STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION 
                              
                           "Deja Q" 
                          #40273-161 
                              
                          Written by 
                         Richard Danus 
                              
                          Directed by 
                          Les Landau 


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 This script is not for publication or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
 
                       NOVEMBER 14, 1989
 

             STAR TREK: "Deja Q" - 11/14/89 - CAST 

                STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION 
                           "Deja Q" 

                             CAST                               
                              
                PICARD             Q
                RIKER              Q2
                DATA               DOCTOR GARIN
                BEVERLY            SCIENTIST
                TROI               
                GEORDI             
                WORF               
                                   Non-Speaking
                GUINAN               TECHNICIANS

                ENGINEER'S VOICE   

                Non-Speaking       
                  SECURITY GUARDS    
                  SUPERNUMERARIES    

             STAR TREK: "Deja Q" - 11/14/89 - SETS 

                STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION 
                           "Deja Q" 
                        
                             SETS 

            INTERIORS                  EXTERIORS
          
            USS ENTERPRISE             USS ENTERPRISE
              MAIN BRIDGE
              ENGINEERING              SHUTTLCRAFT
              CORRIDOR
              DETENTION CELL
              CAPTAIN'S READY ROOM
              TEN FORWARD
              TURBOLIFT
          
            SHUTTLECRAFT

        STAR TREK: "Deja Q" - 11/14/89 - PRONUNCIATION 

                STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION 
                           "Deja Q" 
                               
                      PRONUNCIATION GUIDE 

                  BRE'EL             bree-EL
                  CALAMARAIN         kal-ah-mah-REIGN
                  DELTIVED           DEL-tih-ved

        STAR TREK: "Deja Q" - REV. 11/17/89 - TEASER        1.

                STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION                  
                           "Deja Q"                                
                            TEASER                              

	FADE IN:

1    EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL)

	The ship orbits Bre'el, a small, verdant planet orbited
	by a single moon, irregularly shaped.

					PICARD (V.O.)
			Captain's log, Stardate 43539.1.
			We have moved into orbit around
			Bre'el Four to investigate a
			potentially catastrophic threat
			to the population from a
			descending asteroidal moon...

2    INT. MAIN BRIDGE (OPTICAL)

	To include MAIN VIEWER. PICARD, TROI and RIKER in the
	Command Chairs. DATA and WORF at their stations.
	SUPERNUMERARY at Conn. On the Main Viewer is DOCTOR
	GARIN, a middle-aged man. He is obviously very
	troubled. Another SCIENTIST is at his side. In the
	b.g. various TECHNICIANS check monitors. It has the
	look of controlled chaos that fills a hurricane center
	during a big storm.

					DATA
			The satellite's trajectory
			continues to deteriorate,
			Captain... This orbit will bring
			it to within five hundred
			kilometers of the planet's
			surface.

					GARIN
			We're predicting the atmospheric
			drag will bring it down on the
			next orbit.

					SCIENTIST
			Have you been able to find any
			explanation for this?

					DATA
			No, Doctor... it is a most unusual
			phenomenon.

        STAR TREK: "Deja Q" - REV. 11/17/89 - TEASER        1A.

2    CONTINUED:

					PICARD
			Won't the moon disintegrate prior
			to impact?

					SCIENTIST
			No, it has a ferrous crystaline
			structure and will be able to
			withstand tidal forces, Captain...

					RIKER
			Couldn't we just blow it into
			harmless chunks?

					DATA
			The total mass of the moon would
			remain the same, Commander. And
			the impact of thousands of
			fragments would spread destruction
			over an even wider area.

        STAR TREK: "Deja Q" - REV. 11/16/89 - TEASER        2.

2    CONTINUED:

					PICARD
			How long before impact...

					DATA
			Twenty-nine hours... projected
			somewhere on the western
			continent. It would destroy an
			area eight hundred kilometers in
			radius.

					SCIENTIST
			That damage would be
			insignificant, Captain, compared
			to the seismic repercussions...
			massive landquakes, and
			tsunami...

					GARIN
			The force would raise a cloud of
			dust around the planet, leading
			to a significant temperature
			reduction. We could be looking
			at our own ice age.

					PICARD
				(keying insignia)
			Commander La Forge, is there any
			way the Enterprise might be able
			to coax this satellite back where
			it belongs... ?

									INTERCUT:

3    INT. ENGINEERING

	GEORDI's at a console. SUPERNUMERARIES at various
	positions. The matter/anti-matter blender bubbling with
	power.

					GEORDI
			We'd need to apply a delta-vee
			of at least four kilometers per
			second. Even with warp power to
			the tractor beam, it would mean
			exceeding recommended impulse
			engine output by at least
			forty-seven percent. It'd be like
			an ant pushing a tricycle... a
			slim chance at best...

        STAR TREK: "Deja Q" - REV. 11/17/89 - TEASER        3.

3    CONTINUED:

					RIKER
				(to Picard)
			Given a choice between slim and
			none, I'll take slim any day...

					PICARD
			Make it so.

					RIKER
			Lieutenant Worf, signal all ships
			in this sector to rendezvous and
			join us in relief efforts.

					WORF
			Aye, sir.

					PICARD
				(to Main Viewer)
			We'll keep you informed of our
			progress. Picard out.

4
thru	OMITTED
8

9    EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL)

	The tractor beam flares out of the ship and grabs onto
	the small moon. The warp engines flare brighter as we
	apply power. The ship is trying to "plow" the moon
	into a higher orbit.

10   INT. BRIDGE (OPTICAL)

	As before. Picard and Riker looking at the viewer.
	The tractor beam holds the small moon. The moon does
	not move.

	Picard gets up and walks closer to the viewer.

					RIKER
			Can you give us any more,
			Geordi... ?

					GEORDI'S COM VOICE
			Not without burning out the
			tractor beam emitter... the
			circuits are already beyond their
			thermal limit.

        STAR TREK: "Deja Q" - REV. 11/17/89 - TEASER        4.

10   CONTINUED:

					DATA
			Delta-vee is ninety-two meters per
			second. The mass is too great.
			We are having an effect but it
			is negligible.

	In the background, a strange noise... it begins low...
	more like a million voices than a million machines...

					RIKER
			What is that...

					DATA
			Unable to identify source...

	It gets louder...

					GEORDI'S COM VOICE
			Impulse engines passing saftey
			limits. We're seconds from
			automatic shutdown.

					PICARD
			Reduce engines... tractor beam
			off...

	The sound continues to grow... and seems to surround
	the ship... they react... almost deafening now...

					RIKER
			Worf, what the hell do the sensors
			show... ?

					WORF
			The sound is not registering,
			Commander...

	The sound swirling inside and all around... ends with
	a slight POP. Q APPEARS, naked, suspended above
	everyone, as though held by an invisible puppet.

					Q
			Red Alert.

					PICARD
			Q.

	And Q promptly crashes to the floor. On reactions...

11
thru	OMITTED
16
									FADE OUT.

					END TEASER

        STAR TREK: "Deja Q" - REV. 11/21/89 - ACT ONE        5.

					ACT ONE

	FADE IN:

17   EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL)

	As it orbits Bre'el, maintaining its distance to the
	moon, Klyo.

					PICARD (V.O.)
			Captain's log, supplemental. We
			are no closer to finding a
			solution to the deteriorating
			orbit of the Bre'el Four moon...
			but with the arrival of Q, we now
			have a good idea of the cause.

18   INT. BRIDGE

	Starting with Q putting on his jump suit...

					GEORDI (O.S.)
			We couldn't drive the tractor
			emitters hard enough, Captain...

	Panning to find Picard is getting a debriefing on the
	failed moon attempt from Geordi...

					GEORDI
			The beam was flexing, and it was
			impossible to transfer enough
			kinetic energy to the moon...

					PICARD
			Our options?

					GEORDI
			We did everything by the book and
			a little extra... we need more
			time or more power and we're short
			on both. I'll take a look and see
			if there are any rules I haven't
			broken.

