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STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION
"The Masterpiece Society"
#40275-213
Story by
James Kahn and Adam Belanoff
Teleplay by
Adam Belanoff and Michael Piller
Directed by
Rick Kolbe
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 1991 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 This script is not for publication or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
NOVEMBER 4, 1991
STAR TREK: "Masterpiece Society" - 11/4/91 - CAST
STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION
"Masterpiece Society"
CAST
PICARD AARON CONOR
RIKER MARCUS BENBECK
DATA HANNAH BATES
BEVERLY
TROI
GEORDI
WORF
Non-Speaking
GENOME COLONISTS
AN ENSIGN 12-YEAR-OLD PIANIST
Non-Speaking
SUPERNUMERARIES
STAR TREK: "Masterpiece Society" - 11/4/91 - SETS
STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION
"Masterpiece Society"
SETS
INTERIORS EXTERIORS
USS ENTERPRISE USS ENTERPRISE
MAIN BRIDGE
CAPTAIN'S READY ROOM MOAB FOUR
OBSERVATION LOUNGE DESOLATE SURFACE
ENGINEERING (MATTE)
TURBOLIFT GENOME COLONY
(MATTE)
COURTYARD
GENOME COLONY ISOLATED LOCATIONS
LABORATORY BY BIOSHPERE WALL
STELLAR CORE FRAGMENT
STAR TREK: "Masterpiece Society" - 11/6/91 - PRONUNCIATION
STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION
"Masterpiece Society"
PRONUNCIATION GUIDE
GENETICISTS ja-NET-ih-systs
GENOME geh-NOHM
GRAVIMETRIC grav-ih-MEH-trik
GRAVITON GRAV-ih-tahn
HOMEOSTASIS ho-me-oh-STAY-ses
MOAB MOH-ub
TECTONIC tek-TAHN-ik
TOXICITY tahk-SIS-eht-ee
STAR TREK: "Masterpiece Society" - 11/5/91 - TEASER 1.
STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION
"The Masterpiece Society"
TEASER
FADE IN:
1 EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL)
Traveling through space parallel but not too close
to a huge stellar core fragment, hundreds of times
larger than the Enterprise... It is quite spherical,
not too nubly (unlike an asteroid) emitting a
bluish-white light glow, with cascades of sparklies,
occasional blue-violet gamma ray bursts...
PICARD (V.O.)
Captain's log, stardate 45470.1.
The Enterprise has been diverted
to the Moab sector to track a
stellar core fragment of a
disintegrated neutron star. Our
science teams have been asked to
monitor the planetary disruptions
it may cause.
2 INT. ENTERPRISE - BRIDGE
RIKER leaning over DATA at ops, reacting with concern
to something. WORF, TROI, and GEORDI are also at their
stations. Picard ENTERS from the ready room.
RIKER
(to Picard)
We've got a problem... our core
fragment is going to pass by Moab
Four in six days...
STAR TREK: "Masterpiece Society" - 11/5/91 - TEASER 2.
2 CONTINUED:
PICARD
Isn't that what we anticipated?
RIKER
We didn't anticipate that somebody
would be living there.
Picard reacts.
DATA
An artificial environment has been
constructed on the southern
continent, sir.
PICARD
Have you definitely established
someone's inside it?
DATA
Yes, Captain. Sensors are reading
Human lifeforms.
PICARD
(reacts)
Human.
RIKER
Has there been a response to our
hails, Mister Worf?
WORF
Negative, Commander.
PICARD
Any starships ever reported
missing in this sector, Data?
DATA
Nossir.
RIKER
How the hell did they get
themselves on a deserted planet?
GEORDI
I'm pretty sure they know we're
here...
PICARD
Mister La Forge?
STAR TREK: "Masterpiece... " - REV. 11/6/91 - TEASER 3.
2 CONTINUED: (2)
GEORDI
I'm picking up deep E-M
readings... looks like wave
emissions from an obsolete
subspace relay...
RIKER
Which would suggest they also have
the ability to communicate with
us.
PICARD
Mister Worf, open the lower band
frequencies that were most
commonly used in the last
century...
WORF
Channel open.
PICARD
This is Captain Jean-Luc Picard
of the Federation Starship
Enterprise. It is urgent that
you respond.
A beat.
WORF
Sir, defensive shields around the
structure are increasing strength.
RIKER
Not exactly a welcome mat.
PICARD
We mean you no harm. We must warn
you that your planet is about to
experience massive seismic
disruptions due to an approaching
stellar core fragment. No
structure will be able to withstand
them.
A beat... silence... and then --
WORF
They are responding.
PICARD
On screen.
STAR TREK: "Masterpiece... " REV. 11/6/91 - TEASER 4.
3 ANGLE - VIEWSCREEN OPTICAL)
On the viewscreen appears a human male, AARON CONOR, in
his late 30's or early 40's. He wears power and
authority easily for one relatively young and boyish
looking. At the moment, he is obviously troubled.
CONOR
Enterprise... I am Aaron Conor...
PICARD
Mister Conor, we were unaware of
any Human colony in this system.
CONOR
Captain, I don't want to be rude
but we don't wish to interact with
outsiders. I have only responded
because of your warning.
PICARD
The fragment will begin to have
serious effects on your planet
in six days.
CONOR
Yes, I know. We have been
tracking it. But our biosphere
has been constructed to withstand
quakes of eight-point-seven on
the Richter Scale.
RIKER
Mister Data... ?
DATA
(to viewscreen)
The fragment has a density of one
hundred billion kilograms per cubic
centimeter. As a result, when it
passes Moab Four, it will cause
tectonic shifts well beyond
eight-point-seven on the Richter
Scale.
PICARD
I'm afraid we're going to have
to evacuate your people.
CONOR
Evacuate? That's not possible.
There must be an alternative...
RIKER
The alternative, sir, is dying...
STAR TREK: "Masterpiece Society" - 11/5/91 - TEASER 5.
3 CONTINUED:
PICARD
Mister Conor, if you wish, we will
find you another isolated planet
that is safe.
CONOR
No, we must remain here.
RIKER
Maybe we haven't made ourselves
clear...
CONOR
Of course, you have, Commander...
and I hope I've made myself clear
that we must seek an alternative
solution...
PICARD
(with diplomacy)
We will gladly explore the
possibility with you, Mister
Conor... would you care to come
aboard to discuss it?
CONOR
Our environment is sealed. No
one can get in or out.
PICARD
We are capable of matter/energy
transport...
CONOR
Matter/energy?
PICARD
We can take you directly through
the structure.
CONOR
(reacts)
Really. That's quite remarkable.
PICARD
(genial, inviting)
May we arrange for your transport?
CONOR
No. I must stay here.
STAR TREK: "Masterpiece... " - REV. 11/6/91 - TEASER 6.
3 CONTINUED: (2)
Picard exchanges a glance with Riker, beginning to get
impatient with this fellow.
CONOR
(beat)
But under the circumstances, I
will permit a small delegation
from your ship inside the
biosphere...
(with humor)
... if only to see this
matter/energy transportation you
speak of...
PICARD
Very good. Commander Riker and
an away team will join you
shortly. Picard out.
4 THE VIEWSCREEN
returns to the planet. Picard is thoughtful...
PICARD
(to Riker)
Limit the away team to three
people, Will...
