unintended side- effects. By the time they were five or six years old, their parents had to come forward and admit that they'd broken the law so their children could get treatment. SISKO Sounds like they waited too long. BASHIR (agreeing) There wasn't much the doctors at the Institute could do for them -- cases like theirs are so rare there's no standard treatment. KIRA I can't imagine it was a very challenging environment for them. BASHIR That's exactly what Doctor Loews felt when she first came to the Institute. She got permission to separate them from the other residents so she could work with them. ODO Why did she bring them here? BASHIR She thought they might respond to meeting someone who was like them, but was living a normal life. She's hoping that someday they'll be able to live on their own and be productive. O'Brien smiles, shakes his head -- DEEP SPACE NINE: "Statistical... " - REV. 10/23/97 - ACT ONE 15. 14 CONTINUED: (2) O'BRIEN I hope they don't end up being too productive -- it'd make the rest of us look bad. O'Brien's lighthearted comment actually strikes to the heart of the matter, and Worf seizes on it -- WORF It is no laughing matter. If people like them are allowed to compete freely, parents would feel pressured to have their children enhanced so that they could keep up. ODO (seeing Worf's point) That's precisely what prompted the ban on DNA resequencing in the first place. This is Starfleet's party line and Bashir knows it, but it's a difficult subject for him. A moment, then he tries to calmly explain how he sees it. Despite his best efforts, Bashir can't keep the emotion from rising in his voice -- BASHIR Giving them a chance to contribute doesn't mean sanctioning what was done to them. They didn't ask to have their DNA tampered with -- they were just children when it happened. Why should they be excluded when their parents are the ones who broke the law? An awkward silence settles over the room as the others realize Julian is taking the conversation personally. Finally, Sisko cautiously tries to smooth things over. SISKO You're right. It's not quite fair. But even so it seemed a good way to discourage genetic tampering. O'BRIEN Besides, we're not talking about excluding them, we're talking about putting certain limits on what they're allowed to do. BASHIR Like joining Starfleet. DEEP SPACE NINE: "Statistical... " - REV. 10/23/97 - ACT ONE 15A. 14 CONTINUED: (3) WORF Exactly. Bashir takes a moment before responding, troubled by the fact that what they're saying is so similar to what Jack and the others were saying. BASHIR (quiet) Are you saying I shouldn't be allowed to wear this uniform? Bashir's question is a logical extension of their argument, but no one in the room would go that far. They care about Julian too much -- WORF You... are an exception. DEEP SPACE NINE: "Statistical... " - REV. 10/23/97 - ACT ONE 16. 14 CONTINUED: (4) That sums up everyone's feelings -- they're willing to break the rules for him. BASHIR An exception. I suppose I should be used to that, I've been one all my life. First because of the resequencing, and now because I'm allowed to serve in Starfleet anyway. A moment, then Worf tries to apologize -- WORF Perhaps I should not have said anything. A beat, then Bashir backs off -- realizing he shouldn't have taken Worf's hypothetical so personally. BASHIR It's all right. Even so, we can see he's feeling strangely alone among his friends... it takes him back to the days when he bore his secret alone. An awkward moment as everyone tries to recover from this uncomfortable discussion. Sisko decides to take the bull by the horns. SISKO Anyone care to speculate about what Gul Damar is going to say in his speech? O'BRIEN Nothing we're going to like, I'll wager. KIRA It should be starting any minute. DAX If he announces another new battle offensive, it'll spoil dessert. Bashir's combadge suddenly SQUAWKS with STATIC. JACK'S COM VOICE -- can you hear me? Hello? Calling Doctor Bashir. Bashir reacts with surprise, double-taps his combadge to clear the signal. DEEP SPACE NINE: "Statistical... " - REV. 10/23/97 - ACT ONE 16A. 14 CONTINUED: (5) BASHIR Jack? JACK'S COM VOICE Hello? Anybody there? KIRA Did you give them access to the com-system? BASHIR No, they must've broken in somehow. Bashir is almost glad to have an excuse to slip away... BASHIR (continuing, excusing himself) I'd love to stay and chat about our impending doom, but... And as Bashir EXITS... DEEP SPACE NINE: "Statistical... " - REV. 10/23/97 - ACT ONE 17. 15 INT. CARGO BAY/TEAM DORM as Bashir ENTERS to find an agitated Jack waiting for him -- JACK Do something about that noise! Strangely, Bashir hears nothing. (NOTE: The audience will never hear this noise.) He looks over and sees Lauren lying on the couch with a pillow over her head. Patrick is covering his ears, and even Sarina is whimpering softly. Bashir cocks his head, listens. BASHIR What noise? JACK (suddenly paranoid) What kind of sick game are you people playing? BASHIR What are you talking about? JACK Can't you hear it? LAUREN We complained and two very cute Engineers came by and said there was nothing wrong. A moment, then Bashir seems to hear something. BASHIR Wait a minute. Sort of a high-pitched whine? JACK Yes. Thank god! Bashir's face tells us that once you're on to it, this is a very annoying noise indeed. JACK (to the others) I told you we weren't crazy. DEEP SPACE NINE: "Statistical... " - REV. 10/23/97 - ACT ONE 18. 15 CONTINUED: Jack runs up and gives Bashir a big spontaneous hug -- JACK You are a mutant. You are. Just as suddenly he lets go of Bashir and grabs hold of Sarina, who's standing nearby. He puts his hands around her neck -- JACK Now do something about that noise or I'll snap her neck. Off this unexpected moment, we... FADE OUT. END OF ACT DEEP SPACE NINE: "Statistical... " - REV. 10/23/97 - ACT TWO 19. ACT TWO FADE IN: 16 INT. CARGO BAY/TEAM DORM - MOMENTS LATER Jack still has his hands around Sarina's neck. She's very still, terrified. BASHIR (calmly) I called Chief O'Brien... now let her go. JACK Maybe I'll wait till he gets here. BASHIR Let her go now, or I'm going to tell him the noise went away by itself. JACK You think I want to be doing this? I'm just making sure things get done. He lets Sarina go, and she stays standing where she is. JACK (moving off) Unbelievable. This is the thanks I get. BASHIR (to Sarina) Are you all right? She doesn't even look at him. A beat, then she moves away. A CHIME at the door. BASHIR Come in. O'Brien ENTERS with a TOOLBOX, looks around. Sarina is standing in a corner, staring at the wall; Jack is pacing agitatedly; Lauren is on the couch, her head covered by a pillow; and Patrick is trying to distract himself from the "noise." DEEP SPACE NINE: "Statistical... " - REV. 10/23/97 - ACT TWO 20. 