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STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION
"Tapestry"
#40276-241
Written by
Ronald D. Moore
Directed by
Les Landau
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 This script is not for publication or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
STAR TREK: "Tapestry - 11/30/92 - CAST
STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION
"Tapestry"
CAST
PICARD Q
RIKER MARTA
DATA MAURICE
BEVERLY NAUSICAAN #1
TROI MALE VOICE
WORF PENNY
GEORDI COREY
COMPUTER VOICE
Non-Speaking
TWO NAUSICAAN'S
STAR TREK: "Tapestry" - 11/30/92 - SETS
STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION
"Tapestry"
SETS
INTERIORS EXTERIORS
USS ENTERPRISE USS ENTERPRISE
MAIN BRIDGE
SICKBAY
TEN FORWARD
TURBOLIFT
BEVERLY'S OFFICE
TROI'S OFFICE
OBSERVATION LOUNGE
STARBASE
PICARD'S QUARTERS
MARTA'S QUARTERS
BONESTELL FACILITY
GAMBLING CENTER
BAR
STAR TREK: "Tapestry" - REV. 12/03/92 - PRONUNCIATION
STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION
"Tapestry"
PRONUNCIATION GUIDE
BATANIDES buh-TAN-ih-deez
BONESTELL BON-es-tell
NAUSICAAN NAW-si-can
SCOBEE SKO-bee
STAR TREK: "Tapestry" - 11/30/92 - TEASER 1.
STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION
"Tapestry"
TEASER
FADE IN:
1 INT. SICKBAY (OPTICAL)
The room is in a state of frenetic activity. N.D.
NURSES and DOCTORS are rushing about, grabbing
equipment and moving consoles in preparation for some
imminent emergency. BEVERLY grabs her medical
tricorder as she directs people to action.
BEVERLY
(to Nurse)
Get the stasis units in here and
bring them on-line.
(to another Nurse)
Tell Doctor Selar to use ward
three for the ambulatory cases,
I'll take the --
COM VOICE
Transporter Room Four to Sickbay.
They're coming in now.
BEVERLY
Acknowledged.
(to everyone)
Back everyone.
They all clear out the center of the room as RIKER,
PICARD, WORF, and THREE N.D. CREWMEMBERS MATERIALIZE.
Worf is carrying Picard over one shoulder. Riker has
a nasty-looking head wound and is pointing his phaser
as if defending them. One N.D. is also injured and
lying on the floor, while the other two are standing up
with phasers drawn.
Once the beam-in has finished, Beverly and the Nurses
rush to aid the wounded. Beverly moves to Picard as
Worf puts him down on the operating table. We can now
see that there is a large SCORCH mark on Picard's
chest. Beverly immediately begins scanning him with
her tricorder.
BEVERLY
What happened?
RIKER
The Lenarians attacked us outside
the conference room.
STAR TREK: "Tapestry" - 11/30/92 - TEASER 2.
1 CONTINUED:
BEVERLY
(off tricorder)
He's in cardiac arrest.
(to Nurse)
Get the pulmonary support unit.
The CLAMSHELL is moved into place over Picard's chest.
Worf and Riker move away to give them room and they
look on with concern. Beverly continues to read the
tricorder.
BEVERLY
Internal hemorrhaging... the bioregulator
in his artificial
heart's been fused... damage to
the spleen and liver... what kind
of weapon did this?
WORF
A compressed teryon beam.
BEVERLY
(to Nurse)
Forty cc's inoprovaline...
An ALARM SOUNDS from the clamshell.
BEVERLY
Activity in the isocortex is
falling. Cortical stimulator.
A Nurse hands her a device, which Beverly places on his
forehead. A monitor in the room begins to show a
flatline and ALARMS are continuous now.
BEVERLY
Now.
Picard's body JERKS... then nothing.
BEVERLY
Again.
His body JERKS again... nothing.
STAR TREK: "Tapestry" - 11/30/92 - TEASER 3.
2 NEW ANGLE
We are now looking DOWN at the scene in Sickbay from
directly overhead... as we begin to PUSH DOWN onto
Picard's face, Beverly and the others can be seen
working frantically on him, but there is NO SOUND
except for a slowly building RUSHING NOISE, similar to
the sound of the ocean. As Picard's face fills the
frame, the rushing sound builds to a ROAR and suddenly
the scene...
FADES TO WHITE.
FADE IN:
3 LIMBO
SILENCE. Picard is standing in blindingly WHITE LIMBO
without walls or ceiling. He is dazed and confused...
unsure where he is or what's happening to him. He
struggles to look around, but he cannot discern
anything in this uniformly bright place. Suddenly an
even more INTENSE LIGHT fills part of the scene.
Picard holds up a hand to shield his eyes from this
painfully intense light, but he does not retreat. He
struggles to look into the light.
3A POV PICARD (OPTICAL)
The glowing luminescence has a form... it is the shape
of a FIGURE standing in the light.
3B PICARD
determined to find out who this is, moves toward the
silhouetted figure. He finally stops in front of it.
He can barely look into the light at all.
STAR TREK: "Tapestry" - 11/30/92 - TEASER 4.
4 THE FIGURE (OPTICAL)
reaches out for him with one hand.
5 PICARD
reaches out toward the hand... they clasp hands and
suddenly...
6 NEW ANGLE
revealing Q standing with Picard, holding his hand. Q
is wearing white flowing ethereal robes.
Q
Welcome to the afterlife, Jean-Luc.
(beat)
You're dead.
OFF Picard's shocked reaction...
FADE OUT.
END OF TEASER
STAR TREK: "Tapestry" - 11/30/92 - ACT ONE 5.
ACT ONE
FADE IN:
(NOTE: Episode credits fall over opening scenes)
7 LIMBO - CONTINUOUS
Picard angrily drops Q's hand.
PICARD
What's going on, Q?
Q
I told you. You're dead. This is
the afterlife. And I'm God.
PICARD
You are not God.
Q
Blasphemy! You're lucky I don't
cast you out, or smite you or
something.
Picard is unamused.
PICARD
I don't know what game it is
you're playing, but I am not going
to participate.
Q
What an ego.
(sarcastic)
Did you think the great Jean-Luc
Picard would never die?
PICARD
Q, whatever you've done to --
Q
I haven't done anything.
(beat)
Check your heart rate. Go ahead.
Picard hesitates... then puts a hand to his throat...
he reacts with shock as he finds nothing.
Q
No pulse? What a surprise.
STAR TREK: "Tapestry" - REV. 12/07/92 - ACT ONE 6.
7 CONTINUED:
Try as he might to deny it, Picard is coming to the
realization that Q is on the level. But he still
fights against a facile acceptance of Q's word.
PICARD
How do I know this isn't another
one of your tricks?
Q
Think, Jean-Luc. Why would I go
to all the trouble of faking your
death when I could simply kill you
whenever I felt like it?
PICARD
Is that what happened?
Q
I wouldn't want to steal the
credit... it was a rather
disgruntled Lenarian actually.
This strikes a chord with Picard. He begins to
remember what happened...
PICARD
The conference...
Q
(impatient)
Yes, yes. The conference, the
unexpected attack, the compressed
teryon beam... the bottom line is,
your life ended about five minutes
ago under the inept ministrations
of Doctor Beverly Crusher.
Picard takes a moment to think about this. He pushes
away the idea that Q might be telling the truth.
STAR TREK: "Tapestry" - 11/30/92 - ACT ONE 7.
7 CONTINUED: (2)
PICARD
No. I am not dead. I refuse to
believe there is an afterlife
which is run by you.
(beat)
The universe is not that badly
designed.
Q gives a bored and frustrated sigh.
Q
Very well. If you really require
more evidence of your post-mortem
status, I'll just have to provide
some...
Suddenly, Picard hears a deep VOICE coming from behind
him.
MAURICE'S VOICE
Jean-Luc...
Picard freezes in place at the all-too familiar voice.
8 NEW ANGLE
Picard slowly turns around and sees his father, MAURICE
PICARD standing behind him. Maurice is in his
eighties, but seems healthy and vital.
PICARD
(shocked)
Father...
Maurice is clearly disapproving.
