STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE "Prodigal Daughter" (fka "Untitled Ezri/O'Brien") #40510-561 Written by Bradley Thompson & David Weddle Directed by Victor Lobl 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 1998 Paramount Pictures Corporation. All Rights Reserved. This script is not for publication or reproduction. No one is authorized to dispose of same. If lost or destroyed, please notify the Script Department. Return to Script Department FINAL DRAFT PARAMOUNT PICTURES CORPORATION October 19, 1998 STAR TREK: DS9 - "Prodigal Daughter" - 10/19/98 - CAST STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE "Prodigal Daughter" CAST SISKO YANAS KIRA NORVO ODO JANEL BASHIR BOKAR O'BRIEN FUCHIDA EZRI ENSIGN QUARK WORF Non-Speaking Non-Speaking N.D. SUPERNUMERARIES STAR TREK: DS9 - "Prodigal Daughter" - 10/19/98 - SETS STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE "Prodigal Daughter" SETS INTERIORS EXTERIORS DEEP SPACE NINE DEEP SPACE NINE CAPTAIN'S OFFICE TIGAN COMPOUND AIRLOCK CORRIDOR QUARK'S/SECOND LEVEL EZRI'S QUARTERS TIGAN HOME NORVO'S BEDROOM LIVING ROOM EZRI'S BEDROOM OFFICE TIGAN MINES DS9 - "Prodigal Daughter" - 10/19/98 - PRONUNCIATION STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE "Prodigal Daughter" PRONUNCIATION GUIDE AUDRID ODD-rid BITHOOL beh-THOOL BRINNER FINOK BRIN-er FIN-ock FILDEN FILL-den HOVARIAN ho-VAR-ee-an JANEL juh-NELL KORELLA KO-rel-la LIAM BILBY LEE-am BILL-bee LORKIN LOR-kin MORICA more-REEK-uh NORVO NOR-V-o PERGIUM per-GEE-um SAPPORA suh-POOR-uh TARG TARGH THADIAL BOKAR THAD-ee-al B-0-kar TIGAN TEE-gan TORGUD TOR-gud WISTAM WIS-tan YANAS YAH-nus DEEP SPACE NINE: "Prodigal... " - REV. 11/05/98 - TEASER 1. STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE "Prodigal Daughter" TEASER FADE IN: INT. QUARK'S - SECOND LEVEL The place is full. BASHIR, EZRI, KIRA and ODO are at one of the tables. Throughout the conversation, Bashir seems distracted. ODO (to Ezri) By the way, your gagh has arrived. EZRI My what? (groans) Oh, no. ODO Oh, yes. And it's waiting for you in Cargo Bay Two. KIRA Your gagh? EZRI Jadzia ordered it. She was planning a party for Martok's birthday next week. KIRA How much gagh did she order? ODO Fifty-one cases. EZRI Each containing a different variety. KIRA There are varieties of gagh? Ezri looks ill. DEEP SPACE NINE: "Prodigal" - REV. 11/05/98 - TEASER 2. 1 CONTINUED: EZRI Oh, yes. I can remember what each one tastes like... and the way they... move when you swallow them. Torgud gagh wiggles. Filden gagh squirms. Meshta gagh jumps... Ezri almost gags and Bashir tunes in for the first time. BASHIR (to Ezri) You all right? She nods and quickly downs some of her drink. KIRA (to Bashir) Are you all right? BASHIR Me? KIRA You've barely said three words. Something on your mind? BASHIR Oh. (trying to be light) Just... can't wait to see Miles. KIRA Let me guess -- you have a holosuite appointment -- defending the Alamo again? Bashir's smile is just a little forced. BASHIR You know me too well. KIRA When's his transport get in? BASHIR Half an hour. EZRI Bithool gagh has feet. (to Odo) DEEP SPACE NINE: "Prodigal... " - REV. 11/05/98 - TEASER 3. 1 CONTINUED: (2) EZRI (Cont'd) Flush it out the airlock. All of it. ODO (shakes his head) Environmental regulations. KIRA Why don't you give it to Martok? EZRI He'd insist on sharing it with me as a point of honor. (beat) Wistan gagh is packed in targ blood. She gets up from the table. EZRI (continuing) I have to go now. I'll see you later. BASHIR I think I'll head out as well. ODO Give my regards to Santa Anna. Bashir gives him a quick smile, then he and Ezri EXIT. CUT TO: 2 EXT. SPACE - DEEP SPACE NINE (OPTICAL) A TRANSPORT is docking at the station. 3 INT. AIRLOCK CORRIDOR Bashir is watching and waiting as a long stream of N.D. Passengers ENTER from the airlock with their CARRY-ON LUGGAGE and head off down the Corridor. DEEP SPACE NINE: "Prodigal... " - REV. 11/05/98 - TEASER 4. 3 CONTINUED: Bashir's anxiety grows as he searches the faces of all the passengers and never sees O'Brien. The last passenger debarks and then the airlock door ROLLS SHUT and Bashir looks very worried. He thinks for a moment, reaches a difficult decision, and quickly EXITS. CUT TO: 4 INT. CAPTAIN'S OFFICE SISKO SLAMS a PADD down on the table in fury. Bashir is facing him with a chastened expression. SISKO What! BASHIR Miles asked me not to say anything. But I haven't heard from him in three days... and he wasn't on this morning's transport. I think something may have happened to him. SISKO He told me he was going home to visit his father. BASHIR Well... he may have implied he was going to visit his father, but he didn't actually say that-- SISKO Doctor, please. BASHIR Yes, sir. SISKO So where is he? DEEP SPACE NINE: "Prodigal... " - REV. 11/05/98 - TEASER 5. 4 CONTINUED: BASHIR The last message I got said that he was still in New Sydney, and that he was following up on some promising leads. SISKO He's not a detective! He's an engineer -- he's my chief engineer and now he's missing! Sisko takes a beat to let his temper cool. SISKO So tell me about this woman he's supposed to be looking for. BASHIR She's the widow of Liam Bilby. You remember Bilby? SISKO (thinks) The man O'Brien befriended during that undercover operation last year? BASHIR Yes, sir. Miles still feels responsible for his death. He's kept in touch with Bilby's widow ever since... and when she dropped out of sight three weeks ago he got worried and decided to go find her. SISKO And now they're both missing. Perfect. BASHIR In his defense sir, he did try to go through official channels first. But... the authorities on New Sydney weren't very helpful and since it's a non-Federation world, Starfleet doesn't have jurisdiction... SISKO So he decided to turn into a one- man police force. DEEP SPACE NINE: "Prodigal... " - REV. 11/05/98 - TEASER 6. 4 CONTINUED: (2) BASHIR Yes, sir. Sisko takes a moment to think over his options. SISKO New Sydney. That's in the Sappora System, right? BASHIR Right. SISKO I want a written report, detailing everything you know about this woman, O'Brien's plan to find her, and anything else you've neglected to mention. Sisko heads for the door. BASHIR Aye, sir. May I ask what you're going to do? SISKO No you may not. I want that report on my desk within the hour. Sisko EXITS, leaving a very chastened Bashir. CUT TO: 5 INT. EZRI'S QUARTERS Sisko has been talking to Ezri about O'Brien. SISKO ... and since your family still lives in the Sappora System, I thought they might have a few contacts on New Sydney. EZRI I'm sure they do. My mother's one of the more important business leaders in the system. DEEP SPACE NINE: "Prodigal... " - REV. 11/05/98 - TEASER 7. 