STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION 
                              
                         "The Royale" 
                          #40272-138 
                              
                          Written by 
                          Keith Mills 
                              
                          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 1989 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 This script is not for publication or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.


                         FINAL DRAFT

                       JANUARY 10, 1989

           STAR TREK: "The Royale" - 01/10/89 - CAST 

                STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION 
                         "The Royale" 

                             CAST                               
                              
                PICARD             BELLBOY
                RIKER              ASSISTANT MANAGER
                DATA               TEXAS
                PULASKI            VANESSA
                TROI               DEALER
                GEORDI             MIKEY D
                WORF               CROUPIER
                WESLEY             
                O'BRIEN            Non-Speaking
                                   ROYALE HOTEL GUESTS
                Non-Speaking       
                CREWMEMBERS        

           STAR TREK: "The Royale" - 01/10/89 - SETS 

                STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION 
                         "The Royale" 
                            
                             SETS 

            INTERIORS                  EXTERIORS
          
            USS ENTERPRISE             USS ENTERPRISE
              MAIN BRIDGE
              CAPTAIN'S READY ROOM     PLANET THETA EIGHT
              TRANSPORTER ROOM          SURFACE
              OBSERVATION LOUNGE
          
            THE ROYALE HOTEL
              LOBBY
              CASINO
              SEVENTH FLOOR HALLWAY
              RICHEY'S SUITE

         STAR TREK: "The Royale" - 01/10/89 - TEASER         1.

                STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION                  
                         "The Royale"  
                            
                            TEASER                              

	FADE IN:

1    EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL)

	in orbit around an ice-green planet with swirling white
	cloud patterns.

					RIKER (V.O.)
			Ship's log, stardate 42625.4,
			First Officer Riker reporting.
			We have achieved orbit around
			Theta Eight...

2    INT. MAIN BRIDGE - ON WESLEY

	at helm, DATA at Ops, WORF at his Tactical position.

3    MOVE PAST THEM SLOWLY

	as RIKER walks from Command to the Aft Science Station
	where GEORDI is studying a sensor readout screen of
	the planet's atmosphere and surface.

					RIKER (V.O.)
				(continuing)
			... the planet furthest from its
			sun in this previously unmapped
			solar system. It is a world of
			ruthless realities: particularly
			harsh, barren, and inhospitable...

4    ANGLE UP ON GEORDI'S FACE

	reflecting the screen's amber light. Riker STEPS INTO
	FRAME behind him...

					RIKER (V.O.)
				(continuing)
			Our reason for being here -- a
			passing Klingon cruiser reported
			discovering pieces of a strange
			vessel in the upper atmosphere.
			We've come to investigate...

         STAR TREK: "The Royale" - 01/10/89 - TEASER         2.

4    CONTINUED:

					GEORDI
				(studying the screen)
			Nasty. Nitrogen... methane...
			liquid neon. Surface temperature
			minus two hundred and ninety-one
			degrees Fahrenheit. Winds up to
			three hundred and twelve meters
			per second.

					RIKER
			Not exactly a vacation planet,
			eh?

					GEORDI
			Uh uh. Not unless you like
			ammonia tornadoes. Or orange
			lightning bolts for that matter.

					RIKER
				(smiling)
			Not my cup of tea. Found anything
			artificial in the atmosphere?

					GEORDI
			Nothing so far. We're just coming
			around to the night side now.

					RIKER
			Keep me informed. The sooner we
			identify what the Klingons think
			they saw, the sooner we can get
			the hell out of here.

					GEORDI
			Sounds good to me.

5    STAY ON GEORDI

	as Riker walks away. He shakes his head as more data
	return from the surface of Theta Eight...

					GEORDI
				(to himself)
			Nasty.

6    INT. CAPTAIN'S READY ROOM

	PICARD sits on a chair staring at a tabletop viewer.
	It has a number of equations and theorems on it -- like
	a present-day blackboard. The door CHIMES.

         STAR TREK: "The Royale" - 01/10/89 - TEASER         3.

6    CONTINUED:

					PICARD
			Come.

	Riker ENTERS, looks at the viewscreen.

					PICARD
				(continuing)
			Fermat's last theorem. Familiar
			with it?

					RIKER
			No. I'm afraid I spent too many
			math classes daydreaming about
			being on a starship.

					PICARD
			It's intriguing. When Fermat died
			they found scrawled in the margin
			of his notes that he had found
			a "remarkable proof."
				(beat)
			Unfortunately he never lived to
			write it down. And for the last
			eight hundred years people have
			been trying to rediscover it.

					RIKER
			And that includes you?

					PICARD
			I find the process relaxing.

					RIKER
				(changing the subject)
			We've detected debris of some sort
			in a loose orbit.

					PICARD
			Can you identify?

					RIKER
			I suggest we beam a section aboard
			for analysis.

					PICARD
			Make it so, Number One.

7    INT. TRANSPORTER ROOM - PICARD (OPTICAL)

	ENTERS and goes to where Riker is standing by the
	platform. He nods to O'BRIEN standing at the console.

         STAR TREK: "The Royale" - 01/10/89 - TEASER         4.

7    CONTINUED:

					PICARD
			Energize.

	Riker explains as a piece of the debris begins to
	MATERIALIZE:

					RIKER
			We've locked onto something with
			markings on it.

					PICARD
			What sort of markings?

					RIKER
			Uncertain, sir.

	A large chunk of jagged metal MATERIALIZES on the
	platform. It seems featureless, the color of brushed
	aluminum. Picard is intrigued -- he touches it and
	spots something as he turns it over...

					PICARD
			There's something here.

	Riker goes to see what Picard has found.

					PICARD
				(continuing; frowning)
			That symbol... Do you recognize
			it?

					RIKER
				(quietly stunned)
			Yes sir. I -- I think I do.

8    REVERSE ANGLE

	to see what they're seeing.

9    MOVE IN ON THE SYMBOL

	a white five-pointed star on a dark blue circular
	background intersected by red and white horizontal
	lines on either side.

	It is the insignia of the United States Air Force...

									FADE OUT.

                         END OF TEASER                          

        STAR TREK: "The Royale" - 01/10/89 - ACT ONE        5.

                            ACT ONE                             

	FADE IN:

10   EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL)

	seen from a different angle, still in orbit around
	Theta Eight.

11   INT. OBSERVATION LOUNGE - PICARD

	Riker, Data and TROI are gathered to discuss the
	debris...

					DATA
			Metallic analysis bears out that
			the object in question was
			terrestrial in origin. Most
			likely late twenty-first century.

					PICARD
			But that's not possible. No ship
			of that time period could have
			come this far.