16 CONTINUED: BASHIR Miles, would you see if you can find out what's causing that noise? (off O'Brien's look) I know you can't hear it, but it's there. Probably a sympathetic vibration in a power coupling or something. O'Brien tears his eyes off the strange scene around him, takes out his TRICORDER. After a beat... O'BRIEN What do you know... you're right. JACK (to the tune of "There's a Hole in the Bucket") Well why don't you fix it, dear fellow, dear fellow, well why don't you fix it before I go mad. And with that, Jack crosses to his room. O'Brien stares after him for a beat, then moves to a nearby bulkhead. Bashir sees Lauren watching O'Brien with appreciation, decides to head her off before she decides to approach him. BASHIR He's married. LAUREN Too bad. 17 O'BRIEN OPENING a panel. Patrick comes up behind him to watch. O'Brien senses his presence, gives him a smile, and Patrick couldn't be more delighted. PATRICK Sounds like the plasma flow is out of sync, huh? O'Brien looks up from his tricorder with surprise -- that's exactly what the readouts show. O'BRIEN You're right. PATRICK Better re-align it. DEEP SPACE NINE: "Statistical... " - REV. 10/23/97 - ACT TWO 21. 17 CONTINUED: O'BRIEN I was thinking the same thing. 18 BASHIR (OPTICAL) has moved over to the WALL MONITOR to get ready to watch Damar's speech to Cardassia. He works the controls and the UFP symbol gives way to a CARDASSIAN EMBLEM. BASHIR (to O'Brien) It's about to start. O'BRIEN Almost finished. (works) There. We, of course, hear no change -- but Lauren, Patrick and Bashir visibly relax. JACK (O.S.) (from his room) Finally. BASHIR Much better. Thanks, Chief. As O'Brien gets up to join Bashir, the Cardassian Emblem gives way to a shot of DAMAR, standing at a podium in front of a Cardassian Emblem. DAMAR (on monitor) Fellow citizens, these are great days for Cardassia. Patrick immediately comes over to see what's going on -- he peers intently at Damar's image. DAMAR Together with our Dominion allies, we have given our enemies cause to fear us once more. O'BRIEN (dry) Can't argue with that. In the background, Lauren gets up and moves so she can see the screen. For some reason, she too is intrigued by Damar's speech. DEEP SPACE NINE: "Statistical... " - REV. 10/23/97 - ACT TWO 22* 18 CONTINUED: Jack emerges from his room to get a closer look, as if drawn by the sound of Damar's voice. Even Sarina is listening. LAUREN DAMAR Who's he? (in background) The war with the BASHIR Federation accomplished Damar -- the new head of our goals. Cardassia is the Cardassian government. strong again, an empire to be feared. We are JACK safe behind secure "Uneasy lies the head borders, and no one will that wears the crown." ever dare attack us again. Bashir has never seen the group focus on anything before, and it intrigues him. PATRICK DAMAR (with sympathy) From this position of He's sad. strength, we are poised to take another bold step LAUREN that will insure our Ashamed is more like it. future. (dramatic pause) While O'Brien listens to the speech, Bashir looks around at the group. He's not quite sure what to make of their comments. DAMAR Peace. BASHIR (a long beat) (to Lauren) Why do you say that? O'BRIEN DAMAR (to Bashir) It is time to bring an Shhh. end to this war with the Federation. It is time LAUREN for us to rebuild on the He looks like a man who foundation of strength doesn't sleep. we have laid. (beat) JACK The sons of Cardassia "Methought I heard a shed their blood to voice cry, 'Sleep no defend their home. Their more! Damar does murder sacrifice must not be in sleep!'" vain. DEEP SPACE NINE: "Statistical... " - REV. 10/1/97 - ACT TWO 23*. 18 CONTINUED: (2) PATRICK DAMAR (realizing) The peace we seek will He killed someone. honor their memory, and preserve the gains for LAUREN which they gave their (agreeing) lives. Someone close to him. (beat) Bashir and O'Brien exchange a look. They can't understand how Jack and the others are seeing all these things. O'BRIEN DAMAR (to Bashir) Today I challenge the How could they know that? Federation to answer my call for peace. I'm JACK ready at any time to meet (pointing at Damar) with its representatives Pretender! You don't to discuss how we can belong on that throne and bring an end to you know it. hostilities. As your leader, I pledge that I PATRICK will do everything in my Someone's making him say power to protect all this. He doesn't Cardassia and allow us want to. to move forward into a new era. (beat) This I vow with my life's blood. And with that, the transmission ENDS and the screen returns to the Cardassian emblem. Bashir looks at the group trying to understand what's happened. BASHIR Did any of you know who Damar was before today? DEEP SPACE NINE: "Statistical... " - REV. 10/23/97 - ACT TWO 24. 18 CONTINUED: (3) JACK No, but it's obvious who he is. The Pretender who killed the king and seized the throne. LAUREN Not the king, he's still alive. PATRICK The queen maybe? (even better) Or a princess. BASHIR Yes. Gul Dukat's daughter. Her name was Ziyal. JACK And now the Pretender finds himself in league with a... a Dark Knight he can't control. O'BRIEN (to Bashir) Weyoun? Bashir and O'Brien look at each other, wondering how the hell these three could have gleaned all this from Damar's speech. JACK Not a bad story. It's epic really. (to Bashir) What else can you tell us? Off this moment... 19 OMITTED 20 INT. OPS where an excited Bashir is telling Dax and Kira what happened. BASHIR It was amazing. They pieced together the entire story of how Damar came to power. Don't you see?  DEEP SPACE NINE: "Statistical... " - REV. 10/23/97 - ACT TWO 25. 20 CONTINUED: BASHIR (Cont'd) Weyoun is the Dark Knight, Gul Dukat is the deposed King, Damar is the Pretender to the throne, and Ziyal is the innocent Princess he murdered. Now the Pretender is wracked with guilt over what he did. KIRA And they got all that just from watching Damar's speech? BASHIR (nods) They were fascinated by the whole thing, started bombarding me with questions about Cardassia and the war. I've never seen them so engaged. DAX And you want to keep them engaged? BASHIR I'm going to try, but I'm running out of material. KIRA What do you mean? BASHIR They've already gone through everything the computer has on Cardassia and the Dominion. Sisko ENTERS from his office -- something's on his mind and he can't figure out how he feels about it. SISKO Roll out the red carpet. DAX Visitors? DEEP SPACE NINE: "Statistical... " - REV. 10/23/97 - ACT TWO 26. 20 CONTINUED: (2) SISKO (crossing down) Starfleet has agreed to listen to what Damar has to say. He and Weyoun will be arriving in the morning. (grimacing) I'm the lucky one who gets to sit across the table from them. BASHIR This is great. Sisko shoots him a look -- KIRA It's hard to believe the Dominion really wants peace. I wouldn't be surprised if they were just stalling for time in order to regroup. BASHIR Sir, is there any way I can get a transcript of the negotiations? SISKO You can do better than that. (skeptical) The Dominion insisted on recording the proceedings so everyone can see that their desire for peace is sincere. BASHIR Perfect. And with that, Bashir turns and heads for the door. Sisko watches him go, wondering what that was all about. DAX You shouldn't've agreed to that, Benjamin. (off his look) Now you're going to have to be on your best behavior. Off Sisko's face as he considers this... DEEP SPACE NINE: "Statistical... " - REV. 10/23/97 - ACT TWO 27. 