STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE "Cardassians" #40512-425 Story by Gene Wolande & John Wright Teleplay by James Crocker Directed by Cliff Bole 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 This script is not for publication or reproduction.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. Return to Script Department FINAL DRAFT PARAMOUNT PICTURES CORPORATION August 16, 1993 STAR TREK: DS9 "Cardassians" - 08/16/93 - CAS STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE "Cardassians" CAST SISKO ASHA KIRA DEELA ODO (V.0.) GARAK QUARK GUL DUKAT BASHIR JOMAT DAX PA'DAR O'BRIEN PROKA KEIKO RUGAL ZOLAN FEMALE VOICE (O.C.) Non-Speaking Non-Speaking N.D. SUPERNUMERARIES N.D. ORPHANS STAR TREK: DS9 - "Cardassians" - 08/17/93 - SETS STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE "Cardassians" SETS INTERIORS EXTERIORS DEEP SPACE NINE DEEP SPACE NINE BASHIR'S QUARTERS COMMANDER'S OFFICE ORPHAN CENTER - GUEST QUARTERS COURTYARD INFIRMARY (SURGERY ROOM) O'BRIEN'S QUARTERS RUNABOUT OPS PROMENADE - AIRLOCK BAJORAN CITY QUARK'S REPLIMAT SCHOOLROOM SISKO'S QUARTERS RUNABOUT ORPHAN RESETTLEMENT CENTER REAR ENTRANCE STAR TREK: DS9 - "Cardassians" 08/18/93 - PRONUNCIATION STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE "Cardassians" PRONUNCIATION GUIDE BAJOR BAY-jor BAJORAN bah-JOR-an COUP DIETAT COO EXARCH EX-sark GARAK GAIR-uck GUL DUKAT gull du-KOT JOMAT LUSON joe-MAHT loo-SAHN KOTAN PAIDAR KOE-tan puh-DAR PROKA MIGDAL PRO-ka mig-DOLL ROKASSA roe-KAH-sah RUGAL ROO-gull TARKALEAN tar-KAY-lee-uhn TEROK NOR TAIR-awk nor TOZHAT to-ZAHT ZABU ZAH-boo ZOLAN ZOE-lahn DEEP SPACE: "Cardassians" - REV. 08/17/93 - TEASER 1. STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE "Cardassians" TEASER FADE IN: 1 INT. REPLIMAT BASHIR crosses through the crowded area carrying an opaque mug. He sits down opposite the ever-pleasant Cardassian, GARAK, who already has a drink in front of him. GARAK Tarkalean tea again, Doctor? BASHIR Yes, and I believe you're drinking Rokassa juice, aren't you, Garak -- Garak holds up his opaque mug, lightly impressed... GARAK How did you know? BASHIR The odor is unmistakable. GARAK (sniffs) So it is. Rokassa juice soothes my nerves. I had a very demanding customer today. A Bajoran engineer who comes into the shop constantly, just to plague me... BASHIR I've always wondered about that... about who your steady customers are... I can't imagine Bajorans frequenting a shop run by a Cardassian... GARAK I like to think my expertise and willingness to serve overcome any general resentment my clientele may have. DEEP SPACE: "Cardassians" - REV. 08/25/93 - TEASER 2. 1 CONTINUED: BASHIR Ahhh. Perhaps your expertise and willingness to serve go so far as to establish a certain... trust... between you and your customers... GARAK Trust is very important... BASHIR And once they trust you, they're much more open with you... they... tell you things... GARAK (beat; smiling) Really, Doctor... must we play this game so often? I'm no more a "spy" than you are a... a... BASHIR ...Doctor. GARAK I'm afraid you really do let your imagination run away with you. What else can I say to convince you that I'm just -- BASHIR (finishing Garak's sentence) -- plain and simple Garak? GARAK (smiles) Precisely. A beat as the two hold each other's gaze. Bashir mentally debates his next move, as if this were (and indeed is) some ongoing chess match. Garak observes something in the b.g. behind Bashir... GARAK Now, there's something you don't see every day... DEEP SPACE: "Cardassians" - REV. 08/25/93 - TEASER 3. 2 INT. PROMENADE - AIRLOCK - GARAK'S POV Passengers -- mostly Bajoran -- emerge from the airlock into the Promenade. A sturdy, middle-aged Bajoran male, PROKA, has just come out of the airlock with a straight-faced twelve- year-old Cardassian boy, RUGAL. They are approached by a friendly and accommodating Zolan. Cordial greetings are exchanged (this is not the first time they have met), then Zolan motions toward the Replimat. All three begin to casually walk toward us... Zolan smiles at the boy. Rugal does not smile back. Zolan's unfazed at the boy's stoic, almost sullen response... as they enter the area... ZOLAN There's a table. Please, sit down and I'll get all of us some refreshment. A little nervous with anticipation -- this job offer is a big deal for him -- Proka moves to sit at the unoccupied table. Rugal stops, however, when he sees Garak across the way. He stiffens... a look of... what? fear?... filtering into his stoic expression... 3 thru OMITTED 6 7 ON BASHIR AND GARAK Garak watches the boy curiously. Bashir turns to watch Garak, wondering about the boy's reaction to him... 8 RESUME RUGAL He abruptly turns away, moves to sit down with his family. DEEP SPACE: "Cardassians" - REV. 08/17/93 - TEASER 4. 9 BASHIR AND GARAK BASHIR That was odd... do you know him? GARAK On the contrary... I've never set eyes on him before. DEEP SPACE: "Cardassians" - 08/16/93 - TEASER 5. 9 CONTINUED: A beat, then Garak gets up and starts walking toward Rugal. 10 PROKA AND RUGAL seated at their table. Rugal's back is to Garak as Garak approaches. Bashir is still seated in the b.g., watching. GARAK I hope I'm not intruding, but I couldn't help noticing... 11 CLOSE - RUGAL as he looks up, sees Garak, eyes widening in fear... 12 RESUME SCENE with Garak politely, graciously addressing Proka. GARAK (continuing) ... what a handsome young man you have here... He lays a friendly hand on Rugal's shoulder. This turns out to be a serious mistake. Rugal suddenly grabs Garak's hand, yanks it forward and sinks his teeth into it... 13 BASHIR stunned... he rises from his chair and hurries toward: 14 RUGAL'S TABLE - SEVERAL SHOTS Rugal viciously bites down on Garak's hand. Garak groans in pain, tries to pull away... Zolan, approaching with a tray of drinks, comes to a halt, surprised... Bashir rushes up between Rugal and Garak. BASHIR (sharply, to Rugal) Stop it -- stop it! DEEP SPACE: "Cardassians" - REV. 08/17/93 - TEASER 6. 14 CONTINUED: Rugal lets go. Garak falls back, holding his slightly bleeding hand, Bashir bracing him. Rugal scurries to Proka -- the boy is terribly frightened -- Proka hugs him protectively. He stares coldly up at Garak. 15 FAVORING BASHIR as he looks at Garak's wound, then at Rugal and Proka. He's amazed and confused by what has just happened. Hold on his look of bewilderment as we... FADE OUT. END OF TEASER DEEP SPACE: "Cardassians" - REV. 08/17/93 - ACT ONE 7. ACT ONE FADE IN: (NOTE: Episode credits fall over opening scenes.) 16 INT. OPS - ON THE TURBOLIFT RISING Bashir arriving... BASHIR Sorry I'm late -- Move with him to the table to reveal SISKO, KIRA, DAX, ODO and O'BRIEN meeting. (Supernumeraries as needed in the background.) BASHIR (continuing) The damnedest thing just happened... Garak the tailor was attacked... ODO (reacts) Attacked where? BASHIR At the Replimat. He was bitten on the hand... DAX (dry) Another unsatisfied customer? O'BRIEN He always cuts the pants too long... BASHIR No, it was a boy... a Cardassian boy... SISKO I wasn't aware we had any Cardassian children on the station... ODO We don't... BASHIR He just arrived. On the Bajoran transport. With an adult Bajoran who says he's his father... DEEP SPACE: "Cardassians" - REV. 08/17/93 - ACT ONE 8. KIRA The boy was probably one of the orphans left behind after the Cardassians pulled out... (she's reading something on her console, as she presses panels... ) We had no choice but to take care of them... (beat) You have an incoming subspace transmission... from Cardassia, Commander... (reading, looking up to Sisko) It's Gul Dukat. SISKO In my office. He rises, moves toward his office... 