       STAR TREK: "Deja Q" - REV. 11/20/89 - ACT ONE       5A.

18   CONTINUED:

					PICARD
			Keep me advised.

	Geordi EXITS. Picard turns toward Q with loathing
	in his eyes...

					RIKER
			We know you're behind this, Q...

					Q
				(re: the jumpsuit)
			It's not at all my best color...
			Behind what... what are you
			blathering about, Riker...

	Picard moves to confront him...

					PICARD
			What kind of twisted pleasure does
			it give you to bring terror into
			their lives... ?

					Q
			What? Whose lives?

					PICARD
			The millions of people down there
			who are watching as their moon
			falls out of the sky...

					Q
			I haven't the vaguest idea what
			you're talking about... and I have
			a much more serious problem...
			I am no longer a member of the
			continuum. My superiors have
			decided to punish me.

	Picard frowns... refusing to participate with this
	game of Q's...

					PICARD
			And punish us as well, it seems...

	He ignores Q, moves away...

        STAR TREK: "Deja Q" - REV. 11/20/89 - ACT ONE        6.

18   CONTINUED: (2)

					Q
			They said I've spread too much
			chaos through the universe and
			they have stripped me of all my
			powers.

	They look at him with disbelieving eyes. Off their
	reaction --

					Q
			You do not believe me... ? Would
			I humiliate myself like this?

					RIKER
			If it served your purposes, yes.

					Q
			It is the truth. I stand before
			you, defrocked. I'm condemned
			to be a member of this lowest of
			species. A normal, imperfect,
			lumpen human being.

					TROI
			Turning you into a human was part
			of their punishment... ?

					Q
			No, it was my request. I could
			have chosen to exist as a
			Markoffian fire lizard or a
			Belzoidian flea, anything I
			wished... so long as it was
			mortal, but I only had a fraction
			of a second to mull and I chose...
			"this"... and asked them to bring
			me here...

					TROI
			Why?

        STAR TREK: "Deja Q" - REV. 11/20/89 - ACT ONE        7.

18   CONTINUED: (3)

					Q
				(moving to Picard)
			Because in all the universe you
			are the closest thing I have to
			a friend, Jean-Luc.

	Q smiles to Picard... Picard's look says it all. Data
	aims a tricorder at Q.

					DATA
			He is reading as fully human.

					Q
				(looks around the
				 bridge)
			Is there an echo in here?

					TROI
			I'm even sensing an emotional
			presence in him. I would
			normally describe it as being
			terrified.

					Q
			How rude.

	Enough of this... Picard rises, moves back into the
	fray.

					PICARD
			Q, what is it you want...

					Q
			Your compassion...
				(a beat, off Picard's
				 look)
			All right... Sanctuary on your
			ship... dreary as that may sound
			to both of us...

					PICARD
			Return the moon to its orbit.

					Q
			I have no powers. Q the ordinary.

					PICARD
			Q, the liar. Q, the misanthrope.

       STAR TREK: "Deja Q" - REV. 11/20/89 - ACT ONE       7A.

18   CONTINUED: (4)

					Q
			Q, the miserable. Q, the
			desperate. What must I do to
			convince you people...

					WORF
			Die.

        STAR TREK: "Deja Q" - REV. 11/20/89 - ACT ONE        8.

18   CONTINUED: (5)

					Q
			Very clever, Worf. Eat any good
			books lately?

					PICARD
			Fine. You wish to be treated as
			a human?

					Q
			Absolutely.

					PICARD
			Mister Worf, throw him in the
			brig.

					WORF
			Delighted, Captain.

					Q
			Jean-Luc... you can't do this...

	Worf moves to him...

					WORF
			You will walk or I will carry you.

					Q
			Given the options -- I'll walk.

	As they EXIT...

					Q
				(to Picard)
			You've disappointed me, Jean-
			Luc... I'm very disa...

	And Worf closes the turbolift doors... Riker and Picard
	exchange a glance.

18A  INT. TURBOLIFT (FORMERLY SCENE 19)

	Worf and Q.

					Q
			It was a mistake... I never should
			have picked human... I knew it
			the minute I said it.
					(MORE)

          STAR TREK: "Deja Q" - 11/14/89 - ACT ONE          9.

18A  CONTINUED:

					Q (Cont'd)
			To think of the future in this
			shell... forced to cover myself
			with fabric because of outdated
			human morality, to say nothing
			of being too hot or too cold,
			growing feeble as the years pass,
			losing my hair, catching a
			disease, being ticklish, sneezing,
			having an itch, a pimple, bad
			breath, having to bathe...

					WORF
				(acknowledges)
			Too bad.

19   INT. CORRIDOR (FORMERLY SCENE 20)

	Q and Worf exit the turbolift and walk down the
	corridor.

					Q
			"Klingon"... I should have said
			"Klingon". In my heart, I am a
			Klingon, Worf... So you understand
			I could never survive in
			confinement...
			The universe has been my back
			yard... this is cruel and unusual
			punishment. As a fellow Klingon,
			if you would speak to the captain
			on my behalf, I would be eternally
			grateful... which doesn't mean
			as much as it used to, I admit.

19A  INT. DETENTION CELL (OPTICAL)

					WORF
			Be quiet or disappear back where
			you came from.

	Worf ushers him in.

					Q
			I can't disappear any more than
			you can win a beauty contest.
					(MORE)

          STAR TREK: "Deja Q" - 11/14/89 - ACT ONE          10.

19A  CONTINUED:

					Q (Cont'd)
			If I ask a very simple question,
			do you think you can grasp it
			without troubling your intellect
			too much... ready? If I still
			had powers, would I permit you
			to lock me away?

					WORF
			You have fooled us too often, Q.

					Q
			Perspicacity incarnate. Please
			don't feel compelled to tell me
			the story of "the boy who cried
			Worf"?

					WORF
			Computer, activate forcefield.

	The room is now divided by a rim of lights. Q tests
	the force field. We see the EFFECT. Worf leaves. A
	security guard holds position...

					Q
				(yelling at Worf)
			I demand to be let out of here,
			do you hear me? You will
			deactivate this cell immediately.
				(no answer)
			"Romulan". I should have said
			"Romulan", you Klingon goat!

	And he sits down in frustration.

20   OMITTED

21   INT. READY ROOM

	Picard and Riker seated at the desk.

					PICARD
			The question is -- what sort of
			jaded game is he playing this
			time?

       STAR TREK: "Deja Q" - REV. 11/17/89 - ACT ONE       11.

21   CONTINUED:

					RIKER
			Maybe he just wants a big laugh.
			He'll take Bre'el Four to the edge
			of disaster, then pull the moon
			back.

					PICARD
				(thoughtful)
			Or he may have nothing to do with
			it at all.

					RIKER
			Do you honestly believe Q is
			telling the truth?

					PICARD
			Oh, I agree that is highly
			unlikely. But we have to proceed
			with our current dilemma as though
			Q is powerless to prevent it,
			don't we?

					RIKER
			As he sits, and watches us
			struggle...

					PICARD
			I don't see much choice.
				(speaking to com)
			Mister Worf, hail the Bre'el Four
			science station...

					WORF'S COM VOICE
			They're standing by, Captain...

	Picard turns on his monitor to reveal Garin and the
	Scientist.

					PICARD
			I'm sorry to report that our first
			attempt to restore the moon to
			its proper orbit has failed.

					GARIN
			We have less than twenty-five
			hours before impact...

       STAR TREK: "Deja Q" - REV. 11/17/89 - ACT ONE       11A.

21   CONTINUED: (2)

					RIKER
			Our chief engineer is working on
			ways to reinforce our tractor beam.

					PICARD
			There is hope... but if you have
			an evacuation plan...

					GARIN
			We have already started moving
			people from the coastal areas of
			the western continent...

					PICARD
				(acknowledges)
			We will make another attempt
			shortly... Picard out.

	He turns off the monitor...

					RIKER
			I gotta tell you Geordi is not
			optimistic...