					DATA
			Nevertheless, that is what our
			tests indicate. And the markings
			we discovered are consistent with
			this hypothesis.

					TROI
			Any idea what destroyed it? An
			explosion of some sort?

					DATA
			Unknown.

					PICARD
			The question is, how did it get
			here?

	Picard's train of thought is interrupted by the
	INTERCOM...

					WESLEY'S COM VOICE
			Captain. We've detected a large
			structure on the planet.

        STAR TREK: "The Royale" - 01/10/89 - ACT ONE        6.

12   INT. MAIN BRIDGE - CLOSE ON SCREEN

	Wesley and the others are studying the sensor readout
	screen.

					DATA
			It is a building of some sort,
			situated on a plane of frozen
			methane, smack in the middle of
			a tremendous storm belt. It is
			incongruous; it simply should not
			be there!

					PICARD
			Are you certain it's artificially
			constructed?

					DATA
			Absolutely. The structure is
			surrounded by breathable air.

	Picard steps back, taking it all in.

					RIKER
			It's hard to accept...

					PICARD
			Yet it does seem to be down there.
			Is there a connection between the
			structure and the ship?

	No one seems to have an answer to this.

					PICARD
				(continuing)
			Suggestions?

					RIKER
				(small smile)
			Only one, sir. Suggest we go down
			and have a look.

					PICARD
			Form an away team, minimal
			complement.

13   MOVE IN

	on a thoughtful, determined Picard.

					PICARD
			Let's see if we can find the
			architects.

        STAR TREK: "The Royale" - 01/10/89 - ACT ONE        7.

14   OMITTED

15   INT. TRANSPORTER ROOM - ON DATA AND WORF

	checking equipment, standing on the transporter
	platform. Over at the transporter panel, O'BRIEN
	looks up.

					O'BRIEN
			Give me a moment, gents. We're
			dealing with an extremely narrow
			access point.

16   OMITTED

17   RIKER (OPTICAL)

	steps on platform.

					RIKER
			We're ready when you are...
				(then to Worf)
			Phasers on stun.

	They adjust their phasers. Riker looks to O'Brien.
	O'Brien nods.

					RIKER
				(continuing)
			Energize.

	O'Brien complies, and the party of three is BEAMED
	AWAY.

18   EXT. PLANET SURFACE - DATA, WORF AND RIKER (OPTICAL)

	MATERIALIZE in a featureless black void. It is
	completely still, no sound, no movement. The calm is
	unnerving.

					RIKER
				(tense)
			Where are we?

	Data checks his tricorder.

					DATA
			Exactly where Geordi said we would
			be. The structure is directly
			behind us.

        STAR TREK: "The Royale" - 01/10/89 - ACT ONE        8.

18   CONTINUED:

	They all turn and look behind them. All they can see
	is blackness...

					DATA
				(continuing)
			I am detecting vast ammonia storms
			raging mere kilometers away. Yet
			they do not appear to penetrate
			this breathable zone.

					RIKER
				(soft, awed)
			It's like the eye of a hurricane.

	Data has wandered toward where he believes the
	structure to be. He looks up, as though sensing the
	hugeness of the thing.

					DATA
			It is here. It must be here, yet
			we cannot see it.

19   INTERCUT WITH PICARD ON THE MAIN BRIDGE

					RIKER'S COM VOICE
			Enterprise, this is Commander
			Riker. We have arrived in a very
			unusual place... it is like being
			in the eye of a hurricane. It
			is completely calm, no sound, no
			movement, yet a few meters away
			a storm, which we can neither see
			nor hear, is raging.

					PICARD'S COM VOICE
			Describe the structure.

					RIKER
			We can't see it.

					WORF
			Commander, over here. I see
			something!

	Data and Riker hurry over to Worf. The Klingon has
	discovered an old-fashioned revolving door, seemingly
	situated in the middle of nothing. It turns slowly, as
	though beckoning them...

        STAR TREK: "The Royale" - 01/10/89 - ACT ONE        9.

19   CONTINUED:

					WORF
				(continuing)
			What is this thing?

					PICARD'S COM VOICE
			What is it, Commander?

					RIKER
				(to Picard, amazed)
			I think it's a door. An antique.

					DATA
			Judging by its location, it may
			be an entrance to the structure
			we seek.

	The three of them exchange wary glances...

					RIKER
			Well... this is what we came here
			for.
				(to Picard)
			Captain, we are entering the
			structure.

	Riker cautiously steps in and the revolving door
	automatically turns to the right. Riker disappears
	into the darkness, and when the door stops revolving he
	is gone. Worf looks at Data and then follows suit.
	Data follows him...

20   INT. ROYALE LOBBY - DATA

	steps out of the revolving door and joins the others
	inside the structure. They are standing on a garish
	carpet, scarlet with gold trim. All are looking around
	incredulously as we HEAR THE SOUND OF A SLOT MACHINE
	hitting a jackpot and the tumult of a casino in full
	swing.

21   ANGLE TO REVEAL THEIR WHEREABOUTS

	inside the lobby of a small Vegas-style hotel, roughly
	our time period. To their right is a front desk beside
	some elevators. To the left is a modest casino with
	blackjack tables, crap tables and roulette wheels, all
	flanked by a row of slot machines and a lounge with a
	piano player.

        STAR TREK: "The Royale" - 01/10/89 - ACT ONE        10.

21   CONTINUED:

	There is a bustle of activity on all sides. People are
	gambling, hotel workers are scurrying about. No one
	is paying much attention to the three stunned
	strangers. Riker touches his communicator.

					RIKER
			Riker to Enterprise. We have
			entered the structure.
				(then, realizing)
			We're not getting through.

22   INT. MAIN BRIDGE - PICARD

	stands between Wesley and an n.d. crewmember at Conn
	and Ops. Troi can be seen sitting at the Command
	Section with Geordi still at the Aft Station.

					PICARD
			Where's that interference
			originating?

					GEORDI
			From the source, sir. Cause...
			unknown.

					PICARD
			Lock onto the landing party.
			Have the Transporter Room prepare
			to beam them up.

	Geordi shakes his head as he studies the screen...

					GEORDI
			We can't distinguish them as long
			as they're inside that structure.

					PICARD
			Can they hear us?

					GEORDI
			We've got to recalibrate all
			frequencies.

					PICARD
			Make it so.

23   INT. ROYALE LOBBY - RIKER

	is touching his communicator, frustrated.

        STAR TREK: "The Royale" - 01/10/89 - ACT ONE        11.

23   CONTINUED:

					DATA
			Without radio contact, we should
			leave immediately.

					RIKER
			Agreed. We'll make a preliminary
			sweep of this environment and then
			return.

