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STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION
"Cause and Effect"
#40275-218
Written by
Brannon Braga
Directed by
Jonathan Frakes
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 1992 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 This script is not for publication or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.
FINAL DRAFT
JANUARY 2, 1992
STAR TREK: "Cause and Effect" - 1/2/92 - CAST
STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION
"Cause and Effect"
CAST
PICARD CAPTAIN BATESON
RIKER
DATA
BEVERLY
TROI
GEORDI
WORF
Non-Speaking
ENSIGN RO FIRST OFFICER, USS BOZEMAN
NURSE OGAWA
Non-Speaking
SUPERNUMERARIES
STAR TREK: "Cause and Effect" - REV. 1/9/92 - SETS
STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION
"Cause and Effect"
SETS
INTERIORS EXTERIORS
USS ENTERPRISE USS ENTERPRISE
MAIN BRIDGE
OBSERVATION LOUNGE USS BOZEMAN
SICKBAY
ENGINEERING
RIKER'S QUARTERS
BEVERLY'S QUARTERS
CAPTAIN'S READY ROOM
USS BOZEMAN
BRIDGE (SEEN ON VIEWSCREEN)
STAR TREK: "Cause and Effect" - 1/2/92 - PRONUNCIATION
STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION
"Cause and Effect"
PRONUNCIATION GUIDE
CAUSALITY kaw-ZAL-i-tee
DEJA-VU day-zha-VOO
DEKYON DECK-ee-on
TEMPORAL TEM-po-ral
STAR TREK: "Cause and Effect" - REV. 1/14/92 - TEASER 1.
STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION
"Cause and Effect"
TEASER
FADE IN:
1 EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL)
The ship's starboard nacelle is DAMAGED, sending out
stray jets of plasma...
2 INT. BRIDGE
SHAKING VIOLENTLY. PICARD, RIKER, DATA, WORF, GEORDI,
and RO working frantically. BEVERLY and TROI standing
by. The ship is at RED ALERT -- bridge dark, except
for emergency lights. Quick action --
RIKER
Damage report!
Beverly works a nearby console.
BEVERLY
Casualty reports coming in from
all over the ship...
DATA
(off console)
The starboard nacelle has
sustained a direct impact. We
are venting drive plasma.
GEORDI
Initiating emergency core
shutdown.
Geordi quickly works his console.
RO
Inertial dampers failing... we're
losing attitude control...
RIKER
(to comm)
This is the bridge. All hands
to emergency escape pods.
3 EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL)
The starboard nacelle FLARES, throwing the ship into a
SPINNING MOTION, out of control...
STAR TREK: "Cause and Effect" - REV. 1/9/92 - TEASER 2.
4 INT. BRIDGE (OPTICAL)
Round and round. People can barely stand up. On the
VIEWSCREEN, the stars are WHIPPING past, dizzying...
DATA
(off console)
The core shutdown was
unsuccessful. We are losing
antimatter containment.
GEORDI
We've gotta eject the engine
core!
DATA
The ejection systems are
off-line. A core breach is
imminent...
Tension -- no choice.
PICARD
(to com)
All hands abandon ship. Repeat,
all hands abandon --
Too late:
5 EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL)
as it EXPLODES in a blast of fire and debris.
Completely destroyed.
FADE OUT.
END OF TEASER
STAR TREK: "Cause and Effect" - REV. 1/6/92 - ACT ONE 3.
ACT ONE
FADE IN:
(NOTE: Episode credits fall over opening scenes.)
6 EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL)
at impulse in a starry region of space.
PICARD (V.O.)
Captain's log, stardate 45652.1.
The Enterprise has entered an area
of space known as the Typhon
Expanse. We are the first
Starfleet vessel to chart this
unexplored region.
7 INT. RIKER'S QUARTERS - POKER TABLE
Poker game in progress, five card stud. Riker, Data,
Worf, Beverly. Data SHUFFLES the cards with android
speed and dexterity.
RIKER
(with humor)
Sometimes I wonder if he's
stacking the deck.
DATA
I assure you, Commander, the cards
have been sufficiently randomized.
WORF
I hope so.
A look between Worf and Data. Data proceeds to deal
one card face-down to each person... then one card
face-up in the order of Riker, Worf, Beverly, and
himself. Data calls the cards like a true dealer,
mimicking the terms he has heard in his years of
poker...
(NOTE: Because the cards will play an important role
in ensuing Acts, they are specified here.)
DATA
An eight. An Ace. A Queen. The
dealer receives a four.
Everyone studies their cards.
STAR TREK: "Cause and Effect" - REV. 1/9/92 - ACT ONE 4.
7 CONTINUED:
WORF
No bet.
Data deals the next round of cards face-up. Beverly is
dealt another Queen.
DATA
A ten. A seven -- no help there.
A pair of "ladies" for the Doctor.
The dealer receives a nine.
(to Beverly)
Doctor, may I remind you that
since you show the highest hand,
you control the next bet.
Beverly throws in a chip.
BEVERLY
I'll bet ten.
Everyone sees the bet. Data deals...
DATA
Jack. Four. Deuce. Six.
BEVERLY
(bets)
Twenty.
Data matches the bet.
RIKER
And I'll raise you fifty.
Reactions. Worf is uncomfortable with the large bet.
WORF
Fifty.
BEVERLY
I'm in.
DATA
I will also see the bet.
Worf grumbles, matches the bet.
DATA
(dealing)
Seven... and a possible straight
for Commander Riker. Jack --
still no help for the Klingon.
Worf bristles at the remark, unhappy with his cards.
STAR TREK: "Cause and Effect" - REV. 1/6/92 - ACT ONE 4A.
7 CONTINUED: (2)
DATA
(continuing)
Eight. Nine for the dealer.
Beverly glances at Riker's cards... hesitant... tosses
in a few more chips.
BEVERLY
Twenty.
STAR TREK: "Cause and Effect" - REV. 1/9/92 - ACT ONE 5.
7 CONTINUED: (3)
DATA
(folds)
"Too rich for my blood."
RIKER
I'll see your twenty -- and raise
you a hundred.
Riker throws in chips. Worf reacts to the bet,
disgruntled.
WORF
Fold.
Beverly studies Riker -- has a feeling here and goes
for broke... matches his bet...
BEVERLY
And two hundred more.
Riker matches.
RIKER
Two. And another three hundred.
A beat. Worf studies Riker.
WORF
He does not have the straight.
Beverly and Riker match poker faces.
BEVERLY
We'll find out, won't we?
She matches his bet.
BEVERLY
Let's see what you've got.
The moment of truth. Riker turns over his cards,
defeated.
RIKER
Take it.
Reactions as Beverly collects her winnings. Riker's
ego has been bruised. He kicks off a playful
exchange...
RIKER
(to Beverly)
How'd you know I was bluffing?
BEVERLY
I just had a feeling.
STAR TREK: "Cause and Effect" - REV. 1/6/92 - ACT ONE 6.
7 CONTINUED: (4)
RIKER
I guess it's better to be lucky
than good.
BEVERLY
Or maybe it's the way your left
eyebrow raises slightly when you
bluff.
Riker blanches -- is she kidding? Beverly smiles.
BEVERLY
Just teasing, Commander.
NURSE OGAWA'S COM VOICE
Ogawa to Doctor Crusher.
BEVERLY
Go ahead.
NURSE OGAWA'S COM VOICE
Commander La Forge needs you in
sickbay.
BEVERLY
On my way.
Beverly stands to go...
8 INT. SICKBAY
Geordi is sitting on an examination table, while
Beverly scans him with a medical tricorder. She
centers around his ears and head...
GEORDI
At first I thought the catwalk
was spinning. Turns out it was
me.
(beat)
I'm lucky Ensign Fletcher was
there to grab me -- it's a long
way down to the bottom of the warp
core.
Geordi reacts to a sudden pain -- headache. Beverly
completes her exam.
BEVERLY
You have all the symptoms of an
inner-ear infection. That
would explain your dizziness...
and the headache.
STAR TREK: "Cause and Effect" - REV. 1/6/92 - ACT ONE 7.
8 CONTINUED:
She reaches for a nearby hypospray.
BEVERLY
But I don't see any physical
evidence.
(beat)
My guess is... you've been working
too hard.
Geordi nods, admitting the fact.
GEORDI
I have been putting in extra hours
on the Typhon Expanse survey.
Beverly prepares the hypospray...
BEVERLY
I'll give you twenty cc's of
vertazine -- it'll clear up your
dizziness. But finding time to
relax is up to you...
Beverly stops in mid-sentence, caught by a sudden
awareness -- the feeling that she's done this before...
the examination... the conversation...
GEORDI
(off her look)
What is it?