STAR TREK: "Tapestry" - REV. 12/08/92 - ACT ONE 8.
8 CONTINUED:
MAURICE
I told you not to go running off
to that Academy. I told you that
Starfleet would bring you to a bad
end. But you wouldn't listen.
Now look at you... dead before
your time.
Picard's words are meant for Q, but he can't take his
eyes off of his father's face.
PICARD
All right, Q... enough.
Q
(innocent)
Enough what?
MAURICE
Why couldn't you listen? Didn't
you understand that I was only
looking out for your best
interests?
Picard turns to Q in rage.
PICARD
(hard)
Q, stop this.
MAURICE
Even now, after all these years...
you still manage to disappoint me,
Jean-Luc.
9 ON PICARD
The words knife through Picard. He turns back
around... but Maurice is GONE. Picard stares out into
the white emptiness for a moment.
STAR TREK: "Tapestry" - REV. 12/08/92 - ACT ONE 9-9A.
9 CONTINUED:
PICARD
I hope you're enjoying this, Q.
Q
This isn't for me. This is for
you, Jean-Luc... I wanted to give
you an opportunity to make peace
with your sordid past.
Picard turns back to Q after a beat, determined not to
let Q call the tune.
PICARD
I find it hard to believe that
you're doing this for the benefit
of my soul.
Q
Now that you've finally shuffled
off the mortal coil, we're free to
spend some time together. I
simply want you to be at peace
with yourself.
PICARD
"Some time together?"... how much
time?
Q
Eternity.
Beat.
PICARD
So I'm in hell.
Q
That's the spirit, Jean-Luc.
Don't let a little thing like
death slow down that rapier wit.
STAR TREK: "Tapestry" - REV. 12/08/92 - ACT ONE 9B.
9 CONTINUED: (2)
Q
(beat)
Now you're sure you don't have any
regrets or feelings of guilt about
your former life? I can't have
you whining and complaining
through eternity.
PICARD
If I'm truly dead, then my only
regret is dying... and finding you
here.
Q
(mock)
You wound me, Mon Capitain. After
all, I wasn't the cause of your
death...
STAR TREK: "Tapestry" - REV. 12/08/92 - ACT ONE 10.
9 CONTINUED: (3)
He holds up a hand and a DEVICE APPEARS in it. It's
about the size of a softball and part of it is burnt
and fused.
Q
(re: device)
... this was.
Picard recognizes the form, but it's still a shock.
PICARD
Is that...
Q
Your artificial heart.
He tosses the device to Picard, who catches it. Picard
looks down at it with a sort of horrific wonder. There
is something very strange about holding one's own
heart. He examines it closely.
Q
You might have lived if you'd had
a real heart instead of this
unreliable piece of technology.
(beat)
How did you manage to lose yours
anyway?
Picard pauses... looks at the device for a long moment.
PICARD
(quiet)
It was a... mistake.
Q immediately senses that he's onto something here. He
presses Picard further.
Q
Something you regret?
PICARD
(finally admitting)
I regret a great many things from
those days...
Q
Really?
Q looks off to one side.
9A OMITTED
STAR TREK: "Tapestry" - 11/30/92 - ACT ONE 11.
10 NEW ANGLE
In the direction Q is looking, there are now three
people standing in the dark: NAUSICAAN #1, #2, #3, and
a YOUNG PICARD. The Nausicaans are large, burly aliens
with hideous features. The Young Picard is about
twenty-one years old and is wearing an old-style
Starfleet uniform.
The following happens very quickly:
Young Picard has Nausicaan #1 on the ground and is
holding him in some type of wrestling lock. Nausicaan
#2 pulls a nasty-looking weapon with a long serrated
blade from his belt as Nausicaan #3 grabs Young
Picard's arms. Nausicaan #2 then DRIVES his weapon
THROUGH Young Picard's back. The Young Picard LAUGHS
just before he falls to the ground.
11 ON PICARD AND Q
Who have just seen the above action play out.
Q
It wasn't very smart of you to
take on three Nausicaans like
that.
Picard walks over and stands above the still form of
his younger self which is lying on the ground. (The
Nausicaans are gone.)
PICARD
No, it wasn't.
Q
And did I hear you laugh? It's so
unlike you to have a sense of
humor... especially about getting
stabbed through the back.
Picard still can't take his eyes off the image of his
younger self.
PICARD
I was... a different person in
those days... an arrogant,
undisciplined, young man with far
too much ego and far too little
wisdom.
(beat)
I was more like you.
STAR TREK: "Tapestry" - 11/30/92 - ACT ONE 12.
11 CONTINUED:
Q
I'm sure you were far more
interesting in those days. A pity
you had to change.
PICARD
The only pity is that I had to be
impaled through the back before I
learned my lesson.
(beat)
I started that fight with the
Nausicaans... I started it
because I was young and cocky...
He looks down at the artificial heart he is still
holding.
PICARD
If I had been more responsible at
that age... I wouldn't have needed
this heart... and I wouldn't have
died from a random energy surge
thirty years later.
Q
So if you had it to do all over
again... ?
12 ON PICARD
He looks thoughtful as he recalls the events of his
youth.
PICARD
(quiet)
Things would be different...
We MOVE IN CLOSE on Picard's face and suddenly a
WOMAN'S HAND SLAPS him across the face.
CUT TO:
13 INT. STARBASE - PICARD'S QUARTERS
Picard is wearing an old-style Ensign's uniform and he
is standing in a standard set of quarters on a
Starbase. An angry WOMAN is standing in front of him.
OFF Picard's shocked expression.
FADE OUT.
END OF ACT ONE
STAR TREK: "Tapestry" - 11/30/92 - ACT TWO 13.
ACT TWO
FADE IN:
14 INT. STARBASE - PICARD'S QUARTERS (CONTINUOUS)
Picard is still shocked. The angry Woman turns on her
heel and EXITS in a huff. Suddenly there is APPLAUSE
and LAUGHTER from o.c. Picard turns to see...
15 COREY AND MARTA (OPTICAL)
who are standing in the room. COREY ZWELLER is a tall,
lanky, twenty-one year old, with long hair that
probably barely passes regulations. MARTA BATANIDES is
a short, pretty woman, and is also roughly twenty-one.
They are both wearing old-style Starfleet Ensign
uniforms and the jackets are unbuttoned, suggesting a
casual gathering.
Picard immediately recognizes them both, but he's still
trying to adjust to where he is. Corey and Marta are
both laughing and applauding Picard -- neither knows
that the man standing before them is not twenty-one.
MARTA
(applauding)
Bravo! Bravo!
COREY
(applauding)
Nicely done.
PICARD
Cortan? Cortan Zweller?
COREY
(surprised)
Of course it's me... boy, she
must've hit you pretty hard.
Marta moves to him and jokingly pats his cheek where
the woman slapped him.
MARTA
You're slowing down, Johnny. You
should've seen that one coming.
Picard looks at her with real warmth.
PICARD
Marta...
STAR TREK: "Tapestry" - 11/30/92 - ACT TWO 14.
15 CONTINUED:
Marta frowns at him... she's starting to become
genuinely concerned.
MARTA
Are you okay?
PICARD
I'm... just a little
disoriented...
COREY
Oh, please. Now he's just playing
for sympathy.
Corey begins to button up his jacket.
COREY
I want to get something to eat and
head over to the casino at
Bonestell. Who's coming?
PICARD
I'll... catch up with you later.
Marta is still concerned about Picard.
MARTA
Are you sure you're all right?
PICARD
No, no. I'm fine Marta -- Marty,
really.
Marta still isn't quite convinced, but Corey only rolls
his eyes.
COREY
Come on, Marty. I bet he has
another date anyway.
Marta gives Picard a wry look.
MARTA
That's it, isn't it?
(pokes him in chest)
You are incorrigible.
Marta begins buttoning her jacket too as she and Corey
head for the door.
STAR TREK: "Tapestry" - 11/30/92 - ACT TWO 15.
15 CONTINUED: (2)
COREY
(to Picard)
Try not to end up in the hospital.
They EXIT. Picard looks after them for a beat, trying
to ground himself in what's going on. He looks down at
his own uniform and notes the insignia. Q suddenly
APPEARS, wearing a normal Captain's uniform and holding
a swagger stick.
