Course Change

Set after the events of The Abomination.

Paramount owns the characters. I’m just borrowing them, and promise to return them safe and sound. The only thing I gain from this is some writing practice.

TEASER

FADE IN:

EXT. - SPACE - ENTERPRISE -- STOCK SHOT

Enterprise is orbiting the planet Earth.

CAMERA PULLS BACK TO REVEAL

that this is an image on a newscreen. In front of this is a NEWSCASTER, reading the latest report:

NEWSCASTER
...and following the decommissioning ceremony next Friday, the NX-01 Enterprise will be put in mothballs as a first step towards preserving her as a monument for future generations, thus bringing an end to an era. In other news, the end of one era signals the beginning of another, with the --

The image is snapped off.

CAMERA PULLS BACK TO REVEAL

INT. - 602 CLUB -- NIGHT

Which is totally deserted, except for the proprietor/barmaid, RUBY, and Enterprise's former Captain, JONATHAN ARCHER.

RUBY
So that's it.

ARCHER
Seems that way.

He doesn't seem to want to talk much; instead, he looks moodily into his beer.

RUBY
(trying to continue a conversation)
I liked what you said
(off his look)
At his service.

ARCHER
I didn't see you there.

RUBY
Well, there were a lot of people there.

Archer doesn't reply.

RUBY (CONT'D)
Not that that's so surprising.

Still no reply.

RUBY (CONT'D)
You know, he used to come in - before
you two started hanging out together -
and would always sit at that table --
(indicates)
And try to flirt with me.
(laughs sadly)
God, he was terrible at it.
Always tried too hard to be Mr. Smooth,
you know?

Archer still does not reply.

RUBY (CONT'D)
Did he ever?

ARCHER
Ever what?

RUBY
Get better? At flirting, I mean.

ARCHER
(tries to smile; fails)
He thought so.

Both smile sadly. Archer coughs, looks around.

ARCHER (CONT'D)
I can't believe there's no one in
here besides us tonight.

RUBY
No one but us ghosts.

CUT TO:

EXT. - 602 CLUB -- NIGHT

Archer is standing outside the club. It's foggy and the street is deserted. An eerie, haunted night.

As he stands there, the 602 sign abruptly goes out, further darkening the street. He shivers slightly, and pulls the collar of his coat up, begins to walk up the street.

EXT. STREET - SAN FRANCISCO - NIGHT

Archer walks up the street, his footsteps echoing in the foggy night.

Up ahead of him, he sees a man's figure, also walking. This man is the same height, build and coloring as Trip, and is wearing the same type of jacket Trip wore on shore leave.

Archer utters an exclamation of surprise, and hurries to catch up to him.

ARCHER
Hey!

The man does not respond, but he does not hurry, either, and Archer is able to catch up to him.

He lays a hand on the man's shoulder, and the man begins to turn towards Archer (and us). But before we can see his face --

SMASH CUT TO:

INT. - ARCHER'S BEDROOM, EARTH APARTMENT -- NIGHT

Archer wakes up in his own bed in his San Francisco apartment. His beagle, PORTHOS, is at the end of the bed.

Archer blinks, groans, and rubs his face wearily with his hand. It's obvious that he's had this dream before. Porthos whines, worriedly.

ARCHER
(to Porthos)
I know. It's just not the same anymore, is it?

His door chimes.

He sighs, gets out of bed. Goes to the door, opens it.

ANGLE ON

the doorway.

Standing in the door, wearing his trademark mischievous smile, is TRIP TUCKER. He's holding a padd. Archer is flabbergasted.

ARCHER (CONT'D)
(weakly; astonished)
Trip? Is that ... is that really you?

TRIP
Of course not.
(a beat)
I'm dead, remember?

He disappears.

The padd falls to the floor with a tremendous clatter.

CUT TO:
INT. - ARCHER'S BEDROOM, EARTH APARTMENT -- CONTINUOUS

Archer jolts awake for real this time. CAMERA PUSHES IN on his weary, haunted face.

FADE OUT:

END OF TEASER

Continue to Act 1

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