Stop ! Nichelle said her soft velvety voice restraining the real anger she felt toward seeing another original script from Gene Roddenberry widow down to nothing. The red in her cheeks and the subtle misty of tears betray her extreme disappointment of constant script rewrites. She takes the script toss it on the sofa in her dressing room giving the script writer's assistant a stern look. " Who authorized the rewrites ? I know Gene doesn't know about this Uhura's lines reduce to " Hailing Frequency open Captain ".
Whose responsible for this ?
Assistant barks back the studio and the director feels it would help your character more if Uhura would just stick to her job.
Nichelle smirks, " By having nothing to say.
Assistant, " I don't make the rules or write the scripts only deliver them to the actors. If you have a beef take it up with the Network Execs or Gene not with me.
A sense of resignation fills her heart leaving the show is the last thing she wants to do if things don't change that's what will happen. Walking over to the sofa Nichelle picks up the script flip through the pages for any additional dialogue for her character realizing she has one scene in the entire episode. She calls a close friend to help calm her nerves.
Nichelle said, " Hi Bev are you busy ?
I'm just calling to tell you how disappointed I am with Uhura's lines being deleted. Every time I receive a script full of passion and adventure for my character it's gone the next time I see it. I can really act and sing if given half the chance there's so much I want for this character and yet.
Bev said, " Don't worry Girl it will work out just give it a chance.
Nichelle said, " I have other offers, Music theater and a Broadway play.
Bev said, " Listen, we're having a NAACP meeting Saturday that will cheer you up.
Nichelle said, "Sure.
Suddenly a knock on her dressing room door with a call to the set.
Nichelle ends her call with Bev grabs her red uniform quickly slips it on checks her make up leaves for the set. Everyone was waiting for the director to set up the next scene on the bridge of the Enterprise. The Director calls Nichelle over to take her place at the communication console then he orders Bill to take his place next to her.
" Ok, Nichelle and Bill listen up, I'm going to make this very easy, Nichelle ( Lt. Uhura) give Bill (Captain Kirk ) the message from Star Fleet and in anger he's going to turn his back on you and walk away. When he does yell and throw your writing pen at him.
The director yelled " Action ".
Lt. Uhura receives the message from Star Fleet repeats it to Captain Kirk who angrily turns his back and walks away as directed. Lt. Uhura paused returns to her console without saying another word. The set was silent Bill looked at the director who glared at Nichelle Nichols. His face red with anger " I told you what I wanted you to do. Why didn't you do it ?
She looked up at him with dignity in her voice. She said.
" I,Nichelle Nichols will do whatever you want but Uhura won't. "
The director points his finger at her, " You're being an uncooperative actress and I simply won't stand for it.
Bill Shatner and others try to intervene on Nichelle's behalf but the director will have none of it.
Nichelle trembled in the fire storm.
Listen. I'm the director and this is my set if you won't follow my directions then I'll have you throw off the set.
Thoroughly insulted Nichelle walks back to her dressing room once inside she fears for her job. She paces back and forth waiting for the fall out there's a knock on her door it's Bill sticking his head inside telling her, " It'll blow over".
While in her dressing room Nichelle could hear the director on the phone discussing the incident and having to deal with actress who refuses to take direction.
Minutes after the call Nichelle was summoned to Gene Roddenberry's Office to explain her side of the story.
Once inside his office Nichelle told Gene what the director had ask her to do knowing her character 'Lt. Uhura would never yell or throw anything at anyone especially her Captain.
Gene listen intently to the story folding his arms leaning against his desk.
He said, " I agree Nichelle and that's what I told the director, " Nichelle will do whatever you ask but Uhura won't".
He told me this is the craziest damn show he's ever work on he agreed to shoot another scene.
Nichelle was relieved that Gene understood her fighting for her character's dignity.
The next day brought a new set of challenges working on the episode " The City on the Edge of Forever".