BEVERLY
Geordi... have you ever had these
symptoms before?
GEORDI
(thinks)
Never.
BEVERLY
You're sure?
GEORDI
Positive. Why?
BEVERLY
It's funny... I get the feeling
that we've discussed these
complaints.
(beat)
I remember giving you a hypospray
for dizziness.
STAR TREK: "Cause and Effect" - 1/2/92 - ACT ONE 8.
8 CONTINUED: (2)
GEORDI
I've never had these symptoms
before today. You must be
remembering some other patient.
BEVERLY
No. I'm sure it was you.
Beverly shrugs off the feeling. She administers the
hypospray.
BEVERLY
Try to get some rest. And stay
away from high places for a few
days, just in case.
Geordi stands, appreciative.
GEORDI
Thanks, Doc.
BEVERLY
Goodnight.
Geordi EXITS. Off Beverly's face, as she returns to
her work...
9 INT. BEVERLY'S QUARTERS
Later. Beverly is dressed in her nightclothes, ready
for bed. She passes by a table topped with several
exotic PLANTS, picks up a cutting tool and starts to
snip away the dead leaves. As she does so, she quietly
sings a little song, letting herself unwind. After a
peaceful beat, she puts down the tool, and heads for
bed...
10 ANGLE ON BED
Beverly sits down, reaches for a GLASS of water off the
night stand and takes a sip. She turns off the lamp
and the room darkens. She crawls under the covers,
lays her head on the pillow. A quiet moment passes
as Beverly drifts off to sleep...
Then, slowly in the darkness, a barely perceptible
VOICE can be heard. A distant and echoey whisper.
Beverly opens her eyes. Listens. Gradually, a dozen
VOICES fade in -- disembodied murmurs. Creepy. She
sits up, glances around the dark and empty room...
STAR TREK: "Cause and Effect" - REV. 1/14/92 - ACT ONE 9.
10 CONTINUED:
More voices, louder now, all meshing together. Beverly
tries to make out what they are saying -- but they are
unclear.
Alarmed, Beverly turns on the light, accidentally
knocking over the glass -- the glass BREAKS on the
table, startling her.
The voices stop. Beverly catches her breath, shaken...
11 EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL)
at impulse.
12 INT. OBSERVATION LOUNGE
Picard, Riker, Data, Geordi, Troi, and Beverly. Geordi
is standing next to a WALL MONITOR, which displays a
MAP of the TYPHON EXPANSE. They are wrapping up a
discussion about their mission.
GEORDI
The Typhon Expanse is huge. If
we want to chart the most remote
star system, we'll have to launch
a probe within the next few hours.
RIKER
Fine.
(consults PADD)
What about the luminosity studies?
GEORDI
They may pose a problem...
PICARD
How so?
GEORDI
The flux spectrometers are still
down for realignment.
RIKER
I thought they were supposed to
be back on-line yesterday.
GEORDI
They were, until the stellar
dynamics lab decided they needed
to install new modules.
STAR TREK: "Cause and Effect" - REV. 1/9/92 - ACT ONE 9A.
12 CONTINUED:
DATA
I recommend we use the gravitron
polarimeter instead. It will
perform a similar function.
STAR TREK: "Cause and Effect" - REV. 1/9/92 - ACT ONE 10.
12 CONTINUED: (2)
PICARD
Make it so.
Beverly cuts in, awkward...
BEVERLY
Captain... There's something I'd
like to report.
PICARD
Yes, Doctor?
BEVERLY
I heard... voices in my room last
night. I was alone... so at first
I thought I was imagining things.
But this morning, ten other people
reported hearing them at the same
time I did.
TROI
What were the voices saying?
BEVERLY
I couldn't make them out...
Reactions to the curious news.
RIKER
Data, did the sensors pick up
anything unusual last night?
DATA
No anomalous readings were
reported.
RIKER
When we're through here,
double-check the sensor logs.
DATA
Aye sir.
PICARD
Counselor?
TROI
I sensed nothing out of the
ordinary last night.
STAR TREK: "Cause and Effect" - REV. 1/14/92 - ACT ONE 11.
12 CONTINUED: (3)
GEORDI
Maybe it's a problem with the com
system.
WORF'S COM VOICE
Bridge to Captain Picard.
PICARD
Go ahead.
WORF'S COM VOICE
We are getting unusual readings
-- twenty thousand kilometers off
the port bow.
A concerned glance, then they rise and head for the
door...
13 INT. BRIDGE - CONTINUOUS
Picard and the others ENTER the bridge, take stations.
Riker stands near Data, at ops.
PICARD
Report.
RO
Sensors didn't detect the
phenomenon until we were almost
on top of it, sir.
WORF
(off console)
It is a highly localized
distortion in the space-time
continuum.
Reactions -- they don't like the sound of it.
RIKER
On screen.
14 INTERCUT: VIEWSCREEN (OPTICAL)
The area of space just ahead is MURKY and DISTORTED.
Reactions to the sight.
PICARD
Back us off, Ensign. Nice and
slow.
STAR TREK: "Cause and Effect" - REV. 1/14/92 - ACT ONE 12.
14 CONTINUED:
RO
Aye sir.
(beat)
Captain -- maneuvering thrusters
are not responding.
On the screen, the distortion RIPPLES slightly.
DATA
(off console)
The distortion field is
fluctuating.
Suddenly, the bridge lights FLICKER and GO OUT. The
EMERGENCY LIGHTS come on -- and some of the consoles
LOSE POWER.
GEORDI
All main systems just went down.
Power levels dropping rapidly...
RIKER
Red Alert.
The ship goes to RED ALERT.
DATA
There is an energy build-up in
the distortion field.
(beat)
Something is emerging...
Suddenly, Troi is overwhelmed by a distinct and
horrible feeling.
TROI
(certain)
Captain -- we have to get out of
here now.
Picard looks at her, and then --
15 ON VIEWSCREEN (OPTICAL)
A STARSHIP EMERGES from the murk -- HEADED DIRECTLY
FOR US. (Note: It's clearly an older style starship.)
The following action happens quickly --
RIKER
Shields up! Evasive maneuvers!
WORF
Shields inoperative!
STAR TREK: "Cause and Effect" - REV. 1/6/92 - ACT ONE 13.
15 CONTINUED:
RO
The helm's not responding!
DATA
The vessel is on a collision
course. Impact in thirty-six
seconds...
PICARD
Hail them.
WORF
No response.
On the viewscreen, the ship comes closer... closer...
PICARD
Suggestions?
RIKER
Decompress the main shuttlebay
-- the explosive reaction might
kick us out of the way.
Picard reacts -- sounds dangerous. Data cuts in, his
hands flying across the controls...
DATA
Captain -- I recommend we use the
tractor beam to alter the other
ship's trajectory.
PICARD
Mister Worf -- make it so.
WORF
(working)
Engaging tractor beam...
16 EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL)
The Enterprise sends out a TRACTOR BEAM -- but it's
too late. The other ship COLLIDES with our starboard
nacelle, knocking us aside. The Enterprise's starboard
nacelle is DAMAGED, sending out stray jets of plasma...
17 INT. BRIDGE
SHAKING VIOLENTLY. The crew working frantically.
STAR TREK: "Cause and Effect" - REV. 1/14/92 - ACT ONE 14.
17 CONTINUED:
RIKER
Damage report!
Beverly works a nearby console.
BEVERLY
Casualty reports coming in from
all over the ship...
DATA
The starboard nacelle has
sustained a direct impact. We
are venting drive plasma.
GEORDI
Initiating emergency core
shutdown.
Geordi works quickly.
RO
Inertial dampers failing. We're
losing attitude control...
RIKER
(to comm)
This is the bridge. All hands
to emergency escape pods.
18 EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL)
The starboard nacelle FLARES, throwing the ship into
a SPINNING MOTION, out of control...
19 INT. BRIDGE (OPTICAL)
Round and round. People can barely stand up. On the
viewscreen, the stars are WHIPPING past, dizzying...
DATA
(off console)
The core shutdown was
unsuccessful. We are losing
antimatter containment.
GEORDI
We gotta eject the engine core!
DATA
The ejection systems are
off-line. A core breach is
imminent...
Tension -- no choice.
STAR TREK: "Cause and Effect" - 1/2/92 - ACT ONE 15.
19 CONTINUED:
PICARD
(to com)
All hands abandon ship. Repeat,
all hands abandon --
20 EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL)
as it EXPLODES in a blast of fire and debris.
Completely destroyed.
FADE OUT.
END OF ACT ONE
STAR TREK: "Cause and Effect" - 1/2/92 - ACT TWO 16.
ACT TWO
FADE IN:
21 EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL)
at impulse in a starry region of space.
PICARD (V.O.)