21 INT. CARGO BAY/TEAM DORM where Bashir has just told the others the news. JACK So... the Pretender and his Dark Knight are coming to the station. PATRICK (delighted) The story's not over. LAUREN Peace Talks. Could be interesting. Bashir is struck by the noticeable change in them -- they have something to focus on, and despite the colorful way they talk about it, it seems to ground them in reality. BASHIR I'd say so. And the best part is, we're going to have ringside seats... Patrick bounces on his feet excitedly, Jack slaps his hands together with relish, and Lauren smiles with anticipation. Even Sarina seems to be looking forward to it. Bashir couldn't be more pleased... off his face as he enjoys the fact that he's finally found something to engage these people... FADE OUT. END OF ACT TWO DEEP SPACE NINE: "Statistical... " - REV. 10/23/97 - ACT THREE 28. ACT THREE FADE IN: 22 INT. AIRLOCK CORRIDOR where Kira is waiting to greet the Dominion delegation. The airlock OPENS and WEYOUN and Damar ENTER, accompanied by a CARDASSIAN SOLDIER and a JEM'HADAR. WEYOUN (all smiles) Ah, major... KIRA (by rote) Welcome to Deep Space Nine. WEYOUN How nice to see you again. KIRA Can I give you a word of advice, Weyoun? WEYOUN By all means. KIRA You're welcome to play your little "we're all friends here" act with me. But I wouldn't try it on Captain Sisko. He's not in the mood. Weyoun's smile gives way to a hard look -- he doesn't like being called on things. Damar is ready to tangle with Kira. DAMAR We're on a mission of peace, major. Maybe he should get in the mood. And with that, he moves past her and heads down the corridor. Off Kira's polite but skeptical smile as she watches him go... 23 INT. CARGO BAY/TEAM DORM (OPTICAL) Though we might not realize it at first, we're watching a HOLOGRAPHIC REPLAY of the peace negotiations that were held earlier in the wardroom. A partial reconstruction of the room is being projected into the middle of the Cargo Bay: part of the TABLE, images of Weyoun and Damar, and a free-standing MONITOR. DEEP SPACE NINE: "Statistical... " - REV. 10/23/97 - ACT THREE 29. 23 CONTINUED: We hide the fact that Bashir and the others are watching from off-screen. DAMAR (at wall monitor) This is the border as it existed before hostilities broke out. The monitor displays a STARCHART showing the Federation/Cardassian border. An irregular line runs across the chart, separating the star systems that fall on either side. DAMAR (works monitor) This is the border we're now proposing. The border shifts slightly. For the most part, it shifts deeper into Cardassian territory, but in a few places some star systems get gerrymandered to the other side. An improbable figure wanders into the scene -- it's Patrick, and he moves to peer closely at Damar, who doesn't react to his presence. To the audience, it may seem that he has somehow wandered into the real negotiation. WEYOUN This arrangement would award disputed star systems to the side that already has effective control over them. On the balance, we're giving up more than you. DAMAR As you can see JACK (O.S.) Freeze program. 24 NEW ANGLE (OPTICAL) revealing Bashir and the others watching. JACK Computer... It CHIRPS in response -- DEEP SPACE NINE: "Statistical... " - REV. 10/23/97 - ACT THREE 29A. 24 CONTINUED: JACK (answering the chirp) Hi. Listen: go to native language mode and replay time code seven- six-one through seven-six-nine. Bashir and the others react, wondering what Jack is up to. Speaking in "Dominion," Weyoun repeats the words "on the balance, we're giving up more than you," using the same gestures. WEYOUN Eee-ja maa'na hoo'va-baa'li jen'ku'rada sen'to. The scene FREEZES -- JACK (pointing at Weyoun) Got you. (to the others) Did you hear that? He used the passive voice transitive. BASHIR Since when do you speak "Dominion- ese"? JACK Since this morning. (excited) That phrasing is only used when making a request, not a statement. (sure of it) They're up to something. Patrick looks from Damar's still features to the star chart, giggles BASHIR What is it, Patrick? Patrick doesn't answer, but instead moves over to study Weyoun's still form. He follows his gaze to the wall monitor, as if checking something -- giggles again. BASHIR Do you see something? Patrick shakes his head, suddenly shy. BASHIR (reassuring) You can tell us. DEEP SPACE NINE: "Statistical... " - REV. 10/23/97 - ACT THREE 30. 24 CONTINUED: (2) A beat, then Patrick comes out with it. PATRICK They want the Kabrel System. BASHIR How do you know that? PATRICK They kept avoiding it with their eyes. BASHIR You're sure, Patrick? PATRICK (certain) They kept avoiding it. JACK Told you they were up to something. Bashir considers, intrigued by what Patrick and Jack are saying. BASHIR End program. Damar, Weyoun, the table, chairs and monitor all DISAPPEAR. BASHIR All right... they want the Kabrel System -- why? LAUREN I don't know, but they're willing to give up a lot to get it. The mizinite deposits on Holna Four alone could keep their shipyards running for years. Jack leaps on this -- JACK Yes, yes. That's a typical Dominion strategy -- they offer to give up something valuable to hide the fact that they want something even more valuable in the long term. DEEP SPACE NINE: "Statistical... " - REV. 10/23/97 - ACT THREE 31. 24 CONTINUED: (3) JACK (Cont'd) That's how they think. The big picture. They don't worry about what's going to happen tomorrow -- pff -- they're thinking about what's going to happen a year from now, a decade, a century. BASHIR There must be something special about the Kabrel System. LAUREN (shrugs) There's nothing on the first planet but some simple protozoids and tri-nucleic fungi. The second planet has some cormaline deposits, but that's common enough. JACK Okay, okay. Maybe there's another reason -- does it have any strategic value? As the conversation continues in the background, Bashir notices Sarina writing something on her PADD with a STYLUS. Curious, he watches as she finishes writing and slides the PADD away from her. Without calling attention to herself or looking at anyone else, she goes back to staring at the wall. Bashir crosses to her side to look at the PADD. BASHIR LAUREN Sarina, does this have (answering Jack anything to do with in background) what we're talking Not that I can see. about? They wouldn't want to set up a base there -- Without looking at him, she nods it's a binary system, ever so slightly. there's a lot of ionic interference. BASHIR Can I have it? JACK All right, forget that. Again, she nods almost (more to himself) imperceptibly. Think, think. (an idea) BASHIR Any evidence that Kabrel Thank you. used to support an advanced civilization? Maybe they're looking to excavate something valuable -- like an ancient technology. LAUREN There's no evidence of anything like that. DEEP SPACE NINE: "Statistica... " - REV. 10/23/97 - ACT THREE 32. 