	A BELLBOY, a Latino in his mid-twenties, nervously
	looks them over as if he is expecting someone else.

					BELLBOY
			Checking in, gentlemen? You'll
			have to go to the front desk.

	He indicates the front desk and then moves off before
	our people can respond. What follows plays off the
	point of view of Riker and the others. Riker thinks
	about what he said and then heads for the front desk.
	Worf and Data follow him, still looking around in
	wonder.

	A SLIGHTLY BUILT MAN WITH PERFECT HAIR stands behind
	the counter, underneath a sign that says REGISTRATION.
	The name tag on his lapel reads "ASSISTANT MANAGER."
	He's the type of assistant manager we've all met at
	one time or another: polite in a routine, impersonal
	and annoying way, fastidious and slightly effeminate.

					ASSISTANT MANAGER
			Welcome, gentlemen. Have a nice
			trip?

	Riker looks at Worf quizzically.

					RIKER
			Uh... Do you know us?

					ASSISTANT MANAGER
			We've been expecting you. A trio
			of foreign gentlemen.

					RIKER
			We're from the United Federation
			of Planets --

					ASSISTANT MANAGER
			Of course. Welcome to The Hotel
			Royale...

        STAR TREK: "The Royale" - 01/10/89 - ACT ONE        12.

23   CONTINUED: (2)

	The Bellboy comes up beside the assistant manager,
	interrupting:

					BELLBOY
				(urgently)
			Did Rita call?

					ASSISTANT MANAGER
			No -- and for your own good you
			had better quit thinking about
			Rita.

					BELLBOY
			I'm not afraid of him.

					ASSISTANT MANAGER
			Then you're a fool. Everybody
			with any sense is afraid of Mikey
			D.

					BELLBOY
				(waves off the thought
				 of Mikey D)
			If Rita calls -- you let me know.

	He then turns and walks away.

					ASSISTANT MANAGER
				(confidentially to
				 Riker)
			The kid's just askin' for trouble
			-- Rita's too much for him to
			handle, and Mikey D will plant
			his face in the pavement.
				(then, handing them
				 to Riker)
			Now, here are your room keys and
			some complimentary casino chips.
			Enjoy!

	Riker and Worf don't know what any of this means.

					WORF
			What is this place? How did a
			being like you get here?

	The assistant manager finally looks up.

        STAR TREK: "The Royale" - 01/10/89 - ACT ONE        13.

23   CONTINUED: (3)

					ASSISTANT MANAGER
			Why this is the Royale, of
			course. And my personal life is
			really none of your business,
			thank you.

	He looks back down again...

					RIKER
			What he means is, what planet
			is this?

	The assistant manager SIGHS and faces Riker...

					ASSISTANT MANAGER
			I beg your pardon?

					RIKER
			This planet. What do you call
			it?

					ASSISTANT MANAGER
				(rolling his eyes)
			Earth.
				(very dry)
			What do you call it?

	Riker and Worf are stunned to hear him mention Earth.

					WORF
			We call it Theta Eight.

					ASSISTANT MANAGER
			How charming.

	This time the assistant manager spins and begins to
	EXIT the area behind the desk.

					DATA
			Commander...

					RIKER
			Yes Data?

					DATA
				(reading from his
				 tricorder)
			None of these people... are
			emitting life signs.

					WORF
			You mean they're not alive?

        STAR TREK: "The Royale" - 01/10/89 - ACT ONE        14.

24   OMITTED

25   MOVE IN ON RIKER

	looking around at the "people" moving about the lobby
	with more than a little concern.

					RIKER
				(more to himself)
			Then what are they?...

									FADE OUT.

                        END OF ACT ONE                          

        STAR TREK: "The Royale" - 01/10/89 - ACT TWO        15.

                            ACT TWO                             

	FADE IN:

26   INT. ROYALE LOBBY - THE AWAY TEAM

	are still examining their unexpected surroundings -- studying
	the movements of the hotel's seeming
	inhabitants.

					WORF
				(to Data)
			These beings... are they machines,
				(eyes narrow)
			or mere illusions, designed to
			deceive us?

					DATA
				(studying tricorder)
			Not illusions, Lieutenant. They
			do exist, but they do not register
			as either man or machine.

	Just then, a cheerful, burly, MIDDLE-AGED MAN wearing
	a huge tan-colored Stetson (we'll call him TEXAS) comes
	out of the elevator behind Data. The android turns
	his tricorder on him...

					DATA
				(continuing)
			For example, this creature
			exhibits no DNA structure.

	Texas overhears and replies in a Texas twang...

					TEXAS
			Look who's talkin'.
				(to Riker)
			He sounds just like my ex-wife.

	Texas shakes his head and mutters to himself as he
	hobbles OUT OF FRAME. We can hear him BELLOW OUT as
	he reaches the casino O.S.

					TEXAS
				(continuing)
			Aaaaall right!! Time to get back
			to business!

					DATA
			What sort of business do you
			suppose he is getting down to?

        STAR TREK: "The Royale" - 01/10/89 - ACT TWO        16.

26   CONTINUED:

	Curious, Data wanders toward the casino. Worf and
	Riker wander with him, as we:

									GO TO:

27
thru	OMITTED
29

30   INT. MAIN BRIDGE

	Picard stands and walks to the Aft Station, where
	Wesley and Geordi are working on something together.

					PICARD
			Status report?

					WESLEY
			We're attempting to employ
			alternate encoding schemes.

					GEORDI
			There are hundreds of possible
			combinations, Captain.

					PICARD
			Is there an intelligence causing
			the interference?

					GEORDI
			Impossible to tell, Captain.

	Troi looks at Picard, concerned.

31   INT. ROYALE CASINO - ENTRANCE - THE AWAY TEAM

	are standing at the edge of the casino. We can hear
	occasional SHOUTS OF ENTHUSIASM AND DESPAIR from the
	gaming tables. Data quietly walks up to a table where
	TWO HIGH-ROLLERS are playing blackjack surrounded by
	onlookers and supporters.

	THE DEALER is a twenty-eight year old black man, cool
	and laid back. Texas sits to his right, while VANESSA
	sits to his left.

	Texas notices Data and motions him to come up beside
	him. The dealer shuffles his decks as Texas converses
	with the android, Data holding his complimentary chips
	in his hand.

        STAR TREK: "The Royale" - 01/10/89 - ACT TWO        17.

31   CONTINUED:

					TEXAS
			You're new around here, aren't
			you?

					DATA
			Yes. I have certainly never
			visited this place, or its true
			counterpart, before.

					TEXAS
				(re the game)
			Sit down, boy. I'll show you how
			this game is played.
				(re Data's chips)
			Go ahead. Ante up.

