Home > Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
Far Beyond the Stars
00:00:05The Defiant searched the area for almost six hours.
00:00:09We couldn't find any sign of survivors.
00:00:13The Cortez was a good ship.
00:00:16You knew Captain Swofford a long time.
00:00:19I introduced him to his wife.
00:00:22Patrolling Cardassian borders Is getting more and more dangerous.
00:00:25You never know when you'll run into a squadron of Jem'hadar fighters.
00:00:28I guess we popped the champagne cork too soon, huh?
00:00:31Everyone thought the war was over When we retook the station
00:00:35And pushed the Dominion back into Cardassian space.
00:00:38I never believed that, and neither did you.
00:00:41A lot of good that did the 400 people on the Cortez.
00:00:48Ah. Mr. Sisko. How do you like our station so far?
00:00:54Well, it certainly is...
00:00:56Big.
00:01:04I heard about Quentin Swofford.
00:01:08I'm sorry.
00:01:10Look, dad... I know I haven't been very good company
00:01:13In the last few days.
00:01:15I didn't come here to be entertained. I came to see you and Jake.
00:01:21Well...
00:01:24You certainly picked an interesting time To take your first trip away from earth.
00:01:29Well, I figured it was now or never.
00:01:33Besides, I've been worried about you.
00:01:36The last couple of times we've talked,
00:01:37It seemed like you were carrying the weight of the entire alpha quadrant on your shoulders.
00:01:42Sometimes it certainly feels that way.
00:01:46Dad...
00:01:48Just say it, son.
00:01:51I don't know how much more I can take.
00:01:54I don't know how many more friends I can lose.
00:01:57Every time I achieve a real victory, Something like this happens,
00:02:01And everything seems to turn to ashes.
00:02:04So what do you want to do?
00:02:05Maybe it's time for me to step down, Let someone else make the tough calls.
00:02:11I see.
00:02:13No one is indispensable, son, Not even you.
00:02:18Whatever decision you make, I'll support. Of course, if Quentin Swofford was here,
00:02:24I'd bet he'd have a few things to say to you.
00:02:28But he's not here, and that's the whole point.
00:02:32I'd say you have some thinking to do, and I've got a dinner date with my grandson.
00:02:37So you'd better get to it.
00:02:48Who was that?
00:02:54Where'd he go?
00:02:55Who?
00:02:56The man that just walked by my door.
00:02:58I didn't see anyone.
00:03:00I could have sworn...
00:03:13I don't know what you're worried about, Ben
00:03:15I'm not taking my ship anywhere near the Cardassian border.
00:03:18I realize that, but the Dominion Is getting bolder and bolder
00:03:22And your freighter is no match For a Jem'hadar attack ship.
00:03:24Ah, they've got to catch me first.
00:03:26You're really not worried, are you?
00:03:28No. I'm fearless, and you know that.
00:03:31That's why you love me.
00:03:32I think I follow that logic.
00:03:35Man: Hey, Benny!
00:03:41Catch the game?
00:03:44What?
00:03:49Who was that?
00:03:51Who was who?
00:03:57Ben? Where you going?
00:04:09( Tires screeching )
00:04:25BASHIR: He's awake now.
00:04:29Ben, are you all right?
00:04:31-I think so. -Thank god.
00:04:33You scared us there for a minute.
00:04:35-What happened? -BASHIR: I don't know.
00:04:37I'm reading some unusual synaptic potentials.
00:04:40Your neural patterns are similar To those you experienced last year.
00:04:44You mean... When I was having those visions about Bajor?
00:04:47Visions? Does this have to do with those prophets
00:04:50You're always telling me about?
00:04:51He's not going to need surgery again, is he?
00:04:54I'm not sure, so I'd like you to remain overnight
00:04:57For observation.
00:04:58Is that absolutely necessary?
00:05:00Take a look at these readings.
00:05:04BOY: Hey, you going to buy that or not?
00:05:10Now, personally, I don't see the attraction.
00:05:12Spaceships, flying saucers, men from mars.
00:05:15What's wrong with men from mars?
00:05:16Nothing, except it's all make-believe. Me? I like war stories.
00:05:21Did you see, from here to eternity? Burt Lancaster standing there
00:05:24In the middle of Pearl Harbor,
00:05:26Machine gun blazing... Shooting down those zeros.
