STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE
"In the Cards"
#40510-523
Story by
Truly Clark and Scott Neal
Teleplay by
Ronald D. Moore
Directed by
Michael Dorn
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
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 This script is not for publication or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
April 1, 1997
STAR TREK: DS9 "In the Cards" - 04/01/97 - CAS
STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE
"In the Cards"
CAST
SISKO NOG
KIRA LEETA
ODO KAI WINN
BASHIR WEYOUN
QUARK GIGER
O'BRIEN
WORF
JAKE
COMPUTER VOICE
Non-Speaking Non-Speaking
N.D. SUPERNUMERARIES
STAR TREK: DS9 - "In the Cards" - 04/01/97 - SETS
STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE
"In the Cards"
SETS
INTERIORS EXTERIORS
DEEP SPACE NINE DEEP SPACE NINE
AIRLOCK CORRIDOR JEM'HADAR WARSHIP
CAPTAIN'S OFFICE
CARGO BAY
CORRIDOR
SISKO'S QUARTERS
BASHIR'S QUARTERS
GIGER'S QUARTERS
WEYOUN'S QUARTERS
LEETA'S BEDROOM
JAKE & NOG'S QUARTERS
JAKE'S ROOM
NOG'S ROOM
INFIRMARY
OPS
PROMENADE
QUARK'S/SECOND LEVEL
REPLIMAT
SECURITY OFFICE
TURBOLIFT
WARDROOM
DEFIANT
BRIDGE
JEM'HADAR INTERROGATION ROOM
DS NINE - "In the Cards" - 04/01/97 - PRONUNCIATION
STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE
"In the Cards"
PRONUNCIATION GUIDE
ANDOR an-DOOR
ANDROS AN-droze
BATHKIN BATH-kin
BERENGARIA bear-ren-GAR-ee-ah
BIOGENIC bi-oh-GEN-ik
CHROMOELECTRIC krow-mow-ee-LEK-trik
CORIDAN KOR-ee-dan
GIGER GI-ger
KANDAL KAN-del
KANDRA VILK KAN-drah VILK
KUKALAKA. KOO-kah-lah-kah
MANDALA MAN-duh-lah
MATOIAN mah-TOY-an
MITOCHONDRIAL mite-oh-KAHN-dree-ahl
NEODYNIUM nee-oh-DYE-nee-um
SURAK SIR-ack
TIAN NAN MEN tee-an NAN men
TRIPTIN TRIP-ten
WEYOUN WAY-yoon
DEEP SPACE NINE: "In the Cards" - REV. 04/15/97 - TEASER 1.
STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE
"In the Cards"
TEASER
FADE IN:
1 INT. SISKO'S QUARTERS
We're at the end of a dinner party that SISKO has
thrown for the senior staff, but it may be the most
downbeat social affair on DS9 in the last two years.
BASHIR and O'BRIEN are getting quietly drunk at one end
of the table, a bottle of scotch sitting between them.
KIRA and ODO are sitting next to them. WORF is
standing off to one side, seeming to inspect Sisko's
art collection, but it's really an excuse to avoid the
after-dinner conversation. Sisko is at the head of the
table, trying to be the genial host, but his heart just
isn't in it tonight.
JAKE and NOG are removing the dirty dishes from the
table and they exchange a few glances between them as
the depressing evening drags on.
O'BRIEN
Did you hear about the Tiananmen?
She was reported missing last
night. Near the Cardassian border.
KIRA
That's three in the last three
weeks.
BASHIR
We're going to run out of ships at
this rate.
KIRA
That's not funny.
BASHIR
It wasn't meant to be. Unless
Starfleet Command starts doing
something about the Dominion, the
situation's just going to get worse.
KIRA
What do you want Julian? A war?
But Sisko jumps in before Bashir has the chance to
reply.
DEEP SPACE NINE: "In the Cards" - REV. 04/15/97 - TEASER 2.
1 CONTINUED:
SISKO
What I want is to talk about
something else.
(beat)
Chief, what about Kirayoshi -- is
he walking yet?
O'BRIEN
Not yet, Sir.
But O'Brien has nothing to add beyond that. Silence
falls on the group again and Sisko tries once more to
rally the troops.
SISKO
Odo, I understand you're going to
Bajor next week. Will you be
seeing Doctor Mora?
ODO
Actually, I just canceled my
trip. There's been a seventy-five
percent jump in the theft of
medical supplies and food rations
on DS Nine. I haven't seen an
increase like that since...
He suddenly feels awkward and trails off.
O'BRIEN
Since... ?
ODO
Since... just before the
Cardassians were forced to abandon
the station.
That hangs in the air for a long moment. Jake and Nog
exchange a look as the gloom settles into the room.
BASHIR
(standing)
On that note... I think I'll turn
in.
DEEP SPACE NINE: "In the Cards" - REV. 04/15/97 - TEASER 3.
1 CONTINUED: (2)
O'BRIEN
Me, too. Thank you for dinner,
captain. It was wonderful.
Sisko can only barely muster a smile for his officers
as Kira and Odo stand to join the exodus.
SISKO
It was my pleasure. Goodnight
everyone.
Everyone exchanges goodnight's with Sisko, who remains
at the table while O'Brien, Bashir, Kira and Odo EXIT.
Sisko looks over and sees Worf still staring at the
same piece of artwork on the wall, oblivious to the
fact that the party is breaking up.
SISKO
Mister Worf!
Worf turns, startled, and then is even more surprised
to see that almost everyone is gone.
SISKO
You've been paroled. The party's
over.
WORF
Thank you, sir. Goodnight.
Worf EXITS, leaving only Nog and Jake, who are now
working on cleaning up the pots and pans.
SISKO
(to boys)
Don't bother with that. I'll
clean up the rest. I want to be
alone for awhile. Go on.
JAKE
Okay...
NOG
Goodnight, sir.
DEEP SPACE NINE: "In the Cards" - REV. 04/15/97 - TEASER 4.
1 CONTINUED: (3)
Jake gives his father a quick kiss on the cheek and
then reluctantly heads for the door. Jake and Nog
EXIT, leaving Sisko very alone and very depressed.
COM VOICE
Ops to Captain Sisko.
SISKO
Go ahead.
COM VOICE
We just received a message from
Bajor, Sir. Kai Winn will be
coming to the station tomorrow
morning and she'd like to meet
with you.
Things just went from bad to worse.
SISKO
Acknowledged.
Sisko sits down heavily and rubs a pair of very tired
and unhappy eyes.
2
thru OMITTED
4
CUT TO:
5 INT. QUARK'S
A short time later. Nog and Jake are sitting down at
the bar. There's a normal-sized crowd at Quark's
tonight, but even here the mood is more subdued than
usual.
NOG
(sarcastic)
Thanks for the invitation, Jake.
That was a lot of fun.
But Jake is too worried about his father to even
respond to the sarcasm.
JAKE
Did you see how down my dad was?
He was trying to hide it, but I
could tell he's really depressed.
NOG
He's not the only one. Look
around -- there's something in the
air. People are scared.
DEEP SPACE NINE: "In the Cards" - REV. 04/15/97 - TEASER 5.
5 CONTINUED:
JAKE
Yeah, but my dad's usually the one
who tries to lift everyone's
spirits. I mean, people go to him
for encouragement. Where does he
go when he's depressed? Who lifts
his spirits?
There's no answer to that and the boys sit there in
silence a moment. QUARK moves over to them.
QUARK
I hope I'll be seeing both of you
here tomorrow at twelve hundred
hours.
NOG
Why?
QUARK
Why? Haven't you heard? There's
going to be an auction of some of
the galaxy's rarest and most
valuable antiquities.
Quark grabs a PADD from under the bar and hands it to
Nog.
QUARK
Here, find something you like and
make a bid with all that latinum
you have stashed under your bed.
NOG
(looks around)
Shh!
DEEP SPACE NINE: "In the Cards" - REV. 04/15/97 - TEASER 6.
5 CONTINUED: (2)
QUARK
Oh, Nog. You don't really keep it
under your bed?
NOG
(tight)
No, of course not.