5 CONTINUED: SISKO Your personnel file says she owns the fifth largest pergium mining facility in the entire sector... EZRI Actually, it's the sixth now. The Ferengi discovered a large deposit on Timor Two a few years ago. My mother nearly had a heart attack when she found out we'd been knocked out of the top five. SISKO Do you think she'd be willing to intervene with the local authorities -- get them to look into what happened to the chief? EZRI I'm sure she would. SISKO That's the first good news I've heard all day. Sisko is somewhat relieved, but Ezri suddenly looks troubled. SISKO Something wrong? EZRI No. Yes. I don't know. (beat) I haven't talked to my mother in almost six months. SISKO Oh. EZRI The last time I saw her was just after I was joined. She came to visit me on Trill. I was still a little... confused. When she walked into my room, I put on a big smile, looked her straight in the eye and said, "Hi, Mom, it's me -- Curzon!" Things kinda went downhill from there. DEEP SPACE NINE: "Prodigal... " - REV. 11/05/98 - TEASER 8. 5 CONTINUED: (2) SISKO I'm sure she understood what you were going through. You weren't prepared to be joined -- she couldn't blame you for being confused. EZRI She didn't. Not really. But she did want me to come home to recuperate. (beat) We had a disagreement. SISKO Not for the first time... ? EZRI (sighs) No, not for the first time. Beat. SISKO If there was any other way, I wouldn't ask you to do this. EZRI It's all right. My family problems aren't as important as finding the chief. I'll call my mother right away. SISKO Thanks, old man. EZRI Anytime. Sisko EXITS. OFF Ezri's face as she gets ready to make the call she's been dreading... CUT TO: 6 INT. EZRI'S BEDROOM - CLOSE ON VIEWSCREEN (OPTICAL) on it is the face of YANAS TIGAN, a lean and regal- looking Trill woman in her late fifties. She wears a tastefully tailored CASUAL SUIT. She's beautiful, and radiates the iron resolve of a self-made woman. Yanas looks upon her only daughter with unreserved affection. But instead of basking in her mother's attention, Ezri seems uneasy. DEEP SPACE NINE: "Prodigal... " - REV. 11/05/98 - TEASER 9. 6 CONTINUED: YANAS We've been worried about you. EZRI I'm all right. Really. And I'm a lot more sure of who I am than the last time you saw me. YANAS Well, that's a relief. (wry smile) I'd hate to have to start calling you Curzon. Ezri smiles a little, but she's clearly uncomfortable. EZRI I... I've been promoted. YANAS Oh? EZRI Lieutenant junior grade Ezri Dax at your service. The name causes Yanas to stiffen slightly. YANAS Ezri... Dax. EZRI (awkward) The symbiont name always replaces the family name of the... new host. It's traditional. Yanas only lets the disappointment show for a second, then she puts on a pleasant expression again. YANAS Of course it is. I haven't been away from Trill that long. (cheerfully) The important thing is you're doing well. Ezri decides to come to the point of her call. DEEP SPACE NINE: "Prodigal... " - REV. 11/05/98 - TEASER 10. 6 CONTINUED: (2) EZRI Mother, I've called because I need your help. One of our officers -- Miles O'Brien -- went to New Sydney three weeks ago and now he's missing. Captain Sisko was wondering if maybe you could-- YANAS I'll do everything I can. EZRI Thank you. YANAS Now. When are you coming home? EZRI I don't know when I can get away... YANAS Ezri, you haven't been home in three years. EZRI I know... but with the war on and everything... YANAS Ezri Tigan... Dax. Tell your commanding officer that your mother is a very difficult woman and that she refuses to help look for Mister O'Brien unless you're allowed to come home right away. EZRI Mother, no. Don't put me in this -- YANAS Good-bye, Ezri. I'll see you when you get here. Yanas ENDS the TRANSMISSION. Ezri stares at the screen as she lets out a long and painful sigh. DEEP SPACE NINE: "Prodigal... " - REV. 11/05/98 - TEASER 11. 6 CONTINUED: (3) She's not at all happy about being railroaded into a family reunion. FADE OUT. END OF TEASER DEEP SPACE NINE: "Prodigal... " - REV. 11/05/98 - ACT ONE 12. ACT ONE FADE IN: (NOTE: Episode credits fall over opening scenes.) 7 INT. AIRLOCK CORRIDOR Bashir escorts Ezri to the airlock. She carries a shoulder bag, he's holding a HYPOSPRAY and a PADD. N.D. SUPERNUMERARIES as required. Bashir hands her the hypospray. BASHIR Use twenty milligrams at the first sign of spacesickness. If you wait any longer, you'll regret it. EZRI So will the other passengers. He hands her the PADD. BASHIR Everything Starfleet knows about Bilby and his widow. EZRI What about your report? DEEP SPACE NINE: "Prodigal... " - REV. 11/05/98 - ACT ONE 13. 7 CONTINUED: BASHIR It's in there -- it's the one with Captain Sisko's bootprints all over it. EZRI Don't worry, I'm sure you'll be out of the doghouse by the time I get back. BASHIR Let's hope so. They come to a halt before the airlock. A RUNABOUT waits on the other side. She hesitates and lets out a long breath before taking the plunge. BASHIR Would it help if I said that as someone who isn't especially close to his parents -- I do sympathize. EZRI I'm about to present my family with a whole new Ezri. And to tell you the truth, they didn't know what to make of the old one. (beat) But, thanks for trying, Julian. I'll let you know as soon as I find out anything about Miles. DEEP SPACE NINE: "Prodigal... " - REV. 11/05/98 - ACT ONE 14. 7 CONTINUED: (2) BASHIR Have a safe trip. She turns and enters the airlock. As the door closes behind her, Bashir's attempt at a smile wilts into a worried expression. CUT TO: 8 EXT. SPACE (OPTICAL) A RUNABOUT moves into orbit around Sappora VII -- a barren rock of a planet. 9 EXT. TIGAN COMPOUND - DAY (MATTE) The planet's surface is rocky, rough and inhospitable. The Tigan mining compound is sited upon the crest of a bluff overlooking the surrounding landscape and a brackish lake. The compound buildings are enclosed within an energy dome. The design of the compound reflects the fact that everything necessary for humanoid habitation must be brought in from off-planet. 10 INT. TIGAN LIVING ROOM It's spacious and comfortable, with a large stone fireplace at one end of the room. Other exits lead to hallways and to the home OFFICE. The main doors OPEN to reveal Ezri, in uniform and carrying her overnight BAG. She walks into the empty room with a look of remembrance and discovery -- this is both a homecoming and a first-time visit for Ezri. She drops her bag at the foot of one of the stone columns supporting the ceiling and looks around. Her gaze falls on an impressionistic painting hanging on one wall. She's taking a closer look at it when her brother NORVO ENTERS from the hallway. Norvo is the dreamer of the family, a gifted poet/intellectual, but also a weaker and more fragile person than either of his siblings. He beams at the sight of his sister. NORVO Zee! EZRI (happy) Norvo... DEEP SPACE NINE: "Prodigal... " - REV. 11/05/98 - ACT ONE 15. 10 CONTINUED: He rushes into the room and hugs her tightly. NORVO I can't believe you're really here. EZRI Neither can I. He lets her go and stands back for a moment. NORVO You cut your hair. EZRI It kept getting in my eyes... (re: hairdo) You like it? NORVO It'll take a little getting used to. EZRI I think you've just summed up my whole visit. (re: painting) Is this yours? Norvo barely glances at it. NORVO Mom insisted on hanging it in here. I hate it. EZRI Why? NORVO The composition is puerile and obvious. The colors belong on a child's toy and the technique is laughable. EZRI But other than that... NORVO It's perfect. DEEP SPACE NINE: "Prodigal... " - REV. 11/05/98 - ACT ONE 16-17. 