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STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION
"Dark Page"
#40277-259
Written by
Hilary Bader
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 1993 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 This script is not for publication or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
AUGUST 26, 1993
STAR TREK: "Dark Page" - 08/26/93 - CAST
STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION
"Dark Page"
CAST
PICARD LWAXANA TROI
RIKER HEDRIL
DATA KESTRA
BEVERLY MAQUES
TROI MISTER TROI
WORF VOICE (O.C.)
GEORDI
Non-Speaking Non-Speaking
N.D. CREWMEMBERS CAIRN
STAR TREK: "Dark Page" - 08/26/93 - SETS
STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION
"Dark Page"
SETS
INTERIORS EXTERIORS
USS ENTERPRISE USS ENTERPRISE
TEN FORWARD
CORRIDOR
TURBOLIFT
TROI'S OFFICE
SICKBAY
MAQUES' QUARTERS
BEVERLY'S OFFICE
OBSERVATION LOUNGE
ARBORETUM
STAR TREK: "Dark Page" - 08/26/93 - PRONUNCIATION GUIDE
STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION
"Dark Page"
PRONUNCIATION GUIDE
HEDRIL HEAD-ril
MAQUES MAKE-wheeze
EL'NAR el-NAR
STAR TREK: "Dark Page" - 08/26/93 - TEASER 1.
STAR TREK: The Next Generation
"Dark Page"
TEASER
FADE IN:
1 EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL)
as it travels at impulse.
PICARD (V.O.)
Captain's Log, Stardate 47254.1.
A delegation of the Cairn have
just come on board. This
telepathic species has no concept
of spoken language, and is being
instructed in its use by... an
old friend.
2 INT. TEN FORWARD
The SENIOR STAFF is holding a reception for the Cairn.
They are tallish humanoids, intelligent looking -- with
small protrusions on the sides of their heads that
suggest increased cranial capacity.
PICK UP PICARD and LWAXANA TROI in mid-conversation.
Lwaxana is wearing an outfit that is unusually subdued
for her.
LWAXANA
I don't know what they'd have done
without me. First, I had to learn
how they communicate. It was an
absolutely exhausting process...
PICARD
It must have been.
LWAXANA
Quite different from Betazoid
telepathy. We transmit words...
with the Cairn...
(shakes her head at the
enormity of it)
... it's images. A flood of them,
all at the same time. It's
overwhelming...
STAR TREK: "Dark Page" - 08/26/93 - TEASER 2.
2 CONTINUED:
PICARD
I can imagine...
LWAXANA
It's actually a very efficient way
of communicating. If two Cairn
were having this conversation it
would have been over minutes ago.
This gets Picard's attention.
PICARD
Really?
LWAXANA
But of course they realize they'll
want to communicate verbally if
they join the Federation.
(beat)
Do me a favor... introduce
yourself to one of them and engage
him in conversation -- they need
the practice.
PICARD
I'd be happy to.
He moves off and Lwaxana looks around, spots --
2A GEORDI AND DATA
who are talking with a light-haired Cairn girl of about
eight, HEDRIL.
GEORDI
... it's called a VISOR. It lets
me see things.
When Hedril speaks, her voice has a slight ELECTRONIC
EDGE to it -- as do all the Cairn's voices.
STAR TREK: "Dark Page" - REV. 08/27/93 - TEASER 3.
2A CONTINUED:
HEDRIL
Like my vocal enhancer.
(touches her throat)
It lets me make sounds.
At this point Mrs. Troi swoops down on them.
LWAXANA
I see you've met my star pupil.
(puts her arm around
Hedril)
Hedril has picked up spoken
language much faster than the
others.
DATA
It is often the case that children
learn languages more easily than
adults.
LWAXANA
Deanna was quite good at languages
when she was little.
(beat)
Where is Deanna?
GEORDI
(looking around)
Should be here someplace...
Mrs. Troi bends down to Hedril.
LWAXANA
Hedril, darling...
She stops, staring at Hedril with a curious expression.
Hedril waits patiently, then --
HEDRIL
What?
Mrs. Troi comes out of her reverie.
LWAXANA
Go find your father, dear. I want
to talk to him.
Hedril darts off and Mrs. Troi puts her face in her
hand for a moment. Data and Geordi are concerned.
DATA
Mrs. Troi, are you all right?
STAR TREK: "Dark Page" - 08/26/93 - TEASER 3A.
2A CONTINUED: (2)
She looks up at them, a little vague.
LWAXANA
Yes... yes... just a little tired.
This constant telepathy with the
Cairn...
(summoning a smile)
I'm fine, really.
She gives them a reassuring smile and moves off toward
Riker and Worf, who are standing alone, chatting.
LWAXANA
Aren't you going to mingle, Mister
Woof?
Worf has given up on correcting her.
WORF
I do not care for telepaths. They
make me... uneasy.
LWAXANA
Don't worry -- The Cairn couldn't
read your thoughts even if they
wanted to. Your brain isn't
sophisticated enough.
Worf reacts and Riker can't help but smile.
LWAXANA
(continuing, to Riker)
Neither is yours, dear. They can
only communicate with other
telepaths.
(beat)
Has either of you seen Deanna?
RIKER
(looking around)
She was working, but she said
she'd be here -- ah -- speak of
the devil.
Troi walks up to them.
STAR TREK: "Dark Page" - 08/26/93 - TEASER 4-5.
2A CONTINUED: (3)
TROI
Sorry I'm late. I lost track of
the time.
LWAXANA
Deanna, dear, come with me. I
want you to meet the senior
diplomat of the Cairn delegation.
She sees Hedril leading a Cairn man, MAQUES, toward
them.
LWAXANA
Maques...
(re Troi)
This is the beautiful daughter
I've been telling you about --
Deanna.
STAR TREK: "Dark Page" - 08/26/93 - TEASER 6.
2A CONTINUED: (4)
Maques smiles... a nice smile, sincere.
MAQUES
Pleased to...
He stops, can't remember the rest of the greeting.
With a self-deprecating smile he decides to try
another, simpler one.
MAQUES
Hello.
TROI
Hello.
Troi helps him out by finishing for him.
TROI
(continuing)
Pleased to meet you.
He smiles.
MAQUES
Yes, that is it. Pleased to meet
you, Deanna.
They share a smile. Lwaxana seems pleased.
LWAXANA
Well, I'll just let you young
people chat...
She moves away with Hedril, Deanna giving her a brief
look. Then, making the most of it...
TROI
Well, Maques... what do you think
of the Enterprise?
There is a brief hesitation as Maques struggles for
words -- still a very difficult concept for him.
MAQUES
It is... --
(he thinks)
-- beautiful... comfortable, also.
TROI
I'm glad you think so.
STAR TREK: "Dark Page" - 08/26/93 - TEASER 7.
2A CONTINUED: (7)
MAQUES
There is another word... a word
that describes it... but... I
cannot remember.
He gives a small shrug, and Troi smiles encouragingly.
TROI
You've learned a great deal in a
very short time. I'm sure it
won't be long before your words
will do justice to your thoughts.
Maques acknowledges, then --
MAQUES
Your Mother has... told me... of
your need.
TROI
Need?
He can't remember the word, holds up a finger to ask
for a moment.
MAQUES
A moment...
(remembers)
Husband. You need a husband.
Troi's face blanches.
MAQUES
(continuing)
I need a wife.
