Time Enough (sample)
A Place of Comfort (complete script)

AUTHOR'S NOTE
 January 26, 1991
 This script was written in late 1988, after the first season of the show.  Several changes have been made to the show since that time, which will have to be incorporated into this script.  In addition, the recent broadcast of the episode, "Family" made references to Picard's father that would not allow the use of him as currently written in "Time Enough," unfortunately.
 To correct for this, an alternate story has been outlined.  However, since this script is currently intended to present a core story and to demonstrate my writing ability, "Time Enough" is presented in it's original form.
 

"Changes in Time"
Geordi is jealous of an old friend's superior abilities; an experiment to explore the inner edge of a black hole goes wrong and threatens the Enterprise.

"A Place of Comfort"
Picard deals with old pains when his father comes aboard the Enterprise as part of a civilian team evaulating the risk of a dangerous experiment.
A Romulan friend of Geordi is sent to sabotage the experiment.
 

 Finally, after teasing you about this story, here is a bit of "Time Enough," a scene with Picard's father that you will never see:
 

ACT ONE
 

FADE IN:

INT. ENTERPRISE - HALLWAY - MOVING

People, young and old, populate the halls.  A variety of clothing is seen, from uniforms to unique casual wear.  As one intersection is passed, Picard enters the SHOT, the CAMERA FOLLOWING behind him.
 

         PICARD (V.O.)
 Captain's Personal Log, Stardate 42388.2.  We are en route to Sagittarius A3, a collapsed star on the outer edge of Federation space.  To my surprise, my father--who I haven't seen in three years--leads the research team which designed the engine system we will use to probe the interior of this black hole.
 
A few feet ahead of him a side door SLIDES opens and a six-year old boy runs out, GIGGLING with delight.  The boy runs by Picard, oblivious of the decorum due a ship's Captain.  A male crewmember, about 30 years of age, a smile on his face broad from laughter, comes out of the same door and sees Picard.
 
         CREWMEMBER
 Excuse me, Captain.
 
The man jogs down the hall after his son.  Picard stops, turns to watch them.
 
         PICARD (V.O.)
 (continuing)
 In the twelve years since my mother died, my father and I have not been close.  We have been kept apart by our careers, meeting only when our schedules allowed.  Working with him could be an awkward task.
 
Picard walks a bit further until he reaches the cabin he is looking for.  He stands in front of the door, hesitating.

The door OPENS and DR. JULIAN PICARD appears, about to exit the room.  Dr. Picard is a man of 85 years, very fit in spite of his age.  He is nearly bald, slightly taller than the Captain, and heavier.  A physical similarity is most apparent in their faces.

The two make immediate eye contact.  Captain Picard looks as if it hurts to be this close without warning.
 

         DR. PICARD
 (startled; then, happily)
 Jean!
 
Dr. Picard has a French accent, pervasive, though faint.  He too seems uncomfortable at this sudden meeting.  He hesitates a moment, then grabs his son and pulls him through a two-cheeked kiss.  Captain Picard reacts stiffly.
 
         DR. PICARD
 (continuing)
 I was just heading out to meet you.  Comment allez- vous, mon fil?   (translation)
 (How are you, my son?)

         CAPTAIN PICARD
 Father.
 (hesitates)
 I... was surprised to hear that you were heading this project.  I haven't heard from you since Deneb Five.
 (a beat)
 How have you been?

         DR. PICARD
 Well enough.  Come in, we can talk.

 
He gestures them into his quarters.
 

INT. ENTERPRISE - DR. PICARD'S QUARTERS

The multiple-room suite is decorated befitting an honored guest, and is specially adorned with several French Impressionistic paintings.
 

         DR. PICARD
 I'm sorry I couldn't attend your ceremony for the Captaincy of the Enterprise; you know how busy my work keeps me.

         CAPTAIN PICARD
 I understood that you could not leave what you were doing.
 You never mentioned that you had moved into Astrophysics.  I thought you were working on propulsion systems.

         DR. PICARD
 I have been.  And we've made significant progress after a few difficult setbacks.

 
He displays a tinge of sadness and then pulls himself out of it with a forced smile.
 
         DR. PICARD
 (continuing)
 Here, Jean.  We must celebrate our accomplishments.
 
He moves to a slot on a nearby wall and punches a few buttons.  The slot OPENS to reveal two glasses of wine; one white, one red.  He reaches for them, hands one to his son.
 
         DR. PICARD
 (continuing)
 Bordeaux for you, Riesling for me, eh?  Do you have a few free moments?
 
Captain Picard reacts with a slight hestation, then his manner softens and he accepts the glass.  In lieu of an answer, he takes a sip; Dr. Picard does the same.
 
         CAPTAIN PICARD
 No match for the real thing, if only by sentiment.
 
He takes one drink from the glass, then places the nearly full glass on a table.  For a moment he appears to soften, but then he retreats to his official demeanor.
 
         CAPTAIN PICARD
 (continuing)
 I'm afraid we'll have to talk later.  We have an administrative briefing at eleven-hundred hours in conference room four.  The trip to Sagitarrius will take three days; we may have some free time on the way.
 