Nog begins looking through the items on the PADD. Jake
glances over out of curiosity.
JAKE
Where'd you get all this stuff,
Quark?
QUARK
I'm just conducting the auction --
for a modest commission. The
items up for sale were aboard an
old derelict freighter the
Bajorans found adrift about a
light year from here.
(selling it again)
The cargo hold was crammed with
valuables of every description --
antiques, paintings, vehicles...
NOG
It's all a bunch of junk.
Quark glares at him, but Nog pays him no mind.
NOG
(to Jake)
Listen to some of this stuff: mid-
twenty-fourth century ceramic
Romulan water basin -- slightly
cracked; a pair of Tellerite shoes --
date unknown; a mid-twentieth
century Hew-mon baseball card; a
Tholian pedestal of--
Jake suddenly snatches the PADD out of Nog's hand.
JAKE
A baseball card!
(reads PADD)
"A mint condition nineteen fifty-
one Willie Mays rookie card." Nog
this is it!
DEEP SPACE NINE: "In the Cards" - REV. 04/15/97 - TEASER 7.
5 CONTINUED: (3)
NOG
What do you mean?
JAKE
It's perfect! This is how I can
cheer up my Dad! You know how
much he loves baseball -- he'll go
nuts when he sees this.
QUARK
Just tell him to be here at twelve
hundred hours and he can bid along
with--
JAKE
No -- I'm. going to bid on this.
He's always doing things for me,
I want to do something for him
for a change.
(looking down at card)
And this is it. All I have to do
is get him this card. How hard
could that be?
PUSH IN on the picture of the Willie Mays Baseball card
on the PADD...
FADE OUT.
END OF TEASER
DEEP SPACE NINE: "In the Cards" - REV. 04/15/97 - ACT ONE 8.
ACT ONE
FADE IN:
(NOTE: Episode credits fall over opening scenes)
6 EXT. SPACE - DEEP SPACE NINE (OPTICAL)
Establishing the station.
7 INT. JAKE & NOG'S QUARTERS
Nog is sitting in a chair with his arms crossed,
glaring at Jake and determined not to be swayed. Jake
is just as determined to get the diminutive Ferengi
cadet to bend.
NOG
No.
JAKE
Come on, Nog...
NOG
No.
JAKE
Why not?
NOG
It's my money, Jake. If you want
to bid at this auction, use your
own money.
JAKE
I'm Human, I don't have any money.
NOG
It's not my fault that your
species decided to abandon
currency-based economics in favor
of some philosophy of self-
enhancement.
JAKE
(defensive)
Hey, watch it. There's nothing
wrong with our philosophy.
(with pride)
We work to better ourselves and
the rest of Humanity.
NOG
(confused)
What does that mean exactly?
DEEP SPACE NINE: "In the Cards" - REV. 04/15/97 - ACT ONE 9.
7 CONTINUED:
JAKE
It means...
(reaching)
... it means we don't need money.
NOG
Well if you don't need money, then
you certainly don't need mine.
JAKE
How much latinum do you have?
(beat)
How much?
NOG
Five bars.
JAKE
Five bars!
NOG
Look, it's taken me a lifetime to
save that much money. I'm not
going to just throw it away for
some stupid baseball card.
Jake pauses, then moves in for the kill.
JAKE
(quiet and contemptuous)
Not even for my father -- the man
who made it possible for you to
enter Starfleet Academy?
NOG
That's not fair...
DEEP SPACE NINE: "In the Cards" - REV. 04/15/97 - ACT ONE 10.
7 CONTINUED: (2)
JAKE
... the man who believed in you
when no one else would.
NOG
This is so low!
JAKE
I can't believe you would rather
keep your filthy money locked away
in a box under your bed, than use
it to give him endless moments of
happiness.
NOG
AGHHHH!!
(exhausted, defeated)
All right, all right. I'll do it.
JAKE
That's very generous, Nog. I'm
proud of you. Now, let's get that
money.
Jake heads off into Nog's room, while Nog sulks.
NOG
(with distaste)
Hew-mons...
CUT TO:
8 EXT. SPACE - DEEP SPACE NINE (OPTICAL)
As a Bajoran transport docks at the station.
9 INT. CAPTAIN'S OFFICE
Sisko is pacing in his office, trying to prepare
himself for whatever this meeting with the Kai is going
to bring him. The door CHIMES and Sisko braces himself
before answering.
DEEP SPACE NINE: "In the Cards" - REV. 04/15/97 - ACT ONE 10A.
9 CONTINUED:
SISKO
Come in.
Kira escorts KAI WINN into the room. There are Two
N.D. Vedeks escorting the Kai, who wait just outside the
door.
DEEP SPACE NINE: "In the Cards" - REV. 04/15/97 - ACT ONE 11.
9 CONTINUED: (2)
SISKO
Welcome back to Deep Space Nine,
your eminence.
KAI WINN
Thank you, Emissary.
(to Kira)
You may go, my child.
Kira almost succeeds in keeping the irritation out of her
voice at the abrupt dismissal.
KIRA
Thank you.
Kira EXITS.
KAI WINN
Why don't we take a walk?
SISKO
A walk?
KAI WINN
Yes. So often on these visits, I
find myself confined to meeting
rooms or guest quarters. I love
to see the Promenade and mingle
with the residents of the station.
Would you mind?
Sisko is surprised and has no idea where she's going
with this, but...
SISKO
Not at all.
He indicates the door and they EXIT together.
CUT TO:
10 INT. PROMENADE - SECOND LEVEL
Sisko and Kai Winn take a stroll along the Promenade.
The N.D. Vedeks follow at a discreet distance. A few
heads turn as they pass through the crowd, but people
are polite enough to leave them alone for the most
part. The Kai seems completely at ease, engaging in
small talk, while Sisko is still waiting for the other
shoe to drop.
DEEP SPACE NINE: "In the Cards" - REV. 04/15/97 - ACT ONE 12.
10 CONTINUED:
Winn sees a closed up shop down on the First Level.
KAI WINN
There was a shop down there as I
recall -- a woman who sold Bajoran
tapestries and antiques.
SISKO
Kandra Vilk. I believe she moved
to a neutral world near the
Coridan system about two months
ago.
KAI WINN
So many people have left Deep
Space Nine in the last few
months... I'm sure there are times
when you must feel as though
you're being abandoned here.
Sisko isn't sure if there's a mocking tone here or not.
But in any case, he's had enough fencing for one
afternoon and he lets an edge creep into his voice.
SISKO
Forgive me Eminence, but I have a
very busy day ahead of me...
KAI WINN
I'm here to meet with a
representative of the Dominion.
SISKO
To what end?
DEEP SPACE NINE: "In the Cards" - REV. 04/15/97 - ACT ONE 13.
10 CONTINUED: (2)
KAI WINN
I don't know. This meeting is
taking place at their request.
(beat)
You disapprove?
SISKO
I'm concerned. The Dominion is
notorious for its... political
intrigue.
KAI WINN
(dry)
I have some experience in that
area as well.
(beat)
This is a very delicate moment for
Bajor. The conflict between the
Federation and the Dominion could
escalate into open warfare at any
moment. A misstep now could
result in the destruction of our
world. For that reason, it's
imperative that everyone put aside
their personal feelings and work
together for the greater good of
Bajor.
SISKO
For once... I find myself in
complete agreement with you. You
have my word that I will do
whatever it takes to safeguard
Bajor.
(beat)
And as for our personal feelings
toward each other... I consider
all that to be in the past.
A long moment as she turns that over in her mind.
KAI WINN
Walk with the Prophets.
She turns and EXITS down the Promenade, leaving Sisko
to wonder whether or not she feels the same way.
CUT TO:
DEEP SPACE NINE: "In the Cards" - REV. 04/15/97 - ACT ONE 14.
11 INT. QUARK'S
The auction is underway. The dabo wheel has been
removed and in its place is a table for items to be
displayed and a lectern where Quark serves as
auctioneer. The room is filled with seated N.D. Aliens
and Humans, all of whom have PADDS or other reference
guides. There are Bajoran Security Guards in evidence,
but it's an orderly crowd. Jake and Nog have a seat
near the front, and they're impatiently waiting for
their lot to come up. Quark is just wrapping up the
auction of a bizarre alien sculpture. The bidding is
down to a Klingon woman and a Bolian man.