He smiles matter-of-factly. Troi looks over his
shoulder and sees her mother watching them hopefully.
As Troi glares at her we...
FADE OUT.
END OF TEASER
STAR TREK: "Dark Page" - 08/26/93 - ACT ONE 8.
ACT ONE
FADE IN:
(NOTE: Episode credits fall over opening scenes.)
3 INT. CORRIDOR
Troi, now in uniform, is heading for her office.
LWAXANA (O.C.)
Deanna!
Troi turns and sees her Mother, waits for her to catch
up.
LWAXANA
Good morning...
(beat)
So what did you think of Maques?
TROI
Why did you do that, Mother? You
embarrassed both of us.
LWAXANA
(dismissing this)
He's really very sweet. And
lonely. Poor man, a widower,
raising a child alone.
TROI
Please, Mother... don't start.
They reach a Turbolift door.
LWAXANA
I just think it's time for you to
settle down. If your Father were
still alive I'm sure he'd say the
same thing.
The door OPENS and they join an N.D Crewperson inside.
4 INT. TURBOLIFT
They fall silent in front of the crewperson. After a
moment, Lwaxana continues TELEPATHICALLY.
STAR TREK: "Dark Page" - REV. 08/27/93 - ACT ONE 9.
4 CONTINUED:
LWAXANA (V.O.)
But you'll do exactly what you
want...
Troi shoots her a look.
LWAXANA (V.O.)
(continuing)
Just like always...
TROI
Stop it, mother.
The Crewperson reacts to Troi's seemingly out-of-the-blue
statement. Troi realizes and falls silent. After
an awkward moment, the lift stops and the DOOR opens.
Troi EXITS but her mother just stays where she is,
looking despondent.
TROI
(continuing)
Are you coming?
But Lwaxana covers her face with her hands as if to
hide tears. Troi's face registers concern; she takes
her mother by the arm and leads her out of the
turbolift.
5 INT. CORRIDOR
The Turbolift door closes and Troi puts a comforting
hand to her mother's shoulder.
TROI
What's wrong... ?
Lwaxana looks at her, her eyes intent with feeling.
Suddenly she clutches Troi to her, hugs her tight.
LWAXANA
You're so precious to me. You're
all I've got. If something
happened to you I don't know what
I'd do...
Troi doesn't know what to make of her mother's abrupt
mood swing, but she does know that right now what she
needs is to be comforted.
TROI
Nothing's going to happen to me...
STAR TREK: "Dark Page" - 08/26/93 - ACT ONE 10.
5 CONTINUED:
Troi's comforting words help Lwaxana pull herself
together.
LWAXANA
You'd better go...
TROI
My first appointment isn't for a
few minutes... why don't we talk
for a while?
LWAXANA
I'm fine... I'm just tired from
working with the Cairn and it's
making me emotional.
TROI
Are you sure?
LWAXANA
Go on... I'll see you later...
Troi hesitates. Lwaxana manages a smile.
LWAXANA
(continuing, shooing her
away)
Go on.
She moves off down the corridor. Troi watches for a
beat, then heads for her office.
6 INT. TROI'S OFFICE
As Troi ENTERS. To her surprise, Maques is waiting for
her.
TROI
Maques...
MAQUES
I wanted to... apologize... for
yesterday.
TROI
You don't have to --
MAQUES
My words... they were... confused.
TROI
It wasn't your fault. My mother
misled you.
STAR TREK: "Dark Page" - REV. 08/27/93 - ACT ONE 11.
6 CONTINUED:
MAQUES
Not in everything... she has an
image of you... in her mind --
(gestures to his temple)
-- she shared it with me...
Troi nods that she understands.
MAQUES
(continuing, smiles)
You are even more beautiful...
Troi accepts the compliment with a smile. Maques leans
forward, concentrates on choosing his words.
MAQUES
(continuing)
The way my people communicate...
It is... direct. Nothing is
hidden.
TROI
Yes.
MAQUES
Your Mother is... the first... to
learn our telepathy...
TROI
You mean you've never had
telepathy with someone who wasn't
Cairn?
MAQUES
No...
He struggles to articulate his thoughts.
MAQUES
To communicate with her is... very
different.
TROI
In what way?
MAQUES
Always... there is a part of
her... a part of her that is...
dark.
Troi is unsure what he means by this.
TROI
Dark?
STAR TREK: "Dark Page" - 08/26/93 - ACT ONE 12.
6 CONTINUED: (2)
Maques seems frustrated by his inability to make
himself clear.
MAQUES
A part of her that... can not be
seen. Do you understand?
TROI
I'm not sure...
(she considers)
Did you ask my Mother about this?
MAQUES
She called it... a moment...
(remembering the word)
Privacy.
TROI
(realizing)
Of course.
Troi thinks how to put this.
TROI
You said that among the Cairn,
nothing is hidden. We value
honesty, but we don't always share
everything we're thinking and
feeling.
MAQUES
This is... privacy?
TROI
Yes.
MAQUES
It is... normal?
TROI
For us, yes.
MAQUES
If this is your way... I am...
relieved.
TROI
(smiles)
It is our way.
He smiles at her and stands.
STAR TREK: "Dark Page" - 08/26/93 - ACT ONE 12A.
6 CONTINUED: (3)
MAQUES
I will leave now.
TROI
I'm glad you stopped by.
MAQUES
I am glad to have stopped also.
He bows slightly and EXITS. Troi feels better about
the incident with Maques, but what just happened with
her mother is still very much on her mind.
STAR TREK: "Dark Page" - REV. 08/27/93 - ACT ONE 13.
7 EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL)
as it moves at impulse.
8 INT. TEN FORWARD
Troi and Riker are sitting at a table. The usual
compliment of N.D.'s, including TWO N.D. Cairn.
TROI
I was all set for another round of
arguing when all of a sudden she
just... fell apart.
RIKER
She's been under a lot of stress,
preparing the Cairn to meet with
the Federation Council.
TROI
It's more than that. I've been
sensing very... erratic emotions
from her. Even the clothes she's
wearing seem unusual -- very
subdued.
He sees she's worried, takes her hand.
RIKER
Maybe you better have a talk with
her --
LWAXANA (O.C.)
Commander --
9 NEW ANGLE
Including Mrs. Troi, who stands behind them. Her face
is intense and her eyes bore in to Riker.
LWAXANA
Take your hands off her.
Her words carry a barely controlled anger. Riker is
stunned. He pulls back from Troi.
RIKER
Mrs. Troi --
STAR TREK: "Dark Page" - 08/26/93 - ACT ONE 14.
9 CONTINUED:
LWAXANA
Don't "Mrs. Troi" me.
TROI
Mother!
LWAXANA
Why don't you leave her alone? If
it weren't for you she'd be
married by now.
TROI
(standing)
That's enough.
A few heads turn their way.
LWAXANA
I'm warning you, stay away from
her!
TROI
You're coming with me --
Troi takes her firmly by the arm and starts to lead her
away -- everyone in the room can't help but look. Off
Riker's face...
10 INT. SICKBAY
Where Troi watches as BEVERLY examines Lwaxana, who is
calm now and full of regret.
LWAXANA
I don't know what got into me.
Please tell Wil how sorry I am.
Troi indicates that she will. Beverly finishes a scan
and turns to Troi.
BEVERLY
She's fine, except her psilosynine
levels are a little low.
LWAXANA
Psilosynine?