Dr. Picard is saddened, recognizing this pattern of behavior between them.

Captain Picard walks toward the exit, then stops and turns.
 

         CAPTAIN PICARD
 It is good to see you again, Father.
 

EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL)

The ship flies through warp space, stars gliding past.

Mr. Ecks, we are ready. Are you sure you want to go through with this?
...I'm sure. Please.
Very well, sir. When I tell you, count backwards, slowly, from one hundred.
Begin.
One hundred, ninety nine, ninety eight...ninety seven...ninety...six...ninety...
He is sedated, Doctor Emm.
Very good, Doctor. Begin with electrode Four.
Electrode Four.
Laser on...stop.
Electrode Four.
Please tell me when it is in position, Doctor Emm.
Stop. Fine. Electrode Seven.
Laser. Laser on...stop.
Electrode Seven.
...Stop.
We are ready.
Fine. Field in five seconds. Five. Four. Three. Two. One.
10987654321109876543211098765432110987654 Stop.
321109.
Test please...now...
Stop.
No response, Doctor.
Fine. Remove the electrodes.
Electrode Seven.
Electrode Four.
Nurse...
 
Mr. Ecks.
Yes.
Your wife, Mr. Ecks...she's dead.
I know.
Does that upset you, Mr. Ecks?
No.
Very good, Mr. Ecks. You may go.
...
Mr. Ecks.
Yes.
Have a good life.
...
.
 

     The creature rolled onto his back, seeking out a patch of soft dirt to dust away a biting insect.  He was happy in this home, having known no other since shortly after birth.  His owner, a child of fourteen years, watched her pet with loving eyes, a tear welling up as she remembered the years of happiness he had brought.
     Her father strolled into the room, approaching quietly as not to disturb the playing animal.  He stopped at Terliss' side and brushed her cheek softly, looking to her with sympathetic eyes.
     "It will be hard to give him up, my daughter, but the time has almost arrived.  You will be a fine adult."
     She looked up at the elder, her face displaying only the slightest bit of sadness.  "I am happy, Father...happy that M'Dean is ready for the ceremony and that the council bids me worthy.  But he looks so sweet to me, frolicking in the dirt as if this were any other day.  I will miss him."  She nudged a toy toward her pet.
     Trarr spoke gently.  "It is proper to feel this way, for these are the emotions that will enrich you.  Your mother cried for days before her celebration, then felt pride when the clan accepted her."
     In his heart he truly felt she was ready.  Terliss had shown great ability in her care of the beast, having learned the many skills needed to raise her future young.  The pet had been a companion in her growing years, and a tool by which her parents could teach her responsibility.
     "Yes father," she responded absently, almost wishing that this day had never come.
     Trarr dropped a large fruit in front of the trusting animal; it scampered over to inspect the food.  "Contemplate, my daughter.  We will summon you soon."
     Terliss sat unmoving on the cold floor, staring into her past.  She did not turn when he left the room.
     The animal pounded at the fruit, trying to get at its insides.  Terliss reached down and split the hard melon, exposing the thick, sweet center.  Excited by the ripe scent, M'Dean bit deeply of the pulp, spitting the shiny seeds aside.
     As she watched this familiar sight, Terliss recalled the day M'Dean had first arrived.  She remembered the fear of that day when her father had led the perilous hunt.  It was not easy to capture the young animals since they were usually hidden, protected by their parents.  But sooner or later one would be found that was vulnerable and be quickly snatched.  Once stolen there would be no attempt to retrieve the stolen offspring; the species had learned that the raids were inevitable, the only response to sire another.

     M'Dean was less than a year of age when he was captured.  Not realizing what was happening he had whimpered and cried almost continuously at first, but as he was given food and warmth he learned to be content.  Once the elders were sure he would survive he was given to Terliss--a gift for her sixth birthday.
     She vividly remembered the excitement of owning her own pet and how she soon learned of the responsibility it brought.  Each day it needed to be cleaned, fed and amused.  Guided by lessons from her mother, the care of the beast became entirely her own.

     Three hours later twilight haunted the scant home.  The animal had been removed in preparation for the ceremony.  Terliss sat staring at the stone wall, submerged in thoughts of the eight years past and the years yet to come.
     A sudden voice reverberated through the caves, deep and rising like the call of an animal ready to mate.  Terliss latched onto the sound, transfixed by the moment that was hers.  She turned and walked out of the room, leaving her childhood behind.

     M'Dean had been placed on a stone plateau outside the mountain.  He sat contented on the ground, occupied with a heap of his favorite foods.  Members of the clan sat watching from great distances, perched at viewing points near their own homes.
     Terliss appeared at the cave of the plateau, enthralled by a peaked sense of tradition.  She strode forward to meet her beloved pet, orange swirls of evening light dancing on her unblinking eyes.  As she reached the animal's side she felt a sudden surge of hunger.
     The little human looked up at his provider, not at all concerned as the dragon leaned forward and placed its toothed jaws around his soft neck.