00:05:30If it had been flying saucers, Forget about it.
00:05:34So you going to buy that or not?
00:05:37-Ah, Benny. -Hello, Albert.
00:05:39I, uh... I thought you might be going to the, uh...
00:05:44The office.
00:05:45We could walk there together.
00:05:47Exactly. Uh, uh... If I could find... Ah, there they are.
00:05:52So, you're looking at the galaxy I see.
00:05:56Paper here! Paper!
00:08:01{\an8}Voila. A pitcher of plain water instantly becomes a pitcher of ice tea.
00:08:06{\an8}Incredible!
00:08:07{\an8}"White rose redi-tea." What an appalling concept.
00:08:10{\an8}Oh! H.G. Wells would've liked it.
00:08:12{\an8}I doubt it. No self-respecting Englishman would.
00:08:14{\an8}Pabst! Pabst, get out here.
00:08:18{\an8}-What's wrong now, Herb? -One guess.
00:08:21{\an8}"Battle of the doughnuts," round 28.
00:08:23{\an8}That's it? You call me out here to complain? About the doughnuts?
00:08:26{\an8}They're stale again.
00:08:30{\an8}Delicious.
00:08:31{\an8}Delicious, my eye. These are two days old, and you know it.
00:08:34{\an8}I've been eating doughnuts my whole life.
00:08:35{\an8}These weren't baked more than... Six hours ago.
00:08:39{\an8}That's it. I quit. I'm going over to galaxy.
00:08:41{\an8}Galaxy? That rag?
00:08:42{\an8}HERB: That rag knows the difference between doughnuts and doorstops.
00:08:44{\an8}-Whose winning? -Draw, same as always.
00:08:45{\an8}Want to write in galaxy? They won't pay four cents a word.
00:08:49{\an8}You're paying him four cents a word?
00:08:51{\an8}-Stay out, Julius. -ALBERT: Where did I put?
00:08:53{\an8}I gave you the matches. I gave them to you.
00:08:54{\an8}For that fantasy crap you write, you're lucky to get two.
00:08:58{\an8}-ALBERT: Maybe I put them over there. -JULIUS: I beg your pardon?
00:08:59{\an8}-What's that? -The latest galaxy.
00:09:02{\an8}KAY: Benny has the new issue of Galaxy.
00:09:04{\an8}Let me see that.
00:09:09{\an8}Heinlein, Bradbury, Sturgeon.
00:09:13{\an8}Quite a lineup.
00:09:14{\an8}Add Herbert Rossoff to them, and it'd be complete.
00:09:17{\an8}What if I promise you fresh doughnuts tomorrow?
00:09:19{\an8}-Why should I believe you? -I'll even throw in a couple of crullers.
00:09:22{\an8}-Okay, I'll stay. -Don't do us any favors.
00:09:26{\an8}Good. Now that we've finished With the old business, on to the new.
00:09:30{\an8}Time to hand out next month's story assignments.
00:09:33Ritterhouse, we're waiting!
00:09:34Okay, friends and neighbors.
00:09:36Let's see what uncle Roy has for you today.
00:09:39PABST: All right, I've titled this one "Please take me with you."
00:09:42-Who wants it? -Kay: what do you think, Jules?
00:09:45JULIUS: I think we can do something with that.
00:09:46Oh, I'll bet you can. I can see it now...
00:09:49A lonely little girl befriended by empathetic aliens
00:09:52Who teach her how to smile.
00:09:54It's enough to make you go out and buy a television set.
00:09:56Next.
00:09:57ROY: This is Mr. Pabst's favorite, "honeymoon on Andorras."
00:10:01You've got to be kidding.
00:10:02I had too much sauerkraut in my franks that night.
00:10:04What can I say?
00:10:06That is the worst garbage I have ever seen.
00:10:09Thank you. I'll take it.
00:10:10Of course, you will. You have an affinity for garbage. Don't you?
00:10:13The picture may be garbage, but the story... The story will be art.
00:10:18( Others scoffing )
00:10:20PABST: All right, I haven't got a title for this one yet.
00:10:23-Anybody got any ideas? -I'll think of something.
00:10:30PABST: All right, next order of business. some of our readers have been writing in wanting to know what you people look like.
00:10:35KAY: well, write back and tell them
00:10:36We look like writers, poor, needy and incredibly attractive.
00:10:40Well, our publisher has a better idea.