Captain's log, stardate 45652.1.
The Enterprise has entered an area
of space known as the Typhon
Expanse. We are the first
Starfleet vessel to chart this
unexplored region.
22 INT. RIKER'S QUARTERS - POKER TABLE
(As seen in Act One.) Poker game in progress. Riker,
Data, Worf, Beverly. Data SHUFFLES the cards with
android speed and dexterity.
RIKER
(with humor)
Sometimes I wonder if he's
stacking the deck.
DATA
I assure you, Commander, the
cards have been sufficiently
randomized.
WORF
I hope so.
A look between Worf and Data. Data proceeds to deal
one card face-down... then one card face-up to Riker,
Geordi, Beverly, and himself.
DATA
An eight. An Ace. A Queen. The
dealer receives a four.
They study their cards.
WORF
No bet.
Data deals the next round. Beverly gets another Queen.
STAR TREK: "Cause and Effect" - 1/2/92 - ACT TWO 17.
22 CONTINUED:
DATA
A ten. A seven -- no help there.
A pair of "ladies" for the
Doctor. The dealer receives a
nine.
(to Beverly)
Doctor, may I remind you that
since you show the highest hand,
you control the next bet.
Beverly glances at Riker's cards... and is suddenly
struck with a vivid sense of deja-vu. The clarity of
feeling is almost uncomfortable.
WORF
(off her look)
Is there something wrong, Doctor?
Beverly snaps out of it.
BEVERLY
No... I bet ten.
Everyone sees her bet.
DATA
(dealing)
Jack. Four. Deuce. Six.
BEVERLY
(bets)
Twenty.
RIKER
And I'll raise you fifty.
Everyone matches bets. As Data deals...
23 CLOSE ON RIKER
as he has a flash of deja-vu. He eyes Beverly -- knows
where this game is going...
RIKER
(to Beverly, certain)
You're going to call my bluff,
aren't you?
Beverly stares back at him, surprised. It's like a
game of dueling premonitions.
STAR TREK: "Cause and Effect" - REV. 1/9/92 - ACT TWO 18.
23 CONTINUED:
RIKER
(folds)
I think I'll quit while I'm ahead.
Beverly is astonished -- how could he have known?
BEVERLY
How did you know I was going to
call your bluff?
RIKER
I just had a feeling.
BEVERLY
Me too...
NURSE OGAWA'S COM VOICE
Ogawa to Doctor Crusher.
BEVERLY
Go ahead.
NURSE OGAWA'S COM VOICE
Commander La Forge needs you in
sickbay.
BEVERLY
On my way.
Beverly stands to go...
24 INT. SICKBAY (OPTICAL)
Geordi sits on an examination table, while Beverly
scans him with a medical tricorder. She centers around
his ears and head...
GEORDI
At first I thought the catwalk
was spinning. Turns out it was
me.
(beat)
I'm lucky Ensign Fletcher was
there to grab me -- it's a long
way down to the bottom of the warp
core.
Geordi reacts to a sudden pain -- headache. Beverly
completes her exam.
STAR TREK: "Cause and Effect" - 1/2/92 - ACT TWO 19.
24 CONTINUED:
BEVERLY
You have all the symptoms of an
inner-ear infection. That would
explain your dizziness... and the
headache.
She reaches for a nearby hypospray.
BEVERLY
But I don't see any physical...
She stops in mid-sentence, caught by a strange and
sudden awareness. The same feeling she had in the
poker game -- she's been here before.
GEORDI
(off her look)
What is it?
BEVERLY
Geordi... have you ever had these
symptoms before?
GEORDI
(thinks)
Now that you mention it... I think
I did.
BEVERLY
Do you recall when?
GEORDI
No, I don't.
They both try to remember...
BEVERLY
(certain)
We've had this discussion. I
remember giving you this
examination...
(beat)
Let's check the medical logs.
They move to a nearby console. Beverly hits a few
commands -- information comes up on the screen. They
study it...
STAR TREK: "Cause and Effect" - REV. 1/9/92 - ACT TWO 20.
24 CONTINUED: (2)
BEVERLY
(off console)
You've been treated several times
for headaches related to your
VISOR... but I see no mention
of dizziness.
A beat as they consider.
GEORDI
(lightly)
Must be deja-vu.
Beverly looks troubled.
BEVERLY
Both of us -- about the same
thing?
As they exchange a mystified look...
25 INT. BEVERLY'S QUARTERS
Later. Beverly is dressed in her nightclothes. She
passes by the table topped with exotic plants, picks up
a cutting tool, starts to trim the plants. She begins
to sing a little song, and stops -- a feeling of
deja-vu overwhelming her. She sets down the tool...
determined to break the feeling and do things
differently. She moves toward her bed...
26 ANGLE ON BED
Beverly sits down, picks up the glass of water and
takes a sip. She stares at the glass, deja-vu nagging
at her -- is something going to happen to the glass?
She sets down the glass, turns off the lamp, crawls
under the covers... tries to sleep...
Slowly, a barely perceptible VOICE can be heard... a
distant and echoey murmur. Beverly opens her eyes.
Listens. Gradually, a dozen VOICES fade in --
disembodied murmurs in the darkness. She sits up,
glances around the dark and empty room...
More voices, louder now, all meshing together.
STAR TREK: "Cause and Effect" - REV. 1/13/92 - ACT TWO 21.
26 CONTINUED:
Beverly turns on the light, accidentally knocking over
the glass -- the glass BREAKS on the table, startling
her.
The voices stop. Beverly catches her breath, shaken,
then gets out of bed. She picks up a nearby
communicator, taps it.
BEVERLY
Crusher to Captain Picard.
A beat.
PICARD'S COM VOICE
Yes, Doctor?
BEVERLY
Jean-Luc... do you have a minute?
27 INT. READY ROOM
Beverly, tired after a long night, sits with Picard
in the dimly lit, comforting room. She has been
recounting recent events. Picard hands her a cup of
steaming liquid.
PICARD
(re: cup)
My Aunt Adele cured a lot of
sleepless nights with this steamed
milk.
BEVERLY
Thank you.
Beverly takes a sip, lets it warm her.
BEVERLY
Mmm... nutmeg.
PICARD
Every time I get insomnia, I try
to perfect the recipe.
Beverly smiles... then collects her thoughts, getting
back to the subject at hand.
BEVERLY
It was the eeriest feeling. When
the glass broke, it triggered the
same sensation even more intensely
-- that I had done it all before.
STAR TREK: "Cause and Effect" - REV. 1/9/92 - ACT TWO 22.
27 CONTINUED:
Picard thinks, reaches for a table and picks up a
leather-bound BOOK.
PICARD
Earlier, when I was reading this
book... I had the distinct
feeling I'd read certain
paragraphs before.
(beat)
I just assumed I'd read the book
years ago and forgotten.
BEVERLY
I've been having this feeling
for hours.
(beat)
And then those voices...
An uneasy beat.
PICARD
Do you feel like we've had this
conversation before?
BEVERLY
No. None of this seems familiar.
Picard considers.
PICARD
This could be nothing more than
a restless night. But let's be
sure... Call Geordi and Data.
I want you to run a shipwide
diagnostic, concentrating on the
time and place you heard the
voices.
(beat)
We'll discuss the results tomorrow
at oh seven hundred hours.
Beverly nods, feeling a little better. She takes a sip
of the milk.
STAR TREK: "Cause and Effect" - REV. 1/13/92 - ACT TWO 23.
27 CONTINUED: (2)
BEVERLY
Thank you, Jean-Luc.
(re: the milk)
For everything.
PICARD
Thank Aunt Adele.
They share a gentle smile...
28 EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL)
at impulse in the Typhon Expanse.
29 INT. OBSERVATION LOUNGE
Picard, Riker, Data, Geordi, Troi, Beverly.
Mid-conversation...
DATA
The internal scans were negative.
There was no evidence of auditory
anomalies anywhere on the ship.
GEORDI
As far as the sensors are
concerned, nothing unusual
happened last night.
Beverly isn't satisfied.
BEVERLY
Before I came up here, ten other
people reported hearing voices
at the same time I did.
Reactions to the curious news.
WORF'S COM VOICE
Bridge to Captain Picard.
PICARD
Go ahead.
WORF'S COM VOICE
We are getting unusual readings
-- twenty thousand kilometers off
the port bow.
PUSH IN on Beverly as she reacts to the news, suddenly
very worried...
STAR TREK: "Cause and Effect" - REV. 1/14/92 - ACT TWO 24.
INT. BRIDGE - CONTINUOUS
Picard and the others ENTER the bridge, take stations.
Riker stands near Data at ops.
PICARD
Report.
RO
Sensors didn't detect the
phenomenon until we were almost
on top of it, sir.