Q
(barks)
Attention on deck, Ensign Picard!
Picard almost stands at attention out of reflex before
catching himself.
PICARD
(irritated)
Q...
Q
That's Captain Q to you, young
man.
PICARD
What's the point of creating
this... fantasy?
Q
It's no fantasy. This is all very
real, I assure you. You're twenty-one
years old again... a brash
young man, fresh out of the
Academy.
Picard looks down at his hands and then looks at
himself in a mirror.
PICARD
I don't look it.
Q
To everyone else, you do.
Picard tries to punch holes in Q's story.
PICARD
I thought you said I was dead...
now you tell me I'm alive?
Q
You mortals can be so obtuse. Why
do you persist in believing that
life and death are such static and
rigid concepts.
(MORE)
STAR TREK: "Tapestry" - 12/01/92 - ACT TWO 15A.
15 CONTINUED: (3)
Q (CONT'D)
(beat)
I can take your life and then give
it back to you with the snap of a
finger.
STAR TREK: "Tapestry" - 11/30/92 - ACT TWO 16.
15 CONTINUED: (4)
PICARD
Let's say for the moment that it's
true... what purpose does it serve
to bring me here?
Q
You said you regretted a great
many things from this time in your
life. Well, now you have a chance
to change some of them.
Picard takes a moment to assess all this... it's a
great deal to assimilate.
PICARD
Change. You mean change the past.
Q, even if you have brought me
back in time somehow... surely you
must realize that any alteration
in this timeline could have a
profound impact on the future --
Q
Spare me your egotistical musings
on your pivotal role in history.
Nothing you do here will cause the
Federation to collapse or the
galaxy to explode. To be blunt...
you're not that important.
PICARD
I won't do it. I won't alter
history.
The look on Picard's face tells Q that he's not getting
anywhere.
Q
Oh, very well... if you attach so
much importance to the continuity
of time... I can personally
guarantee that nothing you do here
will end up hurting anyone, or
have an adverse affect on what you
know as history. The only thing
at stake here is your life and
your peace of mind.
(beat)
You have my word.
STAR TREK: "Tapestry" - 11/30/92 - ACT TWO 17.
15 CONTINUED: (4)
Picard laughs in his face.
Q
It's bad form to laugh at one's
god. Whether you believe me or
not, you're here and you have a
second chance... what you do with
it is entirely up to you.
(beat)
Do you know where you are?
Picard looks around for a beat and thinks back.
PICARD
Starbase Earhart... we came here
just after graduation... to wait
for our first deep space
assignments.
Q makes himself comfortable on a couch.
Q
That's right. It's two days
before your unfortunate encounter
with a Nausicaan sword... you have
that long to make whatever changes
you wish. If you can avoid
getting stabbed through the heart
this time -- which I doubt -- I'll
take you back to what you think of
as the present and you can go on
with your life... with a real
heart.
PICARD
So then I won't die?
Q
Of course you'll die. It'll just
be at a later time.
PICARD
What if I don't avoid the fight...
what if I don't make any changes?
Q
Then you die on the table and we
spend eternity together.
PICARD
Wonderful.
STAR TREK: "Tapestry" - REV. 12/04/92 - ACT TWO 17A.
15 CONTINUED: (5)
Q
I'm glad you think so.
(beat)
I am curious about one thing...
Johnny, why did that rather
attractive woman slap you just
now? Something you said?
Picard thinks back, trying to remember.
PICARD
That woman's name was... Corlina.
I was supposed to take her to
dinner... on this night...
(beat)
But then she found out that...
(embarrassed)
I'd made a second date with
another woman... named Penny.
Corlina was... somewhat upset.
Q
I'm impressed. I had no idea you
could be such a cad.
Picard suddenly remembers something.
PICARD
Computer, what time is it?
COMPUTER VOICE
Sixteen eleven hours.
Picard's expression sags a little and Q picks up on it
immediately.
PICARD
In fact, Penny should be...
waiting for me... right now.
OFF his expression.
CUT TO:
16 INT. BONESTELL FACILITY - BAR
The bar is a dilapidated, run-down, hole in the wall
with mismatched furnishings, dirty walls, and
indifferent service. The clientele consists mostly of
passed-out bodies and disreputable figures conducting
illegal deals in the shadows.
STAR TREK: "Tapestry" - 11/30/92 - ACT TWO 17B.
16 CONTINUED:
In short, it is exactly the kind of place to attract
young Starfleet officers fresh from the Academy and
looking for a little adventure. (NOTE: No Ferengi
should be seen in this episode. They had not been
"discovered" during this time period.)
There is a DOORWAY off to one side which leads to a
connecting room.
Picard is sitting at the bar on a stool with one leg
too short talking to a woman named PENNY. She is an
attractive woman, well into her forties and beginning
to show it. Penny has a world-weary look of experience
and she sees Picard only as a twenty-one year old.
Picard is very uncomfortable and there is a long
silence.
PENNY
You're awfully quiet today. What
happened to the dashing young
Ensign from last night... the one
with the winning smile and the
smooth talk about my eyes?
PICARD
Nothing. I'm just a little
more... contemplative.
STAR TREK: "Tapestry" - 12/03/92 - ACT TWO 18.
16 CONTINUED: (2)
PENNY
And what are you contemplating?
She crosses one leg over the over, exposing a good deal
of skin in the process. Picard can't help but notice.
PICARD
Penny, perhaps we could just...
talk for a while. I don't know
anything about you... where you
come from... what your interests
are... your last name...
PENNY
(matter of fact)
I come from Rigel, my last name is
Muroc and I like men in uniform.
She leans over and begins running her hand over his
thigh. Her look is openly seductive.
PENNY
I think that's enough talk.
At this moment, Corey and Marta walk through the Bar
area. They both give Picard knowing smiles and looks
before EXITING through the opposite DOORWAY.
STAR TREK: "Tapestry" - 11/30/92 - ACT TWO 19.
16 CONTINUED: (3)
PICARD
Penny... I don't think it would be
fair... to you to pretend that I'm
really interested in a...
relationship right now...
PENNY
Who said anything about a
relationship?
She kisses him full on the mouth... then pulls away at
his lack of response. Penny considers him for a
moment... her expression hardens and an edge creeps
into her voice.
PENNY
What's wrong... Don't I look as
attractive as I did last night?
PICARD
What? No, not at all. You're a
very... handsome woman.
PENNY
Handsome... that's something you
say to old ladies.
She moves to leave, but Picard reaches out and stops
her.
PICARD
Penny. To me you are definitely
not an old lady.
Penny grabs her drink and throws it in his face.
PENNY
I wasn't after your pity.
She EXITS. Picard begins to wipe the drink off his
face with a hand... suddenly someone hands him a TOWEL
from behind the bar.
Q'S VOICE
Penny for your thoughts?
17 NEW ANGLE
Picard turns and discovers Q standing behind the bar
dressed as a Bartender. Picard takes the towel in
irritation and dries his face.
STAR TREK: "Tapestry" - 12/03/92 - ACT TWO 20.
17 CONTINUED:
Q
You never told me you were such a
lady's man.
PICARD
I was a puerile adolescent who let
himself be ruled by his hormones
instead of his head.
There is suddenly the NOISE of a CROWD YELLING APPROVAL
coming from o.c. Picard and Q turn toward the DOORWAY.
Q
It seems your friends know how to
have a good time. Maybe you
should go take some lessons.
Suddenly a pushy VOICE is heard coming from the other
end of the bar.
MALE VOICE
(o.c.)
Hey, you! Get over here with
those drinks before I tear your
head off!
Q looks over toward where the voice came from.
Q
(to Picard)
Excuse me.
(to o.c. customer)
Are you addressing me... ?
Another CHEER can be HEARD coming from the doorway.
Picard moves toward it in curiosity.
STAR TREK: "Tapestry" - 11/25/92 - ACT TWO 21.
18 INT. BONESTELL FACILITY - GAMBLING CENTER
If the Bar was decrepit, the Gambling Center is
disgusting with even more decay and filth. There are
various gaming devices and tables scattered around the
room, but the center is dominated by a large DOM-JOT
TABLE. Dom-Jot is a cross between billiards and craps.