	Suddenly, the room begins to glow... Picard and Riker
	exchange glances and head for the door.

					PICARD
			What the devil... ?

	As they exit...

22   INT. MAIN BRIDGE

	the EFFECT continues... Picard and Riker ENTER from the
	Ready Room... Data and supernumeraries are reacting.

       STAR TREK: "Deja Q" - REV. 11/17/89 - ACT ONE       12.

22   CONTINUED:

					RIKER
			Data... ?

					DATA
			Sensors are showing broad band
			emissions... including Berthold
			rays...

					RIKER
			Lethal?

					DATA
			No, Commander. Overall exposure
			is under seventy-five rems. Very
			low intensity. More like a soft
			medical scan... I would speculate
			that we are being probed...

					PICARD
			By whom?

					DATA
			The sensors cannot identify point
			of origin. It seems to be coming
			from all around us...

	Off their reactions...

22A  INT. ENGINEERING

	Geordi reacts as the EFFECT rolls by...

22B  INT. DETENTION (OPTICAL)

	Q is asleep with a rather pleasant expression on his
	face as the EFFECT zips right through the forcefields
	holding him prisoner... As the probe penetrates the
	field there is an additional EFFECT. The probe finds
	him and lingers on his face... and as it suddenly zips
	away...

									FADE OUT.

					END ACT ONE

          STAR TREK: "Deja Q" - 11/14/89 - ACT TWO          13.

                            ACT TWO                             

	FADE IN:

22C  EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL)

	in orbit.

23   INT. DETENTION (OPTICAL)

	Picard ENTERS... Q, lying on his bunk, opens an eye...

					Q
			Ah, you've come to apologize...
			how nice... no offense taken...
			all is forgiven...

	He rises.

					PICARD
			Enough. I want to know exactly
			what is going on, Q...

					Q
			But Jean-Luc, how can I know what
			is going on? I have been in this
			dungeon of yours, helpless and
			alone... bored to tears...

					PICARD
			We have a moon that is
			inexplicably falling out of
			orbit... and now the ship has been
			probed with Berthold radiation...

					Q
				(covering up some
				 concern)
			When? I wasn't aware of it.
				(off Picard's look)
			Truthfully, Jean-Luc. I have
			been entirely preoccupied by a
			most frightening experience of
			my own. A couple of hours ago,
			I started realizing this body was
			no longer functioning properly...
			I felt weak, the life oozing out
			of me... I could no longer
			stand... and then I lost
			consciousness...

          STAR TREK: "Deja Q" - 11/14/89 - ACT TWO          14.

23   CONTINUED:

					PICARD
			You fell asleep...

					Q
			It's terrifying... how can you
			stand it day after day...

					PICARD
			One gets used to it...

					Q
			What other dangers are in store
			for me... I am totally unprepared
			for this... I need guidance...

	Picard frowns, getting nowhere.

					PICARD
			I am unwilling to play along, Q.
			If you must keep up the charade,
			you will do it alone...

	As he starts to leave...

					Q
			Jean-Luc... wait...

	He walks into the FORCEFIELD... bounces back...

					Q
			This is getting on my nerves...
			now that I have nerves...

	Picard pauses at the door...

					Q
			You have a moon with a
			deteriorating orbit... I've known
			moons across the universe... big
			ones, small ones... I'm an
			expert... I can help you with this
			one... if you let me out of here.

	Picard reacts.

					PICARD
			Q, we're dealing with millions
			of lives... if you have the power
			to...

       STAR TREK: "Deja Q" - REV. 11/17/89 - ACT TWO       15.

23   CONTINUED: (2)

					Q
			I have no power... But I still
			have the knowledge... locked in
			this puny brain. You cannot
			afford to dismiss that advantage,
			can you?

	Picard must hold himself back... finally keys his
	insignia...

					PICARD
			Mister Data, please report to
			Detention Cell Three. Computer,
			remove the forcefield.
				(to Q)
			If this is what I must do to save
			those lives, I will.

	The field is removed. Q tentatively crosses past the
	barrier...

					PICARD
				(continuing)
			You will not be left alone for
			one moment while you are on this
			ship, Q. If you are human, which
			I seriously doubt, I suggest you
			work hard to earn our welcome.

					Q
			Oh, I'll earn your welcome. You
			only dislike me. There are others
			in the cosmos that truly despise
			me.

	Data ENTERS.

					PICARD
			You are hereby assigned to Q for
			the remainder of his stay...
			escort him to Mister La Forge in
			Engineering...

					Q
			Can I have a Starfleet uniform...

	That does not require an answer... Picard EXITS...
	Data studies Q.

					Q
			What are you looking at?

       STAR TREK: "Deja Q" - REV. 11/22/89 - ACT TWO       16.

23   CONTINUED: (3)

					DATA
			I was considering the possibility
			that you are telling the truth...
			and really are human.

					Q
			It's the ghastly truth, Mister
			Data... I can now stub my toe with
			the best of them.

					DATA
				(recognizing)
			An irony.
				(off Q's reaction)
			It would mean you have achieved
			in disgrace what I have always
			aspired to be.

	A beat on Data, then...

23A  INT. CORRIDOR

	Q accompanying Data to Engineering.

					Q
			Humans are such commonplace little
			creatures. They roam the galaxy
			looking for something, and they
			don't even know what it is.

					DATA
			The human race has an enduring
			desire for knowledge, and for new
			opportunities to improve itself...

					Q
			There is certainly room for
			improvement. The truth is, Data,
			they are a minor species in the
			grand scheme. Not worth your
			envy...

					DATA
			Oh, I do not feel envy.

					Q
			Good.

       STAR TREK: "Deja Q" - REV. 11/22/89 - ACT TWO       16A.

23A  CONTINUED:

					DATA
			I feel nothing at all. That is
			part of my dilemma. I have the
			curiosity of the human... but there
			are some questions I will never be
			able to answer... what is it like to
			laugh or to cry or to experience
			any human emotion... ?

					Q
			Believe me, life's a lot simpler
			without feelings... a lot
			simpler...

	And as they proceed down the hall...

24   INT. ENGINEERING (OPTICAL)

	Q is with Data and Geordi, bending over, studying data,
	photographs at the pool table...

					GEORDI
			The moon will hit its perigee in
			ten hours... we match its
			trajectory... increase emitter
			coolant rate so we can apply
			continuous warp-equivalent power
			nine to the tractor beam. We can
			keep pushing it for nearly seven
			hours and I think that might do
			it... but there's a problem...

					DATA
			The Enterprise will be dangerously
			close to the atmosphere.

					GEORDI
			That's the problem.

					Q
			This is incredible.

       STAR TREK: "Deja Q" - REV. 11/17/89 - ACT TWO       17.

24   CONTINUED:

					GEORDI
			You see something here, Q?

					Q
			I think I just hurt my back. I'm
			feeling pain. I don't think I
			like it. What's the right thing
			to say... "ow"?

					GEORDI
				(frustrated)
			Yeah...

					Q
			Ow. I don't think I can
			straighten up...

					DATA
				(keying insignia)
			Medical assistance to
			Engineering...

					GEORDI
			Q, I've got a few people down on
			Bre'el Four who are gonna be hurt
			if we don't...

					Q
				(interrupting)
			Yes, with your marvelous plan,
			you will not only tear the moon
			to pieces... but your precious
			ship as well.

					GEORDI
			You have a better idea... ?

					Q
			I would certainly begin by
			examining the cause and not the
			symptom.

					GEORDI
			We've done that, Q... and there's
			no way to determine...

       STAR TREK: "Deja Q" - REV. 11/17/89 - ACT TWO       18.

24   CONTINUED: (2)

					Q
			This is obviously the result of
			a large celestial object passing
			through at near right angles to
			the plane of the star system...
			probably a black hole...

					DATA
			Can you recommend a way to counter
			the effect?

					Q
			Simple. Change the gravitational
			constant of the universe.

					GEORDI
				(reacts)
			What... ?