17 INT. COMMANDER'S OFFICE - CONTINUOUS (OPTICAL) Sisko ENTERS, hits a panel at his desk. GUL DUKAT appears on the wall monitor... Sisko sits... GUL DUKAT Commander... it's been brought to my attention that the sole Cardassian living on your station has been assaulted... Sisko sits back, watches Gul Dukat circumspectly. SISKO (reacts) I'm surprised how quickly the news reached you, Dukat. I only heard about it myself a minute ago... GUL DUKAT Is it true he was -- attacked -- by a Cardassian boy brought to the station by a Bajoran? SISKO A Cardassian boy appears to have been involved, yes. DEEP SPACE: "Cardassians" - REV. 08/17/93 - ACT ONE 9. GUL DUKAT (shakes his head) It is exactly as I feared. Exactly as I've been warning my colleagues... SISKO Warning them? GUL DUKAT The Cardassian war orphans, Commander... abandoned when we left Bajor... it's a disgrace. Obviously, these children are being raised to hate their own kind... this incident is the proof... SISKO You're assuming an awful lot from this one incident... GUL DUKAT Am I? Then why would this boy assault poor Garak? An amiable fellow, if there ever was one... SISKO If you'd like, I'll try to find out. GUL DUKAT That would be most appreciated. I need to know more about this boy, Commander... so I can use his story as ammunition in my fight to bring these orphans back to their homeland... (sincerely) This is a tragedy all of us on Cardassia must address... Sisko acknowledges as Dukat's transmission ends... he contemplates Dukat's professed commitment a beat, then CUT TO: DEEP SPACE: "Cardassians" - REV. 08/17/93 - ACT ONE 10. 18 INT. GUEST QUARTERS - CLOSE ON A concerned and defensive Proka, addressing someone (o.s.) PROKA We didn't come here to cause trouble... Widen to reveal Sisko standing at ease before him. Bashir stays back and observes, interested in what this Bajoran might have to say. PROKA (continuing) Has this Garak filed a complaint? SISKO No... but Cardassian officials have asked us to look into the incident... PROKA I wish they'd been more concerned when they left this boy and dozens like him to fend for themselves... SISKO How did you come to adopt him? PROKA My wife and I felt that Rugal shouldn't suffer for crimes committed by others... SISKO Any idea why he'd attack another Cardassian? PROKA That Cardassian should have minded his own business. BASHIR Garak was only being friendly. The boy seemed terrified of him on sight. SISKO The Cardassians are suggesting the Bajorans are raising these orphans to hate their own people. DEEP SPACE: "Cardassians" - 08/16/93 - ACT ONE 11. 18 CONTINUED: PROKA (almost smiles, with irony) To hate Cardassians. Well, that wouldn't be too hard, would it. We've told him the truth, Commander. The truth. What Cardassia did to Bajor. He needed to know. I make no apologies for that... (beat, softer) To us... he isn't even one of... them... anymore. He isn't Cardassian, he's Bajoran. And we love him as if he were our own flesh and blood. OFF Sisko and Bashir's reaction... 19 INT. QUARK'S - CLOSE ON the spinning dabo wheel. Widen to show an active crowd at the dabo table, including Zolan, the alien who met Proka and Rugal at the airlock. Zolan's hot -- he's been winning -- and the other players are excited for him. The wheel stops, prompting festive cries of "Dabo!" from the players, including Zolan, who has won yet again. ZOLAN Dabo! Dabo! Dabo! A few of the others pat him on the back, cheer. 20 ANGLE AT BAR - BASHIR AND QUARK Bashir ENTERS, glancing at the excitement. QUARK watches Zolan from behind the bar, disgruntled. QUARK There's nothing quite so depressing as a winning streak that won't stop streaking. Bashir eyes Zolan a beat, gets an idea about something... moves casually to the dabo table beside him... the game and betting continues as they talk... BASHIR It would appear you have the game all figured out. DEEP SPACE: "Cardassians" - 08/16/93 - ACT ONE 12. 20 CONTINUED: ZOLAN Dabo is a passion of mine. (looks at him) I remember you. You're Doctor... BASHIR Bashir. ZOLAN Bashir, yes. How's the Cardassian? Still has all his fingers, I hope... BASHIR Yes. Luckily there were no broken bones. (casually) I've never seen a boy take a bite out of a man's hand like that... ZOLAN He's a strange child, Rugal. BASHIR Do you know the family well? Cries of "Dabo!" come from the dabo table crowd. ZOLAN Dabo! He collects more winnings... BASHIR (still fishing) Do you? Zolan looks at Bashir, then away... ZOLAN Look, this is really none of my business... BASHIR (curious to that reaction) You were a witness... I just want to be sure I get the facts right... for my... medical report... ZOLAN I'd really rather you ask somebody else... DEEP SPACE: "Cardassians" - REV. 08/17/93 - ACT ONE 13. 20 CONTINUED: (2) BASHIR Frankly, I don't understand your attitude... all I asked was if you know them well. ZOLAN Well enough. (beat, okay, let's get it over with) I heard the father was looking for a new job a couple of months ago and offered to help them... (uncomfortable at telling) I've visited them on Bajor several times. BASHIR Did you see something that bothered you? ZOLAN (beat, okay here it is) It has to be torture for that boy... living like that... hated by people he considers his parents... told day after day that he's worthless Cardassian scum. Beaten if he even looks the wrong way. Rugal's their revenge -- their revenge against all Cardassians. Bashir's quietly stunned by this revelation. HOLD on him absorbing what Zolan has told him... 21 INT. GUEST QUARTERS - CLOSE ON PROKA incredulous. PROKA It's not true. It's not true. Rugal will tell you. We haven't mistreated him... Is this another Cardassian... Widen to show Sisko and Bashir now facing off with Proka. Sisko uses a quiet voice, concerned that the boy is in the other room and can hear. DEEP SPACE: "Cardassians" - REV. 08/17/93 - ACT ONE 14. 21 CONTINUED: SISKO (interrupting) There'll be plenty of opportunity to go over the matter in detail... but during the investigation, we'd like Rugal to stay with our schoolteacher, Mrs. O'Brien... she's expecting him now. PROKA (beat) What if I refuse? SISKO Then I'll have to call Security and have them remove him from your quarters... I don't think either of us wants that... A long beat... then Proka shakes his head at the unfairness of this... goes into the other room... a long beat as Sisko exchanges an uncomfortable glance with Bashir, then they HEAR... RUGAL'S VOICE (O.S.) Why? PROKA'S VOICE (O.S.) It'll be all right... RUGAL'S VOICE (O.S.) I didn't do anything wrong... DEEP SPACE: "Cardassians" - REV. 08/17/93 - ACT ONE 15. 