Riker acknowledges and as he turns...
5 RESUME BRIDGE
RIKER
Geordi -- I want to overwhelm him
with evidence...
GEORDI
Understood.
RIKER
(to Troi)
Counselor, I'd like you with us
on this one...
She nods and as they move toward the turbolift...
6 EXT. GENOME COURTYARD - DAY - LATER
A limited view of a yard... MARCUS BENBECK, a thin,
studious man in his 50's is arguing with Conor.
STAR TREK: "Masterpiece Society" - 11/5/91 - TEASER 7.
6 CONTINUED:
Both men are excellent physical specimens, dressed in
comfortable civilian clothes -- closer to 20th-century
garb than we are used to seeing.
BENBECK
This is a mistake.
CONOR
Good Lord, Martin, what would you
have me do?
BENBECK
Anything that would keep them out
of here.
CONOR
We have nothing to hide.
BENBECK
We have a great deal to lose.
They react first to the sound of the transport...
BENBECK
What is that... ?
CONOR
(reacting)
It's them... Look at this,
Martin...
They watch --
7 THE AWAY TEAM (OPTICAL)
MATERIALIZE.
CONOR
Incredible.
Riker, Geordi and Troi and look around... and begin
to have an inkling why these people are reluctant to
leave... MOVE TO REVEAL the Genome Colony... lush,
spacious, peaceful. The courtyard is the main
gathering place and there are dozens of people watching
with amazement at the away team's arrival... they are
all very attractive, perfect physical specimens.
Exotic vegetation and pleasant seating areas make it
an inviting, comfortable area.
STAR TREK: "Masterpiece Society" - 11/5/91 - TEASER 8.
7 CONTINUED:
Walls with see-through panels separate this paradise
from the red, barren, noxious landscape beyond -- an
ever-present indication that this courtyard is merely
an oasis from the toxic atmosphere outside.
CONOR
Hello.
(beat)
Forgive me... I'm not sure how
to welcome you. You are the first
visitors we've ever had...
FADE OUT.
END OF TEASER
STAR TREK: "Masterpiece ... " - REV. 11/6/91 - ACT ONE 9.
ACT ONE
FADE IN:
(NOTE: Episode credits fall over opening scenes.)
8 EXT. GENOME COURTYARD - MINUTES LATER (OPTICAL)
The group walks along the courtyard. Conor is cordial,
outgoing. Benbeck is a stern, colorless man.
TROI
It's lovely... I can understand
why you are reluctant to leave,
Mister Conor...
CONOR
We are not just "reluctant", Ms.
Troi. It is imperative that we
remain.
BENBECK
(harsh)
It would be suicide to evacuate.
It would destroy everything we've
worked for two centuries to
accomplish...
CONOR
You see, this is an engineered
society...
RIKER
Engineered... ?
CONOR
Genetically engineered...
He pauses, trying to find a way to explain this
simply...
CONOR
Our ancestors came from Earth to
develop the perfect society. They
believed that through controlled
procreation, they could create
people without flaws... and those
people would build a paradise.
STAR TREK: "Masterpiece Society" - 11/5/91 - ACT ONE 10.
8 CONTINUED:
TROI
All of you... have been
selectively bred? Your DNA
patterns chosen?
Conor turns and smiles at her.
CONOR
Eight generations of us.
BENBECK
We have immeasurably extended the
potential of humanity --
physically, psychologically --
we have evolved beyond...
beyond...
(realizing he's in
trouble)
GEORDI
Beyond us...
BENBECK
Frankly, yes. No one in this
society would be blind, for
example, no offense intended...
GEORDI
I can see you just fine, sir.
BENBECK
Yes, well, my point was just...
Conor is embarrassed, looks at Benbeck with a critical
eye, but with disarming humor...
CONOR
Thank you, Martin... Perhaps
you've also made it clear that
we still have a few imperfections
we're working on...
(beat)
For the most part, we have
achieved a fully integrated
existence... not just among
ourselves but with our
environment... we don't just live
here... we are part of the
environment... it is part of us.
Every plant life, every
microscopic lifeform... is part
of a master design.
(MORE)
STAR TREK: "Masterpiece Society" - 11/5/91 - ACT ONE 11.
8 CONTINUED: (2)
CONOR (cont'd)
We cannot separate ourselves from
it without irreparably altering
who and what we are.
BENBECK
Your presence here has already
begun to affect the entire
balance of our society...
CONOR
(firm)
If we do not survive, the balance
of our society won't mean a great
deal... will it?
Martin harrumphs and walks away... Conor leads the
group slowly into the courtyard, moving with them --
CONOR
I apologize. But he is performing
his function as he is designed
to do.
GEORDI
(a poor opinion)
What "function" would that be?
CONOR
He is the interpreter of our
founders' intentions for this
society.
RIKER
A judge.
CONOR
Yes, more or less. Obviously,
he has no diplomatic talents.
TROI
And obviously you do.
STAR TREK: "Masterpiece ... " - REV. 11/8/91 - ACT ONE 12.
8 CONTINUED: (3)
CONOR
(smiles)
I have been bred to fill this
specific role... we grow up
knowing exactly what our society
needs from us... what we are
expected to do.
RIKER
Kind of takes some of fun out of
choosing, doesn't it?
CONOR
Not at all. My entire
psychological makeup tells me that
I was born to lead... I am exactly
what I would choose to be.
(beat)
Think of it another way -- are
there still people in your society
who have not discovered who they
really are or what they're meant
to do with their lives... ? They
may be in the wrong job... they
may be writing bad poetry. Even
worse, there may be great poets
working as laborers, never to be
discovered. That does not happen
here.
(beat)
It is, for us, an ideal existence
and we won't give it up easily.
He is passionate, and eloquent as a leader should be.
And Troi is impressed with him.
TROI
We will do whatever we can to help
you preserve it.
Their eyes meet... his smile thanks her... And as the
personal connection is made between them...
9 INT. GENOME LABORATORY - DAY (OPTICAL)
HANNAH BATES is a vital young woman, about 30, bright,
attractive, and inquisitive... working on Okudagrams
regarding the fragment's path...
STAR TREK: "Masterpiece Society" - 11/5/91 - ACT ONE 13.
9 CONTINUED:
CONOR
Hannah... I want you to meet our
guests.
She looks up, enthusiastic, comes over to greet them...
HANNAH
Yes... from the starship... I've
been looking forward to speaking
with you...
CONOR
Hannah Bates is one of our
scientists. She's an expert on
biosphere homeostasis...
She finds herself staring an extra beat at Geordi's
face...
GEORDI
(uncomfortable at her
stare)
It's a sensory organ replacement.
It allows me to see.
HANNAH
I'm sorry. I didn't mean to
stare... I've just never seen
anything like it.
GEORDI
(impatient)
I'll be glad to show it to you
if there's time...
HANNAH
Yes, of course, the fragment...
CONOR
Hannah, Commander La Forge has
brought all the studies of the
stellar core fragment done aboard
his ship...
HANNAH
Wonderful...
CONOR
(to Riker)
If there is any way to shore up
our defenses, Hannah will find
it...
(MORE)
STAR TREK: "Masterpiece Society" - 11/5/91 - ACT ONE 14.
9 CONTINUED: (2)
CONOR (cont'd)
She has a remarkable talent in
theoretical physics...
