ACT I

(Late that night. The Promenade is pretty much deserted. BASHIR, looking very tired, comes out of the infirmary and moves off into the replimat. As he walks to the replicators he passes DAX sitting at a table by herself with a mug of raktageno. She is staring moodily into space. BASHIR gets a bowl of soup and returns to her table)

BASHIR: Mind if I join you? (DAX looks up and smiles)

DAX: Of course not. (BASHIR sits down) You look like I feel.

BASHIR: Working late?

DAX: No. No, not really. I mean, I've been in the lab, but it's just busy work. Nothing I couldn't have done tomorrow morning...

BASHIR: I'm so sorry, Jadzia. (DAX nods) I...well, remembering the Jantara, I--

DAX: So you know.

BASHIR: A little. I can imagine how you feel about Lenara but for me it's just a memory. For you, it still being alive in you like that...(DAX shakes her head) God, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have brought it up. (Turns to his soup) My head's not on straight today.

DAX: It's all right. It hurts whether I talk about it or not, it's good...well, it's good to know someone at least can imagine--(BASHIR nods) What's keeping *you* up?

BASHIR: Iliana's delivery.

DAX: Is she all right?

BASHIR: Yes. Finally. (Puts his head in his hands) No thanks to me.

DAX: Oh dear. What happened? (OPHIDIA and O'BRIEN come into the replimat, talking the whole time)

O'BRIEN: No, no, no, I'd say go ahead and buy it. It's only the--

OPHIDIA: Only the whole navigational array and two of the aft thrusters needing to be replaced, plus vole infestations in the replicator system and a dilithium chamber whose integrity is seriously  suspect. I *knew* it was too good to be true. I'm doomed. I'll never get off this piece of--

O'BRIEN: Hey, there's Julian. (Waves; BASHIR waves back. They move over to the table) Julian, tell her *every* used spacecraft has problems like this.

BASHIR: Every used spacecraft has problems like this.

OPHIDIA: Look, I have to take this across big huge chunks of uninhabited space and if my warp drive starts going cathunkathunkathunka I can't just get on the com and tell Scotty I need more power.

O'BRIEN: Who's Scotty?

OPHIDIA: The point is, I don't trust the thing to get me back home, and that's the end of it.

O'BRIEN: No, you *must* get it. For the historical value alone. (OPHIDIA snorts) It's amazing, Julian. A Cardassian Vipra 23X. (BASHIR finally seems to be registering the conversation)

BASHIR: Who on earth is selling you that?

OPHIDIA: I'm going through Rom. I have no idea who the owner is.

DAX: I'm surprised that's legal. (OPHIDIA groans and puts her head on the table)

O'BRIEN: I don't think it is.

BASHIR: (in a stage whisper) Mum's the word.

OPHIDIA: I just want to get home...that's all...

O'BRIEN: But it's fantastic. A real classic. Falling apart, naturally, but there's no reason--(OPHIDIA wails) There, there, I'll have it good as new for you within the week.

OPHIDIA: Chief, you've already wasted enough of your time checking it out for me, I couldn't--

O'BRIEN: Have you not figured out yet that this is a joy and a pleasure for me?

BASHIR: It's true. Nothing makes him happier than puttering around with a half-dead hunk of tiranium like the Vipra 23X.

DAX: I wouldn't mind getting a look at it myself.

O'BRIEN: I'll show you around. (He and DAX stand) Come along, snake woman, learn some basic maintenance. (OPHIDIA stands; BASHIR follows them out) You coming, Julian? You won't get a chance like this every day.

BASHIR: No, thanks...I'm tired. I'm going home.

O'BRIEN: Oh, well, if you find your spouse more interesting than a broken-down jalopy, there's nothing I-

OPHIDIA: Can you PLEASE not talk about it that way, I have to drive this thing...

O'BRIEN: All right then, see you later, Julian.
 

(The three of them move down the hall; BASHIR moves off slowly toward his quarters. He enters carefully, expecting GARAK to be asleep, and is surprised to find upon crossing the threshold that not only is GARAK awake and reading in the living area with all the lights on, but the living area is immaculate. Everything has been picked up and put in its place, including the glass ball, which is resting on a shelf in the corner. BASHIR looks around in perplexity)
 

BASHIR: I'm sorry...clearly I've come into the wrong quarters. (As he mock-turns to go, GARAK gets up and walks toward him) You should have waited, I would have helped. (GARAK kisses him)

GARAK: I got sick of looking at it.