WORF
(off console)
It is a highly localized
distortion in the space-time
continuum.
Reactions -- they don't like the sound of it.
RIKER
On screen.
31 INCLUDE VIEWSCREEN (OPTICAL)
The area of space just ahead is MURKY and DISTORTED.
PICARD
Back us off, Ensign. Nice and
slow.
RO
Aye sir.
(beat)
Captain -- maneuvering thrusters
are not responding.
On the screen, the temporal distortion RIPPLES
slightly.
DATA
The distortion field is
fluctuating.
Suddenly, the bridge lights GO OUT. The EMERGENCY
LIGHTS come on -- and a few consoles LOSE POWER.
STAR TREK: "Cause and Effect" - REV. 1/14/92 - ACT TWO 25.
31 CONTINUED:
Beverly watches with intense discomfort -- a remote
part of her knows what's coming, but there's nothing
she can do to stop it...
GEORDI
All main systems just went down.
Power levels dropping rapidly...
RIKER
Red Alert.
Ship to RED ALERT.
DATA
There is an energy build-up in
the distortion field.
(beat)
Something is emerging...
Suddenly, Troi is overwhelmed by a distinct and
horrible feeling.
TROI
(certain)
Captain -- we have to get out of
here now.
Picard looks at her, and then --
On the viewscreen, a STARSHIP EMERGES from the murk --
HEADING DIRECTLY FOR US. The following action happens
quickly --
RIKER
Shields up! Evasive maneuvers!
WORF
Shields inoperative!
RO
The helm's not responding!
DATA
The vessel is on a collision
course. Impact in thirty-six
seconds...
PICARD
Hail them.
WORF
No response.
On the viewscreen, the ship comes closer... closer...
PICARD
Suggestions?
STAR TREK: "Cause and Effect" - REV. 1/14/92 - ACT TWO 26.
31 CONTINUED: (2)
RIKER
Decompress the main shuttlebay
-- the explosive reaction might
kick us out of the way.
Data cuts in, his hands flying across the controls...
DATA
Captain -- I recommend we use the
tractor beam to alter the other
ship's trajectory.
PICARD
Mister Worf -- make it so.
WORF
Engaging tractor beam...
Worf hits a command. A tense beat. The other ship
looming on the viewscreen...
WHAM! The Enterprise JOLTS as we collide with the
other ship. The crew is tossed about.
RIKER
Damage report!
Beverly works a nearby console.
BEVERLY
Casualty reports coming in from
all over the ship...
DATA
The starboard nacelle has
sustained a direct impact. We
are venting drive plasma.
GEORDI
Initiating emergency core
shutdown.
Geordi works.
RO
Inertial dampers failing. We're
losing attitude control...
RIKER
(to com)
This is the bridge. All hands
to emergency escape pods.
STAR TREK: "Cause and Effect" - REV. 1/6/92 - ACT TWO 27.
31 CONTINUED: (3)
The ship ROCKS, tossing people about. Stars on the
viewscreen start WHIPPING past, dizzying...
DATA
The core shutdown was
unsuccessful. We are losing
antimatter containment.
GEORDI
We've gotta eject the engine
core!
DATA
The ejection systems are
off-line. A core breach is
imminent...
Tension -- no choice.
PICARD
(to comm)
All hands abandon ship. Repeat,
all hands abandon --
Without warning, VIOLENT ROARING NOISE and A BLAST OF
FIRE erupt across the scene as the ship EXPLODES --
FADE OUT.
END OF ACT TWO
STAR TREK: "Cause and Effect" - REV. 1/6/92 - ACT THREE 28.
ACT THREE
FADE IN:
32 EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL)
at impulse in a starry region of space.
PICARD (V.O.)
Captain's log, stardate 45652.1.
The Enterprise has entered an area
of space known as the Typhon
Expanse. We are the first
Starfleet vessel to chart this
unexplored region.
33 INT. RIKER'S QUARTERS - POKER TABLE
(As seen in Acts One and Two.) Poker game in progress.
Riker, Data, Worf, Beverly. Data SHUFFLES the cards
with android speed and dexterity.
RIKER
(with humor)
Sometimes I wonder if he's
stacking the deck.
DATA
I assure you, Commander, the cards
have been sufficiently randomized.
WORF
I hope so.
A look between Worf and Data. Data deals one card
face-down to each person. They glance at their cards.
Worf looks agitated -- he keeps glancing around the
room, bothered by a nagging feeling...
RIKER
(off his look)
Something wrong, Worf?
Worf considers.
WORF
I am experiencing nIb'poH.
(beat)
The feeling I have done this
before.
STAR TREK: "Cause and Effect" - REV. 1/9/92 - ACT THREE 28A.
33 CONTINUED:
RIKER
(with humor)
Yeah -- last Tuesday night.
WORF
That is not what I mean.
STAR TREK: "Cause and Effect" - REV. 1/13/92 - ACT THREE 29.
33 CONTINUED: (2)
BEVERLY
(off his remark)
I've been feeling the same way...
Beverly looks disturbed by her feelings. Data and
Riker exchange a look -- both unfazed. They don't know
what to make of it. Beverly looks intently at the deck
of cards...
BEVERLY
Data.... keep dealing.
Data deals the next cards face-up, calling them...
DATA
An eight. An Ace...
BEVERLY
(cutting in)
A Queen. I'm going to get a
Queen.
Data turns over the next card -- it's a Queen.
Reactions. Beverly points to Data.
BEVERLY
And you're going to get a four...
They all look at Beverly, puzzled.
BEVERLY
Deal the cards.
DATA
But nobody has bet.
BEVERLY
Forget the bet. Deal.
Data deals -- the next card is indeed a four. Beverly
calls the cards a split second before they are dealt --
the cards are all exactly as she calls them...
BEVERLY
Ten... Seven... Queen...
Worf cuts in, picking up the card calling...
WORF
Nine... Jack... Four...
Every card matches what Worf predicts. Riker takes
over, a wave of deja-vu overcoming him...
STAR TREK: "Cause and Effect" - REV. 1/9/92 - ACT THREE 29A.
33 CONTINUED: (3)
RIKER
Deuce... Six...
Riker hits them all. Data stops dealing, puzzled. An
eerie beat as they absorb the moment.
DATA
This is highly improbable.
RIKER
How did we know...
BEVERLY
Wait.
STAR TREK: "Cause and Effect" - REV. 1/6/92 - ACT THREE 30.
33 CONTINUED: (4)
Beverly has another flash of deja-vu -- she acts on
it.
BEVERLY
(taps communicator)
Crusher to sickbay.
NURSE OGAWA'S COM VOICE
Sickbay here.
BEVERLY
Is Commander La Forge there?
34 INT. SICKBAY
Nurse Ogawa working at a station, alone.
NURSE OGAWA
No, Doctor, he's not.
The sickbay doors slide open and Geordi ENTERS. Ogawa
reacts.
NURSE OGAWA
Wait a minute -- he just came in.
35 INT. RIKER'S QUARTERS
Reactions. Off Beverly's troubled expression...
36 INT. SICKBAY
Picard ENTERS, having been called. He crosses to
Beverly and Geordi...
Geordi has his chin in a headrest, his VISOR connected
to a diagnostic INSTRUMENT. Beverly is projecting
light into his VISOR, analyzing the results. It's the
24th-century visit to the eye doctor.
PICARD
(to Beverly)
You wanted to see me, Doctor?
BEVERLY
Yes...
Beverly finishes with the instrument. Geordi starts
to adjust his VISOR. Beverly turns to Picard.
STAR TREK: "Cause and Effect" - REV. 1/16/92 - ACT THREE 31.
36 CONTINUED:
BEVERLY
Captain... have you been getting
the feeling that you've
experienced certain things before?
A sense of... repetition?
Picard looks surprised by the question.
PICARD
Yes... recently. While I was
reading. Why do you ask?
Beverly and Geordi exchange an anxious glance.
BEVERLY
There have been similar incidents
reported all over the ship.
Feelings of deja-vu.
(beat)
And now this...
She indicates Geordi.
BEVERLY
I had a premonition Geordi was
going to come in to sickbay. A
few seconds later, he did -- with
the symptoms of an ear infection.
(beat)
I was going to run all the
standard tests... but somehow I
knew they were going to be
negative. So I ran an optical
diagnostic... which traced the
problem to Geordi's VISOR...
Beverly refers to some TECH data on the instrument.
BEVERLY
His dizziness is being caused by
a phase-shift in his visual
receptors. It's causing him to
see images that aren't there...
Geordi looks around the room.
GEORDI
They're like... blurry
afterimages.
STAR TREK: "Cause and Effect" - REV. 1/13/92 - ACT THREE 32.