She moves to a work station... Geordi follows...
HANNAH
(to Geordi)
I've worked up a few schematics
based on gravimetric potentials
and deflector energy allocation...
RIKER
(to Geordi)
Mister La Forge... Troi and I
will return to the Enterprise...
when you reach a conclusion, let
us know...
GEORDI
Yessir.
9A ANGLE (OPTICAL)
TROI
(to Riker)
Commander, if Mister Conor
wouldn't object... I'd like to
stay... and see more of his
colony...
They glance to Conor... who considers it for half a
second...
CONOR
No, no, that would be fine...
I'd like you to see it...
Riker nods, fine... presses his combadge...
RIKER
Riker to Enterprise. One to beam
up.
TRANSPORTER CHIEF'S COM VOICE
Acknowledged, Commander.
RIKER
Energize.
HE DEMATERIALIZES. Conor and Hannah exchange an
incredible glance...
STAR TREK: "Masterpiece ... " REV. 11/6/91 - ACT ONE 15.
10 EXT. GENOME COURTYARD - DAY
Troi and Conor stroll the courtyard, examining the
flowers and a few free-standing sculptures that are
dotted about.
TROI
You're sure my being here is not
going to be disruptive... ?
CONOR
Disruptive... ? Oh, you mean, what
Martin was saying...
TROI
I certainly don't wish to throw
off your entire "balance"...
With a smile --
CONOR
Too late. the damage is done.
TROI
Seriously.
CONOR
Sometimes, I think the strict
interpreters like Martin forget
that we're still Human. We'll
adjust, accommodate...
TROI
There must be other unexpected
events you have to deal with --
an untimely death, an accident...
CONOR
Our geneticists are able to screen
out any congenital health risks
before conception... and the
population is diverse enough
to maintain a genetic balance
in the event of accidental death.
But very little that is unexpected
occurs here...
(beat)
Am I making it sound incredibly
dull?
TROI
Not at all.
STAR TREK: "Masterpiece... " REV. 11/6/91 - ACT ONE 16.
10 CONTINUED:
CONOR
(laughs lightly)
I'll tell you the truth... and
I'll deny it if you tell Martin...
but today has been exhilarating...
meeting you, meeting new people,
with new ideas...
TROI
I feel the same about being
here... I'm something of a
student of Human nature... I find
this all fascinating...
CONOR
A student of Human nature?
TROI
I'm the ship's counselor.
CONOR
Ah, I'm afraid there wouldn't
be much work for you here,
Counselor.
TROI
(smiles, good)
I'd book my next vacation at your
hotel if you had one.
CONOR
Well, in that case, I'll have to
have them build one.
And they exchange a glance... that was definitely
flirtatious in intent.
11 INT. GENOME LABORATORY - DAY (OPTICAL)
CLOSE ON AN OKUDAGRAM:
GEORDI
... The planet's orbit is
completely disrupted and the
surface stability becomes almost
nonexistent as the core fragment
passes by...
HANNAH, glum, moves away from the monitor...
STAR TREK: "Masterpiece... " REV. 11/6/91 - ACT ONE 17.
11 CONTINUED:
HANNAH
The biosphere's superstructure
will never withstand the tectonic
shocks. The environment would
be compromised.
GEORDI
That's how I see it.
Hannah muses thoughtfully... frowns... shakes her
head... a long beat...
HANNAH
Your ship... what kind of energy
output is it capable of
generating?
GEORDI
We have a matter/antimatter warp
reaction system, the most powerful
in Starfleet... normally kicks
plasma up into the terawatt
range... what are you thinking
about?
HANNAH
Well, either we're going to have
to move... or that fragment is...
GEORDI
(reacts)
We can move a small moon or an
asteroid, but a stellar core
fragment? That's way too massive
for our tractor beam...
She punches up something on her computer... a new
Okudagram appears...
GEORDI
What's that?
HANNAH
A wild idea. Purely theoretical.
GEORDI
A multiphase tractor beam?
HANNAH
When we first spotted the fragment
approaching, I came up with the
idea... but we can't generate the
kind of energy we would need...
(beat)
You can.
Off Geordi's reaction...
STAR TREK: "Masterpiece Society" - 11/5/91 - ACT ONE 18.
12 EXT. GENOME COURTYARD - DAY (OPTICAL)
Conor, Benbeck, Troi react as Geordi and Hannah brief
them.
GEORDI
Hannah would have to come with
us to the Enterprise.
BENBECK
No.
HANNAH
With my theories and their
equipment, we might be able to
alter the fragment's path -- it's
our only chance to avoid
evacuation.
A long moment as Conor wrestles with this one...
then...
CONOR
No one had ever come here... and
no one had ever left. Until
today. This is a date to note
in our history books.
BENBECK
This is in direct violation of
the intentions of our founders,
Aaron...
CONOR
(interrupting)
I don't think they intended us
to die, Martin.
BENBECK
Her absence will create an
additional imbalance...
CONOR
Temporarily. The circumstances
require us to be flexible.
BENBECK
We have no idea how molecular
transport will affect her DNA...
GEORDI
It won't affect her DNA at all...
There's been a century of evidence
to prove that...
STAR TREK: "Masterpiece Society" - 11/5/91 - ACT ONE 19.
12 CONTINUED:
Conor takes a beat to ask himself once more if this
is the right thing to do... he glances at Troi, who
sympathizes with a look... he knows that he's given
in another inch here... he wants to hold the line but
this is common sense. He nods, satisfied with the
decision.
CONOR
You can go, Hannah.
GEORDI
(keys combadge)
Enterprise, three to beam up.
TROI
(to Conor)
May I return later?
Conor, looks at her, his mind still distracted by the
events...
CONOR
I look forward to it.
GEORDI
Energize.
Troi's eyes lock once more with Conor's, and she smiles
as she and the others DEMATERIALIZE. Conor stares at the
empty space they have left. And he turns and strides
off, leaving a dour Martin looking after him.
FADE OUT.
END OF ACT ONE
STAR TREK: "Masterpiece Society" - 11/5/91 - ACT TWO 20.
ACT TWO
FADE IN:
13 EXT. SPACE - ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL)
in orbit around Moab Three.
PICARD (V.O.)
Captain's log, stardate 45472.8.
Commander La Forge and Hannah
Bates of the Genome Colony have
spent nearly three days trying
to find a way to adjust the path
of the approaching core fragment.
If they do not succeed in the next
forty-eight hours, I see no
alternative but to begin
evacuation.
14 INT. CAPT. READY ROOM
Troi and Picard, mid-conversation... Picard is
bringing some tea over from the replicator...
TROI
I believe some will choose to risk
death rather than leave,
Captain...
PICARD
You've spent a good deal of time
on the surface, Counselor. How
do you suggest we change their
minds... ?
TROI
I'm not sure we can. It means
abandoning their fundamental way
of life.
PICARD
(frowns)
They've managed to turn a dubious
scientific endeavor into dogma...
TROI
You don't approve of genetic
engineering.
STAR TREK: "Masterpiece... " - REV. 11/8/91 - ACT TWO 21.
14 CONTINUED:
PICARD
It was a bad idea whose time
passed long ago.
TROI
They seem to have made it succeed.