00:10:41Mr. Stone has decided to run a picture of you in next month's issue.
00:10:45Is that absolutely...
00:10:47Necessary? I'm afraid it is.
00:10:49Kay, you can sleep late that day.
00:10:52Of course, I can.
00:10:54God forbid the public ever finds out That K.C. Hunter is a woman.
00:10:57I suppose I'm sleeping late that day, too.
00:11:00It's not personal, but as far as our readers are concerned,
00:11:03Benny Russell is as white as they are. Let's keep it that way.
00:11:06( Sarcastically ) Oh, yes...
00:11:07If the world's not ready for a woman writer...
00:11:09Imagine what would happen if it learned about a Negro with a typewriter.
00:11:14Run for the hills. It's the end of civilization.
00:11:17What about W.E.B. Dubois, Zora Neale Huston,
00:11:20Langston Hughes, Ralph Ellison, Richard Wright?
00:11:24Did you ever hear of native son?
00:11:26That's literature for liberals and intellectuals.
00:11:29The average reader won't spend his hard-earned cash
00:11:31On stories written by Negroes.
00:11:33Someone shoot me and put me out of my misery.
00:11:35-Oh, how I long for a gun. -Sorry, Benny.
00:11:39I wish things were different, but they're not.
00:11:41Wishing never changed a damn thing.
00:11:43Come on, Benny, it's just a photo.
00:11:45I'll try to remember that.
00:11:51You're a dog.
00:11:56All right, enough standing around. Get back to work.
00:12:02( Typewriter clattering )
00:12:20Hey, hey, hey.
00:12:21-What's the hurry? -That's my drawing.
00:12:25-Is that so? -Nice suit.
00:12:27Where'd you get it?
00:12:30I bought it.
00:12:31Can I have my drawing back?
00:12:33Hey, boy, I'd watch that tone of voice if I were you.
00:12:37What are you doing here?
00:12:38I work here.
00:12:40RYAN: Yeah? Where?
00:12:41In there.
00:12:43What are you? The janitor?
00:12:45Awfully well-dressed for a janitor.
00:12:47How do we know that picture's yours?
00:12:51It's the drawing of a space station.
00:12:53BOTH: Space station?
00:12:56MULKAHEY: Hey, hey... Uh-uh.
00:13:01Well, get off it already.
00:13:03Okay, okay.
00:13:06See? It's not worth anything except to me.
00:13:10Let's say we run him in, check him for priors.
00:13:13Eh... We got to be uptown in 15 minutes.
00:13:16Take your drawing... And get out of here.
00:13:23RYAN: Hey, hey. You're getting off with a warning this time.
00:13:26Next time, not so lucky. Now, get out of here.
00:13:28You heard him, move on.
00:13:37I don't know, Kevin.
00:13:40This whole city's going to hell in a hand basket, huh?
00:13:43Damn shame.
00:13:46Come on.
00:13:51MAN: And he said to me... "These words are trustworthy and true.
00:13:57"And the lord god started the spirits of the prophets
00:14:01"shall send his angel to show his servants what must soon take place."
00:14:06Praise the lord. Open their eyes. Help them to see.
00:14:11Are you talking to me?
00:14:13"O, that my words were now written.
00:14:16O, that they were printed in a book."
00:14:19Write those words, brother Benny. Let them see the glory of what lies ahead.
00:14:25"B-benny"? How do you know my name?
00:14:27Go now and write the truth that's in your heart...
00:14:31The truth "that shall set them free." Praise be the word of the lord.
00:14:37Praise to the word of the prophets!
00:14:58( Sighs )
00:16:43( Typing )
00:16:51( Singing doo-wop )
00:17:06CASIE: Hey, baby. Have a seat. The usual?
00:17:09How about scrambling those eggs today?
00:17:11Oh, my. Aren't we feeling adventurous.
00:17:14I have just written the best story of my life.
00:17:15That's great, baby.
00:17:18I've got some good news, too.
00:17:21I talked to Mrs. Jackson last night, and she's serious about retiring
00:17:25In the next couple of years.
00:17:26I asked her about selling this place to us, and she said that she would be willing.
00:17:31Cassie, we have been over this. I have a job I am a writer.
00:17:35And how much money have you earned doing that?
00:17:38I've only been working at it for a few years.