People place bets on various multi-colored images on
the table as players take turns hit balls with cue
sticks. There are many bumpers and pockets and lights
come on according to the state of play.
Picard ENTERS and sees that the CROWD gathered around
the Dom-Jot table is cheering on Corey, who is wielding
his cue stick with professional confidence. Corey's
opponent is an ALIEN who holds his cue stick in misery.
Picard moves to stand next to Marta.
MARTA
(re: Corey)
He's winning.
PICARD
Of course.
MARTA
I thought you had a date.
PICARD
(beat)
She... decided to leave.
MARTA
(ironic)
You're getting old, Johnny.
Corey hits a final ball and a LIGHT goes on. The crowd
goes wild. The Alien opponent puts down his stick in
disgust and throws a few gold ingots on the table.
Corey triumphantly collects his winnings as the crowd
disperses to other tables.
COREY
Thank you... thank you all...
Picard and Marta move over to him.
MARTA
Very nice... forget about
Starfleet and just play Dom-Jot
for a living.
STAR TREK: "Tapestry" - 12/03/92 - ACT TWO 22.
18 CONTINUED:
COREY
(cocky)
This is nothing... it's just a
little trigonometry, and some
minor wrist action. Barokie --
now there's a game.
Suddenly there is VOICE from o.c.
NAUSICAAN #1'S VOICE
(loud)
Human!
19 NEW ANGLE
Revealing that Nausicaan #1 has just entered the Gaming
area. The three officers turn to look at him.
NAUSICAAN #1
(to Corey)
Play Dom-Jot... Human?
He smiles a predatory smile. Picard reacts with
dread... he recognizes the Nausicaan and knows the
events that are about to unfold. OFF Picard's
reaction...
FADE OUT.
END OF ACT TWO
STAR TREK: "Tapestry" - 11/30/92 - ACT THREE 23.
ACT THREE
FADE IN:
20 INT. BONESTELL FACILITY - GAMBLING CENTER
Continuous action from Act Two. Corey sizes up the
Nausicaan... thinks he sees an easy mark.
COREY
(smiles)
I think I could be persuaded to
play one more game.
Picard moves quickly to Corey.
PICARD
(quiet, urgent)
No, don't play him.
COREY
Why?
PICARD
It'll cause trouble.
Corey looks at him quizzically. Picard needs to think
of something quickly.
PICARD
He's a Nausicaan... they can be
very ill-tempered when they lose.
COREY
(flip)
So can I.
Corey turns to play, but Picard grabs his arm.
PICARD
(forcefully)
Corey, listen to me. This is a
bad idea. Don't play him.
Corey pulls away from Picard's grip. He looks at
Picard with a trace of irritation.
COREY
What's gotten into you?
(to Nausicaan)
Let's go.
Corey and the Nausicaan set up the table as Picard
looks on with frustration. Marta throws him a
quizzical glance, but shrugs it off and then moves to
get a good look at the game as a CROWD begins to gather
around the table again.
STAR TREK: "Tapestry" - 11/30/92 - ACT THREE 24.
21 NEW ANGLE
As Q (still dressed as the Bartender) ENTERS and moves
to stand with Picard. The game between Corey and the
Nausicaan begins in the b.g. as Q and Picard talk.
Q
I see you've found your Nausicaan
friend.
Q pointedly looks at Picard's back and chest.
Q
(continuing)
You seem un-impaled so far.
PICARD
Sorry to disappoint you.
Corey scores a point on the table and exchanges a
pleased look with Marta. The Nausicaan is unmoved and
Picard looks grim.
Q
Ensign Zweller seems to be doing
well.
PICARD
He's going to lose. The Nausicaan
is cheating.
Q
Really? I'm beginning to like
these Nausicaans.
PICARD
If history repeats itself, Corey
will figure it out later tonight
and then he'll want revenge.
Q
And will you help your best friend
avenge this injustice?
The tables have turned in the game and the Nausicaan is
starting to pile up a series of points one after the
other.
PICARD
I did the first time. I found a
way to rig the table so that Corey
could win in a rematch.
Q
You? Cheated? Picard, I'm
impressed.
STAR TREK: "Tapestry" - 11/30/92 - ACT THREE 25.
21 CONTINUED:
PICARD
It was a foolish mistake. The
Nausicaan and his two friends
didn't take the loss very well.
They were outraged... they wanted
a fight...
(beat)
And I gave them one.
Q
A beautiful story...
(puts fist to his chest)
Gets you right here doesn't it?
The Nausicaan is now running the table on Corey,
wracking up point after point. Corey is watching him
carefully, with anger and suspicion mixing on his face.
The Nausicaan scores the final point and the crowd
CHEERS.
NAUSICAAN #1
Dom-Jot!
(as if the idea were a
joke)
Human play Dom-Jot!
The Nausicaan laughs heartily and throws his stick at
Corey, who has little choice but to catch it. The
Nausicaan scoops up his winnings and EXITS. Corey's
face hardens in cold fury.
CUT TO:
22 INT. STARBASE - PICARD'S QUARTERS
Corey, Marta and Picard are gathered here. Corey is
very upset.
COREY
I've played a lot of Dom-Jot, in
a lot of places, and I've never
seen the balls roll that well for
anyone. Did you see the way he
rolled the terik into straight
nines? That's a one in a million
shot and he did it twice.
MARTA
So he was cheating...
PICARD
It may have simply been
extraordinary luck.
STAR TREK: "Tapestry" - 11/30/92 - ACT THREE 26.
22 CONTINUED:
COREY
I was watching the way he held the
cue. Every time he needed to make
a tough shot, he held the cue
close to his waist. I think he
had some kind of magnetic device
in his belt. It must've been
controlling the balls.
MARTA
(angry)
That's terrible.
COREY
We have to get even.
MARTA
What do you have in mind?
COREY
We could do the same thing to him
that he did to us. Cheat. We'll
rig the table so his device will
backfire on him.
Picard puts his foot down before this goes any farther.
PICARD
That won't solve anything.
COREY
It'll teach him that he can't go
around cheating Starfleet
Officers.
PICARD
What it will do is provoke him.
And provoking a Nausicaan is not
a good idea.
COREY
(cocky)
I can handle him.
PICARD
What if he's not alone... what if
he brings some friends along next
time?
COREY
Well... then I guess I'll have to
depend on my friends to help me
out.
PICARD
Corey... there must be a better
way to handle this...
STAR TREK: "Tapestry" - 11/30/92 - ACT THREE 27.
22 CONTINUED: (3)
Corey looks at him in astonishment.
COREY
When did you start backing away
from a good fight?
PICARD
We're not cadets anymore... we're
officers. We have to start...
setting a higher standard for
ourselves.
Corey still can't believe he's hearing this from
Picard, but Marta has begun to agree with Picard.
MARTA
Maybe he's right... maybe this
isn't such a good idea.
COREY
(pleading)
Look, we've only got one more day
before we all have to report to
our ships. Let's have one last
adventure together... we may not
see each other again for a long
time.
Marta is on the fence, but Picard holds firm.
PICARD
No. I'm sorry Corey, but I won't
do it.
That swings Marta's vote.
MARTA
It was a good idea, Corey... but
let's just forget about it...
Corey looks at them both with amazement and
disappointment. He almost says something... then
finally just shakes his head in disgust and EXITS
without a word. There is a long beat before Marta
turns to Picard.
MARTA
He'll get over it.
STAR TREK: "Tapestry" - REV. 12/03/92 - ACT THREE 28.
22 CONTINUED: (4)
PICARD
I hope so.
Marta smiles at him in a strangely amused sort of way.
She is seeing him a little differently now... starting
to see something very attractive about this new
attitude from Picard. He notices her look.
PICARD
What?
MARTA
Nothing... it's just that usually
you'd be the one plotting revenge.
PICARD
(dry)
That would be more in character,
wouldn't it?
MARTA
Much.
(with humor)
But I always suspected you had a
hidden streak of responsibility
somewhere.
PICARD
(ironic)
Maybe I'm just getting... a little
older.
Marta touches the rank insignia on Picard's uniform.
MARTA
(re: insignia)
Maybe these bars are starting to
feel a little heavy, Ensign.