					Q
			Change the gravitational constant
			of the universe. And thereby
			alter the mass of the asteroid...

					GEORDI
			Redefine gravity. How am I
			supposed to do that?

					Q
			You just do it. Where is that
			doctor anyway... ?

					DATA
			Geordi is trying to say that
			changing the gravitational
			constant of the universe is beyond
			our capabilities.

					Q
			Oh. In that case, never mind.

	Beverly ENTERS from the Engineering turbolift.

					Q
			Ah, Doctor Crusher, Starfleet
			shipped you back into exile, I
			see...

					DATA
			Q says he has hurt his back...

       STAR TREK: "Deja Q" - REV. 11/15/89 - ACT TWO       19.

24   CONTINUED: (3)

					BEVERLY
				(disbelieving)
			Uh huh.

	Geordi's mind is working now... as Beverly examines
	Q's back, he goes to the computer, starts working on
	something...

					BEVERLY
			Well, I wouldn't believe it if
			I didn't see it with my own eyes,
			... and I still don't believe
			it... according to this, you have
			classic back trauma, muscle
			spasms...

					Q
			I've been under a lot of stress.
			Family problems...

					BEVERLY
			You won't get any sympathy from
			me. You've been a pain in our
			backside often enough...

					Q
			Your bedside manner is admirable,
			Doctor. I'm sure your patients
			recover quickly just to get away
			from you.

	She gives him a hypospray and he immediately feels
	better... at the computer --

					GEORDI
			You know, it might work...

	Data moves to Geordi...

					GEORDI
			We can't change the gravitational
			constant of the universe but if
			we wrap a low level warp field
			around that moon, we could reduce
			its gravitational constant...
			make it lighter so we can push
			it.

					Q
			Glad I could help.
				(reacts)
			Ow... I think.

          STAR TREK: "Deja Q" - 11/14/89 - ACT TWO          20.

24   CONTINUED: (4)

					BEVERLY
			Now what?

					Q
			Something's wrong with my
			stomach...

					BEVERLY
			It hurts?

					Q
			It's making noise.

					BEVERLY
			Maybe you're hungry.

25
thru	OMITTED
28

29   INT. TEN FORWARD

	Q and Data ENTER...

					Q
			What do I ask for? I've never
			eaten before.

					DATA
			The choice of meal is determined
			by individual tastes.

					Q
			What do you like?

					DATA
			Although I do not require
			sustenance, I occasionally ingest
			a semi-organic nutrient suspension
			in a silicon-based liquid medium.

	They sit at the bar.

					Q
			Is it good?

					DATA
			It would be more accurate to
			say it is "good for me" as it
			lubricates my bio-functions.

          STAR TREK: "Deja Q" - 11/14/89 - ACT TWO          21.

29   CONTINUED:

					Q
			It doesn't sound too appealing.
			What else is there?

					DATA
			A wide variety of items... the
			replicator can make anything you
			desire.

					Q
			How am I supposed to know what
			I desire?

					DATA
			I have observed that many food
			selections are influenced by the
			mood of the person ordering...

					Q
			I'm in a dreadful mood... get me
			something appropriate...

					DATA
				(considers)
			When Counselor Troi is in an
			unhappy mood, she often has
			something chocolate...

					Q
			Chocolate...

					DATA
			For example, a hot fudge sundae.
			I cannot speak from personal
			experience, but I have seen it
			often has a profound psychological
			impact.

	A waiter comes over.

					Q
			I'll have ten hot fudge sundaes.

	The waiter reacts.

					DATA
			I have never seen anyone eat ten.

					Q
			I'm in a really bad mood. And
			since I've never eaten before,
			I should be very hungry.

          STAR TREK: "Deja Q" - 11/14/89 - ACT TWO          22.

29   CONTINUED: (2)

	The waiter shrugs and moves off. Q reacts as he sees
	--

29A  ANGLE - GUINAN

	down the bar, coming out from the back... she sees him,
	reacts... Q frowns...

					Q
				(sotto, to Data)
			This... is not a moment I've been
			looking forward to.

	She slowly comes over... with a controlled grin, a long
	beat as they look each other. Finally...

					GUINAN
			I heard you were drummed out of
			the continuum.

					Q
			I prefer to look at it as a
			significant career change.

					GUINAN
			Just one of the boys, huh?

					Q
			One of the boys with an IQ of
			two thousand and five.

					DATA
			The Captain and much of the crew
			are not yet convinced that he is
			truly human.

					GUINAN
			Is that right?

	Guinan never takes her eyes off Q as she casually picks
	up a fork from behind the counter... and sharply stabs
	Q's hand...

					Q
			AAAH...

					GUINAN
			He's human.

       STAR TREK: "Deja Q" - REV. 11/15/89 - ACT TWO       23.

29A  CONTINUED:

					Q
				(to Data)
			This is a dangerous creature.
			You have no idea... how could
			Picard allow her to join the crew
			and not me...

					GUINAN
			It must be frightening... totally
			defenseless... after being
			omnipotent all those centuries...

					Q
				(intimidated)
			I'm warning you... I still have
			friends in high places...

					GUINAN
			... terrorizing one race after
			another... teasing them like
			helpless animals... delighting
			at the fear of your victims...

					Q
				(sarcastic)
			From now on, I'll do missionary
			work...

					DATA
			That would be a very noble cause,
			Q.

					GUINAN
				(re: Data)
			You could learn a few things from
			this one.

					Q
			Sure, the robot who teaches the
			course in humanities.

					DATA
			I am an android, not a robot.

					Q
			I beg your pardon.

					GUINAN
			Get used to it, Q.

					Q
			What?

       STAR TREK: "Deja Q" - REV. 11/17/89 - ACT TWO       24.

29A  CONTINUED: (2)

					GUINAN
			Begging. You're a pitiful excuse
			for a human and the only way
			you're going to survive is by the
			charity of others.

	She moves down the bar.

	Two waiters bring Q's ten hot fudge sundaes... he's
	depressed, turns to Data, sighs --

					Q
			I'm not hungry.

	On Data's reaction...

30   INT. MAIN BRIDGE

	Picard, Riker, Worf, supernumeraries.

					WORF
			Captain, sensors are picking up
			a cloud of energetic plasma...
			bearing three-four-one mark
			two-zero... range twelve kilometers
			and closing...

					PICARD
			On screen.

30A  ANGLE - INCLUDE MAIN VIEWER (OPTICAL)

	An amorphous mass, shapeless and changing.

					WORF
			Energy patterns are reading as
			highly organized...

					RIKER
				(to Picard)
			A lifeform?

					PICARD
			Mister Worf, attempt to make
			contact...

					WORF
			Receiving a signal, sir... on
			speaker...

       STAR TREK: "Deja Q" - REV. 11/17/89 - ACT TWO       25.

30A  CONTINUED:

	Worf puts it on speaker... it sounds like a series of
	computer modem signals... hurts the ears...

					RIKER
			Computer, analysis of signal...

					COMPUTER
			Signal patterns indicate
			intelligence. Unable to derive
			necessary referants to establish
			translation matrix.

30B  INT. TEN FORWARD (OPTICAL)

	As people react to the cloud in view out the windows...
	Guinan reacts more than the others...

					GUINAN
			Calamarain...

	... and as she glances at Q who hasn't seen it yet...
	there is a shot of light from the cloud which shoots
	through the window... and immediately isolates Q...
	he yells... avoids them briefly... but they move after
	him... as Data reacts...

30C  INT. MAIN BRIDGE

	As before.

					WORF
			We're being hit by a field of
			energetic tachyons... penetrating
			the hull... location... deck
			ten... forward...

					PICARD
			Red alert.

					RIKER
			Increase power to shields...

					GEORDI'S COM VOICE
			Increasing power by twenty
			percent...

					WORF
			No effect...

       STAR TREK: "Deja Q" - REV. 11/17/89 - ACT TWO       26.

30C  CONTINUED:

					GEORDI'S COM VOICE
			Increasing to forty percent...

					WORF
			Still no effect...