00:17:40A few years? More like 15... If you count all those stories you wrote in the navy.
00:17:45-That was amateur stuff. -Oh, baby.
00:17:47Neither one of us is getting any younger. Can't you see?
00:17:50This is our chance.
00:17:52We can make some money, we can get married.
00:17:54You're always talking about writing for the future.
00:17:57Well, look around you. This is our future.
00:18:00In you go, ladies. Lunch is on me.
00:18:04Cassie, hear the game last night?
00:18:06Went two for four, robbed Snider of a tater.
00:18:10Should've heard the crowd... yelling and carrying on.
00:18:13Sure, they were yelling.
00:18:15They want to know why the giants are in fifth place.
00:18:18Would you please tell this fool to take his business someplace else?
00:18:21Well, I thought about it.
00:18:22Trouble is, if he did leave, he'd take my heart with him.
00:18:26Well, suit yourself. But if you ask me,
00:18:29It's a waste of a very pretty heart.
00:18:32I don't think so.
00:18:34Strike three. You're out.
00:18:37Oh, that's all right. I'll get another turn at bat.
00:18:42How about some steak and eggs?
00:18:43Ah, coming right up. Uh, but tell me something.
00:18:47How come you still living uptown? A famous ballplayer like you,
00:18:51You can live anywhere you want.
00:18:53The hell I can. They can hardly get used to the idea
00:18:55Of me playing alongside them.
00:18:57Living next door to them? That's a whole other story.
00:19:00Besides, around here, when people look at me,
00:19:02It's 'cause they admire me.
00:19:04There, I'm just another colored boy That can hit a curve ball.
00:19:09Now, if you will excuse me, my public awaits.
00:19:18I'll see about those eggs.
00:19:22Hey, hey, Benny. You want to buy a watch?
00:19:26-Where'd you get that? -I found it. Nice, huh?
00:19:30Jimmy, you've got to turn this around or one day you're going to find yourself in some serious trouble.
00:19:34Anything I can get into, I can get out.
00:19:37You keep thinking that way and watch what happens.
00:19:40Man, why you always trying to lecture me?
00:19:42-I'm not. I'm just trying to help. -You want to help me?
00:19:45You can buy this watch. I can use the cash.
00:19:47Why don't you get a job?
00:19:48As what? A delivery boy or a dishwasher?
00:19:53No, thanks.
00:19:54I like being my own boss, setting my own hours.
00:19:57Sounds like a great life.
00:20:00Yours ain't no better writing stories about a bunch of white people living on the moon.
00:20:04Man, who cares about that?
00:20:05Hey, I'm not doing that anymore. I'm writing about us.
00:20:08What, colored people on the moon?
00:20:11-BENNY: check out next month's issue. -Colored people on the moon.
00:20:15( Chuckling )
00:20:16I just might do that. But first, I'm going to need to raise me some cash.
00:20:36Oh! She's got a worm in her belly.
00:20:40Oh, that's disgusting. That's interesting, but that's disgusting.
00:20:45And you,
00:20:46Uh, um... If you don't mind my asking that is,
00:20:50You... You are...?
00:20:52I'm Mr. Pabst's new secretary, Darlene Kursky.
00:20:55Which one of youse wrote this?
00:20:57I did.
00:20:58You? Surprised?
00:21:00Well... It's the best thing I've read Since the puppet masters.
00:21:04I read a lot of science fiction.
00:21:06Bless you, my child. The world needs more people like you.
00:21:09This story is really... It's... It's... Um... Uh...
00:21:14How should I put it?
00:21:15It's... It's very...
00:21:17-Impressive? -Yes.
00:21:20It's a damn fine piece of writing is what it is.
00:21:23And deep space nine is a very intriguing title.
00:21:26Very admirable.
00:21:28The master of understatement.
00:21:29What he really means is, He wishes he had half your talent.
00:21:33KAY: You know what, Benny?
00:21:34I like this major. She's a tough cookie.
00:21:37Science fiction needs more strong women. I'm always saying that, aren't I?
00:21:41Ad nauseam, dear.
00:21:43These Cardassians... I like the way you described them,
00:21:46Especially the neck ridges.
00:21:48I'm going to do some sketches, make a nice cover.
00:21:51Don't waste your time.
00:21:53You, get back to work. You, too, Roy.
00:21:56Douglas, you're not going to tell us
00:21:58-You don't like this story. -Oh, I like it.