(beat)
Ensign Picard and Ensign
Batanides... sounds weird,
doesn't it?
PICARD
(ironic)
It's going to take some getting
used to.
STAR TREK: "Tapestry" - 11/30/92 - ACT THREE 29.
22 CONTINUED: (5)
Marta gives him a very direct look.
MARTA
It's too bad we can't get used to
it together.
Picard looks at her in a little surprise. Marta
realizes that she's given voice to more than she meant
to -- she's definitely attracted to Picard as more than
just a friend. She quickly amends her statement so it
doesn't sound so intimate.
MARTA
(quickly)
The -- the three of us, I mean.
But Picard has picked up on the subtext and is not
fooled by her hasty retreat.
PICARD
Of course.
They look at each other for a long moment... the sexual
tension in the room fairly crackles. But before things
progress any farther, the door CHIMES and the moment is
broken.
PICARD
Come.
Q ENTERS, dressed as a delivery boy and carrying a
large arrangement of flowers.
Q
Is there a John-Luck Pickard here?
Marta gives Picard a resigned look.
MARTA
(with humor)
From one of your conquests, no
doubt. I guess some things aren't
going to change.
She smiles and EXITS. Once she's gone, Q turns to
Picard.
Q
Did I interrupt something sordid
I hope?
PICARD
No, you did not.
STAR TREK: "Tapestry" - 11/30/92 - ACT THREE 29A.
22 CONTINUED: (6)
Q
Pity. She's quite attractive.
PICARD
We were friends, nothing more.
Q
Is that another regret I hear?
Q has touched a nerve here and Picard can't deny it.
Q
My, my... we're simply riddled
with regrets about our youth,
aren't we?
PICARD
My friendship with Marta is not
something I regret.
Q
But you do wish you'd been more
than just... friends, don't you?
(beat)
Well... here's your chance to
change all that.
Picard faces Q squarely, determined not to let Q get to
him.
STAR TREK: "Tapestry" - 11/30/92 - ACT THREE 30.
22 CONTINUED: (7)
PICARD
(irritably)
What do you want, Q?
Q
I thought you might like to know
that Mister Zweller has decided to
ignore your advice.
Picard is shocked.
Q
(continuing)
He's in the Bonestell Facility
right now... rigging the table to
beat the Nausicaan. I guess you
weren't that persuasive.
Picard thinks for a beat, then EXITS with a determined
look on his face. Q smiles and smells the flowers with
a satisfied look on his face.
CUT TO:
23 INT. BONESTELL FACILITY - GAMBLING CENTER - NIGHT
The Gambling Center is closed for the evening and the
lights are off. Corey is underneath the Dam-Jot table,
working with a couple of tools when Picard quietly
ENTERS. Picard looks around quickly, but they're
clearly alone. He moves silently over to the table.
PICARD
(softly)
Corey...
Corey smacks his head into the table in surprise.
COREY
Ow!
Corey sees Picard and breathes a sigh of relief.
COREY
Johnny... don't sneak up on me
like that. I thought you were the
gambling foreman.
PICARD
Sorry.
STAR TREK: "Tapestry" - 12/03/92 - ACT THREE 31.
23 CONTINUED:
COREY
It's all right. I'm glad you're
here.
(points to tool)
Hand me the magna-spanner.
He leans back under the table.
PICARD
I'm not here to help you, I'm here
to stop you from making a serious
mistake.
Corey looks at him in disbelief... he still isn't
taking him seriously.
COREY
(sarcastic)
You sound like my mother.
PICARD
Cheating the Nausicaan could have
serious consequences for all of
us. It's a risk we can't afford
to take.
COREY
You are my mother.
(mocking)
Well, Mom... gee, I guess I'll
have to go tell the Nausicaans I
don't mind if they cheat me --
STAR TREK: "Tapestry" - 11/30/92 - ACT THREE 32.
23 CONTINUED: (2)
PICARD
(hard)
This isn't a joke, Corey.
The humor fades from Corey's face.
COREY
It better be.
A tense beat between the two of them. Corey finally
breaks the silence... he keeps his voice low and very
even.
COREY
Now, I'm going to finish my work
here. If you want to help me --
fine. If you don't, then I'll see
you back at the Starbase.
Corey turns back to the table, but Picard takes him
gently but firmly by the arm.
PICARD
I said you're not doing this.
Picard's expression is unyielding. Corey looks from
Picard's face down to the hand on his arm.
COREY
(quiet)
Are you going to hit me, Johnny?
Picard considers him for a beat... realizes that he
won't cross that line with his friend. Picard drops
his hand after a beat.
PICARD
No.
(beat)
But I will tell the gambling
foreman that someone's been
tampering with his Dom-Jot table.
Corey can't even put his sense of betrayal and anger
into words. He stares at Picard for a long beat...
then drops the tool in his hand.
COREY
(cold)
All right, have it your way...
(with contempt)
... Ensign Picard.
With a pained and angry look, Corey EXITS, leaving
Picard alone in the deserted center.
CUT TO:
STAR TREK: "Tapestry" - 11/30/92 - ACT THREE 33-33A
24 INT. STARBASE - MARTA'S QUARTERS - NIGHT
A redress of Picard's Quarters. Marta has taken her
jacket off and is sitting on the edge of the bed,
listening to Picard, who is upset about the prior
scene.
PICARD
I just couldn't make him
understand.
MARTA
At least he did finally give it
up...
PICARD
Yes, but... he didn't take it very
well.
MARTA
Oh, you know Corey... he'll forget
all about it by tomorrow.
PICARD
I hope so. We were friends for
many years after this.
(off her look)
Or at least... I hope we will be.
Marta looks at him for a moment... a smile keeps
playing about her lips as if she is about to burst out
laughing.
PICARD
(puzzled)
You keep smiling at me.
MARTA
(light)
I've just never seen you like this
before. You're so... serious.
PICARD
Do I really seem that different?
MARTA
(smiles)
I don't know... maybe I'm just not
used to seeing you in an officer's
uniform...
(beat, then more
thoughtful)
No... it's more than that... you
do seem different...
(beat)
I mean, I'm not complaining... I
think it suits you.
STAR TREK: "Tapestry" - 11/30/92 - ACT THREE 34.
24 CONTINUED:
Marta gives him a very direct look... and that spark of
sexual tension can be felt in the room again.
PICARD
Really?
MARTA
Yes. I think it's very...
(she hesitates)
... attractive.
There is another silent moment as they search each
other's expression. The tension between them begins to
build. Picard struggles with the feelings, begins to
turn away in order to break the moment... but Marta
stops him.
MARTA
Johnny... have you ever thought
about us... getting together?
PICARD
Actually... I have. For a long
time.
There is a charged silence. Picard is trying to
resist, uncomfortable with the fact that, for him, many
years have passed.
MARTA
Why didn't you ever say so?
PICARD
I... don't know.
(beat)
At the moment... I can't imagine
why I didn't...
MARTA
Well... you've said it now.
They hold each other's eyes for a moment... then Marta
takes a step toward him... she lifts a hand and brushes
her fingertips across his lips... then carefully moves
closer... their lips touch briefly in a tentative kiss.
They part slightly and look at each other again... then
they kiss in a deep and passionate embrace.
FADE OUT.
END OF ACT THREE
STAR TREK: "Tapestry" - 11/30/92 - ACT FOUR 35.
ACT FOUR
FADE IN:
25 INT. STARBASE - MARTA'S QUARTERS - DAY (OPTICAL)
CLOSE ON Picard, who is sleeping in the bed alone.
It's the next morning. A HAND reaches out and strokes
his face gently... Picard smiles and slowly rolls
over... he opens his eyes and finds Q lying on top of
the covers next to him.
Q
Good morning, darling.
Picard jerks back in shock. Q smiles as Picard grabs
his uniform and begins to dress.
Q
A little jumpy this morning, are
we? Feeling guilty perhaps?
PICARD
I don't have anything to feel
guilty about, Q.
Q
No?
(mocking)
"We were friends, Q. Nothing
more."
PICARD
You're the one who gave me the
opportunity to change things...
Q
So what happens next?
Picard thinks for a beat.