30D  INT. TEN FORWARD (OPTICAL)

	The light EFFECT has wrapped up Q's legs as he
	scrambles helplessly to escape... Data tries to assist
	but the light EFFECT effectively blocks him off...

30E  INT. ENGINEERING

	Geordi working feverishly...

					GEORDI
			Adjusting shield harmonics...
			Diverting power to the forward
			grids.

30EA	INT. MAIN BRIDGE

	As before.

					WORF
			The added harmonics are blocking
			the tachyon field.

30F  INT. TEN FORWARD (OPTICAL)

	The light EFFECT is cut off... Q is freed... still
	terrified... rolling on the ground...

					Q
			HELP ME. SOMEBODY HELP ME...

	On Guinan's reaction...

					GUINAN
			How the mighty have fallen.

									FADE OUT.

                        END OF ACT TWO                          

      STAR TREK: "Deja Q" - REV. 11/20/89 - ACT THREE      27.

                           ACT THREE                            

	FADE IN:

31   EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL)

	Orbiting Bre'el. The plasma cloud is still ominously
	present.

					PICARD (V.O.)
			Captain's log, supplemental. We
			have sustained light damage from
			an attack by an alien species
			known as the Calamarain. They
			apparently have a grievance with
			Q... no doubt one of many
			lifeforms that do.

32   INT. BRIDGE

	Picard, Riker, Data, Worf, Troi are on the bridge.
	Q paces nervously. His rhetoric remains, but there
	is an underlying fear that we've never seen from him.

					Q
			The Calamarain are not very
			hospitable creatures. They exist
			as swirls of ionized gas.

					PICARD
			What did you do to them to
			motivate such a vengeance?

					Q
			Nothing bizarre. Nothing
			grotesque.

					RIKER
			You tormented them --

					Q
			A subjective term, Riker. One
			creature's torment, is another
			creature's delight. They simply
			have no sense of humor... a
			character flaw with which you can
			personally identify.

					RIKER
			I say we turn him over to them.


      STAR TREK: "Deja Q" - REV. 11/20/89 - ACT THREE      27A.

32   CONTINUED:

					Q
			Oh, my mistake... you do have a
			sense of humor... a dreadful one.

					RIKER
			I'm serious.

	Picard is adding things up... realizing...

      STAR TREK: "Deja Q" - REV. 11/17/89 - ACT THREE      28.

32   CONTINUED:

					PICARD
			Of course. You knew this would
			happen, didn't you?

					Q
			I assure you one cannot anticipate
			the Calamarain, Picard... they're
			intelligent, yes... but
			undependable... very flighty...

					PICARD
			But you have so many enemies, Q,
			of various shapes and sizes...
			certainly you must have been
			concerned that once you became
			mortal... some of them might try
			to look you up...

					Q
			It occurred to me.

					PICARD
			With all your chatter about
			"friendship", the real reason
			you're here is for protection,
			isn't it?

					Q
			You're so bright, Jean-Luc. Yes,
			of course, you're correct. I know
			human beings. You are all sopping
			over with compassion and
			forgiveness. The human race can't
			wait to absolve almost any
			offense. It's an inherent
			weakness in the breed.

					PICARD
			What you call weakness, some of
			us would call strength.

					Q
			Call it what you want, Picard.
			I know you'll protect me even
			though I've tortured you now and
			again...

					RIKER
			Fighting off every species you've
			insulted would be a full time
			mission. And it's not the one
			I signed up for.

      STAR TREK: "Deja Q" - REV. 11/15/89 - ACT THREE      28A.

32   CONTINUED: (2)

					PICARD
			Indeed. Human or not, I want no
			part of you. We will deposit you
			at the first starbase. Let them
			deal with you...

					Q
			But I can be a valuable member
			of your team, Picard...

					PICARD
			As though you have the faintest
			notion about team-work or
			cooperation...

      STAR TREK: "Deja Q" - REV. 11/15/89 - ACT THREE      29.

32   CONTINUED: (3)

					Q
			I can learn. I'm human.

					PICARD
			Then I suggest you apply to
			Starfleet Academy...

					RIKER
			Don't use me as a reference.

					DATA
			He has provided important
			theoretical guidance for Geordi's
			analysis of the Bre'el satellite,
			Captain.

	Reactions. Surprise at Data speaking up on his behalf.

					TROI
			It seems you have an advocate,
			Q.

					DATA
			I am only stating a fact,
			Counselor.

	Picard reluctantly acknowledges that fact... keys his
	insignia...

					PICARD
			Mister La Forge, your status?

33
thru	OMITTED
34
									INTERCUT:

35   INT. ENGINEERING

	At the console...

					GEORDI
			I've been putting together a
			program to extend the forward
			lobe of our warp field. The field
			coils are not designed to envelop
			such a large volume. But I'm
			attempting to modify their
			alignment parameters.

      STAR TREK: "Deja Q" - REV. 11/17/89 - ACT THREE      29A.

35   CONTINUED:

					DATA
			Maintaining field integrity will
			be difficult, Geordi.

					GEORDI
			I think we can do it manually.
			The moon's reaching its perigee
			in fourteen minutes...

      STAR TREK: "Deja Q" - REV. 11/15/89 - ACT THREE      30.

36   INT. MAIN BRIDGE

					PICARD
			Mister Data, escort Q to
			Engineering...
				(to Q)
			You will assist Mister La Forge.

	Data and Q EXIT.

					PICARD
			Mister Worf, hail the Bre'el Four
			science station.

36A  INT. TURBOLIFT

	Data and Q... Q fuming...

					Q
			Picard really thinks I can't cut
			it on his starship... I can do
			anything his little trained
			minions can do.

					DATA
			I do not perceive that your skills
			are doubted, Q. I believe the
			captain is more concerned with
			your ability to interact
			successfully with... his "little
			trained minions".

	The turbolift opens... they EXIT...

36B  INT. CORRIDOR - CONTINUOUS

	Leading to Engineering.

					DATA
			Human interpersonal relationships
			are most complex... your
			experiences may not have
			adequately prepared you.

      STAR TREK: "Deja Q" - REV. 11/17/89 - ACT THREE      31.

36B  CONTINUED:

					Q
			I don't want human interpersonal
			relationships. I just want to
			prove to Picard that I'm
			indispensable.

					DATA
			To function aboard a starship,
			or in any human activity, you will
			have to form relationships.

					Q
			Why does this have to be so
			hard...

					DATA
			Of more immediate importance is
			your ability to work within
			groups...

					Q
			I've never been any good in
			groups... it's difficult working
			in a group when you're
			omnipotent...

	Moving down the corridor toward Engineering...

37
thru	OMITTED
38

39   INT. MAIN BRIDGE (OPTICAL)

	Doctor Garin and the scientist are on the Main
	Viewer... Troi has left the bridge.

					GARIN
			The tides reached ten meters on
			the last orbit. They are already
			beginning to swell again. We have
			a lot of frightened people down
			here, Captain...

					PICARD
			Your moon has begun moving toward
			its perigee, Doctor... we are
			prepared to make our attempt...

      STAR TREK: "Deja Q" - REV. 11/15/89 - ACT THREE      31A.

39   CONTINUED:

					SCIENTIST
				(acknowledges)
			Our population has already taken
			shelter... but I'm afraid no
			shelter will be adequate if you
			fail... Especially for the
			people on the western continent.

					GARIN
			Whatever the results, we know
			you've done your best, Picard.
			It's appreciated.

      STAR TREK: "Deja Q" - REV. 11/20/89 - ACT THREE      32.

39   CONTINUED: (2)

					PICARD
			I'll keep you advised, Doctor.
			Picard out.

					WORF
			Captain, sensors are reading
			increased energy output from the
			Calamarain...

39A  PICARD

	reacts...

					GEORDI'S COM VOICE
			La Forge to bridge. The moon has
			reached its minimum orbital
			distance... it's time, Captain...

					RIKER
			We'll have to lower shields...