36 CONTINUED: (2)
BEVERLY
I ran a scan to see if I could
detect what he was seeing. I
picked up miniscule distortions
in the surrounding dekyon
field.
(beat)
Somehow, his VISOR seems to be
translating those distortions
into visual impulses.
GEORDI
It could be a malfunction in the
ship's warp field generator. I'll
check it out.
PICARD
While you're at it, run a
localized subspace scan to look
for anything unusual.
GEORDI
Aye, sir.
PICARD
Keep me advised.
Geordi nods, turns to exit. Picard and Beverly
exchange a concerned look...
37 INT. BEVERLY'S QUARTERS
Later. Beverly is still dressed in her uniform, too
edgy to get ready for bed. She stops at a table filled
with exotic plants, reaches for a cutting tool and...
stops. She has a flash of deja-vu -- and moves away
from the table to disrupt the feeling. She crosses
to her bed...
38 ANGLE ON BED
Beverly sits down, picks up the glass of water from the
night stand and takes a sip. She stares at the glass
with dread certainty -- the glass is going to break.
She stands, crosses the room, sets the glass on a
counter as if to say: this time, it will not break.
STAR TREK: "Cause and Effect" - REV. 1/9/92 - ACT THREE 33.
38 CONTINUED:
She returns to bed, turns off the lamp and lays down...
but she's too anxious to rest.
Softly in the darkness, a barely perceptible VOICE is
heard...
Beverly sits up. Gradually, a dozen VOICES --
disembodied murmurs. Beverly turns on the lamp and
listens -- but the voices are unintelligible.
Suddenly, she gets an idea -- stands and grabs a
tricorder, hits a button and aims the tricorder into
the air, recording the voices...
The voices fade away. Beverly takes a breath, shaken.
BEVERLY
(taps communicator)
Crusher to Commander La Forge.
GEORDI'S COM VOICE
La Forge here.
BEVERLY
I just heard what sounded like...
voices in my room. But there's
no one here.
A beat.
GEORDI'S COM VOICE
Sensors just picked up something
strange, too. We're checking it
out...
BEVERLY
I'm on my way down.
Tricorder in hand, Beverly crosses to the dresser --
grabs her smock and accidentally knocks over the glass.
It BREAKS on the counter. Beverly stares at the
glass, astonished...
39 INT. ENGINEERING
Beverly watches as Geordi and Data analyze a console.
They are listening to the RECORDING Beverly made -- a
cacophony of VOICES which is muddled by static and
noise. The sound stops.
STAR TREK: "Cause and Effect" - REV. 1/15/92 - ACT THREE 34.
39 CONTINUED:
GEORDI
(off console)
Looks like you managed to record
six point two seconds worth.
(beat)
Let's see if we can filter the
signal and clear it up a little.
Geordi and Data work the console.
BEVERLY
So I wasn't just hearing things?
DATA
The sound itself appears to have
been real. However the acoustic
energy does not correspond to
any ship's system, nor to any
voice communications sent at the
time you heard it.
BEVERLY
Then where did the sound come
from?
GEORDI
You heard the voices at the same
time our localized subspace scan
picked up a another dekyon field
distortion. The two may be related.
Geordi completes his work at the console.
GEORDI
Let's take another listen...
Geordi taps a command. They listen as the six seconds
plays out: The same VOICES that Beverly heard, a
distant and eerie murmuring that's hard to make out.
After six seconds, the recording stops. Beverly is
chilled to hear them again.
DATA
Computer -- perform a narrow
bandwidth analysis. Eliminate
all nonvocal waveform components.
The VOICES play again, this time louder and more
distinct -- a warbled thousand-voice chorus. After six
seconds, it stops.
STAR TREK: "Cause and Effect" - REV. 1/6/92 - ACT THREE 35-36.
39 CONTINUED: (2)
BEVERLY
Can we isolate the voices... find
out what they're saying?
DATA
I will attempt to distinguish the
individual voices.
(beat)
Computer -- continuous playback.
The six seconds PLAYS continuously, with Data listening
intently. A few moments pass by... then Data cocks
his head in reaction to what he hears.
DATA
(over the noise)
There seem to be approximately
one thousand human voices
overlapping.
(beat)
The voices are those of the
Enterprise crew.
(beat)
Our voices.
Beverly and Geordi react. As they listen to the
cacophony...
FADE OUT.
END OF ACT THREE
STAR TREK: "Cause and Effect" - REV. 1/13/92 - ACT FOUR 37.
ACT FOUR
FADE IN:
40 EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL)
at impulse.
41 INT. OBSERVATION LOUNGE (OPTICAL)
Beverly and Geordi, addressing Picard, Riker, Data,
Worf and Troi.
BEVERLY
(to all)
I'm sorry to call you here so
early. But we couldn't wait until
oh seven hundred hours.
(beat)
We think we may have an
explanation for the odd
occurrences around here...
Beverly looks to Geordi, who takes the floor. He moves
toward the wall monitor...
GEORDI
This is going to sound pretty
wild...
(beat)
Somehow, we've entered what seems
to be a temporal causality loop.
Geordi taps a command on a nearby console, and a
CAUSALITY LOOP DIAGRAM appears on the wall monitor.
It's a series of loops, one laying atop the other in
quick succession to form a continuous spiral.
GEORDI
(re: diagram)
We think we're stuck in a
particular fragment of time. And
we've been experiencing that same
fragment over and over again.
Reactions -- it's a bizarre, startling premise.
TROI
(tentative)
Is this what's causing our
deja-vu?
STAR TREK: "Cause and Effect" - REV. 1/14/92 - ACT FOUR 38.
41 CONTINUED:
BEVERLY
Yes, but it's more than that.
In deja-vu, you only think you're
repeating events. We actually
are.
GEORDI
Our theory is this -- every time
the loop begins again, everything
resets itself, and starts all
over. We don't remember anything
that happened before... so each
time through the loop, we think
it's the first.
RIKER
You mean, maybe we've come into
this room, sat at this table and
had this conversation a dozen
times already?
GEORDI
A dozen... a hundred... It's
impossible to tell. Maybe we've
been trapped here for hours...
days... maybe years.
A mind-boggling beat. This is a strange and disturbing
situation.
BEVERLY
If what we're saying is true --
those voices I heard might've
been "echoes" from previous loops.
GEORDI
The same thing with the
phase-shift in my VISOR --
afterimages in time.
They consider.
PICARD
If you are correct... how did it
happen? How did we get here?
DATA
I have a hypothesis which may
explain that, Captain.
(beat)
I have analyzed the recording
Doctor Crusher made.
(MORE)
STAR TREK: "Cause and Effect" - REV. 1/22/92 - ACT FOUR 39.
41 CONTINUED: (2)
DATA (cont'd)
Most of it is quite ordinary.
One hundred twenty-five
discussions about ship operations,
two hundred fifty-seven
conversations of a personal
nature, five couples engaged in
romantic encounters...
PICARD
Your point, Mister Data?
DATA
There is evidence of some sort
of disaster involving the
Enterprise -- severe enough that
the captain would order all hands
to abandon ship. I have isolated
three segments of the recording
which are crucial.
Data taps a command on the table console, and the
VOICES PLAY. The recording is fuzzy, broken up by
static, but recognizable as three separate pieces of
dialogue from the end of Act One. They listen with
fascination...
WORF (V.O.)
... a highly localized
distortion...
Beat.
DATA (V.O.)
... collision course. Impact in
thirty-six seconds...
Beat.
PICARD (V.O.)
... hands abandon ship. Repeat,
all hands abandon...
The recording stops. A grim beat as they digest what
they've heard.
STAR TREK: "Cause and Effect" - REV. 1/14/92 - ACT FOUR 40.
41 CONTINUED: (3)
TROI
The phrase "collision course"
suggests we collided with
something.
GEORDI
(nods)
Worf refers to a "distortion."
If this were a temporal
distortion, and if we were close
enough to it... it's possible
that a large enough explosion
might've ruptured the space-time
continuum.
(beat)
We collided... exploded... and
got stuck in this repeating loop
of time.
They consider.
PICARD
If you're right about this...
perhaps we could escape the loop
by avoiding the collision...
GEORDI
That's our guess.
WORF
Maybe we should reverse course.
RIKER
For all we know, reversing course
might be what leads us into the
crash.
Picard thinks a moment, then shakes his head.
PICARD
We can't afford to start
second-guessing ourselves. We'll
stay on our present course until
we have reason to change it.
(beat)
In the meantime, let's do
everything we can to avoid a
collision.
Nods all around.
STAR TREK: "Cause and Effect" - REV. 1/14/92 - ACT FOUR 41.
41 CONTINUED: (4)
GEORDI
Captain... We may not find out
how to avoid this accident until
it's too late. And if the loop
begins again -- we'll forget
everything we've learned this time
around.