	Texas does just that; Data follow suit. The dealer
	has just finished shuffling. He slides the deck toward
	Data... and waits.

					DATA
				(to Texas, frowning)
			It seems he expects something of
			me.

					VANESSA
			He wants you to cut the cards.

					DATA
			Ah, is this poker?

					TEXAS
			No, it's blackjack.

					DATA
			Also known as twenty-one, a
			number which defines the object
			of the game. Tens and picture
			cards are worth ten, ace -- one
			or eleven -- the other cards face
			value. The dealer must hit
			seventeen -- five cards under pays
			double.

					TEXAS
			Not at this joint -
				(to dealer)
			Run 'em, boy. And make 'em
			friendly. There's no bread in
			the house.

32
thru	OMITTED
37

        STAR TREK: "The Royale" - 01/10/89 - ACT TWO        18.

38   WIDE ANGLE

	The dealer deals. The other players look at their two
	cards and the dealer shows a ten.

					TEXAS
				(to Vanessa)
			Aren't you going to look at your
			hand?
				(aside to Data)
			Poor girl needs to win.

	Vanessa has a ten and a five.

					VANESSA
			Fifteen - do I hit, Texas, or
			stand?

					TEXAS
			If you've got to win -- then you've
			got to hit.

					VANESSA
			Hit me.

	The Dealer slides her a new card -- a jack.

					VANESSA
				(continuing)
			Damn!

	She flips her cards toward the dealer; she's gone over.
	Vanessa's spirits sink.

					TEXAS
			Hit me.

	Dealer flips over a nine; Texas nonchalantly turns his
	cards - a ten and a deuce.

					TEXAS
				(continuing)
			Twenty-one -- a winner.

					RIKER (O.S.)
			Having fun, Data?

39   ANGLE TO INCLUDE RIKER

	now standing with Worf among the onlookers. Data is
	quickly self-conscious.

        STAR TREK: "The Royale" - 01/10/89 - ACT TWO        19.

39   CONTINUED:

					DATA
			Fun, sir? While there is a
			certain amount of enjoyment
			involved I was mainly conducting
			research into --

					RIKER
			-- Save it, Data. We're getting
			out of here.

					DATA
			Understood, sir.

					DEALER
			Hey, you're holding up the game.

					RIKER
			Our apologies. Come on, Data.

	Riker and Worf turn to exit the casino. Data follows
	after, nodding at the other players and remembering
	to take his two chips.

40   INT. ROYALE LOBBY - THE AWAY TEAM

	approach the revolving door through which they came
	into the Royale. Riker enters it first, followed by
	Data and Worf. Much to their surprise, they find
	themselves exiting right back into the lobby. They
	are all disconcerted...

					RIKER
			Try it again.

	And they try again... and come back out in the lobby
	again.

					DATA
			Sir, there is no other exit point.
			Unless we can find another way...
			it seems we are trapped here.

	Worf reacts, frustrated, claustrophobic; Riker puts a
	steadying hand on his shoulder as he fights his own
	fears, as we:

									FADE OUT.

                        END OF ACT TWO                          

        STAR TREK: "The Royale" - 01/10/89 - ACT TWO        20.

41   OMITTED

       STAR TREK: "The Royale" - 01/10/89 - ACT THREE       21.

                           ACT THREE                            

	FADE IN:

A42	EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL)

	in orbit around the planet.

					PICARD (V.O.)
			Captain's log, supplemental. We
			remain in orbit around Theta
			Eight, still out of contact with
			the away team.

42   INT. ROYALE CASINO - RIKER AND DATA

	stand at the edge of the casino, watching the goings on
	from afar; Riker's concerned, Data's interested. Worf
	approaches, frustrated.

					WORF
			Phasers are totally ineffective
			on all surfaces.

					DATA
				(to Riker, showing his
				 own variety of concern
				 now)
			I am checking options... they
			seem quite limited --

					RIKER
			We don't have any. If we're ever
			going to get out of here, we'll
			have to do it on our own.
				(then, heading off)
			I'm going to get some answers out
			of that desk clerk...

	Riker strides off toward the front desk, as we:

									GO TO:

43   INT. ROYALE LOBBY - FRONT DESK - THE BELLBOY

	is beside himself with anxiety, waiting for the proper
	moment before he does what he has to do. Finally, all
	eyes are diverted and he steps behind the bell
	captain's stand, opens a small drawer, and pulls out a
	snub-nosed .38. He checks the load, snaps the cylinder
	shut and slides the revolver into his waistband.

       STAR TREK: "The Royale" - 01/10/89 - ACT THREE       22.

43   CONTINUED:

	He sighs with satisfaction, suddenly starting as the
	assistant manager puts a hand on his shoulder.

					ASSISTANT MANAGER
			Are you crazy?

					BELLBOY
			Wrong. I'm finally getting some
			smarts --

	Riker approaches, quickly intrigued by the obvious
	intensity of the conversation.

					ASSISTANT MANAGER
			You think you're gonna scare Mikey
			D with that thing?

					BELLBOY
			I'm gonna make him leave Rita
			alone.

					ASSISTANT MANAGER
			Kid, she's a big girl... and she's
			Mikey D's girl.

					BELLBOY
			Not any more. Not after tonight.

					ASSISTANT MANAGER
			Look. I like you. I don't want
			to see you get hurt... especially
			over some dame --

					BELLBOY
				(bristling at that)
			Don't call her that!
				(then, eyes welling up
				 with anger)
			You'll see! You'll see how tough
			Mikey D is! He's nothin'!

	With that, the bellboy stomps off; Riker seizes the
	moment, quickly steps up to the assistant manager.

					RIKER
			I want some answers!

					ASSISTANT MANAGER
			The concierge can help you with
			any --

       STAR TREK: "The Royale" - 01/10/89 - ACT THREE       23.

43   CONTINUED: (2)

					RIKER
			We want out of here. Now.

					ASSISTANT MANAGER
			I'm afraid you've missed your
			check-out time. We do have our
			rules, you know.

					RIKER
			I mean out of the building. We
			want to get outside --

					ASSISTANT MANAGER
			The Royale's exits are clearly
			marked.

					RIKER
			That's not good enough.

					ASSISTANT MANAGER
			If you have a complaint about the
			service you've received during
			your stay, you can always take
			it up with the manager.

					RIKER
			Fine! I'd like to see him
			immediately!

					ASSISTANT MANAGER
				(calm smile)
			I'm afraid the manager is very
			busy.

	Before the sssistant manager gives one of his typical
	non-answers, RIKER'S COMMUNICATOR UNEXPECTEDLY COMES
	ALIVE.