TROI
That's a neurotransimitter
involved in telepathy.
STAR TREK: "Dark Page" - 08/26/93 - ACT ONE 15.
10 CONTINUED:
BEVERLY
It's been depleted by your work
with the Cairn. You're going to
have to avoid telepathic
communication for a while.
LWAXANA
I can't -- We only have three days
left and the Cairn still have so
much to learn.
BEVERLY
I'm sorry, but you're going to
have to take some time and rest.
Lwaxana is about to continue her objections when Troi
offers:
TROI
Maybe I can help with the Cairn.
LWAXANA
You're only half-Betazoid, dear.
And you don't have any experience
with their form of telepathy.
TROI
Then I won't use telepathy; we'll
work verbally.
Lwaxana considers this for a beat.
LWAXANA
I suppose we could do that...
(beat)
And if they don't understand
something I'll explain it to them
telepathically.
TROI
No, you'll work verbally too. The
point is for you to rest.
Besides, it'll be good for them to
have to figure things out with
words.
LWAXANA
Well... I suppose you're right.
Troi smiles, pleased that her mother has agreed...
STAR TREK: "Dark Page" - 08/26/93 - ACT ONE 16.
11 INT. ARBORETUM
A thicket with trees, shrubs and flowers. Nearby is a
small POND. A couple of N.D Crew Children are playing
near the pond.
Troi ENTERS leading Maques, Hedril, and TWO N.D. Cairn.
Lwaxana trails behind -- she seems more calm and
relaxed.
TROI
This is the ship's arboretum.
HEDRIL
Arbor means tree.
TROI
Very good, Hedril. People like to
come here to relax, enjoy
themselves in a natural setting.
Maques inspects a nearby ROSE BUSH, reaches to touch it
and is pricked by a thorn. He looks at his thumb, then
back at the rose -- perplexed.
TROI
(continuing)
"Flowers of all hue, and without
thorn the rose... "
The Cairn look at her, curious what she might mean.
TROI
(continuing)
That's from an old earth poem by
John Milton.
MAQUES
Please... what is a... poem?
Troi realizes they have no idea.
TROI
Poetry is... an art-form that uses
words, put together in new and
unexpected ways -- sometimes in
rhyme.
Maques nods as if he understands. Encouraged, Troi
continues:
STAR TREK: "Dark Page" - 08/26/93 - ACT ONE 17.
11 CONTINUED:
TROI
(continuing)
Milton was speculating that in
Heaven, roses wouldn't have
thorns.
The Cairn look at her, unsure.
HEDRIL
Heaven... ?
Troi realizes she's just getting in deeper.
TROI
Heaven is... it's a...
She can't quite figure out how to phrase this. Before
she can continue, Lwaxana catches Maques' eye and
transmits a telepathic message.
MAQUES
I see. Yes, thank you. "Heaven."
Troi realizes what happened and turns toward her
mother.
TROI
Mother, you're supposed to be
avoiding telepathy.
LWAXANA
I was just trying to help, dear.
But Lwaxana now looks drawn, tired.
TROI
You don't look well.
Lwaxana glances at a nearby BENCH.
LWAXANA
I'm just tired -- maybe I'll sit
down...
Troi decides not to make too much of this, and Lwaxana
goes and sits on the bench (during this Hedril slips
away to play with the other children).
Troi turns back to the Cairn, who watch with some
concern.
TROI
Don't worry... she'll be fine...
STAR TREK: "Dark Page" - 08/26/93 - ACT ONE 18.
11 CONTINUED: (2)
Everyone relaxes -- their eyes turn to the pond, where
Hedril is now playing. Suddenly she slips and falls
into the pond.
Since it's only inches deep there's no harm done --
she's just wet. She gets up and keeps playing as if
nothing happened, and Maques just smiles and shakes his
head.
Suddenly one of the Cairn reacts to something behind
Troi. Troi turns and sees that her mother is lying on
the ground next to the bench, seemingly unconscious.
TROI
Mother!
She rushes to her, tries to wake her --
TROI
(continuing)
Mother... ?
When Lwaxana doesn't answer, Troi activates her
combadge.
TROI
(continuing)
Troi to Sickbay... medical
emergency in the arboretum...
Off Troi's worried face...
FADE OUT.
END OF ACT ONE
STAR TREK: "Dark Page" - REV. 08/27/93 - ACT TWO 19.
ACT TWO
FADE IN:
12 INT. SICKBAY
Lwaxana lies unconscious on a Sickbay bed, Picard and
Troi stand off to the side. Beverly is removing the
CORTICAL STIMULATOR PADS from Lwaxana's forehead. She
seems stumped, but tries to break her news to Troi
gently.
BEVERLY
She's not responding to cortical
stimulation. I'm not sure what
more I can do...
Troi takes this hard.
TROI
I don't understand... she was fine
just yesterday.
BEVERLY
I've never seen anything like
this. It's almost as if her brain
has... shut itself down.
PICARD
Is there any physiological cause?
BEVERLY
I'm running a sub-neural scan, but
as far as I can see there's no
tissue damage, no neuro-chemical
imbalance, no sign of infection --
nothing.
PICARD
Yet her neural activity is
practically non-existent.
BEVERLY
The only exception is in the
paracortex -- activity there is
almost off the scale.
TROI
The paracortex is the Betazoid
telepathic lobe.
(concerned)
She communicated with Maques
telepathically just before she
fell...
STAR TREK: "Dark Page" - REV. 08/31/93 - ACT TWO 20.
12 CONTINUED:
PICARD
Might there be some side-effect of
Cairn telepathy that we're not
aware of?
BEVERLY
It's a possibility.
PICARD
(to Troi)
I think you and I had better have
a talk with Maques.
Troi acknowledges, and with a last glance toward her
mother's still form, she and Picard EXIT.
13 INT. MAQUES' QUARTERS
Troi and Picard are talking with Maques.
MAQUES
I am very...
(searches for word)
apologetic -- for what has
happened to your Mother.
Troi acknowledges his sentiment.
PICARD
Maques, is it possible that your
telepathic communications with
Mrs. Troi harmed her in some way?
Maques reacts -- struggles to find the words with which
to respond.
MAQUES
No... I tried to... to explain...
before.
He looks at Troi to see if she understands -- sees that
she doesn't. It's frustrating for him, he can't
express his complex thoughts.
MAQUES
(continuing)
Bad thoughts... they hurt her...
TROI
What thoughts, Maques? Take your
time...
STAR TREK: "Dark Page" - 08/26/93 - ACT TWO 21.
13 CONTINUED:
MAQUES
Inside her... the dark place...
TROI
I don't understand.
MAQUES
She is... what are the words... I
don't have the words...
Maques looks at Troi, locks his eyes onto hers.
Suddenly a great, swirling WHITE NOISE can be heard --
Troi covers her ears as if to block out the sound, but
it only grows louder.
Picard, who seems not to hear anything, reacts to what
looks like an attack on Troi by Maques.
PICARD
Counsellor --
Her eyes are locked on Maques' -- it's as if she's
unable to look away.
PICARD
(continuing, to Maques)
Stop it!
Picard steps toward him -- suddenly the noise STOPS.
TROI
It's all right, Captain.
Troi tries to clear her head.
TROI
(continuing)
I'm fine... He was just trying to
communicate with me
telepathically.
Maques looks at her hopefully.
MAQUES
Do you understand now?
TROI
I... I'm not sure...