Everyone was told to take a break while the crew set up the next scene. Nichelle decides to take a walk around the Desilu lot when she see two young men starring at her intently. She decides to approach them out of curiosity, " Hi " she said.
One of the young men shly returns her acknowledgement, " Hi, Aren't you Nichelle Nichols ?
Yes, I am. Why ?
My name is Tom and this is Ben, we work in the mail room do you receive your mail ?
Nichelle said, " Yes, I've gotten 7 to 8 letters from the fans.
Ben said, " It's a shame you don't know there's sacks of mail with your name on it hidden away in a back room. Please don't tell anyone I told you it would mean my job.
Taking a deep breathe Nichelle takes in this news with tremendous hurt.
Tom said, " The higher ups didn't want you to know about it I can get your mail if you come with me.
She follows the men to the mail room down few steps to a dark storage room where true enough her sacks of mail laid against the wall gathering dust. Opening a few letters she read them one by one a small tear slides down her cheek made to feel temporary and unnecessary by the studio her fan mail tells a different story.
Nichelle faced other slights off the set of Star Trek being an African America Woman but convince herself to keep going and strive for excellence. This was the last straw the studio keeping her mail from her making her work without an contract. She return to the set to finish her scenes for the episode deciding to give her resignation to Gene the next day.
Friday Morning: Nichelle arrived bright and early at Desilu Studios with a letter in her hand she walk into a small office ask Gene's secretary if he was busy.
She told Nichelle that Gene did have someone in his office but would be with her shortly.
After a few minutes Nichelle was called into Gene's office. He was sitting behind his desk with a smile on his face.
"Good Morning Nichelle", He said.
"Good Morning Gene", She said, " I'm here to give you my resignation.
Gene looked stunned his smiling face quickly turns serious, "Why ?
" You simply can't leave, you can't leave.
Nichelle said, " Yes, I can. I've received other offers with a Broadway show and Musical theater things I want to do.
Gene said, " Your being here is important being on the bridge of the Enterprise ! the vision of diversity please think this over before you do this take the weekend and think about it.
" If you still feel the same on Monday then go with my blessing".
" Ok, Gene. She quickly left his office taking a deep breath glad that was over now she would begin a new life.
Saturday Morning : " Ring, Ring, Ring. Nichelle didn't want to answer the phone this morning.
Nichelle said, " Hello.
" Hi Nichelle, it's Bev don't forget the NAACP meeting today.
Nichelle said, " I'll be there see you later.
Arriving at The NAACP meeting Nichelle was immediately escorted to her seat with other dignitaries and celebrates. The place was a buzz with activity people talking excitedly taking photos and greeting friends. Nichelle found herself in several conversations at once with admirers and Star Trek Fans, she felt complete love and appreciation. A well dress young black man approached her telling her there is " A Star Trek Fan" who would love to meet her.
She look up and saw a familiar face the world knew walking her way it was Dr. Martin Luther King, she quickly arose to greet him.
Nichelle said, "Whoever that Star Trek Fan is will have to wait I'm talking to Dr. King.
Dr. King said, " Yes, I'm that fan, and I want to tell you how important your role is".
Nichelle said, " Thank you, Dr. King, but I plan to leave Star Trek ".
Dr. King said, " You must not leave, You have opened a door that must not be allowed to close. I'm sure you have taken a lot of grief, or probably will for what you're doing. But you changed the face of television forever. You have created a character of dignity and grace and beauty and intelligence. Don't you see that you're not just a role model for little black children ? You're more important for people who don't look like us. For the first time, the world sees us as we should be seen, as equals, as intelligent people- as we should be.
Nichelle thought to herself about the strong conviction and strength of Dr. King's words.
" When I returned to work on Monday, I went to Gene's office and told him about my conversation with Dr. King and my decision to stay.
A tear came to Gene's eye, and he said, " God bless that man. At least someone sees what: I'm trying to achieve."