					PICARD'S COM VOICE
				(heavy static)
			... Riker, can you read me?

	Riker hits his communicator:

					RIKER
			Yes, go ahead.

	Then, nothing. He tries again:

					RIKER
				(continuing)
			Enterprise?... Enterprise?...

       STAR TREK: "The Royale" - 01/10/89 - ACT THREE       24.

44   INT. MAIN BRIDGE - ON PICARD AND TROI

	standing behind Wesley and Geordi.

					RIKER'S COM VOICE
				(through static)
			... Enterprise...

					PICARD
				(into com)
			Why haven't you left the
			building, Number One?

					RIKER'S COM VOICE
				(through static)
			... Tried... Trapped here... No
			immediate danger...

45   INT. ROYALE LOBBY - NEAR ELEVATOR - RIKER

	is conversing with the Enterprise; behind him, the
	assistant manager is peering over, covertly listening
	in.

					PICARD'S COM VOICE
			Something at your location is
			interfering with our exchange...
			Working on the problem...

	Picard's voice is completely drowned out by the static.

46   INT. MAIN BRIDGE - PICARD

	is frustrated.

					WESLEY
			These frequencies aren't
			working.

					PICARD
				(sharply)
			Then find another.

					WESLEY
			Yes sir.

	Picard returns to Command -- sighing with exasperation
	as he sits down.

					PICARD
				(to himself)
			What is going on down there?

       STAR TREK: "The Royale" - 01/10/89 - ACT THREE       25.

47   INT. ROYALE LOBBY - NEAR REGISTRATION DESK

	Data is back at it with his tricorder, aiming it up
	toward the ceiling...

					DATA
				(studying tricorder)
			Commander... I am picking up
			something most unusual in another
			section of this structure.
			Indications of DNA.

					RIKER
			Where?

					DATA
			Thirty-one point nine meters
			above and to the right of us.

					WORF
				(indicates elevators)
			Perhaps those turbolifts could
			take us there.

48   INT. ROYALE - SEVENTH FLOOR HALLWAY - THE AWAY TEAM

	move down the hallway -- Data using his tricorder like
	a Geiger counter. He pauses in front of a door marked
	"727."

					DATA
			The reading I got is behind this
			door.

49   ANGLE ON THE DOOR TO ROOM 727

	Riker's hand COMES INTO FRAME. It hesitates for a
	moment... and then knocks... and knocks again. There
	is no response, so he opens the door.

50   INT. ROYALE - RICHEY'S SUITE

	is typical of what you'd find in a Vegas hotel. The
	lights are on, the shades drawn, there is no sense of
	movement; however, there is someone apparently sleeping
	in the bed (we can see hair on a pillow as well as a
	body buried under the covers).

					DATA
			My reading is intensifying.

       STAR TREK: "The Royale" - 01/10/89 - ACT THREE       26.

50   CONTINUED:

					RIKER
			Life signs?

					DATA
			None.

	Riker moves forward and pulls the cover off the body.

51   CLOSE ON WHAT IS SHOCKINGLY REVEALED

	a skeletal figure -- long dead and decaying. Riker
	recoils...

					DATA
			Definitely human. Male.

					RIKER
			Looks like the poor devil died
			in its sleep.

					WORF
			What a terrible way to go.

	Worf has moved to the window...

					DATA
			He has been dead for two hundred
			eighty-three years. The lack of
			any advanced decomposition is
			attributable to the sterile
			environment.

					WORF
			Commander, look here.

	Worf pulls back the drapes, revealing a garish neon
	sign blinding us to anything beyond its surreal imagery
	of a long-legged cowgirl. Data crosses to a closet
	in b.g.

					WORF
			Is that... this "Las Vegas" you
			spoke about?

					RIKER
			I believe that's what the
			illusion is meant to be.

       STAR TREK: "The Royale" - 01/10/89 - ACT THREE       27.

51   CONTINUED:

					RIKER
				(moving, looking around
				 the room)
			Why would anyone go to all this
			trouble? It's all just... window
			dressing for a dead man.

	Data pulls out a pale-blue, sleek, one-piece space
	suit. There's an American flag stitched on the right
	sleeve.

					DATA
			Is this significant, sir?

					RIKER
			American. Fifty-two stars -- that
			would date it between 2053 and
			2079 A.D.

	Riker examines the suit and finds a name embroidered
	on the chest area.

					RIKER
				(continuing;
				 reading name)
			Colonel S. Richey.

	Riker looks at the skeleton and somehow feels sad...

					RIKER
				(continuing; soft)
			Rest in peace, Colonel.

	Riker's communicator comes alive again and Picard can
	be heard clearly now.

					PICARD'S COM VOICE
			Picard to Riker.

					RIKER
			Finally.
				(touches communicator)
			Riker. Go ahead.

52   INT. MAIN BRIDGE

	Picard and Troi are standing behind Wesley and Geordi
	at Science Two.

					PICARD
			What's your situation?

       STAR TREK: "The Royale" - 01/10/89 - ACT THREE       28.

52   CONTINUED:

					RIKER
			We are locked in a structure made
			to resemble twentieth century
			Earth -- all efforts to exit have
			failed.

					PICARD
			We can't transport.

					RIKER
			I assumed as much. Captain, we
			have located the remains of a
			human.

53   INT. ROYALE - RICHEY'S SUITE - ON RIKER

					RIKER
			Request identity scan on a
			Colonel Richey, American, first
			initial S., roughly same time
			period.

54   INT. MAIN BRIDGE - SAME SETTING

					RIKER'S COM VOICE
			We also need a computer library
			check on hotel known as the
			Royale; possible location, Las
			Vegas, Nevada, circa twenty-first
			century.

	Static overwhelms Riker's voice, terminating
	communication. Picard turns to Geordi and Wesley...

					PICARD
			Get on it.

55   EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL)

	in orbit.

56   INT. MAIN BRIDGE - WESLEY

	calls over to Picard:

					WESLEY
			Information retrieved, Captain --

       STAR TREK: "The Royale" - 01/10/89 - ACT THREE       29.

56   CONTINUED:

	Picard steps over to a search/file screen which is
	sizzling with readout. He studies it for a beat, then
	intones:

					PICARD
			Colonel Stephen Richey was the
			commanding officer of the
			explorer ship Charybdis which
			had a terrestrial launch date of
			7-23-2067. It was the first
			manned attempt to travel beyond
			the confines of the Euclidian
			solar system. Its telemetry
			system failed and it was never
			heard from again...
				(then, intrigued)
			Why is this of interest, Number
			One?

	There is no com response from Riker:

					GEORDI
			The frequency scramble remains
			unpredictable, sir...