PICARD
They have given their humanity
away to this genetic
manipulation... many of the
qualities they breed out -- the
uncertainty, the self-discovery,
the unknown - those are the very
qualities that make Human life
worth living... at least to me.
I would not like to live with the
knowledge that much of my future
has been written, that my
boundaries have been set. Would
you?
TROI
I've asked myself that question
a lot during the past few days.
I don't know. I doubt it.
Nevertheless, this is what they
believe in... and it won't be
an easy matter to talk them into
leaving...
STAR TREK: "Masterpiece... " - REV. 11/8/91 - ACT TWO 22.
14 CONTINUED: (2)
A beat.
PICARD
This leader of theirs, Conor, he
seems like a reasonable man,
doesn't he?
Her smile betrays an affection...
TROI
I find him very reasonable. Open
to suggestions, thoughtful, quite
disarming... the perfect
administrator...
PICARD
(grunts)
I'm sure.
(beat)
Will he leave when he sees there
is no other choice?
TROI
I don't know. I hope so.
PICARD
You admire him.
TROI
Yes.
PICARD
Try at least to help him accept
the reality of what may happen
to his colony. If he makes the
right decision, and he's as good
a leader as he was "designed" to
be... perhaps the others will
follow him.
Troi nods and exits. A beat on a thoughtful Picard
and...
STAR TREK: "Masterpiece... " REV. 11/6/91 - ACT TWO 23.
15 INT. ENGINEERING (OPTICAL)
Hannah and Geordi are working on a test apparatus... a
practical model that emits a beam that the device can
measure...
HANNAH
If we increase warp power transfer
by eighty percent...
GEORDI
It's just gonna blow the emitters
again.
HANNAH
(frustrated)
We won't be able to reinforce the
conduit to hold that power
level... it just doesn't work...
She turns off the device. Geordi collapses into a
chair, hangs his head in fatigue... he takes off the
VISOR without a second thought and rubs his tired brow.
Hannah stares at his blinkies...
GEORDI
I haven't slept in so long, my
eyelids feel like they have lead
weights attached...
HANNAH
(studies him)
Geordi...
GEORDI
Uh?
HANNAH
Were you always blind?
Geordi reacts, realizing that she's seeing him without
the VISOR on for the first time.
GEORDI
Ah, I'm sorry... I probably
shocked the hell outta you, didn't
I...
HANNAH
No...
GEORDI
Let me put it on...
STAR TREK: "Masterpiece Society" - 11/5/91 - ACT TWO 24.
15 CONTINUED:
HANNAH
Don't.
(beat)
I'm sorry. I didn't mean to
embarrass you.
GEORDI
I've never been embarrassed by
this, Hannah. Never. I was blind
at birth. It's the way I've
always been.
HANNAH
May I see it... your VISOR?
He holds it out to her and she takes it.
GEORDI
I guess if I had been conceived
on your world, I wouldn't be here
right now, would I?
HANNAH
No.
GEORDI
I'd've been terminated as a
fertilized cell.
HANNAH
It was the wish of our founders
that no one have to suffer a life
with disabilities...
GEORDI
Who gave them the right to choose
whether or not I should be here?
Whether or not I might have
something to contribute...
HANNAH
(long beat)
I don't know what to say.
She hands it to him... Another beat...
HANNAH
How does it work?
STAR TREK: "Masterpiece... " REV. 11/6/91 - ACT TWO 25.
15 CONTINUED: (2)
GEORDI
The VISOR scans the
electromagnetic spectrum between
one hertz and one hundred thousand
terahertz, converts it all to
usable frequencies and carries
the information directly to the
brain.
HANNAH
But what about the data conversion
rate? How do you avoid a
sensory overload?
GEORDI
A bank of preprocessors compresses
the data stream into pulses
so my visual cortex isn't...
He stops in mid-sentence... putting it back on...
GEORDI
Wait a minute... wait a minute...
we should be able to send a high-
energy pulse through the tractor
system... and if it's short
enough, it shouldn't overload the
emitters... the technology is
right in here...
He taps the frame of his VISOR.
GEORDI
If we could adapt those pulse-
compression routines and apply
them to the warp power conduits...
HANNAH
We would have to avoid tractor
force rebounding, but that
shouldn't be hard...
He rises... moves to a computer panel... starts to work
the board...
GEORDI
Sure. With some modifications...
(interrupting himself)
Oh, this would be perfect...
STAR TREK: "Masterpiece... " - REV. 11/6/91 - ACT TWO 25A.
15 CONTINUED: (3)
HANNAH
What... ?
GEORDI
(not unfriendly)
If the answer to all this is in
a VISOR created for a blind man...
who never would have existed in
your society. No offense
intended.
She is forced to smile.
16 EXT. COURTYARD - NIGHT (OPTICAL)
Close on a 12-year-old pianist playing a gentle Chopin
prelude... pulling back to see we're in the courtyard
with the "outdoor" concert being attended by two dozen
seated people... moving to find Troi standing in the
back next to Conor.
STAR TREK: "Masterpiece... " - REV. 11/6/91 - ACT TWO 26.
16 CONTINUED:
Suddenly, the concert is interrupted by a quake... the
music stops... everybody looks up, holds onto their
balance. After a brief instant, it passes... but the
people are shaken.
CONOR
(to the boy)
Please, Matthew. Continue.
The boy begins again... and after a beat, Conor moves
off... and Troi follows him...
17 ISOLATED LOCATION BY THE BIOSPHERE WALL (OPTICAL)
On the other side: swirling noxious gases rise to a
bright starry sky... Chopin still audible in the
background...
TROI
It's hard to believe... so much
loveliness here... just a few
meters away from such desolation.
He nods.
CONOR
Hard to believe we're about to
lose it...
TROI
This must sound incredibly
simplistic... but can't you
re-"engineer" all this on another
planet...
CONOR
(a beat)
A nursery rhyme my mother used
to read to me has been running
round and round my mind since this
all began...
TROI
A nursery rhyme?
CONOR
"Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall...
Humpty Dumpty had a great fall... "
STAR TREK: "Masterpiece... " - REV. 11/6/91 - ACT TWO 27.
17 CONTINUED:
CONOR & TROI
"All the King's horses and all
the King's Men... Couldn't put
Humpty together again."
A beat. Almost a smile.
CONOR
Why do we tell our children such
ghastly stories?
TROI
Perhaps to prepare them for times
like these.
He looks to the ground...
CONOR
We are every bit as fragile as
an egg and as impossible to
reconstruct... integrated and
refined to such a degree that any
fundamental change would lead
to chaos...
(beat, sighs)
Nobody ever talks about how the
King feels about being so...
helpless...
TROI
(whispers)
I'm so sorry, Aaron. I wish I
could do something to help.
He looks at her, smiles...
CONOR
But you have helped, you've been
wonderful these past few days...
you've been...
(beat, amused)
... my Counselor.
TROI
(smiles)
No. A Counselor has to maintain
a discreet distance... I'd rather
think of us as friends.
CONOR
(studies her)
Friends.
(beat)
No, that just won't do either...
STAR TREK: "Masterpiece Society" - 11/5/91 - ACT TWO 28.
17 CONTINUED: (2)
They look at each other with intensity... and he moves
to her and kisses her gently on the lips... and he
stays close as he says softly to her...
CONOR
... will it.
TROI
Aaron...