21 CONTINUED: (2) PROKA'S VOICE (O.S.) I know. I know. It'll be all right. I promise. A beat later, they come out. Rugal looks at the two uniforms, symbol of authority... RUGAL (upset, to Sisko) I didn't do anything wrong. SISKO Nobody's accusing you of a crime, Rugal. You're not being arrested. My name is Commander Sisko. I believe you already know Doctor Bashir... BASHIR Hello, Rugal. SISKO I'm sure this will be straightened out in a day or two... If you want to visit with your father tomorrow, you can. PROKA Go on, Rugal. We'll talk tomorrow. (puts his arm around his shoulders to comfort him, gently) They won't hurt you. They're humans. Not Cardassians. Rugal doesn't understand... but listens to his father's urging... finally joins Sisko and Bashir and they EXIT. Proka takes in a big sigh, looking after Sisko, righteous and determined... FADE OUT. END OF ACT ONE DEEP SPACE: "Cardassians" - REV. 08/17/93 - ACT TWO 16. ACT TWO FADE IN: 22 INT. INFIRMARY - SURGERY ROOM - BASHIR AND GARAK Bashir treats Garak's barely visible wound with a small "penlight" tech device... BASHIR Actually, something good did come out of this, Garak. If it hadn't happened, we never would have discovered Rugal's situation. A bite on the hand is worth saving a boy's life, wouldn't you say? GARAK I suppose it depends on whose hand... (off Bashir's look) I'm only kidding. BASHIR Perhaps this might even help Gul Dukat in his efforts to resolve the entire war orphan predicament. If Garak had antennae, they would quiver a little... GARAK I beg your pardon... ? BASHIR Gul Dukat... he called Commander Sisko right after this happened... Apparently he was quite concerned with your well-being... you never mentioned you were friends... Garak laughs. It is a laugh that says they weren't friends. GARAK You said Dukat was doing something about war orphans? DEEP SPACE: "Cardassians" - 08/16/93 - ACT TWO 17. 22 CONTINUED: BASHIR He wants to bring them all home from Bajor... GARAK (thinking) Does he... Bashir sits up a little... he knows Garak well enough by now to realize there is more here than meets the eye... BASHIR Am I missing something... ? GARAK (beat; wheels turning) Doctor, what single trait would you ascribe to me and my fellow Cardassians? Would it not be our attention to detail? Do you think we simply forgot about those poor little orphans when we left Bajor? Do you think they just... slipped our mind... ? And who, would you guess, was in charge of the Cardassian withdrawal from Bajor? 23 INT. OPS - ON MAIN VIEWSCREEN (OPTICAL) The answer is on the screen. We see Gul Dukat -- calm and civil -- as he sits at his desk. GUL DUKAT I don't know how to thank you... 24 REVEAL SISKO standing in Ops, talking to Dukat... Kira and Dax at their stations (Supernumerariesas needed). Sisko is still quite circumspect about this situation and Dukat's role in it. SISKO Don't thank me so quickly. It's possible the boy could be returned to his adoptive parents. DEEP SPACE: "Cardassians" - REV. 08/17/93 - ACT TWO 18. 24 CONTINUED: GUL DUKAT But surely after the accusation this... businessman has made... SISKO (dry) That's all it is for the moment -- an accusation. Bashir ENTERS from the Turbolift, as if there is something urgent he needs to discuss with Sisko. Seeing who Sisko is talking to, he slows to a stop, listens in... GUL DUKAT We wouldn't take kindly to the boy being returned to the Bajorans. However, I have complete confidence in your ability to be thorough, Commander. If there's anything I can do... SISKO As a matter of fact, there is: if it's decided the boy should be returned to Cardassia, who would we return him to? It might help to find out if he has any relatives still living... GUL DUKAT I was just going to suggest that you forward a DNA sample to us. We'll be happy to run it through our data banks. SISKO We'll send it to you right away. BASHIR (steps forward) Excuse me... Gul Dukat, I have a question... Sisko turns to Bashir -- what the hell is he doing? Bashir glances at him nervously... GUL DUKAT It's Doctor... Bashir, isn't it? DEEP SPACE: "Cardassians" - REV. 08/17/93 - ACT TWO 19. 24 CONTINUED: (2) BASHIR Yes. Isn't it true you were in charge of the evacuation of Bajor? GUL DUKAT (where's this going?) Yes, I was... BASHIR Then it would have been your responsibility to see that these orphans were part of the evacuation. Yet you chose to leave them behind... why? Bashir is afraid to look at Sisko. Sisko is not pleased with this bald interruption, but he's curious about what Bashir has said. Gul Dukat reacts coolly. GUL DUKAT I did not choose to leave them behind, Doctor. I was ordered to leave them behind. BASHIR Ordered? By whom? GUL DUKAT The civilian leaders. They... BASHIR (interrupting, prepared) Excuse me. But if I understand the Cardassian political system, the civilian leaders have no direct authority over military officers... Dukat stares at the impudent young doctor, looks to Sisko to intervene... but Sisko is as curious as everyone else about what the doctor is doing, is content to observe the odd confrontation... so Dukat is forced to answer... tries to make light of this... GUL DUKAT Who's been tutoring you in Cardassian social studies, Doctor? BASHIR Your old friend, Garak. Bashir waits to see the reaction to the name. There is nothing more than a smile. DEEP SPACE: "Cardassians" - REV. 08/17/93 - ACT TWO 20. 24 CONTINUED: (3) GUL DUKAT Well, remind my old friend that the withdrawal from Bajor was a decision made by the civilian leaders... one that I clearly opposed... and, yes, they were the ones who decided to leave the orphans behind. I've regretted that decision ever since. Thank you for your concern, Doctor. (to Sisko) Good day, Commander. The viewscreen blanks. A long, long beat as Sisko and everyone else looks at Bashir, waiting for an explanation. Finally, Bashir warily looks to Sisko. Sisko is not giving his feelings away -- is he upset? is he intrigued? - as he considers Bashir. BASHIR He's lying. SISKO (not harsh) Is that an opinion or do you have some sort of evidence? BASHIR I have Garak. SISKO (even) Garak. BASHIR He thinks there's more going on here than we realize. KIRA The Garaks of this world spend their lives weaving conspiracy theories, Doctor. SISKO What exactly does he think is going on? BASHIR I'm not sure. He doesn't really tell me what he thinks... I sort of have to... deduce it. DEEP SPACE: "Cardassians" - REV. 08/17/93 - ACT TWO 21. 24 CONTINUED: (4) SISKO So, you "deduced" that Garak thinks Dukat is lying about something you're not sure of... and you proceeded to interrupt my conversation to confront him about whatever that might be. BASHIR I'm sorry, Commander. It just seemed an opportune... SISKO Don't apologize. It's been the high point of my day. (beat) Don't do it again. DAX Why would Garak want to undermine Gul Dukat? BASHIR I'm not sure, but I don't think he likes Dukat very much. SISKO I'd like to ask Garak about this myself. Have him in my office at twenty-one-hundred-hours. BASHIR (pleased) Yessir. Sisko walks away. HOLD on Bashir, watching after him... 25 INT. O'BRIEN'S QUARTERS O'Brien ENTERS, arriving home after a long day. He sees Rugal sitting in the living area, totally concentrating on a PADD. O'Brien frowns a little at the sight of a Cardassian boy in his quarters. He moves into the dining area, where KEIKO is setting the dinner table. She kisses him hello. KEIKO Hi. O'Brien immediately begins to help. He notices there are only three settings. The two speak quietly... DEEP SPACE: "Cardassians" - REV. 08/17/93 - ACT TWO 22. 