10 CONTINUED: (2) There's the sound of a DOOR OPENING from O.S. and they turn to see Ezri's older brother, JANEL, ENTER. He's bigger and more imposing than Norvo -- a man who's spent most of his life in the difficult and unforgiving mining business. Janel is more closed than Norvo, and there's a hint of restrained anger just below the surface. He's wearing filthy overalls, a mining helmet, and there's a fair amount of dirt and grime covering his hands and face as well. He also regards Ezri with affection, but it's tinged with the condescending attitude of an older brother who's always seen his siblings as less capable than he. JANEL Welcome home, little girl. EZRI Hi, Janel. For her part, Ezri has always looked up to Janel, but there's no denying that she's much closer to Norvo. JANEL Do I have to take a sonic shower before I get a hug? She gives him a look, then hugs him. EZRI It's good to see you. JANEL You too. He ruffles her hair. JANEL (re: hair) What happened here? NORVO She cut it. I think it brings out her eyes... gives her more of a classic look. JANEL (whatever) It's cute. DEEP SPACE NINE: "Prodigal... " - REV. 11/05/98 - ACT ONE 18. 10 CONTINUED: (3) JANEL (Cont'd) (beat) Mom's on her way. She said to give you the preliminary police report on your friend. Janel leads them toward another room. EZRI Have they found anything? JANEL Not yet... They EXIT to... 11 INT. TIGAN OFFICE - CONTINUOUS - DAY It's a large room, built to permit the family to work at home during the off-hours. It has plenty of room for a VIEWSCREEN, computer TERMINALS, and Yanas Tigan's DESK. (And no one sits at the desk, but Yanas.) BOXES of isolinear REFERENCE CHIPS and displays of OLD MINING EQUIPMENT and SAMPLE CRYSTALS line the SHELVES. Janel goes to a PADD sitting on the desk and hands it to Ezri. JANEL ... but they have a few leads. Ezri looks over the PADD. JANEL I hope you appreciate how much trouble she's going to. She called in a lot of favors from the New Sydney police. EZRI Of course I appreciate it. Janel doesn't believe her, but won't argue the point. NORVO How long are you staying? EZRI I'm... not sure yet. DEEP SPACE NINE: "Prodigal... " - REV. 11/05/98 - ACT ONE 19. 11 CONTINUED: JANEL (to Norvo) She's not going to be here a minute longer than she has to, you know that. Norvo visibly deflates. EZRI We're in the middle of a war, Janel. I have responsibilities back on DS Nine. JANEL (shrugs) There's always something. Ezri stiffens and shoots her brother a look, but before she can fire back a response, the door OPENS and Yanas ENTERS. Yanas is the kind of woman who commands a room from the moment she enters it and this is no exception. She's wearing casual work clothes that've been stained by her recent trip to the mines, but she still manages to look elegant nonetheless. Yanas stands there on the threshold for a moment, drinking in the sight of Ezri with undisguised emotion. She loves her only daughter as only a mother can and her eyes grow moist at this moment of reunion. DEEP SPACE NINE: "Prodigal... " - REV. 11/05/98 - ACT ONE 20. 11 CONTINUED: (2) EZRI Hello, Mother. Yanas manages a smile through the tears of joy. YANAS (choked up) I hate your hair... She laughs and Ezri smiles. Yanas holds out her arms and Ezri quickly goes to her and they embrace. Yanas lets go of her and looks Ezri over for a beat. YANAS Have you eaten? EZRI Not yet. YANAS Good. Because I've got Korella working on a very special dinner. (to Janel) Have you taken care of Lorkin? JANEL I was just about to contact him. YANAS I want him paid and gone by the time dinner's ready. DEEP SPACE NINE: "Prodigal... " - REV. 11/05/98 - ACT ONE 21. 11 CONTINUED: (3) JANEL Yes, ma'am. YANAS (to Norvo) And what about that third quarter review I asked for? NORVO I'm still working on it. Yanas restrains her temper when it comes to her younger son. She treats him with strained patience in contrast to the no-nonsense attitude she displays toward Janel. YANAS You've been working on it for a week now. Norvo shrinks away from Yanas, is almost visibly afraid of her despite her forbearance. NORVO I... miscalculated some of the revenues. I had to redo them. YANAS I know you don't like doing the bookkeeping, but I really need that review as soon as possible, all right? (he nods) Good. Yanas takes Ezri's arm and arm and heads out of the office. YANAS I want to show you the new solarium. I had all the tile brought in from Andoria and then hand-painted by this charming old man I met on a trip to the Hovarian Cluster... Ezri and Yanas EXIT. Once they're gone, Janel touches a control panel. JANEL (to com) Have Mister Lorkin report to the main house. DEEP SPACE NINE: "Prodigal... " - REV. 11/05/98 - ACT ONE 21A. 11 CONTINUED: (4) COM VOICE Yes, sir. NORVO (to Janel) Why're you getting rid of Lorkin? JANEL That broken waveguide in fourteen three-A is going to cost us a thousand bars of latinum a day. Mother thinks it's the result of sloppy maintenance. NORVO What do you think? JANEL (ominous) I think a brand new waveguide doesn't just "break." For some reason, Norvo is very worried by this. He wrings his hands for a moment, then sits down and takes a few deep breaths. NORVO (worried) You mean... Bokar was behind it... ? DEEP SPACE NINE: "Prodigal... " - REV. 11/05/98 - ACT ONE 22. 11 CONTINUED: (5) JANEL He's trying to send us a message. The Orion Syndicate doesn't take no for an answer. NORVO Maybe we should tell Mother... JANEL No. I can deal with Bokar. Norvo is getting more scared by the minute. NORVO I don't know... Janel goes to him and takes him firmly by the shoulders. JANEL Relax. Everything is going to be all right. Janel slaps him gently and smiles confidently. OFF Norvo's still-worried look... FADE OUT. END OF ACT ONE DEEP SPACE NINE: "Prodigal... " - REV. 11/05/98 - ACT TWO 23. ACT TWO FADE IN: 12 EXT. TIGAN COMPOUND - NIGHT (MATTE) Night has fallen on Sappora VII. 13 INT. TIGAN LIVING ROOM - NIGHT Dinner is almost over. The grilled hamsha (some sort of odd-looking steak) is all but gone, and Ezri's plate has several bones on it from her multiple helpings. Yanas is at the head of the table, Ezri to her right, and the boys to her left. An N.D. Servant minds the dishes, refills drinks, etc. Yanas, Janel and Ezri have all changed clothes for dinner. EZRI ... Jadzia considered Kira one of her best friends, and I'm starting to think of her the same way. We spend a lot of time together. JANEL She didn't have any trouble adjusting to having a... "new Dax" in her life? EZRI No more than anyone else. I don't think any of them were expecting another Dax to walk into their lives. NORVO Hmm. Did any of them wonder if you -- Yanas breaks in without so much as a glance at Norvo, who accepts the interruption with barely a reaction. DEEP SPACE NINE: "Prodigal... " - REV. 11/05/98 - ACT TWO 24. 