DEEP SPACE NINE: "In the Cards" - REV. 04/15/97 - ACT ONE 15.
11 CONTINUED:
QUARK
(to Bolian)
... the bid is to you, sir -- one
bar, three strips.
The Bolian thinks it over.
QUARK
(continuing)
Don't let the lady steal this fine
example of post-eventualistic, pre-
Matoian, bronze and triptin
sculpture for such a pittance.
The Bolian finally nods.
QUARK
One bar, three strips.
(to Klingon)
One bar, four strips, and it's all
yours. An honorable addition to
any Klingon household.
(she doesn't look
convinced)
And remember -- all the proceeds
from this auction go to the
Bajoran War Orphans' Fund, minus
a modest commission. Think of
those poor, lonely children... and
how much your money would mean to
them.
Finally, the Klingon woman shakes her head no.
QUARK
Looks like the kids'll have to
make do with one bar, three
strips. Sold to the blue man in
the good shoes.
The sculpture is removed from the table by a pair of
Ferengi waiters. Another pair of waiters then place an
ornate CHEST on the table. They open the chest and
display the contents in front of it.
12 CLOSE ON TABLE
As the WILLIE MAYS BASEBALL CARD, in a protective
holder, is carefully set before the chest.
DEEP SPACE NINE: "In the Cards" - REV. 04/15/97 - ACT ONE 16.
13 WIDER
As Jake and Nog exchange a glance -- this is it! Quark
looks down at a PADD on his lectern.
QUARK
(reading)
"Lot forty-eight: an Andorian
chest containing a pre-Surak
Vulcan bracelet, a sixth century
Bajoran mandala, a twenty-third
century ion-transtator, a
ceremonial Klingon dagger, and a
Willie Mays baseball card from
Earth dated nineteen fifty-one."
(to all)
Who'll start the bidding at one
bar of gold-pressed latinum?
JAKE
One bar.
QUARK
Ah -- one bar! Do I hear one bar,
five strips? One bar, five strips?
An N.D. Vedek raises his hand.
QUARK
One bar, five strips. Do I hear
one bar, ten?
Jake looks over at the Vedek with concern, but Nog
calms him down.
NOG
Don't worry. He'll drop out at
two bars.
JAKE
How do you know that?
NOG
I'm still a Ferengi.
(to Quark)
One bar, ten.
DEEP SPACE NINE: "In the Cards" - REV. 04/15/97 - ACT ONE 17.
13 CONTINUED:
QUARK
One bar, ten.
(to Vedek)
One, fifteen?
(the Vedek nods)
One, fifteen.
(to Nog)
One, twenty?
(Nog nods)
One, twenty.
(to Vedek)
One, twenty-five?
But before the Vedek can decide, a new voice enters the
bidding.
GIGER'S VOICE
Two bars!
Everyone's head turns to see DOCTOR ELIAS GIGER, a
human male in his early forties sitting at the edge of
the crowd. He gives his closest neighbor a worried
look and moves his chair a little further away from the
crowd. Giger doesn't like being the center of
attention and wishes they'd all just stop looking at
him.
QUARK
The bid is two bars.
(to Vedek)
Do I hear two bars, five strips?
The Vedek thinks it over for a moment, then shakes his
head no.
NOG
(to Jake)
I told you.
Nog raises a hand.
QUARK
(sees Nog's hand)
Two bars, five.
GIGER
(quiet)
Three bars.
The sudden increase catches everyone off-guard, and
draws even more attention to Giger, who glowers and
moves his chair further away again. Jake jumps right
back in.
DEEP SPACE NINE: "In the Cards" - REV. 04/15/97 - ACT ONE 18..
13 CONTINUED: (2)
JAKE
Four bars!
GIGER
(almost a whisper)
Ten bars.
Giger looks like a trapped animal under all this
scrutiny and we're not sure if he's about to flee or
bite someone. Quark can barely contain himself at this
wild overbidding.
QUARK
The bid is... ten bars of gold-
pressed latinum. Is there another
bid?
Jake looks desperately at Nog.
JAKE
What do we do?
NOG
Nothing -- we're out of money.
QUARK
Jake? Do you want to make another
bid?
A long beat as Jake has to reluctantly accept defeat.
He shakes his head no.
QUARK
Sold to the gentleman sitting in
the aisle.
DEEP SPACE NINE: "In the Cards" - REV. 04/15/97 - ACT ONE 19.
13 CONTINUED: (3)
Giger is on his feet and outta here before Quark can
complete his sentence. The baseball card and chest are
packed away as Giger EXITS the room. A black-velvet
painting of a matador arrives on the table.
QUARK
(off PADD)
"Lot forty-nine: a rare example
of a twentieth century Hew-mon art
form -- acrylic on black velvet --
this image was the inspiration for
the flag of the first Martian
colonies in the year... "
PUSH IN on Jake, who looks absolutely miserable at
losing the baseball card.
FADE OUT.
END OF ACT ONE
DEEP SPACE NINE: "In the Cards" - REV. 04/15/97 - ACT TWO 20.
ACT TWO
FADE IN:
INT. JAKE & NOG'S QUARTERS
Nog is trying to come up with another way of cheering
up Sisko. But Jake is still fuming over losing the
auction and doesn't want to accept defeat.
NOG
Look, I know you wanted that card,
but we lost it, okay? So let's
come up with something else to
cheer up your dad.
(beat)
Like a new pair of shoes.
JAKE
Shoes?
NOG
What's wrong with shoes?
JAKE
Nothing, except it's stupid. I
want to give my dad something
that'll bring a little joy into
his life. Something special. I'm
telling you, that baseball card is
the answer. It's kismet.
NOG
Kiss you?
JAKE
Kismet -- fate, destiny -- I was
meant to give that card to my
father.
NOG
Jake, I think you're taking this
whole baseball card thing way too
seriously.
JAKE
It's not the card, it's my dad.
DEEP SPACE NINE: "In the Cards" - REV. 04/15/97 - ACT TWO 21.
14 CONTINUED:
Jake goes to Nog and makes an intensely personal
appeal.
JAKE
(continuing)
This is important to me. My
father has never let me down...
he's always been there for me when
I needed him. And right now he
needs me... I don't want to let
him down. Nog, please -- let's
get that card.
Nog looks at him for a moment, and can't deny the
passion in Jake's face.
NOG
All right. What do you want to
do?
CUT TO:
15 INT. PROMENADE
Jake and Nog are waiting just outside Quark's. There
is a steady stream of people going in and coming out of
the bar carrying the various items from the auction.
At one point, MORN walks out, carrying the black velvet
Matador under one arm. Jake and Nog bide their time
until Jake sees Giger coming out with the Andorian
chest in his arms.
JAKE
Excuse me! Sir! Could we talk to
you for a minute?
Giger stops and eyes them both with deep suspicion. He
seems nervous and ill-at-ease throughout the
conversation.
DEEP SPACE NINE: "In the Cards" - REV. 04/15/97 - ACT TWO 22.
15 CONTINUED:
GIGER
(demanding)
Who sent you?
JAKE
(surprised)
No one.
NOG
We wish to discuss a business
transaction.
GIGER
Not interested.
He turns and heads down the Promenade. Jake and Nog
follow.
JAKE
You haven't even heard what it is
yet.
NOG
We just want to buy the baseball
card.
Giger stops short and turns on them.
GIGER
Listen to me -- I haven't done
anything wrong and I won't be
hounded by you and your soulless
minions of orthodoxy. I haven't
broken any laws!
(quietly fervent)
Except perhaps the laws of nature.
So stay away from me!
And with that, Giger EXITS into a nearby turbolift.
GIGER
(to com)
Habitat Ring.
As the doors close, Jake and Nog exchange a baffled
look.
CUT TO:
DEEP SPACE NINE: "In the Cards" - REV. 04/15/97 - ACT TWO 23.