	Picard sighs with the frustration of being out of touch
	with his away team while:

57   INT. ROYALE - RICHEY'S SUITE - RIKER AND DATA

	react to the information they just got on Richey as
	Worf steps up with something in his hands.

					WORF
			Commander? Some curiosities...

					RIKER
				(taking them from Worf)
			Books... A novel...
				(reading the cover)
			"The Royale Hotel"...
				(hands it to Data)
			Summarize.

	Data smiles, takes the paperback, stares down at it as
	he literally lets the pages fan past his eyes. That
	done, he looks up at Riker with:

       STAR TREK: "The Royale" - 01/10/89 - ACT THREE       30.

57   CONTINUED:

					DATA
			The story of a group of compulsive
			gamblers caught up in the web of
			crime, corruption and deceit spun
			by nefarious lothario Mikey D who
			appears only at the climax to be
			brought to his knees by a
			heartbroken bellboy. There is
			a subplot about an older man
			conspiring with a younger woman
			to murder her husband while
			squandering her inheritance. The
			writing is elementary, the
			plotting predictable, the
			characters one-dimensional. The
			only thing of interest, quite
			honestly, is the intriguing
			setting, that of a Las Vegas
			gambling casino-hotel --

					RIKER
				(interrupting)
			This novel... and everyone in
			it you've just described...
			that's this hotel...

	Riker picks up the other small book now.

					RIKER
				(continuing)
			This... this appears to be a
			diary... but with only one
			entry...
				(reading from it with
				 great interest now)
			"I write this in the hope that
			it will someday be read by human
			eyes... I can only surmise at this
			point, but apparently our
			exploratory shuttle was
			contaminated by an alien life-form
			which infected and killed all
			personnel except myself. I
			awakened to find myself here in
			The Royale Hotel... and for the
			last thirty-eight years I have
			survived here.
					(MORE)

       STAR TREK: "The Royale" - 01/10/89 - ACT THREE       31.

57   CONTINUED: (2)

					RIKER (Cont'd)
			"I have come to understand that
			this place was created for me
			out of some sense of guilt,
			presuming that the novel we had
			on board was in fact a guide to
			our preferred lifestyle and social
			habits. Obviously, they thought
			this was the world from which I
			came. I hold no malice toward
			my benefactors... they could not
			possibly know the hell they have
			put me through, for it was such
			a badly written book, filled with
			endless cliche and shallow
			characters. I shall welcome death
			when it comes... "

	Riker looks up at Data and Worf, who realize:

					RIKER
			Then that is why... all of this
			is here. But why can't we get
			out?

	And as they all react to that, we:

									FADE OUT.

                       END OF ACT THREE                         

       STAR TREK: "The Royale" - 01/10/89 - ACT FOUR       32.

                           ACT FOUR                             

	FADE IN:

58   EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL)

	in orbit around the planet.

59   INT. OBSERVATION LOUNGE

	Picard is there with Geordi and PULASKI.

					PICARD
			Suppose we phaser a slice in the
			field which surrounds the
			structure?

					GEORDI
			Yes...

					PULASKI
			That would mean the atmosphere
			of the planet would instantly rush
			in.

					PICARD
			How long would they live under
			those conditions?

					PULASKI
			A minute -- maybe less.

					PICARD
			But you could revive them.

					PULASKI
			Well, that would depend on how
			long they were exposed, how soon
			I got to them, but Captain
			realistically... I wouldn't give
			them much of a chance. I'm a
			doctor -- not a magician.

					PICARD
			I understand the risk, but I will
			not warp off and leave them.
				(to Geordi)
			Make your preparations.

					GEORDI
			Yes, sir.

	Off Pulaski's reaction:

       STAR TREK: "The Royale" - 01/10/89 - ACT FOUR       33.

60   INT. ROYALE - RICHEY'S SUITE

	The away team is searching the room for any other clues
	when the PHONE RINGS. Worf looks to the others and
	then awkwardly picks it up after figuring out how to
	separate the receiver from the rest of the phone.

					WORF
				(into phone)
			Yes?
				(listens, frowns, turns
				 to others)
			There is a female voice asking
			if we want... "room service."

	Data and Riker look at one another -- they have no idea
	how to answer that question.

					DATA
			I believe they are asking if we
			want the room cleaned.

					RIKER
			Tell them no.

					WORF
				(into phone)
			No.

	Worf listens to the response, shows surprise, and then
	hangs up.

					RIKER
			What'd she say?

					WORF
			She said... "The kitchen's open
			twenty-four hours if we change
			our minds."

	Data cocks his head, puzzled.

					RIKER
			I'm going to explore the other
			floors; you two go down to the
			lobby, see if we've missed
			anything. Talk to the other
			"guests" -- try and find out who
			and what they are.

61   EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL)

	in orbit.

       STAR TREK: "The Royale" - 01/10/89 - ACT FOUR       34.

62   INT. ROYALE CASINO - BLACKJACK TABLE - THE DEALER

	looks up from his deal toward the entrance to the
	casino.

63   ANGLE ON DATA AND WORF

	just walking into the casino. Data turns to Worf...

					DATA
			I suggest we separate and blend
			in with these beings. Casual
			queries offered in an
			inconspicuous manner might prove
			most fruitful.

					WORF
			What?

	Data shrugs.

					DATA
			Mingle, Worf. Mingle.

	Data walks off into the casino leaving Worf to ponder
	just how he plans to mingle.

64   INT. ROYALE CASINO - DATA

	has wandered up to the "21" table where Vanessa and
	Texas are still playing. Data comes up beside Texas.
	Vanessa is looking more desperate, Texas more
	confident, just as the dealer reveals his hole card.
	Blackjack. Vanessa sags:

					VANESSA
			How much do I have left?

					TEXAS
			Honey, it's bad luck to count your
			chips at the table...

	Data sits beside Texas, cocks his head.

					DATA
			If I might inquire, where are you
			from, sir?

					TEXAS
			Lubbock, Texas.

       STAR TREK: "The Royale" - 01/10/89 - ACT FOUR       35.

64   CONTINUED:

					DATA
			How did you get here?

					TEXAS
			To Vegas? Drove. Got a
			ninety-six caddy with only eighty
			thousand miles on her.

					DATA
			And where is your automobile now?

	The Dealer deals a round. Comes to Vanessa.

					DEALER
			Hit?

	She slides her cards under her chips; she's pat.

					TEXAS
			It's out front, I suppose. What
			the hell difference does it make?

					DATA
			Could you take me there?

	The Dealer reveals his hole card. Blackjack again.

					VANESSA
				(to Texas)
			I'm losing my shirt here --

					TEXAS
				(ignoring her; to Data)
			Now son, why would I wanna do
			that? Can't you see I'm tryin'
			to to help this little lady?