But her face tells us that he's told her something
important.
STAR TREK: "Dark Page" - REV. 08/26/93 - ACT TWO 22.
14 INT. BEVERLY'S OFFICE
Beverly, Troi and Picard.
TROI
He communicated so much to me that
at first it was just a jumble of
images.
BEVERLY
Have you been able to sort any of
it out?
TROI
I think so... during his
telepathic contact with my Mother,
Maques sensed what he calls a
"dark place."
Picard and Beverly register curiosity.
TROI
He tried to tell me about it
before, in my office. I
misunderstood, I thought he was
talking about thoughts she was
keeping private. What he meant
was that something was happening
in her meta-conscious mind.
BEVERLY
Meta-conscious?
TROI
It's a part of the Betazoid
psyche. A kind of... filtering
mechanism to protect us from
psychic trauma.
PICARD
Is Maques suggesting that
Lwaxana's meta-conscious is
damaged somehow?
STAR TREK: "Dark Page" - REV. 08/26/93 - ACT TWO 23.
14 CONTINUED:
TROI
He feels that whatever is wrong
with her is centered there. If
he's right... that may mean that
she's suffered some kind of trauma
that her meta-conscious can't
tolerate.
BEVERLY
Did your Mother mention anything
that happened to her lately,
something that might have been
traumatic for her?
TROI
No. Nothing like that.
They seem to have come to a dead-end.
BEVERLY
Maques could be wrong about this.
There's still a chance that the
sub-neural scan will pinpoint an
physiological cause for your
Mother's condition, something I'll
be able to treat.
Troi looks at her, hopeful.
BEVERLY
The results won't be in until
morning; maybe we should all get
some rest.
TROI
(to Beverly)
I'd like to stay here with her...
I'm going to try to contact her
telepathically.
BEVERLY
All right.
Beverly puts a comforting hand to Troi's shoulder, then
she and Picard EXIT to the corridor. Troi EXITS to
Sickbay.
STAR TREK: "Dark Page" - 08/26/93 - ACT TWO 23A.
15 INT. SICKBAY
as she crosses toward her mother's bed. The lights are
DIMMED for sleep, and Lwaxana is now in a hospital
gown.
Troi pulls up a stool and sits next to her mother. She
looks down at her still features for a long moment.
She takes her hand, and then we hear her speak
TELEPATHICALLY.
TROI (V.O.)
Mother... can you hear me... ?
But there is no answer.
STAR TREK: "Dark Page" - 08/26/93 - ACT TWO 24.
15 CONTINUED:
TROI (V.O.)
(continuing)
Please come back to me...
please...
After a moment, Troi hears a voice responding in her
mind, very faint -- it's hard to tell who's voice it
is.
VOICE
Help me...
TROI (V.O.)
Mother... ?
She hears it again.
VOICE
Help me...
TROI (V.O.)
How? How can I help you?
But there is no response. Troi leans in close to her.
TROI
Tell me, Mother. Please.
Whatever telepathic connection they had seems to have
been lost. Troi looks down at her, anguished.
16 EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL)
as it moves at impulse.
17 INT. SICKBAY
Hours later. Troi has curled up on a bed near her
mother's. After a moment, we hear the SOUND of the
door to Sickbay opening... footsteps approaching.
A FIGURE approaches Lwaxana's bed, stands over her,
looking down. We hear the rush of WHITE NOISE that
accompanies Cairn telepathy...
The noise wakes Troi with a start... she sees the
FIGURE over her mother and bolts up in bed.
TROI
Computer, lights!
STAR TREK: "Dark Page" - 08/26/93 - ACT TWO 25.
17 CONTINUED:
The LIGHTS COME UP and we see that the figure is
Maques... his eyes locked on Lwaxana with intensity...
Troi stands and the ON-DUTY NURSE comes rushing in at
all the commotion...
TROI
(alarmed)
What are you doing?
She and Maques face each other... Off this moment we...
FADE OUT.
END OF ACT TWO
STAR TREK: "Dark Page" - 08/26/93 - ACT THREE 26.
ACT THREE
FADE IN:
18 INT. OBSERVATION LOUNGE
Picard, Troi, and Beverly are trying to find out what
Maques was doing in Sickbay. He's a little rattled by
what happened and it's affecting his speaking ability.
PICARD
What were you doing in Sickbay,
Maques?
MAQUES
Helping... trying to help
Lwaxana...
Troi clearly believes him, wants to know more.
TROI
How... what were you trying to do?
MAQUES
I was... she is...
But he can't find the words. He suddenly gets very
agitated, as if he's come to a realization but can't
express it.
MAQUES
(continuing)
You, Deanna. Maybe you --
TROI
I don't understand.
MAQUES
You must... how can I explain...
His frustration mounts. Troi leans toward him.
TROI
Tell me, telepathically.
Maques and Troi lock eyes... after a moment we hear the
rush of WHITE NOISE. Troi is better prepared this
time, and is less affected. It's over in just a
moment, and Troi turns to Picard -- ready to explain
what Maques has told her.
TROI
(continuing)
Maques believes my Mother's psyche
has... collapsed in on itself --
that for some reason, she's
retreated into her meta-conscious
mind.
STAR TREK: "Dark Page" - 08/26/93 - ACT THREE 27.
18 CONTINUED:
PICARD
Was he trying to contact her
telepathically?
TROI
Yes. He was able to access images
being generated by her meta-conscious
mind. But he couldn't
make any sense of them...
MAQUES
I did not... understand...
TROI
He saw faces he didn't recognize,
events he couldn't interpret.
BEVERLY
If we could decipher those images,
it might help us determine whether
or not your Mother's condition was
induced by some traumatic event.
Troi indicates her agreement.
TROI
Maques believes he can provide
a... telepathic "bridge" that
will allow me to access her meta-conscious.
If he can, I might be
able to find out what happened to
her.
PICARD
If you succeed, would you be able
to use that information to help
your Mother?
TROI
I'm not sure. But I do know that
some part of her wants to be
helped. When I tried to contact
her telepathically, I heard a
voice calling out to me.
Picard takes this in.
PICARD
If her psyche has... "collapsed in
on itself," could accessing her
mind pose any danger to you?
Troi doesn't want to have to admit it:
TROI
There's no way to know.
STAR TREK: "Dark Page" - 08/26/93 - ACT THREE 28.
18 CONTINUED: (2)
Picard doesn't like the sound of this.
TROI
(continuing)
Sir, I'd like to try...
Picard studies Troi's face for a moment... then decides
to go ahead and let her try.
19 INT. SICKBAY
Picard watches as Beverly and a NURSE set up for Troi's
attempt to contact her mother. Troi lies on a bed next
to her mother's, and Maques stands between them. Biomonitors
are ON LINE for both Lwaxana and Troi.
BEVERLY
(to Picard)
I'll be monitoring her through the
whole procedure. If anything goes
wrong, Maques can break the
telepathic link.
Beverly steps away, nods to Maques.
MAQUES
(to Troi)
Your Mother -- part of her is...
very frightened. She may...
resist you.
TROI
I understand.
Maques looks at Lwaxana for a long moment -- the WHITE
NOISE can be heard, far off, faint.
He then turns and looks into Troi's eyes. The WHITE
NOISE intensifies.
STAR TREK: "Dark Page" - 08/26/93 - ACT THREE 29.
20 TROI'S POV
Looking up at Maques -- his eyes locked on hers.