PICARD
What do you suggest?
GEORDI
If we do find a way to avoid the
collision... we should try to
send that information into the
next loop.
An intriguing notion.
RIKER
Is that possible?
DATA
We have seen that echoes, or
afterimages, from previous loops
appear as distortions in the
dekyon field. We may be able to
send a deliberate echo into the
next loop.
TROI
Like a message in a bottle...
GEORDI
Exactly. We could enhance a
dekyon emission to create a
specific pattern... and send
ourselves a message. Not a long
one -- probably only a few
characters... maybe one word...
RIKER
How do we know we'll pick up that
word the next time through?
DATA
If the dekyon emission is
modulated correctly, it would set
up a resonance in my positronic
subprocessors. I would receive
the information -- on what you
would call a subconscious level.
STAR TREK: "Cause and Effect" - REV. 1/14/92 - ACT FOUR 42.
41 CONTINUED: (5)
GEORDI
That's the catch. We're not sure
how the information will be
perceived by Data... it might
be almost like a posthypnotic
suggestion.
They weigh the proposal.
PICARD
Even with all these uncertainties,
we've got to try.
(to Geordi and Data)
Take whatever steps are
necessary to send a message.
(beat)
Dismissed.
As they rise to go...
42 INT. ENGINEERING (OPTICAL)
Data seated at a console with a panel on his head
exposed. Geordi makes a few adjustments to Data's
circuitry. He then attaches a small EMITTER DEVICE
to Data's uniform. Beverly looks on as Geordi makes
the meticulous adjustments...
GEORDI
It's possible we've tried this
a thousand times and it's never
worked.
It's a frightening thought.
BEVERLY
Do you have the feeling you've
done it before?
GEORDI
(thinks)
No, I don't.
BEVERLY
Neither do I. Maybe that's a good
sign.
Geordi nods, hopeful. He completes his adjustments
to the emitter.
STAR TREK: "Cause and Effect" - REV. 1/13/92 - ACT FOUR 43.
42 CONTINUED:
GEORDI
(re: device)
Let's test the emitter.
Data hits a few buttons on the emitter device.
DATA
Particle accelerators to full
power.
STAR TREK: "Cause and Effect" - REV. 1/13/92 - ACT FOUR 44.
42 CONTINUED: (2)
Data's exposed panel starts to blink rapidly -- while a
nearby console lights up with a GRAPHIC showing dekyon
emission levels. Geordi studies the console.
GEORDI
Dekyon field active... particle
flux nominal...
(beat)
We're in business.
As Geordi puts the final touches on Data's emitter...
BEVERLY
All we need now is a message.
Suddenly, the ship goes to RED ALERT.
RIKER'S COM VOICE
Senior staff report to the bridge.
BEVERLY
On our way.
As they head for the door...
43 INT. BRIDGE (OPTICAL)
Red Alert. Tension. Picard, Troi, Ro -- Riker
standing near ops. N.D.s as needed. The viewscreen
shows the TEMPORAL DISTORTION, as seen in previous
Acts.
Data, Geordi, Beverly ENTER and take stations. Data
still wears the emitter device on his uniform.
Picard and Riker exchange a glance. Their first major
decision here -- how should they handle it? How do
they avoid repeating the same mistakes?
RIKER
How do you think we might've
handled this before?
Picard thinks, but doesn't have an answer. He goes
with his best instincts.
STAR TREK: "Cause and Effect" - REV. 1/14/92 - ACT FOUR 45.
43 CONTINUED:
PICARD
Back us off, Ensign. Nice and
slow.
RO
Aye sir.
(beat)
Captain -- maneuvering thrusters
are not responding.
On the screen, the distortion RIPPLES slightly.
DATA
(off console)
The distortion field is
fluctuating.
Suddenly, the bridge lights FLICKER and GO OUT. The
EMERGENCY LIGHTS come on -- a few consoles LOSE POWER.
Picard and Riker look frustrated and vulnerable -- fate
seems to be dragging them right back into danger...
GEORDI
All main systems just went down.
Power levels dropping rapidly...
DATA
There is an energy build-up in
the distortion field.
(beat)
Something is emerging...
Suddenly, Troi is overwhelmed by a distinct and
horrible feeling.
TROI
(certain)
Captain -- we have to get out of
here now.
Picard looks at her, and then --
On the screen, a STARSHIP EMERGES from the murk --
HEADED DIRECTLY FOR US. Reactions.
RIKER
Shields up! Evasive maneuvers!
WORF
Shields inoperative!
STAR TREK: "Cause and Effect" - REV. 1/7/92 - ACT FOUR 46.
43 CONTINUED: (2)
RO
The helm's not responding!
DATA
The vessel is on a collision
course. Impact in thirty-six
seconds...
PICARD
Hail them.
WORF
No response.
On the viewscreen, the ship comes closer... closer...
PICARD
Suggestions?
RIKER
Decompress the main shuttlebay
-- the explosive reaction might
kick us out of the way.
Data cuts in, his hands flying across the controls...
DATA
Captain -- I recommend we use the
tractor beam to alter the other
ship's trajectory.
PICARD
Mister Worf -- make it so.
WORF
Engaging tractor beam...
44 EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL)
The Enterprise sends out a TRACTOR BEAM -- but it's
too late. The other ship COLLIDES with our starboard
nacelle, jolting us aside. The Enterprise's starboard
nacelle is DAMAGED, sending out stray jets of plasma...
STAR TREK: "Cause and Effect" - REV. 1/14/92 - ACT FOUR 47.
45 INT. BRIDGE - CLOSE ON DATA
as he has a realization about their situation -- he
begins to make speedy mental calculations...
45A THE SCENE
SHAKING VIOLENTLY.
RIKER
Damage report!
Beverly works a nearby console.
BEVERLY
Casualty reports coming in from
all over the ship...
DATA
The starboard nacelle has
sustained a direct impact. We
are venting drive plasma.
GEORDI
Initiating emergency core
shutdown.
Geordi works quickly.
RO
Inertial dampers failing. We're
losing attitude control...
RIKER
(to com)
This is the bridge. All hands
to emergency escape pods.
46 EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL)
The starboard nacelle FLARES, throwing the ship into a
SPINNING MOTION, out of control...
47 INT. BRIDGE (OPTICAL)
Round and round. Stars WHIPPING past on the
viewscreen...
DATA
The core shutdown was
unsuccessful. We are losing
antimatter containment.
STAR TREK: "Cause and Effect" - REV. 1/14/92 - ACT FOUR 47A.
47 CONTINUED:
GEORDI
We gotta eject the engine core!
DATA
The ejection systems are off-line.
A core breach is imminent...
STAR TREK: "Cause and Effect" - REV. 1/13/92 - ACT FOUR 48.
48 CLOSE ON DATA
as he makes a conclusion about their situation. He
glances up at Riker, who is standing beside him --
no time to discuss it. He quickly and intently inputs
a few discrete commands into the emitter device
strapped to his uniform...
PICARD (o.s.)
(to com)
All hands abandon ship. Repeat,
all hands abandon --
49 EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL)
as it EXPLODES in a blast of fire and debris.
Completely destroyed.
FADE OUT.
END OF ACT FOUR
STAR TREK: "Cause and Effect" - REV. 1/8/92 - ACT FIVE 49.
ACT FIVE
FADE IN:
50 EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL)
At impulse in a starry region of space.
PICARD (V.O.)
Captain's log, stardate 45652.1.
The Enterprise has entered an area
of space known as the Typhon
Expanse. We are the first
Starfleet vessel to chart this
unexplored region.
51 INT. RIKER'S QUARTERS - POKER TABLE
(As seen in Acts One, Two, Three.) Poker game in
progress. Riker, Data, Worf, Beverly. Data SHUFFLES
the deck of cards with android speed and dexterity.
RIKER
Sometimes I wonder if he's
stacking the deck.
DATA
I assure you, Commander, the cards
have been sufficiently randomized.
WORF
I hope so.
A look between Worf and Data, then Data deals one card
face-down to each person. They glance at their cards.
Worf looks agitated -- he keeps glancing around the
room...
RIKER
Something wrong, Worf?
WORF
I am experiencing nIb'poH.
(beat)
The feeling I have done this
before.
RIKER
(with humor)
Yeah -- last Tuesday night.
WORF
That is not what I mean.
BEVERLY
(off his remark)
I've been feeling the same
way...
STAR TREK: "Cause and Effect" - REV. 1/13/92 - ACT FIVE 50.
51 CONTINUED:
Beverly stares at the deck of cards, entranced and
utterly sure of her feelings...
BEVERLY
Wait.
She points to each person, predicting their cards.