CONOR
I must confess a part of me knows
that if I transport through these
walls... you will be on the other
side...
And now he moves in and passionately kisses her and
she tries to resist the intense feelings rising up
within her...
TROI
Aaron, this is wrong...
CONOR
Terribly wrong.
And as the music comes to a close, he kisses her
again... and as she dissolves into his arms...
FADE OUT.
END OF ACT TWO
STAR TREK: "Masterpiece Society" - 11/5/91 - ACT THREE 29.
ACT THREE
FADE IN:
18 INT. ENGINEERING (OPTICAL)
Picard and Riker observe as Geordi and Hannah run a
demonstration on the device... they are quite excited
about their results...
GEORDI
In order to move the core fragment
to a safe trajectory, we needed
our tractor beam to be able to
handle high power pulses...
HANNAH
And, we needed a much more
efficient emitter to do that...
GEORDI
About four times more efficient...
HANNAH
But we couldn't get anywhere near
that without overloading the
emitter arrays...
GEORDI
So we added a little VISOR
technology to the process and were
able to boost the effective
force... and at the same time,
lower the power conduit stress
levels...
He turns on a much more powerful beam than we saw
before... it now includes a bright pulse that quickly
travels from the device to the target...
PICARD
What is the increase in
efficiency?
GEORDI
Up to almost three hundred
percent...
RIKER
That's not enough...
HANNAH
That's true... we won't be able
to move the fragment as far as
we'd like to, but...
(looks to Geordi)
STAR TREK: "Masterpiece Society" - 11/5/91 - ACT THREE 30.
18 CONTINUED:
GEORDI
(picking it up)
... But if we fortify the
biosphere's structural
integrity at the same time...
HANNAH
With some of the shield
improvements I've discovered
here, it could work.
GEORDI
We'll have to lend them some of
our engineering support crews...
Picard exchanges a satisfied glance with Riker...
PICARD
(to Hannah)
Advise Mister Conor. Number One,
brief the appropriate officers,
prepare to transport them as soon
as Conor approves...
RIKER
Yessir...
As Picard exits...
19 EXT. COURTYARD - EARLY MORNING (OPTICAL)
Deserted. Except for Deanna, who walks slowly across...
thoughtful... she sits down at the piano... plays a
few notes... after a beat, find Conor behind her...
CONOR
You're up early.
TROI
I'm still on Enterprise time.
He moves to her and sits on the piano bench beside
her...
TROI
I'm going back to the ship, Aaron.
I'm not going to see you again.
CONOR
(reacts)
Why... ?
STAR TREK: "Masterpiece Society" - 11/5/91 - ACT THREE 31.
19 CONTINUED:
TROI
Because it's the right thing to
do.
CONOR
I'm not convinced of that.
TROI
(angry, sad)
You know it as well as I do.
CONOR
You're angry...
TROI
Yes. I'm angry. With myself.
For allowing this to happen.
CONOR
Deanna...
She stands, moves away from him...
TROI
I could fall in love with you,
Aaron. So easily. But we both
know the end of that story, don't
we? How would Martin feel about
introducing half-Betazoid DNA into
the genetic balance?
A long beat. Softly...
CONOR
If we have to evacuate, anything
is possible...
Troi studies him. Here he is talking about evacuation,
almost hoping for it now...
TROI
Listen to yourself. A few days
ago, you didn't even want to talk
to us.
(beat)
This is my fault. I'm so sorry,
Aaron.
CONOR
I need you here... this doesn't
have to happen again...
STAR TREK: "Masterpiece... " REV. 11/6/91 - ACT THREE 32.
19 CONTINUED: (2)
But as they look in each others's eyes, they both know
it will...
TROI
I have to go...
They react as they hear the sound of a beam-in -- turn
to see Geordi and Hannah MATERIALIZE...
HANNAH
Good news, Aaron. We should be
able to change the course of the
core fragment... but we'll also
need to fortify the structure...
and we're going to need help to
do it...
GEORDI
We'll have to bring down
engineering crews from the
Enterprise to work with your
people for the next forty-eight
hours...
CONOR
Engineering crews?
GEORDI
We've got to install five new
shield generators and power
supplies...
HANNAH
Fifty officers are waiting for
your approval to transport down...
Conor seems overwhelmed by the request and changes,
the assault of technology, of people... he tries to
process all of it...
HANNAH
We don't have much time, Aaron.
CONOR
Do we have any other choice?
HANNAH
None.
Conor takes a beat, what else can he do? He nods his
approval.
STAR TREK: "Masterpiece... " - REV. 11/6/91 - ACT THREE 33.
19 CONTINUED: (3)
GEORDI
Enterprise, you may begin
transporting when ready...
TRANSPORTER COM VOICE
Acknowledged.
And in rapid order, in groups of six... Starfleet
officers begin to MATERIALIZE in the square with tools
and science kits... as Troi and Conor exchange another
look, there is another brief temblor, and Conor finally
walks away...
FADE OUT.
END OF ACT THREE
STAR TREK: "Masterpiece... " REV. 11/6/91 - ACT FOUR 34.
ACT FOUR
FADE IN:
20 EXT. SPACE - ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL)
moving parallel once again to the fragment.
PICARD (V.O.)
Captain's log, stardate 45474.6.
Gravitational effects are being
felt on Moab Four as fortification
efforts continue. Meanwhile,
the Enterprise has moved to a
parallel course with the core
fragment.
(more)
21 INT. ENTERPRISE - BRIDGE
Riker, Data, and Worf and an ENSIGN at their stations;
Troi is at command. Picard enters from the ready
room... over which...
PICARD (V.O.)
(continuing)
We must adjust its trajectory by a
minimum of one-point-two degrees
to insure the colony's safety.
He sits in command.
PICARD
Bring us within range of the
fragment, Ensign...
ENSIGN
Aye, sir.
22 INT. ENGINEERING - INTERCUTTING
Hannah and Geordi at their stations.
PICARD'S COM VOICE
You may proceed, Commander La
Forge.
STAR TREK: "Masterpiece Society" - 11/5/91 - ACT FOUR 35.
22 CONTINUED:
GEORDI
Aye, sir.
(to Hannah)
Good luck.
She smiles at him... she's wired, eager for this
challenge.
HANNAH
You, too.
GEORDI
Engage tractor beam.
She works at the console.
23 EXT. SPACE - ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL)
The tractor beam flares out from the ship and melds
with the fragment.
24 INT. ENGINEERING
GEORDI
Okay, let's give it a try.
(working panels)
Shutting down noncritical
systems...
25 INT. BRIDGE - INTERCUTTING
Working the panels --
DATA
Increasing impulse power to
tractor emitters. E-P-S power
levels rising...
25A INT. ENGINEERING
HANNAH
Emitter circuits one
hundred-seventy percent over
standard...
STAR TREK: "Masterpiece Society" - 11/5/91 - ACT FOUR 36.
25A CONTINUED:
GEORDI
Transferring warp power to tractor
beam generator...
HANNAH
Graviton generators operating
normally... surge pulse now
synchronized... emitters radiating
at three hundred-twenty percent
over standard...
GEORDI
Bridge, we need more power...
25B INT. BRIDGE
RIKER
Reduce life support to minimum
requirements, Mister Data.
DATA
Aye, sir.