00:22:00It's very good. But you know I can't print it.
00:22:03-Why not? -Oh, come on, Benny.
00:22:05Your hero's a Negro Captain,
00:22:07The head of a space station, for Christ's sake.
00:22:10What's wrong with that?
00:22:12People won't accept it. It's not believable.
00:22:15-And men from mars are? -PABST: Stay out of this, Herb.
00:22:18Look, Benny, I am a magazine editor. I am not a crusader.
00:22:23I'm not here to change the world. I'm here to put out a magazine.
00:22:26That means I have to answer to the publisher,
00:22:28The national distributors, the wholesalers, and none of them are going to want To put this story on the newsstand.
00:22:34For all we know, it could cause a race riot.
00:22:37Congratulations, Douglas.
00:22:40That's the most imbecilic attempt To rationalize personal cowardice
00:22:45That I've ever heard.
00:22:47Uh. He's angry now.
00:22:48Huh! Herb's been angry ever since Josef Stalin died.
00:22:51-What's that supposed to mean? -You know exactly what it means.
00:22:54-You calling me a red? -Easy, easy.
00:22:56Calm down, dear boy. We're writers, not vikings.
00:23:01I'm not going to stand here and let some craven fascist call me
00:23:04HERB: a pinko and get away with it.
00:23:06Douglas, um...
00:23:08What did you think of, uh... of my story?
00:23:12I loved it. Albert's got the right idea. He's not interested in Negroes or whites.
00:23:16-He writes about robots. -That's because he is a robot.
00:23:20No offense, Albert.
00:23:22Well, I...
00:23:23Like robots. They're very... Uh... Uh, efficient.
00:23:30Here. Write me a novella based on this picture.
00:23:32I'll print it in next month's issue.
00:23:34You do a good job, you might even get the cover.
00:23:36-What about my story? -The way I see it,
00:23:39You can either burn it or stick it in a drawer
00:23:41For the next 50 years or how ever long it takes
00:23:42The human race to become color-blind. I want people to read it now.
00:23:45You want me to print it, make the Captain white.
00:23:48That's not what I wrote!
00:23:50It's your call.
00:24:09I'm sorry they didn't buy your story, baby.
00:24:11Really I am.
00:24:12I told you you were wasting your time. A colored Captain.
00:24:17The only reason they'll ever let us in space
00:24:19Is if they need someone to shine their shoes.
00:24:22Ain't that right, Cassie?
00:24:23I don't know, and to be honest.
00:24:25I don't much care what happens a hundred years from now.
00:24:28It's today that matters.
00:24:30Well, I've got news for you.
00:24:31Today or 100 years from now, It don't make a bit of difference.
00:24:35As far as they're concerned, we'll always be niggers.
00:24:39Things are going to change. They have to.
00:24:41Oh, you keep telling yourself that.
00:24:44Maybe this is all happening for a reason.
00:24:46You mean maybe it's God's way of telling me
00:24:48I should quit writing and go into the restaurant business?
00:24:51Hey, it's possible.
00:24:55Baby, I know we can make this work for us. We could be happy.
00:24:59Besides, you don't have to give up Writing altogether.
00:25:02Maybe you could write something for the Amsterdam news
00:25:05Or... Some other Negro newspaper.
00:25:07I'm not a reporter. I'm a writer. I write fiction,
00:25:12And the Amsterdam news is not going to publish stories about a space station 400 years into the future.
00:25:20Hear the game last night?
00:25:21( Yelling )
00:25:24Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to frighten you.
00:25:27You don't look so good. You sick or something?
00:25:31-Oh, no, I'm fine. -You want to lie down in the back?
00:25:33No, I... I just need some air.
00:25:35Are we still on for tonight?
00:25:37I'll pick you up about 10:00.
00:25:40( Door shuts )
00:25:41Well, what are you doing till 10:00?
00:25:44Whatever it is, I won't be doing it with you.
00:25:56PREACHER: Hello, brother Benny.
00:26:00Oh, you again.
00:26:01I don't understand what you want from me.
00:26:04To follow the path of the prophets.
00:26:07Walk with the prophets, brother Benny.
00:26:10Show us the way.
00:26:12W--what way?
00:26:13-I don't know what you're talking about. -Write the words, brother Benny...