25 CONTINUED: O'BRIEN Good idea. KEIKO What? O'BRIEN Three settings. I assume you sent Molly over to stay with the Fredericks. KEIKO She's asleep. She and Rugal played all afternoon. He wore her out... O'BRIEN You let them play together? KEIKO Why not? O'BRIEN The boy almost bit somebody's hand off... KEIKO I was with them all day. He's not like that... he's really very gentle... O'BRIEN (sotto) "Gentle" was bred out of these Cardassians a long time ago. She takes a beat, trying to hold it in, but can't. Stops what she's doing, turning her back to Rugal so he can't hear... KEIKO You know, that's a very ugly thing you just said. O'BRIEN I only said... KEIKO I don't need to hear it twice. She hands him a casserole dish from the replicator; he looks at it curiously, sees an interesting-looking stew (oddly shaped vegetables, green meat, white broth), reacts to the smell... DEEP SPACE: "Cardassians" - REV. 08/17/93 - ACT TWO 23. 25 CONTINUED: (2) KEIKO Rugal, dinner's ready. Rugal puts the PADD down, comes over... O'Brien and he exchange an uncomfortable glance as they sit. Keiko's hand reaches in with a ladle, dips it into the dish... KEIKO (to Rugal) I hope you like it. But as she looks over to make eye contact with Rugal, she sees he's saying a Bajoran prayer (holding his hands as Kira did in "The Circle"). O'Brien and Keiko exchange a glance as she pauses in her service until Rugal finishes and opens his eyes... as she serves the stew, O'Brien and Rugal are both looking at it none-too-thrilled, wondering what it's made of... O'BRIEN Keiko -- darling -- what is this? KEIKO I found some Cardassian recipes in the memory bank of our food replicator. It's a stew, made with Cardassian zabu meat. (smiles at Rugal) I thought Rugal might enjoy a dish that's popular on his own world. Rugal looks at her, makes no move to try the entree. O'Brien lifts his spoon, tastes the stew... Keiko tries it, doesn't find it too bad -- kind of good, actually -- then sees Rugal isn't eating... O'Brien and Rugal simultaneously push their respective bowls away from them, O'Brien disliking the taste, Rugal having found the concept of Cardassian food unassimilable. The two are surprised they have done the same thing at the same time, surprised they might have something in common. HOLD on the two looking at each other, neither giving anything away... 26 INT. COMMANDER'S OFFICE - ON GARAK sitting before Sisko at his desk. DEEP SPACE: "Cardassians" - REV. 08/17/93 - ACT TWO 24. 26 CONTINUED: GARAK There's obviously been a misunderstanding. 27 THE SCENE - FULL Garak sits in front of Sisko's desk. He's his pleasant, plain-old-simple self. Bashir is standing off to the side, embarrassed and upset... SISKO Obviously. BASHIR Garak, you know you made it perfectly clear that Dukat couldn't care less about those war orphans. GARAK (to Sisko) The Doctor and I did discuss the tragic circumstances of the children. But I would never suggest that Gul Dukat... BASHIR You did. You did. (to Sisko) He did. SISKO (be quiet) Doctor. GARAK Doctor Bashir, I apologize if I've inadvertently put you in an awkward position... SISKO Sorry to put you to this trouble. GARAK Not at all. He rises to leave. Bashir shakes his head in frustration. As Garak reaches the door... DEEP SPACE: "Cardassians" - 08/16/93 - ACT TWO 25. 27 CONTINUED: SISKO By the way, Garak... how long have you known Gul Dukat? Garak turns. GARAK I barely know the man at all. SISKO Really. Somehow, I had the impression from him that he knew you rather well. Called you "amiable," if I remember. GARAK I'm honored that I was noticed by such a great leader. He exits. Sisko glances at Bashir, who starts to say something, gives up and after a beat, rushes out after Garak. Sisko studies him through the doors... he knows something's going on and he knows that Bashir -- and Garak -- may be the key to finding out what... 28 INT. PROMENADE - ANGLE ON TURBOLIFT as the doors open, REVEALING Bashir and Garak as they exit... BASHIR How you could just sit there and lie with that irritating, pseudo-ignorant smile of yours... GARAK Doctor, I really am disappointed in you... BASHIR You're disappointed in me... ?! Garak stops and turns to Bashir... GARAK The things we talk about are for your ears only. That you would tell Commander Sisko anything I might happen to say in passing about Gul Dukat... is inappropriate and unacceptable. DEEP SPACE: "Cardassians" - REV. 08/17/93 - ACT TWO 26. 28 CONTINUED: Garak walks on out-of-frame. Bashir slows, watches after him, still in shock. 29 INT. O'BRIEN'S QUARTERS - NIGHT - LATE O'Brien's working on the computer at the now-cleared dinner table. It's quiet -- everyone else is asleep. O'Brien stretches, yawns, then sips from a cup of tea in front of him. As he resumes typing, Rugal comes out of the back wearing his own T-shirt and oversized pajama bottoms (O'Brien's) and plops down in a chair in the living room. O'Brien pauses, looks up at the boy just sitting in the chair. O'BRIEN Can't sleep? No answer. Rugal doesn't look at him. O'BRIEN Want something to eat? RUGAL No. O'Brien watches him a beat, then types a few more lines. Thinks of what Keiko said earlier, tries harder to get past his prejudice, looks over... O'BRIEN You can come with me in the morning, if you like. I'm running a maintenance check on conduits in one of the upper docking pylons. You get a terrific view of the station from up there... No response. O'Brien goes back to his work, telling himself -- Okay, I tried. I can live with myself. O'BRIEN Suit yourself. After a long beat. DEEP SPACE: "Cardassians" - 08/16/93 - ACT TWO 27. 29 CONTINUED: RUGAL What're they going to do with me? O'BRIEN (turns back; beat) I'm not sure. (after a beat) You might have something to say about that, you know. I mean, you should be telling Commander Sisko what you want. RUGAL I want to go home. O'BRIEN He'll understand that. You're a Cardassian. They should've taken you home when they left. RUGAL No, I mean home. To Bajor. O'Brien reacts to the error he made... turns off the computer, comes to sit nearer to Rugal... he's interested in this kid now... but also sees the opportunity to get some facts out of him that might help Sisko... O'BRIEN But it must be tough for you, living on Bajor... RUGAL Why? O'BRIEN Being Cardassian. RUGAL That's not my fault. I was born that way. O'BRIEN (laughs uncomfortably) That's not what I meant. There's nothing wrong with being a Cardassian... RUGAL Yes there is. O'Brien is taken aback by the simple, deep-seeded self- loathing the child must have... DEEP SPACE: "Cardassians" - REV. 08/17/93 - ACT TWO 28. 29 CONTINUED: (2) O'BRIEN Who taught you that? RUGAL (shrugs) It's the truth. Everybody knows it. O'BRIEN How do your parents feel about Cardassians? RUGAL They hate them. O'BRIEN Why do you want to live with someone who hates you? RUGAL They hate other Cardassians. Not me. They've never done anything wrong to me. O'BRIEN Come on, even I got my fanny whacked by my Da once in a while. RUGAL Not me. My parents follow the teachings of the prophets. And this rings absolutely true and sounds quite different than story the businessman told. As O'Brien digests this... RUGAL What do you think of Cardassians? O'BRIEN Me? (Rugal nods) I... can't really say. RUGAL Why not? DEEP SPACE: "Cardassians" - REV. 08/17/93 - ACT TWO 29. 29 CONTINUED: (3) O'BRIEN Because you can't judge a whole race of people. You can't hate all Cardassians or all humans or all Klingons... (beat) I mean I've met some Cardassians I didn't like. And I've met some I did. Like you. RUGAL (evenly, without emotion) Do you know how many Bajorans the Cardassians murdered during the occupation? Over ten million. We had a test on it in school. (beat, simply) I wish I weren't Cardassian. He yawns, getting sleepy... gets up, starts to go to the other room... RUGAL Good Night. O'BRIEN Night. As the impact settles in on O'Brien... FADE OUT. END OF ACT TWO DEEP SPACE: "Cardassians" - REV. 08/17/93 - ACT THREE 30. ACT THREE FADE IN: 30 INT. BASHIR'S QUARTERS - NIGHT - LATE Bashir's asleep in bed on his side. He takes in a deep breath, rolls over on his back, moans. His eyes flutter open. He suddenly sits up, instantly wary and alert... 