25C EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL)
The tractor beam is tied to the fragment... We can see
it pulsing...
26 INT. ENGINEERING
Checking readings on separate monitors...
HANNAH
Three-hundred-ninety percent over
standard...
GEORDI
Come on... come on...
HANNAH
No change in the fragment's
course...
On the move...
GEORDI
We've gotta increase the pulse
frequency...
STAR TREK: "Masterpiece... " - REV. 11/6/91 - ACT FOUR 36A.
26 CONTINUED:
HANNAH
The emitter circuits won't hold
for long...
GEORDI
We won't need them for long...
He starts to work the panels...
27 EXT. SPACE - ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL)
Tied to the fragment as before. More frequent pulses.
28
thru OMITTED
29
30 INT. ENGINEERING
HANNAH
Four hundred percent over
standard...
GEORDI
All right. now we're getting
there...
Hannah moves to a new monitor...
HANNAH
The fragment's moved point-four
degrees off its previous
heading... point six-five... it's
working...
STAR TREK: "Masterpiece... " - REV. 11/6/91 - ACT FOUR 37.
31 INT. MAIN BRIDGE
At the conn, the ensign presses panels, taking
readings... Suddenly a warning SOUNDS from the
console... We begin to hear significant sound bumps
and whines from the ship... hard move to Data as he
reacts...
DATA
We have lost one of the emitter
circuits...
WORF
Life support failure... decks
nine, twelve, and thirteen...
RIKER
Engage evacuation procedures for
those decks. Geordi, I'm gonna
need power back soon...
32 INT. ENGINEERING
GEORDI
Acknowledged.
Hannah checking readings...
HANNAH
Fragment's new heading adjustment
is at one-point-zero-one
degrees... is it enough?
Geordi's poised to cut it off at the right time...
GEORDI
Not yet... hold on...
33 INT. MAIN BRIDGE
DATA
We have lost the second lateral
emitter circuit...
WORF
Losing life-support systems on
decks five through nine.
Evacuation procedures initiated.
STAR TREK: "Masterpiece Society" - 11/5/91 - ACT FOUR 38.
33 CONTINUED:
PICARD
Mister La Forge...
34 INT. ENGINEERING
GEORDI
Hold on, Captain...
DATA
Shipwide life-support failure in
fifteen seconds...
HANNAH
Almost there, Geordi. Course
shift is at one-point-one-six
degrees...
Light levels are dropping, flickering...
DATA
Termination of all life-support
in five seconds...
PICARD
Now, Mister La Forge...
HANNAH
One-point-one-eight...
GEORDI
Yessir.
(rapidly making
adjustments)
Shutting down all tractor
emissions... transferring power
back to life-support...
HANNAH
One-point-two... we've got it...
She almost jumps off the floor with exhiliration...
STAR TREK: "Masterpiece Society" - 11/5/91 - ACT FOUR 39.
35 EXT. SPACE - ENTERPRISE AND METEOR (OPTICAL)
The tractor beam retracts.
36 INT. BRIDGE
Light levels resume normal intensity.
WORF
Life-support normal on all
decks...
PICARD
Mister Data --
DATA
The fragment's course has been
altered, sir, by one-point-two-one
degrees.
PICARD
Hail the colony.
37 ANGLE INCLUDES THE VIEWSCREEN (OPTICAL)
Conor appears...
CONOR
Yes, Captain.
PICARD
Success, Mister Conor. With the
upgrades to your biosphere, the
core fragment should no longer
be a serious danger.
CONOR
I cannot adequately express my
appreciation to your crew.
Troi studies him... he is tired and worn... and she
wishes she could reach out to him...
STAR TREK: "Masterpiece Society" - 11/5/91 - ACT FOUR 40.
37 CONTINUED:
CONOR
(continuing)
Is Hannah able to hear me?
38 INT. ENGINEERING (OPTICAL)
Conor on a monitor. Geordi beaming, shows Hannah how
to use the companel... she is as excited as a child,
exhilarated after this heady experience.
HANNAH
(to com)
Yes, yes, go ahead Aaron...
CONOR
This is an historic achievement,
Hannah. You've done a wonderful
thing for our people.
HANNAH
Thank you.
CONOR
We look forward to honoring you
appropriately when you return.
And those words bring Hannah back to the reality...
as her smile fades a bit...
CONOR (o.c.)
Thank you again, Captain. Conor
out.
The realization sinks in: now she has to go home. The
moment of triumph has lost its joy.
FADE OUT.
END OF ACT FOUR
STAR TREK: "Masterpiece... " - REV. 11/6/91 - ACT FIVE 41.
ACT FIVE
FADE IN:
39 EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL)
In orbit around Moab Four.
PICARD (V.O.)
Captain's log, supplemental. The
stellar core fragment has passed
safely out of the Moab system.
The colony was shaken by powerful
temblors but fortunately there
were no injuries and only minor
damage was reported.
40 EXT. GENOME COURTYARD - DAY (OPTICAL)
Riker, Geordi are with Conor... as the last science
team prepares to beam out...
RIKER
(to com)
Energize.
The team DEMATERIALIZES...
RIKER
That should do it... all members
of the Enterprise crew are
accounted for, Mister Conor...
CONOR
They've been invaluable,
Commander... thank you again...
RIKER
If there's nothing else, we'll
be on our way...
CONOR
Would you tell Deanna Troi for
me... that I'm sorry I didn't have
the opportunity to say good-bye
personally...
RIKER
(being polite)
I'm sure she'll feel the same...
Suddenly, there's an ALARM... Conor reacts...
STAR TREK: "Masterpiece Society" - 11/5/91 - ACT FIVE 41A.
40 CONTINUED:
CONOR
A breach in the biosphere...
(to a nearby colonist)
Get Hannah Bates...
He moves off, Riker and Geordi follow and
TIME CUT TO:
STAR TREK: "Masterpiece... " - REV. 11/6/91 - ACT FIVE 42.
41 EXT. ANOTHER ISOLATED AREA NEAR BIOSPHERE WALL - DAY
(OPTICAL)
Hannah examines the wall with a tricorder type
device... The alarm continues...
HANNAH
Apparently, the refortification
wasn't adequate. There's definite
structural damage... it appears
the tectonic shifts created a
breach...
BENBECK
Can it be repaired?
HANNAH
I don't know.
42 CLOSE ON GEORDI
as he watches this unfold... rather disconcerted...
HANNAH (o.c.)
I'll have to run a diagnostic in
the lab...
43 RESUME
She's on the move... moving with her and the others...
HANNAH
Unless we can find a way to seal
it... and fast... we'll have to
evacuate.
Reactions.
CONOR
How long do we have, Hannah?
HANNAH
Based on the level of toxicity
I'm reading... it may be only a
matter of hours.
She moves off...
GEORDI CONOR
(to Riker) (to the others)
Mind if I... give her a Interrupt all communication
hand, Commander? link-ups... advise
families to return to their
RIKER homes and stay there until
By all means. they're contacted...
Geordi moves after her... People run off...
STAR TREK: "Masterpiece... " - REV. 11/6/91 - ACT FIVE 43.
44 INT. HANNAH'S LAB - DAY
She moves to a monitor and studies some schematics...
after a beat, Geordi ENTERS...
HANNAH
(rueful)
Isn't it amazing... after all we
went through...