BEVERLY
An eight... an Ace... a Queen...
a four...
(beat)
Deal the cards, Data.
Data deals the cards face-up -- every card is a three.
Beverly can hardly believe her predictions are wrong.
BEVERLY
I was positive I knew what cards
were going to be dealt...
Worf looks surprised, as well.
WORF
I was also sure.
RIKER
Finish the deal, Data.
Data quickly lays out the cards, one by one. They
watch with fascination as everyone is dealt
three-of-a-kind. Reactions -- this is getting creepy.
BEVERLY
We all got three's... then
three-of-a-kind?
Curious, they turn over their last cards. As they
marvel at the incident...
STAR TREK: "Cause and Effect" - REV. 1/16/92 - ACT FIVE 51.
51 CONTINUED: (2)
NURSE OGAWA'S COM VOICE
Ogawa to Doctor Crusher.
BEVERLY
Go ahead.
NURSE OGAWA'S COM VOICE
Commander La Forge needs you in
sickbay.
BEVERLY
On my way.
They exchange an uneasy look as Beverly stands and
EXITS...
51A INT. SICKBAY (OPTICAL)
Geordi sits on an examination table, while Beverly
scans him with a medical tricorder. She centers around
his ears and head...
GEORDI
At first I thought the catwalk
was spinning. Turns out it was
me.
(beat)
I'm lucky Ensign Fletcher was
there to grab me -- it's a long
way down to the bottom of the warp
core.
Geordi reacts to a sudden pain -- headache. Beverly
completes her exam.
BEVERLY
You have all the symptoms of an
inner-ear infection. That would
explain your dizziness... and the
headache.
She reaches for a nearby hypospray.
BEVERLY
But I don't see any physical...
She stops in mid-sentence, caught by a strange and
sudden awareness. The same feeling she had in the
poker game -- she's been here before.
STAR TREK: "Cause and Effect" - REV. 1/16/92 - ACT FIVE 51A.
51A CONTINUED:
GEORDI
(off her look)
What is it?
BEVERLY
Geordi... have you ever had these
symptoms before?
GEORDI
(thinks)
Now that you mention it... I think
I did.
BEVERLY
Do you recall when?
GEORDI
No, I don't.
They both try to remember...
BEVERLY
(certain)
We've had this discussion. I
remember giving you this
examination...
(beat)
Let's check the medical logs.
They move to a nearby console. Beverly hits a few
commands -- information comes up on the screen. They
study it...
BEVERLY
(off console)
You've been treated several times
for headaches related to your
VISOR... but I see no mention
of dizziness.
A beat as they consider.
GEORDI
(lightly)
Must be deja-vu.
Beverly looks troubled.
BEVERLY
Both of us -- about the same
thing?
STAR TREK: "Cause and Effect" - REV. 1/17/92 - ACT FIVE 51B.
51A CONTINUED: (2)
They exchange a mystified look. Beverly gets an idea
-- she moves to a nearby diagnostic instrument (as seen
in Act Three).
BEVERLY
Let's run an optical diagnostic.
GEORDI
For an ear infection?
BEVERLY
I've got a hunch...
Geordi moves to the instrument, sits down and puts his
chin in a headrest. Beverly connects his VISOR to the
diagnostic instrument... works the controls.
BEVERLY
Hold still... this pulse may be
a little bright...
Beverly taps a command -- and a LIGHT is projected into
Geordi's VISOR. Beverly analyzes the results.
BEVERLY
(off instrument)
That's odd...
(beat)
Have you made any changes to your
VISOR lately?
GEORDI
No. Why?
BEVERLY
I'm detecting a slight phase-shift
in your visual receptors...
STAR TREK: "Cause and Effect" - REV. 1/16/92 - ACT FIVE 51C.
52 INT. READY ROOM
Picard relaxing in a chair, reading a leather-bound
book (the same book seen in Act Two). A quiet moment
as he reads... then pauses. A feeling of Deja-vu
washes over him -- has he read this book before? He
glances at the book title, flips through the pages a
few times. Strange...
BEVERLY'S COM VOICE
Crusher to Captain Picard.
PICARD
Yes, Doctor?
BEVERLY'S COM VOICE
Can you come to sickbay
immediately? It's urgent.
PICARD
On my way.
Picard sets down the book, eyes it warily...
53 INT. SICKBAY
Picard listening to Beverly and Geordi, near the
optical diagnostic instrument (as seen in Act Three).
Mid-conversation...
BEVERLY
(re: Geordi)
His dizziness is being caused by
a phase-shift in his visual
receptors. It's causing him to
see images that aren't there...
Geordi looks around the room.
GEORDI
They're like... blurry
afterimages.
BEVERLY
I ran a scan to see if I could
detect what he was seeing.
(MORE)
STAR TREK: "Cause and Effect" - REV. 1/13/92 - ACT FIVE 52.
53 CONTINUED:
BEVERLY (cont'd)
I picked up miniscule distortions
in the surrounding dekyon field.
(beat)
Somehow, his VISOR seems to be
translating those distortions into
visual impulses.
GEORDI
It could be a malfunction in the
ship's warp field generator.
I'll check it out.
PICARD
While you're at it, run a
localized subspace scan to look
for anything unusual.
GEORDI
Aye, sir.
PICARD
Keep me advised.
As Geordi EXITS...
54 INT. ENGINEERING
Later. Geordi and Data working at the consoles,
analyzing the ship's sensors.
GEORDI
Lateral sensors on-line --
subspace scanners active...
(beat)
Data, will you run a level two
diagnostic on the warp subsystems?
DATA
Certainly.
Data works the console at android SPEED...
55 CLOSE ON CONSOLE MONITOR (OPTICAL)
Numbers begin to appear on the screen:
STAR TREK: "Cause and Effect" - REV. 1/13/92 - ACT FIVE 53.
55 CONTINUED:
3,3,3,3,3,3,3,3,3,3,3,3... All the numbers are three's.
The console starts to BEEP in quick successions of
three -- beep-beep-beep... beep-beep-beep...
56 RESUME (OPTICAL)
Geordi looks at the monitor.
GEORDI
All three's... that can't be
right.
They watch the monitor, bewildered.
DATA
I have encountered the numeral
"three" an inordinate number of
times over the last two hours.
Suddenly, another nearby console sounds a warning
ALARM. Geordi runs to check it.
GEORDI
We've got a dekyon field
fluctuation on deck nine, section
twenty-eight...
BEVERLY'S COM VOICE
Crusher to Commander La Forge.
GEORDI
La Forge here.
BEVERLY'S COM VOICE
I just heard what sounded like...
voices in my room. But there's
no one here.
Geordi keeps working.
GEORDI
Sensors just picked up something
strange, too. We're checking it
out...
BEVERLY'S COM VOICE
I'm on my way down.
The CRASH of breaking glass is heard on Beverly's end
of the com. Geordi and Data exchange a look.
STAR TREK: "Cause and Effect" - REV. 1/22/92 - ACT FIVE 54.
56 CONTINUED:
GEORDI
Are you alright, Doctor?
BEVERLY'S COM VOICE
I'm fine.
As they resume their work...
57 EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL)
at impulse.
58 INT. OBSERVATION LOUNGE (OPTICAL)
Picard, Riker, Data, Worf, Geordi, Beverly and Troi.
They are listening to the recording of the VOICES --
the segments that Data isolated in Act Four. The wall
monitor shows the causality loop diagram. The mood
is tense -- they are in the middle of discussing their
causality loop...
WORF (V.O.)
... a highly localized
distortion...
Beat.
DATA (V.O.)
... collision course. Impact in
thirty-six seconds...
Beat.
PICARD (V.O.)
... hands abandon ship. Repeat,
all hands abandon...
The recording stops. A grim beat as they digest what
they've heard.
TROI
The phrase "collision course"
suggests we collided with
something.
STAR TREK: "Cause and Effect" - REV. 1/14/92 - ACT FIVE 54A.
58 CONTINUED:
GEORDI
(nods)
Worf refers to a "distortion."
If this were a temporal
distortion, and if we were close
enough to it... it's possible that
a large enough explosion might've
ruptured the space-time continuum.
(beat)
We collided... exploded... and
got stuck in this repeating loop
of time.
They consider.
PICARD
If you're right about this...
Perhaps we could escape the loop
by avoiding the collision.
GEORDI
That's our guess.
WORF
Maybe we should reverse course.
RIKER
For all we know, reversing course
might be what leads us into the
crash.
Picard thinks for a moment, then shakes his head.
PICARD
We can't afford to start
second-guessing ourselves. We'll
stay on our present course until
we have reason to change it.
(beat)
In the meantime, let's do
everything we can to avoid a
collision.
Nods all around.