31 REVEAL GARAK standing by Bashir's bed, looking down at him, smiling. Garak's wide awake -- the wheels are really turning. It's like he's figured out something that just won't wait... GARAK Come, Doctor. Get dressed. We need to be going. BASHIR (utterly surprised) Going? Going where? GARAK To Bajor. Off Bashir's total look of disbelief, we CUT TO: 32 INT. SISKO'S QUARTERS - NIGHT - LATE (OPTICAL) Sisko stands in his robe at the open door to his quarters... Bashir, now dressed, stands outside the door, a little nervous... SISKO I take it this couldn't wait 'til morning... BASHIR Nossir. I need to use a runabout... DEEP SPACE: "Cardassians" - REV. 08/17/93 - ACT THREE 31. 32 CONTINUED: SISKO (beat) I'm waiting -- BASHIR (knowing this sounds funny) It's Garak, Sir. He wants to go to Bajor. SISKO Bajor? What for? BASHIR He won't tell me. SISKO Oh, well, by all means. Will one runabout be enough? FEMALE COM VOICE (interrupting) Ops to Sisko. Sisko's expression: "What now... ?" SISKO Go ahead. FEMALE COM VOICE Commander, there's an urgent communication for you from Gul Dukat -- Sisko and Bashir eye each other -- what could this be? Sisko walks over to his living room terminal and presses a few panels. Bashir ENTERS, stays behind the terminal, so as not to be seen. Gul Dukat appears on the monitor, looking pleased. GUL DUKAT I'm sorry to disturb you at such a late hour, Commander... but thanks to the DNA gene type you sent us, we've discovered the boy you're holding is actually the son of one of our most prominent politicians: Kotan Pa'Dar. SISKO (beat; absorbing) When was Pa'Dar on Bajor? DEEP SPACE: "Cardassians" - REV. 08/17/93 - ACT THREE 32. 32 CONTINUED: (2) GUL DUKAT Over eight years ago. He was the exarch for a Cardassian settlement there. The boy was thought to have died in a Bajoran terrorist attack. SISKO Has he been told his son is alive? GUL DUKAT Of course. And as you can imagine, he's overwhelmed with joy. He's already on his way to the station to reclaim him. SISKO It's not that simple. GUL DUKAT I don't understand. SISKO The boy wants to go back to Bajor. GUL DUKAT To live with those same brutal people? SISKO I can't find any evidence to support that accusation. I can't even find the man who made it in the first place. GUL DUKAT Nevertheless when the boy finds out his real father is alive, he'll surely change his mind. And even if he doesn't, it will be in the boy's best interests.... SISKO I think we'll just have to see what happens when Pa'Dar gets here. Sisko out. DEEP SPACE: "Cardassians" - REV. 08/17/93 - ACT THREE 33. 32 CONTINUED: (3) The monitor goes blank. BASHIR It couldn't just be a coincidence. Garak must have heard about Pa'Dar before he woke me up. But what could he be looking for on Bajor? Sisko thinks a beat, turns to Bashir. SISKO I guess there's only one way to find out. 33 EXT. SPACE - DEEP SPACE NINE & RUNABOUT (OPTICAL) A runabout departs from the station and sails out into space... 34 EXT. BAJORAN CITY - DAY (MATTE) Establishing. 35 EXT. ORPHAN RESETTLEMENT CENTER - DAY An out-of-the-way (more rural than urban) children's clearinghouse, consisting of a drab courtyard and a dilapidated single-office structure... a place run on a threadbare budget (too little money, not enough hands)... a testament to the post-occupation shortages Bajor still suffers from... The office has the feeling of being furnished through limited scavenging... there's a faded registration counter, behind which are a couple of secondhand Bajoran workstations... the workstations have third-hand Bajoran computer terminals on them... the terminals are dusty, looking little used (they're not on)... In the courtyard, a somewhat weary Bajoran woman (DEELA) sits at a table with TWO BAJORAN CHILDREN, supervising a quiet activity (with PADDS). The children are dressed in clean, hand-me-down clothes. DEEP SPACE: "Cardassians" - REV. 08/25/93 - ACT THREE 34. 35 CONTINUED: Bashir and Garak ENTER the courtyard... the moment the children see Garak, they run away... the woman looks curiously at Garak but has no fear, only a controlled hostility... BASHIR Excuse me... is this the Tozhat Resettlement Center... DEELA Yes... BASHIR I'm Doctor Bashir from the Federation command at Deep Space Nine. I'm trying to find some information about a Cardassian war orphan who was apparently placed for adoption here... DEELA (for Garak) Yes, the Bajorans have opened their hearts to many of the abandoned children... DEEP SPACE: "Cardassians" - REV. 08/17/93 - ACT THREE 35. 35 CONTINUED: (2) BASHIR The boy's name is Rugal. The Bajoran who adopted him is named Proka Migdal. DEELA I don't recognize either name. What are you trying to find out about them? Bashir has no answer for that, turns to Garak, with an edge -- BASHIR Yes, exactly what are we trying to find out about them? GARAK (most pleasant, vague) The circumstances surrounding the young man's adoption. It took place about eight years ago. DEELA (reacts) The Cardassians were still here. You'll never find anything from back then. GARAK The Cardassians are quite meticulous about keeping records, Madame. They've taught many worlds including this one how to keep records. I find it difficult to believe that none exist from that time period. Weren't computer entries made on a regular basis? DEELA I can't tell you. I wasn't a volunteer then. I was in the Underground. GARAK Really. Perhaps we've met before. Defusing the conflict -- BASHIR Do you mind if we check your computer? DEEP SPACE: "Cardassians" - REV. 08/25/93 - ACT THREE 36. 35 CONTINUED: (3) DEELA Our computers don't work. And I can't get a technician to come out. We're not exactly a top priority. GARAK Perhaps I can be of service. BASHIR (reacts) You know how to fix computers? GARAK I dabble with isolinear data subprocessors. It's... a hobby of mine. Off Bashir's reaction... TIME CUT TO 36 COMPUTER SCREEN (VPB) coming on, with an Okudagram display... BASHIR (O.S.) I continue to underestimate you, Garak. Moving to find Garak with his hands working in a complex micro-computer console... he even has a simple, single magnifying eyeglass, like a doctor's light, attached to his forehead... a piece of spy gear he carries with him. Bashir is sitting in front of the monitor. GARAK No more difficult than sewing on a button, actually. 37 ANGLE - REAR ENTRANCE FROM COURTYARD A fourteen-year-old Cardassian (ASHA) wearing clean but distressed Bajoran clothes quietly ENTERS, staying along the back wall. There's a cautious look in her eyes: wary but wanting, hesitant but hopeful... DEEP SPACE: "Cardassians" - REV. 08/17/93 - ACT THREE 37. 