16 INT. AIRLOCK CORRIDOR
Sisko is waiting just outside the airlock, and he's not
looking forward to greeting whoever's about to come
through that door. Two N.D. Starfleet Security Guards
are behind him.
The airlock rolls OPEN and WEYOUN ENTERS, followed by
two N.D. Jem'Hadar Soldiers. Weyoun greets Sisko
warmly, as if seeing an old friend, but the captain has
no intention of responding in kind.
WEYOUN
Captain Sisko, I can't tell you
how happy I am to see you again.
SISKO
I wish I could say the same.
WEYOUN
(laughs)
How delightful! You feel
comfortable enough around me to
make jokes. I'm so pleased our
relationship is evolving beyond
the stale adversarial stage.
SISKO
It's not. And before you twist
that into a compliment, let me be
blunt: I don't like the Dominion,
I don't like what it stands for,
and I don't like you.
So let's dispense with the hollow
pleasantries and just stick to
business.
Weyoun's smile tightens ever so slightly.
WEYOUN
It pains me to hear you say that,
captain. You see, I really like
Deep Space Nine and I like you:
And after this meeting with Kai
Winn, I think you and I will be
seeing a lot more of each other.
Weyoun then heads off down the corridor, the Jem'Hadar
Soldiers following him. Sisko waits a beat, then
follows with a deeply concerned expression.
CUT TO:
DEEP SPACE NINE: "In the Cards" - REV. 04/15/97 - ACT TWO 24.
17 INT. REPLIMAT
Jake is brooding over a plate of food. He looks
miserable and is clearly still upset over losing the
baseball card. Nog comes rushing up to the table.
NOG
Jake! Jake! He wants to see us!
JAKE
Who?
NOG
Doctor Giger -- the man who bought
the baseball card. He wants us to
come to his quarters, says he's
willing to make a deal.
JAKE
You're kidding!
NOG
No. He left a message for us
about an hour ago. It said to
meet him at eighteen hundred
hours.
JAKE
That's in ten minutes -- let's go!
They rush off down the Promenade.
CUT TO:
18 INT. CORRIDOR
Jake and Nog stop just outside Giger's Quarters.
NOG
Remember -- let me do the talking.
JAKE
You?
NOG
You had your chance on the
Promenade... now stand aside and let
a professional handle this.
Nog presses the chime and the door OPENS after a beat.
Jake and Nog then EXIT to...
DEEP SPACE NINE: "In the Cards" - REV. 04/15/97 - ACT TWO 25.
19 INT. GIGER'S QUARTERS - CONTINUOUS
They stop short inside the doorway and react to the
sight of the room. There's no trace of the normal
station furniture or decor and the room is filled with
bizarre alien EQUIPMENT. Jake and Nog look around in
amazement for a moment before finally spotting Giger
bent over a large computer console.
GIGER
Step out of the way, please! And
don't touch anything! This is
very sensitive equipment!
Jake and Nog step inside and the door CLOSES behind
them. Giger makes a final adjustment to the mister and
then faces them.
GIGER
(continuing)
I did some checking on you two.
It turns out that you're the
station commander's son and you're
the nephew of the man who owns the
bar.
NOG
That's right.
GIGER
Since you are not, in fact,
working for the soulless minions
of orthodoxy that have hounded my
work and plagued my existence, I
have decided to open negotiations
regarding the sale of a mint
condition nineteen fifty-one
Willie Mays rookie card, without
the original packaging or chewing
gum.
NOG
Ah. Excellent. We would like to
open the negotiations with a bid
of--
GIGER
The card is not for sale.
JAKE
What!
NOG
But you just said that --
DEEP SPACE NINE: "In the Cards" - REV. 04/15/97 - ACT TWO 26.
19 CONTINUED:
GIGER
I am willing to trade the card in
exchange for the following items.
Giger hands them a PADD and Jake looks over the list.
JAKE
(off PADD)
"Two liters of anaerobic
metabolites suspended in a
hydrosaline solution... a
neodymium power cell... "
(to Giger)
Where are we supposed to get all
this stuff?
GIGER
Surely the station commander's son
and a promising young cadet have
access to a wide variety of
equipment and supplies that would
not be available to someone like
myself.
JAKE
(frowning at list)
This is a long list... it may take
some doing...
NOG
Wait a minute.
(to Giger)
What are you planning to do with
these things?
JAKE
(sotto)
Nog...
NOG
(ignoring Jake, to
Giger)
Look -- we can't start delivering
equipment and medical supplies to
you without knowing what you're
going to do with them.
Giger looks at Nog for a moment, but Nog stands his
ground. Giger thinks it over, then decides to tell
them. And although what he's saying has more than a
hint of madness to it, he takes this very seriously.
DEEP SPACE NINE: "In the Cards" - REV. 04/15/97 - ACT TWO 26A.
19 CONTINUED: (2)
GIGER
Very well, young man.
(beat)
Let me ask you both a simple
question: Do you want to die?
NOG
No.
JAKE
Not really.
GIGER
Of course you don't. So why
should you? Why should any of us
end up as putrefying corpses in
wooden boxes stuck in the ground
or vaporized into subatomic
particles and vented into the
cosmos like a bad case of gas? No
reason that I can think of.
(beat)
I have devoted my life to studying
death, and you know what I've
found? Death is nothing more than
the result of... cellular boredom.
JAKE
Boredom?
DEEP SPACE NINE: "In the Cards" - REV. 04/15/97 - ACT TWO 27.
19 CONTINUED: (3)
GIGER
Think about it. The cells in your
body have been doing the same job,
the same dull monotonous routine
every day since you were conceived --
metabolize, divide, metabolize,
divide -- wouldn't you get bored?
Of course you would. So at some
point, the cells just say, "That's
it," and you, the unwary victim of
cellular ennui are quite literally
bored to death.
Nog seems struck by this notion.
NOG
I never thought about it that way.
Jake looks at Nog, but Giger continues on.
GIGER
Doctor Bathkin of Andros Three was
the first to come up with the
answer to solving the puzzle of
death: keep the cells energized --
keep them in the game by teaching
them new mitochondrial tricks.
(beat)
Unfortunately, before he could
finish his work, Doctor Bathkin
later died in a shuttle accident.
(ominous)
-- or so they say -- but while the
soulless minions of orthodoxy
refused to follow up on his
important research, I could hear
the clarion call of destiny.
Giger moves over to a large CYLINDRICAL BED with a
hinged top and runs a hand over it.
GIGER
So now, after fifteen years of
tireless effort... after being
laughed at and hounded out of the
halls of the scientific
establishment... after scrounging
and begging for materials across
half the galaxy... I have nearly
completed work on this -- the
Cellular Regeneration and
Entertainment Chamber.
JAKE
What does it do?
DEEP SPACE NINE: "In the Cards" - REV. 04/15/97 - ACT TWO 28.
19 CONTINUED: (4)
GIGER
I'm glad you asked. It is
specially designed to transmit
biogenic energy on a
chromoelectric wavelength and send
uplifting and entertaining
messages to the nuclei of every
cell in your body. Spend eight
hours a day in this machine... and
your cells will never get bored,
you'll never grow old, and most
important... you will never die.
That is the goal of my work:
nothing less than immortality
itself!
A quiet beat follows this bold statement. Jake and Nog
look at him for a beat.
JAKE
(to Giger)
Excuse us for a moment.
GIGER
(completely calm)
Of course.
Jake pulls Nog aside.
JAKE
(sotto)
What do you think?
NOG
(sotto)
I don't know... I'm no expert on
cellular chemistry... but his
theory sounds a little... odd to
me.
JAKE
(sotto)
He had me there for a minute, but
a "Cellular Entertainment
Machine?"
A beat, then they both look at each other.
NOG
(sotto)
He's crazy isn't he?
DEEP SPACE NINE: "In the Cards" - REV. 04/15/97 - ACT TWO 29.
19 CONTINUED: (5)
JAKE
(sotto)
Completely. But he does have the
baseball card.
NOG
(sotto)
So?
JAKE
(sotto)
So that means we've got to help
him.
NOG
(sotto)
I'm not so sure this is such a
good idea.