13 CONTINUED: YANAS Whatever happened to that young man on the Destiny you were so interested in? Lieutenant... something? EZRI Brinner Finok. He was an Ensign. I did talk to him after I was joined... once. I don't think we're right for each other anymore. He reminds me too much of my son, Gran. It makes me a little uncomfortable to be around him now. The others exchange a look. Ezri starts to get a little flustered. EZRI Sorry. He reminds me of Audrid's son, Gran. (nervous laugh) I'm still sorting out my pronouns. NORVO I'm sure all joined Trills go through this. Ezri tries to laugh it off, but ends up rambling on and letting more of her insecurities show than she was anticipating. EZRI (trying to be light) No, just me. DEEP SPACE NINE: "Prodigal... " - REV. 11/05/98 - ACT TWO 25. 13 CONTINUED: (2) EZRI (Cont'd) Nothing simple for Ezri. There're times when the computer asks me to identify myself and I have to think about what to say. Worse yet, there're days when I wake up and I don't even know if I'm a man or a woman until I pull back the covers. She laughs, but no one else is laughing with her -- they're all staring at her with concern. She finally stops herself and clears her throat. EZRI I also have an unfortunate tendency to ramble... Yanas puts her hand on her daughter's and conveys both reassurance and pity at the same time. YANAS Don't be embarrassed. It's not your fault. You should've gone through years of training before receiving a symbiont. It wasn't fair of them to join you to Dax just because you happened to be the only Trill on board. It's no surprise to me that you're having trouble sorting out eight lifetimes' worth of memories and experiences. EZRI It can be a little... overwhelming at times. YANAS I'm sure. But don't worry. We'll take care of you... won't we? DEEP SPACE NINE: "Prodigal... " - REV. 11/05/98 - ACT TWO 26. 13 CONTINUED: (3) NORVO Absolutely. She looks at Janel, who quickly chimes in. JANEL Of course. EZRI That's... good to know. But I think I've got things under control. But Ezri's protest is lost on Yanas, who strokes her daughter's face with pity. YANAS Ezri... you always were too proud for your own good. OFF Yanas's look of pity. CUT TO: 14 OMITTED 14A INT. NORVO'S BEDROOM - NIGHT Norvo's room looks like someone overturned the contents of a museum in here. The walls are crammed with artwork -- some his, some not. The shelves are filled with books, sculptures, busts and high-tech devices. The bed is unmade and littered with isolinear rods, PADDS and a few half-eaten meals. The floor is covered with art supplies, tools, opened books, etc. One corner is taken up with an easel and another painting. Norvo is sitting at the desk (also overflowing with materials) and working with a PADD. The door CHIMES. Norvo looks around in surprise. There's another CHIME. He suddenly smiles in realization. NORVO Come in, Zee. Ezri ENTERS DEEP SPACE NINE: "Prodigal... " - REV. 11/05/98 - ACT TWO 27. 14A CONTINUED: EZRI How'd you know it was me? NORVO No one else would bother with the chime. Ezri looks around the messy room. EZRI I see some things never change. Norvo smiles. NORVO Here... He sweeps up an armful of junk from the bed and relocates it to another part of the room, carefully putting each and every item down. NORVO ... have a seat. Ezri sits on the bed and looks at the artwork on the wall. EZRI How many of these are yours? NORVO All the bad ones. EZRI When did you become such a harsh critic of your own work? NORVO Just being realistic. It's amateurish. I know that. it says so right there -- He points to a PADD which is hanging on the wall. Ezri takes it down for a better look as Norvo reaches for a bottle on a shelf. NORVO Saurian brandy? EZRI Sure. He wipes out a glass, then stops himself and looks embarrassed. DEEP SPACE NINE: "Prodigal... " - REV. 11/05/98 - ACT TWO 28. 14A CONTINUED: (2) NORVO Oh. I should probably get a clean one. EZRI I don't care. He pours her a glass then one for himself. EZRI (re: PADD) Norvo, this doesn't mean-- NORVO (lifts glass) To my sister -- a shining angel in a dark sky. Ezri clinks his glass and they each take a sip. EZRI (re: PADD) All right. The Andorian Academy rejected your application... that doesn't mean your work is "amateurish." There are other art schools. NORVO It's the best. EZRI You shouldn't just give up. Norvo swirls the brandy around the glass with a deprecating smile. NORVO I'm not very good, Zee. I never was. (re: paintings) All this... it's an indulgence. Just like my other "hobbies" -- poetry... music... DEEP SPACE NINE: "Prodigal... ff - REV. 11/05/98 - ACT TWO 29. 14A CONTINUED: (3) NORVO I can't concentrate. My mind wanders. I don't have the discipline it takes to succeed. EZRI Those are Mother's words -- I know, because I've heard them too. She wasn't right about me and she's not right about you either. NORVO I'm fine with the way things have turned out. Really. (quiet) Besides, they need me here. EZRI To do what? The family bookkeeping? Norvo, you could do so much more. Norvo stares down into his glass for a long beat and Ezri decides she's pushed far enough for tonight. EZRI I'm not trying to make you feel bad. I just want you to know that I still believe in you... He takes her hand without meeting her eyes. NORVO Thanks. She gives him a kiss. DEEP SPACE NINE: "Prodigal... " - REV. 11/05/98 - ACT TWO 30. 14A CONTINUED: (4) EZRI Good-night. NORVO 'Night. Ezri EXITS, leaving Norvo to pour himself another glass and stare up at his paintings. CUT TO: 15 EXT. TIGAN COMPOUND - DAY (MATTE) The next day. 16 OMITTED 17 INT. TIGAN OFFICE - DAY Yanas is confronting Ezri the next day. YANAS I hope you're satisfied. Have you seen Norvo today? EZRI No. DEEP SPACE NINE: "Prodigal... " - REV. 11/05/98 - ACT TWO 31. 17 CONTINUED: YANAS Well, maybe you should. You'll find him lying in bed with a hangover. When I woke up this morning he was passed out in the entry room. Evidently he spent most of the night doing this... Yanas reaches behind the desk and pulls out the painting seen earlier hanging in the living room. Someone has painted a large cartoonish smiley face right in the center of the artwork. Ezri smiles a little at the sight. YANAS You think it's funny? EZRI I think it's funny that you think he did this because of me. He's not happy here, can't you see that? YANAS That's nonsense. EZRI Mother, he's defacing his own artwork -- work that you insisted on displaying after he objected. YANAS I'm proud of him... I'm trying to encourage him. EZRI But all you've done is make him feel trapped and powerless. YANAS You've barely spent one night in this house and you think you can analyze our entire family. You don't know your brother anymore, Ezri. Norvo is a fragile young man who needs to be cared for. EZRI He's a grown man who needs his freedom. You're smothering him. DEEP SPACE NINE: "Prodigal... " - REV. 11/05/98 - ACT TWO 32-34. 17 CONTINUED: (2) YANAS (coldly furious) How dare you come in here and tell me how to be a mother? What do you know about raising children? EZRI I have three -- no, four lifetimes worth of memories about raising children. YANAS I have worked and sacrificed for each one of you for over -- The door CHIMES. YANAS -- thirty years. (yells) Not now! She's surprised when the door OPENS anyway, admitting Janel. JANEL Sorry to interrupt, but... He looks behind him and then O'BRIEN ENTERS wearing handcuffs. He's bruised, cut and looks like hell, but he's very much alive. Lieutenant FUCHIDA of the New Sydney police bureau follows him in the door. EZRI Miles! O'BRIEN Ezri? What're you doing here? EZRI This is my home... (points) ... my mother. Yanas steps forward -- she puts on her best and most gracious face. DEEP SPACE NINE: "Prodigal... " - REV. 11/05/98 - ACT TWO 35. 