38 RESUME BASHIR AND GARAK neither one noticing the Cardassian girl. Garak finishes his reassembly work on the console, moves to the seat Bashir is in... GARAK (to Bashir) Excuse me. Bashir gets up out of the way. Garak takes off the eyeglass and hands it blindly to Bashir. Garak is rather driven in all this. His hands fly across the keyboard... the monitor revealing rows and pages of information... BASHIR (re: the eyeglass) You carry this everywhere, do you? GARAK A simple tailoring tool. You'd be surprised how often someone needs a pair of pants let out... Damn. It's not there. BASHIR What's not there? GARAK Rugal's name. The father's name. None of it. BASHIR (reacts) You were able to find eight-year-old files that quickly... GARAK It's simply a matter of knowing what you're looking for, Doctor... DEEP SPACE: "Cardassians" - REV. 08/18/93 - ACT THREE 38. 39 REAR ENTRANCE A twelve-year-old Cardassian boy ENTERS, followed by the two Bajoran children we initially saw with Deela... all the children are dressed similarly... they join Asha, watch Bashir and Garak with a mixture of curiosity and cautiousness... 40 RESUME GARAK AND BASHIR This time Bashir glances over, reacts curiously as he sees the children... his attention is brought back to Garak by -- GARAK It could be misfiled, or under the wrong name... or this could even be the wrong relocation center. BASHIR I'm not going to any other district until I know... GARAK (interrupting) That won't be necessary. We can access the files of this entire province from here and download them onto a data clip. He's already begun the process during the above speech. BASHIR That'll be thousands of files. GARAK Tens of thousands, actually. He's finished... removes the clip and stands as does Bashir... as he does he's immediately face to face with... DEEP SPACE: "Cardassians" - 08/16/93 - ACT THREE 39. 41 EIGHT ORPHANS six Bajorans and the two Cardassians, gathered together along the back wall, all dressed like ragamuffins, all watching Bashir and Garak with a fragile expectancy... Bashir, especially, seems taken back by the sudden physical presence of the unwanted. He keeps looking from child-to-child, getting the same expression of need from each... The Cardassian girl, Asha, and the Cardassian boy tentatively step forward to Garak... ASHA Excuse me, sir... have you come to take us back to Cardassia? GARAK I'm afraid not, child. (moves for exit) Come, Doctor... (to Deela) I believe you'll find your computer system fully operational, Madame. Garak continues past the children and EXITS. Bashir has trouble making his feet move... all of the children are staring at him... Asha and the Cardassian boy's hearts are sinking... Bashir finally, reluctantly slips by them... HOLD on the children watching after him, left behind once again... FADE OUT. END OF ACT THREE DEEP SPACE: "Cardassians" - REV. 08/25/93 - ACT FOUR 40. ACT FOUR FADE IN: 42 EXT. SPACE - RUNABOUT (OPTICAL) The runabout travels through space... 43 INT. RUNABOUT Bashir flies the craft... Garak sits next to him, studying the resettlement center's files on the computer, working panels... Bashir is in a festering mood, unhappy with Garak, unhappy with having been unable to help the orphans... Garak doesn't notice... GARAK (enjoying his work despite the fact:) Computer, set up a data bank, cross- referencing age groups, sex and year of adopt... BASHIR (testily) Computer, disregard that request. And shut down all engines. The runabout's impulse engine suddenly SHUTS DOWN... GARAK I'm sorry if you're upset about the orphans. Children without parents have no status in Cardassian society. The situation is unfortunate, but... I don't make the rules. BASHIR But you do play the game... don't you. And there is a game going on, right now, as we speak... isn't there. DEEP SPACE: "Cardassians" - REV. 08/17/93 - ACT FOUR 41. 43 CONTINUED: GARAK There are always games, Doctor. BASHIR That's the trouble -- I don't have the slightest clue what this game's about. So you're going to tell me what's going on inside that plain and simple head of yours, my Cardassian friend, or we're going to sit here until we rot! A long moment as the two look at each other. Garak's mind reacts to Bashir's pinning him to the wall by silently shifting, analyzing, sifting... this is not plain and simple Garak anymore... this is now a coolly calculating, slightly uncomfortable professional... a professional with a Byzantine mind... a mind filled with numerous lights and shadows, with rooms and closets and cubbyholes... a mind loathe to reveal itself... though it must... GARAK Tell me, Doctor -- why do you think the Cardassians left Bajor? BASHIR According to Dukat, the decision was made by your civilian leaders... GARAK Isn't it interesting that one of Cardassia's most notable civilian leaders has recently entered this scenario... BASHIR (reacts, thinks) Rugal's father. You're saying Kotan Pa'Dar was involved in the decision to evacuate Bajor... ? GARAK Very good, Doctor. It appears all of our little get-togethers haven't been for nothing... DEEP SPACE: "Cardassians" - REV. 08/17/93 - ACT FOUR 42. 43 CONTINUED: (2) BASHIR (mind working) ... Which makes him a political enemy of Gul Dukat, who lost his job as Prefect when they withdrew... GARAK Now, seemingly out of nowhere, Dukat expresses an interest in this orphan boy who has shown up on the station... and very soon afterwards, with Gul Dukat's assistance, we find out that this orphan boy isn't really an orphan boy at all, but is in reality Pa'Dar's long lost son... BASHIR Another coincidence... ? GARAK I believe in coincidences. Coincidences happen every day. But I don't trust coincidences. On Bashir's reaction... 44 INT. O'BRIEN'S QUARTERS - CLOSE ON THE DOOR as it opens, REVEALING KOTAN PA'DAR, a middle-aged, distinguished-looking Cardassian wearing a civilian outfit. Pa'Dar is standing with an N.D. Federation escort who leaves as he enters. He carries a small case. PA'DAR I am Kotan Pa'Dar. 45 REVERSE ANGLE - O'BRIEN somewhat nervously greeting Pa'Dar. O'BRIEN Miles O'Brien. Come in... Pa'Dar ENTERS. O'Brien's uncomfortable about having an adult Cardassian there, uncomfortable with what they need to talk about... Pa'Dar turns to him... PA'DAR Where is my son? DEEP SPACE: "Cardassians" - 08/16/93 - ACT FOUR 43. 45 CONTINUED: O'BRIEN He's with my wife, Keiko. They'll be here shortly. I thought it would be a good idea if we talked first... Pa'Dar eyes him curiously... O'BRIEN Your son... Rugal... PA'DAR ... At least they didn't change his name... O'BRIEN ... When was the last time you saw him? PA'DAR On Bajor... he'd just had his fourth birthday... (beat, deciding he knows what O'Brien is going to tell him) He probably doesn't even remember me, does he? O'BRIEN I think he's spent most of his life trying to forget you. PA'DAR I'm not sure I understand. O'BRIEN The boy hates everything that he is. Hates Cardassians. Hates being a Cardassian. PA'DAR (underplaying) Yes, I've heard those stories... well, I suppose after growing up among the Bajorans... but now that I'm back in his life... O'BRIEN He may not want you back in his life. DEEP SPACE: "Cardassians" - REV. 08/17/93 - ACT FOUR 44. 45 CONTINUED: (2) PA'DAR (low anger, hurt, guilt) I am his father. Beat. Pa'Dar softens a little. PA'DAR (continuing) I know very little about human culture, Mr. O'Brien. I don't know how you view The Family... O'BRIEN We'd do just about anything to protect our families. I have a daughter myself. Same age as your son was when you lost him. Four. PA'DAR Then I expect you can imagine how I feel right now. A long beat. O'Brien does know how it would feel. Just nods. PA'DAR On Cardassia, Family is everything. We care for our parents and our children with equal devotion. In some households, four generations eat at the same table. Family is... everything. (beat) And I have failed in my responsibilities to my family. O'BRIEN But you had no way of knowing he was alive. PA'DAR (sharply) I should have tried harder. I should have looked everywhere. (beat, almost a whisper) To abandon my son. To allow him to be raised a Bajoran. I have disgraced everything a Cardassian believes in. DEEP SPACE: "Cardassians" - REV. 08/17/93 - ACT FOUR 45. 