					PICARD
				(knowing the risks)
			Proceed.
				(beat)
			Mister Worf, keep a close eye on
			Q's friends out there...

					WORF
			Understood.

40   INT. ENGINEERING

	Geordi and supernumeraries are working the controls as
	Data and Q ENTER... Q, the "camp director"...

					Q
			Okay, everyone, here's what we're
			going to do...

	Geordi reacts...

      STAR TREK: "Deja Q" - REV. 11/17/89 - ACT THREE      33.

40   CONTINUED:

					GEORDI
			Q, everybody already knows what
			they're going to do, except for
			you... now here's what I need...

					Q
			La Forge, obviously my knowledge
			and experience exceed yours...
			by about a billion times... so
			if you'll just step aside
			gracefully...

					GEORDI
				(impatient)
			Your experience will be most
			valuable to me if you can manually
			control the field integrity...

					Q
				(reacts)
			Don't be foolish. That's a waste
			of my talents...

					GEORDI
			Get to the controls or get the
			hell out of here...

	And he moves off to serious business...

					GEORDI
			Data, you're my liason to the
			bridge... I'll need you with me...

					Q
				(to Data)
			Who does he think he is to give
			me orders...

					DATA
			Geordi thinks he is in command
			here... and he is correct.

	Q swallows hard... moves to the controls... as Data
	moves to Geordi...

40A  INT. MAIN BRIDGE

					RIKER
			Engineering, holding at station
			keeping, range six hundred and
			forty meters.

      STAR TREK: "Deja Q" - REV. 11/16/89 - ACT THREE      33A.

40A  CONTINUED:

					DATA'S COM VOICE
			Containment fields to flight
			tolerance.

40B  INT. ENGINEERING

	Q running the controls... moving to find Data
	monitoring sensors with Geordi...

					DATA
			Warp core to ninety percent.

					GEORDI
			Engage field coils. Tractor beam
			to stand-by. Field output... ?
			Field output... ?

					Q
				(reacts, bored)
			Two-seventeen...

					GEORDI
			Impulse engines to full. Ready
			to engage tractor beam.

					RIKER'S COM VOICE
			Lowering shields. Engage tractor
			beam.

      STAR TREK: "Deja Q" - REV. 11/17/89 - ACT THREE      34.

41   OMITTED

42   EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL)

	As in the tease, the tractor beam locks onto the moon.

42A  INT. ENGINEERING

					GEORDI
			Extending warp field forward.

42B  ANGLE - MONITOR (OPTICAL)

	A computer graphic shows the field extending from the
	ship and embracing the moon... only it doesn't quite
	get it all...

					PICARD'S COM VOICE
			Engineering, is that the forward
			limit?

					DATA
			Yes, Captain... we are unable to
			encompass the entire moon...

					PICARD'S COM VOICE
			Do you recommend we proceed... ?

	A beat as they look to Geordi...

					Q
				(shakes his head)
			The two parts of the moon will have
			different inertial densities...

42C  ANGLE - MOVING WITH GEORDI

					GEORDI
			I can adjust the field symmetry
			to compensate...

					Q
			I doubt it.

					GEORDI
			You don't know what this ship can
			do, Mister...
				(keying insignia)
					(MORE)

      STAR TREK: "Deja Q" - REV. 11/16/89 - ACT THREE      34A.

42C  CONTINUED:

					GEORDI (Cont'd)
			Yes, Captain... I think it still
			might work... increasing power
			to tractor beam and warp field...

					Q
				(to LaForge)
			And if you're wrong, the moon will
			crumble due to subspace stress...
			don't say I didn't warn...

					GEORDI
			Shut up, Q.

	Leaving his post...

					Q
			I will not be spoken to in this
			manner...

      STAR TREK: "Deja Q" - REV. 11/17/89 - ACT THREE      35.

42C  CONTINUED: (2)

					GEORDI
				(do something about him)
			Data...

					DATA
			Q, I strongly advise that you
			return to your post.

	Q reacts, listens to Data, hangs his head, returns to
	his post...

					DATA
				(checking readings)
			Inertial mass of the moon has
			decreased to approximately
			two-point-five million metric
			tons...

					GEORDI
			It's working. We can move it.
			Firing impulse engines...

42D  EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL)

	As the impulse engines provide thrust...

43   INT. MAIN BRIDGE (OPTICAL)

	As before. The computer graphic is on the main viewer.

					DATA'S COM VOICE
			The moon's trajectory has
			moved point-three percent...
			point-four percent...

	Worf reacts to something he sees on sensors...

					WORF
			Emergency... shields up...

					RIKER
			Disengage tractor beam...

					WORF
			Calamarain attacking...

	He's interrupted as the Enterprise suffers a massive
	impact...

      STAR TREK: "Deja Q" - REV. 11/16/89 - ACT THREE      35A.

43   CONTINUED:

					WORF
			Shields holding... tachyon field
			repelled...

					GEORDI'S COM VOICE
			Captain, the impact of the blast
			is pushing us into the upper
			atmosphere...

      STAR TREK: "Deja Q" - REV. 11/17/89 - ACT THREE      36.

44
thru	OMITTED
45A

45B  EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL)

	glows as it hits the atmosphere...

45C  INT. ENGINEERING

					DATA
			Hull temperature rising... two
			thousand degrees... two thousand
			five hundred degrees.

					GEORDI
			Moving to full impulse power...
			we've gotta get out of here...

45D  INT. MAIN BRIDGE

					WORF
			Calamarain are resuming attack...

	Suddenly, the ship is shaken again... and now the light
	EFFECT invades the bridge...

					WORF
			They've overpowered the shields...
			hull penetration... deck
			thirty-six... Engineering...

					RIKER
			Geordi, can you direct any more
			power to the shields... ?

45E  INT. ENGINEERING

					GEORDI
			We need all the power we have to
			get out of the atmosphere,
			Commander.

	The LIGHT EFFECT reaches and grabs Q who yells...
	Data is on his feet on his way to help Q... who is
	being wrapped up in the EFFECT like a caterpillar in
	a cocoon... being raised up in the air...

           STAR TREK: "Deja Q" - REV. 11/17/89 - ACT THREE          37.

45E  CONTINUED:

	Geordi gets an idea to repel the attack...

					GEORDI
				(to a supernumerary)
			Try activating the structural
			integrity field.

	As Q is lifted, Data grabs him in a tug of war... when
	suddenly Data is enveloped by the EFFECT... Geordi
	reacts...

					GEORDI
				(yelling orders)
			It's not working. Structural
			field harmonics on manual.

	He moves to the console, begins making manual
	adjustments...

					RIKER'S COM VOICE
			Hull temperature falling, Geordi...
			we're in the clear...

					GEORDI
			Diverting power to forward section.
			Now.

	The light disappears... Data and Q fall to the
	ground... Geordi rushes to Data who isn't moving...
	others join him...

					GEORDI
			Data... Data... ?

	Q, not getting any attention...

					Q
			What about me?

									FADE OUT.

					END OF ACT THREE

           STAR TREK: "Deja Q" - REV. 11/22/89 - ACT FOUR           38.

                           ACT FOUR                             

	FADE IN:

46   OMITTED

46A  EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL)

	In orbit.

46B  OMITTED

46C  INT. SICKBAY (FORMERLY SCENE 46B)

	Data is unconscious. Geordi and Beverly are both
	working on him... Picard, Riker and Q watching. Q
	seems confused, unsure of how to act or what to do.

					GEORDI
			The charge nearly knocked out his
			positronic net.

					RIKER
			What can you do for him?

					GEORDI
			We'll try to discharge and reset
			the motor pathways, recouple
			autonomic nodes...

					BEVERLY
			There's overpressure in his
			fluidic systems, thermal shock...
			If he was mortal, he'd be dead.

					Q
				(with a subtext of
				 guilt)
			Let us not overstate matters here,
			Doctor... I am mortal and I
			survived...

	They stare at him...

					Q
				(off their reaction)
			The cheers are overwhelming.

           STAR TREK: "Deja Q" - REV. 11/22/89 - ACT FOUR          38A.