GEORDI
Yeah, amazing...
HANNAH
(re: the monitor)
It looks bad... it's cracked well
beneath the surface...
GEORDI
Why are you doing this?
HANNAH
What do you mean?
GEORDI
There's no breach...
HANNAH
What are you talking about...
it's right here, look at it...
I measured the toxic leak... you
saw me...
GEORDI
Hannah, my VISOR's positronic scan
would have detected the leak...
and its molecular pattern enhancer
would have picked up even the
smallest crack...
Hannah sighs, guilty...
HANNAH
The damned thing doesn't miss
much, does it?
(beat)
Fine. I'll tell them the truth.
Will that make you happy?
GEORDI
(repeating)
Why are you doing this... ?
A beat as she collects her thoughts.
STAR TREK: "Masterpiece Society" - 11/5/91 - ACT FIVE 44.
44 CONTINUED:
HANNAH
I was born to be one of the best
scientific minds of my generation.
But in the past five days, I have
encountered technology that I have
barely imagined. I've got to
ask myself... If we're so
brilliant... how come we didn't
invent any of these things?
GEORDI
Maybe necessity really is the
mother of invention. You don't
always look for something until
you need it.
HANNAH
(nods)
And all my needs are anticipated
and planned for. Before I'm even
born.
(beat)
All of us in this colony might
as well have been living in the
dark ages. It's like we're the
victims of a two
hundred-year-old joke. Until
you came, we could only see to
the wall of the biosphere.
Suddenly our eyes have been opened
to infinite possibilities.
(beat)
Now I'm supposed to come back to
the farm and pretend I never saw
Paris... ? Well, I can't.
Off Geordi's reaction...
45 INT. OBSERVATION LOUNGE
Picard, Riker, Geordi, Troi, BEVERLY, Worf. Geordi
has just told the group about his conversation with
Hannah.
PICARD
Asylum?
GEORDI
She wants to leave the colony.
STAR TREK: "Masterpiece Society" - 11/5/91 - ACT FIVE 45.
45 CONTINUED:
RIKER
She may not be the only one.
(reactions)
The science teams working on the
surface... fielded a lot of
questions from colonists who were
more than curious about what's
outside their world...
WORF
Why shouldn't we grant them
asylum?
TROI
We can't do that.
GEORDI
We have to do that.
TROI
Do you understand what it would
do to the colony?
GEORDI
I understand these are Human
beings, Counselor. With free
will. If she wants to leave, she
has a right to.
RIKER
And what happens to the colony
if she does? If others join her?
BEVERLY
The society is genetically
integrated. Suddenly, there would
be gaps, missing pieces...
TROI
It would destroy them.
BEVERLY
There must be something we can
do to help...
STAR TREK: "Masterpiece Society" - 11/5/91 - ACT FIVE 46.
45 CONTINUED: (2)
PICARD
I think, Doctor, that we may have
"helped" these people too much
already...
WORF
We did save them from destruction.
PICARD
(beat, thoughtful)
Did we?
The moral issues here are far from clear and Picard
is deeply troubled by the choice at hand.
PICARD
Counselor, I think it is time you
took me to meet Mister Conor.
46 INT. TURBOLIFT
The door opens and Picard and Troi ENTER.
PICARD
Transporter room three.
The doors close. Picard is quiet, thoughtful. Troi
can stay silent no longer.
TROI
(to com)
Computer, halt.
Picard reacts as the turbolift stops, turns to her.
She's as uncomfortable as we've ever seen her. The
words sort of stutter out...
TROI
Captain, I... have to tell you
something... and it isn't easy
for me... because I've used some
very poor judgement... I've acted
quite unprofessionally, actually...
PICARD
Counselor... what is it you always
say... ? "Take a deep breath"...
STAR TREK: "Masterpiece Society" - 11/5/91 - ACT FIVE 47.
46 CONTINUED:
TROI
(sighs)
Conor and I have had a
relationship.
PICARD
I see.
TROI
It should never have happened.
I knew there was concern about
outside influences. I should have
been more careful.
PICARD
Yes... I think we all should have
been more careful. That's
becoming more clear by the moment.
(beat)
What is your status with him
presently?
TROI
I did not intend to see him again.
PICARD
Would you prefer not to return
to the surface?
TROI
I think I should come with you.
But I wanted you to know before
we went down.
PICARD
I appreciate that.
He looks at her for a beat, gives her room for more...
she feels awful about this... she's almost on the verge
of tears...
TROI
I wanted so much to help him, to
be there for him... but the more
I was...
Troi shakes her head. Picard looks at her.
STAR TREK: "Masterpiece Society" - 11/5/91 - ACT FIVE 48.
46 CONTINUED: (2)
PICARD
Deanna, every one of us went into
this with the best intentions...
TROI
I should have walked away as soon
as I saw what was happening...
PICARD
And you didn't. And that's Human.
We make mistakes.
(not at all flip)
Genetic manipulation or not --
nobody's perfect.
She smiles an appreciation...
47 INT. HANNAH'S LAB - DAY
Benbeck and Conor are with Hannah...
BENBECK
You would ignore the welfare of
the colony for your own selfish
interests... ?
HANNAH
The welfare of this colony would
be best served by rejoining the
Human race.
BENBECK
She has been contaminated by the
people on that ship...
Conor is glum, overwhelmed with the turn of events...
TROI (o.c.)
Aaron...
They turn to see
48 ANGLE
Picard and Troi have entered...
STAR TREK: "Masterpiece Society" - 11/5/91 - ACT FIVE 49.
48 CONTINUED:
PICARD
Mister Conor, I believe you and
I should talk.
Conor nods as...
BENBECK
(to Picard)
This is your doing. We should
never have answered your hails.
HANNAH
If we'd followed that advice,
Martin, we'd all be dead now.
So much for the welfare of this
colony.
BENBECK
(to Picard)
You are not taking her with you.
HANNAH
I'm leaving. And I'll tell you
something else. There are at
least a dozen more who are ready
to go with me...
TROI
Hannah... let's allow Aaron and
Captain Picard to discuss this.
Why don't we take a walk...
Hannah doesn't want to disengage the argument but
finally leads Troi out, getting the last word...
HANNAH
There's nothing for them to
discuss...
Picard is left alone with Benbeck and Conor.
CONOR
Martin...
Benbeck looks at him, refusing to take the hint...
BENBECK
I think it would be helpful if
I...
CONOR
I want to talk with Captain Picard
alone.
STAR TREK: "Masterpiece Society" - 11/5/91 - ACT FIVE 50.
48 CONTINUED: (2)
BENBECK
But...
CONOR
Thank you, Martin.
Benbeck throws Picard an enraged glance and EXITS.
CONOR
The irony is... he's the one who
saw this coming. From the moment
you arrived. And because I didn't
want to hear it, I chose not to
listen...
PICARD
You made decisions that you felt
would save your colony.
CONOR
(grins, self-indicting)
No... no, I wish it were that
simple... but I cannot forgive
myself so easily. You see,
Captain, I know what Hannah Bates
is feeling. For I have been
feeling it as well. I found...
your people to be... intriguing
and stimulating... as she did.
I was every bit as curious about
you as the next man.
(beat)
But I am not the next man. I am
the leader of these people. And
every genetic fiber in my being
demands that I protect them.