24 CONTINUED: (4) Bashir takes the PADD over to the others -- BASHIR (showing the PADD) Any idea what this might mean? They look down at the PADD -- 25 OMITTED 26 INSERT - THE PADD which shows a series of chemical equations. SISKO (V.O.) Chemistry was never my strong suit. 27 INT. CAPTAIN'S OFFICE where we see Sisko sitting at his desk, holding the PADD. Bashir has come to fill him in on what they've learned. SISKO What is it? BASHIR It shows how you can break down tri-nucleic fungus to make yridium bicantizine -- one of the active ingredients in Ketracel White. That's why the Dominion wants the Kabrel System -- so they can manufacture the drug here in the Alpha Quadrant. Sisko reacts -- it's clear he's impressed by this analysis. BASHIR According to our calculations, they'd be able to make enough White to supply the Jem'Hadar indefinitely. DEEP SPACE NINE: "Statistical... " - REV. 10/23/97 - ACT THREE 33. 27 CONTINUED: SISKO (grim) I was going to recommend that the Federation accept the proposed border. It could've cost us the Alpha Quadrant. BASHIR Actually, sir -- we should let them have Kabrel. Sisko couldn't be more surprised -- SISKO And why's that? BASHIR If we don't, the Dominion will have no choice but to launch a full-scale attack before its stockpile of White runs out. (handing him another PADD) Here are the casualty projections. As you can see, an attack would be devastating for both sides. SISKO You're suggesting we stall? BASHIR It'll buy us time to rebuild our defenses. And it'll give us a chance to bring the Romulans into the alliance. SISKO The Romulans? Bashir hands over yet another PADD. BASHIR According to our analysis, they'll vote to abandon their non-aggression pact with the Dominion at next year's plenary session. Sisko shuffles the PADDS, trying to keep up. DEEP SPACE NINE: "Statistical... " - REV. 10/23/97 - ACT THREE 34. 27 CONTINUED: (2) BASHIR By then, internal pressures within the Cardassian-Dominion alliance will have erupted. (handing over still another PADD) Within three years, we're projecting that -- Sisko's so overwhelmed by the outpouring of information that he finally puts the PADDS down in exasperation. SISKO Hang on a minute. How did you come up with all this? Two days ago you said these people were impossible to deal with, now they're turning out projections that would take Starfleet Intelligence months to come up with. Bashir smiles, shrugs -- BASHIR We're mutants. Sisko frowns -- this isn't an answer and Bashir knows it. BASHIR I know we're not exactly qualified for this kind of work -- it might even be beyond the "limits" of what people like us should be allowed to do -- A moment as Sisko and Bashir regard each other. The Captain knows exactly what he's referring to. BASHIR (continuing) But if you let me walk you through the analyses, I think you'll be impressed. Sisko decides not to call Bashir on his comment, and it's a tacit admission that maybe he was wrong. SISKO All right, doctor. Go ahead. DEEP SPACE NINE: "Statistical... " - REV. 10/23/97 - ACT THREE 34A. 27 CONTINUED: (3) BASHIR Thank you, sir. (showing him a PADD) The way the statistical model we're using works, the farther into the future we go, the more accurate the projection. SISKO Un-huh... DEEP SPACE NINE: "Statistical... " - REV. 10/23/97 - ACT THREE 35. 27 CONTINUED: (4) BASHIR It has to do with non-linear dynamics. Small-scale fluctuations tend to factor out over time. The net result is that -- SISKO (stopping him) Doctor, why don't you go back to the beginning and take me through it step by step, nice and easy. Bashir smiles, pleased that the group's work has Sisko's attention -- BASHIR Gladly, sir. And off this moment... 27A INT. CARGO BAY/TEAM DORM as a BOTTLE of champagne POPS open -- 27B REVEAL Bashir pouring GLASSES for the others -- BASHIR The captain said he was going to take our analyses to Starfleet Command right away. Jack grins, strokes his beard happily; Lauren stretches luxuriously. JACK Imagine that, Starfleet Command. LAUREN (relishing the thought) All those admirals. Patrick comes away from the replicator wearing a party HAT and carrying HATS for everyone else PATRICK It's a party! As Patrick starts handing out the hats -- DEEP SPACE NINE: "Statistical... " - REV. 10/23/97 - ACT THREE 35A. 27B CONTINUED: BASHIR (smiling) It is now -- Patrick moves away to put a hat on Sarina's head, and she lets him tuck the elastic band under her chin -- LAUREN We need music. BASHIR Computer, music -- something grand. LAUREN A waltz. The computer begins playing a WALTZ. Patrick bows to an imaginary partner, raises his hands, and begins to waltz around the room. Lauren watches for a moment, smiling, then looks to Bashir. LAUREN Care to dance? Bashir hesitates for a moment, then offers her his hand. She slides her legs off the couch and stands. Bashir takes her in his arms and they begin to waltz around the room in counterpoint with Patrick, both "couples" moving around Jack, who stands in the center of the room grinning and stroking his beard. After two passes, Lauren catches Jack's eye and nods her head toward Sarina, indicating he should ask her to dance. Jack hesitates, then turns to her -- as soon as he does Sarina looks away. Jack shrugs, half relieved to not have to dance anyway. 27C BASHIR AND LAUREN LAUREN (shrugging it off) Coward... BASHIR He tried. LAUREN I meant her. Bashir reacts, wondering if Lauren senses Sarina's interest in Jack as well. They continue to waltz around the room. DEEP SPACE NINE: "Statistical... " - REV. 10/23/97 - ACT THREE 35B. 27C CONTINUED: After another pass or two, Jack cuts in. Bashir moves off to the side to watch, all smiles. After a few moments, a CHIME at the door -- BASHIR Come in. The door OPENS to admit O'Brien, who's carrying a TOOLBOX and a short piece of COUPLING. He stops short at the sight of Patrick dancing around the room by himself. BASHIR Chief, what a nice surprise. O'Brien isn't sure what to make of all this... O'BRIEN I need to replace that coupling. Bashir senses what his friend is thinking, lets him know he's part of the group -- BASHIR Don't mind us. O'Brien nods, then makes his way past the dancers to where he was working before. He sets to work, every now and then stealing glances at the scene around him. Patrick moves to watch O'Brien. He comes up behind him, just like he did before. O'Brien senses his presence, turns to him. O'BRIEN Hi. Patrick takes his hat off, offers it to O'Brien. O'Brien declines politely. O'BRIEN No, thanks. PATRICK It's a party. Patrick reaches to put it on his head, but O'Brien stops him. O'BRIEN (gently) I better get to work. DEEP SPACE NINE: "Statistical... " - REV. 10/23/97 - ACT THREE 35C. 27C CONTINUED: (2) Despite O'Brien's reasonable tone, Patrick takes it hard -- his features crumple, and he starts to cry. O'Brien doesn't know what to make of it -- O'BRIEN I didn't mean to... it's just that... As Patrick's sobs intensify, O'Brien looks over to Bashir -- 27D RESUME SCENE The MUSIC reaches its climax, and as it ends, Lauren twirls back onto the couch. Jack bows, thanking her for the dance. The music's