STAR TREK: "Tapestry" - 11/30/92 - ACT FOUR 36.
25 CONTINUED:
PICARD
I don't know. But I do know that
things will be different.
Q looks at him for a beat.
Q
I'm sure.
Q VANISHES.
CUT TO:
26 INT. BONESTELL FACILITY - BAR - DAY
It's still pretty early in the day for there to be many
customers at the bar. Picard ENTERS and looks around
for a beat before seeing Marta sitting at a far table
with her back toward him. Picard smiles and moves to
her. He puts a hand on her shoulder and gently kisses
her head.
PICARD
Morning.
Marta stiffens in her seat.
MARTA
Johnny.
Picard moves around and suddenly sees the expression on
her face -- she looks miserable and has probably been
crying recently. Picard sits down with concern.
PICARD
What's wrong?
A long beat as Marta tries to put words together. She
toys with a mug of coffee in front of her and has a
great deal of difficulty meeting Picard's eyes. She
tries to smile.
MARTA
Well... this is the morning after,
huh?
STAR TREK: "Tapestry" - 11/30/92 - ACT FOUR 37.
26 CONTINUED:
Picard is suddenly in uncharted waters. He wasn't
expecting this reaction from her and he's not sure how
to deal with it.
PICARD
I suppose so.
An awkward beat.
MARTA
I... don't quite know where to
begin...
He takes her hand gently.
PICARD
Marta... I don't regret what
happened last night... and I hope
you don't, either.
She looks into his eyes, but her emotions are in
turmoil.
MARTA
I don't know... we've been friends
for a long time... and now...
PICARD
I hope last night has only brought
us closer.
A long beat as Marta looks down into her coffee.
MARTA
Do you remember the first day we
reported to the Academy?
PICARD
(smiles)
Very well.
STAR TREK: "Tapestry" - 12/01/92 - ACT FOUR 37A.
26 CONTINUED: (2)
MARTA
They marched us into Scobee Hall
in our stiff new uniforms... and
then Admiral Silona gave us the
old welcome aboard speech.
(beat)
He said, I want you all to look to
the left of you and then look to
the right of you...
PICARD
(remembering)
... One of you isn't going to make
it through the next four years.
MARTA
I remember thinking... that's me.
I'm not going to make it. Then I
looked to my right... and there
you were with this cocky look on
your face... and you said, "we'll
see about that." From that
moment, I knew I wanted you as a
friend.
She looks into his eyes... her face fills with pain.
MARTA
And now... I'm afraid we've ruined
that friendship.
Picard realizes what a profound mistake this has been.
He thinks for a long beat... then tries to reach out to
her and make things better.
PICARD
Perhaps we should just... pretend
that this never happened and try
to...
He trails off as she shakes her head.
MARTA
I wish I could. It would make it
easier to say good-bye tomorrow.
(takes deep breath)
We're all supposed to get together
later... the last big night on the
town before we ship out... now I'm
not sure it's such a good idea...
PICARD
I don't want you to do anything
that'll be uncomfortable...
STAR TREK: "Tapestry" - 11/30/92 - ACT FOUR 37B.
26 CONTINUED: (3)
She regards him sadly, then --
MARTA
I'll be there. We planned this...
I don't want to disappoint Corey.
STAR TREK: "Tapestry" - 11/30/92 - ACT FOUR 38.
26 CONTINUED: (4)
She stands and quickly EXITS. Picard sits alone at the
table for a long beat.
27 NEW ANGLE
Revealing Q standing near Picard.
Q
Let's see... in the past twenty-four
hours, you've managed to get
slapped by one woman, have a drink
thrown in your face by another,
and alienate your two best
friends. I'd say you're doing
quite nicely so far.
Picard doesn't respond... his thoughts are still on the
scene with Marta.
Q
Just one more thing to do... avoid
getting stabbed through the heart
tonight.
Picard nods to himself... he's ready for this to end.
CUT TO:
STAR TREK: "Tapestry" - REV. 12/07/92 - ACT FOUR 39.
28 INT. BONESTELL FACILITY - GAMBLING CENTER - NIGHT
The Gambling Center is bustling with activity again.
Picard, Corey, and Marta are sitting at a table in one
of the corners. There is an awkward tension between
the three of them and the drinks before them go largely
untouched. A few beats of silence go by, then Picard
tries to get the conversation going.
PICARD
(to Corey)
I think you'll like serving aboard
the Ajax... I understand Captain
Narth is an excellent officer.
COREY
(not really responsive)
So I hear.
Another awkward silence. Marta glances at Picard, then
looks away. The tension is heavy. Picard tries one
last time to break the ice.
PICARD
(lifts a glass)
Well... here's to the class of
'twenty-seven.
STAR TREK: "Tapestry" - REV. 12/07/92 - ACT FOUR 40.
28 CONTINUED:
Corey and Marta try to smile as they all clink glasses
and drink. As Corey drinks, he notices something at
the far end of the room.
29 NEW ANGLE
which shows Nausicaans #1, #2, and #3 all ENTER the
gambling center. Corey puts down his drink at the
sight of the three burly aliens. Picard and Marta
follow his gaze just as Nausicaan #1 sees Corey at the
table. Corey tries to ignore the Nausicaans and forces
himself to look down at his drink. But Nausicaan #1
moves over to the table and his two companions follow
him.
NAUSICAAN #1
(taunting)
Play Dom-Jot, Human? Give you a
better chance.
(no response)
Give you a bigger stick maybe.
The Nausicaans laugh. Corey slowly looks up at them
and Picard stands up to intercede.
PICARD
I don't think we're interested.
NAUSICAAN #1
(to others)
They are Undari.
(to Corey)
Cowards.
Corey and Marta stand up.
COREY
What did you say?
STAR TREK: "Tapestry" - REV. 12/07/92 - ACT FOUR 41.
29 CONTINUED:
Picard gets between them.
NAUSICAAN #1
(to Corey)
Coward. Like all Starfleet. You
talk and you talk... but you have
no guramba.
Corey takes a step toward him.
COREY
Why don't we find out --
Picard puts a hand to his chest and keeps them apart.
Picard notices as Nausicaan #2 puts a hand on the hilt
of his sword.
PICARD
(to Corey)
Don't be a fool.
(to Nausicaan)
There are plenty of other people
to play Dom-Jot. Go on about your
business.
The Nausicaan ignores him and looks from Corey to
Marta.
NAUSICAAN #1
(to Marta)
Maybe I play with you... give you
a good time.
That tears it for Corey. The following happens very
quickly:
Picard sees Nausicaan #2 begin to draw his weapon as
Corey cocks back his arm to throw a punch. Picard
throws an elbow into Corey's chest, knocking him
backward and preventing him from starting a fight.
Corey is caught completely by surprise and he tumbles
hard over the table and chair. There is a beat of
shocked silence from everyone.
Suddenly the Nausicaans begin to laugh at the spectacle
of the quarreling officers. The tension is broken as
they go off to another area of the gambling center.
STAR TREK: "Tapestry" - 11/30/92 - ACT FOUR 42.
29 CONTINUED: (2)
NAUSICAAN #1
(to others)
Orcho lok resnik Starfleet...
As they move away, Picard turns around to see Marta
helping Corey up. Picard holds out a hand, but Marta's
eyes flash at him.
MARTA
You've done enough.
PICARD
Corey, I'm sorry. He was drawing
a weapon...
He trails off as Corey gets to his feet and takes a
step toward him. The anger and pain in Corey's eyes is
obvious. For a moment, it looks as if Corey might
actually hit Picard. But in the end he just speaks
softly and firmly.
COREY
I don't know who you are
anymore... but you're not my
friend.
The words wound Picard just as surely as if Corey had
hit him. Corey walks away. Marta holds Picard's eyes
for a moment.
MARTA
Good-bye, Johnny.
Marta EXITS. Picard is left standing alone in the
gambling center as his two best friends in the world
walk out of his life. Q moves into view and stands
next to Picard.
Q
(quietly)
Congratulations, Mon Capitain.
You did it.
Picard doesn't respond to Q. Suddenly we HEAR Worf
from o.c.
WORF'S VOICE
Can I help you?
Picard turns around and we...