17 CONTINUED: (3) YANAS It's a pleasure to meet you, Mister O'Brien. O'Brien lifts his manacled hands. YANAS (to Fuchida) Can you... ? Fuchida takes off the manacles. FUCHIDA He wasn't very friendly when we located him. O'BRIEN Neither were you. JANEL (to Yanas) If you'll excuse me... we're having a problem with a drill down in twenty-four B. Yanas nods and Janel EXITS. EZRI (to Fuchida, re: cuts & bruises) Did you do this? FUCHIDA Just the one on the jaw. The rest he got thanks to the Orion Syndicate. EZRI Did you find anything on Bilby's wife? O'BRIEN I found her. She's dead. OFF O'Brien's grim face.... 18 OMITTED END OF ACT TWO FADE OUT. DEEP SPACE NINE: "Prodigal... " - REV. 11/05/98 - ACT THREE 36. ACT THREE FADE IN: 19 INT. TIGAN OFFICE - DAY A few minutes later. O'Brien is in a chair, accepting a mug of something hot from an N.D. Servant. Fuchida is sipping some of the same brew, as is Yanas. Ezri is listening to O'Brien with sympathy. O'BRIEN (to Servant) Thank you. (to Ezri) The DNA scan confirmed that the body was Morica's. She'd been dead for at least six weeks. EZRI Do you have any idea what the cause of death was? FUCHIDA No. O'BRIEN Yes. The cause of death was the Orion Syndicate. FUCHIDA There's no evidence of that. It could've been an accident. O'BRIEN She "accidently" hit herself in the head and accidently threw herself into the river? DEEP SPACE NINE: "Prodigal... " - REV. 11/05/98 - ACT THREE 37. 19 CONTINUED: FUCHIDA We pull a dozen bodies a month out of that river. You think they're all Syndicate murders? O'BRIEN If they're anything like this one -- yes! And if you hadn't interfered, I might've proved she was murdered. FUCHIDA If we hadn't "interfered" you'd be dead. (to Ezri) When your mother called us, we already had word that a Starfleet Intelligence operative was trying to infiltrate the Syndicate. It didn't take long to realize it was your friend. We found him being beaten up by a pair of Nausicaans. O'BRIEN They were just trying to scare me. EZRI Why? O'BRIEN Exactly! Why would they be trying to scare me? Because I'd found the body of Morica Bilby and they didn't want me tracing her murder back to them. DEEP SPACE NINE: "Prodigal... " - REV. 11/05/98 - ACT THREE 38. 19 CONTINUED: (2) FUCHIDA The Syndicate would never kill the widow of an operative. The only thing that holds them together is this "loyalty" they show to operatives and their families. O'BRIEN Maybe they're not as loyal as you think. FUCHIDA (to Yanas) Mrs. Tigan, please contact us if there's anything else we can do for you. YANAS Thank you. I will. Fuchida EXITS. YANAS Ezri, why don't you show Mister O'Brien to one of the guest rooms... let him clean up and have something to eat. CUT TO: DEEP SPACE NINE: "Prodigal... " - REV. 11/05/98 - ACT THREE 39. 20 INT. TIGAN LIVING ROOM - DAY O'Brien has just finished eating at the dining table. Ezri is sitting next to him. O'BRIEN ... so that tip led me to the river. I searched the south bank for about three hours before I found her. The organic solvents in the water had partially decomposed the body... but it was her. Beat. EZRI I'm sorry, Chief. I wish there was something more I could do. O'BRIEN You could put in a good word for me with Captain Sisko. EZRI (light) It may take a lot of good words... but I'll talk to him. Suddenly, Yanas bursts into the room, followed by Janel. She's coldly furious and he's just gone through a major chewing out. They've both just come from the mines. YANAS Mister O'Brien, how are you feeling? O'BRIEN Fine, ma'am. I've eaten enough for a week. YANAS Glad to hear it. I understand you're an engineer. O'BRIEN That's right. JANEL He's not a mining engineer. DEEP SPACE NINE: "Prodigal... " - REV. 11/05/98 - ACT THREE 40. 20 CONTINUED: YANAS (ignoring him) We have a problem with a trans- sonic drill that no one on my staff seems capable of fixing. Janel fumes, but holds his tongue. YANAS I would appreciate it very much if you would be so kind as to take a look at it. EZRI Now? Mother, he needs some rest. YANAS How much rest do you require, Mister O'Brien? Put on the spot, O'Brien automatically rises to the occasion. O'BRIEN Actually... I feel fine... DEEP SPACE NINE: "Prodigal... " - REV. 11/05/98 - ACT THREE 40A. 20 CONTINUED: (2) YANAS Thank you, Mister O'Brien. I'll see you at dinner. Yanas EXITS to her office. EZRI (to O'Brien) I'm sorry about this. Our mother is a force of nature. O'BRIEN It's all right. It'll do me good to get my hands on a problem I can solve for a change. (to Janel) Lead on. Janel leads O'Brien toward the mine entrance. Ezri sits there alone for a beat, then looks up at the obvious blank spot where Norvo's painting once hung. CUT TO: 21 OMITTED 21A INT. NORVO'S BEDROOM Norvo is passed out on his bed as Ezri ENTERS. He rouses himself as Ezri sits down on the edge of his bed. The artwork on his walls has been taken down and is lying in a heap in a corner of the room -- some of the paintings have been slashed and others have obviously broken frames. The now-empty bottle of saurian brandy is overturned on his desk. NORVO Good morning. EZRI Good afternoon. NORVO Oh. He sits up and tries to clear the cobwebs from his brain. DEEP SPACE NINE: "Prodigal... " - REV. 11/05/98 - ACT THREE 41. 21A CONTINUED: NORVO (Cont'd) Mother... is not going to be happy about this... EZRI Don't worry. You're out of the line of fire for the moment -- she's busy torturing Janel and Miles. NORVO Miles... ? Oh, your friend. They found him? EZRI (nods) He's fine. NORVO Great. That's really great, Zee. (beat) Does that mean you're leaving? EZRI Not right away. (beat) Let's talk about you... more specifically, about what you did last night. She looks over at the artwork lying on the floor and Norvo winces at the sight of it. NORVO Oh, yeah... last night. (beat) What can I say? When I get drunk, I become an art critic. DEEP SPACE NINE: "Prodigal... " - REV. 11/05/98 - ACT THREE 42. 21A CONTINUED: (2) EZRI Do you regret what you did? Norvo checks the bottle to see if there's a last drop -- there's not. NORVO Not really. I never liked those pieces anyway. EZRI So what are you feeling? NORVO (with a smile) I am feeling like I don't want to be analyzed by my sister. EZRI Sorry. It's what I do. NORVO This situation isn't that complex, Zee. I'm wallowing in self-pity and acting out my frustrations by throwing tantrums. EZRI All right Doctor Norvo, if that's your diagnosis, what's your prescription? NORVO Mother disapproves of suicide -- all that blood on the carpets. EZRI Not funny. NORVO Best I can do with a hangover. Norvo rubs his eyes and Ezri considers him for a beat. DEEP SPACE NINE: "Prodigal... " - REV. 11/05/98 - ACT THREE 43. 