00:26:17PREACHER: The words that will lead us out of the darkness
00:26:20Onto the path of righteousness! Write the words, brother Benny!
00:26:26Write the words!
00:26:53( Playing slow jazz )
00:27:10Hey, baby.
00:27:11Hey, hey, hey.
00:27:13You forgot all about our date.
00:27:15Ohh... Our date. I'm sorry. I was working.
00:27:20Ben Sisko? Isn't that your colored Captain?
00:27:23Mm-hmm.
00:27:25Why are you writing another one of those stories?
00:27:27You couldn't sell the last one. what makes you think this one will be any different?
00:27:32It probably won't be, but it doesn't matter.
00:27:35It's what I've got to do. Right now, what you've got to do is eat.
00:27:40I'm not hungry. ( Yawning )
00:27:42What time is it anyway?
00:27:46It's after midnight. I should be getting home to bed.
00:27:51But before I go, what do you say we take a spin on the dance floor?
00:27:55Okay.
00:28:07Mmm. Feels good, doesn't it?
00:28:11I could stay like this forever.
00:28:13Mmm, me, too. It's times like these
00:28:15That I wish we'd never heard of the Dominion.
00:28:18The Dominion?
00:28:19What do you mean?
00:28:21You said something about the Dominion.
00:28:25What is it, Ben?
00:28:27What's wrong?
00:28:29I don't know.
00:28:30I think I'm losing my mind.
00:28:35Tell me what's wrong. I'm starting to see things from my story.
00:28:40It's as if I'm becoming this Captain Sisko.
00:28:44Okay, baby, you just need to get some rest.
00:28:46It's all right. It's all right.
00:28:49I'm with you. I'm with you, baby.
00:28:51Just take it easy. Shh.
00:28:59Have you lost your mind?
00:29:02I've been asking myself the same question.
00:29:04I give you a novella to write, I even offer you a shot at the cover.
00:29:06Three weeks later instead of a novella,
00:29:08You come back with six stories,
00:29:10Six sequels to a story I refused to publish
00:29:12In the first place. So I guess the answer To the question we've both been asking
00:29:17-Is, yeah, you are certifiable. -I think you should print your own stories
00:29:22Through a private publishing house. A nice, elegant volume 50 to 100 copies.
00:29:26That's a great idea.
00:29:28Yeah, might as well write it in chalk on the sidewalk.
00:29:30More people would read it that way.
00:29:32I've got an idea. Why not make them, you know, a, uh...
00:29:37A d--dream?
00:29:42What's that?
00:29:43Just make the ending
00:29:45Of your first story of deep space nine a...
00:29:50Dream.
00:29:52Would that make a difference?
00:29:54( Sighs )
00:29:57-That depends. -On what?
00:29:59On who's doing the dreaming.
00:30:00Well, obviously someone, uh... Someone without a lot of hope.
00:30:05A--a shoeshine boy, a convict... Someone dreaming of a better future.
00:30:10( Sighs )
00:30:11A Negro.
00:30:13Yeah, well, I suppose he'd have to be if he was dreaming about a Negro Captain.
00:30:17HERB: Hold on.
00:30:19-Making it a dream guts the story. -Shut up, Herb!
00:30:23I think it makes it more poignant.
00:30:25What about the other Sisko stories? You can't make them all a dream.
00:30:28Let him get this published, then worry about the others.
00:30:31What do you think, Benny?
00:30:35I think...
00:30:38It's better than chalk on the sidewalk.
00:30:43Can I play?
00:30:44Hey, Jimmy, I got great news. We are headed for the stars.
00:30:47Yeah, sure, whatever.
00:30:49-Oh, come on. -I'll buy you lunch.
00:30:50I'll tell you all about it.
00:30:51Later. I got some business to take care of.
00:30:53What kind of business?
00:30:55Big time. That's all I'm saying.
00:30:56Hey, hold it. Hold it.
00:30:58What are you talking about?
00:30:59Don't worry about it.
00:31:00-It's cool, I got it under control. -Huh?
00:31:03I'll see you around.
00:31:07Bottom of the seventh, I'm up again.
00:31:09O-2 fast ball... bam! Into the left field bleachers.
00:31:13Had to be 400 feet.
00:31:15I know all about it, Willie. I read the newspaper.
00:31:18Oh, but you got to admit...
00:31:20They don't tell it like I tell it.