absence allows Bashir to hear Patrick's muffled sobs. He looks over at O'Brien, who gives him a helpless shrug. BASHIR (crossing over) What did you do? O'BRIEN Nothing. BASHIR (comforting him) Patrick, what is it? PATRICK He doesn't like me. Bashir frowns at O'Brien -- O'BRIEN Sure I do. Not knowing what else to do, O'Brien takes the hat and puts it on his head. O'BRIEN See? But he doesn't get the reaction he was hoping for -- LAUREN He doesn't like any of us. O'BRIEN (what am I supposed to do?) Julian -- DEEP SPACE NINE: "Statistical... " - REV. 10/23/97 - ACT THREE 35D 27D CONTINUED: JACK He's jealous you're spending so much time with us. LAUREN (isn't it obvious) His wife's away, he misses his friend. O'BRIEN I do not. LAUREN Go play with him, Julian, we'll be fine. BASHIR (enjoying this) Do you want me to play with you, Miles? O'Brien frowns, feeling ridiculous -- O'BRIEN No. LAUREN Yes, you do -- BASHIR Come on. Let's go to Quark's. Patrick starts putting O'Brien's tools away -- O'BRIEN I need those -- PATRICK No, you don't. There's nothing wrong with the power coupling. We can see from O'Brien's face that Patrick's right -- the coupling could've waited a few weeks until the cargo bay was empty. O'BRIEN (covering) Well... it's going to have to be replaced sooner or later... O'Brien grabs his toolbox, stands with as much dignity as he can muster. BASHIR Ready? DEEP SPACE NINE: "Statistical... " - REV. 10/23/97 - ACT THREE 35E. 27D CONTINUED: (2) O'BRIEN Ready. And as they head for the door... 27E OMITTED 27F INT. QUARK'S - CLOSE ON THE DART BOARD as a DART hits it. 27G NEW ANGLE to REVEAL Bashir and O'Brien playing DARTS. The doctor, as always, is expected to stand farther back from the board. SUPERNUMERARIES as needed. O'BRIEN Sorry about that. The last thing I meant to do was upset anyone. BASHIR (taking aim) It's all right. The only reason Patrick got emotional is because he likes you so much. O'BRIEN (surprised) He does? BASHIR They all do. O'BRIEN Because I got rid of that noise? BASHIR It's more than that. They find you very comfortable to be around. I think the word Jack used was "uncomplicated." O'BRIEN (not sure about this) Uncomplicated. DEEP SPACE NINE: "Statistical... " - REV. 10/23/97 - ACT THREE 35F. 27G CONTINUED: BASHIR (enjoying this) They're very insightful. (beat) They have a way of seeing things that other people don't. O'Brien smiles, still a bit embarrassed over what happened in the team dorm. O'BRIEN (tossing a dart) And saying things other people don't. Bashir smiles knowingly -- BASHIR They are a bit candid, aren't they? O'BRIEN I'll say. BASHIR The funny thing is, I'm actually starting to enjoy their company. As O'Brien steps away from the line, Bashir steps up to throw, forgetting for a moment that he's supposed to stand father back. O'BRIEN Un-uh. Back here. Bashir smiles, takes a few steps back. BASHIR (taking aim) You know what I've been thinking? Starfleet Command would do all right by taking them on as an advisory team. Bashir gives him a "what do you think?" look, and O'Brien isn't so sure... O'BRIEN I don't know. It's a little hard to picture them in a room with a bunch of admirals. (can't resist) -- unless they're going to teach them how to dance. DEEP SPACE NINE: "Statistical... " - REV. 10/23/97 - ACT THREE 35G 27G CONTINUED: (2) Bashir knows exactly what he's getting at -- BASHIR We were celebrating. O'BRIEN (smiling) Whatever. BASHIR They're really quite brilliant. When we actually got down to working, it was incredible. We were all on the same wavelength, talking in shorthand, finishing each other's sentences -- I've never had that with anyone else. O'Brien takes this in -- O'BRIEN After being around them, I can see how the rest of us might seem kind of... uncomplicated. Though O'Brien tosses this off as a joke, Bashir can see that he means it on some level -- some part of him is wondering what these new people in Bashir's life will mean to their friendship. Bashir lets him know how he feels with the same type of humor. BASHIR I wouldn't say that, exactly. More like... slow. O'BRIEN (smiles) Must be frustrating for you. BASHIR I don't mind. It makes me feel superior. O'BRIEN Glad to be of service. BASHIR I appreciate it. (with mock gravity) But even so, it's not always easy to walk amongst the common people. DEEP SPACE NINE: "Statistical... " - REV. 10/23/97 - ACT THREE 35H. 27G CONTINUED: (3) O'BRIEN (taking aim) It's probably best to keep your expectations low. O'Brien throws a bull, winning the game -- O'BRIEN That way we can surprise you now and then. (smiles) Another game? BASHIR (eyeing the board) Sure. But do I have to stand so far back? O'BRIEN I make one lucky throw and you're ready to come down to my level? BASHIR I like to win as much as the next man. O'BRIEN (indicating the line) Get back there. Off Bashir's smile as he steps back... 28 INT. CARGO BAY/TEAM DORM as Bashir ENTERS the following morning. (NOTE: This scene has been shot; the top of Bashir's first line will be changed in POST) BASHIR I've got good news. Starfleet Command was so impressed with our analyses, they've agreed to let us have access to classified information on Starfleet's battle readiness. Bashir doesn't get the reaction he was expecting. They're all looking at him with grave looks, and we see a seriousness of purpose in them that we've never seen before. BASHIR Is something wrong? DEEP SPACE NINE: "Statistical... " - REV. 10/23/97 - ACT THREE 35I. 28 CONTINUED: JACK We did a long-term projection. You'd better take a look. Jack gestures to some PADDS on a nearby table. LAUREN You're not going to like it... Off Bashir's face... 28A EXT. SPACE - DEEP SPACE NINE (OPTICAL) Re-establishing. DEEP SPACE NINE: "Statistical... " - REV. 10/23/97 - ACT THREE 36. 29 OMITTED 30 INT. CARGO BAY/TEAM DORM - LATER Bashir is sitting at the table, poring over the material they've compiled. The others wait patiently for him to finish. Even Patrick is somber and still. Bashir looks stunned by what he's reading, reaches for a PADD to check it again, as if hoping that what he's thinking isn't true. Finally, his features grim, he puts the PADD down, looks up. The others gather around to find out his reaction. JACK Well? BASHIR Everything checks out. LAUREN I was hoping you were going to find a flaw. BASHIR No. JACK Then you agree with our conclusion? BASHIR It's inescapable. (wishing it weren't true) There's no way the Federation is going to be able beat the Dominion. We have no choice... we have to surrender. And off the terrible truth in Bashir's features, we... FADE OUT. END OF ACT THREE DEEP SPACE NINE: "Statistical... " - REV. 10/23/97 - ACT FOUR 37. ACT FOUR FADE IN: 31 INT. CAPTAIN'S OFFICE as Sisko slaps a PADD onto his desk and looks up at Bashir. SISKO Surrender to the Dominion -- not on my watch. BASHIR I understand how you feel, sir. I don't like it any more than you do. But it's the best option. We ran dozens of different scenarios. Even if something unlikely were to happen that tilted the scales in our favor -- say an anti-Dominion coup on Cardassia -- we'd still lose this war. SISKO (incredulous) That doesn't mean we should just give up and roll over. BASHIR If we fight, we'll take over nine hundred billion casualties. If we surrender, no one dies. Either way we're in for five generations of Dominion rule. (the good news) Eventually a rebellion will form, centered on Earth. It'll start to spread, and within another generation, it'll succeed in overthrowing the Dominion. The Alpha Quadrant will unite in a new, stronger Federation that'll last thousands of years. (beat) Since we can't win, why not surrender and save as many lives as we can? Sisko takes a moment to try and assimilate his argument, and Bashir can see that he's not buying it. BASHIR Sir, I realize this isn't easy to accept. DEEP SPACE NINE: "Statistical... " - REV. 10/23/97 - ACT FOUR 38. 