21A CONTINUED: (3) EZRI Norvo... what would happen if you left with me tomorrow? NORVO What do you mean? EZRI I mean, what would happen if you went back to Deep Space Nine with me? NORVO Mother would go insane. EZRI Forget about her for the moment. NORVO I can't just... pick up and leave. EZRI It doesn't have to be a permanent move. Think of it as a vacation... a break from all this. Some time to clear your head, that's all. Norvo is sorely tempted by what she's saying, but something is holding him back. NORVO I don't know if I can leave all this on Janel's shoulders... EZRI Janel can handle it. NORVO It's not that simple... there're some things going on that are... complicated. EZRI Like what? NORVO (evasive) Things... with the company... DEEP SPACE NINE: "Prodigal... " - REV. 11/05/98 - ACT THREE 44. 21A CONTINUED: (4) EZRI No offense, Norvo, but you're not exactly holding the company together. Mother can pay a real accountant to do the work she's given you. NORVO I don't know, Zee... Ezri decides not to push. EZRI Think about it? He nods, he will. She smiles and EXITS. He looks after her for a beat, sorely tempted by the offer, but deeply disturbed by something at the same time... CUT TO: 22 INT. TIGAN MINES A series of interconnecting tunnels filled with twenty-fourth century MINING EQUIPMENT. The walls have had lighting fixtures built into them for years and we should get the feeling that this is a busy, active mining operation. N.D. Workers are wearing well- used coveralls and helmets, and are constantly moving through the caverns, fixing equipment, checking soil samples on portable high-tech equipment carts, going over plans, sifting through rocks, etc. O'Brien is working on a TRANS-SONIC DRILL while Janel looks on. The drill is a large piece of equipment about the size of a mini-van. There's a beam emitter at one end, which is used for cutting into the ore. O'Brien has a panel opened on the chassis and is poking around with some kind of tool. Janel has a tricorder open. O'BRIEN You're right. The problem's in the secondary input transtator. JANEL But the transtator checks out perfectly... DEEP SPACE NINE: "Prodigal... " - REV. 11/05/98 - ACT THREE 44A. 22 CONTINUED: He holds out the tricorder for O'Brien to see, but the chief doesn't even look at it. O'BRIEN I'm sure it does. But it's the wrong transtator for this drill. JANEL What? O'Brien pulls the CIRCUIT CARD from the drill and shows it to him. O'BRIEN You need a fifty-two J, this is a fifty-two L. DEEP SPACE NINE: "Prodigal... " - REV. 11/05/98 - ACT THREE 45. 22 CONTINUED: (2) JANEL It says fifty-two J... O'BRIEN I know. But it's definitely an L. It must've been accidently mislabeled. JANEL (darkly) Or deliberately... A voice interrupts. BOKAR'S VOICE Another equipment failure? They turn to see that BOKAR has just stepped into the cavern. Bokar is a well-dressed Farian (also in a helmet) who has a somewhat chilling quality to him despite his outwardly pleasant demeanor. BOKAR (to Janel) Perhaps if you hadn't dismissed Mister Lorkin, this wouldn't have happened. JANEL (tight) He was dismissed on my Mother's personal order. BOKAR Then we'll have to find a way of changing her mind, won't we? Janel glares at him, but says nothing. Bokar's gaze goes to O'Brien, who's taken an instant dislike to Bokar. BOKAR (continuing) Who's your new mechanic, Janel? JANEL This is Mister O'Brien. He's a friend of the family. BOKAR That wouldn't be Chief O'Brien would it? O'BRIEN How'd you know that? DEEP SPACE NINE: "Prodigal... " - REV. 11/05/98 - ACT THREE 46. 22 CONTINUED: (3) BOKAR I have several friends in the New Sydney Police. I heard they recently rescued a Starfleet chief named O'Brien from an unpleasant situation. O'BRIEN That's me. I don't believe I caught your name. BOKAR Thadial Bokar. I'm a commodities broker, attempting to establish business ties with the illustrious Tigan family. Bokar and O'Brien eye each other for a moment as they size up one another. Finally Janel breaks the moment. JANEL (to O'Brien) Could you excuse us for a moment, Chief. Mister Bokar and I have some business to discuss -- thank you for your help. I'll have a new transtator installed right away. O'BRIEN Glad to do it. With another look at Bokar, O'Brien EXITS. They both wait until O'Brien is out of earshot before turning on each other. JANEL Sabotaging our drills isn't going to convince me to do more business with the Orion Syndicate. BOKAR We'll argue about that later. We have more immediate concerns. O'Brien is with Starfleet Intelligence. JANEL No, he's not. He works with my sister on Deep Space Nine. DEEP SPACE NINE: "Prodigal... " - REV. 11/05/98 - ACT THREE 47. 22 CONTINUED: (4) BOKAR That may be what he wants you to think. But why was he on New Sydney trying to infiltrate the Syndicate? JANEL He was looking for some woman. BOKAR "Some woman." Do you know the name of this woman? JANEL No. BOKAR Well I do. Her name was Morica Bilby. That name clearly means something to Janel, and he's shocked to hear it in this context. JANEL What... ? BOKAR Now, of course, I haven't heard from Morica Bilby in quite some time... rumor has it that she's dead, but I wouldn't know anything about that. Janel is getting more uncomfortable by the moment, but Bokar's eyes just keep boring into his... BOKAR What I do know is that Chief O'Brien should leave this system. Quickly. Before something happens to him. Bokar EXITS. OFF Janel's troubled expression... FADE OUT. END OF ACT THREE DEEP SPACE NINE: "Prodigal... " - REV. 11/05/98 - ACT FOUR 48. ACT FOUR FADE IN: 23 INT. TIGAN LIVING ROOM - DAY Mid-conversation. Janel is facing O'Brien. JANEL So you're not leaving until tomorrow? O'BRIEN Probably. It really depends on Ezri. JANEL Why? O'BRIEN She's my superior officer. I go when she goes. (light) Besides, I'm not looking forward to seeing Captain Sisko. He's got a boot with my name on it. But Janel isn't in a joking mood. JANEL (curt) This isn't a good time for guests. There's a lot of work to do. The quicker you're on your way, the better. With that, Janel turns and EXITS. O'Brien is a little surprised by Janel's anger. There's a beat, then Ezri ENTERS. O'BRIEN Your brother seems eager to get rid of us. EZRI Don't mind him. He's under a lot of pressure. DEEP SPACE NINE: "Prodigal... " - REV. 11/05/98 - ACT FOUR 48A. 23 CONTINUED: O'BRIEN Hmm. (beat) Do you know a man named Thadial Bokar -- says he's a commodities broker? EZRI No. I make it a point to know as little as possible about the family business. (beat) Why? O'BRIEN He came down to the mine to talk with Janel while I was working on the drill... there was something about him... it reminded me of when I was working undercover with the Orion Syndicate... the way they dealt with "civilians." EZRI You think this Mister Bokar is a member of the Syndicate? O'BRIEN It's just a feeling. But it's a pretty strong feeling. EZRI We should tell Janel. O'BRIEN I think Janel knows. I realize I'm not giving you a lot of hard evidence here, lieutenant -- but Janel seems like a man who's being pressured by the Syndicate. DEEP SPACE NINE: "Prodigal... " - REV. 11/05/98 - ACT FOUR 49. 