					DATA
			I do not believe you could go to
			your car, even if it truly exists.
			You are trapped inside the Royale,
			just as I am.

       STAR TREK: "The Royale" - 01/10/89 - ACT FOUR       36.

64   CONTINUED: (2)

					TEXAS
				(chuckling)
			Sure does feel that way when
			you're losin', doesn't it? But
			right now we're tryin' to turn
			this lady's wagon and win back
			some lost change. Otherwise she's
			goin' to be in a desperate
			situation with nowhere to turn.
				(with a wink to Data)
			Well, almost nowhere.

	The dealer deals again while Texas lets his hand run
	suggestively down her arm.

65   SCENE

	Vanessa looks at her cards. She's got thirteen. The
	dealer has a five showing.

					VANESSA
			I stay, right?

					TEXAS
			I wouldn't.

	The woman is so desperate now -- all her money -- what
	little that's left -- is on the line.

					DATA
			The odds favor standing pat.

	Texas is confused -- it's as though no one has ever
	interfered before.

					VANESSA
			What do I do?

	The dealer is getting impatient.

					DEALER
			You want a card or what?

	Vanessa looks from Data to Texas. Then she looks at
	the dealer and nods "yes." The dealer lays down a card -- it's
	a king.

					VANESSA
			Too many.

	She turns and looks at Texas.

       STAR TREK: "The Royale" - 01/10/89 - ACT FOUR       37.

65   CONTINUED:

					VANESSA
				(continuing)
			That's everything I had. I've
			lost it all. What am I going to
			do?

	Texas puts his arm around her shoulders and pats her
	gently.

					TEXAS
			There, there...

	Then he looks up at Data with another knowing wink.

66   INT. ROYALE LOBBY

	Worf joins Riker at the registration desk. The
	assistant manager is talking with the bellboy. Both
	are agitated -- nervous -- expectant. Suddenly both look
	at the door. Their eyes widen.

67   RIKER AND WORF

	turn to see:

68   DOORWAY

	Through the revolving door comes a hard-looking man --
	MIKEY D -- it's obvious he's got murder on his mind.

69   RIKER AND WORF

	as they look from Mikey D to the bellboy.

70   SCENE

	The bellboy moves off to the side -- he's young and
	scared, but he's not the kind to back down. (All of
	this has to be played through the eyes of Riker and
	Worf.)

					MIKEY D
			You were told.

	The bellboy nods.

       STAR TREK: "The Royale" - 01/10/89 - ACT FOUR       38.

70   CONTINUED:

					BELLBOY
			It's not for you to make the
			call... it's for Rita.

					MIKEY D
			She sent me to tell you.

	Mikey moves slightly to the side -- a gunfighter looking
	for an edge.

					ASSISTANT MANAGER
			Boys -- we can't afford to have
			any trouble here -- take it
			outside.

					MIKEY D
			Yeah -- I like that... come on,
			baggage man... let's you and me
			take it outside.

	The bellboy hesitates.

					ASSISTANT MANAGER
			Watch yourself.

					BELLBOY
			Don't worry.

	The bellboy moves his hand back to where he has stashed
	his gun.

71   RIKER

	He looks from the bellboy to Mikey D.

72   MIKEY D

	He smiles. His hand also moves.

73   RIKER AND WORF

	Worf smells a firefight coming and his hand goes to his
	phaser. With a look, Riker tells Worf to stay out of
	this.

					RIKER
			It's all part of the novel. Don't
			interfere.

       STAR TREK: "The Royale" - 01/10/89 - ACT FOUR       39.

74   SCENE

	As the bellboy moves toward the door... Mikey D makes a
	little circling move -- just enough to get the angle.
	Without warning -- Mikey D pulls his gun and fires.
	It's loud and smoky. The bellboy falls. Mikey D
	quickly turns his attention on the room.

75   RIKER AND WORF

	Neither moves -- they are both mesmerized by what they
	are watching.

76   SCENE

	Mikey D looks over at the bellboy.

					MIKEY D
			You should have listened, kid
			no woman is worth dying for...
			killing for... but not dying for.

	Mikey D then turns and walks OUT of the hotel as Data
	walks up to:

77   RIKER AND WORF

	Riker reacts.

					RIKER
				(re Mikey D)
			How can he leave?

					DATA
			It is on page 244.

	Riker reacts, realizing:

					RIKER
			The book... Then... how does it
			end?

					DATA
			A bad love affair ends in a bloody
			shoot-out, the hotel gets bought
			out and life goes on... such as
			it is --

					RIKER
			The hotel gets bought? By whom?

       STAR TREK: "The Royale" - 01/10/89 - ACT FOUR       40.

77   CONTINUED:

					DATA
				(re the book)
			It is not very specific. The
			acquiring party is simply referred
			to as "foreign investors." Sale
			price, twelve point five million.

					RIKER
			That's how we're getting out.
			We're buying this place.

	Riker leads Data and Worf off and we:

									FADE OUT.

                        END OF ACT FOUR                         

       STAR TREK: "The Royale" - 01/10/89 - ACT FIVE       41.

                           ACT FIVE                             

	FADE IN:

78   EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL)

	in orbit around the mysterious Theta Eight.

79   INT. MAIN BRIDGE - PICARD

	is in his Command Chair, weighing the impossible
	situation.

					PICARD
				(sighs with
				 frustration)
			Number One... If we don't take
			some action, make some attempt -- however
			dangerous it may be -- to
			rescue you, you may very
			well be lost to the confines of
			that conundrum for all eternity.
			That is certain death for you
			all... and that...
				(building angrily now)
			... that is unacceptable! We
			have set phaser focus with energy
			ratios sufficient to penetrate
			the structure --

					RIKER
			Hold on that. There may be
			another way. I'll keep you
			informed.

80
thru	OMITTED
83

84   ANGLE - DATA, RIKER, AND WORF AT THE CRAP TABLES

	where Data studies the action with curious intensity,
	taking it all in:

					DATA
			It is a question of decimal
			percentages. Quite simple, really
			if one bets with any sequential
			consistency.

       STAR TREK: "The Royale" - 01/10/89 - ACT FIVE       42.

84   CONTINUED:

					RIKER
			Can you do it?

					DATA
			Certainly.

	Just then, someone moves aside to reveal Texas and
	Vanessa standing beside the away team.

					TEXAS
			C'mon, sugar, seven-come-eleven
			and we're on easy street --

	Vanessa rolls the dice and a monotone tells us:

					CROUPIER (O.S.)
			Snake eyes.

	Texas sags; she shoots daggers at him.