21 RESUME SCENE
as Maques stands between Troi and Lwaxana. The WHITE
NOISE grows in volume until it becomes hard to take.
Suddenly it stops and we simultaneously cut to:
22 INT. AN ENTERPRISE CORRIDOR (OPTICAL)
where Troi finds herself standing alone. But the
corridor looks nothing like we're used to seeing --
it's dark, the perspective is strange... surreal -- as
if we're looking at it through a distorted lens.
We hear the SOUND of water dripping... ECHOING as the
drops land. Troi scans the corridor trying to locate
the source of the sound... but it seems to come from
everywhere.
Suddenly we hear a WOLF'S GROWL -- dangerous,
menacing... Troi has to fight off her fear, takes a
moment to calm herself.
Her resolve is strengthened when she suddenly hears the
VOICE she heard before, coming from behind her.
VOICE
Help me...
She whips around to see if anyone's there... nothing.
She's not sure if it was her mother's voice or someone
else's...
TROI
(unsure)
Mother... ?
She hears the VOICE again, coming from the other
direction.
VOICE
Help me...
She turns and this time sees a SHADOW disappear around
the corner.
STAR TREK: "Dark Page" - REV. 08/27/93 - ACT THREE 30.
22 CONTINUED:
She moves toward it, rounds the corner... but no one is
there. She starts down the corridor, which is darker
than the last. The SOUND of dripping water echoes
louder as she makes her way down it.
Then, very faint, she hears Picard's VOICE, coming from
nowhere specific.
PICARD (V.O.)
Counselor... can you hear me... ?
TROI
(unsure)
Captain... ?
Picard comes around the corner in front of her. His
manner is calm and he wears a gentle smile.
PICARD
Deanna... Doctor Crusher is
concerned that your para-cortical
readings have become erratic.
TROI
Are you... talking to me from
Sickbay?
PICARD
Yes. I want you to sever your
connection to your Mother.
Troi remembers what Maques said -- that everything she
encountered would be part of her mother's mind.
TROI
Why don't you ask Maques to do it?
Picard smiles.
STAR TREK: "Dark Page" - 08/26/93 - ACT THREE 31.
22 CONTINUED: (2)
PICARD
I'm asking you.
Troi reacts -- that's not an answer. Picard is
suddenly much firmer.
PICARD
(continuing)
That's an order, Counselor.
Troi regards him evenly.
TROI
You're not Captain Picard.
Picard looks into her eyes -- when he speaks, it is in
LWAXANA'S VOICE, a voice filled with pain.
PICARD/LWAXANA
Leave me alone... please...
Troi takes a breath, then moves past him and continues
down the corridor, determined to find her Mother... the
WOLF GROWLS again... ominous.
As she makes her way down the corridor the dripping
SOUND grows LOUDER.
23
thru OMITTED
24
25 NEW ANGLE
revealing that a large WOLF is blocking her path. It
looks at her with piercing eyes, its intentions
unreadable... Troi is determined to get past it.
She takes a cautious step forward, but the Wolf lets
out a warning growl.
TROI
(to herself)
This isn't real... none of this is
real...
But the sound of her voice only provokes the creature.
Its growl becomes more menacing, and it suddenly lunges
at her...
Troi turns and runs... and the Wolf comes after her --
STAR TREK: "Dark Page" - 08/26/93 - ACT THREE 31A.
26 NEW ANGLE (OPTICAL)
as Troi runs down the corridor, the Wolf just a few
yards behind her, vicious and intent... She rounds a
corner and ENTERS the nearest door, which closes behind
her.
STAR TREK: "Dark Page" - 08/26/93 - ACT THREE 32.
27 INT. TROI'S QUARTERS - CONTINUOUS (OPTICAL)
Troi's face registers recognition and astonishment when
she sees a dark-haired man, her FATHER. He's about
thirty-five and wears an old-style Starfleet uniform
with Lieutenant's pips.
TROI
Daddy... ?
He smiles warmly, opens his arms to her.
MISTER TROI
Deanna...
Overwhelmed by the emotion of seeing him, she starts to
move into his arms... but she stops... refusing to give
in to what she knows isn't real.
The room around her is a strange combination of Troi's
Enterprise quarters and a home on Betazed. Instead of
her personal belongings, the room is set up for a child --
there's a DOLL HOUSE, some other more HIGH-TECH TOYS.
It is beautiful and calm, in sharp contrast to the
nightmarish nature of the corridors. Instead of stars,
a VIEW OF A BETAZED LANDSCAPE can be seen through the
windows.
MISTER TROI
Look at you... you've become a
beautiful woman...
This is a heartbreaking event for Troi. Her beloved
father, taken from her at such a young age, whom she
has missed so much... but he's not real.
TROI
Don't do this...
MISTER TROI
I'm sorry I had to go away when
you were so little... I didn't
want to...
TROI
You're not my father... you're a
part of Mother's mind...
Mister Troi smiles gently, neither denying nor
admitting to what she's saying.
STAR TREK: "Dark Page" - REV. 08/27/93 - ACT THREE 33.
27 CONTINUED:
Troi looks around her, at the room, the beautiful view.
She's looking for some clue as to what it all might
mean.
TROI
What is this place?
MISTER TROI
It's our house near Lake El'nar,
on Betazed. We used to live here.
Deanna -- let's not waste this
chance. I want to hear everything
that's happened to you...
But Troi is wandering the room, looking at the toys.
TROI
Did I live here?
MISTER TROI
For a while... when you were a
baby. You were such a beautiful
baby... Your mother and I loved
you so much...
TROI
I don't remember these toys...
MISTER TROI
I'll bet you don't remember me
singing you to sleep at night,
either... but I did.
Troi turns to him, unexpectedly moved.
TROI
I do remember... I always felt
safe when you sang to me...
He smiles. He's full of warmth, and love. It's
irresistible.
MISTER TROI
There was one song you always
asked me to sing... you couldn't
fall asleep unless you heard
it....
STAR TREK: "Dark Page" - REV. 08/27/93 - ACT THREE 34.
27 CONTINUED: (2)
Troi is caught in the moment. Tears sting at her eyes.
TROI
(a whisper)
Down in the valley...
MISTER TROI
(singing very softly)
Valley so low... hang your head
over.... hear the wind blow --
Troi wills herself away from the seductive moment.
TROI
No... no... you're trying to keep
me here... keep me from finding
something...
MISTER TROI
(sadly)
Your Mother doesn't want to see
you, Deanna.
TROI
I have to help her...
MISTER TROI
If you want to help her... leave.
Let her have peace.
She begins backing toward the door.
TROI
But... she called out to me....
she does want my help.
Her father extends his arms to her, gentle, persuasive.
MISTER TROI
Stay with me... just a little
while... it's been so long --
we'll never have this chance
again.
Troi knows this is true... and it's anguishing. It
takes all her will to keep from going to him, feeling
his strength and his protection, letting him salve all
her concerns. But those feelings are the trap, and she
must not give in to them. With difficulty, knowing
she'll never see him again --
STAR TREK: "Dark Page" - 08/26/93 - ACT THREE 35.
27 CONTINUED: (3)
TROI
Goodbye, daddy.
She turns and EXITS, leaving him behind, sadness in his
eyes.
28 INT. CORRIDOR
As she returns to the dark and surreal part of her
mother's mind. The dripping SOUND resumes. Troi looks
around, unsure which way to go. She decides to return
in the direction she came.