23 CONTINUED: (2) O'BRIEN (Cont'd) He's experiencing sudden equipment "breakdowns," work stoppages, mysterious "accidents" -- it's the way the Syndicate extorts money from legitimate companies. "You do business with us or we'll ruin you." EZRI Janel is not someone who's easily intimidated. And my mother, she'd burn this place to the ground before she'd do business with the Syndicate. They think that over for a beat. O'BRIEN There's one way to find out. Do you have access to the company's financial records? CUT TO: 24 INT. TIGAN OFFICE - DAY O'Brien is working at the computer terminal while Ezri looks on. O'Brien reacts in surprise to what he sees. O'BRIEN I knew your family had some money, but I had no idea... EZRI We're rich, I know. It's my mother's doing. She built Tigan mining from the ground up... surveyed the planet, she even dug the first mining shaft. O'BRIEN You must be very proud of her. EZRI I am. She's a... remarkable woman. DEEP SPACE NINE: "Prodigal... " - REV. 11/05/98 - ACT FOUR 50. 24 CONTINUED: O'BRIEN What about your father? Is he involved with the business? EZRI No. He... has other interests that keep him away from home for extended periods. (laughs at herself) I don't know why I'm sugar- coating it. He stays away because he doesn't want to be around my mother. O'BRIEN I'm sorry to hear that. EZRI It's all right. I can't believe I still feel the need to make excuses for either of them. (beat) You know, if there's one thing being joined does... it makes you look at things as they are, instead of the way you want them to be. After eight lifetimes, you start to develop a pretty low tolerance for denial. (beat) And there's a lot of denial in this house. (bitter) But we do have money... As O'Brien continues to work the computer... CUT TO: 25 INT. TIGAN MINES Yanas has cornered Norvo in an out of the way area of the mine. This is still a work zone, however, and there are N.D. Workers moving to and fro throughout the scene and a great deal of b.g. NOISE going on. Yanas keeps her voice under control and level, but she's clearly pushing her youngest son. (Yanas in coveralls and helmet, Norvo in casual clothes and helmet.) DEEP SPACE NINE: "Prodigal... " - REV. 11/05/98 - ACT FOUR 51. 25 CONTINUED: YANAS What would you do on Deep Space Nine? NORVO Take a... vacation... clear my head. YANAS Clear your head of what? Norvo is wilting under his mother's gaze. NORVO I don't know. YANAS Then why do you need a vacation? NORVO I guess, I don't, really. But it'd be nice to spend some time with Ezri... YANAS You're spending time with her now, aren't you? NORVO Yes... Janel ENTERS (in coveralls and helmet). JANEL (to Yanas) We're ready to open twenty-five beta. YANAS I'll be right there. (to Norvo) Norvo, this is a bad time for you to take a vacation. We have far too much work to do. Have you finished that review? NORVO Almost... YANAS Then maybe you should get to it. NORVO Yes, ma'am. DEEP SPACE NINE: "Prodigal... " - REV. 11/05/98 - ACT FOUR 52. 25 CONTINUED: (2) Norvo EXITS. She shakes her head in exasperation at him after he leaves. YANAS (to Janel) Let's go. CUT TO: 26 INT. TIGAN'S OFFICE - DAY O'Brien is still working at the computer, while Ezri is looking over some PADDS. Ezri stretches out her neck. EZRI Now I remember why I never went into the family business... all these contracts and invoices and balance sheets and shipping orders... I feel like I'm trapped in some kind of Ferengi nightmare. O'Brien suddenly sits up as he sees something on his screen -- something very disturbing. He turns and stares at her, suddenly unsure of where they stand. EZRI What? (beat) What is it? O'BRIEN I don't know. Ezri gets up and moves toward him, but O'Brien's suspicious stare stops her midway. O'BRIEN What's going on here? EZRI What do you mean? DEEP SPACE NINE: "Prodigal... " - REV. 11/05/98 - ACT FOUR 53. 26 CONTINUED: O'BRIEN Did you come here to find me or to prevent me from finding the truth? Ezri is taken aback by his openly suspicious attitude. She looks him right in the eye. EZRI (firm) I don't know what you're talking about. So maybe you better tell me, Chief. O'BRIEN The connection between the Orion Syndicate and your family... is Morica Bilby. She was on the company's payroll when she died. (beat) Did you know that? EZRI (shocked) No. Of course not. He searches her eyes for a beat, then decides she's telling the truth. O'BRIEN Well, someone in your family knew... and since they haven't mentioned it, they obviously don't want us to know... EZRI Are you suggesting... ? O'BRIEN I'm not suggesting anything, but you have to face the possibility that someone in your family may have been involved in her death. OFF Ezri's stunned face... FADE OUT. END OF ACT FOUR DEEP SPACE NINE: "Prodigal... " - REV. 11/05/98 - ACT FIVE 54-54A. ACT FIVE FADE IN: 27 INT. TIGAN OFFICE - DAY A few moments later. O'Brien is pointing out information to Ezri on the computer screen. O'BRIEN There. Nine months ago, Morica Bilby shows up on the payroll as a "shipping consultant." EZRI (off screen) Five bars of latinum a week... "for services rendered." What services... ? She works for a beat. EZRI There's no cross-reference... no indication of what she was doing for the company... O'BRIEN Whatever it was, she must've been doing a good job -- look here. Her salary increases to ten bars a week... then to twenty... then thirty... EZRI The last payment entry is six weeks ago. O'BRIEN The day before she was killed. Ezri gets up from the desk and takes a few steps, trying to digest this information. O'BRIEN Who's in charge of the payroll? EZRI (grave) My mother... ultimately. But she's turned over most of the day to day operations to Janel... and Norvo's been doing the bookkeeping. DEEP SPACE NINE: "Prodigal... " - REV. 11/05/98 - ACT FIVE 55. 27 CONTINUED: EZRI (Cont'd) (to herself) Any one of them could have known about the payments to Morica. Or all of them. O'BRIEN Lieutenant... we need to show this to the authorities on New Sydney. Beat. EZRI (firm) Not yet. Not until I find out what happened. (beat) That's an order. O'BRIEN Aye, sir. CUT TO: 28 INT. TIGAN LIVING ROOM - DAY A short time later. Ezri has confronted Yanas, Janel and Norvo with what she knows. Norvo is sitting, while the others stand. Yanas is glaring at Janel, who's glaring back at her. YANAS Why was this woman on our payroll? JANEL We were returning a favor. YANAS To whom? JANEL To the Orion Syndicate... Yanas is furious. She has to step away from her son in order to get a grip on herself. YANAS And what... "favor" did they do for us? DEEP SPACE NINE: "Prodigal... " - REV. 11/05/98 - ACT FIVE 56. 28 CONTINUED: JANEL Remember when the Ferengis opened up the Timor Two mine... and there was a ten point drop in the price of pergium? That came at a bad moment. We were overextended on some loans... our cash reserves were depleted... and a Jem'Hadar raid destroyed an entire shipment before it reached the refinery on Rigel Four. EZRI So you turned to the Syndicate! JANEL They came to me! They offered us a way out and I took it! I did what I had to do. (to Yanas) And I don't remember you asking a lot of questions when our cash problems were resolved overnight. YANAS Because I trusted you -- obviously that was a mistake. EZRI (to Janel) What about Morica? JANEL About a month after Bokar arranged the loan, he came to me and said it was time to return the favor. There was a woman who needed a job... with a salary, but without any actual work involved. He said she was the widow of one of their associates and they needed to take care of her. DEEP SPACE NINE: "Prodigal... " - REV. 11/05/98 - ACT FIVE 57. 