31 CONTINUED: SISKO I don't accept it. Your entire argument is based on a series of statistical probabilities and assumptions. BASHIR They're more than just assumptions. If you want me to take you through the equations, I will. SISKO (emotion rising) Even if I knew what was going to happen with one hundred percent certainty, I still wouldn't ask an entire generation of people to give up their freedom. BASHIR Not even to save nine hundred billion lives? SISKO Surrender is not an option. I'm happy to hear your group's advice on how to win this war... I don't need advice on how to lose it. BASHIR But there's no way we can win, sir. SISKO (right back at him) I don't care if the odds are against us. If we lose, we're going to go down fighting -- that way, when our descendents rise up against the Dominion someday, they'll know what they're made of. BASHIR With all due respect, sir, you're letting your pride get in the way. Sisko has had enough -- SISKO All right, doctor. You've made your recommendation. I'll pass it on to Starfleet Command. DEEP SPACE NINE: "Statistical... " - REV. 10/23/97 - ACT FOUR 39. 31 CONTINUED: (2) BASHIR Sir, if you don't add your voice to this, they'll reject it out of hand. SISKO I'm counting on it. Bashir can see that he's lost, but he can't resist saying one last thing. BASHIR So we go down fighting... (sardonic) How terribly courageous of us. And with that, he turns and EXITS. Off Sisko as he watches him go... 32 INT. PROMENADE - SECOND LEVEL where we find a grim Bashir standing at the rail, looking down at the crowd below. SUPERNUMERARIES as needed. He watches as people go about their daily lives, and we can see that he's thinking that many of them are going to die needlessly. A long moment, then he heads toward Quark's... 32A INT. QUARK'S where Bashir and O'Brien are at the bar having a drink. SUPERNUMERARIES as needed. Bashir has shown O'Brien the team's analysis and is waiting for a response. BASHIR Well? O'BRIEN (off PADD) Pretty grim. BASHIR It's not grim, it's hopeless. (quiet, so no one can hear) We can't beat them, Miles. O'BRIEN (having to admit it) Doesn't look like it, does it? DEEP SPACE NINE: "Statistical... " - REV. 10/23/97 - ACT FOUR 39A. 32A CONTINUED: BASHIR We have to avoid a long and drawn out war. O'BRIEN You mean surrender? BASHIR I know it's an ugly word, but facts are facts. O'BRIEN (not sure about this) I don't know, Julian. BASHIR Don't tell me you agree with the captain. O'BRIEN I suppose I do. Bashir can't believe it, he takes the PADD, wanting to show him the truth -- BASHIR Is there some part of the analysis you didn't understand, because I'd be happy to explain it. O'BRIEN I understood it perfectly. (pointed) Believe it or not. Bashir can see that he inadvertently insulted O'Brien -- BASHIR That's not what I meant. All I'm saying is that you have to look at the bigger picture. O'BRIEN I'm trying. Maybe I'm just too "uncomplicated" to see it. BASHIR I didn't say that. O'BRIEN You don't have to. You're acting like no one with half a brain could possibly disagree with you. DEEP SPACE NINE: "Statistical... " - REV. 10/23/97 - ACT FOUR 39B. 32A CONTINUED: (2) BASHIR Frankly I don't understand how you can. O'Brien fixes him with a look -- O'BRIEN The way I see it there are two possible explanations. Either I'm more feebleminded than you ever realized, or you're not as smart as you think you are. And with that, O'Brien EXITS. Off a frustrated Bashir as he knocks back his drink... 33 INT. QUARK'S - CLOSE - THE DABO WHEEL as it spins to a stop. VOICES Dabo! 34 NEW ANGLE to include Bashir. He's won, but he takes no joy in the congratulations he gets from the DABO GIRL and the assorted PLAYERS around him. He's all business, focused grimly on the table, as if somehow it holds some secret meaning for him. QUARK appears at his side -- the house has just lost some money, but like the good businessman he is, Quark tries to put on a game face. QUARK Looks like your lucky day. DEEP SPACE NINE: "Statistical... " - REV. 10/23/97 - ACT FOUR 40. 34 CONTINUED: BASHIR Please. You and I both know these so-called games of chance are no such thing -- the odds are in the house's favor. QUARK Shh. Don't say that. (looking at the other players) People are trying to have fun. Bashir places his bets... BASHIR (to Quark) Sooner or later, no matter how perfectly I play, no matter how well I hedge my bets, I'm going to lose. QUARK (sotto) Why are you trying to spoil everyone's good time? Look around, these people are enjoying themselves. Half of them know the odds are against them, but they don't care. They're here because they believe they can win. Is that so bad? BASHIR They're fools. QUARK (reaching to remove Bashir's bet) Why don't you just take your winnings and call it a day? BASHIR (stopping him) Because I'm trying to prove a point. There's no way to win. QUARK Stop saying that. DEEP SPACE NINE: "Statistical... " - REV. 10/23/97 - ACT FOUR 41. 34 CONTINUED: (2) The Dabo Wheel slows to a stop, and the chorus of "oh's" tells us Bashir just lost it all. He slams his hand against the table, suddenly angry to be proved right. BASHIR There. You see? We're all as good as dead. QUARK Take it easy, Doctor, it's just a game. BASHIR You're right. It's not as if billions of lives are at stake. And with that, Bashir EXITS, leaving a puzzled Quark... 35 EXT. SPACE - DEEP SPACE NINE (OPTICAL) Re-establishing. 36 INT. CARGO BAY/TEAM DORM Bashir has gathered the others around to break the news. BASHIR I just got word. Starfleet has rejected our recommendation. A beat as they take this in -- Jack takes it harder than the others, starts to get frustrated and angry. JACK I knew it. Lauren is more sanguine -- though she continues to believe surrender was the best course of action, she never relished the thought. LAUREN It's kind of a relief, in a way. I mean, who wants to wave a white flag? JACK They're the cowards! They don't have the courage to see the truth. DEEP SPACE NINE: "Statistical... " - REV. 10/23/97 - ACT FOUR 42. 