STAR TREK: "Cause and Effect" - REV. 1/16/92 - ACT FIVE 55.
58 CONTINUED: (2)
GEORDI
Captain... We've been seeing the
number three all over the ship.
On consoles... in a poker game...
DATA
In total, we have encountered two
thousand eighty-five conspicuous
examples of the number "three."
GEORDI
All these "threes" can't be coming
up by accident.
RIKER
Maybe somebody's trying to tell
us something.
GEORDI
We came to the same conclusion...
so we ran a shipwide diagnostic
-- the only unusual thing we found
was a dekyon field modulation in
Data's positronic subprocessors.
BEVERLY
What could be causing it?
GEORDI
I don't know. But if I wanted
to send information from one loop
to the next... I might have used
a method like a dekyon emission.
A beat as they consider.
TROI
You think we sent ourselves a
message?
GEORDI
It would make sense. Maybe we
were trying to tell ourselves
something...
A beat.
STAR TREK: "Cause and Effect" - REV. 1/13/92 - ACT FIVE 56.
58 CONTINUED: (2)
PICARD
If that were true... what could
"three" indicate?
They contemplate the riddle -- three... three...
three...
RIKER
Maybe we should run a level three
diagnostic on all key systems.
GEORDI
Good idea. And I'll have the
computer run a pattern-matching
algorithm based on the number
three.
RO'S COM VOICE
Bridge to Captain Picard.
PICARD
Go ahead.
RO'S COM VOICE
We are getting unusual readings
-- twenty thousand kilometers off
the port bow.
Reactions.
PICARD
Red Alert.
The ship goes to RED ALERT. They rise and head for
the door...
STAR TREK: "Cause and Effect" - REV. 1/14/92 - ACT FIVE 57.
59 INT. BRIDGE - CONTINUOUS
Picard and the others ENTER and take stations. Riker
stands near Data, at ops.
PICARD
Report.
RO
Sensors didn't detect the
phenomenon until we were almost
on top of it, sir.
WORF
(off console)
It is a highly localized
distortion in the space-time
continuum.
RIKER
On screen.
60 INTERCUT: VIEWSCREEN (OPTICAL)
The area of space just ahead is MURKY and DISTORTED.
Picard and Riker exchange a glance.
RIKER
How do you think we might've
handled this before?
Picard thinks, but doesn't have an answer. He goes
with his best instincts.
PICARD
Back us off, Ensign. Nice and
slow.
RO
Aye sir.
(beat)
Captain -- maneuvering thrusters
are not responding.
On the viewscreen: the distortion RIPPLES slightly.
DATA
(off console)
The distortion field is
fluctuating.
Suddenly, the bridge lights FLICKER and GO OUT. The
EMERGENCY LIGHTS come on -- and some of the consoles
LOSE POWER.
STAR TREK: "Cause and Effect" - REV. 1/14/92 - ACT FIVE 58.
60 CONTINUED:
GEORDI
All main systems just went down.
Power levels dropping rapidly...
DATA
There is an energy build-up in
the distortion field.
(beat)
Something is emerging...
Suddenly, Troi is overwhelmed by a distinct and
horrible feeling.
TROI
(certain)
Captain -- we have to get out of
here now.
Picard looks at her, and then --
On the screen, a STARSHIP EMERGES from the murk --
HEADED DIRECTLY FOR US. Reactions to the sight --
RIKER
Shields up! Evasive maneuvers!
WORF
Shields inoperative!
RO
The helm's not responding!
DATA
The vessel is on a collision
course. Impact in thirty-six
seconds...
PICARD
Hail them.
WORF
No response.
On the viewscreen, the ship comes closer... closer...
PICARD
Suggestions?
RIKER
Decompress the main shuttlebay
-- the explosive reaction might
kick us out of the way.
STAR TREK: "Cause and Effect" - REV. 1/14/92 - ACT FIVE 58A.
60 CONTINUED: (2)
Data cuts in, his hands flying across the controls...
DATA
Captain -- I recommend we use the
tractor beam to alter the other
ship's trajectory.
STAR TREK: "Cause and Effect" - REV. 1/15/92 - ACT FIVE 59.
60 CONTINUED: (3)
PICARD
Mister Worf -- make it so.
WORF
Engaging tractor beam...
61 ON DATA
as he works the console... and stops, having a powerful
revelation. He turns and looks at Riker, who is
standing beside him...
62 CLOSE ON RIKER
PUSHING toward him slightly -- HOLD CLOSE ON the three
pips of his uniform.
63 RESUME
Data realizes what he must do. He rapidly works the
console...
DATA
The tractor beam will not be
successful. I am decompressing
the main shuttlebay...
As he works at hyper-speed...
64 OMITTED
65 CLOSE ON SAUCER SECTION (OPTICAL)
We see the huge main shuttlebay DOORS OPEN a crack --
light spills out from the inside, and a gust of VAPOR
jets out, becoming a gale force as the doors open
further...
66 WIDER ANGLE (OPTICAL)
as the Enterprise takes a gentle NOSE DIVE, tumbling
downward and out of the way. The other ship just
misses us. As this happens, the Enterprise leaves
behind several ghostly AFTERIMAGES of itself --
Enterprises from previous loops. Each afterimage plays
out the same fate, as they all hit the other ship and
EXPLODE...
STAR TREK: "Cause and Effect" - REV. 1/15/92 - ACT FIVE 60.
66 CONTINUED:
The genuine Enterprise and the other ship escape
unharmed...
67 INT. BRIDGE
The TREMBLING subsides. bridge lights COME ON.
WORF
We are clear of the distortion,
Captain.
A sigh of relief. They get their bearings. Picard
turns to Data.
PICARD
Data -- what happened?
DATA
At the last moment, I speculated
that "three" might refer to the
number of rank insignia on
Commander Riker's uniform.
(beat)
This indicated to me that his
suggestion was the correct course
of action.
Reactions to the explanation.
GEORDI
(to Data)
You must've picked up a message
we sent from the last loop...
and stacked the deck in the poker
game without realizing it.
DATA
That is possible, Commander. I
may also have been inadvertently
responsible for the unexplained
appearances of the number
"three."
A beat as this sinks in.
PICARD
Mister Worf, end Red Alert. See
if you can access a Federation
time-base beacon. Find out how
long we've been in this causality
loop.
STAR TREK: "Cause and Effect" - REV. 1/23/92 - ACT FIVE 61.
67 CONTINUED:
WORF
Aye, sir.
Worf works -- the ship goes out of Red Alert.
WORF
(off console)
Time-base confirms that our
chronometers are off by seventeen
point four days.
Reactions to the news.
PICARD
Reset them, Mister Data.
DATA
Aye, sir.
Worf reacts to his console.
WORF
Captain -- we are being hailed
by the other vessel.
(off console)
The computer identifies it as the
U.S.S. Bozeman. A Federation
starship, Soyuz class.
GEORDI
(reacts)
Soyuz Class... they haven't been
in service for over eighty years.
Picard and Riker exchange a concerned look. Picard
takes a breath, preparing for the encounter.
PICARD
Open a channel.
68 INCLUDE VIEWSCREEN (OPTICAL)
CAPTAIN BATESON and his FIRST OFFICER appear. (Their
uniforms and surroundings are reminiscent of the
original series.) They study our bridge, confused by
what they see.
BATESON
This is Captain Morgan Bateson of
the Federation Starship Bozeman.
Can we render assistance?
STAR TREK: "Cause and Effect" - REV. 1/23/92 - ACT FIVE 62.
68 CONTINUED:
PICARD
Captain Jean-Luc Picard of the
Federation Starship Enterprise.
We were just going to ask you the
same thing.
Bateson exchanges a confused glance with his First
Officer.
BATESON
Captain Picard... your ship is
unfamiliar to us.
An awkward beat.
PICARD
Have you any idea what just
happened?
BATESON
Our sensors detected a temporal
distortion. Then your ship
appeared... we nearly hit you.
PICARD
The Enterprise has been caught
in temporal causality loop. And
I suspect something similar
happened to you.
BATESON
You must be mistaken. We only
left starbase three weeks ago.
Picard isn't sure how to put this...
PICARD
Captain Bateson... do you know
what year it is?
BATESON
Of course I do -- it's twenty-two
seventy-eight.
Reactions around the bridge.
PICARD
Captain... perhaps you should beam
aboard our ship.
(beat)
There's something we need to
discuss.
STAR TREK: "Cause and Effect" - REV. 1/8/92 - ACT FIVE 63.
68 CONTINUED: (2)
Bateson nods, growing very concerned. OFF Picard's
grim expression, as he anticipates the problems that
lie ahead for these ancient prisoners of time...
68A EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL)
facing the Bozeman...
FADE OUT.
END OF ACT FIVE
THE END
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