BASHIR: What are you still doing up?

GARAK: I couldn't sleep. I should know enough not to drink patra after dinner. (BASHIR looks at him, but doesn't say anything) Everything all right with Iliana? (BASHIR starts pacing)

BASHIR: Yes. Now, anyway. (His mannerisms and pacing become more nervous and he seems to be looking for something to do with his hands)

GARAK: What went wrong?

BASHIR: It's..well, she wanted a traditional Bajoran birth, that's what's really upsetting, that it had to be this way. I was just supposed to be observing, and...(casts around for something to fidget with, and picks up the glass ball off the shelf. GARAK does not see this at first because BASHIR's back is turned.) Of course she hadn't had any prenatal imaging done, it's--

GARAK: An imposition on the prophets.

BASHIR: I respect that. I do. I was looking forward more to the delivery because of it--keeping the mystery intact, like that. Only...(turns around; he is playing with the ball nervously as he speaks, tossing it from hand to hand) We get so dependent on these technologies we forget things. I'm so used to being able just to glance at a computer image, there are a hundred other ways to judge birth weight and head size and I just--

GARAK: (barely restraining himself from an outburst) Julian, please don't do that.

BASHIR: Do what?

GARAK: With the ball. Just--put it down. (BASHIR looks at the ball, and replaces it on the shelf) It's very distracting.

BASHIR: Garak, are you listening to me?

GARAK: Of course I am. You misjudged the birth weight and you didn't realize until late that you would have to do a surgical delivery after all. (BASHIR is surprised that GARAK has figured out the end of the story, but irritated by his apparent lack of concern)

BASHIR: Well. If you knew the punch line you should have stopped me earlier. (Walks away toward the bedroom)

GARAK: Julian--

BASHIR: Never mind. (Sighs) It's my fault. I'm not fit company. (Turns to GARAK as he walks into the bedroom) Here, come to bed and I'll tell you all about it in the morning. (He exits. GARAK stands in the living area for a minute, silent)

GARAK: (curtly) Computer, lights off. (Blackout)
 

(Ops. OPHIDIA is standing near one of the communication terminals; KIRA, O'BRIEN and DAX are puttering around behind her)
 

OPHIDIA: I...well, your eminence, I am of course honored by the request, and I'm flattered that you enjoyed my performance, but unfortunately I plan to depart for home soon...(the voice comes from the screen)

KAI WYNN: That is a pity for Bajor. When do you intend to leave?

OPHIDIA: Two days.

KAI WYNN: Too short to organize another performance, certainly.

OPHIDIA: I'm sorry, I would do it if I could, but the time factor--

KAI WYNN: Still, you will allow me to invite you for a farewell dinner, surely. (KIRA pricks up her ears; DAX stops fiddling; both move slowly closer to the conversation)

OPHIDIA: Eminence?

KAI WYNN: As a goodwill gesture toward Caledonia. You are the only representative of your homeworld who has ever visited, I would like you to remember Bajor fondly.

OPHIDIA: With all due respect, Eminence, I think that's more likely to happen if--(KIRA, who is now next to the terminal, cuts in)

KIRA: Excuse me, Eminence, I need to speak with Ophidia for a moment. (Cuts off the transmission) Ophidia, you *cannot* tell the spiritual leader of Bajor that you'd rather eat rakht.

OPHIDIA: I was *not* going to say that.

DAX: You were going to say something similar.

KIRA: Accept.

OPHIDIA: You're kidding.

KIRA: She's a powerful woman and she can make things hard for you. It's just dinner.

OPHIDIA: I'm out of here in two days, what can she do to me?

DAX: You're not going to *get* out of here if she decides to be nasty about the registration certificate on that heap of contraband you bought. (OPHIDIA looks at them unfriendlily)

KIRA: Besides. I want a *full* report when you get back. (She and DAX both howl with laughter)

OPHIDIA: I am in hell.