JAKE
(sotto)
Nog, I can't let my father down.
NOG
(sotto)
Let him down? Your father doesn't
even know this card exists.
(re: Giger)
I don't know which of you is
crazier.
JAKE
(sotto)
I'm not crazy. I'm... just a
little obsessed.
NOG
(sotto)
A little?
Jake then turns around abruptly and seals the deal.
JAKE
Okay Doctor, we're in.
He holds out his hand to shake, but Giger recoils.
GIGER
Do you know how many germs are
transmitted by a handshake? You
want to kill me? Just nod your
head if we have a deal.
(Jake nods)
Him too.
DEEP SPACE NINE: "In the Cards" - REV. 04/15/97 - ACT TWO 29A.
19 CONTINUED: (6)
Jake elbows Nog and then Nog nods his head as well.
OFF the image of the two boys nodding their heads yes
and getting themselves into trouble...
FADE OUT.
END OF ACT TWO
DEEP SPACE NINE: "In the Cards" - REV. 04/15/97 - ACT THREE 30.
ACT THREE
FADE IN:
20 OMITTED
20A INT. CARGO BAY
O'Brien is in the middle of a long and tedious job --
scanning each container with a tricorder, then making
a small adjustment to the container's control pad with
a tool, and moving on to the next container. It'll
take him hours at this rate. Jake and Nog are standing
next to him.
JAKE
We need a neodynium power cell
from a Cardassian phase-coil
inverter. You think you could
help us out?
O'BRIEN
That's an unusual piece of
equipment. What do you need it
for?
NOG
We have to trade it --
JAKE
(cutting him off)
It's kind of a secret.
O'Brien immediately assumes this is some kid thing and
right now, he's too tired and has too much work to play
games.
O'BRIEN
(going back to work)
Oh. Well, there might be an old
cell around here somewhere, but I
don't really have time to go
scrounging around at the moment.
DEEP SPACE NINE: "In the Cards" - REV. 04/15/97 - ACT THREE 31.
20A CONTINUED:
O'Brien moves on to the next row of containers, leaving
Nog and Jake alone for the moment.
NOG
What's the matter with you? Just
tell him you're trying to give
your father a gift.
JAKE
No. I want this to be a surprise.
You know you can't keep a secret
on this station. I tell the
chief, he tells Keiko, she tells
Dax...
NOG
But you're not giving him any
reason to help us.
Jake is a little stymied at this point, so Nog sees
that he'll have to step in.
NOG
(continuing)
Okay. Let me show you a little
something about incentive-based
economics.
Nog moves back to the Chief and Jake follows.
NOG
Chief, may I ask you a question?
Wouldn't you rather be doing
something else right now?
O'BRIEN
(bitter laugh)
Almost anything.
NOG
But isn't there something specific
you'd rather be doing... like
going to the holosuites, maybe?
DEEP SPACE NINE: "In the Cards" - REV. 04/15/97 - ACT THREE 32.
20A CONTINUED: (2)
O'BRIEN
Sure.
NOG
I bet you'd rather be kayaking
right now, wouldn't you? You
probably haven't shot the rapids
in weeks.
O'Brien pauses for a moment, the idea of losing himself
in the holosuite has a powerful tug on him.
NOG
No interruptions, no maintenance
schedules... just you and the
river...
O'Brien smiles at the thought, then shakes it off.
O'BRIEN
That's where I'd be right now if
Decker hadn't gotten sick. But I
have to recalibrate all these EPS
regulators so they don't interfere
with the station's artificial
gravity grid.
NOG
What if someone else recalibrated
the regulators for you?
Someone... like us?
O'Brien looks at him in surprise.
O'BRIEN
You'd do that for me?
JAKE
Absolutely.
NOG
Don't give it a second thought.
Just go shoot those rapids.
A big smile breaks out on O'Brien's face and he eagerly
hands over the tricorder and the tool to Nog.
O'BRIEN
Thanks. Thanks a lot. I owe you
one.
He starts to head out.
DEEP SPACE NINE: "In the Cards" - REV. 04/15/97 - ACT THREE 33.
20A CONTINUED: (3)
NOG
Our pleasure. And Chief... ?
(O'Brien stops)
About that power cell.. ?
O'BRIEN
I think I know just where to find
one. I'll have it sent to your
quarters.
JAKE
Thanks!
O'Brien EXITS. There's a happy beat, then Nog gives
Jake the tool and together they look at the long task
ahead of them.
NOG
(sighs)
Come on -- you scan, I'll
calibrate.
As they begin the long process of recalibration...
CUT TO:
20B EXT. SPACE - DEEP SPACE NINE (OPTICAL) 202
Re-establishing the station.
21 INT. INFIRMARY
Where Jake and Nog are now hitting up Bashir for the
hydrosaline solution. Bashir is struggling to work
through a complex experiment using a PADD and a
computer, and like everyone else, he's depressed and
tired.
BASHIR
Five liters of anaerobic
metabolites suspended in a
hydrosaline solution? What could
you possibly want with that?
Nog looks to Jake, who just slightly shakes his head
no.
DEEP SPACE NINE: IfIn the Cards" - REV. 04/15/97 - ACT THREE 34.
21 CONTINUED:
NOG
(frustrated)
We... can't tell you. It's a
surprise for someone.
BASHIR
They're not going to drink it are
they?
JAKE
Oh, no.
(beat)
At least, I don't think so.
(to Nog)
Is he?
Nog isn't sure and Bashir goes back to work.
BASHIR
I really don't have time for
this...
Jake gives Nog a look -- "let me handle this."
JAKE
Can I ask you a question?
Wouldn't you rather be doing
something else right now?
BASHIR
No.
JAKE
No?
BASHIR
No. This is the first chance I've
had to get any research done on my
prion project in five months. You
couldn't drag me away from here.
JAKE
Oh.
Jake looks to Nog, suddenly unsure what to do. Nog
steps up to the plate.
NOG
What Jake was trying to say is
that you seem... unhappy.
DEEP SPACE NINE: "In the Cards" - REV. 04/15/97 - ACT THREE 35.
21 CONTINUED: (2)
BASHIR
(thinks about it)
I suppose I might be feeling a
little... down now that you
mention it.
NOG
Just out of curiosity... if you
had to name one thing that would
make you happy right now, what
would it be?
BASHIR
Oh, I don't know...
NOG
Humor me. One thing. Anything at
all.
Bashir sits back for a second and tries to think of
something, just to humor Nog... then it dawns on him...
the one thing he really wants is...
BASHIR
Kukalaka.
JAKE
Excuse me?
BASHIR
(suddenly focused)
That's what I'd want.
(bitter)
Leeta borrowed him, said he was
cute... and she never brought him
back.
NOG
Kook-ka-what?
DEEP SPACE NINE: "In the Cards" - REV. 04/15/97 - ACT THREE 35A.
21 CONTINUED: (3)
BASHIR
Kukalaka. You bring him to me and
you'll have earned yourselves five
liters of anaerobic metabolites
suspended in a hydrosaline
solution.
JAKE
(eager)
Done.
(beat)
Just one question, Doctor...
what's Kukalaka?
CUT TO:
21A INT. LEETA'S BEDROOM - CLOSE ON KUKALAKA
(FORMERLY SCENES 23 & 24)
Which is, of course, a teddy bear. The bear is
currently snuggled next to LEETA, who is sleeping
peacefully with the bear in the crook of her arm.
WIDEN TO REVEAL Nog standing over the bed, puzzling out
how he's going to retrieve Kukalaka. He opts for the
direct approach and gently tries to slide the bear out
of her grip.
Nog puts one hand at Kukalaka's feet and begins to push
the bear up towards the head of the bed while pulling
the bear's head with his other hand. This actually
works and Nog gets the bear free, but then Leeta stirs
and she tightens her grip on Nog's arm which is now
trapped in her grasp.
He almost panics, standing there with the bear in one
hand and Leeta in the other, but then he gets a hold of
himself. He drops the bear and picks up a pillow with
his free hand. He blows in her ear and sure enough,
Leeta loosens up on his arm for a moment.