45 CONTINUED: (3) A long beat. Then the door opens and Keiko and Rugal enter. O'Brien and Keiko move back to observe as the two face one another... PA'DAR Hello, Rugal... A beat as each one studies the other... Pa'Dar moves a little closer to him... Rugal perceptibly moves away... Pa'Dar stops... PA'DAR Do you remember my face even a little? RUGAL No. Struggling, Pa'Dar anxiously reaches into his case and pulls out a PADD. PA'DAR Would you like to see some pictures of you when you were a child... RUGAL No. Rugal moves far away, now turns his back to Pa'Dar who is heartbroken... PA'DAR Rugal, you have to understand... there was nothing left... of the house... after the attack... your mother was dead... you... (beat) I cried for you, Rugal. I missed you so much. I could not even stay on Bajor. It was too close to the happy memories of you. A beat as he waits to see what Rugal's reaction will be. RUGAL It was your own fault. You deserved it. You are Cardassian. What the Bajorans did, they had to do... DEEP SPACE: "Cardassians" - REV. 08/17/93 - ACT FOUR 46. 45 CONTINUED: (4) PA'DAR I understand why you're saying that but... RUGAL (rising fury) You can't understand. You're a Cardassian butcher! A butcher. They killed your son for your crimes. PA'DAR Rugal... RUGAL You are not my father! And I will never go back to Cardassia. Never. Rugal suddenly EXITS for the bedroom. O'Brien, Pa'Dar and Keiko stand awkwardly in the vacuum of Rugal's absence... 46 EXT. SPACE - DEEP SPACE NINE (OPTICAL) Re-establishing. 47 INT. COMMANDER'S OFFICE Sisko, Proka and Pa'Dar are present. PA'DAR I have no intention of allowing a Bajoran court to rule on the custody of my son. PROKA You gave up custody when you abandoned him here. PA'DAR He is my natural born child. As Cardassian law clearly stipulates... PROKA ... there is no more Cardassian law on Bajor... DEEP SPACE: "Cardassians" - REV. 08/17/93 - ACT FOUR 47. 47 CONTINUED: SISKO (beat, rises to stop the exchange) Gentlemen, I think you may need an arbitrator to settle this. PROKA It would have to be someone who is neither Bajoran nor Cardassian. Sisko nods. PROKA (the obvious question) What about you? SISKO (expected this, to Pa'Dar) I'd be willing but wouldn't you have objections... because of the Federation's relationship with Bajor... ? PA'DAR No, Commander... I know you are a father too. You would be acceptable to me. SISKO Very well then... I'll schedule a... ODO'S COM VOICE Odo to Commander Sisko. SISKO Yes, Odo. What is it? ODO'S COM VOICE I thought you might be interested to know... Gul Dukat has just arrived on the station... DEEP SPACE: "Cardassians" - 08/16/93 - ACT FOUR 48. 47 CONTINUED: (2) It's Sisko's turn to register mild surprise... and more than a little curiosity... HOLD on Sisko absorbing this information, the others looking at him, all wondering what Dukat's arrival means... FADE OUT. END OF ACT FOUR DEEP SPACE: "Cardassians" - REV. 08/25/93 - ACT FIVE 49. ACT FIVE FADE IN: 48 EXT. SPACE - DEEP SPACE NINE (OPTICAL) SISKO (V.O.) Station log, Stardate 47177.2. The arrival of Gul Dukat only powers my suspicion that we are being manipulated in some unseen manner. But how. And for what purpose? 49 INT. SURGERY ROOM (VPB) Garak and Bashir huddle over workstations, examining evidence on computer screens. SISKO (V.O.) (continuing) Doctor Bashir and Garak continue to search for anything of relevance in the adoption files. So far, they've found nothing. 50 INT. SCHOOLROOM The desks have been moved to the side or removed, replaced by an informal semicircle of the 24th-century equivalent of folding chairs. Sisko stands up front, asking questions. Seated in the audience are O'Brien, Rugal, Pa'Dar, Proka, Dukat. Everything is extremely informal here. (A director's decision: but perhaps when someone "testifies," he stands to speak to Sisko.) SISKO (V.O.) (continuing) The decision on custody for Rugal cannot wait much longer... We move to find Dukat standing in front of Sisko: DEEP SPACE: "Cardassians" - REV. 08/25/93 - ACT FIVE 50. 50 CONTINUED: SISKO You've come a long way just to view a custody hearing. GUL DUKAT Pa'Dar is an eminent member of the civilian assembly. This matter has generated a great deal of interest at the highest levels of our government. SISKO So, you're here representing your government? GUL DUKAT Not exactly. (beat) I'd like to think that I'm here representing the children. All of the children abandoned on Bajor. I want to see Rugal reunited with his father. Sisko nods... turns to Pa'Dar... Dukat sits. DEEP SPACE: "Cardassians" - REV. 08/18/93 - ACT FIVE 51. 50 CONTINUED: (2) SISKO I'm sure Pa'Dar is grateful for your support. Pa'Dar is as curious about Dukat's appearance here as anyone... he nods uncertainly... SISKO Because I was under the impression that you were political adversaries... isn't that so, Pa'Dar... ? PA'DAR We have disagreed in the past, but Commander, I don't see what you... GUL DUKAT And I must object as well, Commander. What's past is past. It has no relevance here. All that is relevant is the children. What are we to do about the children? Sisko nods evenly... has nowhere to go with this, at least for now... lets it go... changing subjects... SISKO (to Pa'Dar) If you don't mind, I'd like you to go over the events leading to the disappearance of Rugal eight years ago... 51 INT. SURGERY ROOM (VPB) Bashir is still pounding the panels, looking at the monitor readouts of the files... moving to find Garak, standing, his mind working three steps ahead... GARAK How perfectly foolish of me. DEEP SPACE: "Cardassians" - REV. 08/17/93 - ACT FIVE 52. 51 CONTINUED: BASHIR (continuing to work) Don't tell me you've decided you're wrong... not after scanning seven thousand, four hundred and twenty files for a misspelling... GARAK Dukat is smarter than that. BASHIR Than what? GARAK He would never leave a file to be found. BASHIR You really think he purged the file on Rugal? GARAK I would have. Bashir takes a long beat... realizes... BASHIR There was something in that file he didn't want anyone to see. GARAK Exactly. Garak has moved to a console... hands flying across the panels again... GARAK We have one last chance... if we can find the person who wrote that file in the first place... BASHIR How can you ever hope to find him? Garak's hands have stopped. GARAK Her. DEEP SPACE: "Cardassians" - REV. 08/18/93 - ACT FIVE 53. 51 CONTINUED: (2) BASHIR Her? How do you know? GARAK Because I've already found her name. Jomat Luson. BASHIR But how... GARAK Really, Doctor. You're not paying attention to detail. There's one name we keep seeing... on all of the files from the Tozhat Resettlement Center during the time period Rugal would have been there... a Bajoran official named Jomat Luson. Now, all we have to hope for is that she's still alive... Off Bashir's reaction... 52 INT. SCHOOLROOM As before. Sisko talking with Rugal. SISKO (casual, warm) Do you remember anything from back then, Rugal? RUGAL No. SISKO Do you remember being adopted? RUGAL No. SISKO What's the first thing you do remember? Rugal looks to Proka... RUGAL My father... teaching me how to swim. Proka smiles at Rugal... on Pa'Dar's reaction... DEEP SPACE: "Cardassians" - REV. 08/17/93 - ACT FIVE 54. 