36 CONTINUED: BASHIR You may be right. But there's nothing we can do. JACK No. We can't just take this lying down. There's too much at stake. (determined) We've got to take matters into our own hands. PATRICK How, Jack? What can we do? BASHIR We can't force Starfleet to surrender. JACK (coming to a realization) If we can't head off the war, there might be a way to make it a lot less bloody. LAUREN How? JACK (grabbing some PADDS) Look at this -- Starfleet battle plans, fleet deployments -- do you know what the Dominion could do with this information? LAUREN (catching on) They could take the Alpha Quadrant in a matter of weeks. JACK With a lot fewer Federation casualties than in a drawn out war. LAUREN There wouldn't be more than -- (a quick calculation) -- two billion fatalities. JACK That's a lot better than nine hundred billion. DEEP SPACE NINE: "Statistical... " - REV. 10/23/97 - ACT FOUR 43. 36 CONTINUED: (2) BASHIR Wait a minute. It was one thing for us to try and avert a war, it's another to take it upon ourselves to trigger an invasion that's going to get a lot of people killed. It's not our place to decide who lives and who dies. We're not gods. JACK Maybe not, but we're the next best thing. Bashir reacts -- BASHIR Do you hear yourself? That's exactly the kind of thinking that makes people afraid of us. JACK I don't care! I'm willing to make this decision. BASHIR It's not ours to make. We presented our position to Starfleet Command and they rejected it. Case closed. JACK It's not closed! We're going through with this. BASHIR I won't be party to treason. JACK Call it what you want. I'm willing to do it if it means saving billions of lives. Jack looks to Lauren, who nods that she's in. Patrick, his eyes wide with the magnitude of it, nods as well. DEEP SPACE NINE: "Statistical... " - REV. 10/23/97 - ACT FOUR 43A. 36 CONTINUED: (3) JACK (to Bashir) So... are you with us or not? BASHIR No. Haven't you been listening? Jack takes this in -- a moment, then he backs down. DEEP SPACE NINE: "Statistical... " - REV. 10/23/97 - ACT FOUR 44. 36 CONTINUED: (4) JACK Fine. In a sudden motion, he wheels around and DECKS Bashir, sending him unconscious to the floor. The others are shocked by his sudden act, stand there stunned. Jack looks down at Bashir's still form -- LAUREN How do we contact the Dominion? And off this moment, we... FADE OUT. END OF ACT FOUR DEEP SPACE NINE: "Statistical... " - REV. 10/23/97 - ACT FIVE 45. ACT FIVE FADE IN: 37 INT. SMALLER GUEST QUARTERS The one-window configuration. We cut in to find a disgruntled Damar sitting at a table, studying a PADD. Weyoun ENTERS from the back room and approaches him. DAMAR I've been looking over Sisko's latest counterproposal. We don't seem to be getting anywhere with him. WEYOUN Not very encouraging, is it? DAMAR (gruff) I don't know why you had me call for peace talks in the first place. WEYOUN My, my -- how quickly you've taken to your new role. And to think, only a short time ago you were nothing more than Gul Dukat's adjutant. Damar hears the displeasure in his tone, tries to backpedal. DAMAR I appreciate the faith you've shown in me. WEYOUN Then show a little faith in me. Don't be like your predecessor, second-guessing my every move. It should be clear to you by now that no one is irreplaceable. His point made, Weyoun moves on -- WEYOUN Now... I just received a very interesting message from an unidentified party claiming to have some information that could be very beneficial to us. DEEP SPACE NINE: "Statistical... " - REV. 10/23/97 - ACT FIVE 45A. 37 CONTINUED: DAMAR What sort of information? WEYOUN I don't know... but we're going to find out... And off Damar's reaction... 38 INT. CARGO BAY/TEAM DORM where we find an unconscious Bashir TIED to a chair. After a beat, he rouses himself, looks around. It takes him a moment to get his bearings and realize what's happened. He looks down, sees that his combadge is missing -- tries to activate the computer. DEEP SPACE NINE: "Statistical... " - REV. 10/23/97 - ACT FIVE 46. 38 CONTINUED: BASHIR Computer. (no response) Computer, respond. Still nothing. After a beat, Bashir notices something out of the corner of his eye. It's Sarina, in the corner, silent and still as always. BASHIR Sarina, where is everyone? No answer. Bashir looks around, sees that the PADDS they've been working with are missing. BASHIR Did they arrange a meeting with the Dominion? Bashir studies her reaction, but she gives nothing away. BASHIR Listen to me. We have to stop them before it's too late. She says nothing -- BASHIR Untie me. Please. (no response) Sarina. She says nothing. Frustrated, Bashir struggles to free himself. After a few beats, he's surprised to hear a small, tremulous voice -- SARINA I'm sorry. Bashir reacts to the first words he's ever heard her speak, realizing that she must be conflicted if she's driven to utter them. DEEP SPACE NINE: "Statistical... " - REV. 10/23/97 - ACT FIVE 47. 38 CONTINUED: (2) She has to pull herself up from the deep well she's lived in for so many years -- she doesn't know how to say what she feels, she doesn't even know what she feels. SARINA I can't untie you. BASHIR (gently) Yes, you can. If you think it's the right thing to do. SARINA (at a loss) I don't know... BASHIR I think you do. I think that's why you spoke to me just now. You could've stayed quiet, but you didn't. And the only reason I can think of is that you don't want to have the deaths of so many people on your hands. SARINA Jack would be mad. Bashir realizes something about her that he's been sensing all along -- seeing an opening, he eases his way toward it. BASHIR (gently) Yes, he would. And I know you don't want that to happen. Bashir sees something flicker across her features, and he knows what he's thinking is true -- BASHIR I've seen the way you look at him when you think no one is watching. I know how much you care about him. Sarina looks down, trying to shut out his words. Emotion is so alien to her that it's painful for her to feel so exposed. DEEP SPACE NINE: "Statistical... " - REV. 10/23/97 - ACT FIVE 48. 38 CONTINUED: (3) BASHIR Sarina, if you don't let me stop them, they're going to be arrested and charged with treason. Do you know what that means? You'll never see any of them again. (beat) You'll never see Jack again. She looks up, stricken by this thought. Bashir holds her gaze, says nothing more. He knows he has to let her sit with this for a moment and decide what she wants to do. Off Sarina's face as we wonder what she'll do... 39 INT. SMALL STORAGE BAY where Damar and Weyoun are waiting in an aisle between the CRATES and CONTAINERS. DAMAR Where are they? WEYOUN They'll be here. Damar stews for a moment -- DAMAR This is ridiculous. Sneaking into a storage bay for a secret meeting -- I'm not some agent in the Obsidian Order, I'm the leader of the Cardassian Empire. WEYOUN Don't let it go to your head. You serve at the Dominion's pleasure. Damar bristles, but doesn't argue with this -- WEYOUN (smiles) Besides, I think it's exciting. Damar rolls his eyes behind Weyoun's back. A moment, then the SOUND of a door OPENING off-screen. WEYOUN They're here. DEEP SPACE NINE: "Statistical... " - REV. 10/23/97 - ACT FIVE 49. 