He now PUSHES the pillow back down into Leeta's grasp
while he PULLS his own arm out the bottom. Finally
it's done -- Leeta is now snuggling with a pillow.
Nog lets out a relieved sigh, then picks up the bear
and crawls into the open air vent near the floor. OFF
the image of Leeta with the pillow...
21B OMITTED
DEEP SPACE NINE: "In the Cards" - REV. 04/15/97 - ACT THREE 36.
22 OMITTED
22A INT. CAPTAIN'S OFFICE
Sisko is getting Kai Winn a cup of tea. Winn seems
very thoughtful and a little concerned as Sisko
delivers the tea and then sits down. There's a long
quiet moment as Sisko waits for her to speak.
KAI WINN
Weyoun has made a... startling
proposal.
(beat)
The Dominion wishes to sign a non-
aggression treaty with Bajor.
Sisko immediately sees the implications.
SISKO
They're trying to split Bajor from
the Federation.
KAI WINN
Forgive me, Emissary, but you've
already done that. It was your
advice six months ago that kept
Bajor out of the Federation. How
did you put it? "Bajor must stand
alone." Well, we are very much
alone now.
SISKO
Even though you're not a member of
the Federation, Starfleet is
committed to the protection of
your world. We will not stand
idly by and watch the Dominion
conquer Bajor.
KAI WINN
Can you promise me that you will
not let one Jem'Hadar soldier set
foot on Bajor? Can you promise me
that you will use the entire fleet
to protect our planet even if it
means sacrificing other worlds...
like Vulcan or Andor or Berengaria
or perhaps Earth itself?
Sisko can't go that far, but it kills him to admit it.
SISKO
I can't make that kind of promise.
DEEP SPACE NINE: "In the Cards" - REV. 04/15/97 - ACT THREE 37.
22A CONTINUED:
KAI WINN
I wouldn't believe you if you
did.
(beat)
I think you can see my
predicament. If we ally ourselves
with the Federation against the
Dominion, we risk becoming the
first casualty of the next war.
SISKO
And if you ally yourselves with
the Dominion, you risk becoming
the next conquered world.
KAI WINN
A most... unhappy choice.
She gets up and looks out the window.
KAI WINN
I have asked the Prophets for
guidance... but they have not
answered my prayers. I even
consulted the Orb of Wisdom before
coming here... but it told me
nothing.
(turns back to Sisko)
So now I come to you, Emissary.
You've heard the voice of the
Prophets... you were sent here to
guide us through troubled times.
Tell me what to do and I will do
it. How do I save Bajor?
Sisko struggles for a moment, has to find some answer.
SISKO
You want my advice -- then this is
it. Stall. Tell Weyoun you have
to consult with the Council of
Ministers, or that you have to
meditate on your response,
anything you want, but you have to
stall for time.
KAI WINN
Time for what?
SISKO
I don't know. But I do know that
the moment of crisis isn't here
yet. And until that moment
arrives, we have to keep Bajor's
options open.
DEEP SPACE NINE: "In the Cards" - REV. 04/15/97 - ACT THREE 38-39.
22A CONTINUED: (2)
SISKO (Cont'd)
(beat)
I am awares this is difficult for
you, given our... past, but this
time, you have to trust me.
Kai Winn looks at him for a long beat, uncertain
whether she should listen to him or not. She moves to
him and grabs his ear and stares into his eyes,
searching for an answer. After a beat, she releases
him.
KAI WINN
Very well, Emissary... we will put
ourselves into your hands. May we
all walk with the Prophets.
And after placing this huge burden squarely on Sisko's
shoulders, she EXITS. Sisko sits down heavily, feeling
the weight of an entire world now pressing down on him.
CUT TO:
23
thru OMITTED
24
25 INT. GIGER'S QUARTERS
Jake ENTERS, pushing a cartload of equipment, including
a Cardassian power cell, and several other devices...
He looks around for a moment, but there's no sign of
Giger. Suddenly, the large cylinder bed's top SWINGS
UP, revealing Giger is inside. Once the bed is fully
opened, Giger sits up.
GIGER
Refreshed, regenerated... and
mildly entertained. I still get
a little bored after the first
five hours.
JAKE
I've got half the things you
wanted.
Giger gets out of bed and eagerly looks over the cart.
DEEP SPACE NINE: "In the Cards" - REV. 04/15/97 - ACT THREE 40.
25 CONTINUED:
GIGER
Good. Good. Where's the
hydrosaline solution?
JAKE
We should have it soon. Nog just
got the bear.
(off his look)
Don't ask.
Giger attaches a piece of equipment from the cart to
another piece of his equipment and then throws a
switch. Several pieces of equipment around the room
suddenly LIGHT UP and fill the room with NOISE.
GIGER
You know what that is? It's the
sound of immortality.
He smiles, filled with glee while the CAMERA MOVES UP
toward the ceiling and we...
CUT TO:
DEEP SPACE NINE: "In the Cards" - REV. 04/15/97 - ACT THREE 41.
26 INT. WEYOUN'S QUARTERS
which as luck would have it, are right above Giger's
Quarters. Weyoun has his ear to the floor listening to
the strange cacophony of sound emanating from the room
below. The Jem'Hadar Soldiers are scanning the floor
with Dominion tricorders.
WEYOUN
(to himself)
What's going on down there?
CUT TO:
27 EXT. SPACE - DEEP SPACE NINE (OPTICAL)
Re-establishing the station.
28 INT. JAKE'S ROOM
Jake is writing something on a PADD. He's trying to
concentrate, but it's pretty hard considering that
there's LOUD KLINGON OPERA blaring across the quarters
from Nog's room. The music keeps repeating certain
bars, rewinding, going forward, slowing down, speeding
up, etc. Jake tries to shut out the noise and keeps
writing. But finally, it's no use. He storms over to
the door to Nog's bedroom.
JAKE
(shouts)
Nog! Turn it down! Nog!
DEEP SPACE NINE: "In the Cards" - REV. 04/15/97 - ACT THREE 42-42A.
28A INT. NOG'S ROOM
Nog is standing in the middle of the room with his eyes
closed, trying to concentrate on the ridiculously loud
music.
JAKE
(shouting)
I'm trying to work out here!
NOG
So am I! I have to listen to all
of Worf's opera recordings and
filter out the sub-harmonic
distortions!
JAKE
Can you turn it down? I'm trying
to add a little humor to Kira's
speech to the Agricultural
Delegation!
NOG
(getting fed up)
No! I have to listen at precisely
eighty-two decibels because that's
the volume Worf listens at! Of
course, if I could've simply told
him why I needed two meters of
electro-plasma conduit from the
Defiant he probably would've just
given it to me and things would be
a lot quieter around here!
JAKE
We can't tell anyone Nog!
Jake finally snatches the PADD out of Nog's hands and
turns OFF the music.
JAKE
Now, listen to this for a second:
(off his own PADD)
"Thank you for that kind
introduction, and thank you for
inviting me to address you here
today. I've always thought it odd
that the topic of water
reclamation was usually treated as
such a dry subject."
(to Nog)
Is that funny?
NOG
No.
DEEP SPACE NINE: "In the Cards" - REV. 04/15/97 - ACT THREE 43.
28A CONTINUED:
Nog grabs the PADD again and TURNS ON the music.
JAKE
(to himself)
I didn't think so either.
Jake heads back to his room.
CUT TO:
29 EXT. SPACE - DEEP SPACE NINE (OPTICAL)
Re-establishing the station.
30 INT. CORRIDOR
Nog and Jake are heading down the Corridor carrying two
meters of plasma-(TECH) conduit, the five liter
hydrosaline solution, and a few other items. Neither
of them is in a good mood as they stop outside the
door. Nog accidently bumps Jake with the conduit.
JAKE
Watch it with that thing.
NOG
Try staying out of the way.
Jake presses the door chime. No answer. Jake chimes
again, but still no answer.
NOG
He's probably sleeping inside his
Cellular Entertainment... thing
again.
JAKE
(off wall control)
It's not locked...
Jake OPENS the door and they react to...