She approaches the intersection of the two corridors,
rounds a corner.
29 ANGLE - TROI
as she stops in her tracks, shocked by something she
sees.
30 NEW ANGLE
Revealing what she sees -- it is Hedril, standing some
five yards down the corridor, looking at her with huge,
accusing eyes. Strangely, she doesn't look Cairn --
whatever the anatomical differences are between us and
them are not evident -- she has the dark eyes of a
Betazoid.
TROI
Hedril... ?
Suddenly Mrs. Troi steps out into the corridor. Her
face is tense.
TROI
(continuing)
Mother...
Troi is about to take a step toward her, but her mother
suddenly cries out in pain and anger.
LWAXANA
Get away from here!
She rushes threateningly toward Troi --
STAR TREK: "Dark Page" - 08/26/93 - ACT THREE 36.
31 INT. SICKBAY - CONTINUOUS
as Troi starts awake.
TROI
No!
Off Picard and Beverly's reactions we...
FADE OUT.
END OF ACT THREE
STAR TREK: "Dark Page" - 08/26/93 - ACT FOUR 37.
ACT FOUR
FADE IN:
32 INT. OBSERVATION LOUNGE
Picard, Beverly, Data and Troi are talking with Maques
and Hedril. The little girl seems a little afraid
about having to face these strangers, and Troi tries to
put her at ease.
TROI
I asked your Father to bring you
here because I wanted to talk to
you about something.
(beat)
You know that Lwaxana is sick,
don't you?
HEDRIL
Yes.
She looks scared and worried.
HEDRIL
(continuing)
Is it my fault?
TROI
No... not at all. But... I
believe my Mother has been
thinking about you. Do you know
why?
HEDRIL
I make her sad.
Troi reacts.
TROI
Why do you say that?
STAR TREK: "Dark Page" - REV. 08/27/93 - ACT FOUR 38.
32 CONTINUED:
HEDRIL
Because it's true.
TROI
(to Maques)
Do you have any idea why Hedril
would make my Mother sad?
MAQUES
No.
Troi smiles at Hedril to let her know she's done well.
TROI
Thank you for coming to talk to
us. I'll see you later, all
right?
She gestures to Maques that he can take her away. As
they reach the door, Hedril stops and turns around.
HEDRIL
I hope your mother gets better.
TROI
Thank you, Hedril. So do I.
Maques and Hedril EXIT.
TROI
I just don't understand how she
fits in to all this...
BEVERLY
I still haven't been able to find
a physiological cause for what's
happened to your Mother. That
makes me think that Maques was
right, that her condition was
precipitated by some traumatic
event.
PICARD
Could this event have involved
Hedril?
TROI
I don't think so. My Mother never
mentioned her.
BEVERLY
Does your mother make personal
logs... or keep a journal?
STAR TREK: "Dark Page" - 08/26/93 - ACT FOUR 38A.
32 CONTINUED: (2)
TROI
Yes, she does. I'll contact
Mister Homn on Betazed and ask him
to transmit a copy as soon as
possible. Maybe there's a clue
there...
DATA
Perhaps we are being too literal.
In my recent study of dream
analysis, I learned that people
who appear in a dream can
sometimes represent different
aspects of the person who is
dreaming.
TROI
That's right... a child might
represent vulnerability. Maybe
Hedril depicts some fragile part
of my mother.
PICARD
A part that she's protecting...
(explaining)
... you said everything you
encountered when you were in her
mind was a barrier of one kind or
another...
TROI
Yes... you, the wolf, my father...
as though she were summoning all
her defenses to keep me away.
Troi looks around the room, frustrated and overwhelmed
by her inability to put together all the parts of this
puzzle.
TROI
But away from what? What is she
protecting?
But no one in the room has any answers.
STAR TREK: "Dark Page" - REV. 08/26/93 - ACT FOUR 39.
33 EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL)
as it travels at impulse.
34 INT. TROI'S QUARTERS
Troi has her mother's VALISE on a table and is going
through her things. It is a difficult thing to have to
do, and her face shows it.
She picks up a few objects... a piece of jewelry,
flamboyant as only Lwaxana can be... a small carved
figure of uncertain origin... and then, in the bottom,
a small round box. Deanna lifts it, opens it, and sees --
34A INSERT - THE BOX
Inside lies a small curl of dark hair, tied with a bit
of ribbon.
34B BACK TO SCENE (OPTICAL)
Troi smiles at this memento of herself and closes the
box. Then she uncovers a photograph... it's Mister
Troi in his uniform. She is gazing at it when the door
CHIMES.
TROI
Come in.
The door OPENS and Picard ENTERS.
PICARD
(a greeting)
Counselor...
TROI
Hello, Captain.
STAR TREK: "Dark Page" - 08/26/93 - ACT FOUR 39A.
34B CONTINUED:
PICARD
I've just been in Sickbay. Doctor
Crusher feels your mother's
condition is deteriorating... her
neural functions are getting
weaker.
Troi accepts this grim news.
PICARD
Have you had any luck here?
TROI
No, nothing. I've gone through
her belongings... and read her
journal from the last five
years...
(a bit wry)
... and other than the fact that
I'm not married yet, nothing bad
seems to have happened to her.
Picard sees the photograph in her hand.
STAR TREK: "Dark Page" - 08/26/93 - ACT FOUR 40.
34B CONTINUED: (2)
PICARD
Is this your Father?
TROI
Yes...
Picard studies the picture.
PICARD
He had a kind face...
TROI
(nods)
I remember when he died, my Mother
had to go through all his things
and pack them away... I was
seven... and I remember thinking
that he'd be mad when he came home
and saw what she'd done.
(beat)
I didn't understand that he wasn't
coming back...
She looks down at her mother's belongings, her eyes wet
with emotion, wondering if she'll have to do the same
thing.
PICARD
Deanna... your Mother might still
come out of this.
TROI
If we can't figure out what's
wrong with her -- I don't think
she will.
She looks around her mother's quarters, at the
belongings, the computer screen which holds her
journal.
STAR TREK: "Dark Page" - 08/26/93 - ACT FOUR 41.
34B CONTINUED: (3)
TROI
But I don't know what to do. I've
talked with Mister Homn, who's
known her for years. I've checked
her medical records. I've made
enquiries to the government on
Betazed and I've contacted several
of her close friends. If she
suffered some kind of psychic
trauma, there's just no evidence
of it.
Picard glances at the computer screen.
PICARD
You said you'd reviewed her
journals for the past five years.
Perhaps we should go further back.
TROI
There's a lot to review. My
mother's kept a journal since she
was first married...
PICARD
Well, let's start at the
beginning.
He sits at the computer, which shows a series of file
numbers and dates. He works the controls.
PICARD
The first entry seems to be
Stardate 30620.1.
TROI
That's the year they were married.
Picard fiddles at the controls some more, a puzzled
expression coming over him.
PICARD
This is odd... there's a seven
year gap.
STAR TREK: "Dark Page" - 08/26/93 - ACT FOUR 42-42A
34B CONTINUED: (4)
Troi considers the dates.
TROI
It starts about a year after my
parents were married...
PICARD
And if I'm not mistaken, it ends
a few months after your birth.
Troi acknowledges he's right. As Picard continues to
work the console:
TROI
My Mother has always been so
diligent about her journal -- why
would she have stopped making
entries for so long?
Picard reacts to something he's found.