CUT TO:
STAR TREK: "Tapestry" - 11/30/92 - ACT FOUR 43.
30 OMITTED
31 INT. ENTERPRISE - MAIN BRIDGE
Picard is standing near the aft science station and
Worf is standing next to him. Picard is wearing a blue
uniform with the rank of Lieutenant and he is holding
a PADD. DATA is sitting at the aft station. Worf
impatiently repeats his question.
WORF
Can I help you, Mister Picard?
PICARD
Worf...
Picard is confused by the transition and he takes a
moment to get his bearings. Worf finally takes the
PADD out of his hand. Data turns around in curiosity.
WORF
(off PADD)
This is not for me. You should
take it to Commander La Forge in
Engineering.
Worf gives the PADD to Picard and turns back to his
console. Picard looks down at his uniform in surprise.
PICARD
(to himself)
What's happened... ?
WORF
Is something wrong?
PICARD
I'm not sure...
(beat, then to Worf)
Mister Worf, what's my rank and
position?
Worf and Data exchange concerned looks.
WORF
(puzzled)
You are a Lieutenant junior
grade... the assistant
astrophysics officer.
Picard puts a hand to his head as if he were dizzy.
STAR TREK: "Tapestry" - 11/30/92 - ACT FOUR 44.
31 CONTINUED:
DATA
Are you feeling all right?
Picard doesn't answer.
PICARD
Who's the Captain of this ship?
Worf and Data are genuinely concerned now.
DATA
Captain Thomas Halloway.
(beat)
Perhaps I should escort you to
Sickbay.
PICARD
(quickly)
No. I think I can find my way.
Thank you, Commander.
STAR TREK: "Tapestry" - 12/01/92 - ACT FOUR 45.
31 CONTINUED: (2)
Picard EXITS to a Turbolift.
CUT TO:
32 OMITTED
33 INT. BEVERLY'S OFFICE (OPTICAL)
Picard ENTERS the office. Someone is sitting in
Beverly's chair, which is turned away from the doorway.
PICARD
Beverly, something's happened to
me. I'm not sure --
He stops as Q turns around in the chair, wearing a
white lab coat and a reflective mirror on his head.
Q
(German accent)
Vhat seems to be de trouble,
Lieutenant Picard?
PICARD
Q, what have you done?
Q
I've done exactly what I promised,
Jean-Luc. I've returned you to
the present.
PICARD
This is not the present I
remember. You said nothing would
change.
Q
And nothing has changed... except
for you. But then, that's what
you wanted, wasn't it? To change
the man you were in your youth?
Well, you did it -- and this is
the man you are today.
(beat)
You should be happy... you have a
real heart beating in your chest
and you get to live out the rest
of your life in safety... running
tests... making analyses... and
carrying reports to your
superiors.
Q VANISHES. OFF Picard's reaction...
FADE OUT.
END OF ACT FOUR
STAR TREK: "Tapestry" - 12/01/92 - ACT FIVE 46.
ACT FIVE
FADE IN:
34 INT. ENGINEERING
GEORDI and an N.D. ENGINEER are working near the pool
table as Picard (still in blue uniform) ENTERS, still
carrying his PADD. Everything and everyone is exactly
as it should be except for Picard. He looks around the
familiar scene... unsure how to respond to all this.
GEORDI
(to Engineer)
... so tell Duffy that we'll need
to adjust the main deflector later
this afternoon. Oh, and have him
look into that inducer problem.
The Engineer nods and walks away. Geordi finally
notices Picard. There is a change in how Geordi and
everyone else knows and thinks about Picard: to them
he's no longer the mighty captain, to them he's a mildmannered,
slightly nerdy guy... similar to the way they
view Barclay.
GEORDI
(moving to pool table)
Hi, Jean-Luc. What's new in
astrophysics?
(beat)
Do you need something?
PICARD
(remembering PADD)
I have the... spectral analysis
for you.
He hands Geordi the PADD. Geordi glances at it briefly
then sets it down. He's in the middle of something and
the PADD isn't that important.
GEORDI
Thanks.
(to Engineer)
Lynch, try shunting the power
through the lateral conduit.
The woman nods and works. Geordi moves to his office.
Picard can't help but follow to see what's going on...
he's used to knowing everything that's happening aboard
this ship. Geordi sits at his panel and frowns at the
display.
STAR TREK: "Tapestry" - 12/01/92 - ACT FIVE 47.
34 CONTINUED:
GEORDI
(frustrated, to himself)
So where's the problem... ?
PICARD
What's going on?
GEORDI
(distracted)
Oh, something's causing a power
spike in the starboard warp coil.
If I don't track it down soon, the
Captain's going to have my head on
a platter.
PICARD
Have you tried flushing the
transfer conduits with trioxina?
GEORDI
(dismissive)
No.
Geordi stands and moves to another console and begins
to work. Picard continues to try helping.
PICARD
The conduits sometimes get blocked
by neutrino emissions when the
plasma --
Geordi smiles, puts his arm around Picard, and gives
him a polite brush-off.
GEORDI
Hey... I know you're trying to
make full Lieutenant this year...
but I think we can handle this
from here.
Geordi moves away, leaving Picard standing alone and
feeling totally out of place. After a beat, he EXITS.
CUT TO:
STAR TREK: "Tapestry" - 11/30/92 - ACT FIVE 48.
34 CONTINUED: (2)
34A INT. TEN FORWARD
Picard ENTERS and looks around. After a beat, he sees
Riker and TROI seated at a table near the window. He
goes over to them.
PICARD
Am I interrupting?
They look up. They, like Geordi, are not intimate
friends with this man and are a little surprised to be
approached by him. They exchange glances.
RIKER
Not at all. Have a seat.
Picard sits down.
PICARD
(to Riker)
I wonder if I could talk with you
for a moment... about my future on
the Enterprise.
RIKER
Of course, Lieutenant. Jean-Luc,
isn't it?
TROI
Maybe I should go.
PICARD
No, please Counselor... I would
very much like to hear your
thoughts...
They sit back and look at him expectantly.
PICARD
First of all... I'd like you to be
straightforward with me. How do
you evaluate me as an officer?
They exchange glances again.
TROI
Your performance reports have
always been good. You're
thorough... dedicated...
STAR TREK: "Tapestry" - 11/30/92 - ACT FIVE 48A.
34A CONTINUED:
RIKER
Reliable, steady...
(beat, then, unable to
come up with anything
else)
...punctual.
Picard understands that they're damning him with faint
praise.
PICARD
I see.
(beat)
What would you say if I told you
I thought I was capable of being
more than that...
RIKER
Maybe we should discuss this at
your next evaluation...
PICARD
I'd very much appreciate it if we
could discuss it now.
Another beat. They acquiesce.
PICARD
I would like to try... to move
beyond astrophysics... into
engineering or security perhaps.
Something which might even lead to
a command.
Riker and Troi exchange a glance.
RIKER
Frankly, Lieutenant... I don't
think that's realistic...
PICARD
Why?
A waiter appears to clear their table.
TROI
I really don't think this is the
place to be discussing --
STAR TREK: "Tapestry" - 11/30/92 - ACT FIVE 48B.
34A CONTINUED: (2)
PICARD
Please. This is important to me.
I know I can do more.
She gives another glance to Riker, then leans in to
Picard.
TROI
Hasn't this been the problem all
along? Throughout your career...
you've had lofty goals... but
you've never been willing to do
what's necessary to attain them.
Picard turns to Riker.
PICARD
Would that be your evaluation as
well, Commander?
RIKER
(uncomfortable)
I'd have to agree with the
Counselor. You talk about wanting
more... but when it comes to doing
something about it, you hang back.
If you want to get ahead, you have
to take chances... stand out from
the crowd... get noticed.
PICARD
I see.
RIKER
(trying to salve the
wound)
We don't want to lose you...
you're a good officer.
PICARD
Just not -- one who stands out.
RIKER
Look... why don't I talk to
Commander La Forge... maybe
there's something in Engineering.
(beat)
PICARD
But... command?
RIKER
Well... we'll see.
STAR TREK: "Tapestry" - 12/01/92 - ACT FIVE 48C.
34A CONTINUED: (3)
This is clearly a crumb thrown to make him feel better.