31 INT. GIGER'S QUARTERS - CONTINUOUS
The room is EMPTY. All of Giger's equipment is GONE
and the quarters have been stripped bare, right down to
the furniture and artwork. And there's no sign of
Giger either. Off Jake and Nog's astonished
reactions...
FADE OUT.
END OF ACT THREE
DEEP SPACE NINE: "In the Cards" - REV. 04/15/97 - ACT FOUR 44.
ACT FOUR
FADE IN:
32 INT. SECURITY OFFICE
Odo is working the computer console while Jake and Nog
sit across from him.
ODO
(off monitor)
There's no record of a Doctor
Giger being assigned to those
quarters.
JAKE
He was there, Odo.
NOG
Maybe the soulless minions of
orthodoxy finally caught up with
him.
ODO
The who?
JAKE
We don't know who they are, but
they were after Doctor Giger's
Cellular Regeneration and
Entertainment Chamber.
ODO
His what?
JAKE
It's a device to keep the cells in
your body from getting bored. You
see, he was going to transmit
messages to people's cells to keep
them entertained so they wouldn't
die off... and as a result these
people would...
(suddenly realizing how
lame this sounds)
... live... forever.
Odo looks from Jake to Nog for a long moment and a deep
frown starts to settle in on his features as he
suspects that he is the victim of a not so funny prank.
CUT TO:
DEEP SPACE NINE: "In the Cards" - REV. 04/15/97 - ACT FOUR 45.
33 INT. PROMENADE
A few seconds later Nog and Jake ENTER from the
Security Office with chagrined looks on their faces.
NOG
You think he's really going to
charge us with filing false
reports, obstructing justice and
being public nuisances? I can't
have all that on my Academy
record.
JAKE
I think he was just trying to
scare us.
Jake suddenly stops short as he sees something on the
Second Level of the Promenade.
JAKE
(continuing)
Nog, look.
34 JAKE'S POV
Kai Winn and the N.D. Vedek seen earlier at the auction
are talking on the Upper Level.
35 RESUME JAKE & NOG
NOG
(so?)
It's Kai Winn.
JAKE
Do you see who she's talking to?
That's the Vedek who was bidding
against us at the auction.
DEEP SPACE NINE: "In the Cards" - REV. 04/15/97 - ACT FOUR 46.
35 CONTINUED:
NOG
I don't know what you're thinking,
but I'm sure I'm not going to like it.
Jake suddenly goes off on a tangent that sounds crazy,
but makes perfect sense to him.
JAKE
Don't you see? The Vedek was
bidding on the lot because there
was an old Bajoran mandala in it.
He must have been working for the
Kai. But when they lost, the Kai
got angry... and we all know she's
dangerous when she's angry...
NOG
What are you saying? That in
order to get the mandala... she
kidnapped Giger?
JAKE
It all makes sense now.
Jake glares up at the Kai as she finishes her
conversation with the Vedek and then heads off.
NOG
Jake, I'm really starting to worry
about you...
JAKE
Come on.
NOG
Where're we going?
JAKE
Let me introduce you to a new
human expression: we're going to
beard the lion in its den.
Nog's exhaustion is starting to show. This whole
adventure is turning into a blur of...
NOG
(weary)
Lions and Gigers and bears...
Jake sees that the Kai is getting away from them.
JAKE
(she's getting away)
Oh my.
He heads down the Promenade at a determined clip.
CUT TO :
DEEP SPACE NINE: "In the Cards" - REV. 04/15/97 - ACT FOUR 47.
36 INT. CORRIDOR
Kai Winn and Weyoun are walking down the Corridor
toward her quarters, followed discreetly by one N.D.
Jem'Hadar Soldier and one N.D. Bajoran Guard.
WEYOUN
I hope you've found our talks as
rewarding as I have, your
eminence. May I enquire if you
plan on giving the First Minister
a positive recommendation
regarding the non-aggression pact?
The Kai stops and gives him her perfect smile, which
Weyoun returns. It's like watching two cobras smile at
each other.
KAI WINN
I'm afraid that I cannot divulge
the nature of my recommendations
to the First Minister. You
understand.
WEYOUN
Of course, of course -- forgive me
for even asking. It is enough to
know that you and I have found so
many common interests. I feel...
that we are very much alike.
The Kai looks at him for a beat, then suddenly reaches
out and grabs his ear, reading his pagh without
warning. Weyoun's smile freezes slightly, but he
allows the touch as she gazes into his eyes. Winn
recoils from him.
KAI WINN
No... we are nothing alike...
nothing at all.
DEEP SPACE NINE: "In the Cards" - REV. 04/15/97 - ACT FOUR 48.
36 CONTINUED:
She turns abruptly and heads off down the Corridor,
leaving behind a slightly unsettled Weyoun.
37 NEW ANGLE
As Winn rounds the corner, she finds Jake and Nog
waiting outside her quarters. The boys have their arms
crossed and are wearing their most serious expressions.
KAI WINN
What is it, my children?
JAKE
We need to talk.
OFF the Kai's face as she begins to frown ever so
slightly.
CUT TO:
38 INT. CAPTAIN'S OFFICE
Jake and Nog are standing in front of Sisko, who is fuming.
SISKO
You accused the Kai of burglary
and kidnapping?
JAKE
We didn't really accuse her of
anything...
SISKO
Oh I see, you just implied it.
NOG
Exactly.
SISKO
Are you trying to be funny, cadet?
Because I'm not laughing.
NOG
No, sir.
DEEP SPACE NINE: "In the Cards" - REV. 04/15/97 - ACT FOUR 49.
38 CONTINUED:
SISKO
I want an explanation and I want
it now.
Nog is willing to fold right now, but Jake won't let
him.
NOG
Well sir, it all began in my uncle
Quark's bar when we saw this list
of--
JAKE
(quickly)
We were in the bar and I guess we
got a little drunk.
NOG
Jake!
JAKE
It won't do any good to lie about
it, Nog.
NOG
What?! captain, I'd like to
separate myself from--
SISKO
As you were, cadet.
They both fall silent.
SISKO
(icy)
Drunk. Well, I see that my faith
in the two of you has been sadly
misplaced. You're both confined
to quarters until further notice.
Dismissed!
Jake and Nog turn and EXIT.
39 INT. OPS - CONTINUOUS
As Jake and Nog ENTER and head for the turbolift.
NOG
What did you say that for?
JAKE
I didn't want him to know about
the baseball card.
DEEP SPACE NINE: "In the Cards" - REV. 04/15/97 - ACT FOUR 50.
39 CONTINUED:
NOG
Of course not. If you tell him
about the card, he might forgive
us, he might even be grateful for
all the effort we've gone through
just to make him happy, and we
certainly wouldn't want that.
They ENTER the turbolift.
NOG
(to com)
Habitat Ring.
The turbolift begins to SINK out of view.
40 INT. TURBOLIFT - CONTINUOUS (OPTICAL)
The lift is MOVING.
JAKE
Once we get the card, everything
will be fine.
(to com)
Habitat Ring.
NOG
Jake, as your friend... I think I
should tell you that you're
starting to go over the edge. You
need some perspective on all
this... you need to get away,
clear your head...
But before Nog can go any further, the two of them
suddenly DEMATERIALIZE.
41 INT. JEM'HADAR INTERROGATION ROOM (OPTICAL)
Jake and Nog MATERIALIZE in the middle of a stark room
on the Jem'Hadar warship. There's a table with a chair
on one side and a bench on the other, but little else
in the room. Two N.D. Jem'Hadar Soldiers are looming
over Jake and Nog, with weapons drawn and the boys are
definitely in very deep trouble.
NOG
This isn't what I had in mind.
OFF their expressions...
FADE OUT.
END OF ACT FOUR
DEEP SPACE NINE: "In the Cards" - REV. 04/15/97 - ACT FIVE 51.
ACT FIVE
FADE IN:
42 EXT. SPACE - JEM'HADAR WARSHIP (OPTICAL)
The ship is docked at the station.
INT. JEM'HADAR INTERROGATION ROOM
A few moments later. Weyoun ENTERS the room, sits down
in the single chair and then gestures for the boys to
sit on the bench. They glance at each other and then
sit down on the small bench across from Weyoun. The
Vorta considers the boys for a long moment, no trace of
the smiling unctuous diplomat now, just the baleful
gaze of one of the soldiers of the Dominion.