39 CONTINUED: Weyoun and Damar step out from the aisle -- 40 NEW ANGLE to reveal Odo standing there. WEYOUN Odo. ODO (dry) Yes, I know -- I "honor you" with my presence. WEYOUN We seem to have gotten ourselves lost. ODO Mm-hm. (beat) They're not coming. Damar sees only one way to play this -- DAMAR Who's not coming? ODO I had a feeling you were going to say that. (beat) Shall I escort you to your quarters? Weyoun smiles, nods that that would be most kind. Off the moment between them... 41 INT. CARGO BAY/TEAM DORM where Bashir is dealing with an angry Jack. Sarina keeps her distance, but Lauren and Patrick are ready to confront Bashir for what he's done. BASHIR Captain Sisko has decided not to press charges. You're not going to prison. PATRICK (scared) What are they going to do to us? BASHIR Nothing bad. You'll be sent back to the Institute. Together. DEEP SPACE NINE: "Statistical... " - REV. 10/23/97 - ACT FIVE 50. 41 CONTINUED: JACK It doesn't matter what happens to us. Don't you realize what you've done? BASHIR I kept you from committing treason. LAUREN Are we supposed to thank you? Nine hundred billion people are going to die. BASHIR We don't know that. JACK (incredulous) Didn't you sit here and go through the projections with us? Didn't you? PATRICK He was here, Jack. I remember. BASHIR Maybe our projections were wrong. JACK How can you say that? We factored in every variable, every contingency -- the equations don't lie! (pointing at Sarina) You. You ruined everything. The anger in his voice causes her to look down, retreat into herself -- BASHIR (hard) What do you make of that, Jack? Why didn't you anticipate it -- why didn't you factor her into your equations? Jack is momentarily taken off guard, and Bashir presses his point -- DEEP SPACE NINE: "Statistical... " - REV. 10/23/97 - ACT FIVE 51. 41 CONTINUED: (2) BASHIR You thought you knew everything, but you didn't even know what was going to happen in this room. Jack doesn't know what to say -- BASHIR One person derailed your plans. One person changed the course of history. (beat) I don't know about you, but that gives me hope. It makes me think that maybe, just maybe, things don't have to turn out the way we thought. And with that, Bashir turns and EXITS. Off Jack and the others as they take this in... 42 EXT. SPACE - DEEP SPACE NINE (OPTICAL) Re-establishing. 42A INT. QUARK'S where we find Bashir alone at the bar, lost in thought. SUPERNUMERARIES as needed. O'Brien ENTERS and approaches him. He can see his friend is somber, and he thinks he knows why. O'BRIEN I heard what happened. Bashir nods, trying to make sense of it all. O'BRIEN It was a pretty close call. BASHIR Luckily Odo managed to intercept them in time. O'BRIEN That's not what I meant. Bashir looks at him, unsure what he means -- DEEP SPACE NINE: "Statistical... " - REV. 10/23/97 - ACT FIVE 51A. 42A CONTINUED: O'BRIEN I'm talking about when you had to decide whether or not to meet with the Dominion. I'm sure it wasn't easy -- I know you wanted to try to save as many lives as possible. (smiles) It's probably what makes you such a good doctor. BASHIR Fortunately this doctor's also a Starfleet Officer. Bashir mulls it over for a moment -- BASHIR We thought we were so smart. We actually believed we could predict the future. (beat) It's my fault, not theirs. I should never have let things go so far. I guess I was just too bent on proving to the world that they have something to contribute. O'Brien considers for a beat... O'BRIEN They did contribute, Julian. (off Bashir's look) Seems to me we were starting to get a little too complacent about the Dominion. We may have driven them back into Cardassian space, but that doesn't mean we've beaten them. Bashir looks at his friend, grateful for his perspective... BASHIR I only hope we can... O'BRIEN The odds may not be good, but all we can do is take our best shot. And with that, O'Brien moves away. A beat as Bashir considers his words, then he turns and heads for the Dabo table... DEEP SPACE NINE: "Statistical... " - REV. 10/23/97 - ACT FIVE 51B. 43 INTERIOR QUARK'S -- LATER as Quark crosses toward Bashir, who's standing at the Dabo table with some other PLAYERS. QUARK You're not going to cause any more trouble, are you? BASHIR Not this time. DEEP SPACE NINE: "Statistical... " - REV. 10/23/97 - ACT FIVE 52. 43 CONTINUED: BASHIR (Cont'd) (to dabo girl) I'll double down. Quark reacts -- this doesn't strike him as a smart way to play. QUARK Risky... BASHIR Maybe there's a better bet, but when the odds are stacked against you, sometimes you just have to take a chance. QUARK (confident of the house's odds) I admire your courage... The wheel spins to a stop -- VOICES Dabo! Bashir's congratulated from all sides... he smiles, shakes his head as if to say "go figure." QUARK (depressed) Well, what do you know... we have a winner... And with that, he crosses away. O'Brien's com voice cuts in -- O'BRIEN'S COM VOICE O'Brien to Bashir. BASHIR Go ahead. O'BRIEN'S COM VOICE You wanted to know when a certain transport was leaving. Bashir takes this in, and the thought of parting on such bad terms with the team brings him down. BASHIR Thanks. DEEP SPACE NINE: "Statistical... " - REV. 10/23/97 - ACT FIVE 53. 43A CONTINUED: (2) O'BRIEN'S COM VOICE There's one problem, though. We've got some passengers that are refusing to board unless you come see them. Off Bashir's reaction... 44 INT. CARGO BAY/TEAM DORM (OPTICAL) where Bashir is saying good-bye to Lauren, Patrick and Sarina. Jack is in his room, refusing to come out and see Bashir. BASHIR I didn't think you'd want to see me again. LAUREN Believe me, I wouldn't mind if our projections turned out to be wrong. Lauren inclines her head in the direction of Jack's room, where we see him peeking out -- as soon as he sees them look his way, he pops back out of view. LAUREN Jack's still furious, but I didn't want to leave without saying good-bye. She leans in, gives him a big kiss smack on the mouth. Bashir is so taken off guard, he just accepts it as best he can. She pulls away, smiles... PATRICK Will you come visit us? BASHIR I'd like that. Bashir moves to Sarina, who's sitting nearby, leans in close... BASHIR (sotto) You did the right thing. Someday he'll realize that. She looks at him, almost smiles, hoping it's true. Bashir turns back to the others. BASHIR Ready to go? DEEP SPACE NINE: "Statistical... " - REV. 10/23/97 - ACT FIVE 54. 44 CONTINUED: Lauren nods -- but before Bashir can tap his combadge, Jack comes storming out of his room. JACK Not so fast. There's something I need to know, doctor. For a moment, we think he's going to lay into Bashir -- JACK If we can come up with a way to beat the Dominion, will you listen? Bashir breaks into a grin -- BASHIR I can't think of anything I'd like better. JACK Good. (rounding up the others) Let's go, let's go. We've got work to do. Bashir smiles, taps his combadge. BASHIR Bashir to O'Brien. (beat) Four to beam out. As they DEMATERIALIZE, Lauren shoots Bashir a wink. Once they're gone, Bashir takes a beat and looks around the room. Off his pensive features as he considers everything that happened here... FADE OUT. END OF ACT FIVE THE END