00:31:23BENNY: Hey, Cassie!
00:31:28( Giggles )
00:31:29WILLIE: Hey, man, did you hear the game last night?
00:31:31I went two for four.
00:31:32That's great, but I just hit a grand slam.
00:31:35They are publishing one of my Sisko stories
00:31:37At three cents a word, three cents a word!
00:31:39Oh, good for you, baby!
00:31:41That means tonight we are celebrating. Dancing, the works.
00:31:44-I'll wear my red dress. -You're damn right you will.
00:31:47Three cents a word. Three cents a word.
00:31:49Whoo!
00:31:50( Cassie laughing )
00:32:19Hey! There you are.
00:32:21( Humming )
00:32:22Oh! Oh, my poor feet. Baby, you better marry me soon.
00:32:25I'm not getting any younger.
00:32:27Yes, but you are getting more beautiful
00:32:29Day by day.
00:32:30♪ I'd be happy just to spend my life ♪
00:32:35♪ Waiting on your beck and call ♪
00:32:41PASTOR: Brother Benny.
00:32:44I was hoping I'd see you again. I did it. My story's getting published.
00:32:49"And the light of the Lord is in his path."
00:32:52But, brother Benny,
00:32:53This is only the beginning of your journey, not the ending, and the path of the prophets
00:32:59Sometimes leads into darkness and pain.
00:33:03Benny, what is he talking about?
00:33:06Who are you?
00:33:07I speak with the voice of the prophets.
00:33:20PASTOR: And in their words, hope and despair walk arm in arm.
00:33:30Did you understand any of that?
00:33:32( Gunfire )
00:33:35Is that gunfire?
00:33:46-Hey! Whoa, whoa! -What happened?
00:33:48-What's it to you? -I know him.
00:33:51Oh, yeah? Maybe you can explain what he was doing trying to break into this car.
00:33:54You shot him because he was breaking into a car?
00:33:56-He had a weapon. -A crowbar!
00:33:58Yeah, now, step back.
00:34:00-Let's go. -Come on.
00:34:02Hey!
00:34:03CASSIE: Stop it! Stop it! Stop it! Let him go!
00:34:07Stop it, please! Stop it! Get off me!
00:34:10-Stop it! -You're going to kill him!
00:34:12( Cassie crying ) You're going to kill him!
00:34:16( Crying ) Stop it! Stop it! Please...
00:34:20( Sobbing ) Stop! Stop!
00:34:32I'm telling you, baby. You've been cooped up in this apartment for weeks.
00:34:36Going down to the office will do you good.
00:34:38I suppose you're right. I should be there when the first copies
00:34:42Of this month's issue are delivered.
00:34:44Absolutely. After all that work you did,
00:34:47You deserve to see your story in print.
00:34:51Just no jumping up and down with excitement.
00:34:54I wouldn't want you to hurt yourself.
00:35:01I will restrict myself to a proud grin.
00:35:04You're not having any more of those hallucinations, are you?
00:35:08I'm fine.
00:35:22( Door shuts )
00:35:27KAY: What about "it came from outer space"?
00:35:29JULIUS: I think it's a smashing title. wish I'd thought of it.
00:35:41Hey, Benny.
00:35:44Long time no see.
00:35:48Is it here?
00:35:50Not yet.
00:35:51Pabst is still at the printer.
00:35:54We're waiting for his return with baited breath.
00:35:57We, uh, heard that...
00:36:01-That you were... -We heard they beat the hell out of you.
00:36:06I'm okay.
00:36:09Glad to see that you're...
00:36:11You know, up... And about.
00:36:15Tell him the good news, Albert.
00:36:17-Yeah. -Oh, it's-it's nothing.
00:36:21Nothing? He sells a novel to gnome press, And he says it's nothing?
00:36:25Novel, Albert. Congratulations. Robots, huh?
00:36:29Well, you know, what else?
00:36:31( All laughing )
00:36:37JULIUS: It's about time.
00:36:42Douglas, magazine?
00:36:46There isn't any magazine not this month anyway.
00:36:49Mr. Stone had the entire run pulped.
00:36:52-He can't do that. -Oh, he can... And he did.
00:36:55He believes, quote, "this issue did not
00:36:58"live up to our usual high standards," unquote.
00:37:01Well... What's that supposed to mean?
00:37:04It means he didn't like it.