WEYOUN
Do you think I'm a fool?
Nog and Jake shake their heads, no.
WEYOUN
(beat)
Let's start at the beginning.
What is the nature of your
relationship with Doctor Elias
Giger?
JAKE
(swallows hard)
We barely know him.
DEEP SPACE NINE: "In the Cards" - REV. 04/15/97 - ACT FIVE 52.
43 CONTINUED:
JAKE (Cont'd)
He had a baseball card that I
wanted to give to my father to
cheer him up -- my father's the
Station Commander by the way.
WEYOUN
I know who your father is. Go on.
JAKE
That's it. We wanted the card so
we agreed to help him get a few
things for his research. We got
all the equipment, but he
disappeared about three hours ago
and we haven't seen him since.
Weyoun glances up at one of the Jem'Hadar Soldiers, who
nods and then EXITS the room. Weyoun looks at the boys
in silence for a moment, making them uncomfortable once
again.
WEYOUN
Do you really expect me to believe
that everything you've been doing
for the last twenty-two hours has
been perfectly innocent? That it
was merely a coincidence that
Doctor Giger was running
experiments with highly charged
polaric particles right below my
quarters? I suppose there's also
an innocent explanation for the
secret meetings you've been having
with virtually the entire senior
staff of Deep Space Nine, or that
Kai Winn met with you immediately
after I left her?
DEEP SPACE NINE: "In the Cards" - REV. 04/15/97 - ACT FIVE 53.
43 CONTINUED: (2)
WEYOUN (Cont'd)
(beat, then deadly)
I suggest you stop playing games
with me and tell me the truth.
Quickly.
Jake swallows hard under that look, but tries to reason
with Weyoun.
JAKE
This is all just a
misunderstanding... nothing's
going on... and we're certainly
not involved in any secret plot
against --
The door OPENS and the Jem'Hadar Soldier ENTERS with
Giger, who's carrying the Andorian chest, and looking
quite bewildered.
GIGER
(to Jake)
You betrayed me! You turned me
over to these soulless minions of
orthodoxy! Well, they won't
discover the secret of my work
without a --
WEYOUN
So there are secrets after all.
There shouldn't be any secrets
between friends, Jake. And I do
want to be your friend.
Weyoun motions for the chest to be put on the table.
The Jem'Hadar wrenches it out of Giger's grasp and then
places it before Weyoun, who then carefully opens it
and takes out the treasures within one by one.
NOG
(sotto, to Jake)
Do something.
Weyoun has the baseball card now and is examining it
carefully. Jake decides to take a big risk.
JAKE
All right. We'll tell you the
truth.
DEEP SPACE NINE: "In the Cards" - REV. 04/15/97 - ACT FIVE 54.
43 CONTINUED: (3)
WEYOUN
I'm listening.
JAKE
We weren't supposed to divulge
this, but you've left us no
choice. We're working for
Starfleet Intelligence.
NOG
(to himself)
Oh, no.
JAKE
Forget it Nog, we have to tell
him.
(to Weyoun)
We've been investigating the man
whose picture you're holding in
your hand right now. Until
yesterday, that man, one "Willie
Mays" did not exist in any
historical documents. Then, in
the blink of an eye, that card
appeared on the station, and at
the same moment, a bust of Willie
Mays appeared at the Hall of Fame
in Cooperstown, New York. There's
only one explanation.
(beat, then points to
the card)
We suspect that this man... is
from the future.
Weyoun looks at the card.
WEYOUN
A time-traveler?
JAKE
That's right. And so far that
card is our only link to him. We
have to find out what he's
planning to do in the past.
(ominous)
... or what he may have done
already.
DEEP SPACE NINE: "In the Cards" - REV. 04/15/97 - ACT FIVE 55.
43 CONTINUED: (4)
Jake gets up and leans on the table, trying to appear
as serious and convincing as possible.
JAKE
We need that card. The entire
future of the galaxy may depend on
our tracking down Willie Mays...
and stopping him.
Jake holds Weyoun's gaze for a long moment. Nog is on
the edge of his seat, Giger is baffled beyond
comprehension and Weyoun is staring at Jake as he
considers the implications of this tale.
WEYOUN
I believe you.
NOG
(incredulous)
You do?
WEYOUN
Yes. That is, I believe your
first story -- that you're two
innocent boys trying to give a
present to Captain Sisko.
Jake blinks for a second, caught off-stride by the
sudden change of gears. Then he smiles.
JAKE
You are very wise.
WEYOUN
(to Giger)
Which still leaves the question of
what you were doing beneath my
quarters.
NOG
He's harmless. He's been working
on a way to become...
(rolls his eyes)
... immortal.
But instead of sneering, Weyoun perks up at this and
seems genuinely interested.
DEEP SPACE NINE: "In the Cards" - REV. 04/15/97 - ACT FIVE 56.
43 CONTINUED: (5)
WEYOUN
Really? I have a background in...
shall we say, creative genetics.
I'd be most interested in hearing
your theories.
GIGER
Well... it will take some time to
explain, but let me ask you a
simple question -- do you want to
die?
NOG
Uh, excuse me? Can we go now?
WEYOUN
Of course.
NOG
Thank you!
Jake and Nog head for the door. But then Weyoun stops
them.
WEYOUN
Aren't you forgetting something?
OFF the puzzled expressions on the boys, faces...
CUT TO:
44 EXT. SPACE - DEEP SPACE NINE (OPTICAL)
Re-establishing the station.
SISKO (V.O.)
Captain's Log: Stardate 50929.4.
Two days ago, this station felt
like a tomb. I'd never seen so
many of my crew depressed at the
same time.
45 INT. QUARK'S - SECOND LEVEL
O'Brien is leaving the holosuite dressed in his
kayaking gear. There's a new spring in his step and
he's spinning his paddle like a baton -- clearly a
happy man.
DEEP SPACE NINE: "In the Cards" - REV. 04/15/97 - ACT FIVE 57.
45 CONTINUED:
SISKO (V.O.)
(continuing)
But for some reason, it now seems
as though a new spirit has swept
through the station...
46 INT. BASHIR'S QUARTERS
Bashir is placing Kukalaka on a shelf in his closet and
smiling happily to himself.
SISKO (V.O.)
(continuing)
... as if someone had opened a door
and let a gust of fresh air
blow...
47 INT. LEETA'S BEDROOM
Leeta is looking everywhere for the bear and seems very
puzzled as to why she can't find it.
SISKO (V.O.)
(continuing)
... through a musty old house. Why
this is happening is frankly...
48 INT. CARGO BAY
Kira has just finished her speech to a group of N.D.
Bajoran delegates and they rise to their feet in
applause. She basks in the approval.
SISKO (V.O.)
(continuing)
... a mystery to me. After all,
nothing has really changed.
49 INT. DEFIANT - BRIDGE
Worf is listening and conducting the glorious music of
Klingon Opera with a rapturous look on his face.
SISKO (V.O.)
(continuing)
But maybe the explanation is as
simple as...
DEEP SPACE NINE: "In the Cards" - REV. 04/15/97 - ACT FIVE 58.
50 INT. GIGER'S QUARTERS
Weyoun is climbing into the clamshell bed with interest
as Giger looks on and explains the working of the
device.
SISKO (V.O.)
(continuing)
... something my father taught me
a long time ago:
51 CLOSE ON THE BASEBALL CARD
which is finally in Sisko's hands.
SISKO (V.O.)
(continuing)
Even in the darkest moments, you
can always find something that'll
make you smile.
52 WIDEN - SISKO'S QUARTERS
To reveal Jake and Nog standing proudly before Sisko --
and the captain is indeed smiling, in fact there are
tears in his eyes. He looks at the two boys (who are
beaming) doesn't know what to say and then he pulls
Jake into his arms for a loving, warm embrace. Jake
smiles at Nog as he hugs his dad and off this scene of
a happy family celebrating a special moment...
FADE OUT.
END OF ACT FIVE
THE END