"THE TANK"
A Star Trek: The Next Generation episode
By
"LegionPlatform1183" (Pen name)
THIS HAS BEEN WRITTEN IN THE FORM OF A TELEVISION SCRIPT BUT MAY DEVIATE SLIGHTLY AND NOT ADHERE TO ALL OF THE STRICT RULES FOR REASONS OF EASE OF READING, FLOW AND LACK OF KNOWLEDGE.
EXTERIOR. SPACE.
The Enterprise ship is seen drifting in space.
CUT TO
INTERIOR. CREW QUARTERS. NIGHT
GEORDI La FORFGE is seen from above sleeping in his bed, covered in a silver sheet. As the shot pans in on him he begins tossing and turning. His face bears a grimace.
WHITE FLASH to
UNKNOWN.
In a foggy location, GEORDI is seen standing without his visor and looks to be confused.
VOICE
GEORDI.
GEORDI
Who is that?
(He looks around in all directions)
...where are you?
VOICE
I am the only other conscious being apart from you. I am everywhere.
GEORDI
Wh-what does that mean?
VOICE
I will be in touch.
INTERIOR. CREW QUARTERS. NIGHT
GEORDI Le FORFGE is writhing in bed, with a sweaty forehead. His eyes open accompanied by a gasp.
OPENING CREDITS
INTERIOR. ENGINEERING DECK. DAY
DATA and GEORDI are both standing at a workstation, DATA is scanning a panel with a tricorder while GEORDI is resting against the surface of the station.
DATA
This workstation appears to have become misaligned, most likely due to a failure to regularly maintain its systems. (He turns to face GEORDI)
Might I suggest updating the calibration rota to once every 4 weeks?
GEORDI continues looking straight ahead, dismissing DATA's comments. DATA looks confused.
DATA
GEORDI?
GEORDI snaps out of his gaze and turned towards DATA.
GEORDI
Oh… yeah, sure DATA, sounds good to me.
(GEORDI smiles at DATA, and lightly pats him on the shoulder)
DATA looks around quizzically.
DATA
GEORDI, I have noticed that you do not appear to be operating at ordinary performance levels today.
GEORDI
(Laughs)
Well, what do you mean by that DATA?
DATA
You seem less responsive to audio stimuli and the length of time is has taken you to perform basic tasks is up approximately 37%-
GEORDI
(Cuts him off)
I'm fine DATA. I've just had a lot on my mind, that's all. There's no need to worry… I'll perform my "basic tasks" at a more proficient rate.
DATA nods and gets back to scanning the panel. RIKER enters the scene.
RIKER
How are things going here, gentleman?
DATA motions to respond, but then looks at GEORDI and appears to think twice.
DATA
Very well, commander.
RIKER
(To GEORDI)
Are we any closer to finding out what the discrepancies on the long-range scanner are all about?
GEORDI is looking at a padd and neglects to answer RIKER. RIKER shoots a look at DATA, who looks back.
GEORDI
Oh… hmm?
RIKER
(Smiling)
The long-range scanner, Mr. La FORGE…
GEORDI
Right. We're working on it.
RIKER
Good. I look forwards to having some more information on it.
(Turns to face DATA)
I hope you aren't working our engineer too hard, lieutenant.
DATA
GEORDI has... "had a lot on his mind", sir.
GEORDI looks at DATA accusingly, DATA stares back blankly.
RIKER
(Smiling)
Is that so? Would it happen to have a great pair of legs, by any chance?
GEORDI
(Laughs)
N-no! Nothing like that, sir. I'll be fine – really.
RIKER
Well I hope so, Mr. La FORGE. If not – GUINAN makes a mean cup of coffee.
RIKER taps GEORDI on the chest and leaves the scene.
INTERIOR. MESS HALL. AFTERNOON
GEORDI Le FORFGE is sitting at a table alone in the mess hall, with his head resting in one hand and twisting his spork around in his meal with his other. COUNSELOR TROI is walking past with her tray of food when she spots GEORDI and goes over to him.
TROI
Mind if I sit here?
GEORDI
Counselor, not at all.
TROI sits adjacent to GEORDI.
TROI
You seem to be deep in thought, GEORDI.
GEORDI
(Sighs)
Has DATA been speaking to you?
TROI
Not at all. I'm an empath, remember? I can pick-up on your state of mind. But if other members of the crew have been mentioning it too, then maybe it's more significant than you might think.
GEORDI
(Sitting back in his chair)
It's just… have you ever had a dream – one that you can't figure out the meaning of? That seemed completely real and almost appealing to your conscious mind?
TROI
Of course, everyone has dreams like that now and then. From what I can tell, it seems to have confused you… you've been thinking about it a lot.
GEORDI
It's probably nothing. Maybe I'm just thinking about everything too much.
TROI
Sounds like someone could use some Holodeck time.
GEORDI
(Smiling)
That doesn't sound like such a bad idea, counselor. Maybe I'll even help myself to a second round of desert.
TROI
(Laughs)
That's more like it.
INTERIOR. CORRIDOR. AFTERNOON
GEORDI is walking down the corridor in casual clothes and approaches the Holodeck. He enters through the automatic sliding doors.
INTERIOR. HOLODECK. AFTERNOON
GEORDI
Computer. Run program "Risa".
COMPUTER
Affirmative.
GEORDI smiles and rubs his hands together. The Holodeck remains as it is. GEORDI looks confused.
GEORDI
Uh… computer?
The computer beeps in response.
GEORDI
Run program "Risa".
The Holodeck begins to transform. It becomes a grey, foggy landscape.
GEORDI
What is this? This isn't what I asked for… computer!
VOICE
I am not the computer. And I am not a dream.
GEORDI gasps and removes his visor.
VOICE
I am not a malfunction. I am communicating to you from a different plane.
GEORDI
Are you… trying to tell me that you're from a different dimension?
VOICE
In a matter of speaking.
GEORDI
Why are you communicating with me?!
VOICE
You are the only one.
GEORDI
You mentioned that before, in the dream. What do you mean by that? I am the only one to what?
VOICE
I will explain everything in good time.
The foggy scene turns into a pleasant beech setting with a crowd of people. A laughing lady approaches GEORDI.
INTERIOR. CORRIDOR. AFTERNOON
GEORDI exits the corridor at haste. He bumps into COUNSULAR TROI.
TROI
GEORDI, what is it?
GEORDI swallows hard. They both look back into the open doors of the Holodeck and see the Risa beach program running.
FADE TO BLACK
END OF ACT ONE