PICARD
She didn't. The files were
deleted.
Troi reacts.
PICARD
(continuing)
By your Mother... almost thirty
years ago.
Troi considers what this might mean.
TROI
I don't understand any of this...
She rises, faces Picard with resolve.
TROI
(continuing)
Captain, I have to go back in to
my mother's mind. That's the only
way we're ever going to get any
answers.
Off Picard's reaction we...
FADE OUT.
END OF ACT FOUR
STAR TREK: "Dark Page" - REV. 08/27/93 - ACT FIVE 43.
ACT FIVE
FADE IN:
35 INT. SICKBAY
Troi is lying on the bed next to her mother's. Maques
and Beverly are preparing for her to go back into
Lwaxana's mind. Picard stands next to Deanna.
BEVERLY
Deanna... you understand that if
your para-cortical readings go too
high again, I'll have to tell
Maques to sever the connection.
TROI
I know.
She turns and nods to Maques. He stands between Troi
and Lwaxana, establishes the telepathic link as before.
The rush of WHITE NOISE builds to a crescendo and
suddenly stops.
CUT TO:
36 INT. AN ENTERPRISE CORRIDOR (OPTICAL)
dark and ominous as before. From behind her, Troi
HEARS the menacing growl of the Wolf.
She turns at the sound and is astonished to see Hedril
standing just feet away from the animal, whose fangs
are bared at Troi. Hedril stares at her -- her
Betazoid eyes unsettling, intense.
TROI
Hedril, be careful...
STAR TREK: "Dark Page" - 08/26/93 - ACT FIVE 44.
36 CONTINUED:
But Hedril reaches and strokes the animal as if it were
a pet. When she speaks, her voice does not have the
distinctive mechanical edge that the Cairn normally
have.
HEDRIL
Who is Hedril?
With that she and the Wolf turn and run off down the
corridor.
TROI
Wait! I want to talk to you --
But "Hedril" and the Wolf continue away. Troi hurries
after them -- the Wolf bounds ahead, but the advantage
of size lets Troi catch up with Hedril. She's almost
within reach of Hedril's fleeing form when the girl
rounds a corner... a split second later Troi rounds the
same corner and is stunned to see that the corridor is
gone; there is nothing before her but the starry
blackness of SPACE.
Troi stops short... Hedril seems to have disappeared
into the void. Troi doesn't know what to do. Then,
from somewhere in the starscape before her, she hears
the VOICE that has been calling to her.
VOICE
Help me...
Troi decides she must move on. Steeling herself
against her natural fears, she jumps into the
nothingness...
CUT TO:
37 INT. ARBORETUM - CONTINUOUS
as Troi finds herself standing near the pond. She
looks around, puzzled to find herself here. It isn't
the pleasant environment we saw earlier -- it's dark,
spooky. The dripping SOUND continues its eerie echo...
Troi listens and realizes that the pond is the source
of the dripping sounds.
She looks around for some sign of where Hedril has
gone, but there's nothing. Then, from somewhere near
the pond, she HEARS the voice again.
STAR TREK: "Dark Page" - 08/26/93 - ACT FIVE 45.
37 CONTINUED:
VOICE
Help me...
She moves toward the pond, comes to its edge. She
looks down at its placid surface but sees nothing in
the murky water...
38 NEW ANGLE (OPTICAL)
Before Troi's astonished eyes a reflection takes
shape... but it's not her face... it's Hedril's.
Troi leans closer, tries to read the little girl's
expression, but a STONE SPLASHES into the water and its
RIPPLES obscure the image.
Troi turns to see who has thrown the rock -- but all
she catches is a glimpse of a FIGURE disappearing
behind some foliage. Troi steels herself and follows.
39 ANOTHER PART OF THE ARBORETUM
Troi comes upon Lwaxana, standing staring out into the
distance, as if guarding this place and its secrets.
Her face is filled with sadness.
TROI
(gently)
Mother... ?
Lwaxana turns and sees her.
LWAXANA
Go away.
TROI
No... I want to help you.
Mrs. Troi shakes her head sadly, as if this were
impossible. But Troi presses on, confronts her with
what she knows.
TROI
(continuing)
Why did you delete parts of your
journal?
Mrs. Troi is disturbed to hear that Troi knows this.
STAR TREK: "Dark Page" - 08/26/93 - ACT FIVE 45A.
39 CONTINUED:
TROI
(continuing)
Did something happen to you --
something you don't want me to
know about?
Lwaxana's eyes fill with pain.
LWAXANA
Leave me alone... please...
STAR TREK: "Dark Page" - REV. 08/27/93 - ACT FIVE 46.
39 CONTINUED: (2)
But Troi won't give up.
TROI
Who is Hedril, Mother? Why is she
here?
Lwaxana won't answer, her face is anguished.
TROI
(continuing)
Is Hedril me -- when I was a
little girl?
LWAXANA
No -- I would never let anything
happen to you... never.
Troi reacts to what this implies.
TROI
Did you let something happen to
someone... ?
Mrs. Troi turns away, won't answer.
TROI
(continuing)
Was it here, at El'nar?
Lwaxana answers almost despite herself.
LWAXANA
You were just a baby...
TROI
Tell me; whatever it is we can
face it together.
LWAXANA
(anguished)
I can't...
TROI
You can... we can.
Lwaxana seems exhausted, as if she can't fight it off
anymore.
HEDRIL (O.C)
Help me...
STAR TREK: "Dark Page" - 08/26/93 - ACT FIVE 46A.
40 NEW ANGLE
The arboretum is now sunny and bright.
Troi turns at the sound of her voice and sees that
"Hedril" has appeared behind them. She is trying to
put a leash on a small DOG that is trying to struggle
from her grip...
HEDRIL
Help me, papa...
Troi's father, now in civilian clothes, is sitting on
a blanket near Hedril, taking food out of a container.
It is a family picnic, and a BABY lies sleeping in a
portable carrier.
STAR TREK: "Dark Page" - 08/26/93 - ACT FIVE 47.
40 CONTINUED:
LWAXANA
(to Troi)
Please... don't make me go through
this again...
MISTER TROI
(to Hedril)
Here...
He leans over and takes the dog by the collar, attaches
the leash.
MISTER TROI
(continuing)
Now hold on to him, don't let him
run off.
HEDRIL
I won't...
Hedril looks straight at Lwaxana and speaks to her
directly.
HEDRIL
Mommy, can we go play by the
water?
Lwaxana can't help but answer.
LWAXANA
No, Kestra... stay here with us...
Troi reacts to the unfamiliar name.
HEDRIL
Please?
The baby starts crying --
LWAXANA
Kestra, you woke your sister.
TROI
(to herself)
Kestra... ?
Mrs. Troi steps forward and kneels down to comfort the
baby.
LWAXANA
Don't cry, Deanna... mommy's
here..
STAR TREK: "Dark Page" - 08/26/93 - ACT FIVE 47A.
40 CONTINUED: (2)
Troi realizes -- Kestra is her sister, a sister she
never knew about. But she has to put aside her shock,
do nothing that might derail her mother.
HEDRIL
Please, mommy?
STAR TREK: "Dark Page" - 08/26/93 - ACT FIVE 48.
40 CONTINUED: (4)
MISTER TROI
No, Kestra... we're going to eat
in just a few minutes...
Mrs. Troi tries to comfort the squalling baby.
LWAXANA
What's wrong, little one... what's
wrong... ?