KIRA: Just go to dinner and spend the entire time talking about your partner. (OPHIDIA sighs and cuts the transmission back on)

OPHIDIA: (fatalistically) I'd be delighted. When? (As KIRA looks on snickering, DAX moves over to another station, on which a different communication is coming in. She punches it up. At the same time, on the screen, someone comes into the KAI's office with a PADD)

KAI WYNN: I'm terribly sorry, Ophidia, something's come up. We'll talk later. Walk with the prophets. (Cuts out)

OPHIDIA: (raising her fists in victory) WOOHOO!!!

DAX: Don't celebrate yet. (To KIRA) Must have been the same transmission we got. There's been an outbreak of yindor in Ek province.

KIRA: Oh Prophets.

DAX: (already moving around to send out messages on the terminals) They're requesting immediate assistance from all provinces and DS9.

KIRA: I'll tell Sisko. (Goes running into his office. O'BRIEN follows DAX to the console)

O'BRIEN: Yindor?

DAX: It's a highly contagious, highly fatal bacterial infection. It was suppressed under the Cardassian occupation but a resistant strain developed and now it's broken out in yet another remote area. It's not good, from an epidemiological standpoint. (Hits her commbadge) Dax to Bashir.

BASHIR: I heard. I've alerted the staff. I'll meet you in with the response team in the airlock in fifteen minutes. Bashir out. (KIRA and SISKO come down the stairs)

SISKO: Tell Bashir he's authorized to use whatever station resources he thinks are necessary. Contact the provisional government and let them know we're taking the appropriate steps.
 

(KIRA nods. OPHIDIA slips quietly out of OPS and into the corridor, where she is almost mown down by BASHIR as he swings out of the infirmary down the corridor. The camera follows him into his quarters, where he starts putting together a traveling kit. When he goes into the bedroom to get his
things, he is surprised to find GARAK in there. He is holding the glass ball and looking moody.)
 

BASHIR: I thought you'd be working. I was just about to go find you at your shop.

GARAK: I didn't open today. (Puts the ball down on a stand by the bed.)

BASHIR: (preoccupied with packing) There's been an outbreak of resistant yindor in one of the mountain provinces. Dax and I are about to take the response team out there.

GARAK: (finally registering some anger) How long will you be gone?

BASHIR: As long as it takes to get it under control. I have no idea. (Takes his case and goes barrelling out of the room. GARAK follows him)

GARAK: Julian. (BASHIR turns) I need to talk to you.

BASHIR: I'll contact you from the surface when I get a chance.

GARAK: No. I need to talk to you now.

BASHIR: Garak, I'm sorry, but I don't have time, there are--

GARAK: Lives at stake. Yes, there always are.

BASHIR: What's that supposed to mean?

GARAK: I understand your patients are important, Doctor, but so am I.

BASHIR: When have I ever made you feel like you weren't?

GARAK: Every time something like this happens you drop everything and fix on it. It's as if I'm not even there. I can actually see you disappear.

BASHIR: I'm sorry, Garak, but it really is true, there are people on Bajor who are going to die if I don't get out there--

GARAK: It must be wonderful to be in a career that gives you an excuse like that.

BASHIR: (now getting angry) Excuse me?

GARAK: I mean, when *I* want to avoid you I can't say there are people on Bajor who are going to die if I don't finish letting out--

BASHIR: I am not *trying* to avoid you! What is the matter with you?

GARAK: For once, *Doctor,* will you let the Bajorans take care of themselves and deal with what I'm trying to tell you?

BASHIR: All right, *what* is it? (BASHIR is now so angry that GARAK can't say what he had been planning on and there is a short, uncomfortable silence) That's it. I'm going.

GARAK: Julian--

BASHIR: I don't have time for this conversation right now, I'll talk to you about it when I get back.

GARAK: (partly to himself) By all means, if I'm still here. (BASHIR stares at him with cold anger)

BASHIR: Don't say that unless you mean it, Garak. (They stare at each other across the breach for a moment, and then BASHIR walks to the door) I'll contact you from the surface. (GARAK snorts and turns away. BASHIR stomps out the door in a foul mood. GARAK snarls and walks into the
bedroom, emerging with his tailor's kit, and goes out the door.)

*end Act I*