53 INT. SURGERY ROOM - ON MONITOR (OPTICAL) Bashir sits in front of the terminal. Garak stands discreetly to the side. A Bajoran woman bureaucrat, JOMAT LUSON is on the monitor... JOMAT I know exactly the one you're talking about. BASHIR You do? JOMAT He was the only Cardassian boy we had at the time... we had several girls... BASHIR You're sure his name was Rugal... JOMAT That's what we were told... Garak immediately perks up and starts to speak but Bashir is on the same track... BASHIR Somebody told you his name? Garak nods his approval at Bashir's quickness... JOMAT Yes, that was the most unusual thing about his arrival. Virtually all of the other Cardassian children turned in to us were found on the streets by Bajorans... Rugal was brought in by a Cardassian. BASHIR A Cardassian military officer, by chance? JOMAT Yes, as a matter of fact, she was. BASHIR (disappointed) A woman... JOMAT I don't remember her name... but she was attached to the command post at Terok Nor. DEEP SPACE: "Cardassians" - REV. 08/25/93 - ACT FIVE 55. And although Bashir doesn't get it yet, he glances up and sees Garak with a Cheshire cat smile. After a beat... JOMAT Is there anything else, Doctor? Garak just shakes his head, no. They have everything they need. 54 INT. SCHOOLROOM As Bashir and Garak ENTER. O'BRIEN The boy accused him of being a butcher. He just hates Cardassians, sir. Pa'Dar was heartbroken. I could only imagine how I'd feel in his shoes. BASHIR Commander, may I ask Chief O'Brien a few questions? The group turns over their shoulders to the voice... Dukat makes first eye contact with Garak, who nods an acknowledgement. Sisko sees that exchange, then turns to Bashir and nods an affirmative. Bashir comes forward and Sisko moves aside or sits. BASHIR Chief, didn't Pa'Dar tell you about the humiliation he feels right now? DEEP SPACE: "Cardassians" - REV. 08/25/93 - ACT FIVE 56. 54 CONTINUED: O'BRIEN He said he'd disgraced everything a Cardassian believes in. BASHIR (to Padar) Has the news of your son's discovery become public knowledge on Cardassia? PA'DAR The government has not chosen to reveal it to the people yet. BASHIR What happens when it is revealed? PA'DAR It will be the end of my political career. BASHIR That's a shame. Especially considering the timing. PA'DAR The timing? BASHIR Isn't there an inquiry about to begin concerning the Cardassians who supported the recent, attempted coup on Bajor? PA'DAR Yes. BASHIR And isn't Gul Dukat a key witness in that inquiry... DEEP SPACE: "Cardassians" - REV. 08/18/93 - ACT FIVE 56A. 54 CONTINUED: (2) GUL DUKAT This is irrelevant and an insult. You've lost control here, Commander. DEEP SPACE: "Cardassians" - REV. 08/25/93 - ACT FIVE 57. 54 CONTINUED: (3) SISKO (you have my support, Doctor) Yes, it seems that I have. Again. Dukat is enraged. GUL DUKAT I suggest we get back to the issue of the children. BASHIR All right, let's talk about children. Have you ever been to the Tozhat Resettlement Center on Bajor where Rugal was adopted? GUL DUKAT Never. BASHIR And of course Tozhat is the province where Pa'Dar was stationed eight years ago. GUL DUKAT I'm aware of that. BASHIR I've been trying to find the records of Rugal's adoption but they're missing from the files. GUL DUKAT How unfortunate. BASHIR But we have found someone who was working at the center at the time Rugal was brought in. Do you know of a Bajoran social volunteer named Jomat Luson? DEEP SPACE: "Cardassians" - REV. 08/18/93 - ACT FIVE 58. 54 CONTINUED: (4) GUL DUKAT No. BASHIR Jomat Luson remembers Rugal being brought in by a Cardassian military officer. A woman who seemed familiar with him... even knew his name. He waits for a response. GUL DUKAT Is there a question? BASHIR The question is whether or not this officer might have deliberately left the son of Kotan Pa'Dar at the relocation center... with full knowledge that he was not an orphan. Perhaps with the hopes of humiliating Pa'Dar someday. GUL DUKAT I wouldn't know. BASHIR Would you happen to know of a base known during the occupation as Terok Nor? GUL DUKAT Terok Nor? It was here. This space station. BASHIR Jomat Luson clearly recalls the officer who brought in Rugal was attached to Terok Nor. With that, Dukat stands and moves to the exit, pausing a beat to stare knives at Garak. BASHIR Gul Dukat, who was the commander of Terok Nor eight years ago? Dukat EXITS. Bashir turns to Sisko. DEEP SPACE: "Cardassians" - REV. 08/18/93 - ACT FIVE 59. 54 CONTINUED: (5) BASHIR For the record, the commander of Terok Nor eight years ago was Gul Dukat. On reactions... 55 EXT. SPACE - DEEP SPACE NINE (OPTICAL) SISKO (V.O.) Station log, Stardate 47178.3. After long and difficult deliberations, I have decided to allow Pa'Dar to take his son back to Cardassia. Although I am convinced his Bajoran foster parents treated him with love, Rugal has been the clear victim in this conspiracy. I believe it's time for his healing to begin. 56 INT. PROMENADE - NEAR AIRLOCK Sisko and Kotan Pa'Dar wait by the airlock. PA'DAR Your doctor has given me the leverage I need, Commander... SISKO Leverage? PA'DAR Dukat will never allow these events to be made public now. And I certainly won't choose to discuss them. SISKO A stalemate. PA'DAR (nods) A stalemate. You've helped me salvage my political career. I won't forget that. SISKO Perhaps you'll use your influence to help the other Cardassian orphans on Bajor. DEEP SPACE: "Cardassians" - REV. 08/25/93 - ACT FIVE 60. 56 CONTINUED: PA'DAR (not interested) Yes, well... we'll see. Sisko eyes him, not liking it, but having to accept it... Pa'Dar glances up to see -- 57 ON O'BRIEN AND RUGAL as they approach the airlock. Rugal seems uncomfortable and wary, almost sullen, as if no decision would have been a good one. O'BRIEN Remember what I said. If you ever want to come back and visit them -- let me know, and I'll arrange it... Rugal is morose and noncommunicative... PA'DAR (carefully) Hello, Rugal -- are you ready to go? Rugal looks at him -- no response, no affection here, just one tough kid who's very closed off and is not going to open up all that easily... Rugal simply turns and walks through the airlock... PA'DAR (to Sisko and O'Brien) I suppose it will take time... Pa'Dar smiles sadly and follows his son, EXITING into the airlock... Sisko and O'Brien watch after him... then turn to look at each other... 58 INT. REPLIMAT The same setting as we opened with. Garak has his Rokassa juice. Bashir has his Tarkalean tea. BASHIR But there's still one more question I haven't been able to figure out, Garak... Why did you want to expose Dukat? What's the truth about you and him? DEEP SPACE: "Cardassians" - REV. 08/25/93 - ACT FIVE 61. 58 CONTINUED: GARAK Truth is in the eye of the beholder, Doctor. I never tell the truth because I don't believe there is such a thing. That is why I prefer the simple straight line simplicity of cutting cloth. Garak rises... BASHIR You're not going to tell me. GARAK But you don't need me to tell you, Doctor... if you'll just notice the details. They're scattered like crumbs all over the table we regularly share. (beat) Until next time. As he goes... off Bashir's reaction... 59 EXT. SPACE - DEEP SPACE NINE (OPTICAL) FADE OUT. END OF ACT FIVE THE END STXT