46C  CONTINUED:

					PICARD
				(quietly seething)
			You exceed your own standards of
			selfish preoccupation. Have you
			no concern for the officer who
			very probably saved your life?

	Q does, but this is hard for him to admit...

           STAR TREK: "Deja Q" - REV. 11/17/89 - ACT FOUR           39.

46C  CONTINUED:

					Q
				(more hope than
				 conviction)
			He's strong, he'll survive.

					GEORDI
			Osmotic pressure still negative.
			Maybe if we by-passed the flow
			regulator...

					BEVERLY
			It would be helpful if everybody
			just got out of here now...

					GEORDI
			We'll let you know as soon as
			there's anything to tell you.

	Picard and Q EXIT... Riker lingers for business...

					RIKER
			Geordi, the moon's trajectory... ?

					GEORDI
			All we did was buy ourselves
			another orbit at most... we can
			try again when it comes back to
			the perigee...

					RIKER
			And when we drop our shields, the
			Calamarains go after Q again...

					GEORDI
				(bitter about Data)
			He's not worth it, Commander.

	Riker acknowledges... EXITS.

47   INT. READY ROOM

	Picard sits at his desk, doing some busy work...
	sipping tea... a chime at the door...

           STAR TREK: "Deja Q" - REV. 11/15/89 - ACT FOUR           40.

47   CONTINUED:

					PICARD
			Come...

	Q ENTERS... they take a beat to look at each other...
	and Q is in an unusually somber mood...

					Q
			You're right, of course. I am
			extraordinarily selfish. It's
			served me so well in the past...

					PICARD
			It will not serve you here.

					Q
			Don't be so hard on me, Jean-Luc.
			You've been mortal all your life.
			You know all about dying. I've
			never given it a second thought.
			Or a first thought for that
			matter.
				(beat)
			I could have been killed. If
			not for Data... that one, brief
			delay he created, I would have
			been gone. No more me. And
			nobody would have missed me, would
			they?

	Picard looks across at Q for a long, long beat... no
	compassion from our captain here...

					Q
			And yet Data may have sacrificed
			himself for me. Why? Why would
			he risk his own life for mine?

					PICARD
			That is his special nature. He
			has learned the lessons of
			humanity well...

					Q
			I ask myself if I would have done
			the same for him. And I am forced
			to realize the answer is no. And
			I feel... I feel ashamed.

           STAR TREK: "Deja Q" - REV. 11/15/89 - ACT FOUR           41.

47   CONTINUED: (2)

					PICARD
			I am not your father confessor.
			You will not receive absolution
			from me, Q. You have brought
			nothing but pain and suffering
			to my crew. And to this very
			moment, I am not entirely
			convinced that this is still not
			your latest attempt at a bad joke.

					Q
			It is a bad joke. On me. I am
			the joke of the universe. The
			king who would be man.
				(beat)
			As I learn more and more about
			what it is to be human, I am more
			and more convinced that I will
			never make a good one. I just
			don't have what it takes,
			Jean-Luc. Without my powers,
			I'm frightened of everything. I'm
			a coward. I'm miserable.
				(beat)
			And I don't think I can go on this
			way.

	And he is clearly broken... he EXITS... on Picard's
	reaction...

        STAR TREK: "Deja Q" - REV. 11/15/89 - ACT FOUR 42-43.          

47A
thru	OMITTED
48A

49   INT. SICKBAY

	Geordi and Beverly are still working on Data who is
	conscious, but has not regained full use of his
	program...

	Q ENTERS...

					BEVERLY
			He's going to be all right.

           STAR TREK: "Deja Q" - REV. 11/20/89 - ACT FOUR           44.

49   CONTINUED:

					GEORDI
			We're recalibrating his language
			circuits... he can't talk to us
			yet.

	Q goes to Data's side. Data looks up at him.

					Q
			There are creatures in the
			universe who consider you the
			ultimate achievement, android.
			No feelings, no emotions -- no
			pain. And yet you covet those
			qualities of humanity. Believe
			me, you are not missing anything.
				(beat)
			But if it means anything to you,
			Data... you are a better human
			than I.

	He goes out and the doors close on him. Data looks at
	Beverly and Geordi...

49A  INT. TURBOLIFT

	Q ENTERS, morose...

					Q
			Where's the Main Shuttlebay?

					COMPUTER VOICE
			Main Shuttlebay is located on deck
			four.

					Q
			Take me there...

50
thru	OMITTED
55

56   INT. BRIDGE

	Picard, Riker and Worf.

					WORF
			An unscheduled shuttlecraft has
			just been launched.

					PICARD
			On Main Viewer.

           STAR TREK: "Deja Q" - REV. 11/20/89 - ACT FOUR          44A.

56A  ANGLE - VIEWER (OPTICAL)

	The shuttlecraft moves away from the ship.

					PICARD
			Opening hailing frequency.

					WORF
			Frequency open.

					PICARD
			Shuttle occupant. Identify
			yourself.

           STAR TREK: "Deja Q" - REV. 11/16/89 - ACT FOUR           45.

56A  CONTINUED:

	The screen changes to reveal Q in the shuttle cabin.

					Q
			Don't try to talk me out of it,
			Jean-Luc.

					PICARD
			Q? Return to the ship at once.

					Q
			I just can't get used to following
			orders.

					WORF
			Captain, the plasma cloud is
			moving toward the shuttle.

					Q
			It's easier this way. They won't
			bother you after I'm gone.

					RIKER
			Engineering, prepare to extend
			shields...

					Q
			Please, do not fall back on your
			tired cliche of charging to the
			rescue in the nick of time... I
			do not wish to be rescued... My
			life as a human being is a dismal
			failure. Maybe my death can have
			a little dignity.

					PICARD
			There is no dignity in suicide...

					Q
			Yes, I suppose you're quite right.
			The death of a coward. So be it.
				(beat)
			Anyway, as a human, I'd die of
			boredom.

	He pushes a button, goes off line and the starfield
	with shuttlecraft returns... on reactions...

              STAR TREK: "Deja Q" - 11/14/89 - ACT FOUR             46.

57
thru	OMITTED
59

60   EXT. SPACE (OPTICAL)

	The Calamarain in the distance... closing on the
	shuttlecraft.

61
thru	OMITTED
67
									FADE OUT.

                         END ACT FOUR                           


           STAR TREK: "Deja Q" - REV. 11/17/89 - ACT FIVE           47.

                           ACT FIVE                             

	FADE IN:

68   EXT. SPACE (OPTICAL)

	As before, the Calamarain moves toward the
	shuttlecraft.

69   INT. MAIN BRIDGE

	Picard frowns...

					PICARD
			This goes against all my better
			judgment...
				(keys insignia)
			Transporter Room Three, lock on
			to Shuttle One... beam it back to
			it's bay.

					ENGINEER'S VOICE
			Aye, Captain...

					PICARD
			Well, it's a perfectly good
			shuttlecraft...

					ENGINEER'S VOICE
			Captain, unable to transport...
			For some reason, I can't lock on...

					RIKER
			Worf, are you sensing any sort
			of interference from the
			Calamarain?

           STAR TREK: "Deja Q" - REV. 11/16/89 - ACT FIVE          47A.

69   CONTINUED:

					WORF
			No, Commander, but they are
			continuing to move toward the
			shuttle.

					RIKER
			Geordi, extend shields around
			Shuttle One...

69A  INT. ENGINEERING

	Geordi moving to action...

              STAR TREK: "Deja Q" - 11/14/89 - ACT FIVE             48.

69A  CONTINUED:

					GEORDI
			Extending shields ...
				(reacts)
			Commander... the shields are
			frozen...

					RIKER'S COM VOICE
			Cause...

					GEORDI
			Unknown.

69B  INT. MAIN BRIDGE

					RIKER
			Lock on tractor beam...

					GEORDI'S COM VOICE
			Tractor beam is not functioning
			either...

					RIKER
			What the hell is going on?