It doesn't.
DATA'S COM VOICE
Senior officers please report to
the Captain's Ready Room.
RIKER
(to com)
Acknowledged.
TROI
(to Picard)
I think we should talk about this
later.
Riker and Troi EXIT, leaving Picard sitting alone at
the table. He looks around for a moment.
PICARD
(quietly)
All right, Q. Enough of this.
You've made your point.
But there is no answer.
PICARD
Q... ?
Picard comes to the awful realization that Q isn't
going to just wipe it away this time... that he may
have to live out his life like this.
GEORDI'S COM VOICE
La Forge to Lieutenant Picard.
I'm still waiting for your final
sensor usage log.
PICARD
(to com, resigned)
I'm on my way, sir.
Picard gets up to leave.
CUT TO:
STAR TREK: "Tapestry" - 12/01/92 - ACT FIVE 48D.
34B INT. CORRIDOR/TURBOLIFT
Picard ENTERS the Turbolift.
PICARD
(to com)
Main Engineering.
The lift starts MOVING. The expression on Picard's
face is as depressed as we've ever seen him.
PICARD
Are you having a good laugh now,
Q? Does it amuse you to think of
me living out the rest of my life
as a dreary man in a tedious job?
The Turbolift finally STOPS and Picard EXITS TO:
35 LIMBO - CONTINUOUS
The whiteness as seen before. Picard turns around and
finds Q standing before him.
Q
I gave you something most mortals
never experience... a second
chance at life. And now all you
can do is complain?
PICARD
I can't live out my days as that
person. That man is bereft of
passion and imagination. That's
not who I am.
Q
Au contraire. He's the person you
wanted to be... one who was less
arrogant, and undisciplined as a
youth.
(beat)
One who was less like me.
A beat as Picard realizes that Q is right. Q takes the
opportunity to rub it in.
Q
The Jean-Luc Picard you wanted to
be, the one who did not fight the
Nausicaan, had quite a different
career from the one you remember.
(MORE)
STAR TREK: "Tapestry" - 12/01/92 - ACT FIVE 48E.
35 CONTINUED:
Q (Cont'd)
That Picard never had a brush with
death... never came face to face
with his own mortality... never
realized how fragile life is...
how important each moment can
be... so his life never came into
focus. He drifted through much of
his career, with no plan or
agenda... going from one
assignment to the next, never
seizing the opportunities that
presented themselves...
(beat)
He didn't lead the Away Team on
Milika Three to save that
ambassador... he didn't take
charge of the Stargazer's Bridge
when its Captain was killed...
and no one ever offered him a
command.
(beat)
He learned to play it safe. And
he never, ever got noticed by
anyone.
A beat as Picard is forced to admit that Q was right
all along.
STAR TREK: "Tapestry" - 12/01/92 - ACT FIVE 49.
35 CONTINUED: (2)
PICARD
You're right. You gave me the
chance to change and I took that
opportunity. But I freely admit
now that it was a mistake.
Q's eyes sparkle for a moment.
Q
Are you asking me for something,
Jean-Luc?
Picard swallows his pride.
PICARD
Yes.
(beat)
Give me a chance to put things
back to the way they were before.
Q
Before, you died in Sickbay. Is
that what you want?
Picard thinks for a moment, but he's determined.
PICARD
I would rather die as the man I
was... than live the life I just
saw.
They look at each other for a long beat. Q seems to be
waiting for something. Finally Picard breaks the
silence.
PICARD
Please.
Q smiles a self-satisfied smile as we suddenly...
CUT TO:
36 INT. BONESTELL FACILITY - GAMBLING CENTER
Picard is standing between Corey and Nausicaan #1. He
has been put back into the scene from Act Four during
the confrontation.
STAR TREK: "Tapestry" - 11/30/92 - ACT FIVE 50.
36 CONTINUED:
NAUSICAAN #1
(to Corey)
Coward. Like all Starfleet. You
talk and you talk... but you have
no guramba.
This time before Corey can respond, Picard looks up
into the eyes of the Nausicaan.
PICARD
What did you say?
Nausicaan #1 looks down at him in surprise... this
human had been pretty conciliatory until now.
NAUSICAAN #1
I said you are a coward.
PICARD
That's what I thought you said.
Without a word Picard HITS the Nausicaan right in the
face. The Nausicaan fairly explodes with rage. With
a throaty ROAR, he swings at Picard, who manages to
duck out of the way and deliver a swift blow to the
Nausicaan's midsection. Marta and Corey quickly join
in and a brief melee ensues as the six of them knock
each other about and destroy half the furniture in the
place.
37 PICARD
Manages to hold his own for a while... taking on one,
then another of the giant warriors in turn. There is
a sense in his actions and bearing that he is enjoying
this fight... enjoying it as he did when it originally
happened many years ago.
Then (repeating the action seen in Act One) Picard gets
Nausicaan #1 on the ground in a wrestling lock.
Nausicaan #2 pulls a nasty-looking weapon with a long
serrated blade from his belt as Nausicaan #3 grabs
Picard's arms. Nausicaan #2 then DRIVES his weapon
THROUGH Picard's back.
STAR TREK: "Tapestry" - 12/01/92 - ACT FIVE 51.
38 ON PICARD'S FACE
As the serrated metal blade comes out of his chest.
Picard drops to his knees and lets out a LAUGH of pure
joy before falling to the ground...
MATCH CUT TO:
39 INT. SICKBAY - ON PICARD'S FACE
He is laughing, still on the operating table as seen in
the Teaser.
40 WIDER
Revealing Beverly, Worf, and Riker looking on in
puzzlement. Only a few minutes have passed since the
events seen in the Teaser. Beverly is leaning over him
with a medical DEVICE.
BEVERLY
(off monitor)
His vital signs are stabilizing...
(beat)
Captain... ? Jean-Luc... ?
Picard's eyes open at last and he looks up at Beverly,
still smiling.
BEVERLY
You've been injured... but I think
it's going to be all right.
Picard's surprised at being here at all. With a final
chuckle, he closes his eyes. The others all exchange
glances.
CUT TO:
41 EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL)
The ship at impulse power.
42 INT. OBSERVATION LOUNGE
Picard is finishing a long talk with Riker.
PICARD
... I still don't know what to make
of it all. Was it a dream? Or
one of Q's elaborate tricks?
STAR TREK: "Tapestry" - 12/01/92 - ACT FIVE 52.
42 CONTINUED:
RIKER
A lot of people who've been near
death have talked about strange
experiences... but they're not
usually so detailed.
PICARD
Part of me cannot accept the idea
that Q would have given me a
second chance... that he would
demonstrate that much...
compassion.
(beat)
But if it was Q... I owe him a
debt of gratitude.
RIKER
In what sense? It sounds like he
put you through hell.
PICARD
There were many things in my youth
that I'm not proud of... they were
loose threads... untidy parts of
myself that I wanted to remove.
(beat)
But when I pulled on one of those
threads... I unravelled the
tapestry of my life.
Riker smiles at some inner joke.
RIKER
(off Picard's look)
I was just trying to imagine you
as a hell-bent-for-leather young
officer insulting a Nausicaan
twice your size. I wish I'd
gotten a chance to meet that Jean-Luc
Picard.
Picard smiles and leans back in his chair. He's more
at ease discussing this part of his life than he ever
has been before... a small demon has been put to rest
and he can talk about his youth with a new joy and
pride.
PICARD
Well, to tell the truth... that
wasn't the first time I'd had a
run-in with a couple of surly
Nausicaans...
STAR TREK: "Tapestry" - 12/01/92 - ACT FIVE 53.
42 CONTINUED: (2)
RIKER
Really?
PICARD
Oh, yes...
(beat)
During my sophomore year I was
assigned to do some training on
Morikin Seven. Well, there was a
Nausicaan outpost on one of the
outlying asteroids...
43 EXT. SPACE - ON OBSERVATION LOUNGE (OPTICAL)
Picard and Riker are sitting in the Observation Lounge
together. As Picard continues to tell Riker a tall
tale from his youth, we PULL BACK and watch as the ship
flies away into the star-filled void of space.
FADE OUT.
END OF ACT FIVE
THE END
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