28 CONTINUED: (2) JANEL (Cont'd) I didn't feel that I was in a position to say no. So I started making the payments. (bitter) No one would've been the wiser if Norvo had altered the payroll records like I asked him Norvo looks away, but Yanas steps right in Janel's face. YANAS (low) You dragged your little brother into this? JANEL You're the one who said nothing's more important than the company! Well, that's all I was thinking about -- the company! You dumped it in my lap and I saved it! So don't start complaining now! if it weren't for me, we would have been finished! YANAS Don't try to rationalize what you've -- EZRI All right! All right! We can discuss who saved what later. Right now, we have to concentrate on what happened to Morica. (to Janel) The payroll records show a steady increase in her payments. Why? DEEP SPACE NINE: "Prodigal... " - REV. 11/05/98 - ACT FIVE 58. 28 CONTINUED: (3) JANEL She wasn't "happy" with her salary. She said the Syndicate had promised her a comfortable living and that she wasn't "comfortable" on what we were paying her. EZRI How did she die? JANEL I don't know. YANAS Janel, if you had anything to do with this, now's the time to -- JANEL What are you saying? That I had her killed? YANAS I'm asking. NORVO Mother, he wouldn't have killed her! YANAS (to Norvo) Stay out of this. DEEP SPACE NINE: "Prodigal... " - REV. 11/05/98 - ACT FIVE 59. 28 CONTINUED: (4) Ezri seems to believe him and she takes a few steps to think this all through. Yanas goes back on the attack. YANAS (to Janel) Listen to me... I'll get the best solicitor on New Sydney for you, but you have to tell me the truth... JANEL I didn't kill her. YANAS Why don't I believe you, Janel? Why don't I believe that this woman just happened to die at the very moment she was pressuring you for more money? NORVO Why won't you listen to him -- he didn't do it! Yanas and Janel ignore him again, but Ezri sees something in his face -- the way he seems torn up by the argument, the way his hands are shaking slightly, the tension bubbling up inside him... and she begins to suspect an awful truth. Ezri goes to the couch and sits down next to him while Yanas and Janel continue to fight. DEEP SPACE NINE: "Prodigal... " - REV. 11/05/98 - ACT FIVE 59A. 28 CONTINUED: (5) JANEL EZRI I may not have shed any (quiet, to Norvo) tears when I found out Norvo... you don't know she was dead, but I what happened to Morica, didn't kill her. do you? YANAS NORVO Then who did? (broken smile) I'm the idiot brother how would I know? JANEL EZRI The police said it was an (rising fear) accident! Tell me you don't know anything about this Yanas has suddenly tuned in to what's happening on the other side of the room, and Janel follows her gaze... NORVO (distant) I tried to reason with her. But she was... very angry. Angry at the Syndicate. Angry at us. Even angry at her husband for getting himself killed. DEEP SPACE NINE: "Prodigal... " - REV. 11/05/98 - ACT FIVE 60. 28 CONTINUED: (6) Norvo is oblivious to their attention... he's talking only to Ezri -- his one lifeline in this family. NORVO I didn't go there to kill her, Zee. I really didn't. But she wouldn't listen to me. She started yelling... said our family was no different than the Syndicate. That we were all liars and cheats. (beat) Then... I suddenly realized that if she were dead... all our problems would go away. There's a moment of dead silence. No one can believe it. Yanas can barely speak. YANAS Norvo... He looks up at her for the first time, tears starting to well up in his eyes. NORVO I took care of it. You always said I was too weak to... handle the tough ones. (beat) But I'm not. I proved it. (to Janel) I handled a problem that you couldn't. (beat) I handled it. There's a long silent moment as the family grapples with what's happened and what will happen now... DISSOLVE TO: DEEP SPACE NINE: "Prodigal" - REV. 11/05/98 - ACT FIVE 61. 29 INT. TIGAN LIVING ROOM - DAY Several hours later. Fuchida and N.D. Police officers are leading Norvo away in handcuffs. Ezri and Janel watch in shock as their brother is taken away. There's a quiet beat as the door closes behind them. Janel is in shock. He tries to deal with the mundane and familiar as a way of shutting out what just happened. JANEL I need to... inspect the... ore samples from fifty-three C. We have to make a decision on... whether to open up a new-- EZRI Janel. Forget about the mine. It doesn't matter. (beat) I want you to listen to me. After Norvo's... trial is over, you need to go. JANEL Go where? EZRI It doesn't matter. Just go. Find another life for yourself. Trust me -- you'll be happier. Janel looks at her for a beat, then Ezri gives him a kiss and EXITS to... CUT TO: DEEP SPACE NINE: "Prodigal... " - REV. 11/05/98 - ACT FIVE 62. 30 INT. TIGAN OFFICE - DAY Yanas is sitting at her desk, staring off into space when Ezri ENTERS. Yanas suddenly looks much older than she ever did before. EZRI They've taken Norvo. (no answer) I talked to Dad a little while ago. He said he's coming home. (beat) I'm going to stay on New Sydney for the trial... then head back to D.S. Nine. Yanas says nothing and Ezri finally decides to leave. YANAS This isn't my fault, is it Ezri? I didn't do this, did I? Ezri just looks at her mother for a beat, then EXITS without a word. Yanas has her answer. CUT TO: 31 EXT. SPACE - DEEP SPACE NINE (OPTICAL) Re-establishing the station. 32 INT. QUARK'S - SECOND LEVEL QUARK and WORF are arguing at one of the tables. Worf hands him a Ferengi PADD. WORF This is not my bar bill. DEEP SPACE NINE: "Prodigal... " - REV. 11/05/98 - ACT FIVE 63. 32 CONTINUED: QUARK You're a member of the House of Martok, right? You don't want it to get out that you're refusing to honor the debts incurred by your own House, do you? Worf grabs the bill back in irritation and puts his thumbprint on it. QUARK Always a pleasure to do business with the House of Martok. 33 ANGLE ON Ezri, who's sitting alone at another table. O'Brien ENTERS from the Promenade and approaches her. O'BRIEN Mind if I join you? She shakes her head. O'BRIEN When'd you get back? EZRI Last night. (beat) Norvo was sentenced to thirty years. O'BRIEN I wish I could say I'm sorry. But considering what he did... he got off easy. EZRI I understand why you feel that way. (beat) But you didn't know him. He was very... gifted. When we were young... he had so much potential. Norvo was the one we all thought would turn out to be something... special. I don't know what happened. I don't know what turned my brother into... (can't say it) DEEP SPACE NINE: "Prodigal... " - REV. 11/05/98 - ACT FIVE 64. 33 CONTINUED: EZRI (Cont'd) I guess I was so busy dreaming of ways to get out of that house... I never saw what was really going on inside it... what was happening to Norvo... the endless humiliations... the constant drumbeat of criticism... the way his heart was carved up into little pieces. I should've seen it. I should've tried to stop it. Beat. O'BRIEN You can't blame yourself for that. You're not responsible. EZRI But I am. Don't you see? (beat) I should've gone home a long time ago. She gets up from the table and walks away... FADE OUT. END OF ACT FIVE THE END