Lwaxana is now completely inside the memory, seems
unaware that Troi is watching nearby. Try as she
might, she can't comfort the baby.
The dog starts to tug at his leash, growling playfully --
which seems to delight Hedrill/Kestra.
LWAXANA
(to Mister Troi)
She's teething, Ian... where's her
ring... ?
MISTER TROI
In your bag, I think...
LWAXANA
Mommy's going to make it all
better...
Mrs. Troi starts rifling through the bag with one hand.
LWAXANA
(to Mister Troi)
I can't find it -- are you sure
it's in here?
Mister Troi starts looking around as well. Behind
them, Hedril/Kestra is having trouble keeping hold of
the dog.
The animal's growl grows deeper and more guttural --
it's impossible for such a tiny animal to make such a
SOUND, and we recognize it as the growl of the WOLF
Deanna heard before.
As she looks down at the baby, Lwaxana's face darkens
at the sound and we cut to:
40A NEW ANGLE
The arboretum is suddenly dark and ominous again --
Mrs. Troi now sits alone on the grass.
STAR TREK: "Dark Page" - 08/26/93 - ACT FIVE 48A.
40A CONTINUED:
LWAXANA
(to Troi, anguished)
No, I don't want to see this again --
I can't --
TROI
What happened, Mother. What
happened next?
Lwaxana's face is anguished --
LWAXANA
I don't remember --
TROI
You have to. You can't hold it
back -- it's killing you.
Lwaxana looks at Troi for a long moment... and finally
gives in to it...
LWAXANA
The dog got away... she ran after
him... we didn't notice... until
it was too late...
STAR TREK: "Dark Page" - REV. 08/27/93 - ACT FIVE 49.
41
thru OMITTED
42
43 SCENE CHANGE - THE ARBORETUM
is sunny again. Troi finds herself near the edge of
the pond. Lwaxana and Mister Troi are sitting huddled
together by the water's edge -- he is drenched and
exhausted. They look out at the water in shock --
they're devastated, numb. The dog barks by the water's
edge, insistent (baby Deanna is nearby in her carrier).
MISTER TROI
(anguished)
The current was too strong...
Mrs. Troi can do nothing but stare out at the water.
LWAXANA
Kestra...
44 ON TROI
as she watches, her eyes wet with emotion. She steps
toward her mother.
45 NEW ANGLE -- THE ARBORETUM (OPTICAL)
has gone dark again. Her mother is alone by the
water's edge, crying softly. Deanna kneels next to
her, tries to comfort her.
STAR TREK: "Dark Page" - REV. 08/27/93 - ACT FIVE 50.
45 CONTINUED:
LWAXANA
Why did I look away... why wasn't
I paying attention... ?
TROI
You have to forgive yourself,
Mother... you have to let go...
LWAXANA
How can I? I let her die...
Troi regards her for a moment, wondering how best to
help her.
TROI
It was a terrible tragedy -- the
worst thing that can happen to any
parent... I know you feel
responsible... but it was an
accident...
She searches for the words to reach her mother.
TROI
And what you're doing isn't fair
to Kestra...
Mrs. Troi looks up at her, not certain what she means.
TROI
I saw a little girl who was sweet
and happy... she must have brought
a great deal of joy into your
lives...
LWAXANA
She woke up every morning with a
smile...
TROI
Then isn't it better to remember
her like that?
(beat)
I've just found out I had a sister
I never knew... I'd like to
remember what was good and joyous
about her... to celebrate her
life, not mourn it...
Mrs. Troi is beginning to hear what Deanna says, but
isn't sure if she can do what her daughter is asking.
STAR TREK: "Dark Page" - 08/26/93 - ACT FIVE 50A.
45 CONTINUED: (2)
LWAXANA
But when she died... the pain was
so awful...
TROI
I know. And you shut it away
inside you all these years. But
hiding it didn't make it go away.
It's still there, hurting you...
and it will stay there unless you
can forgive yourself and move on.
LWAXANA
How? How can I do that?
TROI
Kestra was here, a few moments
ago. Talk to her...
LWAXANA
No --
TROI
Do it. Tell her how you feel.
(beat)
I'm here with you. I'll help you.
Lwaxana stares at her for a moment, suddenly the child
to Troi's comforting maternal presence. She draws that
strength, then --
KESTRA (O.C.)
Mommy...
They turn to see a little girl of about eight standing
nearby. It's KESTRA -- she has dark hair and Betazoid
eyes. She looks at her mother -- there is no hint of
accusation in her eyes, just the love of a child for
her mother.
LWAXANA
Kestra...
Mrs. Troi hesitates. She seems at once frightened and
enthralled.
LWAXANA
Oh, Kestra... my precious one...
I'm so sorry...
STAR TREK: "Dark Page" - 08/26/93 - ACT FIVE 50B.
45 CONTINUED: (3)
Kestra moves toward her mother, who opens her arms to
her. The little girl hugs her mother with everything
she has...
Troi watches as her mother reconciles herself with what
happened. After a long moment, Kestra gently pulls
back from her mother.
KESTRA
I have to go now...
LWAXANA
I know...
Lwaxana lets her go. Kestra looks up into her mother's
eyes, then slowly, slowly, she begins to VANISH --
until there's nothing left but a memory.
Lwaxana reaches a hand to Troi, who takes it, and we...
CUT TO:
STAR TREK: "Dark Page" - REV. 08/27/93 - ACT FIVE 51.
46 INT. SICKBAY
Lwaxana's eyes open, and a moment later, Troi's. They
turn to each other, and both smile when they realize
that their hands are clasped across the space that
separates their two beds.
47 EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL)
as it moves at impulse.
48 INT. TROI'S QUARTERS
Lwaxana and Troi are sitting on the couch, talking
quietly.
LWAXANA
Kestra always wanted to help take
care of you... she was never the
slightest bit jealous of all the
attention you got.
TROI
She sounds very sweet...
LWAXANA
I made your father promise never
to speak of her... it was a
terrible thing to ask... but he
went along with it.
STAR TREK: "Dark Page" - 08/26/93 - ACT FIVE 51A.
48 CONTINUED:
TROI
If it hadn't been for your work
with the Cairn, the strain of the
telepathic contact, you might have
been able to repress the memory
forever.
LWAXANA
And if it hadn't been for you --
I might have died trying to keep
that dreadful secret.
Mother and daughter share a warm moment, then Troi
stands and gets something from her desk.
TROI
(continuing)
I contacted Mister Homn and told
him you were all right. He asked
me to give you something.
Troi hands her mother a PADD.
STAR TREK: "Dark Page" - 08/26/93 - ACT FIVE 52.
49 INSERT - THE PADD'S SCREEN
It's a picture of Mister Troi and Kestra. She's about
eight, holding Deanna when she was a baby. She is
beaming at the camera.
50 RESUME SCENE
as Lwaxana smiles, her eyes wet with tears.
LWAXANA
I remember the day I took this...
TROI
Mister Homn said he saved it... in
case someday you wanted to
remember her...
Troi watches as Lwaxana clutches this unexpected
treasure to her breast...
LWAXANA
I wish you could have known her,
Deanna. I wish you two could have
grown up together...
TROI
Tell me about her.. I want to know
everything.
Lwaxana smiles that she will... Off this moment we...
CUT TO:
51 EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL)
as it moves away we...
FADE OUT.
END OF ACT FIVE
THE END
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