70   INT. SHUTTLECRAFT (OPTICAL)

	Q, at the controls. Suddenly beside him, APPEARS a man
	dressed in the same clothes as Q's. Q reacts.

					Q2
			Not bad, Q. Not great. But not
			bad.

					Q
				(surprised)
			Q...

					Q2
			Sacrificing yourself for these
			humans... ? Do I detect a selfless
			act... ?

					Q
			You flatter me. I'm only trying
			to put a quick end to a miserable
			existence.

					Q2
				(re: the suit)
			What a dreadful color.

              STAR TREK: "Deja Q" - 11/14/89 - ACT FIVE             49.

70   CONTINUED:

					Q
			What are you doing here?

					Q2
			I've been keeping track of you.

	Q reacts, pleasantly surprised...

					Q
			Really? I always felt you were
			in my corner...

					Q2
			Actually, I was the one who got
			you kicked out...
				(off Q's look)
			You're incorrigible, Q, a lost
			cause. I can't go to a single
			solar system without apologizing
			for you... and I'm tired of it...

					Q
			I wasn't the one who misplaced
			the entire Deltived asteroid
			belt...

					Q2
			This is not about me.
				(beat)
			I have better places to be. But,
			somebody had to keep an eye on
			you in case you still found a
			way to cause trouble... even as
			a member of this limited
			species...

					Q2
				(sarcastic)
			I hope I've kept you amused.

					Q2
			Barely. But these humans are
			rather interesting... I'm
			beginning to understand what you
			see in them. After all the
			things you've done, they're still
			intent on keeping you safe.

					Q
			A genetic weakness of the race.

              STAR TREK: "Deja Q" - 11/14/89 - ACT FIVE             50.

70   CONTINUED: (2)

					Q2
			And they're still at it. They
			just tried to beam you back or
			whatever they call it... I
			stopped them...

					Q
				(gallows humor)
			Well then, if the Calamarain will
			just hurry up and finish this,
			we'll get you on your way...

					Q2
			No, I put them on hold too.
			There's still this matter of the
			selfless act...

	Q reacts...

					Q2
			You and I both know that the
			Calamarain would have eventually
			destroyed the Enterprise to get
			to you... and that's really why
			you left...

					Q
				(sensing hope)
			It was... a tiny bit selfless...
			wasn't it...

					Q2
			And there's my problem. I get
			back to the continuum and tell
			them you committed a selfless act
			just before the end... I'm gonna
			be tied up with questions and
			explanations for centuries...

					Q
			Q, I've learned my lesson...

					Q2
				(bull-stuff)
			Remember who you're talking to
			here... all knowing, all seeing...
				(sighs)
			Fine. You have your powers back.
			Try to stay out of trouble...

              STAR TREK: "Deja Q" - 11/14/89 - ACT FIVE             51.

70   CONTINUED: (3)

	He DISAPPEARS. Q smiles, rises... tries on his powers
	by snapping his fingers, immediately CHANGING his jump
	suit into a Starfleet uniform...

					Q
			And they wanted to destroy me,
			did they?

	He holds out the palm of his hand.

71
thru	OMITTED
79

80   EXT. SPACE (OPTICAL)

	The Calamarain disappear.

81   INT. SHUTTLE (OPTICAL)

	Q holding out the palm of his hand. There is now a
	glow on it.

					Q
			If you think I tormented you in
			the past, my little friends --
			wait until you see what I do with
			you now.

	Q2's head comes down through the hull...

					Q2 (V.O.)
				(a warning)
			Q --?

	He stops.

					Q
			I was just seeing if you were
			still watching

	He blows on the palm of his hand. The glow is blown
	away. Q2 reacts, nods okay.

82   INT. BRIDGE (OPTICAL)

	Picard, Riker, Troi, Worf, Data, Geordi on the bridge.

              STAR TREK: "Deja Q" - 11/14/89 - ACT FIVE             52.

82   CONTINUED:

					DATA
			Sir, the aliens have disappeared.
				(beat)
			And so has the shuttle.

					RIKER
			Scan the sector...

					DATA
			I have, sir.

					PICARD
				(reacts)
			Well, I guess that's the end of
			Q.

	A cue for the APPEARANCE of a Mexican Mariachi Band...
	Q as the lead trumpet...

					Q
			Au contraire, mon capitaine...
			heee's back...

	And as they blare into a song... Q waves his arms and
	confetti is falling out of nowhere... and the crew
	finds fat cigars in their mouths... which they
	promptly discard...

					Q
			I have been forgiven, embraced
			by my brothers and sisters of the
			continuum... I am immortal again,
			omnipotent again...

					RIKER
			Swell.

					Q
			Don't fret, Riker... my good
			fortune is your good fortune.

	Two beautiful babes APPEAR in bikinis with their arms
	around Riker...

					RIKER
			I don't need your fantasy women,
			Q...

					Q
			You've become so stolid,
			Commander... you weren't like this
			before the beard...
					(MORE)

           STAR TREK: "Deja Q" - REV. 11/17/89 - ACT FIVE           53.

82   CONTINUED: (4)

					Q (Cont'd)
				(off Riker's look)
			Very well...

	He snaps his fingers and the girls are now caressing
	Worf... who reacts...

					PICARD
			Q...

					Q
			But I feel like celebrating...

					PICARD
			I don't.

	Q frowns, snaps his fingers... and the girls
	DISAPPEAR...

					PICARD
			All of it.

	Q snaps his fingers and the band DISAPPEARS and Q is
	dressed again in the Starfleet uniform.

					PICARD
			Now, at the risk of being rude...

					Q
			Yes, I have once again overstayed
			my welcome. As a human, I was
			ill-equipped to thank you, Picard.
			But as myself, you have my
			everlasting gratitude.
				(beat)
			Until next time, of course. But
			before I go, there is a debt I
			must repay...

	And he moves to Data...

					Q
			... to my professor of the
			humanities... I have decided my
			dear Data to give you something
			very, very special...

					DATA
				(reacts)
			If your intention is to make me
			human, Q...

           STAR TREK: "Deja Q" - REV. 11/15/89 - ACT FIVE           54.

82   CONTINUED: (3)

					Q
			No no no no no... don't be
			foolish... I would never curse
			you by making you human... Let's
			just call it a going away present.

	Data reacts and Q grins at him and suddenly Q
	disappears and Data bursts into a belly laugh...
	reactions...

					GEORDI
			Uh, Data... Data? Why are you
			laughing?

	Data collects himself.

					DATA
			I do not know. But it was a
			wonderful... feeling.

					WORF
			Bre'el Four hailing us, Captain.

					PICARD
			On screen, Lieutenant.

82A
thru	OMITTED
89

90   ANGLE - INCLUDE MAIN VIEWER (OPTICAL)

	Garin and the scientist are all smiles...

					GARIN
			Captain Picard... you've done
			it...

					PICARD
			I'm sorry... ?

					SCIENTIST
			The moon is back in its normal
			orbit. How did you manage it?

					PICARD
				(reacts)
			I didn't. Stand by, Bre'el
			Four...

					RIKER
			Let's see it, Worf...

           STAR TREK: "Deja Q" - REV. 11/22/89 - ACT FIVE           55.

90   CONTINUED:

	The viewscreen changes to the moon in orbit around the
	planet...

					PICARD
			Mister Data, your analysis...

					DATA
			The moon's altitude is fifty-five
			thousand kilometers, projected
			orbit is nearly circular. There
			is no further danger to the
			planet.

	Picard and Riker exchange a look. Picard
	acknowledges, relieved...

					PICARD
			Good. Ensign, set a course for
			Station Nigala-Four.
				(sitting)
			Perhaps there's a little humanity
			left in Q after all.

	As he raises his hand to "engage", a cigar appears in
	it...

					Q (V.O.)
				(whispered so only he
				 can hear it)
			Don't bet on it, Picard.

91   OMITTED

92   EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL)

	It warps away to continue its journey.

									FADE OUT.

                        END OF ACT FIVE                         

                            THE END