					VANESSA
			I'm almost broke!

					TEXAS
			Baby, relax! It's only money --

					VANESSA
			But if I lose it all, I won't
			even have a place to sleep.

					TEXAS
				(protective)
			Don't worry your pretty little
			head. I'd never let that happen.

	The croupier passes the dice to Data.

					CROUPIER
			It's your roll, sir...

	Riker urges him forward.

					RIKER
			Go to work.

	Data places one of his chips on the pass line.

					TEXAS
			Maybe this turkey'll change our
			luck --

       STAR TREK: "The Royale" - 01/10/89 - ACT FIVE       43.

84   CONTINUED: (2)

	She sighs heavily; Texas shoves several chips out
	behind Data's and now Data picks up the dice and
	awkwardly rolls them down the length of the table. The
	croupier barks out:

					CROUPIER
			Six. The point is six --

					TEXAS
			Six! Hell, my blind grandmother
			can make a six! Let 'er rip, boy!

	Data picks up the dice and rolls again, his face
	reflecting a sudden realization as we hear:

					CROUPIER
			Seven. Seven and out...

	Data's eyes widen as he sees his chips swept away by
	the croupier. At his side, Vanessa tries to pull away
	from Texas.

					VANESSA
			So much for your new turkey --

	Texas pulls her back to the table.

	Data turns to Riker and Worf as he picks the dice up
	again:

					DATA
			These cubes are improperly
			balanced. I believe that their
			final resting position is
			adversely affected --

	Riker reacts, realizing:

					RIKER
			Loaded dice.
				(then, to Data)
			Can you... "repair" them?

					DATA
			I believe so...

85   ANGLE - DATA'S FINGERS

	begin to apply android pressure to the dice.

       STAR TREK: "The Royale" - 01/10/89 - ACT FIVE       44.

86   DATA

	blows on the dice and rolls again and now his face
	lights up with the sound of:

					TEXAS (O.S.)
			Seven! A winner!

	Data's money is quickly doubled; so is Vanessa's.
	They both like it.

					TEXAS
			Attaboy! Just do that a few more
			times and everybody's gonna get
			well --

	And as Data prepares to roll again now, we:

									GO TO:

87   THE ASSISTANT MANAGER

	as he walks to the table with a tray of $100,000
	placques. Data has quite a crowd around him now as
	he continues his hot streak.

					ASSISTANT MANAGER
				(to croupier)
			Who has the dice?

	The croupier nods toward Data. At his side, Vanessa is
	doing just fine, with more money in front of her than
	she ever dreamed. Now, of course, Vanessa is all over
	Texas like a cheap suit.

					VANESSA
			Oh, Tex, darlin', you're
			brilliant!

					TEXAS
			Yeah. An' good lookin' too, huh?

	Worf studies the action, leans over to his comrades.

					WORF
				(to Riker)
			Isn't that enough?

					RIKER
			Almost. I don't want to be short,
			that's for sure...
				(then, to Data)
			You are keeping count?

       STAR TREK: "The Royale" - 01/10/89 - ACT FIVE       45.

87   CONTINUED:

	Data reaches down, touches the stack, pauses for a
	moment, then whispers:

					DATA
			Eleven point three million.
				(then, whimsically)
			Perhaps I will bet it all --

	Riker leans in to him, whispering urgently:

					RIKER
			No! Simply reach twelve million.

					DATA
			As you wish...

	With that, Data rolls one last time and we hear:

					ASSISTANT MANAGER (O.S.)
			The man has the touch.

	The croupier shoves more chips over to Data; Riker
	leans in to Data with:

					RIKER
			Now.

					DATA
				(to the Croupier)
			I would like to cash out, please.

	The croupier blanches; he turns to the assistant
	manager who steps up.

					ASSISTANT MANAGER
			I'm afraid you've broken the bank.
			That's over twelve million --

					RIKER
			Twelve point five million to be
			exact. The purchase price of
			this hotel.

					ASSISTANT MANAGER
			That's impossible --

	Riker smiles, holds up the novel.

       STAR TREK: "The Royale" - 01/10/89 - ACT FIVE       46.

87   CONTINUED: (2)

					RIKER
			Wrong. We're the "foreign
			Investors" on page 244. We're
			buying you out, lock, stock, and
			barrel.
				(slides the chips toward
				 the pit boss)
			Consider it a "done deal."

	The assistant manager reacts, stupefied, not knowing
	how to react. Texas turns to them, wide-eyed.

					TEXAS
			Hey, y'know what? Y'all got
			style! I like that! Let me buy
			y'all a drink --

	Riker smiles at him, reaches into Texas's coat pocket
	and pulls out a big cigar. As he twirls it in his own
	mouth:

					RIKER
			Enjoy the game, friend. And don't
			let 'em change the dice on you.

	With that, Riker leads Worf and Data away through the
	crowd. The assistant manager, sweating nervously,
	shouts out:

					ASSISTANT MANAGER
			Wait! You can't leave!

					RIKER
			Oh yeah? Watch us.
				(then, wagging a finger
				 at him)
			Don't forget, we own the joint.

	Riker leads them toward the revolving door in the
	distance. Worf looks a bit worried, puffs himself up,
	anticipating a struggle with strange physical elements
	beyond his ken.

					WORF
			You're confident about this,
			Commander?

					RIKER
			Focus. Concentrate. See only
			where we want to BE, not where
			we are.

       STAR TREK: "The Royale" - 01/10/89 - ACT FIVE       47.

87   CONTINUED: (3)

					DATA
			Ancient philosophical overtones
			of thought process... "Zen", I
			believe --

					RIKER
			We own the place... and we're
			walking through that door...

88
thru	OMITTED
91

91A  ANGLE - THE REVOLVING DOOR

	And as they approach the door, we see each of our away
	team members steel himself for the impossible... and
	they step into the revolving door and we:

									GO TO:

92   EXT. PLANET SURFACE - THE BLACK VOID

	envelops them once again. Riker smiles confidently as
	he intones:
					RIKER
			I think it's time to go home...

93   INT. MAIN BRIDGE - PICARD

	smiles in relief as he hears those words. He turns to
	his crew.
					PICARD
			Transporter Room, we have a fix
			on our away team. Beam them up...
			and please be quick about it!

	Troi comes over to his side and shares his moment of
	relief as:

93A  EXT. PLANET SURFACE - THE AWAY TEAM (OPTICAL)

	BEAMS UP and:

       STAR TREK: "The Royale" - 01/10/89 - ACT FIVE       48.

93B  THE REVOLVING DOOR

	continues its perpetual motion as we:

									FADE OUT.

                        END OF ACT FIVE                         

                            THE END