Instead, I have betrayed them.
I have allowed this to happen.
PICARD
We have both allowed this to
happen, Conor.
CONOR
Then let us both find a way to
stop it from going any further...
PICARD
I wish I could see a way.
CONOR
Picard, I was born to govern this
colony, not to dismantle it.
STAR TREK: "Masterpiece... " - REV. 11/8/91 - ACT FIVE 51.
48 CONTINUED: (3)
PICARD
If you force them to stay, you
will be suppressing their Human
rights.
CONOR
If even a handful leave, the
damage to this society will be
devastating. What about the
rights of those who would stay
behind? They are the ones who
inherit the social chaos that
would follow for generations.
(beat)
Your arrival created this problem.
Your departure solves it.
PICARD
That is simplistic.
CONOR
Refuse them passage.
PICARD
I cannot ignore the requests of
people, Humans who ask for
transport away from here...
CONOR
Nor can you ignore the fact that
thousands will suffer if you agree
to take them. And as suffering
grows, more will demand to leave.
We are witness to the end of this
existence, Captain. I implore
you -- do not let it happen.
Picard studies him... with sympathy...
PICARD
You would have me make the
decision for you, Connor. But
I cannot. I am willing to talk
to these people with you. I will
urge them not to make an impulsive
choice. But if they finally
choose to leave, the Enterprise
cannot turn them away...
OFF Conor's reaction...
STAR TREK: "Masterpiece Society" - 11/5/91 - ACT FIVE 52.
49 EXT. GENOME COURTYARD - DAY
Troi, Hannah, Benbeck and dozens of other colonists
wait for word from the summit meeting... finally Picard
and Conor come out... Conor moves to address the
crowd...
CONOR
Captain Picard has decided to
grant transport to any individuals
who wish to leave Genome Colony.
There is an instant uproar about this announcement,
both pro and con... Troi exchanges a glance with Conor
and sees the deep pain in his eyes... Conor struggles
to continue...
CONOR
I'm asking you to stay.
HANNAH
Aaron... we can't be happy here
any longer... we were innocent...
it will never be that way again...
CONOR
The experiences of the past week
will become part of our
heritage... we will adjust...
in a few generations, we will be
able to...
HANNAH
We're not willing to wait a few
generations...
STAR TREK: "Masterpiece... " - REV. 11/8/91 - ACT FIVE 53.
49 CONTINUED:
CONOR
All right. Give me six months...
just wait six months before you
leave...
And this has been part of his plan, his hope to
forestall this action, and he has Picard's support
as we will soon learn...
HANNAH
What will that accomplish?
Picard steps forward to speak...
PICARD
There is no question that our
presence here has had an
unintended influence on your
society. That is done and there
is no way to undo it now. But
feelings are running high.
Perhaps it's not such a bad idea
to give yourselves adequate time
to carefully weigh the
consequences of what you are about
to do. We are prepared to return
in six months...
HANNAH
In other words, we are being asked
to stay here for six months while
they pressure us to change our
minds.
PICARD
In five days, you have seen only
the most superficial evidence of
what life is like outside your
biosphere...
Hannah moves forward to confront him.
HANNAH
Would you ever choose to live
aboard a ship-in-a-bottle,
Captain?
STAR TREK: "Masterpiece... " - REV. 11/8/91 - ACT FIVE 53A.
49 CONTINUED: (2)
PICARD
What I would choose is not at
issue...
HANNAH
You are the captain of a starship.
You live to explore the unknown. We
ask for the same privilege.
CONOR
Hannah, this is your home, and
we are all, in a sense, your
family. Don't we deserve an
opportunity to open a dialogue
on this issue at the very least?
I am only asking for six months.
STAR TREK: "Masterpiece... " - REV. 11/8/91 - ACT FIVE 54.
49 CONTINUED: (3)
HANNAH
It's not going to make any
difference. You will only be
putting this colony through
unnecessary pain and anguish.
BENBECK
You are the ones who are causing
pain and anguish in this colony.
You.
HANNAH
(reacting to Benbeck)
Don't you see, Aaron? It's over.
It's time for you to lead our
people into a new era, into a
renaissance of discovery... come
with us.
A long beat. Conor's eyes move to Troi's... and we
know a part of him wants to go... but finally, he
lowers his head, defeated.
CONOR
When you're ready to come home,
you will be welcome.
50 ANGLE (OPTICAL)
Conor moves away... turning to Picard for a moment...
CONOR
You may proceed, Captain Picard.
Picard nods. There are no words left to say.
PICARD
Enterprise, two to beam up.
TRANSPORTER COM VOICE
Aye, sir...
TROI
Captain, may I have a moment...
STAR TREK: "Masterpiece... " - REV. 11/6/91 - ACT FIVE 55.
50 CONTINUED:
PICARD
(nods)
Make that one, Enterprise.
TRANSPORTER COM VOICE
Aye, sir.
PICARD
Energize.
He DEMATERIALIZES. Troi stands there alone with Conor.
TROI
What will you do now?
CONOR
Attempt to assess the damage.
Spend the rest of my life on the
near-impossible task of rebuilding
this society without the proper
pieces.
TROI
Aaron, you acted in the best
interests of your people... there
was no way to avoid what
happened...
A beat... he looks away, thinks...
CONOR
I replay each step of this in my
mind... looking for the wrong
turn, the mistake in judgement...
(beat)
And I find only one...
And he turns and looks at her with still deeply felt
passion...
CONOR
(continuing)
And as hard as I try, I cannot
even regret that one. In fact,
I'm certain that given the
opportunity, I would choose to
make the same mistake again.
(beat)
I have to wonder why, with all
the hundreds of genetically
compatible women here... I would
fall in love with you.
TROI
Don't say that, Aaron...
STAR TREK: "Masterpiece... " - REV. 11/8/91 - ACT FIVE 56.
50 CONTINUED: (3)
CONOR
Perhaps it is your imperfections
that make you so unique. But I
am in love with you, Deanna Troi,
and I will always be...
One more look in her eyes and he walks away... and as
she stands there...
51 EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL)
in orbit around the planet.
52 INT. CAPT. READY ROOM
Picard is at the window, looking out, musing. A
chime...
PICARD
Come.
Riker ENTERS.
RIKER
The colonists are all on board,
sir.
PICARD
How many finally?
RIKER
Twenty-three.
Picard takes that in... frustrated, unhappy...
PICARD
If we ever needed a reminder of
the importance of the Prime
Directive, we have it now...
RIKER
They're Human. The Prime
Directive doesn't apply.
PICARD
Doesn't it? Our very presence
damaged, perhaps destroyed, a way
of life.
(MORE)
STAR TREK: "Masterpiece... " - REV. 11/8/91 - ACT FIVE 57.
52 CONTINUED:
PICARD (cont'd)
(beat)
Whether or not we agree with that
way of life... whether or not
they are Human... is ultimately
irrelevant, Number One. We are
responsible.
RIKER
We had to respond to the threat
from the core fragment... didn't
we?
PICARD
Yes. Of course we did. And I wish
I could see any other course we
could have taken.
(beat)
But I would submit, in the end,
we proved ourselves just as
dangerous to that colony as any
stellar fragment could ever be.
Riker acknowledges and EXITS, and on Picard's look...
FADE OUT.
END OF ACT FIVE
THE END
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