00:37:08Which means the public will simply have to get along
00:37:12Without any "incredible tales" this month.
00:37:15What exactly is it that he did not like? The-the-the artwork, the, uh, the layout?
00:37:20Uh, what "high standards" is he talking about?
00:37:24Take it easy, Benny.
00:37:25No, I...
00:37:28It's about my story, isn't it?
00:37:30That's what this is all about.
00:37:33He didn't want to publish my story,
00:37:35And we all know why. Because my hero is a colored man.
00:37:39Hey! This magazine belongs to Mr. Stone. If he doesn't want to publish this month,
00:37:43We don't publish end of story.
00:37:45And that doesn't make it right, and you know it.
00:37:47Don't tell me what I know.
00:37:50Besides, it's not about what's right. It's about what is...
00:37:56And I'm afraid I've got some more bad news for you, Benny.
00:37:59Mr. Stone has decided that your services are no longer required here.
00:38:03What?
00:38:04You're firing me?
00:38:05I have no choice, Benny.
00:38:07It's his decision.
00:38:10Well, you can't fire me.
00:38:13I quit. To hell with you...
00:38:18And to hell with Stone.
00:38:20Try to stay calm, Benny.
00:38:22No! I'm tired of being calm. Calm never got me a damn thing.
00:38:26I'm warning you, Benny.
00:38:27If you don't stop this, I'm going to call the police.
00:38:30You go ahead! Call them!
00:38:32Call anybody you want. They can't do anything to me.
00:38:36Not anymore... And nor can any of you!
00:38:43I... Am a human being, damn it.
00:38:49You can deny me all you want... But you cannot deny Ben Sisko.
00:38:55He exists.
00:38:57That future, that space station, all those people, they exist in here.
00:39:03In my mind. I created it. And every one of you know it.
00:39:09You read it.
00:39:11It's here. You get what I'm telling you?
00:39:15You can pulp a story, but you cannot destroy an idea.
00:39:19Don't you understand? That's ancient knowledge.
00:39:22You cannot destroy an idea.
00:39:27That future I created it, and it's real!
00:39:31Don't you understand?
00:39:34It is real! I created it, and it's real!
00:39:40It's real. Oh, god!
00:39:44( Weeping )
00:39:58PARAMEDIC: Easy...
00:40:13One... two... three.
00:40:35Rest easy, brother Benny.
00:40:38You have walked in the path of the prophets.
00:40:41There is no greater glory.
00:40:43Tell me, please.
00:40:46Who am I?
00:40:47Don't you know?
00:40:49Tell me.
00:40:52You are the dreamer...
00:40:55And the dream.
00:41:13KASIDY: Ben.
00:41:16Ben?
00:41:27-How long was I out? -Only for a few minutes.
00:41:31Seemed like forever to me.
00:41:34That's odd.
00:41:35Somehow your neural patterns have returned to normal.
00:41:38-That's good, isn't it? -Oh, it's very good.
00:41:41I just don't understand how it happened.
00:41:51How are you feeling, son?
00:41:53I'm okay.
00:41:56I'm done packing.
00:41:58Transport leaves at 8:00 in the morning.
00:42:02I wish you could stay longer.
00:42:05I've got to get back to the restaurant.
00:42:07My customers have never gone this long without me.
00:42:12The question is what are you going to do?
00:42:18The only thing I can do. Stay here and finish the job I started,
00:42:24And if I fail...
00:42:26"I have fought the good fight... I have finished the course...
00:42:32I have kept the faith."
00:42:35I've never known you to quote from the bible.
00:42:38I'm full of surprises, aren't I?
00:42:42And so are you.
00:42:45Sounds like that dream you had... Helped you sort things out.
00:42:50I suppose it did...
00:42:53But I have begun to wonder.
00:42:56What if it wasn't a dream?
00:42:59What if this life we're leading, all of this...
00:43:04You and me, everything... What if all of this is the illusion?
00:43:12That's a scary thought.
00:43:15I know. I know.
00:43:17But maybe, just maybe...
00:43:20Benny isn't the dream.
00:43:22We are.
00:43:24Maybe we're nothing more than figments of his imagination.
00:43:30For all we know...
00:43:33At this very moment,
00:43:35Somewhere far beyond all those distant stars...
00:43:41Benny Russell...
00:43:43Is dreaming of us.